Windhoek Observer – Page 296 – Windhoek Observer

04 Mar

GRN accused of burdening consumers with wage bill

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Cabinet member and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, has questioned the government’s decision to increase fuel prices to subsidise employers in the fuel sector to pay minimum wages to their employees. Schlettwein, who is also a member of parliament, raised these concerns on his social media platforms on Monday. This follows an announcement by the Ministry of Mines and Energy last Friday that fuel prices would increase for March, effective 5 March. “Petrol and diesel prices are to be increased to fund road maintenance and minimum wages, we are told. The latter is a…

04 Mar

Namibia seeks approval for investment in climate resilience

National News

Niël Terblanché Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform urged the Trust Fund Committee of the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) to approve and support the implementation of the Zambezi Region Nature, People, and Climate (NPC) Investment Plan. The plan, aimed at tackling climate change, ecosystem degradation, and human activity impacts, was presented at the CIF Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) Trust Fund Committee meeting in Washington, USA last week. Schlettwein, who also serves as Chair of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Council of Ministers, stressed the plan’s significance, calling it a shared vision of sustainable development that aligns…

04 Mar

MTC expands fibre network to 2738 km

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja MTC has extended its fibre transmission network to 2 738 km to strengthen its backbone infrastructure to meet increasing demand for fixed internet services and reduce dependency risks. The expansion, which covers Windhoek and coastal areas, is part of MTC’s strategy to enhance digital connectivity for businesses and households. The company aims to provide reliable and high-speed internet services, supporting Namibia’s digital transformation and economic growth. MTC’s chief brand, marketing, communications, and sustainability officer, Tim Ekandjo, explained the importance of robust infrastructure in maintaining the company’s market leadership. “The ability to continue meeting the market’s demands requires that…

04 Mar

COSAFA calls for female football commentators

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has called on women football commentators interested in regional football activities to submit their names for commentating opportunities. The football governing body of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced on Monday, encouraging aspiring female commentators and presenters from all SADC countries to apply. COSAFA plans to host a two-day workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, from April 8-9, 2025, to train new talent. This follows the success of last year’s inaugural Women’s Commentator Workshop. “Following the hugely successful inaugural Women’s Commentator Workshop held last year, COSAFA will again look to…

03 Mar

Employers accused of cutting benefits to offset minimum wage

Main

Hertta-maria Amutenja The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU) have raised concerns over changes to employment conditions following the implementation of the national minimum wage (NMW) on 1 January. MUN general secretary, George Ampweya, said some employers have opted to adjust existing employee benefits instead of complying fully with the NMW. "Some employers would say, yes, let's look at existing benefits, for example, trying to cut allowances to compensate for wage increases. This is causing difficulty, as employees must choose between keeping their jobs or losing benefits," Ampweya said. He stated that the fuel…

03 Mar

Regulatory gaps leave mining communities vulnerable.

National News

Ester Mbathera There are currently no financial policies or regulations mandating mining companies to contribute toward mine closure plans. These findings are contained in a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources on lithium mining in Uis, Daures Constituency, released last week. During a meeting with the committee in March 2023, Erasmus Shivolo, the deputy executive director for the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), informed the committee that many companies had failed to comply with mine closure plans. Shivolo explained that while the Mineral and Environmental Acts require companies to have a Closure Plan, there are no…

03 Mar

Fisheries ministry refutes incidents of illegal fishing on maritime border

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) stated that it is committed to tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing along Namibia’s northern maritime border. In response to reports about the presence of foreign fishing vessels illegally operating within Namibia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the ministry has deployed its flagship patrol vessel to monitor the situation. The executive director of the ministry, Annely Haiphene, expressed concern over viral videos and photographs circulating online, which show vessels engaging in illegal fishing activities in Namibian waters. “These reports, photographs, and videos were analysed with the primary objective of establishing…

03 Mar

Football, agriculture lose leaders

National News

Allexer Namundjembo and Erasmus Shalihaxwe Just hours after laying to rest Founding President, Sam Nujoma, the country was struck by the loss of two influential figures, Jacob Hamutenya and Charles Siyauya. Hamutenya, a well-known agriculturalist, died in a car accident between Otavi and Otjiwarongo on Sunday afternoon, along with two others. Many have described his death as a huge loss to the country. Hamutenya served as the regional manager for the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) in Ongwediva when he was 26 years old. He also served on the boards of various organisations. AMTA expressed deep sorrow on its social…

03 Mar

Governors to remain in office until sworn in as MPs

Featured, National News

Allexer Namundjembo Regional governors who will be going to the National Assembly will not be required to resign until they are sworn in as new members of parliament on 21 March. Governors going to parliament are Sirrka Ausiku of Kavango West, Salomon April of Hardap, Marius Sheya of Kunene and James Uerikua of Otjozondjupa regions. The spokesperson of the Namibian Presidency, Alfredo Hengari, on Monday told the Windhoek Observer that regional governors are appointed in their positions and they are not expected to resign. “Governors are politically appointed and they do not need to resign to take up their parliamentary…

03 Mar

Para-athletes can now be classified locally

Sports

Ester Mbathera Paraplegic sport has made a monumental leap forward because athletes in para-athletics in field events can now receive a national classification with full confidence and credibility. This development comes after coach Naomi Schmidt and Marieke Mocke, the physiotherapist of the national team and the national classifier Boccia Namibia, were officially certified last week as national athletics classifiers. Schmidt and Mocke certification refers to a key moment for para-sport in Namibia because it seizes local coaches, clubs and regional associated entities to classify their athletes in the country. This eliminates the need for athletes to travel abroad for classification,…