Page 676 – News Stand

16 May

Hoachanas community in uproar over delayed Admin post filling

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHoachanas community in uproar over delayed Admin post filling

Martin Endjala Controversy over an Administrative Officer position in the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture in the Hardap region at the A.M.E Community Private Primary School in Hoachanas became the order of the day, with alleged irregularities and unauthorized interviews by school staff members. Allegations are that the interviews were conducted without the involvement of the school board members. As a result, the Hardap Regional Education Director Gerhard Ndafenongo said that the post has lapsed and will now be readvertised. According to Ndafenongo, the said post was advertised on the local notice board with a closing date of 29th…

16 May

Waves set to accelerate Namibian Green Hydrogen projects

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWaves set to accelerate Namibian Green Hydrogen projects

Niël Terblanché Electricity generated by wave energy will not only add to national generation capacity but also provide a more reliable alternative energy resource from which Namibia can tap to eventually become a net exporter of green energy. To realize the goal, Kaoko Green Energy Solutions from Namibia and AW-Energy from Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop near-shore wave energy infrastructure for green hydrogen production in Namibia. The plans are to construct a wave farm off the coast of Swakopmund which will enable significant cost reductions for new Green Hydrogen generation and production developments. The concept…

16 May

Namibia ranked sixth in Africa foroverall investment attractiveness

info_e12wt4csMainNamibia ranked sixth in Africa foroverall investment attractiveness

Martin Endjala Namibia has been ranked sixth out of 16 African jurisdictions surveyed on overall investment attractiveness. This is according to the 2022 Fraser Institute Survey of Mining Companies, which showed that Namibia improved on the overall Investment Attractiveness Index (IAI) by seven points from 52 in 2021 to 59 in 2022. On this index, Namibia was ranked 38th out of 62 jurisdictions surveyed, compared to 59 out of 84 jurisdictions in 2021. Reacting to the good news, the President of the Chamber of Mines Zebra Kasete yesterday said that Namibia’s performance in the 2022 Fraser report is fairly good,…

15 May

Electricity tariffs increased by 8.97 percent

info_e12wt4csFeatured

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board has resolved to increase the National Utility Nampower average bulk electricity tariffs by 8.97 percent from its initial request of 16.87 percent, meaning that the approved tariff has been increased from N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour for the 2023/24 financial year. The increase was announced today by ECB Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise, who said that increase is in accordance with existing legal provisions. Nampower submitted a tariff application for an effective bulk tariff, inclusive of a generation and transmission increase of 16.87 percent, which would have resulted in an increase from an average…

15 May

SWAPO owes almost N$2 million for services rendered

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSWAPO owes almost N$2 million for services rendered

Niël Terblanché The Oranjemund branch of the SWAPO Party will be evicted from their offices in Oranjemund after it failed to pay for services rendered by the mining town’s local authority. In a final letter of demand dated 11 May 2023 and addressed to the Secretary-General of the SWAPO Party, the Oranjemund Town Council’s legal representative states that the branch office owes it N$1 881 735 for services provided between June 2021 and January 2023. “Despite the numerous assurances and arrangements made by your Oranjemund Branch to settle your outstanding debt, regrettably, you have thus far failed to fulfil your…

15 May

Venaani concerned about the working conditions of health staff

info_e12wt4csNational NewsVenaani concerned about the working conditions of health staff

Stefanus Nashama The Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and the official opposition party, McHenry Venaani called on the Government and stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of health workers and address the challenges they are facing. Venaani said many nurses in the country face numerous challenges like detrimental working conditions in government hospitals and clinics as well as dilapidated conditions of nurses’ homes which negatively impact their health and well-being. “Many employees in public health care centres, particularly nurses face the challenge of inadequate salaries and lack of resources and supplies,” he stated. Venaani further said nurses work long…

15 May

Innovative technology needed for economic growth

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala The recently concluded Fintech Square 2023 innovation event in Windhoek which ended on 11 May 2023, is hailed as a game changer in particular in the public sector that is mainly dominated by young people. For this reason, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Enterprise Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said that requires there is a need for innovation and technology to drive economic growth, due to changing financial landscape, therefore, emphasizing the need for cooperation to support such innovation. “In this regard, public-private partnership is key not only to support and create an enabling environment but also to protect…

15 May

Alternative candidates were contacted as replacement – NCS

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlternative candidates were contacted as replacement - NCS

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it contacted some candidates as an alternative to replace those who did not make it to the training for various reasons. Namibian Correctional Service’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Salmi Hangula said candidates who were contacted to join the training at the later stage are those that were part of the waiting list. She said this in response to allegations that the last NCS recruitment process that took place in January was not fair and equitable. “They were called to replace candidates who were selected but did not report for training, those who…

15 May

Namibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

Niël Terblanché The Namibian economy is set to feel severe negative effects of geopolitical tensions after the Namibian Dollar lost significant ground against the United States Dollar after rumours surfaced last week that South Africa sold weapons to Russia to aid the country in its special military operation in Ukraine. The Namibian Dollar which is pegged to the South African Rand weakened to over N$19 against the US Dollar after remarks made by Reuben Brigety, the American Ambassador to South Africa, about the purported weapons sale last week. Brigety in a widely broadcasted interview said he would bet his life…

15 May

Endjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEndjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Erginus Endjala, the Governor of Omusati, has urged Nampower to consider less drastic measures than cutting off electricity supply to customers that have defaulted on outstanding debt. Endjala made this statement following last week’s announcement by Namibia Power Corporation Limited (NamPower) that it would suspend electricity to defaulting customers from June 5 unless the outstanding overdue amounts are settled. “We have to look at all factors in this situation that could be affected by the load shedding. One thing we have to look at is that this electricity supplies also households, schools, clinics and so forth. If for…