Windhoek Observer

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BoN announce drought relief plan for struggling farmers

BoN announce drought relief plan for struggling farmers

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is set to provide credit-related drought relief policy measures to assist farmers and agricultural business owners who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of drought. The bank’s director of strategic communications and international relations, Kazembire Zemburuka, announced the new measure on Monday. He explained that the decision was taken because the banking institutions are required to implement relief measures, including the restructuring of loans, granting of loan moratoriums, and emergency funding under preferential terms. According to Zemburuka, this will ease the financial burden on affected clients while helping to stabilise the agricultural…
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San people face hardship with modern burials

San people face hardship with modern burials

Martin Endjala and Ester Mbathera The Khwe and !Xun people, who reside in the Bwabwata National Park, shared by the Zambezi and Kavango East regions, often face the challenge of keeping their deceased loved ones in the villages for days. This is because there are concerns that if burials take place without official notification, authorities might demand the exhumation of the bodies. David Musamba, a San activist, highlighted how modern burial practices are threatening their cultural norms. “We are told not to bury people without coffins anymore. The officials from the government told us that we will have to dig…
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Shaningwa demands end to speculation about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health

Shaningwa demands end to speculation about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health

Martin Endjala Sophia Shaningwa, the Swapo party secretary general has called on people who are predicting that the party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will fall ill before taking office, to stop. She was defending Nandi-Ndaitwah after she allegedly collapsed while delivering her statement at a recent party rally in Otjiwarongo. “Stop it. Leave our candidate. It must end in Otjiwarongo. You are busy discussing her and her vehicle. It must stop you witches. Leave the servant, who is here chosen by God and by the hand of man, to serve. Leave our candidate alone. Stop it with immediate effect,” she…
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Police issue warning after Amushelelo’s tyre-burning protest

Police issue warning after Amushelelo’s tyre-burning protest

Martin Endjala The acting Khomas regional police commander, Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo, has issued a stern warning, stating that law enforcement will not tolerate unlawful acts following the arrest of Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) member Michael Amushelelo. Amushelelo was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property and contravening various laws after burning tyres and blocking traffic during a protest in front of the Ministry of Labour office in Khomasdal on Friday. “We were notified about the incident and dispatched a team of police officers and Amushelelo has been charged with malicious damage to property, in this case the…
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Councillors call for urgent earth dam renovations

Councillors call for urgent earth dam renovations

Allexer Namundjembo Regional councillors in the country’s northern regions are urging the government to prioritise the renovation and construction of earth dams to address water shortages. As the country expects normal to above-normal rainfall in the coming months, councillors argue that these dams could help store floodwaters for later use, benefiting communities and agriculture. Okatyali Constituency councillor Joseph Mupetami highlighted the need for the government and NamWater to construct dams along main water pipelines supplying communities. “Constructing new dams may be costly and time-consuming. However, prioritising the renovation of existing earth dams could significantly address our water challenges. In my…
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Grootfontein residents fume over muddy water as borehole repairs drag on

Grootfontein residents fume over muddy water as borehole repairs drag on

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The residents of Grootfontein are growing increasingly frustrated as mud-coloured water continues to flow from taps. This affected especially the Mini-town, Luiperdheuwel, and Extensions 7, 8, and 9, as well as parts of Tuliang. The issue, which has persisted for weeks, stems from ongoing repairs at the Buitekamp Boreholes and Water Reservoir. Emmerencia Ndara, a resident of Luiperdheuwel, said they rely on clean water for their daily needs. “It is unacceptable that we have to deal with brown water for an extended period,” said Ndara. Many residents took to social media to express their frustration. “This is the…
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NamWater refutes rumours of water cuts in Cuvelai area

NamWater refutes rumours of water cuts in Cuvelai area

Niël Terblanché NamWater has refuted circulating rumours about an imminent water cut in the Cuvelai area, which forms part of the utility company’s business unit in northwestern parts of the country. According to a statement issued by Lot Ndamanomhata, the spokesperson of NamWater, these claims, spread across various platforms, are untrue. “These claims are entirely without basis and do not reflect any plans or intentions from NamWater,” he said. Ndamanomhata reassured the public that no such disruptions are planned, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a consistent and reliable water supply across all regions. He said that in response to ongoing…
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Mayors meet to tackle urban challenges

Mayors meet to tackle urban challenges

Niël Terblanché Fifty-seven mayors from across the country convened at Swakopmund to discuss the future of local governance challenges last week for their annual general meeting (AGM) of the National Mayors Forum. The discussions at the AGM centred on a wide range of issues, including governance, infrastructure, economic development, and sustainability. The forum was hailed by Swakopmund mayor Dina Namubes as an opportunity for productive discussions aimed at enhancing the sustainability and progress of Namibia’s municipalities. In her opening address, Namubes highlighted the significance of the gathering, describing the mayors as “vibrant leaders” committed to creating a better future for…
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CoW to generate electricity from waste

CoW to generate electricity from waste

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek (CoW) is planning to build a waste-to-energy plant to generate bulk electricity and improve waste management. The municipality explained this in a statement issued over the weekend where it said that the initiative aims to diversify energy supply, enhance the security of electricity provision, and reduce carbon emissions. “The proposed facility is expected to process 250 tons of waste per day, equivalent to 8.5 MW of electricity and 17.5 MW of heat, with the possibility to increase capacity to 400 tons per day by incorporating waste from neighbouring urban centres,” reads the statement. According…
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No permit for Air Botswana Windhoek and Durban route

No permit for Air Botswana Windhoek and Durban route

Allexer Namundjembo The anticipated launch of Air Botswana’s new flights to Windhoek and Durban, originally set for October 1, will not happen anytime soon as the airline is reported to yet to apply for operational permits in South Africa and Namibia. Media in Botswana reported last week that Air Botswana also lacks both the crew and aircraft needed to service these routes, with the newly acquired E175 aircraft still grounded. According to the Tuesday Grill newspaper, a source explained that the ERJ145 aircraft, planned for Namibia operations, will be registered with Namibian authorities and operated by FlyNamibia. Furthermore, FlyNamibia’s crew…
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