Page 87 – News Stand

10 Apr

NGC issues first N$10 million dividend to NYS

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Grape Company (NGC) has declared and paid its first dividend since inception. The NGC transferred N$10 million to its sole shareholder, the National Youth Service (NYS), during a ceremony held in Windhoek on Thursday. According to the NGC board chairperson, Richwell Lukonga, the inaugural dividend represents a major turning point for the company, which has been on a path of recovery and expansion since its partnership with Capespan was renewed in 2024. He said that the renewed agreement, which will now run until 2045, redefined the terms of engagement between the two parties, with NGC now…

10 Apr

‘Happy public service, happy public’ – Ngurare

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on the executive directors (Eds) of the various Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs) to create a workplace culture that motivates public servants to deliver quality services without favour or prejudice. While addressing a gathering of senior government officials in Windhoek on Thursday, he urged the top government managers to act with integrity, dispel negative perceptions of public institutions, and drive the public service agenda with purpose and discipline. Ngurare outlined the expectations of the new administration, reminding the EDs that they are not only the custodians of policy implementation but also central…

10 Apr

AR MP urges bold action on youth inclusion

info_e12wt4csNational News

Herrta-Maria Aumtenya Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Member of Parliament, George Kambala, has urged the National Assembly to take decisive action on youth inclusion, stating that young people demand dignity and not handouts. Delivering his maiden speech on Thursday, Kambala reflected on his own difficult journey to parliament, marked by protest, expulsion from Swapo, and public ridicule. Alongside AR leader Job Amupanda and current Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, Kambala was suspended from Swapo for their radical stance on land and justice. “It has been a journey of protest and pain, accusations, ridicule and resistance. I know what it means to be humiliated…

10 Apr

Kapofi sets out Namibia’s defence priorities

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché National security, institutional reform, and resource optimisation are among the key priorities set out by Frans Kapofi, the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, when he welcomed the Ministry’s new leadership team on Monday. During a ceremony held at the ministry’s head office in Windhoek, Charles Mubita was officially introduced as the new deputy minister, alongside Annelly Haiphene, the ministry’s newly appointed executive director. Kapofi, who was reappointed to the ministerial post with effect from 1 April, used the occasion to outline his strategic direction under the 8th Administration, in line with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s emphasis on integrity,…

10 Apr

SADC Speakers push back against global uncertainty, protectionism

info_e12wt4csAfrica / World

Moses Magadza The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Justin Tokley of Madagascar, has called on the region’s parliamentary leaders to act decisively in defense of democracy, social justice, and regional resilience. Tokley made the call at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Geopolitical Group meeting last week in remarks made on his behalf by Dithapelo Keorapetse, the Speaker of the Parliament of Botswana. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. “We meet at an opportune time when the geopolitics of the world call for further regional and international cooperation,”…

10 Apr

‘Enhanced digital security measures are needed in the face of rising cyber threats’ – Theofelus

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is confronting an alarming surge in cyber threats, with over 1.1 million incidents recorded in 2024 alone. These attacks have targeted businesses, government entities, and individuals, leading to substantial financial losses and data breaches. Telecom Namibia suffered a major ransomware attack in December 2024, resulting in the exposure of sensitive customer data. The hackers, identified as the group Hunters International, leaked approximately 626 gigabytes of data after the company refused to pay the demanded ransom. In a related incident, scammers exploited the likeness of former First Lady Monica Geingos to perpetrate investment fraud. Using manipulated videos and…

10 Apr

Ballotti secures sponsorship from Pstbet for all newspaper cup teams

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has secured sponsorship for all 14 regional teams set to compete in the 2025 Nedbank Newspaper Cup. Ballotti announced on Thursday that betting company Pstbet will provide N$10 000 to each regional team to cover expenses for the Easter Youth Tournament, which will be hosted in Outjo during the Easter weekend. The announcement follows reports that the Ohangwena regional team was stranded without funds for accommodation, playing kits, and extra tracksuits. The team’s old gear was reportedly taken by previous officials who had managed the squad in…

10 Apr

Thesis, anti-thesis & synthesis on the role of the leader of the official opposition in Namibia

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Abstract This article critically examines the constitutional status of Namibia’s Leader of the Official Opposition, a position declared unconstitutional by Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). Employing a dialectical analysis (thesis-antithesis-synthesis), the study explores the tension between statutory deficiencies and parliamentary conventions that underpin the office. By situating Namibia’s semi-presidential hybrid system within a global comparative framework, including France and Zambia, the article argues that, while the role lacks constitutional grounding, its functional necessity in a democratic system warrants formal legislative codification. It concludes with recommendations for…

10 Apr

BoN mobilised N$15 billion domestic funding for 2024/25

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Bank of Namibia mobilised just over N$15 billion in alignment with the government’s domestic funding needs for the 2024/25 fiscal year, governor Johannes !Gawaxab told an investors conference this week. “This funding was secured at favourable pricing. Funding was strategically secured across nominal bonds, inflation-linked bonds, and treasury bills, the governor said. He pointed out that investor appetite remained strong, with auctions recording healthy bid-to-cover ratios of approximately two times. Furthermore, he said the government reaffirmed its commitment to redeem the Eurobond maturing in October this year through a disciplined and transparent strategy. The government will also…

10 Apr

TotalEnergies eye 160 000 barrels of oil per day

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA TotalEnergies EP Namibia and its partners are planning to produce 160 000 barrels of oil per day at their proposed project situated offshore, which will have a storage capacity of around two million barrels of oil and a gas separation capacity of 550 000 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd). ThiIt is contained in documents, which form part of its application for environmental clearance of the project. TotalEnergies EP Namibia B.V., Namcor and Qatar Energy have announced plans to conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed development of the offshore Venus Field in…