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Lions snatch late win against Pumas

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Lions snatch late win against PumasLions snatch late win against Pumas The Golden Lions dug deep to edge the Pumas 38-37 in an entertaining Currie Cup encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.

There was little to choose between the two sides after an all-action first half that saw the visitor's edge in front thanks to tries from Carel du Preez and Le Roux Roets, as well as points from the reliable boot of Kobus Marais. The Lions, though, were never far from the action, as wing Madosh Tambwe kept his side in the game. Tambwe bagged his hat-trick in the 65th minute. Morgan Naude's try with 20 minutes to play, and then Marais' boot, put the Pumas well in front. But predictably, there was another twist in the tail, as Tambwe bagged his fourth with just over 10 minutes to play.



The Lions pushed forward

The Lions pushed forward, as they relied on superior conditioning to get them over the line. And that's exactly what happened, as their flyhalf Shaun Reynolds crossed over at the death, before he stepped up to add the extras as the Lions sealed a come-from-behind win.

Scorers: Lions: 38 (14). Tries: Madosh Tambwe (4), Tyrone Green and Shaun Reynolds. Conversions: Reynolds (4). Yellow card: Rhyno Herbst.

Pumas: 37 (17). Tries: Carel du Preez, Le Roux Roets, Etienne Taljaard and Morgan Naude. Conversions: Kobus Marais (4). Penalties: Marais (3).

NAMPA/ANA

Ketjijere hangs up Warriors' boots

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Ketjijere hangs up Warriors' bootsKetjijere hangs up Warriors' bootsCaptain courageous closes national team chapter Ronald Ketjijere is looking forward to counting his cattle, but will still be playing for African Stars for at least two seasons. Their Afcon 2019 clash against Ivory Coast at Afcon was the last time Brave Warriors midfielder and captain, Ronald Ketjijere, represented his country.

The 31-year Ketjijere announced that his days as captain of the national team have come to an end and he will now concentrate on playing club football for African Stars.

He wants to spend time with his family, focus on his career and farm.

“I want to spend time counting my cattle. I used to go to the farm occasionally, but now I can do that more, count my cattle and spend time with my wife and kids in peace,” he said.

Ketjijere was born in Okakarara and is Namibia's most capped player, with 73 appearances for the national team. He has also excelled academically, having studied law at the University of Namibia and then continuing his studies at the University of Pretoria, for whom he also played in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

He is arguably also the country's most successful skipper to date, having led the Brave Warriors to their first-ever international triumph, when they clinched the 2015 Cosafa Castle Cup.

But before all this came to be, Ketjijere started off playing for Unam in the Khomas second division and helped the team gain promotion to the Southern Stream First Division in 2008.

After that he was snatched up by African Stars to play in the Namibia Premier league (NPL).

In his first season, Ketjijere won the MTC premiership and the Leo NFA Cup, both in the 2009/10 season.

In 2011, the midfielder made his debut for the Warriors against The Flames of Malawi. Namibia narrowly lost 1-2 in Windhoek. Since then, Ketjijere never looked back and was later given the captain's armband.

His inspiring performances and hard work did not go unnoticed, as he then signed a professional contract with University of Pretoria for the 2012/13 season.

Ketjijere has now stepped down and assessed the Warriors' performance at Afcon 2019, saying the experience was one to cherish.

“The team is fairly young and I really wish that those who were there learnt a thing or two; the only thing that set us apart from our three opponents in Group D was that they have more class. They had the upper-hand.

“We planned very well defensively against Morocco. We had few chances on attack or corners, but we defended well. The only problem we experienced was the mistakes we made from set-pieces; the team needs to work on that,” he said.

“When we played South Africa and Ivory Coast, we played more open football. With Ivory Coast we had a chance to even score and change the dynamics of the game, but the finishing killed us in the end, as we did not come to the party.”

Ketjijere said the players need to work on small factors, in order to improve their play. “The players need to compete with arrogance, and then be patient in the build-up. Most of the time the forwards are in a rush to get the job done. And then we either execute poorly or lose the ball altogether.

“With the match against the Ivoirians we had the upper-hand, pushing them back, but we failed to put the ball away. But it was a great learning curve,” added Ketjijere.



Standout moments

He added that matching the powerhouses of African football, and one day defeating them, is not a far-fetched dream, Namibia can play more friendlies against top sides.

He lauded goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua for being outstanding at Afcon 2019.

“He really executed his tasks well. He stood firm. Also, the defence was also solid for the first two matches, but I will not to take anything away from the players - everyone played their part well.”



The future

Ketjijere said head coach Ricardo Mannetti's contract coming to an end and with Ronny Kanalelo having also left the national set-up, it might disrupt the flow and teambuilding.

“The technical side might be dissolved, as Mannetti's contract might not be renewed, and with Kanalelo leaving, I don't know what will happen to the squad and the continuity.

“One doesn't know the philosophy of whoever takes over the squad. One also doesn't know who he would want to keep or let go.”

Asked if he would one day like to venture into coaching or be part of the management of the Warriors, Ketjijere said “no”.

“I don't want to do either. Once I'm done with something, I completely wash my hands.

“I will, however, savour the moments spend playing with the Warriors. But I will create more memories at Stars, where I plan to play for two more seasons.

“Even though at times people used to insult me for not tackling my opponents - I mean, anyone who understands football should know that the purpose of tackling is to win the ball - but if I can do it while staying on my feet, or if I can use my head, what is the purpose of still tackling,” he said while chuckling.

He added his position is very critical, as one has to be aware of what is happening at all times. “You have to have top-notch awareness skills. You need to be able to initiate attacks and also know when to redirect the match. I'm sure whoever fills that spot will step up to the responsibility.”

