National News

Renthia Kaimbi The family of Sam Nepando say he was a man of service whose commitment to his community defined his life and led to his death. Nepando, the headman of Onelago Village, was shot and killed last Friday while mediating a land dispute. His cousin, Nikkie Mbeeli, said the family is struggling with the loss of a man they knew as loving, principled and deeply committed to others. “I personally will always remember his love for his family and the great-hearted person he was, full of life,” Mbeeli told the Windhoek Observer. The family said Nepando died doing what…

Allexer Namundjembo Financial challenges have slowed the completion of the Omuthiya Open Market, a project meant to provide a safe and regulated trading space for informal traders, the Omuthiya Town Council has said. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, the council’s economic development and tourism officer, Piet Andreki, said construction of the market started before the Covid-19 pandemic and was planned in phases to accommodate different categories of traders. “The market was initiated before Covid-19 and was designed to be constructed in phases to cater for street vendors selling different products,” Andreki said. He explained that during…

Justicia Shipena  The Etunda Irrigation Project in the Omusati region has harvested about 60 tonnes of mangoes from its 60-hectare mango orchard this week.  The harvest was revealed on Wednesday during a visit by the minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, who toured the scheme to assess its operations and impact. The mangoes are graded and packed into different categories before being sold to local traders.  The produce supports many livelihoods, as local people buy in bulk and resell to earn income.  Theofelus also acknowledged the surplus mango harvest and said it presents an opportunity for affordable local…

Renthia Kaimbi Certified lifeguards from Monarch Lifeguard and Emergency Services have withdrawn from Platz am Meer and Mole Beach in Swakopmund following the end of their contract with the municipality. Monarch founder Muyenga Martin said the contract ran from 05 December 2025 to 05 January 2026 and has now come to an end. He said the period was short but demanding. Martin said the team focused on preventative lifeguarding, supported by trained professionals on constant watch.  He said routine rescues were limited, but several serious incidents showed how dangerous the coastline can be. In one incident, the lifeguards responded to…

Renthia Kaimbi Fifty young boys in Walvis Bay received free back-to-school haircuts yesterday after a local barber opened his doors to give back to the community. The gesture came from the owner of El Shaddai Barbershop, 27-year-old Lumardo Mouton said the act was part of repairing harm he caused in the past. “I destroyed so many people in my community from smuggling drugs. So this was part of how I am paying back,” he said. Mouton shared that from the age of 12 until two years ago, he was involved in dealing drugs. He said his entry into crime began…

Justicia Shipena The removal of illegal fences in the Ohangwena region is expected to cost N$500 000.  The deputy director of land reform, Paulus Amaambo, revealed this during a presentation at a regional councillors’ orientation workshop held in Eenhana on Tuesday. Amaambo said the full amount is to be recovered from those who erected them. He said at least 22 illegal fences put up by communal farmers without the consent of the Communal Land Board will be removed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. Amaambo said contractors have already been appointed and will begin the work after…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibians have reacted with anger after American YouTuber Darren Watkins Jr, popularly known as IShowSpeed could not land in Namibia on the planned date after required aviation permits were not submitted on time. Watkins was expected to include Namibia as part of his “Speed Does Africa” tour, a 28-day live-streaming journey across several African countries. Namibia was scheduled to be the second stop. Namibians critiqued the outcome, describing it as a missed opportunity for tourism and global exposure. Landless People's Movement (LPM) youth leader Duminga Ndala said the government must improve how it manages red tape and bureaucratic…

Renthia Kaimbi The price of addiction, award-winning Namibian hip-hop artist Jericho Gawanab says, goes beyond money.  He says it is seen in possessions sold, dignity lost and long hours spent chasing the next fix. In an open account shared with the Windhoek Observer, Jericho spoke about his struggle with drugs and alcohol and how it nearly destroyed his career.  He said his addiction turned hard-earned success into near ruin. Jericho recalled selling his first professional music studio, bought for N$45 000 using his Namibian Music Awards (Namas) winnings, for just N$7 000 to buy drugs. The money, he said, was…

Renthia Kaimbi Swapo has described the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as an unlawful abduction and a violation of international law.  Swapo condemned the United States for what it called unjustifiable aggression against a sovereign state. Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa delivered the party’s position yesterday, saying the detention of a sitting head of state breaches international norms and the principles of the United Nations Charter. “As a political organisation born out of the crucibles of anti-colonialism and apartheid, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and mutual respect among nations,” the statement said. Shaningwa said…