Blog – Page 446 – News Stand

30 Jan

Ohangwena Regional Council cannot account for missing N$200,000

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Ohangwena Regional Council is embroiled in a financial mystery involving the disappearance of a N$200,000 donation from the Road Fund Administration (RFA). Despite the transaction's documentation, the Council has yet to pinpoint the missing funds' whereabouts. Fillip Shilongo, the Chief Regional Officer of the Ohangwena Regional Council, stated that the funds were earmarked for purchasing food for flood victims. However, it was later revealed that the money was allegedly transferred to a different company without the Council's consent or approval. Shilongo expressed the Council's perplexity over the missing funds. “As we speak, the whereabouts of the N$200,000…

30 Jan

Several Hardap schools operate without key personnel

info_e12wt4csMain, National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a shocking revelation during the official opening of the Regional Stakeholders Conference in the Hardap Region this week, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation Nathalia /Goagoses, addressed a critical issue plaguing the educational landscape. With a resounding call for action, /Goagoses highlighted that 11 schools in the region are currently without principals, and an additional 28 lack Heads of Departments. During her address, /Goagoses emphasized the pivotal role leadership plays in shaping the educational environment. She urged the Regional Director and the education team to fill these vacant positions, stressing the importance of accountability and…

30 Jan

The Disintegration of ECOWAS: Two Sides Of A Coin

info_e12wt4csOpinionsThe Disintegration of ECOWAS: Two Sides Of A Coin

Esther Shakela On the 28th January 2024, military rulers of Mali, Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) and Niger announced their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following a series of coup d’états carried out in the region overthrowing Presidents and regimes considered to be threats to the welfare of citizens or demonstrating incompetence in governance. The reasons cited for this move include assertions that the organization no longer identifies with Pan-Africanist ideals, operates under foreign influence, imposed imprudent sanctions which exacerbated the living conditions of their populace and “has not provided assistance to the states in the…

30 Jan

TransNamib set to secure N$2.6 billion loan for railway expansion and modernization

info_e12wt4csNational NewsTransNamib set to secure N$2.6 billion loan for railway expansion and modernization

Niël Terblanché TransNamib, the national rail operator, is on the brink of acquiring a colossal N$2.6 billion loan that will significantly bolster Namibia’s rail infrastructure. The Acting Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib, Webster Gonzo, announced the imminent agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Development Bank of Namibia. He added that the financial infusion marks a crucial moment in the modernization and expansion of the country’s railway system. Gonzo elaborated on the intricate processes involved in securing such a substantial loan. “We have reached the final stages of the prerequisites for this funding. Key to this phase…

30 Jan

Pilot’s swift action averts tragedy on Namibian coast

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A potential aviation tragedy was skilfully avoided on Monday morning when an experienced pilot, flying a light aircraft along the Namibian coast, executed an emergency landing on the B2 Road between Swakopmund and Langstrand. The incident, which could have ended in disaster, saw all passengers emerge unscathed thanks to the pilot’s quick reflexes and expertise. The Cessna 210, with five people on board, was ascending to its cruising altitude after departing from Swakopmund Aerodrome when it encountered sudden engine trouble. Hafeni Mweshixwa, a senior aircraft accident investigator at the Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations, reported that…

30 Jan

Namibia records 22 new leprosy cases

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia records 22 new leprosy cases

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has revealed that the country reported 22 new leprosy cases in September 2023. Speaking at the commemoration of World Leprosy Day in Katima Mulilo, Shangula urging collective action to combat the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. Shangula disclosed the breakdown of the cases, emphasising the urgency of addressing the situation. He announced that seven cases were identified in the Zambezi Region, 11 in the Kavango Region, three in the Oshana Region, and one in the Omusati Region. This data underscores the persistent challenge posed by leprosy in…

30 Jan

Need arises for TVET to accommodate 76,000 students

info_e12wt4csMain000 students, Need arises for TVET to accommodate 76

Martin Endjala Regina Ambambi, the Chairperson of the Association of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Namibia (ATVETIN), has highlighted the urgent need for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions to expand their capacity. According to Ambambi, accommodating approximately 76,000 learners is crucial to keep youth off the streets and engaged in productive activities, assuming that only a few of them enter direct employment. This necessity was underscored following ATVETIN’s analysis of the recent Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level (NSSCO) results, released on January 10, 2024. Ambambi noted that the performance in this national assessment significantly impacts…

29 Jan

US Embassy moves to its new premises in Klein Windhoek

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama In a significant development marking the evolution of relations between the United States of America and Namibia, the United States of America recently moved its embassy operations to its newly constructed site in Klein Windhoek. Tiffany Miller, the Public Affairs Officer and Spokesperson for the US Embassy in Windhoek announced this transition, signifying the closure of the embassy's previous location and the commencement of operations at the new diplomatic facility. Miller said that the move to the new site in Windhoek represents not just a physical shift but also symbolizes the future trajectory of collaboration between the United…

29 Jan

MIT announces consultations on key economic legislation and policies”

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Elijah Mukobonda, the Chief Information Officer at the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT), has recently declared that the ministry will embark on public consultations for three significant legislative and policy documents. These include the Special Economic Zone Bill (SEZ), the National Informal Economy, the Startups and Entrepreneurship Development Policy (NIESED), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Regulations, and the National Cooling Strategy. The move comes as Namibia transitions from the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) to the SEZ, following the former's lack of success. "The EPZ did not generate the expected tax revenue for the Treasury and nearly…

29 Jan

Swakopmund sets ambitious goals for poverty eradication

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanche To combat poverty and hunger, the Mayor of Swakopmund, Dina Namubes, announced during the first Town Council meeting of 2024 that the town is setting ambitious goals to eradicate poverty and achieve zero hunger. According to Namubes, these goals align with the National Sustainable Development Goals, signifying a proactive approach towards addressing critical issues affecting the local community. Namubes stressed the need for reflection on past progress and challenges, highlighting the unique opportunities and persistent obstacles facing Swakopmund. "I am confident that with your unwavering dedication and the collaborative spirit that defines this Council, we will continue to…