Blog – Page 5 – News Stand

01 Apr

Pension grants delayed amid payment uncertainty

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja Senior citizens across the country have not received their pension grants as expected on 1 April, raising concern over delays in the disbursement of monthly social support. The Ministry of Finance and Social Grants Management says payments were processed on time, but the reason the funds have not reached recipients remains unclear. The finance ministry’s spokesperson, Wilson Shikoto, said the government had fulfilled its payment responsibilities. “The payment was done. So, whatever happened between us and NamPost, we cannot explain. But all we can say is that the payment is done. We are sure that the payment is…

01 Apr

Khomas100 gravel race gains UCI status

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Niël Terblanché The Khomas100 gravel cycling race has earned a place on the international sporting calendar, following confirmation that the 2025 edition will not only serve as the Namibian National Gravel Championships but also as the African Continental Gravel Championship. In addition, it has been granted qualifier status for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Gravel World Series, with top riders securing a coveted spot at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Europe this October. The news was announced at the official launch of the 2025 event at Hollard Namibia’s offices in Windhoek. Hollard has renewed its headline sponsorship of the…

31 Mar

E-visa system nets N$19 million in one month

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has generated N$19 million in less than a month through electronic visas on arrival from foreign travellers who entered Namibia last month. The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, shared the figures on Monday during a ceremony at the ministry’s head office to bid farewell to outgoing minister Albert Kawana and welcome the new minister, Lucia Iipumbu. He said 12 562 travellers applied for and were granted visas on arrival, paying administrative fees that amounted to N$19 million. Maritz said the system behind the electronic visas and visas on arrival…

31 Mar

Dismissed Hartlief employees still waiting for justice

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former Hartlief Corporation Ltd employees who were dismissed in December 2022 say they are frustrated by delays in receiving an arbitration ruling from the Office of the Labour Commissioner, more than two years after their case was heard. The case was heard in February 2024 by arbitrator Louise Likando, and closing arguments were submitted in April. Since then, the workers say they have made repeated follow-ups but have not received a clear explanation for the delay. They were initially promised a ruling in February, then again in early March, and now by 31 March, but none of these…

31 Mar

NamWater battles nationwide water supply disruptions

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Ester Mbathera NamWater has been dealing with multiple water supply disruptions across the country due to technical difficulties affecting its infrastructure in recent days. A pipe break on the evening of 29 March on the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime pipeline near Oniipa has affected water supply to Ondangwa, Oniipa, Omuthiya Town Councils, and nearby constituencies. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata confirmed that its maintenance team is on-site conducting repairs. “Our maintenance team is on-site conducting repairs, and water supply will resume as soon as the repair work is completed,” the utility said. Essential service institutions such as hospitals, schools, police stations, and clinics in…

31 Mar

Media urged to challenge bias GBV, mental health reporting

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Niël Terblanché The media's role in covering gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and mental health issues was interrogated during the second media summit and awards in Windhoek last week. The event hosted by the One Economy Foundation brought together journalists, editors, social workers, and subject experts to interrogate and was held under the banner of encouraging more responsible, ethical, and trauma-informed reporting. The event included panel discussions, speeches, and workshops designed to promote dialogue, reflection and the sharing of practical strategies. Josina Ziyaya Machel, a survivor of GBV and founder of the Kuhluka Movement, offered a harrowing…

31 Mar

Bridge collapse forces detour for NamPower mobile substations

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Niël Terblanché The collapse of a bridge between Windhoek and Rehoboth almost two weeks ago forced NamPower to reroute the transport of its latest mobile substations, named Rhino and Buffalo. The rerouting of the very heavy equipment affected its scheduled deployment. The national power utility said in a statement on Monday that the original route to Windhoek for the substations, which departed from Benoni, South Africa, on 25 March, had to be changed to ensure that the substations could arrive safely in Namibia. The two 20 MVA substations, which are designed with voltage ratios of 132/66kV to 33/11kV and 132/66kV…

31 Mar

SADC PF one step from becoming full parliament

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Moses Magadza The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Elias Magosi, has welcomed the signing of the agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a regional parliament. The agreement was signed by Botswana’s president, Advocate Duma Boko, in Gaborone on Wednesday. Magosi described the signing as a “momentous occasion” and a critical step toward regional integration, enhanced governance, and democratic accountability. He commended President Boko, the government of Botswana, and all leaders who contributed to achieving this milestone. “We did not despair,” Mr Magosi said. “There have been layers…

31 Mar

EFN extends Media Ombudsman’s term for three months

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Allexer Namundjembo The Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) has extended the term of media ombudsman John Nakuta by three months, from 1 April to 30 June. The EFN said the extension will allow time for a proper call for nominations in line with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast, and Online Media. Nakuta’s term ended on 31 March. The nomination process was meant to start in February but was delayed due to the national mourning period following the death of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, on 8 February. “This extension also provides Nakuta the opportunity to…

31 Mar

BoN embraces AI to predict loan defaults

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Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) embraced the collection of data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to build forecasting models for predicting non-performing loans and improving board pack assessments. This was revealed by the central bank’s governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, during the launch of the 2022-2024 annual report on Monday. “In addition to the broader use of digital tools, local and foreign government payments were digitised, removing paper and enhancing the visibility of processing for government transactions,” said !Gawaxab. The report outlines key developments under the bank’s 2022-2024 strategy, including automation, digitalisation and strong financial performance. According to !Gawaxab, the…