National News – Page 337 – Windhoek Observer

13 Mar

Ministry of Health unveils new strategies to fight HIV and AIDS

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) held a crucial dissemination workshop in Otjiwarongo, engaging stakeholders from all 14 regions of Namibia to improve efforts to combat HIV and AIDS.This workshop shed light on several key documents compiled to improve healthcare officials’ understanding of the National Strategic Framework (NSF) for HIV and AIDS, the Gender Assessment of the National HIV and TB Response Report, and the Social Contracting Policy for Health Services.While at the forefront of the battle against HIV and AIDS, the MoHSS launched these critical documents in 2023 to guide response efforts over the next…

13 Mar

Namibia still needs to do a lot before promulgating Chemical Weapons Act – Trade Minister

National NewsNamibia still needs to do a lot before promulgating Chemical Weapons Act – Trade Minister

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, said even though Namibia has made progress towards the completion of the Chemical Weapons Act, a lot needs to be done to ensure that the country promulgates the law. Iipumbu was speaking during the Integrated Advanced Course and Exercise on Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons for Anglophone States Parties, which is underway in Windhoek. The minister stated that there has been an increase in chemicals by transportation and storage, increasing the potential of accidents on the roads and industrial sites. The accessibility of these chemicals by any potential individuals…

13 Mar

Swapo School lecturer Mubita sues Shipwikineni for defamation

National NewsSwapo School lecturer Mubita sues Shipwikineni for defamation

Niël Terblanché Dr Charles Mubita, a revered academic, politician, and former freedom fighter of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), has taken legal action against Reinhold “Iita Nayitsikile” Shipwikineni, seeking damages of N$370,000. The lawsuit, filed at the Namibian High Court in Windhoek, stems from a series of allegations made by Shipwikineni through a widely circulated WhatsApp audio clip, which Mubita claims to be entirely false and defamatory. Mubita, known for his significant contributions to the struggle for Namibia’s independence and his continued involvement in the SWAPO Party’s leadership, alleges in his combined summons that Shipwikineni’s statements have severely…

12 Mar

Desalination plants to help combat drought and water scarcity

National NewsDesalination plants to help combat drought and water scarcity

Niël Terblanché In a pioneering effort to tackle the severe drought conditions afflicting the Kunene Region, regional authorities have announced the formation of a task team dedicated to exploring the viability of desalination plants. This initiative, aimed at purifying the region’s salty or brackish groundwater, promises renewed hope for the communities and livestock struggling with water scarcity. The initiative was unveiled by the Kunene Regional Governor, Marius Sheya, following a comprehensive one-day fact-finding mission around Khorixas, which laid bare the critical water shortage plaguing the area. Despite existing efforts by the government to mitigate the crisis—such as drilling new boreholes…

12 Mar

Churches can assist to combat the effects of climate change

National News

Niël Terblanché In an urgent call to action against the escalating threat of climate change, churches and faith-based organizations across Namibia have been urged to leverage their influential platforms for environmental stewardship. The call was made at a workshop organized by the Roman Catholic Church’s Archdiocese in Windhoek. The event, held in Karibib in the Erongo Region, was aimed at rousing the church’s involvement in combating climate change at the grassroots level. Environmental scientist Dr Innocent Haingura, speaking at the Pastoral Parish Council Workshop, stressed the crucial position churches hold in society. “Churches have a unique platform to make a…

12 Mar

RND lauded for its role in business growth and entrepreneurship development

National NewsRND lauded for its role in business growth and entrepreneurship development

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Industrialization and Trade has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering the development and expansion of local businesses and entrepreneurship in Namibia. This pledge was emphasized by Minister Lucia Iipumbu during the recent inauguration of the new premises of Regto Ndemufayo David Holdings (RND) in Windhoek. Iipumbu pointed to RND’s noteworthy journey of growth and lauded the company’s substantial contributions to job creation and skills development in the country. “RND Holdings exemplifies the dynamic spirit of Namibian entrepreneurship, having emerged as a leading entity through its commitment to innovation and excellence,” Iipumbu said. She commended the company…

12 Mar

MTC 4Life project boosted by injection of N$1.5 million

National NewsMTC 4Life project boosted by injection of N$1.5 million

Martin Endjala True to its nature to serve and continue to improve the lives of ordinary Namibians, Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC), has allocated a total of N$1.5 million for the second undertaking of the MTC 4Life project. The project is part of MTC’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative which aims to empower aspiring and existing young entrepreneurs across various trades in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. Launched in 2022, the socio-economic development project will provide training and upskilling programs to 40 young Namibians between the ages of 18 and 35 to gain practical and entrepreneurial skills in eight…

12 Mar

Businessman and political activist Amunyela denies resigning from Swapo

National NewsBusinessman and political activist Amunyela denies resigning from Swapo

Stefanus Nashama Northern businessman and a well-known Swapo Party activist, Sigo Amunyela, has refuted claims that he has resigned from the ruling party to join the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). According to Amunyela, his Facebook account has been hacked by an anonymous person after losing his cell phone last year. “The account is fake, I have never and will not resign from Swapo to join the IPC or any other political parties. Even if I do, that is not the way I will do it,” said Amunyela. This follows after posts on his Facebook and his other social media…

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…