Observer – Page 256 – Windhoek Observer

19 Jul

Chopper crash victims identified

ObserverNational NewsChopper crash victims identified

Niël Terblanché The aviation industry in Namibia has lamented the deaths of the two men, 54-year-old Jaques Jacobs and 29-year-old Dirk von Weidts, who were on board the helicopter that crashed on the outskirts of Swakopmund on Monday afternoon. A large number of people took to social media to pay their respects and share their condolences with the families and friends of the two men who were busy with a test flight when the tragedy occurred. Jacobs, who piloted the Robinson R44 at the time of tragedy, was an experienced flight instructor and also served in the Namibian Airforce in…

19 Jul

PDM mourns Usakos Deputy Mayor

ObserverNational NewsAletta Katiti Sem, PDM mourns Usakos Deputy Mayor

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) mourns its Member, Councillor, and the Deputy Mayor of Uusakos Town Council, Aletta Katiti Sem, who recently passed on. Sem was taken to the Usakos State Hospital on Sunday after she complained of chest pains during a church service. She died four hours later. Apart from the Mayoral position, Sem also served within the ranks of the PDM as the Acting Karibib Constituency Coordinator and the Women’s League Interim Chairperson. PDM President, McHenry Venaani, yesterday described the late Sem as an extraordinary individual whose unwavering commitment and tireless efforts played a pivotal role…

19 Jul

!Hoachanas settlement withoutan administrative officer for decades

ObserverNational News!Hoachanas settlement withoutan administrative officer for decades, Lukas Sinimbo Muha

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Residents of the Hoachanas settlement under the Mariental Rural Constituency in the Hardap Region say the settlement has been without a Chief Administrative officer for more than 20 years. This is according to a report on the Outreach programme by National Council Chairperson, Lukas Sinimbo Muha. The community members made submissions last year October during a stakeholder engagement between the residents and the leadership of the National Council consisting of Muha and the Secretary of the Council, Tousy Namiseb. Muha and his team were in the Hardap region for an awareness campaign to educate members of the public…

19 Jul

443 road crashes recorded since January

ObserverNational News443 road crashes recorded since January, Hilaria Graig

Martin Endjala Motor vehicle accidents claimed the lives of 71 pedestrians in 443 crashes, while 415 sustained various degrees of injuries. According to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund’s statistics, pedestrian-related accidents, injuries and fatalities, the highest numbers were recorded from January to mid-July. With the winter school holiday having come to an end and most schools reopening this week, the MVA Fund has embarked on promoting school-based road safety campaigns through scholar patrols and activations at various schools around the country. These activities include safety measures such as advocating for the reduction of speed limits around school zones to 30km/h…

19 Jul

Charity is a Namibian characteristic

ObserverNational NewsCharity is a Namibian characteristic, Neville Andre

Niël Terblanché Volunteers from the Omake Charity Organisation on Tuesday donated clothing and other essential items to the victims of last week’s shack fire incidents in Swakopmund. The fire destroyed 14 shacks and left 38 people without a roof over their heads. Most of the victims have since been relocated or are staying with friends or family while they try to rebuild their homes. The charity organisation originates from the Otjozondjupa Region but it has recently opened a branch at the coast to extend their assistance to vulnerable people. Upon receiving the essential items on behalf of the Erongo Regional…

19 Jul

San community in Otjinene neglected

ObserverNational NewsLukas Sinimbo Muha, San community in Otjinene neglected

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The youth in the Otjjinene constituency of the Omaheke Region say the San community in their constituency is neglected and not valued. The youth are also claiming that not a single person from the San community has been employed since 2017. These were submissions and recommendations that were made by community members last year during an engagement with the Chairperson of the National Council (NC), Lukas Sinimbo Muha on the work of the National Council and Parliament at large. The chairperson’s outreach programme is designed to spread awareness and educate members of the public about the law-making process…

19 Jul

GRN admits that poverty is on the increase

ObserverMainGRN admits that poverty is on the increase, Mbombo, Omaheke Region

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare has admitted that poverty is on the increase in Namibia. At the same time, the ministry added that there are several contributing factors to the trend that should be addressed as a matter of urgency. According to the Executive Director of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, Martha Mbombo, the legacy of apartheid, which left many Namibians marginalized and without access to land for production means is one of the factors contributing to poverty in the country. She also explained the effects of climate…

18 Jul

Two killed in a helicopter crash

ObserverNational NewsTwo killed in a helicopter crash

Niël Terblanché Two men died in a helicopter crash that occurred near the Swakopmund Aerodrome on Monday afternoon. Members of the Namibian Police and the emergency services of Swakopmund had their hands full with controlling a large crowd of people that gathered on the scene of the fatal crash. The crowd of people ran to the scene after they saw the helicopter falling to the ground. The crash and the death of the two people on board the aircraft were confirmed by, Hafeini Moshixwa, a senior aircraft accident investigator at the Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations. “It is…

18 Jul

National Council concurs with Ekandjo’s Bill

ObserverNational NewsNational Council concurs with Ekandjo’s Bill

Stefanus Nashama A majority of the members of the National Council backed and concurred with the Private Member’s Bill tabled by SWAPO member of parliament Jerry Ekandjo, that seeks to amend the Immigration Act to clearly define the word ‘spouse’ in alignment with Namibia’s definition of marriage. Ekandjo introduced the bill earlier this month. It is aimed at invoking Article 81 and 45 of the Namibian Constitution and essentially contradict a decision by the Supreme Court of Namibia and assert the representative nature of the National Assembly and to provide for incidental matters. The bill was passed in the National…

18 Jul

Patriotism must fuel the journey to a prosperous future

ObserverNational NewsPatriotism must fuel the journey to a prosperous future

Niël Terblanché Omaheke became the second region where the National Symbols Campaign under the Nationhood and National Pride Campaign which seeks to instill patriotism and strengthen national identity in Namibians, will be promoted. Three weeks after the inaugural launch of the campaign in Swakopmund, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga, did the same for the people in Namibia’s Cattle Country. “National symbols are the embodiment of national unity and patriotism. They foster national pride, a sense of citizenship duty and obligation and inculcate sentimental values to nationhood among citizens. People attach emotions to these symbols and embrace…