Windhoek Observer

 Niël Terblanché The country is grappling with a significant challenge where young people face increasing vulnerability to human trafficking. Desperation for employment opportunities, domestically and abroad, often leads individuals into precarious situations. Traffickers exploit this desperation, luring victims with promises of legitimate work, only to subject them to forced labour, sexual exploitation, or other forms of abuse. The recently released 2023 Labour Force Survey compiled by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) revealed an unemployment rate of 36.9%, the highest within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This statistic translates to approximately 320 450  people without employment, with young people disproportionately…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Employees of Project Hope Namibia, Society for Family Health (SFH), TCE, and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that receive funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been left in uncertainty following the implementation of a 90-day Stop Work Order issued. Despite the immediate order to cease operations, workers at these NGOs are still required to report for duty without performing any tasks. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Project Hope employee claimed that a WhatsApp message informed workers of the directive. “They only communicated with us through WhatsApp, saying we must adhere to the order that…

Stefanus Nashama  The City Police confirmed that social activist Michael Amushelelo and a group of four men attempted to forcefully close down a shop at the B1 Service Station in Windhoek. City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo told the Windhoek Observer on Thursday that the incident occurred on Wednesday morning, leading to a commotion between the group and City Police officials. “On 5 February, a commotion unfolded at the B1 Service Station on Wednesday morning when activist Michael Amushelelo and a group of four men attempted to forcefully close down the shop at B1 Service Station,” Murapo stated. She explained that…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) have entered into a three-year agreement valued at N$3.7 million to safeguard and preserve one of Namibia's most vital ecosystems. The agreement signed earlier this week forms a partnership which aims to conduct a comprehensive study on the health and biodiversity of the Walvis Bay Lagoon. The collaboration between Namport and UNAM is not new; the two entities previously had a Memorandum of Understanding from 2016 to 2021. The renewal of this agreement stresses a continued commitment to environmental stewardship. Namport's Chief Executive, Andrew Kanime, during the…

Allexer Namundjebo Community members of Omupembe Village in the Okongo Constituency received assistance from the Ohangwena Regional Council to complete a kindergarten. Okongo Regional Councillor, Lebeus Shipindo explained that after taking office, he visited local traditional leaders and residents to assess their needs. "My office conducted a feasibility study to determine what each village needs. I was informed that water and schools were their top priorities," he said. During his visit to Omupembe Village, he learnt that 50 children were not attending school due to the lack of a kindergarten. "The community was trying to establish one, and we found…

Niël Terblanché The drought in Namibia has led to widespread food insecurity, environmental degradation, health threats, and rising unemployment, affecting more than half of the country’s people. According to the UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia, Hopolang Phororo, recognising the acute vulnerability of certain groups, particularly nursing mothers, women, and children, the United Nations in Namibia has mobilised resources through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address the crisis. "Even as women and girls disproportionately feel the impact of droughts, we have an opportunity to leverage their leadership and boost drought resilience in communities," she said. In the Mupuni…