Presidency spent millions on transport

July 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Presidency spent millions on transport The Presidency spent N$26.1 million on vehicles and other transport-related expenses during the 2017/18 financial year, its latest annual report shows.

During the period under review, the Presidency spent N$8.2 million on fixed tariff claims, while N$5.8 million was spent on pool vehicles.

A total of N$3.6 million was spent on the Presidency’s fuel consumption needs during the year under review, while aircraft and/or helicopter rental cost taxpayers an amount of N$8.4 million.

When breaking down the total of N$26.1 million per division, the President’s Private Office spent N$12.3 million on its transport needs while for administration, the Presidency used N$2.7 million.

The department for the founding president and former president used a combined N$6.3 million on vehicles and other transport expenses, while the Office of the Vice President used N$1.9 million.

Meanwhile, the Division for Marginalised Communities spent N$952 023 and the Division for Disability Affairs, which both fall under the Office of the Vice President, spent N$2 million on transportation. - Nampa

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The crucial role of HR

July 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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The crucial role of HR Toivo Indongo

The human resources (HR) department plays a crucial role in every organisation. It is responsible to centralise multiple human resource functions like benefits administration, payroll, recruiting employees, training, rewards and recognition. Hence HR practitioners take care of these important resources and that is why we are called ‘human doctors’.

In 2008, I enrolled with the then Polytechnic of Namibia, now known as Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), for a bachelor degree in public management for one year, since I never wanted to take a gap year. In 2009, I registered for a Bachelor degree in human resource management with the same institution. I did not choose HR because of any fancy reason but simply because of my interpersonal skills and my passion within me. The career chose me, and not because ‘I am a people’s person’.

It is a great field that I love and am very passionate about. Most importantly, the feeling which I get when I appoint staff for a deserving job after an interview, it is just too amazing.

My journey in the field of HR began on 1 December 2014 at the Otjozondjupa education directorate, and a year later I moved to education ministry head office, where I am currently employed as an HR practitioner.

The ability to multitask, since on average workday deals with one employee's personal complaint, one-minute, answering a maternity leave question the next, and figuring out an effective recruitment strategy or method to fill a difficult position. Furthermore, a strong sense of ethics and maintaining confidentiality is crucial in this position.

Though it is not a glamorous field, it is a most reputed one in the industry. It offers a wide platform to sharpen your skills. You should have excellent communication skills to handle employees, from ground staff to executive level.

You should also have good time management skills and self-discipline, as there are not enough hours in the day for an HR practitioner to be able to get all of their work done. One has to learn to manage time wisely, so you don’t get burned out.

Being impartial and objective is a key tool as an HR practitioner, since it's required to remain neutral when dealing with work incidents. This is important because your personal opinion does not count, as decisions must be based solely on the facts presented. One should be able to train, develop and mentor employees. However, firing of employees, layoffs and employee relation issues makes it less appealing, since these can deprive another soul.

In conclusion, the requirement of HR staff has risen every year. It is a prestigious field. There are solid reasons to choose a career in the HR field.

*Toivo Indongo is an HR practitioner at the education ministry. Playing football with peers is one of his best hobbies.

Bottled poetry

July 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Bottled poetryComplexity and variety in a glass Sam Adams is the chief executive officer and founder of the Windhoek Wine School. Justicia Shipena and Mariselle Stofberg

What started as a gift from a friend’s father helped to propel an exciting and rewarding career in winemaking for Sam Adams, the chief executive officer and founder of the Windhoek Wine School.

“I actually began my interest in wine when I was studying abroad in Scotland. Scotch was how I first began to develop a palate. When I returned home a friend’s father gave me what would become my first special bottle of wine, a 2008 Seghesio Zinfandel from Sonoma, California.”

This bottle of wine helped to cultivate an appreciation for the art of winemaking and instilled a passion that helped to further Adams’s career.

“For the first time I was actually able to taste the different flavour components and feel the weight of the wine. That bottle helped reveal the complexity that can be found in a single glass or bottle of wine. I’ve been studying wine ever since, almost a decade now.”

Adams started his wine education in 2008 and wanted to continue it in South Africa, where there are many opportunities, particularly at Stellenbosch.

