Windhoek Observer

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has revealed that 87.1% of the population lives within 10 kilometres of a health facility, with 99.0% of urban residents having access and only 75.3% in rural areas. The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), according to NSA CEO Alex Shimuafeni, currently hosts 530 health facilities that have mapped geographic locations, including 49 hospitals, 60 health centres, and 421 clinics. Additionally, the infrastructure hosts 38 digitally mapped health district boundaries. Shimuafeni added that Windhoek Health District has the highest proportion of mapped health facilities, accounting for 11.1% (59 out of 530), followed by Katima…

Mallex Shipanga With the fourth highest suicide rate in Africa, at 9.7 per 100 000 people, Namibia faces a critical mental health crisis. Dr Gulia Lewis, a clinical psychologist, in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, urged the public to take preventive measures to address mental health challenges and reduce the risk of suicide. “Preventing suicide when dealing with mental health challenges involves creating a supportive environment, promoting coping skills, and ensuring access to help,” she said. The Namibian Police reported in September that they had 542 suicide cases for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. Of this figure, 449 were men…

Ester Mbathera Martin Lukato, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), made it to the National Assembly after running his party single-handedly for more than 20 years. Lukato’s journey has been one of resilience, often met with ridicule as he campaigned alone, hosting rallies with only a handful of journalists in attendance. Not even his own family members were actively involved in his political campaigns, yet he persisted. This year, Lukato’s perseverance appears to have paid off, with the NDP securing 6 647 votes, an increase from the 4 559 votes obtained in the 2019 elections. The numbers place him…

George Sanzila A trust that was registered in May 2024 to mobilise additional resources to support the work of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held its first meeting on 29 November, with trustees gathered at the National Assembly of Namibia to lay the groundwork for its operations and strategic objectives. The trust’s first meeting saw the election of Namibia's speaker of parliament, Peter Katjavivi, as its chairperson and Aia-Eza Nacilia Gomes da Silva Troso, a former deputy minister of finance from Angola, as deputy chairperson. The meeting also appointed Namibian lawyer Kauna Angula, a trust practitioner, and BDO Namibia as the…

Niël Terblanché The chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Namibia, Salmaan Jacobs presented his annual address on Tuesday where he outlined the institution’s achievements, challenges, and future priorities. The event stressed the critical role of the public service in driving national development and delivering on government promises. “The public service sector is a critical player in development, and no country has ever developed without a strong public service,” he said. He also stressed the need for a professional, efficient, and people-centred public service capable of meeting the needs of Namibians. Over the past year, the PSC has been…

Niël Terblanché Namibia has taken a significant step forward in addressing its critical water infrastructure and challenges with informal settlement challenges, thanks to a N$383 million grant from the German government. Signed on Monday, the new agreements are a continuation of decades-long bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Namibia continues to face challenges presented by climate change and rapid urbanization and the new agreements are set to play a key role in the country’s development trajectory. “This partnership emphasises our shared commitment to addressing Namibia’s pressing developmental needs,” said Obeth Kandjoze, Namibia’s Director General of the National Planning Commission, during…

Niël Terblanché Namibia made the world aware of its pressing need to safeguard ecosystems, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and protect future generations from the harsh impacts of climate change. The minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta while speaking at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, appealed for international cooperation and decisive action to address the escalating challenges of drought, land degradation, and desertification. “In Namibia, drought is no longer an emergency but a recurring event,” Shifeta said during the COP16 opening session. The minister painted…

Niël Terblanché The festive season has officially arrived in Swakopmund with the lighting of the town’s iconic Christmas tree. The tradition that brings residents and visitors together in celebration was held on Monday evening during a special ceremony led by the town’s outgoing mayor, Dina Namubes, who said that the Christmas lighting ceremony is a moment everyone looks forward to. “It marks the beginning of a festive period filled with warmth, hope, and unity,” she said. The mayor expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made the event possible. “This tree is more than just a festive decoration—it is a…