Category: General

OSHAKATI: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Omusati region have opened a case of murder against a 36-year-old mentally challenged man after he reportedly beat to death his 104-year-old mother with a stick.

According to the region’s Crime Investigation Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Moses Simaho on Sunday, the incident happened on Friday around 21h50 at Enkombo village in the Omusati’s Etayi constituency.

The deceased was identified as Cecilia Vilho from Enkombo village and a case of murder read with the provision of domestic violence has been opened against the suspect.

‘It is alleged that the suspect came home and found the deceased and a witness eating dinner, before taking a stick from the fire and beating the deceased,’ he said.

The deceased sustained serious head injuries and was taken to the Oshikuku hospital with a private vehicle, from where she was transferred to the Oshakati State Hospital where she later died, on Saturday.

The suspect is arrested and is in police guard at Oshikuku hos
pital where he is admitted.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has said her promotion to Cabinet strengthened the Namibian leadership’s belief in the potential of youth.

She noted that her appointment by President Nangolo Mbumba on Friday strengthened the direction set by the late President Hage Geingob, who had faith in the potential of young people.

‘The trust that His Excellency has bestowed upon me only cements the trajectory that Dr Hage Geingob has begun, that he has trust and belief in the ability of young people in Namibia,’ Theofelus told the media following her swearing in at State House on Friday.

‘I think moving forward, any leader who wants the youth populace to have a seat at the decision-making table has to be intentional about it. And I am grateful that that journey has begun today.’

Her promotion effectively makes her the youngest cabinet minister in Namibia.

‘I think it is only God’s doing. He has done it once, making me the youngest deputy minister, and now he has done
it again, making me the youngest minister in the country.

To ensure the effective delivery of services to the Namibian people, President Mbumba made adjustments to the Cabinet, as per Article 32 (3) (i) (cc) and (dd) of the Namibian Constitution.

Mbumba also appointed John Mutorwa as Deputy Prime Minister. He retained his position as Minister of Works and Transport.

According to the presidency, Mutorwa will assist Prime Minister Saarah Kuugongelwa-Amadhila with disaster risk management, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

‘Our duties and responsibilities, whether it is the position of deputy prime minister or minister, are to assist in carrying out our responsibilities for the remainder of the term of office of our departed Dr Hage Geingob. And that is what I will do, and that is what I will continue to do,’ Mutorwa told the media at State House.

The former minister of information and communication technology, Dr. Peya Mushelanga, is now the Minister of International Relations and Cooperati
on.

The presidency said Mushelenga is, among others, entrusted with the primary functions of formulating, promoting, and executing Namibia’s foreign policy and managing bilateral, regional, and international relations.

He replaced former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is now Namibia’s vice president.

Former broadcaster and regional councillor Modestus Amutse said his appointment as deputy minister of information and communication technology came as a surprise.

‘Indeed, I was not notified, but that is the order of the day in politics. You can expect anything to happen within the lifecycle of politics. I sincerely appreciate it because I had not foreseen that I would occupy a portfolio as deputy minister of information and communication technology, But I appreciate the president for trusting me and, of course, the Namibian people with the responsibility of information and communication,’ Amutse said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agenc
y

OSHAKATI: Some residents in the Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions, were left in dire need after heavy rainstorms ripped through their areas, and destroyed their homes on Saturday evening.

According to councillor Ferdinand Shifidi of Endola constituency on Sunday, heavy storms coupled with rain and wind affected approximately 200 houses in Onepandaulo village, in the Ohangwena region, where the roofs of most structures were ripped off. No one was harmed.

‘Those affected are now left in dire need of assistance and we are waiting for advise on the way forward from the regional governor’s office,’ he said.

Shifidi noted that his office currently has no funds to assist the affected communities, but will do a full assessment and take the matter up with the office of the governor for further intervention.

Meanwhile, Iikokola village headman I-Ben Nashandi told this news agency that the storm uprooted homes, schools and trees, a situation which left the residents in the Oshikoto region in dire need of assistance.

‘
It is currently unknown how many houses were destroyed, as a proper assessment will be conducted,’ he said and cautioned residents to refrain from touching or moving electrical infrastructures that are damaged, as they pose a danger.

He expressed solidarity with all the affected residents and called on fellow citizens to assist with the speedy reconstruction of the area, as the damages to the properties are extensive.

No injuries were recorded.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Sahlework Zewde inaugurated today the Adwa Victory Memorial in Addis Ababa.

Adwa Victory Memorial symbolizes number interrelated actors that vividly depict the future of Ethiopia and Africa.

It has 8 gates designated for the unparalleled heroic deeds of the Ethiopian forefathers, stature of the 12 military commanders including Emperor Menelik II and Princess Tayitu Betul, replica of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), as well as a statute depicting symbolic contribution for Pan-Africansm.

The memorial is a gift from the current generation of Ethiopians to the future generation that is expected to carry over the historical feats of the Battle of Adwa.

It clearly shows the link between Ethiopian patriotism and Pan Africanism as well as the extent to which Ethiopia is rooted and positioned both in African history and thee socio-cultural fabrics in which all Africans and black people are woven.

Politically, the Adwa Victory Memorial shows how Ethiopia has cont
inued to play a major role on regional and global issues of African concerns.

It clearly shows how Addis Ababa has stood up to her regional and global expectation as a center for African unity, diplomatic and cultural center of the continent.

