Windhoek Observer

Allexer Namundjembo Vendors at Ekutu Market in Walvis Bay expressed frustration over the municipality’s slow response to a sewage overflow that flooded the market earlier this week.  The incident was caused by a power outage at the Kuisebmond Sewer Pump Station, which led to raw sewage spilling into the trading area. The vendors later stepped in to clean up the area.  “The dirt had been here for days, so we decided to clean up. I thank my fellow vendors for taking this initiative. Now our place is clean," vendor Moses Shadjanale told the Windhoek Observer.  He urged others to join…

Allexer Namundjembo The speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, walked out of the chamber yesterday after a dispute over a motion, leaving behind the mace, the symbol of the house’s authority. Affirmative Repositioning (AR) chief whip Vaino Hangula had tabled a motion for parliament to continue with the order of the day without interruption.  Swapo member of parliament Paula Kooper objected, prompting Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to call for a vote on whether the motion should be considered. Speaking after the session, Hangula said the motion aimed to keep business flowing.  “We basically just wanted the House business to continue without any…

Justicia Shipena  The ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform (MAFWLR) says auctioning the precautionary pilchard quota would have taken too long and put Namibian jobs at risk, defending its choice to award Eco Fish Farms (Pty) Ltd the right to harvest 10 000 metric tonnes. The decision follows backlash over the quota, valued at about N$180 million, which was awarded to a company led by fishing businessman Ivo de Gouveia.  Reports in The Namibian cited claims that the allocation contradicted a cabinet directive to create jobs, with fisheries executive director Theo Nghitila accused of favouring a middleman operator.…

Justicia Shipena Erongo Petroleum CC risks losing its assets through a public auction.  This follows a High Court order directing the company to pay more than N$86 000 owed to Seaside Hotel and Spa (Pty) Ltd. The case stems from services provided between August 2022 and November 2024.  The hotel said it offered accommodation, spa treatments and restaurant services to company owner Austin Elindi at Erongo Petroleum’s request, but invoices and statements went unpaid. A summons was served in July 2025, giving the fuel supplier ten days to respond.  Court records show no defence was filed.  On 15 August 2025,…

Justicia Shipena  No progress has been reported on the independent water flow study recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) for the Leonardville area, the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma) said. The group renewed its call for government transparency and stronger protection of underground drinking water against the risks posed by  uranium mining. Sauma's statement follows a recent meeting between Headspring Investments, Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate, and the chair of parliament’s standing committee on natural resources, Tobie Aupindi.  At the meeting, Aupindi argued that opposition to the project lacked…

Renthia Kaimbi Chief Sakarias Seibeb of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority has accused  tourism operator Ultimate Safaris of charging “illegal” fees and interfering in conservancy governance by erecting two toll gates at the entrance to the Goantagab mining area in the Sorris Sorris conservancy.  The company charges  foreign tourists N$100, Namibians N$50, and N$150 per vehicle entering the Joint Management Area (JMA) as a “conservation fee”. Ultimate Safaris operates the Onduli Ridge lodge in the Uibasen Twyfelfontein conservancy.  Seibeb said he is considering withdrawing the Sorris Sorris conservancy from the JMA, which borders the Uibasen Twyfelfontein and Doro !Nawas conservancies.…

Justicia Shipena  The Presidency, through its Upstream Petroleum Unit, has launched public consultations on the draft National Upstream Local Content Policy in Lüderitz.  The first session was held on Monday.  The consultations, which will run until 17 September, will cover all 14 regions.  The Presidency has urged the public, including  business represented, youth, and local authorities, to participate in shaping the policy. The next meeting is scheduled for Mariental on Friday. In 2022, Cabinet approved the drafting of the policy to increase local participation in the oil and gas sector.  The following year, the ministry of mines and energy announced…