National News – Page 235 – Windhoek Observer

09 Sep

NamPower faces challenges amid Rosh Pinah solar project launch

National NewsBen Mingeli, Namibia's electricity supply system

Hertta-Maria Amutenja NamPower’s senior manager of generation projects, Ben Mingeli, has raised concerns over the increasing reliance on solar energy and the challenges it poses for Namibia's electricity supply system. Mingeli stated on 9 September that managing demand is becoming increasingly difficult due to the rise in solar energy dependence. "Going forward, we are going to be faced with a situation where up to 100% of our day demand is on solar, and that’s going to be a challenge," Mingeli said. To address this, NamPower is accelerating the rollout of battery energy storage projects, with further expansion expected. "We will…

09 Sep

Namibia ready for digital revolution

National NewsNational ICT Summit

Niël Terblanché Namibia has already made substantial strides toward digital transformation, with both the public and private sectors embracing new technological advancements that will benefit all Namibians. While launching the eighth National ICT Summit in Windhoek, Emma Theofelus, the minister of information and communication technology, stressed that adapting to digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), is vital for the nation's sustainable economic development. The theme of the summit, "Building Resilience to 'Adapt or Die' in the Era of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)," reflects the challenges facing Namibia in this rapidly evolving digital era. Theofelus stressed the need for…

09 Sep

GIPF creates collaborative forum to engage members

National NewsRegional Stakeholder Engagement Forum in Otjozondjupa

Niël Terblanché The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is set to launch its innovative Regional Stakeholder Engagement Forum in Otjozondjupa on 12 September 2024. According to the fund’s spokesperson, Edwin Tjiramba, this initiative, which will be held at Paresis Hall in Otjiwarongo, aims to enhance member knowledge and engagement through collaboration with key financial institutions. He added that partnering with entities such as the Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA), Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS), Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), Allan Gray First Capital Namibia, and the Bank of Namibia, the GIPF is creating an opportunity for members to better…

09 Sep

Swapo gala dinner raises N$16.2 million

Featured, National NewsSwapo gala dinner raises N$16.2 million

Ester Mbathera Swapo raised N$16.2 million during the party’s 2024 party election campaign fundraising gala dinner held at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek on Friday.The more than 900 attendees splashed out N$1 000 per ticket or N$10 000 per table of ten people to be part of the event which was attended by business people and party members from all over the country ahead of the party’s central committee and the electoral college. The funds were raised from the sale of portraits of Founding President Sam Nujoma and later President Hage Geingob which reached the highest prices respectively.Grootfontein-based businessman Joseph…

08 Sep

Kauandenge defends NUDO leadership choices amid factional dispute

National NewsBarry Rukoro, Ester Muinjangue, Joseph Kauandenge

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Unity Democratic Organisation’s (NUDO) Joseph Kauandenge said the party leadership will not hand over power through force but through a peaceful process to a legitimately elected person at a legitimate congress, as per the party constitution. Kauandenge made these remarks on Sunday in response to a congress that another party faction had organised on Saturday. He announced that the party's current leadership, led by its president, Ester Muinjangue, converged at a meeting on Sunday morning to discuss, amongst other issues, the congress held in the name of Nudo by a small splinter group claiming legitimacy. ‘’Usually,…

08 Sep

Working mothers failed by Namibia’s maternity leave policy

National NewsHuman rights activist Linda Baumann, Namibia’s maternity leave system

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Gender activists have expressed concerns about Namibia’s maternity leave system, which they claim is failing to support working mothers and violating legal provisions. According to the activists, many women only receive 50% of their basic wage during maternity leave, despite Namibian law entitling them to up to 100% of their monthly salary, capped at N$15 000. In addition, the activists are calling for immediate policy reforms to address these disparities, increased awareness of women’s legal rights, and stronger enforcement of existing laws to hold employers accountable. Human rights activist Linda Baumann criticised the current practice, calling it “a…

08 Sep

Reduction of wages can only be done by consensus

National NewsJob Munairo, Justina Jonas, Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW)

Martin Endjala The fear of employers reducing the wages of employees amid the new national wage structure is rising but such changes could only be affected after an agreement was reached between workers' unions and individual employers. Job Munairo the general secretary of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), said the normal practice as per the law before any employer decides to cut employees salaries is still in effect. He said this last week while responding to questions sent to him by the Windhoek Observer. He said employers ought to first notify the labour commission or the union about…

08 Sep

Namibia broadens diplomatic ties with seven new countries

National NewsBelize, Cabinet decisions, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Federal Democratic Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Tajikistan

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia is broadening its international relations by establishing diplomatic ties with seven new nations. Last week, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology Emma Theofelus announced Cabinet decisions made at the 15th Cabinet meeting of 2024. ‘’Cabinet directed the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation to develop friendly relations and promote economic and political cooperation between the Republic of Namibia and Belize, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, the Federal Democratic Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal,’’ said Theofelus. She said…

08 Sep

Arandis launches ambitious strategic plan

National NewsArandis Town Council, global hydrogen hub

Niël Terblanché The Arandis Town Council has launched its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, unveiling a blueprint aimed at guiding the town toward industrialisation, green hydrogen development, and joint venture participation. The plan, launched at a special event in Swakopmund last week, is seen as a key instrument to promote sustainable economic growth in the Erongo region. At the launch, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Eveline !Nawases-Taeyele highlighted the town's achievements under its previous strategic plan. She said notable milestones included the construction of 136 houses, innovative solutions to reduce pensioner debt, and the introduction of prepaid water meters. “These…

08 Sep

Africa’s largest desalination plant will be built in Namibia

National NewsChina General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)

Niël Terblanché The China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has committed to building Africa's largest desalination plant in Namibia after an agreement in this regard was signed between Namibia and China. The project expected to significantly alleviate the country's water shortages With construction set to begin later this year, the plant, located in the Erongo region, is poised to deliver up to 25 million cubic metres of desalinated water annually upon completion in 2026. The agreement was reached after Calle Schlettwein, the minister of agriculture, water and land reform, announced that the Namibian government gave the go-ahead to construct a…