Observer – Page 482 – Windhoek Observer

26 May

Swapo rubbishes letter about the suspension of Geingob

ObserverMain

Stefanus Nashama The SWAPO Party says that a letter circulating on social media platforms announcing the suspension of President Hage Geingob as the leader of the party is not authentic and does not concern the party. The Swapo Party Spokesperson, Hilma Nicanor yesterday in an interview with the Windhoek Observer, denounced the allegations. The letter titled; ‘Suspension from the Swapo Party President Position’ is purportedly written under the name of one Reinhold Shipwiikineni and sparked shockwaves. A number of people reacting to the said letter said that the letter is seriously misleading the nation, damaging the party’s reputation and creating…

24 May

Tourism is set to be one of the best economic drivers for 2023

ObserverObserver MoneyTourism is set to be one of the best economic drivers for 2023

Martin Endjala Namibia’s tourism industry is slowly but surely recovering from the devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and is set to become one of the best economic drivers of national revenue for the remainder of 2023. According to Simonis Storm Securities’ latest Quarterly Economic Review report for 2023, the occupancy rate at hospitality establishments in April 2023 throughout Namibia stood at 51.8 percent, compared to the 36.5 percent recorded in the same month last year. The tourist inflows projector is also showing a steady improvement before Namibia’s peak tourism season which runs from May to September. According to the…

24 May

Youth encouraged to make use of oil and gas opportunities

ObserverObserver MoneyYouth encouraged to make use of oil and gas opportunities

Martin Endjala Young entrepreneurs and those seeking jobs are being encouraged to seize new opportunities that will be created by the Green Hydrogen industry as well as the oil and gas sector. According to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Chief Executive Officer Nangula Uaandja, various opportunities within the diverse sectors and sought-after jobs associated with them have future prospects that can drive individual and business growth while contributing to national prosperity. Uuandja spoke during Oxungi Youth Engagement Forum that was held in Windhoek last week. The event focused on a fresh approach to youth unemployment. The Forum…

24 May

Xinfeng claims the minister has no power to revoke its mining license

ObserverNational NewsXinfeng claims the minister has no power to revoke its mining license

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Chinese lithium mining company, Xinfeng Investments which filed an urgent application with the High Court earlier this month to challenge a decision by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to revoke its mining license is claiming he has no right to do so. “In respect of the question of balance of convenience, the minister has no power to revoke a decision in respect of which he is functus officio. He can therefore not rely on a decision which he made without jurisdiction hence illegality - in contending that the balance of convenience favours the refusal of…

24 May

Legal fraternity question mask policy at courts

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Members of the legal fraternity in Namibia are questioning the validity of the re-introduction of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 after an alleged recent resurgence of the illness. Last week, the Office of the Judiciary informed all employees, the legal fraternity as well as members of the public that precautionary measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the superior courts of Namibia will again be enforced. This week, the Acting Chief Magistrate, Vanessa Stanley issued a memorandum to all staff members of the lower courts in which she states that it has become incumbent…

24 May

Politicians must pronounce their position on homosexuality

ObserverNational NewsPoliticians must pronounce their position on homosexuality

Stefanus Nashama Former Cabinet Minister Helmut Angula says all politicians and elected officials should clearly pronounce themselves where they stand on the issue of homosexuality. Angula said homosexuality has become a national issue that requires serious attention from everyone, particularly the leaders of the country. The silence of leaders and elected officials on the issue of same-sex marriage (homosexuality) has grown to a shocking understanding that Namibian leaders have not yet clearly pronounced themselves on the matter. He said the public, the government, and the judiciary are being led to believe that homosexuality is normal with interactions and results equivalent…

24 May

Pelebox will make life easy for thousands of patients

ObserverNational NewsPelebox will make life easy for thousands of patients

Hertta-Maria Amutenja At least 180 000 Namibians that live with HIV are on antiretroviral drug treatment. Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services gave statistics in this regard last week during the launch of Pelebox Smart Lockers that would enable patients on chronic care to collect their medicine without having to wait at distribution centres for long periods of time. Shangula added that more than 40 percent of patients living with HIV have access to the recently launched smart lockers “Eligible patients who are clinically stable and on chronic medication will be able to benefit from this…

24 May

More mineworkers join the Revolutionary Union

ObserverNational NewsMore mineworkers join the Revolutionary Union

Stefanus Nashama The Revolutionary Union (RU) says 60 mineworkers from Bureau Veritas which operates in the mining sector at Dundee Mine in Tsumeb and Sperrgebiet Diamond Mining (PTY) LTD in Lüderitz joined their ranks on Monday. The Union’s Proletariat Central Secretary, Julius Natangwe, yesterday confirmed this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer. He said the Union received the employees’ applications on Friday, acknowledged and processed the applications, and informed the employers of the workers’ decision. “The two employers responded that they have received our notification and acknowledged RU to represent their employees,” he said. Natangwe said some of the…

24 May

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever claims one life

ObserverMainCrimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever claims one life

Niël Terblanché A deadly outbreak of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever in the Gobabis district claimed its first life at the end of last week. According to Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the patient with a suspected infection of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) was treated at a private health facility in Gobabis on 16 May. He was referred to Lady Pohamba Private Hospital on 17 May 2023, and in the early hours of 18 May 2023, the patient was referred and admitted to the Windhoek Central Hospital, Isolation Unit. Blood samples for CCHF investigation…

23 May

MVA fund escapes paying out millions in fraudulent claims

ObserverNational NewsMVA fund escapes paying out millions in fraudulent claims

Martin Endjala The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund was able to save itself from having to pay out millions of dollars in a fraudulent scheme the Fund detected. The Fund has however lost N$847 406, of which the majority is related to medical treatment of persons who would otherwise not qualify as beneficiaries. The MVA Fund recorded a total of nine fraudulent claims valued at N$3.6 million over the past five years of which four have been reported to the Namibian Police. MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku revealed that five cases are now also ready to be reported to…