National News

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…

Hertta Maria Amutenja As Namibia mourns the passing of founding president Sam Nujoma, regional governors are preparing their own memorial services to honour his legacy.  The official government schedule for memorial services, announced by the Office of the Prime Minister, has excluded the Oshikoto, Kunene, Ohangwena, Hardap, Omaheke and Kavango West regions.  Oshikoto Regional Governor Penda Ya Ndakolo said while the region is not included in the national schedule, it will hold a memorial service at the regional level.  He acknowledged the government's national arrangements but expressed the region’s decision to organise its own commemorations. "First of all, Namibia is…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has addressed recent misconceptions circulating on social media regarding the mutual visa exemption agreement between Namibia and China. On Friday, the ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, reiterated in a statement that the exemption applies only to holders of diplomatic and official/service passports. Maritz stressed that the agreement is strictly limited to these specific passport categories and does not extend to ordinary passport holders or the general public. “This is a bilateral agreement, meaning it applies equally to nationals of both Namibia and China holding diplomatic and official/service passports,” he…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to pangolin conservation. This initiative, created in collaboration with the Namibian Pangolin Working Group, is set for release in 2025. With the release of the National Species Management Plan on the horizon, Namibia aims to set an example in species conservation to the rest of the world, ensuring that its pangolin population is safeguarded for future generations. Romeo Muyunda, the ministry’s spokesperson said in a statement released on Saturday, World Pangolin Day, that since 2018, at least 570 pangolins have been poached in documented cases. Muyunda reiterated…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Cycling Federation has cautioned cyclists against using the newly constructed road from the Waldorf offramp in Klein Windhoek leading to Hosea Kutako International Airport. Federation President, Tauko Shilongo said contractors working on the road had instructed the federation to inform its members not to cycle on it until it is officially handed over to the Roads Authority. ‘’This is effective immediately, we kindly request that all cyclists refrain from training on this road until the Dr Hage Geingob Freeway is officially opened for public use,’’ said Shilongo. He said the restriction applies to all sections, including…

Staff reporter Kasi Magic emerged as the champions of the Afrocat Sports Club's inaugural beach netball tournament held over the weekend at A. Shipena secondary school.  This tournament saw ten teams competing in an exciting display of athleticism and skill, paving the way for the expansion of beach netball as a recognized discipline. Kasi Magic was closely followed by Goal Getters, who secured the runners-up position. On The Move claimed third place, while Dream Team finished in fourth. Dimitri Bittler, the Operations Officer for Afrocat, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing its significance not just for the club, but for…

Stefanus Nashama  Ivan Skrywer, chairperson of the Formalisation of Informal Settlements and Integration of Groot Aub Council Advisory Committee, has accused elites of grabbing land on the outskirts of Groot Aub. Skrywer, who is also a City of Windhoek (CoW) councillor, told the Windhoek Observer over the weekend that wealthy individuals acquire land, hire farm workers, and live in Windhoek’s affluent suburbs while the local population struggles. “They think they are untouchable, but through my office, I will deal with them,” Skrywer said. According to Skrywer, the issue of land grabbing has been exacerbated by the involvement of powerful figures.…

Stefanus Nashama  Regional councillors from Samora Machel and Moses Garoeb constituencies have raised concerns over poor communication from the City of Windhoek (CoW) regarding community services. Their concerns follow the municipality’s recent announcement of three new communal taps, costing N$177,503.59.  CoW spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya confirmed the installation of one tap in Otjomuise and two in the Goreangab informal settlement. “The construction of these three completed communal taps cost the City of Windhoek approximately N$177,503.59 (including VAT) and involved the installation of 270 meters of water pipelines,” she said. The taps were part of a broader initiative to improve water access…

Ester Mbathera  Women journalists in sub-Saharan Africa face persistent barriers that hinder their careers, a new report reveals.  The study, conducted by the Fojo Media Institute and African Women in Media (AWiM), identifies gender discrimination, unequal pay, sexual harassment, and limited career progression as key challenges in the industry. The primary researcher for the study, Yemisi Akinbobola, an award-winning journalist, academic, consultant, and co-founder of African Women in Media (AWiM), found that many female journalists are confined to roles deemed less significant, while their male counterparts dominate decision-making positions.  “I got an opportunity to replace my boss, who was transferred…

Stefanus Nashama  The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform urged farmers to stay alert and report any pest outbreaks following concerns over the spread of armyworms in the Oshikoto and Oshana regions. The ministry’s spokesperson, Regina Valombola told the Windhoek Observer on Thursday that early detection and reporting are critical in the process of managing pests. “After significant rainfall, many pests, including armyworms, are more likely to infest green vegetation, including cultivated crops. While this is a natural occurrence, it’s crucial for farmers to regularly monitor their fields and report any findings to the nearest ministry branch,” she explained.…