N.dollars 40 000 allocated per region for annual arts education implementation


WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture (MoEAC) has allocated N.dollars 40 000 per region towards the operations of the national arts directorate to implement programmes aimed at arts education under the 2023/24 financial year.

Responding to Nampa’s questions recently, the ministry’s Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp, said a total of N.dollars 66.4 million (N.dollars 66 409 000) was budgeted for the national arts directorate, of which a combined N.dollars 570 000 was allocated for all regions to implement programmes for arts education.

‘Close to two thirds of the budget allocation to the directorate covers staff benefits and salaries, as well as other operational costs, leaving very little left to implement our programmes. The national arts budget represents about 0.00041 per cent of the ministerial budget,’ she said.

Steenkamp explained that salaries and benefits make up 59 per cent of the total budget standing at N.dollars 39 092 000, while subsidies to institutions total N.dollars 22 78
0 000 representing 34 per cent share of the budget, noting the head office including the College of the Arts (COTA) is allocated N.dollars 3 967 000, which includes costs of daily subsistence allowance, utilities, maintains and repairs.

She noted that the arts directorate faces great challenge of funding and as a result does not have enough human resources like necessary specialised experts and researchers, noting that currently the directorate is short-staffed with a total of 12 staff members at the head of office, while the majority (72 employees) are employed at COTA.

Steenkamp further noted that as per the annual plan of 2023/24, the directorate has prioritised reviewing existing legal frameworks including National Arts Fund Act No 1 of 2005, the National Art Gallery of Namibia Act No 14 of 2000, as well as the establishment of a legal framework for COTA.

‘We also plan to improve the operations and service delivery at COTA and carry out research on the cultural and creative sector, as well as formulate
a creative industries strategy,’ she added.

Steenkamp highlighted that subsidised institutions include National Arts Gallery of Namibia with N.dollars 8 348 000; National Arts Council of Namibia, which received N.dollars 5 500 000 and National Theatre of Namibia with N.dollars 8 100 000.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Two men nabbed for alleged possession of cannabis at Karasburg


ROSH PINAH: Two men aged 39 and 49 years are expected to appear in the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday after they were allegedly found in possession of Cannabis worth over N.dollars 300 000.

According to a crime report issued on Sunday by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol)’s, crime investigations coordinator for ||Kharas region, Deputy Commissioner, Nikodemus Mbango on Sunday, the suspects were arrested on Friday around 02h00 at the southern town.

‘An intelligence led operation pertaining to drugs was conducted by Ariamsvlei and Karasburg police officers and about 1km outside Karasburg, the vehicle in which the suspects were travelling was stopped. However, the driver tried to drive off, but police managed to stop them from fleeing,’ he said.

One of the suspects allegedly jumped out of the vehicle in attempt to flee, throwing a big parcel out of the vehicle in the process. The parcel was found to contain 7 815 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N.dollars 309 750.

The men each face
one count of dealing in illicit drugs.

In a separate incident, a 23-year-old man is expected to appear in the same court on Monday after he was allegedly found in possession of 1990 grams of Cannabis worth N.dollars 99 500.

The deputy commissioner said the man was arrested on Friday morning around 10h00 at his residence at Ariamslvei.

In another incident, NamPol at Karasburg are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a 25-year-old man was hit and killed by a vehicle some nine kilometers outside the southern town.

The deceased has been identified as Roberto Petrus Kooper, who’s next of kin have been informed of his death.

Kooper was allegedly struck by the vehicle at around 03h30 on the Karasburg/Grnau road. The driver of the vehicle, who faces a charge of culpable homicide once located, allegedly fled the scene after the incident.

Meanwhile, a 90-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at Noordoewer on Saturday, after his body was found hanging from the roof of his room with
a black belt around his neck at around 09h00 on Saturday.

The incident happened at the Paaiekamp residential area at the border town and no foul play is suspected.

In a separate incident at Lderitz a teenage boy who was being held in custody allegedly attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in a cell. According to Mbango, the incident occurred at around 17h00 on Saturday, however, police officers on duty discovered him hanging from a blanket strap and cut him down while still conscious.

Mbango further said the boy was taken to the Lderitz hospital for observation, while a social worker has referred his case to a to a psychologist.

Last week the teenager escaped from custody and was rearrested on Friday.

Police investigations in all matters continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Robber Chanties extend their advantage after weekend triumphs


OPUWO: Khorixas-based Robber Chanties FC collected a maximum of six points over the weekend to expand the margin at the top of the Kunene Football League standings to four points.

Robber Chanties, one of Kunene’s oldest and most successful clubs, have been toying with their opponents this season after winning all six of their opening games, scoring 23 goals and conceding only four. They lead the league with 18 points.

They outclassed their long-time rival Kunene NamPol FC on Sunday at the Herbert Conradie Stadium in Khorixas in a game that ended 2-1 in their favour, following Saturday’s victory against Opuwo-based Okarindi Komutati with two goals to one.

Other Saturday matches featured Green Dangers defeating Pubs FC 7-2 in Kamanjab. At the same time, Okaukuejo’s Etosha United crushed Khorixas Football Academy 5-0.

Before their loss to Robber Chanties, Kunene NamPol earned three points by defeating Gariseb Orlando Pirates 1-0 at Khorixas. Young Eagles also won 1-0 against Sixty Eleven FC, while Khaibasen
and !Ugab FC drew one-all on Saturday.

On Sunday, Khaibasen gained three points over Sixty Eleven in a 1-0 victory, Young Eagles and !Ugab drew one apiece, while Green Dangers lost 1-0 to Khorixas FA at home.

