Page 585 – News Stand

01 Nov

Residents and stakeholders requested to assist in combating crime

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché After a series of consultations and discussions involving various stakeholders, Swakopmund’s town council recently hosted a feedback session to address growing safety concerns and unveil initiatives aimed at tackling crime within the community. The gathering served as a platform for residents, government officials, non-governmental organizations, associations, neighbourhood watches, and law enforcement agencies to engage in dialogue regarding the pressing issue of crime prevention. “We want to bring all the stakeholders - central government, ministries, non-governmental organizations, associations, neighbourhood watches and the Namibian Police, together to identify the challenges we are facing in town,” stated Archie Benjamin, the Chief…

01 Nov

No final decision about mobile food kiosks in Swakopmund yet

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNo final decision about mobile food kiosks in Swakopmund yet

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipality has moved to address recent media reports that have generated confusion regarding the municipality’s stance on mobile food kiosks operating within the town. According to Linda Mupupa, the municipality’s Public Relations Officer, it is essential to clarify that a final decision has not been reached on this matter, and the council is actively engaged in a comprehensive and all-encompassing public scoping process. “The primary objective of this public scoping process is to gather the perspectives and opinions of various stakeholders, with particular emphasis on mobile food kiosk business owners and interested members of the community.…

01 Nov

Shiimi’s tough balancing act

info_e12wt4csMainN$2.14 billion allocated to unforeseeable and unavoidable emergencies., Shiimi’s tough balancing act

Martin Endjala The highly anticipated mid-term year budget for the 2023/24 financial year, saw close to N$2.14 billion allocated to unforeseeable and unavoidable emergencies. Iipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, announced the development yesterday in Parliament while tabling the mid-term budget. These additional expenditure allocations Shiimi explained, represent the unforeseeable and unavoidable emergency items such as health, and drought among others which cannot be postponed until the tabling of the 2024/25 main budget next year. In addition, the operational budget was increased by N$2.5 billion, while the development budget remains unchanged at N$6.5 billion, and an additional…

31 Oct

Trade verification system to combat illicit activities

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyTrade verification system to combat illicit activities

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), have unveiled the Trade Verification System (TVS) to enhance trade efficiency and combat illicit activities. The central bank and the agency said the digital initiative promises to revolutionise the country's trade processes, offering improvements in efficiency, transparency, and security in trade operations. The system will come into effect next month. BoN Director of Strategic Communications and International Relations Kazembire Zemburuka and Chief NamRa Strategic Communications and Support Engagements Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, in a joint media statement, explained that the international trade system, in particular, has been exploited by various…

31 Oct

Consumers get temporary relief as fuel prices remain unchanged

info_e12wt4csEnergy, Observer MoneyConsumers get temporary relief as fuel prices remain unchanged

Niël Terblanché In a welcome respite for consumers, fuel prices in Namibia will remain unchanged in November. The Ministry of Mines and Energy made the announcement on Friday. The decision comes after a period of steep increases in the prices of consumer goods in the country. The Ministry of Mines and Energy explained the reasons behind this decision, citing significant declines in global oil prices during October. The decline was attributed to a reduction in fuel demand, which outweighed the OPEC+ decision to maintain a reduction in oil production, thus keeping the supply constrained. Diesel, which serves as an indicator…

31 Oct

Oshakati Hospital radiotherapy department to cost govt close to N$200 million

info_e12wt4csMainOshakati Hospital radiotherapy departmentto cost govt close to N$200 million

Hertta-Maria Amutenja With only one state-owned Oncology Centre in Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is embarking on a major expansion project at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital Radiotherapy Department. This endeavour is set to cost the government almost N$200 million, marking a considerable investment in the country’s healthcare system. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula announced this project during a recent session of the National Assembly, where he revealed that the ministry is working in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other stakeholders to expand the oncology department at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital. “Equipment…

31 Oct

MoHSS to recruit thousands of people in the next five years

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMoHSS to recruit thousands of people in the next five years

Erasmus Shalihaxwe As part of expanding Universal Health Care, the Ministry of Health and Social Services plans to recruit a total number of 6 186 new staff members over a period of five years. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, announced this in the National Assembly last week. Shangula was responding to questions posed to him by Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani, who wanted to know the current status quo with regard to Namibia’s Universal Health Coverage policy framework. The minister said that as a Member State of the World Health Organisation, and having subscribed…

31 Oct

An Exclusive Interview with DJ Alba

info_e12wt4csFeatured

Where do you hail from?I grew up between, Oikango, Henties Bay and Swakopmund. I have always loved music and all the elements that come with it. Do you think being a singer makes your flow/style of dj-ing unique?I can’t really say it changes my style of DJing, it just makes my brand a little more multifaceted. What used to inspire you as an artist when you started and what inspires you now?Growing up I listened a lot of music genres so I was inspired by that, but if I’m being honest deep house ( DJ Kent, Soul Candi collections etc…

31 Oct

DBN records a net loss of N$270 million

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Development Bank of Namibia has recorded a net loss of N$270 million during the 2022/23 financial year compared to last year’s net loss of N$184.5 million. The loss is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation rates and poor economic performance amongst others.This is according to DBN’s Chief Executive Officer John Steytler, at the launch of the bank’s 2022/23 integrated annual report yesterday in Windhoek. “In today’s rapidly changing world, businesses have faced a multitude of challenges, from climate change to social inequality, from technological disruption to regulatory shifts, the landscape is more uneven than ever before,” he…

31 Oct

Amupanda sows fears of colonialism

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Job Amupanda stepped back into his activist shoes and started sowing fear about a new agreement between Namibia and the European Union. In a video clip released on his social media platforms, he criticised the Namibian Government for allegedly selling the country to the Europeans down the road. In his video, Amupanda referred to the recent visit of President Hage Geingob and his delegation to Brussels where Namibia affirmed its commitment to fostering a transparent partnership with the European Union (EU) in the transition to cleaner energy sources, with a significant emphasis on green hydrogen and critical raw…