Page 23 – News Stand

15 May

Africa’s cybersecurity skills gap is a business problem

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Allan Juma Africa’s cybersecurity skills shortage is not just a technical staffing issue; it’s an urgent business emergency that threatens to derail the continent’s digital transformation entirely. Estimates point to a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals, with many businesses relying solely on overwhelmed generalist IT teams to battle increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats. Others simply remain unprotected. Either way, the risk of cyberattacks continues to grow, posing a critical threat to business continuity. Cybersecurity breaches cost African businesses US$3.5 billion annually and billions more from missed opportunities caused by reputational damage. Particularly for industries that work with sensitive data,…

15 May

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inaugural foreign visit – honouring history – legacies and shadows of Neto and Nujoma

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) As the dust settles on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s first international foray since taking office, her choice of Angola for the crucial two-day working visit (May 8-9, 2025) speaks volumes. More than just a diplomatic courtesy, this journey to Luanda is a powerful statement, deeply woven into the fabric of Namibia’s past and its aspirations for the future. Stepping onto Angolan soil as her first official act beyond Namibian borders is a significant milestone for Namibia's first female head of state. It’s a deliberate nod to the unbreakable bonds forged in…

15 May

Delayed procurement plans hinder oversight, IPPR warns

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDelayed procurement plans hinder oversight, IPPR warns, Procurement Policy Unit (PPU)

Justicia Shipena When procurement plans are delayed or not publicly accessible, it can hinder oversight and lead to inefficiencies in resource allocation. This is a concern raised in the latest procurement tracker report released on Wednesday by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). By 30 April 2025, only 42 out of 173 public entities with a procurement function had their 2025/26 annual procurement plans viewable on the e-Procurement Portal. This means just 24% of public entities submitted their plans. The Public Procurement Amendment Act of 2022 requires public entities to submit their annual procurement plans to the Procurement Policy…

14 May

New charges await Hengari in next court appearance

info_e12wt4csMain

Allexer Namundjebo Former Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Mac Albert Hengari, will face new charges when he next appears in court. These include contravening Section 34(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act (Act 8 of 2003) and incitement to commit a crime under Section 18(2)(b) of the Riotous Assemblies Act of 1976. This is explained in a letter from Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa, dated 12 May 2015, seen by the Windhoek Observer and addressed to Hengari’s legal firm, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc. Imalwa, in the letter, notified Hengari’s legal team that the state intends to oppose bail on…

14 May

PDM Six sue party, ECN, and National Assembly for N$1.9 million

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjebo Six senior members of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) are suing their party, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), and the National Assembly for compensation over their exclusion from Parliament in 2020. Mike Venaani, Raymond Diergaardt, Charmaine Tjirare, Yvette Areas, Nghidipo Hamata, and Maximalliant Katjimune were originally on the PDM’s list of parliamentary candidates for the 2019 general election. However, after the elections, the party submitted a modified list to the ECN, excluding their names and replacing them with others. This change caused internal turmoil within the party and led to a legal battle. In 2022, the High…

14 May

Kauandenge pokes holes in Nudo constitution with dual membership

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) secretary general, Josef Kauandenge, says Nudo's constitution does not prevent him from forming another party while remaining a fully fledged Nudo member. Kauandenge recently announced the formation of the Association for Localised Interests (ASOLI), where he serves as president. Despite this, he stressed that he is still a Nudo member. He represented Nudo in both the City of Windhoek local authority council and the national assembly. “I still stand by the position that I’m still a Nudo member, although I have started an association. Perusing through the party constitution, I could not…

14 May

Diplomatic missions not displaying Nandi-Ndaitwah’s portraits

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hetta-Maria Amutenja Some Namibian Diplomatic missions have yet to display the official portrait of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, nearly two months after her inauguration. The Namibian High Commission in London, for instance, has not yet hung the portrait. Photos obtained by the Windhoek Observer show only the portrait of Founding President Sam Nujoma on display, with no image of the current or former president visible. A source, who visited the mission recently, expressed surprise at the absence of the portrait of President Nandi-Ndaitwah. “It was surprising to walk into the High Commission and see that only the portrait of President Nujoma…

14 May

SADC convenes trade justice dialogue to address U.S. tariff fallout

info_e12wt4csSports

Moses Magadza The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to hold a high-level dialogue today on trade justice, following the announcement of sweeping tariffs by the United States that have shaken Global South economies. The meeting, which will take place in a hybrid format, is organised by the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (TIFI), with about 50 key participants expected to attend. The dialogue comes after US President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, along with reciprocal tariffs targeting regions like Southern Africa. While a 90-day…

14 May

Devil’s claw harvesters secure price increase in Kavango East

info_e12wt4csNational News

Justicia Shipena The Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest (MN-CCF) in Kavango East has secured a price increase for Devil’s Claw, raising it from N$44 to N$50 per kilogram. The negotiation took place in mid-April with off-taker Ecoso Dynamics and the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) Project Management Unit. The new price includes N$2 per kilogram for Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism. This ensures that communities benefit from the use of local genetic resources. “This is not just about money, it’s about dignity and long-term benefit,” said MN-CCF manager Max Muyemburuko. “For the first time, we feel that…

14 May

Farmers embrace solar-powered agriculture

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National News

Staff Writer Local farmers recently participated in a workshop focused on Agri-PV technology, a project supported by the GIZ INSPIRED Agri-PV initiative at the University of Namibia’s Ogongo Campus. The goal was to explore how Agri-PV systems can help achieve sustainable vegetable and fruit production while also providing climate-adapted energy solutions in Namibia. The workshop attracted 95 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), UNAM, regional councils, and local farmers. It aimed to show how farmers can use their land for both crop production and solar energy generation. Agri-PV systems provide multiple benefits,…