Observer – Page 310 – Windhoek Observer

05 May

Swapo regalia on Cassinga Day confuses people

ObserverNational NewsSwapo regalia on Cassinga Day confuses people

Stefanus Nashama The wearing of Swapo Party regalia has left many people in a state of confusion with mix feelings, questioning if Cassinga Day is a national public holiday or a Swapo day. This comes after Swapo Party Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa and many other party members and Cassinga Survivors in party colours went to commemorate the Cassinga Day at the Swapo Party Office at Okandjengedi in Oshakati, Oshana Region yesterday. As declared by the Namibian Government, Cassinga is a national public holiday in Namibia, the Day in which Namibia remembers the Cassinga Massacre, commemorated annually on 4 May, the…

05 May

Namibia reigns supreme in press freedom

ObserverFeaturedNamibia reigns supreme in press freedom

Niël Terblanché Namibia has reclaimed the top spot in Africa as the country with the freest press. According to World Press Freedom Index, Namibia is not only ranking high on the African ladder but is also 22nd from the top, globally. On Wednesday, the world commemorated Press Freedom Day. In a statement, President Hage Geingob stated that the media is crucial to democracy, plays an essential role in keeping the public informed and is there to keep Government institutions accountable. “Therefore, the media is an important pillar of effective governance and should be assured that I will guarantee freedom of…

05 May

Bloody massacre remembered on Cassinga Day

ObserverNational NewsBloody massacre remembered on Cassinga Day

Niël Terblanché THE 1978 attack on Cassinga, led by airborne soldiers of the South African army where more than 600 people died, after 45 years, still serves as a sombre reminder of the resolute resolve of Namibians during the long and bitter struggle for freedom. President Hage Geingob, in a special message, said that during the Cassinga attack and for many years after that, untold sacrifices were made, blood was shed and many lives were lost during the protracted war for the eventual liberation of Namibia. “Today marks 45 years since the fateful day on May 4, 1978, when hundreds…

05 May

DRC sanitation standards get elevated

ObserverNational NewsDRC sanitation standards get elevated

Niël Terblanché The community of the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund has been working hard to improve sanitation and by default, health standards in their neighbourhood. The efforts by community-based organisations follow short on the heels of a recent report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 data that states Namibia is one of the worst countries in the world regarding rates of open defecation. According to the report, more than 40 percent of Namibians, about one million people do not have access to proper toilet facilities and the negative trend is getting worse. The…

05 May

Baby killer still on the run

ObserverNational NewsBaby killer still on the run

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian police in Omusati Region is still looking for the woman who allegedly murdered and dumped her new born baby boy last Saturday. The body was discovered by a woman who was collecting empty disposed tins around the Ogongo settlement. “We have not been able to arrest the suspect yet and no one from the community has come forth with any information regarding the incident. The suspect is still on the run, ”Basson said. Postpartum psychosis Registered Psychological Counsellor Diemut Amushila said women who suffer from postpartum depression usually have thoughts of self-harm or harming their newborn.…

05 May

Namfisa reinvigorates its innovative technologies

ObserverNational NewsNamfisa reinvigorates its innovative technologies

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) and its co-sponsors, GIZ and Kenya Prembly on Wednesday launched its second Fintech Square Innovation, which will be hosted on 10-11 May 2023 at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort, aimed at engaging innovators, in particular, the youth, Regulated entities, fellow regulators, and the broader public. This was announced by Namifisa’s Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Matomola who said that Fintech is a concept that became popular post the 2008 financial crisis, as this innovative technology was able to assist businesses to find innovative means to finance households and SMEs during the…

05 May

BoN implored to reviewoutdated loan policies

ObserverMainBoN implored to reviewoutdated loan policies

Niël Terblanché Outdated home loan policies and procedures are contributing to impoverishing Namibians from all walks of life who are still struggling with the economic devastation brought on by restrictive government regulations during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Advocate Richard Metcalfe in a letter addressed to the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Johannes !Gawaxab, said he acts on behalf of numerous clients, who have been forced into a default situation on their home loans as a result of severe financial decline brought on by the Covid-19 debacle because of outdated bank policies and procedures. In the letter, Advocate…

03 May

Notorious robbery gang had serious criminal charges pending in court

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché The five men who were killed during a shootout with members of the Namibian Police in Okahandja more than a week ago had a total of 24 charges related to serious crimes pending against them. The Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Major General Elias Mutota, in an official statement identified the five men who were killed when they started firing on a police vehicle during a high-speed chase through the streets of the garden town. According to General Mutota, Abed Andreas, also known as Koppe, Flavianus Kaluwepa Endjala, also known as Kalu, Marius Iipinge, also known…

03 May

Esau rejects being a flight risk, says his gravesite is in Swakopmund

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama Disgraced former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhardt Esau, said his gravesite is already bought in Namibia, and he has no intention to run away and leave his motherland. “Even my gravesite is already bought here in Namibia, in Swakopmund. I have no reason to run away and leave my motherland. My graveside is next to my mother, my uncle, and my brother.” Esau said in his latest bid for bail. Appearing before Judge David Munsu yesterday, Esau also said he would not interfere with state witnesses or police investigations, if he is granted bail. He also…

03 May

Namibia headed towards a sanitation disaster

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Factors such as limited access to water, resources and financing are blocking the Namibian government from providing adequate toilets and other sanitation facilities in various communities in Namibia. According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 data, Namibia ranks sixth for the highest rates of open defecation in the world. More than 40 percent of the nation or about one million people do not have access to proper toilet facilities and the situation is getting worse. The situation is exceptionally dire in the various informal settlements where people have no choice but to…