Windhoek Observer – Page 283 – Windhoek Observer

06 Aug

Namibia still not meeting industry skills demand

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti, said Namibia continues to face a mismatch between the skills produced at institutions of high learning and those demanded by industries. He was talking on Tuesday during the launch of the Technical Assistance to Support the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) in Improving the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) offer related to the Green Transition Project. He said the concern is shared by local industry stakeholders, and the ministry as policymakers, who seek practical solutions to address national needs. There is broad consensus that a well-aligned TVET…

06 Aug

Zimbabwe launches national campaign against child abuse

Africa / World, National News

Moses Magadza The minister of state for provincial affairs and devolution for Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe, Ezra Chadzamira, has officially launched a national campaign against child abuse, rape, and the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The initiative forms part of the SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project (2023–2026), funded by the Swedish Government and implemented through the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It supports the domestication of key regional legal instruments, including the SADC Model Laws on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage (2016), Gender-Based Violence (2021), and Public Financial Management…

06 Aug

Kadhila rejoins GIPF in top investment role

Latest

Allexer Namundjembo The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced the return of Immanuel Ndinoomwa Kadhila as general manager for investments, effective 1 September 2025. Kadhila previously held the position of head of treasury at GIPF from 2015 to 2022. His return comes as the fund moves to strengthen its investment portfolio and align with its Responsible Investment Policy.GIPF stated that Kadhila brings experience in investment management across various sectors.The fund expressed confidence in his ability to help protect and grow its portfolio to meet obligations to members receiving lifetime benefits. GIPF CEO Martin Inkumbi said Kadhila’s appointment supports the…

06 Aug

Govt PROs trained to improve public engagement

Latest

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Communication officers and public relations officers from government ministries, agencies, and regional councils are attending a four-day refresher workshop in Swakopmund focused on the Government Communication System (GCS).The workshop, held from 5 to 8 August 2025, aims to improve service delivery and increase citizen engagement.The training covers practical tools such as suggestion boxes and online feedback platforms to help institutions respond better to public concerns. Opening the workshop, Steven Isaack, director in the office of the prime minister, said the initiative supports President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call for transformative change in the public sector.He said effective communication is key…

06 Aug

Interpack fixes salary glitch

Observer Money

Allexer Namundjembo Non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer and distributor Interpack says it has corrected salary discrepancies after several employees were underpaid due to a payroll miscalculation by the Human Resources department. The issue reportedly affected staff who said they received only partial salaries. “We were paid less. It seems like they calculated only the number of days we worked and ignored our basic salaries,” one employee told the Windhoek Observer on condition of anonymity. Former workers also alleged unfair dismissals, claiming some employees were terminated without undergoing formal disciplinary processes. “When I was there, we worked long hours, and some of us…

06 Aug

Protecting Your Data in the Digital Age

Observer Money, Opinions

Johannes Abraham Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the financial industry, making banking more efficient and accessible. However, fraudsters are also leveraging AI to create sophisticated scams that target individuals and businesses. At Letshego Holdings, we are committed to ensuring your financial security and helping you stay informed about emerging threats. Understanding AI-driven fraud and taking proactive measures can help protect your finances and personal information. How AI Fraud Affects You Fraudsters are using AI to impersonate trusted financial institutions, to deceive customers into sharing sensitive information. One of the most concerning scams is AI-powered phishing, where scammers send highly convincing…

06 Aug

Kauraisa leaves behind strong football legacy

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is mourning the death of its former president Charles Kauraisa. Kauraisa, who died on 3 August 2025, was the first democratically elected president of the NFA after independence. NFA president Robert Shimooshili announced Kauraisa’s death on Tuesday. “On behalf of the executive council, management & staff, NFA and the entire Namibian football fraternity, NFA would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathy on the passing of a true icon of our sport, Mr Charles Kauraisa. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing on 3 August 2025. Our hearts, thoughts, and…

06 Aug

Over 790 athletes compete in SADC Corrections Games

Featured, Sports

Allexer Namundjembo Structured sports activities promote discipline, self-esteem, and behavioural transformation, preparing inmates for reintegration in society. This was the message from home affairs, immigration, safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu during the official opening of the fourth edition of the SADC Corrections/Prisons/Penitentiary Services Sports and Cultural Games in Windhoek on Monday. Iipumbu said the games are not only about competition but also about improving the physical and emotional health of correctional officers while supporting reform strategies and rehabilitation programmes across the region. She referenced World Health Organisation (WHO) findings on the mental toll of correctional work, saying initiatives like…

06 Aug

Paved Roads, Unpaved Lives

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

There’s something to be said about Namibia’s roads. Anyone who has driven across our vast, open country knows the feeling, smooth tar under your wheels, horizons stretching endlessly, and barely a pothole in sight. In fact, our roads are ranked among the very best on the African continent. That’s no small feat for a nation as sparsely populated as ours. With a population of only about three million people, we have close to 49,000 kilometers of roads crisscrossing this wide land. Of those, around 6,600 kilometers are fully paved to international standards. For perspective, that’s roughly 16 meters of road…

05 Aug

Eco Fuel owed Namcor before my time – Dunaiski

Featured, Latest

Justicia Shipena Former commercial manager of downstream sales and marketing at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Olivia Dunaiski, says she had no authority to increase any credit limit.“I certainly increased no credit limit,” she said in an affidavit filed in the ongoing Namcor bail application at the Windhoek Magistrates Court. Dunaiski said she joined Namcor Trading, a subsidiary of Namcor Holdings, in October 2019.At that time, she said, Eco Fuel Investment CC was already conducting business with the company.She said Eco Fuel was already in arrears with a substantial amount when she started.Eco Fuel is reportedly linked to…