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Ester Mbathera The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MFPE) has affirmed its support for the continued operation of Meatco despite the company's ongoing financial struggles. This was said by the ministry’s spokesperson, Johnathan Swartz, in an interview with the Windhoek Observer earlier this week. “Considering the historical hurdles, it's evident that achieving profitability or breaking even will require considerable time. Just like steering a large vessel laden with cargo, swift turns are ill-advised, as they may lead to instability. Instead, a methodical approach is necessary to gradually realign its course towards success,” he said. He added that the interim…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Despite denying that he told Swapo supporters to bury opposition leaders, Windhoek Observer has obtained an audio recording of Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Veko Nekundi clearly stating that he wants to see the ‘democratic graves’ of both Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani. He was speaking at a Swapo rally in Emono village, Omusati region, over the weekend. “If we are saying in Emono, where we are, if there is anything breathing opposition parties, it must be buried. On November 27 November when the election results are released, I want to see Itula’s grave here. A grave…

Ester Mbathera Former justice minister Sacky Shanghala says he doesn't wish prison conditions on anyone. He points out the inhumane conditions within the cells, including overcrowding, noise, fights, and illicit drug smuggling, which he says exacerbate health issues. The trial awaiting Shanghala was reflecting on the harsh realities of prison life on Monday when he and his co-accused brought an urgent application to put on hold the transfer of some of them from C Sections to Echo Sections. “Had I known, honestly, in the high position that I occupied before, I probably would have done something about it. It is…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa said the party did not receive the invite to the presidential discussion, and even if it did, there is no assurance of participating. Shaningwa said this on Monday while responding to questions about whether the party will allow its presidential candidate to participate in the presidential discussion taking place in Windhoek on Thursday. The public discussion is organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) to give presidential candidates from all political parties a platform to share their manifestos and plans to address social issues affecting the country. According to a local daily, KAS…

Ester Mbathera Swapo secretary general Sophia Shanigwa declined to divulge the agenda of her recent talks with the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the Chinese Communist Party. Last week, Shaningwa met with MPLA vice president Luisa Pedro Francisco Damiao before travelling to China for further engagements. “My God, Jesus. You think I should report to the media when I am meeting with my sister parties as the secretary general of the Swapo Party,” she said when questioned about these meetings." Shaningwa explained that Swapo operates within a global context, interacting with various nations and political parties.…

Ester Mbathera Late President Hage Geingob's commitment to minimising seafood loss and waste transformation, with the goal of providing more food from the ocean, has come to fruition. This comes after the launch of the Namibia Ocean Cluster, Africa's first initiative with the mission of maximising the use of all seafood harvested. Supported by the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda, this innovative non-profit entity is set to drive significant socio-economic and environmental benefits for the country. Geingob's involvement came from the participation in a high-level panel discussion for a sustainable ocean economy. Pierre le Roux, Seawork's Sales and Marketing…

Niël Terblanché Namibia's livestock sector, a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy, faces a significant divide due to the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF), often referred to as the Redline. The original purpose of this fence, which dates back to the German colonial period in 1896, was to stop the spread of infectious diseases like rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. Spanning approximately 1,250 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean to Botswana, the VCF separates northern Namibia from its central and southern parts. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration, during a fact-finding mission to communal farming areas in the country’s northern…

Niël Terblanché and Martin Endjala Residents of the Zambezi region are calling for the reinstatement of the original boundary between the Zambezi and Kavango East regions. Zambezi residents made the demand during the first public meeting with the Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission, held in Katima Mulilo on Monday. Speaking on behalf of the youth, Simasiku Sikwibele claimed that the Caprivi and Kavango have suffered disrespect. He acknowledged the fact that there are mineral deposits, tourism attraction facilities, and potential within the Bwabwata National Park, which he says does not benefit the people of the Zambezi region. “We are continually…