Blog – Page 325 – News Stand

20 May

Digital strategy aimed at comprehensive transformation

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is on the brink of a significant digital transformation, with the near completion of its comprehensive digital strategy. Modestus Amutse, the deputy minister of information and communication technology, has outlined the ambitious plan, which is set to guide the country's digital development over the next five years. He said the strategy, described as a blueprint for digital advancement, aims to foster an inclusive digital government, enhance access to government services, and bridge the gap between citizens and public services. "Inclusion is a fundamental principle in advancing our digital agenda," Amutse said. According to the deputy minister, a…

20 May

GRN pushes forward with infrastructure projects in Zambezi

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Deputy Prime Minister and minister of works and transport, John Mutorwa announced progress on the construction of the Impalila Island airdrome. He emphasised the importance of developing both road and air transport infrastructure in the region, stating that the project, which includes a paved runway and other essential facilities, is progressing well and has received funding from the national budget at a cost of N$27 million. Mutorwa, who was on a visit to the Zambezi Region last week, stressed the strategic importance of Impalila Island, noting that its development has been long overdue. He urged residents to support…

20 May

Unaddressed quality of education a ticking time bomb

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Ben Bertolini, the managing director of M&G Investment Southern Africa, asserts that failing to address the quality of education is akin to a ticking time bomb. He said this last week in Windhoek, in collaboration between M&G Investment and the Bank of Namibia, in an effort to address the education crisis. “This is according to the University of Science and Technology's recent statistics prepared on behalf of the United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Since then, I have had sleepless nights. Having only one-third of ten-year-olds who can read and write, for me, education is sitting…

20 May

Geingob’s portrait to continue hanging

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera The portraits of the late President Hage Geingob will remain hanging until a directive is issued for their removal. Spokesperson in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), Shoki Kandjimi, said on Tuesday that the Cabinet will soon announce the way forward. “The Ministry would like to inform the public that Cabinet will soon make a public pronouncement on the availability and hanging protocols associated with the presidential portraits of the seating president vis-à-vis the former presidents including protocols of the late president. For now, the status quo remains the same as announced by the MICT minister…

20 May

G7 diamond ban still concerns Namibian traders

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Group of Seven (G7) nations; the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada, are planning to introduce further sanctions on Russia that would have a further negative impact on Namibia’s ability to trade in diamonds. These measures proposed by the G7 nations are part of broader efforts to reduce Russia's revenue, which is believed to be financing its conflict in Ukraine. Brent Eiseb, the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, said that in addition to market challenges, the diamond industry must contend with the impact of the G7 restrictive measures against…

20 May

Shanghala regrets not reforming prison conditions

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Ester Mbathera Former justice minister Sacky Shanghala says he doesn't wish prison conditions on anyone. He points out the inhumane conditions within the cells, including overcrowding, noise, fights, and illicit drug smuggling, which he says exacerbate health issues. The trial awaiting Shanghala was reflecting on the harsh realities of prison life on Monday when he and his co-accused brought an urgent application to put on hold the transfer of some of them from C Sections to Echo Sections. “Had I known, honestly, in the high position that I occupied before, I probably would have done something about it. It is…

20 May

Nored silent about on-duty fatalities

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) has remained silent regarding fatalities in the line of duty following the deaths of its employees in the past two years. Last month, Ananias Iyambo, aged 36, died while on duty in Okongo, in the Ohangwena Region. He was allegedly attending to a power failure in the village when he was electrocuted. The recent incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred in April 2022, when 34-year-old Nored employee, Thomas Shikomba died in Okahao after falling from an electric pole. Shikomba, who was also on official duty, was allegedly removing cable wires from…

20 May

Swapo yet to confirm participation in presidential discussion

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa said the party did not receive the invite to the presidential discussion, and even if it did, there is no assurance of participating. Shaningwa said this on Monday while responding to questions about whether the party will allow its presidential candidate to participate in the presidential discussion taking place in Windhoek on Thursday. The public discussion is organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) to give presidential candidates from all political parties a platform to share their manifestos and plans to address social issues affecting the country. According to a local daily, KAS…

20 May

SA’s ConCourt barres Zuma from serving in parliament

info_e12wt4csFeaturedPresident Jacob Zuma

Niël Terblanché South Africa's highest court has ruled that former President Jacob Zuma is barred from running for parliament in that country’s general election next week. The Constitutional Court's judgement hinges on Zuma's 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, rendering him ineligible under the country's constitution. Zuma was convicted in 2021 for his refusal to testify at an inquiry into corruption during his presidency, which concluded in 2018. Despite his imprisonment and subsequent release after three months by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the court maintained that the original sentence disqualified him from serving in parliament. The former president…

20 May

Iran’s President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian killed in helicopter crash

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state media reported Monday. Iranian state television reported there was “no sign of life” at the crash site of the helicopter that carried Raisi, Amirabdollahian, and others. “All the passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred,” semi-official news agency Mehr News reported. Drone footage published on state media FARS News Agency showed the chopper’s wreckage on a steep hillside. “The consequences of this are probably going to be rather contained,” Ali Ahmadi, executive fellow at the Geneva Center for Security…