National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a landmark judgment delivered by High Court Judge Eileen Rakow, the decision by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to cancel a fuel retail license has been declared unlawful and contrary to the provisions of Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution. The ruling, following a review application brought by Gochas Lewende Hawe Agente CC against the Minister of Mines and Energy, highlights the limitations of Alweendo’s authority and the legal grounds upon which the fuel retail license was revoked. The license was revoked on 15 March 2022. Judge Rakow said the powers of the Minister…

Martin Endjala President Nangolo Mbumba, during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), revealed that to date, 90 percent of fishing rights are owned by Namibians and that the sector employs an estimated 18,000 Namibians. He said the promotion of Namibianisation in the fisheries sector is progressing well. Additionally, the government has successfully implemented the employment redressing programme which employs 2,367 people. Mbumba emphasised that the move is a sustainable job opportunity initiative, addressing the challenges of joblessness experienced by former fishermen since 2015. With regard to job creation to secure livelihoods, the government facilitated the placement of 1,350 job…

Niël Terblanché In a significant development for Namibia's financial market, the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has announced the approval of the Central Securities Depository (CSD). According to Victoria Raimond, spokesperson of Namfisa, the approval of a CSD is set to revolutionize stock trading in the country. She added that the establishment of the CSD aims to provide a centralized platform for the holding, safekeeping, and settlement of securities such as shares, bonds, and other financial instruments in electronic form, thereby enhancing market efficiency and liquidity. Owned jointly by the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Stock Exchange, the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) and the Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT) have issued a stern caution to the public regarding a fraudulent bid invitation circulating in the public domain. Under the guise of legitimate government initiatives, this fraudulent scheme has been soliciting funds from both local and international investors, posing significant risks to unsuspecting individuals and organisations. The deceptive bid invitation, purportedly under the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015, falsely claims to invite international bidders for the construction of substantial developmental projects. These projects include the construction of 2,500 and…

Niël Terblanché The 25-kilometer road network project on Impalila Island is drawing to a close, marking a significant milestone in the Zambezi Region's infrastructure development. The Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Lutombi, confirmed that the road would be inaugurated soon, heralding a new era of economic development and accessibility for the island. The road construction project, which employed over 135 locals, showcases innovative engineering with the construction of larger bridges to facilitate animal crossings, and the use of a low-volume seal standard to reduce maintenance costs. The initiative is celebrated as a beacon of economic progress, expected to attract…

Niël Terblanché In an exciting expansion of their Secret Collection, Gondwana Collection Namibia proudly introduces two new exclusive retreats, The Ekipa and The Nest, designed to offer guests unparalleled luxury experiences in the heart of Africa's most enchanting landscapes. According to Gys Joubert, the Chief Executive Officer of Gondwana, these additions are set to redefine romantic and private wilderness experiences when the luxury retreats are set into operation on 1 November 2024. He indicated that The Nest will be located amidst the striking red dunes of the Kalahari Desert, just 30 kilometres northeast of Mariental. The retreat is envisioned as…