Day: April 24, 2024

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ThreatLocker® Raises $115M Series D to Continue Delivering Zero Trust Endpoint Security to More Organizations

Round led by global growth equity firm General Atlantic, along with StepStone Group and the D. E. Shaw group, to accelerate product innovation and increase reach of Zero Trust endpoint security to organizations globally.

ORLANDO, Fla., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThreatLocker®, a global cybersecurity leader that offers a Zero Trust endpoint security solution, today announced it has raised $115M in Series D funding led by existing investor General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm, with participation from other major investors StepStone Group and the D. E. Shaw group. With the new investment, ThreatLocker® will continue to focus on driving product innovation to bring the power of Zero Trust security to more organizations and accelerating the company’s global expansion.

ThreatLocker® provides organizations with the ability to protect their IT operations with an effective Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity. The product suite provides enterprise-level server and endpoint security by blocking untrusted software, including ransomware, scripts and libraries, and exploits of known and unknown application vulnerabilities through Default Deny Application Control, Ringfencing™, Storage Control, Privileged Access Management, Network Access Control, as well as its new Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) and Managed Detection & Response (MDR) solutions. ThreatLocker® believes that its customers should have complete control over their network and devices, know what is trying to infiltrate their stack, and not live in fear of the next cyberattack. With a powerful security tool suite designed to enable organizations to easily and directly control exactly what applications run on their endpoints, ThreatLocker® customers can rest assured knowing that their businesses are protected using the Zero Trust model framework that protects them from various cyber threats, including unknown malware, ransomware, and exploits for known and unknown vulnerabilities.

ThreatLocker® CEO Danny Jenkins commented, “ThreatLocker has made a huge impact in the industry in driving a least-privilege approach forward over the last few years and has introduced new EDR and MDR products within a single cybersecurity platform for our customers. We believe this new injection of capital will enable us to continue to develop Zero Trust products and grow ThreatLocker’s market presence. We are very excited to be partnering again with General Atlantic, as well as with new investors, StepStone Group & the D. E. Shaw group, and look forward to leveraging their teams’ deep experience in bringing products to market and scaling technologically-disruptive businesses.”

To add to this, ThreatLocker® COO Sami Jenkins commented, “We are thrilled to extend our partnerships with General Atlantic and look forward to working with StepStone and the D. E. Shaw group.” 

The new investment follows another year of growth as ThreatLocker® doubled its revenue and added 50% to its workforce. Today, ThreatLocker® has thousands of partners and protects over 50,000 organizations. Serving companies who are serious about security, ThreatLocker® partners with Enterprises and Managed Service Providers (and MSSPs), including many financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and airlines such as Emirates and JetBlue Airways.

Gary Reiner, Operating Partner at General Atlantic, continued, “ThreatLocker effectively takes the guesswork out of threat detection with its Zero Trust approach. As companies of all sizes increasingly focus on filling in gaps in their security stacks, Zero Trust is becoming a necessity – and we view ThreatLocker as an emerging leader in this paradigm shift. We are thrilled to further our partnership with the team to accelerate ThreatLocker’s growth as an endpoint security disruptor.”

About ThreatLocker® 
ThreatLocker® is a global cybersecurity leader, providing enterprise-level Zero Trust cybersecurity tools to improve the security of servers and endpoints. Founded in 2017 by Danny Jenkins, Sami Jenkins, and John Carolan, ThreatLocker® now serves thousands of organizations globally and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, USA. For more information, visit: https://www.threatlocker.com/

About General Atlantic
General Atlantic is a leading global growth investor with more than four decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 520 growth companies throughout its history. Established in 1980 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and deliver lasting impact, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector-specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon, and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to scale innovative businesses around the world. General Atlantic has approximately $84 billion in assets under management inclusive of all products as of March 31, 2024, and more than 300 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, Munich, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Stamford and Tel Aviv. For more information on General Atlantic, please visit: www.generalatlantic.com.

About The D. E. Shaw Group
The D. E. Shaw group is a global investment and technology development firm with more than $60 billion in investment capital as of March 1, 2024, and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since our founding in 1988, our firm has earned a reputation for successful investing based on innovation, careful risk management, and the quality and depth of our staff. We have a significant presence in the world’s capital markets, investing in a wide range of companies and financial instruments in both developed and developing economies. For more information, visit www.deshaw.com.

