info_e12wt4cs – Page 213

08 Sep

Doreen Sioka calls it quits

info_e12wt4csMain

Ester Mbathera Veteran politician and minister of gender equality, poverty eradication, and social welfare, Doreen Sioka, has announced her decision not to return to parliament in 2025, bringing an end to her long and illustrious political career. She shared this with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday at the Swapo electoral college in Windhoek. “Enough is enough. One should call it quits. From the age of 15, I've been a politician. Now I'm 64 years old. I want to give the young ones a chance to take over,” she said. Sioka explained the importance of nurturing new leadership and pointed to…

08 Sep

A possible re-run for Presidency after November elections

info_e12wt4csOpinionsrerun of the presidential race

Stefanus Nashama As Namibia approaches the 27 November elections, the question for a rerun of the presidential race is critical. This is possible since more votes might be split amongst political parties and independent candidates- those who stood on their own. The establishment of political parties such as the Independent Patriots for Change, IPC (a threat not only to SWAPO but other opposition political parties) and Affirmative Repositioning, AR, and independent candidates have brought yet another new political concept to the Namibian political system. SWAPO was more on a safer chance of winning elections without the existence of IPC and…

08 Sep

“I have no favourites.” – Nandi-Ndaitwah

info_e12wt4csMainPOT

Ester Mbathera As the Swapo Party prepares to finalise its candidate list for the National Assembly 2025-2029, the organisation’s vice president and presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, expressed the need for unity and comradeship among the delegates to the electoral college. Nandi-Ndaitwah said this at the opening of the party’s highly anticipated electoral college, often referred to as the "POT,” on Sunday in Windhoek. “I will continue to tell you, that you are all my favourites and that we must continue to have that and work as a team. Therefore, besides the difficult task before us, it must be done, and…

08 Sep

Kauandenge defends NUDO leadership choices amid factional dispute

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBarry Rukoro, Ester Muinjangue, Joseph Kauandenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Unity Democratic Organisation’s (NUDO) Joseph Kauandenge said the party leadership will not hand over power through force but through a peaceful process to a legitimately elected person at a legitimate congress, as per the party constitution. Kauandenge made these remarks on Sunday in response to a congress that another party faction had organised on Saturday. He announced that the party's current leadership, led by its president, Ester Muinjangue, converged at a meeting on Sunday morning to discuss, amongst other issues, the congress held in the name of Nudo by a small splinter group claiming legitimacy. ‘’Usually,…

08 Sep

Working mothers failed by Namibia’s maternity leave policy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHuman rights activist Linda Baumann, Namibia’s maternity leave system

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Gender activists have expressed concerns about Namibia’s maternity leave system, which they claim is failing to support working mothers and violating legal provisions. According to the activists, many women only receive 50% of their basic wage during maternity leave, despite Namibian law entitling them to up to 100% of their monthly salary, capped at N$15 000. In addition, the activists are calling for immediate policy reforms to address these disparities, increased awareness of women’s legal rights, and stronger enforcement of existing laws to hold employers accountable. Human rights activist Linda Baumann criticised the current practice, calling it “a…

08 Sep

Reduction of wages can only be done by consensus

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJob Munairo, Justina Jonas, Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW)

Martin Endjala The fear of employers reducing the wages of employees amid the new national wage structure is rising but such changes could only be affected after an agreement was reached between workers' unions and individual employers. Job Munairo the general secretary of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), said the normal practice as per the law before any employer decides to cut employees salaries is still in effect. He said this last week while responding to questions sent to him by the Windhoek Observer. He said employers ought to first notify the labour commission or the union about…

08 Sep

Namibia broadens diplomatic ties with seven new countries

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBelize, Cabinet decisions, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Federal Democratic Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Tajikistan

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia is broadening its international relations by establishing diplomatic ties with seven new nations. Last week, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology Emma Theofelus announced Cabinet decisions made at the 15th Cabinet meeting of 2024. ‘’Cabinet directed the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation to develop friendly relations and promote economic and political cooperation between the Republic of Namibia and Belize, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, the Federal Democratic Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal,’’ said Theofelus. She said…

08 Sep

Arandis launches ambitious strategic plan

info_e12wt4csNational NewsArandis Town Council, global hydrogen hub

Niël Terblanché The Arandis Town Council has launched its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, unveiling a blueprint aimed at guiding the town toward industrialisation, green hydrogen development, and joint venture participation. The plan, launched at a special event in Swakopmund last week, is seen as a key instrument to promote sustainable economic growth in the Erongo region. At the launch, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Eveline !Nawases-Taeyele highlighted the town's achievements under its previous strategic plan. She said notable milestones included the construction of 136 houses, innovative solutions to reduce pensioner debt, and the introduction of prepaid water meters. “These…

08 Sep

Africa’s largest desalination plant will be built in Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChina General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)

Niël Terblanché The China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has committed to building Africa's largest desalination plant in Namibia after an agreement in this regard was signed between Namibia and China. The project expected to significantly alleviate the country's water shortages With construction set to begin later this year, the plant, located in the Erongo region, is poised to deliver up to 25 million cubic metres of desalinated water annually upon completion in 2026. The agreement was reached after Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform, announced that the Namibian government gave the go-ahead to construct a…

08 Sep

China commits N$1 billion to build housing for NamPol

info_e12wt4csNational News9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed N$1 billion to assist the Namibian government in building houses for police officers. Namibian presidency press secretary, Alfredo Hengari said this over the weekend while providing an update on President Nangolo Mbumba’s recent visit to China. Hengari said the Chinese leader pledged this during the bilateral talks with Mbumba at the side of the 2024 Summit of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, China. ‘’During the talks, President Xi also availed close to N$500 million in grants for future projects. Additionally, the government of China committed close to N$50 million…