While making frequent trips to study and sit exams, he realised that there were others like him who wanted to learn more about wine but couldn’t necessarily go to the winelands and thus the Windhoek Wine School concept was born.

Adams stressed that they spent most of their time testing out their classes, writing the curriculum, and tasting wines with test-students. To develop the curriculum they partnered with the Cape Wine Academy in South Africa, which lets them bring their expertise to Namibia.

Adams told Careers that he is a teacher and loves sharing his passion for wine with others and helping them find that same passion in themselves.

“I get to help people find that first glass of wine that makes them say, ‘Oh wow, that is really good!’,” he said.

Beyond the school itself, he views his role as an ambassador for wine enthusiasts looking to continue their journey into the world of wine.

“The hardest part about running a wine school isn’t actually the wine or the school; it’s all the other bits! Thankfully we had so much great support from the community, other wine industry professionals, and friends that we’ve managed to get the school up and running, find some beautiful venues for our classes, and get to test some incredible wines,” Adams said.

A wine memory Adams will not easily forget has its roots in Mendoza, Argentina. “My wife had scheduled us a visit to a winery for my birthday. When we pulled up to the vineyard, instead of taking us to a traditional tasting room, they walked us out to a nearby stream and pulled bottles right out of the water.

“They were using the stream as a refrigerator because the waters were melting off the Andes Mountains and were probably close to 4 or 5 degrees.

“It was an incredible tasting to know that we were drinking wine made from grapes that had been fed by the same stream.”

Adams’s favourite wine region is Piedmont, Italy.

“Not only is it home to some of my favourite wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, but the landscape is dotted with dozens of little hills, castles, and small towns, each with their own approach to local ingredients.

“To say the food is incredible is an understatement, but when you pair it with local wines it creates one of the best traveling experiences you can ask for.”

Adams encourages aspiring winemakers to start reading to broaden their knowledge. “There are so many books, blogs, articles, and journals which can help create a base of knowledge. Books like The Wine Bible, or blogs like WineFolly.com, are perfect tools for someone just starting out. We also offer classes for anyone looking to build their skill set, starting from the very basics all the way through credentials that would allow you to walk into almost any restaurant or hotel with a strong CV in wine service.”

Even though winemaking was historically something that was handed down from winemaker to winemaker, often within a family or at least within a vineyard, Adams believes that credentials within the industry is a concept that is continuously growing.

“In the last 100 years multiple universities have established viticulture and oenology (V&O) programmes to advance agricultural and winemaking techniques. This means that modern-day winemakers are probably closer to chemists than artists – to be sure the job includes a lot of both.”

Adams believes that this knowledge-driven approach has broadened the industry and allowed more people to enter the trade.

“I think a lot of those people are able to do so because they’ve received certifications from institutions like universities, wine schools, sommelier guilds, or other industry training.”

The hope of the Windhoek Wine School is to make each one of their students more confident in their palate, provide them with the opportunity to enjoy tasting more wines, and to give them the reassurance that they can walk into any restaurant or bottle shop and buy with confidence.

“The nice part about our industry is that if you’ve had a rough day you’re usually not too far from a glass of wine to help you relax.”

10 Facts about Adams

1. Favourite South African Wine: Suma Ridge 2010 Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde

2. Oldest wine ever drunk: A 1952 LaGarde Semillion from Mendoza, Argentina

3. His most recent special bottle: A 2002 RD Bollinger Brut French champagne served at his wedding.

4. Most interesting wine class: Economics of a winery from Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute.

5. Favourite wine and food pairing: Champagne and fried chicken.

6. Favourite cuisine: Chinese food.

7. He has two dogs named Tucker and Ollie.

8. His dark secret is that his wife is better than he is at blind tasting wines and identifying aromas. “Her nose is incredible and she is she’s a supertaster.”

9. His biggest wine dream is to host a wine tasting in a one-of-a-kind-location - like at the edge of Fish River Canyon or in the dunes of Swakopmund.

10. In the US his name is actually the same as a beer, so everyone thinks he is really more into beer rather than wine.

Namdeb reports waning profitability

July 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Namdeb reports waning profitabilityLower EBITDA third year running Namdeb Holdings realised a price of US$552 per carat during the first six months of 2019, significantly higher than De Beers’ average rough diamond price. Jo-Maré Duddy – Namdeb Holdings delivered an underlying EBITDA of US$80 million – about N$1.11 billion at yesterday’s exchange rate – in the first six months of this year, a drop of about 11% of US$10 million compared to the same half-year in 2018.

