Namibia Embassy Berlin -
Nov 26, 2015, German Information Centre Africa (GIC)
The City of Windhoek (CoW) in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport, and German development organisation GIZ, embarked on the development of the Sustainable Urban Transport Master Plan (SUTMP) for Namibia in 2012. The aim of this project is to reduce poverty, improve gender equality, and allow access of all inhabitants to affordable and reliable public transport.In this regard, the "MoveWindhoek" project was launched through the SUTMP on November 18, 2015, an initiative which will enable Namibians to make their transport system fit for a modern city. City of Windhoek Mayor, Councillor Muesee Kazapua, commended the German government for making funds and expertise available to assist with the implementation of the SUTMP.
Launch of "MoveWindhoek", (© GIC Africa)
Read more...30th June 2015 - Change of Command of the Bundeswehr Technical Advisory Group
f. l.t.r. Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Moeller, Ambassador Onno Hückmann (German Embassy), Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch. (© German Embassy Windhoek)
On the 25 June 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch took over the command of the Technical Advisory Group of the German Armed Forces in Namibia (GAFTAG) from his predecessor Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Moeller. Ambassador Onno Hückmann honoured the achievements of Lieutenant Colonel Moeller und emphasized successful projects such as the" Mobile Field Hospital UN Level II" and the Motor Vehicle Training Workshop, Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA) – Level. He also praised the efficient co-operation with the Namibian Defence Force, who also contribute financially to all the projects.
Ambassador Hückmann said that the Namibian Defense Force has performed impeccably whenever it participated in regional peacekeeping and stabilisation operations. The mission of GAFTAG is to enhance Namibia's capacity to contribute to peace and stability in Africa even better. He encouraged the Namibian partners to make good use of these capabilities and to become an example of regional responsibility.
The decisions of the latest AU Summit bode well for the future of the African Standby Force. Namibia could play a leading role in the buildup of the Rapid Deployable Capabilities foreseen in the framework of the African Standby Force. GAFTAG and the German Government remain committed to accompany Namibia on this path.
The Deputy Military Attachée from Pretoria, Lieutenant Colonel Hopper, (in the general staff service) read out greetings and words of thanks from Colonel Selbert, Deputy Commander of the German Army School for Technical Land Systems and Head of the German Advisory Group Namibia.
After almost seven years in Namibia, Lieutenant Colonel Moeller is now following a posting to NATO in Turkey. His successor, Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch, received best wishes for his new command and for the implementation of present projects.
Ngavirue appointed as special envoy on genocide
November 5th, 2015 | by New Era Staff Reporter
Government has appointed long-serving Ambassador Dr Zed Ngavirue as the special envoy to lead deliberations with the German Government on the 1904-1908 genocide.
At a media briefing yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, announced that Ngavirue who was appointed by President Hage Geingob will engage with his German counterpart on the evils committed mainly against the Ovaherero and Namas.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said that over the last three years, a number of high-level visits and discussions on the way forward took place. Recently, Nandi-Ndaitwah had a meeting with her German counterpart, Frank Walter Steinmeier, in New York.
"All these interactions have brought us to a point where we are now able to formalize and further intensify the 
dialogue. To this end, the two governments have agreed to appoint special envoys to spearhead this process," stated Nandi-Ndaitwah.
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click on Read More to continue reading the New Era article and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press release on the appointment of Mr Ruprecht Polenz, former member of parliament of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and chairperson of the standing committee on foreign affairs until 2013, as the German special envoy on genocide.
ckick here to read the 04th of November 2015 Deutsche Welle interview with Mr Polenz on his appointment: Polenz: 'Germany and Namibia need a common understanding of the past' und in Deutsch: Polenz: "Ich habe Erfahrung mit heikler Außenpolitik"
click on the photo to enlarge the picture, and click here to view more photos of the press conference on the facebook-site of the Ministry of Interantional Relations and Cooperation (MIRC)
photo: left, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Ambassador Dr Zed Ngavirue
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Read more...October 7th, 2015 | by New Era
"For too long our German friends have avoided dealing with the issue of genocide in Namibia," National Assembly Speaker Professor Peter Katjavivi told his counterpart from the German Bundestag yesterday, as calls for a solution to the issue continue to intensify.
The President (Speaker) of the German Bundestag, Professor Norbert Lammert, accompanied by the German Ambassador to Namibia, Christian Schlaga, met with Katjavivi yesterday morning at parliament. Lammert is in the country on a private visit.
Matters of mutual interest – particularly the unresolved genocide issue – were discussed. The Speakers also compared and exchanged notes with regard to presiding over parliamentary proceedings.
German colonialists in then German South West Africa launched a campaign of extermination and collective punishment against the indigenous Herero and Nama between 1904 and 1908, following the infamous extermination order issued by General Lothar von Trotha.
A large number of OvaHerero and Nama died from starvation and thirst in the desert, while many others were hung, shot and died in concentration camps.
Katjavivi said the two countries have entered a new period, which requires a re-appraisal of the past. "This new rethinking calls for a collective resolve to move the dialogue forward on the basis of finding a lasting solution to the painful past in our common history," he said. Read more...
15th July 2015 - Laying down of wreaths by Markus Meckel
While visiting Namibia from 15 July - 19 July 2015 in order to hold public lectures at UNAM and DHPS, Mr Markus Meckel in his capacity as President of the German War Graves Commission, lay wreaths at the Swakopmund Memorial Park Cemetery and at the grave of the Herero Chief Samuel Maharero in Okahandja.
In addition, Mr Meckel attended the unveiling of a plaque at the "All Believers House of Prayers" in Ombujomumbonde. This project was financially supported through the micro-project fund of the German Embassy. The "All Believers House of Prayers" brings together people from different denominations and offers the local communities a place to pray together as well as a venue to organise community events.
Dates and Venues:
17 July 2015: 10:00 Swakopmund Memorial Park Cemetery, Kramersdorf, laying down of wreath
18 July 2015: approx. 9:00 Okahandja, grave of the Herero Chief Samuel Maharero, laying down of wreath
19 July 2015: 10:00-13:00 Unveiling of the plaque and inauguration of the "All Believers House of Prayers" in Ombujomumbonde