Windhoek Observer – Page 378 – Windhoek Observer

12 Dec

Political analyst calls for electoral reform for small parties

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Political analyst Erica Thomas has called for a review of Namibia's Electoral Act to address the role of political parties with fewer than three parliamentary seats. According to Thomas, such parties are an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. Speaking on Thursday about the performance of smaller parties in the recent presidential and national assembly elections, Thomas expressed concern over their contribution to the legislature. “I think the Electoral Act needs to be reviewed to see how some of these parties can be accommodated because their leaders only fight to be in parliament for their stomachs and contribute nothing,” said…

12 Dec

Amushelelo denies bomb threat allegations

National News

Mallex Shipanga Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) activist, Michael Amushelelo denied allegations that he made bomb threats against the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The claims surfaced after NBC employees reportedly underwent body and vehicle searches following Amushelelo’s visit to the corporation. During his visit, there were allegations that he mentioned the existence of activists within NBC who could potentially disrupt the corporation. On 12 December, Amushelelo addressed the allegations, referring to NBC as the “Swapo Broadcasting Corporation.” “This is another lie being told by SBC, cooked up by the State Intelligence Service,” he said. Amushelelo claimed that the NBC was…

12 Dec

‘Namibia progressing toward universal health coverage’ – MoHSS

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) joined the world in observing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on Thursday while making continuous strides towards ensuring accessible, equitable, and quality healthcare for all Namibians. Ben Nangombe, the health ministry’s executive director said in a statement that the day was celebrated under the theme “Healthy People Drive Economic Growth: Quality Health Services Without Financial Hardship for All”. He stated that this year’s event focused on the complex link between health and socio-economic development. “There is no wealth without health, and more wealth should also translate to more health,” he…

12 Dec

Riverbed clearing tender awarding rocks Khorixas town council

National News

Martin Endjala The Khorixas Town Council is accused of hiring debushing equipment from Tiricha Investment, a mining company that operates a few kilometres outside Khorixas. The company approached the council to hire its machinery in November to de-bush the Unib riverbed in Khorixas. The equipment includes tipper trucks and excavators, among others. According to reports, Tiricha Investments received the tender without adhering to the procurement process. A whistleblower said the town council’s chief executive officer, Andreas Howoseb bypassed a finance manager and deposited 50% of the payment into the contracted company’s account ahead of the project. “Instead of appreciating that…

12 Dec

Election of Omuthiya town council office bearers delayed

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Omuthiya Town Council failed to conduct the election of new office bearers at its last council meeting for the year held on 10 November. Elections for local authority office bearers are held annually in accordance with Section 11 (2) (c) and 22 (1) of the Local Authorities Act. According to Independent Patriots for Change’s (IPC) councillor, Nghipudilo yaShiindi, the office elections were scheduled for 10 November. “The election for political office bearers for the Omuthiya Town Council was held on Friday, the 10th of November last year. The terms of the current office bearers have now lapsed…

12 Dec

ECN calls on parties to register for the Guinas constituency by-election

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has invited registered political parties and independent candidates to submit nominations for the Guinas Constituency by-election in the Oshikoto Region. In an announcement on Thursday, the ECN urged interested parties to submit their nominations promptly. Registered political parties can file nominations through the political party candidate portal from December 6 to 21 December. Independent candidates, however, must submit their nominations by 19 December. The by-election is necessitated by the death of former Guinas constituency councillor, Elias Barney Martinus who died at the age of 51 last month after a short illness in…

12 Dec

Orchestrated assault video exposes extortion scheme

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police (NamPol) has revealed that a video, widely circulated on social media, depicting the assault of an inmate in the holding cells of the Okahandja Police Station, was an elaborate act intended to extort money from the family of one of the detainees. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of NamPol's Public Relations Division, described the incident as “an orchestrated act to solicit money,” following a thorough investigation. According to Shikwambi, the video in question showed a young man appearing to be assaulted by fellow detainees in one of the police station holding cells on 4 December.…

12 Dec

Harbours adjust schedules for festive season operations

National News

Niël Terblanché As the festive season approaches, Namibia’s key seaports and terminal facilities announced adjusted working hours to ensure continued service delivery while accommodating public holidays and employee leave schedules. Notifications from Namport and TIN Container Terminal outline plans to minimize disruptions during this busy period. The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) detailed the working schedules for both the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz. According to Trevor Ndjadila, Namport’s Manager of Business Development, all administrative departments, general cargo terminals, and Syncrolift operations will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024, as well as 1 January 2025.…

12 Dec

Seven Namibian match officials make 2025 FIFA international referee list.

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has announced that seven Namibian match officials have made it to the 2025 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) international referee list. NFA Communications Director Isak Hamata expressed the association’s pride in the referees and assistant referees who will represent Namibia on the global stage in 2025. This milestone enables them to officiate FIFA-accredited matches at the international level, marking a significant step in their careers. “The NFA extends its heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional referees on this remarkable achievement. Their inclusion on the FIFA list marks a proud moment for Namibian football,”…

12 Dec

Festive Season Financial Planning Tips

Featured, Opinions

Mbo Luvindao As the festive season approaches, many people are getting ready to take time off, go on holiday and spend quality time with loved ones. Yet, while the Christmas holidays are meant to bring peace, joy, and goodwill to all, they can also strain one’s finances, especially with added Christmas expenses and the start of a new year just around the corner. When I started my professional career, I had a colleague, whom for the sake of anonymity, we will call John. John was a young professional who, like me, was excited about the holiday season. One year he…