Ombaye Fishing boosts Dare to Care Fund

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Ombaye Fishing boosts Dare to Care Fund The Dare to Care drought fund for fodder subsidies has been given a N$100 000 boost thanks to a fishing company with an open heart.

Dr Ndahafa Nghifindaka, president of the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU), thanked Ombaye Fishing for its contribution and expressed the hope that even more companies would follow suit to assist the country's drought-stricken farmers.

During a handover ceremony in Windhoek last week Nghifindaka and Danie van Vuuren of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) pointed out that the subsidies of N$50 per bag are available to commercial as well as communal farmers at livestock and game feed suppliers such as Agra and KaapAgri Namibia.

Ombaye Fishing has a track record for generosity towards good causes. Its executive chairman, Libolly Haufiku, said they were happy to help, calling agriculture the backbone of the country. Managing director of the company, Lukas Uutoni added: “It's our country and together we have to fix it ourselves.”

Ombaye is an indigenous name for the port town of Walvis Bay from where the company operates.

A significant shortfall still exists to reach the Dare to Care target of N$10 million.

The two farmers unions' jointly administer the fund, which is independently audited to ensure transparency.

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Meatco Foundation inspects projects

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Meatco Foundation inspects projectsFocus lies firmly on communal sector Meatco's community projects have done very well and have eased the burden for several farming communities. The Meatco Foundation, Meatco's corporate social investment wing, has been supporting individuals and farmers' organisations to improve farming practices, especially in communal areas, focusing on the livestock sector.

The foundation undertook an inspection and assessment visit to the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions this month to see the impact of Meatco-initiated projects on the communities as well as identify other areas of need.

The first project the foundation visited was a borehole project in the Peke-Peke area near Gam in the Otjozondjupa Region.

According to Meatco, hundreds of cattle now have a water point that also benefits well over 75 households.

“Prior to this, farmers would often travel long and arduous distances to reach a water point,” says the company.

The farmers in the area, most of who produce for Meatco, share boreholes. The borehole is linked to a trough providing water for cattle and a separate tap for domestic use. The beneficiaries have formed water point communities to take responsibility for the management and maintenance of the water points.

According to Meatco the tanks and borehole are still in good condition, which is a good sign in terms of the sustainability of the borehole by community members.

Meatco Foundation's project manager, Kuniberth Shamathe says that water is essential for life and therefore humans have always settled close to water sources.

“Unfortunately, in many communities water is scarce or contaminated. Providing a better water supply significantly improves the quality of life and is a source of socio-economic development.”

The second project the foundation visited during the trip was the Helena crush pen in the Omaheke Region. The crush pen is a result of a collaboration between the Meatco Foundation and Norwegian-based organisation, Unil.

The multi-purpose pen allows the community of Helena and surrounding areas not only to market their animals, but also to use it for other purposes like vaccinations. The community sees this development as a step in the right direction in terms of alleviating some of the problems farmers in the area experienced.

In Gam area, there are on-going discussions with the respective farmers associations and community members to establish a formal crush pen similar to the one at Helena. Such a crush pen would be a long-term investment in the rural community and would contribute to sustainable throughput for the Meatco abattoir.

On the day of the visit, the team found a permit day in progress, and Meatco purchased a good number of animals.

The Meatco Foundation will continue to support other cooperatives and farmers' associations in a bid to improve capacity and service delivery to Namibian farmers.



STAFF REPORTER

New City restrictions kick in

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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New City restrictions kick inNew targets, more savings Windhoek residents will have to save 15% as from next week in a bid to keep the taps running. With severe water scarcity category D restrictions coming into effect next week, the City of Windhoek is urging residents to achieve the 15% water saving target, so it can keep the capital's taps open.

Over the past three weeks, the weekly water watch issued by the municipality shows residents are inching closer to achieving the target, which is set at 465 000 cubic metres per week.

This week overconsumption was recorded at 2%, with actual consumption totalling 474 503.25 cubic metres.

For the week ending 17 June, residents consumed 3% more than the allowable weekly target of 465 000 cubic metres - a total of 480 547.84 cubic metres.

For the week ending 3 June, residents were close to achieving the target, over-consuming by 1%.

However, for the week ending 10 June, 5% more water was used than allowed, and for the week ending 27 May, a 10% over-consumption was recorded, with a total of 497 332.69 cubic metres consumed by residents that week.

This week's edition of the Windhoek Express warned that as a result of not adhering to the weekly targeted savings, the date for dams supplying Windhoek to run dry advanced with between two and three weeks. This was because residents have failed to adhere to water savings targets throughout the year.

City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya this week underlined that “the water severe scarcity is real and every drop of water should count”.



Adhere

As of 1 July, when the category D restrictions are implemented, a number of water consumption guidelines will come into effect.

These will apply to watering and irrigation practices, car washing, the use of water features and commercial and industrial water usage.

Furthermore, a new drought tariff programme is due to be implemented once it has been approved and gazetted.

In May, Namibian Sun reported that the municipality had proposed a 10% water and 5% sewer tariff hike to come into effect in July.

While it is has not yet been confirmed whether the proposed tariff hikes have been approved, the proposed block tariff framework is aimed at motivating consumers to save water in line with the targets and ensure water leaks are detected promptly. If the proposed increases are approved, households using more than 1 000 litres per day (or more than 30 000 litres monthly) will be charged N$145.70 per thousand litres consumed. The target for households is not to consume 25 000 litres per month, with a daily target of 90 litres per person per household.

The proposed tariff structure will mean that households consuming between 6 000 and 25 000 litres per month, will pay N$36.43 per 1 000 litres. Households using between 25 000 and 30 000 per month will be charged double, forking out N$72.85 per 1 000 litres of water consumed.

As of July, the City will not offer rebates for water leaks, and are thus urging residents to conduct daily or weekly water usage checks to isolate and promptly fix leaks.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Meatco aims for profitability by 2021

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Meatco aims for profitability by 2021 Meatco managed to reduce its overall losses by N$33 million during the previous financial year and plans to break even in 2019/20, before returning to profitability the following year.

