MUN president removed

MUN president removed

The national executive committee of the Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) passed a vote of no confidence against its president, Ismael Kasuto and vice president, Densley Somseb.The motion passed during an extra ordination executive meeting held in Tsumeb on Sunday.Hashondali Kakuti, the MUN’s southern regional secretary, who chaired the meeting, confirmed the removal of the two leaders.The reasons for Kasuto and Somseb’s removal according to letters sent to them are the lack of leadership that hampers the organisational health, social cohesion and progress of the union.The union executive appointed Mathew P. Mberiuana to act as president until the next…
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Petrol prices to surge by 70 cents per litre, diesel up by 40 cents

Petrol prices to surge by 70 cents per litre, diesel up by 40 cents

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Mines and Energy on Friday announced that petrol prices are set to increase by 70 cents per litre. Similarly, both types of diesel will increase by 40 cents per litre. In Walvis Bay, the new prices will stand at N$23.00 per litre for petrol, N$22.17 per litre for diesel 50 ppm, and N$22.37 per litre for diesel 10 ppm. The increases are slated to take effect in the first week of May. The ministry stated that adjustments in fuel prices across other regions of Namibia will be made accordingly. These changes come as the Ministry…
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BoN launches instant payment project

BoN launches instant payment project

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) on Friday launched the Instant Payment Project initiative that is set to revolutionise financial services across Namibia. The BoN Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab said the project aims to introduce an instant payment solution that is efficient, instantly accessible and designed for inclusivity. "The project aims to significantly broaden financial inclusion by providing essential and affordable financial services to all whilst focusing on the rural and informal sectors which face logistical and financial challenges in accessing conventional banking services," he said The targeted rollout is 2025. !Gawaxab explained that the platform will be accessible from…
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Alweendo clarifies entitlement remarks

Alweendo clarifies entitlement remarks

Martin Endjala The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo says that Namibians must ready themselves if they want to participate in the oil and gas sector. Alweendo was clarifying his remarks of entitlement which he said was misconstrued. "I was saying, As Namibian companies and entrepreneurs, whether it is going to be in the oil and gas sectors or mineral sectors. Let us not sit back and hope that somebody is going to do it for us. It won't happen, but it will only happen through hard work. I know what I said has been misconstrued by the media…
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Need for better oversight of mining companies identified

Need for better oversight of mining companies identified

Niël Terblanché The parliamentary standing committees on natural resources, economics, and public administration have called attention to what they perceive as inadequate efforts by mining companies in Namibia regarding their corporate social responsibilities. The findings, which stem from a series of meetings last year to enhance the sectors' contributions to the nation's development goals, were recently presented in the National Assembly. According to the chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources, Tjekero Tweya, it has come to light that the execution of corporate responsibilities by mining firms is voluntary rather than legally enforced. “The findings raised some questions…
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NamPower launch Auas-Gerus 400kV transmission line

NamPower launch Auas-Gerus 400kV transmission line

Martin Endjala NamPower inaugurated the newly constructed Auas-Gerus 400 kV transmission line that runs from the Auas transmission station outside Windhoek to the Gerus transmission station near Otjiwarongo. The line valued at N$870 million was inaugurated on Friday. NamPower’s managing director, Kahenge Haulofu said this will enable the power utility to continue delivering on its mandate, by ensuring continued and reliable power supply. "The transmission line will allow for an increased transfer capacity to NamPower's transmission customers and will enhance the company's ability to trade electricity between other countries within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)," said Haulofu. He said…
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No malaria vaccine for Namibia

No malaria vaccine for Namibia

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite the global rollout of malaria vaccines to affected countries across the world, Namibia finds itself without access to the malaria vaccine. Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula revealed this during an interview with Windhoek Observer on Saturday. “We do not have the vaccine yet but when the time is right we can always consider alternative ways to combat malaria,’’ said Shangula. According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the new malaria vaccine is available across sub-Saharan Africa. “With the new malaria vaccine available across sub-Saharan Africa, more children have a fair chance…
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The AR student body barred from holding meetings at UNAM campus.

The AR student body barred from holding meetings at UNAM campus.

Ester Mbathera The Affirmative Repositioning Student Commands (ARSC) faced an unexpected hurdle when attempting to host its opening ceremony at the main campus of the University of Namibia (UNAM) in Windhoek on Friday afternoon. This came after their approval to host the event on campus was retracted by the assistant director for student services and residences, Lazarus Shatipamba, a day before the event. In a letter to ARSC dated April 25th, seen by the Windhoek Observer, claimed that the booked venue was no longer available. "We are kindly advising you to make alternative arrangements to host your event somewhere off…
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RedForce approaches High Court to intervene in its contract termination

RedForce approaches High Court to intervene in its contract termination

Martin Endjala RedForce Debt Management (RDM) has filed an urgent application to the High Court to intervene in the termination of its contract by the Walvis Bay Municipality Council. According to a notice of motion dated 27 April and the founding affidavit of RDM's chief operations officer, Selma Nangombe, the termination of the contract is unlawful and devastating to its operations. The urgent application to be filed on 30 April, through its legal practitioner Karel Gaeb, under the Sisa Namamdje law firm, is seeking to put aside the decision taken by the Walvis Bay Council on 23 April. "The purpose…
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Young mother faces wrath of the law after abandoning baby

Young mother faces wrath of the law after abandoning baby

Niël Terblanché Detectives of the Namibian Police in Walvis Bay on Saturday arrested a 24-year-old woman who is suspected of abandoning her 16-month-old baby in the dunes 200 meters from the road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The reason for abandoning her baby will be determined when she appears in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court this week. On Saturday, the Namibian Police distributed information requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the baby girl and her mother. Shortly afterwards, it was established that the mother makes a living by selling kapana in the Kuisebmond area. Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head…
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