National News – Page 279

19 Jan

Namibian trade records a deficit of N$4 billion

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian trade records a deficit of N$4 billion

Stefanus Nashama In November 2023, Namibia’s trade balance revealed a deficit of N$4 billion, as reported by Alex Shimuafeni, the Statistician-General at the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), in the Namibia Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin for November 2023. Shimuafeni noted that the N$4 billion deficit, while showing improvement compared to the N$4.5 billion deficit recorded in October 2023, also represented a worsening when compared to the N$2.8 billion deficit from November 2022. China emerged as Namibia’s largest market for exports, while South Africa retained its position as the country’s primary supplier. Shimuafeni elaborated on the composition of Namibia’s export basket for…

19 Jan

RDP calls for fair elections in November

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMike Kavekotora, RDP calls for fair elections in November

Martin Endjala The President of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Mike Kavekotora, has called for fair elections in November 2024, emphasizing that the party is fully prepared to challenge the ruling Swapo Party. “We at the RDP are more prepared than ever for the 2024 elections. We wish our competitors the best of luck for 2024 and urge the ruling party to ensure a level playing field in November. Our SWOT analysis identified three critical challenges: lack of funds, the emergence of new parties, and election irregularities. We have addressed these challenges, and as a result, we will…

19 Jan

PDM urges MAWLR to modernize maize production

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPDM urges MAWLR to modernize maize production

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In an appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), the Popular Democratic Movement leader, McHenry Venaani has stressed the need for Namibia to modernize its maize production to enhance food security in the country. The call comes in the wake of disconcerting statistics revealing the import of approximately 82,000 tonnes of maize in 2023, despite the country’s abundant agricultural potential. Venaani said Namibia, stands at the threshold of an agricultural revolution that could transform its prairies into fields of abundance. However, reports projecting a mere 42 percent coverage of Namibia’s white maize grain demand…

19 Jan

Swift response restores services at flooded Tondoro Health Centre

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSwift response restores services at flooded Tondoro Health Centre

Niël Terblanché The Tondoro Health Centre in the Kavango West Region faced a daunting challenge as it was inundated by floodwaters following a heavy thunderstorm on Wednesday. Despite the adversity, prompt action and cooperation from local authorities and the Roads Authority of Namibia (RA) ensured the delivery of all health services remained uninterrupted. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, provided insights into the incident, revealing that multiple rooms within the health centre were affected. These included the waiting area, reception area, pharmacy, storage area, and even the delivery room, all of which became…

19 Jan

Generous donation empowers education at JP Brand Primary School

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGenerous donation empowers education at JP Brand Primary School

Niël Terblanché In a significant stride towards bolstering education in the Topnaar community, Deep Yellow Limited, in partnership with its subsidiary, Reptile Mineral Resources and Exploration (Pty) Ltd (RMR), has made a generous donation to JP Brand Primary School within the Walvis Bay Circuit of the Directorate of Education, Arts, and Culture. This benevolent contribution addresses a pressing need identified by the Office of the Traditional Authority of the Topnaars at Utuseb. The urgency for school uniforms for 54 students currently enrolled at JP Brand Primary School was conveyed to the Office of the Traditional Authority, which subsequently sought assistance.…

18 Jan

N$20,000 reward offered for the capture of fugitive Rebebe

info_e12wt4csNational News000 reward offered for the capture of fugitive Rebebe, N$20

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police have announced that Bank Windhoek is offering a reward of N$20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Nico Hijendepi Rebebe, the man who attempted to steal N$200 million from the bank’s Opuwo branch over the past weekend. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, revealed that in the meantime, two of Rebebe’s accomplices, a 34-year-old man named Untag Kamati, and a 19-year-old girl named Fenni Megameno Ankoshi, have been arrested and charged with fraud and theft. “The two accomplices appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft…

18 Jan

Nghaamwa demands full payment for the alleged breach of a cattle sale agreement

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNghaamwa demands full payment for the alleged breach of a cattle sale agreement

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former governor of the Ohangwena Region, Usko Nghaamwa, is pursuing a payment of N$143,000 from David Shivute Henghali, following an alleged breach of an oral sale agreement involving 13 heads of cattle. According to court documents filed at the Windhoek High Court, Nghaamwa claims that in September 2020, in Rundu, he agreed with Henghali to sell the cattle for a total sum of N$143,000. The agreement, as detailed in the particulars of the claim, specified that Henghali would pay the purchase price once the cattle were made available for collection. “The cattle were provided by the Plaintiff in…

18 Jan

Namcor and GALP collaborate to build capacity in Namibian petroleum industry

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamcor and GALP collaborate to buildcapacity in Namibian petroleum industry

Niël Terblanché The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) has embarked on a two-year capacity-building partnership with Portuguese oil giant, GALP Energia, with a vision to enhance the skills and competencies of future employees in both the downstream and upstream sectors of the petroleum industry. This groundbreaking agreement will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise between the two entities, paving the way for significant advancements in Namibia’s burgeoning petroleum sector. Under the umbrella of the agreement, Namcor and GALP officials will collaboratively identify key areas of focus. For the upstream sector, their attention will be drawn to cutting-edge…

18 Jan

Koës village borehole water level is precariously low

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKoës village borehole water level is precariously low

Martin Endjala Concerns are growing as water levels in the Koës village borehole have dwindled to just 20 feet, primarily due to the prolonged absence of rainfall in the Southeastern region of the //Karas Region. Willem Labuschagne, Councilor of the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency, voiced these concerns amid predictions of rainfall across most parts of Namibia by the Namibia Meteorology Service’s Chief Forecaster Operations, Odillo Kgobetsi. “I hope and believe it will rain soon, as the rainy season is upon us. I trust in God. In the eastern part of Koës, we have received some rain, and we now have green…

18 Jan

Mechanic accused of using GRN vehicle for personal use

info_e12wt4csNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Health and Social Services is currently investigating allegations against a mechanic employed at Rundu Intermediate Hospital who is accused of using a government vehicle to purchase spare parts that were subsequently used to service and repair his private car. Walter Kamaya, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, confirmed these allegations yesterday. Kamaya stated that the Ministry became aware of this issue through an anonymous letter and has since established a team to conduct a thorough investigation. “The Ministry has assembled a team to investigate the case,” he said, adding that the…