National News

Niël Terblanché Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has expressed his unwavering support for South Africa’s newly re-elected President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as he joined other international dignitaries in Pretoria for Ramaphosa’s second inauguration. This event marks a fundamental moment in South Africa’s political landscape with the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Chief Justice Raymond Zondo swore in President Ramaphosa at the inauguration ceremony at the Union Buildings. Nearly 20 heads of state and government, including President Mbumba, attended the event and reaffirmed the strong and enduring bilateral relations between Namibia and South Africa. President Mbumba highlighted that the new…

Niël Terblanché Namibia is grappling with one of the worst droughts in recent memory, prompting the government to seek urgent assistance to bridge a significant funding gap in its drought relief programme. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, highlighted the severity of the situation during a joint coordination meeting with the country's development partners on Wednesday. Mutorwa stressed the dire need for additional resources to combat the devastating effects of prolonged dry conditions that have exacerbated food insecurity and strained the livelihoods of vulnerable communities across Namibia. He said that the Namibian government has committed…

Niël Terblanché Namibia's ambitions to become a premier destination for luxury yacht tourism received a significant boost with the arrival of the magnificent 64-metre steel yacht, Attila, at the Port of Walvis Bay on Monday. The docking of such a magnificent vessel emphasizes the Namibian Ports Authority's (Namport) ongoing efforts to position Namibia as a regional hub for cargo as well as luxury yacht tourism, enhancing the country's international reputation and economic prospects. The Attila, a luxurious masterpiece owned by Mauricio Filiberti, an Argentinian entrepreneur and founder of Transclor, a leading water purification chemicals company, exemplifies the pinnacle of maritime…

Martin Endjala Following weeks without running water, the Ongaaka village in the Omuthiya Constituency, Oshikoto region, has had its water supply restored. Emilia Tobias, a member of the community member confirmed this on Tuesday. For several weeks, the village has been without water, forcing many community members to walk long distances to the nearest village to fetch water. She told Windhoek Observer that all taps are now running throughout the day, and she is grateful to all those who heard their cry and came to their aid. “Yes, the water is back, but it is not running fast and used…

Niël Terblanché Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, emphasised the critical need for lawmakers to ensure that laws are clearly translated and understood before they are passed. She said this during the Commonwealth law reform training workshop in Windhoek, which focuses on enhancing legislative drafting and law reform, and was initiated in response to Dausab's request for technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat. Dausab stressed the importance of simplifying legal language to aid in the comprehension of legislative objectives. “Simplifying law aids in comprehending the objectives of the legislation,” she said while also stressing that clear and understandable laws are essential…

Niël Terblanché The President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dennis Francis, will visit Namibia from 18 to 21 June. This visit, at the invitation of Peya Mushelenga, Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, serves as a prelude to the much-anticipated Summit of the Future (SOTF) that Namibia will co-host with Germany on 22 and 23 September. Announcing the visit, Ambassador Penda Naanda, Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, stressed the visit’s significance and said that it is part of the President of the General Assembly’s outreach activities to various…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A recent report by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources highlights challenges in the implementation and funding of climate change projects across six regions. The report, based on field visits to Kunene, Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Zambezi, and //Karas regions, underscores the need for improved strategies and coordination. The visits were aimed at overseeing the interventions outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), assessing progress on adaptation and mitigation projects, and understanding their impact on meeting the Paris Accord goals. The visits also sought to evaluate the financing, accountability, and regional involvement in these projects.…