Page 295 – News Stand

23 Sep

Deaf demand sign language recognition

info_e12wt4csMainInternational Week of the Deaf, Martin Tjivera, Namibian National Association of the Deaf

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) is calling on the government to recognise Namibian Sign Language as an official national language, emphasising its importance for the inclusion and empowerment of the Deaf community. The call coincided with the celebration of the International Week of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Language, which began on Monday, with the theme, 'Sign up for Sign Language Rights.' The NNAD founder, Martin Tjivera, stressed that official recognition would ensure access to essential services for deaf people. "We urge the Namibian government to recognise Namibian Sign Language as one of…

23 Sep

Police plead with public to help dismantle drug networks

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBrigadier Athlenda Mathe, Kauna Shikwambi

Ester Mbathera The Namibian Police’s national spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner, Kauna Shikwambi, urged the public to report known drug dealers and those involved in recruiting or trafficking young people into the drug trade. Her call comes in response to the recent arrest of a 30-year-old Namibian woman at the OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa. The suspect was caught while attempting to smuggle drugs. “Our message remains. The use, possession, and dealing of drugs are prohibited, illegal, and punishable by law. Let’s take the message across. Let's continue to educate, especially our youth, who are desperate for money and addicted…

23 Sep

Africa-America Institute celebrates Geingob’s legacy

info_e12wt4csNational News40th Annual Awards Gala

Niël Terblanché The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is set to host its 40th Annual Awards Gala, bringing together some of Africa’s most influential leaders and global figures in a celebration of African achievement and the African diaspora. The gala, which will take place on Tuesday, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, coincides with the United Nations General Assembly, adding to the international significance of the event. This year’s gala, themed “Bridging Cultures and Igniting Futures: An Evening Honouring African and Diasporan Visionaries in Arts and Culture,” will feature a Presidential Fireside Chat with Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic…

23 Sep

Hungry people from urban areas excluded from drought relief

info_e12wt4csUncategorised

Stefanus Nashama Constituency councillors are raising the alarm over the insufficient drought relief food being provided to feed struggling households in urban areas. This is despite ongoing government efforts to address the worsening hunger crisis. Councillors in urban constituencies last week expressed their concerns about the dire situation in their areas. Tegako Donatus, the Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor in the Erongo region, told the Windhoek Observer that he has extensively discussed the issue of hunger. “I have raised this issue many times. I have engaged and written letters to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which is a…

23 Sep

NamWater rushes to restore water supply in Okakarara

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s national water utility has assured residents of Okakarara and surrounding areas that it is busy with restoring consistent water supply after disruptions caused by issues with the Okakarara-Elandspan pipeline. The temporary shutdown of the water transfer from Kombat Mine on September 10 disrupted the water supply to Okakarara and nearby areas like Ombinda and Elandspan, according to Lot Ndamanomhata, NamWater's spokesperson, on Monday. “This measure was taken by NamWater to manage energy costs,” he said. The water supply to Okakarara is sourced from the Grootfontein-Kombat Omatako canal system and processed at the Okakarara purification plant. This facility…

23 Sep

Internal politics disrupt MUN operations

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGeorge Ampweya, Mineworkers Union of Namibia

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Mineworkers Union of Namibia’s (MUN) secretary general, George Ampweya has attributed the union’s current difficulties to internal divisions and factionalism, which he says are undermining the organisation's work. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Ampweya identified ongoing infighting, which he believes is driven by loyalties to former union leaders, as a major challenge. “The problem I am picking up is that there are a lot of issues coming from the region, the infights and loyalty to specific individuals. There are several alliances that want to tarnish the reputations of individuals currently in office,” Ampweya said. The issue came…

23 Sep

APP not interested in 96 parliamentary seats

info_e12wt4csNational NewsElectoral Commission of Namibia

Stefanus Nashama Unlike other political parties, the All People’s Party (APP) has only nominated 50 people for parliament. Last Wednesday, the party released a list of only 50 candidates, whereas other parties have 96. The party’s leader, Ambrosius Kumbwa, told the Windhoek Observer last week that there is no need for a complete list since no political party has obtained 96 seats in parliament before. "We are not interested in 96 seats." No one has managed to get so many seats before, not even the Swapo, which used to have the majority,” he said. Kumbwa attributed his reasoning to the…

23 Sep

No government or ruling party lasts forever – Venaani

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsPopular Democratic Movement, SWAPO

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani believes the reign of Swapo will not last forever. He made the remarks while addressing a PDM mega rally at Nkurenkuru on Saturday. “There is no loyalty to the Namibian people. However, ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you: no government or ruling party lasts forever. The reign of Swapo shall not last forever either,” he said. Venaani claimed that the current government has been manipulating the country for a long time. “We must confront the undeniable reality that our communities have been manipulated for far too long,” he stated.…

23 Sep

Bondelswarts gears up for cultural showcase at World Tourism Day

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation is preparing to host a historical cultural event at the Warmbad Heritage site, embracing the theme “Promoting Unity, Tourism, and Culture for Development” on World Tourism Day on 27 September. This global day of recognition presents an opportunity to explore the transformative power of tourism, especially in rural communities like Warmbad, situated in the //Kharas region. Mathew Veldskoen, the spokesperson for the Bondelswarts Heritage Foundation, stated that tourism has the potential to be a force for positive change in rural areas across the world. He stressed that the event in Warmbad will not only…

23 Sep

Omungwelume Sports Club working on developing a stadium

info_e12wt4csSports

Hilarius Hamutenya The Katunanghee Football Club is organising a youth tournament to help raise funds to develop sports facilities in the village of Omungwelume in the Ohangwena region. The event is slated for December. The club’s co-founder, Ndatipo Shomongula, said they came up with the idea to attract sponsorship. “We don't have enough financial support. I tried to ask many business owners for assistance to help us with funds, but no one helped me,” said Shomongula. He added that he bought the land in January 2018 with the idea of building facilities for basketball, volleyball, and soccer. He said that…