Ketjijere further advised his teammates to use their finances well. “Whatever you earn at club level or in the national team, invest it wisely. Also, work on your attitude on and off the field. “Alcohol and sport doesn't gel well. Don't wait till you are called up to work on your fitness. Work on your fitness and be ready when your time comes,” Ketjijere added.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Same-sex marriages before full bench

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Same-sex marriages before full benchSame-sex marriages before full bench The fate of three Namibians who tied the knot with their same-sex partners in countries where gender is not a barrier to marriage, and who want their marriages legally recognised in Namibia, has been placed in the hands of three yet-to-be-designated High Court judges.

In June, Judge President Petrus Damaseb gave instructions for all three pending cases to be consolidated and heard simultaneously by a full bench of three judges.

Two of the cases involve Namibian citizens who were legally married in South Africa, the only country in Africa where gay marriage is legal.

The third case deals with a couple who were married in Germany.

The South Africans - Daniel Digashu and Julia Susan Jacobs, German national Anita Seiler-Lilles and their Namibian-born spouses took their cases to the Windhoek High Court after they faced the same immigration challenges in relocating to Namibia.

Digashu and his husband, Johann Potgieter, were married in South Africa in 2015 and sued the Namibian authorities in 2017.

Jacobs and her wife, Anita Grobler, were married in 2009 and have been in a relationship for over 25 years. They sued last year.

Seiler-Lilles met her wife Anette Seiler in 1998. In 2004, they formalised their relationship in Germany as a “life partnership”, but were able to marry each other legally in 2017 when Germany legalised same-sex marriages.

Their case was also lodged late last year.

All three couples document numerous setbacks in their attempts to move to Namibia with their Namibian-born spouses, including discrimination at the hands of immigration officials.



New ground

The issue of same-sex relationships was last put to the test more than 20 years ago when a same-sex couple sued immigration authorities who had denied a Namibian woman's long-term partner a permanent residence permit.

While the court eventually ruled that the woman, Elizabeth Frank, should be granted permanent residence, the courts did not find in favour of same-sex relationships based on a number of reasons.

Toni Hancox, the director of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), told Namibian Sun recently that these cases are ideal to test the legal issue of same-sex partnerships and marriages.

“It is high time to address this matter in Namibia,” she said.

Hancox said Damaseb's decision could be a nod towards the court's recognition of the spotlight on same-sex marriages and the decriminalisation of homosexuality across the continent and elsewhere.

“I think it shows that this is a matter of great importance, and given the recent judgments in Africa, the court realises that this is a question that must be considered at this stage, and progressively so.”

She added that these three matters are perfectly suited to be test cases. “The parties are already married and two [weddings] took place in a country that has very strong links to Namibia.” Hancox explained that a full bench means “there will be different thoughts on the issue, and not one judge to have to make this decision alone”.

At least two of the three judges must agree on the judgment, she added.



Careful optimism

Legal experts advise caution though, noting that it is not unusual for cases raising the same legal issues to be heard together. Moreover, there is a possibility of a narrow verdict which would limit the ruling to foreign marriages, the LAC's Dianne Hubbard pointed out.

She added that many countries reserve the right to refuse to recognise the validity of a foreign marriage on the grounds that it would violate their public policy, an issue the LAC included in its 2015 report on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) issues.

Nevertheless, she said, “hopefully it will pave the way for the decriminalisation of sodomy between consenting adults and legal recognition of same-sex partnerships and marriages.”

She noted that legal progress on such issues often is incremental in other countries.

In Namibia, “one can certainly see more visibility and acceptance of the LGBT community in recent years, so it is certainly time for the law to change accordingly.”

Both lawyers emphasised that it is important to understand there may be an appeal no matter what the judgment.

The case is likely to focus on several parts of the constitution, including Article 14, which deals with family; Article 10, which deals with equality and freedom from discrimination; and the right to dignity.

“Dignity has been a key issue in LGBT cases in other countries,” Hubbard said.



Slow progress

In 2006, South Africa became the first African nation to allow gay marriage.

Same-sex relations are illegal on much of the continent and are punishable by death in Mauritania and Sudan, as well as in parts of Nigeria and Somalia.

Polling by Afrobarometer in 2016 found that 78% of Africans across 33 countries were intolerant of homosexuality.

In 2016, the Namibian government informed the United Nations that it considered the issue of same-sex marriages in Namibia as “a non-issue” and had no intention of repealing any laws, including the common-law crime of sodomy.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Spotlight on prison health

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Spotlight on prison healthSpotlight on prison healthTaking equitable services to jails the Malawian way In an era in which bureaucratic and funding obstacles are often cited as excuses for not providing the same quality of healthcare to prisoners as in the wider community, Malawi is slowly demonstrating that political will can enable countries to achieve more with limited available human and other resources. The late Nelson Mandela once famously said: “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”

Mandela spent 27 years in prison, making him the longest-serving political prisoner in recent history. His reflections on life in Robben Island Prison - now an inactive maximum-security prison off Cape Town, South Africa - have partly inspired the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, now popularly known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Basically, the Nelson Mandela Rules promote the safe and humane custody of people in prisons or correctional facilities. Notably, they prohibit torture, discrimination and degrading punishment among many other human rights violations.

With respect to health of people in custody, the Nelson Mandela Rules state: “The provision of healthcare for prisoners is a state responsibility. Prisoners should enjoy the same standards of healthcare that are available in the community and should have access to necessary healthcare services free of charge without discrimination on the grounds of their legal status. Healthcare services should be organised in close relationship to the public health administration and in a way that ensures continuity of treatment and care, including for HIV, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, as well as for drug dependence.”

Whereas many member states agree in principle that providing equitable access to healthcare to people in custody is the right thing to do, few have successfully walked the walk. In the face of fiercely competing national priorities, many prisoners in low-resourced settings often find themselves at the bottom of priorities.

Often, budgets, insufficient human resources for health and in some cases inflexible mandates of government ministries, jinx efforts to provide equitable healthcare to prisoners.

