National News

Justicia Shipena Former Namcor supply and logistics manager Cornelius 'Cedric' Willemse has become the third accused to be granted bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday set his bail at N$200 000. Windhoek Magistrate Olga Muharukua ruled that Willemse’s continued detention was not in the interest of justice.  She said the state failed to present enough evidence showing that he was likely to interfere with investigations or witnesses.  “There is no evidence before this court to suggest a serious risk of interference with investigations or with witnesses,” she said.  “Further, the court is…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has confirmed that former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, was dismissed for violating a presidential moratorium on oil deals. On Sunday, she dismissed Ithete from the Cabinet, removing him from his roles as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy.  She then assumed control of the ministry until a replacement was appointed. Speaking in a video that surfaced from her closed-door address to ministry staff on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ithete went against her directive on upstream oil activities. “There seem to be things happening in…

Justicia Shipena  At least 80% of residents from Mix Settlement have been relocated to pave the way for the construction of essential services.  This is part of the area's ongoing formalisation and upgrade project. City of Windhoek councillor Fransina Kahungu reported that 68 out of 84 households have been moved to make way for roads, a sewer network, and residential plots outlined in the area’s layout plan.  She revealed this information during a public meeting held on Monday with the residents of the area.  She said the City of Windhoek has invested N$1.7 million in installing 25 toilets and N$1.3…

Renthia Kaimbi   Namibia has ranked among Africa’s top five countries for global mobility in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. It joins Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, and Botswana in offering citizens greater travel access. The latest index places Namibia 62nd globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 81 destinations.  The government attributes this progress to strong foreign policy and targeted diplomatic engagement that has improved the country’s global reputation. While Namibia’s access remains below Seychelles with 156 destinations and Mauritius with 151, its steady climb is notable.  The improvement reflects growing international confidence in Namibia’s political stability and regional cooperation. The…

Chamwe Kaira  Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo says President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first year in office has been about action with purpose. He said four areas stand out most in her first year: youth empowerment, health reform, infrastructure and agriculture, and international relations. “The first is youth empowerment. Through the establishment of the National Youth Empowerment Fund, she has created real opportunities for young Namibians to access finance and turn their ideas into something tangible,” Mbambo said. “In its first phase, 42 youth-led projects received about N$14 million in funding, and that’s just the beginning of a N$500 million initiative that…

Staff Writer  MultiChoice Namibia has premiered a documentary titled Netumbo: A Leader Beyond Politics, capturing the life and leadership of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the fifth and current President of Namibia. The premiere brought together Namibian and African dignitaries, including President of Botswana advocate Duma Boko and former president lieutenant general Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, along with high-level diplomats and invited guests. “As a brand that is built on premium entertainment and creativity, this documentary is a testament to our commitment to truthful, dignified, and locally rooted storytelling,” said David Mignot, Canal+ Africa CEO. “Netumbo: A Leader Beyond Politics will…

Chamwe Kaira  Political analyst Henning Melber says President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s performance since taking office in March shows a mixed record so far. “Many innovations, such as the reduction of the cabinet, made sense. Others, such as the incorporation of mining, hydro energy, and nuclear power, lack sufficient transparency to understand the motives. Accountability has not been among the outstanding performances,” he said. Melber, who served as director of the Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit from 1992 to 2000, is a resident associate at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden, and an extraordinary professor at the University of Pretoria and…

On 9 October, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the premiere of the documentary Netumbo: A Leader Beyond Politics at Ster-Kinekor, The Grove Mall in Windhoek. She was joined by President Duma Boko of Botswana, friends, family, and Namibians from all walks of life. Produced by Joe Vision Production House in collaboration with MultiChoice, the film tells the story of President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s journey from Onamutai Village to the frontlines of the liberation struggle and her lifelong commitment to Namibia’s freedom. According to the Namibian Presidency, during the Q&A session, the President spoke about the importance of the creative industry and shared her…

Renthia Kaimbi The minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has slammed the Katima Mulilo town, calling it “a total mess” after a fire gutted the council’s town planning and land management building and revealed deeper governance problems within the institution. The fire broke out shortly after midnight last Friday and severely damaged the building.  The Katima Mulilo Fire Brigade managed to contain the fire but when council officials tried to report the incident, they faced resistance from the police. Sankwasa said the fire was deliberate, adding that police officers refused to open a case until the intervention of…

Justicia Shipena The government has engaged with the United States to explore the possibility of a new trade agreement following the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on 30 September 2025. The executive director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that Namibia took part in the Public Oral Hearing for the annual review of AGOA country eligibility for 2026.  The hearing was held on 18 July 2025 at the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, DC. She said the session focused on AGOA eligibility criteria…