Media Contacts

ThreatLocker®
Spencer Ford
(689) 217-4246
spencer.ford@threatlocker.com

General Atlantic
Emily Japlon & Sara Widmann
media@generalatlantic.com

The D. E. Shaw group
media-inquiries@deshaw.com

Spencer Ford
ThreatLocker Inc.
+16892174246
spencer.ford@threatlocker.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9104839

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EMGA décroche un financement de 15 millions de dollars US pour Banco Improsa au Costa Rica

LONDRES, 24 avr. 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — En partenariat avec Banco Improsa, Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP, ci-après « EMGA », annonce avoir obtenu l’ouverture d’une ligne de crédit à hauteur de 15 millions de dollars auprès de l’Agence japonaise de coopération internationale (ou JICA pour Japan International Cooperation Agency).

« Malgré la complexité du contexte macroéconomique mondial, nous nous réjouissons d’appuyer une fois de plus la vision durable de Banco Improsa pour soutenir les PME au Costa Rica et de mener à bien ce financement. » observe Sajeev Chakkalakal, Responsable de la branche Investissement et directeur général d’EMGA.

Félix Alpizar Lobo, Directeur général de Banco Improsa, commente la transaction en ces termes : « Ce financement confirme notre engagement en faveur du renforcement des PME au Costa Rica, et Banco Improsa est fière de partager l’objectif de la JICA en contribuant à la croissance économique et sociale des pays en voie de développement. »

Jeremy Dobson, directeur général d’EMGA, ajoute que « La solide gestion et la bonne santé financière de Banco Improsa ont joué un rôle clé pour aider l’équipe de la branche Investissement d’EMGA à obtenir ce financement. Ce soutien de la JICA contribuera à renforcer davantage la capacité de Banco Improsa à faire progresser son portefeuille de prêts dédiés aux PME. »

JICA

L’Agence japonaise de coopération internationale est une agence gouvernementale qui fournit une part majeure de l’aide publique au développement pour le compte du gouvernement japonais. Elle est chargée de soutenir la croissance économique et sociale dans les pays en voie de développement et de promouvoir la coopération internationale.

EMERGING MARKETS GLOBAL ADVISORY LLP (EMGA)

Implantée à Londres et à New York, EMGA vient en aide aux établissements financiers et aux entreprises en quête de nouveaux capitaux d’emprunt ou de capitaux propres. Son équipe multinationale compte des décennies d’expérience dans la réalisation de transactions pour le compte de ses clients sur les marchés émergents et les économies frontières de tous les pays du monde, y compris au Costa Rica qui reste un marché clé. EMGA continue d’élargir son rayonnement géographique et d’étoffer son offre de services en capitalisant sur son expérience reconnue dans la formation de capital et les prestations de conseil stratégique étendues à divers cycles économiques. Elle assied ainsi sa position prédominante sur le marché de banque d’investissement de niche ciblée sur les marchés émergents.

BANCO IMPROSA

Forte de plus de 37 ans d’expérience, Banco Improsa est une banque commerciale dont le modèle relationnel d’affaires et l’assise sur les marchés de niche convergent vers une spécialisation visant la fourniture de solutions et de services de financement aux petites et moyennes entreprises (ou PME), entre autres. Elle fait partie des premières banques privées du Costa Rica à proposer des services non financiers à ses clients et propose des conseils et un appui aux PME de longue date. Le principal facteur de réussite de Banco Improsa réside dans son engagement à respecter des normes élevées de service, en toute agilité et flexibilité, qui alliées à sa gamme de solutions financières personnalisées, lui a permis d’atteindre une franche position sur ce secteur.

Banco Improsa est une filiale du Grupo Financiero Improsa (ou GFI).

Coordonnées :
info@emergingmarketsglobaladvisory.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000946462

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A EMGA obtém financiamento de US$ 15 milhões para o Banco Improsa na Costa Rica

LONDRES, April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA), em parceria com o Banco Improsa, anuncia que obteve uma linha de crédito de US$ 15 milhões da Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Sajeev Chakkalakal, chefe de banco de investimento e diretor administrativo da EMGA, afirmou: “Apesar de um ambiente macroeconômico global complicado, temos o prazer de mais uma vez facilitar a visão contínua do Banco Improsa de apoiar as PMEs na Costa Rica e concluir essa solução de financiamento.”

