Windhoek Observer – Page 365 – Windhoek Observer

11 Aug

Farmers collaborate with government to navigate drought

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), in collaboration with three other farmers’ unions, has been working tirelessly since January to address the devastating impact of the ongoing drought. According to the NAU, the country has experienced persistent drought conditions for the past eleven years, with the years 2013, 2016, 2019, and now 2024 declared national emergencies. “As the most arid country south of the Sahara, Namibian farmers are accustomed to drought, but the current situation is particularly severe,” the union said in a statement. The union noted that prolonged dry spells have strained the agricultural sector, with stagnant weaner…

11 Aug

Swapo leader demands justice for fired teacher

National NewsPetrus Ndeulita

Martin Endjala The Swapo deputy secretary for education, Hofni Ipinge has called for justice in the dismissal of a school teacher, who was found guilty of meting out corporal punishment last month. The demand is a response to the firing of Petrus Ndeulita, a teacher at Hashiyana Primary School in Ongwediva. In 2021, Ndeulita forced a seventh-grade learner to hold a chair over his head for over an hour as a form of punishment. “I am demanding justice to prevail for this young professional. It is a very bad and embarrassing story in our nation if this is how we…

11 Aug

Support for victims of human-wildlife conflict increased

National Newshuman-wildlife conflict

Niël Terblanché The Cabinet has approved an increase in payments for victims of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) under the Human-Wildlife Conflict Self-Reliance Scheme. This policy adjustment, which will take effect on September 1, is aimed at providing greater financial support to individuals and communities affected by the increasing incidences of wildlife-related losses and injuries, particularly during periods of drought when such conflicts tend to intensify. The approved compensation rates published in the latest list of Cabinet decisions released by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology last week include N$100 000 for funeral and related costs in the event of death,…

11 Aug

SADC PF SG urges addressing access to digital technology for the youth

National News

Moses Magadza As the world celebrates International Youth Day on August 12, the SADC Parliamentary Forum secretary general, Boemo Sekgoma, has highlighted the intersection of digital access and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for young people. This year’s theme is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” In a statement, Sekgoma noted that the intersection is also outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasised in the recently adopted Gaborone Declaration. Recent data indicates that in 2022, three-quarters of individuals aged 15–24 globally utilised the internet—a figure that signifies the significant role young people…

11 Aug

Recommendations to ECN for effective November 2024 election preparation

Opinions

Sem David Huge props to Namibians who understood the need of maintaining electoral democracy and took the initiative to assert their constitutional right to participate in decision-making and advance democracy. Out of the 3 million eligible Namibians, 1,467,604 registered to vote. This seems like a strong indication that either most Namibians still do not understand their constitutional rights to democracy or that not enough has been done to compel and attract the interests of the majority to register. Consider that it is insignificant compared to the 2.2 million youth in Namibia. It is easy to declare that people are not…

11 Aug

Ongos Valley extends housing development beyond Namibian borders

National NewsOngos Valley Development Pty

Martin Endjala The Ongos Valley Development Pty Limited is looking to tap into housing development markets beyond Namibia’s borders. Last week, the company signed an agreement with the Zambian government to build 2 000 housing units in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone. Abed Erastus, spokesperson for Ongos Valley, told the Windhoek Observer that the company aims to reduce the housing deficit in Namibia as well as in Africa when opportunities present themselves. “Zambia, like Namibia and other African countries, faces significant challenges in delivering houses at scale,” he said. The goal of the agreement with Zambia is to reduce…

11 Aug

Shikongo reflects on his tenure as IG

National NewsInspector General of the Namibian Police Force

The Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force Lieutenant General Joseph Shimweelao Shikongo, turns 60 on 18 September. In compliance with Namibian law, this milestone will mark his retirement. Shikongo, who was appointed to his current position by former President Hage Geingob on 22 August 2022, spoke with Windhoek Observer reporter Hertta-Maria Amutenja about his career, accomplishments, and plans for the future. WO: Reflecting on your career, what are the most significant achievements you are proud of during your tenure as Inspector General?JS: When I started, I took over a solid foundation from the founding Inspector Generals. I am the…

11 Aug

No contenders for PDM top positions yet

Featured, National NewsManuel Ngaringombe, PDM

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the official opposition party, will be holding its elective congress from 22 to 24 August in the Zambezi region. However, party members have not yet made any announcements regarding their candidatures for top positions. Manuel Ngaringombe, the party’s secretary general, has confirmed that all positions, including party president, vice president, secretary general, and parliamentary list, will be up for grabs. ''At the moment, we have nobody yet who has indicated their intentions of challenging for any position. Maybe there are people out there who have done so, but they have not made it…

11 Aug

Namibian economy projected to grow by 3.1 percent

Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia's August economic outlook predicts that the domestic economy will grow by 3.1 percent in 2024 and by 3.9 percent in 2025. The bank reported that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is, however, projected to slow down in 2024, due mainly to subdued growth in the global economy, affecting demand for minerals, and prevailing drought conditions. “Real GDP growth is projected to moderate downward to 3.1 percent in 2024, from 4.2 percent registered in 2023. Besides the weak demand, high base effects from the mining industry are expected to exert downward pressure on…

11 Aug

Ancient Tracking Skills and New Tech Are Protecting Namibia’s Endangered Pangolins

National NewsEndangered Pangolins, Indigenous San people, the Nyae Nyae Conservancy Office

Ester Mbathera Scientists and the Indigenous San people are working together to protect these elusive creatures, which play a vital role in ecological balance. A subtle rustle from a nearby bush is enough to prompt Cwi and his group to halt in their steps. The rangers have spent nearly a week trekking through the treacherous community forest, located 36 kilometers from the Nyae Nyae Conservancy Office, in search of the ever-so-elusive Temminck’s ground pangolin. Once the animal is confirmed to be a pangolin, a ranger quickly attaches a VHF and GPS transmitter while Cwi* holds the mammal steady on the…