National News – Page 204 – Windhoek Observer

15 Dec

Germany commits millions to improve Namibia’s water infrastructure

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia, with over 80 percent of its land area consisting of desert or semi-desert regions, has long struggled with extreme and protracted drought periods, leading to severe water supply challenges across the country, particularly in the central parts of Namibia. These challenges necessitate precise demand management, responsible management and recycling of existing water resources, and the urgent development of new sources. The Namibian government, in its ongoing efforts to mitigate water scarcity in especially the central parts of the country, has secured a substantial financial boost from the German government. In this regard, an agreement was signed between…

15 Dec

Walvis Bay mayor calls for a peaceful festive season

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché As the festive season fills the air with joy and anticipation in Walvis Bay, Mayor Trevino Forbes has taken a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and extend warm wishes for a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. “The end of the year is a time for reflection and setting new goals for the future,” he said in his special message. Despite the challenges that 2023 brought, Mayor Trevino Forbes expressed pride in the significant steps and milestones achieved in the coastal town. Some of the notable highlights include the successful relocation of the first…

15 Dec

NSA records third quarter GDP growth of N$6.8 billion

ObserverNational NewsNSA records third quarter GDP growth of N$6.8 billion

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has recorded the economic expansion of N$6.8 billion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2023. NSA Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, announced this yesterday and said the size of the Namibian economy, as quantified by the GDP at current prices, reached N$59.7 billion during the quarter under scrutiny. This, he said indicates an increase from the N$52.9 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022, which then consequently has experienced the expansion in the GDP size amounting to an increment of N$6.8 billion. In percentage, the GDP of the third…

14 Dec

Numerous potentially fraudulent Black Friday transactions uncovered

ObserverNational NewsNumerous potentially fraudulent Black Friday transactions uncovered

Martin Endjala It has been revealed that 3.1 percent of Namibian transactions conducted during the Black Friday period, spanning from 23 to 27 November 2023, were potentially fraudulent. Globally, the figure stood at 3.6 percent for all e-commerce transactions according to findings from TransUnion regarding global e-commerce fraud trends for the start of the 2023 Christmas season. TransUnion also detected that the average number of suspected digital fraud attempts on any given day in Namibia during that period was 87.5 percent higher than during the same period in 2022 and 19.5 percent higher than the rest of 2023 (from January…

14 Dec

Nampower secures grant from KfW

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) received a significant grant of N$400 million from the German Development Bank to embark on the construction of Namibia’s inaugural utility-scale Battery Storage Energy System (BESS). The grant was formalized on 7 December 2021, when the KfW Development Bank, in collaboration with the National Planning Commission and NamPower, signed an agreement for the grant to facilitate the implementation of the first utility-scale BESS not only in Namibia but also in the broader Southern African region. The funds provided by Germany are specifically allocated for the construction of a 54 MW / 54 MWh…

14 Dec

Home Affairs issued more than 90 000 birth certificates

ObserverNational NewsHome Affairs issued more than 90 000 birth certificates

Herta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security (MHAISS) has reported that it has issued a staggering 92,330 birth certificates from January to December this year. This is according to Deputy Minister Lucia Witbooi while speaking during the cabinet committee briefing yesterday. Witbooi stressed the importance of the birth registration process, asserting, “Birth registration is, therefore, a human right. It establishes the child’s legal identity, which, together with the ascertainment of that child’s citizenship, is essential for accessing a range of services such as education, healthcare and social protection.”However, amidst this achievement, the ministry revealed that out…

14 Dec

Second unemployment protest planned for Independence Day 2024

ObserverNational NewsSecond unemployment protest planned for Independence Day 2024

Stefanus Nashama Gregory Cloete, Head of Planning and Mobilization for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), has officially informed the Namibian Police Force about a nationwide peaceful protest against unemployment scheduled for 21 March 2024. Cloete’s decision to notify the police well in advance stems from concerns over the violation of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution. He referred specifically to Chapter 3, Article 21 (1) (d) of the Namibian Constitution, which asserts that all individuals have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms. “We are giving the Namibian Police enough time to ensure that they will mobilise…

14 Dec

Namibia’s major airports meet the required standards

ObserverNational NewsNamibia’s major airports meet the required standards

Niël Terblanché In a bid to support the Namibian Government’s national development initiatives and capitalize on the various Green Hydrogen initiatives and recent oil and gas discoveries, the Namibian Airports Company has obtained the necessary certification for the country’s major airports. According to Dan Kamati, both the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) and the Walvis Bay International Airport (WBIA) have complied with the necessary Aerodrome Certification, and the process has been completed successfully. Kamati said in a statement that the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued the aerodrome certificates to NAC in accordance with the provisions of the Namibia Civil…

14 Dec

Nampol issues stern warning to illegal liquor outlets

ObserverNational NewsNampol issues stern warning to illegal liquor outlets

Niël Terblanché Outlets that sell liquor to people under the age of 18 or operate without proper licensing will face heavy penalties over the festive season. The head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said in an official statement that all liquor outlets nationwide are strongly urged to operate under the conditions of their binding license issued by a magistrate in their area of jurisdiction. According to Shikwambi, liquor can only be sold in accordance with the Liquor Act of 1998, Act 6 of 1998, Section (2) - Sale of Liquor and Kinds of Licenses,…

14 Dec

Namibia to host inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit in 2024

ObserverNational NewsNamibia to host inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit in 2024

Niël Terblanché Namibia is set to become the host of the inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAh2S) from 3 to 5 September 2024, as part of its commitment to COP28 initiatives. The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDDB) made the announcement and said that the three-day summit will bring together heads of state, government agencies, industry business leaders, project developers, investors, and technologists from across Africa and around the world. According to the NIPDB, the primary objective of the very first summit of its kind will be to drive critical investments and financing into bankable green energy projects. At…