Windhoek Observer – Page 194 – Windhoek Observer

14 May

RA migrates to digital reminders for license renewals

National News

Niël Terblanché The Roads Authority (RA) has started sending renewal reminders for vehicle licence discs and driving licences via SMS and email. This move replaces the printed notices previously delivered through NamPost. “Going forward, all renewal notices will be sent via cell phone messaging (SMS) and email. Clients are urged to visit their nearest NaTIS office to request renewal notices and provide their updated contact details. The process will be subject to verification and positive identification,” the RA said. The new digital system forms part of the RA’s shift to a paperless process. The goal is to improve communication and…

14 May

Crews clear sand-blocked B2 Road at Walvis Bay

National News

Niël Terblanché Municipal work crews in Walvis Bay are working to clear large sand drifts that have accumulated on the B2 Road at the town’s eastern entrance, following strong east winds that swept through large parts of the coast since the start of this week. The affected stretch, the lane lined with palm trees, has seen heaps of sand blown across the road, prompting a coordinated response by the Walvis Bay Municipality. Crews manning earth-moving equipment have been deployed to remove the sand, with traffic officers on-site to manage the flow of vehicles and ensure public safety. “Our teams have…

13 May

Government to pay N$283 million for NamPower’s tariff increase

Main

Justicia Shipena Once again, the government will cover millions to support NamPower’s tariff increase. For the 2025/2026 financial year, it will cost N$283 million to ease the impact on consumers. The Electricity Control Board (ECB) approved a revised tariff increase of 3.8% on Tuesday, raising the average bulk tariff from N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to N$2.06 per kWh. This change will take effect on 1 July 2025 and will remain in place until 30 June 2026. The government’s financial support covers 3.8% of the proposed tariff increase, helping to ease the impact of the initial 17.44% hike. ECB CEO Robert…

13 May

Politicians back independent body to investigate police crimes

National News

Allexer Namundjebo and Erasmus Shalihaxwe Politicians have supported the establishment of an independent body to investigate crimes committed by police officers and other law enforcement agencies. They argue that the police cannot be trusted to investigate the offences of officers. Social activist Michael Amushelelo has reiterated his call for such an institution, emphasising the need for public involvement in selecting its leaders. "For a very long time, I have called for the immediate establishment of an agency similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): We can call it the Namibia Bureau of Investigations," he said. He added that such…

13 May

Villagers claim officials ignored sewage complaints

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Residents in Iitapa village and surrounding areas in the Okahao Constituency say government officials failed to act after being alerted to sewage being dumped near homes and communal farmland. According to the Ekwawo Community Foundation, health inspectors confirmed the incident during a site visit, but no steps have since been taken to address the issue. The foundation said it reported the issue to the Waste Water Management office under the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Okahao. This comes as the foundation has raised concerns over unsafe sewage disposal in villages under the Okahao Constituency. The foundation…

13 May

Leaders push for innovation and equity in HIV response

National News

Niël Terblanché Policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and development partners from across Africa have converged at Windhoek for the 19th International Conference on HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis, and Prevention Research in Resource-Limited Settings (INTEREST 2025). The weeklong gathering aims to advance HIV treatment and prevention efforts in some of the continent’s most underserved communities. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said during the official opening of the event that Namibia is committed to combatting HIV and strengthening the country’s health systems. Ngurare commended both national and international efforts to curb the spread of HIV and added that the conference is another call to action that…

13 May

Rooibos tea is most expensive in the north

National News

Justicia Shipena Consumers in Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, and several northern regions paid the highest for rooibos tea in April. In April a 100g pack cost N$37.76, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)'s latest consumer price index bulletin. Meanwhile, for consumers in the Khomas region, sunflower oil was most expensive at N$33.43. The report by the NSA also says meat prices in April 2025 surged by 7.1%, up from 4.9 % in April 2024. The rise was driven by key meat products such as biltong, which jumped from -8.4% to 8.7 %. Minced meat rose from -2.5 percent…

13 May

Youth to benefit from free offshore oil and gas training

National News

Niël Terblanché Young Namibians are set to benefit from a new offshore oil and gas training initiative through a partnership between the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF) and global recruitment firm Atlas Professionals. The Greenhand Program will offer free training to prepare young people for jobs in the oil and gas sector. It will be rolled out in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, and Lüderitz. This is the first time offshore oil and gas training of this kind has been offered in the country. The programme has already been implemented in countries such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Suriname. It is…

13 May

Technical training opens doors for unemployed youth

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Eight young Namibians have secured internships after completing a two-week technical training program through CodeConnect Namibia, run by the non-profit organisation African Connection. The training was conducted under the Binary Program, in partnership with Document Warehouse. Participants were introduced to the company’s systems and records management tools. Boitshepo Pieters, operations manager at The African Connection, said the initiative aims to address a lack of opportunities in the technology sector. “The African Connection was inspired by the need to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity for Namibia's youth. Recognising the global shift towards technology-driven economies, the organisation aimed…

13 May

Caltex re-enters Namibian market under new partnership

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché The Caltex fuel brand has officially returned to the Namibian market with the launch of a newly rebranded service station in Windhoek, operated by Bachmus Oil and Fuel Supplies (Pty) Ltd. The new service station, located in the Southern Industrial area, represents the first of several planned outlets to operate under the Caltex brand following a strategic partnership between Bachmus and Chevron Brands International LLC. The managing director of Bachmus, Corne van Schalkwyk, said that Caltex has long-standing ties to Namibia. “This is a proud and historic moment for Bachmus. The Caltex brand holds a special place in…