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Selma the brave

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Selma the braveSelma the brave This week, Miss Namibia 2019 Selma Kamanya bravely and boldly made shocking allegations of lack of support and abuse that have characterised her reign.

Kamanya bemoaned, among others, a lack of financial support, including during her preparations for the Miss Universe pageant. Since then, four other former Miss Namibia title-holders also came forward and shared similar experiences. In a New Era report, Miss Namibia 2016 Lizelle Esterhuisen also shed light on a body-shaming she allegedly experienced at the hands of the Miss Namibia organisers.

These revelations are startling for an event that presents itself as one that celebrates women and seeks to empower them. As the pageant gears up for its 2019 edition, we need to ask ourselves where we stand in light of these allegations. This is a question that should also be posed to corporate sponsors, the event's patron and other interested parties. Silence, in the face of abuse and exploitation, makes one complicit.

Around the world, women and girls are leading important conversations about creating a world where they can have their voices heard.

Selma's voice, which is calling for respect and the appropriate treatment of Miss Namibia winners as national ambassadors of this country, is also an urgent plea to have their dignity protected.

This call also rings true for treatment in the workplace, in lecture halls, in schools and in our communities.

Body-shaming has no place in our world today, but it thrives. Critics will argue that it is the role of the Miss Namibia organisation to make sure that winners remain in the required shape.

However, not celebrating all shapes and sizes, shouldn't have a place in our modern society.

Instructions and/or comments that plant the seed of shame and humiliation are abuse in themselves.

We are cognisant of the fact that the organisers have the right to defend themselves and that they cannot be seen as guilty on all counts, simply because allegations have been made.

However, the debates are happening fast and furiously, so let everyone be heard.

N$2 000 maternity grant on the table

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N$2 000 maternity grant on the tableN$2 000 maternity grant on the table An ambitious plan to strengthen social protection in the country includes strengthened maternity benefits for all Namibian women, including a universal one-off N$2 000 maternity grant and four months maternity leave, instead of three.

The draft social protection document, currently under stakeholder review, also recommends the lifting of the current ceiling of maternity pay to full earnings, so that women don't experience a dip in income while caring for their newborns.

The draft document also proposes a universal child grant for all Namibian children starting at N$250 per child, in order to address serious flaws in the current system, which often excludes poor families struggling to survive, but who do not qualify for a child grant.

It stresses that maternity is “a time of great joy for families”, but “is also a time of great risk for women and unborn children, especially those who have no employment or earn low incomes”.

Moreover, women who are employed lose part of their pay cheque when they take maternity leave, because of the N$13 000 ceiling in the current maternity, sick leave and death benefit fund.





Many employers refuse to fill the gap to ensure their female employees do not experience a dip in earnings during this time. “This necessitates a policy decision to establish a maternity grant in Namibia, reconsider maternity leave and ensure full earnings for women on maternity leave,” the document states. It notes that a maternity grant is “affordable in Namibia at the estimated 68 832 births per year, with a transfer of N$2 083 per birth costing just N$143 million, or 0.07% of GDP per annum”.

A universal maternity grant for all pregnant women for one month pre-natal and three months post-partum time will “support them to address risks exacerbated by unemployment, low income, as well as loss of income during maternity leave”.



Kids

The reform proposals on a universal child grant note that the current means test that provides the benefit only to parents who earn less than N$1 000 per month, “does not consider the number of children the parent is taking care of, meaning those with large numbers of children earning just more than this would be excluded, yet they are clearly poor”.

The policy says the problem will be addressed if a grant is “available to all children”.

The cost of the grant would be moderated with gradual implementation and by keeping the grant amount modest, which in turn will keep the registration of the wealthy 20% of the population low because of the modest amount.

The draft further notes that more than 80% of Namibians are not covered by health insurance and proposes a compulsory national medical benefit fund to spread risks across the pool, as well as better state investment in public health facilities and personnel to “improve affordability of healthcare in Namibia”.

The draft proposals also target marginalised Namibians, unemployed persons, affordable housing, improved vocational and university assistance, food security, pensioners and those living and caring for people with disabilities.

A basic income is suggested for unemployed persons between 30 to 59 years old, “who shoulder heavy family and childcare responsibilities will be implemented to afford them a basic ability to help themselves while restoring their dignity”.



Equality

At the opening of a workshop in Windhoek this week where stakeholders were given a chance to provide feedback, poverty eradication and social welfare minister Zephania Kameeta underlined that social protection is not a “question of charity, but a question of human rights and justice”.

While the policy would nearly double expenditure for social protection, Kameeta said a comprehensive and inclusive social protection policy can help eradicate extreme poverty by 2025 and beyond in Namibia.

The draft policy adopts a broad view of social protection that is composed of social assistance, social insurance, social welfare services and labour market policies to help the country eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.

The document was drafted over the past year by a core team representing experts from local and international institutions, and was crafted in line with systems proven to work in Namibia, as well as international best practice.

“The policy outlines reasonable measures to help people manage risks in their lives and address vulnerabilities of women, children, youth, unemployed individuals, persons with disability and those in retirement,” the document states. The policy is aimed at streamlining social protection systems in Namibia and addressing current challenges, including coordination, monitoring and evaluations. The policy also proposes enhanced support for quality vocational training, paid skills apprenticeships and internships.

Moreover, among several other in-depth proposals, a women and youth enterprise fund is proposed, to provide credit for viable business ideas.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Geingob made 'deepest cuts'

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Geingob made 'deepest cuts'Geingob made 'deepest cuts'Hengari says wasteful expenditures have been eliminated President Hage Geingob's spokesperson argues that the head of state has eliminated wasteful expenditures on travel, meetings and inflated procurement. Presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari maintains that President Hage Geingob has made the deepest cuts since independence, as a consequence of the revenue deficits that arose from the global commodity crisis in 2013.

He was responding to questions by Namibian Sun on the consistent clamouring from Geingob's detractors that he cut his cabinet, as well as his presidential advisors.

He was also asked what measures the president had taken to cut wasteful expenditure.

Geingob told New Era earlier this year that “the current cabinet is too big and there's reason for it”.

“President Sam Nujoma, being a founding father and a liberation hero, has natural authority. President Pohamba was a bit relaxed. But with me, I am dealing with my peers - where anybody could have taken over as president.

“The pressure on me to have a bigger cabinet is bigger because all these people are my peers who want to be accommodated. It could have been worse if I didn't do that [appoint them],” the president was quoted as saying in the New Era article. Hengari was asked what measures Geingob had introduced to cut expenditure, given that government is now asking workers for a 2% voluntary contribution from their salaries.

“Wasteful expenditures have been eliminated, be it on travel, meetings and inflated procurement. You should be reminded that the president cancelled a highly inflated airport tender as a demonstration of his total commitment to fight corruption,” Hengari said.





He also said the president understands that a delicate balance should be maintained between competing and equally important priorities.

“National cohesion and unity is a priceless precondition for peace and development and as president, he is obliged to constantly think about it and act to create conditions for peace and stability,” Hengari says.

“I understand that the media, even if it is a moral obligation, you have a choice to make. The president does not have a choice to make. He works at all times to consolidate the foundations of a peaceful Namibian House.”



Rock and a hard place

Analysts believe Geingob finds himself between a rock and hard place and must cling onto his bloated cabinet and host of presidential advisors.

Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah says in some regards the country's economic turmoil has directly to do with the size of the Namibian government.

In particular, he says, the excessive duplication of roles in the government continues to bleed the state's coffers.

