National News – Page 295 – Windhoek Observer

21 Apr

Health ministry struggling to finalise mental health bill

National News

Stefanus Nashama Minister of Health and Social Service, Kalumbi Shangula, has revealed that the ministry is faced with obstacles in contracting a consultant to assist with finalising the regulations related to enacting the Mental Health Bill. According to the minister, the main issues were delayed responses from legal drafters and a shortage of funds. “We expect to address these shortcomings in the 2024/25 financial year. The Ministry has allocated funds to contract a consultant who will assist the ministry’s team with finalising the Bill and its regulations,” Shangula explained. The minister disclosed the status of the Bill to the National…

21 Apr

Businessman questions validity of grocery tender

National NewsOmutwewomuhnu village, Robie Amadhila

Martin Endjala The Ohangwena Regional Council has put out a notice requesting quotations for the supply of grocery items such as tomato sauce, rice, onions, cooking oil, salt, macaroni and potatoes amongst other types of consumer items. The groceries are to be delivered at Omutwewomuhnu village in Oshikunde constituency. Businessman Robie Amadhila questioned why the regional council staff could not go to any of the shops at Eenhana or Okongo to procure the items. “It will cost a lot just to manage the tender process. You are going to call for a tender and set up a committee to go…

20 Apr

Iconic tourist destination targeted by burglars

National News

Niël Terblanché Approximately N$175,000 was stolen when the iconic Canyon Roadhouse at one of Namibia’s most impressive tourist attractions, the Fish River Canyon was broken into by a gang of burglars. Gondwana Collection Namibia’s Brand and Marketing Director, Manni Goldbeck, confirmed the burglary and added that the incident occurred during the early morning hours of 18 April 2024 when four or five members of the gang entered the main restaurant area of the Canyon Roadhouse. “After overpowering a member of our security team, the robbers gained entrance to the main restaurant area by breaking through the doors. They targeted the…

19 Apr

Salmon farming in Lüderitz becomes a reality

National NewsProposed salmon farming project moves forward

Niël Ternlanché Namibia's African Aquaculture Company (AAC) has taken a significant step towards diversifying the country’s aquaculture industry after it was granted an "Offshore Commercial Phase" license to pioneer salmon farming in the Atlantic Ocean near Lüderitz. Clement Kaukuetu, President of the Namibia Operations at AAC, announced the new development in the project and added that it is a groundbreaking venture for Sub-Saharan Africa. “The license, effective for 15 years, marks the inception of the region’s first commercial salmon farming and production facility,” he said in a statement. The operations will span three offshore sites in the ||Kharas Region, northwest…

19 Apr

NAMFISA signs testing agreement for its Sandbox programme

National NewsNAMFISA signs testing agreement for its Sandbox programme

Martin Endjala The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), on 17 April, officially signed testing agreements with two pioneering innovators in Windhoek, ReferredBy and Ergo Analytics (known as Verime), to participate in its regulatory Sandbox programme. “The NAMFISA regulatory Sandbox initiative represents our strategic vision to promote innovation in both digital and non-digital financial services, while simultaneously enhancing financial inclusion. Under the vigilant supervision of NAMFISA, the Sandbox provides a controlled environment for live tests of innovative products, services, or solutions within specified parameters or limits,” NAMFISA's Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Matomola said. He emphasized the critical importance of the…

19 Apr

Walvis Bay schools shut while water supply is restored

National NewsTutaleni High and Primary Schools, Walvis Bay

Niël Terblanché Several schools in Walvis Bay will remain shut today due to a widespread disruption in the town's water supply, following a mechanical failure at the central pump station. The affected institutions include Tutaleni High and Primary Schools, !Nara Primary School, High Hope Primary School, Seaside Primary School, Immanuel Ruiters Primary School, and both the secondary and primary schools in Kuisebmond, as well as the Duinesig High School. Parents have been notified that classes will resume once the necessary repairs are completed. The outage, which is expected to last from 08:00 to 17:00 on Friday, has impacted various parts…

18 Apr

Leake Hangala advocates for inclusivity in business opportunities

National News

Ester Mbathera Seasoned business leader and founder of the Hangala Group, Leake Hangala, has called for the inclusivity of all Namibians in the local content policies, regardless of their ethnicity. Hangala made the remarks at the Namibian Local Content Conference (NLCC) 2024 in Lüderitz on Wednesday, on the role of government institutions and operators in implementing local content policy. According to him, all Namibians and companies should be prioritised in the procurement of goods and services for local content. "For the sake of clarity, when I say Namibian, I mean Namibians of all races. There is a misconception in Namibia…

18 Apr

Mbumba declared a period of national mourning for liberation struggle stalwart Ida Jimmy

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Born on 16 November 1945, at Lüderitz, Ida !Ha-Eiros Jimmy's journey in the liberation struggle of Namibia has been described as ‘one of courage and conviction’. Jimmy, a former freedom fighter of the liberation struggle passed away on 3 April at age 78. Her involvement in the liberation movement led to her imprisonment and torture, yet she remained steadfast in her pursuit of freedom for Namibia. Jimmy was convicted on 15 October 1980, for contravening Section 9 (2) (b) of Ordinance 13 of 1962 read with sections 1, 2 and 8 of Act 83 of 1967 (The Terrorism…

18 Apr

No levy relief for mobile operator’s losses due to deactivated SIM cards

National News

Martin Endjala Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), says it will not offer levy relief to mobile operators who lose money due to deactivated Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards as a result of unregistered cards. The regulator insists that the only solution to avoid such losses is to ensure that the three-month period given to SIM card holders whose numbers have been deactivated for failing to register their cards before the set deadline on 31 March and ensure they retain their numbers. This is according to CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua while responding to questions sent to the regulator…

18 Apr

Namibia reinforces support for Cuba against U.S. blockade

National NewsEsteban Lazo

Niël Terblanché The President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo, has expressed gratitude towards Namibia for its strong stance against the economic blockade on Cuba by the United States of America. Lazo acknowledges this solidarity and support on his the X social media platform on Tuesday. "We appreciate the motion approved today unanimously by the National Assembly of Namibia against the blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba, another of the displays of solidarity historically received from this brother country," he said. On Monday, Namibia's legislature passed a unanimous motion calling for the cessation of…