National News – Page 167 – Windhoek Observer

04 Mar

PDM pledges major agricultural investments in Kavango

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché At a campaign rally in Divundu, Kavango East, McHenry Venaani, the President of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), outlined a vision for transforming the agricultural landscape of the two Kavango regions into a thriving hub of prosperity for Namibia. Addressing supporters over the past weekend, Venaani stressed the untapped potential of the two regions and committed to allocating at least ten percent of the national budget to agriculture should PDM win the upcoming presidential and national elections in November. The PDM's ambitious plan for the country’s agricultural sector promises to create a plethora of job opportunities for the…

04 Mar

EU launches exhibition to celebrate women

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The European Union’s Delegation to Namibia has launched the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) Female Artist Exhibition The exhibition will take place at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) in Windhoek. This captivating female artist exhibition will run from 6 to 12 March 2024. Themed ‘Inspire Inclusion’, this exhibition will serve as a platform for Namibian female artists to showcase their empowering artworks, reflecting a celebration of creativity and diversity. The event will commence at 18:00, with artworks on display and sale by way of auction, with proceeds beyond the reserve price set to be donated to a Non-Governmental…

04 Mar

“Namibia intends to boost tourism with upcoming AviaDev conferences”

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is poised to host the prestigious AviaDev Africa conference in June 2024, alongside the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) The conference will be a crucial platform for the local tourism sector to lure more visitors to Namibia. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) announced the collaboration, spotlighting the nation's strategic efforts to enhance air connectivity within Africa and beyond. With the theme 'Igniting Connections and Propelling Growth,' AviaDev Africa has emerged as the premier platform for fostering air travel development. The NAC spokesperson, Dan Kamati, said that the potential of collective expertise from aviation leaders to produce impactful…

04 Mar

Debt is exasperating Aroab water crisis

ObserverMain, National News

Martin Endjala Residents of Aroab in //Karas Region are up in arms over a water shortage that has plagued them for at least three years. The villagers are blaming the Aroab Village Council for failing to address the water shortage in the area. The situation has been ongoing for the past three years, and it is said to have gotten worse, as residents often stay without water during the afternoon and sometimes for days on end. Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor, Willem Labuschagne, informed Windhoek Observer last week that due to the shortage of water, residents are forced to share. He…

04 Mar

More than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years

ObserverNational NewsMore than 600 rhinos were poached in ten years

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Between 2015 and February 2024, Namibia lost a staggering 631 rhinos due to poaching, marking a concerning downturn in its conservation success. This is according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism last week during the Commemoration of World Wildlife Day 2024. Breaking down the figures year by year, statistics paint a grim picture of 97 rhinos poached in 2015 alone, with six reported to be poached in 2016 and five poached in 2017. A total of 84 were also poached in 2018, 61 in 2019, 48 in 2020, 53 in 2021, 92 in…

04 Mar

President Mbumba takes the helm of the AU Peace and Security Council

ObserverNational NewsNamibia is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in March

Niël Terblanché Namibia is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in March Ambassador Jerobeam Shaanika, the Deputy Executive Director for Multilateral Cooperation in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation , announced that President Nangolo Mbumba will take up the continental leadership role. He added that Namibia has played an active role by contributing to the continent’s peace and security strategies in line with the goals of Agenda 2063. Under Namibia’s stewardship, the PSC is scheduled to conduct six substantive sessions throughout March, addressing critical security situations across the continent, including…

04 Mar

Nandi-Ndaitwah champions women’s leadership in mining

ObserverNational NewsNandi-Ndaitwah champions women’s leadership in mining

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has rallied women in the mining sector to ascend to leadership roles while stressing the underrepresentation of women in one of the country’s cornerstone industries. While addressing participants at the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) Women’s Conference, Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated the pivotal role women can play in maximizing the benefits derived from Namibia’s rich natural resources. According to the Vice President, mining employs a mere 17 percent of women. She referred to statistics from a 2015 study from the University of Namibia (UNAM). “It is imperative for women to not only participate in this…

04 Mar

Namra seizes N$1.9 Million worth of mandrax at Ariamsvlei Border Post

ObserverNational NewsNamra seizes N$1.9 Million worthof mandrax at Ariamsvlei Border Post

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Customs Officials at the Ariamsvlei Border Post in the //Kharas Region intercepted a consignment of suspected mandrax tablets earlier last week, with an estimated value of N$1.9 million. Namra’s Manager of Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagements Tonateni Shidhudhu, said the arrested suspect is a Namibian truck driver known to frequent the same border. “A Namibian truck driver who frequents the same border was apprehended while returning from South Africa. The suspected drugs were discovered following a thorough scanning by the officials,” said Shidhudhu. Furthermore, he said after the suspect’s arrest, a secondary search of…

04 Mar

New parties and alliances will create a wider field during elections

ObserverNational NewsNew parties and alliances will create a wider field during elections

Niël Terblanché The upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections are shaping up to be the most fiercely contested in Namibia’s history. With the introduction of new political entities and the resurgence of smaller parties since the last general elections in 2019, the political landscape is brimming with anticipation and strategic alliances. The ruling Swapo Party, its chief adversary, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), and the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) will each be fielding a presidential candidate, maintaining the tradition of direct competition among the major players. However, a notable shift is occurring among the smaller parties, which are opting…

04 Mar

Independence Day to be celebrated in Zambezi for the first time ever

ObserverNational NewsIndependence Day to be celebratedin Zambezi for the first time ever

Stefanus Nashama For the first time in the history of Namibia, Katima Muliloin the Zambezi Region will host this year’s Independence Day celebrations. Independence Day is celebrated every year on 21 March in Namibia, and this year, the nation is expected to gather in Katima Mulilo to celebrate one of the most important days in the country. Aundrin Mathe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology announced on Friday. At this event, Namibia will be celebrating its 34th year of freedom and independence. “This year marks the first time that the Zambezi Region will host this…