However, prisoners are part of the community and they return to their families and communities upon release. Evidence shows that not protecting prisoners from infection can lead to a situation in which former inmates can start a new round of infection outside correctional facilities if they are not protected while serving their sentences.

In Malawi, one of the countries with the highest levels of overcrowding in prisons, the ministry of health has acknowledged that good prison health is good public health. To that end, the ministry of health has appointed district prison health coordinators in each of the country's districts in which a prison is located, to link prisons to health services in the wider community.

The coordinators visit prisons to provide screening for infectious diseases, support prevention measures and offer testing services. The tasks of the coordinators are to serve as links between prisons and community health services. They also identify people who can provide the healthcare that is required in prisons.

Recently the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organised an orientation workshop for 23 of these coordinators. The orientation threw light on challenges encountered in delivering healthcare to correctional facilities.

The director of clinical services within the ministry of health in Malawi, Dr George Chithope-Mwale, officially opened the workshop. He cited overcrowding, poor nutrition, poor ventilation and poor health services among factors thwarting efforts towards delivering equitable healthcare for inmates in the country's correctional facilities.

He noted that inmates continued to be more vulnerable to communicable diseases than the general population.

“I am glad that Malawi prisons and other partners are taking steps to address some of the factors that worsen the disease conditions in prisons through improvement of ventilation, increasing the sleeping space for prisoners and policies to reduce prison population,” he said.

He, however, said there were more challenges including poor health services in prisons and malnutrition which need collaborative approaches to address to ensure that prisoners who form part of key populations are not left behind.

He said investing in the health of prison inmates was the right thing to do given that most inmates rejoin mainstream society after serving their prison sentences.

“People in prisons come from amidst us and when released, they go back to the same society they came from. This may facilitate the spread of diseases within the community,” he said.

Dr Chithope-Mwale listed many challenges but remained optimistic.

“I am confident that together we will be able to face these challenges and at the same time, extend a hand to assist our brothers and sisters in prisons in our respective districts, in the spirit of universal health access and to prevent spread of communicable diseases within our communities.”

He said data from different sources showed worsening conditions of malnutrition, especially among people living with HIV and those on TB treatment.

Noting that life was unpredictable, he stated that life was such that today's prisoner might be tomorrow's free person and vice versa.

“We may never know. Tomorrow you may be found in the same situation and need the assistance which we can initiate and advocate for now,” he said.

He acknowledged efforts of different stakeholders and partners in assisting the government of Malawi in developing policies and guidelines for providing clinical care in prisons. He expressed optimism that the district prison health coordinators would make a difference and “address existing health challenges and coordinate the interventions around health or HIV, including SRHR services in Malawi prisons, with special emphasis on women and adolescents as they form part of our population”.

*Moses Magadza is a communications officer for the UNODC regional office for southern Africa.





MOSES MAGADZA

Dr Lemmer reign supreme

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Dr Lemmer reign supremeDr Lemmer reign supreme The much-anticipated FNB Classic Clashes rugby match between the first teams of Dr Lemmer High School and M&K Gertze took place in Rehoboth on Saturday.

It was a very intense affair, as both teams gunned for the win.

However, in the end Dr Lemmer proved to be the stronger team, winning 18-16. There was quite a celebration after the match, as Dr Lemmer hadn't won this derby for the past two years, after 10 consecutive previous victories over M&K Gertze.



Evany van Wyk

Top players honoured

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Top players honouredTop players honouredSmith, Green shine at Cricket Namibia awards During a glitzy event held in Windhoek, Cricket Namibia honoured its top players for the past season. JJ Smit scooped the player of the year gong at the annual Cricket Namibia awards ceremony at the weekend, while Kayleen Ann Green was announced as the women's player of the year.

Both Smit and Green, along with other top cricketers in different categories, as well as individuals in the cricket fraternity, received awards for outstanding performances on and off the field on Friday night.

The award is a bonus for fast bowler Smit, who bats right-handed and bowls with his left. He recently secured a contract to play professional cricket in Canada.

He said during the course of the year, he hit 199 runs, adding he didn't bowl as fast in the past club season, given that the pitches were challenging.

“However, I'm very proud of what the team and I have achieved. We achieved one-day (international) status, which means a lot for us financially, because now we will be able to tour worldwide, the same way that so many other sport codes in the country can do,” he said.

Smit added he is looking forward to playing top-notch cricket in Canada for the next two years.

“Most importantly, though, is that our team is doing well, with 14 who received contracts. Even those who didn't receive contracts are passionate about the county and our people.”



Tielman van Lill

Haihambo 'will be back'

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Haihambo 'will be back'Haihambo 'will be back'Kandingu confident that acting Rundu CEO will return Acting Rundu CEO Sikongo Haihambo had tendered his resignation in May, amid vicious infighting amongst the town's five Swapo councillors. Rundu mayor Isak Kandingu has reassured that Sikongo Haihambo, who resigned as the town's acting CEO, will soon be back in his position.

In an interview with Namibian Sun Kandingu confidently said Haihambo will return to his duties as the acting CEO, a position he held for the past 10 months before his sudden resignation.

Herman Haingura, the head of strategic executive corporate services, is currently acting as the CEO of the town.

“We are sorting something out. Haihambo will come back. Haingura is just acting for now,” Kandingu said, when asked what the latest developments were with regard to the CEO position.

Haihambo tendered his resignation in May, amid vicious infighting amongst the town's five Swapo councillors, which left Rundu operating without a management committee for many months.

The management committee issue was recently resolved after urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga intervened.

When contacted for comment, Haihambo told Namibian Sun: “My last comment and position on the matter stands.”

He was referring to an interview on 31 May, when he told Namibian Sun he will only reverse his decision to resign after applying his mind, and having proper consultations with his wife, as she was the person he consulted before he accepted the acting CEO position.

Haihambo said at the time that accepting the position came with a lot of sacrifices.

