National News – Page 235 – Windhoek Observer

11 Oct

Nandi-Ndaitwah allays fears of election sabotage

ObserverNational NewsNandi-Ndaitwah allays fears of election sabotage

Martin Endjala Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has assured Namibians that the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections next year will be conducted with the highest standards. She stated that neither Namibians nor opposition parties should be concerned about any sabotage. “I would like to allay any concerns or fears that the Hon. Member might have regarding the upcoming 2024 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and good governance,” she said. This includes working in the context of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, of which Namibia…

11 Oct

Proposed compulsory DNA testing could violate constitutional rights

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, expressed concern yesterday that the legislature’s proposed compulsory DNA testing might infringe upon fundamental constitutional rights.“In my informed view, compulsory DNA testing, without an accompanying criminal offence, would likely fail a legal challenge. I cannot envision a judge authorizing it without violating a basic constitutional right,” Itula declared. His comments follow a proposal from the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Christine //Hoebes, earlier this year. She suggested that lawmakers should explore ways to make DNA testing mandatory and more accessible. The idea of obligatory DNA testing has also…

11 Oct

Khomas Governor criticises government vehicle moratorium

ObserverNational NewsKhomas Governor criticises government vehicle moratorium

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Khomas Regional Governor, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s vehicle moratorium, stating that it has adversely impacted service delivery for the council. Last week, the National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Housing engaged with officials responsible for the Government Garage to assess the impact of the government’s moratorium on vehicle procurement for Offices, Ministries, Agencies (OMAs), and Regional Councils. The committee’s oversight mission aims to evaluate various issues, including the accessibility, reliability, and safety of government vehicles and transport in general. During the engagement, Governor Katjirua voiced her concerns regarding the moratorium’s impact on…

11 Oct

Non-NUDO members attacking the leadership – Kauandenge

ObserverNational NewsNon-NUDO members attacking the leadership - Kauandenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Joseph Kauandenge, the Secretary-General of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), has stated that none of the party members are at the forefront of attacking democratically elected leaders or interfering in internal affairs under the pretext of “Otjira tjo tjiuana.” Kauandenge described these agitators as failed politicians, scholars, unsuccessful businesspeople, former ambassadors, armchair critics, and even failed pastors. He expressed disbelief at how such individuals feel they possess the moral authority to criticize Nudo leaders. “Just as a household has its hierarchy, so does Nudo. Not everyone can simply walk in from the streets and attempt to seize…

11 Oct

Housing and utility prices increased significantly

ObserverNational NewsHousing and utility prices increased significantly

Martin Endjala According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s annual inflation rate for September 2023, Consumer Index for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels component has increased from 2.1 to 3.0 percent, accounting for 28.4 percent of the consumer spending. The increase in the annual inflation rate for this category was mainly reflected in the subgroup of Electricity, gas, and other fuels which registered 7.7 percent compared to 5.0 percent witnessed in September 2022, and rental payments of dwellings recorded 2.1 percent compared to 1.4 percent recorded in September of the preceding year. During September 2023, Statistician-General and Chief Executive…

11 Oct

Outdated personal files delay pension payments

ObserverNational NewsOutdated personal files delay pension payments

Stefanus Nashama The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has indicated that outdated personal files of members and beneficiaries are causing delays in distributing pension benefits. This insight was shared by Amos Kambonde, GIPF’s Manager of Marketing Service. “It’s imperative for members to ensure their files are current. By doing so, when a benefit is due, the fund can disburse the pension benefits promptly,” Kambonde emphasized. Kambonde highlighted the challenges faced by the fund in timely benefit payouts to members and their beneficiaries. Among these challenges is the payment of death benefits. Many of these delays arise due to the absence…

11 Oct

Rössing Foundation benefits from golf series

ObserverNational NewsDan Zwiebel, Rössing Foundation benefits from golf series, said the Nedbank for Autism Series

Martin Endjala The 2023 Nedbank for Good Series which concluded on 6 October 2023 at the Omeya Golf Club, saw a total of N$250,000 being raised for the Rössing Foundation. The tournament organiser Dan Zwiebel, said the Nedbank for Autism Series was an event that they ran for three years. “We raised valuable funds, which we channelled to that cause. After three years, we decided to do a name change, as we felt that there are so many charities that need our support, which is why we moved to the Nedbank for Good Series in support of the Rössing Foundation,”…

10 Oct

Beverage producers must promote responsible drinking

ObserverNational NewsBeverage producers must promote responsible drinking

Martin Endjala Lucia Iipumbu, the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, has called on alcoholic beverage producers to foster responsible brands, ensuring that consumers imbibe responsibly. She stressed that corporate responsibility should not only cater to those consuming alcohol but should also reach out to the education sector to instil moral values and impart lessons about the effects of alcohol. These sentiments were expressed at the ABInBev Namibia Welwitschia Brewery in Okahandja during a stakeholder engagement. “While we recognize the importance of alcohol trade for job creation and generating tax revenue, it’s imperative to monitor consumer consumption,” she noted. Iipumbu also…

10 Oct

Namibia calls for cease fire in escalating Gaza conflict

ObserverNational Newsf violence between Israel and Palestine, Namibia calls for cease fire in escalating Gaza conflict

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Government has vehemently condemned the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, lamenting the tragic loss of lives on both sides while calling for a de-escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which saw the largest attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas against Israel in decades, has so far resulted in over 800 Israeli and around 500 Palestinian casualties amid intense fighting and bombardments. This comes as Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, announced on Monday an impending total blockade on the Gaza Strip, which will include cutting electricity and blocking essential supplies.…

10 Oct

Namibia will have to deal with rising temperatures

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia, renowned as the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, is contending with a worrisome trend of rising temperatures. Carl Schlettwein, the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, underscored this disturbing pattern. Scientific evidence indicates that surface temperatures have risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius over the past century. Moreover, the occurrence of extreme temperatures has spiked by 10 percent in the past four decades. At the National Workshop on Water Security and Climate Change in Windhoek, Deputy Executive Director Elijah Ngurare communicated Minister Schlettwein’s apprehensions. “Climate change is leading to increasing temperatures and variable rainfall across Africa. This…