Blog – Page 783 – Windhoek Observer

04 Aug

Lab diamonds biggest threat to industry

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Lab diamonds are the biggest threat facing the Namibian diamond industry, Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia)’s Lelly Usiku, Executive: Market Development, Sales and Brand has disclosed. Usiku said lab diamonds or synthetic diamonds cost about 60 to 80 less than natural diamonds like the ones produced by Namibia. She noted that synthetic diamonds are growing in popularity in China, which is the biggest retail market in the world after the United States. The other factors threatening the industry are the Russia-Ukraine Crisis, which is affecting the production at Russian producer, Alrosa. The other factors threatening the stability of the…

03 Aug

CRAN 2022 Revenue Drops by 51.6%

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recorded a total revenue of N$36.3 million which was N$38.7 million (51.6 percent) shy of the N$ 75 million target. According to Cran’s 2022 annual report, this variance is a result of the timing delays associated with the date when the revised regulatory levy regulations came into effect and the additional amount of time, after the licensee’s financial year end date, that Licensees are allowed to file their audited financial statements with the Authority. Cran used audited financial statements of licensees to determine the revenue base on which to calculate regulatory…

03 Aug

Hartlief and NAFAU advances with substantive agreement

Observer MoneyGunther Ling, Hartlief and NAFAU advances with substantive agreement, Hartlief Managing Director (MD)

Staff Writer Hartief, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, inked a substantive agreement with the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) which includes a 5.2 percent rise in basic pay. The substantive agreement is valid from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 and will apply to all Hartlief Continental Meat Products Bargaining Unit employees. Apart from the 5.2 percent rise in basic pay, the parties agreed to an increases in housing and transportation allowances for all Bargaining Unit employees. Speaking att the deal's signing, Hartlief Managing Director (MD), Gunther Ling, expressed gratitude to all parties…

03 Aug

NASRIA declares N$10m dividend

Featured, National News, Observer MoneyNamibia Special Risk Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA), NASRIA declares N$10m dividend

Martin Endjala Namibia Special Risk Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA) has declared a dividend of N$ 10 million to government for the fiscal year 2023. NASRIA board chairperson, Adrianus Vugs made the announcement on Wednesday during a dividend handover ceremony. He stated that, despite the country’s economic headwinds, the recent dividend payment demonstrates NASRIA’s resilience and ability to respond to shifting dynamics in the financial services sector and the fiscus at large. In addition, the Insurance Company declared dividends of N$ 6.8 million in 2020, N$ 10 million in 2021, and N$ 7.7 million in 2022. NASRIA is Namibia’s only special…

03 Aug

Eating dog meat poses public health risk: SPCA

UncategorisedEating dog meat poses public health risk: SPCA, SPCA Director of Operations, Sylvia Breitenstein

Martin Endjala The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has warned that eating dog meat can result in the spread of zoonotic diseases such as trichinellosis (intestinal parasites larvae that sit in the muscles of the dogs), cholera, and rabies to humans. According to a media statement published by SPCA Director of Operations, Sylvia Breitenstein on Wednesday, dogs are one of the only species fed by people who are omnivores, meaning they eat other animals, animal carcasses, humans, and excrement. This distinguishes dogs from other land animals such as widely consumed livestock. Breitenstein was responding to recent…

03 Aug

Japan considering Namibia for rare earth mineral deal

National NewsG7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan considering Namibia for rare earth mineral deal

Niël Terblanché The Japanese government plans to enter into an agreement with state-owned entity, Epangelo Mining Company to strengthen the supply chain for rare earth and other key minerals. Namibia is one of three African countries selected by the Japanese government as potential suppliers of lithium and other rare earth minerals used in the production of high-capacity batteries. Aside from Namibia, Japan intends to extend cooperative exploration for rare earth minerals with state-owned mining businesses in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As Namibia is rich in zinc, copper, and other resources, the supply chain remains underdeveloped, despite…

03 Aug

Home Affairs Ministry to pay retired NDF General over N$ 219 000

National NewsHome Affairs Ministry to pay retired NDF General over N$ 219 000, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Retired Namibian Defence Forces (NDF) member, Major General, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela has won his unlawful arrest and detention court case against the Namibian Police. The case was presided over by High Court Judge, Esi Schimming-Chase, who decided in favour of Hamunyela and ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$ 219 630 in compensation. The court’s decision dismissed any justifiable explanations for Hamunyela’s wrongful incarceration, emphasising that his arrest was not lawful, reasonable, or essential. The police were held liable by the court for their behaviour. Schimming-Chase directed that N$50 000 be paid…

03 Aug

Gender ministry launches disabilities draft Bill

National NewsGender ministry launches disabilities draft Bill, Royal /Ui/o/oo s

Staff Writer The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare launched a National Policy consultation on Persons with Disability Bill on Wednesday. Marginalised Communities deputy minister, Royal /Ui/o/oo said the draft bill aims to incorporate principles enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into Namibia’s statutory framework. Ui/o/oo gave the keynote address on behalf of Minister Doreen Sioka. According to the deputy minister, the consultation emphasises the significance of mainstreaming disability concerns as an inherent element of applicable plans for long-term development. Furthermore, the procedure will ensure that Namibia not only…

03 Aug

Okapya to house artificial insemination centre

National NewsJona Musheko, National Planning Commission

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has announced that the Okapya Livestock Development Centre (LDC) in the Oshikoto region will be upgraded and equipped with an artificial insemination facility to improve farmers’ access to better breeding resources. This comes on the heels of the ministry’s recent announcement, in partnership with the National Planning Commission, to award a contract to an abettor for the upgrade of the existing slaughterhouse in Opuwo, Kunene area, as well as the contraction of Okapya LDC. The funding will come from the European Union’s livestock support program in Namibia’s Northern Communal Areas…

03 Aug

Local markets linked to external markets – Matundu

National NewsJenelly Matundu, Local markets linked to external markets - Matundu

Stefanus Nashama Deputy International Relations Minister, Jenelly Matundu says the ministry is working relentlessly to advertise Namibia to international markets by exposing the country’s prospective commercial prospects to the world. According to Matundu, the ministry is also considering removing trade berries, tariff reductions, and the elimination of non-tariff berries, which will provide Namibia with greater access to new market production. She stated that the government, through the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, has allotted funds to all 14 regions to fund missions abroad, with Ohangwena specifically designated for missions in France and Cuba, but not exclusively. She also stated…