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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6913 FRIDAY 14 MAY 2021 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
“If tourism recovers many other sectors will follow automatically” Namibians must now do more than ever before to ensure Covid-19 pandemic does not regain momentum
Runaway truck causes havoc in Usakos.....again
Namibia has seen a noticeable increase in visitor numbers in recent weeks, both overseas visitors as well as South Africans. The coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund is no exception, and a spirit of cautious optimism reins for the tourism and hospitality industry to recover from the economic slump brought about by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
A truck slammed into stationary railway coaches at the Usakos railway station on Wednesday afternoon, following a brake failure as it approached the town from the direction of Swakopmund.
Several reports were received by Namib Times this week of visitor numbers visibly on the increase. Places like Solitaire which were rendered a ghost town as tourism disappeared since the first two Covid-19 cases are picking up. Earlier this week a Walvis Bay resident that travelled between Rosh Pinah and Walvis Bay on the C14 road counted fourteen tourist vehicles refuelling at Solitaire at once, and the restaurant/shop was also buzzing with activities. Both in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund many tourist vehicles are spotted and in restaurants and shops tourists are seen. “This is a matter of cautious optimism. Namibians more than ever now should Namibians redouble their commitment to stick to Covid-19 measures like social
distancing, wearing a mask, testing and isolating should they experience symptoms and most importantly to go and get vaccinated”, said a local tourism operator. “If your country's tourism sector is healthy then many other sectors of the economy are healthy. Tourists bring their money from overseas and spend it locally. That means bringing more money into circulation in the country than existing money in the country Namibians circulate among one another. It is almost like a foreign investment with rapid returns”, he added. He used these remarks to encourage Namibians on the broad spectrum to do more than ever before to keep up the momentum and gains the country had so far achieved against the Covid-19 pandemic”. “My message is general and should actually
be the message of every Namibian by now so it is not necessary that my name have to be connected to the statement”, he further said. Namibia now ranks 106 out of 222 countries globally when it comes to Covid-19 infections.
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The road makes a steep downhill on the last five kilometres stretch towards the town’s western entrance. In the event of a brake failure, and missing the arresting pit that was constructed to stop runaway trucks, it is a matter of such heavy vehicle entering the town at break neck speed, down the main road over one intersection and then straight over the T-junction at the end of the main stream. The T-junction is right in front of the station, causing runaway heavy vehicles to collide with any object in its way. A vintage steam locomotive was the usual victim before it was moved. On Wednesday it was railway coaches.
inside
Trails and tribulations of the residents of Welwitschia Old Age Home
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President Geingob congratulates Dr Nujoma on his 92nd birthday
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Mayor Forbes meets Amupanda
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“Sardine run” at Vierkantklip Members of the public flocked to Vierkantklip near Swakopmund on Wednesday to collect thousands of pilchards that were swimming inthe shallow water. Oxygen shortages deeper in the ocean usually result in oxygen-starved fish and other marine creatures to look up the shallow water.
Sports News Page 16