Windhoek Observer – Page 219 – Windhoek Observer

28 Jan

Farmers fear financial strain as new livestock brand fees take effect

National News

Martin Endjala Small-scale farmers in Namibia have raised concerns over the increase in stock brand fees, which came into effect on 8 January. The fee hike, announced by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, is regulated under the Stock Brands Act No. 24 of 1995, which governs livestock identification and requires farmers to register official cattle brands. According to Anita Boshoff-De Witt, the executive for meat standards, the increase is tied to an average inflation rate of 4%, as reported by the Bank of Namibia's Consumer Price Index. However, for small-scale farmers, the added expense poses significant challenges.…

27 Jan

Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup 2025 edition launched

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The 2025 edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup was launched in Windhoek on Monday and is scheduled to take place during the Easter weekend in Outjo, Kunene Region. The tournament will feature football and netball teams from all 14 regions of Namibia. Speaking at the launch, Nedbank Namibia’s Managing Director Martha Murorua expressed the bank’s pride in being the title sponsor of the event, reaffirming its commitment to youth sports development. “We have a deep-set obligation to do so, but it is an obligation that we respect, embrace and cherish with every fibre of our being. This…

27 Jan

Fishing companies exploiting weak regulations as bycatch soars

Main

Ester Mbathera The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has loosened its grip on regulating bycatch, allowing large fishing companies, particularly horse mackerel freezer trawler operators, to exploit the country’s marine resources unchecked. This shift follows the removal of explicit bycatch limits in quota allocation letters, which previously included a 5% bycatch limit by weight of total landings in 2017. That year, the ministry had also mandated observers on vessels, enforced area closures when bycatch limits were exceeded, and promoted collaborative research with Angola to manage shared stocks. These regulatory safeguards are now absent, leaving fishing companies with significantly…

27 Jan

Health ministry calls for support as malaria cases surge

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is calling for support from all sectors to address the malaria outbreak in the northern regions of the country. In an interview with DesertFM on Monday, the MoHSS’s executive director, Ben Nangombe said the ministry is faced with a limited hospital capacity challenge. “We are facing space constraints for admitting patients due to the large number of cases,” Nangombe said. He added that the ministry engaged the Disaster Risk Management Committee in the Office of the Prime Minister about a week ago to mobilise additional support from other ministries, agencies,…

27 Jan

AR wants Tsumeb declared a health hazard

National News

Ester Mbathera The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) party has called on the government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb following a recent study by the University of Bern, Switzerland, which revealed alarming levels of arsenic contamination in the town’s soil, plants, and residents. John Johannes, an AR activist for the Oshikoto Region, urged the government to prioritise the medical needs of affected residents in a statement on Monday. This, he said, should include comprehensive health screenings and necessary medical treatment. “The extent of this contamination needs to be qualified so that our people know what precaution to take,” he…

27 Jan

GRN calls for diplomatic resolution of escalating DRC conflict

National News

Niël Terblanché The government has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Penda Naanda, the executive director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, in a statement released on Monday, stressed the urgency of a diplomatic solution to prevent the conflict from spilling over into neighbouring countries, potentially igniting a regional crisis. "Namibia reiterates the need to redouble regional efforts in finding lasting solutions to the conflict in our sister country," Naanda said. He reiterated that regional peace and stability are essential for economic development and integration.…

27 Jan

MME won’t stop motorists from using Angolan fuel

National News

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has clarified that it does not prevent people from using smuggled fuel from Angola, colloquially known as ngungula. According to Andreas Sheehama, the mines and energy petroleum chief inspector, the ministry can only discourage its sale, citing negative impacts on Namibia’s economy. “The selling of Angolan fuel in Namibia is sabotaging the economy of the country. Hence, we are against it. People can use ngungula for their tractors and vehicles, but they cannot sell it in the country,” he said. Sheehama explained that Angolan fuel differs from Namibian fuel in terms…

27 Jan

Schlettwein calls for urgent implementation of drought mitigation measures

National News

Niël Terblanché The minister of agriculture, water and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, urged all agriculture stakeholders to prioritise food security, equitable land distribution, and sustainable water management to address pressing challenges. Speaking at the ministry’s Management Review Workshop for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year in Swakopmund on Monday, Schlettwein outlined key achievements, ongoing efforts, and areas for urgent intervention. "This is a challenging year. The public is looking to us to continue to remedy the impacts of drought both nationally and at the household level. We should expedite the implementation of drought measures to realise immediate impact…

27 Jan

Indian warship visits Namibia

National News

Niël Terblanché The Indian Navy’s state-of-the-art frigate, INS Tushil, made its maiden port call at Walvis Bay from 21 to 23 January. The ship’s visit marked another step in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Namibia. The vessel, a multi-role stealth and guided-missile frigate, was received by the Namibian Navy, Namport, and officials from the High Commission of India (HCI). Having departed Lagos, Nigeria, after an eight-day voyage, INS Tushil docked in Namibia with a clear agenda: strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing maritime collaboration. The Commanding Officer of the vessel, Captain Peter Verghese, hosted a Namibian Naval delegation and the…

27 Jan

Goagoses calls for the inclusion of netball facilities in schools & public spaces

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Netball Namibia’s president, Rebekka Goagoses has called on the government, corporate partners, and local authorities to prioritise the inclusion of netball facilities in schools and public spaces. Goagoses made the appeal on Monday during the launch of the 2025 edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup in Windhoek. The tournament will see netball and football teams competing. She said one of the most significant challenges netball has been facing over the years across the country, is the lack of netball facilities at primary schools and in many communities. According to her, this absence of infrastructure deprives children of…