National News

Patience Makwele A fishing company linked to the Swapo Party’s business interests is facing mounting financial pressure after its flagship freezer trawler, Venus 1, was put up for auction following unpaid debts, wage disputes and a string of legal battles. The auction of the vessel, valued at approximately N$65 million, is scheduled to take place in Walvis Bay on 30 June after the High Court granted an application by Standard Bank Namibia to recover millions of dollars owed by Hodago Fishing. According to an auction notice published on 5 June, prospective bidders will be required to make a refundable upfront…

Allexer Namundjembo The Mariental Residents Association (MRA) has withdrawn Daniel Dawid Gariseb as a local authority councillor with immediate effect hours after he was sworn in, citing his expulsion from the association and claiming he was not the rightful candidate on its gazetted list. In a letter dated 8 June 2026 addressed to Mariental municipality chief executive officer Paul Nghiwilepo and seen by the Windhoek Observer, MRA chairman and authorised representative Werner von Watzdorf said Gariseb's swearing-in on Monday morning should be rescinded with immediate effect. Von Watzdorf invoked Section 13(1)(c) of the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992, notifying…

Patience Makwele Namibia has protected only 1.69% of its marine territory, despite committing to an international target requiring countries to place at least 30% of their oceans under conservation by 2030, according to agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister, Inge Zaamwani. The disclosure has highlighted a growing challenge for a country that depends heavily on the ocean for jobs, food security and economic growth, while simultaneously seeking to expand its blue economy ambitions. Speaking at the World Ocean Day commemoration in Windhoek earlier this week, Zaamwani said the latest 2026 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Target Tracker shows Namibia…

Allexer Namundjembo The African Aquaculture Company (AAC) has welcomed Omankete Investment as the first Namibian private investor in its offshore salmon farming project, in a deal valued at N$40 million. AAC last Wednesday said the investment signals the Namibian private sector’s readiness to contribute to the indigenisation and development of the emerging salmon industry, while also reflecting market confidence in the project. The company said it welcomes the investment as part of its drive to harness value for the aquaculture sector and deepen local ownership, aligning with sustainable job opportunities and revenue growth. “We are happy Namibians and Namibian institutions…

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Member of Parliament Nelson Kalangula has criticised the installation of speed humps along the B1 Western Bypass, calling the move reactive and short-sighted after vehicle collisions were reported on the new structures this past weekend. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Monday, Kalangula said the chaos on the roads in recent days is a clear indicator that the current administration's approach to road safety is flawed. He acknowledged that the high number of pedestrian fatalities between the Independence Avenue interchange near Katutura Hospital and Lafrenz, as well as on the A1…

Allexer Namundjembo Sesfontein Constituency Councillor Bernadus //Hoeb is calling for urgent action on road infrastructure, saying the tarred road from Sesfontein to Opuwo is long overdue and should be completed during his term. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer last Tuesday, //Hoeb said the regional council has a procedure to address roads, but he is yet to see a master plan for Kunene. “The specific road from Sesfontein to Opuwo was supposed to be tarred long back in 2016 to 2018. During the budget under the tenure of the late President Hage Geingob, there was a budget cut, and the funds…

Patience Makwele Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has warned that Namibia could face an 84% increase in cancer cases by 2045, as health experts raised concerns over delayed diagnoses, limited rural screening services and growing barriers to treatment. Speaking at the opening of the World Health Organization (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) imPACT Review Mission in Windhoek on Monday, Luvindao described cancer as one of Namibia's most pressing public health threats. According to figures presented by the minister, Namibia recorded approximately 2,200 new cancer cases in 2018. Four years later, that…

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, has said that artificial intelligence can be harnessed for decent work without job losses, provided governments choose retraining over retrenchment. Speaking at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, Immanuel offered an example of how the Social Security Commission had recently introduced digital tools to improve service delivery and accountability. Although the transition directly affected 65 positions, no worker lost their job. “Instead, retraining and upskilling were prioritised, demonstrating our commitment to a human-centred transition,” Immanuel said. Addressing delegates during debates on a report harnessing AI…