Featured – Page 12

05 Jun

Agriculture ministry tackles water shortages with borehole initiative

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) has invited bidders to tender for the installation of boreholes in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where severe water shortages continuously occur. The work required includes the construction and installation of traditional wells, the installation of mini desalination plants for boreholes with salty water, and the drilling and test pumping of boreholes. Work also includes the installation of new boreholes and water point infrastructure, the rehabilitation of water point infrastructure, the construction of earth dams, and the cleaning of boreholes, amongst others. Last month, the…

03 Jun

Higher costs of living as electricity tariff increases

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Niël Terblanché The Namibia Electricity Control Board (ECB) has announced an eight percent increase in NamPower's bulk tariff for the current financial year. This adjustment, set to take effect from 1 July, was disclosed by NamPower's managing director, Kahenge Haulofu, who attributed the hike to the rising costs of electricity generation, particularly due to higher prices for imported electricity. Haulofu elaborated on the reasons behind the tariff increase, noting the significant impact of the under-recovery of revenue. "The lower-than-projected generation from the Ruacana Hydro Power Station necessitated the replacement of this energy with more costly imports. Additionally, the depreciation of…

31 May

APP congress set for August

info_e12wt4csFeatured

Martin Endjala The Central Coordinating Committee (CCC) of the All People’s Party (APP), has announced that the party’s fourth National Congress is set for 2 to 4 August at a venue yet to be confirmed. Daniel Djami, the APP’s secretary for information and media relations, said 300 delegates are expected to attend. “This includes the CCC, youth, and women’s wings. Nominations for the top 8 positions will be made at the congress, and regional restructuring in the remaining four regions, namely, Hardap, Ohangwena, Oshana, and Oshikoto, will be completed before Congress,” he said. The CCC also resolved to amend some…

29 May

Namibia Men’s Hockey Team Clinches Africa Indoor Cup

info_e12wt4csFeatured, SportsAfrica Indoor Cup, Namibia Men’s Hockey Team

Namibia’s men’s hockey team made history by defeating South Africa on penalties to win the Africa Indoor Cup. This victory not only marked their first African title but also secured their spot in the 2025 Indoor World Cup in Croatia. South Africa, however, found solace in the women’s competition, where they triumphed over Namibia in another gripping penalty shootout. Despite the loss, Namibia’s women also earned their ticket to the world stage next year. The men’s final was a rollercoaster of emotions. South Africa surged ahead shortly after halftime with two quick goals from Mustaphaa Cassiem and Dal Langford, setting…

26 May

NSI marks 15 years with a strategic vision for the future

info_e12wt4csFeaturedNamibian Standards Institution (NSI)

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) marked its 15th anniversary on Monday with a celebration in Windhoek, coinciding with World Metrology Day. The event stressed the crucial role of measurement in both global and local contexts and highlighted NSI’s dedication to enhancing Namibia's national quality infrastructure over the past 15 years. Paul Kalenga, Chairperson of the Namibian Standards Council, opened the event, setting a tone of reflection, celebration, and strategic planning for the future. A significant highlight was the launch of the NSI’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) for 2024-2028, designed to guide the institution’s efforts in the coming…

23 May

Windhoek District Hospital at site clearing stage

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Ester Mbathera The new 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital project is currently at the site clearance stage. This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, on Wednesday. Nangombe was responding to questions on which entity received the tender for the construction of the hospital after the ministry held a groundbreaking ceremony last week without handing over the contractor on site. “The tender for construction will be advertised later. Currently, the project is at the stage of site clearance, to be followed by the installation of bulk services,” he said. Many people took…

21 May

Focus on children as SADC PF Committee meets

info_e12wt4csAfrica / World, FeaturedSADC PF

Moses Magadza The SADC PF Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) is meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the theme "Advancing the AU Agenda 2040 for Children: Strengthening Parliamentary Engagement for Child-Centred Legislation and Policies." The meeting is in preparation for the 55th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, scheduled to take place from 1 to 7 July in Angola. The Committee convenes when there is growing concern over child rights violations, poverty, and inequality, as well as a dearth of child-centred policies within the SADC region and beyond. Munashe Tofa, a member…

20 May

SA’s ConCourt barres Zuma from serving in parliament

info_e12wt4csFeaturedPresident Jacob Zuma

Niël Terblanché South Africa's highest court has ruled that former President Jacob Zuma is barred from running for parliament in that country’s general election next week. The Constitutional Court's judgement hinges on Zuma's 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, rendering him ineligible under the country's constitution. Zuma was convicted in 2021 for his refusal to testify at an inquiry into corruption during his presidency, which concluded in 2018. Despite his imprisonment and subsequent release after three months by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the court maintained that the original sentence disqualified him from serving in parliament. The former president…

20 May

Iran’s President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian killed in helicopter crash

info_e12wt4csFeatured

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state media reported Monday. Iranian state television reported there was “no sign of life” at the crash site of the helicopter that carried Raisi, Amirabdollahian, and others. “All the passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred,” semi-official news agency Mehr News reported. Drone footage published on state media FARS News Agency showed the chopper’s wreckage on a steep hillside. “The consequences of this are probably going to be rather contained,” Ali Ahmadi, executive fellow at the Geneva Center for Security…

15 May

Suggestions that Mukwe’s old delimitation was politically motivated

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Martin Endjala The previous Boundary Delimitation and Demarcation Commission decision in 1990 to make the Mukwe constituency part of Caprivi, the now-Zambezi region, was politically motivated. This is according to Rundu Rural Constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, Mbangu clarified the issue of which region should integrate the Mukwe constituency. “Many people are not aware of this, but let me clarify how the issue started. In 1990, when Namibia gained independence, the first delimitation commission decided to make Mukwe part of Caprivi, but Mukwe was long part of Kavango. Since they did not…