National News – Page 342

07 Sep

Namibia recorded zero ozone-depleting substances: Sinimbo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChlouro-Flouro-Carbons (CFCs)., Namibia recorded zero ozone-depleting substances: Sinimbo

Stefanus Nashama The Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Verna Sinimbo, has noted that the country recorded zero consumption of the ozone-depleting substance, Chlouro-Flouro-Carbons (CFCs). Sinimbo said the improvement of such a record was made possible by the control of the ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol discussion nations in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States. She was speaking at the National Ozone Unit and Customs Twinning Workshop and Border Dialogue for countries of the SADC region yesterday in Windhoek. The border dialogue aims to strengthen cooperation between Customs Departments from the countries in monitoring the trade of…

06 Sep

Germany commits N$1.3 billion to sustainable urban development projects

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGermany commits N$1.3 billion to sustainable urban development projects, Joseph Uapingene

Martin Endjala The German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development has committed to provide approximately N$1.03 billion for projects related to sustainable urban development, vocational training, climate change adaptation and the protection of biodiversity and improved water supply in Namibia. This was announced by the City of Windhoek Mayor, Joseph Uapingene, during the ordinary council meeting held last week. This follows the successful negotiations on the development cooperation between the Government of Namibia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany held in Berlin from 7-8 June 2023. Wilhencia Uiras, Executive Director of the National Planning Commission, led…

06 Sep

Urgent action needed to accelerate climate-resilient investments in water

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCalle Schlettwein, Urgent action needed to accelerate climate-resilient investments in water

Niël Terblanché While the world struggles with the impacts of climate change, it has become increasingly evident that the planet is facing a water crisis that threatens the existence of all people. It has emerged at the Africa Climate Summit currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya, that a three-pronged global crisis that encompasses climate change, financial instability, and political upheaval has highlighted the urgency of prioritizing climate-resilient investments in water. The theme of this year’s summit is “Accelerating Climate Resilient Investments in Water.” Calle Schlettwein, Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, while addressing the summit said that climate change…

06 Sep

Itula refutes speculation about his political path

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC), Itula refutes speculation about his political path

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, has refuted speculations that he has been convinced to return to Swapo after he was recently seen with President Hage Geingob at State House. Itula said he is a full member of IPC, and that makes him stand loyal to his party and the people he represents. “I have no intention whatsoever to return to the same party that expelled me for standing up for the Namibian people, rather than honouring the invitation from State House, he stated. Itula was responding to public speculations on Monday after…

06 Sep

Home Affairs did not ban names with click-sound characters

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHome Affairs did not ban names with click-sound characters, Margaret Kalo

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has distanced itself from recent media reports that it has banned the use of special characters such as !Gawaxab or //Karas when indicating click sounds in some names as part of its services. This is despite the assertion that click-sound symbols could potentially lead to confusion and inconsistencies in official documentation as was reported by some media houses. According to the Ministry’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Margaret Kalo the government through the Ministry has no policy to discriminate against any section of the community as reported. Kalo noted that…

06 Sep

Japan commits to supporting Namibia’s development efforts

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJapan commits to supporting Namibia’s development efforts, US$271 million

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Japan stands as one of Namibia’s most significant donor nations, having contributed more than US$271 million to Namibia’s development efforts since independence. This was revealed during a courtesy call by the Japanese Ambassador to Namibia, Nishimaki Hisao, on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi yesterday. During the visit, the Japanese diplomat emphasised that Namibia has received assistance in various crucial areas, including human resource development, agriculture and emergency response. “Japan has extended support by providing food to vulnerable citizens affected by drought and they have also offered medical assistance,” he said. Further explaining that Japan and…

06 Sep

Freedom of expression should be accompanied by responsible reporting: Shikongo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFreedom of expression should be accompanied by responsible reporting: Shikongo

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has emphasised the need for responsible reporting alongside freedom of expression by media practitioners when carrying out their duties. He said this during the Training of Trainers on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists at the Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). “Despite this, I must caution that freedom of expression should also be accompanied by responsible reporting. The media must realise that where their freedom or rights end, the freedom and rights of others…

05 Sep

For Namibia to become industrialised,it will require investors: Alweendo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFor Namibia to become industrialised, Tom Alweendo

Martin Endjala Mines and Energy Minister, Tom Alweendo has emphasised that if Namibia is to become an industrialised country, then leaders must continue inviting and attracting investors which is part of the vision to tap into mineral resources. Alweendo made these remarks during the Namibia-Korea Energy Resources Business Forum yesterday in Windhoek. The Minister stressed that Namibia will only allow investments into its critical raw minerals to be exploited on a win-win outcome. He said that gone are the days, where the country’s valuable minerals get chipped out of the country and refined elsewhere without value addition, for this reason,…

05 Sep

MPs expected to address health issues and other challenges as Parliament resumes today

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDuminga Ndala, MPs expected to address health issues and other challenges as Parliament resumes today

Martin Endjala National Assembly will be under immense pressure as Namibians anticipate numerous issues to be on the agenda when Parliament resumes today following a break where several oversight visits across the country by various Parliamentary Standing Committees and the race to pass all bills to avoid financial greylisting. During the oversight visits, issues ranging from the state of health facilities, education, poverty, road infrastructures, Gender-Based Violence, and various water and electricity crises are among many issues anticipated to take centre stage in the August house. Political Analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah, yesterday said Members of Parliament have set for themselves high…

05 Sep

New minimum wage agreed for Namibia’s agricultural sector

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF), New minimum wage agreed for Namibia’s agricultural sector

Niël Terblanché In a significant step forward for labour rights, the Namibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF) has successfully concluded negotiations to increase the minimum wage for farmworkers in both the commercial and communal farming sectors. The newly agreed-upon minimum wage, effective from 1 October 2023, represents a 10 percent increase over the previous year’s minimum wage. The current minimum wage, which was in place throughout 2022, is set to rise to N$6.00 per hour or N$1,170 per month for employees working a 45-hour workweek. In addition, workers who do not receive free rations will see their monthly ration allowance increase…