National News – Page 354 – Windhoek Observer

16 Apr

NDF closely monitoring threats of regime change – Kapofi

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Frans Kapofi, said his ministry has taken keen interest in utterances made through audio messages that are circulating on social media threatening instability after the Presidential and National Elections in November if a certain political party fails to win. Kapofi was speaking in Parliament yesterday while motivating the allocation of more than N$ 6 billion annual budget for the ministry. Early this month, The Namibian newspaper reported that Independent Patriots for Change member Kefas Vernandu, was suspended for inciting violence through a coup d'état if the party loses the elections. Vernandu allegedly…

16 Apr

Bank Windhoek appoints Shikage as Strategic Communication Specialist

National NewsWetumwene Shikage

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Bank Windhoek has made an addition to its Marketing and Corporate Communication Services (MCCS) department by appointing Wetumwene Shikage, as its new Strategic Communication Specialist, eeffective from 1 March 2024. Executive Officer of Marketing and Corporate Communication Services at bank Jacquiline Pack, highlighted Shikage's outstanding qualities as a determined communicator with strong leadership skills and a passion for corporate communication. Shikage's primary responsibility will be to support the Strategic Communication Manager in crafting and curating content for both internal and external communication channels. "Shikage's role is pivotal in ensuring that communication messaging remains of the highest standard, accuracy,…

16 Apr

Repo rate anticipated to remain unchanged…call for self-sufficiency.

National NewsEddy Kgobetsi, Omake Charity Board Chairperson

Martin Endjala Omake Charity Board Chairperson, Eddy Kgobetsi, says that Namibians need to create a culture of self-sufficiency to navigate the scourge of the inflation rate. He was responding to the current repo rate which stands at 7.75 percent, and it is anticipated to remain unchanged, following South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decision to maintain the repo rate at 8.25 percent at its meeting last month. Bank of Namibia (BoN) Monetary Policy Committee is expected to announce the repo rate on 17 April. Kgobetsi said it's worrisome that there are no indications of the repo rate declining anytime soon, given…

16 Apr

ECB raise red flag on Keetmanshoop town council operations

National News

Stefanus Nashama Electricity Control Board (ECB), has indicated that Keetmanshoop Town Council might soon operate with expired Safety and First Aid training certificates which is set to expire in July this year, among several other issues the town council is facing. A report conducted by ECB in February this year, indicates that the town council is facing several challenges related to the operations of its Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit (KEBU). This information was disclosed in the audit report on KEBU as a department, which was formerly known as SELCO. The report highlighted low salaries paid to KEBU staff, expired Safety…

15 Apr

Agriculture ministry acquires 33,822 hectares for land resettlement

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has last year acquired a total of 33,822 hectares of land at the cost of N$ 91,439,268.02 with the purpose of resettling landless Namibians. Minister Calle Schlettwein, announced this last week in the National Assembly in his budget speech. Stating that the said hectors are equal to seven farms, and a total of 23 beneficiaries were resettled, of which one unit of the farms was allocated to four generational farm workers. The also highlighted that a total of 7 821 Communal Land Right registrations were ratified by Communal Land Boards.…

15 Apr

Man allegedly shot dead by anti-poaching unit in Zambezi had no external wound

National News

Martin Endjala A post-mortem conducted by Katima Mulilo Forensic Police on the late Lubinda Samupwa who was allegedly shot dead by officials in the ministry of Environment anti-poaching unit in Zambezi region, shows that he had no external wound. The late Samupwa was found dead 7 April 2024 at Nkasa Rupara in the Zambezi region. The Namibians Lives Matter Movement in the region then started accusing ministry officials of killing Samupwa, after they were told by an alleged witness that he was shot by the anti-poaching unit officials. However, Zambezi Regional Commander Commissioner Andreas Shilelo, told Observer Namibia yesterday that…

15 Apr

Khomas governor urges urgent action on land acquisition

National News

Hertta-maria Amutenja Khomas Regional Governor Laura Mcleod-Katjirua, has called for urgent land allocation in the Khomas region, stressing that the current situation of land scarcity poses significant challenges for the region's growing population. Speaking at the ministerial annual planning workshop of Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform on Monday, Mcleod-Katjirua, said only 18 farms acquired since Namibia's independence. Therefore, there is a critical need for additional land acquisition efforts within the region. The governor, underlined the necessity for swift intervention by the Ministry to address the escalating demand for land allocation. She specifically mentioned the !Khomani Traditional Authority's request…

15 Apr

MoHSS launches project to address malnutrition

National News

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), on Monday launched a project aimed at addressing malnutrition, which is said to have become a national concern. Line minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula revealed this on Monday, stating that Omaheke, Khomas, and Kunene regions are among the targeted regions. Stressing that the scourge of malnutrition is being experienced in several communities in Namibia, and its negatively impacting lives. He said the launch of the project marks a significant step in their collective efforts to combat malnutrition. Shangula announced that a funding of U$500 000 from the Japanese government has been…

15 Apr

NTA board scrutiny came late, says Kandjii-Murangi

National NewsNTA board scrutiny came late, says Kandjii-Murangi

Stefanus Nashama Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Itah Kandjii-Murangi, says concerns surrounding the composition of the Namibia Training Authority (NTA)’s board have been only raised now despite the board having been in operation for over a year. “Regrettably, the concerns regarding the composition of the board have only been raised at this juncture, despite the board having been in operation for over a year now,” Kandjii-Murangi said. The minister was providing clarity on the recent concerns raised by labour unions and employer associations regarding the NTA Board Constitution. Kandjii-Murangi questioned the timing of objections made by the unions…

15 Apr

Likando blames curriculum change for high school failure rate

National NewsLikando blames curriculum change for high school failure rate

Hertta-Maria Amutenja National Council member John Likando, said curriculum change on Namibia schools has made a detrimental impact that led to the high failure rate of high school learners. Likando was speaking in the National Council on Monday, asserting that the current curriculum's extent makes it challenging for learners to chart their career paths effectively during the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) and Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) examinations. “The change of the syllabus and subjects has caused major setback. With the current curriculum it makes it very difficult for the learners to prepare for their careers because the subjects are…