Hyphen Namibia secures over N$135 million grant from DBSA

Hyphen Namibia secures over N$135 million grant from DBSA

Martin EndjalaGreen Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe, has recently announced that Hyphen Namibia has successfully secured N$135.5 million in grant and debt funding from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) via KfW, the German state-owned development bank. This funding Mnyupe said, facilitated through the Southern Africa Development Community Project Preparation and Development Facility, demonstrates the pivotal role of the Southern African region in the global green hydrogen race. “As Hyphen expands its operations in Namibia, it is dedicated to promoting economic integration and green energy solutions, with a strong emphasis on local employment and sustainable growth, “said Mnyupe. In terms…
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MUN wants decent employment and security amidst GH2 opportunities

MUN wants decent employment and security amidst GH2 opportunities

Martin Eendjala Amidst the European Union-Namibia (EU-NAM) business forum currently underway in Brussels, Belgium, the Mineworkers Union (MUN) wants the much-talked-about Green Hydrogen (GH2) to bring about decent employment and job security. In a recent interview with Windhoek Observer, the union Assistant General Secretary, Paul Situmba, said whatever opportunities will come from the government and investors, they should always prioritise decent employment to avoid precarious employment. “It won't make sense to be excited over job opportunities and employment creation if the employment created is not better than staying home, we need to be excited about employment created that is decent…
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Namibia fully committed to a transparent partnership with the EU

Namibia fully committed to a transparent partnership with the EU

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Hage Geingob has affirmed Namibia’s 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 materials. The declaration was made during Geingob’s address at the EU-Namibia Green Hydrogen and Critical Raw Materials Business Forum under the theme, “Mobilizing Quality Investment and Value Addition for Green Growth in the EU-Namibia Partnership in Brussels, Belgium this week. “The collaboration with the EU is aligned with our National Development Plans, including Vision 2030, our National Industrial Policy, Growth at Home Strategy, the…
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Pilchards will remain off-limits for commercial fishing

Pilchards will remain off-limits for commercial fishing

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, declared during a recent Cabinet briefing that the moratorium on commercial fishing of pilchards will be extended for another year. This decision comes in light of the ongoing concerns regarding the health of the pilchard resource, which has not yet returned to a biologically sustainable state. The minister said that even if pilchards are incidentally caught as by-catch, it does not signify a full recovery of the species. Instead, he stressed the importance of relying on scientific research to determine the sustainable yield and biomass of the pilchard population.…
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German funding will help communities affected by human-wildlife conflict

German funding will help communities affected by human-wildlife conflict

Niël Terblanché The Zambezi Region of Namibia is home to lions, elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, and has been struggling with an increasing number of human-wildlife conflict situations that result in the loss of livestock, crops, infrastructure, and, tragically, human lives.In this regard, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has stepped in to support efforts aimed at mitigating these conflicts by contributing N$37 million in funding, grants, and equipment.The impoverished communities in the Zambezi Region are among the hardest hit by the relentless challenges posed by interactions with wildlife. Such incidents not only threaten their livelihoods but…
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New substation project set to power economic growth

New substation project set to power economic growth

Niël Terblanché In a significant development for the energy infrastructure of Namibia’s coastal region, NamPower’s Managing Director, Kahenge Haulofu, announced the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor substation with a capacity of 132/66/33kV. This essential project is set to be located just outside Swakopmund. The introduction of this new substation is poised to be a game-changer, bolstering the bulk electricity supply to towns and industry along the coast It’s a crucial step to meet the escalating electricity demands, driven by the rapid socio-economic growth in the Erongo region. “The Sekelduin substation holds a prominent place among several vital transmission capital projects…
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New GH2 legislative framework on the cards

New GH2 legislative framework on the cards

Martin Endjala Namibia will soon be commencing with preparations for the legislative framework of the highly anticipated green hydrogen that will see Namibia position itself not only as a leader in the green energy sector but also in sustainable energy. Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe, announced significant advancements in the green hydrogen ecosystem, with the potential of propelling Namibia towards a sustainable energy future. Mnyupe said the Ministry of Mines and Energy is set to inaugurate an inception workshop from 30 to 31 October 2023, heralding the commencement of preparations for the Namibian legislative framework for green hydrogen. Key government…
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Namibia and Germany partners up for skills transfer

Namibia and Germany partners up for skills transfer

Martin Endjala Namibia, represented by the Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), and Germany, through the Inter-Cultural Relations Foundation, have joined forces to strengthen their diplomatic ties. This collaboration aims to facilitate a skills exchange program that will foster closer relations and shared knowledge between the two nations. NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala disclosed this partnership, emphasizing its significance in enhancing cooperation and knowledge sharing. He stressed the vital role skill transfer plays in the industry, providing Namibia with an invaluable opportunity to learn from its German counterparts, while Germany gains insights from Namibia’s unique experiences. “With many interns already actively involved in…
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Menzies Aviation seeks leave to appeal High Court judgement…Says Judge Ueitele erred in law and fact

Menzies Aviation seeks leave to appeal High Court judgement…Says Judge Ueitele erred in law and fact

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia has officially announced its intention to seek permission to appeal a recent High Court judgment delivered at the beginning of October this year. On October 3, 2023, Justice Shafimana Ueitele of the Namibian High Court handed down a judgment and order of costs that dismissed Menzies Aviation’s Rule 121 application. In response, Menzies Aviation has filed an application for leave to appeal the entire judgment and the associated costs. Menzies Aviation’s application for leave to appeal is grounded in several key arguments. The company alleges that Justice Ueitele erred in both law and fact to…
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Investments in reality practically serve the interests of capitalists themselves

Investments in reality practically serve the interests of capitalists themselves

ARTICLE 100 of the Namibian Constitution talks about the “Sovereign Ownership of Natural Resources,” meaning of course the country, Namibia’s, natural resources with the sovereigns being none other than the people. But towards what end? One cannot but be prompted to ask. But before pondering this question it is apt to clarify what is meant by the country’s natural resources. Once again the constitution is pertinent as it is categorical. “Land, water and natural resources below and above the surface of the land and in the continental shelf and within the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of Namibia.”…
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