Category: Key Issues

WINDHOEK: President Nangolo Mbumba has warned that the integrity of traditional authorities is being put at risk by individuals aspiring to become chiefs and leaders , which has led to internal conflicts and leadership succession disputes . Opening the five – day 25th Annual Meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Namibia here on Monday , Mbumba said the disputes continue to threaten peace and harmony within the regions . ‘ Everybody wants to be a chief … Everybody wants to be the next leader ,’ he said . The Head of State said such disputes not only result in conflict and lack of unity among members of the traditional community , but also often result in the government being forced to intervene and use public resources which could have been used for development . ‘ Instead , time and resources are used for conducting investigations and towards resolving disputes which can in most instances be easily resolved if parties follow their customary law ,’ Mbumba said . ‘ As traditional authorities , your p
rimary interest should be the advancement of the wider community and augmenting traditional values and norms . Let us learn to place our collective interests above our personal interests ,’ he urged . President Mbumba further noted that traditional authorities continue to play a crucial role in the Namibian democracy as the recognised custodians of culture and values in Africa . In particular , traditional authorities command respect and support while performing important functions that uphold the governance architectures of modern states . ‘ As a government we remain fully cognisant of the role our traditional authorities play in terms of promoting development and fostering unity , peace and social harmony , particularly in rural areas … This is why we will continue to acknowledge and accommodate our traditional leaders within the governance framework ,’ he said . Mbumba further said that while the government places a high premium on fighting hunger and poverty in Namibia , the success of dealing with the cu
rrent severe drought calls for unity . He said traditional authorities should ensure that no member of the community dies of hunger as efforts to address the drought have been put in place .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: just – concluded electoral college of the ruling Swapo Party has confirmed that the party is undergoing a generational transition by gradually infusing young blood into its leadership structures and the list of party representatives at government level . Several youthful cadres were included on both the male and female lists of the party ‘ s National Assembly candidates . Swapo vice – president Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah also included the youngest candidate , 22 – year – old Fenny Tutjavi , among her appointees to the party ‘ s parliamentary list in addition to the delegates voted for over the weekend . Emma Theofelus , Sharonice Busch , Christine Haindaka and Christophina Nakanduungile were the female youth members elected . On the male list , the electoral college also elected youth members , Kunene Region Governor Marius Sheya , Willem Amutenya , Sam Shaafishuna Nujoma , Castro Ileni , Hofni Iipinge and Helao Nafidi Mayor , Darius Shaalukeni . The Swapo electoral college held its elections on Sunda
y , and those elected are the prospective party leaders to represent the party in Parliament from 2025 to 2029 .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: While the Swapo Party is conducting its electoral college this weekend , the ruling party is also focused on the next most immediate task on its electoral calendar , which is the launch of its 2025 – 2030 election manifesto next weekend . Immediately after drawing up its list of parliamentary candidates at the end of the electoral college on Monday , Swapo Vice President Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah is expected to launch the party ‘ s manifesto in Windhoek on Saturday . This was announced by Swapo ‘ s Secretary General , Sophia Shaningwa , during the official opening of the ruling party ‘ s electoral college in Windhoek on Sunday . ‘ While our vice president will be officially launching the Swapo Party elections manifesto at the main event , which will be held in the Khomas Region , each region is equally summoned to ensure that they organise the same in their regions , and party members shall be able to virtually follow the address of the vice president in their respective regions ,’ Shaningwa said . T
he Swapo central committee , at its meeting in Windhoek on Saturday , cleared and approved the party ‘ s manifesto , she said . ‘ Going forward , we shall reference our renewed commitments and achievements as outlined in our manifesto , to convince our people to continue trusting Swapo as the only party through which their hopes and aspirations can be realised ,’ she said . Meanwhile , she urged party members to unite , regardless of the outcome of the electoral college . ‘ As I welcome you to this crucial convention , I am doing so with certainty that despite the outcome of the Electoral College this Sunday , we shall collectively go out with the same vigour and determination , to ensure that the Swapo Party and its presidential candidate Cde . Dr . Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah , emerges victorious come 27 November 2024 . We must be cognisant that there are no winners and losers in the internal democratic processes of our party , hence the party shall always emerge victorious . ‘ We indeed have a lifetime commit
ment to our party , regardless of the outcome of our internal and intra – party democratic processes ,’ she said

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba urged members of the ruling Swapo Party on Sunday to ensure that the former liberation movement secures victory in the upcoming general elections scheduled for 27 November . Addressing delegates to the 2024 Swapo Party electoral college in Windhoek , Mbumba expressed his conviction that all party members will work hard for the party and its presidential candidate , Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah , to achieve a resounding victory . ‘ As I have said several times , I do not see or understand how a strong party with so many members and a celebrated history of the liberation struggle will be removed from power by parties of the few . It is up to you and me to work hard in unity and retain our power , or to give it up ! But I am convinced that all of us will work hard for the Swapo Party and comrade Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah to achieve a resounding victory ,’ Mbumba said . Meanwhile , he reminded party members that those who emerge successful from the electoral college have a r
esponsibility to both Swapo and the Namibian nation . ‘ The job of the comrades who are elected at this college will not only be about representing the Swapo Party in the National Assembly . Crucially , you must work hard to achieve people – centered development and to ensure that we move closer to victory during the second struggle for the economic liberation of all Namibians . Your top priority is to ensure that the Swapo Party is returned to power by getting a resounding mandate to govern Namibia for the next five years . Your other top priority is to make sure that our presidential candidate , comrade Nandi – Ndaitwah , is elected as the next and first female president of Namibia ,’ Mbumba said . In addition , he further reminded prospective Swapo members of parliament that they are potential candidates for public service . ‘ Namibians want more jobs , they want more business opportunities and housing . They want good health and education . They want to live in a crime – free society . In short , they wan
t successful , prosperous and happy lives . Therefore , they expect from you , as their elected leaders , to provide all these things ,’ he said in his address .

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

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