Observer – Page 532 – Windhoek Observer

04 Mar

NAMPU condemns assault of journalists by inmate

ObserverNational NewsNAMPU condemns assault of journalists by inmate, Sakeus Iikela

Steve Nashama The Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU) has condemned the recent assault on journalists by an inmate appearing in a Walvis Bay court in the presence of law enforcement officers. NAMPU Secretary General Sakeus Iikela says the attack is an unacceptable violation of the rights of journalists to carry out their duties without fear of harm or intimidation. “As a media professionals’ union, we are deeply concerned about the reluctance of the police to protect and ensure the safety of journalists when they operate in hostile situations,” Iikela said. He added that the incident has heightened the union’s concerns,…

03 Mar

Black and White farmers fight brewing as Ghana meat export saga intensifies

ObserverNational NewsBlack and White farmers fight brewing as Ghana meat export saga intensifies, Calle Schlettwein, Namibian Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) and Namibian Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) have rejected racial claims by some local farmers. A group of black farmers are alleging white farmers are the ones who spread the rumor that Namibian beef from the northern communal areas is contaminated with foot and mouth disease and that the Ghanaian government should stop buying it. The Ministry of Agriculture has since pronounced itself on the matter, saying that the authors of the report are commercial farmers whose identities are unknown. An investigation, the Ministry said has begun. The group is further alleging…

03 Mar

“What nonsense is this?” – Alweendo

ObserverMainIvan Skrywer, Presiding Magistrate Venatius Alweendo, “What nonsense is this?” - Alweendo

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek Council this evening voted Affirmative Repositioning Movement Leader Job Amupanda and Landless People’s Movement Councilor Ivan Skrywer to serve on the Management Committee, after numerous failed attempts by the council. The two were duly declared elected by the Presiding Magistrate Venatius Alweendo upon their nomination and acceptance. This evening’s special Council meeting was the fifth attempt to vote and fill the two positions that were vacant. Rural and Urban Development Minister Erastus Uutoni had given the Council until tomorrow to fill the vacancies. Drama unfolded at the start of today’s meeting as the Councillors…

03 Mar

Venaani clarifies on MPs removal from standing committee

ObserverNational NewsPopular Democratic Movement (PDM), Venaani clarifies on MPs removal from standing committee

Steve Nashama Following the removal of Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Members of Parliament, Inna Hengari and recently relinquished party Chief Whip, Vipuakuje Muharukua as members of the Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders yesterday, PDM Leader McHenry Venaani says the removal was nothing sinister, as parties change committee members daily. “The nature and art of legislative Committees is that we all change at many intervals. The Standing Committee of Rules and Order is represented by Caucus leader. I was in the Foreign Affairs Committee and then moved to the Economic committee. What is the fuss,” he remarked. Venaani clarified…

03 Mar

NWR scoops PMR Africa Diamond Arrow Award

ObserverFeaturedMatthias Ngwangwama, NWR scoops PMR Africa Diamond Arrow Award

Steve Nashama The Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) yesterday scooped a PMR Africa Diamond Arrow Award, given to companies doing the most for conservation and tourism in Namibia. Nelson Ashipala, NWR Spokesperson said the PMR Africa Awards aim to recognise excellence in various industries in Namibia, and winners are selected through a rigorous process of surveys and research conducted by PMR Africa. “This year’s awards saw a record number of entries, making the achievement even more significant for NWR,” he emphasised. Ashipala indicated that the Diamond Arrow Award is the highest level of recognition that can be awarded by PMR Africa,…

03 Mar

Catfish, Sardines declining due to climate change

ObserverNational Newsa European Union Representative Expert on Green Hydrogen and Climate Change, Catfish, Marine Scientist Ben van Zyl, Sardines declining due to climate change

Martin Endjala The catfish species is fast becoming extinct because of global warming, despite government’s interventions. This is according to Marine Scientist Ben van Zyl, who also added that Sardines are becoming lesser and lesser per day, given abnormalities in sea temperature as well as human behavior. He has since called on serious interventions by government and marine biologist bodies to ensure that these species do not become extinct. According to van Zyl, the eruption of sulphur in the sea is also one of the issues affecting some sea organisms and causing them to wash up and drift ashore, as…

03 Mar

Dundee Precious Metals donates N$100 000 worth of equipment to COSDEC

ObserverNational NewsDundee Precious Metals donates N$100 000 worth of equipment to COSDEC, Ntema Sihela

Martin Endjala The Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb Community Trust has donated training equipment valued at N$ 100 900 to the Community Skills Development Center (COSDEC) comprising of hospitality, tourism, and fashion design training equipment yesterday in Tsumeb. The Community Trust Chairperson, Max Johnson, handed over the donated equipment, highlighting that the support is aligned with one of Dundee Precious Metals core values “We partner with our communities”. ” I do not sleep to dream, but dream to change the world”, he said, while encouraging the trainees to continue working hard to make their dreams come true. The Community Skills Development…

02 Mar

SA greylisting not affecting Namibia: BoN

ObserverMainFinancial Action Task Force (FATF), Kazembire Zemburuka, SA greylisting not affecting Namibia: BoN

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia has clarified its position amidst reports of South Africa’s greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) stating that Namibia’s financial transactions with the rest of the world and capital flows to and from the jurisdiction will continue uninterrupted. This is despite the country’s ties and exposure to the South African financial system. The Bank of Namibia Director Strategic Communications and International Relations, Kazembire Zemburuka, confirmed this in a statement in response to concerns raised by some economists and Namibians at large. He said that as an independent and sovereign state, Namibia is going…

02 Mar

NSA postpones 2023 population and housing census

ObserverNational NewsAlex Shimuafeni, e Population and Housing Census, NSA postpones 2023 population and housing census

Steve Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has announced the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census to August 2023, again. The census has been delayed since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when it was initially planned to be conducted, while in 2021 and 2022 was due to financial restrictions. In a media release, NSA Statistician-General and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Shimuafeni, explains that the census is conducted every ten years and is essentially a process of collecting, processing, analysing, publishing and disseminating demographic, socio-economic and spatial data of the population during a specific period of time. He emphasizes…

02 Mar

SAN is unhappy with non-awarding of tenders to its members.

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Post and Telecom Holdings, SAN is unhappy with non-awarding of tenders to its members., Security Association of Namibia (SAN)

Martin Endjala The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) has expressed its dismay in the manner in which security tenders for the provision of security services were awarded. In the statement, SAN is casting doubt on the awarded companies’ compliance with labour law. SAN singled out two tenders which were recently awarded. “SAN wishes to bring to your attention our concern regarding the recent tenders awarded by the Kunene Regional Council and Namibia Post and Telecom Holdings”, the statement read. The announcement follows after the association formally distanced itself from a tender awarded for the provision of security services for NPTH.…