Blog – Windhoek Observer

19 Sep

NNN’s diplomatic déjà vu

Main

Allexer Namundjembo Education, health, and technology have emerged as top priorities for returning appointed ambassadors. On Thursday, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced a recycle of diplomats who will head missions around the world. The appointments include Tonata Gebhard to China, Monica Nashandi to Russia, Wilbard Hellao to the United States of America, Sophia Nangula to Sweden, Jerobeam Shaanika to Germany, Benjamin Kandanga to Finland, and Sabine Böhlke-Möller to France. Lebbius Tobias was assigned to Cuba, and Sipapela Cletius Sipapela returns to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Elvis Shiweda will represent Namibia in Switzerland. Nandi-Ndaitwah clarified that only retained ambassadors have…

19 Sep

New law blocks cheap auctioning of family homes

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Family homes will no longer be auctioned below market value following the enforcement of the High Court Amendment Act of 2024, which came into effect on 22 August. Justice and labour relations minister Filimon Wise Immanuel told parliament that the reform closes constitutional gaps in the sale of immovable properties to recover debts. He said no property can now be sold in execution without approval from a High Court judge, who must first confirm that a debtor has no sufficient movable assets to cover the debt. “The Amendment Act steps in to restore fairness. It ensures that selling…

19 Sep

Namibian beef to be served in German restaurants

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Premium Namibian beef will soon feature on the menus of Block House restaurants across Germany. The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) announced the development yesterday, describing it as a milestone for the country’s agricultural exports and its growing role in international beef markets. Namibian beef is known for being free-range, grass-fed, and sustainably produced on the country’s farmlands. Namibia remains the only African country approved to export beef to both the United States and the European Union. After two and a half years of preparation, Namibian rump steak will be served as a monthly special at…

19 Sep

Cleanergy to build green ammonia jetty at Walvis Bay

National News

Justicia Shipena Cleanergy Solutions Namibia will establish an ammonia jetty and storage facility at Walvis Bay before scaling up hydrogen and ammonia production for export to South Africa and the European Union (EU), an investment estimated at €3 billion (approximately N$65 billion). On Thursday Cleanergy opened the country's first large-scale solar-powered green hydrogen plant. The project is a joint venture between Belgium’s CMB.Tech and Namibia’s Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group. It will begin by producing ammonia for maritime shipping and supplying a hydrogen refuelling station at Walvis Bay. The station will serve trucks, port equipment, railway applications, and small vessels. …

19 Sep

Govt to monitor oil companies on local content

National News

Justicia Shipena Companies will be monitored to ensure local content promises translate into real benefits, according to the Presidency’s Upstream Petroleum Unit. The deputy head of the unit, Carlo McLeod, said all commitments must give Namibians a fair chance to participate. This commitment comes as the government concluded nationwide consultations on the draft National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy. The consultations, held from 1 to 17 September, engaged leaders and communities across all 14 regions. Governors, councillors, traditional leaders, entrepreneurs, elders, and youth shared views in meetings from Lüderitz to Katima Mulilo. Communities called for the petroleum industry to empower…

19 Sep

Namibia’s focus at UNGA80 may drift from Pact of the Future agenda

National News

Justicia Shipena Political analyst Henning Melber says Namibia has little to offer as a follow-up to the Pact for the Future in the wake of the post-government transition. Last year, Namibia, together with Germany, co-hosted the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future, which led to the adoption of the Pact for the Future during the 79th UN General Assembly. The pact seeks to build a safer, more peaceful, and sustainable world. The summit also adopted the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Melber noted that Namibia’s focus at this year's assembly may shift toward its unique…

19 Sep

Indigenous Knowledge Fair showcases cultural exchange

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Two community representatives from South Africa, Jakob Makai of the !Kung people and Lukas Poemuru of the Khwe community, took part in the Indigenous People’s Knowledge Fair hosted by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust). Their participation was supported by the organisation Palms For Life. The fair ran from 5 to 18 September at Nhoma village, Epupa village and Khorixas. It brought together 12 indigenous communities from different countries for 12 days of cultural exchange, dialogue and learning. Vice President Lucia Witbooi welcomed the participants at Naankuse on Thursday. “Indigenous people bring ecological and economic contributions,…

19 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | #Unmuted

Featured, Opinions

On the 16 September 2025, prime minister Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare announced through social media that “ministry of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture and the ministry of health and social services entered a memorandum of understanding with the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) to facilitate TVET trainees repairing schools, clinics, construction of sanitation facilities, classrooms, etc. Other OMAs will follow suit.” In 2024, the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) launched a programme called Fix My School, which also aimed at partnering with technical and vocational training trainees to improve the dilapidated state of schools, which is a reality they discovered…

19 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | Should Namibia consider mandatory paternity testing?

Featured, Opinions

It has been a dark and long week here in our beautiful Republic. From news of horrendous child murders in the growing battles for paternity to the ever-present gender-based violence cases, the question that has begged for response is whether it is time for Namibia to introduce mandatory paternity testing. This has become a clarion call that is viewed as a redeeming act to prevent crimes often termed as passionate and also to safeguard men from the emotional trauma that comes with caring for children who are not theirs biologically. In terms of benchmarking, it is important to highlight that…

19 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | Balancing experience and renewal in Namibia’s diplomatic corps

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s latest round of ambassadorial appointments has ignited a lively national debate. All of the new envoys are seasoned diplomats, many of them retired, and their average age is noticeably high. For some Namibians, their appointment looks like a closed circle of trusted allies, an old guard rewarding loyalty and preserving networks built during the President’s long tenure as Minister of International Relations. For others, it is simply a pragmatic decision to deploy experienced professionals at a critical time for the country’s foreign policy. Both perspectives hold validity and underscore the intricate balance the President currently needs to…