National News

GRN steps up measures to combat environmental crimes

GRN steps up measures to combat environmental crimes

Niël Terblanché The government convened a stakeholder forum on wildlife protection and relevant law enforcement issues. This initiative comes in response to the increasing concerns highlighted by international financial institutions, which have listed environmental crimes, including wildlife crimes and money laundering, among the top threats in Namibia's national risk assessment. The forum is also partly aimed at preventing Namibia from being grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, opened the special forum and pointed to Namibia's historical success in wildlife protection post-independence. "Since controlling a surge in poaching in the…
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Consumers struggling to pay bills and loans

Consumers struggling to pay bills and loans

Martin Endjala Namibian consumers struggle to make ends meet, as the high cost of living continues to affect household finances. Lara Enslin, the chief executive officer at TransUnion Namibia, said on Wednesday that the latest Consumer Pulse Study by TransUnion shows that 49% of Namibian consumers are unable to pay at least one of their current bills and loans in full. Of those consumers, 25% plan to borrow from a friend or family member to help pay some of their current bills and loans. “As a result, many consumers shifted their spending behaviour in the past quarter, including cutting back…
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Namibia and Botswana to address improved intra-African trade

Namibia and Botswana to address improved intra-African trade

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAITEX) 2024 welcomed a rare and momentous occasion as the President and Vice President of Botswana joined President Nangolo Mbumba at the event's official opening. President Nangolo Mbumba, while welcoming President Mokgweetsi Masisi, hailed the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) event as a substantial milestone for Swakopmund. He said the visit by Botswana’s head of state and his delegation clearly demonstrates growing bilateral relations between the two countries. "It is a rare occasion to have both a president and a vice president from another country visit together,” Mbumba said. He added…
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Marriage is between a man and a woman

Marriage is between a man and a woman

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Bishop Lukas Katenda of the Evangelical Angelica Church of Namibia said traditional, cultural, and religious marriage has always been between a natural man and a natural woman and should remain that way. Katenda was responding to the new bill that parliament had tabled on Tuesday. “The same-sex marriage that society is now pushing is a new phenomenon, people should listen to doctors on what they say about men who are sleeping with other men,” said Katenda. According to him, sexual activities, especially between two men, are dangerous in the long run. “They might be enjoying it now, but…
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MTC makes the connection in Otjinene

MTC makes the connection in Otjinene

Martin Endjala After 29 years in existence, Mobile Telecommunication Limited (MTC) widened its presence with a dealer shop concept in the Otjinene village, in the Omaheke region on Tuesday. John Ekongo, MTC’s corporate affairs manager, explained that apart from providing services to the people, the dealership concept also provides income for dealers to earn a commission from serving MTC clientele, especially in remote areas. “Before this new dealer shop, people of Otjinene and other adjacent constituencies used to travel hundreds of kilometres to Gobabis or Grootfontein to open a contract account. We are thus glad that this will not be…
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Alcoholic beverages top exported commodities

Alcoholic beverages top exported commodities

Martin Endjala Alcoholic beverages topped the list of commodities exported from Namibia, contributing 72% to the commodity trade in May. This is according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's (NSA) latest international merchandise trade statistics bulletin. Namibia exported goods worth N$5.4 billion and imported goods worth N$5.3 billion to and from other African countries. Exports to Kenya stood at N$10 million. Namibia imported goods valued at N$464 905, with the import basket mainly made up of men's or boys' clothing (47.4%) and telecommunications equipment (16.2%). In the analysis of the commodity of the month, the country imported blankets worth N$10.8 million…
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Caltex re-enters Namibian fuel retail market

Caltex re-enters Namibian fuel retail market

Niël Terblanché Chevron Brands International LLC (Chevron), a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, has announced its re-entry into Namibia’s retail fuel market through a long-term retail trademark licensing agreement with Bachmus Oil and Fuel Supplies (PTY) LTD (Bachmus). According to Juliana Loh, Chevron’s Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor, the new partnership marks the return of the Caltex brand to the Namibian fuel retail sector. Loh said that Chevron has appointed Bachmus as the licensee for the Caltex brand, entrusting them with the sale, marketing, and distribution of Caltex fuels across Namibia. This agreement aims to expand the Caltex-branded service station network throughout…
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Masisi visits Namibia to strengthen bilateral relations

Masisi visits Namibia to strengthen bilateral relations

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba is hosting President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana for a working visit. The visit will be focused on strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation in various sectors. During the visit, Masisi will serve as the guest of honour at the Swakopmund International Trade Expo (Swaitex). This year’s Swaitex is aimed at efficient connectivity and resource beneficiation for sustainable growth in Africa. The expo at the coast will provide an opportunity for the leaders to engage with industry stakeholders and discuss collaborative initiatives aimed at the economic development of both nations. The…
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Pan-African Parliament advocates for free movement protocol

Pan-African Parliament advocates for free movement protocol

Stefanus Nashama The Pan-African Parliament has urged its members to engage their respective parliaments on the protocol of free movement across the continent. The Deputy Chairperson of the Permanent Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration, McHenry Venaani, presented this report during the Pan-African Parliament session in South Africa on Monday. “Africa has the dream of attaining the highest levels of economic growth, and this can only be effective if there is free movement of people on the continent. Therefore, there is a need to pursue political and social stability at national, regional, and continental levels for the success of integration…
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Support for resettlement farmers increased

Support for resettlement farmers increased

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform is negotiating with Agribank to increase the startup loan for resettlement farmers from N$200 000 to N$500 000. Deputy Minister Anna Shiweda said this in response to questions from Kennedy Shekupakela of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) in the National Assembly. According to Shiweda, the goal of the proposed loan amount increase is to close gaps in the resettlement program and allow the ministry to provide better support for resettled farmers. "The ministry intends to increase the capacity of resettled farmers," she stated. She, however, also acknowledged that…
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