“It costs a lot to have such a big cabinet, and look at our executives. You have a minister who advises the president on economic issues, you have an economic advisor, you also have an economic panel, you have a minister that deals with law and justice, but we also have an advisor who advises the president on constitutional matters and law issues,” he points out.

Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu also believes that the president is trapped by his comrades and that it would be painful for the president to simply retrench them.

“Perhaps what could work is that you retain them mostly when the economy is doing too badly. But try to see where you can cut some of their perks, because it is up to them to decide if they will agree on reduced benefits. If not, then they should go and find work somewhere,” he advises.

In his view the president can look at cutting salaries or benefits such as vehicle allowances in order to demonstrate that his cabinet is not oblivious to the hard times ordinary Namibians are facing.

Kamwanyah adds that there seems to be a perception by African leaders that “more is better”. He believes that perception must change and they must learn from developed countries.

“We are a population of 2.5 million and we have a cabinet that is more than 25 people. We must learn that we can achieve more by having a smaller cabinet. The focus should be on competence and skills and people who can do things instead of having an army of people who do not possess the competence and skills,” he says.



Solutions

Kamwanyah says it appears as if the government does not truly understand what the cause of the country's economic crisis is.

“We need to strategically figure out that problem and tackle that problem. We have been talking about the global market but that would not give us a solution. You can only solve a problem if you really know where the problem is. And for me the biggest problem is unemployment,” he says. Kamwanyah believes that if the government focused on creating jobs and new industries it might propel the economy out of the doldrums.

“But I do not see any employment strategies coming from the president or the government.”

Kakujaha-Matundu argues that there are many ministers who have been in cabinet for more than ten years who can be released.

“People who have been in government for so long ... have accumulated enough wealth to sustain themselves for the ten or so years that they are still going to live. And then the president can remain with the active, productive people,” he says.



Builder and reformer

Hengari said Geingob launched the Harambee Prosperity Plan in 2016, in order to ensure that “the Namibian economy delivers a better life for the majority”.

“If you take a sectoral review, you will see the achievements to date and not make general, if not vacuous, assertions. I should refer you to the detail in the State of the Nation Address (Sona) 2019 and the HPP report attached to the Sona 2019. A whole lot has been achieved: social protection has been strengthened, massive increases in the old-age pensions since 2015, grants for vulnerable children and orphans, people living with disability, the food banks and several initiatives. These are all impactful initiatives deserving serious attention on the part of media,” he says. Hengari says the president is a builder and reformer of institutions, adding that the reform of state-owned enterprises under his watch was a significant accomplishment and a manifestation of his commitment to delivering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“It is an exaggeration to still speak about an economic crisis in light of the actions highlighted above. The country is moving into positive territory.

“Yes, we are experiencing a drought, the worst in recent history, but government has committed an envelope of over N$500 million to deal with this natural disaster by declaring an emergency, and the president and the government are scaling up interventions to deal with the situation on the ground.

“At the same time, the president is working around the clock to attract inward investments through targeted interventions, at home and abroad,” Hengari added.

JEMIMA BEUKES

British PM favourite Johnson set to face the world

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British PM favourite Johnson set to face the worldBritish PM favourite Johnson set to face the worldGenius or joker? Boris Johnson is the overwhelming favourite to become leader of the governing Conservative Party in the UK this month, which would also make him prime minister. Boris is a flawed character and flaky but most politicians are underneath. - Ed Costelloe, Chair: Conservative Grassroots Elizabeth Piper - Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would Boris Johnson make on the world stage?

Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both.

When Johnson was given the foreign job in 2016, after Britain voted to leave the EU, he was viewed as an unlikely choice by politicians and public alike given his tendency to court controversy with gaffes, oddball jokes and off-the-cuff remarks.

The early days seemed to confirm the worst fears of those who saw the Conservative lawmaker as an unsuitable diplomat, at a critical time when Britain needed to forge new political and commercial ties with a slew of countries.

What should have been a routine conference in Italy, the "Mediterranean Dialogues Forum" aimed at building relations with leading envoys from the West and Middle East, instead turned into something of a diplomatic incident.

Johnson made headlines by going off-script and accusing Saudi Arabia, an important regional ally, of acting as a puppeteer in proxy wars under the guise of religion.

The backlash was swift from prime minister Theresa May, who said his comments did not reflect "actual policy", dishing out what a government source described as a shocking and very public "cuffing" for a senior minister.

Now May is stepping down over her failure to extract Britain from the European Union. Johnson, a leader of the Brexit campaign, is the overwhelming favourite to become leader of the governing Conservative Party this month, which would also make him prime minister.

Eccentricity as political asset

The 55-year-old, famous for his messy mop of blond hair and dishevelled style, has turned upper-class English eccentricity into a political asset in Britain and perfected a personal brand based on a comic talent and a seemingly shambolic style.

His critics say this robs him of statesman-like gravity, arguing that it's difficult to take seriously a man who once said the chance of him becoming prime minister was about as likely as finding Elvis on Mars.

However two of Johnson's aides and another veteran Conservative who knows him said that he was often misunderstood and that beneath his blustering, self-confident demeanour was a shy, serious man focused on his goals.

He is a natural introvert, two sources close his team told Reuters, adding that his shyness is often construed as arrogance, and he needs a lot of time alone before speaking in public - distinctively at odds with the public perception of Johnson being a natural, unscripted showman.

"Before speaking to a room, he needs to corral himself," said the veteran Conservative. "It's not a performance but it saps him of energy. He just needs to summon up the energy."

One aide, a government source and an EU diplomat also pointed to an influential, but behind-the-scenes, role he played as foreign secretary following the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, by a nerve agent last year in England.

One government source said Johnson had put his "shoulder to the wheel" to win international support for sanctions and Russian diplomatic expulsions from a long list of countries.

A senior European diplomat agreed that he was "professional" in this role, which attracted little publicity.

"People in Brussels didn't take Boris seriously back then," the diplomat said. "In March last year, he showed he could drop the clownish personality, he showed a will to discuss the Skripal affair in the most serious terms and to make the point to his counterparts that they needed to back Britain on this."

IRREVERENT INSURGENT

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, to give his full name, is something of an enigma at home and abroad.

He is man of apparent contradictions, with his privileged background and bursts of Latin phrases seemingly at odds with his popular appeal when elected mayor of left-leaning London in 2008 with the biggest personal mandate in British history.

He is one of those rare politicians to be most commonly referred to by most members of the public by their first names.

Like US president Donald Trump, he can emerge unscathed from gaffes and scandals that would sink any normal public figure. Other offensive remarks he has made include calling black people "piccaninnies" and saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes".

"Boris is a flawed character and flaky but most politicians are underneath," said Ed Costelloe, chair of the campaign group Conservative Grassroots. "It would be lovely to have Mother Theresa as prime minister, but it ain't going to happen."

In fact, some people love him all the more because he appears to be an irreverent insurgent who defies the media training of polished politics, shooting from the hip with comic timing and flair. Others seem to give him more leeway.

After his incendiary comments on Saudi Arabia, for example, two British officials said his words had not in fact gone down badly in Riyadh. "The Saudis appreciated his buffoonery, they understand his kind of humour," said one of the officials.

Biggest task ahead

The biggest task ahead, should he become leader, would be withdrawal talks with the EU, which has said it will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by May in November - a deal that was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers and led to the original Brexit date of March 29 being pushed back.

Johnson has offended many in Europe, with remarks such as suggesting Italy should help with a Brexit deal to avoid losing out on sales of Prosecco sparkling wine and declaring it was "bollocks" to say that freedom of movement was a founding principle of the EU.

