Herero and Mbanderu representatives held their annual gathering at Tsau in northwestern Botswana last weekend. The Tsau area near Lake Ngami became a new home for hundreds of Herero who fled from Namibia in 1904 during the Herero war. Several chiefs are buried there. According to the Namibian representative, Festus Tjikuua, a technical dialogue team had been set up to start a dialogue with the Germany and Namibian government how to support their people. In a speech held by Tjikuua at Tsau, Herero in the diaspora could join the dialogue team. Tjikuua did not explicitly say so, but it implies that the Herero from Botswana and South Africa would be included in the dialogue.

In view of a number of complaints from members of the public and recent articles in some local media on the stench of fishmeal, the Walvis Bay municipality said it remained greatly concerned about that.

The Municipality is aware of unconfirmed reports, which have linked human health complications to fishmeal emissions.

In a statement the Walvis Bay municipality said it was doing all it could to address the issue. Scientific studies determining the impact of fishmeal emissions on human health first needed to be undertaken. According to some reports a few people apparently suffering form asthma and sinusitis, had these conditioned worsen during fishmeal emissions set off by fish factories. Some residents said Walvis Bay could not fully exploit its tourism potential because of the periodic stench.

The municipality approached the US Embassy for support which granted N$20 000 to pay an international expert on fish meal emissions who will come and address all stakeholders on the general effects of these emissions on human health. The next step would entail a comprehensive study, the municipality explained.

"Residents and the general public are encouraged to become more vocal and air their views and experiences on the issue. This will allow for a fair and wider approach to the issue", the municipality stated.

The private airfield outside Swakopmund is receiving a bitumen layer. For decades the runway was just gravel and difficult to see from the air. Investor Danie van der Merwe has given the airfield a considerable face-lift since he took over the place a year ago, including night landing reflectors. The tarring of the 1,2 km long tarmac is part of a modernisation exercise.