National News

Niël Terblanché The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is intensifying its efforts to enable the Namibian government to better detect and manage outbreaks of contagious bovine pleuro-pneumonia (CBPP) in Namibia, The FAO in an announcement on its website over the weekend stated that the initiative to bolster animal health in the country is part of the agency’s broader strategy to support agricultural sustainability and disease resilience in the southern African region. CBPP, a severe respiratory disease affecting cattle, was recently identified in the Ncamangoro and Musese Constituencies of Kavango West. According to the FAO, local farmers reported symptoms…

Martin Endjala With the current drought conditions, the national cereal production of white maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and wheat for 2024, is estimated to be 72,150 tons representing a 53 percent decrease from last season’s harvest of 153,012 tons. According to the 2024 report of the Agro Business Information Services Unit of the Directorate of Planning and Business Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MWALR), this consists of 36,419 tons of white maize, 15,867 tons of pearl millet, 1,469 tons of sorghum, and 18,394 tons of wheat. The report indicates that major crop-producing regions will have…

Niël Terblanché The National Planning Commission (NPC) has recently completed nationwide consultations to identify key areas for improvement. This is as the country transitions from its fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) to the formulation of NDP6. The NPC's chief national development advisor, Sylvester Mbangu said during a consultation session with the Khomas Regional Council last week that these consultations have highlighted various critical issues such as poor-quality roads, inadequate health facilities, and limited educational resources. He added that underdeveloped sports and water facilities, particularly impacting high-density areas and contributing to a rising housing backlog were also highlighted. NDP5, which spanned…

Ester Mbathera Outjo municipality sold erven to the residents for N$4,500 as part of the formalisation of the informal settlements. This was confirmed by the town's acting chief executive officer Jaco Labuschagne to this publication on Friday. Last week, the first 900 residents were shown their erven. “We are still planning for 2,000 but the first 900 have been marked and distributed,” he said. Labuschagne further explained that the services for the new landowners will be done on a prepayment basis. “This will include rates and taxes, sewage and water. They erven will cost N$4,500 and the resident can pay…

Martin Endjala National Assembly member, Marina Kandumbu says there is danger in politicising education as this can lead to a decline in academic performance. Kandumbu said this during her contribution to a motion on education last week in the National Assembly. “This can have a long-lasting consequence for our future citizens, who will be ill-equipped to participate in the democratic process and governance. The politicisation of education is a dangerous trend that can have serious negative consequences for society,” she said. She advised political parties to create a neutral environment without attachment to politics when discussing the challenges facing the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Johanna Kapolo, the mother of the missing 20-year-old Namibian student, Faith Enkali, has expressed hope for the safe return of her son. Enkali, who is a student at the Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD), was last seen leaving his student accommodation on Malleson Street in Mowbray in the early hours of Monday, 15 April. Reports indicate that he did not inform his housemates of his plans before his disappearance. "I'm praying for my son Faith's safe return. We hope for him to be found soon," said Kapolo. The Head of CTCFD, Gregg Maragelis, stated that the…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) is advocating for strict measures and methods to trace rental vehicles. This is according to a report released by NamPol’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, last week. “The car hire industry is being targeted, and therefore, the police want to encourage stringent measures and methods when transacting vehicle hire,” she said. Shikwambi said the police statistics revealed that most reported vehicle thefts occurred in retail areas. “Theft of motor vehicles, especially at rental places, is increasing because our statistics at the motor vehicle theft unit reveal that most reported vehicles are stolen from…

Niël Terblanché The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has long recognized the significant role of labour migration in regional development and integration. With the adoption of the Labour Migration Action Plan (2020-2025), the SADC aims to enhance the management of labour migration, emphasizing the protection and welfare of migrant workers and promoting skills transfer to match labour supply and demand within the region. In line with these regional efforts, Namibia has taken a proactive step by establishing the Namibian Employers and Trade Union Labour Migration Network (NETUMN). Officially launched after a key meeting in Walvis Bay in September last year,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia remains unaffected by recent developments in health and safety that have prompted several African countries to recall a paediatric cough syrup due to serious health risks. Last week, Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia confirmed that the batches of Benylin paediatric syrup linked to toxicity concerns are neither distributed nor registered in Namibia, ensuring public safety. The recalled batches numbered 329303 and 329304, were found to contain diethylene glycol, a toxic substance linked to acute kidney injury and multiple fatalities. The products were withdrawn from South Africa, Eswatini,…