National News – Page 255 – Windhoek Observer

30 Aug

State drops charges against Parliamentarian Hengari

ObserverNational Newsdue to a lack of evidence surrounding her case., Inna Hengari, The State last week withdrew charges against Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament

Stefanus Nashama The State last week withdrew charges against Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari, due to a lack of evidence surrounding her case. According to a court document seen by Windhoek Observer, the matter against Hengari was withdrawn as there is no prima facie case, and her N$5 000 bail was refunded. Henagri faced charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and incitement to public violence. This follows after she was arrested along with activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, during an attempt to protest against high unemployment countrywide on 21 March 2023. Hengari yesterday told…

30 Aug

Parliament praises Türkiye’s support for digital transformation

ObserverNational NewsParliament praises Türkiye’s support for digital transformation

Stefanus Nashama National Assembly Speaker, Porfessor Peter Katjavivi, has acknowledged Türkiye’s efforts to render support for digital transformation in Namibian Parliament through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Katjavivi made the compliment when Turkish Ambassador, Feral Oruçkaptan, and TIKA Country Coordinator, Anydin Apaydin paid a courtesy call to him at Parliament yesterday. According to Katjavivi, TIKA is currently assisting the National Assembly in its quest for digital transformation by digitalising its conference rooms, through the recently launched e-parliament strategy. TIKA is an agency of the Turkish government focusing on development cooperation in Namibia. “We are extremely grateful that Turkey,…

30 Aug

Creative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive

ObserverNational NewsCreative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite most industries getting financial assistance from the Government to help them survive during the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals were left to fend for themselves as they did not benefit from the Economic Stimulus and Relief Package. Speaking at a panel discussion on Social Protection for Artists and Cultural Professionals in Windhoek yesterday, Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture Faustina Caley, shed light on the struggles faced by the creative sector. “Many creative businesses did not benefit from the stimulus package,” Caley lamented, explaining that micro businesses functioning in the arts, culture and heritage…

30 Aug

Eenhana farmers still slaughtering cattle under trees

ObserverNational NewsEenhana farmers still slaughtering cattle under trees, Walde Ndevashiya

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Ohangwena Regional Governor Walde Ndevashiya has expressed concern about local farmers at Eenhana practising unhygienic slaughtering of their cattle under trees despite the fact that an abattoir was availed to them. Ndevashiya raised the concerns while engaging Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Anna Shiweda, who is visiting the region to assess the implementation of Government programmes related to agriculture. The abattoir was constructed in 2019, and since its completion only operated fully for one month and closed down due to huge financial losses it was making. Its closure has since then forced local farmers and…

30 Aug

Child abuse incident highlights urgent need for protection and prevention: Shikwambi

ObserverNational NewsChildline helpline at 106, five-year-old girl was hospitalized

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a recent incident that has sent shockwaves through the nation, a five-year-old girl was hospitalized after enduring abuse by her three minor cousins, aged 6, 8, and 12. The incident, which occurred in a village in the Omaheke Region, has raised concerns about child safety and protection. Her ordeal was brought to light when a distressing video capturing her injuries circulated on social media. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stressed that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressing necessity to prevent child abuse and safeguard vulnerable children. “This incident is a reminder of the importance…

29 Aug

Exorbitant land and housing prices driving masses to shanty towns: Economist

ObserverNational NewsExorbitant land and housing prices driving masses to shanty towns: Economist, Independent Bank Researcher and Economist, Josef Sheehama

Martin Endjla Independent Bank Researcher and Economist, Josef Sheehama, has attributed the high number of shacks in urban areas to the ever-increasing land and housing prices in the country. In an interview with Windhoek Observer yesterday, while reacting to the announcement of increased average house prices between 1990 to 2023, which went up by 1.258 percent as per Simonis Storm Securities report for August 2023. Sheehama said exorbitant prices of land and housing are one of the main reasons why there is an increase in shacks in urban areas. This is mostly caused by the cost of land planning and…

29 Aug

Two missing little girls found wandering in the desert

ObserverNational Newse Kuisebmond neighbourhood of Walvis Bay, Two missing little girls found wandering in the desert

Niël Terblanché Two little girls, who disappeared from their home in the Kuisebmond neighbourhood of Walvis Bay on Saturday, were taken to hospital for observation after they were tracked down in the desert behind the Rooikop military base. According to Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head of the Namibian Police’s community affairs division in the Erongo Region, the two sisters aged eight and ten, disappeared from their home on Saturday. “The circumstances at their home and the circumstances which surround their disappearance are currently the subject of an investigation,” said Shapumba. The search parties consisting of police officers, members of the…

29 Aug

Mental Health Bill to reach Parliament soon: Shangula

ObserverNational NewsDr Kalumbi Shangula, Mental Health Bill to reach Parliament soon: Shangula, Social Services

Stefanus Nashama Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, revealed that the Ministry has initiated the drafting of the Mental Health Bill seeking to address the issue of suicide, depression and psychosis cases in the country. According to the Minister, the current legislation dealing with matters related to mental health is outdated. “It is for this reason that the Ministry initiated the drafting of the Mental Health Bill, with input from national consultations, experts and practitioners,” he noted. Shangula made these remarks while speaking at the inauguration of the Mental Health Board for Oshakati Intermediate Hospital for the…

29 Aug

Oshikoto region faced withroad infrastructural challenges

ObserverNational NewsDeputy Director of Development and Planning at Oshikoto Regional Council, Oshikoto region faced withroad infrastructural challenges

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Over 85 percent of land in the Oshikoto Region is in rural areas and economic progress for the region and accessibility to certain villages for residents is hampered by inadequate road infrastructure. According to Peter Ndawedha, the Deputy Director of Development and Planning at Oshikoto Regional Council, the issue needs to be addressed urgently because some residents hardly receive critical services because certain cars cannot access their areas due to some roads that in a bad state or have never been developed. While speaking to the National Council Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Housing last week, Ndawedha emphasised…

29 Aug

GIZ donates IT equipment to persons with disabilities

ObserverNational NewsDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Disability Resource Centre (DRC), GIZ donates IT equipment to persons with disabilities

Martin Endjala The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Sustainable Development Goals Initiative (SDGI) and its Leave No One Behind principle, handed over essential Information Technology (IT) equipment to the Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). The handover ceremony took place last week in Windhoek at the Disability Resource Centre (DRC), in Okuryangava. The equipment will be used to facilitate data collection and mark the final activities of the GIZ Disability Data Collection Project in Namibia. The donated equipment are desktop computers, monitors and tablets, designed to enable effective data digitisation, storage and advocacy. The data gathered will…