Observer

8569 Posts
Lack of land hamstrings NHE

Lack of land hamstrings NHE

Andrew Kathindi The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) says the lack of land has been a hindrance in delivering on its mandate. Speaking to Windhoek Observer, NHE corporate communications manager, Eric Libongani, said the NHE has no special access and has to compete for land just like private developers, in a country where the scarcity of viable land for housing development is a challenge. “We do not want to look like we are pointing fingers but I think what is critical, we need to realize that the institution that is given the sole mandate on behalf of government to construct houses…
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Fishcor boss speaks out

Fishcor boss speaks out

..as Case 33 poses a conundrum for police Andrew Kathindi Fishcor General Manager for Finance Paulus Ngalangi on Wednesday spoke out over his links and involvement with a Covid-19 positive South African suspect arrested by the police in Windhoek’s City Centre over the weekend. Ngalangi whose term ended as Fishcor’s Acting boss in May, said he had transported the suspected who is now in police custody “as a favor” to an unidentified friend and enlisted the services of a police officer, who has been arrested. “I was asked by a friend to collect a gentleman who was stuck with transport…
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Nekundi’s taint affects Geingob

In 2017, Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi received N$20,000 from a law firm being investigated for receiving and transferring money connected with the Fishrot scandal. And yet, in 2020 he is sworn in as a Member of Parliament and appointed to a deputy minister’s portfolio. We wonder what vetting procedures are undertaken when people are selected for high office. An appointment to serve the country as a Member of Parliament, minister or deputy minister must only be extended to those who hold the highest level of integrity, honesty and love of nation. But, that is not enough.…
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Your small business can adapt to COVID-19 hindrance

Your small business can adapt to COVID-19 hindrance

Loide David The International Monetary Fund’s latest Global Financial Stability Report indicates that financial systems have already felt a dramatic impact during the COVID-19 crisis. In the United States, one of the hardest-hit countries with over two million COVID-19 cases, the effect of the pandemic on businesses has caused it to register close to 40 million job losses. Most of these job losses are from small businesses. Small businesses are privately owned establishments, enterprises, sole proprietorships with fewer employees, and less annual revenue than a regular-sized business or corporation. In a Namibian context, the commercial bank’s regulator, Bank of Namibia,…
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Ngwangwama appointed NWR Managing Director

Ngwangwama appointed NWR Managing Director

Staff Writer Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) Board of Directors has appointed Dr Matthias Mpareke Ngwangwama as the substantive Managing Director effective 1 April 2020 for a period of five years. Ngwangwama has been acting Managing Director of NWR since 23 April 2019 following the exit of Zelna Hengari. Ngwangwama is no stranger to NWR, having been the longest-serving Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the hospitality company, before taking over as the Chief Officer: Strategy and Projects within the organisation two years ago. "As a board we know we have made the right choice. Being a PhD holder in Business Management…
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A dream, hard work and perseverance

A dream, hard work and perseverance

A journey for Wilbard Mwetulundila Wilbard Mwetulundila grew up in Onamutayi Village east of Ongwediva with his seven siblings. As a child, he was fascinated by battery-operated toys and his persisted of engineering curiosity birthed a Marine Electrician at Debmarine Namibia. He has an unwavering love for engineering and on the quest to follow it though to make sure that his childhood dream of becoming an engineer is realised. “I always had a picture of myself working in an engineering space. Given that burning passion, it was just a matter of putting in the effort to fulfill my dream”. After…
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Gender ministry rejects abortion rights

Gender ministry rejects abortion rights

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare has stated it does not support recent calls to legalize abortion in Namibia. This declaration was made amid increased calls after an online petition by psychological counsellor, Beauty Boois calling for the legalizing of abortion in the country, garnered over 4,000 signatures. Currently, abortion is illegal in Namibia except under specific conditions involving a pregnancy due to proven rape or incest according to the Abortion and Sterilisation Act of South Africa of (1975), which Namibia inherited at independence in 1990. This remnant law from the apartheid days has…
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Katutura family tested after case 32 contact

Katutura family tested after case 32 contact

…. as NCS expects more quarantine subjects Staff Writer A Katutura family has been tested for Covid-19 by Health ministry officials after it came into contact with case 32 when she travelled from her Walvis Bay base to Windhoek prior to her testing positive for the virus. The development comes after it emerged that permit holders from the Erongo have been able to leave the region without being tested for Covid-19 since stage 1 lockdown was imposed by government. Information gathered by the Windhoek Observer shows that health officials conducted the tests on Monday in Katutura Central , a development…
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Beware of cyber scams

Beware of cyber scams

Moses Waiganjo and Iyaloo N Waiganjo COVID-19 has forced most citizens around the world to stay home and to make use of information technology infrastructure such as smart phones, computers and tablets to carry out their daily online activities. The precipitous rise in internet usage at this specific and unique time has also given a green light to more cyber conmen and criminals to attempt to steal money and personal information. During this pandemic, many services are offered online to comply with social distancing as directed by the government. Academic classes are offered online from primary to tertiary levels. Employees…
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NSFAF funded foreign study is unaffordable

NSFAF can no longer support Namibians attending foreign universities. The little money that remains in state coffers, cannot be stretched that far. All students that have completed half of their requirements (for example) could be funded to finish. But, all others must return and the program shut down. NSFAF funds are loans. Those receiving them should be allowed to spend them on the education of their choosing. Unpredictable foreign exchange fluctuations; the high cost of sending money; and the lack of funds to assist students in emergency situations, makes the program untenable. There are good reasons to support foreign study…
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