Page 223 – Windhoek Observer

20 Jan

Overflowing refuse bins unleash outrage in Walvis Bay

National News

Niël Terblanché Residents of Walvis Bay have expressed mounting frustration over delayed refuse removal services, citing broken refuse trucks as the root cause of the problem. Overflowing bins and litter scattered by animals and vagrants have become a regular sight, sparking complaints about the municipality’s slow response. “All the refuse removal trucks are broken. People are complaining about overflowing bins, and rubbish is being strewn all over by dogs and people. It feels like nothing is happening,” lamented a resident on a neighbourhood community social media group. To address the issue, the municipality resorted to using teams of workers equipped…

20 Jan

The essential role of public servants in fostering unity and serving all citizens

Opinions

Sem B.I David Public servants occupy a unique and vital position in any government system. They are the backbone of efficient governance, tasked with serving the people impartially and without bias. Their core duty is to deliver quality services to the public, regardless of political beliefs, affiliations, or backgrounds. For democracy to function effectively, public servants must remain neutral, working collaboratively with all political parties—including opposition members—to ensure smooth service delivery. Unfortunately, we have seen instances where some public servants serve selectively, exhibiting bias and turning away citizens with the weak justification that they did not vote for them, or…

19 Jan

Top-ranked national squash player among Namdia heist suspects

Main

Allexer Namundjembo National squash player and local financial firm auditor Max Endjala was found wounded at the scene of the violent diamond heist at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) on Saturday. Endjala, Namibia's number-one men's squash player for several years, later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Endjala represented Namibia at the South African Country Districts squash tournament in Limpopo, South Africa, in May last year. According to authorities, Endjala is suspected to have attempted suicide as law enforcement moved in to apprehend suspected robbers involved in the heist. His connection to the robbery remains under investigation, and police are…

19 Jan

NNN lacks direct knowledge of Red Line case

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she lacks direct knowledge of the issues central to the case of the Veterinary Corridor Fence, commonly referred to as the Red Line. Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday filed an urgent High Court application to set aside a subpoena requiring her to testify in the upcoming trial challenging the legality of the Red Line. In her founding affidavit, Nandi-Ndaitwah argued that the subpoena, issued on 16 January 2025, constitutes an abuse of court processes. She contends that the information sought is within the purview of the minister of agriculture, water and land reform. In her application,…

19 Jan

Same-sex marriages only recognised until enactment of new Marriage Act

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The new Marriage Act 2024 does not nullify same-sex marriages conducted or recognised before its enactment; it explicitly ends their recognition moving forward. This is according to human rights activist and Namibia Rights and Responsibility founder Phil ya Nangoloh, who was addressing confusion surrounding the recently enacted act. “There are reports making rounds in both traditional and social media implying that the new law expressly reverses the recent Supreme Court decision recognising same-sex marriages in Namibia. Such reports are not entirely accurate,” Ya Nangoloh said. According to him, the Act, which is not yet in force, expressly recognises…

19 Jan

Crackdown on coastal drug dealers resulted in several arrests

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police made strides in combating drug-related crime at the coast, with the arrest of several suspected drug dealers in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund over the weekend. The targeted operations, conducted by the police’s drug enforcement unit, resulted in multiple arrests and the confiscation of various illicit substances. According to the police's weekend crime report, the first major operation took place in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay, on Friday. Members of the drug enforcement unit raided a house in Brandberg Street, where two Namibian men, aged 25 and 35, were apprehended. “The suspects were found in possession of 815…

19 Jan

Namibia ranked as the fourth safest country in Africa

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s reputation as a safe and stable travel destination has received a boost, with the country being ranked the fourth safest in Africa by Altezza Travel. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) hailed this recognition as a testament to Namibia’s peaceful nature, political stability, and well-developed tourism infrastructure. “This ranking not only enhances the country’s international image but also reinforces Namibia’s position as a prime travel destination,” said MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a statement. He added that Namibia was placed behind Mauritius, Ghana, and Zambia in the rankings, which were compiled by Altezza Travel through…

19 Jan

Electoral court challenge leaves new MPs torn between job security and parliament

National News

Martin Endjala Newly elected political party members, who appear on the list of future parliamentarians face a dilemma of choosing between job security and serving in parliament while the court case in which opposition parties challenge the result of recent national elections is still ongoing. According to analysts and politicians, the situation has led some members to rethink whether they want to go to parliament or remain at their jobs. Political analyst, Henning Melber described the situation as tricky, which illustrates the shortcomings of the existing regulations. “At the moment, the election results are challenged in court. The outcome could…

19 Jan

SSC member contributions increased

Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Social Security Commission (SSC) has announced that it will increase maternity leave, sick leave, and other benefits as of 1 March. The commission announced this in a notice issued on Friday. This means that registered members will now have to pay more for their social security monthly contribution. It also means that the commission will have more funds to pay out to all members, especially for retirement, sick leave and maternity leave benefits. Last year there were calls to increase the set benefits. As of 1 March, the maximum basic wage ceiling, which is the limit to…

19 Jan

Beyond the game with MT – A call for a change in mindset for sports leadership

Featured, Sports

Mathew T Haikali Am just saying, the dream of professionalizing sports in Namibia will remain out of reach unless there is a shift in the mindset of those leading the sector. Despite claiming to be passionate about sports, many leaders have failed to prioritize the long-term development of the industry. All I am saying is that this stagnation is evident in how teams, clubs and academies continue to rely on handouts and grants without showing genuine commitment or the accountability expected of professional organizations. I still remember a time when a major bank pledged N$2.5 million annually over three years…