National News – Page 268 – Windhoek Observer

03 Aug

NASRIA declares N$10m dividend

ObserverFeatured, National News, Observer MoneyNamibia Special Risk Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA), NASRIA declares N$10m dividend

Martin Endjala Namibia Special Risk Insurance Association Limited (NASRIA) has declared a dividend of N$ 10 million to government for the fiscal year 2023. NASRIA board chairperson, Adrianus Vugs made the announcement on Wednesday during a dividend handover ceremony. He stated that, despite the country’s economic headwinds, the recent dividend payment demonstrates NASRIA’s resilience and ability to respond to shifting dynamics in the financial services sector and the fiscus at large. In addition, the Insurance Company declared dividends of N$ 6.8 million in 2020, N$ 10 million in 2021, and N$ 7.7 million in 2022. NASRIA is Namibia’s only special…

03 Aug

Japan considering Namibia for rare earth mineral deal

ObserverNational NewsG7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan considering Namibia for rare earth mineral deal

Niël Terblanché The Japanese government plans to enter into an agreement with state-owned entity, Epangelo Mining Company to strengthen the supply chain for rare earth and other key minerals. Namibia is one of three African countries selected by the Japanese government as potential suppliers of lithium and other rare earth minerals used in the production of high-capacity batteries. Aside from Namibia, Japan intends to extend cooperative exploration for rare earth minerals with state-owned mining businesses in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As Namibia is rich in zinc, copper, and other resources, the supply chain remains underdeveloped, despite…

03 Aug

Home Affairs Ministry to pay retired NDF General over N$ 219 000

ObserverNational NewsHome Affairs Ministry to pay retired NDF General over N$ 219 000, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Retired Namibian Defence Forces (NDF) member, Major General, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela has won his unlawful arrest and detention court case against the Namibian Police. The case was presided over by High Court Judge, Esi Schimming-Chase, who decided in favour of Hamunyela and ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$ 219 630 in compensation. The court’s decision dismissed any justifiable explanations for Hamunyela’s wrongful incarceration, emphasising that his arrest was not lawful, reasonable, or essential. The police were held liable by the court for their behaviour. Schimming-Chase directed that N$50 000 be paid…

03 Aug

Gender ministry launches disabilities draft Bill

ObserverNational NewsGender ministry launches disabilities draft Bill, Royal /Ui/o/oo s

Staff Writer The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare launched a National Policy consultation on Persons with Disability Bill on Wednesday. Marginalised Communities deputy minister, Royal /Ui/o/oo said the draft bill aims to incorporate principles enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into Namibia’s statutory framework. Ui/o/oo gave the keynote address on behalf of Minister Doreen Sioka. According to the deputy minister, the consultation emphasises the significance of mainstreaming disability concerns as an inherent element of applicable plans for long-term development. Furthermore, the procedure will ensure that Namibia not only…

03 Aug

Okapya to house artificial insemination centre

ObserverNational NewsJona Musheko, National Planning Commission

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has announced that the Okapya Livestock Development Centre (LDC) in the Oshikoto region will be upgraded and equipped with an artificial insemination facility to improve farmers’ access to better breeding resources. This comes on the heels of the ministry’s recent announcement, in partnership with the National Planning Commission, to award a contract to an abettor for the upgrade of the existing slaughterhouse in Opuwo, Kunene area, as well as the contraction of Okapya LDC. The funding will come from the European Union’s livestock support program in Namibia’s Northern Communal Areas…

03 Aug

Local markets linked to external markets – Matundu

ObserverNational NewsJenelly Matundu, Local markets linked to external markets - Matundu

Stefanus Nashama Deputy International Relations Minister, Jenelly Matundu says the ministry is working relentlessly to advertise Namibia to international markets by exposing the country’s prospective commercial prospects to the world. According to Matundu, the ministry is also considering removing trade berries, tariff reductions, and the elimination of non-tariff berries, which will provide Namibia with greater access to new market production. She stated that the government, through the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, has allotted funds to all 14 regions to fund missions abroad, with Ohangwena specifically designated for missions in France and Cuba, but not exclusively. She also stated…

03 Aug

Kashuupulwa promoted to Commissioner

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibian Police (NamPol) Head Operations Division in the Oshana region, Ottilie Kashuupulwa has been promoted to the position of Commissioner. Kashuupulwa was also named as the new Regional Commander of the Ohangwena region. NamPol Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo promoted Kashuupulwa from Deputy Commissioner to Commissioner an elevation that took effect on August 1. Commissioner Kashuupulwa took over for Commissioner Elizabeth Sibolile, whose service as an active public servant expired on July 31, when she reached retirement age. According to NamPol’s Public Relations Division’s Deputy Commissioner, Kauna Shikwambi, Commissioner Kashuupulwa began her policing career on November 6, 1990. Her…

02 Aug

UK Govt to financially aid deported Namibians

ObserverNational NewsAmbassador Penda Naanda, Charles Moore, UK Govt to financially aid deported Namibians

Niël Terblanché Namibians in the United Kingdom (UK) who do not have legal immigration status will be assisted financially by the British government to voluntarily return home. This was revealed by the International Relations Ministry Executive Director, Ambassador Penda Naanda, who stated that the British government’s Home Office had offered individual Namibians more than N$68 000 as a reintegration package, as well as the cost of their return flight. “We have been engaging the British government on this matter for some time now, and the Home Office’s Voluntary Return Service made the offer that will now allow some people who…

02 Aug

Meatco optimistic about generating profits

ObserverNational NewsMeatco optimistic about generating profits, Undamuje Hambira

Niël Terblanché While stakeholders in Namibia’s beef production sector seek long-term solutions to low prices in the industry, the Meat Corporation of Namibia (MeatCo) has declared that it may still be able to generate profits. Meatco Corporate Communications Officer, Undamuje Hambira stated that higher cattle numbers handled by the state-owned enterprise’s Windhoek Abattoir could signal a big turnaround in the corporation’s profitability. “Meatco believes that if this trend continues, it will result in a consolidated recovery year for the fiscal year running from January 2023 to February 2024. The company performed well in May and June, generating approximately N$107 million…

02 Aug

I was misquoted: McLeod-Katjirua

ObserverNational NewsI was misquoted: McLeod-Katjirua, Khomas Regional Governor and former Swapo Deputy Secretary-General, Laura McLeod-Katjirua

Stefanus Nashama Khomas Regional Governor and former Swapo Deputy Secretary-General, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, yesterday said she has no intention of destroying or abolishing the same democracy that her party, Swapo, suffered to build for many years. The Governor said she was misquoted when addressing a conference to elect new party leaders in the John Pandeni constituency over the weekend. “I didn’t mean to bash opposing parties; I was merely pushing Party members to band together, work together, and save the Party so that it could remain in power,” she explained. McLeod-Katjirua said Swapo deserves to remain in power because it delivered…