Windhoek Observer – Page 611 – Windhoek Observer

15 May

Navigating the Namibia-China Partnership: A Strategic Advisory

Opinions

Dr Penny TM Uukunde As Namibia prepares to engage with China in the evolving landscape of Sino-African relations, it is crucial to chart a clear and strategic path forward. The enduring friendship between Namibia and China extends beyond economic cooperation, encompassing shared values, cultural exchanges, and a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral ties. Strengthening Economic Ties: Beyond Traditional Frameworks While China remains a vital economic partner for Namibia, recent developments in China's investment strategy for Africa necessitate a reevaluation of traditional frameworks such as FOCAC. Namibia must explore alternative avenues for economic cooperation and foster closer collaboration with Chinese stakeholders…

15 May

Iran aims to expand its economic footprint in Namibia

National News

Niël Terblanché Iran has announced new investment plans in Namibia, including the possibility of establishing an oil refinery and oil storage facilities in Walvis Bay. Iran's ambassador to Namibia, Seyed Ali Sharifi, made this announcement at a business event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event, hosted in collaboration with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), sought to foster business networks and future investment opportunities. Ambassador Sharifi emphasised Iran's intention to expand bilateral relations with Namibia across various sectors, particularly focusing on the oil market. He emphasised Iran's ability to help Namibia achieve self-sufficiency in fuel production.…

15 May

Robust partnerships needed to achieve clean cooking goals

Energy, National News

Niël Terblanché Cooking on fires fueled by wood or animal dung has severe health, environmental, and gender equality implications, leading to approximately 600,000 premature deaths annually, mostly among women and children around the world. The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, stressed an urgent need for robust partnerships with industrialised countries, multinational companies, and the global private sector to finance clean cooking initiatives across Africa. Schlettwien spoke at the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, which is currently underway in Paris. He pointed to the financial constraints that have impeded Namibia and many other African countries from…

15 May

Judiciary mourns Lady Justice Mokgoro

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Office of the Judiciary has described the late Lady Justice Jennifer Mokgoro, a former South African judge, as a true legal giant who made immense legal contributions to the southern African region, including Namibia. The executive director of the Office of the Judiciary, Benhardt Kukuri, said on Tuesday that Mokgoro, a retired judge, died on 9 May in Johannesburg, South Africa. She said that the legal community held Justice Mokgoro in high regard, not just in her native South Africa but also in the Southern African Development Community and globally. Justice Mokgoro was one of the…

15 May

Amushelelo and CoW’s cleaners case dismissed

National News

Stefanus Nashama The Windhoek Magistrate's Court dismissed the case against social activist Michael Amushelelo and three City of Windhoek cleaners for allegedly inciting public violence after demanding salary increases. This was confirmed on Wednesday by lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, who represented Amushelelo and the workers. “The criminal political case of Michael Amushelelo was thrown out of court today,” he said. Amushelelo represented contract cleaners in the City of Windhoek in February 2023, which led to his arrest and the arrests of three others: Immanuel Mbonda, Alfred Kashimbi Sabas, and Padelia Hamukwaya. Workers, among other things, demanded fixed employment, improved wages, and…

15 May

Second desalination plant to combat water scarcity

National News

Niël Terblanché In a strategic move to combat the ongoing water scarcity in Namibia's coastal and central regions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has announced plans to start the construction of a second desalination plant in early 2025. This project, set to enhance the country's water infrastructure, will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. Agriculture Minister Calle Schlettwein confirmed that NamWater will collaborate with the Swakop Uranium on this initiative. The new plant intends to significantly boost the Erongo Region's water supply capacity by converting seawater into potable water. This is in response to escalating…

15 May

Suggestions that Mukwe’s old delimitation was politically motivated

Featured

Martin Endjala The previous Boundary Delimitation and Demarcation Commission decision in 1990 to make the Mukwe constituency part of Caprivi, the now-Zambezi region, was politically motivated. This is according to Rundu Rural Constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, Mbangu clarified the issue of which region should integrate the Mukwe constituency. “Many people are not aware of this, but let me clarify how the issue started. In 1990, when Namibia gained independence, the first delimitation commission decided to make Mukwe part of Caprivi, but Mukwe was long part of Kavango. Since they did not…

15 May

Swakopmund handles N$132m debt in-house

National News

Ester Mbathera Swakopmund municipality prefers to handle its clients' debts in-house. This is despite the fact that residents, businesses, NGOs, ministries, and other property owners collectively owe the municipality a total of N$132 million. Linda Mupupa, the municipality’s spokesperson, told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday that they are merely sticking to their mandate to operate as a self-sustaining entity as per the Local Authority Act of 1992, as amended. “Self-sufficiency in this regard means the council is to collect rates and taxes from residents, business owners, and property owners in return for services rendered. The council's current stance is to…

15 May

VCF draws red line through beef marketing potential

Main

Niël Terblanché Namibia's livestock sector, a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy, faces a significant divide due to the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF), often referred to as the Redline. The original purpose of this fence, which dates back to the German colonial period in 1896, was to stop the spread of infectious diseases like rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. Spanning approximately 1,250 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean to Botswana, the VCF separates northern Namibia from its central and southern parts. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration, during a fact-finding mission to communal farming areas in the country’s northern…

14 May

NSSU Sends Talented Athletes to ISF Football World Cup

Sports

The NSSU is sending a U/18 Football team to Dalian City, P.R. China, to compete in the ISF Football World Cup, running from May 16th to May 27th, 2024. This tournament, born out of the legacy of the ISF World School Championships, aims to blend sportsmanship with educational initiatives, emphasizing values such as fair play, healthy living, and inclusivity. The Namibian team, primarily scouted during the Debmarine BTG Competition in 2022 and polished through strategic tours and friendly matches, is poised for success under the guidance of distinguished coaches Mr. Pauhl Mallembu and Mr. Shipena Nakalondo. Spearheading the delegation is…