Observer – Page 461 – Windhoek Observer

05 Sep

MPs expected to address health issues and other challenges as Parliament resumes today

ObserverNational NewsDuminga Ndala, MPs expected to address health issues and other challenges as Parliament resumes today

Martin Endjala National Assembly will be under immense pressure as Namibians anticipate numerous issues to be on the agenda when Parliament resumes today following a break where several oversight visits across the country by various Parliamentary Standing Committees and the race to pass all bills to avoid financial greylisting. During the oversight visits, issues ranging from the state of health facilities, education, poverty, road infrastructures, Gender-Based Violence, and various water and electricity crises are among many issues anticipated to take centre stage in the August house. Political Analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah, yesterday said Members of Parliament have set for themselves high…

05 Sep

New minimum wage agreed for Namibia’s agricultural sector

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF), New minimum wage agreed for Namibia’s agricultural sector

Niël Terblanché In a significant step forward for labour rights, the Namibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF) has successfully concluded negotiations to increase the minimum wage for farmworkers in both the commercial and communal farming sectors. The newly agreed-upon minimum wage, effective from 1 October 2023, represents a 10 percent increase 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. In addition, workers who do not receive free rations will see their monthly ration allowance increase…

05 Sep

Savanna Beef Processors plans new state-of-the-art processing facility

ObserverNational NewsSavanna Beef Processors (SBP), Savanna Beef Processors plans new state-of-the-art processing facility

Niël Terblanché Savanna Beef Processors (SBP) celebrated a significant milestone during its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the company showcased remarkable achievements in the fields of engineering, financial planning and market engagement over the past year. One of the most outstanding announcements was SBP’s successful capital-raising efforts, which have secured N$181 million to fund the construction of a state-of-the-art export beef-processing facility in Namibia. In a statement, the company said it is actively pursuing a third private placement, set to close on September 7, with the goal of reaching N$200 million in total funding. Several key developments were discussed…

05 Sep

Standard Bank Namibia appoints a new CEO

ObserverObserver MoneyErwin Tjipuka, Standard Bank Namibia appoints a new CEO

Niël Terblanché Standard Bank Namibia has advised its shareholders about the appointment of Erwin Tjipuka as the new Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank Namibia Holdings Limited and Standard Bank Namibia Limited. Shareholders were advised in accordance with Rule 3.59 of the Namibian Stock Exchange Listing Requirements. According to the advisement, Tjipuka is a Namibian chartered accountant and an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the professional and financial services industry. Tjipuka is skilled in Financial Management, External Audit, Corporate Finance, Management Consulting and Banking. He is a transformational leader with a passion for talent development and…

05 Sep

Pensioner loses lawsuit against ACC’s Noah and Imalwa

ObserverNational NewsAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Martha Imalwa, Paulus Noah, Pensioner loses lawsuit against ACC’s Noah and Imalwa, Selma Fimanekeni Mbome

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Paulus Noah, and Prosecutor General, Martha Imalwa have emerged victorious in a lawsuit filed against them by pensioner Selma Fimanekeni Mbome for unlawful arrest by ACC members in 2017. The ruling was handed down by High Court Judge Kobus Miller yesterday. In her lawsuit, Mbome cited Noah, Imalwa and the government as the first, second, and third respondents. She sought N$1,695,454 in damages, with interest at a rate of 20 percent per annum for the suffering she endured during her arrest and the associated legal costs. Mbome was arrested in…

05 Sep

Menzies Aviation accuses judge of erring on facts and the law

ObserverMainJudge Prinsloo, Menzies Aviation accuses judge of erring on facts and the law

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia has filed a notice with the High Court of Namibia in which the United Kingdom-based company intend to lodge an appeal against the judgement delivered on Friday by Justice Hannelie Prinsloo with the Supreme Court of Namibia. The decisive judgment handed down by Judge Prinsloo reaffirmed the legality of the eviction of Menzies Aviation Namibia from the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) on 19 August 2023. The ruling reiterated Menzies’ lack of legal standing at the HKIA but also underscored the authority of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) to enforce the previous court orders. Judge…

04 Sep

On the road with Faraway Sandy Trails Stonetrees, a White Lady & many cups of coffee

ObserverFeaturedOn the road with Faraway Sandy Trails Stonetrees

Ron Swilling I picked up some unusual travelling literature on a recent trip through Namibia, a book called ‘Faraway Sandy Trails’ written by Lily Marion Newton more than sixty years ago. It gave me the opportunity to compare routes and find amusing and interesting anecdotes about the country and the days of travel before organised tourism and tar roads. This time I focused on the chapter about two attractions in north-western Namibia, the Petrified Forest and the well-known White Lady rock painting. Today both are on the tourist map and there are well-signposted gravel roads, but in Lily’s day it…

04 Sep

Honeymoon in Namibia – Memories to last a lifetime

ObserverFeaturedHoneymoon in Namibia - Memories to last a lifetime

Despite the world dealing with the aftermath of Covid, Sabrina and I decided to get married last year on September 18th, 2021. We held a small garden wedding with our family and closest friends. It was a magical day that will be forever engraved in our hearts. One thing was missing though; we had to postpone our honeymoon until the world opened up again. Once it did, there was an unlimited well of possibilities. We decided to honeymoon in Africa as it was a continent we both hadn’t explored much and it intrigued us. Sabrina researched several countries in the…

04 Sep

CoW blames the government for Its financial woes

ObserverNational NewsCoW blames the government for Its financial woes, Harold Akweenye

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has stated that its financial struggles are exacerbated by a growing population, urbanisation and the provision of services that should be funded or subsidised by the government. This was conveyed by the city’s spokesperson, Harold Akweenye while responding to questions on the city’s current financial status after it was reported last year that the city is surviving on a N$200 million bank overdraft every month to pay salaries and other expenses. Akwenye is of the opinion that for the city’s financial status to improve, urbanization should be minimized and the government should avail funds…

04 Sep

Menzies Aviation’s endless litigation is sabotaging Namibia’s economy

ObserverMainHosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA)., Menzies’ endless litigation is sabotaging Namibia’s economy

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia has filed yet another notice of motion with the Namibian High Court in which application the company intends to seek an order that would allow them more time to operate as the ground handling service provider at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA). This comes after High Court Judge Hannelie Prinsloo on Friday dismissed another application where the British-owned company appealed against its eviction from the Hosea Kutako International Airport on 19 August 2023. The matter was dismissed with costs and removed the matter from the roll. The judge found that Menzies had no legal…