Observer – Page 470 – Windhoek Observer

24 Aug

Bank of Namibia keeps repo rate unchanged: What does it mean to Namibians.

ObserverOpinionsBank of Namibia keeps repo rate unchanged: What does it mean to Namibians.

Josef Kefas Sheehama The annual inflation rate recorded for July 2023 was 4.50%, a steep decrease compared to 5.30% recorded in June 2023. Keeping the repo rate steady is particularly motivating for aspiring, first-time home buyers, whose appetite for home ownership remains consistent. The Bank of Namibia has left its key interest rate unchanged. The monetary policy committee (MPC), voted unanimously to keep the benchmark repurchase, or repo rate unchanged at 7.75 per cent. With no change in the policy rates there will be no immediate impact on the consumer monthly commitments such as home loan, car loan and personal…

24 Aug

NAC decries hijacking of air cargo warehouse at HKIA

ObserverNational News(PAS) at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), NAC decries hijacking of air cargo warehouse at HKIA

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia’s blatant refusal to hand over cargo handling responsibilities to Paragon Aviation Services (PAS) at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) has left the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) flabbergasted. Bisey/Uirab, the Chief Executive Officer of the NAC in a statement said that it is rather unfortunate that both Menzies and the relevant freight forwarders’ organisation did not respond to NAC’s request to hand over responsibilities. The refusal resulted in critical medication and vital cargo getting stuck in the air cargo warehouse for almost a week. “The aim was to remedially address the cargo situation at HKIA…

24 Aug

NCAA educates Namibia Logistics Association about Standards

ObserverNational NewsNCAA educates Namibia Logistics Association about Standards, Paragon Aviation Services’ Regulated Agents Certification (RA3 certification), Toska Sem

Niël Terblanché In an apparent rebuke of an uninformed campaign aimed at discrediting certain Namibian public institutions in the aviation industry as well as Paragon Aviation Services, the NCAA issued a statement setting the record straight about aviation standards. The NCAA reminded the naysayers that certain certifications regarding the provision of ground handling services are exclusive to the European Union (EU). Harald Schmidt, the Secretary General of the Namibia Logistic Association (NLA) in a letter to the NCAA, enquired about Paragon Aviation Services’ Regulated Agents Certification (RA3 certification) as required under EU regulations and the post holding ground holding regulations…

24 Aug

Menzies stoops to a new low…blocks access to air cargo warehouse at HKIA

ObserverMainHosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) by Menzies Aviation Namibia, Menzies stoops to a new low…blocks access to air cargo warehouse at HKIA

Niël Terblanché The fear of even more corporate court games in the swamp of legal technicalities created by repeatedly approaching the High Court of Namibia with urgent applications to stay on as the entity responsible for ground handling services at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) by Menzies Aviation Namibia, has now resulted in a potentially deadly situation. While being evicted from the premises of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), Menzies and certain representative of freight forwarding companies locked up the air cargo warehouse at the airport and has since last Saturday, refused to hand responsibilities and the keys to…

24 Aug

Swapo is still popular countrywide: Amukwiyu

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama Swapo’s Oshikoto regional coordinator, Armas Amukwiyu, said the party is still popular across the country despite other political players suggesting that it has reached its expiry date among the electorate. Amukwiyu was responding to remarks made by Landless Peoples Movement leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, who claimed that Swapo has lost its popularity in the northern regions where it enjoyed major support in the past. While addressing a press conference in Outjo yesterday, Swartbooi said that he was recently in the northern regions and he was shocked to discover that Swapo is no longer wanted there. “I was in the…

24 Aug

Geingob attends BRICS summit

ObserverNational NewsAlfredo Hengari, BRICS-Africa Outreach, Geingob attends BRICS summit

Stefanus Nashama President Hage Geingob has left Namibia to attend and participate in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Plus Dialogues in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to Presidential Spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, the summit is running for three days and has already started on Tuesday. The summit will end today. Hengari indicated that the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue focuses on drawing continuity and building from the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogues, which have been convened in the past. He said the sub-theme for this year’s summit is “Working towards the realisation of the African Aspiration”. BRICS is a…

24 Aug

Oshana Region is an ideal investment destination: Nandi-Ndeitwah

ObserverNational NewsOshana Region is an ideal investment destination: Nandi-Ndeitwah

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Oshana Region is a prime investment destination, offering a favourable business environment and a range of untapped opportunities. Nandi-Ndeitwah made these remarks yesterday at the Oshana Investment Conference which is presented under the theme: “IgnitingEeconomic Growth”. She said Oshana’s strategic location, fertile lands and abundant resources, the region serves as one of the gateways to a thriving economy in Namibia. While highlighting what is required from leaders, she said it is important to prioritise investment in infrastructure development within the region, such as improving road networks, electricity and water supply systems.…

24 Aug

Heroes Day budget increased to over N$2 million

ObserverNational NewsAudrin Mathe, Heroes Day budget increased to over N$2 million, N$550 000

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Audrin Mathe, has disclosed that Government has raised the budget for the upcoming Heroes’ Day commemoration to N$2,042,770.59 million. This is a significant increase from the initial figure of N$550 000 for the 33rd Heroes’ Day event scheduled for August 26 in Windhoek. According to Mathe’s breakdown of the budget, N$1,207,816.62 was allocated for catering while N$394,295,67 will be spent on information, N$259,875,67 for logistics, N$32,782,50 for protocol and N$148,000 for entertainment. Mathe did not disclose which companies are contracted to provide services for the one-day event.…

23 Aug

RFIN launches 16th annual conference edition

ObserverObserver MoneyRetirement Funds Institute of Namibia (RFIN), Sabrina Jacobs

Stefanus Nashama The Retirement Funds Institute of Namibia (RFIN) yesterday launched its 16th annual conference edition under the theme "Towards a Relevant, Resilient and Resourced Future – Putting the 'R' Back into Savings". Speaking during the launch, the company Vice-Chairperson Sabrina Jacobs, said this year's conference holds a special significance as RFIN delves into a theme that resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities of its time. According to Jacobs, the conference will take place on the 21 and 22 September 2023, at Droombos in the capital. She indicated that the conference will be attended by registered delegates and delegates…

23 Aug

Circular Economy: A Sustainability Promise

ObserverFeatured, OpinionsCircular Economy, Circular Economy: A Sustainability Promise

Vivian !Nou-/Gawaseb and McClay Thikusho The need of adopting the circular economy’s principles becomes evident when we try to reimagine a sustainable future for Namibia. The circular economy is an economic model that emphasises the recycling and repurposing of materials and goods, particularly as a strategy to maintain ecologically responsible or sustainable production.It offers a paradigmshifting strategy that not only encourages economic development but also ensures social advancement and preservation of the environment. Prioritising and allocating resources to theprogress of circularity is becoming more and more important, especially in the context of Namibia. This specifically applies to important industries including…