Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché The ministry of education has launched a national task force to lead the rollout of free tertiary education at public institutions. The task force will develop a comprehensive roadmap, expected by August 2025, to guide how the subsidy will be phased in. This move follows President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement during her State of the Nation Address in April.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said that starting with the 2026 academic year, tertiary education will be fully subsidised by the government. At the time, Nandi-Ndaitwah said students will no longer have to pay registration or tuition fees at public universities, technical or vocational…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The ministry of agriculture has lifted the ban on the importation and in-transit movement of maize seeds for planting from South Africa.  The director of the ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, announced that the temporary ban was initially imposed after the detection of Goss’s Wilt (Clavibacter michigansis subsp. Nebraskensis) in maize seeds from South Africa.  The ban was a precautionary measure, and Namibia updated its phytosanitary import requirements to reduce the risk of introducing the virus and other harmful plant pathogens. Despite lifting the restriction, the ministry urged importers and stakeholders to remain vigilant and strictly follow the updated phytosanitary…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The 28-year-old Doctor Mbeheva was arrested on Tuesday for giving his minor daughter a hookah pipe, also known as a hubbly bubbly, to smoke. The incident took place on Saturday, 14 June 2025, at an unknown time at a residence in Otjomuise’s 8ste de Laan, Windhoek.  The Namibian Police’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed the arrest and said Mbeheva unlawfully and intentionally induced the child to use a tobacco product or another harmful substance. He was arrested for violating Section 230(1)(b) of the Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015), and Section 18(1)…

Justicia Shipena Six exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs) held by gold mining companies exceeded the legal seven-year renewal limit without ministerial approval.  This is one of several violations uncovered by a government audit released by the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the licenses and operations of QKR Namibia, Navachab Gold Mine, B2Gold Namibia, and Osino Gold Exploration and Mining.  It assessed their compliance with mineral licensing laws between the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 financial years. Auditor general Junias Kandjeke said some companies failed to reduce their exploration areas during renewal as required.  The audit also found weak enforcement of…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) councillor Ivan Skrywer says opposition-led councils will not be forced to implement Swapo’s manifesto or its ideologies. Skrywer, who serves on the City of Windhoek council, was addressing the media on Tuesday when he made this remark.  He was responding to a meeting held last week by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, which the LPM described as intimidation under the guise of consultation. During that meeting, Sankwasa criticised opposition councillors for taking key decisions without ministry approval.  He warned them against working independently, saying he would enforce the law if necessary. Sankwasa…