National News

Ester Mbathera  In 2024, Namibia experienced approximately 1.1 million cyber attack incidents, notably a significant breach at Telecom Namibia, where 626GB of sensitive data was exposed. A fraud examiner, Melanie Meiring from SoA Growth & Integrity Consulting, in a statement shared recently, said cyber threats are no longer a distant concern for the country.  “They are happening right now, and at an alarming rate,” she said.  These cyber incidents target businesses, government entities, and individuals, and they involve fraud, phishing scams, and ransomware attacks. Despite the rising threats, Namibia has yet to enact the Cybercrime Bill or the Data Protection…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT brought together biodiversity policymakers, scientists, and Indigenous community representatives from six countries to address the pressing challenges of invasive alien species (IAS) and sustainable wildlife use (SU). The ministry is currently hosting the BES-Net Regional Trialogue for East and Southern Africa. The environment ministry’s executive director, Teofilus Nghitila, during the official opening of the Trialogue in Windhoek, stressed the importance of proactive intervention in tackling invasive species. “Invasive alien species are among the top drivers of biodiversity loss globally, with wide-ranging impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. At the…

Ester Mbathera  Namibia has a high number of congenital heart disease (CHD) cases, exceeding the global average of one in 100 births. Windhoek Central Hospital sees about 2 000 patients with heart defects each year. Many children need early diagnosis and treatment, but access to specialised care remains limited. This is according to Dr Fenny Shidhika, a paediatric cardiologist at the Windhoek Central Hospital, as the world observes Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, which started from 7 to 14 February. “The incidence has a direct linear relationship with an increasing birth rate and prevalence, with population density across different regions,”…

Niël Terblanché A baby elephant that the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA)  along with officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism tried to rescue and relocate on Monday to an orphanage died as a result of severe trauma after it was abandoned by its mother. The volunteers from the EHRA confirmed that the elephant calf from the Ugab West herd died, despite the tireless efforts of veterinary professionals and conservation teams who fought to save its life. “The calf was first observed on 11 February 2025. Although it was moving and attempting to drink milk, it had been…

Niël Terblanché Only through bold investments and sustained commitment can Africa overcome the persistent challenge of food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report, 298 million Africans—equivalent to one in five people—faced hunger in 2023. Additional data from 2022 painted an equally concerning picture, with 924.8 million Africans unable to afford a healthy diet, 63.1 million young children suffering from stunting, and 10.2 million children classified as overweight. The burden of malnutrition extends to adults, with 123.9 million classified as obese and 122.7 million women of reproductive age affected…

Niël Terblanché A delegation of farmers from the Kavango West region has acquired crucial agricultural knowledge during a benchmarking visit to Olushandja in the Omusati region. Facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the visit, which took place last Thursday, was led by Sirkka Ausiku, the governor of the Kavango West region. The visit aimed to enhance productivity and resilience among farmers by transferring knowledge of the various production methods used in Namibia. The initiative followed recommendations from the Kavango West Agriculture Conference held in November 2024. Speaking during the visit, Ausiku reiterated the importance…

Allexer Namundjembo With the ongoing water crisis in the Oshikoto region where residents depend on boreholes and wells, the community of Onamishu in Eengodi Constituency has received upgraded wells to improve water supply. Eengodi regional councillor Protasius Neshuku on Monday told Windhoek Observer that the existing wells were modernised last month.  According to him, solar panels and a generator now power the wells to extract water more efficiently. “These are the traditional wells we have been using for ages, but they have been electrified by Rural Water Supply, and now it is an easy and fast process for the residents…

Mallex Shipanga  The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has announced that 100 students will receive free access to the Introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (InSTEM) bridging course at its Eenhana and Lüderitz campuses. Additionally, 30 students will be awarded spots in the Bachelor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Honours program. Ten students will receive scholarships for the Master of Sustainable Energy Systems at the Lüderitz campus. This was said in a statement issued on Monday by the NUST manager for corporate engagement and marketing, Kuda Brandt. "The funding opportunity is a direct investment into our…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Swapo’s central committee has endorsed Vice President and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole candidate for the party’s presidency ahead of the upcoming extraordinary congress. The decision was made during an extraordinary central committee meeting on 15 February. "That Nandi-Ndaitwah, vice president of Swapo Party and president-elect of the Republic of Namibia, in conformity with the tenor and spirit of Resolution 20 of the 7th Congress of the Swapo Party, shall be presented as the sole and unopposed candidate to the extraordinary congress for her election into the position of president, to complete the term left unexpired due…

Moses Magadza  The president of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Justin Tokely, has lauded the late founding president, Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, as a visionary leader whose legacy extends far beyond his nation. Tokely described him as “a beacon of democracy, regional integration, and unity in the SADC region and beyond.”  According to him, Nujoma played a pivotal role in advancing freedom and liberation across Southern Africa. The SADC PF president said under Nujoma’s leadership, Namibia played a foundational role in the establishment of the SADC Parliamentary Forum.  The historic summit that launched the forum took place…