Windhoek Observer – Page 73 – Windhoek Observer

08 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia’s unequal struggle: From recognition to real action

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When Finance Minister Erica Shafudah addressed over 800 delegates and 80 central bank governors at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum in Swakopmund, she did something that deserves recognition: she confronted the uncomfortable truth. Namibia, three decades after independence, remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. The minister did not hide behind slogans or polished talking points. Instead, she acknowledged that inequality, rooted in colonial dispossession and apartheid exclusion, continues to cast a long shadow over our democracy. That candor matters. Too often, governments facing stubborn structural problems resort to denial or distraction. Commending…

05 Sep

Zambezi Regional Council suspends CRO

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The Zambezi Regional Council has suspended its chief regional officer (CRO), Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, the Windhoek Observer has learnt. Her suspension comes amid reports from last week indicating that Regina Ndopu-Lubinda is facing 59 counts in a tender-related corruption case. She was arrested last month by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) along with Linyanti constituency councillor Ivenne Kabunga and Solo Mutelo over the Zambezi Waterfront Tourism Park tender. They were each granted bail of N$50 000 in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court. Contacted for comment on the suspension, Zambezi Regional Council’s chairperson Matengu Simushi said he had no knowledge of…

05 Sep

High Court keeps Linden Beef hanging by a thread

Main

Justicia Shipena The High Court has given Linden Beef Close Corporation, owned by David van der Linden, more time to fight off liquidation. High Court acting judge Andrew Corbett extended the provisional order against the company to 3 October 2025. Van der Linden, who is already linked to the disappearance of 400 Meatco cattle worth about N$7 million from his Linden Beef Feedlot, faces additional financial trouble. Bank Windhoek is seeking to liquidate his company over N$28.8 million in unpaid loans dating back to 2022. A provisional liquidation order was granted in August, but Van der Linden, who has been…

05 Sep

NCBN leaders allegedly cashing in on youth dreams

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The National Collaborative Board of Namibia (NCBN) and its president, Ingashipola Lucas, face allegations of misusing donor funds, faking documents, and covering up internal corruption. An internal letter seen by the Windhoek Observer details claims that millions meant for youth programmes were diverted for personal gain. The letter alleges that senior leadership misused donor funds, forged documents, and engaged in a cover-up. Lucas, who previously served as National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo)’s regional branch administrator in Ohangwena and Oshana, resigned from the party in April. In the same month, he also withdrew his candidacy for the upcoming local…

05 Sep

Youth fund to digitally track youth businesses

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of finance will establish an integrated data platform to track the National Youth Entrepreneurship Fund (NYEF) in real time. Minister of finance Ericah Shafudah announced the plan during a briefing to the National Assembly this week. “This platform will enable real-time monitoring, improve decision-making, and ensure that the Fund remains adaptive and responsive to the needs of the youth segment,” Shafudah said. The system will link all development finance institutions (DFIs) responsible for disbursing funds, including the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank), and the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF). Namibia Post…

05 Sep

Japan donates ambulances as shortages persist

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Japanese government has donated three fully equipped truck ambulances to Namibia’s ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) to strengthen emergency medical response. The handover took place in Windhoek on Thursday. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the donation comes at a critical time when many regions continue to face ambulance shortages. “An ambulance is more than just a vehicle; it represents hope, urgency, and the ability to save lives when every second matters,” Luvindao said. She described the donation as “a gift of health, dignity, and renewed strength for our emergency medical system.” The ministry confirmed…

05 Sep

Hamutumwa scammed by fake student plea

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ohangwena regional governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has revealed that she was recently defrauded through an eWallet scam. Speaking during a community engagement at Endola on Thursday, Hamutumwa said she was contacted by someone claiming to be a student stranded in Namibia after attending their father’s funeral. The individual said they were studying at Cavendish University in Zambia and needed money to return. “The person texted me saying they came to Namibia for the father’s funeral, and the family was not willing to assist with funds for going back,” Hamutumwa said. “At first, I ignored the messages, but the…

05 Sep

Education ministry confirms site for Ndama East school

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of education has confirmed that land has been allocated for the construction of a new school for learners of Ndama East Primary School in Rundu. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the education executive director, Erastus Haitengela, said consultations were held with the community before the Ndama South site was legally allocated by the Rundu Town Council. The site measures 75 000 square metres. “In contrast, the currently occupied ground is not legally registered. The two sites are 900 metres apart, which falls within the accepted planning standards for school establishment,” Haitengela said. The announcement…

05 Sep

City warns against disruptions at public meetings

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has warned against disruptions at its 2025/2026 public meetings, saying the gatherings are meant for dialogue on service delivery and development, not political lobbying. The first meeting was held on 3 September at the Rocky Crest Multi-Purpose Centre for the Windhoek West Constituency. According to the municipality, most residents engaged constructively, but “a few individuals deliberately attempted to disrupt the proceedings.” “These meetings are convened to provide a platform for open engagement between the council and the community on developmental and service delivery matters, not as an avenue for lobbying or political campaigning,” the…

05 Sep

Swedish envoy visits SADC Parliamentary Forum

National News

Moses Magadza The newly appointed minister counsellor and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria, Kristian Olsson Selerud, has hailed parliaments in the SADC region as the “beating hearts of democracy”. He spoke on Tuesday during his first official visit to the secretariat of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Windhoek, Namibia. “If our parliaments don’t function, neither the executive nor the judiciary can do their work. Parliamentarians are there to represent and serve the people, and their role is indispensable,” Selerud told SADC PF staff at the Forum’s Secretariat and project…