Tag: Namibia

Toxic porridge kills 13-member family in Namibia

WINDHOEK, Namibia — Thirteen members of the same family have died in Namibia after eating porridge that authorities believe became toxic when it was mixed with a fermented substance left over from a homemade alcoholic beverage, the state broadcaster reported. The incident occurred in the Kavango East region in the far northeast part of the country.

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation said another four people are in critical condition in the hospital. NBC, quoting the Namibian health ministry, said at least 20 people consumed the “poisonous or toxic” porridge after it was mixed with sediment from a homemade beer.

The victims ranged in age from 2 to 33.

Namibia tribal chiefs accept German compensation for 1904 genocide (Video)

WINDHOEK, Namibia — A group of traditional chiefs in Namibia have accepted an offer of compensation by Germany and a recognition that the colonial-era massacre of tens of thousands of their people in the early 20th century was genocide.

Germany pledged last week to give $1.3 billion over a 30-year period for projects to help communities of people descended from those killed between 1904 and 1908, when Germany ruled the southern African country. Germany asked the victims for forgiveness, in a statement by the foreign minister.

The chiefs accepted the offer but said it could still be improved through further negotiations.

Other traditional chiefs have rejected the offer, and say they want around $590 billion paid over 40 years, and pension funds for affected communities.

They say that about 65,000 of the Herero were killed, as were at least 10,000 Nama people.