Month: November 2023

The Kavango East Rundu cycling team is set to compete in the 2023 Nedbank Desert Dash, a 397-kilometer cycling adventure through the Namib Desert, to raise funds.

The 24-hour cycling challenge is scheduled for 08 to 09 December 2023, starting from Grove Mall in Windhoek and ending at Platz Am Meer in Swakopmund.

A statement by Nedbank Namibia on Tuesday indicated that the team was brought together by a passion for cycling and a desire to support the less vulnerable through cycling in the Nedbank Desert Dash.

The team aims to raise funds and awareness for Embo lye Haro Pre-Primary School in Ndama, a small peri-urban neighbourhood on the outskirts of Rundu. The school acts as both a school and a home for the vulnerable, housing and educating the orphaned children of Ndama.

Team member Izak Grobbelaar in the statement shared that cycling has always been a part-time hobby and activity for the team, but since joining the Nedbank Desert Dash, they have significantly ramped up their kilometres to develop streng
th and endurance for the race.

He added that despite struggling to find the time to train, the team was committed to joining the cycling calendar throughout the year and rode around their region to prepare for the race.

‘One of the main challenges that the team faced was the cost of travel, as well as the repair and maintenance of our bikes. With the sponsorship of Nedbank, the team can now direct all the funds towards charity to help alleviate some of the daily challenges faced by the school and bike shop,’ he said.

Grobbelaar expressed gratitude for the support they have received from Nedbank Namibia and encouraged those who wish to support the cause to reach out to the team.

‘Those who wish to support us must reach out to us as the proceeds are all for a good cause that touches the lives of those who greatly need the help. It doesn’t matter how much you can give – we welcome you to be a part of this heart-warming cause,’ Grobbelaar said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Namibia is harnessing the collective strength of the global community to address shared challenges, create opportunities for its citizens, and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous world, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said.

Speaking during the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau Cluster meeting in Windhoek on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for Namibia necessitates a joint commitment, dedication, collaboration and innovation, principles that Namibia regards with utmost significance.

‘The SDGs symbolise an international consensus to confront urgent challenges and promote sustainable development. As a nation interconnected with the global community, Namibia’s success and well-being are intricately linked to the success of international cooperation,’ she said.

UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director, Ahunna Eziakonwa in her remarks said at the regional bure
au meeting held in Nairobi in 2022, the UNDP committed to a ‘FutureSmart Africa’ as its big push for the UNDP strategic plan for 2022-2025.

She said during that meeting, the UNDP agreed on five key areas in what it termed the Nairobi consensus. These included better focus on accelerating development priorities by leveraging Africa’s resources; streamlining and optimising investment in technology and innovation; broadening and strengthening engagement in transformative governance; promoting regional integration through AfCFTA; and investing in mitigation and adaptation to climate change impact on the Africa continent.

Eziakonwa reported progress in leveraging Africa’s resources.

‘UNDP Africa has become the pathfinder for how Africa’s resources can work first and foremost for Africa – leveraging them to finance development and create wealth,’ she said.

On investment in technology and innovation, Eziakonwa said 2022 saw a major boost for innovation in Africa as UNDP continued to birth ‘timbuktoo’ which will
be Africa’s biggest innovation ecosystem builder.

‘There is such great enthusiasm across governments, universities and students alike. Through the eight hubs we are creating under timbuktoo, we will connect ideas to commercial ventures and with the US.dollars 1 billion funds we are working to raise, perhaps we can bring serious financial investment to Africa’s tech and innovation-enabled entrepreneurial and industrial ventures,’ she said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Namibian Tourism Board (NTB) on Monday held a business-to-business (B2B) networking session with over 21 tourism industry partners from Ghana to position Namibia as a tourism destination and investment opportunity.

Speaking at the event in Windhoek, NTB Head of Marketing, Charmaine Matheus, explained that the B2B engagement aims to promote Namibia as a tourism destination and investment opportunity amongst Ghanaians in various sectors of the economy, including tourism.

‘Linking the tourism sector is actually a great opportunity for us to improve the sector between the two countries,’ she said.

At the same event, Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB) Executive Director for Strategy and Branding, Margareth Gustavo, said with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), Namibia is open to do business with fellow African countries, including the tourism sector, which is the third economic contributor.

Gustavo explained that the ACFtA also offers an opportunity for the two countries to
identify trading products for export and import, noting that currently, Namibia only exports its beef to Ghana.

‘When the government tasked NIPDB to diversify the economy, the tourism sector was the third-largest contributor to the GDP, hence the emphasis on promoting the tourism industry for both tourism and investment opportunities,’ she said.

