National News – Page 21 – Windhoek Observer

25 Jul

Shihomeka appointed as new media Ombudsman

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) has appointed Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka as the new Media Ombudsman. His term runs from 23 July 2025 to 22 July 2028. EFN secretary general Selma Ikela announced the appointment on Thursday, following an extraordinary general meeting held on 18 July 2025. Shihomeka takes over from John Nakuta, whose term ended on 30 June 2025 after serving for seven years and 10 months. “Dr Shihomeka is currently a senior lecturer in Journalism and Media Technology at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), where he teaches modules including Corporate Public Relations,” said…

24 Jul

Fuelgate: ‘Fuel supply deal meant to benefit both parties’- Mulunga

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga testified in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that the ten-year fuel supply agreement between Namcor Petroleum Trading and Distribution Pty Ltd and Enercon Namibia was a commercially motivated deal intended to generate profits for both companies. Mulunga, who is seeking bail following his arrest two weeks ago on charges related to corruption and money laundering, said the contract required Namcor Trading to supply Enercon Namibia PTY Ltd with a minimum of 700 000 litres of fuel per month. “The investment would be paid back in four years, and the next six…

24 Jul

Teacher suicides prompt ministry action

National Newsmental health and psychosocial well-being assessment

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The ministry of education, arts, and culture will conduct a mental health and psychosocial well-being assessment among teachers following the recent suicides of three educators in the Ohangwena region. Education minister Sanet Steenkamp on Wednesday confirmed that Titus Nuuyi from Enyana Combined School, Nestory Namhindo of Eenhana Secondary School, and Lukas Kalwenya of Ohehonge Combined School had died by suicide. She said their deaths have left a painful mark on both the education sector and the country. "The alleged reported suicides of these teachers reflect a heart-wrenching and urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and financial literacy…

24 Jul

EIF secures access to N$370m for climate financing

National NewsEIF secures access to N$370m for climate financing

Justicia Shipena Namibia can now access up to US$20 million (approximately N$370 million) in international climate finance through the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF). This follows EIF's accreditation as a National Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Adaptation Fund, which was announced on Wednesday. The decision was made by the Adaptation Fund Board during the intersessional period between its 44th and 45th meetings. It recognises EIF's compliance with the fund's fiduciary standards, environmental and social safeguards, and ability to deliver impactful climate adaptation projects. "This accreditation is a testament to EIF's strong governance and commitment to impactful climate solutions," said EIF chief…

24 Jul

Kavango council fails to return unused funds

National NewsKavango West Regional Council

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Kavango West Regional Council failed to properly record and return funds received for delegated functions from the ministry of gender equality and child welfare, a public hearing held in October 2024 has revealed. According to questions posed at a public hearing in October 2024, the council did not record transactions amounting to N$819 500 in its general ledger. The payments were made during the 2019 financial year on behalf of the ministry of gender equality and child welfare to Edu-careers for the months of July to September 2018, October and December 2018, as well as January and…

24 Jul

NDF says chopper at Miss Namibia was no free ride

National Newsthe Namibian Defence Force (NDF) is meticulously preparing for a parade that is expected to be a centrepiece of the celebrations.

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of defence and veteran affairs has confirmed that the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) paid N$22,470 to use a Namibian Defence Force (NDF) helicopter during the recent Miss Namibia pageant in Ongwediva. Public backlash followed the use of the military helicopter to transport Queen Adelheid Nangolo of the Ondonga Traditional Authority and patron of the pageant, along with Miss Namibia CEO Umbi Karuaihe-Upi. On Tuesday, ministry spokesperson Colonel Petrus Shilumbu said NBC submitted a written request on 10 July for a helicopter and pilot crew to transport the two individuals to the event. NBC owns the Miss…

23 Jul

Ex-Nored staff stole over N$2.6m

National NewsNorthern Electricity Distributor (Nored)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has found that four former Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) employees defrauded the company of over N$2.6 million between 2013 and 2015. The court ruled they abused their positions of trust to carry out the scheme. Judge Eileen Rakow delivered the judgement last week, finding that the employees exploited Nored’s electricity top-up system. The court found that the quartet loaded electricity credits without receiving payments, deleted legitimate receipts, and collected cash from vendors without handing it over to the company. Nored told the court that the accused manipulated vendor accounts by entering credits without payment, removing…

23 Jul

Cross border hydrogen pipeline deal almost finalised

National NewsNamibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P)

Justicia Shipena The governments of South Africa's Western Cape and Namibia's Erongo Region are finalising a twinning agreement on the green hydrogen pipeline between the two countries. This is part of broader efforts under the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), as outlined in its mid-year review for 2025. The collaboration follows an agreement signed between Namibia and South Africa during the World Hydrogen Summit in May 2024 to explore the feasibility of a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline. The N$5 million (€250,000) pre-feasibility study, completed in December 2024, assessed the technical, commercial, environmental, and social viability of linking hydrogen hubs in…

23 Jul

Elindi’s wife denies knowledge of N$3.8m in fraud case

National NewsLydia Elindi

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Lydia Elindi, the wife of former Enercon Namibia owner Malakia Elindi, was on Tuesday cross-examined in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court, where she distanced herself from a N$3.8 million payment made to Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding CC, a company in which she holds a 50% interest. She was testifying during her bail application hearing, where state prosecutor Menencia Hinda confronted her with details linking her to the allegedly fraudulent transaction. Hinda told the court that state investigators would testify that Lydia was informed during her arrest that she was a member and beneficial owner of Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding…

23 Jul

Cran targets August for new sharing policy

National NewsCommunications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) plans to finalise the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) report by August. The report would incorporate feedback from a validation workshop held in Windhoek last week. The workshop brought together mobile operators, service providers, policymakers, and the media to discuss improving Namibia's telecommunications infrastructure sharing framework. The RIA, supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), forms part of the country's broader strategy to advance inclusive digital development. It draws on global examples from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, and Mauritius and recommends reducing infrastructure duplication, boosting competition, and expanding access to affordable broadband. Emilia…