National News – Page 363

30 Jun

Sudden retrenchment is inhuman

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSudden retrenchment is inhuman

Martin Endjala Workers at the Northern Graphite Processing Namibia (Pty) Ltd Okurusu Mine near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa region, are unhappy with the way their employer served them with a notice of retrenchment without formal notification. David Katali, the worker’s spokesperson, told the Windhoek Observer yesterday that employees are devastated about the developments at the Canadian-owned mining company. He said during an interview that the notification they received did not follow the correct procedures. “There is chaos at the workplace, in the sense that we woke up and went to work only to be told that today is our last…

30 Jun

FLON calls for youth empowerment

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFLON calls for youth empowerment

Stefanus Nashama Monica Geingos, the First Lady of Namibia, has called on families to come forward to create urgent interventions for youth empowerment. Geingos made the call while addressing the youth at the ‘Be Free Youth Concert’ official launch yesterday in Windhoek. She said that families are supposed to play their role in the future of the youth by providing love and ensuring protection, having a sense of belonging, and offering financial support for youth development programs. “There should be parental involvement in youth matters, and without all these, families have not played their role in youth engagement and development…

30 Jun

Public warned against dangers of veld fires

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPublic warned against dangers of veld fires

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has warned farmers, property owners and the general public to take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of veld fires during the dry winter season. Romeo Muyunda, the ministry’s spokesperson said the country is currently in its fire season which has been observed in the past to cause massive damage to the environment, properties and people. The dry season stretches between April and September. He added that since the start of the fire season, almost half a million hectares of grazing have already been destroyed by veld fires. “The fire…

30 Jun

New Agronomic Board achieves gender parity

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNew Agronomic Board achieves gender parity

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Minister, Calle Schlettwein said the new Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) has achieved gender inclusivity and gender equality with the appointment of new members. Schletttwein, during the inauguration of the new board yesterday said the people in the new positions are representatives of various industries that link into the value chains and are experts in their required fields. “The Board is constituted, and its members, including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the board, shall be appointed by, and for a period as determined under, sections 14 and 15 of the Public Enterprises Governance…

29 Jun

ACC arrests Education officials over tender involving N$ 3m

info_e12wt4csNational NewsACC arrests Education officials over tender involving N$ 3m

Martin Endjala The Anti-Corruption Commission has confirmed the arrest of two government employees and one local businessman in court for alleged corruption. The suspects, two of them employees at the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture were arrested last Wednesday. The trio is accused of conducting a string of corrupt activities dating back to 2018. The MoEAC employees are the 53-year-old Cornelius Willemse, a Stock Control Officer, the 54-year-old Veronica Goagoses, a Control Administrative Officer, and the 56-year-old, Desmond Kays a businessman. The Anti- graft watchdog said the suspects corruptly connived to defraud the Ministry of nearly N$3 million that…

29 Jun

Zimbabwean Judge sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRita Makarau, Zimbabwean Judge sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite the backlash by opposition parties in appointing Zimbabwean Judge Rita Makarau as an acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia, Makarau was sworn into her position yesterday. Makarau was sworn in by Chief Justice Peter Shivute and will serve from April 2023 to March 2024. Shortly after the announcement of Makarau’s appointment in March, opposition parties such as the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) questioned the appointment. She was appointed alongside Judge Hannelie Prinsloo and Judge Esi Schimming-Chase to serve as Acting Judges of…

29 Jun

Home Affairs finally responds to same-sex marriage ruling

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEtienne Maritz, Home Affairs finally responds to same-sex marriage ruling

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security says that it will implement the immigration act as per the Supreme Court Judgement on the treatment of same-sex marriages validly concluded between Namibians and foreign nationals outside Namibia. The Ministry’s Executive Director, Etienne Maritz said, in a much anticipated statement that the government and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security have taken note of the judgment and acknowledge the independence of the Courts and finality of Supreme Court decisions and in circumstances, the Ministry will comply with the judgment accordingly. In a telephonic interview with…

29 Jun

CoW urges residents to pay for services

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCoW urges residents to pay for services

Stefanus Nashama The City of Windhoek has urged its residents to prioritize paying for water and electricity and other city services, in order for the Municipality to continue delivering the services required in the informal settlements in the City. The City of Windhoek Mayor, Joseph Uapingene, made these remarks yesterday in an interview with the Windhoek Observer. Uapingene said all the services required to improve informal settlements need money, and they should be budgeted for because of the limited resources every year. “Our informal settlements are increasing daily, making it difficult for the Municipality to control communities and deliver services…

29 Jun

Keetmanshoop farmer loses fight against MEFT over cheetahs

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIngrid Mariana Nolte, Keetmanshoop farmer loses fight against MEFT over cheetahs

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A Keetmanshoop farmer, Ingrid Mariana Nolte has lost her fight against the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to have two cheetahs registered to her farm in a judgement delivered in the High Court yesterday. Judge Collins Parker said there was no sufficient evidence presented to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta to how the Nolte came in possession of the two cheetahs. “I find that no sufficient or satisfactory evidence was placed before the minister as to how the applicant came in possession of the two cheetahs. When the applicant was making the application,…

29 Jun

SADC education ministers to implement programmes in Open Science and Access

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSADC education ministers to implement programmes in Open Science and Access

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Joint Committee of Ministers responsible for Education, Training, Science, Technology and Innovation has endorsed the recommendations from UNESCO to implement programmes in Open Science and Access. UNESCO’s Recommendation on Open Science provides an International Framework for Open Science Policy and practice that recognises disciplinary and regional differences in open science perspectives. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Committee of Ministers responsible for Education and Training and Science, Technology, and Innovation of SADC in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The meeting was chaired by Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, the Minister…