Latest news with #Nujoma
News18
09-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Namibia To Roll Out UPI This Year: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's Visit To African Nation
Last Updated: Talks between India and Namibia focused on bolstering bilateral cooperation in digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals Namibia will roll out UPI later this year, becoming the first country to adopt the India-made system for real-time payments. The announcement was made on Wednesday following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that focused on imparting a new momentum to bilateral ties. The meeting primarily focused on bolstering bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will be launched in Namibia later this year as an outcome of the signing of the UPI technology licensing agreement between NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) and Bank of Namibia in April last year. During the delegation-level talks, Modi and Nandi-Ndaitwah reviewed the full range of India-Namibia relations. 'Cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals figured prominently in our discussions," Modi said in a post on social media after the meeting. 'We also discussed how to boost linkages in trade, energy and petrochemicals. Expressed gratitude for the assistance from Namibia in Project Cheetah." President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and I reviewed the full range of India-Namibia relations during our talks today. Cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals figured prominently in our… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2025 This is the first visit of the Prime Minister to Namibia and the third-ever by an Indian PM to the country. He arrived here from Brazil on the final leg of his five-nation tour, and also paid tribute to Namibia's founding father Sam Nujoma at the Heroes' Acre memorial. Nujoma led Namibia to independence in 1990 and served as its first President for 15 years. The PM remembered him as a visionary leader who devoted his life to the struggle for his country's independence. 'As the first President of free Namibia, Nujoma made inspiring contribution to the country's nation-making. His legacy continues to inspire people across the world," the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement. 'Nujoma was a great friend of India." Modi described Namibia as a 'valued and trusted partner" in Africa. Earlier, he received a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at the State House, along with a 21-gun salute. (With PTI inputs) view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 22:32 IST News india Namibia To Roll Out UPI This Year: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's Visit To African Nation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
With PM visiting Namibia, Cong recalls Sam Nujoma's meetings with Nehru Indira, Rajiv
'On his return journey back home after his sojourn in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil, the Super Premium Frequent Flier PM is in Namibia today,' he noted. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also recalled that Nujoma, who was Namibia's first president from 1990 to 2005, established the Indira Gandhi Clinic in Okahao in 2000. New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) With Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Namibia, the Congress on Wednesday recalled Namibian leader Sam Nujoma's meetings with Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi over the years as well as India's extensive support to him in the lead up to the emergence of Namibia as an independent country in 1990. Namibia emerged as an independent country on March 21, 1990, he noted. 'For many years, India had provided extensive support to Sam Nujoma and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) that spearheaded the freedom movement there under his leadership. Jawaharlal Nehru had ensured that Nujoma attended the First Non-Aligned Summit in Belgrade in September 1961,' Ramesh said. Nujoma first came to India in March 1983 at Indira Gandhi's invitation to attend the seventh Non-Aligned Summit, he recalled. 'That Summit triggered a series of crucial moves and Nujoma returned to New Delhi to open SWAPO's first ever embassy anywhere on May 24, 1986,' he said. A few months later, in August 1986, he conferred with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the eighth Non-Aligned Summit in Harare, Ramesh said. 'Nujoma was the President of Namibia till March 2005. A few years earlier, in Feb 2000, he established the Indira Gandhi Clinic (the name he chose personally) in Okahao, about 800 km north of the capital Windhoek. Over the years, the clinic has been supported by the Government of India,' he said. Ramesh also shared pictures from Nujoma's 1986 visit to India and his meetings with Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Namibia is Modi's fifth and final destination of his five-nation tour. Last week Modi embarked on the five nation tour beginning with Ghana. He then travelled to Trinidad and Tobago on a two-day visit from July 3 to 4. In the third leg of his visit, Modi visited Argentina from July 4 to 5. In the fourth leg of his visit, Modi travelled to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The prime minister visited Brazil from July 5 to 8 and attended the 17th BRICS Summit followed by a state visit. Modi is visiting Namibia before his return to India. PTI ASK DV DV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Super Premium Frequent Flier PM is in Namibia today": Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Incharge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the 'Super Premium Frequent Flier PM is in Namibia today'. PM Modi is travelling to Namibia for a State visit at the invitation of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. It will be PM Modi's first visit to Namibia, and the third ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Namibia. In a post on X, the Congress leader said, 'On his return journey back home after his sojourn in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil, the Super Premium Frequent Flier PM is in Namibia today' The Congress leader stated that Namibia emerged as an independent country on March 21, 1990. For many years, India had provided 'extensive support' to Sam Nujoma and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) that spearheaded the freedom movement there under his leadership. Jawaharlal Nehru had ensured that Nujoma attended the First Non-Aligned Summit in Belgrade in September 1961, he recalled. He further mentioned that Nujoma first came to India in March 1983 - at Indira Gandhi's invitation - to attend the Seventh Non-Aligned Summit,adding that Summit triggered a series of 'crucial moves' and Nujoma returned to New Delhi to open SWAPO's 'first' ever embassy anywhere on May 24, 1986. A few months later, in August 1986, he had conferred with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Eighth Non-Aligned Summit in Harare, the Congress leader recalled. Nujoma was the President of Namibia till March 2005. A few years earlier, in Feb 2000, he established the Indira Gandhi Clinic (the name he chose personally) in Okakao, about 800 kms north of the capital Windhoek. 