Yet the British government sources said his ability to wrestle changes to the deal from Brussels, as he has demanded, would come down to whether he can carry the support of British lawmakers and end a stalemate that has incensed EU officials.

"His success depends on whether the EU believes he can actually command a majority," said one of the sources. "The thing about the PM was that they just didn't believe she could ever get it through so were never going to give any more ground. If they think Boris can get it through, they might shift."

IT'S ALL ABOUT BREXIT

Johnson has cast himself as the only leadership candidate who can deliver Brexit on the next deadline of October 31 - with or without a deal.

The sources close his team said he was approaching his bid in a similarly quiet way to the Skripal manoeuvring. He has built support through behind-the-scenes talks with lawmakers rather through media appearances and speeches - and had been conspicuously absent from public sight until recently.

He has been listening closely to the counsel of his closest aides and veteran election strategist Lynton Crosby, who is not officially on the payroll but is offering advice.

Johnson's strategy of steering clear of the airwaves and avoiding public head-to-head debates has been carefully thought through as part of a leadership campaign in the works for months in anticipation of May's announcement five weeks ago that she would step down, said the sources.

The plan appeared uncharacteristic for a man who made his name by being highly visible, including appearing in comedy shows and one of Britain's best-loved TV soap operas.

He even drew accusations from his only remaining leadership rival, Jeremy Hunt, of being a coward for avoiding head-to-head debates. Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd said she found Johnson's decision to ignore live TV debates "very odd".

The strategy was partly borne of the fact that Johnson is widely viewed as a near-certainty to win the party leadership, and become prime minister, barring an unforeseen catastrophe.

Foreign secretary Hunt voted to stay in the European Union in 2016, which is likely to count against him among the around 160 000 party members who will choose the winner and are mainly pro-Brexit.

Gameplan

However Johnson was forced to veer from the gameplan and break cover recently when he was faced with exactly the kind of negative publicity his team had hoped to avoid, after a neighbour called the police upon hearing Johnson and his girlfriend shouting and smashing plates.

Police found no cause for action, but the story dominated the front pages of Britain's newspapers, with some questioning Johnson's character and past - he is divorcing his second wife and has had several reported affairs.

Following the furore, he changed gear and launched into a media blitz on TV and radio.

Nonetheless, few in his party believe anything can seriously impede his cruise to 10 Downing Street.

"Boris is still well ahead with the membership who will ultimately decide who the next prime minister is," said Conservative lawmaker and Johnson supporter Andrew Bridgen.

"The overriding issue is Brexit and unfortunately Jeremy voted remain."– Nampa/Reuters

Hunger for beef offers rewards, risks for pastoralists

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Hunger for beef offers rewards, risks for pastoralistsHunger for beef offers rewards, risks for pastoralistsBooming demand in Nigeria Pastoralism has been thrust into the spotlight because of worsening confrontations with farmers over access to land and water. Nothing was done to implement the grazing reserves designed by the law in the 1960s. - Ibrahim Abdullahi, Secretary: Gafdan Célia Lebur - With over 200 million people and an emerging middle class, Nigeria is witnessing a boom in demand for meat that offers potential but also risks for the semi-nomadic herders who provide most of its beef.

According to government estimates, Nigeria consumes 360 000 tonnes of beef each year, accounting for half of all West Africa.

In per capita terms, consumption is low compared with advanced economies, but it is growing fast, and expected to quadruple by 2050.

Today, most of the demand is met by pastoralists from the ethnic Fulani group, who follow time-honoured techniques of raising cattle, driving them south to pastures and taking them to market.

During the dry season, the herders come down from the arid Sahel to the fertile plains of central and southern Nigeria, seeking water and pasture for their livestock.

Friction

The millennia-old activity has been thrust into the spotlight in recent years because of worsening confrontations with sedentary farmers over access to land and water.

Clashes have claimed 7 000 lives over the past five years and cost the Nigerian economy US$13 billion annually, according to a report in May by the NGO Mercy Corps.

The friction has roots dating back more than a century. Droughts, population growth, the expansion of sedentary farming into communal areas but also poor governance have all played a role.

Such neglect has pastoralists feeling isolated, according to Ibrahim Abdullahi, secretary of Gafdan, a national union of herders.

"Nothing was done to implement the grazing reserves designed by the law in the 1960s - most of the land has been sold and is now cultivated by farmers who grow crops," he said.

Nomads

Nomadic herders also find themselves far from the channels of the meat trade, while many markets and outdoor slaughterhouses lack basic sanitary conditions, such as running water, animal shelters and cold storage rooms, he said.

"At all the levels of government, the livestock sector was always marginalised in favour of agriculture. Some states still allocate less than 2% of their budget to livestock," he added.

As Nigerians clamour for meat, can this ancient practice - with its long supply chains, climate risks and social tensions - compete against sedentary farming, which has high productivity and lower risks?

Jimmy Smith, director of the Institute for International Research on Livestock Farming (ILRI), based in Nairobi, argues that the system can not only survive but also flourish - in the right conditions.

"Pastoralism has been established for millennia - in the past we've seen it's a very efficient system if you look at the input/output relationship. Very little is invested, but a reasonable amount is harvested," he told AFP.

This model can prosper if the right support is put in place, he said.

"For example, it is possible to grow more forage and grain in sub-humid zones to create and develop feed markets for livestock based in northern areas, where it's dry."

"One animal which can give two litres of milk today could give 10 litres in the future."

Cattle colonies

The government is mulling several plans to boost cattle raising and ease tensions over access to land.

They include initiatives for the creation of "cattle colonies" - dedicated areas where pastoralists can graze their animals and have access to veterinary and other care.

But these schemes are expensive and have already drawn flak from Nigerian states, which oppose handing over land for this use.

Another idea, for encouraging ranching, is doubted by agricultural experts. They point to a long list of past failures, during the French and British colonial period, to set up high-productivity "modern farms" in West Africa.

Nigeria has considerable livestock - nearly 20 million cattle, 40 million sheep and 60 million goats - but about 30% of slaughtered animals are purchased from abroad, mainly from neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Niger.

Often the herds are driven for hundreds of kilometres to be sold at border markets like Illela, a trading post between Niger and Nigeria.

The animals are then trucked to the cities, where they are sold again, slaughtered and butchered.

Demand

"As it is now, there's no way Nigeria can produce all the meat and the milk it needs for its growing population," said Smith.

"A significant proportion of animal source food demand will most likely continue to be met by importation."

Nigeria's hunger for meat is likely to be replicated across Africa, if expectations of population and income rise hold true.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates the continent will experience a doubling in consumption of beef, pork and chicken between 2015 and 2050.

With most of the meat consumed in Africa still coming from pastoralism, Smith said: "All we need is to modernise it."– Nampa/AFP

Mountain bike extravaganza this weekend

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Mountain bike extravaganza this weekendMountain bike extravaganza this weekend The national mountain bike race will take place on Sunday at the Kleine Kuppe gate of the IJG trails.

Any rider can take place in the race, regardless of whether they have participated in any prior league races.

It is anticipated that riders representing regions from across Namibia will participate in the event, creating different race dynamics in some of the key categories, which will serve up an exciting morning of racing.

Once the racing has finished on Sunday morning, the top three riders for each boys and girls category, the league series, as well as the nationals, will be awarded their prizes.



Sport Reporter

Mannetti can reapply

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Mannetti can reapplyMannetti can reapplyBasson-Namundjebo praises Warriors coach There will be a number of NFA coaching jobs up for grabs in August, including the Brave Warriors gaffer post. Several coaching posts at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) will be declared vacant by August, Namibian Sun can reveal.

