March 24, 2024

Earl of Cordigan thrives at Epukiro Horse racing Independence Bash

Otjinene Supporters’ Club, Earl of Cordigan on Saturday won the 2024 Standard Bank Epukiro Horse Racing Independence Bash at Gobabis after taking the first spot in the Standard Bank Main Race.

A total of N.dollars 200 000 sponsored by Standard Bank Namibia was up for grabs and Earl of Cordigan won N.dollars 10 000, while the second spot of N.dollars 6000 was taken by Blonde Act of Aminius Racing and Able Surprise from the WT Racing took home N.dollars 4000 respectively.

Speaking to Nampa after the race, Katjauana Muriambihu, owner of the Earl of Ordigan said it was not an easy task from the onset noting that they worked hard to make sure that his horse wins the race.

‘From the last race experience where three horses came out as winners and the money there was split among the three, our aim today was to make sure to look forward. I did not want to say anything before this race but I wanted the horse itself to showcase its capabilities’, he boasted.

Epukiro horse racing Public Relations Officer Jessica Katj
iteo expressed happiness that the event was a success and commended Standard Bank Namibia for the sponsorship.

‘I also extend my gratitude to those who brought their horses to make this event a success, and for those who did not make it please there is always a next time and your effort is highly appreciated’, Katjiteo said.

Speaking on behalf of Standard Bank Namibia Head of Marketing and Communications Magreth Mengo said that horse racing as a sport code has shown a growing trend and it is attracting more people from all over the country.

‘This is a very brilliant platform to bring together communities and also just to improve the sport. We are currently busy discussing with other sponsors to see on what we can do, because there is a lot of talent here, you can see’, she said

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 24, 2024

UNAM outclass defending Champions in Rugby Premier League

WINDHOEK: The University of Namibia (UNAM) rugby club put up an impressive second-half performance to overcome league-defending champions Trustco United 31-17 in their second fixture of the Namibia Rugby Premier League (NRPL).

The 2024 NRPL season kicked off a fortnight ago with UNAM and United winning their league openers.

At the UNAM Stadium on Saturday, Trustco United dominated the first 40 minutes of the match but missed a penalty and several chances to score a try earlier on in the match.

With numerous missed opportunities the visitors found their foot and capitalized on UNAM’s handling errors, winning possession, and scoring their first try but missed the conversion and failed to increase their lead to seven points.

The home team UNAM had a well-organised defence which did its best to keep United at bay but within minutes running down, United once again managed to put more points on the scoreboard with their second try of the match after a hard-fought battle with the UNAM defence.

United once again
failed to convert from their try, ending the first half with a 10-0 scoreline in their favour.

In the second half, it was all about the home team UNAM who managed to run in four tries while dominating play as United was a shadow of their first-half performance.

In the second half, UNAM started strong and scored their first try just six minutes in, outplaying the United defence.

United quickly responded with a try of their own, but UNAM’s players showed a revived fighting spirit and managed to score three more tries along with a penalty as they used all mistakes from their opponents to pile up points on the scoreboard.

Raschano van Rooi was in great form, converting all UNAM’s tries and scoring a penalty, Alcino Izaacz scored two tries, while Shareave Titus and Berry Gande each scored one try.

Trustco United only managed to score three tries through Jandre Esterhuyzen, Hanreco van Zly, and Callie Swanepoel, with Lorenzo Louis converting only one of them.

In other Premier League matches played on Saturday
, Grootfontein collected points away from home with a 39-13 win against Dolphins in Swakopmund. Meanwhile, Wanderers overcame stiff competition from Kudus with a 35-25 win in Windhoek, and Reho Falcons defeated their visiting opponents, Western Suburbs, 23-17 in Rehoboth.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 24, 2024

Ministry Outlines Milestones In Education Quality Improvement

The quality of education in 135 targeted Sub-Counties in Kenya significantly improved in the last six years, thanks to the ministry of education through a World Bank funded project.

The Kenya Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) targeted 135 Sub-counties from 30 Counties which were identified through a rigorous selection criterion resulting to improved quality of teaching among other milestones from 2017 to December 2023.

The key milestones as enumerated by Mr. Elijah Mungai, the Director Directorate of Projects coordination and delivery in the state department for basic education include reduction in teacher shortage for Science, Mathematics and English teachers in targeted areas which was implemented by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) where 2,592 secondary and 920 primary school teachers were employed.

Director Mungai said the intervention saw live streaming of lessons piloted in 10 satellite schools from two principal schools. Teachers professional development was enhanced throu
gh school based teacher support system for teachers totaling 51,950 in 6,500 primary schools and 2,000 secondary schools.

A total of 2,254,782 Science, Mathematics and English text books were distributed to all grade 7 and 8 learners in 7,852 primary schools while 4,329,057 Science, Mathematics and English text books were distributed to learners in form 1-4 in 2,147 secondary schools. Brailed text books 10,770 in total and 42,546 text books printed and distributed and assistive devices distributed to 2,145 learners with disabilities.

