National News – Page 98 – Windhoek Observer

14 Jul

New study aims to reform Africa’s data policies

National NewsDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Mozilla Foundation

Allexer Namundjembo A new research project has been launched to rethink data governance in Africa. The six-month project, led by Mozilla Foundation senior fellow Kiito Shilongo, brings together four researchers from across the continent. It is supported by the Mozilla Foundation and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Launched in June 2025, the project investigates how data is collected, used, and protected in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Eswatini. It aims to provide practical recommendations that can shape national policies and improve digital rights, privacy, and innovation. “This is not about copying models from elsewhere. It’s about building from the…

14 Jul

WHO guidelines endorse Gilead’s HIV injection

National NewsInternational AIDS Society, Lenacapavir, Tedros Ghebreyesus

Justicia Shipena The director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has endorsed new WHO guidelines recommending long-acting injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention. He described it as a critical step in expanding access to a powerful tool that could prevent most HIV infections among at-risk populations. Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is a long‑acting antiretroviral for HIV prevention and treatment. “While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing,” Dr Tedros said in a statement. He said WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as…

14 Jul

NamRA rakes in N$19.9 billion in first quarter

National NewsN$19.9 billion

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) collected N$19.9 billion in net revenue by 30 June. This represents 22.40% of the government’s total revenue target for the 2025/26 financial year. This was revealed in NamRA’s quarterly bulletin, NamRA in Numbers, which showed gross revenue for the first quarter stood at N$22.5 billion. After processing refunds of N$2.6 billion, the agency’s net collection came to N$19.9 billion against the annual target of N$88.99 billion. NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute has said the agency is intensifying efforts to increase domestic revenue through improved compliance and operational efficiency. In a previous update, he said…

14 Jul

Namibia proposes Africa-wide green industrialisation centre

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia plans to establish an institute within six months to support African governments and companies in identifying and benefiting from green industrialisation opportunities. The institute called the African Sustainable Industrialisation Institute will be headquartered in Namibia. Green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe revealed this during the Namibia Parliamentary Green Investment Dialogue held in Walvis Bay over the weekend. “This will be a continental centre of excellence, headquartered in Namibia but tasked with helping African governments and companies understand and exploit the opportunities pre-created by green industrialization,” Mnyupe said. He said the institute will have two arms. One will focus…

14 Jul

Police still investigating stolen drought food

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Six cases are under investigation involving individuals accused of stealing food meant for the drought relief programme. The cases,reported in the Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Ohangwena, Kavango West, and Zambezi regions involve people who were entrusted with distributing food during the implementation of the programmme. Prime minister Elijah Ngurare revealed this in parliament recently. In May, three people were arrested in connection with defrauding the Namibian government of over N$4 million in a failed deal involving undelivered drought relief food and appeared in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court. The suspects are Jimmu Simataa, an employee of the Zambezi Regional Council,…

14 Jul

ECN to rent over 1 000 vehicles from public

National NewsECN to rent over 1 000 vehicles from public

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is seeking 1 306 vehicles from private owners across the country. The vehicles will be used during the supplementary registration of voters, set to take place from 4 to 19 August 2025. According to the ECN, the vehicles will assist with voter registration operations in all 14 regions. Omusati requires the most vehicles at 136, followed by Ohangwena with 127, Kunene with 115, and Oshikoto with 111. Khomas and Kavango West need 100 each, while Otjozondjupa requires 85, Kavango East 81, and //Kharas 70. Erongo will need 69, Zambezi 61, Hardap 52,…

14 Jul

Kantema unveils tools to fight child marriage

National NewsEmma Kantema

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of gender equality and child welfare has launched a national campaign to address child marriage. The campaign includes child-friendly materials based on the child care and protection act of 2015. The materials aim to help children, parents, and communities understand the law, especially the provision that prohibits marriage under the age of 18. The campaign was officially launched on 12 June during the Day of the African Child. Minister Emma Kantema announced the initiative in the National Assembly last week. She said the campaign includes posters, pamphlets, videos, social media graphics, booklets, and radio dramas. “Child…

14 Jul

No civilian has right to disarm police – Shikwambi

National NewsNo civilian has right to disarm police – Shikwambi

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, national spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force, said allowing civilians to disarm police officers undermines the law and compromises the officer’s ability to carry out their duties. Shikwambi shared this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer in response to an incident at Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, where the company reportedly demanded that bodyguards of minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Immanuel, surrender their firearms to company security before being allowed entry. The incident occurred last week, during the minister's visit to the Chinese-owned company to inspect a labour dispute. Media reports indicate the…

14 Jul

MIRT denies excluding IPC during Modi visit

National NewsNarendra Modi, Panduleni Itula

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of international relations and trade (MIRT) has dismissed claims by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) that the party’s leader, Panduleni Itula, was excluded from official events during the recent visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. In a statement issued on Thursday, MIRT said Itula was formally invited to attend a state luncheon hosted in Modi’s honour. The ministry called the IPC's accusations “false” and “misleading”. “The Leader of the Opposition Party was invited to the luncheon hosted in honour of His Excellency Narendra Modi. The invitations to both the Leader of the Official Opposition…

11 Jul

Health ministry blames tender delays on emergency tenders

National NewsCentral Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it was forced to spend over N$54.8 million through emergency and direct procurement due to delays by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) in awarding tenders. Health executive director Penda Ithindi told the Windhoek Observer that legal challenges and slow tender processes forced the ministry to use emergency, direct, and restricted procurement methods. He said these steps, including requests for quotations, were necessary to prevent service interruptions. The auditor general’s 2022/2023 report revealed that the ministry used emergency procurement worth N$19.2 million and direct procurement worth N$35.6 million. The…