Leading the West-African nation’s group, former Ghana Ambassador to Namibia Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Harruna said there is a need to encourage the use of ACFTA by African countries to trade amongst each other, through initiatives such as B2B.

‘We have to give the ACFTA a meaning. We came to look at what we can get, learn and see what is available in Namibia,’ he noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Councillor, McDonald Hanse, was on Monday re-elected as Keetmanshoop mayor.

In his acceptance speech, Hanse urged his fellow councillors and council administrators to continue working hand in hand to unite the town’s vision in order to achieve a thriving and harmonious town.

‘Days for mediocrity are gone. No room for pedestrian thinking in this chamber anymore. Now it is time to take Keetmanshoop to the next level. Together we will face the challenges that lie ahead with determination, resilience and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our town and its citizens,’ he said.

Hanse expressed gratitude towards the residents of the town, saying their trust and confidence in council has been the driving force behind its efforts.

‘I must acknowledge that we failed you in some instances, one of them is constant community consultation. Today, I can give you the assurance that we heard you and that we will continue to work tirelessly to serve you, listen to your concerns and str
ive to make our town a place we can all be proud to call home,’ he added.

The members of the management committee are LPM councillors Johannes Vries, Annalise Knouwds, Fatima Jossop, with Vries serving as the chairperson of the management committee.

Ordinary council members are Swapo party councillor Johannes Nghidinwa and Gaudentia Kröhne.

The proceedings were presided over by Principal Magistrate, Uchen Konjore.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The leaders of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe have reiterated their commitment to providing a safer environment for children in their countries.

President Hage Geingob, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba and Vice President Kembo Mohadi attended the UNICEF World Children’s Day commemoration in Walvis Bay on Sunday, joining over 500 children and dignitaries from the four countries.

The three-day event was held under the theme ‘For Every Child, Every Right’ and was a platform for children and their countries’ leaders to discuss solutions and accelerate action to protect and fulfil the rights of every child.

The four leaders committed to improving the quality of education for all children and ensuring that all schools are safe-to-learn settings and that education is accessible for all.

‘We are committed to continue empowering our children, including the most vulnerable and those living with disabilities, with knowledge and opportunities an
d fostering a generation of leaders and innovators who will build a brighter and more prosperous Namibia,’ Geingob expressed.

President Masisi expressed the need for leaders to cement a collaboration with children and start to develop measures of success so that a progress reflection can be done after four years and see how much has been achieved.

This is not an event but a process that needs to develop clear responsibilities for both children and the leaders,’ he highlighted.

Zambia’s Mwengo emphasised that protecting children and empowering them with quality education is not just about building a brighter future but also equipping them to be future leaders.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Mohadi noted that the country has adopted several legal instruments to promote the rights of children and to protect them from exploitation and harm.

‘Zimbabwe is particularly dedicated to the rights of children to express and participate and to this aim, we have constituted a Child Parliament which advises our Government on ch
ild-related issues,’ he shared.

The event consisted of an interactive panel discussion between the four heads of state with child leaders from the four countries and was concluded by a handing over of calls of action to the heads of state by children who attended the event.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

SWAPO Party Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said since they embarked on Swapo party rallies nine months ago, they have seen over 1 000 old Swapo members return to the party.

Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking during a party rally held at Oshakati Independence Stadium in the Oshana Region on Saturday.

According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, people coming back to the Swapo Party demonstrates that Swapo is still a beloved party.

‘Swapo is home, and will always welcome each and every one who wishes to return to their loved party,’ she said, adding that they continue to receive new and old members of the party.

Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that Swapo is a party for every Namibian, and should always be guided by solidarity, peace and democracy and should always consider the rights of every individual.

Moreover, Nandi-Ndaitwah indicated that as a party, they have the responsibility to ensure economic independence in the country and this can only be achieved if they remain united, saying that they should not be divided at all co
st if they are to develop the country.

Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that she has learnt a lot from the time of the party’s elective congress held last year, and while hosting the party’s rallies in all 14 regions, the party learned what the people need to be addressed in order to ensure development.

After the congress, Nandi-Ndaitwah said there was division in the party, and that was expected, that was normal, the danger came when some people refused to accept the outcome of the 2022 congress.

Nandi-Ndaitwah further indicated that the conclusion of the party rally in Oshana Region is a great move, as the region is home to rich political history.

Speaking at the same occasion, Swapo party regional coordinator, Werner Iita, indicated that Nandi-Ndatiwah is their sole authentic presidential candidate for 2024 and they have 100% confidence in her leadership.

‘Politically, Oshana is stable and we are ready to face any political negative waves vigorously,’ he said.

Iita further stated that they reject and shall cont
inue rejecting the notion of an extra congress, as they fully rally with Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was elected during the congress that concluded last year.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency