National News

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to ensure transparency in the upcoming presidential and national assembly elections. The party’s secretary general, Christine !Aochamus shared this at a press conference held in Windhoek on Wednesday. “The IPC calls on the ECN to ensure that the upcoming elections will be free, fair, and transparent and that the will of the Namibian people will prevail,” she said. !Aochamus also commended the ENC for conducting a successful general registration of voters. “I sincerely congratulate the ECN on a milestone achievement of 91 percent…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former football administrator and aspiring politician, Barry Rukoro stated that if the current leadership of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) cannot be removed by democratic means, it will be done by exposing their criminality. Rukoro made these comments during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. He was reacting to the news that the NUDO leadership had resolved to postpone the elective congress until next year. “If the congress is not taking place now, we shall wait by keeping ourselves busy demanding proper reports, including a forensic audit of the party books. If we cannot get…

Hertta- Maria Amutenja The family of Sheehama Matheus, who was reported missing on 27 July 2024, expressed their grief after his body was found at Independence Beach on Tuesday. Matheus’ body was discovered on the beach behind the navy base in Walvis Bay. He had been missing since an assault at a braai in the Tutaleni location on 27 July. "This death is a huge loss to the family, especially the mother," said a family spokesperson Nuujoma Martins. Martins described Matheus as someone who loved making jokes. “He used to love making jokes and was very helpful when it came…

Martin Endjala The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) will pronounce itself as a viable agency during the last week of August. Last week, the Parliamentary Standing Committee and National Council members accused the agency leaders of incompetence and demanded its dismantling in order to restore its dignity. The agency’s spokesperson, Wessel !Nanuseb, told the Windhoek Observer last week that clarity and a response to the concerns raised would be provided. “Yes, we are aware of the recent negative publicity the agency received, orchestrated by the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. We are in the process of embarking on a…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is implementing the National Cancer Control Plan to reduce cancer mortality and improve the quality of cancer care. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, addresses the challenge of cancer, which affects thousands of Namibians each year. At a technical meeting on Monday, the executive director of the health ministry, Ben Nangombe stressed the comprehensive nature of the plan. "Cancer is not just a disease; it is a complex, multifaceted challenge that affects millions of people around the world," In Namibia, it affects thousands, causing morbidity and mortality. It undermines health and well-being…

Martin Endjala Swapo party Windhoek Rural District coordinator, John Elago has dismissed fraud claims made against him by a pastor. Agnes Simon, the leader of the Poverty Eradication Ministry in Groot Aub, accused Elago of property fraud. Elago described the claim as untrue. “I want to make it clear to the public that I did not defraud her. How can I defraud her when it is my property? The property is in my name and it was she who actually wanted to knock me out off my property by going to the City of Windhoek and claiming that the property…

Stefanus Nashama The Affirmative Repositioning Movement’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda says his party will consider creating a Grade 7 Salary Scale for senior teachers if elected into power in November 2024. Amupanda announced this on his social media platforms this week. “As president and under the AR government, we will introduce a Grade 7 salary scale to accommodate a somewhat senior teacher between an ordinary teacher and a HOD,” he stated. According to Amupanda, it is not fair for teachers to retire as ordinary teachers while their students become presidents and professors. “Imagine teaching for 34 years, retiring as a…

Niël Terblanché The Erongo Region will continue to take a strong stand against corruption, as demonstrated during the second annual Erongo Regional Forum held in Swakopmund on Tuesday. The event, organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Office of the Erongo Governor, brought together key stakeholders to discuss progress and reinforce commitments to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP). Advocate Erna van der Merwe, the Deputy Director-General of the ACC, addressed the forum and reiterated the significance of the NACSAP, approved by the Cabinet in December 2021 and launched in March 2022. "The Regional Forum is part…

Niël Terblanché Oranjemund came alive last Saturday as the town hosted the fourth preliminary round of the 2024 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off for the first time ever. The competition, now in its 10th year, continues to celebrate Namibia's beloved street food, kapana while providing a platform for local culinary talents to shine. The Oranjemund round saw 30 enthusiastic participants vying for a spot in the highly anticipated final. After a day of intense competition, three contestants, Rauha Simon, Giovani Matheis, and Ndamonoghenda Heita, emerged victorious, securing their places in the grand finale. They will join previous qualifiers Mandume Hasheni, Maria Mumbala,…

Moses Magadza The Second Meeting of the Southern Africa Regional Parliamentarians’ Forum on Climate Change ended last week in Namibia with calls for stronger climate action and accountability. The meeting brought together chairpersons and members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture, and Natural Resources from 12 Southern African countries from July 31 to August 2, 2024. The theme was “Strengthening Oversights in Climate Action Accountability and Reporting.” Building upon the outcomes of the first meeting held in Gaborone, Botswana, in September 2023, it gathered parliamentarians to solidify their commitment to climate action through enhanced oversight, accountability,…