National News – Page 315 – Windhoek Observer

05 Apr

!Gawaxab cautions against Dutch Disease amidst oil and gas optimism

National News

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab has cautioned against the Dutch Disease stating that despite the oil and gas discoveries, growth is not guaranteed, due to the volatility of commodity prices. Dutch disease is a paradoxical situation where good news for one sector of the economy, such as the discovery of natural resources, negatively impacts the country's overall economy. He added that if the country has no long-term goal and vision for the future, it might succumb to Dutch Disease. He said this yesterday, during a stakeholder engagement in Lüderitz, //Karas Region, while highlighting key opportunities…

05 Apr

Unregistered companies face N$50,000 fine

National News000 fine, Unregistered companies face N$50

Martin Endjala The Business Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) has recently issued directives regarding administrative sanctions against non-compliant companies and closed corporations with a financial year end in February 2024, pertaining to Beneficial Ownership (BO) lodgment. According to Bipa spokesperson Ockert Jansen, entities failing to comply with BO lodgment requirements face an initial administrative penalty of N$50,000, along with an additional daily penalty of N$1,000 for each day the contravention persists. Approximately 120,000 businesses are currently listed as inactive, with around 45,000 having met the necessary requirements. “All entities with February 2024 financial year end that have not lodged their beneficial…

05 Apr

Katiti victorious in N$2.5 million lawsuit against NIP

National NewsKatiti victorious in N$2.5 million lawsuit against NIP

Niël Terblanché The Namibian High Court has in Friday ordered the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) to pay its former chief executive officer (CEO), Augustinus Katiti, N$2,5 million with interest. Judge Hannelie Prinsloo presided over the case and also dismissed the counter claim by NIP. Furthermore, the NIP was held liable for the legal costs incurred by Katiti. The legal battle stems from Katiti's dismissal from his role as CEO in 2018 amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The dismissal led Katiti to pursue legal action against NIP, demanding a payout of N$3.8 million for a clause in his contract…

05 Apr

Oil and Gas puts Namibia on the brink of economic boom

Energy, National NewsOil and Gas puts Namibia on the brink of economic boom

Terblanché Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab has indicated that the recent oil and gas discoveries off the coast of Namibia hold the transformative potential to double the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and substantially increase its economic output. central bank’s governor predicted amid a period where exploration activities have already marked a positive influence on the economy, contributing an estimated growth of 0.4 percent annually between 2021 and 2023. !Gawaxab said that as exploration ventures intensify, these contributions are anticipated to soar, ushering in a new era of prosperity for Namibia. He emphasized the potential for currency appreciation as…

05 Apr

Nampol set to revolutionise its recruitment procedures

National News

Niël Terblanché In an ambitious move towards fostering diversity and inclusivity, the Namibian Police is set to overhaul its recruitment process. The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo said the initiative will be aimed at reflecting the nation's diverse demographic fabric within the law enforcement ranks and that it marks a significant step forward in the police force's commitment to equality and representation. General Shikongo, speaking at a promotion ceremony at the National Police Headquarters in Windhoek, stressed the essence of this transformative agenda. "Our goal is to ensure that the composition of the police force…

05 Apr

IPC refutes allegations of stealing members from other political parties

National News

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Changes (IPC) has on Wednesday refuted allegations that it is stealing members from other political parties, especially those of the ruling party, Swapo, during their door-to-door recruitment campaign. According to the party’s spokesperson, Immanuel Nashinge, the campaign aims to educate the public on the importance of participating in the upcoming presidential and national elections scheduled for November this year. “IPC is a party that respects the law of the country. People have a democratic right to join the IPC, just like any other political party,” he reiterated. He added that each political party has…

04 Apr

Those calling for extraordinary congress are plotting against Swapo’s succession – Sankwasa

National NewsThose calling for extraordinary congress are plotting against Swapo’s succession - Sankwasa

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former parliamentarian and Swapo Party member, James Sankwasa, contends that those pushing for the party to organise an extraordinary congress are working against the party’s success in the imminent Presidential November elections. Sankwasa made this assertion on the ongoing debates revolving around the interpretation of the Swapo Party Constitution, particularly regarding the obligation to convene an extraordinary congress in the event of a leadership vacuum within 90 days. The position was left vacant following the death of President Hage Geingob on 4 February. “Those calling for an extraordinary congress do not want Swapo to come out as the…

04 Apr

Corrupt Swapo government allowed the presence of poaching cartels – Venaani

National NewsCorrupt Swapo government allowed the presence of poaching cartels – Venaani

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani claims that pervasive corruption and graft in the Swapo-led government have allowed the presence of cartel rings in Namibia that are killing and poaching wildlife in the country, especially rhinos. Venaani who leads the official opposition party, indicated that his party is disturbed by the number of reported poached rhinos in the country. He added that the situation does not seem to slow down as the number keeps increasing. He ascribed the situation to conflicted officials in government who are also involved in the poaching syndicates. The lawmaker is blaming the…

04 Apr

NTB gears up for World Travel Market Africa 2024

National News

Martin Endjala The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) is gearing up to participate in the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) Africa, a platform for destinations to promote tourism offerings and to learn the global tourism trends, and experiences to a global audience of travel professionals and enthusiasts. The event is scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 April 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa. According to NTB’s spokesperson Flora Quest, this year’s event promises to be a milestone for Namibia’s quest to solidify its position as a premier family holiday destination on the African continent.…

04 Apr

NBL wants full utilisation of its boreholes

National News

Martin Endjala The Managing Director of Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), Peter Simons, says the company wants to use its own boreholes for production The City of Windhoek has restricted the company to only use 20 percent of its boreholes. Simons said this on Thursday during the announcement of NBL’s consolidated financial results for six months that ended December 2023. “We have our own boreholes. If we could use our boreholes fully, we would not have any impact on the water shortage, the challenge we have is through the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) and the City of Windhoek (CoW). That is…