National News

Niël Terblanché The ministry of health and social services convened its annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum for 2025, focusing on better governance at regional levels and improving procurement systems to increase access to essential medicines across Namibia. The forum, hosted by the directorate of pharmaceutical services and the national medicines policy coordination division, was officially opened by the ministry’s executive director, Penda Ithindi, on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao. Ithindi said the forum comes at a time when there is renewed pressure to deliver the ministry’s core mandate more visibly.  He said the pharmaceutical sector and its value chains…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says unemployed graduates with master’s and PhD qualifications are now forced to apply for jobs in the police force, correctional service, and defence force. Swartbooi made these remarks on Tuesday during a press conference, where he addressed what he called poor decisions by the current administration over the past few months. He criticised prime minister Elijah Ngurare for saying the government is addressing youth unemployment by recruiting young people for law enforcement agencies.  A few weeks ago, Ngurare announced that 4,310 young people were being recruited across all 14 regions for…

Lydia Sageus The University of Namibia (Unam) library has received 131 books through the Read Japan Project, an initiative of the Nippon Foundation facilitated by the Embassy of Japan in Namibia.  The official handover ceremony took place recently at Unam in Windhoek. Speaking at the event, the Unam pro-vice chancellor for academic affairs, Frednard Gideon, described libraries as “fundamental to human development and the advancement of society.”  He thanked the Japanese delegation and Ambassador Shinichi Asazuma for their continued support of Namibian education. “Your presence here reflects the enduring partnership and mutual respect between our two nations. This event celebrates…

Allexer Namundjebo The Palms For Life campaign on Tuesday received 20 seedlings donated by the Nyae-Nyae Development Foundation to support its greening efforts in Tsumkwe. The campaign thanked the foundation for its support and confirmed that full cleaning operations will resume next week.  The new seedlings will be included in upcoming tree-planting activities. Gabriel Hipandulwa, manager of the Nyae-Nyae Development Foundation, said he is willing to continue supporting the initiative with more seedlings.  Paulus Ndara, head of Palms For Life, said the tree-planting effort aims to beautify the area using indigenous species and raise awareness about reforestation. Four seedlings have…

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of International Relations says it has not received any reports of Namibian nationals currently in Iran or struggling to leave the country.  The ministry's executive director, Ambassador Penda Naanda, said no individuals or families have come forward to notify the ministry regarding people stuck in Iran. “We are not aware of Namibians in Iran because nobody has come to us to tell us they are in Iran,” Naanda said in an interview with Windhoek Observer when asked about contingency plans in the event of stranded nationals. This follows U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, Fordow,…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has confirmed that its contract with RedForce Debt Management remains valid under the original agreement until July 2025, with a one-year exit clause allowing the service to continue until July 2026.  The City confirmed that they did not grant any new extension beyond these terms. “The RedForce contract is valid until July 2025, as per the terms of the initial agreement. Additionally, the contract includes a one-year exit clause,” said city spokesperson Lydia Amutenya. This comes amid continued public concern about debt recovery processes, disconnections despite payments, and questions over procurement procedures. Amutenya said…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Youth entrepreneurs can now access government loans through the newly approved National Youth Fund (NYF). The loans range from N$60,000 to N$200,000. Cabinet last week endorsed the fund’s operational framework and allocated an initial N$257 million. The ministry of information and communication technology said the NYF will use structured lending channels, including market linkage systems, targeted lending, public grants, and policy-based options.  The fund will follow a project-based entrepreneurship model, supporting businesses to grow beyond the start-up phase. “The Cabinet approved the common guidelines for the operationalisation of the National Youth Fund, including a fund philosophy and lending…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The education ministry paid N$1.68 million to a supplier for emergency procurement of tents without following the required procedures, the auditor general’s 2022/2023 report shows. The audit found that the Procurement Management Unit (PMU) and the procurement committee were not involved in the process. “The procurement process did not involve the Procurement Management Unit or the Procurement Committee. The planner of the directorate did the sourcing of the quotation at the regional level,” Auditor General Junias Kandjeke stated in the report. The payment, flagged during an audit of general expenses in the Otjozondjupa region, was not authorised by…

Niël Terblanché A fresh wave of copper cable theft has disrupted water supply to several Erongo towns in the space of one week.  Utilities were forced to ration limited water reserves while technicians rushed to restore power to affected boreholes. The latest theft occurred just before midnight on Saturday, 21 June, when thieves cut the Ruby Main overhead power line supplying the Swartbank and Rooibank boreholes, which feed Walvis Bay.  The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) said the attack immediately cut off 650 cubic metres of water per hour to the port town. NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, said engineers had to…

Allexer Namundjebo Walvis Bay Rural Constituency councillor Donatus Tegako has denied claims that he used his position to award a study grant to his alleged cousin, Patrik Naftal.  Tegako says the accusations are false and politically driven. The allegations involve a N$10 000 grant reportedly awarded to Naftal through the Constituency Development Committee.  Critics claim the amount exceeded the maximum N$5 000 usually granted per student and suggest Naftal received special treatment due to family ties with Tegako. Responding to Windhoek Observer, Tegako said he does not manage or approve financial decisions at the regional council. “I want to make…