In the first six months of 2017, Namdeb’s underlying EBITDA was US$105 million. EBITDA – earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation – is used as a benchmark of a company’s operating performance or profitability.

In the latest financial results of Anglo American – owner of De Beers, who in turn owns 50% of Namdeb Holdings – the local diamond giant recorded an EBIT or net income before income tax expense and interest expense of US$62 million, or just under N$864 million, in the first half-year of 2019. This is about 15% or US$11 million less than the corresponding period in 2018.

For the latest half-year, Namdeb contributed about 15.4% to De Beers’ overall underlying EBITDA of US$518 million. For the same half-year in 2018, its contribution was about 12.6%.

Production

Production results released by Anglo last week show Namdeb Holdings recorded its worst first half-year since 2016, with diamond production for the six months ended 30 June plummeting by nearly 22% compared to the same period in 2018.

Total production was 818 000 carats, a drop of 225 000 carats from the first six months of 2018.

“Output from the marine operation [Debmarine Namibia] declined by 15% due to a planned in-port for the Mafuta crawler vessel. Production at the land operations decreased by 37% to 0.2 million carats (30 June 2018: 0.3 million carats) as a result of transitioning Elizabeth Bay onto care and maintenance in December 2018,” Anglo said.

Namdeb’s capital expenditure for the first six months of 2019 was US$27 million, nearly N$376.7 million. Last year it was US$8 million US$19 million.

Markets

Demand for rough diamonds was subdued in the first half, Anglo said yesterday.

“In late 2018, US retail results were impacted by stock market volatility and US-China trade tensions which resulted in both retailers and the midstream starting 2019 with higher than anticipated stock levels.

“During 2019, demand outside the US continued to be impacted by US-China trade tensions, the Hong-Kong protests and a stronger US dollar, particularly affecting China and the Gulf. In the US, retail store closures and destocking have also impacted demand for polished diamonds and, in turn, midstream demand for rough diamonds,” Anglo said.

The global miner said underlying GDP growth remains supportive of consumer demand growth and is expected to bring midstream and retailer stocks back to more normalised levels moving into 2020, subject to an improving macroeconomic environment.

Price, cost

Namdeb realised a price of US$552 per carat, about N$7 700, during the first six months of 2019, significantly higher than De Beers’ average rough diamond price of US$151 per carat. Debswana in Botswana fetch a price of US$148 per carat, while De Beers’ mines in South Africa and Canada realised a price of US$125 and US$159 per carat respectively.

During the same six months last year, the average price for a rough diamond from Namdeb was US$545 per carat. In 2017, it was US$568.

At US$317 per carat, Namdeb’s unit cost, however, was significantly higher than the De Beers overall of US$62 per carat. Namdeb’s unit costs increased from US$272 in the first half-year of 2018.

Anglo pointed out that the De Beers realised price includes the price impact of the sale of non-equity product and, as a result, is not directly comparable to De Beers unit costs, which relate to equity production only.

The Namibian government owns the remaining 50% in Namdeb.

Kalkfeld business complex a white elephant

July 25, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Kalkfeld business complex a white elephant The complex was built for a reason and our governor should use that reason to force the responsible institutions to make the centre operational. - Christiano Divanga, Kalkfeld resident The Kalkfeld business park which was constructed by the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) and leased to the Otjozondjupa regional council for a period of six years is still unoccupied due to outstanding work.

Constructed at a cost of over N$14 million in 2012 and officially opened in 2014, the business complex has been leased by the regional council since October 2018 for free.

It consists of a petrol station, community business stalls, food court, public toilets and a shop, which will all be available to be rented.

The chairperson of the Otjozondjupa regional council, Julius Neumbo, said the main stumbling block which hampers operation is the installation of pre-paid electricity and water meter systems for each stall in the business complex.

“The regional council, now the custodian of the centre, is still looking for money to install those systems and only then will we be in a position to allow tenants to operate from there,” he said.

