Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Mozambique leaders have reaffirmed their strong political and diplomatic relations.  The heads of state mutually agreed on the urgency of turning these ties into solid economic partnerships to improve the livelihoods of their citizens. This comes as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took a one-day visit to Maputo on Monday focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation. Mozambique's Foreign Affairs Minister, Maria Manuela Lucas, received her. During the visit, President Nandi-Ndaitwah held bilateral talks with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo. The discussions focused on trade, education, youth development, and regional peace and security. The Namibian presidency said the visit aims to…

Niël Terblanché Reports of drone sightings in rural parts of the country are raising concern among farmers, who suspect the devices may be used for poaching and livestock theft. According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), more farmers are reporting drones flying over farms and remote homesteads, especially at night.  The union said the sightings have sparked questions about possible links to recent criminal activity. In response, a group of concerned individuals has created a protocol to track drone sightings and compare them with reports of theft or poaching. “The Namibian Police and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has accredited six foreign defence attachés and advisors to strengthen international military relations. Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, the chief of the NDF, presided over the accreditation ceremony on Friday. The newly accredited defence representatives are Captain (Navy) Marcelo De Abreu Souza from Brazil, Commodore Samuel Walker from Ghana, Colonel (Mar) Guntur Almasyil from Indonesia, Colonel Gerard Conor O’Hara OBE from the United Kingdom, Colonel Franco Linzalone from Italy, and Lieutenant Colonel Margot Cunningham from the United States of America. Pinehas said defence diplomacy plays an important role in a connected world. “Defence diplomacy…

Justicia Shipena  The ECOFISH Programme is now entering its final semester.  The programme will keep its focus on consolidating efforts, anchoring the initiative institutionally, and preparing for the strategic handover of its work plans to ensure their sustainability beyond the project’s end on 12 September 2025. This follows the 6th Steering Committee meeting in Gaborone, Botswana, which brought together representatives from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Delegation of the European Union to Botswana, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and several African Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Over three days, they reviewed the program's progress and outcomes. The first two…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) is warning farmers to prepare urgently for the upcoming wildfire season.  Much of the country has seen its best rainfall in years after a long drought. While the rains have revived pastures and fed livestock, they have also created large amounts of dry vegetation that could fuel fires. “Firefighting should now be urgently considered. There is already an abundance of flammable material this year,” the NAU said in its weekly newsletter on Friday. The union plans to publish a series of articles in its newsletter to help farmers manage the risks of veld…

Niël Terblanché The deputy prime minister and minister of industry, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, called for the transformation of his ministry into a model institution. He wants it to deliver efficient, people-centred services while driving industrialisation and job creation. Speaking at a regional staff meeting in Oshakati on Friday, Ithete urged ministry employees across the country to embrace reform and innovation.  “You are the heartbeat of this ministry, whether you work in Windhoek or the regions. Your efforts, commitment, and professionalism have laid the foundation for the progress we have made thus far,” he said. Ithete outlined his vision…