The company's 2018/19 annual report, which was released at Meatco's 33rd annual general meeting (AGM) last week, shows that it decreased its overall losses from N$51 to N$18 million during the reporting period.

According to Meatco, it right-sized its workforce through organisational restructuring and block slaughtering, which resulted in a saving of N$40 million per annum on the salary account.

The company further managed to reduce administration expenses by 12% year-on-year through a wide range of cost-cutting activities, resulting in a saving of N$31 million.

The report further shows that Meatco slaughtered approximately 7 000 more cattle than was expected, which contributed to keeping the processing plant open.

“Although nearly 20 000 less cattle were slaughtered in the reporting year compared with the previous year, it is still 7 086 more than we anticipated at the beginning of the year.

“We sourced 7 390 more cattle from farmers south of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) than the previous year,” said Meatco.

The company said that given the situation of the ongoing downward trend of procuring cattle from livestock producers, it predicted that only 55 000 cattle will be slaughtered, resulting in a projected revenue of N$827 million and a net loss for the year amounting to N$185 million.

“As we projected a throughput of 55 000 slaughtered cattle at the beginning of the 2018/19 period, it was essential that throughput had to increase with at least 10 000 to between 60 000 to 70 000 cattle.”

At the end of the reporting period, Meatco slaughtered 62 086 cattle, which was 7 086 cattle more than the 55 000 projected.

Of the 62 086 cattle slaughtered, 40 366 were sourced from livestock farmers south of the VCF, which was 7 390 more than the previous year.

A total of 2 518 cattle (2017/18: 15 502) were sourced from Meatco's backwards integration sources, 19 202 cattle (2017/18: 33 506) from Meatco feedlots and 1 521 (2017/18: 896) cattle were slaughtered north of the VCF.

Furthermore, the reporting year was a particularly good for producers in terms of prices.

Overall, the average producer price increased by 9.88% from N$37.64 per kg in 2017/2018 to N$41.36 per kg.

The average producer price paid by Meatco to Namibian producers was 4.34% higher than the average South African parity price. In total, Meatco paid out N$632 million to producers in the reporting year, representing 65.22% of its total turnover.

This was 12.01% more than the previous year, when 53.21% of turnover was paid out.

Meatco board chairperson Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun said the board approved a one-year turnaround strategy in February 2018, focusing on minimising losses and increasing the sustainability of the corporation.

“The financial position of the group improved substantially - a dramatic turnaround from where we were 12 months ago. As we continue on this road to recovery, the strategy is to break even in the next financial year, and thereafter start building our reserves, going forward.”

According to her the company's five-year strategic plan for 2019/20 until 2023/24 will be executed this financial year.

“With a clear strategy and a laser focus on the needs of our stakeholders, Meatco is better equipped than ever to help our producers meet their commercial objectives.”

Meanwhile, Meatco acting CEO Jannie Breytenbach said it is common knowledge that Namibia's red meat industry is facing challenges on a number of fronts.

“Dynamics in the marketplace - on the domestic, regional and international fronts - change continuously. Issues such as value chain integration, international competitiveness, changing consumer patterns, social licence to operate and climate change, coupled with local issues such as drought, a shrinking national herd, degradation of rangelands, among others, will test Namibian livestock producers relentlessly,” he said.



ELLANIE SMIT

Job prospects bleak

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Job prospects bleak There is not an iota of doubt that young Namibians have been the most conspicuous victims of the skyrocketing unemployment rate that has befallen us. National statistics show that almost every second young person in Namibia is without a job. These statistics make for a further grim reading if you zoom in on the highly underprivileged Kavango East Region.

While delivering his annual State of the Region Address (Sora) governor Samuel Mbambo decried the high youth unemployment rate in his region, which currently stands at a disturbing 62.5%. According to Mbambo, during the period under review (2018/19), only 529 jobs were created in the region, of which 120 were permanent ones, while the rest were temporary. Mbambo added that his office is in the process of mobilising various stakeholders in the region to see how they can address the unemployment issue. The situation is not only limited to Kavango East. It is equally concerning in all other 13 regions of our country and 122 constituencies. It remains the biggest failure of those in power in the last 29 years. Unemployment has never been prioritised in this country and it is therefore unsurprising that about 350 000 people are currently desperately in search of jobs. This figure continues to rise, considering the massive job losses being experienced across industries throughout the country. The issue here is that the bane of unemployment has not been addressed to this day. There is also poor planning, coupled with the pathetic execution of many capital projects earmarked for regional development. It goes without saying that Namibia needs innovative approaches to tackle its high unemployment rate. But this must be accompanied by a serious commitment to invest in infrastructure development, in order to stimulate the economy and create much-needed jobs. It will also augur well if government can look at providing policy incentives for a medium and big companies as a motivation to produce more jobs that benefit the local economy. Unemployment is our biggest problem and should be treated as such.

'Misunderstanding' led to timber looting

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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'Misunderstanding' led to timber looting!Naruseb undertakes to improve forest resource management The forestry minister says studies will be done to ensure well-informed programmes, while claiming that a misunderstanding of laws led to protected trees being cut down and shipped overseas. Forestry ministry Alpheus !Naruseb claims there was a misunderstanding of laws that resulted in the illegal harvesting of large amounts of protected trees in the Kavango and Zambezi regions.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Nico Smit asked !Naruseb why his ministry has issued hundreds of harvesting permits without the requisite environmental clearance certificates (ECCs).

!Naruseb responded in the National Assembly that it was “not very clear” whether the harvesting licences or the ECCs come first.

He said when it was brought to the attention of the ministry that clearance certificates are required first, the issuing of harvesting licences were suspended on 26 November last year, while his ministry and the environment ministry came to an intermediate agreement to allow the continued transportation of the harvested timber to resume.





The issuing of transportation licences for the already harvested trees resumed on 8 February and were valid until 31 March.

!Naruseb said his ministry has followed advice received from stakeholders over the past months and that it will do everything in its power to improve its day-to-day operations, as well as the management and utilisation of the country's forest resources.

