Windhoek Observer – Page 67 – Windhoek Observer

14 Jul

Police still investigating stolen drought food

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Six cases are under investigation involving individuals accused of stealing food meant for the drought relief programme. The cases,reported in the Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Ohangwena, Kavango West, and Zambezi regions involve people who were entrusted with distributing food during the implementation of the programmme. Prime minister Elijah Ngurare revealed this in parliament recently. In May, three people were arrested in connection with defrauding the Namibian government of over N$4 million in a failed deal involving undelivered drought relief food and appeared in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court. The suspects are Jimmu Simataa, an employee of the Zambezi Regional Council,…

14 Jul

ECN to rent over 1 000 vehicles from public

National NewsECN to rent over 1 000 vehicles from public

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is seeking 1 306 vehicles from private owners across the country. The vehicles will be used during the supplementary registration of voters, set to take place from 4 to 19 August 2025. According to the ECN, the vehicles will assist with voter registration operations in all 14 regions. Omusati requires the most vehicles at 136, followed by Ohangwena with 127, Kunene with 115, and Oshikoto with 111. Khomas and Kavango West need 100 each, while Otjozondjupa requires 85, Kavango East 81, and //Kharas 70. Erongo will need 69, Zambezi 61, Hardap 52,…

14 Jul

Kantema unveils tools to fight child marriage

National NewsEmma Kantema

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of gender equality and child welfare has launched a national campaign to address child marriage. The campaign includes child-friendly materials based on the child care and protection act of 2015. The materials aim to help children, parents, and communities understand the law, especially the provision that prohibits marriage under the age of 18. The campaign was officially launched on 12 June during the Day of the African Child. Minister Emma Kantema announced the initiative in the National Assembly last week. She said the campaign includes posters, pamphlets, videos, social media graphics, booklets, and radio dramas. “Child…

14 Jul

No civilian has right to disarm police – Shikwambi

National NewsNo civilian has right to disarm police – Shikwambi

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, national spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force, said allowing civilians to disarm police officers undermines the law and compromises the officer’s ability to carry out their duties. Shikwambi shared this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer in response to an incident at Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, where the company reportedly demanded that bodyguards of minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Immanuel, surrender their firearms to company security before being allowed entry. The incident occurred last week, during the minister's visit to the Chinese-owned company to inspect a labour dispute. Media reports indicate the…

14 Jul

Windhoek hauls away 1 877 waste loads in clean-up effort

FeaturedMayoral Clean‑Up Campaign

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek has launched its 2025 Mayoral Clean‑Up Campaign under the theme “My Waste, My Responsibility”, calling on residents, businesses, and institutions to help restore Windhoek’s status as Africa’s cleanest capital. Speaking at the launch, Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja said the campaign is not just a one-day event but a citywide effort running until October 2025. It focuses on community-driven waste management and environmental care. She said the initiative aligns with the city’s strategic plan 2022–2027, which promotes collective responsibility for urban cleanliness and public health. Since April 2025, the City has emptied over 5,100 skip…

14 Jul

MIRT denies excluding IPC during Modi visit

National NewsNarendra Modi, Panduleni Itula

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of international relations and trade (MIRT) has dismissed claims by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) that the party’s leader, Panduleni Itula, was excluded from official events during the recent visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. In a statement issued on Thursday, MIRT said Itula was formally invited to attend a state luncheon hosted in Modi’s honour. The ministry called the IPC's accusations “false” and “misleading”. “The Leader of the Opposition Party was invited to the luncheon hosted in honour of His Excellency Narendra Modi. The invitations to both the Leader of the Official Opposition…

13 Jul

Windhoek shoppers pay more for white bread flour

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Residents in the Khomas region paid the highest price for white bread flour in June 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). A 2.5kg bag of white flour costs N$53.21 in Khomas, compared to N$51.99 in southern and eastern regions and N$49.66 in the north. For white cake flour (2.5 kg), the highest price was N$59.19 in the southern and Eastern regions followed by Khomas at N$57.55, while the north recorded the lowest price at N$52.64. This comes as the country's annual inflation rate stood at 3.7% in…

13 Jul

Rundu chiefs unveils new management

Featured, SportsAgrippa Haindondo, Galil Palvin, Namibia Premier League, Rusten Director, Tomas Matias

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Rundu Chiefs Football Club has appointed a new management and technical team following its promotion to the Namibia Premier League for the 2025/26 season. Club chairman Agrippa Haindondo said the new contracts will take effect on 1 September, when preparations for the upcoming top-flight season begin. The appointments follow the club’s registration as a close corporation and an internal restructuring process. “These strategic hires underscore the club's commitment to professional excellence and sustainable growth as it prepares to compete in the Namibia Premier League, following its recent registration as a Close Corporation and a comprehensive internal restructuring. This…

13 Jul

T20 league to shape next cricket stars

SportsAndrew Hall, Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller, Jean Basson, Riaan Grobler

Justicia Shipena The 2025 T20 Franchise Competition is set to identify future talent for the country's high-performance squad and national cricket team. As the country’s top cricket league for clubs, it offers top players a competitive platform to showcase their skills and earn national selection. Cricket Namibia launched the tournament last week, introducing four franchise teams and their sponsors. The matches will be played over the first two weekends of August at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller welcomed the sponsors and praised their investment in the sport. “We are excited and privileged to…

13 Jul

Open water team set for Singapore

SportsMadison Bergh, Nico Esslinger, Reza Westerduin, Riaan Steyn, Tristan Nell, World Aquatic Open Water Championships

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Open Water Swimming team will compete at the World Aquatic Open Water Championships in Singapore, taking place from 15 to 20 July 2025. Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation president Riaan Steyn announced over the weekend that four athletes will represent Namibia. They are Madison Bergh, Reza Westerduin, Tristan Nell, and Nico Esslinger. The team will be accompanied by coach Jörn Diekmann and team manager Angelika Diekmann. Nico Esslinger joined the team in Singapore after arriving from Antibes, France, where he is on a scholarship. He will compete in the 10 km, 5 km, 3 km knockout, and…