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An average of 436 lives are lost on Namibian roads each year

An average of 436 lives are lost on Namibian roads each year

Martin Endjala On average, 436 deaths have been recorded each year on Namibian roads over the past three years This is according to Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, John Haufiku, who made the revelation on 13 December during a road safety campaign sponsorship acknowledgement event in Windhoek. The campaign, launched last month in the Oshikoto region, is a collaborative effort between the National Road Safety Council, Roads Authority, the Namibian Police, and the Road Fund Administration. From 1 January to 7 December, 2 925 crashes have been recorded, resulting in 5 297 injuries and 385 fatalities.…
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NYC board members demand reinstatement

NYC board members demand reinstatement

Allexer Namundjembo Suspended members of the National Youth Council (NYC) board issued an ultimatum to youth minister Agnes Tjongarero, demanding their immediate reinstatement after what they describe as an unjust suspension. Former chairperson Eva Awases, along with Simon Taapopi, Josef Petrus, Melinda Mogotsi, Rozaline Joseph, and Viviane De Koe, were suspended on Friday over allegations of fund mismanagement and other irregularities. In a letter addressed to Awases, the minister cited several reasons for the suspension, including disregard for ministry directives, failure to adhere to procurement procedures, non-disclosure of conflicts of interest, and misuse of council funds. The suspended board members…
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Court grants opposition parties access to electoral material

Court grants opposition parties access to electoral material

Niël Terblanché On Friday, the Electoral Court of Namibia ruled in favour of the Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), granting them conditional access to inspect electoral materials from the National Assembly elections. The ruling, handed down by a panel of High Court judges Nate Ndauendapo, Orben Sibeya, and Beatrix de Jager, permits the parties to review specific electoral information on 18 and 19 December. The court order ensures that while the IPC and LPM can access election data, any sealed electoral material, as specified under the Electoral Act, remains strictly off-limits. In their ruling,…
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Commitments to health and wellness renewed

Commitments to health and wellness renewed

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s progress in combating HIV/AIDS and the integration of mental health into healthcare services was reinforced during the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2024 in Rundu on Friday. Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the minister of health and social services spoke at the vent in the Kavango East region and said the country has made great strides to eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Shangula said that the country stands among the global leaders in addressing the epidemic. "We now stand at the cusp of ending AIDS as a public health threat by the year 2030," he…
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New aircraft strengthens Namibian defence capabilities

New aircraft strengthens Namibian defence capabilities

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba officially commissioned two medium transport aircraft, known as Y-9E, into the Namibian Air Force at the Grootfontein Air Force Base on Friday. The state-of-the-art aircraft, manufactured to Namibia’s specifications by the China Aeronautic Technology and Import Corporation (CATIC), represents a significant step forward in the country’s defence capabilities. In his capacity as the commander in chief of the Namibian Defence Force, Mbumba lauded the adoption of the new aircraft as a vital milestone in Namibia’s efforts to modernize its military. “The acquisition of these medium transport aircraft will go a long way in improving and…
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Water infrastructure projects commissioned at the coast

Water infrastructure projects commissioned at the coast

Niël Terblanché The commissioning of two major water infrastructure projects, the Henties Bay Extension and Upgrade Phase 1 and the Kuiseb-Collector 2-Swakopmund Pipeline Replacement Phase 3, strengthened Namibia’s efforts to enhance water security and support socio-economic development. The event, held in Henties Bay on Friday brought together government officials, stakeholders, and local communities to celebrate this achievement. Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform during the launch, extolled the vital importance of these projects. “These projects are a demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that all Namibians, especially those in our central and coastal regions, have reliable…
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803 housing units to be constructed at Swakopmund

803 housing units to be constructed at Swakopmund

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund achieved another milestone in addressing housing challenges with the launch of a transformative housing development project in the DRC informal settlement. The minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni officially launched the National Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (ISUP) aimed at addressing the housing backlog and providing decent and affordable shelter countrywide in Swakopmund on Friday. The ISUP was first launched in Windhoek as a Pilot Project and has so far delivered 744 houses, and is set to be rolled out countrywide. The minister said a total of 803 new houses will be constructed in DRC informal…
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All politicians can’t be in parliament’ – Katjimune

All politicians can’t be in parliament’ – Katjimune

Stefanus Nashama A young lawmaker of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Maximalliant Katjimune said there is a misconception that all politicians should go to parliament. Katjimune shared during an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday when asked about his new role when 2025 comes around. "There is this huge misconception that all politicians must serve in parliament," he said. Katjimune and another of the PDM's youth lawmakers, Hidipo Hamata failed to secure a seat in the National Assembly after the party only got five seats from the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections. Katjimune and Hamata came number 10…
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Investigation into N$50 million lithium mining heist advancing

Investigation into N$50 million lithium mining heist advancing

Hertta-Maria Amutenya and Ester Mbathera The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has confirmed that an investigation into allegations surrounding a N$50 million lithium mining deal involving the Chinese company, Xinfeng Investments is ongoing. ACC Commissioner Paulus Noa, on Thursday, told the Windhoek Observer that while the investigation is underway, details of the case cannot be disclosed. “There is an investigation into the matter." Unfortunately, we are unable to share the finer details,” Noa said. The case involves allegations that Xinfeng Investments paid a N$50 million bribe to secure access to a sought-after lithium mining concession previously held by Karlowa Mining Enterprises. An…
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Political analyst calls for electoral reform for small parties

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Political analyst Erica Thomas has called for a review of Namibia's Electoral Act to address the role of political parties with fewer than three parliamentary seats. According to Thomas, such parties are an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. Speaking on Thursday about the performance of smaller parties in the recent presidential and national assembly elections, Thomas expressed concern over their contribution to the legislature. “I think the Electoral Act needs to be reviewed to see how some of these parties can be accommodated because their leaders only fight to be in parliament for their stomachs and contribute nothing,” said…
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