National News – Page 257 – Windhoek Observer

27 Aug

Farmers trained in food value addition

National NewsUnited Nations World Food Programme

Niël Terblanché The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Capricorn Foundation and the University of Namibia (UNAM), recently conducted transformative training for farmers in value addition in the Hardap Region. According to a joint statement issued by the three institutions, this hands-on training towards enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in Namibia was presented in Stampriet, Schlip, Bernafay, and Maltahöhe and it equipped 45 participants with vital skills in food preservation and processing. The training aimed to empower smallholder farmers - primarily youth and women from local farmsteads - by teaching them how to convert locally…

27 Aug

Geingos calls for bold dialogue on youth sexual health rights

National Newssexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)

Moses Magadza Former first lady Monica Geingos has emphasised the urgent need to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for young people across East and Southern Africa. Geingos was the keynote speaker last Thursday at a regional dialogue themed “Transforming Futures: Exploring Strategies for Accelerating Collective Regional Actions to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights," hosted by the Swedish ambassador to South Africa, Namibia, and Lesotho Hakan Juholt at his residence in Pretoria. “We are in this together,” he said and stressed the need to uphold “human dignity, human rights, and mutual respect because we are one…

26 Aug

GRN mum on vessels suspected to be carrying military supplies to Israel

National News

Martin Endjala The Namibian government remains silent on suspicious vessels alleged to have docked at the port of Walvis Bay while ferrying cargo of military material destined for Israel. According to information seen by the Windhoek Observer last week, on July 25, a vessel named MV Nordic IMO 9663001, operated by Ocean7 Projects APS, reportedly docked at Walvis Bay with the port of destination Piraeus, Greece. According to reports, the vessel corroborated the suspicion that it was hiding a cargo of military material for Israel when it did not stop at its official destination but instead, at the last moment,…

26 Aug

Mbumba calls for respect for the military

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President Nangolo Mbumba called on the nation to respect Namibia’s Defence Force, Air Force, and Navy during the Heroes’ Day commemoration in Omuthiya on Monday. Heroes’ Day, observed annually on August 26, pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Namibia. Mbumba emphasised the importance of taking pride in the military forces, which play a central role in the nation's defence. “We must respect them because, in them, we depended on the defence of the motherland. And if you have no defenders, then you have no country,” Mbumba said. He criticised those who challenge…

26 Aug

PDM promises jobs, housing and expansion of agriculture

National NewsPopular Democratic Movement

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) released its election manifesto over the weekend, in which it promises to create employment opportunities, build houses and expand agriculture if elected into power. According to the manifesto, the PDM plans to reduce the unemployment rate by 2029. "We will reduce the unemployment rate to 11% by 2029 through our ‘one constituency, one factory’ policy intervention," reads the manifesto. To ensure fiscal sustainability, the party also seeks to fix the economy and slash government debt by at least 50% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2029. The manifesto further indicates that the party…

26 Aug

Iipumbu claims NEFF deregistration was politically driven

National NewsECN, Kalimbo Iipumbu

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters’ (NEFF) deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu, claimed the party's deregistration by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was politically motivated. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday, Iipumbu accused the ECN of being captured by the 'system'. "It seems that the ECN is weak, incompetent and captured to carry out its mandate," said Iipumbu. The NEFF was deregistered by the ECN in July for failing to submit its audited documents and publish them in 2022. According to Iipumbu, the ECN could have addressed the matter in an alternative way instead of deregistering the party.…

26 Aug

Cabinet orders drought food aid in urban areas

National News

Niël Terblanché In response to the worst drought Namibia has experienced in a century, the Namibian Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, to extend food relief to urban-based beneficiaries under the Basic Income Grant programme. This directive is the result of the Cabinet’s 14th decision-making meeting held on 20 August. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Namibia is currently attempting to cope with a severe drought that has already depleted 84% of the country’s food reserves. The drought, exacerbated…

26 Aug

N$67 million for additional classrooms at Otjomuise Primary

National NewsCentral Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN), Namibia Construction (PTY) Ltd

Martin Endjala The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has awarded a N$67 million procurement contract to construct phase 2 of the Otjomuise Primary School. This was confirmed by CPBN spokesperson Johanna Kambala last week. According to Kambala, construction is set to begin later this year and is expected to be completed within 22 months. “The construction of additional classrooms will ease the burden of limited school placement currently faced by the ministry by increasing the capacity of the school to accommodate more learners,” she said. CPBN signed a procurement contract agreement with Namibia Construction (PTY) Ltd. for the construction…

22 Aug

Ghana trade mission called off

National NewsNamibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, Namibia-Ghana Business Forum

Martin Endjala Conflicting schedules with partnering institutions have forced the postponement of a business mission to Ghana. The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board's (NIPDB) senior marketing, branding, and communication manager, Catherine Shipushu, confirmed this on Thursday. According to Shipushu, the new date on which the business mission will take place is yet to be announced. She told the Windhoek Observer that the Namibia-Ghana Business Forum is an initiative of the Namibian High Commissioner in Ghana. “Due to conflicting schedules with partnering institutions and in order to attract maximum participation from key stakeholders, the mission resolved to postpone the business…

22 Aug

90 years of resilience – celebrating the life of liberation stalwart Helao Shityuwete

National NewsRobben Island

Hertta-Maria Amutenya Namibia will commemorate Hero’s Day on 26 August, a day set aside to remember the sacrifices of those who fought for the country’s independence. Among the many remembered is Helao Joseph Shityuwete, a national hero whose journey from humble beginnings through the harsh realities of Robben Island to years of exile epitomises the struggle for freedom. Shityuwete was born in a small Namibian village in 1941, where he first encountered the injustices of colonial rule. At six, he lost his father and has vivid memories of the funeral and the rites. His upbringing was marked by his Aunt…