National News – Page 385

21 Apr

Youth eyes presidential positions in Namibia and South Africa

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama The current leadership of both Namibia and South Africa is finding itself in the hot seat with youth leaders announcing their intention to run for President in the next election cycle. Former SWAPO Party Youth League Spokesperson, Job Amupanda, last month announced his intention to run for the Namibian Presidency. In South Africa, the 40-year-old son of South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, Duduzane Zuma, surprised the South African political landscape when he announced on Monday that he will be running as an independent candidate in that country’s next general election next year. In an interview with Daily…

20 Apr

New Qatar MoU to boost Namibia’s fledgling oil industry

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNew Qatar MoU to boost Namibia’s fledgling oil industry

Niël Terblanché Creating synergies between Namibia and the State of Qatar is pivotal to the development of Namibia’s promising petroleum industry. To strengthen the cooperation between the two countries, Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Qatari Minister of Energy, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi who is also the Chief Executive Officer of QatarEnergy, the state-owned corporation which operates all oil and gas activities in that country. At the signing ceremony, Alweendo said that the new MoU is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, initiated by the business relations already…

20 Apr

ACC Investigator financially drained bylegal battle with PM

info_e12wt4csNational NewsACC Investigator financially drained bylegal battle with PM

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Phelem Masule, a disgruntled Chief Investigator for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), says a legal dispute with Namibia’s Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has changed his personal and financial circumstances, in a matter in which he is fighting to have his promotion solidified, after Kuugongelwa-Amadhila reversed it. The case has been in court since 2020. The former Executive Director of the ACC, Hannu Shipena notified Masule on 16 July 2020 that he had been appointed as the anti-graft body’s Chief of Investigations and Prosecutions after he had applied for the post in 2019 and had been interviewed and shortlisted. Masule…

20 Apr

Kantema-Gaomas wants wellness programs for govt employees

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKantema-Gaomas wants wellness programs for govt employees

Stefanus Nashama Parliamentarian and Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and National Service, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, says creating a dynamic wellness program for employees at Offices, Ministries and Agencies could increase positivity and performance in the working environment. She said this in support of a motion tabled in Parliament by the Health and Social Services Deputy Minister, Ester Munjangue on wellness programs for government employees. Kantema-Gaomas said wellness programs for employees that are responsive to their needs, encourage positive behaviour and outcomes, which she said is the best strategy to ensure long time success. “A wellness program can provide targeted health education,…

20 Apr

SWAPO Party celebrates 63 years of revolution

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSWAPO Party celebrates 63 years of revolution

Niël Terblanché Dr Hage Geingob in his capacity as the President of the SWAPO Party congratulated all members and supporters of the movement on the day that the organisation celebrates 63 years of existence. Geingob called the SWAPO Party a glorious movement that was formed with the mission of liberating Namibians from Apartheid oppression. “SWAPO succeeded in that historic mission. Over the past 33 years, SWAPO has been hard at work to unite and to ensure the economic development of Namibia,” he said He said that the party will continue to work hard to complete the mission of socio-economic well-being…

20 Apr

Govt spent N$ 1.4 billion on Transport projects from 2020

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGovt spent N$ 1.4 billion on Transport projects from 2020

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The state has spent a total of N$ 1,451,839,274.13 to improve transport infrastructure between 2020 and February this year, through the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Namibia Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project(NITIIP). This is according to a report seen by the Windhoek Observer. According to the report, the African Development Bank(AFDB) also co- financed the project with N$ 900 million. The report further indicates that the government spent over N$600 million on the 107.5 km railway upgrade between Walvis Bay and Arandis , N$400 million between Arandis and Kranzberg, which were complete this year February and another over N$400…

20 Apr

Woman jumps in front of moving vehicle

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWoman jumps in front of moving vehicle

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police in the Oshikoto Region have reported the death of a woman who was struck by two vehicles after throwing herself in the way of the oncoming vehicles. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at around 12h30 at Onamulunga Village in the Oniipa district. According to Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, the deceased was drinking with her boyfriend at Onamulunga Coca shops before the incident “She allegedly threatened to commit suicide because of family issues. She later told the boyfriend that she was going to kill herself by jumping in front of cars driving…

19 Apr

Namibia relies heavily on SA for food

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia Agronomic Board’s (NAB), Namibia relies heavily on SA for food

Martin Endjala Namibia continues to rely heavily on South Africa for food supply, with 97 percent of processed agricultural products being imported from the neighbouring country. Imports of processed products average roughly 54 570 tons annually and have an estimated value of over N$1.5 billion. The situation arises from a lack of access to raw materials. According to the Namibia Agronomic Board’s (NAB) research report conducted on various projects for the financial year of 2022/23, juice, frozen vegetables, frozen potato chips, jams, olive oil, spices, and other forms of dried vegetables are the some of most commonly important products. The…

19 Apr

NSFAF rejects 7 000 students

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNSFAF rejects 7 000 students

Hertta-Maria Amutenja At least 7 946 students failed to acquire Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund(NSFAF) funding for the 2023 academic year. According to NSFAF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Kandume, the fund received 30 124 applications however only 22 179 applications were eligible for funding. Compared to last year, the fund has increased the number of students it will be funding by 17 Percent. Kandume said the applications were rejected as some applicants did not adhere to the specifications and some applied despite not meeting the academic requirements of the fund. “Like any other application, some applications did not meet…

19 Apr

Judge drops four charges against alleged serial rapist

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJudge drops four charges against alleged serial rapist

Hertta-Maria Amutenja An alleged serial rapist won a partial victory after a Windhoek High court Judge, Dinah Usiku acquitted him on four out of the 23 charges he is facing. Gavin Gawanab is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, four charges of attempted murder and several counts of assault as well as assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, alternatively indecent assault, kidnapping, housebreaking with intent to rape and rape as well as crimen injuria. However, Gawanab has consistently denied the charges since the start of his trial. Gawanab was arrested in November 2018…