National News

Ester Mbathera Namibia’s marine resources face increasing challenges, as the 2024 Horse Mackerel and Small Pelagic Survey revealed an 8% decline in horse mackerel biomass, a fragile recovery for sardines, and operational setbacks worsened by environmental anomalies. The survey, conducted between 25 March and 22 April along the northern Benguela ecosystem, assessed species abundance, biomass, and distribution to guide sustainable fishing practices for the 2025 season. The findings were presented last Wednesday during the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) held in Walvis Bay. The Ocean Panel brought together representatives from 19 nations as a coalition of…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police confirmed that a list of arrest warrants and traffic ticket fines, which recently circulated on social media, was shared maliciously by officials in the Oshikoto Region. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi addressed the matter on Wednesday. She clarified the police were aware of the circulating report and assured the public that it was not an official release. “Certainly, the Namibian Police is aware of the circulating report through social media platforms which was unfortunately maliciously shared and circulated by officials from the Oshikoto Region,” Shikwambi stated. She said the list was not the intended course of…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibian service station owners have expressed concerns about the financial strain posed by the new minimum wage legislation, set to take effect on 1 January 2025, warning that widespread retrenchments are imminent unless urgent action is taken. Fuel and Franchise Association of Namibia (FAFA) chairperson Deklen Viviers said service station owners have approached the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) to review the profit margin structure. "We had two meetings with the ministry on this matter, and we provided them with data from the service stations we represent," Viviers said. "The feedback was that they will not be…

Swapo’s extraordinary congressreversal comes with ambiguity-analyst Swapo’s extraordinary congressreversal comes with ambiguity-analyst Swapo’s extraordinary congressreversal comes with ambiguity-analyst Stefanus Nashama Political analyst Sakaria Johannes has noted ambiguity in Swapo’s plans for its upcoming extraordinary congress and leadership transition. This follows Swapo’s announcement on Thursday of a revised timeline for electing a new party president, reversing an earlier decision to hold the congress in April 2025. The new date is set for 28 February to 2 March 2025. “They understand that April is a long way off, and they do not want to swear in the president-elect before electing the party…

Martin Endjala Tsumeb has been plagued by persistent power outages over the past few days, sparking frustration among residents, farmers, and businesses. However, attempts to get answers from the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (CENORED) have yielded no response. Walter Carelse, manager of Goal Maize factory, expressed his concerns in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. According to Carelse, the outages, which began last week, have severely disrupted operations. “The power has been on and off for the past few days. On Saturday, it was off the entire day and only came back the next day, and then…

Allexer Namundjebo The Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA) has accused NamWater of sidelining local companies in awarding a N$263.7 million water pipeline tender. In a press release, NALOBA spokesperson Marius Nangolo criticised the decision to award the tender to a Chinese firm, saying it undermines efforts to localise the economy. “The decision not only undermines efforts to localise our economy, but it also poses a serious threat to job creation and the retention of capital within our country,” Nangolo said. He further warned of the adverse effects of such decisions, explaining that diverting opportunities abroad results in capital outflows that…

Niël Terblanché To spread the spirit of the festive season and as a gesture of community support, the Swakopmund Municipality donated 120 hygiene packs to inmates at the Swakopmund Correctional Facility on Thursday. The donation valued at N$6 020 was officially handed over by Deputy Mayor Suama Kautondokwa and received by Senior Superintendent Felicity Mwiya, Officer in Charge at the facility on behalf of the inmates. This initiative, facilitated by Pennina Haimbodi of the UHili Necessity Wellness Trust, demonstrates the business community and the municipality’s commitment to enhancing wellness and extending compassion to all members of society, including those who…

Allexer Namundjembo The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) of Namibia has addressed concerns over its procurement process for the Namibia Green Hydrogen Program (NGH2P), emphasising that all decisions were fully compliant with the country’s Public Procurement Act. The concerns focus on the appointment of consultants for a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) and a communication strategy for the green hydrogen sector. The EIF made it clear that the SESA, which was needed to study the social and economic effects of green hydrogen projects in southern Namibia, was behind schedule because of failed rounds of procurement. Benedict Lidanda, EIF chief executive…

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has dismissed claims circulating on social media that it requested the deployment of military personnel to replace private security services at schools. Rumours spread through various WhatsApp groups over the past week suggested that the Ministry of Education had approached the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to assign Namibian Defence Force (NDF) members to guard schools. The allegations further claimed the request was awaiting approval. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, Sanet Steenkamp, Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, categorically denied the claims, emphasizing that…

Niël Terblanché As Christmas approaches, law enforcement agencies in the Erongo region have stepped up efforts to ensure safety and security for both residents and visitors. Erongo regional police commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, assured the public of a well-coordinated safety strategy. “ We are ready to ensure law and order, but we need the public’s cooperation to make this festive season crime-free,” he said. He added that holidaymakers from across Namibia and abroad can look forward to celebrations in the coastal towns, supported by robust safety measures. According to Kupembona, the regional command has implemented a comprehensive safety plan, including…