Page 255 – News Stand

12 Sep

Weather experts warn of another uncertain rainy season

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Following a challenging 2023/24 season marked by poor rainfall which prolonged the drought, Namibia must for a slow onset to the rainy season, with the potential for improved rainfall as the year progresses. The Namibia Meteorological Service has released its seasonal forecast for 2024/25, presenting a mixed outlook for the country’s rainfall and climate conditions. According to the forecast, the 2023/24 season saw erratic weather patterns with most of Namibia experiencing below-average rainfall. Several regions, including Erongo, Omusati, and Kunene, faced their fifth consecutive year of drought, while Kharas, Hardap, Khomas, and parts of Omaheke experienced their second…

12 Sep

Aranos mayor denies GBV accusation

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala The mayor of Aranos, Hans Bafrath, has denied allegations of gender-based violence (GBV) levelled against him. He described the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign. Bafrath, a member of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), claims the accusations are part of a plot to unseat him as mayor. “She is right here with me. I did not assault her as reports suggest”. The girlfriend who spoke to the Windhoek Observer on condition of anonymity also denied that Bafrath assaulted her. “No. He did not assault me as I am speaking to you, we are together right now. Those…

12 Sep

Namdeb employees accuse management of mistreatment

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Several Namdeb employees have expressed unhappiness with the company, claiming it treats them badly following demotions and voluntary separation actions. Some of the employees, who prefer anonymity due to fear of victimisation, shared their discontentment towards the company. The workers told the Windhoek Observer that Namdeb received royalty tax relief from the government for five years to expand the life of its mines and to recruit more employees. The workers said they are facing demotion of certain employees and unprocedural redeployment while being used as cheap labour because they are working temporarily for three months or on fixed-term…

12 Sep

MP accuses NaTIS officials of corruptly selling driver’s licences

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJohn Motorwa, Reggie Diergaardt

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament (MP) Reggie Diergaardt has raised concerns over widespread corruption at Namibian Traffic Identification System (NaTIS) testing centres and offices across the country. Diergaardt claims that the public is buying learners' permits, driver's licenses, and roadworthy certificates, but the responsible ministry is hesitant to intervene. Diergaardt made these accusations in parliament on Wednesday, stating his intention to question the Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, about the alleged maladministration at NaTIS offices nationwide. He added that NaTIS testing officials are also accused of deliberately failing applicants during their driving license tests…

12 Sep

Farming together: Navigating the resettlement process for cooperative groups

info_e12wt4csOpinionsAgricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act

Jona Musheko The resettlement of cooperative groups under the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act is one the way to ensure equitable access to land. This policy has empowered individuals to unite and form cooperatives, thereby enhancing their prospects of securing farming units. However, a comprehensive understanding of the regulations governing the formation and operation of these cooperatives is essential for ensuring a fair and transparent process. Eligibility and formation of cooperative groups The National Resettlement Program is founded on three (3) types of working allotments: i) Individual Holdings, ii) Group Holdings and iii) Co-Operative Holdings and other Legal Entities. According…

12 Sep

Hunger threatens nearly half of Namibia’s population

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIntegrated Food Security Phase Classification

Niël Terblanché The large-scale food insecurity crisis in Namibia will need immediate and sustained interventions to protect vulnerable communities and ensure the long-term sustainability of food systems in the country. With approximately 1.1 million citizens facing acute food shortages, the dire need for determined action has once again been put in the spotlight. The number of people left vulnerable by the drought accounts for nearly half of the country's population and highlights the growing impact of prolonged drought and escalating food prices. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, released in conjunction with the Office of the Prime…

12 Sep

Venaani pressures presidency over delayed August 26 audits

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe McHenry Venaani, the leader of the official opposition, has called on the presidency to provide clear reasons for August 26 Holdings (Pty) Ltd's continued failure to submit its audited financial reports. Despite multiple requests and even interventions from the Ombudsman, the company has yet to comply. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Venaani, president of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), directed his questions to Christine Hoebes, the minister in the presidency. “During a meeting in July of this year with President Nangolo Mbumba, he disclosed to my delegation and me that although he has received the reports, his office…

12 Sep

Gam farmers struggle to access drought relief

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Farmers from the Gam settlement in the Otjozondjupa Region are experiencing financial and logistical difficulties accessing drought relief subsidies provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR). According to the farmers, the current system requires them to make bank deposits and travel over 400 kilometres to the nearest town, a process that they say is unsustainable. Chief Hans Kandji, speaking on behalf of the community, told the Windhoek Observer that the government supplies food for cattle. For the farmers to access the animal feed, they must purchase it through a system that involves bank deposits.…

12 Sep

NamPower focuses on battery storage solutions

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBattery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Ben Mingeli

Hertta-Maria Amutenja NamPower’s Senior Manager of Generation Projects, Ben Mingeli, emphasised the importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in mitigating potential intermittency issues. Mingeli said this earlier in the week during the ceremony for an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the 100 MW Rosh Pinah Solar Power Plant. Mingeli said NamPower anticipates challenges in managing intermittency from renewable energy sources, particularly solar, as the company expects solar capacity to exceed 100% of midday demand in the coming years. To address these challenges, the utility is developing and constructing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including the 54MW Omburu…

12 Sep

Walvis Bay harbour enters a new era

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian Ports Authority, Terminal Investment Namibia

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s journey to solidify its position as a key logistics hub in Southern Africa took a major leap forward with the official handover of the container handling operations at the new container terminal in the Walvis Bay harbour to Terminal Investment Namibia (TiN). This strategic partnership between the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and TiN, set to commence on 10 October, will enhance Namibia’s maritime competitiveness while strengthening its role in regional and international shipping. TiN is a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Terminal Investment Limited (TiL). According to a joint statement issued by Namport and TiN on Wednesday, the concession…