National News

Patience Makwele Namibia has called on Brazilian companies to invest in its local manufacturing and processing sector.  The call was made during talks in Windhoek on Tuesday between Namibia's minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and Brazil’s minister of foreign affairs, Mauro Vieira. Ashipala-Musavyi said Namibia’s natural resources, including recent oil and gas discoveries and planned green hydrogen projects, offer opportunities beyond extraction. “We encourage Brazilian companies to establish manufacturing and processing plants in Namibia to add value to these resources locally,” she said. The talks focused on expanding cooperation in energy, agriculture and trade. Vieira said Brazil…

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Michael Mulunga has denied allegations that he illegally acquired and fenced communal land in the !Kharoxas area.  !Kharoxas is seven kilometres south of Groot Aub.  Mulunga said he followed all required procedures and only occupies a two-hectare plot. Mulunga was responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday after the Land Access Movement of Namibia, representing the |Khomanin community, claimed that he had fenced off five hectares of land linked to the |Khomani community. He rejected the claims and said the land in question is a two-hectare plot allocated…

Allexer Namundjembo The municipality of Walvis Bay has introduced new rules for informal trading. The rules require all traders to register and obtain permits before operating in the town. The regulations were published in a government gazette dated 23 March.  Under the new system, traders are not allowed to operate without registration and a valid permit from the council. “A person may not conduct informal trading in the local authority area unless the person is registered to conduct informal trading under these regulations and is issued a permit,” the government gazette states. The rules introduce different types of permits, including…

Renthia Kaimbi  When Selma Jantjies Madzivanzira stepped onto a fishing vessel for the first time in 2017, rough August seas left her unsure if the ship would stay afloat. Today, she says she can sleep through storms. Madzivanzira works as an assistant to the cook on the MVF Oukaume V5-TL, a fishing vessel operated by Embwinda Fishing Company in Walvis Bay. She also steps in as a cook when needed and handles hospitality and housekeeping duties on board. The vessel carries 32 crew members and usually spends seven to ten days at sea before returning to port for two days.…

Renthia Kaimbi  Manica Group Namibia has pledged N$600 000 towards the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Kuisebmond Secondary School, adding support to efforts to complete the facility. The pledge was announced at a handover ceremony on Wednesday. The hall is expected to serve the school and the wider community. It will be used for assemblies, sports, vocational training and youth programmes. Manica Group managing director Ralph Ruiters said the contribution is linked to his connection to the area and the need for private sector support. “Growing up in Kuisebmund, I recall a joyful childhood. The presence of sports facilities…

Justicia Shipena  Preferred Land Development Holdings (Pty) Ltd (PLDH) has taken the government to court challenging a decision over road planning that affects its Osona Village development near Okahandja. The matter is before the High Court in Windhoek, where the company is seeking to have a decision to proclaim two district roads with a 30-metre road reserve reviewed and set aside. PLDH says the decision is unlawful and goes against earlier agreements. The minister of works and transport, the roads board for Otjozondjupa South, the Roads Authority, the Municipal Council of Okahandja and Osona Property Management Company are respondents. Osona…