Ao comentar a transação, Felix Alpizar Lobo, gerente geral do Banco Improsa, disse: “Esse financiamento reitera nosso compromisso de fortalecer o segmento de PMEs na Costa Rica. O Banco Improsa orgulha-se de compartilhar o objetivo da JICA que é contribuir para o crescimento econômico e social dos países em desenvolvimento.”

Jeremy Dobson, diretor administrativo da EMGA, acrescentou: “A sólida gestão e a posição financeira saudável do Banco Improsa foram fatores fundamentais para ajudar a equipe do banco de investimentos da EMGA a garantir esse financiamento, e essa linha de crédito da JICA reforçará ainda mais a capacidade do Banco Improsa de aumentar sua principal carteira de empréstimos para PMEs.”

JICA

A Japan International Cooperation Agency é uma agência governamental que fornece a maior parte da Assistência Oficial ao Desenvolvimento para o governo do Japão. Ela foi criada para ajudar no crescimento econômico e social dos países em desenvolvimento e na promoção da cooperação internacional.

EMERGING MARKETS GLOBAL ADVISORY LLP (EMGA)

A EMGA, com filiais em Londres e Nova York, auxilia instituições financeiras e empresas que buscam novos capitais de dívida ou acionários. A equipe multinacional da EMGA combina décadas da experiência necessária para concluir transações em nome de seus clientes nos mercados emergentes e economias de fronteira do mundo, incluindo a Costa Rica, que continua sendo um mercado importante. Com um histórico comprovado em formação de capital e consultoria estratégica ao longo de diversos ciclos econômicos, a EMGA continua expandindo seu alcance geográfico e sua oferta de serviços, solidificando sua posição no mercado como um dos bancos de investimento de nicho mais proeminentes do setor voltado para mercados emergentes.

BANCO IMPROSA

É um banco comercial com mais de 37 anos de experiência, cujo modelo de negócios relacional e o foco em nichos de mercado são voltados para o fornecimento de soluções e serviços de financiamento para pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs), entre outros. O Banco Improsa foi um dos primeiros bancos privados da Costa Rica a prestar serviços não financeiros a seus clientes e conta com um longo histórico de aconselhamento e apoio a PMEs. O principal fator de sucesso do Banco Improsa é seu compromisso com elevados padrões de atendimento ágil e flexível, o que, aliado à oferta de soluções financeiras personalizadas, lhe conferiu uma sólida posição nesses segmentos.

O Banco Improsa é uma empresa subsidiária do Grupo Financiero Improsa (GFI).

Informações de contato
info@emergingmarketsglobaladvisory.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000946462

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UK businesses must prioritise payment technology to build customer loyalty and stay competitive: New research from Lloyds Bank and FreedomPay

London, United Kingdom, April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
  • Less than a third (27%) of businesses are confident they offer seamless payments experiences.
  • Almost two-thirds of businesses (59%) across Retail, Food & Beverages and Hospitality believe a good checkout experience offers the same competitive advantage as having the best products.
  • Customer preference is the factor most likely to influence businesses’ investment in payment technologies.

New research from Lloyds Bank and FreedomPay highlights the importance of UK businesses investing in new payment technology.

Two-thirds (59%) of UK Retail, Food & Beverage (F&B) and Hospitality companies were found to already put payments at the heart of their customer experience strategy, reflecting the growing importance of payment options to customers.

For retail-focused businesses, 59% believe that a good checkout experience is essential to building customer loyalty, with respondents believing it is as much a competitive advantage as having the best products.

Meanwhile, 57% of retailers said that a poor payment experience could have a detrimental effect on their business, pushing customers to competitors who offer a better experience.

The findings come as payment infrastructure is increasingly viewed as a critical part of customers’ shopping experience. As high inflation takes its toll on both independent venues and enterprise chains, this research demonstrates the need for businesses to prioritise customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty.

