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THE TIDE LINE | Mpox in Namibia: A wake-up call, not a cause for panic

Namibia has recorded its first confirmed case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, and while that headline alone may alarm some, this moment should be seen as an opportunity for vigilance, not fear. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has moved swiftly to isolate the patient, begin contact tracing, and activate the national emergency response system. That decisive action deserves commendation. In times like these, calm professionalism matters just as much as medical expertise. Understanding mpox: What we are dealing with Mpox is not new to Africa or to the global health landscape. It’s a zoonotic viral disease,…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | Swakop Uranium donates 1 000 goats and sheep to Erongo farmers

OBSERVER COASTAL | Swakop Uranium donates 1 000 goats and sheep to Erongo farmers

Renthia Kaimbi Swakop Uranium has donated more than 1 000 goats and sheep valued at N$3 million to farming cooperatives in the Erongo Region. The donation is part of its Hope Farm Project, which aims to create sustainable livelihoods for women and youth. The announcement was made during the launch of the company’s 2024 Sustainability Report on Tuesday, where government leaders and industry representatives shared a collective vision for mining as a driver of national development. Erongo governor Natalia |Goagoses said the event reflected strong collaboration between government, industry, and communities.  She praised Swakop Uranium’s continued investment in social development…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | WLSPA advocates value addition in fisheries

OBSERVER COASTAL | WLSPA advocates value addition in fisheries

Renthia Kaimbi The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association (WLSPA) met with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House on Monday to discuss the sustainability and economic transformation of Namibia’s horse mackerel sub-sector. WLSPA chairman Johny Johnson Doëseb said the meeting discussed key issues affecting the horse mackerel subsector within the fisheries industry. The association, representing companies involved in onshore fish landing and processing, used the four-hour closed-door meeting to call for policies that promote value addition, protect existing jobs, and create new employment opportunities, especially for youth and women. “Our discussions focused on value addition, safeguarding existing jobs, and creating sustainable…
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OBSERVER COASTAL | Savva, a man who gave a boy ‘a chance to live’

OBSERVER COASTAL | Savva, a man who gave a boy ‘a chance to live’

Renthia Kaimbi As the Walvis Bay community laid businessman John Savva to rest on Saturday, stories of his quiet generosity revealed the deep personal impact he had on the lives of many. Among them is the Namhadi family, who say Savva gave their son not only life but the chance to live it fully. A decade ago, Martha Namhadi, a camera operator at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), faced a desperate situation when her three-month-old son, Paulus Shilongo Justice Haidula, was diagnosed with a hole in his heart. “My son was at the brink of losing his life, and each…
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Namport strengthens ties with Oshikoto 

Namport strengthens ties with Oshikoto 

Renthia Kaimbi Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) chief executive officer Andrew Kanime hosted Oshikoto governor Sakarias Kathindi and his delegation for a strategic familiarisation visit last Wednesday. The visit aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and give the governor a clearer understanding of Namport’s operations and its role in driving Namibia’s economic development. Discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration in corporate social investment (CSI) to support sustainable projects within the Oshikoto region. The engagement formed part of Kathindi’s broader outreach programme, during which he has been meeting various corporate entities to mobilise support for the region’s key challenges, including a severe…
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Shafudah holds line on spending 

Shafudah holds line on spending 

Chamwe Kaira Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has cautioned that if Namibia does not fix its current spending and debt path, the country’s financial stability measures could be badly affected. She presented the 2025/26 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Tuesday, maintaining the total budget at N$89.4 billion despite slower growth and fiscal pressure. “The baseline scenario, if left unattended, is highly undesirable and will lead to a serious deterioration of key fiscal anchors,” Shafudah said.  “Urgent actions under economic policy measures and expenditure restraint in the medium term will create a more viable and manageable fiscal path.” She said by…
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Baby among first two confirmed mpox cases …third case suspected in Rundu as ministry races to procure vaccines

Baby among first two confirmed mpox cases …third case suspected in Rundu as ministry races to procure vaccines

Justicia Shipena An eight-month-old baby is among two confirmed mpox cases in the country.  Namibia confirmed its first mpox case on Sunday, linked to recent cross-border travel within the SADC region.  The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak after confirming the case in Swakopmund. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao told parliament on Tuesday that the infant is in close contact with the first confirmed patient from Swakopmund.  She said both patients are in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital. Luvindao also disclosed that Rundu Intermediate Hospital has reported a third suspected case.  However, she…
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G4S says Namdia failed to prove ownership of stolen diamonds

G4S says Namdia failed to prove ownership of stolen diamonds

Justicia Shipena The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has not shown ownership or risk of loss over the stolen diamonds, G4S Secure Solutions Namibia has told the High Court.  Namdia is suing G4S for N$314 million in damages after a diamond theft at its headquarters on 18 January. The security company says Namdia's lawsuit is “vague, embarrassing and discloses no cause of action.” In its court papers, G4S filed an exception, arguing that Namdia’s claim lacks essential details about the alleged theft of 446 parcels of diamonds. G4S says the claim does not specify the quantity, grade, carats, quality, or value…
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IPC blames absence of transport bill for deadly road crashes

IPC blames absence of transport bill for deadly road crashes

Allexer Namundjembo The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has blamed the government’s delay in passing the Public Passenger Road Transport Bill for continued road deaths.  This comes after a fatal accident near Oniimbwele village in Oshikoto on Monday, which left nine people dead and ten others injured. IPC’s shadow minister of works and transport, Nelson Tuhafeni Kalangula, said the lack of updated road safety laws and poor road maintenance continue to cost lives.  He said the crash should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to fix Namibia’s unsafe roads. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and…
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MEFT probes poaching of breeding black rhino in Kunene 

MEFT probes poaching of breeding black rhino in Kunene 

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has launched an investigation into the killing of an endangered female black rhino in the Sorris Sorris Conservancy in the Kunene region. MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela confirmed the incident and said officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the poaching.  The rhino, known as Dorsland, was one of the conservancy’s key breeding females and had given birth to up to eight calves since 2015.  At the time of her death, according to reports, she was with a calf and expecting another. “The ministry confirms a poaching incident involving one black rhino…
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