馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
MPs call for end to direct salary deductions by microlenders
via The Namibian1 min read
Members of parliament have called for stricter controls on microlenders' access to civil servants' salaries, arguing that direct deductions exacerbate the financial difficulties faced by public servants. During a parliamentary economics committee hearing, Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani questioned why lenders have direct access to salaries, stating that excessive deductions leave civil servants with minimal disposable income, leading to financial stress and mental health issues. Committee member Sharonice Busch urged the Office of the Prime Minister OPM to investigate interest rates and deductions imposed by lenders. The OPM stated it is implementing reforms to protect public servants, including programs for employee well-being and financial literacy. The parliamentary committee is scheduled to meet with the Microlenders Association next week. Separately, the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority Namfisa reported securing over N$1.73 million in refunds and benefits for consumers from January to March, addressing complaints related to insurance, pension funds, microlending, and credit agreements.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibia's ambassador to Belgium, Alfredo Hengari, is working to secure coaching, technology, and infrastructure partnerships for Namibian athletes and federations through European sport networks. Hengari, who has been in Brussels for five months, aims to identify sources of technical cooperation, sport science expertise, facility management knowledge, equipment partnerships, exchange programs, and funding. He states that sport is a priority for president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, focusing on youth development, discipline, and excellence. Hengari highlights Belgium's sophisticated tradition of municipal sport development and club-based community infrastructure, which Namibia can learn from. He also notes Belgium's leadership in sport technology, including artificial turf systems, performance analytics, and athlete monitoring, which could significantly benefit Namibian athletes. Namibian cricketers Gerhard Erasmus, David Wiese, and Ruben Trumpelmann are already active in Belgian franchise cricket, serving as a human bridge for sport diplomacy. Hengari intends to make the embassy an active gateway for Namibian sport federations to connect with European counterparts. The strategy involves engaging Belgium for football, cycling, hockey, and cricket, the Netherlands for football methods and hockey development, and Luxembourg for EU governance and development finance networks relevant to sport infrastructure funding. He plans a structured program of direct engagement with Belgian and
Must ReadFour suspects were arrested in Gauteng province, South Africa, after police discovered eight AK-47 rifles and seven empty magazines during a patrol on June 16. Officers from Saps Magaliesburg were patrolling the R24 road when they observed a Volvo truck with Namibian registration plates and a Mazda sedan. Their suspicion was aroused when two men were seen transferring a mielie bag from the truck to the car's boot. All four occupants were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms. The seized firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they have been used in any criminal activities. The police have not disclosed the identities or nationalities of the suspects.
Former Netball Namibia president Rebbeka Goagoses has been appointed to the World Netball board. The Namibia Sports Commission congratulated Goagoses, calling her appointment a "giant leap for the country" and a "deeply human victory that transcends titles." Netball Namibia also issued a statement, expressing delight and pride in Goagoses' elevation to the highest governance level of world netball. They highlighted her personal caliber as a leader and the strong foundations she built during her tenure as NN president from 2022 to 2024, where she was credited with improving local netball's fortunes, strengthening structures, growing sponsorship, and increasing the sport's national visibility. Goagoses also serves as the acting president of Netball Africa, where she championed digital reporting tools, financial sustainability, and stronger representation for African federations globally. Netball Namibia believes her ascension to the World Netball Board is a natural progression and a testament to her disciplined, values-driven leadership, expecting her to be a strong voice for Africa and Namibia on the world stage.