Retention in upper primary school and transition to secondary school in targeted areas improved school learning environment where 1,053 additional classrooms, 861 additional laboratories and 1,896 sanitation facilities and a proposed ultra-modern training facility at CEMASTEA.

The Ministry of Education conducted advocacy and community mobilization social support and gender sensitization programme in 1,476 locations across the 135 Sub-Counties with 1,478,135 sanitary towels for
girls being distributed.

A total of 18,000 learners in cohorts of 9,000 each benefited from the Elimu Scholarship Program where the first cohort sat for KCSE in 2023 and recorded an impressive performance with 46 percent qualifying to join university and 82 percent attaining grade C-(minus) and above.

The project enforced systems reforms support through the development and introduction of CBC curriculum designs for Grades 4 to 9 as implemented by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

SEQIP strengthened the national system for monitoring learning progress and national examination by Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) through a baseline and middleline studies to monitor learner achievement (MLA) for form 2 and national assessments for grades 3,4,5, and 6 conducted as well the establishment of a web based competency based assessment (CBA) portal.

The Ministry of Education carried out three policy studies to establish prevalence of gender based sexual violence (GBSV) which resulted to a
policy framework for addressing GBSV issues. Education officials were sensitized on operationalization of gender responsive mechanisms (GRM) structures.

A baseline survey for high dropout rates for upper primary grades 7 and 8 and a capacity assessment for Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) to coordinate, manage and regulate scholarships were conducted.

The World Bank has since extended the SEQIP project period for an additional year till December 2024 owing to the delays occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Source: Kenya News Agency

March 24, 2024

Ezorongondo farmers hold farmer’s information day

Farmers at Ezorongondo in the Epukiro constituency of the Omaheke region on Friday held a farmer’s information day at their village to discuss issues related to animal fodder, vaccines and the maintenance of livestock during drought.

The farmer’s day held for the second time in two years, attracted farmers from nearby villages like Okanguindi and Okajombo who shown interest in learning from the experts.

Speaking at the event, Technical Advisor for communal areas at Feedmaster, Frank Kanguatjivi urged farmers to take drastic measures in improving their water supply as this according to him also contributes to losing more livestock during drought.

‘We tend to react very late and we do not take informed decisions much earlier, thus an event such as this in the beginning of the year is very important to awaken farmers. We can see that going forward, it is not going to be easy, so let us start planning and make ways that will take us through.

The objective of this information day is to inform farmers on the se
riousness of the current drought that we are going through. We want to educate farmers on the critical things that affect them in this situation like the water, grazing, health and supplementary issues,’ Kanguatjivi said.

Furthermore, Kanguatjivi advised farmers to sell their livestock while they are in good conditions, and keep those they can manage during the dry season.

Jasana Uaaka from the Veterinary office in Epukiro urged farmers to make sure that their livestock are vaccinated on time, saying animals become very sensitive during the drought season and can easily attract diseases and viruses.

Hugo Kandovazu who organized this year’s event said they saw it necessary to bring farmers and experts together so that they share knowledge on how to maintain their livestock and improve on production.

‘We want this day to grow and attract more villages and more farmers around Epukiro to give our communal farmers the needed information, because this is an eye-opening day and we are going to work harder next y
ear and beyond to make it more successful’, Kandovazu concluded.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 24, 2024

NCM on decent work in fisheries sector launched

WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation (MLREC), recently launched the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) on Decent Work in the Namibian Fisheries Sector in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The event was held in Walvis Bay and was accompanied by a business forum on advancing decent work in the Namibian Fisheries Supply Chain.

In a media statement issued by the MLREC on Friday, the NCM was established to ensure compliance with international labour standards, particularly within the fishing sector which is recognized as a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, employing thousands and significantly contributing to international trade. However, it faces challenges related to decent work, safety, skills development, and issues of illegal fishing.

Furthermore the statement said key achievements and initiatives were highlighted during the launch, including the ratification of international labour instruments, aimed at promoting decent work in
the fisheries sector, while efforts under the Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Better, supported by the European Union (EU) and ILO, were commended for addressing challenges and opportunities in the fisheries supply chain.

The statement further read that members of the NCM were appointed through tripartite nominations and will serve for a period of five years, with a mandate to support and coordinate the full implementation and enforcement of Convention No. 188.

This mechanism will consult and make recommendations to relevant ministries, monitor progress, and provide advice to ensure compliance with international labour standards, it concluded.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 24, 2024

President Mbumba condemns terror attacks on Russia

WINDHOEK: President Nangolo Mbumba joined the international community in condemning the senseless terror attacks on innocent civilians in a theatre in the Moscow region, Russia on Friday.

Mbumba in a statement availed here by the Presidency on Sunday said: ‘ I am saddened by the callous terrorist attack on innocent civilians near Moscow, leading to the death of over 140 people and injuring many others. I join the international community in condemnation of this heinous act, which demonstrates complete disregard for human life.

On behalf of the people and Government of the Republic of Namibia, I extend my condolences to President Vladimir Putin, the bereaved families and the fraternal people of Russia,’ he said.

Furthermore, Mbumba also wrote a letter to President Vladimir Putin in which he extended sympathies to the families and the people of Russia.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency