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Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Swapo’s decision to endorse Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole candidate for the party presidency while freezing the vice president position until 2027 has raised concerns about internal democracy and leadership succession. Analysts argue that the move suggests a controlled leadership process rather than an open contest, questioning the party’s commitment to democratic principles. Former Swapo Think Tank member and political commentator, Ben Mulongeni criticised the decision, saying it contradicts the principles of democracy.  “Endorsement is not a democratic thing. People know what the constitution says, and the rules state that there must be elections because positions…

Allexer Namundjembo The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), which is affiliated with the ruling party, Swapo, has asked its affiliates to contribute N$15 000 towards the funeral of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma. In a memorandum issued by NUNW General Secretary, Job Muniaro, each affiliate is expected to submit their contributions by the 20th of this month. "Your contributions will go a long way in ensuring that we give our Founding Father a respectful and deserving send-off," the memo stated. When contacted for comments, Muniaro explained that the contributions from affiliates would be used to purchase water. "It…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  A court ruling in the United States of America has secured the continued flow of essential funding for key health programs in Namibia. The executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, confirmed the good news in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. “Every day, basically, there is a new development. The latest development, in essence, says that funding for methods related to the provision of emergency assistance and services for the treatment of co-infections like TB will continue,” said Nangombe. A temporary restraining order issued on 7 February by a U.S.…

Allexer Namundjembo The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and Angola’s ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) have paid tribute to Namibia’s founding father, Sam Nujoma, for his role in supporting the southern African liberation struggle.  This joint recognition reflects the shared history between Angola and Namibia, where both countries faced colonial oppression and fought for their independence from foreign powers. In a press release, UNITA president Adalberto Costa Júnior highlighted how the African liberation struggle united various movements, including UNITA and Swapo, Namibia’s liberation movement led by Nujoma. “Since the beginning of Angola’s…

Allexer Namundjembo Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba has reflected on his final visit with the late founding father, Sam Nujoma, saying he was not shocked when news of Nujoma’s passing broke. Speaking to NBC TV news on Tuesday, Pohamba shared that during his visit to Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek last month, he found Nujoma in critical condition. "Last month, I travelled to Windhoek, and upon arrival, I learnt that my colleague, friend, and comrade had been admitted to the hospital. I went to visit him and found him seriously ill," Pohamba revealed. He added that although he was able…

Ester Mbathera  The 9th of February signalled the end of an era of African liberation giants. Oliver Tambo, Kenneth Kaunda, Julius Mwalimu Nyerere, Robert Mugabe, Samora Machel, Nelson Mandela, and Sam Nujoma have all passed. Political analyst Henning Melber, in an interview with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Sunday, described Nujoma as the personification of Namibian independence.  “Sam Nujoma is an iconic, legendary figure when it comes to the liberation of Namibia. He personified like nobody else the struggle for independence. He was the founding president of Swapo. He was president for almost 50 years. He was a lasting…

Ester Mbathera  At 04h40 on Sunday morning, President Nangolo Mbumba announced the passing of Founding President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, who had been hospitalised for the past three weeks. “Unfortunately, the most gallant son of our land could not recover from illness,” said Mbumba. Nujoma passed away at the age of 95 on 8 February at 23h45 at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek. “Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life during which he served the people of his beloved country. Our Founding Father heroically marshalled the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle until the…

Ester Mbathera  The Namibia Nurses Union has urged the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to take the condition of public hospitals seriously. This follows an order for nurses to return to Katutura Intermediate Hospital from Windhoek Central Hospital, where they had been stationed since March last year due to planned renovations of the Katutura surgical ward. Ruben Uunona from the union expressed concerns about the state of the ward.  “We are hoping that the ministry takes this hospital seriously and renovates it, and if they are renovating it, they should build another new hospital that is at our…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services is engaging the US Embassy regarding a waiver following the US government’s decision to freeze foreign aid, affecting US-funded non-governmental organisations. The ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the embassy to determine the status of aid-dependent programmes.  “We are engaging the US Embassy on the waiver,” he said. The freeze was implemented by US President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid, which led to a 90-day suspension of the USG President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funded HIV/AIDS treatment across the African continent. PEPFAR…

Ester Mbathera  Namibia’s former First Lady, Monica Geingos has extended her thoughts and prayers to the Nujoma family as they face a difficult time. Founding President Sam Nujoma has been hospitalised at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital since last week.  Speaking at the remembrance service of her late husband, President Hage Geingob, at State House on Tuesday, she expressed her empathy and solidarity.  “My heart and empathy are with the Nujoma family right now as they grapple with a lot of what we had to grapple with and we pray for them and we pray for the founding father,” she said.…