National News

Oceana Group drops disciplinary action against Uumati

Oceana Group drops disciplinary action against Uumati

Ester Mbathera South African company Oceana Group which owns the Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME) said it will no longer pursue disciplinary charges against the suspended EME managing director Martha Uumati. This was confirmed by the EME spokesperson Francois van der Merwe on Sunday. “Oceana has agreed terms with Uumati. She resigned from her position effective 15 April 2024. The company will no longer be pursuing disciplinary action,” he said. The disciplinary hearing was scheduled for 11 and 12 April but did not take place. Van der Merwe could not confirm the date when Uumati submitted her resignation. He also did…
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Swakopmund reconsiders mobile food truck relocation

Swakopmund reconsiders mobile food truck relocation

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipal Council is currently reevaluating its strategy for the relocation and creation of new mobile food truck sites after facing significant opposition from various community stakeholders. During its latest council meeting, the local authority acknowledged five objections that call into question the impacts of moving beloved local food kiosks, including the popular "Fork ‘n Nice" yellow bus from its current location at Strand Street and the Mole Beach area. The relocation plans, which also include establishing new sites at the Thomas Hamunyela Amphitheatre and nearby tennis court parking area, have been met with legal challenges and…
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EU says it did not discuss government affairs with Itula

EU says it did not discuss government affairs with Itula

Ester Mbathera The Head of the European Union’s (EU) Mission in Namibia on behalf of member states made it clear that they did not discuss matters within the purview of the government with the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula. The European Union Delegation, on behalf of the heads of mission to Namibia from the European Union (EU), Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, and Finland, released this statement on Friday. The statement was issued after their meeting with Itula had previously caused a stir within Swapo and with the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. "The European…
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Urgent call for farmers to participate in national wage survey

Urgent call for farmers to participate in national wage survey

Niël Terblanché With only 220 completed forms received which represents a scant 13.2% of the Agricultural Employers’ Association’s (AEA) membership, the organisation warned that the low turnout might undermine the national wage survey's integrity. The AEA, in a statement, sounded the alarm on the need for increased member participation in its national wage survey as the 30 April 2024 deadline is approaching swiftly and added that the survey is vital for setting equitable wage standards across the farming sector. The AEA has reiterated the importance of the survey, which not only influences wage policies but also supports the broader strategic…
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Muharukua to focus on modernising agriculture, health care and education

Muharukua to focus on modernising agriculture, health care and education

Martin Endjala Former Member of Parliament (MP) of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Vipuakuje Muharukua, said his next move is to focus on agriculture, healthcare revitalisation, and education reform, which is close to his heart. He said this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday about his next move after resigning from the party and the National Assembly earlier this week. "I hope that the citizenry and my leaders will perceive my work as emanating from an objective point of view. I will place significant emphasis on conducting research and writing on the possibilities of modernising these sectors,"…
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GIPF hosts investment symposium

GIPF hosts investment symposium

Martin Endjala The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is hosting a Responsible Investment Symposium (RIS) in Windhoek. The symposium, currently underway, aims to tackle broadening horizons and engaging in honest debate about the relevance and practical impacts of the RIS and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) landscape and the Fund’s shared mandates. The GIPF’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Officer, Martin Inkumbi explained that RIS is integral to the GIPF’s business model. “Through the lens of sustainability, the Fund aims to capture value, mitigate relevant risks, and remain forward-looking to be part of the Responsible Investment community, to the extent…
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NamRA records total revenue of N$86 billion

NamRA records total revenue of N$86 billion

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has collected a total revenue of N$86 billion for the 2023/24 financial year which is an increase of N$24.5 billion when compared to the previous financial year. NamRA’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, shared this on Wednesday at the agency’s 2024 Taxpayer and Trader Appreciation Day event. According to Shivute, the agency was able to exceed its target for this year, which was initially set at N$67 billion and later adjusted to N$71 billion. “Our strategic objective is to improve revenue collection. I am very happy to inform the public that we are well on…
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NAB to suspend operators’ permits who refuse to buy local maize

NAB to suspend operators’ permits who refuse to buy local maize

Martin Endjala Millers and silo operators who refuse to buy any marketable white maize from Namibian farmers during the 2024 market season, will result in the suspension or withdrawal of their import permits with immediate effect. This was confirmed by Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) Chief Executive Officer, Fidelis Mwazi, who on Wednesday, stated that “no import permits will be issued for white maize to such an operator until such time when there is compliance.” Mwazi also announced the restriction on the import of white maize into the country during the 2024 market season with effect from 1 May 2024. He…
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No debts to be written off for NUST and UNAM graduating students

No debts to be written off for NUST and UNAM graduating students

Martin Endjala Students graduating this year from Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM), should settle their debts to obtain their qualifications. This was confirmed by the two institutions. NUST spokesperson, John Haufiku yesterday told this publication that the institution held a meeting last week Friday, to discuss the student debt matter. He clarified that management agreed that all students who owe the institution will be required to pay off all their outstanding debts. He refuted circulated information that debts will be written off and added that such information is untrue. “The debts aren’t…
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Ally Angula to join Katutura residents in their quest for debt write-off

Ally Angula to join Katutura residents in their quest for debt write-off

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Independent Presidential candidate Ally Angula has voiced her support for the Katutura Residents Committee's (KRC) mass action against the debt management process of the City of Windhoek (CoW) scheduled for next week. In a statement released on Wednesday, she stated that she believed in the residents’ plight after seeing their bills. “Come one, come all. Come out and join what is truly an economic justice fight. The fight of the previously underserved, previously non-considered residents of the City of Windhoek. Let’s join the March not just as a show of solidarity but also as a show to say…
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