Government Information

Republic of Namibia
Bulletin
“Come out of the mountains” pleads Pohamba
By Rhingo Mutambo
October 2007

President Hifikepunye Pohamba called on all the Ovatue and Ovatjimba to come out from the mountains, saying that the government
will find it difficult to offer its assistance to them if they are hiding in the secluded mountains.

“Tell your people to come down [from the the mountains to meet,
mountains]. We want you to participate in the for the first time, President
development of this country [Namibia],” he told Hifikepunye Pohamaba
the leader of the Ovatue communities, Kojo and other delegations that
Koviua, when he visited these communities at have began to visit the area
Okau in Otjitanga area, on 2 November 2007. since the first report of their
plight had appeared in the
Otjitanga is one of the four areas earmarked for media months ago. Those
the resettlement of the marginalised Ovatue and who came down to meet
Ovatjimba communities. the President at the foot
of the mountain, especially
The people in this part of the country live the Ovatjimba and Ovatue,
high up in isolated mountains and landscapes. told stories of discrimination
Though they are considered as subgroups of and repudiation from
the Ovaherero, they speak a mixture of many other groups that consider
different languages, including Otjiherero, themselves superior. For
Oludhimba and some other dialects spoken in instance, when they come
southern Angola, across the Kunene River. down to look for the fresh
leaves of palm trees for
One part of the Kunene mountains
It was time of wonder and joy, accompanied shelter, they encounter
by curiosity when the people came down from negative attitudes meted
out against them by those Responding to peoples’ accounts of their
living at the foot of the plight, the Head of State expressed his
mountains. discontentment over their living conditions,
especially discrimination, stating that it is
Palm tree leaves are used by against the Namibian constitution for anybody
these communities to make to discriminate against another. “Such practices
shelters to provide them must be reported [to the law enforcement 1
shade against the scotching agencies],” he added.
sun in the bare mountains
where most of them lead
a nomadic life. The visits of The President told the people that the
the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr government recognises them as the country’s
Libertina Amathila, Deputy citizens who are protected by the same
Minister of Gender Equality constitution, hence they must be enjoying equal
and Child Welfare, Angelika rights. He expressed his happiness for having
Muharukua, as well as the met the Ovatue and Ovatjimba, some of whom
Opuwo Town Councillor, are ex-PLAN combatants who contributed to
Kahimbina Musaso, are seen the national liberation struggle and especially
as saviour missions that have for having listened to their plight.
rescued the people from a life
It is time for siblings to be together at home
of starvation.

Ovatjimba What is Namibia News from Cabinet

In This Issue

and Ovatue an offering the Chambers

“emergency investors
operation”
Page 4 Page 13 Page 19
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007

From the Desk of the Minister Contents

There is a saying that says,
“one person only lives because
other people also live”. This
means that it is difficult for one
person to exist in a vacuum and
in an empty world. This brings
to mind that human relations
are important for our own
existence.
“Come out of the mountains pleads Pohamba”……………….... 1
From the Desk of the Minister……………………………….....…… 2
Kunene mountains – the place where the people live……...…. 3
Water supply and medical aid scheme – an urgent need for
traditional leaders…………………………………………………….... 3
Ovatue, their origin and the liberation struggle…………….…... 4
Ovatjimba and Ovatue an “emergency operation……..……..… 4

T he issue of the marginalised

Ovatue and Ovatjimba who
reside in the Kunene mountains,
Government responds to the plight of the marginalised Ovatue
and Ovatjimba…………………………………………………….....….. 5
far away from the mainstream of
development and progress, need to OVC National Plan of Action outdoored………………………….… 5
be dealt with holistically. We watch “Reject evils of tribalism, racism, regionalism and corruption,”
these people on television and read
Pohamba told traditional leaders…………………………...………. 6
about their plight in the print media
Hon. N. Nandi-Ndaitwah that they still depend on wild berries Captain Hendrik Witbooi’s memory lives on………………....….. 6
for survival. Although they have
“Rural development should be priority of all priorities,”
managed to survive in their traditional environment for time immemorial, it is high
time that they too be let to participate in the development of their communities Says Nguvauva II……………………………………………………..... 7
in particular and the country in general. They should be given an opportunity to
Power generation plants – a challenge for Africa…………….... 8
improve their standard of living, according to the dictates of the present day life.
First step to save electricity in the Namibian household…...... 8
The government has taken steps to make sure that programmes and public
Namibia ranks second least riskiest country in the world….... 8
services reach the marginalised and poor people, including the Ovatue and
Ovatjimba women and children living in the remote Kunene mountains. The Solar energy panels installed at Chief Nguvauva’s
recent visits by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. headquarters at Epukiro………………………………………….....… 9
Libertina Amathila and the Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare
to the Kunene region have revealed that there is a need for the government Stakeholders to determine contributions of ICT to the
involvement in the improvement of the Ovatue and Ovatjimba standard of living. Welfare of Namibians………………………………………………….. 9
Programmes are already under way to assist those people living in the drought
stricken areas of Kunene. It is an urgent situation that needs relief, especially the Corridors of SDI to promote high standards of living for all
provision of basic needs such as food, water and shelter, health and education Namibians…………………………………………………………....…… 10
until such a time when people will be self-reliant. In doing so, the Ovatue and
Ovatjimba communities will have to move to areas where there are roads and Role of the SMEs in Namibian perspective………………….....…. 10
communication links so that they can benefit from the government programmes Final lap to Namibia 2010 Positioning Strategy……………....… 11
and services.
“Diplomatic service should be the best that it can be,”
Climate change is a challenge, even in a developing country such as Namibia. says President Pohamba……………………………………….......… 12
The whole world is currently focused on climate change issues as our planet is
becoming negatively affected by the effects of pollution, lack of rain, overgrazing What is Namibia offering the investors?.................................. 13
and over-harvesting of the natural resources. Rural communities, including the African countries to solve border issues by 2012…………...….. 13
people living in the Kunene mountains, are paying the brand of climate change in
terms of depleting wild food and lack of energy sources even though Namibia is a UNDP Reps in Africa trained on African climate change…...…. 14
sunny country which can provide energy abundantly. In Namibia, people depend Road safety tips for drivers and pedestrians………………...….. 15
heavily on cutting trees and they use grass as resources to make shelters, leading
to bush encroachment. Experiences with climate change are forcing the world’s Help to stop the carnage on Namibia’s roads………………....… 15
population to adjust to new environmental settings, including changing all aspects Regional Council Association shares information on its
2 of our lifestyles.
website……..........................................................................….. 16
Due to the popular demand from the public, the Government Information Bulletin Signs of driver fatigue………………………………………...........… 16
has introduced a column News from Cabinet Chambers. From now on, readers
Uganda hosts Commonwealth Summit………………………..….. 17
will be reading about Cabinet decisions so that the whole nation is informed about
not only the work of the government but also what we, as a nation, is expected to Namibia assumes membership of CMAG……………………...….. 17
do to participate and play a role in nation building programmes and projects.
News from Cabinet Chambers………………...............……. 19 - 20

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 Government Information Bulletin October 2007

Kunene mountains -
the place where the people live
By Kaleni Hiyalwa

President Hifikepunye Pohamba recently traveled to the Kunene region to familiarise himself with the living conditions under
which the Ovatue, Ovatjimba and Ovazemba live. The visit followed media reports about the deplorable living conditions of some
communities in the Kunene region. As a result, the Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Angelika Muharukua, and
her team undertook a fact-finding mission to some villages in the region in August 2007. Some of the villages and places that were
visited are Okau, Otjitanga, Oroutumba, Otjimuhaka, Ohamaremba, Okanguati, Epupa, Otjijandjasemo, Otjikojo, Sesfontein, Etoto,
Otjitanda and Otjinungua. The Deputy Minister, who found that the places were draught-stricken, drafted a report on her findings
and presented it to the government for careful study.

M ost of these villages are remote,

inaccessible and isolated areas in the
mountains in the Kunene region. The Ovatue,
When the draught strikes, the people in these
communities only survive on inhospitable
conditions, unable to capture the most stated
to be able to preserve their dignity and integrity
in a free country.

Ovatjimba and Ovazemba lead a nomadic
traditional lifestyle, detached from the modern
way of life that is observed by the rest of the
Namibian population.
Some members of these communities, who
have national identity documents and have
been participating in national elections can only
be reached through the use of a helicopter.
They have been living outside the mainstream
of life due to the fact that the areas are
out of reach of the country’s mainstream
programmes. As a result, the people hardly
know the benefits of independence, including
their rights to the basic needs of life that are
enjoyed by the rest of the country’s population.
Shielded by the mountains, the only life they
engage in is collecting wild berries and roots for
survival. At least the Ovantjimba own livestock.
principles of freedom from not only hunger,
disease and ignorance, but also from enjoying
the right to live in descent shelters and clothing
Life in the Kunene mountains
Although these communities of Ovatue,
Ovatjimba and Ovazemba have inhabited the
areas of the Kunene mountains for ages, they
are yet to be aware that they are part of the
population that has the right to benefit from
all the natural and material resources in the
country. That is why President Hifikepunye
Pohamba has advised these communities
that they should not be discriminated against
in anyway due to their socio-economic and
cultural status. The President made it clear
that they have the right to report or make
known any negative or demeaning attitudes
and manners aimed at robbing them from their
right to hold their dignity in the country of their
birth. He wants accountability, transparency
and openness to be the order of the day for
equity to prevail among all Namibians, including
the Ovatue, Ovatjimba and Ovazemba.

Water supply and Medical Aid Scheme - an urgent

need for traditional leaders
The dedication and commitment to service society made traditional authorities to address problems and solving disputes in their
traditional authorities in a peaceful manner. They have contributed enormously to the socio-economic upliftment of their communities
within the framework and realisation of the Government’s Vision 2030. These were the words of his Royal Highness Omukwaniilwa,
Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, chairman of the Council of the Traditional Authority (CTA) at the opening of the 10th annual meeting of the
Council of Traditional Leaders in Windhoek in October 2007.
and vulnerable families in our society,” Leader of the Ondonga Traditional Council, sees
he noted. He added that there is a need an urgent need to implement the Community 3
to change the current water supply Courts Act to allow the police to work together
system because it is causing misery with traditional authorities in bringing the
and frustration to community members. culprits to traditional courts. The CTA appealed
The chairperson of CTA proposed that to the government to train traditional judges
the government could take up the and traditional secretaries to enable them to
responsibility of rural water supply from be able to perform their duties and functions
NamWater to make water affordable to effectively once the Community Courts Act is
the majority of the people. He observed implemented. The body reminded the Minister
that if the current trend continues of Regional, Local Government, Housing and
without the government’s intervention, Rural Development of the promises to look
the rural population will not be able to into the possibility of providing a medical aid
have access to clean and portable water scheme to traditional leaders in view of the
Chiefs attending the 10th Anniversary of the Council of as people have no money to pay for the proposal made in 2006 by the Council to find a
Traditional Leaders water. medical scheme provider cater for them.

