info_e12wt4cs – Page 276

15 Aug

ELCIN elects first female bishop

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRev. Hilja Nghaangulwa

Ester Mbathera The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) made history on Wednesday when the synod appointed Rev. Hilja Nghaangulwa as the first female bishop for the Eastern Diocese and the mainline churches in the country. The election took place at the ELCIN Centre in Ongwediva during the church's synod. In a competitive race against Rev. Dr. Johannes Haufiku and Rev. Eino Nangula, Rev. Nghaangulwa emerged victorious. In the same synod, Rev. Dr. Gideon Niitenge was elected as the bishop of the Western Diocese, further solidifying the leadership structure of ELCIN. Haufiku, who is also the ELCIN's Secretary General, provided…

15 Aug

Otjozondjupa governor decries slow pace of road construction

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJames Uerikua, Otjozondjupa Region

Martin Endjala Otjozondjupa regional governor, James Uerikua has expressed disappointment in the delays in road infrastructure due to the slow pace and lack of finance. “How long do we have to wait for financing? That is the key issue. That’s why, in 2020, my office was briefed by the Roads Authority (RA) on the readiness of the detailed plan, but up to now, as we are talking, I have not seen that advertisement through which they would have advertised to say we are now starting the road construction as far as this road is concerned,” argued the governor. He said…

15 Aug

Erongo celebrates achievements of the past year

info_e12wt4csNational NewsErongo Regional Council, State of the Region Address (SORA)

Niël Terblanché In his fifth State of the Region Address (SORA), Erongo regional governor, Neville Andre highlighted the region's notable accomplishments over the past year while focussing on advancements in governance, infrastructure, and social development. Andre reflected on the challenges faced at the start of his tenure, including the economic difficulties caused by the prolonged drought and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed to the people of the region's resilience and collective efforts in overcoming these adversities. "Despite the challenges, we have achieved remarkable progress in various sectors, positioning Erongo as a region of excellence," Andre said.…

15 Aug

AR inquires about unpaid wages at Goreangab housing project

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAffirmative Repositioning, Erastus Uuton, Moses Matyayi

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR) has raised concerns over alleged non-payment of workers' salaries at the 113 House Construction Project at Goreangab Dam Extension 4. In a letter dated 13 August, AR Khomas Regional Chairperson, Sem David called on the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni, the minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, Utoni Daniel Nujoma, and City of Windhoek CEO Moses Matyayi, to address the matter urgently. David commended the government's and the City of Windhoek's efforts in completing the 113 houses, but he highlighted unresolved issues. “A total of 28 employees working…

15 Aug

Criminal case filed against Nawatiseb and his wife

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta -Maria Engel Nawatiseb, the former deputy minister of information and communication technology and his wife are facing criminal charges in connection with the sale of a property in Windhoek The Makumbi family initiated the case, bringing to light the allegations of misconduct and the pursuit of justice in the property sale by Nawatiseb and his wife Lina Nawatises. According to court documents filed in May 2023, Godfrey Makumbi entered into a sale agreement with the Nawatisebs for the property in question. However, the transaction soon became a point of contention. In a letter dated 10 August 2024, Boniface Makumbi,…

15 Aug

Namibia leads dialogue on agriculture and climate resilience

info_e12wt4csNational Newsagriculture and climate, Kandjii-Murangi, RUFORUM

Niël Terblanché Namibia has once again positioned itself at the forefront of agricultural and scientific innovation by hosting the second triennial conference of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). Namibia's Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, stressed at the start of the conference on Thursday the critical role of agriculture in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2—No Poverty and Zero Hunger. "The theme of this year's conference, 'Operationalising Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialisation, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action,' resonates…

15 Aug

Japan extends another lifeline to Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEl Niño, Japanese government, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

Niël Terblanché As Southern Africa grapples with one of its most severe droughts in recent history, the Government of Japan has stepped in to provide much-needed relief. The drought, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has led to a significant decline in cereal harvests, pushing the region, including Namibia, into a state of serious food insecurity. In response to this crisis, the Japanese government by way of its diplomatic representative to Namibia, Ambassador Hisao Nishimaki, announced that it has committed US$2.5 million in Emergency Grant Aid, with US$500 000 specifically allocated for Namibia. This aid will be administered through…

15 Aug

Repo cut to revive consumer spending

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Economist Halleluya Ndimulunde

CHAMWE KAIRA Economist Halleluya Ndimulunde believes that a reduction in the repo rate generally leads to lower borrowing costs for both households and businesses. The Simonis Storm Security economist said in the aftermath of Bank of Namibia cutting the interest rate by 25 basis points down to 7.50%, that this may encourage a revival in private sector credit extension, which has been subdued, as confidence in a less restrictive monetary policy environment grows. “Overall, this rate cut is likely to stimulate economic activity by improving access to credit, thereby supporting increased spending and investment across the economy,” said Ndimulunde. Additionally,…

15 Aug

Standard Bank’s profit grows 38% to N$505m

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyStandard Bank Namibia Holdings, World Economic Outlook

CHAMWE KAIRA Standard Bank Namibia Holdings profit grew by 38 % in the six months ended 30 June to N$505.7 million, the company said in interim results. The cost-to-income ratio decreased to 54.9% from 58.2% in June 2023 and return on equity improved from 15.6% in December 2023 to 18.6% in June this year. Standard Bank said net interest income increased by 18.3% to N$1billion. This increase is attributable to the growth in loans and advances to customers of 5% and the realisation of funding optimisation strategies, which improved the net interest margin to 6%, the results showed. Credit impairment…

15 Aug

Letshego to increase local ownership

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyEmployee Share Option Plan (ESOP, Letshego Africa Holdings Limited

CHAMWE KAIRA Letshego Holdings Namibia has approved the Letshego Holdings Namibia Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) Trust and this will see transfer of the trust shares from Letshego Africa Holdings Limited to the trust. The approval was made on during an annual general meeting held in Windhoek. The meeting also approved the final dividend of 36,38 cents per share paid to shareholders. In terms of the Banking Institutions Act 13 of 2023, Letshego Holdings Namibia is required to increase its level of local Namibian equity ownership to 25%. Pursuant to this requirement, Letshego plans to implement the ESOP, the aim…