National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia has launched a new Coordinated Border Management (CBM) national strategy and Inter-Agency Standard Operations Framework, aimed at enhancing the country’s role as a trade hub for Southern Africa.  The initiative, introduced in Windhoek on Monday, seeks to streamline cross-border trade, improve customs efficiency, and reduce delays at border points and seaports. Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, Sikongo Haihambo, the executive director of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, acknowledged the challenges posed by prolonged clearance times at Namibia’s border points and seaports. “A cargo takes about 19 days to depart after clearance at Walvis Bay Port.…

Ester Mbathera  Political commentators and analysts have criticised Swapo’s recent extraordinary congress for electing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as party president by acclamation. Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected unopposed last Saturday, a move that has sparked debate about the party’s internal democratic processes. Stephanus Pombili, a party member and analyst, defended the decision, stating that electing Nandi-Ndaitwah by acclamation was intended to prevent infighting, division, and the emergence of dual centres of power within the party. “These two centres of power harness sabotage and political uncertainty within the party and the country. The party president could advance for impeachment if he controls the majority…

Niël Terblanché Health care services have been put on high alert to ensure swift action to safeguard public health after the first cholera case has been reported in the Kunene region. The Ministry of Health and Social Services’ (MoHSS) executive director, Ben Nangombe, in a statement on Tuesday, said health care services are committed to preventing a widespread outbreak. Nangome confirmed the first case of cholera in Namibia, raising concerns about the potential spread of the disease in the country. He said the case, identified in the Kunene Region, has prompted health authorities to activate a comprehensive response to contain…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has dismissed claims of media freedom violations and interference in the internal affairs of Network Media Hub (NMH) as baseless and illogical. In a media statement issued on Tuesday, the NIPDB’s senior communications manager, Catherine Shipushu emphasised the board’s commitment to upholding media freedom as guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution.  "However, accountability is a two-way principle. Journalists also bear the professional responsibility to report accurately, fairly, and without bias,” she stated. The statement follows a disciplinary hearing held by NMH last week against staff member Jemimah Beukes, who is alleged…

Niël Terblanché Residents of the Zambezi Region, especially those in flood-prone areas and islands, will have better access to healthcare following the donation of an ambulance boat by the United States government. The vessel, which will aid in the transportation of healthcare workers and patients along the Zambezi River, was officially inaugurated by the minister of health and social services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula over the weekend. While inaugurating the new boat, Shangula stressed the vital role the boat will play in bridging the gap between healthcare services and communities that have struggled with accessibility due to seasonal flooding for years.…

Allexer Namundjembo The National Youth Council (NYC) leadership crisis has resurfaced after the suspended director, Calista Schwartz-Goagoses, through her lawyers, demanded reinstatement. Schwartz-Goagoses was suspended earlier this year by the organization’s board, which was also suspended shortly after that, has asked the interim board to return her to her position. Agnes Tjongarero, the minister of youth and sport, suspended the board earlier this year. In a letter served to the interim board chairperson, to which Windhoek Observer had access, her lawyers from Shipindo and Associates argued that the suspension was unlawful. “It is evident from this opinion that our client’s…

Niël Terblanché The country’s long-standing reliance on funding from the United States of America for its HIV response has been thrown into turmoil following the decision by the Trump administration to freeze and cut foreign assistance. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the funding restrictions, which have disrupted the flow of resources from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), have placed vital programmes supporting HIV treatment, prevention, and socio-economic empowerment at risk, particularly for adolescent girls and marginalized communities. UNAIDS said that while an emergency humanitarian waiver was issued to allow some…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is committed to strengthening risk management within the country's digital landscape through a comprehensive training session. The training on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) was officially launched by the deputy minister of information and communication technology, Modestus Amutse, who reiterated the government’s determination to fortify ICT infrastructure while mitigating emerging risks. “The MICT is the backbone of our nation’s digital infrastructure, playing a central role in shaping the future of Namibia’s digital landscape,” he said. He added that while technological advancements bring immense opportunities, they also expose the sector to risks…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former Namibian Football Association (NFA) General Secretary, Charles Siyauya was laid to rest on Tuesday at his home village of Bukalo in the Zambezi region.  Siyauya passed away on 3 March after a short illness at a local hospital in Windhoek. He had begun feeling unwell during a meeting with the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA)  officials and the NFA Executive Council on 2 March. Despite receiving permission to seek medical treatment, he passed away the next morning. During the first memorial service, NFA President Robert Shimooshili paid tribute to Siyauya’s significant contributions to Namibian football.…