Page 637 – News Stand

05 Oct

Inmates sue government over denial of prescription diet

info_e12wt4csNational NewsInmates sue government over denial of prescription diet

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Two inmates from the Hardap Correctional Facility have initiated a lawsuit against the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safety and Security, in which they demand N$1.6 million in damages due to alleged negligence and the cessation of their prescribed diets. Joseph Shikongo and Wilem Valombola, both serving their sentences at the facility, are each seeking N$800,000 for the suffering they underwent on 19 November and 17 December 2020. The duo contend they are on lifelong, chronic prescribed medication. This medication must be taken daily alongside their prescribed diets to ensure their health and preserve their lives. As per their…

05 Oct

Sports Commentary

info_e12wt4csOpinions, Sportse Internal Rugby Board (IRB). The IRB is the FIFA of world rugby., Sports Commentary

Isack Hamata There is a serious case to be made about how small rugby nations like Namibia are treated by the Internal Rugby Board (IRB). The IRB is the FIFA of world rugby. Our national team has been rushed through the group matches, playing the first match on 9 September and the final one on 29 September while the other teams in our group i.e New Zealand, France, Uruguay and Italy are only concluding their group matches on the 6th October. That is almost a full month of just playing group stage matches while the Namibian national team is already…

05 Oct

Playtime Festival: A Celebrationof Youth Cricket in Namibia

info_e12wt4csSportsPlaytime Festival: A Celebrationof Youth Cricket in Namibia

The Playtime Festival, one of the most prestigious youth tournaments on Cricket Namibia’s calendar, was hosted by three towns, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek, from the 21st September to the 1st October 2023. The event which has grown in prominence over the years, saw a convergence of young cricket enthusiasts, reflecting the sport’s deep roots and burgeoning future in the country. The Playtime Festival under new partnership, facilitated five youth tournaments that saw a staggering 45 teams over 139 fiercely contested matches. Such participation levels are a testament to the sport’s popularity among the youth and the continued efforts of…

05 Oct

Venaani challenges Presidency’s statement about genocide

info_e12wt4csNational NewsVenaani challenges Presidency’s statement about genocide

Stefanus Nashama McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, has called into question the statement released by the Presidency this week. The statement attempted to clarify President Hage Geingob’s controversial remarks on the genocide, made during a lecture in France last month. In his lecture, Geingob drew comparisons between the 1904-1908 genocide and apartheid, controversially claiming that apartheid was more severe than the genocide. He also argued that many who never previously cared about the genocide issue are now positioning themselves at the forefront of the debate. Venaani, responding yesterday, noted that Geingob’s remarks have ignited considerable debate. He…

05 Oct

Karasburg councillors set to appear in court again

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKarasburg councillors set to appear in court again

Martin Enjdala Members of the Karasburg Town Council, who were arrested on Monday, are scheduled for their second court appearance on Friday. During this session, they plan to file a formal bail application. Their initial appearance was at the Karasburg Magistrate Court on Tuesday, where Magistrate Samingo Kasaone ordered their continued detention. The LPM’s Spokesperson, Lifalaza Simaata, confirmed this decision yesterday. The councillors were taken into custody by members of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged violations of the Local Authority Act. On Tuesday, the ACC confirmed the arrests of Karasburg Town Council Mayor Maria Veldskoen, Chairperson of the Management…

05 Oct

PDM raises concerns over editor’s suspension

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPDM raises concerns over editor’s suspension

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Maximalliant Katjimune, a Member of Parliament from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has voiced concerns over the recent suspension of Jonathan Beukes, the Managing Editor of New Era Newspaper. The suspension, which took place last Friday, has sparked debates about potential government encroachment on press freedom, particularly with Namibia on the cusp of an important election year. Christof Maletsky, the Chief Executive Officer of New Era Newspaper, acknowledged the suspension. However, he mentioned that the situation is internal and refrained from sharing further details. Nevertheless, during parliamentary sessions yesterday, Katjimune aimed to probe the Minister of Information and…

05 Oct

Walvis Bay enters new era with first green hydrogen plant in Africa

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsWalvis Bay enters new era with first green hydrogen plant in Africa

Niël Terblanché The discovery of oil as well as the much-anticipated production of green hydrogen will necessitate an overhaul of the existing energy export and import infrastructure at Namibia’s ports. This became increasingly more evident when Walvis Bay became the site of Africa’s first green hydrogen production plant. The new plant entered its construction phase during a recent groundbreaking ceremony at Walvis Bay and represents a monumental stride towards sustainable development and green industrialization in Namibia. The ambitious Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project, with an investment of approximately N$3.5 billion, is a collaboration between the country’s largest private conglomerate, Ohlthaver &…

05 Oct

LPM refutes tribalist allegations

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLPM refutes tribalist allegations

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has rebuffed emerging public perceptions suggesting that the party exclusively welcomes Nama and Damara individuals. Lifalaza Simataa, the party’s National Spokesperson, vehemently refuted such allegations. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Simataa clarified that these notions are baseless and utterly inaccurate. “Our party does not discriminate against individuals based on their tribal affiliations. We identify as Namibians foremost, transcending tribal distinctions, and this sentiment should be universally acknowledged,” Simataa stated. He said that the LPM, despite only being a nascent party with only four parliamentary seats, is proud to have an Afrikaner within its…

05 Oct

Meatco owes farmers up to N$ 350 million

info_e12wt4csMain

Niël Terblanché The financial distress of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) was placed in the lime light after it was revealed that the state-owned enterprise currently owes cattle producers between N$300 million and N$350 million and that it is even lagging behind on certain payments to farmers by up to 88 days. This alarming information was exposed by Thinus Pretorius, the chairman of the Livestock Producers Organization (LPO), during its annual congress in Windhoek earlier this week. “We are now facing the problem the LPO has warned about for 15 years,” Pretorius said while echoing the sentiment that the…

04 Oct

An Exclusive Interview with The Great King Khalie

info_e12wt4csFeaturedAn Exclusive Interview with The Great King Khalie

Shangelao Philipus well known as The Great King Khalie, the 34 year old musician and entrepreneur had a quick chat with ObserverWeekend. How did you get into making music, take us through your music career journey?I started singing at the age of 9. That was when I wrote my first song titled, ‘step by step’ and I recorded in 2009, but it was not released then. I came to add few changes when I grew up and had a better understanding of music and I knew exactly what type of music I wanted to make. What has been your biggest…