National News – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

24 Apr

NSA spends N$130m on national income survey

National News

Chamwe Kaira and Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) spent close to N$130 million on the 2025/2026 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey. The total cost of the survey reached N$129.4 million, covering activities from the pilot phase to the end of data collection. Out of this amount, N$38.6 million was used to pay field staff over 12 months and to cover four weeks of training allowances for 237 fieldworkers before data collection began. A further N$32 million was spent on purchasing 46 vehicles for the survey instead of renting them for the same period. The remaining funds covered…

23 Apr

Tourism industry pushes back on Ultimate Safaris probe …claims NaCC’s investigation is selective and unfair

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) has questioned why similar exclusive tourism agreements in national parks have not faced scrutiny, such as those of venture arrangements in the Brandberg area. This week, the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) launched an investigation into joint-venture arrangements in the Brandberg area. The investigation targets Ultimate Safaris and three conservancies, Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy and Sorris Sorris Conservancy. It focuses on agreements that grant exclusive tourism rights, which may limit access for other operators. HAN chief executive officer Gitta Paetzold, in a letter dated 21 April 2026 to NaCC, said the…

23 Apr

Disability conference flops after Ngurare’s no show directive

National News

Justicia Shipena The government withdrew its participation from the Disability Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Conference shortly before it was due to begin in Windhoek. A conference on disability and inclusion failed to take place after the government withdrew its participation. The conference was cancelled shortly before it was due to begin in Windhoek. The Disability Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Conference, organised by the Intelligence Transfer Centre, was set to start on Wednesday but was postponed hours before opening. A directive from the Office of the Prime Minister dated 17 April 2026, seen by the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday night, instructed…

23 Apr

Namdia heist investigation remains classified

National News

Patience Makwele The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, says the investigation into the diamond that took place at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) in January last year will remain classified. The armed robbery at Namdia’s headquarters in Windhoek resulted in the theft of diamonds estimated at N$315 million. She said details of the case cannot be made public while investigations continue. “Details surrounding the case remain classified and will only be made public once investigations are concluded,” she said, adding that early disclosure could affect operations. She said the case is still active and that the…

23 Apr

PDM moves to fix internal problems

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Internal divisions, communication gaps and inefficiencies have weakened the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said. He made the remarks at a press conference in Windhoek on Tuesday after a three-day leadership indaba held in Otjiwarongo. “We used the Indaba as a moment of reflection, honesty and strategic repositioning,” Ngaringombe said. He stated that the meeting represented a pivotal moment for the party, during which leaders directly addressed internal challenges. “A strong opposition must first be united and disciplined,” he said. PDM experienced a massive resignation of its members, especially those in leadership positions. Ngaringombe said…

23 Apr

Germany pledges N$1.5m into GBV fight in Namibia

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Germany has committed €84 432.35 (about N$1.59 million) to support efforts to fight gender-based violence in Namibia. The funding will support the “Speak Up” campaign led by the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO). The project will run from 1 April to 31 December 2026 and target the Hardap, Erongo and Omusati regions. The agreement was signed on 30 March 2026 by German ambassador to Namibia Thorsten Hutter and OYO founder and director Philippe Talavera. The campaign will focus on schools and communities. It aims to promote dialogue on mental health and positive masculinity as ways to prevent violence. “We…

23 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Seafarer shortage threatens stability of crab sector

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Fishing industry stakeholders say a shortage of Namibian seafarers in the crab sector is putting operations at risk. The issue was raised during a meeting with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Wednesday at the Atlantic Hotel in Walvis Bay. Industry representatives said there is a growing gap in qualified local officers and engineers on crab vessels. They said many trained Namibians are moving to jobs in oil and gas and cargo shipping. To address the shortage, stakeholders proposed closer coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. …

23 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Fishing industry urges Govt not to limit freezer vessels

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Fishing industry stakeholders have urged the government not to restrict freezer vessel operations, warning that such a move could affect exports, jobs and competitiveness. The concerns were raised during an engagement with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Walvis Bay on Wednesday, where industry players met with the government to discuss the future of the sector under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). Stakeholders said freezer operations are key to maintaining Namibia’s position in regional and international markets. They said demand in Africa remains focused on whole round frozen horse mackerel. “Restricting freezer operations would have immediate consequences for Namibia’s export…

23 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Businesses taught how to handle trade disputes

Featured, National News

Renthia Kaimbi A three-day workshop on the dispute settlement mechanism under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ended in Swakopmund, with organisers saying it will help Namibian businesses handle trade disputes and take part in continental trade. The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade with the AfCFTA Secretariat. It brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers and private sector representatives. Discussions focused on how the dispute settlement system works in practice. The mechanism provides a process to resolve trade disputes between member countries through rules and procedures. It is meant to ensure fairness and predictability in cross-border…

22 Apr

Outrage grows over home repossessions in Windhoek

Main, National News

Patience Makwele Outrage is growing among Windhoek residents as families facing home repossessions question the fairness of the process. One of those people is 70-year-old Friedrich Willy Schroeder, who has spent more than a decade challenging the sale of his Hochland Park home. He says it was sold based on what he calls a “null and void” court judgement. His dispute dates back to April 2013, when his property was sold after legal action linked to a loan with FNB Namibia Holdings now known as FirstRand Namibia. “They auctioned a non-existent property,” Schroeder said, pointing to differences between Erf 1520…