Blog – Page 253 – News Stand

07 Oct

Namibian students qualified to work in oil and gas industry

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOffshore Marine Training Institute of Namibia (OMITC)

Ester Mbathera Sixteen students completed courses in basic rigging, firewatching, and gas testing for the offshore oil and gas industry at the Offshore Marine Training Institute of Namibia (OMITC) at Walvis Bay. On Monday, the Director of OMITC Namibia, Absalom Fillipus, told the Windhoek Observer that the courses are designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the offshore oil and gas industry, including roles at sea. “It means investing in the future of Namibia, enhancing both personal and professional growth for local citizens. As more Namibians become skilled in essential areas like rigging, firewatching,…

07 Oct

Education ministries to unveil project charter for education reform

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAntónio Guterres

Niël Terblanché The Ministries of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) and Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI) are preparing to launch the Project Charter, an implementation guide for recommendations made during the 2022 National Conference on Education (NCE). According to a statement released by the ministry of education, the charter seeks to mobilise resources and commitment from various stakeholders to drive the transformation of Namibia’s education system. The NCE, held in August 2022, came at a time of significant global educational disruption, largely triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was linked to the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) for…

07 Oct

Khomas Region Netball League season concludes with Khomas Nampol crowned champions

info_e12wt4csSports

The Khomas Region Netball League came to a thrilling close on Saturday at the Wanderers Sports Ground, with Khomas Nampol Netball Club emerging as the Super 10 champions for the 2024 season. Final Standings: Super 10: Khomas Nampol Netball Club Namibian Correctional Services Netball Club Wanderers Netball Club 1st Division: Afrocat Lions (Promoted to Super 10) UNAM Jaguars (Promoted to Super 10) Trustco United Netball Club 2nd Division: Zebra Force Netball Club (Promoted to 1st Division) Tigers Netball Club (Promoted to 1st Division) Dimitri Bittler, Chairperson of the Khomas Region Netball League, confirmed that NUST A Netball Team has been…

07 Oct

Pioneer african historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 1

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL SHIPALE Speaking at the launch of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Autobiography titled ‘The footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Ondjila Eyi A Enda,’ Struggle Veteran Uncle Ben Amathila, a long-time friend and Comrade-in-Arms of former President Pohamba, said ‘through the book, Pohamba tells this story as he experienced it, and even more, as he was part of shaping it’. “To put the story in perspective, he starts with his family history as far as remembered in Oukwanyama and Oukwangali, and with his grandfather Hamukoto fighting together with King Mandume against Portuguese and British colonists. He tells us his story with…

07 Oct

Anton Lubowski’s fight for justice honoured at memorial lecture

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Stellenbosch University Like other freedom fighters before and after him, Anton Lubowski was murdered for opposing the plundering by corporate interests and lobbying for the redistribution of Africa’s wealth to its people. This was the unambiguous message delivered by retired judge and author Chris Nicholson at the recent sixth annual Anton Lubowski Memorial Lecture. Moderated by veteran journalist Max du Preez and presented by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Development and Alumni Relations Division in collaboration with the Faculty of Law and Simonsberg Residence, the event honoured the life and contributions of Anton Lubowski, a dedicated anti-apartheid activist and SU alumnus who…

07 Oct

Green is not necessarily clean

info_e12wt4csOpinionsRenewable energy projects

GRAHAM HOPWOOD Green hydrogen projects in Namibia should apply the highest standards of good governance from the outset. That means complying with the Green Hydrogen Standard. Looking at the programme of the recent Green Hydrogen Summit held in Windhoek, there were plenty of discussions focussing on business models, marketing mechanisms, offtake support, and green industrialisation, but scant mention of governance and corruption challenges. This in a country that has experienced the Fishrot corruption scandal and the collapse of the SME Bank within the last few years. As with both those scandals, we live in denial until it’s too late. The…

07 Oct

The Government Information Centre explained

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Windhoek Observer talked to Shoki Kandjimi, the Senior Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Information Communications Technology (MICT), on the role and operations of the Government Information Centre (GIC) as well as its mandate. WO: Kindly please explain what the purpose of the GIC is? Why was it created?SK: The Government Information Centre was established to communicate government information proactively to the public in line with the ethos of access to information. The centre allows government offices, ministries and agencies to communicate pertinent updates andinformation to the public ensuring the timely flow of reliable, accurate and relevant information. WO:…

07 Oct

New executive directors appointed at ministries and agencies

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMichael Humavindu, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Tuyakula Haipinge

Niël Terblanché George Simsataa, the Cabinet Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister has announced the appointment of new Executive Directors (EDs) to various Namibian government ministries and agencies. According to Simataa’s announcement, these appointments, which were recommended by the Public Service Commission in accordance with the Public Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 13 of 1995), come as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership within key sectors of government. Simataa said that the appointments will take effect on 1 November. Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati has been appointed as the Executive Director for the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and…

06 Oct

Cirrus Capital warns against investing public money in green hydrogen

info_e12wt4csEnergy, MainGH2Namibia, Rowland Brown

Ester Mbathera Cirrus Capital, a corporate advisory, capital raising, and research company, has warned against public borrowing or any use of taxpayer subsidies for the development of green hydrogen initiatives. In a commentary released last week, the company’s founder, Rowland Brown, said the warning stems from the risks surrounding green hydrogen. “We further note that Namibians should hope that the hydrogen hype delivers. However, using Namibian public funds for this is nothing short of reckless, especially given the ample other, very real, demands on the public purse. Using Namibian tax-payers funds, whether from the revenue of today or through borrowing…

06 Oct

Illegal immigrants among hundreds left homeless after Otweya fire

info_e12wt4csNational Newsinformal settlements

Niël Terblanché Walvis Bay municipality has confirmed that a significant number of people who were left homeless as a result of the devastating fire at the illegal informal settlement next to the Otweya area are illegal immigrants. According to Victoria Kapenda, the chief executive officer of the town, municipal officials determined that more than 70 of the individuals who lost their homes in the blaze are non-Namibians. “This raised concerns about the legal status of many of the settlement’s residents,” Kapenda said in a statement released on Saturday. Kapenda added that the fire, which destroyed approximately 80 informal structures and…