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Rundu water supply issues rectified soon

Rundu water supply issues rectified soon

Niël Terblanché Construction work on a new water treatment plant for Rundu began with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Monday. The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, officiated at the ceremony. He stressed the importance of the project for Rundu, Namibia’s second-largest local authority with a population of approximately 118,000. “As one of the fastest-growing towns in Namibia, Rundu has faced increasing strain on its water supply, a challenge this new project aims to address comprehensively,” the minister said. Three weeks ago frustrated residents of Ndama's Sun City and Long to Long settlements threatened a community uprising…
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ECN will only register “males and females” for voter cards

ECN will only register “males and females” for voter cards

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says it will only register those people who are classified as male or female on their identification documentation. This comes amid concerns from activists and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and other (LGBTQI+) communities about the lack of inclusivity for non-binary and transgender individuals. The activists argued that the binary gender options in the voter registration process are not inclusive. In response to queries, ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka made reference to the Civil Registration and Identification Bill. “Please go through the Bill. If you see other genders apart from…
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GOOD NEWS:

The Ministry of Mines and Energy of Namibia has announced a decrease in fuel prices.The price of Unleaded Petrol 95 will drop by 80 cents per litre, 50ppm Diesel by 60 cents per litre, and 10ppm Diesel by 70 cents per litre.According to the announcement, the lower prices will be effective from 3 July.In addition to the downward price adjustments for consumers, the ministry also increased the industry margin by 23 cents to 189 cents per litre and the dealer's margin for service station operators by 9 cents per litre to 192 cents per litre. Report: Niël Terblanché
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Nana’s homemade chilli sauce spices up her community

Nana’s homemade chilli sauce spices up her community

Ester Mbathera Martha Daniels, known as Nana, grew up in the Soweto residential area of Windhoek and has a passion for cooking. She is a single mother of four children who also owns Nana's Homemade Chilli Sauce. "My love for cooking began at a young age," Nana recalls. Over time, she started blending her own chilli sauces and incorporating them into her dishes. Despite not being a chilli eater herself, she enjoyed the aroma and flavour of her creations. For years, her close friends and family encouraged her to sell her chilli sauce, but she didn’t feel ready. “In 2020,…
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Dienda concerned over lack of formal qualifications requirement in Property Practitioner’s Bill

Dienda concerned over lack of formal qualifications requirement in Property Practitioner’s Bill

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Elma Dienda has raised various concerns in the recently introduced Property Practitioner's Bill. The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu proposed the bill to the National Assembly for further debate two weeks ago. The Bill Contains the Fidelity Fund Certificate, which aims to protect consumers against the theft of money entrusted to a property practitioner, among other proposed changes in the real estate industry. “This part of the bill also deals with the consequences of a property practitioner not having a Fidelity Fund Certificate. The bill also places an obligation on…
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ECN declines laminated IDs for voter registration

ECN declines laminated IDs for voter registration

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has reaffirmed that only original identification documents are acceptable for voter registration. This announcement follows an incident earlier this month where an individual attempted to register using a laminated copy of an identity document belonging to a Wagner Siegfried at the Lions Old Age Home registration point in Swakopmund. A video circulating on social media shows an official stating that fake identification documents were used at the time. “We have experienced a fake identity document. I have told my team to remove the laminated identity documents from the lamination. And soon after…
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NEFF threaten to drag ECN to court

NEFF threaten to drag ECN to court

Martin Endjala Kadhila Amoomo, the lawyer for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), has announced that the party will challenge the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in court. This decision comes in response to the ECN's recent statement affirming its decision to deregister the NEFF. Last week, the ECN deregistered the NEFF for failing to submit its financial statements by the 10 May deadline, as required by Section 158. The ECN also cancelled the party's registration certificate. “We will now meet in court," said Amoomo. Last week, Amoomo demanded clarification from the ECN on its decision to deregister its client.…
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PDM concerned about increased electricity tariffs

PDM concerned about increased electricity tariffs

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has urged the government to waive income taxes for electricity companies to lower electricity costs for consumers. This plea follows the Electoral Control Board's recent tariff increase from N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour, with further hikes anticipated. Hidipo Hamata, the party's secretary for information and publicity, expressed concerns about the tariff increases in a statement on Sunday, calling them "deeply troubling." “Namibian households are already grappling with economic hardship, exacerbated by inflation and a sluggish economy. Electricity is a fundamental necessity. The additional costs will be catastrophic for households already on the brink…
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Karibib proposed truck port not a hub for sex workers

Karibib proposed truck port not a hub for sex workers

Martin Endjala Karibib is planning to establish a new truck port to alleviate road congestion caused by trucks parked along roads and at service stations. The mayor of Karirbib, Davey van Wyk, clarified that the proposed truck port aims solely to address logistical challenges and will not contribute to an increase in prostitution within the town. "Yes, sex workers are a concern, and truck drivers are unfortunately known to pick them up. But this is not going to affect the truck port, as we will set up a system where trucks will be locked in a yard, giving access only…
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Ohangwena and Oshikoto water supply issues addressed

Ohangwena and Oshikoto water supply issues addressed

Niél Terblanché Namibia is set to overcome its challenges and build a brighter, more prosperous future for all its citizens by providing access to safe, clean water. Calle Schlettwein, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the N$250 million Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Scheme in Oshandi. He said the project aims to enhance water accessibility across the region, providing a vital resource to communities and supporting economic growth. The project includes the construction of 203 kilometres of pipelines, the installation of four boreholes, and the development of three concrete reservoirs in Omakango, Ondobe,…
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