Main – Page 15 – News Stand

04 Sep

Kavango East governor backs elephant culling as drought relief measure

info_e12wt4csMainBonifatius Wakudumo, elephant culling

Hertta -Maria Amutenja Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo has voiced strong support for the government's proposal to cull elephants and other wildlife for drought relief measures. Wakudumo argues that culling is essential for maintaining a balance between human and wildlife needs and offers a different perspective, supporting culling as a necessary measure. “When we have good rain and the people have cultivated their crops, that is when we start to experience serious problems as elephants destroy people’s crops. In the absence of good rain, grazing for both cattle and elephants becomes minimal, increasing the risk of competition for resources. While…

03 Sep

Paragon Investment Holdings enters offshore mining industry

info_e12wt4csMainEdgehill Resources, Kenzoll Capital, LK Mining

Niël Terblanche Paragon Investment Holdings, through its subsidiary Edgehill Resources, has made an entrance into the offshore diamond mining sector. Partnering with Kenzoll Capital and other key stakeholders, Paragon is part of the joint venture behind the acquisition of the Adamastor, a state-of-the-art mining vessel set to operate in Hottentots Bay. This move positions Paragon as a new player in the lucrative offshore diamond industry, which is crucial to the country's economy. LK Mining’s representative, Lazarus Jacobs, has expressed optimism about the project’s potential, highlighting the favourable marine conditions and the high recovery rate of diamonds in the area. “The…

02 Sep

Opposition accuses Nandi-Ndaitwah of playing political games with sports minister

info_e12wt4csMainAgnes Tjongarero, Independence Stadium, Lifalaza Simataa, Maximalliant Katjimune

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Opposition political parties argue that Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's criticism of sport, youth, and national service minister Agnes Tjongarero, because she hasn't started renovating Independence Stadium, should not be taken seriously. Opposition parties believe that Nandi-Ndaitwah is using her words as an election gimmick to portray herself as a leader who holds others accountable, even though she is not. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Maximalliant Katjimune said the timing of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s criticism of her former fellow cabinet member is questionable. He said she has been part of the government for years and has been aware of…

01 Sep

Parties silent about election agendas

info_e12wt4csMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political parties have remained largely unresponsive to questions about their strategies for tackling national issues ahead of the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Despite inquiries sent by the Windhoek Observer between August 23 and 28 on topics such as poverty, food security, and court backlogs, the majority of parties offered little to no response. The publication also sought to understand their plans regarding renewable energy, infrastructure, basic education, and the decriminalisation of sex work but received sparse feedback. Marius !Goraseb, secretary general of the All People’s Party (APP), said the media should wait for their manifesto launch,…

29 Aug

Rural constituencies in Zambezi region struggling with water crisis

info_e12wt4csMainJudea Lyaboloma Constituency

Martin Endjala The prevalence of water challenges is increasing for rural communities in the Zambezi Region due to ageing infrastructure and depleted water supply. This is according to Judea Lyaboloma Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai, who confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Dival, most rural communities in the constituency and other parts of the Zambezi Region do not have enough water services because of limited availability and administrative problems. He said failure to maintain and repair dried-out boreholes is among the biggest challenges. “Rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes,…

28 Aug

Police officer nabbed in recruitment scam

info_e12wt4csMainKauna Shikwambi

Martin Endjala and Ester Mbathera A police officer has been arrested in connection with a recruitment scam and is set to appear in court on 8 October. This was confirmed by Nampol’s national spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, on Wednesday. “Thus far, only one officer was arrested. The investigation is still ongoing. His next court date is 08 October 2024. The case was postponed for further investigations,” she disclosed. The Windhoek Observer has established that the officer has been in police custody for the past three weeks in the cells of the Seeis police station. Fillipus Meleksedek exposed the issue…

27 Aug

Israel bound military cargo vessel denied docking in Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csMainMV Kathrin

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Safety Security through the Namibian Police, revoked the permission previously granted for the vessel MV Kathrin to enter and dock at Namibia’s main harbour on 24 August.. The port of Walvis Bay scheduled the vessel, carrying cargo in transit, for docking on 25 August. Israel, which is currently involved in a conflict with Gaza, was the destination of the vessel carrying military equipment and supplies. According to a letter seen by the Windhoek Observer, Nampol’s Inspector-General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, directed Africa Global Logistic PTY Limited that the permission for the…

26 Aug

First-ever murder conviction in fatal vehicle collision sets new precedent

info_e12wt4csMainMagistrate Gaynor Paulton

Niël Terblanché Jandre Dippenaar became the first and only Namibian in history to be prosecuted and convicted of murder in the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle collision. On Friday, in the Swakopmund Regional Court, he was sentenced to spend the next 15 years in prison. Magistrate Gaynor Paulton imposed the extraordinary sentence after convicting Dippenaar on six counts of murder, one count of reckless and negligent driving, and one count of operating a vehicle without a valid driving license in the Swakopmund Regional Court in June. Paulton ordered the 15-year custodial sentence, stating that the six counts of murder…

22 Aug

Namibia honours centenary of liberation stalwart Andimba Toivo ya Toivo

info_e12wt4csMainAndimba Centenary Year

Niël Terblanché Namibia celebrated the 100th birthday of the revered liberation stalwart, Andimba Toivo yaToivo. This date also signifies the commencement of the Andimba Centenary Year, a period dedicated to honouring the life and legacy of one of Namibia’s most esteemed figures in the struggle for independence. Andimba was born on 22 August 1924, in Omangundu, northern Namibia, and passed away on 9 June 2017. He is remembered not only as a co-founder of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) but also as a symbol of resistance and integrity. To commemorate his centenary, his widow, Vicky yaToivo, and their…

21 Aug

Oil industry warned against fronting

info_e12wt4csEnergy, Main

Martin Endjala The deputy minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, has warned players in the oil and gas industry against fronting Namibians into positions. She made these remarks during the 2024 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference that started in Windhoek on Wednesday. “Ideally, all vacant positions should be advertised in local media to ensure that Namibians, who meet minimum requirements from all corners of the country, have an equal employment opportunity,” she said. This year's conference theme is “The Next Step Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry.” Shilunga said she has learnt that some oil industry players are…