Page 448 – News Stand

13 Mar

President Hage Geingob’s legacy honoured in Botswana

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba of Namibia has journeyed to Botswana to attend a solemn and dignified memorial service for the late President Hage Geingob. Scheduled for the morning of 13 March 2024, this service aims to celebrate the life and contributions of a man regarded as a true son of Africa and a dear friend to Botswana. Botswana’s Ministry for the State President has announced that the service will honour the memory of President Geingob. The profound impact he had on both his country and the African continent at large will be honoured. The memorial service, set to take…

13 Mar

Judge Chinhengo refuses to recuse himself from the Fishrot case

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJudge Chinhengo refuses to recuse himself from the Fishrot case

Hertta-maria Amutenja High Court Judge, Moses Chinhengo has ruled against the recusal application filed by Nigel van Wyk, an accused in the Fishrot case involving allegations of fishing quotas fraud, corruption, and racketeering. Van Wyk, who was released on bail last year, sought the recusal of Judge Chinhengo, alleging bias in the proceedings by the judge. The judge’s insistence on proceeding with plea proceedings, despite objections and concerns from the accused and their legal representatives, added complexity to the case. However, Chinhengo ruled against the application, stating that the applicant failed to present a compelling case for recusal, emphasising a…

13 Mar

Alweendo denies corruption in awarding exploration license

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlweendo denies corruption in awarding exploration license

Martin Endjala Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo has denied corruptly awarding petroleum exploration licenses as it has been alleged over the past weeks. Alweendo was responding to questions posed to him by the Landless People’s Movement Deputy leader Henny Seibeb. Alweendo last week came under fire for allegedly corruptly awarding an oil exploration license to a company owned by someone who is reportedly his friend. The minister explained that the company in question, Titan Oil and Gas is a Namibian, and has a minority participating interest in two petroleum exploration licenses, namely PEL98 and PEL 106. In addition,…

13 Mar

Ministry of Health unveils new strategies to fight HIV and AIDS

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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…

13 Mar

Swapo violated its constitution by pushing extraordinary congress to next year: Nahas Angula

info_e12wt4csMainSwapo violated its constitution by pushing extraordinary congress to next year: Nahas Angula

Stefanus Nashama -Helmut says the decision was strange-Analyst says the decision was taken on majority rules Former Prime Minister and Swapo Party Stalwart, Nahas Angula said the ruling party has violated its constitution by avoiding organising an extraordinary congress within three months as stipulated in the constitution. Angula was reacting to the Swapo Central Committee meeting that endorsed Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah over the weekend to represent the party as its presidential candidate for the election. The Central Committee has resolved to push the much talked about extraordinary congress to next year April. Skipping the three months stipulated in the party’s constitution.…

12 Mar

Desalination plants to help combat drought and water scarcity

info_e12wt4csNational 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

FAO to lead initiative on combating food insecurity

info_e12wt4csMainFAO to lead initiative on combating food insecurity

Niël Terblanché To assist Namibia in its fight against food insecurity and poverty, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is significantly stepping up its support. Patrice Talla, the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, has arrived in Namibia on a mission to understand how the international body can assist in fortifying the nation’s resilience against the backdrop of climatic adversities. This timely visit, orchestrated by the FAO Namibia Country Office, highlights the organization’s proactive approach towards addressing the pressing issues of food security and poverty reduction in the region. Phillipus Tobias, the Communication Officer of the FAO Namibia Country Office,…

12 Mar

Churches can assist to combat the effects of climate change

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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…