Omuthiya gears up for Heroes day celebration

 Thousands of Namibians are flocking to the town of Omuthiya to celebrate the 34th Heroes Day.

The event is set for Monday the 26th of August, at Omuthiya Recreation Park, in the Oshikoto region.

People from all walks of life are preparing to form part of this event at the heart of Omuthiya town.

“The reason why we are here is to assist with choreography of the performances for the heroes day,” said choreographer and performances coordinator Mr Ismael Sam.

Mr Sam, who came all the way from Windhoek, said that his responsibility would be to inspect and oversee the quality of performances and quality of organisation of the entertainment activities throughout the event and ensure this event become a success.

“The main purpose of these preparations is to express and display the importance of the sacrifices that our heroes and heroines made for us.”

Sam highlighted that the performance which he was coordinating and choreographing represents unity of the Namibian nation.

“This is a way to celebrate the success and sacrifices which heroes and heroines have done,” Sam said. “We are doing it by expressing ourselves through this dance and songs as it is the culture of our nation.”

Cultural groups from Omusati, Kunene, Erongo, Zambezi, Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Hardap, Kavango, Omaheke and Oshikoto region have been preparing for a combined performance.

Ndilimani Cultural Troupe and legendary Ras Sheehama formed part of the rehearsals of this performance.

Meanwhile, local vendors couldn’t contain their excitement since this will be an opportunity for them to display their goods and services, and help them reap good profits during the heroes day celebration.

“Since many people are coming to our town there has been a commendable improvement in our business and we are already receiving more customers than before,” said Hilya Amagulu, a vendor at Omuthiya open market.

“It is a great opportunity for us to showcase our products to the visitors, it feels good to see people at my food stall.”

The much anticipated Heroes day is set to be commemorated at the heart of Omuthiya town under the theme “Honouring our Martyrs (Heroes and Heroines)”.

https://omutumwa.com/2024/08/omuthiya-gears-up-for-heroes-day-celebrations/

Water crisis in Omuthiya informal settlement

Residents of Kaniita, an informal settlement located on the outskirts of Omuthiya town, feel neglected by the Omuthiya Town Council as their public taps are running dry after the flow of water was stopped by the municipality.

Despite their efforts to ensure that they have access to clean water and proper sanitation the taps remain dry for a long time. As a result most residents are forced to buy water on a daily basis from those few residents who own a tap, or they walk to town to buy water.

“I have been staying in this location for over 15 years now, at first the taps which were installed by the town council were operational,” said Mrs Aina Joseph. “But since the time of Covid-19 preventive measures were relaxed the water crisis arouse.

“Being an unemployed elder of my house I have to do odd jobs here and there, at times selling kapana, in the hope of getting funds to be able to buy water which costs about N$3 per 20 little container, which is costly in my case.”

Mrs Joseph added that she has high expectations from the municipality officials to resolve this matter before things get out of hand.

Mr Moses Angula feels that the officials need to set up a meeting with community members or urgently communicate plans for resolution of this water crisis situation with water committee representatives in their respective locations.

Angula is a sole breadwinner who does auto mechanical services at the town to make ends meet. He expressed disappointment in the town council, adding that he always travels several kilometres to town to fetch water everyday which costs him an arm and a leg.

Mr Peter Ngede, a 56 year old self-employed welder who hailed from Ohangwena Region, is one of the senior residents of this location. He stated that there are no proper toilets at their settlement.

Although the council had built public toilets, this effort proved futile as most of the toilets are now closed to the public due to lack of proper maintenance.

“Currently there are five portable toilets installed but only three are working. It is hard for us to use these few toilets and some people relieve themselves behind bushes and shrubs when nature calls,” Ngede lamented.

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https://omutumwa.com/2024/08/water-crisis-hits-omuthiyas-kaniita-informal-settlement/

Debut Namibian author launches her book

 In an effort to boost the reading culture of the Namibian youth, newly published author, Josefina Gabriel, launched her first book, titled “Listen to your heart”.

The book, which was published in October last year, was launched on 21 January 2023 at a public gathering in Oshana Region where Okatana Constituency Councillor Mr Edmund Ishuwa was the keynote speaker. ‘Listen to your Heart’ is a compilation based on the author’s regular contributions in the digital publication, Omutumwa.com under the banner ‘Ndeshi on Friday.’

