Windhoek Observer

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SMEs at risk as BIPA eyes deregistration
24 Mar

SMEs at risk as BIPA eyes deregistration

Observer Money
Hertta-Maria Amutenja A recent notice from the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has raised concern within the business community about plans to deregister non-compliant businesses. Marius Nangolo, spokesperson for the Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA), warned that the move could negatively affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs), many of which are already struggling. “There are quite a number of challenges that businesses are facing. One of the key issues is affordability, especially for SMEs. Another challenge is the lengthy registration process, and many businesses do not fully understand the process or the requirements to remain compliant,” Nangolo said. He…
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Brave Warriors keeps World Cup dream alive with Guinea draw
24 Mar

Brave Warriors keeps World Cup dream alive with Guinea draw

Sports
Erasmus Shalihaxwe The senior national football team, the Brave Warriors, kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive after a 1–1 draw against Equatorial Guinea on Monday afternoon. Namibia now has 12 points from six games and remains second in Group H, one point behind Tunisia, who lead the group with 13 points and have played one game fewer.  Equatorial Guinea is fourth with seven points, though that could change if the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) restores the six points deducted earlier in their campaign. The deduction came after the team selected an ineligible player, Emilio…
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Female-led government, a first for Africa
23 Mar

Female-led government, a first for Africa

Main
Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has become the first country in Africa where women hold the top three government positions. This followed the swearing-in of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 21 March as the country’s first female president. She previously served as Namibia’s first female vice president, a role she assumed in February 2024 after Nangolo Mbumba became president following the death of Hage Geingob. Alongside her are Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the first woman to serve as Speaker, while Witbooi is the second woman to become Vice President. Nandi-Ndaitwah has long supported…
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African leaders hail Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory
23 Mar

African leaders hail Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory

National News
Hertta-Maria Amutenja Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has praised President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, for becoming the country’s first female head of state.  Hassan said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership marks a milestone for women in Africa. Speaking at the inauguration and Namibia’s 35th Independence celebrations at State House on 21 March, Hassan highlighted the significance of the moment for gender equality. “Your resounding victory is a moment of pride for the continent, but more so for the people of Tanzania, your home during the most formative years. We are happy to see the daughter we nurtured and raised with love and compassion now rise…
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Malaria cases surged past 20 000
23 Mar

Malaria cases surged past 20 000

National News
Niël Terblanché The country  is currently grappling with a surge in malaria cases, with the Ministry of Health and Social Services reporting a total of 20 135 cases as of 9 March 2025. Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the former Minister of Health and Social Services, said last week that 3 890 of these cases were recorded in the first few days of March alone. He added that the outbreak, declared in December 2024, has resulted in 44 fatalities so far. “The most affected health districts include Katima Mulilo, Andara, Nkurenkuru, Outapi, Engela, Eenhana, Okongo, and Nyangana,” he said. Shangula said that…
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Efundja threatens northern regions
23 Mar

Efundja threatens northern regions

National News
Niël Terblanché The northern regions are grappling with the annual "efundja" floods, which have already claimed two lives and are causing increasing anxiety among local farmers. Heavy rains across southern Africa, particularly in Angola, have led to a surge of floodwaters flowing southward into Namibia's Cuvelai River basin, exacerbating the situation. Over the weekend, the Namibian Police reported two drowning incidents linked to standing water in low-lying areas. On Thursday morning, the body of 38-year-old Tuli Christoph Christoph was discovered floating in a waterlogged area near Omuthitu-wenghete village in the Outapi Constituency. He had last been seen alive by his…
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Alweendo pledges continued commitment to national development
23 Mar

Alweendo pledges continued commitment to national development

National News
Ester Mbathera  Former cabinet minister Tom Alweendo, who did not return to the new executive, has thanked the nation for the support he received. Alweendo, who served as Minister of Mines and Energy, said his time in public office has ended, but his commitment to Namibia remains strong. “Our nation is rich in potential, and it is up to all of us—wherever we find ourselves—to do what is required to unlock it. Let us continue to work with integrity, vision, and determination to build the Namibia we all aspire to see. Thank you once again for your support. The journey…
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NNN calls for vigilance in protecting peace and freedom on Liberation Day
23 Mar

NNN calls for vigilance in protecting peace and freedom on Liberation Day

National News
Erasmus Shalihaxwwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to continue honouring the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the fight against apartheid and for the freedom and peace the region enjoys today. Southern Africa Liberation Day is observed on 23 March each year to mark the end of one of the fiercest conventional battles at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola’s Cuando Cubango Province. The battle marked a turning point for Angola and laid the foundation for peace and development, placing the country at the centre of the SADC integration agenda. “As the…
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The meaning of independence: A reflection on Namibia’s 35th anniversary
23 Mar

The meaning of independence: A reflection on Namibia’s 35th anniversary

Opinions
Sakaria Johannes As Namibia celebrates 35 years of independence, it is a time for reflection on what independence truly means and how far we have come since the dawn of freedom. For many Namibians, independence signifies the end of colonial rule, the promise of a better future, and the vision of equality and freedom. However, despite the triumphs of liberation, we must critically assess the state of our nation today. Are we truly free? What have we achieved since we gained our independence, and are we living the dream our forefathers fought for? What Have We Achieved So Far? While…
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SADC PF urges parliaments to act on female genital mutilation
23 Mar

SADC PF urges parliaments to act on female genital mutilation

Africa / World
Moses Magadza  The secretary general of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Boemo Sekgoma, has called for urgent and sustained parliamentary action to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Speaking at the launch of the updated Global Report on FGM/Cutting at the 69th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Sekgoma described FGM as a “very live and serious issue” in the SADC region that must be tackled with urgency. She noted that, despite regional and international frameworks, the practice continues to devastate the lives of millions of girls, particularly in Africa. “Over 50%…
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