National News – Page 154

16 Sep

Ai-Ais Resort Camp running out of water

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia Wildlife Resort (NWR), Nelson Ashipala

Hilarius Hamutenya The water supply at the Ai-Ais Resort Camp in the southern part of the country is running out. Jaffet Xoagub, the camp manager, brought the resort's challenges to the media's attention over the weekend. “Because of the current drought in the country, the water is not enough. That's why you see the Orange River is empty, no water, which is very bad,” he said. The media was at the camp on the invitation of the Namibia Wildlife Resort (NWR). To promote its tourist offerings, the NWR took journalists on a familiarisation trip to Ai-Ais Resort Camp. The three-day…

16 Sep

Namibia set to champion multilateralism at UNGA

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPhilemon Yang, President Nangolo Mbumba, Summit of the Future (SOTF), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Niël Terblanché Ahead of his departure for New York on Monday to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Nangolo Mbumba has urged member states to reflect on how they can strengthen multilateralism. Over 190 world leaders, including President Mbumba, will participate in this year’s UNGA, seeking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Mbumba will deliver his maiden address at the General Assembly. The president is set to highlight Namibia’s contribution to shaping the Pact of the Future, while also outlining the nation’s aspirations for a more equitable and sustainable global order. He will also hold…

16 Sep

Art exhibition reflects on identity and transformation

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsBoemo Sekgoma, Jo Rogge, So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt

Moses Magadza An art exhibition themed, “So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt,” began in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Saturday, with renowned Namibian artist Jo Rogge being hailed for her transformative contributions to contemporary art and social justice. The exhibition, which opened to an engaged audience of art enthusiasts, diplomats, and social activists, revolves around the complex relationship between memory, identity, and the evolution of society. SADC Parliamentary Forum secretary general Boemo Sekgoma, was the keynote speaker at the launch. “Art is the language through which we express the soul of humanity,” she said. Drawing on the…

15 Sep

Lukato guarantees economic transparency

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMartin Lukato

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Democratic Party (NDP) has laid out its vision for the upcoming November election, focussing on economic reform, transparency, and social justice. The party launched its election manifesto in Windhoek on Sunday. NDP president Martin Lukato introduced the manifesto, calling it “a reflection of our values, our aspirations, and our dedication to serving the needs of our people.” He said that the NDP is committed to addressing unemployment, land reform, and sustainable development. “We will ensure that our government operates with openness, integrity, and responsiveness. Accountability will be at the core of everything we do,” he said.…

15 Sep

Military Police accused of brutally beating a boy in Rundu

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsMulao Sonicah Matongo

Martin Endjala About eight undercover police officers in Rundu have been accused of brutally beating a 19-year-old boy in Rundu last month in connection with the theft of some phones. A case has been opened at the police station by the victim. The Kavango East regional Deputy Commissioner Mulao Sonicah Matongo, confirmed the incident to the Windhoek Observer last week. “Yes we are aware of the allegations and the complaint also opened a case and the police are currently busy investigating,” she said. Matongo also clarified that the complainant was not beaten by officers of the Namibian Police but by…

15 Sep

Increase of maternity benefits on the cards

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMilka Mungunda, Social Security Commission

Martin Endjala The Social Security Commission is considering increasing maternity benefits for women by March 2025. The commission's chief executive officer, Milka Mungunda announced this during the commemoration of International Social Security Day on 13 September. “Effective 1 March 2025 we will have to reconsider increasing our contributions for our maternity benefits. We have committed as an institution to make sure that we would increase the ceiling so that women, who go on maternity leave, are going to have adequate benefits,” she said. The commission has so far paid out maternity leave benefits of about N$212 million for the 2023/24…

15 Sep

The bodies of two young men recovered from the ocean

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The bodies of two young men were recovered from the sea at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, under circumstances that have raised suspicions of suicide over the past weekend. The first body was discovered early on Friday morning, floating in the shallow waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon. The deceased was identified as the 24-year-old Bradley Nande Abjatar. According to Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, head of community affairs for the police in the Erongo region, Abjatar's family reported that he had left their home in Windhoek on 7 September without informing them of his destination. He also left a…

15 Sep

PAYE reimbursements loom as new tax rates take effect

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIpumbu Shiimi, NamRA, Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE)

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s minister of finance and public enterprises, Ipumbu Shiimi, has announced that employers are required to adjust the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax deductions from employees to ensure the reimbursement of any over-deducted amounts. In a statement issued over the weekend, Shiimi stressed that any over-deduction of PAYE resulting from the implementation of the adjusted statutory tax rates must be refunded by employers shortly after the gazettement of the new rates. The minister, however, did not indicate exactly when the new rates will be gazetted. “The reimbursement would be deducted from the employee's monthly tax contribution payable to the Namibia…

15 Sep

Political agendas blamed for fights over drought food aid

info_e12wt4csNational Newsdrought relief food, Hilaria Ndjuluwa

Stefanus Nashama The Constituency Councillor of Ondobein the Ohangwena Region, Hilaria Ndjuluwa responded to a video circulating on social media platforms of three women seen fighting each other over a bag of drought food aid maize meal. Ndjuluwa argued that vulnerable people are made to fight over basic necessities such as drought relief food to drive political agendas. Ndjuluwa said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Sunday. "There is no need to grab food. And there is no hunger that can kill people in our constituency. Those that grab food do it for their own purposes which…

15 Sep

Private schools accused of only enrolling smart students

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHidipo Hamata, PDM, Vincent Mareka

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo Party Member of Parliament, Vincent Mareka said the passing rate of learners at private schools is questionable. He said this is because private schools only accept smart and well-prepared learners who are going to pass in order to satisfy their rich parents who have to pay high school fees. Mareka made these remarks in parliament last week while contributing to the motion on the state of education in the country, which was tabled by Hidipo Hamata of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). Mareka stated that private schools are single businesses or commercial entities established to make a…