Windhoek Observer

20 Jun

Congolese arrested for theft of suspected stolen state hospital medicines

Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi A 40-year-old Congolese national was arrested in connection with the theft of suspected stolen medicines from the Otjiwarongo State Hospital, which were allegedly found on the shelves of a tuckshop in Orwetoveni on Friday. Otjozondjupa regional director of health, Gebhardo Timotheus, told the Windhoek Observer that he was informed about the incident last week but is yet to confirm the details when he is back in office on Monday. Senior Inspector Maureen Mbeha, the Otjozondjupa Police Regional Spokesperson, stated that the arrest stemmed from a reported physical confrontation between the suspect and a former health assistant whose contract…

20 Jun

Namibia removed from FATF grey list

Uncategorised

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia has officially been removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of jurisdictions under enhanced monitoring, commonly known as the grey list, following the country's successful implementation of reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. The Ministry of Finance announced on Friday that the FATF confirmed Namibia's removal from the grey list during its plenary meeting after an on-site assessment conducted in Windhoek on 23 and 24 April 2026. Namibia was grey listed on 23 February 2024 after the FATF identified 13 strategic deficiencies in the country's anti-money laundering, combating the financing of…

20 Jun

Merlus rejects claims over unpaid GERP fishermen

Uncategorised

Merlus Cormorant Fishing company has rejected claims that it owes five months' back pay to 111 fishermen allocated to it under the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), saying no employment relationship currently exists with the workers. Merlus Cormorant chairman Stanley Katzao said reports that the company had left the fishermen unpaid and unemployed were "inaccurate and misleading". Katzao said the company had been working to resolve administrative and placement issues affecting the group since April 2026. According to the company, the formal GERP designation agreement was only received on 10 June 2026 and employment would only legally commence once job…

20 Jun

Labour minister engages Beifang Mining in Swakopmund

Uncategorised

Allexer Namundjembo Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel led a ministerial delegation to a meeting with the management of Beifang Mining Services in Swakopmund on Friday. The engagement follows an earlier session with employees of the company. According to the ministry’s public relations officer, Jeremia Namalenga, the meeting was part of an intervention to address concerns raised by workers and to promote labour relations. Namalenga said discussions focused on labour law compliance, conditions of employment, workplace relations, and grievance resolution mechanisms in line with the Labour Act. The ministry stated that the engagement provided a platform for…

19 Jun

Ghana was the perfect stage for Africa’s unfinished conversation

Editorial

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s remarks in Accra, Ghana, this week deserve praise not merely because of what she said, but because of where she said it. Speaking at the High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparatory Justice, the president articulated a truth that generations of Africans have struggled to have acknowledged: Africa is not asking the world to carry its pain; it is asking the world to recognize that the pain existed in the first place. It was a measured but powerful statement. In a world increasingly divided by competing narratives, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded the international community that reconciliation without acknowledgement is impossible.…

19 Jun

African Child Day inspires youth to dream big

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Young Namibians have been encouraged to dream beyond their circumstances and make full use of the opportunities available to them as the country joined the rest of the continent in commemorating the International Day of the African Child on Tuesday. In her message marking the day, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the courage of the children who participated in the Soweto Uprising of 16 June 1976 should continue to inspire young Africans to pursue education, embrace opportunity and work towards a better future. “Their sacrifice helped pave the way for the freedoms many African children enjoy today,” she said.…

19 Jun

YOUNG OBSERVER | Young Namibians urged to break cycle of GBV

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Young Namibians have been urged to confront gender-based violence (GBV), challenge harmful social norms and prioritise mental wellbeing as the country continues to grapple with high levels of abuse and violence against women and children. Through her work with advocacy organisation Victims 2 Survivors, Namibian activist and educator Lizette Feris says many forms of abuse are rooted in unresolved trauma and unhealthy attitudes that are often passed from one generation to another. “Generational trauma has affected millions of Namibians,” Feris said. “If we can help children manage emotions early, the ripple effects can transform families and communities.” Feris,…

19 Jun

YOUNG OBSERVER | Young women encouraged to dream beyond borders

Featured, National News

Patience Makwele Young Namibian women have been encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship, embrace uncertainty and create opportunities for themselves after the founder of Lazilia Travels shared how she built a growing travel business despite having no background in the tourism industry. Lazilia Travels founder and registered quantity surveyor Lidiinikeni Ndapewoshali said she was only 22 when the idea of organising trips for Namibians first came to her. “Honestly, there’s no dramatic or ‘wow’ story,” she said. “After completing my studies, I worked as a vacation assistant at my university residence and was exposed to the idea of organising group trips. I…

19 Jun

Furnmart strike set to hit all branches nationwide

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The acting deputy general secretary of the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU), Lukas Matias, has confirmed that a planned strike by Furnmart employees will proceed across all branches nationwide, following a breakdown in negotiations over salary increases and the introduction of a housing allowance. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday, Matias said the industrial action stems from long-standing unresolved demands despite continued engagement between the union and management since last year. According to Matias, 467 employees voted in favour of the strike. “The strike is about both the salary increase and the introduction of a…

19 Jun

NNN takes Namibia’s reparations fight to global stage

National News

Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia remains committed to securing a resolution on reparations for the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people during German colonial rule, insisting that justice and reconciliation can only be achieved through truth, acknowledgement and sustained dialogue. Addressing the High-Level Consultative Conference on the Next Steps for United Nations Resolution A/RES/80/250 on the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Accra, Ghana on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s pursuit of restorative justice forms part of a broader African effort to confront the enduring effects of slavery, colonialism and historical injustices. She said Namibia’s engagement with Germany stems…