Windhoek Observer

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has failed to explain why Naute Kristel Distillery, a wine-producing farm owned by a private tenant, continues to receive free raw materials from the Naute Irrigation Project. This is according to a report by the National Council Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Economy on agro-projects across the country.  The committee found that the distillery receives free grapes and dates from the Naute Irrigation Project, along with free water and electricity.  The Naute Irrigation Project, managed by Nida, is located about 50 kilometres southwest of Keetmanshoop, in southern Namibia. It lies just…

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipality will no longer accept unsolicited land applications, and all land intended for sale or lease will henceforth be advertised publicly. The municipality’s spokesperson, Linda Mupupa, said the change follows a sharp rise in demand for serviced land.  She said this demand is driven by population growth and the expansion of informal settlements around the town. “Many development proposals have been received, but the uncoordinated influx of applications has overburdened planning resources and led to delays in service delivery,” Mupupa said. “The strain on municipal systems has made it difficult to process requests efficiently.” To respond…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A group of Windhoek residents has written to the minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa, asking for urgent intervention in ongoing disputes with the City of Windhoek (CoW).  Their grievances include delays in releasing audit reports and alleged electricity disconnections despite payments. In a letter dated 19 May, social justice activist Shaun Gariseb, on behalf of affected residents, called on the minister to address grievances related to electricity cut-offs, unclear debt collection procedures, and the city’s failure to release findings from four completed forensic investigations. Gariseb said residents have held demonstrations and submitted petitions since 2022. …

Allexer Namundjebo Member of the National Council and representative of the Engela Constituency in the Ohangwena Region, Elkan Hainghumbi, has supported the N$7.49 billion allocation to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs.  He described the funding as an investment in the country's peace, stability, and development. Speaking during the National Council’s debate on the appropriation bill, Hainghumbi said a well-resourced Namibia Defence Force (NDF) is key to protecting national sovereignty, empowering youth, and responding to emergencies. “Without peace, there can be no development. Without security, there can be no investment. The NDF is the backbone of our sovereignty, and…

Allexer Namundjebo The ‘Your Kitchen Project’ has a market entry planned in the coming months as it wraps up Phase One of its operations.  The project, supported by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), aims to provide nutritious meals for workers and expand services to state institutions such as government school hostels, prisons, and hospitals. The N$20 million project, funded by Italian directors, was inaugurated in September 2023.  It is the first of its kind in Namibia to use technologies and methods common in Europe and the United States. Speaking during a familiarisation tour at the facility on…

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…