2008-04-03Staff Report 2 By Anna Ingwafa OSHAKATI The First Lady Penexupifo Pohamba has joined the list of people and organisations touched by the aftermath of record floods in the north. Yesterday the First Lady handed over 300 blankets and 300 mattresses to flood victims in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions. The donations came from the Chinese Loving Heart Charity Organisation through Ren Xiaoping, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, following an impassioned appeal by President Hifikepunye Pohamba to donors to assist flood victims. She said though the donation is not sufficient, it will reduce the impact of the displacement. She said the donation came at a time when people in the northern and northeastern parts of the country are experiencing hardships because of floods from torrential rains and the overflow of the Cuvelai system in Angola. Pohamba urged people to boil water before drinking and build pit latrines to avoid unnecessary spread of diseases. At the same occasion, a well-known Oshakati businessman, Wilhelm Kashupi of Apollo Eleven, donated 160 bags of mealie-meal. The First Lady also visited the Tutekula Children's Organisation at Onuno in Ohangwena and handed over blankets and food to the centre. The Tutekula Organisation helps orphans and vulnerable children from Oshikango, Onuno and surrounding areas with schoolwork and counselling. The centre has more than 25 children. After the event, the First Lady went to pay her respects to the late Ongwediva Councillor and Swapo Party Women Council regional coordinator, Julia Nepembe, who passed away on March 26 at her house in Ongwediva. Nepembe served the Ongwediva Town Council in various capacities since its proclamation as a town in 1992. Husband Frans Nepembe, six children and grandchildren, survive her. Nepembe was young sister to Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, Gabes Shihepo. A memorial service for the late Nepembe will take place tomorrow at Ongwediva Trade Fair grounds. A funeral service will be held at Okatana Roman Catholic Church on Saturday before burial at Ohakweeyanga Cemetery in Ongwediva. Ongwediva Town Council described Nepembe as a hard worker and committed councillor who played an important role in shaping and luring investors to Ongwediva. Oshana Governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa, Oshakati East Councillor, Lot Kuushomwa, Ongwediva Councillor, Fikameni Ekandjo, Uuvudhiya Councillor, Amutenya Ndahafa, Uukwiyushona Councillor, Petrus Shigwedha, and Ompudja Councillor, Adolf Uunona accompanied the First Lady. 2008-04-03Staff Report 2
