Windhoek Observer – Page 565 – Windhoek Observer

01 May

Mariental Municipality suspends water for gardens

Featured

Martin Endjala The Mariental Municipality has suspended the supply of garden water (semi-reticulated water), as of 30 April until further notice. According to the municipality chief executive officer, Paul Nghiwilepo, the suspension of supply of unpurified water is due to the low level of the Hardap Dam, which currently stands at 12.3% as of 22 April. In a telephonic interview on Tuesday, Nghiwilepo said the decision to suspend the supply of garden water, was to preserve the supply of purified water for human consumption. "Unlike other towns, Mariental has a dual system of water. In some of the properties or…

01 May

Proposed National Minimum Wage Bill to be submitted to Cabinet next week

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, said the proposed National Minimum Wage Bill will be submitted to Cabinet next week. He said the bill is intended to come into effect later this year. Nujoma was speaking on Workers' Day at Rundu sports stadium in the Kavango East region on Wednesday. He said other labour and employment bills that will be introduced this year are the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, the Compensation for Work-related Accidents and Diseases Bill, and amendments to the Employment Services Act, the Affirmative Act (Employment) Act, and the Social…

01 May

MUN president digs in heels

National News

Ester Mbathera Ismael Kasuto, the president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), and his deputy Densley Somseb are refusing to vacate their respective positions in the union. On Monday, the two of them, along with two other leaders, Abraham Baisako and Delila Tsibes, issued a statement, in which they claim that they received information that the group that removed them, is trying to take over the union. They claim that the group wants to block them from carrying out a forensic audit of the union’s finances. They stated that the decision to release the financial report was one of…

01 May

Workers don’t understand nor appreciate labour union memberships – Nujoma

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Utoni Nujoma believes that many workers in Namibia today don’t understand or appreciate adequately how trade union membership can benefit them. According to him, those who are not members have negative attitudes toward trade unions. The minister spoke on Wednesday, at the Workers' Day celebrations in Rundu in the Kavango East region. ‘’We must work hard to demonstrate the positive value of trade union membership. I also encourage you to consider multi-media strategies to publicise workers' gains through your affiliate unions and keep trade union activities and views in the…

01 May

Workers play a critical role in Namibia’s future prosperity

Main

Niël Terblanché On Workers' Day, President Nangolo Mbumba and Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila honoured Namibian workers, celebrating their indispensable role in nation-building and the pursuit of socio-economic growth. In his message to the nation, President Mbumba stressed the critical role workers play in driving Namibia's development trajectory towards a prosperous future. This year’s commemoration was presented under the theme "Namibian Workers United for Economic Growth and Development and the President added that it has a significant role to play in the Year of Expectations. President Mbumba acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of workers. "Without workers, there can be no construction,…

30 Apr

Redforce tender allocation under investigation

National NewsRedForce Debt Management CC's

Ester Mbathera The Municipality of Walvis has launched an investigation into RedForce Debt Management CC's tender allocation process. This move comes after the council's decision to terminate the debt collector's services due to allegations of impropriety in the procurement process. Richard Metcalfe, the municipality's lawyer, said in a media statement on Tuesday that investigations will examine the procurement process as well as the customs documentation, contracts, and schedules of the agreement. "We will institute the necessary civil and criminal proceedings in the event of any impropriety," he said. The municipal council unanimously decided last week to terminate the services of…

30 Apr

SAN cautions against wage increments

National NewsCorinus Kotzé

Martin Endjala The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) vice president, Corinus Kotzé, has cautioned against increasing the salaries of its employees without considering the market the sector operates within. His caution comes after some security guards belonging to the association and non-members demanded an increment, stating that market prices dictate the increment percentages. Kotzé said this during a minimum wage consultation for the security sector on Tuesday in Windhoek. “We could find ourselves in a situation where we have to let go of employees. Which we want to avoid at all costs, but we need to find a solution to…

30 Apr

NEFF condemns exclusion of small traders at Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

National News(NEFF), Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has denounced the exclusion of Namibian traders from participating in the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival, slated for 29 April to 5 May at the Lüderitz Waterfront. In a statement issued on Tuesday, NEFF condemned the actions of festival organisers, particularly Victoria de Klerk, labelling them as deplorable and a violation of the rights of local entrepreneurs. According to the NEFF, four traders, Ronald Engelbrecht, Hendrina Willem, Magdalena Mckay, Maria Gumbo, and Sodom Andreas - have been unfairly denied space at the festival. NEFF deputy commander in chief, Kalimbo Iipumbu said these traders, who…

30 Apr

Research and development to propel sustainable economic development

National NewsItah Kandjii-Murangi

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation launched the much-anticipated Research and Experimental Development Survey Report for the fiscal year 2021/22 in Windhoek earlier this week. Dr Lisho Mundia, the ministry’s acting deputy executive director and director of research, innovation and training, on behalf of Minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the report has created a roadmap for the development of a knowledge-based economy. Mundia said the information in the report will be used to leverage science, technology, and innovation for sustainable and inclusive growth. She pointed to the progress made with research and development since the first National…

30 Apr

MUN president digs in heels

MainMineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN)

Ester Mbathera Ismael Kasuto, the president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), and his deputy Densley Somseb are refusing to vacate their respective positions in the union. On Monday, the two of them, along with two other leaders, Abraham Baisako and Delila Tsibes, issued a statement, in which they claim that they received information that the group that removed them, is trying to take over the union. They claim that the group wants to block them from carrying out a forensic audit of the union’s finances. They stated that the decision to release the financial report was one of…