National News – Page 122

08 Sep

Kauandenge defends NUDO leadership choices amid factional dispute

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBarry Rukoro, Ester Muinjangue, Joseph Kauandenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Unity Democratic Organisation’s (NUDO) Joseph Kauandenge said the party leadership will not hand over power through force but through a peaceful process to a legitimately elected person at a legitimate congress, as per the party constitution. Kauandenge made these remarks on Sunday in response to a congress that another party faction had organised on Saturday. He announced that the party's current leadership, led by its president, Ester Muinjangue, converged at a meeting on Sunday morning to discuss, amongst other issues, the congress held in the name of Nudo by a small splinter group claiming legitimacy. ‘’Usually,…

08 Sep

Working mothers failed by Namibia’s maternity leave policy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHuman rights activist Linda Baumann, Namibia’s maternity leave system

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Gender activists have expressed concerns about Namibia’s maternity leave system, which they claim is failing to support working mothers and violating legal provisions. According to the activists, many women only receive 50% of their basic wage during maternity leave, despite Namibian law entitling them to up to 100% of their monthly salary, capped at N$15 000. In addition, the activists are calling for immediate policy reforms to address these disparities, increased awareness of women’s legal rights, and stronger enforcement of existing laws to hold employers accountable. Human rights activist Linda Baumann criticised the current practice, calling it “a…

08 Sep

Reduction of wages can only be done by consensus

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJob Munairo, Justina Jonas, Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW)

Martin Endjala The fear of employers reducing the wages of employees amid the new national wage structure is rising but such changes could only be affected after an agreement was reached between workers' unions and individual employers. Job Munairo the general secretary of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), said the normal practice as per the law before any employer decides to cut employees salaries is still in effect. He said this last week while responding to questions sent to him by the Windhoek Observer. He said employers ought to first notify the labour commission or the union about…

08 Sep

Namibia broadens diplomatic ties with seven new countries

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBelize, Cabinet decisions, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Federal Democratic Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Tajikistan

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia is broadening its international relations by establishing diplomatic ties with seven new nations. Last week, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology Emma Theofelus announced Cabinet decisions made at the 15th Cabinet meeting of 2024. ‘’Cabinet directed the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation to develop friendly relations and promote economic and political cooperation between the Republic of Namibia and Belize, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, the Federal Democratic Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal,’’ said Theofelus. She said…

08 Sep

Arandis launches ambitious strategic plan

info_e12wt4csNational NewsArandis Town Council, global hydrogen hub

Niël Terblanché The Arandis Town Council has launched its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, unveiling a blueprint aimed at guiding the town toward industrialisation, green hydrogen development, and joint venture participation. The plan, launched at a special event in Swakopmund last week, is seen as a key instrument to promote sustainable economic growth in the Erongo region. At the launch, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Eveline !Nawases-Taeyele highlighted the town's achievements under its previous strategic plan. She said notable milestones included the construction of 136 houses, innovative solutions to reduce pensioner debt, and the introduction of prepaid water meters. “These…

08 Sep

Africa’s largest desalination plant will be built in Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChina General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)

Niël Terblanché The China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has committed to building Africa's largest desalination plant in Namibia after an agreement in this regard was signed between Namibia and China. The project expected to significantly alleviate the country's water shortages With construction set to begin later this year, the plant, located in the Erongo region, is poised to deliver up to 25 million cubic metres of desalinated water annually upon completion in 2026. The agreement was reached after Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform, announced that the Namibian government gave the go-ahead to construct a…

08 Sep

China commits N$1 billion to build housing for NamPol

info_e12wt4csNational News9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed N$1 billion to assist the Namibian government in building houses for police officers. Namibian presidency press secretary, Alfredo Hengari said this over the weekend while providing an update on President Nangolo Mbumba’s recent visit to China. Hengari said the Chinese leader pledged this during the bilateral talks with Mbumba at the side of the 2024 Summit of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, China. ‘’During the talks, President Xi also availed close to N$500 million in grants for future projects. Additionally, the government of China committed close to N$50 million…

05 Sep

Itula warns against unsustainable election pledges

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia’s economy, Ndumba Kamwanyah, Panduleni Itula

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula has cautioned political leaders against making promises that they cannot deliver on. Itula made these remarks on Wednesday during a panel discussion on Namibia’s economy from a social protection perspective at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s hotel school in Windhoek. Itula, who is the IPC presidential candidate for the elections in November, specifically discussed the increment of the old age pension grant and the introduction of a social grant that the government promised to give to each unemployed Namibian between the ages of 18 and…

05 Sep

Mbumba urge Africa to learn from China’s rapid industrialisation

info_e12wt4csNational NewsForum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe China's industrialisation has been rapid and Africa, given its relations with the country can draw valuable lessons from its development trajectory. President Nangolo Mbumba while addressing a high-level meeting at the ninth Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, China, on Thursday said that industrialisation should also be viewed through the efforts of international institutions, including the United Nations (UN). The UN has the collective responsibility to address international challenges and come up with solutions that could help countries achieve industrialisation and agricultural modernisation. ‘’In this regard, I am specifically referring to the upcoming UN Summit of…

05 Sep

Swapo electoral college urged to prioritise inclusivity and competence

info_e12wt4csNational NewsElectoral College, Helmut Angula, Nahas Angula

Ester Mbathera The ruling Swapo party is preparing for its electoral college, also known as the 'pot', where delegates will choose the next group of 96 members to represent the party in the National Assembly from 2025 to 2029. Over 650 delegates are expected to attend the electoral college, which will take place from 7 to 8 September in Windhoek. Swapo veterans Nahas Angula and Helmut Angula have recently made a public appeal to delegates attending the Electoral College. They urged them to prioritise competence, inclusivity, and diversity when selecting candidates. According to political columnist Paul Shipale, who agrees with…