info_e12wt4cs – Page 574

04 Oct

Namibia will focus on ethical AI development under UNESCO’s guidance

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia will focus on ethical AI development under UNESCO’s guidance

Niël Terblanché More than 80 representatives from academia, civil society, the government, and the private sector assembled in Windhoek to deliberate on the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Namibia. The gathering was in line with the Implementation of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, a project led by the Ministry of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation, in tandem with the UN agency. The UNESCO Recommendation accentuates the imperatives of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI development and utilization. It ALSO supports the protection of human rights, alongside the promotion of gender equality and diversity in…

04 Oct

National GH2 roadshow to northern regions postponed

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsNational GH2 roadshow to northern regions postponed

Martin Endjala The Government, in collaboration with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, has postponed the eagerly awaited National Green Hydrogen Roadshow to the northern regions. This decision comes due to unforeseen circumstances, with no future date currently provided. Hyphen’s Head of Environment, Social and Governance, Toni Beukes, indicated that the meetings for the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto Clusters, initially slated for 02-5 October 2023, will now be rescheduled. “These planned sessions in Eenhana, Outapi, Oshakati, and Omuthiya are central to our mission of engaging with communities and providing details about the Hyphen project and the Socio-Economic Development Framework,” Beukes stated. She…

04 Oct

Health Ministry admits that ambulance shortage hinders service delivery

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHealth Ministry admits that ambulance shortage hinders service delivery

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services has acknowledged a significant impediment in public health service delivery, stemming from the operation of only a fraction of the allocated 215 ambulances. This has detrimentally affected services, especially in emergencies. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry, described the situation’s severity, comparing the lack of ambulances to a critical resource deficit in the public health sector. He said that this shortage directly hinders service provision, resulting in essential services being unattended during emergencies. Nangombe pointed out instances where timely ambulance responses were compromised due to multiple simultaneous emergencies. Current…

04 Oct

Menzies Aviation suffers another catastrophic court defeat

info_e12wt4csMainMenzies Aviation suffers another catastrophic court defeat

Niël Terblanché In a blow to Menzies Aviation Namibia, Judge Shafimana Ueitele of the Namibian High Court once again ruled against the company, ordering it to pay the respondent’s legal fees and denying its plea to return to Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) as the ground handling services provider. The judgment adds to the legal woes the United Kingdom-based company has faced in its battle to reclaim its position at the airport. Judge Ueitele’s decision came after Menzies Aviation made multiple attempts to gain a legal footing to continue its operations at HKIA. The Namibia Airports Company had previously raised…

03 Oct

Namibian Musician Gazza Releases Checka Single

info_e12wt4csFeaturedNamibian Musician Gazza Releases Checka Single

Namibian musician Gazza has released a new single titled ‘Checka’, which is available for streaming and download here. Gazza, who has over 20 years in the music industry, describes his new track as an “ode to looking good and feeling good.” “The song centres around fashion. We all know that when you look good, you feel good, enabling you to tackle the tasks that lie ahead,” Gazza said. “By consistently doing so, you can achieve even more. It also celebrates personal victories, such as obtaining a degree or purchasing a new car or house.” In addition to the release of…

03 Oct

NAMFISA advocates for financial stability amidst a decline in loan book value

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) has announced a year-on-year decline of 7.8 percent in the value of its loan book at the end of 2022, amounting to N$6.7 billion. This is largely attributed to the value of the loan book being dominated by the stock for term lenders, which accounted for nearly 96 percent of the total share, standing at N$6.5 billion. However, Kenneth Matomola, the Chief Executive Officer of NAMFISA, explains that the non-bank financial institutions sector remains financially sound and stable despite these fluctuations. “NAMFISA is committed to ensuring the stability and financial soundness…

03 Oct

Politicians ordered suspension of New Era News Editor: Amupanda

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPoliticians ordered suspension of New Era News Editor: Amupanda

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning Movement, Job Amupanda, has alleged that Jonathan Beukes, the Managing Editor of the state-owned newspaper, New Era, was suspended on the instructions of politicians. Amupanda claims this suspension occurred because Beukes was adhering to media ethics and not promoting what he refers to as the corrupt regime. Christof Maletsky, the Chief Executive Officer of New Era Newspaper, confirmed Beukes’ suspension to the Windhoek Observer but declined to divulge more information on what led to the suspension, citing the matter as internal. “Yes, he is suspended while we are investigating further; I can’t…

03 Oct

Disturbing harassment of enumerators undermines Census 2023

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDisturbing harassment of enumerators undermines Census 2023, Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU)

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has condemned the harassment of enumerators, following several unsettling videos circulating on social media. The NAU has firmly distanced itself from any actions involving harassment towards enumerators, stressing that such behaviour starkly contrasts with the principles of professionalism and respect that the union staunchly upholds in executing its duties. Amidst the ongoing Population and Housing Census, a paramount initiative by the Namibian Government, enumerators appointed by the Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA) are facing instances of non-collaboration and intimidation. These public servants are dedicatedly working to gather essential demographic, socioeconomic, and housing information that…

03 Oct

Only 96 out of 215 ambulances functioning countrywide

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOnly 96 out of 215 ambulances functioning countrywide

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services is currently operating with only 96 functional ambulances across the country. Statistics provided by the Executive Director of the Ministry, Ben Nangombe, reveal that of the allocated 215 ambulances, 44 have been rendered unusable and 75 are either out of service or undergoing repairs. Nangombe disclosed that, of the operational ambulances, 15 are stationed at referral and intermediate hospitals, while 82 operate at district hospitals. There have been pleas from various communities across the country urging the government to provide sufficient ambulances to the Ministry to ensure efficient service delivery. The…

03 Oct

PM urges Namibians to uphold a spirit of resilience

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPM urges Namibians to uphold a spirit of resilience

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged Namibians to demonstrate an unwavering spirit of resilience, as the country embarks on the second phase of the struggle post-independence – the struggle for economic independence. “As we pursue this new phase, we should display the same ‘never say die’ spirit that characterized our fight for political independence,” the premier said. “This is a struggle we must engage in and win as it is our historic duty. We are the benefactors of the freedom and independence that were earned at the hefty price of many lives, both during the colonial resistance period and…