Page 28 – News Stand

09 Apr

Etunda Green Scheme boosts maize output

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Niël Terblanché The Etunda Green Scheme in the Omusati region has seen a rise in maize yields this year, with production increasing from an average of 7 tonnes per hectare to as much as 11 tonnes per hectare on some fields irrigated by pivot systems. According to acting farm manager Sackey Shilyomunhu, the outstanding turnaround follows much-needed repairs and replacement of equipment that had previously hampered operations. “The transformation is evident across the 450 hectares now allocated to commercial farming and 220 hectares for small-scale farmers—more than double the area under cultivation compared to last year,” he said. “This year,…

09 Apr

‘Creative industry is not a hobby’ – Tutjavi

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Ester Mbathera Young lawmaker, Fenny Tutjavi, has called for the creative industry to be recognised as a vital sector of the economy capable of creating jobs and generating revenue. According to her, the creative industry is not a side hustle but has the potential to create jobs and make money for the country. “It is high time we stop treating the creative industry as a hobby sector. Arts, music, and media are not side hustles. They are industries,” she said. She said this during her maiden speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday. She said these industries can employ thousands,…

09 Apr

Havana, Hakahana residents decry open sewage trenches

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Residents of the Havana and Hakahana residential areas in Windhoek have raised alarm over open sewage trenches along the Hakahana-Havana Road and Peter Nanyemba (Monte Cristo) Road, calling the situation a serious public safety risk. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement said more than five vehicles have fallen into the trenches recently, with criminal activity around the sites also on the rise. AR Khomas regional chairperson Sem David said the unfinished road and sewage works have left the area unsafe for motorists, pedestrians, and children. “Children are seen playing inside the trenches. These…

09 Apr

Tiny heroes made a huge difference

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Niël Terblanché A group of young learners from Penombili Private Primary School in Walvis Bay took action for the environment by organising a beach clean-up at Independence Beach. The initiative, spearheaded by the school’s principal, Francina Hidengwa, encouraged pupils to take pride in their surroundings while learning about environmental care. “We want to set a strong example for environmental stewardship within our community,” she said. Hidengwa described the day as both purposeful and enjoyable. “The clean-up effort not only contributed to a cleaner coastline but also served as a fun and educational outdoor activity,” she added. Hidengwa said the learners…

09 Apr

Pretorius Plant Hire workers down tools over wage dispute

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Employees of Pretorius Plant Hire Trust in Windhoek have downed tools in a legal strike led by the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU), following a protracted wage dispute and what the union says is a breach of strike rules. NARETU’s commander-in-chief, Petersen Kambind, confirmed on Tuesday that the strike comes after wage talks between the workers and the company collapsed last year and were referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner. Kambinda said the company has since attempted to use replacement drivers, a move he says violates the strike agreement signed by both parties. “This…

09 Apr

Cable theft costs City of Windhoek N$200 000 over three months

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek has recorded a rise in cable theft and vandalism targeting municipal streetlights, resulting in losses estimated at N$200 000 between January and March this year. City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said on Tuesday that about 130 incidents were reported during the first quarter of 2025. According to her, the most common method used involves suspects forcing open the inspection boxes at the base of streetlight poles to remove electrical cables. “They sell the streetlight steel covers and cables to the unregulated market of scrap metal dealerships,” Amutenya said. She explained that many of the incidents…

09 Apr

Rising debt threatens growth, warns economist

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The country’s rising budget deficit and public debt levels pose long-term threats to economic growth and investor confidence. According to Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen, the country’s growing debt is increasingly limiting the government’s ability to invest in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and health. “The most immediate concern is that public debt is increasingly crowding out development spending, with interest payments now exceeding even capital allocations. This limits the state’s ability to invest in infrastructure, education, and health, all critical enablers of long-term growth,” he said. Jansen added that the persistent fiscal slippage risks weakening the…

09 Apr

Telecom warns customers of scam surge

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Niël Terblanché Telecom Namibia (TN) has warned its customers to be alert following a noticeable rise in cyber scam attempts that appear to be targeting unsuspecting users through impersonation and deceit. According to the warning issued on Monday by the company’s management, the scammers have been contacting individuals while posing as TN representatives. “In many instances, they claim to offer assistance with internet upgrades or connectivity problems, but their real intention is to gain access to customers’ personal devices or financial details,” the warning reads. TN’s management stressed that it will never request access to customers’ phones, bank accounts or…

09 Apr

Agriculture minister unveils vision for agriculture and land reform

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Niël Terblanché The minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Mac Hengari, has laid out a broad agenda for the ministry’s direction over the next five years, calling for committed teamwork and focused implementation to realise national development goals. Speaking during a meet-and-greet with officials and staff in Windhoek on Wednesday, Hengari described his appointment by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as an immense, yet exciting responsibility. He added that he was delighted to have been granted the opportunity to serve the nation through a portfolio that touches the core of rural development, food security and economic sustainability. According to Hengari,…

09 Apr

MTC launches first branding indaba

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The inaugural MTC Branding and Marketing Indaba kicked off in Windhoek yesterday, drawing more than 300 delegates and over 30 exhibitors from across the country and the region. Running from 9 to 11 April, the three-day event is the first of its kind in Namibia and aims to bring together professionals and experts in branding, marketing, communications, public relations, and advertising. The event is organised by MTC, seeks to offer a platform for learning, knowledge sharing, and professional networking. In his opening remarks, MTC’s Chief Brand, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability Officer, Tim Ekandjo, emphasised the need for a…