National News – Page 306

04 Oct

President refutes stance on genocide

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPresident refutes stance on genocide

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob, known for his lifelong dedication to nation-building, unity, and progress for Namibia, is vehemently refuting misleading claims surrounding his position on the 1904 genocide. A freedom fighter, Father of the Namibian Constitution, and the nation’s founding Prime Minister, President Geingob has a storied history of dismantling the oppressive remnants of Apartheid. According to a statement by the Namibian Presidency, Geingob, as early as 1966, raised issues against the injustices committed by the Apartheid South African regime, especially those involving the genocide by Germany against the Namibian people. In his 2004 doctoral dissertation, “State Formation in…

04 Oct

Namibia will focus on ethical AI development under UNESCO’s guidance

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia will focus on ethical AI development under UNESCO’s guidance

Niël Terblanché More than 80 representatives from academia, civil society, the government, and the private sector assembled in Windhoek to deliberate on the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Namibia. The gathering was in line with the Implementation of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, a project led by the Ministry of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation, in tandem with the UN agency. The UNESCO Recommendation accentuates the imperatives of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI development and utilization. It ALSO supports the protection of human rights, alongside the promotion of gender equality and diversity in…

04 Oct

National GH2 roadshow to northern regions postponed

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsNational GH2 roadshow to northern regions postponed

Martin Endjala The Government, in collaboration with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, has postponed the eagerly awaited National Green Hydrogen Roadshow to the northern regions. This decision comes due to unforeseen circumstances, with no future date currently provided. Hyphen’s Head of Environment, Social and Governance, Toni Beukes, indicated that the meetings for the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto Clusters, initially slated for 02-5 October 2023, will now be rescheduled. “These planned sessions in Eenhana, Outapi, Oshakati, and Omuthiya are central to our mission of engaging with communities and providing details about the Hyphen project and the Socio-Economic Development Framework,” Beukes stated. She…

04 Oct

Health Ministry admits that ambulance shortage hinders service delivery

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHealth Ministry admits that ambulance shortage hinders service delivery

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services has acknowledged a significant impediment in public health service delivery, stemming from the operation of only a fraction of the allocated 215 ambulances. This has detrimentally affected services, especially in emergencies. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry, described the situation’s severity, comparing the lack of ambulances to a critical resource deficit in the public health sector. He said that this shortage directly hinders service provision, resulting in essential services being unattended during emergencies. Nangombe pointed out instances where timely ambulance responses were compromised due to multiple simultaneous emergencies. Current…

03 Oct

Politicians ordered suspension of New Era News Editor: Amupanda

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPoliticians ordered suspension of New Era News Editor: Amupanda

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning Movement, Job Amupanda, has alleged that Jonathan Beukes, the Managing Editor of the state-owned newspaper, New Era, was suspended on the instructions of politicians. Amupanda claims this suspension occurred because Beukes was adhering to media ethics and not promoting what he refers to as the corrupt regime. Christof Maletsky, the Chief Executive Officer of New Era Newspaper, confirmed Beukes’ suspension to the Windhoek Observer but declined to divulge more information on what led to the suspension, citing the matter as internal. “Yes, he is suspended while we are investigating further; I can’t…

03 Oct

Disturbing harassment of enumerators undermines Census 2023

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDisturbing harassment of enumerators undermines Census 2023, Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU)

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has condemned the harassment of enumerators, following several unsettling videos circulating on social media. The NAU has firmly distanced itself from any actions involving harassment towards enumerators, stressing that such behaviour starkly contrasts with the principles of professionalism and respect that the union staunchly upholds in executing its duties. Amidst the ongoing Population and Housing Census, a paramount initiative by the Namibian Government, enumerators appointed by the Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA) are facing instances of non-collaboration and intimidation. These public servants are dedicatedly working to gather essential demographic, socioeconomic, and housing information that…

03 Oct

Only 96 out of 215 ambulances functioning countrywide

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOnly 96 out of 215 ambulances functioning countrywide

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services is currently operating with only 96 functional ambulances across the country. Statistics provided by the Executive Director of the Ministry, Ben Nangombe, reveal that of the allocated 215 ambulances, 44 have been rendered unusable and 75 are either out of service or undergoing repairs. Nangombe disclosed that, of the operational ambulances, 15 are stationed at referral and intermediate hospitals, while 82 operate at district hospitals. There have been pleas from various communities across the country urging the government to provide sufficient ambulances to the Ministry to ensure efficient service delivery. The…

03 Oct

PM urges Namibians to uphold a spirit of resilience

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPM urges Namibians to uphold a spirit of resilience

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged Namibians to demonstrate an unwavering spirit of resilience, as the country embarks on the second phase of the struggle post-independence – the struggle for economic independence. “As we pursue this new phase, we should display the same ‘never say die’ spirit that characterized our fight for political independence,” the premier said. “This is a struggle we must engage in and win as it is our historic duty. We are the benefactors of the freedom and independence that were earned at the hefty price of many lives, both during the colonial resistance period and…

03 Oct

Heroic action thwarts armed robbery in Swakopmund

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché In a remarkable display of rapid response and valour, the Namibian Police in Swakopmund successfully foiled a dangerous robbery in progress, apprehending three armed assailants and ensuring the safety of hostages inside a popular clothing shop. Yesterday, at approximately 09:10, three men armed with a gas pistol and pangas entered the well-known Style clothing shop located in the central business area of the coastal town and immediately locked the entrance doors behind them. The trio proceeded to take six staff members hostage, demanding access to the cash securely held within the store’s safe. Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head…

03 Oct

Violent murder attempt shocks Okuryangava community

info_e12wt4csNational NewsViolent murder attempt shocks Okuryangava community

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In the early morning hours of Monday, another heartbreaking incident of gender-based violence (GBV) unfolded at the Okuryangava location in Windhoek’s Katutura, after a 40-year-old man shot his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself. The man who was identified as David Isai Valungameka, shot his 33-year-old lover and then took his own life. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Public Relations Division of the Namibian Police, the intended murder victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Katutura State Hospital in a very critical condition. Shikwambi stated that Valungameka shot…