National News – Page 270 – Windhoek Observer

31 Jul

High failures rate investigations commence

ObserverNational NewsHigh failures rate investigations commence

Martin Endjala Following a shocking high number of learners who failed grades 11 and 12 last year countrywide, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development will be conducting oversight visits on the high failure rate of learners for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) and the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) levels in the 2022 academic year. The Committee will seek answers and clarity on the effect of the introduction of the new curriculum and the extent to which the teachers were prepared for the implementation of the new curriculum. This will…

31 Jul

Kawana warns stock thieves

ObserverNational NewsInspector-General of the Namibian Police Force, Kawana warns stock thieves, Namasira Charge Office

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Albert Kawana, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, said stock theft which is one of the most prevalent crimes in Kavango West Region should not be tolerated by law enforcement agencies. “As a rural-based economy, cattle and other stock animals are the farmer’s bank account. Cattle are the livelihood of the rural economy. Stock theft robs rural communities of their livelihood and should not be tolerated by law enforcement agencies. I, therefore, call upon the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force to ensure that police officers with competency in the investigation of crime are stationed…

31 Jul

Over 180 modern slavery cases were reported in two years

ObserverNational NewsNamibian Police’s Crime Investigations Coordinator in Ohangwena, Over 180 modern slavery cases were reported in two years, World Day Against Trafficking (TIP)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between 2022 and 2023, the Namibian Police recorded 187 cases of human trafficking. This was revealed by Namibian Police’s Crime Investigations Coordinator in Ohangwena, Deputy Commissioner Zacharias Amakali on Friday at the observance of World Day Against Trafficking (TIP) in persons at the Oshikango Border Post in the Ohangwena Region. Amakali said the police currently have 101 cases of trafficking persons on hand compared to the 86 cases reported in 2022 and 26 cases are on court roll. In addition, he said the psychological impact on the victims has made it difficult to investigate cases of trafficking. “Victims…

31 Jul

Retrenchment at Etosha Fishing cancelled

ObserverNational NewsEtosha Fishing, Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU), Retrenchment at Etosha Fishing cancelled

Niël Terblanché The intended termination of all 430 staff of Etosha Fishing, which was set to become effective on 31 July 2023 has been retracted. The acting Managing Director of the Walvis Bay fishing company, Volker Paulsmeier also announced that Etosha Fishing has received a quota allocation of 5 000 tonnes of horse mackerel According to Paulsmeier, the allocation was approved by Cabinet, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources as Governmental Objective to sustain the cannery and preserve employment at the company. He said that operations at the cannery will however not commence with immediate effect as the…

31 Jul

Gay activist hits back at Venaani

ObserverNational NewsGay activist hits back at Venaani, LGBTQI+ community, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Stefanus Nashama Gay activist, Wendelinus Hamutenya, last week hit back at the leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, by saying that they do not need permission from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) for same-sex marriages to be recognized. Hamutenya stated that Venaani should first get rid of the members of parliament who are part of the LGBTQI+ community. However, he did not mention any of the Parliament member who is part of the LGBTQI+ community. He added that politicians should respect their existence and the ruling of the Supreme Court. “This is the time for us to speak up…

31 Jul

Newly appointed Labour Advisory Council tofocus on unemployment

ObserverNational NewsLabour Advisory Council, Newly appointed Labour Advisory Council tofocus on unemployment

Stefanus Nashama The newly inaugurated Labour Advisory Council says that it will prioritise and create solutions that will address the high unemployment in the country. The Council is a tripartite body tasked with advising the minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation on issues facing the industry. The 15th Labour Advisory Council was inaugurated in Windhoek last week and the former Executive Director in the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Bro-Matthew Shinguadja, will chair the body. The 13-member Council will serve a three-year term and is drawn from the state, registered trade unions and employer’s organizations.…

31 Jul

Cooperation holds the key to peace and prosperity

ObserverNational NewsAfrican Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Cooperation holds the key to peace and prosperity

Niël Terblanché The success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is highly dependent on strategic partnerships with countries and governments from around the world. The Vice President of Namibia, Dr Nangolo Mbumba addressed delegates to the Russia Africa Summit and said the African continent has set itself ambitious goals and flagship projects to propel the continental development, as enshrined in Agenda 2063.“One of those flagship projects is the AfCFTA which was launched in 2021. We encourage the Government of the Russian Federation to provide the necessary support to the African Union Member States as we implement this continental…

31 Jul

The City of Windhoek approves theestablishment of two new townships

ObserverNational NewsThe City of Windhoek approves theestablishment of two new townships

Martin Endjala The Municipal Council of Windhoek has approved the layout, the need, and the desirability to establish a township on Farm 1033 (a portion of Farm 999) that will be known as Otjomuise Extension 14. The township is designated for low-income groups and will serve as a relocation site for people from overcrowded informal settlements during the upgrading phase. The site Farm 1033 is located along Matshitshi Street, southwest of the Goreangab Dam and north of Otjomuise Extension 10. The farm is 35.8 hectares in extent comprising 126 erven was created as a result of the subdivision of Farm…

28 Jul

Nations urged to enhance collective security

ObserverNational NewsNations urged to enhance collective security

Niël Terblanché Geopolitical instability influences the balance of power between nation-states leading to uncertainty, tensions, and conflicts which pose a challenge to maintaining international security. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in her capacity as the SWAPO Party Vice addressed an international roundtable discussion on international security in the context of geopolitical instability and inter-party cooperation in St Petersburg, during the Russia Africa Summit and said the people of Namibia and that of the host country have a long strong cooperation that will be cherished. “The SWAPO Party is honoured to have been…

28 Jul

Namibian President admitted to hospital again

ObserverNational NewsNamibian President admitted to hospital again, president Hage Geingob

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob was admitted to a hospital in Windhoek for a follow-up procedure on the aortic valve procedure he underwent in South Africa on 8 June 2023. According to a statement issued by the Namibian Presidency, the procedure in Windhoek went according to plan and Dr Geingob is in good spirits. In June President Hage Geingob was flown to South Africa to undergo a preventative surgical procedure after the presidential medical team detected a mild aortic stenosis during a routine medical checkup. At the time the medical staff advised that President Geingob be flown to South Africa…