A Chip Off the Old Block

However, despite understanding the importance of providing a good payment experience for customers, making this a reality appears to be a challenge for many businesses.

Half of all business surveyed (49%) said they had not invested in payment solution updates at all, and only 27% of respondents felt confident in their omnichannel payment experience offering.

This disparity highlights that businesses have a lot of room for growth, as investment in new payment technology could lead to significantly enhanced customer experiences and result in increased sales.

Data leads to better customer engagement

Other findings highlighted how businesses are using data, with many understanding that payments data can help them to make more informed decisions. 80% of respondents said they are using payments data to learn more about their customers to tailor services and products for them, which can be crucial to maintaining customer engagement and driving brand loyalty.

FreedomPay’s President Chris Kronenthal said:
“What is evident from our research is that brands must focus on payments innovation now more than ever. Understanding what customers expect and want from a payment experience is fundamental to ensuring that customers keep coming back. Choosing the right payments partner can support strategic business decisions and streamline checkout to help to deliver a personalised, seamless, and data-driven experience any time, any place.”

Melinda Roylett, Managing Director, Lloyds Bank Merchant Services said:
“The way we pay has undergone rapid shifts in the past few years. Accelerated by the pandemic, technological advancements and innovative ways of using open banking have led to the increasing adoption of contactless, digital wallet solutions and embedded finance options such as Buy Now, Pay Later. Consumers now have more choice than ever. This means that businesses also need to think about how they use the payment experience at checkout to build business growth.”

We hope you enjoy the full Report at lloydsbank.com/paymentsinsight

ABOUT FREEDOMPAY

FreedomPay’s Next Level Commerce™ platform transforms existing payment systems and processes from legacy to leading edge. As the premier choice for many of the largest companies across the globe in retail, hospitality, lodging, gaming, sports and entertainment, foodservice, education, healthcare and financial services, FreedomPay’s technology has been purposely built to deliver rock solid performance in the highly complex environment of global commerce. The company maintains a world-class security environment and was first to earn the coveted validation by the PCI Security Standards Council against Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE/EMV) standard in North America. FreedomPay’s robust solutions across payments, security, identity, and data analytics are available in-store, online and on-mobile and are supported by rapid API adoption. The award winning FreedomPay Commerce Platform operates on a single, unified technology stack across multiple continents allowing enterprises to deliver an innovative Next Level experience on a global scale. www.freedompay.com

ABOUT LLOYDS BANKING GROUP

  • Lloyds Banking Group is a leading UK based financial services group providing a wide range of banking and financial services, focused on personal and commercial customers.
  • We are proud to be by the side of British business, supporting more than 1 million UK businesses with leading digital and relationship banking services, as they start up, grow, thrive and trade internationally.
  • As part of the Group, Lloyds Bank Cardnet Merchant Services offers leading end-to-end payment acceptance solutions. We help businesses from all parts of the UK, and across all different sectors and sizes, giving them the support they need to take payments online, in store, or over the phone at any time.
  • For more information on how we help businesses to receive payments please visit: www.lloydsbank.com/cardnet

Attachments

Adam Charles, Media Relations
Lloyds Bank
0207 356 2374
Adam.charles@lloydsbanking.com

Hill & Knowlton for FreedomPay
freedompayUK@hillandknowlton.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9104694

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Project Hope working to expand reach to vulnerable children


Project Hope Namibia has come up with a new project to help young people living with HIV in Namibia.

Project Hope Namibia spokesperson Fillipus Absalom informed Nampa in an interview on Tuesday about the Reach Namibia project that started in February this year, that aims to avert new infections for young people and improve treatment outcomes for HIV positive young people. This is by increasing access to comprehensive HIV prevention and impact mitigation services.

He said they want to help young people at risk of HIV and violence by increasing their access to Family Planning services.

‘We want to increase access to biomedical HIV prevention services including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condoms, HIV testing services and referral for voluntary male medical circumcision for orphans and vulnerable children, boys and sexual partners,’ said Absalom.

He added that the project also helps one to have the opportunity to gain new knowledge on HIV, build resilience and understand violence prevention and the bene
fits of HIV treatment adherence.

