Eritrea Wire

Namibians from all walks of life are mourning the death of well-known banker Tomas Koneka Iindji who died on Tuesday, aged 44.

The late Iindji who died in Windhoek, played a pivotal role in the banking sector where he served for decades. After many years with First National Bank (FNB) Namibia, he became the Head of Business and Commercial Banking for Standard Bank earlier this year. Iindji was a former Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) northern branch chairperson.

Standard Bank Namibia in a message of condolences on Tuesday described Iindji as a great man and that his death is a great loss.

‘It is with a heavy heart that we wish to inform the Namibian nation of the passing of their beloved champion lindji. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children, family, our colleagues who worked closely with him, and the entire Namibian community,’ read the message.

On his part, former NCCI Chief Executive Officer Tarah Shaanika remembered the late Iindji as a passionate business leader and
banker who inspired so many people.

He said Iindji was a gifted leader who exuded so much energy and exhibited amazing natural human relations and networking abilities.

‘As we mourn his untimely passing and celebrate his life so well spent, we cherish his great legacy that he is visibly leaving behind. He was a great gift to Namibia and humanity. May he rest well,’ Shaanika said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The tourism sector in Namibia is a significant industry that directly contributes 6.9 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which amounts to N.dollars 14.3 billion in monetary value.

According to the 2022 Namibia Tourist Satellite Account Report, tourism-related industries employ a total of 57 277 individuals, accounting for 7.9 per cent of the overall employment in 2022.

Minister of Environment, Tourism and Forestry, Pohamba Shifeta made this statement on Wednesday, while delivering his keynote address at the official opening of the Tourism Expo in Windhoek.

The expo is being held under the theme ‘Beyond Borders’, with greater emphasis on the optimisation of the unfolding tourism economic opportunities in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) region.

According to him, tourism is given high priority in both the National Development Plans (NDPs) and the Harambee Prosperity Plans (HPPs).

Additionally, he stated that tourism is acknowledged as a substantial facto
r in generating foreign exchange profits, investments, income, employment opportunities, rural development, poverty alleviation, and overall economic prosperity of the country.

‘I am informed that many entities have benefited in many ways as a result of hosting of this expo, such as increasing bookings at their accommodation establishments,’ he said.

According to Windhoek’s deputy mayor, Joseph Uapingene, the tourism industry is both dynamic and expanding. It offers opportunities but also poses challenges, especially for local government.

This is because local government is responsible for providing and managing the infrastructure and services that are frequently used by both tourists and residents, he said.

‘Local government, in its function as the custodian of the ‘showroom’, frequently plays a crucial part in improving the overall tourist experience. Consequently, it is imperative to comprehend the implications of this matter,’ Uapingene said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) have cautioned the public and shortlisted candidates from the ongoing police cadet constable recruitment of scammers who are impersonating police officers.

Chief lnspector Elifas Kuwinga in a media statement on Wednesday said it is alleged that the suspects are targeting shortlisted candidates, pretending to be from the police recruitment office in Windhoek.

‘As alleged, a victim will receive a call from police officers (scammers) who are asking questions relating to qualifications as well as first aid certificate. The suspects then demand payment of around N.dollars 800, explaining to the victim that by paying the amount, the applicant would bypass normal procedures to obtain a first aid certificate in case they do not have it,’ Kuwinga said.

He said the suspects are deliberately using police ranks to conceal their identity and to make the public believe that it is authentic.

‘In terms of the law, NamPol does not ask or take money from shortlisted candidates i
n regards to its recruitment processes. Therefore, do not make any electronic funds transfer or cash payments to anyone (stranger),’ Kuwinga said.

The statement also cautioned the public to be vigilant of the following two cellphone numbers which are reportedly being used by the scammers: 081 436 4903 and 081 436 4929.

‘The Namibian Police Force herewith issue a stern caution to public members, particularly the shortlisted candidates and their relatives to be vigilant and never to entertain calls from strangers that are requesting money for recruitment processes. The candidates are equally assured that the Namibian Police Force have been and will continue communicating with its public through media platforms both print and electronic,’ it said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Two female tourists reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained during a motor vehicle accident which occurred on the C14 gravel road, 140 kilometres away from Walvis Bay on Wednesday afternoon.

Namibian Police Force Commander of the Community Policing Unit in the Erongo Region, Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba confirmed the incident on Thursday, adding that the deceased passengers were 69 and 72 years old respectively.

It is alleged that the driver of a Scania bus, carrying 22 foreign nationals, was driving downhill from the direction of Windhoek when the bus’ brakes allegedly failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In the process, it crashed into an unoccupied stationary pick-up truck that was parked alongside the road.

