National News

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), on Monday launched a project aimed at addressing malnutrition, which is said to have become a national concern. Line minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula revealed this on Monday, stating that Omaheke, Khomas, and Kunene regions are among the targeted regions. Stressing that the scourge of malnutrition is being experienced in several communities in Namibia, and its negatively impacting lives. He said the launch of the project marks a significant step in their collective efforts to combat malnutrition. Shangula announced that a funding of U$500 000 from the Japanese government has been…

Niël Terblanché The community of Rehoboth and the broader Namibian rugby fraternity are mourning the loss of Etienne Jacques Coetzee, 48, the respected chairperson of the Reho Falcons Rugby Club, following a devastating road accident. The tragic incident also claimed the lives of his two sons, Louisiana Edmando Coetzee, 23, the team's captain, and Etman Jacardo Coetzee, 21, a team player, along with 21-year-old Greschlinn Denzeleo Bruwer. The accident occurred on Saturday evening, approximately ten kilometres from Rehoboth on the road leading back from Windhoek. According to police reports, the Coetzees were returning from a match between the Wanderers and…

Niël Terblanché In a significant escalation of hostilities in die Middle East, the Israeli military with the assistance of NATO partners, successfully intercepted a large-scale drone and missile attack by Iran, averting potential devastation. According to international media outlets, the attack began abruptly as hundreds of missiles and killer drones were launched towards Israeli territory. The Israeli defence systems, bolstered by support from the United States and other allies, managed to intercept 99 percent of the incoming threats. The interception showcased the preparedness and technological prowess of the Israeli military amidst growing regional instability. According to reports, this unprecedented offensive…

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) is set to table a national policy that will address SMEs' credit access shortcomings. This announcement was made last week in the National Assembly by MIT Minister Lucia Iipumbu. She was responding to a motion introduced in parliament in February by Maximalliant Katjimune, a member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) party. Katjimune’s motion calls for the National Assembly to investigate the bottlenecks around SME financing in Namibia to unleash greater access and economic potential for this sector of the economy. This follows concerns raised by SMEs who are struggling to…

Martin Endjala Economist and independed bank reseacher has advised businesses and individuals to anticipate longer payment turnaround times once anticipated as cross-border payment comes into effect. Josef Sheehama, said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on the impact of the implementation of making and receiving payments across borders within the Common Monetary Area (CMA), encompassing Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa. He said individuals and entities will be impacted by the Bank of Namibia's Payment System Determination 9, or PSD 9. "This implies that businesses in South Africa will no longer be permitted to collect debit orders from…

Niël Terblanché A Brazilian business delegation recently visited the Erongo region to foster bilateral cooperation and accelerate economic growth through their expertise in sectors such as mining, tourism, and emerging Green Hydrogen industries. The discussions covered a variety of topics, from mining operations to renewable energy prospects. Neville André, the Governor of the Erongo Region informed the visiting delegation about the transformative potential of Green Hydrogen Industries in the region. He revealed that with six planned Green Hydrogen plants, there is a need for specialized knowledge to scale these initiatives. "These plants are here to provide opportunities in the region,…