T he Omukwannilwa brought to the attention

of the government what he described at a
‘disturbing factor’ of water supply in rural areas
King Kauluma Elifas explained that traditional
authorities are faced with many challenges,
The majority of the traditional leaders do
not have decent work to afford medical aid
especially when it comes to the execution schemes, which are expensive. “Many of them
that needs to be re-looked at as a matter of
and administration of the customary laws. “In live on family support and care, which does not
urgency.
many cases, the suspected offenders or culprits commensurate with their status in society as
refuse to appear before traditional courts when custodian of cultural values and beliefs,” the
“Water supply to rural communities has become
summoned by relevant traditional authorities,” Royal Highness Omukwaniilwa of Ondonga
costly and unaffordable for the majority of
he added. The King, who is also the Traditional Traditional Authority explained.
people who in many instances are orphans
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
Ovatue, their origin and the
liberation struggle
One may wonder as to who the Ovatue, Ovatjimba and Ovahimba are and where they come from originally?
T he Ovatue, Ovatjimba and Ovahimba
are small sub-groups of the Ovaherero
communities. They roam the mountainous
places in the Kunene region in the north
western part of the country.
The only distinction that can be marked
between them is the intonation or accent of the
languages they speak, the type of settlement
structures they build and their economic life.
While the Ovahimba build permanent structured
homesteads, the Ovatue only put up makeshift
shelters, made out of fresh palm leaves
and mopane tree branches, as they lead a
nomadic life. They roam around the wilderness
in search of wild berries, roots, honey and
whatever nature can offer for a meal. Unlike
the Ovatjimba, whose staple diet of berries is
supplemented by milk and meat, the Ovatue
also eat meat but do not own livestock and
cultivate the land. The Ovahimba depend on
maize meal, meat and milk although they also
collect berries as a supplementary diet.
Known by the name Ovatua (poor people) by
the Ovatjimba, they call themselves Ovatue
(the skilled and experienced hunters who use
assegai/spear with precision to kill animals).
The Ovatue had survived on animal hunting.
History has it that before civilisation introduced
guns, Ovatue used to chase and kill animals
with assegai or spears and other traditional
instruments. It is because of their skills and
experience that they proudly call themselves
Ovatue.
Ovatjimba and Ovatue an “emergency operation”
Following the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s (NBC) Open File programme about the poor conditions of the marginalised
communities of the Ovatue and Ovatjimba in the Epupa constituency, Cabinet instructed the National Emergency Management
Committee (NEMC) to undertake an urgent fact-finding tour to the Kunene region.
4
T he decision, which was preceded by a high
level mission of the Deputy Prime Minister
and the Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and
Child Welfare, was aimed at investigating the
living conditions of the Ovatue and Ovatjimba
communities to enable the government to
devise mechanisms to improve their socio-
economic standards.
NEMC visited four prospective settlements,
namely Otjitanga, Otjerivanga, Otjijandjasemo
and Otjikoyo where some of the Ovatue and
Ovatjimba live from 29 October to 5 November
2007. The four areas have been selected for
the resettlement of the Ovatue and Ovatjimba
communities who are expected to move
from the mountains to settle close to other
communities. The team was comprised of the
Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministries of
Agriculture, Water and Forestry; Information and
Broadcasting; Gender Equality and Child Welfare;
Defence; Home Affairs’ and Immigration and the
Kunene Regional Council. The investigating
By Rhingo Mutambo
Omutua (singular) or Ovatua (plural)
is a derogatory name synonymous to
“outcast”, “poor person” or someone
with inferior standard. In the words of
the Councillor for Epupa Constituency,
Hon. Kasita Mburura, the name is
“unconstitutional”.
Omutue man recalled the effect
and impact of modern life on their
traditional lifestyle like this, “When
all the animals were removed from
the land to be locked up into zoo and
game parks, we became poor. We were
rich and the Ovatjimba people used to
beg from us. When we became poor
as a result of conservation laws, they
started calling us Ovatua.”
Like the word ovatua (Omutua), ovatjimba
(omutjimba) word is also said to have a
derogative meaning. Notwithstanding the
derogative names, given to the Ovatjimba
and Ovatue and the discrimination meted
out against them because of their cultural
and socio-economic status, their sons and
daughters also joined others to fight for
Namibia’s independence against the apartheid
colonialism of South African, upon which
human rights and dignity were founded.
During his assessment visit to Ovatue and
Ovatjimba communities, President Hifikepunye
Pohamba met with three ex-combatants,
By Rhingo Mutambo
team was led by the Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana.
The communities expressed their appreciation
for the government’s prompt response to
their predicament, since they first spelled out
their problems two months earlier. They also
expressed confidence in the government’s
efforts to find solutions to their dilemma.
The Ovatjimba and Ovatue have little access
to schools and health facilities, water points,
or any source to provide decent food, apart
from wild berries, wild bee honey and sweet
tree tubers. The people travel long distances
to reach the Epupa Constituency health facility
and the Okangwati Health Centre, whose sole
ambulance, ferrying patients from one facility
to another, has been withdrawn over a year
ago. So, the only options the people have are
to either travel on donkeys’ backs or remain at
home to treat their ailments, using local and
Life in the Kunene region
namely Tuasaneka Tjisuta, Tjikununa Katjena
and Kanenekomuko Muhenje from Okau
village, one of the villages visited on 2
November 2007.
Tjisuta who was born in 1961, joined PLAN,
the military wing of SWAPO, at the age of 18
in 1979 and was trained at Tobias Hainyeko
Training Centre in Lubango, Angola. At the
time when Katjena and Muhenje, both in their
50s, were ready to join SWAPO, they were
conscripted in the Force Armaolo Pupular De
Angola (FAPLA) – the military wing of MPLA and
were trained in 1975 and 1977 respectively in
Angola.
traditional methods that include barks of trees
and plants.
Hon. Muharukua witnessed the situation in
which a pregnant woman, battling for her own
life and that of her unborn baby, was carried to
a health facility due to lack of transport. The
Deputy Minister came to her rescue by offering
her official car, and as a result, the woman had
a safe delivery at the clinic at Okanguati village,
48 kilometers from her village.
Plans are underway to build schools, health
facilities and start communal gardens. The
government has promised to provide corrugated
iron sheets and other building materials to erect
shelters for the people and drill solar-powered
boreholes at each of the selected settlement
areas. The NEMC team recommended that
the effort to address the needs of these
communities, be declared an “emergency
operation” to be fast-tracked for the next three
to four months with the necessary resources.

Government responds to the plight of the
marginalised Ovatue and Ovatjimba
There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have done something for someone else, even if it may appear as delayed
assistance.
W hile the government is working on the
modalities to rescue the hungry-hit
Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities, the
Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare
(MGECW) continues to distribute food to them,
after the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s
(NBC) Open File programme exposé of povety
and hunger among the Ovatue and Ovatjimba,
living in the outskirts of Opuwo in the Kunene
region.
The people’s twinkling eyes, traditional dances
and loss of words for compliments, depicted
sincere gratitude towards the government’s
response to their plight.
Food, including maize meal, tinned beef and
cooking oil are some of the items that are being
distributed to the communities at an interval of
two weeks. The Office of the Prime Minister’s
National Emergency Management Committee
(NEMC) also undertook a fact-finding tour to
the region and distributed food to members of
the two communities.
NEMC team noted that children were also
exposed to the rare unprotected boreholes
from which the communities fetch water. Met
by puzzled faces of the children during the
tour, the team distributed apples and oranges
to the toddlers who had never seen an apple or
orange before. Since the people live a nomadic
OVC National Plan of Action outdoored
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (GECW) has launched the National Plan of Action (NPA) for Orphans and
Vulnerable Children (OVC) 2006 – 2010. This is in line with the Medium Term Plan for HIV/AIDS that was developed as part of the
Rapid Assessment, Analysis and Action Planning (RAAAP) on OVC in 2004 in conjunction with OVC Permanent Task Force, chaired
by the Ministry of GECW.
T he plan was developed in consultation with
various stakeholders and also included the
views of Namibian children, in particular those
of OVC. It is divided into two parts comprising
the Right, Protection, Care, Support, Education,
Health and Nutrition and the Management and
Networking, as well as their objectives. The
second part is the Monitoring and Evaluation
Plan, which outlines a detailed system for the
monitoring and evaluation aimed at making this
National Plan of Action a reality.
The plan calls for the comprehensive and
multi-sectoral response to address the
situation of OVC in Namibia. This means
that the collaboration and coordination of all
stakeholders in the OVC programmes are the
key elements to contribute to the success of
this OVC National Plan of Action. Launching
the plan, Prime Minister Nahas Angula noted
that HIV/AIDS remains one of the greatest
challenges of today, saying that the country
is among others that are severely affected by
Government Information Bulletin October 2007
By Rhingo Mutambo
life and have no food storages,
the team was concerned that
their food may be wasted or
go bad from the exposure to all
weather including, sun, rain and
wind. They use trees to hoist the
bags of maize meal and other
items distributed to them.
The Ovatue and Ovatjimba
communities belong to extended
families and they are in need
of cooking eating and drinking
utensils. An extended family uses
one communal pot, which also
serves as a plate.
Deputy Prime Minister Libertina
Amathila is expected to visit The nation must care for the lives of its children
the communities soon to hand
over utensils, such as cups, pots, and water
containers. boreholes for them, provide them with shelters,
schools, clinics and seeds and to be registered
Like the marginalised San communities, the for the social pension and the Orphans and
Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities will be Vulnerable Children grant.
integrated into the government programme
aimed at uplifting their living conditions. Plans A combined registration team for civic, social
are underway for the government to assist the and child welfare will be dispatched to the two
communities to stand on their own feet. communities, starting in November 2007 to
register those who are eligible for social and
The communities have requested the pension grants.
government to assist them with food, dig
5
the pandemic. The situation has evidenced
by the increase in the number of orphans and
children headed households. “This has resulted
in the inability of the extended family system
to provide basic needs such as shelter, food,
medical care, education, love and support
to vulnerable children,” he observed. The
Premier said that the Namibian government
places the issue of child development at the
forefront of its social and political agenda. As
a result, significant progress is being made in
the protection of rights of the most vulnerable
children in the Namibian society. He also said
that the government is working hard to put
Boys and girls together
structures and programmes in place for the
care and protection of children. “However, yet so expressive. Their importance to us
the government cannot reach this goal alone is the fact that they represent the future of
without collaborating with other stakeholders our nation. They need protection rights now.
involved in efforts to care and protect the Their childhood is happening today and not
children, he remarked. somewhere in the future. Let us start right
now to invest in their future through the
Prime Minister Angula emphasized that children implementation of the OVC National Plan of
look innocent and powerless but they are Action to ensure their care and protection.
very precious. “Children have quiet voices,
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
“Reject evils of tribalism, racism, regionalism and
corruption,” Pohamba told traditional leaders
President Hifikepunye Pohamba applauded the work of the Council of the Traditional Leaders, saying that it plays an important role among
the Namibian communities in terms of assisting the government in its efforts to maintain peace, cultural harmony and national unity.
H e explained that the council, over a period
of 10 years, contributed significantly to the
maintenance of peace and stability, as well as to
the pursuance of socio-economic development in
the country by generating a degree of mutual
understanding and exchange of experiences
among traditional leaders.
The President also commended the Council,
which he said has become a forum where
traditional leaders can interact and seek solutions
to the many challenges facing the people,
especially those who live in the rural areas.
President Pohamba was addressing the close
to 86 traditional leaders from all corners of the
country who attended the 10th annual meeting
and the existence of the Council of Traditional
Leaders held in Windhoek from 22 – 26 October
2007. The meeting was organised by the Ministry
of Regional and Local Government, Housing and
Rural Development and held in terms of Section
2 of the Council of Traditional Authority Act 13 of
1997. The Council was established with the aim to
advise the President on the control and utilisation
of communal land and all other matters related
to traditional issues such as conflict management
and resolutions among various traditional
communities in the country. Namibia is a unitary
state founded on the principles of democracy, the
rule of law and social justice. In terms of Article
102 (5) of the Namibian Constitution, “There
shall be a Council of Traditional Leaders to be
established in terms of an Act of Parliament to
advise the President on the control and utilisation
of communal land and on all such other matters
as may be referred to it by the President for
advice.”
Traditional authorities are expected to promote
peaceful co-existence of communities. The
President urged them “to continuously educate
their communities, especially the youth to
respect the Namibian Constitution and other
6 laws of the country”. “They should teach them
about the importance of traditional norms
Captain Hendrik Witbooi’s memory lives on
It is 102 years since Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi died. Captain Witbooi is a legend of the Namibian nation who has played a
significant role in the anti-colonial struggle when the German settlers arrived in Namibia and started to scramble for land, confiscate
the people’s cattle and wildlife. Today he is remembered as one of the heroes of the Namibian soil. His bravery and courage had
inspired the national liberation struggle. He has inspired unity among the Namibian people through his selfless leadership in the fight
against foreign occupation and domination.
I n remembrance of his death,
commemoration ceremony and traditional
festival was held at Gibeon, in the Hardap
a Park is named after him and his name is
region, on 29 October 2007, to pay tribute
to a man symbolising all that matters in the
Namibian society. Captain Hendrik Witbooi is
honoured with his picture featuring on the legal
banknotes of the Namibian dollar, his statue
ushers a welcome to the Namibian Parliament
in the Parliament Gardens, a street in Hockland
By Kaleni Hiyalwa
President Hifikepunye Pohamba consults on rural
development
and values of communities in which they live.
[They] should work in partnership with the
government to promote economic development
and national unity,” the President advised. The
President was pleased that traditional leaders
have demonstrated their wisdom in dealing
with matters that have been brought before
the Council for discussion, saying that many
disputes over leadership and land issues among
various communities throughout the country
were resolved peacefully and amicably. He also
said that the Council had discussed, investigated
and made recommendations that were received
from various traditional communities in line with
the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000. Forty-two
traditional authorities have been recognised in
the past ten years while three more applications
have been recommended for recognition and
consideration is pending for five of them.
The President is, however, concerned about a
new trend, marked by an increased number of
applications for recognition of traditional leaders
from various communities. “In some instances,
these applications are lodged by people from
within a traditional authority that has already
been recognised or from small sub-clans. This
By Kaleni Hiyalwa
featuring at many other places of significant
importance.
Known by his African name as Outa !Nanseb,
the man is a symbol of unity in Namibia. He
was the first person who called for a united
force of the country’s people to fight against
foreign occupation and subjugation. His
vision was beyond tribal and ethnic lines and
may lead to the fragmentation of communities
and disunity among our people. In my view, it
is not advisable to walk along a path that would
result in clans and sub-clans seeking recognition
as independent entities,” he remarked.
“I urge traditional leaders to amicably resolve
any disputes that may arise within their
communities, as well as those involving members
of neighbouring traditional authorities. They
should deal with any misunderstanding as soon
as it arises before referring it to the Council of
Traditional Leaders,” President Pohamba who
is a member of a traditional family legend,
advised. He urged traditional leaders to work
together and remain united in facing national
challenges such as the scourge of HIV/AIDS,
hunger, illiteracy, crime and other social evils that
continue to haunt Namibians. He offered a word
of wisdom, “We must respect our cultural norms
and traditions because these are the foundation
of our nation. In the same vein, where we find
such norms and traditions hampering our efforts
to overcome modern challenges, we should be
ready to modify such practices, especially in
the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We
should include our women as equal partners
in development. We should accord Namibian
women the respect that they deserve as
mothers of our nation and in accordance with
the laws of the land. We should also include the
churches and other members of civil society as
important stakeholders in the process of finding
solutions to the challenges of nation building.”
The President advised the traditional leaders
to strive to establish workable systems and
implement policies that will improve the lives of
the people and benefit the future generations,
observing that this requires them to look beyond
individual interests, in favour of the interest of all
communities. “We must maintain national unity,
peace and security in our communities and the
country as a whole. We must reject the evils of
tribalism, racism, regionalism and corruption,” the
Head of State concluded.
conflicts which existed then. He had appealed
to his equals to join hands to fight against
colonialism.
Captain Witbooi knew then what the people
of Namibia came to realise that people cannot
defeat the enemy while they are divided but
since they had a common purpose, they needed
to forge a united force for victory to be attained.
It is from this unity that Namibians, during the
Continues on page 7

