Category: Key Issues

WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare has spent a total of N.dollars 3.4 billion on old age, disability, orphans and vulnerable children grants during the 2023/2024 financial year.

Giving an update on the ministerial performance for the 2023/2024 financial year here on Monday, line minister Doreen Sioka said the grants led to a total coverage of 208 170 old age beneficiaries, 53 835 disability grants and 377 743 Orphans and vulnerable children.

She further highlighted that the ministry has successfully converted the food bank programme from an in-kind food parcel into a cash transfer in April 2022, to what is known as a Conditional Basic Income grant of which a total of 8 907 households have benefitted to a total expenditure of N.dollars 81.3 million.

‘The goal of this programme is to contribute to Namibians’ social and economic upliftment while eliminating poverty through adequate and durable safety nets,’ she said.

Sioka further highlighted that 2 835 marginal
ised community learners were successfully transported to and from hostels in all 10 regions where marginalized communities are found, while 308 marginalised students have access to institutions of higher learning through the ministry’s interventions and 287 were paid living allowance.

Equally, she noted the ministry provided support to 265 students with disabilities to cover their tuition accommodation, transport and other needs to the tune of N.dollars 7.5 million, while 800 persons with severe disabilities from various regions were assisted with diapers, formula milk and portable toilets amounting to N.dollars 4 million.

Sioka indicated that the ministry provided psychosocial support services to 1 200 children hosted at the Namibian Children’s Home and After School Centres in Windhoek, while at the regional level, 3 200 children received psychosocial support.

Equally, she noted the ministry provided food supplements to 29 000 households across the 10 regions where marginalised communities live.

‘The min
istry remains committed to ensure that it implements and strengthens the programme under its mandate,’ she said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: President Nangolo Mbumba conveyed a message of condolences to President Mokgweetsi Masisi of the Republic of Botswana and the people of Botswana, following the death of 45 nationals from the neighbouring country in a tragic bus crash last week Thursday.

The incident took place when the bus transporting Easter pilgrims from Botswana to Moria in South Africa allegedly crashed on the R518 road in Limpopo Province of South Africa, killing 45 people from Botswana, with only one victim surviving.

Mbumba in his message shared by the Presidency on Sunday said: ‘It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences on behalf of the people of Namibia to President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the people of Botswana, following the tragic bus crash near South Africa’s Limpopo province.

The loss of 45 lives, predominantly citizens of Botswana, in this devastating accident has deeply saddened us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims during this diff
icult time.’

Namibia, he went on to say, shares in the grief of Botswana and stands in solidarity with the affected families as they mourn their loved ones.

The news of the sole survivor, an eight-year-old girl, brings a glimmer of hope amidst this tragedy, the Namibian Leader said, adding: ‘We pray for her swift recovery and extend our support to her and her family as they navigate through the aftermath of this harrowing experience.’

May the bereaved families find strength and solace during this period of mourning, Mbumba expressed.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) has allocated over N.dollars 1.3 billion out of its total budget of N.dollars 2.6 billion to regional and local governments as well as the traditional authorities.

Recently motivating his ministry’s 2024/25 budget, Minister Erastus Uutoni informed parliament that over N.dollars 904 million in subsidies will support the operational and service delivery capacity of regional councils, local authorities, and traditional authorities.

The remaining N.dollars 362 million will be used for revision of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, the Councils of Traditional Leaders Act of 1997 and its Amendment Act No. 31 of 2000, and the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000.

The ministry is also finalising the development of the Urban Land Reform Policy and Strategy, he said.

Uutoni also said the money will be further spent on upgrading and constructing ten open markets in various localities, including Bukalo, Eenhana, Keetmanshoop, Okakarara, Omaruru, Omuthiya, Op
uwo, Oshivelo Settlement, and Outjo.

He said the ministry has also allocated N.dollars 16 million to fund activities related to the decentralisation of additional functions from ministries to regional councils.

‘In addition, over N.dollars 1.04 billion has been allocated towards supporting urban and regional planning, infrastructure, and housing development programmes. This allocation is part of the development budget amounting to N.dollars 1.203 billion,’ he said.

According to Uutoni, the ministry plans to spend N.dollars 360 million on massive urban land servicing countrywide, while N.dollars 193 million will be spent on upgrading informal settlements.

The ministry further allocated N.dollars 221 million for housing delivery through government-funded programmes such as the Mass Housing Development Programme and Build Together Programme and support to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia.

‘The budgetary allocation to this programme will be deployed to sustain and scale up our existing and new policy
initiatives aimed at creating increased and inclusive access to and opportunities for land tenure security and decent housing for our citizens,’ he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Bineta Diop has encouraged African women to take up higher positions in politics.

Diop in a recent interview with Nampa strongly articulated and advocated for the promotion of women leaders, emphasizing the existing political will and the abundance of policies, such as the equality principle at the AU.

The special envoy, while referencing the historic election of former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, underscored that it is time to translate this will into action by electing more women into leadership positions, particularly at the highest levels.

