Drought relief assistance and livestock support programmes for thousands of vulnerable and affected communities and farmers in the Otjozondjupa Region will be distributed from the beginning of October until June 2024.

This was announced by the Otjozondjupa Regional Governor, James Uerikua, who says the council will monitor closely to ensure there is no wastage of food aid or communities not able to access the aid.

At the Gam Settlement, about 100 kilometres from Tsumkwe, community members flocked in large numbers to register for food and livestock assistance.

The current waste management situation in Namibia is not satisfactory.

The Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, says many settlements, villages, towns, and municipalities do not have proper landfills and are instead using dumpsites for waste disposal.

In its quest to clean up, the ministry handed over a mobile recycling station to the community of Okaukuejo-Ombika, in the Etosha Game Park.

The San community at Tsintsabis no longer wants to be associated with their recognised status as marginalised. The community has made a plea for jobs and training opportunities to be considered on par with citizens elsewhere in the country.

Young people from the settlement took to the streets in protest against a lack of opportunities for them, with Mario Ipinge, who led the group, saying the Hai||om and other San tribesmen continue to be left out, even from initiatives implemented at constituency level.

The Swapo Party Otjozondjupa Regional Coordinator, Imms Namaseb, says although the party has made great strides in terms of 50/50 representation, there are still critical areas where women need to fully participate, including innovation and technology.

As festivities kick off at the Okakarara Trade Fair, the police say they are ready to maintain law and order.

An estimated 10,000 people are expected to visit the show.

In a statement issued by the Regional Commander, Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze, teams have been set up to ensure safety for all.

The teams have been deployed on patrols and roadblocks for increased visibility and crime prevention.

As the nation gears itself for the imminent Population and Housing Census exercise, Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua has voiced concern over private farm owners that act as "mini republics" and deny officials access to the workers employed on their premises.

Uerikua made this remark during a courtesy visit by the nbc's Chief of News and Programming, Menesia Muinjo, and various heads of department as well as staff members to his office recently.

A 21-year-old mother took her life after murdering her 5-year-old daughter at the old Ombili informal settlement at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region on Saturday.

Police in the town were alerted to the crime between 16h50 and 17h00.

According to Regional Police Community Liaison Officer Maureen Mbeha, the deceased have been identified as Hileni Vemujendavi Virere and Winny Virere.

Mbeha says Hileni strangled her daughter to death, after which she proceeded to commit suicide with an electrical cord she tied to the roof of her shack.

Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the Okakarara Trade Fair Society to continue developing platforms for SMEs to network, market, and showcase locally produced goods.

Nandi-Ndaitwah's remarks were shared on her behalf by Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua during the Okakarara Trade Fair fundraising dinner.

Nandi-Ndaitwah says Okakarara offers remarkable cultural, economic, and historical traits, and the fair is a great platform to drive commercial prospects and strengthen the economic sector.

Undocumented and stateless residents from Bravo Settlement in Kavango West got an opportunity to be registered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

The initiative was held on Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day, usually celebrated on August 10 each year.

Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day is about increasing public awareness of the importance of the timely registration of vital events, particularly births and deaths.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration wants to see TransNamib transformed to offer services par excellence and have an integrated master plan to maximise return on investment.

 
The Committee was in the Otjozondjupa Region, where it familiarised itself with the dilapidated structures belonging to the parastatal.

The oversight visit follows recommendations to TransNamib by the Ministry of Works and Transport and stakeholders to introduce a master plan integrating air, road, rail, and maritime transportation modes.