Windhoek Observer – Page 388 – Windhoek Observer

29 Oct

Chinese support enhances education in rural Namibia

National News

Niël Terblanché Residents of the Zambezi region celebrated the official handover of two newly constructed facilities at schools in Liselo and Masokotwani settlements. The initiative to enhance infrastructure for education, facilitated by the Chinese government, is part of a broader effort to improve educational infrastructure in rural areas, providing resources that offer long-term benefits for students, teachers, and the surrounding communities. During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, pointed to the transformative potential of the newly constructed facilities. She said that the donated infrastructure which includes dormitories for 336 students at each school,…

29 Oct

Trans-Kalahari railway construction to take off in 2025

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Botswana have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing regional trade and economic cooperation through the development of the Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) project, with construction set to begin in January 2025. This was confirmed during a meeting between deputy prime minister and minister of works and transport, John Mutorwa and his counterpart from Botswana, Eric Molale, in Windhoek last week. The two ministers, joined by senior officials and representatives of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, discussed ongoing progress and the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC) and Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) projects. The TKC, operational since 2003, has simplified customs operations and established…

29 Oct

South-South Cooperation Project set to transform agriculture

National News

Niël Terblanché The South-South Cooperation Project between Namibia and China demonstrates the country’s commitment to building a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. The project aims to strengthen agriculture and diversify economic opportunities, and with shared efforts, this collaboration holds promise for a more resilient Namibia. The launch of the second phase of the South-South Cooperation Project in Windhoek on Wednesday took Namibia to take a step toward improved agricultural development. The initiative, which will be implemented under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), seeks to address Namibia’s agricultural challenges, enhance food security,…

29 Oct

PyroNam plans to set up 50 plants by 2030

National NewsGlobal South, Henrike Geldmacher, Pyrogenic Carbon and Storage Namibia (PTY) Ltd

Martin Endjala PyroNam, a subsidiary of Pyrogenic Carbon and Storage Namibia (PTY) Ltd. (PyroCCS), intends to set up 50 biochar manufacturing plants in Namibia by 2030. The company is developing a business model suitable for communal land and plans to build a pilot plant in 2025. This announcement was made on Monday by the company’s Managing Director, Henrike Geldmacher. PyroCCS is a German company focusing on climate tech project development, exclusively working in countries of the Global South. It aims to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using various methodologies and technologies. The company manufactures and sequesters biochar from waste…

29 Oct

A Tribute to former NBC radio news editor

National News

Irene !Hoaës Kaomo Vijanda Tjombe, an editor par excellence, the “Value Editor”, one who could add value to your story. You give your script to Kaomo and it will always come back with additional information that you may not even have been aware of, as a rookie in the newsroom. Kaomo, Cousin, as he was also known, had the ability to transform your story into a masterpiece. He was that one Editor that you could give your story to and knew, it is in good hands. No additional propaganda to please the bosses, but just the real story at hand…

29 Oct

SADC PF hearing discusses food security and climate finance mobilisation

Africa / World

Moses Magadza A public hearing convened by the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Climate Action (FANRCA) on 18 October received presentations from different organisations within the SADC region and beyond. Namibian lawmaker Phillipus Katamelo chaired the meeting, which was held virtually, under the theme: “Leveraging the Role of SADC Parliamentary Forum in Facilitating Citizen Participation in SADC Regional Integration for Enhanced Accountability and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development and Cohesion.” Rachel Mundilo manages the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Climate Action (FANRCA) Program at SADC PF and serves as secretary for its Standing Committee. She said…

29 Oct

Namibia has much to expect from Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership

Opinions

Josua Maponga Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is on her way to the State House,to make history as Namibia's first female president. She is a mobile library of the institutional knowledge of SWAPO and the government. She is a leader at heart and an ideal candidate for the 2024 election. She has cut her teeth in the Political space for over four decades now and has demonstrated unwavering dedication to her country and its people. Born on October 29, 1952, in OnaImutai, northern Namibia. Ndaitwah joined SWAPO's diplomatic efforts at a tender age in 1974 and later became the party's deputy representative in…

28 Oct

Civil Society Spells Out Budget Priorities

Observer Money

Graham Hopwood Civil society organisations (CSOs) believe the national budget is a powerful tool that can be used more effectively to address systemic poverty, improve living conditions, and promote social equity in Namibia. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) today released a new briefing paper, entitled Civil Society & The Budget: Perspectives on Priorities. The paper is being published ahead of the 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review to be tabled in the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises on 28 October 2024. The paper summarises civil society submissions and suggestions regarding budget priorities which have been…

28 Oct

Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for inclusive economic growth

National News

Ester Mbathera Swapo presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is advocating for broader economic participation through targeted support for SMEs and industrial strategies to create sustainable jobs. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the call at the public discussion event of the party’s manifesto in Windhoek on Monday. “The days of relying on one or two key sectors must be behind us. Through targeted support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and focused industrial strategies, we can create sustainable jobs and ensure that wealth is spread across our society rather than being concentrated in the hands of just a few,” she said. According to her, the…

28 Oct

Amupanda alleges political manipulation of Census report

Main

Ester Mbathera The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR), Job Amupanda, has questioned the credibility of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), accusing the government of influencing and manipulating statistical data for political purposes. In a statement released on social media on Monday, Amupanda claimed that the NSA had completed the Labour Force Survey and was prepared to release the findings but was halted after the NSA briefed the government. “How can we trust even you guys that are in the Namibia Statistics Agency? How can you be used like that? How can you be used by politicians on important…