Observer – Page 37 – Windhoek Observer

21 Oct

Shortage of qualified teachers slows native language rollout

ObserverNational News

Allexer Namundjembo The rollout of native language education in schools is facing setbacks due to a shortage of qualified teachers in the Khomas and Erongo regions. This is especially for the Rukwangali and Khoekhoegowab, leaving many learners without the opportunity to study their mother tongues. Despite government policies to address these challenges, the implementation thereof has been slow, with little being done to employ educators from regions where native languages are spoken. Educational director Paulus Nghikembua on Monday told the Windhoek Observer that the situation is impacting the learners badly. “Currently the Rukwangali language is being offered at Dr. Frans…

21 Oct

TB cases high among mine workers

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché TB incidence among mine workers is estimated to be ten times higher than in the general population. This is according to the health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe. He said this during the signing of a new set of Mine Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Monday in Windhoek. “Mining as a critical sector in Namibia’s economy, has long been associated with health risks such as TB due to the working conditions, including poor ventilation and exposure to hazardous dust,” he said. According to Nangombe the high prevalence of TB among miners is exacerbated by factors…

21 Oct

Updates on Namibia’s Hydrogen Projects

ObserverNational News

Suzie Shefeni Interesting developments have been taking place in the Namibian green hydrogen sector since the launch of the inaugural Green Hydrogen Monitor. Namibia’s Blueprint for Green Hydrogen was published in August and various global green hydrogen convenings saw the establishment of a myriad of partnerships all with the aim of turning Namibia’s ambition into reality. This article looks at 6 of the newer players that have been creating momentum and explores the postponement of the HyRail project. Zhero Green Hydrogen One of the newer players on the block is Zhero Molecules Walvis Bay. The company is partnered with Envision…

21 Oct

IOC President Thomas Bach visits South Africa

ObserverSports

IOC President Thomas Bach recently visited Johannesburg, on the second leg of his tour of Africa. In South Africa, he was welcomed by the President of the National Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Barry Hendricks, IOC Honorary Member Sam Ramsamy and IOC Member Anant Singh. All three accompanied President Bach throughout the visit, along with IOC Member and President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mustapha Berraf. At the SASCOC headquarters, President Bach joined the “Indaba”, a meeting of the South African athletes, during which he took part in the discussions, and focused on the outcomes and lessons…

21 Oct

RP leader vows to halt Chinese tenders if elected president

ObserverNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Republican Party (RP) leader, Henk Mudge, has pledged to impose an immediate embargo on all tenders awarded to Chinese companies and cancel existing contracts if he becomes Namibia's next president. The politician said this on Monday during a press conference in Windhoek while outlining his plans for a Namibian-first approach. “I will order an immediate investigation into the legality of the documentation of all the Chinese citizens, especially shop owners all over Namibia. I believe that the vast majority will be fond to either have achieved their documents in a corrupt manner that they have no right to…

21 Oct

Mbumba confident about Swapo’s vision for Namibia

ObserverNational Newscountry's socio-economic landscape, Unity in Diversity

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed his trust in the Swapo Party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, becoming Namibia's first female president. Addressing a large crowd at a SWAPO Party star rally in Swakopmund on Sunday, Mbumba spoke about the party’s vision for economic emancipation and its readiness to secure another five-year mandate in the upcoming elections. “With Nandi-Ndaitwah at the helm, Namibia’s future would be in capable hands,” he assured the gathering. Mbumba reiterated the party’s long-standing leadership and its crucial role in shaping the country's socio-economic landscape. He pointed out that SWAPO’s governance has been instrumental in the peace,…

21 Oct

NSA concludes NHIES survey data collection

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES)

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has announced that field staff will no longer visit households to collect data for the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES). The statistician general of the NSA, Alex Shimuafeni, announced this Monday. “The NSA hereby informs the nation that until the main NHIES survey commences in March 2025, there will no longer be field staff visiting households for NHIES data collection,” he said. The pilot NHIES survey was launched to test readiness for the upcoming main survey, which is scheduled to start in March 2025. It started on September 30 and ended…

21 Oct

Brazilian warship’s visit will mark three decades of naval cooperation with Namibia

ObserverNational NewsBrazil-Namibia Naval Cooperation, Captain P.N. Sacharia Naval Base, Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, Defensora frigate

Niël Terblanché To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Brazil-Namibia Naval Cooperation, the Brazilian Navy’s frigate Defensora will dock at Walvis Bay from 22 to 26 October. This historic visit not only commemorates three decades of a strong naval partnership but also offers a unique glimpse into Brazil’s maritime prowess, symbolized by the Defensora and its crew. The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has informed the public that a ceremonial 21-gun salute will mark the frigate’s arrival, with gunfire expected between 08h00 and 09h00 today. The ministry’s spokesperson, Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, assured residents that the explosive sounds, while loud,…

21 Oct

Africa’s first ‘Early Warnings for All Forum’ hosted by Namibia

ObserverNational NewsEarly Warnings for All (EW4All), John Mutorwa

Niël Terblanché African leaders and stakeholders gathered in Windhoek to work collaboratively towards a future where no African country is left vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters. Deputy Prime Minister, John Mutorwa, officially opened the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Multi-Stakeholder Forum for Africa on Monday and said that the week-long forum is a key moment for Namibia. “This event brings together key stakeholders from across the continent to strengthen Africa’s disaster preparedness through effective early warning systems,” he said. Mutorwa welcomed delegates from governments, United Nations agencies, civil society, and the private sector, underscoring the urgency of improving…

20 Oct

Uproar over N$6.2 mil ballot paper printing tender

ObserverMainECN, Peter Shaama

Martin Endjala Several political parties have raised concerns regarding the N$6.2 million tender award to Ren-Form CC, a South African-based company to design and print ballot papers for the National Assembly and Presidential elections. The company is expected to print 1.6 million ballot papers inclusive of the 10% contingency. This would amount to N$3.90 per ballot paper. The tender was awarded on 17 October. However, on 7 October, two days before the deadline, the commission cancelled the tender. It is not clear which procurement method was applied to select Ren-Formas as a successful bidder. The Landless People's Movement (LPM), through…