NamPower intends to construct a new power line from Otjikoto, west of Tsumeb via Rundu to Katima Mulilo. Public meetings will be held to introduce the project and the environmental study that was done. The public can make comments and raise concerns with regard to this power line. Although NamPower did not say so yet, it appears that the N$ 300 million hydropower project originally planned at the Popa Falls on the Okavango River might not go through. Instead, a new regular power line is now on the cards. Public meetings on the power line will be held in Windhoek on 27 September at 17h30 at the NAU building and at Tsumeb on 28 September at the Minen Hotel at 17h30. Meetings will also be held at Rundu (29.9. at 14h00 in the NDC building), Divundu on 30 September at the Frans Dimbare Youth Centre at 15h00 and at Katima Mulilo at the Legislative Hall at 15h00. All interested and affected parties can contact Eco.Plan at 061-232861 or mail to eco-plan@iafrica.com.na.

Interested individuals and organisations can attend a workshop next month about integrated water resources development and management. The newly formed Namibian Country Water Partnership (NWP) is working towards the SADC vision of equitable and sustainable use of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration, and economic benefit for present and future generations. The workshop planned for October will further look at equitable access to water of an acceptable quantity and quality. Proper sanitation for all and safe water disposal will be additional topics as well as security from natural disaster, including droughts and floods. Enquiries about the date which has not been fixed yet, can be made to Imelda at the Desert Research Foundation (DRFN) at either 061-229 855 or imeldaa@drfn.org.na.

Die sterblichen Überreste von Michael Tjiseseta Zerauea, einem Hereroführer, der 1904 mit einer Gruppe seines Volkes über Walfischbucht nach Südafrika entweichen konnte, werden am Wochenende des 1. Oktober nach Omaruru überführt. Schon am 30. September ist die Ankunft in Windhoek, wo ein Ehrenspalier den Sarg in Empfang nehmen wird. Die Überführung wird von der deutschen Regierung bezahlt. Die jungen Männer aus Tjiseseta Schar arbeiteten nach der Ankunft in Port Nolloth in den Bergwerken der nördlichen Kapprovinz. Tjiseseta wurde pro Arbeiter von den Bergwerken mit einer Prämie bezahlt. Es ist möglich, daß noch Nachfahren dieser Herero bei Steinkopf, Okiep und Nababeep leben. Tjiseseta und viele Mitglieder der Gruppe zogen dann nach Transvaal, wo der Stammesführer 1924 in Krugersdorp starb.

A country pilot partnership programme with the UN will start soon to combat land degradation and desertification. A three-day workshop ended at Ondangwa on Wednesday, which included a field visit to surrounding areas, to draw up plans to save Namibia’s environment. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and its Global Environment Facility (GEF) will support Namibia financially and with expertise to reach that aim, which is in line with Vision 2030. Experts from various ministries, DRFN, Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and civil society organisations. Overgrazing and unsustainable land use have affected various areas causing erosion and dwindling vegetation.