The printing of the new bank notes was necessitated by the need to incorporate state-of-the-art security features to ensure that Namibia’s banknotes are resilient and not vulnerable to potential counterfeiters. It is also in line with practices in the currency industry, where the security features of banknotes are reviewed and upgraded regularly. I commend our central bank for the job well-done in this regard. (continue reading here...)
President Pohamba's Statement on the occasion of Namibia's 22nd Independence Anniversary
Mar 21, 2012
(...) Today, the people of Namibia, from all walks of life, and all corners of the country, are standing tall. With great joy, we are singing praises as we commemorate the 22nd Anniversary of the attainment of our national freedom and independence.
I take this opportunity to commend the Honourable Governor of Hardap Region, our gracious host, Comrade Katrina Hanse-Himarwa and her entire team for their excellent work to host our nation’s 22nd Independence Anniversary. I would also like to thank the residents of this Region for opening their hearts to their compatriots, and indeed to all other guests who have come to Mariental to celebrate this joyous occasion. read the full statement here...
President Pohamba's New Year Message 2012
New Year Statement by His Excellency Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, 31. December 2011
Good Evening Fellow Namibians,
I am pleased to address the nation this evening on New Year’s Eve. We have come to the end of a busy year. This is a time for our nation to look back and reflect on the events of the passing year and to look forward to the New Year with confidence that we will continue to record more successes in our efforts to develop our country, combat poverty, and improve the living conditions of our people.
During the passing year, our Government continued with the implementation of policies aimed at taking our national development agenda forward. We made concerted efforts to ensure that public services are delivered to more Namibians. We did our best to ensure that government capital projects are implemented. We did our best to ensure that public resources were utilised to realise the developmental objectives for which they have been allocated.
Let us work together, to promote National Reconciliation and the values of honesty, hard work, tolerance and patriotism. Namibia is my country. Namibia is your country. Let each and everyone of us make a positive contribution to the development of our beautiful country. Let us embrace all that is good about our nation and reject the evils of crime, corruption and violence, especially the violence directed against our women, children and the elderly.
In this coming year, let us draw inspiration from these enduring values in all that we do and look forward, in unity of action and purpose, for a better future of our people and our country.
I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
Long Live the Republic of Namibia.
Good Night.
Statement by HE Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the occasion of the 6th Conference of Heads of Mission, 03 December 2011, Swakopmund
Statement by HE Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia at the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 23 September 2011
Statement by HE Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia on the occasion of Heroes Day Commemoration, 26 August 2011
THE NAMIBIAN, 13.07.2011
First Lady gets African post
By: LUQMAN CLOETETHE Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV-AIDS (OAFLA) elected Namibia’s first lady Penehupifo Pohamba as its new president during its 10th general assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on June 29.
Congratulating Pohamba, who is the patron of the Organisation for the Empowerment of Widows/Widowers and Orphans of HIV-AIDS in Namibia (OEWONA), OEWONA praised her for continuous efforts to improve maternal and child health in the country and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable people in Namibian society.
“We have no doubt that with the full support of our development partners such as the Ministry of Health and Social Services, UNAIDS, Unicef, WHO, CDC, Rand Corporation and PEPFAR, madame Pohamba will successfully take the battle against HIV-AIDS, especially the prevention of the transmission of HIV-AIDS from mother to child to greater heights, not only in Namibia but to the entire African continent,” a congratulatory statement issued by OEWONA reads.
Keynote Address by His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President fo the Republic of Namibia, on the occasion of the Namibia Business Roundtable in London, 6th June 2007
Director of Ceremonies;
Dr. Mohan Kaul, Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council;
Your Excellency Mr. George Liswaniso, Namibian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
Esteemed Captains of Industry;
Distinguished Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my distinct honour and privilege to join you at this important business forum. I wish to thank the Commonwealth Business Council and the Namibian High Commission to the United Kingdom for organizing this Business Roundtable on Namibia.
In the same vein, I commend De Beers and Rio Tinto for their generous sponsorship. I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to the business executives from the United Kingdom and Namibia present here.
The Government of Namibia places great importance on domestic and foreign investments. In this connection, the presence of high level business executives from Namibia and the United Kingdom is therefore most appreciated and valued. It is my sincere hope that you will use the forum to network and establish mutually beneficial business linkages.
This forum comes at the time when Namibia is intensifying her efforts to expand and diversify her industrial base and competitiveness at regional and global levels. As such, it is the intention of my delegation to showcase Namibia as a reliable trading partner and an attractive location for investment as well as a country with unique and contrasting beauty and sceneries for tourists from the United Kingdom and beyond. read more...
