info_e12wt4cs – Page 248

16 Sep

SADC PF President advocates for transformative education at Pan African Parliament

info_e12wt4csAfrica / WorldContinental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), Roger Mancienne

Moses Magadza The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Roger Mancienne, has underlined the urgent need for educational reform across the continent, advocating for a comprehensive strategy to build resilient education systems that cater to all Africans in the 21st century. Mancienne, who is also the speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, made the call on Monday when he addressed a sitting of the Pan African Parliament Committee virtually. “We must recognize the pivotal role that quality and relevant learning play in shaping a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future,” Mancienne said during a session themed “Educate an African Fit…

16 Sep

SWAPO’s youth promises: analysing the gap between commitments and results

info_e12wt4csOpinionsNamibia Statistics Agency, Swapo Party

Sakaria Johannes As Namibia approaches its elections on 27 November, political parties are unveiling their manifestos, each promising a brighter future for the nation. Among them, the SWAPO Party of Namibia, which has held power for 34 years, stands out with its persistent focus on youth empowerment. However, a closer look at their track record reveals a troubling discrepancy between their promises and actual results, raising critical questions about their ability to deliver on key issues affecting the youth. Youth Empowerment: Promises vs. Results High Unemployment Rates SWAPO’s manifestos have consistently championed youth empowerment, with substantial funding directed towards youth…

15 Sep

Swapo promises N$85 billion for job creation

info_e12wt4csMainNetumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Swapo Party

Martin Endjala The Swapo Party’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government will allocate N$85.7 billion over five years to create mass employment if voted into power. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the announcement over the past weekend at the launch of the party’s 2025-2030 election manifesto. She said the manifesto has prioritised projects that would create employment opportunities leading to the absorption into the job market of unemployed graduates and other Namibians seeking employment. “The election manifesto covers social development and empowerment for all Namibians. That is why Namibians should vote for the Swapo,” she said. Netumbo said the party has committed…

15 Sep

Lukato guarantees economic transparency

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMartin Lukato

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Democratic Party (NDP) has laid out its vision for the upcoming November election, focussing on economic reform, transparency, and social justice. The party launched its election manifesto in Windhoek on Sunday. NDP president Martin Lukato introduced the manifesto, calling it “a reflection of our values, our aspirations, and our dedication to serving the needs of our people.” He said that the NDP is committed to addressing unemployment, land reform, and sustainable development. “We will ensure that our government operates with openness, integrity, and responsiveness. Accountability will be at the core of everything we do,” he said.…

15 Sep

Military Police accused of brutally beating a boy in Rundu

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsMulao Sonicah Matongo

Martin Endjala About eight undercover police officers in Rundu have been accused of brutally beating a 19-year-old boy in Rundu last month in connection with the theft of some phones. A case has been opened at the police station by the victim. The Kavango East regional Deputy Commissioner Mulao Sonicah Matongo, confirmed the incident to the Windhoek Observer last week. “Yes we are aware of the allegations and the complaint also opened a case and the police are currently busy investigating,” she said. Matongo also clarified that the complainant was not beaten by officers of the Namibian Police but by…

15 Sep

Increase of maternity benefits on the cards

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMilka Mungunda, Social Security Commission

Martin Endjala The Social Security Commission is considering increasing maternity benefits for women by March 2025. The commission's chief executive officer, Milka Mungunda announced this during the commemoration of International Social Security Day on 13 September. “Effective 1 March 2025 we will have to reconsider increasing our contributions for our maternity benefits. We have committed as an institution to make sure that we would increase the ceiling so that women, who go on maternity leave, are going to have adequate benefits,” she said. The commission has so far paid out maternity leave benefits of about N$212 million for the 2023/24…

15 Sep

The bodies of two young men recovered from the ocean

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The bodies of two young men were recovered from the sea at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, under circumstances that have raised suspicions of suicide over the past weekend. The first body was discovered early on Friday morning, floating in the shallow waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon. The deceased was identified as the 24-year-old Bradley Nande Abjatar. According to Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, head of community affairs for the police in the Erongo region, Abjatar's family reported that he had left their home in Windhoek on 7 September without informing them of his destination. He also left a…

15 Sep

PAYE reimbursements loom as new tax rates take effect

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIpumbu Shiimi, NamRA, Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE)

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s minister of finance and public enterprises, Ipumbu Shiimi, has announced that employers are required to adjust the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax deductions from employees to ensure the reimbursement of any over-deducted amounts. In a statement issued over the weekend, Shiimi stressed that any over-deduction of PAYE resulting from the implementation of the adjusted statutory tax rates must be refunded by employers shortly after the gazettement of the new rates. The minister, however, did not indicate exactly when the new rates will be gazetted. “The reimbursement would be deducted from the employee's monthly tax contribution payable to the Namibia…

15 Sep

Political agendas blamed for fights over drought food aid

info_e12wt4csNational Newsdrought relief food, Hilaria Ndjuluwa

Stefanus Nashama The Constituency Councillor of Ondobein the Ohangwena Region, Hilaria Ndjuluwa responded to a video circulating on social media platforms of three women seen fighting each other over a bag of drought food aid maize meal. Ndjuluwa argued that vulnerable people are made to fight over basic necessities such as drought relief food to drive political agendas. Ndjuluwa said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday. "There is no need to grab food. And there is no hunger that can kill people in our constituency. Those that grab food do it for their own purposes which…

15 Sep

Private schools accused of only enrolling smart students

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHidipo Hamata, PDM, Vincent Mareka

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo Party Member of Parliament, Vincent Mareka said the passing rate of learners at private schools is questionable. He said this is because private schools only accept smart and well-prepared learners who are going to pass in order to satisfy their rich parents who have to pay high school fees. Mareka made these remarks in parliament last week while contributing to the motion on the state of education in the country, which was tabled by Hidipo Hamata of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). Mareka stated that private schools are single businesses or commercial entities established to make a…