Neumbo pointed out that the complex, especially the business stalls, no longer fall under NDC supervision as the stalls are officially leased to the Otjozondjupa regional council.

‘A shame’

A 28-year-old resident, Christiano Divanga, on Wednesday called on government through the office of the Otjozondjupa regional governor, Otto Ipinge, to give Kalkfeld an economic boost by opening the business centre.

“The complex was built for a reason and our governor should use that reason to force the responsible institutions to make the centre operational,” he said.

Elfriede Kharuxas, 54, also a resident at the settlement, said it is a shame for government to spend millions on constructing a business centre for the community, only to have such an establishment turn into a white elephant.

Jackson Sabata, 29, urged the Kalkfeld settlement office to hold meetings with residents for both parties to advise and discuss the way forward for the centre.

Kalkfeld is situated about 70 kilometres west of Otjiwarongo and was proclaimed a village council in 1991, but downgraded to a settlement in 1996 reportedly because of a lack of development activities and growth. - Nampa

Geingob officiates at Ghanzi Agricultural Show

July 28, 2019, 4:48 am

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Geingob officiates at Ghanzi Agricultural Show
President Hage Geingob on Saturday officiated at the 45th Ghanzi Agricultural Show in Botswana held under the theme ‘Sustainable economic diversification beyond 50 years through green technology’.
Ghanzi is a town situated in the middle of the Kalahari Desert in the western part of Botswana.
The event was also attended by his Botswana equivalent, President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his wife, Neo.
In his speech, Geingob pointed out the two countries’ mutual relationship.
Besides being known for quality cattle, Ghanzi also serves as a gateway to Namibia by hosting many tourists from Botswana, especially those destined for Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, he noted.
The president said the event which started small has since established itself as a premier event and described it as a reflection of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s keen intent to enhance the region’s industrial base and modernise its economies through its Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap.
Through this, SADC seeks to leverage its abundant and diverse resources with a specific focus on the agriculture and mining sectors in order to accelerate industrialisation through beneficiation and value addition, he explained.
According to Geingob, industrial shows have several economic spinoffs which in turn contribute to the development of local economies.
This, he said, is evidenced by the expansion of Ghanzi’s infrastructure, particularly the accommodation facilities.
“It is also gratifying that my visit to Ghanzi comes at a time when Namibia and Botswana have intensified efforts to explore new avenues for cooperation.”
Chiefly, the avenues of cooperation include the beef quota that Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland share in the lucrative Norway beef market.
“Botswana through the Botswana Meat Commission has granted Meatco, Namibia’s export facility, space in their globally accredited cold storage facility in Cape Town, thereby providing a gateway for Namibia’s access to the European Union (EU) beef market,” Geingob expressed, while emphasising Namibia’s gratitude.

NAMPA

Shonena sweats ahead of Dong battle

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Shonena sweats ahead of Dong battle Undefeated World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa welterweight champion, Mike Shonena, is training three times a day, as he readies himself to take on China's Youli Dong at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) on 24 August.

His promoter, Nestor Tobias from the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy, said they always prepare their boxers as if they are going to fight for a world title.

“He is ready,” said Tobias. With 14 fights to his name, Shonena is slowly but surely moving towards a world title bout. He remains undefeated having and has defended his WBO Africa title four consecutive times.

The fight against Dong, who is the current WBO Asia Pacific youth welterweight champion, will be a great stepping stone for the hard-hitting fifth ranked Shonena.

The Chinese boxer is ranked 15th by the WBO and needs to bring his A-game if he wants to compete with the Namibian.

Shonena's track record speaks for itself. He last fought on 20 April in the Independence Legacy Fight Part 2, outclassing his Tanzanian opponent Shadrack Ignas.]

He won via a technical knockout (TKO) in the fourth round of their 12-round bout.

Dong, who is set to face his first African opponent, has a record of 15 fights, 13 wins, one loss and a draw.

His last fight was in December last year against India's Pardeep Kharera, who he stopped in the eighth round of their hard-fought battle.

Both the WBO Africa and WBO Asia Pacific youth titles will be on the line.

The undercard will be announced in due course. Standard tickets are selling for N$100. VIP tables that seat 10 people cost N$10 000.

