National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s national transport company, TransNamib, has announced the successful qualification of 11 general workers as trackmen, following a year of intensive study and practical training. According to TransNamib Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Desmond van Jaarsveld, this will enhance the company's workforce, especially in the face of ongoing challenges related to railway component theft and vandalism. He highlighted the role these newly qualified trackmen will play in maintaining the safety and functionality of Namibia's railway lines. "While we continue to face challenges with the theft of railway line components, which directly impacts our ability to transport cargo and passengers…

Martin Endjala Last month, low levels of the Hardap dam caused Mariental water to smell like mud. On Thursday, Mariental Chief Executive Officer Paul Nghiwilepo told the Windhoek Observer that the town's water contained geosmin due to the dam's low levels. “The water is fine now. Due to the low levels of the dam, the water becomes muddy, hence the presence of geosmin. We will continue to monitor the situation because it could happen again,” he said. Namwater discovered the problem last month and has since begun additional laboratory tests to monitor the situation. Tests confirmed a higher-than-normal concentration of…

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is set to procure materials such as printing, design, and delivery of ballot papers from 1 August to 2 November. This is according to the ECN's key electoral activities document, which was seen by the Windhoek Observer. Authorised political parties and candidate representatives will conduct verifications and sign-offs of sample ballot papers from 21 October to 22 October. The dispatch of sensitive and non-sensitive materials locally is set for 20 October to 20 November. According to ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka, the tender procurement process has yet to commence. Political analyst Henning…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Employers Federation (NEF) have expressed substantial concerns regarding the recently announced National Minimum Wage (NMW) of N$18 per hour, set to be implemented from 1 January 2025. The move has been criticised as premature and unilateral, with calls for a more consultative approach. Elia Shikongo, the president of the NEF, expressed disappointment over the introduction of the NMW, calling it a hasty decision by the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Uutoni Nujoma. Shikongo argued that the wage order should be reversed and stressed the need for further deliberations. He pointed out that the…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has yet to pay out student loans for approximately 8 000 students, primarily from the International University of Management (IUM) and the University of Namibia (UNAM). Kennedy Kandume, the acting chief executive officer of the NASFAF, clarified the issue of late monthly payments to beneficiaries at a press conference on Wednesday in Windhoek. He confirmed that some of the students received their payment on Wednesday, while others will receive their payment over the next few days. “I am told that 5 618 students received their payments at 14h00 today; this leaves…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Maximalliant Katjimune said the government should adopt a leaner approach when establishing institutions to avoid duplication of mandates and save taxpayer money. On Tuesday, Katjimune was motivating his motion for Parliament to consider debating the merging of the National Youth Council (NYC) into the National Youth Service (NYS). According to him, this will put an end to the duplication of responsibilities, programmes, resources, and overlapping policies affecting the youth demographic. He said the powers and functions performed by NYC and NYS are similar, although not identical. “From a public administration and governance…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Orphanages and child welfare organisations have expressed their dissatisfaction with the exclusion of vulnerable children and orphans from an increase in basic state grants for old age pensions, people with disabilities, and children, which is set to take effect in August. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) made this announcement this week. The assistant caretaker of the Megameno Orphanage in Katutura, Jeremiah Shaalukeni, expressed his disappointment, stating that the lack of an increase in grants for orphans is unfortunate. "There are so many challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children. The application process…

Ester Mbathera The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) is yet to find replacements for Henny Seibeb and Edson Isaacks, who resigned from the party and Parliament on Tuesday. On Thursday, the party spokesperson, Lifalaza Simataa, said that the party leadership is still consulting on the matter. “The party's top leadership is currently engaging in meetings on how to proceed with this matter with relevant stakeholders to ensure the party follows all appropriate procedures and works within protocol given the circumstances of the street resignation, its validity in the process, and the steps the party should take,” he said. He stated that…

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi announced that Moody's Investor Services has affirmed Namibia's sovereign credit rating at B1 and upgraded the outlook from stable to positive. Addressing the Namibian Parliament on Wednesday, Shiimi stressed the importance of the credit rating upgrade by one of the two rating agencies to which Namibia subscribes – Moody's and Fitch Ratings. He said the change reflects the country's improved fiscal and economic metrics, promising growth prospects, and successful post-COVID-19 policy reforms. Namibia initially engaged Moody's in 2011, receiving an investment grade credit rating of Baa3 with a stable…

Ester Mbathera Sakaria Elago is a name that resonates in the Khomasdal Constituency, where he stood as an independent candidate in the Regional Council’s Elections of 2020. He transitioned from engaging in political activism through the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement to becoming an independent political candidate, and he is currently serving as a law enforcement officer. This is a testament to his unwavering commitment to social justice, community service, and personal growth. Elago joined AR in 2020, before the Regional and Local Council Elections.” “A colleague invited me to the AR headquarters, where I met the leaders of the AR.…