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21 Apr

N$27 million for former governors and councillors leave payout

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Ester Mbathera Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) issued a notice last week to chief regional officers to commence payment of leave credit days and leave gratuities to all former governors, chairpersons, and regional councillors. The payout of leave days for former officials is projected to cost the government N$27 million. Daniel Nghidinua, the executive director of the ministry explained in the letter that the payout applies to all those who served from December 1992 to December 2020. He said the payment is capped at a total payment of one-third (1/3) of the 25 days per year of service.…

21 Apr

Namibia eases visa access to boost tourism and trade

info_e12wt4csMainMinistry of Home Affairs Executive Director Etienne Maritz

Niël Terblanché In order to strategically enhance its position as a gateway for tourism and trade, the Namibian government has initiated a new visa policy that allows travellers to obtain visas upon arrival at Walvis Bay harbour and other major entry points across the country. The new policy came into effect last Thursday and aims to streamline the entry process and make Namibia a more accessible and appealing destination for international visitors. Etienne Maritz, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, announced the policy shift and added that it aims to simplify travel logistics…

19 Apr

Namibia to become the energy capital of Africa

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Martin Endjala The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, says, that given the evolving energy landscape, Namibia is strategically positioning to become a sustainable energy capital in Africa. Alweendo said this on 18 April at the Global Africa Green Hydrogen Summit held in Windhoek. The summit is themed “From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution”, "It comes at a time during which Namibia in particular has availed large portions of land, adapting legislative frameworks, engaging global captains of industries and raising billions of dollars to pioneer low-carbon industrialisation at scale. Something that has never been done before…

18 Apr

Xinfeng’s N$600 million lithium processing plant ready for commissioning

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Ester Mbathera Xinfeng Investments has announced the commissioning of its lithium processing plant nine months after the government banned the export of unprocessed crushed lithium ore, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and rare earth metals and elements. Aqisha Jooste, the company spokesperson, confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. The plant is expected to start operations in June. “The plant promises to significantly enhance the lithium supply chain and bolster economic growth within the region. The new facility boasts a substantial processing capacity of 1 million tonnes of concentrated lithium annually. This marks a significant step in meeting the growing global…

18 Apr

Mbumba tells new NDF recruits to be ready to maintain peace during elections

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Julia Heita President Nangolo Mbumba, said he expects the new Namibian Defence Force (NDF) members to be ready to maintain peace and order during this year's upcoming elections. Mbumba was speaking during the graduation parade and commissioning ceremony of the 10th regular commissioning course at the 261 motorised infantry battalion on 18 April 2024 at Rundu in the Kavango-east region. He told the graduates that they would continue to protect and preserve Namibia’s hard-won freedom and peace. Emphasising that people may try to seize the cover of election campaigns to engage in nefarious and criminal activities. “There are some few…

17 Apr

BoN cautions against reducing repo rates

info_e12wt4csMainBank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab

Martin Endjala The Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab, has cautioned against reducing the repo rate because it will negatively impact the economy of the country He stated that Namibia is still battling to free itself from the economic downturn. “The Inflation rate is decelerating but it is not defeated yet, so the last thing you should do is to make policy errors to just reduce the rates now. If you look at what inflation did in the first three months of last year, you get an average of seven percent. Although it is coming down. What…

17 Apr

Naanda refutes Angola beef with Namibia claims

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Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has refuted claims that the relationship existing between Namibia and its neighbouring country, Angola, is in danger of collapsing. This comes after a local daily newspaper last week published a story stating that ‘Angola’s beef with Namibia is getting real. However, Executive Director in the ministry, Penda Naanda, on Tuesday refuted the claims stating that the editorial is not only misleading but has the potential to fuel unnecessary tension between the two nations. “To suggest that the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries is in danger of collapsing is…

16 Apr

KEBU employees demand immediate removal of acting head

info_e12wt4csMainKEBU employees demands immediate removal of acting head, Lee Mweemba

Stefanus Nashama Staff members of the Keetmanshoop Electrical Business Unit (KEBU), an electrical department within the Keetmanshoop Municipality, are demanding immediate removal of Lee Mweemba who was appointed by the council management to head the department in January this year. In a letter of demand sent by KEBU employees earlier this year, contended that Mweemba is an Information Technology (IT) specialist who belongs to the municipality's finance department and not the electrical department. They are therefore demanding that he be removed from KEBU, as the department already has senior electricians, revenue technicians and electricians with the relevant qualifications and experience…

14 Apr

Businessman drags Standard Bank to court in a N$184 billion lawsuit

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ESTER MBATHERA BUSINESSMAN Daniel Kamunoko is suing Standard Bank for about N$184 billion, money he could have made had the bank not taken actions which ruined him financially, by illegally selling his properties and also for being a direct cause of his uncle’s death. Kamunoko’s demand for about N$184 billion is based on the fact that he blames Standard Bank's action for his financial losses. He said, in court papers, that the bank denied him access to his personal and business accounts, which saw him losing business opportunities. One of the business opportunities he lost out on is a liquefied…

14 Apr

Uumati parts ways with Erongo Marine

info_e12wt4csMainErongo Marine Enterprises (EME), Martha Uumati, Uumati parts ways with Erongo Marine

Ester Mbathera The managing director of Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME), Martha Uumati has parted ways by mutual agreement.Uumati was suspended from her positions as managing director and board member of Erongo Marine Enterprises on 13 February by Oceana’s chief executive officer, Neville Brink and the managing director of Blue Continent Product, Ina Botha.A disciplinary hearing was scheduled for 11 and 12 April but did not take place as the parties opted to negotiate a separation package.The separation was confirmed by one of the Namibian right holders who requested anonymity at this stage.“Many things are going on but we received a…