National News – Page 232 – Windhoek Observer

09 Aug

Interim Nust Chairperson calls for informed decision-making

ObserverNational NewsInterim Nust Chairperson calls for informed decision-making, Leake Hangala, Technology (Nust) Council Chairperson

Staff Writer INTERIM Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) Council Chairperson, Leake Hangala has called upon the board and management to make informed decisions without wasting time. Hangala was appointed interim Nust Council Chairperson by the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI), Itah Kandjii-Murangi on July 13 and will serve until a substantive board is inaugurated. The previous Nust Council’s term ended a month ago. The Council has been embroiled in governance issues with the management of the university as well as the Higher Education Minister Kandjii-Murangi. Hangala, an astute businessman with experience in governance is deputised…

08 Aug

Foreign Investment Act is outdated: Iipumbu

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja MINISTER of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu says Namibia’s Foreign Investment Act is out of date and does not accommodate modern investment dynamics such as innovation and sustainable investment. Iipumbu made these statements during the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill Stakeholders Consultation in Windhoek on Monday. She highlighted that the current legislation does not support realistic efforts that encourage the adoption of 4th Industrial Revolution-driven investments, nor will it sufficiently support future policy developments centered on Special Economic Zones, which aim to safeguard Namibia’s ability to attract investments. “The new investment policy regime will thus improve a…

08 Aug

Homosexuality is a call from God: Mushunina

ObserverNational Newsanti-same-sex marriage Private Member’s Bill., Homosexuality is a call from God: Mushunina

Staff Writer JEREMIAH Mushunina has urged President Hage Geingob not to sign Swapo Parliamentarian and former Youth Minister, Jerry Ekandjo’s anti-same-sex marriage Private Member’s Bill. Mushunina became famous after he publicily outted a male pastor whom he was in a homosexual relationship with and was also one of the guest speakers at the Ondangwa anti-gay and same-sex marriage rally. Mushunina stated in a video extensively circulated on social media that homosexuality is a “call from God,” and that no one should deceive the public by attempting to come clean while interacting with people who engage in the practice. “I was…

08 Aug

Prioritise funding entrepreneurship over social grants: Sheehama

ObserverNational NewsPrioritise funding entrepreneurship over social grants: Sheehama

Martin Endjala INDEPENDENT bank researcher and economist, Josef Sheehama says one way to alleviate teenage unemployment is to foster entrepreneurship rather than focusing solely on social grants, as some people advocate. Sheehama told Windhoek Observer that entrepreneurial support appears to be a successful approach because it can lead to enhanced economic inclusion, less assistance dependency, and stronger social cohesion of forcibly displaced people throughout their displacement cycle. “Despite increased coverage of social grants and well-developed social security, poverty in Namibia has historically been high. Monthly grants can greatly improve conditions; nevertheless, they will not provide the same level of support…

08 Aug

Zhong Mei fights for N$33m garnished by NamRa

ObserverNational NewsBank of Namibia, NamRA, Standard Bank, Zhong Mei fights for N$33m garnished by NamRa

Staff Reporter Zhong Mei Engineering Group has dragged Namra, Standard Bank, Bank of Namibia, and the finance minister to the High Court over N$33m garnished from its account as unpaid tax for 2013 and 2018. The company says Namra instructed Standard Bank to deduct N$33, 031, 543.04 from its account on 12 July 2023 as unpaid tax. According to Zhong Mei, Namra ordered the garnishing order while negotiations to pay off the debt were going on between the parties. The company offered to pay N$2m once off and settle the rest in instalments. Jiang Chong Yaun, who represented Zhong Mei,…

08 Aug

Convicted rapist, Krylov commits suicide in prison

ObserverNational NewsAnna Engelbrecht, Convicted rapist, Krylov commits suicide in prison

Niël Terblanché ALEXANDER Krylov, a Walvis Bay resident, who began serving a 35-year prison sentence in March of this year, committed suicide at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility. Krylov and his co-accused, Anna Engelbrecht, were sentenced to 35 years and 20 years in jail, respectively, in March this year after being convicted of rape and human trafficking. Krylov was found guilty on 10 charges of rape, ten counts of human trafficking, and one count of giving cigarettes to children under the age of 18, while Engelbrecht was found guilty on three counts of rape and five counts of human trafficking.…

08 Aug

Venaani urges govt to prioritise fight against child rape

ObserverNational NewsMcHenry Venaani, Venaani urges govt to prioritise fight against child rape

Stefanus Nashama POPULAR Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader, McHenry Venaani has urged government to consider the fight against child rape a priority to eradicate social evil that leaves children traumatised after incidents. He called government to allocate additional resources to law enforcement agencies to investigate child rape cases efficiently. In a statement, Venaani stated that government should establish specialised units to deal with such sensitive matters and ensure that justice is served swiftly. Venaani said the judicial system should also prioritise child rape cases, ensuring fair and timely trials for the perpetrators. According to the opposition leader, the recent reports of…

08 Aug

Namibia reached a milestone in eradicatingmother-to-child disease transmission

ObserverNational NewsCongenital Syphilis and Hepatitis B, Namibia reached a milestone in eradicatingmother-to-child disease transmission

Niël Terblanché Namibia has an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate new HIV, Congenital Syphilis and Hepatitis B infections among newborn babies and children. The country has achieved the 95-95-95 targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government is fully committed to the goal of Zero New HIV Infections while continuing to invest in the HIV and AIDS response According to Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, investment is needed to sustain the tremendous progress the country has made in scaling up HIV service to ensure easy access to comprehensive, high-quality treatment…

07 Aug

Tjijombo used gospel to inspire revolution and resistance: Geingob

ObserverNational NewsArchbishop Petrus Katikisa Daniel Uariune Tjijombo, but also a man with a firm disposition and courage that enabled him to play an important role during the liberation war., PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has praised the late Archbishop Petrus Katikisa Daniel Uariune Tjijombo as a man with a kind-hearted and tender spirit

HERTTA-MARIA AMUTENJA PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has praised the late Archbishop Petrus Katikisa Daniel Uariune Tjijombo as a man with a kind-hearted and tender spirit, but also a man with a firm disposition and courage that enabled him to play an important role during the liberation war. Tjijombo died on July 15 in Windhoek at the age of 87 following a protracted illness and was buried last Saturday at Otjiuaneho village in Otjinene constituency in Omaheke region. “As we reflect on the life of late Archbishop Tjijombo with reverence, fondness, and admiration, we recognise that, behind the sanctity of the cloth,…

07 Aug

Govt urged to reform social grant system

ObserverNational NewsGovt urged to reform social grant system, Zambezi region’s Sibinda

Stefanus Nashama COMMUNITY members in the Zambezi region’s Sibinda constituency have urged government to change the current social grant system, saying it does not meet the needs of vulnerable people. The community believes that, in addition to social assistance, government should train and equip people to be able to generate their own jobs in order to sustain their lifestyles. The community members reasoned that this would provide another source of income for disadvantaged families rather than relying just on the meagre assistance provided by government. Residents in the Zambezi region raised these issues while submitting their comments and complaints during…