Windhoek Observer

Chamwe Kaira The government must decide whether promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) is necessary to reverse the long-term decline in private sector investment, economist Robin Sherbourne has said. Sherbourne said the government should first focus on “improving the product” rather than selling something that “does not withstand scrutiny.”  He said this involves eliminating policy uncertainty and addressing issues that are crucial to investors. “These uncertainties include having an internationally competitive tax regime, clear property rights, and protection from arbitrary government nationalisation or the forced incorporation of local partners,” he said. He added that investors also need clear dispute resolution mechanisms,…

Allexer Namundjembo  The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has accused the government of siding with Germany at the expense of justice for victims of the 1904–1908 Herero and Nama genocide.  The accusation comes as LPM, together with the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), continues its legal challenge against the 2021 joint declaration between Namibia and Germany. On Monday, LPM described the government’s recent legal actions as a “betrayal” of genocide victims, saying it has chosen to protect Germany instead of pursuing accountability.  The party criticised the decision to hire advocate Raymond Heathcote to argue that…

Justicia Shipena The Damara King’s Council Youth Group has written to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and ICT Minister Emma Theofelus opposing any move to rename the Dâures/Brandberg Omukuruvaro National Monument Area. In a letter dated 7 October 2025, the group said renaming the site would erase Damara cultural memory and amount to a symbolic act of dispossession.  “There must be absolute clarity; the name Dâures cannot and will not be replaced, diluted, or shared,” the statement read. This follows Namibia’s recent approval of the nomination of the Dâures/Brandberg National Monument Area for inscription on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and…

Justicia Shipena The minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, says his ministry will no longer tolerate non-performance at the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida). Speaking in Parliament on Thursday in response to questions from opposition leader McHenry Venaani, Ithete said both the government and the public have been disappointed by the agency's failure to deliver on its industrialisation mandate.  Earlier this year, Nida, a commercial state-owned enterprise, released its first financial report in six years, covering the financial years 2018/2019 to 2023/2024. The report showed a loss of N$102 million. It also revealed that Nida was owed N$89…

Justicia Shipena Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive Cornelius “Cedric” Willemse will know on October 28 whether he will be released on bail. Magistrate Olga Muharukua will deliver the judgement.  Willemse (52) is facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft under false pretences, money laundering, and tax evasion in the alleged Namcor corruption scandal involving Enercon Namibia, Erongo Petroleum, and other entities.  He was arrested on 8 July and has remained in custody since. Through his lawyer, Willemse told the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court that the state’s fears that he will flee or interfere with investigations are unfounded.  He argued…

Staff Writer Medical Rescue Africa (MRA), a subsidiary of Westair Aviation, has launched its new air ambulance, the Beechcraft King Air 350i.  The aircraft is equipped with advanced medical evacuation facilities, marking a major step forward in Namibia’s emergency response capability. The launch event brought together industry stakeholders, partners, and representatives from organisations that have supported the development of Namibia’s medical evacuation infrastructure. “A service like this is never needed until it is needed – and then it must be available, safe, and reliable,” said Westair Aviation CEO Henri van Schalkwyk. “The King Air 350 provides the highest standards of…