National News

Revitalizing Namibia’s Tourism and Hospitality Industries: A Path to Economic Recovery

Revitalizing Namibia’s Tourism and Hospitality Industries: A Path to Economic Recovery

Josef Kefas Sheehama The global tourism industry, contributing approximately 10% to the global GDP, holds immense significance. In Namibia, tourism and hospitality contribute N$7.7 billion, equivalent to 3.7% of nominal GDP, with an indirect contribution of N$24.8 billion or 12.0%. Despite its importance, the industry faced severe setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating strategic interventions for recovery. The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism aims to rejuvenate the tourism sector by emphasizing domestic tourism and marketing Namibia as a safe holiday destination. Acknowledging the Namibian Tourism Board’s role, the Ministry’s active involvement is deemed critical in navigating the…
Read More
WHO warns that 90,000 Namibians are living with diabetes

WHO warns that 90,000 Namibians are living with diabetes

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia faces a health challenge, with an estimated 90,000 people living with diabetes, as revealed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Officer in Charge, Mary Nana Ama Brantuo, during the commemoration of World Diabetes Day in Windhoek this week. “In Namibia, available statistics reveal that nearly seven percent of Namibian adults have diabetes, with an estimated 90,000 people living with the condition,” she stated, highlighting the urgent need for attention and collaborative efforts to address the growing concern. Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, delivered remarks under the global theme ‘access to diabetes care’…
Read More
Icelandic government must reevaluate renewable energy funding for Samherji

Icelandic government must reevaluate renewable energy funding for Samherji

Stefanus Nashama McHenry Venaani, the leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has called upon Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir to reconsider the proposed plan for the Icelandic government to provide Samherji Company with 100 million Icelandic krona in renewable energy funding. Samherji is a prominent fish processing company in Iceland, recognized as the largest fishing company in the country and one of the largest in Europe. However, it has faced allegations of corruption in Namibia’s fishing industry and the Fishrot corruption scandal. In his capacity as the Leader of the Official Opposition political party in the National Assembly, Venaani…
Read More
Deadline for mandatory SIM card registration edges ever closer

Deadline for mandatory SIM card registration edges ever closer

Niël Terblanché The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a vital reminder to all stakeholders regarding the approaching deadline for mandatory SIM card registration. The deadline is set for 31 December and the directive is in full accordance with Section 77 of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009). Katrina Sikeni, Executive of Communications and Consumer Relations at CRAN said that statistics reveal the progress made in SIM card registration over the past few months. She said that as of 15 June, Namibia had approximately 2,760,804 active SIM cards across all licensed networks, with 795,991 SIM cards registered,…
Read More
Labour ministry collects almost N$600 000 on behalf of unpaid workers

Labour ministry collects almost N$600 000 on behalf of unpaid workers

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation has collected a total amount of N$594 813.00 of unpaid wages on behalf of affected workers from their employers who failed to honour salary agreements. A quarterly report for the period of July and September 2023, released this week by the Acting Executive Director in the ministry Aune Mudjanima, revealed these statistics. The report indicates that the ministry dealt with a total of 1082 labour complaints from different employees, mostly on unsettled remunerations. As a result, an amount of N$594 813.00 was collected on behalf of affected employees. As…
Read More
More war veterans receive funding for projects

More war veterans receive funding for projects

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is set to disburse funds to 425 veterans of the liberation struggle for their projects by the end of this financial year. The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi made the announcement during the Cabinet Committee briefing on Monday, as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to integrate the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle into the socio-economic mainstream through their initiatives. During the current financial year, the Ministry has already disbursed funds to 322 war veterans. “All registered veterans qualify for funding for a project that has now been…
Read More
Naloba concerned by regional councils’ unwillingness to provide drought relief vehicles

Naloba concerned by regional councils’ unwillingness to provide drought relief vehicles

Martin Endjala Namibia Local Businesses Association (NALOBA) is deeply concerned by certain Regional Councils that are not adhering to conditions or requirements established by the Office of the Prime Minister to procure vehicles to distribute drought relief for the 2023/24 program. These concerns were raised by NALOBA vice-president Peter Amadhila yesterday “On 27 October 2023, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a clear directive, and all Regional Councils countrywide were just supposed to pass on the requirements to the public to submit quotations without any delays. Instead, Some Regional Councils such as Omusati and Oshikoto altered the requirements and…
Read More
Namibia will celebrate World Children’s Day

Namibia will celebrate World Children’s Day

Niël Terblanché Namibia is gearing up to mark World Children’s Day (WCD) on 19 November 2023, joining the global community in celebrating this important occasion. This year, Namibia will host the sub-regional World Children’s Day event in Walvis Bay, under the theme “Renewing Our Promise for Children’s Rights.” According to Lukas Haufiku, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, this year’s celebration holds special significance. He said that Heads of State from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia are expected to grace the event. This gathering follows on from regional engagements established…
Read More
MEFT warns against re-exporting white rhinoceros

MEFT warns against re-exporting white rhinoceros

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) has raised concerns over the importation of live white rhinoceros from South Africa by registered Namibian game dealers for re-export to countries outside their natural distribution range. This issue has gained attention due to the persistent demand for white rhinoceros and the greater availability of these animals in South Africa. According to MEFT spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, South Africa has implemented stricter domestic measures that prohibit the export of certain wildlife species. In light of this, he cautioned Namibian private farmers, particularly registered game dealers, against engaging in such transactions, emphasizing…
Read More
BIPA clarifies the tender saga that involved a child

BIPA clarifies the tender saga that involved a child

Martin Endjala Namibia’s Business Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has clarified that the matter involving a five-year-old minor who is reported to be the majority shareholder of a company that won the pharmaceutical bidding via the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) is within the corporate laws and that the corporate laws have not been broken. In a recent response to Windhoek Observer questions on the matter, BIPA’s Spokesperson, Ockert Jansen, explained that pursuant to the provisions of both the Companies Act, 2004 and the Close Corporations Act, 1988, there exist no restrictions or exclusions concerning the age of an owner…
Read More