Day: March 25, 2024

OSHAKATI: Namibia’s Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium and the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the Mission to the European Union held a memorial service in honour of the late President Hage Geingob on Saturday.

President Geingob died at the age of 82 on 04 February 2024 and was laid to rest on 25 February.

The memorial service was broadcast live on Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) television.

During the service, Dr Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus, Namibia’s Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands, and the European Union, described the late President Geingob as a committed freedom fighter and extinguished statesman who had a huge impact on Namibia.

She remarked that political analysts, historians, and scholars will examine and document President Geingob’s legacy for decades to come.

‘It was touching seeing people from all walks of life coming together in large numbers to invoke the power of unity which the late president used to preach,’ the ambassador said.

Additionally, Kaapanda-Girnus noted that President Geingob was a forceful, impassioned, and outspoken leader. She also emphasised his deep commitment to the principles of equality and self-determination, as well as his staunch defence of Namibians on the international stage.

Various speakers at the memorial service highlighted the late president’s wisdom, diplomatic finesse, and steadfast dedication to the welfare of Namibians.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI: Every region in Namibia has a unique competitive advantage that it can leverage to boost its economy, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, has said.

She said this during a consultative meeting held at Oshakati on Monday, where discussions centered around pivotal legislative frameworks including the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill, the National Informal Economy, Startups and Entrepreneurship Development Policy (NIESED), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Regulations, and the National Cooling Strategy.

The minister said Namibia has phased out Export Processing Zones (EPZ) and is currently transitioning to SEZ, with a special focus on strengthening regions’ economic potential to maximise production.

‘The concept of special economic zones has proven to be a catalyst for economic transformation in various parts of the world. By creating designated areas with favourable business conditions and incentives, governments aim to attract both domestic and foreign investments, foster innovation, and generate employment opportunities,’ she said.

Iipumbu emphasised the necessity of replacing the outdated EPZ law as it had various challenges and advocated for a proactive approach in drafting the SEZ Bill with a forward-looking approach, incorporating measures to promote innovation, research and development, and new technology.

The minister said this will give Namibia the opportunity to position itself as a hub for cutting-edge industries, attracting both domestic and foreign investment that will fuel economic progress, and outlined intentions to table the bill in Parliament before the end of this year.

Echoing Iipumbu’s sentiments was Oshana Governor Elia Irimari, who underscored the potential of the SEZ Bill to boost economic growth and create employment.

‘The National Informal Economy, Startups and Entrepreneurship Development Policy is equally critical as it seeks to provide a supportive environment for entrepreneurs,’ the governor said.

He also emphasised the importance of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Regulations in fostering a conducive environment for local and international investors, which he said is fundamental in driving economic growth and development.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

KATIMA MULILO: Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for the revival of the Kalimbeza rice project to enhance food security in Namibia.

Envisaged to be the major rice project in the country, the Kalimbeza rice project situated 56 kilometres from Katima Mulilo has not been operational since 2021, amongst others due to broken machinery and a water pump that needs to be replaced.

In an interview with Nampa on the sidelines of her familiarisation visit to the project recently, Nandi-Ndaitwah said it has proven to be effective before and urged the project manager to work with the University of Namibia, which has experience in rice plantations.

‘There’s not much required except replacing some of the broken machines and repairing others. When you’re running a farm and one machine is not working, it makes work ineffective,’ she said.

She advised the project manager to start preparing and put things in place so the project can become operational again by August this year.

The project received an allocation of N.dollars 8 million from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.

Meanwhile, President Nangolo Mbumba during his keynote address at the 34th independence celebrations held at Katima Mulilo last week, announced that the government approved the establishment of a sugar plantation at the Kalimbeza project, in addition to a sugar processing plant at Katima Mulilo.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Natives of Guneku village, located in Mbengwi Central subdivision in the North West Region, last Saturday, March 23, 2024, took part in a cultural festival at the Guneku Fon’s Palace, dubbed ‘Michi Ebeng’.

The Michi Ebeng festival in its second edition took place for two days, culminating on Saturday, March 23, 2024, with 13 Meta Kwem dance groups competing to revive Meta kwem cultural dance amongst other issues.

The Fon of Guneku village welcomed all present while hoping that the Cultural festival would unite the Meta people as well as help revive the Meta culture in its entirety.

The President of the organizing committee, Fongoh P. Anyeh a journalist, and the President of Meta Fons Union (MEFU) HRH. Dr.Fombo, and the MECUDA President General Prof. Njoh Oliver each took turns to address the mammoth crowd all stressing the importance of Meta culture being revived and maintained.

The Kwem dance display proper was accompanied by the showcasing of Meta-rich cultural artifacts.

The over 6 hours cultural jamb
oree ended with Guneku Kwem dance group picking up the first position, followed by Buea Kwem dance Group and Tua-Chup Kwem dance for the third position. The rendezvous for the 3rd edition of the Michi Ebeng Festival was announced for April 12, 2025.

The Cultural Festival focused on the Nkwen traditional dance display initiated by the traditional ruler of Guneku village, His Royal Highness, HRH. Dr.Fomuki Ticha IX, brought together 13 Nkwen dance groups, a college of Meta traditional rulers headed by HRH. Dr.Fombo of Njindom Village, Meta Cultural, and Development Association, MECUDA, officials led by Prof. Njoh Oliver, the Mayor of Mbengwi Council Mr.Ndansa, the Member of Parliament Mrs. Prudencia, college of Clergy officials, thousands of Elites and non-Meta elites drawn from within and out of Meta land.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed disclosed that seedlings are under preparation across Ethiopia for this year’s planting season as part of the Green Legacy Initiative.

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is more than just planting; it is an integrated management of existing forests and biodiversity, the premier shared on X page.

Prime Minister Abiy added that the Green Legacy Initiative is also crucial to restoring mass degraded landscapes and improving the ecosystem.

‘As we prepare for this year’s planting season ahead of us, seedlings are under preparation throughout the country,’ Abiy stated.

As part of the ambitious Green Legacy Initiative to plant 50 billion trees in two phases, Ethiopia successfully planted 32.5 billion seedlings to date.

The initiative is a demonstration of Ethiopia’s long-term commitment to a multifaceted response to the impacts of climate change and environmental challenges, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

OSHAKATI: The Oshikuku Town Council has set aside over N.dollars 1.7 million for the rehabilitation of the town’s sewerage ponds.

Oshikuku Town Council spokesperson, John Siloiso, in an interview with Nampa on Monday said the project has already kicked off and will last for six months.

According to Siloiso, the rehabilitation of the sewerage ponds forms part of the council’s efforts to ensure effective service delivery.

Siloiso indicated that the current ponds have a small capacity in relation to the inflow.

‘The work includes creating an embankment to stop runoff sewer water mixing with rainwater, fencing off the whole area, establishing one more pond and cleaning all existing ponds,’ he said.

He explained that this is the final area where wastewater from houses ends up and such water becomes a health hazard if not handled and managed properly.

Cleaning the ponds to remove reeds and sludge as well as constructing additional ponds will increase capacity.

Siloiso added that the fence is also damaged and
residents are accessing ponds without authorisation, noting that a new fence will be erected to control access to the ponds.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency