Page 278 – News Stand

19 Sep

Newly registered party from Rundu wants to tackle hunger and unity

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The newly registered United Namibians Party (UNP) has set its focus on making Namibia self-sufficient in food production, eradicating hunger, and fostering unity. This was revealed by the party’s vice chief, Alfons Hausiku, who stated that the UNP’s primary mission is to address the pressing issues of hunger and national unity. “The first thing is, that Namibia must become self-sufficient in food production, and no Namibian child will die of hunger. We are servants to the people,” Hausiku said. The Rundu-based party intends to bring unity across the country and advocate for an equitable distribution of employment opportunities.…

19 Sep

ECN assures no interference in counting of votes by Swapo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNational Council

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has assured the public and all political parties that the governing Swapo Party will not interfere with the counting of votes at polling stations in November. Paulus Mbangu, a member of the National Council, expressed concern about remarks made by Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa at the party manifesto launch last weekend. “The SG cannot be the spokesperson of the ECN. Her remarks sound like she is giving orders to ECN, which is not good in democracy. Who gave the party SG the power to speak on the ECN's behalf? Because announcements…

19 Sep

Special task force to combat GBV in Erongo

info_e12wt4csNational NewsErongo Regional Gender Permanent Task Force

Niël Terblanché The Erongo region is taking determined steps to confront the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) with the launch of the Erongo Regional Gender Permanent Task Force to address one of the most pressing social issues facing all Namibians. The initiative, launched by the Erongo regional governor Neville Andre in Swakopmund on Thursday morning, is a direct response to the rising tide of GBV, particularly violence against women and girls, in the region. “This task force is part of a broader national strategy, in line with Namibia's National Gender Policy and National Plan of Action on GBV, aimed at…

19 Sep

Revised code of conduct will ensure free and fair elections

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCode of Conduct for Political Parties

Niël Terblanché In a move to strengthen democratic practices, the government has revised the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Political Organisations to ensure the promotion of democratic tolerance and the protection of citizens' rights to choose their political representatives freely. The new code of conduct, as gazetted on 5 September under Government Notice No. 257 stipulates new regulations, issued by the Electoral Commission of Namibia under the Electoral Act, 2014 (Act No. 5 of 2014), and is an important update to the nation’s election oversight, aiming to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections while promoting a climate of…

19 Sep

New advisory council to strengthen management of electronic information systems

info_e12wt4csNational NewsElectronic Transactions Act, Modestus Amutse

Niël Terblanché In yet another step toward improving Namibia's digital economy, the deputy minister of information and communication technology (MICT), Modestus Amutse, inaugurated the Electronic Information Systems Management Advisory Council (EISMAC) on Thursday. The newly established council, formed under the Electronic Transactions Act, Act 4 of 2019, aims to provide strategic guidance in the ever-evolving field of electronic transactions and digital information management. Amutse stressed the critical role the council will play in addressing both the challenges and opportunities that come with the growing digital economy. He requested that the newly appointed council members, who come from diverse backgrounds, would…

19 Sep

‘Intensive agriculture is the way to go’ – Schlettwein

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAgricultural Global Value Chains for Inclusive Development, Global Value Chain

Martin Endjala Water, agriculture, and land reform minister, Carl Schlettwein believes that intensive agriculture is the way forward. According to Schlettwein, there is a need for a policy shift from over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture to de-risking the sector to protect against climate change and to improve variety. He made these remarks on Thursday in Windhoek, during the 25th Annual Symposium of the Bank of Namibia, themed “Agricultural Global Value Chains for Inclusive Development: How can Namibia position its Agricultural Sector?” “Global Value Chain related trade, rather than conventional trade, has a positive impact on investment, productivity, income per capita, and…

19 Sep

NCS FC case against NFA dismissed

info_e12wt4csSportsNamibia Football Association, Namibian Correctional Service Football Club

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Correctional Service Football Club (NCS FC) has lost its legal battle against the Namibia Football Association (NFA). The club had challenged its disqualification from participating in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) following its promotion from the Southern Stream First Division. The 2024/2025 season saw NCS FC competing in the premier league. However, their participation was blocked because Khomas Nampol, another club owned by the safety and security ministry, is already part of the league. The NFA rules and regulations prohibit two clubs with the same owner from competing in the same league. After hearing arguments from…

19 Sep

ON TU QUOQUE & AD HOMINEM FALLACIES VS RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF MANIFESTOS

info_e12wt4csOpinionsPanduleni Itula, Patriots for Change (IPC)

Paul Shipale A report that appeared on Thursday, 12 September 2024, in the Windhoek Observer online, titled; “Itula takes shots at SWAPO”, said that “the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, has launched a scathing attack on the ruling SWAPO party, accusing it of failing to meet its promises and perpetuating a culture of corruption and mismanagement”. “He also took shots at the governing party’s electoral process,” the reporter added. According to the report, Itula made these remarks during his party’s first electoral convention in Windhoek on Thursday and he was heard saying “the moral betrayal…

19 Sep

Bank Windhoek invests N$400m in digital services

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCapricorn Private Wealth, Corporate Institutional Banking, James Chapman, Selekt Platinum

CHAMWE KAIRA The branch will remain an integral part of Bank Windhoek’s business, Bank Windhoek's Executive Officer of Retail Banking Services and Specialist Finance, James Chapman has said. The branches remain important for clients who come for financial advice and other commercial services. Over the last three years, Bank Windhoek has invested N$400m in digital platforms and Chapman said the bank will continue to invest in data and digital services in the future. He told Observer Money that when the bank embarked on the digital journey, its view was not that the branch will become obsolete. Chapman said transactions services…

19 Sep

Roaming deals eyed with SADC members

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBotswana Communications Regulatory Authority, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has announced that Namibia and Botswana have agreed to reduce roaming charges, with cuts of up to over 60% starting in August 2024. The new rates will lower costs for calls, SMS and data, with reductions reaching up to 94% for data and 89% for calls. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) have told Telecom Namibia (TN Mobile) and Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC), Mascom Wireless Botswana (Mascom) and Orange Botswana (Orange) to slash roaming prices. Observer Money asked Shoki Kandjimi,…