Blog – Page 311 – News Stand

04 Jun

Political parties granted permission to observe voter registration

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Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has granted all political parties permission to observe the nationwide voter registration. The Landless People's Movement (LPM) is among the first parties to be granted this permission In a letter dated 31 May, seen by this publication, the ECN chief electoral referenda officer, Petrus Shaama said that, in accordance with the commission's values, there is no objection to granting registered political parties or organisations access to registration venues to observe the voter registration process. “This access is contingent upon submitting a request through the Office of the Chief and management via an…

04 Jun

Student bodies not part of protest against NSFAF

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Stefanus Nashama Student bodies have distanced themselves from a protest action to take place this Thursday as announced by social justice activist Michael Amushelelo. Amushelelo informed the Namibian Police Force on Monday about the intended protest action, stating that many students have sought assistance from his political party, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), to intervene in the matter. “The beneficiaries of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), of whom a majority are students, have called upon the assistance and guidance of NEFF to champion their genuine demands. It is not correct that NSFAF has given our people false…

04 Jun

School forced to close as wells run dry

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Martin Endjala Residents of the Ongaaka village in the Omuthiya Constituency in the Oshikoto Region are facing a shortage of water as the wells have run dry. Emilia Tobias, a concerned community member, told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday that the village has been facing the same issue for many years. According to Tobias, the situation caused the closure of the Kandume Combined School. “The school has no water, and learners who are in the hostel are sometimes sent back home because of the shortage of water. Most of the houses here have tap water, but most of the time…

04 Jun

Seal genitalia open Pandora’s box for Henties Bay seal factory ownership

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Ester Mbathera The ownership of the Henties Bay Seal Products Factory is again being disputed after the company failed in its bid to reclaim 501 boxes of seized seal products The bid to reclaim the products was dismissed in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court recently. Seal Products is harvesting and processing a seal quota in their Henties Bay and Lüderitz factories. The controversy began on 10 January when the Namibian Revenue Agency (NAMRA) conducted a coordinated intervention at a warehouse in Sun Industrial Park, Windhoek, shared by Seal Products and Golden Lion Investment CC. Inspector Felix Ndikoma, a member of the…

04 Jun

AEA questions the new national minimum wage

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Niël Terblanché The Agricultural Employers' Association (AEA) has expressed strong objections to the new national minimum wage of N$18 per hour announced by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. According to the AEA’s principal officer, Danie van Vuuren, the Ministry's announcement over the past weekend stated that the agricultural minimum wage will see a significant increase from 1 to 2025, starting at N$10 per hour plus in-kind benefits such as rations. According to the ministry's announcement, the phased implementation plan calls for raising the wage to N$14 an hour in 2026 and then to N$18 an hour…

04 Jun

Seibeb’s replacement was not because of discord with Swartbooi

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Lifalaza Simataa, the national spokesperson for the Landless People's Movement (LPM), has refuted reports that infighting with party leader Bernadus Swartbooi led to the replacement of deputy leader Henny Seibeb as the party chief whip. Simataa said this on Tuesday while confirming the appointment of Utaara Mootu as the party's new chief whip in parliament. The party announced the appointment of Mootu on its social media platforms and congratulated her on her new appointment. “Utaara Mootu is officially the new chief whip of the Landless Peoples Movement. She is now the youngest Chief Whip in the history of…

04 Jun

Foreign ownership in banking institutions to be reduced

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Martin Endjala The new Banking Institutions Act, 2023 (Act No. 13 of 2023) sets aside 25% for Namibian investors and reduces foreign ownership in banking institutions from 100% to a set requirement of 75%. The Act applies to all banking institutions, whether Namibian-owned or not. According to Kazembire Zemburuka, the BoN’s spokesperson, this requirement aims to align banking institutions with national aspirations expressed in national development plans by fostering a blend of foreign and local ownership and enhancing local empowerment. “This ownership requirement in banking institutions applies to all new banking institutions, irrespective of whether the applicant originates from the…

04 Jun

SEIBEB QUITS:

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Henny Seibeb, the firebrand member of parliament of the Landless People’s Movement has resigned from parliament and the party.Seibeb’s resignation followed a few hours after he was removed as the party’s chief whip.He did not give reasons for his resignation.“Further details and information on the way forward will be provided at a later stage,” he said. Report: Ester Mbathera

04 Jun

LPM RESIGNATION:

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Edson Isaaks, a Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament resigned on Tuesday.He resigned a few hours after the party announced that the chief whip, Henny Seibeb, was replaced by Utaara Mootu.He did not give any reasons for his resignation.“Further details and information on the way forward will be provided at a later stage,” he said. Report: Ester Mbathera

04 Jun

REGISTRATION PROGRESS:

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The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) registered more than 26 000 voters on the first day of general voter registration.At more than 5 000 new prospective voters, the Khomas Region recorded the highest number of registrations.The countrywide general registration of voters for the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for the end of November this year, started on Monday 3 June and is set to continue until 1 August.Registration points will operate from Monday to Saturday, between 08:00 and 19:00.Eligible Namibians are encouraged to register in their respective constituencies. Reporter: Erasmus Shalihaxwe