City of Windhoek

Dark days loom for Government ministries …as government owes City N$82 million bill

Dark days loom for Government ministries …as government owes City N$82 million bill

Andrew Kathindi The Windhoek Observer can reveal that government is in arrears of over N$82 million to the City of Windhoek (CoW), a position which saw electricity disconnected at more than eight government ministries and agencies on Thursday. Government’s woes are, however, expected to mount as CoW has vowed to continue with disconnection at other ministries next week. “The total debt owned by Government is N$ 82 million to date, although the suspension of electricity services was scheduled to start yesterday (Wednesday), it has only commenced today and will continue next week,” City spokesperson Harold Akwenye said. On the individual…
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LPM digs into CoW over land

LPM digs into CoW over land

Staff Writer The Landless People's Movement (LPM) is accusing the City of Windhoek councillors of not prioritising land delivery in the city despite a high demand and limited supply of houses in the capital. LPM Councillor, Sade Shireen Gawanas, said although the City was currently sitting on thousands of square kilometres of land, which could be used to address the capital’s ballooning housing waiting list, nothing was being done. “Sitting in this council for the past two months, we have noticed that some issues and agendas are being pushed while there is no proper studies, investigations done. The total town…
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CoW moves against colonial statues, street names

CoW moves against colonial statues, street names

Maria Hamutenya City of Windhoek (CoW) is next week set to deliberate on the removal of the Kurt von Francois statue and the changing of colonial street names in the capital. The move comes amid calls for statue removal and name change in some of the city roads, with current CoW Mayor, Job Amupanda having led the charge, calling for the Kurt von Francois statue to be replaced by human rights activist Anna Kakurukaze Mungunda. “The changing of street names still has to go to council for a decision. It was elaborated on at a management committee meeting and yes…
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All ideologues must rally against political sojourn of opportunism

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Indeed very strange bedfellows. This is how Yours Truly Ideologically can sum up the recent horse trading among the various political parties and associations, especially in the City of Windhoek, following the results of the Regional and Local Authority elections. As alluded to in a foregoing installment, these results were not conclusive in terms of returning an overall winner who could make decisive radical transformational decisions. Decisions to deliver in the short term the residents of the City from abject poverty and squalor. And ultimately from the capitalist yoke. The ink on the results of the elections had…
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Ramatex property still under litigation

Ramatex property still under litigation

Helena Johannes After 12 years since the closure of Ramatex Textile Namibia by the Malaysian Ramatex Textile and Garment Factory, the property is still under legal dispute, City of Windhoek Property Manager Sheridan Simpson has revealed. “The sale of Ramatex is still pending before Court,” she said. The liquidators of Ramatex Textile Namibia and the Municipal Council of Windhoek have been involved in litigation since 2009 after the company was placed under provisional liquidation on 8 May 2008, and the newly appointed liquidators informed the City of Windhoek the next day that they elected to continue with the lease although…
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CoW finally approves decongestion plan

CoW finally approves decongestion plan

Helena Johannes The City of Windhoek had finally approved its plan to decongest some Windhoek informal settlements as a Covid19 emergency response measure close to two months after President Hage Geingob gave the directive, despite the number of Covid19 drastically decreasing. “The plan is well on track as I don’t know when exactly, but the plan was approved recently by the city council just this month,” Windhoek Mayor, Fransina Kahungu told the Windhoek Observer. She said the city council has given the mandate to its technical staff to research on places that need to be decongested. “They have started already…
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CoW executive suspended

CoW executive suspended

Staff Writer City of Windhoek Executive in charge of Information & Communication Technology, Reckliff Kandjiriomuini has been placed on suspension by the municipality following allegations of corruption leveled against him. Kandjiriomuini according to media reports, is alleged to have offered Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) Secretary general and City of Windhoek councilor, Brunhilde Cornelius a N$5-6 million bribe through a fellow party member, Nicanor Ndjoze for her to stop opposing the city’s plan to sign an MoU with Chinese tech giant Huawei to implement its 5G network. City of Windhoek Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise confirmed the suspension. “He…
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CoW CEO runs for calmer pastures

It is no wonder that recently resigned City of Windhoek (CoW) Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise has jumped ship. The worse job in Namibia is to be a CEO of a municipality or township or village. Who would choose a toxic work environment with stones being thrown from all sides? The skills-based portion of the CoW CEO job could be attractive to many seasoned, experienced city administrators. But, swimming through the effluent of political nonsense, power struggles, personality minefields, and entrenched long-serving bureaucrats is not worth it. Potential city executives out there who value their sanity, expect affirmation at work,…
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Kahimise offered CENORED top job

Kahimise offered CENORED top job

Staff Writer City of Windhoek Chief Executive Offer, Robert Kahimise has been offered the Central Northern Electricity Distributor (CENORED) top job, a move which could find the municipality without a head if he takes up the offer. The development comes as Kahimise has had a turbulent time as CEO of the municipality, a position which could play a key part in his decision on whether to take up the CENORED offer. “I did receive an offer but I have not resigned,” he told the Windhoek Observer. When quizzed if he planned to take up the offer, Kahimise was tightlipped. “I…
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Namibia investigates 5G rollout

Namibia investigates 5G rollout

Staff Writer Namibia has started the process of investigating the possibility of rolling out 5G technology in the country, with cabinet recently directing the environment ministry to conduct a thorough environmental assessment. “Cabinet directed the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to ensure that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is undertaken and that proper assessment is made, prior to the possible introduction of 5G technology in Namibia,” information minister Peya Mushelenga said. A strategic environmental assessment is a systematic decision support process, aiming to ensure that environmental and possibly other sustainability aspects are considered effectively in policy, plan and program…
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