National News – Page 330 – Windhoek Observer

17 May

Vice President endorses youth’s development initiatives

Latest, National News

By: Niël Terblanché Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the critical role of patriotism in driving Namibia's development agenda during her speech at the Youth Forge event held at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).The event on Thursday was themed 'Igniting Patriotism; Fuelling Industry,' and was aimed at inspiring national pride among young Namibians while equipping them with essential industrial skills.While addressing the gathering, Nandi-Ndaitwah shared her vision of shared prosperity and the Ideal Namibia.She said that a strong sense of patriotism is vital for overcoming the challenges posed by poor public service delivery and the prevalent individualistic attitudes…

16 May

Namibia and EU celebrate growing partnership

National News

Niël Terblanchéon Trade between Namibia and the European Union (EU) has been on the rise and is constantly driven by new agreements and partnerships. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Jennely Matundu, highlighted the increased and positive collaboration during the 74th anniversary celebration of Europe Day in Windhoek on Tuesday. Matundu stressed that the partnership is promoting the development and beneficiation of raw materials and renewable hydrogen to support green and digital transformation. “Over the past 34 years, Namibia and the EU have built a strong relationship based on political and social dialogue, trade and sustainable development, economic…

16 May

ECN gears up for voter registration

National News

Niël Terblanché As the November Presidential and National Assembly elections approach, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced that it needs 997 vehicles to support the upcoming voter registration drive. De Wet Siluka, the ECN’s spokesperson, stated that most of these vehicles would need to be rented from private individuals. Out of the nearly 1,000 vehicles, 138 will be allocated for use in the Khomas Region alone. The ECN has previously informed prospective vendors that their vehicles must undergo inspection. According to Siluka, this requirement has led to a significant turnout of private vehicle owners at the Otjomuise Police…

16 May

67 journalists imprisoned across Africa

National News

Martin Endjala The President of the Africa Editors Forum and chairperson of the steering committee of the Africa Media Convention (AMC) Churchill Otieno, says that according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ annual Prison Census, at least 67 journalists were imprisoned across Africa in connection to their work as of 1 December 2023. He said this on Thursday, during the opening of the third AMC at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana. “As a fraternity, as a people, we must say and do all that is necessary to stop this wanton muzzling of agents of truth. Desmond Tutu…

16 May

Zambezi residents remove regional sign board

National News

Martin Endjala Some residents of the Zambezi region removed the regional border signboard on Wednesday to express their dissatisfaction with the border between the Kavango East region and their region. The residents handed over the signboard to the Boundary Delimitation Commission during a consultation meeting at Katima Mulilo early this week. The residents told the commission that they would not wait for the commission to affect the change. The leader of the Zambezi Development Association, Blessing Manda, told the commission that they have been calling for the restoration of the old regional border for many years but to no avail.…

16 May

Kasuto accused of illegal withdrawal of N$250 000

National News

Martin Endjala The former President of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), Ismael Kasuto, is being accused of illegally withdrawing N$250 000 from the Namibia Miners Investment Trust (MAMIT), founded by MUN. This is according to the National Executive Committee (NEC), which discovered that on April 29, Kasuto allegedly withdrew the money for personal use by transferring it into one bank account of a local law firm to avoid future litigation. MUN's acting president, Poco Mberiuana, made this revelation on Thursday during a media update on the organisational self-correcting and renewal process. Mberiuana said that by the time Kasuto withdrew…

16 May

Construction of 500-bed Windhoek district hospital commences

National News

Stefanus Nashama The long-awaited district hospital for Windhoek at Havana Informal Settlement has begun construction. Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 500-bed hospital on Thursday. According to her, the construction of the new hospital represents the government's commitment to ensuring healthcare service delivery to its nation. She expressed confidence that the hospital's construction phase would create hundreds of jobs. “The contractor is under instructions to make sure that the people closer by should be the first beneficiaries,” she stated. Talks for the construction of the hospital have been ongoing for years. The City of Windhoek…

16 May

Namibia not affected by De Beers separation plans in RSA

National NewsDe Beers Group Chief Executive Officer Al Cook

Erasmus Shalihaxwe De Beers Group Chief Executive Officer Al Cook said Anglo American's announcement regarding its intention to explore a range of options to separate De Beers' business will not affect its operations in Namibia and other countries. Cook announced this on Tuesday after Anglo American announced the demerging of its interests from De Beers. Cook said that De Beers Group remains fully focused on delivering its strategy and creating value in the interests of all its stakeholders. “De Beers has led the diamond industry for more than a century. We have unparalleled expertise, outstanding assets across more than 20…

16 May

NIP employees receive salary increase

National NewsNamibian Institute of Pathology (NIP)

Stefanus Nashama Employees at the Namibian Institute of Pathology (NIP) received a salary increase of between six and 10 percent for the 2024/25 financial year. The Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU), which represented the employees, and NIP signed a collective wage agreement. According to a statement issued by NIP on Thursday, the agreement took effect on 1 April. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mateus Ndeshikeya, the deputy general secretary of NAPWU, commended the parties for negotiating in good faith and avoiding the involvement of a third party. “We should continue finding amicable solutions without having to go to a third…

16 May

Lion sightings cause panic and force school closures in Kavango East

National NewsKavango East Region

Niël Terblanché Panic ensued amongst certain communities of the Kavango East Region following the sightings of stray lions in areas where hundreds of learners walk to and from school daily. This has led to the temporary suspension of classes at four schools in the Mukwe circuit. According to a warning issued by the Directorate of Education, Arts and Culture in Kavango East, the schools affected are Kangongo Combined School, Thikanduko Primary School, Mayara Combined School, and Katanga Primary School. The authority added that classes have been suspended for Thursday and Friday, while teachers and support staff members will have to…