Month: April 2024

The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund noted the alarming rise in road accident related statistics during the past Easter holiday.

According to the fund in a media release, road crashes during that weekend rose by 6 per cent, injuries by 19 per cent, and fatalities by an overwhelming 60 per cent.

These figures according to MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, not only reflect a shocking increase from the previous year but also signify a critical need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety of all road users.

‘The safety of road users is of paramount importance because road crashes have devastating consequences that affect families, communities and the nation at large.

The MVA Fund has noted that these crashes are often predictable and preventable through conscientious driving, strict adherence to road traffic rules and regulations, planning long journeys, while also avoiding driving at night when there is less visibility on the road,’ she expressed.

The fund has also expressed
its condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus accident which occurred outside Walvis Bay earlier this week, resulting in the death of two tourists and injuries to many more.

The fund has assured the families that the injured will receive the appropriate medical care and attention they need.

‘We extend our deepest sympathies to the persons injured of the recent tragic road crash and their families. The fund is also offering support to those affected and is closely monitoring their recovery,’ Martins-Hausiku said.

According to MVA, foreign nationals in Namibia are entitled to medical treatment and injury management for the duration of their stay in the country.

Additionally, if a foreign national is fatally injured in a road accident in Namibia, they are eligible for a N.dollars 7 000 funeral grant.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Police in the Kavango East Region on Friday arrested a 28-year-old man suspected to have murdered his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend at Kehemu residential area on Thursday.

It is alleged that the suspect fled the scene after allegedly stabbing the victim several times with a knife, leaving behind their three-year-old son and the murder weapon.

She died instantly.

The Namibian Police Force Acting Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner Eino Nambahu on Sunday told Nampa it is alleged that the two had an argument over a text message on the deceased’s phone, which the suspect took from her the night of her death.

The suspect is expected to make his first appearance in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, while investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region have opened a case of stock theft against a 48-year-old police officer for allegedly stealing and slaughtering a goat.

According to NamPol crime investigations coordinator for Oshikoto, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Sunday, the incident happened on Saturday around 14h00 at the Old Police Station Barracks in Omuthiya. The officer holds a sergeant position and is a member of the Special Reserve Force sub-division here.

‘It is alleged that the complainant’s goat herder was looking after goats around Omuthiya town whereby he (the goat herder) saw a man leading/driving some of the goats into the old Omuthiya Police Station yard where some members of the police are currently accommodated,’ reported Ekandjo.

The herder allegedly saw four goats entered in the yard, however only three came out, with one female goat missing.

‘The herder then went to ask the man he had seen about the missing goat, but the said person allegedly responded that no goat re
mained in the yard. The herder then went in the yard and did his own investigations,’ said Ekandjo.

The herder allegedly found some bloodstains on the ground following which he informed the owner of the goats, who then contacted the police.

The police attended to the matter and found a goat carcass in the suspect’s room, in a fire extinguisher box, which was hidden between the suspect’s bed and wardrobe.

‘The goat owner identified the carcass as of her missing goat and the carcass was then handed over to the lawful owner, who is the complainant in the matter,’ noted Ekandjo.

The slaughtered goat is valued at N.dollars 2 000.

The suspect is arrested and he is expected to appear before the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Chief of the |Hai-|Khaua Traditional Authority (TA), Johannes Isaack said for his community to survive and overcome all contemporary social challenges, they need to remain united, strive for self-sustainability and stimulate a sense of pride, hope and dignity in the hearts of their children.

Isaack who made the remarks at Berseba on Saturday during the |Hai-|Khaua 13th annual cultural festival urged his community to use their circumstances and adversities, as fuel for inspiration to make a meaningful contribution towards the development and achievement of their full potential.

‘These trying times have severely affected the poorest of the poor, it has affected the youth, many of whom remain trapped in unemployment and social decay and an emotional feeling of hopelessness. [But] the history of our forebearers clearly reveals that our community has been able to rise from the ashes to rebuild and reconstruct their communities,’ said Isaack.

Meanwhile, Isaack criticised the slow or non-existent implementation o
f the resolutions of the national land conference held in 2018, specifically regarding resettlement.

‘Way too few farms are being purchased for the purpose of resettling our people, to that we also find the criteria used for resettlement problematic. Our understanding was that resettlement was meant to address the issue of dispossession of land by the colonial regimes but the criteria used seem to overlook the issue of who lost land,’ he stressed.

Isaack said amid these challenges leaders have a common responsibility to improve the living conditions of their communities and create a better tomorrow for future generations, citing that he is hopeful and optimistic this can be achieved through the national projects which are to commence in the region such as the green hydrogen, oil and gas and the irrigation schemes.

