National News – Page 261 – Windhoek Observer

18 Aug

U.S. to invest N$840 million in ‘Reach Namibia’ program

ObserverNational NewsU.S. to invest N$840 million in ‘Reach Namibia’ program

Stefanus Nashama The United State President’s Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief known as (PEPFAR) will invest approximately N$840 million to provide health and social services to vulnerable children, adolescents and youth in Namibia. PEPFAR Namibia Deputy Principal for USAID, Tamara Cox, made this announcement at a media briefing yesterday in the capital. According to Cox, Reach Namibia is a five-year program from 2023 to 2028 operating in eight regions in Namibia where 80 percent of the population resides. She said the program is implemented by two local organisations which are Project HOPE Namibia, operating in Khomas, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto…

17 Aug

MoHSS urged to permanently employ NTLP workers

ObserverNational NewsHidipo Hamata, MoHSS urged to permanently employ NTLP workers

Staff Writer Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Hidipo Hamata has called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services to reassess the employment status of the staff of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) who have served under contract for over a decade. According to Hamata, the health workers have served in the Ministry within the NTLP program since 2006, contributing significantly to the nation’s healthcare landscape. Despite their unwavering commitment and critical roles, the lawmaker noted that many of them continue to work under precarious contract arrangements, year after year. NTLP is an integral program of the…

17 Aug

Namibia and South Africa forge an alliance against corruption

ObserverNational Newse Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Namibia and South Africa forge an alliance against corruption

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) of South Africa have agreed to exchange information about corruption, including sector-specific best practices in forensic investigation methodologies and techniques. This collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions. ACC spokesperson, Josephine Nghituwamata told Windhoek Observer this week that the primary goal of the MoU is to establish a robust foundation for cooperation between the parties in their collective fight against corruption and economic crimes. “It addresses the reciprocal technical assistance that the two parties will provide to one another as required.…

17 Aug

Rehabilitation of Etosha Roads urgently required

ObserverNational Newsand Tourism, Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Rehabilitation of Etosha Roads urgently required

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Executive Director at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Teofilus Nghitila, revealed yesterday that rehabilitation work is needed for the roads within Etosha National Park. Nghitila made this announcement during the launch of the Tourist Statistical Report for 2020. “The Ministry requires additional support for road maintenance and we call upon all stakeholders,” Nghitila stated. He however expressed gratitude to the Roads Authority for their work on the roads leading to Uis, deeming them to be in excellent condition. This statement comes in contrast to the ministry’s s earlier denial of allegations and widespread perceptions that Etosha…

17 Aug

Masubia Traditional Authority given three months to elect a chief

ObserverNational NewsMasubia Traditional Authority given three months to elect a chief

Martin Endjala Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni, has given the Masubia Traditional Authority three months to choose one candidate for the chieftainship position which has been vacant since the death of former chief Munitenge Kisco Liswani III in July 2021. Uutoni wrote to Masubia Traditional Community Head Princess, Sinte Maiba, earlier this month, informing her about the outcome of the ministerial investigations in the chieftainship succession dispute which was carried out between 05 to 18 December 2022 and 15 to 20 May 2023. The minister informed Maiba that, the investigating committee revealed that according to their observations,…

16 Aug

International pressure dictating the management of our natural resources: Hambukushu Chief

ObserverNational NewsErwin Munika Mbambo, International pressure dictating the management of our natural resources: Hambukushu Chief

Stefanus Nashama Chief of the Hambukushu tribe, Erwin Munika Mbambo, has deeply expressed his concern over the issue of Namibia’s Obeisance to international pressure on how the country manages its natural resources. As a traditional leader, Mbambo said he has observed that international conservation groups have tendencies to dictate and manipulate how African countries should manage their natural resources, causing the country to suffer the consequences afterward. According to him, international conservation individuals have no understanding of the social dimensions and realities of local communities in countries, like Namibia, citing that their interest only relies on their benefits. In this…

16 Aug

Leader of protesting DRC residents not eligible for more housing

ObserverNational NewsDRC informal settlement of Swakopmund, Leader of protesting DRC residents not eligible for more housing

Niël Terblanché A group of frustrated residents of the DRC informal settlement of Swakopmund gathered at the municipality’s head office to demand faster and more effective action on housing matters because they were reportedly overlooked by the local authority. According to Linda Mupupa, the Public Relations Officer of the Swakopmund Municipality, the group of disgruntled people marched to the municipality headquarters this morning last Friday to voice their concerns over the slow progress with the local authority’s way of addressing housing issues. “The residents intended to present a petition demanding faster and more effective action on housing matters as they…

16 Aug

Destination Namibia sees record number of tourist arrivals

ObserverNational NewsAnnual Tourist Statistical Report for 2022, Destination Namibia sees record number of tourist arrivals

Niël Terblanché Namibia recorded a record increase in the number of international and inbound tourists last year. Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism during the launch of the Annual Tourist Statistical Report for 2022 said the country experienced a record 98.1 percent increase in tourist arrivals from 232 756 in 2021) to 461 027 in 2022. He added that the figure indicates a 28.9 percent recovery level from the annual tourist arrivals of 2019. “The report highlights and summarizes tourist arrivals in the country and also includes variables such as age group, gender, point of entry, purpose…

16 Aug

Heroes Day celebration change of venue disappoints Omuthiya residents

ObserverNational NewsDebby Shipanga, Heroes Day celebration change of venue disappoints Omuthiya residents, Ottilie Shingenge

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The relocation of Heroes Day commemoration venue from Omuthiya to Windhoek, has left some residents disappointed, citing financial losses already spent in preparation for the day. One of the residents, Debby Shipanga, said she spent N$ 1200on Namibian flags and t-shirts to sell at the venue and hoped to generate at least N$ 2300, but her hopes are now dashed. “Since it is a national day, I was looking forward to people buying t-shirts with the Namibian flag on, but the chance is no longer there. What am I going to do with the stock? Hopefully people will…

15 Aug

Namibian Toastmaster to Compete for World Championship Title

ObserverFeatured, National NewsNamibian Toastmaster to Competefor World Championship Title

Nikhita Winkler The annual Toastmasters event, renowned as the pinnacle of public speaking competitions, draws participants from across the globe, spanning over 100 countries. In the illustrious 85-year history of this prestigious competition, Africa has achieved victory on only two occasions, highlighting the extraordinary accomplishment of Verity Price from South Africa in 2021 and Cyril Junior Dim from Zimbabwe in 2022. Now, it is with great honor that I follow in their footsteps, proudly representing Namibia as the first semifinalist from our nation, taking my place among the distinguished top 28 contenders at this year’s World Championship, scheduled to be…