Asked by Smit why logging was allowed on a commercial scale, in spite warnings against the “egregious” violation, !Naruseb insisted that the harvesting was authorised in terms of the Forestry Act of 2001, after a forestry inventory was undertaken, and the overall resource assessed to determine the allowable cut.

!Naruseb said ongoing resource assessment recently started in the Zambezi Region.

“Based on the available resources we shall do all possible to carry out research studies and gather all the necessary information that will enable forestry managers to execute well-informed programmes,” !Naruseb said.

He said 250 trees for sawn timber per 2 500 hectares per year can be harvested in the north-eastern regions without causing a “serious” environmental problem.

!Naruseb acknowledged that most trees that have been commercially harvested take more than 100 years to mature.

Asked how his ministry plans to replace the trees that have been harvested, the minister said the ministry is implementing tree-planting and forest conservation programmes throughout the country.

He said it is the responsibility of the land occupiers to ensure that no further tree-harvesting takes place over a given period of time, until the young trees have grown and fully regenerated naturally.

!Naruseb said the agricultural ministry will see to it that no permit is given without verifying that there are adequate resources for harvesting.

He stressed that forest utilisation it is not always a bad thing, if done in a sustainable manner, saying many people in rural Africa depend on these resources for their survival.

Smit also wanted to know if the forestry directory should not be moved to the environment ministry.

!Naruseb responded it is President Hage Geingob's prerogative to do so.



Illegal harvesting, transportation continues

Despite lapsed deadlines, illegal harvesting and transportation have been reported to the relevant authorities, but no arrests have thus far been made.

Most recently, a truck loaded with timber (with number plate N7580UP) was spotted at the Hakahana filling service station in Otjiwarongo on 22 June. Pictures were circulated on the environment ministry's WhatsApp media group.

Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said yesterday the environmental affairs department “has not heard of the truck”.

Muyunda said it is not the department's responsibility to follow the truck.

“It is the duty of the police. The question is how did this truck pass through all the roadblocks, unless it had the necessary documentation?”



CATHERINE SASMAN

Kalahari halted… for now

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Kalahari halted… for now The Peoples Litigation Centre (PLC) is set to approach the Windhoek High Court next week if their demand that soldiers be withdrawn from Operation Kalahari Desert is not met by 1 July.

The police yesterday confirmed that while phase one of Operation Kalahari Desert ends this Sunday, operations will resume again in August with all stakeholders on board, including the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) members.

The temporary halt to the wide-scale crime-prevention operation is due to supplementary voter registration that will take place countrywide next month.

In a statement issued yesterday by the social justice litigation arm of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, PLC chairperson Mathias Haufiku said “our lawyers received a letter from the government attorney committing that soldiers, as part of this operation, will be removed from the streets this Sunday, 30 June 2019.”

Haufiku said in line with this, the PLC notified their lawyers “to place the commander-in-chief on terms that should the soldiers not be removed from the streets by Sunday, an urgent application will be launched before the High Court on 1 July”.

The police, however, confirmed that although phase one of Operation Kalahari Desert is slated to end this Sunday, it's only a temporary scale-down before the second phase begins in August.

Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun that in July the police will focus on the supplementary voter registration process, and underlined that while this does not mean crime-prevention operations will cease entirely, they won't be on the scale of Operation Kalahari Desert.

He confirmed that by August, Operation Kalahari Desert will “be in full swing again”, and include all stakeholders including soldiers.





The PLC yesterday made public a letter from the government attorney's office, dated 20 June, which was written in response to the demand by the PLC to withdraw soldiers from Operation Kalahari Desert by 21 June.

The government attorney stated this demand would not be met.

The letter states “as to your demand for the commander-in-chief to withdraw the Namibian Defence Force from the Kalahari Desert, it is our instruction that we will not heed such demand (sic).”

Nevertheless, the letter informed the PLC that the operation “in question will continue until the 30th of June 2019 as envisaged under the enabling Act”.

The government attorney letter further informed the PLC it is their “constitutional right to approach the courts where they feel aggrieved by the participation of the Namibian Defence Force in Operation Kalahari, which we reiterate that such is lawful within the Namibian Constitution”.



Tragedy

The demand to withdraw soldiers from Operation Kalahari Desert by the PLC and several other organisations and citizens, followed the fatal shooting of Zimbabwean taxi driver Talent Fambauone Black (22) on 13 May, after Black reportedly tried to evade a roadblock in Greenwell Matongo.

The soldier accused of the killing, Gerson Nakale, 38, was refused bail and remains behind bars after he was charged with murder.

Ndeitunga last week underlined that Operation Kalahari Desert “will continue countrywide, until its objectives are met” and that soldiers will remain on-board.

Ndeitunga also said after Black's shooting that “one life lost at the hands of our supposed law-enforcement is just too much” and directed all members involved in police-led operations to adhere to rules and regulations and obey the instructions of their commanders.

Ndeitunga also emphasised the successes achieved so far and noted that in March this year, when the police temporarily suspended its special crime-prevention operations, “an upward trend was recorded of 8 787 cases”.

At the resumption of Operation Hornkranz in April 2019, which was the forerunner of Operation Kalahari Desert, crime dropped by more than 8 100 cases, he said.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Geingob to powwow with Baillères

June 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Geingob to powwow with Baillères Alberto Baillères, the Mexican billionaire who intends to buy the 71 000-hectare Erindi Private Game Reserve, will pay a courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob today.

An official State House invite confirmed that the 87-year-old Baillères, who wants to buy Erindi through Rembo Ltd, will meet Geingob this morning.

It is, however, unclear how long Baillères will be in the country and what his further itinerary will entail.

Questions in this regard were sent to Emergo Communications, which is handling Baillères' public relations in Namibia, but no feedback was received at the time of going to print.

Namibian Sun reported recently that all the approvals for the Erindi sale were obtained from the relevant ministries, but the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) is yet to approve the transaction.

Baillères recently announced that a sales agreement is being finalised.

According to a previous media statement issued on behalf Baillères, he identified Erindi as a significant philanthropic investment.

