Opinions – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

03 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | It’s time for an honest conversation about black business

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

For far too long, Namibia has danced around the issue of black economic empowerment, turning what should have been a sober national conversation into a shallow talking point. Government after government has touted policies, programmes, and slogans meant to uplift black entrepreneurs, but when you strip away the rhetoric, what’s left is a system that continues to strangle black business while protecting entrenched privilege. You cannot claim to be pro-development while simultaneously being anti–black business. The two positions are fundamentally incompatible. Yet that is exactly where Namibia finds itself today, where black entrepreneurs are publicly vilified as “tenderpreneurs”, where every…

03 Nov

Supporting mental health in the mining industry

Featured, Opinions

Jeane Namhadi September and October are dedicated to wellness, with a focus on mental health, cancer awareness, and community care. In the 2024/2025 financial year, the Ministry of Health and Social Services reported over 100,000 mental health cases, a number that continues to grow. This rising figure calls for compassion, open dialogue, and the courage to care. Mental health in the workplace is a vital aspect of creating a supportive and inclusive environment, particularly in industries like mining, where unique working conditions such as shift rotations and extended periods away from family are part of the job. In the mining…

31 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | When the Engineering Council stalls, the country pays

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

A country that is building roads, schools, clinics, airports and power lines cannot afford a docile Engineering Council. Namibia’s development agenda depends on quiet, often invisible, disciplines: design standards, competent supervision, rigorous inspections, and professional accountability for the people who sign off on the nation’s concrete, steel, electrical systems and digital infrastructure. When the Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN) is at a standstill months after its appointment, the costs are not abstract; they multiply daily through risks, delays, corner-cutting and declining public confidence. The ECN is not a ceremonial board. It exists to register engineers and technologists, set and enforce…

31 Oct

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Featured, Opinions

Parliament recently revisited the long-delayed Mental Health Bill. The minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, confirmed that the bill is in its final stages of review and will soon be resubmitted to legal drafters. This comes after years of delays in replacing the outdated Mental Health Act of 1973, a law that no longer reflects the realities of modern mental health care in Namibia. News outlets earlier in the week reported that employers would no longer be able to discriminate against mentally ill people; of course, that caused an uproar. While the discussion may seem technical or…

30 Oct

Reparations for what? Ideological clarity is needed!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro REPARATIONS FOR WHAT? This question may sound simplistic to many a descendant of the Ovambanderu, Ovahereo and Nama Genocide, who are and have been endeavouring to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Something which their forebears were robbed of by Imperial Germany, and thus consequently their descendants were and continue to be disinherited of. Till this day, despite freedom and independence, they have not seen socio-economic justice, let alone in terms of the return of their ancestral land. Let alone for the fact that the recommendations of the 2018 Second National Land Conference have at best been gathering dust…

30 Oct

Political reset: a test of fiscal discipline and political recalibration and credibility

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) When finance minister Ericah Shafudah stood before Parliament on 21 October 2025, her address carried a tone of sober realism. Namibia’s mid-year budget review revealed uncomfortable truths: economic growth is slowing, revenue performance has softened, and public debt continues its upward trajectory. Yet, instead of yielding to populist pressures or political expediency, Shafudah chose a path defined by discipline, recalibration, and credibility. The mid-year review presented an unchanged expenditure envelope of N$ 89.4 billion, signalling fiscal restraint amid deteriorating conditions. Growth projections for 2025 were revised downward from 4.5% to…

30 Oct

THE TIDE LINE | Police score a win in the battle against drugs

Featured, Opinions

The Namibian Police deserve full credit for their swift and effective action in apprehending a 38-year-old woman at Walvis Bay this week in connection with drug trafficking. Acting on intelligence, officers raided a residence in the Nampost residential area, recovering 1 070 Mandrax tablets valued at N$128 400. While this arrest is only one in a series of drug-related busts along Namibia’s coastline, it is nonetheless significant. It reflects diligent policing, improved intelligence gathering, and inter-unit coordination. At a time when drug abuse continues to infiltrate communities, this successful operation reminds citizens that law enforcement is still in the fight…

30 Oct

Paving the road to a safer, smarter Namibia: The role of tech in transport modernisation

Opinions

Reuben Williams Namibia stands at a critical juncture. As the nation pursues its vision of economic growth and greater social development, the efficiency and reliability of its transport sector are non-negotiable. An outdated system can be a drag on productivity and a threat to public safety. But technology offers a clear and immediate solution. By embracing digital innovation and establishing a clear regulatory framework, Namibia can transition from a legacy transport model to a dynamic, safe, and reliable ecosystem. The imperative for digital transformation The traditional public transport system in our cities, while essential, often struggles with consistency, transparency, and…

30 Oct

The art of the comeback: Leadership lessons from Singapore

Featured, Opinions

Mufaro Nesongano Something that has always amazed me is the remarkable comeback after a setback. As human beings, we tend to celebrate success stories more, for few people wish to be associated with failure. Yet those who have experienced moments of loss and disappointment know that the greatest growth often comes from the hardest seasons of life. Recently, I watched a documentary exploring what made Singapore the great nation it is today. It served as a powerful reminder that real progress is often born from adversity and thoughtful leadership. At independence in 1965, Singapore had very limited natural resources, deep…

30 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia clears its eurobond: A victory worth applauding, but with eyes wide open

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia this week announced that it has fully settled its US $750 million Eurobond, a decade after it was first issued in 2015. The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia confirmed that all payments were made in full and on time, a move that many have described as a major fiscal milestone. At first glance, this is indeed a moment to celebrate. In a world where several developing nations have defaulted on external debt in recent years, Namibia’s ability to meet its Eurobond obligations reflects discipline, foresight, and credibility. Yet, while the country deserves credit for fulfilling its…