Windhoek Observer

Stefanus Nashama  Ivan Skrywer, chairperson of the Formalisation of Informal Settlements and Integration of Groot Aub Council Advisory Committee, has accused elites of grabbing land on the outskirts of Groot Aub. Skrywer, who is also a City of Windhoek (CoW) councillor, told the Windhoek Observer over the weekend that wealthy individuals acquire land, hire farm workers, and live in Windhoek’s affluent suburbs while the local population struggles. “They think they are untouchable, but through my office, I will deal with them,” Skrywer said. According to Skrywer, the issue of land grabbing has been exacerbated by the involvement of powerful figures.…

Stefanus Nashama  Regional councillors from Samora Machel and Moses Garoeb constituencies have raised concerns over poor communication from the City of Windhoek (CoW) regarding community services. Their concerns follow the municipality’s recent announcement of three new communal taps, costing N$177,503.59.  CoW spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya confirmed the installation of one tap in Otjomuise and two in the Goreangab informal settlement. “The construction of these three completed communal taps cost the City of Windhoek approximately N$177,503.59 (including VAT) and involved the installation of 270 meters of water pipelines,” she said. The taps were part of a broader initiative to improve water access…

Ester Mbathera  Women journalists in sub-Saharan Africa face persistent barriers that hinder their careers, a new report reveals.  The study, conducted by the Fojo Media Institute and African Women in Media (AWiM), identifies gender discrimination, unequal pay, sexual harassment, and limited career progression as key challenges in the industry. The primary researcher for the study, Yemisi Akinbobola, an award-winning journalist, academic, consultant, and co-founder of African Women in Media (AWiM), found that many female journalists are confined to roles deemed less significant, while their male counterparts dominate decision-making positions.  “I got an opportunity to replace my boss, who was transferred…

Stefanus Nashama  The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform urged farmers to stay alert and report any pest outbreaks following concerns over the spread of armyworms in the Oshikoto and Oshana regions. The ministry’s spokesperson, Regina Valombola told the Windhoek Observer on Thursday that early detection and reporting are critical in the process of managing pests. “After significant rainfall, many pests, including armyworms, are more likely to infest green vegetation, including cultivated crops. While this is a natural occurrence, it’s crucial for farmers to regularly monitor their fields and report any findings to the nearest ministry branch,” she explained.…

Hertta-Maria  Member of Parliament, Jerry Ekandjo has rejected calls for an apology regarding past remarks made by late Founding President Sam Nujoma against the LGBTQI+ community. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Ekandjo dismissed any obligation to apologise, stating that neither he nor the party owed anything to the LGBTQI+ community. "The lesbians engaged in yesterday's newspaper say we must apologise. Nujoma never owed them anything. In Swapo, we don’t need their votes either. We don’t need them," Ekandjo said. He further added that the LGBTQI+ community should seek forgiveness from God rather than expecting an apology from political leaders. "They must…

Niël Terblanché The weighbridge at the Katima Mulilo border post will commence with 24-hour operations from 1 April. This decision was approved by the Cabinet to streamline the flow of heavy transport trucks between Namibia and Zambia and address the persistent congestion at the border post. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, presented a proposal to the Cabinet that encompassed both immediate and long-term strategies to enhance efficiency at this port of entry.  Among the short-term interventions is the implementation of documentary pre-clearance procedures. According to the Mutorwa, this approach ensures that all necessary…