He said one of the major factors that drove his decision to buy the game reserve was that Namibian law allows him to acquire 100% of the shares in the companies that currently make up Erindi.

Baillères intends to continue Erindi's activities in eco-conservation and the preservation of flora and fauna that are a unique and an essential part of African culture and heritage, including some rare and endangered species.

He also has experience in managing several wildlife protection ranches in different parts of the world.

Baillères has stressed his commitment to preserve Erindi for the benefit of future generations of Namibians and the world. The intention is to turn Erindi into a flagship private game reserve, and any future profits generated from this social enterprise will primarily be reinvested in Erindi.

President Geingob was recently quoted as saying that Erindi can legally be sold to foreigners since a waiver was granted way before last year's second national land conference.

This followed concerns being raised over the sale of the private game reserve to a foreigner.

Geingob said government, as per a land conference resolution, is still working on a law that will prohibit the sale of land to foreign nationals, but until that law is passed, the status quo remained.

He said government could be sued if it tried to stop the Erindi sale, and that it had no basis in law to win such a lawsuit.

Erindi was granted a certificate of waiver on 6 October 1999 by then lands minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, in terms of section 16 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act of 1999.

Erindi was also found to be unsuitable for resettlement purposes.

“The transaction-orientated due diligence confirmed that while Erindi would not be suitable for farming or resettlement, it holds important potential as an area for wildlife conservation. The buyer's plans for Erindi will greatly benefit the tourism sector, job-creation and skills development, and of course in consequence the Namibian economy,” according to a statement issued on behalf of Baillères.



ELLANIE SMIT

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'Bio' will get his chance - Mannetti

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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'Bio' will get his chance - Mannetti Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti has hinted that Namibia Premier League (NPL) top scorer Isaskar 'Bio' Gurirab is likely to play a role against Bafana Bafana in a crunch Afcon group tie.

Gurirab, who recently made his debut for Namibia when he scored a brace in the Cosafa Cup, did not play a part in the Brave Warriors defeat to Morocco in their opening match at Afcon 2019.

Many on social media feel that Gurirab is the man to give the Brave Warriors some much-needed goals.

Namibia will need a win against Bafana Bafana tomorrow in order to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the next round.

“It is obvious that we will need a good attack and we must not forget that we have players that have scored goals for the national team and at NPL level.

“I am positive that Gurirab will get his opportunity against Bafana Bafana and hopefully against Ivory Coast, because he has really adapted well,” Mannetti said.

“I just can't tell you the type of role he will play at this point in time because we do not want to give too much away.”

The coach said it was too early to field the Life Fighters striker in their first Afcon 2019 match.

His game plan against Morocco also played a part in his decision not to play Gurirab.

Mannetti was also unable to confirm whether Gurirab will start against Bafana Bafana.

“As coaches we are here to protect players and watch them grow into top individuals and I do believe that coming from the bench could suit Gurirab, but there is a possibility for him to start.”

The Life Fighters goal-scoring machine finished the season as top-scorer with 22 goals, and was also voted as the 2019/19 NPL player of the season.

Meanwhile, local coaches have praised Mannetti for his side's tactical display against Morocco, but encouraged the coach to be more adventurous against South Africa.

NPL coach of the season and league-winning coach of Black Africa, Paulus Shipanga, believes that Namibia stand a good chance against South Africa if they attack.

“One has to be cautious when speaking about another coach but I hope that we will win the next match. We definitely need to play an all attacking system against South Africa because we do need this win,” he said.

“There is nothing much that separates us from South Africa and I just feel we can do better with our finest attacking and goal-scoring players. Namibia did well against Morocco, defensively, and believe it is time that the coach shows what he has to offer on the attacking front,” Shipanga added.

Civics coach Brian Isaacs is adamant that Namibia will display their attacking abilities against South Africa.

“Well it is no secret that these two teams are rivals and the players will not need any motivation. I expect the coach to attack against South Africa because he does have the players' capable causing damage.

“It is a match that Namibia need to win and I do not see any reason why the coach will keep his potential goal scorers on the bench,” Isaacs said.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Para-athletes neglected

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Para-athletes neglectedDisability Sports Namibia in financial quandary Disability Sports Namibia says they are struggling with sport facilities and are the victims of the unequal distribution of funds. Disability Sports Namibia (DSN) - the umbrella body of Special Olympics Namibia (SON), the Namibian Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF) and the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) - says they need financial assistance in order to prepare well for events and reach more athletes in the country.

NPC secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya said DSN wants to ensure that all people with disabilities in Namibia have opportunities to participate in sporting activities through their respective sport organisations, and improve their physical fitness and skills, enabling them to achieve their potential.

Hamukwaya, who was speaking at an informative breakfast meeting yesterday in Windhoek, added they envision an inclusive Namibia, where all people have equal opportunities in terms of sport, education and human rights. However, they are faced with financial difficulties whenever athletes need to compete.

Hamukwaya touched on issues of transport inaccessibility, no access to sport facilities and the unequal distribution of funds ahead of competitions, thus disabling their preparations for events.

He added they struggle to get volunteers and normally have no equipment for training.

This is despite the fact that the organisation has produced the likes of Paralympic gold medallist Johanna Benson, Johannes Nambala and Ananias Shikongo, and is still busy grooming the likes of Commonwealth medallist Lahja Ishitile, amongst others.

Deputy director of disability in the ministry of sports, Jo-Ann Manuel, said they are trying to lift the organisation but need financial support.

“The challenge is money. We brought in a Cuban coach with the obligation that by the time her term is over she can identify someone that can take over. We are doing our best with the little provided, but people need to realise that people are making money through sports.”

“Many athletes need to be classified. We need people to assist. Where are the Namibian doctors? We cannot have Hamukwaya as coach and also doing the job of classifying and so forth. They can't do everything just because they are passionate, they need help.”

Manuel said the government cannot do everything. “Where are the people receiving tenders?”

Para-athlete Shikongo also raised concerns regarding their preparations for the upcoming world championships as well as the All-Africa Games. “Money is always available when the football and rugby teams are travelling for competitions, but there is never money when we have to prepare for competitions, but we return with money.

“We also want to know when the reward policy will take effect, so that we know what we are fighting for in terms of the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said Shikongo.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Mahrez, Mane renew rivalry

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Mahrez, Mane renew rivalry Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane resume an English Premier League rivalry tonight on a different stage, when Algeria and Senegal clash at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

Algerian winger Mahrez was part of the Manchester City team that pipped Senegalese forward Mane and his Liverpool teammates in a thrilling title race last season.

Now the stars swap the Etihad Stadium and Anfield for Cairo. The Group C showdown is likely to decide who tops the final group standings. While both countries seem sure to qualify for the round of 16, topping the table would theoretically offer less formidable opponents in the first knockout stage.

Here AFP Sport previews a Group C double-header that includes an east African duel between Kenya and Tanzania, plus a Group B meeting of newcomers Burundi and Madagascar.

While supporters, the media and publicists focus on Mahrez and Mane, Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi is less happy with that situation.

“I am not in favour of highlighting individuals over teams,” said the former Manchester City midfielder.

Belmadi was much happier when recalling a winning start for his team with Baghdad Bounedjah and Mahrez scoring in a routine 2-0 victory over Kenya.

“Collecting maximum points from our first match meant a lot because Algeria have a history of poor starts at the Cup of Nations.”

Mane returns after a suspension ruled him out of the 2-0 win over Tanzania and coach Aliou Cisse says he is happy, particularly with the half-volley goal of 20-year-old Krepin Diatta.

Tanzanian lawmakers who travelled to Egypt for the Senegal match returned home unhappy with the diet and allowances of the national squad coached by former Nigeria star Emmanuel Amunike.

“It is important for our footballers to have enough food to face a team like Senegal,” said parliament speaker Job Ndugai.

“Taifa Stars, the national team, is the government team. The government has to invest money in the national team,” added Juma Nkamia from the ruling party.

Opposition member Pascal Haonga said: “Paying a derisory per diem is partly responsible for the loss. According to our information, they each receive US$100 (88 euros) instead of U$300.”

Amunike had a different take on the defeat: “We lacked the experience and quality of Senegal, made a lot of mistakes and were naive.”

This battle of countries making their first appearance at the Cup of Nations has huge significance for both the Burundian Swallows and the Malagasy Barea.

Ordinarily, it would be a dead-rubber given that Nigeria and Guinea are expected to occupy the top two positions in Group B and secure automatic qualification for the round of 16.

But with four of the six third-place teams in Egypt also advancing after the tournament was expanded from 16 teams to 24, Burundi and Madagascar have it all to play for.

Burundi were a well-organised outfit when losing 0-1 to a late Odion Ighalo goal for three-time champions Nigeria in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

Madagascar impressed going forward but were often suspect at the back when exceeding expectations by drawing 2-2 with Guinea, who lacked star Naby Keita for most of the match.



NAMPA/AFP

Bringing that positive vibe

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Bringing that positive vibeCycle Classic preparations gather steam The hype around the 2019 Cycle Classic has begun, as participants and fans gear up for one of the most prominent events on Namibia's sporting calendar. Arrangements for the 2019 edition of Cycle Classic are well underway, organisers say.

The cycling event is slated for the weekend of 12 and 13 October in Windhoek.

This year's edition comprises of three cycling races and two running events.

Held annually since 1999, the Cycle Classic is a community service and fundraising project of Rotary Club Windhoek and over the past 20 years many institutions, organisations and needy causes across Namibia have benefitted from the funds generated.

The event will kick off on Saturday with a mountain bike (MTB) race in three distance categories, followed by a 10km competitive timed run and a 5km fun run and walk. Later in the day, those aged 12 and under will be allowed to show their mettle in the Kiddies Classic.

“Even toddlers are welcome to participate. To promote cycling as a fun family sport to be enjoyed from an early age, great emphasis is again being placed on promoting the Kiddies Classic,” organisers said.

The Cycle Classic's drawcard and star event this year is the road bike (RB) race in three distance categories on Sunday, 13 October.

Competitive cyclists and even those who cycle for fun are eligible to enter the MTB and RB races.

Cyclists with a physical disability are encouraged to participate and the same applies to the run and walk components of the Cycle Classic.

The organising team for this year's event comprises of Rotary Club members, volunteers from Windhoek Pedal Power and the Quinton Steel-Botes Khomas Hochland Athletics Club.

The Kiddies Classic is organised by T-Rex Tribe, who are already hard at work to make the 20th edition even bigger than last year's event.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Oshikondo shuunamapya tashi gu pevi

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Oshikondo shuunamapya tashi gu pevi ELLANIE SMIT



Oshikondo shuunamapya moNamibia, shoka sha li pongushu yoobiliyona 7.5 momvula yo 2017 otashi gu pevi noonkondo.

Uuyelele mboka owa pitithwa kolopota yokomvula yomoshikakomvula sho 2018/19 yehangano lyoMeatco, ndjoka ya tala kwaashoka sha yambidhidhwa keliko lyoshilongo okuza muunamapya muule woomvula ndatu dha piti.

Olopota ndjoka oya holola kutya momvula yo 1991 sigo 1996 eyambidhidho lyopaliko okuza koshikondo shoka olya li pokati koopresenda 5.7. pokati komvula yo 2007 sigo 2011 ondjele ndjoka oya shuna pevi sigo opoopresenda 4.7 omanga momvula yo 2012 sigo 2017 ondjele ya shuna pevi sigo opoopresenda 3.9.

Olopota yaMeatco oya holola kutya konyala oopresenda 70 dhaakwashigwana yaNamibia oyiikolelela miimuna na ohaya hupu muunamapya. Pamiyalu dhomomvula yo 2017, oshikondo shoongombe osha li shi na ongushu yobiliyona 3.4, moka Meatco a li e na mo iipambuluko yoopresenda 50.

