Blog – Page 323 – News Stand

22 May

Demands for implementation as SADC PF Model Laws Oversight Committee meets

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Moses Magadza The Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) is meeting today 22 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Enhancing the Role of the RPMLOC in Monitoring the Domestication of SADC Model Laws and Implementation of Related Policies and Laws through Structured Reporting Frameworks and Mechanisms: A Look at the Domestication of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.’’ Malawi Member of Parliament Hon. Ishmael Ndaila Onani, is Chairperson of the RPMLOC. The meeting is in preparation for the 55th Plenary Assembly that will take place from 1 to 7 July 2024 in Angola. Ms Thoko…

22 May

Namibia renews biodiversity conservation amidst global challenges

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Niël Terblanché Namibia reaffirmed its dedication to conserving biodiversity, highlighting the critical role it plays in sustaining ecosystems, providing food and medicine, and contributing to overall human well-being. During the celebration of International Biological Diversity Day in Lüderitz, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said that biodiversity conservation is not just an environmental issue but a foundational element for economic stability and cultural heritage. In his address, the minister pointed out that human activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change pose unprecedented threats to biodiversity. "The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, impacting food…

22 May

GIPAN demands representation on GIPF Board

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Niël Terblanché The Government Institution Pensioners' Association of Namibia (GIPAN) has voiced strong objections to the recent five percent annual pension increase, calling it insufficient and an insult to pensioners. Josef Pieters, the chairperson of GIPAN, pointed out that the increment is 0.46 percent lower than the previous financial year's increase, highlighting a trend of diminishing returns for pensioners. Pieters criticized the lack of engagement between the pensioners' association and the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) management. “More than five months lapsed without us meeting to pave the way forward, as a newly elected national body. We would reason that…

22 May

Residents of Mondesa Extension 14 registered for formal housing

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Following its recent proclamation into a township, the informal settlement area of Swakopmund, previously known as DRC Airport, will soon begin registering residents as beneficiaries for more formal housing. Clarence McClune, the Swakopmund municipality’s general manager of Engineering and Planning Service, announced that the new township will now be called Mondesa Extension 14. Located near the Swakopmund Aerodrome on the eastern side of the coastal town, the DRC Airport area had been used as a temporary settlement in the sprawling DRC informal settlement until it was proclaimed a township earlier this year. At a community meeting over the…

22 May

Namibia urges the US to fully normalise relations with Cuba

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Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has lauded the recent decision by the United States of America to remove Cuba from the Not Fully Cooperating Countries (NFCC) list in counterterrorism efforts. Ambassador Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, recognised the significance of this step, which could signal improved bilateral relations and cooperation on global security matters. In a formal statement, Ambassador Naanda expressed Namibia's satisfaction with the US Department of State's action but highlighted ongoing concerns regarding Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST). He described the placement as unjustified, noting the…

22 May

The Okahao Veterinary Clinic still not operational 11 years later

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Okahao Veterinary Clinic, which is located in the Omusati Region, has still not become operational even though its construction began in 2015. The Ministry of Works and Transport assigned the project to ID Building Contractors, and construction started in May 2015. The construction work was finished in May 2018, which included the clinic building as well as staff accommodation quarters. The building stood idle for years. In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform said the building could not be occupied because of inadequate funds to install the necessary equipment in the clinic. Over the…

22 May

Price war fears as poultry meat imports resume

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Economic analysts fear that the resumption of poultry meat imports could lead to a price war and job losses in the local market. Josef Sheehama has warned that the resumption of the import of poultry meat from South Africa may not be able to compete with our local poultry industry. “This is bad news for our industry. There will be a decline in domestic production and an increase in imports of chicken meat. Since customers will always purchase what is least expensive, their demand will have a big influence on both imports and domestic production,” he said. Sheehama…

22 May

Namibians living abroad will vote on 13 November

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Stefanus Nashama Namibians residing in foreign countries who are above the age of 18 will cast their votes for the presidential and national assembly elections on 13 November. This was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), De Wet Siluka, on Wednesday. “The elections will take place in all Namibian diplomatic missions on 13 November,” he said. According to Siluka, ECN will deploy 35 teams to Namibia’s diplomatic missions abroad. “The ECN has established 567 registration teams that will be deployed locally, while 35 teams will serve at the Namibian Diplomatic Missions. Registration points will be…

22 May

Nekundi did make remarks about “political graves” for opposition leaders

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Despite denying that he told Swapo supporters to bury opposition leaders, Windhoek Observer has obtained an audio recording of Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Veko Nekundi clearly stating that he wants to see the ‘democratic graves’ of both Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani. He was speaking at a Swapo rally in Emono village, Omusati region, over the weekend. “If we are saying in Emono, where we are, if there is anything breathing opposition parties, it must be buried. On November 27 November when the election results are released, I want to see Itula’s grave here. A grave…

22 May

UNAM promotes Amupanda and Blaauw

info_e12wt4csLatestUNAM promotes Amupanda and Blaauw

The University of Namibia (UNAM), on Tuesday, promoted Lesley Blaauw to full professor in political studies and social activist, Job Amupanda to associate professor from the rank of senior lecturer in the same department. At the age of 36, Amupanda became Namibia's youngest associate professor. City of Windhoek in its congratulatory message issued on Wednesday. Commended Amupanda, on his commitment to academic excellence and advancing political studies. "We at CoW are proud of his accomplishments and recognition he has achieved within the academic fraternity," read the message. Amupanda is a local authority councillor at the CoW. Report by Martin Endjala.