Despite the political infighting, which made Haihambo's work unbearable, to a certain extent, he managed to deliver services to the people of Rundu.

Rundu businesswoman Elizabeth Hilger organised a mass prayer session at the council premises after she learnt that Haihambo had resigned.

“When Haihambo occupied the office in September 2018, Rundu was faced with water cuts, whereby the town would go without water for up to a week.

However, we don't experience it anymore. We cannot afford to lose Haihambo,” Hilger said.

Haihambo's contract was supposed to come to an end at the end of next month.

Namibian Sun has been reliably informed that the town council is currently shortlisting candidates who applied for the CEO position, after the post was advertised earlier this month.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Unam lecturer to be prosecuted

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Unam lecturer to be prosecutedUnam lecturer to be prosecuted The case of the University of Namibia (Unam) lecturer, who allegedly shot and wounded two brothers last December in Rundu has been remanded to September.

The suspect, Nelson Antonio, 44, employed at Unam's Rundu campus, appeared before Magistrate Victor Nyazo on 4 July who remanded the matter to 26 September for Antonio's lawyer to be present in court, and for the fixing of the trial date.

Antonio told the court he could not afford to have his lawyer preesnt because of financial constraints.

Namibian Sun last reported that the matter was referred to the office of the prosecutor-general for a decision.

On 4 July the report was presented in court and the prosecutor-general decided that Antonio should be prosecuted.

Antonio is charged with two counts of attempted murder and for discharging a firearm in public, when he allegedly emptied an entire magazine and wounded Moses and Gerson Batista, who are both 25 years old, on 3 December in Rundu's Kehemu location.

The two victims are related to Antonio's ex-girlfriend and were driving her car at the time.

He is currently out on bail of N$10 000.

Antonio was initially denied bail by Magistrate Hellen Olaiya during his first bail application on 21 December 2018.

He however appealed successfully to the Windhoek High Court and Magistrate Sonia Samupofu granted him bail.

Meanwhile, he claims that he acted in self-defence. He testified during the bail hearing that he was sitting in his car when three men, including the two victims, pulled him out of his vehicle car and assaulted him.

He said he fired warning shots into the air, but had to shoot at the victims as one of them was on his way to their car to get a panga.

Antonio also testified that he has 10 children, five of whom were living with him at the time and needed him to care for them.

The State had opposed bail because of the seriousness of the offences and due to concerns that Antonio might interfere with the investigation.

Emma Mayavero prosecuted while Boris Isaacs represents Antonio.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Corruption on the rise - poll

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Corruption on the rise - pollCorruption on the rise - poll Namibians are of the opinion that corruption has been on the rise in the last 12 months.

This is according to a recent index published by the Global Corruption Barometer on Friday. Of those surveyed, 78% of Namibians felt that corruption has increased in the previous 12 months while 11% felt that public service users received bribes in the same period.

The survey also found that 65% of Namibians found that government was doing a bad job of tackling corruption. Moreover, results indicate that 56% of Namibians felt that they can make a difference in the fight against corruption.

Ranking the results by institution, 27% of those surveyed felt that the president and prime minister were corrupt, 28% felt that members of parliament were corrupt, 30% felt that government officials were corrupt, 42% felt that the police were corrupt, while 40% felt that business executives were corrupt.

Transparency International earlier this year reported that Namibia had dropped one spot in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of score on Transparency International's latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

According to the 2018 CPI, released yesterday, Namibia scored 53 out of a possible 100. Although this is an improvement on the 51 points achieved on the 2017 CPI, the latest score places Namibia fifth in sub-Saharan Africa compared to fourth on the previous index.

In 2018, Namibia ranked behind Seychelles (score 66), Botswana (61), Cape Verde (57) and Rwanda (56). In 2017, the country was behind Seychelles (60), Botswana (61), as well as Cape Verde and Rwanda, both with 55 points.

OGONE TLHAGE

Gymnasium win close clash

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Gymnasium win close clashGymnasium win close clash In a very intense Momentum schools' league game between Moria Private School from Outjo and Windhoek Gymnasium, played in the capital on Saturday afternoon, Gymnasium won by a single point. Moria led 14-10 at halftime, but the hosts pulled up their socks in the second half, and won the game 25-24.

For the latest on the league table, visit www.rugby.my.na or follow this QR code. Here you will also find all the information you need to enter Namibia Media Holdings' exciting competition, in which one lucky reader and their partner can win a trip to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, taking place in Japan.

Octavia Tsibes

Awkward moments

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Awkward momentsAwkward moments The past weeks have been a serious rollercoaster ride for football fans. First, Namibia didn't make it out of their group at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

There were moments where we could have taken the lead in our group matches, but we didn't do that. We ended up losing close clashes against Morocco and South Africa, before being hammered by Ivory Coast. It was once again a story of what could have been. It was awkward and a tad disappointing, to say the least.

We then turned our attention to Bafana Bafana, because of the fact that they are our neighbours and friends. But they too were then eliminated from Afcon 2019 by Nigeria in their quarterfinal, after scrapping through as one of the four best third-place finishers in at the group stage and shocking hosts Egypt in the round-of-16.

Losing surely does leave a bad taste in one's mouth. Since the Brave Warriors are now done with international competitions, for now, attention has shifted towards home and that troublesome stepchild, the Namibia Premier League (NPL).

The thing is, our football problems are just awkward.

Awkward is best defined as embarrassing, uncomfortable, delicate, ticklish, tricky, sensitive or perplexing. It's like this: You know what the problem is, but then you also don't know what the problem is. That does sound perplexing.

The league ended, and of course there should have been excitement or disappointment, as clubs prepare for the new season, with some having to pull up their socks after being relegated to the first division.

But of course this will not happen, because there were no first or second division leagues played during the 2018/19 season. Fifa then decided to endorse its normalisation committee's decision not to promote or relegate teams after the past season, because according to them, no sporting merit exists that determines a first division club's participation in the NPL.

