Category: General

RUNDU: The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has recommended that government declare a drought emergency at national level.

The ministry made this recommendation in its crop prospects, food security and drought situation report after it carried out the crops and household food security monitoring assessment in the seven major northern communal crop producing regions from 12 February to 11 March 2024.

The main purpose of the assessment was to assess crop conditions and provide early warning reports on the expected crop harvests, geographic locations of agronomic anomalies, the effects of floods and or droughts and other significant events.

The ministry, through its Executive Director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said they found that the 2023/24 rainfall season started earlier compared to the previous season, with light to moderate showers recorded in October.

‘However, regions such as the Zambezi, Kavango East and West saw delayed rainfall, which affected the commencement of ploughing activities. In addition, severe dry spells with high temperatures also negatively affected crop development that further led to crops wilting,’ she said.

Nghituwamata said the dry spell has also negatively affected vegetation and water availability for livestock, with deteriorating conditions expected to worsen.

She further explained that preliminary crop estimates indicate a drastic reduction in the forecasted harvest, with all crops producing

regions in the communal areas expected below last season’s harvest.

The aggregated national cereal production (maize, millet, sorghum and wheat) is estimated at 72,150 Metric Tons (MT), which is 53 per cent lower than the last season’s harvest of 153,012 MT.

In addition, the commercial area is projected to record a harvest of 35,200 MT, indicating 68 per cent less than last season’s production of 111,000 MT, only contributing 49 per cent to the national cereal production.

The ED said the decline is primarily due to the devastating drought experienced in rain-fed areas, and the substantial reduction in numbers of farmers who have planted maize and wheat in the commercial area this season.

Household food security has generally weakened in many parts of the country, following a reduced agricultural production recorded in the 2022/2023 season.

‘Many households in the major communal crop-producing regions are indicated to have depleted their previous season’s food stock and the majority are currently dependent on the market and drought relief food,’ she stated.

Nghituwamata indicated that many parts of the country are in distress grazing, with fair to poor livestock body conditions, especially in the southern, western and eastern parts of the country.

The situation, she highlighted, is expected to worsen should the country continue to receive poor rainfall for the remainder of the season.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

A 25-year-old man reportedly drowned in an earth dam while swimming at Onandjaba settlement in the Okalongo Constituency.

Namibian Police Force crime investigations coordinator for the Omusati Region, Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho confirmed this to Nampa on Tuesday, saying the incident occurred around 17h00 on Monday.

‘It is reported that the deceased was seen by kids who were looking after goats removing his clothes with the intent to swim in the earth dam, and he allegedly drowned,’ Simaho said.

The deceased was identified as Shangelao Mateus.

Simaho indicated that the body is kept at the Etayi Police mortuary, and it will further be transported to Okahao Police mortuary for a post-mortem to be conducted.

Police continue investigating.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has achieved a significant train production milestone with the 200 modern high-tech Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) manufactured in Gauteng.

‘The first train set hit our railway tracks in February 2017. Today, we celebrate this progress made towards the overarching goal of 600 trains. With these new trains, we are contributing towards the reduction of carbon emissions and the promotion of sustainable transportation alternatives,’ Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said on Tuesday in Cape Town.

These efforts are part of PRASA’s Rolling Stock Fleet Renewal Programme which will, among other things, see the manufacturing of new trains. The programme is expected to create approximately 1 500 direct and 8000 indirect jobs over the 10-year period.

‘As part of the first phase of the programme, 1 631 direct jobs have been created during the construction phase of the R1 billion factory, and Gibela has now employed over 1 198 full time employees.

‘As this govern
ment we understand the need to create jobs that will benefit local communities. The workforce comes from local communities such as Duduza, Vosloorus, Katlehong, Kwa-Thema, Tsakane and Alfra-Park have benefitted from this project,’ the Minister said.

In addition to the construction jobs, Gibela has employed a total of 1 205 people for both manufacturing and maintenance activities, 37% of those 1 205 come from immediate communities.

‘Skills development and knowledge transfer is key for this government. About 20 000 training programmes have been established to enable the transfer of skills and development of employees from top management to unskilled employees.

