Windhoek Observer – Page 448 – Windhoek Observer

14 Aug

Power outage scheduled across Hardap region

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The Hardap Regional Council has issued a notice of a power outage on 15 August 2024, from 08:00 to 16:00. The affected areas include McNabsrus 1-4, Ommamas, Duineveld Village and Pump Station, Kalkrand Village, Swartwater, Middle Plaas, Karanas 1-2, Groendraai, Wirkop, Tsumis Park 1-2, Tsumis College, Kauchas, Schlip Village, Khobos 1 & 2, Klein-Aub, Rietoog Village, and Nabaseb.The council stated that the outage is necessary for the maintenance of all high-voltage (HV) equipment.“Residents are advised to treat all power supplies as live during the outage since re-energisation will occur without prior notice,” the council said in the notice. Reporter: Hertta-Maria…

14 Aug

The rise of engineering firms in Namibia: Transforming the landscape of African engineering

FeaturedSeopros Digital Marketing Agency, The rise of engineering firms in Namibia

Namibia, with its vast landscapes and diverse natural resources, is witnessing a transformation in its engineering sector. Driven by innovative firms committed to sustainable development, the engineering landscape in Namibia is evolving to meet the demands of modern infrastructure while respecting the environment. This transformation is marked by advancements in various sectors including water management, transportation, urban development, and renewable energy. Sustainable Water Management Water scarcity is a significant challenge in Namibia, necessitating advanced engineering solutions to ensure sustainable water supply and management. Engineering companies in Namibia are at the forefront of designing and implementing projects that enhance water conservation…

13 Aug

Parliament faces legal and functional challenges over NEFF seats

MainChristian Democratic Voice (CDV), Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN), Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters

Martin Endjala After the deregistration of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), and Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN) by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), it is still unclear what will happen to the seats vacated in the National Assembly. “This is another classic example that the existing legal provisions are incomplete and do not clarify all eventualities,” said political analyst, Henning Melber on the seats left unoccupied by members of parliament of the affected parties. He said that the country's legal provisions fall short when it comes to handling unforeseen situations, such as the NEFF…

13 Aug

Nandi-Ndaitwah advised to pick competent people, not loyalty, ahead of the electoral college

National NewsBen Mulongeni

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Political commentator and Swapo veteran Ben Mulongeni advised Swapo vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that if she wants to govern effectively, she should choose her top 10 candidates at the party's electoral college based on their competence rather than their loyalty. Mulongeni shared this opinion during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, where he discussed the upcoming party electoral college or POT. Mulongeni believes that loyalty alone does not lead to success or benefit the country. “We have already seen how loyalty has been messed up during campaigns. Imagine telling people that if they don’t vote for…

13 Aug

Agriculture ministry sets aside N$62 million to transform farming

National NewsFifth National Development Plan (NDP5), Harambee Prosperity Plan

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has declared its intention to provide subsidies to farmers in various regions through its agriculture program. The estimated funding for this initiative is approximately N$62 million. According to Jona Musheko, the ministry's spokesperson, these subsidised production programs are not new and are implemented annually. The program has already started and will continue until next year. “The subsidies are as high as 65% and 50% minimum. Three are available in all regions, apart from the dairy, which started as a pilot and is now slowly moving to other regions. We have…

13 Aug

Namibia demands reform of UNSC to correct Africa’s exclusion

National NewsUnited Nations Security Council

Niël Terblanché International relations minister, Peya Mushelenga wants the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address the historical exclusion of Africa from permanent membership. Mushelenga was speaking at the UNSC high-level debate on international peace and security that took place in New York on Monday. "Africa cannot continue to stand as a passive spectator in the global political field," he said while stressing that the current geopolitical power distribution sidelines an entire continent from crucial decision-making processes. Mushelenga stressed that the reform of the UNSC is not a request for favours but a legitimate plea for justice and equality. “Maintaining…

13 Aug

Taxi union leader accuses Supreme Court of stalling multimillion-dollar lawsuit

National News

Stefanus Nashama Werner Januarie, the President of the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), has accused the Supreme Court of not giving a satisfactory explanation for not reinstating his N$74 million claim against the government. Januarie, speaking with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, expressed frustration with the court’s inability to set a hearing date for the case. “The problem is that the Supreme Court has not determined the date on which the matter will be heard,” he said. The Supreme Court's decision led to the removal of the matter from the court roll, according to the court documents. Since then,…

13 Aug

Lüderitz port expansion to transform energy and trade landscape

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is advancing its plans to expand the Port of Lüderitz, integral to the country’s strategy for enhancing support to industries such as oil, gas, and green hydrogen production. The Namibian Ports Authority’s (Namport) executive of port engineering, Elzevir Gelderbloem, has stressed that the Robert Harbour quay wall extension project will undergo rigorous inspections, including underwater surveys. In a report by nambusinessexpress.com Gelderbloem said that the expansion of the Port of Lüderitz is not just about increasing capacity; it is about positioning the port as a key logistics hub for Namibia’s oil, gas, and green hydrogen industries. According…

13 Aug

WHO drives immunisation and nutrition intervention

National NewsAfrican Vaccination Week in Namibia, World Health Organization

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from the Government of Japan, conducted an urgent health intervention from 5 to 9 August during African Vaccination Week in Namibia. According to a report published by the WHO, the initiative that was launched in the Omaheke region was aimed at addressing critical health challenges, including vaccine hesitancy and malnutrition, particularly among children under the age of five and vulnerable populations in remote areas. The WHO report states that the Omaheke region, known for the long distances people must…

13 Aug

The fabric of separation of powers in Namibia: A case study of Michael Saddam Amushelelo and NamRA

OpinionsMichael Saddam Amushelelo and NamRA

Thomas Nashongo The mandate of the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA), as outlined in the Namibian Constitution Act of 2017 (Act No. 12 of 2017), is to function as a state agent responsible for the collection and assessment of taxes, along with other forms of government revenue. In this capacity, NamRA plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance and efficiency in the nation’s financial system that operates under the supervision and guidance of the ministry of finance. The Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA), plays a pivotal role in upholding government revenue through tax collection, which brings about social and economic development. The…