National News – Page 178 – Windhoek Observer

22 Oct

Ballot printing process under scrutiny

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political parties observing the printing of ballot papers for the November 2024 elections in Johannesburg have raised concerns over the transparency of the process. Imms Nashinge of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) expressed dissatisfaction, citing a lack of communication and briefing from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). According to Nashinge, the samples of the ballots were not yet approved, and the team didn’t get clarification on the logistical arrangements. “We are not satisfied with how they dealt with the whole process. There was no proper communication or briefing as to what was going to happen before…

22 Oct

Analyst says political motive behind labour force report delay

National News

Stefanus Nashama Political analyst Sakaria Johannes believes the release of the Labour Force Thematic Report next year, is politically motivated and election-based. The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) on Tuesday announced that it would only release the report on 29 January 2025. The last Labour Force Survey was done in 2018, which found the country’s unemployment rate stood at 32%. “In a nutshell, it's a politically motivated decision in general and an election-based decision, in particular,” he said. Johannes said that if the report is released before the elections, the current government will suffer at the ballot box. “Such information might…

22 Oct

Media ombudsman raises alarm over poor media coverage of NEFF

National News

Martin Endjala The Media Ombudsman has voiced concerns regarding the inadequate media coverage of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) since August. According to the latest media monitoring project report covering the period from 21 August to 30 September, the NEFF has failed to maintain its media presence. The lead report consultant, Christie Keulder, explained that the NEFF averages three times a day of coverage during the period under review. “This data is very concerning. Although statement coverage per day stands at 69. As electorates, we want to see a political party having a media presence. If a party has…

22 Oct

Namibian students in Cuba urged to bring skills home

National NewsPeter Katjavivi

Niël Terblanché While leading a multi-party parliamentary delegation, Professor Peter Katjavivi, the Speaker of the National Assembly, engaged with Namibian students studying at the Universidad Marta Abreu de Villa Clara. On Sunday, Katjavivi and his delegation met with 10 of the 33 Namibian students pursuing various fields of study in Cuba. While addressing the students, Katjavivi spoke about the transformative power of education, stating that their time in Cuba was not only for personal development but also an investment in the future of Namibia. He encouraged the group of students to engage in their studies actively, pointing out that the…

22 Oct

Namibia hosts African risk reduction forum

National News

Niël Terblanché While Africa continues to face escalating climate-induced disasters, governments find themselves on the frontlines of continuously managing the aftermath of disasters, the situation calls for concrete steps that safeguard the future of the continent and its people. Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister, John Mutorwa, while launching the 9th Session of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9) in Windhoek on Tuesday, said the event is aimed at addressing the continent’s growing need for disaster risk management strategies. He said the conference provides a platform for the continent's leaders and experts to evaluate progress made in disaster management,…

21 Oct

Shortage of qualified teachers slows native language rollout

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The rollout of native language education in schools is facing setbacks due to a shortage of qualified teachers in the Khomas and Erongo regions. This is especially for the Rukwangali and Khoekhoegowab, leaving many learners without the opportunity to study their mother tongues. Despite government policies to address these challenges, the implementation thereof has been slow, with little being done to employ educators from regions where native languages are spoken. Educational director Paulus Nghikembua on Monday told the Windhoek Observer that the situation is impacting the learners badly. “Currently the Rukwangali language is being offered at Dr. Frans…

21 Oct

TB cases high among mine workers

National News

Niël Terblanché TB incidence among mine workers is estimated to be ten times higher than in the general population. This is according to the health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe. He said this during the signing of a new set of Mine Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Monday in Windhoek. “Mining as a critical sector in Namibia’s economy, has long been associated with health risks such as TB due to the working conditions, including poor ventilation and exposure to hazardous dust,” he said. According to Nangombe the high prevalence of TB among miners is exacerbated by factors…

21 Oct

Updates on Namibia’s Hydrogen Projects

National News

Suzie Shefeni Interesting developments have been taking place in the Namibian green hydrogen sector since the launch of the inaugural Green Hydrogen Monitor. Namibia’s Blueprint for Green Hydrogen was published in August and various global green hydrogen convenings saw the establishment of a myriad of partnerships all with the aim of turning Namibia’s ambition into reality. This article looks at 6 of the newer players that have been creating momentum and explores the postponement of the HyRail project. Zhero Green Hydrogen One of the newer players on the block is Zhero Molecules Walvis Bay. The company is partnered with Envision…

21 Oct

RP leader vows to halt Chinese tenders if elected president

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Republican Party (RP) leader, Henk Mudge, has pledged to impose an immediate embargo on all tenders awarded to Chinese companies and cancel existing contracts if he becomes Namibia's next president. The politician said this on Monday during a press conference in Windhoek while outlining his plans for a Namibian-first approach. “I will order an immediate investigation into the legality of the documentation of all the Chinese citizens, especially shop owners all over Namibia. I believe that the vast majority will be fond to either have achieved their documents in a corrupt manner that they have no right to…

21 Oct

Mbumba confident about Swapo’s vision for Namibia

National Newscountry's socio-economic landscape, Unity in Diversity

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed his trust in the Swapo Party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, becoming Namibia's first female president. Addressing a large crowd at a SWAPO Party star rally in Swakopmund on Sunday, Mbumba spoke about the party’s vision for economic emancipation and its readiness to secure another five-year mandate in the upcoming elections. “With Nandi-Ndaitwah at the helm, Namibia’s future would be in capable hands,” he assured the gathering. Mbumba reiterated the party’s long-standing leadership and its crucial role in shaping the country's socio-economic landscape. He pointed out that SWAPO’s governance has been instrumental in the peace,…