info_e12wt4cs – Page 260

05 Sep

Oshikoto struggles with high number of vehicle accidents

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPenda ya Ndakolo

Stefanus Nashama The Oshikoto regional governor, Penda Ya Ndakolo, has stated that while combating crime remains a top priority in the region, the high incidence of road accidents is also a significant concern. Ya Ndakolo shared this during his State of the Region address last week. “Our police and other key stakeholders are working tirelessly for our safety and to prevent crime. However, the high rate of road accidents continues to be a cause for concern in our region,” he said. Ya Ndakolo said that, during the reviewed period, there were 207 crashes, 452 injuries, and 49 deaths. He said…

05 Sep

Police introduce new directives for traffic law enforcement

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLieutenant General Joseph Shikongo

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police introduced a series of new traffic law enforcement directives aimed at improving road safety and increasing trust between the public and law enforcement officers. These measures, outlined in a circular issued on Thursday by the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, stress the importance of visibility, fairness, and discretion in traffic law enforcement practices. The directives come in response to numerous complaints from road users regarding unsafe practices by some traffic officers, particularly those rushing into roads to stop vehicles or positioning speed traps in concealed locations. Shikongo said that these…

05 Sep

Capricorn group spends N$25.8 million on social impact

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank Windhoek, Capricorn Foundation

Martin Endjala Capricorn Group has announced a total spending of N$25.8 million, including contributions from its foundation, towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Namibia and Botswana. This represents a 19.1% increase from the N$21.7 million spent in 2023. Marlize Horn, the group's executive of corporate affairs, made the announcement on Thursday at the launch of the 2024 Social Value Report. “This report details the efforts of Capricorn Group and its subsidiaries—Bank Windhoek, Bank Gaborone, Capricorn Asset Management, Entrepo, and the Capricorn Foundation—to empower and support the citizens of the countries where we operate, namely Namibia and Botswana,” she said.…

05 Sep

Alludio Academy U11 girls are the champions of the 2024 Khomas B League

info_e12wt4csSports2024 Khomas Schools Sport Region (KSSR) B League championship

Ester Mbathera The Alludio Academy Under-11 girls' field hockey team has triumphed in the 2024 Khomas Schools Sport Region (KSSR) B League championship. They played their final match against St. George’s on Wednesday at the WAP astroturf field at Wanderers in Windhoek. The teams entered a tense shootout to determine the winner at the sound of the final whistle because the score was tied at 0-0. In a dramatic finish, Alludio Academy's team held their nerve and emerged victorious, securing the championship title. Emma Cocklin, co-founder of the academy, attributes the team’s performance to the unwavering determination, dedication, and sportsmanship…

05 Sep

Wilika Shigwedha-Carr carries Namibian Pride in Europe

info_e12wt4csSports

Ester Mbathera Much like the universally loved eternal sports fan, the late Robson 'Robbie' Savage, when it comes to passion, dedication, and national pride, few embody these qualities as fiercely as Wilika Shigwedha-Carr, affectionately known as "Wicks.". Wilika, who hails from Soweto's Farao Street in Windhoek, has become a constant and powerful presence at international sporting events, cheering on Namibian athletes with unparalleled enthusiasm in Europe. Whether waving the Namibian flag at major tournaments or encouraging athletes with infectious energy, Wilika's impact goes beyond mere fandom - it is a full-scale sports ambassadorship. Athletics is not just a pastime for…

05 Sep

Pepkor to sell furniture in Namibia

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyPepkor Lifestyle

CHAMWE KAIRA Pepkor has entered into an agreement to acquire Shoprite’s furniture business operating more than 400 stores in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini and Zambia. Pepkor is a South African-based investment and holding company focused on the discount and value consumer retail and fintech markets. Pepkor’s JD Group business has recently rebranded to Pepkor Lifestyle and operates more than 900 retail stores in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini. Pepkor said this week that over the years, it has developed leading capabilities in supply chain, logistics, and financial services, all supported by best of breed scalable integrated…

05 Sep

Beef, charcoal exports under threat

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyEuropean Union (EU)’s Deforestation Regulation, Namibian Agriculture Union

CHAMWE KAIRA The European Union (EU)’s Deforestation Regulation to be effective as of 1 January 2025, is a big threat to Namibia’s beef and charcoal exports, the Namibian Agriculture Union has warned. The expansion of agricultural land is seen as the main driver behind deforestation, desertification and a loss of biodiversity. It is linked to the production of commodities such as cattle, wood, cocoa, soya, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and some of their derivative products, such as leather, chocolate, tires or furniture. The NAU said the EU is a major economy and consumer of commodities linked to these negative practices…

05 Sep

Exports worth N$5.3 billion left by sea in July

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Goods worth of N$5.3 billion, representing 53.3% of total exports left the country by sea in July. The basket of exports via sea comprised mainly of uranium, fish and nickel ores and concentrates. Goods exported via road accounted for 28.6% of total exports, of which its export basket was mainly made up of petroleum oils, fish and live animals. Lastly, air transportation accounted for 18.1% with non-monetary gold and precious stones (diamonds) being the highest valued commodities transported via the respective mode. In terms of volume, a total of 342 476 tons of goods left the country, representing…

05 Sep

International reserves rise to N$60.8 billion

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Customer Foreign Currency (CFC), Net Foreign Assets

CHAMWE KAIRA The stock of international reserves rose by 5.5% to N$60.8 billion at the end of July, the Bank of Namibia announced. The increase in international reserves was on the back of higher SACU receipts, as well as Customer Foreign Currency (CFC) placements. This level of foreign reserves translated into 4.1 months of import cover, exceeding the international benchmark of 3 months. Notably, the import cover, excluding imports of oil exploration and appraisal activities, stood at 4.9 months at the end of July, relative to 4.6 months recorded at the end of June. Furthermore, the banking industry liquidity position…

05 Sep

Another repo rate cut projected

info_e12wt4csObserver Moneyfinal GC24 switch, Namibian Stock Exchange

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia experienced a dynamic month in August in the fixed income market, characterised by fluctuating demand levels and interest rate reductions that have influenced yields, latest financial statistics have shown. The Bank of Namibia conducted five treasury bill auctions, two primary bond auctions, and completed the final GC24 switch. Secondary trades on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) saw an overall decline, although there was a notable increase in trading volumes for the GC27 bond. Interest rates, which had been raised from 3.75% during the pandemic to a peak of 7.75% by July 2023, were reduced on August 14th…