Windhoek Observer

12 Mar

Hot water, cold reality

Editorial, Featured

This week we witnessed what should have been a routine maintenance matter elevated into a moment of political theatre: the restoration of hot water at one of the country’s major public hospitals. The ministers responsible deserve acknowledgement for taking decisive action. But while we congratulate them for addressing a deeply embarrassing situation, the circumstances surrounding this “achievement” raise troubling questions about the priorities of governance in our country. Let us begin with the obvious. The absence of reliable hot water in a major national hospital is not merely an inconvenience. It is a failure of basic governance. Hospitals are places…

12 Mar

Kalangula proposes rail overhaul to save TransNamib …outsourcing rail maintenance threatens TransNamib’s future

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena Bringing railway maintenance back to TransNamib Holdings Limited could help save the struggling state-owned enterprise, according to Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Nelson Kalangula. Kalangula made the remarks while contributing to the budget debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday. He said TransNamib is facing operational and financial challenges, including an ageing fleet, limited operational capacity and rising debt. “Bringing railway maintenance back to TransNamib could potentially save the enterprise by consolidating resources, ensuring direct oversight, and aligning maintenance schedules with long-term goals,” he said. Kalangula said TransNamib operates depots in more than 18 towns…

12 Mar

Central Hospital geysers switched back on

National News

Justicia Shipena The government has spent N$6.48 million to restore the industrial electrical geyser water heating system at Windhoek Central Hospital. Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi announced the completion of the project during a handover ceremony at the hospital on Wednesday. The project was completed over seven months by Namibia Engineering Cooperation (NEC) and Pumps (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian-owned company. Nekundi said the upgrade restores reliable hot water across the hospital and improves conditions for patients and healthcare workers. “I am proud to provide that this project was undertaken and sincerely delivered at a cost of N$6.48 million…

12 Mar

Omaheke water tank scandal exposes governance gaps

National News

Patience Makwele The arrest of three officials in the Omaheke region over the alleged diversion of community water tanks has raised concerns about accountability in public service and the protection of resources meant for vulnerable communities. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) this week arrested three officials from the directorate of rural water supply within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform following an investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving community water tanks. The suspects, Katjimune Lion, Tjaondo Festus and Mbingana Morbe Albert, are accused of submitting fraudulent requisitions to the Omaheke Regional Government Stores to obtain two 10 000-litre…

12 Mar

Electricians accuse Cenored of unfair tender allocation

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Accredited electricians with the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored) area say they are often overlooked when electrical tenders are allocated in their towns. The electricians told the Windhoek Observer that despite being registered and accredited to carry out electrical services, contractors from other towns are sometimes brought in to do work in areas where qualified local electricians are available. “Someone can be brought in from a different town to come do the wiring in Tsumeb. It is very bad considering that we also have qualified and professional electricians in Tsumeb or any other town that can do…

12 Mar

Ministry seeks lasting solution after Hardap school taps ran dry

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Hardap regional education director Lawin Paulus says he is awaiting a report outlining a long-term solution to the water problem at Pioneer Secondary School in Schlip after taps at the school ran dry. Paulus told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that a team from the Ministry of Agriculture was sent to the school to address the situation. “I am happy to inform you that the team reconnected the water, and learners are now able to access it. The team was at the school last Friday,” Paulus said. He said he is waiting for a detailed report on the…

12 Mar

Fishing companies asked to finalise contracts before quota release

National News

Justicia Shipena Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi says the fishing quota for the government employment redress programme will only be released once companies submit signed employee contracts. Zaamwani-Kamwi said the government expects to receive the signed contracts by next week. Zaamwani-Kamwi said on Wednesday that the government has been engaging both employers and employees in the fishing sector to ensure they understand their roles before new agreements are signed. Zaamwani-Kamwi said the discussions took place over two days during consultations with companies and workers involved in the programme. “If we reach an agreement and the…

12 Mar

Masake calls for investment to address sanitation crisis

National News

Staff Writer Namibia continues to face serious sanitation challenges despite improvements in access to drinking water, deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruth Masake has said. Masake made the remarks in Windhoek during the joint commemoration of World Wetlands Day and World Water Day. She said sanitation remains a major concern even though access to potable water has improved in recent years. About 40% of Namibian households still do not have access to basic toilet facilities and many continue to practise open defecation. Masake said the situation raises concerns about public health and human dignity. “These startling…

12 Mar

OBSERVER COASTAL | Namibia, South Korea sign agreement on green ports

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia has signed a cooperation agreement with South Korea to develop a green port strategy aimed at improving sustainability in the country’s maritime sector. The letter of intent on the development of a green port policy, strategy, investment plan and implementation roadmap was signed in Windhoek two weeks ago. The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The partnership places Namibia under the International Port Development Cooperation Programme, an initiative supported by the African Development Bank and the Korean government. Officials said the…

12 Mar

OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay warns against illegal stand rentals at Farm 37

Featured, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Walvis Bay municipality has warned that the subleasing of residential stands at Farm 37 threatens fair access to land for residents waiting for legal allocation. Deputy mayor Miina Hangula raised the concern during the launch of the municipality’s 2026 public meeting series held at Farm 37 on Monday. The meeting drew strong attendance from residents and focused on service delivery updates and land allocation concerns. Hangula said the subleasing of stands undermines municipal policies and prevents residents from accessing land through official processes. Council representatives condemned the practice and urged residents to report any cases to the…