Day: February 28, 2024

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WadzPay’s Dubai entity receives Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority

Issuance of licence is subject to meeting pre-operating requirements and qualifications for operational approval

WadzPay’s Dubai Entity Receives VASP Licence from VARA

WadzPay’s Dubai Entity Granted VASP Licence. Poised to Revolutionize Virtual Asset Transactions in Middle East.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WPME Technology, the Dubai-based entity of WadzPay, a leading fintech company specialising in blockchain based technology for virtual assets announced that it has been granted a Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) Licence for Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer service activities by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The licence remains non-operational until the company fully satisfies all remaining conditions and select localisation requirements defined by VARA, following which it will be able to commence operations, subject to regulatory reverification and approval.

As one of the pioneers in blockchain based virtual assets technology, WadzPay is excited to deliver its innovative and industry-leading solutions to customers across Middle East while working closely with regulators in contributing to build a compliant and robust fintech ecosystem.

Mr. Anish Jain, Founder & CEO, WadzPay stated, “This licence showcases WadzPay’s dedication in promoting innovation in the field of virtual assets domain and blockchain technology bringing us a step closer to delivering world class solutions to businesses in Middle East.”

WadzPay aims to revolutionize the way people in the Middle East transact and manage virtual assets. WadzPay’s commitment to compliance ensures that financial institutions and their customers can confidently embrace the benefits of blockchain technology while adhering to regulatory standards, ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of the fintech ecosystem in the Middle East.

Mr. Ram Chari, Board Member and Group Director, WadzPay quoted, “This will further solidify WadzPay’s position as a trusted and reliable blockchain technology based financial service provider in the region. With the broker-dealer services, WadzPay will provide the technology to its clients to enhance the experience of their customers by enabling virtual assets transactions in a seamless and secure manner.”

To which Mr. Khaled Moharem, President – MENA & Europe at WadzPay, emphasized, “This cements our hard work and sets the stage for transformative blockchain solutions, promoting compliance and customer confidence in the Virtual Assets Industry.”

About WadzPay:

WadzPay was founded in 2018 in Singapore with a commitment to drive financial inclusion and revolutionise the virtual asset landscape. It is a leading global blockchain-based technology provider for virtual assets. The company’s innovative platform available as a SaaS offering provides secure, efficient, and transparent technology solutions, catering to businesses (B2B) and consumers (B2B2C). WadzPay works with large international companies, banks, and fintechs to enable virtual asset-based transaction processing, custody, and settlement. It operates across geographies spanning Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

For more information, visit www.wadzpay.com

About VARA:

Established in March 2022, following the effect of Law No.4 of 2022, VARA is the competent entity in charge of regulating, supervising, and overseeing VAs and VA Activities in all zones across the Emirate of Dubai, including Special Development Zones and Free Zones but excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre. VARA plays a central role in creating Dubai’s advanced legal framework to protect investors and establish international standards for Virtual Asset industry governance, while supporting the vision for a borderless economy.

For more information visit: www.vara.ae

For any media enquiries please contact:

Arijit Das

PR and Communications Manager

arijit.das@wadzpay.com

+91 9654930523

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58f14eb8-1029-4e43-988c-02833036e716

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9053953

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MultiChoice talent factory welcomes class of 2024


WINDHOEK: Twenty young filmmakers have begun a year of film and television training at the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Southern Africa Academy in Lusaka, including Namibia’s Sandra Muramba and Elisabeth Hamukwaya.

The MTF Southern Africa Academy is one of three on the continent, where students spend 12 months gaining skills in screenwriting, editing, producing and directing through study, and practical experience on TV and film productions.

MultiChoice Namibia Managing Director Roger Gertze told Nampa on Wednesday the fully funded curriculum includes workshops, lectures, masterclasses and assignments.

He said MTF students learn alongside industry greats and seasoned professionals from across the globe and added that the final stage of the course will see students developing feature films for broadcast on MultiChoice local channels and Showmax.

‘As Africa’s most loved storyteller, the MTF is a multi-faceted project. Our goal is to develop the film industry so that it plays a meaningful role on the con
tent. After a rigorous selection process, we are delighted to welcome our new students who, through their film knowledge and experience, will take Namibia to the world,’ he said.

