National News

Martin Endjala The government has decided to step in to establish a microfinancing fund tailor-made to assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a result of limited funding for SME loan schemes by the Development Bank of Namibia and other challenges. The new plan was announced by Prime Minister Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila in Parliament earlier today. The Prime Minister was responding to a motion tabled by a member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Maximillian Katjimune. The motion is calling for an investigation into the bottlenecks around financing for SMEs in Namibia to unleash greater access and economic potential for the…

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, McHenry Venaani, said young people, especially in the rural areas depend on the pension of their grandparents to survive. This, he said, is because the country’s economy is not functioning for young people to start up and grow small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “Penioners drive the economy in the villages because there is no functional rural economy. Young people live on the pension money,” Venaani said. He was contributing to a motion brought to parliament yesterday by the PDM’s member, Maximillian Katjimune, for the house to investigate the bottlenecks around SME’s…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has cancelled the registration certificates of three political parties and six organisations or associations for not participating in past elections. The Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager of the ECN, De Wet Siluka announced yesterday that the concerned political parties and organisations have been informed in advance about their dismissal. He added that the deregistration was done in accordance with Section 152 read with Section 153 of ECN Act no 5 of 2014. The deregistered political parties are the Democratic Coalition of Namibia Party, the Federal Convention of Namibia Party and the Namibia…

Niël Terblanché In an emotional farewell, Inge Zaamwani, a special adviser to President Hage Geingob, paid a heartfelt personal tribute to the late Head of State. The tribute emphasized the profound impact President Geingob had on Namibia and the world, echoing the sentiments of countless individuals who have come forward to honour his memory. Over the last three weeks, tributes and messages of condolence have poured in from all corners of the world, a testament to the remarkable life and legacy of a man who was, by all accounts, larger than life. The sudden passing of President Geingob on February…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court in Windhoek has ordered the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and property developer Calgrokuumba Planning and Design (PTY) LTD to engage social activist Michael Amushelelo on the planned occupation of vacant houses that were built under the Mass Housing Program in Windhoek. CalgroKuumba and the ministry approached the court last week on an urgent basis, in an attempt to stop Amushelelo and his followers from occupying the houses as planned on 29 February 2024. The court ordered Amushelelo and followers to halt their plans, but also ordered the ministry and ColgroKuumba to engage them…

Martin Endjala The Namib Desert Diamonds Foundation (NAMDIA) has disbursed N$250 000 to the NAMPHARM Foundation Trust aimed at supporting reconstruction surgery for children born with cleft palates to enable them to live a normal life. The Trust covers the surgical costs for disadvantaged children suffering from these and other ailments. According to NAMDIA Foundation Trustee member, Uahoroka Kauta, their partnership started in 2022 when they first donated N$250 000. The additional donation brings the total which NAMDIA has disbursed to N$500 000. Last year Standard Bank of Namibia also came on board and donated N$120 000. Kauta said NAMDIA…

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek has taken significant steps in enhancing food security and nutrition in urban areas. The plans were revealed during an AFRI-FOODLINKS City Exchange workshop in Windhoek, with 12 delegates from Africa and Europe attending. According to the Chairperson of Economic Development, Public Safety and Citizen’s Welfare Advisory Committee, Austin Kwenani, the AFRI-FOODLINKS is a four-year initiative that aims to transform the urban food environment by strengthening inter-city linkages in Africa and Europe. Kwenani stated that the purpose of the workshop is to stimulate mutual knowledge exchange and skills-sharing in the field of urban food and…

Martin Endjala The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) has revealed that it will be partnering with the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) to address the pension-backed home loan scheme for members. This comes after the EIF became aware of the unauthorised dissemination of a communique between the EIF and GIPF, addressing the pension-backed home loan scheme. In a statement issued last week by the GIPF, the company explained that the letter which was not approved for dissemination to the public, is a collaborative effort between two stakeholders, who will explore an alternative housing loan scheme proposed by GIPF for…