“Rural development should be priority of all
priorities,” says Nguvauva II
His Royal Highness, Chief Munjuku Nguvauva ll, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders (CTL) made a resounding
statement during the 10th Session of the Council of Traditional Leaders at Safari Hotel and Conference Centre on 22 October 2007.
H e urged his counterparts to help
communities to identify their needs and
problems and to adopt plans to tackle their
problems, adding that traditional leaders have
an obligation to assist their communities to
initiate solutions to problems by harnessing
internal resources.
“It is high time that we help communities
take ownership of development programmes
and thereby hold government accountable
to support our initiatives. We must stop
blaming government for problems in our
communities. Now is the time for us to take
on the developmental agenda seriously. I am
proposing that each community convene a
community assembly, dedicated solely to the
development agenda of that area, once a year.
I am confident that government will be ready
to assist in this regard,” thundered His Royal
Highness.
Chief Nguvauva II warned traditional leaders
not to wait for government to identify the
needs of their communities. Traditional leaders
need to seriously address problems that
affect communities such as food insecurity,
drought, cattle theft, HIV & AIDS, orphans
and vulnerable children, water and education,
among others.
“We must look at the social safety nets that
used to exist in our communities and rebuild
them and start to address these problems. The
number of orphans and vulnerable children
Continues from page 6 Captain Hendrik Witbooi’s memory lives on
struggle for independence, came up with a
slogan that, “United we stand! Divided we
fall!”. This was an acknowledgement that
there was a need for a “One Namibia, One
Nation” instead of fighting against each other
and for individual interests. It was this vision
of unity that had inspired the generation of
Reverend Hendrik Witbooi, Hosea Kutako
and Reverend Teophelus Hamutumbangela
to petition the United Nations for self-
determination.
Following the commemoration of Heroes’ Day
2007 at Eenhana, various other communities,
such as Ovaherero paid their respect to their
heroes and leaders at Okahandja and the
Ovaherero/Ovambanderu/Ovahimba gathered
to celebrate the 81st observation of the White
Flag Day at Omaruru in early October 2007 to
also pay homage to their heroes.
At the Commemoration of the /Khowesen
heroes, Rev. Hendik Witbooi, the grandson
of Captain Witbooi described the anniversary
as a commemoration of the toil, suffering
and sacrifices of the gallant forefathers and
mothers, as a manifestation of the unrelenting
Government Information Bulletin October 2007
in our country is an indication
that the extended family system
has collapsed or cannot cope. We
must address this phenomenon.
We must start to address some
of the negative cultural practices
that impede on development. The
recognition that government has
accorded to traditional authorities is
for the latter to provide leadership
and promote development,” said
the Chief of the Ovambaderu
community.
The Chief also called on fellow
traditional leaders to focus on
traditional matters and let politicians
deal with politics, otherwise there
exist risk to divide our communities.
“I also, caution those that are politicising
traditional matters for their own selfish political
aspirations that they must first and foremost
think about the unity of their communities,
or otherwise must relinquish their traditional
leadership positions. Traditional leaders are
seen more and more at political rallies and are
seldom seen organising community meetings,”
Chief Nguvauva II noted.
He had this to say to the government,
“government must partner traditional
leadership, resource them adequately to
embark upon mass impact developmental
projects. Government must rededicate its
efforts in solving critical problems such as food
will and determination to be a free people.
It was a celebration of a cultural identity
and worth, a tribute to the fallen heroes
and heroines of the Namibian independence
struggle, a tribute to the visionary wisdom and
couratge of Hendrick Witbooi, Jacob Morenga,
Abraham Morris, Samuel Maharero and many
others, and an opportunity to revisit the
people’s roots, and to retool for the challenges
of 2008 and beyond.
Touching on the challenges facing the Nama
people and culture today, Rev. Witbooi had
this to say, “We managed to set a pace for
the self-determination drive of our people and
our country. We participated in the race for the
liberation of our country. But we seem to have
lost sight of the fact that the race is not yet
over. The race cannot be over as long as there
is still poverty, decease, ignorance, inequitable
distribution of resources and regional bias. We
need to make our presence felt in the social,
economic, cultural and political destiny of our
country. We are losing our cohesiveness as a
clan and as a people. Things are falling apart.”
In view of the modern life characterised by
“petty squabbles” about positions, status,
Looking after the livestock
security, land reform and resettlement and
water provision”.
According to him, it is high time that
development is felt at village level, citing
development projects with mass impact such
as rural dairy industry, rural butcheries to
add value to small stock on rural communities
and rural poultry industries as some of the
examples that the rural communities can be
assisted with.
The Chief observed that Namibia is a dry
country and, therefore, must seriously begin
to tap the Kunene and Zambezi rivers for
mass irrigation projects to produce food for
Continues on page 18
names and other minor issues among the
Nama clans, Rev. Witbooi did not hesitate to
question the status quo. “What happened to
the unity of purpose we had? What happened
to our self-respect and human dignity? And 7
what happened to the culture of openness,
dialogue and transparency?”
The former Vice President of SWAPO advised
the Nama people to retrace the roots that
bind them together, with emphasis on their
strengths rather than weaknesses. “Our
differences should enhance and enrich
the diverse cultural setting that we have
in Namibia. To address these and other
challenges we need to be bold, courageous,
and honest and have a strong sense of
integrity,” he added.
He is worried that there is a growing gap
between the people and their elected leaders
observing, “our people are like sheep without
a shepherd”. He also noted that there is a
serious tendency towards compromising
the collective responsibility and interest of
the people at the expense of the leaders’
interests.
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007

Power Generation Plants - a challenge for Africa

By Rosa Hamukuaja-Thobias

Namibia hosted close to 100 delegates from across the world who deliberated on the World Energy Council (WEC) for the African
Regional Meeting and the Union of Producers, Transporters and Distributors of Electric Power in Africa (UPDEA) workshop on power
generating plants.

T he three day event, which was officially

opened by acting Minister of Mines and
Energy, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, saw a powerful
delegation, which caucused on some of the
challenges facing the African Region, such as
low level access to modern energy and huge
dependence on biomass energy, weak per
capita commercial energy consumption, weak
development of energy infrastructure, weak
energy quality service and inefficient
technologies.
 
The UPDEA conference was also held
simultaneously with the WEC workshop.  concept of sustainable development.
UPDEA Secretary General, Herman Sakrini
Mutima, highlighted the main challenges and
opportunities impacting on the performance
of electric generating plants.   According to
Mutima, the challenges are taking place in
a crucial period where many African power
companies are facing difficult times due to a
lack of generation capacity.
 
Mutima noted that to tackle this situation,
Africa needs to speed up the construction of
new power plants, strengthen power systems
and adopt an energy mix approach in the
process of formulating energy policy.
The WEC African Regional meeting also
signed a declaration, agreeing that dams and
hydropower projects need to embrace the
 
According to the participants, during the past
century, hydropower has made an important
contribution to development, as shown in the
experience of developed countries, where the
majority of technically and economically feasible
hydropower potential has been exploited. In
some developing countries, hydropower has
contributed to poverty reduction and economic
growth through regional development and
expansion of the industry. The forum noted that
two thirds of economically viable hydropower
potential is yet to be tapped and 90% of this
potential is found in developing countries.
Only less than 7% hydropower has been
developed and exploited in Africa. The
conference observed that there is great
hydropower potential in developing countries,
as well as in countries with economies in
transition, which can be harnessed to bring
benefits to these countries.

First step to save electricity in the Namibian

households
By Rosa Hamukuaja-Thobias

As a reaction to the looming power shortage crisis in the country, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Electricity Control
Board (ECB) and NamPower initiated a Demand Side Management (DSM) project to counteract the threats of power disruptions
aimed at reducing the consumption of electricity.

T he DSM initiative kicked off with the free

distribution of compact fluorescent light
bulbs throughout the country on 29 October
2007.
The compact fluorescent light bulbs,
which consume low electricity, are aimed
at reducing the electricity demand
for Namibia to between 12 to 20MW.
About 900 000 fluorescent light bulbs
8
were imported from China, and will
be distributed to consumers, free of
charge, who have settled their water and
electricity accounts with local a u t h o r i t i e s .
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Mines
and Energy Minister, Hon, Erkki Nghimtina,
cautioned that the era of electricity surplus
supply capacity is unlikely to return to the
southern African region. According to Hon.
Nghimtina, the regional stability has attracted
foreign direct investment initiatives to the
region, putting stress in the demand for
supply of electricity for use in economic and
industrial activities.
“The time has come when we are expected
to stop talking and act to ensure continuous
electricity supply in Namibia,” Nghimtina
said.

Namibia ranks second least riskiest

country in the world
By Rosa Hamukuaja-Thobias

Namibia was rated as the second least riskiest country in the world’s mining sector. The country trails closely behind the Nordic
country, Sweden, which comes in the first place. This information was contained in a recent media release on the world risk survey
conducted by leading resources publication, Resources Stocks.

I n the report of the findings of the survey,

Sweden’s total risk scored 9.2, only a fraction
above Namibia with 9.3 with Finland placed
third at 9.6 as the world’s “least risk” mining
country.
 
According to the Director of Mining in the
Ministry of Mining and Energy, Erastus Shivolo,
Namibia has received this honour because of its
transparent and competitive security of tenure
and mining legislation.
twelve months. According to the publication,
countries were also scored based on the
questions of sovereign and social risks, as well
Shivolo explained that the country’s national as civil unrest.
environmental policy and management has  
contributed to the positive outcome.   Australia’s risk rating is 11.3, slightly worse
  than Botswana at 11.1 and slightly better than
Australia has become a considerably risky place Ghana’s 11.6.
for mining companies to operate in the past
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007

Solar Energy panels installed at Chief Nguvauva’s

headquarters at Epukiro
Modern way of living dictates that electricity supply is a basic need without which only limited activities would take shape in the
world today. To illustrate this, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Joseph Iita, observed that electricity
shortage is a big problem experienced not only in the Omaheke region, but also in the country, and the SADC region as a whole.