Hamukwaya, an aspiring director, said she’s looking forward to the opportunity and will not take it for granted.

‘I want to represent Namibia well,’ she said.

Muramba meanwhile shared her desire to expand the Namibian film industry. ‘I cannot wait to learn more and I’m very open to learning.’

At the MTF Southern Africa Academy, 55 per cent of students in this year’s intake are male and 45 per cent are female, with students coming from Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Africa-wide MTF Academy programme has produced more than 300 graduates, qualified young filmmakers who are now taking African stories to the world.

The training provided by the MTF Academy is geared to broadening the skillsets of aspirant filmmakers, and to empowering them to work in various cr
eative disciplines – not only the film industry. An MTF survey has found that around 92 per cent of MTF Academy graduates go on to work in the creative sector.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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CAN CEO advocates for palliative care investment in Namibia


WINDHOEK: Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) Chief Executive Officer Rolf Hansen has called for increased investment in palliative care, highlighting Namibia’s critical need for comprehensive end-of-life support.

Hansen in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday said prioritising palliative care could enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and their families across Namibia.

‘Palliative care is not merely an option; it is an essential component of holistic cancer care. As we navigate the challenges of cancer treatment and management, it is imperative that we do not overlook the importance of providing comfort, dignity, and support to patients facing advanced stages of the disease,’ Hansen said.

He underscored the misconception that palliative care is synonymous with end-of-life care, saying that it encompasses a spectrum of services aimed at addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs throughout the cancer journey.

”Investing in palliative care is not just a matter of compassion but a strat
egic imperative. Integrating palliative care into the country’s healthcare system can mitigate unnecessary suffering, reduce hospitalisation, and alleviate the burden on patients and their families,’ he said.

The CAN CEO highlighted that access to palliative care services remains limited in Namibia, particularly in rural areas, stressing an urgent need for expanding palliative care infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and raising awareness to ensure equitable access to these vital services across the country.

‘Palliative care is a fundamental human right, yet thousands of Namibians are currently underserved,’ Hansen lamented while calling on government officials, healthcare providers, and civil society organisations to prioritise palliative care investment as a cornerstone of Namibia’s cancer control strategy.

‘Together, we have the power to transform the landscape of cancer care in Namibia and uphold the dignity of every individual affected by this devastating disease,’ he said.

Source: Th
e Namibia Press Agency

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South Korean Based Tour Agency Seeking to Send Tourists to EthiopiaSocial grant increased to N.dollars 1 600

Yellow Balloon Tour Agency, one of the top tour Agencies in South Korea is keen to send tourists to Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Ambassador to South Korea, Dessie Dalkie conferred with CEO of Yellow balloon Tour Agency, Kim, Jin kook, according to Embassy of Ethiopia in Seoul, South Korea.

During the discussion, Ambassador Dessie Dalkie briefed that Ethiopia is the perfect place for tourists with breathtaking tourist destinations such as the magnificent 4th-century AD Obelisks of Axumand the 11th Century medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

In addition, the 17th Century castles of Gondar and the world’s fourth-holiest Islamic city-Harar, National Parks and other UNESCO registered heritages makes the country ideal place for tourists.

Ambassador Dessie stated that new tourism attractions like Unity Park, Entoto Park, Adwa Memory Museum, and others are enjoyable to visit in addition to Ethiopia’s historical sites.

Hence, Ethiopia would be a huge market for the Yellow Balloon Tour Agency, the ambassador reaffirme
d.

Additionally, Ambassador Dessie requested them to have familiarization trips to Ethiopia and include Ethiopia in their tour packages.

CEO of Yellow Balloon Tour Agency, Kim Jin kook on his part, said that he is fascinated by Ethiopia tourist destinations and will work with the Ethiopian Embassy to send tourists to Ethiopia.

He emphasized that they will consider visiting Ethiopian tourist destinations and including Ethiopia in their tour packages.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

OSHAKATI: Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, has announced an increased in old age and disability grants social grants from N.dollars 1 400 to N.dollars 1 600 per month, effective 01 April 2024.

Shiimi was speaking during the tabling of the 2024/25 National Budget in Parliament on Wednesday.

