National News – Page 173 – Windhoek Observer

17 Sep

Namibia launches ID Week on Identity Day

National NewsUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Niël Terblanché To strengthen its dedication to providing all Namibians with proper identification documents the government has launched Identity Week to ensure that everyone will have legal identity by 2030. The goal is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Identity Week was launched during this year's commemoration of Identity Day on Monday. The campaign will focus on the importance of civil registration and the inclusion of all citizens in the nation’s formal identity systems. The ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety, and security launched a nationwide mass registration programme earlier this year. In a statement, Etienne Maritz,…

17 Sep

PwC to host discussions on tax amendments

National NewsNamRA, PAYE deductions, PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Ester Mbathera and Erasmus Shalihaxwe PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a provider of business advisory services, will host a series where experts will discuss the tax amendment update in greater detail. The recent tax amendments, gazetted on 16 September, aim to provide tax relief to individuals and businesses while broadening the tax base, signalling a shift in the country's fiscal policies. The amendment follows extensive consultations with stakeholders and is part of the government's ongoing efforts to stimulate economic growth and enhance revenue collection. According to PwC, the increase in individual tax thresholds, along with the reduction in corporate income tax rates, is…

16 Sep

Namibia’s millionaire population expected to grow by 2033

National NewsAfrica's Wealth Landscape

Martin Endjala By 2033, there will likely be more millionaires in Namibia than in any other African country. This is according to a recently released report on Africa's Wealth Landscape for 2024. The reports suggest that over the next decade, countries such as Namibia, Mauritius, Morocco, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda are all expected to experience a growth in millionaires above 80%. The report also projected Namibia's growth in high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to exceed 85% by 2033. “The country's inclination towards offering residence by investment, coupled with its resource-rich economy and strategic location, is expected to attract global investors,” the…

16 Sep

Metcalfe accuses Walvis Bay’s leadership of corruption and mismanagement.

National NewsRedForce Debt Management CC

Martin Endjala and Ester Mbathera Prominent lawyer, Richard Metcalfe has accused the Walvis Bay municipality of corruption, mismanagement, and failure to adhere to municipal laws. Metcalfe targeted the recent settlement agreements between the municipality and RedForce Debt Management CC, alleging that the agreements condone illegal financial practices that burden residents while benefiting politicians. “Such settlement agreements condone the extortion of illegal levies and fees from customers of Walvis Bay Municipality, tailored tender documents and the ignoring of the Walvis Bay municipality Credit Control Policy,” said Metcalfe. According to him, dishonourable politicians are to blame for the municipality's problems, not RedForce.…

16 Sep

Pollution most likely doomed beached whale near Walvis Bay

National NewsAtlantic Ocean, Ocean Conservation Namibia, Pelican Point peninsula

Niël Terblanché A sad incident unfolded over the weekend when a pelagic fin whale, a species rarely seen near shore, washed up on the Pelican Point peninsula near Walvis Bay. Despite valiant efforts by members of the public to return the whale to the Atlantic Ocean, the animal, appearing emaciated, could not be saved. Marine conservation experts believe pollution, specifically the ingestion of plastic, may have contributed to the whale's condition and eventual death. Naude Dreyer, from Ocean Conservation Namibia, stated that it is suspected that the whale’s inability to feed for an extended period likely led to its frail…

16 Sep

Swapo election manifesto not generated by ChatGPT

National NewsComputable General Equilibrium, Social Accounting Matrix, Swapo Party Youth League’s (SPYL

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Swapo Party Youth League’s (SPYL) secretary general, Ephraim Nekongo has stated that the party’s election manifesto, which was launched over the past weekend, was generated by a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model and not ChatGPT. In a statement he issued yesterday to defend the party, Nekongo stated that the CGE model was calibrated using the 2019 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for the Namibian economy, employed to simulate and estimate the potential impacts of proposed youth employment strategies. ‘’The CGE model, a widely recognized tool for ex-ante policy evaluation, allows for comprehensive analysis across sectors and agents in…

16 Sep

Windhoek residents file lawsuit over water and electricity disconnections

National NewsCity of Windhoek

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Several Windhoek residents have filed legal action against the City of Windhoek, accusing the local authority of wrongful disconnection of water and electricity services. According to the residence, this is done without prior notice and with improper billing practices. According to court documents, the residents, including occupiers of properties across Katutura, claim that the city has unlawfully cut off basic services, despite some of them utilising pre-paid systems or making efforts to settle outstanding bills. Katutura resident, Elizabeth Beukes claims her water and electricity were disconnected in November 2023 due to alleged arrears of over N$400 000. The…

16 Sep

Amupanda appeals defamation ruling

National NewsJudge Collin Parker, Maureen Hinda, Supreme Court of Namibia

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader and presidential candidate, Job Amupanda has filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Namibia, challenging the recent defamation judgement against him. The appeal follows the High Court’s ruling last month, which awarded deputy finance and public enterprises minister, Maureen Hinda N$100 000 in damages. The appeal contests three main points from High Court Judge Collin Parker's ruling: the judgment amount, interest on the amount, and the order to pay Hinda's legal costs. In his appeal, Amupanda argues that the court erred in its findings. He contends that the photograph shared on…

16 Sep

Ai-Ais Resort Camp running out of water

National NewsNamibia Wildlife Resort (NWR), Nelson Ashipala

Hilarius Hamutenya The water supply at the Ai-Ais Resort Camp in the southern part of the country is running out. Jaffet Xoagub, the camp manager, brought the resort's challenges to the media's attention over the weekend. “Because of the current drought in the country, the water is not enough. That's why you see the Orange River is empty, no water, which is very bad,” he said. The media was at the camp on the invitation of the Namibia Wildlife Resort (NWR). To promote its tourist offerings, the NWR took journalists on a familiarisation trip to Ai-Ais Resort Camp. The three-day…

16 Sep

Namibia set to champion multilateralism at UNGA

National NewsPhilemon Yang, President Nangolo Mbumba, Summit of the Future (SOTF), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Niël Terblanché Ahead of his departure for New York on Monday to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Nangolo Mbumba has urged member states to reflect on how they can strengthen multilateralism. Over 190 world leaders, including President Mbumba, will participate in this year’s UNGA, seeking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Mbumba will deliver his maiden address at the General Assembly. The president is set to highlight Namibia’s contribution to shaping the Pact of the Future, while also outlining the nation’s aspirations for a more equitable and sustainable global order. He will also hold…