Windhoek Observer

11127 Posts
Seibeb’s replacement was not because of discord with Swartbooi

Seibeb’s replacement was not because of discord with Swartbooi

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Lifalaza Simataa, the national spokesperson for the Landless People's Movement (LPM), has refuted reports that infighting with party leader Bernadus Swartbooi led to the replacement of deputy leader Henny Seibeb as the party chief whip. Simataa said this on Tuesday while confirming the appointment of Utaara Mootu as the party's new chief whip in parliament. The party announced the appointment of Mootu on its social media platforms and congratulated her on her new appointment. “Utaara Mootu is officially the new chief whip of the Landless Peoples Movement. She is now the youngest Chief Whip in the history of…
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Foreign ownership in banking institutions to be reduced

Foreign ownership in banking institutions to be reduced

Martin Endjala The new Banking Institutions Act, 2023 (Act No. 13 of 2023) sets aside 25% for Namibian investors and reduces foreign ownership in banking institutions from 100% to a set requirement of 75%. The Act applies to all banking institutions, whether Namibian-owned or not. According to Kazembire Zemburuka, the BoN’s spokesperson, this requirement aims to align banking institutions with national aspirations expressed in national development plans by fostering a blend of foreign and local ownership and enhancing local empowerment. “This ownership requirement in banking institutions applies to all new banking institutions, irrespective of whether the applicant originates from the…
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SEIBEB QUITS:

Henny Seibeb, the firebrand member of parliament of the Landless People’s Movement has resigned from parliament and the party.Seibeb’s resignation followed a few hours after he was removed as the party’s chief whip.He did not give reasons for his resignation.“Further details and information on the way forward will be provided at a later stage,” he said. Report: Ester Mbathera
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LPM RESIGNATION:

Edson Isaaks, a Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament resigned on Tuesday.He resigned a few hours after the party announced that the chief whip, Henny Seibeb, was replaced by Utaara Mootu.He did not give any reasons for his resignation.“Further details and information on the way forward will be provided at a later stage,” he said. Report: Ester Mbathera
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REGISTRATION PROGRESS:

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) registered more than 26 000 voters on the first day of general voter registration.At more than 5 000 new prospective voters, the Khomas Region recorded the highest number of registrations.The countrywide general registration of voters for the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for the end of November this year, started on Monday 3 June and is set to continue until 1 August.Registration points will operate from Monday to Saturday, between 08:00 and 19:00.Eligible Namibians are encouraged to register in their respective constituencies. Reporter: Erasmus Shalihaxwe
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NEW CHIEF WHIP:

The Landless People Movement’s (LPM) member of parliament, Utaara Mootu, has been appointed as the party's chief whip.Mootu replaces Henny Seibeb and is now the youngest chief whip in the history of the Parliament of Namibia.The party, on Tuesday, made the announcement on its social media platforms and at the same time congratulated Mootu on the new appointment. Reporter: Erasmus Shalihaxwe
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Horse Mackerel sector less optimistic about second quota auction

Horse Mackerel sector less optimistic about second quota auction

Ester Mabthera The horse mackerel fishing sector is less enthusiastic about the second auction of fishing quotas for horse mackerel. Earlier in the year, the government put 26 384 metric tons of horse mackerel on auction to the highest bidder at a minimum price set for the freezer quota is N$3 500 per metric ton, while the wet fish quota is set at N$1 000 per metric ton. Last week, the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises announced the auction of 13 584 metric tonnes of horse mackerel governmental objective quotas. Robert Shimooshili, a director at Cavema Fishing, said going…
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Higher costs of living as electricity tariff increases

Higher costs of living as electricity tariff increases

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Electricity Control Board (ECB) has announced an eight percent increase in NamPower's bulk tariff for the current financial year. This adjustment, set to take effect from 1 July, was disclosed by NamPower's managing director, Kahenge Haulofu, who attributed the hike to the rising costs of electricity generation, particularly due to higher prices for imported electricity. Haulofu elaborated on the reasons behind the tariff increase, noting the significant impact of the under-recovery of revenue. "The lower-than-projected generation from the Ruacana Hydro Power Station necessitated the replacement of this energy with more costly imports. Additionally, the depreciation of…
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PM calls for insurance innovations to combat natural disasters

PM calls for insurance innovations to combat natural disasters

Niël Terblanché Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila, the Prime Minister of Namibia, has stressed the need for the insurance industry to adopt innovative strategies to cope with the increasing incidence of natural disasters across Africa. Speaking at the 50th Conference and Annual General Assembly of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) in Windhoek, she highlighted the critical role of local insurance institutions in mitigating the impacts of climate-related catastrophes. Kuukongelwa-Amadhila emphasised the importance of building the capacity of local insurance markets to handle risks internally rather than relying excessively on foreign insurance placements. She advocated for the development and import of specialised insurance coverage…
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UNAM aims to farm with fish at Arandis

UNAM aims to farm with fish at Arandis

Niël Terblanché The University of Namibia (UNAM), through its Dr Sam Nujoma Campus Mariculture Facility, has officially applied for an aquaculture license to farm a variety of marine and freshwater species. This application, as per section 12 (4) of the Aquaculture Act No. 18 of 2002, was made public for the information of all interested and affected parties. The campus plans to cultivate an array of species including Dusky Kob, Silver Kob, European oyster, Abalone, various types of seaweed, Tilapia, and Catfish. In its application, UNAM stated that the aquaculture activities will occupy approximately 94.6 hectare of land situated in…
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