According to Gabriel the book is meant to inspire and motivate readers of all age groups as it contains various topics on life lessons and how to navigate a world that “keeps spinning around like a whirlwind”.

“I have been having desires to teach or motivate people every time with my kind heart even though my background was not an easy one. I have seen many young people giving up easily in life,” Josefina says.

“That is why I believe someone out there can get help through some words and points out of ‘Listen to your heart’ book.”

Although it took her time to finalise her book, which contains 100 topics/articles, as a passionate writer Gabriel is grateful that her book will serve as a useful tool for those who are confused by life situations or lacking in self-confidence.

“It may not be possible for everyone to live a wonderful life on this earth but it is possible to live a life without regrets,” she adds. “And that, in short, is the core message of ‘Listen to your heart’. By listening to your heart you can hear the voice of God speaking to you.”

The Rundu-based author urges youngsters and elders alike to develop a reading habit and local writers to put more effort in writing to make people understand life and the purpose of human existence through the art of writing.

As a newly published author the 33-year-old is confident that people will have a keen interest in reading local books and also support local creatives.

“To my Namibian youths out there please find yourself books especially the local books and read, read anything. And if you happen to buy ‘Listen to your heart’ book, this book has not just come in your life for vain but to change your situation through reading,” she concludes.

The 210-page book is available in Kavango Bookshop in Rundu, at Rundu Engen Filling Station, and also as an ebook on Amazon.com (https:www.amazon.com.au/Listen-your-heart-Josefina-Gabriel or from the author herself at 0812580826, or from her sales agents in other towns.

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Namibian entrepreneurs making wave in the marketplace

The unemployment rate in Namibia is increasing by leaps and bounds day by day.   Despite many challenges dedicated  entrepreneurs always work tirelessly to make an end meet. 

In an effort to sustain his business, Omuthiya based entrepreneur Hellen Amutenya is willing to make his hands dirty to provide for his family.

Amutenya who is a full-time teacher at one of the local school in Omuthiya believe that being a side hustler enable him to earn extra income to run his business and house affairs. 

Jack of all trades: Hellen Amutenya pictured at his business 

He stated that his monthly salary was not enough to cater for all his needs thus he opened his Oshitenda Tyre business in 2006 which offer services like tyre fixing and fitting, buying and selling new and second-hand tyres just to mention a few . 

"I had a friend back then, he used to  work at Tren Tyres in Windhoek when visiting his  workplace i observed how it is done until i catch up. That's then i decided to open my own tyre shop. ", said the self-taught tyre fitter.  

Amutenya  further added that he give  on-job training to his four employees. His main aim is to combat the increase number of crime due to youth  unemployment.

He urged upcoming entrepreneurs to invest into their business  ideas then the government can reach them halfway.    

"People don't have to always rely on the government for everything. I do offer job to everyone regardless of their social or educational background.  I want to extend my business  to be a one stop  tyre shop that   operate for 24 hours in the near future. ", says Amutenya.  

Sakeus Nakanyala,32, was only in Grade 11 when his father gifted him with a hair clipper . After completing grade 12 in 2009, Nakanyala decided to start his  barbershop which is located at the heart of Omuthiya town. 

Speaking about the challenges  encountered, he stated that he suffered a big loss since Covid-19 outbreak.  

"When i started there was no sufficient equipment for my business, with the little money i earned, i managed to buy a portion of land were i set up my barbershop. During the lockdown, all non-essential businesses were shut down including the barbershop. After reopening I have been running losses, there is no customers at all. In order to secure funds for my business, I usually approach people and introduce them to my business then negotiate on the price", says Nakanyala.  

Moreover, Mirjam Mathias is proud to have opened  her Tuyeni Tailoring business . She make a living by making and selling school uniforms and  African dresses. After completing a tailoring course in 2014, she managed to secure funding to start my own business on the previous year. 

She echoed the same sentiment that the Coronavirus have ripe  off their income and she is finding it difficult to get customers.  

"Whenever i face any financial difficulties, my sister come to my rescue.  I really want to get a grant to take my business forward", she concludes.