Category: General

Public enterprises were established to solve developmental challenges and are essential to the national quest to achieve Vision 2030, finance and public enterprises minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, has said.

Speaking at the second Public Enterprises Conference at Gross Barmen on Wednesday, Shiimi emphasised the importance of public enterprises despite challenges of poor performance and governance.

‘As a country, we have created a number of public enterprises to try and solve our developmental problems. As we proceed, we have to continue to reevaluate which one we want to create and which one we have to consolidate.

‘These are institutions that we have created specifically for specific development purposes. You are there to deliver a specific mandate, and you are there to help achieve Vision 2030,’ he said.

Shiimi told the gathering his ministry has been reorganising in an effort to shape the public enterprise sector. He cited the Public Enterprises Governance Act of 2019, which, among others, categorises public
enterprises into different categories.

The 81 public enterprises are grouped into commercial, non-commercial public entities and as funds.

‘We have some of these classifications, and the way they are managed is different. That was done to try and create better governance in public enterprises because I think before, as a shareholder, we were not taking an active role in managing public enterprises,’ the minister said.

The top management of State-owned enterprises is meeting for three days at the tourist resort outside Okahandja to discuss and share best practices on effective performance and strengthening effective governance. The conference is held under the theme; ‘Leveraging value propositions for Namibian public enterprises locally and internationally.’

On his part, the chairperson of the Public Enterprises CEO Forum, Fluksman Samuel, noted that public enterprises ‘still have a significant impact on the economy of our country. Therefore, this conference may serve as a reminder of the enormous responsi
bilities on the shoulders of chief executive officers and managing directors of public enterprises.’

Samuel, who is the CEO of the Lderitz Waterfront, assured Minister Shiimi that the current crop of executives of public enterprises stand ready to support government efforts to improve governance and the overall performance of the sector.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said local authorities play a leading role in fostering socio-economic development in their local areas, by ensuring efficient services and attracting and nurturing business activities.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made the remarks during the official opening of the good governance, leadership and project management training for the Association of Local Authorities Namibia (ALAN) in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Ongwediva on Wednesday.

‘It is critical that their governance systems are robust, with the capacity and resilience to deal with the complex challenges, able to rapidly adapt to change, and ensure that their human resources possess the necessary skills and competencies to ensure optimal performance of local authorities and effective public service delivery,’ she said.

She added that local authorities are the first point of contact with government by residents and businesses in urban areas and their society is becoming
more and more urbanised.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila emphasised that government policies are geared toward achieving human-centered development, where economic growth and development translate into improved welfare conditions for their communities.

Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, indicated at the same occasion that some councils do not use the public resources prudently, with some forms of wrong priorities, abuses of public funds, abuse of power, tribalism, victimisation and intimidation taking place.

According to Uutoni, some councillors have signatory power at their office and do administrative work when they are elected to be decision-makers for good governance.

‘This training should therefore remind us that our responsibilities entail ensuring appropriate governance structure that will enable the citizen to take part in planning and in bringing about development, as well as the provision of basic infrastructure and services for them to live a decent and dignified life,’ he added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Governors from all 14 regions of the country on Wednesday convened at Gobabis in the Omaheke Region for the third strategic session and Annual Governors’ Retreat.

Officially opening the meeting, chairperson of the regional governor’s forum and Governor of Khomas Region, Laura McLeod Katjirua indicated that the annual gathering is aimed at brainstorming opportunities and challenges governors face in service delivery and executing their mandate.

Katjirua said the meeting creates a platform for regional leaders to take stock and share common challenging realities, experiences, and constraints facing their respective regions.

‘We have gathered here today to reflect on all the possible negative and positive modalities which influence our performance in our common desire to increase our operational efficiency as an important governing organ of the state at the sub-national level.

This strategic session is also meant to offer a framework for us to generate some knowledge, skills, and benchmark practices through
practical site visits and better insight into some important provisions of our code of conduct, laws, policies and regulations to guide us in our conduct during the execution of our mandates,’ she said.

Minister in the Presidency, Christine //Hoebes said the four-day gathering provides a valuable opportunity for governors to reflect on their responsibilities as public servants and the impact they can make on the lives of their fellow citizens.

‘As regional governors you are at the forefront of implementing government programmes and policies, ensuring that they are effectively executed and delivering the desired outcomes. Your role is pivotal in transacting political vision in detachable results that improve the lives of our people. Political oversight is a fundamental pillar of our democratic system in ensuring accountability, transparency and responsiveness,’ //Hoebes said.

She added that through collective effort, the gap between political promises and the realities can be breached and called on the lead
ers to continuously evaluate the progress of government programs, identify challenges and find innovative solutions to addressing them.

‘Service delivery lies at the heart of our mandate, our citizens pay a high premium trust in us to provide them with essential services,’ she concluded.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Indian High Commission in Namibia and the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation on Tuesday jointly commemorated the International Year of Millets aimed at fostering cooperation in millet production for food security.

The celebration follows the declaration by the 75th United Nations General Assembly in March 2021, that 2023 be the International Year of Millets to raise awareness of and direct policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climate conditions.

Speaking at the event here, Indian High Commissioner Mandarapu Subbarayudu said cooperation in millet production can become a new focus area between India and Namibia by increasing the production and consumption of millet worldwide.

He explained millets are the oldest world domesticated crop and have the potential to address nutritional and food security of the global south, however, there is a need to increase awareness to inspire stakeholders about
improving the production, quality and enhance research and development.

‘In India, more than 500 recipes have been developed from millets…Namibia can become a hub for millet production in the region through joint collaboration,’ he said.

MIRCO Executive Director Penda Naanda on his part said millet popularly known as Mahangu is a staple food to over 50 per cent of the Namibian population and, therefore has the potential to address food security locally and internationally.

‘Despite health benefits, millets have been neglected in favour of more profitable crops such as rice and wheat which has led to the decline in millets, in this regard the ministry is eager to welcome innovative ideas around millets to foster collaborations,’ he noted.

Silver Spoon Academy Chef Terry Jenkinson said millet (Mahangu) has been neglected for many years to the detriment of people’s health as it is high in nutritional benefits. He added that various products such as pasta, noodles, salads and chocolate amongst others can be
made from millet.

‘It is important to us that we teach our youngsters about the recipes that millet can offer because it is a fantastic diverse product and Namibia can learn a lot from India as far as the utilisation of millet,’ he noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has commenced the construction of its Hardap regional office at Mariental, in the Hardap Region, Deputy Minister Emma Theofelus announced.

Theofelus while giving an update on key projects undertaken by the ministry on Wednesday said the construction is part of decentralising the ministry’s functions to the regions.

She further revealed that part of the ministry’s capital projects includes the allocation of funds to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for broadcasting networks and studio upgrade purposes.

‘In an effort to attain 95 per cent digital television broadcasting network to all Namibian households as per the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, there is a need to invest and set up broadcasting networks to ensure that the masses receive the much-needed information through various NBC platforms,’ Theofelus added.

The Ministerial Decentralisation Committee last month held a four-day workshop to review the outdated MICT delegated functions Func
tional Framework and craft new Sector Specific Service Delivery Standards. This is due to the fast advancement in technology and new sub-functions were added to the already existing delegated audio-visual and print functions. The two documents have been crafted, reviewed, updated and finalised, Theofelus noted.

The two documents, she added will be presented to the Regional Councils for execution, in preparation for the devolution phase, where a readiness assessment will be conducted at the beginning of 2025.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Twenty-five young women from northern Namibia and southern Angola are taking part in a traditional initiation process at Omunyekadi village in the Ohangwena Region from 22 to 24 November 2023.

According to the event organiser, Meekulu Mukwanambwa (real name Ndatoolomba Kandilinganye) who is also an Omufukiki (guide to the girls), the purpose of the event is to bring together Namibian cultural and heritage lovers to experience local intangible heritage through traditional wedding ceremonies, including dancing, singing and music.

‘Efundula as it is commonly known is a traditional wedding ceremony which has been practiced by Ovakwanyama rural people in the northern part of Namibia and southern Angola for years,’ she said.

Mukwanambwa said she has been doing this for a decade now and was taught by her late husband to carry out traditional activities.

‘Girls from 15 to 20 years old are our main target, we teach them how to be responsible women,’ said Mukwanambwa.

She further said she is not bothered by the s
mall number of girls taking part this year, noting that additional girls always come on board once the event has started.

‘Last year we registered 20 girls but during the event, more and more girls started joining and we finished with around 55 girls,’ she said.

Mukwanambwa said that once the girls go through this process, they could eventually ‘get their loved ones.’

Source: The Namibian Press Agency