National News – Page 470 – Windhoek Observer

08 May

Is Namibia ready for a new government

National News

Martin Endjala More and more anticipation weighs on the 2024 elections with tension mounting on both the incumbent government and other political parties, but with recent frustrations expressed by the masses, the question lingering on everybody’s mind is, is Namibia ready for a new government? Despite the healthy democratic freedom Namibians enjoy, the incumbent government has from time to time been accused of not equally sharing the resources of the country with its citizens, and since then, it has prompted numerous resentment towards the incumbent government. To share light on the matter, the Windhoek Observer posted this question to Political…

08 May

New agreement will address urgent health challenges

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia became one of 12 countries in Africa that have embarked on an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response, Disease Surveillance by signing a Memorandum of Agreement with the World Health Organisation. The new MoA will increase Namibia’s capacity to manage and reinforce the prepare–detect–respond phases of future public health emergencies. At the same time, the WHO made more than N$50 million available to assist with funding for the initiative. While officiating at the signing ceremony the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said the initiative is designed to build capacities in…

05 May

Swapo regalia on Cassinga Day confuses people

National NewsSwapo regalia on Cassinga Day confuses people

Stefanus Nashama The wearing of Swapo Party regalia has left many people in a state of confusion with mix feelings, questioning if Cassinga Day is a national public holiday or a Swapo day. This comes after Swapo Party Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa and many other party members and Cassinga Survivors in party colours went to commemorate the Cassinga Day at the Swapo Party Office at Okandjengedi in Oshakati, Oshana Region yesterday. As declared by the Namibian Government, Cassinga is a national public holiday in Namibia, the Day in which Namibia remembers the Cassinga Massacre, commemorated annually on 4 May, the…

05 May

Bloody massacre remembered on Cassinga Day

National NewsBloody massacre remembered on Cassinga Day

Niël Terblanché THE 1978 attack on Cassinga, led by airborne soldiers of the South African army where more than 600 people died, after 45 years, still serves as a sombre reminder of the resolute resolve of Namibians during the long and bitter struggle for freedom. President Hage Geingob, in a special message, said that during the Cassinga attack and for many years after that, untold sacrifices were made, blood was shed and many lives were lost during the protracted war for the eventual liberation of Namibia. “Today marks 45 years since the fateful day on May 4, 1978, when hundreds…

05 May

DRC sanitation standards get elevated

National NewsDRC sanitation standards get elevated

Niël Terblanché The community of the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund has been working hard to improve sanitation and by default, health standards in their neighbourhood. The efforts by community-based organisations follow short on the heels of a recent report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 data that states Namibia is one of the worst countries in the world regarding rates of open defecation. According to the report, more than 40 percent of Namibians, about one million people do not have access to proper toilet facilities and the negative trend is getting worse. The…

05 May

Baby killer still on the run

National NewsBaby killer still on the run

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian police in Omusati Region is still looking for the woman who allegedly murdered and dumped her new born baby boy last Saturday. The body was discovered by a woman who was collecting empty disposed tins around the Ogongo settlement. “We have not been able to arrest the suspect yet and no one from the community has come forth with any information regarding the incident. The suspect is still on the run, ”Basson said. Postpartum psychosis Registered Psychological Counsellor Diemut Amushila said women who suffer from postpartum depression usually have thoughts of self-harm or harming their newborn.…

05 May

Namfisa reinvigorates its innovative technologies

National NewsNamfisa reinvigorates its innovative technologies

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) and its co-sponsors, GIZ and Kenya Prembly on Wednesday launched its second Fintech Square Innovation, which will be hosted on 10-11 May 2023 at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort, aimed at engaging innovators, in particular, the youth, Regulated entities, fellow regulators, and the broader public. This was announced by Namifisa’s Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Matomola who said that Fintech is a concept that became popular post the 2008 financial crisis, as this innovative technology was able to assist businesses to find innovative means to finance households and SMEs during the…

03 May

Notorious robbery gang had serious criminal charges pending in court

National News

Niël Terblanché The five men who were killed during a shootout with members of the Namibian Police in Okahandja more than a week ago had a total of 24 charges related to serious crimes pending against them. The Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Major General Elias Mutota, in an official statement identified the five men who were killed when they started firing on a police vehicle during a high-speed chase through the streets of the garden town. According to General Mutota, Abed Andreas, also known as Koppe, Flavianus Kaluwepa Endjala, also known as Kalu, Marius Iipinge, also known…

03 May

Esau rejects being a flight risk, says his gravesite is in Swakopmund

National News

Stefanus Nashama Disgraced former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhardt Esau, said his gravesite is already bought in Namibia, and he has no intention to run away and leave his motherland. “Even my gravesite is already bought here in Namibia, in Swakopmund. I have no reason to run away and leave my motherland. My graveside is next to my mother, my uncle, and my brother.” Esau said in his latest bid for bail. Appearing before Judge David Munsu yesterday, Esau also said he would not interfere with state witnesses or police investigations, if he is granted bail. He also…

03 May

Namibia headed towards a sanitation disaster

National News

Niël Terblanché Factors such as limited access to water, resources and financing are blocking the Namibian government from providing adequate toilets and other sanitation facilities in various communities in Namibia. According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 data, Namibia ranks sixth for the highest rates of open defecation in the world. More than 40 percent of the nation or about one million people do not have access to proper toilet facilities and the situation is getting worse. The situation is exceptionally dire in the various informal settlements where people have no choice but to…