National News

For many Namibians, homosexual conduct is immoral and unacceptable- AG

For many Namibians, homosexual conduct is immoral and unacceptable- AG

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Following public outcry about a statement he made about homosexuality, Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka, says he was merely responding to an affidavit filed in the High Court. Mbadeka said he was responding to an application filed by Gay Rights, Activist Friedel Dausab, who stressed that Namibian laws promote stigma and the exclusion of consensual sexual acts between men and women. Mbandeka says the remarks are not his views but rather a response to Dausab’s affidavit. He argues that a majority of Namibians still reject homosexuality and that sodomy laws should remain in force. “What I said is in…
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Darkness looming?<br>NamPower and MOF mum on load-shedding

Darkness looming?
NamPower and MOF mum on load-shedding

Staff Writer Last week, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo summoned the management of both his ministry and that of Namibia’s power utility, NamPower, to express his concern about Namibia’s readiness to overcome its energy requirements in the event the South African power utility, Eskom, pulls the plug on Namibia’s power supply. Upon enquiry about the meeting Alweendo however said he could not provide further information about the meeting but a source in the Ministry familiar with the meeting divulged that Alweendo was very frank in the meeting. He expressed serious concern about the potential disaster that the…
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Five ‘Struggle Kids’ arrested

Five ‘Struggle Kids’ arrested

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Five protestors from a group of children of the liberation struggle also known as “struggle kids” were arrested today at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, after the group blocked the ministry’s main entrance and prevented people from entering or exiting the building. Acting Regional Commander Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo confirmed that five of the protestors have been detained. “We had no choice but to arrest them. They were being reluctant and resistant after we humbly requested them to vacate the area as they were prohibiting people from entering and exiting the building. They will be taken…
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Namibia, Angola Central Banks strengthen ties

Namibia, Angola Central Banks strengthen ties

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Banco Nacional de Angola (BNA) have signed an agreement to formally establish their collaboration and partnership as part of efforts to improve their bilateral relations. The agreement was signed by the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Johannes !Gawaxab and his counterpart Jose de Lima Massano in Luanda, Angola.

“In this regard, the institutions have agreed to focus on effective utilisation of the existing regional cross-border payment systems as well as exploring retail payment options such as prepaid cards for the payment of goods and services. Other solutions being explored are trade related…
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Higher education ministry wants TVET qualifications aligned with that of national education

Higher education ministry wants TVET qualifications aligned with that of national education

Martin Endjala The Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Higher Education Technology and Innovation, Raimo Naanda has called on the technical committee to find solutions and recommend a sub-framework which is in alignment with that of both Technical Vocational Education Training and basic education qualifications. The Deputy Executive Director said this today at the official launch of the inception meeting of the Technical Vocational Education Training qualifications sub-network technical committee in Windhoek. The launch will focus on the priority to transform the country’s Technical Vocational Education Training sector in order to improve access and to continuously raise the standards…
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NWR steps up tourism safety

NWR steps up tourism safety

Martin Endjala The Namibia Wildlife Resorts through its efforts to enhance tourism safety in the country has teamed up with a local online film program, COPPS 94.1, to promote tourism safety in and around Windhoek, which started last Friday. This follows recent reports of robberies, targeting primarily tourists, which have become a grave concern in the tourism industry. The Managing Director of NWR Matthias Ngwangwama said that NWR, as a leading industry player, saw it fit to come on board, in a platform that will allow for awareness to be spread. He added that the recent spike in robberies has…
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Colonial laws exploiting workers- NEFFF

Colonial laws exploiting workers- NEFFF

Steve Nashama The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEEF) parliamentarian Iipumbu Kalimbo says the party will continue fighting against the exploitation of workers, that the arrest of NEFF member Michael Amushelelo will not deter them. Kalimbo said this today, adding that there is a need to question why people go on strikes and the cause of strikes. Amushelelo was arrested last week while at the strike of cleaners at the City of Windhoek. Kalimbo also questioned the existence of colonial laws in the labour system. “Why do people go on strike? That is the first question you should ask,” he said.…
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“I had no intention to kill anyone” – Harvey Boulter

“I had no intention to kill anyone” – Harvey Boulter

Hertta-Maria Amutenja British billionaire Harvey Boulter (53) is seeking to have the decision of Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa to prosecute him on murder and illegal possession of a firearm reviewed and set aside. Last year in April, Imalwa decided to prosecute Boulter and have him stand trial on charges of murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, and handling a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In the application, Boulter is seeking an order reviewing, correcting and setting aside the decision by Imalwa. Alternatively, Boulter wants the court to declare Imalwa’s decision as invalid and…
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Armchair Activist: (Un)sanitary Peasants

Armchair Activist: (Un)sanitary Peasants

Dear Comrades in bling So, there I was, watching some mindless television and lo and behold, some Councilor from some constituency I am yet to visit came on my screen spewing some nonsensical gibberish about condoms and sanitary pads. When I heard the word ‘condom’ I immediately became erect (excuse the pun). Because in my mind I was thinking, “are they whining about that infamous tender by our fellow blinger, again?” We all know what a bunch of cry babies these lot can be. Anywho, I digress. Now as I was watching, one Harald Kabrude started talking about condoms and…
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Man ran over by train- body unrecognizable

Man ran over by train- body unrecognizable

Steve Nashama Police in the Oshikoto Region are yet to identify a man who was ran over by a train and died at the scene of the accident last night at Oshifukwa village. According to Oshikoto Regional Commander Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku his unrecognizable body is currently at the Omuthiya Police mortuary. Kalompo-Nashikaku says the driver of a Transnamib train was en route to Ondangwa when the train ran over a pedestrian who was allegedly sleeping on the rails. The deceased is said to be between the ages of 30 and 40, and was wearing a blue jersey and blue pants.…
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