Observer – Page 209 – Windhoek Observer

31 Aug

WHO Secretary-General engages in bilateral talks during Namibian visit

ObserverNational NewsDr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Secretary-General engages in bilateral talks during Namibian visit

Niël Terblanché Namibia on Wednesday welcomed the Secretary General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on a consequential two-day visit. At the start of the visit, Dr Ghebreyesus paid a courtesy call to President Hage Geingob at State House. President Geingob commended the WHO’s commitment to global health concerns and acknowledged Dr Ghebreyesus’s exceptional leadership within the organisation. The visit is characterised by a series of significant engagements with top officials, aimed at reinforcing collaborative efforts in tackling global health challenges and celebrating Namibia’s achievements in healthcare advancements. Dr Ghebreyesus praised President Geingob’s steadfast leadership and…

31 Aug

Proposed bills threaten privacy rights

ObserverNational NewsProposed bills threaten privacy rights

Niël Terblanché Namibia is currently grappling with a concerning predicament because bills aimed at intensifying the monitoring of digital communications are in the works and will give various authorities unprecedented access to private correspondence. A recent analysis of these proposed bills by the Economic Policy Research Association (ERPA) has shed light on the potential implications, raising alarm bells about the erosion of constitutional rights and personal privacy. ERPA, in an exhaustive examination of the forthcoming bills, has voiced apprehensions about the trajectory the nation might take. One of the primary concerns highlighted in the ERPA report is that heightened surveillance…

31 Aug

NAMCOL opens criminal case againstformer employee over missing funds

ObserverNational NewsNAMCOL Chief Executive Officer, Open Learning (NAMCOL)

Stefanus Nashama Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), has opened a criminal case with the Namibian Police against one of former employees over N$305,770.00 that went missing from the institution. Last week, Windhoek Observer reported that NAMCOL Chief Executive Officer, Heroldt Murangi, admitted to an ongoing internal investigation of misappropriated funds at the institution, and promised to provide a full report on the matter. However, yesterday NAMCOL Public Relations Officer, Laimi Mbago, issued a statement saying that a criminal case has been opened with the Police, which is evidence of NAMCOL’s commitment to upholding zero-tolerance for theft, fraud and corruption.…

31 Aug

African Energy Week set to attract more investors for Namibia

ObserverNational NewsAfrican Energy Week set to attract more investors for Namibia

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob as the opening keynote speaker at the highly anticipated African Energy Week (AEW) 2023, will once again highlight Namibia’s investment potential. The gathering is slated to take place from October 16 to 20 in Cape Town and promises to bring together global industry leaders and policymakers to deliberate on the paramount issues surrounding energy poverty, sustainability, and market growth. President Geingob’s address will align with AEW’s overarching theme, focusing on the ‘African Energy Renaissance.’ At the heart of President Geingob’s address lies Namibia’s vision for an energy renaissance. According to the organisers of the event,…

31 Aug

New farmer’s market will support a charitable cause

ObserverNational News

Residents of Walvis Bay are looking forward to the very first Narraville Spring Farmers Market that will take place over the coming weekend. According to Chere-Lee Diergaardt, the organiser of the market, the event will host about 30 stalls where entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to showcase their products but also support a good cause. She added that the event would take place in the central park of Narraville and is slated to start at 10:00 on Saturday 2 September 2023. “We have already booked 23 stalls and we have quite a few people for the community that are either…

31 Aug

Alweendo proposes employee share schemes in mining companies

ObserverMainAlweendo proposes employee share schemes in mining companies, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Minister of Mines and Energy

Martin Endjala Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has called on the mining sector to do more and consider introducing employee share schemes in the ownership of the company. Alweendo said among the benefits of employee share schemes is a stronger relationship with employers and that they will be motivated to work diligently in the interest of the company. The minister made these remarks during the official opening of the 2023 mining expo in the Capital yesterday under the theme “Namibia’s role in the sustainable supply of minerals to support the global energy transition”. He emphasised the fact that…

30 Aug

SAPP and MSB access guide launched to boost energy trading market

ObserverEnergyNamibia Electricity Control Board (ECB), SAPP and MSB access guide launched to boost energy trading market

Martin Endjala Namibia Electricity Control Board (ECB), NamPower and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) have launched the modified single buyer market access guide to support Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The launch which took place in Windhoek this week, aims to access the national and regional energy trading market, with support from the European Union programme. Executive Officer in the Ministry of Mines and Energy Bryan Eiseb, who was speaking at the launch said the modified single buyer allows for new tech ability of electricity supply which allows local authority, regional and electricity customers to buy from IPPs both on…

30 Aug

State drops charges against Parliamentarian Hengari

ObserverNational Newsdue to a lack of evidence surrounding her case., Inna Hengari, The State last week withdrew charges against Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament

Stefanus Nashama The State last week withdrew charges against Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Inna Hengari, due to a lack of evidence surrounding her case. According to a court document seen by Windhoek Observer, the matter against Hengari was withdrawn as there is no prima facie case, and her N$5 000 bail was refunded. Henagri faced charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and incitement to public violence. This follows after she was arrested along with activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, during an attempt to protest against high unemployment countrywide on 21 March 2023. Hengari yesterday told…

30 Aug

Parliament praises Türkiye’s support for digital transformation

ObserverNational NewsParliament praises Türkiye’s support for digital transformation

Stefanus Nashama National Assembly Speaker, Porfessor Peter Katjavivi, has acknowledged Türkiye’s efforts to render support for digital transformation in Namibian Parliament through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Katjavivi made the compliment when Turkish Ambassador, Feral Oruçkaptan, and TIKA Country Coordinator, Anydin Apaydin paid a courtesy call to him at Parliament yesterday. According to Katjavivi, TIKA is currently assisting the National Assembly in its quest for digital transformation by digitalising its conference rooms, through the recently launched e-parliament strategy. TIKA is an agency of the Turkish government focusing on development cooperation in Namibia. “We are extremely grateful that Turkey,…

30 Aug

Creative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive

ObserverNational NewsCreative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite most industries getting financial assistance from the Government to help them survive during the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals were left to fend for themselves as they did not benefit from the Economic Stimulus and Relief Package. Speaking at a panel discussion on Social Protection for Artists and Cultural Professionals in Windhoek yesterday, Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture Faustina Caley, shed light on the struggles faced by the creative sector. “Many creative businesses did not benefit from the stimulus package,” Caley lamented, explaining that micro businesses functioning in the arts, culture and heritage…