Month: September 2023

Namibia is happy that the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) presents considerable opportunities for accelerating intra-African trade, using trade more effectively to transform the continent into a global powerhouse and realising Agenda 2063.

These remarks were made by President Hage Geingob in a statement availed here by the Presidency on Saturday, on the commemoration of the African Union (AU) Day.

“We are encouraged that there has been an increase in intra-African trade and investment, fostering economic cooperation among member states.

The fight against climate change is one of the most urgent challenges which compels us to adopt clean energy solutions. Through the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, Namibia is committed to playing its part in the development of Africa and the decarbonisation of our Planet,” he said.

Geingob further stressed that during the second wave of African leadership under the Cold War period the continent experienced reversals, coups d’etat and the rise of one-party states, of which some managed to achieve progress.

The mandate of the AU is transformational, he said, however, there have been democratic reversals with the rise in coups and unconstitutional forms of government, noting that whenever this happens, it is the Africans (and not others) who have been consistently first to condemn as regional organizations and African leaders under the AU.

“We can only achieve our true potential when we silence the guns,” he said.

Geingob reiterated Namibia’s commitment to a stronger and more effective African Union, saying to achieve this objective, there is a need for the role of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to be strengthened.

The current situation whereby a Head of State and government becomes Chair of the AU, assuming a bigger representative role for Africa, results in a situation that undermines the efficacy of the Office of the Chairperson of the AUC, he said.

“As we celebrate African Union Day, let us remember the visionaries who paved the way for our liberation, the leaders who shaped our institutions and the countless individuals who strive for a better Africa every day,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A man-of-the-match performance by the national senior football team “Brave Warriors” goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua was all the Namibian team needed to hold their South African counterparts to a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon.

Namibia and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana clashed in an international friendly match at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

The Namibian team failed to capitalise from three clear chances created in the first half but made life difficult for their opponents who struggled to find an attacking rhythm through the course of the match.

The Brave Warriors started the match brightly and had a great chance to claim the lead as early as the third minute through Bethuel Muzeu who skipped through the defence, only to drag his shot from the right of the penalty area wide of the target.

Kazapua was called to action in the sixth minute when South Africa’s Lyle Foster threatened down the left wing and picked out Bathusi Aubaas, who could not outclass Kazapua on the day.

In the second half of the match, Bafana Bafana started finding combinations but were unable to capitalise on their dominance in that half.

The Namibia goalkeeper was in action throughout the game as he kept his team in the game with numerous saves as Bafana Bafana tried to find the back of the net throughout the second half.

In the 89th minute, Bafana almost opened the scoring through a free kick but Kazapua was equally to the task as he kept the goal away.

In an interview after the match national team coach Collin Benjamin said these type of friendly matches are good for the development of players.

“Today, we missed some of our key players, but the opportunity was given to the young ones to step up and show what they can do. I am happy with the dedication which they showed despite them not scoring a goal as that comes with experience and several international games on their belts,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Hardap police are investigating a case in which a 13-year-old minor was allegedly raped by a 27-year-old Namibian man between June and September this year at Soetdoringlaagte, Stampriet.

The weekend crime report of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) on Sunday indicated that the suspect was arrested and investigation are still ongoing.

In another incident, 26-year-old Hilia Ndemukoneka died on Friday, after she was allegedly stabbed by a 27-year-old Namibian female at Havana informal settlement in Windhoek.

It is alleged that the deceased was stabbed at about 20H50 with an oukapi knife on the left hand and chest and the motive of the incident is still unknown.

Her next of kin have been informed and police investigations continue.

In a similar incident, a 23-year-old Namibian male, Zarin Groenewaldt on Saturday allegedly hanged himself with a bed sheet around his neck at Windhoek’s Khomasdal residential area.

His next of kin were informed, no suicide was left behind and police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A board member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Sune De Klerk has called on Omuthiya residents to report any incidences of dog abuse through their online portal.

The residents can also reach the society directly as they are not aware of any animal welfare organizations operating in the Omuthiya area specifically.