Mokati koongombe oomiliyona 2.7 moNamibia, oopresenda 35.74 otadhi adhika muumbugantu womusinda omutiligane.

Oongombe dha za ombinga ndjoka ohadhi vulu okutumwa momalanditho gopondje yoshilongo nokuyambidhidha epangelo lyaNamibia paliko, moompangela dheyambulepo oshowo dhomilandu, omanga tashi gandja woo iiyemo kaanafaalama mboka ye li ooyene yoongombe dhoka.

Omwaalu gwoongombe dhili pomiliyona 1.7 dhakalela po oopresenda 64.06 odhili moshitopolwa shonooli yoshilongo.

Oshinakugwanithwa shaMeatco monooli yoshilongo okuyambidhidha epangelo mokukalekapo oshikondo shonyama ontiligane, nelalakano lyokugandja eyambidhidho kaanafaalama nooyene yuutomeno momudhingoloko ngoka.

Omwaalu gwoongombe dhaaNamibia dhoka dhili poomiliyona 2.7 odha kalela po owala oopresenda 0.27 dhoongombe dhoka dhili muyuni awuhe, omwaalu ngoka gwali tagu tengenekelwa guli poobiliyona 1.001 momvula yo 2018.

Elongo lyonyama muuyuni olya thikama pootona oomiliyona 335.5 okuyeleka noshikondo shaNamibia shoka hashi longo ootona dhili po 34 020 omanga Meatco ha longo ootona dhi li po 15 620.

Palopota yehangano ndyoka, onyama yongombe oyimwe yomondyama ndjoka hayi liwa noonkondo muuyuni, konima yonyama yoshingulu oshowo ondjuhwa.

Nonando ehalo lyokulanda onyama ndjoka muuyuni oli li pombanda ope na omikundu odhindji ndhoka dha taalela oshikondo shonyama ndjoka opo shi kale andola ponomola yotango paliko.

Iipumbiwa melongo lyonyama ndjoka, okuza kuuteku oshowo oku yi tula momalanditho oyi li pombanda unene na otashi pula oshindji noonkondo, okuyelela niipumbiwa yoonyama dhilwe.

Opatolola yoKalahari Desert tayi kalekwa manga

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Opatolola yoKalahari Desert tayi kalekwa mangaYe li ompinge nelongitho lyoonkondo lya puka okuza kaakwiita Endiki lyoPeoples Litigation Centre (PLC) otali ka konga ekwatho lyompangu moshiwike twa taalela ngele eindilo lyawo opo aakwiita ya kuthwe mo momapandanda olya gwile momakutsi ga thita, okuya mesiku lyotango lyaJuli. JANA-MARI SMITH



Opolisi oya koleke kutya omanga oshitopolwa shotango shopatolola yo Operation Kalahari Desert tashi hulu mOsoondaha ndjika twa taaela, natango opatolola ndjoka otayi ka tsikila ishewe momwedhi Aguste pamwe naakuthimbinga ayehe oshowo iilyo yoNamibian Defence Force (NDF).

Ekaleko lyopatolola ndjoka otali ninga omolwa omaishangitho gaahogololi ngoka kwa tegelelwa ga ningwe moshilongo momwedhi twa taalela.

Momukanda ngoka gwa pitithwa mEtiyali, Omunashipundi gwoPLC Mathias Haufiku okwa popi kutya “Oohahende dhetu odha yakula omukanda okuza kuhahende gwepangelo kutya aakwiita otaya kuthwa mo momapandanda momasiku 30 gaJuni nuumvo.”

Haufiku okwa popi kutya ya tseyithila oohahende dhawo opo dhi dhimbulukithe komanda gomatanga ngoka kutya ngele aakwiita inaya kuthwa mo momapandanda okuya mOsondaaha, nena otaya kaya kOmpangu yoPombanda mulyotango lyaJuli.

Nonando ongaaka opolisi oya koleke kutya nonando oshitopolwa shotango shopatolola ndjoka otashi hulu mOsoondaha pakathimbo owala omanga oshitopolwa oshitiyali tashi tameke kuAguste.

Omukomeho gwOpolisi yaNamibia, Sebastian Ndeitunga okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya muJuli opolisi otayi ka kala yiipyakidhila manga momaishangitho gaahogololi na itashi ti kutya omahwahwameko gokuya moshipala iimbuluma otaga ethwa.

Okwa popi kutya okuya muAguste opatolola ndjoka otayi ka shuna ishewe miilonga mokukondjitha iimbuluma, ya kwatelwa mo aakuthimbinga ayehe oshowo aakwiita.

PLC okwa tula moshigwana eyamukulo ndyoka ya mono okuza kombelewa yahahende gwepangelo, ndyoka lya shangwa momasiku 20 gaJuni.

Hahende gwepangelo okwa yamukula kutya eindilo lyokukutha mo aakwiita momapandanda itali ka ziminwa.

Momukanda ngoka hahende-ndjai gwepangelo okwa lombwele PLC kutya oshi li uuthemba wawo wopakotampango okukakonga ekwatho kompangu ngele kaya uvitile ombili ekalo lyaakwiita momapandanda.

Eindilo lyekutho mo momapandanda aakwiita olya ningwa koPLC oshowo omahangano gamwe sha landula edhipago lyomukwashigwana gwaZimbabwe omuhingi gwotaxi Talent Fambauone Black (22) ngoka a yahwa okusa komukwiita momasiku 13 gaMei moGreenwell Matongo, konima sho a yanda einda ndyoka lya li tali ningwa kaapolisi naakwiita.

Omukwiita ngoka ta pangulilwa edhipago ndyoka, omunamimvo 38 Gerson Nakale ngoka a tindilwa omboloha pethimbo a holoka komeho yompangu oshikando shotango.

Ndeitunga okwa popi kutya opatolola ndjoka otayi tsikile moshilongo sigo shoka tashi lalakanenwa sha monika.

Komanda gwopolisi okwa popi woo kwaashoka sha pondolwa po konima nkene opatolola ndjoka ya tulwa miilonga ta popi kutya ondjele yiimbuluma oya shuna pevi.

