National News

CoW blames the government for Its financial woes

CoW blames the government for Its financial woes

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has stated that its financial struggles are exacerbated by a growing population, urbanisation and the provision of services that should be funded or subsidised by the government. This was conveyed by the city’s spokesperson, Harold Akweenye while responding to questions on the city’s current financial status after it was reported last year that the city is surviving on a N$200 million bank overdraft every month to pay salaries and other expenses. Akwenye is of the opinion that for the city’s financial status to improve, urbanization should be minimized and the government should avail funds…
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Menzies Aviation under scrutiny over health and safety concerns globally

Menzies Aviation under scrutiny over health and safety concerns globally

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation, a major player in the global aviation services industry, is currently facing mounting criticism and significant fines in various countries over its questionable health and safety record. The company, which operates at airports around the world, has come under intense scrutiny for alleged safety lapses and violations that have jeopardized the well-being of its employees and passengers. The United Kingdom-based company with a presence in over 200 airports worldwide, provides a wide range of ground handling, cargo, and passenger services to numerous airlines. While the company has been a key player in the aviation industry for…
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Long list of Menzies Aviation’s unsafe operations

Long list of Menzies Aviation’s unsafe operations

Menzies Aviation which operates at more than 200 airports around the world, has come under intense scrutiny for alleged safety lapses and violations that have jeopardized the well-being of its employees and passengers.A search of the internet revealed a long list of fines for safety and other airport rule violations as well as regular salary disputes with employees. Menzies Aviation tanker drivers prepare to strike at Birmingham Airport as pay dispute rumbles onhttps://motortransport.co.uk/blog/2023/08/09/menzies-aviation-tanker-drivers-prepare-to-strike-at-birmingham-airport-as-pay-dispute-rumbles-on/ Menzies Aviation, was fined $77,250 by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safety lapses, including not having a seat belts on vehicles.https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/17/airport-ramp-safety-airlines-iata-faa-osha-ntsb/18597565/ Menzies could lose…
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NamWater open to collaboration for mining projects

NamWater open to collaboration for mining projects

Martin Endjala Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) Chief Executive Officer Abraham Nehemia, said the institution is open to collaborating in de-risking and delivering bulk water to current and future mining projects in the country. “As we are all aware that water plays a critical role in the mining sector, and as a bulk water supplier, we are open to collaborate in de-risking and delivering bulk water to current and future mining projects,” he said. Nehemia was speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with Osino Gold Exploration and Mining at the Mining Expo in Windhoek last week.…
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Women Network seeks to promote inclusivity in the workplace

Women Network seeks to promote inclusivity in the workplace

Martin Endjala It was decided at an event hosted by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) for the Women Network in Windhoek last week, to foster gender equality, empowerment, and inclusivity in the workplace. The event brought together female employees, leaders, and external speakers for a day of discussions, workshops, and networking aimed at advancing the role of women in the workplace. The event was hosted roughly a month after the MVA Fund Men’s Network event, underscoring the significance of inclusivity and mindfulness towards the diverse experiences and backgrounds of MVA Fund’s staff members. Addressing the event, MVA Chief Executive…
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Vetting of learners before admission to state schools is discriminatory

Vetting of learners before admission to state schools is discriminatory

Niël Terblanché The practice of vetting learners before admission to state schools is extremely discriminatory in nature and denies some children access to the schools of their choice. The Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp said the Ministry’s rules of admission for children have not changed since 2010. Steenkamp said this in a circular issued last week on the admission of learners in state schools to guide Education Regional Directors, Inspectors of Education, School Principals and parents to plan and administer the admission process. “It has come to our attention that some schools are…
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Woman attacks elderly mother with machete

Woman attacks elderly mother with machete

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 28-year-old woman, was on Friday arrested for attempted murder after attacking her 63-year-old mother with a machete at Ongundi village in Omungwelume constituency in Ohangwena Region. According to the Namibian Police’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the woman chopped her mother with the panga on the hands, chest and lips and sustained open cut wounds. The victim was taken to Oshakati State Hospital for treatment and the investigation into the attack will continue. In a separate incident on the same day, at around 21:00 at Eenhana, it is reported that Matias Mwatongasheni Mwetufa, a 33-year-old man, lost…
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Menzies is tainting Namibia’s sovereign reputation

Menzies is tainting Namibia’s sovereign reputation

Niël Terblanché The Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) is a strategic entry point to Namibia and by not complying with a recent Supreme Court order, British-owned Menzies Aviation Namibia is painting a negative image of the country. Ephraim Nekongo, the Secretary of the Swapo Youth League said the company’s actions are also compromising Namibia’s sovereignty and security. “We call on all patriotic forces to unite and reject the imperial posture of Menzies,” the youth leader said in a statement. The recent actions of Menzies Aviation at the HKIA have ignited a wave of condemnation from a wide variety of corporate…
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Namibia needs to upscale its artisan skills: Kasete

Namibia needs to upscale its artisan skills: Kasete

Martin Endjala Chambers of Mines President, Zebra Kasete, has implored Government and industry players to reinvigorate artisan training programmes in the country to upscale skills to align them with the demands of emerging industries such as oil and gas and green energy. He said artisans in Namibia have good entry skills, but lack expertise in new industries which could be a serious concern if not addressed immediately. Kasete made this call on Wednesday at the official opening of the 10th Mining Expo in Windhoek under the theme “Namibia’s Role in the Sustainable Supply of Minerals to Support the Global Energy…
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Solar Revolving Fund targets to finance 400 off-grid households

Solar Revolving Fund targets to finance 400 off-grid households

Martin Endjala The Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Bryan Eiseb, has announced that the Solar Revolving Fund (SRF) aims to finance 400 off-grid households during the current financial year. Eiseb made the announcement on Wednesday during the launch of the service level agreement between the ministry and the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair. He said for this objective to be achieved, the ministry has established strategic alliances with various Regional Electricity Distributors that allows consumers living in known areas to make use of available financing program and subsidy, to enable…
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