Observer – Page 401 – Windhoek Observer

04 Sep

Women Network seeks to promote inclusivity in the workplace

ObserverNational NewsMotor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), Women Network seeks to promote inclusivity in the workplace

Martin Endjala It was decided at an event hosted by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) for the Women Network in Windhoek last week, to foster gender equality, empowerment, and inclusivity in the workplace. The event brought together female employees, leaders, and external speakers for a day of discussions, workshops, and networking aimed at advancing the role of women in the workplace. The event was hosted roughly a month after the MVA Fund Men’s Network event, underscoring the significance of inclusivity and mindfulness towards the diverse experiences and backgrounds of MVA Fund’s staff members. Addressing the event, MVA Chief Executive…

04 Sep

Vetting of learners before admission to state schools is discriminatory

ObserverNational NewsSanet Steenkamp, Vetting of learners before admission to state schools is discriminatory

Niël Terblanché The practice of vetting learners before admission to state schools is extremely discriminatory in nature and denies some children access to the schools of their choice. The Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp said the Ministry’s rules of admission for children have not changed since 2010. Steenkamp said this in a circular issued last week on the admission of learners in state schools to guide Education Regional Directors, Inspectors of Education, School Principals and parents to plan and administer the admission process. “It has come to our attention that some schools are…

04 Sep

Woman attacks elderly mother with machete

ObserverNational NewsDeputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, Woman attacks elderly mother with machete

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 28-year-old woman, was on Friday arrested for attempted murder after attacking her 63-year-old mother with a machete at Ongundi village in Omungwelume constituency in Ohangwena Region. According to the Namibian Police’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the woman chopped her mother with the panga on the hands, chest and lips and sustained open cut wounds. The victim was taken to Oshakati State Hospital for treatment and the investigation into the attack will continue. In a separate incident on the same day, at around 21:00 at Eenhana, it is reported that Matias Mwatongasheni Mwetufa, a 33-year-old man, lost…

03 Sep

The Artificial Intelligence of Talita

ObserverFeaturedTalitakuum Ekandjo, The Artificial Intelligence of Talita

Talitakuum Ekandjo talks to us about growing up in rural northern Namibia, working for the Bank of Namibia and now pursing studies in studying artificial intelligence. Tell us where you were born and where you grew up?I was born in Oupumako, a village just outside Ongwediva. I grew up in many different places, but my home village is Oniithima in the Oshikoto Region. Which primary and secondary school did you attend?I started my educational journey at Hamunyela Primary School. This is the closest school to my home village. I was there from Grades 1-3 before moving to Oniipa Primary School…

01 Sep

Letshego’s profit sees a 2% rise to N$171m

ObserverObserver MoneyLetshego's profit sees a 2% rise to N$171m

Chamwe Kaira In its interim results for the first half of 2023, Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Limited announced an increase in profit after tax, reaching N$171 million compared to N$168 million in the previous year, marking a 2% growth. The company's performance led to the declaration of a dividend amounting to N$224.5 million in June 2023. Chairperson Maryvonne Palanduz and Chief Executive Officer Ester Kali stated that the company experienced a substantial 14% surge in total revenue compared to the same period the previous year. This surge was propelled by a 16% rise in interest income, accompanied by a robust 11%…

01 Sep

Mining sector employed 16 147 people in 2022

ObserverObserver Money6.9% in 2022, Debmarine Namibia, Mining sector employed 16 147 people in 2022

Chamwe Kaira Total direct employment in the mining industry increased by 6.9% in 2022 and the sector collectively employed 16,147 people. The increase was a result of the new employment positions created on Debmarine Namibia’s new mining vessel and increased exploration activities. The direct employment consisted of 8,391 permanent employees, 742 temporary employees and 7,014 contractors, the Chamber of Mines of Namibia announced this week. The mining sector recorded another year of strong growth in 2022 of 21.6%, compared to 11% in 2021. The industry also significantly increased its relative share and importance to the Namibian economy by growing its…

01 Sep

Menzies Aviation loses bid to stay on at HKIA

ObserverFeaturedMenzies Aviation loses bid to stay on at HKIA

Niel Terblanche HIGH Court Judge, Hannelie Prinsloo this morning dismissed an application of Menzies Aviation Namibia where the British-owned company appealed against being evicted from the Hosea Kutako International Airport on 19 August 2023 with costs and removed the matter from the roll. The judge found that Menzies had no legal right to insist on continuing to provide ground handling services at the airport and that the company had no legal right to further occupy any premises of the Namibia Airports Company at the airport. The judge also found that the Namibia Airports Company was fully entitled to enforce the…

01 Sep

Government to dispose 600MT of monk fish

ObserverObserver MoneyGovernment to dispose 600MT of monk fish

Chamwe Kaira The government plans to disposal 600 metric tons of Monk Freezer Fish to the highest bidder. This is part of the governmental objective to auction fish quotas to the highest bidder. The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has invited bidders for 600 metric ton of Monk Freezer Fish on the following conditions bids must be in multiples of 100 metric ton with a minimum price of N$10 000 per MT of monk freezer fish. The ministry said quota will be allocated to the highest bidders at their bid-price, ascending…

01 Sep

Lest we take projects like Green Hydrogen on face value!

ObserverOpinionsLest we take projects like Green Hydrogen on face value!

CAN more jobs creation, and even what one may consider increased investment flow lead to increased, better and/or requisite socio-economic transformation that Namibia craves for, and has been even since independence been so much desirous of and for, which indeed was, is and must be the essence of independence? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but raise this pertinent question, especially at the backdrop of the recent oil and gas conference last month, where some Namibian ministers delivered what they presented. But their deliveries at the said conference, more than charting the way forward, in terms of the country’s let alone the…

01 Sep

Menzies is tainting Namibia’s sovereign reputation

ObserverNational NewsMenzies is tainting Namibia’s sovereign reputation, Swapo Youth League

Niël Terblanché The Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) is a strategic entry point to Namibia and by not complying with a recent Supreme Court order, British-owned Menzies Aviation Namibia is painting a negative image of the country. Ephraim Nekongo, the Secretary of the Swapo Youth League said the company’s actions are also compromising Namibia’s sovereignty and security. “We call on all patriotic forces to unite and reject the imperial posture of Menzies,” the youth leader said in a statement. The recent actions of Menzies Aviation at the HKIA have ignited a wave of condemnation from a wide variety of corporate…