Observer – Page 156 – Windhoek Observer

21 Nov

Fisheries ministry urged to review fishing moratorium in Zambezi

ObserverNational NewsFisheries ministry urged to review fishing moratorium in Zambezi

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been urged to review the seasonal fishing moratorium imposed in the Zambezi Region. The call comes as the ban is seen as ineffective and is depriving Namibians of their livelihoods while neighbouring countries allow their citizens to continue fishing. Tjekero Tweya, Chairperson of the Parliament Standing Committee on Natural Resources, made these recommendations in a recent report submitted to the National Assembly. He pointed out that the ban, which is traditionally enforced each season to allow fish stocks to recover, only applies to the Namibian side of the river. In…

21 Nov

Nkurenkuru town council urged to finalise strategic plan

ObserverNational NewsNkurenkuru town council urged to finalise strategic plan

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia’s Auditor-General, Junias Kandjeke has strongly advised the Nkurenkuru Town Council to expedite the finalisation of its Strategic Plan and the implementation of a Performance Management System. Kandjeke said the urgency stems from the need to ensure the achievement of strategic objectives and the comprehensive documentation thereof. The recommendation comes as part of the Auditor-General’s report on the accounts of the town council for the financial year ending on 30 June 2022. The report notes that while the Council has a draft Strategic Plan covering the said financial period and operationalised its Performance Management System on 1 July…

21 Nov

Beneficiaries receive N$18 million worth of houses

ObserverNational NewsBeneficiaries receive N$18 million worth of houses

Stefanus Nashama The Government, in collaboration with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE), has officially handed over 50 houses to beneficiaries in Omuthiya, located in the Oshikoto Region The homes were constructed at a cost of N$18 million. During the official handover ceremony held yesterday, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, emphasized that providing housing to families reflects the government’s commitment to addressing housing challenges through various initiatives. “We continue to make a positive impact through NHE, the Build Together Program, Shack Dwellers Federation, informal settlement upgrading, and the Mass Housing Development Programme, which we are determined to…

21 Nov

DRC residents celebrate World Toilet Day

ObserverNational NewsDRC residents celebrate World Toilet Day

Niël Terblanché The community of the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund has for the first time in the history of Namibia, participated in celebrating World Toilet Day. This celebration signifies a leap towards achieving sanitary standards that align with global norms. Dr Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, represented Dr Kalumbi Shangula at the official launch of the occasion. Dr. Muinjangue stressed that World Toilet Day is an annual United Nations Observance, which promotes global awareness and action to address the sanitation crisis affecting over 2.5 billion people worldwide. “For too long, sanitation and toilets…

21 Nov

The new Basic Education Act commences

ObserverMainThe new Basic Education Act commences

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, has commenced with the new Basic Education Act, 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020), replacing the Education Act 2001 (Act No. 16 of 2001), which became outdated. Announcing the commencement of the new Act last week in Windhoek, Minister Ester Nghipondoka, stressed that the guiding principles of the new Act aim to promote and regulate free and compulsory basic education in the country. “This new Education Act addresses not only basic education but also adult education and lifelong learning, reflecting the diverse needs of our society,” she said. According to the…

20 Nov

Exclusive interview with Dr Julita-Kitwe Mbangula, Medical doctor, Beauty Queen, Vice National Director, Creative and Content creator

ObserverFeaturedBeauty Queen, Exclusive interview with Dr Julita-Kitwe Mbangula, Medical doctor, Vice National Director

Who is Dr Julita-Kitwe Mbangula? Julita is a young woman born in Ongwediva but the place I call home is a small village called Okatana.I come from very a humble background and I romanticize it because I’ve truly been shaped my circumstances and it’s the reason why I have such great ambitions. I’m a qualified medical doctor however I’m involved in many other things that spark my interest. I’m heavily intertwined in beauty pageants, creative spaces and all things girl power. I’m just a young woman navigating my way through life. Where did you do your schooling?I started school at…

20 Nov

Environmental Clearance Certification is vulnerable to corruption: Auditor General

ObserverNational NewsEnvironmental Clearance Certificates (ECC), Environmental Clearance Certification is vulnerable to corruption: Auditor General

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia’s Auditor General Junias Kandjeke has warned that the Information System used to control, review and approve Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECC) in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism are not effective in avoiding the risk of fraud and corruption either internally or externally. “There are weak controls in place regarding granting and revoking access rights, system password length and complexities, segregation of duties, change of management on the IT system, back-up policies and user access rights,” said Kandjeke. This is contained in the Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Plans and Environmental Clearance Certificates within the Ministry of…

20 Nov

August Twenty-Six Construction addresses remuneration issues

ObserverNational NewsAugust Twenty-Six Construction addresses remuneration issues

Niël Terblanché August Twenty-Six Construction has stepped forward to address labor-related concerns surrounding their emergency construction project awarded by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. The project initiated through Direct Procurement as per the Procurement Act of 2015, involves the construction of 534 Classroom Blocks and 74 Ablution Blocks across Namibia, with a targeted completion date in June 2023. Colonel Martha Endjala, speaking on behalf of the company, revealed that 97 percent of the construction projects have already been successfully completed and handed over to the client. However, the company acknowledged an isolated incident that came to their attention…

20 Nov

EU provides N$6.5m to empower San communities

ObserverNational NewsEU provides N$6.5m to empower San communities

Martin Endjala The European Union (EU) has recently disbursed N$6.5 million for the launch of a new EU-funded project to empower San communities to have access to legal capacity building and human rights among others. The European Union in collaboration with the Legal Assistance Centre and other relevant stakeholders will run the project for a period of three years. EU Ambassador to Namibia, Ana-Beatriz Martins, explained that the San people are facing profound challenges, ranging from land dispossession, discrimination, socio-economic marginalisation, loss of cultural heritage, limited access to education, health disparities and environmental pressures. “The main aim of the project…

20 Nov

Reducing the scourge of road fatalities during the festive season is crucial

ObserverNational NewsReducing the scourge of road fatalities during the festive season is crucial, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku

Martin Endjala Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) Chief Executive Officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, has reaffirmed the fund and its stakeholders’ commitment to ensuring that road crashes are reduced to zero during the upcoming festive season. “The importance of Festive Season Road Safety Campaign as a tool to minimise road casualties cannot be over-emphasised. In recognition of the government’s effort and commitment to fight the scourge on our roads, we pledge our commitment”. Martins-Hausiku said this during the launch of the 2023 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign on Friday at Swakopmund in the Erongo region under the theme “Do the Right Thing”.…