National News – Page 369

06 Oct

Namibia launches Etotha Carnival in a bid to revive tourism

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is gearing up to host its very first Etotha Carnival, an initiative that emerged as a response to rejuvenate the nation’s tourism sector, which suffered a significant setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, unveiled the ambitious plan. He remarked that a collaborative effort involving the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Namibia Tourism Board, and other pivotal stakeholders is already underway to ensure that the carnival, slated for July 2024 will be an overwhelming success. Drawing inspiration from the challenges posed by the pandemic, the event’s primary objective is…

06 Oct

MAWLR warns against illegal land deals

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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) issued an urgent notice, alerting Namibians against partaking in unauthorized land sales, particularly on designated resettlement farms. The appeal comes after a series of reported illicit land allocations, sales, and occupations on specific farms in the Oshikoto Region. Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the Executive Director of the ministry said they have identified the farms involved in these illicit dealings as Chudib-Nuut No. 1137, Urwald Farm No. 1150, and Tsintsabis No. 881. She indicated that all the farms are located approximately 62 kilometres north of Tsumeb along the Tsumeb-Katwiti road and have…

06 Oct

Trust fund misses 100 percent sanitation goal

info_e12wt4csNational NewsTrust fund misses 100 percent sanitation goal

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Trust Fund for Regional Development and Equity Provision has not met its ambitious 100 percent target for delivering basic sanitation and municipal services in the towns of Helao Nafidi and Divindu. This was highlighted in Auditor General Junias Kandjeke’s report for the financial years ending March 31, 2021, and 2022, which was presented to Parliament last month. Overseen by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, the Trust Fund offers financial support to local authority councils to implement development initiatives. Kandjeke noted that the shortfall emerged from a procurement procedure that began but was subsequently cancelled. “The…

05 Oct

Inmates sue government over denial of prescription diet

info_e12wt4csNational NewsInmates sue government over denial of prescription diet

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Two inmates from the Hardap Correctional Facility have initiated a lawsuit against the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safety and Security, in which they demand N$1.6 million in damages due to alleged negligence and the cessation of their prescribed diets. Joseph Shikongo and Wilem Valombola, both serving their sentences at the facility, are each seeking N$800,000 for the suffering they underwent on 19 November and 17 December 2020. The duo contend they are on lifelong, chronic prescribed medication. This medication must be taken daily alongside their prescribed diets to ensure their health and preserve their lives. As per their…

05 Oct

Venaani challenges Presidency’s statement about genocide

info_e12wt4csNational NewsVenaani challenges Presidency’s statement about genocide

Stefanus Nashama McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, has called into question the statement released by the Presidency this week. The statement attempted to clarify President Hage Geingob’s controversial remarks on the genocide, made during a lecture in France last month. In his lecture, Geingob drew comparisons between the 1904-1908 genocide and apartheid, controversially claiming that apartheid was more severe than the genocide. He also argued that many who never previously cared about the genocide issue are now positioning themselves at the forefront of the debate. Venaani, responding yesterday, noted that Geingob’s remarks have ignited considerable debate. He…

05 Oct

Karasburg councillors set to appear in court again

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKarasburg councillors set to appear in court again

Martin Enjdala Members of the Karasburg Town Council, who were arrested on Monday, are scheduled for their second court appearance on Friday. During this session, they plan to file a formal bail application. Their initial appearance was at the Karasburg Magistrate Court on Tuesday, where Magistrate Samingo Kasaone ordered their continued detention. The LPM’s Spokesperson, Lifalaza Simaata, confirmed this decision yesterday. The councillors were taken into custody by members of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged violations of the Local Authority Act. On Tuesday, the ACC confirmed the arrests of Karasburg Town Council Mayor Maria Veldskoen, Chairperson of the Management…

05 Oct

PDM raises concerns over editor’s suspension

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPDM raises concerns over editor’s suspension

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Maximalliant Katjimune, a Member of Parliament from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has voiced concerns over the recent suspension of Jonathan Beukes, the Managing Editor of New Era Newspaper. The suspension, which took place last Friday, has sparked debates about potential government encroachment on press freedom, particularly with Namibia on the cusp of an important election year. Christof Maletsky, the Chief Executive Officer of New Era Newspaper, acknowledged the suspension. However, he mentioned that the situation is internal and refrained from sharing further details. Nevertheless, during parliamentary sessions yesterday, Katjimune aimed to probe the Minister of Information and…

05 Oct

Walvis Bay enters new era with first green hydrogen plant in Africa

info_e12wt4csEnergy, National NewsWalvis Bay enters new era with first green hydrogen plant in Africa

Niël Terblanché The discovery of oil as well as the much-anticipated production of green hydrogen will necessitate an overhaul of the existing energy export and import infrastructure at Namibia’s ports. This became increasingly more evident when Walvis Bay became the site of Africa’s first green hydrogen production plant. The new plant entered its construction phase during a recent groundbreaking ceremony at Walvis Bay and represents a monumental stride towards sustainable development and green industrialization in Namibia. The ambitious Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project, with an investment of approximately N$3.5 billion, is a collaboration between the country’s largest private conglomerate, Ohlthaver &…

05 Oct

LPM refutes tribalist allegations

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLPM refutes tribalist allegations

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has rebuffed emerging public perceptions suggesting that the party exclusively welcomes Nama and Damara individuals. Lifalaza Simataa, the party’s National Spokesperson, vehemently refuted such allegations. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Simataa clarified that these notions are baseless and utterly inaccurate. “Our party does not discriminate against individuals based on their tribal affiliations. We identify as Namibians foremost, transcending tribal distinctions, and this sentiment should be universally acknowledged,” Simataa stated. He said that the LPM, despite only being a nascent party with only four parliamentary seats, is proud to have an Afrikaner within its…

04 Oct

Shimbulu welcomes amendments to Electoral Act

info_e12wt4csNational NewsShimbulu welcomes amendments to Electoral Act

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Former Oshakati mayor, Katrina Shimbulu, has lauded the recommendations by the Law Reform and Development Commission to modify the Electoral Act of 2014. This Act led to her resignation in 2019, and she currently remains unemployed. The Law Reform and Development Commission recently presented a report to the Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, who in turn submitted it to Parliament for evaluation. , Acting Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, proposed amendments to the Electoral Act of 2014 (Act no 5). These amendments suggest that candidates nominated for Parliament be given leave instead of forcing their resignation. The Commission…