National News

Stefanus Nashama Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, the former Swapo Secretary General, has denied that she is one of the founders of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). She threatened to sue Paulus Hakalume, also known as Ndjaba Yolupangi, for N$300 000 if he did not retract his assertions that she is a founder member of the IPC through her lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo. The letter to Kahalume reads, "You maliciously authored statements and circulated them through various social media platforms concerning our client, in which you stated that our client is a hibernator in the Swapo Party and/or that she is one of…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Yvonne Dausab, the Minister of Justice said the proposed amendments to Namibia’s divorce laws are not aimed at making it easier to break up families. She asserts that lawmakers must carefully consider and balance the rights and needs of all parties involved when making laws. The minister said this on Tuesday in the National Assembly while motivating the divorce bill. She said the proposed reforms seek to address the reality that current divorce laws may not adequately support individuals in untenable and harmful marital situations. “The intention is not to undermine the institution of marriage but to provide…

Ester Mbathera The Ministry of Health and Social Services has made it clear that dietary needs determine meal sizes and the amount of food provided to patients when admitted to the various state hospitals in Namibia. This comes after patients have raised concerns about the adequacy of food portions provided during their hospital stays, claiming that the amount of food is insufficient to meet their needs. A patient shared a picture showing a plate of bread and liver for breakfast and a plate of bread and peas for dinner with the Windhoek Observer. Ben Nangombe, the ministry's executive director, explained…

Niël Terblancé Officials from the Keetmanshoop drought relief warehouse, in collaboration with the Namibian Defence Force, have commenced distributing food aid to vulnerable populations in the Barseba Constituency, located in the Kharas region. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that no Namibian goes to bed hungry during the ongoing drought crisis and is a crucial step towards modernising drought relief efforts. Despite the government's recent efforts to roll out the e-voucher system, many beneficiaries in the Kharas region continue to receive their drought relief through traditional in-kind distribution. This dual approach ensures that immediate needs are…

Martin Endjala Swakopmund’s mayor, Dina Namubes has assured the public that a proposal by Rössing to donate and build a new police station in the town does not constitute a conflict of interest for the council or the police. Namubes said this in a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, responding to the public's concerns. According to the mayor, all processes must be followed before the council approves anything. She clarified that after completing all procedures, the council had to review and approve the proposed police station, which it had received as a donation. “I do not know…

Ester Mbathera The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MFPE) has clarified its stance on the appointment and extension of contracts for chief executives in state-owned enterprises who have reached or surpassed the age of 60. Among the senior CEOs is Social Security Commission head, Milka Mungunda, who is 64 years old. Her contract was extended in 2021 when she had just turned 61. The appointment of the governor of the Bank of Namibia, Johannes !Gawaxab was also questioned when he was appointed in 2020 at the age of 64. The latest appointment is that of TransNamib’s CEO, Desmond van…

Stefanus Nashama More young people are visible at the numerous registration centres in Windhoek as Namibia gets ready for the presidential and national assembly elections in November. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer over the weekend, Marine Beukes, a registration officer at the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN) offices at Wernhill Park Mall in Windhoek, said since they started issuing the voter cards on 3 June, many young people have registered for voter cards. “It seems that young people are serious about the upcoming elections. I have worked as a registration officer before, but I have never seen young people come…

Niël Terblanché Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Namibia’s leading mobile service provider, has become the first company in Namibia and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to simultaneously secure certification for six different excellence standards. This noteworthy accomplishment also positions MTC as the first organisation in Africa to achieve certification for its Integrated Management System (IMS) under the 2022 version of ISO 27001 Information Security. The certification ceremony, held on 7 June, was attended by MTC’s managing director, Licky Erastus, and other key members of the company’s executive committee. Erastus, while receiving the certification, said the milestone emphasises MTC’s commitment to…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Hilya Nghiwete, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), has accused Minister of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation Itah Kandji-Murangi of pressuring NSFAF board members to fire her for no reason. Nghiwete said this in a letter addressed to Kandji-Murangi dated 16 April seen by the Windhoek Observer. The letter includes President Nangolo Mbumba, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa on the carbon copy list. When contacted on Monday to confirm if she is indeed the author of the letter, Nghiwete promised to call back, but she never…