Day: April 6, 2024

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Derek Klazen has denounced the alleged entitlement of fishermen who he claimed wants to dictate the type of work they should do.

Klazen during a renewal of employment contracts of fishermen employed under the governmental employment redressing programme, noted that the fishermen feel entitled and are disrespectful towards employers, continuously threatening employers with mass resignation and demonstration and threatening that the quota belongs to them.

The event which took place in Windhoek on Friday, aimed to renew the designation agreements with designated fishing companies as well as assess the performance of these companies in order to determine whether there is full compliance.

'The designation agreements do not afford fishermen with the right to choose where to be placed as the agreements only require the placement of fishermen wherever an opportunity for placement arises,' Klazen expressed.

The minister further noted that in this instance companies have been found to be fully compliant, with a few exceptions of challenges picked up along the way, which he said are receiving attention.

Some of those challenges being experienced according to Klazen, are limited employment opportunities within the fishing industry resulting in non-gainful employment of the fishermen.

Seven fishing companies in Walvis Bay in 2023 signed agreements to re-employ about 1 000 fishermen who lost their jobs in 2015 aboard numerous fishing vessels, following their participation in an illegal industrial strike, now referred to as the Okapale fishermen.

The group also includes fishermen who were laid off from Namsov, owing to a 48 per cent cut of its horse mackerel quota in 2015, and those who lost their employment after being abandoned by two fishing vessels operating under the Icelandic company Samherji, namely Saga and Geysir in 2020.

Meanwhile Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement McHenry Venaani who joined fishermen who petitioned the government at Walvis Bay on Friday, questioned the government's employment redress programme of the unemployed fishermen and the allocation of the fishing quotas.

Venaani questioned why the government has given fishing quotas to companies, some of which do not have vessels.

'Companies who do not have fishing vessels mean they do not have the capacity to absorb workers. You are coming to workers and lying to them. Companies are profiting off of these fishermen while they sit at home without jobs and claim they are paying them even while at home.

'Let us reallocate quotas to companies who have fishing vessels and employ all these fishermen. Those who have no vessels should act like all business people and either go to the banks, buy vessels so that we can have all the fishermen back at sea,' Venaani expressed.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Oshikoto regional coordinator for Swapo, Armas Amukwiyu said it is time for youth to rise as they have been groomed by the Swapo Party to take up positions of governance at all levels.

Amukwiyu made the remarks on Saturday during the Oshikoto Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) executive committee meeting underway at Oniipa, quoting that with privilege comes great responsibility.

According to Amukwiyu, they must uphold the highest standards of party discipline, symbolising unity of purpose and action in everything they do.

He indicated that as bona fide members of the Swapo Party, they carry the legacy of struggle, the legacy of sacrifice, and the legacy of victory.

'We fought tirelessly, shedding blood, sweat, and tears, to secure our political independence. And now, as we enter the second phase of our struggle, we must channel our energies towards the economic and diplomatic battles that lie ahead,' he said.

He urged the party youth not to forget the core principles of their party ideology - 'Socialism with Namibian characteristics' - which means defeating ethnic divisions and identifying first and foremost as Namibians.

'It means fighting relentlessly against corruption and all social ills that threaten our developmental goals,' he added.

Amukwiyu also reminded the youth that as they approach the November 2024 general elections, they should remember the power of voting, and should mobilise their fellow youth, ensuring that every eligible voter is registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

He called on the youth to champion the candidacy of Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Swapo Party Presidential candidate and make people understand that she will not lead alone; she will lead with the full support of the Swapo Party, its structures, and its systems.

Meanwhile SPYL leader assigned to Oshikoto, Willem Amutenya indicated that young people make up 71.1 per cent of the national population.

He said this clearly means the electoral decision is in the hands of young people.

'We should work harder for fellow young people, for the Swapo Party and our presidential candidate to emerge victorious and continue with its legacy,' he said.

Amutenya stressed that Swapo has entered into a contract with the people of Namibia through its manifesto - and they all have the responsibility to work towards its fulfilment.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

University of Namibia (UNAM) Vice Chancellor, Prof Kenneth Matengu said N.dollars 10 million has been allocated this year for the construction of lecture halls as part of the first phase of the southern campus development cycle.

Matengu revealed this during the 2024 UNAM Southern Campus graduation ceremony here on Friday, saying more funds are expected over the next two years to ensure that the first phase is completed. The construction of the first of five phases started in 2016 and it has cost Government N.dollars 93 million already.

He said the university, with strong support from the government is convinced that things will change for the better and more and better facilities will be built and more students enrolled.

