Blog – Page 15 – News Stand

22 Apr

Parents call for national boycott over Khoekhoegowab language removal

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja A group of parents and community members are planning a nationwide boycott on 5 May 2025 in protest against the removal of Khoekhoegowab as a subject at Auas Primary School in Windhoek. The announcement came on Tuesday during the delivery of a petition to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. The petition alleges that Khoekhoegowab, an indigenous language, has been sidelined at the school, in violation of the Basic Education Act and Namibia’s national language policy. “We are asking all parents, community members and stakeholders to mobilise themselves to inform the police in your…

22 Apr

Beef consumption declines

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Ester Mbathera New analysis has revealed that average meat consumption in Namibia has declined from a high of 8kg per capita to just under 6kg in recent years. This is according to a study by Liaan Burger from Cirrus Capital. The shift stands in contrast to neighbouring South Africa, which has seen a significant increase in overall meat consumption during the same period. “Namibia and South Africa are known not for vegetarian cuisine but rather for their rich tradition of meat-based dishes. Overall meat consumption in South Africa has risen steadily over the past three decades, increasing from around 6.7kg…

22 Apr

Road upgrade project in Etosha National Park commences

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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced the commencement of the long-awaited upgrade of the road between Okaukuejo and King Nehale Gate in Etosha National Park. The project aims to transform the heavily used gravel route into a low-volume sealed road, enhancing access and safety for visitors to the iconic wildlife sanctuary. According to a statement released by the Ministry on Tuesday, the initial phase of the upgrade will focus on the first 20 kilometres from Okaukuejo, with construction scheduled from 23 April to 30 November. During this period, traffic between Okaukuejo and Halali will be redirected…

22 Apr

Locust outbreak in Zambezi threatens food security

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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform (MAFWLR) has reported a locust outbreak in the Zambezi region, with swarms currently in the hopper and fledgling stages. The ministry’s executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said in a statement that the outbreak began in early February 2025, following substantial rainfall in the area. She indicated that affected locations include Ibbu near the Chobe River, Sachona, Lubuta, Singalamwe, Omega, Chinchimane, Kanono, Batabaja, Muyako, Ngala, Mahundu, and Seke. “The presence of green vegetation over large areas in the north-eastern, north-central regions, and to some extent in neighbouring Zambia, Botswana, and Angola,…

22 Apr

Auditor flags financial mismanagement at Land Fund

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Allexer Namundjembo The Land Acquisition and Development Fund has come under scrutiny after the Auditor General, Junias Kandjeke, flagged a series of financial and operational shortcomings in its 2022 financial statements, revealing a concerning pattern of mismanagement. According to a report tabled in Parliament last week, the fund failed to submit a complete set of financial statements as required by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), including the omission of a statement of changes in net assets or equity. Discrepancies were also identified between the fund’s financial records and tax information from the valuation roll, with gaps of N$29.5…

22 Apr

Catholic parishes directed to hold daily Mass in honour of the late Pope Francis

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Archbishop Liborius Nashenda has instructed all Roman Catholic priests across Namibia to hold daily masses or include intentions for the late Pope Francis in their Divine Offices until his burial. The directive, issued on Tuesday, comes as the Catholic Church enters a mourning period following Pope Francis's passing. Nashenda urged the Catholic community to remain prayerful and united during this time. “We are all shocked and saddened by his passing. Nevertheless, as people of faith, we should continue to pray for the repose of his soul unceasingly. I hereby request all priests in each parish to celebrate Mass…

22 Apr

Hardap council fails to report Build Together, Housing Funds

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Allexer Namundjembo The Hardap Regional Council failed to include the Build Together Fund and Housing Fund in its financial statements for the 2022/2023 financial year, according to a report tabled in Parliament last week by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke. The report noted that the Council did not explain the omission, nor did it make any disclosures relating to these funds. In the previous financial year, the Council had recorded closing balances of N$635 892 for the Build Together Fund and N$2.5 million for the Housing Fund. The Auditor General also found that completed projects worth N$9 million were incorrectly listed…

22 Apr

Hunting season opens with strict guidelines on meat exports

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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has officially opened the 2025 hunting season for registered conservancies and commercial farms, confirming that the season will proceed under clearly defined periods and regulatory conditions. This follows Cabinet approval in line with Section 25 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975. According to the announcement made by the environment minister, Indileni Daniel, last week, hunting will only be permitted on registered conservancies and commercial farms that meet specific size and fencing requirements. “From 1 May to 31 August 2025, hunting may be conducted on all registered conservancies and commercial farms…

22 Apr

Agriculture deputy minister urges results-driven planning

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Niël Terblanché Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruth Masake, has called on senior officials within the ministry to focus on tangible results as the new five-year strategic planning cycle begins. Masake delivered the message during a high-level strategic and annual planning workshop held in Swakopmund on Tuesday. “Our nation looks to us not just for plans, but for results. The time for excuses and delays is long gone. I call on every single management official here today to commit to excellence, accountability, and responsiveness,” she urged. The workshop was convened to shape the ministry’s strategic plan…

22 Apr

New vehicles and equipment set to enhance NamWater’s capacity

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Niël Terblanché The procurement of 26 new vehicles and a suite of infrastructure support equipment enhanced the operational efficiency of the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) and expanded service delivery throughout Namibia. The announcement about the acquisition, valued at N$12.6 million, was made by NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, on Tuesday. He described the purchase as a broader effort to improve the national water utility’s ability to serve communities across the country. According to Ndamanomhata, the contract for the procurement was awarded on 11 December 2024, and all the vehicles have now been received and are ready to be deployed. The new…