The European Union Film Festival, organized in collaboration with the EU delegation in Namibia and various cultural institutions, will commence on 6 October and run until 1 December with free entrance. The festival will feature award-winning European and Namibian films, including six European and three Namibian movies, with the aim of raising interest in these films and strengthening EU-Namibian relations. EU Ambassador to Namibia, Sinikka Antila, highlighted the festival's role in fostering cooperation and capacity building among local filmmakers.

SACU members are experiencing subdued economic growth, with projections between 0.5% and 4.2% for 2019, as stated by Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein. Challenges include weak domestic demand, sluggish investment, and declining exports. Schlettwein emphasized the importance of implementing measures for domestic resilience and inclusive growth. He also noted the inaugural AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting as a significant step towards the operationalization of AfCFTA, which will expand market access across Africa. Additionally, he praised the SACU Trade Ministers for securing a trade agreement with the UK, ensuring continuity post-Brexit.

NamPower announced plans to invest over N$7 billion in the next five to seven years on the Transmission Infrastructure Expansion Programme to maintain and upgrade its transmission infrastructure. This includes the integration of two new transformers from India, with a voltage rating of 330/132/22kV and 80 MVA capacity, which will replace the aging transformers at the Ruacana Power Station and cater to increased demand in the northern central area of Namibia.

Business Monitor International (BMI) Research forecasts that credit growth in Namibia will accelerate in 2018, reaching 7% year on year, up from an estimated 5% in 2017. However, deposit growth is expected to slow to 8%, down from an estimated 10% in 2017. The recovery in real GDP is projected to be 3.5%, driven by the agriculture and mining sectors, which traditionally do not rely heavily on bank funding. Despite the economic upturn, BMI anticipates that lending growth will remain below the average rate from the previous decade due to a near 1.00 loan-to-deposit ratio and an expected rise in inflation to an average of 5.5% in 2018.

Meatco is selling one million cans of corned beef deemed sub-standard due to minor tin and/or seam defects, which are safe for human consumption but not for resale. The Namibia Standard Institution downgraded the cans, and Meatco has made them available to staff, farmers associations, and the public, with clear labelling against resale. Meatco also donated 25,000 cans to the Khomas Regional Council for COVID-19 support, urging the public and police to prevent resale of these products.

Around 500 local families in need will receive basic food parcels during Ramadan from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). The parcels, including maize meal, oil, rice, beans, and other items, will be distributed by the Windhoek Islamic Center in various locations including Windhoek, Groot Aub, and Keetmanshoop. TIKA's Country Coordinator, Aydin Apaydin, emphasized the tradition of assisting countries during difficult times, while the Turkish Ambassador to Namibia, Berin Tulum, reiterated Turkey's commitment to international stability through aid. WIC Chairperson, Salmaan Jacobs, expressed gratitude for TIKA's long-term support.

The Electricity Control Board (ECB) launched the Consumer Education Campaign to enhance knowledge and empowerment within the local electricity value chain. ECB Chief Executive, Robert Kahimise, emphasized the campaign's role in simplifying the electricity sector and enabling consumers to manage their electricity consumption effectively. The campaign will include educational materials, social media content, and interactive sessions. It introduces characters representing consumer concerns and the ECB's role in clarifying the tariff determination process. The campaign focuses on the NEST tool for simulating electricity usage and the Modified Single Buyer market model to encourage competition and potentially reduce electricity tariffs. The ECB is seeking partnerships with media houses to spread the campaign's message.

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) allocated N$2.8 million from its social investment fund to various projects aimed at improving the lives of Namibians during the 2020/21 financial year. The fund, which has contributed N$35 million since 2006, recently donated two classrooms worth N$300,000 to the Five Rand Primary School in the Otjozondjupa region. Namport's commitment to community development is part of its strategy to foster economic participation among young Namibians.

Nedbank Namibia is selling two commercial properties in Windhoek as part of a plan to consolidate its operations into a single, multi-functional building. This move aims to improve operational efficiencies and represents a significant investment in the country's economy. The properties are being sold through Quoin Online, which has been tasked with disposing of a total of seven Nedbank Group properties in South Africa and Namibia. The sale offers a rare opportunity for investors and developers to acquire large, institutionally-held properties.

TransNamib, the national rail operator of Namibia, will receive a N$2.6 billion loan from the Development Bank of Namibia and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The funds will be used for various improvements including remanufacturing and acquisition of rolling stock, modernization of workshops, and upgrading of signaling equipment. This development is seen as a major milestone for TransNamib's transformation into a profitable company and is aligned with the vision of making Namibia a logistics hub for Southern Africa, in anticipation of the demands of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Namibian Minister Tjekero Tweya promoted the country as an ideal destination for business and foreign investment during a forum with a visiting Chinese delegation. The event, which included discussions on investment in various sectors, aimed to attract foreign direct investments and create export markets for local products. The forum also sought to leverage Chinese business expertise ahead of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Namibia's political stability, geographic location, and resources were highlighted as advantages by Investment Centre Director Dolly Amoomo. The Chinese delegation, led by Gao Yun, expressed readiness to collaborate with Namibian businesses.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) requires a strong and resilient agricultural sector to combat food insecurity, as stated by SADC Executive Secretary Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax. She highlighted the challenges of poor weather, adverse climatic conditions, and the fall army worm outbreak affecting cereal production in countries like Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Tax emphasized the importance of developing value chains in agro-processing to support household food security, in line with SADC's industrialization agenda.

Cricket Namibia has announced a 16-player squad for the Under 19 World Cup Qualifiers Division 1, taking place from March 15 to 24 in Windhoek. Namibia will compete against Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania, with matches at Wanderers, WAP fields, and Trustco United. The winner will qualify for the 2020 ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa. The squad was prepared through matches in the Castle Lite Premier League and other practice sessions. Divan la Cock is the captain, with Victor van der Watt as his deputy. Cricket Namibia is ready to host the event, citing past experience and available facilities.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Namibia has initiated countrywide inspections to document all gambling and casino operations. The process, which began in Windhoek on February 3, aims to create a database of both licensed and unlicensed operations in compliance with a high court order. The inspections target various establishments, including accommodation facilities, casinos, shebeens, bars, and cuca shops. Romeo Muyunda, the ministry's Chief Public Relations officer, assured that no machines would be confiscated during the exercise and emphasized the benefits of the data collection for the government and operators, as it will simplify the licensing process under the new act.

Namibia, heavily reliant on South African electricity imports, faces challenges with energy security due to South Africa's infrastructural issues and Eskom's financial difficulties. The article advocates for Namibia's energy independence through nuclear power, highlighting its reliability and minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Namibia's status as the fourth largest uranium producer supports the case for nuclear energy. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are suggested as a cost-effective and scalable solution for the country's growing energy needs, with additional benefits for remote areas and desalination processes.

Namibia's teenage pregnancy rates for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years were alarmingly high, with more than 15,000 cases annually. Health Minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula emphasized the negative impacts of teenage pregnancies on young women's lives, including educational disruption, health complications, and increased maternal mortality rates. He advocated for the accessibility of safe and reliable contraceptives, which are provided free by the state. The United Nations Population Fund donated contraceptives and reproductive health kits, and the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Education to provide counselling services through the School Health Programme.

Buildit has committed to purchasing bricks from the Ohorongo Buildit Brickmaking Academy, which aims to combat poverty through free brickmaking skills training. The initiative, partnered with Ohorongo Cement, has trained 17 people from the Erongo Region, with the Governor, Hon. Cleophas Mutjavikua, endorsing the effort. The training includes practical and theoretical aspects, with ongoing technical support from Ohorongo Cement and Buildit. Trainees are nominated by Regional Governors and must be conversant in English. Over 100 individuals from various regions have received training, and the next session is scheduled for March in Kavango East and West. The program supports Harambee and empowers communities, although it does not provide formal accreditation.

An off-road event organized by the Land Rover Owners Namibia club honored Candice Visser and Anja Lingner while raising donations for cancer treatment. The event, Battle of the Brand for Cancer, attracted 58 entries and took place at the Tony Rust race track in Windhoek. It featured a treasure hunt and various competitive stages, concluding with Land Rover being named the brand of the day, followed by Jeep and Suzuki. Donations were still being reconciled, with an estimate of double the amount collected from the previous year.

Namibia Breweries experienced higher than expected consumer uptake for Tafel Radler, a low alcohol flavoured beverage launched in September. The demand led to additional packaging arrangements. Finance Director Graeme Mouton noted the consumer shift towards such products is likely to persist. The company expanded its McKane mixer range but discontinued Vigo and Code due to limited pack size options. Namibia Breweries aims to expand its product portfolio, including craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, in line with its Vision 2025 strategy.

Nangula Kauluma, Managing Director of Old Mutual Short-term Insurance, was named the Namibian Businesswoman of the Year at a gala event on October 18, 2017, in Windhoek. The event was attended by prominent figures, and the winners of various categories were announced, including Louise Shixwameni from the Ministry of Public Enterprises and Irene Simeon-Kurtz of the Steelform Group. The previous winner, Baronice Hans, shared her experiences before the announcement. Nangula, upon winning, thanked her support system and expressed a desire to mentor other women.