National News – Page 238 – Windhoek Observer

05 Oct

Walvis Bay enters new era with first green hydrogen plant in Africa

ObserverEnergy, National NewsWalvis Bay enters new era with first green hydrogen plant in Africa

Niël Terblanché The discovery of oil as well as the much-anticipated production of green hydrogen will necessitate an overhaul of the existing energy export and import infrastructure at Namibia’s ports. This became increasingly more evident when Walvis Bay became the site of Africa’s first green hydrogen production plant. The new plant entered its construction phase during a recent groundbreaking ceremony at Walvis Bay and represents a monumental stride towards sustainable development and green industrialization in Namibia. The ambitious Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project, with an investment of approximately N$3.5 billion, is a collaboration between the country’s largest private conglomerate, Ohlthaver &…

05 Oct

LPM refutes tribalist allegations

ObserverNational NewsLPM refutes tribalist allegations

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has rebuffed emerging public perceptions suggesting that the party exclusively welcomes Nama and Damara individuals. Lifalaza Simataa, the party’s National Spokesperson, vehemently refuted such allegations. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Simataa clarified that these notions are baseless and utterly inaccurate. “Our party does not discriminate against individuals based on their tribal affiliations. We identify as Namibians foremost, transcending tribal distinctions, and this sentiment should be universally acknowledged,” Simataa stated. He said that the LPM, despite only being a nascent party with only four parliamentary seats, is proud to have an Afrikaner within its…

04 Oct

Shimbulu welcomes amendments to Electoral Act

ObserverNational NewsShimbulu welcomes amendments to Electoral Act

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former Oshakati mayor, Katrina Shimbulu, has lauded the recommendations by the Law Reform and Development Commission to modify the Electoral Act of 2014. This Act led to her resignation in 2019, and she currently remains unemployed. The Law Reform and Development Commission recently presented a report to the Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, who in turn submitted it to Parliament for evaluation. , Acting Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, proposed amendments to the Electoral Act of 2014 (Act no 5). These amendments suggest that candidates nominated for Parliament be given leave instead of forcing their resignation. The Commission…

04 Oct

Stop blaming me for poor service delivery: Kalola

ObserverNational NewsStop blaming me for poor service delivery: Kalola

Martin Endjala Samora Machel Constituency Councilor, Nestor Kalola, has urged residents to refrain from placing blame on him for poor service delivery, emphasizing that such responsibility rests with the City of Windhoek, not his office. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer this week, Kalola mentioned that he’s noticed ongoing misplaced frustrations directed at him. Residents accuse him of breaking promises made during his election campaign. “I’m uncertain where these residents derived the notion that I made such promises. Many of them, especially those in the Goreangab Dam informal settlement, weren’t even around when I was elected. They migrated from Katutura Central,…

04 Oct

President refutes stance on genocide

ObserverNational NewsPresident refutes stance on genocide

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob, known for his lifelong dedication to nation-building, unity, and progress for Namibia, is vehemently refuting misleading claims surrounding his position on the 1904 genocide. A freedom fighter, Father of the Namibian Constitution, and the nation’s founding Prime Minister, President Geingob has a storied history of dismantling the oppressive remnants of Apartheid. According to a statement by the Namibian Presidency, Geingob, as early as 1966, raised issues against the injustices committed by the Apartheid South African regime, especially those involving the genocide by Germany against the Namibian people. In his 2004 doctoral dissertation, “State Formation in…

04 Oct

Namibia will focus on ethical AI development under UNESCO’s guidance

ObserverNational NewsNamibia will focus on ethical AI development under UNESCO’s guidance

Niël Terblanché More than 80 representatives from academia, civil society, the government, and the private sector assembled in Windhoek to deliberate on the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Namibia. The gathering was in line with the Implementation of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, a project led by the Ministry of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation, in tandem with the UN agency. The UNESCO Recommendation accentuates the imperatives of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI development and utilization. It ALSO supports the protection of human rights, alongside the promotion of gender equality and diversity in…

04 Oct

National GH2 roadshow to northern regions postponed

ObserverEnergy, National NewsNational GH2 roadshow to northern regions postponed

Martin Endjala The Government, in collaboration with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, has postponed the eagerly awaited National Green Hydrogen Roadshow to the northern regions. This decision comes due to unforeseen circumstances, with no future date currently provided. Hyphen’s Head of Environment, Social and Governance, Toni Beukes, indicated that the meetings for the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto Clusters, initially slated for 02-5 October 2023, will now be rescheduled. “These planned sessions in Eenhana, Outapi, Oshakati, and Omuthiya are central to our mission of engaging with communities and providing details about the Hyphen project and the Socio-Economic Development Framework,” Beukes stated. She…

04 Oct

Health Ministry admits that ambulance shortage hinders service delivery

ObserverNational NewsHealth Ministry admits that ambulance shortage hinders service delivery

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services has acknowledged a significant impediment in public health service delivery, stemming from the operation of only a fraction of the allocated 215 ambulances. This has detrimentally affected services, especially in emergencies. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry, described the situation’s severity, comparing the lack of ambulances to a critical resource deficit in the public health sector. He said that this shortage directly hinders service provision, resulting in essential services being unattended during emergencies. Nangombe pointed out instances where timely ambulance responses were compromised due to multiple simultaneous emergencies. Current…

03 Oct

Politicians ordered suspension of New Era News Editor: Amupanda

ObserverNational NewsPoliticians ordered suspension of New Era News Editor: Amupanda

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning Movement, Job Amupanda, has alleged that Jonathan Beukes, the Managing Editor of the state-owned newspaper, New Era, was suspended on the instructions of politicians. Amupanda claims this suspension occurred because Beukes was adhering to media ethics and not promoting what he refers to as the corrupt regime. Christof Maletsky, the Chief Executive Officer of New Era Newspaper, confirmed Beukes’ suspension to the Windhoek Observer but declined to divulge more information on what led to the suspension, citing the matter as internal. “Yes, he is suspended while we are investigating further; I can’t…

03 Oct

Disturbing harassment of enumerators undermines Census 2023

ObserverNational NewsDisturbing harassment of enumerators undermines Census 2023, Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU)

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has condemned the harassment of enumerators, following several unsettling videos circulating on social media. The NAU has firmly distanced itself from any actions involving harassment towards enumerators, stressing that such behaviour starkly contrasts with the principles of professionalism and respect that the union staunchly upholds in executing its duties. Amidst the ongoing Population and Housing Census, a paramount initiative by the Namibian Government, enumerators appointed by the Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA) are facing instances of non-collaboration and intimidation. These public servants are dedicatedly working to gather essential demographic, socioeconomic, and housing information that…