Observer Money – Page 161 – Windhoek Observer

16 Feb

Swapo divisions re-emerge over Air Namibia

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, Henning Melber, Leon Jooste, Ndumba Kamwanyah, Onurair, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Divisions in ruling Swapo’s party have once again resurfaced in light of the Air Namibia matter after a Swapo’s parliamentary caucus has demanded the reversal of a decision made by a Swapo-led Cabinet on the liquidation of Air Namibia. This comes as Swapo affiliated National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) along with several other unions have planned a mass public demonstration against government’s decision to liquidate the airline this week. “This just is a sign of the party internal disarray. A significant number of higher-ranking party officials are in government and Cabinet positions. Hence it could have been…

12 Feb

NAC plans N$1.3bn investments

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Airports Company (NAC)

Staff Writer The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) says it plans to invest over N$1.3 billion in infrastructure development across all eight airports within the next five years. Some of the projects lined up include the N$70 million Apron Expansion of Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA); N$16 million for a CUTE System for Hosea Kutako; N$16 million Ondangwa Apron Rehabilitation; N$32 million Katima Mulilo Runway Holding Action; N$10 million Walvis Bay Airside Boundary Wall; N$4 million Walvis Bay Electronic Equipment and a N$4 million Hosea Kutako road upgrade. The plans, according to the operator of the country’s airports, is aimed at…

12 Feb

Grade 11 Unam admission prospects crushed

ObserverObserver MoneyFrednard Gideon, National Senior Secondary Ordinary (NSSCO), NSSCAS, Professor Kenneth Matengu, Unam Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Unam Vice Chancellor

Maria Hamutenya University admission prospects for grade 11 students who applied to the University of Namibia (Unam) were finally crushed on Thursday. Unam Vice Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu, questioned the quality of curriculum and their ability to handle tertiary education. “The curriculum is not deep enough for students to be ready for admission into university. The understanding was and still is that the basic education curriculum would be revised and improved to the level of advanced subsidiary to allow those who wish to pursue university education to progress from grade 11 level 3 to National Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary…

12 Feb

Jooste calls Sisa’s bluff

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Challenge Air, Public Enterprises minister Leon Jooste, Sisa Namandje, TransNamib

Andrew Kathindi Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste, has dismissed threats by Challenge Air representative, Lawyer Sisa Namandje, to seize assets of state-owned TransNamib, if government proceeds with the voluntary liquidation of Air Namibia. According to Namandje the Arbitration Awards made on 6 August, 2008 and 4 August, 2011 in Europe, were jointly against Air Namibia and TransNamib. Air Namibia was incorporated into TransNamib up until the late 1990s, which was around the time when the airline entered into the lease agreement with Challenge Air. “I saw the letter that was circulated today. We discussed this with TransNamib some time ago…

11 Feb

Unam’s admission stance condemned

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia National Students Organisation (NANSO), UNAM, Unam Vice-Chancellor Professor Kenneth Matengu

Maria Hamutenya Student representative organisations say they are dismayed by the University of Namibia (Unam)’s decision not to accept grade 11 learners under the new curriculum. Unam Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu, was recorded being adamant that the institution will never admit grade 11 students. This is despite the government’s announcement that such student are now eligible for university admittance. “It is common cause that the curriculum was designed and implemented in such a way that a learner may choose to exit school in grade 11 or 12 (subject to set criteria). Moreover, it is common cause that the new grade…

11 Feb

Health Ministry tight lipped on AstraZeneca vaccine

ObserverObserver MoneyAstraZeneca, Ben Nangombe, Covid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) remains tightlipped on whether Namibia is still going ahead to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine later this month. Or if it will opt out of the deal after it was found to be highly ineffective against a new variant of the virus, known as 501.V2, discovered in South Africa late last year. The lack of an official position by the ministry, comes after a technical team in the government department met this Monday to discuss the AstraZeneca vaccine following findings on its ineffectiveness by South African health officials. “If at…

10 Feb

Opposition MPs fume over virtual address

ObserverObserver MoneyMcHenry Venaani, president Hage Geingob

Maria Hamutenya Drama ensued in Parliament on Tuesday after President Hage Geingob officially opened Parliament remotely, a position which did not go down well with members of the opposition. The development resulted in opposition party members walking out of the National Assembly Chamber arguing that they have not been consulted about the President addressing them virtually. Popular Democratic Movement leader, McHenry Venaani, said COVID-19 cannot be viewed as an unforeseen circumstance, because arrangements were made and how many people should be in the house to accommodate the President. “Why did the President not come? That it is threatening [to] our…

10 Feb

Geingob welcomes Parly action on GBV

ObserverObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob officially opened the 3rd Session of the 7th Parliament on Tuesday. He welcomed the planned tabling of the Combating of Rape Amendment Bill and the Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Bill, as government moves to implement stiffer penalties and sentences for offenders. “A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its women and children is a nation, which can never ascend to the lofty heights of prosperity. Crimes that are aimed at women and children, often in the most brutal fashion, have become persistent in our society, with devastating consequences. This cannot be tolerated. I…

10 Feb

De Klerk’s immunity plans dashed

ObserverObserver MoneyMeren De Klerk

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Meren De Klerk’s plans to evade prosecution for his role in the Fishrot corruption scandal by offering himself as a State Witness have been dashed. Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa has revealed that she would only consider his offer after he has been convicted for his role. “We are bound by the Criminal Procedure Act. De Klerk is someone that I have indicted. So as an accused person, the process has begun. If he is to plead guilty, I can’t deny him (to be a state witness),” told Windhoek Observer. According to the PG, de Klerk would need to…

09 Feb

Health Ministry scrambles after AstraZeneca vaccine failure

ObserverObserver MoneyAstraZeneca, COVAX, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is scrambling for answers after it emerged that the AstraZeneca vaccine, the same vaccine Namibia is expected to receive through the COVAX facility, is not as effective against the new variant of COVID-19. MOHSS Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, told Windhoek Observer that the ministry’s technical team is meeting urgently. AstraZeneca is manufactured by a British–Swedish pharmaceutical company. "My technical team is discussing the matter right now in the context of those developments. We will then issue a position and the way forward, based on the available information. We are dealing…