I understand the endorsement. It makes sense; because who then should be promoted if nobody kicked a ball? It's a stalemate… it's awkward.

No relegations and promotions; fine. Let the NPL regroup and come back with serious, concrete plans on how it can improve.

But what about the hopes and dreams of first division footballers and their clubs? What about inspiration and aspiration, and climbing the ladder of success. They have once again been robbed of this.

The NPL cannot exist day-to-day or weekend-to-weekend, it has to have administrators who have a sound knowledge of what should happen, and when it should happen.

Because look, we are dealing with players' livelihoods here; this is a serious delay in their progress. Come to think of it, it's probably more than awkward… it's embarrassing. Some serious socks have to be pulled up!



limba@namibiansun.com

Botswana groom future stars

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Botswana groom future starsBotswana groom future starsYoungsters to play at Cosafa under-20 tourney A lot of effort has been made to improve women's football in Botswana. NAMPA/ANA



The Botswana Football Association (BFA) will use the Cosafa Women's Under-20 Championships to build a team to compete in continental competitions in the future.

The regional Cosafa showpiece will be staged in Port Elizabeth from August 1 to 11 and Botswana have made their intentions clear by elevating some of their u-17 players to the u-20 squad.

It is the start of a new cycle for Botswana side, led by Tapaphiwa Gaebolae, who has worked extensively with the u-17 group in the past.

This will provide good continuity and ensure a smooth elevation for the side, as they seek to hone their talent for places in the senior team in the not too distant future.

"We are now building for the future, and in order to have a progressive plan, we ought to start the building process as early as this year," BFA spokesman Tumo Mpatane said.

Botswana have been drawn in Group B at the competition and open their campaign against East African guest nation Tanzania on 2 August at the Gelvandale Stadium.

They then meet Zambia two days later in what could be a crunch game, before closing out their pool matches against Eswatini on 6 August.

Botswana have been regular participants at women's u-20 level and were finalists at the 2018 AUSC Region 5 Games in Gaborone, where they lost 0-1 in the decider to South Africa.

It was still a fine campaign for the side and shows their potential, as they seek to lift the inaugural Cosafa championship.

They also won silver at the 2014 AUSC games, which featured only four sides, and was played in a round-robin format, but did not make appearance two years later in Luanda.

Botswana have entered each of the last six qualification tournaments for the African Under-20 Cup of Nations for Women, but have not managed to make significant progress.

They have endured first-round exits to Ghana (10-4 on aggregate), Namibia (on penalties, after a 3-3 draw), South Africa (7-2 in 2012 and 2014, and 9-1 in 2015), and a walkover loss to Kenya in 2018.

A lot of effort has been made to improve women's football in Botswana and this tournament gives them a chance to showcase their rise.

Shedding light on the crime battle

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Shedding light on the crime battleShedding light on the crime battle Nored’s intervention, which saw two high-mast lights being installed at Rundu’s Ndama location, should be commended.

Rundu is among the country’s towns that are dangerous at night, as those walking around after sunset can easily become the victims of the criminals who hide in its narrow, dark streets. We know this story too well in Namibia.

Namibian Sun reported recently how Rundu is faced with poor visibility at night, the result of a lack of lighting in its main streets.

Kavango East governor Samuel Mbambo has rightfully applauded Nored for constructing the two high-mast lights, through its corporate social responsibility programme.

The installations will provide much-needed aerial lighting to two extensions, in order to improve visibility and reduce crime.

Obviously the socio-economic conditions of the Ndama residents have now been improved drastically. This intervention puts into clear perspective the fact that fighting crime and improving the lives of ordinary Namibians does not take rocket science or a heavy-handed military intervention. In fact, instead of gung-ho actions by the state that lead to assault and even murder cases, holistic interventions are needed. It also raises the issue that a lack of real socio-economic interventions, even simple ones like proper lighting, have over the years resulted in criminals taking over neighbourhoods. We are not even going to discuss the role a lack of jobs and opportunities play in crime waves, as this is obvious and well-documented.

What Ndama shows is that a deeper and more concerted approach is required. Along with crime-prevention, there needs to be a range of social and economic interventions in our neighbourhoods. Proper policing would be one of these, but it is - on its own - not a solution. And neither is sending in the army. In fact, soldiers would be better suited to doing the manual labour to install the necessary infrastructure that will lead to safer neighbourhoods. This will also lead to much better relations between communities and the NDF.

Itula forges ahead with presidential campaign

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Itula forges ahead with presidential campaignItula forges ahead with presidential campaign Dr Panduleni Itula says he will launch his independent campaign for the country's presidency on 26 October.

He remains undeterred, despite threats by Swapo to discipline him, given that he has not resigned his membership of the ruling party.

“The campaign election and independent presidential election manifesto will officially be launched amongst our people on 26 October 2019,” he said yesterday.

“I will release all the information necessary and pertaining thereto, as and when the laws of our country do dictate it is in the best interest of the public.” Although he is a Swapo member, he says there is no party law prohibiting members from standing as independent candidates in any elections. Swapo secretary for information Hilma Nikanor had previously called on all party members to resign, if they intend to stand as independent candidates. “The idea of some individuals calling for Swapo members to apparently support their agenda to stand as an independent candidate, while still holding onto Swapo membership, is a serious violation of the party's election rules and procedures,” she said in March.





Itula yesterday encouraged members of the public to register as voters.

“The right to vote is directly related to the right to demand services,” he said.

According to Itula, complaining on social media platforms was not sufficient. “How do you want to continue writing complaints on WhatsApp when you are not prepared to register and vote?” he asked.

“Remember, many sacrificed for us to have the right to register and vote, don't betray our heroes and heroines.”

Itula, a registered Swapo member since 1971, said once voted into office, he will genuinely unite Namibia, as he is not bound by any political party, and will appoint eight citizens to parliament, The Namibian previously reported.

