National News – Page 117

18 Sep

Ekandjo pressures Mbumba to sign anti-same-sex marriage bill into law

info_e12wt4csNational Newsban and criminalise same-sex marriage, Christine Hoebes, Jerry Ekandjo

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Jerry Ekandjo, a Swapo member of parliament has accused President Nangolo Mbumba of going against the constitution for not signing the Private Members' Bill into law. The bill seeks to ban and criminalise same-sex marriage in Namibia. Parliament passed it in July of last year after Ekandjo moved the motion. On Tuesday, Ekandjo notified the minister in the presidency, Christine Hoebes to pass on his questions to Mbumba and explain why it is taking so long to sign the private members’ bill into law. He stated that Article 30 of the Namibian Constitution addresses the oath or affirmation…

18 Sep

Deaf people fight for digital inclusion

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Paul Nanyeni

Ester Mbathera Namibia faces challenges in bridging the digital gap, especially for deaf people, who are heavily reliant on visual communication methods, such as sign language. Paul Nanyeni, the national executive director of the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) called on internet providers to ensure access to affordable and reliable internet for his members. “Many deaf individuals rely on video conferencing tools, instant messaging, and social media platforms to communicate. However, inconsistent connectivity, especially in rural areas, limits access to these essential tools. To address this issue, Telecom Namibia can focus on expanding high-speed internet to rural and…

18 Sep

Public gatherings bill debate to continue after elections

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlbert Kawana, Maximalliant Katjimune

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The minister of home Affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, has requested that the public gatherings and procession bills be discussed after the November elections. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Kawana claimed that people had misunderstood and misinterpreted the bill. He accused some members of parliament from opposition parties of thinking the bill was introduced to suppress them and limit their ability to express and carry out their political activities. ‘’When I was out on an official mission, this bill attracted a lot of debates…some aspects of the debates were perhaps genuine, whereas others were based on…

18 Sep

Otavi experiencing seismic heat activity

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala On Wednesday, the town of Otavi woke up to the news of seismic heat activity. Johannes Johannes, who shared videos with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, observed the activities on his property. “The area is in Otavi, where seismic heat seemingly erupts from underground. The ground is very soft; anyone or anything stepping above it is engulfed. We need assistance,” he said. Some community members even poked the ground with sticks, while others sprayed water on the bubbling ash. It is not clear what has caused the heat at this stage. The mines and energy spokesperson Eshioshange Hasheela…

18 Sep

Geingos appointed as UN SDG advocate

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations (UN)

Ester Mbathera The third first lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, has been appointed as one of four new United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocates by the UN secretary general António Guterres. Guterres announced Geingos’ appointment on Monday. Geingos, who is also the executive chairperson of the One Economy Foundation, chancellor of Kepler University (Rwanda), and a leader in global health and development, will leverage her platform to champion development and drive global action under the hashtag #SDG. “In these challenging times, we must reflect on the true meaning of shared values and what they look like in action.…

18 Sep

APP urges media to prioritise equal coverage

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAll People’s Party (APP), National Congress

Stefanus Nashama Ambrosius Kumbwa, the president of the All People's Party (APP) urged the media to be fair and balanced when reporting events related to political parties. He made the call while he was referring to the party's fourth National Congress, which took place in Rundu last month without the presence of any journalists. “Despite our invitations, no media representatives attended our National Congress,” he said. Kumbwa was speaking at the party's press conference in Windhoek on Monday. He confirmed that only Rundu-based journalists reported on the congress. Kumbwa said the lack of media coverage of all political parties' activities…

18 Sep

Repatriation of more Batswana of Namibian descent expected

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBatswana of Namibian descent, Carl Schlettwein

Martin Endjala The repatriation of the Batswana of Namibian descent will continue until 2026. On Tuesday, the minister of water, agriculture, and reform, Carl Schlettwein, announced in Parliament that the Cabinet has directed the relocation process of the Batswana of Namibian descent. This process is being carried out collectively by the ministry alongside the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, and International Relations and Cooperation. The Ministry of Water, Agriculture, and Reform spokesperson, Jennifer Paulus, confirmed the continuation of the repatriation process. “At this stage, it is hard to say how many more are expected to be repatriated,…

18 Sep

New pipeline to increase water security and development in Katima Mulilo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKatima Mulilo Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project, Namwater

Niël Terblanché NamWater has commissioned the Katima Mulilo Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project, aimed at addressing the border town’s growing water needs. The project, fully funded by NamWater at a cost of N$10.56 million, was inaugurated on Tuesday by NamWater’s Chief Executive Officer, Abraham Nehemia. Nehemia said that the pipeline is a critical infrastructure investment that came as a timely intervention, ensuring a more reliable water supply for the town and its surrounding areas. The replacement project is a response to the rapid growth in Katima Mulilo’s population, which has surged from an initial 8 000 residents to over 45…

17 Sep

Nujoma and Pohamba urge Biden to remove Cuba from terror list

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFormer Colombian President Ernesto Samper, United Nations General Assembly

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s former heads of state, founding President Sam Nujoma and second President Hifikepunye Pohamba, have joined 33 former global leaders in an appeal to U.S. President Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Former Colombian President Ernesto Samper led the group that sent the collective letter ahead of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The letter, according to a report in the People's Dispatch, argues that Cuba's continued inclusion on the U.S. list is unjust and worsens the already dire situation for millions of Cubans. The former heads of…

17 Sep

Katutura lacks private high schools despite growing demand

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama It is general knowledge that there are no private high schools established in Katutura, despite the area being home to many high school learners. During the early morning hours, hundreds of high school learners attending private high schools are often seen hailing taxis or being driven to the upmarket suburbs of Windhoek of Cimbebasia, Eros Park, Olympia and Klein Windhoek. Selma Itope, a teacher residing in Katutura, on Tuesday, told the Windhoek Observer that there is a need to establish private high schools in the capital’s most densely populated area. Itope said she has observed long lines at…