Press Statement on Public-Private Partnership in the Mining Sector of Namibia by Mines & Energy Minister
11th May 2011
The Cabinet at its Fifth Meeting (2011) declared certain minerals as controlled and high value minerals or strategic minerals. These strategic minerals include uranium, gold, copper, coal, diamonds, and rare earth metals. read more....
Für eine Verhandlungslösung mit Libyen
Walter Sauer und Astrid Esterlus von SADDOC sprachen am 1. Mai 2011 in Wien mit dem Außenminister Namibias, Utoni Nujoma, über Prioritäten und Aktivitäten der namibischen Außenpolitik.
Welches sind die aktuellen Prioritäten der namibischen Außenpolitik? Was lag auf Ihrem Schreibtisch, als Sie Windhoek verließen?
Lassen Sie mich erst sagen, daß unser Grundgesetz, die namibische Verfassung, Namibia als einen demokratischen Staat konstituiert auf der Basis von Solidarität, Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit. In diese unsere Verfassung ist auch unsere Außenpolitik eingebunden. Unsere Außenpolitik ist nicht-paktgebunden, sie fördert den internationalen Frieden und Sicherheit, bemüht sich um die Schaffung von gerechten und beiderseits vorteilhaften Beziehungen, fördert Respekt vor dem Völkerrecht und vor vertraglichen Verpflichtungen und tritt für die Beilegung internationaler Konflikte mit friedlichen Mitteln ein. Das alles ist sehr wichtig, es ist sozusagen der Ausgangspunkt unserer Außenpolitik.
Nun, Sie fragen mich also, mit welchen Materien ich mich beschäftigte, als ich Namibia verließ. Wie Sie wissen, gibt es viele Demonstrationen im arabischen Norden, es gibt die Entwicklungen in Nordafrika usw. Wir sind ein aktives Mitglied der African Union und ebenso des Peace and Security Councils der African Union. Von hier haben wir das Mandat, überall für eine friedliche Konfliktlösung einzutreten. Wir tun das im Rahmen der AU, aber auch im Rahmen der Vereinten Nationen oder der Blockfreienbewegung oder im Rahmen von SADC. Auch hinsichtlich dessen, was in Nordafrika geschieht, setzen wir uns für eine friedliche Beilegung von Konflikten ein.
INDABA: hier weiterlesen....(S.14pp.)
Tsvangirai discusses Zim unity govt with Pohamba
ZIMBABWEAN Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says the momentum of the two-year-long inclusive government arrangement in his country is “sliding” because of tensions in government following election talks that started six months ago.
Tsvangirai was speaking from State House after having met with President Hifikepunye Pohamba yesterday to brief him on the developments in his country. Tsvangirai is on a southern African visit to raise awareness of the unfolding governance crisis before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) troika which will discuss the situation in Zimbabwe and Madagascar next week. SADC brokered the inclusive government between contesting parties after the chaotic general elections of 2008.
Tsvangirai has visited Mozambique and South Africa, and will also go to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania.
The Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) leader said his party expects SADC to play a much bigger role in the transition period in Zimbabwe. “SADC is the guarantor of stability in Zimbabwe,” said Tsvangirai, saying the country expects a clear roadmap from SADC. He said Pohamba during their meeting emphasised the need to preserve the unity government “whatever it takes”.
A member of the delegation, Luke Tamborenyoka, told the media that the MDC does not plan to pull out of the inclusive government, despite the current “serious assault on the inclusive government”. He said the situation in Zimbabwe is currently marred by a culture of violence and impunity, and arrests of MDC politicians ahead of the SADC troika. Tamborenyoka suggested that since President Mugabe gave Tsvangirai the assurance that he had not sanctioned the violence and banning, the ‘third force’ operates outside the ambit of the government.
The Zimbabwean Minister of Energy, Elton Mangoma, a supporter of the MDC, was arrested for the second time last Friday. “The challenge for SADC is to have a clear roadmap to return to a credible government after the sham elections [of 2008]. SADC must take this up. It must create the right conditions for elections,” said Tamborenyoka. But, he added, there would be a process leading up to the election for a new government. This includes a referendum and agreement on a new constitution, and then an election. He also said that SADC should play a monitoring and administrative role at least six months before and six months after the anticipated election.
President Pohamba is leaving for Lusaka, Zambia for consultation with the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Address to the Nation by H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Nambia, on the occasion of the 21st Independence Anniversary, 21 March 2011I wish to start by congratulating the Namibian people on this historic occasion of the commemoration of our nation’s 21st Independence Anniversary. On this day, twenty-one years ago, we hoisted the flag of nationhood, freedom and sovereignty, signaling the end of many decades of apartheid colonialism and the beginning of a new era of freedom and democracy. On that day, we started in earnest with the task of nation building, reconstruction and National Reconciliation.
The road to freedom and independence has been long, and the challenges have been many. However, the unwavering determination of the Namibian people, acting in unity of purpose, has enabled our nation to make commendable progress in many areas of social and economic development.
To begin with, we have succeeded in building a strong constitutional foundation for democratic governance. We have established the necessary institutions and legal framework that serve as the bedrock for the rule of law as well as transparent and accountable governance.
The constitutional doctrine of the separation of powers has been strictly adhered to and observed for the past 21 years. This has made Namibia one of the beacons of constitutional and democratic governance on our Continent. It has also enabled our nation to maintain peace and stability, while making head-way in advancing and improving the economic welfare and the living conditions of our people. read more...
Right Honorouable Nahas Angula speaks to the Republikein on the occasion of 21st Years of Independence
Challenges must be overcome
NAMIBIA is celebrating 21 years of independence on Monday and Republikein interviewed Namibia’s Prime Minister, Nahas Angula, on the challenges that lie ahead for the country.
Prime Minister Angula told Republikein that the nation is not so concerned about the achievements that have been accomplished in the past 21 years, because they know about the achievements. “However, the nation is concerned about the problems and challenges they face every day, and it is about this that they want more from the leaders,” the Prime Minister said. He said that what is helpful to the nation, is information on resolved issues. In his view, the Prime Minister said unresolved issues include poverty, employment, social safety nets, maternal health and child mortality, housing, water and sanitation, and HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB. Here follows a short synopsis of the issues:
Poverty The Prime Minister said that according to the household survey, almost 60% of our people are classified as poor and they spend most of their income on food. They don’t have savings. Moreover, many of them live below the breadline. About 20% of the people in the country are extremely poor and don’t have a regular income or productive assets and they live on the edge. The Government also has to address issues such as employment, access to productive assets and the spreading of the social safety nets. “If we have programmes along these lines, the extremely poor people will benefit,” the Prime Minister said.
Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Members of the National Assembly,
Namibia tops in press freedom - New Era by Magreth Nunuhe
This is according to an index that was published by Reporters Without Borders for events between September 1, 2009 and September 1, 2010.
The index measures violations of press freedom in the world, efforts by authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom, the level of independence of the public media and the ability of the media to investigate and criticise.
The index reflects the violations of the free flow of information on the Internet and includes the degree of impunity enjoyed by those responsible for these press freedom violations.
Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda, welcomed the news saying it was a true reflection of what is taking place in Namibia.
“We have freedom of expression and association in Namibia. The press operates freely without intimidation or harassment,” he beamed.
He said normally harassment comes from authorities that do not tolerate criticism, but “we don’t have such a culture in Namibia”. He added that, however, even if criticism is not warranted, “we tolerate and abide by the Constitution”. (read more...)
Statement by Hon. Utoni Nujoma, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs on "The Current State of International Affairs", February 2011
I am grateful for this opportunity to address this august house and share with you Namibia's position on various international developments, which have a bearing on our foreign policy. Today, we live in a global village. Developments in one part of the village invariably affect people in another part of this village to some extent.
News is replete with information on various crises on the African Continent, the Middle East and indeed in the rest of the world.
Namibia has remained true to the constitutional mandate provided through Article 96 of its Constitution. This is evident from the Government's engagements within the regional, continental and international contexts. His Excellency the President has renewed this resolve, more so since his assumption of the SADC Chairmanship and the country's membership of the AU Peace and Security Council.
(...) It is within this context that I wish to brief this august house on some of the pertinent developments. (more...)
Statement by President Pohamba at the Opening of the 3rd Session of Namibia's 5th Parliament
I am grateful to the Honourable Speaker for his kind words of welcome. At the same time, I wish to express the profound sense of honour and privilege that I feel to stand before this Joint Session to officially open..
I am grateful to the Honourable Speaker for his kind words of welcome. At the same time, I wish to express the profound sense of honour and privilege that I feel to stand before this Joint Session to officially open the 3rd Session of the 5th Parliament of the Republic of Namibia.
