National News – Page 350 – Windhoek Observer

01 Dec

Vivo Energy re-opens Southgate Shell service station

National NewsVivo Energy re-opens Southgate Shell service station

Martin Endjala Vivo Energy Namibia’s Chief Executive Officer, Stan Mittelman, has announced the company’s commitment to growth through expanding its geographical operations across the country. This expansion has been marked by the recent reopening of the Southgate Shell service station in the Triple-J area of Windhoek. The revamped service station now offers a diverse range of services, including well-known retail outlets such as KFC, FreshStop, Seattle Coffee, and many others. Mittelman has designated this service station as Vivo Energy Namibia’s flagship in the capital. “This project is quite iconic of what we are trying to do at Vivo. Two years…

30 Nov

“A country without entrepreneurs is like an army without soldiers”: Shiimi

National News“A country without entrepreneurs is like an army without soldiers”: Shiimi

Martin Endjala The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Iipumbu Shiimi, delivered a powerful message during the Good Business Awards held by the Development Bank of Namibia in Windhoek on Tuesday. He emphasized the critical role entrepreneurs play in a country’s development, likening them to soldiers in an army. Shiimi stated, “Any country that does not have entrepreneurs is like an army without soldiers, and you can never win a war if you don’t have soldiers.” He highlighted the significance of entrepreneurs in wealth creation, job opportunities, and providing livelihoods for others. He added that those who venture into the…

30 Nov

Kavango school infrastructure fails learners with disabilities

National NewsKavango school infrastructure fails learners with disabilities

Hertta-Maria Amutenja National Council Member, Bertha Dinyando has shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by learners living with disabilities in the Kavango West and East regions. Despite the presence of special schools with infrastructure and support systems supposedly designed to accommodate these students, significant issues persist. Dinyando stressed the urgent need to address these difficulties faced by children in the region. She pointed out multiple areas where improvement is necessary. “For instance, the infrastructure of the schools and hostels is not disability-friendly. Caregivers and matrons lack proper training to assist learners with special needs, particularly those who are visually…

30 Nov

Politicians welcome public oral interviews for judges before appointments

National NewsPoliticians welcome public oral interviews for judges before appointments

Stefanus Nashama Policymakers Josef Kauandenge of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) and Maximalliant Katjimune of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), said they are happy with the decision of Chief Justice Peter Shivute to allow the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to conduct public interviews for judges before they are appointed. Expressing his views on the decision, Kauandenge asserted that the country has reached a transparent development in the independence of the judicial. “This is a welcome development long overdue,” he said. He highlighted that it is in the public interest for the JSC to be above reproach and ensure judges…

30 Nov

Boots are on the ground to keep the Erongo Region safe

National NewsBoots are on the ground to keep the Erongo Region safe

Niël Terblanché Hundreds of spectators lined the streets of Walvis Bay as the Namibian Police marched past in preparation for celebrations commemorating 33 years of existence as a force. The Namibian Police in the Erongo Region will celebrate the 33rd Police Day today. Inspector Ileni Shapuma, the Head of the Community Affairs Division of the Namibian Police, mentioned that the celebrations would be preceded by various other activities. One such activity was a street procession, where members of the force marched from the Kuisebmond Soccer Stadium to the Civic Centre in the heart of Walvis Bay. The parade and march…

30 Nov

Blood donations are crucial for the festive season

National NewsBlood donations are crucial for the festive season

Niël Terblanché A simple act of kindness and generosity can save lives and, in this regard, the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) issued a heartfelt plea to all eligible blood donors in Namibia to step forward and donate blood regularly as the festive season approaches. The call comes as the nation faces a critical shortage of blood, threatening the lives of countless patients. Despite tireless efforts to recover from a blood shortage over the past two weeks, NAMBTS continues to struggle with a shortage of vital blood supplies. Titus Shivute, the Supervisor of Marketing and Donor Relations at NAMBTS…

30 Nov

EU contributes millions of dollars to combat GBV

National NewsEU contributes millions of dollars to combat GBV

Martin Endjala In a determined effort to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country, the European Union (EU) has announced a contribution of N$28 million to fight the scourge in targeted regions. Speaking at the launch of the Combating GBV campaign and the signing of the contribution agreement in Windhoek yesterday, titled “Gender Equality/Combating Gender-Based Violence,” EU Ambassador to Namibia Beatriz Martins stated that the contribution agreement is a collaborative effort between the EU and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She stressed that the aim is to promote gender equality and combat GBV in Namibia, underlining the significance of…

30 Nov

Namcol CEO Retires

National NewsHeroldt Murangi, Namcol CEO Retires, the Chief Executive of the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol)

Stefanus Nashama Heroldt Murangi, the Chief Executive of the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol), has officially retired from his position. The Namcol Board of Governors formally announced his retirement yesterday and added that today was his last day in office. According to Rholene Bok, Namcol’s Manager for Marketing, Murangi has been a key member of the college since its establishment in 1998. He held various positions within the organization before assuming the role of CEO in 2007. Bok said that Murangi has shared his knowledge and expertise, contributing significantly to the growth of the college. His contributions include the…

29 Nov

AR welcomes public interviews for judges before appointments……Amupanda apologises to Chief

National NewsAR welcomes public interviews for judges before appointments……Amupanda apologises to Chief

Stefanus Nashama Job Amupanda, the leader of the Affirmative Repositioning Movement (AR), has expressed the movement’s support for the decision to subject judges to public interviews during the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of transparency. Amupanda stated that the AR movement has long advocated for transparency in the recruitment of judges, a practice already in place in neighbouring countries. This development comes in the wake of Chief Justice Peter Shivute’s recent amendment to the Judicial Service Commission Regulations, which now allows for public interviews of judges. According to Shivute, “The Commission may, if it deems it necessary, call any person…

29 Nov

More IPPs will close gap in electricity imports

National NewsMore IPPs will close gap in electricity imports

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that it is hard at work to make sure that it closes the gap of the country’s dependence on imported electricity from the Southern African Power Pool, by absorbing more Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo said that the ministry continues to ensure that it supplies electricity to the country. As a result, over the last couple of years, the ministry has embraced the system of absorbing IPPs, because as of today, Namibia’s total electricity production at 85 percent through National Power Utility (NamPower) and 15…