Page 337 – Windhoek Observer

15 Jun

Choral celebration unites voices in Windhoek

National News

Staff Writer The 2025 Bank Windhoek Choral Celebration ended with standing ovations and a shared sense of unity in the packed Windhoek High School hall. The event brought together choirs and conductors from across Namibia for a weekend of music, workshops, and cultural exchange. This year’s programme focused on capacity-building and featured a mix of performances and learning activities. Choir clinics and a conductor’s workshop created space for growth among participants, with three selected choirs showcasing their talents at the event’s final performance. On Friday, 6 June 2025, the conductor’s workshop drew 62 participants from nine regions: ǁKharas, Erongo, Hardap,…

15 Jun

African Stars make a clean sweep at Premier League awards

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe African Stars Football Club were crowned Debmarine Namibia Premier League champions on Saturday night. Their victory was confirmed last week when their closest rivals, Young African Football Club, dropped points against Mighty Gunners in Otjiwarongo. Stars won the league for the third consecutive year, taking home a trophy, medals, and N$850,000 in prize money. Stars dominated the Debmarine Namibia Premier League awards, with centre-back Charles Hambira named player of the season. Midfielder Mbakondja Tjahikika received the top goal scorer award after scoring 15 goals during the season, and goalkeeper Mervin Kaseturu won the goalkeeper of the season. Veteran…

15 Jun

Welwitchias get a narrow win against Uganda Cranes

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The national rugby team, the Welwitchias, won 22–19 against Uganda in an international friendly match in Walvis Bay on Saturday. The match is part of a series of friendly games organised by the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) in preparation for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, which will take place in Kampala, Uganda, from July 8 to 19, 2025. The tournament will also serve as a qualification event for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, set to be held in Australia. Next weekend, Namibia will face Airlink Pumas from South Africa in Windhoek before meeting Italy. NRU director Jacques Burger…

12 Jun

Fabupharm operated without a licence for 17 months

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Fabupharm Namibia (Pty) Ltd has been operating without a valid manufacturing licence for one year and five months. From January 2024 up to June 2025, Fabupharm has been in violation of national pharmaceutical regulations. The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has now ordered the company to halt all pharmaceutical production. The NMRC said the company violated Regulation 35 of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 2003 (Act No. 13 of 2003) by continuing to manufacture medicines without renewing its licence. Registrar of Medicines Fransina Nambahu issued a directive instructing Fabupharm to stop the production of pharmaceuticals and…

12 Jun

Stop security tenders to wage violators – PSUN

National News

Allexer Namundjebo The Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) and the Namibia Security Labour Forum (NSLF) have called on the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) and other public entities to stop awarding tenders to security companies that violate the newly gazetted wage laws. Their call was made during the official launch of the collective agreement for the security industry, now law under government gazette 8562. The agreement sets a phased national minimum wage for security guards starting at N$13.50 per hour from 15 January 2025, increasing to N$16.00 in 2026 and N$18.00 in 2027. “We are here to officially…

12 Jun

PDM backs UDF candidate for Kamanjab by-election

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has thrown its support behind the United Democratic Front's (UDF) candidate in the upcoming Kamanjab constituency by-election in the Kunene region. PDM, on Wednesday, in a media statement, called on its supporters in the Kamanjab constituency to vote for UDF candidate Jacobus Buruxa Namaseb in the upcoming by-election. PDM secretary general Manual Ngaringombe said the decision shows the party’s commitment to co-governing the Kunene region with the UDF. “I urge all PDM members in the Kamanjab constituency to support and vote for the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, Mr Jacobus Buruxa Namaseb. This…

12 Jun

India gives 2 000 tonnes of grain to Namibia

National News

Niël Terblancé Prime minister Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare has officially accepted a donation of 2 000 tonnes of grain from India to support Namibia’s drought relief efforts. The delayed handover ceremony took place in Windhoek. India donated 1 000 tonnes of yellow maize and 1 000 tonnes of rice last year in response to Namibia’s call for assistance during one of the worst droughts recently. “This generous donation in a time of need is a true reflection of solidarity and a demonstration of the long-standing good relationship between Namibia and India,” said Ngurare. The 2024/25 Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment showed that 1.26…

12 Jun

Namibians encouraged to support local creators

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia marked World Book and Copyright Day on Thursday with a call to promote reading and protect the work of local authors and artists. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), through the Directorate of Namibia Library and Archives Services (NLAS), hosted the event at the National Library and Archives building under the theme “Read Your Way”. M’kariko Amagulu, director of arts at MEIYSAC, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Executive Director Erastus Haitengela. She highlighted the role of books in shaping people and society. “World Book and Copyright Day serves as a…

12 Jun

Netball court at Khomasdal Stadium gets a facelift

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek has completed the refurbishment of the netball court at Khomasdal Stadium at a cost of N$287 000. City corporate communications officer Lydia Amutenye said the upgraded court provides much-needed space for netball players and ensures a safe and vibrant environment for both players and spectators. “After years of wear and tear, the court has received a stunning facelift—revived, re-lined, and ready for action,” Amutenye said. She added that the project officially began on 14 May 2025, when the site was handed over to Holm’s Construction, and was completed less than a month later, on…

12 Jun

Simon-Ninja fight proceeds despite warning

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Organisers of the boxing bonanza featuring veteran boxer Harry Simon and ex-convict Paulus “Ninja” Shimwefeleni say the event will go ahead, despite a warning from the Namibian Boxing Control Board (NBCB) over non-compliance with the Boxing Act. On Wednesday, the NBCB issued a public notice cautioning against the planned event, which is being organised by Faith Foundation and Harry Simon Onkugo Promotions. The board said the event is not officially approved. While Harry Simon Onkugo Promotions is a licensed promoter, the board said it has not received a formal application for the event. It added that Faith Foundation…