It is also understood that the Brave Warriors coaching job will also be up for grabs, after Ricardo Mannetti's contract expires on 31 July.

Mannetti will thus have to reapply is he wants to continue in the post.

Namibian Sun understands the plan is to allow the NFA to have options when it comes to appointing coaches.

The NFA, whose affairs is currently being run by the Fifa normalisation committee, will be holding a congress on 31 August to elect a new leadership.

Other positions that are likely to be advertised include coaching jobs for the national junior and women's teams.

Fifa normalisation committee chairperson Hilda Basson-Namundjebo confirmed there are plans to advertise all coaching positions.

“Yes, there will be vacancies out for all coaching positions in our football structures.

“We also do not want people to get us wrong by insinuating that we want to get rid of some coaches, because they can reapply if they want to.

“The biggest thing here is going into the market and seeing what it has to offer,” Basson-Namundjebo said. She also lauded Mannetti for what he has done for the national team.

Basson-Namundjebo said Mannetti has achieved so much that the nation must rally behind him, despite an early exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

“I believe that coach Ricardo Mannetti has done incredibly well during his time with the national team.

“It is actually not fair that there are people out there who have taken social media to express their anger towards the coach.

“It is very important that we appreciate the work that Mannetti has done for the country,” she said.

It remains unclear whether the Brave Warriors coach will reapply for the job when his contract ends.

This is after the coach said he needs enough time to think about his future.

“My contract is ending on 31 of July and I basically have enough time to clear my mind and decide what is best for me and my family,” Mannetti said in an interview on Monday.

Meanwhile, there are fears that Namibia will struggle to get a suitable coach if Mannetti decides to call it day.

They pointed to the fact that after Afcon 1998, the team was dismantled and it took the country ten years before it could qualify for Afcon 2008.

In 2008, Namibia also recruited a new coach after the death of Ben Bamfuchile who was at the helm when the team qualified for Afcon that year. It took another six years of trying out different coaches before Mannetti was appointed in 2013. It took Mannetti six years to get it right and achieve his ultimate goal, which was to qualify for Afcon 2019.

Mannetti was reluctant to speak about his future on Monday, following a dismal end to the Warriors' Afcon 2019 campaign, when they were beaten 1-4 by Ivory Coast in their final group match. The team also suffered two unlucky defeats to Morocco and South Africa in their first two group matches.

Mannetti said he still has a few weeks to clear his mind and make a decision about the Warriors' coaching job.

“I think I have come full circle since I started in the development structures with the association and since my days as under-20 coach.

“I graduated with these specific players and we work very well together in the senior team and we have achieved so much together.

“I have to go back and sit with my family, because I just can't decide out of the blue and say I am done with the team or I am going to continue,” Mannetti said.

He said he has done what he could for the team and achieved what he had to achieve during his reign so far.

“It now also all depends on whether the normalisation committee wants me to stay on and under what conditions.

“I believe the conditions they will come up with will also be key, especially what more they want me to achieve and what their objectives are,” Mannetti added.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Cosafa draw finalised

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Cosafa draw finalisedCosafa draw finalisedGladiators face stern group test Namibia have been pitted against Zambia, Mauritius and Botswana in Group B at the upcoming Cosafa Women's Championship. The draw for the 2019 Cosafa Women's Championship and inaugural Cosafa Under-20 Women's Championship took place in Johannesburg yesterday.

The senior championship will feature 12 teams - Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia - and will be staged in South Africa's Nelson Mandela Bay municipality from 31 July to August 11.

Namibia are pitted against Zambia, Mauritius and Botswana in Group B.

In Group A are South Africa, who have dominated the senior regional competition in the past, with five wins in six finals. They have been drawn alongside Malawi, Comoros and Madagascar.

Zimbabwe headline Group C, where they will take on Mozambique, Angola and Eswatini.

Making a return to the tournament after an 11-year absence are Angola, who will be playing in their third tournament, while Comoros will make their debut, as they seek to grow the women's game in that country.

Madagascar make a third visit to the championship, while Mauritius will feature for a second time after making their debut in 2017.

Only the top teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals, along with the best third-place finisher, meaning there is little room for error or an off-day for any of the sides.

South Africa are the favourites to once again walk away with the cup, as they have just returned from the Fifa Women's World Cup in France.

“We will take it one match at a time. Each match will come with a different approach and tactic. Anything can happen; it's football, said the Brave Gladiators coach Uerikondjera Mamie Kasaona.

Despite the seniors taking centre stage, the under-20 Cosafa women's tournament will also be staged for the first time in Nelson Mandela Bay from 1 to 11 August and will feature seven teams.

Group A looks very competitive, with South Africa up against Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, in what is certainly a group of death.

Group B features Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Eswatini, and will also be eagerly contested.

The top two teams in each pool will advance to the semi-finals.

-Additional info by Cosafa



LIMBA MUPETAMI

July Handicap gets N$600 000 boost

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July Handicap gets N$600 000 boostJuly Handicap gets N$600 000 boost First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) has injected N$600 000 into the hosting of the FNB July Handicap at Okondjatu village in the Okakarara constituency for the next three years.

The funds will be divided equally between the Professor Supporters Club and Okahatjipara Turf Club in order for them to organise the next three editions of the annual horse-racing event. The 2019 edition takes place on 27 July.

The July Handicap is the biggest horse-racing event on the local calendar and has since its inception in 2015 attracted a considerable amount of participants, despite the unsuitable infrastructure.

According to Timo Mujeu, one of the organisers of the event, they have been trying to convince FNB to come on board as the official sponsor.

“As the competition grew, so did our confidence to present the event to them. When we held the event in Gobabis, we had a problem with infrastructure. The turf that we used was also sold to the Namibian Defence Force.

“We then had discussions with the councillor of Okakarara constituency, Vetaruhe Kendorozu, and he decided to provide the Okahatjipara turf for the horse-racing event. All we need to do now is just improve on the infrastructure. Horses will now have pens to stay in overnight, amongst other things,” Mujeu said.

This year the event will be much bigger and better, thanks to FNB's financial boost

“We are very thankful to FNB for making this possible. In 2015, we put together N$15 000 for the race to take place. In 2016, we sourced N$50 000. In 2017, we had N$100 000, but now it will be bigger and better,” said Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA) president Marthinus de Waal.

He said the competition is open to anyone who thinks their horse has what it takes to compete.

Kendorozu said owners should take proper care of their jockeys, as they are the ones handling the horses.

“I have been hearing that certain owners beat up their jockeys when their horse loses. This is not acceptable,” he said.

Jockeys are paid monthly, but also receive around N$100 to N$300 if their horse wins or comes second.

The championship will host 18 races on the day. Owners of thoroughbred horses are expected to pay N$300 for entry, while Nambred horses will pay N$200.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Iipotha iipe yoHepatitis E ya londo pombanda

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Iipotha iipe yoHepatitis E ya londo pombandaIipotha iipe yoHepatitis E ya londo pombandaOyendji ya kwatwa kombuto moNamibia Ehangano lyoWorld Health Organisation olya popi kutya epangelo oshowo omalelo gopaitopolwa oya pumbwa okukatuka oonkatu dhomeendelelo mokuungaunga netukuko lyomukithi gwoHepatitis E. Ehangano lyUundjolowele mUuyuni, oWorld Health Organisation (WHO) olya holola omaiyuvo ngoka oshiwike shika, sha landula e yo pombanda ndyoka lya dhidhikikwa metukuko lyiipotha yomukithi gwohepatitis E muJuni, nokupopya kutya okwa pumbwa okukatukwa oonkatu omolwa omukithi ngoka ngashiingeyi gwa kwata AaNamibia ye li po 5 400 nokudhipaga aantu yeli po 45, konima nkene gwa tukuka oomvula mbali dha piti.

