Windhoek Observer – Page 671 – Windhoek Observer

16 Feb

Parliament divided over street children selling wooden products

National News

Stefanus Nashama Professor Peter Katjavivi, the Speaker of the National Assembly struggled to control members of Parliament due to a heated debate yesterday concerning children roaming the streets selling wooden products and begging for money and food. A motion concerning the matter was brought before the National Assembly by Elma Dienda, a member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). The debate broke out among members, particularly between the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, Doreen Sioka and Dienda concerning the matter. According to Sioka, the matter is in the hands of the government, with a committee established…

16 Feb

Shiimi set to table new national budget

National News

Niël Terblanché As the end of February approaches, all eyes will be on the National Assembly, where the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi's budget presentation will offer insights into Namibia's economic trajectory for the next year. Shiimi is set to table the national budget for the 2024/2025 financial year in the National Assembly on 28 February 2024. This current year's budget, themed 'Economic Revival and Caring for the Poor,' was aimed at striking a balance between stimulating economic growth and extending a helping hand to the nation's most vulnerable people The budget reflected the government's dual commitment…

16 Feb

ECN ramps up preparedness for voter registration

National News

Niël Terblanché In a significant step towards strengthening its democratic process, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for the end of November this year. An important point of these preparations is the General Registration of Voters, with the ECN currently conducting an essential voter registration exercise in the Khomas region. This effort is part of a broader initiative to ensure that every eligible Namibian voter is registered and able to participate in the democratic process. The voter registration exercise in Khomas marks the second phase of a…

16 Feb

Inceptus Energy secures funding for UNAM’s solar project

National News

Martin Endjala Inceptus Energy, a public-private partnership between Alensy Energy Solutions and Inceptus Holding, the business arm of the University of Namibia (UNAM), has announced that it has successfully secured an estimated N$65 million in funding from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) and Old Mutual Namibia for a groundbreaking solar project at UNAM. The partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable energy utilization in Namibia, with the project boasting an installed solar Photovoltaic (PV) capacity of 3.68 MegaWatts (MW) along with a 657 Kilo-Volt Amperes (kVA) peak shaving solution. Developed by Alensy, the project showcases the fruitful collaboration…

16 Feb

NPC embarks on consultation tour to finalise NDP6

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia's National Planning Commission (NPC) has taken a fundamental step forward in shaping the country's future with the initiation of regional consultations for the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). Operating under the theme 'Fostering Recovery, Inclusiveness and Resilience for Quality and Sustainable Development,' the NPC aims to gather comprehensive insights from across the nation to inform the development and implementation of NDP6. This plan, set to unfold over the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years, is a significant period of engagement and planning to ensure that the voices of Namibians are integrated with the country's developmental trajectory. The formulation…

16 Feb

Empowering Club Football Administration of the Zambezi Football Regional League

SportsEmpowering Club Football Administration of the Zambezi Football Regional League

The Zambezi Football Regional League started the year with the commencement of its administration and management course for club executives with an inspiring opening ceremony. The course that is being attended by 35 out of a potential 50 participants opened on the 13th February and runs until the 16 February, Addressing the participants and stakeholders, the Regional Chairperson Vuyama Ngamwa speaker expressed heartfelt gratitude and pride in welcoming everyone to this pivotal occasion. Emphasizing the transcendent nature of football, the chairperson reflected on the recent African Cup of Nations, highlighting how the sport transcends boundaries and unites people from diverse…

16 Feb

D-Day approaches for grey-listing verdict

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia awaits anxiously to learn its fate next week as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) prepares to announce whether the country has successfully implemented sufficient reforms to avoid being grey-listed, Bryan Eiseb, director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), revealed to Observer Money. Eiseb noted that the country initially faced 72 issues identified for reform, which have now been narrowed down to just 13 remaining concerns. Since 2021, Namibia has been undergoing a mutual evaluation process under the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG). “Namibia has made remarkable progress in addressing the issues outlined by…

16 Feb

Health ministry urged to embrace Kenyan model for enhanced maternal healthcare

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare and Labour Affairs has recommended to the National Council that the Ministry of Health and Social Services should benchmark and adopt Kenya’s Linda Mama maternal healthcare model. This suggestion comes after a comprehensive study visit to the Parliament of the Republic of Kenya, where the committee gained profound insights into Kenya’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Chairperson of the committee, Hans Linekela Nambondi emphasised the potential impact in the report, stating, “The Committee recommends the Ministry of Health and Social Services benchmark and emulate the Linda Mama model to enhance…

16 Feb

Kimberley Process safeguards Namibian Diamonds

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Kimberley Process (KP) will remain as a safeguard for Namibia even as the diamond industry deals with unintended consequences from the second phase of a ban on Russian diamonds by the Group of Seven (G7). De Beers, the leading diamond company fear the second phase may disrupt prices for diamonds produced in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. In December, G7 nations announced a direct ban on Russian diamonds starting in January followed by phased-in restrictions on indirect imports of Russian gems from March. The Kimberley Process (KP) is a commitment to remove conflict diamonds from the global…

16 Feb

Swakop’s 85 MW green hydrogen project cleared …. Project to include nuclear reaction, disposal of nuclear fuels, radioactive products

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The 85 MW green hydrogen energy project by HDF Energy Namibia near Swakopmund has been given Environmental Clearance Certificate by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the company announced this week. “Notice is hereby given that on 22 January 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism: Directorate of Environmental Affairs granted an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the project in terms of the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012. This provides HDF Energy Namibia with authorisation to develop and operate the Renewstable Swakopmund Project, east of the town of…