National News – Page 234 – Windhoek Observer

01 Sep

Windhoek woman’s fight for motherhood and survival

National News

Ester Mbathera Wilika Frai endured endometriosis, a chronic and often painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus for more than ten years. This condition can cause severe pain, especially during menstruation, and can lead to fertility issues. Frai, who was born and raised in Katutura, faced years of ridicule for not having a child during her marriage. In 1992, she married veteran broadcaster Andreas Frai, whom she met in Rundu while working as a typing teacher at Dr. Romanus Kampungu. It took 11 years for her to conceive. During that period, friends…

01 Sep

Namibia is still mpox-free

National NewsBen Nangombe, mpox cases

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed that Namibia remains free of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases. This announcement released by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry on Friday, comes after thorough testing of 18 suspected cases, all of which returned negative results. According to Nangombe, the ministry has been closely monitoring the mpox situation in the southern African region and across Africa. “The 18 suspected cases, which presented symptoms suggestive of mpox, were promptly tested. While the results for 15 of these cases were received earlier, the ministry has now received the results for…

01 Sep

Swapo will challenge the suspension of three Walvis Bay councillors

National NewsAlbertina Nkoshi, Ephraim Shozi, Paulus Kauhondhomwa

Martin Endjala The Erongo region district coordinator of Swapo, Daniel Muhuura, said the party will challenge the suspension of its three representatives on the Walvis Bay Town Council. Muhuura's response comes after the mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes announced the suspension of three Swapo councillors, Ephraim Shozi, Albertina Nkoshi, and Paulus Kauhondhomwa for the entire month of September. “We definitely don't take it lightly. We will not sit idle. We will challenge it. And get to the bottom of the matter,” said Muhuura. Swapo’s district coordinator of information of the Walvis Bay urban constituency, Claudius Aikera, said the suspension…

01 Sep

NUDO’s interim committee clashes with party leadership over control

National NewsBenestus Tjizapouzeu, Joseph Kauandenge

Martin Endjala The interim committee of the National United Democratic Organisation (NUDO) has denied forcefully taking over the party's head office and party affairs. Reports surfaced on Friday that Benestus Tjizapouzeu's interim leadership committee had taken control of the party's head office after changing the building's locks on 29 August. “We did not take the office by force. We found the office open and abandoned. Luckily nothing was broken, and we informed them that we changed the padlocks,” said Tjizapouzeu. The events are unfolding as the party battles with leadership challenges, which also led to the election of its elective…

01 Sep

Shaningwa demands retraction and apology from Shipwikineni

National News

Martin Endjala Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has asked the High Court to direct Reinhold Shipwikineni to retract the communication and unconditionally tender an apology to the party. She said this in her answering affidavit to the court, in response to the High Court's directive for the party to oppose Shipwikineni and others' application by 30 August. Shipwikineni and others challenged the party's decision to extend the extraordinary congress to next year in court, as well as the legitimacy of vice president Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah's 2024 presidential election candidacy. Shaningwa said the application by Shipwikineni is evident that his actual…

01 Sep

Lung sickness outbreak in Opuwo contained

Featured, National NewsDirectorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, Opuwo State Veterinary

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has lifted all restrictions previously imposed following an outbreak of lung sickness in cattle in the Opuwo State Veterinary District of the Kunene region. The chief veterinary officer at the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, said in a statement released on Friday that the decision follows the successful containment and management of the disease by the directorate. According to Shoopala, the outbreak, which was first reported on 1 July in a herd of cattle at Okapundja village, prompted immediate and effective action. “The Directorate of Veterinary Services swiftly…

29 Aug

ECN identifies 13 000 duplicates in voter registration

National NewsGeneral Registration of Voters

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has identified 13 685 duplicate entries following the completion of the 2024 General Registration of Voters (GRV). This was revealed by the ECN chairperson, Elsie Nghikembua, on Thursday when she released the Provisional Voters’ Register and Preliminary Statistics following the completion of the GRV. “As a result, the final provisional statistics now reflect a total of 1 451 444 registered voters, accounting for 90% of the expected voter registration,” she said. Nghikembua said the duplication represented a 0.93% decrease in the total preliminary statistics. The fourth GRV was conducted between 3 June…

29 Aug

300 tied the knot for Namibian citizenship since 2020

National NewsMarriage Bill, Namibian citizenship

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Since January 2020 to date, 296 foreign nationals have acquired Namibian citizenship through marriage to Namibians. This is according to statistics provided by the executive director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Etienne Maritz, to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. Maritz said the ministry also approved 416 applications for citizenship by foreign nationals who are married to Namibians. He explained that Article 4(3) of the Namibian Constitution, along with Section 3 of the Namibian Citizenship Act (Act No. 14 of 1990), allows individuals to acquire Namibian citizenship through marriage. “Article 4(3) in good faith…

29 Aug

MUN western region condemns activities of national leadership

National NewsMine Workers Union of Namibia's (MUN)

Niël Terblanché The Mine Workers Union of Namibia's (MUN) western regional office has raised serious concerns over what it describes as unconstitutional activities initiated by the union's Head Office Administration. According to Abiud Kapere, chairman of the MUN's western region, these actions have been undertaken without the mandate of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and are in direct violation of the MUN Constitution. In a statement on Wednesday, Kapere reiterated that the issuance of disciplinary enquiry notices by a MUN staff member against union members concerning matters related to structural activities represents a grave breach of members' constitutional rights. “The…

29 Aug

Club Pamodzi abandoned and dangerous

National Newsresidents of Rykmansdorp

Hertta- Maria Amutenja Once a vibrant nightclub and matinee venue in Katutura, with a rich history as a popular spot for social gatherings and entertainment, Club Pamodzi has become a nightmare for the residents of Rykmansdorp in Katutura. For the young people in Katutura, the place was known for its lively atmosphere, music, events, nightlife, and matinée. However, since its closure in 2015, the building has fallen into disrepair and become a hotspot for criminal activities. The lack of security has turned it into a dangerous place, causing significant concern among local residents. This has created a sense of fear…