Category: General

OSHAKATI: A four-year-old boy allegedly drowned in a pond while fetching water with his siblings at Olwaadhiya village in the Omusati Region’s Onesi Constituency on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Shilikuwo Kamati.

The Namibian Police Force’s Omusati Crime Investigation Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho, said the incident occurred around 19h00 when the boy’s mother allegedly instructed the boy and his siblings, aged two and five, to fetch water from a pond near the house while she was busy working in the mahangu field.

‘When the children returned without the deceased, the mother went back to the pond. She found him floating in the water and retrieved the body,’ he said.

The deceased’s body is being kept at the Onesi Health Centre and will be further transported to the Okahao Police mortuary for an autopsy to be conducted.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

OTJIWARONGO: The Otjozondjupa Regional Council on Thursday officially opened a book of condolences for late President Hage Geingob who died in Windhoek on Sunday.

The condolences book, according to the Personal Assistant to the Otjozondjupa Region Governor, Charmaine Tjizumane is to allow the general public to send messages to the bereaved family of Geingob.

Tjizumane told Nampa on Thursday: ‘The book belongs to the Government, and it will be placed on the ground floor of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council building where it will remain open to any member of the public who wants to send a message of condolences and a word of support to the late president’s family.’

Tjizumane called on the region’s inhabitants to make use of the opportunity to convey their condolences before the book is sent to State House in Windhoek.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI: The United Nations (UN) General Assembly 55th plenary meeting of the 78th season on Wednesday observed a moment of silence in honour of President Hage Geingob, who died on Sunday in Windhoek.

He was aged 82.

In his remarks, UN President Dennis Francis said President Geingob was a towering figure in Namibian history and politics, and a beacon of leadership on the African continent.

Francis indicated that Geingob’s avocation for sustainable development and renewable energy earned admiration and respect on the world stage, a vision that extends well beyond his country’s borders.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that democracy, self-determination, and human rights for all animated the life and work of President Geingob.

‘As we pay tribute to the memory of President Geingob, we should commit to honouring the values that Geingob stood for, by fighting racism, misogyny and injustice and by standing up for human rights. At the same time, by working to build a more equal world, in
which no one is left behind,’ he said.

The UN, he said, will continue its strong friendship with Namibia to build a more equal world for all. A world of dignity, and human rights, he concluded.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield United States Representative to the UN, stated that President Geingob helped liberate Namibia from the chains of colonialism and apartheid, overseeing the drafting of the country’s new constitution, working, as Prime Minister and then President, to reduce economic inequality, widen the social safety net, improve public health, and fight against climate change.

‘It is notable – though unsurprising – that President Geingob died as he lived: with transparency and courageous vulnerability,’ she said.

She indicated that President Geingob was a freedom fighter, a respected leader, an African icon, and was also a farmer. He believed in the power of farmers to fight food insecurity and lift entire communities.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: Hundreds of mourners gathered at Opuwo for a candlelight vigil in memory of President Hage Gottfried Geingob, who died on Sunday in Windhoek at the age of 82.

The gathering was organised by the Opuwo Town Council and drew a large crowd who shared hymns, scriptures, and prayers.

The majority of the speakers hailed Geingob as a kind leader who cared about the elderly, a passion he demonstrated by boosting the monthly pension grants and announcing another increase not long before his death.

According to Tjivindikua Zatjindua, an Otjikako Traditional Authority councillor, Geingob was a staunch leader who believed in and pushed for the equitable distribution of the country’s resources. Under Geingob, hunger and destitution among the less fortunate were lessened, he said.

Opuwo Mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo lauded Geingob as an inspirational leader whose legacy reverberates through the nation’s plans and who was devoted to the prosperity and togetherness of Namibians.

She noted that Geingob’s leadership wen
t beyond rhetoric, laying the basis for Namibia’s long-term prosperity.

‘As we remember him tonight, let us not forget his commitment to the people. He served with a heart dedicated to all Namibians, irrespective of background or circumstances,’ noted Mbinge-Tjeundo.

In his pursuit of connection, Geingob walked among Namibians, touring and visiting all areas of Namibia, demonstrating his dedication to becoming a people’s leader.

‘As we light this candle in his memory, let us not only remember the man but also carry forward the torch of unity, prosperity and inclusivity that he so passionately lit. His legacy lives on in our hearts, and may his vision continue to guide Namibia towards a brighter future for generations to come,’ Mbinge-Tjeundo concluded.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OTJIWARONGO: The Swapo leadership of the Otjozondjupa Region on Wednesday held a candlelight vigil to pay their respects to the late President Hage Geingob, who died on Sunday at the age of 82.