Tickets are available at Computicket at Shoprite and Checkers outlets countrywide, and will also be on sale at the venue. The fight will be broadcast live in Namibia and China.

Limba Mupetami

Close to his chest

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Close to his chestMannetti will not be playing open cards until Wednesday Ricardo Mannetti, whose contract expires on Wednesday, has an admirable list of accomplishments as Brave Warriors coach. Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti, whose contract expires at the end of the month, is keeping his cards to close to his chest.

He said football fans have to wait until midweek to find out his decision regarding the Brave Warriors top job.

Mannetti's contract officially ends on Wednesday, but he refused to give an answer on the way forward, saying he will only have one on Wednesday, as he is still under contract until then.

He said he has to wait for the Fifa normalisation committee to announce themselves on the matter, as he is not sure what they will decide regarding the advertisement of the job.

Mannetti is arguably the most successful Brave Warriors coach. He was also a central part of the fabled 'Class of 98', the first generation to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He took over the team's reins in 2013, after Roger Palmgren from Sweden resigned, and led the team to their maiden Cosafa Cup win in 2015. He also led the Warriors to a 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) quarterfinal clash which they lost to eventual champions, Morocco.

Namibia won their first two matches at the continental competition in Morocco.

The Warriors also won the Cosafa Cup plate final under Mannetti's watch two years ago. However, qualifying for this year's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Egypt ranks as his biggest achievement.

Mannetti's future is unclear, but local football fans took to Namibian Sun's Facebook page to pronounce themselves.

They elaborated on the future of the Brave Warriors and shared reasons why Mannetti should stay on, and if he doesn't, who they think will be a suitable coach.

“No man is suitable for the job. Mannetti is the man to move our team forward. I hope they will not disappoint us, and renew his contract, said Karisma Tuhafeni.

Stanley Uaraa Mbenovandu said the current interim coach Bobby Samaria should be given a chance.

“The comfort zone for one coach will get us nowhere. Imagine how weak we performed from the qualifying games until the Afcon tournament. It's not about going to play, it's also about scoring,” he commented.

Hasho Nambambi said Collin Benjamin should take over. “He has played at a professional level. Give him a chance.”

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Jantjies to the rescue

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Jantjies to the rescue'Lucky' Springboks snatch last-gasp draw with All Blacks The diminutive scrumhalf scored a last-minute try as South Africa snatched a thrilling 16-16 draw against the All Blacks. NAMPA/AFP

Coach Rassie Erasmus said the Springboks were "lucky in a big way" after a last-gasp try by scrum-half Herschel Jantjies snatched a thrilling 16-16 draw with world title-holders New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.

The dress-rehearsal for their highly anticipated World Cup opener didn't disappoint as South Africa were on top in the first half but fell away in the second until Jantjies' crucial score at the death.

"For the first 35 minutes we played really well. In the second half I think they totally dominated except the last minute," Erasmus said.

"So, fairly lucky in a big way."

Although the All Blacks were outplayed for most of the first half in Wellington they still managed to turn with a 7-6 lead, scoring their only try of the game just before the break.

But while they took control in the second half they were restricted to penalties as they built a 16-9 lead.

Then, in a reversal of the first half, the game ended with the Springboks storming back.

Jantjies grabbed a bouncing ball to score his try in the final minute, with Handre Pollard kicking the conversion under pressure to leave the scores level.

As the Springboks celebrated, the All Blacks were distraught with captain Kieran Read saying it felt like a loss.

"I think so. If you saw the reactions from the two sides (a loss) is what it feels like," Read said.

"When you come back to draw it feels a lot better. It's one of those things. The bounce of the ball in the 80th minute and you draw a Test match. We don't go out to draw and lose so our shed's a bit down."

The match may also have come at a high price for the All Blacks, just two months out from the World Cup, with star lock Brodie Retallick taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he was awaiting test results to learn if Retallick had suffered a break as well. However, Hansen put a positive spin on the game.

"The last couple of seconds was pretty tough to watch but we've done that to plenty of sides ourselves so sometimes you've got to take your own medicine," Hansen said.

"But there were enough signs there to say that if we keep working away, get our timing better, get our execution better then we're going to hurt some teams. So we're not going to panic.

