Page 574 – News Stand

30 Aug

Creative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCreative businesses overlooked during Covid-19 stimulus drive, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite most industries getting financial assistance from the Government to help them survive during the Covid-19 pandemic, Namibia Artists and Cultural Professionals were left to fend for themselves as they did not benefit from the Economic Stimulus and Relief Package. Speaking at a panel discussion on Social Protection for Artists and Cultural Professionals in Windhoek yesterday, Deputy Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture Faustina Caley, shed light on the struggles faced by the creative sector. “Many creative businesses did not benefit from the stimulus package,” Caley lamented, explaining that micro businesses functioning in the arts, culture and heritage…

30 Aug

Eenhana farmers still slaughtering cattle under trees

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEenhana farmers still slaughtering cattle under trees, Walde Ndevashiya

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Ohangwena Regional Governor Walde Ndevashiya has expressed concern about local farmers at Eenhana practising unhygienic slaughtering of their cattle under trees despite the fact that an abattoir was availed to them. Ndevashiya raised the concerns while engaging Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Anna Shiweda, who is visiting the region to assess the implementation of Government programmes related to agriculture. The abattoir was constructed in 2019, and since its completion only operated fully for one month and closed down due to huge financial losses it was making. Its closure has since then forced local farmers and…

30 Aug

Child abuse incident highlights urgent need for protection and prevention: Shikwambi

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChildline helpline at 106, five-year-old girl was hospitalized

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a recent incident that has sent shockwaves through the nation, a five-year-old girl was hospitalized after enduring abuse by her three minor cousins, aged 6, 8, and 12. The incident, which occurred in a village in the Omaheke Region, has raised concerns about child safety and protection. Her ordeal was brought to light when a distressing video capturing her injuries circulated on social media. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stressed that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressing necessity to prevent child abuse and safeguard vulnerable children. “This incident is a reminder of the importance…

30 Aug

PAS seals air cargo deal with Airlink

info_e12wt4csMainHosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), PAS seals air cargo deal with Airlink

Niël Terblanché Paragon Aviation Services (PAS) has reached an agreement with regional airline, Airlink for cargo handling at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) with immediate effect. Airlink suspended air cargo operations to HKIA shortly after Menzie Aviation Services was evicted from the premises of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) almost two weeks ago. According to Carla da Silva, the executive manager of sales and marketing at Airlink, the decision to resume air cargo services followed a constructive discussion with the principles of Paragon, the new ground handler at the international airport. “We ascertained that Paragon’s aviation security - including…

30 Aug

Set aside by sjambok: labour law onviolence and harassment in the workplace

info_e12wt4csOpinionsSet aside by sjambok: labour law onviolence and harassment in the workplace

Fedden Mainga In my preceding opinion piece (volume 27), I addressed the constitutional violations of the practical joke involving some employees at Rundu service station who were beaten for loans. In the employment context, this ‘joke’ brought to the fore some worrisome realities of the state of labour laws because the Labour Act 11 of 2007 only provides for sexual harassment. Even though the Ministry of Labour is reportedly busy with amendments that will include violence and harassment in the workplace, the current Labour Act does not provide for incidents like the one in question. According to Ohms Kayama, an…

29 Aug

Ongwediva Trade Fair attracts 418 exhibitors

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDeputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Ongwediva Trade Fair attracts 418 exhibitors, Verna Sinimbo

Stefanus Nashama The 2023 Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) which has officially opened over the weekend, has attracted 418 local and international exhibitors. The Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Verna Sinimbo, who spoke on behalf of President Hage Geingob during the official opening, said the 418 local and international exhibitors reflect a fair number of active economic sectors in the country. This includes the informal sector that also contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), she said. The theme for this year’s trade fair is “Embracing a sustainable economy, linking smart markets”. Sinombo noted that the event creates…

29 Aug

Mining Industry Has Potential to Drive Namibia’s Economic Fortunes

info_e12wt4csOpinionsMining Industry Has Potential to Drive Namibia’s Economic Fortunes

Josef Kefas Sheehama The mining sector of Namibia remains a key driver of sustainable economic development. Indeed, this sector contributes a lot to exports as well as having crucial inter-linkages with other sectors of the economy. The mining sector is critical for carrying out mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and marketing because Namibia lacks enough capital and technological resources to finance such capital-intensive large-scale. It is noteworthy that in 2023, the sector contributed about 12% of GDP. Namibia’s mining sector recorded a year of strong growth of 21.6% in 2022 compared to 11% in 2021, on the back of good performance…

29 Aug

Exorbitant land and housing prices driving masses to shanty towns: Economist

info_e12wt4csNational NewsExorbitant land and housing prices driving masses to shanty towns: Economist, Independent Bank Researcher and Economist, Josef Sheehama

Martin Endjla Independent Bank Researcher and Economist, Josef Sheehama, has attributed the high number of shacks in urban areas to the ever-increasing land and housing prices in the country. In an interview with Windhoek Observer yesterday, while reacting to the announcement of increased average house prices between 1990 to 2023, which went up by 1.258 percent as per Simonis Storm Securities report for August 2023. Sheehama said exorbitant prices of land and housing are one of the main reasons why there is an increase in shacks in urban areas. This is mostly caused by the cost of land planning and…

29 Aug

Two missing little girls found wandering in the desert

info_e12wt4csNational Newse Kuisebmond neighbourhood of Walvis Bay, Two missing little girls found wandering in the desert

Niël Terblanché Two little girls, who disappeared from their home in the Kuisebmond neighbourhood of Walvis Bay on Saturday, were taken to hospital for observation after they were tracked down in the desert behind the Rooikop military base. According to Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head of the Namibian Police’s community affairs division in the Erongo Region, the two sisters aged eight and ten, disappeared from their home on Saturday. “The circumstances at their home and the circumstances which surround their disappearance are currently the subject of an investigation,” said Shapumba. The search parties consisting of police officers, members of the…

29 Aug

Mental Health Bill to reach Parliament soon: Shangula

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDr Kalumbi Shangula, Mental Health Bill to reach Parliament soon: Shangula, Social Services

Stefanus Nashama Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, revealed that the Ministry has initiated the drafting of the Mental Health Bill seeking to address the issue of suicide, depression and psychosis cases in the country. According to the Minister, the current legislation dealing with matters related to mental health is outdated. “It is for this reason that the Ministry initiated the drafting of the Mental Health Bill, with input from national consultations, experts and practitioners,” he noted. Shangula made these remarks while speaking at the inauguration of the Mental Health Board for Oshakati Intermediate Hospital for the…