National News – Page 124

04 Sep

ICT summit will focus on digital transformation and AI

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is set to host The eighth National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Summit from 9 to 11 September in Windhoek. The summit will be presented under the theme “Building Resilience to ‘Adapt or Die’ in the Era of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI).” The event in Windhoek is set to be the largest yet, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe. According to the ministry’s executive director, Adrin Mathe, the summit aims to tackle the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and the growing influence…

04 Sep

Bank Windhoek seeks successor as Baronice Hans prepares to step down

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBaronice Hans, Gerhard Fourie

Niël Terblanché Bank Windhoek has initiated the search for a new managing director as Baronice Hans, the bank's first female and longest-serving MD in its 42-year history, prepares to step down at the end of June 2025. Hans, who has led the bank since July 2016, has been praised for steering the institution through economic challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the bank's board chairperson, Johan Swanepoel. “Her leadership has been praised for steering the bank through these turbulent times while achieving notable growth and success,” he said. Under Hans' stewardship, Bank Windhoek saw a 45% increase in loans…

04 Sep

Namibia champions sustainable green industrialization

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsGlobal African Hydrogen Summit, Harambee Prosperity Plan

Niël Terblanché Namibia's commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation was the focal point of vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's address at the Global African Hydrogen Summit currently in progress in Windhoek. While addressing delegates on Wednesday, she stressed that environmental protection is both a natural responsibility and a constitutional obligation for Namibia, as the country strives to balance economic growth with ecological care. “For the past 34 years, Namibia has worked strategically to industrialise its economy sustainably and competitively,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the nation has placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its developmental objectives. “This approach is…

03 Sep

Mbumba and Xi Jinping to strengthen Namibia-China partnership

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFOCAC, President Xi Jinping

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Nangolo Mbumba has arrived in Beijing, China, to participate in the Ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 September. Press secretary Alfredo Hengari announced this on Tuesday, saying the forum is an official forum between the People's Republic of China and most African countries, as well as the African Union. Hengari said that on the forum's margins, President Nangolo Mbumba will hold a courtesy meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China. ‘’Namibia's participation in the FOCAC has proven beneficial, as it has received support in the…

03 Sep

Public urged to hand over Illegal weapons

info_e12wt4csNational NewsThe amnesty for illegal arms

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security declared September 2024 as an amnesty month during which all citizens are urged to surrender illegal and unwanted arms, ammunition, and armaments without facing prosecution. The initiative, themed "Together for a Peaceful Future: Surrender Your Arms Today", is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of armed violence in the country and it was launched by home affairs minister, Dr Albert Kawana. In a statement on Tuesday Kawana said that the amnesty that will be subject to the Arms and Ammunition Act of…

03 Sep

Mootu demands Tjongarero’s resignation over Independence Stadium renovation failures

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAgnes Tjongarero, Independence Stadium renovation, Utaara Mootu

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Utaara Mootu of the Landless People's Movement (LPM) and member of parliament called on Agnes Tjongarero, the minister of sport, youth and national services to apologise to the public and resign for failing to start the renovation of Independence Stadium on time as she promised. Tjongarero has been under fire since Saturday when Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah accused her last week of lying about the progress of the renovation. However, nothing has been done to date. On Tuesday, while posing her questions to Tjongarero in parliament, Mootu asked the sports minister if it was not the honourable thing…

03 Sep

Stronger partnerships needed to harness the full potential of AfCFTA

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAfrican Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Niël Terblanché Namibia has called for strengthened partnerships with trusted developmental allies like Indonesia to fully unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Representing President Nangolo Mbumba at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, stressed the critical role of Indonesia as a key partner in Africa's journey towards economic integration and regional industrialisation. Namibia’s appeal comes at a time when global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, have been reinforcing the increasing need for resilient partnerships. Shifeta, on behalf of the president, focused the attention…

03 Sep

Electricity supply industry set for major upgrades

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsElectricity Control Board, Promulgation of the Renewable Energy Grid Code

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electricity Control Board's (ECB) chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, has called on players in the electricity supply industry to stay informed about the latest technology in the industry. Kahimise was speaking at the stakeholder workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday, which was focused on the review and update of the distribution grid code and connection code that took place. ‘’As you all know, the current distribution grid code was promulgated in 2018 and has not been reviewed since then. However, there have been a lot of changes and technological advancements in the electricity supply industry, amongst others including…

03 Sep

Nida defends its role amid calls for dismantling

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia Industrial Development Agency, Richwell Lukonga, Wessel !Nanuseb

Martin Endjala The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) operates under a clear statutory mandate aimed at fostering industrial and economic development. Nida’s spokesperson, Wessel !Nanuseb made this statement in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday. He was responding to recent calls for the dismantling of the agency, labelling such demands as baseless and lacking evidence. “The agency is currently building fundamental foundations to sustain itself towards achieving its mandate. We are aware of calls for dismantling the agency by some quarter of the council members without providing sound reasons as well as alternatives that would be brought in…

03 Sep

Air Connect Namibia welcomes new Windhoek to Cape Town flight route

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAir Connect Namibia, FlySafair, Namibia Airports Company

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Airports Company (NAC)-led regional airline Air Connect Namibia has expressed excitement about the launch of FlySafair's new flight route, scheduled to begin on 22 October. The route will connect Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to Cape Town International Airport. According to Bisey /Uirab, the chairperson of Air Connect Namibia and the chief executive officer of the Namibia Airports Company, the new service is expected to significantly enhance regional integration. "This direct connection enhances our efforts to position Namibia as a must-visit destination for travellers from South Africa and beyond. We encourage both leisure and business visitors…