"We had to find some things out, we've found them out which is great and we're reasonably happy, not so much with the performance but we are happy with what we're seeing and where we know we can go."

The Springboks had their own injury problems with Faf de Klerk, whose clever kicking game placed the All Blacks under pressure throughout the first half, failing a head injury assessment in the third quarter which brought Jantjies off the bench.

Just a week after his two-try debut against Australia, Jantjies again played a significant role in the outcome of the game.

The Springboks were on top for most of the first half apart from one brief moment when the All Blacks mounted a 60-metre attack from rare turnover ball, and the end result was a try to Jack Goodhue converted by Beauden Barrett.

New Zealand carried that form into the second half but like the Springboks in the first 40 minutes they were forced to rely on penalties as they built a 16-9 lead.

As full time neared and the partisan New Zealand crowd prepared to celebrate, the game turned on its head in the final play when Jantjies won the race for the ball over the line.

In the last four Tests between the All Blacks and South Africa the margin has never been more than two points with the All Blacks winning two, South Africa one and now a draw.

Boko Haram kills 23 mourners

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Boko Haram kills 23 mourners Boko Haram gunmen on Saturday killed 23 mourners in Borno state in Nigeria's restive northeast after they attended a funeral, local militia and residents said.

At about 10:30 GMT, the attackers on three motorbikes opened fire on a group of men as they walked back from a funeral in Nganzai district near the state capital Maiduguri, local militia leader Bunu Bukar Mustapha said.

"Our men recovered 23 dead bodies from the scene of the attack, which happened this morning," Mustapha said.

The men were returning to Badu Kuluwu from nearby Goni Abachari village where they had attended funeral prayers for a relative, said Mustapha.

A Nganzai district official confirmed both the incident and death toll.

"I received calls from Nganzai that Boko Haram killed 23 people near Badu Kuluwu this morning," said the official, who asked not to be identified for his own safety.

Local hunters and militia recovered the bodies after survivors returned to the village and alerted them, Nganzai resident Saleh Masida said.

Boko Haram fighters have been repeatedly attacking Nganzai district.

In September 2018, the group killed eight people and stole livestock in two villages in the area after residents tried to stop them from taking their animals.

Boko Haram and its Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-supported ISWAP splinter have intensified attacks on civilian and military targets in recent months.

Late Thursday, Boko Haram fighters attacked a camp for displaced people outside Maiduguri, killing two residents and looting food supplies after burning a nearby military base.

The decade-long conflict has spilled over into neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon, claiming about 27 000 lives and forcing more than two million people to flee their homes.



NEWS24

Five doctors killed in Libya air raid

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Five doctors killed in Libya air raid Five doctors were killed in an air strike by forces of Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar on a field hospital near the capital, the health ministry of the UN-recognised government said.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive in April to try to wrest Tripoli from forces of the Government of National Accord which is based in the capital.

Pro-GNA forces have weathered the initial onslaught and since then fighting has remained deadlocked on the outskirts of the city, with both sides resorting to air strikes.

"The field hospital located on the airport road (south of Tripoli) was hit by an air raid. Five doctors were killed and seven other people, including rescuers, wounded," health ministry spokesman Lamine al-Hashemi said.

The strike occurred on Saturday and was carried out by "a Haftar warplane", he said.

"It was a direct hit against the hospital which was packed with medical teams," Hashemi added.

There was no immediate confirmation or denial of responsibility from Haftar's forces.

The attack was the third to target a hospital south of the capital.

On July 16 three doctors and a paramedic were wounded in a strike on the Swani hospital near the capital, the second time it was targeted.

The World Health Organization and rights groups have repeatedly called on both sides in the conflict to spare medical personnel, clinics and hospitals.

The fighting since April has left nearly 1 100 people dead and wounded more than 5 750, according to the WHO. More than 100 000 civilians have fled their homes.

NAMPA/AFP

‘Disgusting, rat-infested mess’

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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‘Disgusting, rat-infested mess’Trump calls majority black Baltimore Donald Trump's tweets about Baltimore and Representative Elijah Cummings have been condemned as 'racist attacks'. NAMPA/AFP

US President Donald Trump was hit with new accusations of racism Saturday after he attacked a prominent African-American lawmaker and branded the majority black city of Baltimore an "infested mess."

