National News – Page 346 – Windhoek Observer

29 Feb

Old-age grant boosted with N$200

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi has announced the increase in the Old Age Grant and Disability Grant. The monthly grant will rise from N$1 400 to N$1 600. “Accordingly, the Old Age Grant and the Disability Grant will be increased from N$1,400 to N$1,600 per month effective on 01 April 2024,” said Shiimi. The minister made the announcement during the unveiling of the 2024/25 Financial Year Budget in Parliament yesterday under the theme, “Continuing the legacy of H. E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob by Caring for the Namibian Child”. This comes after late President Hage…

29 Feb

MUN takes a stand against diamond company for discriminatory labour practices

National NewsMUN takes a stand against diamond company for discriminatory labour practices

Niël Terblanché The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has issued its strong condemnation against the practices of Duiker Investments and Almond Diamonds Namibia, a Windhoek-based diamond cutting and polishing firm, for their recent actions involving the retrenchment of 27 employees According to the MUN, the retrenched workers are all members of the union. In a statement, the union said that it has also identified a myriad of other unethical and unfair labour practices at the company. The MUN stated that workers have also registered grievances against the company such as the payment of low wages, employing expatriates without local understudies,…

29 Feb

We want to teach the government a lesson for failing us – Goreangab community

National NewsWe want to teach the government a lesson for failing us - Goreangab community

Stefanus Nashama Residents of the Goreangab Informal Settlement on the outskirts of Windhoek have expressed concern over the Swapo-led government’s failure to meet the demands of the community. Expressing disappointment with the government yesterday, the residents informed the Windhoek Observer that they do not see any reason to waste their votes on the ruling party in the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections. The community’s frustration stems from the government’s failure to listen to their demands. Part of the demands of the residents are the establishment of electricity and water supply as well as the installation of sanitation services. The…

29 Feb

Mbumba meets presidency staff and calls for unity and commitment

National NewsMbumba meets presidency staff and calls for unity and commitment

Stefanus Nashama President Nangolo Mbumba stressed continuity, unity and commitment from staff members of the Office of the President during a meeting with them in his new capacity as Head of State. Mbumba, who was one of the political figures and top government officials close to the late President Hage Geingob, said the nation is expecting a lot from staff members of the Presidency. He called for the prioritization of better service delivery to the Namibian nation.At the same time, he urged the staff members to rise to the challenge, adding that they should echo the principles established during Geingob’s…

28 Feb

Mbumba applauds the unity and spirit of Namibians

National News

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba, in a heartfelt address to the nation, expressed profound gratitude towards the people of Namibia for their dignified and orderly conduct in the wake of President Hage Geingob's passing. He said that throughout the three weeks of national mourning, Namibians across the country came together in an outstanding display of unity, resilience, and grace while paying tribute to Geingob's enduring legacy. Mbumba commended the nation for its collective spirit during this period of profound loss, highlighting how Namibians "held hands in mourning and honour of Geingob's legacy in the most befitting manner." The President remarked…

28 Feb

Namibia hosts crucial transport and logistics conference to bolster regional development

National NewsNamibia hosts crucial transport and logistics conference to bolster regional development

Niël Terblanché Namibia further solidified its pivotal role in the development regional transport and logistics sector by, for the first time, hosting the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Intermodal Africa Conference and Exhibition in Swakopmund. John Mutorwa, the Minister of Transport and Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia, officiated the official opening of the intermodal conference where he stressed the Namibian government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure development and maintenance through the continued creation of sectoral policy, regulation, and applicable laws. “Logistics and transportation management are essential for international trade, and it is…

28 Feb

Egypt pledges support to Namibia in wake of President Geingob’s death

National News

Niël Terblanché Egypt, in a selfless gesture of solidarity, has extended its support to Namibia following the death of President Hage Geingob. Mohamed Hegazy, the Special Envoy of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, met with President Nangolo Mbumba, at the State House to convey Egypt's condolences and to offer assistance. During the meeting, Hegazy expressed Egypt's readiness to support Namibia as it navigates the aftermath of President Geingob's passing. The special envoy highlighted the strong historical ties between the two countries, stressing the successes of past project cooperation and the shared grief over the loss of a prominent African leader. President…

28 Feb

Government’s microfinancing fund will assist SMEs

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…

28 Feb

Young people are surviving on the pensions of their grandparents – Venaani

National News

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…

28 Feb

Innovative solutions address CoW’s financial challenges

National NewsInnovative solutions address CoW’s financial challenges

Niël Terblanché The City of Windhoek (CoW) has announced a series of strategic measures that have led to a marked improvement in the municipality’s fiscal health over the last two financial years in a significant turnaround from previous financial challenges. According to a statement by the CoW, the key that was central to this success has been the containment of over-expenditure, with amongst others, a freeze on salary increases since 2020. To address financial inefficiencies, the CoW has embarked on a rigorous cost-cutting initiative that has substantially enhanced the municipality’s liquidity. The statement indicated that fiscal prudence has been accompanied…