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Northern Namibia Abattoir and Meatco engage in joint venture talks

Northern Namibia Abattoir and Meatco engage in joint venture talks

Ester Mbathera Northern Namibia Abattoir (NNA) and Meatco are currently in negotiations to form a joint venture. Ben Shikongo, the chairperson of NNA, made this statement in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. NNA operates two abattoirs, located in Eenhana and Outapi. Shikongo said this development follows a 2020 directive from the Cabinet aimed at addressing significant operational challenges faced by NNA. “The primary challenges cited by Shikongo include the lack of a market and financial constraints. We could not secure the financing because how are you going to return that financing when you have no capital? You…
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Mpox warning issued amid increase in SA cases

Mpox warning issued amid increase in SA cases

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services has urged Namibians to exercise caution following reports of an increase in the number of mpox cases in South Africa. Although Namibia has not recorded any cases, the health ministry’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, emphasised that the situation warrants concern. He added that the ministry is adhering to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, with healthcare workers advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for potential cases. Close contact with infected people or animals, as well as contaminated materials, can spread the viral infection known as mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.…
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Nathaniel Maxuilili’s spirit lives on

Nathaniel Maxuilili’s spirit lives on

Niël Terblanché Last Friday, Namibians from all walks of life gathered at Walvis Bay to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Nathaniel Maxuilili, a towering figure in the country's struggle for independence. The event was held in commemoration of his death 25 years ago. Maxuilili died on 23 June 1999 in a vehicle accident when an ambulance that was transporting him to the airport to be airlifted to Windhoek was involved in a head-on collision with a truck near Dune 7. Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, while speaking at the event in Walvis Bay, praised Maxuilili as a fearless…
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Urgent public meeting to address brutal murders in Swakopmund

Urgent public meeting to address brutal murders in Swakopmund

Niël Terblanché To address the alarming rise in crime in the Mondesa area, the regional management of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region will hold a crucial public meeting at the Multi-Purpose Centre of Swakopmund on Thursday. This meeting comes after a disturbing pattern of brutal murders, with at least one occurring each weekend over the past month, prompting concern among residents and law enforcement. The latest incident occurred early on Sunday morning, according to Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head of the community affairs sub-division in the region. The incident involved a violent altercation at the Strong Bar…
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Student teacher intake limited due to oversupply concerns

Student teacher intake limited due to oversupply concerns

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The University of Namibia (Unam) is reducing its intake of education students to address the oversupply of education graduates in the job market. This move, according to Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho, is part of a broader effort to align annual intakes with the teacher demand and supply model. "We have shifted focus away from oversupplied areas like lower and junior primary education and towards areas of teacher scarcity like Namibian languages," explained Namesho. He added that, in addition to reducing intakes, Unam has raised its admission requirements to improve the quality of its graduates. "For the secondary education…
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International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorated

The Minstry of Health and Social Services commemorated the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June 2024. The day raised awareness of the major problems that illicit drugs pose to society. This year's theme, "The evidence is clear; Invest in Prevention," highlighted the global drug crisis affecting individuals with substance use disorders and communities impacted by drug trafficking and organised crime. Key objectives for this year's commemoration included raising awareness, advocating for investment, empowering communities, facilitating dialogue and collaboration, promoting evidence-based policymaking, and engaging communities and youth. The ministry's executive director, Ben Nangombe stressed the need…
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JUDGES APPOINTED:

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Namibia has announced the appointment of new judges to the High Court, effective from 1 July 2024.The new judges were officially appointed by President Nangolo Mbumba to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary.Justice Beatrix de Jager joined the legal profession in 2004 and was admitted to the Bar in 2009.Previously, she served as an Acting Judge of the High Court from 16 January 2024 to 16 April 2024.Justice George Coleman has been appointed as an Acting Judge to serve at the High Court from 1 July to 9 December 2024. Report: Niël…
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NEFF, CDV and DPN remain deregistered

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), says the deregistration of the three political parties remains unchanged.The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) and the Democratic Party of Namibia (DPN) will stay off the list.According to a statement issued on Thursday evening, the situation remains unchanged despite a letter dated 25 June by Kadhila Amoomo on behalf of the NEFF where the legal practitioner gave the ECN until 27 June to provide clarity on its decisionThe ECN informed the parties about the deregistration in a letter dated 17 June.In response to the letter of demand, the ECN clarified…
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CRAN prepares for Universal Service Fund

CRAN prepares for Universal Service Fund

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), CEO Emilia Nghikembua talks about investments in the communication sector, Starlink submitting an application for licences, the Universal Service Fund and CRAN's position on streaming services. Observer Money (OM): It was reported by CRAN that investments in the Namibian telecommunications sector reached N$267 million during the first quarter of 2024, marking a substantial increase from the N$137 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. What do you expect for the rest of the year? Emilia Nghikembua (EN): The Authority expects continuous growth in ICT investment throughout the remainder of the year. This…
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ECB warns that missed tariff adjustment applications could cost distributors

ECB warns that missed tariff adjustment applications could cost distributors

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has cautioned that utility companies that fail to apply for tariff adjustments stand to lose revenue. The board’s chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, explained that failing to apply for tariff adjustment on time coincided with the implementation of the bulk tariff, which is effective 1 July. “As we cautioned last year during the tariff review period, all distribution utilities ought to apply for their annual tariff review immediately after the announcement of the NamPower bulk tariff. This is so because utilities that do not apply for tariff adjustments in time stand to lose…
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