Windhoek Observer – Page 293 – Windhoek Observer

01 May

Amupanda calls for state-owned shoe factory to cut imports

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has urged the government to set up a state-owned factory to manufacture boots and shoes. He says this will help meet local demand and cut down on imports. In a submission to the Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation last month, Amupanda said Namibia spends hundreds of millions of dollars importing over five million pairs of shoes each year. He pointed out that sectors such as mining, police, defence, and private security need boots and shoes regularly. “If each worker in these sectors is supplied with two pairs of boots annually, there is already…

01 May

Quota dispute dampens spirit of Crayfish Festival

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Lüderitz Crayfish Festival is facing tensions behind the scenes as the Crayfish Festival Trust is accusing the Lüderitz Town Council of withholding vital fishing quota funds. The Trust claims this has disrupted the festival’s preparations and operations. The 18th edition of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival began on Tuesday and will run until Monday, 5 May. The event, under the theme “Safeguarding our Ocean Riches”, celebrates the town's maritime culture and features seafood dishes. But the Crayfish Festival Trust and the Town Council are at odds over financial matters, with both sides accusing the other of failing in…

01 May

Daures fertiliser revenue still unknown

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Chief Executive Officer of Daures Green Hydrogen Village (DGHV), Jerome Namaseb, says it is too early to assess revenue generation from the fertiliser production at the village. Namaseb stated that the project has not yet reached that stage. Namaseb made the statement during a media visit to the facility this week. He announced that the village, located in the Daures Constituency in the Erongo Region, is set to produce its first fertiliser by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The project, supported by a N$220 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research…

01 May

Xinfeng wins battle over Orange River Mining ownership

National News

Ester Mbathera Chinese-owned lithium mining giant Xinfeng Investments has won a Supreme Court battle confirming its ownership stake in Orange River Exploration Mining CC after a disputed cancellation of company records. The matter was heard on 12 March, and judgment was delivered on Wednesday by a panel consisting of Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Acting Justice of Appeal Rita Makarau, and Acting Justice of Appeal Dave Smuts. Justice Makarau wrote the judgment, with Shivute and Smuts concurring. The case stems from an April 2022 agreement where Peter Shifwaku, who owned 100% of the mining company, sold 85% of his interest to…

01 May

Learner escapes alleged kidnapping in Windhoek

National News

Niël Terblanché An investigation has been launched following reports of an alleged attempted kidnapping of a learner from Moses Garoeb Primary School in Windhoek earlier this week. The Namibian Police confirmed that the Gender-Based Violence Unit’s social workers are interviewing the learner in the presence of her mother. “The Police had to act, given the current situation of learners raped and killed in Okahandja, because we cannot overlook nor ignore such posts of threats to peace and security disruption,” said Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Police’s public relations division. According to the learner, while walking from Havana to…

01 May

Special Athletes Debut at Region 5 Games

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games will, for the first time, include Special Olympics athletes. Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Ndeulipula Hamutumwa, confirmed the decision this week. He said the event aims to embrace inclusivity and give Special Olympics athletes a chance to showcase their talent. These athletes will compete in their preferred codes and categories. "Inclusivity is a core value for these Games and Namibia. This marks a significant and positive step forward, and we strongly encourage all participating governments to prioritise and support gender balance and equal opportunities for all our…

01 May

Mixed start for Namibian swimmers in Cairo

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibian swimmers began day one of the African Aquatics Junior Swimming Championship in Cairo with mixed results. The four-day competition, which started on Wednesday, brings together swimmers from 44 African countries. The event serves as a platform for young athletes to improve their personal times and prepare for the Junior World Championships in Romania in July, as well as meets scheduled for later this year in Nigeria and Senegal. Lorenzo Esterhuizen, 16, swam the 100m backstroke in 59.68 seconds. He scored 628 points and qualified for the Junior World Championships. Jessica Humphrey placed third in the 100m backstroke…

01 May

NNN, the team and the country must brace selves for capitalist backlash

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro With its mantra of “business unusual”, needless to mention, the 8th administration of Namibia, new as it may be and proffered and sounded and perceived to be under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is essentially old. The Swapo of Namibia is a long-standing political party that has undergone constant change, transformation, transition, and metamorphosis. In many aspects and respects. Whether democratically, ideologically, politically and otherwise. Thus, it must have its work cut out. Because it is surely a tall order for it to navigate the entrenched capitalist system in the country and, at the same time, fulfil the “business unusual”…

01 May

Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility as a Model to Fund the Noble Idea of Free Education in Namibia

Observer Money

Lazarus Kwedhi Namibian society emerged from a history of German colonialism and apartheid under South African rule, during which native Namibians were denied access to quality education and economic opportunities. Post-independence Namibia is founded on public values of non-discrimination, including the constitutional right to education. However, despite this right, many Namibians still face challenges in accessing education due to financial constraints and limited government support. Therefore, finding a sustainable funding model for free education is critical to relieving low-income families of the financial burden and enabling their children to reach their full academic potential. In her first State of the…

01 May

PRESIDENT NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITWAH’S MAIDEN STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS: THE PRICE OF PROGRESS; ASPIRATIONAL POLICIES AS JUXTAPOSED TO FISCAL REALITY

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) A Legal and Political Analysis of the Tension Between Constitutional Aspiration and Fiscal Reality The maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Repiblic of Namibia, on April 24, 2025, represents a significant political milestone in Namibia’s governance trajectory. Themed “Unity in Diversity, Natural Resources Beneficiation and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development,” this address articulates a comprehensive vision for national development while introducing substantive policy reforms across multiple sectors. As the 8th administration charts a bold course for national development, the financial sustainability…