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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6596 FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER 2016 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Teachers strike leaves biggest part of Erongo’s school education paralysed Sharlien Tjambari & Piquet Jacobs It is official, Namibian teachers are on strike. This came after the High Court dismissed attempts by the government to stop teachers from going on the “legal” strike, the strike commenced yesterday and teachers will be on the strike until the government give in on their demand for an eight percent salary increase. Negotiations about the salary increment of teachers between the Namibian National Teachers Union (NANTU) and the government started last year in March at which the government agreed to only give teachers a 5% salary increase and teachers felt like it was a clap in the face according to the Chairperson of NANTU in Erongo region Mr Jonathan Tsuseb. Continues on page 2
Swakopmund to keep watchful eye on building industry all have to register Erwin Leuschner All qualifying local builders and construction enterprises within the Swakopmund municipal jurisdiction are to be registered to ensure that they comply with building standards as well as health and safety regulations. This decision was taken by Town Council at the recent meeting. According to the Agenda of the recent Council meeting the reason for this new development is explained with a lack of compliance. “Local builders and construction enterprises have been observed disregarding health and safety regulations at their operations unabated,” it states. This concern is worsened due to the “lack of co-ordination and law enforcement by the Swakopmund Municipal Council.” It also states that these companies are left unregulated and “thus prone to disregard construction safety regulations, whereas they perform a critical function within the urban development sector.” It is important that measures be put in place to register them in order to ensure that the following aspects are given the prominence they deserve. With the registration of these businesses in the municipal jurisdiction, it is Council's aim to create a platform for regular meetings and information sharing that will ultimately lead to compliance with building standards and requirements. Furthermore it is the intention to create a database that allows for issues of concern to be addressed. Council approved the registration of qualifying local builders and construction enterprises subjected to the determination of the minimum requirements. Council also decided to train staff in the monitoring and enforcement of the Health and Safety Regulations. To properly enforce the law, health inspectors, building inspectors and projects management staff are to be empowered to legally enforce the requirements of the Health and Safety regulations, Town Planning Scheme and buildings regulations by suitable appointments of “Peace Officers” under the Criminal Procedures Act.
inside Swaitex in full swing
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Restaurant boat arrives
Teachers yesterday at Tamariskia town hall
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Grief as Swakopmund’s Locker Cat Lady suddenly dies vom Erwin Leuschner Karene Brewis, the driving force behind the Swakopmund Cat Protection Society has died. Brewis has been taking care of the feral cats in the coastal town for the past 13 years. Her death has been described as unexpected and a big loss as the future of the feral cats in town, amounting to about 90 animals hangs on the brink. Food for the animals is fast running out. The Cat Protection Society’s name also changed after Brewis’ death to Swakopmund Feral Cats according to the Society’s Facebook profile. The news of the passing of Karene Brewis, who was in her 60s, came as a shock to all animal lovers in Swakopmund. It is suspected she died of a heart attack in her apartment. “We have worked closely with the Cat Protection Society for many years and we were speechless. I remember Karene (Brewis) telling me the other day that she wishes to go on holiday for the first time in over a decade,” said a shocked Ingried Gürtel from the Swakopmund SPCA to namib times. Brewis started her charity work in 2003 when there were a total of 93 feral cats in town. She started the Cat Protection Society and has since diligently cared for the cats and controlled their numbers. “When it came to the cats she really was an angel,” said Swakopmund resident Idonette Blignaut. Blignaut has been slowly taking over the feeding of the cats from Brewis over the past month. “She was sick and asked for help. She dedicated her whole life to look after the feral cats,” Blignaut said to namib times. Continues on page 2
Hocker
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Junior Commonwealth Gymnastic Championships
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