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16 Apr

Address challenges hindering economic development – Iipumbu

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama Minister of Trade and Industrialization , Lucia Iipumbu, has expressed concern related to sustainable enetrprises, labour rights and the equitable distribution of economic benefits in Namibia. “We must consider all social implications of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), ensuring that the economic benefits are shared equitably among all segments of society. “The SEZ Bill should be crafted with a forward-looking approach, incorporating measures to promote innovation, research and development and the integration of new technologies,” she stated. The Minister was speaking at the stakeholders’ consultations on the draft SEZ Bill in Walvis Bay on Monday. The Bill, according to…

16 Apr

MP advocates for the removal of Cuba blockade

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala National Assembly member Leevi Katoma of Swapo Party, has yesterday moved a motion for Parliament to debate the removal of historic Cuban economic blockade imposed by the United States of America (USA). Cuba has been under the USA embargo for 60 years. Katoma said the cessation of unwarranted economic blockade imposed by the USA against the people of Cuba is inhumane. He demanded the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of states sponsoring terrorism, the prompt repeal of economic sanctions and unconditional closure of the USA naval base at Guantanamo Bay. “We reaffirm our unwavering support for…

16 Apr

NDF closely monitoring threats of regime change – Kapofi

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Frans Kapofi, said his ministry has taken keen interest in utterances made through audio messages that are circulating on social media threatening instability after the Presidential and National Elections in November if a certain political party fails to win. Kapofi was speaking in Parliament yesterday while motivating the allocation of more than N$ 6 billion annual budget for the ministry. Early this month, The Namibian newspaper reported that Independent Patriots for Change member Kefas Vernandu, was suspended for inciting violence through a coup d'état if the party loses the elections. Vernandu allegedly…

16 Apr

BON PSD-9 Directive: The Cross-Border Payment System’s Anatomy and Operations

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Josef Kefas Sheehama Even though it usually causes people to feel more nervous, it's critical to keep in mind that compliance, security, and safety are important in a world of highly sophisticated financial crime. The Bank of Namibia released PSD-9 in 2022, and the new regulation may have taken effect on April 15, 2024. The Bank of Namibia's most recent directive has extended until September 2024 the date of implementation for cross-border payments under PSD-9. It specifies how electronic fund transfers (EFTs) transactions are to be carried out within the National Payment System, with the goals of ensuring their cost-effectiveness,…

16 Apr

Bank Windhoek appoints Shikage as Strategic Communication Specialist

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWetumwene Shikage

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Bank Windhoek has made an addition to its Marketing and Corporate Communication Services (MCCS) department by appointing Wetumwene Shikage, as its new Strategic Communication Specialist, eeffective from 1 March 2024. Executive Officer of Marketing and Corporate Communication Services at bank Jacquiline Pack, highlighted Shikage's outstanding qualities as a determined communicator with strong leadership skills and a passion for corporate communication. Shikage's primary responsibility will be to support the Strategic Communication Manager in crafting and curating content for both internal and external communication channels. "Shikage's role is pivotal in ensuring that communication messaging remains of the highest standard, accuracy,…

16 Apr

KEBU employees demand immediate removal of acting head

info_e12wt4csMainKEBU employees demands immediate removal of acting head, Lee Mweemba

Stefanus Nashama Staff members of the Keetmanshoop Electrical Business Unit (KEBU), an electrical department within the Keetmanshoop Municipality, are demanding immediate removal of Lee Mweemba who was appointed by the council management to head the department in January this year. In a letter of demand sent by KEBU employees earlier this year, contended that Mweemba is an Information Technology (IT) specialist who belongs to the municipality's finance department and not the electrical department. They are therefore demanding that he be removed from KEBU, as the department already has senior electricians, revenue technicians and electricians with the relevant qualifications and experience…

16 Apr

Repo rate anticipated to remain unchanged…call for self-sufficiency.

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEddy Kgobetsi, Omake Charity Board Chairperson

Martin Endjala Omake Charity Board Chairperson, Eddy Kgobetsi, says that Namibians need to create a culture of self-sufficiency to navigate the scourge of the inflation rate. He was responding to the current repo rate which stands at 7.75 percent, and it is anticipated to remain unchanged, following South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decision to maintain the repo rate at 8.25 percent at its meeting last month. Bank of Namibia (BoN) Monetary Policy Committee is expected to announce the repo rate on 17 April. Kgobetsi said it's worrisome that there are no indications of the repo rate declining anytime soon, given…

16 Apr

ECB raise red flag on Keetmanshoop town council operations

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama Electricity Control Board (ECB), has indicated that Keetmanshoop Town Council might soon operate with expired Safety and First Aid training certificates which is set to expire in July this year, among several other issues the town council is facing. A report conducted by ECB in February this year, indicates that the town council is facing several challenges related to the operations of its Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit (KEBU). This information was disclosed in the audit report on KEBU as a department, which was formerly known as SELCO. The report highlighted low salaries paid to KEBU staff, expired Safety…

15 Apr

Agriculture ministry acquires 33,822 hectares for land resettlement

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has last year acquired a total of 33,822 hectares of land at the cost of N$ 91,439,268.02 with the purpose of resettling landless Namibians. Minister Calle Schlettwein, announced this last week in the National Assembly in his budget speech. Stating that the said hectors are equal to seven farms, and a total of 23 beneficiaries were resettled, of which one unit of the farms was allocated to four generational farm workers. The also highlighted that a total of 7 821 Communal Land Right registrations were ratified by Communal Land Boards.…

15 Apr

Man allegedly shot dead by anti-poaching unit in Zambezi had no external wound

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala A post-mortem conducted by Katima Mulilo Forensic Police on the late Lubinda Samupwa who was allegedly shot dead by officials in the ministry of Environment anti-poaching unit in Zambezi region, shows that he had no external wound. The late Samupwa was found dead 7 April 2024 at Nkasa Rupara in the Zambezi region. The Namibians Lives Matter Movement in the region then started accusing ministry officials of killing Samupwa, after they were told by an alleged witness that he was shot by the anti-poaching unit officials. However, Zambezi Regional Commander Commissioner Andreas Shilelo, told Observer Namibia yesterday that…