Windhoek Observer – Page 466 – Windhoek Observer

01 Aug

Amidst unabated land theft NIPDB now the new apologist for capitalism?

Opinions

Ownership of land by rich foreign whites was the headline lately in one of the English dailies that seem to awaken many out of their usual slumber that land in Namibia, the little that may be left, if there’s any left from colonial capitalist plunder and thievery, is anything to go by. What is disturbing about this headline it is as if this is new phenomenon in Namibia, whether predating capitalist colonialism and even post capitalist neo-colonialism as pertaining today in an independent and free Namibia. The colonial agenda has been and is still about the natural resources of the…

01 Aug

“Bridging the Gap: The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Namibia’s Economic and Social Equity”

Opinions

Tomas Nashongo Access to reliable public transportation is a catalyst for urban mobility, linking individuals to socio-economic opportunities and employment. Public transportation serves as a lifeline, connecting people to essential services and financial activities. However, in Namibia, the legacy of apartheid—a policy of political, social, and economic discrimination against non-white people—has left many without adequate access to transportation. Orcutt explains that apartheid-era policies marginalized certain communities, restricting their mobility and access to transportation services. This deliberate exclusion not only limited access to transport but also preserved economic inequalities by denying people opportunities for work, social interaction, and cultural engagement. The…

01 Aug

COMPANIES FINED:

Latest

The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) has fined several Chinese companies in the cement industry N$5 million for merging without notification to the relevant authorities. According to the NaCC, the companies merged without its approval. The decision to mete out the fine comes after the High Court ruled in favour of NaCC on Monday. The companies are Fan Qingmei, Wang Zhonkge, Hong Xiang Holdings and Whale Rock Cement which owns Cheetah Cement.Report: Martin Endjala.

31 Jul

Okongo Village Council employees grab low-cost houses

Main

Ester Mbathera and Martin Endjala Officials of the Okongo Village Council have allocated low-cost houses to themselves. Senior council members received the houses intended for low-income families in the village, despite their ineligibility based on salary criteria. Documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer reveal that Maria Shikomba, a senior accountant, Maria Kaluvi, the head of administration, and Abraham Kapembe, the building inspector at the Okongo Village Council, allocated themselves houses under the Build Together National Housing Programme. This programme specifies a maximum salary threshold of N$6 000 for eligibility, which the officials exceed by several degrees. According to the documents,…

31 Jul

Namibia forges ahead with providing Universal Health Coverage

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia has officially taken another step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and enhancing the country's public healthcare infrastructure with the official inauguration of the Gcaruhwa Clinic in the Kavango West Region. Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, said during the ceremony on Wednesday that the newly opened clinic will provide accessible and affordable health care to all Namibians while also aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the country. "This facility is paramount because it will serve communities that for a long time had to work long distances, confronting the elements…

31 Jul

Mbangu demands transparency in the allocation of heroes and state funerals

National News

Stefanus Nashama Rundu Rural Constituency Councillor, Paulus Mbangu has questioned the allocation of heroes and state funerals to prominent politicians and other famous Namibians. “We are a nation whose cup overflows with hypocrites who give heroes and heroines nothing but pain during their lives and mourn and groan inappropriately upon their deaths. It is painful to note that the state discarded and forgot the contribution of our heroes before Mother Earth accepted the bones of our heroes,” he said in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Mbangu, the issue has turned into a political script that…

31 Jul

Lüderitz to write-off pensioners’ debt

National News

Martin Endjala The Lüderitz Town Council has approved the cancellation of pensioners' debts, which are estimated to be several thousands of dollars. The chairperson of the management committee, Annemarie Hartzenberg, presented a motion last month to write off pensioners' debts. The council made this decision last week during the ordinary council meeting. "It is necessary for such a motion to be implemented and executed. We have observed that unemployment and poverty levels in Lüderitz are increasing, and there is also a growing concern with regard to household but income remains stagnant due to economic decline," she said. Hartzenberg, the committee…

31 Jul

Venaani urges parliament to investigate N$230 million losses at Namdia

National News

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani has called on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to conduct an urgent investigation into the revenue loss of approximately N$230 million at Namdia. He also called on relevant stakeholders to address the issue decisively. "An expedited investigation is necessary to ascertain the full extent of the losses, identify any underlying issues, and hold accountable those responsible for this situation," he said. In a statement released by the party on Wednesday, Venaani said the impact of such financial losses goes beyond the immediate figures. "It has broader…

31 Jul

Kasingo calls for urgent climate action

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Loide Kasingo, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, has urged her fellow lawmakers and the people of Namibia to address the negative impact of climate change as a threat to human existence. Kasingo made these remarks at the Southern Africa Parliamentarian regional workshop on strengthening the capacity of national parliaments to oversee climate action accountability and reporting in Windhoek on Wednesday. She emphasised that the effects of climate change are real, and lawmakers should fulfil their role as legislators by enacting laws that are based on existing scientific data. As elected representatives, they have a responsibility to…

31 Jul

Swakopmund Municipality launches property valuation drive

National News

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipal Council has commenced with a general valuation of all rateable properties within its jurisdiction. The announcement came in a statement on Wednesday. The systematic and in-depth process aims to re-evaluate all immovable properties to ensure equality among property owners and accurate property rates. According to the Local Authorities Act 1992 (Act 23 of 1992), as amended, this general valuation is a statutory requirement every five years. The town stated that the exercise will cover approximately 19 200 registered rateable properties in Swakopmund. Valuers and data collectors from SBN Property Investments CC will conduct the inspections,…