Featured – WINDHOEK OBSERVER

31 Mar

Mulunga hauled before investigators of the ACC

ObserverFeaturedMulunga hauled before investigators of the ACC, National Petroleum Corporation (Namcor)

Niël Terblanché Immanuel Mulunga, the Managing Director of the National Petroleum Corporation (Namcor), is set to appear before a panel of Anti-Corruption Commission investigators to attest to N$270 million that was taken from the state-owned company's coffers to invest in offshore oil blocks in Angola.Namcor, as a partner in Sungara Energies, and under the direction of Mulunga has already paid N$170 million as part of a deposit that would give it a working share in three oil blocks off the shore of Namibia’s northern neighbour.Mulunga has allegedly requested that a further N$100 million be paid towards the deposit because the…

31 Mar

Namibia ready for energy investors

ObserverFeaturedNamibia ready for energy investors

Niël Terblanché Over the past year, Namibia has rapidly emerged as one of the most attractive investment destinations in the oil and gas industry worldwide. The accelerated focus on Namibia was brought about by two major oil discoveries made - the Venus and Graff-1 wells - in 2022 by Shell, Total Energies and Qatar Energy. The discoveries were rated as some of the highest value finds globally. Earlier this year, Shell announced a third discovery at its Jonker-1X well which revealed the substantial potential that still lies in Namibia’s offshore oil exploration fields also known as basins. These discoveries have…

31 Mar

Ondangwa waits in vain for a new hospital

ObserverFeaturedOndangwa waits in vain for a new hospital

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Five years since the Cabinet approved the construction of a new referral hospital in Ondangwa in the Oshana region that was supposed to start in 2022, the project has not begun due to financial constraints. Ben Nangombe, The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, said the ministry is looking for financial assistance to launch the project. “It can only be resources that are holding us back. Due to our limited resources, we are looking for funding for this project. I’m not really quite certain when the construction of that hospital will begin. Nevertheless, we…

29 Mar

Prime Minister accused of lying at UN conference

ObserverFeaturedPrime Minister accused of lying at UN conference

Steve Nashama The remarks by Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila the United Nations Water Conference last week on access to portable water in Namibia have brought about questions if what she said was actually true. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in her speech to the congress stated: “Statistics show about 97 percent of citizens in urban areas have access to potable water, while in rural populations, the figure stands at 87 percent,” She made these remarks at the UN conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for the action of water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028, that…

27 Mar

RFA to assist with repair of Walvis Bay roads

ObserverFeaturedN$6, RFA to assist with repair of Walvis Bay roads

Niel Terblanche The transport of high volumes of cargo through Namibia’s main harbour has had a devastating effect on the streets of Walvis Bay. In this regard, the Road Fund Administration has agreed to increase its funding to the Walvis Bay municipality for the maintenance and repair of streets that have been steadily degrading. The Walvis Bay Municipality recently received N$6, 7 million to fund maintenance and repair projects. The Mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes said during the most recent council meeting that the transportation of heavy cargo has had a devastating effect on the drivability of especially streets…

24 Mar

NamRA collects N$55 billion in revenue

ObserverFeaturedNamRA collects N$55 billion in revenue, Steven Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze

Martin Endjala The Namibia Revenue Agency announced a revenue collection of N$55 billion which is an increase from its initial target of N$53 billion for the 2022/23 financial year that ends this month. The announcement was made by the Head of Strategic Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Taxpayer Education and International Relations of NamRA, Steven Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, during a media engagement, where he said that the agency will announce the agency’s final report on its annual revenue results. Ndorokaze said that taxpayers owed the Ministry of Finance about N$70 billion, of which N$15 billion was capital and N$55 billion in revenue was…

24 Mar

Pangolin skin lands two in jail

ObserverFeaturedOshikoto Region, Pangolin skin lands two in jail

Niel Terblanche An intelligence-driven operation earlier this week led to the arrest in the Oshikoto Region of two residents of Windhoek who stand accused of trading in controlled wildlife products. According to a report about the arrest, provided by the commander of the Namibian Police in Oshikoto Region, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, information received by investigators suggested that the two suspects were on their way to the south after completing a transaction where they were seen selling a pangolin skin. In her report, Commissioner Kalompo-Nashikaku stated that intelligence information received indicated that the suspects were heading towards Omuthiya from the north…

23 Mar

My clients are determined to continue fighting – Kadhila

ObserverFeaturedDimbulukeni Nauyoma, Kadhila Amoo, Michael Amushelelo, My clients are determined to continue fighting - Kadhila

Stefanus Nashama Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has expressed disappointment in the arrest of activists Michael Amushelelo, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and Member of Parliament Inna Hengari during the national protest against unemployment. He said his clients were arrested immediately after they assumed the onerous duty to explain and communicate the High Court order to fellow young people who were already gathered at the venue where the protest was supposed to take place in Windhoek. “This was the most responsible thing to do, because the Court pronounced itself and someone had to inform the gathered unemployed youth,” he stated. Amoomo said footage is available…

22 Mar

Karibib Mayor under fire after opening a new betting business

ObserverFeaturedKaribib Mayor under fire after opening a new betting business

Martin Endjala The Mayor of Karibib, Davey van Wyk has come under fire after he reportedly opened a sports betting business, which he is operating in a government building. The business, reportedly situated on the main road of the town, has caused frustration among residents, saying that the mayor’s decision to turn the building, that has not been used for 12 years into his own personal business, is uncalled for. The building used to be a government property used as the town’s library. After some time, the library moved to a different building across the road and has since then…

The Heart of a Paediatric Cardiologist<br>An exclusive interview with Dr. Fenny Fiindje Shidhika

20 Mar

The Heart of a Paediatric Cardiologist
An exclusive interview with Dr. Fenny Fiindje Shidhika

ObserverFeaturedThe Heart of a Paediatric Cardiologist An exclusive interview with Dr. Fenny Fiindje Shidhika

Dr. Fenny Fiindje Shidhika is a Paediatric Cardiologist with intent to build a comprehensive and holistic paediatric cardiac service delivering accessible, affordable, equitable, effective, efficient, quality, timely, safe, and sustainable care to all, irrespective of their individual socio-economic circumstances. She has a profound passion to change the narrative, to direct and influence policy regarding overall healthcare provision in Namibia and internationally. She is currently a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist and Head of Department at the Ministry of Health and Social services Dr Shidhika, what exactly is a Paediatric Cardiologist?That is a specialist paediatrician further sub-specialised in paediatric cardiology. The latter is…