Blog – Page 854 – News Stand

23 Oct

Kahimise open to staying at CoW …as his departure day looms

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek (CoW), Robert Kahimise, Windhoek Mayor Fransina Kahungu

Andrew Kathindi The outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the City of Windhoek (CoW), Robert Kahimise says he may consider staying on as head of the municipality should council engage him, subject to certain conditions. This follows media reports that stated that the Swapo Khomas regional executive committee was trying to get CoW councilors to convince Kahimise to stay on. Quizzed on whether he would consider the opportunity to stay on should he be approached by Windhoek municipality councilors, the CEO left the door open. “That depends. I’ve handed in my notice, I’m serving my notice up to end of…

22 Oct

The 800 pound gorilla in the room

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFinance minister, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR)

There is no doubt that Minister of Finance Iipumbu Shiimi has to drink from the dual poisoned chalices of taking on the Finance portfolio in the middle of a severe economic recession and then COVID-19. The 800-pound gorilla in the room is that after the smoke clears, there remains a budget deficit of N$17 billion. How will we fill that gap? The mid-year budget review announced yesterday is, at the end of the day, only a plan; it is not money in the bank. It declares what the government should earn and what it will spend in a particular period…

22 Oct

Jyda King launches new album

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedGeoffrey "Jyda King" Amalenga, Massive Music Records and D-Core Records

Staff writer Producer, song writer and artist Geoffrey "Jyda King" Amalenga announced his debut album due to be released on the 23rd October 2020 under the record labels Massive Music Records and D-Core Records. Imagine is an album in a variety of genres ranging from afro pop, trapsoul, RnB and hip hop. Check this brotha’ out. Buy this album. King’s passion for music started at an early age. The support from his mother encouraged him to write his own music at the age of 16 and by the age of 22, he was producing his own Beats. The artist released…

22 Oct

Air Namibia restarts Joburg, Cape Town flights

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedAir Namibia

Staff Writer Air Namibia has announced the launch of weekly flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town from 28 October 2020. The Windhoek – Johannesburg direct route will be operated on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, whereas two flights between Windhoek – Cape Town (direct & via Walvis Bay) will be operated on weekends, Fridays and Sundays. The times of operation from Windhoek, Namibia are as follows: Windhoek – Johannesburg SW723 Depart: 09:30 – Arrive: 11:15 Windhoek – Cape Town SW703 Depart: 07:25 – Arrive: 09:25 Windhoek – Cape Town (via WVB) SW715 Depart: 13:55 – Arrive: 17:15 Air Namibia’s Interim CEO,…

22 Oct

BoN maintains Repo rate unchanged

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia (BoN), BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab, Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE)

Staff Writer The Bank of Namibia (BoN) on Wednesday announced that its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had resolved to keep the Repo rate unchanged at 3.75 percent. “The MPC is of the view that the rate remains appropriate to continue supporting domestic economic activity, while at the same time safeguarding the one-to-one link between the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand,” BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said. He said domestic economic activity had slowed during the first eight months of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019. The bank forecasts the domestic economy to contract by 7.8 percent in…

22 Oct

Taxis threaten double charge . . . as fares return to N$12

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), Werner Januarie

Andrew Kathindi Controversial Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) boss Werner Januarie has warned that should the government insist returning the fares charged by taxis back to N$12, steps will be taken to force passengers to pay double, arguing that the law makes provision for this. “Under the regulations of the Roads Authority Act 17 of 1999, taxis are allowed to charge double when they drop a passenger where there is no taxi rank. There is a difference between a taxi rank and a taxi stop. It’s two completely different things.” It is generally understood that due to the lack…

22 Oct

COVID-19 regulations relaxed

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia, president Hage Geingob, Public and Environmental Health Act

Andrew Kathindi Amidst warnings of a second COVID-19 wave, President Hage Geingob has announced a relaxation of regulations compared to those initially put in place under the provisions of the Public and Environmental Health Act on 23 September until 21 October. These new measures will come into effect from 22 October until midnight 30 November and will apply to all regions. Under the new regulations, the number of people allowed at public gatherings will be increased from 50 to a maximum of 200 people. Restrictions on public and private transport operators have also been lifted, meaning that the number of…

21 Oct

South African songstress, Lira to promote Namibia …as negative social media blowback from locals simmers

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedFederation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA), Lira, Netumbo Nashandi, Travel Ambassador Initiative (TAI)

Jackie Wilson Asheeke Last week, online and print media exploded with public discontent over the selection by the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata) of Lira, a South African singer/celebrity, to be its first Travel Ambassador Initiative (TAI) personality. The songstress has been asked to remind South African and other markets that Namibia is great, nearby, easy, world-class tourism destination. The negative local reaction to her appointment shows that many have missed the point. Fenata is the private sector tourism industry umbrella organization. One of its roles is to represent the interests of its members and support increased tourism to…

21 Oct

Old Mutual donates N$1.3 million

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Old Mutual

Staff Writer Old Mutual has donated N$1.3 million to the National Disaster Fund geared towards the payment of allowances to temporary recruited medical professionals by the Government to assist on the frontlines against the COVID-19 pandemic as a final installment of its committed N$5 million. “We are deeply aware of the critical work being done by all health essential service workers across the country as they continue to serve, care and protect our nation during this challenging time. In fact, these healthcare workers not only form a critical part of the overall essential services in the community but they are…

21 Oct

Agribank launches women and youth scheme

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedAgribank, Namibia

Staff Writer Agribank launched the women and youth loan scheme in Windhoek on Monday, with relaxed conditions to encourage participation and enhanced financial inclusion. The bank said the product aims to enable the majority of women and youths who are unable to access affordable financing for farming purposes. “While current financing for the youth is not at an optimal level, thus the Agribank women and youth scheme is flexible in that it provides relaxed conditions for funding. The purpose of the scheme is to promote financial inclusion, economic empowerment, employment creation as well as to stimulate Namibia’s economic growth.” Eligible…