Windhoek Observer – Page 555 – Windhoek Observer

17 Apr

Court again dismisses Africure’s challenge against CPBN tender decision

National News

Hertta- Maria Amutenja Africure Pharmaceuticals Namibia's attempt to contest the Central Procurement Board of Namibia's (CPBN) decision on the supply of antiretroviral medication to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, has hit a wall after the Windhoek High Court delivered a blow to its legal challenge. Africure is owned by businessman Shapwa Kanyama. In the most recent ruling, High Court Judge Orben Sibeya, dismissed Africure's urgent application, marking the failure of its attempt to halt the implementation of procurement contracts with successful bidders while seeking a review of the CPBN's selection process. Acting judge Kobus Miller, in a judgement…

17 Apr

Namibia’s mining sector lacks links to local industries – NCCI

National News

Martin Endjala Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), says at present, Namibia’s natural resource industries such as the mining sector have a very low number of links to local industries. “For example, the just-ended Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) acknowledged this challenge and further provided for deliberate interventions to deepen local industry participation along the mining sector supply chains”. These were the sentiments expressed by NCCI President, Bisey Uirab on Tuesday at the Namibia Local Content Conference (NLCC) of the Oil and Gas industry held in Lüderitz. He said the conference is held against the background of the emerging…

17 Apr

BoN cautions against reducing repo rates

MainBank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab

Martin Endjala The Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab, has cautioned against reducing the repo rate because it will negatively impact the economy of the country He stated that Namibia is still battling to free itself from the economic downturn. “The Inflation rate is decelerating but it is not defeated yet, so the last thing you should do is to make policy errors to just reduce the rates now. If you look at what inflation did in the first three months of last year, you get an average of seven percent. Although it is coming down. What…

17 Apr

Opposition MP questions Mushelenga over EU envoys summon

National NewsMaximalliant Katjimune, Peya Mushelenga

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of Parliament, Maximalliant Katjimune, is questioning minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga for summoning European Union (EU) envoys for meeting a local politician. This is according to a notice of questions submitted by the parliamentarian in the National Assembly on Tuesday. To Katjimune, the summoning of EU envoys and the local German Embassy over a courtesy meeting with leaders of registered political formation is worrisome. “It was therefore quite concerning when the ministry summoned envoys from the delegation of the European Commission to Namibia, as well the local German Embassy over…

17 Apr

Nedbank Namibia to host fourth Women in Media Conference

National NewsLimba Mupetami, Nedbank Namibia to host fourth Women in Media Conference

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The fourth annual Nedbank Women in Media Conference is set to take place this Saturday at the Nedbank Campus in Windhoek. Organised by Women in Media Co-Founder, Limba Mupetami, the event aims to provide a platform for women in the Namibian media industry to engage in dialogue, networking and collaboration. With a focus on advancing gender diversity and empowerment within the media sector, the conference will feature panel discussions and interactive conversations led by esteemed speakers from media organisations, scholars and corporate entities. Topics will range from the portrayal of women in media to strategies for career advancement…

17 Apr

Outdated legislation hinders financial sector innovation- NAMFISA CEO

National NewsOutdated legislation hinders financial sector innovation- NAMFISA CEO

Hertta- Maria Amutenja Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), Kenneth Matomola, has highlighted that the outdated legislation is hindering financial sector innovation. This assertion stems from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration’s report on the stakeholder's consultative and oversight workshop on the Financial Institution and Markets Act (FIMA) held last year. The report sheds light on the regulatory challenges facing the non-banking financial institution (NBFI) sector. According to the report, various stakeholders in the financial sector raised concerns, urging a reconsideration of certain clauses within the legislation. “NAMFISA therefore indicated that the current…

17 Apr

Naanda refutes Angola beef with Namibia claims

MainPenda Naanda

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has refuted claims that the relationship existing between Namibia and its neighbouring country, Angola, is in danger of collapsing. This comes after a local daily newspaper last week published a story stating that ‘Angola’s beef with Namibia is getting real. However, Executive Director in the ministry, Penda Naanda, on Tuesday refuted the claims stating that the editorial is not only misleading but has the potential to fuel unnecessary tension between the two nations. “To suggest that the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries is in danger of collapsing is…

17 Apr

Removal of cattle from Bwabwata must be put on hold – Karondo

National NewsBwabwata National Park, Keltus Karondo

Martin Endjala Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Chairperson, Kletus Karondo, has recommended that the removal of cattle from Bwabwata National Park should be put on hold until engagements are concluded. Karondo stated this in a recent report submitted to the National Assembly for consideration, conducted from March 2022 to 2023 September. “It is evident that the issue surrounding the management of the Bwabwata National Park is long overdue. MEFT must create a platform to engage the Hambukushu Traditional Authority and find an amicable solution to the issues of the management of Bwabwata National Park,” he said. He…

16 Apr

Namibians need to create a culture of self-sufficiency – Omake Charity

National News

Martin Endjala Omake Charity Board Chairperson, Eddy Kgobetsi, says that Namibians need to create a culture of self-sufficiency to navigate the scourge of the inflation rate. He was responding to the current repo rate which stands at 7.75 percent, and it is anticipated to remain unchanged, following South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decision to maintain the repo rate at 8.25 percent at its meeting last month. Bank of Namibia (BoN) Monetary Policy Committee is expected to announce the repo rate on 17 April. Kgobetsi said it's worrisome that there are no indications of the repo rate declining anytime soon, given…

16 Apr

KEBU employees demand immediate removal of Acting Head

National News

Stefanus Nashama Staff members of the Keetmanshoop Electrical Business Unit (KEBU), an electrical department within the Keetmanshoop Municipality, are demanding the immediate removal of Lee Mweemba who was appointed by the council management to head the department in January this year. In a letter of demand sent by KEBU employees earlier this year, they contended that Mweemba is an Information Technology (IT) specialist who belongs to the municipality's finance department and not the electrical department. They are therefore demanding that he be removed from KEBU, as the department already has senior electricians, relevant technicians and electricians with the relevant qualifications…