Support Ulm e.V, a non-profit organisation from Ulm, Germany, last week donated sunscreens valued at N$860 000 to Support in Namibia of Albinism Sufferers Requiring Assistance (SINASRA). Under the leadership of Heinz Maier, Support Ulm e.V. facilitated the donation of specially formulated sunscreens for sensitive skin. The donation was presented by Alina Letushila Nelenge, representing Support Ulm e.V. and received by Anette Shililifa, a senior teacher at the School of the Visually Impaired and a member of the SINASRA board. Nelenge, the Corporate Social Investment representative of Ohorongo C ..read more

The national executive committee of the Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) passed a vote of no confidence against its president, Ismael Kasuto and vice president, Densley Somseb. The motion passed during an extra ordination executive meeting held in Tsumeb on Sunday. Hashondali Kakuti, the MUN’s southern regional secretary, who chaired the meeting, confirmed the removal of the two leaders. The reasons for Kasuto and Somseb’s removal according to letters sent to them are the lack of leadership that hampers the organisational health, social cohesion and progress of the union. The union executiv ..read more

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Mines and Energy on Friday announced that petrol prices are set to increase by 70 cents per litre. Similarly, both types of diesel will increase by 40 cents per litre. In Walvis Bay, the new prices will stand at N$23.00 per litre for petrol, N$22.17 per litre for diesel 50 ppm, and N$22.37 per litre for diesel 10 ppm. The increases are slated to take effect in the first week of May. The ministry stated that adjustments in fuel prices across other regions of Namibia will be made accordingly. These changes come as the Ministry addresses under-recoveries in p ..read more

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) on Friday launched the Instant Payment Project initiative that is set to revolutionise financial services across Namibia. The BoN Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab said the project aims to introduce an instant payment solution that is efficient, instantly accessible and designed for inclusivity. “The project aims to significantly broaden financial inclusion by providing essential and affordable financial services to all whilst focusing on the rural and informal sectors which face logistical and financial challenges in accessing conventional banking services ..read more

Martin Endjala The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo says that Namibians must ready themselves if they want to participate in the oil and gas sector. Alweendo was clarifying his remarks of entitlement which he said was misconstrued. “I was saying, As Namibian companies and entrepreneurs, whether it is going to be in the oil and gas sectors or mineral sectors. Let us not sit back and hope that somebody is going to do it for us. It won’t happen, but it will only happen through hard work. I know what I said has been misconstrued by the media saying Tom Alweendo doesn’t want Namibians to ..read more

Niël Terblanché The parliamentary standing committees on natural resources, economics, and public administration have called attention to what they perceive as inadequate efforts by mining companies in Namibia regarding their corporate social responsibilities. The findings, which stem from a series of meetings last year to enhance the sectors’ contributions to the nation’s development goals, were recently presented in the National Assembly. According to the chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources, Tjekero Tweya, it has come to light that the execution of corpor ..read more

Martin Endjala NamPower inaugurated the newly constructed Auas-Gerus 400 kV transmission line that runs from the Auas transmission station outside Windhoek to the Gerus transmission station near Otjiwarongo. The line valued at N$870 million was inaugurated on Friday. NamPower’s managing director, Kahenge Haulofu said this will enable the power utility to continue delivering on its mandate, by ensuring continued and reliable power supply. “The transmission line will allow for an increased transfer capacity to NamPower’s transmission customers and will enhance the company’s ability to trade elec ..read more

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite the global rollout of malaria vaccines to affected countries across the world, Namibia finds itself without access to the malaria vaccine. Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula revealed this during an interview with Windhoek Observer on Saturday. “We do not have the vaccine yet but when the time is right we can always consider alternative ways to combat malaria,’’ said Shangula. According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the new malaria vaccine is available across sub-Saharan Africa. “With the new malaria v ..read more

Ester Mbathera The Affirmative Repositioning Student Commands (ARSC) faced an unexpected hurdle when attempting to host its opening ceremony at the main campus of the University of Namibia (UNAM) in Windhoek on Friday afternoon. This came after their approval to host the event on campus was retracted by the assistant director for student services and residences, Lazarus Shatipamba, a day before the event. In a letter to ARSC dated April 25th, seen by the Windhoek Observer, claimed that the booked venue was no longer available. “We are kindly advising you to make alternative arrangements to hos ..read more

Niël Terblanché Detectives of the Namibian Police in Walvis Bay on Saturday arrested a 24-year-old woman who is suspected of abandoning her 16-month-old baby in the dunes 200 meters from the road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The reason for abandoning her baby will be determined when she appears in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court this week. On Saturday, the Namibian Police distributed information requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the baby girl and her mother. Shortly afterwards, it was established that the mother makes a living by selling kapana in the Kuisebmond area. C ..read more