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Bukalo village ceo dismisses claims of delayed salaries

Bukalo village ceo dismisses claims of delayed salaries

Allexer Namundjembo The Bukalo Village Council CEO, Ntwala Lyamine-Sazita, has denied allegations of delayed salary payments, asserting that staff members have been receiving their salaries on time. This response comes after complaints shared with the Windhoek Observer accused the council of failing to pay salaries on time since March 2024. The complaints included claims that the council had not paid third-party contributions for nine consecutive months since March 2024. “Money is deducted from employees’ salaries but is never paid over to the third parties. The message states that non-payments led to the suspension of medical aid. Lyamine-Sazita, who joined the…
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Businessman calls for resignation of ECN bosses

Businessman calls for resignation of ECN bosses

Allexer Namundjembo While the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) challenge the outcomes of the recent elections, businessman and former Tsumeb regional councillor Nico Kaiyamo has called for the resignation of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) leadership. Kaiyamo said this on his social media platform, where he urged the nation to demand the resignation of what he called “incompetent” ECN commissioners and management. “Let us stop this opportunistic attitude of trying to privatise Namibia, as the Namibian Constitution guarantees rights and freedoms for all Namibians, not just some. Let us demand the resignation of…
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Farmers call for quick approval of Starlink

Farmers call for quick approval of Starlink

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Farmers are calling on the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and other stakeholders to fast-track the approval of Starlink services in the country to address the country’s persistent internet challenges, particularly in rural areas. Farmer Peet van Staden started an online petition for rural communities between Karasburg and Aroab, out on the D612, requesting that the process to approve Starlink be conducted transparently and equitably to ensure timely implementation. “Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for education, healthcare, business, and overall social development,” reads the petition. The farmers also makes the case…
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Namibia’s oil ambitions suffer a severe blow

Namibia’s oil ambitions suffer a severe blow

Niël Terblanché Oil giant, Shell has dealt a severe blow to Namibia’s aspirations of becoming a crude oil producer by announcing plans to write off approximately US$400 million tied to its offshore oil discovery in block PEL39. According to a statement published on the website of the African Emergency Council, the international oil company cited technical and geological challenges that rendered the resources commercially unviable for development. “The discovered oil and gas resources in offshore block PEL39 in Namibia cannot currently be confirmed for commercial development,” the company said in its statement. In the meantime, Shell’s partner in the venture,…
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Namibia and Ghana forge stronger economic ties

Namibia and Ghana forge stronger economic ties

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation across various sectors following talks between Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba and Ghanaian President John Mahama. The discussions between the two heads of state took place on the sidelines of President Mahama’s inauguration in Accra, where he was sworn in as Ghana’s leader. During the meeting, President Mbumba congratulated President Mahama on his election victory, describing it as a milestone for democracy in Ghana. He also commended the historic election of Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s first female Vice President, and lauded Ghana’s long-standing…
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Exciting developmental football projects promised for 2025

Exciting developmental football projects promised for 2025

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has announced a series of exciting developments for the new year, including groundbreaking sponsorships for the second and third divisions by Namibia Ports Authority and Sisa Namandje Inc. This marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time in Namibian football history that all 14 regions will have active third divisions and regional women’s leagues. NFA spokesperson Isack Hamata stated on Thursday that the sponsorship aligns with the NFA Executive Council’s strategic objective of allowing every aspiring young footballer to play at a level that matches their abilities. “Exciting developments are already…
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On contradictions of propagandists vs praise-singers

On contradictions of propagandists vs praise-singers

PAUL T. SHIPALE I read an opinion piece by Bob Kandetu written on 14 December 2024 and that appeared in the Confidénte of 20 December 2024-10 January 2025 titled; “Propagandists and disinformation, Thank you dearly Comrade Ellen Musialela”. In that article Kandetu advises the nation of the need to stay the course and be concerted and vigilant… betting that Mukwanangombe will do the best to appoint people of quality to her government. Kandetu said “the Netumbo regime must not be perked on vengefulness, examining closets in bedrooms and what not. But the regime must see to it that not again…
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Rosh Pinah expansion reaches 60% mark

Rosh Pinah expansion reaches 60% mark

CHAMWE KAIRA The Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project is making significant progress and has now passed the 60% completion mark, the mine has announced. The mine is owned by Appian Capital Advisory LLP since 2023. In 2023, the mine produced 74 605 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 20 265 tonnes of lead concentrate, according to the Chamber of Mines of Namibia figures. Rosh Pinah said the construction of the paste fill plant is advancing well and is on track for the scheduled commissioning towards the start of the second quarter. “The installation of the associated underground piping and boreholes for…
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GDP expected to grow to 5.8% in 2026

GDP expected to grow to 5.8% in 2026

CHAMWE KAIRA GDP is expected to grow to 5.8% in 2026 from a growth of 4% in 2024, according to Bank of Namibia figures. This high growth is based on the back of oil, gas and green hydrogen investments. This growth compares to 3.5% recorded in 2024 and 4.2% recorded in 2023, according to the central bank. The central bank has projected inflation to reach 4% in 2025, down from 4.3% in 2024. The average annual inflation was 6.5% in 2022 and 5.8% in 2023. The major oil finds off the country's coast are estimated to hold around 11 billion…
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New vehicle market to rebound this year

New vehicle market to rebound this year

CHAMWE KAIRA The confluence of positive economic indicators and the resilience of the volume passenger car segment during the last quarter of 2024 suggests a potential rebound for the new vehicle market in 2025, the Automotive Business Council has revealed in its December 2024 new vehicle sales statistics. Namibia imports a large number of cars from South Africa. The council said the South African Reserve Bank’s two interest rate cuts towards year-end, the first in four years, coupled with easing inflation, have created a more favourable economic environment. Additionally, lower fuel prices have bolstered consumer confidence and disposable income, as…
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