‘The bus proceeded to bump into another bus, a Mercedes Benz, that was driving uphill from the opposite direction, which is Walvis Bay, carrying 32 passengers, who all escaped unharmed apart from their driver who sustained injuries,’ Shapumba said.

Twenty of the passenger
s as well as the driver in the Scania bus all suffered moderate to serious injuries, Shapumba added.

The injured passengers were transported by various ambulances to a hospital in Walvis Bay for treatment.

Four of the victims have been discharged while 16 were still receiving medical attention.

The deceased persons’ bodies were transported to the Walvis Bay State Hospital for further handling.

Their next of kin have not yet been informed.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibia has seen a significant increase in the number of tourists arriving from Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) countries.

During the 2021/22 period, the country experienced a staggering 4 073 per cent increase in visitor arrivals from Angola, a 109 per cent increase from Botswana, and a consistent 52 per cent growth from Zambia.

Bornventure Mbidzo, the acting CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), made these announcements on Wednesday at the Tourism Expo underway in Windhoek.

He stated that the streamlined travel arrangements between Namibia and Botswana have surely contributed to the increase in visitor numbers.

‘The introduction of seamless border crossings has made it easier and more convenient for tourists to explore both countries, encouraging them to stay longer and discover the diverse attractions we offer,’ he said.

He added that NTB firmly believes that similar agreements between other KAZA TFCA countries such as Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe hold immense po
tential for the tourism sector in those nations.

‘By promoting cross-border tourism, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, and enhancing the overall experience for travellers, we can collectively showcase the breathtaking diversity of each country within the KAZA region,’ he said.

KAZA TFCA Secretariat Executive Director, Nyambe Nyambe meanwhile stated that KAZA partner states are interested in making smart investments in the tourism sector and capitalising on the natural, cultural, and heritage resources that serve as the foundation of landscape tourism offerings. This is by ensuring resource development and unlocking the value of their natural assets and cultural heritage resources.

Nyambe said that beyond borders tourism in KAZA has been going on for a long time, but a lot still is required to make it more competitive, sustainable and beneficial.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, on Thursday inaugurated Namibia’s first Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Recycling Plant aimed at reducing plastic waste.

The N.dollars 24 million plant, situated in Okahandja, is a joint endeavor between Namibia Polymer Recyclers and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Namibia.

PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water.

In a statement issued to Nampa, Shifeta at the inauguration ceremony said the cutting-edge facility will enable Namibia

Polymer Recyclers to process up to 500 tons of PET material per month which is significantly reducing the need for virgin PET while diverting substantial waste from landfills and our precious environment.

‘ By doubling the capacity of our mechanical plastic waste recycling, we are not only addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also unlocking economic opp
ortunities for our nation,’ he said.

Shifeta emphasised that his ministry remains committed to its mandate to create an enabling environment for doing business and to continue to initiate policy interventions and strategies to promote an environmentally friendly and conducive space for businesses to thrive.

He further noted that waste management practices such as composting, reusing, and reducing consumption can significantly lessen the environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, has requested that President Nangolo Mbumba declare a State of Emergency on account of drought.

In an open letter to Mbumba seen by Nampa on Wednesday, Venaani said the declaration would help mobilise resources, accelerate assistance and draw international attention, all of which the country direly needs to tackle this looming disaster.

‘I impress upon you to heed the call of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry to declare drought a national emergency, as empowered by Chapter 4, Article 26 of the Constitution. Mr. president, the importance of this matter cannot be stated enough. The government ought to learn from historical disasters and devise strategies to better deal with calamities of this nature,’ read the letter.

He said the recent announcement by NamWater indicating that the three key dams in Windhoek are only filled to 18.7 per cent combined capacity serves as a dire warning, hinting at the perils that lie ahead, adding that the
relentless El Niño climatic phenomenon exacerbates this already precarious situation, causing severe rainfall shortages.

Venaani said the adverse effects of climate change have brought the nation to an alarming state, where the imminent threat of meteorological calamity overshadows daily existence, citing that the severe rainfall shortages indicate not merely a seasonal irregularity, but a dreadful specter of climate changes, a matter that deserves undivided attention and swift action.

‘Our farmers, the backbone of our economy, could bear the brunt of this impending disaster without timely and requisite assistance. We must remember, Mr. president, that the nature of our challenge is not merely environmental, it is human. The livelihoods at stake are the ones of our brothers and sisters, the very fabric of our society. Therefore, it is our moral duty to ensure their welfare, in the face of adversity,’ said Venaani.

He also called on the president to devise a crop subsidy for farmers that have cultivated mor
e than one hectare of land through insurance institutions such as NASRIA, as this particular category of farmers is usually left without any assistance.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency