Observer – Page 803 – Windhoek Observer

08 Oct

Young trainees driving innovation at the NamPower Training Centre

ObserverObserver MoneyNamPower, NamPower’s Vocational Training Centre

Sem Mathews (22) and Juan Pete Compaan (22) are two fourth year Electrical General students at NamPower’s Vocational Training Centre who are using the passion they have for their trade to create a technologically-smart NamPower. The two are at the forefront of research and development for the implementation of automated lighting for NamPower buildings. The journey that sparked this company-wide lighting automation project began when both Mathews and Compaan took part in World Skills Namibia in April 2019, a national competition that allows technical institutions and individuals to test their skills proficiency against peers in the same trade. “We first…

08 Oct

COVID-19 to dominate SADC PF Plenary

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, SADC, SADC Parliamentary Forum, SADC PF Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, SADC-PF

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA – The SADC Parliamentary Forum will hold its 47th Plenary Assembly Session virtually from the 9th to the 11th of October 2020 under the theme: “The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Accountability during a pandemic: The Case of COVID-19.” This would be the first time that a SADC PF Plenary takes place virtually. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has now claimed the lives of more than one million people all over the world, has prompted many organisations to suspend face-to-face meetings as they strive to continue working under safe conditions. SADC PF Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma…

08 Oct

AR to file for new application with the High Court …As electoral tribunal dismisses application

ObserverObserver MoneyAffirmative Reposition (AR), ECN, Electoral Tribunal

Clifton Movirongo The Affirmative Reposition (AR) movement says it will approach the High Court on Thursday after the Electoral Tribunal for Windhoek dismissed its application for continuous voters' registration the day before. This comes as AR in September took the government and ECN to the Electoral Tribunal pursuing an order to make the ECN to implement continuous voters' registration. One of the issues placed before the Electoral Tribunal is the decision of the Electoral Commission not to fill the casual vacancy at the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency as required by Section 3 of the Regional Council Act 22 of 1992. AR's…

08 Oct

Police delay DNA testing for Shannon case…as victim’s father complains about police

ObserverObserver MoneyErongo region, Walvis Bay

Helena Johannes and Andrew Kathindi The confirmation of the identity of human remains discovered in Walvis Bay on Tuesday could be delayed amid revelations that the police forensics laboratory needed to undertake the tests are currently not functional. The remains are believed to belong to Shannon Wasserfall who has been missing since April, 2020. Tests done in police laboratories are crucial in providing a positive identity through DNA testing. “The DNA test is not done yet as the equipment is being moved from the old laboratory to the new laboratory. Due to this, the remains are still in the police…

07 Oct

Check out the GREATEST movies of all time!

ObserverUncategorisedmovies, Namibia

Jackie Wilson Asheeke As an obsessive movie lover, I was heartbroken to read that the release of the new James Bond 007 movie No Time To Die has been postponed again! I was doubly upset that the live action Mulan film was released to Disney + which does not show in Namibia. Since the pandemic hit, I have resigned myself to enjoying movies at home. I have decided to refine my list of the greatest movies of all time and spend the next few months enjoying them again. There are thousands of movies (made for television or the big screen)…

07 Oct

It’s about competence first, then age

ObserverNational NewsNamibia, Namibians

The days of people in powerful positions who are incompetent, unskilled, unaware, and with no new ideas are numbered. Namibia is in desperate straits. Those chosen to lead in politics and business must be the best and brightest. No other criteria, including age, gender or ethnic background, should take precedence. There is no doubt that we have too many people in top positions in Namibia that have passed their prime. It is sad to see prize fighters or world-class athletes that stay on for too long. We all remember their past powerful performances and are saddened to see them limp…

07 Oct

Govt negotiates desalination plant price tag

ObserverObserver MoneyAreva Resources Namibia, Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein, Namwater

Helena Johannes Government is currently engaged in negotiations with Orano Resources (previously Areva Resources Namibia) over the N$3 billion price tag placed on its desalination water plant, as it renews interest to acquire the facility, Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein has revealed. The government deal is expected to be carried out through water utility, NamWater, should the parties find common ground. “It is overpriced and we are not taking up the offer, however we are in the process of negotiating with them for price reduction,” Schlettwein said. The government renewed interest comes after more than five…

07 Oct

Namibia ponders auctioning all fishing quotas

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi Government is considering auctioning off all fish quotas for future allocations, and not just its portion kept for governmental objectives, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi has revealed. This possible government action comes from the Presidential High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy (HLPNE), which was appointed by President Hage Geingob last year. The Panel has the scope to consult and make recommendations to the President on the Namibian economy. It recommended that government auction off its fish quota for governmental objectives. These quotas were, in the past, handed to Fishcor to facilitate their disposal. Last week Shiimi revealed that the…

06 Oct

PDM Youth – The death penalty solves nothing

ObserverNational NewsPDM, Popular Movement for Democracy (PDM)

A passionate announcement by youth leaders of the Popular Movement for Democracy (PDM) calling for the introduction of the death penalty for perpetrators of gender-based violence, rape and human trafficking is grossly misguided. The death penalty is not a deterrent to crime and does nothing to address the underlying causes of why these crimes occur. Rather than calling for the death penalty, the PDM YL should demand that the public give evidence in court. They should insist that specific cultural beliefs and traditional practices that demean women be eliminated. They should demand state financing for support for rape victims. It…

06 Oct

‘Every BODY Counts!’…as bodily integrity and autonomy campaign kicks off

ObserverObserver MoneyAIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA), Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), United Nations

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Justice and equity fell into sharp focus on 1 October when the AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) launched a campaign to call for the realisation of the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity in Southern and East Africa. The rights to bodily autonomy and integrity presuppose the ability for everyone to have dignity and agency to own and take decisions and make choices – including those related to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) - over one’s body without regard to external pressures. Dubbed ‘Every BODY Counts!’ and launched virtually, the regional campaign…