National News – Page 199 – Windhoek Observer

03 Sep

Public urged to hand over Illegal weapons

National NewsThe amnesty for illegal arms

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security declared September 2024 as an amnesty month during which all citizens are urged to surrender illegal and unwanted arms, ammunition, and armaments without facing prosecution. The initiative, themed "Together for a Peaceful Future: Surrender Your Arms Today", is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of armed violence in the country and it was launched by home affairs minister, Dr Albert Kawana. In a statement on Tuesday Kawana said that the amnesty that will be subject to the Arms and Ammunition Act of…

03 Sep

Mootu demands Tjongarero’s resignation over Independence Stadium renovation failures

National NewsAgnes Tjongarero, Independence Stadium renovation, Utaara Mootu

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Utaara Mootu of the Landless People's Movement (LPM) and member of parliament called on Agnes Tjongarero, the minister of sport, youth and national services to apologise to the public and resign for failing to start the renovation of Independence Stadium on time as she promised. Tjongarero has been under fire since Saturday when Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah accused her last week of lying about the progress of the renovation. However, nothing has been done to date. On Tuesday, while posing her questions to Tjongarero in parliament, Mootu asked the sports minister if it was not the honourable thing…

03 Sep

Stronger partnerships needed to harness the full potential of AfCFTA

National NewsAfrican Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Niël Terblanché Namibia has called for strengthened partnerships with trusted developmental allies like Indonesia to fully unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Representing President Nangolo Mbumba at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, stressed the critical role of Indonesia as a key partner in Africa's journey towards economic integration and regional industrialisation. Namibia’s appeal comes at a time when global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, have been reinforcing the increasing need for resilient partnerships. Shifeta, on behalf of the president, focused the attention…

03 Sep

Electricity supply industry set for major upgrades

Energy, National NewsElectricity Control Board, Promulgation of the Renewable Energy Grid Code

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electricity Control Board's (ECB) chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, has called on players in the electricity supply industry to stay informed about the latest technology in the industry. Kahimise was speaking at the stakeholder workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday, which was focused on the review and update of the distribution grid code and connection code that took place. ‘’As you all know, the current distribution grid code was promulgated in 2018 and has not been reviewed since then. However, there have been a lot of changes and technological advancements in the electricity supply industry, amongst others including…

03 Sep

Nida defends its role amid calls for dismantling

National NewsNamibia Industrial Development Agency, Richwell Lukonga, Wessel !Nanuseb

Martin Endjala The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) operates under a clear statutory mandate aimed at fostering industrial and economic development. Nida’s spokesperson, Wessel !Nanuseb made this statement in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. He was responding to recent calls for the dismantling of the agency, labelling such demands as baseless and lacking evidence. “The agency is currently building fundamental foundations to sustain itself towards achieving its mandate. We are aware of calls for dismantling the agency by some quarter of the council members without providing sound reasons as well as alternatives that would be brought in…

03 Sep

Air Connect Namibia welcomes new Windhoek to Cape Town flight route

National NewsAir Connect Namibia, FlySafair, Namibia Airports Company

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Airports Company (NAC)-led regional airline Air Connect Namibia has expressed excitement about the launch of FlySafair's new flight route, scheduled to begin on 22 October. The route will connect Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to Cape Town International Airport. According to Bisey /Uirab, the chairperson of Air Connect Namibia and the chief executive officer of the Namibia Airports Company, the new service is expected to significantly enhance regional integration. "This direct connection enhances our efforts to position Namibia as a must-visit destination for travellers from South Africa and beyond. We encourage both leisure and business visitors…

02 Sep

GRN expands dialysis and ICU services to district hospitals

National NewsBen Nangombe, Wilika Frai

Ester Mbathera The Ministry of Health and Social Services has initiated the installation of dialysis units in several district hospitals across Namibia. Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, made this statement at the book launch of Wilika Frai, who received state support during her battle with endometriosis. Nangombe said the move is part of the government's broader effort to improve public healthcare delivery in the country. "As a ministry, we are working quite hard to improve the provision of public health care services in this country," said Nangombe. He said the government has previously spent over N$100…

02 Sep

Experts and activists call for reform in maternity leave disparities

National NewsNamibian Rural Women Assembly (NRWA)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Maternity leave benefits in Namibia are under currently scrutiny after calls for urgent policy reforms to address disparities that affect women's economic empowerment. Toini Amaambo, the programme officer at the Namibian Rural Women Assembly (NRWA), has raised concerns about the differences in maternity leave policies between the public and private sectors. She said that a review of these differences is necessary to guarantee the full protection of all women's rights. "Some of these issues depend on where one is employed and the flexibility of the workplace. In the public sector, policies are generally clear, but the private sector…

02 Sep

Icelandic artist wants Samherji to apologise to Namibia

National NewsOddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, Samherji

Ester Mbathera The Icelandic artist Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, known as ODEE, has condemned the actions of his country’s fishing giant, Samherji, in Namibia. In a video shared with the Windhoek Observer on Monday, ODEE criticised the company's practices of bribery and corruption, stating that they have strained Namibia-Iceland relations. He called for transparency and ethical behaviour from Samherji. “It is time for them to take full responsibility for their actions and work towards making things right. I also urge the international community to stand with Namibia in the fight against exploitation,” he said. ODEE expressed empathy and solidarity with those…

02 Sep

Vision for educational transformation outlined

National NewsDigital School Pilot Project, Faustina Caley

Niël Terblanché The Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Faustina Caley, stressed the critical need for enhanced school governance, financial accountability, and stakeholder engagement to accelerate educational transformation. While addressing the 2024 Regional Engagement with Principals and Heads of Departments (HODs) from the //Kharas, Hardap, Oshikoto, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, and Erongo regions, Caley pointed to the gradual progress witnessed in Namibia's basic education system. She lauded the improvement in examination results for the 2023 academic year as a clear indicator of the system's recovery and resilience. "The African Union has declared 2024 as the year of education under the theme,…