info_e12wt4cs – Page 295

11 Aug

No contenders for PDM top positions yet

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsManuel Ngaringombe, PDM

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the official opposition party, will be holding its elective congress from 22 to 24 August in the Zambezi region. However, party members have not yet made any announcements regarding their candidatures for top positions. Manuel Ngaringombe, the party’s secretary general, has confirmed that all positions, including party president, vice president, secretary general, and parliamentary list, will be up for grabs. ''At the moment, we have nobody yet who has indicated their intentions of challenging for any position. Maybe there are people out there who have done so, but they have not made it…

11 Aug

Namibian economy projected to grow by 3.1 percent

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia's August economic outlook predicts that the domestic economy will grow by 3.1 percent in 2024 and by 3.9 percent in 2025. The bank reported that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is, however, projected to slow down in 2024, due mainly to subdued growth in the global economy, affecting demand for minerals, and prevailing drought conditions. “Real GDP growth is projected to moderate downward to 3.1 percent in 2024, from 4.2 percent registered in 2023. Besides the weak demand, high base effects from the mining industry are expected to exert downward pressure on…

11 Aug

Ancient Tracking Skills and New Tech Are Protecting Namibia’s Endangered Pangolins

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEndangered Pangolins, Indigenous San people, the Nyae Nyae Conservancy Office

Ester Mbathera Scientists and the Indigenous San people are working together to protect these elusive creatures, which play a vital role in ecological balance. A subtle rustle from a nearby bush is enough to prompt Cwi and his group to halt in their steps. The rangers have spent nearly a week trekking through the treacherous community forest, located 36 kilometers from the Nyae Nyae Conservancy Office, in search of the ever-so-elusive Temminck’s ground pangolin. Once the animal is confirmed to be a pangolin, a ranger quickly attaches a VHF and GPS transmitter while Cwi* holds the mammal steady on the…

08 Aug

Tax threshold increase brings relief to homeowners

info_e12wt4csMainIipumbu Shiimi, Income Tax Act 24 of 1981

Martin Endjala Homeowners stand to benefit from the increase in the tax threshold from N$50 000 to N$100 000. This follows the presentation of proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act, 24 of 1981, in the National Assembly by finance minister, Iipumbu Shiimi this week. According to Josef Sheehama, an independent bank researcher and economist, homeowners will only have to pay tax on the amount that exceeds N$100 000. "This is a wise decision, even though government tax revenue will marginally decline. For those looking to purchase a home, this is welcome news because bond costs are expensive," he said.…

08 Aug

Katjimune warns of constitutional violations in Public Protests Law

info_e12wt4csNational Newsconstitutional violations, Katjimune, Public Protests Law

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Maximalliant Katjimune, a Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of Parliament, has criticised the government for introducing the Public Gatherings and Public Processions Bill. He described the bill as an oppressive law that is in violation of the Namibian Constitution. Albert Kawana, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, introduced the bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday. “Introducing a bill called the Public Gatherings and Public Processions Bill. That is wrong. Because effectively, what this bill aims to do is suppress Article 21 of the Constitution as far as fundamental rights and freedoms are concerned, specifically…

08 Aug

Labour introduces workplace flexibility for breastfeeding mothers

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The deputy minister of labour, industrial relations, and employment creation, Hafeni Ndemula, has presented a proposal to adopt and implement the International Labour Organisation (ILO) law to allow breastfeeding women to have a daily break or reduction of hours. During the presentation in parliament on Wednesday, Ndemula emphasised the ratification of ILO Convention No. 183 of 2000 on maternity protection. He said the proposal will enable women to continue breastfeeding upon return to work after maternity leave, which is in the best health interests of mother and child and is also in line with the World Health Organisation's…

08 Aug

NEFF’s court challenge against deregistration dismissed

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A full bench of justices of the High Court of Namibia dismissed the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters' (NEFF) case against the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on Thursday. The NEFF had challenged the ECN's decision to deregister the party, alleging procedural and substantive irregularities. The judgment was delivered by Judges Hosea Angula, Orben Sibeya, and Beatrix de Jager, who found that the Electoral Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter. The bench concluded that the NEFF's application did not raise an electoral issue as defined under Section 168(1)(e) of the Electoral Act, which limits the court's review jurisdiction…

08 Aug

Mulunga cleared of all disciplinary charges

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNAMCOR

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The suspended managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Immanuel Mulunga, has been cleared of all charges in a disciplinary hearing held in Windhoek. The judgement was delivered on 7 August by the chairperson of the hearing, retired Supreme Court Justice, Gerhard Maritz. Maritz determined that the disciplinary complaints against Mulunga were not sufficiently established. "In the result, my determination in these disciplinary proceedings against the employee is that none of the disciplinary complaints against the employee have been established by the employer on a balance of probabilities. It follows that all the complaints against…

08 Aug

Health ministry pushes for one health regulatory body

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHealth Ministry

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services has introduced the Health Professions Council of Namibia Bill, which seeks to reduce the number of health regulatory bodies from five to one umbrella body. Esther Muinjangue, the deputy minister of health and social services, argued in Parliament on Tuesday that the bill is long overdue and would help reduce the number of council members and save money on travel, meetings, and other expenses. “It means that there are five acts or laws currently administered by one secretariat. The bill makes provision for the establishment of a single…

08 Aug

IPC calls for collective efforts to fight crime

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIndependent Patriots for Change

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called on the nation to unite in efforts to collectively fight violent crime. The party spokesperson, Immanuel Nashinge, made this statement on Thursday in response to the recent violent death of Matheus Sheehama from Walvis Bay. “We call upon the Namibian police, parents, and our communities to bolster their efforts in addressing these violent crimes as a collective. Efforts to combat crime can’t be left alone to Nampol,” he said. Nashinge said the incident in which Sheehama lost his life highlights a grave issue that demands immediate attention. He said the…