National News – Page 303 – Windhoek Observer

04 Mar

Debt is exasperating Aroab water crisis

Main, National News

Martin Endjala Residents of Aroab in //Karas Region are up in arms over a water shortage that has plagued them for at least three years. The villagers are blaming the Aroab Village Council for failing to address the water shortage in the area. The situation has been ongoing for the past three years, and it is said to have gotten worse, as residents often stay without water during the afternoon and sometimes for days on end. Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor, Willem Labuschagne, informed Windhoek Observer last week that due to the shortage of water, residents are forced to share. He…

04 Mar

More than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years

National NewsMore than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between 2015 and February 2024, Namibia lost a staggering 631 rhinos due to poaching, marking a concerning downturn in its conservation success. This is according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism last week during the Commemoration of World Wildlife Day 2024. Breaking down the figures year by year, statistics paint a grim picture of 97 rhinos poached in 2015 alone, with six reported to be poached in 2016 and five poached in 2017. A total of 84 were also poached in 2018, 61 in 2019, 48 in 2020, 53 in 2021, 92 in…

04 Mar

President Mbumba takes the helm of the AU Peace and Security Council

National NewsNamibia is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in March

Niël Terblanché Namibia is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in March Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, the Deputy Executive Director for Multilateral Cooperation in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation , announced that President Nangolo Mbumba will take up the continental leadership role. He added that Namibia has played an active role by contributing to the continent’s peace and security strategies in line with the goals of Agenda 2063. Under Namibia’s stewardship, the PSC is scheduled to conduct six substantive sessions throughout March, addressing critical security situations across the continent, including…

04 Mar

Nandi-Ndaitwah champions women’s leadership in mining

National NewsNandi-Ndaitwah champions women’s leadership in mining

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has rallied women in the mining sector to ascend to leadership roles while stressing the underrepresentation of women in one of the country’s cornerstone industries. While addressing participants at the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) Women’s Conference, Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated the pivotal role women can play in maximizing the benefits derived from Namibia’s rich natural resources. According to the Vice President, mining employs a mere 17 percent of women. She referred to statistics from a 2015 study from the University of Namibia (UNAM). “It is imperative for women to not only participate in this…

04 Mar

Namra seizes N$1.9 Million worth of mandrax at Ariamsvlei Border Post

National NewsNamra seizes N$1.9 Million worthof mandrax at Ariamsvlei Border Post

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Customs Officials at the Ariamsvlei Border Post in the //Kharas Region intercepted a consignment of suspected mandrax tablets earlier last week, with an estimated value of N$1.9 million. Namra’s Manager of Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagements Tonateni Shidhudhu, said the arrested suspect is a Namibian truck driver known to frequent the same border. “A Namibian truck driver who frequents the same border was apprehended while returning from South Africa. The suspected drugs were discovered following a thorough scanning by the officials,” said Shidhudhu. Furthermore, he said after the suspect’s arrest, a secondary search of…

04 Mar

New parties and alliances will create a wider field during elections

National NewsNew parties and alliances will create a wider field during elections

Niël Terblanché The upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections are shaping up to be the most fiercely contested in Namibia’s history. With the introduction of new political entities and the resurgence of smaller parties since the last general elections in 2019, the political landscape is brimming with anticipation and strategic alliances. The ruling Swapo Party, its chief adversary, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), and the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) will each be fielding a presidential candidate, maintaining the tradition of direct competition among the major players. However, a notable shift is occurring among the smaller parties, which are opting…

04 Mar

Independence Day to be celebrated in Zambezi for the first time ever

National NewsIndependence Day to be celebratedin Zambezi for the first time ever

Stefanus Nashama For the first time in the history of Namibia, Katima Muliloin the Zambezi Region will host this year’s Independence Day celebrations. Independence Day is celebrated every year on 21 March in Namibia, and this year, the nation is expected to gather in Katima Mulilo to celebrate one of the most important days in the country. Aundrin Mathe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology announced on Friday. At this event, Namibia will be celebrating its 34th year of freedom and independence. “This year marks the first time that the Zambezi Region will host this…

04 Mar

Cabinet gives green light to National Trade Policy

National News

Martin Endjala The Cabinet has approved the Draft National Trade Policy, which aims to contribute towards Namibia’s economic diversification by promoting and stimulating a competitive trade sector to increase the export of goods and services. The decision has been described as a step in the right direction. According to the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade Chief Information Officer Elijah Mukubonda, the National Trade Policy commits to the improvement of an enabling business environment for domestic trade and investment, particularly the promotion of local and regional development as a centre of trade and investment. Thereby creating opportunities for equal participation through…

01 Mar

NAU calls for vigilance amidst rise in rabies cases among kudus

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) has reported an increase in rabies cases among kudus, a situation exacerbated by the prevailing drought conditions in the region With regard to the concerning development, the NAU has extended its gratitude towards its members for their prompt reporting of these cases to the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) while reiterating the importance of vigilance in spotting diseased animals. According to the NAU, rabies poses a significant risk not only to wildlife but also to domestic animals and humans. The organisation reminded the public that rabies is a notifiable disease as per legislation.…

01 Mar

Looming water shortage in central Namibia prompts urgent actions

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Cabinet announced a series of urgent measures to secure water supply for the Central Areas of Namibia (CAN) before July 2025 in a desperate move to address the impending crisis The announcement by the Minister of Information Communication and Technology, Emma Theofelus, follows a high-level Cabinet Decision-making meeting held in February, where the dire forecast of water availability in the region was a primary focus. The Central Areas of Namibia, encompassing Windhoek and its surrounding regions, are facing severe water shortages due to a combination of climatic factors and infrastructural inefficiencies. The Minister in a statement…