🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Oceana Group disputes Lucky Star closure reports, cites temporary consolidation due to fish shortages
via The Namibian2 min read
Oceana Group has refuted reports claiming the closure of its Lucky Star cannery in South Africa, clarifying that operations have been temporarily consolidated due to fish supply shortages. The company issued a statement in response to reports suggesting that Lucky Star and Amawandle canning factories on South Africa’s West Coast would close by the end of June. Oceana stated that the headline was misleading and that operations from its Amawandle Pelagic facility at Laaiplek have been moved to its Lucky Star operations in St Helena Bay. This decision, according to Oceana, was made to protect jobs and ensure employees continue to earn an income. The company attributes the difficulties to the unavailability of fish, specifically noting that the full local South African pilchard quota has been caught, and it is struggling to source sufficient imported frozen fish. This clarification follows concerns from workers and trade unions regarding potential job losses. Oceana's procurement teams are actively working to secure enough frozen product for the next three to four months, and the consolidation will remain until sufficient fish stock is available.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadThe Namibian government has temporarily suspended old-age grants for 15,825 beneficiaries whose names could not be verified against the National Population Registry System. This decision was announced in a joint statement by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the Ministry of Finance. These suspended beneficiaries represent a portion of the 209,226 pensioners currently receiving old-age grants in Namibia. The ministries stated that this verification process is part of their efforts to maintain the accuracy of the social grants beneficiary list and aligns with verification measures used in social protection schemes. Affected beneficiaries are advised to visit their nearest regional gender ministry office or constituency office with their national identification document and birth certificate to have their grants reinstated in the next payment cycle. They will also receive back payments for the period their grants were suspended. The government assured that this measure is not intended to deprive deserving individuals of social protection, but rather to protect the integrity of the social grant system and ensure public funds reach their intended recipients.
Must ReadNamibia's new Dissolution of Marriages Act of 2024, effective today, abolishes the country's fault-based divorce system, replacing it with a no-fault framework based on the "irretrievable breakdown of marriage." Judge president Petrus Damaseb stated this reform is significant for Namibia's family law, shifting focus from moral blameworthiness to whether a marriage has disintegrated beyond restoration. Previously, spouses had to prove matrimonial offenses like adultery or cruelty. While misconduct such as adultery can still demonstrate irretrievable breakdown, it is no longer an independent legal ground for divorce. The new law introduces procedural changes, including joint divorces via applications and a strong emphasis on mediation, especially in cases involving children, maintenance, and asset division. Courts must ensure children's best interests are protected and can make "just and equitable redistribution orders" for assets, regardless of the marital property regime. However, a coalition of churches and civil society organizations is petitioning parliament to amend the act, expressing concerns that the no-fault system could increase divorce rates and weaken family structures by lowering the threshold for divorce and potentially normalizing it, arguing it may undermine the institution of marriage and deprive innocent spouses of recognition.
The Bank of Namibia acknowledges public concern over high banking fees and profits, stating that reducing these charges will be a gradual process. Central bank governor Ebson Uanguta informed a parliamentary standing committee that measures and regulations are being implemented to contain fees. Commercial banks collectively earned N$15.9 billion last year, with N$5.0 billion, or 31.3% of total income, derived from fees. Uanguta expects significant progress within three years and urged banks to be more transparent about their charges. The Banking Institutions Act 13 of 2023 and the Payment System Management Act 14 of 2023 empower the minister of finance to regulate banking fees. The central bank also conducts financial literacy campaigns as many customers do not fully understand loan agreements. A parliamentarian raised concerns about the ownership structure of commercial banks and their repatriation of profits, questioning their contribution to Namibia's developmental goals. Earlier this year, some banking fees were revised, including the removal of card-swiping charges.
Must ReadNamibian businesses are urged to prepare for significant opportunities in the oil and gas sector as TotalEnergies is expected to make its final investment decision for the Orange Basin before the end of 2026. This decision will trigger substantial procurement and supply chain development. The sector requires raw materials, infrastructure services, and technical expertise from local businesses. However, many Namibian small and medium enterprises SMEs are not yet positioned to compete effectively due to three main barriers: access to finance, certification gaps, and the absence of formal business systems. Oil and gas contracts are large with long payment cycles, posing a challenge for SMEs with limited balance sheets. International quality management standards like ISO 9001 are often baseline requirements, and operators demand documented processes, audited financials, and formal health, safety, and environment policies. These barriers are not insurmountable. SMEs are advised to pursue ISO 9001 certification through the Namibia Standards Institution, register on vendor databases such as TotalEnergies' global supplier portal and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, and engage with financial institutions like the Development Bank of Namibia and Petrofund for financing options. Mutindi Jacobs, an oil and gas lawyer, emphasizes that contracts will be awarded, and closing the readiness gap requires proactive steps from local businesses.