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City Police crack down on 949 unregistered businesses

City Police crack down on 949 unregistered businesses

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Currently, 949 businesses in Windhoek are operating without a valid certificate of fitness or registration, according to the City of Windhoek Municipality (CoW). The City Police’s spokesperson, Marcelline Murapo said fines have been issued to bars, mechanic's workshops, and restaurants in Otjomuise, Wanaheda, Ausspannplatz, the city centre, Rocky Crest, and Olympia. “We identify them during routine inspections and when complaints are brought to our attention either by public members or the business registration section of the City of Windhoek,” she said. The fines were for offences including conducting a business without a certificate, operating a business without a…
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Welwitschias  face Boland Cavaliers in preparation for 2027 World Cup

Welwitschias  face Boland Cavaliers in preparation for 2027 World Cup

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The national senior rugby team, the Welwitschias, will face the Boland Cavaliers rugby team from South Africa in a 2027 Rugby World Cup preparation campaign match on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium. Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) vice president, Johan Diergaardt announced this week that the friendly game will go ahead without spectators. This is in line with the government's directives for sports organisers not to accommodate spectators during the mourning period of the founding president, Sam Nujoma, who died a week ago at the age of 95. Diergardt lauded Nujoma’s leadership and influence on sports, stating…
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Swift drought aid distribution ensures hunger relief

Swift drought aid distribution ensures hunger relief

Niël Terblanché The government has commenced the distribution of a substantial rice donation from China in a determined effort to alleviate the severe hunger crisis precipitated by the current unprecedented drought. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) began dispatching the consignment to the Oshikoto region on Monday, aiming to reach 27 000 registered households under the drought relief programme. The Chinese government donated 27 200 bags of rice which arrived by sea at the port of Walvis Bay earlier this week. The OPM said in a social media post that the intervention responds to the acute food insecurity affecting…
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IMF advised Namibia against retail digital currencies

IMF advised Namibia against retail digital currencies

Niel Terblanche The International Monetary Fund (IMF)  has advised Namibia against issuing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). A mission from the IMF visited Namibia in January, and in a recent report, it advised against pursuing a sovereign digital currency for retail consumers.  The IMF recommended that the Bank of Namibia focus on promoting existing payment improvements. “As the mission did not find strong support for rCBDC issuance to address gaps in payments, it recommends against pursuing advanced technological exploration beyond proof-of-concept until tangible benefits of CBDC for payments are evident,” the report says. BoN has been exploring a…
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Dausab pushes for stronger Ombudsman office

Dausab pushes for stronger Ombudsman office

Ester Mbathera  Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab urged lawmakers to support the Ombudsman Bill, arguing that it will strengthen the office’s independence and improve governance.  She said this during her motivation for the Ombudsman Bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday. According to her, the bill aligns with international standards and ensures the Ombudsman operates without political influence. "The bill now before this house seeks to give effect to these reforms and ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman operates with the independence and authority required to effectively fulfil its mandate," Dausab said.  She said the proposed changes will give the…
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MP criticises parliamentary pension rules

MP criticises parliamentary pension rules

Allexer Namundjembo Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi's submission on Rule Amendment Five, which limits pension benefits for young MPs, was criticised by the Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) member of parliament, Hidipo Hamata. Hamata called it discriminatory against those under the age of 55 or those who served less than five years. In his questions to Shiimi in parliament on Tuesday, Hamata expressed concern that young parliamentarians, who did not serve a full term, would not be treated equally, solely because of their age. ‘’When will you address the concerns raised by the current pension structure and ensure that younger Members of…
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Hydrological Services recommends urgent infrastructure repairs after Windhoek floods

Hydrological Services recommends urgent infrastructure repairs after Windhoek floods

Niël Terblanché The Hydrological Services of Namibia have issued urgent recommendations for infrastructure repairs following severe flooding in Windhoek since the start of the year.  A comprehensive hydrological assessment conducted on 13 February by a team led by Fillemon Shatipamba identified several areas of concern across the capital city. The assessment revealed significant structural damage and safety hazards at multiple water crossing points. At the Gammams Bridge near the Gammams Service Station, high water flows had swept side rails into the stream, and debris on the road surface indicated that water had overflowed the road, reaching an estimated height of…
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School grant policy finalised

School grant policy finalised

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has finalised the School Grant Policy. Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka presented the policy in parliament on Tuesday. Nghipondoka said the ministry conducted national and regional consultations between December 2019 and February 2020 to inform the public on the development of a funding model.  “This consultation process resulted in the development of the School Grant Policy, the aim of which is to reduce existing inequities through an efficient and equitable funding mechanism that ensures that schools and their learners, from different socio-economic backgrounds, access the adequate resources required to participate fully in…
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Defence ministry prepares for Nujoma’s funeral

Defence ministry prepares for Nujoma’s funeral

Allexer Namundjembo and Stefanus Nashama  The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has announced its preparedness to conduct the funeral proceedings for the late Founding President, Sam Nujoma, without seeking assistance from neighbouring countries. Defence minister, Frans Kapofi said this with reference to the funeral last year of President Hage Geingob during an interview with One Africa TV on Monday. “We don’t foresee making the same request as last year with regard to seeking assistance from neighbouring countries. I think we should be able to do it within the means we have. We will not approach people to help us…
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Flood observed in Oshana and Omusati regions

Flood observed in Oshana and Omusati regions

Stefanus Nashama Floodwaters have been detected in parts of the Oshana and Omusati regions, particularly in the western Cuvelai areas.  Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango confirmed this on Tuesday, attributing the flows to heavy rainfall. "The active flows of water are observed at the Western part of the Cuvelai in Onekehe, Okalongo, Onembamba, Okanwa, Epoko of the Ogongo stream, and Onelago of the Western Outapi. This indicates flooding, and people are fishing in those areas,” he said. Despite the flooding in these areas, Hango noted that the Oshigambo River, Engela, Shanalumono, and Ohaingu streams are not currently experiencing active water flows.…
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