Windhoek Observer – Page 219 – Windhoek Observer

09 Apr

Tiny heroes made a huge difference

National News

Niël Terblanché A group of young learners from Penombili Private Primary School in Walvis Bay took action for the environment by organising a beach clean-up at Independence Beach. The initiative, spearheaded by the school’s principal, Francina Hidengwa, encouraged pupils to take pride in their surroundings while learning about environmental care. “We want to set a strong example for environmental stewardship within our community,” she said. Hidengwa described the day as both purposeful and enjoyable. “The clean-up effort not only contributed to a cleaner coastline but also served as a fun and educational outdoor activity,” she added. Hidengwa said the learners…

09 Apr

Pretorius Plant Hire workers down tools over wage dispute

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Employees of Pretorius Plant Hire Trust in Windhoek have downed tools in a legal strike led by the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU), following a protracted wage dispute and what the union says is a breach of strike rules. NARETU’s commander-in-chief, Petersen Kambind, confirmed on Tuesday that the strike comes after wage talks between the workers and the company collapsed last year and were referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner. Kambinda said the company has since attempted to use replacement drivers, a move he says violates the strike agreement signed by both parties. “This…

09 Apr

Cable theft costs City of Windhoek N$200 000 over three months

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek has recorded a rise in cable theft and vandalism targeting municipal streetlights, resulting in losses estimated at N$200 000 between January and March this year. City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said on Tuesday that about 130 incidents were reported during the first quarter of 2025. According to her, the most common method used involves suspects forcing open the inspection boxes at the base of streetlight poles to remove electrical cables. “They sell the streetlight steel covers and cables to the unregulated market of scrap metal dealerships,” Amutenya said. She explained that many of the incidents…

09 Apr

Rising debt threatens growth, warns economist

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The country’s rising budget deficit and public debt levels pose long-term threats to economic growth and investor confidence. According to Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen, the country’s growing debt is increasingly limiting the government’s ability to invest in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and health. “The most immediate concern is that public debt is increasingly crowding out development spending, with interest payments now exceeding even capital allocations. This limits the state’s ability to invest in infrastructure, education, and health, all critical enablers of long-term growth,” he said. Jansen added that the persistent fiscal slippage risks weakening the…

09 Apr

Telecom warns customers of scam surge

National News

Niël Terblanché Telecom Namibia (TN) has warned its customers to be alert following a noticeable rise in cyber scam attempts that appear to be targeting unsuspecting users through impersonation and deceit. According to the warning issued on Monday by the company’s management, the scammers have been contacting individuals while posing as TN representatives. “In many instances, they claim to offer assistance with internet upgrades or connectivity problems, but their real intention is to gain access to customers’ personal devices or financial details,” the warning reads. TN’s management stressed that it will never request access to customers’ phones, bank accounts or…

09 Apr

Agriculture minister unveils vision for agriculture and land reform

National News

Niël Terblanché The minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Mac Hengari, has laid out a broad agenda for the ministry’s direction over the next five years, calling for committed teamwork and focused implementation to realise national development goals. Speaking during a meet-and-greet with officials and staff in Windhoek on Wednesday, Hengari described his appointment by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as an immense, yet exciting responsibility. He added that he was delighted to have been granted the opportunity to serve the nation through a portfolio that touches the core of rural development, food security and economic sustainability. According to Hengari,…

09 Apr

MTC launches first branding indaba

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The inaugural MTC Branding and Marketing Indaba kicked off in Windhoek yesterday, drawing more than 300 delegates and over 30 exhibitors from across the country and the region. Running from 9 to 11 April, the three-day event is the first of its kind in Namibia and aims to bring together professionals and experts in branding, marketing, communications, public relations, and advertising. The event is organised by MTC, seeks to offer a platform for learning, knowledge sharing, and professional networking. In his opening remarks, MTC’s Chief Brand, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability Officer, Tim Ekandjo, emphasised the need for a…

09 Apr

Nghitumbwa eyes world title

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Local boxer Fillipus “Energy” Nghitumbwa says he must win his upcoming fight to move closer to a world title opportunity. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the MTC Nestor Promotions boxing event, Nghitumbwa said victory is the only option. The event, set for Saturday at the Windhoek Showgrounds, is being held in honour of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma. Nghitumbwa will defend his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa title against Zimbabwean challenger Hassan Milanzi. “We are ready for the fight and bring you a good fight. My opponent is here, and thank him for…

08 Apr

Surgeries cancelled due to shortage of general anaesthesia

Main

Hertta-maria Amutenja Elective surgeries at Katutura Intermediate Hospital have been cancelled due to a shortage of both depolarising and nondepolarising muscle relaxants needed for general anaesthesia. In a letter dated 7 April, addressed to heads of surgical departments, the acting head of anaesthesia, Linea Manyalo-Nashima, informed colleagues that the hospital had run out of essential drugs such as suxamethonium, atracurium, and rocuronium. These drugs are critical for muscle relaxation during procedures involving tracheal intubation. “Effective 8 April, all elective cases requiring muscle paralysis would not be carried out until the issue has been resolved,” she said. According to the letter,…

08 Apr

Economist cautions against SACU, which holds Namibia’s fate

Featured, National News

Ester Mbathera With the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand, the country finds itself caught in the eye of the storm as the trade dispute between the United States and South Africa intensifies. At the same time, with 40% of its public budget reliant on the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenue pool, Namibia has every reason to be concerned. These are the sentiments of economist Dr. Omu Kakujaha-Matundu, who warned that any shift in SACU's tariff structures could deal a severe blow to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's dream of job creation and economic growth. He cautioned that Lesotho,…