info_e12wt4cs – Page 4

31 Mar

EFN extends Media Ombudsman’s term for three months

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjembo The Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) has extended the term of media ombudsman John Nakuta by three months, from 1 April to 30 June. The EFN said the extension will allow time for a proper call for nominations in line with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast, and Online Media. Nakuta’s term ended on 31 March. The nomination process was meant to start in February but was delayed due to the national mourning period following the death of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, on 8 February. “This extension also provides Nakuta the opportunity to…

31 Mar

BoN embraces AI to predict loan defaults

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) embraced the collection of data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to build forecasting models for predicting non-performing loans and improving board pack assessments. This was revealed by the central bank’s governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, during the launch of the 2022-2024 annual report on Monday. “In addition to the broader use of digital tools, local and foreign government payments were digitised, removing paper and enhancing the visibility of processing for government transactions,” said !Gawaxab. The report outlines key developments under the bank’s 2022-2024 strategy, including automation, digitalisation and strong financial performance. According to !Gawaxab, the…

31 Mar

Namport and Nedbank partner to host cycling event at Crayfish Festival

info_e12wt4csSports

Niël Terblanché A new addition to Namibia’s sporting calendar has been unveiled, with the official launch of the Namport Nedbank PH Challenge, in collaboration with the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival. The event, which aims to promote cycling and wellness, was announced in Lüderitz earlier in March, where stakeholders gathered to endorse the inaugural challenge. The initiative is a joint effort by Namport, Nedbank Namibia, and the Powerhouse Cycling Club. It will be held in Lüderitz from 2 to 3 May 2025 and in Walvis Bay from 1 to 2 November 2025. The event will feature mountain bike and road races, as…

31 Mar

Importers owe NamRA more than N$1 billion in taxes

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) issued an urgent call for taxpayers to settle deferred import Value Added Tax (VAT) accounts, revealing that more than 5 000 entities owe the state more than N$1 billion. NamRa’s spokesperson, Yarukeekuro Ndorogaze, in the notice issued on Monday, said that the February 2025 review by NamRA found that 5 182 taxpayers had outstanding VAT on imports. Of these, 187 accounts with debt ranging between zero- and 90-days total N$30 million, while the remainder – involving 4 995 accounts – have been outstanding for more than 90 days. Ndorokaze cautioned that continued non-payment…

31 Mar

Paralympic funding frozen over governance issues

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Funding for the Namibian National Paralympic Committee (NNPC) from the Ministry of Sport is on hold due to non-compliance with governance requirements. The Namibia Sports Commission’s (NSC) chief administrator, Fredy Mwiya, informed the committee’s secretary general, Michael Hamukwaya, of the decision during a consultative meeting held two weeks ago. “The current board term of office has expired. Hence their involvement to run the affairs has ceased, and funding from the ministry has been put on hold as the federation is non-compliant,” reads the minutes of the meeting seen by the Windhoek Observer. The meeting was also attended by…

30 Mar

Reimagining Brand Namibia

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Lazarus Jacobs In his farewell speech at the inauguration of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba reflected on Namibia’s long journey: "It has been a long journey filled with trials and tribulations, but just as our struggle for independence… has paid dividends, likewise the struggle for gender justice, spearheaded by the brave women of Namibia and their allies across the international community." Shortly after, President Nandi-Ndaitwah made history as Namibia’s first female head of state. Recognizing the significance of this moment, she appointed Lucia Witbooi as the nation’s first female vice president—making Namibia the only country in…

30 Mar

Poor road conditions delay emergency medical services in Omusati

info_e12wt4csMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Emergency medical services in the Omusati region have been severely affected by the poor condition of the Okahao-Amwaanda gravel road, especially the 15-kilometre stretch between Okahao and the Indira Gandhi Clinic. Health officials have confirmed that ambulance response times are significantly delayed. In some cases, pregnant women have been forced to deliver at home due to the impassable state of the road. Senior medical officer Okahao district hospital Nghishikushitya Mutilifa, confirmed that the road’s condition has caused dangerous delays in emergency response efforts. “The ambulance cannot go there, and other off-road vehicles have to move at a very…

30 Mar

City Police cracks down on child beggars

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek City Police, in partnership with social services and other stakeholders, are developing a plan to address the growing presence of child beggars at intersections in Windhoek. This follows a recent incident in which a young boy narrowly escaped serious injury while begging at a busy intersection in the central business district. City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo said the dangers posed by high-traffic areas and the ongoing efforts to tackle the issue. She said that while Windhoek municipal bylaws impose a N$500 fine for loitering, begging, or obstructing streets, the City Police are prioritising rehabilitation over punishment.…

30 Mar

Health minister vows direct action to eliminate TB

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, has committed to intensifying the country’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), describing it as a national priority. Speaking at the World TB Day commemoration held in Tsandi on Friday, Luvindao said the country must act urgently to end the spread of what remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. “In 2024 alone, 8 360 people were diagnosed with drug-susceptible TB and 292 with drug-resistant TB. It is a public health concern that, according to WHO estimates, up to 33% of people with TB remain undiagnosed,” she said. She also…

30 Mar

MEFT struggles to locate crocodiles in Etaka Dam

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) are struggling to locate crocodiles in Etaka Dam following a recent attack on a man. The officials cited the reservoir’s size and thick vegetation as major obstacles. Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala said the dam, which stretches over 13 kilometres, is difficult to search due to heavy shrubbery in the water. “The Ministry of Environment is trying to locate the crocodiles, but identifying their exact location is very difficult because the reservoir stretches over 13km and has a lot of shrubs in the water. At this point, all…