Observer – Page 455 – Windhoek Observer

12 Sep

Botswana appoints new Envoy to Namibia

ObserverNational NewsBotswana appoints new Envoy to Namibia

Niël Terblanché In a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties between Botswana and Namibia, the President of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi has appointed Mr. Phemelo Rankoro as Botswana’s High Commissioner to Namibia. This appointment is expected to further enhance the longstanding and robust relationship between the two neighbouring nations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Botswana, Rankoro is set to assume his role as High Commissioner in Namibia in October 2023. He will be succeeding Ambassador Dr. Batlang Serema, who has been appointed as Botswana’s envoy to China. According to the ministry, Rankoro brings a wealth of experience…

12 Sep

After-Action Review serves as a learning platform for Namibia

ObserverNational NewsAfter-Action Review serves as a learning platform for Namibia

Niël Terblanché In a significant step towards strengthening its public health response mechanisms, Namibia recently conducted an After-Action Review (AAR) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess its response to the Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic (CCHF) outbreak that occurred earlier this year. The AAR brought together various stakeholders in Windhoek to document the activities undertaken during the CCHF outbreak and evaluate Namibia’s preparedness and response capacity. The CCHF outbreak was first confirmed in the Gobabis District of the Omaheke Region on May 21, 2023, following the unfortunate death of an individual confirmed to have CCHF just three days…

12 Sep

First African climate summit produces historic declaration

ObserverNational NewsFirst African climate summit produces historic declaration

Niël Terblanché African Heads of State and Government convened for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4th to 6th, 2023. The summit brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including global leaders, intergovernmental organizations, Regional Economic Communities, United Nations Agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, local communities, farmer organizations, children, youth, women, and academia. The primary focus of the summit was to address the escalating climate crisis that is impacting the African continent disproportionately. The leaders issued a declaration known as “The African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to…

12 Sep

Capricorn Foundation Commits N$517,000.00 to One Economy Foundation

ObserverNational News000.00 to One Economy Foundation, Capricorn Foundation Commits N$517

Martin Endjala Capricorn Foundation on Friday last week affirmed its support for the One Economy Project at the opening of the #BeFree Youth Campus in Katutura. The fund which will go towards the Youth Campus’ training facility, brings the total contribution to the Campus to over N$1 million, with the first handover done in October last year of N$500,000.00 for the construction of the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Training Centre. The #BeFree Youth Campus aims to create a one-stop solution for youth between the ages of 13 and 30 to receive integrated multidisciplinary services that offer a holistic approach…

12 Sep

Gale-force winds cause havoc at the coast

ObserverNational NewsGale-force winds cause havoc at the coast

Niël Terblanché Several buildings situated in the central coastal towns of Namibia have been damaged by gale-force winds that have been blowing from a southerly direction since Monday morning. In some cases, walls have been blown over while in other areas several roofs sustained severe damage by the wind that at some stage blew at a speed of 50 knots or 92 kilometres per hour. People who live in a block of flats in the Tamariskia residential area of Swakopmund narrowly escaped death when the wind ripped the roof of the building. Pieces of the roof structure collapsed into their…

12 Sep

N$600 000 lost through e-wallet scam

ObserverMainFirst National Bank (FNB) of Namibi, N$600 000 lost through e-wallet scam, Nangula Kauluma

Martin Endjala First National Bank (FNB) of Namibia has confirmed that a total of N$600 000 is estimated to have been lost through e-wallet scams that targeted its clients between August 2022 and August 2023. The bank’s Retail Executive Officer, Nangula Kauluma revealed this yesterday during a media briefing after the bank received multiple complaints from clients who lost their money in this way. She said a total number of 788 transactions were compromised which resulted in N$600 000 getting lost and not reaching their intended recipients. Kauluma pleaded with clients to maintain a high level of vigilance when handling…

11 Sep

THE POETS QUILL: This little light of mine

ObserverOpinions

SheIsKingDesire As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Marianne Williamson said it better in her book, A Return to Love: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” There is a light in a very soul, some lights are brightly burning and others are dark and cold. For me having a light that is brightly burning means doing things that make me feel free and peaceful, surrendering control, trusting my intuition, showing compassion and kindness to myself and others, and believing the simple truth that I…

11 Sep

Down memory lane

ObserverFeaturedDown memory lane, Padlangs

Manni Goldbeck I was going through old boxes the other day from my Top Travel days, a tourism company I started in 1992, when I came across some of the old slips. I looked at the dates and discovered that they were all from 1993, exactly thirty years ago. How things have changed . . . When I left the teaching profession after many fulfilling years at Concordia College, I started ‘Top Travel Information’. It was the early days after independence when tourists were starting to visit Namibia. I employed several upcoming guides, among them Jochen Beckert, Peter Pack and…

11 Sep

Lea’s Sins: An exclusive interview with author, Lea Matheus.

ObserverFeaturedLea’s Sins: An exclusive interview with author

Lea Matheus is a 31 years old Science teacher, a profession she absolutely loves. She recently published her debut novel titled, “Worry about your sins, God won’t ask you mine.” Where were you born and raised?I was born in Okahandja, and due to unforseen circumstances, we moved to the north. Though I moved to Luderitz, and Windhoek later; I’d say my life was based more in the north. Can you tell us about your family?When I was very young, my parents sadly passed away. It was a difficult time for our family, and I was left without their guidance and…

11 Sep

Unions call for cancellation of parastatal tender projects

ObserverNational NewsUnions call for cancellation of parastatal tender projects

Stefanus Nashama Construction Industries Federation (CIF) and Metal, and Allied Workers Unions of Namibia (MANWU) are calling for the cancellation and re-advertising of parastatal tender projects, claiming that local contractors have been excluded from the process. The projects include the Road Authority (RA) project, NamWater projects, Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) Head Office, the NamPower project for 70MWp in Rosh Pinah, and the tender awarded to August 26. Union representatives are claiming that the exclusion of local contractors in these projects is below the interest of maintaining and further developing the Namibian construction sector. They say the matter does…