Blog – Page 555 – Windhoek Observer

15 Feb

Uutoni tables regional and constituency development fund bill

National News

Martin Endjala The long wait for the Regional and Constituency, Development (RCDF) Fund bill is now over after it was finally tabled in the National Assembly by Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni this week. The bill aims to address the financial constraints of regional constituencies and provide much-needed funding for various projects. The bill has long been on the cards of the National Council with many members of parliament expressing a unanimous agreement that regional and local authorities need additional funds to carry out various projects. During his motivation in tabling the bill, Uutoni said that if passed,…

15 Feb

Geingob served the nation selflessly – Ndala

National News

Martin Endjala The youth leader of the Landless People's Movement, Duminga Ndala while paying tribute to President Hage Geingob, described him as a leader who served the nation and the international community, selflessly. "The LPM Youth Command Element joins the Namibian nation and the rest of the world in mourning the death of a leader of note who selflessly served the Namibian nation and the international community. The late President will always be remembered for appreciating the skills and talents of young people. This is evident in the number of young people he groomed and appointed in strategic positions,” she…

15 Feb

Overcrowding and challenges with curriculum cause of high failure rate

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia's education system is under scrutiny following a report that highlights a series of challenges leading to an alarming 85% failure rate among learners in 2023. The report, issued by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT, and Youth Development alongside the National Council, sheds light on the dire situation of overcrowded classrooms, slow adoption of a revised curriculum, and overworked teachers as primary factors contributing to the high failure rates witnessed among Grade 11 and Grade 12 students. The investigation was initiated in response to public outcry over the dismal academic performance of students who sat…

15 Feb

Urgent call for action to transform education in Namibia

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia stands at a critical juncture and actions taken to improve the education standard could very well shape the future of many young people and at the same ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT, and Youth Development presented a comprehensive report to the National Council, shedding light on the pressing issue of the high failure rates among learners at the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) and Advance Subsidiary (NSSCAS) levels for the year 2022 in an effort to improve…

15 Feb

National council highlights urgent need for school halls

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In an outreach program undertaken by the National Council led by Victoria Kauma, the delegation discovered a pressing concern regarding the lack of school halls in numerous educational facilities across Oshana, Omusati and Kunene regions. According to the committee’s report, this infrastructure gap has far-reaching implications, affecting the quality of education and overall experiences for learners in these areas. The outreach program aimed to engage with learners and youth, shedding light on the challenges faced by communities following significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kauma, reflecting on the findings, expressed concern over the absence of school halls…

15 Feb

CoW and Vivo Energy donate learning materials worth N$112 000

National News

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek (CoW) in collaboration with Vivo Energy Namibia, on Wednesday donated 572 books and two computers worth N$122,000 to the Nathaniel Maxuilili Library and Greenwell Matongo Library. According to CoW Mayor Queen Kamati, the handover of library books and two computers to the two community libraries in the city’s informal settlements marks a milestone in their ongoing commitment to promote literacy and digital inclusion. "This donation aims to enrich the knowledge of our learners in subjects such as English, Science, Entrepreneurship, and Commerce, by further enhancing access to educational resources in our community, " Kamati…

15 Feb

Small Stock Farming: The Imperatives

OpinionsSmall Stock Farming: The Imperatives

Nichlas Mbingeneeko First and foremost, on behalf of the Mbingeneeko & Seonduru family and indeed on my own behalf, I herewith extend my deepest condolences to Madame Monica Geingos, the Geingob family and the entire bereaved Namibian nation on the passing of our President, H.E. Dr Hage G Geingob. May his soul rest in power and his legacy fortify the Namibian House. This article focuses on preparing small stock for mating and selecting an appropriate lambing or kidding season. Every facet of farming requires strategic planning, starting with the end in mind. Mating relates to the act of animals coming…

15 Feb

Budget 2024-25 Expectations: Empowering Youth, Essential services, Agriculture and Tax Reform

OpinionsAgriculture and Tax Reform, Budget 2024-25 Expectations: Empowering Youth, Essential services

Josef Kefas Sheehama The Minister of Finance Hon. Iipumbu Shiimi is set to table the 2024-25 budget in February 2024. The upcoming budget is seen not just as an annual financial statement but a critical opportunity for the government to lay out a roadmap for sustained growth and equality. The Budget 2024-25 should focus on protecting and driving the recovery of lives and livelihoods of Namibians, rebuilding resilience of the economy and catalyzing socio-economic reforms. With this in mind, we expect a change in policy direction focusing more on youth empowerment, essential services, and agriculture and tax reform to address…

15 Feb

Economic sabotage through vetting

Opinions

Nelson Tuhafeni Kalangula The effectiveness and ethical soundness of using vetting for key government jobs depend on the specific context, design, and implementation of the vetting process, ensuring it serves the intended purposes without infringing on fundamental rights or principles. It's important to engage in thoughtful discussion and consider diverse perspectives before reaching conclusions about the specific use of vetting in any given situation. • BASIC CHECKS: Identity and Nationality - Verifying identity documents like passports and birth certificates. Confirming legal right to work in the country. Education and Qualifications - Checking academic credentials and verifying degrees and certifications. Assessing…

15 Feb

Fuel theft costs NAMCOR more than N$1 million

National News

Martin Endjala National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) has discovered an incident where fuel worth more than N$1 million was stolen from the National Oil Storage Facility at Walvis Bay. The discrepancy was discovered with the loading of 39,993 litres of 50 ppm diesel in December 2023 and 39,891 litres of the same product in January 2024. Despite loading documents suggesting that the two loads were destined for a customer’s site, there is no evidence of the product having arrived or received by the bulk fuel customer. As a result, the state-owned entity conducted an extensive internal investigation into the…