Editorial – Page 6 – Windhoek Observer

18 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Over to you, Selma Ashipala–Musavyi

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warns that the UK may suspend or restrict visas for Namibians, accusing our government of “insufficient cooperation” in accepting the return of failed asylum seekers, she is not speaking in diplomatic platitudes. She means business. And her threat must be answered not with soothing press statements full of generic platitudes, but with bold and strategic leadership from our Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. Mahmood’s blunt language, that the UK will penalise states that “do not play ball”, cuts straight to a hard reality: bilateral cooperation is not a game of polite back-slapping. This…

17 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Quo Vadis, NIPDB?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The impending departure of Nangula Uaandja from the helm of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) marks yet another twist in the turbulent journey of an institution that has, from its very inception, been mired in confusion, political tug-of-war, and chronic uncertainty. As the nation reflects on what this means for investment promotion and economic governance, one uncomfortable truth demands confrontation: Namibia continues to create institutions without the clarity, stability and legislative backbone required for them to thrive. From the moment NIPDB was launched under the administration of the late President Hage Geingob, optimism was tempered by unease.…

14 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia Air: What’s in a name?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When the Cabinet recently announced the launch of a new national carrier under the name Namibia Air, it marked a bold and welcome move by the administration of President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah and her team. At a time when national symbols matter more than ever, the decision sends a signal that Namibia intends to reclaim pride of place in the skies. The return of our national airline taps into something deeply Namibian: the idea of connection, of our country being visible in global skies, of our citizens and stories being carried across continents. That ambition deserves applause. It is a sign…

13 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | The presidency must speak clearly or risk losing the nation’s confidence

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

In a move that sent shockwaves through parliament and beyond, the newly appointed interim minister of Mines, Hon. Frans Kapofi, announced that the government intends to urgently amend the Petroleum Act of 1991. The proposed changes, we are told, would grant significantly greater powers to the President in matters of petroleum licensing and oversight, an area already fraught with political tension and public scrutiny. On the surface, the intention might be practical: to streamline decision-making, enhance accountability at the top, and ensure strategic control over Namibia’s increasingly vital oil and gas sector. But the reaction in Parliament and among the…

12 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Tribalism has no place in the hearts of Namibian youth

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

There are moments in a nation’s story that unite us, moments when pride transcends tribe, language, and region. One such moment is upon us. Johanna Swartbooi, Miss Namibia 2024, is halfway across the world representing our beautiful country at the Miss Universe pageant. She carries not only her grace and intelligence but also the hopes and dreams of an entire nation. Yet, instead of celebrating her achievement, some Namibians have chosen to shame and ridicule her. What a disgrace. In the age of supposed enlightenment, where the Namibian youth are expected to be the torchbearers of progress, inclusion, and unity,…

11 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | An African awakening in the diamond trade: Namibia must match boldness with wisdom

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

A quiet but powerful tremor is shaking the global diamond industry, and this time, it is emanating from Africa itself. Reports that Angola and Botswana are in discussions to acquire or expand ownership of De Beers mark a profound turning point in the continent’s long and complex relationship with its mineral wealth. Even more encouraging, Namibia’s Cabinet has approved plans to pursue a significant stake in De Beers Namibia. This is not mere corporate reshuffling; it is an awakening. For generations, African nations have occupied the lowest rungs of the global resource value chain. We mined and exported, while others…

10 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Are we ready for the floods?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

There’s a running joke that Namibians are surprised by only two things every year: winter and floods. When the temperatures drop, we huddle around heaters, wrap ourselves in blankets, and say to one another, “My goodness, it’s cold.” And when the rains finally arrive, we stare at the rising water levels and say, “The floods are here!” But beneath the humour lies a serious truth, we are rarely ready. Every year, the same cycle repeats itself: warnings go out, rains come, rivers swell, people are displaced, roads are washed away, and after a few months, we move on. Until the…

06 Nov

Namibia’s global triumph: Turning adventure into economic opportunity

Editorial, Observer Money

Namibia’s crowning as Africa’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination at the 2025 Africa Tourism Awards, known as The Balearica Awards, marks a defining moment for the country’s tourism and business landscape. Announced in London on 2 November, the recognition not only celebrates Namibia’s breathtaking natural wonders and commitment to sustainable travel but also reaffirms its growing stature as a world-class adventure destination. With Swakopmund shining at the heart of this victory, Namibia has once again proven that it offers something truly unique: an authentic, exhilarating, and environmentally conscious African experience. The award, presented to the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), is more…

06 Nov

Law and livelihood: Finding balance in our city

Editorial

The recent altercation outside Windhoek Central Hospital between City Police officers and a street vendor has once again placed the spotlight on the growing tension between economic survival and the rule of law in our capital. The video circulating on social media shows several officers struggling with a woman, eventually pulling her to the ground, while a female officer is seen yanking the wig off her head. The footage has provoked widespread anger, raising serious questions about police professionalism, the limits of enforcement, and the dignity with which citizens are treated. Scenes such as these are deeply disturbing. They damage…

06 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | When ignorance masquerades as jokes: Two teens, blackface and the haunting return of a slur

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Last week, two white pupils at a local school performed a grotesque pantomime of racism. They painted their faces black and referred to themselves as “Kaffir 1” and “Kaffir 2, invoking one of the most odious slurs in Namibia’s tortured history. It wasn’t just blackface; it was blackface with the added sting of apartheid’s legacy layered on top. This was not ignorance alone: it was wilful disregard for decency, for history and for the fragile social contract of our post-independence nation. Many in the community demand that the pair be expelled or even criminally charged. The school and the parents…