Page 293 – Windhoek Observer

06 Jul

More than 12 000 veterans still await benefits

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs Charles Mubita has revealed that 12 702 veterans of the liberation struggle are still waiting for their approved benefits, more than a decade after the programme began. Responding to questions from Nudo member of parliament Vetaruhe Kandorozu in the National Assembly last week, Mubita said the ministry has paid out N$2.52 billion to 13,398 veterans since the start of the programme in the 2011/2012 financial year. “Out of the 33,500 veterans, 13,398 have been paid at an amount totalling N$2,52 million, while 12,702 are yet to be paid,” he said. He…

06 Jul

Cabinet yet to finalise data protection bill

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of information and communication technology (MICT) has confirmed that the country's data protection bill is still under review by the cabinet committee for legislation. This comes as the ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has announced plans to roll out the country’s first electronic identity card (e-ID). The smart card stores biometric and demographic data and is designed to support identity verification across sectors such as healthcare, banking, education, and public services. Digital rights groups, including the Internet Society Namibia Chapter, have raised concerns about…

06 Jul

Namdia breaks silence on security consultant

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has confirmed that it carried out an emergency procurement process to upgrade its security systems and appoint a security consultant. This follows allegations made by member of parliament and Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda. In a social media post, Amupanda accused Namdia of violating procurement procedures. He claimed the company appointed a security consultant without formal qualifications and that the consultant’s son was involved in installing the new security system. He also raised concerns about Namdia’s previous ties to Neldan, an Angolan-based company that, he alleged, had access to the company’s alarm reports.…

06 Jul

Cheetah cement given ultimatum to localise jobs

National News

Justicia Shipena Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has directed Cheetah Cement in Otjiwarongo to ensure that all non-specialised roles are filled by Namibians. It affects roles such as two chef positions and one administrative officer post, which are currently held by Chinese nationals. The directive follows plans by Cheetah Cement, operated by Whale Rock Cement (Pty) Ltd, to merge with Ohorongo Cement. Immanuel issued the directive on Saturday during a plant familiarisation visit. He met with senior management, employees, officials from the Otjiwarongo Labour Office, and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN). He also ordered he company…

06 Jul

Steenkamp pushes SADC to end exclusion

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp has called on SADC member states to ensure their development efforts are inclusive and responsive, especially towards people living with disabilities. She made the remarks on Sunday during the Inter-Ministerial Forum on Inclusion and Sustainability held in Windhoek. “A child cannot succeed in school if they are unwell, a youth cannot thrive in sport without mental and physical support, and no system is complete if it excludes people living with disabilities. We are called to action. Not someday, now,” said Steenkamp. She said leaders are aware of the…

06 Jul

Gobabis youth rises through skills training

National News

Allexer Namundjebo At 29, Johachim Kotze is a boiler operator at Gobabis District Hospital, working under the ministry of health and social services. His path to this role was not easy. Kotze was born to a Nama mother and a San (Ju/'hoansi) father, two of Namibia’s historically marginalised groups. He grew up in Epako location, Gobabis, where poverty and unemployment are common. He completed Grade 12 at Epako High School in 2015. Life after school was tough. “Both of my parents are unemployed. There was no stable income, so I had to hustle, selling anything I could, just to survive,”…

06 Jul

NNN links sport Investment to past achievements

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the achievements of athletes like Frank Fredericks and Helalia Johannes continue to motivate government investment in sport. She made the remarks at the official opening of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, which began on Friday. Nandi-Ndaitwah said sport is an essential part of the country's development agenda,the potential to improve lives, drive economic growth, and promote peace and unity. “Just as agriculture nourishes bodies, sport nourishes souls, fosters healthy lifestyles, and generates immense economic opportunities,” she said. She also highlighted sport's role in promoting regional integration. “When our youth…

04 Jul

State funeral moratorium leaves Presidential powers untouched

Main

Justicia Shipena The Cabinet has placed a moratorium on official funerals from 16 June 2025 to 31 March 2026. The move allows the government to review the current criteria and processes for granting such honours. Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus announced the decision on Thursday, following the 11th Cabinet meeting. “This moratorium will remain in place while a detailed review is conducted on how official funerals are awarded,” she said. Theofelus said the suspension does not affect the President’s constitutional powers to confer national honours. “The moratorium does not infringe on Article 32(3)(h) of the Namibian Constitution,…

04 Jul

World Bank downgrade not a death sentence – economists

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Economists say Namibia's downgrade by the World Bank is not a death sentence and should instead be used to reset the country’s development path. This week, the World Bank reclassified Namibia from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country in its latest income classifications for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Namibia was the only country globally to be downgraded. Economist Josef Sheehama said the downgrade was expected due to a decline in mining activity and the country’s overreliance on commodity exports. “Now we move from Export Concentration Risk Commodity to…

04 Jul

NHE targets 2 000 houses by April 2026

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) has set a target to build 2 000 houses across the country by April 2026, focusing on accelerating affordable housing delivery. Speaking at the official handover of 30 housing units in Omuthiya on Tuesday, NHE board chairperson Toska Sem said the enterprise is committed to meeting the goal and has already started preparing. “The comprehension that 2 000 houses must be constructed by April 2026 has fuelled our resolve to stand tall and be counted. The task is clear, and being the state organ responsible for housing, NHE is ready to deliver with…