National News – Page 275

01 Mar

DBN urges SMEs to embrace responsible borrowing practices

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has issued a call to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt a more responsible approach when seeking loans. Jerome Mutumba, the bank's Executive for Marketing and Corporate Communication, stressed the significance of mutual responsibility in the context of development finance during a period marked by frequent requests for SME loan repayment write-offs. According to Mutumba, these loans are intended to bolster Namibia’s development, economic activity, and prosperity. He said that the dual nature of development finance, not only provides financial support but also aims to encourage accountability, sustainability, and beneficial developmental…

01 Mar

Swakopmund residents in a tiff over proposed radioactive storage facility

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Niël Terblanché Residents of Swakopmund are involved in a heated debate regarding the possible rezoning of property in the town limits to store radioactive materials. The bone of contention is a proposal by Namaquanum Investments Two to refurbish an existing workshop on Einstein Street to establish the storage facility. This initiative, aimed at supporting offshore oil exploration activities, has sparked widespread concern among the town's residents and environmental activists. The Municipality of Swakopmund has called for calm, stressing that the proposal to store nuclear material within town limits is yet to be finalized. Amidst growing tensions, the local community, galvanized…

01 Mar

Namibia sets sights on renewable energy to tackle environmental challenges

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia sets sights on renewable energy to tackle environmental challenges

Niël Terblanché Namibia has announced its ambitious plan to become a leading hub for renewable energy innovation in a significant move towards environmental sustainability and economic resilience. While addressing the High-Level Segment of the Sixth United Nations Environmental Assembly in Nairobi, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, outlined Namibia’s vision for a future where economic growth and environmental preservation go hand in hand. He told delegates that Namibia is facing serious environmental threats and that the country is at a critical juncture. Shifeta emphasized the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss,…

01 Mar

MP wants more schools and teachers

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMP wants more schools and teachers

Stefanus Nashama Hidipo Hamata, a Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament, wants the government to build more schools and employ more teachers to ensure quality education for Namibian children. Hamata was of the opinion that while the government has the mandate to provide universal basic education it also needs to have sufficient places in schools for all Namibian children. Hamata was contributing to the motion concerning the discussion of the issue of poor performance of government schools in Parliament this week. The parliamentarian further stated that the government should make sure that schools are adequately staffed, constructed where they…

01 Mar

Green Hydrogen Programme unveils groundbreaking initiatives

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGreen Hydrogen Programme unveils groundbreaking initiatives

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGHP) unfurled an array of groundbreaking initiatives set to transform the nation’s energy landscape this year. In a strategic move, NGHP announced the appointment of seven seasoned executives, reinforcing its commitment to visionary leadership. James Mnyupe, Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Commissioner, is the driving force behind these developments. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to oversee ambitious program initiatives. Mnyupe, at the forefront of transparency, affirmed that NGHP will continue its high-profile, in-person media briefings. The first of 2024 is scheduled for the last week of March where details of the comprehensive three-year…

01 Mar

Economic diversification can offset challenges

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEconomic diversification can offset challenges

Niël Terblanché Namibia is committed to economic diversification as a fundamental pillar of the country’s fiscal and economic policy. This became evident when the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi tabled the 2024/2025 National Budget in the National Assembly. Amidst projections of economic recovery, the government is poised to continue its pursuit of a more diversified economy through the implementation of its Economic Diversification Strategy while also seamlessly integrating it into the forthcoming Sixth National Development Plan. Shiimi stated that the reality of the anticipated economic upturn, primarily fueled by positive trends in the natural resources sector, is…

01 Mar

SMEs innovatively empowered through the distribution of drought relief

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSMEs innovatively empowered through the distribution of drought relief

Niël Terblanché The Office of the Prime Minister has unveiled plans to uplift Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Namibia by integrating them into the country’s drought relief efforts. This groundbreaking initiative, set to commence in April, aims to harness the potential of local SMEs. The programme will enable SMEs to become key suppliers of essential drought relief food items such as cooking oil, canned fish, and flour within their respective communities. The strategy, which represents a collaborative effort between the Khomas Regional Council, the business community, and the Office of the Prime Minister, seeks to empower local vendors by…

29 Feb

Namibia must shed ‘Tax Haven’ label

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Niël Terblanché The Namibian Government has announced plans to phase out its Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in favour of establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in a significant policy shift aimed at revitalizing its international economic reputation. This strategic move, revealed by Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Ipumbu Shiimi, during the National Budget announcement in Parliament, comes in the wake of the European Union (EU) blacklisting Namibia as a tax haven. According to Shiimi, the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill, earmarked for introduction in the National Assembly in the 2024/25 financial year, is a proactive approach by the government to…

29 Feb

Questions surround minimal funds allocated for combat corruption

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Martin Endjala Economist and Independent Bank Researcher, Josef Sheehama, has decried the amount of N$106 million allocated to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) by the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise. During the tabling of the National Budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi announced a 29.8 percent increase in the annual allocation to the ACC. The minister said the increase in funds is aimed at improving the ACC’s implementation capacity, particularly in the areas of combating anti-money laundering and financial crimes. The minister said, that despite the recent greylisting of Namibia by the Financial Action Task…

29 Feb

NWR offers a 60 percent discount to locals

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Martin Endjala As of 1 March 2024, all lodges under the management of the Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) will offer a discount of 60 percent for local visitors to make it easier for them to experience the diverse landscapes and unique wildlife that Namibia has to offer. NWR Spokesperson, Nelson Ashipala, stressed the organisation's commitment to making domestic travel more accessible to Namibians. "Through our recent engagements with the public, we came to recognise the genuine concerns regarding the affordability of leisure travel," Ashipala stated. He said the special is open to all travellers, however, the hope is to see…