Category: General

The National First Division Streams will welcome its new members from the National Second Division after six clubs successfully gained promotion in the new season when the Namibia Football Association successfully hosted its promotional play-offs over the weekend.

The promotional play-offs for the North East, Southern and North West First Division Streams were held in Grootfontein, Tsumeb and Keetmanshop.

Play-offs that were held in Grootfontein saw Omuthiya United and Further Fighter from Helao Nafidi promoted to the North East First Division Stream while games played in Tsumeb saw Outjo Football Academy and Khuse Lions from Oshakati gaining promotion to the North West Stream.

Meanwhile, the Southern Stream will welcome five new teams to its division for the 2023/24 football season with three Debmarine Namibia Premier League relegated outfits – Citizens, Black Africa and Eleven Arrows joining the fold and the two new second divisions outfits that won promotion to the First Division.

Oranjemund-based outfit Oranjemund FC and Rehoboth-based Latinos progressed to the Southern Stream First Division at the play-offs that were held in Keetmanshop.

With the promotional play-offs concluded, the 36 teams that will compete in the 2023/24 First Division Streams are as follows:

Southern Stream First Division will consist of Black Africa, Blue Boys, Citizens, Eleven Arrows, Dates Eleven, DTS Hopsol, Latinos, Mariental Sports Club, Namibian Correctional Service, Oranjemund FC, O&L Ramblers and Try Again.

The North West First Division will consist of Young Chiefs, Golden Bigs, Africa Moto, KK Palace, Ongwediva City, Oshikuku Young Stars, Onambula United, Eleven Warriors, Touch & Go, Golden Bees, Outjo Football Academy and Khuse Lions.

Teams that will compete in the North East First Division are Rundu Chiefs, United Stars, Black Hawks, Cuca Tops, Ntunguru, Kangweru Black Tops, Chief Santos, Oshikango Chiefs, KK United, Eastern Chiefs, Omuthiya United and Further Fighters.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), Jason Kasuto said that if the oil and gas industry brings some promise, then Namibians should keep an open mind and not shy away from the energy conversation.

Kasuto made these remarks on Tuesday during the launch of the National Oil and Gas Conference, which is slated for 16 and 17 August in Windhoek.

“We need to own our problems, and we need to own the process of solving them. Let’s not shy away from the real conversations such as energy mix, transition, and shared infrastructure. Namibia has both green hydrogen and hydrocarbon ambitions that it should pursue,” Kasuto said.

Kasuto added that because the oil and gas discoveries in Namibia have become a topical issue by virtue of the potential Gross Domestic Product and household income impacts that this new industry can bear, intense dialogue is crucial.

“As Namibians, we know our problems: poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Consequently, it is important to grab with both hands the opportunities that can help us design a better future,” he added.

The National Oil and Gas Conference is EAN’s annual conference that’s hosted around topical issues that shape the economic development of Namibia, Kastuto said, adding that last year the conference’s focus was on green hydrogen.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Otjiwarongo Municipality on Tuesday announced the appointment of Erickson Mwayekange as acting chief executive officer (CEO) for a period of three months.

Otjiwarongo Mayor Gottlieb Shivute in an interview with Nampa said Mwayekange’s appointment follows the resignation of Moses Matyayi last month. Matyayi has been appointed CEO of the City of Windhoek.

Mwayekange is the Strategic Executive for Community Development Services at the Otjiwarongo Municipality.

“Mwayekange’s appointment is effective from 01 August 2023 until November this year, or until a substantive CEO is appointed by the management committee of the municipality on a permanent basis,” Shivute said.

He further stated that the recruitment process for the new CEO has started and is still in the preliminary stages.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Old Mutual Foundation (OMF) has launched a chair and desk initiative worth N.dollars 500 000 to address the pressing need for chairs and desks in public schools in all 14 regions.

