Windhoek Observer

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has not ratified the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which prohibits governments from supporting illegal fishing and the overexploitation of fish stocks.  The agreement was adopted at  the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022 and officially entered into force last week after two-thirds of members deposited instruments of acceptance. Namibia has not done so yet.  Speaking to the Windhoek Observer in Geneva, Switzerland, commercial counsellor Jeanthea Tjitaura from Namibia's Geneva mission said her office has written to the ministry of international relations and trade (MIRT) to facilitate ratification.  “Our office has written to…

Justicia Shipena  Hollard Insurance Company of Namibia has taken Windhoek-based restaurant The Wolfshack CC to the High Court, demanding repayment of N$180 000 it says was paid in error. According to court documents, Hollard made the payment on 16 February 2023,  mistakenly believing it was due under an insurance policy.  The insurer says the payout was either made in bona fide error or sine causa — without valid cause.  Hollard maintains that The Wolfshack acknowledged receipt of the money, despite it not being due or payable, and has since refused to return it. In its summons, Hollard claims the Wolfshack…

Hertta Amutenja The rejection of a motion by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament John Louw-Mouton to extend parliament’s session has raised concerns about the efficiency of the National Assembly. Last week, Louw-Mouton submitted the motion without notice, asking that Parliament extend its session to address a backlog of questions from members of parliament (MPs). The motion was rejected after Swapo MPs voted against it.  “So today I move the motion without notice that we extend today’s session so that we can finally make some progress on these questions that were asked. There was an objection by Swapo,…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of urban and rural development is revising municipal bylaws to ensure street vendors in Windhoek and other towns are legally recognised and protected.  According to urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, the move follows ongoing conflicts with law enforcement authorities. Sankwasa was responding in Parliament to questions from Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo of the Popular Democratic Movement, last week, about tensions between municipal police and street vendors.  Mbinge-Tjeundo asked what steps the government is taking to harmonise municipal bylaws with the constitutional rights of informal traders and whether urban regulations unjustly criminalise poverty. “All decisions and actions…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The newly launched Nanso Veterans Association (NVA) has pledged to promote the welfare of its members and contribute to building a just and inclusive Namibian society. The association was launched over the week at Döbra, on the outskirts of Windhoek. NVA’s president George Mayumbelo said the association would also focus on improving the lives of former student activists.  “The NVA will promote the welfare of the veterans and contribute positively to the realisation of a just and inclusive Namibian society,” he said. The association brings together former members of the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso), recognising their role…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged partners and investors to support Namibia’s efforts to empower young people through sport, skills development, and innovation.  She made the call on Sunday at a luncheon consultation on the revitalisation of national youth centres in New York, United States.  The event was held as a side event ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly high-level week, where Nandi-Ndaitwah is leading the Namibian delegation. Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia is committed to holistic youth development as a pathway to inclusive prosperity.  “I wish to invite our partners to support our government initiatives…

Renthia Kaimbi Vice president Lucia Witbooi has warned that gender-based violence and rising suicide cases are rooted in unhealthy power dynamics and harmful cultural norms.  Speaking at the opening of the 8th session of the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners, Witbooi called for men and women to work together to challenge traditions that promote dominance and violence.  The session, which brings together 42 delegates from all 14 regions of Namibia, is being held under the theme “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Sustainable Support and Services for Rural Women and Men.” “Together, as men and women, let us analyse, challenge and…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for fair trade rules and a balanced international financial system that do not put Africa “at the bottom of the ladder”. Speaking on Sunday in New York on a panel at the Unstoppable Africa 2025 conference, she said global trade must benefit all citizens of the world, including Africans. “What is required is that we need a fair and balanced international financial system that should not discriminate between Africa and the other continents in the globe. And then also, we need fair trade rules. There should not be rules which are meant to…