Observer – Page 404 – Windhoek Observer

30 Aug

SAPP and MSB access guide launched to boost energy trading market

ObserverEnergyNamibia Electricity Control Board (ECB), SAPP and MSB access guide launched to boost energy trading market

Martin Endjala Namibia Electricity Control Board (ECB), NamPower and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) have launched the modified single buyer market access guide to support Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The launch which took place in Windhoek this week, aims to access the national and regional energy trading market, with support from the European Union programme. Executive Officer in the Ministry of Mines and Energy Bryan Eiseb, who was speaking at the launch said the modified single buyer allows for new tech ability of electricity supply which allows local authority, regional and electricity customers to buy from IPPs both on…

30 Aug

State drops charges against Parliamentarian Hengari

ObserverNational Newsdue to a lack of evidence surrounding her case., Inna Hengari, The State last week withdrew charges against Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament

Stefanus Nashama The State last week withdrew charges against Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari, due to a lack of evidence surrounding her case. According to a court document seen by Windhoek Observer, the matter against Hengari was withdrawn as there is no prima facie case, and her N$5 000 bail was refunded. Henagri faced charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and incitement to public violence. This follows after she was arrested along with activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, during an attempt to protest against high unemployment countrywide on 21 March 2023. Hengari yesterday told…

30 Aug

Parliament praises Türkiye’s support for digital transformation

ObserverNational NewsParliament praises Türkiye’s support for digital transformation

Stefanus Nashama National Assembly Speaker, Porfessor Peter Katjavivi, has acknowledged Türkiye’s efforts to render support for digital transformation in Namibian Parliament through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Katjavivi made the compliment when Turkish Ambassador, Feral Oruçkaptan, and TIKA Country Coordinator, Anydin Apaydin paid a courtesy call to him at Parliament yesterday. According to Katjavivi, TIKA is currently assisting the National Assembly in its quest for digital transformation by digitalising its conference rooms, through the recently launched e-parliament strategy. TIKA is an agency of the Turkish government focusing on development cooperation in Namibia. “We are extremely grateful that Turkey,…

30 Aug

Creative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive

ObserverNational NewsCreative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite most industries getting financial assistance from the Government to help them survive during the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals were left to fend for themselves as they did not benefit from the Economic Stimulus and Relief Package. Speaking at a panel discussion on Social Protection for Artists and Cultural Professionals in Windhoek yesterday, Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture Faustina Caley, shed light on the struggles faced by the creative sector. “Many creative businesses did not benefit from the stimulus package,” Caley lamented, explaining that micro businesses functioning in the arts, culture and heritage…

30 Aug

Eenhana farmers still slaughtering cattle under trees

ObserverNational NewsEenhana farmers still slaughtering cattle under trees, Walde Ndevashiya

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Ohangwena Regional Governor Walde Ndevashiya has expressed concern about local farmers at Eenhana practising unhygienic slaughtering of their cattle under trees despite the fact that an abattoir was availed to them. Ndevashiya raised the concerns while engaging Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Anna Shiweda, who is visiting the region to assess the implementation of Government programmes related to agriculture. The abattoir was constructed in 2019, and since its completion only operated fully for one month and closed down due to huge financial losses it was making. Its closure has since then forced local farmers and…

30 Aug

Child abuse incident highlights urgent need for protection and prevention: Shikwambi

ObserverNational NewsChildline helpline at 106, five-year-old girl was hospitalized

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a recent incident that has sent shockwaves through the nation, a five-year-old girl was hospitalized after enduring abuse by her three minor cousins, aged 6, 8, and 12. The incident, which occurred in a village in the Omaheke Region, has raised concerns about child safety and protection. Her ordeal was brought to light when a distressing video capturing her injuries circulated on social media. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stressed that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressing necessity to prevent child abuse and safeguard vulnerable children. “This incident is a reminder of the importance…

30 Aug

PAS seals air cargo deal with Airlink

ObserverMainHosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), PAS seals air cargo deal with Airlink

Niël Terblanché Paragon Aviation Services (PAS) has reached an agreement with regional airline, Airlink for cargo handling at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) with immediate effect. Airlink suspended air cargo operations to HKIA shortly after Menzie Aviation Services was evicted from the premises of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) almost two weeks ago. According to Carla da Silva, the executive manager of sales and marketing at Airlink, the decision to resume air cargo services followed a constructive discussion with the principles of Paragon, the new ground handler at the international airport. “We ascertained that Paragon’s aviation security - including…

30 Aug

Set aside by sjambok: labour law onviolence and harassment in the workplace

ObserverOpinionsSet aside by sjambok: labour law onviolence and harassment in the workplace

Fedden Mainga In my preceding opinion piece (volume 27), I addressed the constitutional violations of the practical joke involving some employees at Rundu service station who were beaten for loans. In the employment context, this ‘joke’ brought to the fore some worrisome realities of the state of labour laws because the Labour Act 11 of 2007 only provides for sexual harassment. Even though the Ministry of Labour is reportedly busy with amendments that will include violence and harassment in the workplace, the current Labour Act does not provide for incidents like the one in question. According to Ohms Kayama, an…

29 Aug

Ongwediva Trade Fair attracts 418 exhibitors

ObserverObserver MoneyDeputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Ongwediva Trade Fair attracts 418 exhibitors, Verna Sinimbo

Stefanus Nashama The 2023 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) which has officially opened over the weekend, has attracted 418 local and international exhibitors. The Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Verna Sinimbo, who spoke on behalf of President Hage Geingob during the official opening, said the 418 local and international exhibitors reflect a fair number of active economic sectors in the country. This includes the informal sector that also contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), she said. The theme for this year’s trade fair is “Embracing a sustainable economy, linking smart markets”. Sinombo noted that the event creates…

29 Aug

Mining Industry Has Potential to Drive Namibia’s Economic Fortunes

ObserverOpinionsMining Industry Has Potential to Drive Namibia’s Economic Fortunes

Josef Kefas Sheehama The mining sector of Namibia remains a key driver of sustainable economic development. Indeed, this sector contributes a lot to exports as well as having crucial inter-linkages with other sectors of the economy. The mining sector is critical for carrying out mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and marketing because Namibia lacks enough capital and technological resources to finance such capital-intensive large-scale. It is noteworthy that in 2023, the sector contributed about 12% of GDP. Namibia’s mining sector recorded a year of strong growth of 21.6% in 2022 compared to 11% in 2021, on the back of good performance…