Chairperson of the Traditional Leaders Council, Gaob Immanuel |Gaseb said cultural festivals are one of the most effective vehicles for ensuring that culture within communities is strengthened.

‘They provide a wonderful celebration that provide a sweet atmosphere of happiness and enjoyment of cultural diversity,’ he said.

He urged the community of Berseba to unite, saying: ‘The time has come to unite and stop the infightings, we need to take hands and move towards peace, we have to accept each other as we are different but we need to get to live together. We blame the government that it does not give solutions but it’s not a government matter, it is our traditional issue, the government recognises the person who is chosen by the community.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Dr John Asein, the Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), says the Federal Government is taking steps to finalise its National Intellectual Property (IP) Policy and Strategy for the country.

Asein disclosed this on Friday while commemorating the 2024 World Intellectual Property Day with the theme ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity” in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day is observed every April 26 to celebrate the importance of intellectual property (IP) rights to encourage innovation and creativity.

The director-general was represented by the Director of Legal, Mr Emeka Ogbonna.

NCC boss said the policy would serve as a blueprint for a more efficient modern and responsive legal and administrative framework for the country to leverage on its creative and innovative potential.

He said that the day underscored the power of innovation and creativity in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shaping a sustainabl
e and inclusive future for humanity.

According to him, the SDGs represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by the year 2030.

‘IP rights play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, creativity, and technological advancements. They provide the framework that encourages men and women to develop new solutions that address global challenges.

‘It is the lynchpin for incentivising the use of creative and innovative ideas to solve many of the challenges that confront humanity.

‘This year’s World IP Day reminds us that intellectual property can be a powerful tool for social, economic, and environmental development.

‘It encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to leverage IP rights to drive innovation, create jobs, and build resilient communities.

‘By aligning our intellectual property policies and strategies with the objectives of the SDGs, we can accelerate their achievement,” NCC boss said.

He said in the spirit of the’Renewed Hope Agenda
” of the present administration, government had also shown appreciable commitment to the creative industry as a major sector of the economy.

‘As one of the agencies responsible for the wholesome development of the creative sector, the Nigerian Copyright Commission will continue to provide the needed institutional, legal and administrative support for the protection, promotion, regulation and enforcement of copyright.

‘The commission will pay particular attention to using the copyright system to advance Goal 1 (No poverty); Goal 4 (Quality education); Goal 5 (Gender equality).

‘And Goal 8 (Decent and economic growth); Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) and Goal 17 (Partnerships to achieve the goals).

‘We are aware that the goals would have to be adapted to fit the peculiar needs of intellectual property which is an intangible asset.”he added.

The director-general, who said that the commission focused on the 17 SDGs to address emerging challenges, called on authors, innovators, users, IP ex
perts and other stakeholders to reflect on the vulnerability of the nation’s fragile knowledge and creative ecosystem.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

With the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial elections around the corner, a member of a Danish choir has encouraged citizens to participate in the polls.

South Africans will once again get an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote on 29 May 2024 as the country holds its seventh democratic elections.

‘If you do not vote, your voice will not be heard. Voting is a way to have your voice heard in a democracy. It is importance to participate in a democracy by voting. It is key,’ Papaya choir member Lilian Andresen said on Saturday.

The choir specialises in singing South African songs in Denmark.

Speaking to SAnews during the National Freedom Day celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Andresen congratulated South Africa for reaching the historic milestone of 30 years of freedom and democracy.

‘Coming to the country as it celebrates 30 years of freedom… is very special. In Denmark we have had democracy for a while and you can tend to take it for granted. Therefore, to come here and s
ee how much it is appreciated is remarkable,’ she said.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to celebrate the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic dispensation following the country’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the Freedom Day celebrations at the national event under the theme ’30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth.’

While acknowledging the challenges faced by many in the country, Andresen said transformation is a journey.

‘You still need to fight for your rights. It is a process. You need to keep going and never lose track of where you want to go,’ she said.

With energy, enthusiasm and musical intensity, Papaya sings everything from wedding songs and Zulu war songs to the story of a South Africa that through generations of time has found courage, strength and community through music.

‘We have been a choir since 1986. We come here… meet with other choirs, performing groups and dance groups. We share the culture a
nd the music. That is how we learn.

‘We then go back to Denmark to share the music and the stories with our Danish audience. The audience is very much moved and touched by it. We love the people, music, culture, the stories and history. It is so rich as the country has had struggles. It is very unique,’ she said.

Source: South African Government News Agency