Page 261 – News Stand

24 Oct

Namibia skips 2024 BRICS summit due to non-membership

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlfredo Hengari, Namibian Presidency

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia did not attend the 2024 BRICS summit held in Moscow, Russia, as the country was not invited. The Namibian Presidency clarified the country’s absence, citing the fact that it is not yet a member of the BRICS bloc. Presidential spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari confirmed on Wednesday that Namibia’s participation in last year’s BRICS summit, held in South Africa, was only as an observer, not as a participant. “Namibia was invited as an observer to last year’s summit but did not receive an invitation this year because the country is not a member of BRICS,” Hengari stated. BRICS currently…

24 Oct

MoHSS set to rollout HPV vaccines soon

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBen Nangombe, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, Walter Kamaya, World Health Organization (WHO)

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Ben Nangombe, has announced that the government is on the verge of introducing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in the public health sector. The vaccine prevents HPV infections that may lead to cervical cancer. A statement, released on Thursday, highlighted the ministry’s past achievements and future projects. Nangombe stated that the ministry is collaborating with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to bring HPV vaccines to the country and is actively finalising an implementation plan. ‘’Most cases of cervical cancer in Namibia are caused by…

24 Oct

Kawana urges united action against GBV

info_e12wt4csNational NewsElundu Police Post

Allexer Namundjembo Home Affairs Minister Albert Kawana has expressed concern over the increasing cases of gender-based violence in the country. Kawana made this statement at the inauguration of the Elundu Police Post, held yesterday in the Omundaungilo Constituency of the Ohangwena Region. He noted that official national statistics, particularly those on gender-based violence reported to the Namibian Police Force, indicate that crimes committed against women and children are rising, with the Ohangwena region being one of the areas with the highest reported cases. “It is, therefore my submission that a holistic approach is required from all stakeholders to address this…

24 Oct

Swapo councillors object to renaming of Oranjemund streets

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Several local authorities and Swapo councillors in the ||Karas and Hardap regions have objected to the street renaming in the region, describing it as unlawful. They say the street renaming was unjust because due process was not followed. Notable individuals, such as the leader of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), Bernadus Swartbooi, have had streets named after them. Oranjemund deputy mayor Sekunda Tsheya Petrus could not respond as she was busy in a meeting. Mariental Swapo councillor Mairos Skrywer said she was against the renaming of the street to that of the LPM leader. “I told the council…

24 Oct

Namibia and Cuba sign protocol to strengthen cooperation

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJuan Esteban Lazo Hernández, Peter Katjavivi

Niël Terblanché The signing of a new Protocol on Cooperation between the Namibian Parliament and the Cuban National Assembly is set to introduce a new chapter of collective strengths to face the challenges of the 21st century. During an official visit to Cuba, the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Peter Katjavivi, held discussions with the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández. The meeting culminated in the signing of the protocol, aimed at fostering closer collaboration in various areas of mutual interest, including parliamentary practices, legislative procedures, and capacity-building initiatives. This partnership will promote…

24 Oct

Internship programme receives welcome boost

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia National Internship Programme (NNIP), Social Security Commission (SSC), Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

Niël Terblanché The Social Security Commission (SSC) has committed a vital N$200,000 to the Namibia National Internship Programme (NNIP) in an effort to tackle the shortage of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for students. The donation is aimed at increasing the programme’s intake, which currently stands at 300 students per year, despite the NNIP’s ambition of accommodating at least 1 600 students annually. At the handover of the sponsorship, Milka Mungunda, the executive officer of the SSC, expressed her delight at the Commission’s involvement in the programme. "The SSC is proud to be a part of this partnership which exemplifies…

24 Oct

Diamond production down 14%

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDebmarine Namibia, Namdeb, Namibia Trading Diamond Company

CHAMWE KAIRA Production in Namibia decreased by 14% to 500 000 carats, reflecting intentional action to lower production at Debmarine Namibia, partially offset by planned higher grade mining and better recoveries at Namdeb, the Anglo American production report for the third quarter ended 30 September revealed. Anglo American owns De Beers, which in turn is a 50-50 partner with the government in Debmarine Namibia, Namdeb Holdings and Namibia Trading Diamond Company (NDTC). De Beers said overall rough diamond production in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Canada decreased by 25% to 5.6 million carats, reflecting a production response to the prolonged…

24 Oct

Agra expects profit to drop 23%

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Stock Exchange, Namibian agricultural sector

CHAMWE KAIRA Agra Limited has advised shareholders that the company’s profit after tax, basic earnings per share and headline earnings per share for the year ended 31 July 2024 is expected to decrease by between 17% and 23% compared to the previous financial period. Agra said the results reflect a period that was challenging in unprecedented ways but also demonstrate the strength and resilience of both the company and the Namibian agricultural sector. “The severe and ongoing drought has tested Agra’s operations, stakeholders, and the very foundation of agriculture in Namibia. Yet, through these trials, Agra has emerged not just…

24 Oct

Economy will offer construction opportunities

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Simonis Storm

CHAMWE KAIRA Economic research firm Simonis Storm has said while it remains cautious about the overall recovery of the construction sector, it is excited about the opportunities ahead. The recent 25-basis point rate cut by the Bank of Namibia is a welcome step toward creating a more favorable environment for property financing, particularly in the residential sector, the firm said. “Although the current challenges in both corporate and household mortgage lending suggest that deeper structural issues persist, we expect that further rate cuts are on the horizon, offering additional relief and support for the sector,” the firm said. Simonis said…

24 Oct

Otto Shikongo to chair FNB board

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyFirstRand Namibia Ltd, Namibian Stock Exchange

CHAMWE KAIRA FirstRand Namibia Ltd. and First National Bank of Namibia have announced the appointment of former Debmarine Namibia chief executive officer Otto Shikongo as chairman of its boards effective 17 October. FNB said the appointment of Shikongo as board chairperson is in compliance with paragraph 3.59(c) of the listing requirements of the Namibian Stock Exchange. “The company’s shareholders are hereby advised that Otto Nakasole Shikongo, an independent non-executive director and deputy chairperson of the company, is appointed as chairperson of the boards of FirstRand Namibia Ltd. and First National Bank of Namibia effective 17 October ,” the notice said.…