National News – Page 257 – Windhoek Observer

16 Sep

Swapo election manifesto not generated by ChatGPT

National NewsComputable General Equilibrium, Social Accounting Matrix, Swapo Party Youth League’s (SPYL

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Swapo Party Youth League’s (SPYL) secretary general, Ephraim Nekongo has stated that the party’s election manifesto, which was launched over the past weekend, was generated by a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model and not ChatGPT. In a statement he issued yesterday to defend the party, Nekongo stated that the CGE model was calibrated using the 2019 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for the Namibian economy, employed to simulate and estimate the potential impacts of proposed youth employment strategies. ‘’The CGE model, a widely recognized tool for ex-ante policy evaluation, allows for comprehensive analysis across sectors and agents in…

16 Sep

Windhoek residents file lawsuit over water and electricity disconnections

National NewsCity of Windhoek

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Several Windhoek residents have filed legal action against the City of Windhoek, accusing the local authority of wrongful disconnection of water and electricity services. According to the residence, this is done without prior notice and with improper billing practices. According to court documents, the residents, including occupiers of properties across Katutura, claim that the city has unlawfully cut off basic services, despite some of them utilising pre-paid systems or making efforts to settle outstanding bills. Katutura resident, Elizabeth Beukes claims her water and electricity were disconnected in November 2023 due to alleged arrears of over N$400 000. The…

16 Sep

Amupanda appeals defamation ruling

National NewsJudge Collin Parker, Maureen Hinda, Supreme Court of Namibia

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader and presidential candidate, Job Amupanda has filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Namibia, challenging the recent defamation judgement against him. The appeal follows the High Court’s ruling last month, which awarded deputy finance and public enterprises minister, Maureen Hinda N$100 000 in damages. The appeal contests three main points from High Court Judge Collin Parker's ruling: the judgment amount, interest on the amount, and the order to pay Hinda's legal costs. In his appeal, Amupanda argues that the court erred in its findings. He contends that the photograph shared on…

16 Sep

Ai-Ais Resort Camp running out of water

National NewsNamibia Wildlife Resort (NWR), Nelson Ashipala

Hilarius Hamutenya The water supply at the Ai-Ais Resort Camp in the southern part of the country is running out. Jaffet Xoagub, the camp manager, brought the resort's challenges to the media's attention over the weekend. “Because of the current drought in the country, the water is not enough. That's why you see the Orange River is empty, no water, which is very bad,” he said. The media was at the camp on the invitation of the Namibia Wildlife Resort (NWR). To promote its tourist offerings, the NWR took journalists on a familiarisation trip to Ai-Ais Resort Camp. The three-day…

16 Sep

Namibia set to champion multilateralism at UNGA

National NewsPhilemon Yang, President Nangolo Mbumba, Summit of the Future (SOTF), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Niël Terblanché Ahead of his departure for New York on Monday to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Nangolo Mbumba has urged member states to reflect on how they can strengthen multilateralism. Over 190 world leaders, including President Mbumba, will participate in this year’s UNGA, seeking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Mbumba will deliver his maiden address at the General Assembly. The president is set to highlight Namibia’s contribution to shaping the Pact of the Future, while also outlining the nation’s aspirations for a more equitable and sustainable global order. He will also hold…

16 Sep

Art exhibition reflects on identity and transformation

Featured, National NewsBoemo Sekgoma, Jo Rogge, So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt

Moses Magadza An art exhibition themed, “So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt,” began in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Saturday, with renowned Namibian artist Jo Rogge being hailed for her transformative contributions to contemporary art and social justice. The exhibition, which opened to an engaged audience of art enthusiasts, diplomats, and social activists, revolves around the complex relationship between memory, identity, and the evolution of society. SADC Parliamentary Forum secretary general Boemo Sekgoma, was the keynote speaker at the launch. “Art is the language through which we express the soul of humanity,” she said. Drawing on the…

15 Sep

Lukato guarantees economic transparency

National NewsMartin Lukato

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Democratic Party (NDP) has laid out its vision for the upcoming November election, focussing on economic reform, transparency, and social justice. The party launched its election manifesto in Windhoek on Sunday. NDP president Martin Lukato introduced the manifesto, calling it “a reflection of our values, our aspirations, and our dedication to serving the needs of our people.” He said that the NDP is committed to addressing unemployment, land reform, and sustainable development. “We will ensure that our government operates with openness, integrity, and responsiveness. Accountability will be at the core of everything we do,” he said.…

15 Sep

Military Police accused of brutally beating a boy in Rundu

Featured, National NewsMulao Sonicah Matongo

Martin Endjala About eight undercover police officers in Rundu have been accused of brutally beating a 19-year-old boy in Rundu last month in connection with the theft of some phones. A case has been opened at the police station by the victim. The Kavango East regional Deputy Commissioner Mulao Sonicah Matongo, confirmed the incident to the Windhoek Observer last week. “Yes we are aware of the allegations and the complaint also opened a case and the police are currently busy investigating,” she said. Matongo also clarified that the complainant was not beaten by officers of the Namibian Police but by…

15 Sep

Increase of maternity benefits on the cards

National NewsMilka Mungunda, Social Security Commission

Martin Endjala The Social Security Commission is considering increasing maternity benefits for women by March 2025. The commission's chief executive officer, Milka Mungunda announced this during the commemoration of International Social Security Day on 13 September. “Effective 1 March 2025 we will have to reconsider increasing our contributions for our maternity benefits. We have committed as an institution to make sure that we would increase the ceiling so that women, who go on maternity leave, are going to have adequate benefits,” she said. The commission has so far paid out maternity leave benefits of about N$212 million for the 2023/24…

15 Sep

The bodies of two young men recovered from the ocean

National News

Niël Terblanché The bodies of two young men were recovered from the sea at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, under circumstances that have raised suspicions of suicide over the past weekend. The first body was discovered early on Friday morning, floating in the shallow waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon. The deceased was identified as the 24-year-old Bradley Nande Abjatar. According to Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, head of community affairs for the police in the Erongo region, Abjatar's family reported that he had left their home in Windhoek on 7 September without informing them of his destination. He also left a…