Windhoek Observer

Justicia Shipena  Residents in Windhoek may face up to a 3% increase in electricity costs this year if the Electricity Control Board (ECB) approves the City of Windhoek’s proposed tariff adjustment. The municipality proposed the increase during a public consultation held on Friday at the Khomas Regional Council Hall. The session was organised by the ECB. The City, which supplies electricity in the Khomas Region, wants a 4% weighted average increase for the 2025/2026 financial year. It says this aligns with NamPower’s approved average bulk tariff increase of 3.8%. Last month, the ECB approved NamPower’s 3.8% tariff increase, which takes…

Allexer Namundjebo The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has rejected planned retrenchments at the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, calling the move unjustified and procedurally flawed. In a letter to the minister of industry, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, MUN secretary general George Ampweya accused the company of bypassing due process and undermining Namibia’s commitment to job creation. “We see these developments as a deliberate attempt to undermine the role of the union, promote precarious work, and perpetuate outsourcing practices that have already harmed job security,” said Ampweya. He said the company’s human resources division has excluded the union from proper negotiations…

Allexer Namundjebo  Student leaders are unhappy about hostel evictions at the University of Namibia (Unam).  The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) and the National African Students Association (Nasa) have objected to Unam's reported plan to evict students from hostels during exams.  The move reportedly aims to create space for renovations ahead of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games.  Namibia is set to host the 11th edition of the AUSC Youth Games in Windhoek and Swakopmund from 4 to 13 July.  The games were initially scheduled to be held in Mozambique, but after their withdrawal, Namibia stepped…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The government has submitted documents detailing how it appointed a new principal for Windhoek High School.  This follows claims by the school board that the ministry of education ignored proper procedures and left the board out of key parts of the hiring process. In court papers filed at the Windhoek High Court, the school board, led by chairperson Tertius Stears, is asking the court to set aside the appointment of Teofilus Nuugulu.  His appointment was set to begin on 6 May 2025. The board argues the process was not transparent and failed to follow the Basic Education Act…

Allexer Namundjebo  The Sam Nujoma Foundation has confirmed its support for the annual Olufuko Cultural Festival, pledging to continue the legacy of its late patron, founding president Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.  At a fundraising gala dinner for the festival’s 11th edition on Saturday, the Foundation’s deputy chairperson, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, said the Foundation will keep backing the cultural heritage and values promoted by the late president.  “This year’s edition marks the first Olufuko Festival held without its most ardent patron, but the Foundation will steadfastly support the cultural objectives he tirelessly advocated,” Iivula-Ithana said. She highlighted Dr Nujoma’s belief that cultural…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Starting from July 2026, Namibians will be able to use electronic identity cards (e-ID). This comes as the ministry of home affairs recently announced plans to launch the first e-ID system in July 2026.  In April of this year, the home affairs minister, Lucia Iipumbu first unveiled the plan that the country is transitioning to a digital identity system.  The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, said the e-ID will transform identity management and improve access to public and private services in Namibia. According to the ministry, this initiative aligns with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) model governance…

Niël Terblanché Nearly N$750,000 was raised during a fundraising gala dinner on Saturday at the Ondangwa Trade Fair Centre.  The event aimed to support the 12th Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, scheduled from 27 June to 5 July 2025.  The theme for this year’s exhibition is “Building Resilient Industries Through Innovation and Smart Partnerships”. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare opened the pledge with a N$5 000 donation. Contributions followed from corporate entities, government institutions, and private individuals, bringing the total to N$740 600. Ngurare told attendees that exhibitions like the one in Ondangwa play a key role in national development.  “The…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) announced a planned water supply shutdown in parts of the Oshikoto region from midnight on Monday until midnight on Tuesday.  NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the shutdown will affect all distribution pipelines connected to the Onembenge 2nd Tower. “This means that all communities supplied by the Omulingi-Okakodhi-Ontana rural pipeline network, including all associated sub-branch lines, will be impacted,” he said.  Ndamanomhata explained that the interruption is needed to upgrade the distribution network and remove bottleneck fittings at the tower. “These essential works are part of NamWater’s efforts to improve flow efficiency and enhance…