Blog – Page 233 – News Stand

29 Sep

Katima Mulilo correctional facility transformed into agricultural hub

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché On Friday, Namibia took an innovative step towards improving food security and rehabilitating offenders serving sentences in prison with the inauguration of an agricultural project at the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility. The project, located in the Zambezi region, aims to repurpose the idle Katima Farm into a food-producing correctional facility, marking an important milestone for both the country’s correctional system and agricultural sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, while speaking at the event, stressed the transformative potential of the project. "This facility will not only provide a secure environment for individuals serving…

29 Sep

Envisaged LPG terminal to strengthen Namibia’s energy security

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyLiquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Walvis Bay Corridor Group

Niël Terblanché A new era in Namibia’s energy landscape started on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony at the envisaged Erongo Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Import Bulk Storage Facility in Walvis Bay. The project will address the country's severe LPG shortages while also fostering trade with its neighbours. The Erongo regional governor, Neville Andre, while speaking at the ceremony, explained the strategic importance of the project, which will cater not only to Namibia but also to Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and various other countries from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “This facility will not only cater to the Namibian market but…

27 Sep

Gold refinery out of reach for Namibia

info_e12wt4csMainHeye Daun

CHAMWE KAIRA There is little hope that Namibia will be able to refine gold locally in the near future. This is despite increasing gold production and the development of a third gold mine. The outgoing CEO of Osino Resources, Heye Daun, explained that Namibia and South Africa have similar regulations around gold and that gold refining and all gold production in Namibia go to the Rand Refinery in Johannesburg. “We had this discussion before. A refinery in Namibia is not economically viable. Refineries are very expensive. They require big orders of big magnitude,” said Daun. Rand Refinery was established by…

26 Sep

Mbumba calls for global climate action and fair representation at UNGA

info_e12wt4csNational NewsState of Emergency, UNGA’s 79th session

Niël Terblanché In his address at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Nangolo Mbumba delivered an address centred on Namibia's commitment to sustainable development, multilateralism, and justice. Mbumba stressed the importance of global cooperation in tackling the pressing challenges of climate change, conflict, and economic inequities, while also advocating for African representation in international governance bodies such as the UN Security Council. “Namibia is deeply affected by climate change and is experiencing severe environmental consequences that have disrupted fisheries and agriculture, especially under the El Niño phenomenon,” he told the world leaders assembled in New…

26 Sep

Amupanda seeks legal protection in red line case

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRed Line

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Affirmative Repositioning movement’s (AR) leader, Job Amupanda has requested protection from legal costs in his ongoing lawsuit against the government for the removal of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, also known as the red line. He was seeking an order from the court that would prevent any adverse cost ruling if he loses the case during the matter’s hearing in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday. "I pray to this Honourable Court for an order in terms of which I am protected against an adverse cost order in the event that I am unsuccessful in this matter. For…

26 Sep

RDP not Swapo’s enemy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMike Kavekotora, Sophia Shaningwa

Ester Mbathera The Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) president, Mike Kavekotora, has dismissed claims that his party is an enemy of Swapo. Kavekotora was responding to claims made in a controversial letter attributed to Swapo’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, which alleges that RDP agents have infiltrated Swapo since 2007 where after some of them have allegedly obtained leadership positions. “I question the authenticity of this letter. I know Shaningwa very well. She was my employee at NHE and she cannot possibly be so ignorant and out of touch with reality,” he said. In the event that the letter was…

26 Sep

IPPR calls on Samherji to drop charges against visual artist

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has signed a petition calling for the Icelandic fishing giant Samherji to drop its punitive legal action against an Icelandic visual artist. The IPPR’s executive director, Graham Hopwood on Thursday criticised Samherji’s actions of pursuing legal cases against Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, who goes by the artist name ODEE. The case, being heard in the High Court in London on 25 and 26 September 2024, is expected to cost ODEE legal fees of over £500,000 (N$11.5 million). “Samherji should focus their minds on paying damages to Namibia for the harm caused by…

26 Sep

IPC pledges to combat unemployment crisis

info_e12wt4csNational Newsemployment statistics, Unemployment

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has unveiled its plan to tackle the country's high unemployment rate, which the party blames on the Swapo. IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge, in a statement released on Wednesday, said unemployment remains one of the ruling party's most significant shortcomings over the past 34 years. He said IPC is committed to reversing the trend. “Unemployment remains one of the most significant failures of the ruling party over the last 34 years. IPC's largest focus is to change that. We’ve done our research,” he said. IPC’'s election manifesto has prioritised the fight against unemployment.…

26 Sep

Festival in Karibib aimed at driving economic development

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Amalgamated Rotation Annual Festival (ARAF) has kicked off in Karibib, marking the start of the second edition of the joint trade expo created by the towns of Omaruru, Karibib, and Usakos. ARAF was established in 2022 under the framework of the Omaruru, Karibib, and Usakos Local Authority Corporation (OKULAC) to promote collaboration, resource-sharing, and economic growth in the three towns. This year’s edition, themed “Bigger, Better, Broader”, promises to exceed expectations with a wide range of activities aimed at fostering market expansion and economic integration within the region. Valentinus Sindongo, the chairperson of OKULAC, announced that Usakos…

26 Sep

Namibian magistrates call for unity of purpose

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The 2024 Annual Magistrates’ Conference concluded on Wednesday with a call for unity and reform within Namibia's judicial system. Deputy Chief Magistrate, Kandiwapa Nembia while delivering closing remarks in Swakopmund, stressed the importance of improved collaboration between magistrates. This year's conference, themed “Fostering a Unified Magistracy,” brought together magistrates from across Namibia to discuss ways to improve service delivery, address regional challenges, and ensure uniformity in court proceedings. At the start of the conference, Chief Justice Peter Shivute said a unified magistracy is vital for maintaining public trust in the judicial system. "When the public sees that our…