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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has taken another step towards enhancing the infrastructure of Etosha National Park by commissioning a new state-of-the-art road grader. The grader, valued at N$5 million, was procured through the Game Product Trust Fund and inaugurated by Theofilus Nghitila, the Executive Director of the MEFT. During the commissioning ceremony, Nghitila stressed the importance of maintaining the park's roads, especially as Namibia's high tourist season approaches. He said that the new grader will significantly improve the condition of tourist roads, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. "This grader marks the beginning of…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba has been conferred with the Most Ancient Order of Welwitschia Mirabilis by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The ceremony, held on Saturday, marked a new milestone in President Mbumba's life, which he described as an "epochal moment." In his acceptance speech, President Mbumba expressed profound humility and gratitude. He thanked God for the blessings he has received and acknowledged the trust and confidence the people of Namibia have placed in him as the Fourth President of the Republic. “Leaders are created through their experiences and the guidance of others,” he said while paying tribute to his…

Niël Terblanché In a step closer to developing water security and supporting economic growth, Namibia is set to construct a second desalination plant along its coast. In this regard, NamWater, the national water utility, has secured the services of Synergy International Consultants as a transaction advisor to develop an implementation model and provide essential legal, technical, and financial assistance for the project. In a notice that was published in various national newspapers last week, NamWater stated that the initiative comes in response to the rising water demand driven by increased uranium mining, industrial development, and population growth. The strategic decision…

Health Correspondent Medical doctor and health philanthropist Dr Esperance Luvindao, in partnership with OSAAT Africa Health Foundation and MENGA Healthcare Technology, unveiled MENGA, a digital health solution. The solution was invented by Luvindao and launched on Thursday. “MENGA is unique in that it provides real-time access to a doctor and medication as opposed to a mere locker system,” she said. According to Luvindao, the platform has been in the works for the past couple of years and was developed to assist patients throughout Africa’s semi-rural areas, suburbs and informal settlements to gain access to prescribed medication without having to travel…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A cadet constable of the Namibian Police died on 30 July after falling ill during a verification and screening process at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Training Centre. Kandiwapa Matheus, 30, was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the Namibian Police’s spokesperson, the incident occurred shortly after Kandiwapa had completed the initial screening. "Sadly, he was declared dead upon arrival. The next of kin was informed,” she said. He had been part of Police Basic Training Course 1 of 2023-2024, which was officially opened on 29 September 2023,…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A political analyst, Valentinia Mentor, has raised questions regarding the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's (MICT) recent call for the public to act responsibly on social media platforms while the nation approaches elections in November. “The sudden concern and urge from the MICT towards the public to be responsible when it comes to the use of social media is questionable considering that the nation will head to the polls in a few months,” she said. Mentor explained that Namibia is a democracy where freedom of expression, including the use of social media, is a fundamental right. She…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The moratorium on the procurement of new vehicles for government agencies, including regional governors and councillors, will remain in effect. The late President Hage Geingob introduced the five-year moratorium in 2020 as part of austerity measures to reduce government expenditure. The moratorium specifically prohibited the acquisition of new vehicles for ministers and other senior public officials. On Thursday, Alfredo Hengari, the Presidential Press Secretary informed the Windhoek Observer that President Nangolo Mbumba has not addressed the matter yet. This is despite calls from regional councillors and governors to lift the ban, citing that a lack of vehicles has…

Niël Terblanché The N$17.5 million allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for the construction of earth dams and the restoration of existing water retention infrastructure in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions will likely only be utilised in the next financial year, 2024/2025. This was revealed by the National Council Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources in its regional visits report released earlier this week. The committee's visit to the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, and Oshikoto regions highlights the annual challenges these areas face due to flooding. Floodwaters in these regions disrupt daily life, keeping children out of school for…