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NaCC suffers N$65m loss in three years

NaCC suffers N$65m loss in three years

Justicia Shipena  The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has recorded losses of N$65 million over the past three years.  It lost N$20.9 million in 2023, N$18.5 million in 2024, and N$25.6 million in 2025. Auditor general Junias Kandjeke revealed the latest loss in his latest audit report on the NaCC for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. Despite the repeated shortfalls, the commission maintains that it remains financially stable.  “The commissioners believe that the commission has adequate financial resources through the grant allocation to continue in operation for the foreseeable future,” the report stated. Despite these losses, Kandjeke said NaCC…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Last month, Namibia lost a legendary icon: Ras Sheehama. Beyond doubt, he was one of the very best among us. He didn’t just make music but used it as a vehicle for political awareness and encouragement. He spoke for the marginalised, challenged the status quo and really just made sure you were having a good time while listening to his music. His talent was undeniable, his influence profound, and his loss is truly a national tragedy. When news broke that he had died by suicide, the nation collectively mourned. Social media lit up with shock and grief, but also with…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Why the land bill matters for young people 

YOUNG OBSERVER | Why the land bill matters for young people 

On 30 September 2025, the minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, tabled the motion for a comprehensive land bill.  The bill seeks to overhaul Namibia’s land management framework. It proposes the creation of communal land boards and a Communal Land Development Fund, sets rules for demarcating and allocating communal land and clarifies the roles of chiefs, traditional authorities and land committees. It continues key institutions such as the Land Reform Advisory Commission, the Land Acquisition and Development Fund, and the Lands Tribunal. On commercial land, it gives the state a preferential right to purchase farmland, empowers…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Beyond the brush: A conversation with Lydia Matheus 

YOUNG OBSERVER | Beyond the brush: A conversation with Lydia Matheus 

Lydia Matheus, widely recognised as Beauty by Carita, is a popular name in the Namibian beauty scene. With her artistry, she doesn’t just apply makeup; she inspires confidence, creativity and self-expression for every client who sits in her chair. As a young creative making her mark, Lydia’s trajectory is one of passion, precision, and purpose. In this Young Observer spotlight, we explore both the vision behind her craft and the path she has walked.  Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the makeup business? A: My name is Lydia, popularly known as…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | President Nandi-Ndaitwah at the United Nations: Why NamYouth should pay attention

YOUNG OBSERVER | President Nandi-Ndaitwah at the United Nations: Why NamYouth should pay attention

In a poll, many of you told the Young Observer what you expected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to include in her maiden speech before the United Nations General Assembly on 24 September 2025; you hoped she would focus on Namibia’s economic and development priorities and give attention to youth empowerment and employment. On that day in New York, she delivered a speech that carried both symbolic resonance and concrete policy ambition. For young Namibians, it signals not only promise but also responsibility. The speech opened with history and humility. Nandi‑Ndaitwah reminded the world that Namibia’s independence, achieved through the tireless petitions…
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‘Etosha fire was not an accident’ – Daniel 

‘Etosha fire was not an accident’ – Daniel 

Justicia Shipena Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel says the recent fire in Etosha National Park was no accident and was started by someone. “Fire doesn’t just emerge from nowhere. Somebody has started it, and I’m sure if he has got his right mind, he can feel the same and the damage that he has caused, not only to Etosha National Park, but to the whole Namibian nation,” she said on Thursday during a press conference at the ministry's offices.  She stressed that Etosha is Namibia’s flagship park, adding that to have it destroyed like that, and definitely by someone,…
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Government moves to secure new beef markets

Government moves to secure new beef markets

Justicia  The government is engaging in bilateral discussions to secure and expand access to international beef markets, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told farmers in the Omaheke Region this week.  She said the efforts aim to help commercial farmers increase earnings from cattle farming while improving living standards for Namibians. “The government is deeply aware of the various challenges faced by the farmers. These challenges include diseases affecting cattle, the devastating impact of drought on livestock survival, persistent water scarcity, the scourge of cattle theft, and the ongoing need for improved market access,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah reassured farmers about the measures already…
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Okahandja-Von Bach wildfire contained

Okahandja-Von Bach wildfire contained

Renthia Kaimbi A veldfire threatened the Okahandja–Von Bach corridor on Wednesday night, moving down a mountain slope toward a junction that connects Okahandja and Ovitoto.  The fire broke out around 20h00 and prompted an immediate emergency response. Firefighting teams carried out back-burning operations along the roadside to create containment lines.  Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), Von Bach Park staff, private landowners, and the Okahandja Municipality worked through the night to control the blaze. By Thursday morning the fire was under control.  “By this morning (Thursday), the fire had been successfully…
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SADC workshop warns of health risks from climate shocks

SADC workshop warns of health risks from climate shocks

Moses Magadza  Participants at a capacity-building workshop underway in Johannesburg have warned that worsening climate shocks are undermining healthcare systems across Southern Africa, with women, adolescents, and vulnerable groups bearing the brunt. The SADC Parliamentary Forum, supported by Sweden, convened the workshop that began on Monday, focusing on strengthening evidence-based policymaking in parliament by integrating the connections between climate change, health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).  Through interactive group discussions, delegates examined how droughts, floods, and heatwaves are disrupting SRHR service delivery and reviewed the extent to which national climate frameworks integrate health, gender, and SRHR. Their…
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Namibia steps boldly into the future with robotic retail innovation

This past week marked a watershed moment for Namibia’s business and technology sectors. The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, under the leadership of Executive Chairman Sven Thieme, unveiled the country’s first-ever robotic shopping assistant. It is a first not just for O&L but for Namibia, and indeed, a significant milestone that positions our nation squarely on the map of African and global retail innovation. In a world rapidly moving toward automation and AI-driven customer service, Namibia’s debut of a robotic retail assistant is more than a tech novelty; it is a bold statement of intent. It signals a future-ready mindset,…
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