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Local content in oil & gas: a catalyst for shared growth

Local content in oil & gas: a catalyst for shared growth

Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni In light of the recent oil and gas discoveries in Namibia, local content was a central focus at the recently concluded 6th edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference, which was attended by over 750 delegates from 46 nations. In the oil and gas industry, local content refers to the development of local industries, workforce, and resources to support the operations of international oil companies within a country. For Namibia, fostering ‘Namibian Content’ can significantly enhance economic growth, social development, and technological advancement. As highlighted by the World Bank, “Implementing effective local content policies can drive economic…
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Fuel price decreases assist consumers

Fuel price decreases assist consumers

Niël Terblanché Namibian consumers will feel some financial relief after the Ministry of Mines and Energy announced a decrease in fuel prices. The price of petrol in Walvis Bay will drop to N$22.20 per litre, 50ppm Diesel to N$21.57 per litre, and 10ppm Diesel to N$21.67 per litre. Effective from 3 July, the downward adjustment of fuel prices follows a comprehensive review of the global oil market and local pricing dynamics, reflecting recent trends in oil prices and the Namibian Dollar's exchange rate. According to the energy ministry, a notable decline in oil prices to a four-month low, driven by…
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Swapo launches campaign information dissemination tools

Swapo launches campaign information dissemination tools

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Swapo has launched information dissemination tools, which will be used to disseminate its election campaign messages. The party’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the platform will be used to inform voters about party policies, values, and agenda. “Above all, this website is an online platform for political mobilisation. Through this website, we can reach voters from the comfort of their homes. The Swapo party website vehicle will also carry various social media platforms, such as Facebook, X and TikTok, YouTube, Radio programs, Namibia Today newspaper, news updates, a calendar of events and many more,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah. The website…
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Ngoma rejects Botswana chief’s involvement in Masubia chieftainship

Stefanus Nashama The head of Ngoma Royal House has rejected the involvement of Chief Munitenge Nkonkwena from the Masubia tribe in Botswana in the process of the succession of the Namibian Masubia Traditional Authority chieftainship position. The Masubia people have been without a leader since the passing of Chief Munitenge Kisco Liswani III in 2021. In a letter addressed to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, by the head of Ngoma Royal House, Prince Bartholomew S. Maiba, seen by the Windhoek Observer, Maiba explained why Nkonkwena’s involvement was not in line with the processes of succession according…
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Churches plan to pray against LGBTQ+ agenda

Churches plan to pray against LGBTQ+ agenda

Stefanus Nashama A committee consisting of church leaders opposed to homosexuality and same-sex marriage has invited the rest of the country to join the prayers against the agenda of the LGBTQ+ community. The planned payer event is set for 6 July. Pendapala Nakathingo, the group chairperson, announced this last week. The group includes Paulus Nuuyoma, the vice chairperson, Reverend Laban Mwashekele, and many other bishops and pastors from different churches and denominations. "We plan to have a massive session to pray for Namibia. Our country needs massive prayers because of the evil spirit flying across Namibia and Africa. Our fallen…
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India set to provide medical machinery to treat cancer

India set to provide medical machinery to treat cancer

Niël Terblanché The Oshakati Intermediate Hospital is set to receive Bhabhatron machines for cancer treatment, provided by the Indian government. This decision follows the visit of India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Namibia last year. The Indian High Commissioner to Namibia, Mandarapu Subbarayudu, during a farewell courtesy call on President Nangolo Mbumba at State House last week, announced that once the necessary administration is finalised and the infrastructure at the hospital is sufficiently prepared and ready, the machines will be installed at the hospital. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developed Bhabhatron machines, which are advanced external beam radiation therapy…
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UDF accuses Omaruru town council of poor service delivery

UDF accuses Omaruru town council of poor service delivery

Martin Endjala The United Democratic Front (UDF) branch has criticised the Omaruru Municipality for poor service delivery. This comes after the Omaruru Town Council announced a project to allocate 1 700 plots in extension 12 to build houses for middle- and ultra-low-income people. According to the branch chairperson, Eberth Gariseb, the residents have been demanding land for many years, but their calls have gone unanswered, and they are no longer content to sit around. “The planned 1 700 plots in extension 12 is a great thing, and we commend them for that. But we, as residents of the town, are…
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White people don’t need to buy Namibia; they own the country already – Mulongeni

White people don’t need to buy Namibia; they own the country already – Mulongeni

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Social commentator Ben Mulongeni said Namibians only own the country politically and geographically, but economically, the country is owned by white people. “Therefore, the white people are not interested in buying a country they already own,” he said. Mulongeni made these comments in an audio recording circulating on social media, in response to what he described as some politicians spreading misleading information during election campaigns. He mentioned that he has heard some politicians claim that certain political parties have leaders who, if they win the elections, will sell the country to white people and Western nations. “You can’t…
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Drought hits aquaculture fisheries sector

Drought hits aquaculture fisheries sector

Ester Mbathera A lack of fish feed and other essential raw materials is among the challenges facing the aquaculture fisheries sector. The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sylvia Makgone, admitted this on Monday during a public update on the sector. She attributed the lack of feed to a shortage of mahangu and maize, which are key ingredients in fish feed production. Namibia does not produce soya beans, the cheapest ingredient. “We have a challenge with fish feed. No one in Namibia is producing fish feed, and the ministry on its own started producing, but the type of fish…
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High Court dismissed N$184 billion lawsuit case against Standard Bank

High Court dismissed N$184 billion lawsuit case against Standard Bank

Ester Mbathera The High Court of Namibia has struck down the case involving businessman Daniel Kamunoko, who is suing Standard Bank Namibia Limited, and several respondents for US$8.9 billion (about N$184 billion). The matter was removed from the roll on 25 June marking it as inactive, effectively ending the current proceedings without further action. “The case is struck from roll in terms of R132(10) and finalised as Case Inactive (Rule 132),” reads the court documents. This is despite the fact that this was appealed in the Supreme Court under case no. SA 7/0023. Kamunoko cited the Supreme Court delay as…
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