Windhoek Observer

05 Jun

Namibian men reflect on ‘Fatherless’

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele Nearly two years after Namibian author and lecturer Linda Perestrelo published her book ‘Fatherless’, young men across the country say the work continues to spark conversations about identity, healing and the emotional impact of growing up without a father figure. What began as Perestrelo’s personal story of navigating life with an absent father has evolved into a wider discussion among young readers, many of whom say the book challenged them to confront emotions they had long ignored. Jason Uises, a 34-year-old Windhoek resident, said reading the book forced him to reflect on how fatherlessness has shaped the lives…

05 Jun

YOUNG OBSERVER | Tsumeb mother turns motherhood challenge into growing business

Featured, Uncategorised

Patience Makwele A Tsumeb-based entrepreneur is proving that some of the best business ideas can come from personal experiences. Jamila Jokomo, a trained psychological counsellor and mother, has transformed her own breastfeeding journey into a growing online business that supports mothers across Namibia while encouraging young women to see challenges as opportunities for innovation. What began as a personal solution during the early stages of motherhood has evolved into a business that now serves customers across the country. Jokomo said the idea was born shortly after the birth of her firstborn daughter, when she was navigating the realities of exclusive…

05 Jun

Itula questions N$612 million solar deal linked to President’s sons

National News

Patience Makwele Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula has raised fresh questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Chinese-owned Tsumeb smelter. Itula alleged that companies associated with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sons are involved in the development. He has called for full public disclosure of the project’s documentation. In a media statement released on Thursday, Itula presented what he described as the “Sinomine-Massaus power file”, arguing that the public deserves answers regarding the ownership structure, licensing process and governance arrangements surrounding a project connected to one of Namibia’s most strategic industrial assets. The opposition…

05 Jun

TUCNA urges govt to fix labour rights gaps

National News

Patience Makwele The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) has called for urgent reforms to labour legislation after Namibia was classified as a regular violator of workers’ rights in the 2026 International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index. The report placed Namibia in the ITUC’s “orange” category, highlighting concerns over restrictions affecting trade union registration, collective bargaining and the right to strike. TUCNA secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said the rating should serve as a warning that workers’ rights guaranteed by law are not always fully realised in practice. “We need to pull up our socks and realise that some…

05 Jun

Omuthiya periodical court to open next week

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Office of the Judiciary has announced that court operations at the Omuthiya Periodical Court will officially commence on Monday, 8 June 2026, bringing essential judicial services closer to residents of the Oshikoto Region. “The initiation of court operations will provide essential judicial services to the community, enhance access to justice and facilitate the delivery of services in closer proximity to the community of Omuthiya and surrounding areas,” the Office of the Judiciary said in a statement issued on Tuesday. Currently, residents of Omuthiya travel to the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court to access court services. To address this, the…

05 Jun

‘Whites choose careers, blacks beg for work’ – Sisa Namandje

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Legal practitioner Sisa Namandje says black Namibians beg for work while white Namibians choose careers, arguing that almost 37 years after independence, a “deep happiness deficit” persists among the country's black majority. Delivering the inaugural John Akapandi Endjala Memorial Lecture in Windhoek yesterday on what would have been the late businessman's 63rd birthday, Namandje, who identified himself as a direct beneficiary of Endjala's mentorship, delivered the indictment of Namibia's post-independence economic transformation record. He argued that black Namibians remain unable to pursue the happiness promised in the Constitution's preamble due to a lack of meaningful legislative and policy…

05 Jun

Koryx advances copper project with NamPower grid deal

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper says it has made significant progress on infrastructure planning for its flagship Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia, including signing a memorandum of understanding with NamPower for a bulk electricity supply connection and advancing plans for water supply from the Orange River. The company announced the developments as it continues work toward completing a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the project, which is expected to be published later this year. Under the agreement with NamPower, Koryx and the national power utility will begin designing the grid connection infrastructure required to support the mine’s operations. The project’s power…

05 Jun

De Beers doubles down on natural diamonds with new campaign

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira De Beers Group has intensified its efforts to boost demand for natural diamonds, unveiling a new phase of its global ‘Desert Diamonds’ marketing campaign. The company aims to capitalize on growing consumer interest while distinguishing natural stones from synthetic alternatives. The renewed focus on natural diamonds carries particular weight for diamond-producing countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Angola and South Africa, where economies and mining sectors derive substantial value from natural diamond production. Diamonds remain critical to Namibia’s economy. The country produced 556,000 carats of diamonds in the first quarter ending 31 March 2026, up from 459,000 carats in…

05 Jun

NNN calls for broader financial inclusion

Observer Money

Staff Writer President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for greater financial inclusion, improved financial literacy and broader access to investment opportunities, saying these will be key to the continued development of Namibia’s financial sector. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during the 30th-anniversary celebration of Namibia Asset Management (NAM) at Droombos. In an address read on her behalf by finance minister Ericah Shafudah, the President congratulated the company’s board, management, staff and stakeholders on reaching the milestone, describing the anniversary as a testament to resilience, innovation, discipline and trust. “Thirty years is not merely a measure of time. It is a testament to…

05 Jun

Travellers urged to consider trip cancellation insurance

Observer Money

Staff Writer Travellers are being urged to consider trip cancellation insurance as a safeguard against financial losses caused by unexpected events that force them to cancel their travel plans. According to Santam Namibia chief executive officer Franco Feris, uncertainty remains a reality for travellers, with factors such as illness, family emergencies and severe weather capable of disrupting even the most carefully planned holidays. Trip cancellation insurance is designed to reimburse travelers for prepaid, non-refundable expenses when unforeseen circumstances prevent them from travelling before their scheduled departure date. Feris explained that the cover can protect significant travel investments. He cited the…