National News – Page 381 – Windhoek Observer

01 Oct

Saara, groomed for bigger responsibilities

ObserverNational Newsgroomed for bigger responsibilities, Saara, Saara Interview

The Vice Presidential candidate for the Swapo Party has been dubbed the most experienced in public service and governance among the three running for the position. But controversies also surround her such as accusations of corruption. In this exclusive interview, she opens to the Windhoek Observer about her political career, what shaped her growth and why she thinks she’s the best and most qualified candidate for the job. WO: Please tell us about your upbringing SKA: I am the youngest of five children born to my parents, of which four are females and one a male. I grew up in…

01 Oct

Campaigns show flaws in Swapo policy outlook

ObserverNational NewsCampaigns show flaws in Swapo policy outlook, Hofni Iiping

Martin Endjala A political analyst is concerned that voting at the upcoming Swapo Party congress at the end of November will not be issue based, but will entirely be ‘’related to career plans, personal affinities and to some extend to regional or rather ethnic biases.Henning Melber said this when asked if the candidates can present policy issues to delegates to convince get their votes. The campaigning style, he said, shows flaws and weaknesses in Swapo, as a political party, demonstrating absence of proper policy debate, a characteristic, which according to him, applies to almost every political party in the country.…

Concern over use of non-<br>competitive tendering methods

01 Oct

Concern over use of non-
competitive tendering methods

ObserverNational News2020/21 Annual Report tabled in the National Assembly, Public Procurement Unit, Public Procurement Unit observes in its 2020/21 Annual Report

Staff Writer Public entities continue to use the least competitive methods when procuring goods for government, the Public Procurement Unit observes in its 2020/21 Annual Report tabled in the National Assembly this week. PPU says that they are using these methods without justification ‘’for deviating from the competitive method of open national bidding.’’ From 263 quarterly implementation reports received from public entities during 2020/21, a total of 16,348 procurements were conducted to the value of N$4,690,187,285. Among these, Small Value Procurement (SVP) method dominated at 36 percent followed by the Request for Sealed Quotation (RFQ) method (at 25 percent) and…

29 Sep

Trustco Bank turns to courts for survival

ObserverNational NewsBoN’s Board of Directors, Trustco Bank turns to courts for survival, Trustco Group Holding (TGH)

Obrein Simasiku Trustco Group Holding (TGH) has rushed to the courts seeking for remedial action, as the Bank of Namibia is working towards wind up Trustco Bank Namibia (TBN), saying it is insolvent, and does not have a sustainable business plan. “BoN’s Board of Directors is of the view that TBN is commercially insolvent at this time. As mentioned before, TBN continues to operate without an approved viable business plan and sufficient capital to carry out the plan, which is vital for the viability and sustainability of the business and is expected of all industry players. Therefore, the primary purpose…

29 Sep

Swapo campaigns go into full gear

ObserverNational NewsAustin Samupwa, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Swapo campaigns go into full gear\

Candidates gunning for the Swapo Party’s Vice President, Secretary General and the Deputy SG position have gone into over drive with their campaigns using every conceivable opportunity for a public relations exercise. They use government platforms and all manner of sorts to be present at as many occasions be they Swapo or events related to their portfolios – at least those with government portfolios. At times they even hijack responsibilities from line ministers, such as that of Urban and Rural Development to officiate and according to observers, using them as network opportunities. Their campaigns are supposed to be coordinated by…

29 Sep

Power debt write off will stimulate local economies: LPM

ObserverNational NewsMP Bernadus Swartbooi, Power debt write off will stimulate local economies

Martin Endjala The cost of electricity should reflect the socio-economic conditions of people in a specific locality and should not be pegged to cost recovery, as many citizens are unable to keep up with the costly electricity rates. Landless People’s Movement leader and MP Bernadus Swartbooi told the National Assembly yesterday, that fundamental reform in the electricity sector is therefore needed, to ensures that those who are unable to pay for electricity are still catered for. He was speaking on a motion tabled by his deputy Henny Seibeb for the cancellation of electricity debt owed by local authorities to the…

28 Sep

MP concerned about cardless payments

ObserverNational NewsElma Ndienda, MP concerned about cardless payments, Popular Democratic Movement MP

Obrein Simasiku Member of Parliament Elma Ndienda is concerned about the evolving banking technology that has seen the emergence of cardless payments, where one needs to tap a card in order to effect a purchase transaction without requiring a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This she feels leaves many vulnerable to theft, fraud and exploitation. Although, Dienda appreciates banking transformation that has been ongoing over the years and has been brought good success, efficient and convenient banking development, however, it came with an array of possibilities of technology misuse. “How is it even possible for your card to be useful without…

28 Sep

PM advocates for self-renewal of regional councils

ObserverNational NewsCaravan Park in Swakopmund, Erongo Regional Crime Coordinator Erastus IIkuyu, Extra-Ordinary Congress of the Association of Regional Councils (ARC), Saara Kugongelwa-Amahila

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kugongelwa-Amahila has urged regional councils to undergo self-renewal by carrying out promises and programmes in addressing the problems of the people and to look after the interest of their people. Amadhila said that, they must see them through the restructuring of the economy, so that they can meet new challenges, and seize the opportunities ahead as one united people. She was speaking today at the official opening ceremony of the Extra-Ordinary Congress of the Association of Regional Councils (ARC) at mile 4 – Caravan Park in Swakopmund, Erongo Region. The congress will address several key…

Katjimune calls for centralisation of<br>youth programmes into single unit

28 Sep

Katjimune calls for centralisation of
youth programmes into single unit

ObserverNational NewsKunene, Maximalliant Katjimune, National Youth Council in the Erongo, NYC, Omusati, Oshana

Martin Endjala Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Maximalliant Katjimune is calling for a single directorate for youth programmes currently offered by the National Youth Council, the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service as well as the National Youth Service to make youth empowerment initiatives effective. Katjimune was speaking in the National Assembly during which he suggest the possibility of looking at combining the directorate of youth in both entities into one single body to put an end to the duplication of responsibilities, programmes, resources and conflicting policies around the same issues affecting young people. He emphasised that having…

28 Sep

Swanu calls its unrecognised vets,rejects “insulting” Joint Declaration

ObserverNational NewsIssy Tjihoreko, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, rejects “insulting” Joint Declaration, SWANU, Swanu calls its unrecognised vets

Staff Writer SWANU is calling on all its cadres who have not been recognised as veterans, whether they waged the struggle from within or outside the country’s borders, to report to its Veterans’ Department at its headquarters in Katutura, Windhoek. “The war for the liberation of this country was fought from all corners of this country. We are very much aware that there were Swanu comrades inside the country fighting for the liberation of this country, and in the same vein there were also Swanu comrades inside the country fighting for the liberation of this country. Therefore, it cannot only…