Page 12 – News Stand

06 Aug

SMEs, women, youth to get tender preference

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Justicia Shipena The government is amending the Public Procurement Act of 2015 by introducing a code of good practices to support inclusive economic growth.The new guidelines will provide preferential treatment to SMEs, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises, and previously disadvantaged individuals.This was announced by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during the third ministerial regional business engagement held in the Zambezi Region on Wednesday.She said the reforms align with the youth empowerment agenda of the eighth administration and form part of a broader strategy to link trade and industrialisation with national development goals.“Our intention is to ensure Namibian goods…

06 Aug

Policy to push 51% slice of mines for locals

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The government is exploring ways to ensure 51% local ownership in new mining ventures. This will be done through a new policy aimed at promoting local empowerment and long-term sustainability.Deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete announced the plan on Tuesday during the opening of the 2025 Mining Expo in Windhoek. “We are actively consulting with industry stakeholders on mechanisms that will promote 51% Namibian ownership in new mining ventures,” said Ithete. He said local empowerment is not only a matter of social justice but also a cornerstone for long-term stability and sustainability…

06 Aug

Fishermen say GRN inaction causing mental distress

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Justicia Shipena Former employees of Namsov and Heinaste say they are suffering mental, emotional and physical distress due to the government’s failure to resolve their back pay. The fishermen, supported by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Workers Union (MMMCWU), have threatened to approach the Office of the President and take legal action if their demands are not met by Friday.The group, which is part of the government’s redress programme following the Fishrot scandal, travelled from Walvis Bay to Windhoek and protested outside Government Park on Tuesday. They are demanding that fishing quotas be reallocated to Blue Chromis PTY Ltd,…

06 Aug

Consultation fee is not a bribe — Dunaiski

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Justicia Shipena Former Namcor Trading commercial manager Olivia Dunaiski says the N$10 000 payment she received from Venus Technologies CC was unrelated to Namcor business. In an affidavit submitted to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, Dunaiski denied any wrongdoing in the high-profile Namcor fuel corruption case. Dunaiski is seeking bail alongside 10 others who were arrested in the matter, including former managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Immanuel Mulunga. The state alleges that she received a gratification payment from Venus Technologies on 4 August 2022. “The payment was not for any moment in respect of any Namcor…

06 Aug

Windhoek Observer responds to legal threat over published photograph

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The Windhoek Observer has taken note of a letter of demand dated 23 July 2025 from Lubbe & Saaiman Incorporated, acting on behalf of businessman Mr Elmo Kaiyamo. The letter demands the removal of a photograph published alongside an article relating to Professor Job Amupanda, as well as a written undertaking to refrain from publishing Mr Kaiyamo’s image in the future. The image in question was taken at a public event, specifically, a book launch attended by several members of the public, including Mr Kaiyamo and Prof. Amupanda. The photograph depicts attendees in a general, non-targeted manner. At no point…

06 Aug

Namibia still not meeting industry skills demand

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti, said Namibia continues to face a mismatch between the skills produced at institutions of high learning and those demanded by industries. He was talking on Tuesday during the launch of the Technical Assistance to Support the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) in Improving the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) offer related to the Green Transition Project. He said the concern is shared by local industry stakeholders, and the ministry as policymakers, who seek practical solutions to address national needs. There is broad consensus that a well-aligned TVET…

06 Aug

Zimbabwe launches national campaign against child abuse

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Moses Magadza The minister of state for provincial affairs and devolution for Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe, Ezra Chadzamira, has officially launched a national campaign against child abuse, rape, and the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The initiative forms part of the SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project (2023–2026), funded by the Swedish Government and implemented through the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It supports the domestication of key regional legal instruments, including the SADC Model Laws on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage (2016), Gender-Based Violence (2021), and Public Financial Management…

06 Aug

Kadhila rejoins GIPF in top investment role

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Allexer Namundjembo The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced the return of Immanuel Ndinoomwa Kadhila as general manager for investments, effective 1 September 2025. Kadhila previously held the position of head of treasury at GIPF from 2015 to 2022. His return comes as the fund moves to strengthen its investment portfolio and align with its Responsible Investment Policy.GIPF stated that Kadhila brings experience in investment management across various sectors.The fund expressed confidence in his ability to help protect and grow its portfolio to meet obligations to members receiving lifetime benefits. GIPF CEO Martin Inkumbi said Kadhila’s appointment supports the…

06 Aug

Govt PROs trained to improve public engagement

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Communication officers and public relations officers from government ministries, agencies, and regional councils are attending a four-day refresher workshop in Swakopmund focused on the Government Communication System (GCS).The workshop, held from 5 to 8 August 2025, aims to improve service delivery and increase citizen engagement.The training covers practical tools such as suggestion boxes and online feedback platforms to help institutions respond better to public concerns. Opening the workshop, Steven Isaack, director in the office of the prime minister, said the initiative supports President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call for transformative change in the public sector.He said effective communication is key…

06 Aug

Interpack fixes salary glitch

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Allexer Namundjembo Non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer and distributor Interpack says it has corrected salary discrepancies after several employees were underpaid due to a payroll miscalculation by the Human Resources department. The issue reportedly affected staff who said they received only partial salaries. “We were paid less. It seems like they calculated only the number of days we worked and ignored our basic salaries,” one employee told the Windhoek Observer on condition of anonymity. Former workers also alleged unfair dismissals, claiming some employees were terminated without undergoing formal disciplinary processes. “When I was there, we worked long hours, and some of us…