Windhoek Observer – Page 231 – Windhoek Observer

13 Jul

T20 league to shape next cricket stars

SportsAndrew Hall, Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller, Jean Basson, Riaan Grobler

Justicia Shipena The 2025 T20 Franchise Competition is set to identify future talent for the country's high-performance squad and national cricket team. As the country’s top cricket league for clubs, it offers top players a competitive platform to showcase their skills and earn national selection. Cricket Namibia launched the tournament last week, introducing four franchise teams and their sponsors. The matches will be played over the first two weekends of August at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller welcomed the sponsors and praised their investment in the sport. “We are excited and privileged to…

13 Jul

Open water team set for Singapore

SportsMadison Bergh, Nico Esslinger, Reza Westerduin, Riaan Steyn, Tristan Nell, World Aquatic Open Water Championships

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Open Water Swimming team will compete at the World Aquatic Open Water Championships in Singapore, taking place from 15 to 20 July 2025. Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation president Riaan Steyn announced over the weekend that four athletes will represent Namibia. They are Madison Bergh, Reza Westerduin, Tristan Nell, and Nico Esslinger. The team will be accompanied by coach Jörn Diekmann and team manager Angelika Diekmann. Nico Esslinger joined the team in Singapore after arriving from Antibes, France, where he is on a scholarship. He will compete in the 10 km, 5 km, 3 km knockout, and…

11 Jul

Health ministry blames tender delays on emergency tenders

National NewsCentral Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it was forced to spend over N$54.8 million through emergency and direct procurement due to delays by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) in awarding tenders. Health executive director Penda Ithindi told the Windhoek Observer that legal challenges and slow tender processes forced the ministry to use emergency, direct, and restricted procurement methods. He said these steps, including requests for quotations, were necessary to prevent service interruptions. The auditor general’s 2022/2023 report revealed that the ministry used emergency procurement worth N$19.2 million and direct procurement worth N$35.6 million. The…

11 Jul

IPC cries foul over exclusion from state functions during Modi visit

National NewsIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has accused the Namibian government of excluding the party from official events during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit, calling it an insult to democracy and the voters who supported them. IPC leader Panduleni Itula said the government continues to sideline the opposition, despite the IPC being the second-largest party in Parliament. He said the situation was especially disappointing during Modi’s visit, given that the Indian leader represents the world’s largest democracy. “While India’s prime minister, representing 1.4 billion people, who exercise their democratic rights, stands on Namibian soil, our own government…

11 Jul

Outdated transport permits to be replaced by end of 2025

National NewsUrban Mobility Conference

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of works and transport is reviewing outdated transport permits, some dating back to the 1970s. By the fourth quarter of 2025, these will be replaced with renewable, owner-based permits tied to vehicle safety and service quality. This was revealed by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi during the Urban Mobility Conference on Thursday. The conference hosted by the City of Windhoek was held under the theme “Driving Economic Growth through Urban Mobility”. Nekundi also revealed plans to shift legal accountability for traffic fines from drivers to vehicle owners. He said the ministry is working with international…

11 Jul

Venaani urges NNN to tackle insider trading

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has challenged President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to dismantle what he describes as an organised insider trading network within government. He said this is necessary to effectively combat corruption. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Venaani accused senior government officials of engaging in insider trading. He claimed directors and executive directors are using their positions to benefit from state tenders and contracts. “Most importantly… one structure we must agree upon as a legislature and a country together is that we need to dismantle a very organised insider trading network. I want to…

11 Jul

Delayed results leave nurses jobless

National NewsHealth Professional Council of Namibia (HPCNA)

Allexer Namundjembo Nearly a month after graduating from the University of Namibia, many nursing graduates are still waiting for their evaluation results from the Health Professional Council of Namibia (HPCNA). The delay is preventing them from registering and applying for jobs in the healthcare sector. The evaluation test, held last month, is required for registration with the council. Without registration, graduates cannot apply for positions in either public or private healthcare facilities. Several graduates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the delay has left them frustrated and financially strained. “Job opportunities are being released in both the public and…

11 Jul

ACC campaign runs as graft case grips Namibia

National NewsAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Erna van der Merwe, Stanley Similo

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has partnered with the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to launch a nationwide media campaign aimed at educating the public on fighting corruption. The partnership was formalised on Wednesday during a signing ceremony between ACC acting director general advocate Erna van der Merwe and NBC director general Stanley Similo. The event was held ahead of African Anti-Corruption Day, observed annually on 11 July. This year’s theme is “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption”. Van der Merwe said the campaign will use NBC’s platforms, including radio, television, social media, and billboards, to inform the…

11 Jul

Public sector gets new audit guidelines

National NewsMaxine Cloete-Hangula

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Finance has launched new internal audit manuals for the public sector, during a ceremony held held in Windhoek on Wednesday. Maxine Cloete-Hangula, director of government internal audit and policy coordination, described the launch as a historic moment in strengthening governance and accountability in public institutions. “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to strengthen good governance, accountability, and transparency across government institutions,” she said. She explained that the manuals are more than administrative tools. She said the manuals are a strategic step toward building a more resilient, professional, and credible internal audit function…

11 Jul

History made as Indian PM addresses Namibian Parliament

National NewsNarendra Modi

Moses Magadza The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday addressed the Parliament of Namibia, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so in 27 years. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, welcomed Modi, describing the moment as one “of historical significance and a powerful reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between Namibia and India.” She paid tribute to India’s early support for Namibia’s independence struggle. “India was among the first countries to extend formal diplomatic recognition to SWAPO and hosted our liberation leaders during the fight for our freedom,” she said. She described Parliament…