Category: General

Tsumeb – On 05 December 2023, Tsumeb will host a summit focusing on reducing youth unemployment by connecting jobless youth with potential employers. Organized by the office of Tsumeb constituency councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela and a group of unemployed youth, the summit will primarily target individuals aged 18 to 35.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), in an interview with Nampa on Monday, the event aims to facilitate interactions between young job seekers and businesses operating or planning to operate in the Tsumeb constituency. Following last year’s summit, various positive outcomes were reported, including a notable N.dollars 3 million donation from Dundee Precious Metals for an agricultural project aimed at providing employment to young people in the area. Ndjendjela highlighted the employment of many young individuals by local companies like Dundee, which significantly contributed to mine revamping and community cleaning campaigns. Carlos Leonard, one of the youths who proposed the summit, emphasized its importance in building strong connections between the youth and key stakeholders, aiming to address the challenges of unemployment and social issues like drug and alcohol abuse among the local youth.

Swakopmund – The Swakopmund District Magistrate Lucia Elishi postponed the 2024 Swakopmund Municipality office-bearer elections on Thursday, following a tied vote between two candidates. The contenders for the mayoral position were incumbent Mayor Dina Namubes from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Matthias Henrichsen of the Swakopmund Residents’ Association. The election process, involving eight councillors, ended with three votes for each candidate, two abstentions, and two absences.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), As a result, Magistrate Elishi decided to reschedule the election to a later date. Meanwhile, the Walvis Bay Municipality re-elected IPC’s Trevino Forbes as mayor and Sarah Mutondoka as deputy mayor. The management committee positions were also retained by existing members, with Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Richard Hoaeb remaining as the chairperson. Henties Bay re-elected Republican Party’s (RP) Lewies Vermaak as mayor and Swapo’s Renier Kamati as deputy mayor, with UDF’s Michael Skini continuing as the management committee’s chairperson.

Swakopmund – A 21-year-old man was arrested in Swakopmund for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. The incident, as reported by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) on Thursday, occurred between Friday and Monday. The suspect and the victim reportedly met at a bar in Mondesa, following which he took her to his house.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), the girl was held for five days, during which the alleged sexual assaults took place. The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Friday, and police investigations are ongoing.

Otjiwarongo – The Otjozondjupa Region’s annual festive road safety campaign was launched at the B1 police roadblock outside Otjiwarongo on Wednesday. Governor James Uerikua officiated the event, emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic rules and regulations, particularly on the busy Okahandja-Otjiwarongo and Otjiwarongo-Otavi national road sections. The campaign, involving NamPol, traffic inspectors, local traffic officers, and emergency officials, will run from 17 November 2023 to 16 January 2024. It aims to curb drunk driving, speeding, reckless and negligent driving, and ensure vehicle and driver fitness. Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze, highlighted the focus on other critical roads, including the B8 and C33 highways.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), Additionally, a temporary emergency clinic will operate between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja. The event also saw the distribution of three newly acquired NamPol traffic pick-ups for patrolling in Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, and Grootfontein. Otjiwarongo Mayor, Gottlieb Shivute, issued a stern warning against bribery among traffic officials involved in the operation.

Divundu, Namibia – Thindhimba, 17, died instantly after being struck by lightning at Kamutjonga village in the Divundu Constituency. The incident occurred on Wednesday while the boys were playing football at a local sports field. Namibian Police Force spokesperson, Inspector Raimbert Muronga, confirmed the tragic event and the identification of the victims.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In addition to the fatalities, six other 17-year-old boys and a 23-year-old man were also struck by the lightning during the incident. They were rushed to Andara District Hospital and are currently in stable condition. The families of the deceased have been notified, and the bodies were moved to Andara mortuary for autopsies.

Inspector Muronga stated that two inquests have been opened and police investigations are ongoing.

Leonardville, a village in the Omaheke Region, is grappling with the significant challenge of land allocation.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), village council chairperson Petra Witbooi. Witbooi revealed the growing demand for land, with numerous applications from institutions and individuals, including 300 from the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and 91 from the Build Together program.

The village, on the verge of becoming a town, is facing hurdles including generational debts and the high cost of hiring technical expertise from outside. The presence of hard rocks and the lack of proper equipment further complicate the situation.

The council is actively seeking solutions beyond government support, anticipating the positive impact of new developments like uranium mining. This initiative is expected to generate employment, attract investors, enhance revenue collection, and improve housing and infrastructure.

Additionally, Leonardville owes over N.dollars 8 million to utility service providers NamWater and NamPower. Arrangements have been made to pay a portion of this debt monthly, with a commitment to pay NamPower N.dollars 300,000 on top of their regular bills, totaling around N.dollars 500,000 per month. Witbooi emphasized the absence of private companies in debt collection for the council.