Okapuka Tannery secures international ESG validation from Sustainable Leather Foundation  Namibia Economist

Road safety requires coordinated and collective efforts from all stakeholders. Only through collective responsibility, cooperation and commitment can traffic crashes be reduced and create safer roads for all. The Acting Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, made the remarks during the launch of the Integrated Road Safety Operation. The campaign launched at the Okapuka Road Traffic Checkpoint is aimed at the Second Trimester School Holiday and Heroes Day Commemoration. During this period, a significant increase in traffic volumes is anticipated on national roads across the country, particularly along the B1 and B2 national road corridors. The aim is to enhance road safety, strengthen traffic law enforcement and promote responsible road-user behaviour, with the objective of reducing road traffic crashes. "Road safety is not the responsibility of one institution or sector alone. It requires a coordinated and collective effort from the government, from law enforcement agencies, from road safety stakeholders and from the private sector. Community leaders and, most importantly, every individual producer – only through such collective responsibility, cooperation and commitment can we reduce road traffic crashes and create safer roads for all," stressed Nainda. The Acting Inspector-General further raised a concern on the high number of road traffic crashes which resulted in 2,996 injuries and 279 fatalities since January 2026. "For the past three weeks we had seven accidents that include head-on collisions and so forth where tracks were involved. Head-on collisions of two tracks – I am failing to grasp how we are driving, what type of speed we are driving, and the indications are that in these seven accidents that I am referring to, dangerous overtaking was part of the factors." The operation held under the theme "Engage, Educate and Enforce" will commence on 12 August and run until 10 September 2026.

Fifteen minutes north of Windhoek’s city limit, the beat of urban life softens into savanna. Kalahari thorn trees punctuate golden grass, kudus watch from the treeline, and the sky pulls its favourite Namibian trick—an endless, impossible blue. This is Gondwana’s Okapuka Lodge: a safari lodge that sits close enough for a spontaneous day trip, yet […]

Namib/Uib Fishing funds a kindergarten to boost early childhood education Placido Hilukilwa THE Okapuka village in the Oshikunde Constituency of the Ohangwena Region has a new kindergarten, thanks to a generous donation from Namib/Uib Fishing. For  instagram.com

Placido Hilukilwa THE Okapuka village in the Oshikunde Constituency of the Ohangwena Region has a new kindergarten, thanks to a generous donation from Namib/Uib Fishing. Former Namibian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Major-General (Rtd) Vilho Nghifindaka, is the brain behind the project. The school is named after his late father, Johannes Kaukuwa Nghifindaka. It supports early childhood education and contributes to the social development of children in Okapuka village and surrounding communities. --- --- PICTURED: Ambassador Vilho Nghifindaka, Namib/Uib Fishing Chairperson Bollen Sankwasa and Okapuka Village Headman Moses Hedimbi during the handing over of the kindergarten. Photo: Contributed. --- Oshikunde Constituency Councillor Willem Shatimwene officiated at the opening ceremony, where retired Police Commissioner Bollen Sankwasa, chairperson of the Namib/Uib Fishing Board of Directors, handed the kindergarten over to the community. “It is our sincere hope that this facility will be carefully maintained and utilised as a centre of learning, growth and opportunity for children, and that it will serve as a lasting symbol of community development and educational empowerment,” said Sankwasa. The company provided N$500,000 for the construction of a classroom, a kitchen and ablution facilities. Okapuka Village Headman Moses Hedimbi accepted the donation on behalf of the community. The post Namib/Uib Fishing funds a kindergarten to boost early childhood education appeared first on Informanté.

The 10 Miss Namibia finalists visited the MeatCo Okapuka Feedlot as part of an educational tour hosted by pageant sponsor MeatCo. Situated about 30 kilometres along the road between Windhoek and Okahandja, the MeatCo Okapuka Feedlot is an intensive animal production system that prepares cattle to meet Meatco's quality and market standards. During the visit, MeatCo Tannery Manager Estie Kwenani explained the leather production process, demonstrating how hides are transformed into semi-finished leather products. "And this is a tannery where we do semi-finished products up to weight blue. The history of the plant started in the early, early 90s. And it was a finished plant for leather, which we exported for BMW finished car seats to Munich. That operation has stopped. And now we are only doing the semi-finished part." Hallie Investment Leasing Meatco Feedlot Manager JP Snyman also briefed the finalists on Meatco's core business, explaining that cattle producers are at the heart of the company. He said Meatco acts as a value-adding and marketing operation on behalf of producers and returns value generated from various markets through the producer price paid for cattle. "Yeah, so basically what we do is also when they reach a certain weight, meatCo takes them to the abattoir; they slaughter them, then they use the meat for exports for local shops and stuff. But the thing is, meatCo likes the meat at a certain grade. So it's our job here at the feedlot to make sure they get the correct nutrition in, the correct food in, the correct weights in. And like I said, we don't do any steroids, any additives, anything, growth hormones, nothing like that because meatCo focuses on the natural side of the meat." The tour formed part of efforts to expose the finalists to key sectors contributing to Namibia's agricultural value chain.

MISS NAMIBIA FINALISTS TOUR MEATCO OKAPUKA FEEDLOT NBC Online Thu, 06/25/2026 - 15:22

Traffic flow at the Okapuka Roadblock, north of Windhoek, is heavy as motorists return from various destinations after the recently concluded Easter long weekend. A visible police presence has been deployed to monitor traffic flow and ensure compliance with road safety regulations. Traffic was described as slow during the early morning hours, but began picking up around 11:00 a.m. Police officers on the ground are ensuring that motorists adhere to road rules, including wearing seatbelts, switching on headlights, carrying valid driver’s licences, and ensuring vehicles are roadworthy with valid licence discs. Some motorists described the road as smooth; however, they urged other road users to continue adhering to traffic rules. -

HEAVY TRAFFIC REPORTED AT OKAPUKA ROADBLOCK NBC Online Mon, 04/06/2026 - 18:50

The Okapuka Roadblock experienced heavy traffic flow as people travelled to various destinations for the Easter weekend. A visible police presence has been deployed to monitor traffic flow and ensure compliance with road safety regulations. Traffic was described as slow to mild during the early morning hours but began picking up around 10:00 am. Police officers on the ground are ensuring that motorists adhere to road rules. These include the wearing of seatbelts, switching on headlights, carrying valid driver's licences, and ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy with valid licence discs. Officials are also cautioning motorists against speeding, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol. They say that Easter weekend is one of the busiest travel periods, often associated with an increase in road accidents and fatalities. The Police Head of Operations, Traffic Directorate, Rozario Coetzee, described the traffic situation at Okapuka Roadblock and explained the current operations on the ground. "What we have observed from our challenge from 11 is that there is a total of 680 vehicles per hour that are travelling northbound. So we don't know where their final destinations will be or are, and so most of them are proceeding north as we are standing in the northbound lane. So it's 600, and the latest is 275 per hour. So that means there are a lot of people that are going to their destination. Some of them are going north, and some of them are going to the coast." He also urged motorists to exercise patience and comply with traffic regulations. "We are pleading with motorists, especially now that everybody is driving to the coast, most of them, to adhere to the rules of the road and keep the correct following distance. Let us not be impatient." Police have further reminded the public to remain vigilant and cautious, as criminal activities tend to increase during this period.

HEAVY EASTER TRAFFIC AT OKAPUKA ROADBLOCK NBC Online Thu, 04/02/2026 - 20:14

NBC's Kaisames FM has consistently run campaigns to raise awareness about road safety. Through this initiative, motorists have become more informed about safe driving practices, such as adhering to speed limits, wearing seatbelts, and not drinking and driving. The initiative has created a platform for feedback, allowing motorists and pedestrians to reach out to the radio station through messages and calls to report their observations on the roads. The radio station was once again at the Okapuka Roadblock, where traffic flow was heavy as travellers returned from holidays or headed back to different destinations. Media planner for Kaisames FM, Jackey !Gaoseb explained, “At Kaisames FM, we normally have our live broadcasts on road safety. We usually do Drive Time in the studio, but we take it outside to raise road safety awareness. That's the main aim while we are here at the Okapuka Roadblock. This is our first broadcast of the new year, 2026, and we are excited to continue with our broadcasts that we are planning.” City Police Constable Theo Tiboth urged motorists to adhere to road safety measures. “So far, they are adhering to the traffic rules. At this point in time, I cannot go into detail about the statistics, but those will be given and published in due time.” Motorists described their journey as smooth but busy, with no major disruptions reported. #NBCNews #nbcdigitalnews #nbcDSTV282 #nbcGOtv20 #nbcplusapp

Kaisames FM takes road safety campaign to Okapuka roadblock NBC Online Sat, 01/10/2026 - 17:52

The Okapuka Roadblock between Windhoek and Okahandja has been quiet, as most holidaymakers are yet to make their way back from their destinations. Few cars arrived from holiday destinations, but mostly those traveling between Windhoek and Okahandja. The Police inspected vehicles with overloading as one of the main offenses. “Even when you are moving around, make sure you do not exceed. I will talk to the driver as well, but this number is way above. It is 21, and 21 lives,” Police Head of Media Relations Sub-Division, Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, explained. He emphasised that when it comes to overloading, they do not only refer to adults but also the youngest passengers. Officials from Customs and Excise were also at the roadblock. One of the officers, Helena Kalompo, explained that NamRa is verifying seal numbers on trucks carrying goods as well as inspecting them for illicit items. “We confirm to ensure that everything is in order. They did not tamper with anything, and they didn't take anything out of the truck.” Some drivers expressed joy because they returned from holiday with their families safely. “This journey has been safe. We appreciate our country for the development of the roads, especially in the Khomas region. So far, I also want them to develop the road in Usakos and Swakopmund because of the trucks.” “The journey was good, and there were no problems. There are a lot of people in the north at the Okahao and Okatana service stations, and people sleep there at the service station.” #NBCNews #nbcdigitalnews #nbcDSTV282 #nbcGOtv20 #nbcPlusApp

Okapuka roadblock remains quiet NBC Online Fri, 01/09/2026 - 19:27

Holidaymakers are leaving the city to reach their destinations in time for Christmas Eve celebrations with family and loved ones. The Okapuka roadblock has seen heavy traffic, keeping law enforcement officials on high alert. NBC reporter NH !Noabeb visited the roadblock to provide an update. #NBCNews #nbcdigitalnews #nbcDSTV282 #nbcGOtv20 #nbcPlusApp

Heavy traffic at Okapuka roadblock ahead of Christmas Eve NBC Online Wed, 12/24/2025 - 20:06

Staff Reporter THE Okapuka Road Traffic Checkpoint between Okahandja and Windhoek has been officially inaugurated. Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, described the upgraded checkpoint as a vital addition to national efforts to curb cross-border and domestic crime, including road traffic violations and the transportation of contraband. “This checkpoint serves as a strategic gateway into our capital city, and its optimisation is essential for combating the movement of contraband, stolen vehicles, overloading and unroadworthy vehicles, as well as all other forms of cross-border and domestic crime,” Iipumbu said. --- OPEN: Scenes from the inauguration of the Okapuka Road Traffic Checkpoint. Photos: MVA Fund Namibia. --- She added that the checkpoint will act as a dedicated inspection point on the busy route between Okahandja and Windhoek, making it an important frontline tool for national security, public safety and crime prevention. “Therefore, this upgraded facility will enhance our ability to detect and deter criminal activities. It will also assist us in enforcing road traffic laws,” she said. The inauguration also marked the launch of the 2025/2026 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign, which runs until 16 January 2026. The nationwide campaign focuses on reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities through targeted measures addressing common road offences. The minister revealed that the Namibian Police will intensify operations at various road checkpoints across the country, although specific details on timing and locations will not be disclosed to ensure that motorists remain responsible at all times, not only when expecting heightened patrols. Iipumbu urged all road users to exercise caution, especially as traffic volumes increase during the festive season. “Road safety is a shared responsibility. Every road user – the drivers, the passengers, the pedestrians, all of us – has a role to play. Let us all commit to making responsible decisions that preserve and save our precious Namibian lives and those of our visitors,” the minister added. The post Upgraded Okapuka Road Traffic Checkpoint officially opens appeared first on Informanté.