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Namib Independent, 127 Theo Ben Gurirab Street, Walvis Bay (2026)

11/12/2018

Happy holidays!

24/02/2018

BREAKING NEWS:
NBC Sport has learned that 10 candidates have been shortlisted for the NPL CEO position and they are:

1. Kavezemburuka Siggie Veii-Mujoro
2. Irvine Ndjavera
3. Donelly Erastus Nell
4. Roy Alexander Klassen
5. Lucas Sindere
6. Martin Nyambe Limbo
7. Allen Mashazi Sameja
8. Gerald Guther
9. Harald Fuelle
10. Johannes Smit

16/03/2017

We will report on the horror crash outside Walvis Bay as more information is made available.... reporting the news as it happens.... we will respect the family of the deceased at this time and offer our sincere condolences and sympathy to them in their hour of need...

12/01/2017

Disregarding the law.
This reporter had an argument trying to reason with a public service-person when he pleaded with the army officer not to park in a handicap zone..... obviously his pleas went unnoticed and was politely told that he could report the officer if he wanted to.
Well if there are any officials reading this then it is time to act against this kind of behaviour and total disregard for the country's laws, especially by those who are meant to uphold them and be an example to the rest....

04/12/2016

Stanley Coetzee a Windhoek resident was assaulted this weekend at Bush Bar He was subsequently asked in Afrikaans, "kaffer wat soek jy hier" and then beaten severely.....it is uncertain whether a case was registered with the police. According to social media his wife tried to come to his rescue and saved him from more injury. This is the second incident at Bush Bar this past weekend where in the first incident another Windhoek resident and his pregnant wife were also assaulted. It is not certain whether the perpetrators were the same two as in the second assault. More updates to follow....Roy Klassen

20/08/2016

If you are not seeing us on the streets, it not because we are gone, it's just because we are undergoing new management and will be out soon again....watch this space...for your favourite newspaper at the coast!!!

22/07/2016

SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT OF SWAKOP YOUTH IS UNEMPLOYED

Cathy van Wyk

The youth unemployment rate for the coastal town of Swakopmund stands at 65 percent, with lack of access to financial institutions (with the youth being regarded as high risk clients) and lack of skills training being highlighted as the main contributing factors for this high unemployment rate.
This was revealed during the launch of the Youth Development Policy and Strategy by the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Jerry Ekandjo, which took place on Thursday last week in Swakopmund.
The policy was launched after a baseline study, conducted last year, revealed the high unemployment rate at the town, despite the country’s rate being 29 percent. The main aim of the policy is to promote youth participation in economic, civil and community affairs and to ensure that youth centred programmes are developed in the town by all stakeholders.
Speaking at the official launch, Ekandjo said that the Swakopmund Youth Policy forms part of a national and global trend where youth development policies are formulated to respond to the constantly changing conditions of young people.
“It is aligned with both national and international development goals, seeing that Namibia, like many of its neighbours, faces many challenges varying from unemployment, HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse and an alarming high number of school dropouts without the minimal skills for productive employment,” the Minister said.
Ekandjo added that the policy seeks to grant the local youth a platform for personal and economic growth, active participation in development programmes, decision making, social and cultural well-being, education and skills training.
“Besides the alarming high number of unemployed youth in Swakopmund, they are faced with various challenges such as limited access to capitalise their micro businesses. I have also noted with concern that they are regarded as high risk clients despite having sound business plans,” the Minister explained.
As a result, the Minister said that financial institutions turn down their requests for project funding, thereby negatively impacting the lives of young people.
Ekandjo congratulated the Swakopmund Municipality for taking a bold step by coming up with such a strategy that is aimed at allowing youth access to mainstream economic activities.
“I am applauding Swakopmund Municipality for identifying the need to develop this policy that will readdress the challenges young people in Swakopmund face. However I want to remind everyone that putting a policy together is just the start. Let us see too that it is implemented and aligned with the Harambee Prosperity Plan’s component on the Youth Enterprise Development goal,” he said.
Also speaking at the same occasion, Erongo Governor Cleophas Mutjavikua urged the youth to change their mindset and become more creative. “Let us see what you can invent. Let us stay away from demonstrations and rather use our energy to contribute to the development of our country,” he said.

22/07/2016

WALVIS AIRPORT TERMINAL READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Donna Collins

Built at an estimated cost of N$95 million, the new contemporary Walvis Bay International Airport is being officially inaugurated on Friday by President Hage Geingob, amid a huge amount of anticipation for the long awaited opening.
The Namibian Airports Company (NAC), has officially elevated this once small and outdated airport to world standards - a project which was first conceived in 2008 is now finally complete and ready for take-off.
Dubbed the second largest airport in Namibia, the new state-of-the-art terminal building at the Walvis Bay International Airport is poised to become a logistics hub for cargo planes, freight forwarding and the constant flow of travellers.
It is said that the new, modern airport terminal can cater for a sustained passenger flow of over 200 passengers per hour, and at least one million passengers per annum. Not only has it increased in size by 30 percent, the ultra-modern 4633m² architectural structure is designed to encourage the natural movement of passengers, and responds to the needs of the elderly and disabled people, with lifts and other related amenities.
Furthermore, the eye catching grey building with red trim also offers an increased number of restaurants, six retail outlets, airline services, banking services, five car rental companies, government services such as customs, immigrations, police and port health, as well as baggage handling to mention some.
The developments at the airport encompass the latest aviation and specific airport management and operation technology in terms of safety and security. A state-of-the-art x-ray scanner has been installed, with the aim to serve passengers and cargo in a timely and efficient manner.
Keeping up with the growing pace of the harbour expansion, the increased population of Walvis Bay, and the fact that the town is a tourist Mecca and freight nucleus, the Walvis Bay International Airport has grown into the busiest airport in the Erongo Region, and with this long awaited upgrade, it is now positioned to become a major player.
NAC has made great strides in upgrading Walvis Bay's airport into a world class facility that has incorporated the latest aviation infrastructure with the refurbished and extended runway with aircraft apron. This has answered to the call for increased and direct flights out of Walvis Bay to various destinations in South Africa, serving these growing sectors.
The ongoing development includes state-of-the-art, world class landing instrumentation that will enable flights to continue even during overcast weather conditions. This makes Walvis Bay one of only few airports in Southern Africa to boast such technology and it is valuable for an airport at the coast where overcast conditions often prevail.
According to Chrizelda George (Airport Manager), the ambitious airport revamp has gone very smoothly. So too did the airport operations, which continued to operate out of a shack-like temporary facility, whilst construction of the new terminal building and parking area was underway.
"There is no doubt that, once the doors are open to the terminal building, business will boom and expand into the direction that has been intended," said George. "We will be operating full steam ahead after the official opening as from Saturday."
George mentioned that most of the tenants will have moved into their respective units by Friday, all but Mugg & Bean who had a technical delay and will instead open their doors in August.
The building contractors on this project are New Era Investments, the Airline Fuel Supplier is Avgas and JetA1 by Southern Energy and Airline Services are provided by Air Namibia, SA Express and SA Cargo.

22/07/2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

African Heads of States meet in Kigali
African Heads of State met in the Rwandan capital Kigali last week to discuss a number of issues, including the free movement of people and goods, regional integration (which is in line with the African Union Agenda 2063), recent unrest in South Sudan and a successor to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who will step down as the chairperson of the African Union.

More than 2 600 pit latrines for rural Namibia
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has constructed 2 645 ventilated double pit latrines at a cost of N$108 million in various regions of the country since 2014. This was confirmed by the Ministry's spokesperson, Margaret Kalo this week. Kalo said the improved toilets are part of the Ministry's water supply and sanitation national strategy project, adopted in 2009.

Heroes Day in Erongo Region
The Heroes Day commemoration on 26 August will this year be remembered in the Erongo Region, Erongo Governor Cleophas Mutjavikua announced last week. This came as a directive from the Office of the President and will be the first Heroes Day to be commemorated in the Erongo Region.

Millions of Malawians need food aid
The Malawian government this week pleaded to the international community for immediate aid to support the country's 6.5 million people who are in dire need of food aid. The call was made in the capital Lilongwe, where the government and its international humanitarian partners launched the Food Insecurity Response Plan (FIRP), designed to tackle the critical food shortage that the country is currently experiencing.

Bird flu terrorises West Africa
The outbreak of a highly contagious strain of avian flu in West- and Central Africa has stoked fear that the disease may become endemic in the region, with lasting implications for people's livelihoods, the UN food agency said on Friday last week. The H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu, has spread across a number of West African countries in the past two years, hitting poultry farms. Cameroon and Niger have become the latest countries affected in the region.

22/07/2016

N$65 MILLION SALT PAN EXPANSION EXUDES CONFIDENCE IN NAMIBIA

Cathy van Wyk

Walvis Bay Salt Holdings have pushed their production capacity to 1 million tonnes from 750 000 tonnes per annum.
Walvis Bay Salt Holdings, a subsidiary of the CAH group of companies, is responsible for about 50 percent of exports from the Port of Walvis Bay to European and African markets. The CAH group of companies consists of three operating companies, Ekango Salt Refiners which owns 25 percent, Salt and Chemical as well as Walvis Bay Salt Refiners.
This positive growth within the company resulted from undertaking a massive investment of N$65 million dollars to expand its salt pan from 4 500 square metres to 5 500 square metres.
The expansion that was done by JJD investments and was inaugurated on Monday by Vice President Dr Nickey Iyambo.
During the inauguration of the expansion project, Dr Iyambo applauded the private sector for responding to government’s call for market diversification. He added that the expansion project is a clear indication that Namibia is indeed making tangible progress in the direction of diversification and value addition, as well as setting a clear example of what government is advocating for in terms of the private sector and government working together.
“I am pleased that as part of the private sector you are heeding the government’s call for market diversification and transformation of the manufacturing sector through local beneficiation. I am also told that this expansion will allow access to North and South America, whilst at the same time will complement government policies such as the Growth at Home Strategy and the Harambee Prosperity Plan,” he said
Managing Director of Walvis Bay Salt Holdings, André Snyman, thanked the Namibian government on behalf of the shareholders for creating a conducive environment that can focus on job creation and economic growth.
“Namibia is blessed with a vibrant economy, mainly because of the contributions of sectors such as mining, agriculture, fishing and processing. Our additional expansion of the salt pans demonstrates not only our shareholders’ confidence in Namibia, but also our current and future commitment to the country. We will leave no stone unturned in exploring greater mineral beneficiation locally with government’s support,” he said.

22/07/2016

NAMIBIA TO JOIN GLOBAL ANTI-ILLEGAL FISHING BODY

Absalom Shigwedha

A new global agreementn aimed at preventing illegal and unregulated fishing, has been established and Namibia will be a party to it.
The establishment of the Port State Measures Agreement to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (PSMA) was spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and came into force on 5 June 2016.
Bonny Amutse, the Deputy Director for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources told Namib Independent that Namibia will ratify the agreement. He said Namibia has been very supportive of the efforts to establish this agreement and will surely become a partner in it.
“We have been involved, even in the drafting stage. There are stages to becoming a party to this agreement and we are in this process,” he said. He mentioned that the reason why Namibia has yet to ratify the agreement was simply because it has not seen the need to rush, as the agreement calls for measures that are already part of the country's national laws dealing with this matter. “It’s not something new to Namibia, unlike to other countries,” said Amutse.
The agreement came into force after it was ratified by 29 countries and the European Union, surpassing the required number of 25 ratifications for it to be a legally binding instrument. Parties to this agreement are obliged to implement a number of measures while managing ports under their control with the goals of detecting illegal fishing, stopping illegally-caught fish from being off-loaded and sold and ensuring that information on unscrupulous fishing is shared globally.
These measures include requiring foreign fishing vessels, wishing to enter ports to request permission in advance, transmitting detailed information on their identities, activities and the fish they have on board. The agreement says landing can only happen at specially designated ports equipped for effective inspections. Ships suspected of being involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing can be denied entry into port outright, or permitted to enter for inspection purposes only and refused permission to offload fish, refuel or resupply.

22/07/2016

MICHELLE, MISS NAMIBIA FINALIST SHINES HER LIGHT FOR SWAKOP

Donna Collins

When you are the only striking beauty with blond hair and sparkling blue eyes in the pageant, then you are bound to stand out - which was certainly the case for Swakopmund's Michelle Boucher (23), one of the 12 Miss Namibia Finalists, and the only representative from the coast.
Voted in with record breaking SMSs as the "Public Viewers Choice", Michelle said this was a wonderful achievement, and that she was so proud to have finished 6th in the competition. She did point out that it was a challenging competition as all the girls were really beautiful, "both inside and out."
Beautician, model and 'mother' of two adorable rescued cats, Michelle is no stranger to being in front of the camera and striking a pose, having been a top artistic gymnast in her younger years.
So bringing home the trophies and accolades has been something she has been used to, but being in a line-up of Miss Namibia hopefuls was a whole new ball game for our coastal beauty queen, which she took well in her stride.
Chatting to Michelle over a cup of coffee last week, she tells you that it was a last minute decision to enter Miss Namibia, and she was overjoyed to have made it into the finalists’ selection.
Reflecting on where she plans on taking her life from this point onwards, Michelle said that she intends to follow a more serious modelling career, as well as getting into jewellery design.
"I have sent my portfolio to Boss and Ice Models agencies in Cape Town, and will certainly take every opportunity that comes my way,” said the beauty queen.
On a more serious note, Michelle said that she entered Miss Namibia so she could give something back to her country, highlighting that her charity cause of choice is to create more awareness for Namibian children born with Cerebral Palsy.
She was first made aware of the plight of children with this affliction when she gave a manicure to a 12-year-old girl with Cerebral Palsy - an experience which she said touched her heart.
After doing some research, she realised what hardships these victims and their families face, especially people living in rural areas who do not have special treatment or facilities to help them.
Explaining that Cerebral Palsy is usually caused through brain damage that happens before or during a baby's birth, children need life-long care and, in most cases, people don’t even have the basics such as a wheelchair.
When asked what her message is to inspire young Namibians, she replied, "Be your own biggest motivation and don't wait for doors to open, as you yourself have to hold onto the idea of where you want to be and what you want to become.
"Even through hardships there is always a light burning - even if it isn't the light you envisaged, it might just be the light that leads you to a better life."

Namib Independent

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