National News – Page 235 – Windhoek Observer

18 Aug

Afrobarometer survey on November elections outcome criticised

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The recent Afrobarometer survey, which predicted the outcome of the November Presidential and National Assembly elections, has faced criticism for its "hogwash" results as more Namibians question its legitimacy. The survey, conducted in March and April of this year, was released last week and suggests that Swapo's presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will win the November polls with 50.8% of the votes. Landless People's Movement leader, Bernadus Swartbooi is projected to take second place with 5.6% of the votes. According to the survey, the Popular Democratic Movement candidate, McHenry Venaani, will be in third place in the race with…

18 Aug

Journalist switch to politics

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Julia Nekwaya, a journalist who previously worked for The Namibian newspaper and Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), has switched to politics. She was elected as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Youth League secretary-general over the weekend. She replaces Bensen Katjirijova, whose term has ended. After her election, pictures of Nekwaya in Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) regalia started circulating on social media. She confirmed that she was part of the AR before the movement became a political party. “It is a ploy to invalidate my candidature by one of the candidates who also contested for the position during the elections. Yes,…

18 Aug

Swapo given until 30 August to reply to Shipwikineni and others

National News

Martin Endjala The High Court has ordered the Swapo party and presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to respond on or before 30 August to an application challenging Swapo for failing to host an extraordinary congress following President Hage Geingob's death. Judge Kobus Miller is presiding over the matter brought by Reinhold Ngihepavali Shipwikineni, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute and Aina Kalimba Angula. The five Swapo members argue that the decision to postpone the extraordinary congress to April 2025 was a violation of the party constitution. “The first respondent (Swapo) shall file their answering affidavit and counter the…

18 Aug

Shikudule school principal denies nepotism in staff restructuring claims

National NewsTaarah Shalyefu

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The principal of Shikudule Combined School, Taarah Shalyefu has refuted allegations of corruption, nepotism, and misconduct levelled against him. According to a letter from an anonymous source, the principal changed a junior primary teacher post to make room for Job Hafeni's fiancée, a geography teacher, and school board secretary. “Investigate and uncover what transpired at this school over the appointment and transfer of the girlfriend/fiance of the school board secretary, Mr Job 'Logik' Hafeni, who is also a geography teacher and school management member but not a head of department at that school,” the letter reads The letter…

18 Aug

Clearing agent licenses suspended

National News

Niël Terblanché Importers, exporters, and the general public in Namibia have been advised to ensure that they conduct business with clearing agents who are in possession of valid licenses for 2024 to avoid any operational disruptions. This advice followed after the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) announced the suspension of licenses for clearing agents who have not renewed their licenses for the year 2024. According to the notice issued by the spokesperson of NamRa, Tonateni Shidhudhu, the suspension, that came into effect on Wednesday was performed in accordance with Item 835.00 of Schedule 8 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1998…

15 Aug

Calls grow for VAT exemption on essential foods

National NewsJosef Sheehama, McHenry Venaani

Erasmus Shalihaxwe, Martin Endjala and Hilarius Hamutenya There are increasing calls for the exemption of essential food items from Value Added Tax (VAT) to ease the financial burden on households. The call by independent bank researcher and economist Josef Sheehama is part of broader efforts to address the country's high food inflation rate. “Namibia should establish a commodity taskforce and exempt essential food items from VAT. This will relieve pressure on households, particularly those residing in informal settlements,” he said. He suggests establishing a national task force on commodities to regulate food prices and provide subsidies to small-scale farmers. Sheehama…

15 Aug

ELCIN elects first female bishop

National NewsRev. Hilja Nghaangulwa

Ester Mbathera The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) made history on Wednesday when the synod appointed Rev. Hilja Nghaangulwa as the first female bishop for the Eastern Diocese and the mainline churches in the country. The election took place at the ELCIN Centre in Ongwediva during the church's synod. In a competitive race against Rev. Dr. Johannes Haufiku and Rev. Eino Nangula, Rev. Nghaangulwa emerged victorious. In the same synod, Rev. Dr. Gideon Niitenge was elected as the bishop of the Western Diocese, further solidifying the leadership structure of ELCIN. Haufiku, who is also the ELCIN's Secretary General, provided…

15 Aug

Otjozondjupa governor decries slow pace of road construction

National NewsJames Uerikua, Otjozondjupa Region

Martin Endjala Otjozondjupa regional governor, James Uerikua has expressed disappointment in the delays in road infrastructure due to the slow pace and lack of finance. “How long do we have to wait for financing? That is the key issue. That’s why, in 2020, my office was briefed by the Roads Authority (RA) on the readiness of the detailed plan, but up to now, as we are talking, I have not seen that advertisement through which they would have advertised to say we are now starting the road construction as far as this road is concerned,” argued the governor. He said…

15 Aug

Erongo celebrates achievements of the past year

National NewsErongo Regional Council, State of the Region Address (SORA)

Niël Terblanché In his fifth State of the Region Address (SORA), Erongo regional governor, Neville Andre highlighted the region's notable accomplishments over the past year while focussing on advancements in governance, infrastructure, and social development. Andre reflected on the challenges faced at the start of his tenure, including the economic difficulties caused by the prolonged drought and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed to the people of the region's resilience and collective efforts in overcoming these adversities. "Despite the challenges, we have achieved remarkable progress in various sectors, positioning Erongo as a region of excellence," Andre said.…

15 Aug

AR inquires about unpaid wages at Goreangab housing project

National NewsAffirmative Repositioning, Erastus Uuton, Moses Matyayi

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) has raised concerns over alleged non-payment of workers' salaries at the 113 House Construction Project at Goreangab Dam Extension 4. In a letter dated 13 August, AR Khomas Regional Chairperson, Sem David called on the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni, the minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, Utoni Daniel Nujoma, and City of Windhoek CEO Moses Matyayi, to address the matter urgently. David commended the government's and the City of Windhoek's efforts in completing the 113 houses, but he highlighted unresolved issues. “A total of 28 employees working…