Observer – Page 99 – Windhoek Observer

30 Jan

Namibia records 22 new leprosy cases

ObserverNational NewsNamibia records 22 new leprosy cases

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has revealed that the country reported 22 new leprosy cases in September 2023. Speaking at the commemoration of World Leprosy Day in Katima Mulilo, Shangula urging collective action to combat the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. Shangula disclosed the breakdown of the cases, emphasising the urgency of addressing the situation. He announced that seven cases were identified in the Zambezi Region, 11 in the Kavango Region, three in the Oshana Region, and one in the Omusati Region. This data underscores the persistent challenge posed by leprosy in…

30 Jan

Need arises for TVET to accommodate 76,000 students

ObserverMain000 students, Need arises for TVET to accommodate 76

Martin Endjala Regina Ambambi, the Chairperson of the Association of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Namibia (ATVETIN), has highlighted the urgent need for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions to expand their capacity. According to Ambambi, accommodating approximately 76,000 learners is crucial to keep youth off the streets and engaged in productive activities, assuming that only a few of them enter direct employment. This necessity was underscored following ATVETIN’s analysis of the recent Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) results, released on January 10, 2024. Ambambi noted that the performance in this national assessment significantly impacts…

29 Jan

US Embassy moves to its new premises in Klein Windhoek

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama In a significant development marking the evolution of relations between the United States of America and Namibia, the United States of America recently moved its embassy operations to its newly constructed site in Klein Windhoek. Tiffany Miller, the Public Affairs Officer and Spokesperson for the US Embassy in Windhoek announced this transition, signifying the closure of the embassy's previous location and the commencement of operations at the new diplomatic facility. Miller said that the move to the new site in Windhoek represents not just a physical shift but also symbolizes the future trajectory of collaboration between the United…

29 Jan

MIT announces consultations on key economic legislation and policies”

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Elijah Mukobonda, the Chief Information Officer at the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT), has recently declared that the ministry will embark on public consultations for three significant legislative and policy documents. These include the Special Economic Zone Bill (SEZ), the National Informal Economy, the Startups and Entrepreneurship Development Policy (NIESED), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Regulations, and the National Cooling Strategy. The move comes as Namibia transitions from the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) to the SEZ, following the former's lack of success. "The EPZ did not generate the expected tax revenue for the Treasury and nearly…

29 Jan

Swakopmund sets ambitious goals for poverty eradication

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanche To combat poverty and hunger, the Mayor of Swakopmund, Dina Namubes, announced during the first Town Council meeting of 2024 that the town is setting ambitious goals to eradicate poverty and achieve zero hunger. According to Namubes, these goals align with the National Sustainable Development Goals, signifying a proactive approach towards addressing critical issues affecting the local community. Namubes stressed the need for reflection on past progress and challenges, highlighting the unique opportunities and persistent obstacles facing Swakopmund. "I am confident that with your unwavering dedication and the collaborative spirit that defines this Council, we will continue to…

29 Jan

FNB Namibia appoints new people in top leadership positions

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala As part of its executive team restructuring, First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) has announced the appointment of Nangula Kauluma, as Chief Executive Officer for FNB Retail Banking and Sepo Haihambo, as Chief Executive Officer of FNB Commercial Banking. According to the bank, the restructuring is the first for the Namibian market which is aligned to the trend in banking globally, hence the announced closer by the bank to-market restructuring of its Executive Team. FirstRand Namibia Group CEO, Conrad Dempsey, congratulated Kauluma and Haihambo on their new roles, saying that they are excited about the focused potential of…

29 Jan

Swakop Uranium donates N$100 000 to Nossobville Primary School

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Swakop Uranium's social responsibility foundation last week donated N$100,000 towards the construction of the Nossobville Primary School's hall in Gobabis, showcasing its commitment to education and childhood development. The N$100, 000 to the Nossobville school is aimed at the school's hall renovation project. After the school took the initiative to renovate the hall through parent and community members' monthly monetary contributions. Swakop Uranium then decided to come on board to support the commendable efforts of the community to complete the project for the benefit of all. At the handover ceremony held at the school in Gobabis, Percy McCallum,…

29 Jan

Namibian woman stabbed to death in England

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 22-year-old Namibian woman named Claudia Kambanza died in the city of Hull in England, United Kingdom after sustaining fatal stab wounds. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 26 January 2024, has led to a murder investigation, with a 28-year-old Namibian man, Mateus Johannes, now in custody and facing charges of murder. According to Humberside Police, officers were called to Hinderwell Street around 03h00 after reports emerged that a woman had been stabbed. Despite efforts by medical professionals, Kambanza succumbed to her injuries shortly after being taken to the hospital. The police have revealed that…

29 Jan

Namibia’s Historic AFCON 2023 Journey Ends in Tough Battle Against Angola

ObserverSportsNamibia’s Historic AFCON 2023 Journey Ends in Tough Battle Against Angola

A historic moment for Namibia’s Brave Warriors, their remarkable journey in the AFCON 2023 came to an end after a challenging match against neighboring Angola that saw two red cards and an intense battle on the field. Despite their exit, the team’s qualification for the round of sixteen marked a significant achievement. Collin Benjamin, the head coach of the Namibian national football team, had steered his charges through a tough qualification process to secure their spot in the round of sixteen. The nation’s expectations were high as the Brave Warriors faced a formidable opponent in the form of Angola. The…

29 Jan

Patient overflow causes renovation roadblock

ObserverNational NewsPatient overflow causes renovation roadblock

Niël Terblanché Ester Kaapanda, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Works and Transport, in a striking revelation announced that the much-needed renovation of the Katutura Intermediate Hospital has hit a significant hurdle. Despite a generous allocation of N$40 million for the current financial year, efforts to refurbish the ageing hospital are being hindered by the ongoing challenge of accommodating its many patients. The Ministry of Works and Transport, tasked with the renovation of government buildings and immovable assets, has expressed gratitude towards the taxpayers for their contributions. “We have appointed several Namibian contractors, who are actively working on renovating…