Windhoek Observer

28 Nov

YOUNG OBSERVER | Swapo reclaims lost ground as Namibia takes stock of a shifting political landscape

Featured, Opinions

In the aftermath of the recent regional and local authority elections, Namibia is once again sorting through a familiar mixture of certainty and surprise. The results of these elections as announced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia point to a notable trend: Swapo has reclaimed several constituencies it lost in previous cycles. The outcome is significant. Over the past decade, Namibia’s political terrain has been marked by fragmentation, emerging parties, independent candidates reshaping the margins, and a steady erosion of the once unquestioned dominance of the ruling party. The 2024 general elections reflected this mood. Swapo held on to power,…

28 Nov

YOUNG OBSERVER | Global spotlight: New York Times profiles health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao

Featured, Latest

When a young Namibian woman steps into a Cabinet position, the country notices. When that woman becomes the youngest health minister on the continent, the world begins to pay attention too. This week, that attention came from one of the most influential newspapers on the planet. The New York Times ran a profile on Dr Esperance Luvindao, capturing the unusual blend of youth, courage, and competence that has shaped her rise. The international spotlight is significant, but what it represents for Namibia is even more profound. At just 31, Dr Luvindao stands at the intersection of global recognition and local…

28 Nov

YOUNG OBSERVER | Understanding youth voter apathy in Namibia

Featured, Opinions

Voter apathy is not a headline that demands immediate attention; however, it is one of the most telling signs of the health of a democracy. It moves quietly, shaping election outcomes without noise or spectacle. In Namibia, youth voter apathy has become a defining feature of recent elections, and this week’s polls may have deepened the pattern. While the country debates which constituencies swung back to the ruling party and which parties gained or lost ground, the biggest shift may be the one that did not appear at the ballot box at all. Young people are increasingly choosing to stay…

28 Nov

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Featured, Opinions

Namibia went to the polls this week in an atmosphere that was largely calm, orderly and dignified. It is a reminder that, despite frustrations and imperfections, the country remains committed to democratic processes that many societies struggle to uphold. The peaceful character of our elections has always been a quiet national pride and proof that political difference does not need to become political violence. That is precisely why any rhetoric that undermines this peace must be taken seriously. In the lead-up to the elections, Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swaartbooi made remarks that many Namibians interpreted as irresponsible, inflammatory,…

28 Nov

SADC PF executive meets under newly elected president

Africa / World

Moses Magadza The new president of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, officially opened the SADC PF executive committee meeting in Durban on Wednesday, marking his debut in the role. In his maiden address, he expressed humility, gratitude and a firm commitment to strengthening regional parliamentary cooperation. “This is my first meeting as President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum,” Randrianasoloniaiko said, adding that he is “conscious of the responsibility I now carry.” He acknowledged his predecessor, Justin Tokely, for “his professionalism, dedication and steady leadership” and noted that Madagascar and…

28 Nov

Cuvelai housing scheme targets 100 000 houses nationwide

National News

Staff Writer The Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme Fund was launched on 21 November 2025 in Keetmanshoop, marking the start of one of Namibia’s largest housing programmes. The fund aims to build 100 000 affordable homes across the country within five years. The first phase targets 10 000 units, including 2 142 homes planned for Keetmanshoop. The scheme was created to help reduce the national housing backlog, estimated at between 300 000 and 500 000 units. It focuses on providing affordable homes to armed forces members, teachers, nurses, civil servants and informal sector workers. The deputy minister of urban and rural…

28 Nov

Swakopmund water pump worth N$800k ‘disappears’

National News

Renthia Kaimbi A raw water pump valued at about N$800 000 has disappeared from the raw water sewerage plant in Swakopmund. The theft was discovered in August 2024 and remains under investigation after the council’s insurance claim was rejected. A report submitted to the management committee states that the stolen Grundfos pump weighed 1 490 kilograms and was removed from the plant at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Rakotoka Street. Its size suggests that several people, using a crane and a truck, may have been involved. Triple One Investments CC, the contractor responsible for 24-hour security at the…

28 Nov

‘We did our part,’ ECN says as voter turnout drops

National News

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says it has done its part to educate voters to vote in the regional and local authority elections. ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua said the commission carried out extensive civic and voter education in all constituencies ahead of the polls. This comes after observations from Wednesday’s regional and local authority elections showed low voter turnout. “So I can say with confidence that we have done our part,” she said. Nghikembua said each constituency had a voter education officer working daily with communities. She said the Commission started with broader civic education and later…

28 Nov

Swapo bags 78 seats in first 23 local authorities …IPC, LPM loses grip in territories dominated

Main

Justicia Shipena Swapo is leading the verified local authority results released so far, securing the most seats in the first 23 councils announced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua released the results on Thursday. With the first 23 local authorities, Swapo secured 78 seats, giving it representation in every council announced so far. The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) followed with 21 seats, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) won 14 seats. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) took 9 seats, the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has 6 seats, and other parties and associations won seats…

28 Nov

Racism and tribalism remedies still out of reach

National News

Justicia Shipena The Office of the Ombudsman says Namibia has made little progress in tackling discrimination, tribalism and racism, despite clear recommendations made almost eight years ago. The chief of office at the Ombudsman, Ingrid Husselmann, said public hearings held in 2017 produced a detailed report that outlined steps ministries should take to address discrimination and tribalism. She said most of those steps remain untouched. “Unfortunately, not very many of those recommendations have been implemented,” Husselmann told the Windhoek Observer. One of the key proposals was the development of legislation that would give people simple and informal access to remedies…