Blog – Page 232 – News Stand

29 Sep

Top Score instant porridge removed from shelves following the death of three children

info_e12wt4csMainNamib Mills

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namib Mills has temporarily withdrawn all Top Score Instant Porridge from the market following the deaths of three children in Mdantsane township, Buffalo City, South Africa. The children, aged 4, 18 months and 17 months, passed away on Sunday, with two of them from the same household. NamibMills’ senior brand manager, Marné Bouwer, expressed deep regret following the incident. “We are deeply saddened by the reports circulating that three children have passed away. There is currently no evidence linking our product to this incident, but we are taking the matter very seriously,” she said. Bouwer said the company…

29 Sep

Ministry of mines and energy assures investor stability

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National News

Ester Mbathera The executive director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Penda Ithindi, has reassured investors that Namibia is committed to maintaining stability in the sector beyond the elections. Ithindi was addressing questions posted by the Windhoek Observer last week regarding the potential impact of the upcoming November elections on Namibia's oil and gas industry. “Namibia is governed by the rule of law, and all decisions are made within the confinement of the law and by the Constitution. Namibia has seen change in leadership four times already, and no disruption has occurred during those times,” he said. He assured…

29 Sep

Pure criminality behind Omusati rape cases – Basson

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta- Maria Amutenja Omusati regional police commander, Commissioner Ishmael Basson, has condemned the recent surge in rape cases in the region, calling them acts of "pure criminality". Basson made these remarks in response to a surge in rape cases reported in the region. “The pattern that this is happening is unbelievable, and there should be no excuse to harm people,” Basson said. He urged parents and guardians to report such crimes immediately, particularly those involving minors. He further rejected the notion that culture or socio-economic drivers could justify the crimes, asserting that the police would take strong action against the…

29 Sep

Van Wyk dismisses removal, claims he remains UPM President

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Jan van Wyk rejected the United People's Movement's (UPM) management committee's decision to recall him as the party president. He lost his position as UPM president on Friday because he did not attend three consecutive management committee meetings. He was removed along with Mita Pickering, the vice president, and Justin Coetzee, the local authority councillor at Rehoboth. On Sunday, Jan van Wyk told the Windhoek Observer that there is no reason for him to take any action against what he described as failed politicians who are not members of the UPM. “They were expelled from the party in…

29 Sep

Unions question PAYE reimbursement plans

info_e12wt4csNational Newsnew taxation regulations

Martin Endjala Various labour unions have criticised the lack of consultation on the tax reimbursement of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) to be paid by employers to employees between 1 March and 30 September. They said that a lack of prior consultation raises questions about transparency and the potential implications of the new taxation regulations for businesses and employees. In a joint statement released last week, we responded to the announcement made earlier this month by the finance minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, regarding tax refunds. The gazetting of the Namibian Income Tax Amendment Act (Act 4 2024) was met with trepidation by employer representatives,…

29 Sep

LPM councillor challenges RedForce settlement at Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRedForce Debt Management., Ryan Gordon

Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) councillor of the Walvis Bay municipality, Ryan Gordon, has raised concerns regarding the settlement agreement between the municipality and RedForce Debt Management. He questioned the legality of the 12% levy on RedForce collections, arguing that neither the municipality's credit control policy nor gazetted documents reflect it. He requested this in a letter dated 20 September. The letter was seen by the Windhoek Observer. “We have noted Advocate Metcalfe describing the councillors as corrupt because illegal tariffs are imposed on municipality customers by the 12% levy imposed on Redforce collections. Please show me where…

29 Sep

UDF set to launch manifesto in October

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hilarius Hamutenya The United Democratic Front (UDF) will launch its election manifesto during its congress in Otjiwarongo on 12 October. Last week, the UDF’s spokesperson, Mabasen Narib told the Windhoek Observer that in the manifesto, the party's leadership will unpack how the party intends to change the state of government and make service delivery the order of business. “UDF presents itself as the next best alternative party to the voters. The manifesto will give a detailed strategic plan on how we intend to address the bread and butter issues of our people,” he said. Narib added that the UDF has…

29 Sep

Mbumba’s participation in UNGA solidifies Namibia’s global role

info_e12wt4csNational NewsUnited Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79)

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba returned home on Saturday after his working visit to the United States, where he participated in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York. The session, held from 19 to 26 September, was themed “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for the present and future generations.” Mbumba also co-facilitated the Summit of the Future with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to a statement from the Namibian Presidency. The summit was convened under the theme “Summit of the Future: Multilateral…

29 Sep

Netball Namibia honours its former presidents

info_e12wt4csSportsRebekka Goagoses

Ester Mbathera Netball Namibia has awarded honorary membership to its former presidents, recognising their invaluable contributions to the sport's growth in the country. Federation president, Rebekka Goagoses announced this during the conclusion of the MTC Premier League in Otjiwarongo on Sunday. “Recently, at our annual general meeting held in Ongwediva, we took significant steps to honour those who have paved the way for Namibian netball. We awarded honorary membership to former presidents Agnes Tjongarero, Carol Garoes, Lydia Kandetu, Lydia Mutenda, and former Vice President Isadore Nell. Their contributions laid the foundation for the growth we celebrate today, and we owe…

29 Sep

SADC PF convenes retreat to strengthen budgetary practices for SRHR advocacy

info_e12wt4csAfrica / WorldSADC Parliamentary

Moses Magadza The SADC Parliamentary Forum's SIDA-funded Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV, and AIDS Governance Project has convened a budget analysis retreat for researchers and staff of national parliaments to strengthen budgetary practices for SRHR advocacy. The retreat began in Johannesburg on September 28 with the secretary general of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Boemo Sekgoma, underscoring the need for rigorous budget planning in SRHR. “Without a budget, nothing can be achieved,” Sekgoma said when she officially opened the retreat, highlighting the role financial resources play in implementing essential health initiatives. She highlighted the interconnectedness of budget allocations…