Windhoek Observer – Page 483 – Windhoek Observer

08 Oct

Political analysts warn against journalists switching to politics

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political analysts have voiced concerns over the increasing trend of journalists entering politics, following the recent appointments of Sonja Smith to the Popular Democratic Movement's (PDM) parliamentary list and Julia Nekwaya to the PDM National Executive Committee for 2024-2029. Smith is an investigative journalist with The Namibian newspaper. She has been juggling two jobs, her main occupation as a journalist and her second job as the personal assistant to the PDM’s president, McHenry Venaani. She is number eleven on the party’s parliamentary list. Julia Nekwaya, previously a journalist at The Namibian and Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), is number…

08 Oct

ECN faces harsh criticism over ballot paper tender

National NewsBen Mulongeni

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former Swapo think tank member and political analyst Ben Mulongeni has strongly criticised the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), describing it as an "incompetent body led by incompetent people." “Judging from the way they de-registered those two political parties without enough ground and lost the case, and now not having ballot papers ready a few weeks before special elections, the only conclusion one can make about ECN is incompetence,” said Mulongeni. His remarks come in light of the ECN's failure to secure a company to print and deliver ballot papers just weeks before the upcoming special elections. “ECN…

08 Oct

Spread of misinformation about Pact for the Future condemned

National NewsPact for the Future, Republican Party

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has issued a stern rebuke of allegations made by Republican Party President Henk Mudge regarding the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The assertions, which Mudge claims call into question the sovereignty of Namibia, have been labelled as false by the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. According to Penda Naanda, the executive director of the ministry, the Pact for the Future covers a broad range of global issues, including sustainable development, peace and security, climate change, digital…

08 Oct

ACC advocates for strengthened governance

National NewsAnti-Corruption Commission

Niël Terblanché Namibians must remain resilient and dedicated to the principles of good governance and rededicate themselves to the fight against corruption and at the same time promote transparency, accountability, and integrity. The Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Paulus Noa made this call during the official start of a regional forum held with key stakeholders of the Omusati region on Tuesday. He reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to fighting corruption through the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP) 2021-2025. Noa said that the forum is a critical step toward promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in all sectors…

08 Oct

Mbumba pushes for climate action and genocide reparation talks in Germany

National NewsHamburg Sustainability Conference, Olaf Scholz

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba called for the reform of the global financial architecture to better serve the interests of the Global South while participating in the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. At the conference, Mbumba and German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz held high-level bilateral talks where both reaffirmed the deepening relationship between the two nations. The discussions between the two heads of state covered a broad range of topics central to both Namibia's domestic agenda and global efforts to address critical issues, including Namibia-Germany relations, green hydrogen development, and the ongoing drought in Namibia. Namibia's devastating drought was another key topic. Mbumba…

08 Oct

Livestock board to award quota share to export beef to Norway

Observer MoneyLivestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), Norway Quota Allocation

Martin Endjala The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has announced it will allocate a portion of the Norwegian beef production and export quota to local abattoirs. According to an invitation notice seen by the Windhoek Observer, the quota will be awarded to eligible organisations approved for beef production and export to Norway. The quota is valid for 12 months, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. “The sharing and allocation of the 1,600 tons of beef quota will be done in accordance with the principles outlined in the Government Approved Norway Quota Allocation Model of 14…

08 Oct

Financial system stable amid moderate domestic economic conditions

Observer MoneyBank of Namibia, Financial System Stability Committee, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Johannes !Gawaxab

Matin Endjala Namibia’s financial system remains stable and resilient despite slowing economic growth and global challenges, according to the Financial System Stability Committee (FSSC) report released on Tuesday. According to the report, factors like drought, low diamond prices, and weak global demand will cause Namibia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to slow to 3.1% in 2024. Global factors continue to primarily influence risks to the domestic economy. The FSSC, which includes the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority, met on 3 October to assess the financial system’s resilience. Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said: “The…

07 Oct

Shipwikineni’s legal challenge against Swapo moved to 30 October

MainAina Kalimba Angula, Erich Chrismann Shivute, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Reinhold Shipwikineni

Ester Mbathera The court case involving Reinhold Shipwikineni and four other Swapo members against the party and its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has been postponed to 30 October. The case that was initially scheduled for 18 October will now be heard by Judge Boas Usiku, replacing Judge Kobus Miller, who was originally set to preside over the matter. Shipwikineni, along with Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute, and Aina Kalimba Angula, has taken legal action against Swapo, accusing the party of failing to hold an extraordinary congress following the passing of President Hage Geingob. The plaintiffs argue…

07 Oct

Plan to strengthen healthcare system refined

National NewsMinisterial National Health and Social Welfare Conference, Universal Health Coverage

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, laid out the government’s strategic roadmap for reinforcing the country’s healthcare and social services infrastructure at the Ministerial National Health and Social Welfare Conference on Monday. The week-long conference, held in Windhoek, seeks to assess the state of healthcare delivery and social services while making recommendations for improvement.While officially opening the conference, Shangula described the conference as a platform for "unpacking the work that we do as a Ministry" and an opportunity to reflect on past successes and failures in order to craft actionable strategies moving forward. He…

07 Oct

Shangula warns of critical shortages of professionals in hospitals

National NewsDr Kalumbi Shangula, Medium Expenditure Frameworks

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia’s health sector is grappling with a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, despite the government's efforts to fill vacant positions. This was raised by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, during his address at the National Health and Social Services Conference this week. “When I visit hospitals, the main concern is the shortage of critical professionals. Although most vacant posts are filled, the need for extra manpower remains,” he said. Shangula called for urgent measures to resolve the staff shortage issues, which he said are affecting the delivery of essential services in hospitals across…