‘In 2019 Gibela Rail in partnership with Small Enterprise Development Agency and City of Ekurhuleni established a multi-sector business incubator, the doors opened in 2020 in the Kwa-Thema Township,’ she said.

To date there are 140 Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) that were trained, mentored and coached. A total of 193 SMMEs also accessed Bu
siness Development Support.

‘Gibela provides bursaries for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, internships, learnerships, apprenticeships, a railway introduction course and other relevant programmes.

‘Through these interventions, we are helping to nurture the next generation of skilled and capable individuals who will not only improve their own futures, but also the futures of their families, communities, and our larger society.

‘Since the inception of the programme, we have contracted 1 665 bursars and spent over R127 million towards their studies,’ Chikunga said.

Not only is government revitalising the railway and manufacturing industry through skills development that will reignite the industry at large, PRASA is also changing the lives of the previously disadvantaged people and the livelihoods of communities.

‘Our young people are now trained as artisans, engineering technicians, technologists and designers, just to name a few. The investment made includes
R135 million invested in Enterprise and Supplier Development initiatives, developing SMMEs.

‘A total of R743 million has been invested in skills development to support inclusion in the rail sector. Over this 10-year period, Gibela has committed to train and develop 19 500 individuals in various skills such as engineers, artisans, technicians, and technologists.

‘These were the contractual obligations that Gibela had to undertake as part of this 10-year project,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Zambezi Horticulture Producers Association (ZAHOPA) looks forward to establishing training facilities for farmers in Zambezi in order to develop programmes to expand the output of primary producing horticulture crops.

This was stated in an online presentation made by ZAHOPA executive chairperson Castrow Muunda at the 1st Spain-Namibia Climate Forum, which tackled climate change issues and solutions for both nations, on Monday.

The forum hosted from Windhoek by the Spanish Embassy provided a platform to various initiatives to take centre stage and present the various innovative ways they actively combat the effects of climate change in their respective environments.

Muunda explained that ZAHOPA was established in response to the decline in production of foods such as spinach, grapes and onions due to a lack of market access.

‘ZAHOPA established Zambezi’s first farmers market in 2021 in support of primary production output and in hopes of diversifying regional food trends,’ stated Muunda, adding that the region’s overreliance of certain crops leaves the soil in poor condition.

According to Muunda they have started training their farmers on soil analysis and how monocrop farming strips the soil of various nutrients.

‘We emphasised to our farmers that before they plant any type of crop they must take it for testing and based on the recommendations given after the testing, then they will know which seeds to plant,’ said Muunda.

Despite their efforts, ZAHOPA faces challenges such as funding constraints and the engagement of youth in agriculture, hindering their mandate for food sufficiency in the Zambezi Region. However, Muunda noted ongoing initiatives to establish mentorship programmes and forge partnerships with stakeholders to overcome these hurdles.

ZAHOPA’s endeavours underscore a concerted effort to promote sustainable agriculture practices and enhance food security in Zambezi, aligning with broader global efforts to combat climate change.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

An 89-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping his 14-year-old granddaughter on different occasions at Oshikushomunkete village in the Oshikuku Constituency.

Namibian Police Force crime investigations coordinator for the Omusati Region, Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho said the incidents which allegedly occurred on unknown dates between January and March this year, was only reported to the police on Tuesday.

‘It is alleged that the suspect raped the victim after inviting her to his house on different occasions,’ Simaho said.

He indicated that the matter was reported to police by the girl’s 44-year-old biological mother.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s ongoing efforts to re-signal its network in phases will go a long way to improving efficiency and making sure that commuter trains are reliable and punctual.

PRASA embarked on a journey to upgrade its near obsolete and outdated signalling system.

‘When PRASA suffered massive theft and vandalism of the rail infrastructure, the newly installed state-of-the-art electronic interlocking and signaling equipment was not left unscathed. In rebuilding the rail infrastructure, PRASA is re-installing the stolen and vandalized signaling equipment. Through a project that would take seven years to complete, PRASA is re-signaling the network in phases. Nationally, PRASA has re-signalled six of the lines recovered,’ Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said on Tuesday in Cape Town.

The Minister made these remarks during the launch of the train production of 200 modern high-tech Electric Multiple Units (EMUs), which are manufactured locally in Gauteng.