The presidential and National Assembly polls are slated for November.



Swapo member warned

Last week Swapo's Khomas regional leadership called yet another meeting to warn its members against associating with Itula.

Addressing the media, Swapo Khomas regional coordinator Elliot Mbako said the party's new disciplinary committee is working out modalities and it is “just a matter of time” before ill-disciplined members are dealt with.

According to Mbako, innocent party members are being misled when asked to attend meetings without realising what the agenda is.

“I wish to strongly advise all bona fide Swapo members to distance themselves from the independent candidate agenda and not to be misled by confused propagandists who want to advance their agenda and quench their thirst for power by using the party name and flag to mislead party members and supporters,” Mbako said.

In March the party condemned Itula's insistence to stand as independent presidential candidate while remaining a party member.

The Swapo Party School has also distanced itself from Itula.

Another thing that irks the party leadership is the fact that Itula uses party regalia and even Ndilimani songs.

“If you look at what is happening now, in his (video) clips he is wearing party colours and in the background there are Swapo songs; there are these things,” Mbako said.

Itula last week claimed the ruling party had barred him from using Jackson Kaujeua's song 'The winds of change' to advertise his public lectures.

In a letter written to Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa, Itula claimed that on 3 July at 14:30 a senior NBC employee had informed him that Swapo had claimed the copyright to the song.

According to Itula the NBC employee told him that Shaningwa had complained that advertising his public lectures with the late Kaujeua's song is breach of copyright.

“I enquire whether my psychological and physical scars from torture, when I was a political prisoner as a member of Swapo, are also copyrighted to Swapo Party and, I presumably, may not express such in public?” Itula asked Shaningwa.

NBC's chief commercial officer, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, clarified that NBC never refused to air Itula's advertisement, but informed him of the developments relating to it.

“It has been playing since we signed the contract with him, but as a good media institute we had to inform him of the claims made and we had to verify the copyright matter for ourselves,” she said.

OGONE TLHAGE & JEMIMA BEUKES

ACC dives in at Okahandja

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ACC dives in at OkahandjaACC dives in at OkahandjaCouncil eviction of Aids charity a 'political issue' Okahandja Home-Based Caregivers founding member Kathleen Uri-khos says they will not vacate a council property, amid allegations that a private renting business is being run with a council asset that was meant to assist HIV/Aids patients. A matter in which a property owned by the Okahandja municipality has allegedly been rented out privately for around 10 years, and the monies pocketed, has now been handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Erf 1246, from which the Okahandja Home-Based Caregivers operated, is said to have been rented out privately, since roughly 2009, according to sources.

The organisation, founded in 2004, aims to help HIV-positive patients, along with those who suffer from full-blown Aids, to live a better life. One of the founders, Susan de Beer, told Namibian Sun that when they started, there was no state-sponsored antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and the community in the town was suffering. The project had a soup kitchen, a vegetable garden and did outreaches to families grappling with the disease, along with education programmes.





A charity shop and a needlework project were also created.

While the deeds office could not locate the deed for the property, De Beer confirmed to Namibian Sun that the property, erf 1246, is owned by the municipality and all agreements were signed with the council. De Beer left the project in 2009 and would not discuss the matter further.

Namibian Sun understands that the property was provided to the charity free of charge.

At the centre of the storm is Kathleen Uri-khos, one of the founding members of the Okahandja Home-Based Caregivers, who also faces two charges of assault by threat in the town's magistrate's court, after she allegedly threatened two members of the Okahandja Residents Damage Control Committee (ORDCC), Basie Tjikune and Petrus Kampaku, at knifepoint on 21 January. That matter has been postponed to 19 September for her to secure private counsel.

Uri-khos is said to have leased out rooms on the premises to private individuals, while pocketing the rent. Namibian Sun spoke to one tenant on-site, who confirmed he had concluded an agreement with Uri-khos. Bank statements in the newspaper's possession also indicate that monthly payments, made in the names of various individuals, were deposited into the commercial bank account of the Okahandja Home-Based Caregivers, but were immediately withdrawn on the same day.

The ORDCC, on 5 July, laid a charge of theft by appropriation against Uri-khos. For months, the group has applied pressure to the municipality to intervene at the property. They also queried where the inventory, paid for by international donors, including private philanthropists, was. The property had fully-equipped offices, a clinic, as well as a functioning soup kitchen. Conferences were regularly held there, as well. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had funded N$85 000 in renovations and the fitting out of the property, Namibian Sun was informed. The property has two toilets, but no bathroom. Ostensibly, the separate offices are rented out as rooms. The soup kitchen, on the day of Namibia Sun's visit, was locked.

Interestingly, it appears as though the Okahandja council may have been aware of the tenants at the property. A letter of eviction, signed by Okahandja CEO Martha Mutilifa and dated 4 July, notes that Uri-khos is to remove her “tenants” by 14 July (yesterday), was seen by Namibian Sun.

“Council has decided, under resolution CM13.1.1/12/04/18 to terminate or issue a direct order of eviction to you, Home-Based Care committee, including all tenants residing at the abovementioned property on or before 14 July 2019 (yesterday). Consider this letter of eviction as the last reminder. Failure to vacate the premises will leave council with no option but to involve law-enforcement agencies.”

Mutilifa also makes mention of earlier notices of eviction sent to Uri-khos in the letter. The earlier notices Namibian Sun has seen are dated 9 November last year and 24 April this year.

On Sunday, Uri-khos told Namibian Sun that “they will not vacate”, adding that the police have no right to throw them out of the property and that they will do so “only with a court order”. She questioned why the CEO had not contacted her for a meeting to discuss the matter and said that there is a “political issue” behind the matter.

Well-placed police sources told Namibian Sun that the matter is too complex and should be investigated by the ACC. The file was handed over on Friday.

It is expected that once the ACC completes its investigations, individuals may be charged.





