Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

10 Feb

Dutch Roman law in Namibia: A legal heritage that must serve Namibian realities

Opinions

Sakaria Johannes Namibia’s legal system, rooted in Roman-Dutch law, remains one of the most enduring legacies of colonialism. While political independence was achieved in 1990, the law that governs land ownership, labour relations, and family definitions largely predates independence and was never designed to address African social realities. This raises an unavoidable question: does Roman-Dutch law still serve Namibia’s developmental and social needs, or does it quietly preserve historical injustice under the guise of legal continuity? Roman-Dutch law offers undeniable strengths. It provides legal certainty, institutional stability, and a judiciary that commands respect both locally and internationally. These features have…

10 Feb

Beifang denies labour dispute at Husab Mine

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Beifang Mining Technical Services says there is no labour dispute at the Husab Mine and that operations have returned to normality. Beifang said employees have returned to work after complying with a revised shift roster and that operations are proceeding normally. This comes amid reports from employees at the mine who spoke on conditions of anonymity that workers are being suspended due to a new roster put in place. “Employees have returned to work and operations are proceeding normally. There is no ongoing labour dispute,” the company said. However, the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) says the suspensions…

10 Feb

ECB close to finalising electricity pricing rules

National News

Justicia Shipena The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has moved closer to finalising changes to the rules that govern the electricity sector after years of consultations with stakeholders. Speaking at a validation workshop in Windhoek on Monday, ECB chief executive officer Robert Kahimise said the review focuses on the tariff methodology, economic rules and net metering rules that underpin the electricity supply industry. “Today, we gather for a comprehensive review of the foundational pillars for our sector’s future: the Economic Rules, the Net Metering Rules, and the Tariff Methodology for generation, transmission and distribution," he said. The process began in 2023…

10 Feb

Shalli salutes Nghimtina’s liberation legacy

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Retired lieutenant general Martin Shalli says the late former cabinet minister and veteran Erkki Nghimtina was a great fighter and leader. Nghimtina died on Sunday at the age of 78. Shalli said his path was closely linked with Nghimtina’s for more than five decades. He recalled that they both left Namibia in 1974 to join the liberation struggle and later received military training in the former Soviet Union. “We joined the front at almost the same time,” Shalli said, recalling their early operations from Zambia. He said Nghimtina distinguished himself in several battles before moving into communications, where…

10 Feb

Beyond candles and speeches: To truly honour our founders

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) February has emerged as a month of reckoning for Namibia, a time heavy with memory, loss, and moral reflection. Within its short span, the nation finds itself repeatedly called to pause, to mourn, and to ask difficult questions about legacy, fidelity, and the meaning of service. One year after the passing of His Excellency Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, Namibia gathered once again at Heroes’ Acre. Candles were lit. Speeches were delivered. Tributes were read. The nation paused, as it should, to remember the…

10 Feb

Anglo American presses ahead with De Beers sale

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Anglo American has reaffirmed its plan to separate De Beers through a dual-track process, according to the group’s production report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2025. De Beers is a 50-50 partner with the Namibian government in Debmarine Namibia, Namibia Diamond Trading Company and Namdeb land operations. Anglo American said the separation process remains under way, with a potential sale and other options being considered as part of a structured process. Anglo American chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad said a structured sale process for De Beers is currently under way, following earlier announcements by the group.…

10 Feb

Nekundi defends eviction rules for government housing

National News

Justicia Shipena Government employees evicted from state-owned houses will not receive special treatment or automatic relocation, Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has said. Nekundi said the ministry cannot create a system where people who breach contractual obligations are treated differently from others on the housing waiting list. “The ministry cannot establish a precedent whereby persons who have breached their contractual obligations or who occupy government property unlawfully are granted preferential treatment through automatic reallocation,” he said while responding to questions from member of parliament Enea Emvula in parliament on Thursday. The government’s immovable assets are valued at about…

10 Feb

Why Namibia’s Constitution Day must matter more than ever

Editorial, Featured

Every year on 9 February, Namibia marks Constitution Day. It is a date that should command national attention, deep reflection and collective pride. Yet too often it passes quietly, almost unnoticed, despite the immense significance it holds in the life of our Republic. On 9 February 1990, just weeks before Independence, the Namibian Constitution was adopted, laying the legal and moral foundation upon which our democracy was built. This year, Constitution Day falls in a month heavy with national grief and remembrance. On 8 February, the nation mourned the passing of its Founding Father and first President, Dr Sam Shafiishuna…

10 Feb

Absolute Engineering steps in to repair school furniture

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Absolute Engineering Enterprises CC has launched an initiative to repair school furniture in the Otjozondjupa region. The company is fixing chairs, lockers, beds, and tables for schools in the Okahandja district at its own expense. The company’s owner, Shatyohamba Haihambo, said the project forms part of its social responsibility programme and started after schools were invited to apply for help. “We officially commenced with our first batch of school tables, lockers, beds and chairs under the company’s social responsibility programme. We started in January,” Haihambo told Windhoek Observer on Sunday at Okahandja Secondary School, where repair work is…

10 Feb

Eenhana housing project enters construction phase

National News

Justicia Shipena The National Housing Enterprise will begin constructing 100 houses for low-income earners in Eenhana this month. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Eenhana Extension 10 on Monday, NHE manager for infrastructure development Indileni Set-Sam Iipinge said the project responds to housing demand in the Ohangwena region. He said the development targets low-income earners. “This initiative is not just another project on our books – it is a direct response to the housing demand for low-income earners, the very citizens who need affordable shelter the most,” Iipinge said. According to Iipinge, the project will deliver one-bedroom houses of 30.1…