National News – Page 394 – Windhoek Observer

17 Oct

Geingob pays tribute to Ahtisaari as a friend and a peacemaker

National News

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob on behalf of all Namibians expressed his profound sadness upon learning of the death of a former President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, who played a pivotal role in the country’s journey to independence and peace. Martti Ahtisaari, whose name is intricately woven into the history of Namibia as a true friend and an international peacemaker, was not just a distant diplomat but a person who understood the Namibian struggle for freedom and justice. In his tributary message, the President said that Ahtisaari’s connection with Namibia dates back to 1975 when he was appointed as a…

17 Oct

Namibian Navy marks 19 years of service with a grand parade

National NewsNamibian Navy marks 19 years of service with a grand parade

Niëlu Terblanché The Namibian Navy celebrated its 19th anniversary with a well-executed parade at the Naval Base Captain (Navy) P N Sacharia in Walvis Bay. Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Paulus Amungulu, delivered the opening address, emphasizing the primary mission of the Namibian Navy: to defend the territorial integrity of Namibia by safeguarding its water bodies from illegal, unreported, and unregulated activities. Admiral Amungulu stressed the importance of strategic thinking and collective effort with the available resources to fulfil the Navy’s mandate effectively. He urged the Navy to devise innovative approaches to meet their objectives. Among the Navy’s key objectives is…

17 Oct

Health Mentorship Programme receives vital support from the U.S.A

National NewsHealth Mentorship Programme receives vital support from the U.S.A

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s healthcare system received crucial support in the form of 16 new vehicles that were generously donated by the Government of the United States of America. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, officially took ownership of the new vehicles that will be added to the fleet already supporting the Mentorship Programme. During the ceremony, Dr. Shangula expressed his gratitude and stressed the importance of this donation in enhancing the quality of healthcare through the mentorship programme. He also pointed to the critical role played by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Namibia and…

16 Oct

Active SIM cards dropped six percent in Q2

National News

Chamwe Kaira Active Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards experienced a six percent decline in the second quarter. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) attributed this decrease primarily to a reduction in Prepaid SIM card users. One potential factor contributing to this drop is the introduction of new Aweh and Jiva packages, which offer extended validity periods and may reduce the need for customers to purchase multiple SIM cards for different purposes. However, there was a seven percent increase in mobile broadband usage, with 74 percent of SIM cards accessing the internet, resulting in a nine percent increase from the…

16 Oct

EFF alleges Amushelelo’s arrest was aimed at muting dissent

National NewsEFF alleges Amushelelo’s arrest was aimed at muting dissent

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The South African political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, has claimed that the arrest of Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) member Michael Amushelelo, was a clear attempt to silence him, setting an example to radical voices calling for revolutionary change in Namibia. EFF National Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, stated that the EFF has consistently maintained that Amushelelo’s arrest and detention were politically motivated. “The EFF has consistently maintained that Amushelelo’s arrest and detention were politically motivated, as stated in our statement of support from 28 September 2023. Amushelelo is a vocal critic of the…

16 Oct

Ministry of Fisheries spends millions to combat illegal fishing

National NewsThe Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources disclosed an expenditure of over N$70 million in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities within the country’s territory last year.

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources disclosed an expenditure of over N$70 million in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities within the country’s territory last year. According to the Ministry, the expenditure does not encompass the salaries of fisheries inspectors and all involved personnel. Furthermore, the Ministry has revealed that it allocates over N$130,000 per day for each patrol vessel involved in sea operations. These revelations come in response to queries raised by the Leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Bernadus Swartbooi, regarding alleged illegal fishing activities along the northern borders. Swartbooi…

16 Oct

Geingob and Ramaphosa Address Global concerns in Windhoek

National NewsGeingob and Ramaphosa Address Global concerns in Windhoek

Niël Terblanché The third session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), co-chaired by President Hage Geingob of Namibia and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, took place on October 13, 2023, in Windhoek, Namibia. The meeting followed a ministerial gathering on October 12, 2023, and a senior officials’ meeting held from March 7 to March 9, 2023, setting the stage for constructive discussions and agreements. The two Heads of State stressed the importance of nurturing the longstanding bilateral relations that exist between Namibia and South Africa. These relations are deeply rooted in historical bonds of solidarity, socio-economic connections, and…

16 Oct

Uutoni to invoke more actions against defiant Karasburg Town Council

National NewsErastus Uutoni, Uutoni to invoke more actions against defiant Karasburg Town Council

Martin Endjala The Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni, has threatened to take action against the continuous defiance of the Local Authorities governing law and un-procedural conduct by the Karasburg Town Council. Uutoni said that in terms of Article 40 (k) of the Namibian Constitution, and given his previous directives which were ignored, he is again directing the Council to rectify all the violations as pointed out previously by making a representation and providing proof to his office on or before 27 October 2023 and to submit a comprehensive report that they have fully complied. Failure by the…

16 Oct

Ford Ranger Raptor Waiting List Surpasses 1,009

National NewsFord Ranger Raptor Waiting List Surpasses 1

Chamwe Kaira In Windhoek, Namibia, the demand for the new Ford Ranger Raptor is surging, with over 1,009 eager customers currently on the waiting list. Simonis Storm disclosed that the Namibian market continues to be predominantly driven by Toyota, contributing to 45% of total sales. Following Toyota are Volkswagen (12%), Kia (8%), Ford (7%), and Nissan (4%). The report highlighted that the demand for new vehicles in Namibia has seen a decrease for the third consecutive month, with a 3.7% decline in September compared to a more substantial drop of 13.2% in August. In September, the number of vehicles sold…

16 Oct

Building resilience at all levels is an urgent priority

National NewsBuilding resilience at all levels is an urgent priority, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, says in order to address the threat of climate change, building resilience at every level of society has become an urgent priority. “As we face these complex and ever-evolving threats, building resilience at every level of our society has become an urgent priority,” she said. The premier said this last week at the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Uukwangula, Okatana Constituency, in the Oshana region. She said the day is a reminder about the importance of disaster risk reduction, in the face of increasing and unprecedented natural and…