National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The new Marriage Act 2024 does not nullify same-sex marriages conducted or recognised before its enactment; it explicitly ends their recognition moving forward. This is according to human rights activist and Namibia Rights and Responsibility founder Phil ya Nangoloh, who was addressing confusion surrounding the recently enacted act. “There are reports making rounds in both traditional and social media implying that the new law expressly reverses the recent Supreme Court decision recognising same-sex marriages in Namibia. Such reports are not entirely accurate,” Ya Nangoloh said. According to him, the Act, which is not yet in force, expressly recognises…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police made strides in combating drug-related crime at the coast, with the arrest of several suspected drug dealers in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund over the weekend. The targeted operations, conducted by the police’s drug enforcement unit, resulted in multiple arrests and the confiscation of various illicit substances. According to the police's weekend crime report, the first major operation took place in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay, on Friday. Members of the drug enforcement unit raided a house in Brandberg Street, where two Namibian men, aged 25 and 35, were apprehended. “The suspects were found in possession of 815…

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s reputation as a safe and stable travel destination has received a boost, with the country being ranked the fourth safest in Africa by Altezza Travel. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) hailed this recognition as a testament to Namibia’s peaceful nature, political stability, and well-developed tourism infrastructure. “This ranking not only enhances the country’s international image but also reinforces Namibia’s position as a prime travel destination,” said MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement. He added that Namibia was placed behind Mauritius, Ghana, and Zambia in the rankings, which were compiled by Altezza Travel through…

Martin Endjala Newly elected political party members, who appear on the list of future parliamentarians face a dilemma of choosing between job security and serving in parliament while the court case in which opposition parties challenge the result of recent national elections is still ongoing. According to analysts and politicians, the situation has led some members to rethink whether they want to go to parliament or remain at their jobs. Political analyst, Henning Melber described the situation as tricky, which illustrates the shortcomings of the existing regulations. “At the moment, the election results are challenged in court. The outcome could…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and member of Parliament, Maximilliant Katjimune and Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO) president Dorthea Nangolo called on the government to settle all outstanding debts for all graduates, rather than limiting the intervention to those who graduated in April 2024. Their appeal follows a recent directive by the Cabinet, through the Ministry of Higher Education and Innovation, instructing the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to write off the outstanding debts of April 2024 graduates. This measure is intended to allow these graduates to obtain their qualifications and secure employment. “One…

Allexer Namundjembo NANSO spokesperson Junias Haufiku has identified students' reluctance to study key subjects as a major contributor to high failure rates. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer last week, Haufiku noted that this trend is particularly noticeable in languages like English and Afrikaans, where many learners believe they can pass without putting in the necessary effort to study. “The assumption that they can succeed without diligent study creates a gap between their expectations and the reality of the exam's challenges. As a result, the level of difficulty in the exams often comes as a shock to many students,…

Stefanus Nashama Victims of stormwater flooding in Windhoek two weeks ago and who were recently relocated to Farm 508, situated behind the Goreangab informal settlement, will soon have access to essential services, including schools, a clinic, and a police station. Samora Machel Constituency councillor, Nestor Kalola confirmed this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer over the weekend. "The construction of the clinic, police station, and schools is in progress," he said. He said the site for the new services was handed over to the contractor by the Khomas Regional Council on January 9, and work has begun. Kalola added…

FNB Namibia economist Helena Mboti speaks to Observer Money about Shell's recent announcement that it will write down approximately US$400 million related to an offshore oil discovery in Namibia, which was deemed commercially unviable. Observer Money asked Mboti how this announcement could impact Namibia’s GDP growth projections. Observer Money (OM): How does the recent announcement by Shell that it will write down around US$400 million over an oil discovery offshore Namibia that it deemed commercially unviable affect FNB's future GDP growth projections? Helena Mboti (HM): While a US$400 million write-off may seem significant relative to the size of the Namibian…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Simon Iyambo credits blood donations for saving his life after a car accident last year left him critically injured. “I needed an emergency blood transfusion after losing so much blood in the accident. If it weren’t for those who donated blood, I wouldn’t be here today. They don’t just give blood; they give life,” Iyambo said. His testimony comes as public debates intensify over compensating blood donors, with the Ministry of Health and Social Services spending an average of N$160 million annually on blood and blood products. Despite this, some Namibians argue that the voluntary system should be…

Mallex Shipanga Seventeen-year-old Julia Shaama from Ongha village in the Ohangwena region is seeking assistance to publish her debut novel, Behind Me. Shaama, a learner at Dr Abraham Iyambo Secondary School, has completed her manuscript but faces challenges in getting it published. “The book is complete, but I still have not published the book. I do not know where to publish the book. I have got no sponsors,” she said. She expressed her pride in completing the novel and her eagerness to see it published. “With happiness and a smile on my face, I will be proud to see that…