Windhoek Observer – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

06 Nov

OBSERVER COASTAL | ‘Our children deserve fresh air’ — Kuisebmond residents protest fishmeal stench

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Residents of Kuisebmond in Walvis Bay say a strong smell from nearby fishmeal factories has made daily life difficult and unpleasant for the community. They say the odour seeps into their homes, clothes and even the classrooms where their children study. The problem, they say, has been ongoing for years and affects schools such as Seaside, Immanuel Ruiters, Kuisebmond Primary and Kuisebmond Secondary. Parents say learners struggle to focus because of the constant stench. “Windows are closed in the heat just to block the stench, but even then, the air feels heavy and suffocating,” one parent told the…

06 Nov

OBSERVER COASTAL | Big turnout for Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge

National News

The Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge got off to a tremendous start this weekend, blessed with beautiful weather and an enthusiastic crowd of athletes.A flurry of late entries contributed to a fantastic turnout, setting the tone for the two-day endurance event.The first day was marked by palpable energy, determination, and widespread smiles as competitors gave their all in the initial cycling and running disciplines.Over 700 athletes descended upon Walvis Bay for the prestigious event, with a field comprising approximately 119 cyclists and 631 runners. The first day culminated in a prize-giving ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the participants, capping off…

06 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | When ignorance masquerades as jokes: Two teens, blackface and the haunting return of a slur

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Last week, two white pupils at a local school performed a grotesque pantomime of racism. They painted their faces black and referred to themselves as “Kaffir 1” and “Kaffir 2, invoking one of the most odious slurs in Namibia’s tortured history. It wasn’t just blackface; it was blackface with the added sting of apartheid’s legacy layered on top. This was not ignorance alone: it was wilful disregard for decency, for history and for the fragile social contract of our post-independence nation. Many in the community demand that the pair be expelled or even criminally charged. The school and the parents…

06 Nov

Why Namibia’s Mental Health Bill must confront maternal mental health and baby dumping

Featured, Opinions

Morna Ikosa The efforts by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in tabling the 2025 Mental Health Bill have been commendable and have led to a landmark step to enshrine dignity, autonomy, and human rights in mental health care in Namibia. However, the proposed bill does not explicitly address maternal mental health, including pre- and postnatal depression. This omission risks leaving thousands of Namibian mothers without adequate support, despite global evidence that postnatal depression is a leading cause of maternal illnesses. Although the bill promises sweeping reforms from community-based care to forensic mental health oversight. Yet, amid its 81…

06 Nov

LLPBN seeks experts to strengthen livestock value chain

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has called on qualified consulting firms to express interest in conducting a detailed value chain and partial equilibrium analysis of Namibia’s dairy, pork and poultry industries. The study is expected to begin around February or March 2026 and aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of these sectors. The LLPBN said the planned research will help shape future policy decisions, investments and strategies for the livestock industries, which play a key role in food security and rural livelihoods. According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), between 2021 and 2024,…

06 Nov

B2Gold permits remain valid in Mali

Observer Money

Staff Writer B2Gold Corporation has confirmed that its Fekola Complex in Mali continues to operate without disruption, with all mining permits and licences remaining valid. The Canadian gold producer, headquartered in Vancouver, said milling and mining activities at Fekola are running at full capacity. The company reaffirmed its 2025 production guidance for the Fekola Complex, targeting between 515,000 and 550,000 ounces of gold. While some operators in Mali have recently faced permit revocations under the country’s 2023 Mining Code, B2Gold said its exploration and exploitation permits remain secure. The exploitation permit for the Fekola Regional Project is in the final…

06 Nov

Nedbank’s #GetMoneyFit aims to strengthen financial wellness

Observer Money

Staff Writer Nedbank Namibia’s newly launched #GetMoneyFit campaign aims to help people take control of their financial wellbeing by building consistent and intentional money habits for long-term financial strength. The campaign encourages people from all walks of life to make small, daily steps toward financial stability, regardless of their income level or life stage. Launched alongside the Nedbank Desert Dash on Wednesday, the campaign reflects the bank’s broader focus on overall wellbeing, linking physical fitness with financial fitness. While the Desert Dash celebrates physical endurance, #GetMoneyFit focuses on financial endurance and the discipline needed to build a secure future. Nedbank…

05 Nov

‘Stop treating magistrates like they don’t matter,’ AR tells Govt

Main

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement in the Otjozondjupa region says the government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought and act quickly to address the problems faced by magistrates. AR regional activist Johannes Johannes said the movement supports magistrates nationwide who plan to strike today. The magistrates demand dignity, fairness and better working conditions. “The government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought. These are men and women who uphold justice daily under impossible conditions. Their grievances are valid and must be addressed urgently,” he said. Johannes said the continuous postponement of cases and poor court…

05 Nov

Windhoek residents make N$1 million selling waste to municipality

National News

Justicia Shipena Windhoek residents earned about N$1 million in a year and six months selling recyclable waste to the City of Windhoek through its first waste buy-back centre. According to the municipality, the centre helped divert more than 120 tonnes of waste from landfill sites. The Windhoek municipality opened its first buyback centre in Katutura in April 2024, located at the corner of Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Bondel streets. By December last year, residents had received over N$164 000 for waste sold to the centre, which was developed with support from the European Union (EU). According to city records, at that…

05 Nov

Inmates live in fear as gangs take over prisons

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Organised gangs operating freely inside correctional facilities are instilling a culture of fear and violence, a parliamentary investigation has found. The report by the standing committee on home affairs, security, and constitutional and legal affairs revealed that gangs, such as the notorious 'Gang 28', known for their violent and sodomy-related practices, operate with impunity. The gang’s presence highlights the vulnerability of LGBTQI inmates and the state’s struggle to protect them. The findings come from the committee’s oversight visits between January and March 2025. The investigation found that gangs operating in correctional facilities and police cells recruit new members…