Windhoek Observer

10 Apr

Starlink’s re-application cannot help but be suspect if pushed through!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Can anyone please kindly bring Yours Truly Ideologically up to speed regarding the fuss and hullaballoo that has been accompanying the unsuccessful application by Starlink for internet services in Namibia? For it is beyond any understanding what the commotion and consternation have been all about, unduly giving rise to false impressions that Starlink’s application may have been treated unreasonably, unduly and/or unfairly. While it simply submitted its application, that was duly considered by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran). But did not meet three of the six requirements. Foremost, the 51% local ownership threshold. As Starlin Namibia's…

10 Apr

Namibia’s Sona: Neither rupture nor stagnation but a managed transition between legacy and the pragmatism of a globalised economy with the politics of “too few to be poor”

Opinions

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) In the aftermath of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s state of the nation address (Sona), public debate has largely fixated on tone, style, delivery, and symbolism. This is a familiar distraction. The real issue is structural. What kind of state is Namibia becoming, and whether it advances or defers the unfinished project of liberation. At stake is not simply policy direction but the deeper question that has defined post-colonial Africa; can political sovereignty evolve into economic control, or will it remain structurally constrained? Continuity without transformation At a rhetorical level, the Sona…

09 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Ministry condemns tyre burning at Walvis Bay landfill

Featured, Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has condemned the burning of tyres at the Walvis Bay landfill. Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti said the ministry is taking steps to address the situation. “The reported burning of tyres at the landfill is a regrettable incident that the ministry strongly condemns,” he said on Wednesday. “Such activity releases dangerous pollutants into the air, posing serious health risks to both people and animals, while significantly compromising air quality.” Mufeti said burning tyres near towns is not allowed under environmental laws and warned that such practices cannot continue. The response follows complaints…

09 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Intoxicated girlfriend linked to Swakopmund shack fire

National News

Renthia Kaimbi A fire in the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund has left at least 36 people affected and destroyed 12 informal structures, according to a report released by the municipality of Swakopmund. The fire broke out on 3 April 2026 at around 19h51 in extension 14 near the airport side. It spread quickly through closely built shacks. Emergency teams arrived to find the area covered in smoke and flames. Investigators described the fire as being at a “fully developed stage". Firefighters started suppression, search and rescue operations and managed to bring the fire under control. Investigators said the fire…

09 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Revamped Arandis open market aims to grow informal trade

Featured, Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi The refurbished open market in Arandis has reopened. The upgrade was led by Orano Mining Namibia in partnership with the Arandis Town Council. The project was completed at the end of 2025 at a cost of N$300 000 and officially opened last week. The market was first built in 2012 with an investment of N$500 000 by Orano, then operating as AREVA Namibia. It was introduced after a 2005 study found that many small business owners were operating from their homes due to a lack of trading space. The upgraded facility now includes 16 business units and shared…

09 Apr

OBSERVER COASTAL | Erongo pushes for more community involvement in tourism

Featured, Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi Stakeholders in the Erongo region will meet later this month to discuss how communities can benefit more from tourism. The Erongo Regional Tourism Forum will host a stakeholder engagement on 16 April 2026 at Daureb Isib Rest Camp in Uis. The session aims to raise awareness about tourism opportunities and encourage local participation. Tourism remains a key part of Namibia’s economy, supporting jobs, investment and growth. The Erongo region is one of the country’s main tourism areas, with destinations such as Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and the Brandberg area attracting visitors throughout the year. Erongo governor Nathalia |Goagoses said…

09 Apr

When the sea falls silent: A warning Namibia cannot ignore

Editorial, Featured

There are moments in the life of a nation when the warning signs are not subtle. They are loud, visible and urgent. Namibia now stands at such a moment. Reports, studies and industry observations all point in one direction: our fish stocks are declining. From hake pressures to historical collapses in sardines, the message is clear: our oceans are under strain. This is not merely an environmental concern. It is an economic alarm bell. If ignored, it will toll for every Namibian. Fishing is not just another sector of our economy. It is one of its pillars, feeding our people,…

09 Apr

NNN pins hopes on 24 000 jobs from projects …as LPM skips Sona

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena and Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah still sings the song of jobs, promising opportunities even as pressure mounts over unemployment. During her second state of the nation address (SONA) on Wednesday, she said a total of 24 195 jobs are expected to be created once major investment projects currently underway reach full operation. Nandi-Ndaitwah said 13 operational investment projects valued at N$4.3 billion have already created 1 503 jobs, while 15 additional projects worth N$63.5 billion are in progress, with 1 934 jobs created so far. The projected job creation forms part of the sixth National Development Plan…

09 Apr

Fired bosses’ case to cost RA over N$3k hourly

National News

Justicia Shipena The Roads Authority (RA) could spend more than N$3 000 per hour on external lawyers for the appeal case involving two of its dismissed senior executives. This is, as the RA already spent about N$400 000 on the matter. The parastatal's legal, corporate governance and compliance department has set aside N$8 million for legal fees for the 2026/2027 financial year. This is contained in an internal document dated 12 March 2026 and seen by the Windhoek Observer. The memo was addressed to its chief executive officer Hippy Tjivikua through the procurement committee. The document, issued by the legal,…

09 Apr

Venaani calls genocide deal ‘apartheid-style’

National News

Justicia Shipena “As a person of your political argument and record that has fought apartheid, why are you allowing Germany to practise apartheid atonement to the genocide victims of the OvaHerero and the Nama people?” Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader and member of parliament McHenry Venaani posed this question to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her state of the nation address (Sona) on Wednesday. Venaani questioned why Namibia appears ready to accept a settlement he believes is lower than what Germany has paid in other cases. He pointed to a recent United Nations (UN) resolution recognising transatlantic slavery as the “gravest…