National News

Alweendo’s decision to cancel Fuel Retail License ruled unlawful by court

Alweendo’s decision to cancel Fuel Retail License ruled unlawful by court

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a landmark judgment delivered by High Court Judge Eileen Rakow, the decision by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to cancel a fuel retail license has been declared unlawful and contrary to the provisions of Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution. The ruling, following a review application brought by Gochas Lewende Hawe Agente CC against the Minister of Mines and Energy, highlights the limitations of Alweendo’s authority and the legal grounds upon which the fuel retail license was revoked. The license was revoked on 15 March 2022. Judge Rakow said the powers of the Minister…
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Dire conditions in Walvis Bay holding cells exposed to Parliamentary

Niël Terblanché A recent fact-finding mission by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs to Walvis Bay has shed light on the grim reality faced by trial awaiting prisoners in the Namibian Police holding cells. The committee's visit, aimed at assessing infrastructure and conditions within the justice system, has uncovered a situation that calls for urgent governmental intervention. During their visit, the committee discovered that detainees, including mentally ill individuals and juveniles, are subjected to appalling conditions. Overcrowding has become a significant issue, with some detainees forced to sleep on the floor without mattresses. The revelation that juveniles…
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Fishing rights owned by 90 percent of Namibians

Fishing rights owned by 90 percent of Namibians

Martin Endjala President Nangolo Mbumba, during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), revealed that to date, 90 percent of fishing rights are owned by Namibians and that the sector employs an estimated 18,000 Namibians. He said the promotion of Namibianisation in the fisheries sector is progressing well. Additionally, the government has successfully implemented the employment redressing programme which employs 2,367 people. Mbumba emphasised that the move is a sustainable job opportunity initiative, addressing the challenges of joblessness experienced by former fishermen since 2015. With regard to job creation to secure livelihoods, the government facilitated the placement of 1,350 job…
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Venaani at the coast to listen to the plight of fishermen

Venaani at the coast to listen to the plight of fishermen

Stefanus Nashama McHenry Venaani of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), last week, met with the retrenched fishermen who live in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. His journey was to inform the fishermen of the progress of his queries to both the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and President Nangolo Mbumba, during the State of the Nation Address. During the State of the National Address, last week, Venaani questioned the efficiency of the Government Redress Employment Program. Speaking to the fishermen, the leader of the official opposition called on all fishermen to be sent back to the sea, as per their…
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Namibia launches Central Securities Depository to boost stock market efficiency

Namibia launches Central Securities Depository to boost stock market efficiency

Niël Terblanché In a significant development for Namibia's financial market, the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has announced the approval of the Central Securities Depository (CSD). According to Victoria Raimond, spokesperson of Namfisa, the approval of a CSD is set to revolutionize stock trading in the country. She added that the establishment of the CSD aims to provide a centralized platform for the holding, safekeeping, and settlement of securities such as shares, bonds, and other financial instruments in electronic form, thereby enhancing market efficiency and liquidity. Owned jointly by the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Stock Exchange, the…
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MIT and MWT warn against bogus international bidding scheme

MIT and MWT warn against bogus international bidding scheme

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) and the Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT) have issued a stern caution to the public regarding a fraudulent bid invitation circulating in the public domain. Under the guise of legitimate government initiatives, this fraudulent scheme has been soliciting funds from both local and international investors, posing significant risks to unsuspecting individuals and organisations. The deceptive bid invitation, purportedly under the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015, falsely claims to invite international bidders for the construction of substantial developmental projects. These projects include the construction of 2,500 and…
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New road on Impalila Island nears completion

New road on Impalila Island nears completion

Niël Terblanché The 25-kilometer road network project on Impalila Island is drawing to a close, marking a significant milestone in the Zambezi Region's infrastructure development. The Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Lutombi, confirmed that the road would be inaugurated soon, heralding a new era of economic development and accessibility for the island. The road construction project, which employed over 135 locals, showcases innovative engineering with the construction of larger bridges to facilitate animal crossings, and the use of a low-volume seal standard to reduce maintenance costs. The initiative is celebrated as a beacon of economic progress, expected to attract…
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Nedbank Namibia hosts dialogue on the national budget

Nedbank Namibia hosts dialogue on the national budget

Niël Terblanché Nedbank Namibia played host to the business community of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay where it facilitated a crucial discussion on the implications of the recently tabled 2024/2025 national budget. This forum provided an essential platform for dissecting the budget's impact on the socio-economic landscape of Namibia. The event was marked by the insightful opening remarks of Nedbank Namibia's Managing Director, Martha Murorua, who emphasized the bank's dedication to aligning its operations with the national budget's socio-economic objectives. Murorua stressed the transformative potential of every dollar lent, highlighting the bank's collaborative approach with clients to identify and seize commercial…
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Gondwana Collection announces two new luxurious retreats

Gondwana Collection announces two new luxurious retreats

Niël Terblanché In an exciting expansion of their Secret Collection, Gondwana Collection Namibia proudly introduces two new exclusive retreats, The Ekipa and The Nest, designed to offer guests unparalleled luxury experiences in the heart of Africa's most enchanting landscapes. According to Gys Joubert, the Chief Executive Officer of Gondwana, these additions are set to redefine romantic and private wilderness experiences when the luxury retreats are set into operation on 1 November 2024. He indicated that The Nest will be located amidst the striking red dunes of the Kalahari Desert, just 30 kilometres northeast of Mariental. The retreat is envisioned as…
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High number of youth deaths during road crashes worries MVA Fund

High number of youth deaths during road crashes worries MVA Fund

Martin Endjala The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund’s (MVA) Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said the Fund is concerned by the high number of young people aged between 18 to 35 who lost their lives in road accidents during 2023. Martins-Hausiku speaking was during the bi-annual media engagement last week in Windhoek. She said young people make up the highest number of the Namibian population which is 71 percent as announced last week by the Namibian Statistic Agency, and the likelihood of them getting involved in road crashes is high. The CEO said the statistics of crashes involving that demographic were…
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