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Festus Nakatana On 4 May 2024, while Namibians paused to commemorate the selfless acts of sacrifice in remembrance of Cassinga Day, a soldier of the liberation struggle, a combatant and gallant fighter Elikana Iishuna Shoombe took his last breath in a northern hospital. Affectionately known by his combat name Windhoek, Shoombe was not an ordinary PLAN combatant. Born in 1962 at Onatshiku on the outskirts of Oshakati in the Oshana Region, Shoombe attended school in the surrounding areas before joining Swapo in exile with some of his siblings in 1980. He ended up in Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre in 1981…

Niël Terblanché At the celebration of the International Day of the Midwife, stakeholders underscored the critical role of midwives in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The day was celebrated in Windhoek on Saturday. According to Loide Amkongo, a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Namibia, the need for improved training and support for midwives is recognised by international health authorities and the Namibian government, which views midwifery as a cornerstone of maternal and child health. Amkongo said that enhancing the capabilities of midwives is the key to reaching Namibia’s Sustainable Development Goals related to health…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, the former minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, and Swapo stalwart, says she wishes those in charge of the ruling Swapo party and the government could revive the 12 May Movement. Iivula-Ithana said this during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday, a day after founding President Sam Nujoma celebrated his 95th birthday. She said she doesn't understand why the 12 May Movement has been discontinued or why it has not taken place for the past few years. ‘’I didn’t hear any reason why it has stopped, when I was Swapo’s Secretary General, it used…

Niël Terblanché Synergistic efforts of local and national governments, backed by international support, hail a promising future for transformative growth of the Kunene Region. During a visit to the Kunene region, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was briefed by Governor Marius Sheya on various developmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for local residents. The regional proposals include significant road upgrades, drought relief, and the transformation of communities like Sesfontein into recognized village councils. In tandem with local developments, Nandi-Ndaitwah inaugurated the Harambe-Oyetu community garden in Outjo. This 20-hectare project, supported by funding from the Chinese embassy, focuses on…

Niël Terblanché Residents of the Kap-en-Bou informal settlement in Grootfontein are pressing the local municipality to expedite the provision of essential services like water and electricity. The settlement, which sprang up following a land grab incident in 2017, has seen its population swell, intensifying the demand for basic amenities. Currently, residents have to purchase water from the nearby Blikkiesdorp settlement, paying their neighbours up to N$20 per container. The origins of Kap-en-Bou trace back to 2017 when residents, led by activists, occupied municipal land, leading to significant community and political upheaval. The actions were part of broader land allocation protests…

Stefanus Nashama The high demand for hostel capacity is causing overcrowding in school hostels in the Ohangwena region. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development discovered the dire situation during a recent visit to the region. A member of the committee, Utaara Mootu said they found that despite the average hostel capacity of 500 learners, schools in the region were compelled to accommodate up to 1,200 learners. She stated that the current situation has compelled learners to rent unsupervised accommodation, leaving them vulnerable to various social challenges. “Four schools have been consolidated to accommodate Grades 10 and…

Niël Terblanché The Rundu Town Council has embarked on a series of strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering local capacities and addressing crucial municipal challenges across various sectors. Last week, the Rundu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ruacana Town Council, emphasising a shared commitment to sustainable development, environmental management, and infrastructural advancement, among others. The alliance is set to leverage internal expertise, reducing reliance on costly external consultancies. Mayor Gabriel Kanyanga stressed the strategic shift towards utilising in-house capabilities to foster economic development and manage public health initiatives more efficiently. "Our approach is to harness the existing skills…

Niël Terblanché The National Assembly of Namibia has re-introduced an innovative approach to enhance civic education, engagement and transparency through the "Parliament on Wheels" initiative. Relaunched in Rehoboth last week, the new program is designed to bring parliamentary proceedings closer to the citizens, allowing them direct participation and a firsthand experience of the legislative processes. The programme will run while Parliament is in recess. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, hailed the initiative as a landmark in the Parliament's commitment to fostering inclusivity and civic participation. According to Katjavivi, the Parliament Bus symbolizes the Parliament’s dedication to…