National News – Page 54 – Windhoek Observer

11 Jul

Public sector gets new audit guidelines

National NewsMaxine Cloete-Hangula

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Finance has launched new internal audit manuals for the public sector, during a ceremony held held in Windhoek on Wednesday. Maxine Cloete-Hangula, director of government internal audit and policy coordination, described the launch as a historic moment in strengthening governance and accountability in public institutions. “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to strengthen good governance, accountability, and transparency across government institutions,” she said. She explained that the manuals are more than administrative tools. She said the manuals are a strategic step toward building a more resilient, professional, and credible internal audit function…

11 Jul

History made as Indian PM addresses Namibian Parliament

National NewsNarendra Modi

Moses Magadza The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday addressed the Parliament of Namibia, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so in 27 years. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, welcomed Modi, describing the moment as one “of historical significance and a powerful reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between Namibia and India.” She paid tribute to India’s early support for Namibia’s independence struggle. “India was among the first countries to extend formal diplomatic recognition to SWAPO and hosted our liberation leaders during the fight for our freedom,” she said. She described Parliament…

09 Jul

Meatco board fails to appoint CEO as acting term expires

National NewsIngwe Zaamwani, Mwilima Mushokabanji, Sakaria Nghikembua, Stefanie de Klerk

Hertta Maria Amutenja The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) is heading into August without a substantive chief executive officer. Acting CEO Patrick Liebenberg confirmed to Windhoek Observer that his six-month term will end this month. “I only will serve my six months, which will end at the end of July. Not been extended; I didn’t ask for an extension. The recruitment process is handled by the board because management doesn’t have any input into the recruitment process,” Liebenberg said on Wednesday. Liebenberg was appointed in February after the board decided not to renew the contract of former CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji. …

09 Jul

Hengari demands revival of dead rent board

National NewsSankwasa, Tjekero Tweya

Allexer Namundjebo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament Inna Hengari is demanding answers from minister of urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa over the government’s failure to implement a rent control board. Hengari said the proposed board, first announced years ago to regulate rental markets and protect tenants, remains non-functional. “Without proper implementation, the board remains a symbolic gesture, offering no real protection for struggling tenants,” she said. She wants to know what has delayed the board’s rollout, why it is not operational, and why no members have been appointed to enforce regulations. In 2023, then minister of…

09 Jul

Namibia, India talks centre on trade, diamonds, pharmaceuticals

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Wednesday said Namibia is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India in strategic sectors such as mining and value addition. She made the remarks during official talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Windhoek on a state visit. The discussions focused on trade and investment, industrial cooperation, health, defence, multilateral reform, and people-to-people ties. “This State Visit provides us indeed the opportunity to give impetus to that vision and goal by strengthening trade, investment, technical cooperation, political and people-to-people relations between our two countries,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. She said the two countries…

09 Jul

Govt bars Namdia from its HQ

National NewsMcHenry Venaani, Natangwe Ithete

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The government did not authorise Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) to continue operating from its Klein Windhoek headquarters following a diamond heist in January. This was revealed by minister of industry, mines and energy Natangwe Ithete, in Parliament on Tuesday. The diamond heist led to the disappearance of diamonds worth over N$314 million. Ithete said that Namdia has relocated its operations due to security concerns. “As we are currently speaking, Namdia is not operating from the same building for the same reasons and for the same concerns that the country is having that it is probably not safe. So…

09 Jul

Namibia leads Africa group in call for IP reforms

National NewsJulia Imene-Chanduru, World Intellectual Property Organisation

Justicia Shipena Namibia has called for the adoption of an international legal instrument on limitations and exceptions for libraries, research, museums, educational institutions, and archives described the issue as critically important to Africa. Speaking in Geneva at the 66th Session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) General Assemblies, Namibian Ambassador to Switzerland Julia Imene-Chanduru said such an instrument would improve access to knowledge. She added that it would support education and research and promote innovation, competition, and economic development in Africa and beyond. Namibia is currently serving as the coordinator of the Africa Group for the first time, leading…

09 Jul

San community centres grow their own food

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Palms for Life (Namibia) is addressing food insecurity in marginalised communities by establishing vegetable gardens at six of its ten Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres serving San communities. “These gardens are not just about food; they are a local solution to a local challenge. They help us feed the children while teaching communities about sustainable farming,” said a representative from Palms for Life. Each morning, local support staff harvest available produce to prepare meals for the children. The gardens supply vegetables such as green peppers, cabbages, watermelons, tomatoes, maize meal, beetroots, carrots, and spinach. “These vegetables add great…

08 Jul

NFA mum on Botswana Hosting Costs

National NewsDino Ballotti, Obed Itani Chilume Stadium

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Football Association (NFA) says the NFA will not reveal how much it will pay Botswana to host Namibia’s international home matches. When approached by the Windhoek Observer, NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie said the payment details are protected by confidentiality agreements. On Monday, during a joint announcement with Deputy Minister of Sport Dino Ballotti, NFA confirmed that the Brave Warriors will play their home games at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana. Namibia remains banned from using its stadiums, which failed to meet international standards. Moetie noted that the cost of playing home matches…

08 Jul

14-year Bondelswarts dispute deepens as funds vanish

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation has called for an urgent investigation into the Bondelswarts Chief Council, citing financial irregularities, a disputed leadership, and the neglect of key communal assets in Warmbad. The Foundation said in a recent statement that internal leadership disputes have paralysed the community since the death of Captain Anna Katriena Christiaan in 2011. “The continued secrecy, disputes, and neglect cannot be tolerated any longer,” said Foundation founder Mathew Veldskoen. The Foundation alleges that the Chief Council, led by Senior Traditional Councillor Hans Jossob, operates without transparency and excludes the Christiaan Royal House from community decisions. It…