One of the project’s Oshikoto representatives, Melody van der Merwe said she assists vulnerable children between the ages of 10 and 24 years who are in school as well as school dropouts.

‘We provide them with stationery, school uniform, soap and pads and solar lights through the Reach programme,’ she said.

Van der Merwe is currently focusing on schools in the Oshivelo circuit in the region and they have assisted six schools so far.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Shortage of ambulances in Otjozondjupa turning into crisis


The Otjozondjupa Regional Health Director, Gebhardo Timotheus on Wednesday described the shortage of ambulances in the region as reaching crisis level.

Timotheus told Nampa in an interview on Wednesday that all the four ambulances stationed at major State hospitals at Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Okahandja and Okakarara are broken down.

‘These ambulances are old with high mileages of about 500 000 kilometres, which is a big risk to patients and our drivers,’ he said.

Timotheus further stated that 90 per cent of the Otjozondjupa health directorate budget since 2022 has been channelled towards maintenance and repair of these unreliable and breakdown-prone ambulances of the four district hospitals.

He warned that the situation is dire as the only ambulance, based at Tsumkwe, is sometimes recalled to assist at the Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja State hospitals.

‘Worse at some points when we receive emergency calls of accidents on the B1 road while we have a broken ambulance at Otjiwarongo. This really
worries us a lot as one day we might fail to respond and result in a nation losing many people’s lives,’ he said.

Otjozondjupa Governor, James Uerikua on Monday when he received at his office a delegation of medical doctors working for the United States of America’s (US) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Namibia, also expressed similar concerns.

Uerikua urged the delegation to consider through discussions the critical health needs including the lack of ambulances at the four health administrative districts in the region.

On his part on 16 April 2024 at the ground-breaking for the construction activities of the Ombili clinic in Otjiwarongo, Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe announced that his ministry intends during this 2024/2025 financial year to purchase 20 ambulances, and that Otjozondjupa Region would also benefit once they are distributed.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Uukwiyoongwe CS receives assistance


The Uukwiyoongwe Combined School located 15km east of Oshakati East on Wednesday received monetary donation from Rani Group worth N.dollars 40 000 aimed at the reconstruction of classrooms that burnt down earlier this year.

The incident of arson was reported in January this year, where a classroom, a library and a storeroom caught fire.

Officially handing over the donation on behalf Rani Group, Swapo Party Regional Coordinator, Werner Iita, said education is a shared responsibility and members of the community and business community need to meet government halfway.

According to Iita, every educated person does not go through shortcuts but takes determination, hard work and assistance, through community upliftment.

He noted that they received a letter of assistance from the school and approached three business people in the region, with Rani Group positively responding to the request.

‘The company requested the school to ensure that the funds are used for the intended purpose of ensuring that the Namibian
child is assisted in his or her education,’ he said.

Iita also indicated that there are so many challenges faced by the education ministry, which is why the involvement of other stakeholders is crucial.

The school’s principal, Albertina Hamalwa, stated at the same occasion that the donation from Rani Group will enable them to rebuild their storeroom, library and one of the classes that burnt down.

The school, which has a learner population of 150 learners, offers education ranging from pre-primary to Grade 9.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Japan invest in education exchange for Namibia


WINDHOEK: The Japanese government has invested in the enhancement of academic exchange between Namibia and Japan as one of its mid-long-term drivers for strengthening bilateral relations.

Speaking at a celebratory ceremony of the 26 Namibian beneficiaries of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) here Wednesday, Japan Ambassador to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki said the scholarship is a dedication and commitment to the education sector of Namibia aimed at unlocking the different development sector and potential that is locked within Namibia.

Nishimaki explained that MEXT is a fully funded Japanese government scholarship which provides research programmes and teacher training for international students including Namibian students who wish to study at Japanese universities.

He noted that the scholarship has mostly funded students for their PhD studies in key development areas such as agriculture science, applied chemistry and chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mar
ine resources, energy and mathematics education, amongst others.

‘These areas are found to be key to Namibia’s development agenda as indicated in the Namibia Development Plans (NDPs) and the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) 1 and 2 as well as the Vision 2030,’ he noted.