‘Women are just as competent in their capacity to lead, drawing from their roles in liberation movements, peacemaking endeavours and development agendas, can be transformative and have a great impact,’ she expressed.

The chairperson further emphasised the transformative impact of women in leadership roles, while acknowledging the efforts of past female leaders
in various African nations and the establishment of networks like the Africa Women Leaders Network.

Diop also strongly commended and supported Namibia’s efforts in enabling women leadership by advocating for its first female president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, adding that the country is indeed ready for female leadership.

‘By bringing a different perspective to the table and prioritising human security dimensions such as education and healthcare access, women leaders can drive meaningful change in society.

We therefore urge for the acceleration of implementation towards achieving gender parity in leadership roles.’

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye acknowledged Diop’s sentiments, adding that the recent AU seminar on high-level peace and security which took place at Swakopmund adopted the Swakopmund Process, which is aligned with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, further solidifying the commitment to advancing the agenda of women, peace and security.

Acc
ording to Adeoye, the endorsement of the Swakopmund Process by the AU Peace and Security Council marks a significant milestone, signifying an ongoing commitment to championing women’s causes in peace and security.

‘This initiative, to be held annually or biannually across five regions, will serve as a platform to amplify the voices of women in advancing peace and security agendas,’ he noted.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

KEETMANSHOOP: Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Hidipo Hamata has urged the government to regulate private schools and vocational training centres to ensure fairness and equality for all students and teachers.

Hamata, while speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, said a financial burden is placed on parents due to additional payments demanded by these institutions alongside tuition and hostel fees, adding that it is unsustainable.

‘Government oversight is essential to strike a balance between sustaining private institutions and protecting the interests of parents. The pressing concerns in Namibia’s private education system include fair compensation for teachers, access to education for all students and responsible financial practices,’ said Hamata.

He added that these concerns need immediate government intervention and the establishment of comprehensive regulations to ensure fairness, equality and ethical treatment within both private schools and vocational training centres.

Hamata stated that r
egulating private schools is crucial to addressing fraudulent practices related to tax and social security deductions and advocated for mandated regular reporting and provision of evidence regarding accurate payments on behalf of employees, backed by periodic audits and inspections by relevant authorities.

‘Transparent communication regulations must ensure private schools disclose salary details, including tax and social security deductions, establishing clear legal consequences for fraudulent practices, protecting employee rights to accurate financial information and implementing whistle-blower protection mechanisms are essential components of these regulations. By enacting these measures, we uphold accountability, transparency, and fairness in the financial dealings between private schools and their staff,’ he stressed.

Hamata further expressed concern about the treatment and compensation of instructors at vocational training centres.

‘Government intervention is necessary and in cases where these centres
are found violating employee rights or failing to meet education standards, strict penalties or withdrawal of funding should be implemented. This will serve as a deterrent and ensure that private vocational centres adhere to the regulations set forth, fostering a culture of accountability and commitment to quality education,’ said Hamata.

Source:The Namibia Press Agency

GOBABIS: Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, has formally requested an extension of Employment Equity Commissioner Otniel Podewiltz’s tenure for an additional year to facilitate a seamless transition.

Podewiltz assumed office on 01 April 2019 and his term is set to conclude on 31 March 2024.

Nujoma presented a motion in the National Assembly on Tuesday, advocating for an extension to allow Podewiltz conclude ongoing projects initiated during his tenure in office.

‘It is necessary to highlight a few aspects here for the consideration of this request. The principal consideration here is the future of the Equity Commission, which it at risk if we fail to ensure a smooth transition and stability,’ Nujoma said.

Highlighting operational concerns, Nujoma pointed out that the commissioner currently lacks an immediate subordinate, as the deputy director who previously served was promoted and transferred to the health ministry.

‘The recruitment is underway but is not ye
t completed. The next level employee after the commissioner is a senior employment officer in Grade 8. With the commissioner out of office there will be a serious leadership gap and more importantly, no opportunity for a smooth transfer,’ the minister said.

Nujoma also outlined ongoing initiatives within the commission, such as the development and implementation of an Integrated Review Scorecard assessment to evaluate employer compliance.

The assessment is to be tested during the 2023/24 fiscal year before the new system is implemented, and potential adjustments anticipated.

‘The expectation is that further adjustments and improvements may be required for the new system, which puts the whole process in jeopardy if the key architect is no longer available,’ he noted.

Nujoma also noted that the Employment Equity Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2023/2024 and 2024 is in its final stages under Podewiltz’s leadership. Delays in its release were attributed to issues with the Employment Equity Commission Electro
nic Case Management system.

He further clarified that Podewiltz is not seeking a full five-year reappointment.

‘In reality, we are asking for a one-year extension instead of a full reappointment for five years. Podewiltz does not seek a five-year term of office but is prepared to continue for one more year only,’ Nujoma said.

Source:The Namibia Press Agency