Featured – Page 19 – Windhoek Observer

31 May

Namfisa levels the consumer credit playing field

ObserverFeaturedConsumer Credit Bill., Namfisa levels the consumer credit playing field

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority has resolved to level the playing field following its announcement yesterday that it will be consulting stakeholders on proposed amendments to the Consumer Credit Bill. This means that money lenders will now be under the scrutiny of Namfisa and those who do not fall in line will face the repercussions should the draft bill be endorsed after it undergoes a makeover. Namfisa has been tasked by the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises to spearhead the drafting of the Consumer Credit Bill to enhance the regulatory and supervisory oversight of all consumer…

30 May

ELCIN Bishops appeal to Geingob on same-sex judgment

ObserverFeatured

Stefanus Nashama Following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling compelling the Namibian government to recognize same-sex marriages that are certified in jurisdictions outside the country, seven retired Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Namibia (ELCIN) have written a letter to President Hage Geingob, requesting him to intervene and exercise his powers to enable the Supreme Court to revert its ruling. The retired Bishops, Kleopas Dumeni, Apollos Kaulinge, Tomas Shivute, Johannes Sindano, Josefat Shanghala, Veikko Munyika and Shekutaamba Nambala said in an open letter that the government should order the Supreme Court to reverse its ruling on recognizing same-sex marriages and…

29 May

Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day celebrated in Ohangwena

ObserverFeaturedMenstrual Health and Hygiene Day celebrated in Ohangwena

Martin Endjala Health and Social Services Deputy Minister, Esther Muinjangue, says that menstrual health is not only a health issue but is in actual fact a human rights issue. Muinjangue said this at the commemoration of the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day in Eenhana in Ohangwena region, on Friday. The day is commemorated every year on the 28th of May, under the theme Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030. She explained that millions of women and girls around the world are stigmatised, excluded and discriminated against simply because they menstruate. She said menstrual health and hygiene are…

26 May

FIMA committee chairman wants public views considered

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Martin Endjala The Chairperson of the newly inaugurated Financial Institutions and Markets (FIMA) Committee, Natangwe Ithete cautioned against the handing over of power to one person or entity in deciding on matters relating to the public. He was speaking on Tuesday during the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic and Public Administration stakeholder’s consultation on the FIMA Act. He stressed that “These are some of the challenges the country is faced with, with ministries and individuals given too much control over matters concerning the public,”. It is his position that Namfisa and the Finance Ministry, should not jump the gun on…

23 May

Namport launches investigation into fatal accident

ObserverFeaturedNamport launches investigation into fatal accident

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Port Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of a worker on board a container vessel at the start of the weekend. Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s Executive: Commercial Services said in a statement said that the investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident. “In a tragic incident that unfolded at the Port of Walvis Bay, Tangeni Antindi, an employee of Namibia Stevedoring Services, lost his life while performing his duties on a vessel,” he said. The fatal…

22 May

Man dies in freak accident at Walvis Bay port

ObserverFeaturedMan dies in freak accident at Walvis Bay port

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in Walvis Bay has registered a case of culpable homicide after the tragic death of 42-year-old Enos Tangeni Antindi on a container ship that was moored at berth 10 in the port. According to the incident report provided by NamPol’s Public Relations Division, the tragedy occurred at about 12:55 on Friday when a container that was being loaded onto the Maria Da Paz cargo vessel slipped from its locks and hit Antidi in the chest. “Antindi along with one of his colleagues were directing a crane operator on the correct placement of the container that…

22 May

Supreme Court undermines constitution –SPYL

ObserverFeaturedSupreme Court undermines constitution –SPYL

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has condemned the Supreme Court’s ruling, compelling the government to recognize same-sex marriages certified in courts outside the borders of Namibia. The landmark ruling, delivered by a full bench of Judges including Chief Justice Peter Shivute overturned a high court ruling from last year, which refused to recognize same-sex marriages in Namibia. SPYL Secretary Ephraim Nekongo says there is no provision of Namibian laws, written or unwritten, supporting homosexuality. He has since suggested that the SWAPO led government “should avoid participating in the dark forces’ demonic agenda, which aims to undermine our…

17 May

LPM retains seat in Keetmanshoop by-elections

ObserverFeaturedLPM retains seat in Keetmanshoop by-elections

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has retained its Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Council seat, after the party’s candidate, Willem Labuschagne scored the victory in the by-elections held on 15 May. This was announced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) yesterday morning, declaring Labuschagne as the overall winner after scoring 1 270 votes. Swapo’s candidate Elias Kharuxas came second with 872 votes while the Independent Candidate Gerrit Witbooi got 463 votes. Witbooi was the previous rural constituency councillor for Keetmashoop from 2020 until this year February when the LPM expelled him, alleging that his conduct was toxic to the…

15 May

Electricity tariffs increased by 8.97 percent

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Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board has resolved to increase the National Utility Nampower average bulk electricity tariffs by 8.97 percent from its initial request of 16.87 percent, meaning that the approved tariff has been increased from N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour for the 2023/24 financial year. The increase was announced today by ECB Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise, who said that increase is in accordance with existing legal provisions. Nampower submitted a tariff application for an effective bulk tariff, inclusive of a generation and transmission increase of 16.87 percent, which would have resulted in an increase from an average…

11 May

Second Men’s conference slated for Friday in Swakopmund

ObserverFeatured, National NewsSecond Men’s conference slated for Friday in Swakopmund

Niël Terblanché Information and education about mental health issues among the men of Namibia along with gender-based violence is desperately needed to reduce instances of avoidable deaths and violent crime. In this regard, men from all walks of life have been invited to attend the second annual Namibia National Men’s Conference in Swakopmund this Friday. The conference will be presented with the theme: ‘’Stop suffering in silence and speak out for a solution’’. The event, among other things, aims to create a platform for men to discuss issues affecting them, such as suicide, mental health, and financial literacy, promote positive…