Blog – Page 795 – Windhoek Observer

04 Jul

Namib Mills agrees to negotiate wages

National News

Martin Endja Namib Mills and the Namibia Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU) finally agreed to negotiate employee wages following a lengthy meeting between the two parties. The company faced a gloomy blue Monday after operations were halted when employees downed tools countrywide. The employees accused Namib Mills of refusing on numerous occasions to entertain their proposal to negotiate for an increase in their salaries. As a result, Namib Mills operations stood still, with the depots in Walvis Bay, Ondangwa, Windhoek, Otjiwarongo and Otavi being negatively impacted. Corridor and cross-border truck drivers also refused to drive and parked their trucks while stating…

04 Jul

Veteran seeks reinstatement of grant

National NewsVeteran seeks reinstatement of grant

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The former Secretary General of the Namibia National Liberation Veterans Association (NNLVA) and Veteran of the liberation struggle, Alex Kamwi has approached the High Court of Namibia with an application to have his veterans grant reinstated by the Veterans Board. He says he applied for his grant to be reinstated from February 2019 and a payment of N$117 800 which he says is the total amount that he was not paid between February 2019 and September 2020. According to documents filed in the Windhoek High Court, Kamwi’s application for veteran status was approved in April 2009, although he…

03 Jul

DBN defends its settlement policy framework

Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has come out strongly to defend its settlement policy in events of default, saying that the bank has robust and well-developed policies that inform credit decisions. This comes after allegations from members of the public concerning the need for a broader appreciation of the Bank settlement policy in the event of default. As a result, the bank has come out to reassure its clients and the public that it conducts its operations within the approved policy framework and in line with relevant legal instruments. According to DBN’s Chief Executive Officer, Martin Inkumbi,…

03 Jul

FlyNamibia spreads wings to Lüderitz

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché FlyNamibia a private Namibian airline launched a new route connecting Eros Airport in Windhoek to the coastal town of Lüderitz. The inaugural flight on the Windhoek to Lüderitz route will take place today. According to FlyNamibia, scheduled flights on the new route will be available from Mondays to Fridays. FlyNamibia Managing Director, Andre Compion said this new route opens up numerous opportunities for Namibian citizens and international travellers, providing seamless access to Lüderitz and its growing economic potential. "The launch of the Windhoek to Luderitz route is an exciting moment for FlyNamibia and the Namibian economy. By introducing…

03 Jul

Economic growth expanding steadily

Observer Money

Niel Terblanche Namibia’s economy expanded at a steady pace in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023. According to the Bank of Namibia’s June 2023 quarterly bulletin, the real gross domestic product (GDP) year on year in Q1 grew to a strong five percent. “In the primary industry, buoyant growth was recorded in the mining and quarrying sector during the first quarter of 2023 owing to higher production of diamonds, uranium, gold, and zinc concentrate, whereas the pace of growth slowed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. Furthermore, growth slowed in the secondary industry on the back of a contraction…

03 Jul

Huge kelp forests creating green jobs

National NewsHuge kelp forests creating green jobs

Niël Terblanché Kelp farming off the Namibian coast at Lüderitz is set to provide more green job opportunities for residents while also opening up opportunities in the international carbon credit market. Along with green hydrogen and other jobs in the alternative energy sector, kelp farming has already begun and is providing much-needed jobs for the youth. The current youth unemployment level in Namibia stands at 50 precent. The harbour town is also set to produce green hydrogen by utilising solar and wind-generated electricity. Kelp Blue, the investor behind the kelp farming project, has already created two kelp farming forests in…

03 Jul

Seibeb to face standing committe after threats in Parliament

National NewsSeibeb to face standing committe after threats in Parliament

Stefanus Nashama Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, said the deputy leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and Member of Parliament, Henny Seibeb will answer to the Standing Committee on Standing Rules after he threatened to beat up the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni. Seibeb made the remarks during a parliamentary session, after Uutoni expressed that he would be visiting Karasburg. Katjavivi said the matter was referred to the Standing Committee in terms of Rule 112. Katjavivi said he made a ruling that Seibeb withdraws the use of unparliamentary language which he declined and instead…

03 Jul

Massive housing challenges in //Kharas

National NewsMassive housing challenges in //Kharas, Regional Governor Aletta Fredericks

Hertta-Maria Amutenja //Kharas Region, the least densely populated region in Namibia is facing housing sector constraints due to the slow delivery of serviced land and provision of housing and insufficient financial assistance for low-income groups. This was revealed by the Regional Governor Aletta Fredericks during her State of Region Address (SORA). “Hence, the impetus is on the regional and local government structures to find a lasting solution for the lack of affordable land and housing,” she said. In addition to the housing woes, the Governor said the majority of the local authorities in the region did not submit their contributions…

03 Jul

Road projects are nearing completion

National News

Niël Terblanché The construction of the dual carriage main road between Windhoek and Okahandja will be completed in May next year. The construction of the modern high-capacity road, which started in 2016, was supposed to be completed by July 2020, but budgetary constraints delayed the process by almost four years. Conrad Lutombi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Authority, gave the assurance that the last stretch of 21 kilometres of the road will be completed in 2024 after sufficient budgetary provision has been made for the project. Other projects currently being completed are the dual carriage highway behind the…

03 Jul

The second round of OM SEED launched

Featured, Observer MoneyThe second round of OM SEED launched

Martin Endjala The Old Mutual Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab, has announced the launch of the second run of the highly anticipated Old Mutual Sustainable, Economic, and Empowerment Drive (OM SEED) in four new towns in Namibia. Following the remarkable impact achieved in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, and Oshakati last year, the foundation is extending the initiative to Rundu, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Mariental in 2023. The four towns have been strategically selected to foster entrepreneurship, create value within local communities, and address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. OM SEED was first launched last…