National News

Patience Makwele Namibia has protected only 1.69% of its marine territory, despite committing to an international target requiring countries to place at least 30% of their oceans under conservation by 2030, according to agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister, Inge Zaamwani. The disclosure has highlighted a growing challenge for a country that depends heavily on the ocean for jobs, food security and economic growth, while simultaneously seeking to expand its blue economy ambitions. Speaking at the World Ocean Day commemoration in Windhoek earlier this week, Zaamwani said the latest 2026 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Target Tracker shows Namibia…

Allexer Namundjembo The African Aquaculture Company (AAC) has welcomed Omankete Investment as the first Namibian private investor in its offshore salmon farming project, in a deal valued at N$40 million. AAC last Wednesday said the investment signals the Namibian private sector’s readiness to contribute to the indigenisation and development of the emerging salmon industry, while also reflecting market confidence in the project. The company said it welcomes the investment as part of its drive to harness value for the aquaculture sector and deepen local ownership, aligning with sustainable job opportunities and revenue growth. “We are happy Namibians and Namibian institutions…

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Member of Parliament Nelson Kalangula has criticised the installation of speed humps along the B1 Western Bypass, calling the move reactive and short-sighted after vehicle collisions were reported on the new structures this past weekend. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Monday, Kalangula said the chaos on the roads in recent days is a clear indicator that the current administration's approach to road safety is flawed. He acknowledged that the high number of pedestrian fatalities between the Independence Avenue interchange near Katutura Hospital and Lafrenz, as well as on the A1…

Allexer Namundjembo Sesfontein Constituency Councillor Bernadus //Hoeb is calling for urgent action on road infrastructure, saying the tarred road from Sesfontein to Opuwo is long overdue and should be completed during his term. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer last Tuesday, //Hoeb said the regional council has a procedure to address roads, but he is yet to see a master plan for Kunene. “The specific road from Sesfontein to Opuwo was supposed to be tarred long back in 2016 to 2018. During the budget under the tenure of the late President Hage Geingob, there was a budget cut, and the funds…

Patience Makwele Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has warned that Namibia could face an 84% increase in cancer cases by 2045, as health experts raised concerns over delayed diagnoses, limited rural screening services and growing barriers to treatment. Speaking at the opening of the World Health Organization (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) imPACT Review Mission in Windhoek on Monday, Luvindao described cancer as one of Namibia's most pressing public health threats. According to figures presented by the minister, Namibia recorded approximately 2,200 new cancer cases in 2018. Four years later, that…

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, has said that artificial intelligence can be harnessed for decent work without job losses, provided governments choose retraining over retrenchment. Speaking at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, Immanuel offered an example of how the Social Security Commission had recently introduced digital tools to improve service delivery and accountability. Although the transition directly affected 65 positions, no worker lost their job. “Instead, retraining and upskilling were prioritised, demonstrating our commitment to a human-centred transition,” Immanuel said. Addressing delegates during debates on a report harnessing AI…

Patience Makwele The Namibian Presidency has rejected allegations that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her family were involved in a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Chinese-owned Tsumeb smelter. They insist that the head of state played no role in the negotiation, financing, approval or implementation of the development. The response follows claims by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula, who last week questioned the ownership structure and governance arrangements surrounding the proposed 20-megawatt solar power plant, alleging that companies associated with the President's sons are involved in the venture. In a statement issued through presidential…

Allexer Namundjembo Local farmer Marcus Kambulu, a resident of Mayana in rural Rundu, says the Kavango Region has the potential to become Namibia’s food basket if farmers make better use of fertile land and seasonal rains. “We have the land with fertile soil, and we receive good rain sometimes,” Kambulu said while speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Friday. “Kavango must be the food basket of Namibia.” Kambulu currently relies on rain-fed agriculture and plants crops that add nutrition back into the soil. He uses traditional crop rotation to improve soil quality and plans to add conservation methods to boost…