Blog – Page 270 – News Stand

19 Sep

Namibia becoming major oil and gas player

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyGalp, Graff and Jonker fields, Shell and TotalEnergies

Namibia’s upstream oil and gas sector has become a focus of intense interest in recent years. The Orange Basin, off the country’s west coast, captured the energy sector’s imagination in 2022, when Shell and TotalEnergies announced the discovery of light oil and natural gas there, in the Graff and Jonker fields. In 2023, Galp joined the party, announcing their Mopane discovery, and enthusiasm soared. Until now, the Namibian upstream has been focused on exploration, and the country has yet to achieve any commercial production. However, the giant discoveries made since 2022 have changed the game and made Namibia a global…

19 Sep

Oceana’s hit by lower horse mackerel sales

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCommercial Cold Storage Logistics Group Limited, Wild Caught Seafood

CHAMWE KAIRA Oceana Group Limited said in results for 11 months ended 25 August 2024 that horse mackerel performance in Namibia was negatively impacted by a combination of lower sales volumes, resulting from decreased catch rates, and weaker market prices. In addition, vessel operating costs rose by 19% due to the lower catch rates impacting cost recovery and higher fuel costs stemming from the use of higher priced intermediate fuel oil for the entire period. The group disposed of its interest in Commercial Cold Storage Logistics Group Limited (CCS) and realised a profit of N$477 million before taxation and N$381…

19 Sep

Oryx expects to reach N$459m revenue

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBen Jooste Jooste, Dunes Mall, Oryx Properties

CHAMWE KAIRA Oryx Properties remains optimistic about the country’s growth prospects and the company’s ability to meet its target of achieving a fund size of N$4.5 billion and annual revenue of N$450 million by 2025. The company said despite anticipating short-term challenges, including national elections and global economic uncertainties, Oryx’s robust strategy positions the group for continued success. “We are well on track to meet our long-term goals,” CEO Ben Jooste Jooste added. “With a solid foundation in place and favourable market sentiment, we are confident in our ability to drive future growth and deliver value to our unitholders.” For…

19 Sep

Drilling encouraging at Andrada Mining

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAnthony Viljoen, Brandberg West mine

CHAMWE KAIRA Andrada Mining Limited, a critical raw materials producer with mining and exploration assets in the Erongo Region has provided results from its inaugural drilling programme undertaken at the historical Brandberg West mine, situated within the EPL5445 exploration licence. Andrada Mining said the objective of the drilling programme is to provide an initial indication of the grade potential and geology of the historical open pit area and to investigate the potential mineralisation of the northern extensions. Anthony Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer said Brandberg West project's initial drilling results are highly encouraging featuring significant high-grade intersections of tin, tungsten and…

19 Sep

Osino requires 1,1 million cubic meters of water

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDefinitive Feasibility Study (DFS), Kranzberg Aquifer, SLR Environmental Consulting

CHAMWE KAIRA The planned gold mine near Karibib will consumer over 1,1 million cubic meters of water, a report on the proposed abstraction of groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer in the Erongo Region. The proposed project is situated in close proximity to Usakos town. The report conducted by SLR Environmental Consulting said the current Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) mine infrastructure and plant designs at Osino Resources’s Twin Hills has indicated a daily water demand of 3 300 million cubic meters (m3) of water per day or 1,1 Million m3/annum catering for five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) throughput and sustain…

19 Sep

Vehicle sales drop in August

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

The total vehicle sales in Namibia decreased to 995 units in August falling below the 1000-unit threshold. This represents a decline from 1,172 units in July and 1,101 units in August 2023, marking contractions of 15.1% month on month and 9.6% year on year. The overall downturn was driven by decreases in both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments. Passenger vehicle sales dropped by 21.8% month on month, from 564 units in July 2024 to 441 units in August 2024. Meanwhile, commercial vehicle sales decreased by 8.9% month on month, from 608 units to 554 units over the same period.…

19 Sep

Where are the workers, do they ever matter to most Namibian political parties?

info_e12wt4csOpinionsNamibian Constitution, National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), SWAPO

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Where are the workers and how do they feature on the Namibian political landscape. Not to mention if ever the political manifestos, for what they would be worth, most for that matter which are still outstanding, would in any way speak to the plight of Namibian workers and issues surrounding their wellbeing? Yours Truly Ideologically is prompted to pose this question with the Swapo Party of Namibia having emerged from its electoral college most recently. But of with its parliamentary list, with hindsight, conspicuous with regard to the absence of the representatives of the workers. Workers in Namibia,…

18 Sep

Water wars in Eengodi Constituency

info_e12wt4csMainEengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto

Martin Endjala The Eengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto region is grappling with a water crisis due to a lack of boreholes. Residents are forced to drink water with high salinity from wells. According to Iita Sinsikus, a resident of Oshana-Shomupanda village, the constituency has had to deal with this water crisis for several years. This is despite the recently announced borehole drilling program currently being carried out by the Ministry of Water, Agriculture, and Land Reform in various regions. He told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that despite their concerns, the water crisis remains unaddressed. “As we speak, we have…

18 Sep

Ekandjo pressures Mbumba to sign anti-same-sex marriage bill into law

info_e12wt4csNational Newsban and criminalise same-sex marriage, Christine Hoebes, Jerry Ekandjo

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Jerry Ekandjo, a Swapo member of parliament has accused President Nangolo Mbumba of going against the constitution for not signing the Private Members' Bill into law. The bill seeks to ban and criminalise same-sex marriage in Namibia. Parliament passed it in July of last year after Ekandjo moved the motion. On Tuesday, Ekandjo notified the minister in the presidency, Christine Hoebes to pass on his questions to Mbumba and explain why it is taking so long to sign the private members’ bill into law. He stated that Article 30 of the Namibian Constitution addresses the oath or affirmation…

18 Sep

Deaf people fight for digital inclusion

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Paul Nanyeni

Ester Mbathera Namibia faces challenges in bridging the digital gap, especially for deaf people, who are heavily reliant on visual communication methods, such as sign language. Paul Nanyeni, the national executive director of the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) called on internet providers to ensure access to affordable and reliable internet for his members. “Many deaf individuals rely on video conferencing tools, instant messaging, and social media platforms to communicate. However, inconsistent connectivity, especially in rural areas, limits access to these essential tools. To address this issue, Telecom Namibia can focus on expanding high-speed internet to rural and…