Observer – Page 611 – Windhoek Observer

06 Oct

Current Namibian IDs to phase out

ObserverObserver MoneyHome Affairs and Immigration, Namibians

Eba Kandovazu NAMIBIANS will soon be getting new and revamped identity document cards, after Cabinet approved the layout. Home Affairs and Immigration Public Relations Officer, Margret Kalo, says although the launch date hasn’t been confirmed yet, Namibians will not have to pay to get the new IDs. Permanent residents, permit holders and refugees will also be eligible for the new IDs. The first "new look" IDs will be given to President Hage Geingob, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Founding Father Sam Nujoma, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Lukas…

06 Oct

Covid-19 vaccination for children over 12 on the horizon

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Covid-19, Pfizer

Tujoromajo Kasuto CHILDREN aged 12 years and older will soon be eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, as the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is looking into extending the vaccination to children. MOHSS Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe, states that, “the health clusters and experts are looking into the available data and upon their recommendation the ministry will first inform the public before extending the vaccination approach.” Similarly, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, says the initiative will have the ministry’s “full support” once the various committees within the Health…

05 Oct

No special procurement for NDF vaccines

ObserverObserver MoneyDefence and Veteran Affairs Minister, Frans Kapofi, Government

Eba Kandovazu GOVERNMENT will not spend additional funds for the procurement of sufficient vaccines to vaccinate all soldiers in the country, following a directive that compels solders to get vaccinated. Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister, Frans Kapofi, says the ministry will make use of the available vaccines in the country. Last week, the Chief of Defence, Martin Pinehas, ordered the compulsory vaccination of all soldiers, as of last Wednesday. Pinehas says soldiers are at liberty choosing their preferred vaccines but only those with medical issues, with hypersensitivity and those allergic to vaccine components would be exempted. “No exemptions based on…

05 Oct

NUST Professor suspended over victimization, nepotism claims

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Eba Kandovazu THE Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has confirmed the suspension of the Head of the Department of Communication in the Human Sciences Faculty. NUST Acting Public Relations Officer, Nico Smit, has confirmed the suspension of Professor Rewai Makamani since 31 May this year, adding that investigations into the matter have been concluded although the disciplinary process is ongoing and the verdict is yet to be made. A source at the University revealed that Makamani is accused of mismanagement, victimisation and nepotism claims, amongst other things. It is also being alleged that he victimised his colleague by…

05 Oct

Swapo CC members unbothered by ‘Go to hell’ comments

ObserverObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob, Swapo Party Central Committee (CC)

Eba Kandovazu Swapo Party Central Committee (CC) members has vehemently denied that the “Go to hell” comments of President Hage Geingob on Saturday were directed to the members, saying the remarks were made in reference to other political issues and was not made in reference to the CC members. Mathew Mumbala, Swapo’s Coordinator for Kharas region, says Geingob was referring to the recent Ndonga Linena election fiasco, as well as some comments by opposition parliamentarians in Parliament. Mumbala says that the morale was in actual fact not low when the President entered the meeting, but that the members were caught…

03 Oct

Ozombuzovindimba Declaration beckons

ObserverUncategorisedOvaherero, Ovambanderu, Ozombuzovindimba Declaration

Tomorrow, October 2nd, is the 117th commemoration of the Extermination Order against the Ovaherero. Similarly Monday, October 4th is the tenth commemoration of the expatriation from Germany of the first consignment of the remains of the Ovaherero , Ovambanderu and Nama victims of the 1904-1908 Genocide. Last but not the least, this November also sees the 17th anniversary of the Ozombuzovindimba Declaration. While all these dates somehow are related and intertwined, each, in its own unique way, marks an important inerasable historical imprint in the sad but heroic history of the Nama, Ovambanderu and Ovaharero that must not be allowed…

03 Oct

CoW increases electricity tariff by 2%

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, Harold Akwenye

Tujoromajo Kasuto City of Windhoek Spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, has confirmed that the city has increased electricity tariff by two percent effective October saying the increment was approved last week by the Government. Akwenye notes that the increment is subsequent to NamPower’s bulk tariff increase earlier in the year and subsequently the city is only following suit as they buy electricity from NamPower as a consumer and they too have to increase their tariff to enable them to still buy from the distributor. “NamPower increased their tariff for almost the past three months and we have been paying at that rate,…

03 Oct

Raging veld fires soar on, as Tsumeb reports another

ObserverObserver MoneyFIRE Brigade, Tsintsabis, Tsumeb

Eba Kandovazu FIRE Brigade officials have been dispatched to contain a veld fire reported between Tsumeb and Tsintsabis this afternoon. A grass fire was also reported this afternoon at the Ozombada Lodge turn off, about 80km before Karibib from Okahandja. The veld fire is reported barely a month after the Dordabis veld fire, which destroyed 30 farms in the area and caused the loss of life of a pensioner, who got trapped in the flames. The 63-year-old man's remains where only discovered the following morning by a passer-by, the police reported at the time. Still, in August, a fire was…

03 Oct

Fatal Swapo rally car accident being investigated

ObserverObserver MoneyAlbert Kawana, Swapo Party, Utaara Mootu

Eba Kandovazu AN accident in which a two- year-old boy was run over by a Swapo Party vehicle while campaigning for the party at Katima Mulilo, is being investigated and a case number has been registered with the police. A culpable homicide case has been registered and a warning statement has been taken from the 29-year-old driver, as well as his drivers license. Landless People's Movement (LPM) Member of Parliament (MP), Utaara Mootu, recently questioned the Minister of Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, whether or not Swapo paid the family for the disappearance of the case at Katima Mulilo police…

30 Sep

Emergency power generator saviour for Rundu water woes

ObserverObserver MoneyCalle Schlettwein, Minister of Agriculture, Namwater, Rundu, Rundu Town Council, water and land reform

Eba Kandovazu WEEKS after Rundu residents have been without running water, an emergency power generator has finally been dispatched to Rundu from Walvis Bay and water has been restored Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, says. Schlettwein adds that a team was on site to repair the damaged transformer, which he says coincidentally broke after NamWater by-passed the water meter and restored unhindered water supply after a water shortage was reported at the town. The NamPower transformer supplies power to Rundu and NamWater pumps feed the town with water. "This has resulted in the unintended continued stoppage…