National News

Swakopmund quells public concern over hazardous material storage

Swakopmund quells public concern over hazardous material storage

Niël Terblanché The Chief Executive Officer of the Swakopmund Municipality, Alfeus Benjamin, announced that it is yet to approve a controversial rezoning request by Namaquanum Investments CC. The company aims to utilize Erf 3954 along Einstein Street in the coastal town's Industrial Area for the storage of radioactive materials. The proposal has sparked a wave of discontent among the residents of Swakopmund. This development came to light following a February advertisement by the property owners, which indicated their intention to store harmful materials on the premises, leaving the Swakopmund community unsettled. Erf 3954, located in Swakopmund Extension 10 (Industrial Area),…
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Focus FM collaborates with Yango for local artist support

Focus FM collaborates with Yango for local artist support

Martin Endjala This week, Focus FM, a leading Namibian radio station, has entered into a strategic partnership with Hannes and Eve Rides, a Yango partner, to bolster support for "The Vault," a Namibian music countdown show hosted by local artist Don Kamati. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for Hannes and Eve Rides as they celebrate one year of association with the global ride-hailing service, Yango, in Namibia. The partnership aims to enhance Hannes and Eve Rides' visibility in the Namibian market by supporting "The Vault" on Focus FM 89.0. At the partnership announcement event in Windhoek, Evelina Shangheta, an…
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Unlocking clean energy via Fothermo PV

Unlocking clean energy via Fothermo PV

Martin Endjala In an ongoing quest for sustainable energy solutions, Fothermo Photovoltaic (PV) water boilers (also referred to as PV boilers) have emerged as a beacon of innovation and environmental responsibility. This is the opinion of a Mechanical Engineer and a Renewable Energy Consultant at FurnTech Agency, a consumer electronics distribution company based in Windhoek that specialises in photovoltaic systems in Windhoek, Lilongeni Unoovene. He said the PV boilers offer a myriad of benefits that not only address the pressing need for clean energy but also revolutionise the way people think about residential PV solar water heating solutions. From reducing…
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AU empowers women in peace and security across Africa

AU empowers women in peace and security across Africa

Niël Terblanché As the current Chair of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) for March 2024, Namibia is set to host a crucial High-Level Ministerial Seminar on Women in Peace and Security (WPS) in Swakopmund. This seminar is a significant step in advancing the role of women in peace processes across the continent, aiming to evaluate and enhance their participation and leadership. Scheduled to be attended by the Foreign Ministers of all fifteen member states of the Peace and Security Council, along with distinguished guests including the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the Special…
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Man dies after elephant attack

Man dies after elephant attack

Niël Terblanché An Angolan man met his untimely death after an elephant attack in northern Namibia, a stark reminder of the ever-present danger of human-wildlife conflicts in the region. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday night at Otjorute Village, inside the Uukolonkadhi Conservancy in the Ruacana area. Muyunda said that the victim was part of a group of villagers attempting to drive the elephant away from their field when the tragedy struck. He said that in response to the incident, the Ministry has initiated efforts to locate…
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Building plans valued at N$190 million approved for February

Building plans valued at N$190 million approved for February

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek has approved 192 building plans for February 2024 This marks a significant increase from 76 building plans approved in January 2024. The plans approved in February translate into a total value of N$190.7 million which is substantially more than the N$53.8 million recorded in January. It also translates to a monthly growth rate of 152.6 percent and an 8.5 percent increase compared to February 2023. According to Simonis Storm Securities Economist, Halleluya Ndimulunde, the CoW, in February, recorded the receipt of 186 building plans, representing an uptick from the 122 plans submitted in January.…
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Hundreds of Oshakati families benefit from land allocation initiative

Hundreds of Oshakati families benefit from land allocation initiative

Niël Terblanché The Oshakati Town Council took another giant stride towards addressing housing by availing more residential land to people in dire need. This initiative has culminated in the handover of 291 serviced plots to ultra-low-income earners at the Onawa proper residential area, marking a significant milestone in the community's journey towards accessible homeownership and enhanced social stability. The recent allocation event also saw 31 beneficiaries, who had fulfilled their financial obligations to the local authority, receive plots ranging in size from 300 to 400 square meters, each priced at a modest N$14,730. According to the local authority, by recognizing…
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Namibian Navy enhances security in Zambezi Region

Namibian Navy enhances security in Zambezi Region

Niël Terblanché In order to bolster security along Namibia’s perennial waterways, the deployment of the Namibian Navy on the Zambezi, Chobe, and Kavango rivers has markedly diminished security challenges that have long plagued the region. The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, said that the deployment of sailors in troubled areas is clear evidence of the Navy's successful efforts in curtailing illegal border crossings, unregulated fishing, poaching, and drug smuggling. The transformative impact of this deployment was underscored during the ceremonial renaming of the Naval Base Impalila to Naval Base Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa, in honour of…
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Vandalism behind Okahandja extended power outage

Vandalism behind Okahandja extended power outage

Niël Terblanché NamPower has successfully restored electricity to Okahandja and its surrounding areas after a disruptive outage that began on the morning of Tuesday. The power cut, which plunged the town and surrounding areas into darkness for almost two days, was traced back to vandalism at the Okahandja Substation which is a critical juncture in the area's electricity supply network. Collin Klein, NamPower’s Area Manager for the Central Region, revealed that the outage was the result of intentional damage to a transformer component, inflicted by vandals at the CENORED Okahandja Intake Station. He said a cable on one of the…
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Namibian airports achieve success in ICAO safety audit

Namibian airports achieve success in ICAO safety audit

Niël Terblanché Namibia's aviation sector achieved a significant milestone when the Namibia Airports Company along with key stakeholders, successfully passed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety audit. The certification is the result of the implementation of improved regulatory compliance and safety measures. The audit, which scrutinized the performance of the Hosea Kutako International Airport and the Walvis Bay International Airport, highlighted the country's dedication to elevating its aviation standards. The results of the audit were announced by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) Executive Director, Toska Sem who pointed to the significant strides made since the last evaluation in…
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