Windhoek Observer – Page 659 – Windhoek Observer

12 Oct

Government allocates millions to subsidise shelters

MainGovernment allocates millions to subsidise shelters

Martin Endjala Doreen Sioka, the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, announced that the ministry has allocated N$2 million annually to subsidise 18 residential child-care shelters and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) facilities across eight regions. She emphasized that the ministry, by court orders, places children requiring care and protection in these essential facilities. Such facilities play an indispensable role in safeguarding the well-being of the country’s most vulnerable children. Addressing the parliament on Tuesday, regarding the operations of government-owned GBV shelters, Sioka responded to recent reports about staffing shortages in these facilities. She acknowledged the gravity of GBV…

11 Oct

Zimbabwe, Botswana victorious at women’s regional championship

SportsBotswana victorious at women’s regional championship, Zimbabwe

COSAFA Media Group C was dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ and lived up to expectations after the results of match day two in the pool at the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday. Botswana showed no mercy against Lesotho as they put three goals past them without reply. The Mares, who made no changes to side that drew 1-1 with Namibia in their opener, showed intention to score early in the first half with Lesego Radiakanyo denied by the defense in the opening three minutes while Obonetse Rathari was struck the woodwork from range a minute later.…

11 Oct

Meet Julinho Sporting Women Team

SportsMeet Julinho Sporting Women Team

Currently Playing in the Kavango East Women League. Currently in 3rd position. The team is comprised of about 30 players who want to invest time in football. Established in 2022, the team has played 5 Tournaments so far. The team is the Champions of Kayeura Kavango west women tournament 2022, current Champions of Rundu UNAM campus Cultural festival 2023

11 Oct

BoN takes on the role of licensing payment providers

Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) will now handle the licensing and regulation of payment service providers instead of sharing the responsibility with the Payments Association of Namibia (PAN). The move is in line with the recently promulgated Payment System Management Act 14 of 2023 (the PSM Act). The Deputy Governor of BoN Leonie Dunn, said the rationale for having a single regulator is to provide regulatory certainty, reduce the administrative load on payment service providers by eliminating the need to interact with two regulators, and bring the domestic national payment system in line with international best practices. She…

11 Oct

Nandi-Ndaitwah allays fears of election sabotage

National NewsNandi-Ndaitwah allays fears of election sabotage

Martin Endjala Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has assured Namibians that the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections next year will be conducted with the highest standards. She stated that neither Namibians nor opposition parties should be concerned about any sabotage. “I would like to allay any concerns or fears that the Hon. Member might have regarding the upcoming 2024 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and good governance,” she said. This includes working in the context of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, of which Namibia…

11 Oct

Proposed compulsory DNA testing could violate constitutional rights

National News

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, expressed concern yesterday that the legislature’s proposed compulsory DNA testing might infringe upon fundamental constitutional rights.“In my informed view, compulsory DNA testing, without an accompanying criminal offence, would likely fail a legal challenge. I cannot envision a judge authorizing it without violating a basic constitutional right,” Itula declared. His comments follow a proposal from the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Christine //Hoebes, earlier this year. She suggested that lawmakers should explore ways to make DNA testing mandatory and more accessible. The idea of obligatory DNA testing has also…

11 Oct

Khomas Governor criticises government vehicle moratorium

National NewsKhomas Governor criticises government vehicle moratorium

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Khomas Regional Governor, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s vehicle moratorium, stating that it has adversely impacted service delivery for the council. Last week, the National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Housing engaged with officials responsible for the Government Garage to assess the impact of the government’s moratorium on vehicle procurement for Offices, Ministries, Agencies (OMAs), and Regional Councils. The committee’s oversight mission aims to evaluate various issues, including the accessibility, reliability, and safety of government vehicles and transport in general. During the engagement, Governor Katjirua voiced her concerns regarding the moratorium’s impact on…

11 Oct

Non-NUDO members attacking the leadership – Kauandenge

National NewsNon-NUDO members attacking the leadership - Kauandenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Joseph Kauandenge, the Secretary-General of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), has stated that none of the party members are at the forefront of attacking democratically elected leaders or interfering in internal affairs under the pretext of “Otjira tjo tjiuana.” Kauandenge described these agitators as failed politicians, scholars, unsuccessful businesspeople, former ambassadors, armchair critics, and even failed pastors. He expressed disbelief at how such individuals feel they possess the moral authority to criticize Nudo leaders. “Just as a household has its hierarchy, so does Nudo. Not everyone can simply walk in from the streets and attempt to seize…

11 Oct

Housing and utility prices increased significantly

National NewsHousing and utility prices increased significantly

Martin Endjala According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s annual inflation rate for September 2023, Consumer Index for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels component has increased from 2.1 to 3.0 percent, accounting for 28.4 percent of the consumer spending. The increase in the annual inflation rate for this category was mainly reflected in the subgroup of Electricity, gas, and other fuels which registered 7.7 percent compared to 5.0 percent witnessed in September 2022, and rental payments of dwellings recorded 2.1 percent compared to 1.4 percent recorded in September of the preceding year. During September 2023, Statistician-General and Chief Executive…

11 Oct

Outdated personal files delay pension payments

National NewsOutdated personal files delay pension payments

Stefanus Nashama The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has indicated that outdated personal files of members and beneficiaries are causing delays in distributing pension benefits. This insight was shared by Amos Kambonde, GIPF’s Manager of Marketing Service. “It’s imperative for members to ensure their files are current. By doing so, when a benefit is due, the fund can disburse the pension benefits promptly,” Kambonde emphasized. Kambonde highlighted the challenges faced by the fund in timely benefit payouts to members and their beneficiaries. Among these challenges is the payment of death benefits. Many of these delays arise due to the absence…