The Minister in the Presidency, Christine ||Hoëbes has called upon residents of the Omaheke Region to utilise the just launched Innovation Kitchen at Gobabis optimally to promote their products and services.

The Innovation Kitchen will also enable entrepreneurs to get training and funding.

||Hoëbes says the Innovation Kitchen should be a stepping stone towards ensuring that locals are well equipped to excel.

45 children under the age of five died from malnutrition-related conditions in the Omaheke Region this year.

The Health Director, Jeremia Shikulo, said the region has recorded 132 cases of malnutrition since January.

In a telephone interview with the nbc News team, Shikulo revealed that malnutrition has become a concern in the region owing to a lack of proper diet.

Shikulo added that despite the increase in malnutrition cases, the region's team is also working tirelessly to remedy the situation with soup kitchens and community gardens.

Experts in the dairy and agriculture industries from Zimbabwe who were on a benchmarking mission to Omaheke Region are encouraged by the efforts and dedication shown by local dairy farmers despite the challenges they experience.
 
The team advised farmers to produce enough fodder and to use the right dairy cows to produce adequate milk.

A member of the Zimbabwe Dairy Farmers Association, Cyprian Kunaka, emphasised that using correct genetics in the dairy industry is paramount, as this helps farmers produce sufficient quality milk.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation opened the four-day Omaheke Employment Creation Conference in Gobabis, reiterating the government's commitment to employment creation.

While urging stakeholders to join efforts in ensuring that young people are equipped with the necessary support to be employable, Nandi-Ndaitwah also highlighted agriculture as one of the key areas that should receive support, as it responds to the demand for employment creation.

A galaxy fundraising dinner raised more than N$130,000 for the upcoming Otjinene Expo, scheduled to take place between the 24th and 30th of April. 

The expo began seven years ago with the aim to boost the local economy, provide a platform for small and medium enterprises to market their products and services, and generally enhance business opportunities, as chairperson of the Otjinene Village Council, Sylvester Kavota, explains.

"The Otjinene Expo is to enhance business activities, for the development of entrepreneurs."

Omaheke Police is working tirelessly to strengthen partnerships with community members in combatting crime such as housebreaking, assaults and theft.

The police is running an awareness campaign to educate the inhabitants on their role in community policing.

Inspector Fina Sakajengenga, Omaheke Community Affairs Unit Commander told nbc News team that building a positive relationship between the police and the community will help reduce crime incidents.

The community of Omaheke said it has lost a family man, Absai Uetuesapi Mungendje, who always advocated for peace among his people.

Mungendje aged 99 died last week. 
 
The traditional priest was residing at Toasis, at the homestead of the late Hosea Kutako in the Aminuis Constituency.

The homestead is being transformed into a memorial museum in honor of the late Chief Hosea Kutako.

The late Mungendje was a nephew and a driver of the late Ombara Kutako.

UNFPA, the Office of the Governor and the Omaheke Regional Council handed over food parcels to marginalized communities in Gobabis.

This is part of the initiative by Governor Pijoo Nganate to curb malnutrition in the region.

Child malnutrition is linked to poverty, low levels of education and poor access to health services and a recent report by the World Bank estimates that 1,6 million Namibians live in poverty.

Two children died because of malnutrition in Gobabis recently.

Some areas in the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions have started to receive rainfall as of late January.

However, most farming communities are of the opinion that they are hoping to record above-average rainfall as grazing land has been in a deplorable state. 

nbc News team talked to some farmers in communal areas to hear about rainfall patterns in their areas. 

A seasonal farmer at Otjombinde Nokia Hange is worried as up to now not enough rainfall was received in the village.

The residents of Otjimanangombe Village in the Epukiro Constituency in Omaheke now have a fully furnished ambulance, donated by the Catherine Bullen Foundation.

The ambulance is valued at N$1 million.

The ambulance was handed over to Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services.