According to Shiimi, government fully recognises the dream of their departed President Hage Geingob for a significant increase in the old age pension grant, however, they cannot afford to deliver on his dream in a single financial year.

‘Nonetheless, we will continue to work towards it with gradual increases over time, as resources permit,’ he said.

Moreover, Shiimi indicated that the budget for the Ministry of Gender, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare has increased by 23.2 per cent to N.dollars 8 billion during the current financial year.

He added that the budget includes N.dollars 824.7 million to maintain the real value of the social safety nets in the face of high inflation and given
the high dependency ratio.

Additionally, Shiimi said that government has made provision to increase the frequency of food distribution to marginalised communities at a cost of N.dollars 170 million, and N.dollars 284.5 million to ensure full coverage of the Orphan and Vulnerable Children Grant.

He noted that the vote will absorb N.dollars 24.5 billion.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Kunene Second Division continuing this weekend


OPUWO: The Kunene Second Division Football League will resume this weekend with rounds five and six scheduled for Outjo, Kamanjab, Okaukuejo, and Khorixas, respectively, featuring 12 matchups.

Following a brief hiatus last weekend for the burial of the late President Hage Geingob, the KFL will resume this weekend as Khaibasen FC faces newcomers !Ugab FC at the Etoshapoort Stadium in Outjo on Saturday.

Young Eagles FC will host Sixty-Eleven FC at Okaukuejo, while Orlando Gariseb will face Kunene NamPol FC at the Herbert Conradie Stadium in Khorixas in a crucial game to avoid relegation. Robber Chanties FC, the league’s current leaders, will face newcomers Okarindi Komutati FC at Herbert Conradie Stadium, aiming to secure maximum points and extend their winning streak to five games.

On Saturday, Kamanjab will host two games, with Green Danger FC facing Pubs FC and Etosha United FC playing Khorixas Football Academy. On Sunday, Orlando Gariseb FC will meet Okarindi Komutati FC in Khorixas, while Young Eagles F
C will face !Ugab FC at Okaukuejo.

In the highly anticipated Sunday meeting between two long-standing rivals, Robber Chanties, who produced a 100 per cent starting record, will go toe-to-toe with last season’s runner-up, Kunene NamPol FC at Khorixas’s Herbert Conradie Stadium.

Khaibasen FC will play Sixty-Eleven FC at Outjo’s Etoshapoort Stadium, while Etosha United FC will face Pubs FC and Green Dangers FC will play Khorixas Football Academy in Kamanjab. Robber Chanties FC tops the log with 12 points after four games this season, having won all of them. Khaibasen FC is second with 10 points after two victories, a tie, and one defeat, followed by Green Dangers with seven points and Khorixas Football Academy in fourth place with six points. Young Eagles FC and Okarindi Komutati FC are the other teams with six points, ranking fifth and sixth, respectively. Etosha United FC is in seventh place with five points, one win, two draws, and one defeat in four games. !Ugab FC, Kunene Nampol FC, and Sixty-Eleven FC al
l have four points, with one victory, one tie, and two losses apiece. Pubs FC and Orlando Gariseb are in the relegation zone, with three and one point, respectively.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Rigobert Song’s coaching era with Indomitable Lions ends – his legacySports ministry receives N.dollars 206 million allocation in 2024/25 budget

Rigobert Song’s two-year tenure as coach of the Indomitable Lions has come to an end as a press release from the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, confirmed his contract will not be renewed

Song joined the team as coach in 2022 and helped Cameroon qualify for the 2022 World Cup, where they beat Brazil and earned four points, a rare achievement for Cameroon in a long while.

Additionally, Song steered the team’s qualification to the 2023 African nations cup in Ivory Coast where Cameroon was booted out at the knockout stage by Nigeria.

His accomplishments did not go unnoticed, as he was among the 20 coaches nominated for the 2022 IFFHS Coach of the Year award by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

During his tenure, Cameroon played 23 games, winning six, drawing eight, and losing nine and climbed to 33rd position on the FIFA rankings after beating Brazil in the world cup, but they have since dropped to 51st place.

Song took over from An
tonio Conceicao, who led Cameroon to a bronze medal during the 2021 AFCON but was sacked by Fecafoot shortly after Samuel Eto’o became president in December 2021.

