Uncategorised – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

21 Aug

August 26 turns Ohangwena projects into ghost sites

Uncategorised

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Several education and sports projects handled by August 26 Construction in the Ohangwena region have been flagged for delays and poor workmanship by the parliamentary standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development. The committee's deputy chairperson, Austin Samupwa, said that while some projects handed over to the company have been completed, others have been running for years without progress. He raised concerns about accountability and service delivery after the committee carried out an oversight visit this week. During the visit, the committee engaged with the regional governor and the directorate of education. At Olivia Nakale Primary…

20 Aug

Love, hustles, and household budgets

Featured, Observer Money, Opinions, Uncategorised

Hileni Amadhila We often think love lives in flowers, laughter, and late-night chats, but in real life, it also lives in the rent, the groceries, the school fees, and the “Can we help at home this month?” calls. And in Namibia today, the financial side of love can be just as intense as the romantic side. The 2024 Old Mutual Namibia Financial Services Monitor shows that over half of working Namibians feel financially stressed, with rising costs and slow income growth piling on the pressure. At the same time, almost a third of working adults have more than one income…

15 Aug

Malaria kills 154 in eight months

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja A total of 154 people died from malaria in the past eight months. The deaths have increased from 50 in 2024 to 154 this year. This means the country has recorded 204 deaths in two years. Namibia declared a malaria outbreak on 23 December 2024, mainly affecting northern parts of the country. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said that as of 1 August 2025, 95 412 malaria cases had been recorded nationwide. She said 8 936 people were hospitalised as a result. Of the total cases, 17 164 were imported from Angola, making up 18% of the total. Luvindao…

14 Aug

Over 12 000 voters update constituency details

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Justicia Shipena During the first week of the 2025 supplementary registration of voters (SRV), 12 270 voters changed their constituency, and 4 181 applied for duplicate voter registration cards, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said on Wednesday. This comes as ECN's chief executive officer, Peter Shaama, revealed that a total of 19,359 eligible voters registered between 4 and 10 August. The registration covers all 121 constituencies and 59 local authorities and will conclude on 19 August. Shaama expressed concern over the low turnout and urged all eligible voters.Namibians will vote on 26 November in the regional council and local…

08 Aug

IPC labels Govt’s 51% local ownership plan ‘reckless’

Observer Money, Uncategorised

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has condemned the government’s proposal to secure 51% local ownership in all new mining ventures, calling it “reckless” and driven by populism. The party criticised the proposal as a vote-seeking tactic that could harm the economy. The plan, announced by minister of industries, mines and energy Nantangue Ithete during the 2025 Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Tuesday, proposes that the government negotiate majority ownership in all future mining explorations. IPC shadow minister of industries, mines and energy Ferdinand Hengombe warned that such a policy would deter investors and damage Namibia’s…

07 Aug

Namibia mourns with Ghana following tragic helicopter crash

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended her condolences to Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana following a tragic military helicopter crash in the southern Ashanti Region on Wednesday. The crash claimed the lives of eight individuals, including defence minister Edward Omane Boamah and environment, science and technology minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, along with three Ghana armed forces crew members and other senior officials. In a statement released on Wednesday, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed Namibia’s sympathy to the victims' families and the nation of Ghana. “On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Namibia, and…

07 Aug

Petrofund sends graduates for subsea training in Malaysia

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Justicia Shipena Three Namibians will undergo specialised subsea operations training in Malaysia. The training is part of a partnership between the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund) and oil and gas service company Subsea7. The trainees, Leonard Johannes, Erasmus Shikongo, and Rikardo Samuyumbe, are graduates of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) with qualifications in power and mechanical engineering. On Thursday, Petrofund spokesperson Shoki Kandjimi announced that the candidates were selected for a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilot Technician training programme at the Netherlands Maritime University College in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.The fully funded scholarship, valued at over N$870,000,…

06 Aug

SMEs, women, youth to get tender preference

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Justicia Shipena The government is amending the Public Procurement Act of 2015 by introducing a code of good practices to support inclusive economic growth.The new guidelines will provide preferential treatment to SMEs, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises, and previously disadvantaged individuals.This was announced by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during the third ministerial regional business engagement held in the Zambezi Region on Wednesday.She said the reforms align with the youth empowerment agenda of the eighth administration and form part of a broader strategy to link trade and industrialisation with national development goals.“Our intention is to ensure Namibian goods…

05 Aug

Sankwasa orders local authorities to drop Redforce

Featured, Latest, Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has directed all municipalities and town councils not to renew or enter into agreements with Redforce Debt Collectors. Sankwasa said Redforce has caused economic and political problems for residents in areas where it operates. “It has been noticed that some municipalities and town councils have contracted Redforce Debt Collector Company to collect debts on their behalf from residents and businesses,” he said in a directive dated Monday. He instructed that existing contracts must be allowed to lapse. “This ministerial directive should be adhered to without fail, since it has a very…

08 Jul

Sankwasa blames Windhoek residents of delaying road upgrades

National News, UncategorisedJames Sankwasa

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa says some Windhoek residents are delaying road construction projects due to a lack of patriotism. Sankwasa made the remarks on Monday during the groundbreaking ceremony of Winnie Mandela Avenue in Windhoek. He said some individuals are refusing to relocate to allow construction to proceed, not because they have nowhere to go, but because they want to continue running businesses from their informal structures. In May, the Windhoek Observer reported that business owners along Peter Nanyemba Road, formerly Monte Christo Road, urged the City of Windhoek to revise parts of the ongoing…