Windhoek Observer – Page 414 – Windhoek Observer

01 Sep

Shaningwa demands retraction and apology from Shipwikineni

National News

Martin Endjala Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has asked the High Court to direct Reinhold Shipwikineni to retract the communication and unconditionally tender an apology to the party. She said this in her answering affidavit to the court, in response to the High Court's directive for the party to oppose Shipwikineni and others' application by 30 August. Shipwikineni and others challenged the party's decision to extend the extraordinary congress to next year in court, as well as the legitimacy of vice president Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah's 2024 presidential election candidacy. Shaningwa said the application by Shipwikineni is evident that his actual…

01 Sep

NBL exits O&L Group retirement fund

Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) will exit the Ohlthaver and List (O&L) Group as of 1 October. This was announced last week by O&L in a notice to the employees of NBL. “We wish to inform you that NBL will exit the O&L retirement fund as of 1 October. As such, all NBL employees will no longer form part of the fund as from this date,” read the notice. NBL is no longer part of the O&L Group of companies following its acquisition by Heineken International in a transition that was approved in April 2023. The group said…

01 Sep

Lung sickness outbreak in Opuwo contained

Featured, National NewsDirectorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, Opuwo State Veterinary

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has lifted all restrictions previously imposed following an outbreak of lung sickness in cattle in the Opuwo State Veterinary District of the Kunene region. The chief veterinary officer at the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, said in a statement released on Friday that the decision follows the successful containment and management of the disease by the directorate. According to Shoopala, the outbreak, which was first reported on 1 July in a herd of cattle at Okapundja village, prompted immediate and effective action. “The Directorate of Veterinary Services swiftly…

29 Aug

Rural constituencies in Zambezi region struggling with water crisis

MainJudea Lyaboloma Constituency

Martin Endjala The prevalence of water challenges is increasing for rural communities in the Zambezi Region due to ageing infrastructure and depleted water supply. This is according to Judea Lyaboloma Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai, who confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Dival, most rural communities in the constituency and other parts of the Zambezi Region do not have enough water services because of limited availability and administrative problems. He said failure to maintain and repair dried-out boreholes is among the biggest challenges. “Rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes,…

29 Aug

ECN identifies 13 000 duplicates in voter registration

National NewsGeneral Registration of Voters

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has identified 13 685 duplicate entries following the completion of the 2024 General Registration of Voters (GRV). This was revealed by the ECN chairperson, Elsie Nghikembua, on Thursday when she released the Provisional Voters’ Register and Preliminary Statistics following the completion of the GRV. “As a result, the final provisional statistics now reflect a total of 1 451 444 registered voters, accounting for 90% of the expected voter registration,” she said. Nghikembua said the duplication represented a 0.93% decrease in the total preliminary statistics. The fourth GRV was conducted between 3 June…

29 Aug

300 tied the knot for Namibian citizenship since 2020

National NewsMarriage Bill, Namibian citizenship

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Since January 2020 to date, 296 foreign nationals have acquired Namibian citizenship through marriage to Namibians. This is according to statistics provided by the executive director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Etienne Maritz, to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. Maritz said the ministry also approved 416 applications for citizenship by foreign nationals who are married to Namibians. He explained that Article 4(3) of the Namibian Constitution, along with Section 3 of the Namibian Citizenship Act (Act No. 14 of 1990), allows individuals to acquire Namibian citizenship through marriage. “Article 4(3) in good faith…

29 Aug

MUN western region condemns activities of national leadership

National NewsMine Workers Union of Namibia's (MUN)

Niël Terblanché The Mine Workers Union of Namibia's (MUN) western regional office has raised serious concerns over what it describes as unconstitutional activities initiated by the union's Head Office Administration. According to Abiud Kapere, chairman of the MUN's western region, these actions have been undertaken without the mandate of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and are in direct violation of the MUN Constitution. In a statement on Wednesday, Kapere reiterated that the issuance of disciplinary enquiry notices by a MUN staff member against union members concerning matters related to structural activities represents a grave breach of members' constitutional rights. “The…

29 Aug

Club Pamodzi abandoned and dangerous

National Newsresidents of Rykmansdorp

Hertta- Maria Amutenja Once a vibrant nightclub and matinee venue in Katutura, with a rich history as a popular spot for social gatherings and entertainment, Club Pamodzi has become a nightmare for the residents of Rykmansdorp in Katutura. For the young people in Katutura, the place was known for its lively atmosphere, music, events, nightlife, and matinée. However, since its closure in 2015, the building has fallen into disrepair and become a hotspot for criminal activities. The lack of security has turned it into a dangerous place, causing significant concern among local residents. This has created a sense of fear…

29 Aug

Nantu launches CPD training academy to empower teachers

National NewsAnna Nghipondoka, Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Niël Terblanché The landscape of education in Namibia is set for a transformative shift with the launch of the Namibia National Teachers Union’s (NANTU) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Training Academy, aimed at empowering educators to lead the way in a rapidly evolving educational environment. The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, during the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) twelfth National Congress held in Swakopmund on Wednesday. The new academy, established by NANTU, is designed to provide continuous professional development opportunities for its members, ensuring that teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to…

29 Aug

Compliance with road rules leads to safer roads in Oshana over the long weekend

National NewsCommissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria

Stefanus Nashama The Oshana police have recorded only four vehicle accidents, one fatality, and six cases of drinking and driving during the past long weekend. The Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, shared this information with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. “We have recorded a total number of four accidents, one fatality and six cases of drinking and driving in the region during the past long weekend,” he explained. According to Sakaria, the low-motor vehicle accident cases indicate that motorists are complying with the road rules and police instructions. “These numbers are low considering the number of people…