As customary, the three organs of the State are represented at this occasion, demonstrating the strength of our democracy and the enduring principles of the separation of powers to ensure accountability. Since the attainment of our nationhood in 1990, our nation has continued to grow from strength to strength, entrenching democracy and consolidating our institutional frameworks for governance. This has in turn, consolidated socio-political peace and stability and facilitated the delivery of public services to our people.
Honourable Speaker,Honourable Chairperson,
In the history of nations, our democracy is still relatively young. After all, we will celebrate our nation's 21st Independence Anniversary only this year. Despite this relative youth, we are all proud of the achievements that we have recorded and the milestones that we have achieved over the years. We are also cognizant of the many challenges that our nation faces in the process of nation building and in shaping the destiny of our Motherland. read more...
NEW ERA, 15 February 2011
WINDHOEK – Lack of supportive evidence to back claims of alleged irregularities and vote rigging in the 2009 general election yesterday proved too costly to nine opposition parties when they lost the case in which they sought nullification of the National Assembly election results.
Judge President Petrus Damaseb, in a lengthy judgement that was read for an exhausting five hours yesterday, dismissed the case. He said the court was not presented with evidence that could have resulted in favour of the nine opposition parties that lodged the application in that court 11 months ago.
Photo: Allgemeine Zeitung, Attorney General,
Dr. Albert Kawana
Statement by H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia on behalf of the Southern Region on the Theme of the 16th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Hovernment of the AU: "Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values", 30 January 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Photo: The Namibian
Shared values are a glue that should hold us together in our quest to accelerate African integration. They form part of the principles that were embraced by the OAU and are today embodied in the Constitutive Act of the African Union. In addition, shared values constitute one of the four pillars alongside peace and security, development integration and cooperation, institutional and capacity building, that are contained in the Strategic Plan of the African Union Commission (2009-2012). more...
Statement by H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia on the occasion of the Opening of the First Cabinet Session for the Year 2011, 03 February 2011
Let me wish you all a happy and prosperous new year, 2011. I am confident that as members of cabinet, you will tackle the responsibilities entrusted to you with renewed vigor and a strong sense of commitment and purpose, as we confront new challenges in the year ahead and beyond.
As leaders, we face ardous and demanding tasks to serve the nation and to fulfil the mandate of governance bestowed on us by the electorate. We must carry out these tasks with all our might, harnessing our collective and individual innovation, to find the best solutions to the problems confronting our nation. We must also sharpen our commitment to realise all our national development plans and programmes.
The challenges facing our nation are becoming increasingly complex. Thus, in order to address them successfully, we must act with resolve and introduce innovative and fresh ideas. This is what modern governance demands. more...In his acceptance speech, Pohamba said he would work to further strengthen co-operation among Member States to ensure increased capacity to confront and solve common challenges. He said SADC must redouble its efforts to maintain and promote peace in the region. He said the community should negotiate with a single voice with other African countries on the international fora that include the ongoing negotiations on climate change and the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union.
Draft Disaster Risk Management Bill gets a go-ahead
October 19, 2010
Cabinet approved the Draft Disaster Risk Management Bill in principle and authorised the submission of the Bill to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation for scrutiny.
According to a media release issued on 11 October 2010 from Cabinet Chambers, the Bill is expected to make provision for the establishment of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund and institutions for disaster risk management in Namibia.
Unfavourable conditions causing floods and droughts between 2000 and 2009, informed Cabinet’s decision to consider the Draft Disaster Management Bill that will provide an integrated and coordinated disaster management framework on preventing or reducing the risk of disasters and mitigating the severity of disasters, once it is passed into law.
Namibia has recorded five crippling droughts, affecting between 300 000 to 700 000 people in all 13 regions of the country between 2000 and 2007. A total of five flood disasters have also been recorded between 2004 and 2009. As a result, epidemic diseases such as cholera, measles and animal diseases have also affected Namibia over the years.
With global changing weather conditions, disaster losses are set to increase, hence the need to take the required action. The major concerns, however, are the continued disruption of social and economic activities, diversion of resources away from development to emergency response and the loss of development gains.
The country has already spent about N$556 million on disaster responses between 2002 and 2008 while the 2009 flood disaster alone resulted in damages of N$2 billion and 1.6% loss of GDP.
Find all cabinet decisions of 28 September 2010 at 13th ordinary 2010 meeting here...
Namibia takes over SABA Presidency
October 19, 2010; grnnet grnnet
Information and Communication Technology Minister Joel Kaapanda says with the appointment of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation Director General, Albertus Aochamub as a president of the Southern Africa Broadcasting Cooperation (SABA), Namibia celebrates yet another milestone in its quest to provide leadership at the international arena.
