National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Farmers are calling on the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and other stakeholders to fast-track the approval of Starlink services in the country to address the country’s persistent internet challenges, particularly in rural areas. Farmer Peet van Staden started an online petition for rural communities between Karasburg and Aroab, out on the D612, requesting that the process to approve Starlink be conducted transparently and equitably to ensure timely implementation. “Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for education, healthcare, business, and overall social development,” reads the petition. The farmers also makes the case…

Niël Terblanché Oil giant, Shell has dealt a severe blow to Namibia’s aspirations of becoming a crude oil producer by announcing plans to write off approximately US$400 million tied to its offshore oil discovery in block PEL39. According to a statement published on the website of the African Emergency Council, the international oil company cited technical and geological challenges that rendered the resources commercially unviable for development. “The discovered oil and gas resources in offshore block PEL39 in Namibia cannot currently be confirmed for commercial development,” the company said in its statement. In the meantime, Shell’s partner in the venture,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation across various sectors following talks between Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba and Ghanaian President John Mahama. The discussions between the two heads of state took place on the sidelines of President Mahama’s inauguration in Accra, where he was sworn in as Ghana’s leader. During the meeting, President Mbumba congratulated President Mahama on his election victory, describing it as a milestone for democracy in Ghana. He also commended the historic election of Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s first female Vice President, and lauded Ghana’s long-standing…

Allexer Namundjembo The Ongwediva Town Council has called on residents to refrain from occupying land illegally. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, town spokesperson Otilie Shingenge revealed that the local authority has identified several illegal shacks in the Omatando area. She cautioned residents against unlawful land occupation to avoid penalties or the risk of losing their properties. "The Council's process involves notifying the owner through markings on the shack, giving them seven days to remove it. If the owner fails to do so, the Council, empowered by the Town Planning Scheme, is authorized to remove the shack. I don't…

Martin Endjala A community leader from the Ndongo village, Martin Maghano has criticised the Divundu Village Council for failing to bring essential services closer to the people. He expressed disappointment over the lack of notable progress since the establishment of Divundu's village council seven years ago. “There is only one road and a mini-mall with a few shops,” he said. Divundu has a mall owned by Chinese businesswoman Stina Wu, which houses a supermarket, a furniture store, a stationery shop, and several clothing shops. The village also has a Metro wholesaler, a building warehouse, and a Shoprite that is expected…

Niël Terblanché By adopting sustainable methods, Uganda hopes to learn from Namibia to balance the demand for charcoal with the imperative of environmental conservation, ensuring that the sector contributes to the country's economic development without compromising its natural resources. In a bid to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional charcoal production, the Ugandan government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has initiated the "Forest Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain in Uganda" project. As part of this endeavour, FAO Uganda and FAO Namibia have organised a five-day study visit to Namibia. According…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The current rate of rainfall across Namibia will continue at the same pace until March according to a forecast by the Namibia Meteorological Service. Beata Iipinge, a meteorological technician at the service, told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that their weather forecast conducted in late December indicates normal rainfall throughout January, February, and March. “The prediction shows normal rainfall for the entire country throughout those months, but things can still change depending on various factors affecting the weather,” said Iipinge. Namwater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said that the water level in major dams across the country keeps rising. This,…

Stefanus Nashama The Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) has called on the City of Windhoek (CoW) to take immediate action and relocate all residents in high-risk flood zones within the Katutura area. In a letter addressed to CoW's chief executive officer, Moses Matyayi, on Sunday, the committee spokesperson, Shaun Gariseb, urged for urgent consideration of relocating people who reside in flood-prone areas. Gariseb highlighted several areas at risk, including Namibia Primary School in Marula/Rykmansdorp, Soder Water in Shandumbala, the Herero location at the intersection of Mungunda and August Tjaapa streets, and the Eiland location. He stressed that many of the residents…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has reassured the public that the increase in acute respiratory infections caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the northern provinces of the People's Republic of China is not a cause for alarm. This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, in a statement on Wednesday. “The observed increase in cases of respiratory infections in China and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere is an expected phenomenon around this time of the year due to winter weather conditions,” Nangombe explained. Nangombe assured Namibians that the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has ordered the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Namibian Police (NAMPOL), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$1.3 million in settlements to the family of Joseph Kautjingu Ndondji. This follows a civil claim instituted after Ndondji (34) was shot and killed during a joint operation in Rundu on 3 March 2023. He was thought to be in possession of a pangolin skin. The settlement was finalised on 4 December 2024 and addresses the loss of support and emotional suffering endured by Ndondji’s parents and seven minor children.…