National News

OBSERVER COASTAL | Principal walks 35km to give learners a better meal

OBSERVER COASTAL | Principal walks 35km to give learners a better meal

Renthia Kaimbi Tutaleni Primary School principal, Neville Visagie, walked 35 kilometres from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay over the weekend to raise funds to improve the school’s feeding programme.  His goal is to make sure every learner receives not just food, but nutritious meals that support their learning. Visagie said while the government provides basic food items like maize meal and bread for underprivileged learners, he wants to expand the menu and improve the school kitchen. “The main reason is to upgrade the menu so that once a week, we divert from the maize and bread,” he said. “Like tomorrow (today),…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | Swakopmund’s youth get a chance to grow their businesses

OBSERVER COASTAL | Swakopmund’s youth get a chance to grow their businesses

Renthia Kaimbi Over 80 young entrepreneurs in Swakopmund have been chosen to receive funding through the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Initiative (YEDI). The programme by the Swakopmund municipality is designed to support and grow youth-led businesses. The initiative will disburse nearly N$1.2 million to help young people grow their ventures across the coastal town. The programme, launched in partnership with Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine, attracted 2 489 applications.  The mine contributed N$1 million to support the funding pool.  After a strict selection process, 41 applications were disqualified for not meeting eligibility criteria, including exceeding the age limit of 35 years or…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | ‘Our children deserve fresh air’ — Kuisebmond residents protest fishmeal stench

Renthia Kaimbi Residents of Kuisebmond in Walvis Bay say a strong smell from nearby fishmeal factories has made daily life difficult and unpleasant for the community. They say the odour seeps into their homes, clothes and even the classrooms where their children study. The problem, they say, has been ongoing for years and affects schools such as Seaside, Immanuel Ruiters, Kuisebmond Primary and Kuisebmond Secondary. Parents say learners struggle to focus because of the constant stench. “Windows are closed in the heat just to block the stench, but even then, the air feels heavy and suffocating,” one parent told the…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | Big turnout for Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge

OBSERVER COASTAL | Big turnout for Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge

The Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge got off to a tremendous start this weekend, blessed with beautiful weather and an enthusiastic crowd of athletes.A flurry of late entries contributed to a fantastic turnout, setting the tone for the two-day endurance event.The first day was marked by palpable energy, determination, and widespread smiles as competitors gave their all in the initial cycling and running disciplines.Over 700 athletes descended upon Walvis Bay for the prestigious event, with a field comprising approximately 119 cyclists and 631 runners. The first day culminated in a prize-giving ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the participants, capping off…
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Windhoek residents make N$1 million selling waste to municipality 

Windhoek residents make N$1 million selling waste to municipality 

Justicia Shipena Windhoek residents earned about N$1 million in a year and six months selling recyclable waste to the City of Windhoek through its first waste buy-back centre.  According to the municipality, the centre helped divert more than 120 tonnes of waste from landfill sites. The Windhoek municipality opened its first buyback centre in Katutura in April 2024, located at the corner of Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Bondel streets.  By December last year, residents had received over N$164 000 for waste sold to the centre, which was developed with support from the European Union (EU). According to city records, at that…
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Inmates live in fear as gangs take over prisons

Inmates live in fear as gangs take over prisons

Renthia Kaimbi Organised gangs operating freely inside correctional facilities are instilling a culture of fear and violence, a parliamentary investigation has found. The report by the standing committee on home affairs, security, and constitutional and legal affairs revealed that gangs, such as the notorious 'Gang 28', known for their violent and sodomy-related practices, operate with impunity.  The gang’s presence highlights the vulnerability of LGBTQI inmates and the state’s struggle to protect them. The findings come from the committee’s oversight visits between January and March 2025.  The investigation found that gangs operating in correctional facilities and police cells recruit new members…
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ECN in Zambezi short of 73 cars for elections

ECN in Zambezi short of 73 cars for elections

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the Zambezi Region still needs 73 vehicles to meet its transport requirements for the upcoming regional and local authority elections. This comes as last month, the ECN announced plans to hire more than 5 000 privately owned vehicles for use during the 26 November election.  The highest number of vehicles, 716, will be needed in the Ohangwena region, followed by Omusati with 689 and Oshikoto with 520. In the other eleven regions, the ECN plans to hire 174 vehicles in Hardap, 276 in Khomas, 277 in Omaheke, 326 in Otjozondjupa, 327…
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Learners at Oshilulu School receive new study materials

Learners at Oshilulu School receive new study materials

Allexer Namundjembo A Gift of Hope Association has donated scientific calculators, Oxford English dictionaries, and mathematical sets to Oshilulu Combined School in the Oshikoto region.  The donation, made on Monday, marked the association’s second community drive aimed at supporting education and empowering rural learners. The event was led by coordinators Tim Martins and Dr Oskar Mbango. They represented the association founded by Sofia Mbango and Thomas Hasselberger. “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone as we continue giving back and working tirelessly to close the educational gap. It gives us immense purpose and joy to know that our efforts are…
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Alliance Media’s interest appeal against TransNamib crumbles 

Alliance Media’s interest appeal against TransNamib crumbles 

Allexer Namundjembo The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Alliance Media (Pty) Ltd against TransNamib Holdings Limited, ruling that the company’s claim for interest on money owed was made too early and had no legal grounds. The recent judgement followed a hearing held on June 11, 2025, before Supreme Court judges Sylvester Mainga, Elton Hoff and acting judge Rita Makarau. In 2013, a lease agreement gave Alliance Media exclusive rights to place outdoor advertisements on TransNamib premises.  The lease ran from 1 March 2013 to 29 February 2018 and an addendum later extended it to 28 February 2022. In…
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Only two political parties witness ballot printing

Only two political parties witness ballot printing

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said that only two political parties observed the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming regional councils and local authorities elections set for 26 November 2025. ECN chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama disclosed this during a media briefing at the ECN headquarters in Windhoek on Monday, following the official arrival of the ballot papers in the country. Shaama said the printing, packaging and sealing of the ballot papers took place under the supervision of two political parties and the Namibian Police before being transported to Namibia under secure conditions. Three…
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