Windhoek Observer – Page 180 – Windhoek Observer

18 Mar

UNAIDS urges increased hiv investment for women and girls

Africa / World

Moses Magadza UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Christine Stegling has called on global leaders to prioritize HIV prevention and treatment for women and girls amid shrinking resources. She made the appeal at a high-level side event hosted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). The event focused on the urgency of HIV prevention and treatment for women and girls, emphasizing the importance of CSW Resolution 60/2 in advancing gender equality and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Stegling praised SADC’s leadership in championing the resolution,…

18 Mar

Growing calls for stronger action on gender equality and HIV

Africa / World

Moses Magadza Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, has urged Southern African countries and the global community to intensify efforts in tackling the structural drivers of women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV and gender inequality. The minister made the call during a Southern African Development Community (SADC) side event at the ongoing 69th session of the commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) here on 17 March. Speaking under the theme “Beijing+30: Taking Stock of CSW Resolution 60/2; Keeping the Promise for Women and Girls”, Mutsvangwa, representing Zimbabwe as the current SADC chair,…

18 Mar

Namibia Motorsport Federation gets new leadership

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Motorsport Federation (NMF) has elected new leadership at its recent annual general meeting in Windhoek. Daniel Tjongarero Jr is the new president, with Benson Kalla as vice president. Bradley Ferreira will chair the motoring commission, Andreas Brendel will head the motorcycling commission, and Derek Jacobs will serve as secretary general. The newly elected officials will manage the sport’s administration and regulations for the next two years, focusing on expanding motorsport across Namibia and internationally. Jacobs said the sport struggles to attract participants because many believe it requires a large financial investment. ‘’Anyone can compete in motorsport…

18 Mar

A STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS, AND STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE

Featured, OpinionsA STREAMLINED CABINET: ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, REDUCING COSTS

By P. T. Shipale The Confidénte newspaper (March 14-20, 2025) reports that Namibia’s President-elect and newly appointed SWAPO leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is taking decisive action to reform the executive branch of government. In a bold move to improve efficiency, cut costs, and facilitate more effective decision-making, the President-elect plans to restructure the Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries to between 12 and 15. Additionally, she is considering eliminating the positions of Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Ministers. In 2004 when the government amended the constitution in order to create a Vice-President’s position, I asked the question to find out…

17 Mar

NamRA ordered to refund N$1.2 million to a logistics company

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has ruled that the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) must refund N$1.2 million to Obie Logistics (Pty) Ltd after it unlawfully withheld the tax refund to offset a N$53 million debt owed by a separate company, Obie Transport. NamRA’s action was based on Section 83D of the Income Tax Act, of 1981, which was amended in 2015 to allow the agency to recover unpaid taxes from company directors. However, the court ruled that the law could not be applied retroactively and that Obie Logistics could not be held responsible for debts from another company that was…

17 Mar

Parliamentary committee recommends inclusion of struggle kids in Veterans Act

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs has recommended that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Ministry of Justice, review the Veterans Act No. 2 of 2008. The committee wants amendments to include all children who were in exile during the liberation struggle. A report released by Parliament on Monday states that when the Veterans Act was enacted in 2008, it excluded those below 18 years old. At the time, they were considered children and dependent on their veteran parents. “The concern is that the Act automatically excludes those above 18…

17 Mar

New emergency response plan enhances public health

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia has taken a decisive step in enhancing its capacity to respond to health emergencies with the launch of the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan on Monday. The initiative, which was unveiled in Windhoek by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), also includes the introduction of a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Handbook, a Digital Learning Platform, and the distribution of 80 electronic tablets for Community Health Workers. Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the new measures reflect Namibia’s commitment to being prepared for public…

17 Mar

AR outraged over dumping of spoiled maize meal

National News

Niël Terblanché The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement’s leadership in the Otjozondjupa Region has expressed outrage over the discovery of spoiled maize meal being collected by desperate residents in Otavi. Disturbing videos circulating on social media show people collecting sealed bags of maize meal that were dumped in an area easily accessible to the public, raising serious concerns about the handling of drought relief provisions. According to AR activist Jay Jay, the maize, intended as part of food aid efforts, was discarded in a manner that allowed hungry residents to retrieve and consume it despite it being unfit for human consumption.…

17 Mar

NYC Director’s suspension revoked

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service has revoked the suspension of Namibia National Youth Council (NYC) director Calista Schwartz-Gowases. The NYC board had suspended her last year over allegations of serious misconduct. In a letter to the executive chairperson of the interim board, minister Agnes Tjongarero lifted the suspension with immediate effect. Tjongarero cited clarification from Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, who said that he was not involved in executing the investigation committee’s recommendations and did not delay any NYC-related matters. A media statement from the Finance Ministry, issued by the spokesperson Wilson Ashikoto, said the reports…

17 Mar

Independence celebratory theme unveiled

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché With only three days left until Namibia celebrates its 35th Independence Day, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology revealed the official celebratory theme and logo for the next five years. The ministry’s executive director, Audrin Mathe in a statement on Monday announced the theme, “Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future” and said it reflects the nation’s commitment to unity, development, and progress. Speaking at the unveiling, Mathe said that the theme reinforces the collective responsibility to build a stronger, more prosperous nation. He added that the new logo is aimed at inspiring Namibians to continue working towards…