Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché In preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections in two weeks and the special voting set to take place today, the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced restricted airspace within the Windhoek Flight Information Region (FYWF) on election-related dates. According to Toska Sem, the executive director of the NCAA, the decision aims to ensure heightened safety and security during this critical period, as detailed in the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) No. 69/2024. Sem stated that the NCAA’s directive, issued under Part 71 of the Namibian Civil Aviation Regulations, will temporarily ban all remotely piloted aircraft systems…

Niël Terblanche The Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) Executive Women Leadership Workshop held in Swakopmund on Tuesday set the stage for a new era in regional policing. The workshop will effect change through leadership while also aiming to inspire communities and create a legacy for future generations of women leaders in the SARPCCO region. The workshop was a convergence point for senior female leaders in policing, aiming to break traditional barriers, strengthen regional collaboration, and craft a vision for more inclusive leadership across Southern Africa. The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo inaugurated…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Regional government officials anticipate challenges as the Conditional Basic Income Grant (CBIG) programme, aimed at providing cash support to vulnerable households, extends to additional towns and regions, including Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Arandis, Omaruru, Rehoboth, Karasburg, and Ongwediva. The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, was originally piloted in Windhoek under the Harambee Prosperity Plan, replacing food parcels with cash transfers for low-income households. The governor of the Oshana region, Elia Irimari, expressed concerns about documentation requirements that could exclude some eligible households. "The challenge we anticipate is when those who…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is actively adopting the principles of a circular economy to enhance resource efficiency and stimulate economic growth. At a recent meeting in Walvis Bay, Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Namibia National Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption Centre (NNCPC), called for the nation's commitment to this transformative economic model. He said a circular economy focuses on the continuous use of resources by promoting sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products. This approach contrasts with the traditional linear economy, which follows a 'take-make-dispose' pattern, leading to significant waste…

Stefanus Nashama Opposition parties such as the All Peoples’ Party (APP), the Body of Christ Party (BCP), the Congress of Democrats (CoD) and the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC) raised concerns about obsolete water and sewage infrastructure in the country. This comes after much of the country’s water and sewage infrastructure has been reported outdated. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday, APP’s president Ambrosius Kumbwa said the issue has been ongoing for a long time and needs serious intervention. “Much of these water and sewage infrastructure were constructed during colonial times, and as time goes they are getting old,”…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Members of Namibia’s uniformed forces, diplomatic missions, and seagoing personnel will cast their votes on 13 November ahead of the national election date of 27 November. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) anticipates approximately 8 000 registered voters to cast their votes on Wednesday, the special vote day. ECN Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua announced on Monday. “During general registration of voters, the Commission registered 2 159 eligible voters at all 35 Namibia diplomatic missions. However, I should mention that there could be slight variations to this figure because Namibians who registered inside the country but find themselves outside the…

Martin Endjala Nangula Uaandja, the chief executive officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), has defended the government over claims of a lack of transparency around the government-driven green hydrogen (GH2) initiative. Uaandja recently used the X social media platform to address what she sees as public misunderstandings, particularly with regard to the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, which James Mnyupe is the commissioner of. “The fact is that many people are initiating their projects and then aligning them with government strategy,” she explained. According to Uaandja, the government only initiated the Hyphen project, which it also allocated…

Niël Terblanché Jonathan Beukes, the former managing editor of the state-owned New Era newspaper, has announced his departure from the organisation, citing concerns over the state of media freedom in Namibia. In a statement distributed on social media, Beukes clarified that his exit was the result of a mutual separation agreement with New Era, stressing that he did not resign but agreed to part ways amicably. “In exercising my right to freedom of expression and thought, as enshrined in the supreme law of the land, I am duty-bound to express my fear for the deterioration of media freedom and expression…