Windhoek Observer – Page 227 – Windhoek Observer

22 May

Namibia secures N$1.5 billion for water infrastructure upgrade

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Government, in partnership with NamWater and the German Development Bank (KfW), has entered into a N$1.5 billion concessional loan agreement aimed at upgrading the country’s ageing bulk water supply infrastructure. The agreement was signed in Windhoek by finance minister Ericah Shafudah, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia, and a KfW representative The German ambassador to Namibia, Thorsten Hutter, was also present at the ceremony. Shafudah described the loan as a crucial addition to national budget efforts to secure the country’s water supply. “This agreement will complement our budgetary resources in ensuring the rehabilitation and expansion of…

22 May

Technical experts and policymakers tackle biosafety gaps

National News

Justicia Shipena Technical experts and policymakers met in Windhoek this week to explore ways to work together to improve Namibia’s biosafety management system. The meeting marked the start of a national training workshop on Namibia’s biosafety, institutional, and administrative systems during the week at the Hilton Hotel, organised by the National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology (NCRST). The event was part of the regional Strengthening the Implementation of National Biosafety Frameworks in Southern Africa (SINBF) Project, delivered in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and RAEIN-Africa. The SINBF project, funded by UNEP and GEF, aims to strengthen biosafety…

22 May

‘Senior public servants’ term limits not a threat’ – LPM

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has renewed its call for government to introduce five-year contracts for senior civil servants, saying the proposal aims to improve accountability and service delivery, not threaten job security. LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said the party leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, raised the matter last week during a meeting with the Public Service Commission in Swakopmund. Simataa said some members of the public misunderstood the suggestion and assumed it targeted civil servants unfairly. “Firstly, it is important to correct the misinformation circulating. The proposal does not aim to establish a universal policy for all public sector…

22 May

African women urged to seize leadership opportunities

National News

Niël Terblanché President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, while on a working visit to Tanzania earlier this week, delivered a lecture at the University of Dar es Salaam, where she called on young African women to pursue leadership positions with focus and self-belief. Speaking under the theme “Inspiring Women to Break Barriers in Leadership Positions: A Personal Experience from Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah”, the Head of State recounted her journey from a quiet rural girl to Namibia’s first female president. “Leadership skills are not determined by gender,” she told attendees, insisting that both men and women are capable of contributing equally to national development.…

22 May

Campaign to secure Brave Warriors’ World Cup dream launched

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A campaign to help the Brave Warriors qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been launched in Windhoek. Led by Tim Ekandjo, the campaign aims to raise N$9.8 million. The funds will go toward player appearance fees, winning bonuses, and operational costs for the remaining qualification matches. Ekandjo said Namibia has never qualified for the World Cup. He described the campaign as a national effort and called on all Namibians to contribute ideas or financial support. “Qualification for the FIFA World Cup never happens by luck. Every country that has ever participated would have invested considerably to…

22 May

NFA clears air on lower league sponsorship

Sports

Justicia Shipena The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has refuted claims regarding the legitimacy of its lower leagues' sponsorship agreements with the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and Sisa Namandje Law Firm. The NFA secretary general, Cassius Moetie, described the rumours as baseless and harmful. “The rumours circulating on social media platforms are untrue and are designed to damage the excellent relationship between Namport and the NFA,” said Moetie in a statement issued on Wednesday. Moetie emphasised that the sponsorship marks a historic milestone for grassroots football in Namibia, as it is the first time the NFA Lower Leagues, covering both men…

22 May

AUSC Region 5 Youth Games’ LOC rallies city support

Sports

Justicia Shipena The General Manager of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, Jacqueline Gertze, says the City of Windhoek will play a key role in the success of the event. Gertze said the city’s support with transport, emergency services, safety, waste management, and environmental health is vital to delivering a world-class Games. She made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Windhoek, Ndeshihafela Larandja, on Thursday. The LOC updated the mayor on preparations for the 11th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games, which will take place…

22 May

FIMA remains troublesome for the financial industry

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The status of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA) remains uncertain, with no clear indication it will come into effect this year. Namibia Asset Management (NAM) said the Act, in its current form, raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the financial industry and business. “We look forward to continuing to engage the Minister of Finance around how the Act can be implemented in a way that aligns with national interests and targets while also adhering to global best practice,” NAM said. NAM emphasised that the regulations must fit the local context to avoid unintended negative impacts…

22 May

Transformative regionalism and people-centered diplomacy: A reflection on Namibia’s diplomatic initiatives in Southern Africa

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) INTRODUCTION Regional stability in Southern Africa has emerged as a multifaceted concern engaging stakeholders across political, economic, and social spectrums. While conventional security paradigms often dominate discourse on regional stability, progressive African leadership has increasingly reoriented focus toward people-centered development, peacebuilding, and regional integration. This paradigm shift is exemplified by the diplomatic initiatives of Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, whose recent engagements with neighboring Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Tanzania represent more than ceremonial diplomacy—they constitute a deliberate strategy of transformative regionalism and underscore how diplomacy functions simultaneously as negotiation and as…

22 May

Diplomacy in the Crossfire: Lessons for Namibia from the Trump-Ramaphosa Oval Office Showdown

Opinions

Johanna Hipangelwa An Oval Office confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reveals powerful lessons in global diplomacy and offers timely insights for Namibia’s foreign policy strategy. On May 21, 2025, global diplomacy took centre stage in Washington D.C. when U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a controversial video alleging a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa. What was expected to be a routine bilateral discussion devolved into a dramatic and highly publicised standoff exposing both the volatility of today’s international relations and the importance of measured leadership. As the…