Welcome to PLUS online

Nearly all HAN members registered with NTB

Next month on 1 November 2005 will see the first anniversary of the implementation date of the Namibia Tourism Board regulations pertaining to the tourism accommodation industry. After almost a year of re-registrations, new applications for new accommodation categories and registration of new operators, the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) can boast an almost 100 percent compliance with the NTB regulations by its over 300 full members, according to its CEO, Gitta Paetzold. Of the 296 members, (excluding NWR resorts also registered with HAN) only 5 establishments, 2 in Omaruru, 1 in Windhoek, 1 in Walvis Bay and 1 near the Orange River, are still awaiting the completion of their NTB application process. Over the past year, HAN has been instrumental and helpful in ensuring that all its members are briefed and updated on the NTB registration process and their duties pertaining to the new regulations, said Paetzold.

EU to double aid for Namibia

The European union might beef up its aid for Namibia from 10 million euros to 20 million by 2010, EU ambassador Antonius Brüser said this week. This follows a recent decision by EU member countries in Brussels to increase development aid for African countries by 2010 and 2014 respectively so that the continent can reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. With Brüser was Madelaine Kihlberg, desk officer for Namibia and Botswana at the European Commission in Brussels for the development directorate. Kihlberg held talks with various government ministries to discuss envisaged projects when the increased funds will become available. "Aid from the EU will increase by two-thirds from 17 billion euros in 2003 to 25 billion euros per annum in 2010", Brüser said.

Illegal cattle must leave Okavango area

The illegal herds of cattle that invaded the Kwangali tribal area in western Okavango must leave immediately together with their herdsmen, Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said on Wednesday. Her announcement followed a Cabinet decision this week after a televised news report said that the Kwangali Chief Daniel Sitendu Mpasi was highly frustrated as the problem had been ongoing for 10 years, despite numerous appeals to the government. Oukwanyma herdsmen simply refused to leave the area and the news on Sunday showed police officers keeping angry Oukwanyma men armed with kirries, bows and arrows away from Kwangali people, who rightfully claimed the land was theirs. IIlegal fencing in Oukwanyama and Ondonga areas had aggrevated the problem, forcing herders to find other pastures. According to the communal land law, citizens have to apply to a traditional authority for permission to live there or to graze livestock.