Businessman injured in a freak explosion

Businessman injured in a freak explosion

Niël Terblanché Prominent Businessman Theo Borstlap, the owner of the SuperSpar in Otjiwarongo is battling for his life in a Windhoek Hospital, after sustaining serious burns covering more than 60 percent of his body during an explosion. Sources say the explosion occurred on his small holding on the outskirts of the town of Otjiwarongo. The explosion is said to have happened while Borstlap was busy exterminating termites. He reportedly used petrol mixed with other combustible liquids to burn termite nests. The mixture exploded, setting his clothes and the grass and bush surrounding the termite nest on fire. He has since…
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Character is more essential than talent

Character is more essential than talent

Martin Endjala The International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Secretary General, Sidney Hanstein, has called on young people to focus more on finding their character and building on it, adding that character is more essential than talent. He made these remarks during the IYF Dream Camp held over the just concluded long weekend, with 100 youth in attendance under the theme and Talent Character. “To ensure long-term and sustainable success, the SG said that one should know how to find and build character, “we hire for character and train for skills,” he said. He stated that if young continue to participate in…
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Is Namibia ready for a new government

Is Namibia ready for a new government

Martin Endjala More and more anticipation weighs on the 2024 elections with tension mounting on both the incumbent government and other political parties, but with recent frustrations expressed by the masses, the question lingering on everybody’s mind is, is Namibia ready for a new government? Despite the healthy democratic freedom Namibians enjoy, the incumbent government has from time to time been accused of not equally sharing the resources of the country with its citizens, and since then, it has prompted numerous resentment towards the incumbent government. To share light on the matter, the Windhoek Observer posted this question to Political…
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New agreement will address urgent health challenges

New agreement will address urgent health challenges

Niël Terblanché Namibia became one of 12 countries in Africa that have embarked on an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response, Disease Surveillance by signing a Memorandum of Agreement with the World Health Organisation. The new MoA will increase Namibia’s capacity to manage and reinforce the prepare–detect–respond phases of future public health emergencies. At the same time, the WHO made more than N$50 million available to assist with funding for the initiative. While officiating at the signing ceremony the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said the initiative is designed to build capacities in…
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BoN calls for competent and accountable institutions in energy sector

BoN calls for competent and accountable institutions in energy sector

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia has made a call to government that there is a need for Namibia to build competent and accountable institutions in order to ensure a level playing field for all actors operating in the energy industry. The central bank’s Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said that the integrity of government institutions is vital to ensure that Namibia maximizes the benefits of its oil industry. He was speaking at the 5th edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference, held under the theme, ‘Shaping the Future of Energy Towards Value Creation’. The conference drew policymakers, energy leaders, and industry…
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Engela Hospital staff accused of untidiness

Engela Hospital staff accused of untidiness

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Engela District Hospital, one of the biggest hospitals in the north has dozens of stray cats roaming the halls of the hospital and have become a nuisance to patients and the medical staff. The hospital not only caters for the 10 surrounding constituencies but also to Angolan nationals, who cross the border daily for various medical services, including antenatal care and collecting various medications. The Engela Hospital is situated at the border town of Helao Nafidi. Concerned patients and nurses recently revealed to the Windhoek Observer that stray cats frequently prowl the wards and hallways, especially at night,…
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“Only full reparation can remedy past wounds”

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) Special Rapporteurs are requesting for answers from both the Namibian and German governments regarding the way in which they have been dealing with the issue of Genocide, Apology and Reparations. While it has written to both governments this February, this has become public only this month. But be that as it may be, the UN is raising pertinent questions as well as making very fundamental observations. Observations which descendants all along have been raising and impressing upon our Namibian government and its German counterpart. With regard to the Namibian government, they are observing…
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International Workers’ Day is a cliché

May 1st is a holiday on automatic. With the theme of: 'Workers United in Ensuring Productivity for National Economic Growth and Guarding Against Unfair Labour Practices in the World of Work,' it is no wonder that International Workers' Day is not taken seriously. Whoever heard of a 19-word title that is so convoluted and cobbled together that it is meaningless? The holiday for workers is no longer an empowering call to arms for workers to unite around co-ownership of the means of production, profit sharing, better and safer working conditions, and labour union representation in all workshops and factories. Instead,…
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Swapo regalia on Cassinga Day confuses people

Swapo regalia on Cassinga Day confuses people

Stefanus Nashama The wearing of Swapo Party regalia has left many people in a state of confusion with mix feelings, questioning if Cassinga Day is a national public holiday or a Swapo day. This comes after Swapo Party Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa and many other party members and Cassinga Survivors in party colours went to commemorate the Cassinga Day at the Swapo Party Office at Okandjengedi in Oshakati, Oshana Region yesterday. As declared by the Namibian Government, Cassinga is a national public holiday in Namibia, the Day in which Namibia remembers the Cassinga Massacre, commemorated annually on 4 May, the…
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Namibia reigns supreme in press freedom

Namibia reigns supreme in press freedom

Niël Terblanché Namibia has reclaimed the top spot in Africa as the country with the freest press. According to World Press Freedom Index, Namibia is not only ranking high on the African ladder but is also 22nd from the top, globally. On Wednesday, the world commemorated Press Freedom Day. In a statement, President Hage Geingob stated that the media is crucial to democracy, plays an essential role in keeping the public informed and is there to keep Government institutions accountable. “Therefore, the media is an important pillar of effective governance and should be assured that I will guarantee freedom of…
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