National News – Page 157

10 Sep

Government defends animal culling initiative

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMEFT, Office of the Prime Minister

Niël Terblanché The government is facing mounting public concern following its announcement to cull 723 wild animals as part of an effort to manage drought relief and human-wildlife conflict in the country’s national parks and communal areas. On Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stated that the Drought Relief Programme is a secondary offtake beneficiary of the ministry's wildlife conservation management initiative, clarifying that responsibility for the culling operation lies with the MEFT. The OPM urged those with further queries on the culling process to direct them to the MEFT, stressing that the office is merely facilitating the…

10 Sep

BoN pledges to address soaring banking fees

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBank of Namibia, Dina //Gowases, Sandra Garises

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has committed to addressing the country's concerns about high banking charges amid public outcry. Sandra Garises, the bank’s acting spokesperson, told the Windhoek Observer last week that the bank is aware of the public outcry concerning high banking charges. “The bank is aware of the nationwide outcry about fees and charges and as the regulator of banking institutions, the bank has an obligation to ensure that fees and charges payable by customers for services rendered by banking institutions are determined in the public interest and are proportionate with the cost incurred in providing…

10 Sep

Botswana advocates for a single digital market with Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational NewsICT summit, Thulagano Segokgo

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Botswana hope to pave the way for a digitally interconnected future that will support sustainable economic growth and social development across the southern African region. In an address as a guest of honour at the ICT summit currently underway in Windhoek, Botswana’s minister of communications, knowledge and technology, Thulagano Segokgo, emphasised the potential for Botswana and Namibia to create a single digital market. He said that such a market would promote greater trade in digital products and services between the two nations and increase their global reach through shared digital infrastructure. Segokgo reiterated that this collaboration…

10 Sep

500 African captains of industry convene in Windhoek

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National NewsACFTA, AU MSMEs, NIPDB

Hilarius Hamutenya Over 500 African industry leaders, policymakers, and small businesses are gathering in Windhoek for the third Annual Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (AU MSMEs) forum to foster innovation and enhance capacity. The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development (NIPDB) is hosting the event, which will run until Friday under the theme 'Fostering financial empowerment and educational innovation for African startups'. The four-day summit will include various activities aimed at equipping MSMEs with the information and skills needed to trade and boost intra-African trade under ACFTA. Mathew Kaholongo, the director at the Cabinet’s secretariat under the office of the Prime…

10 Sep

Tutjavi balances education and politics

info_e12wt4csNational NewsTutjavi balances education and politics

Ester Mbathera Fenny Tutjavi, at just 22 years old, who hails from the Erongo Region, was one of the youngest candidates under the leadership of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and made history this week by being elected to the Swapo Party’s parliamentary list. Her inclusion on the list came during the Swapo Party’s electoral college on Monday, where she was named among 10 appointees by the party’s vice president. Despite the high expectations that come with parliamentary duties, she is determined to balance her new political role with her academic goals. “I am going to commit to my study. Because, as a…

09 Sep

NEFF demands backpay from Parliament

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIipumbu Kalimbo

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters’ (NEFF) deputy leader, Iipumbu Kalimbo said the party expects the National Assembly to pay them backdated salaries for July and August after they were forced to leave their seats in Parliament. Kalimbo and NEFF president, Epafras Mukwiilongo were kicked out of parliament in June after the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) deregistered the political party for failing to submit audited financial reports on time. However, the NEFF challenged their deregistration and won the case in the High Court last week. Kalimbo told this publication on Monday that the deregistration has caused the party…

09 Sep

Traditional leaders called upon to focus on addressing challenges

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia's Council of Traditional Leaders, President Nangolo Mbumba

Niël Terblanché As Namibia prepares for the presidential and national assembly elections in November, the role of traditional authorities in promoting national unity and addressing key challenges such as poverty and gender-based violence remains indispensable. On Monday, the 25th Annual Meeting of Namibia's Council of Traditional Leaders (CTL) commenced in Windhoek, focusing on unity, development, and maintaining stability as the country heads towards the November elections. President Nangolo Mbumba officially opened the meeting, acknowledging traditional leaders' vital role in fostering peace and unity, especially in rural communities. “The responsibility of our traditional leaders is to uphold traditions while actively participating…

09 Sep

Unauthorised public transport operators causing concern

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMarcelline Murapo, unauthorised public transport

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Marcelline Murapo, spokesperson of the Windhoek City Police said they have noted with serious concern the increasing number of unauthorised public transport operations within the city recently. In a statement issued over the weekend, Murapo announced that their investigations have revealed that numerous operators are transporting passengers without proper authorisation, including shuttles to the airport and those registered through digital applications around the capital city. She said the City of Windhoek, which regulates public transportation, urges all public motor vehicle owners transporting passengers for reward to obtain transportation permits and register with city police to obtain the necessary…

09 Sep

Karas official reflects on improved legal access amid calls for judicial reform

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJob Amupanda, Ralph Sachika

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Ralph Sachika, the Karas chief regional officer has shed light on past judicial outreach efforts in southern Namibia, following recent proposals to establish a southern division of the High Court of Namibia in Oranjemund. Sachika highlighted historical arrangements for legal services in the region, noting that High Court judges from Windhoek had previously travelled to Keetmanshoop to hear cases. “It is difficult for us to attribute it or support it. It would have been better for us to receive some context and the angle from which that particular political party made the statements. Orandjamund is 500 kilometres from…

09 Sep

NamPower faces challenges amid Rosh Pinah solar project launch

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBen Mingeli, Namibia's electricity supply system

Hertta-Maria Amutenja NamPower’s senior manager of generation projects, Ben Mingeli, has raised concerns over the increasing reliance on solar energy and the challenges it poses for Namibia's electricity supply system. Mingeli stated on 9 September that managing demand is becoming increasingly difficult due to the rise in solar energy dependence. "Going forward, we are going to be faced with a situation where up to 100% of our day demand is on solar, and that’s going to be a challenge," Mingeli said. To address this, NamPower is accelerating the rollout of battery energy storage projects, with further expansion expected. "We will…