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Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has rejected recent claims circulating on social media that the recently introduced Visa on Arrival (VoA) system is causing delays and damaging Namibia’s reputation as a tourist destination. Etienne Maritz, the executive director of the home affairs ministry, responded to an article published by Spotlighting Namibia under the headline “Visa on Arrival: Travel Industry Fears Damage to Namibia's Image. He described the assertions in the article as misleading, irresponsible, and alarmist. Maritz maintained that the piece contains “factually incorrect” information and appears to be “a deliberate attempt to distort…

Justicia Shipena  The Ministry of Agriculture, through its Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), has announced a partial resumption of the importation and in-transit movement of live poultry, poultry meat, and poultry products from Brazil.  This move follows a review of a comprehensive report from Brazil’s veterinary authority on the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) transmission. Last Friday, Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry updated the list of countries that have imposed restrictions on chicken trade with Brazil after confirming its first case of bird flu on a commercial farm.  The countries include China, the European Union, Mexico, Iraq, Chile, the Philippines,…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund residents were met with an unpleasant surprise on Tuesday when a damaged municipal sewer pipe at the MTC Dome grounds led to raw effluent flowing all the way down to Strand Street. The flood of sewage occurred just days after the road had been repaired following damage caused by flooding after recent heavy rains. The Swakopmund municipality confirmed that the sewer line was damaged during the installation of a tent at the Dome. “A contractor inadvertently damaged one of the municipal sewage pipes. Our maintenance teams are actively attending to the issue and will carry out the…

Justicia Shipena The introduction of a sugar tax in Namibia is back on the table.  This follows earlier government statements ruling it out. In July last year, the then Finance and Public Enterprises Minister Iipumbu Shiimi said the government had no plans to introduce a sugar tax, even though it could bring in additional revenue.  He said a feasibility study was needed to assess its impact on sugary beverage retailers. At the same time, the then director general of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze, also said the government was not planning to introduce a sugar tax. Despite those statements,…

Justicia Shipena United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for African nations to fully benefit from their natural resources, especially those key to the renewable energy transition.  He also renewed his call for reparatory justice for historic injustices. “We must support Africa’s efforts to expand its clean-energy sector, and ensure that the minerals that are critical to the renewables revolution benefit Africans first and most,” Guterres said in a statement marking Africa Day on Sunday. He said Africa is becoming a global leader in renewable energy and technology, driven by its young and dynamic population.  Guterres also highlighted the role…

Allexer Namundjebo A report adopted by the National Council has revealed growing nicotine addiction among children of schoolgoing age, with some as young as ten saying their bodies “don’t function well” without smoking. Hans Nambodi, Chairperson of the National Council Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labour Affairs, presented the report last week. It outlines the rising use of vapes and hookah pipes and their side effects. During consultations in the Khomas, Hardap, and Erongo regions, learners admitted to hallucinating and acting abnormally when they don’t smoke.  Others said they use these substances to deal with stress and anxiety.…

Allexer Namundjebo The Landless People’s Movement has demanded the urgent finalisation and publication of the reviewed informal trading bylaws with the clear engagement of vendor associations, trade unions, and social movements.  The party made the call in a statement issued by its acting deputy spokesperson, William Minnie, following an incident between Windhoek City Police and street vendors last week along Werner List Street. “We call for the immediate suspension and disciplinary action against the officers involved in the act. We further demand a transparent and time-bound investigation into ongoing police misconduct against vendors,” Minnie said.  He described the police’s actions…