National News – Page 274 – Windhoek Observer

23 May

Rising STI cases concern health authorities

National News

Niël Terblanché Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) continue to pose significant public health challenges worldwide, causing 2.5 million deaths each year, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, published earlier this week, indicates an alarming increase in sexually transmitted diseases, particularly in the Americas and African regions. Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general said in the report that new data shows sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in most regions, with the highest increases occurring in the Americas and the African regions. “This trend is particularly concerning as it stresses the need for intensified…

23 May

Community threatens shutdown of traditional authority offices

National News

Martin Endjala Residents of the Uis district in the Daures constituency in the Erongo region have threatened to shut down the Daure Daman Traditional Authority (TA) after expressing dissatisfaction with the chief’s leadership. Last year, the group petitioned the Traditional Authority and accused the Chief of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority, Sagarias Seibeb, of illegally awarding land and licenses to foreign investors for mining exploration purposes in the constituency behind closed doors. They also accused Seibeb of pushing his own political agenda to please those in his circle at the expense of community members. They have yet to receive a…

23 May

Namibian truck driver found safe after suspected hijacking in RSA

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A Namibian truck driver who went missing in South Africa earlier this week and was suspected to be a victim of hijacking has been found safe. The South African Police Services from Protea Glen Police Station found Vilho Panduleni Nyati, who drives a truck for Caribu Trading, at a service station in Soweto. The spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed the hijacking incident. “This happened when the community in that area alerted the police that there was a man seeking assistance. So, the police alerted the embassy, and that’s how the police attaché got…

23 May

Workers dismissed for demanding a salary increase

National News

Stefanus Nashama A sub-contractor of Refuse Solutions Brick Factory in Walvis Bay dismissed 44 of its employees last Friday after they demanded a salary increase. The director of Refuse Solutions Brick Factory, Zander Coetzee, confirmed this on Thursday. He claims that a subcontractor, who employed the workers, did not live up to Refuse Solutions Brick Factory's expectations. “We decided to terminate the services because the sub-contractor is not delivering good results for the company,” Coetzee said. He explained that the subcontractor occasionally fails to pay its employees and lacks supervision over its staff. Coetzee said his company will have a…

23 May

Windhoek District Hospital at site clearing stage

Featured, National News

Ester Mbathera The new 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital project is currently at the site clearance stage. This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, on Wednesday. Nangombe was responding to questions on which entity received the tender for the construction of the hospital after the ministry held a groundbreaking ceremony last week without handing over the contractor on site. “The tender for construction will be advertised later. Currently, the project is at the stage of site clearance, to be followed by the installation of bulk services,” he said. Many people took…

22 May

Nehale Lya Mpingana constituency facing water crisis

National News

Martin Endjala Residents at Elavi B village in the Nehale Lya Mpingana constituency in the Oshikoto Region are facing a water crisis because they are now competing with their livestock for the little water left in a single well. Silas Henock, a community member, narrated the water shortages, saying that since the constituency's existence, the Elavi B residents have been surviving on only one well for water. Henock, however, said that the residents now fear that the water will not last until November if it does not rain and is calling on the government to drill a borehole and put…

22 May

Demands for implementation as SADC PF Model Laws Oversight Committee meets

National News

Moses Magadza The Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) is meeting today 22 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Enhancing the Role of the RPMLOC in Monitoring the Domestication of SADC Model Laws and Implementation of Related Policies and Laws through Structured Reporting Frameworks and Mechanisms: A Look at the Domestication of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.’’ Malawi Member of Parliament Hon. Ishmael Ndaila Onani, is Chairperson of the RPMLOC. The meeting is in preparation for the 55th Plenary Assembly that will take place from 1 to 7 July 2024 in Angola. Ms Thoko…

22 May

Namibia renews biodiversity conservation amidst global challenges

Energy, National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia reaffirmed its dedication to conserving biodiversity, highlighting the critical role it plays in sustaining ecosystems, providing food and medicine, and contributing to overall human well-being. During the celebration of International Biological Diversity Day in Lüderitz, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said that biodiversity conservation is not just an environmental issue but a foundational element for economic stability and cultural heritage. In his address, the minister pointed out that human activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change pose unprecedented threats to biodiversity. "The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, impacting food…

22 May

GIPAN demands representation on GIPF Board

National News

Niël Terblanché The Government Institution Pensioners' Association of Namibia (GIPAN) has voiced strong objections to the recent five percent annual pension increase, calling it insufficient and an insult to pensioners. Josef Pieters, the chairperson of GIPAN, pointed out that the increment is 0.46 percent lower than the previous financial year's increase, highlighting a trend of diminishing returns for pensioners. Pieters criticized the lack of engagement between the pensioners' association and the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) management. “More than five months lapsed without us meeting to pave the way forward, as a newly elected national body. We would reason that…

22 May

Residents of Mondesa Extension 14 registered for formal housing

National News

Niël Terblanché Following its recent proclamation into a township, the informal settlement area of Swakopmund, previously known as DRC Airport, will soon begin registering residents as beneficiaries for more formal housing. Clarence McClune, the Swakopmund municipality’s general manager of Engineering and Planning Service, announced that the new township will now be called Mondesa Extension 14. Located near the Swakopmund Aerodrome on the eastern side of the coastal town, the DRC Airport area had been used as a temporary settlement in the sprawling DRC informal settlement until it was proclaimed a township earlier this year. At a community meeting over the…