Namibia an oasis of peace and tranquility, says President Pohamba
September 16, 2010
Agriculture centre of socio-economic development
September 20, 2010
President Hifikepunye Pohamba says agriculture is at the centre of socio-economic development for Namibia as an emerging economy and, therefore, it needs effective management to ensure that there is adequate knowledge transfer to exploit opportunities in the domestic, regional and international markets.
- Key Note Address of the President, H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba
- for all other documents, please visit the Post-Conference Material
Statement by H.E. Hifikepunye Pohambaon the occasion of the High Level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
20 SEPTEMBER 2010 NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
more...
Taking the S and the M out of SME: thoughts on the role of the youth as entrepreneurs, Tom Alweendo, Director General National Planning
EXPO, 04 August 2010
more...
Spotlight on peace & security - by Catherine Sasman
more...
GLOBAL PARLIAMENTARY SUMMIT IN GENEVA
Theo-Ben Gurirab, IPU President, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia
Opening Statement by the Hon. Speaker
The Inter-Parliamentary Union convened the 3rd World Conference of Speakers of Parliament - a global summit focusing on democracy, the role of legislative institutions and their relationship with the United Nations. The broad theme for the 2010 Conference is Parliaments in a world of crisis: securing global democratic accountability for the common good.
National Consultative Workshop on Land Bill opened
►Statement by Hon. Marco Hausiku, Deputy Prime Minister, at the National Consultative Workshop on the Land Bill here...
► more on the conference here...
Govt to harmonise policies relating to job creation
July 13, 2010
The Employment Creation Task Force (ECTF) report that was presented to Cabinet at the 6th ordinary 2010 Cabinet meeting held on 22 June 2010 indicates that government is serious about employment creation in the country.
more...
Permanent Secretaries must provide strategic leadership
June 25, 2010
President Hifikepunye Pohamba says Namibia stands at a critical juncture where Permanent Secretaries must provideeffective leadership at all levels to address development challenges facing the nation.
more...Over 2 000 people test positive on National Testing Day
June 25, 2010
The results of the National Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Voluntary Testing Day held countrywide on 20 May 2010, indicates that more than 2 000 people have tested HIV positive, announced the Health and Social Services, Petrina Haingura, on 23 June 2010.
Haingura said that this year, the Health Ministry targeted to reach a total of 17 000 people, but exceeded the target as 38 421 people were tested on the day.
She noted that more females than males were tested, adding that 27 906 (73 percent) people were tested for the first time.
The results show that out of the total number of people tested, 2 174 people were HIV positive.
The highest age specific prevalence was among persons aged 35 to 39, making up 9.97 percent females and 9.66 percent males, while the lowest prevalence was among 15 to 19 year-olds at 3.30 percent females and 1.02 percent males.
Amongst all the regions, the Caprivi had the highest prevalence of 9.9 per cent and Omaheke the lowest with 3.05 percent.
“ I therefore would like to use this opportunity to appeal to all the regional leaders present here and those not here to keep fighting the spread of HIV by delivering awareness messages, especially in the Caprivi region because even last year the prevalence rate was high,” she said.
However, Oshana regional Governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa, who was present during the results’ announcement, showed his appreciation on men's commitment for voluntary testing this year as compared to last year.
Haingura further encouraged the Namibian people to follow routine testing, and do away with the habit of only going for testing on national testing days.
“It is the responsibility of every Namibian to do routine HIV testing and encourage others to do the same for the benefit of the country,” she stressed.
Also present at the announcement of results ceremony was the Director of Special Programmes in the Health Ministry, Ella Shihepo, who promised that a detailed report will be made available during the course of the year.
(NAMPA/MICT)
Secretary to Cabinet, Frans Kapofi introduces NIPAM at Africa Public Service Day
June 25, 2010
more...An update on the EPA negotiations
19 May 2010
State of the Nation Speech
Namibians urged to contribute to nation building
‘Namibia will not be developed and built by anyone else, but ourselves,’ said President Hifikepunye Pohamba during his State of the Nation Address, which coincided with the official opening of the First Session of the 5 th Parliament, on 27 April 2010. more...
Inaugural Address by H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, on 21 March 2010, Windhoek
Govt pledges to fulfil youth dreams
The Namibian government has worked hard in the past 20 years to uplift and empower the youth and will continue to fulfil the aspirations of the youth, as espoused in the African Youth Charter, the World Program of Action for Youth and the SWAPO Party election Manifesto of 2009, said President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
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