National News – Page 318

15 Dec

NSA records third quarter GDP growth of N$6.8 billion

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNSA records third quarter GDP growth of N$6.8 billion

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has recorded the economic expansion of N$6.8 billion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2023. NSA Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, announced this yesterday and said the size of the Namibian economy, as quantified by the GDP at current prices, reached N$59.7 billion during the quarter under scrutiny. This, he said indicates an increase from the N$52.9 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022, which then consequently has experienced the expansion in the GDP size amounting to an increment of N$6.8 billion. In percentage, the GDP of the third…

14 Dec

Numerous potentially fraudulent Black Friday transactions uncovered

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNumerous potentially fraudulent Black Friday transactions uncovered

Martin Endjala It has been revealed that 3.1 percent of Namibian transactions conducted during the Black Friday period, spanning from 23 to 27 November 2023, were potentially fraudulent. Globally, the figure stood at 3.6 percent for all e-commerce transactions according to findings from TransUnion regarding global e-commerce fraud trends for the start of the 2023 Christmas season. TransUnion also detected that the average number of suspected digital fraud attempts on any given day in Namibia during that period was 87.5 percent higher than during the same period in 2022 and 19.5 percent higher than the rest of 2023 (from January…

14 Dec

Nampower secures grant from KfW

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala The Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) received a significant grant of N$400 million from the German Development Bank to embark on the construction of Namibia’s inaugural utility-scale Battery Storage Energy System (BESS). The grant was formalized on 7 December 2021, when the KfW Development Bank, in collaboration with the National Planning Commission and NamPower, signed an agreement for the grant to facilitate the implementation of the first utility-scale BESS not only in Namibia but also in the broader Southern African region. The funds provided by Germany are specifically allocated for the construction of a 54 MW / 54 MWh…

14 Dec

Home Affairs issued more than 90 000 birth certificates

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHome Affairs issued more than 90 000 birth certificates

Herta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security (MHAISS) has reported that it has issued a staggering 92,330 birth certificates from January to December this year. This is according to Deputy Minister Lucia Witbooi while speaking during the cabinet committee briefing yesterday. Witbooi stressed the importance of the birth registration process, asserting, “Birth registration is, therefore, a human right. It establishes the child’s legal identity, which, together with the ascertainment of that child’s citizenship, is essential for accessing a range of services such as education, healthcare and social protection.”However, amidst this achievement, the ministry revealed that out…

14 Dec

Second unemployment protest planned for Independence Day 2024

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSecond unemployment protest planned for Independence Day 2024

Stefanus Nashama Gregory Cloete, Head of Planning and Mobilization for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), has officially informed the Namibian Police Force about a nationwide peaceful protest against unemployment scheduled for 21 March 2024. Cloete’s decision to notify the police well in advance stems from concerns over the violation of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution. He referred specifically to Chapter 3, Article 21 (1) (d) of the Namibian Constitution, which asserts that all individuals have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms. “We are giving the Namibian Police enough time to ensure that they will mobilise…

14 Dec

Namibia’s major airports meet the required standards

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia’s major airports meet the required standards

Niël Terblanché In a bid to support the Namibian Government’s national development initiatives and capitalize on the various Green Hydrogen initiatives and recent oil and gas discoveries, the Namibian Airports Company has obtained the necessary certification for the country’s major airports. According to Dan Kamati, both the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) and the Walvis Bay International Airport (WBIA) have complied with the necessary Aerodrome Certification, and the process has been completed successfully. Kamati said in a statement that the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued the aerodrome certificates to NAC in accordance with the provisions of the Namibia Civil…

14 Dec

Nampol issues stern warning to illegal liquor outlets

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNampol issues stern warning to illegal liquor outlets

Niël Terblanché Outlets that sell liquor to people under the age of 18 or operate without proper licensing will face heavy penalties over the festive season. The head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said in an official statement that all liquor outlets nationwide are strongly urged to operate under the conditions of their binding license issued by a magistrate in their area of jurisdiction. According to Shikwambi, liquor can only be sold in accordance with the Liquor Act of 1998, Act 6 of 1998, Section (2) - Sale of Liquor and Kinds of Licenses,…

14 Dec

Namibia to host inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit in 2024

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia to host inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit in 2024

Niël Terblanché Namibia is set to become the host of the inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAh2S) from 3 to 5 September 2024, as part of its commitment to COP28 initiatives. The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDDB) made the announcement and said that the three-day summit will bring together heads of state, government agencies, industry business leaders, project developers, investors, and technologists from across Africa and around the world. According to the NIPDB, the primary objective of the very first summit of its kind will be to drive critical investments and financing into bankable green energy projects. At…

13 Dec

Geingob tells soldiers they are the ‘shield of the nation’

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama President Hage Geingob, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), has reminded men and women in uniform that they are the shield of the nation. For this reason, he said they are at all times expected to remain one in purpose, character and action. “As men and women in uniform, you are the shield of the nation; you stand sentinel, guarding our democracy. Therefore, you should remain one in purpose, character and action,” he stressed. Geingob was addressing soldiers at the Defence Force Parade in Otjozondjupa Region yesterday. He reminded soldiers of their main…

13 Dec

Van Wyk granted bail, while Esau remains incarcerated

info_e12wt4csNational NewsVan Wyk granted bail, while Esau remains incarcerated

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Nigel Van Wyk, one of the individuals accused in the infamous Fishrot corruption scandal, was granted bail for N$20,000 at the Windhoek High Court yesterday. The decision to free him on bail was delivered by Judge David Munsu. In contrast, former fisheries minister, Bernhard Esau had his plea for release dismissed by the same judge. Esau and Van Wyk, who were arrested in 2019 and 2020, respectively, have remained in custody since their apprehension in connection with the saga of fishing quotas fraud, corruption, and racketeering cases. During his bail application, Esau consistently maintained that he was not…