National News – Page 269

12 Mar

Otavi Magistrate’s Court set for full refurbishment

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOtavi Magistrate’s Court set for full refurbishment

Niël Terblanché Plans to renovate the Otavi Magistrate’s Court have been announced, following a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Capital Projects and Legal Affairs. The decision by the standing committee indicates a potential turning point for a broader renovation campaign of judicial infrastructure in the central northern parts of Namibia. The committee’s fact-finding mission to Otavi was part of a broader assessment of court facilities across the Otjozondjupa Region. The dilapidated state of Otavi’s court facilities prompted the immediate call for action. Tjekero Tweya, the chairperson of the committee, voiced concerns over the current conditions at the Otavi…

12 Mar

Collaborative initiative aimed at sustainable healthcare

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCollaborative initiative aimed at sustainable healthcare

Niël Terblanché Healthcare providers have joined forces with the healthcare funding industry to foster a sustainable future for the healthcare sector. This strategic collaboration is a crucial move designed to revolutionise the healthcare landscape in Namibia and is spearheaded by the Namibia Association of Medical Aid Funds (Namaf), which has announced the formation of the Healthcare Provider Working Group and the Healthcare Provider Forum. According to Namaf, the new platform aims to harness a wide array of functional expertise from healthcare providers to identify and resolve potential issues proactively, thereby minimizing costly mistakes, rework, and miscommunication. Namaf’s initiative reflects a…

11 Mar

Nida slammed for ongoing power outage at its employee’s homes

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNida slammed for ongoing power outage at its employee’s homes

Martin Endjala Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has been slammed for failing to address a continuing power outage at the homes of the Naute Dam’s employees. Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor Willem Labuschagne said during an interview with Windhoek Observer that although the Naute Dam factory has electricity, the workers have been without electricity for almost a month now. He said that the situation has not been resolved. He described the situation of the workers as unbearable. He also declared the state-owned entity as unfit to oversee the functions of Naute Dam amidst the continuous power outages at the living quarters…

11 Mar

Opportunity for Namibians to acquire listed instruments in international companies for N$10

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Martin Endjala First National Bank of Namibia has opened up investment avenues for Namibians to participate in the global investment economy by acquiring listed instruments in international companies like Amazon, Apple, Hathaway, and Microsoft for as little as N$10. The listed financial instruments are any assets that hold capital and can be traded, and this consists of shares, cheques, bonds, futures and options contracts. FNB announced this last week during the launch of an Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) programme. Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Namibia Heads of Markets Ian Erlank, highlighted the bank’s commitment to providing consumers with the necessary tools…

11 Mar

Police approved protest against high unemployment on Independence Day

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Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force has approved a demonstration against high unemployment in the country, planned for 21 March, the day Namibia celebrates Independence Day. However, the approval comes with strict conditions concerning the Public Gatherings Proclamation Act, of 1989 (AG 23 OF 1989). This is according to a letter from the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General, Joseph Shikongo, last week. “You are hereby directed to engage your participants and inform them of the appended conditions accordingly,” said the Police Chief. Failure to adhere to the appended conditions constitutes a criminal offence in terms of Section…

11 Mar

Namibia attends SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in Angola

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia attends SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in Angola

Niël Terblanché In an effort to further strengthen regional cooperation and sustainable development, Namibia is participating in the pivotal South African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting held in Angola. Peya Mushelenga, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, is leading the Namibian delegation, alongside notable government officials, including Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of the ministry, and Titus Ndove, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises. This crucial gathering, chaired by Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Ambassador Téte António, in his capacity as the SADC Council of Ministers Chairperson, aims to deliberate on the…

11 Mar

All voters with voter cards older than ten years required to re-register

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAll voters with voter cards older than ten years required to re-register, Elsie Nghikembua

Martin Endjala All voters with voter cards older than ten years will need to register again in order to participate in the highly anticipated 2024 National Assembly and Presidential elections slated for 27 November this year. Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua, announced this during the launch of the Electoral Calendar and Democracy Awareness campaign on last week. Nghikembua informed that voter cards expire after a period of ten years, thus urging such cardholders to register as well as all eligible voters. She said this will be the seventh Presidential and National Assembly election that will be directed,…

11 Mar

Nawatiseb parts ways with LPM after only a month

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEngel Nawatiseb

Hertta-maria Amutenja Former Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Engel Nawatiseb, has severed ties with the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) after joining the party a mere month ago. This decision comes on the heels of his departure from the ruling party Swapo last month. “I decided to part ways with the Landless People’s Party with immediate effect today. The resolve was taken following consultation with my family in the best interest of the LPM founding members, its leader Bernardus Swartbooi and further to protect my personal integrity, reputation and credibility as well as the image of my clan/elders. I…

11 Mar

Government faces scrutiny over Fisheries Employment Program

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGovernment faces scrutiny over Fisheries Employment Program

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The leader of the Official Opposition, McHenry Venaani, has raised questions regarding the Government Employment Redress Programme, specifically focusing on the employment outcomes for fishermen within the hake sector. Venaani’s notice of questions scheduled for this week brings attention to the challenges faced by the program. He plans on asking Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, about the criteria used to select participants for the Governmental Employment Redress Programme, and the terms and conditions outlined in the designated agreements which he said are a cause for concern. “Particularly clause 3.5, which stipulates that if an employee…

11 Mar

Kapofi advocates for the apolitical stance of the NDF

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKapofi advocates for the apolitical stance of the NDF

Niël Terblanché In a message during the annual staff meeting at the defence headquarters in Windhoek, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, reminded members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) of the imperative to remain politically neutral, emphasising their role in maintaining peace and stability. The meeting, attended by all senior officials of the ministry, served as a crucial platform for the exchange of information and updates on the ministry’s strategic plans and objectives. Kapofi defined the scope of political non-involvement for NDF members, highlighting that their engagement should be limited to exercising their voting rights. He explicitly…