Windhoek Observer

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Politicians and lawmakers have criticised the health ministry's plans to introduce artificial intelligence ambulance services, saying the focus should be on solving current problems, like medicine shortages. Former PDM member of parliament Maximilliant Katjimune called on health minister Esperance Luvindao to first deal with the shortage of medicines at public health facilities before thinking about smart ambulances. Katjimune's comments come after Luvindao’s statement this week when she unveiled a fleet of 36 new ambulances.  Luvindao had announced that there are plans to upgrade emergency care with 5G-powered, AI-supported ambulances. “The ministry will soon start looking at the possibility…

Allexer Namundjebo Private emergency service providers say they are ready to teach Namibians how to swim to prevent drowning cases. Sean Naude, a licensed lifeguard and founder of the Namibia Marshall Rangers, said he is willing to partner with the government to offer swimming lessons across the country. “Water safety is our priority. I have assisted in more than 18 drowning incidents in Erongo, and if we can do it there, we can expand swimming education to benefit communities across the country," Naude said. Naude said he is also ready to visit schools, especially in flood-prone regions, to teach water…

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipality has introduced new land allocation procedures to improve transparency and ensure fair access to development opportunities. Swakopmund deputy mayor Suama Kautondokwa announced the changes during a council briefing this week. She said all land made available for sale or lease will now be publicly advertised.  “To rectify this, and in alignment with the town's Urban Development Strategy, the Council has resolved to adopt a more structured, transparent, and strategic approach to land allocation,” Kautondokwa said. She said the municipality had received a flood of unsolicited land applications in recent years.  While this showed strong interest…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia’s Ministry of Finance and the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) have not responded to questions about delays in establishing the Katima Mulilo One Stop Border Post (OSBP), a key trade project with Zambia. This follows renewed commitments by both governments this week to fast-track the project and complete it within 18 months. A Joint Steering Committee meeting in Livingstone, Zambia, brought together technical teams from both countries to adopt a new implementation roadmap. NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute, who led the Namibian delegation, acknowledged the project’s delays and called for increased effort. “Zambia brings valuable experience to this project,…

Niël Terblanché President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to environmental sustainability. She also urged all Namibians to take action against plastic pollution, as the country joined the international community in commemorating World Environment Day on Wednesday. In a special message, Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that plastic waste presents a growing threat to ecosystems, marine life, public health, and long-term development. “Namibia, as a proud member of the international community, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combat plastic pollution and accelerate our transition to a cleaner and more resilient environment,” she said. This year’s commemoration, held under the theme “Putting an End to…

Niël Terblanché During the national commemoration of World Environment Day in Swakopmund, Namibians were called upon to confront the growing challenge of plastic pollution with urgency and collective action. Caroline Gaorus-Oas, the Deputy Environmental Commissioner, said plastic pollution is everywhere, from the deepest ocean trench to the highest mountain peak.  “We see this pollution. We feel its climate impacts. We live with the sheer waste of taking a versatile, durable material and making it disposable,” she said during her address at Mondesa Community Hall on Thursday The theme for this year’s commemoration, “End Plastic Pollution,” emphasises a global push to…

Niël Terblanché As Namibia joined the global commemoration of World Environment Day, the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing environmental protection through strategic financing and community-driven initiatives. The EIF has mobilised more than N$4 billion in environmental and climate funding to support resilience, clean technologies, and biodiversity conservation across the country. In a statement for the occasion, the EIF highlighted its role in introducing environmental levies under the Customs and Excise Act No. 20 of 1998, working with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism.   These levies generate about N$90 million annually and are reinvested in sustainability…