Observer – Page 487 – Windhoek Observer

15 May

SWAPO owes almost N$2 million for services rendered

ObserverNational NewsSWAPO owes almost N$2 million for services rendered

Niël Terblanché The Oranjemund branch of the SWAPO Party will be evicted from their offices in Oranjemund after it failed to pay for services rendered by the mining town’s local authority. In a final letter of demand dated 11 May 2023 and addressed to the Secretary-General of the SWAPO Party, the Oranjemund Town Council’s legal representative states that the branch office owes it N$1 881 735 for services provided between June 2021 and January 2023. “Despite the numerous assurances and arrangements made by your Oranjemund Branch to settle your outstanding debt, regrettably, you have thus far failed to fulfil your…

15 May

Venaani concerned about the working conditions of health staff

ObserverNational NewsVenaani concerned about the working conditions of health staff

Stefanus Nashama The Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and the official opposition party, McHenry Venaani called on the Government and stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of health workers and address the challenges they are facing. Venaani said many nurses in the country face numerous challenges like detrimental working conditions in government hospitals and clinics as well as dilapidated conditions of nurses’ homes which negatively impact their health and well-being. “Many employees in public health care centres, particularly nurses face the challenge of inadequate salaries and lack of resources and supplies,” he stated. Venaani further said nurses work long…

15 May

Innovative technology needed for economic growth

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The recently concluded Fintech Square 2023 innovation event in Windhoek which ended on 11 May 2023, is hailed as a game changer in particular in the public sector that is mainly dominated by young people. For this reason, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Enterprise Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said that requires there is a need for innovation and technology to drive economic growth, due to changing financial landscape, therefore, emphasizing the need for cooperation to support such innovation. “In this regard, public-private partnership is key not only to support and create an enabling environment but also to protect…

15 May

Alternative candidates were contacted as replacement – NCS

ObserverNational NewsAlternative candidates were contacted as replacement - NCS

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it contacted some candidates as an alternative to replace those who did not make it to the training for various reasons. Namibian Correctional Service’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Salmi Hangula said candidates who were contacted to join the training at the later stage are those that were part of the waiting list. She said this in response to allegations that the last NCS recruitment process that took place in January was not fair and equitable. “They were called to replace candidates who were selected but did not report for training, those who…

15 May

Namibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

ObserverNational NewsNamibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

Niël Terblanché The Namibian economy is set to feel severe negative effects of geopolitical tensions after the Namibian Dollar lost significant ground against the United States Dollar after rumours surfaced last week that South Africa sold weapons to Russia to aid the country in its special military operation in Ukraine. The Namibian Dollar which is pegged to the South African Rand weakened to over N$19 against the US Dollar after remarks made by Reuben Brigety, the American Ambassador to South Africa, about the purported weapons sale last week. Brigety in a widely broadcasted interview said he would bet his life…

15 May

Endjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

ObserverNational NewsEndjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Erginus Endjala, the Governor of Omusati, has urged Nampower to consider less drastic measures than cutting off electricity supply to customers that have defaulted on outstanding debt. Endjala made this statement following last week’s announcement by Namibia Power Corporation Limited (NamPower) that it would suspend electricity to defaulting customers from June 5 unless the outstanding overdue amounts are settled. “We have to look at all factors in this situation that could be affected by the load shedding. One thing we have to look at is that this electricity supplies also households, schools, clinics and so forth. If for…

15 May

Poor performance of Ruacana hydropower plant hikes electricity costs

ObserverNational NewsPoor performance of Ruacana hydropower plant hikes electricity costs

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board Chief Executive Officer Robert Kahimise blamed the underperformance of the Ruacana Hydro Power Plant as one of many contributing factors to the high cost of electricity imports, which leads to a higher tariff under-recovery. The CEO made this remark during the announcement of ECB’s revision of bulk electricity tariffs last week Friday in Windhoek. He said that the electricity that was not generated at Ruacana as anticipated during the previous period was replaced by imports at a higher cost. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and relevant government stakeholders will soon engage their Angolan…

15 May

Collection of chronic medication made easier

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Long queues and unbearable waiting hours are a thing of the past, as patients on chronic medication can now collect their medicines via Pelebox. The new service is available to all eligible patients with controlled viral loads for example, at the discretion of their health doctors or practitioners and will be accessible at 19 public health facilities countrywide. This is according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services Chief Clinical Mentor, Jacques Kamangu, during a talk show on National TV this week. The Pelebox will be officially launched next week Tuesday at the Katutura Intermediate State Hospital…

15 May

Selfless sacrifice keeps the nation healthy

ObserverNational NewsSelfless sacrifice keeps the nation healthy

Niël Terblanché Namibia joined the rest of the world in honouring nurses for their sacrifice and selfless dedication to the health and well-being of people everywhere. President Hage Geingob in a special message on behalf of all Namibians said that everyone recognises the extraordinary contributions of Namibian nurses in the national healthcare system. International Nurses Day was commemorated on Friday under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future.” International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on 12 May to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. The day recognises nurses’ contributions to healthcare…

15 May

Consensus averts disastrous Keetmanshoop by-election

ObserverMainConsensus averts disastrous Keetmanshoop by-election

Niël Terblanché and Stefanus Nashama A consensus that was reached between political parties contesting in the Keetmanshoop by-election averted a situation which would have kept voters from electing a new representative on the rural constituency council. The Karas Regional Coordinator of the SWAPO Party, Mathew Mumbala, said that the consensus was reached in the interest of democracy. Mumbala said all contesting parties agreed that the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s efforts to re-issue voter cards to people who lost their cards or to those whose documents were destroyed or have become illegible two days before the election would have derailed the…