Windhoek Observer – Page 283 – Windhoek Observer

14 May

SADC convenes trade justice dialogue to address U.S. tariff fallout

Sports

Moses Magadza The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to hold a high-level dialogue today on trade justice, following the announcement of sweeping tariffs by the United States that have shaken Global South economies. The meeting, which will take place in a hybrid format, is organised by the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (TIFI), with about 50 key participants expected to attend. The dialogue comes after US President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, along with reciprocal tariffs targeting regions like Southern Africa. While a 90-day…

14 May

Devil’s claw harvesters secure price increase in Kavango East

National News

Justicia Shipena The Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest (MN-CCF) in Kavango East has secured a price increase for Devil’s Claw, raising it from N$44 to N$50 per kilogram. The negotiation took place in mid-April with off-taker Ecoso Dynamics and the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) Project Management Unit. The new price includes N$2 per kilogram for Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism. This ensures that communities benefit from the use of local genetic resources. “This is not just about money, it’s about dignity and long-term benefit,” said MN-CCF manager Max Muyemburuko. “For the first time, we feel that…

14 May

Farmers embrace solar-powered agriculture

Energy, National News

Staff Writer Local farmers recently participated in a workshop focused on Agri-PV technology, a project supported by the GIZ INSPIRED Agri-PV initiative at the University of Namibia’s Ogongo Campus. The goal was to explore how Agri-PV systems can help achieve sustainable vegetable and fruit production while also providing climate-adapted energy solutions in Namibia. The workshop attracted 95 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), UNAM, regional councils, and local farmers. It aimed to show how farmers can use their land for both crop production and solar energy generation. Agri-PV systems provide multiple benefits,…

14 May

NAGN calls on artists to represent Namibia’s identity globally through art

National News

Justicia Shipena Michelle Van Wyk, the director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN), has urged Namibians to unite in visually expressing their identity on international platforms. She made this call at the launch of the Bank Windhoek Triennial on Tuesday. Van Wyk emphasised the importance of using art to tell the world who Namibia is and who it is becoming. The launch event, held in Windhoek, marked the beginning of the sixth edition of the Triennial, which carries the theme "Namibian Identity: The Linework of a Country’s Contours and Wealth". The competition invites artists to explore and portray…

14 May

Rundu council to fast-track land allocation for sports facilities

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Rundu urban councillor Victoria Kauma has called on the Rundu Local Authority Council to accelerate the process of identifying land for building sports facilities in the town. Kauma made the call during the recent belated Independence Day celebration held at the Rundu Sport Stadium. She said Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka has already instructed councillors to identify land for sports facilities as part of a national directive to address the lack of such infrastructure. “We should come up with new land to develop sports facilities in this region. This is going to be a standard sports facility in…

14 May

Young cricketers make strong start in 2025 Nashua Junior League

Featured, Sports

Justicia Shipena Namibia’s young cricketers took centre stage over the past weekend, as the 2025 Nashua Junior Franchise League began with matches across Windhoek. This year, the league expanded to include an under-12 category, bringing the total to nine teams across U12, U14, and U19. Franchises include Grove Mall, Ashburton Investments, STADIO Higher Education, and Naankuse, with Green Enterprise Solutions joining for the first time. The action started on Friday, 9 May, with the U12 Ashburton Eagles beating Grove Mall Wildcats by 9 wickets at the High Performance Oval. The Wildcats posted 71/6, but the Eagles chased it down in…

14 May

FDI surges beyond oil and gas, totaling N$56 billion

Observer Money

Allexer Namundjebo Over N$56 billion of Namibia's recent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows have gone beyond oil and gas. This, according to Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, Jenelly Matundu, highlights a strong interest in sectors like tourism, agribusiness, and digital technology. Matundu was speaking at the launch of Namibia’s first-ever FDI Report, released by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) on Tuesday. Matundu said the report reflects Namibia’s commitment to economic transparency. “This publication is not just a compilation of data. It symbolises our commitment to economic transparency and presents…

14 May

NAVIGATING PROCUREMENT HURDLES: ADDRESSING STOCKOUTS OF ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES IN THE NAMIBIAN HEALTH SECTOR

Featured, Opinions

Lusia Kornelius and Zucky Bauleth-Nashima As the global market experiences major uncertainties, probable recession and unprecedented social dynamics, there is pressure on healthcare systems, and the Namibian health sector is no exception. Namibia is facing significant challenges concerning procurement and availability of essential medical supplies. Recent tariff hikes under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration not only magnify the trade war but also disrupt the global supply chain, impacting the export and import of goods across the globe. The effect is directly felt by pharmaceutical suppliers and distributors, thereby resulting in disrupted or delayed service delivery. This disruption may cause friendshoring…

14 May

Youth credit scheme fails to uplift target beneficiaries

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Despite continued government support, youth empowerment projects face serious challenges in achieving sustainability. Olivia Hanghuwo, Chairperson of the National Council Standing committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, revealed this during a report presentation. The findings follow oversight visits to youth projects in the Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, and Otjozondjupa regions between 15 and 28 September 2024. The visits focused on projects under the 121 Constituency Youth Enterprises and the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme, as well as National Youth Service centres. These efforts assessed the progress, effectiveness, and struggles of youth-focused programmes aimed at tackling unemployment…

14 May

SACU calls on the U.S. to reconsider its trade tariffs

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) has called on the United States to reconsider its planned tariff increases, warning they could harm trade relations and reverse development gains in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and those under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The SACU Council of Ministers made the appeal in a joint communique after their recent meeting in Johannesburg. The council, chaired by finance minister Erica Shafudah, urged the U.S. administration to apply the principle of differential treatment and exempt LDCs and AGOA-eligible countries from the new tariffs set to take effect in July. The U.S.…