info_e12wt4cs – Page 21

03 Jun

Tech to boost African heritage conservation

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A regional workshop hosted in Windhoek has brought together African heritage professionals to explore how digital technologies can transform the preservation and management of World Heritage sites. The event, which started on Tuesday, is organised by UNESCO in partnership with the Namibian government and supported by the Government of Flanders in Belgium. Eunice Smith, UNESCO Head of Office and Representative to Namibia, described the workshop as a response to the increasing threats faced by heritage sites across Africa, including climate change, urbanisation and conflict. “Our repeated periods of prolonged drought followed by devastating floods over the past few…

03 Jun

Shame is not a shelter: Why silence protects perpetrators and harms survivors

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Pefimbo Shipunda In the wake of yet another series of brutal acts of violence against women and children in Namibia, a painful truth confronts us: while perpetrators may commit the violence, it is silence that sustains it. Shame is a powerful force in our communities. It silences victims, shields abusers, and prioritises reputation over justice. It tells survivors to keep quiet, not because they are wrong, but because speaking out might bring “dishonour” to their families. It urges communities to downplay what they know and families to “deal with it privately”, often by suppressing the voices of those most harmed.…

03 Jun

Chinese book donation deepens cultural ties

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China will donate 174 books to the National Library of Namibia to promote cultural and educational exchange between the two countries. The official handover ceremony will take place at the Ministry of Education Resource Centre in Windhoek. The Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, will present the books to Erastus Haitengela, the executive director of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Arts, and Culture. According to the ministry, the donation aims to strengthen cultural ties, promote knowledge sharing, and build mutual understanding between China and Namibia. The donated books cover topics…

03 Jun

Namport records growth in cargo throughput

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) recorded a 4.8% increase in cargo throughput for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. A total of 8.42 million tonnes moved through the Ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, up from 8.03 million tonnes the previous year. Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s commercial executive, said in a statement on Tuesday that the growth reflects strong performance across various cargo segments. “The growth demonstrates the sustained strength of Namport’s operations across bulk, break-bulk, containerised, and liquid cargo segments and is attributed to continued cargo diversification, targeted infrastructure enhancements, and strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders,"…

03 Jun

SACU and diamond sales push up import cover

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Justicia Shipena Namibia’s foreign exchange reserves grew by 6.6% in April 2025, reaching N$63.6 billion. This means the country now has enough money saved to pay for about 4.2 months of imports or 5.1 months if one excludes special oil-related imports that are funded from outside. Simonis Storm Securities revealed this in its April 2025 report on private sector credit extension released on Monday. According to Simonis Storm Securities, the rise in reserves is good news for Namibia. “The recovery in reserves reverses the sharp decline seen in March and helps restore external buffers. This improvement strengthens the credibility of…

03 Jun

New investment from Capricorn Foundation tackles malnutrition

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Justicia Shipena The Capricorn Foundation has committed N$2 million to fight malnutrition in the country through two partnerships. It will contribute N$600,000 to the Gondwana MealforTwo Programme and N$1.4 million to Genesis Namibia, focusing on the Omaheke Region. The Omaheke region has been hard hit by malnutrition. In August last year, Governor Pijoo Nganate said the region recorded 30,219 malnutrition cases and over 800 deaths in two financial years. In January of this year, the governor's office and commercial farmers provided 21 goats to support nutrition efforts in the region. The Capricorn Foundation’s new support builds on an earlier partnership…

02 Jun

Sex Workers still waiting for legal reform

info_e12wt4csMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Sex workers in Namibia used International Sex Workers Day on 2 June to renew their call for the government to reform laws that criminalise their work. While exchanging sex for money is not illegal in Namibia, laws under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act and municipal by-laws criminalise related activities. These include public solicitation, brothel operation, procuring sex work, and exposing oneself in public. Deyonce Naris, who identifies as a sex worker, said the current legal setup puts them at risk and prevents them from reporting crimes. “We cannot report crimes committed against us because we are criminalised…

02 Jun

Teachers question jobless registration

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjebo Unemployed teachers in Kavango West have questioned the educator registration for record keeping. The teachers say they are frustrated by the lack of jobs despite numerous registration call outs. This comes after the Regional Council called on all qualified but jobless educators to register with the Directorate of Education, Arts, Culture, Innovation, Youth, and Sport. Teachers are asked to register by subject specialisation before 6 June 2025. Many say the call offers nothing but empty promises. Philipus Kamwi, a qualified teacher unemployed for four years, says the process is misleading. “They give us false hopes. I don’t know…

02 Jun

Health ministry deploys 36 new ambulances nationwide

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services has commissioned 36 new ambulances to improve emergency medical care across Namibia. The vehicles were officially put into service on Monday in Windhoek. Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the new fleet is part of efforts to strengthen the country’s public healthcare system. “These vehicles symbolise our resolute commitment to saving lives and strengthening our healthcare system,” she said at the commissioning ceremony. The ambulances will be sent to health facilities in both urban areas and rural communities. Luvindao stressed the importance of a quick response in medical emergencies. “These ambulances…

02 Jun

Occupational safety and health contemporary issues: A call for restorative justice

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Opinions

Lazarus Kwedhi The government, through the Tripartite Committee—comprising representatives from the state, employers, and employees—is currently drafting the Occupational Safety and Health Bill (OSH Bill). Once completed, the bill will be gazetted as an Act of Parliament. This Act will provide the legal and administrative framework to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for every employee, including a mechanism for dispute resolution and compliance with the OSH Act. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is not a new concept in the Namibian labour market. It was incorporated in Chapter 4 of the Namibian Labour Act, 2007 (Act No. 11 of…