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Renthia Kaimbi The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association (WLSPA) met with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House on Monday to discuss the sustainability and economic transformation of Namibia’s horse mackerel sub-sector. WLSPA chairman Johny Johnson Doëseb said the meeting discussed key issues affecting the horse mackerel subsector within the fisheries industry. The association, representing companies involved in onshore fish landing and processing, used the four-hour closed-door meeting to call for policies that promote value addition, protect existing jobs, and create new employment opportunities, especially for youth and women. “Our discussions focused on value addition, safeguarding existing jobs, and creating sustainable…

Renthia Kaimbi As the Walvis Bay community laid businessman John Savva to rest on Saturday, stories of his quiet generosity revealed the deep personal impact he had on the lives of many. Among them is the Namhadi family, who say Savva gave their son not only life but the chance to live it fully. A decade ago, Martha Namhadi, a camera operator at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), faced a desperate situation when her three-month-old son, Paulus Shilongo Justice Haidula, was diagnosed with a hole in his heart. “My son was at the brink of losing his life, and each…

Justicia Shipena An eight-month-old baby is among two confirmed mpox cases in the country.  Namibia confirmed its first mpox case on Sunday, linked to recent cross-border travel within the SADC region.  The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak after confirming the case in Swakopmund. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao told parliament on Tuesday that the infant is in close contact with the first confirmed patient from Swakopmund.  She said both patients are in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital. Luvindao also disclosed that Rundu Intermediate Hospital has reported a third suspected case.  However, she…

Justicia Shipena The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has not shown ownership or risk of loss over the stolen diamonds, G4S Secure Solutions Namibia has told the High Court.  Namdia is suing G4S for N$314 million in damages after a diamond theft at its headquarters on 18 January. The security company says Namdia's lawsuit is “vague, embarrassing and discloses no cause of action.” In its court papers, G4S filed an exception, arguing that Namdia’s claim lacks essential details about the alleged theft of 446 parcels of diamonds. G4S says the claim does not specify the quantity, grade, carats, quality, or value…

Allexer Namundjembo The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has blamed the government’s delay in passing the Public Passenger Road Transport Bill for continued road deaths.  This comes after a fatal accident near Oniimbwele village in Oshikoto on Monday, which left nine people dead and ten others injured. IPC’s shadow minister of works and transport, Nelson Tuhafeni Kalangula, said the lack of updated road safety laws and poor road maintenance continue to cost lives.  He said the crash should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to fix Namibia’s unsafe roads. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and…

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has launched an investigation into the killing of an endangered female black rhino in the Sorris Sorris Conservancy in the Kunene region. MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela confirmed the incident and said officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the poaching.  The rhino, known as Dorsland, was one of the conservancy’s key breeding females and had given birth to up to eight calves since 2015.  At the time of her death, according to reports, she was with a calf and expecting another. “The ministry confirms a poaching incident involving one black rhino…

Allexer Namundjembo Residents of Eengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto Region are pleading with the government to help with their severe water shortage. They say the situation has become life-threatening. In a letter to the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament, the Concerned Citizens of Eengodi said that for more than six months, villages including Okakodhi, Okashana k’Elago, Uudhiya, Onunkulu A and B, Omena, and Othimbika have had no reliable access to clean and safe water. “We fear that if immediate action is not taken, human lives may soon be lost due to dehydration and waterborne diseases,” said the group’s…

Renthia Kaimbi Former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member Richard !Hoaeb says he still considers himself part of the party despite being expelled for running as an independent candidate. On Tuesday, PDM expelled seven of its members, citing violations of the party’s constitution. Those expelled include !Hoaeb, Florence Uapakua Ndinda, Erenst Muraranganda, Piet Mostert, Dankeni Tjilongo, Hermina Khairabes and Jenny Kandukira. !Hoaeb, who chairs the management committee of the Walvis Bay municipality, confirmed his expulsion but said he only learnt about it through the media.  “I did not resign from the party. They made the choice to distance themselves from me,”…