De Klerk in an Interview with Nampa on Friday said they are actively collaborating with local authorities and relevant non-governmental organizations to monitor and report cases of animal cruelty to ensure the well-being of dogs in their communities.

“We recommend dog owners to ensure that dogs have proper identification, such as collars with contact information, and if possible, microchipping. Additionally, it is crucial to vaccinate dogs against diseases like rabies, as consuming meat from rabies-infected animals poses severe health risks to humans”, De Klerk said.

She said the society will continue to lobby for stronger enforcement of existing laws.

“Contrary to common belief, Namibia’s Animals Protection Act, 71 of 1962, does criminalize the abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of animals, including the bludgeoning of dogs for their meat. Moreover, existing regulation explicitly bans the commercial use of dog meat, with violators risking fines and up to six months of imprisonment”, she said.

She said eating dog meat is not unique to Namibia as it happens globally for various cultural, traditional, or economic reasons, however, there is a growing international movement against this practice due to ethical concerns and animal welfare considerations.

Ndayambekwa Simon who sells dog meat when she needs more money said that it has more customers than her other goods.

“Dog meat brings a lot of customers and I buy dogs from people who are selling theirs. We normally buy dogs from nearby villages and sell the meat here so we sustain our families”, said Simon.

Rosalia Nghidengwa said that they eat dogs because it is a traditional thing, they do not throw it away, but they prepare it and eat it.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Oshikoto Regional Director in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MEAC) Alleta Eises has called on the 225 schools in the region to report their needs to their respective circuits so the directorate can intervene.

Eises made the call in an interview with Nampa on Friday, following requests by a number of schools for donations from members of the public.

She said some schools have similar challenges and should a school is in need of construction, infrastructure and furniture, they have to be added on a priority list within their circuit which will then be forwarded by the circuit inspector to the regions so the regions work on the priority of the circuit.

“The principals must determine with the circuit inspector if they are on the priority list and make their needs known to the inspector so we can intervene as a directorate”, said Eises.

She said the ministry has a development budget which is too small and at times need the public and partners to assist.

One such school is the Ashihaya Primary School in Onyuulaye circuit which is in need of building materials to build classrooms and an administration block.

The school which has classes made out of corrugated iron sheets currently has 174 learners and seven teachers.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The National Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) has raised an amount of N.dollars 410 000 in pledges for schools in the Zambezi Region, as part of its 11th edition of the National Fish Consumption Day (NFCD) celebrations.

The NFCD will take place at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region on 28 September through a collaboration between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), NFCPT and stakeholders, under the theme: ‘Celebrating our Oceans Reward.’

The pledges were raised during the NFCD gala dinner which took place in Walvis Bay on Saturday evening.

The NFCD was initiated in 2012 to promote fish consumption at the regional level but has over the years since been rolled out in 10 host regions.

In his keynote speech, Fisheries and Marine Resources Derek Klazen applauded NFCPT’s efforts to popularise a culture of consuming fish through consumer education as well as adding value beyond and above its primary mandate.

Klazen expressed that the NFCD is an occasion at which Namibian fish should be celebrated and should therefore benefit everyone.

“We remind ourselves of the nutritional and economic benefits of eating Namibian fish and these are the main objectives of why the Government established the National Fish Consumption Promotion Trust,” he stated.

The minister henceforth called upon the Katima Mulilo town council and the Municipality of Windhoek to provide suitable land for NFCPT to construct retail fish shops that will provide ample retail experience to its customers.

Chairperson of NFCPT Board of Trustees Suzan Ndjaleka said this year’s NFCD’s theme not only calls for recognising the abundance and nutrients seafood the Namibian ocean provide but also emphasises the economic ecological significance it invites Namibians to celebrate this year.

Zambezi Governor Alufea Sampofu in his acceptance speech expressed his gratitude towards the pledges and donations, noting that the funds will go a long way in alleviating school poverty in his region.

“In the Zambezi Region, we have dilapidated schools, classrooms. We still have traditional structures of sticks and mud and some learners are still learning and living in tents,” Sampofu expressed.

Hardap Region will host the 12th edition of the NFCD.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency