Windhoek Observer – Page 326 – Windhoek Observer

19 Sep

Commercial fishing vessels major sources of marine plastic pollution

National News

Ester Mbathera A recent study by marine experts has revealed that commercial fishing vessels are a major source of marine plastic pollution along the Namibian coast. Data collected by fisheries observers between 2003 and 2020 found 79 incidents of plastic waste disposal in the ocean. The waste involves non-biodegradable objects, fishing gear, plastic bottles, and single-use plastic items. These accounted for 55.7% of the reported incidents, followed by unspecified plastic items (25.3%), fishing gear (8.9%), plastic bottles (5.0%), plastic gloves (1.3%), and single-use plastic bags (3.8%). According to the authors, Victoria Erasmus, Timoteus Kadhila, Kassian Amesho and Adriano Mabilana, these…

19 Sep

SADC PF committee calls for urgent health financing

National NewsHuman and Social Development and Special Programmes

Moses Magadza A statutory meeting of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) of the SADC Parliamentary Forum began on 19 September 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa, amid urgent calls for sustainable health financing across the SADC region. Member of parliament Mope Khati from Lesotho chairs the committee. He officially opened the hybrid meeting, with some members of parliament including those fromZambia, Seychelles and Angola participating virtually. .Khati noted that the meeting was being held during a particularly busy political period, with three SADC member states scheduled to hold elections within the next three months.…

19 Sep

High demand for land in Oshakati

National NewsDevelopment Workshop Namibia

Hilarius Hamutenya A high rate of urban migration has resulted in Oshakati having more than 12 900 unresolved applications for the provision of land for people to build homes. The town's spokesperson, Katarina Kamari, made this revelation on Thursday. “The town is experiencing a high rate of rural to urban migration. The council, therefore, made it a priority to allocate funds in every financial year towards servicing of land, although servicing of land may be costly and lengthy,” she said. She said the council has made it a priority to at least ensure that every financial year it will work…

19 Sep

Newly registered party from Rundu wants to tackle hunger and unity

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The newly registered United Namibians Party (UNP) has set its focus on making Namibia self-sufficient in food production, eradicating hunger, and fostering unity. This was revealed by the party’s vice chief, Alfons Hausiku, who stated that the UNP’s primary mission is to address the pressing issues of hunger and national unity. “The first thing is, that Namibia must become self-sufficient in food production, and no Namibian child will die of hunger. We are servants to the people,” Hausiku said. The Rundu-based party intends to bring unity across the country and advocate for an equitable distribution of employment opportunities.…

19 Sep

ECN assures no interference in counting of votes by Swapo

National NewsNational Council

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has assured the public and all political parties that the governing Swapo Party will not interfere with the counting of votes at polling stations in November. Paulus Mbangu, a member of the National Council, expressed concern about remarks made by Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa at the party manifesto launch last weekend. “The SG cannot be the spokesperson of the ECN. Her remarks sound like she is giving orders to ECN, which is not good in democracy. Who gave the party SG the power to speak on the ECN's behalf? Because announcements…

19 Sep

Special task force to combat GBV in Erongo

National NewsErongo Regional Gender Permanent Task Force

Niël Terblanché The Erongo region is taking determined steps to confront the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) with the launch of the Erongo Regional Gender Permanent Task Force to address one of the most pressing social issues facing all Namibians. The initiative, launched by the Erongo regional governor Neville Andre in Swakopmund on Thursday morning, is a direct response to the rising tide of GBV, particularly violence against women and girls, in the region. “This task force is part of a broader national strategy, in line with Namibia's National Gender Policy and National Plan of Action on GBV, aimed at…

19 Sep

Revised code of conduct will ensure free and fair elections

National NewsCode of Conduct for Political Parties

Niël Terblanché In a move to strengthen democratic practices, the government has revised the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Political Organisations to ensure the promotion of democratic tolerance and the protection of citizens' rights to choose their political representatives freely. The new code of conduct, as gazetted on 5 September under Government Notice No. 257 stipulates new regulations, issued by the Electoral Commission of Namibia under the Electoral Act, 2014 (Act No. 5 of 2014), and is an important update to the nation’s election oversight, aiming to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections while promoting a climate of…

19 Sep

New advisory council to strengthen management of electronic information systems

National NewsElectronic Transactions Act, Modestus Amutse

Niël Terblanché In yet another step toward improving Namibia's digital economy, the deputy minister of information and communication technology (MICT), Modestus Amutse, inaugurated the Electronic Information Systems Management Advisory Council (EISMAC) on Thursday. The newly established council, formed under the Electronic Transactions Act, Act 4 of 2019, aims to provide strategic guidance in the ever-evolving field of electronic transactions and digital information management. Amutse stressed the critical role the council will play in addressing both the challenges and opportunities that come with the growing digital economy. He requested that the newly appointed council members, who come from diverse backgrounds, would…

19 Sep

‘Intensive agriculture is the way to go’ – Schlettwein

National NewsAgricultural Global Value Chains for Inclusive Development, Global Value Chain

Martin Endjala Water, agriculture, and land reform minister, Carl Schlettwein believes that intensive agriculture is the way forward. According to Schlettwein, there is a need for a policy shift from over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture to de-risking the sector to protect against climate change and to improve variety. He made these remarks on Thursday in Windhoek, during the 25th Annual Symposium of the Bank of Namibia, themed “Agricultural Global Value Chains for Inclusive Development: How can Namibia position its Agricultural Sector?” “Global Value Chain related trade, rather than conventional trade, has a positive impact on investment, productivity, income per capita, and…

19 Sep

NCS FC case against NFA dismissed

SportsNamibia Football Association, Namibian Correctional Service Football Club

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Correctional Service Football Club (NCS FC) has lost its legal battle against the Namibia Football Association (NFA). The club had challenged its disqualification from participating in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) following its promotion from the Southern Stream First Division. The 2024/2025 season saw NCS FC competing in the premier league. However, their participation was blocked because Khomas Nampol, another club owned by the safety and security ministry, is already part of the league. The NFA rules and regulations prohibit two clubs with the same owner from competing in the same league. After hearing arguments from…