National News – Page 300 – Windhoek Observer

18 Jul

Two killed in a helicopter crash

ObserverNational NewsTwo killed in a helicopter crash

Niël Terblanché Two men died in a helicopter crash that occurred near the Swakopmund Aerodrome on Monday afternoon. Members of the Namibian Police and the emergency services of Swakopmund had their hands full with controlling a large crowd of people that gathered on the scene of the fatal crash. The crowd of people ran to the scene after they saw the helicopter falling to the ground. The crash and the death of the two people on board the aircraft were confirmed by, Hafeini Moshixwa, a senior aircraft accident investigator at the Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations. “It is…

18 Jul

National Council concurs with Ekandjo’s Bill

ObserverNational NewsNational Council concurs with Ekandjo’s Bill

Stefanus Nashama A majority of the members of the National Council backed and concurred with the Private Member’s Bill tabled by SWAPO member of parliament Jerry Ekandjo, that seeks to amend the Immigration Act to clearly define the word ‘spouse’ in alignment with Namibia’s definition of marriage. Ekandjo introduced the bill earlier this month. It is aimed at invoking Article 81 and 45 of the Namibian Constitution and essentially contradict a decision by the Supreme Court of Namibia and assert the representative nature of the National Assembly and to provide for incidental matters. The bill was passed in the National…

18 Jul

Patriotism must fuel the journey to a prosperous future

ObserverNational NewsPatriotism must fuel the journey to a prosperous future

Niël Terblanché Omaheke became the second region where the National Symbols Campaign under the Nationhood and National Pride Campaign which seeks to instill patriotism and strengthen national identity in Namibians, will be promoted. Three weeks after the inaugural launch of the campaign in Swakopmund, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga, did the same for the people in Namibia’s Cattle Country. “National symbols are the embodiment of national unity and patriotism. They foster national pride, a sense of citizenship duty and obligation and inculcate sentimental values to nationhood among citizens. People attach emotions to these symbols and embrace…

18 Jul

Itula claims political leaders only visible before elections

ObserverNational NewsItula claims political leaders only visible before elections

Stefanus Nashama Panduleni Itula, the leader of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says a number of political leaders only show up in remote areas before elections, neglecting the pressing issues faced by communities. Itula last week stated that the Party believes in actions and tackling issues faced by the Namibian Nation, and not making headlines in the media. “The IPC has been engaging communities across the country to hear and understand the cries of the people,” he claimed and added that many political leaders only become visible to the people before and during elections time, and thereafter they are nowhere…

18 Jul

Namibia must assess its position in a new global order

ObserverNational NewsNamibia must assess its position in a new global order

Niël Terblanché If Africa maintains unity of purpose and remains united, Namibia as part of the continental family, will emerge victorious in formulating new strategies to mitigate the impact of the changing global order. To start the process of formulating new strategies, Namibia and Amani Africa, a pan-African policy research, training and consulting think tank with expertise on the African Union system and specialisation in matters of the African Union Peace and Security Council, held a high-level panel discussion in Windhoek to reflect on several strategic level matters about assessing the global state of affairs and its impact on Africa,…

18 Jul

Thousands of traffic summonses issued in Otjozondjupa

ObserverNational NewsJames Uerikua, Thousands of traffic summonses issued in Otjozondjupa

Martin Endjala The traffic law enforcement in the Otjozondjupa Region has issued 5 811 summonses that amount to a total of N$6 257 550 in fines. This was revealed by the region’s Governor, James Uerikua last week during the State of the Region Address, where he indicated that the total number of people arrested on drinking and driving charges stood at 1 420. Meanwhile, the total number of accident fatalities reported was 14 while 139 people were taken into police custody on warrants of arrest. The total amount in fines accrued from warrants of arrest was N$162 107. “Road accidents…

17 Jul

Govt blamed for the increase in poverty levels

ObserverNational NewsGovt blamed for the increase in poverty levels

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, says the government is responsible for the mess of poverty increase in the country and that Namibians will demand accountability. He said the Namibian nation is in a state of distress while the specter of poverty continues to haunt the people. According to Venaani, statistics indicate that poverty rates have remained stubbornly high, piercing the very essence of the Namibian society’s well-being. He mentioned that 51 percent of the population lives in abject and multidimensional poverty. “We must acknowledge this, and as such, hold the government accountable,” he said. Vennani…

17 Jul

Same-sex marriage debate puts human dignity at stake

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The rights to human dignity, freedom from discrimination and freedom of association are enshrined rights in the Namibian Constitutional Rights which cannot be changed by any politician. According to Advocate Richard Metcalfe, Article 25 of the Constitution specifically bars Parliament from making any law or the Executive from taking any action which abolishes or abridges such fundamental rights and freedoms. Advocate Metcalfe’s reaction follows the private member’s bill that was tabled in Parliament last week. The debate reached a deadlock after parliamentarians from different sides of the political spectrum could not agree on the specific definitions of marriage…

17 Jul

Water shortages and power outages challenge Kavango East

ObserverNational NewsWater shortages and power outages challenge Kavango East

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Electricity blackouts continue to be a problem in the Kavango East region despite the electrification of Mutengo Mukuru in the Rundu Rural Constituency and Ncushe Primary School in the Mashare Constituency, which was successfully completed at the cost of N$714 889.54 and N$96 545.39, respectively. The region’s Governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo, stated that the issue of electricity blackouts in the region is regrettable and causes both business disruption and inconvenience to residents of Kavango East. “We must move with speed to end the nightmare of frequent blackouts or find a solution that will eliminate the blackouts before people call…

17 Jul

Trade unions and workers not part of the agreement – Klazen

ObserverNational NewsTrade unions and workers not part of the agreement – Klazen

Stefanus Nashama During the engagements with the trade unions and fishing companies on Friday at Walvis Bay, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, said unions and workers are not part of the agreement signed between the fishing companies and the government. The agreement signed between the government and the fishing companies is that of ‘the government employment redressing programme’ which aims to employ the fishermen who lost their jobs since 2015. The agreement also included Namsov workers, who experienced job cuts after the drastic reduction of horse mackerel quota allocations, and an estimated 1 000 fishermen who…