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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT brought together biodiversity policymakers, scientists, and Indigenous community representatives from six countries to address the pressing challenges of invasive alien species (IAS) and sustainable wildlife use (SU). The ministry is currently hosting the BES-Net Regional Trialogue for East and Southern Africa. The environment ministry’s executive director, Teofilus Nghitila, during the official opening of the Trialogue in Windhoek, stressed the importance of proactive intervention in tackling invasive species. “Invasive alien species are among the top drivers of biodiversity loss globally, with wide-ranging impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. At the…

Ester Mbathera  Namibia has a high number of congenital heart disease (CHD) cases, exceeding the global average of one in 100 births. Windhoek Central Hospital sees about 2 000 patients with heart defects each year. Many children need early diagnosis and treatment, but access to specialised care remains limited. This is according to Dr Fenny Shidhika, a paediatric cardiologist at the Windhoek Central Hospital, as the world observes Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, which started from 7 to 14 February. “The incidence has a direct linear relationship with an increasing birth rate and prevalence, with population density across different regions,”…

Niël Terblanché A baby elephant that the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA)  along with officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism tried to rescue and relocate on Monday to an orphanage died as a result of severe trauma after it was abandoned by its mother. The volunteers from the EHRA confirmed that the elephant calf from the Ugab West herd died, despite the tireless efforts of veterinary professionals and conservation teams who fought to save its life. “The calf was first observed on 11 February 2025. Although it was moving and attempting to drink milk, it had been…

Niël Terblanché Only through bold investments and sustained commitment can Africa overcome the persistent challenge of food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report, 298 million Africans—equivalent to one in five people—faced hunger in 2023. Additional data from 2022 painted an equally concerning picture, with 924.8 million Africans unable to afford a healthy diet, 63.1 million young children suffering from stunting, and 10.2 million children classified as overweight. The burden of malnutrition extends to adults, with 123.9 million classified as obese and 122.7 million women of reproductive age affected…

Niël Terblanché A delegation of farmers from the Kavango West region has acquired crucial agricultural knowledge during a benchmarking visit to Olushandja in the Omusati region. Facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the visit, which took place last Thursday, was led by Sirkka Ausiku, the governor of the Kavango West region. The visit aimed to enhance productivity and resilience among farmers by transferring knowledge of the various production methods used in Namibia. The initiative followed recommendations from the Kavango West Agriculture Conference held in November 2024. Speaking during the visit, Ausiku reiterated the importance…

Allexer Namundjembo With the ongoing water crisis in the Oshikoto region where residents depend on boreholes and wells, the community of Onamishu in Eengodi Constituency has received upgraded wells to improve water supply. Eengodi regional councillor Protasius Neshuku on Monday told Windhoek Observer that the existing wells were modernised last month.  According to him, solar panels and a generator now power the wells to extract water more efficiently. “These are the traditional wells we have been using for ages, but they have been electrified by Rural Water Supply, and now it is an easy and fast process for the residents…