Opatolola yoKalahari Desert oya landula opatolola yo Operation Hornkranz ndjoka ya hulu momwedhi Apilili 2019.

Media serving 'imperialist agenda'

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Media serving 'imperialist agenda'SPYL defends Chinese firm cashing in on Swapo headquarters SPYL secretary Ephraim Nekongo claims “many respective media houses have declared themselves” Swapo's enemy. The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo has lashed out at “unethical journalists” and editors, who he claims belong to “anti-Swapo

WhatsApp groups”.

While dealing with a Chinese company being handed the N$730 million tender to build the Swapo headquarters, Nekongo said: “The tender was awarded in a transparent open bid process to a Chinese company. Perhaps the media should provide the public with material facts that Namibian companies submitted bids, qualified and yet were eliminated. For sure, not a single media will produce such facts, therefore this is purely another conspiracy against the party and her leadership by our local journalists fulfilling the imperialist agenda (sic),” he stressed.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Nekongo said it is sad that there are “unethical and politically-centred journalists who connive with anti-Swapo formations” to distort facts about the ruling party.

He also cautioned comrades to be cautious and vigilant in order to avoid those journalists who have their knives out for the party's top leaders.

“We must remember that once leadership are destroyed, the party too by default is destroyed, therefore we all must rally behind our leaders (sic),” he urged.

Nekongo is particularly disturbed by journalists who “are painting a dark colour”.

“We thought by now we know that many journalists and their many respective media houses have declared themselves our enemy and they have made it their daily bread to tarnish our name, both the party and her leaders. They apparently see nothing positive we are doing, they apparently see nothing good in our leaders, and perhaps that is the focus of their judgments and businesses,” Nekongo said.

When Namibian Sun contacted Nekongo for clarity on his unethical journalism statements, he simply said: “I have said what I said.”



Heart of the matter

Nekongo's outbursts follow news articles about the party's decisions to award a N$730 million tender to a Chinese company.

This is at a time when the local construction industry is bleeding.

Swapo has also been criticised for prioritising the construction of its party headquarters while the country is struggling with a devastating drought.

Nekongo defended the ruling party's decision to build the headquarters, claiming that it is “overdue”.

The Namibian recently reported that the N$730 million contract for renovating the party's headquarters in Windhoek had been awarded to Unik Construction Engineering.

Nekongo justified the construction of the building, saying both the founding president Sam Nujoma and his successor Hifikepunye Pohamba promoted the construction of a new and modern party headquarters.

Bärbel Kirchner, the consulting general manager of the Construction Industries Federation (CIF) of Namibia, told Namibian Sun last month that the requirements for the Swapo headquarters' tender were too big a financial risk for local contractors in the current economic environment.

According to Kirchner, the first payments would have been delayed and the contractor would have had limited control over interest claims for late payments or non-payment.

“This is not a risk that local companies under the current economic conditions can take, especially as they are already struggling financially. It might be wise to find ways to withdraw this tender award,” said Kirchner.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Top cop tears into boozing teachers

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Top cop tears into boozing teachers Kavango West police chief Commissioner Josephat Abel has expressed his utmost disappointment with teachers in the region, whom he says are the main culprits when it comes to drunken driving and driving without a valid driver's licence.

Abel made his remarks during a stakeholders meeting at Kahenge on Tuesday, where issues pertaining to liquor licence laws, gender-based violence and the drought relief programme were discussed.

Abel said about 50% of the culprits who have been found guilty of drunken driving and operating a vehicle without a valid driver's licence in Kavango West are from the teaching fraternity, which is worrisome.

He said that in most accident-related cases that involve a teacher, they are either under the influence of alcohol or are driving without a valid licence.

Abel then asked what kind of example the teachers are setting for their learners.

“The people who are abusing alcohol in this region are teachers,” Abel said.

“In most accident cases we are coming upon, it involves teachers. They are drinking and driving, they drive without a valid driver's licence and you say this one is a teacher. If the teachers are drunkards what are they teaching our children? What seeds are you planting?”

Abel said the same can be said about police officers.

He, however, explained there is a department within the police that deals with officers who report for duty under the influence of alcohol.

He then asked who holds teachers accountable at schools, if they are under the influence of alcohol. Abel said if learners see teachers in public abusing alcohol, it defeats the purpose of the various measures currently in place that are trying to deal with the issue of alcohol and drug abuse amongst the youth. He said he does not understand why Kavango West, which is rich in culture and traditional norms and the upholding of morals, is then also among the regions with high crime rates.

He made reference to the high rate of gender-based violence, especially common assault cases, being reported in the community.

He further questioned whether this was also part of the cultural norms.

“Are we saying that assaulting is culture, to drink and drive is culture?” he asked.

Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku called on traditional leaders to drive development in their communities.

Ausiku said the village development committees (VDCs) have an important role to play in Kavango West, which is 99% rural.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Rhino poaching syndicate accused secures bail

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Rhino poaching syndicate accused secures bail A 30-year-old man accused of being involved in the poaching of a black rhino at a game reserve near Otjiwarongo in March this year, was on Tuesday granted bail of N$10 000.

Eeno Anguwo, who was arrested at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region on 15 April, after he was connected to a syndicate of poachers who allegedly shot and killed a black rhino bull valued at N$800 000, has been in and out of the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court, fighting to secure bail through his privately instructed lawyer, Pieter Greyling.

The State, through prosecutor Jatiel Mudamburi, had objected to the granting of bail, citing the seriousness of the matter and fear of the accused interfering with State witnesses or intimidating them.

There are also fears that he will abscond.

A single State witness, who is also the police investigating officer in the matter, Daniel Wilbard, was called to court to testify during Anguwo's bail application.

Wilbard narrated to the court how Anguwo was involved in the alleged poaching syndicate as well as how he and the four other accused allegedly transported a pair of rhino horns from a game reserve farm outside Otjiwarongo via Oshakati to Outapi in the Omusati Region.

Wilbard said it was in Omusati where the then suspected poachers had allegedly tried to sell the horns to an undercover police officer who arrested them at Epalela.

