Windhoek Observer – Page 241 – Windhoek Observer

11 May

Shoprite defends its labour practices amid an ongoing dispute

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Shoprite reiterated that the company is committed to fair labour practices as Freshmark Namibia drivers continue to accuse the company of unfair treatment and lack of union recognition. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer, Shoprite stated: “The Group holds a long-standing view that all employees are entitled to reasonable and decent working conditions. The company guides its dealings with employees with the principles of fairness, transparency, and respect, adhering to prevailing labour legislation.” Drivers recently raised concerns over the company’s refusal to recognise the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU). They said this violates their right to freedom…

11 May

Kauandenge criticises free tertiary education as a PR exercise

Featured, National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Joseph Kauandenge, president of the newly formed Association for Localised Interests (ASOLI), has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of free tertiary education in addressing high unemployment among graduates.. This comes after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced in her State of the Nation Address last month that university fees will be scrapped from 2026. Kauandenge welcomed the government's decision to offer free tertiary education starting next year. He, however, questioned its practicality and its potential to benefit young people. He pointed out that while access to education may be an issue for some, the bigger problem lies in the thousands…

11 May

12 May proposed as National Tree Planting Day

National News

Niël Terblanché The Sam Nujoma Foundation has proposed that 12 May, the birthday of Namibia’s Founding President, be declared National Tree Planting Day to honour his legacy as an environmentalist and advocate for sustainable development. In a statement issued by former prime minister and chairperson of the foundation, Nahas Angula, said the late Dr Sam Nujoma is remembered not only as a liberation icon and statesman, but also as a strong voice for Namibia’s environment. “His unwavering commitment to Namibia’s natural heritage was reflected in his lifelong advocacy for tree planting and environmental conservation,” Angula said. He added that Nujoma’s…

11 May

Etango Petroleum not under ACC investigation

National News

Niël Terblanché The arrest and subsequent appearance of two men linked to a fraudulent weighbridge deal involving the Roads Authority and a private company last week has cleared Etango Petroleum Services (Pty) Ltd from any involvement in the matter. Investigators of the Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Richard Milinga, Divisional Manager of the Transport Inspectorate at the Roads Authority, and Grant Cloete, Managing Director of SA Scales Company, on charges relating to the corrupt rental of a weighbridge that belongs to the Roads Authority by the private company. During their appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday, Milinga and Cloete were…

11 May

Coach Damaseb faults focus in girls’ COSAFA loss

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia’s under-17 girls team head coach, Errol Damaseb, says a lack of concentration cost them their opening match against Malawi. Namibia lost 0-3 to Malawi in the first game of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) under-17 girls tournament. The tournament started on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek. Damaseb said the team started the game well but conceded two goals from set pieces, which he believes should not have happened. He said the players regrouped in the second half but began to lose focus and could not recover from the early goals. "That…

09 May

Union dispute with Freshmark drags on

MainDrivers at Freshmark, Naretu

Allexer Namundjembo Drivers at Freshmark, a subsidiary of the Shoprite Group, have raised concerns over poor working conditions. They point to high medical aid costs, food voucher deductions, slashed overtime, and delayed bonuses. The workers also say the company refuses to recognise their union, the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu). Although many drivers are registered members of Naretu, they say the company continues to ignore the union. The company only offers bonuses after seven years of service, and workers report not having representation during wage negotiations. “Not only are we not allowed to be with the union of our choice,…

09 May

Afrail appoints Steytler to its global advisory board

Observer MoneyDevelopment Bank of Namibia (DBN), Dr John Steytler

STAFF WRITER Afrail Inc, a premier infrastructure and smart mobility company pioneering eco-friendly transit systems across Africa, the Middle East, and the United States, has appointed Dr John Steytler to its global advisory board. Steytler, former CEO of the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), and Namibia’s first Statistician General, is one of Namibia’s leading and most accomplished economists. He brings decades of expertise in economic policy, statistical systems, and development finance, having also served at the Bank of Namibia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also previously served as economic advisor to the Presidency of the Republic of Namibia,…

08 May

Business as usual on Workers Day

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro After everything was said and done, including both good and bad speeches, some well-meaning and others not worth the paper they were written on, most of these speeches lacked sincerity, as has become routine; many were more like recitals than genuine speeches. Therefore, Yours Truly Ideologically could not derive many takeaways from them. Other than the remarks of one of the unionists, “Comrade”, inviting and informing fellow “Comrades” to what would be perhaps the most pleasing and physically and practically nourishing moment of the observance of Workers Day and May Day, as it is also alternatively known. She…

08 May

RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF THE LATE FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND FATHER OF THE NAMIBIAN NATION, H.E. DR SAM SHAFIISHUNA NUJOMA

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Introduction The Perennial Light of a Revolutionary Mind In an era where the cadence of national reflection often oscillates between commemorative reverence and the pragmatic urgencies of the present, the towering figure of the Founding Father Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma emerges not merely as an indelible echo from the annals of a hard-won liberation, but as an essential, vital compass. His enduring presence, particularly as we contemplate the trajectory of the nation he so singularly shaped, serves as both an inspiration and a profound challenge. Founding Father Nujoma transcended the conventional…

08 May

Early days for Swakop Uranium’s Zambian plans

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Swakop Uranium executive president Irvine Simataa has confirmed a recent visit to Zambia by company officials. He described Zambia as a highly prospective and progressive mining region in the SADC. Simataa said the visit had two objectives. The first was on behalf of its majority shareholder, CGNPC Uranium Resources Company (URC), to meet with government, private sector, and other stakeholders for exploratory talks on possible partnerships to develop uranium projects in Zambia. The second objective was for Swakop Uranium to build technical relationships with Zambian mining peers operating mines similar in scale to the Husab Mine. This effort…