馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Former refugees protest at Swapo headquarters inauguration over alleged unpaid UN funds
via The Namibian2 min read
The inauguration of Swapo's national headquarters in Windhoek was met with protests from a group of former refugees repatriated in 1989. The group, which has been camping at the premises since October last year, displayed posters demanding access to alleged funds linked to their return, specifically mentioning "United Nations money." Chairperson Matheus Nangolo stated that the group coordinated with party members on poster placement and deployed members to ensure they were not removed during the event, which included party leaders, supporters, and international guests. The protesters claim unpaid benefits and money owed through the UN, alleging abandonment since their return to Namibia. Nangolo indicated that the group is considering legal action against Swapo and is saving money to take the party to court. The protest occurred as Swapo officially opened its new headquarters, a project reportedly costing over N$900 million, exceeding initial projections. The new eight-floor building includes 150 offices, a 1,500-seat congress hall, a media room, and an amphitheater named Sam Nujoma Square.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibian Ports Authority Namport has rejected a N$4 billion proposal from Ghanaian businessman Jory Adu-Boahene and his Namibian partners to develop an oil and gas supply base at the Port of L眉deritz. Namport stated that Alpha Nautical Services Limited Anol, Adu-Boahene's company, did not meet the requirements for developing and operating the facility under a proposed design, build, own, operate, and transfer concession. Namport chief executive Andrew Kanime cited Anol's failure to demonstrate sufficient financial capacity, technical expertise, delivery capability, and operational experience. Anol, however, disputes these findings, asserting its financial, technical, and operational capacity, and highlighting its efforts to prioritize local content and compliance with Namibian ownership regulations. Adu-Boahene also noted that Anol initiated the project and invested significant capital, and questioned Namport's consistency, pointing to a similar project awarded to a 100% foreign entity. Namport also raised concerns about Anol's proposed site at Robert Harbour, stating it does not meet the requirements for offshore oil and gas activities due to insufficient water depth and technical challenges. The rejection follows alleged political pressure on Namport to approve the proposal, and sources suggest it may lead to an open competitive process for the strategic project.
Lando Norris, driving for McLaren, claimed his first victory of the season and 12th career win at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 26-year-old Briton started from pole position and finished 15 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. World championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured third place. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, both from Ferrari, finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Norris expressed satisfaction with his car's performance, stating it had "unbelievable" pace. Verstappen acknowledged the hard work required for his podium finish, while Antonelli described the race as tough but a good result before the break. The race began in high temperatures, with Ferrari opting for soft tires at the start, while most others used mediums. The event saw various tire strategies and incidents, including Oscar Piastri briefly leading and George Russell experiencing an anti-stall issue. McLaren's hopes for a 1-2 finish ended when Piastri retired due to gearbox problems, leading to a Virtual Safety Car deployment. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
Lawmakers in Namibia have dismissed opposition leader Panduleni Itula's suggestion to dissolve the National Assembly, arguing that parliamentary shortcomings do not warrant new elections. Itula, president of the Independent Patriots for Change IPC, had proposed that president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah consider dissolving parliament due to its "ineffectiveness," citing slow lawmaking and frequent procedural disputes. He referenced Article 57 of the Constitution, which allows the president to dissolve the National Assembly on Cabinet's advice if the government cannot govern effectively. Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo called Itula's proposal an insult to voters and an attempt to avoid political responsibility, questioning the IPC's commitment to its mandate. Swanu for Namibia president Evilastus Kaaronda also rejected the idea, stating that dissolving parliament would not address underlying problems and criticized the assembly's limited working hours. Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula likened the proposal to "burning down a house to kill a cockroach." However, former ambassador Pius Dunaiski noted that Itula's remarks have reignited an important national debate, warning that prolonged legislative deadlock could delay reforms and undermine public trust.