info_e12wt4cs – Page 176

10 Oct

Petrol prices to help ease inflation

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Looking ahead, Namibia's inflation is expected to continue easing, supported primarily by the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s recent decision to reduce fuel prices for October 2024. Petrol prices have been cut by N$1 per litre, bringing the price down to N$20.25 per litre, while diesel 50ppm and diesel 10ppm now cost N$19.72 and N$19.82 per litre, respectively. This reduction should alleviate inflationary pressures, especially in the transport sector, which has been a key driver of inflation over the past few months. The annual inflation rate for September stood at 3.4%, marking the lowest level since August 2021. This represents…

10 Oct

Stand-alone off-grid solar solutions needed

info_e12wt4csEnergy, Observer Money

Off-grid solar energy is emerging as a game-changer for Southern Africa's power challenges. Patrick Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy at GOGLA, is at the forefront of this revolution. In a conversation with Observer Money, he discussed how off-grid solar is helping to close energy gaps in Namibia and South Africa, providing affordable and sustainable options for millions of people. Observer Money (OM): How will off-grid solar help with the power deficit in Southern Africa, including Namibia? Patrick Tonui (PT): Off-grid solar solutions can play a key role not just as the quickest, most efficient way to provide first-time…

10 Oct

Livestock industry battles drought, market challenges & rising theft

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyJako van Wyk, Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO)

CHAMWE KAIRA Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) chairman Jako van Wyk has said the past year was marked by challenges, including the current drought. The drought led to President Nangolo Mbumba declaring a state of emergency. According to Van Wyk, the drought was particularly severe because producers had not yet fully rebuilt their herds or recovered economically from the 2019 drought, and large parts of the country's pastures were already under stress. “The presidential declaration was met with gratitude by producers, as it initiated the necessary protocols to address the drought across all regions, unlocking the budgeted N$825 million for relief…

10 Oct

Basic commodity prices remain high in Khomas

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Statistics Agency

CHAMWE KAIRA The year-on-year inflation rate stood at 2.8% in Zone 1 (Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi) during September, compared to 6.1% registered during September 2023. The Namibia Statistics Agency said the slowdown in the annual inflation rate emanated mainly from the slow increases observed in the price levels of ‘alcoholic beverages’ (from 10.9% to 4.6%); ‘food and nonalcoholic beverages’ (from 9.6% to 4.5%); and ‘education’ (from 4.5% to 0.6%). On a monthly basis, the inflation rate declined by 0.2% compared to a 0.3% increase recorded during the preceding month. In Zone 2…

10 Oct

Government debt reaches N$123 billion

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyFixed-rate bonds, Simonis Storm, Treasury Bill

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia’s total domestic government debt reached N$123.51 billion by the end of September, reflecting an increase of N$2.04 billion. Fixed-rate bonds (GCs) contributed significantly to this growth, accounting for 63% of the increase through the issuance of N$1.27 billion in GCs. In contrast, inflation-linked bonds contributed a modest 4%, totaling N$80 million. The Namibian government bond yields have experienced significant compressions, particularly within the 10 to 20-year tenors since the start of this year, according to a report by Simonis Storm research and wealth management company. The yield on the GC40 decreased by 139 basis points, while the…

10 Oct

Pioneer African historiography vs patriotic history & memory politics – Review: Footprints of Pohamba – Ondjila Ei Nda Enda – Part 2

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL SHIPALE As I was looking for an answer to the question in the famous Ndilimani Cultural Troupe’s song ‘Hifikepunye Pohamba Ndhira Dhipi Wahenda’ and the titled of the autobiography “The footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Ondjila Eyi A Enda,” or what I would rather title ‘The Arduous Life Journey Pohamba Traversed’ or ‘The Pathways Pohamba Walked in’ or even ‘Retracing Pohamba’s Footsteps,’ I realised that the answer to the above question is none other than what the son of former President Pohamba, Tulongeni Tutungeni Tudanaukeni Tuhafeni Pohamba, aptly put it that ‘The book shows that the path of integrity…

09 Oct

Investigative journalist not a member of PDM

info_e12wt4csMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenya Investigative journalist Sonja Smith, who made it to the list of National Assembly candidates of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) for 2025-2029, is not a card-carrying member of the party. Smith is one of PDM president McHenry Venaani's ten presidential nominees. The party secretary general, Manuel Ngaringombe, confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. "Sonja is not a member of the party. She was a journalist and then she got a job through parliament to be the personal assistant to McHenry Venaani as a civil servant. She is on the parliament payroll. Working as a PA, she…

09 Oct

Analysts suggest that young people are rejoining Swapo for jobs

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama Political analysts predict it will take time for young people returning to Swapo to build trust and receive party leadership roles. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said leadership principles do not drive such young people. “What we are witnessing is that these young people rejoining Swapo are driven by positions and not really by the principles of leadership,” he said. This year, with the most anticipated and challenging election in independent Namibia, a noticeable number of young people or leaders have returned to Swapo. These include former Landless People’s Movement (LPM) deputy…

09 Oct

UPM pledges focus on water security and youth governance

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlly Angula, Jan van Wyk

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The United People’s Movement (UPM) has thrown its full support behind independent presidential candidate Ally Angula, describing her as a ‘God-fearing woman.’ UPM president Jan van Wyk, in the party’s election manifesto, urged Namibians to support Angula in her presidential bid. The United People’s Movement (UPM) has also announced a major focus on water security, with plans to invest heavily in desalination plants along Namibia’s coastline. Van Wyk outlined that these plants will supply water for drinking, industrial, and agricultural purposes through pipelines to inland projects. Alongside the focus on water security, the party stressed its commitment to…

09 Oct

Nujoma calls for inclusion of persons with disabilities in fishing industry

info_e12wt4csNational NewsInternational Labour Organization, NAMOSA

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, Utoni Nujoma, has called attention to the continued exclusion and under-representation of persons with disabilities in the fishing industry. He made the call at the Namibian Maritime Officers and Shipping Association's (NAMOSA) annual general meeting last week. “May I point out that the need to create employment, especially for the youth, is one of our nation's biggest challenges. This is agreed. However, an aspect often forgotten but equally concerning is the continued exclusion and under-representation of persons with disabilities in Namibia, specifically in the fishing industry,” said Nujoma. In…