Windhoek Observer – Page 382 – Windhoek Observer

23 Sep

Bondelswarts gears up for cultural showcase at World Tourism Day

National News

Niël Terblanché The Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation is preparing to host a historical cultural event at the Warmbad Heritage site, embracing the theme “Promoting Unity, Tourism, and Culture for Development” on World Tourism Day on 27 September. This global day of recognition presents an opportunity to explore the transformative power of tourism, especially in rural communities like Warmbad, situated in the //Kharas region. Mathew Veldskoen, the spokesperson for the Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation, stated that tourism has the potential to be a force for positive change in rural areas across the world. He stressed that the event in Warmbad will not only…

23 Sep

Omungwelume Sports Club working on developing a stadium

Sports

Hilarius Hamutenya The Katunanghee Football Club is organising a youth tournament to help raise funds to develop sports facilities in the village of Omungwelume in the Ohangwena region. The event is slated for December. The club’s co-founder, Ndatipo Shomongula, said they came up with the idea to attract sponsorship. “We don't have enough financial support. I tried to ask many business owners for assistance to help us with funds, but no one helped me,” said Shomongula. He added that he bought the land in January 2018 with the idea of building facilities for basketball, volleyball, and soccer. He said that…

23 Sep

Chief Justice urges consistency in court rulings nationwide

National News2024 Annual Magistrates Conference, Peter Shivute

Niël Terblanché Namibia's Chief Justice, Peter Shivute, during the official opening of the 2024 Annual Magistrates Conference reiterated the importance of a unified magistracy in delivering justice efficiently and fairly across all regions of the country. The conference that started in Swakopmund on Monday morning will focus on the theme of “Fostering a Unified Magistracy.” The event that brought together magistrates from across Namibia serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and addressing the many challenges facing the lower courts in the country. Justice Shivute stressed that for many Namibians, their first encounter with the legal system happens in the…

23 Sep

NAMPOA empowers journalists with in-depth insights into oil and gas industry

Energy, Observer MoneyEnvironmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)

Niël Terblanché As Namibia’s upstream petroleum industry continues to grow, driven by significant offshore discoveries, public interest has surged. Along with growing interest comes a pressing need for the media to provide accurate, well-informed coverage of the sector. In response, the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association (NAMPOA) is hosting a press seminar aimed at enhancing journalists’ understanding of the oil and gas industry, particularly its upstream operations. Scheduled for 24 September 2024, this seminar seeks to bridge the information gap between the oil and gas industry and the public by equipping media professionals with the tools necessary for informed reporting. The…

23 Sep

Residential development dominates August building statistics

Observer MoneyNational Housing Enterprise (NHE), Simonis Storm Securities

Martin Endjala Residential development in Windhoek and Swakopmund dominated building statistics during August, with construction activities in both cities continuing to show growth. According to a report by Simonis Storm Securities, construction activity remained modest in both Windhoek and Swakopmund, with continued development in both regions. Windhoek recorded an increase in approvals from 189 in July 2024 to 222 in August 2024, the highest on record for the year. Swakopmund also saw a rise in approvals, jumping from 39 to 64 during the same period. Despite this increase in construction activity, the overall value of completed projects experienced a sharp…

23 Sep

A 50MW solar power plant to be constructed near Ruacana

Energy, Observer MoneyCathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd

Martin Endjala A 50-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant is set to be constructed near Ruacana if a proposal to build it is approved. Cathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd. (CI77), plans to develop a 50 MW solar power plant on a site at the NamPower Kunene substation in the Omusati region. “The plant is not for local supply, but it's for international supply and central Namibia,” Enviro Dynamics’s environmental consultant, Norman Van Zyl said during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday. Enviro Dynamics has been instructed to apply for an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) on behalf of CI77.…

22 Sep

‘I have never taken up membership with AR’ – Ipinge

Featured, MainKnowledge Ipinge, Laina Shapange

Ester Mbathera Former Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) activist, Knowledge Ipinge who defected to Swapo on Saturday, says he never took up membership with the movement since its transition to a political party. “I have never taken up membership with the AR,” he said. Ipinge told the Windhoek Observer on Sunday that the leadership of the Swapo party's vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, which he described as rooted in pragmatism, integrity, accountability, meritocracy, and inclusivity, significantly influenced his decision to rejoin Swwapo. “I refuse to participate in any discussion that attempts to create a narrative of bad blood between myself, AR, and…

22 Sep

Namibian MPs join global call to remove Cuba from terrorism list

National Newsterrorism list, U.S. President Joe Biden

Niël Terblanché In a show of global solidarity, Namibian members of parliament (MPs) have joined over 600 parliamentarians from 73 countries in signing a letter denouncing U.S. President Joe Biden's designation of Cuba as a "state sponsor of terrorism." Namibia’s MPs, alongside their international counterparts, are urging their respective governments to take action to remove Cuba from this controversial list before the end of Biden’s term in January 2025. Addressed to the United Nations, the collective letter denounces the reapplication of the designation, characterizing it as cynical, cruel, and a violation of international law. The United States first removed Cuba…

22 Sep

Shikongo reappointed as police chief

National NewsJoseph Shikongo

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has been reappointed as Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force for another three-year term. The appointment is effective from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027. President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed the general’s reappointment on Sunday. Mbumba expressed confidence in Shikongo’s ability to continue leading the Namibian Police Force. “I am confident in your ability to execute your duties with professionalism and fairness,” said Mbumba. The president also instructed Shikongo to implement policies aimed at combating crime and modernizing the police force to meet global law enforcement standards. Shikongo, who turned 60 on 18…

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…