National News

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi announced that Moody's Investor Services has affirmed Namibia's sovereign credit rating at B1 and upgraded the outlook from stable to positive. Addressing the Namibian Parliament on Wednesday, Shiimi stressed the importance of the credit rating upgrade by one of the two rating agencies to which Namibia subscribes – Moody's and Fitch Ratings. He said the change reflects the country's improved fiscal and economic metrics, promising growth prospects, and successful post-COVID-19 policy reforms. Namibia initially engaged Moody's in 2011, receiving an investment grade credit rating of Baa3 with a stable…

Ester Mbathera Sakaria Elago is a name that resonates in the Khomasdal Constituency, where he stood as an independent candidate in the Regional Council’s Elections of 2020. He transitioned from engaging in political activism through the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement to becoming an independent political candidate, and he is currently serving as a law enforcement officer. This is a testament to his unwavering commitment to social justice, community service, and personal growth. Elago joined AR in 2020, before the Regional and Local Council Elections.” “A colleague invited me to the AR headquarters, where I met the leaders of the AR.…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Nangolo Mbumba said he is committed to working with the next Government of the Republic of South Africa to strengthen bilateral relations for the development and mutual benefit of the two nations. Mbumba said this on Wednesday while congratulating South Africa for conducting what he termed as peaceful, free and fair elections. South Africa held general elections on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, to elect legislative representatives at national and provincial levels. Following the counting process, the election period concluded peacefully on Sunday, 02 June 2024. “In that vein, I congratulate the fraternal people of South Africa for…

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Inna Hengari said the prohibition of political activities at the University of Namibia (Unam) campuses is unconstitutional and against the statutes and regulations of the university. Hengari made these remarks in the National Assembly on Wednesday while questioning the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi in Parliament. Herangi asked the minister to tell the assembly if the decision was lawful. “How does the University of Namibia reconcile the directives restricting political activities on campus with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and association as enshrined in…

Ester Mbathera The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has issued a call for expressions of interest from qualified professionals to lease and operate the Okapuka Feedlot situated a few kilometres along the road between Windhoek and Okahandja for one year. This is as the livestock industry is battling a relentless drought that forces producers to drastically reduce their herds. Meatco emphasised the urgency of maintaining a functional feedlot to prevent a national disaster and support the stabilisation of the meat industry. The selected operator will be responsible for managing the Okapuka Feedlot at a minimum standing capacity of 3 500…

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.…

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…

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…

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…