National News

Martin Endjala The Mafwe Traditional Authority in the Zambezi Region has accused Chief Munika Mbambo of the Hamubukushu Traditional Authority of infringing on its communal area in the Mukwe constituency of the Kavango East Region. This is in response to a Bafwe community group's petition to the Zambezi Region's governor, Lawrence Alufea Sampofu. Glen Mutemwa read the petition on behalf of the group, calling on Sampofu to intervene before the situation escalates further. “Recently, Chief Mbambo of the Hambukushu has been threatening the peace and stability of the Bafwe community through constant flocking to the Mafwe people (Pitorosi Kabeto of…

Niël Terblanché Quarantine facilities designed to help farmers in the Kunene Region market their livestock are either non-functional or have been severely vandalised, according to findings by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration. These facilities are crucial for farmers to sell their animals in formal markets, but their current dilapidated state is jeopardising this opportunity. At least three livestock quarantine camps have experienced vandalism, according to the committee's oversight visits to the Northern Communal Areas. This discovery follows a petition urging the region's livestock market to be revived. The only facility still in good condition is the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The minister of justice, Yvonne Dausab, has raised concerns over the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, attributing it to historical standards that were once socially acceptable. She addressed the issue during the launch of the Distress Application (D-APP) in honour of the recent murder of Delia Weimers-Maasdorp in Windhoek. Dausab emphasised that GBV affects both men and women, and it's the responsibility of everyone to prevent violence. “Gender-based violence is not only perpetrated against women but also against men,” said Dausab. Maasdorp’s body was found in her flat in Klein Windhoek, wrapped in a blanket…

Ester Mbathera Kavihuha Mahongora, the secretary general of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), said that they should constitute the majority of board members in institutions where workers' resources are directly involved. Mahongora referred to entities such as the Social Security Commission, pension funds, and the National Training Authority (NTA). He was responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer about the importance of trade union representation on the plethora of boards of directors. “The workers must control the board, which determines their fate, look after the resources of the workers, and determine their future. But those boards that are…

Martin Endjala The Swakop Uranium Mine is working on initiatives to address the mine's water demands in order to relieve pressure on the country's bulk water supplier, Namwater. During a recent media visit to the Husab Mine, Swakop Uranium's operational arm, Patrick Chizabulyo, the company's vice president and human resources officer, revealed the [plans to improve the supply of water to the mine. “We have the ideas and initiatives, but those initiatives have not matured yet, and therefore, we cannot make any announcements now,” he said. Chizabulyo was responding to concerns about the mine's high water usage volumes amidst a…

Martin Endjala The Swakop Uranium Mine is working on initiatives to address the mine's water demands in order to relieve pressure on the country's bulk water supplier, Namwater. During a recent media visit to the Husab Mine, Swakop Uranium's operational arm, Patrick Chizabulyo, the company's vice president and human resources officer, revealed the [plans to improve the supply of water to the mine. “We have the ideas and initiatives, but those initiatives have not matured yet, and therefore, we cannot make any announcements now,” he said. Chizabulyo was responding to concerns about the mine's high water usage volumes amidst a…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has achieved a new milestone by handling a record-breaking 8 million tonnes of cargo during the financial year ending 31 March. This volume represents a 4% increase from the previous year's total of 7.7 million tonnes, indicating robust growth and operational efficiency at Namport. In a statement on Monday, Elias Mwenyo, Namport's executive of commercial services, said the significant growth in the exportation of various goods was the primary driver of the increase. “Notable increases were seen across several categories: bulk salt grew by 10%, copper concentrate by 12%, while frozen fish surged…

Festus Nakatana On 4 May 2024, while Namibians paused to commemorate the selfless acts of sacrifice in remembrance of Cassinga Day, a soldier of the liberation struggle, a combatant and gallant fighter Elikana Iishuna Shoombe took his last breath in a northern hospital. Affectionately known by his combat name Windhoek, Shoombe was not an ordinary PLAN combatant. Born in 1962 at Onatshiku on the outskirts of Oshakati in the Oshana Region, Shoombe attended school in the surrounding areas before joining Swapo in exile with some of his siblings in 1980. He ended up in Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre in 1981…

Niël Terblanché At the celebration of the International Day of the Midwife, stakeholders underscored the critical role of midwives in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The day was celebrated in Windhoek on Saturday. According to Loide Amkongo, a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Namibia, the need for improved training and support for midwives is recognised by international health authorities and the Namibian government, which views midwifery as a cornerstone of maternal and child health. Amkongo said that enhancing the capabilities of midwives is the key to reaching Namibia’s Sustainable Development Goals related to health…