Page 225 – News Stand

08 Oct

Livestock board to award quota share to export beef to Norway

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyLivestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), Norway Quota Allocation

Martin Endjala The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has announced it will allocate a portion of the Norwegian beef production and export quota to local abattoirs. According to an invitation notice seen by the Windhoek Observer, the quota will be awarded to eligible organisations approved for beef production and export to Norway. The quota is valid for 12 months, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. “The sharing and allocation of the 1,600 tons of beef quota will be done in accordance with the principles outlined in the Government Approved Norway Quota Allocation Model of 14…

08 Oct

Financial system stable amid moderate domestic economic conditions

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Financial System Stability Committee, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Johannes !Gawaxab

Matin Endjala Namibia’s financial system remains stable and resilient despite slowing economic growth and global challenges, according to the Financial System Stability Committee (FSSC) report released on Tuesday. According to the report, factors like drought, low diamond prices, and weak global demand will cause Namibia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to slow to 3.1% in 2024. Global factors continue to primarily influence risks to the domestic economy. The FSSC, which includes the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority, met on 3 October to assess the financial system’s resilience. Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said: “The…

07 Oct

Shipwikineni’s legal challenge against Swapo moved to 30 October

info_e12wt4csMainAina Kalimba Angula, Erich Chrismann Shivute, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Reinhold Shipwikineni

Ester Mbathera The court case involving Reinhold Shipwikineni and four other Swapo members against the party and its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has been postponed to 30 October. The case that was initially scheduled for 18 October will now be heard by Judge Boas Usiku, replacing Judge Kobus Miller, who was originally set to preside over the matter. Shipwikineni, along with Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute, and Aina Kalimba Angula, has taken legal action against Swapo, accusing the party of failing to hold an extraordinary congress following the passing of President Hage Geingob. The plaintiffs argue…

07 Oct

Plan to strengthen healthcare system refined

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMinisterial National Health and Social Welfare Conference, Universal Health Coverage

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, laid out the government’s strategic roadmap for reinforcing the country’s healthcare and social services infrastructure at the Ministerial National Health and Social Welfare Conference on Monday. The week-long conference, held in Windhoek, seeks to assess the state of healthcare delivery and social services while making recommendations for improvement.While officially opening the conference, Shangula described the conference as a platform for "unpacking the work that we do as a Ministry" and an opportunity to reflect on past successes and failures in order to craft actionable strategies moving forward. He…

07 Oct

Shangula warns of critical shortages of professionals in hospitals

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDr Kalumbi Shangula, Medium Expenditure Frameworks

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia’s health sector is grappling with a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, despite the government's efforts to fill vacant positions. This was raised by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, during his address at the National Health and Social Services Conference this week. “When I visit hospitals, the main concern is the shortage of critical professionals. Although most vacant posts are filled, the need for extra manpower remains,” he said. Shangula called for urgent measures to resolve the staff shortage issues, which he said are affecting the delivery of essential services in hospitals across…

07 Oct

ECN cancels ballot paper printing tender after backlash from political parties

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOpen International Bidding (OIB), Peter Shaama

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has cancelled the Open International Bidding (OIB) process for designing, printing, supplying and delivering ballot papers for next month’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. Peter Shaama, the Chief Electoral and Referendum Officer of the ECN, announced on Monday that the commission met with authorised political representatives and came to the decision to cancel the tender. This came after various political parties slammed ECN for initiating the process at the last minute. The ECN wanted to print the ballot papers through an emergency procurement process due to limited time and to avoid going…

07 Oct

Phalaphala accused wants to bring another bail application

info_e12wt4csNational NewsImanuwela David, Phalaphala Game Farm

Ester Mbathera Imanuwela David, the only accused behind bars in the Phalaphala Game Farm housebreaking case in South Africa, is attempting to apply for bail again. His lawyer, Keona Matlala, told the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo on Tuesday that his client needs to prepare for the case while free on bail. “Looking at the amount of documents in the docket for our preparations, we need a client that is outside. Basically, we need to apply for bail so that he can be available for consultation anytime. The other thing is with him in prison the financial issue is the…

07 Oct

Namibian students qualified to work in oil and gas industry

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOffshore Marine Training Institute of Namibia (OMITC)

Ester Mbathera Sixteen students completed courses in basic rigging, firewatching, and gas testing for the offshore oil and gas industry at the Offshore Marine Training Institute of Namibia (OMITC) at Walvis Bay. On Monday, the Director of OMITC Namibia, Absalom Fillipus, told the Windhoek Observer that the courses are designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the offshore oil and gas industry, including roles at sea. “It means investing in the future of Namibia, enhancing both personal and professional growth for local citizens. As more Namibians become skilled in essential areas like rigging, firewatching,…

07 Oct

Education ministries to unveil project charter for education reform

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAntónio Guterres

Niël Terblanché The Ministries of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) and Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI) are preparing to launch the Project Charter, an implementation guide for recommendations made during the 2022 National Conference on Education (NCE). According to a statement released by the ministry of education, the charter seeks to mobilise resources and commitment from various stakeholders to drive the transformation of Namibia’s education system. The NCE, held in August 2022, came at a time of significant global educational disruption, largely triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was linked to the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) for…

07 Oct

Khomas Region Netball League season concludes with Khomas Nampol crowned champions

info_e12wt4csSports

The Khomas Region Netball League came to a thrilling close on Saturday at the Wanderers Sports Ground, with Khomas Nampol Netball Club emerging as the Super 10 champions for the 2024 season. Final Standings: Super 10: Khomas Nampol Netball Club Namibian Correctional Services Netball Club Wanderers Netball Club 1st Division: Afrocat Lions (Promoted to Super 10) UNAM Jaguars (Promoted to Super 10) Trustco United Netball Club 2nd Division: Zebra Force Netball Club (Promoted to 1st Division) Tigers Netball Club (Promoted to 1st Division) Dimitri Bittler, Chairperson of the Khomas Region Netball League, confirmed that NUST A Netball Team has been…