Iipotha yomukithi ngoka yi li po 56 oya dhidhilikwa pokati komasiku 20 gaMei oshowo gaali gaJuni nuumvo, palopota ompe ndjoka ya pitithwa kuuministeli wuundjolowele, nomwaalu ngoka ogwa londo pombanda sigo opiipotha 113 okuza momasiku gatatu sigo 16 gaJuni.

Mokuyamukula, olopota yopaundjolowele wopaulumomhumbwe nomatukuko gomikithi muAfrika ndjoka ya pitithwa koWHO mOmaandaha, oya holola omaupyakadhi ngoka taga yi moshipala oonkambadhala dhokukondolola omukithi ngoka uule woomwedhi 20 ngashiingeyi.

WHO okwa gandja ekunkililo kepangelo nomalelo giitopolwa opo ya katuke oonkatu nokutala komaupyakadhi ngoka geli eshongo mokukondjitha omukithi ngoka.

Olopota oya holola kutya e yo pombanda lyiipotha yomukithi ngoka moNamibia muule womasiku ga piti, oli li omaipulo omanene unene sho oshilongo sha taalela onkalo yoshikukuta ndjoka tayi vulu okuya moshipala eyandjakaneko lyomeya nokutula pombanda ompumbwe yomeya moshilongo.

Olopota oya holola kutya omukithi gwohepatitis E ngoka gwa tukuka moNamibia muSepetemba gwomvula yo 2017, ogwa ninga omukundu omunene moshilongo.

Namibia okwa lopotwa kutya okuli a gumwa nayi noonkondo komukithi ngoka oshowo uule wethimbo omukithi gwa kala moshilongo uule woomwedhi dhi vulithe po 18 ngashiingeyi.

Uupyakadhi wumwe mboka wa dhidhilikwa kutya otawu taandelitha unene omukithi, ompumbwe yomeya ga yogoka, omayambidhidho gopauyogoki mokati koshigwana unene komahala hoka kwadhidhilikwa omukithi unene momalukanda.



Omalimbililo

Iipotha yombuto yohepatatais E ngashiingeyi oyi li po 5 423, okuza po 5 309 petameko lyomwedhi Juni.

Uuministeli wuundjolowele owa koleke kutya iipotha iipe yi li 113 yombuto yohepatitis mboka ya dhidhilikwa ngashiingeyi o 60 oya lopotwa moshitopolwa shaKhomas, ya landulwa kiipotha 17 ya dhidhilikwa moshitopolwa shErongo, moshitopolwa shaMusati omwa dhidhilikwa iipotha ihetatu, mOmaheke omwa dhidhilikwa iipotha ihamano omanga miitopolwa Oshana, Ohangwena oshowo Kavango mwadhidhilikwa oshipotha shimwe kehe pokati komasiku gatatu sigo 16 gaJuni.

Omukithi ngoka ogwa tukuka unene momalukanda moka mu na ompumbwe yeyandjakaneko lyomeya ga yogoka, oshowo ompumbwe yuundjugo niikwaniipangitho yilwe yuuyogoki mwakwatelwa woo omahala gokwiiyogela koonyala.

Omahala ngoka ga dhengwa unene ongaashi Havana noGoreangab mOvenduka oshowo olukanda lwaDRC moSwakopmund.

Moshitopolwa shaKhomas, aantu ya thika po 3 529 oya kwatwa kombuto ndjoka omanga moshitopolwa shErongo, aantu ye li po 1 267 ya gumwa.

Iitopolwa yilwe ya hupako oyo ya humbata oopresenda 12 dhombuto ndjoka.

Iipotha yi li po 37 yohepatitis A oya lopotwa moshitopolwa shaMusati nuumvo, na otaku tengenekwa kutya oyo ya etitha etukuko ndyoka.

Ombuto hepatitis E oshowo A adhihe ohadhi taandelithwa okuza monyata nenge momeya niikulya ya kwatwa koombuto ndhoka, na ohayi taandele unene momahala ge na onkalo yuuyogoki ya nkundipala. Dr Bernard Haufiku, ngoka a kwatele komeho okomitiye yekondololo lyopaulumomhumbwe lyuundjolowele pashigwana, okwa li a popi kutya okwa pumbwa okuteya po elyenge lyetaandelitho lyoombuto ndhoka.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Aakonaakoni yomayambidhidho gaanona taya tameke iilonga mbala

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Aakonaakoni yomayambidhidho gaanona taya tameke iilonga mbalaAakonaakoni yomayambidhidho gaanona taya tameke iilonga mbala Ekuto miilonga lyaakonaakoni omu 10 mboka taya ka topolelwa oompangulilo dhoomangestrata omugoyi moNamibia, ndyoka kwa tegelwelwa li ka hwepopaleke eungaungo niipotha yomayambidhidho gaanona moshilongo, oli li pankatu yahugunina.

“Aanambelewa mboka okwa tegelelwa ya ka tamekithe iilonga yawo mbala uuna ekuto miilonga lyawo lya manithwa,” Simon Idipo, a za kuuministeli wuuyuuki a kokele oshiwike shika.

Okwa popi kutya uuministeli owu na omukumo kutya aanambelewa mboka otaya ka tamekitha iilonga yawo.

Ompumbwe yaakonaakoni miipotha yomayambidhidho gaanona nenge moompangulilo dhomayambidhidho gaanona, oshimwe shomiinima ya tula pevi omulandu gwomayambidhidho gaanona moshilongo, sho ooyina yuunona ya popi kutya olundji oyo haya ningi omakonaakono gawo yene nokugongela omaumbangi ngoka taga pumbiwa, nenge ya konge aakonaakoni yopaumwene shoka tashi pula ondilo opo ya vule okusindana miipotha yawo mompangulilo.

MuMei, oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha lopota kutya uuministeli owa tseyitha oopoosa 10 muMaalitsa dhaanambelewa aakonaakoni mboka taya ka topolelwa moompangulilo dhomayambidhidho gaanona moondoolopa ngaashi Ondangwa, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Rundu, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Ovenduka oshowo Katima Mulilo.

Idipo okwa popi kutya euliko lyaakonaakoni mboka otali ka kandula po omukundu omunene ngoka gwa kala moompangulilo ndhoka, nokushunitha monima iipotha yoludhi ndoka.

Omakonaakono ga ningwa koLAC momvula yo 2013 oga holola kutya ompumbwe yeuliko lyaakonaakoni mboka otayi shunitha monima iipotha yomayambidhidho gaanona.

Omakonaakono oga holola kutya, omuntu oha ningi enyenyeto li na sha nomayambidhidho gaanona moNamibia kehe ominute 30 pethimbo lyoowili dhiilonga, nokweetitha omanyenyeto ngoka ga kale pokati ko4 000 oshowo 5 000 omvula kehe moshilongo ashihe.

Palundji aanyenyeti ohaya pewa oshimaliwa shooN$250 komwedhi shoka inashi gwana sha mokuyambidhidha aanona.

Ekuto miilonga lyaakonaakoni mboka otali ka etitha ku ningwe omakonaakono ga gwana kombinga yonkalo yiiyemo yoonakutulilwamo iipotha ko kuvule okugandjwa omaumbangi geli mondjila.

