Blog – Page 286 – Windhoek Observer

16 Mar

Radio services reach Impalila Island

National News

Niël Terblanché Residents of Impalila Island in the Zambezi region are finally able to access reliable radio services following the installation of a new FM transmission tower. Speaking at the event, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus described the construction of the tower by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a development that has been long-overdue, a step towards ensuring that all Namibians, regardless of location, have access to information. “For far too long, the people of Impalila Island and surrounding areas have faced challenges in receiving consistent radio signals. Due to its remote location, access to timely…

16 Mar

Khomas Football Association vows to improve medical readiness

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Khomas Regional Football Association (KRFA) has pledged to improve medical readiness at matches after a player from Deutscher Turn- und Sportverein Windhoek (DTS) suffered a concussion on Saturday without medical personnel or an ambulance present. The player, who has not been named, was injured during a Namport Khomas Second Division match between DTS and Tura Magic after he collided with an opponent. Concerns about emergency response measures arose because there were no qualified medical staff or an ambulance available at the match venue. KRFA chairperson Immanuel Atanasiu admitted the lack of medical personnel and an ambulance and…

13 Mar

Labour ministry probes death of NORED employee

Main

Hertta-maria Amutenja The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation has assigned an inspector to investigate the death of Abel Ashiyana Kayembo, a Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) employee who was electrocuted while on duty at Yinsu Village in Kavango West Region on Monday. The ministry also engaged NORED and the Electricity Control Board (ECB) to jointly conduct the investigation. NORED spokesperson, Simon Lukas confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to Kayembo’s family. He said the company has appointed an external industry expert to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. “This incident will remain a painful reminder of the…

13 Mar

Twaloloka residents face eviction amid corruption scandal

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Some people who were allocated houses at the Twaloloka residential area in Walvis Bay following the 2020 fire, are facing eviction. This comes amid ongoing allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the project. A letter served to some residents, authored by Wilhelm Amukoto on behalf of the government attorney and seen by the Windhoek Observer, demands that the occupants vacate the houses within hours. “We herein demand that you and anyone else unlawfully occupying the property vacate the property within seven (7) working hours,” the eviction letter reads. The eviction has sparked outrage, with many questioning how the…

13 Mar

Mbumba bids farewell to State House staff

National News

Ester Mbathera President Nangolo Mbumba held a farewell lunch with State House staff on Thursday, to mark the end of his tenure as he prepares to hand over the presidency to President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 21 March. Mbumba, who became the first Namibian president to complete the term of a predecessor who passed away while in office, reflected on his time in office during the event. The farewell program was officiated by Inge Zaamwani, Presidential Advisor on Constitutional Matters and Private Sector Interface, and featured musical performances by Kalux and King Tee Dee. Attendees included Khomas Regional Governor, Laura McLeod-Katjirua…

13 Mar

Teachers call for free sanitary pads in schools

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Teachers across the country are raising concerns about the lack of sanitary pads for schoolgirls, saying period poverty continues to affect the children’s attendance, academic performance, and participation in school activities. Christof Ngavetene, principal of Tsumkwe Secondary School, said menstrual hygiene products should be made available to all learners to ensure that no girl misses school due to her period. "Sanitary pads should be distributed freely to all schools. The Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare should make budgetary allocations for every child in school. Companies providing catering services to hostels should also be obligated to include sanitary…

13 Mar

QKR sponsors N$15 million for Karibib Health Centre

National News

Niël Terblanché The foundation has been laid for a new state-of-the-art health centre in Karibib, a project made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Social Services and QKR Navachab Gold Mine. The minister of health and social services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said at the official launch of the project that once completed, the facility will improve healthcare access for the town’s growing population and surrounding areas. “The existing health facility, inaugurated in 2004, has served the needs of Karibib residents well. However, demographic changes and increased demand for healthcare services make it necessary to expand our…

13 Mar

Elderly tourist missing in Sesriem area identified

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police has identified the elderly man from Switzerland that went missing from the Desert Hills Lodge in the Sesriem area as the 83-year-old Alois Ottiger. Ottiger was reported missing on Sunday, 9 March, at about 17:00 after he left his room at the lodge. People from the Sesriem area said that before he went missing, he told workers at the lodge that Sunday was the first anniversary of his wife’s death. According to the description provided by the Namibian police, Ottiger is approximately 1.73m tall and was last seen wearing white clothes. It was also reported…

13 Mar

Namra pushes for trade efficiency at Trans-Kalahari Border

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Namibia officially launched the Time Release Study (TRS) Report for the Trans-Kalahari Border Post on Thursday, which is another step towards improving trade efficiency and border management. The report, a product of collaboration between Namibian government institutions, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, and technical experts, seeks to identify and address bottlenecks in the clearance of goods and border operations. At the launch event in Windhoek, the Namibia Revenue Agency’s (NamRA) commissioner, Sam Shivute described the report as a tool that will help refine customs and trade facilitation measures in line with international best practices. “The TRS…

13 Mar

Is there cause to celebrate 35 years or not?

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Next Friday, Namibia will turn 35 years old. If Namibia were a human being, one would have considered him or her a grown-up and middle-aged and thus expected her/him to be mature enough to either be entrusted with crucial decisions in life or be entrusted with full responsibility for his life. Because a person is already considered mature—although not that mature— by the age of 21 years. This is symbolised by giving them a key, The key symbolises the transition to adulthood, the assumption of new responsibilities, and the unlocking of opportunities and independence. Intriguing enough it seems…