Author: Otniel Hembapu (Otniel Hembapu )

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Tribal tensions simmer at Otjinene 
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Tribal tensions simmer at Otjinene 

It took warning gunshots by the police and a well-armed backup of about 100 law enforcement officers from the Gobabis police to defuse a violent tribal confrontation in Otjinene yesterday as tempers flared. The clashes were mainly between members of the Ovaherero community against the Ovazemba, Aawambo and purported illegal migrants at Otjinene. The Otjinene...

Omaheke: Malnutrition drops by 20%
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Omaheke: Malnutrition drops by 20%

GOBABIS – A combination of strategic interventions by the Office of the Omaheke governor and partners resulted in a 20% reduction in severe acute and moderate acute malnutrition in the region. One of the driving factors that helped with the reduction in malnutrition cases is the partnership between the governor’s office and Genesis,  an organisation...

Omaheke records socio-economic progress …resettlement programme expedited 
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Omaheke records socio-economic progress …resettlement programme expedited 

GOBABIS – The Omaheke region has, over the past year, made significant strides in terms of economic and social progression.  The region has managed to turn the page on its story in the face of mounting challenges, ranging from malnutrition, unemployment and lack of economic opportunities. This could be deduced from the regional governor, Pijoo...

Gracell Goeieman: Redefining art of farming …epitome of hard work and discipline
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Gracell Goeieman: Redefining art of farming …epitome of hard work and discipline

GOBABIS – For 26-year-old Gracell Goeieman, farming is more than just early morning errands in the kraal, cattle branding sessions and livestock herding; it is a profound natural calling and a pathway to create inter-generational equity.  For a sector that has for centuries been male-dominated, Gracell is breaking down barriers and through hard work, discipline...

End of famine … Namibia removed from hunger list
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End of famine … Namibia removed from hunger list

Kaviveterue Virere Otniel Hembapu The Namibian government has officially concluded its nationwide drought relief programme for the 2024/25 period. In a ministerial statement delivered to Parliament last Thursday, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced the end of the programme, which was launched in response to one of the most severe droughts in the country’s history. The...

Namcor plot thickens …as ‘toothless’ ACC bites eight
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Namcor plot thickens …as ‘toothless’ ACC bites eight

For far too long, the Anti-Corruption Commission was everyone’s punching bag, all bark and no bite, naysayers perennially argued. For many, the ACC inspired little to no confidence in fighting corruption, with some accusing the anti-graft body of only going after ‘small fishes [ordinary Namibians]’ while ‘big fishes [well-connected individuals and their proxies]’ were left...

Namibia breaks hunger chains … govt’s drought efforts lauded
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Namibia breaks hunger chains … govt’s drought efforts lauded

Improved climate conditions, government policy and strategic interventions as well as strong drought-mitigating strategies played a crucial role in Namibia’s reclassification as a hunger hotspot. Namibia has since been removed from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP) 2025 lists of the World Hunger Hotspots. The...

ACC’s night of long knives
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ACC’s night of long knives

Former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga was arrested yesterday for, among other things, his role in a N$53 million transaction between Namcor and military contractor Enercon in 2022 – a deal that appears to have been a poisoned chalice, New Era has learnt. The transaction, which would have allowed the national oil parastatal to take...

Agricultural output remains low as imports hit 100m …reduced harvest, poor marketing cited
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Agricultural output remains low as imports hit 100m …reduced harvest, poor marketing cited

Namibia’s agricultural overall output remains low, as the country imported cereal grains worth about N$100 million during the first quarter of this year. This marks an increase of 66.3% when compared to the N$587.3 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. Since the start of the year, Namibia has imported maize valued at N$659.2...

Drought food theft rocks Otjozondjupa
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Drought food theft rocks Otjozondjupa

The distribution of much-needed drought relief food to the most hard-hit communities in the Otjozondjupa region was recently disrupted after officials were caught red-handed with stolen consignments of drought aid. The value of the stolen consignments is yet to be made public as police investigations are underway.  However, Otavi constituency councillor George !Garab yesterday confirmed...