The tabling of the 2024–2025 budget may seem far away, but the Ministry of Finance is already in the process of putting the budget together and engaging stakeholders for input.

Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi already held an engagement in the Zambezi Region before moving to the Otjozondjupa Region.

This is an opportunity for the stakeholders to propose their input and the way they think the budget should go.

All seven constituencies in the region were represented at the meeting, where a number of government offices and ministries joined to raise their concerns.

Chief Regional Officers need to collaborate and share information if they wish to see their plans realised.

The Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. George Simataa, reminded them of this duty to inform during a Chief Regional Officers' engagement held with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology at Otjiwarongo.

The meeting was aimed at discussing, among others, decentralisation, government communication, national information and communication technology, and development priorities.

Family, friends, and former colleagues of the late Rikuetjua Tjombonde paid their last respects during his memorial and funeral services.

The nbc's Director General, Stanley Similo, was among the mourners who paid their tribute. Survived by 11 children and his wife, Veziruapi, Tjombonde was described by mourners as having lived a life well lived. He served the nbc for decades, from the time of the SWABC.

In 2009, Tjombonde was appointed manager for the Otjiwarongo contribution centre; the same year, his health became a matter of concern.

Priskilla Dausas, 71, who was evicted from Cando Farm three years ago, is still homeless.

Dausas was moved next to the fence opposite the road when the new farm owner, with no use for new workers, took over.

At the time, Dausas recalls that she had many farm animals, but their numbers have dwindled with time, moving further away from Farm Cando each time.

She is currently placed near neighbouring Farm Paloma in the Omatako District, but the pensioner says she cannot stay here as cattle theft is on the rise in the area.

Former employees of the Metro Cash & Carry store in Grootfontein and residents of the town held a demonstration against the management of the wholesalers for allegedly dismissing employees unfairly.

Although the current employees of the retailer did not attend the demonstration as they were allegedly not allowed to go on a lunch break, those that were dismissed, together with the community at large, demonstrated to stop management from further dismissing employees unfairly.

The Landless People's Movement's (LPM) Chief Change Campaigner is calling upon the Namibian government, parastatals, and companies, particularly in the mining sector, to allocate at least a quarter of their job placements to local residents.

Bernadus Swartbooi was speaking at a media conference in Tsumeb.

Swartbooi says the LPM is ready and willing to engage leaders of the mines in and around Tsumeb towards ensuring that residents of the town benefit first when job opportunities arise.

Farmers from drought-stricken regions are calling on the government to fast-track the drought relief scheme so that they can get fodder to feed their animals.

The farmers made this call in an interview with nbc News at the just-ended Namibia National Farmers' Union Special Congress at Otjiwarongo.
According to the farmers, the drought is severe, and they are struggling to survive it.

Landless People's Movement Chief Change Campaigner Bernadus Swartbooi has called on the Outjo Municipality to let go of its Chief Executive Officer, Josef |Urib.

Swartbooi made this call during a media conference in Outjo.

Last December, the Outjo Council took the decision that Josef |Urib, who served as the Outjo Municipality's Chief Executive Officer since 1999 until last year, should resign.

He was given an extension until this year's April; however, he's still in office.

Speakers at the opening of the Okakarara Vocational Training Centre's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week called on the trainees not to become job seekers but rather use their skills to start their own businesses.

The first of its kind, Okakarara Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week, exhibits the vocational training centre's products.

Speaking at the occasion, Okakarara Constituency Councillor Ramana Mutjavikua says he would not like to see trainees sitting at home after graduation.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has suggested that relief programmes focus on sustainability and be aimed at integrating beneficiaries into the main recognized economic activities.

Nandi-Ndaitwah remarked this during the Mayoral Relief Fund gala dinner, where the Tsumeb Municipality raised close to N$400,000 in pledges.

Many towns have set up Mayoral Relief Funds, deeming that these add value to the management of municipalities, particularly in taking care of vulnerable people.