Blog – Page 806 – Windhoek Observer

21 Sep

Venaani takes issue with Geingob’s genocide remarks

National News

Stefanus Nashama McHenry Venaani, the leader of Namibia's official opposition party, the Popular Democratic Movement, has taken issue with comments made by President Hage Geingob on the topic of the genocide in 1904. The President delivered the remarks at the Paris Institute of Political Studies in France last week. During the lecture, President Geingob opined that the cruelties of the apartheid-era South African regime surpassed the severity of the genocide enacted by Germany against the Nama and Ovaherero peoples. Geingob said that some individuals, who collaborated with the regime during the apartheid era, are now prominent voices demanding reparations for…

21 Sep

Why Namibia can be Africa’s next ‘Dubai’

OpinionsUnited Arab Emirates (UAE), Why Namibia can be Africa’s next ‘Dubai’

Elvis Mboya Namibia can rapidly transform from a third world economy to be one of the most competitive countries in Africa and a global commercial hub, to mirror the United Arab Emirates (UAE), taking into account their similarities - if it can adopt UAE’s economic growth strategies. In the process, Namibia’s sleepy coastal cities such as Walvis Bay and Swakopmund can transform to be like UAE’s global finance and tourism hub - Dubai. Remember, it took Dubai barely 20 years to develop from a sparsely populated desert country founded 50 years ago, that depended on fishing along its vast coastline,…

21 Sep

Namibia projected to be Africa’s emerging millionaires’ hub

National News

Martin Endjala According to the New World Health report, Namibia is fast gaining recognition as Africa's emerging millionaire hub, owing to its favourable fiscal environment marked by low tax rates and a robust banking system. Economist, Theo Klein, believes that this positive international perception will be a boon for the country's tourism sector. “As Namibia becomes a magnet for the affluent, it is naturally set to attract a higher number of tourists. Despite a four percent decline in Europeans' intent to travel compared to the previous year, our outlook for the local tourism sector remains positive," Klein said. He noted…

21 Sep

The provision of housing is key to addressing the dire need for social justice

National News

Martin Endjala Utaara Mootu, a Member of Parliament from the Landless People’s Movement, emphasized the urgent need to reshape housing provision to further social justice, as stipulated in the Namibian Constitution and international conventions. Mootu made these comments in Parliament earlier this week while presenting a motion aimed at addressing the country's housing shortage and identifying suitable delivery solutions. She highlighted the importance of housing, describing it as a cornerstone of societal welfare and a fundamental aspect influencing multiple areas of human life. “Beyond merely providing shelter, housing plays a pivotal role in influencing physical and mental health, ensuring economic…

21 Sep

Judge Moses Chinhengo appointed to preside over Fishrot trial

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia's dedication to fairness and impartiality in its legal proceedings saw to it that Justice Moses Chinhengo was inaugurated as Acting Judge of the High Court of Namibia this week. His specific mandate is to preside over the trial of the state vs. Ricardo Gustavo and 27 others, all embroiled in the notorious FishRot corruption scandal. President Hage Geingob, acting on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, appointed Chinhengo to serve until December 2023. Judge-President Petrus Damaseb officiated the swearing-in, announcing Judge Chinhengo's primary assignment shortly after the ceremony. This appointment follows the earlier swearing-in of acting…

21 Sep

N$26 million allocated for SASSCAL headquarters construction

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia has earmarked N$26 million for the construction of the headquarters for the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) in Windhoek. The announcement came from Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Anna Shiwedha, during the third Ordinary Meeting of the SASSCAL Council of Ministers in Luanda, Angola. Although the project has encountered challenges that have delayed progress, Shiwedha confirmed that construction is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2024. She emphasized that building the SASSCAL headquarters is a top priority for the member states involved, which include…

21 Sep

Geingob calls for unity, solidarity and action to achieve Agenda 2030

MainGeingob calls for unity, solidarity and action to achieve Agenda 2030

Niël Terblanché Dr Hage Geingob, the President of Namibia, delivered an ardent address at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) where he laid out a blueprint for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all. At the start of his address, Geingob extended Namibia’s felicitations to the newly elected President of the 78th Session of the UNGA, Dennis Francis, while also commending the dedication of his predecessor, Csaba Kőrösi. President Geingob echoed a sentiment shared by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres on the dire need for immediate action to realize the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the growing disparities in…

21 Sep

President asks for the mobilisation of US$30 billion for water investment by 2030

National News

Martin Enjala President Hage Geingob has urged the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa to mobilise US$30 billion annually for water investments by 2030. Speaking at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Geingob highlighted that Namibia recently released a report titled “Africa’s Rising Investment Tide: How to Mobilise US$30 Billion Annually to Achieve Water Security and Sustainable Sanitation in Africa.” The Namibian leader emphasized that the report provides clear strategies for marshalling the resources needed to meet Africa’s goals on water security and sustainable sanitation. “As leaders, we must bridge the water…

21 Sep

Capricorn renews its commitment to children impacted by HIV/AIDS

National News

Niël Terblanché In a renewed commitment to vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS, the Capricorn Foundation has pledged an additional N$300,000 to Christ’s Hope International, a Namibian non-profit. Recent findings indicate a concerning 43 percent of Namibians experience multidimensional poverty. A staggering one in five children in the country are stunted while constantly struggling with acute malnutrition. Christ’s Hope International, founded in 2003 in Okahandja, has since its inception been a beacon of hope for vulnerable children. With a steadfast mission to break the poverty cycle, the organisation currently operates in Keetmanshoop and Oshikuku, supporting 290 children and 100 families. The…

21 Sep

Shifeta calls for action to achieve sustainable forest management

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing Namibia’s forests and emphasized the urgent need for collective action towards sustainable forest management. Speaking at the end of the conference titled “The Future of Namibia’s Forests – Sustainable Forest Management as Key to Unlock Its Potential”, organized by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), Shifeta focused the attention on the significant deterioration caused by deforestation. “Our forests ate confronted by numerous challenges, with deforestation at the forefront. Nevertheless, we find solace in Namibia’s proactive steps to…