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03 Oct

Nursing council caps student intake

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Nursing Council of Namibia has issued new directives aimed at addressing growing concerns over the quality of nursing and midwifery training in the country, effective from 1 October 2024. The directives are in response to the rapid increase in nursing and midwifery educational institutions, which has surpassed the capacity of approved training hospitals and health facilities. The council’s chief executive officer, Cornelius Weyulu, said this has negatively affected nursing and midwifery training and compromised patient safety. “This contributed to the high unemployment rate among nursing and midwifery graduates,” said Weyulu. The council has capped student intakes at…

02 Oct

Amupanda, Swartbooi accuses ECN of ignoring procurement rules in ballot tender

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Stefanus Nashama The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) faces criticism over claims that it bypassed the public procurement process for the printing of ballot papers for the November 2024 elections. The Affirmative Repositioning movement’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda and the Landless People's Movement’s (LPM) leader, Bernadus Swartbooi questioned the transparency of the tendering process while at the same time, accusing the ECN of secretly favouring Swapo-affiliated companies. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Commission met with the members of the Political Party Liaison Committee to provide an update on the procurement process for the printing of ballot papers for the 2024…

01 Oct

NEFF races against time to secure National Assembly candidacy

info_e12wt4csMainECN, Epafras Mukwiilongo

Erasmus Shalihaxwe and Ester Mbathera The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) are racing against time, as the party has yet to hold its nomination conference for prospective National Assembly candidates. Political parties have until 16 October to submit their nominations for their candidates. The party’s leader, Epafras Mukwiilongo, on Tuesday told the Windhoek Observer that they are working hard to meet the deadline. “When we are done with the nominations, we will see when we will launch our party manifesto,” he said. The NEFF regained its political party status on Monday after the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced that…

30 Sep

Okahao and Tsandi residents struggling with access to water

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Martin Endjala The Okahao Constituency in the Omusati region is grappling with low water pressure in supply pipelines, preventing water from reaching some villages. Constituency Councillor, Leonard Shikulo confirmed the issue and explained that some areas around Okahao, particularly Tsandi, have had no running water for two months due to a faulty pump system that supplies water from a dam. The pump system was repaired and is currently operational again but low water pressure persists, possibly due to blockages in the pipelines. "Yes, it's true. Okahao was experiencing water issues due to the dam's pump system that was not functioning.…

29 Sep

Top Score instant porridge removed from shelves following the death of three children

info_e12wt4csMainNamib Mills

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namib Mills has temporarily withdrawn all Top Score Instant Porridge from the market following the deaths of three children in Mdantsane township, Buffalo City, South Africa. The children, aged 4, 18 months and 17 months, passed away on Sunday, with two of them from the same household. NamibMills’ senior brand manager, Marné Bouwer, expressed deep regret following the incident. “We are deeply saddened by the reports circulating that three children have passed away. There is currently no evidence linking our product to this incident, but we are taking the matter very seriously,” she said. Bouwer said the company…

27 Sep

Gold refinery out of reach for Namibia

info_e12wt4csMainHeye Daun

CHAMWE KAIRA There is little hope that Namibia will be able to refine gold locally in the near future. This is despite increasing gold production and the development of a third gold mine. The outgoing CEO of Osino Resources, Heye Daun, explained that Namibia and South Africa have similar regulations around gold and that gold refining and all gold production in Namibia go to the Rand Refinery in Johannesburg. “We had this discussion before. A refinery in Namibia is not economically viable. Refineries are very expensive. They require big orders of big magnitude,” said Daun. Rand Refinery was established by…

25 Sep

Three NDF recruits died during training

info_e12wt4csMainFrans Kapofi, Osona Training Base in Okahandja

Stefanus Nashama Three recruits of the 17th intake died during the Namibian Defence Force's basic training. The minister of defence and veterans affairs, Frans Kapofi, made this revelation during the official graduation ceremony of the 17th intake at the Osona Training Base in Okahandja on Wednesday. “It is also unfortunate and regrettable that three recruits passed away during the course of their training,” he said. The three deceased recruits are all from Hardap Region. Two died during training while the other was stabbed to death in Windhoek while on a break. According to NDF spokesperson, Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, some candidates…

24 Sep

Costs of office expansion for fisheries ministry surges

info_e12wt4csMainAugust Twenty-Six Construction, Uaripi Katjiukua, Zhong Mei Engineering Group JV Joevanni (Pty) LTD

Ester Mbathera The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has requested authorisation from the Procurement Policy Unit in the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MFPE) to increase the contract price for its new head office project from N$3.7 million to N$11.4 million. The project, currently 95% complete, faced increased costs due to unanticipated additional works, including the alteration and renovation of the 4th floor, installation of furniture, and completion of electrical and mechanical systems. Work stalled on the project because the previous contractor, Zhong Mei Engineering Group JV Joevanni (Pty) LTD, abandoned the site. This led to MFRM…

23 Sep

Deaf demand sign language recognition

info_e12wt4csMainInternational Week of the Deaf, Martin Tjivera, Namibian National Association of the Deaf

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) is calling on the government to recognise Namibian Sign Language as an official national language, emphasising its importance for the inclusion and empowerment of the Deaf community. The call coincided with the celebration of the International Week of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Language, which began on Monday, with the theme, 'Sign up for Sign Language Rights.' The NNAD founder, Martin Tjivera, stressed that official recognition would ensure access to essential services for deaf people. "We urge the Namibian government to recognise Namibian Sign Language as one of…

22 Sep

‘I have never taken up membership with AR’ – Ipinge

info_e12wt4csFeatured, MainKnowledge Ipinge, Laina Shapange

Ester Mbathera Former Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) activist, Knowledge Ipinge who defected to Swapo on Saturday, says he never took up membership with the movement since its transition to a political party. “I have never taken up membership with the AR,” he said. Ipinge told the Windhoek Observer on Sunday that the leadership of the Swapo party's vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, which he described as rooted in pragmatism, integrity, accountability, meritocracy, and inclusivity, significantly influenced his decision to rejoin Swwapo. “I refuse to participate in any discussion that attempts to create a narrative of bad blood between myself, AR, and…