Windhoek Observer – Page 181 – Windhoek Observer

26 May

N$100 million warehouse to enhance export operations

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Walvis Bay Salt Holdings (WBSH), sub-Saharan Africa’s largest sea salt producer, has officially inaugurated a new 14,000-square-metre warehouse on the premises of the port of Walvis Bay. The facility, constructed at a cost of N$100 million, aims to improve the company's export capabilities and safeguard product quality. At the inauguration event, Erongo regional governor Neville Andre described the new warehouse as “a launchpad for growth.” Andre acknowledged the strategic importance of the new warehouse “It would expand storage capacity and enhance the port's competitiveness in a rapidly changing global market,” he said. The ceremony was attended by key…

26 May

Aimwata and Haufiku crowned as Vivo Energy Marathon champions

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Ottilie Kaunapawa Aimwata and Ebock Haufiku won the Vivo Energy Windhoek Marathon 42.2 km run in the female and male categories, respectively. The event took place in Windhoek over the weekend. Aimwata completed the marathon in a record time of 2:59:04. Haufiku crossed the finish line at 2:48:00. Alina Armas came second in the female category, followed by Beata Naigambo in third. In the male category, Thatayaone Kelapile took second place, while Tengeni Sakaria came third. Participants competed in various categories based on age and ability. These included junior, veteran, master, senior, wheelchair, and visually impaired divisions. Saartjie…

26 May

NFA suspends third coach in one week

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Young African Football Club owner and head coach Maleagi Ngarizemo has become the third coach suspended by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) in one week over violent conduct during official matches. The NFA suspended Ngarizemo last week following allegations of serious misconduct during a match between Blue Waters and Young African on 3 May 2025. NFA director of communication Isack Hamata said the suspension followed a referee’s report that accused Ngarizemo of physically assaulting the match referee and assistant referee. The report also stated that he ignored security personnel and continued his violent behaviour after receiving a red…

26 May

Namibia takes third at COSANA tournament

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia secured third place at the Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Association (COSANA) tournament held in Windhoek over the past week. Despite having several local teams in the competition and the home advantage, only the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) advanced past the group stages. NCS claimed third place on Monday after beating Botswana Defence Force 41-27. NCS coach Salomon Tuaire said the tournament served as a learning experience for his team and will help them prepare for future matches. “I think in Namibia we have a relaxed approach to playing netball as opposed to other African countries. They…

26 May

It all adds up: Supporting Namibian math education

Featured, Opinions

Bronwyn Moody If you buy food from food carts over your lunch break, you will notice that many servers use calculators to calculate change. As a result, queues build up, and transactions are delayed, affecting the profitability and productivity of the food carts. Suppose the servers have a high knowledge of mathematics. In that case, they can speed up the process by counting on the go, which speeds up customer servicing, increasing the business's productivity and profitability. Basic numeracy has a fundamental impact on the economy and development. Mathematics is essential for the workforce to thrive in today's market, since…

22 May

Noa says he has no personal vendetta against Sankwasa

Main

Allexer Namundjebo Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general Paulus Noa denies having any personal vendetta against Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa amid a dispute over a consultancy contract awarded to the minister’s company. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday, Noa said the ACC does not take matters personally. “How can I have something personal against the minister? We are not investigating a person; we are investigating a process,” he said. Noa explained that a report was filed with the ACC on 7 May, alleging that a consultancy contract was awarded to a firm linked to Sankwasa…

22 May

Flexi land may stay in government hands

National News

Justicia Shipena The National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Housing has recommended that all land developed under Namibia’s Flexible Land Tenure Act remain state-owned. It stated that occupants would be given rights of use rather than ownership through purchase. The committee's recommendation is part of a report presented to the National Council this week. The report follows a visit to Rwanda in September 2024 to study urban land delivery and housing for poor and landless citizens. “All land developed under the Flexi Land Tenure Act should remain state-owned, with occupants granted rights of use rather than ownership through…

22 May

Walvis Bay taxi drivers doubt Nekundi’s order on permits

Featured, National Newstaxi drivers in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund

Allexer Namundjebo Some taxi drivers in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund say they are not sure that traffic officers will follow the latest directive from Transport Minister Veiko Nekundi. This comes after Nekundi, during a meeting in Walvis Bay on Tuesday, instructed traffic officers to stop confiscating taxi permits. He said they have no legal power to do so. “There is no authority that gives traffic officers the power to confiscate permits. Just like car discs, you can only remove a disc from a car if it is not roadworthy,” Nekundi said. He also told officers to return any permits or…

22 May

‘Biodiversity must be the cornerstone of sustainable development’ – Daniel

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia joined the global community in commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” The commemorative event was held in Otjiwarongo on Thursday, where the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, called for urgent and collective action to preserve biodiversity as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Daniel described biodiversity as essential to human well-being and environmental balance. “Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, which supports ecosystems and provides essential services for human well-being, including food, medicine, clean water, and a healthy environment for all species,” she…

22 May

Minority rights still elusive despite legal progress

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia has made progress in developing its laws and aligning with international agreements on the protection of minority groups, but struggles with enforcement. This is according to European Union Ambassador to Namibia, Ana Beatriz Martins, who spoke at a conference hosted by the NMT Media Foundation in Windhoek this week. The conference, held under the theme ‘Amplifying San Voices in Policy Discourse’, is part of the New Narratives, New Voices project. The three-year EU-funded initiative aims to amplify unheard voices and influence policy through community dialogue. “Namibia has made progress, but what is missing is enforcement. The San…