Windhoek Observer – Page 174 – Windhoek Observer

03 Jun

Namibia and Uganda sign judicial cooperation pact

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Uganda have strengthened judicial cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their judiciaries. The agreement was signed on Tuesday during the official visit of Uganda’s Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, to Namibia. At the Supreme Court in Windhoek, Namibia’s Chief Justice, Peter Shivute, called the MoU a milestone reflecting a shared vision. “This is a vision of judiciaries that learn from one another, that innovate together, and that strive continuously to improve the quality of justice for the people we serve,” he said. The visit followed a series of exchanges between the…

03 Jun

MTC reroutes internet traffic during WACS fix

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has confirmed that three of its internet links through the West African Cable System (WACS) will be affected by ongoing maintenance. To keep services running smoothly, MTC has rerouted internet traffic through backup channels. The WACS maintenance, set to run from June 1 to 16, includes repairs, upgrades, and technical checks on the 14,000-kilometre undersea fibre-optic cable that connects several African countries to Europe. WACS is a key part of Namibia’s international internet connection. Although such maintenance is routine, it may lead to slower internet or brief disruptions in areas that rely on the…

03 Jun

Report reveals language marginalisation at Auas Primary

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A report on Auas Primary School has raised concerns about the sidelining of Khoekhoegowab, even though most learners at the school speak the language. The report, compiled by a group of teachers, says leadership and staffing choices have weakened the presence of Khoekhoegowab in the school. It highlights that the Head of Department (HOD) post for Khoekhoegowab in the junior primary phase has been vacant for nearly three years. In the senior primary phase, the position has not been filled for over ten years. “This has left a critical leadership vacuum in curriculum implementation, teacher guidance, and pedagogical…

03 Jun

Tech to boost African heritage conservation

National News

Niël Terblanché A regional workshop hosted in Windhoek has brought together African heritage professionals to explore how digital technologies can transform the preservation and management of World Heritage sites. The event, which started on Tuesday, is organised by UNESCO in partnership with the Namibian government and supported by the Government of Flanders in Belgium. Eunice Smith, UNESCO Head of Office and Representative to Namibia, described the workshop as a response to the increasing threats faced by heritage sites across Africa, including climate change, urbanisation and conflict. “Our repeated periods of prolonged drought followed by devastating floods over the past few…

03 Jun

Shame is not a shelter: Why silence protects perpetrators and harms survivors

Opinions

Pefimbo Shipunda In the wake of yet another series of brutal acts of violence against women and children in Namibia, a painful truth confronts us: while perpetrators may commit the violence, it is silence that sustains it. Shame is a powerful force in our communities. It silences victims, shields abusers, and prioritises reputation over justice. It tells survivors to keep quiet, not because they are wrong, but because speaking out might bring “dishonour” to their families. It urges communities to downplay what they know and families to “deal with it privately”, often by suppressing the voices of those most harmed.…

03 Jun

Chinese book donation deepens cultural ties

National News

Niël Terblanché The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China will donate 174 books to the National Library of Namibia to promote cultural and educational exchange between the two countries. The official handover ceremony will take place at the Ministry of Education Resource Centre in Windhoek. The Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, will present the books to Erastus Haitengela, the executive director of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Arts, and Culture. According to the ministry, the donation aims to strengthen cultural ties, promote knowledge sharing, and build mutual understanding between China and Namibia. The donated books cover topics…

03 Jun

Namport records growth in cargo throughput

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) recorded a 4.8% increase in cargo throughput for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. A total of 8.42 million tonnes moved through the Ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, up from 8.03 million tonnes the previous year. Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s commercial executive, said in a statement on Tuesday that the growth reflects strong performance across various cargo segments. “The growth demonstrates the sustained strength of Namport’s operations across bulk, break-bulk, containerised, and liquid cargo segments and is attributed to continued cargo diversification, targeted infrastructure enhancements, and strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders,"…

03 Jun

SACU and diamond sales push up import cover

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Namibia’s foreign exchange reserves grew by 6.6% in April 2025, reaching N$63.6 billion. This means the country now has enough money saved to pay for about 4.2 months of imports or 5.1 months if one excludes special oil-related imports that are funded from outside. Simonis Storm Securities revealed this in its April 2025 report on private sector credit extension released on Monday. According to Simonis Storm Securities, the rise in reserves is good news for Namibia. “The recovery in reserves reverses the sharp decline seen in March and helps restore external buffers. This improvement strengthens the credibility of…

03 Jun

New investment from Capricorn Foundation tackles malnutrition

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena The Capricorn Foundation has committed N$2 million to fight malnutrition in the country through two partnerships. It will contribute N$600,000 to the Gondwana MealforTwo Programme and N$1.4 million to Genesis Namibia, focusing on the Omaheke Region. The Omaheke region has been hard hit by malnutrition. In August last year, Governor Pijoo Nganate said the region recorded 30,219 malnutrition cases and over 800 deaths in two financial years. In January of this year, the governor's office and commercial farmers provided 21 goats to support nutrition efforts in the region. The Capricorn Foundation’s new support builds on an earlier partnership…

02 Jun

Sex Workers still waiting for legal reform

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Sex workers in Namibia used International Sex Workers Day on 2 June to renew their call for the government to reform laws that criminalise their work. While exchanging sex for money is not illegal in Namibia, laws under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act and municipal by-laws criminalise related activities. These include public solicitation, brothel operation, procuring sex work, and exposing oneself in public. Deyonce Naris, who identifies as a sex worker, said the current legal setup puts them at risk and prevents them from reporting crimes. “We cannot report crimes committed against us because we are criminalised…