Families residing in the peri-urban areas of Otavi in the Otjozondjupa Region were pleased to receive food parcels from the Drought Relief Programme, expressing gratitude for not having to go to bed hungry any longer.

The 2022 Global Hunger Index suggests Namibia suffers from serious hunger levels, with the country ranked 78th out of 116 countries.

The government has made a concerted effort to assist the needy, including through its Drought Relief Programme, which delivered 20 kilogrammes of maize meal, cooking oil, and soya mince to residents of Otavi.

Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua urged the voter registration officials of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to uphold the values of the institution. 

Uerikua made the remarks when the ECN officials visited his office, pledging support to the officials to ensure a smooth and successful registration process.

The general registration of voters is scheduled to start from the 3rd of June until the 1st of August.

Light to moderate rains recorded over the weekend brought relief from the heat wave in some parts of the country. 

Over the past week, temperatures have hovered between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius in places such as Keetmanshoop, which received some light showers on Friday and Saturday. 

Figures revealed on the Namibia Meteorological Services website show that the highest rainfall of 19.2 millimetres measured today was recorded in Windhoek.

Given the rich history and connections of the late President Hage Geingob to the town of Otavi, the town's residents gathered for a candlelight service to comfort one another.

Hage Geingob was born on a farm, 62 km outside of Otavi, and started school at Shalom Primary School, formerly known as Rynse Sending Skool.

His late mother and grandmother are both buried at Otavi, where he still has family members.

Born on a farm near Otavi, the late President Hage Geingob was raised in Otjiwarongo, in what is today known as the Orwetoveni location, where his childhood friends described him as a positive and loving person.

Although most of his childhood friends have passed on in Otjiwarongo, those still alive say they remember him as a good football player.

They also remember going to Geingob's family house, where they would have their lunch prepared by Ouma Hendrina, the woman who raised Geingob.

Four people died in a head-on collision between a polo sedan and a seven-seater on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Otavi in the early hours of this morning.

The police said the sedan was allegedly attempting to overtake a truck when it collided head-on with a seven-seater, and a culpable homicide case has been opened against the driver of the polo.

Otjozondjupa Community Liaison Officer, Inspector Maureen Mbeha, said the polo sedan had seven occupants, of which the youngest was six months old and the eldest was 39. They all survived.

In the vibrant town of Otavi, the TUTU Annual Soccer Games were recently launched, aiming to bring together the diverse inhabitants of the community.

Recognizing the challenges of uniting people from different backgrounds, the organizers saw sports as a powerful tool to foster unity and achieve what they call "The Otavi dream."

The first edition of the TUTU Annual Soccer Games was described as a resounding success by event organizer Abel Jasson.

Plans are on the cards to set up street lights along the B1 national road's accident hotspot leading in and out of Otavi.

Otavi Mayor Isaac !Hoaeb says the electrification of the short road stretch is part of interventions to prevent accidents.

Otavi ranks among the accident-prone areas, particularly along the B1 national highway.

Housing demand continues to grow at Otavi, and the council has started with the upgrading of its three informal settlements, which were established as a result of illegal settlements.

Otavi Mayor Isaac !Hoaeb says they have started counting the zinc-structured houses for demarcation.

!Hoaeb says a total of 400 households have been enumerated at Kap n' Bou, 500 at Naruseb, and 600 at Harambee informal settlements.

With a rich historical backdrop and a strategic location along the B1 national road and Trans Caprivi highway, Otjozondjupa's governor emphasised the need for increased economic activities to foster development in Otavi. Governor James Uerikua made these remarks during the inauguration of the NaTis learner licence testing and driving licence renewal centre in the town.