Main – Windhoek Observer

04 Dec

Namibia pledges 10 gigawatts of renewables in the next 20 years

ObserverMainNamibia pledges 10 gigawatts of renewables in the next 20 years

Hertta-Maria Amutenya In a commitment to combat climate change and realising the aspirations of Agenda 2063, President Hage Geingob, has announced that Namibia is set to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of renewable energy in the next 20 years, a monumental leap that surpasses the country’s existing generation capacity by more than 30 times. Geingob made the announcement at the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge during COP28 underway in Dubai. Geingob, addressing world leaders, emphasised Namibia’s alignment with the vision of “The Africa We Want,” recognising the urgent need for collective action in the face of climate change. Despite…

01 Dec

NEFF demands the allocation of fishing quotas for the unemployed

ObserverMainNEFF demands the allocation of fishing quotas for the unemployed

Stefanus Nashama The Walvis Bay branch of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is demanding the fair allocation of fishing quotas to all citizens in Namibia, with a particular focus on unemployed people. A group of unemployed individuals, organized by NEFF member Immanuel Pombili, gathered yesterday in the open area near Kuisebmund Soccer Stadium to present their petition to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The petition calls for the allocation of governmental objectives fishing quotas to unemployed Namibians. In their petition, the group urges the government to review the current fishing governmental objectives and consider allocating fishing quotas…

30 Nov

Electricity Distribution Industry reform stalls due to revenue losses

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Martin Endjala Robert Kahimise, the Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Control Board (ECB), has disclosed that the implementation of the Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) reform faced significant challenges, including revenue losses incurred by Local Authorities and Regional Councils. Kahimise made this announcement while presenting the outcomes of the recently concluded EDI summit held in Windhoek from November 16th to 17th, 2023. The primary objective of the summit was to review government policies concerning the establishment of the remaining Regional Electricity Distribution (RED) companies and to address the deficiencies in the legal and regulatory framework, local authority surcharges, and the…

29 Nov

Five-Point Game Plan launched to address malfunctioning SOEs

ObserverMainFive-Point Game Plan launched to address malfunctioning SOEs

Martin Endjala The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Iipumbu Shiimi, announced the launch of a comprehensive Five-Point Game Plan designed to tackle the underperformance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as part of the public enterprise reform program. Shiimi shared this information during a year-end media briefing of President Hage Geingob at State House in Windhoek on Monday. In response to questions about the financial challenges faced by the National Petroleum Company (Namcor), the persistent underperformance of the Roads Contractor Company (RCC), and issues surrounding TransNamib, Shiimi emphasized the government’s commitment to the reform program for public enterprises. The Five-Point Game…

28 Nov

Geingob calls for a re-evaluation of the SACU trading model

ObserverMainGeingob calls for a re-evaluation of the SACU trading model

Martin Endjala President Hage Geingob has expressed concerns about the current Southern African Customs Union (SACU) trading model and called for a reevaluation of its approach, citing the challenges posed by the existing system. The President made these remarks during an end-of-year briefing at the State House in Windhoek. He emphasized the need to revisit SACU’s model, which he believes is hindering Namibia’s industrialization efforts. Geingob pointed out that Namibia cannot directly import cars and other goods from Europe or other regions; instead, it must go through South Africa. He argued that this current approach should be reconsidered for the…

27 Nov

Horticultural exports achieve a staggering record

ObserverMainHorticultural exports achieve a staggering record

Martin Endjala Namibia’s horticultural exports have more than doubled in the past seven years, reaching a staggering record value of N$1.7 billion, compared to N$674 million in 2016. According to the export destination report for Namibian fresh fruits and vegetables in the financial year 2022/23, Namibia primarily exports its fruits and vegetables to African countries, accounting for 50 percent of the total exports. The European Union follows at 30 percent, with the United Kingdom at 16 percent. This remarkable growth was revealed by Fidelis Mwazi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Agronomic Board of Namibia, during a presentation last week…

24 Nov

Breaches of internal control systems blamed for staggering losses

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Martin Endjala Jennifer Comalie, the Chairperson of the National Petroleum Corporation Company (Namcor) Board, has attributed the N$700 million losses incurred by the company during the 2022 financial year to breaches of its internal control and governance system, as well as market volatility. Comalie stated that the findings of the investigative report point to internal procedural irregularities within the company, and the board is actively addressing the matter to hold those responsible accountable. She made these remarks during a media briefing on the company’s announcement of its turnaround strategy, aimed at positioning the state-owned entity toward sustainability. The board is…

23 Nov

Concerns rise over radioactive pollution in Stampriet Artesian Basin

ObserverMainConcerns rise over radioactive pollution in Stampriet Artesian Basin

Niël Terblanché Concerns about potential radioactive pollution in the Stampriet Artesian Basin have surged as the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) takes a stand against mining activities within Namibia’s primary and largest artesian water resource. While SAUMA does not oppose mining in general, the association strongly objects to the proposed in-situ leach mining method to extract uranium within the Stampriet Artesian Basin. This mining technique, proposed by Russian company Headspring Investments, has raised alarm bells among environmentalists and experts who believe it poses a grave risk to the region’s water supply. Dr Roy Miller, a geologist, recently addressed the…

22 Nov

GRN sued for N$8 million over unlawful detention of minor children

ObserverMainGRN sued for N$8 million over unlawful detention of minor children

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Four mothers, Launa Safodino, Ana Mandongo, Teresinha Costa and Emilia Navaongelo, have filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW), asserting that the government unlawfully, wrongfully, and unconstitutionally detained and took away the liberty of their minor children. The alleged detention occurred between November 2018 and December 2022, leaving the mothers seeking N$ 2,000,000 each in damages for pain and suffering, violation of their right to dignity, and violation of their human rights. The particulars of the claim, filed this year at the Windhoek High Court, citing MGEPESW, Minister of Home…

21 Nov

The new Basic Education Act commences

ObserverMainThe new Basic Education Act commences

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, has commenced with the new Basic Education Act, 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020), replacing the Education Act 2001 (Act No. 16 of 2001), which became outdated. Announcing the commencement of the new Act last week in Windhoek, Minister Ester Nghipondoka, stressed that the guiding principles of the new Act aim to promote and regulate free and compulsory basic education in the country. “This new Education Act addresses not only basic education but also adult education and lifelong learning, reflecting the diverse needs of our society,” she said. According to the…