Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill is a step closer to becoming law after stakeholders met in Windhoek on Tuesday for a validation workshop.  The meeting brought together representatives from government, labour, employer organisations, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Aune Mudjanima, deputy executive director in the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, said the workshop marked a crucial step in Namibia’s effort to protect workers. “Validating this bill is not the end of our journey. It is the beginning of a new chapter in Namibia’s OSH history,” she said. The Bill seeks to update and unify…

Niël Terblanché Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, says China is ready to share its development experience and support Namibia’s efforts to fight poverty and reach its goals. Speaking at a press briefing in Windhoek on Tuesday, Zhao highlighted how China has lifted millions out of poverty.  He introduced two books that outline President Xi Jinping’s approach to governance and poverty reduction. “One is up and Out of Poverty’,” Zhao said, referring to a collection of President Xi Jinping’s writings from his time as a local Party official.  He added that the second is ‘Eradicating Poverty’, which contains excerpts from…

Justicia Shipena  The Non-Resident Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Namibia, Hanan Jarrar, says she looks forward to future engagements with the country for collaboration and parliament-to-parliament cooperation, including the establishment of a Friendship Group with the Palestinian parliament. Jarrar made these remarks during a courtesy call to the National Assembly on Monday.  She met with Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Phillipus Katamelo. The visit aimed to strengthen diplomatic relations between Namibia and Palestine.  Jarrar gave an update on the situation in Gaza and spoke about the impact of the ongoing conflict. “What is currently happening in Palestine…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The /Gobanin and San traditional communities in the Omaheke Region have accused the Namibian government of marginalising them, dispossessing their land, and refusing to recognise their elected leader, Chief Frans Migub/Goagoseb. The communities say Chief Goagoseb was elected and crowned in October 2003 under their customary law.  However, for over 20 years, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) has not recognised him.  Instead, the ministry recognises Stephanus Gariseb, whom the communities say was imposed on them against their will. “The continued non-recognition of our democratically elected chief and the failure to address our historical land dispossession…

Allexer Namundjebo Swapo’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, has dismissed Reinhold Shipwikineni’s resignation from the party, calling it meaningless and accusing him of trying to sabotage the party from within. Her comments came in a response letter after Shipwikineni submitted his resignation to the Swapo headquarters earlier this week. Shaningwa said the party had already distanced itself from Shipwikineni when he publicly supported Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) presidential candidate Panduleni Itula ahead of the 2024 national elections. “For that reason, the Swapo Party had already viewed you as no longer part of its membership,” said Shaningwa in a response letter. …

Justicia Shipena  The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) will pay the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) just over N$7,000 a year for hosting its information desk at the Hosea Kutako International Airport. NTB confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the board will pay a monthly fee of N$660 to the NAC. “As outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NTB and NAC, the NTB will indeed be required to pay a monthly fee of N$660.00 to NAC,” said Flora Quest, NTB’s corporate communication practitioner. She said the fee has been factored into NTB’s approved budget. “It’s a cost that has been…

Justicia Shipena  The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has warned all electoral officials against negligence or misconduct that could undermine the country’s electoral process. The warning comes as ECN prepares for the upcoming Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections set for later this year. Chairperson Elise Nghikembua issued the warning on Monday during a training session in Otjiwarongo.  The session is part of preparations for the Supplementary Registration of Voters (SRV) ahead of the 2025 regional council and local authority elections. The training brought together regional electoral officers, IT officers, logistics officers, and supervisors of registration from all 14 regions.…