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Amupanda’s housing initiative may not be cast in ideological impotence, bankruptcy, opportunism

“The lack of affordable land for housing is the main cause of Namibia’s housing crisis and the continuous rapid growth of informal settlements,” notes the Mayor of Windhoek when announcing the outcome of the land and housing workshop, which the City hosted end August beginning September. “Crisis”, sounds like an understatement by the Mayor in describing what has been happening on the housing provision frontier since independence, which can aptly be described as a ticking bomb, not only for the City of Windhoek, but all over the country. “Rapid growth” is also a misnomer because looking at what has come…
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Cometh the hour cometh man/woman, is it the affected communities, Government or both?

“Cometh the hour, cometh the man/woman”, is an idiom often used to describe the phenomenon, that sometimes when a hero is needed one appears. This Tuesday, as has long been expected, the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Frans Kapofi, gave notice to the effect of tabling details on the Draft Genocide Deal. That this notice was given by Kapofi, something that some of the political parties in the National Assembly (NA) seem to be having an issue with, is immaterial. What matters is that the avowed deal is now in the NA against the best advise, wishes and pleas…
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Fraud claims about family houses and Evictions may be justified….

Fraud claims about family houses and Evictions may be justified….

Shaun Evert Gariseb and Vetu Uanivi Every year we are confronted with the painful sight of families evicted from what they call "family houses", but many don't wonder why people have disputes in this matter. Is it blatant ignorance of what to do and what not to do or is it property fraud? This occurrence is experienced in Katutura and older areas of other towns. Property title fraud occurs when a property is transferred to another party without the true owner's knowledge. Typically, this is a result of an imposter pretending to own the property and deceiving the other parties…
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No resting in peace KK but now than ever your spirit must live on!

After about two weeks of endless tributes, some heartfelt, others which may eventually prove purely opportunistic, the casket containing the mortal remains of a real son of the soil, KK, as Kazenambo Kazenambo came to be known to both friend and foe, was on Saturday, August 28, lowered into the grave to presumably forever commit KK to eternity, and likewise for some his legacy. Going by the popular comforting Biblical verse often afforded and accorded the bereaved family and loved ones of the departed, if not the departed herself/himself, Yours Truly Ideologically fall in line echoing the said verse: Two…
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Covid testing and tourism

The hard-hit tourism sector has pushed the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to support new wording in the Covid restrictions for entering visitors. The Ministry has agreed to review the regulations regarding when the 72-hour Covid-free test must be done for tourists. It seems the current language regarding entry restrictions for tourists that is applicable until 15 September says arriving tourists must present a test result that is no older than 72 hours from the date the test was taken. The tourism industry in Namibia appears to want the rule’s language adjusted to say that an acceptable test result must…
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Rössing mulling expending lifespan to 2026

Rössing mulling expending lifespan to 2026

CHAMWE KAIRA Rössing Uranium Limited is considering expanding the lifespan of the mine by another 10 years to 2036, Managing Director Johan Coetzee has said in an interview. Rössing Uranium Limited started production in 1976 and this year celebrated 45 years of production. “The mine is currently operating on an approved Life of Mine plan to 2026, however the Rössing Board of Directors granted formal approval to commence with a Feasibility Study (FS) to potentially extend the Life of Mine (LoME) from 2026 by another 10 years, in line with its recently approved Mine Licence extension to 2036,” Coetzee said.…
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NamPower starts 287km transmission line

NamPower starts 287km transmission line

Staff Writer THE country’s power utility, NamPower, has started constructing a 287km long 400 kV Auas-Gerus transmission line. This is part of the N$3,5 billion 833 kilometre expansion programme involving three projects. The line to run from Auas substation near Dordabis to Gerus substation near Otjiwarongo, is part of the company’s investment in expanding its 400kV transmission infrastructure backbone, by more than 800 kilometres. “The construction of the transmission line is a testament of NamPower’s ambition to deliver sustainable security of supply and a least-cost tariff path that will support economic growth and maintain the company’s financial sustainability,” reads a…
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NEEEF no panacea but promises an incremental socio-economic reform

MID-TERM through his second and last term, the clock is no doubt ticking fast for incumbent President, His Excellency Hage Geingob, to establish a governance legacy, foremost for himself, and the country. After 30 years plus of independence, freedom and sovereignty, for any incumbent president the colonial legacy can no longer serve as an excuse for non-performance and non-delivery on the promises of independence. That is why the incumbent president is in the unenviable position that he can no longer hide behind the colonial legacy if unable to deliver. Thirty plus years is enough a time for the necessary foundation…
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Shebeens – The weakest link?

The strength of any chain to protect the nation against the pandemic lies in its weakest link. The restrictive regulations on shebeens and bars vs. the lighter touch for restaurants, casinos, nightclubs and hotels are classist and ineffective in curbing the spread of the pandemic. Shebeens are banned from onsite alcohol sales because their clients supposedly have a higher risk of spreading Covid as they will not follow pandemic social gathering regulations. Restaurants, hotels, casinos, and nightclubs are permitted to consume alcohol on site, supposing they will follow social gathering regulations. We remain unconvinced that this assumption holds. We are…
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FlyWestair flies to Rundu, Katima Mulilo

FlyWestair flies to Rundu, Katima Mulilo

Staff Writer NAMIBIAN airline FlyWestair launched flights to two new destinations, Rundu and Katima Mulilo this week. Departing from Eros Airport in Windhoek, on 24 and 25 August, with inaugural flights for the media, these new scheduled routes connect Namibians and visitors between the capital and the north-eastern regions and beyond. “FlyWestair is a proudly Namibian privately owned airline, the first of its kind in Namibia. We are committed to providing an admirable travel experience with consistent on-time performance. “The opening up of these two new routes show our dedication to Namibia, to the travel and tourism industry, and we…
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