Windhoek Observer

Stefanus Nashama The High Court of Namibia has postponed delivering judgment on the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN) decision to deregister the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to 8 August 2024. Arguments in the matter were heard on Tuesday. The NEFF, along with the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), were deregistered by the ECN last month after the parties failed to submit and publish financial statements as prescribed by the Electoral Act. Representing the state, Advocate Gerson |Narib argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction and competence in the NEFF's case against the ECN. Narib stated that the NEFF's challenge does…

Niël Terblanché In response to challenges faced during the ongoing mass registration campaign, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security urged all applicants who have received Confirmation of Birth letters instead of birth certificates to promptly submit these letters to the ministry's offices or the nearest constituency council offices. The ministry wants to expedite the issuance of official birth certificates and ensure the smooth processing of national identification documents. Etienne Maritz, the ministry’s executive director stressed the importance of complying with this request to ensure timely issuance of birth certificates. "Applicants are urged to comply with this request…

Martin Endjala The Daure Daman community in the Daures constituency in the Erongo region has threatened to go on strike until the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and the Daure Daman Traditional Authority (DATA) hear their concerns. They are calling for the removal of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority Chief Sagarias Seibeb after a community no-confidence vote and to end nepotism and self-enrichment, among other things. According to the group's spokesperson, Jimmy Areseb, their decision to go on a strike follows failed attempts last year when they handed in their petition to the Seibeb and again in May this…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) denied allegations by the Landless People's Movement (LPM) that it excluded Namibians who are in jail or in police custody across the nation from registering as voters for the November elections. This comes after LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa accused the electoral body of preventing incarcerated individuals from registering for voter cards. “This unfair and intentional exclusion of inmates is robbing these Namibians of their democratic rights, further dehumanising and excluding them from society. As a government, we must ensure that we do not harm the human rights of any Namibian. Inmates are…

Stefanus Nashama Poor political performance, not economic failure, as some may believe, undermines Africa's commitment to democracy. This was revealed by the Afrobarometer inaugural flagship report last week. “The rising of corruption in local government, poor-quality elections, and a lack of presidential accountability undermine the faith in democracy,” stated the report. Afrobarometer provides data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. It found out that Africans remain strongly committed to democracy, its norms, and institutions, but there are also causes for concern. According to the report, over the past decade, popular support for democracy has…

Martin Endjala Gibeon village council has resolved to address the issues of vandalism of graves in the village cemetery. The council indicated that vandals damaged many gravestones in the village two weeks ago. On Tuesday, the Gibeon village council chairperson, Sharon Bezuidenhoud informed the Windhoek Observer that the council would be deploying a clean-up group to the cemetery. “I was unaware of such vandalism until Mr. Ignatius called me to tell me about it. I have invited him to come to my office to discuss the matter, but we couldn’t meet due to other equally important matters he had to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Directorate of Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has issued an urgent notification to farmers regarding an outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), commonly known as lungsickness, in Okapundja village, located in the Opuwo Urban Constituency of the Kunene Region. Dr Johannes Shoopala, the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, said in the statement on Tuesday that the disease was detected at the beginning of July and that it is currently affecting only one herd of 30 cattle Shoopala stated that so far eight animals from the herd tested positive for lungsickness and that…

Niël Terblanché This year marks the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the creation of American Corners in public facilities in Ongwediva and Walvis Bay. These anniversaries demonstrate the enduring collaboration between the United States of America’s Embassy in Windhoek and the local authorities of Ongwedivaand and Walvis Bay. According to Tifanny Miller, the public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, the establishment of the various American Corners has been promoting learning, creativity, and community development in Namibia. Since its establishment in 2004, the American Corner in Walvis Bay has served as a cornerstone of knowledge and a catalyst…