Featured – Page 46 – Windhoek Observer

17 Mar

Independence celebratory theme unveiled

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché With only three days left until Namibia celebrates its 35th Independence Day, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology revealed the official celebratory theme and logo for the next five years. The ministry’s executive director, Audrin Mathe in a statement on Monday announced the theme, “Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future” and said it reflects the nation’s commitment to unity, development, and progress. Speaking at the unveiling, Mathe said that the theme reinforces the collective responsibility to build a stronger, more prosperous nation. He added that the new logo is aimed at inspiring Namibians to continue working towards…

12 Mar

Spilling the beans led to recovery of N$3.4 million

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) recovered N$3.4 million after receiving information from whistleblowers through its Spill the Beans hotline. According to Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, the spokesperson of NamRA, the whistle blower platform was launched in partnership with Deloitte Namibia in May 2024 “The initiative has been instrumental in enhancing transparency and accountability within the country's tax system,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday. He added that since its inception, Spill the Beans has received 60 reports addressing concerns such as fraud, corruption, tax evasion, alleged money laundering, drug smuggling, and unethical behaviour. “These reports have led to…

10 Mar

Heavy rains damage roads in Omusati

Featured, National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Heavy rainfall in the Omusati region over the past few days has caused damage to roads and raised concerns over accessibility and safety. Omusati regional governor, Erginus Endjala said the region has received substantial amounts of rain, impacting several key roads. "The road between Onaanda and Okalyi has been completely wiped away by the rain. The Etayi gravel road, which connects to the tarred road, also has areas that are inaccessible," he said. Endjala added that most gravel roads in the region are in poor condition following the rainfall. "Once they get wet, one needs to drive with…

10 Mar

Green Hydrogen Programme open to criticism

Energy, Featured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGHP) welcomes constructive criticism regarding the industry. NGHP spokesperson, Jona Musheko said this on Monday following an incident involving veteran journalist Jemima Beukes, who is being disciplined by her employer, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) for excessively negative reporting on last year’s Global African Hydrogen Summit. Musheko said the organisation has not issued any directives on how journalists should report on green hydrogen initiatives. “We have not issued any formal complaints regarding the journalist in question or any other reporters. Furthermore, we have no concerns regarding perceived negative reporting on the sector,” said Musheko.…

10 Mar

S&T rates for public servants increased

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché Public servants can look forward to an increase in their Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), commonly referred to as S&Ts, effective from 1 April. The announcement was made by I-Ben Nashandi, the executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), during the official opening of the institution’s annual planning workshop currently underway in Swakopmund. Nashandi said the adjustment in S&T rates has not been finalised yet but that it is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance employee welfare and performance within the public sector. He also stressed the importance of embracing technological advancements and innovative…

06 Mar

Leprosy stigma fades in Zambezi region

Featured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo For decades, leprosy, or Hansen’s disease’s deep-seated stigma, extended beyond death in the Zambezi Region. Those affected by the disease often faced exile, isolation, and indignity even in death. Sibbinda Constituency Councillor Micky Lukaezi recalls the story of a man, a victim of leprosy, who was denied a traditional burial due to cultural stigmas associated with the disease. “He was taken to the forest as it was against cultural beliefs to bury people suffering from the disease in the same way as others. The belief was that those with leprosy could not be buried in the same manner…

06 Mar

Tackling poor sanitation is a critical step toward a healthier cleaner and, more prosperous Namibia

Featured, Opinions

Wayambekange N Hamufenhu Sanitation is often overlooked and remains largely invisible to many, yet it has far-reaching consequences. We face an invisible enemy that impacts millions of Namibians daily: “inadequate sanitation”. Despite the undeniable connection between sanitation and improvements in public health, economic productivity, education, and environmental sustainability, this critical issue remains underfunded, overlooked, and inadequately addressed. For Namibia to secure a prosperous future, it must recognize sanitation not just as an infrastructure need but as a foundational pillar of development. The country must confront this issue head-on by investing more resources and adopting a multisectoral approach to tackle the…

03 Mar

Governors to remain in office until sworn in as MPs

Featured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo Regional governors who will be going to the National Assembly will not be required to resign until they are sworn in as new members of parliament on 21 March. Governors going to parliament are Sirrka Ausiku of Kavango West, Salomon April of Hardap, Marius Sheya of Kunene and James Uerikua of Otjozondjupa regions. The spokesperson of the Namibian Presidency, Alfredo Hengari, on Monday told the Windhoek Observer that regional governors are appointed in their positions and they are not expected to resign. “Governors are politically appointed and they do not need to resign to take up their parliamentary…

03 Mar

The Legacy of Sacrifice

Featured, Opinions

Mirjam Shihepo “My country, I have become a stranger in the country of my birth; now I find myself a stranger in a strange country. My country we are struggling for you, sacrificing for you, our lives, our strengths, and everything we got… ama tukondjere ove (While we are fighting for you).” These stirring lyrics from Jackson Kaujeua’s iconic song “Shilongo Shetu” resonate profoundly as I reflect on the legacy of our selfless Founding Father, His Excellency Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma. The words evoke Namibian culture, the wind of change, and the sacrifices that paved the way for our freedom.…

27 Feb

Swapo commemorates Nujoma’s legacy with statue

Featured, Main

Allexer Namundjembo Swapo unveiled a statue of founding President Sam Nujoma and named a square after him at the party’s headquarters on Thursday. The new Nujoma statue was revealed during a brief stop by the procession carrying his body. There are three other statues of Nujoma in Windhoek: One on top of the Swapo headquarters, one at the Genocide Memorial, and another at the Independence Memorial Museum. At the Independence Memorial Museum, Nujoma’s bronze statue faces the capital city, holding a copy of the Namibian Constitution. Swapo’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the new statue honours Nujoma as the…