Month: August 2023

The Presidency has noted the completion of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Phala Phala investigation and the subsequent findings.

Media enquiries:

Vincent Magwenya

Spokesperson to the President

Cell: 082 835 6315

Source: Government of South Africa

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development chaired by Hon. Bitsa Lenkopane has learned with great concern about devastating persistence of veld fires that has burned down over 90 000 hectares of grazing land in the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality.

Areas affected by veld fires include PLAS farms, LRAD farms and Communal land. The information at the disposal of the committee indicates that these fires started on the night of 16 August 2023 and are to be contained.

“This is a serious drawback as the province is expected to contribute positively towards eradication of NDP triple challenges of Poverty; Unemployment and Inequalities within the province and ensure that Food Security & Nutrition programmes in contribution towards agrarian transformation” said Hon. Lenkopane. She said the wildfires started when a committee is in a process amending the National Veld and Fire Act, 1998, as the public Hearing will be held on 22 August 2023.

“Since the cause of fires are unknown, the committee is of the view that this is the right time to acknowledge that the climate change is upon us. Climate change is the greatest challenges to modern human civilization with large impacts on socioeconomic, environmental, mining and development related sectors, including water resources, agriculture and food security, human health, ecosystems and biodiversity,” said Hon. Lenkopane.

Hon. Lenkopane is appealing with the North West Provincial Government to move with speed in containing veld fires as this will result in an increased loss of agricultural produce; a reduced availability of food for both humans and animals; a reduced growth rate of vegetation and threatening livelihoods. “Most importantly the committee pleads with government and Civil Society to assist farmers with grass and food for livestock because most of farmers in the use grass to feed their livestock which has been affected by fire.

“Additionally, the Department of Agriculture must consider climate smart indicator the will result in reviewing farming methods (i.e Change of crops, review planting season, review the livestock) and Climate-smart agricultural practices applied by farmers throughout the province,” said Hon. Lenkopane.

Furthermore, the Chairperson calls on community members to stop littering especially near farms as most of the bottle when getting to much heat has a potential of creating a spark that could turn into fire. Surrounding communities are encouraged to support farmers and fire fighter to put the fire under control.

“As a way forward, the committee will during the Legislature oversight week of 29 August -1 September invite the Department of Rural Development and Land Reformed; Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Economic Development, Environment and Tourism and, District Municipality will present on their coherent Broader Plan on veld fire awareness and long-term veld fire presentative measures. Also, research study on the cause of veld fires and its findings,” said Hon. Lenkopane.

Enquiries:

Namhla Luhabe

Deputy Manager – Communications

North West Provincial Legislature

Tel: 018) 392 7000

Cell: 079 527 0628

Fax: 086 695 3784

E-mail: [email protected]

Source: Government of South Africa

The 37-year-old murder suspect who was arrested Friday night while hiding in the Tsaraxa-Aibes informal area at Otjiwarongo, was on Monday afternoon remanded in police custody.

The accused, Irwin Oukumeb, appeared before Magistrate Immanuel Udjombala at Otjiwarongo on a charge of murder.

Udjombala explained to Oukumeb his legal rights to engage a private lawyer of his choice; apply for a State-funded lawyer from the Legal Aid Directorate in the Ministry of Justice or defend himself.

The accused opted to conduct his own defence.

Udjombala then postponed his case to 10 October 2023 and ordered that Oukumeb be remanded in custody pending police investigations.

Prosecutor Mwaka Lushetile representing the State in the matter opposed any granting of bail to Oukumeb, citing the seriousness of the crime he allegedly committed.

It is alleged that the accused, last week Thursday, allegedly stabbed to death Ismael Gawiseb with a kitchen knife once in the chest, and fled the crime scene.

During his arrest on Friday, a knife suspected to have been used in the stabbing incident was found with him, and it was seized.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

More than 100 members of the Namibia National Farmers’ Union (NNFU) have gathered at Otjiwarongo to discuss the union’s new five-year strategic plan and review policies.

NNFU board member, Patricia Gurubes who officiated at the event, said the five-day meeting is expected to interrogate several key policies in the amended constitution governing the farmers’ union.

“A total of 104 delegate members, meaning eight members from the 13 regions where we are represented, will be attending the meeting,” Gurubes said adding that Khomas is not represented as it is not a member of the NNFU.

Governor James Uerikua in his remarks called on all farmers present to deliberate on the topics of economic farming in the northern communal areas so that farmers from there can contribute to food security in Namibia.

“Discuss during the meeting how a communal farmer can sell their livestock directly to the slaughtering institutions at a good price without going through a middleman. Farmers from the northern communal area, also see to it that you produce quality livestock in order for you to be competitive on the market,” he advised.

Uerikua discouraged NNFU members from exporting livestock on the hoof as this means they are in effect exporting employment instead of selling their livestock to Meatco.

He expressed confidence in Meatco’s future plans, saying it just needs support from farmers for it to revive its business model.

The meeting ends Friday.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation on Monday warned the public against using a fake website that purports to be the Namibia Integrated Employment Information System (NIEIS) website.

The ministry said in a media statement that the fake website (nieisnamibia.com) is not affiliated with the ministry or the Employment Services Bureau (ESB).

It urged the public to only use the authentic NIEIS website, which is accessible at nieis.namibiaatwork.gov.na/.

The ministry also said the NIEIS website is the intellectual property of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, and that any unauthorised use of the same name in any manner is unlawful and punishable by law.

The NIEIS online platform was developed by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation to facilitate the matching of job seekers with employers.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Ombara Eben Tjozohongo II Nguvauva of the Ovambanderu people is urging his people to embrace unity amongst themselves and the people around them.

Nguvauva during an annual commemoration at Okeseta in the Omaheke Region over the weekend said he is willing to lead a united tribe and wants the Ovambanderu to welcome anyone who is willing to work with them.

“Let us open our arms and welcome any Ovambanderu who is willing to come back home, we are all Ovambanderu and it is our obligation as the Ovambanderu people to welcome each other and embrace unity,” he said.

“I am an Omumbanderu because you are Omumbanderu, your friend today might be your enemy tomorrow and your enemy today becomes your friend tomorrow, thus, we ought not to question anyone who is coming home regarding where they are coming from or why they are coming back,” said the chief.

Nguvauva further urged young people to participate in cultural activities and be responsible for taking the tribe forward, adding that the Ovambanderu should fight for what is theirs, especially their culture and religion.

“Let us try to bring forth the young generation to follow in our footsteps for our tribe to grow, I am happy now that after six years we are back here commemorating our heroes regardless of the many challenges,” the Ombara said.

The traditional leader furthermore urged those in the know to educate farmers on the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) farming taxation as he said it is a matter of concern among communal farmers.

“There is something going around that has become a concern to some of us, the traditional leaders. The issue of NamRA is a thing that is going to affect communities and families. It is something that we need to work on as soon as possible as it is tough on our communities economically,” he alluded.

The farming taxation is a tax from all income received from selling farm animals and game, leasing land for grazing and agricultural products. A farmer will also be taxed on the livestock or produce that has been donated or consumed.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency