National News

Allexer Namundjebo Community members of Omupembe Village in the Okongo Constituency received assistance from the Ohangwena Regional Council to complete a kindergarten. Okongo Regional Councillor, Lebeus Shipindo explained that after taking office, he visited local traditional leaders and residents to assess their needs. "My office conducted a feasibility study to determine what each village needs. I was informed that water and schools were their top priorities," he said. During his visit to Omupembe Village, he learnt that 50 children were not attending school due to the lack of a kindergarten. "The community was trying to establish one, and we found…

Niël Terblanché The drought in Namibia has led to widespread food insecurity, environmental degradation, health threats, and rising unemployment, affecting more than half of the country’s people. According to the UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia, Hopolang Phororo, recognising the acute vulnerability of certain groups, particularly nursing mothers, women, and children, the United Nations in Namibia has mobilised resources through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address the crisis. "Even as women and girls disproportionately feel the impact of droughts, we have an opportunity to leverage their leadership and boost drought resilience in communities," she said. In the Mupuni…

Allexer Namundjembo and Erasmus Shalihaxwe Documents have surfaced, revealing that Judge Shafimana Ueitele, the presiding judge in the high-profile 1896 Redline Case, is among 11 individuals who were exempted from paying taxes on their farms.  Uietele, according to the documents, owns Farm 938 (Portion 1 of Wolseley), covering 1,732 hectares, and Farm 933, which covers 4,867 hectares in the Omaheke region, which is within the commercial farmland that is outside the Veterinary Cordon Fence.  According to the documents, Ueitele benefitted from a tax exemption for his two farms. The exemptions are outlined in a government gazette issued on 6 August…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services has requested forensic specialists of the Namibian Police to investigate and determine the cause of the fire the destroyed part of Mondesa Clinic in Swakopmund on Monday night Walters Kamaya, the health ministry’s spokesperson, said that the actual cause of the fire could not be conclusively determined. “Members of the Namibian Police attached to the forensic institute in Windhoek have already started their investigation,” he said. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health and Social Services advised residents to seek alternative healthcare services while efforts are underway to restore operations at…

Stefanus Nashama Learners have welcomed the decision by the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) to extend its enrolment period for the 2025 academic year. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Freddy Kaukungua, NAMCOL’s marketing and information officer, who said that the extension was in response to the high demand from students looking to upgrade their qualifications following the release of the January 2025 exam results. Esther Elifas, who did not achieve passing marks in her Grade 11 exams last year, expressed her excitement about the extension.  “Sometimes, learners may not be ready to register due to various reasons,…

Moses Magadza The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) have concluded a joint planning meeting ahead of signing a Grant Agreement to launch a new project titled “Enhancing Accountability and Citizen Participation in Regional Integration through Regional Parliament.”  The three-year initiative, backed by €1.4 million in funding from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the European Union (EU), aims to bolster democratic governance, promote gender equality, and strengthen regional integration across SADC member states. Speaking after the two-day meeting held on January 30-31 in Windhoek, Sheuneni Kurasha, Manager of the Programme on…

Niël Terblanché Outraged residents of Swakopmund gathered in front of the Magistrate’s Court to protest against the granting of bail for three young men accused of killing a beloved pet dog and its sale for human consumption. Three of the four suspects made their first appearance before the court on Wednesday. The accused, Seth Skrywer (20), Lourens Nanub (18), and Mariando Bloedstaan (20), were released on bail of N$3 000 each, while a 12-year-old minor was placed under parental supervision. The case was postponed to 18 March. The accused persons were charged with theft, money laundering, and animal cruelty. The…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba has called on the Cabinet to make the most of the few remaining weeks before the inauguration of the new administration. Speaking at the official opening of the first Cabinet meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, Mbumba urged the members to uphold transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in delivering on their constitutional duties. “The official opening of the first Cabinet meeting of the year is not merely ceremonial. It is an occasion where we are all reminded of our constitutional obligation as members of the executive,” he said. He also reflected on the challenges of the…

Stefanus Nashama  Urban gardeners in informal settlements face an uphill battle with no direct support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. The ministry’s spokesperson, Jennifer Paulus, told the Windhoek Observer last week when responding to calls for assistance from residents struggling to sustain their backyard gardens.  “We do not have a hand in supporting gardening in the informal settlement. I think that is the responsibility of the Windhoek municipality,” she said. Wilhelmina Iikela, a resident of the Goreangab informal settlement, has brought attention to the challenges faced by urban gardeners in Namibia who make a living from…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Nangolo Mbumba assumed office on 4 February 2024, following the passing of President Hage Geingob.  At the time, he was the vice president of the country.  On the same day that Geingob died, he was sworn in as Namibia’s fourth President.   Mbumba reflected on that day during a remembrance service for Geingob at the statehouse on Tuesday. “Exactly 365 days ago, with tears in my eyes, I had to take the oath of office as the president of Namibia. After that, I told security and protocol the office of the president should remain closed and his cars…