One of the first scholarship’s beneficiaries, Pamwenafye Nanhapo, a senior lecturer on crop science at the University of Namibia (UNAM) Ogongo campus in the Omusati region currently trains students on rice production and has developed a three-hectare rice production unit producing two tonnes of rice called ‘Ogongo rice.’

Nanhapo said he wishes to assist in the rice production at the Kalimbeza rice project in Katima Mulilo, considering the drought conditions in Namibia.

At the same event, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Natalia Goagoses, said for the young Namibian government to foster development it is imperative to educate the nation, however, the government alone cannot achieve the goal within the desired time
frame, therefore strategic partnership is required to cultivate collaboration in the education sector to equip the citizens.

‘If our people are allowed to study and be empowered we will see many more individuals impacting the lives of Namibians by having already put the knowledge and skills into practice,’ she noted.

Namibia, she said, is equally affected by climate change and if the country does not receive rain anytime soon it will have an impact on the shortage of food, therefore, knowledge and skills received through the Japanese government, especially on crop production, such as rice production will assist the nation in food security.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Otjozondjupa ECN officers meet with political party representatives


Officials of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the Otjozondjupa Region on Tuesday held an information sharing meeting with a group of different political party representatives at Otjiwarongo.

Political party members that attended the meeting are from Swapo, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Landless People’s Movement (LPM).

Various church organisations, the regional directorate of education, arts and culture, government garage, regional council officials and members of the Namibian Police Force also attended.

ECN Otjozondjupa Regional Electoral Officer, Victoria Amutenya introduced to the meeting the seven constituency supervisors of voter card registrations for Otjiwarongo, Otavi, Grootfontein, Tsumkwe, Okahandja, Omatako and Okakarara.

Amutenya further shared the voter education calendar dates for each constituency, saying the voter education officials are now busy disseminating information in the Otjiwarongo Constituency until 27 April 2024.

Okahandja is next, followed by Omatako, Okaka
rara, Otavi and Tsumkwe last on 20 June this year, said Amutenya.

‘We therefore urge everyone present to this meeting to go out and share the information about the voter card registrations which will start on 03 June to 01 August 2024. Since there will be no supplementary registrations, all Namibians above 18 years should acquire their voter cards within 03 June and 01 August this year, besides that they will not be allowed to participate in the elections,’ she said.

Amutenya further called on the political parties themselves to also mobilise their members to go and register for the voter cards.

She concluded by telling the meeting that all eligible Namibians on 27 November 2024 will be expected to cast their votes using ballot papers in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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TKC cyclists enter Namibia


Twenty cyclists riding for the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) initiative on Tuesday entered Namibia from Botswana through the Trans-Kalahari-Mamuno Border Post in a challenge that started earlier this month in Rustenburg, South Africa.

The cycling event was initiated to raise awareness of the TKC regionally and internationally, with the objective of securing the three member states’ commitment to economic progress through spatial development initiatives along the corridor.

The initiative also aims to promote road safety on the corridor, reduce delays along the route, address security concerns, and commemorate the 20th anniversary of the TKC, among others.

The Namibian Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa receiving the cyclists from his Botswana counterpart, Eric Molale, highlighted the importance of connection between countries and how the initiative will improve the economy of the three member states.

‘I want to highlight how transport infrastructure are vital for development, thus, it is clear t
hat since independence of our country, Namibia has improved drastically on road infrastructure, that has given birth to initiatives of this magnitude between our countries with the aim of also expanding this initiative to other countries in Africa,’ Mutorwa indicated.

Mutorwa urged those along the route of the cyclists in the country to give them good hospitality and welcome them in their towns and villages.

Handing over the cyclists to Mutorwa, Molale, the Botswana Minister of Transport and Public Works touched more on the relationship between the three member states, and assured his Namibian counterpart that his country is committed to the initiative, and wished the cyclists well as they continue with their journey through Namibia.

‘I am here to hand over the cyclists that I have been taking care of for the last seven days, who are carrying along the pledge of the TKC that entails that we must be a united people, we must be allowed to move freely across our region, we must harmonise our processes and pro
tocols that facilitate free movement, and we must invest along the corridor,’ Molale highlighted.

