Observer

8833 Posts
Swakopmund Municipality extends CEO’s contract

Swakopmund Municipality extends CEO’s contract

Niël Terblanché In a resounding vote of confidence and appreciation for outstanding leadership, the Swakopmund Municipality has officially extended Alfeus Benjamin’s contract as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for an additional five years. The decision was made in accordance with the provisions of section 27 of the Local Authority Act, Act 23 of 1992, as amended. Benjamin, who assumed office on December 1, 2018, will continue to guide the municipality with his proven leadership and vision. His new tenure will start on 1 December 2023. For the past five years, Benjamin has been a driving force behind numerous positive changes and…
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NamPol joins the world in celebrating a century of InterPol

NamPol joins the world in celebrating a century of InterPol

Stefanus Nashama Namibia, through the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) yesterday joined the world in celebrating 100 years of creating global safety by being part of Interpol. According to InterPol’s Executive Committee Delegate for Africa, Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, the international police organisation is the golden thread fit for the purpose of international cooperation to fight all kinds of crime. Major General Nainda, who is the Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police responsible for administration indicated that Namibia as a member state has joined the world in celebrating 100 years of InterPol’s existence under the theme “Interpol 100 years through…
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Katutura residents demand action over debt collection

Katutura residents demand action over debt collection

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Katutura residents are up in arms and demanding swift action from both the City of Windhoek (CoW) management, the Council and the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, regarding their grievances over the use of Redforce Debt Management for debt collection. They aired their frustration during a protest at the CoW premises and the Ministry yesterday, demanding responses to a petition they submitted to both institutions on 19 July 2023. The group through its representative committee called Katutura Residents Committee, led by its Chairperson, Benestus Kandundu, expressed their dissatisfaction with the city’s approach to debt collection…
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Menzies Aviation’s lies and conspiracy theories

Menzies Aviation’s lies and conspiracy theories

Niël Terblanché Claims by Menzies Aviation Namibia about releasing critical lifesaving medical supplies for the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service (NamBTS) from its locked-up air cargo warehouse at the Hosea Kutako International Aiport (HKIA) were exposed as blatant lies. The United Kingdom-based company, in a press statement issued on Tuesday, claimed to have released crucial medical supplies about an hour before the actual event occurred. Dan Kamati, the spokesperson of the Namibia Airports Company stated that he was made aware of the publication of the press release shortly after a court ordered mediation process between NAC, Menzies Aviation and Paragon Aviation…
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Kawana tasked to explain prisoners escaping from lawful custody

Kawana tasked to explain prisoners escaping from lawful custody

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement Parliamentarian, Hidipo Hamata, is expecting the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, to explain to the public how some inmates managed to escape from lawful custody at some correctional facilities. “The minister owes the public an explanation how these escapes are happening,” he said. Hamata, who put his notice of questions to Kawana in Parliament this week, said the Minister also owes the public an explanation. The Parliamentarian said Kawana, should indicate how the Ministry will deal with the matter. He also wanted to know what operational and security improvements the…
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Labour Ministry not endorsing wage increase for farm workers

Labour Ministry not endorsing wage increase for farm workers

Niël Terblanché The recent announcement by the Namibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF) that it has successfully concluded negotiations to increase the minimum wage for farmworkers in both the commercial and communal farming sectors, has been welcomed by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. The NALF announced that wages will increase by ten percent over the previous year’s minimum wage. The current minimum wage, which was in place throughout 2022, is set to rise to N$6.00 per hour or N$1,170 per month for employees working a 45-hour workweek. Additionally, workers who do not receive free rations will see…
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Alcohol and drug abuse exacerbated by a lack of opportunities

Alcohol and drug abuse exacerbated by a lack of opportunities

Martin Endjala The management of the Swanson Tantalum mining project which is set to open next year in the //Karas Region, says as much as they wish to employ local people, alcohol and drug abuse among them might force them to recruit people from elsewhere. The Mining company’s Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Le Roux, raised this concern during an interview with the Windhoek Observer recently. Le Roux said that the behaviour of some locals in the region might pose an issue during the recruitment process because mining activities require individuals to be absolutely sober. He emphasised that the community in…
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Certain houses in Khomadal and Katutura to be declared heritage centres

Certain houses in Khomadal and Katutura to be declared heritage centres

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek (CoW) Council has approved plans to declare houses that are over 50 years old into heritage centres in the areas of Khomasdal and Katutura, with the aim of transforming the apartheid-era legacy into vibrant hubs offering employment creation opportunities. The City’s Ordinary Council meeting that took place last week, agreed that an identification and nomination process should be carried out to select certain houses in Khomasdal and Katutura locations such as the Herero, Damara, Wambo, Donkerhoek and Gemengde to create a cultural precinct by developing a trail around the said townships as they were…
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Namibia recorded zero ozone-depleting substances: Sinimbo

Namibia recorded zero ozone-depleting substances: Sinimbo

Stefanus Nashama The Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Verna Sinimbo, has noted that the country recorded zero consumption of the ozone-depleting substance, Chlouro-Flouro-Carbons (CFCs). Sinimbo said the improvement of such a record was made possible by the control of the ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol discussion nations in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States. She was speaking at the National Ozone Unit and Customs Twinning Workshop and Border Dialogue for countries of the SADC region yesterday in Windhoek. The border dialogue aims to strengthen cooperation between Customs Departments from the countries in monitoring the trade of…
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NamRA clarifies import procedures for goods from non-SACU Member States

NamRA clarifies import procedures for goods from non-SACU Member States

Niël Terblanché Importing goods from non-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member states into Namibia involves a series of procedures and regulations governed by the Customs and Excise Act, 1998 (Act No. 20 of 1998). In a notice, the Namibian Revenue Agency said regulations aim to ensure transparency, tax compliance, and adherence to health and environmental standards. Navigating these importation procedures is crucial for ensuring compliance with Namibia’s customs regulations and fostering trade while protecting public health and the environment. Importers and travellers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these regulations to facilitate smooth and lawful importation processes. Importation of Commercial…
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