Blog – Page 21 – News Stand

09 Mar

Uitele granted land tax exemption as a disadvantaged Namibian

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjembo Supreme Court judge Shafimana Ueitele was granted a land tax exemption by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform on the basis that he falls within the category of a former disadvantaged person as articulated under Article 23 of the Constitution. This explanation was given by the agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein in parliament last week when he was responding to questions posed to him by Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian, Hidipo Hamata. “Secondly, it is justified as the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic, or educational imbalances in Namibian society arising out of past…

09 Mar

New DRC Police Station brings hope to many

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The newly inaugurated DRC Police Station in Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement is set to stand as a beacon of safety and justice, bringing essential law enforcement services closer to the people who reside in the sprawling informal settlement. Officially opened on Thursday by Albert Kawana, Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, the facility will also increase security in the growing community. Kawana said that the new facility was constructed in just six months. “The state-of-the-art police station is a result of a public-private partnership, with Rössing Uranium Limited funding the project and the Swakopmund Municipality donating…

09 Mar

Damaged railway lines under repair

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Niël Terblanché TransNamib has suspended rail traffic on several lines over the past weekend to allow technical teams to repair infrastructure damaged by recent flooding. According to the national railway operator’s spokesperson, Abigail Raubenheimer, the damage has primarily affected routes in southern and western Namibia. "TransNamib wishes to inform the public and its valued customers that recent heavy rains across the country have led to washaways in certain sections of the railway network, particularly in the southern and western regions of Namibia," she said. The railway between Usakos and Arandis was among the affected routes, but it has already been…

09 Mar

Nambaza Logistics Park and Blue Institute set to stimulate industrial expansion

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Niël Terblanché Namibia took another step towards industrial expansion and economic diversification as President Nangolo Mbumba officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nambaza Logistics Park (NLP) and the Blue Institute of Technology (BIT) in Walvis Bay on Friday. The two projects, which are expected to boost the country’s logistics capacity and skills development, form part of a broader strategy to position Namibia as a regional economic hub. Mbumba described the event as a crucial milestone in the country’s development, saying it aligns with the national vision for industrialisation and job creation. “Nambaza is a befitting name for the logistics park…

09 Mar

Young Africans and African Stars reach MTC Maris cup final

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Young Africans from Gobabis will face African Stars from Windhoek in the MTC Maris Cup final, with the match date yet to be announced. Young Africans secured their place in the final by defeating the University of Namibia Football Club (Unam) 3-1 at the Mariental stadium on Saturday. On the same day, African Stars beat Bucks Buccaneers 2-1 at the same venue to set up the final clash. Young Africans captain Ngaitone Kaindjee praised his team’s performance, noting that Unam focused heavily on defence. “Unam were a pressing team, sitting back and concentrating more on defending, but we…

09 Mar

50/50 gender policy faces reality check

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The country’s 50/50 gender policy has been praised as a model for representation in governance, but questions persist about its impact beyond numerical achievements. Speaking at the #GapZero Manifesto on Gender Equality in Public Leadership event in Monrovia on Saturday, former First Lady Monica Geingos acknowledged the policy’s success in placing women in leadership roles but highlighted the ongoing challenge of achieving real influence. “When women break barriers to assume leadership roles, they often face a surprising challenge—a lack of support from their female counterparts,” Geingos said, underscoring the need for solidarity in the fight for gender parity.…

09 Mar

Keetmanshoop launch boys club to promote positive role models

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjembo The Boys Club Introductory Program was launched at Suiderlig High School in Keetmanshoop to address the challenges faced by young men over the weekend. Andrea Robert, the event program facilitator, said the club serves as a safe space for boys to learn and redefine what it means to be responsible men. "We established the Boys Club as a space where boys could find their voice and strength," Robert said. He reflected on the importance of mentorship, particularly the absence of positive male role models, and urged local businesses to get involved. "A clarion call was made to businesses…

09 Mar

Namibia improve on netball world ranking

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia has improved its position in the latest World Netball rankings, moving from 19th to 18th place among 49 netball-playing nations worldwide. According to World Netball, rankings are determined by points earned from match results and the strength of opponents. A team earns 50 points more than their opponent’s rating for a win and 50 points less for a loss. Since 1 July 2020, Namibia has played 26 international matches, accumulating 1 326 points. World Netball emphasises that a team must play a minimum number of international matches to earn an official ranking. Currently, a team must play…

06 Mar

GRN owes Oranjemund town council N$21 million

info_e12wt4csMain

Allexer Namundjembo The Oranjemund Town Council (OTC) is demanding N$21 million in unpaid rates and taxes from the government for two properties, including the land housing the Oranjemund Airport. The Ministry of Works and Transport owns the land, but the council says it has not received payments since 2018. The land in question is Farm 166, where the airport is located, and an adjacent Farm 171, which is vacant. The council claims that the government owes N$15.7 million for Farm 166 and N$5.3 million for Farm 171, totalling N$21 million in unpaid rates and taxes. Council chairperson for the management…

06 Mar

Leprosy stigma fades in Zambezi region

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo For decades, leprosy, or Hansen’s disease’s deep-seated stigma, extended beyond death in the Zambezi Region. Those affected by the disease often faced exile, isolation, and indignity even in death. Sibbinda Constituency Councillor Micky Lukaezi recalls the story of a man, a victim of leprosy, who was denied a traditional burial due to cultural stigmas associated with the disease. “He was taken to the forest as it was against cultural beliefs to bury people suffering from the disease in the same way as others. The belief was that those with leprosy could not be buried in the same manner…