Olundji okwa holola kutya aakiintu oyo unene haya tula mo iipotha mboka, omanga oopresenda kadhi vulithe puyimwe hayi tulwa mo kaalumentu.

Omukalelipo gwaanona mOffice of the Ombudsman, Ingrid Husselmann, okwa popi li a popi muMei kutya paveta, aavali ayehe oye na oshinakugwanithwa shokuyambidhidha aanona yawo noompangu odhi na oshinakugwanithwa shokukwashilipaleka kutya shoka osha ningwa uuna enyenyeto lya ningwa.

Okwa tsikile kutya ompango otayi pitika woo omuvali ngoka ita vulu okumona oonzo dhopaimaliwa onga omukalo gwokuyambidhidha okanona ke, a vule okugandja kehe shoka ta vulu mokuyambidhidha okanona.

Husselmann okwa popi kutya Ombelewa yOmbudsman oyi na einekelo kutya uuna aakonaakoni mboka ya tameke iilonga nena iipotha oyindji yomayambidhidho gaanona otayi ka kandulwa po.

Yolande Engelbrecht gwoLAC okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya aakonaakoni mboka oye na oonkondo dhopaveta dha kwatelamo okupula uuyelele kombinga yiiyemo nomaliko okuza kaagandji yiilonga nenge koombaanga.

Okwa popi kutya ha ngaashi aanambelewa yoomayambidhidho gaanona mboka ye na oonkondo dha faathana ihe kaye na ethimbo, aakonaakoni oye na ethimbo lya gwana okugongela omauyelele ngoka molwaashoka ka ye na iinakugwanithwa yilwe ya gwedhwa po.

James Itana gwoRegain Trust okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya onkalo yaaalumentu taya idhimbike aanona yawo moNamibia oshi li omukundu omunene ngoka tagu tula onkalo yopaliko yaakiintu pevi.

Okwa popi kutya aanona oyendji moshilongo otaya tekulwa kooyina oyo ayeke.

Itana okwa popi kutya ekuthombinga lyaalumentu metekulo neyambidhidho lyaanona yawo inashi kuthwa ko kutya otaya kwathele aakiintu ihe oshi li oshinakugwanithwa shawo, nonkene aalumentu inaya pumbwa oku ethiwa nokwiidhimbika iinakugwanithwa yawo onga aavali.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Training on crime scene management relevant

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Training on crime scene management relevantTraining on crime scene management relevant Due to the transient and fragile nature of crime investigation, the reliability and preservation of its physical integrity depends largely on initial actions at the crime scene.

This was according to the Namibian police chief Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga in a speech delivered on his behalf during the official opening of the fourth Interpol Chemical Awareness and Crime Scene Management (CHASM) training course for Nigeria which kicked off at the coast on Tuesday.

The five-day training is hosted by Namibia's National Central Bureau.

According to Ndeitunga, evidence integrity can be achieved with limited means by observing a key set of guiding principles.

“Acting with maximum care and professionalism throughout the crime scene, the investigation process becomes more critical for the admissibility of evidence in court as well as for human rights inquiries and humanitarian action,” Ndeitunga noted.

The aim of the programme, which involves the training of close to 20 Nigerian police officers on CHASM, is to enhance the capacity of crime scene examiners when dealing with chemicals and explosives contaminated scenes. The course will also highlight appropriate safety procedures and risk assessment process which allows samples to be collected safely, whilst working within a highly dangerous crime scene environment.

The inspector-general said incidents of serious crimes involving chemicals are common and criminal activities have also become more sophisticated with new trends emerging almost on a daily basis. The coordinator for Interpol's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Sub-Directorate, Alan Grimmer, said Nigeria is third worldwide and number one in Africa as the country suffering the worst at the hands of terrorists on the Global Terrorism Index.

“Boko Haram, one of the biggest terrorist groups in Nigeria, was established in 2009.

This is not the only terrorist group, we know that ISIS is also making ground in trying to infiltrate West Africa and of course Al Qaeda is still very much embedded in West Africa and the Fulani militants are also still carrying out attacks,” Grimmer explained.

He said these attacks make it increasingly difficult for governments to control terrorism where there are several terrorist groups operating, hence the establishment of CHASM.

“CHASM is designed to assist you on the frontline to be trained and to be confident in dealing with complicated chemical crime scenes. We know in law enforcement that forensic evidence recovered at the crime scene is vital in prosecuting the individuals involved,” he said.



NAMPA

Huawei tech to be scrutinised - Simataa

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Huawei tech to be scrutinised - SimataaHuawei tech to be scrutinised - Simataa Information minister Stanley Simataa says government is not taking any chances when it comes to security concerns about Huawei devices.

Simataa acknowledged that cybersecurity was a big concern when quizzed, and said the relevant authorities would scrutinise Huawei's equipment. He was speaking on the sidelines yesterday of Huawei Africa head Chen Lei's visit to State House, where the Chinese company donated N$300 000 towards Namibia's drought relief efforts.

The telecommunications company has come under scrutiny because of fears that it could potentially use its technology for surveillance on behalf of the Chinese government. In January 2018, the Financial Times reported that African Union officials accused China of hacking its headquarters' computer systems every night for five years and downloading confidential data. Beijing funded the AU's US$200-million building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while a Chinese state-owned company built it. According to the newspaper, “analysts said the fact that the hack remained secret for a year after being discovered and that the AU was not commenting publicly demonstrated China's dominant relationships with African states.” The data theft was exposed by French newspaper Le Monde Afrique. China denied the accusation.

“The hack underscores the risk African nations take in allowing Chinese technology companies such prominent roles in developing their telecoms backbones, despite the US placing restrictions on investment by Huawei and ZTE. The two companies have built most of Africa's telecoms infrastructure, according to a McKinsey report on Chinese investment in Africa published last year (2017).”

Moreover, Huawei was restricted from participating in the future development of Australia and America's telecommunications networks from August 2018 and May 2019, respectively.

This stems from apparent Australian and US government concerns that Huawei infrastructure could allow the Chinese government to collect foreign intelligence and sensitive information, as well as sabotage economic interests. More recently, US companies were banned from engaging with Huawei by that country's department of commerce, which threatened Huawei's use of Android technology in its cellular phones.

“We will see whether the equipment is safe and secure… we are not taking it lock, stock and barrel,” Simaata said yesterday. Huawei senior vice-president for southern Africa, Luo Lei, said last year during a ceremony to mark Huawei's 10-year partnership with local telecommunications provider MTC that they were interested in providing Namibia with 5G technology.

“We would also like to work with MTC to maximally utilise its infrastructures to benefit Namibians with ICT solutions like Safe City to make cities safer,” Lei said at the time.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Voortrekker outrage continues

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Voortrekker outrage continuesVoortrekker outrage continuesGovt blasts self-proclaimed conservationists The environment ministry has come out guns blazing against criticism towards its actions in Omatjete. The environment ministry has rubbished assumptions made on social media about the killing of a 50-year-old elephant bull that was destroyed last week in the Omatjete area.

He was shot by a trophy hunter on 25 June.

The ministry's executive director Teofilus Nghitila said in a statement they are concerned about the “inaccurate, rubbish and false reports and assumptions” made through social media about the elephant that is popularly known as Voortrekker.

Voortrekker was a pioneer for the elephant population in the Ugab and Huab rivers.

This elephant was one of the first to venture back to the region after populations were decimated during the turbulent warfare years in southern Africa.

The elephant was killed last week in the Omatjete area in the Erongo Region by a government-appointed hunter who paid N$120 000 for the hunt of which N$20 000 went to the Game Product Trust Fund and the rest to the community.