“Electricity supply infrastructure is one of an alternative, since it is affordable and can be

the essential components needed to keep a
modern society running. Essential services
such as education, communication and water
supply need electricity to function effectively,
Iita explained.
Iita was speaking at an inaugural ceremony
of the Ezorongondo Village Solar Energisation
Systems at the Ovambanderu Head Quarters in
Epukilo in the Omaheke region on 18 November.
2007. The project is jointly supported by the
Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the
Namibia Renewable Energy Project (NAMREP)
to ensure development of a sustainable and
efficient renewable energy sector.
This was his message to the Epukilo
community, “It is the aspiration and intention
of the Government of the Republic of Namibia
to ensure that all Namibians have access to
sustainable and affordable energy supplies and
enjoy the benefits associated with renewable
energy technologies in particular.” The MME
is contributing to efforts of establishing solar
home systems from which the headquarters of
His Royal Highness, Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II
and President Hifikepunye Pohamba
His Royal Highness Chief Munyku Nguvauva II,
three households and the kindergarten in the
Omaheke region have benefited.
Iita noted that although progress has been
made with regard to rural electrification in most
regions of Namibia, rural people in the remote
areas still have no access to grid electricity. He
believes that solar energy is recommended as
designed and set up anywhere. He thinks that
the use of solar energy will accelerate access
to better energy services in communities,
including those who live in the remotest areas.
After the installation of the solar system at Chief
Nguvauva’s headquarters, five households had
purchased solar systems for themselves, which
demonstrates that people are using a holistic
strategy to combine efforts and commitment
with the government in the country’s
development programme. Solar energy can be
a viable option source of energy for Namibia,
whose sunshine is abundant. Solar energy
is environmently friendly and a non-polutant
source. “I therefore urge the entire community
and region at large to follow this good example
by using renewable energy technologies,” Iita
remarked.
He said the effort is an indication of the strong
government commitment to enhancing national
plans for increasing the use of renewable
energy technologies and the promotion of
energy efficient alternatives in communities.

Stakeholders to determine contribution of ICT to

the welfare of Namibians
Prime Minister, Nahas Angula, said that Namibia, as a developing country, along with the rest of Africa, needs stakeholders to work
with government and to act as agents of positive change in the society. As a result they can trigger shifts in the information and
communications technology market dynamics to favour the supply of local ICT content, support, skills and service providers. He
wants Namibia to reduce the longstanding dependence on imports and the negative effects created by this dependence.

T he Premier was addressing the National

Conference on ICTs for Poverty Reduction
and Sustainable Development that took place
in Windhoek in August 2007. The Conference
was aimed at examining progress and good
practices, the implementation of the existing
ICT policies and the identification of gaps in
the existing policy framework. Other objectives
of the conference were to identify concrete
priorities in national ICT implementation, the
democratisation of information and building
better understanding about the potential and
challenges in implementing ICT policies.
The Rt. Hon. Angula is adamant that the
youth have to be the driving force behind
the expansion and convergence of ICTs
throughout the country to become part of
the Information Society. To do this, there is a
need to first create an enabling environment
by implementing an effective policy to help the
country attain the millennium goals. The policy
framework is required for the benefit of all
Namibians. “I expect Cabinet to adopt a policy
which is committed to the strategic use of
information and communications technologies
to further socio-economic development,” the
Prime Minister said.
9
An ICT policy has to include technological and
environmental elements that are characterised
by accessibility, collaboration, interoperability,
open standards, transparency, customisability,
local contribution, and open licensing.
Prime Minister Angula encouraged people
to use, modify, enhance, create and share
such technologies and content for the
important purpose of localising the resource
capacity and cutting back on the external
dependencies. Namibia’s national strategic They too are amazed by technology
objectives for socio-economic development
are to improve competitiveness, support local trained and skilled IT engineers and the variety
innovation and investment, broaden Black of technicians and other human resources need
Economic Empowerment (BEE) participation to be brought on par with that of developed
in the economy, build a better world, improve countries.
the reach and efficiency of government service
delivery, and to reduce poverty and redress “Our focus should not only be on technology,
imbalances of the past. The Premier said that but also on how we are going to address and
technology and equipment require human redress the shortage of IT skills in the country,”
capacity to operate, maintain and expand he said. He emphasized that the availability of
it, observing that Namibia has a shortage of human capacity to drive the information
Continues on page 18
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
Corridors of SDI to promote high standards of living
for all Namibians
By: Kaleni Hiyalwa
Namibia cannot afford lagging behind in the competitive global economy. As a result, the country is responding positively to the
challenging dynamics facing developing countries in their quest to promote and sustain economic growth.
and the promotion,
improvement and
provision of efficient
services to its people.
The global economy
requires the movement
of goods and products
from one market to
another with speed
and efficiency. To be
competitive, Namibia
has to devise strategies
to foster economic
growth, to create
new employment
President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia and opportunities and
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa
to ensure that the
country’s economy is
T o be part of the increasing competition
and integration of the global economy,
Namibia has, in its agenda, the commitment
vibrant.
These strategies include bilateral and
to the development of technology to harness regional co-operation with countries both on
the potential of the natural resources the African continent and among those in the
Role of the SMEs in Namibian Perspective
In Namibia, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector is known to provide income and employment to approximately one
third of the disadvantaged section of the population. It also has the potential to contribute to achieving important social objectives
such as job creation, poverty alleviation and promotion of equitable distribution of wealth.
T he Namibian government, through the
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI),
has recognised that this sector is faced with
- to expose the Namibian women
entrepreneurs to the new methods,
techniques and technology in food
constraints hindering development. These processing, preservation and preparation;
constraints include: lack of finance, market - to facilitate the Namibian women
10 access, appropriate technology, management entrepreneurs to attend the Malaysian
and entrepreneurial skills, and insufficient International Food and Beverages Trade
institutional support and advisory services. Fair as a learning process inducing them
to diversify their business activities.
In demonstrating the importance of the sector,
the MTI, has been, for many years, assisting In fulfilling their dream and plough back their
SMEs companies to participate in local and experience, the women proposed the formation
international organised trade fair events. This of a Women Business Forum/Association. It is
time, the MTI in collaboration with the Ministry envisage that the Steering Committee will be
of Gender Equality and Child Welfare decided established comprising of two members from
to share costs to facilitate the participation of each region. To realize this vision the women
22 women business entrepreneurs who are entrepreneurs requested the MTI and the
currently engaged in food catering services MGECW to assist them in terms of procedures
on a small scale basis. The women have and guidelines policies as well as to formalise
participated in the 8th Malaysia International the proposed association.
Food and Beverage Trade Fair that took place
from 12 – 14 July 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. Due to If everything goes according to the plan, upon
limited resources, the two Ministries could only completion of the Women Business Forum/
manage to pay for one or two participants from Association, it is expected that women engaged
each region of the thirteen regions. in food business will vigorously mobilize the
membership base of the Association; thereafter
The objectives for the participation of these several seminars/workshops will be held to
women entrepreneurs in this trade fair were inform each others the core business of the
mainly:
developing world. This is one way of sharing
experiences and adopting best practices
in the introduction and implementation
of effective policy frameworks that can
stimulate economic growth. To be effective,
as an actor, in the global economy, countries
have to take deliberate actions to put in place
effective regulatory measures and remove
bureaucratic practices to facilitate smooth
business operations.
Namibia cannot to be isolated from the world
economy hence necessitating the need to
attract international capital on a competitive
base. Economic growth is the only major way
to poverty reduction. Namibia has encouraged
positive micro and macro economic policies,
peace, political and economic stability,
which are the key determinants of condusive
environments for investments.
Namibia saw it fit to initiate an international
investment conference that it had just co-
hosted with South Africa from 31 October
Continues on page 11
Association and the services to be delivered
to its members. As such, women business
entrepreneurs recommended that there is a
need for:
• the Government to conduct a feasibility
study on agro based products for
value addition and processing business
activities to be undertaken by women
entrepreneurs.
• the Government to consider establishing
the Entrepreneurship Development
Training Centers to train SMEs in agro-
based production, management and
entrepreneurial skills development,
as well as establishing peer education
programme.
• the Government to assist women
entrepreneurs in developing the packaging
materials, branding, trademarks and
patent and loaning of the machinery and
equipments.
• the Government to accelerate the
establishment of the SME Bank for
easy access to finance to needy women
business entrepreneurs and SMEs in
general.
Continues on page 18

