Observer

6064 Posts
Government spends more than N$114m on construction of fire stations

Government spends more than N$114m on construction of fire stations

Martin Endjala The government through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development spent more than N$114 million on the construction of fire stations to date across the country, and a total of 34 local authorities have benefited from the support and capacity development and disaster management programme. According to Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni, local authorities have a legal obligation to establish and maintain effective fire and emergency services at all times.Uutoni said this at the inauguration of the fire station of the Rehoboth Town Council on Monday which was built to the tune of N$4.1 million, the…
Read More
Venaani calls for a collective resolution to fight hunger

Venaani calls for a collective resolution to fight hunger

Stefanus Nashama As food insecurity continues to threaten some areas in Namibia, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, contends that the hunger crisis in the country qualifies as an exasperating matter that requires a collective resolution. While advising other lawmakers, politicians and leaders to put aside their political differences, he reiterated that only a united Namibia would exonerate hunger in the country. “The hunger crisis in Namibia is not a matter that can be solved by any one party, individual or organisation. It is a c stics are also substantiated by the World Health Organisation, which reveals Namibia currently…
Read More
ECN refutes allegations of inconsistency in new system

ECN refutes allegations of inconsistency in new system

Stefanus Nashama The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has strongly denied allegations made by the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) regarding the consistency of the new integrated election system. ECN’s Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Peter Shaama, stressed that the 2024 integrated election system is both valid and transparent, asserting its functionality. In a statement issued by LPM Representative, Ivan Skrywer, concerns were raised about inconsistencies in the new integrated election system, which allegedly involved local high school learners while sidelining ECN officials who played a crucial role in its design. Skrywer also claimed that ECN officials were kept in the…
Read More
Khomas Regional Council charts a new course for citizen satisfaction

Khomas Regional Council charts a new course for citizen satisfaction

Niël Terblanché The Khomas Regional Council has convened in Swakopmund for a critical mid-year review, where they assessed their accomplishments in the first two quarters of the year and contemplated the challenges faced in their pursuit of citizen satisfaction. Council Chairman, Shaalukeni John Moonde, set the tone for the session by emphasizing the need for the council to stay true to the aspirations of the region’s residents and channel their energy and resources toward meeting citizen expectations. “Our government has identified priority areas to uplift our people from poverty and underdevelopment. Our plans and strategies are all aligned with national…
Read More
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State visits Namibia to strengthen bilateral relations

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State visits Namibia to strengthen bilateral relations

Niël Terblanché Moly Phee, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, paid a courtesy call on President Hage Geingob at State House earlier this week, as part of her four-day visit to Namibia. The primary aim of her visit is to bolster and deepen the already strong relations between Namibia and the United States. During their meeting, Phee expressed her appreciation to President Geingob for his exceptional leadership, significant contributions to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and his vital role within the African Union in addressing governance challenges across the continent. She also commended the President…
Read More
Structural changes and administrativereforms yield positive results

Structural changes and administrativereforms yield positive results

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises has embarked on a comprehensive reform initiative of the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS), resulting in the recovery of N$43 million. According to Wilson Shikoto, the spokesperson of the Finance Ministry, PSEMAS has had unsustainable expenditure patterns over the years, prompting a need for structural changes to ensure its long-term viability. “The unsustainable escalation of expenditures in recent years prompted the government to undertake a holistic reform effort,” Shikoto said in a statement. He indicated that a consortium of consultants with extensive expertise in the industry was engaged to provide…
Read More
Urban ministry owes CoW more than N$100 million

Urban ministry owes CoW more than N$100 million

Hertta-Maria Amutenja City of Windhoek (CoW) leadership has revealed that the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development owes the city over N$100 million, adding to the capital city’s ongoing fiscal challenges. This revelation comes alongside the approval of the city’s 2023/24 budget, which has grown to a substantial N$5 billion. “The ministry owes us N$ 110 million including interest. They have committed to repay it. We are expecting an answer soon on what will be refunded,” said CoW Strategic executive for Finance and Customer Services, Jennifer Comalie. Mayor Joseph Uapingene emphasised that the approved budget serves as evidence of the…
Read More
Artist in the spotlight: Pekelatate Haindongo

Artist in the spotlight: Pekelatate Haindongo

Who are you, where are you from and how did you get into the arts and the photography industry? I am Pekelatate Haindongo, a full time photographer based in Swakopmund. In 2018 my big brother acquired a small camera, that ended up spending more time in my hands and that’s when I grew fond of photography, and seemingly, having little time for anything else. At some point, it might have been an obsession. What is your earliest memory of you being creative?I guess I have been creative for as long I can remember. I was a decent drawer from my…
Read More
MTC dedicates ‘knockout’ project towards Brave Warriors’ journey to AFCON

MTC dedicates ‘knockout’ project towards Brave Warriors’ journey to AFCON

Staff Writer Premier digital enabler, MTC Namibia, through its annual innovative initiative, the MTC Knockout Project, has this year resolved to dedicate the flagship social project to the senior national team the Tafel Lager Brave Warriors as they prepare for AFCON 2024. The Knockout Project, which in its’ three editions raised money to sensitize and create dialogue around GBV, then continued to raise funds to build affordable housing for the homeless, before bolstering TVET students and upcoming gardeners to aid in food security, will this year lobby for financial support amongst corporates to bolster the Brave Warriors on their campaign…
Read More
Groundbreaking ceremony marks Namibia’s path to green iron production

Groundbreaking ceremony marks Namibia’s path to green iron production

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Minister in the Presidency, Christine //Hoebes, underscored Namibia’s commitment to addressing the universal challenge of climate change. “As we stand here in the majestic landscape of the Namib Desert, we are celebrating a project that will bring us a step closer to achieving this goal. The HyIron Oshivela project has the potential to contribute towards the decarbonisation of the planet while positioning Namibia at the forefront of the green industrial transition. In addition to that, because of this project, Namibia will become the first country in the world to produce green iron, which is iron produced at zero…
Read More