Main – Page 26 – Windhoek Observer

05 Feb

A nation mourns

ObserverMainA nation mourns, The sudden passing of President Hage Geingob

Niël Terblanché The sudden passing of President Hage Geingob shortly after midnight on Sunday, has the Namibian Nation still reeling with shock while at the same time having to cope with a sense of sadness never felt before in the country’s short history as a fiercely independent and sovereign state. As the reality of the situation where they went to bed on Saturday evening in a Namibia they knew and loved and waking up a few hours later to a country where opportunism might derail what they have built over the past 35 years is yet to set in. However…

02 Feb

BoN issues warning on investment scams

ObserverMainBoN issues warning on investment scams

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has raised serious concerns over the surge in fraudulent investment schemes, which falsely claim government affiliations to lure victims. These scams often target senior public figures, high-ranking officials, politicians, and civil servants with promises of substantial financial assistance for Namibia’s development projects. Governor Johannes !Gawaxab emphasized the sophisticated nature of these frauds, noting that scammers present fake investment funds, allegedly worth millions or billions in US Dollars or Euros. They offer to finance developmental and mega construction projects in Namibia, using forged documents such as swift money transfers and payment transactions to mimic…

02 Feb

Ghost companies drain more than N$100 Million from Namibia

ObserverMainGhost companies drain more than N$100 Million from Namibia

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a groundbreaking revelation, Namibia’s Revenue Agency (Namra) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, exposed a syndicate of ‘ghost companies’ orchestrating the illicit transfer of more than N$100 million out of the country. “Last year, our investigation team picked out a syndicate that we call ghost companies. You find people who would register a business with Bipa, but before they register the business, they would go to disadvantaged people in villages and informal settlements and get people’s identification documents, promising those people social grants,” Shivute. He revealed the depth of the illicit activities, citing an example of ghost companies exploiting unsuspecting…

01 Feb

President Geingob is back on Namibian soil

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob arrived back in Namibia on Wednesday evening following a two-day novel treatment regime for cancer in the United States of America. According to a statement issued by the Namibian Presidency, the Head of State was admitted to a hospital in Windhoek upon his arrival in the capital city where he will receive the remainder of the cancer treatment. President Geingob’s cancer diagnosis came after routine a colonoscopy and gastroscopy that he underwent at the beginning of January. A subsequent biopsy detected cancerous cells. Shortly after the diagnosis was made public, President Geingob accepted a medical…

01 Feb

Prime Minister denies involvement in petroleum sector corruption

ObserverMainPrime Minister denies involvement in petroleum sector corruption

Niël Terblanché A letter circulating on social media platforms has sparked controversy in Namibia, alleging that Maggy Shino, the Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia, was appointed in a corrupt manner. The unfounded allegations in the letter has drawn attention from the country’s leadership. Tom Alweendo, the Minister of Mines and Energy, had to explain the appointment process of the head of the Petroleum Directorate. The announcement by the energy minister was followed shortly by the Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila who refuted claims of having a personal relationship with Shino and denied any corrupt practices in her appointment. These responses follow…

31 Jan

ACC issues stern warning to Ministry of Higher Education ED

ObserverMainACC issues stern warning to Ministry of Higher Education ED

Martin Endjala Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a stern warning to the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Executive Director Alfred Van Kent, against the potentially corrupt habit of committing the Ministry to financial debts through requests for travel payments from public enterprises, especially when conferences and meetings to be attended have no bearing to benefit such public institutions. This comes after the ACC finalised its investigations into the allegations against Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Itah Kandji-Murangi. Allegations of corrupt practices were reported in various print media that the Minister was unduly paid subsistence and…

30 Jan

Several Hardap schools operate without key personnel

ObserverMain, National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a shocking revelation during the official opening of the Regional Stakeholders Conference in the Hardap Region this week, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation Nathalia /Goagoses, addressed a critical issue plaguing the educational landscape. With a resounding call for action, /Goagoses highlighted that 11 schools in the region are currently without principals, and an additional 28 lack Heads of Departments. During her address, /Goagoses emphasized the pivotal role leadership plays in shaping the educational environment. She urged the Regional Director and the education team to fill these vacant positions, stressing the importance of accountability and…

30 Jan

Need arises for TVET to accommodate 76,000 students

ObserverMain000 students, Need arises for TVET to accommodate 76

Martin Endjala Regina Ambambi, the Chairperson of the Association of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Namibia (ATVETIN), has highlighted the urgent need for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions to expand their capacity. According to Ambambi, accommodating approximately 76,000 learners is crucial to keep youth off the streets and engaged in productive activities, assuming that only a few of them enter direct employment. This necessity was underscored following ATVETIN’s analysis of the recent Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) results, released on January 10, 2024. Ambambi noted that the performance in this national assessment significantly impacts…

29 Jan

Central areas of Namibia face water crisis

ObserverMainCentral areas of Namibia face water crisis

Martin Endjala The Central Area of Namibia (CAN) is on the brink of a severe water shortage. The lack of rainfall has put the region at risk, prompting Namibia Water Corporation Limited (NamWater) and the City of Windhoek (CoW) to call for immediate implementation of water conservation measures to sustain water supply across CAN. Recent data from NamWater and CoW, as of January 22, 2024, indicates that water levels in the three primary dams - Omatako, Von Bach, and Swakoppoort - have fallen to 22.2 percent of their combined capacity. This is a significant decrease from the 39.9 percent recorded…

26 Jan

Historic ICJ ruling reins Israel in

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché Friday 26 January 2024 will henceforth be remembered as a pivotal moment in international law as the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its interim ruling on emergency measures against Israel, following South Africa’s accusations of state-led genocide in the Gaza conflict. At around 14:00 today, a panel of 17 judges of the International Court of Justice in The Hague found that ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza pose a plausible risk of irreparable harm. In lieu of a final judgement, the panel of judges handed down interim measures to mitigate the severe humanitarian crisis…