Windhoek Observer – Page 581 – Windhoek Observer

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…

30 Apr

Arrest in Windhoek ends hunt for Maasdorp murder suspect

National NewsWentzel Maasdorp

Niël Terblanché The countrywide manhunt for Wentzel Maasdorp ended in the central business district of Windhoek on Tuesday afternoon when members of the Namibian Police arrested him. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the police’s public relations division, the suspect was apprehended in the area of the capital colloquially known as Triple J while he was trying to get a lift to Rehoboth. Earlier on Tuesday the Namibian Police in the Kavango East Region reported that the light metallic blue 3 Series BMW was found parked near a filling station in Rundu. Maasdorp was last seen on…

30 Apr

Namibia to champion press freedom at global conference in Chile

National NewsEmma Theofelus

Niël Terblanché Namibia's recognition as the African leader in press freedom has placed it at the forefront of the global dialogue on media independence and environmental journalism. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, is set to lead a delegation to the 31st World Press Freedom Day global conference in Santiago, Chile from 2 -4 May. This was confirmed by MICT acting executive director Frans Nghitila on Tuesday in a media statement. “With a theme focused on the critical role of journalism in addressing the environmental crisis, the conference will explore how freedom of expression can contribute to…

30 Apr

CAPACITY INCREASED:

LatestBo-Plaatz Campsite

The Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), has announced the reopening of the Bo-Plaatz Campsite which is situated along the Orange River. This was announced by NWR's spokesperson, Nelson Ashipala on Tuesday. He said that the campsite will officially re-open for visitors on 30 April, following its temporary closure for much-needed renovation work. "The closure of the campsite was necessary to address increased concerns and to expand the capacity of the facility," said Ashipala. He said with assistance from its line ministry, the NWR successfully implemented additional security measures and constructed extra ablution blocks. Ashipala stated that the Bo-Plaatz campsite serves as…

30 Apr

Boxing world champion, Dingaan Thobela has died

LatestDingaan Thobela

South African three-time world champion boxer Dingaan Thobela better known as ‘The Rose of Soweto’ has died at age 57. Thobela was found dead on Monday in his apartment by members of his family and police after numerous attempts to contact him failed. According to South African media outlets, Thobela was battling illness. At his peak, Thobela held the three world titles in two weight divisions: The WBO title from 1990-1992, the WBA title in 1993 and the WBC super-middleweight title, which he won in 2000. Veteran sports journalist, Carlos Kambaekwa said in a report that Thobela played an instrumental…

30 Apr

Namdeb employing workers on fixed-term contracts is poor labour practice – expert

Observer Money

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Labour expert Herbert Jauch, says the mining company Namdeb's decision to employ 171 workers on a fixed-term contract is a poor labour practice that disadvantages the affected workers. Jauch said this on Monday during an interview with Windhoek Observer while reacting to Namdeb chief executive officer Riaan Burger’s revelation that the diamond mining company has 1684 workers on permanent contracts and 171 fixed-term contracts. “I do not know the specific reasons why so many workers are employed on fixed-term contracts at NAMDEB. It is certainly a poor labour practice that disadvantages the affected workers,” said Jauch. Jauch said…

30 Apr

Fly Namibia expands service to Lüderitz

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Ongoing growth in the Lüderitz energy market has necessitated the expansion of airline services for daily travel between Windhoek and Namibia’s secondary port. Since the service was introduced by FlyNamibia last July, about 5,000 passengers have flown between Windhoek and Lüderitz. French multinational oil giant, TotalEnergies was instrumental in implementing the service. FlyNamibia managing director Andre Compion said: “Our enduring partnership with TotalEnergies enables us to continuously adapt and offer the best service to our customers.” According to Compion, the new service would not have been possible without TotalEnergies, who was the driving force behind unlocking access to…

30 Apr

NEKA refutes division and alleged unlawful congress

National NewsNamibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA)

Martin Endjala The Namibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA), has refuted allegations that it held a non-constitutional congress and that there was tension between some of the delegates. The association’s secretary general, Elizabeth Shimwafeni, in a media statement issued on Monday, refuted this after the association’s congress last month. Shimwafeni also dismissed allegations of division within the association. “If anything, NEKA protected the democratic principles on which this country was established. As heirs to the Namibian revolution, this was a test on how ready we are to protect and guide the same democracy for which so many perished and crossed rivers…

30 Apr

GRN accused of not doing enough to combat GBV

National NewsBrian Black

Hertta-Maria Amutenja and Niël Terblanché Windhoek East constituency councillor, Brian Black says the government is not doing enough to curb gender-based violence (GBV). Black made the comments following the murder of 40-year-old Delia Angelique Maasdorp, the former wife of Advocate Ramon Maasdorp. Namibia has in recent weeks experienced an increasing number of cases of women being killed by their partners. According to the police report, the body of the victim was discovered in her flat in the Eucalyptus complex in Eros on Sunday afternoon after a friend assisted by the police and a representative of the body corporate gained entry…