Category: General

WINDHOEK: President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa arrived in Namibia Saturday morning to convey his condolences to former First Lady, Monica Geingos, following the passing of the late President Hage Geingob in Windhoek on 04 February.

Before proceeding to the Geingob residence, Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on President Nangolo Mbumba at State House, where he indicated that he not only lost a friend but a brother, who he also described as his leader.

He said Geingob’s death was sudden as they had spoken just three days before his passing.

Ramaphosa further stressed that Namibia has set a good example for the rest of Africa with its handling of the transfer of power through the swearing in of Mbumba as president of Namibia and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as vice president.

Meanwhile, Mbumba on Friday announced the appointment of John Mutorwa, the Minister of Works and Transport, as the new Deputy Prime Minister. He retains
his position as Works Minister.

Former Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga was appointed as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Mushelenga was replaced by his deputy, Emma Theofelus, who was also sworn in on Friday. Her position is filled by Swapo member Modestus Amutse.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Swapo Party Youth League Secretary General, Ephraim Nekongo said the late President Hage Geingob was one of the leaders who groomed young people who are ready to take over the country.

Shortly after paying condolences to former First Lady Monica Geingos at the couple’s residence here on Friday, Nekongo said Geingob groomed many young people ready to take over as the country moves forward.

Geingob passed away at the age of 82, on 04 February.

Nekongo emphasized that the recent appointment of former Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Technology (MICT), Emma Theofelus to Minister, honours Geingob for his role in shaping young people.

Theofelus marks the youngest minister at age 27 in the country following the appointment by President Nangolo Mbumba on Friday during a cabinet reshuffle necessitated by Geingob’s death.

Geingob appointed Theofelus as deputy minister of MICT in March 2020 as part of his second term cabinet.

‘As we move forward, definitely the grooming we have to put it
into practice because we know already what to do as the good teacher already taught us,’ he said.

The youth leader said that the late Geingob championed a constitution that lived up to the expectations of the country and its people, challenged the missing provision in the constitution and amended it to the expectations of the Namibian people.

‘Had those missing amendments not been effected we could have had a crisis in terms of transition. If you recall, many people were not happy during that period, however, we could only say thanks to the people’s President for ensuring that effectiveness,’ he noted.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The prevalence of Genital Mutilation (FGM) in West Pokot County has decreased to 44%, against the Kenya Demographic Survey of 2019 report, which placed the same at 74 per cent.

Speaking during celebrations to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for the Female Genital Mutilation 2024 at Nakuyen village in Kacheliba Constituency, the county Governor’s spouse Scovia Kachapin, said the reduced figures were a positive indication that indeed some substantial progress had been made against the vice in the region.

Emphasising the importance of advocating for a policy of complete intolerance towards FGM, Mrs. Kachapin highlighted that FGM is a harmful practice which is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and poses a significant threat to the rights and dignity of innocent girls and women.

The governor’s wife disclosed that victims and survivors of FGM in the region were enduring a distressing existence filled with fear and anguish, and many of them were afraid to seek help from the relevant authoriti
es and institutions.

However, she encouraged such victims not to remain frightened but rather to come forward and seek any necessary support.

Mrs. Kachapin urged stakeholders dedicated to the fight against FGM to unite in their efforts to combat the harmful practice and explore strategies to challenge the deeply ingrained cultural norms and beliefs that sustain it in the region.

”How do we ensure zero tolerance towards FGM? It begins with each and every one of us,” she stated.

The governor’s spouse stressed that through collaborative efforts and promoting education, the stakeholders involved in eradicating FGM can empower communities with information and allocate resources to put an end to the detrimental tradition.

”Zero tolerance necessitates the strengthening of laws and policies to ensure justice for FGM victims and survivors,” she stressed.

The governor’s wife stated that the county government is committed to offering all-encompassing support services, such as healthcare, counselling, and legal
aid, to individuals impacted by FGM.

She also underscored the need to address the root causes of FGM, such as gender inequality, poverty, and lack of access to education and healthcare, which were crucial in combating the vice.

Ms. Kachapin urged all individuals and stakeholders to unite and speak up, taking resolute measures to guarantee a world where every girl and woman can live without the threat of FGM.

Mercy Tumko, a project officer at the Village Enterprise, which is an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the detrimental consequences of FGM on women and girls, told the press that many girls who have undergone the brutal practices are unable to come forward due to their genuine concern for their safety and well-being.

Ms. Tumko noted that cultural norms and beliefs have been cited as a driving force behind the increasing prevalence of female genital mutilation.

