N$4
namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6638 WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH 2017 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Geingob: “Harambee should not be ridiculed or scoffed at” Erwin Leuschner
President Hage Geingob has called on all Namibians to embrace the spirit of Harambee and move the country forward. This was his key message when he addressed Namibians during the country's 27th independence celebrations at Rundu yesterday. President Geingob looked back on the
country's achievements since indepen-
dence 27 years ago, saying that there is a lot to be grateful for. However, he warned, there are “centrifugal forces” who are locked on “destroying what took us so many years and so much blood, sweat and tears to build.” “We are aware that after 27 years we still face many uphill challenges, most specifically with regards to our socioeconomic architecture,” he said. Adding: “So when we talk of the concept of Harambee and peace, it should not be scoffed at or ridi-
culed; it should rather be seen in the context of promoting oneness of the mind and a concord amongst our people in order to safeguard our sovereignty.” Amongst the guests of honour were former Namibian Heads of State, Dr Sam Nujoma and Hifikupunye Pohamba, whom President Geingob said have laid a solid foundation for Namibia. He reviewed various achievements and underlined the Old Age Grant. It currently stands at N$1 200 in 2017, double from N$600 in 2014. Looking to the future President Geingob said that government is exploring measures to accelerate industrialisation and job creation.
“We are also promoting investment in tourism, agribusiness and other l a b o u r- a n d s k i l l s intensive sectors. To further address the issue of poverty in Namibia, Geingob also mentioned NEEEF, and described it as a program “we intend to implement.” “Some people are opposed to NEEEF, without providing alternative proposals. It is time that all of us in Namibia adopt the culture of sharing and assisting each other to attain human dignity.” Before concluding Geingob also delved into the emotional issue of land ownership. The President stays committed to address the land issue. “I have alluded to
the fact that we need to revisit the willing buyer willing seller concept (…) We have exhausted the concept be-cause after 27 years, the process is slow in satisfying the wishes of the majority of Namibians,” he said. The president added though that “let us all bear in mind that we should desist from visiting the sins of the fathers on the children of today. Let us therefore come together and hold hands in dealing with the land problem so that we can solve it amicably, while maintaining the strong foundations of peace, stability and unity which we have enjoyed for 27 years.”
President Geingob (Inaugural speech 21 March 2015)
Shock and disbelief at death of Magic Discounters’ Connie Olivier
inside
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FNB-MTC Receipt-It Solution
Erwin Leuschner The coastal community is reeling in shock after, well-known business personality Mrs. Connie Olivier died in a vehicle accident on Thursday evening. Olivier was the sole occupant of her vehicle and was returning home from Walvis Bay to Langstrand at around 21:00 on Thursday evening, when her Toyota Prado crashed into the trailer of a truck which at that moment was making a u-turn on the B2 coastal road near the old roadblock. D e p u t y C o m m i s - dent.” “The driver of the Magic Jumbo Dissioner Ottilie Kashuu- the truck is currently counters trade name pulwa, regional crime being investigated for which was built from investigations co- culpable homicide,” Walvis Bay into a wellknown brand name ordinator for Erongo, she confirmed. confirmed the inci- The late Olivier is the across Namibia. dent and described it wife of Poena Olivier, Over the weekend, difas a “very tragic acci- the pioneer-couple of ferent versions of
events surrounding the accident surfaced. According to Kashuupulwa the driver of the truck was initially travelling from Walvis Bay towards Swakopmund on the B2 coastal road. Shortly before reaching the old road block the driver encountered mechanical problems with the truck and he phoned his employer. Continues on page 2
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