Nearly 200 residents turned up at the event to remember and celebrate Geingob’s legacy with speeches, bible verses and religious songs by different denominational choirs.

Swapo’s Otjozondjupa Regional Coordinator, Immanuel Namaseb, at the event said the session was organised for residents to come together and remember Geingob’s visionary leadership.

Several speakers recalled Geingob’s youth in the Otjozondjupa Region in the areas of Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Tsumeb and Otavi, where he had attended primary school.

Namaseb said similar candlelight vigils will take place Thursday night at the Otjiwarongo Municipality, Otavi Town Council and Grootfontein Municipality.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OTJIWARONGO: The 37-year-old truck driver involved in a head-on collision with a Volkswagen sedan outside Otjiwarongo Wednesday morning, has been arrested on a charge of culpable homicide.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Otjozondjupa Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Edna Nawa, confirmed the arrest Wednesday afternoon of the truck driver involved in the collision which instantly killed 25-year-old Francois Seibeb.

Seibeb’s vehicle collided head-on with a mini-truck which was being driven by the suspect on the B1 road south of Otjiwarongo.

The deceased was the sole occupant of the sedan at the time of the incident, and was travelling from the direction of Otjiwarongo towards Okahandja, while the truck was headed in the opposite direction.

‘Approximately 10 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo, the two cars collided with severe impact, killing Seibeb on the spot,’ Nawa said.

Preliminary police investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect indicate that the truck veered into th
e right lane of the road, where the collision occurred.

The truck driver sustained slight injuries, and he was treated at the Otjiwarongo State Hospital on the same day.

‘He is now expected to appear in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Friday on a single charge of culpable homicide,’ said Nawa.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Founding President Sam Nujoma Wednesday evening signed the book of condolences for the late President Hage Geingob.

Geingob, 82, died in a hospital in Windhoek on Sunday.

Nujoma and his wife Kovambo Nujoma conveyed their condolences to former First Lady Monica Geingos at Casa Rosalia, the residence of the Geingob family, in Windhoek.

In his message of condolences, Nujoma said a dark shadow has fallen across the entire nation as it mourns the passing of Geingob.

‘As the nation collectively grieves this profound loss of a loving husband and caring father, our thoughts and prayers are with the widow, Madam Monica Geingos, the children; and the wider family, as well as the entire Geingob clan. May you find solace in the knowledge that we share in your grief and join you and the entire nation in mourning the departed President Geingob,’ it read.

Nujoma further wrote: ‘Allow me, on behalf of the veterans of our national liberation struggle, the Nujoma family, and indeed on my own behalf, to convey ou
r deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and entire nation for this profound loss. It is also my sincere wish that we may all be granted fortitude during this difficult time of mourning.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OTJIWARONGO: Nearly 30 members of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Otjozondjupa Region were promoted to the ranks of senior inspector, inspector and warrant officer on Wednesday.

NamPol commander in the region, Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze announced this on Wednesday morning at his weekly parade platform, saying most police officers who were promoted are stationed at the regional headquarters in Otjiwarongo and at police stations around the region.

‘This session is the phase two promotion of the 2023/2024 financial year, and therefore, it will not be the end of it,’ he said.

He said a total of 29 police officers were promoted during this phase, out of which 12 police officers were elevated to the ranks of senior inspector, including nine males and three female officers.

Fourteen police inspectors, comprising 10 women and four men were also promoted, he said.

The last category was that of three warrant officers, comprising two men and one woman.

Tjiveze congratulated all the newly promoted offi
cers and also encouraged those who were not promoted to remain positive for the next promotion platforms, while encouraging the members to continue working hard to ensuring the safety of all inhabitants and their property in Otjozondjupa.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

SWAKOPMUND: A 20-year-old woman was arrested at Walvis Bay on charges of murder after she reportedly suffocated her newborn baby with a cloth.

Erongo Regional Community Policing Officer Warrant Tuyenikelao Tashiyah in an incident report on Wednesday said the woman allegedly gave birth to the baby boy around 18h00 on Tuesday at the Tutaleni residential area and thereafter suffocated him by tying a cloth around his face.

The baby’s body was transported to the police mortuary for a post-mortem and the suspect is currently admitted to a hospital for medical treatment under police guard, Tashiyah said.

She is expected to appear in court once discharged.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

KATIMA MULILO: Zambezi Region Governor, Lawrence Sampofu has hailed Namibia’s late President, Dr Hage Geingob, as a people’s person, a good manager and leader.

‘We have lost a man, a visionary leader, a leader who made sure that as he used to say, no one is left out. He was a people’s man, a man who had people’s problems at heart, so that all of us we move in one direction. We have lost a man and a father, who made sure that everybody does not go to bed hungry. So we have lost a giant in the struggle of economic achievement,’ Sampofu maintained.

Geingob who died at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek on Sunday around midnight where he was receiving medical treatment after returning from the United States was described as one of the first pillars of the Swapo leaders from the 1960s to date.

Sampofu maintained that when Swapo was being formed, Geingob represented Swapo in the United States of America (USA) as head of students there, and 1976 Geingob was appointed as the Director of the United Natio
ns Institute for Namibia in Lusaka, Zambia. He noted that the late Head of State was a leader who paved the way for Namibia’s independence, one who organised and mobilised the Namibian masses, to join the liberations struggles to attain Namibia’s independence.

‘After the 1989 elections, he chaired the Constituent Assembly to write the first Constitution that we have today. A very important Constitution which is rated as one of the best in the world,’ Sampofu stated.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: After the postponement last weekend due to the death of President Hage Geingob, the Kunene Second Division Football League season kicks off on Saturday.

The Kunene Second Division Football League, under the auspices of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), is scheduled to kick off this weekend as confirmed by the league’s administrator Bolla Nangombe on Thursday.

Nangombe confirmed the league’s opening season matches, stating that all stadiums have been inspected and are ready to go.

‘The wait is finally over! We finally present to you the opening fixtures for this weekend. With only four days to go, we are super excited and cannot wait to bring super top-class football to you… the air is filled with anticipation and the thrill of the competition,’ he said.

The 2023-24 Premier League season will begin across the region on Saturday when newly promoted Okarindi Komutai FC travels to Outjo to take on Sixty Eleven FC at the Etoshapoort Sports Field.

!Ugab FC will make their league debut against la
st season’s runners-up Kunene NamPol FC at Etoshapoort, while Khaibasen FC will face Pubs FC.

Young Eagles FC from Okaukuejo will put their strength to the test at home against the youthful Khorixas Football Academy (KFA) squad.

With newly promoted teams and significant names on the move, league favourite Robber Chanties FC, who went shopping to bolster their squad, will meet Etosha United at Khorixas’ iconic Herbert Conradie Stadium.

Following that game, Orlando Gariseb FC will face Green Dangers.

The second round of league fixtures will feature newcomers !Ugab FC against Opuwo rural club Okarindi Komutati in a game that will test the two teams’ strengths after last season’s playoff encounters, with Okarindi winning in the final at Outjo.

Kunene NamPol, who are also reported to have signed new players from Opuwo, will face Sixty Eleven on Sunday at the Etoshapoort field.

KFA will travel from Okaukuejo to Outjo to face Khaibasen FC, while Young Eagles FC will await Pubs in Okaukuejo.

Orlando Gariseb wi
ll face Etosha United in the second round, while Robber Chanties will host Green Dangers at Herbert Conradie Stadium in Khorixas for the weekend’s final game.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: Football fever resumes this weekend, with the North-West Stream First Division hosting its eighth and ninth rounds, and the North-East First Division kicking off on Saturday.

Onambula United will face Outjo Football Academy FC at Tsandi Stadium on Saturday in the NWSFD league, while Khuse Lions FC will want to capitalise on their home advantage when they welcome Golden Bees FC at Uukwangula Stadium.

Touch and Go FC will travel to Ongwediva to face mid-table Ongwediva City FC at the Mweshipandeka Secondary School sports field, in pursuit of three points to escape relegation.

Eleven Warriors FC will travel to Oshikuku in a must-win game against Oshikuku Young Stars in search of three points, which will secure their spot in first place if log leaders KK Palace FC fail to collect maximum points away to Uukwangula Stadium against Golden Bigs and Young Chiefs FC on Saturday and Sunday.

Young Chiefs FC will face relegation-threatened African Motto FC.

On Sunday, Onambula United will face Golden Bees FC,
Khuse Lions will play OFA, and Ongwediva City FC will play Eleven Warriors FC. Oshikuku Young Stars will take on Touch and Go, Young Chiefs will host KK Palace, and Golden Bigs will face African Motto FC.

The Northeast First Division, which includes teams Rundu, Omuthiya, Katima Mulilo, Nyangana and Helao Nafidi, is set to begin on Saturday with thrilling matchups after a lengthy wait. The league, which is managed by Daniel Namwira, is set to have six matches at five different venues.

Namwira released the league schedule on Thursday and said all games have been verified by the controlling body, the Namibia Football Association (NFA).

Rundu-based outfit United Stars will face KK United FC at the Rundu Sports Stadium, followed by a derby match between Cuca Tops and Rundu Chiefs. Kangweru B Tops FC will face Ntunguru at Mashika Sports Field at Nyangana, Oshikango Chiefs will host Further Fighters FC at the newly constructed Helao Nafidi Stadium, while in Katima, Zambezi’s pride Black Hawks are slated to face
Eastern Chiefs, while Omuthiya United host Tsumeb-based outfit Chief Santos FC.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OMAUEZONJANDA: The first-ever Epukiro auction held in the Omaheke Region attracted more than 800 cattle, Epukiro Constituency councillor Paky Pakarae revealed on Thursday at the official opening of the auction at Omauezonjanda.

Pakarae indicated that the new initiative between the Eastern Epukiro Farmers Association and Karoo-Ochse is very important and will assist communal farmers in his constituency, as many of his constituents rely on livestock.

‘We are facilitating for the livestock to get better prices, this will always affect the living standards of the people as well as improve their economic condition,’ he said.

‘It has taken some time with negotiations between Eastern Epukiro Farmers’ Association under the auspices of the Epukiro Constituency office and Karoo-Ochse which is a private auctioneer in livestock especially in the Omaheke Region, to come to an agreement of auctions, Karoo-Ochse being the buyers facilitating this,’ he said.

‘This is not only them coming to buy, they have also donated a
scale worth over N.dollars 200 000, thus this is a win-win relationship that we have entered into,’ Pakarae said.

The constituency councillor appealed to farmers in Epukiro and surroundings to try to maintain a certain number of livestock at auctions to ensure that they keep on qualifying for more livestock auctions in the constituency.

Pakarae noted that the minimum number to qualify is 400 livestock and urged farmers to bring quality livestock to auction amid drought in the constituency.

Gerson Kunomundu Katjirua, a commercial farmer and a senior traditional councillor of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority applauded the farmers’ association and Karoo-Ochse for bringing this initiative to the Epukiro farmers, something he said they had fought for over many years.

Katjirua said it is not an easy task to host an auction in Epukiro, because there were challenges in doing this in the past.

Karoo-Ochse representative David van Niekerk said they foresee a long relationship which they will maintain. He furt
her acknowledged the Epukiro farmers for giving them a chance to work with them.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibia’s consul general in Cape Town, Selma Nghinamundova, has said Namibia is among the nations that possess some of the most sought-after minerals worldwide.

‘Namibia remains one of the most prospective jurisdictions for lithium, graphite, cobalt, rare earth metals, and other minerals that are considered critical inputs in green technologies by many countries around the world,’ she said during her address at the ‘Investing in Africa’ Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Nghinamundova, who spoke on behalf of Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo, said Namibia is also endowed with natural wind and solar resources.

‘It is among the most competitive destinations in the world with potential to become a producer and exporter of green hydrogen, reckoned to catalyse the decarbonisation of the planet,’ she said.

According to Nghinamundova, Namibia has seen a rise in interest in its critical minerals, which presents a chance to derive better value from its mineral resources for the benefit of the
country.

‘Just as any other country endowed with mineral resources, our goal is to add value to our minerals for viable projects. In this regard, Namibia has developed its Minerals Beneficiation Strategy to maximise benefits from its mineral resources,’ she said.

She told the delegates at the mining indaba that Namibia has a lot to offer as a country to invest in, applying the quadruple helix approach where government, industry, academia, and communities work together to address challenges pertinent to our context.

‘The country’s due regard to environmental, social, and governance factors is driving investor confidence in doing business in the Namibian minerals sector,’ she said.

The ‘Investing in Africa’ Mining Indaba started Monday and ends on Thursday.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy in a statement said Namibia will during the indaba showcase the opportunities the country presents in the mining sector to a global audience of foremost thinkers in mining.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: ‘He was very efficient and very cool. He could be hard, but he was always conciliatory and friendly. I can attribute what I have known and what I know now to him. A lot of it, I learned from him.’

These are the words of Frans Kapofi, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who was speaking to Nampa about his remembrance of the late Namibian President Hage Geingob, who passed away in a Windhoek hospital on Sunday.

Kapofi was appointed to the defence portfolio in 2021 by Geingob.

‘He was our commander-in-chief, and he has done so much for the defence force. And we have said farewell to him. We had a big parade that he addressed at our army headquarters, but we did not know that was going to be the last parade. We are very sad about that, but we just wish our president bon voyage. May his soul rest in eternal peace,’ the minister said in an interview on Wednesday.

With regard to stability, Kapofi gave his assurance that the Namibia is stable and the country’s security is in good hands.

‘The publi
c doesn’t need to despair. We have a new commander-in-chief who has taken over. And the defence force is ready, loyal to the Namibian flag, and remains unshaken, even though they lost the commander-in-chief, so our citizens must stay calm and let us mourn in peace.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency