National News

Martin Endjala Entrepreneurs in Omaruru are looking forward to the completion of the construction of new stalls in the mini marketplace for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Omaruru municipality’s chief executive officer, Sindongo Valentinus told the Windhoek Observer last week that the construction was already 80% complete. He said the stalls will house different small business operators that will enable the community to trade efficiently, effectively, and safely. “At the moment, vendors are selling along the road, which can be dangerous for them. Although few vendors are operating on the side of the market, the majority are opting to…

Martin Endjala Dr Bernard Haufiku, the former minister of health has dismissed reports suggesting that the president-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, collapsed during election campaign rallies. Haufiku told the Windhoek Observer on Sunday that Nandi-Ndaitwah experienced fatigue and a mild flu during the rally at Otjiwarongo while addressing party members. “After an extremely busy schedule before that and having picked up a mild flu (this is why she was wearing a face mask), she displayed signs of tiredness and near-exhaustion. As a result, she double-read some of the text in her statements. This is where her security apparatus stepped in and asked…

Martin Endjala Leaders and residents of the Kavango East region have called on Swapo to reciprocate the loyalty they demonstrated during elections over the years. Mukwe Constituency Councillor, Damian Maghambayi took to social media to criticise the party for neglecting the Kavango East and Kavango West regions, despite consistent electoral support by residents. He also urged for reforms to ensure equitable development. “Our region has shown consistent loyalty to the governing party, and it is now time for that loyalty to be reciprocated. We urge the government to recognise and address our needs and aspirations,” he said. Maghambayi criticised internal…

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement's (PDM) failure to secure its official opposition position in the National Assembly is due to the party’s history, rather than being a self-made political entity. Political commentator, Ben Mulongeni said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday. "The PDM is not a self-made party; it was formed to fight the liberation movement, Swapo, not to bring communism but democracy. After democracy, the party has nothing to offer," he said. In the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections, the PDM dropped from 16 parliamentary seats to five. The newly established Independent Patriots…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia and Qatar are engaging in discussions to enhance bilateral ties across key sectors, including trade, mining, agriculture, and tourism. The talks coincide with President Nangolo Mbumba's visit to Doha. Mbumba travelled to Qatar before the weekend to attend the 22nd Doha Forum, which took place on Saturday and Sunday. Press Secretary of the Namibian Presidency, Alfredo Hengari on Saturday told the Windhoek Observer that the government is exploring options for exporting meat products to the State of Qatar, specifically lamb and mutton. "Qatar has expressed interest in collaborating with Namibia in the areas of mining, agriculture, and…

Mallex Shipanga A group of men took to the streets last week in Rundu to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The “Men’s Commitment Walk against Gender-Based Violence” is part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, organised by IntraHealth Namibia. Participants marched from the Rundu Sports Stadium to the Kavango East Regional Governor’s Office, where Governor Bonifatius Wakudumo addressed the gathering. “Today, all of us present here have a task to pledge and commit towards the fight against gender-based violence. I therefore pledge to stand against gender-based violence,” said Wakudumo. He…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Labour Court has dismissed an application by suspended Mine Workers Union (MUN) leaders, Ismael Kasuto and Desley Somseb, seeking to overturn their suspension. Delivering the judgement last week, High Court Judge Collins Parker ruled that the application lacked merit and did not meet the requirements of the Labour Act. The case stemmed from an internal leadership dispute within MUN following a vote of no confidence in Kasuto and Somseb at a meeting held on 28 April 2024. The two, along with regional secretary Jessica Haradoes, were suspended from their positions and have since been engaged in a…

Niël Terblanché Namibia has taken a step toward improving the safety of fishing vessels and their crews by acceding to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement. Namibia is now the 23rd nation to endorse the agreement, according to a statement issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 5 December. The Cape Town Agreement, adopted in 2012, sets mandatory international safety standards for fishing vessels 24 metres in length and above. “The Cape Town Agreement, once in force, will bring in mandatory international safety requirements for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, including provisions addressing stability and associated…

Mallex Shipanga The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), in partnership with the European Union (EU), announced the completion of the first paralegal training programme to empower San communities nationwide. This training which took place from 19 to 23 November, is part of the LAC’s “Empowering the SAN: Legal Capacity Building for Access to Human Rights” project. The project trains paralegals in San communities, enabling them to advise, guide, and support fellow community members on legal matters. The five-day-long, field-based training programme sought to empower San communities in Gobabis and Vergenoeg in the Omaheke Region. Dozens of aspiring paralegals attended the training…

Mallex Shipanga Namibia, which is home to the world’s largest wild cheetah population, was in the global spotlight on International Cheetah Day, celebrated annually on 4 December. This year, the occasion coincided with the premiere of "Return of the Cheetah," a new documentary on the Discovery Channel, which highlights critical conservation efforts in Namibia. The country is home to between 2 500 and 3 500 cheetahs, the largest population of free-ranging cheetahs in the world. The film follows biologist, Hazen Audel as he travels to Namibia to collaborate with Laurie Marker and the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). “It’s a celebration…