The launch marked signifi
cant progress towards PRASA’s overarching goal of producing 600 X’Trapolis Mega Trains.

‘PRASA is installing a state-of-the-art signaling system, including PRASA train control systems in line with the European Rail Traffic Management System. This will ensure that PRASA runs trains more efficiently, improving service frequency and enhancing the safe passage of trains on the rail network.

‘PRASA has re-signaled 24 of the 39 stations from Cape Town to Simonstown. This means the train speed has been increased from 30km/hr to 75km/hr and commuters getting to their destination much faster. When there was no signaling on the line, trains were running every 90 minutes and the trip to Cape Town station was one hour and ten minutes. PRASA has reduced the journey time to 45 minutes and trains run every 20 minutes,’ Chikunga said.

In real terms, this means that PRASA has now increased the number of trains it runs during peak from three to nine trains.

‘No more will a commuter who missed a train, have to wait for one-
hour and ten minutes to catch the next train, because another train will be available within 20 minutes. We are improving efficiency and making sure that PRASA delivers a reliable and punctual commuter rail service that commuters can depend on, improve on-time performance and minimize disruptions,’ the Minister said.

The six re-signalled in the country include, Mabopane – Pretoria; Saulsville – Pretoria; Pretoria – De Wildt; Cape Town – Simonstown; Mutual – Langa and Umlazi – Reunion.

‘Work is underway to upgrade signaling in KwaZulu Natal. The installed signaling nationally is the latest state of the art compatible with automatic train protection (ATP) systems, GSM-R/FRMCS Digital Radio Network Communication.

‘The organization is also working on installing its own PRASA Train Control System (PTCS) for the KwaZulu-Natal Region. This system will bring the operations of the Region in line with the modern urban railways around the World,’ the Minister said.

This morning Chikunga was accompanied by the PRASA
Board of Control and Management during a train ride on the Southern Line in the Western Cape from Fish Hoek to Cape Town Station.

‘PRASA is making significant strides in restoring passenger rail services. To date, 31 of the 40 lines it operates in have been partially recovered. The region has 14 lines across five municipalities, not just in the City of Cape Town. To date, PRASA has partially recovered 12 of the 14 lines.

‘Of the 39 stations on the corridor, only 13 stations were operational. To date, all the 39 stations are operational, with a full train service. To date, PRASA has transported over 13 million commuters, with more than half (57%) transported on the Southern Line.

‘Progress is being made to recover the Central Line from Phillippi to Nolungile and trains are expected to run by the May this year, adding to the services already running from Cape Town to Nyanga on the Central Line. At that time, trains will be running from Cape Town to Nyanga and all the way to Nolungile,’ the Minister said.

S
ource: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: The agreement between the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service (MSYNS) and the Real Madrid Foundation (RMF) will this year benefit thousands of young Namibians from seven different regions through football clinics.

In 2023, the MSYNS, through the assistance of Cadilu Fishing, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RMF to offer football coaching clinics in Namibia.

In the first edition of the agreement, four regions (Khomas, Erongo, Otjozondjupa and Kavango East) benefited from these coaching clinics that were aimed at empowering Namibian schoolchildren with critical values such as motivation, equality, respect, discipline, and teamwork, among others.

In a recent interview with Nampa, Erastus Haitengela, Executive Director in the MSYNS, said the coaching clinics will this year benefit more Namibians.

‘We are currently in Madrid on a site visit to the RMF, where we are looking at signing a permanent or long-term contract with the foundation. The new agreement would promote sport (football) and provide technical support and skill transfer on the setting up of sports clinics,’ he said.

He added that the Real Madrid team has already conducted these types of clinics in Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay and Windhoek but their goal is to expand it to other towns such as Mariental, Gobabis, Opuwo, and Keetmanshoop.

‘Our purpose of this important working visit is to firstly come and meet the senior management of the RMF and also to conduct physical site visits to permanent schools and high-performance centres in Madrid and Istanbul, Turkey and also to engage local coaches and management as to how we are going to work together to continue operating the clinic projects and also on how to set up the high-performance centres,’ Haitengela said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency