Page 269 – News Stand

18 Sep

Otavi experiencing seismic heat activity

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala On Wednesday, the town of Otavi woke up to the news of seismic heat activity. Johannes Johannes, who shared videos with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, observed the activities on his property. “The area is in Otavi, where seismic heat seemingly erupts from underground. The ground is very soft; anyone or anything stepping above it is engulfed. We need assistance,” he said. Some community members even poked the ground with sticks, while others sprayed water on the bubbling ash. It is not clear what has caused the heat at this stage. The mines and energy spokesperson Eshioshange Hasheela…

18 Sep

Geingos appointed as UN SDG advocate

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations (UN)

Ester Mbathera The third first lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, has been appointed as one of four new United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocates by the UN secretary general António Guterres. Guterres announced Geingos’ appointment on Monday. Geingos, who is also the executive chairperson of the One Economy Foundation, chancellor of Kepler University (Rwanda), and a leader in global health and development, will leverage her platform to champion development and drive global action under the hashtag #SDG. “In these challenging times, we must reflect on the true meaning of shared values and what they look like in action.…

18 Sep

APP urges media to prioritise equal coverage

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAll People’s Party (APP), National Congress

Stefanus Nashama Ambrosius Kumbwa, the president of the All People's Party (APP) urged the media to be fair and balanced when reporting events related to political parties. He made the call while he was referring to the party's fourth National Congress, which took place in Rundu last month without the presence of any journalists. “Despite our invitations, no media representatives attended our National Congress,” he said. Kumbwa was speaking at the party's press conference in Windhoek on Monday. He confirmed that only Rundu-based journalists reported on the congress. Kumbwa said the lack of media coverage of all political parties' activities…

18 Sep

Repatriation of more Batswana of Namibian descent expected

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBatswana of Namibian descent, Carl Schlettwein

Martin Endjala The repatriation of the Batswana of Namibian descent will continue until 2026. On Tuesday, the minister of water, agriculture, and reform, Carl Schlettwein, announced in Parliament that the Cabinet has directed the relocation process of the Batswana of Namibian descent. This process is being carried out collectively by the ministry alongside the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, and International Relations and Cooperation. The Ministry of Water, Agriculture, and Reform spokesperson, Jennifer Paulus, confirmed the continuation of the repatriation process. “At this stage, it is hard to say how many more are expected to be repatriated,…

18 Sep

New pipeline to increase water security and development in Katima Mulilo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKatima Mulilo Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project, Namwater

Niël Terblanché NamWater has commissioned the Katima Mulilo Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project, aimed at addressing the border town’s growing water needs. The project, fully funded by NamWater at a cost of N$10.56 million, was inaugurated on Tuesday by NamWater’s Chief Executive Officer, Abraham Nehemia. Nehemia said that the pipeline is a critical infrastructure investment that came as a timely intervention, ensuring a more reliable water supply for the town and its surrounding areas. The replacement project is a response to the rapid growth in Katima Mulilo’s population, which has surged from an initial 8 000 residents to over 45…

17 Sep

‘I invested a lot in Swapo’ Martin Shalli

info_e12wt4csMain

Stefanus Nashama The former chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), retired General Martin Shalli, has defended his active participation in politics because it does not violate any laws. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with me participating in politics,” he said in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. The public often view former high-ranking soldiers such as generals as influential because of their military background. Many believe that the generals hold significant knowledge of the country's inner workings, which could have unpredicted consequences if injected into the political sphere. “I went into exile to fight for this country…

17 Sep

Nujoma and Pohamba urge Biden to remove Cuba from terror list

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFormer Colombian President Ernesto Samper, United Nations General Assembly

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s former heads of state, founding President Sam Nujoma and second President Hifikepunye Pohamba, have joined 33 former global leaders in an appeal to U.S. President Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Former Colombian President Ernesto Samper led the group that sent the collective letter ahead of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The letter, according to a report in the People's Dispatch, argues that Cuba's continued inclusion on the U.S. list is unjust and worsens the already dire situation for millions of Cubans. The former heads of…

17 Sep

Katutura lacks private high schools despite growing demand

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama It is general knowledge that there are no private high schools established in Katutura, despite the area being home to many high school learners. During the early morning hours, hundreds of high school learners attending private high schools are often seen hailing taxis or being driven to the upmarket suburbs of Windhoek of Cimbebasia, Eros Park, Olympia and Klein Windhoek. Selma Itope, a teacher residing in Katutura, on Tuesday, told the Windhoek Observer that there is a need to establish private high schools in the capital’s most densely populated area. Itope said she has observed long lines at…

17 Sep

Safe spaces for witnesses at Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The newly inaugurated Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court includes a specialised section for vulnerable witnesses, such as children and adults, who may prefer to avoid direct eye contact with accused persons or feel uneasy in the court’s formal setting. This court was inaugurated on Tuesday. Chief Justice Peter Shivute explained that creating private and secure waiting areas for vulnerable witnesses demonstrates the government's commitment to safeguarding the dignity of vulnerable individuals in society. “Moreover, the installation of one-way mirror glass in the vulnerable witness testifying room is a notable innovation. It allows witnesses to testify without direct visual contact…

17 Sep

Aussenkehr fire victims need assistance

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAussenkehr Village Foundation

Martin Endjala In the wake of a devastating fire that destroyed 72 reed houses in Aussenkehr last week, affected families and farm workers are receiving emergency support from local grape companies and the Aussenkehr Village Foundation. Carien Goosen, the foundation's manager, confirmed that cleanup efforts and debris removal have already commenced. “Seeing that the village population is growing, we will be building a second firefighting unit this month to help equip ourselves to assist the village. We only started last year in October, but we have done a lot so far, and more projects are on the way,” she said.…