'Over the years, the clinic has been supported by the Govt of India,' he said. PM Modi was on a State Visit to Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. During his visit, PM Modi held a meeting with President Lula and attended the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with several world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. President Lula conferred Brazil's highest civilian honour, the 'Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross', on PM Narendra Modi. PM Narendra Modi received a warm ceremonial welcome at the Alvorada Palace in Brazil on Tuesday. (ANI)
Saudi Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Namibia halts all state funerals amid criticism of the high cost
WINDHOEK — The Namibian government has announced a temporary ban on state funerals amid criticism over the rising costs of these burials. Only President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the power to exempt funerals from the moratorium, the government said. Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus made the announcement following a Cabinet meeting earlier this week. She said the moratorium would last until April 2026, while a review committee looks into the "criteria and processes associated with bestowing official funerals". Ms Theofelus told the BBC that a committee consisting of "no more than seven members" would be established to lead the review. The government has not said whether the decision was related to mounting criticism of the increasing costs of the numerous state funerals as reported by local media. The BBC has asked the presidency for comment. The Windhoek Observer, a privately owned publication, said calls for the moratorium had been made as far back as 2021 when the rising cost of official burials came under scrutiny, especially at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It quoted Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, who earlier this year revealed that official funerals had cost the government 38.4m Namibian dollars ($2.2m; £1.6m) in the 2024/2025 financial year. By comparison, only 2.1m Namibian dollars was spent during the 2022/2023 financial year, according to the news site. The Observer said the state had spent 30m Namibian dollars on the funeral of the country's founding President Sam Nujoma in February this year. Nujoma, who died at the age of 95, led the long fight for independence from South Africa after helping found Namibia's liberation movement, the South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo), in the 1960s. After independence, Nujoma became president in 1990 and led the country until 2005. — BBC
Voice of America
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Namibia lays founding president to rest
Thousands of Namibians gathered on the outskirts of the capital Windhoek on Saturday to bid farewell to the country's founding president, Sam Nujoma, who died last month in a private hospital at the age of 95. Heads of state from southern African countries joined Namibians at the funeral for Nujoma, who led the country to independence from apartheid-era South Africa. As early as six o'clock on Saturday morning, Namibians could be seen making their way, some on foot and others in their vehicles, to the National Shrine, the Heroes Acre, on the outskirts of Windhoek. They came pay their final respects to the man who is credited with bringing independence to the southern African country thirty-five years ago. Sam Nujoma died in a Windhoek hospital on February 8th after being hospitalized for three weeks. Namibia's current president, Nangolo Mbumba, described Nujoma as a giant who stood firm in the country's 24-year armed struggle for independence from South Africa. 'Although our hearts are laden with grief, we take solace that President Sam Nujoma will now rest amongst his fellow illustrious heroes and heroines," he said. "[He] has completed his mission with distinction, fulfilling his destiny and leaving behind the most precious gift of freedom and independence for the people of Namibia.' Among the VIPs in attendance Saturday were South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Angola's President João Lourenco. Former presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique could also be seen in the crowds of mourners who came to pay their last respects to the elder statesman. Nujoma was the first leader of Namibia's independence movement, the South West Africa People's Organization, and later served three terms as Namibia's president. Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana is his niece and a former cabinet minister who served as Namibia's Attorney General. She is also vice-chairperson of the Sam Nujoma Foundation. 'Nujoma united the people of Namibia who were divided according to the ethnic languages," she said. "During the war our people were made to fight against each other and at independence he introduced a policy of national reconciliation to forgive one another as brothers and sisters.' Public servant Chrispin Kapalu was also among the mourners who sang and danced as they braved the burning hot Namibian sun to bid farewell to the leader, whose name is captured in revolutionary struggle songs like 'Sema Uulipeni Elula Ee pandela, eelula epandela ola Namibia.' The lyrics mean "Sam Nujoma where are you, raise the flag.' 'Growing up we knew about Nujoma, different interpretations but after independence as young people then we could see the reality why our forefathers have to sacrifice their lives,' said Kapalu.
