Windhoek Observer – Page 283 – Windhoek Observer

07 May

No clear stance on genocide under Merz

Main

Justicia Shipena The election of Friedrich Merz as Germany's chancellor implies that there is no longer a straightforward declaration or commitment to confront the genocide deal, says political analyst Henning Melber. Melber cautions that even simple symbolic actions, such as the unified proclamation against genocide, may not be realised under Germany's new administration. Merz was voted as Germany's future chancellor on Tuesday after winning a second Bundestag vote. While the previous "Ampel" coalition, which included the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Green Party, and the Liberal Party, explicitly committed to completing the joint declaration on genocide committed during Germany's colonial…

07 May

Rail upgrade tender requirements exclude local businesses – Naloba

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Local Business Association (Naloba) says a recent government tender under the Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project (TIIP) Phase II could block local businesses from participating due to a high bid security requirement. The tender, issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport on 15 April, is for the supply of 48 48kg/m rails and turnouts. It forms part of the upgrade of railway lines between Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb and between Otavi and Grootfontein. The project is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and follows the bank’s 2015 procurement framework through the open competitive bidding (international) method.…

07 May

N$12.2 billion health budget targets e-health expansion

National News

Allexer Namundjebo The Ministry of Health and Social Services has placed digital systems at the centre of its N$12.2 billion allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year. The goal with the allocation is to modernise healthcare and improve its accessibility, especially in remote areas. Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao presented the health vote in the National Assembly. She said the ministry is addressing long-standing service gaps through investment in digital infrastructure. “We are deliberately investing in digital health infrastructure to close service delivery gaps, particularly in remote and underserved areas,” Luvindao said. “Digitisation is no longer optional. It is essential for…

07 May

Havana and Hakahana are under police watch as crime increases

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian Police have changed their approach to tackling crime in Windhoek by rezoning the city to improve operations in areas like Havana and Hakahana, where criminal activity is increasing. Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo confirmed the move as part of broader efforts to address safety concerns and ongoing robberies near unfinished roads and infrastructure. “We have rezoned the City of Windhoek to make sure that our strategies are effective,” said Mubebo. “Operations are ongoing within the city and Khomas Region as a whole to ensure the safety of all people.” Police are investigating several robbery cases, including one…

07 May

GRN plans 10 000-seater stadiums across all regions

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has set aside N$35 million to build sports stadiums in all 14 regions. Each stadium will have a seating capacity of 10,000. Minister Sanet Steenkamp made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday while motivating the ministry’s N$1.2 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year. She stated that the Confederation of African Football will build the stadiums to meet category two standards. Each regional capital will have a facility to give young people across the country access to proper sports infrastructure. This follows after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced in…

07 May

No medicine crisis at Rundu Hospital, says health ministry

National News

Niël Terblanché A complete stock-out has not occurred at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, which has dismissed reports of a medicine and supply crisis as inaccurate. Responding to claims published in a national daily under the headline “Rundu Hospital Crisis: No medicine, no bandages, no malaria test kits,” the ministry’s executive director, Penda Ithindi, said the article contains “several factual inaccuracies” regarding current stock levels. He acknowledged occasional challenges in the sustainable supply of certain items but said these do not amount to a crisis. “The low levels reported earlier had already been…

07 May

Mystery of missing police officer solved

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in the Erongo Region have confirmed that missing police officer George Hamanja Isaacks has been found in good health. He was discovered alive and well at a house in Kuisebmond on Wednesday morning. Inspector Judith Shomongula, the regional police spokesperson, said Isaacks was located safely after disappearing in Walvis Bay last Friday. Isaacks had travelled to Walvis Bay for official duties. His colleagues last saw him around 14:00 on Friday. Thereafter, he had no contact with anyone. At the time of his disappearance, Isaacks was wearing khaki trousers, a shirt, a blue jean jacket, and…

07 May

Nandi-Ndaitwah begins first official visit to Angola

National News

Niël Terblanché President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will visit Angola today for her first official trip abroad since taking office on 21 March 2025. The two-day working visit aims to strengthen the close relationship between Namibia and Angola. A statement from the Namibian Presidency said Nandi-Ndaitwah will meet Angolan President João Lourenço during the visit. “This visit provides an opportunity for the two countries to further deepen the strong bilateral and trade relations for the benefit of the two Nations,” the statement read. The leaders will discuss ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, trade, and the oil and gas industry. They are…

07 May

Weighbridge corruption accused granted bail

National News

Niël Terblanché Two men linked to a fraudulent weighbridge deal involving the Roads Authority appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. They were each granted N$30 000 bail, and the case was postponed to 1 August 2025 for further investigation. The suspects are Richard Milinga, Divisional Manager of the Transport Inspectorate at the Roads Authority, and Grant Cloete, Managing Director of SASCO. They were arrested earlier this week as part of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into procurement fraud and misappropriation of public assets. ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said the case involves an invoice of N$2 372 704 certified…

07 May

Recon expects 2025 to be successful

Featured, Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd has filed its annual disclosure documents for the nine-month period ending 31 December 2024. The company holds interests in exploration prospects under Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 in the Kavango Basin, Namibia. It is focused on the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin, covering parts of northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola, and northwestern Botswana. In April 2024, ReconAfrica raised US\$17.5 million through a bought deal public offering. In July 2024, it raised another US$38.8 million through an underwritten public offering. In November 2024, the company completed drilling operations of the Naingopo exploration well. The results…