Windhoek Observer – Page 397 – Windhoek Observer

19 Aug

Namibia leads regional push for smarter HIV funding

National News

Niël Terblanché Representatives from 12 African countries as well as stakeholders from international organisations such as PEPFAR, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund attended the Regional Technical Network (RTN) on Resource Optimization of HIV and Broader Health Resources in Windhoek on Monday. This is the second meeting where stakeholders discuss strategies to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of HIV programs and health systems. Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, while opening the meeting stressed the progress made in combating HIV/AIDS over the past decade. “While there have been notable reductions in new infections and AIDS-related deaths, the challenge…

19 Aug

WBCG sounds alarm on Mpox

Featured, National NewsWalvis Bay Corridor Group

Niël Terblanché The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) has issued a warning to transport and logistics companies that work with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) about the outbreak of Mpox. The alarm was raised by the WBCG's CEO, Mbahupu Tjivikua, on Monday. The warning comes at a challenging time for the region, with multiple crises such as a severe drought, ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the emergence of a more dangerous strain of the Mpox virus. Tjivikua said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared the ongoing Mpox cases in Africa a…

19 Aug

Erongo Region reviews road infrastructure strategy

National NewsErongo region

Niël Terblanché The Erongo Region held a public participation meeting on Monday to review its Regional Roads Master Plan. The Governor of the Erongo Region, Neville Andre, pointed out during the official opening of the meeting the importance of a robust and efficient road network for the economic and social well-being of the community. He added that the meeting is a vital step in ensuring the continued development and maintenance of the region’s road infrastructure. Andre said that the road network in the Erongo Region plays a fundamental role in supporting key industries such as agriculture, tourism, and mining. “These…

19 Aug

National sports supporter jersey launched

SportsAgnes Tjongarero, supporter jersey

Hilarius Hamutenya The Namibia Sports Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Services and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, launched the national supporters jersey in Windhoek on Monday. The minister of sport, Agnes Tjongarero, said the jersey can be worn by fans of all sports codes. ‘’The jerseys are part of the initiative to brand Namibia through sport and instil national unity. This is to elevate Namibia's sports identity through national sports attire and contact with athletes. With the introduction of official supporters, we are not only enhancing the visibility of our national identity…

18 Aug

Namibia’s focus on wealthy expatriates questioned

Main

Ester Mbathera Adrianus Vugs, a financial expert and actuary has asked whether Namibia should consider aligning its development agenda with the spending habits of wealthy individuals leaving the United Kingdom (UK). Vugs raised this question last week in relation to the ongoing trend of UK millionaires relocating due to the high cost of living in their home country. “Millionaires are leaving the country because they feel like they are broke and poor in the UK. For example, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice will cost you between £5 and £10, which is enough to buy more than 10 kg…

18 Aug

Opposition parties snub Heroes Day commemoration

National NewsAlly Angula, Heroes Day

Hilarious Hamutenya Independent presidential candidate Ally Angula and opposition parties have ditched this year’s Heroes Day commemoration. The event will be held at Omuthiya on 26 August. Angula, who was at Omuthiya busy with her campaign last week, said she and her supporters have no intention of attending the Heroes Day commemoration. She expressed strong criticism regarding the expenditure on ceremonial events amid the country’s economic challenges. “I feel, given the state in which people are, that that money can be better spent elsewhere,” she said. Omuthiya residents also witnessed military aircraft flyover exercises in preparation for the commemoration event.…

18 Aug

Itula’s government to replace regional councillors with traditional leaders

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president, Panduleni Itula said if his party is elected to govern the country, they will replace regional councillors with traditional authority leaders. He made these comments during one of his recent campaigns in the Ohangwena region. “We will remove the national council and set up the traditional authority, where our traditional authority leaders will set and discuss what the country needs. Traditional leaders will be the ones getting money from the government to divide the resources among the people because our traditional leaders have their representatives through village headmen, and every village headman…

18 Aug

Diescho criticises Nandi-Ndaitwah for school boundary wall inauguration

National NewsFestus !The Gonteb Primary School, Joseph Diescho

Niël Terblanché Political analyst Joseph Diescho has criticised Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for inaugurating a perimeter boundary wall at the Festus !Gonteb Primary School in the Mondesa suburb of Swakopmund. He said such events do not address the deep, systematic issues facing the nation. “A nation in which national leaders inaugurate open-space bush toilets with speeches; unveil condom dispensers for schoolchildren with speeches; and inaugurate walls at schools with speeches; such a nation is a nation with no direction." And such leaders have no vision. Who bewitched Africa that we are leaderless? Lord God, for how long?” questioned Diescho. Nandi-Ndaitwah,…

18 Aug

Minimum wage directive implemented to alleviate poverty

National News

Niël Terblanché In a decision aimed at addressing income inequality and improving the standard of living for its citizens, Namibia's Cabinet has approved the country’s first national minimum wage, set to take effect on 1 January 2025. The wage order, which was published in the government gazette on 7 August, establishes a national minimum wage of N$18 per hour for all private-sector employees. According to the latest decisions taken by Cabinet, the new minimum wage is part of a broader effort by the Namibian government to alleviate poverty and ensure that workers receive fair compensation. The initiative is particularly focused…

18 Aug

Afrobarometer survey on November elections outcome criticised

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The recent Afrobarometer survey, which predicted the outcome of the November Presidential and National Assembly elections, has faced criticism for its "hogwash" results as more Namibians question its legitimacy. The survey, conducted in March and April of this year, was released last week and suggests that Swapo's presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will win the November polls with 50.8% of the votes. Landless People's Movement leader, Bernadus Swartbooi is projected to take second place with 5.6% of the votes. According to the survey, the Popular Democratic Movement candidate, McHenry Venaani, will be in third place in the race with…