Located at the center of the city, the museum is already adding more beauty to Addis Ababa which is preparing to host the 37th Regular Session of the Assembly of Heads State and Government next week. This could give the leaders to visit the ultra-modern museum which is also dedicated to Pan Africanism.

The Adwa Victory Memorial is an emblem of the unity of Ethiopian forces in the Battle of Adwa 127 years ago that made a landmark history by triumphing over Italian colonial powers.

By building the Adwa Victory Memorial, Ethiopians are not only preserving a historical legacy but also reigniting a spirit of change and empowerment.

It is a call to remember the past struggles and victories, to draw strength from them, and to continue the fight for a world where every pers
on, regardless of race or origin, can live with dignity and opportunity.

The Adwa Victory Memorial is therefore more than just a structure of stone and metal; it is a symbol of hope, a shrine of courage, and a school of inspiration for generations to come.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

WINDHOEK: The national Futsal team, ‘Brave Fives,’ qualified for their first-ever African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals by defeating Tanzania 6-3 on Friday night in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

The Namibian Futsal team, who recently joined the international football family, lost their first-leg qualifier 5-2 at home but redeemed themselves with an impressive away performance.

The win saw the Brave Fives qualify for the AFCON finals on their first attempt after the two teams were levelled on an aggregate score of eight goals each. However, a better away goal scored saw Namibia progress to the championships’ finals.

Futsal AFCON is the primary national futsal tournament for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) countries and has been held every four years since its inception in 1996. It serves as a pathway for qualification to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Futsal World Cup.

This year’s championship will take place in Rabat, Morocco from 08 to 17 April with eight nations set t
o compete for the top honours including Angola, Egypt, Mauritania, Namibia, Ghana, Libya, Zambia and the host, Morocco.

Mauritania and Namibia will be making their first appearance at this continental showpiece.

The top three teams of the tournament will qualify as the CAF representatives for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup to be held in Uzbekistan from 14 September to 04 October 2024.

In a recent interview with Nampa, Futsal Namibia founder Andrei Tirtirau said Namibia has a good team and qualifying for the Futsal AFCON is a dream come true.

‘Our first appearance in the Futsal tournament is going to put Namibia on the map as a nation with a pool of talented footballers in our league. We are excited about the opportunity to compete with the biggest nations on the continent and qualifying for the tournament still feels unbelievable but it’s a real good accomplishment,’ he said.

Tirtirau added that the team will take a one-week break and thereafter reassemble to focus on preparations for the AFCON tournamen
t, as their ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2024 Futsal World Cup, which he believes is an achievable dream if they prepare well.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged Ethiopians to inherit the positive assets of their forefathers from the victory of Adwa to solve contemporary challenges and build prosperous Ethiopia.

In a momentous ceremony steeped in history and hope, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated today the Adwa Victory Memorial in the presence of President Sahlework Zewde, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, Supreme Court President Tedros Mihret, House of Peoples Representatives Speaker Tagesse Chafo, Prosperity Party Deputy Chairman, Army Chief of Staff Field Marshial Birhanu Jula, high-ranking government officials, diplomats and other invited dignitaries.

The memorial, a testament to the legendary 1896 Battle of Adwa, stands as a beacon of Ethiopian resilience and self-determination.

Its unveiling, 128 years after the resounding victory, resonated deeply with the Prime Minister.

He attributed its realization to a confluence of “chance, struggle, and hard work,” highlighting the pivotal role these elements play in shap
ing human destiny.

‘Human life is filled with chance and struggle. When chance and struggle conflate attainment occurs.’

We, Ethiopians, are inherently fortunate, declared Abiy, his voice resonating with pride. This very identity, being Ethiopian, is a privilege we possess.

Abiy noted: ‘We all Ethiopians here are lucky. What makes us lucky is the fact that we are Ethiopians.’

While other nations with shared ancestry may strive to build such monuments, but they cannot embody the spirit of heroes of Adwa such as Minilik, Balcha, or Alula . This is a legacy uniquely ours.

He added: ‘Other countries with black people can build such amazing memorial, but they cannot be the son of Minilik, Balcha, or Alula. Ethiopianness is a privilege we are endowed with. But we realized this memorial through struggle and endeavor.’

Thus, ‘We inaugurated this Adwa victory memorial here, in a manner that matches Ethiopia, after 128 years today, through hard work, struggle and endeavor to pass it to the next generation,’ Abiy
said.

However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that Ethiopia’s journey has not been without its thorns.

Our forefathers had known on what issue they became cooperative and made difference. They also knew the difference between the government and the interests of the country.

The forefathers have the knowledge that identifies government and state interest and called on the new generation to inherit the positive assets from them.

Our forefathers, the Prime Minister emphasized, understood the power of unity and discernment. They distinguished between the government and the true interests of the nation. This wisdom is a crucial inheritance we must embrace.

He urged the younger generation to not simply inherit the “fires” of the past, but to harness the true spirit of Adwa’s victors. This spirit, he elaborated, embodies the eradication of poverty, unwavering defense against invaders, the preservation of dignity, and the achievement of food sovereignty.

Furthermore, Abiy underscored the enduring lesson of sep
arating government interests from the national good, a wisdom gleaned from the triumphs of Ethiopia’s ancestors.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency