National News

Ester Mbathera  Women journalists in sub-Saharan Africa face persistent barriers that hinder their careers, a new report reveals.  The study, conducted by the Fojo Media Institute and African Women in Media (AWiM), identifies gender discrimination, unequal pay, sexual harassment, and limited career progression as key challenges in the industry. The primary researcher for the study, Yemisi Akinbobola, an award-winning journalist, academic, consultant, and co-founder of African Women in Media (AWiM), found that many female journalists are confined to roles deemed less significant, while their male counterparts dominate decision-making positions.  “I got an opportunity to replace my boss, who was transferred…

Stefanus Nashama  The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform urged farmers to stay alert and report any pest outbreaks following concerns over the spread of armyworms in the Oshikoto and Oshana regions. The ministry’s spokesperson, Regina Valombola told the Windhoek Observer on Thursday that early detection and reporting are critical in the process of managing pests. “After significant rainfall, many pests, including armyworms, are more likely to infest green vegetation, including cultivated crops. While this is a natural occurrence, it’s crucial for farmers to regularly monitor their fields and report any findings to the nearest ministry branch,” she explained.…

Hertta-Maria  Member of Parliament, Jerry Ekandjo has rejected calls for an apology regarding past remarks made by late Founding President Sam Nujoma against the LGBTQI+ community. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Ekandjo dismissed any obligation to apologise, stating that neither he nor the party owed anything to the LGBTQI+ community. "The lesbians engaged in yesterday's newspaper say we must apologise. Nujoma never owed them anything. In Swapo, we don’t need their votes either. We don’t need them," Ekandjo said. He further added that the LGBTQI+ community should seek forgiveness from God rather than expecting an apology from political leaders. "They must…

Niël Terblanché The weighbridge at the Katima Mulilo border post will commence with 24-hour operations from 1 April. This decision was approved by the Cabinet to streamline the flow of heavy transport trucks between Namibia and Zambia and address the persistent congestion at the border post. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, presented a proposal to the Cabinet that encompassed both immediate and long-term strategies to enhance efficiency at this port of entry.  Among the short-term interventions is the implementation of documentary pre-clearance procedures. According to the Mutorwa, this approach ensures that all necessary…

Stefanus Nashama Uukwiyuushona Constituency Councillor Andreas Amundjindi has called on residents to support the ongoing construction of a tarred road, emphasizing that cooperation is essential for timely completion. In an interview with The Windhoek Observer on Thursday, Amundjindi confirmed that progress is being made despite challenges that could cause delays. “The work is going well, however, there are a few challenges, such as vehicles driving on the work layout, causing extra work for the construction company.  This happens mostly after heavy rainfall, and it forces the company to redo work that was already completed,” he said. He suggested that the…

Allexer Namundjembo Founding President Sam Nujoma was remembered for his contributions to Namibia’s independence and development.  His leadership was closely tied to infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of the railway from Tsumeb to Ondangwa, which symbolised industrial progress and his commitment to improving livelihoods. Swapo stalwart and member of parliament, Jerry Ekandjo praised Nujoma for his active involvement in infrastructure development.  Speaking at Nujoma’s residence on Monday, Ekandjo highlighted his physical presence at the railway construction site. “Nujoma was physically involved in the railway construction. He was there. He engaged those who were constructing the railway, and that shows how…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia’s small-scale farmers are calling for greater utilisation of local produce as a way to address food waste, boost their income, and create more job opportunities in the agro-processing sector. A challenge facing local farmers is limited access to markets, where size and aesthetic standards often prevent non-standard produce from reaching consumers. Ben Shernick, director of the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN), stressed supporting small-scale farmers through local markets. "Farmers need more opportunities to sell their produce locally. If we can create demand for local products, whether processed or fresh, it will be easier for…

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker, Elma Dienda on Wednesday submitted a notice to question health and social services minister, Kalumbi Shangula, about the official policy regarding mobile phone use by healthcare workers in hospitals. This follows a memorandum issued to staff at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital restricting mobile phone use during working hours.  The policy has sparked debate, with some questioning its necessity and whether it applies to all healthcare facilities. Dienda acknowledged the restriction but questioned its limited application. "While this is a commendable restriction, other healthcare facilities in Namibia must also implement the same restriction," she said. …

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Swapo regional councillors in ||Kharas, along with their party, have filed an urgent application in the High Court to enforce a Supreme Court ruling that reinstated three councillors after their dismissal in January 2024. The application seeks compliance with a court order issued on 9 February 2024 following a settlement agreement between the Swapo councillors and the ||Kharas Regional Council. The applicants Oranjemund Constituency councillor, Lazarus Nangolo, ǃNamiǂNûs Constituency councillor, Suzan Ndjaleka and Karasburg West constituency councillor, Taimi Amakali, along with SWAPO, argue that the council has failed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling that ordered their…

Stefanus Nashama  Oshana regional governor, Elia Irimari has on Tuesday downplayed the severity of the armyworm outbreak in the region.  “The worms are not in large areas, only a few that were spotted,” said the governor. The presence of the worms was detected by farmers in the region last week.  Irimari also expressed confidence that natural predators, such as chickens and birds, might help control the population.  “These worms may be dealt with by nature itself since they are not a lot to destroy crops,” he said. Irimari added that he had not received complaints from residents but suggested that…