However, Greyling said Anguwo is innocent until found guilty by a competent court, and therefore keeping him in custody is not in the interest of the general public or the administration of justice.

Greyling said Anguwo has gainful employment at Omuthiya, where he works as an accountant for the government, adding he has the responsibility of looking after his immediate family and it would be unfair to deny him bail.

Magistrate Karel Muyeghu, after listening to arguments between Monday and Tuesday, granted bail on condition that Anguwo surrenders his passport to the investigating officer and reports to the Omuthiya police station on Wednesdays and Fridays.

He is also not allowed to travel outside Omuthiya without notifying the police.

Anguwo and his lawyer agreed and promised to adhere to the bail conditions, and then immediately posted the N$10 000 bail on Tuesday.

His four alleged accomplices - Vemukuta Tjipurua, Kaukamburua Tjingee, Justice Embula, Sakeus Ekango and Issaskar Paulus Kadhila - are remanded in custody at Otjiwarongo and are expected to return to court together with Anguwo on 4 July.

NAMPA

Namibian beef finally enters Chinese market

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Namibian beef finally enters Chinese market Meatco's first consignment of Namibian beef was finally released into the Chinese market this week after it was exported in March.

Namibian ambassador to China Elia Kaiyamo this week welcomed the first batch of Namibian beef to China, which is the largest consumer market in the world. Kaiyamo welcomed the consignment of pure Namibian beef during a ceremony in Shijiazhuang, situated in China's Hebei province.

At the end of March, Namibia became the first African country to export beef to China when it sent its first consignment of 21 tonnes.

“The significance of the consignment of Namibian beef is more than just adding yet another high-quality ingredient to the Chinese people's plate and marks the success of the two countries in the realisation of a win-win cooperation and happiness for all featured in the vision of Sino-African community with a shared future,” said Kaiyamo.

Meatco said it is very proud to be associated with this achievement and also expressed its appreciation to producers for their continued commitment in the sector.

“We are in the process of preparing other customer orders and we strive to live by our objective that of being the preferred marketing channel of Namibian livestock and to promote the most sought-after meat brands in the long-term interest of our stakeholders,” Meatco said.

China is the world's largest consumer market of beef and it is therefore an added bonus for Meatco to place its product in a niche market where the best possible returns can be achieved for producers, while contributing to the economy in a positive way.

STAFF REPORTER

Mobile unit benefits 222 farmers

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Mobile unit benefits 222 farmersAnimals valued at N$22m purchase by Meatco north of Red Line Meatco also procured 353 live animals and exported them to Angola, due to the limited marketing opportunities in areas north of the Red Line. Animals valued at N$22.6 million were purchased in areas north of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) since the inception of Meatco's mobile slaughtering unit (MSU) in 2016.

This has benefited 222 farmers with an average price of N$6 460 per animal paid.

The MSU slaughtered 1 521 animals in 2018/19 compared to the 896 slaughtered the previous year.

With a slaughter throughput of between 20 and 25 cattle per day, the MSU slaughtered a mere 746 animals in 2016/17.

According to Meatco's annual report for 2018/19 the carcasses were transported to Meatco's Bonanza outlet in Oshakati for processing for the local market.

Meatco also procured 353 live animals and exported them to Angola, due to the limited marketing opportunities in areas north of the VCF.

“The areas north of the veterinary cordon fence has always been a tough market due to the veterinary cordon fence, which means that marketing opportunities in the area remain limited because meat from this area cannot be exported,” the report said.

The limited market has a bearing on the efficient operations of the MSU, in that fewer cattle are slaughtered compared to budget.

However, more local farmers have expressed their interest in selling their cattle to Meatco.

Cattle slaughtered at the MSU are marketed as carcasses or are value-added into beef cuts, beef stew and some fresh beef products. Offal products are sold directly to the Kavango Marketing Cooperative, with the help of the Meatco Foundation.

The cooperative then repackages the offal products and sells them to the local market, which is an income-generating activity that enhances the cooperative's capacity.

According to the report areas north of the VCF comprise 43% of Namibia's total area and support approximately 60% of its population.

Of the 2.7 million cattle in Namibia, 1.7 million are found in the areas north of the VCF.

“Overall, subsistence farming remains the main source of income for 22.4% of rural communities (representing nearly 60 000 households), with approximately 40% of households in the Omusati Region and just over 20% in the Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions that are dependent on subsistence farming,” says the report.

It says that marketing of cattle from areas north of the VCF has been a challenge for many years, and the source of substantial losses for Meatco, when the corporation was still responsible for the three abattoirs there.

In 2016/17, Meatco relinquished the operation of the abattoirs to the agriculture ministry and introduced the MSU as a more cost-effective slaughtering alternative. While the MSU slaughtered 1 521 cattle sourced from 120 farmers during the reporting year, it is still underutilised.

ELLANIE SMIT

Headman clarifies Oniimwandi meeting

June 26, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Headman clarifies Oniimwandi meeting Iikokola village headman I-Ben Nashandi has clarified an article titled 'Amalwa jumps ship' that appeared in Namibian Sun on Tuesday.

This newspaper reported on a meeting held in the Oniimwandi district, which is headed by senior councillor Naeman Amalwa. According to the article, Amalwa urged the people of his district to rally behind Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo as the new Ondonga king.

An invitation to attend the official coronation ceremony, which is taking place this Saturday, was also extended.

However, Nashandi took issue with the article, saying Amalwa's message was delivered by him and not by Uno Nashandi as stated in the article.

The meeting was attended by all but one of the cluster heads. He said the message he gave on behalf of Amalwa was to inform the district of the invitation extended to Amalwa from Ondonga Traditional Authority secretary Joseph Asino, inviting him to attend the coronation at Onambango the following weekend.

Nashandi clarified that he went to the meeting as headman of Iikokola village, not as an envoy of the senior headman.

“The reference to Uno Nashandi, as well as attributing words to me which I never said in the article of Tuesday points to lack of verifiable facts in the article and unethical reporting,” he said.

Staff Reporter