National News – Page 103 – Windhoek Observer

16 Jul

Ministry warns of risks to gender policy implementation

National Newsgender policy

Hertta-Maria Amutenja As the country prepares to implement its third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy (NGEEP) for 2025 to 2035, the ministry of gender equality and child welfare has flagged several risks that could undermine progress. Speaking at the Women in Politics and Decision Making roundtable held from 15 to 18 July in Swakopmund, executive director Lydia Indombo highlighted several threats to gender equality efforts. These include an unfavourable economic climate, limited budget allocations, staff turnover, a lack of stakeholder cooperation, and the withdrawal of development partners. She also cited the rise in gender-based violence, lack of shelters for…

16 Jul

State pressed to drop charge against Elindi over wrong account

National NewsMalakia Elindi

Justicia Shipena Businessman Peter Elindi’s legal team has threatened to approach the High Court if the state does not withdraw a charge related to alleged proceeds of unlawful activity by today. Peter is one of the accused in the ongoing N$480 million Namcor corruption case. While testifying during his bail application at the Windhoek Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Peter told the court that the charge is based on mistaken identity. The state alleges that on 19 July 2020, near Windhoek, Peter knew or ought to have known that N$1.5 million paid into a Bank Windhoek account from Onyeka Clearing and…

16 Jul

PSC dreams a unified desk for SADC

National NewsSalmaan Jacobs

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Public Service Commission chairperson Salmaan Jacobs has proposed that Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states formalise cooperation in staff exchange and secondment programmes. Jacobs made the proposal during the annual general meeting of the SADC Public Service Commissions (PSCs) Forum, currently underway in Windhoek. He stated that the regional body could support and implement these programmes using collective bargaining standards. He stated that formal agreements between public service commissions were necessary to transform regional commitments into practical actions and protocols for public administration. Jacobs also highlighted the importance of digital platforms for regular engagement. He said digital…

16 Jul

Youth celebrate skills progress

National NewsWorld Youth Skills Day

Allexer Namundjebo Young people across Namibia marked World Youth Skills Day on Tuesday, celebrating ten years since the global initiative was launched to promote skills development for employment, entrepreneurship, and decent work. This year’s theme, “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills”, focused on preparing the next generation for a world shaped by artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Palms For Life Fund, a key player in skills development for marginalised communities, used the occasion to highlight its work with San youth. Over the past four years, the organisation has helped train more than 1,300 young people through community-based centres and…

14 Jul

Weddings off limit in pension purse

National News

Justicia Shipena Members of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) will not be allowed to use their pension savings to pay for weddings. GIPF chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi confirmed this during a press conference on the pension-backed home loan scheme (PBHLS), held on Monday. He said pension savings may also not be used for business ventures or any other non-housing-related expenses. “A member can access that money to finance their wedding; it is not allowed, and we unfortunately will not be able to allow the member to access money for that purpose, nor for other purposes, even including businesses,…

14 Jul

Parliament to subpoena defiant institutions

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Public and private institutions that ignore parliamentary invitations will be subpoenaed. The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources, Tobie Aupindi, warned on Monday. Speaking at the opening of a capacity-building workshop with stakeholders in Swakopmund, Aupindi said the committee's engagements are a constitutional obligation, not a formality or courtesy. “Some institutions think they are doing the committee a favour by attending. No, you are not. Some even send junior staff without executive powers or decision-making authority. That must stop," he said. The committee oversees all matters related to the country's natural resources. It comprises 24…

14 Jul

Top court quashes High Court order in Oniipa land fight

National News

Justicia Shipena The Supreme Court has overturned a High Court ruling that ordered retired school principal and Oniipa resident Matheus Nuuyuni to remove fences he had put up on several plots of land in Oniipa. The court ruled that the Oniipa Town Council failed to prove it had possession of the disputed erven, which is required for a spoliation order. Nuuyuni, who held customary land rights before Oniipa was proclaimed a township, was compensated N$50,280.04 and given erven 115, 116, and 132 as part of a negotiated agreement with the Council. Later, he fenced off additional plots, 114, 117, 118,…

14 Jul

‘State came to court with dirty hands’ – Namandje

National News

Justicia Shipena Defence lawyer Sisa Namandje has accused the state of abusing its power in the multi-million dollar Namcor corruption and bribery case. He argued that the arrests were unnecessary and done to satisfy public pressure, not based on legal grounds. “The state, with respect, came to Court with dirty hands. It used the legal processes for an ulterior purpose. Accordingly, it will be against public policy to assist the state in such circumstances,” Namandje told the Windhoek Magistrates Court on Monday. He is representing businessman Peter Elindi, his brother Malakia Elindi, and Malakia’s wife, Lydia Elindi. The three are…

14 Jul

Luvindao says tobacco quit programmes need improvement

National NewsDr Richard Banda, World Health Organisation

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Health minister Esperance Luvindao says while tobacco cessation programmes exist in Namibia, they are not yet effective or systematic. She made the remarks on Monday, during a parliamentary workshop on tobacco and alcohol tax reforms held in Windhoek. “Cessation is integrated into the substance use disorder treatment programme. However, application is not systematic, and we are committed to finalising the guidelines for tobacco cessation and strengthening the tobacco cessation programme,” Luvindao said. The tobacco product control act of 2010 and its 2014 regulations provide a legal framework for tobacco control, including bans on advertising and health warnings on…

14 Jul

Energy conference rolls out career platform for youth

Energy, National NewsFuture Generations Masterclass, Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, Namibia Youth Energy Forum

Staff Writer The third Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC 2025) will introduce a half-day programme aimed at preparing young Namibians for careers in the country’s energy sector. The new initiative, Future Generations Masterclass, was launched in partnership with the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF). It designed to equip students, graduates, and young professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving oil and gas industry. The conference, which runs from 12 to 15 August in Windhoek, is themed “From Exploration to Action – Positioning Namibia as the Next Energy Frontier”. It will feature global energy leaders, investors,…