Page 959 – News Stand

20 Nov

Rent prices slip back into negative territory

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, FNB, FNB Residential Rental Index, Frans Uusiku

Staff Writer The FNB Residential Rental Index shows that the 12-month moving average growth in rent prices took a dip of -1.3 percent at the end of September 2020., bringing the national weighted average rent to N$7 091 at the end of September 2020 compared to N$7 164 recorded over the same period in 2019. “The sudden return of the rental index growth into negative territory affirms the pass-through effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the rental market. This is unsurprising given the notable job losses and reduced income for the most part of the workforce as the country implemented COVID-19…

20 Nov

Tjama denies tribal remarks

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDr Tjama Tjivikua, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Staff Writer Former vice chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), Dr Tjama Tjivikua has rubbished a WhatsApp message screenshot currently in circulation that has been anonymously attributed to him discussing various developments at the university. He has labelled it fake news. “This week, social media has seen another repeated and blatant attempt to mar my good name. This is in the form of the same fake postings, which appeared last year and were debunked as fake news. They hold no validity or truth whatsoever,” he told the Windhoek Observer. He denied that conversation, where he is…

20 Nov

Election day declared a public holiday

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyElection day, Electoral Act, Local Authorities, president Hage Geingob, public holiday, Regional Councils

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob on Wednesday declared the 25th of November, the day of the local authority and regional elections, a public holiday. “Under the powers vested in the President by section 1(3) of the Public Holidays Act, 1990 (Act No. 26 of 1990, the President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob has declared 25 November 2020 as a public holiday for the purposes of the general election of members of regional councils and of members of local authority councils under the Electoral Act, 2014 (Act No 5 of 2014)” Press Secretary, Dr Alfredo…

20 Nov

Over 500 candidates to contest upcoming elections …nearly 100 are independents

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyChairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Independent Candidates (IC), Notemba Tjipueja

Helena Johannes The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Notemba Tjipueja has announced that there are 503 candidates competing in the elections on November 25th. Of that number, 92 are Independent Candidates (IC). They will compete in 121 constituencies and 57 local authority areas during the upcoming polls. She said no less than 18 political parties and 13 associations are contesting in the 121 constituency and 57 local authority areas. “Notable is the unprecedented number of independent candidates and associations taking part in these elections,” she said. This comes as the election body recently revealed that around 1.4…

20 Nov

Empty rhetoric cannot address regional, local dire conditions

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibian voter, Regional and Local Authorities

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Is there any single political party, association or for that matter any independent candidate that is deserving of my vote in four days’ time when we go to the polls for the Regional and Local Authorities on Wednesday? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot help but think loudly. Just four days before the elections not convinced that anyone may be so deserving. Not only the vote of Yours Truly Ideologically but certainly it would not be strange that this may be the sentiment of many a Namibian voter. Perplexed at the lack of choices from the various entities bidding to…

19 Nov

Barking at the wrong threat

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChinese, Namibia

There is negative shade flying all over about a recent N$530 tender bid won by a Chinese company to construct the road from Tses to Gochas. People are barking at the wrong threat. Rather, we need to sound the alarm because Namibia still does not possess the technical expertise to be substantive practical, logistical and development partner on major infrastructure projects in our own country. That is a real threat to our sovereignty and we are quiet. We have been inviting the world in to build things for us before independence and after. We happily remain ignorant about how to…

19 Nov

Debmarine Namibia’s diamond vessel takes shape

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedDebmarine Namibia

Debmarine Namibia’s latest additional recovery vessel has started to take a perfect shape after the installation of the helideck a week ago in Damen Mangalia Shipyard, Romania. Helideck with the diameter of 22.8m with a total weight 49.2 tonnes will be the largest in the Debmarine Namibia fleet and designed to accommodate helicopters of different specifications such as AW101, Sikorsky S92, and Sikorsky S-61 (MTOW 15600kg). The new vessel according the diamond company will be fitted with deck integrated latest technology fire-fighting system, deck helicopter navigation lighting with circle and ‘H’ marking on top as per CAP 437 - standards…

19 Nov

NUST VC case heads to court

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Vice-Chancellor

Helena Johannes Legal lawyer Sisa Namandje has revealed that a case to challenge the appointment of the newly appointed Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Vice-Chancellor will be filed in the High Court in the next two days. “I cannot give more details about my client to the media, but the case will be filed tomorrow or Friday morning,” said Namandje. This comes after the NUST Council through its lawyers had responded justifying the appointment. NUST lawyer Patrick Kauta according local media indicated that a joint search committee of council and senate on 12 November had recommended, voted in…

19 Nov

NSFAF withhold fees as students, EMONA clash

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyEMONA, Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF)

Helena Johannes The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has put the payments of student’s accommodation residing in EMONA hostel on hold over alleged excessive amounts charged to students, until students review and agree on reasonable amounts. The request to withhold the payments was made by the Namibia National Student Organization (NANSO) “Your request to hold 2020 payments to EMONA hostel has been considered and payments are currently on hold,” said NSFAF Acting CEO Kennedy Kandume in a statement he issued to NANSO. He said some students accommodation payments have already been made to EMONA. “Your organization should resolve this…

19 Nov

JSC maintains PG recruitment stance

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyJudicial Service Commission (JSC), Prosecutor General

Andrew Kathindi Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has maintained its stance that it will move ahead with the appointment of a Prosecutor General without holding public hearings, despite increased calls for transparency in the process. This comes as the process to appoint a PG has been highly criticized, amid threats from Affirmative Repositioning (AR) to hold demonstrations countrywide and demand that the process be restarted. “The JSC rejects the unfounded allegations and remains on course to perform its constitutional mandate. The JSC has previously explained why it decided not to hold public hearings for the appointment of the next Prosecutor-General. It…