Month: February 2024

Government’s ‘single-minded focus’ on implementing plans to urgently address the energy crisis are making gains – with the end of load shedding “finally within reach”.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who delivered the State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall, on Thursday evening.

The President said government has a clear plan – the Energy Action Plan – which is being implemented with ‘single-minded focus through the National Energy Crisis Committee’.

‘We have delivered on our commitments to bring substantial new power through private investment on to the grid, which is already helping to reduce load shedding. Last year, we implemented a major debt relief package which will enable Eskom to make investments in maintenance and transmission infrastructure and ensure its sustainability going forward.

‘Since we revived our renewable energy programme five years ago, we have connected more than 2500 MW of solar and wind power to the grid with three times this amount already in procuremen
t or construction,’ he said.

The amount of rooftop solar has also increased since government implemented tax incentives and financial support with regard to this.

Regulatory reforms implemented by government have also enabled private investment in electricity generation enabling the development of more than 120 new private energy projects.

‘These are phenomenal developments that are driving the restructuring of our electricity sector in line with what many other economies have done to increase competitiveness and bring down prices.

‘Through all of these actions, we are confident that the worst is behind us and the end of load shedding is finally within reach. But we are not stopping there,’ President Ramaphosa said.

To further strengthen South Africa’s hand in energy security, some 14 000km of new transmission lines are to be built in South Africa to connect renewable energy projects.

‘To ensure that we never face a similar crisis ever again, we are reforming our energy system to make it more competitiv
e, sustainable and reliable into the future. We are going to build more than 14 000km of new transmission lines to accommodate renewable energy over the coming years,’ he said.

President Ramaphosa explained that to fast track the building of the transmission lines private investment in transmission infrastructure will be roped in ‘through a variety of innovative investment models’.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: Founding President Sam Nujoma Wednesday evening signed the book of condolences for the late President Hage Geingob.

Geingob, 82, died in a hospital in Windhoek on Sunday.

Nujoma and his wife Kovambo Nujoma conveyed their condolences to former First Lady Monica Geingos at Casa Rosalia, the residence of the Geingob family, in Windhoek.

In his message of condolences, Nujoma said a dark shadow has fallen across the entire nation as it mourns the passing of Geingob.

‘As the nation collectively grieves this profound loss of a loving husband and caring father, our thoughts and prayers are with the widow, Madam Monica Geingos, the children; and the wider family, as well as the entire Geingob clan. May you find solace in the knowledge that we share in your grief and join you and the entire nation in mourning the departed President Geingob,’ it read.

Nujoma further wrote: ‘Allow me, on behalf of the veterans of our national liberation struggle, the Nujoma family, and indeed on my own behalf, to convey ou
r deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and entire nation for this profound loss. It is also my sincere wish that we may all be granted fortitude during this difficult time of mourning.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OTJIWARONGO: The 37-year-old truck driver involved in a head-on collision with a Volkswagen sedan outside Otjiwarongo Wednesday morning, has been arrested on a charge of culpable homicide.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Otjozondjupa Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Edna Nawa, confirmed the arrest Wednesday afternoon of the truck driver involved in the collision which instantly killed 25-year-old Francois Seibeb.

Seibeb’s vehicle collided head-on with a mini-truck which was being driven by the suspect on the B1 road south of Otjiwarongo.

The deceased was the sole occupant of the sedan at the time of the incident, and was travelling from the direction of Otjiwarongo towards Okahandja, while the truck was headed in the opposite direction.

‘Approximately 10 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo, the two cars collided with severe impact, killing Seibeb on the spot,’ Nawa said.

Preliminary police investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect indicate that the truck veered into th
e right lane of the road, where the collision occurred.

The truck driver sustained slight injuries, and he was treated at the Otjiwarongo State Hospital on the same day.

‘He is now expected to appear in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Friday on a single charge of culpable homicide,’ said Nawa.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OTJIWARONGO: The Swapo leadership of the Otjozondjupa Region on Wednesday held a candlelight vigil to pay their respects to the late President Hage Geingob, who died on Sunday at the age of 82.

Nearly 200 residents turned up at the event to remember and celebrate Geingob’s legacy with speeches, bible verses and religious songs by different denominational choirs.

Swapo’s Otjozondjupa Regional Coordinator, Immanuel Namaseb, at the event said the session was organised for residents to come together and remember Geingob’s visionary leadership.

Several speakers recalled Geingob’s youth in the Otjozondjupa Region in the areas of Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Tsumeb and Otavi, where he had attended primary school.

Namaseb said similar candlelight vigils will take place Thursday night at the Otjiwarongo Municipality, Otavi Town Council and Grootfontein Municipality.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: Hundreds of mourners gathered at Opuwo for a candlelight vigil in memory of President Hage Gottfried Geingob, who died on Sunday in Windhoek at the age of 82.

The gathering was organised by the Opuwo Town Council and drew a large crowd who shared hymns, scriptures, and prayers.

The majority of the speakers hailed Geingob as a kind leader who cared about the elderly, a passion he demonstrated by boosting the monthly pension grants and announcing another increase not long before his death.

According to Tjivindikua Zatjindua, an Otjikako Traditional Authority councillor, Geingob was a staunch leader who believed in and pushed for the equitable distribution of the country’s resources. Under Geingob, hunger and destitution among the less fortunate were lessened, he said.

Opuwo Mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo lauded Geingob as an inspirational leader whose legacy reverberates through the nation’s plans and who was devoted to the prosperity and togetherness of Namibians.

She noted that Geingob’s leadership wen
t beyond rhetoric, laying the basis for Namibia’s long-term prosperity.

‘As we remember him tonight, let us not forget his commitment to the people. He served with a heart dedicated to all Namibians, irrespective of background or circumstances,’ noted Mbinge-Tjeundo.

In his pursuit of connection, Geingob walked among Namibians, touring and visiting all areas of Namibia, demonstrating his dedication to becoming a people’s leader.

‘As we light this candle in his memory, let us not only remember the man but also carry forward the torch of unity, prosperity and inclusivity that he so passionately lit. His legacy lives on in our hearts, and may his vision continue to guide Namibia towards a brighter future for generations to come,’ Mbinge-Tjeundo concluded.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI: The United Nations (UN) General Assembly 55th plenary meeting of the 78th season on Wednesday observed a moment of silence in honour of President Hage Geingob, who died on Sunday in Windhoek.

He was aged 82.

In his remarks, UN President Dennis Francis said President Geingob was a towering figure in Namibian history and politics, and a beacon of leadership on the African continent.

Francis indicated that Geingob’s avocation for sustainable development and renewable energy earned admiration and respect on the world stage, a vision that extends well beyond his country’s borders.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that democracy, self-determination, and human rights for all animated the life and work of President Geingob.

‘As we pay tribute to the memory of President Geingob, we should commit to honouring the values that Geingob stood for, by fighting racism, misogyny and injustice and by standing up for human rights. At the same time, by working to build a more equal world, in
which no one is left behind,’ he said.

The UN, he said, will continue its strong friendship with Namibia to build a more equal world for all. A world of dignity, and human rights, he concluded.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield United States Representative to the UN, stated that President Geingob helped liberate Namibia from the chains of colonialism and apartheid, overseeing the drafting of the country’s new constitution, working, as Prime Minister and then President, to reduce economic inequality, widen the social safety net, improve public health, and fight against climate change.

‘It is notable – though unsurprising – that President Geingob died as he lived: with transparency and courageous vulnerability,’ she said.

She indicated that President Geingob was a freedom fighter, a respected leader, an African icon, and was also a farmer. He believed in the power of farmers to fight food insecurity and lift entire communities.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency