Windhoek Observer – Page 589 – Windhoek Observer

19 Jun

Namibia and Zambia going ahead with a one-stop border post agreement

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Zambia are currently in the advanced stages of negotiations to establish a one-stop border post (OSBP) at the Katima Mulilo border post. This initiative, aimed at enhancing trade and security between the two nations, has been in the works since April 2019 and is now on the brink of finalisation. Key stakeholders, including the Namibia Revenue Agency, are involved in the negotiations, which started on Tuesday and should conclude on Friday. The goal is to streamline border procedures, facilitate smoother cross-border trade, and bolster security measures between the neighbouring countries. The OSBP project is a critical…

19 Jun

Farm Versailles development committee dissolved

National News

Martin Endjala The Khomas Regional Council has dissolved the Community Development Committee (CDC) at Farm Versailles. The committee was elected in 2021 and was meant to serve until 2025. Farm Versailles is a resettlement farm near Dordabis. The Khomas chief regional officer, Clement Mafwilla, said the decision was taken because of the recurrence of long-running governance and leadership issues among the community. “A decision to dissolve the then committee and re-elect a new committee was made in consultation with the residents of Farm Versailles. Consequently, elections for a new committee were held on 08 June 2024,” he said. The new…

19 Jun

Comprehensive land use planning initiative launched

National News

Niël Terblanché Anna Shiweda, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, has stressed the significance of developing a Regional Land Use Plan (RLUP) as a crucial instrument for steering regional growth and development. Speaking at the launch of a workshop aimed at initiating the Oshikoto Integrated Regional Land Use Plan (IRLUP), Shiweda emphasized that the new plan would facilitate coordinated and orderly investment in land, thereby minimizing conflicts and potential delays in investment. She said the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has been tasked with formulating IRLUPs for all fourteen regions. According to Shiweda, the plans…

19 Jun

Goreangab residents ready to sacrifice for constituency split

National News

Stefanus Nashama In support of splitting the Samora Machel constituency into two parts, the residents of Goreangab informal settlement said they are willing to forgo any development that may arise from the creation of a new constituency. This includes moving or relocating to allow the construction of infrastructure like hospitals and schools, constituency offices, police stations, standard marketplaces, roads, sports fields, and many other services. An official from the constituency office held a meeting with the residents at the Handino Hishongwa Community Centre in Goreangab on Saturday. The meeting was set to discuss the demarcation and the name of a…

19 Jun

Shaningwa wants to bless Shalulile

Featured, National News

Stefanus Nashama The Swapo Secretary General's office has extended an invitation to national soccer player, Peter Shalulile to receive blessings and prayers for joining the party. Shalulile joined Swapo over the weekend. On Tuesday, the party's secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa, said she was waiting for Shalulile to visit her office to bless him so that he could do more for the country. “I am waiting for him to show up to my office to bless him with prayers so that he performs more for Namibia,” she said. Shaningwa also refuted allegations from opposition parties that Swapo pays celebrities to join…

19 Jun

Rӧssing uranium records N$6.48 billion in revenue

Featured, National News

Martin Endjala Mines and Energy Minister, Tom Alweendo says the mining industry remains the bedrock of Namibia’s economy, contributing about N$6.4 billion in royalties and taxes in 2023, compared to N$4.2 billion in 2022. These statistics, he said, indicate that the mining industry remains the bedrock of the economy. Alweendo was speaking at the launch of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Rӧssing Uranium 2023 Sustainability and Performance Report at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino on Tuesday evening. “The good performance of Rössing Uranium is not success in isolation, but it is rather a part of a bigger…

19 Jun

Mbumba affirms Namibia’s support for Ramaphosa

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has expressed his unwavering support for South Africa’s newly re-elected President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as he joined other international dignitaries in Pretoria for Ramaphosa’s second inauguration. This event marks a fundamental moment in South Africa’s political landscape with the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Chief Justice Raymond Zondo swore in President Ramaphosa at the inauguration ceremony at the Union Buildings. Nearly 20 heads of state and government, including President Mbumba, attended the event and reaffirmed the strong and enduring bilateral relations between Namibia and South Africa. President Mbumba highlighted that the new…

19 Jun

Namibia seeks urgent assistance with drought crisis

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is grappling with one of the worst droughts in recent memory, prompting the government to seek urgent assistance to bridge a significant funding gap in its drought relief programme. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, highlighted the severity of the situation during a joint coordination meeting with the country's development partners on Wednesday. Mutorwa stressed the dire need for additional resources to combat the devastating effects of prolonged dry conditions that have exacerbated food insecurity and strained the livelihoods of vulnerable communities across Namibia. He said that the Namibian government has committed…

19 Jun

NamPower fears potential electricity shortage

Energy, Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja NamPower is monitoring a potential energy crisis following Zambia’s decision to recall 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the export market, which has raised concerns about Namibia's energy supply. Cornelius Mweetwa, Zambia's minister for information and media, announced this week that Zesco, the country's state-owned power utility, will recall at least 100 MW of electricity to meet local utilisation needs. Mweetwa emphasised that Zambia is currently contractually bound to supply the export market but is actively pursuing a smooth exit plan from these agreements. Namibia currently imports 120 MW of electricity from Zambia following a reduction in exports…

19 Jun

PDM concerned about Zambia’s decision to stop selling electricity

Latest

The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has expressed concern regarding the Zambian Cabinet's decision on Tuesday to recall 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the export market.The party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Hidipo Hamata said this move by Zesco, Zambia's state-owned power utility, is expected to impact Namibia's energy security and economic stability significantly.Namibia imports 180MW of electricity from ZambiaHamata urged the Namibian government to explore additional power imports from South Africa and Angola, called for diplomatic engagement with Zambia to seek a phased reduction in power exports and recommended convening an emergency energy summit to devise a comprehensive strategy.Reporter:…