Page 217 – News Stand

15 Oct

South Africa faces backlash for snubbing Zambia AfDB Candidate

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneySADC, Samuel Maimbo

Martin Endjala South Africa has faced criticism for failing to endorse the Zambian candidate for the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) presidency. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which includes 16 countries from Southern, Central, and Island Africa and accounts for over 14% of voting rights in the election, endorsed Samuel Maimbo on 17 August. SADC traditionally votes as a bloc during the AfDB presidential election, but this will not be the case now. South Africa, with over 5% of the voting rights, has shattered this coalition. According to reports, the country did not view Maimbo's candidacy favourably. The Zambian national…

15 Oct

Youth dance talent shines at Otjomuise Live Arts Festival

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Otjomuise Live Arts Festival (OLAF) brought Windhoek to life as it showcased the city’s emerging dance talent, with young performers dominating the spotlight. The festival, which kicked off on 9 October and concluded on 12 October, celebrated its fourth edition under the theme “MOVE!” and featured performances at key locations across the city, including Zoo Park, Sifu Arena in Katutura and the College of the Arts. The festival’s dance battle finale saw Rhythm in Motion secure the top prize of N$10 000, demonstrating the growing platform OLAF provides for young talent. One of the festival’s key goals,…

15 Oct

NAC records N$40 million profit, plans major infrastructure upgrades

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBisey /Uirab, Dr Leake Hangala, Public Enterprises Governance Act

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has reported a profit after tax of N$40 million for the 2023/2024 financial year. This breakthrough for the state-owned enterprise was announced by the NAC Board Chairperson Dr Leake Hangala at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) on 30 September. The AGM was held in accordance with the Public Enterprises Governance Act (PEGA) of 2019 during which the NAC leadership presented the audited financial statements to shareholders. Hangala highlighted the organisation’s financial growth, which saw a substantial increase in profits from N$19.4 million in the previous year to N$40.8 million in 2024. The…

15 Oct

FlyNamibia expands route network with TotalEnergies partnership

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyTotalEnergies

Niël Terblanché FlyNamibia has announced the reinstatement of its weekday flights between Eros Airport in Windhoek and Lüderitz. The latest development which was announced on Tuesday was made possible through a partnership with TotalEnergies EP. According to André Compion, the airline’s Managing Director, the new flight route will operate Monday to Friday and is set to commence on 16 October 2024 “The reinstatement of the flight route will provide vital connectivity to the Lüderitz community and its surrounding economic activities,” he said. Compion expressed gratitude for the partnership with TotalEnergies, which enables the airline to maintain and expand routes that…

14 Oct

Outdated infrastructure blamed for water shortages

info_e12wt4csMain

Martin Endjala Acute water shortages are hitting more villages nationwide due to deteriorating critical infrastructure and poor maintenance. Climate change and drought have exacerbated the situation in some areas. However, in the Omusati region, where there is plenty of water, farmers have found themselves without it for months. They say this has led to dying gardens. Communal farmer Tarah Shaanika, who lives in the Etilyasa village of the Omusati region, expressed his frustration about the water crisis with the Windhoek Observer on Monday. “Our plants are dead due to a lack of water. Why do I have a feeling that…

14 Oct

Namibia and South Africa edge closer to resolve Orange River border dispute

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission

Niël Terblanché Namibia and South Africa are edging closer to resolving the more than three-decade-long dispute over the Orange River boundary. During the official start of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting held in Swakopmund on Monday, this vital geographical and economic feature for both countries was the main point on the agenda. Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Peya Mushelenga, pointed to the importance of the joint efforts in concluding negotiations over the boundary. Mushelenga said that the Orange River, which forms part of the natural boundary between Namibia and South Africa, is a lifeline for communities…

14 Oct

Shipwikineni loses case against Nandi-Ndaitwah’s candidacy

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja High Court Judge Eileen Rakow dismissed an urgent application from Swapo member Reinhold Shipwikineni and four others. The applicants sought to overturn the central committee's decision to postpone the party's extraordinary congress until next year. Rakow ruled on Monday that the application was not properly constituted and lacked the return of service documents. Shipwikineni and the other applicants sought to nullify the candidacy of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the SWAPO candidate for the upcoming presidential election. They also requested that the court compel SWAPO to hold an extraordinary congress, as required by the party’s constitution. The court ordered Shipwikineni…

14 Oct

Courts lacking new presidential portraits due to procurement delays

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibian courts and several ministries are yet to display the official portrait of President Nangolo Mbumba. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s (MICT) spokesperson, Shoki Kandjimi confirmed the situation. “None of the courts have the new presidential portraits; this is because of procurement. However, I have advised them to at least put a ribbon on the late president’s picture. All offices, ministries and agencies were given the directive,” he said. In July, the ministry issued a directive following the death of President Hage Geingob, announcing the availability of President Mbumba’s official portrait for display in public and…

14 Oct

Namibia seeks Nigeria’s help in training anti-graft officers to tackle corruption

info_e12wt4csNational News

OLUMAYOWA SAMUEL The Namibian government has appealed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to train its country’s anti-graft agency to fight corruption. Making the appeal during a visit to the ICPC headquarters on Friday, the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb, said that the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia needed the ICPC’s expertise in recovering stolen assets. Geiseb said, “The fight against corruption is taking a new dimension on the continent and we believe Nigeria should lead in sharing its expertise in the fight against corruption and we hope it will open its doors to other…

14 Oct

Think tank member hails Swapo record

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera The ruling party has made significant strides in the development of Namibia and should be given another mandate to govern, a Swapo think tank member said over the past weekend. According to Toini Sam, who was addressing the ruling party faithful of the Moses ǁGaroëb part of the Windhoek East constituency, Swapo’s record in education, health, and infrastructure development should be hailed by all and sundry. “Education has been the cornerstone of national development and even more critical as we look towards the future attainment of Vision 2030 and Agenda 2063 to have a knowledge-based society and the…