National News – Page 307

11 Jan

Only 56 percent of Namibians have access to electricity

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a pivotal moment for Namibia’s digital future, a stark reality emerges as only 56 percent of the population has access to electricity, posing a significant hurdle to the nation’s ambitious digital transformation goals. This is according to the National Digital Strategy of Namibia for 2024-2028. “When disaggregating this national measure, vast disparities are observed between urban and rural electrification whereby about two-thirds of the rural population lacks access to electricity,” reads the strategy document. Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Audrin Mathe, addressed the issue at the National Digital Strategy Workshop held in…

11 Jan

NFA withdraws Brave Warriors official attire amid political controversy

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has decided to withdraw the official attire of the Namibia National Senior Men’s Football Team, the Brave Warriors, from the upcoming 2023 Total Energies AFCON. This decision comes in the wake of a public outcry over the team’s recent appearance in casual gear that raised concerns of political undertones. The NFA, in collaboration with the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), in a joint statement reveals that they are seeking clarity on the attire worn by the Brave Warriors, which gained significant attention on social media platforms this week. “The NSC and NFA understand the…

11 Jan

Horrific murder and rape in Rehoboth shock Namibia

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Niël Terblanché An incident during the early hours of Tuesday morning in Rehoboth where the 64-year-old Helena Wimmert was brutally raped, murdered and then robbed has sent shockwaves through Namibia. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, the horrific crime occurred at the victim’s home in Rehoboth’s Block A sometime between midnight and 07:40. “The victim was raped before the suspect continued to cut her throat. Her home was then ransacked for valuable items before the suspect fled into the night with his loot,” she said. She said that the investigation into…

11 Jan

Uanguta appointed as new NAMCOR Acting Managing Director

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEbson Uanguta, Uanguta appointed as new NAMCOR Acting Managing Director

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) Board of Directors have announced the appointment of Ebson Uanguta, to serve as the new Acting Managing Director. Uanguta is currently serving as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, and his appointment at NAMCOR will be effective from 11 January 2024 and will be for a period of six months. Uanguta is set to replace Shiwana Ndeunyema who has been serving in that capacity since the suspension of NAMCOR Managing Director Immanuel Mulunga last year. The board said Uanguta, is a graduate of the University of Addis Ababa with…

11 Jan

IPC faces high demand for membership cards as support grows

info_e12wt4csNational NewsImmanuel Nashinge, IPC faces high demand for membership cards as support grows

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) is feeling the pressure to print more membership cards as the party experiences a surge in new members joining daily. Immanuel Nashinge, the IPC’s National Spokesperson, shared this revelation with the Windhoek Observer yesterday. “Our door-to-door campaign has yielded positive results, attracting a diverse range of people who have been joining IPC over the past two years,” he stated. Nashinge attributed the need for additional membership cards to party staff members who are currently on holiday. He highlighted the increasing number of individuals flocking to the party as a clear sign that…

11 Jan

Erongo Region takes holistic approach to combat GBV

info_e12wt4csNational NewsErongo Region takes holistic approach to combat GBV, Neville Andre

Niël Terblanché The Erongo Region is taking a proactive stance in combatting gender-based violence (GBV) by adopting a holistic approach that involves all segments of society. Despite significant strides in human rights and gender equality, the scourge of GBV continues to pose a grave challenge for especially women and children in Namibia. In response to this pressing issue, the Governor of the Erongo Region, Neville Andre has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to address GBV while stressing the urgent need for a collective effort. Andre said that GBV is one of the most pervasive yet least visible human rights violations globally.…

10 Jan

Late delivery of state school stationery disappoints Swapo

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Stefanus Nashama Hofni Iipeinge, the Swapo Party Secretary of Education, has expressed deep disappointment and concern about the delayed delivery of school stationery to state schools. Sharing his views on the matter this week, Iipeinge stated that while the government has implemented free universal education in the country, the late provision of school supplies to state schools negatively impacts the education of Namibian children. "Education is a right but not a need. The Ministry responsible should take this matter seriously and implement effective interventions to ensure that funds for school stationery reach all state schools on time before the schools…

10 Jan

Eight new industries could emerge from the Green Hydrogen boom

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEight new industries could emerge from the Green Hydrogen boom

Martin Endjala James Mnyupe, the Green Hydrogen Commissioner, has revealed that the Green Hydrogen Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Small Medium Enterprise Development and the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, has identified eight potential new industries. This announcement was made last December during an update on the Green Hydrogen Progress, which is poised to significantly impact the Namibian economy. Mnyupe indicated that among the eight potential new industries are solar panel and wind turbine assembly, critical raw minerals value addition, synthetic fuel production, and hot-briquette iron production. Preliminary estimates suggest that these developments could…

10 Jan

Steenkamp urges country to prioritise tutors for struggling learners

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSteenkamp urges country to prioritise tutors for struggling learners

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Executive director of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has urged the country to prioritise securing tutors for students facing learning difficulties. With the looming release of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary Levels (NSSCO and NSSCAS) results on Wednesday, Steenkamp emphasised the significance of teaching and learning environment within classrooms as a decisive factor. She stressed the need for comprehensive support, not only from families but also from tutors. “So of course the support the learners are getting not just at home but also from the tutors. We should get into…

10 Jan

Amushelelo’s latest case dismissed, workers remain suspended

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAmushelelo’s latest case dismissed

Stefanus Nashama The Oshakati Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the case against social activist Michael Amushelelo, who was arrested on Monday while attempting to represent Rani Supermarket employees suspended for participating in a demonstration late last year, calling for the abolition of contract labour hire and other demands. Amushelelo’s legal representative, Kadhila Amoomo, confirmed this development to the Windhoek Observer yesterday. Amushelelo’s arrest was related to his alleged violation of a court order, which had instructed him to stay at least 400 meters away from the Rani Business premises. Speaking to this publication, Amushelelo stated that his primary concern was the…