Windhoek Observer – Page 431 – Windhoek Observer

29 Jan

N$22.4 million donation to NamPol sparks criticism over priorities

National News

Stefanus Nashama A donation valued at N$22.4 million to NamPol has sparked criticism, with concerns raised over government spending priorities amid pressing social and economic challenges. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Works and Transport donated six vehicles—including four double-cab pickups, and two minibuses—and twenty metal detectors to the police’s Explosives Control Division (ECD). The vehicles and equipment are intended to enhance the police’s capacity to address the threat of unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war, especially in remote and hazardous locations. While the police publicly welcomed the donation, critics argue that government funds should be directed toward more…

29 Jan

Keetmanshoop initiates interest waiver amnesty

National News

Martin Endjala The Keetmanshoop Town Council has announced an interest waiver amnesty initiative to assist residents settle outstanding municipal service account debts. The initiative was made public in a notice issued on 15 January 2024, seen by the Windhoek Observer. According to the notice, the amnesty will allow residents to settle their outstanding capital balances without accruing interest charges. The amnesty will run from 1 August 2024 to 31 May 2025. During this period, residents, who pay off their capital debt, will have the interest on their accounts waived by 100%. “This initiative aims to provide residents with an opportunity…

29 Jan

GRN refutes paying millions for unoccupied offices

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service refuted claims that the government paid N$11 million in rent for unoccupied office space in Windhoek. The ministry’s executive director, Erastus Haitengela, in a statement on Wednesday, made it clear that the allegations, published by a daily newspaper, are baseless, misleading, and damaging. “We call on The Namibian to correct its misleading article. Failure to do so will necessitate further action,” he asserted. Haitengela also criticised the report, insisting that the claim was entirely false. “The government has not disbursed N$11 million in rental fees for an unoccupied building. The…

29 Jan

Namport and Port of Sines enter into a strategic partnership

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Administração dos Portos de Sines e do Algarve, SA (APS), the authority overseeing Portugal's Port of Sines and the Algarve. The chief executive officer of NamPort, Andrew Kanime, in a statement on Wednesday, said this new strategic alliance is set to increase knowledge exchange, capacity building, and operational excellence between the two port authorities. "This partnership leverages the historical and economic ties between Namibia and Portugal to drive connectivity, trade, and investment," he said. According to Kanime, the MoU focuses on the development of…

29 Jan

Australian miner extends exploration for critical metals in Otavi Mountain Land

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Australian mining company Golden Deeps Ltd informed its investors on the Australian Securities Exchange that it has commenced with a new diamond drilling programme targeting extensions of the Nosib strata bound copper-silver deposit within its Otavi Mountain Land (OML) tenements in northern Namibia. According to the statement, the initiative aims to build upon previous findings and explore the deposit's potential at greater depths and to the west. Earlier drilling efforts at the Nosib deposit identified a zone of copper-vanadium-lead-silver oxide and supergene mineralisation from the surface. This discovery formed the basis of a maiden Mineral Resource for the…

29 Jan

KK Palace confident of reaching MTC Maris Cup quarterfinal

Uncategorised

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The head coach of the King Kauluma Palace Football Club, Anderson Phiri says his team is eager to take advantage of playing at home in front of their supporters as they aim to advance to the quarter-finals of the MTC Maris Cup. KK Palace will face Windhoek-based Bucks Buccaneers on Sunday in the Oshakati Independence Stadium at 16h00. The Oluno-based team secured their place in the last eight after an impressive 3-0 victory over Debmarine Premier League log leaders Khomas Nampol in Windhoek last weekend. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, Phiri expressed confidence in his squad…

28 Jan

Analysts and politicians advocate for Red Line removal

Main

Allexer Namundjembo and Ester Mbathera Political analysts and party leaders are calling for the removal or reform of the controversial veterinary cordon fence, also known as the Red Line, arguing that it hinders economic opportunities, perpetuates poverty, and restricts market access for farmers in the northern regions. The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning party, Job Amupanda is currently in the courts fighting for the removal of the line. Political analyst Joseph Diescho criticised the continued existence of the Red Line 35 years after independence. “It should have been sorted a long time ago,” he said. Diescho questioned the morality of…

28 Jan

NSA delays disability report

National News

Stefanus Nashama Originally scheduled for last Wednesday, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has postponed the release of its long-awaited disability report citing an ongoing extensive review process. This is the second time in recent months that the agency has delayed a major report, raising concerns about its ability to meet deadlines and the impact on timely data availability for the public. On Monday, Iipumbu Sakaria, spokesperson for NSA, said the delay is part of a rigorous quality assurance process aimed at ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data. “All thematic reports are going through an extensive review to ensure…

28 Jan

PETROFUND and NIMT partner to train young people for oil and gas industry

Observer Money

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) is inviting Namibian youth, particularly those from the southern regions, to apply for fully funded scholarships in vocational training fields such as boilermaking, electrical engineering, fitting, and turning. PETROFUND spokesperson Shoki Kandjimi announced on Tuesday that the scholarships are for the 2025 academic year and will be offered at the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), Keetmanshoop campus. The initiative aims to equip Namibian youth with the technical skills needed to work in the country’s growing oil and gas industry, particularly following hydrocarbon discoveries in Namibia's Orange Basin between 2022…

28 Jan

Sports Commission trains sports administrators on driving positive changes in sport

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Sports Commission has recently hosted its inaugural workshop for federation presidents and secretary generals to equip them with the necessary tools to drive positive change and growth in their respective federations. Over 90 participants from various affiliate federations attended the event. The commission’s chief administrator, Fredy Mwiya said this showcased a strong dedication to enhancing governance and development within the Namibian sports sector. “The event focused on several key areas, including governance within the sporting industry, operational structures of the Namibian sports industry, and the Namibia Sports Act 12 of 2003,” said Mwiya. He added that…