Staff Reporter  The National Youth Service (NYS) recently celebrated its first harvest of potatoes and sweet potatoes at its production centre in Rietfontein, Otjozondjupa Region. “The current potato harvesting, which began over the weekend, not only highlights the Service’s strong commitment to diversifying crop production for the sustainability of its operations but also contributes to the Government’s objective of achieving food security and enhancing nutrition by 2030,” NYS said. The youth service further explained that the production, spanning a combined one-hectare area u ..read more

Business Reporter AMIDST perpetual public concerns that Namibia’s mines and mineral resources are mostly in foreign hands, leading to capital flight of billions of dollars and the underrepresentation of Namibians in sharing the spoils of natural resources, a parliamentary report from the Standing Committee of Economics and Public Administration has recommended that the Ministry of Mines and Energy ensure that no mining rights are given without a 50% shareholding of the state. This was said by Tjikero Tweya, a member of the parliamentary standing of Economics and Public Administration, who pre ..read more

Staff Reporter THE Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, in partnership with Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), has confirmed that after a comprehensive assessment of water resources in Fish River Canyon, there is sufficient water at the canyon for the upcoming hiking season. Romeo Muyunda, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment, said that this means hikers can look forward to a rewarding experience as the hiking season commences on 1 May 2024. “To ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, water marshals will be stationed at strategic points along the hiking routes ..read more

Placido Hilukilwa UNIVERSITY of Namibia graduates are gradually penetrating the global job market, with nursing graduates already employed in countries such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, and UNAM-trained teachers are employed in China and New Zealand, amongst others. This was revealed by Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, the Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation during the 2024 UNAM northern campuses graduation ceremony at Ongwediva on Friday. The minister, who praised the quality of UNAM graduates, said that a graduation ceremony i ..read more

Staff Reporter THIS weekend marks the highly anticipated Derby between Trustco United and FNB Wanderers at the Trustco United Sport Field in Olympia. The competition will showcase a variety of sporting events, including men’s and women’s rugby, cricket, netball, and knobel. The focal point of the event will be the men’s premier league rugby match, commencing at 16:00 on Saturday. The clash, set to unfold in the Namibia Rugby Premier League, is steeped in history and anticipation. Dating back to 1920, the rivalry between these two iconic teams has intensified over the years, culminating ..read more

Staff Reporter THE Namibian Police (NamPol) have commenced interviews for the force’s Cadet Constable candidates, and the training of successful candidates will begin in July. This was announced by NamPol’s Head of Public Relations, Kauna Shikwambi, who disclosed that applicants must undergo medical tests as part of the employment process. She explained that this aligns with the Police Act (1990), which mandates medical examinations to ensure applicants do not have physical or mental conditions that could hinder their ability to undergo necessary training or perform duties as a police force m ..read more

Business Reporter THE Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, has said that about 200,000 job seekers are registered on the Namibia Integrated Employment Information database, capturing the tip of the iceberg on the dire unemployment situation faced by many Namibians in the country. The minister made these remarks at the inauguration of the fourth Employment Services Board, or ESB. Utoni explained that the appointment of the board comes at a time when the country is experiencing daunting labour market challenges, among them being Youth unemploymen ..read more

Business Reporter THE Electricity Control Board (ECB) announced on Friday, 26 April 2024, an 8% increase in the NamPower bulk tariff, changing the current approved rate of N$1.9856 per kWh to N$2.1444 per kWh for the 2024/25 financial year. The board explained that the primary factor driving the increase is the rise in the cost of electricity generation, particularly the expense associated with imported electricity, as well as insufficient funds being recovered from the Ruacana power station by NamPower due to the hydroelectric power station not receiving enough water. This shortage is attrib ..read more

Staff Reporter THE Namibian police in the Kavango East Region have launched a manhunt for a suspect who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend in Rundu and went into hiding immediately. Members of the public are requested to assist the police in tracing the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Siwombe Soares Ngonga. He allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend multiple times with a knife. The deceased, whose name and age were not released, died on the spot. According to the police, the suspect and the victim have a three-year-old child together, but their relationship broke up recently. WANTED: Siwo ..read more

Business Reporter THE Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced a 5% increase in income for active annuitants’ pensions (pensioners, spousal, and child beneficiaries) effective April 1, 2024, and a 5% income increase for members on disability effective April 1, 2024. Pensions and disability income that have been in place for a year or more are eligible for a full 5% increase, and those that are under a year are eligible for a pro-rata increase based on the number of months the pension has been in effect. Edwin Tjiramba, General Manager of Marketing and Stakeholder Engagem ..read more