Final lap to Namibia 2010 Positioning Strategy
Before the end of 2007, Namibia will finalise its draft of the Namibia 2010 Positioning Strategy document as directed by the Cabinet
Committee chaired by the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture. The Cabinet has already approved the appointment
of a National Coordinating Committee (NCO) for the 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations.
T he NOC will consist of the Ministerial Level
Committee to be chaired by the Ministry of
Youth National Service, Sport and Culture and
will be composed of members from relevant
ministries such as Environment and Tourism,
Finance, Works, Transport and Communication,
Health and Social Services, Trade and Industry,
Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Immigration,
Safety and Security, Defence and the National
Planning Commission (NPC).
The Technical Level Committee, which will also
be chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and
Culture is composed of representatives from
the same government institutions, parastatals
and other government agencies, including
the Namiban Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (NCCI), City of Windhoek, Regional
Councils, the Sport Commission, the Namibia
Football Association (NFA), the National
Olympic Committee, the Development Bank of
Namibia, MTC, Cell One and the Manufacturers
Association.
Continues from page 10
Corridors of SDI to promote high standards of living for all Namibians
– 1 November 2007, in Windhoek. Known
as the Walvis Bay Spacial Development
Initiative, Namibia International Investment
Conference, the forum was a bilateral
initiative that sought to attract Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI), technologies and
skills essential for economic growth.
The conference was a forum to expose
Namibian projects and products and discuss
policy and regulatory issues and related
project finance issues on the projects.
As a backbone of the Namibian economy,
agricultural development features as one of
the priority activities that need investment
attraction. Projects, including agri-business,
aquaculture, energy, infrastructure
development, mining, services and tourism
were highlighted at the conference
The WBSDI – NIIC is a replicate of the
Maputo Corridor, which covers the area
stretching from Gauteng in South Africa
to the port of Maputo in Mozambique.
The Spacial development framework is a
strategic methodology for the development
of outward oriented and competitive
economies in the SADC region and in the
African continent. The initiative seeks to
promote development of the space along
the economic corridors through which
Government Information Bulletin October 2007
Cabinet has approved that the Technical
Committee may establish sub-committees to
focus on key outputs, such as infrastructure,
security and protocol, marketing and trade
promotion and resource mobilisation. The
Ministry of Finance is authorised by Cabinet
to source and release N$3.3 million for the
interim implementation arrangements and the
conducting of an in-depth feasibility study and
costing assessment according to the terms
of reference of the National Coordinating
Committee.
It is envisaged that Namibians, especially
companies and businesses, will benefit from
the activities leading to, during and after the
World Cup and African Cup of Nations to take
place in South Africa and Angola in 2010.
Local companies and businesses may benefit
from tenders to supply goods and services
during the upcoming events. Since additional
and improvement on infrastructure, including
roads, railways, airports, boarder posts
telecommunication facilities will be a must,
commodities pass to centres of trade and
exchange of goods and services.
The promotion of special development
initiatives will go a long way to provide
employment opportunities and improve the
living standards of people located along and
within the stretches of space to and from the
economic capitals.
The initiatives are the deliberate efforts
to put all people into focus of economic
development and growth by involving their
experiences, capacity, abilities and skills to
exchange what they have in terms of buying
and selling their goods and services within
the parameters of the country’s economic
policies. Their contributions to economic
projects within their space of development
will make it possible for all citizens to improve
incomes and living standards.
With regard to regional and global integration
initiatives, people and their projects need to
be exposed to markets on which they will
sell and exchange their goods and services
and from which they will acquire experiences
and skills to enable them sustain and further
develop successful businesses.
The WBSDI, which includes South Africa and
other neighbouring countries, and the Maputo
local participation will be required to make
Namibia an attractive destination for tourists,
visiting Southern Africa during and after the
continental and world events in 2010.
Plans are underway to establish and develop
attractive sport facilities in Namibia to enable
the country to make competitive offers to
participating teams to use Namibia for their
training camps for the matches.
Border posts will not only be computerised to
increase speed on the movement of tourists,
but the number of points of entry will also
be increased to accommodate and facilitate
people coming into the country from various
destinations.
Construction, extension, upgrading and
improvement work to airports and airfields are
underway to ensure smooth running transport
processes.
corridor is expected to yield benefits not
only for the countries involved but for
the whole of the SADC region as this will
promote the export and import of goods
and services and get investments from
other parts of the world on a regular base.
And since the aim is to make development
initiatives people oriented, countries will be
able to mobilise citizens to participate in
projects that have comparative advantages
within their economies.
People will be able to trade among
one another as transport routes will 11
be diversified to promote options and
preferences to businesses within reach.
The WBSDI was realised as a result of a
bilateral initiative between the governments
of Namibia and South Africa that started in
2000/2001. The two Heads of State of
Namibia and South Africa, through their
annual bilateral meetings, decided on the
joint investment conference in Namibia.
The plan was transformed into a bigger
picture to not only cover the geographic
space of the Spacial Development Initiative
but to capture the Walvis Bay Corridor and
the link to other corridors with in the SADC
region, the African continent and the rest
of the world.
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
“Diplomatic service should be the best that it can
be” says President Pohamba
President Hifikepunye Pohamaba has urged Namibian heads of missions abroad to continue being effective representatives of the
Government abroad. 
President Hifikepunye Pohamba
“You must sharpen your skills to
effectively mobilise and market Namibia
in the countries of your accreditation,
especially with regard to investment
opportunities that Namibia has to offer
in various sectors of the economy.  It is
also your duty to identify opportunities
in other areas of co-operation such as
education, sports and culture, people-to-
people exchanges and capacity building,”
said the Head of State.
President Pohamba was speaking at the
opening of the Heads of Missions Conference
on 5 October 2007 in Windhoek. Themed
“Optimising Namibia’s Foreign Policy for
Sustainable Development, Peace and Security”,
the conference was aimed at deliberating on
issues and challenges facing the Namibian
diplomats abroad.  The conference also
discussed the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Third National Development
Plan (NDP3), as well as current developments
12 in the international arena.
After independence, Namibia established
diplomatic representations in several countries
across the world in order to promote national
interests and bilateral relations with the rest
of the world.  The country is also represented
at international, continental and regional
multilateral organisations such as, among
others, the United Nations (UN), African
Union (AU), Southern African Development
Community (SADC), International Labour
Organisation (ILO), the Commonwealth and
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).  concept of transparent leadership.  “Our
Notwithstanding resource constraints, the
country has established diplomatic and
economic ties with many countries around the
world as part of securing national interests.  In
countries where Namibia does not have resident
diplomatic representation, other mechanisms
of non-resident representation have been put
in place to forge ties
with new development
partners.
Namibia sees it
crucial, the Head
of State reiterated,
to build closer and
mutually beneficial
relations with the rest
of the world hence
the need to optimise
the country’s foreign
policy for sustainable
development, peace
and security.  which demands hard-work, dedication and
The Conference took
place shortly after the
National Consultative
Conference on the
NDP3, as well as the Namibia International
Investment Conference, which were held in
Windhoek recently.  These platforms were
used to highlight developmental challenges
facing the country and to identify opportunities
for investment and economic growth and the
realisation of national development plans as
outlined in Vision 2030.  It is of essence that
the heads of missions familiarise themselves
with the issues discussed, as well as the
outcomes of these important conferences.
The realisation of the objectives and directives
of these conferences will contribute greatly
to the growth of the economy and the
improvement of the living standards Namibians,
especially those who live in rural areas.  economic blocs has become an important
To be able to live up to the business of the 21st
century, President Pohamba said the heads
of missions must be well versed with global
issues and trends.  “They must understand
the important role that diplomacy plays in our
dealings with different political and economic
actors on the world stage,” he added. The
Head of State sees it important that the heads
of missions are equipped with the necessary
skills to be able to deal more effectively with
governments, international organisations and
the business communities in countries of
representation.  in socio-economic arrangements,” revealed
President Pohamba emphasised that the
diplomats must be committed, competent,
disciplined, honest and should embrace the
diplomats should, at all material times, serve
the interest of our nation.  This must include
sound financial management and accountability
in all our missions.  Our government has
already put in place procedures and regulations
aimed at promoting financial accountability,”
he emphasised. President Pohamba urged
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be firm and
resolute in enforcing financial discipline at
all the missions, in line with the established
financial regulations and procedures.  He also
urged the heads of missions to ensure that
all activities carried out at the missions are
beneficial to the country and fall within the
scope of the strategic plan of each mission. 
The conference is also a forum for the heads
of missions to share experiences and review
their work plans.  “You must use it as an
opportunity to learn from one another and
to take the lessons learned back to your
working environment.  We are aware that
diplomatic service is a very demanding task,
patriotism,” observed the President.
President Pohamba said that the nation is
confident that the heads of missions will
continue to work hard in advancing the
country’s interests and strengthening diplomatic
and bilateral relations between Namibia and
their countries of accreditation. 
“Through hard work you can indeed make your
respective postings successful.  The global
economic and diplomatic environment within
which you operate is constantly changing.  This
requires you to hone your capacities to adapt to
changing circumstances so that our country can
continue to benefit from our ties of solidarity
with our friends around the world,” advised
President Pohamba.
On regional relations, the President observed
that the creation of regional trading and
feature in international diplomacy. He urged
the heads of missions to make it their duty
to promote regional economic integration
within the context of SADC and other African
regional economic groupings at all appropriate
platforms.
He explained that it is through regional
economic groupings that Africa can achieve
genuine and sustainable socio-economic
integration. “That is why our Government is not
in favour of a rushed formation of an African
Union Government, which is not well rooted
President Pohamba.
Namibia will continue to stand-by and support
the African Common Position with regard
to the reform of the United Nations system,
particularly the expansion and democratisation
of the Security Council. 
The President concluded by urging the heads
of missions to join hands so that they can make
Namibia’s diplomatic service the best that it
can be.
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007

What is Namibia offering the investors?

By: Kaleni Hiyalwa

Namibia is encouraging Foreign Direct Investment FDI) through the adoption of investor-friendly policies such as the Foreign
Investment Act, highly competitive incentives and fiscal regimes. Export processing zones regimes offer a tax and duty-free
environment to export oriented enterprises, while manufacturers in Namibia pay only as little as 8% on their corporate tax bills.

N amibia has first class infrastructure,

comparable to the world standard
applied to drive the world business which
and economic diversification
country’s economic contour.
within the

President Hifikepunye Pohamba believes To ensure that the government’s decisions and
can facilitate investments to successful regulatory and administrative responsibilities
business in the country. He observed that the are carried out speedily, fairly and objectively,
telecommunications infrastructures are well- the Head of State called on civil servants
developed and backed up by a well-positioned to work hard to ensure that the goals and
financial services sector. The government objectives of Vision 2030 are achieved.
has invested in the development and
implementation of secure and safe transport Stating the government’s position on land
and telecommunication infrastructures, reform, the stability of which is one of the
including the Kalahari, Caprivi and Walvis Bay determining factors of both domestic and
corridors, railway and air-services. foreign investments, President Pohamba said
that the process will be carried out according
Because of the infrastructural development, to the laws and policies, including the willing-
Namibia has access to the SADC market of over buyer, willing-seller approach.
250 million consumers. Companies based in
Namibia enjoy duty and duty-quota free access The Head of State said that on the bases of
to the US and EU markets through the Africa investment-friendly initiatives, the government
Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the expects the investors to play an active role in
Cotonou Agreement. Namibia is part of the the transfer of management, knowledge, skills
process to create free trade areas and customs and technology through training of employees
union within in the near future. The port of and joint ventures with Namibians.
Walvis Bay is an added value to the investors’ President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia
and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa
benefits. The port is a potential location and “We are committed to ensure that the playing
point of entry into Southern African markets, field is leveled, safe, secure, fair and transparent
socio- economic and political stability.
especially the land locked countries such as for all players. Our mandate is very clear in this
Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. regard. We are not the players but the policy
Domestic and foreign investment initiatives, as
makers and regulators,” he assured investors
critical factors in economic growth and wealth
Namibia provides a conducive environment for during the WBSPI – NIIC that he co-chaired
creation, are vigorously encouraged to fuel high
investments in terms of the prevailing peace, with President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.
levels of employment, industrial development

African Countries to solve border issues by 2012

With the creation of the United States of Africa on the AU agenda, the implementation of regional integration plans, the world
co-operation programme and the creation of one global village with integrated economies that encourages free movement and
cross-border activities, African countries are pre-occupied with finding strategies on how they will respect and nurture peaceful
co-existence.

T he Conference of African Ministers in

Charge of Border Issues that took place
in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 2007,
of 1999, the Lybia/Chad of 1994 and the
Burkina Faso/Mali border disputes of 1986, the
African governments have realised that cases of
had agreed to implement the process of
re-delineation and re-demarcation of the
African borders to be completed by 2012. The
disclosed that there is a need to articulate such magnitude and scope could be costly and process is yet to take root. 13
and implement appropriate measures to present challenges to the African countries.
prevent conflicts in the process of promoting Since the issue is crucial to the current
integration in Africa. Themed, Preventing The disputes often result from the ill-defined development of integration, stability and peace
Conflicts, Promoting Integration, the colonial borders and also emanate from in the African continent, the Namibian Cabinet
conference brought together African Ministers dissatisfied affected communities. The meeting has approved the establishment of a Technical
responsible for border issues to discuss their saw it appropriate to solve disputes through Committee, comprising of the Ministries of
countries’ efforts and measures to be put in cooperation and promotion of peaceful co- Foreign Affairs, Justice, Safety and Security,
place to address border disputes amicably existence among neighbouring countries in Defence (Navy Wing) Home Affairs and
between neighbours. terms of bilateral, regional and continental Immigration, Lands and Resettlement, Works,
relationships. Transport and Communication (Maritime
At the meeting the Ministers expressed the Department), Fisheries and Marine Resources
need to use African legal experts and laws The conference cited factors contributing and Mines and Energy to discuss and share
to solve border disputes instead of resorting to border conflicts and disputes between information pertaining to the delimitation and
to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) neighbouring counties as oil, minerals and demarcation of borders with the help of a
to avoid high legal costs and potential other resources discovered in cross-border land local consultant.
polarisation of relationships among parties to and maritime areas.
the dispute. Namibia is planning to hold a two-day
The conference also looked at the declaration conference with technical staff and relevant
Having learned from previous experiences of the Conference on Security, Stability, government institutions to discuss and share
in solving border disputes on the continent, Development and Cooperation in Africa under information pertaining to the delimitation and
including the contested cases of the Kasikili/ which the Heads of State and government demarcation of borders.
Sidudu Island between Namibia and Botswana
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
UNDP Reps in Africa trained on African
climate change
Namibia has taken deliberate steps to make environment one of the key and mandatory issues to be mainstreamed within the Third National
Development Plan (NDP3) that is currently under preparation and the associated programmes and activities. This was revealed by Prime
Minister Nahas Angula, at a training course for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representatives posted in Africa on
climate change mitigation, risk management and sustainable human development in the Regional Bureau for Africa. The course was titled,
Strategic Training Course for UNDP Senior Managers: on Climate Change Mitigation, Risk Management and Sustainable Human Development
in Africa.
T he aim of the course was to take stock, learn
and collectively enhance the capacities of
UNDP senior managers”, and to identify strategies
and actions for protecting the global environment,
particularly from climate change, leading to
sustainable development..
Hon. Angula noted that Namibia is vulnerable to
the impacts of climate change. “Our economic
productive activities, from agriculture, fisheries,
mining and tourism depend on our natural resource
base: water, land, soil, rainfall, and vegetation,”
he explained. The Premier warned that if
Namibia does not address climate change risks,
vulnerabilities and general impacts, productivity
in agriculture will to decline further. Namibia is
also experiencing a decline in water resources,
especially the underground aquifers, affecting both
crop and livestock production.
The country has started to address these issues
through his office. The Emergency Management
Unit (EMU), which is now to be called the
Directorate for Disaster Risk Reduction (DDRR),
is tasked, among other things, with assisting
communities to prepare for and adopt strategies
to mitigate against natural disasters. These
strategies have already been applied during the
Caprivi rain floods, drought episodes in the north
central region and recurrent veld fires. There is a
need to strengthen the DDRRR to provide effective
and efficient response to emergency situations and
to equip communities with coping strategies and
capabilities.
The Prime Minister related his observations based
on his experience in relation to the Namibian
climate change to the audience. “I can confirm
from my own observations and experiences that
the impacts of climate change are already being
felt in Namibia; even in the region where I was
14 born and raised, in the northern part, bordering
Angola. In that part of the country, the Oishana
or flood plains are no longer supporting the same
type of vegetation that used to grow there a
few decades ago, especially the thatching grass,
Our home
African climate change
which is a vital natural resource for shelter for
our rural communities. The Oishana are now
harbouring unproductive alien invasive species.
They are called “alien” because they are also
‘green’ - our shared perception of creatures from
outer space! In addition to this, there are now
shifts in rainfall patterns. For example, instead of
the rains falling in September/October, they now
fall in January/February, ending in April. Logically,
rural communities have to adjust and also shift
their planting patterns to fit the results of such
changes,” he pictured. Notwithstanding, Prime
Minister Angula advised experts to take advantage
of the opportunities offered by the challenges
of climate change, especially in identifying the
energy sources. He gave an example of Namibia
by explaining that Namibia has almost 300 days
of sunshine, favourable wind regimes, enormous
potential for hydro-power and reserves of natural
gas in the Kudu gas fields. These elements can be
converted to usable energy, using green energy
technologies with limited carbon foot prints.
He advised the UN resident representatives that
African countries, including Namibia, as signatories
to and as provided for in the Kyoto
Protocol, need to pursue green energy
technologies. He explained that
pursuing such a green agenda will be
greatly enhanced by an international
community that appreciates the need
for adaptation to climate change.
He also saw the need for measures
that exploit green energy sources
by providing the needed financial
and technical capacities and avail
opportunities to developing economies
in their difficult battle to cope with the
effects of climate change. Namibia, with
its small population of about two million
people, can do with any pilot activities
that can go a long way to complement
poverty reduction efforts, strengthen
existing capacities and simultaneously
contribute to economic advancement. He believes
that this support will contribute substantially to
the attainment of their long-term strategy, Vision
2030, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),
as well as the attainment of the goals that have
been set out in the Third National Development
Plan (NDP3).
Namibia is an arid country. It is extremely vulnerable
to changes and variations in rainfall patterns
and precipitation. Namibia, like other African
countries, is suffering from the compounding
effects of increased environmental stress from
human activities, including over-grazing and over-
harvesting of various natural resources, resulting
in bush encroachment. Climatic disturbances
generally exacerbate ecosystem dynamics, with
serious implications for habitats and vegetation
for humans, flora and fauna. The Namib Desert
ecology and ecosystem is also threatened by these
same pressures. Over the past years, Namibia
has come to recognise the need to mitigate these
pressures, based on the great appreciation of the
need to preserve the unique systems and heritage,
most of which are legendary for their globally
significant reservoir of biodiversity.
For example,
• the Succulent Karroo;
• the Namib Desert, with its unique ecological
features, including the sand dunes, which are
repositories of species well-adapted, to this
unique, yet magnificent environment, like
beetles and lizards.
• the Welwitschia ---the national plant and
desert icon;
• the Benguela Current, its important fisheries
and mineral deposits along the shores and our
continental shelf; and
• the Etosha National Park, our national icon
which recently celebrated 100 years of formal
proclamation as a protected area.
The Premier said that addressing environmental
concerns in Namibia is not only one of the top
priorities but it is also enshrined in the country’s
constitution and at the centre of the development
vision, plans, strategies and aspirations. Advising
organizations that provide financial support and
those that are designed to cater for the anomalies
of climate change, the Prime Minister saw the need
for conclusive proof that the climate is the cause
of changes in the eco-systems before providing
the required assistance. He concluded: “In the
meantime, our vulnerable communities are barely
surviving, trying to address the adverse impact
these changes have on the meagre livelihoods
through the use of their accumulated traditional
knowledge. The information and early warning
systems for our farmers to make informed
decisions are not there. Where information exists,
it is not in the language that they understand. It
would be best if we could improve and strengthen
the information and early warming systems, so that
they can at least be prepared for the changes”
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007

Road safety tips for drivers and pedestrians

Considerable progress has been made with the construction of the houses for the former Robben Island prisoners, PLAN war
veterans and those who have been brutalized in the country during the war for national liberation struggle.

S even houses were constructed in the

Ohangwena region and one of them was
already handed to the owner by H.E. President
Hifikepunye Pohamba. Six of them will be
handed over to recipients by the Regional
Governor. Three houses were constructed and
handed over to beneficiaries in the Oshana
region while nine have been constructed
in the Omusati region and will be handed
over to beneficiaries soon. In the Oshikoto
region, eleven houses were constructed and
beneficiaries are being traced for occupation of
their new homes. Five houses were constructed
in the Kavango region and will be handed over
whenever water and electricity are connected.
Other houses have been constructed in the
Karas, Kunene and Khomas regions. Purchasing
of new houses and renovations to existing
houses are also in progress in the Otjozundjupa,
Oshikoto and Oshana regions but extension to
houses purchased in the Oshana region are put
on hold by the Ministry of Regional and Local
Government, Housing and Rural Development
until further notice.
Due to increases in the price of material
and labour, an additional N$3 million from
the Social Housing Sub-Programme for
the implementation of the 2007/08 phase
of this project is required. Cabinet has
authorised the Ministry of Regional and Local
Government, Housing and Rural Development
to immediately start with the implementation
of phase 2 of the project that will again be
executed by the National Housing Enterprise
(NHE). Cabinet also instructed the Ministry to
verify the housing needs of beneficiaries in situ
before the actual construction starts. In the
2006/07 Financial Year, Cabinet instructed the
Ministry of Regional and Local Government,
Housing and Rural Development to construct
45 houses and extend two other houses for the
recommended 48 beneficiaries identified by a
previous Cabinet decision.
Cabinet also directed that the Trust Fund for
Regional Development and Equity Provision
should avail N$1.5 million for the supply of solar
systems and plastic water catchment tanks to
the houses of the beneficiaries.
Cabinet earlier authorised the NHE to
implement the project during the 2006/07
Financial Year. Cabinet also announced that
N$2 million will be made available annually
through the Social Housing Programme of the
Ministry of Regional and Local Government,
Housing and Rural Development for the gradual
construction of houses for beneficiaries over
the next five years.

Help to stop the carnage on Namibia’s roads

Road accidents claim the lives of about 400 people in Namibia annually, while 4 000 people get injured. Fatal road accidents will
soon become the number one killer of Namibians aged between 1 to 44 years, if road users don’t obey laws that are in place to
safeguard the lives of drivers and pedestrians alike.

A ccording to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund

(MVAF), speeding, drinking and driving,
talking on cellular phones while driving, not
using safety belts, overloading, over-taking
at blind spots and driver fatigue are the
main contributing factors to road accidents in
Namibia.
With a population of only 1.8 million people,
Namibia recorded 10 262 vehicle accidents in
2004, while the figure sky-rocketed to 11 146
in 2005, according to the National Road Safety
Council. The alarming figures have resulted in
road safety campaigns becoming one of the top
priorities for the authorities, especially around
the festive season and Easter.
15 months later, 12 people were killed in a road
accident between Kalkrand and Rehoboth.
After the Kalkrand road accident, President
Pohamba called on all road-users to adhere
to traffic rules and regulations at all times. In
a media statement after the accident, he said
that regulations are there to protect road users.
“Let us obey them, let us exercise patience, let
us use our roads responsibly for the safety of
our citizens. Let us drive with the purpose of
arriving alive at our intended destinations at all
times,” the Head of State had reiterated.
Following the call of President Pohamba,
the Ministries of Works, Transport and
Communication and that of Safety and Security,
together with the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
initiated interventions to ensure that law
enforcement, the adjudicate of traffic offences,
road safety education, public passenger
transport, accident data management and
training of traffic officers are in place. This
resulted in the re-launch of the Xupifa
Eemwenyo campaign on 7 April 2007 at the
Rehoboth road block.
Continues on page 16

In an attempt to improve road safety and 15

decrease the number of fatal and serious road
accidents, the Xupifa Eemwenyo campaign,
which is spearheaded by the MVAF since 2005,
is aimed at giving meaning to the safety of
lives.

The main objectives of the Xupifa Eemwenyo

campaign are to reduce the occurrence of
fatal road accidents, to respond promptly to
emergency cases, to educate and inform road
users on how to improve road safety and to
increase the visibility of law enforcement
agencies on Namibia’s national roads.

The annual road safety campaigns were

intensified after President Hifikepunye Pohamba
called on those charged with road safety to do
something to stop the carnage on Namibia’s
roads. The call followed the horrific head-
on collision between a mini-bus and a truck
between Rundu and Grootfontein on 31 May
2005 in which 27 people were killed. Less than
Safe driving can help to stop the carnage on Namibia’s roads.
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
Regional Council Association shares
information on its website
In line with its 2005/2006 work plan, the Association of Regional Councils in Namibia has upgraded its website to address the
communication challenges faced by the Association.
Ovatjimba women and children in the shade
S peaking at the launch of the upgraded
website of the Association of Regional
Councils, the President of the Association,
Laura McLeod, said the website provides a
very important platform to allow communities,
constituencies and elected representatives
to share experiences. “The website is an
important source of information for local and
foreign shareholders,” she said.
Signs of driver fatigue
According to the Motor Vehicle Accident
Fund (MVAF) the following are signs of
driver fatigue:
• Feeling drowsy and yawning
• Impatience, lack of concentration or slow
reaction times
• Sore, heavy eyes and blurred, dim vision
• Sweaty hands, hunger, thirst, stiffness or
cramps
16 • Droning or humming in the ears
Continues from page 15 Help to stop the carnage on Namibia’s roads
The Xupifa Eemwenyo campaign is now
a national campaign under the auspices
of the Ministry of Works, Transport and
Communication, with stakeholders such
as the National Road Safety Council, the
Roads Authority (RA), the Roads Contractor
Company (RCC), the MVAF, the Road Fund
Administration (RFA), Namibian Police
(Nampol) and the Ministry of Safety and
Security (MSS), among others.
The festive season with its increase on
travelling from place to place, socialising,
including alcohol intake poses a serious risk
According to McLeod, the website provides
important socio-economic information on
Namibia’s 13 regions and will also report on
events and provide a platform for discussion.
It will articulate issues about structures and
activities of the different regional councils,
as well as explain the national development
goals. The website was upgraded with
assistance from the French government.
Ambassador Philippe Bossiere said the
website is part of his government’s support
to decentralisation in Namibia. He pledged
further support to the development of the
Association of Regional Councils, as part
of his country’s continued support to the
decentralisation exercise in Namibia.
Launching the upgraded website, Regional
and Local Government, Housing and Rural
Development Minister, Hon. John Pandeni,
appealed to regional councils to allow people
at regional and constituency levels to have
access to the wealth of information on the
Association’s website. Availing communication
infrastructures in rural areas, for use by
• Wandering over the centre-line or road
edge
• Changes in driving speeds
• Lapses in attention
The MVAF recommended the following
actions to counter driver fatigue:
• Share the driving with one of the
passengers
• Take a break from driving every two hours.
to road users. This year, the Xupifa Eemwenyo
interventions will focus on drivers’ behaviour.
This year’s measures include a Call Centre,
where road users can randomly report traffic
violations to make it possible for the police
to track down drivers who display unethical
driving behaviour. Other interventions will
include road user education, community
engagement programmes, creating road safety
awareness at work places, alcohol testing at
road blocks, a road safety choir, first aid training
for ambulance drivers, Nampol and MVAF staff,
and the procurement of law enforcement
equipment.
community members, people will be able to use
and exchange information on the webpage to
improve their living conditions. The Minister
noted that giving children the opportunity to
have access to communication infrastructures
will promote their skills and capacity to use
internet technology. Hon. Pandeni praised the
Association of Regional Councils for upgrading
their website and said it will contribute towards
the attainment of Vision 2030, while also
making a difference to the lives of especially
poor people in rural or semi-urban areas.
The website, which can be accessed at http:
//www.arc.org.na consists of the home page
with links to information about the ARCN, its
publications and newsletter. It also provides
information on tenders and vacancies, as well
as information on Namibia’s 13 regions.
With regards to regional information, the
website provides information on the different
regions, their constituencies, councillors,
governors, Members of Parliament, chief
regional officers and their contact details.
Stop for at least 10 minutes and get out
of the car if possible
• Overnight halfway to your destination if
you are undertaking long trips
• Eat proper meals at your usual meal
times and
• Avoid alcohol or medication, which
contribute to drowsiness and fatigue.
• Take extra care when driving between
midnight and 06:00, since your body is
prone to fatigue during these hours.
According to the MVAF, road blocks will
be operational in the Caprivi, Oshikoto,
Ohangwena, Hardap, Erongo and Khomas
regions during the 2007/2008 festive
season.
The Government Information Bulletin
wishes all road users a safe journey and
wants to remind drivers and pedestrians
of the wise words of President Hifikepunye
Pohamba, namely “to drive with the purpose
at all times to arrive alive at your intended
destination”.

