Windhoek Observer – Page 444 – Windhoek Observer

30 May

Washed-up fish safe for consumption

National News

Niël Terblanché Crowds of people have flocked to the beaches in and around Swakopmund to collect large quantities of dead fish and crustaceans that washed ashore overnight. According to Uaripi Katjiukua, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, scientists employed by the ministry said that this phenomenon is attributed to a significant upwelling of an algal bloom, commonly known as a red tide. She said that the ministry’s scientists explained that the algal bloom emerged during the recent calm sea conditions, which were influenced by the east wind weather patterns experienced along the Namibian coast over the…

30 May

Jacob Marenga the lone hero

National News

Stefanus Nashama The City of Windhoek was unable to locate the family of one of the nation's heroes, Jacob Marenga, better known as Jakob Marengo, to honour him during the recent street renaming and naming ceremony. In Otjiherero, "Marenga" means "kings." Seventeen streets were renamed, and others were named after notable individuals, including Marengo. Relatives and friends of those named after the street delivered mini-eulogies on their behalf. When it was Marengo’s time, no one was present to talk about him. The City of Windhoek's spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, confirmed Marengo's lack of representation. “Despite considerable efforts, we were unable to…

30 May

Disqualified from drought relief food

Main

Martin Endjala Officials tasked with registering people in need of drought food aid reportedly refused to add several households in rural areas to the list. According to Hangula Toivo, the caretaker of a house in Cham Cham village in Nehale Lya Mpingana Constituency in the Oshikoto Region, the house owner's employment in the city disqualifies him from receiving food. “The owner does not live here, I do. Why must I now be denied the chance to get drought food like everybody else? Whoever came up with such a concept is wrong. We barely have enough money to buy bread, and…

30 May

MTC’s revenue up by 5,91% to N$1,57 billion

Observer Money

Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC)’s revenue increased by 5,91% to N$1,57 billion for the period under review, due to increased demand for high-speed data connectivity and value-added managed services which contributed towards the group, this was contained in interim results for the six months ended 31 March. Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by 4,9% to N$700 million from N$734 million in the same period last year, due to increases in direct and operating costs. Following a Supreme Court ruling on section 23 of the Communications Amendment Act on 13 March 2024, MTC was found liable for levies…

30 May

AFD eye renewable energy battery projects

Energy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group of France is investigating the possibility of funding renewable energy battery storage projects in Namibia, Head of State Owned Enterprises, Ntumba Katabua disclosed in an interview. Battery energy storage systems operate by converting electricity from the grid or a power generation source (such as from solar or wind) into stored chemical energy. Katabua explained that the batteries could store power that could be used when there is no sunlight, for example at night. Katabua further said AFD looking at the possibility of supporting a prefeasibility study or feasibility study see whether there…

30 May

Biomass industry has N$21 billion potential

Energy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Namibian biomass industry has a value chain potential of about N$21 billion, CEO of the Namibia Biomass Industry Group, Progress Kashandula said in an interview. He was speaking on the sidelines of a signing ceremony for the N$2,3 billion, 40 MW Otjikoto Biomass Power Project. Four local biomass companies will supply 180 000 tons per annum of wood chips in total for a combined annual contract value of N$188 million. Kashandula said the issue of wood harvesting is based on bush encroachment as a degrading factor to the agriculture sector, especially in terms that it being a…

30 May

Dongfang seeking to construct hydrogen projects

Energy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Dongfang Electric of China has expressed interest in constructing and supplying equipment for the planned green hydrogen projects in the country. Xiong Chao, Deputy General Manager of M&E Division II, told Observer Money that most of its business is construction, manufacture and supply of equipment for energy projects such as hydrogen projects. “We are one of the biggest power equipment manufacturers, if there are some hydrogen projects, that are interested to work with us, we would be interested to work with them and partner on these hydrogen projects.” Chao said the company has worked on many hydrogen energy…

30 May

Itope takes the reigns at CPBN

Observer Money

Idi Itope will take over as new CEO of the Central Procurement Board of Namibia effective 1 June. Itope has previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Namibia Revenue Agency. Itope told Observer Money that the CPBN has many challenges and that his approach will be to first understand the internal environment and do what is necessary and possible to overcome them in a coordinated and long lasting manner. Observer Money (OM): What led you to take up this challenge? Idi Itope (II): I decided to compete transparently with other equally capable Namibians for the Chief Executive Officer position primarily because…

30 May

Body of drowning victim recovered at Walvis Bay

National News

Niël Terblanché The body of Edison Sidney Geiseb, a 34-year-old man who drowned at Independence Beach on 18 May 2024, was recovered by divers from the Namibian Navy after an extensive search lasting 12 days. Geiseb went missing one afternoon in the middle of May while swimming with his 23-year-old girlfriend and another 27-year-old friend. His disappearance under the waves at the popular beach in Walvis Bay prompted a significant search effort along the coast. Chief Inspector Illeni Shapumba, head of the Namibian Police’s community affairs division in the Erongo Region, reported that Geiseb’s body was discovered on Wednesday by…

30 May

Paratus to invest N$600m in revenue generation

Observer Money

Paratus Namibia Holdings Limited (PNH) has announced that it successfully raised over N$600-million through its recent rights Issue and investment drive, which was fully subscribed. This significant capital infusion has effectively doubled the company’s market capital on the Namibia Stock Exchange News (NSX). The funds will be allocated to expand Paratus Namibia’s existing offerings by enhancing its core systems and infrastructure. The investment is expected to enable the company to adapt and transform its business model to meet the evolving demands of customers and the market. Paratus operates in seven African countries, Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and…