YANNA SMITH

Magistrate career down the drain for N$5 500

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Magistrate career down the drain for N$5 500Magistrate career down the drain for N$5 500 YANNA SMITH

Melaney Theron has thrown her promising career as a magistrate down the drain for a mere N$5 500.

Last Thursday, Judge Nate Ndauendapo found the former Oshakati traffic court magistrate guilty on 16 of 18 counts of corruption and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. According to the judge’s flynote, Theron was accused of, amongst others, falsifying court records, corruptly accepting gratification, withdrawing charges against accused persons without any legal basis and fraudulently concealing her offences.

Theron was acquitted on two of the charges, that of defeating or obstructing the course of justice and another of corruptly using a position to obtain gratification. The offences were committed from May to mid-August 2011. They involve six payments, totalling N$5 500 made to Theron.

Essentially, what Theron did was to solicit payment in cash from drivers issued with traffic fines, and then either withdraw their cases ‘in court’ or issue a warning, or cancel warrants of arrest. Court records in this regard were falsified by Theron. In all of the individual matters mentioned in the charges, none of the offenders actually appeared in court. They had paid Theron in cash and had not received a receipt for their payments.

In August 2011, two members of the police, a Sergeant Mwinga and Inspector Namweya were “tasked to conduct an operation in Oshakati about a magistrate who was soliciting bribes from traffic offenders”.

A blank traffic ticket was obtained and filled in. “The offender was Pomweye Absalom, the fine was N$2 000, the date of trial 15 August 2011 and the date of issuance 2 July 2011. The offence was driving without professional authorisation.”

The cellphone number on the ticket was correct.

According to testimony in court, Inspector Namweya received a call at around 15:00 on the afternoon of the same day the ticket was sent to be processed. According to court records, Theron identified who she was and told him “you are having a traffic ticket that you need to be at court for and the fine is N$2 000”.

She told him if he paid the ticket before 16:00 on the same day, she would give him a discount of N$1 000, and if he pays the next day, he will have to pay N$1 500.

He was warned that if he did not “turn up”, she would issue a warrant of arrest and he would be arrested and detained.

“He was directed to go and pay at office number eight at the court,” the judge said.

Mwinga was tasked by the police team to go and pay the fine of N$1 000, acting as Pomweye Absalom.

Theron had often issued ‘discounts’ for immediate payments, and they agreed he would act as though he could only speak Oshiwambo.

Copies were made of the N$200 notes used to pay the fine, which they had received from Windhoek as “operation money”. He went into Theron’s office and paid her the money. Following this payment, the police entered Theron’s office and demanded the money paid by ‘Absalom’.

“She took the money from underneath a paper and she was shivering and afraid. The money was the same as that of which they had made copies. She was arrested.”

Theron had pleaded not guilty to all the charges and affirmed that court appearances had indeed taken place. She also, in respect of some of the charges, said the tickets were defective.

She denied receiving any money and asked the State to prove the allegations.

According to the judge, “she denied having received N$1 000 from Sergeant Mwinga (acting as Absalom). She testified that Sergeant Mwinga came in her office and said something in Oshiwambo, which she could not understand. She told him to get an interpreter and he left the money and the ticket on her desk.” She also denied making any telephone calls, although phone records proved the contrary, and said she had signed the document the police gave her when they came into her office because “she was intimidated by the presence of the three police officers”.

During her defence, Theron maintained that the court appearances by the traffic offenders had indeed occurred, even though the parties had denied they ever appeared before her.

Theron had, at one point, told the court that “someone” had appeared before her, adding that it was neither “her duty nor the practice, to confirm the identity of the appearer”.

“Why would somebody else appear on behalf of the offender and pay a fine or face a jail term for an offence he or she did not commit? That is absurd,” the judge said.

Theron will be sentenced on 19 August.

She represented herself, following the departure of her counsel Garth Joseph towards the end of the trial. The State was represented by Simba Nduna.

Magic shine at awards

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Magic shine at awardsMagic shine at awards The 2019 Namibia Football Association Skorpion Zinc Women Super League awards took place on Friday, with Tura Magic receiving their trophy as the league winners.

The top goal-scorer award went to Tura Magic's Anna-Marie Shikusho for her 29 goals during the season.

Her teammate, defender Emma Naris, won the player of the season accolade, while Melissa Matheus, also from Tura Magic, walked away with the goalkeeper of the season award.

Their coach Shama Gure was named coach of the season, completing Magic's dominance on the night.

Khomas Nampol's Ndapewa Katuta took home the players' player of the season award and Galz & Goals striker Beverly Uueziua was named best young player.

Vistorina Shangula won the best match official award. The team of the season award went to Namib Daughters, with Antoinette Tsuses, also from Namib Daughters, receiving the best manager award.

Sports journalist Helge Schütz was named journalist of the season.

The best 11 players for the season were as follows:

Goalkeeper - Matheus.

Defenders - Lovisa Mulunga, Emma Naris, Julia Rutjindo and Katuta.

Midfielders - Lorraine Jossop, Meltret Ujamba, Memory Ngonda.

Forwards - Thomalina Adams, Shikusho and Uueziua.

Brave Gladiators star Zenatha Coleman, who plies her trade for Valencia in Spain, was also in attendance.

She told her fellow footballers to do everything possible to get out of the streets of Katutura.

“I made a choice to work hard. I love each and every one of you guys and I want you to also join me in Europe someday,” she said.

Sports minister Erastus Uutoni applauded those who won awards, while adding the women's game has grown and achieved popularity.

He, however, said more should be invested in the league, so that the female players can be on par with their male counterparts.

Appeals committee coming

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Appeals committee comingAppeals committee comingNew body to decide fate of Young African, Young Chiefs An NFA appeals committee will decide the fate of Young African and Young Chiefs, who both want to be reinstated in the NPL. The Fifa normalisation committee (NC) is looking to appoint three individuals who will be tasked to pronounce themselves on pending matters involving Young African and Young Chiefs.

