Page 305 – News Stand

15 Aug

B2Gold produces 48 143 ounces of gold

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyOtjikoto Mine

CHAMWE KAIRA The Otjikoto Mine continued to outperform during the second quarter of 2024, producing 48 143 ounces of gold, above expectations as a result of higher than anticipated mill feed grade, B2Gold Corporation said. For the second quarter of 2024, mill feed grade was 1.79 grams per tonne (g/t), mill throughput was 0.85 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 98.6%. B2Gold said ore production from the Wolfshag underground mine for the second quarter of 2024 averaged over 1500 tonnes per day at an average grade of 4.69 g/t gold. As of the beginning of 2024, the probable mineral reserve…

15 Aug

Bannerman Energy raise N$110m for project

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDefinitive Feasibility Study (DFS), Etango Project

CHAMWE KAIRA Bannerman Energy Ltd has raised N$110 million by issuing new shares to investors. The money that was raised will be used for the developing of the Etango Project in the Erongo Region. The company confirmed that following the receipt of shareholder approval at the general meeting held on 12 August, tranche two of the placement announced 28 June had been successfully completed. Accordingly, the company has today issued 2,830,765 new fully paid ordinary shares to new and existing institutional and sophisticated investors at an issue price of A$3.30 per. The new share will raise gross proceeds of approximately…

15 Aug

Nationalisation in best interest of people or capitalism in the best interest of investors?

info_e12wt4csOpinionscapitalism, nationalisation

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro What are Namibia’s economic priorities, especially as far as it relates to the owners of her natural resources who in the past did not only benefit from them but were also dispossessed of them and alienated from the? This question is utmost pertinent in view of the seeming lack of transformation in Namibia. Not only in view of this only but also cognisant of the overzealous search for investors. Whose investing in Namibia seems to be tilted more in their own interest then in the best interest of the country in terms of the benefits from the investments…

15 Aug

Hinda contemplates criminal charges following court ruling against Amupanda

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAmupanda, Maureen Hinda

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Deputy finance and public enterprises minister Maureen Hinda is considering laying criminal charges against Affirmative Repositioning leader and presidential candidate Job Amupanda. This comes after the High Court awarded her N$100 000 in a defamation case on Wednesday. Judge Collin Parker ordered Amupanda to also pay Hinda’s legal costs, following defamatory comments he posted on Facebook and Twitter. “I got the judgement for N$100 000 plus costs. That could easily reach about N$500 000 because the case was three years long. I could consider criminal charges if he does not stop. He is still making remarks on his…

14 Aug

ECN warned not to register Nandi-Ndaitwah for the presidential elections

info_e12wt4csMain

Martin Endjala Several Swapo members have written to Namibia's Electoral Commission (ECN) via their lawyer, Nicky Ngula, instructing the commission not to allow the registration of endorsed party presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. They are Joshua Vaino Martins, Reinhold Nghihepavali Shipwikineni, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute and Aina Kalimba Angula. “Our instructions are to advise that the Electoral Commission of Namibia, in the circumstances, should not allow the registration of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as a presidential candidate for the National Presidential Elections for 2024 as a result of her non-compliance with Article 15 (9) of the Swapo Party Constitution,” said Ngula.…

14 Aug

Economists warn that 25 basis points won’t ease the cost of living

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMonetary Policy Committee (MPC)

Martin Endjala Despite the central bank's move to reduce interest rates from 7.75% to 7.50%, economists argue that the 25 basis points are not sufficient to address the high cost of living. On 14 August, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Namibia (BoN) decided to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 7.50%. According to the BoN’s governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, the decision was made following a comprehensive review of domestic, regional and global economic developments. In reaction to the announcement, independent bank researcher and economist, Josef Sheehama told the Windhoek Observer that the BoN…

14 Aug

Fishrot-inspired artwork lands artist in court

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera An Icelandic artist, who created a provocative art piece titled "We're Sorry," inspired by the Fishrot corruption scandal, is facing a lawsuit by the fishing giant Samherji in a High Court trial in London. Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, an MA Fine Arts student at the University of Bergen, said the legal action threatens his ability to defend his freedom of speech. “This legal battle is not just about me; it’s about defending freedom of speech and the role of art in holding powerful entities accountable,” he said. The artwork, which replicates Samherji's website with a bold apology, has been…

14 Aug

RP warns ACC boss to look for another job if Mudge becomes president

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAnti-Corruption Commission, Henk Mudge, Republican Party

Stefanus Nashama The Republican Party’s (RP) leader, Henk Mudge has pledged to replace Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) boss Paulus Noa if he becomes president of the country. Mudge cited Noa’s failure to tackle corruption. He made these remarks at the party’s manifesto launch on Wednesday in Windhoek. “Corruption has become very high in the country, and if I become the president, Noa will have to look for another job,” he said. Mudge also accused Swapo of using affirmative action and black economic empowerment to allocate land to their friends and family while exploiting the country's resources. “Our natural resources should be…

14 Aug

Ban on issuance of wholesale petroleum licenses lifted

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsTom Alweendo, wholesale petroleum licenses

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Mines and Energy lifted the moratorium placed on the issuing of wholesale petroleum licenses on Wednesday. The moratorium that has been in place since 15 August 2022 will be lifted today. The Ministry instituted the moratorium to enhance its licensing systems and processes for better public service. The moratorium on issuing new retail licenses will, however, remain in place. “This is because there is evidence that the average demand for fuel has not increased, suggesting that issuing new retail licenses will negatively affect the viability of existing retail outlets. The Ministry will continue to assess…

14 Aug

60 IPC and LPM members flock to Swapo

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Swapo Party welcomed 60 members from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) on Wednesday. Swapo’s secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, and her deputy, Uahekua Herunga, welcomed them at the Swapo headquarters in Windhoek. Shaningwa received the membership cards and assured the new recruits that she would deliver the old cards to their respective former political parties. “We are not going to tear them up. They did not belong to us. Of course, the members now belong to the Swapo Party. And they handed over the properties of IPC that will be returned…