National News

Interference of N$82m Bipa tenderout of public procurement procedures

Interference of N$82m Bipa tenderout of public procurement procedures

Stefanus Nashama The official opposition, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says the involvement of the Bank of Namibia and the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise in the implementation of an N$82 million digital registration system by the Business and Intellectual Property Authority of Namibia (BIPA) is out of public procurement procedures. The party further expressed its concern over the revelations that the cost of implementing the digital registration system has ballooned to close to N$100 million from the N$20 million that was originally budgeted by BIPA. According to a statement issued by PDM Secretary General, Manuel Ngaringombe, the party is…
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Oshana Region launches Investors Conference

Oshana Region launches Investors Conference

Martin Endjala Regional economic units have a duty to stimulate business activities in their regions, in order to increase growth per capital income and employment opportunities and thus, ensure poverty reduction. This was said by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga during the official launch of the Oshana region Investors Conference, launched yesterday in the Oshana region, scheduled to take place from 23 to 24 August 2023. The Minister underscored that it is a reality that regional economic planners and players have a significant role in national economies, particularly in the globalized economy. He added that in…
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Attempted Cop Briber sentenced to 18 months

Attempted Cop Briber sentenced to 18 months

Stefanus Nashama The Outapi Magistrate’s court has sentenced Wilhelm Gideon (53) to an effective 18 months in jail for attempting to bribe a police officer with N$ 20 000, in exchange for his vehicle which is currently impounded and is marked off as evidence in an ongoing criminal case. Gideon pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted,and sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment without an option of a fine. Gideon, an operator at Namport contravened section 38(b) read with sections 51, 49 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 (Act No. 8 of 2003), the Anti-Corruption Commission said. According to a statement issued yesterday…
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LGBTQI community warned to not insult war veterans

LGBTQI community warned to not insult war veterans

Stefanus Nashama The Uukwiyuushona Constituency Councillor and member of the National Council, Andreas Amundjindi has sternly warned gay activist Wendelinus Hamutenya and those who engage in same-sex practices, to not insult the veterans of the liberation struggle. During the second reading of the private member’s bill in the National Council yesterday, Amundjindi said Namibia should remain the land of the brave, and that it should not become a land of ‘Sodom and Gomora’. He stated that Namibia cannot allow gays and lesbians to continue insulting veterans of the liberation struggle, who he says brought independence and freedom that gays and…
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Alba Chipamba Training Centre criticized for expelling student

Alba Chipamba Training Centre criticized for expelling student

Stefanus Nashama The Alba Chipamba Training Centre in Oshikango was inundated with criticism this week from members of the public, parliamentarians, lawyers, and organisations over its decision to expel an 18-year old student nurse because of a TikTok video in which she is singing to music and holding a glass while in uniform. Youthful parliamentarian, Inna Hengari on Tuesday commented on the matter and said that when young people are believed to be acting inappropriately, they should be called, corrected, and advised. They should not be shunned or dismissed. Hengari, who is also an activist, said she has observed that…
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ECB dissatisfied with 37 non-complying distributors

ECB dissatisfied with 37 non-complying distributors

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board has expressed disappointment with 37 distribution licensees who have not yet applied for the review of their tariffs while the deadline of the end of July is closing in. “It is very disheartening that we have to do their work for them. If applications are not received by the end of July, we will review them using our available data for each licensee and issue revised tariffs by the end of August,” the ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise said during a media briefing yesterday. Kahimise provided clarity on how Nampower’s bulk customers applied…
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Katjavivi dedicates honour to his late wife

Katjavivi dedicates honour to his late wife

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly, was accorded an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff University on Monday, an accolade he dedicated to his late wife Rosemary Jane Katjavivi, who was born in the United Kingdom. Jane passed away in his presence in August of last year on a flight to Windhoek. She was an accomplished author, editor, and former publisher with a background in African studies. She was born in Britain and passed away at the age of 70. “I dedicate this prestigious honour to my late wife, a pillar of unwavering support in my journey. Our…
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Namibia welcomes the adoption of the global high seas treaty

Namibia welcomes the adoption of the global high seas treaty

Niël Terblanché Namibia has welcomed the establishment of the new Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) global treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources The treaty, under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), was adopted by consensus during a meeting in New York. Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources spokesperson welcomed the development and commends the UN’s efforts aimed at protecting and conserving marine biodiversity. The treaty is aimed at protecting the ocean, promoting equity and fairness, tackling environmental degradation, fighting climate change and preventing biodiversity loss in the high…
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Chopper crash victims identified

Chopper crash victims identified

Niël Terblanché The aviation industry in Namibia has lamented the deaths of the two men, 54-year-old Jaques Jacobs and 29-year-old Dirk von Weidts, who were on board the helicopter that crashed on the outskirts of Swakopmund on Monday afternoon. A large number of people took to social media to pay their respects and share their condolences with the families and friends of the two men who were busy with a test flight when the tragedy occurred. Jacobs, who piloted the Robinson R44 at the time of tragedy, was an experienced flight instructor and also served in the Namibian Airforce in…
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PDM mourns Usakos Deputy Mayor

PDM mourns Usakos Deputy Mayor

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) mourns its Member, Councillor, and the Deputy Mayor of Uusakos Town Council, Aletta Katiti Sem, who recently passed on. Sem was taken to the Usakos State Hospital on Sunday after she complained of chest pains during a church service. She died four hours later. Apart from the Mayoral position, Sem also served within the ranks of the PDM as the Acting Karibib Constituency Coordinator and the Women’s League Interim Chairperson. PDM President, McHenry Venaani, yesterday described the late Sem as an extraordinary individual whose unwavering commitment and tireless efforts played a pivotal role…
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