National News – Page 359 – Windhoek Observer

01 Feb

Churches leading the charge for mining reform

National NewsChurches leading the charge for mining reform

Niël Terblanché The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) has embarked on an impassioned crusade for substantial reforms within the mining and extractive sector. The CCN’s Alternative Mining Indaba in Windhoek, under the compelling theme “Increasing benefits from mining and extractive industries to address socio-economic development challenges,” is the latest effort to ignite a conversation on “tax justice” and enforceable corporate social responsibilities. The Indaba, a clear response to the Ministry’s assurance of ethical stewardship over Namibia’s natural resources, is positioning itself as a pivotal forum for debate and advocacy for responsible mining that benefits all stakeholders. The CCN, alongside…

01 Feb

Stalwart of Namibian politics Tötemeyer passes on at home

National News

Niël Terblanché Professor Gerhard Tötemeyer, who served in the Namibian Cabinet as the Deputy Minister of Local, Regional Government and Housing and who also served as the country’s first-ever director of elections has died. In life, Professor Tötemeyer was a notable figure in Namibian politics and academia. Born on May 21, 1935, in Gibeon, Tötemeyer spent his early years in Keetmanshoop where his father worked as a missionary. His family’s stay in Germany during World War II led to initial language barriers upon returning to South-West Africa, as he spoke neither English nor Afrikaans at the time. He overcame these…

01 Feb

Divundu receives new ambulance to boost emergency response

National News

Martin Endjala The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has enhanced its life-saving capabilities in the region between Rundu and Katima Mulilo with the commissioning of an ambulance worth N$1.3 million. This development follows the establishment of a fully-fledged response unit base in Divundu in December 2022. The Chief Executive Officer of the MVA Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku noted that Divundu’s previous response vehicle was limited to transporting medical staff to accident scenes and could not transfer patients. “With this new 4×4 emergency ambulance, we can now attend to patients and transport them to the nearest hospital, significantly improving our ability to…

31 Jan

PDM calls for genuine commitment to sports development

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani, has urged Deputy Prime Minister and International Relations Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service to transcend political posturing and genuinely commit to fostering sports growth. Venaani’s plea comes amidst the national senior men's football team, the Brave Warriors’ historic performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament where they managed to progress beyond the group stage for the first time in the country’s history. This is despite the team having to play home games away from home due to substandard stadiums in Namibia which…

31 Jan

Okahandja Mayor fails to attend meeting with disgruntled residents

National News

Niël Terblanché Residents from some of the poorest neighbourhoods of Okahandja are expressing deep frustration and disappointment over the persistent issues of poor service delivery in their town. Their grievances, which encompass intermittent water supply, inadequate land delivery, lack of proper sanitation, and unaddressed health hazards, remain unresolved despite repeated appeals to local authorities. During a recent community meeting, the residents' concerns were compounded by the absence of Okahandja Mayor Beatrice Kotungondo. Although the mayor had indicated in a letter to community leaders that she intends to reschedule the meeting and address these issues, the residents have yet to find…

31 Jan

BoN announces new board members

National News

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has announced the appointment of Dr Meshack Tjirongo, Eliaser Nekwaya and Peter Kruger as non-executive members of its Board of Directors and the re-appointment of Ehrenfried Meroro as a non-executive board member. These appointments are in line with Section 9 of the Bank of Namibia Act (2020), effective from 1 February 2024. The governor of the central bank, Johannes !Gawaxab, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Board, described the appointments as instrumental in enhancing the Bank's policies, internal controls, risk management and advancing the achievement of its strategic objectives. “As the…

31 Jan

High accident fatality rate concerns MVA

National News

Martin Endjala The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) in Namibia has expressed grave concern over the recent spike in road accidents, leading to the loss of 16 lives and numerous injuries last week. "It is alarming that Namibia lost 16 lives and witnessed 89 injuries in just the past week due to road traffic crashes," stated Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, the Fund's Chief Executive Officer. She revealed that from January 1 to 28, 2024, there were a total of 158 crashes, resulting in 335 injuries and 29 fatalities. As the country transitions out of the festive period, Martins-Hausiku urges drivers to maintain…

31 Jan

PAS gains international recognition through prestigious excellent service awards

National NewsPAS gains international recognition through prestigious excellent service awards

Niël Terblanché In acknowledgement of its stellar service quality, Paragon Aviation Services (PAS), operating at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) in Namibia, has been honoured with a series of prestigious awards from the Lufthansa Group. The German national airline, through its subsidiary Discover Airlines, recognized PAS for its exceptional service offerings. PAS, the licensed ground handling service provider at HKIA, offers a range of services including Passenger Services, Ramp and Baggage Handling, Cargo Services, Meet and Greet, and Private Aircraft Charter Services. Discover Airlines particularly commended PAS for delivering these services in a safe, secure, and timely manner. The award…

31 Jan

Landless farmers face eviction in Gobabis…LPM pleads for ministerial intervention

National NewsLandless farmers face eviction in Gobabis…LPM pleads for ministerial intervention

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Landless generational farmers and farm dwellers are on the brink of disaster as the Gobabis Town Council moves forward with plans to enforce eviction by today. The eviction, sanctioned under the provisions of the Public and Environment Health Act of 2015, section 59, subsections (h) and (d), has sparked concerns and calls for immediate intervention. Joyce Muzengua, representing the human rights desk of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), highlighted the plight of the marginalized community, stating that. “This demographic group has become a highly marginalized, mostly unemployed underclass, migrating into informal settlements on the outskirts of Gobabis, relying…

31 Jan

Oil discovery won’t benefit kids in southern Namibia if education does not improve – /Goagoses

National NewsOil discovery won’t benefit kids in southern Namibia if education does not improve – /Goagoses

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Deputy Minister of High Education, Technology and Innovation Nathalia /Goagoses, said if the education system does not improve in //Karas and Hardap regions, the recent oil discoveries in Namibia will not benefit inhabitants of the two regions, especially kids. /Goagoses made these remarks yesterday during the official opening of the Regional Stakeholders Conference held in the Hardap Region. She said that for somebody to work on Oil and Green Hydrogen projects, that person needs a mix of subjects like chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. Especially chemical, mechanical, and environmental as well as geology and possible economics for…