National News – Page 212 – Windhoek Observer

29 Nov

FNB supports Opuwo youth with building materials

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama First National Bank (FNB), in collaboration with the FirstRand Namibian Foundation Trust and Ohorongo Cement, has provided valuable support to over 25 youths in Opuwo, with a social investment valued at more than N$300,000. During the launch of a two-day training workshop over the weekend in Opuwo, Kaarina Matheus, FNB Commercial Relationship Manager, explained that this social investment is aimed at empowering the youth in Opuwo through training in brickmaking and business skills. She also highlighted that FNB, through FirstRand and Ohorongo Cement, is providing a full starter pack equipped with the necessary equipment to kick-start their businesses.…

28 Nov

Female-headed households in Namibia struggle with poverty

ObserverNational NewsFemale-headed households in Namibia struggle with poverty

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Auditor General Junias Kandjeke has revealed that 44 percent of female-headed households in Namibia are living in poverty. In a recent Performance Audit Report on Gender Equality in Governance, Decision-Making and Economic Empowerment within the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW), covering the financial years of 2017/18 to 2021/22. The report sheds light on persistent challenges faced by these households, emphasising structural drivers of gender inequality, including unequal distribution of resources like land, capital and education. Further indicating that the limited participation in political and economic institutions further exacerbates the impact on women living…

28 Nov

CNFA raises serious concerns over fishing quota auctions

ObserverNational NewsCNFA raises serious concerns over fishing quota auctions

Niël Terblanché The Confederation of Namibia Fishing Association (CNFA) has strongly urged the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to reconsider its decision to auction fishing quotas, expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on the fishing industry and Namibia’s economy. During the recent Annual Fishing Industry event where the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen addressed role players in Walvis Bay, Matti Amukwa, the Chairperson of the CNFA, stated that auctioning quotas to the highest bidder contradicts the provisions of the Marine Resources Act and may not be in the best interest of the government. He argued…

28 Nov

40 labour unions face de-registration for failing to submit annual returns

ObserverNational News40 labour unions face de-registration for failing to submit annual returns

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Acting Labour Commissioner, Kyllikki Sihlahla, has strongly warned Labour Unions and Employers’ Organisations that their registration can be cancelled or suspended if they fail to submit their audited annual financial returns by 30 November 2023. She said after several warnings emphasising the imperative for defaulting entities to promptly comply with the statutory provisions outlined in the Labour Act. With only a few days left as well as a specific directive that required the submission of outstanding annual returns as per section 60 of the Labour Act, the majority still have not submitted their annual returns. Sihlahla stated that…

28 Nov

Ministry of Mines supports the establishment of a diamond training institute

ObserverNational NewsMinistry of Mines supports the establishment of a diamond training institute

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Mines and Energy says that it is willing to extend its support to the vision of establishing a diamond training institution in the country. This comes after the Namib Desert Diamond Company (Namdia) expressed its vision to establish a diamond polishing training institution in Namibia. “The Ministry is aware that Namdia at some point, has expressed its long-term vision at one of the stakeholder’s engagement sessions with the Media. During the Session, Namdia expressed its willingness to establish a polishing institute in the Country. As a Ministry charged with ensuring sustainable development of Namibia’s mineral…

28 Nov

Kauandenge to contest for NUDO’s presidency

ObserverNational NewsKauandenge to contest for NUDO’s presidency

Stefanus Nashama Josef Kauandenge, the Secretary-General of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO), has formally declared his candidacy for the party’s presidency in preparation for next year’s elections. In a recent announcement, Kauandenge expressed his belief that he is the right person to lead the party and aims to rejuvenate it from its past setbacks. Kauandenge noted that NUDO has lost support in the Southern regions and outlined his commitment to reclaiming that lost ground once he assumes leadership. He stated that the party should not settle for merely holding two seats in Parliament and stressed the need for a…

28 Nov

Namibian President to address climate crisis at COP28 in Dubai

ObserverNational NewsNamibian President to address climate crisis at COP28 in Dubai

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob has embarked on a decisive journey to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he will participate in the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The conference, scheduled from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023, represents a critical opportunity for world leaders to address the escalating climate crisis. COP28 comes at a time when global temperatures have reached record highs, and extreme weather events are impacting people worldwide. President Geingob’s attendance is evidence of Namibia’s commitment to addressing climate change, a challenge that has disproportionately affected the…

27 Nov

Road safety measures tightened for the festive season

ObserverNational NewsRoad safety measures tightened for the festive season

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police is gearing up to ensure road safety for all citizens and visitors. The head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi in a statement warned owners and drivers of public transport vehicles that the police are tightening measures to enhance road safety during this busy period. The preparations for the festive season road safety campaign were initiated on 17 November 2023, when the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police launched the 2023/2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Swakopmund, Erongo Region. During the launch event, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police…

27 Nov

Ithete calls for policies to alleviate livestock farmers’ struggles

ObserverNational NewsIthete calls for policies to alleviate livestock farmers’ struggles

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Chairperson of the Economics and Public Administration Parliamentary Standing Committee Natangue Ithete, has emphasised the pressing need for tangible policies that can address the persistent challenges faced by livestock farmers in Namibia. The call was made during a Public Hearing held last week when the committee engaged with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) and the Meat Board of Namibia in response to a petition submitted by the Civic Organisation, Lisha Empowerment and Development last year. The petition appealed to the National Assembly to revive the market for livestock in Namibia’s Northern Communal…

27 Nov

Zambian poachers flee as officials confiscate 24 elephant tusks

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In an operation led by Members of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT), in collaboration with the Namibian Police (Nampol) and Namibian Defense Force (NDF), 24 elephant tusks were confiscated during an early morning interception on Friday in the Zambezi region. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, said the operation targeted a syndicate of Zambian nationals engaging in transnational poaching, utilising the Zambezi region as a transit route for smuggling wildlife products, from Botswana. Muyunda said upon intercepting the suspect’s vehicle, authorities discovered and seized the illicit items, including 24 elephant…