National News – Page 261

21 Mar

GIPF receives N$321m dividend from FirstRand Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational News, Observer MoneyGIPF receives N$321m dividend from FirstRand Namibia

Martin Endjala The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced that FirstRand Namibia Group has declared dividends of N$321 million in favour of the Fund for the financial year that ended in June 2023. The ceremonial dividend cheque was handed over this week at the GIPF Head Office in Windhoek. The state-owned entity holds 15.71 percent shares in FirstRand Namibia Ltd owning an estimated 42 million in shares. GIPF gained its initial exposure to this investment in 1996 through its investment in the then City Savings and Investment Bank (CSIB) which was later taken over through a corporate acquisition by…

20 Mar

GIPF unveils educational television series

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGIPF unveils educational television series

Martin Endjala The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), has unveiled “Our Family Ties”, a groundbreaking member educational series produced for Namibian television viewing through the sharing of real GIPF stories. The launch of the series discusses GIPF benefits through day-to-day scenarios such as normal retirement, early retirement, resignation/dismissal, retrenchment, disability benefit, ill-health retirement, death benefits and funeral benefits. “Our Family Ties offers a comprehensive and engaging educational experience for GIPF members. Our Family Ties, season 1 will premiere on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) television commencing with episode 1 on Sunday, 24 March 2024 from 19h50 to 20h00,” revealed Penda…

20 Mar

City police celebrates milestone in keeping Windhoek safe

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCity police celebrates milestone in keeping Windhoek safe

Martin Endjala As Namibia celebrates 34 years of independence on 21 March 2024, the Windhoek City Police Service (WCPS) reflects on some of its achievements in keeping the capital city safe for its inhabitants. The WCPS Project was officially launched 14 years after independence, on 18 November 2004, by Founding President Sam Nujoma, and on 9 December 2006, the Windhoek City Police was fully established and commissioned as a law enforcement agency by former second President Hifikepunye Pohamba, marking a significant milestone in its history, with retired Chief Abraham Kotokeni Kanime serving as the founding Head of the Service. During…

20 Mar

MAWLR invests N$3 million to combat cattle deaths in Zambezi Region

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMAWLR invests N$3 million to combat cattle deaths in Zambezi Region

Niël Terblanché In response to the alarming rate of cattle deaths in the Zambezi region, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) has committed nearly N$3 million towards intervention measures. This action follows a comprehensive investigation by a team deployed in November 2023 to the floodplains of the region, an area that has seen hundreds of cattle deaths since July, affecting farmers' livelihoods and the local economy. The investigation, spearheaded by senior officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), focused on the Kabe South constituency, where high cattle mortalities were reported between June and November 2023. The…

20 Mar

Initiative to improve working conditions in the fishing industry launched

info_e12wt4csNational NewsInitiative to improve working conditions in the fishing industry launched

Niël Terblanché In order to ensure fairness and safety in the workplace, Utoni Nujoma, the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation has inaugurated the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) on Decent Work within the Namibian fisheries sector. The initiative targets pressing issues such as occupational health, forced labour, as well as violence and harassment aboard vessels operating in Namibian waters. Comprising 16 members, the NCM embodies a collaborative effort with representatives from the government, trade unions, and the Namibia Employers Federation, all selected through tripartite constituent nominations. Aune Mudjanima of the labour ministry will take the helm as the…

20 Mar

Namibian Navy enhances security in Zambezi Region

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian Navy enhances security in Zambezi Region

Niël Terblanché In order to bolster security along Namibia’s perennial waterways, the deployment of the Namibian Navy on the Zambezi, Chobe, and Kavango rivers has markedly diminished security challenges that have long plagued the region. The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, said that the deployment of sailors in troubled areas is clear evidence of the Navy's successful efforts in curtailing illegal border crossings, unregulated fishing, poaching, and drug smuggling. The transformative impact of this deployment was underscored during the ceremonial renaming of the Naval Base Impalila to Naval Base Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa, in honour of…

20 Mar

Otjiwarongo taxi drivers protest for better roads

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOtjiwarongo taxi drivers protest for better roads

Niël Terblanché Approximately 300 taxi drivers in Otjiwarongo ceased their operations and took to the streets yesterday in protest of the deplorable condition of the town's roads. Their show of unity and determination in the collective action brought to light the growing frustration among local taxi operators over deep potholes and other infrastructural issues that have long plagued their daily operations which include vehicle damage that hinders their ability to provide essential services. Lazarus Mateus, acting as the group's spokesperson, presented a petition to the Otjiwarongo Municipality, voicing several critical concerns. Chief among these was the dire state of the…

19 Mar

Differences between LPM leaders, not party related

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Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says differences between its party leader Bernadus Swartbooi and his deputy Henny Seibeb are not related to the party. The differences are at an administrative level with no influence of the party. “If there are any disagreements between the two, it's nothing major or party related because it is insignificant and is also not party related. It would be nothing the party would have to invest in nor alarming,” Lifalaza Simataa, LPM National Spokesperson told Windhoek Observer this week. Simataa was responding to questions about the alleged fight between the two LPM founders.…

19 Mar

Crisis-level drought justifies a state of emergency

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Niël Terblanché The National Democratic Party (NDP) is urging the Namibian government to declare a national state of emergency in response to the severe drought conditions afflicting the nation. Party president, Martin Lukato emphasized the grave situation by pointing out widespread crop failures, escalating food shortages, and the critical lack of water affecting both people and livestock across the country. The NDP's appeal stresses the urgent need for increased resources and better coordination to effectively tackle the crisis at hand. Lukato said collaboration between the government and various stakeholders to bolster support mechanisms for those people hardest hit by the…

19 Mar

NamPower clarifies recent power outages

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Martin Endjala Following public agitation towards power outages experienced last week and in February, the Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) has clarified that the recent interruption in electricity supply in some regions was due to severe rainfall, lightning and the breakdown of a transformer. In response to Windhoek Observer questions last week, NamPower Corporate Communication Officer Rosa Nikanor, explained that the outages in southern Namibia and the Omaheke Region were the result of heavy rainfall in those areas. She said it is important to note that various factors can contribute to grid failures, with weather conditions playing a significant role. While…