Page 226 – News Stand

07 Oct

Pioneer african historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 1

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL SHIPALE Speaking at the launch of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Autobiography titled ‘The footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Ondjila Eyi A Enda,’ Struggle Veteran Uncle Ben Amathila, a long-time friend and Comrade-in-Arms of former President Pohamba, said ‘through the book, Pohamba tells this story as he experienced it, and even more, as he was part of shaping it’. “To put the story in perspective, he starts with his family history as far as remembered in Oukwanyama and Oukwangali, and with his grandfather Hamukoto fighting together with King Mandume against Portuguese and British colonists. He tells us his story with…

07 Oct

Anton Lubowski’s fight for justice honoured at memorial lecture

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Stellenbosch University Like other freedom fighters before and after him, Anton Lubowski was murdered for opposing the plundering by corporate interests and lobbying for the redistribution of Africa’s wealth to its people. This was the unambiguous message delivered by retired judge and author Chris Nicholson at the recent sixth annual Anton Lubowski Memorial Lecture. Moderated by veteran journalist Max du Preez and presented by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Development and Alumni Relations Division in collaboration with the Faculty of Law and Simonsberg Residence, the event honoured the life and contributions of Anton Lubowski, a dedicated anti-apartheid activist and SU alumnus who…

07 Oct

Green is not necessarily clean

info_e12wt4csOpinionsRenewable energy projects

GRAHAM HOPWOOD Green hydrogen projects in Namibia should apply the highest standards of good governance from the outset. That means complying with the Green Hydrogen Standard. Looking at the programme of the recent Green Hydrogen Summit held in Windhoek, there were plenty of discussions focussing on business models, marketing mechanisms, offtake support, and green industrialisation, but scant mention of governance and corruption challenges. This in a country that has experienced the Fishrot corruption scandal and the collapse of the SME Bank within the last few years. As with both those scandals, we live in denial until it’s too late. The…

07 Oct

The Government Information Centre explained

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Windhoek Observer talked to Shoki Kandjimi, the Senior Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Information Communications Technology (MICT), on the role and operations of the Government Information Centre (GIC) as well as its mandate. WO: Kindly please explain what the purpose of the GIC is? Why was it created?SK: The Government Information Centre was established to communicate government information proactively to the public in line with the ethos of access to information. The centre allows government offices, ministries and agencies to communicate pertinent updates andinformation to the public ensuring the timely flow of reliable, accurate and relevant information. WO:…

07 Oct

New executive directors appointed at ministries and agencies

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMichael Humavindu, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Tuyakula Haipinge

Niël Terblanché George Simsataa, the Cabinet Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister has announced the appointment of new Executive Directors (EDs) to various Namibian government ministries and agencies. According to Simataa’s announcement, these appointments, which were recommended by the Public Service Commission in accordance with the Public Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 13 of 1995), come as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership within key sectors of government. Simataa said that the appointments will take effect on 1 November. Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati has been appointed as the Executive Director for the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and…

06 Oct

Cirrus Capital warns against investing public money in green hydrogen

info_e12wt4csEnergy, MainGH2Namibia, Rowland Brown

Ester Mbathera Cirrus Capital, a corporate advisory, capital raising, and research company, has warned against public borrowing or any use of taxpayer subsidies for the development of green hydrogen initiatives. In a commentary released last week, the company’s founder, Rowland Brown, said the warning stems from the risks surrounding green hydrogen. “We further note that Namibians should hope that the hydrogen hype delivers. However, using Namibian public funds for this is nothing short of reckless, especially given the ample other, very real, demands on the public purse. Using Namibian tax-payers funds, whether from the revenue of today or through borrowing…

06 Oct

Illegal immigrants among hundreds left homeless after Otweya fire

info_e12wt4csNational Newsinformal settlements

Niël Terblanché Walvis Bay municipality has confirmed that a significant number of people who were left homeless as a result of the devastating fire at the illegal informal settlement next to the Otweya area are illegal immigrants. According to Victoria Kapenda, the chief executive officer of the town, municipal officials determined that more than 70 of the individuals who lost their homes in the blaze are non-Namibians. “This raised concerns about the legal status of many of the settlement’s residents,” Kapenda said in a statement released on Saturday. Kapenda added that the fire, which destroyed approximately 80 informal structures and…

06 Oct

Experts worried about NIPDB setup

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAdrianus Vugs, Escher Luanda

Ester Mbathera Financial sector and governance experts expressed concerns about the structure of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). This follows the announcement by the NIPDB that it is transitioning to a new governance structure. Adrianus Vugs, a financial sector expert, argued that the creation of the NIPDB outside of formal government structures was flawed. He questioned why the institution reports directly to the president instead of to the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade (MIT), which he says raised concerns about its governance and transparency. “Why should it still report to the president? And why should the chairperson…

06 Oct

APP pushes for LGBTQI rights

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The All People’s Party (APP) has reinforced its commitment to human rights, specifically addressing the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community in its 2024 manifesto, launched in Rundu this weekend. The party pledges to work towards combating discrimination, decriminalising sexual orientation, and ensuring legal protections for LGBTQI individuals. The party highlights the universality of human rights and stresses that every Namibian, regardless of their sexual orientation, deserves equal treatment under the law. The manifesto sets out several objectives aimed at protecting and advancing the rights of the LGBTIQ community. According to the…

06 Oct

High Court overturns suspension of Karasburg councillors

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala The Windhoek High Court has ruled that the suspension of the entire Karasburg Town Council, imposed in March by Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni, was unlawful. The court's decision, delivered last week, effectively reinstates the council members, who had been removed from office earlier this year. Presiding Judge Beatrix de Jager declared the minister’s decision null and void. The notice: “I declare that all powers, duties and functions of the Town Council of Karasburg vested in me; suspend, without remuneration or allowances, all the members of the Town Council of Karasburg from office, with effect from…