Blog – Page 17 – News Stand

17 Feb

High number of children born with heart defects

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera Namibia has a high number of congenital heart disease (CHD) cases, exceeding the global average of one in 100 births. Windhoek Central Hospital sees about 2 000 patients with heart defects each year. Many children need early diagnosis and treatment, but access to specialised care remains limited. This is according to Dr Fenny Shidhika, a paediatric cardiologist at the Windhoek Central Hospital, as the world observes Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, which started from 7 to 14 February. “The incidence has a direct linear relationship with an increasing birth rate and prevalence, with population density across different regions,”…

17 Feb

Efforts to save abandoned elephant calf end sadly

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A baby elephant that the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) along with officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism tried to rescue and relocate on Monday to an orphanage died as a result of severe trauma after it was abandoned by its mother. The volunteers from the EHRA confirmed that the elephant calf from the Ugab West herd died, despite the tireless efforts of veterinary professionals and conservation teams who fought to save its life. “The calf was first observed on 11 February 2025. Although it was moving and attempting to drink milk, it had been…

17 Feb

Courageous investments needed to tackle malnutrition in Africa

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Only through bold investments and sustained commitment can Africa overcome the persistent challenge of food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report, 298 million Africans—equivalent to one in five people—faced hunger in 2023. Additional data from 2022 painted an equally concerning picture, with 924.8 million Africans unable to afford a healthy diet, 63.1 million young children suffering from stunting, and 10.2 million children classified as overweight. The burden of malnutrition extends to adults, with 123.9 million classified as obese and 122.7 million women of reproductive age affected…

17 Feb

Kavango West farmers gain insights in Omusati

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A delegation of farmers from the Kavango West region has acquired crucial agricultural knowledge during a benchmarking visit to Olushandja in the Omusati region. Facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the visit, which took place last Thursday, was led by Sirkka Ausiku, the governor of the Kavango West region. The visit aimed to enhance productivity and resilience among farmers by transferring knowledge of the various production methods used in Namibia. The initiative followed recommendations from the Kavango West Agriculture Conference held in November 2024. Speaking during the visit, Ausiku reiterated the importance…

17 Feb

Modified wells improve water supply in Eengodi constituency

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjembo With the ongoing water crisis in the Oshikoto region where residents depend on boreholes and wells, the community of Onamishu in Eengodi Constituency has received upgraded wells to improve water supply. Eengodi regional councillor Protasius Neshuku on Monday told Windhoek Observer that the existing wells were modernised last month. According to him, solar panels and a generator now power the wells to extract water more efficiently. “These are the traditional wells we have been using for ages, but they have been electrified by Rural Water Supply, and now it is an easy and fast process for the residents…

17 Feb

NUST offers free InSTEM courses

info_e12wt4csNational News

Mallex Shipanga The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has announced that 100 students will receive free access to the Introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (InSTEM) bridging course at its Eenhana and Lüderitz campuses. Additionally, 30 students will be awarded spots in the Bachelor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Honours program. Ten students will receive scholarships for the Master of Sustainable Energy Systems at the Lüderitz campus. This was said in a statement issued on Monday by the NUST manager for corporate engagement and marketing, Kuda Brandt. "The funding opportunity is a direct investment into our…

17 Feb

SADC PF trade hosts training workshop to boost regional economic understanding

info_e12wt4csAfrica / World

Moses Magadza The Trade and Law Centre (TRALAC), in collaboration with the SADC Parliamentary Forum, is hosting an online training workshop on trade-related issues from 18 to 19 February. Masenate Molapo, the manager for the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (TIFI) programme of the SADC PF, said the training seeks to equip Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff with a foundational understanding of trade and trade agreements to better contribute to regional economic integration and policy development. “Trade liberalisation and cooperation are central to SADC’s mission of promoting sustainable economic growth and development. Through this training,…

17 Feb

Brave Gladiators face Eswatini without key players

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Brave Gladiators, Namibia's national senior women's football team, are set to face Eswatini without key international player Zenatha Coleman. Head coach Woody Jacobs announced on Monday that several experienced players will be unavailable for the first leg of the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying campaign. “We intend to go all out in this round, the team is well prepared and in high spirits, and the players are above the bar in terms of fitness levels because they have been playing in the FNB Women's Super League. No major injuries have been reported but the…

16 Feb

Swapo endorses Nandi-Ndaitwah for presidency

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Swapo’s central committee has endorsed Vice President and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole candidate for the party’s presidency ahead of the upcoming extraordinary congress. The decision was made during an extraordinary central committee meeting on 15 February. "That Nandi-Ndaitwah, vice president of Swapo Party and president-elect of the Republic of Namibia, in conformity with the tenor and spirit of Resolution 20 of the 7th Congress of the Swapo Party, shall be presented as the sole and unopposed candidate to the extraordinary congress for her election into the position of president, to complete the term left unexpired due…

16 Feb

Brave Gladiators final squad announcement ahead of WAFCON qualifiers

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The head coach of the Brave Gladiators, Woody Jacobs is set to announce the final squad for the national senior women’s team ahead of their trip to Eswatini for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers this week. The team has been in camp since 9 February, with 40 players called up. The squad will be trimmed to 23 players who will travel for the first leg of the continental tournament. The Namibia Football Association’s spokesperson, Isack Hamata confirmed on Sunday that the team will depart for Eswatini on Tuesday. The first leg is scheduled for 19…