Page 8 – Windhoek Observer

11 Dec

O&L, SAA target more African travellers for Namibia

Observer Money

Staff Writer O&L Leisure has partnered with South African Airways to launch a tourism campaign aimed at strengthening Namibia’s position as a leading African travel destination. The initiative began with a major webinar attended by more than 100 top travel agents from nine African countries. The session brought together key Namibian tourism players, including Gondwana Collection, Namibia Wildlife Resorts, the City of Windhoek and national tourism bodies such as the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), TASA, the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) and CARAN. O&L Leisure marketing general manager Maryke van Lill said the partnership signals a shift in how Namibia…

11 Dec

AfDB grants DRC US$160m for industrial park

Observer Money

Staff Writer The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$159.50 million loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo to improve access to the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park and boost connectivity in the country’s central region. The total project cost is US$177.16 million, with the Congolese government contributing the balance. The project to strengthen connectivity at the Ngandajika Agro-Industrial Park aims to link the park more effectively to major economic corridors in central DRC. The work will include upgrades to the Nkuadi–Ngandajika–PAIN and Lukalaba–Ngandajika roads, as well as improvements to connecting sections between National Roads 1 and 2. The project also…

11 Dec

Retirement planning must not be an afterthought

Observer Money

Luandro Steyn Retirement is something many people still believe they will “figure out when the time comes.” But this mindset is becoming increasingly dangerous in a world where life expectancy is rising, the economy is unpredictable, and responsibility for retirement income continues to shift from institutions to individuals. As Namibians, we can no longer afford to treat retirement planning as an afterthought. We must place financial literacy at the centre of how we prepare for the future. The conversation about retirement needs to evolve urgently. For previous generations, retirement came with a predictable income. Today, many retirees rely on market-linked…

11 Dec

A nation at the threshold: Why Namibia’s eighth administration must turn intention into impact

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Namibia enters the close of 2025 with a sobering national truth: the age of endless planning has run its course. Citizens across the country, from Epukiro to Lüderitz, from Katutura to Arandis, have grown impatient with strategies that promise more than they deliver. For many, the question is no longer what the government intends to do, but when Namibians will finally feel the results. Against this backdrop, the two-day first cabinet retreat of the eighth Administration, which was held at NIPAM under the theme “Enhancing Policy Coordination, Governance and Service…

11 Dec

Women’s rights are human rights.

Editorial

On this year’s Human Rights Day, Namibians were reminded once again that the struggle for dignity, justice and equality remains unfinished. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah used her national address to place an uncompromising spotlight on one of the gravest human rights violations facing our society today: gender-based violence, especially violence against women. Her message was clear, emphatic and long overdue; Namibia cannot claim to uphold human rights while half its population lives under the daily shadow of fear. We applaud the President for her moral clarity. In choosing to frame Human Rights Day around the safety, dignity and liberation of women,…

09 Dec

Speaker’s husband loses bid to claim 50% share in Ondangwa property

National News

Justicia Shipena The Supreme Court says the property on which Oshoto Pension Hotel operates was never for northern businessman and husband to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Onesmus “Tona” Amadhila, to claim. The court ruled on Thursday that any rights to the land belonged to a close corporation (CC) and not to Amadhila. The ruling ends his attempt to undo the 2017 transfer of the erf to the son of his former business partner. The dispute dates back to an oral agreement Amadhila said he made with Tobias Mundjele in 2007. He said they agreed that erf 1784, extension…

09 Dec

NNN tasks ambassadors to secure investment for Namibia

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Seven newly appointed ambassadors have been tasked with securing the investments needed to advance the country's Vision 2030 targets in the remaining four years. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told them on Monday that their deployment is strategic and that their performance will be measured by clear gains in national development. The envoys are former Ohangwena governor Walde Natangwe Ndevashiya to Nigeria, former presidential press secretary Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari to Belgium, deputy auditor general Goms Menette to Zambia, agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata to Ghana, former Swakopmund mayor Rosina //Hoabes to Japan, former member of parliament Weich Murcle Uapendura…

09 Dec

Former NYC board members drag Steenkamp to court

Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi Four former interim board members of the National Youth Council (NYC) have taken minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp to court, claiming she breached a settlement agreement by appointing a new interim board. The urgent application was filed last month and seeks to overturn the minister’s decision. The applicants, Hendrik Pandulomwene Theofilus, Vistoria Iita, Curtis Andrew and Serron Nghoshi, filed the case against 19 respondents, including the ministers of education and finance, the NYC and several former and current board members. They were appointed as interim board members by former minister of Sport,…

09 Dec

WBCG project manager quits after claiming toxic work environment

National News

Justicia Shipena Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) project officer Verna Tjivera has resigned after accusing senior management of sexual harassment, bullying and forcing her into constructive dismissal. In a letter dated 1 December 2025, seen by the Windhoek Observer and written by her lawyer Richard Metcalfe to acting chief executive officer Edward Shivute of WBCG, Tjivera detailed her allegations. She said she faced sexual harassment and “disgusting chauvinistic behaviour” from former CEO Hippy Tjivikua and logistics manager Gilbert Boois, creating an “odious toxic environment” that made it impossible for her to work. Tjivera said she first raised a formal grievance…

09 Dec

Family beach day outing ends in tragedy at Swakopmund

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A family day at the beach ended in tragedy on Sunday when one 12-year-old girl drowned at Platz am Meer beach in Swakopmund. Another 12-year-old girl nearly drowned and is recovering in hospital. Erongo regional police said the incident happened between 13h00 and 14h00 on Sunday. The police report for the weekend stated that the family had travelled from Walvis Bay to spend the day at the coast. “Preliminary information indicates that the two girls were in the company of their parents around the mall area before they proceeded to the beach. They were reportedly playing in the…