The cyclists are expected to reach their final destination Walvis Bay later this month and the Namibian route will feature seven public engagements with various stakeholders.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Swapo activate its election campaign machinery


WINDHOEK: The ruling Swapo Party activated its election campaign machinery on Wednesday by convening a preparatory workshop in the capital for all its district coordinators and mobilisers.

The party gathered its functionaries from all 121 districts across the country in preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections set for November this year.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Swapo Vice-President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the event is organised to empower the party functionaries with essential campaign tools.

‘We are here to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections. As we gear up for those elections, we must get prepared in such a manner that we leave no stone unturned.

‘Our ultimate goal is to ensure that we bring back the Swapo Party to its glory, by reclaiming what we have lost in the last elections.

‘It is therefore my great pleasure to officiate at this very important workshop as we activate the campaign and mobilisation machinery
of the Swapo Party for the Presidential and National Assembly elections,’ she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who will be the Swapo presidential candidate, noted that the elections scheduled for 27 November 2024 demand extraordinary efforts and dedication from party members.

‘This means the structures of our party at all levels must be ready to ensure full mobilisation of our members, supporters, and sympathisers to vote for the Swapo Party come election day,’ she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah told the participants that the election campaigns have already started since the Electoral Commission of Namibia released its electoral calendar.

‘With the launch of the election calendar by the ECN, that has signaled the opening of the campaign and we have seen increased political activities in the area,’ she said, while commending the party’s regional leaders about the recruitment drive efforts.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also informed the delegates that the party is finalising its 2024 election manifesto and the unveiling of the party’s candi
dates for the National Assembly elections.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Don’t politicize the drought relief programme: Nandi-Ndaitwah


WINDHOEK: Namibia’s Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Wednesday urged leaders of her ruling Swapo Party to refrain from politicising the government’s food aid programme in light of the impending drought.

Addressing the party’s workshop for delegates from 121 districts, in preparation for the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections set for November, Nandi-Ndaitwah cautioned them not to discriminate against non-Swapo members when it comes to providing drought relief.

‘Therefore, as leaders, you are expected to know the needs of your communities irrespective of their political affiliations. We need all Namibians to survive, and that’s why as your vice president, I am saying we should not politicise the drought relief programme.

It is for all of us because as the elected party in this government, we are to take care of all Namibians wherever they are, and you cannot deny people food,’ said Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also Swapo’s vice president.

Namibia and other countries in southern Africa are
currently experiencing a severe drought caused by a significant decrease in rainfall in the region.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform estimates a poor harvest in all crop-producing regions in the communal areas. In its crop prospects, food security, and drought situation report for March 2024, the ministry noted weakening household food security in the seven northern regions.

This is due to reduced agricultural production recorded in the 2022/2023 season. The ministry noted that many households in the main crop-producing regions are reported to have used up their food reserves from the previous season. As a result, they are now relying on the market and drought relief food for their sustenance.

Additionally, the food security situation in southern, eastern, western, and central Namibia is also dire due to the prevailing drought conditions.

These areas are predominantly inhabited by livestock farmers who depend on livestock farming as their main source of income.

However, the pasture in
these regions is insufficient and of poor quality, making it difficult to adequately sustain their livestock, the report indicated.

Nandi-Ndaitwah informed the party’s district coordinators and district mobilizers that government has therefore put in place measures to ensure that all Namibians in need of food assistance are catered for.

However, she appealed to those in a position to assist themselves not to take advantage of the food relief program. ‘That’s why we say those with an income, please meet your government halfway by taking care of yourself and let the government take care of the others,’ she said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Otjozondjupa ECN officers meet with political party representatives


Officials of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the Otjozondjupa Region on Tuesday held an information sharing meeting with a group of different political party representatives at Otjiwarongo.



Political party members that attended the meeting are from Swapo, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Landless People’s Movement (LPM).



Various church organisations, the regional directorate of education, arts and culture, government garage, regional council officials and members of the Namibian Police Force also attended.



ECN Otjozondjupa Regional Electoral Officer, Victoria Amutenya introduced to the meeting the seven constituency supervisors of voter card registrations for Otjiwarongo, Otavi, Grootfontein, Tsumkwe, Okahandja, Omatako and Okakarara.