Old Mutual Namibia’s Group Marketing, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Executive, Mignon du Preez in a press release on Tuesday said the initiative intends to offer new chairs and desks to schools in desperate need, as well as repair damaged chairs and desks.

Then foundation urged local entrepreneurs, businesses, vocational training facilities, and correctional services to collaborate with them on the provision and repairing of furniture to ensure the success of the initiative. Interested parties can complete an online form to be considered.

Acting school principal Alexia Ileka was quoted in the press release as saying chairs and desks are critically required in most schools across the country.

“I am grateful to the Old Mutual Foundation for coming up with this excellent initiative, which will not only repair any damaged furniture in our classrooms, but will also supply new furniture, which will improve learners’ ability to perform. We value having educational partners,” she said.

The foundation, which is Old Mutual’s corporate social investment vehicle, delivers a wide range of social programmes throughout Namibia.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The police in the Oshana Region on Monday found a lung, black leggings, a white sheet, and a t-shirt buried near the Ongwediva cemetery.

The police unearthed the shallow grave at Omatando Number 1 after receiving reports from the community about suspicious activities near the bushes close to the cemetery.

Oshana Community Affairs Officer Inspector Thomas Aiyambo told Nampa on Monday a similar incident occurred last week, when another shallow grave with a heart and lung was uncovered by the police.

According to Aiyambo, the police have taken the lungs and heart to the police mortuary for examination to determine whether these organs belong to an animal or a human being. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Namibians from all walks of life gathered at Oshikango border in the Helao Nafidi town to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking In Persons (TIPs) on Friday.

The day is commemorated annually on 30 July to create awareness and end the fight against trafficking.

Speaking at the event, Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa said since 2015, a total of eight traffickers have been convicted and serving their prison terms.

Imalwa also said that since the first case of trafficking was prosecuted, coordinated efforts have seen the number of TIPs that are detected and properly investigated improve tremendously.

She added that there are currently 26 cases with 56 accused persons pending before courts, including the case of the 44 suspected victims of different nationalities who were rescued from being trafficked in Namibia.

“The victims were found in two vessels at a hub in the Erongo Region,” she said

According to Imalwa, it was not easy to provide protection and assistance to such a large number of suspected victims, however, through coordinated efforts of different government institutions as well as non-governmental institutions, a shelter was secured for them.

“The suspected victims were provided with medical and psychosocial assistance,” she said.

Meanwhile Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo in a speech read on his behalf said the police currently have 101 cases reported for TIPs, compared to 86 cases reported in 2022 during the same period.

“This is worrisome,” he said and called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and ready to act at all times.

He also highlighted that the lack of proper shelter or services specifically for victims of trafficking, lack of sufficient resources to carry out educational programmes and delays in obtaining evidence from other countries remains a challenge.

The day was commemorated under the theme ‘Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind’.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A 72-year-old Namibian male reportedly committed suicide on Friday at Otjikango Ekwenje Village (Okondjatu settlement) in the Otjozondjupa Region.

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) crime report on Sunday, indicated that the deceased’s body was found hanging under a tree with a wire around his neck some few meters from his house.

“According to the family members, the deceased was left home alone, at the time of the incident,” it read.

The body was transported to Okakarara State Hospital, where it will be further taken to the Otjiwarongo police mortuary for a postmortem.

There was no suicide note found and the next of kin have been informed.

In a similar incident, 41-year-old Eugene Izaaks committed suicide at Rehoboth’s block D, in the Hardap Region, when he shot himself with his own rifle under the chin and died on the spot.

The incident happened at about 01h30, after an alleged argument with his wife.

No suicide note was found.

In an unrelated event, a 23-year-old male was arrested at the Donkerhoek location in Aranos, Hardap region, for reportedly being in possession of 28 bags of cannabis (35 grams) with a total value of N.dollar 1750 00.

According to NamPol, the suspect was apprehended at about 04h05 on Saturday during the police’s routine search.

Police investigations in all matters continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency