Windhoek Observer – Page 227 – Windhoek Observer

01 Apr

Khomas100 gravel race gains UCI status

Sports

Niël Terblanché The Khomas100 gravel cycling race has earned a place on the international sporting calendar, following confirmation that the 2025 edition will not only serve as the Namibian National Gravel Championships but also as the African Continental Gravel Championship. In addition, it has been granted qualifier status for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Gravel World Series, with top riders securing a coveted spot at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Europe this October. The news was announced at the official launch of the 2025 event at Hollard Namibia’s offices in Windhoek. Hollard has renewed its headline sponsorship of the…

31 Mar

E-visa system nets N$19 million in one month

Main

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has generated N$19 million in less than a month through electronic visas on arrival from foreign travellers who entered Namibia last month. The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, shared the figures on Monday during a ceremony at the ministry’s head office to bid farewell to outgoing minister Albert Kawana and welcome the new minister, Lucia Iipumbu. He said 12 562 travellers applied for and were granted visas on arrival, paying administrative fees that amounted to N$19 million. Maritz said the system behind the electronic visas and visas on arrival…

31 Mar

Dismissed Hartlief employees still waiting for justice

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former Hartlief Corporation Ltd employees who were dismissed in December 2022 say they are frustrated by delays in receiving an arbitration ruling from the Office of the Labour Commissioner, more than two years after their case was heard. The case was heard in February 2024 by arbitrator Louise Likando, and closing arguments were submitted in April. Since then, the workers say they have made repeated follow-ups but have not received a clear explanation for the delay. They were initially promised a ruling in February, then again in early March, and now by 31 March, but none of these…

31 Mar

NamWater battles nationwide water supply disruptions

National News

Ester Mbathera NamWater has been dealing with multiple water supply disruptions across the country due to technical difficulties affecting its infrastructure in recent days. A pipe break on the evening of 29 March on the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime pipeline near Oniipa has affected water supply to Ondangwa, Oniipa, Omuthiya Town Councils, and nearby constituencies. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata confirmed that its maintenance team is on-site conducting repairs. “Our maintenance team is on-site conducting repairs, and water supply will resume as soon as the repair work is completed,” the utility said. Essential service institutions such as hospitals, schools, police stations, and clinics in…

31 Mar

Media urged to challenge bias GBV, mental health reporting

National News

Niël Terblanché The media's role in covering gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and mental health issues was interrogated during the second media summit and awards in Windhoek last week. The event hosted by the One Economy Foundation brought together journalists, editors, social workers, and subject experts to interrogate and was held under the banner of encouraging more responsible, ethical, and trauma-informed reporting. The event included panel discussions, speeches, and workshops designed to promote dialogue, reflection and the sharing of practical strategies. Josina Ziyaya Machel, a survivor of GBV and founder of the Kuhluka Movement, offered a harrowing…

31 Mar

Bridge collapse forces detour for NamPower mobile substations

National News

Niël Terblanché The collapse of a bridge between Windhoek and Rehoboth almost two weeks ago forced NamPower to reroute the transport of its latest mobile substations, named Rhino and Buffalo. The rerouting of the very heavy equipment affected its scheduled deployment. The national power utility said in a statement on Monday that the original route to Windhoek for the substations, which departed from Benoni, South Africa, on 25 March, had to be changed to ensure that the substations could arrive safely in Namibia. The two 20 MVA substations, which are designed with voltage ratios of 132/66kV to 33/11kV and 132/66kV…

31 Mar

SADC PF one step from becoming full parliament

Featured, National News

Moses Magadza The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Elias Magosi, has welcomed the signing of the agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a regional parliament. The agreement was signed by Botswana’s president, Advocate Duma Boko, in Gaborone on Wednesday. Magosi described the signing as a “momentous occasion” and a critical step toward regional integration, enhanced governance, and democratic accountability. He commended President Boko, the government of Botswana, and all leaders who contributed to achieving this milestone. “We did not despair,” Mr Magosi said. “There have been layers…

31 Mar

EFN extends Media Ombudsman’s term for three months

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) has extended the term of media ombudsman John Nakuta by three months, from 1 April to 30 June. The EFN said the extension will allow time for a proper call for nominations in line with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast, and Online Media. Nakuta’s term ended on 31 March. The nomination process was meant to start in February but was delayed due to the national mourning period following the death of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, on 8 February. “This extension also provides Nakuta the opportunity to…

31 Mar

BoN embraces AI to predict loan defaults

Observer Money

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) embraced the collection of data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to build forecasting models for predicting non-performing loans and improving board pack assessments. This was revealed by the central bank’s governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, during the launch of the 2022-2024 annual report on Monday. “In addition to the broader use of digital tools, local and foreign government payments were digitised, removing paper and enhancing the visibility of processing for government transactions,” said !Gawaxab. The report outlines key developments under the bank’s 2022-2024 strategy, including automation, digitalisation and strong financial performance. According to !Gawaxab, the…

31 Mar

Namport and Nedbank partner to host cycling event at Crayfish Festival

Sports

Niël Terblanché A new addition to Namibia’s sporting calendar has been unveiled, with the official launch of the Namport Nedbank PH Challenge, in collaboration with the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival. The event, which aims to promote cycling and wellness, was announced in Lüderitz earlier in March, where stakeholders gathered to endorse the inaugural challenge. The initiative is a joint effort by Namport, Nedbank Namibia, and the Powerhouse Cycling Club. It will be held in Lüderitz from 2 to 3 May 2025 and in Walvis Bay from 1 to 2 November 2025. The event will feature mountain bike and road races, as…