Main – Page 18 – Windhoek Observer

18 Apr

Xinfeng’s N$600 million lithium processing plant ready for commissioning

ObserverMain

Ester Mbathera Xinfeng Investments has announced the commissioning of its lithium processing plant nine months after the government banned the export of unprocessed crushed lithium ore, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and rare earth metals and elements. Aqisha Jooste, the company spokesperson, confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. The plant is expected to start operations in June. “The plant promises to significantly enhance the lithium supply chain and bolster economic growth within the region. The new facility boasts a substantial processing capacity of 1 million tonnes of concentrated lithium annually. This marks a significant step in meeting the growing global…

18 Apr

Mbumba tells new NDF recruits to be ready to maintain peace during elections

ObserverMain

Julia Heita President Nangolo Mbumba, said he expects the new Namibian Defence Force (NDF) members to be ready to maintain peace and order during this year's upcoming elections. Mbumba was speaking during the graduation parade and commissioning ceremony of the 10th regular commissioning course at the 261 motorised infantry battalion on 18 April 2024 at Rundu in the Kavango-east region. He told the graduates that they would continue to protect and preserve Namibia’s hard-won freedom and peace. Emphasising that people may try to seize the cover of election campaigns to engage in nefarious and criminal activities. “There are some few…

17 Apr

BoN cautions against reducing repo rates

ObserverMainBank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab

Martin Endjala The Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab, has cautioned against reducing the repo rate because it will negatively impact the economy of the country He stated that Namibia is still battling to free itself from the economic downturn. “The Inflation rate is decelerating but it is not defeated yet, so the last thing you should do is to make policy errors to just reduce the rates now. If you look at what inflation did in the first three months of last year, you get an average of seven percent. Although it is coming down. What…

17 Apr

Naanda refutes Angola beef with Namibia claims

ObserverMainPenda Naanda

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has refuted claims that the relationship existing between Namibia and its neighbouring country, Angola, is in danger of collapsing. This comes after a local daily newspaper last week published a story stating that ‘Angola’s beef with Namibia is getting real. However, Executive Director in the ministry, Penda Naanda, on Tuesday refuted the claims stating that the editorial is not only misleading but has the potential to fuel unnecessary tension between the two nations. “To suggest that the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries is in danger of collapsing is…

16 Apr

KEBU employees demand immediate removal of acting head

ObserverMainKEBU employees demands immediate removal of acting head, Lee Mweemba

Stefanus Nashama Staff members of the Keetmanshoop Electrical Business Unit (KEBU), an electrical department within the Keetmanshoop Municipality, are demanding immediate removal of Lee Mweemba who was appointed by the council management to head the department in January this year. In a letter of demand sent by KEBU employees earlier this year, contended that Mweemba is an Information Technology (IT) specialist who belongs to the municipality's finance department and not the electrical department. They are therefore demanding that he be removed from KEBU, as the department already has senior electricians, revenue technicians and electricians with the relevant qualifications and experience…

14 Apr

Businessman drags Standard Bank to court in a N$184 billion lawsuit

ObserverMain

ESTER MBATHERA BUSINESSMAN Daniel Kamunoko is suing Standard Bank for about N$184 billion, money he could have made had the bank not taken actions which ruined him financially, by illegally selling his properties and also for being a direct cause of his uncle’s death. Kamunoko’s demand for about N$184 billion is based on the fact that he blames Standard Bank's action for his financial losses. He said, in court papers, that the bank denied him access to his personal and business accounts, which saw him losing business opportunities. One of the business opportunities he lost out on is a liquefied…

14 Apr

Uumati parts ways with Erongo Marine

ObserverMainErongo Marine Enterprises (EME), Martha Uumati, Uumati parts ways with Erongo Marine

Ester Mbathera The managing director of Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME), Martha Uumati has parted ways by mutual agreement.Uumati was suspended from her positions as managing director and board member of Erongo Marine Enterprises on 13 February by Oceana’s chief executive officer, Neville Brink and the managing director of Blue Continent Product, Ina Botha.A disciplinary hearing was scheduled for 11 and 12 April but did not take place as the parties opted to negotiate a separation package.The separation was confirmed by one of the Namibian right holders who requested anonymity at this stage.“Many things are going on but we received a…

11 Apr

Geingos entitled to significant benefits from the state

ObserverMain

Ester Mbathera Monica Geingos, the widow of late President Hage Geingob, is entitled to significant benefits that will ensure her financial security and well-being. According to the Former President's Pension and Other Benefits Act 18 of 2004 Sec 3(1) the surviving spouse is entitled to 75% of the monthly pension, which is exempt from income tax. Geingos is further entitled to gratuity which is equivalent to a one-year salary for the two terms served. At the time of his death on 4 February, the late President’s salary was pegged at more than N$2 million per annum Legal practitioner, Bernard Tjatjara…

11 Apr

Nandi-Ndaitwah concerned about potential foreign interference in elections

ObserverMainNetumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

Ester Mbathera The vice president of the SWAPO Party, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has voiced serious concerns about potential interference in Namibia’s upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections. She voiced her opinion at Swapo's central committee meeting held in Windhoek on Thursday. Her concerns follow the recent meeting between the European Union’s (EU) envoy, the German Embassy in Namibia and the Independent Patriot for Change’s (IPC) leader, Panduleni Itula. “There is nothing wrong for a diplomat to meet leaders or members of opposition parties, but to discuss issues of state matters and to be directly involved in the internal politics is a…

10 Apr

Mushelenga summons EU and German envoys over Itula meeting

ObserverMainMushelenga summon EU and German envoys over Itula meeting

Ester Mbathera The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Peya Mushelenga in a diplomatic move, summoned a delegation of the European Union (EU) and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on Wednesday. The engagement followed the recent meeting between the envoys and the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, drawing attention to the delicate balance between diplomatic engagement and respecting the sovereignty of nations. The German embassy posted a picture of their engagement on their Facebook page, stating they were meeting Itula “on behalf of the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) for…