'The construction of these facilities will enable UNAM to solidify its position as the scientific and research and development partner for the emerging sectors of oil and gas, green hydrogen and other renewable energy resources as well as the exploration and exploitation of critical minerals that the country is so richly endowed with. We know what the skills gaps are and we will work to address them,' Matengu said.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, President of Namibia and UNAM Chancellor Nangolo Mbumba said he was concerned about the under representation of graduates from the two southern regions at university level, urging stakeholders to encourage students from the regions to enrol into university.

'We are doing well nationally, more needs to be done to increase the numbers of graduates in the Hardap and ||Kharas regions. In this context, I would like to strongly appeal to the parents, families, communities, educational officials and councillors to join hands and encourage more students from the southern regions so that we can increase their participation and success at the university level,' he urged.

Mbumba said the government remains committed to the development and wellbeing of the youth in the southern areas, as well as nationally, adding that the government has lived up to the expectation of ensuring quality education for the youth to use as a tool to empower themselves to advance their lives.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Rabat - His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, may God assist Him, will chair a religious vigil on Saturday evening at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, commemorating the blessed Laylat al-Qadr, announces the Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol, and Chancellery in a statement. "The Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol, and Chancellery announces that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, may God assist Him, will chair a religious vigil this Saturday evening, Ramadan 26, 1445 of the Hijri calendar, corresponding to April 6, 2024, in commemoration of the blessed Laylat al-Qadr, at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. The religious vigil will be broadcast live on radio and television at the time of the Al-Isha prayer." Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Casablanca - His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, may God assist Him, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, and HH Prince Moulay Ismail, chaired, on Saturday at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, a religious vigil commemorating the blessed Laylat al-Qadr. After the Isha and Taraweeh prayers, verses from the Holy Quran were recited by the child Othmane Mchachti (11 years old, from the city of Fez), winner of the Mohammed VI National Prize for memorization, recitation, and chanting of the Holy Quran. His Majesty the King was then greeted by the young reciter, to whom the Sovereign presented the Prize. This distinction reflects the great care with which His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, has constantly surrounded the reciters of the Holy Quran and the Sovereign's constant desire to promote the memorization and learning of the Holy Book among young generations. Subsequently, Mohamed Bashar Arafat, Imam, lecturer, and president of the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (United States of America), delivered a speech before the Sovereign on behalf of the scholars who participated in the Religious Dialogues of the sacred month of Ramadan 1445 AH, expressing his sincere thanks and deep gratitude to His Majesty the King, Commander of the Faithful, for the reception and hospitality they received throughout their stay in the Kingdom. Bashar Arafat emphasized that these Religious lectures are an ideal opportunity for the community of scholars from around the world to discuss various scientific and jurisprudential issues, adding that it is also an opportunity for the present scholars to consult on responses to the new challenges facing societies in a context marked by accelerated changes on local and international levels. This religious vigil was marked by the conclusion of Sahih al-Bukhari, done by Hassan Farid, member of the local Council of Ulema of Berrechid, after the reading of Hadith Al Khatm, by Abdelhafid Talbi, member of the local Council of Ulema of Ain Chock. The Sovereign then presented the Mohammed VI Ahl al-Qur'an and Ahl al-Hadith Prizes respectively to Omar Mohcine, from the city of Casablanca, and Zineb Abou Ali, from the city of Rabat. His Majesty the King, Commander of the Faithful, also awarded the Mohammed VI Prize for Adhan and Tahlil, in its two categories, to Said Abou Alaich from the city of Guercif (Excellence Prize) and El Hassan Akhiar from the city of Tetouan (Honorary Prize). The Sovereign then awarded the Mohammed VI Prize for Quranic schools in its three categories to Abdellah El Hayane from Casablanca (Methodology of Learning Prize), Abdelkader Hammouch from Sidi Bennour (Performance Prize), and Nasser Ait Bouncer from Taroudante (Management Prize). On this occasion, the attendees offered prayers imploring the Almighty to preserve His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, to crown His initiatives with success, to guide His steps, to fulfill the aspirations that the Sovereign harbo rs for the progress of His faithful people, and to bless Him, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, and all members of the illustrious Royal Family. The faithful also offered prayers for the souls of the Father of the Nation, the late HM King Mohammed V, and the late HM King Hassan II, may God have them in His mercy. This vigil took place in the presence of the Head of Government, the Presidents of the two Houses of Parliament, His Majesty the King's Advisors, members of the government, representatives of the diplomatic corps of Islamic countries accredited to Morocco, senior officers of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, scholars who participated in the Religious Dialogues of the sacred month of Ramadan, presidents of local Councils of Scholars, elected officials, as well as other civilian and military personalities. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse