Uncategorised – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

05 Sep

Zambezi Regional Council suspends CRO

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Justicia Shipena The Zambezi Regional Council has suspended its chief regional officer (CRO), Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, the Windhoek Observer has learnt. Her suspension comes amid reports from last week indicating that Regina Ndopu-Lubinda is facing 59 counts in a tender-related corruption case. She was arrested last month by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) along with Linyanti constituency councillor Ivenne Kabunga and Solo Mutelo over the Zambezi Waterfront Tourism Park tender. They were each granted bail of N$50 000 in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court. Contacted for comment on the suspension, Zambezi Regional Council’s chairperson Matengu Simushi said he had no knowledge of…

03 Sep

Nida, Nafau settle on worker remuneration

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Justicia Shipena The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) have reached an agreement on employee remuneration and working conditions. The deal covers the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years. The settlement was facilitated with the support of the ministry of trade. Nida and Nafau said the deal is a full and final settlement, securing labour stability and the continuity of operations. The agreement provides for fair and improved working conditions while maintaining operational efficiency. Nida said it remains committed to driving the country’s industrialisation agenda. The deal follows demands made last year by…

28 Aug

Two members reappointed to procurement panel

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Justicia Shipena The ministry of finance has appointed 15 members to the Public Procurement Review Panel. The panel will serve from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028 on an ad hoc basis. It is tasked with handling disputes from bidders dissatisfied with procurement decisions. It will also decide on matters such as the suspension, debarment, and disqualification of suppliers. Wilson Shikoto, spokesperson for the ministry of finance on Thursday said the appointments were made to strengthen fairness, transparency, and accountability in the procurement system. “The diverse expertise represented on the panel will ensure that Namibia’s procurement system remains fair,…

21 Aug

August 26 turns Ohangwena projects into ghost sites

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja Several education and sports projects handled by August 26 Construction in the Ohangwena region have been flagged for delays and poor workmanship by the parliamentary standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development. The committee's deputy chairperson, Austin Samupwa, said that while some projects handed over to the company have been completed, others have been running for years without progress. He raised concerns about accountability and service delivery after the committee carried out an oversight visit this week. During the visit, the committee engaged with the regional governor and the directorate of education. At Olivia Nakale Primary…

20 Aug

Love, hustles, and household budgets

Featured, Observer Money, Opinions, Uncategorised

Hileni Amadhila We often think love lives in flowers, laughter, and late-night chats, but in real life, it also lives in the rent, the groceries, the school fees, and the “Can we help at home this month?” calls. And in Namibia today, the financial side of love can be just as intense as the romantic side. The 2024 Old Mutual Namibia Financial Services Monitor shows that over half of working Namibians feel financially stressed, with rising costs and slow income growth piling on the pressure. At the same time, almost a third of working adults have more than one income…

15 Aug

Malaria kills 154 in eight months

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja A total of 154 people died from malaria in the past eight months. The deaths have increased from 50 in 2024 to 154 this year. This means the country has recorded 204 deaths in two years. Namibia declared a malaria outbreak on 23 December 2024, mainly affecting northern parts of the country. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said that as of 1 August 2025, 95 412 malaria cases had been recorded nationwide. She said 8 936 people were hospitalised as a result. Of the total cases, 17 164 were imported from Angola, making up 18% of the total. Luvindao…

14 Aug

Over 12 000 voters update constituency details

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Justicia Shipena During the first week of the 2025 supplementary registration of voters (SRV), 12 270 voters changed their constituency, and 4 181 applied for duplicate voter registration cards, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said on Wednesday. This comes as ECN's chief executive officer, Peter Shaama, revealed that a total of 19,359 eligible voters registered between 4 and 10 August. The registration covers all 121 constituencies and 59 local authorities and will conclude on 19 August. Shaama expressed concern over the low turnout and urged all eligible voters.Namibians will vote on 26 November in the regional council and local…

08 Aug

IPC labels Govt’s 51% local ownership plan ‘reckless’

Observer Money, Uncategorised

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has condemned the government’s proposal to secure 51% local ownership in all new mining ventures, calling it “reckless” and driven by populism. The party criticised the proposal as a vote-seeking tactic that could harm the economy. The plan, announced by minister of industries, mines and energy Nantangue Ithete during the 2025 Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Tuesday, proposes that the government negotiate majority ownership in all future mining explorations. IPC shadow minister of industries, mines and energy Ferdinand Hengombe warned that such a policy would deter investors and damage Namibia’s…

07 Aug

Namibia mourns with Ghana following tragic helicopter crash

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Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended her condolences to Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana following a tragic military helicopter crash in the southern Ashanti Region on Wednesday. The crash claimed the lives of eight individuals, including defence minister Edward Omane Boamah and environment, science and technology minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, along with three Ghana armed forces crew members and other senior officials. In a statement released on Wednesday, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed Namibia’s sympathy to the victims' families and the nation of Ghana. “On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Namibia, and…

07 Aug

Petrofund sends graduates for subsea training in Malaysia

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Justicia Shipena Three Namibians will undergo specialised subsea operations training in Malaysia. The training is part of a partnership between the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund) and oil and gas service company Subsea7. The trainees, Leonard Johannes, Erasmus Shikongo, and Rikardo Samuyumbe, are graduates of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) with qualifications in power and mechanical engineering. On Thursday, Petrofund spokesperson Shoki Kandjimi announced that the candidates were selected for a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilot Technician training programme at the Netherlands Maritime University College in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.The fully funded scholarship, valued at over N$870,000,…