Before Song’s appointment, Cameroon had recorded 14 victories, six draws, and three defeats under the Portuguese coach Antonio Conceicao.

Before coaching the Indomitable Lions, Song was in charge of Cameroon’s U23 and intermediate lions, where he experienced one of the team’s worst performances during the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Egypt.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, has allocated N.dollars 679.4 million to the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service for the 2024/25 financial year.

This was revealed when Shiimi tabled the N.dollars 100 billion national budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday, under the theme ‘Continuing the Legacy of His Excellency, President Hage G Geingob by Caring for the Namibian Child.’

The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service’s allocation will be divided among its three directorates; sport, youth and national service.

The N.dollars 679.4 million budget saw the sports ministry receive an additional N.dollars 206 million compared to the allocation in the 2023/24 financial year budget, where it received N.dollars 473.2 million.

Shiimi said a total of N.dollars 124 million is allocated for the renovation and upgrading of facilities such as the Independence Stadium in Windhoek over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), among other priorities.

‘N.dollars
124 million has been provided in the development budget for, among others, upgrading of the Independence Stadium, as well as various sports facilities and multipurpose youth centres across the country,’ he said.

In the 2022/23 budget, the sports ministry received an allocation of N.dollars 50 million, while in the 2023/24 budget, an allocation of N.dollars 142 million for the renovation of facilities such as Independence Stadium was made. This year’s allocation once again comes as a tonic for the country’s worn-out sports sector, which continues to struggle with inadequate and dilapidated facilities.

The finance minister stated that the Vote of Sports, Youth and National Service has increased by 45.3 per cent to N.dollars 679.4 million in the Financial Year 2024/25 and a total of N.dollars 2.2 billion over the MTEF.

‘We take note of the re-energised interest in sports activities and have accordingly increased the operational budget for sport promotion programmes by an additional N.dollars 100 million,’ he
said, adding that the budget increase includes N.dollars 29.5 million for preparatory activities to enable Namibia to host the Region 5 Youth Games in May 2025.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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NNOC withdraws coach from boxing delegation to Italy


WINDHOEK: The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) on Tuesday withdrew coach and team manager Titus Muunda Joseph from the boxing squad travelling to Italy for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.

Joseph was selected as team manager for the six amateur boxers who were given a chance to compete in the 2024 World Qualification Tournament for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The tournament is scheduled to take place from 29 February to 12 March 2024 in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

At the African boxing championships held in Dakar, Senegal last year, Namibian boxers were unable to secure slots for their country.

In a letter released on Monday, the NNOC informed the Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF) that Joseph had been removed from the travelling squad due to comments he made in a local newspaper.

The statement from the letter reads, ‘The withdrawal of Mr Joseph is a result of allegations made by him against the Namibia National Olympic Committee in a newspaper article in the Namibian Sun of Wednesday, 21 February 2024
.’

It further added that regardless of all the efforts from the NNOC to assist the boxing athletes, Joseph chose to disclose the opposite in his newspaper interview. Joseph’s accusations range from lack of assistance to unfit athletes and inadequate support, among others, for the previous participation in Senegal.

The letter also stated that they could not recall that the NNOC received a report (neither verbal nor written) from the Namibia Boxing Federation or from Joseph, suggesting any recommendations upon their return from Dakar.

In an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, NBF Secretary General Petrus Kashongo said that after hours of discussions between the NBF and the NNOC, on Tuesday night the Olympic Committee stood by its decision to remove Joseph from the team for tarnishing their name.

‘I was hoping that we would find a conclusion the same way we found the conclusion of two boxers who were on the same weight scale and needed only one to represent the country,’ he said.

The NBF secretary general ad
ded that having one coach in a team of six boxers is challenging, but they are at the mercy of the NNOC who are funding the team’s trip to Italy.

Kashongo also said he is worried that Namibian boxers will face the same difficulties they had while representing the country at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

‘The coach had to divide himself between training, warming up during the match, and sitting ringside during competition. This made it challenging for other boxers to warm up and get to the ring for their fights. Coaches need to raise these issues in their reports upon their return so that those funding this trip can understand how many people are needed to form part of the team,’ he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency