Namibia Embassy Berlin -
Regierungsmitteilungen
WINDHOEK - Media institutions should take government to task, engage politicians in substantive debate and make them respond to tough questions pertaining to critical issues that challenge Namibia as a democratic society.DROUGHT in NAMIBIA
more photos: see here...
Following a prolonged dry period during the 2012/13 cropping season (November-June), Namibia's main cereal crop output for 2013 is expected to suffer a severe decline. In some parts, the cumulative rains between January and March were approximately one-third of the average and a 50 per cent below average cereal production is expected. Livestock conditions are also deteriorating due to lack of water. (FAO, 15 Apr 2013)
On 17 May, the President declared an emergency situation in the country as a result of drought and appealed to the international community for assistance (Speech President Pohamba, 17 May 2013).
Over 300,000 people have been classified as food insecure and over 4,000 livestock have died (New Era, 20 May 2013). source: relief web
Also see: NNFU welcomes drought declaration
The Namibian National Farmers Union (NNFU) has wholeheartedly welcomed the declaration of a nationwide drought emergency by the president.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s declaration demonstrated the urgency and severity of the drought and how committed government is to assisting the affected to ensure no life is lost, according to a statement by the NNFU. While praising government for its commitment, the executive director of the NNFU, Oloff Munjanu, said the NNFU is of the opinion that the process was slow and delayed since the declaration should have been issued long ago. more...
Statement by Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaithwa, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia, to the 23rd Session of the African Union Executive Council on “Strengthening African Leadership of the Process of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (item proposed by Burkina Faso)” EX.CL/801(XXIII) read more...
Statement by Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaithwa, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia, to the 23rd Session of the African Union Executive Council on “Report of the Commission on the Situation on Western Sahara” EX.CL/788(XXIII), 22 May 2013, Addis Ababa read more....
New Era, 24 May 2013 - by Helvy Shaanika
ONGWEDIVA – The University of Namibia (Unam) Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology capped its 30 pioneer engineering students yesterday during a ceremony that took place at the Ongwediva Trade Fair venue.
The first ever group of engineers to be produced in Namibia consists of 20 males and 10 females. They received bachelor degrees (honours) in engineering in the fields of civil, computer, electronics, mechanical, metallurgical, and mining.
The president further advised the graduants to behave in a professional manner and not to tarnish the university's reputation through unprofessional conduct. Pohamba, who is also the Chancellor of Unam, heaped praise on the founding chancellor and Namibia's founding president Dr Sam Nujoma for the significant role that he played in the establishment of the engineering faculty. "Nujoma worked hard and ensured that the engineering faculty was established and before he left office, he told me to make sure that the engineering faculty was brought about," said Pohamba. Pohamba also urged Namibians to adopt a culture of hard work, which should include using their own hands to build the country and produce food. "When I returned from exile, I noticed that Namibians loved rice more than mahangu, they even want to eat salads at funerals. But the last time we went to Kalimbeza Rice Project, people were wearing suits and ties, they don't want to get their hands dirty. Even engineers don't put on suits, they put on overalls to build a bridge where you are going to drive with your beautiful car," said Pohamba.
In his speech Unam Vice-Chancellor Professor Lazarus Hangula said this year's graduation was very special since Namibia, through Unam, was releasing its first batch of locally trained engineers into the world. Hangula said the university is poised to position itself to provide top-notch training facilities and to produce relevant skills for spurring economic development, not only for Namibians but for neighbouring countries as well, including Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Burundian, six Zambians and three Zimbabweans graduated from the Unam Faculty of Engineering, according to Hangula. Furthermore, the vice-chancellor thanked the graduates for choosing Unam as their alma mater and urged them to be good ambassadors. "Be and remain good ambassadors of Unam. Don't follow examples of high ranking officials and doctoral graduates who use every opportunity to discredit Unam when people question the management of public health. Unam does not manage public health in Namibia.”
The engineering graduates were among a group of other graduates from three other Unam campuses in the north, including the Hifikepunye Pohamba, Oshakati and Ogongo campuses. In total 498 students graduated from all four campuses in the fields of teaching, nursing, accounting, banking and agriculture. Three female students – Eva-Angelina Velikoshi Iindongo, Mermine Iita and Sabina David – received degrees in nursing science.
Launch of AU 50th jubilee
PRESS STATEMENT
by Hon. Peya Mushelenga, MP, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the preparation for the official launch of the programme of events for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee, the 50TH Anniversary of the Founding of the Organization of Afrian Unity (OAU) , 15 MAY 2013
1. The OAU was established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by leaders of 32 independent African states. This followed an extensive process of consultations led by many illustrious sons of Africa, notably Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and many others. The founding of the OAU, followed a series of meetings of All Africa Peoples Conferences which started outside Africa led by the giants of the Diaspora such as Marcus Garvey, George Padmore, W.E.D. Du Bois and many others.
2. The establishment of the OAU was made with the fundamental objective for the orhanization to liberate Africa from the vestiges of colonialism and Apartheid. That objective was achieved with the independence of Namibia in 1990 and the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994. Unfortunately, to date, one African country, Western Sahara remains under the occupation by another African country, Morocco. This situation needs to be resolved immediately so that the people of Western Sahara can equally enjoy freedom, independence and self-determination like all other peoples of the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. Throughout the 1990’s, there was an emerging recognition amongst African leaders to change the fundamental orientation of the Organization to address pressing economic and social problems facing the continent after its liberation. Hence the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into the African Union...more