Windhoek Observer – Page 178 – Windhoek Observer

23 Mar

Balloti vows to fast-track Independence Stadium upgrade

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwes Newly appointed deputy minister of sports, Dino Balloti, has pledged to fast-track the upgrade of the Independence Stadium to international standards to ensure the Brave Warriors can play home matches in the country again. Balloti made the commitment over the weekend at State House, shortly after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndeitwah announced his appointment as deputy minister of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture. He added that he will meet with the minister, Sanet Steenkamp, and the technical team to map out a way forward for completing the project. ‘’We need to hit the ground running…there…

22 Mar

President Nandi-Ndaitwah Reshuffles Cabinet and Restructures National Executive

Main

Niel Terblanche Namibia’s fifth President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced a sweeping reorganisation of Namibia’s Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs), alongside a new Cabinet for the 2025–2029 term.Nandi-Ndaitwah said changes are aimed at eliminating duplications, reducing public expenditure, and improving the implementation of national development programmes. “In accordance with Article 32(3)(g) of the Namibian Constitution, and guided by the Election Manifesto Implementation Plan, I have decided to establish, abolish, and make several alignments in various Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies. I have also merged some ministries and transferred some mandates to the ministries where we can maximise outcomes,” she…

19 Mar

“My presidency will be for all Namibians” – Nandi-Ndaitwah

Main

Ester Mbathera President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to serve all Namibians, regardless of political affiliation. Speaking to SABC News on Wednesday, she said her leadership will focus on national unity and ensuring that everyone benefits from government policies. “From now on, even the Swapo Party members, will know Netumbo is a president of all Namibians,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah will be sworn into office on Friday as the country’s 5th and first female president. She acknowledged divisions following the elections but said her priority is to unite the country. “Namibia’s unity is very important, and I will keep appealing to all…

19 Mar

NEFF calls for extension of parliamentary service terms

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Outgoing Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) chief whip and deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu has called for an extension from five to ten years of the service terms for members of parliament. He made this call during a media interview at Parliament on Tuesday. “I really have to make it clear that the term of five years was really challenging for the outgoing MPs to implement necessary policies. You should remember that as a member of parliament, immediately after two years, the time you were trying to associate yourself with others and trying to come up with proposals and…

19 Mar

Heavy flooding causes water and sewage issues in coastal towns

National News

Niël Terblanché Heavy rains have caused flooding, water shortages, and sewerage problems in coastal towns, leaving residents struggling to stay dry while municipal services work to manage the disruptions. In Walvis Bay, a power outage affected the water pumps in the Kuiseb River basin, which supplies most of the town’s water. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata confirmed that the outage originated in the ErongoRED network, disrupting the ability to refill reservoirs. “All NamWater’s boreholes are currently without power. The water supply will be limited until electricity is restored,” he said. He assured residents that once power is restored, all affected boreholes…

19 Mar

DHPS will be closed for Independence Day celebrations

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Due to increased pressure from the government, the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) has decided to close on Thursday as per the recommendation of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture. The education ministry recommended that schools in Windhoek should close due to expected traffic disruptions ahead of Independence Day celebrations. After initially announcing that the school will remain open for teaching the management of the school in a statement to parents, said that its priority remains the education and well-being of its learners. “Under the current circumstances, a meaningful teaching offer is not possible. This decision affects all…

19 Mar

China enhances drought relief efforts

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has officially received a donation of 1 360 metric tonnes of rice from China as part of efforts to support the country’s nationwide drought relief programme for 2024/25. The handover ceremony, held in Windhoek on Wednesday, is seen as a continued partnership between the two nations in addressing food insecurity. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, acknowledged the donation, stating that it was made possible following a bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba during the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit. He expressed Namibia’s gratitude,…

19 Mar

The battle for Cuito Cuanavale: Annual commemoration of Southern Africa liberation day, 23 March 2025, in honour of the late founding president and father of the Namibian nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.

Opinions

P T SHIPALE I. PROLOGUE For the seventh time this year, SADC will commemorate the Southern Africa Liberation Day which marked the end to one of the fiercest battles at Cuito Cuanavale in Southern Angola, on 23rd March 1988. The historic and decisive battle of Cuito Cuanavale, where the combined FAPLA Forces of Angola together with the Cuban Internationalist Forces and the Combatants of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), SWAPO’s Military Wing, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy forces and forced the apartheid regime to the negotiation table on 19th March 1989. This led to the signing of…

19 Mar

GRN invest N$145 million to expand communications infrastructure

National News

Niël Terblanché The government has reaffirmed its commitment to nationwide connectivity with an investment of N$145 million into the Universal Service Fund (USF). The minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, announced the funding at the launch of the USF by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) on Wednesday. She said the fund is aimed at bridging the digital divide by supporting the expansion of network infrastructure in underserved areas, ensuring that the nation has access to reliable communication services. Theofelus said the investment would be used to construct network towers and deploy digital infrastructure to achieve full…

19 Mar

Mboma finished second in the 100m Heat at ASA Grand Prix in RSA

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Sprinter and Olympic medalist Christine Mboma secured second place in the 100-meter heat at the ongoing Athletic South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix in South Africa on Wednesday. Competing in her first international event of 2025, Mboma clocked 12.07 seconds, finishing behind fellow Namibian Jade Nangula, who won the race with a time of 11.81 seconds. South Africa’s Reaobaka Matshitse came in third with 12.08 seconds. The meet, held at the University of Johannesburg, has attracted top athletes from across the continent, including African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, who is set to compete against South Africa’s…