Windhoek Observer – Page 384 – Windhoek Observer

14 Nov

Spotlight on Indigenous people in mining communities

Observer Money

Mining Indaba, the premier platform for deal-making, investment, and corporate networking for African mining for over 30 years – has announced a 2025 agenda that emphasises the voices of indigenous people and communities in the mainstream of the conference. The new focus for next year’s event – Investing In Mining Indaba 2025 – reinforces the Mining Indaba commitment to future-proofing African communities, by foregrounding the experiences of those directly affected by mining. “The meaningful integration and collaboration with mining communities and indigenous people are essential to shaping the future of mining,” said Laura Nicholson, Head of Content & Strategic Partnerships…

14 Nov

CRAN engages in consumer protection efforts

Observer Money

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) attended and participated at the inaugural meeting of the Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) Consumer Committee, hosted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The gathering took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a significant step towards advancing consumer protection initiatives in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The consumer committee meeting was convened to initiate the implementation of the Consumer Committee Operational Plan for 2024/2025. This forum provided a platform for CRASA members to collaborate on addressing critical issues and seizing strategic opportunities related to consumer rights…

14 Nov

Mozambique conflict takes toll on South Africa

Observer Money

The geopolitical conflict in Mozambique comes at a very delicate time for South Africa, when logistics and the supply chain are under pressure from several other disruptive challenges, says Juanita Maree, chief executive of the Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF). South Africa’s business sector has voiced concern over the Southern Africa Development Community’s (SADC) slow response, calling on member states to move immediately into a leadership position as mediator, to restore law and order and stabilise trade operations, which are critical to the regional economy. These actions, they assert, are critical to the safety of the citizens on…

14 Nov

HOW TOO MANY POLITICAL PARTIES IN A SMALL VOTING POPULATION MAY LIMIT THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Featured, Opinions

In what appears to be winds of political change in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the question on everyone’s mind is whether such winds will blow over Namibia and have the same chilling effect. We are justified to ask this question because history has taught us that political waves such as these can indeed sweep across the region, the continent and even the whole world, especially in an election year such as this where a whopping 64 countries will have headed to the polls by the end of this year. Namibia is one of the last countries to…

13 Nov

Swapo leads in Asia after special voting

Main

Stefanus Nashama , Hertta-Maria Amutenya and Allexer Namundjembo Special voting election results from Asia came on Wednesday afternoon, showing the ruling Swapo party and its presidential candidate leading. Over 8 000 members of uniformed forces, diplomatic missions, and seagoing personnel cast their votes on November 13, ahead of the national election date of November 27. Thirty-eight people voted in Beijing, China, and the result came in as follows: Presidential elections:Nandi-Ndaitwah: 25Itula: 6Amupanda: 4Venaani: 1Swartbooi: 1Shuumbwa: 1 National Assembly:Swapo: 24AR: 7IPC: 4PDM: 1ADM: 1Body of Christ: 1 Ten Namibians voted in Tokyo, Japan. All 10 of them voted for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah…

13 Nov

Lack of minimum wage leaves mine workers vulnerable

National News

Ester Mbathera The absence of a minimum wage for the mining industry leaves room for companies to set wages as they see fit, creating disparities in worker pay and conditions. Currently, minimum wage laws only apply to construction, security, agriculture, and domestic work sectors. Maria Hedimbi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment Creation said it is currently the responsibility of the employers and employees' representatives within a particular industry to come up with a collective agreement that outlines conditions of service, including minimum wages for their respective industries. “In the absence of a minimum wage…

13 Nov

Political parties rally against crumbling water and sewage infrastructure

National News

Stefanus Nashama Concerns over the country’s outdated water and sewage infrastructure are gaining momentum as political parties express frustration over the lack of maintenance and modernisation. The Affirmative Repositioning (AR), Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) are among the latest parties calling for immediate action and proposing long-term solutions. On Monday the All People’s Party (APP), the Body of Christ Party (BCP), the Congress of Democrats (CoD), and the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC), voiced their concerns. AR spokesperson George Kambala accused the Swapo-led government of failing to implement proper plans to fix and maintain…

13 Nov

Former ambassador calls for clear diplomatic immunity guidelines

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In light of a recent incident involving a Namibian diplomat and his family, former Namibian ambassador Pius Dunaiski has highlighted the need for clear guidelines to address crimes committed by diplomats stationed abroad. The retired diplomat emphasised that while diplomatic immunity provides necessary protections, it can also complicate the pursuit of justice in cases where serious crimes are alleged. “It is a very difficult case because the embassy itself, as well as the people who live within the embassy, enjoy diplomatic immunity,” Dunaiski explained. “The host country cannot simply arrest anyone without consent from the Executive Director of…

13 Nov

National Council seeks expert insights to strengthen budget understanding

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The National Council Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Security, Constitutional, and Legal Affairs has invited experts in areas such as economists, and financial analysts to help unpack the budget and make the members of parliament understand it. The chairperson of the committee John Likando said the move should be a separate session before the budget is referred to the National Council. “Activities should be led by the standing committee on public accounts and economy to ensure that thorough consultations are conducted with the public and members of the National Council are taken through by the experts to ensure…

13 Nov

Home affairs defends staff’s work ethics

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security dismissed allegations made by political activist Michael Amushelelo, who recently criticized the conduct of a ministry staff member for using a mobile phone while on duty. In a widely circulated social media post, Amushelelo implied that the employee's brief use of their phone demonstrated a lack of professionalism. Etienne Maritz, the ministry’s executive director, in a statement on Wednesday, refuted this portrayal, calling it a misleading and unfair attack on the integrity of its workforce. Maritz clarified that the use of mobile phones by its staff is often a…