Blog

Green Hydrogen Programme open to criticism

Green Hydrogen Programme open to criticism

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGHP) welcomes constructive criticism regarding the industry. NGHP spokesperson, Jona Musheko said this on Monday following an incident involving veteran journalist Jemima Beukes, who is being disciplined by her employer, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) for excessively negative reporting on last year’s Global African Hydrogen Summit.  Musheko said the organisation has not issued any directives on how journalists should report on green hydrogen initiatives. “We have not issued any formal complaints regarding the journalist in question or any other reporters. Furthermore, we have no concerns regarding perceived negative reporting on the sector,” said Musheko.…
Read More
Brazen burglars pull daring cash heist under NamPol’s noses

Brazen burglars pull daring cash heist under NamPol’s noses

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in Walvis Bay has confirmed that a burglary where more than N$400 000 were stolen, occurred at the Kuisebmond cash hall of the Walvis Bay Municipality over the weekend. Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head of the community affairs division of the Namibian Police in the Erongo region, said detectives are investigating a case of housebreaking and theft after the burglary was reported by municipal employees on Monday morning. “The incident was reported at the Kuisebmond Police Station on Monday morning. It was reported that more than N$400 000 were stolen during the weekend following…
Read More
Namibia School of Diplomatic Studies produces first graduates

Namibia School of Diplomatic Studies produces first graduates

Niël Terblanché The Namibia School of Diplomatic Studies (NSDS), established through a partnership between the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation and the University of Namibia, is aimed at strengthening Namibia’s diplomatic capabilities. The school took the country a step closer to strengthening its diplomatic corps with the graduation of the first cohort of students on Monday. Peya Mushelenga, the minister of international relations and cooperation, during the graduation ceremony reiterated the importance of diplomacy in advancing the country’s foreign policy and international standing. “Diplomatic academies have played a crucial role in shaping global diplomatic practice for over two centuries,…
Read More
S&T rates for public servants increased

S&T rates for public servants increased

Niël Terblanché Public servants can look forward to an increase in their Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), commonly referred to as S&Ts, effective from 1 April. The announcement was made by I-Ben Nashandi, the executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), during the official opening of the institution’s annual planning workshop currently underway in Swakopmund. Nashandi said the adjustment in S&T rates has not been finalised yet but that it is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance employee welfare and performance within the public sector. He also stressed the importance of embracing technological advancements and innovative…
Read More
Whistleblower Line launched to enhance transparency

Whistleblower Line launched to enhance transparency

Niël Terblanché TransNamib, state-owned rail operator, in a decisive move to reinforce ethical business practices, introduced a dedicated Whistleblower Line, aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance within the organisation. Announcing the initiative on Monday, TransNamib’s chief executive officer, Desmond van Jaarsveld, said the new platform would provide employees, customers, and stakeholders with a secure and confidential avenue to report unethical conduct, fraud, corruption, or misconduct. “The Whistleblower Line is an independent and anonymous reporting channel that allows individuals to share concerns without fear of retaliation. TransNamib encourages all stakeholders to use this platform responsibly to help maintain the…
Read More
Parliament urges Agribank to increase funding for farmers

Parliament urges Agribank to increase funding for farmers

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended increasing Agribank’s funding scheme for resettled farmers to at least N$1 million. This recommendation follows a study by the committee, conducted between May and August 2023, which highlighted the financial challenges faced by resettled farmers.  The committee’s report, released last week, found that many resettled farmers struggle to run their farms productively due to insufficient start-up capital. The committee also recommended that the resettlement policy consider issuing farmers with title deeds, which could be used as collateral to access loans from financial institutions. Currently, resettled farmers do not…
Read More
Brave Warriors camp forces league rescheduling

Brave Warriors camp forces league rescheduling

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Debmarine Premier League matches between African Stars FC and Young Africans FC, as well as UNAM FC and Bucks Buccaneers FC, originally scheduled for Tuesday, have been postponed due to training camp for the Brave Warriors.  Debmarine Premier League director, Mabos Vries confirmed on Monday that a new date for the matches will be announced to the affected teams and their supporters in due course. The four teams did not play league games this past weekend as they were competing in the MTC Maris Cup semi-finals. African Stars defeated Bucks Buccaneers 2-1 to reach the final, where…
Read More
Final election report still pending

Final election report still pending

Ester Mbathera  The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) has yet to release its final report on Namibia's 2024 elections.  The preliminary report was issued two days after the elections, but the final report remains pending. SEOM member, Magabolle Mafiri on Saturday told the Windhoek Observer that the report is still to be submitted to the Namibian government. "In line with the SADC principles and guidelines, it will be copied to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), following which it will be shared with electoral stakeholders after 90 days," said Mafiri. SEOM typically releases their preliminary statements,…
Read More
Swapo women celebrate NNN

Swapo women celebrate NNN

Ester Mbathera  Female members of Swapo have celebrated the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the party’s president, calling it a milestone that demonstrates women’s capability to lead. Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected by acclamation at Swapo’s 6th extraordinary congress on Saturday, becoming the party’s first female president.  The central committee had endorsed her as the sole presidential candidate on 17 February. Election by acclamation allows an association or party to skip the final ballot process in an uncontested election. Party member, Sharonice Busch described her election as a “significant moment” for young women and women across the country. “We have demonstrated that…
Read More
Uitele granted land tax exemption as a disadvantaged Namibian

Uitele granted land tax exemption as a disadvantaged Namibian

Allexer Namundjembo  Supreme Court judge Shafimana Ueitele was granted a land tax exemption by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform on the basis that he falls within the category of a former disadvantaged person as articulated under Article 23 of the Constitution. This explanation was given by the agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein in parliament last week when he was responding to questions posed to him by Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian, Hidipo Hamata. “Secondly, it is justified as the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic, or educational imbalances in Namibian society arising out of past…
Read More