National News

Niël Terblanché The country's public health system has received a boost with the delivery of new medical equipment funded by the United States government. The ministry of health and social services accepted the consignment on Thursday in Windhoek.  Executive director Penda Ithindi said the donation reflects the ministry’s commitment to evidence-based planning and collaboration. “The equipment being handed over today is the tangible outcome of such collaborative mechanisms,” Ithindi said during the handover ceremony attended by officials from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and other partners. He said the…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Windhoek City Police say 20 people have died in road accidents around the capital since January 2025, with reckless driving named as the main cause. According to statistics released this week, the number of deaths has increased from 11 during the same period last year.  The police reported a total of 131 head-on collisions since the start of the year, and 335 drivers were fined for violating traffic laws.  The police expressed concern over a growing trend of drivers deliberately ignoring red lights across the city.  “The City Police has seen a gradual increase in the number…

Allexer Namundjembo The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says it will not retract comments made by its leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, about health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao. During a press briefing held on Tuesday in Windhoek, Swartbooi referred to the minister as a “Congolese” while criticising the use of artificial intelligence in the health sector. The Swapo Party Youth League responded in a statement on Wednesday, calling the remarks “xenophobic and defamatory”.  The statement, issued by Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo, said Swartbooi’s comments were “unjustified and inflammatory”, factually flawed, and dangerously divisive. “We acknowledge and fully uphold the democratic principle that…

Justicia Shipena A total of 476 pregnancy tests were conducted during a week-long outreach in the Kavango East region.  The outreach, held from 16 to 20 June 2025, was led by the #BeFree Cares Clinic in partnership with the ministry of health and social services. According to organisers, several young women who accessed services were already mothers, with some as young as 16 years old.  The outreach targeted five communities, Kamutjonga, Andara, Shamangorwa, Korokoko, and Likwaterera, focusing on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), particularly family planning and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). “The outreach was prompted by the region’s alarming rates…

Niël Terblanché The Welwitschia Private Hospital in Walvis Bay has become the first medical facility in Namibia to earn ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certification. Hospital manager Stephan Nel confirmed the achievement, which came after about a year and a half of hard work.  The global assurance firm DNV issued the endorsement, placing the hospital in a position to meet the standards required to serve the mining, marine, and growing oil and gas sectors in Namibia. Nel said the process began early last year when management decided to align all departments with the two ISO standards. “We were audited several…

Niël Terblanché The Public Enterprise CEO Forum will convene on 23 July in Walvis Bay, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah set to attend for the first time.  Her presence underscores the importance of state-owned companies in the country’s economic agenda. Formed in 2017 and registered under Section 21 of the Companies Act, the forum brings together leaders of more than 80 public enterprises. It serves as a platform to review strategies, discuss governance, and exchange practical lessons. Deputy chairperson Toska Sem described the gathering as the biggest and most anticipated meeting of CEOs in the sector. “It’s a rare opportunity for…

Justicia Shipena Financial experts and civil servant union representatives have warned that the newly endorsed Pension-Backed Home Loan (PBHL) scheme could push public workers deeper into debt if not properly managed and aligned with wage growth.  The ministry of finance endorsed the scheme on Wednesday, describing it as a step toward affordable housing for government employees. Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha said the scheme is simply “another loan product” and fails to empower workers. “Yes, I’ve been saying all along, buying a house is a payslip issue; your income determines what you qualify for. If the…

Allexer Namundjebo The City of Windhoek (CoW) says it never had a formal contract with Rent-A-Drum for the collection and removal of the well-known clear recycling bags from residential areas.  CoW spokesperson Lydia Amutenya told Windhoek Observer that the municipality is not ending any contract, as no official agreement was ever in place. Amutenya responded to growing public concern over the future of household recyclable waste collection in Windhoek. She explained that since 2010, Rent-A-Drum, a private waste recycling company, has voluntarily collected the clear recycling bags.  She stressed that there was no binding contract between the company and the…

Allexer Namundjembo The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) launched the 2025 electoral calendar and voter and civic education campaign on Wednesday in Windhoek.  This marks the start of preparations for this year’s Regional Council and Local Authority elections.  ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua described the electoral calendar as more than just a timeline.  “This calendar is not merely the showcasing of dates; it is a beacon guiding us towards active engagement in our democratic rights and responsibilities,” she said.  Nghikembua also confirmed that a post-election review of the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections has been completed.  "I wish to assure…