National News

Agriculture ministry tackles water shortages with borehole initiative

Agriculture ministry tackles water shortages with borehole initiative

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) has invited bidders to tender for the installation of boreholes in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where severe water shortages continuously occur. The work required includes the construction and installation of traditional wells, the installation of mini desalination plants for boreholes with salty water, and the drilling and test pumping of boreholes. Work also includes the installation of new boreholes and water point infrastructure, the rehabilitation of water point infrastructure, the construction of earth dams, and the cleaning of boreholes, amongst others. Last month, the…
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Governor warns against Nored’s electricity disconnection plan

Governor warns against Nored’s electricity disconnection plan

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The impending electricity disconnections for defaulting customers of the Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) could have negative implications for the supply chain. Kavango West Governor Bonifatius Wakudumo said this after Nored announced that it will commence with electricity disconnections from 17 June of customers whose accounts have been in arrears for 30 days and longer. Wakudumo highlighted the potential impacts on critical institutions and the supply chain. "At a household level, the majority are prepaid, so maybe those that are still postpaid might be affected. I recently visited local green schemes, and they have an issue with the notice.…
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Namibia and Angola set to accelerate Baynes hydroelectric project

Namibia and Angola set to accelerate Baynes hydroelectric project

Niël Terblanché In a bold move to strengthen regional energy security and cooperation, Namibia and Angola are set to commence the much-anticipated Baynes hydroelectric project this year. The announcement follows a bilateral meeting between Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, and his Angolan counterpart, João Baptista Borges, held at the Lauca Hydroelectric Dam on 3 June. The 881MW Baynes Binational Hydro Power Project, strategically located on the Lower Kunene River along the Namibia-Angola border, represents a breakthrough in regional energy collaboration. The meeting between the two energy ministers builds on discussions from a virtual meeting held on 20…
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Swakopmund residents face increased cost of living

Swakopmund residents face increased cost of living

Niël Terblanché Residents of Swakopmund will see an increase in service-related tariffs for the current fiscal year. The chairperson of the town council’s management committee, Blasius Goraseb, presented the municipal budget for 2024–2025 at this week's ordinary council meeting, detailing a five percent increase in tariffs. Goraseb, however, reiterated that senior citizens residing in Swakopmund will be exempt from this increase. The council also approved a capital budget of N$111 766 000 and a balanced operational budget of N$578 282 000 for the 2024–2025 financial year. Goraseb, during his presentation of the budget, said that a significant portion of the…
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Nedbank for Good Series Returns

Nedbank for Good Series Returns

Tsumeb and Oshakati are gearing up to host the 3rd and 4th rounds of the Nedbank for Good Series, set to kick off on June 8, 2024, in Tsumeb and then make its way to Oshakati on June 22, 2024. After a monthlong break, the series is back. Dan Zwiebel, the coordinator of the Nedbank for Good Series, expressed his satisfaction with the preparations for the upcoming tour of the northern region. Last year saw an impressive turnout, with Tsumeb attracting 80 players and Oshakati hosting 25 players. Zwiebel is hopeful that this year's numbers will match or even surpass…
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Diamonds remain Namibia’s largest export commodity

Diamonds remain Namibia’s largest export commodity

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Among the top five export products in April, diamonds topped the list, accounting for 17.3 percent of the total export of goods, of which 4.3 were re-exports and were predominantly destined for Botswana, the United Arab Emirates, and Belgium. The Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin for April 2024, released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) on Tuesday, indicates that uranium came in second on the list, accounting for 13.4 percent of the total exports, and was mostly destined for China. Fish took third place, contributing 13.2 percent, and it was mainly destined for Spain, Zambia, and Mozambique.…
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BoN loses exchange control court case

BoN loses exchange control court case

Niël Terblanché The High Court of Namibia in Windhoek set aside the Bank of Namibia's (BoN) decision to block the bank accounts of six wholesale and retail businesses. The landmark ruling delivered on 31 May 31 by Judge Shafimane Ueitele, scrutinised and found the actions of the Bank of Namibia and its Acting Director of Exchange Control and Legal Services, Penelao Kapenda, unlawful. The case, brought forward by Nemi Investments 104 CC, Nemi Investments 105 CC, Rani Traders CC, Rundu Cash and Carry CC, Dharani Traders CC, and Oshana Cash and Carry CC, revolved around the acceptance and handling of…
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Tsumeb municipality counting toilets

Tsumeb municipality counting toilets

Niël Terblanché The Tsumeb Municipality requested cooperation from all residents and business owners within the town's boundaries for an ongoing survey that aims to count the number of ablution facilities on all residential and business premises. The municipality's chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda, ssaid that this initiative, which started with door-to-door inspections in August 2023 as part of a resolution the town council approved. Kapenda lamented the fact that the municipality encountered difficulties accessing some premises during the survey. According to her, some properties were inaccessible either because there was no one on the premises or because residents denied enumerators…
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Political parties granted permission to observe voter registration

Political parties granted permission to observe voter registration

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has granted all political parties permission to observe the nationwide voter registration. The Landless People's Movement (LPM) is among the first parties to be granted this permission In a letter dated 31 May, seen by this publication, the ECN chief electoral referenda officer, Petrus Shaama said that, in accordance with the commission's values, there is no objection to granting registered political parties or organisations access to registration venues to observe the voter registration process. “This access is contingent upon submitting a request through the Office of the Chief and management via an…
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Student bodies not part of protest against NSFAF

Student bodies not part of protest against NSFAF

Stefanus Nashama Student bodies have distanced themselves from a protest action to take place this Thursday as announced by social justice activist Michael Amushelelo. Amushelelo informed the Namibian Police Force on Monday about the intended protest action, stating that many students have sought assistance from his political party, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), to intervene in the matter. “The beneficiaries of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), of whom a majority are students, have called upon the assistance and guidance of NEFF to champion their genuine demands. It is not correct that NSFAF has given our people false…
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