Observer

6064 Posts
Nothing to fear from COVID-19 surge – Nangombe

Nothing to fear from COVID-19 surge – Nangombe

Niël Terblanché In the wake of a concerning surge in COVID-19 cases cantered in Rehoboth, Hardap Region, health officials are calling for calm and adherence to preventative measures. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of Health and Social Services, reiterated that the recent cases detected in Rehoboth last week are localized and under control, with affected individuals receiving proper supervision. Despite the repeal of COVID-19 protocols in 2022, Nangombe did, however, urge the public to persist with basic precautions, including mask-wearing in crowded areas, regular handwashing, and sanitization. He reassured the public that mandatory measures to curb COVID-19 have not been…
Read More
NEFF set to motivate its labour-hire system bill in parliament

NEFF set to motivate its labour-hire system bill in parliament

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) stated that it is ready to motivate its bill concerning the issue of the labour-hire system in the country. The bill seeks to address issues such as poor working conditions, low salaries, non-existent incentives and the exploitation of workers. According to the Party’s Deputy Leader, Longinus Kalimbo Iipumbu, the bill was supposed to be tabled in Parliament this week, for other members to contribute, however, this could not happen due to preparations for President Hage Geingob's memorial and funeral arrangements. “We will see by next week whether the discussion of the bill…
Read More
Namaf devised interventions to sustain the medical fund industry

Namaf devised interventions to sustain the medical fund industry

Martin Endjala The Namibian Association of Medical Aids Fund (Namaf) says the funding industry has devised strategic interventions intended to bring medical aid funds to a sustainable position. At a meeting convened in October last year, the Namaf Management Committee approved the 2024-2026 strategy as a road map primarily focused on the speedy execution of the interventions. In November 2023, Namaf informed the public that the N$5 billion medical aid funding industry is under financial pressure with utilisation as the root cause. According to Namaf’s Stakeholder Relations and Communication Manager Uatavi Mbai, Namaf will be focusing on the three top…
Read More

Neglected San people want to be part of Kavango East

Niël Terblanché Residents of Omega 3 in the Zambezi Region, primarily comprising the San people, are taking a bold step by applying to become part of the Kavango East Region. This move comes after what they describe as years of neglect by local leadership, leaving them without essential services such as clean drinking water, electricity, clinic access, or internet services. The community's frustrations have been exacerbated by the prolonged construction and subsequent non-utilization of the hostel at Ndoro Memorial Combined School. Despite its potential to house about 320 learners and four teachers, the facility remains unoccupied due to the lack…
Read More
Water shortage looms even larger as Hardap Dam level sinks further

Water shortage looms even larger as Hardap Dam level sinks further

Niël Terblanché Farmers of the Hardap Irrigation Scheme are confronting a dire situation as the Hardap Dam's water level drops to a critical low of approximately 14 percent, exacerbated by a prolonged drought in the region. The dwindling water supply threatens not only the current crop cycle but also poses a significant risk to the socio-economic fabric of the Hardap and Mariental communities. Dawie De Klerk, Chairperson of the Hardap Farmers Association, has voiced the growing concerns of the agricultural community, highlighting the immediate threat of crop failure and its cascading effects on local employment and the economy. The irrigation…
Read More
Economists anticipate that education might dominate the national budget

Economists anticipate that education might dominate the national budget

Martin Endjala Economists are anticipating that education will dominate the national budget that is set to be tabled in the National Assembly next week Some of the economists during a pre-budget public discussion in Windhoek this week said they are, however, doubtful of the continuous budgetary allocation to education because of its lacklustre performance. The event was organised by Capricorn Group in collaboration with its partners Economic Association of Namibia, and High Economic Intelligence among others, under the theme the National Budget in an Election Year: Fiscal Expansion and Strategic Priorities. The discussion centred around the implications of the expected…
Read More
Anna Marie Ngonde Shikusho Leads the Pack in the FNB Women’sSuper League Top Scorers

Anna Marie Ngonde Shikusho Leads the Pack in the FNB Women’sSuper League Top Scorers

Anna Marie Ngonde Shikusho of FC Ongos Ladies has emerged as the leading goal scorer, setting the pitch ablaze with an impressive tally of 15 goals after 6 rounds of competition in the FNB Women Super league. Shikusho’s remarkable shooting skills in front of the net has propelled her team to soaring heights in the league standings. Hot on Shikusho’s heels is Elsabe Whitey Reinecke of Arrows Ladies FC, showcasing her striking talent with 10 goals to her name, closely followed by the relentless Beauties scoring machine, Fiola Vliete, who boasts an impressive 9 goals. Anna-Ida Heidi Somses of VPower…
Read More
Zambia declares a national mourning period in honour of Geingob

Zambia declares a national mourning period in honour of Geingob

Niël Terblanché In an unprecedented gesture of solidarity and respect, Zambia has announced it will observe two days of national mourning this weekend to honour the memory of the late Namibian President, Dr Hage Geingob. It was reported by Zambian media outlets that President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered all Zambian flags to be flown at half-mast from 21 to 25 February 2024, as a mark of respect for President Geingob, who passed away at the age of 82on 4 February 2024. The period of mourning will culminate in memorial and burial services on Sunday, during which the nation will pause…
Read More
Malaria cases still surging in northern regions

Malaria cases still surging in northern regions

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) of Namibia has reported a significant uptick in malaria cases, with 350 individuals hospitalized amidst a surge of locally transmitted infections in the country’s northern regions. The rise in cases also includes those imported from neighbouring countries, which increases the widespread challenge in combating the disease. The Executive Director of MOHSS, Ben Nangombe, has disclosed that the surveillance systems have detected an increase in reported cases from regions traditionally associated with malaria. According to Nangombe, it is alarming that new infections are emerging from areas that typically do not report…
Read More
CoW denies financial crisis

CoW denies financial crisis

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Contrary to recent reports suggesting financial turmoil within the City of Windhoek (CoW), Chief Executive Officer, Moses Matyayi has denied any claims of the city being broke. This comes after Auditor General (AG) Junias Kandjeke, in the city’s financial audit report for the 2020/2021 financial year, reported that the Windhoek Municipality does not have a plan on how it is going to turn around the commercial insolvency and the deficit-making position in the foreseeable future. The report was compiled in September 2023. “The financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Municipality of…
Read More