Namibia intensifies efforts to combat illicit financial flows

Namibia intensifies efforts to combat illicit financial flows

Martin Endjala Namibia is intensifying efforts against illicit financial flows (IFFs) that pose significant threats to its economic stability and global trade integrity. Statistician Bojan Nastav emphasised the detrimental impact of IFFs, which include corruption, smuggling, and tax evasion, on Namibia’s socio-political and economic stability. He made these remarks during the national technical working group's workshop on IFF last week in Windhoek. “The outcomes of the workshop will equip the future work of the national technical working group to measure tax and commercial illicit financial flows, identify policy gaps, and develop further estimation and policy recommendations,” he said. Illicit financial…
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Namibia resumes limited import of poultry products

Namibia resumes limited import of poultry products

Niël Terblanché South Africa is still battling an avian influenza outbreak and as a result, Namibia has put up measures to prevent the disease from spreading to local poultry farms. In an official notification on Sunday, Albertina Shilongo, the chief veterinary officer at the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, announced the resumption of limited imports of poultry and poultry products from the country's southern neighbour. “It should be noted that only poultry meat derived from live poultry originating from bio-secure poultry farms as listed by the Veterinary Authority of South Africa will…
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Shaningwa defends secrecy over talks with China and Angola

Shaningwa defends secrecy over talks with China and Angola

Ester Mbathera Swapo secretary general Sophia Shanigwa declined to divulge the agenda of her recent talks with the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the Chinese Communist Party. Last week, Shaningwa met with MPLA vice president Luisa Pedro Francisco Damiao before travelling to China for further engagements. “My God, Jesus. You think I should report to the media when I am meeting with my sister parties as the secretary general of the Swapo Party,” she said when questioned about these meetings." Shaningwa explained that Swapo operates within a global context, interacting with various nations and political parties.…
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Vice President endorses youth’s development initiatives

By: Niël Terblanché Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the critical role of patriotism in driving Namibia's development agenda during her speech at the Youth Forge event held at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).The event on Thursday was themed 'Igniting Patriotism; Fuelling Industry,' and was aimed at inspiring national pride among young Namibians while equipping them with essential industrial skills.While addressing the gathering, Nandi-Ndaitwah shared her vision of shared prosperity and the Ideal Namibia.She said that a strong sense of patriotism is vital for overcoming the challenges posed by poor public service delivery and the prevalent individualistic attitudes…
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Schlettwein defends push for clean cooking

By: Niël Terblanché Statements made by Calle Schlettwein, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, on an international forum where he advocated for modern energy sources for cooking food, have sparked controversy among Namibians.Many citizens took to social media to point out that a significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity or gas and relies heavily on firewood, which is abundant in the country.In response, Schlettwein addressed these concerns following the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, held in Paris, France.Schlettwein emphasized the critical health and environmental issues associated with traditional cooking methods.According to the minister, data…
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MoHSS clarifies funding for new Windhoek hospital

By: Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Serviceshas clarified that the total cost of constructing the new Windhoek DistrictHospital is approximately N$2.9 billion. During the groundbreaking ceremony for thenew Windhoek District Hospital on Thursday, one of the main speakers mentioned thatthe total construction cost of the new facility will be N$16 billion. Although the new 500-bed facilityrepresents a substantial investment in the country's healthcare infrastructure,Walters Kamaya, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Social Services,clarified the misunderstanding regarding the funding of the new hospital.He stressed that the total cost ofconstructing the new Windhoek District Hospital is approximately N$2.9…
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Windhoek now has 17 new street names

By: Ester Mbathera The City of Windhoek has renamed seventeen streets in honour of notable individuals, with the changes taking effect on Friday.Six of the renamed streets already existed while eleven were newly established motorways. The following streets have been renamed: Eneast Peter Nanyemba Street is now Jason Mutumbulwa Street, Sin Street is now Ulrich Paulino Street, Johann Albrecht Street is now Gaob Dr Justus ǁGaroëb Street, Jordan Street is now Arch Bonifatius Hausiku Street, Dam Beach Street is now John Kambangula Street and Hennie Laubscher Street is now Gen Karel Ndjomba Street.These changes affect areas in Auasblick Extension 1,…
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Namibia and EU celebrate growing partnership

Namibia and EU celebrate growing partnership

Niël Terblanchéon Trade between Namibia and the European Union (EU) has been on the rise and is constantly driven by new agreements and partnerships. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Jennely Matundu, highlighted the increased and positive collaboration during the 74th anniversary celebration of Europe Day in Windhoek on Tuesday. Matundu stressed that the partnership is promoting the development and beneficiation of raw materials and renewable hydrogen to support green and digital transformation. “Over the past 34 years, Namibia and the EU have built a strong relationship based on political and social dialogue, trade and sustainable development, economic…
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ECN gears up for voter registration

ECN gears up for voter registration

Niël Terblanché As the November Presidential and National Assembly elections approach, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced that it needs 997 vehicles to support the upcoming voter registration drive. De Wet Siluka, the ECN’s spokesperson, stated that most of these vehicles would need to be rented from private individuals. Out of the nearly 1,000 vehicles, 138 will be allocated for use in the Khomas Region alone. The ECN has previously informed prospective vendors that their vehicles must undergo inspection. According to Siluka, this requirement has led to a significant turnout of private vehicle owners at the Otjomuise Police…
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67 journalists imprisoned across Africa

67 journalists imprisoned across Africa

Martin Endjala The President of the Africa Editors Forum and chairperson of the steering committee of the Africa Media Convention (AMC) Churchill Otieno, says that according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ annual Prison Census, at least 67 journalists were imprisoned across Africa in connection to their work as of 1 December 2023. He said this on Thursday, during the opening of the third AMC at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana. “As a fraternity, as a people, we must say and do all that is necessary to stop this wanton muzzling of agents of truth. Desmond Tutu…
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