Blog – Page 56 – Windhoek Observer

15 Sep

Luanda to host infrastructure financing summit

Observer Money

Staff Writer The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Angolan government, will host Africa’s biggest infrastructure financing summit from 28 to 31 October 2025 in Luanda. The event follows the momentum of previous gatherings, including the 2023 Dakar Infrastructure Financing Summit. It forms part of a continental effort to unlock investments and partnerships in support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 infrastructure goals under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). The summit comes at a time when Africa faces an annual infrastructure financing gap of more than US$100 billion…

15 Sep

Clarifying what a policy is and what it is not: The National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy

Featured, Opinions

Mutindi Lydia Jacobs As the Ministry of Industries Mines and Energy (MIME) continues it’s nationwide consultations on the draft National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy, a critical public debate has emerged. Some stakeholders have voiced concerns over the policy's perceived lack of teeth, specifically its absence of penalties and a concrete institutional framework. This criticism, while understandable, stems from a common misconception about the fundamental difference between a government policy and a law. Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone wishing to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of Namibia's promising oil and gas sector. The Blueprint vs. The Building: What…

15 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | A silent emergency: burn-out among Namibia’s medical interns demands urgent action

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s hospitals are quietly facing a crisis that could shape the future of our entire health system. The nation’s medical interns, young doctors in the most formative and vulnerable stage of their careers, are burning out. They are working marathon shifts that stretch far beyond reasonable limits, often without adequate compensation or structured mental-health support. This is not merely an unfortunate rite of passage; it is a dangerous pattern that threatens the interns themselves, the patients they serve, and the very pipeline of Namibian doctors we rely on to care for future generations. Internship is meant to be demanding. These…

12 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | Yellow September

Featured, Uncategorised

On 10 September every year, we recognise World Suicide Prevention Day, which is aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma and promoting dialogue on the matter of suicide. Although not a consensus through an international organisation, for example, in most countries September is designated as Suicide Prevention Month; this goes beyond awareness to honour those whom we’ve lost to suicide and encourage others to simply hold on. A stark and shocking contrast, therefore, is that in a month where all that surrounds us is supposed to help or at least intended to do so, even if to a degree, Namibia has…

12 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | Why stashing cash isn’t enough: A Gen Z guide to building real wealth

Featured, Opinions

Janet Washamba Haufiku : Data analyst and writer You’re 25, and your first pay cheque just landed. Your mind races: should you finally buy that dress you’ve been longing for? Send your mother a gift that says, “I appreciate you more than words”? Or maybe take that long-overdue trip to the coast and finally relax? That first pay cheque hits like dynamite; suddenly, Europe feels within reach, dinner at your favourite restaurant is doable, and even that $15,000 apartment in Kleine Kuppe doesn’t seem so far away. But just like real dynamite, money is powerful and needs careful handling. Spend…

12 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | Editorial: Why Young Voices Matter in Building Namibia’s Future

Featured, Uncategorised

On 26 August 2025, Namibia commemorated Heroes Day for the 35th time since independence. That day is a stark reminder of the path we have taken to be the bouncing democracy we are today and further, of the contribution made by young people towards the attainment of independence. Greenwell Matongo, Tobias Hainyeko, John ya Otto Nankudhu, and Patrick ‘Lungada’ Iyambo – these are all names that are familiar in every Namibian household for their participation in the liberation struggle. One interesting fact about each of these men and women is that they were all under the age of 35 when…

12 Sep

‘Investigate the Central Medical Stores’ – Dr Ndume

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Renowned ophthalmologist Helena Ndume has called for investigations into the Central Medical Store (CMS), saying inefficiencies and corruption are blocking access to essential medicines. She made the call at Onandjokwe Hospital in Oniipa on Thursday, where she is leading a campaign to restore sight to 500 patients. CMS serves as Namibia’s main warehouse and distribution hub for medicines and related supplies to public health facilities across the country. “I am putting my head on the chopping board, but I have to say this. Something has to be done at the Central Medical Store. Investigations have to be done.…

12 Sep

AR MPs lock horns with speaker in Parliament

Main

Allexer Namundjembo The National Assembly descended into chaos on Thursday after Affirmative Repositioning (AR) parliamentarian Tuhafeni Kalola was forcibly removed from the chamber on the orders of speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Kalola was escorted out by parliamentary security after refusing to take his seat when instructed by Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. He had attempted to raise a point of privilege without recognition, sparking a heated standoff that escalated into physical confrontation. “I insisted that I should be given that privilege to ask for a point of privilege. It is common, and every member of parliament ought to be given that right,” Kalola said afterwards,…

12 Sep

Police tighten firearms control amid regional smuggling concerns

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibian authorities say police and military firearms are now tightly controlled, following past incidents of missing weapons and concerns over smuggling to neighbouring countries. This comes as the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime said Namibian firearms have been smuggled into South Africa and used by gangs. In November 2021, the police reported that 96 firearms, mainly AK47 rifles, were missing from the central depot in Windhoek. After a verification process, the number was revised to 83. A criminal case led to the arrest of six police officers and two civilians. All six officers were working for the…

12 Sep

Alweendo sounds alarm on hydrogen safety and certification

National News

Justicia Shipena Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has warned that Africa’s green hydrogen industry will face pressure points in the next three to five years, particularly in safety, electrolyser commissioning and maintenance, clean-fuel handling at ports, high-voltage grid integration, and certification for export standards. Speaking at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek this week, Alweendo said skills must be treated as core infrastructure. “Skills are infrastructure. Without capable teams, megawatts and clean fuels do not move,” he said. He explained that Africa may have world-class resources, but the real challenge is building and keeping the people who…