National News

Staff Writer  Political considerations and internal decisions prevented the late former member of parliament James Uerikua from being appointed as a Cabinet minister, according to Association of Localised Interests president Josef Kauandenge. Kauandenge questioned why Uerikua was never elevated to Cabinet despite being widely praised after his death. “If late Hon James was such an exceptional being, intelligent and gifted like they are praising him now, what then prevented the appointing authority to bring him into the fold of Cabinet as a full Minister,” he said. Uerikua and his son died in a car accident during the Easter weekend between…

Allexer Namundjembo Youth leaders say the latest youth and sport budget must deliver real jobs and make training programmes more useful. Sean Mapowe, a youth leader from Okatope village in Onyaanya Constituency, said he hopes funding for the National Youth Service (NYS) will improve the quality of training and lead to jobs. “We have more people who went to study there; some of them studied horticulture and other courses, but they have never had any job offers due to their qualifications they obtained there,” he said. Mapowe said the government should make use of the skills gained through training programmes.…

Allexer Namundjembo  Swapo says it is not in a hurry to fill the National Assembly seat left by its late member James Uerikua.  The party said it is still in mourning. Swapo party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor told the Windhoek Observer this week that it would be inappropriate to prioritise succession discussions at this stage, adding that the focus remains on honouring Uerikua. “I feel this isn’t a matter of urgency, and as such it would be advisable that you give the Party that chance to mourn and give a befitting send-off to our departed comrade. Let’s wait for the appropriate…

Renthia Kaimbi At least 15 foreign crew members, mostly Russian nationals, say they have been stuck at sea for months on the Venus 1 fishing vessel. The crew shared a video on social media, asserting their inability to leave the vessel and the confiscation of their passports.  In the video, they appealed to the Russian Embassy in Namibia for help. “We have been hostages of the current situation for five months: the ship-owner Hodago Fishing, which issued the employment contracts, actually lied to us,” read a loose translation of the video. The claims have raised concern about the welfare of…

Staff Writer The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has approved the acquisition of the Namibian Oncology Centre by Salt Oncology Holdings without conditions. Salt Oncology Holdings will take over 100% of the shares in the Namibian Oncology Centre.  The acquiring group includes Salt Equity, FISEA and Jan Bosch Investment Limited. Salt Equity is managed by Salt Capital GP Ltd and focuses on investing in businesses across the Southern African Development Community.  FISEA is controlled by Agence Française de Développement and supports job creation and economic growth in Africa. Jan Bosch Investment Limited invests in mid-sized companies across the continent. In Namibia,…

Renthia Kaimbi A fire in the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund has left at least 36 people affected and destroyed 12 informal structures, according to a report released by the municipality of Swakopmund. The fire broke out on 3 April 2026 at around 19h51 in extension 14 near the airport side. It spread quickly through closely built shacks. Emergency teams arrived to find the area covered in smoke and flames. Investigators described the fire as being at a “fully developed stage". Firefighters started suppression, search and rescue operations and managed to bring the fire under control. Investigators said the fire…

Justicia Shipena  The Roads Authority (RA) could spend more than N$3 000 per hour on external lawyers for the appeal case involving two of its dismissed senior executives. This is, as the RA already spent about N$400 000 on the matter.  The parastatal's legal, corporate governance and compliance department has set aside N$8 million for legal fees for the 2026/2027 financial year. This is contained in an internal document dated 12 March 2026 and seen by the Windhoek Observer.  The memo was addressed to its chief executive officer Hippy Tjivikua through the procurement committee. The document, issued by the legal,…

Justicia Shipena  “As a person of your political argument and record that has fought apartheid, why are you allowing Germany to practise apartheid atonement to the genocide victims of the OvaHerero and the Nama people?” Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader and member of parliament McHenry Venaani posed this question to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her state of the nation address (Sona) on Wednesday.  Venaani questioned why Namibia appears ready to accept a settlement he believes is lower than what Germany has paid in other cases.  He pointed to a recent United Nations (UN) resolution recognising transatlantic slavery as the “gravest…