She noted that there are some instances where parents would be found to have compelled their daughter to undergo the brutal p
ractice in order for them to secure early marriage so that they could get dowry that would cushion their economic hardships.

Tumko said that when girls undergo FGM, many of them are forced to abandon their education prematurely.

She urged parents to create a nurturing environment for their children’s development, devoid of any harmful practices such as FGM.

She said that the unlawful practice continues to pose a significant danger to young girls residing in remote regions of the county.

The stakeholders against violations of children’s rights observed that, despite the ongoing efforts to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), there has been a substantial decrease in the number of cases, from 74% to 45%, in the county.

Many stakeholders in the region have taken the initiative to educate parents in the affected regions, aiming to completely eradicate this practice.

According to Ms. Teresa Cheptoo, the World Vision project officer for the Gilr Child promotion project in the county, the areas where cases o
f FGM and early marriages are still prevalent include parts of the North Pokot, Central Pokot, and Pokot South sub-counties.

Cheptoo emphasised the necessity of persuading boys, men, and women to forsake detrimental customary customs and embrace alternative initiation ceremonies for girls instead of resorting to FGM.

Source: Kenya News Agency

OSHAKATI: The Namibian Police Force in the Oshana Region promoted a total of 42 members to the ranks of chief inspector, senior inspector and inspector, effective 01 February 2024.

NamPol’s Oshana Commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, confirmed this to Nampa on Friday, saying that five chief inspectors, six senior inspectors and 32 inspectors were promoted.

Sakaria stated out of 42 members promoted, 19 are female.

According to Sakaria, their promotion comes as recognition of their hard work.

‘These officers are now more than ever challenged to show leadership and prove the Inspector General right that they deserve the promotions and that the promotions should translate into a positive impact on crime in the region,’ he said.

He said amongst those promoted to senior level are Inspector Thomas Aiyambo, the former Head of the Community Policing Sub-Division who became a chief inspector; and Warrant Ester Ilovu from Oshakati Police Station, who joined NamPol in 1990 and now assumes the role of in
spector.

In 2023, a total of 460 police officers were promoted to various ranks in the region, with women taking up 50.3 per cent of the total.

The 229 male and 231 female officers were promoted in line with the provisions of the Police Act, Act 19 of 1990.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

GOBABIS: Faith-based organisations and churches at Gobabis on Thursday evening held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the late President Hage Geingob at the Epako Community Hall.

Speakers from different churches and organisations remembered Geingob as a Christian of note and a ‘people’s president’ who advocated for a Namibian house where everyone was welcomed.

Speaking at the special night, Bishop GJP Katuuo from Fill the Gap ministries indicated that Geingob’s death has united people more than before, so much so that even his critics are saying positive things about him. He further indicated that this is a time to reflect and pray for God’s protection for Namibia and its people.

‘Maybe our president was given this time to lead our country for nine years. There was no president in the history of Namibia who went through a lot of challenges like our late president,’ he said.

‘I want us to be strong because now a new president is among us and a new nation is born. We believe by the grace of God that wil
l encourage us and comfort us in this difficult time.’

Another clergyman, Pastor Benny Anton, said it is time for the nation to thank the president for the service he rendered to the Namibian people.

‘We can mourn his death but we know for sure that he has done his part in this country, and we can also be happy while we are busy as we are enjoying the fruits of his work in Namibia. There was always criticism against the president. In this world if you are a leader, you will be criticized. But you must know that even Jesus was criticised by those who were close to him,’ Anton said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

KATIMA MULILO: The Masubia Traditional Authority has described the late President Hage Geingob as a great advocate for an inclusive approach to ensure that all Namibian citizens felt they mattered and that they were part of the Namibian house.

Speaking at a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the late president hosted by the Bukalo Village Council on Thursday, the Masubia Traditional Authority’s Ngambela Albius Kamwi maintained that as a leader, Geingob dedicated his entire life to serving his nation and enormously contributed to the liberation of the country and the creation of the Namibian nation.

‘He served every Namibian, both young and old, black and white in our respectful country. A commitment to an inclusive society is of utmost importance maintained in our diverse society,’ Kamwi stated.

In the same vein, the TA has commended the Namibian government for a smooth, peaceful and orderly transfer of power in accordance with the Namibian Constitution.

‘We congratulate His Excellency Dr Nangolo Mbumba
and Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for respectively assuming the critical leadership roles of president and vice president, and we would like to assure them and our fellow citizens of our commitment and support to work with them all the time at all levels to ensure peace and security and prosperity for our community and that of the entire nation,’ Kamwi said.

Geingob died on 04 February in Windhoek while receiving medical treatment for cancer.

Source: Namibia Press Agency