Windhoek Observer – Page 361 – Windhoek Observer

17 Oct

Namibia leads Africa in gender equality

National News

Niël Terblanché While Namibia continues to lead in many areas of gender equality, the country’s progress must be complemented by robust, actionable strategies to further improve the lives of all citizens. While addressing participants at the 7th High-Level Gender Advisory Committee Meeting in Windhoek on Wednesday, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila hailed Namibia’s impressive progress in gender equality, announcing that the country has closed 80.2 percent of its gender gap. “According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index, this achievement places Namibia first in Sub-Saharan Africa and eighth globally,” she said. The premier expressed pride in the nation’s achievements in Education,…

17 Oct

Muinjangue dismisses NUDO-SWANU collaboration claims

National NewsBarry Rukoro, The Electoral Act

Allexer Allexer The National Unity Democratic Organization (NUDO) president, Ester Muinjangue, has said that her party is busy with campaigning and has no time to waste on collaboration claims. This comes after a NUDO faction led by Barry Rukoro announced that NUDO and the South West Africa National Union (SWANU) have joined forces to collaborate in the November elections. Muinjangue on Wednesday told the Windhoek Observer that her party has no time to comment on these claims because she is busy campaigning. “The Electoral Act is clear that one cannot belong to two parties at the same time. So, we…

17 Oct

SADC PF public hearings aim to promote citizen engagement and regional integration

National News

Moses Magadza SADC citizens will have an opportunity to engage their representatives within the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) on a range of issues when it hosts its 2024 public hearing session from 18 to 20 October. Joseph Manzi, the director of programmes at the SADC PF, said the public hearings seek to leverage the role of the SADC PF in facilitating citizen participation in regional integration, with the theme: “Leveraging the Role of SADC Parliamentary Forum in Facilitating Citizen Participation in SADC Regional Integration for Enhanced Accountability and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development and Cohesion.” The SADC PF…

17 Oct

Mbumba reports on recent diplomatic engagements

National NewsPact for the Future, Sustainable Development Goals

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba, upon returning from high-level diplomatic missions during a special meeting at State House on Thursday briefed the nation about Namibia's expanding role in global diplomacy and sustainable development. His report followed his return from the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where Namibia positioned itself as a key advocate for multilateralism, climate action, and economic reform. At the UNGA, President Mbumba co-facilitated the Summit of the Future alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “The summit, focused on advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, resulted in the adoption…

17 Oct

Footballers welcome Kuisebmond Stadium rehabilitation initiative

Observer Money

Allexer Namundjembo Soccer players and fans of the sport in Walvis Bay have welcomed the announcement by the Walvis Bay municipality to rehabilitate Kuisebmond Stadium. The municipality announced its plans in a statement on Thursday. Blue Waters soccer fan Bernard Kamatoto described the municipality's move as a life changer. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Kamatoto said sports lovers in Walvis Bay will have the opportunity to watch soccer and use the stadium for their sports activities. "At least we will have a chance to access the stadium after it is completed," he said. Former Brave Gladiators coach Paulus Shipanga also…

17 Oct

Walvis Bay municipality backtracks on Independence Beach closure

National News

Niël Terblanché The Walvis Bay Municipality has made a sudden pivot on its decision to close Independence Beach entirely during the upcoming festive season. A public notice circulated on Wednesday originally informed residents and holidaymakers that the beach would be closed due to planned upgrades of public facilities. This announcement, however, triggered an uproar across social media platforms, with many accusing the municipality of poor planning and creating chaos for those who had already booked holiday accommodation at the coast. The planned upgrade, which is part of the municipality's long-awaited initiative to improve public spaces, includes the development of a…

17 Oct

Access Bank coming to be big player

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Bank of Namibia has granted a provisional banking license to Access Bank, a Nigerian listed bank, with the goal of becoming a Tier 1 bank on the Namibian market. Head of the Access Bank Namibian project, Oluseun Onasoga, said in an interview that in every market that Access Bank operates in, its ambition is to be in the top five on the market. “We don’t want to play small. You have to have the required capital to ensure that you can support your strategic game plan. Our entry into Namibia is not to be a small player,”…

17 Oct

NASRIA eyes oil and gas sector

Energy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia Special Risks Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA) is exploring possibilities of tailored products that the firm can offer to the emerging oil and gas sector following discoveries in the Orange Basin, chairman Adrianus Vugs has said. The company recently handed over a dividend of N$16 million for the 2024 financial year to its sole shareholder, the government. Vugs said that the dividend handover is a testament to the collective efforts of NASRIA’s dedicated team, the guidance of the Board, and the strategic direction provided by government. “This dividend is not just a financial transaction; it represents the culmination…

17 Oct

PPS Namibia posts strong results

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA In 2023, PPS Namibia said it delivered a satisfying performance, surpassing most competitors despite navigating a challenging, low-growth economy. PPS Namibia recorded an operating profit of N$49.3 million. The total net (of reinsurance) claims increased from N$73.6 million to N$83.3 million. Gross insurance premium revenue increased year over year by 9%, from N$213 million to N$233 million. The company said its members in Namibia also benefited from the favourable investment market returns in 2023. Investment returns distributed to members’ PPS Profit-Share Accounts have increased from N$4.7 million in 2022 to N$176.9 million in 2023. “We continue to adhere…

17 Oct

Banks invested N$980m in bonds

Observer MoneyBank of Namibia, Energy Agency (IEA), Johannes !Gawaxab

CHAMWE KAIRA Local banks have issued green bonds worth N$980 million in the last six years, figures presented at a Bank of Namibia green financing meeting have shown. Bank Windhoek issued the country’s first green bond in 2018 and a sustainability bond in 2021, raising N$227 million to fund renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity projects. In 2022, Standard Bank Namibia issued a green bond to raise N$400 million for solar and wind energy projects, while RMB Namibia, in partnership with FNB Namibia, raised N$353 million for green buildings and renewable energy initiatives. Central bank governor Johannes !Gawaxab said the…