Blog – Page 40 – Windhoek Observer

07 Aug

Outapi by-election nominations open

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has officially opened the nomination period for the Outapi Constituency by-election in Omusati region. This follows after the post became vacant when former councillor Immanuel Shikongo was appointed governor of the Omusati region. The nomination period began on 5 August 2025 and will close on 18 August for independent candidates and 20 August for political parties. The chief electoral officer of the ECN, Peter Shaama, encouraged all political parties and independent candidates to submit their nominations on time. "The Commission hereby announces the official opening of the nomination period," he said. Nominations…

07 Aug

Charles the Freedom Fighter, Marxist Revolutionary

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro WHO? Of all people, who is likely to give this son of the African soil and internationalist’s rich revolutionary and intellectual credentials the credit it deserves? Yours Truly Ideologically could not but muse and at the same time lament upon the sad news of the passing on of Comrade Charles Kauraisa. As many of his contemporaries, and indeed true comrades-in-arms, have long gone. Jariretundu Kozonguizi, Che Ngaringombe, Moses Katjiuongua, Otniel Ndjoze, Rapata Tjivikua, Ambros Hijatjinguka Kandjii, and Tjatjitua Murangi, to mention but a few of them. Certainly the Angeline Kozonguizis, Rebecca Katjiuonguas, and Ida Virua Pakarae-Kandjous may still…

07 Aug

Namibia’s 51% Mining Ownership Gambit: A Strategic Win or a Populist Trap?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Namibian government’s recent announcement that it will take up a 51% stake in all mining operations came at an interesting time, right in the middle of the Mining Expo, where international investors were visiting the country. The timing was clearly intentional, aimed at signaling a new era of resource nationalism. For many Namibians, the declaration sounded like a long-overdue corrective to decades of foreign dominance in the sector. The applause was loud, and understandably so. Who would not support the idea of Namibians finally owning the wealth beneath their soil? But beneath the rhetoric lies a more complicated reality.…

07 Aug

Beauties FC pleads for CAF funds

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe FNB Women's Super League champions, Beauties Football Club, are appealing for financial support to participate in the upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League. The team was drawn in Group B alongside Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC (South Africa), Ntopwa FC (Malawi), and Zesco Ndola Girls (Zambia). The matches will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 22 to 30 August. . The group winner and runner-up will advance to the next phase of the competition, scheduled for November 2025 in Morocco. Despite receiving N$250 000 for winning the league in May, the club says the amount is insufficient to meet…

06 Aug

SMEs, women, youth to get tender preference

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The government is amending the Public Procurement Act of 2015 by introducing a code of good practices to support inclusive economic growth.The new guidelines will provide preferential treatment to SMEs, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises, and previously disadvantaged individuals.This was announced by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during the third ministerial regional business engagement held in the Zambezi Region on Wednesday.She said the reforms align with the youth empowerment agenda of the eighth administration and form part of a broader strategy to link trade and industrialisation with national development goals.“Our intention is to ensure Namibian goods…

06 Aug

Policy to push 51% slice of mines for locals

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The government is exploring ways to ensure 51% local ownership in new mining ventures. This will be done through a new policy aimed at promoting local empowerment and long-term sustainability.Deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete announced the plan on Tuesday during the opening of the 2025 Mining Expo in Windhoek. “We are actively consulting with industry stakeholders on mechanisms that will promote 51% Namibian ownership in new mining ventures,” said Ithete. He said local empowerment is not only a matter of social justice but also a cornerstone for long-term stability and sustainability…

06 Aug

Fishermen say GRN inaction causing mental distress

National News

Justicia Shipena Former employees of Namsov and Heinaste say they are suffering mental, emotional and physical distress due to the government’s failure to resolve their back pay. The fishermen, supported by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Workers Union (MMMCWU), have threatened to approach the Office of the President and take legal action if their demands are not met by Friday.The group, which is part of the government’s redress programme following the Fishrot scandal, travelled from Walvis Bay to Windhoek and protested outside Government Park on Tuesday. They are demanding that fishing quotas be reallocated to Blue Chromis PTY Ltd,…

06 Aug

Consultation fee is not a bribe — Dunaiski

National News

Justicia Shipena Former Namcor Trading commercial manager Olivia Dunaiski says the N$10 000 payment she received from Venus Technologies CC was unrelated to Namcor business. In an affidavit submitted to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, Dunaiski denied any wrongdoing in the high-profile Namcor fuel corruption case. Dunaiski is seeking bail alongside 10 others who were arrested in the matter, including former managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Immanuel Mulunga. The state alleges that she received a gratification payment from Venus Technologies on 4 August 2022. “The payment was not for any moment in respect of any Namcor…

06 Aug

Windhoek Observer responds to legal threat over published photograph

National News

The Windhoek Observer has taken note of a letter of demand dated 23 July 2025 from Lubbe & Saaiman Incorporated, acting on behalf of businessman Mr Elmo Kaiyamo. The letter demands the removal of a photograph published alongside an article relating to Professor Job Amupanda, as well as a written undertaking to refrain from publishing Mr Kaiyamo’s image in the future. The image in question was taken at a public event, specifically, a book launch attended by several members of the public, including Mr Kaiyamo and Prof. Amupanda. The photograph depicts attendees in a general, non-targeted manner. At no point…

06 Aug

Namibia still not meeting industry skills demand

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti, said Namibia continues to face a mismatch between the skills produced at institutions of high learning and those demanded by industries. He was talking on Tuesday during the launch of the Technical Assistance to Support the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) in Improving the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) offer related to the Green Transition Project. He said the concern is shared by local industry stakeholders, and the ministry as policymakers, who seek practical solutions to address national needs. There is broad consensus that a well-aligned TVET…