Allexer Namundjembo The late former Namibia Defence Force (NDF) chief Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala wanted to be buried next to his parents. His wish was fulfilled when he was laid to rest in his home village in the Oshana Region this weekend. Hawala was born on 17 August 1935 and died on 11 August 2025 in a local hospital at the age of 89. He was buried in Ongwediva on Saturday. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government respected his request. “It was his expressed wish that his remains should be buried here, where his parents were laid to rest. As we always do, the government respects the wishes of the deceased, which, to a certain extent, are cultural, and their families in terms of where they would want to be laid to rest,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred national hero status on Hawala and authorised a state funeral for him, despite a moratorium on such honours. In July, the cabinet announced a moratorium on official funerals until March 2026 to review the criteria, but the president retains constitutional powers to confer national honours. She stressed that Hawala’s recognition was earned. “As a dedicated fighter, he did not sacrifice his entire life with the intention of becoming a hero. He instead made that sacrifice with the aim of providing service for the liberation of his country and its people,” she said. The burial stood in contrast to the case of the late President Hage Geingob, who close allies said wished to be buried at his own farm. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the difference reflected constitutional and cultural dynamics. “Constitutionally, the state takes over the burial when a president dies. Yes, but unnecessary differentiation. As Africans, we like elaborate ceremonies. We are poisoned by colonialism. We need to decolonise our minds on many things,” he said. Analyst Sakaria Johannes said Geingob’s case was unique. “Ok, it might be the reason why, though it was just rumours. Dr Geingob was a statesman; hence, I think he was buried at Heroes’ Acre, and I think his family also agreed to be buried there,” he said. At the funeral, former presidents described Hawala as a freedom fighter. Former president Nangolo Mbumba said Hawala’s military skills established him as a capable soldier and later commander, who directed combat missions against apartheid South African forces in the Zambezi Region while based in Zambia. He said Hawala later deputised Lt Gen Dimo Hamaambo as PLAN deputy commander. Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba said Hawala oversaw the development of the Namibian Defence Force into an entity that met international standards.

Staff Writer The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has strengthened its presence in the Oshana Region, financing projects worth N$978.7 million since its inception.  According to the Oshana Regional Council, the investments have supported a range of sectors with significant impact. The largest share of funding went to the construction industry at N$170.8 million, while housing development received N$152.6 million.  Electricity infrastructure projects in Oshana were supported with N$116.8 million. In the 2024/25 financial year, the health sector received N$22.1 million. DBN also provided N$1.8 million to finance micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. During the 2024/25 period, the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) facilitated agricultural financing to 43 communal farmers in Oshana.  The total amounted to N$8.6 million, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. This included salary-backed loans to 17 farmers valued at N$2.3 million, while 20 farmers received N$4.8 million under the National Agricultural Credit Programme (NACP).  The Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) recorded a 64.1% increase in livestock loans, with financing focused on livestock, poultry, fencing, tractors, and machinery. The Oshana Region has called for these financing facilities to be extended to youth and women in agriculture. Oshana governor, Hofni Iipinge, said the regional economy continues to provide a conducive environment for investment, business development, and job creation. He noted that with untapped potential across multiple sectors, Oshana remains a key player in driving inclusive and sustainable growth. The region hosts several trade exhibitions, including the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, the Ondangwa Industrial and Trade Exhibition, and the Oshakati Totem Expo. Iipinge said these events help connect local businesses with national and international markets. The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade has played a role in driving enterprise support and trade facilitation. In 2024/25, the ministry registered 396 Close Corporations, a 30.5% increase from the previous year, and issued 851 MSME certificates. Under the Industrial Upgrading and Modernisation Programme, three projects were funded at a total cost of N$546,947. To further support MSMEs, the ministry approved N$1.1 million to procure equipment for 17 enterprises. The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) office in Ongwediva is now fully operational, providing essential services to clients across northern Namibia. Caption Oshana governor, Hofni Iipinge – Photo: Contributed

Mixed reactions to Oshana HPV vaccination campaign NBC Online Wed, 08/20/2025 - 14:09

Top officials pay respects to late Solomon Hawala NBC Online Thu, 08/14/2025 - 19:18

Johanna Swartbooi crowned Miss Namibia 2025 NBC Online Sun, 07/20/2025 - 18:37

Chantel Boeren crowned Miss Teen Namibia 2025 NBC Online Sat, 07/19/2025 - 15:55

Ongwediva Councillor Uutoni not seeking re-election NBC Online Sat, 07/05/2025 - 16:39

Locals urged to avail crop fields for road construction NBC Online Tue, 06/10/2025 - 15:25

Police inspector general lieutenant Joseph Shikongo says the police will install surveillance cameras in the town’s of Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva to curb the crime rate in the Oshana region. He says the surveillance cameras will be operating 24/7 and they will be installed in the hot spot areas where crime is prevalent. Shikongo says criminal activities taking place in the streets, business areas and shopping malls will be monitored by the police on CCTV, where police officers will be able to communicate with those on the ground to allow for fast response. He said this during a police community engagement at Adolf village in the Oshana region on Friday. “We have heard to the cries of the community members and the police have decided to install surveillance cameras all over the streets. Our police officers will be monitoring the cameras 24/7. We want this region to be crime free and we will make sure that we arrest all the criminal,,” he said. So far, the police have managed to install surveillance cameras at Oshakati, with Ongwediva and Ondangwa to follow in due course. Shikongo said he wants the Oshana region to be a crime free region where residents can walk without having any worries of being attacked by armed robbers. “We want to have peace and order in the community. No one must feel unsafe wherever they are. This is our country and we must maintain peace and security at all times. No criminals will walk free in this region, the police will be monitoring the cameras, making sure that they are arrested,” he said. At the same occasion, Shikongo also promoted about 35 police officers in the Oshana region to various senior ranks. The post Police to install surveillance cameras in Oshana appeared first on The Namibian.

Oshakati set to host Workers' Day commemoration NBC Online Wed, 04/30/2025 - 19:13

Deputy PM Ithete visits flood victims at Ehenye Resettlement Centre NBC Online Sun, 04/13/2025 - 16:37

Floods Disrupt Oshana Region NBC Online Sun, 04/06/2025 - 17:52

Food aid and medical teams deployed to flood-hit Oshana Region NBC Online Thu, 04/03/2025 - 18:50

Uuvudhiya struggles with heavy flooding, villagers rely on donkey carts NBC Online Sat, 03/29/2025 - 20:26

Ekamba villagers protest ongoing sand mining on ancestral land NBC Online Thu, 03/27/2025 - 18:32

Namcol awards its top performers NBC Online Thu, 03/27/2025 - 19:23

Debate participants express confidence in new President NBC Online Mon, 03/24/2025 - 18:29