National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) executed a comprehensive emergency simulation at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) last Thursday. The full-scale drill, which involved a Fly Namibia aircraft with a bomb on board, a bomb threat, and a hostage situation inside Terminal 2, aimed to test and evaluate the airport's emergency response procedures, inter-agency coordination, and overall personnel readiness. NAC's Public Relations Officer, Dan Kamati, made it clear that all the scenarios were completely fictitious and posed no actual risk to passengers or staff. Kamati also described the simulation as a success. "The primary objective was to ensure our…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) views the media as one of the key stakeholders that plays a critical role, as a public educator, in assisting the ECN to enhance electoral democracy through robust voter and civic education. Peter Shaama, the chief electoral and referenda officer for ECN, made this statement on Tuesday during the commissioned media engagement workshop in Windhoek. He explained that the media is an open forum for debate and discussion to ensure that voters can educate other voters, politicians, and electoral staff. “I am sure you agree with me that the media are essential…

Niël Terblanché The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) and other unions, along with minority representative organisations, have launched the Namibia Civil Society Non-State Actors Network (NamNet). This new body is designed to amplify the collective voice of Namibian civil society and facilitate meaningful engagement with the government. Mahongora Kavihuha, who will chair the newly founded NamNet, said that the network will operate independently of development agencies to ensure it remains driven by Namibian civil society from the onset. “NamNet aims to be a reliable partner in development while holding the government accountable,” said Kavihuha. The primary mission of NamNet…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency councillor, Kennedy Simasiku said the Zambezi Regional Council is on autopilot because the leadership has gone awol. He said that the council urgently needs to address various challenges faced by the community. In a notice of questions dated 9 May seen by the Windhoek Observer, Simasiku planned to ask Council Management Committee chairperson, Matengu Simushi why the council in 2023 only had four meetings out of 12. Simasiku claims that the trend continued into this year, as there has only been one meeting so far. He accused the chairperson and his deputy of neglecting…

Niël Terblanché Calm has returned to the Ondangwa National Youth Centre after a tense situation involving a group of 73 Angolan nationals, primarily women and children. These individuals, who are part of a semi-nomadic tribe related to the Ovihamba in Namibia have been displaced by severe drought conditions in Angola and since last week have been staying at the centre, managed by Namibia’s National Youth Service. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Witbooi, addressed the group, which led to their decision to start leaving the centre. Security officials were prompted to lock the gates of the…

Stefanus Nashama Residents of the Havana informal settlement in Windhoek heckled the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the five high mast lights project on Tuesday. Uutoni was the keynote speaker at the event. “We're not happy. We also want free wifi. We want the network. When will you also bring these services?” the residents shouted. While the crowd shouted these questions, Uutoni demanded that the people listen to him. “Wait, I am speaking. You have been here, you did not call us for a meeting. We called you here to celebrate. Listen…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO) has expressed concerns over the persistent issue of local authorities operating without Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Moses Matyayi, President of NALAO, highlighted the implications of the absence of CEOs in municipalities, town councils, and village councils. Matyayi explained that the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development had delegated the matter to the Deputy Minister, who then collaborated with NALAO to travel across the country and meet the affected local authorities. “The intervention was meant to understand the challenges and their implications. We highlighted many implications for legal understanding,” he noted.…

Martin Endjala Nandiuasora Mazeingo, the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation’s (OGF) chairman, rejected the declaration of Genocide Remembrance Day by the cabinet on Tuesday, labelling it as part of the government's denial agenda of recognising the actual events of the genocide. Mazeingo's response follows the minister of information, communication, and technology, Emma Theofelus's announcement that from next year onwards 28 May will be a public holiday. This decision was made at the 7th cabinet decision meeting recently, following a letter submitted on 18 March by the National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi. The chairman argued that the genocide of the Nama and Ovaherero…