Page 106 – News Stand

20 Feb

Did a Tax Dispute Hold Up the De Beers-Botswana Deal?

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

De Beers and the Botswana government have concluded their negotiations over a new sales agreement for rough diamonds after more than five years of discussions. They haven’t signed yet: Bogolo Kenewendo, minister of minerals and energy, said she hoped this would happen later this month, a pronouncement De Beers CEO Al Cook met with a nod at a press briefing. All that remains are the ‘largely formulaic’ process of issuing the mining licenses, Cook told the audience. The new government, under President Duma Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, has touted the fact that it managed to seal the…

20 Feb

The last man standing; founding president and father of the NAMIBIAN nation H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma

info_e12wt4csOpinions

P T SHIPALE I. Prologue Indeed, a great tree has fallen and a great shadow hangs heavy across the entire land because our beloved Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation, H.E. Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma is no more. For those of us who knew him, who worked alongside him, who counted and relied on him, who were led by him, who learned from him, who loved him, it is unbearable that we will not see him again. The sad news of his passing struck a deep and solemn note as he was an iconic and quintessential revolutionary leader,…

20 Feb

NBL launches Windhoek Beer in Kenya

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has announced the launch of Windhoek Beer in the Kenyan market. The company said the strategic move marks a significant milestone in NBL's ongoing efforts to expand its footprint, export its premium products, and develop its business across new markets. Windhoek Beer, the iconic brand of NBL portfolio, renowned for its exceptional quality and rich heritage, is now available to Kenyan consumers who appreciate a finely crafted beer. Brewed in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law of 1516, Windhoek Beer is made from only the finest ingredients: malted barley, hops, and water, ensuring…

20 Feb

Anglo American sells nickel business

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Anglo American has agreed to the sale of its nickel business to MMG Singapore Resources Pte. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMG Limited for a cash consideration of up to US$500 million. The nickel business comprises two ferronickel operations in Brazil – Barro Alto and Codemin – and two high quality greenfield growth projects – Jacaré and Morro Sem Boné. The agreed cash consideration of up to US$500 million comprises an upfront cash consideration of US$350 million at completion; the potential for up to US$100 million in a price-linked earn out and contingent cash consideration of US$50 million linked…

20 Feb

Nujoma’s final journey begins

info_e12wt4csMain

Erasmus Shalihaxwe and Ester Mbathera The remains of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma have begun the journey to their final resting place, and the nation has paid its last respects. The remains arrived early on Thursday morning at State House, where President Nangolo Mbumba officially sanctioned their departure to the regions. Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba and former First Lady Penexupifo Pohamba were among the dignitaries who arrived to pay their respects. The Namibian Defence Force (NDF), led by the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, is overseeing the solemn procession. The journey began with a brief…

19 Feb

NamPol inundated with applications for cadet positions

info_e12wt4csMain

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has received over 52 000 applications from young people to be trained as cadet constables. The head of NamPol’s public relations division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. “We received slightly more than 52 000 applications from which only 1 200 could be shortlisted,” she said. She said the review of these applications is ongoing, with the shortlist of successful candidates expected before May. “The shortlisting process is ongoing and expected to be concluded between February and May,” she said. Shikwambi noted that shortlisting has been completed…

19 Feb

City Police crack down on 949 unregistered businesses

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Currently, 949 businesses in Windhoek are operating without a valid certificate of fitness or registration, according to the City of Windhoek Municipality (CoW). The City Police’s spokesperson, Marcelline Murapo said fines have been issued to bars, mechanic's workshops, and restaurants in Otjomuise, Wanaheda, Ausspannplatz, the city centre, Rocky Crest, and Olympia. “We identify them during routine inspections and when complaints are brought to our attention either by public members or the business registration section of the City of Windhoek,” she said. The fines were for offences including conducting a business without a certificate, operating a business without a…

19 Feb

Welwitschias face Boland Cavaliers in preparation for 2027 World Cup

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The national senior rugby team, the Welwitschias, will face the Boland Cavaliers rugby team from South Africa in a 2027 Rugby World Cup preparation campaign match on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium. Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) vice president, Johan Diergaardt announced this week that the friendly game will go ahead without spectators. This is in line with the government's directives for sports organisers not to accommodate spectators during the mourning period of the founding president, Sam Nujoma, who died a week ago at the age of 95. Diergardt lauded Nujoma’s leadership and influence on sports, stating…

19 Feb

Swift drought aid distribution ensures hunger relief

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The government has commenced the distribution of a substantial rice donation from China in a determined effort to alleviate the severe hunger crisis precipitated by the current unprecedented drought. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) began dispatching the consignment to the Oshikoto region on Monday, aiming to reach 27 000 registered households under the drought relief programme. The Chinese government donated 27 200 bags of rice which arrived by sea at the port of Walvis Bay earlier this week. The OPM said in a social media post that the intervention responds to the acute food insecurity affecting…

19 Feb

IMF advised Namibia against retail digital currencies

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Niel Terblanche The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Namibia against issuing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). A mission from the IMF visited Namibia in January, and in a recent report, it advised against pursuing a sovereign digital currency for retail consumers. The IMF recommended that the Bank of Namibia focus on promoting existing payment improvements. “As the mission did not find strong support for rCBDC issuance to address gaps in payments, it recommends against pursuing advanced technological exploration beyond proof-of-concept until tangible benefits of CBDC for payments are evident,” the report says. BoN has been exploring a…