NC chairperson Hilda Basson-Namundjebo told Namibian Sun on Thursday they are looking for three individuals, two with legal expertise and one with an extensive sports administration background, to be part of an appeals committee.

The committee will deal with the thorny issue of Young African and Young Chiefs, with regard to their quests to be reinstated in the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL).

African was expelled during the 2018/19 season for registering and fielding Zimbabwean national Tapiwa Simon Musekwa with a forged passport in 28 of their 30 league matches during the prior season.

Chiefs had reported the matter to NPL during the time when they were relegated following the 2017/18 season. They felt they needed to be reinstated.

So now in order to deal with this issues, the NC is urging and inviting members of the public to form part of the appeals committee to be constituted in terms of article 58(5) of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) constitution.

“The appointment and decision of committee shall be ratified at the NFA congress,” Basson-Namundjebo explained.

She said applicants should not have been found guilty of having breached the Fifa, Confederation of African Football (CAF) or NFA statutes or regulations in the past.

They should also disclose any activity that may give rise to a conflict of interest, and as such, aspiring applicants should not form part of any Fifa, CAF or NFA structures either as players or officials, as defined by NFA statutes.

“He or she shall also do a written undertaking to observe the statutes, regulations and decisions of Fifa, CAF and the NFA, and interested parties should send their CVs.”

Included should be a written declaration to observe the statutes, regulations and decisions of Fifa, CAF and NFA.

They should also outline any recent experience on assignments of a similar nature during the past five years or any sporting background, which will be an added advantage, Basson-Namundjebo said.

Any requests for clarification can be forwarded in writing via email to info@nfa.org.na and the deadline is 17 July.



Fifa endorsement

Fifa has also endorsed the position of the NC stating that there will be no promotions or relegations in the three local leagues.

“Citing article 9 of the Fifa statutes, which deals with the principle of promotion and relegation, it is believed that no 'sporting merit' exists which determines a club's participation in a league and states categorically that this decision is final,” Basson-Namundjebo said. Young African owner Maleagi Ngarizemo said the decision taken by the NC is good for football.

“My appeal against my club's unlawful relegation must be heard and then they should pronounce themselves on the way forward,” he said.

Local football pundit Isack Hamata shared his two cents on the matter, saying he can't comment on whether Fifa's endorsement is right or wrong.

“If the endorsement is in line with international or national football provisions, then they are within their rights.

“If not, then we can expect a long, drawn-out battle between the NPL, NFA and Fifa.

“If the NPL decides to challenge this endorsement then we can see ourselves not enjoying NPL football for an extended period of time. In addition, this might have repercussions for our membership in CAF and Fifa,” he added.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Senegal's Koulibaly to miss Afcon final

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Senegal's Koulibaly to miss Afcon finalSenegal's Koulibaly to miss Afcon final Senegal moved a step closer to a maiden Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title with their semi-final victory on Sunday, but will be without key defender Kalidou Koulibaly against Algeria in Friday's title decider.

The imposing centre-back, who is regarded among the best in European club football, was cautioned for a second time in three matches after conceding a penalty in Sunday's 1-0 semi-final win over Tunisia in Cairo and will be suspended for the final.

“It's a shame we will be without Kalidou, he's vital in this team, a player who gives us a lot. We will also be playing for him,” midfielder Pape Alioune Ndiaye told reporters after the extra-time triumph at the 30 June Stadium.

Koulibaly, who plays in Serie A for Napoli, was struck on the elbow by a fearsome shot by Ferjani Sassi as he turned his back, attempting to get his body in the way of the shot.

It was utter bad luck for the 28-year-old but there would have been a measure of relief when Sassi then botched the subsequent spot-kick.

Minutes later Senegal missed a penalty of their own and the game then went into extra-time where a bizarre own goal from Dylan Bronn settled a match distinguished by the high number of foibles.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse saw it differently after his side booked a place in the final for only the second time.

“The match was incredible, it will remain in the annals of African football,” he told the post-match news conference.

“It's the charm of football, this excitement. We cannot control anything at all.”

It will be a second final for Cisse, who was captain when Senegal made their only previous appearance in 2002 and lost on penalties.

“There is a pride in getting to the final. It had been 17 years since we got this far, since my generation in 2002,” Cisse said.

“Our philosophy is to take it a game at a time and try to play the best football to erase the disappointment of 2002. It's a dream to win the title, not only for me, but for all the Senegalese people.

“We are close to realising this dream that we could not achieve in 2002.”

NAMPA/REUTERS

WDSS tourney hailed as a success

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WDSS tourney hailed as a successWDSS tourney hailed as a success The just-ended Winter Deaf School Sports (WDSS) Tournament, held at the Rundu sports stadium, has been hailed as a success.

Hosted by Maria Mwengere Secondary School this year, the annual tournament is aimed at enhancing the participation of hearing-impaired learners in different sport codes.

Organising committee chairperson Chris Sindendere told Nampa on Friday the two-day tournament was a success, as most of the invited schools showed up and took part in the competitions.

“The tournament was a success because we did not expect a lot of people to turn up for the event, and we have to give thanks to the leadership of the region who came to grace the event during its official opening on Thursday,” he said.

He explained the tournament also provides hearing-impaired learners with a platform to showcase their talents, while allowing scouts to select capable players who can be included in regional or national sports teams.

Eluwa Special School from Oshana Region won the male football category, while Usko Nghaamwa Special School from Ohangwena scooped the female category.

The National Institute for Special Education (NISE) from Khomas Region are the winners in the netball category, while Andreas Kandjimi Primary School from Kavango East won both the male and female volleyball categories.

Usko Nghaamwa Special School dominated the athletics competition, taking first spot, while Eluwa Special School took first position in the tug of war.

Next year's tournament is expected to take place in the Zambezi Region. However, a decision in this regard is still to be made, Sindendere added.

NAMPA
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