info_e12wt4cs – Page 217

04 Sep

PDM parliamentarian says Public Gatherings Bill is a step back to apartheid-era repression

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlbert Kawana, Public Gatherings Bill

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Nico Smit has warned that the proposed Public Gatherings Bill could regress the country to the repressive conditions of the apartheid era. Apartheid restricted citizens' ability to gather and express their political views. Smit made these comments on Tuesday in Parliament while participating in the discussion of the bill that Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security Albert Kawana introduced last month. “This bill, reminiscent of apartheid-era restrictions, emerges precisely as Namibians increasingly exercise their right to public gatherings to voice critical concerns about the current administration,” Smit said. The…

04 Sep

Dienda criticises pension payments done ‘under trees’

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDoreen Sioka, Epupa Investment Technology

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament Elma Dienda has criticised the method of paying pensioners their old age grant as stressful and unacceptable. According to Dienda, the current practice of giving pensioners payments under trees is unacceptable, especially after Epupa Investment Technology has held the contract for more than a decade. Dienda is calling on the ministry to take action to improve service delivery. Dienda made these remarks on Tuesday in parliament while questioning Doreen Sioka, the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare. ‘’What is the total value of the current 5-year contract? What…

04 Sep

Mbumba champions Namibian’s investment potential in Beijing

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlfredo Hengari, Chinese investors, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Nangolo Mbumba held several meetings with Chinese investors in Beijing, China, at the ongoing ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Presidential press secretary, Alfredo Hengari said on Wednesday that the Chinese investors have expressed interest in different sectors of the Namibian economy, including mining, tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Mbumba along with other African leaders, are participating in the forum that started on Wednesday. He is also expected to hold a courtesy meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mbumba has urged Chinese business people to continue investing in Namibia, stating that there is no reason why they…

04 Sep

FIMA still under review

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFinancial Institutions Markets Act (FIMA), Kenneth Matomola

Martin Endjala The technical committee under the Ministry of Finance is still scrutinising the Financial Institutions Markets Act (FIMA). The Windhoek Observer understands that while public consultations have concluded, the research component is still ongoing, and findings have yet to be presented to the finance minister. During a media engagement last week in Windhoek, Namibia Financial Institution Supervisory Authority’s (Namfisa) chief executive officer, Kenneth Matomola stated that FIMA can only come into effect once the minister gives the green light. “As it stands now, FIMA can only come into force once the minister says, ‘Yes, let’s go and implement,’” he…

04 Sep

City Police struggle to secure crime-ridden former Club Pamodzi

info_e12wt4csNational NewsClub Pamodzi, Windhoek City Police

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek City Police are facing several challenges as they seek to secure the abandoned building in Rykmans Dorp, formerly known as Club Pamodzi. This site has been a hotspot for criminal activities since its closure in 2015, leading to mounting safety concerns among nearby residents. The spokesperson of the Windhoek City Police, Marceline Murapo, highlighted the difficulties in resource allocation and communication between various stakeholders. “The rapid population growth in Windhoek has contributed to rising crime rates, necessitating a comprehensive approach to urban safety and law enforcement,” she stated. Last week, a woman and her two sons…

04 Sep

ICT summit will focus on digital transformation and AI

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is set to host The eighth National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Summit from 9 to 11 September in Windhoek. The summit will be presented under the theme “Building Resilience to ‘Adapt or Die’ in the Era of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI).” The event in Windhoek is set to be the largest yet, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe. According to the ministry’s executive director, Adrin Mathe, the summit aims to tackle the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and the growing influence…

04 Sep

Dr Hage Geingob Cup’s grand finale

info_e12wt4csFeatured, SportsEmma Kantema-Gaomas, The Legacy Continues

HILARIUS HAMUTENYA The tenth and final edition of the Dr. Hage Geingob Cup was launched on Wednesday in Windhoek under the theme, "The Legacy Continues." This highly anticipated event is set to take place on 19 October at the Independence Stadium and promises to captivate Namibian football fans as six teams compete for the top prize. The participating teams are Eeshoke Chula Chula, African Stars, Girls and Goals, FC Ongos Ladies, Omake Celebrities (powered by MTC), and Danger Points Celebrities (powered by NBL and Bank Windhoek). Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, who officiated at the…

04 Sep

Bank Windhoek seeks successor as Baronice Hans prepares to step down

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBaronice Hans, Gerhard Fourie

Niël Terblanché Bank Windhoek has initiated the search for a new managing director as Baronice Hans, the bank's first female and longest-serving MD in its 42-year history, prepares to step down at the end of June 2025. Hans, who has led the bank since July 2016, has been praised for steering the institution through economic challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the bank's board chairperson, Johan Swanepoel. “Her leadership has been praised for steering the bank through these turbulent times while achieving notable growth and success,” he said. Under Hans' stewardship, Bank Windhoek saw a 45% increase in loans…

04 Sep

Namibia champions sustainable green industrialization

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsGlobal African Hydrogen Summit, Harambee Prosperity Plan

Niël Terblanché Namibia's commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation was the focal point of vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's address at the Global African Hydrogen Summit currently in progress in Windhoek. While addressing delegates on Wednesday, she stressed that environmental protection is both a natural responsibility and a constitutional obligation for Namibia, as the country strives to balance economic growth with ecological care. “For the past 34 years, Namibia has worked strategically to industrialise its economy sustainably and competitively,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the nation has placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its developmental objectives. “This approach is…

03 Sep

Paragon Investment Holdings enters offshore mining industry

info_e12wt4csMainEdgehill Resources, Kenzoll Capital, LK Mining

Niël Terblanche Paragon Investment Holdings, through its subsidiary Edgehill Resources, has made an entrance into the offshore diamond mining sector. Partnering with Kenzoll Capital and other key stakeholders, Paragon is part of the joint venture behind the acquisition of the Adamastor, a state-of-the-art mining vessel set to operate in Hottentots Bay. This move positions Paragon as a new player in the lucrative offshore diamond industry, which is crucial to the country's economy. LK Mining’s representative, Lazarus Jacobs, has expressed optimism about the project’s potential, highlighting the favourable marine conditions and the high recovery rate of diamonds in the area. “The…