Windhoek Observer – Page 325 – Windhoek Observer

22 Sep

SWAPO insults dignity of people during food parcel incident in Walvis Bay

National NewsAlly Angula, Ndumba Kamwanyah, Panduleni Itula, Stephanus Pombili

Niël Terblanché and Hertta-Maria Amutenya In a shocking and widely condemned incident at SWAPO’s Star Rally in Walvis Bay, Namibians were left outraged after food parcels were thrown at attendees, resulting in chaos. The event has sparked nationwide debate and fierce criticism of the ruling party, raising concerns about the dignity and respect accorded to the nation’s citizens. Panduleni Itula, president of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), expressed his dismay in a strongly worded statement released on Sunday. He condemned the SWAPO officials involved, describing the incident as a "disgrace" that symbolised a larger issue of mismanagement and exploitation…

22 Sep

Repatriation of Batswana of Namibian descent strengthens bilateral friendship

National NewsAnnah-Maria Mokgethi, Kambazembi Traditional Authority, late President Hage Geingob

Martin Endjala The group of 98 Batswana of Namibian descent were repatriated to Namibia on 20 September, after they crossed the border at the Dobe border post in the Hardap region. This long-anticipated homecoming follows a decision by the Cabinet during the tenure of late President Hage Geingob, which mandated the government to facilitate the repatriation process. Annah-Maria Mokgethi, Botswana's minister of labour and home affairs, described the return as a fulfilment of the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) protocol on the facilitation of person movement. “The relationship between Botswana and Namibia is characterised by strong bonds of friendship rooted…

22 Sep

Khorixas municipality repossesses erven as unemployment soars

National NewsSimon Ochurub

Hilarius Hamutenya A high rate of unemployment in Khorixas has forced the town council to repossess the erven and resell it to new buyers. The town currently has a waiting list of 315 applicants for formal residential and 1 253 applicants for informal settlement erven. The town's spokesperson, Simon Ochurub, revealed this to the Windhoek Observer on Friday. “High unemployment rates make it difficult for residents to afford formal parcels of land and often turn to building their houses in informal settlements and farming areas,” he said. Ochurub said that private individuals have received the majority of the erven, with…

22 Sep

NEFF accuses ECN of deliberate delay intended to undermine its election campaign

National NewsNamibia Economic Freedom Fighters, Namibia Electoral Commission

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) said the Namibia Electoral Commission (ECN) is deliberately delaying pronouncing itself on the court judgement to shortchange and undermine NEFF mobilisation efforts ahead of national elections in November. NEFF deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said that Namibians must be alerted that the country is not ready for elections when a significant constituency is being denied the right to vote for a party of their choice. ‘’This move is tactically benefiting a few political parties, chiefly the Swapo party, which has been the invisible third force behind our…

22 Sep

Swapo’s manifesto plans are set, not promises – Nandi-Ndaitwah

National NewsChatGPT, National Statistical Agency

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said it should be known that the programs in the party manifesto have already been planned and are going to be implemented as articulated. Nandi-Ndaitwah made this statement during the party's star rally in Walvis Bay on Saturday. ‘’I have also to inform you that in working on our manifesto, the instructions were very clear: that all the statistics to be used must come from the National Statistical Agency and other government stakeholders. It has also to be known that what we have put in our manifesto, we are not going to plan,’’…

22 Sep

Mbumba calls for global unity at Summit of the Future

National NewsSummit of the Future

Niël Terblanché During the closing session of the Summit of the Future in New York on Saturday, President Nangolo Mbumba urged world leaders and civil society to collaborate more effectively to address global challenges. Leaders and representatives from across the globe viewed the summit as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to reshape international cooperation, rethink multilateralism, and chart a path for a more sustainable, just, and peaceful future. Before attending the summit, Mbumba held a courtesy meeting with Philémon Yang, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, where they discussed issues impacting humanity, from ongoing global conflicts to the need for…

22 Sep

Ombudsman urges media to focus on voter issues over personalities

National NewsMedia Ombudsman

Martin Endjala Media Ombudsman John Nakuta has raised concerns about political parties focussing their campaigns on personalities rather than addressing voter issues. Nakuta said this last week in Windhoek during the release of the Media Ombudsman's second media monitoring report on the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. “Political parties are very much of centred personality, and we want to get to a point where we inform the general public on issues affecting them,” he stated. Nakuta noted that, compared to the previous report, there is still a lack of agenda-setting by political parties. He said he hopes the next…

22 Sep

Police condemn assault of prisoner

National NewsDeputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi

Martin Endjala The Namibian Police has condemned acts of brutality by its members following a recent report of brutality perpetrated by members of the military police. The police were responding to a recent article about a 19-year-old man in Rundu who was arrested and assaulted by undercover military police while handcuffed last month. At the time the victim was suspected of stealing phones from inhabitants of Rundu. The national spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said there is no justification whatsoever for unnecessarily beating, kicking, or otherwise ill-treating an arrested person. “There is no excuse whatsoever for…

22 Sep

Khomas Netball League prepares for grand finale and award ceremony

SportsDimitri Bittler

Hilarius Hamutenya The Khomas Netball League wraps up another thrilling season. Excitement is in the air as fans and players alike anticipate the grand finale with matches and an award ceremony set to take place on 5 October at the Patrick Iiyambo Police College in Windhoek. The chairperson of the Khomas Netball Association, Dimitri Bittler, expressed pride in what the league has achieved this year. “This year, Khomas successfully hosted its Super 10, 1st Division, and 2nd Division domestic leagues, each fiercely contested and showcasing the immense talent and passion within the region. Teams battled it out on the courts,…

19 Sep

Cabinet backs Geingob’s vision to remove red line

MainAfrican Continental Free Trade Area, construction of new veterinary cordon fences (Red Line)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The minister of agriculture, water, and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, has submitted the proposal to gradually remove the red line. Introduced in 1897, the 1250 km veterinary cordon fence separates the northern communal farms from the commercial farming areas. Its gradual removal was announced by the deputy minister of information, communication and technology, Modestus Amutse, on Thursday. Amutse also announced that Cabinet has approved the construction of new veterinary cordon fences (Red Line) and gates to create new disease-free zones. ‘’Cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to undertake the following interventions: carrying out a…