Gariseb Orlando Pirates, who are yet to find their footing, suffered another humiliating setback on Sunday when they were smashed by Okarindi Komutati in their own home, resulting in a 6-1 thriller in favour of the Opuwo-based team. Etosha United gained a point at home after a 2-2 draw with Pubs.

With just six games played, Robber Chanties are the only unbeaten team in the league, with 18 points at the top of the log ranking, followed by Khaibasen with 14 points after four wins and two draws. Young Eagles and Green Dangers are third and fourth, respectively, with 10 points. Etosha United, Okarindi Komutati, and Khorixas FA all have nine points, ranking fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively.

Kunene NamPol are ranked ninth with seven points, followed by !Ugab with six points. Sixty-Eleven and Pubs FC
are tied on four points in 10th and 11th place. Gariseb Orlando Pirates, yet to secure a win after five defeats and a tie, are in the relegation zone with one point.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Mbumba undertakes first bilateral visit since taking office


WINDHOEK: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba on Monday travelled to Angola for his first bilateral visit since taking office on 04 February 2024, where he is expected to hold talks with his counterpart, João Lourenço, in Luanda.

Mbumba, who marked one month in office, said his visit was about upholding the custom in the region of new elected heads of state reporting to their counterparts.

Prior to his departure from Eros Airport, the president told the media that he was also going to thank President Lourenço for his solidarity throughout the period of mourning and the funeral of former President Hage Geingob.

‘In terms of tradition, if you’re the head of state and new in the office, you must report yourself to others. First, I am going to Angola; next time, I am going to another country. So there is nothing particularly special. It is only that you are duty-bound to perform these things to honour the SADC tradition and honour the friendship we have enjoyed so far with our neighbours,’ he said.

‘And for the
Angolans, to have their president here [for the funeral], sleeping two nights and being among the last to leave with the president of Botswana. We have to thank them in their own territories, not while they are here,’ Mbumba said of his one-day visit to Luanda.

He said Angola was among the countries that donated equipment for the funeral, including vehicles. ‘You’ve seen their planes in the air,’ said Mbumba, referring to the Angolan fighter pilots who participated in the flypast on 25 February 2024, the day of Geingob’s funeral at Heroes’ Acre.

Detailing the president’s bilateral visit to Angola, presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari told Nampa that Angola and Namibia are important bilateral partners.

He noted that the robust people-to-people interactions, strong trading, and peaceful shared borders are indicators of the long-standing ties between the two southern African countries.

‘And there are issues in the bilateral relationship that President Mbumba would like to take up with his counterpart, P
resident Lourenço, that include the question of grazing along the common borders,’ he said.

Hengari added that the matter was also discussed by former deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Angolan External Relations Minister Tete Antonio.

During their meeting at Helao Nafidi on 12 January 2024, the Angolan government agreed to allow Namibian farmers to graze in the neighbouring Angolan territory.

‘But I also need to emphasise that shortly before the passing of President Geingob, Namibia and Angola were discussing a date to hold a bi-national commission. Unfortunately, that has been overtaken by the events. So these are issues that President Mbumba would like to discuss with President Lourenço,’ Hengari said.

‘There are other issues in our bilateral relations with President Mbumba to learn from Angola as an old oil economy, with Namibia just discovering oil, so there are synergies and commonalities in our relations with Angola.’

President Mbumba is accompanied, among others, by the Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga, and Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Twin brothers found dead in trunk


OMUTHIYA: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region has reported the death of four-year-old twin brothers, after they were allegedly left home alone by their mother who went to collect wild fruit.

According to NamPol Regional Commander, Commissioner Theopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku on Monday, the incident occurred on Sunday at Okatope village in Oshikoto’s Okankolo Constituency.

‘It is alleged that their mother went to a family house in the same village Sunday morning and joined the people there to go and collect wild fruit (Eembeke) in the forest. She arrived back at 18h00 and found the children lying dead in a trunk which was in the sleeping room,’ she reported.

Kalompo-Nashikaku said the trunk was closed but not locked.

The deceased were identified as Magnes Simaneka Angula and Salom Panduleni Angula.

Their bodies were taken to the Onandjokwe State Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations to be conducted. Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Minor girl raped in Omusati Region


OSHAKATI: A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 38-year-old man at Onaanda village in the Omusati Region on Sunday.

The Namibian Police Force’s Omusati crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho, said the incident occurred around 15h00.

It is alleged that the suspect, who is a cattle herder, was looking after livestock with the girl near their house at the time of the incident.

Simaho said a case has been opened and the suspect was arrested.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Science subjects training underway in Zambezi


KATIMA MULILO: Eighty-nine teachers from the Zambezi Region are receiving training in chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics this week.

Zambezi Regional Education Director Josty Kawana welcomed the training which started Monday and concludes on Friday, and which trains science teachers to be confident in practical teaching.

‘This training is going to expose us to do our practicals in terms of critical work and to capacitate us even further in the areas our teachers still need to be capacitated in. We are fortunate to have this programme,’ Kawana stated.

The training workshop which is being conducted by the Education, Arts and Culture Directorate in the Zambezi Region is made possible with the assistance of Risk-Based Solutions through Dr Sindila Mwiya.

‘Education is the greatest equaliser and if we can 100 per cent empower our science and maths teachers, then you get the benefit of producing the best learners who will become the knowledgeable and well-equipped leaders of tomorrow,’ Mwiya emphasised.

H
e further insisted that training such as this is vital as it provides support to the teachers as they also get cutting-edge understanding of new concepts and new ways of doing things.

The 89 selected teachers are from all secondary schools in the Zambezi Region who are responsible for science and maths.

They are being trained by lecturers from the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) under the leadership of Professor Sylvanus Onjefu.

This is the second time the training is being offered.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency