National News – Page 15 – Windhoek Observer

05 Feb

Moongo questions Govt spending on workshops and committees

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Winnie Moongo has questioned the government's spending on workshops, conferences and high-level committees. Moongo is asking whether these activities deliver results at a time of tight public finances. In a notice submitted to Parliament on Wednesday, Moongo said the government continues to spend public funds and time on engagements that revisit the same issues each year, often without clear plans for implementation or measurable outcomes. “These engagements are routinely convened on the same issues, with little regard for value for money or tangible results,” Moongo said. She said the growing number…

05 Feb

Senior diplomats to mentor younger staff

National News

Renthia Kaimbi International relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi says senior diplomats will mentor younger officers as part of internal reforms to professionalise Namibia’s foreign service. The minister made the remarks during her ministry’s first general staff meeting of the year on Tuesday. She said the changes will include staff rotations to build capacity and a partnership with the Namibian Association of Former Heads of Mission to mentor younger officers. She told staff that the ministry must adapt to a world marked by rising geopolitical competition, weakened respect for international law and strained global cooperation. She said Namibia’s national interest…

05 Feb

IPC backs UNITA in bid to unseat Angola’s ruling party

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has endorsed Angola’s main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), for the country’s 2027 national elections. The endorsement was delivered by IPC national general secretary Christine Esperanza Aochamus on behalf of party president Panduleni Itula during UNITA’s 14th Ordinary Congress held on 28 November 2025 in Viana, Angola. The congress drew more than 1 200 delegates and confirmed Adalberto Costa Júnior as UNITA president after he secured 91% of the vote. Addressing delegates, Aochamus framed the message as one of shared history and shared political struggle…

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Mondesa Clinic reopens after year-long fire closure

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Mondesa Clinic in Swakopmund reopened its doors on Monday. The clinic had been closed for a year after a fire caused extensive damage to the facility. The Ministry of Health and Social Services confirmed the reopening, saying renovation work has been completed and all health services have been restored. The Erongo Regional Council’s directorate of health and social services cleared the clinic for use following repairs. Erongo health director Anna Jonas thanked the Mondesa community for its patience during the closure and apologised for the inconvenience caused. “We are pleased to announce that the renovations have been completed…

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Shore Runners Club grows coastal running community

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Shore Runners Club was formed in March 2025 and is growing into a recognised running community along the coast. It brings together runners of different ages and abilities around health, fitness and a shared identity. The club is the fourth formal running group in the coastal towns, following Walvis Bay Road Runners, Swakopmund Striders and BRG Running Club. Its formation followed a simple observation that many runners were active but lacked structure. “Before the club’s formation, many runners were active on the streets but lacked a shared structure and identity,” said co-founder and chairman Sydney Nuwuseb. “Shore…

05 Feb

New law bars officials from oil stakes

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena and Allexer Namundjembo Senior officials who will run the upstream petroleum sector will now be required to declare their assets and business interests under amendments to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act tabled in Parliament this week. The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill requires the director general and deputy director general of the newly created Upstream Petroleum Unit to submit statements of their assets, liabilities and business interests to the President shortly after appointment and whenever required. This includes any interests linked to petroleum activities. The draft bill aims to enhance transparency and minimise conflicts of interest. …

04 Feb

Opposition wary as President pushes oil law changes

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the National Assembly to urgently consider proposed amendments to laws governing the country’s natural resources. Nandi-Ndaitwah said legislation related to natural resources must be treated with urgency, especially proposals that seek to ensure that the country’s wealth benefits many Namibians and not only a few. “The wealth generated in this country should benefit many of our people, not just a few,” she told parliamentarians as she officially opened the third session of the eighth Parliament yesterday. She said Parliament must ensure that Namibia’s natural resources are used responsibly and sustainably. She stressed…

04 Feb

Technology seen as answer to cancer care gaps

National News

Justicia Shipena Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) chief executive officer Rolf Hansen says technology and innovative service models must be used to close gaps in cancer care where human capacity is limited. Hansen made the remarks as Namibia joins the rest of the world today to mark World Cancer Day under the theme “United by Unique”. He said access to early screening and diagnosis remains difficult, especially in remote and rural areas, where patients often travel long distances to Windhoek for specialist care. He said technology can help reduce these barriers and shorten delays in treatment. “We acknowledge that receiving…

04 Feb

Walu Fishing has no legal right to quota – MAFWLR

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) says Walu Fishing Company (Pty) Ltd has no legal right to any fishing quota. On Monday, the ministry issued a statement responding to claims made in a social media video. It clarified that the company does not hold fishing rights under the Marine Resources Act and is therefore not legally entitled to receive any fishing quota. The ministry explained that Walu Fishing only participated in the Government Employment Redress Programme during the 2024 and 2025 fishing seasons under a special arrangement aimed at protecting jobs in the horse…

04 Feb

Windhoek residents urged to waterproof documents

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek has urged residents to prepare emergency kits and keep important documents in waterproof containers. The municipality also advised residents to know how to safely switch off electricity and gas supplies if evacuation becomes necessary. This follows a storm over the weekend in which the city said it recorded damages in the Khomasdal area. The municipality reported two weather-related incidents after a storm hit the capital on Saturday evening, 31 January 2026. The storm occurred between 21h00 and 22h00 and the incidents were recorded by the Emergency Operations Centre. On Sunday morning, the Emergency Operations…