According to Nghitila, some self-proclaimed conservationists are criticising the hunt “which was declared a problem-causing animal in accordance with the Revised National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management 2018, and the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975”.



Careful monitoring

Nghitila said that the elephant was declared a problem causing animal after a “lengthy investigation and careful monitoring”.

“There have been persistent problems caused by this elephant to the extent that the conflict became an intolerable burden on resident communities and a threat to human lives.”

However, retired deputy prosecutor-general Advocate Daniel Small is of the view that at the very least, an independent, comprehensive and thorough investigation seems necessary to remove any doubts as to the legality of the investigation and the issuing of the permits that allowed the killing of Voortekker.

Small posted a lengthy statement on social media regarding the incident.

“Unlike baboons, lynx, dassies and black-backed jackals, elephants have not been declared problem animals under Section 53 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance,” says Small.

According to him Section 37 allows for the hunting of game to protect grazing, cultivated lands and gardens specifically, but excludes the killing of elephant, hippopotami and rhino for this reason.

“Elephants thus may not be killed to protect grazing, cultivated lands and gardens. This section also does regulate the killing of for example elephants in defence of human life, livestock, or other property such as structures or water installations.”

He said that Section 36 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance only allows for the killing of specially protected game like elephants in defence of a human life or to prevent a person from being injured, or to protect any livestock, poultry or domestic animal while their life is actually being threatened.

“Thus, no killing is allowed if the elephant is not in the act of threatening such person or livestock, by for example tracking the elephant after it caused damage, and then killing it.”



Minister has the power

Spokesperson of the ministry Romeo Muyunda, however, told Namibian Sun Section 53 allows for the minister to declare any wild animal a problem animal throughout Namibia or within such part or parts of Namibia as it may in its discretion determine.

Nghitila further explained that communities of Omatjete have been complaining about “elephants causing damage to property and threatening the lives of people for a long time”. One person was been killed by elephants over the past few years. The ministry had to launch an N$4-million project to upgrade water infrastructure for the communities and to provide alternative water points for elephants in the area.

According to him the communities of Soris Soris, Otjimboyo and Tsiseb had asked for Voortrekker not to be destroyed.

“We understand that the request was made to the minister at the influence of some NGOs and individuals in the area as the letter by the three conservancies to the ministry was not even signed by the legitimate persons in the conservancies.”



Problem animal

He stressed that the human-elephant conflict was not reported in those areas, but in Omatjete and therefore the elephant was declared a problem-causing animal.

Nghitila said Voortrekker was declared a problem-causing animal in line with the nature Conservation Act of 1996, the Elephant Management Plan, the National Policy on Community Based Natural Resource Management and the Revised National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management by the ministry after a long period of monitoring and putting preventative measures in place to avoid damages to human property.











ELLANIE SMIT

Dark Rundu poses security risk

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Dark Rundu poses security riskDark Rundu poses security riskYouth have complained about safety There is light at the end of the tunnel with a renewed service agreement. Rundu, the capital city of Kavango East, is in dire need of street lights, as most parts of the riverside town remain in darkness at night, which poses a security risk to residents.

The chances of being mugged and losing your valuables at night in Rundu are very high, because criminals take advantage of dark areas, even along the town's main roads.

Some of the existing street lights are not operational.

This has been the case for years, despite residents calling on the Rundu town council to address this issue.

The town council and Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) have signed service delivery agreements over the years, but the street light issue remains a concern. The reality on the ground is that Rundu remains a dark town at night, when compared to other major towns in Namibia.

Last week, during the renewal of a service delivery agreement between the town council and Nored, Rundu mayor Isak Kandingu called the electricity distributor to prioritise various issues, including the erection of high-mast lighting in formalised areas.

Kandingu also called on Nored to install street lights of the required standard and not the current ones that do not adequately light up the town at night.

“Rundu is growing at an accelerated pace in terms of population, hence the growth of the town in terms of services, including electricity. Therefore, we would like the following aspects to be prioritised and accelerated: High-mast lights required at formalised areas, street lights of the required standard and the replacement of bulbs, as the streets of Rundu are still dark, as this increases the security risk,” Kandingu said.

Rundu acting CEO Sikongo Haihambo said the recently signed service delivery agreement was long overdue.

Haihambo stressed the document should not collect dust, but should rather be implemented.

“What we don't want to see is that this document is just filed. The dynamics of the agreement need to be implemented,” Haihambo said.

Nored CEO Fillemon Nakashole assured that they will play their part in ensuring that priority areas are given the desired attention.

He, however, pointed out that the town council should also work on its poor road infrastructure, as it will not make sense for Nored to construct streetlights in areas with bad roads.

Haihambo said the council is in the process of addressing the issue of bad roads in the town.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Land is too expensive

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Land is too expensiveLand is too expensive The Namibian government has recognised that a large section of people still do not have access to land and decent shelter because it is unaffordable, urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga said this week.

Speaking during the official opening of a high-level consultative retreat with governors, mayors and senior administration officials of local authorities at Walvis Bay, he said this is one of the major challenges the ministry faces.

The minister said the affordability of land has become a key issue, especially in developing nations, where the majority of the population is not able to buy serviced urban land or houses at market prices.

“For this reason, the ministry has embarked on addressing these problems through the Massive Urban Land Servicing and Mass Housing Development programmes, initiatives which call for the involvement of both the public and private sector,” he said.

The three-day meeting is aimed at enabling the ministry and its management to engage the officials with a view toward developing a sense of togetherness and teamwork.

Mushelenga gave his assurance that the government will continue to provide budgetary support to regional councils and local authorities to service land and develop other basic services, in keeping with the Harambee Prosperity Plan and national development targets.

Other challenges faced by the ministry include the high rate of open defecation in rural areas and informal settlements, for which statistics stand at 70%.

“This situation is not only a health hazard, but also compromises people's human dignity,” he said.

Other challenges and topics of discussion during the deliberations include poor governmental budget execution, poor coordination among offices and agencies, poverty and rural development.

Mushelenga said his ministry, along with regional councils and local authorities, is entrusted with the responsibility of meeting some of the fundamental needs of the people of Namibia.

“This enormous responsibility entails ensuring appropriate governance structures and coordinated efforts in bringing about development, as well as the provision of basic infrastructure and services that would ensure that Namibians live decent and dignified lives,” he noted.

He therefore emphasised that it is critical for the ministry and its departments to have structures in place and to work together in order to effectively execute this mandate.

NAMPA

Economic panel targets N$14bn

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Economic panel targets N$14bnEconomic panel targets N$14bn The high-level panel on the Namibian economy is scheduled to host an investment summit at the end of this month, which will ignite the process to raise about N$14 billion over two years, its chairperson Johannes !Gawaxab has announced.

This follows an earlier announcement made by President Hage Geingob during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) in April.

According to !Gawaxab an immediate deliverable for the panel will be coordinating the hosting of the two-day economic growth summit. The summit will take place from 31 July to 1 August 2019 at the Safari Court and Conference Centre in Windhoek, he announced.

“It is envisaged for there to be public sector commitments, the articulating of policy stances on issues that have been clouded by policy uncertainty and further announcements of private sector investments worth US$500 million (N$7 billion) over the next 12 months,” said !Gawaxab.

The summit will be held under the theme 'Economic Revival for Inclusive Growth - Strengthening the Namibian House'.

!Gawaxab explained it will be a private sector-led initiative hosted and coordinated by the panel. Therefore, the summit will be entirely funded by the private sector.

