UNAM salaries delayed

By: Ester Mbathera University of Namibia (UNAM) employees will not receive their May salary on the normal payday of 15 May.On Tuesday, the Pro-Vice chancellor of administration and finance, Prof. Ellen Namhila, notified the staff that there would be a delay in the disbursement of salaries.“We will keep you updated without delay as soon as we have a resolution. We recognise the importance of timely salary payments and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” she said.UNAM spokesperson Simon Namesho attributed the salary delay to an administrative glitch.“We anticipate that salaries will be processed during the day of 15…
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Another victory for Paragon and NAC against Menzies Aviation in the Supreme Court

Another victory for Paragon and NAC against Menzies Aviation in the Supreme Court

Niël Terblanché In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Namibia dismissed an appeal by Menzies Aviation Namibia concerning the ground handling services contract at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA). The decision by a panel of three Supreme Court Justices provides another victory for Paragon Aviation Services in the protracted legal battle over the contract to provide ground handling services at Namibia’s main international airport. The dispute began in August 2021 when the Namibia Airports Company Limited (NAC) invited bids for ground handling services at HKIA. The contract was awarded to Paragon Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd in a joint…
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Round of 16 in PstBet NFA Cup packs surprises

Round of 16 in PstBet NFA Cup packs surprises

The Round of 16 in the PstBet NFA Cup has produced matchups that are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Among the most anticipated clashes is the potential face-off between perennial rivals African Stars and Orlando Pirates, setting the stage for a showdown that could either echo whether the league final match was a fluke and provide an opportunity for redemption. For African Stars, the chance to assert their dominance over Orlando Pirates once again looms large, while Orlando Pirates will be eager to prove that their previous encounter was merely a fluke. The stakes are…
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Namibia Announces Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Namibia Announces Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Namibia's quest for glory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup received a leadership boost as talented all-rounder Gerhard Erasmus was unveiled as the team's captain for the upcoming tournament. Erasmus, a seasoned campaigner, will lead a squad brimming with experience, having secured their berth in the tournament through a stellar unbeaten run at last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier held on home soil. Joining Erasmus in shouldering leadership responsibilities is vice-captain JJ Smit, adding further depth to the team's leadership core. The 15-player squad comprises a mix of seasoned veterans and promising talents, with twelve players…
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Swakop Uranium working on solutions to reduce water usage

Swakop Uranium working on solutions to reduce water usage

Martin Endjala The Swakop Uranium Mine is working on initiatives to address the mine's water demands in order to relieve pressure on the country's bulk water supplier, Namwater. During a recent media visit to the Husab Mine, Swakop Uranium's operational arm, Patrick Chizabulyo, the company's vice president and human resources officer, revealed the [plans to improve the supply of water to the mine. “We have the ideas and initiatives, but those initiatives have not matured yet, and therefore, we cannot make any announcements now,” he said. Chizabulyo was responding to concerns about the mine's high water usage volumes amidst a…
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Swakop Uranium working on solutions to reduce water usage

Swakop Uranium working on solutions to reduce water usage

Martin Endjala The Swakop Uranium Mine is working on initiatives to address the mine's water demands in order to relieve pressure on the country's bulk water supplier, Namwater. During a recent media visit to the Husab Mine, Swakop Uranium's operational arm, Patrick Chizabulyo, the company's vice president and human resources officer, revealed the [plans to improve the supply of water to the mine. “We have the ideas and initiatives, but those initiatives have not matured yet, and therefore, we cannot make any announcements now,” he said. Chizabulyo was responding to concerns about the mine's high water usage volumes amidst a…
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Namport sets new cargo handling record

Namport sets new cargo handling record

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has achieved a new milestone by handling a record-breaking 8 million tonnes of cargo during the financial year ending 31 March. This volume represents a 4% increase from the previous year's total of 7.7 million tonnes, indicating robust growth and operational efficiency at Namport. In a statement on Monday, Elias Mwenyo, Namport's executive of commercial services, said the significant growth in the exportation of various goods was the primary driver of the increase. “Notable increases were seen across several categories: bulk salt grew by 10%, copper concentrate by 12%, while frozen fish surged…
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Elikana Shoombe: Remembering a fearless PLAN fighter

Elikana Shoombe: Remembering a fearless PLAN fighter

Festus Nakatana On 4 May 2024, while Namibians paused to commemorate the selfless acts of sacrifice in remembrance of Cassinga Day, a soldier of the liberation struggle, a combatant and gallant fighter Elikana Iishuna Shoombe took his last breath in a northern hospital. Affectionately known by his combat name Windhoek, Shoombe was not an ordinary PLAN combatant. Born in 1962 at Onatshiku on the outskirts of Oshakati in the Oshana Region, Shoombe attended school in the surrounding areas before joining Swapo in exile with some of his siblings in 1980. He ended up in Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre in 1981…
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Calls for enhanced midwife training and recognition

Calls for enhanced midwife training and recognition

Niël Terblanché At the celebration of the International Day of the Midwife, stakeholders underscored the critical role of midwives in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The day was celebrated in Windhoek on Saturday. According to Loide Amkongo, a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Namibia, the need for improved training and support for midwives is recognised by international health authorities and the Namibian government, which views midwifery as a cornerstone of maternal and child health. Amkongo said that enhancing the capabilities of midwives is the key to reaching Namibia’s Sustainable Development Goals related to health…
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The bumpy road to becoming a teacher

The bumpy road to becoming a teacher

Hertta-Maria Amutenja For many graduates, the journey of becoming a teacher has become a harrowing ordeal, marked by long periods of unemployment and relentless job hunting. This is unlike their counterparts in the police, the army or the correctional services, who secure jobs immediately after their training. Despite the increasing number of qualified teachers, the availability of teaching positions fails to meet the demand, leaving numerous graduates in a state of uncertainty. Meriam Paulus, a lower primary education graduate from the International University of Management (IUM), expresses her frustration after attending over 30 interviews without securing a job since graduating…
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