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Huge kelp forests creating green jobs

Huge kelp forests creating green jobs

Niël Terblanché Kelp farming off the Namibian coast at Lüderitz is set to provide more green job opportunities for residents while also opening up opportunities in the international carbon credit market. Along with green hydrogen and other jobs in the alternative energy sector, kelp farming has already begun and is providing much-needed jobs for the youth. The current youth unemployment level in Namibia stands at 50 precent. The harbour town is also set to produce green hydrogen by utilising solar and wind-generated electricity. Kelp Blue, the investor behind the kelp farming project, has already created two kelp farming forests in…
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Seibeb to face standing committe after threats in Parliament

Seibeb to face standing committe after threats in Parliament

Stefanus Nashama Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, said the deputy leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and Member of Parliament, Henny Seibeb will answer to the Standing Committee on Standing Rules after he threatened to beat up the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni. Seibeb made the remarks during a parliamentary session, after Uutoni expressed that he would be visiting Karasburg. Katjavivi said the matter was referred to the Standing Committee in terms of Rule 112. Katjavivi said he made a ruling that Seibeb withdraws the use of unparliamentary language which he declined and instead…
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Massive housing challenges in //Kharas

Massive housing challenges in //Kharas

Hertta-Maria Amutenja //Kharas Region, the least densely populated region in Namibia is facing housing sector constraints due to the slow delivery of serviced land and provision of housing and insufficient financial assistance for low-income groups. This was revealed by the Regional Governor Aletta Fredericks during her State of Region Address (SORA). “Hence, the impetus is on the regional and local government structures to find a lasting solution for the lack of affordable land and housing,” she said. In addition to the housing woes, the Governor said the majority of the local authorities in the region did not submit their contributions…
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Road projects are nearing completion

Road projects are nearing completion

Niël Terblanché The construction of the dual carriage main road between Windhoek and Okahandja will be completed in May next year. The construction of the modern high-capacity road, which started in 2016, was supposed to be completed by July 2020, but budgetary constraints delayed the process by almost four years. Conrad Lutombi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Authority, gave the assurance that the last stretch of 21 kilometres of the road will be completed in 2024 after sufficient budgetary provision has been made for the project. Other projects currently being completed are the dual carriage highway behind the…
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The second round of OM SEED launched

The second round of OM SEED launched

Martin Endjala The Old Mutual Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab, has announced the launch of the second run of the highly anticipated Old Mutual Sustainable, Economic, and Empowerment Drive (OM SEED) in four new towns in Namibia. Following the remarkable impact achieved in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, and Oshakati last year, the foundation is extending the initiative to Rundu, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Mariental in 2023. The four towns have been strategically selected to foster entrepreneurship, create value within local communities, and address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. OM SEED was first launched last…
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Pensioner dies after tree falls on him

Pensioner dies after tree falls on him

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 68-year-old pensioner from the Kongola area in Zambezi Region died after a tree he was chopping down, fell on him on Friday. According to the Spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi Womitondo Luavunga was trapped under the tree and succumbed to his injuries because there was no one to help him when the tree fell on top of him. “The families commenced a search and discovered the deceased lifeless body under the big tree that was still burning. The body was observed with serious multiple injuries and a crushed skull. The body was transported…
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Three men found murdered during the weekend

Three men found murdered during the weekend

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The 22-year-old Peter ‘Bockky’ Amwaalwa was found dead in Swakopmund in the early hours of Saturday, according to the weekend crime report provided by Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi. Amwaalwa’s body was found lying in a pool of blood with stab wounds by members of the Namibian Police during a routine patrol, Shikwambi said. “It’s alleged that the deceased was stabbed with a sharp object once on the left thigh and twice on the back and that he died instantly. The body was ferried to the police mortuary for further investigations. No suspect has been identified,” she said. She…
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Woman commits suicide after argument with husband

Woman commits suicide after argument with husband

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 30-year-old woman, Mashadia Marques, from Windhoek’s Dorado Valley committed suicide on Sunday morning after reportedly arguing with her husband on Saturday night. According to police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, Marques hanged herself in the bathroom. “The Windhoek City Police were summoned and spoke to her and thereafter the husband left the house to avoid further arguments. The husband found the deceased in their house this morning,” she said The police’s investigation into the matter is ongoing. In a separate incident, on Saturday, the 37-year-old, Sem Mekondjo Johannes allegedly hanged himself in a tree behind the Gamams…
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ECN CEO hopeful disqualified for failing to declare Swapo ties

ECN CEO hopeful disqualified for failing to declare Swapo ties

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia has disqualified Michael Katjirari Tjivikua, who was part of the shortlisted candidates for the position of Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, for failing to declare that he was a member of the Swapo Party Think Tank. Tjivikua’s affiliation with the governing party is deemed to question the Commission’s impartiality and independence, which might endanger the public’s confidence in the Commission if he is selected. “The Commission is of the opinion that you did not give a declaration of all relevant information in your documents or Curriculum Vitae, and instead you applied your own…
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‘Namibia is not a banana republic’

‘Namibia is not a banana republic’

Stefanus Nashama The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says Namibia is not a banana republic, and the police will not allow anyone to be intimidated or beaten up by another person. “No one should think Namibia is a banana republic, and no one should prevent the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni to conduct an official visit to Karasburg Town Council. We are there to maintain order, protect and provide safety for everyone, including the minister. Namibia has laws to protect every citizen of this country, chaos, and anarchy should not be entertained…
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