Blog – Page 424 – News Stand

23 May

Namibia to see Famous Brands major rollout

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Famous Brands Limited is planning a major rollout in southern Africa including Namibia. Its brands include Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Fishaways, Mugg and Bean and Wimpy. These brands have a strong presence in Namibia. The company said in results for the year ended 29 February 2024 that it plans to implement its leading brands restaurant rollout plan in South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and also in Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. “This includes boosting our drive thru presence as new sites become available. We will continue to invest…

23 May

NWR to upgrade tourist resorts

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is working on several capital infrastructure projects including the renovation of Popa Falls, retouching the walking decks for Olifantrus and the upgrading of Halali Resort’s honeymoon rooms with splash pools and also renovating of the Gross Barmen resort. Popa Falls Resort is situated on the banks of the Okavango river and a short distance from the Okavango Pan Handle. Halali Resort is located halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni in Etosha National Park. The Olifantsrus Camp is a campsite in Etosha National Park. Its located in the northwestern part of the park between Okaukuejo and…

22 May

Nehale Lya Mpingana constituency facing water crisis

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Residents at Elavi B village in the Nehale Lya Mpingana constituency in the Oshikoto Region are facing a water crisis because they are now competing with their livestock for the little water left in a single well. Silas Henock, a community member, narrated the water shortages, saying that since the constituency's existence, the Elavi B residents have been surviving on only one well for water. Henock, however, said that the residents now fear that the water will not last until November if it does not rain and is calling on the government to drill a borehole and put…

22 May

Demands for implementation as SADC PF Model Laws Oversight Committee meets

info_e12wt4csNational News

Moses Magadza The Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) is meeting today 22 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Enhancing the Role of the RPMLOC in Monitoring the Domestication of SADC Model Laws and Implementation of Related Policies and Laws through Structured Reporting Frameworks and Mechanisms: A Look at the Domestication of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.’’ Malawi Member of Parliament Hon. Ishmael Ndaila Onani, is Chairperson of the RPMLOC. The meeting is in preparation for the 55th Plenary Assembly that will take place from 1 to 7 July 2024 in Angola. Ms Thoko…

22 May

Namibia renews biodiversity conservation amidst global challenges

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia reaffirmed its dedication to conserving biodiversity, highlighting the critical role it plays in sustaining ecosystems, providing food and medicine, and contributing to overall human well-being. During the celebration of International Biological Diversity Day in Lüderitz, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said that biodiversity conservation is not just an environmental issue but a foundational element for economic stability and cultural heritage. In his address, the minister pointed out that human activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change pose unprecedented threats to biodiversity. "The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, impacting food…

22 May

GIPAN demands representation on GIPF Board

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Government Institution Pensioners' Association of Namibia (GIPAN) has voiced strong objections to the recent five percent annual pension increase, calling it insufficient and an insult to pensioners. Josef Pieters, the chairperson of GIPAN, pointed out that the increment is 0.46 percent lower than the previous financial year's increase, highlighting a trend of diminishing returns for pensioners. Pieters criticized the lack of engagement between the pensioners' association and the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) management. “More than five months lapsed without us meeting to pave the way forward, as a newly elected national body. We would reason that…

22 May

Residents of Mondesa Extension 14 registered for formal housing

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Following its recent proclamation into a township, the informal settlement area of Swakopmund, previously known as DRC Airport, will soon begin registering residents as beneficiaries for more formal housing. Clarence McClune, the Swakopmund municipality’s general manager of Engineering and Planning Service, announced that the new township will now be called Mondesa Extension 14. Located near the Swakopmund Aerodrome on the eastern side of the coastal town, the DRC Airport area had been used as a temporary settlement in the sprawling DRC informal settlement until it was proclaimed a township earlier this year. At a community meeting over the…

22 May

Namibia urges the US to fully normalise relations with Cuba

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has lauded the recent decision by the United States of America to remove Cuba from the Not Fully Cooperating Countries (NFCC) list in counterterrorism efforts. Ambassador Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, recognised the significance of this step, which could signal improved bilateral relations and cooperation on global security matters. In a formal statement, Ambassador Naanda expressed Namibia's satisfaction with the US Department of State's action but highlighted ongoing concerns regarding Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST). He described the placement as unjustified, noting the…

22 May

The Okahao Veterinary Clinic still not operational 11 years later

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Okahao Veterinary Clinic, which is located in the Omusati Region, has still not become operational even though its construction began in 2015. The Ministry of Works and Transport assigned the project to ID Building Contractors, and construction started in May 2015. The construction work was finished in May 2018, which included the clinic building as well as staff accommodation quarters. The building stood idle for years. In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform said the building could not be occupied because of inadequate funds to install the necessary equipment in the clinic. Over the…

22 May

Price war fears as poultry meat imports resume

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Economic analysts fear that the resumption of poultry meat imports could lead to a price war and job losses in the local market. Josef Sheehama has warned that the resumption of the import of poultry meat from South Africa may not be able to compete with our local poultry industry. “This is bad news for our industry. There will be a decline in domestic production and an increase in imports of chicken meat. Since customers will always purchase what is least expensive, their demand will have a big influence on both imports and domestic production,” he said. Sheehama…