National News

Ester Mbathera  Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe and former Member of Parliament and lawyer Patience Masua have called for urgent reform of Namibia’s land reform framework, criticising the current willing buyer, willing seller approach as ineffective and unjust. The two made the remarks during a high-level panel discussion hosted by Open Society Foundations (OSF) and Action Coalition-Namibia in Windhoek on Monday. The discussion formed part of the OSF Africa Tour under the Namibia chapter, titled “The Land of the Brave”. Tjombe dismissed the willing buyer, willing seller model as a policy with no basis in the Namibian Constitution. “I've gone…

Niël Terblanché Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on staff members in his office to reflect deeply on their role as public servants and recommit themselves to efficient service delivery. Speaking during a staff engagement in Windhoek on Monday, Ngurare described the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) personnel as the most valuable asset in the country’s administrative machinery. “It has been three weeks since I was appointed Prime Minister, and I have been looking forward to this opportunity to engage with you. You, the staff members of this office, are the most valuable assets in our asset register. Without…

Niël Terblanché The Namutoni Environmental Education Centre (NEEC), situated within the Etosha National Park, has received a consignment of office, accommodation, and kitchen equipment aimed at enhancing educational services. The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel handed the equipment to the management of the centre on Sunday. Daniel said the new equipment include a projector, desktop computers, laptops, and various kitchen utensils and that it was procured through the Game Products Trust Fund at a cost of N$151 129. "This centre is an integral part of our country’s education sector, and today’s handover marks a step forward in…

Niél Terblanché A sudden sulphur upwelling in the Atlantic Ocean has disrupted operations at the Orano Desalination Plant, leading to a reduced supply of potable water at Arandis. The spokesperson of the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), Lot Ndamanomhata, reported that the phenomenon, which began on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, has caused water reservoir levels to fall below 50% in Swakopmund and under 30% in Arandis.​ “In response, NamWater has advised the Arandis Town Council to implement water rationing measures from 14 to 18 April,” he said. According to Ndamanomhata, residents will experience nightly water supply interruptions between 22:00 and 04:00.…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) have dismissed claims that they are holding back the qualifications of graduates with outstanding tuition fees, despite a Cabinet directive that it should be released. Last year, the Cabinet directed these universities to release degrees, diplomas, and transcripts of students who graduated in April 2024 to help them find jobs. This was meant to ease unemployment among graduates. The directive stated that once graduates signed repayment agreements with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), the universities must release their qualifications. NSFAF would then…

Allexer Namundjembo Despite several major dams under its management reaching full capacity following recent rains, NamWater has kept water tariffs for consumers unchanged. NamWater’s spokesperson Lot Ndamanhomata confirmed the news in response to questions from the Windhoek Observer.  He said the company has not increased tariffs for about five years, despite rising input costs, particularly electricity used for pumping and the chemicals required for water treatment. “Given these rising operational costs, there are currently no plans to reduce water tariffs,” he said. NamWater maintains that current rates are necessary to sustain operations, maintain infrastructure, and ensure long-term water security, regardless…

Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged investors to follow the example set by the HyIron Oshivela Plant, which was officially inaugurated in Arandis on Saturday.  The plant, one of the world’s first industrial facilities dedicated to zero-emission iron production, represents a major step in the country’s commitment to sustainable industrialisation and economic transformation. The construction of the facility began in April 2024 through a collaboration between international partners and local expertise. The President said the project aligns with national development goals focused on value addition and resource beneficiation. With an investment of approximately N$600 million, the plant has created…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Fresh allegations have surfaced against Auas Primary School principal Toini Nauyoma and Groot Aub Junior Primary School principal Natangwe Shingenge, with community members accusing them of cultural insensitivity, unfair recruitment, and administrative misconduct. The complaints were submitted in a formal letter dated 10 April, addressed to the education minister, Sanet Steenkamp, Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Habate Doeses, and Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha. All three offices acknowledged receipt, with stamped copies seen by the Windhoek Observer. This publication saw an email from the PSC confirming that Paulus Nghikembua, the regional education director, had received the letter.  Community activist Shaun…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has launched a coordinated humanitarian relief operation to assist communities affected by severe flooding across the northern regions of the country. The operation, which began on 31 March, covers the Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Kunene regions, where torrential rains have left several areas inaccessible by road. The campaign involves the deployment of NDF helicopters, vehicles and personnel to transport healthcare workers, distribute food parcels, and relocate flood victims to higher ground. Wing Commander Eliaser Ambambi, who heads the operation, said that providing such support to civil authorities and communities falls within the NDF’s…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The Roads Authority (RA) awarded the contract to repair and improve the damaged gravel road between Okahao and Onemanya in the Omusati Region to Kambwa Trading. This is after pressure from the residents and civil society. Omusati governor Erginus Endjala confirmed the move to address the issue. “The master plan shows when the road will be tarred, but the immediate concern is accessibility. Most roads in the region were damaged or washed away by the rains. Some roads are critical and under consideration for upgrading to bitumen standard, but the challenge is the budget,” Endjala told the Windhoek…