Amutenya further shared the voter education calendar dates for each constituency, saying the voter education officials are now busy disseminating information in the Otjiwarongo Constituency until 27 April 2024.



Okahandja is next, followed by Omatako, Okakarara, Otavi and Tsumkwe last on 20 June this year, said Amutenya.



‘We therefore urge everyone present to this meeting to go out and share the information about the voter card registrations which will start on 03 June to 01 August 2024. Since there will be no supplementary registrations, all Namibians above 18 years should acquire their voter cards within 03 June and 01 August this year, besides that they will not be allowed to participate in the elections,’ she said.



Amutenya further called on the political parties themselves to also mobilise their members to go and register for the voter cards.



She concluded by telling the meeting that all eligible Namibians on 27 November 2024 will be expected to cast their votes using ballot papers in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.





Source: The Namibia Press Agency



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TKC cyclists enter Namibia


Twenty cyclists riding for the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) initiative on Tuesday entered Namibia from Botswana through the Trans-Kalahari-Mamuno Border Post in a challenge that started earlier this month in Rustenburg, South Africa.



The cycling event was initiated to raise awareness of the TKC regionally and internationally, with the objective of securing the three member states’ commitment to economic progress through spatial development initiatives along the corridor.



The initiative also aims to promote road safety on the corridor, reduce delays along the route, address security concerns, and commemorate the 20th anniversary of the TKC, among others.



The Namibian Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa receiving the cyclists from his Botswana counterpart, Eric Molale, highlighted the importance of connection between countries and how the initiative will improve the economy of the three member states.



‘I want to highlight how transport infrastructure are vital for development, thus, it is clear that since independence of our country, Namibia has improved drastically on road infrastructure, that has given birth to initiatives of this magnitude between our countries with the aim of also expanding this initiative to other countries in Africa,’ Mutorwa indicated.



Mutorwa urged those along the route of the cyclists in the country to give them good hospitality and welcome them in their towns and villages.



Handing over the cyclists to Mutorwa, Molale, the Botswana Minister of Transport and Public Works touched more on the relationship between the three member states, and assured his Namibian counterpart that his country is committed to the initiative, and wished the cyclists well as they continue with their journey through Namibia.



‘I am here to hand over the cyclists that I have been taking care of for the last seven days, who are carrying along the pledge of the TKC that entails that we must be a united people, we must be allowed to move freely across our region, we must harmonise our processes and protocols that facilitate free movement, and we must invest along the corridor,’ Molale highlighted.



The cyclists are expected to reach their final destination Walvis Bay later this month and the Namibian route will feature seven public engagements with various stakeholders.





Source: The Namibia Press Agency



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Swapo activate its election campaign machinery


WINDHOEK: The ruling Swapo Party activated its election campaign machinery on Wednesday by convening a preparatory workshop in the capital for all its district coordinators and mobilisers.



The party gathered its functionaries from all 121 districts across the country in preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections set for November this year.



Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Swapo Vice-President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the event is organised to empower the party functionaries with essential campaign tools.



‘We are here to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections. As we gear up for those elections, we must get prepared in such a manner that we leave no stone unturned.



‘Our ultimate goal is to ensure that we bring back the Swapo Party to its glory, by reclaiming what we have lost in the last elections.



‘It is therefore my great pleasure to officiate at this very important workshop as we activate the campaign and mobilisation machinery of the Swapo Party for the Presidential and National Assembly elections,’ she said.



Nandi-Ndaitwah, who will be the Swapo presidential candidate, noted that the elections scheduled for 27 November 2024 demand extraordinary efforts and dedication from party members.



‘This means the structures of our party at all levels must be ready to ensure full mobilisation of our members, supporters, and sympathisers to vote for the Swapo Party come election day,’ she said.



Nandi-Ndaitwah told the participants that the election campaigns have already started since the Electoral Commission of Namibia released its electoral calendar.



‘With the launch of the election calendar by the ECN, that has signaled the opening of the campaign and we have seen increased political activities in the area,’ she said, while commending the party’s regional leaders about the recruitment drive efforts.



Nandi-Ndaitwah also informed the delegates that the party is finalising its 2024 election manifesto and the unveiling of the party’s candidates for the National Assembly elections.





Source: The Namibia Press Agency