National News – Page 330 – Windhoek Observer

05 May

Bloody massacre remembered on Cassinga Day

ObserverNational NewsBloody massacre remembered on Cassinga Day

Niël Terblanché THE 1978 attack on Cassinga, led by airborne soldiers of the South African army where more than 600 people died, after 45 years, still serves as a sombre reminder of the resolute resolve of Namibians during the long and bitter struggle for freedom. President Hage Geingob, in a special message, said that during the Cassinga attack and for many years after that, untold sacrifices were made, blood was shed and many lives were lost during the protracted war for the eventual liberation of Namibia. “Today marks 45 years since the fateful day on May 4, 1978, when hundreds…

05 May

DRC sanitation standards get elevated

ObserverNational NewsDRC sanitation standards get elevated

Niël Terblanché The community of the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund has been working hard to improve sanitation and by default, health standards in their neighbourhood. The efforts by community-based organisations follow short on the heels of a recent report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 data that states Namibia is one of the worst countries in the world regarding rates of open defecation. According to the report, more than 40 percent of Namibians, about one million people do not have access to proper toilet facilities and the negative trend is getting worse. The…

05 May

Baby killer still on the run

ObserverNational NewsBaby killer still on the run

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian police in Omusati Region is still looking for the woman who allegedly murdered and dumped her new born baby boy last Saturday. The body was discovered by a woman who was collecting empty disposed tins around the Ogongo settlement. “We have not been able to arrest the suspect yet and no one from the community has come forth with any information regarding the incident. The suspect is still on the run, ”Basson said. Postpartum psychosis Registered Psychological Counsellor Diemut Amushila said women who suffer from postpartum depression usually have thoughts of self-harm or harming their newborn.…

05 May

Namfisa reinvigorates its innovative technologies

ObserverNational NewsNamfisa reinvigorates its innovative technologies

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) and its co-sponsors, GIZ and Kenya Prembly on Wednesday launched its second Fintech Square Innovation, which will be hosted on 10-11 May 2023 at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort, aimed at engaging innovators, in particular, the youth, Regulated entities, fellow regulators, and the broader public. This was announced by Namifisa’s Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Matomola who said that Fintech is a concept that became popular post the 2008 financial crisis, as this innovative technology was able to assist businesses to find innovative means to finance households and SMEs during the…

03 May

Notorious robbery gang had serious criminal charges pending in court

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The five men who were killed during a shootout with members of the Namibian Police in Okahandja more than a week ago had a total of 24 charges related to serious crimes pending against them. The Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Major General Elias Mutota, in an official statement identified the five men who were killed when they started firing on a police vehicle during a high-speed chase through the streets of the garden town. According to General Mutota, Abed Andreas, also known as Koppe, Flavianus Kaluwepa Endjala, also known as Kalu, Marius Iipinge, also known…

03 May

Esau rejects being a flight risk, says his gravesite is in Swakopmund

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama Disgraced former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhardt Esau, said his gravesite is already bought in Namibia, and he has no intention to run away and leave his motherland. “Even my gravesite is already bought here in Namibia, in Swakopmund. I have no reason to run away and leave my motherland. My graveside is next to my mother, my uncle, and my brother.” Esau said in his latest bid for bail. Appearing before Judge David Munsu yesterday, Esau also said he would not interfere with state witnesses or police investigations, if he is granted bail. He also…

03 May

Namibia headed towards a sanitation disaster

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Factors such as limited access to water, resources and financing are blocking the Namibian government from providing adequate toilets and other sanitation facilities in various communities in Namibia. According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 data, Namibia ranks sixth for the highest rates of open defecation in the world. More than 40 percent of the nation or about one million people do not have access to proper toilet facilities and the situation is getting worse. The situation is exceptionally dire in the various informal settlements where people have no choice but to…

03 May

Standard Bank CEO resigns

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Standard Bank Namibia’s Chief Executive Officer Mercia Geises has resigned. Confirming the resignation, Geises said she is resigning to pursue other interests. “I just resigned to pursue other personal and professional interests nothing else,” said Geises. Geises was appointed last year on 1 May after Vetumbuavi Mungunda stepped down in April 2021. “In accordance with Paragraph 3.59 of the Listing Requirements, Shareholders are hereby advised that Mercia Geises has advised that, after seven years with the SBN Holdings Group she wishes to step down as Chief Executive and leave the Group to pursue other personal and professional interests,”…

03 May

Labour laws must be amended to remove police power ambiguity

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has come out strongly in support of the amendment of labour laws in the country by saying that there is an ambiguity on the power of the police when it comes to labour-related issues. “The law in its current form should be amended in order to remove the ambiguity on the power of the Namibian Police,” he said. Amoomo, during an interview with this publication yesterday said that workers often fall victim to police harassment during labour disputes and strikes. “This is a problem, as workers are supposed to exercise their rights if they feel…

03 May

Aviation legend to visit Namibia

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Enthusiasts from the Namibian civil aviation community are all set to welcome Kerry McCauley, an American ferry pilot who has flown light aircraft all over the world in his extensive career during a fly-in event that will be hosted at Lapa Lange for the next few days. McCauley is credited with delivering aircraft of all shapes and sizes to more than 60 countries while flying over vast stretches of the earth’s surface whether it be ocean or land. His adventures were immortalized in the book ‘Ferry Pilot’ and he also starred in a Discovery Channel series ‘Dangerous Flights’.…