National News – Page 172 – Windhoek Observer

23 Sep

APP not interested in 96 parliamentary seats

National NewsElectoral Commission of Namibia

Stefanus Nashama Unlike other political parties, the All People’s Party (APP) has only nominated 50 people for parliament. Last Wednesday, the party released a list of only 50 candidates, whereas other parties have 96. The party’s leader, Ambrosius Kumbwa, told the Windhoek Observer last week that there is no need for a complete list since no political party has obtained 96 seats in parliament before. "We are not interested in 96 seats." No one has managed to get so many seats before, not even the Swapo, which used to have the majority,” he said. Kumbwa attributed his reasoning to the…

23 Sep

No government or ruling party lasts forever – Venaani

Featured, National NewsPopular Democratic Movement, SWAPO

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani believes the reign of Swapo will not last forever. He made the remarks while addressing a PDM mega rally at Nkurenkuru on Saturday. “There is no loyalty to the Namibian people. However, ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you: no government or ruling party lasts forever. The reign of Swapo shall not last forever either,” he said. Venaani claimed that the current government has been manipulating the country for a long time. “We must confront the undeniable reality that our communities have been manipulated for far too long,” he stated.…

23 Sep

Bondelswarts gears up for cultural showcase at World Tourism Day

National News

Niël Terblanché The Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation is preparing to host a historical cultural event at the Warmbad Heritage site, embracing the theme “Promoting Unity, Tourism, and Culture for Development” on World Tourism Day on 27 September. This global day of recognition presents an opportunity to explore the transformative power of tourism, especially in rural communities like Warmbad, situated in the //Kharas region. Mathew Veldskoen, the spokesperson for the Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation, stated that tourism has the potential to be a force for positive change in rural areas across the world. He stressed that the event in Warmbad will not only…

23 Sep

Chief Justice urges consistency in court rulings nationwide

National News2024 Annual Magistrates Conference, Peter Shivute

Niël Terblanché Namibia's Chief Justice, Peter Shivute, during the official opening of the 2024 Annual Magistrates Conference reiterated the importance of a unified magistracy in delivering justice efficiently and fairly across all regions of the country. The conference that started in Swakopmund on Monday morning will focus on the theme of “Fostering a Unified Magistracy.” The event that brought together magistrates from across Namibia serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and addressing the many challenges facing the lower courts in the country. Justice Shivute stressed that for many Namibians, their first encounter with the legal system happens in the…

22 Sep

Namibian MPs join global call to remove Cuba from terrorism list

National Newsterrorism list, U.S. President Joe Biden

Niël Terblanché In a show of global solidarity, Namibian members of parliament (MPs) have joined over 600 parliamentarians from 73 countries in signing a letter denouncing U.S. President Joe Biden's designation of Cuba as a "state sponsor of terrorism." Namibia’s MPs, alongside their international counterparts, are urging their respective governments to take action to remove Cuba from this controversial list before the end of Biden’s term in January 2025. Addressed to the United Nations, the collective letter denounces the reapplication of the designation, characterizing it as cynical, cruel, and a violation of international law. The United States first removed Cuba…

22 Sep

Shikongo reappointed as police chief

National NewsJoseph Shikongo

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has been reappointed as Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force for another three-year term. The appointment is effective from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027. President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed the general’s reappointment on Sunday. Mbumba expressed confidence in Shikongo’s ability to continue leading the Namibian Police Force. “I am confident in your ability to execute your duties with professionalism and fairness,” said Mbumba. The president also instructed Shikongo to implement policies aimed at combating crime and modernizing the police force to meet global law enforcement standards. Shikongo, who turned 60 on 18…

22 Sep

SWAPO insults dignity of people during food parcel incident in Walvis Bay

National NewsAlly Angula, Ndumba Kamwanyah, Panduleni Itula, Stephanus Pombili

Niël Terblanché and Hertta-Maria Amutenya In a shocking and widely condemned incident at SWAPO’s Star Rally in Walvis Bay, Namibians were left outraged after food parcels were thrown at attendees, resulting in chaos. The event has sparked nationwide debate and fierce criticism of the ruling party, raising concerns about the dignity and respect accorded to the nation’s citizens. Panduleni Itula, president of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), expressed his dismay in a strongly worded statement released on Sunday. He condemned the SWAPO officials involved, describing the incident as a "disgrace" that symbolised a larger issue of mismanagement and exploitation…

22 Sep

Repatriation of Batswana of Namibian descent strengthens bilateral friendship

National NewsAnnah-Maria Mokgethi, Kambazembi Traditional Authority, late President Hage Geingob

Martin Endjala The group of 98 Batswana of Namibian descent were repatriated to Namibia on 20 September, after they crossed the border at the Dobe border post in the Hardap region. This long-anticipated homecoming follows a decision by the Cabinet during the tenure of late President Hage Geingob, which mandated the government to facilitate the repatriation process. Annah-Maria Mokgethi, Botswana's minister of labour and home affairs, described the return as a fulfilment of the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) protocol on the facilitation of person movement. “The relationship between Botswana and Namibia is characterised by strong bonds of friendship rooted…

22 Sep

Khorixas municipality repossesses erven as unemployment soars

National NewsSimon Ochurub

Hilarius Hamutenya A high rate of unemployment in Khorixas has forced the town council to repossess the erven and resell it to new buyers. The town currently has a waiting list of 315 applicants for formal residential and 1 253 applicants for informal settlement erven. The town's spokesperson, Simon Ochurub, revealed this to the Windhoek Observer on Friday. “High unemployment rates make it difficult for residents to afford formal parcels of land and often turn to building their houses in informal settlements and farming areas,” he said. Ochurub said that private individuals have received the majority of the erven, with…

22 Sep

NEFF accuses ECN of deliberate delay intended to undermine its election campaign

National NewsNamibia Economic Freedom Fighters, Namibia Electoral Commission

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) said the Namibia Electoral Commission (ECN) is deliberately delaying pronouncing itself on the court judgement to shortchange and undermine NEFF mobilisation efforts ahead of national elections in November. NEFF deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said that Namibians must be alerted that the country is not ready for elections when a significant constituency is being denied the right to vote for a party of their choice. ‘’This move is tactically benefiting a few political parties, chiefly the Swapo party, which has been the invisible third force behind our…