Windhoek Observer – Page 485 – Windhoek Observer

30 Jun

Student teacher intake limited due to oversupply concerns

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The University of Namibia (Unam) is reducing its intake of education students to address the oversupply of education graduates in the job market. This move, according to Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho, is part of a broader effort to align annual intakes with the teacher demand and supply model. "We have shifted focus away from oversupplied areas like lower and junior primary education and towards areas of teacher scarcity like Namibian languages," explained Namesho. He added that, in addition to reducing intakes, Unam has raised its admission requirements to improve the quality of its graduates. "For the secondary education…

28 Jun

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorated

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The Minstry of Health and Social Services commemorated the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June 2024. The day raised awareness of the major problems that illicit drugs pose to society. This year's theme, "The evidence is clear; Invest in Prevention," highlighted the global drug crisis affecting individuals with substance use disorders and communities impacted by drug trafficking and organised crime. Key objectives for this year's commemoration included raising awareness, advocating for investment, empowering communities, facilitating dialogue and collaboration, promoting evidence-based policymaking, and engaging communities and youth. The ministry's executive director, Ben Nangombe stressed the need…

28 Jun

JUDGES APPOINTED:

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The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Namibia has announced the appointment of new judges to the High Court, effective from 1 July 2024.The new judges were officially appointed by President Nangolo Mbumba to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary.Justice Beatrix de Jager joined the legal profession in 2004 and was admitted to the Bar in 2009.Previously, she served as an Acting Judge of the High Court from 16 January 2024 to 16 April 2024.Justice George Coleman has been appointed as an Acting Judge to serve at the High Court from 1 July to 9 December 2024. Report: Niël…

28 Jun

NEFF, CDV and DPN remain deregistered

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The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), says the deregistration of the three political parties remains unchanged.The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) and the Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN) will stay off the list.According to a statement issued on Thursday evening, the situation remains unchanged despite a letter dated 25 June by Kadhila Amoomo on behalf of the NEFF where the legal practitioner gave the ECN until 27 June to provide clarity on its decisionThe ECN informed the parties about the deregistration in a letter dated 17 June.In response to the letter of demand, the ECN clarified…

27 Jun

CRAN prepares for Universal Service Fund

Observer Money

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), CEO Emilia Nghikembua talks about investments in the communication sector, Starlink submitting an application for licences, the Universal Service Fund and CRAN's position on streaming services. Observer Money (OM): It was reported by CRAN that investments in the Namibian telecommunications sector reached N$267 million during the first quarter of 2024, marking a substantial increase from the N$137 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. What do you expect for the rest of the year? Emilia Nghikembua (EN): The Authority expects continuous growth in ICT investment throughout the remainder of the year. This…

27 Jun

ECB warns that missed tariff adjustment applications could cost distributors

National News

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has cautioned that utility companies that fail to apply for tariff adjustments stand to lose revenue. The board’s chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, explained that failing to apply for tariff adjustment on time coincided with the implementation of the bulk tariff, which is effective 1 July. “As we cautioned last year during the tariff review period, all distribution utilities ought to apply for their annual tariff review immediately after the announcement of the NamPower bulk tariff. This is so because utilities that do not apply for tariff adjustments in time stand to lose…

27 Jun

Churches call on Mbumba to sign bill prohibiting same-sex marriage

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Christian Coalition of Churches in Namibia requested that President Nangolo Mbumba sign a bill amending the Marriage Act, which prohibits the solemnisation and recognition of same-sex marriages in Namibia. In a letter addressed to Mbumba on 16 June, the coalition emphasised the importance of preserving Namibian society's moral and ethical fabric and called upon Mbumba to urgently sign the bill. "We therefore call upon you, Mr President, to urgently sign the Bill amending the Marriage Act and prohibiting the solemnisation and recognition of same-sex marriage in the Republic of Namibia." The letter expressed concern over the promotion…

27 Jun

India promises drought relief aid

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia's ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of the severe drought conditions received a significant boost as India announced its commitment to assist with grain and other food items. The outgoing High Commissioner of India, Mandarapu Subbarayudu, announced the provision of drought aid during a farewell courtesy call on President Nangolo Mbumba at State House earlier this week. Subbarayudu indicated that India's assistance might also extend to training locals in drought-resilient agricultural practices, which could provide a sustainable solution to the recurrent issue of drought in Namibia. This pledge from India follows an appeal by the Namibian government…

27 Jun

Namibia’s cybersecurity approach is biased

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia's national security strategy has come under scrutiny for prioritising state security over the security of its people, a stance that has significant implications for human rights and privacy. Research associate with the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Frederico Links, has voiced concerns about this approach, describing it as problematic and infringing on individual rights. During the launch of a report titled "Problematic Influences: African National Security Narratives in Namibian Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Law Framing and Enforcement" Links pointed out that this national security narrative forces individuals to surrender their rights for the sake of safety He…

27 Jun

Education and technology are keys to a thriving continent

National News

Niël Terblanché The essential role of education and technology in forging an inclusive and thriving continent was highlighted during the official celebration of Public Service Day in Namibia. In her address at the closing of the three-day-long event, the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, said that African governments have made substantial investments and commitments to their educational systems, leading to significant achievements over the last few decades. "Primary school completion rates have increased from 52% in the year 2000 to 69% by 2022, and youth literacy rates in sub-Saharan Africa have improved remarkably from 66% in 2000…