National News – Page 336 – Windhoek Observer

20 Apr

Kantema-Gaomas wants wellness programs for govt employees

ObserverNational NewsKantema-Gaomas wants wellness programs for govt employees

Stefanus Nashama Parliamentarian and Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and National Service, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, says creating a dynamic wellness program for employees at Offices, Ministries and Agencies could increase positivity and performance in the working environment. She said this in support of a motion tabled in Parliament by the Health and Social Services Deputy Minister, Ester Munjangue on wellness programs for government employees. Kantema-Gaomas said wellness programs for employees that are responsive to their needs, encourage positive behaviour and outcomes, which she said is the best strategy to ensure long time success. “A wellness program can provide targeted health education,…

20 Apr

SWAPO Party celebrates 63 years of revolution

ObserverNational NewsSWAPO Party celebrates 63 years of revolution

Niël Terblanché Dr Hage Geingob in his capacity as the President of the SWAPO Party congratulated all members and supporters of the movement on the day that the organisation celebrates 63 years of existence. Geingob called the SWAPO Party a glorious movement that was formed with the mission of liberating Namibians from Apartheid oppression. “SWAPO succeeded in that historic mission. Over the past 33 years, SWAPO has been hard at work to unite and to ensure the economic development of Namibia,” he said He said that the party will continue to work hard to complete the mission of socio-economic well-being…

20 Apr

Govt spent N$ 1.4 billion on Transport projects from 2020

ObserverNational NewsGovt spent N$ 1.4 billion on Transport projects from 2020

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The state has spent a total of N$ 1,451,839,274.13 to improve transport infrastructure between 2020 and February this year, through the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Namibia Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project(NITIIP). This is according to a report seen by the Windhoek Observer. According to the report, the African Development Bank(AFDB) also co- financed the project with N$ 900 million. The report further indicates that the government spent over N$600 million on the 107.5 km railway upgrade between Walvis Bay and Arandis , N$400 million between Arandis and Kranzberg, which were complete this year February and another over N$400…

20 Apr

Woman jumps in front of moving vehicle

ObserverNational NewsWoman jumps in front of moving vehicle

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police in the Oshikoto Region have reported the death of a woman who was struck by two vehicles after throwing herself in the way of the oncoming vehicles. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at around 12h30 at Onamulunga Village in the Oniipa district. According to Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, the deceased was drinking with her boyfriend at Onamulunga Coca shops before the incident “She allegedly threatened to commit suicide because of family issues. She later told the boyfriend that she was going to kill herself by jumping in front of cars driving…

19 Apr

Namibia relies heavily on SA for food

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Agronomic Board’s (NAB), Namibia relies heavily on SA for food

Martin Endjala Namibia continues to rely heavily on South Africa for food supply, with 97 percent of processed agricultural products being imported from the neighbouring country. Imports of processed products average roughly 54 570 tons annually and have an estimated value of over N$1.5 billion. The situation arises from a lack of access to raw materials. According to the Namibia Agronomic Board’s (NAB) research report conducted on various projects for the financial year of 2022/23, juice, frozen vegetables, frozen potato chips, jams, olive oil, spices, and other forms of dried vegetables are the some of most commonly important products. The…

19 Apr

NSFAF rejects 7 000 students

ObserverNational NewsNSFAF rejects 7 000 students

Hertta-Maria Amutenja At least 7 946 students failed to acquire Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund(NSFAF) funding for the 2023 academic year. According to NSFAF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Kandume, the fund received 30 124 applications however only 22 179 applications were eligible for funding. Compared to last year, the fund has increased the number of students it will be funding by 17 Percent. Kandume said the applications were rejected as some applicants did not adhere to the specifications and some applied despite not meeting the academic requirements of the fund. “Like any other application, some applications did not meet…

19 Apr

Judge drops four charges against alleged serial rapist

ObserverNational NewsJudge drops four charges against alleged serial rapist

Hertta-Maria Amutenja An alleged serial rapist won a partial victory after a Windhoek High court Judge, Dinah Usiku acquitted him on four out of the 23 charges he is facing. Gavin Gawanab is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, four charges of attempted murder and several counts of assault as well as assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, alternatively indecent assault, kidnapping, housebreaking with intent to rape and rape as well as crimen injuria. However, Gawanab has consistently denied the charges since the start of his trial. Gawanab was arrested in November 2018…

19 Apr

Nahas calls for solidarity in social justice

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama Retired Politician and Former Prime Minister, Nahas Angula, says social justice ought to be in solidarity with the poor and those in need of necessities. Angula said this yesterday in an interview with this publication while commenting on the current politics of Namibia. He described social justice as the way to go, as it provides solutions to the basic needs of the people. “I am still standing on the ideal of social justice, and that puts me in solidarity with the people who do not have jobs, children who beg in the street and those that are suffering,”…

19 Apr

Lack of regulatory body hampers construction industry

ObserverNational NewsLack of regulatory body hampers construction industry

Martin Endjala With the lack of a sector council or regulator, the construction industry will continue to be negatively impacted by economic factors which will result in the sector not yielding any growth. According to Simonis and Storm Economist, Theo Klein, the situation is likely to persist and it will weigh on the profitability of local operators in the construction industry. “Apart from calling on more investor-friendly policies, since 2006 the Construction Industry Federation has argued for a construction council that would serve in the interest of local capacitation and effective regulation of the sector. This has however not been…

19 Apr

Soldier quits army to become a teacher

ObserverNational NewsSoldier quits army to become a teacher

Stefanus Nashama A former member of the Namibian Defence Force, Maria James (46), who served as a soldier for 18 years quit her job to pursue her passion for teaching. James decided to resign from the NDF about four years ago to study for an education degree at the University of Namibia. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer yesterday, James said that she graduated last week Thursday as a professional teacher after completing a four-year program in Education at the University of Namibia. She specialised in pre and junior primary education. “I want to pass my knowledge at the…