info_e12wt4cs – Page 224

01 Sep

Parties silent about election agendas

info_e12wt4csMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political parties have remained largely unresponsive to questions about their strategies for tackling national issues ahead of the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Despite inquiries sent by the Windhoek Observer between August 23 and 28 on topics such as poverty, food security, and court backlogs, the majority of parties offered little to no response. The publication also sought to understand their plans regarding renewable energy, infrastructure, basic education, and the decriminalisation of sex work but received sparse feedback. Marius !Goraseb, secretary general of the All People’s Party (APP), said the media should wait for their manifesto launch,…

01 Sep

MUN leadership calls for an end to internal strife

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has responded with concern and disappointment to a media statement allegedly issued by the union’s Western Region office under the leadership of Abiud Kapere. The union’s acting president, Mathews Mberiuana, in a statement released on Friday, accused Kapere of making "calculatedly misleading" claims intended to sow discord within the union and challenge its foundational principles. Mberiuana condemned Kapere's statement, saying that it contains serious allegations that could foster regionalism and undermine the internal social cohesion that the MUN is committed to as a member-centric organisation. The…

01 Sep

Windhoek woman’s fight for motherhood and survival

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera Wilika Frai endured endometriosis, a chronic and often painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus for more than ten years. This condition can cause severe pain, especially during menstruation, and can lead to fertility issues. Frai, who was born and raised in Katutura, faced years of ridicule for not having a child during her marriage. In 1992, she married veteran broadcaster Andreas Frai, whom she met in Rundu while working as a typing teacher at Dr. Romanus Kampungu. It took 11 years for her to conceive. During that period, friends…

01 Sep

Namibia is still mpox-free

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBen Nangombe, mpox cases

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed that Namibia remains free of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases. This announcement released by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry on Friday, comes after thorough testing of 18 suspected cases, all of which returned negative results. According to Nangombe, the ministry has been closely monitoring the mpox situation in the southern African region and across Africa. “The 18 suspected cases, which presented symptoms suggestive of mpox, were promptly tested. While the results for 15 of these cases were received earlier, the ministry has now received the results for…

01 Sep

Swapo will challenge the suspension of three Walvis Bay councillors

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlbertina Nkoshi, Ephraim Shozi, Paulus Kauhondhomwa

Martin Endjala The Erongo region district coordinator of Swapo, Daniel Muhuura, said the party will challenge the suspension of its three representatives on the Walvis Bay Town Council. Muhuura's response comes after the mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes announced the suspension of three Swapo councillors, Ephraim Shozi, Albertina Nkoshi, and Paulus Kauhondhomwa for the entire month of September. “We definitely don't take it lightly. We will not sit idle. We will challenge it. And get to the bottom of the matter,” said Muhuura. Swapo’s district coordinator of information of the Walvis Bay urban constituency, Claudius Aikera, said the suspension…

01 Sep

NUDO’s interim committee clashes with party leadership over control

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBenestus Tjizapouzeu, Joseph Kauandenge

Martin Endjala The interim committee of the National United Democratic Organisation (NUDO) has denied forcefully taking over the party's head office and party affairs. Reports surfaced on Friday that Benestus Tjizapouzeu's interim leadership committee had taken control of the party's head office after changing the building's locks on 29 August. “We did not take the office by force. We found the office open and abandoned. Luckily nothing was broken, and we informed them that we changed the padlocks,” said Tjizapouzeu. The events are unfolding as the party battles with leadership challenges, which also led to the election of its elective…

01 Sep

Shaningwa demands retraction and apology from Shipwikineni

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has asked the High Court to direct Reinhold Shipwikineni to retract the communication and unconditionally tender an apology to the party. She said this in her answering affidavit to the court, in response to the High Court's directive for the party to oppose Shipwikineni and others' application by 30 August. Shipwikineni and others challenged the party's decision to extend the extraordinary congress to next year in court, as well as the legitimacy of vice president Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah's 2024 presidential election candidacy. Shaningwa said the application by Shipwikineni is evident that his actual…

01 Sep

NBL exits O&L Group retirement fund

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Martin Endjala The Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) will exit the Ohlthaver and List (O&L) Group as of 1 October. This was announced last week by O&L in a notice to the employees of NBL. “We wish to inform you that NBL will exit the O&L retirement fund as of 1 October. As such, all NBL employees will no longer form part of the fund as from this date,” read the notice. NBL is no longer part of the O&L Group of companies following its acquisition by Heineken International in a transition that was approved in April 2023. The group said…

01 Sep

Lung sickness outbreak in Opuwo contained

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsDirectorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, Opuwo State Veterinary

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has lifted all restrictions previously imposed following an outbreak of lung sickness in cattle in the Opuwo State Veterinary District of the Kunene region. The chief veterinary officer at the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, said in a statement released on Friday that the decision follows the successful containment and management of the disease by the directorate. According to Shoopala, the outbreak, which was first reported on 1 July in a herd of cattle at Okapundja village, prompted immediate and effective action. “The Directorate of Veterinary Services swiftly…

29 Aug

Rural constituencies in Zambezi region struggling with water crisis

info_e12wt4csMainJudea Lyaboloma Constituency

Martin Endjala The prevalence of water challenges is increasing for rural communities in the Zambezi Region due to ageing infrastructure and depleted water supply. This is according to Judea Lyaboloma Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai, who confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Dival, most rural communities in the constituency and other parts of the Zambezi Region do not have enough water services because of limited availability and administrative problems. He said failure to maintain and repair dried-out boreholes is among the biggest challenges. “Rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes,…