“It is important to note that the preparations for the summit are currently in full swing and we will be ready to host our local, regional and international participants by the given dates,” !Gawaxab said.

The plenary and various breakaway sessions, cutting across key growth sectors, will bring together policymakers, investors and key experts, amongst others, from all 14 regions of Namibia, in order for them to engage in arriving at plausible recommendations for the country's economic growth, and significantly enhance job-creation.

Shebeen killer appeals

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Shebeen killer appealsShebeen killer appeals JANA-MARI SMITH

A man who began an 18-year prison sentence in October 2018, after he was found guilty of killing an unarmed colleague, has appealed his conviction and sentence, which he described as shocking and unreasonable.

Gerald Kamboua (43), whose appeal was heard in the Windhoek High Court this week, argued, among other appeal grounds, that he was denied his constitutional right to call a crucial witness to testify on his behalf.

Kamboua, a former employee of a security company, was arrested in February 2017 after he was accused of fatally attacking and stabbing his relative and colleague, Belingtime Kamutuua Hoveka, at least ten times following a celebratory visit to a shebeen that turned sour.

Witnesses said the attack took place after Hoveka was asked to try and calm down a reportedly intoxicated and belligerent Kamboua. A brief tussle took place between the two men, but Hoveka eventually withdrew and walked back to a waiting car.

Kamboua was seen going after Hoveka, who was unarmed, and stabbing him multiple times, inflicting fatal wounds to his upper body. Hoveka, who would have turned 39 later this month, died from his injuries after being admitted to hospital

At the time of sentencing, regional court magistrate Alexis Diergaardt told Kamboua: “This was a very brutal attack and a person that was your relative, your friend, your colleague.”

She further highlighted that violent crimes are becoming “very prevalent in the whole of Namibia and it must be stopped”.

Not fair

Kamboua alleges that his 18-year prison sentence is “unreasonable and shockingly inappropriate”.

His legal team argued the court erred “by not only rejecting the version of Kamboua, but also denying him an opportunity to call a crucial witness, being the medical doctor who treated him”.

The High Court heard it was “shocking that the magistrate refused” to call the doctor.

Kamboua’s team also argued that the magistrate erred in her rejection of Kamboua’s version of events, in which he claimed he was stabbed first and acted in self-defence.

Several other grounds of appeal against the conviction and sentence were submitted.

Opposed

The State asked that the appeal be dismissed on numerous grounds.

It argued that Kamboua’s convictions for murder and malicious damage to property were based on the totality of evidence, including multiple witness statements presented to the court.

“The learned magistrate in her reasons for judgement held that the deceased was unarmed when he was attacked, and there was no eminent attack on the accused person at the time he stabbed the deceased and his life was not in danger.”

The State further underlined that Diergaardt did “not just disregard” the medical certificate, but that the examination on which the certificate was based took place two months after the murder.

“Therefore the injuries could have been sustained at any stage between the incident and the incarceration of the accused person and does not assist the accused person in his defence,” the magistrate had reasoned.

The State highlight that Diergaardt, on evaluating all evidence, concluded Kamboua’s version “is not a true reflection of the events that he was not an honest and reliable trustworthy witness”.

Diergaardt also found Kamboua guilty of a charge of malicious damage to property, for which he was sentenced to a year behind bars or alternatively a N$4 000 fine.

The appeal judgement is expected to be delivered on 29 August.

Advocate Kadhila Amoomo acted on behalf of the appellant, while Basson Lilungwe acted on behalf of the State before judges Nate Ndauendapo and Petrus Unengu.

Unions drag govt to labour commissioner

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Unions drag govt to labour commissionerUnions drag govt to labour commissioner The Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) and Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) have lodged a labour dispute at the Office of the Labour Commissioner, after their pleas for salary increments for public servants fell on deaf ears.

The two unions made several demands in 2018, which included 8% and 9% salary increments across-the-board for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years, respectively.

They also demanded a 10% salary increment for the 2020/21 financial year.

The unions also asked for a 10% housing subsidy and allowance increment, a 12% transport allowance increment across-the-board, as well as the kilometre rate to be increased to N$6/km.

According to Nantu secretary-general Basilius Haingura two meetings took place with the government negotiating team on 14 March 2018 and 5 July 2018.

“During the deliberations the government was unable to make a counter-offer due to the 'unfavourable economic situation' which is prevailing in the country. The unions critically considered government's position and it was on this basis that the unions gave government breathing space by agreeing to no increment for the 2018/19 financial year,” he said.

As a result, the unions pinned their hopes on government being forthcoming in terms of the subsequent financial years, Haingura said, adding that by April this year they were still left empty-handed.

This prompted the two unions to declare an internal dispute with the Office of the Prime Minister on 12 April 2019

“There was an understanding that the parties would resolve the matter within 30 days, as provided for in the recognition agreement between the unions and the government. Unfortunately that was not the case and the 30 days lapsed on 13 May 2019,” he said.

Asked whether civil servants can expect an increment this year, Basilius responded: “The dispute is with the labour commissioner; let us see what happens during the mediation period.”



JEMIMA BEUKES

No law barring Erindi sale

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No law barring Erindi saleNo law barring Erindi salePresidency defends land deal The recommendation calling for foreigners not to buy land in Namibia will remain a recommendation until it is enacted into law. ELLANIE SMIT

The presidency has reiterated there is no law currently in place that can stop the sale of the 71 000-hectare Erindi Private Game Reserve to Mexican billionaire Alberto Baillères.

It said a recommendation made during the second national land conference last year not to sell land in Namibia to foreigners, remains a recommendation until the state enacts laws to that effect.

This is according to a statement issued by the presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari after the outrage sparked by a meeting between President Hage Geingob and Baillères.

Baillères is in the process of purchasing the sought-after game reserve.

Institutions such as the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), the Namibia Ancestral Land Foundation (NALAFO) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCRN) all called for the deal to sell Erindi to a foreigner to be cancelled.

Geingob was set to meet with several workers’ unions on Tuesday to discuss the sale of Erindi and the economy, among other national issues.

According to Hengari the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU), National Teachers Union (NANTU) and the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU) would have met with Geingob Tuesday.

However, the meeting did not proceed as envisaged due to the unavailability of line ministers who had commitments prior to the request from the unions.

According to Hengari the Presidency has written to these unions with a view to reschedule.

He further emphasised the competency of institutions of the state regarding the sale of Erindi and the availability of Geingob to hold dialogue with stakeholders to clarify government policy.

“The president, in performing his tasks, must assure investors that Namibia is safe and the rule of law, respected. As a matter of fact, and consistent with the directive, Baillères, who is a status investor, has engaged the relevant line ministries and government agencies.”

Hengari said the sale, in line with regulatory processes, systems and institutions, is currently awaiting approval by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) and that process should be allowed to run its course.

“President Geingob does not negotiate with business leaders. In line with accepted international practice, they pay courtesy calls like other stakeholders the president sees on a daily basis.”

Hengari said that this is part of Geingob’s participatory approach to governance that stakeholders must be consulted, heard and challenges must be identified, solutions found, with line ministries and agencies of government as the basic anchors in the governance architecture.

He said the principle of not negotiating business at State House stands and remains an unshakeable position for as long as Geingob remains in office.

According to him the recommendation calling for foreigners not to buy land in Namibia will remain a recommendation until it is enacted into law.

He said that this is why Geingob restated to the media in his briefing that Namibia at the moment did not have any law prohibiting foreign nationals from buying land.

“In fact, the President reminded the media that the current owners of Erindi are not Namibians, but are the Joubert brothers, who are South Africans.”
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