Main – Page 15 – Windhoek Observer

14 Apr

Opposition demands answers about N$100 million Angolan petroleum deal

Energy, Main

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition political parties are demanding full public disclosure and accountability over the unexplained disappearance of N$100 million linked to a controversial oil and gas project, known as "the Transaction", in Angola Block 15/06. The project involves the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and other partners. More than a year after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an investigation, no official report has been made public. The Landless People’s Movement (LPM), through its spokesperson, Lifalaza Simataa, describes the situation as a pattern of state-owned entities mishandling public funds without consequences. “Large sums of money suspiciously not being recovered, going…

13 Apr

Lüderitz port dispute sparks heritage concerns

Main

Allexer Namundjembo The proposed expansion of the Lüderitz port has reignited deep-rooted tensions over Namibia’s colonial past, with traditional leaders raising concerns about potential disruption to sacred heritage sites around Shark Island. Shark Island, located near the port, was used as a concentration camp during the 1904–1908 genocide under German colonial rule. Thousands of Nama and Ovaherero people were imprisoned and died there under brutal conditions. Today, the site is seen by many as a national symbol of trauma and remembrance. Some traditional leaders from the affected communities have warned that the planned construction could desecrate unmarked graves and disturb…

09 Apr

Etunda Green Scheme boosts maize output

Main

Niël Terblanché The Etunda Green Scheme in the Omusati region has seen a rise in maize yields this year, with production increasing from an average of 7 tonnes per hectare to as much as 11 tonnes per hectare on some fields irrigated by pivot systems. According to acting farm manager Sackey Shilyomunhu, the outstanding turnaround follows much-needed repairs and replacement of equipment that had previously hampered operations. “The transformation is evident across the 450 hectares now allocated to commercial farming and 220 hectares for small-scale farmers—more than double the area under cultivation compared to last year,” he said. “This year,…

08 Apr

Surgeries cancelled due to shortage of general anaesthesia

Main

Hertta-maria Amutenja Elective surgeries at Katutura Intermediate Hospital have been cancelled due to a shortage of both depolarising and nondepolarising muscle relaxants needed for general anaesthesia. In a letter dated 7 April, addressed to heads of surgical departments, the acting head of anaesthesia, Linea Manyalo-Nashima, informed colleagues that the hospital had run out of essential drugs such as suxamethonium, atracurium, and rocuronium. These drugs are critical for muscle relaxation during procedures involving tracheal intubation. “Effective 8 April, all elective cases requiring muscle paralysis would not be carried out until the issue has been resolved,” she said. According to the letter,…

07 Apr

Namib Mills and Namib Poultry accused of stifling competition

Main

Ester Mbathera The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) is taking legal action against Namib Mills and Namib Poultry Industries (NPI) over alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The commission accuses the two companies of refusing to sell specific poultry products, known as tertiary range products, to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These products include soup packs, giblets, necks, hearts, gizzards, heads and feet, liver tubs, and breastbones. “It is alleged that these products are in high demand in the informal sector, where the majority of MSMEs conduct their business. In doing so, the refusal to sell to new and existing MSMEs could be…

06 Apr

NNN prioritises youth over pension increase

Main

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government funds initially earmarked for increasing the old age pension grant will instead be directed towards youth empowerment through investment in sports infrastructure. Speaking at State House during a courtesy meeting with International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she had made the difficult decision to delay the proposed increase in pension grants. “I have to kneel down to my parents, the pensioners, because I have to make a very difficult decision, and I hope they understand me. This time around, my pensioners, can you please understand and allow me to pay…

03 Apr

Trump hits Namibia with 21% trade tariffs

Main

CHAMWE KAIRA The United States has imposed a 21% import tariff on Namibian goods, a move expected to affect key exports such as diamonds, uranium, fish, and beef. U.S. President Donald Trump, in his announcement, cited the long-term decline in U.S. manufacturing as justification. “From 1997 to 2024, the United States lost around five million manufacturing jobs and experienced one of the largest drops in manufacturing employment in history,” he said. Namibia joins a list of African countries now facing higher tariffs on exports to the U.S. These include Lesotho at 50%, Madagascar 47%, Mauritius 40%, Botswana 37%, South Africa…

02 Apr

Ministry merger to eliminate inefficiencies, boost impact – Steenkamp

Main

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts, and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, says the recent merger of two ministries aims to eliminate inefficiencies and improve service delivery by creating a more cohesive and agile institution. Speaking during a meet-and-greet session with staff in Windhoek on Tuesday, Steenkamp said the merger provides a chance to align various sectors under one unified vision while reducing wastage. “The merging of the two ministries has created a synergetic framework with an opportunity to eliminate inefficiencies and wastages,” she said. Steenkamp stressed that successful integration requires deliberate coordination and cooperation across departments and…

01 Apr

Icelandic company ordered to settle with former fishermen

Main

Ester Mbathera Esja Investment (Pty) Ltd has reached a settlement of N$1.8 million with 23 former fishermen who lost their jobs in December 2018. The settlement was finalised in the High Court on 1 April. According to the fishermen’s lawyer, Norman Tjombe, the settlement excludes the 20% annual interest that has accumulated since 2021, amounting to over N$1.7 million. “Esja obviously does not have money, but we will see what we can do,” Tjombe said. As part of the agreement, Esja will pay an initial N$115,000 on or before 1 April, with the remaining N$1.7 million due by 30 April.…

31 Mar

E-visa system nets N$19 million in one month

Main

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has generated N$19 million in less than a month through electronic visas on arrival from foreign travellers who entered Namibia last month. The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, shared the figures on Monday during a ceremony at the ministry’s head office to bid farewell to outgoing minister Albert Kawana and welcome the new minister, Lucia Iipumbu. He said 12 562 travellers applied for and were granted visas on arrival, paying administrative fees that amounted to N$19 million. Maritz said the system behind the electronic visas and visas on arrival…