Windhoek Observer – Page 801 – Windhoek Observer

03 Jul

ECN CEO hopeful disqualified for failing to declare Swapo ties

Main

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia has disqualified Michael Katjirari Tjivikua, who was part of the shortlisted candidates for the position of Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, for failing to declare that he was a member of the Swapo Party Think Tank. Tjivikua’s affiliation with the governing party is deemed to question the Commission’s impartiality and independence, which might endanger the public’s confidence in the Commission if he is selected. “The Commission is of the opinion that you did not give a declaration of all relevant information in your documents or Curriculum Vitae, and instead you applied your own…

30 Jun

‘Namibia is not a banana republic’

National News‘Namibia is not a banana republic’

Stefanus Nashama The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says Namibia is not a banana republic, and the police will not allow anyone to be intimidated or beaten up by another person. “No one should think Namibia is a banana republic, and no one should prevent the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni to conduct an official visit to Karasburg Town Council. We are there to maintain order, protect and provide safety for everyone, including the minister. Namibia has laws to protect every citizen of this country, chaos, and anarchy should not be entertained…

30 Jun

Meatco seeks serious policy intervention

National NewsMeatco seeks serious policy intervention

Stefanus Nashama The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has appealed for policy interventions to rescue the state-owned entity that has been grappling with a massive fall in its market share in recent years due to the underutilisation of its abattoirs. Meatco’s Chief Executive Officer, Mwilima Mushokobanji revealed this to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration on Wednesday, during a consultative meeting with Meatco management. He said the meeting was aimed at informing the committee on the operations of the company, progress made so far, and challenges the company faced in the gone times. Mushokobanji observed that although…

30 Jun

Consumers receive small respite from price hikes

Observer MoneyConsumers receive small respite from price hikes

Niël Terblanché Namibians will be spared another sharp increase in consumer goods because the price of fuel in Namibia will remain unchanged for the month of July. The Ministry of Mines and Energy in a statement announced That the pump prices for both diesel and petrol will remain the same as in June. The price of petrol in Walvis Bay will remain at N$19.78 per litre while the price of 50 ppm diesel will remain at N$19.05 per litre, and that of 10 ppm diesel will remain at N$19.25 per litre. Fuel prices across the rest of the country will…

30 Jun

Heavy rains force motorists on alternative routes to South Africa

National NewsHeavy rains force motorists on alternative routes to South Africa

Niël Terblanché Strong winter rains are still expected to continue falling over large parts of southern Namibia and while the extreme cold still poses a danger to livestock and vulnerable people. The main road that connects Namibia to South Africa at Noordoewer was damaged on Wednesday night after heavy rains fell in the area. The road along the so-called Vyf Myl Poort to the immediate south of Vioolsdrif in South Africa was destroyed in several places by rushing flood waters. The South African roads authority in a statement warned motorists about the severe damage to the road N7 main route.…

30 Jun

Sudden retrenchment is inhuman

National NewsSudden retrenchment is inhuman

Martin Endjala Workers at the Northern Graphite Processing Namibia (Pty) Ltd Okurusu Mine near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa region, are unhappy with the way their employer served them with a notice of retrenchment without formal notification. David Katali, the worker’s spokesperson, told the Windhoek Observer yesterday that employees are devastated about the developments at the Canadian-owned mining company. He said during an interview that the notification they received did not follow the correct procedures. “There is chaos at the workplace, in the sense that we woke up and went to work only to be told that today is our last…

30 Jun

FLON calls for youth empowerment

National NewsFLON calls for youth empowerment

Stefanus Nashama Monica Geingos, the First Lady of Namibia, has called on families to come forward to create urgent interventions for youth empowerment. Geingos made the call while addressing the youth at the ‘Be Free Youth Concert’ official launch yesterday in Windhoek. She said that families are supposed to play their role in the future of the youth by providing love and ensuring protection, having a sense of belonging, and offering financial support for youth development programs. “There should be parental involvement in youth matters, and without all these, families have not played their role in youth engagement and development…

30 Jun

Public warned against dangers of veld fires

National NewsPublic warned against dangers of veld fires

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has warned farmers, property owners and the general public to take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of veld fires during the dry winter season. Romeo Muyunda, the ministry’s spokesperson said the country is currently in its fire season which has been observed in the past to cause massive damage to the environment, properties and people. The dry season stretches between April and September. He added that since the start of the fire season, almost half a million hectares of grazing have already been destroyed by veld fires. “The fire…

30 Jun

New Agronomic Board achieves gender parity

National NewsNew Agronomic Board achieves gender parity

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Minister, Calle Schlettwein said the new Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) has achieved gender inclusivity and gender equality with the appointment of new members. Schletttwein, during the inauguration of the new board yesterday said the people in the new positions are representatives of various industries that link into the value chains and are experts in their required fields. “The Board is constituted, and its members, including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the board, shall be appointed by, and for a period as determined under, sections 14 and 15 of the Public Enterprises Governance…

30 Jun

Shaningwa challenges Kawana on same-sex marriage

MainShaningwa challenges Kawana on same-sex marriage

Martin Endjala The Swapo Party Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa has expressed her disappointment with Albert Kawana, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security for complying with the ruling of the Supreme Court on the 16th of May 2023 to recognize same-sex marriage from abroad. This comes after the Ministry announced that it will implement the immigration act as per the Supreme Court Judgement on the treatment of same-sex marriages validly concluded between Namibians and foreign nationals outside Namibia as provided in section 2(1)(c) of the immigration control ACT NO. 7 of 1993. As a result, Shaningwa yesterday posted…