Pohamba Shifeta

Youth encouraged to join forces with those in tourism sector

Youth encouraged to join forces with those in tourism sector

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta has urged the youth of Africa and all tourism industry players to collaborate and form partnerships to place the “Africa Brands or Destinations” at the center stage of the Global dialogue. Shifeta said this yesterday at the fifth Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge and Summit in Swakopmund under the theme “Developing Youth and innovative entrepreneurship solution for inclusive tourism recovery in Africa.” “I urge the youth of Africa and all industry players to collaborate and form partnerships to place the “Africa Brands or Destinations” at the center stage…
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Pohamba grilled over Bwabwata “no-cattle zone” stance

Pohamba grilled over Bwabwata “no-cattle zone” stance

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta has reiterated that the status quo of Bwabwata National Park shall remain unchanged, and that a national crisis may arise if domestic animals are permitted to graze within the park, which he says is currently a disease-free zone. Shifeta today answered to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, following a petition submitted to the National Assembly on 19 November 2021 by the Hambukushu Traditional Authority, who are inhabitants of the park. They want Cabinet to revisit a decision taken in 1999 prohibiting them from owning cattle. Hearings on…
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President not endorsing Shifeta

President not endorsing Shifeta

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Presidency today has again come out strongly against a local publication for publishing what it described as false claims about President Hage Geingob having endorsed Pohamba Shifeta as his favourite for the Swapo Vice President Position. The president had been accused by various publications of endorsing or favouring one candidate over the other for the three top Swapo position, namely Vice President, Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General. However, the president has time and again said that he will not endorse anyone and that he will allow democracy to take its course. Despite, his denials the…
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NWR sees return to profitability in 2024

NWR sees return to profitability in 2024

CHAMWE KAIRA The Namibia Wildlife Resorts expects to return to profitability in 2024 after being badly affected by the Covid 19 pandemic, which saw a drop in visitors to the country and to its resorts. Just before the pandemic, NWR reduced its losses from N$171m in 2020 to N$97m in 2021 that is 44% or N$77 million. “We just came back from a difficult phase that almost wiped us out of business. We still expect 2022 to be a hard year for us. We foresee changes only from 2024 onwards,” said Nelson Ashipala, manager of corporate communications. Pressed on the…
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NWR exonerated in Hengari lawsuit

NWR exonerated in Hengari lawsuit

Staff Writer The absolution in the N$7.5 million defamation claim, filed by Zelna Hengari against her former employer, the Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) and the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta was rejected in the High Court of Namibia. Hengari filed a civil suit against her former employer, Shifeta, and former public enterprises minister Leon Jooste, claiming N$7.5 million for reputational damage related to a press statement issued by the board on 5 April 2018 and published in local newspapers. The press statement issued on the local newspaper relates to a 30-year joint partnership agreement between NWR and Sun…
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Namibia losses 20 percent of forest in 30 years.

Namibia losses 20 percent of forest in 30 years.

Staff Writer Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, says Namibia has lost nearly 20 percent of its forests area during the last 30 years. According to Shifeta the lost of forest is a result of unsustainable use of resources. He said this today during a national conference titled: The Future of Namibia’s Forests – Sustainable Forest Management as Key to Unlock Its Potential. He says Namibia is taking concrete steps to mitigate the effects of climate change. “With only eight years remaining to reach our 2030 target as set out in the revised ‘Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Namibia…
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Court orders Kora millions payback

Court orders Kora millions payback

Eba Kandovazu THE Windhoek High Court this morning ordered that the Namibia Tourism Board(NTB) be re-payed the N$ 23.5 million it paid to Kora Awards promoter, Ernest Adjovi, and his company Mundial Telecom Sarl. The awards, which were scheduled to take place on 20 March 2016 never happened. Adjovi, who was a no show during the trial, has also been ordered to pay the legal costs of NTB. “The lesson learned today is that when you enter into agreements, such must be made to be properly and comprehensively documented to avoid any confusion and gaps. As a country it is…
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New Gambling board inaugurated

New Gambling board inaugurated

Eba Kandovazu MINISTER of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has inaugurated the Board of the Gambling Board. Ben Shikongo is Chairperson deputised Toska Sem while Josua Kaumbi, Sandra !Owoses, Uerijeta Kauaria, Erastus Johannes and Amanda Heydenreich are the other members. “I would like to urge the Board to ensure that the Gambling Board is run on sound corporate governance principles with regards to exercising of its powers and functions. The Ministry would like the Board’s commercial activities to contribute to the economic growth of this country as required in the Harambee Prosperity Plan II and always safeguard inclusive development…
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Human-Wildlife Conflict is not a small thing

In all the necessary noise around COVID-19 and the upcoming elections and the various newsy points of the day, something that affects Namibians in a major, yet unappreciated way, is human-wildlife conflict (HWC). Too many newsmakers go on as if HWC is not their problem. It is some ‘distant’ issue. One of Namibia selling points for travel, tourism and hospitality is wildlife. This country's contribution to the worldwide wildlife conservation is EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS. Entire communities, our fellow citizens who have an equal right to a quality, safe life just like anyone else. And yet, they battle wildlife every day and…
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Tourism sector loses N$116m in cancellations . . . As Ministry announces amended arrival protocols

Tourism sector loses N$116m in cancellations . . . As Ministry announces amended arrival protocols

Clifton Movirongo The Tourism Ministry has announced that the tourism industry has recorded net cancellations of N$115.7 million since the announcement of implementation protocols of the tourism revival initiative. This comes as Namibia recorded zero arrivals in the first week of its tourism initiative, which kicked off on 1 September. The Ministry has now announced amendments to its initial protocols in a bid to attract tourists to the country. According to Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta the revision, will allow some flexibilities to the implementation protocols, while balancing the necessary health and safety measures. “Upon arrival at the Hosea Kutako International…
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