National News

GIPF appoints new leadership for 2024

GIPF appoints new leadership for 2024

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has officially appointed Penda Ithindi as the Chairperson and Evans Maswahu as Vice-Chairperson of the GIPF Board of Trustees, effective from January 1, 2024, to 31 December 2024. GIPF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Onno Amutenya made the announcement last week. Ithindi, renowned for his extensive experience in economics, capital markets and investments, has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 21 August 2020, following an appointment by the government. He served as the Chairperson of the Investment Committee and as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Amutenya said…
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Authenticity of a notice about a nationwideprotest against unemployment questioned

Authenticity of a notice about a nationwideprotest against unemployment questioned

Stefanus Nashama In a preliminary response to the notification of the planned nationwide protest against unemployment on March 21, 2024, in the country, the Namibian Police Force has questioned the authenticity of the author of the notification letter from the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF). A notification for the protest next year was submitted to the police last week, signed in the name of the NEFF by an individual named Gregory Cloete. The Inspector-General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, wrote to NEFF Leader Epafras Mukwiilongo last week, asking whether Cloete, who is said to be the party’s…
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President hands over 89 MHDP houses in Swakopmund

President hands over 89 MHDP houses in Swakopmund

Niël Terblanché Namibia took a significant step forward when President Hage Geingob handed over 89 houses constructed under the Mass Housing Development Programme (MHDP) to a group of fortunate recipients in Swakopmund. “Today is yet another step forward in the government’s quest for National Housing Delivery. In this Year of Revival, we have managed to accomplish quite a lot, notwithstanding our economic realities. One thing is for sure: No matter what challenges we have faced, are facing, and may face in the future, I can confidently reaffirm our government’s unwavering commitment towards the provision of decent and affordable houses and…
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Namibia is on track with economic recovery and stability

Namibia is on track with economic recovery and stability

Niël Terblanché Namibia is currently navigating a path of economic recovery by focusing on preserving macroeconomic stability, advancing structural reforms, and protecting its most vulnerable citizens which is crucial for fostering private sector-led inclusive growth. This approach is also seen as key to reducing the persistent challenges of unemployment and inequality in the country. In a recent assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during its 2023 Article IV Consultation, Namibia has shown remarkable resilience against global economic shocks. According to the IMF’s findings, the country has effectively managed the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing geopolitical…
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PM calls for human rights-centred development policies in Geneva

PM calls for human rights-centred development policies in Geneva

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s challenges in accessing global capital markets, exacerbated by factors such as exchange rate and market volatility came under scrutiny at the Human Rights 75 high-level event in Switzerland. The country’s classification as an upper-middle-income country is limiting its access to developmental assistance because of stringent loan conditions that are not centred on human rights. Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the Prime Minister of Namibia, while chairing the third roundtable discussion at the event marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in Geneva said that there is an urgent need to address global inequalities and…
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SIM card registration period will not be extended

SIM card registration period will not be extended

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has maintained that the period for the registration of Subscriber Identity Model (SIM) cards will not be extended beyond the 31 December 2023 deadline. This is despite calls from various sections of society to extend the set deadline During an interview with Windhoek Observer this week, the Executive Director of the information ministry, Audrin Mathe said that despite the time frame provided for this critical process, it is disappointing to observe the low public response, reiterating that there will be no extensions. Mathe and representatives from both the Communication Regulatory…
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Germany commits millions to improve Namibia’s water infrastructure

Germany commits millions to improve Namibia’s water infrastructure

Niël Terblanché Namibia, with over 80 percent of its land area consisting of desert or semi-desert regions, has long struggled with extreme and protracted drought periods, leading to severe water supply challenges across the country, particularly in the central parts of Namibia. These challenges necessitate precise demand management, responsible management and recycling of existing water resources, and the urgent development of new sources. The Namibian government, in its ongoing efforts to mitigate water scarcity in especially the central parts of the country, has secured a substantial financial boost from the German government. In this regard, an agreement was signed between…
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Walvis Bay mayor calls for a peaceful festive season

Walvis Bay mayor calls for a peaceful festive season

Niël Terblanché As the festive season fills the air with joy and anticipation in Walvis Bay, Mayor Trevino Forbes has taken a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and extend warm wishes for a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. “The end of the year is a time for reflection and setting new goals for the future,” he said in his special message. Despite the challenges that 2023 brought, Mayor Trevino Forbes expressed pride in the significant steps and milestones achieved in the coastal town. Some of the notable highlights include the successful relocation of the first…
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NSA records third quarter GDP growth of N$6.8 billion

NSA records third quarter GDP growth of N$6.8 billion

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has recorded the economic expansion of N$6.8 billion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2023. NSA Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, announced this yesterday and said the size of the Namibian economy, as quantified by the GDP at current prices, reached N$59.7 billion during the quarter under scrutiny. This, he said indicates an increase from the N$52.9 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022, which then consequently has experienced the expansion in the GDP size amounting to an increment of N$6.8 billion. In percentage, the GDP of the third…
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Numerous potentially fraudulent Black Friday transactions uncovered

Numerous potentially fraudulent Black Friday transactions uncovered

Martin Endjala It has been revealed that 3.1 percent of Namibian transactions conducted during the Black Friday period, spanning from 23 to 27 November 2023, were potentially fraudulent. Globally, the figure stood at 3.6 percent for all e-commerce transactions according to findings from TransUnion regarding global e-commerce fraud trends for the start of the 2023 Christmas season. TransUnion also detected that the average number of suspected digital fraud attempts on any given day in Namibia during that period was 87.5 percent higher than during the same period in 2022 and 19.5 percent higher than the rest of 2023 (from January…
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