Observer – Page 312 – Windhoek Observer

02 May

Workers in Namibia are treated the best

ObserverFeaturedWorkers in Namibia are treated the best

Niël Terblanché Despite claims to the contrary, Namibia is consistently ranked as one of the countries with the best workers’ rights on the continent. According to the Global Rights Index for 2022 as compiled by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the country was ranked second in Africa. “Namibia’s excellent ranking is a testament to the government’s efforts to ensure that workers are protected and their rights are upheld. This high ranking is a reflection of the country’s commitment to creating an environment that is conducive to fair labour practices and the protection of workers’ rights. The ITUC ranked 148…

02 May

Persistent human-wildlife conflicts prompt national conference

ObserverUncategorised

Stefanus Nashama Following the continuous and more severe reports of human-wildlife conflict in the country, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said it will host a National Conference on human-wildlife conflict engagement next week. The Conference will take place in Windhoek, from 10 to 12 May, at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration (NIPAM). According to the Ministry Spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, the conference will review progress, opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the 2018 revised National Policy on human-wildlife conflict management. It will further discuss the specific prevention, protection and investigation strategies for specific species and specific areas…

02 May

Revolutionary Union claims business and political elites captured unionists

ObserverNational NewsRevolutionary Union claims business and political elites captured unionists

Stefanus Nashama The newly established Revolutionary Union (RU) claims business people and political elites give instructions to ‘captured unionists’ who sell out the workers for political positions in the corrupt party and its government. The Union said this yesterday on Workers’ Day, indicating that sellouts and captured unionists are characterized by wage negotiations dictated at dinner tables where elites give instructions to captured unionists. The ‘corrupt party and government’ referred to by the RU is the SWAPO Party and the Government. The Union further said for the past 33 years, political freedom has been worse for the workers of Namibia.…

02 May

Shifeta excited about tourism sector amidN$ 132m worth of new park infrastructure

ObserverNational NewsShifeta excited about tourism sector amidN$ 132m worth of new park infrastructure

Staff Writer The Minister of Environment Tourism and Forestry, Pohamba Shifeta, has expressed his excitement about the tourism sector following the inauguration and handing over of park infrastructure and equipment in the Dorob and Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia last week. This was made possible through the support of the German Government through the KfW Development Bank to the tune of N$132 million. The infrastructure and equipment will assist in the management of the National Parks in which they are situated and enhance biodiversity conservation. The infrastructure includes new park management stations constructed at Cape Cross, Ugabmund, Möwe Bay…

02 May

Agricultural sector continues lacklustre performance

ObserverNational NewsAgricultural sector continues lacklustre performance

Martin Endjala The agricultural sector of Namibia continues to underperform despite all sub-sectors of the industry expanding in output in 2022. During 2022, livestock farming increased by 1.2 percent, fishing increased by 2.3 percent and crop farming 4.3 percent in 2022, leading to the overall growth of 2.6 percent in the agricultural industry. The agricultural industry is a crucial component of any economy, especially in Namibia, as the industry has one of the highest potentials to absorb the abundant unskilled labour in the country and improve socioeconomic indicators such as poverty and unemployment. To this end, the urban population of…

02 May

Finance Minister Warns against tax defaults

ObserverNational NewsFinance Minister Warns against tax defaults

Martin Endjala Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi has warned people against defaulting on their taxes saying that taxpayers must be made aware that tax does not discriminate and that all eligible taxpayers should ensure that they pay their taxes or risk facing the law. Shiimi, during a Parliamentary session, responded to Namibians who voiced their frustration about high tax deductions while they are not eligible for benefits. Taxpayers were fuming and said that they won’t pay tax since they do not benefit from it. Shiimi said that the Namibia Revenue Agency is rounding up its compliance capacity and those found contravening…

02 May

May Day marks the start of the hunting season

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché This year’s hunting season for game and birds has commenced on 1 May and will enable members of the public to hunt certain species of the game at the invitation of a farm owner, lessee of a farm, or a registered conservancy. Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in a statement, announced the official opening of the 2023 Hunting season and set out the rules that will regulate the activity in Namibia. According to the statement, huntable game species can be hunted for the period 1 May to 31 August in the case of commercial…

02 May

Recon Namibia to hear fate this month…as local organisation claims violation of rights

ObserverMainRecon Namibia to hear fate this month…as local organisation claims violation of rights

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Recon Energy Namibia will learn the outcome of its Environmental Clearance Certificate application later this month, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta reserved judgment following the hearing of arguments both in support of and against the Environmental Commissioner’s decision to revise an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).The Kavango East and West Regional Conservancy and Community Forest Association, Katope Community Forest Management Committee, Muduva Nyangana Communal Conservancy Management Committee, and Ncumcara Community Forest Management Committee filed an appeal last year, challenging Recon’s clearance certificate.Additionally, the decision of the Environmental Commissioner to grant the certificate to the Canadian…

28 Apr

The unaffordability of bank loans leads many into a debt trap

ObserverFeatured

Martin Endjala It is an open secret that with the continued upward inflation rate, many Namibians that live below the bread line, find themselves in a dilemma when it comes to sourcing loans because many do not qualify for bank loans and have to rely on cash loans. This is because cash loans are believed to be obtainable faster when compared to banks and such loans also have short repayment terms. Obtaining a cash loan also does not require the provision of any security by the lender. “Cash loan extend facility on an unsecured basis, don’t require collateral for you…

28 Apr

Lack of coordination caused the mass resignation of fishermen

ObserverNational NewsLack of coordination caused the mass resignation of fishermen

Stefanus Nashama Former Minister of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, Tjekero Tweya said there was a general lack of coordination between the concerned ministries, fishing companies and the affected workers that resulted in the mass resignation of fishermen. Tweya presented the report to the Parliamentary Selection Committee of the National Assembly on the Mass resignation of fishermen employed under the Government Redressing Program in Walvis Bay from 1 to 5 November 2022. Tweya stated that lack of coordination could be perceived as the reason for the inability and inefficiency to address the challenges encountered in the implementation process of the…