Observer – Page 491 – Windhoek Observer

11 May

Desalination is key to future water supply

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The scarcity of water especially in the rural areas of the Erongo Region was again highlighted by Neville Andre, the Regional Governor. He said that the supply of potable water to rural communities continues to be a challenge for authorities. While officiating at the opening of a new visitor’s centre at the Orano Erongo Desalination Plant Andre urged the mining company to work with the government to alleviate water scarcity in rural areas. He said that nothing is more essential to life on earth than water. “Yet there’s a global water crisis and people in rural areas are…

11 May

Killing of rhinos remains illegal

ObserverNational NewsKilling of rhinos remains illegal

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Forestry has reiterated it’s position on the illegal killing of rhinos, saying poachers will face the full wrath of the law. The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, said all black rhinos in Namibia are state-owned while white rhinos are not part of the custodianship program because they can be privately owned. Various public members aired their frustrations on a National radio, complaining about the strict regulations surrounding the ownership of rhinos and the hunting of rhinos for commercial purposes. “Why can’t Namibians buy rhinos for meat and production purposes”?, a caller questioned. Muyunda…

11 May

Second Men’s conference slated for Friday in Swakopmund

ObserverFeatured, National NewsSecond Men’s conference slated for Friday in Swakopmund

Niël Terblanché Information and education about mental health issues among the men of Namibia along with gender-based violence is desperately needed to reduce instances of avoidable deaths and violent crime. In this regard, men from all walks of life have been invited to attend the second annual Namibia National Men’s Conference in Swakopmund this Friday. The conference will be presented with the theme: ‘’Stop suffering in silence and speak out for a solution’’. The event, among other things, aims to create a platform for men to discuss issues affecting them, such as suicide, mental health, and financial literacy, promote positive…

11 May

Lover maims older girlfriend

ObserverNational NewsLover maims older girlfriend

Niël Terblanché A 64-year-old woman was rushed to the clinic for emergency medical treatment after she was attacked with a panga by her 40-year-old lover. According to the incident report provided by the Namibian Police in the Oshikoto Region, the vicious attack occurred on Monday evening at the King Kauluma Village after the two were involved in a fight at the Ombili Cucu Shops. “It is alleged that both the victim and the suspect were drinking at Ombili Cuca Shops before the attack. At one stage the man requested the woman to follow him outside in order for him to…

11 May

Kavango East Regional Council in court over unsettled bills

ObserverNational NewsKavango East Regional Council in court over unsettled bills

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Kavango East Regional Council has been dragged to court after it allegedly failed to settle a N$ 905 848.46 invoice for the repairment of sewerage overflowing ponds at Max Makushe Secondary School in Rundu. Empire Sense Investment (ESI), a construction company, has named the council and the Minister of Works and Transport (John Mutorwa) as the first and second defendants in court documents filed in the Windhoek High Court. ESI claims the council breached the agreement. According to ESI, the construction company and council entered into a contract in 2021 for ESI to replace damaged fencing and…

11 May

Police hunting for knife murderer

ObserverNational NewsPolice hunting for knife murderer

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in Oshakati have requested the public to assist them in finding a man who stabbed a young woman, the 24-year-old Mweedombe Lebeka Ndiilokelwa, to death with a knife during an argument. According to the incident report provided by NamPol, the body of the victim was found in a water pan near the Ehenye residential area of Oshakati. It was reported that a security guard, on duty at a nearby business saw how the man stabbed the woman. The man fled the scene of the vicious crime on foot. The security guard informed the police and…

11 May

Namibia records its first digital nomads

ObserverUncategorised

Martin Endjala Namibia officially recorded its first digital nomads, five months after the official launch of the country’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) in October last year. The first two digital nomads’ visa applications were approved on 14 February 2023. The programme was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Security and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), with the aim of enhancing economic activity in the country. The program aims to capitalise on the growing global remote workforce by offering location-independent foreign professionals the chance to live, work, and experience Namibia for up to six months.…

11 May

Debt-riddled Meatco faces insolvency

ObserverMainDebt-riddled Meatco faces insolvency

Niël Terblanché Competition from the private sector has rendered the Meat Corporation of Namibia technically insolvent with the state-owned enterprise’s debt currently surpassing its assets. Meatco’s line ministry has now started with an urgent intervention to get the corporation back on an even keel. The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, at a workshop in Swakopmund, said that initiating reform and supporting the sustainability of Meatco is essential for it to serve as an anchor for continued market access and price stabiliser for all livestock producers, in both communal and commercial farming areas. “We are working closely…

10 May

Chinese Lithium miner challenges license revocation in court

ObserverUncategorised

Niël Terblanché Chinese lithium miner, Xinfeng Investments, has approached the High Court of Namibia with an urgent application to stop the Ministry of Mines and Energy from enforcing its decision to revoke its mining license. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, at the end of last week, informed the head of the mining company, Zhou Hao, of his decision to revoke Mining License 243 situated in the Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) 7228 area near the small desert settlement of Uis. “Consequent to the afore decision, you are instructed to cease any and all operations related to the granting…

10 May

Regulate teachers for better performance – Caley

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Faustina Caley has called on the establishment of a teachers’ regulatory authority in Namibia, as it would conceptualize and professionalize the teaching profession and regulate matters like teachers’ conduct. “The regulator would also regulate teachers’ preparations, the recruitment process, career advancement and continuous professional development,” she said. Caley was speaking at the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA)’s 10th International Conference hosted by the Ministry of Education, Art and Culture and the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) in Windhoek. She said while hosting the conference, Namibia should learn from…