info_e12wt4cs – Page 705

15 May

Alternative candidates were contacted as replacement – NCS

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlternative candidates were contacted as replacement - NCS

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it contacted some candidates as an alternative to replace those who did not make it to the training for various reasons. Namibian Correctional Service’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Salmi Hangula said candidates who were contacted to join the training at the later stage are those that were part of the waiting list. She said this in response to allegations that the last NCS recruitment process that took place in January was not fair and equitable. “They were called to replace candidates who were selected but did not report for training, those who…

15 May

Namibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

Niël Terblanché The Namibian economy is set to feel severe negative effects of geopolitical tensions after the Namibian Dollar lost significant ground against the United States Dollar after rumours surfaced last week that South Africa sold weapons to Russia to aid the country in its special military operation in Ukraine. The Namibian Dollar which is pegged to the South African Rand weakened to over N$19 against the US Dollar after remarks made by Reuben Brigety, the American Ambassador to South Africa, about the purported weapons sale last week. Brigety in a widely broadcasted interview said he would bet his life…

15 May

Endjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEndjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Erginus Endjala, the Governor of Omusati, has urged Nampower to consider less drastic measures than cutting off electricity supply to customers that have defaulted on outstanding debt. Endjala made this statement following last week’s announcement by Namibia Power Corporation Limited (NamPower) that it would suspend electricity to defaulting customers from June 5 unless the outstanding overdue amounts are settled. “We have to look at all factors in this situation that could be affected by the load shedding. One thing we have to look at is that this electricity supplies also households, schools, clinics and so forth. If for…

15 May

Poor performance of Ruacana hydropower plant hikes electricity costs

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPoor performance of Ruacana hydropower plant hikes electricity costs

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board Chief Executive Officer Robert Kahimise blamed the underperformance of the Ruacana Hydro Power Plant as one of many contributing factors to the high cost of electricity imports, which leads to a higher tariff under-recovery. The CEO made this remark during the announcement of ECB’s revision of bulk electricity tariffs last week Friday in Windhoek. He said that the electricity that was not generated at Ruacana as anticipated during the previous period was replaced by imports at a higher cost. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and relevant government stakeholders will soon engage their Angolan…

15 May

Collection of chronic medication made easier

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Long queues and unbearable waiting hours are a thing of the past, as patients on chronic medication can now collect their medicines via Pelebox. The new service is available to all eligible patients with controlled viral loads for example, at the discretion of their health doctors or practitioners and will be accessible at 19 public health facilities countrywide. This is according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services Chief Clinical Mentor, Jacques Kamangu, during a talk show on National TV this week. The Pelebox will be officially launched next week Tuesday at the Katutura Intermediate State Hospital…

15 May

Selfless sacrifice keeps the nation healthy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSelfless sacrifice keeps the nation healthy

Niël Terblanché Namibia joined the rest of the world in honouring nurses for their sacrifice and selfless dedication to the health and well-being of people everywhere. President Hage Geingob in a special message on behalf of all Namibians said that everyone recognises the extraordinary contributions of Namibian nurses in the national healthcare system. International Nurses Day was commemorated on Friday under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future.” International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on 12 May to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. The day recognises nurses’ contributions to healthcare…

15 May

Consensus averts disastrous Keetmanshoop by-election

info_e12wt4csMainConsensus averts disastrous Keetmanshoop by-election

Niël Terblanché and Stefanus Nashama A consensus that was reached between political parties contesting in the Keetmanshoop by-election averted a situation which would have kept voters from electing a new representative on the rural constituency council. The Karas Regional Coordinator of the SWAPO Party, Mathew Mumbala, said that the consensus was reached in the interest of democracy. Mumbala said all contesting parties agreed that the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s efforts to re-issue voter cards to people who lost their cards or to those whose documents were destroyed or have become illegible two days before the election would have derailed the…

12 May

More companies looking for lithium

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA While the focus in recent weeks has been the controversies surrounding the revocation of the lithium mining issued to Xingfeng investments by Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo data obtained from the Chamber of Mines of Namibia show more companies are looking for lithium in Namibia. The demand for lithium has increased as the auto industry shifts towards electric vehicles (EVs) - spurred by proposed bans on fossil-fuel cars. China is the world’s top lithium refiner. One of the companies looking for lithium is Lepidico, which is a global lithium exploration and development company that is listed…

12 May

Petroleum topped import bill in March

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

The highest import bill in March was petroleum (N$2.2 billion), followed by copper (N$1.5 billion) and vehicles for the transport of goods N$622 million, this is based on trade statistics released by the Namibia Statistics Agency. According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), 145,345 tonnes of goods have exited the country by road in March 2023, compared to 138,875 in February 2023. Most of the road transport consisted of petroleum, fish, and live animals. Commenting on the trade statistics, Simonis Storm Securities, said due to the loadshedding in South Africa, the harbors cannot run at full capacity allowing for more…

12 May

We need support to promote Namibia- Gys Joubert, Gondwana Collection Namibia CEO

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

This week Observer Money speaks to Gys Joubert, Gondwana Collection Namibia CEO about business in the aftermath of Covid-19. Observer Money (OM): Describe Gondwana’s recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic? Gys Joubert (GJ): I would describe it as measured. We are grateful that tourism is returning on quite an aggressive trajectory, but the impact of COVID-19 will linger for years to come. We turned profitable in the second half of 2022 and the changes and decisions we made during COVID-19 are enabling our ability now to repay debt incurred during the crisis. (OM): What is the current state of the…