Observer – Page 575 – Windhoek Observer

20 Jul

HIV, pregnancy tests required for Cuban scholarship

ObserverNational NewsHIV, Kennedy Kandume, Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), pregnancy tests required for Cuban scholarship

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) invites Namibians to compete for two fully funded scholarships for undergraduate studies in medical sciences offered by the Cuban government for 2023. Some of the requirement for the scholarship are pregnancy and HIV testing. Given the advanced technological era in which the world finds itself, these two requirements have raised eyebrows about why this is required for academic purposes. Consequently, when quizzed about the impact of the results on the selection process, NSFAF Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kennedy Kandume stated that the conditions of the scholarship are set by Cuba,…

Endombo eviction averted<br>…Tsumeb residents protest against dumping tenants on streets

19 Jul

Endombo eviction averted
…Tsumeb residents protest against dumping tenants on streets

ObserverNational NewsChristo Groenewald, Endombo eviction averted …Tsumeb residents protest against dumping tenants on streets, Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL), Tsumeb's Endombo compound

Obrein Simasiku Early this morning hundreds of eviction threatened residents of Tsumeb's Endombo compound including sympathisers burned tyres as they blocked roads leading to the premises. This was in anticipation to stop the messenger of court to effect the evictions, however little did they know the process has been averted through an 11th hour engagement between politicians, central government and the property owner, Christo Groenewald. Aggrieved residents whom the Windhoek Observer spoke to indicated that "what happened today is just a beginning and a sign of what we are capable of doing if pushed further or if this eviction issue…

19 Jul

Lack of competition blamed for soaring data prices

ObserverNational NewsCommunications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) Chief Executive Officer Emilia Nghikembua, Lack of competition blamed for soaring date prices, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC)

Obrein Simasiku Lack of competition in the telecommunication industry as well as the state's involvement within the available operators is flagged as major factors driving data prices higher in Namibia making it unaffordable for an average person. Namibia slipped in the African Affordability ranking from 4th cheapest in the first quarter of 2016, to 33 cheapest country in the first quarter of 2021 for 5Gigabyte per month. "Namibia lost its leading role in Africa because of state-driven consolidation in the sector and the significant reduction in competition. To this end, we have made recommendations on how to address these matters,…

19 Jul

Geingob describes Duarte as courageous freedom fighter

ObserverNational NewsANC, ANC Deputy SG since 2012, Geingob describes Duarte as courageous freedom fighter, Jessie Duarte

Martin Endjala President Hage Geingob has extended his heartfelt condolences to the African National Congress on the death of its Deputy Secretary General, Jessie Duarte yesterday morning. Geingob described the late Duarte as a courageous freedom fighter who committed her life service both to the ANC and South Africa. “During this difficult hour of grief, I express on behalf of the Namibian government and on the rank and file of the Swapo party, our sincere condolences to the family of comrade Duarte, ANC and to the fraternal people of South Africa,” Geingob expressed. According to the ANC statement issued yesterday…

19 Jul

Telecom plans to invest N$2,3B to leverage on digital transformation

ObserverNational News3B to leverage on digital transformation, ISBP 2023 & Beyond, Stanley Shanapinda, Telecom plans to invest N$2

Staff Writer Telecom Namibia plans to invest over N$2,3 billion in the next five years to modernise its national network, both fixed and mobile, starting from the national backbone to the core network and the access technologies. This comes after the World Bank Group Private Sector Diagnostic report emphasised the urgent need for Namibia to promote and invest in digital infrastructure as this will enable digital transformation, which in turn would lead to the adoption of digital processes. According to Telecom Namibia, Chief Executive Officer Stanley Shanapinda they couldn’t agree more with the World Bank Group that digital transformation will…

19 Jul

Forestry officials confiscate planks

ObserverNational NewsForestry officials confiscate planks, Mururani, Romeo Muyunda

Staff Writer The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has confiscated 75 planks processed from tree trunks that were buried on a farm in Kavango West Region. All 75 planks were confiscated and transported to Mururani. “Officials responsible for the two Kavango regions on 15 July 2022 discovered 75 planks buried on farm unit no.1902 after a tip off from the public. The planks are believed to have been illegally harvested from farm no 1903. Both farms are in Ncamagoro constituency in the Kavango West Region,” said the ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda. It is alleged that the planks processed from…

19 Jul

Swakopmund Hotel appoints new GM

ObserverNational NewsRené Garny, Swakopmund Hotel appoints new GM, Swakopmund Legacy Hotels & Resorts

Martin Endjala Swakopmund Legacy Hotels & Resorts has appointed René Garny as the general manager of its iconic Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre. Garny has more than two decades of hospitality experience, and has worked with Legacy Hotels & Resorts at Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre for the past 14 years. The property is a well-established gateway to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and has been an iconic place to stay, dine and play since 1994. It is built around the historic 1901 station building. It also brings all the old-world charm amalgamated with modern, new-world amenities, communication specialist Usi// Hoebeb said…

19 Jul

Suspects stole goods valued at N$300 000

ObserverNational NewsOhangwena, Suspects stole goods valued at N$300 000

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ohangwena Police are in search of unknown suspects for housebreaking and stealing goods valued at N$331 340 in Omhito location, Eenhana between 30 June and 15 July this year. According to the Police’s crime investigations coordinator in Ohangwena, deputy commissioner Zacharia Amakali, the incident took place while the complainant, Zimbabwean national and the owner was outside the country. ‘’It is alleged that the unknown suspect(s) used an unknown object to break the burglar doors of the residence of a Zimbabwean complainant while the owner was outside the country. The suspect(s) gained entrance and took items valued at…

19 Jul

SADC PF SG: Leave no one behind

ObserverNational NewsMs Boemo Mmandu-Sekgoma, SADC Parliamentary Forum

From Moses Magadza in Malawi LILONGWE- THE Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Ms Boemo Mmandu-Sekgoma says there is a need to consider how to boost intra-Africa trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensure that African women are empowered through entrepreneurship, to tap into the envisaged economic gains. Mmandu-Sekgoma made the call in a speech at the official opening session of the 51st Plenary Assembly Session of the Forum on 11 July, 2022 in Lilongwe, Malawi. “As we empower young girls through education, women must be empowered through opportunities which are offered by an equitable…

16 Jul

BoN targeting the goose intent on laying golden eggs in affordable housing

ObserverOpinionsBoN targeting the goose intent on laying golden eggs in affordable housing, Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Property Group Save Namibia (PGSN)

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Property Group Save Namibia (PGSN) seems to be sending shock waves through the Namibian property market, especially the housing market. To the extent that before they have properly taken off they have been inviting the undue attention of the country’s central bank. Surely the Bank of Namibia (BoN) cannot and should not be the one having a brief with PGSN, not given the PGSN noble goal, which is to help provide affordable houses if not decent shelters. Yes, the PGSN as yet may not provide for houses towards the lowest end of the housing market, meaning to those…