🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Police pilot Florentina Dumbu evacuates 68 hikers from flooded Fish River Canyon
via The Namibian3 min read
Police pilot Florentina Dumbu, 37, evacuated 68 hikers from the flooded Fish River Canyon in the ||Kharas region on Monday. The rescue operation, which took six hours, followed heavy rains that led NamWater to release water from the Naute Dam, causing the canyon to flood. Dolf de Wet, co-owner of White House guest farm, praised Dumbu, stating, “There was a woman pilot, she was a machine flying people out before the main flood came.” Dumbu, accompanied by airborne law enforcement officers Elvis Nzwala and Gustav Isaaks, received the call for assistance on Sunday before 16:00. The helicopter departed Windhoek on Monday morning, arriving at Hobas at 09:30 and completing the rescue by 16:00. Despite low clouds, the team searched for hikers, relying on information from rangers and flying low and slow. Dumbu, who has conducted rescue operations since 2011, expressed joy that lives were saved and hikers returned home unharmed. Hiker Eric McLaren, who was in the canyon for the 34th time, recalled the water rising quickly and the dam water engulfing the riverbed on Monday. He remembered Dumbu from a 2022 rescue and described her as cool-headed and professional. Eamónn Scholtz, another hiker, was in awe of her professionalism. Sarah-Lee de Greeff mentioned a hiker being swept 500m in the water. ||Kharas regional police commissioner Marius Katamila confirmed 68 of 96 hikers were flown out, with others reaching exit points, expressing gratitude for the timely evacuation.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has urged the public to report any higher education institutions operating without proper registration or accreditation. Erastus Haitengela, the education executive director, stated that the ministry is collaborating with national regulatory and quality assurance bodies to identify such institutions in Namibia. He emphasized that institutions offering higher education programs must be registered with the National Council for Higher Education NCHE or the Namibia Training Authority NTA for technical and vocational education and training, and accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority NQA. Haitengela warned that unregistered and unaccredited institutions can leave students with qualifications that may not be recognized by employers or other educational bodies. He advised prospective students to verify a college or university's registration with the NCHE or NTA and ensure their course is accredited by the NQA before making any payments.
Namibia is enhancing its collaboration with The Netherlands in agriculture, water management, and investment to further its development agenda. This initiative was highlighted by Namibia’s ambassador to Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the European Union, Alfredo Hengari, after presenting his credentials to King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands. Hengari noted that Namibia aims to leverage Dutch expertise in precision farming, greenhouse production, agroforestry, sustainable water management, and agricultural digitalization, given The Netherlands' status as the world's second-largest agricultural exporter. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasized agriculture's role in food security and economic transformation. The embassy plans to forge partnerships with Dutch businesses, universities, and research institutions to attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, and offer training. Water cooperation is also a priority due to Namibia's water challenges and The Netherlands' global reputation in water management. Bilateral trade between the two countries has significantly increased, rising from N$2.34 billion in 2020 to N$8.8 billion in 2022. Beyond these areas, Namibia is also pursuing stronger collaboration with The Netherlands in sport, scientific research, and cultural exchanges.
The Women's Leadership Centre WLC has initiated the San Children Embrace Education Project in Windhoek to enhance educational opportunities and support for San children. This project aims to address challenges such as poverty, hunger, teenage pregnancy, and discrimination that San youth encounter. WLC director Liz Frank stated the project's goal is to keep children in school, provide support during difficulties, and collaborate with teachers. Established in 2017, the WLC focuses on protecting young San girls and empowering them to stay in school. The project has also been active in the Omaheke, Oshikoto, and Kavango East regions this year. Participants from various communities, including Omega 1, Mu'ciku, Likwaterera, Ndama, Tsintsabis, Farm Six, Drimiopsis, and Chaka, shared experiences of discrimination. Maria Garises, WLC coordinator for the Omaheke region, expressed hope that the project would empower children to overcome shyness. Gottlieb Shikongo, deputy director for quality assurance in the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, highlighted that San children are the most marginalized group in the country, having faced generational traumas like displacement, genocide, and forced labor, which have led to feelings of shame regarding their identity and language.