Windhoek Observer

Renthia Kaimbi The family of Sam Nepando say he was a man of service whose commitment to his community defined his life and led to his death. Nepando, the headman of Onelago Village, was shot and killed last Friday while mediating a land dispute. His cousin, Nikkie Mbeeli, said the family is struggling with the loss of a man they knew as loving, principled and deeply committed to others. “I personally will always remember his love for his family and the great-hearted person he was, full of life,” Mbeeli told the Windhoek Observer. The family said Nepando died doing what…

Allexer Namundjembo Financial challenges have slowed the completion of the Omuthiya Open Market, a project meant to provide a safe and regulated trading space for informal traders, the Omuthiya Town Council has said. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, the council’s economic development and tourism officer, Piet Andreki, said construction of the market started before the Covid-19 pandemic and was planned in phases to accommodate different categories of traders. “The market was initiated before Covid-19 and was designed to be constructed in phases to cater for street vendors selling different products,” Andreki said. He explained that during…

Justicia Shipena  The Etunda Irrigation Project in the Omusati region has harvested about 60 tonnes of mangoes from its 60-hectare mango orchard this week.  The harvest was revealed on Wednesday during a visit by the minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, who toured the scheme to assess its operations and impact. The mangoes are graded and packed into different categories before being sold to local traders.  The produce supports many livelihoods, as local people buy in bulk and resell to earn income.  Theofelus also acknowledged the surplus mango harvest and said it presents an opportunity for affordable local…

Renthia Kaimbi Certified lifeguards from Monarch Lifeguard and Emergency Services have withdrawn from Platz am Meer and Mole Beach in Swakopmund following the end of their contract with the municipality. Monarch founder Muyenga Martin said the contract ran from 05 December 2025 to 05 January 2026 and has now come to an end. He said the period was short but demanding. Martin said the team focused on preventative lifeguarding, supported by trained professionals on constant watch.  He said routine rescues were limited, but several serious incidents showed how dangerous the coastline can be. In one incident, the lifeguards responded to…

Renthia Kaimbi Fifty young boys in Walvis Bay received free back-to-school haircuts yesterday after a local barber opened his doors to give back to the community. The gesture came from the owner of El Shaddai Barbershop, 27-year-old Lumardo Mouton said the act was part of repairing harm he caused in the past. “I destroyed so many people in my community from smuggling drugs. So this was part of how I am paying back,” he said. Mouton shared that from the age of 12 until two years ago, he was involved in dealing drugs. He said his entry into crime began…