National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), is considering a six-month pilot project aimed at optimising the retail water supply process. The initiative was unveiled at a stakeholder engagement session in Ondangwa on Wednesday and seeks to modernise Namibia’s water distribution system using smart technologies to address longstanding inefficiencies. During the discussions, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia, stressed the necessity of the project, citing persistent challenges in the sector. "Water supply in north-western Namibia has evolved significantly, but challenges such as non-payment, inefficient billing, and infrastructure constraints…

Martin Endjala The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) has criticised NamWater for its practices of empowering foreign companies over local contractors. It demanded a level playing field to suit local contractors. Last week, the Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA), released a statement in which the association accused NamWater of sidelining local contractors over foreign contractors. NamWter justified its decision by citing performance issues, such as alleged poor workmanship, non-completion, and project abandonment. About five projects valued at N$315 million are said to be incomplete. The chief executive officer of CIF, Barbel Kirchner, in response on Thursday, stated that NamWater…

Mallex Shipanga The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has announced that the country is closer to finalising its universal health coverage (UHC) policy. MoHSS spokesperson Walters Kamaya confirmed on Wednesday that the policy is ready for Cabinet review. “Cabinet submissions have been prepared, and the policy is ready to be presented to the Cabinet. The MoHSS is now awaiting the policy to be slotted on the Cabinet agenda for discussion and approval,” said Kamaya. He said the UHC Policy was presented to the health minister Kalumbi Shangula towards the end of 2024, which he reviewed and approved. Kamaya…

Allexer Namundjembo The residents of the Katima Mulilo Rural constituency have raised concerns over poor network coverage in their areas, despite network towers being erected in their villages last year. The towers, installed in Ikumwe, Nakabolelwa, and Mutikitila, were expected to be operational by September 2024 following a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Information Minister Emma Theofilus in June. Although completed, the towers have not been activated, leading to frustration among the communities, who feel the project was a political ploy by the ruling party to attract voters ahead of the November presidential and national assembly elections. “Powercom started with the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Workers at non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Namibia that receive funding from the government of the United States of America for various programs, including HIV prevention, LGBTQ support, and climate change initiatives, have been ordered to cease operations immediately.  The Windhoek Observer understands that the workers are still required to report for duty but cannot execute any duties.  IntraHealth Namibia (IHN), a non-profit organisation working to curb new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women under the DREAMS project, declined to comment on the matter.  Communications specialist, Selma Shiwaya, told Windhoek Observer that the organisation had no statement…

Allexer Namundjembo  Graham Hopwood, the director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), has warned that if an election rerun is ordered by the court, there will be insufficient time to organise new elections before the 21 March deadline for the new administration.  Hopwood made these remarks at the Election Fact Check Coalition review conference on Wednesday.  “We would be in uncharted territory. We have to be thinking about constitutional amendments to extend encumbrance offices until the election is organised. But I am not saying it would happen,” he said.  The Independent Patriots for Change have launched applications in…

Niël Terblanché In the aftermath of the tragic death of senior security officer Francis Eiseb during a robbery at Namibia Desert Diamonds (Namdia) on 18 January, the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has issued a scornful assessment of the company's executive leadership and board of directors. In a statement released on Wednesday, the union’s general secretary, George Ampweya said the systemic governance failures and neglect of employee welfare contributed to the fatal shooting incident. Ampweya expressed deep disappointment over the leadership's persistent disregard for the union's concerns. "It is deeply disheartening to see these concerns neglected time and again, despite…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The government of the United States of America has not officially informed Namibia about the deportation of 19 Namibian nationals, with officials only learning about the matter through social media and online sources. “There are mechanisms in place if there are people to be deported. The U.S. is a sovereign state like Namibia, so we do not interfere in their internal processes, and we also do not expect them to interfere in ours,” the executive director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO), Ambassador Penda Naanda said. Naanda added that the Namibian government has verification measures…

Stefanus Nashama A donation valued at N$22.4 million to NamPol has sparked criticism, with concerns raised over government spending priorities amid pressing social and economic challenges. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Works and Transport donated six vehicles—including four double-cab pickups, and two minibuses—and twenty metal detectors to the police’s Explosives Control Division (ECD).  The vehicles and equipment are intended to enhance the police’s capacity to address the threat of unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war, especially in remote and hazardous locations. While the police publicly welcomed the donation, critics argue that government funds should be directed toward more…