Observer – Page 64 – Windhoek Observer

05 Mar

MPs concerned about N$1.9 billion budget allocation for agriculture

ObserverNational NewsMPs concerned about N$1.9 billion budget allocation for agriculture

Martin Endjala Food production concerns have been sparked by the N$1.9 billion budget allocated to the agriculture sector by the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi. During the tabling of the National Budget for the 2024/25 financial year in parliament last week, the finance minister said a total of N$1.9 billion has been availed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. This includes N$50 million dedicated for land purchase to address the plight of generational farm workers as well as N$87 million for the improvement of animal health and marketing in communal areas. Members of parliament…

05 Mar

Namibia invests in vocational training to tackle unemployment

ObserverNational NewsNamibia invests in vocational training to tackle unemployment

Niël Terblanché Namibia is focusing on enhancing its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in an ambitious move to combat the high unemployment rate in the country and modernize the national economy. The Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, highlighted the critical role of a responsive and industry-relevant TVET sector during the inauguration of new workshops at the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre. She stated that addressing the unemployment and under-employment challenges in the highly segmented labour market is vital for economic growth. According to the minister, Namibia is on the brink of a significant…

04 Mar

Study permit application period for foreign students extended

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Safety and Security, has announced the extension of the study permit application period for foreign students. Executive Director at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Etienne Maritz, announced the extension in a statement, last week in which he stated that the deadline for submitting study permit applications for foreign students has been extended to Friday, 8 March 2024. The extension has been granted to provide students with another opportunity to submit their applications and ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed on time, he stated. At the same time,…

04 Mar

NIP acquires 18 new vehicles to meet specimen transportation needs

ObserverNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe To address one of its main challenges, the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) has added 18 more vehicles to its fleet to meet specimen transportation needs. The company announced last week that the addition of new vehicles is a significant milestone for its laboratories across the country, and it represents the ongoing commitment to invest in resources that will enable the organisation to deliver exceptional care to patients and healthcare partners in both the public and private industries. The acquisition of new cars will also reduce waiting times and increase efficiency by ensuring samples are picked up from…

04 Mar

PDM pledges major agricultural investments in Kavango

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché At a campaign rally in Divundu, Kavango East, McHenry Venaani, the President of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), outlined a vision for transforming the agricultural landscape of the two Kavango regions into a thriving hub of prosperity for Namibia. Addressing supporters over the past weekend, Venaani stressed the untapped potential of the two regions and committed to allocating at least ten percent of the national budget to agriculture should PDM win the upcoming presidential and national elections in November. The PDM's ambitious plan for the country’s agricultural sector promises to create a plethora of job opportunities for the…

04 Mar

EU launches exhibition to celebrate women

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The European Union’s Delegation to Namibia has launched the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) Female Artist Exhibition The exhibition will take place at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) in Windhoek. This captivating female artist exhibition will run from 6 to 12 March 2024. Themed ‘Inspire Inclusion’, this exhibition will serve as a platform for Namibian female artists to showcase their empowering artworks, reflecting a celebration of creativity and diversity. The event will commence at 18:00, with artworks on display and sale by way of auction, with proceeds beyond the reserve price set to be donated to a Non-Governmental…

04 Mar

“Namibia intends to boost tourism with upcoming AviaDev conferences”

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is poised to host the prestigious AviaDev Africa conference in June 2024, alongside the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) The conference will be a crucial platform for the local tourism sector to lure more visitors to Namibia. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) announced the collaboration, spotlighting the nation's strategic efforts to enhance air connectivity within Africa and beyond. With the theme 'Igniting Connections and Propelling Growth,' AviaDev Africa has emerged as the premier platform for fostering air travel development. The NAC spokesperson, Dan Kamati, said that the potential of collective expertise from aviation leaders to produce impactful…

04 Mar

Debt is exasperating Aroab water crisis

ObserverMain, National News

Martin Endjala Residents of Aroab in //Karas Region are up in arms over a water shortage that has plagued them for at least three years. The villagers are blaming the Aroab Village Council for failing to address the water shortage in the area. The situation has been ongoing for the past three years, and it is said to have gotten worse, as residents often stay without water during the afternoon and sometimes for days on end. Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor, Willem Labuschagne, informed Windhoek Observer last week that due to the shortage of water, residents are forced to share. He…

04 Mar

More than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years

ObserverNational NewsMore than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between 2015 and February 2024, Namibia lost a staggering 631 rhinos due to poaching, marking a concerning downturn in its conservation success. This is according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism last week during the Commemoration of World Wildlife Day 2024. Breaking down the figures year by year, statistics paint a grim picture of 97 rhinos poached in 2015 alone, with six reported to be poached in 2016 and five poached in 2017. A total of 84 were also poached in 2018, 61 in 2019, 48 in 2020, 53 in 2021, 92 in…

04 Mar

President Mbumba takes the helm of the AU Peace and Security Council

ObserverNational NewsNamibia is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in March

Niël Terblanché Namibia is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in March Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, the Deputy Executive Director for Multilateral Cooperation in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation , announced that President Nangolo Mbumba will take up the continental leadership role. He added that Namibia has played an active role by contributing to the continent’s peace and security strategies in line with the goals of Agenda 2063. Under Namibia’s stewardship, the PSC is scheduled to conduct six substantive sessions throughout March, addressing critical security situations across the continent, including…