National News

APRM Country Review Report lauds Namibia for governance achievements

APRM Country Review Report lauds Namibia for governance achievements

Niël Terblanché South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who served as the Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum from 2020 to 2022, has proudly presented the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Report for Namibia, following the nation’s first Peer Review at the 31st Summit of the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government on February 4th, 2022. The report, accompanied by a comprehensive National Programme of Action, marks a significant step in Namibia’s journey towards enhanced governance and socio-economic development. Ramaphosa said that since joining the APRM in 2017, Namibia has demonstrated unwavering commitment and substantial progress…
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Namibian fishermen call for justice

Namibian fishermen call for justice

Niël Terblanché A group of Namibian fishing industry workers have come forward with personal testimonies about the profound impact the notorious Fishrot corruption scandal has had on their lives. The Fishrot corruption scandal, which came to light following investigations into illicit dealings between several former Namibian government officials and representatives of the Icelandic fishing company Samherji, has had far-reaching consequences. The scandal centred around the exchange of lucrative fishing quotas for payments, severely impacting local companies like Namsov Fishing Enterprises, which saw their quotas slashed or eliminated from 2014 onwards. This led to the loss of at least 1,000 jobs,…
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The fugitive Nico Rabebe was apprehended

The fugitive Nico Rabebe was apprehended

Niël Terblanché The nationwide manhunt for 30-year-old Nico Rabebe, a former Bank Windhoek employee accused of an audacious N$200 million theft, concluded with his arrest in Opuwo yesterday. Rabebe’s run from the law ended quietly at his girlfriend’s residence, where, in a surprising twist, he elected to turn himself in to investigators of the Namibian Police. Kunene Police Regional Commander, Commissioner James Nderura, confirmed the arrest took place early yesterday morning at about 07:00. The fugitive instructed his girlfriend to inform the police of his desire to surrender. This unexpected move brought an end to a saga that captivated the…
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CoW approves new township development

CoW approves new township development

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek Municipal Council has last week approved the establishment of a new township on Portion 317 of Rocky Crest The new township development will be known as Rocky Crest Extension 8. The Mayor of Windhoek, Queen Kamati said, the move is aimed at addressing the escalating demand for urban housing and related amenities in the city. The proposed extension measures about 25 hectares and consists of 227 erven. It is situated to the south of the existing Rocky Crest township, along the eastern boundary of Otjomuise Road, and the northwestern boundary of Bernt Carlson Road.…
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Tsumkwe community calls for educational expansion

Tsumkwe community calls for educational expansion

Niël Terblanché In the remote settlement of Tsumkwe, a growing plea for educational reform and expansion echoes through its communities. Residents are calling for the establishment of a technical and vocational training centre, alongside the construction of more schools to accommodate the burgeoning youth population. These requests, initially presented to the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, and Technology two years ago, seem to have yet to prompt the desired action, leaving the community in a state of desperation. The community’s determination is evident in the proactive steps taken by the local community development committee, which has already earmarked land for…
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Namibia and Angola enhance trade payment mechanism

Namibia and Angola enhance trade payment mechanism

Martin Endjala Namibia and Angola on Wednesday announced progress in the issuance and use of innovative payment mechanisms between the two countries to respond to the need for smoother trade and transactions. This is an outcome of a renewed push by the two central banks to enhance the movement of goods and services between the two countries which was inspired by excellent government-to-government relations. The Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab, said the payment systems include a variety of platforms and services that enable businesses, individuals, government and other economic agents to conduct daily financial transactions without…
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MVA Fund takes road safety initiative to the Kunene Region

MVA Fund takes road safety initiative to the Kunene Region

Martin Endjala The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has embarked on a week-long initiative which is aimed at increasing road safety awareness in the region, educating the public about the Fund’s mandate, benefits, and the Fund’s claims process. The outreach programme will take place in the Kunene Region and is set to run from 6 to 12 March where it will demonstrate the fund's commitment to continue to deliver services directly to residents in communities. MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said that the Kunene region has been identified as an area that is generating a significant number of…
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Capricorn Group creates stakeholder value worth N$2.42 billion

Capricorn Group creates stakeholder value worth N$2.42 billion

Martin Endjala In its interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2023, the Capricorn Group said in their report that it created a value of N$2.42 billion for all its stakeholders. The Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Thinus Prinsloo said the Group's positive financial performance enabled the bank to create value for all stakeholders, contributing to the socio-economic development of Namibia and Botswana and positively impacting many lives including employees, suppliers, shareholders, communities and government. The value is spread across its shareholders mainly, its employees at an amount of N$563 million, the government through taxes N$574 million, ordinary…
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DBN’s lack of presence in all regions hampers SME growth – Masua

DBN’s lack of presence in all regions hampers SME growth – Masua

Martin Endjala Swapo Member of Parliament, Patience Masua says that the current situation where the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) do not have visibility in all the regions across the country, presents a significant challenge of inequity as the DBN’s presence is not uniformly established across all regions of Namibia. “Our young people from the regions are excluded. Young people from Omaheke (Epukiro, Vergenoeg, etc.), young people from Kharas, Zambezi, and all other regions are excluded. This geographical discrepancy excludes a critical sector of our society, particularly the rural and peri-urban youth, from availing themselves of the financial support and…
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PDM replaces UPM members in Parliament amidst alliance dissolution

PDM replaces UPM members in Parliament amidst alliance dissolution

Stefanus Nashama Yesterday, Chief Justice Peter Shivute administered the oath of office to two new Members of Parliament from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Loide Iipinge and Katrina Benz. They are stepping in for Jan van Wyk and Frans Bertolini, previously of the United People’s Movement (UPM). This transition occurred following the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi’s declaration of vacancies on behalf of PDM’s request. This was the result of the UPM departing from their alliance with the PDM to support Ally Angula’s independent presidential candidacy. The vacancies emerged when PDM’s Secretary-General, Manuel Ngaringombe, petitioned for the dismissal…
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