Page 383 – Windhoek Observer

22 Apr

Road upgrade project in Etosha National Park commences

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced the commencement of the long-awaited upgrade of the road between Okaukuejo and King Nehale Gate in Etosha National Park. The project aims to transform the heavily used gravel route into a low-volume sealed road, enhancing access and safety for visitors to the iconic wildlife sanctuary. According to a statement released by the Ministry on Tuesday, the initial phase of the upgrade will focus on the first 20 kilometres from Okaukuejo, with construction scheduled from 23 April to 30 November. During this period, traffic between Okaukuejo and Halali will be redirected…

22 Apr

Locust outbreak in Zambezi threatens food security

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform (MAFWLR) has reported a locust outbreak in the Zambezi region, with swarms currently in the hopper and fledgling stages. The ministry’s executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said in a statement that the outbreak began in early February 2025, following substantial rainfall in the area. She indicated that affected locations include Ibbu near the Chobe River, Sachona, Lubuta, Singalamwe, Omega, Chinchimane, Kanono, Batabaja, Muyako, Ngala, Mahundu, and Seke. “The presence of green vegetation over large areas in the north-eastern, north-central regions, and to some extent in neighbouring Zambia, Botswana, and Angola,…

22 Apr

Auditor flags financial mismanagement at Land Fund

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Land Acquisition and Development Fund has come under scrutiny after the Auditor General, Junias Kandjeke, flagged a series of financial and operational shortcomings in its 2022 financial statements, revealing a concerning pattern of mismanagement. According to a report tabled in Parliament last week, the fund failed to submit a complete set of financial statements as required by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), including the omission of a statement of changes in net assets or equity. Discrepancies were also identified between the fund’s financial records and tax information from the valuation roll, with gaps of N$29.5…

22 Apr

Catholic parishes directed to hold daily Mass in honour of the late Pope Francis

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Archbishop Liborius Nashenda has instructed all Roman Catholic priests across Namibia to hold daily masses or include intentions for the late Pope Francis in their Divine Offices until his burial. The directive, issued on Tuesday, comes as the Catholic Church enters a mourning period following Pope Francis's passing. Nashenda urged the Catholic community to remain prayerful and united during this time. “We are all shocked and saddened by his passing. Nevertheless, as people of faith, we should continue to pray for the repose of his soul unceasingly. I hereby request all priests in each parish to celebrate Mass…

22 Apr

Hardap council fails to report Build Together, Housing Funds

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Hardap Regional Council failed to include the Build Together Fund and Housing Fund in its financial statements for the 2022/2023 financial year, according to a report tabled in Parliament last week by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke. The report noted that the Council did not explain the omission, nor did it make any disclosures relating to these funds. In the previous financial year, the Council had recorded closing balances of N$635 892 for the Build Together Fund and N$2.5 million for the Housing Fund. The Auditor General also found that completed projects worth N$9 million were incorrectly listed…

22 Apr

Hunting season opens with strict guidelines on meat exports

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has officially opened the 2025 hunting season for registered conservancies and commercial farms, confirming that the season will proceed under clearly defined periods and regulatory conditions. This follows Cabinet approval in line with Section 25 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975. According to the announcement made by the environment minister, Indileni Daniel, last week, hunting will only be permitted on registered conservancies and commercial farms that meet specific size and fencing requirements. “From 1 May to 31 August 2025, hunting may be conducted on all registered conservancies and commercial farms…

22 Apr

Agriculture deputy minister urges results-driven planning

National News

Niël Terblanché Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruth Masake, has called on senior officials within the ministry to focus on tangible results as the new five-year strategic planning cycle begins. Masake delivered the message during a high-level strategic and annual planning workshop held in Swakopmund on Tuesday. “Our nation looks to us not just for plans, but for results. The time for excuses and delays is long gone. I call on every single management official here today to commit to excellence, accountability, and responsiveness,” she urged. The workshop was convened to shape the ministry’s strategic plan…

22 Apr

New vehicles and equipment set to enhance NamWater’s capacity

National News

Niël Terblanché The procurement of 26 new vehicles and a suite of infrastructure support equipment enhanced the operational efficiency of the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) and expanded service delivery throughout Namibia. The announcement about the acquisition, valued at N$12.6 million, was made by NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, on Tuesday. He described the purchase as a broader effort to improve the national water utility’s ability to serve communities across the country. According to Ndamanomhata, the contract for the procurement was awarded on 11 December 2024, and all the vehicles have now been received and are ready to be deployed. The new…

22 Apr

Under-resourced regions excelled at the Newspaper Cup

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Kunene Region was crowned champions of the 2025 Nedbank Newspaper Cup after defeating Kavango West 2-0 in the football final, marking a historic first win for the team. The victory, achieved on home soil, was guided by head coach Tuerikondjera Kasaona, who made history as the first woman to coach a men’s team to a tournament win. Kasaona also serves as assistant coach of the Debmarine Premier League side Blue Waters. “This win means a lot to the people of Kunene. It’s even more special that we did it at home in front of our supporters who have…

22 Apr

Brave Warriors to face Bafana Bafana in June

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia’s national football team, the Brave Warriors, is expected to play South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a FIFA international friendly match scheduled for 10 June 2025. According to a report by South African publication The Star, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has lined up two friendly matches for Bafana Bafana in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. South Africa is scheduled to face Tanzania on 6 June, followed by Namibia four days later. The fixtures are seen as important warm-up matches for both countries as they gear up for the next round of World Cup…