National News

Niël Terblanché Jonathan Beukes, the former managing editor of the state-owned New Era newspaper, has announced his departure from the organisation, citing concerns over the state of media freedom in Namibia. In a statement distributed on social media, Beukes clarified that his exit was the result of a mutual separation agreement with New Era, stressing that he did not resign but agreed to part ways amicably. “In exercising my right to freedom of expression and thought, as enshrined in the supreme law of the land, I am duty-bound to express my fear for the deterioration of media freedom and expression…

Allexer Namundjembo The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced that the by-election in the Guinas constituency will be held in January. The by-elections follow the death of former councillor Elias Barney Martinus, who passed away last month at the age of 51. The supplementary registration of voters was facilitated from 10 to 12 November. This will be followed by the publication of the Provisional Voters' Register in the Government Gazette on 19 November. The Provisional Voters' Register will be displayed on 21 November to allow for objections against the inclusion of names of people who do not reside in…

Niël Terblanché The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) has announced an escalation in its offshore exploration activities, aiming to capitalise on recent substantial oil discoveries in the Orange Basin. In collaboration with joint venture partners, Namcor plans to drill four exploration and appraisal wells in Petroleum Exploration Licence areas (PELs) 56, 83, 85, and 90 between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. According to the spokesperson of Namcor, Paulo Coelho, the initiative follows a series of successful discoveries since 2022, which have positioned Namibia as a growing player in the global oil industry. In…

The printing of ballot papers has once again become a politically explosive issue, but this time the stakes could be much higher. Following is a brief overview of what unfolded in October 2024 The printing of ballot papers for Namibian elections has always proven to be a matter fraught with controversy and political tensions. True to form, the procurement of a service provider to produce and print the ballot papers for the 27 November 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections has once again unleashed a dispute that has refused to die down and cast suspicions over the integrity of the Electoral…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Swapo member Reinhold Shipwikineni has endorsed the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula as the preferred presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Shipwikineni’s endorsement was made public in a statement circulated on 10 November. Shipwikineni cited dissatisfaction with Swapo’s internal procedures, highlighting that the party’s leadership did not hold an extraordinary congress to formally select a presidential candidate. According to Shipwikineni, this decision conflicted with the party’s constitution. “Swapo’s leadership violated the party’s constitution and rules by not holding an extraordinary congress to select the party president who shall represent Swapo in…

Martin Endjala The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) has assured the public, particularly Namibians in Mozambique, that their safety remains a priority. The ministry's executive director, Penda Naanda, said that Namibia, through its High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, and its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, is prepared to assist any Namibians in distress. Naanda issued this statement last week in response to the ongoing violence in Mozambique. “The ministry encourages Namibian nationals who find themselves in distress or in need of consular assistance to contact our embassies in South Africa at +27 (0) 12 481 9100 or in…

Niël Terblanché The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Peya Mushelenga, clarified Namibia’s stance toward forming deeper ties with Russia. At the inaugural ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum held in Sochi over the weekend, Mushelenga called for the improvement of political and economic connections with Russia. Mushelenga spoke at the forum where he said the momentum of last year’s summit where Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted African leaders to strengthen ties must not be lost. In his address to the forum, Mushelenga stressed the importance of economic cooperation in an era marked by the rise of the…

Allexer Namundjembo The head of Fact Check Namibia, an initiative that aims to verify public statements and media reports, Frederick Links, said misinformation and propaganda confuse things. Links said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer earlier this month. According to him, misinformation, especially during election periods, undermines people's rational decision-making capabilities. “If what people see and consume informationally is actually false, misleading, or inaccurate information, that undermines how people can make rational decisions,” he said. He cautioned that voters may completely lose faith in the electoral process if they receive a barrage of false information, which could result…

Martin Endjala The Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) has labelled the Electricity Control Board (ECB) as weak in enforcing its mandate to bring misbehaving licensees to order. The Windhoek Observer understands that the Windhoek municipality has taken the ECB to court, seeking to set aside the ECB's directive and grant the municipality a special dispensation. The ECB recently informed the public that a court challenge to its directive from 27 June, which forbids local authorities from blocking prepaid meters due to other municipal arrears, prompted this legal action. This court case has restricted the ECB from taking any actions. The ECB…

Niël Terblanché NamWater has reached another goal in its commitment to national water infrastructure development, with the signing of contracts to construct a new pipeline between Ogongo and Oshakati. This project, an integral part of NamWater’s strategy to ensure reliable water supply across the country, is anticipated to bolster water security and support the anticipated growth in demand in Northern Namibia. NamWater’s chief executive officer Abraham Nehemia during the signing ceremony at the end of last week in Windhoek, said the project aligns with NamWater’s long-term vision for a secure water supply, especially in regions where economic development and population…