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Hertta-Maria Amutenja An environmental assessment is currently being carried out for the release of genetically modified organisms (GMO) maize and irrigation-based agricultural activities at farm Heidelberg-Sued in the Oshikoto Region. Heidelberg 291 CC has appointed Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd. to conduct this assessment. Farm Heidelberg-Sued currently irrigates 50 hectares using centre-pivot irrigation systems, sourcing water from registered boreholes on the farm. The main crop is maize, and there is a proposal to replace traditional maize cultivars with genetically modified strains that are resistant to insects and/or herbicides. The assessment covers activities related to the transport, storage, and planting of…

Ester Mbathera The government has considered the export of 20 000 tonnes of unprocessed minerals such as lithium, cobalt,manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements per miner or exporter. The Cabinet made this announcement last week. "Cabinet considered and endorsed a maximum export quantity of one thousand kilograms (1 000 kg) for mineral analyses per annum per exporter or producer, and Cabinet further considered and endorsed a maximum of up to 20 000 tonnes for the purpose of plant design parameters," reads the cabinet announcement. The announcement represents the government's progress to date in implementing the cabinet's June 2023 decision, which…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A high-stakes family feud has erupted over the management and ownership of the Afrika Stadt Haus Hotel and apartments in Ongwediva. Harold Schmidt, a prominent businessman, has filed an application in the Windhoek High Court against his son, Namibia National Paralympic Committee treasurer, Jean-Paul Schmidt and his daughter-in-law, Naomi Schmidt. Harold claims Jean-Paul and Naomi mismanaged the hotel and is seeking to evict them from the properties he owns. He also alleges that Jean-Paul threatened to shoot him. In the court documents, Harold claims that Jean-Paul, whom he initially mentored as an apprentice during the properties' construction in…

Stefanus Nashama In preparation for conducting the 2025/2026 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES), the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) requires N$50.8 million from the government for the next two financial years. The agency further revealed that N$43,1 million has been made available for the pilot survey, logistics, training and other related costs for the 2024/2025 financial year. The NSA’s Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, announced this at the media conference on Wednesday in Windhoek. “For the 2024/2025 financial year, N$43 184 910 was made available for the pilot survey, logistics, training, and other related costs. For the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 financial…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The delay in passing the much-anticipated Road Safety Management Bill has sparked concerns among road safety advocates. After the 9th Annual Road Safety Conference in Ongwediva, road safety activist, Felix Tjozongoro voiced his frustration over the bill’s prolonged delay. “It is very much concerning that the urgently much-awaited Road Safety Management Bill is still dragging its feet and hasn’t reached Parliament. We expected positive feedback at the conference about its status,” said Tjozongoro. He highlighted the bill’s importance in consolidating various road safety role players under one roof, including Nampol Traffic, Road Fund Administration, NaTIS offices, municipal traffic…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between 2012 and 2021, seven schools in the Oshikoto region closed due to uneconomical operations. The infrastructure of these schools has been repurposed for kindergarten use. The closed schools are Oshikomba Primary School, Okweya Primary School, Shanamutango Primary School, Okayekenonga Primary School, Ekaha Primary School, Mandjolo Primary School, and Oshigwedha Junior Primary School. “The school had a low number of learners enrolled. We moved the learners to other schools and transferred the teachers to different schools as well,” Aletha Eises, the Oshikoto Regional Education Director, explained and added that the move is aimed at ensuring education remains unaffected…

Ester Mbathera The Namibian Presidency has dismissed ongoing speculation on social media, claiming that Founding President Sam Nujoma has died. The presidential press secretary, Alfredo Hengari, made this statement on Sunday. "President Nangolo Mbumba and the government he leads communicate transparently. There is no truth to those misplaced allegations on social media," said Hengari. Nujoma's personal physician, Dr Tshalli Iithete, also added that the founding president is recovering well. Iithete said he is satisfied with Nujoma's progress. He also confirmed Nujoma's hospitalisation as a routine precautionary measure against an infection, considering his advanced age. "He is under the care of…

Ester Mbathera The ministry's decision to ban the export of raw lithium ore has impacted small Namibian miners seeking to establish themselves in the mining industry. Fabiola Awases, a small miner in the Otjimbingwe area who has relied on her claims for years, discovered lithium deposits on her land, but she is unable to profit from the minerals. “The decision by the ministry was premature. Before the ban, they had already given Xinfeng a competitive advantage to export some ore out of the country, giving them a starting capital. We could not,” she said. She advocated for all miners to…

Martin Endjala Police in the Zambezi region are tracking down stolen vehicles from Windhoek that have made their way to Zambia. The vehicles are suspected to have been bought with fraudulent purchase orders from public companies. These purchases' whereabouts are still unknown. Border Commissioner, Kenneth Simbwae of the Zambezi region reported on Wednesday that they had received a tip to pursue suspicious vehicles. According to reports, the vehicles had already entered Zambia when the police received the tip-off. It is also unclear what models the vehicles are. “At this stage, it is unclear as to which company or who the…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) has appointed August 26 as the new contractor to complete the long-delayed construction of a neonatal unit at Swakopmund District Hospital. The project, valued at approximately N$26 million, is now expected to be completed by the end of this year. The tender, initially awarded to Shatty Construction in November 2020, faced numerous setbacks, culminating in the contract being terminated after the company failed to meet the February 2022 completion deadline. This is despite receiving payments from the government. The delays have significantly impacted the availability of neonatal care in the…