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Namibia’s uncharted blue economy has a lot of potential

Namibia’s uncharted blue economy has a lot of potential

Josef Kefas Sheehama Given the potential for the blue economy to generate a significant number of direct and indirect jobs, Namibia has a great chance for long-term economic growth and development. The NDP 5 interventions can also be utilized to realize Namibia's Vision 2030 aspirations of eradicating poverty, decreasing inequality, and fostering an inclusive economy. Namibia must revive, implement robust climate change mitigation strategies, and maintain an eco-friendly economy that generates employment to preserve the ecosystems. The country will thereafter be able to effectively combat climate change. The green economy is defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as…
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MINE ACCIDENT:

A mining truck owned by Beifang Mining Services fell down a wall of one of the pits on the premises of the Husab Mine on Wednesday during lunchtime. Witnesses said operations at the mine have been temporarily suspended as a result. The truck plunged into the waste dump, and the current condition of the truck operator remains unknown. This is a developing story.
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Activists raise concerns over Road Safety Bill delay

Activists raise concerns over Road Safety Bill delay

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The delay in passing the much-anticipated Road Safety Management Bill has sparked concerns among road safety advocates. After the 9th Annual Road Safety Conference in Ongwediva, road safety activist, Felix Tjozongoro voiced his frustration over the bill’s prolonged delay. “It is very much concerning that the urgently much-awaited Road Safety Management Bill is still dragging its feet and hasn’t reached Parliament. We expected positive feedback at the conference about its status,” said Tjozongoro. He highlighted the bill’s importance in consolidating various road safety role players under one roof, including Nampol Traffic, Road Fund Administration, NaTIS offices, municipal traffic…
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CoD too broke to host elective congress

CoD too broke to host elective congress

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Congress of Democrats (CoD) is unable to hold an elective congress due to a lack of funds. This is despite the party preparing to participate in the November elections. On Tuesday, the party’s acting president, Vaino Amuthenu, told the Windhoek Observer that the party has not been active in local politics for years and is currently on a revival mission. "No, we will not have a congress. We don’t have money to organise a congress. We can’t even bring 50 people together to constitute a congress for a day. We are only focusing on campaigns for now,…
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High Court set to rule on NEFF deregistration in August

High Court set to rule on NEFF deregistration in August

Stefanus Nashama The High Court of Namibia has postponed delivering judgment on the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN) decision to deregister the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to 8 August 2024. Arguments in the matter were heard on Tuesday. The NEFF, along with the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), were deregistered by the ECN last month after the parties failed to submit and publish financial statements as prescribed by the Electoral Act. Representing the state, Advocate Gerson |Narib argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction and competence in the NEFF's case against the ECN. Narib stated that the NEFF's challenge does…
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Outapi purification plant upgrade will cost N$123m

Outapi purification plant upgrade will cost N$123m

Martin Endjala The long-awaited upgrade of the Outapi water purification plant is set to be upgraded at a cost of N$123.1 million. On Tuesday, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia announced the launch of the upgrade of the treatment plant. The current plant is reportedly unable to meet the town's water demands. NamWater and Jiangxi International, a Chinese contractor company, which has been active in Namibia for over 20 years, have signed an agreement to complete the project in 16 months. “The water demand was becoming a problem for us in all the areas across the country. If you look…
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New measures introduced to speed up acquisition of national documents

New measures introduced to speed up acquisition of national documents

Niël Terblanché In response to challenges faced during the ongoing mass registration campaign, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security urged all applicants who have received Confirmation of Birth letters instead of birth certificates to promptly submit these letters to the ministry's offices or the nearest constituency council offices. The ministry wants to expedite the issuance of official birth certificates and ensure the smooth processing of national identification documents. Etienne Maritz, the ministry’s executive director stressed the importance of complying with this request to ensure timely issuance of birth certificates. "Applicants are urged to comply with this request…
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Daure Daman community to go on strike

Daure Daman community to go on strike

Martin Endjala The Daure Daman community in the Daures constituency in the Erongo region has threatened to go on strike until the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and the Daure Daman Traditional Authority (DATA) hear their concerns. They are calling for the removal of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority Chief Sagarias Seibeb after a community no-confidence vote and to end nepotism and self-enrichment, among other things. According to the group's spokesperson, Jimmy Areseb, their decision to go on a strike follows failed attempts last year when they handed in their petition to the Seibeb and again in May this…
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ECN refutes allegations of excluding inmates from voter registration

ECN refutes allegations of excluding inmates from voter registration

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) denied allegations by the Landless People's Movement (LPM) that it excluded Namibians who are in jail or in police custody across the nation from registering as voters for the November elections. This comes after LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa accused the electoral body of preventing incarcerated individuals from registering for voter cards. “This unfair and intentional exclusion of inmates is robbing these Namibians of their democratic rights, further dehumanising and excluding them from society. As a government, we must ensure that we do not harm the human rights of any Namibian. Inmates are…
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Cheap politics undermines African democracy

Cheap politics undermines African democracy

Stefanus Nashama Poor political performance, not economic failure, as some may believe, undermines Africa's commitment to democracy. This was revealed by the Afrobarometer inaugural flagship report last week. “The rising of corruption in local government, poor-quality elections, and a lack of presidential accountability undermine the faith in democracy,” stated the report. Afrobarometer provides data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. It found out that Africans remain strongly committed to democracy, its norms, and institutions, but there are also causes for concern. According to the report, over the past decade, popular support for democracy has…
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