Day: September 4, 2024

Namibia ‘ s Non – Resident Ambassador to Indonesia , Herman Pule Diamonds has extended a call to Indonesian captains of industry to collaborate in areas of economic and social progress aimed at uplifting livelihoods in both nations . Responding to Nampa ‘ s questions during the second Indonesia – Africa Forum held in Bali from 01 to 03 September 2024 on Tuesday , Diamonds said Namibia intends to leverage its compatibility and synergies with Indonesia to catalyse development for both countries . ‘ Our call is out there for the Indonesian captains of industry to venture with their Namibian counterparts to engage in meaningful collaboration in various areas ,’ he said . Diamonds highlighted the areas that include capacity building , human capital development , agriculture , agro – processing , mining , health , education , and youth empowerment within the framework of the two countries ‘ Joint Commission of Cooperation . The ambassador further emphasised that within the framework of the United Nations Sustainab
le Development Goals ( UN SDGs ) and the Declaration of the Right to Development , Namibia will engage its counterpart country in critical areas , such as energy , water , and terrestrial ecosystem improvements and development . This , he said , is aimed at counteracting food security , hunger and environmental degradation , climate change adaptation and mitigation . Diamonds equally indicated that Namibia intends to leverage Indonesia ‘ s vast experiences and expertise , including its capacities in clean energy generation . ‘ Our green hydrogen ambitions of course speak to this objective . Namibia views Indonesia in a very positive light , predicated on the historical role it played and continues to play in the transformative trajectory of most African nations from apartheid – colonialism and imperialism to freedom and self – determination ,’ he said . Diamonds indicated that the two countries have to date signed 13 bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in areas including economic and technical
cooperation , mineral resources and energy , broadcasting , trade and industry , agriculture and visa exemptions , amongst others . The forum was held under the theme ‘ The Bandung Spirit for Africa ‘ s Agenda 2063 ‘ and saw 29 African countries represented .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

The Swapo Party Women ‘ s Council ( SPWC ) plans to release a book early next year that will tell the history of the party wing and the role women played in the liberation struggle . Members of the SPWC leadership from various regions on Wednesday gathered at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region to review a draft of the book . SPWC secretary , Fransina Kahungu said the book will also tell the story of how women have contributed to the development of Namibia since the inception of the SPWC as a wing of the ruling Swapo Party . The SPWC was established in 1969 and 1970 in Tanzania . Kahungu said the book will be launched at the beginning of 2025 in Windhoek . It will be titled ‘ The 54 years existence of the Swapo Party Women ‘ s Council – the toil of women , comforts the nation .’ The SPWC leader said large portions of the book come from the letters , speeches and photographs archived by the Swapo party . Oral stories which were recorded from the founding members and former leaders of the SPWC have also bee
n captured in the book , she said . Kahungu also announced during the gathering that she is a candidate to the Swapo Party electoral college set for this weekend in Windhoek . The meeting is being attended by the former SPWC secretary , Eunice Iipinge and her former deputy , Linea Shaetonhodi , as well as the former Secretary General of the Council of Churches in Namibia , Maria Kapere

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Minister of Urban and Rural Development , Erastus Uutoni has said he is running out of patience with some local authority councillors who are fighting each other instead of delivering the needed services to the people . Uutoni was speaking during the handing over of infrastructure services for the financial year 2023 / 24 on Wednesday , saying they have given induction to various local authorities ‘ leaders on good governance and leadership . According to Uutoni , he is disappointed by some of the local authorities ‘ councillors not putting into practice what they are taught during their induction for the betterment of their people . The minister recently gave an induction to the municipalities of Gobabis and Walvis Bay to refresh their understanding of good governance and best practices as a leader . ‘ Some of the councillors have now forgotten their induction and are seen protesting with the public demanding for better service , instead of addressing the matters in their local authorities to serve the peop
le who elect them ,’ he said . He then questioned how they expect to solve the problems faced in their local authorities when they are creating the problem themselves . Uutoni noted that those causing havoc within their local authorities should know that his patience is running out . He moved on by praising the Outapi Town Council as one of the councils doing well in terms of service delivery to the people . Meanwhile , Omusati Region Governor Erginus Endjala said they are progressing well within their local authorities due to no infighting in their region . He stated that despite having different leadership from various political parties , they are doing well as a region in terms of service delivery and serving their community with needed services .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Public Gatherings Bill is a solemn reminder of repressive measures last witnessed during the apartheid regime , Member of Parliament Nico Smit said in his contribution in the National Assembly on Monday . The Public Gatherings Bill aims to regulate public gatherings and public processions and to provide for incidental matters . The People ‘ s Democratic Movement representative stated that the reintroduction of strict public gathering controls is a deliberate attempt to suppress public dissent and limit the democratic right to peacefully advocate for change . ‘ The proposed Public Gatherings Bill in Namibia is poised to spark significant concern among citizens and rights advocates , as it seeks to impose restrictions on fundamental freedoms crucial to democracy ,’ stated Smit . He said adopting such repressive tactics would be a significant regression and undercut the progress made since colonial rule , which is unbecoming for a nation that values its democratic principles and has fought for inde
pendence . The Bill will infringe on Article 21 ( 2 ) of the Namibian Constitution , which provides for freedom of speech and expression , he added

Source: The Namibia News Agency