National News – Page 321 – Windhoek Observer

12 Mar

Namibia’s Banana Project a step closer to self-sufficiency

National NewsNamibia’s Banana Project a step closer to self-sufficiency

Niël Terblanché Namibia has initiated a pioneering banana industry development trial that will take the country closer to agricultural self-sufficiency and innovation, With the planting of 2,222 banana seedlings at Mango Vuluzi farm, located in the Singalamwe area of the Zambezi region, the endeavour, known as the Banana Project, is a significant investment in the country’s agricultural sector. This project, a collaborative effort between the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) and AvaGro, focuses on a one-hectare plot and involves the cultivation of two distinct banana varieties, the Grand Naine and Williams, through tissue culture techniques. The Banana Project is aimed at…

12 Mar

Locust swarms ravage crops in Zambezi Region

National News

Niël Terblanché Swarms of red locusts have inflicted extensive damage on crops and vegetation in the Zambezi Region, specifically within the Lake Liambezi and Old Masokotwani areas. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has sounded the alarm over the crisis, revealing that these devastating swarms have also been detected in flood zones along the Zambezi River as well as places in the Ohangwena Region. Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the Executive Director of the ministry, announced the immediate deployment of extermination teams to the affected zones. She said these teams are tasked with conducting intensive surveillance and commencing ground spraying efforts…

12 Mar

A 20-year-old man commits suicide with cousin’s gun

National NewsA 20-year-old man commits suicide with cousin’s gun

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 20-year-old man is reported to have committed suicide this past weekend by shooting himself in the head with his cousin’s gun at Wanaheda in Windhoek. According to the Namibian Police’s crime report, Salomo Neyonga Valombolas’s lifeless body was found in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to the head and a gun next to him inside the toilet. “It is reported that the deceased’s cousin who lives with him was woken up by the sound of a gunshot, and noticed that the deceased was not in his room and his firearm which he placed under…

12 Mar

Otavi Magistrate’s Court set for full refurbishment

National NewsOtavi Magistrate’s Court set for full refurbishment

Niël Terblanché Plans to renovate the Otavi Magistrate’s Court have been announced, following a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Capital Projects and Legal Affairs. The decision by the standing committee indicates a potential turning point for a broader renovation campaign of judicial infrastructure in the central northern parts of Namibia. The committee’s fact-finding mission to Otavi was part of a broader assessment of court facilities across the Otjozondjupa Region. The dilapidated state of Otavi’s court facilities prompted the immediate call for action. Tjekero Tweya, the chairperson of the committee, voiced concerns over the current conditions at the Otavi…

12 Mar

Collaborative initiative aimed at sustainable healthcare

National NewsCollaborative initiative aimed at sustainable healthcare

Niël Terblanché Healthcare providers have joined forces with the healthcare funding industry to foster a sustainable future for the healthcare sector. This strategic collaboration is a crucial move designed to revolutionise the healthcare landscape in Namibia and is spearheaded by the Namibia Association of Medical Aid Funds (Namaf), which has announced the formation of the Healthcare Provider Working Group and the Healthcare Provider Forum. According to Namaf, the new platform aims to harness a wide array of functional expertise from healthcare providers to identify and resolve potential issues proactively, thereby minimizing costly mistakes, rework, and miscommunication. Namaf’s initiative reflects a…

11 Mar

Nida slammed for ongoing power outage at its employee’s homes

National NewsNida slammed for ongoing power outage at its employee’s homes

Martin Endjala Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has been slammed for failing to address a continuing power outage at the homes of the Naute Dam’s employees. Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor Willem Labuschagne said during an interview with Windhoek Observer that although the Naute Dam factory has electricity, the workers have been without electricity for almost a month now. He said that the situation has not been resolved. He described the situation of the workers as unbearable. He also declared the state-owned entity as unfit to oversee the functions of Naute Dam amidst the continuous power outages at the living quarters…

11 Mar

Opportunity for Namibians to acquire listed instruments in international companies for N$10

National News

Martin Endjala First National Bank of Namibia has opened up investment avenues for Namibians to participate in the global investment economy by acquiring listed instruments in international companies like Amazon, Apple, Hathaway, and Microsoft for as little as N$10. The listed financial instruments are any assets that hold capital and can be traded, and this consists of shares, cheques, bonds, futures and options contracts. FNB announced this last week during the launch of an Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) programme. Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Namibia Heads of Markets Ian Erlank, highlighted the bank’s commitment to providing consumers with the necessary tools…

11 Mar

Police approved protest against high unemployment on Independence Day

National News

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force has approved a demonstration against high unemployment in the country, planned for 21 March, the day Namibia celebrates Independence Day. However, the approval comes with strict conditions concerning the Public Gatherings Proclamation Act, of 1989 (AG 23 OF 1989). This is according to a letter from the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General, Joseph Shikongo, last week. “You are hereby directed to engage your participants and inform them of the appended conditions accordingly,” said the Police Chief. Failure to adhere to the appended conditions constitutes a criminal offence in terms of Section…

11 Mar

Namibia attends SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in Angola

National NewsNamibia attends SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in Angola

Niël Terblanché In an effort to further strengthen regional cooperation and sustainable development, Namibia is participating in the pivotal South African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting held in Angola. Peya Mushelenga, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, is leading the Namibian delegation, alongside notable government officials, including Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of the ministry, and Titus Ndove, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises. This crucial gathering, chaired by Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Ambassador Téte António, in his capacity as the SADC Council of Ministers Chairperson, aims to deliberate on the…

11 Mar

All voters with voter cards older than ten years required to re-register

National NewsAll voters with voter cards older than ten years required to re-register, Elsie Nghikembua

Martin Endjala All voters with voter cards older than ten years will need to register again in order to participate in the highly anticipated 2024 National Assembly and Presidential elections slated for 27 November this year. Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua, announced this during the launch of the Electoral Calendar and Democracy Awareness campaign on last week. Nghikembua informed that voter cards expire after a period of ten years, thus urging such cardholders to register as well as all eligible voters. She said this will be the seventh Presidential and National Assembly election that will be directed,…