National News – Page 179 – Windhoek Observer

13 Feb

It’s surreal and unimaginable to admit Geingob has died – Alweendo

ObserverNational NewsIt’s surreal and unimaginable to admit Geingob has died - Alweendo

“… Indeed, we have lost an icon, a mentor, and a legend. Our hearts ache for the loss of one of our brightest lights. We now must learn how to live without Hage Geingob.” Those were the sombre words of Mines and Energy Minister, Tom Alweendo when he paid tribute to the late President Hage Geingob in Parliament. “It is rather difficult to refer to President Hage Geingob as late – it is surreal; it is unimaginable,” Alweendo said. Alweendo emphasised that the late President was indeed an extraordinary man who spent all his life in public service and left…

13 Feb

Turmoil in Otjiwarongo over CEO recruitment process

ObserverNational NewsTurmoil in Otjiwarongo over CEO recruitment process

Niël Terblanché The Otjiwarongo Municipality has been thrust into a state of discord following the resignation of two key members of its management committee last week, amid a contentious disagreement over the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The resignations of Gideon Iiyambo of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Sebetius Guiteb of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) have sparked concerns over the governance and decision-making processes within the municipality. Iiyambo, serving as an additional member, and Guiteb, a full member of the management committee, have stepped down from their respective roles but will continue to serve…

13 Feb

ICJ may be a window of opportunity for Ovaherero and Nama genocide claim

ObserverNational NewsICJ may be a window of opportunity for Ovaherero and Nama genocide claim

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro The application by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the plausible genocide of Palestinians by the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip, may open a window of opportunity for the descendants of the survivors of genocide by Imperial Germany of the Ovaherero and Nama. Says human rights lawyer activist, Dr John Nakuta. Adding that this they could do by approaching President Nangolo Mbumba, who has succeeded Dr Hage Geingob, who passed on the 4th of February in the Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek. “I submit that the late President, Hage Geingob’s scathing criticisms directed…

13 Feb

Arresting children and adults onWindhoek streets not the solution – Mayor

ObserverNational NewsArresting children and adults onWindhoek streets not the solution - Mayor

Martin Endjala City of Windhoek (CoW) Mayor, Queen Kamati, says arresting children and adults spotted on the streets of the capital city selling goods or begging for money amongst others, is not the solution. She called for concerted efforts from various stakeholders to provide solutions to deal with the situation. “Even if we remove these people from the streets by arresting them, where do we take them and what is the way forward? This is why we need collective efforts to tackle this problem, whether long-term or short-term, but there must be a framework in place to map the road…

13 Feb

Ngaringombe advocates for closer ties between government and churches

ObserverNational NewsNgaringombe advocates for closer ties between government and churches

Stefanus Nashama While recognising the role of churches during the liberation struggle of Namibia, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)’s Secretary-General, Manuel Ngaringombe, says such a positive role is not observed in an independent and democratic Namibia. “Churches put pressure on the oppressors and strongly spoke out against the atrocities committed in the name of the immoral, unwanted and illegitimate apartheid regime. However, the effort and the positive role Churches are supposed to play in an independent and democratic Namibia are not observed,” he stated. According to Ngaringombe, in the past, churches in the country have positively contributed to the development…

13 Feb

Calamity strikes in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions

ObserverNational NewsCalamity strikes in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions

Niël Terblanché Severe storms have left a trail of destruction across the Endola constituency in the Ohangwena Region and Iikokola village in the Oshikoto Region, rendering approximately 200 households homeless and causing extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The calamity struck on Saturday evening in Endola and continued its devastation into Sunday in Iikokola, uprooting trees, tearing roofs off buildings, and disrupting the lives of many. In the aftermath of the storm, Endola constituency councillor Ferdinand Shifidi admitted the local and regional councils were taken by surprise, leaving them unprepared for the magnitude of the disaster. Despite the urgent need…

12 Feb

Professor Tötemeyer was a pillar of democracy in Namibia and beyond

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Advisory Council, alongside the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), has paid tribute to the late Professor Gerhard Tötemeyer, whose indelible mark on the electoral systems of Namibia and the SADC region will be remembered for generations. Professor Tötemeyer, a luminary in the field of electoral democracy, passed away last week, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the cause of free and fair elections. A founding member of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council and the first-ever director of the ECN from 1992 to 1998, Tötemeyer's contributions were instrumental in shaping the…

12 Feb

SIM registration deadline sneaks ever closer

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché In a recent update from Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), approximately 1.4 million Namibians have taken the crucial step of registering their SIM cards across various mobile devices, a move that sees the country achieving a 72 percent registration rate. This significant milestone was announced by MTC spokesperson John Ekongo during a recent press briefing in northern Namibia. The push for SIM card registration comes as part of a broader initiative aimed at bolstering the security of mobile device users nationwide, safeguarding them from the increasing threat of digital scams. With the registration deadline looming on March 31, MTC…

12 Feb

RA victorious as court overturns public procurement decision

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek High Court last week overturned a decision by the Public Procurement Review Panel, providing a triumph for the Roads Authority (RA) in a case involving tender bids for routine maintenance of bitumen roads across five towns in Namibia. According to the court documents filed at the Windhoek High Court, RA advertised tenders in September 2021, inviting bids for the maintenance of bitumen roads in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati and Rundu. Following the submission of bids, Lau Tom Construction cc, Polladium Civil Engineering, Ering Quarry & Civil Works and Khan Trading cc found their bids rejected for…

12 Feb

Ministry of Home Affairs says visa applications for Mr Price passed scrutiny

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security says the work visa applications for employees of Mr Price shops to render services to the company's Namibian branches, follow the same process as any other applications. The Ministry was responding to the allegations circulating on social media, which claimed some sources in the Ministry have detected corrupt officials who are illegally issuing work visas for plumbers and cleaners from South Africa to temporarily work in Namibia. The Ministry clarified these allegations, saying that like any other application before approval, duly scrutinizes such applications. “Mr Price is a South…