Opinions – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

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 This comes after years of delays in replacing the outdated Mental Health Act of 1973, a law that no longer reflects the realities of modern mental health care in Namibia.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…

29 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | The five-year investor visa: A bold step toward a more competitive Namibia

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s recent announcement of a five-year visa for serious investors marks a decisive and forward-thinking step in Namibia’s quest to become a truly competitive investment destination. Speaking at the launch of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum in Windhoek, the President not only underscored her administration’s recognition of the bureaucratic barriers that discourage investment but also signaled a broader philosophical shift, from gatekeeping to gateway. For years, investors have lamented Namibia’s slow, paper-heavy, and often frustrating visa and business registration processes. The President’s call for a simplified, investor-friendly visa regime acknowledges this bottleneck and proposes a solution aligned with…

29 Oct

President Nandi-Ndaitwah at 73: Seven months of measured hope

Featured, Opinions

As President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah marks her 73rd birthday this week, her first since assuming Namibia’s highest office, The Windhoek Observer extends heartfelt wishes for good health, clarity of vision, and continued strength in leadership.Birthdays are often a moment of personal reflection, but for a Head of State they also offer the nation an opportunity to pause and take stock, not just of years lived, but of months served, decisions made, and futures imagined. President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first seven months in office have unfolded against a backdrop of global uncertainty and domestic transition. Yet, through it all, she has brought to State…