Uganda hosts Commonwealth Summit
Uganda hosts the summit of Commonwealth leaders from 23-25 November, the fifth to be held in Africa.
T he Commonwealth Head of Government
Meeting (CHOGM) is one of the major
international summits, bringing together heads
of state and government from 53 countries,
whose deliberations are in one common
language, English.
CHOGM also brings together businessmen
and women, the youth, civil society
representatives, and other groupings within the
Commonwealth.
The theme for CHOGM 2007 is “Transforming
Commonwealth Societies to Achieve Political,
Economic and Human Development”.
“The commitment to transforming society and
uplifting the standard of living of our people has
been the hallmark of our political and economic
programmes for a long time now since we came
into government,” noted the host president,
Yoweri Museveni.
The biannual meeting is an opportunity for
Commonwealth leaders to orchestrate common
policies on contentious issues and current
events, with a special focus on development
issues affecting member nations.
In the past, CHOGMs have discussed the
apartheid rule in South Africa and military
coups in Pakistan and Fiji, among other issues.
International programmes and initiatives
Namibia assumes membership of CMAG
Namibia has been appointed as one of the eight members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration
(CMAG) at the November 2007 Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting held in Kampala, Uganda.
C MAG is the Commonwealth body dealing
with serious or persistent violations of the
Commonwealth’s political values. The Group,
convened by the Commonwealth Secretary
General, is composed of foreign ministers
of eight Commonwealth countries and its
composition, terms of reference and operations
rotate every two years.
For the next two year, the foreign ministers
of Ghana, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea, St Lucia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom
and Uganda will serve on the Commonwealth
Ministerial Action Group on the Harare
Declaration together with Namibia. Uganda
was appointed as the Group’s Chairperson-in-
Office.
The Group’s task is to asses the nature of
infringements and to recommend measures
for collective Commonwealth action aimed
at the speedy restoration of democracy and
constitutional rule.
The previous CMAG members, namely foreign
ministers of Canada, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta,
Government Information Bulletin October 2007
By Admire Ndhlovu
promoting democracy, racial equality, conflict
resolution, cultural diversity, education,
economic development and access to modern
technology are key areas of focus in the
30-year history of Commonwealth nations
meetings.
Member states agree on a common idea
or solution, and release a joint statement
declaring their opinion.
Ten of the 14 member states of the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) are
also members of the Commonwealth, with the
exception of Angola, DRC, Madagascar and
Zimbabwe.
Previous Summits in Africa have been hosted by
Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Nigeria.
Zimbabwe quit the Commonwealth four years
ago. “I am confident and very optimistic that
the Kampala CHOGM will produce a set of clear
and measurable strategic principles on how
to transform our societies to achieve political,
economic and human development,” said
Museveni.
The main activities will be the opening ceremony
for the Heads of Government and other invited
guests, the executive session for the Heads of
Government and the retreat of the Heads of
Government. In addition, there are four major
pre-CHOGM meetings of the Commonwealth
Youth Forum, the Commonwealth Business
Papua New Guinea, St. Lucia, Sri Lanka, the
United Kingdom and the United Republic of
Tanzania recommended the suspension of Fiji
from the Councils of the Commonwealth in
December 2006, following the military take-
over of Fiji’s democratically elected government.
The same Group suspended Pakistan from the
Councils of the Commonwealth in November
2007, following the failure of Pakistan’s
government to implement a series of measures
requested by CMAG in response to the
imposition of a state of emergency and the
abrogation of the constitution by President
Mushaffaf on 3 November 2007.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on
the Harare Declaration (CMAG) was established
by Commonwealth Heads of Government
in November 1995 to deal with serious or
persistent violations of the Harare Declaration.
The Harare Declaration sets out the
Commonwealth’s core principles and values,
detailing membership criteria, and redefining
and reinforcing its purpose. The Declaration
was issued in Harare, Zimbabwe on 20 October
Forum, the Commonwealth Peoples Forum,
and the meeting of Commonwealth Foreign
Ministers.
Climate change is set to be on the agenda
following the High Level Event on Climate
Change convened by the UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon in September.
”Failure to address climate change has far-
reaching ramifications, including for the global
Millennium Development Goals … and the
impact on gender, health, and environmental
issues,” confirmed the statement from the
meeting between the Committee of the
Whole and Civil Society held early October to
discuss the text of a Communiqué on matters
of Commonwealth interest to be presented to
leaders at the Uganda meeting.
Uganda and the East African region at large
is set to benefit from the event through
infrastructural improvement, tourism, trade
and enhanced bilateral relations. The public
has been encouraged to participate in making
CHOGM 2007 a success and also to maximize
individual benefits of hosting the meeting. To
this end, Uganda’s Ministry of State for Tourism,
Trade and Industry, is engaging the populace
to intensify tourism activities, especially in arts
and crafts, so that benefits trickle down to all
Ugandans.       
Southern African Research and
Documentation Centre
1991 during the 12th Commonwealth Heads of
Government meeting. It reaffirmed the political
principles laid out in the Singapore Declaration 17
of 20 years before and is considered as an
important document to the Commonwealth’s
uncodified constitution.
The Declaration reaffirms those principles
to which it was committed in 1971: world
peace and support for the United Nations;
individual liberty and egalitarianism; opposition
to racism; opposition to colonialism; the
eradication of poverty, ignorance, disease, and
economic inequality; free trade; institutional
cooperation; multilateralism; and the rejection
of international coercion.
At Harare, the Heads of Government dedicated
themselves to applying these principles to then-
current issues, such as the end of the Cold War,
the near-completion of decolonisation, and the
impending end of the Apartheid government in
South Africa. In this sense, it is considered to
have set the Commonwealth on a new course,
distinct from that followed before.
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
Continues from page 9
Stakeholders to determine contribution of ICT to the welfare of Namibians
society is a critical success factor to
accelerate Namibia’s attempts to bridge
the digital divide and ensure equitable and
affordable access to all. The Premier sees the
need for schools, institution of high learning
and other training institutions to prepare
the youth for careers in the information
and communication sector. He suggested
that training should be intensive and
result-oriented and learners and graduates
should be able to enter the workforce with
knowledge, skills, experience, the drive and
the will to carry Namibia forward on her way
to becoming a full and respected member of
the information society.
“It is in the interest of all spheres of
government to adopt, support develop
and promote the use of ICT. Government
demands presently represent the majority
of the market. We are faced with practical
challenges relating to market forces.
These challenges include the basic act
of obtaining affordable ICT, such as
international bandwidth, mobile phones and
even software. Our issues range from the
procurement of hardware, to decentralised
access, support and services,” the Premier
said. Namibia will only succeed in creating the
information society when she addresses such
challenge, including the implementation of
e-government and improved service delivery
to guarantee universal access to affordable
ITCs. “It is thus the interest of the nation
that we tackle these outstanding issues and
Continues from page 10
• the private sector to play a role in
giving special attention to women
entrepreneurs in capacity building
through training and mentorship as well
as job attachments to their businesses.
• the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (NCCI) should encourage and
facilitate the establishment of Women
Entrepreneurs Association and Forum in
18 •
the regions.
the Government to facilitate the
establishment of Food Courts/Food
Malls as a measure to diversify the
business activities in value addition and
manufacturing as opposed to relying on
shebeen as the only business option of
generating income.
• the Government to intensify the use
of the training opportunities offered by
Continues from page 7
“Rural development should be priority of all priorities,” says Nguvauva II
the country. He questioned why Namibia
was allowing all precious resources to flow
into the sea to become salty. “It is high time
that rural communities start to benefit from
these natural resources,” His Royal Highness
produce an all-inclusive policy framework and
implementation plan that will take ICTs to all
corners of the country,” Rt. Hon. Angula said.
Prime Minister Angula called on stakeholders to
look at leveling the playing field to determine
what contribution that they would make
towards the welfare of Namibian children and
communities. He cited open source software
and open content as an area of concern. He
is concerned that the voices of large multi-
national businesses would remain louder than
local SMEs. This position presents conflicts with
the principles of broad-based black economic
empowerment, and it perpetuates the national
deficit from software imports. He said: “I do not
believe this is the right way forward and I hope
this conference will tackle this issue by putting
the national interest above the commercial
interest.”
Namibia has to move with the world trend
in creating the information society. That is
why Prime Minister Angula said: “We cannot
operate in isolation in the global information
society and much work together with regional
and continental African organizations, including
NEPAD’s e-Africa Commission, the Information
Society Partnership for Africa’s Development
(ISPAD), and SADC, among others, to align our
policies and strategies with other ICT-related
African development strategies.”
The Prime Minister proposed that the
conference should look at possible financing
mechanisms for the implementation of the ICTs
Role of the SMEs in Namibian Perspective
the Malaysian Government through the
existing cooperation.
• the Enterprise Recognition Awards of
entrepreneurs to be decentralised i.e.
the business women of the year to be
recognised in each region.
• the Government to continue as a pre-
requisite to support women entrepreneurs
to participate in the local, international
trade fairs and exhibitions for them to
learn the new trend of markets and
technology offered in the market place.
• the women entrepreneurs to organise
themselves in forming an association for
each member to contribute an annual
membership fee.
• the Ministry of Trade and Industry together
with the NCCI to intervene in reviewing the
trade fair charges for stands in Namibia
suggested. Chief Nguvauva II believes that
rural development should be the government’s
priority on top of other priorities so that income
gap disparities between urban and rural areas
will be addressed. He lamented that poverty
in Namibia since the roll-out of infrastructure,
affordability, inclusiveness, and other
issues concerning the information society
often require huge financial investments.
The Geneva Declaration and the Tunis
Commitment deliberated on financial
mechanisms for bridging the digital divide
and called on the international community
to put the necessary measures in place to
ensure that all countries of the world have
equitable and affordable access to ICTs so
that their benefits in the fields of socio-
economic development and bridging the
digital divide are truly inclusive.
The Tunis Commitment of 2003 called for
attention to the needs of people in developing
countries, as well as certain communities,
namely marginalized and vulnerable groups
of society, unemployed and underprivileged
people, older people and persons with
disabilities. It also acknowledged the gender
divide and women’s empowerment to
ensure the full participation of women in the
information society.
The Premier acknowledged that Namibia
made positive strides in the development
of its information and communication
technology (ICT) sector over the past years,
with modern infrastructure that include wide
range of fixed and mobile telephone services,
as well as internet access throughout the
country. He noted that there are still costly
limitations to rural community services.
and incorporation of business matching
component during the trade fair events
and exhibition to be considered as
priority components.
• the Government Tender Procurement
to take SMEs into consideration as a
priority sector for development, job
creation and poverty alleviation.
• the Government to make land available
to women entrepreneurs to produce
agricultural produces to serve them
as backward linkages to back up their
supply side to the Processing Plant Units
to be established in the regions.
• the women entrepreneurs through
the MTI thanked the efforts of the
Government for having sponsored
their participation in the Malaysian 8th
International Food and Beverage Trade
Fair.
and underdevelopment in rural communities is
not getting the attention that it deserves. “We
as traditional leaders are ready to advise and
to partner government in this regard.

News from Cabinet Chambers
Following a popular demand by members of the public to publish decisions taken by Cabinet, the Government Information Bulletin
is now including this column in the best interest of readers. ED.
C abinet took the following decisions at its
19th ordinary meeting held on 6 November
2007.
1. Appointment of the Deputy
Commissioner general of sections
for the Shanghai world expo 2010 in
China
Cabinet rescinded its September 2007
decision on the appointment of Ambassador
Monika Nashandi, Deputy Executive Director
in the Office of the President as the Deputy
Commissioner General of Sections for the
Shanghai World Expo 2010 in China, due to
Amb. Nashandi’s heavy work load in the Office
of the President.
The Commissioner General and Deputy
Commissioner General of Sections are expected
to be the driving forces of Namibia’s preparations,
attending meetings of Commissioners General
of Sections in China, engage in bilateral
discussions with the Chinese Government on
possible financial and technical assistance for
Namibia and other technical arrangements for
participation in the Expo.
Cabinet, therefore, appointed Ms. Uilkka
Kamboua, Director of Housing, Habitat,
Planning and Technical Services Coordination in
the Ministry of Regional and Local Government,
Housing and Rural Development as the Deputy
Commissioner General of Sections for the
Shanghai World Expo 2010 in China.
Further information can be obtained from the
Ministry of Regional and Local Government,
Housing and Rural Development at telephone
number 2975212.
2. Total allowable catches for horse
mackerel and deep-sea red crab for
the January 1, to December 31, 2008
fishing season and rock lobster for
the November 1, 2007 to April 30,
2008 fishing season
Research surveys on horse mackerel stocks
conducted in 2006 and 2007 have indicated a
decline in the horse mackerel biomass to 546
000 and 535 000 tonnes respectively. There
has also been an overall reduction in the size of
captured fish and this indicates that this fishery
is under pressure. In 2006, the industry was
allocated 300 000 metric tonnes and under
Cabinet took the following decisions at its 20th ordinary meeting held on 20 November 2007.
1. Recommendations from the National
Information Communication
Technology Conference held in
Windhoek on 2-3 August 2007
Due to the importance of ICT in the
development of Namibia and its economy within
a global environment, ICT stakeholders met in
Windhoek in August 2007 to discuss the role
of ICTs in Poverty Reduction and Sustainable
Development at a national ICT Conference
Government Information Bulletin October 2007
caught. According to the fishing industry,
they could not land the full 2006 TAC due to
the movement of adult horse mackerel into the
200 m isobaths where there is a ban on fishing
and the fact that the fish had been smaller than
usual and it took longer to find schools of fish.
As a precautionary approach to fisheries
management, the Minister of Fisheries and
Marine Resources considered the scientific
recommendations and the recommendations
of the Marine Resources Advisory Council
recommendations and set a TAC of 230 000
tonnes for horse mackerel for the January to
December 2008 fishing season.
Deep-sea red crab stock is shared between
Angola and Namibia, but the stock is currently
managed as distinct population units by the two
countries. Available data indicates a relatively
stable catch per unit of effort and fishable
biomass over the pass decade.
The TAC for deep-sea red crab is, therefore set
at 2 500 tonnes for the January to December
2008 season in line with the recommendations
by scientists and the Marine Resource Advisory
Council.
For rock lobster, results of the assessments
carried out in 2007 show that there is no
improvement in the overall biomass of the
lobster stock, while stock recruitment for the
past few years has been poor. A decline in the
overall catch per unit of effort of the stock was
also observed, despite swell conditions having
become more moderate during recent seasons.
By the end of the 2006/07 season, less than
50% of the TAC was filled compared to 70%
of the TAC filled by the end of the previous
season.
In line with Section 38 of the Marine Resources
Act (Act no 27 of 2000), the Minister of Fisheries
and Marine Resources, therefore, set the TAC
for rock lobster for the November 2007 to April
2008 season at 350 tonnes in line with the
recommendations by scientists and the Marine
Resource Advisory Council.
If the full TAC is caught in each of the fisheries
indicated above, the total revenue that will be
generated from the payment of quota fees will
be around N$48.350 million. With the above in
mind, Cabinet approved the following TACs:
co-organised and hosted by the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting and the ICT
Alliance of Namibia.
The objectives of the Conference were:
- To assess the current reality of Information
Communication Technology in deliberated on issues related to Government
Namibia;
- To identify challenges and opportunities for
ICT in the country;
- To propose ways in which ICT can
- Horse mackerel - 230 000 tonnes from the
January 1 to December 31, 2008 season;
- Red Crab - 2 500 tonnes for the January 1 to
December 31, 2008 season; and
- Rock lobster - 350 tonnes for the 2007/2008
fishing season as follows:
- Southern grounds (Diaz Point to Orange
River border) from 1 November 2007 to 30
April 2008;
- Central grounds (between the Luderitz and
Ichaboe sanctuaries), Northern and Far-
Northern grounds (including Gallovidea,
Hottentot Point, Black Rock, Saddle Hill,
Mercury and Easter Cliffs) from 1 January
to 30 April 2008.
Cabinet, furthermore, instructed the Ministry
of Fisheries and Marine Resources to allocate
quotas and determine management measures
for the above species in line with Section 39 of
the Marine Resources Act.
Further information can be obtained from the
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources at
telephone number 2053911.
3. Casino and gambling houses act, 1994
(act no 32 of 1994): Appointment of
casino board members
Cabinet approved the appointment of the
following people to the Casino Board:
- Mr. H. Angula, a lawyer, as Chairperson of
the Board;
- Mrs. M. C. Greeff, a lawyer, as Vice-
Chairperson;
- Mr. A. Mieze, Director of Tourism in the
Ministry of Environment and Tourism as
Board Member and Mr. S. Muinjo, Deputy
Director, General Support Services in the
Ministry as his alternate;
- Mr. U.J. Kavari, Director of Inland Revenue
in the Minister of Finance as Board Member
and Mr. J. J. Kotze, Deputy Director of
Inland Revenue as his alternate;
- Ms. B Katjiuongua, Director of Social
Services in the Ministry of Health and Social
Services as Board Member and Mr. R. M.
C. Platt, Acting Director of Finance and 19
Logistics in the Ministry as her alternate.
Further information can be obtained from
the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at
telephone number 2842335.
contribute to poverty alleviation and
sustainable development in Namibia; and
- To identify how ICTs can assist Namibia in
achieving Vision 2030.
During the conference, break-away groups
and ICT, the Legislative environment,
Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Internet
Services in Namibia and ICT Policies and
Convergence.
Continues on page 20
 Government Information Bulletin October 2007
Continues from page 19
The conference concluded that despite progress,
Namibia’s ICT competitiveness has decreased
in respect of internet usage and penetration;
coverage; the prohibitive cost on international
connectivity; access to personal computers and
ICT expenditure as a proportion of the Gross
Domestic Product.
Cabinet, therefore, noted the recommendations
from the National ICT Conference for Poverty
Reduction and Sustainable Development and
established a Task Force, with the Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting as chairperson. The members
of the Task Force are Mr. Samuel Goagoseb,
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home
Affairs and Immigration, Mr. Hartmut Ruppel,
Director of LorentzAngula, Mr. Johan Van Wyk,
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Education, Mr.
Jochem Traut, a consultant, Mr. Gideon Nhundu,
Treasurer of the ICT Alliance and Mr. Theo
Schoeman, Vice Chairperson of the ICT Alliance
of Namibia. The Task Force must assist the the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with
the implementation of the recommendations.
2. Renovation of Government Flats and
Related Infrastructure
The Department of Works in the Ministry of
Works, Transport and Communication is currently
finalising renovations to the Swakopmund
State House complex, while renovations on the
Robert Mugabe Clinic in Windhoek and 24 semi-
detached houses in the area of Lazarette Street
in Windhoek are well underway.
Work on the Presidential Guest House in Oshakati
will start as soon as the tender procedures have
been completed, while renovations to State
House at Oshakati will be the next priority.
The stage has been reached where the
deteriorating condition of government flat
complexes in Windhoek can no longer be
tolerated. Due to limited funds, these buildings
have not received the required attention for
many years. A total of 20 such buildings are in
dire need of renovations, but work is hampered
by the lack of funds.
The Ministry of Works, Transport and
20 Communication, therefore, approach Cabinet
to make funds available from the government
housing alienation scheme to enable it to
commence with renovations on government
flats.
Cabinet noted the progress made with current
renovation projects undertaken by the
Department of Works from the operational
budget and approved the use of N$11 million
from the sale of non-assigned government
houses to rehabilitate government flat complexes
in Windhoek.
3. The 2007 SADC Summit Meetings,
6-17 August 2007, Lusaka, Zambia
The SADC Summit of Heads of State and
Government was hosted by Zambia who
was serving as Deputy Chair of SADC, and
subsequently became the SADC Chair during the
Summit.
The Summit was preceded by the meetings of
the Finance Sub-Committee and Prioritisation
and Planning Workshop; the Meeting of Senior
Officials for the Ministerial Task Force on Trade,
Industry, Finance and Investment, Planning
and Economic Development; the Meeting of
the Standing Committee of Senior Officials; the
Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic
Integration; the Council of Ministers Meeting;
the Official Opening of the Summit; and the
launching of the SADC Standby Force.
The Namibian delegation to the SADC Summit
meetings consisted of representatives from
the Ministries of Trade and Industry, Foreign
Affairs, Health and Social Services, Fisheries
and Marine Resources, Safety and Security,
Defence and Justice and the Attorney
General.
Summit elected H.E. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa
of Zambia as Chairperson and President Thabo
Mbeki of South Africa as Deputy Chairperson of
SADC. The next SADC Summit will take place
in South Africa in 2008.
The new Chairperson of the Organ on Politics,
Defence and Security Cooperation is H.E.
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola,
with His Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland
as the Deputy Chairperson.
At the Summit, Namibia and other countries
made additional pledges towards the Hashim
Mbita Project Fund, which is aimed at recording
the history of the liberation struggle in Africa.
Namibia already pledged US$100 000 towards
this project, but more funds are needed to fully
implement the project.
Namibia also pledged US$100 000 towards the
SADC HIV/AIDS Fund, which will be honoured
during the 2008/09 financial year.
The Summit also approved and signed the
Agreement to amend Article 22 of the SADC
Treaty to provide for the amendment of
protocols.
Summit also approved and signed the
Agreement to amend the Protocol on the
SADC Tribunal, which is intended to facilitate
the resolution of trade disputes in the SADC
Region.
The Memorandum of Understanding on the
Establishment of the SADC Standby Brigade,
which is aimed at establishing the Standby
Brigade for the maintenance of peace, security
and stability in the SADC Region and beyond
was also approved and signed by Summit.
Preparations are also underway for the SADC
International Conference on Poverty and
Development to be held in Mauritius on 18
and 19 April 2008. The conference will look
at poverty and the underlying policies and
strategies needed for its eradication.
In the light of the above, Cabinet directed the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with
the Ministry of Finance to finalise Namibia’s
payment of US$100 000 towards the Hashim
Mbita Project. Cabinet also took note of the
financial implications for the SADC unitary
charges on the SADC Headquarters during the
budget of 2010/2011, while it also authorised
the Ministries of Trade and Industry, Finance
and the National Planning Commission to
prepare and effectively participate in the
forthcoming SADC meetings.
Cabinet, furthermore, requested the Ministry of
Gender Equality and Child Welfare to undertake
national consultations with all stakeholders on
the Draft Protocol on Gender and Development
before it is considered at the 2008 Summit.
Cabinet also approved that Namibia signs the
Protocol on Forestry during the Ordinary SADC
Council meeting in February 2008, while it also
supported the SADC standby force and advised
the Ministry of Defence to make the necessary
preparations for Namibia’s participation in the
regional standby force.
Further information can be obtained from the
Ministry of Trade and Industry at telephone
number 2837111.
4. The Recently concluded 2nd
Session of the Inter-governmental
Commission between Russia and
Namibia
The 2nd session of the Inter-Governmental
Commission between Russia and Namibia took
place from 12 to 14 September 2007 in Moscow
and Foreign Affairs Minister, Marco Hausiku led
the Namibian delegation to Moscow.
The Commission considered cooperation in
two broad areas, namely in economic and
infrastructural matters, as well as that of legal
and social matters.
Issues dealt with under Economic and
Infrastructural Matters included:
- Trade and Industry;
- Transport and
Communications;
- Energy;
- Mining;
- Environment and Tourism;
- Agriculture; and
- Fisheries Development.
Under Legal and Social Matters, issues dealt
with included:
- Cooperation in Legal Matters;
- Health; and
- Education.
Cabinet noted the agreed minutes of the 2nd
session of the Inter-Governmental Commission
between Russia and Namibia and directed the
relevant ministries take action on the issues
to be pursued with the Russian Government.
Cabinet also directed the responsible
ministries to pursue active cooperation with
the Government of the Russian Federation.
Further information can be obtained from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at telephone
number 2829111.