Blog – Page 314 – Windhoek Observer

17 Jun

‘Shift towards transparency and citizen engagement’ – Mathe

National News

Niël Terblanché The executive director of ministry of information and communication technology, Audrin Mathe, has called on government public relations officers to prioritise transparency and place citizens at the centre of public service. Speaking at a retreat for government communication officers in Rundu this week, Mathe said effective communication remains one of the biggest challenges in modern governance. “In an era where information travels at the speed of light, where citizens expect immediate access to government services and real-time updates, transparency is not merely a democratic ideal but a fundamental requirement for effective governance,” he said. He stressed that laws…

17 Jun

First rabies case among seals confirmed at Walvis Bay

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia has confirmed its first case of rabies in a Cape fur seal after the death of an infected animal at the Walvis Bay Lagoon on Friday. The ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform said the seal showed signs of aggression and unusual behaviour before it died on Saturday. Laboratory tests conducted in Windhoek on Monday confirmed the presence of the rabies virus. “This is the first case of rabies in a seal reported in Namibia. It is the first known outbreak of rabies in marine mammals in the region and one of the very few…

17 Jun

Strict standards set for NDF recruits

National News

Niël Terblanché Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), has officially opened the 18th Recruit Training Intake at the NDF Training Establishment in Osona, cautioning the recruits that discipline, honour and loyalty are non-negotiable values in their journey as future defenders of the nation. A total of 1,679 recruits, drawn from all 14 regions of Namibia, reported for training. The intake includes 1,303 men and 361 women, as well as 88 drivers and 11 student pilots. Pinehas described the occasion as an opportunity to mould civilians into soldiers capable of safeguarding Namibia’s sovereignty and constitutional obligations.…

17 Jun

MUN still challenging Sinomine’s voluntary separation scheme

National News

Niël Terblanché The Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) has reiterated its opposition to what it describes as disguised retrenchments at the Sinomine Copper Smelter in Tsumeb, following the company’s announcement of a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) affecting up to 650 workers. Speaking after a six-hour meeting with Sinomine management earlier this week, MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the union remained unconvinced by assurances that the VSS is optional and falls outside the scope of Section 34 of the Labour Act. “The chief executive officer of Sinomine confirmed the VSS has been board-approved and is final. Accordingly, the union…

17 Jun

Desert Dash gifts Ovitoto kids with bicycles from proceeds

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Nedbank Namibia has donated 40 bicycles to Beautiful Kidz, a non-profit organisation that supports vulnerable children and their families in Windhoek and Ovitoto. The bicycles, valued at N$40,000, were bought with funds raised during the 2024 Nedbank Desert Dash. Participants and supporters pledged the amount during the event to support Beautiful Kidz. Nedbank Namibia communication manager Selma Kaulinge said the organisation operates from community centres in Windhoek and Ovitoto. “They serve hundreds of children with pre-primary education, tutoring, youth clubs, and holiday camps, and offer outreach and parenting support,” she said. Kaulinge said that the organisation also empowers…

17 Jun

Food prices push up inflation in May

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Food and non-alcoholic beverages remained the main contributors to price increases in May 2025. This is despite a slowdown in the country’s annual inflation rate to 3.5%. This marks a decline from 4.9% recorded in May 2024 and slightly below April’s rate of 3.6%. Consumer prices rose by 0.2% on a monthly basis, unchanged from April. According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the steady rate reflects modest gains in food and alcohol prices, a small rebound in transport costs, and ongoing deflation in housing services. Core inflation stood at 4.1% in May, down from 4.3% in April. …

17 Jun

NFA denies snubbing Premier League sponsor

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has dismissed claims by Debmarine Namibia CEO Willy Martens that its leadership has put personal interests ahead of the welfare of clubs, players, and referees. Speaking at an awards ceremony at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, Martens criticised the NFA leadership for being absent and said sponsors deserve respect and appreciation. “We, at Debmarine Namibia, as a sponsor, did not feel respected and valued by the NFA leadership, especially over the past two years. Only then will we move football forward in this country,” Martens said. He urged the NFA to fast-track the…

17 Jun

#EndGBVNamibia launched while we keep burying our loved ones

Opinions

In early June, the #EndGBVNamibia campaign was launched. I could not attend as I was helping my family prepare to bury my beloved murdered cousin. Slain at the hands of her drunk 'boyfriend and father of her child. Sadly, our family was not the only one making preparations to bury their loved one who had perished at the hands of GBV (Gender Based Violence). Despite the many campaigns, I believe GBV will continue unabated in Namibia. I'm not suggesting the campaigns are useless, but I think all our lives in Namibia have been impacted in some way by now. We…

16 Jun

Restricted Tsumeb tender faces probe demands

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A restricted tender issued by the Tsumeb Municipality for the construction of 31 Build Together housing units in Nomtsoub Extension 8 is under scrutiny. The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has accused the local authority of violating the Public Procurement Act. The N$3.1 million tender was issued on 23 May 2025. AR’s Oshikoto regional activist, Johannes John, claims the tender process was hidden from the public and that a specific company was allegedly preselected to win the contract. “We are taking issue with the manner in which they selected the companies. The Procurement Act says they may only select…

16 Jun

Miss Namibia winner to receive house in NHE-NBC deal

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) has partnered with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Miss Namibia Organisation to award a fully furnished house to the 2025 Miss Namibia winner under a three-year agreement signed on Monday. Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, the NHE Chief Executive Officer, Gisbertus Mukulu, affirmed that the partnership aims to promote affordable housing while empowering young Namibians. “We are indeed proud to be part of a process that will instil a positive economic trajectory to three young Namibians through housing, while three more citizens who will be picked randomly via the Win…