National News – Page 192 – Windhoek Observer

29 Sep

Mbumba’s participation in UNGA solidifies Namibia’s global role

National NewsUnited Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79)

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba returned home on Saturday after his working visit to the United States, where he participated in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York. The session, held from 19 to 26 September, was themed “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for the present and future generations.” Mbumba also co-facilitated the Summit of the Future with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to a statement from the Namibian Presidency. The summit was convened under the theme “Summit of the Future: Multilateral…

29 Sep

Katima Mulilo correctional facility transformed into agricultural hub

National News

Niël Terblanché On Friday, Namibia took an innovative step towards improving food security and rehabilitating offenders serving sentences in prison with the inauguration of an agricultural project at the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility. The project, located in the Zambezi region, aims to repurpose the idle Katima Farm into a food-producing correctional facility, marking an important milestone for both the country’s correctional system and agricultural sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, while speaking at the event, stressed the transformative potential of the project. "This facility will not only provide a secure environment for individuals serving…

26 Sep

Mbumba calls for global climate action and fair representation at UNGA

National NewsState of Emergency, UNGA’s 79th session

Niël Terblanché In his address at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Nangolo Mbumba delivered an address centred on Namibia's commitment to sustainable development, multilateralism, and justice. Mbumba stressed the importance of global cooperation in tackling the pressing challenges of climate change, conflict, and economic inequities, while also advocating for African representation in international governance bodies such as the UN Security Council. “Namibia is deeply affected by climate change and is experiencing severe environmental consequences that have disrupted fisheries and agriculture, especially under the El Niño phenomenon,” he told the world leaders assembled in New…

26 Sep

Amupanda seeks legal protection in red line case

National NewsRed Line

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Affirmative Repositioning movement’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda has requested protection from legal costs in his ongoing lawsuit against the government for the removal of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, also known as the red line. He was seeking an order from the court that would prevent any adverse cost ruling if he loses the case during the matter’s hearing in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday. "I pray to this Honourable Court for an order in terms of which I am protected against an adverse cost order in the event that I am unsuccessful in this matter. For…

26 Sep

RDP not Swapo’s enemy

National NewsMike Kavekotora, Sophia Shaningwa

Ester Mbathera The Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) president, Mike Kavekotora, has dismissed claims that his party is an enemy of Swapo. Kavekotora was responding to claims made in a controversial letter attributed to Swapo’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, which alleges that RDP agents have infiltrated Swapo since 2007 where after some of them have allegedly obtained leadership positions. “I question the authenticity of this letter. I know Shaningwa very well. She was my employee at NHE and she cannot possibly be so ignorant and out of touch with reality,” he said. In the event that the letter was…

26 Sep

IPPR calls on Samherji to drop charges against visual artist

National News

Ester Mbathera The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has signed a petition calling for the Icelandic fishing giant Samherji to drop its punitive legal action against an Icelandic visual artist. The IPPR’s executive director, Graham Hopwood on Thursday criticised Samherji’s actions of pursuing legal cases against Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, who goes by the artist name ODEE. The case, being heard in the High Court in London on 25 and 26 September 2024, is expected to cost ODEE legal fees of over £500,000 (N$11.5 million). “Samherji should focus their minds on paying damages to Namibia for the harm caused by…

26 Sep

IPC pledges to combat unemployment crisis

National Newsemployment statistics, Unemployment

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has unveiled its plan to tackle the country's high unemployment rate, which the party blames on the Swapo. IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge, in a statement released on Wednesday, said unemployment remains one of the ruling party's most significant shortcomings over the past 34 years. He said IPC is committed to reversing the trend. “Unemployment remains one of the most significant failures of the ruling party over the last 34 years. IPC's largest focus is to change that. We’ve done our research,” he said. IPC’'s election manifesto has prioritised the fight against unemployment.…

26 Sep

Festival in Karibib aimed at driving economic development

National News

Niël Terblanché The Amalgamated Rotation Annual Festival (ARAF) has kicked off in Karibib, marking the start of the second edition of the joint trade expo created by the towns of Omaruru, Karibib, and Usakos. ARAF was established in 2022 under the framework of the Omaruru, Karibib, and Usakos Local Authority Corporation (OKULAC) to promote collaboration, resource-sharing, and economic growth in the three towns. This year’s edition, themed “Bigger, Better, Broader”, promises to exceed expectations with a wide range of activities aimed at fostering market expansion and economic integration within the region. Valentinus Sindongo, the chairperson of OKULAC, announced that Usakos…

26 Sep

Namibian magistrates call for unity of purpose

National News

Niël Terblanché The 2024 Annual Magistrates’ Conference concluded on Wednesday with a call for unity and reform within Namibia's judicial system. Deputy Chief Magistrate, Kandiwapa Nembia while delivering closing remarks in Swakopmund, stressed the importance of improved collaboration between magistrates. This year's conference, themed “Fostering a Unified Magistracy,” brought together magistrates from across Namibia to discuss ways to improve service delivery, address regional challenges, and ensure uniformity in court proceedings. At the start of the conference, Chief Justice Peter Shivute said a unified magistracy is vital for maintaining public trust in the judicial system. "When the public sees that our…

26 Sep

Accessible legal aid is vital for the administration of justice

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, stressed the essential role of legal representation in the justice system during a regional workshop on legal aid services in Windhoek. At the official opening of the workshop on Wednesday, Dausab stated that access to legal representation is not only a constitutional right but a reflection of society's moral values. The event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brought together legal experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Southern Africa to discuss challenges in ensuring equal access to justice. Dausab revealed…