Windhoek Observer – Page 473 – Windhoek Observer

11 Jul

LPM welcomes Amushelelo

National News

Stefanus Nashama A former member of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Michael Amushelelo, has joined the Landless People’s Movement (LPM). LPM communication coordinator, William Minnie confirmed the news on Thursday. “I can confirm that Saddam Michael Amushelelo has officially joined the Landless People’s Movement today. He has received his membership card,” he said. Amushelelo was received by the party’s chief whip, Utaara Mootu, the deputy operative secretary, Edward Haingoro, and the national event’s coordinator, Ivan Skrywer. “I would like to make it categorically that the party I have joined is none other than the Landless People’s Movement. From now…

11 Jul

MICT aligns strategic objectives to tackle challenges

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) convened a senior leadership retreat in Okahandja to review and align the strategic objectives of the ministry and its public entities, with a focus on leveraging ICT to address pressing national issues. The event brought together the ministry's executives and public enterprise board leaders. In her opening address, ICT Minister Emma Theofelus stressed the importance of devising effective strategies to alleviate unemployment, poverty, and the high cost of living through the digital economy. "Over the next few days, our discussions should focus on how our industry can contribute to alleviating…

11 Jul

Namibia dedicated to building resilient society – Katjavivi

National News

Moses Magadza The National Assembly of Namibia is dedicated to creating a resilient and prosperous society, knowing that the country’s future depends on today's decisions. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, said this when he addressed a two-day regional workshop on fostering sustainable futures, which was held from 9 to 10 July in Windhoek. The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) partnered with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) to convene a regional workshop on "Fostering Sustainable Futures: Integrating Climate Resilience in Southern Africa." Katjavivi told the workshop that climate resilience is…

11 Jul

Transformation of education will be the focus of Children’s Parliament

National News

Niël Terblanché The sixth session of Namibia’s Children's Parliament will convene on Friday at the National Assembly and will focus on finding solutions to the educational challenges faced by Namibian children. The session, which starts today, and themed "Transforming Education in Namibia," aims to tackle critical post-COVID-19 issues such as school dropouts and learner pregnancies. Over 60 learners from Namibia's 14 regions are expected to participate in the week-long session. Before being sworn in for two years the young parliamentarians will undergo an intensive induction programme. They will then break into standing committees to discuss and address pressing educational issues.…

11 Jul

No one should pay bribes for medical care

National News

Stefanus Nashama The executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, said no Namibian should pay bribes to obtain medical care at the state’s healthcare facilities. He also said the government policy does not require the elderly, persons with disabilities, and veterans of the liberation struggle to pay anything for the health services they receive. “All health services provided by the ministry are free of charge, save for a once-off token payment of N$4 for those with the means to pay at a clinic. No individual is turned away or refused services even if they are…

11 Jul

Public servants can now stand for elections without quitting their jobs

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni has tabled amendments to Section 77 of the Electoral Act of 2014, which will allow public servants to be nominated and accept nominations as candidates for the National Assembly election without having to resign from their employment. Previously, Article 47 of the Electoral Act required public servants nominated for the National Assembly elections to resign from their jobs. The Law Reform and Development Commission was tasked with reviewing the Act, producing a report, and making recommendations to Parliament. This week, Uutoni presented a motion to consider the amendments as a…

11 Jul

Rural patients struggle for medical attention at Outapi District Hospital

National News

Martin Endjala A few metres away from the Outapi District Hospital in the Omusati region, a family waiting for medical help for their sick child, is battling the elements while sleeping under a thorn tree. Helena Maitjavi and her nine-year-old daughter, Tivasha, have been camping in a tiny green tent under a thorn tree while they await the laboratory results. "Tivasha has been coughing for a while, but they took samples of her saliva and told us to come back next week. "We don't have money to go up and down,” said Helena. They travelled from Oshifo near Ruacana to…

11 Jul

IPPR and PDM call for Whistleblower Act activation

Featured, National News

Martin Endjala The Whistleblower Protection Act, passed in 2017, urgently needs to go into effect, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). Graham Hopwood, the executive director of IPPR, made the call on African Anti-Corruption Day, observed annually on July 11. This year's theme is “Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption”.“ “In view of this, the IPPR, through its Integrity Namibia project, calls on the government to urgently operationalise the Whistleblower Protection Act, which was passed in 2017. Seven years later, this crucial law remains unimplemented,…

11 Jul

Grootfontein single-quarter residents fight for dignity

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The moment you step into the Grootfontein Single Quarters, the pungent smell of urine greets you from what should be ablution facilities. The stench is overwhelming as if the very air is saturated with years of neglect. Scattered rubbish and crumbling buildings tell a story of forgotten people and forsaken promises, remnants of the apartheid era. This is the condition in which residents of single quarters have lived for years. “There is no difference from this pigsty we are in,” said Linus Iyambo, who has been living in the single quarters since 1992. These quarters, erected in the…

11 Jul

Non-banking financial Institutions worth N$419 billion

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFI) assets amounted to N$419.4 billion at the end of 2023, according to figures given to Observer Money, by the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa)’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Matomola. Number of regulated entities as at 31 December 2023, included 78 active pension funds, seven medical aid funds, one active friendly society, 14 long-term insurance companies, 14 short-term insurance companies, 21 special purpose vehicles, 21-unit trust management companies, 31 investment managers, 31 unlisted investment managers, 560 microlenders, one stock exchange, four linked investment services providers, four stockbrokers, including sponsors. Namfisa exists to supervise…