National News

Niël Terblanché In an exciting development for Namibia's agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and other partners, launched the Bernafay Farm Integrated Food System Project. The initiative was inaugurated on 30 April by Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the executive director of MAWLR, at the Bernafay Resettlement Farm just outside Stampriet in the Hardap Region. The project, which represents a significant investment of nearly N$1.4 million, aims to revitalize local agriculture through the development of an orchard with over 200 fruit trees, alongside expansions into horticulture and lucerne production. “This…

Niël Terblanché The devastating bus accident on the C214 Road between Walvis Bay and the Kuiseb River Canyon last Wednesday that resulted in the deaths of two Portuguese tourists and left several others injured has cast a new light on the need for a comprehensive campaign to ensure the safety of tourists. Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, expressed his deep regret over the incident. "This accident is both regrettable and unfortunate, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of life," he said in a statement. He stated that the Namibian government is committed to ensuring…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibian Police have issued a warning against the forgery of academic documents. The spokesperson for the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, issued the warning after the arrest of a cadet constable on Monday at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre in the Oshana Region. “Forgery and uttering are criminal offences, and therefore applicants to whatever position in the public service should desist from forging documents because it is a criminal offence. Once detected, the law applies accordingly. This is how serious it is. Hence, the charging of the cadet constable,” said Shikwambi. Yule Nashidhiga (28)…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, said the proposed National Minimum Wage Bill will be submitted to Cabinet next week. He said the bill is intended to come into effect later this year. Nujoma was speaking on Workers' Day at Rundu sports stadium in the Kavango East region on Wednesday. He said other labour and employment bills that will be introduced this year are the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, the Compensation for Work-related Accidents and Diseases Bill, and amendments to the Employment Services Act, the Affirmative Act (Employment) Act, and the Social…

Ester Mbathera Ismael Kasuto, the president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), and his deputy Densley Somseb are refusing to vacate their respective positions in the union. On Monday, the two of them, along with two other leaders, Abraham Baisako and Delila Tsibes, issued a statement, in which they claim that they received information that the group that removed them, is trying to take over the union. They claim that the group wants to block them from carrying out a forensic audit of the union’s finances. They stated that the decision to release the financial report was one of…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Utoni Nujoma believes that many workers in Namibia today don’t understand or appreciate adequately how trade union membership can benefit them. According to him, those who are not members have negative attitudes toward trade unions. The minister spoke on Wednesday, at the Workers' Day celebrations in Rundu in the Kavango East region. ‘’We must work hard to demonstrate the positive value of trade union membership. I also encourage you to consider multi-media strategies to publicise workers' gains through your affiliate unions and keep trade union activities and views in the…