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Martin Endjala The chief executive officer of August 26 Holdings, Ndajoina Shalumbu, has been suspended. On Friday, Board chairperson Brigadier General Fillimon Shafashike confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer. “I confirm that the CEO has been suspended in line with our governance processes,” said Shafashike. Shalumbu was suspended with immediate effect and Fanuel Haikuti is the appointed interim CEO. “This is a precautionary measure and does not imply any finding of misconduct or guilt. During this suspension, he remains entitled to all contractual benefits,” said Shafashike. The alleged fabrication of a quote for N$8 million in spare car parts for…

Ester Mbathera The dissolution process of Namibia Post and Telecom Holdings (NPTH) has commenced. The entity is expected to cease operations on 31 December. It is not clear why the company is ceasing operation when it has reported achieved a group revenue of N$5.3 billion with a consolidated net profit of N$1 billion for the 2022/23 financial year. This dismantling of the company follows the enactment of the Post and Telecommunications Companies Establishment Amendment Act of 2020, which came into force on 19 August. This process was initiated following a Cabinet decision in July 2014. The Dismantling Act (Act No.…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have condemned any form of electoral manipulation, including extending voting days from Wednesday to Saturday due to logistical challenges in the just-ended presidential and national assembly election in Namibia. “The will of the people must be respected, and no amount of manipulation should be allowed to undermine their voice,” reads a statement issued by Julius Malema’s party on Tuesday. The EFF has pledged to monitor developments and support efforts to address irregularities, calling for transparency, fairness, and true democracy in Namibia. It has expressed concern over the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN)…

Ester Mbathera, Mallex Shipanga and Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia has entered a historic era with the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, aged 72, as the country's first female and fifth president. Having served as the country's deputy minister of foreign affairs, minister of information and broadcasting, minister of women and child welfare, minister of environment and tourism, deputy prime minister, minister of international relations and cooperation, and now as the vice president. Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 638 560 votes from 121 constituencies. In her acceptance speech, president-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked Namibians for their trust and outlined her vision for the country. She emphasised her commitment…

Ester Mbathera Congratulatory messages have started to pour in for Swapo’s presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was leading the polls in the presidential race with 249 158 votes by 19h00 on Monday. The closest contender, Panduleni Itula had 126 935 votes. The messages are coming from liberation movements and women's organisations from the African continent before the final election results have been officially declared. The president of the Socialist Party in Zambia, Fred M'membe, used his X account to congratulate Nandi-Ndaitwah. “The Namibian people have voted, and congratulations are due to you, Comrade President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Your remarkable victory symbolises…

Ester Mbathera Leading political analysts have expressed concerns about the elections that finally concluded on Saturday evening Analysts Rui Tyitende, Joseph Diescho, and Henning Melber have criticised the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and questioned the legitimacy of the process. The trio called for urgent reforms, including the removal of ECN commissioners as well as the establishment of an electoral framework that ensures accountability, fairness, and public trust. Tyitende explained the flaws in the appointment and accountability mechanisms of the ECN. “There needs to be serious discussion about the involvement of the president in the appointment of commissioners. Can someone,…

Ester Mbathera & Martin Endjala Political Analyst Rui Tyitende has described the ongoing presidential and national assembly elections as the worst in the history of post-Apartheid Namibia. “Considering the widespread chaos across the polling stations, one can only deduce that this was either choreographed chaos or gross incompetence, or a combination of both,” he said. The ECN leadership informed the public that they were ready for the elections but the evidence suggests otherwise. On election day many people could not cast their votes because of many logistical issues at polling stations. “It appears as if they prepared everything this week,…

Mallex Shipanga and Moses Magadza Monday marked the beginning of the international campaign of 16 Days of Activism opposing violence against women and children. This annual United Nations initiative runs from 25 November to 10 December. The UN Women Desk estimates that 736 million women, or 30% of women aged 15 and older, have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives. “This figure does not include sexual harassment. Women who have experienced violence are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and HIV,…

Johnathan Beukes Given Namibia’s increasing international importance, considering its strategic location, its standing in the region, and its potential newfound oil wealth, the southern African nation’s Presidential and National Assembly elections this week will be watched keenly across the planet. Wednesday’s elections, amidst a rapidly changing political milieu internationally and in Southern Africa. While the focus in recent weeks has hinted at the possible strong-arm tactics or even interference by regional players, Namibians, especially the youth, have been at least urged to vote in their own interest. Currently, new political, ideological, economic, and military alliances are being formed. These are…