Trump's outburst came in a series of sharply worded tweets aimed at Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings - a high-profile critic of Trump's administration whose district covers much of Baltimore.

"Cumming (sic) District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess," the president wrote, calling it "the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States."

"No human being would want to live there," he said - in an attack ostensibly provoked by Cummings' criticism of the harsh conditions facing would-be asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border.

The morning diatribe ignited a storm of criticism, less than two weeks after the House of Representatives condemned Trump for "racist" comments targeting four first-term Democratic congresswomen who are ethnic minorities.

The top Democrat in Congress, Nancy Pelosi, accused Trump of a "racist" attack on a "champion... of civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague."

"We all reject racist attacks against him," wrote Pelosi - who was born in Baltimore and whose father served as mayor of the city.

Former vice president Joe Biden - the Democratic frontrunner to challenge Trump in 2020 - called out the president directly on Twitter.

"It is despicable for you to attack him and the people of Baltimore this way," Biden wrote. "Once again you have proved yourself unfit to hold the office. A President is supposed to lift this nation up. Not tear it down."

There was similar condemnation from half a dozen White House candidates including Cory Booker, who tweeted footage of a black CNN anchor and Baltimore native who broke down on air while reacting to the attack on his hometown.

"This is painful. This is a moral, defining moment in America," wrote Booker. "Silence is toxic complicity."

Democratic 2020 contender Kamala Harris, who like Booker is black, said she was "proud" to have her campaign headquarters in Cummings' district and calling Trump's attack "disgraceful."

The city's Democratic Mayor Bernard "Jack" Young - also black - rejected Trump's rhetoric, calling it "hurtful and dangerous."

"It was a total insult," he told reporters. "We're not going to ignore anyone degrading Baltimore city and its effective leadership, no one."

A historic port city of 600 000 people, Baltimore presents a mixed picture, with both handsome and affluent neighborhoods and poverty-stricken districts. It has one of the country's highest murder rates.

Cummings' district is more than 50 percent black -- and the city of Baltimore as a whole more than 60 percent.

Cummings himself tweeted: "Mr. President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbours. It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents."

Davis dismantles Nunez

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Davis dismantles NunezRetains super featherweight title Gervonta Davis made a stunning defence of his WBA super featherweight title with a savage second-round KO of Richard Nunez. Gervonta Davis remained unbeaten with a second round technical knockout on Saturday over Ricardo Nunez in a super featherweight homecoming bout on Saturday.

The 24-year-old from Baltimore surprised Nunez with a devastating left hook midway through the second round before finishing him off with a series of left and rights on the ropes.

“I am ready all the time and he wasn't alert,” said Davis of the left hook that proved to be the beginning of the end for his Panamanian opponent. “I took advantage and got a clear shot.

“As a fighter the first thing you learn is to protect yourself at all times.”

Referee Harvey Dock stepped in to stop the fight with just over a minute to go in the round and he did so at the first sign Nunez was unable to defend himself.

Dock's quick halt to the slaughter was a sign that boxing is still reeling from two very recent deaths involving fighters in the ring.

Argentinian junior welterweight Hugo Alfredo Santillan died on Thursday from injuries suffered last Saturday in Buenos Aires, and Russia's Maxim Dadashev succumbed to injuries four days earlier in a fight in Maryland.

“I saw him defenceless and so it was time to stop the fight. He got hit by some serious shots,” said Dock.

Davis, who improved to 22-0 with 21 knockouts said, “I want to send my condolences to the two fighters we lost last week.”

Hometown hero Davis bided his time in the first round feeling out Nunez before unleashing the first power shots of the fight in the second in front of a sold out crowd of 14,600. He seemed focussed on the task at hand and didn't get caught up in the hoopla of a boxing star fighting at home. All it took was one opening - where Nunez seemed to look away in the direction of the crowd - and Davis was ready to pounce.

“This is not only a win for me but for all of Baltimore,” said Davis.

This is the second time Davis defended the crown he won by stopping Argentina's Jesus Cuellar in the third round in April 2018.

Davis also knocked out Mexico's Hugo Ruiz in the first round last February.

The only bump in the road was a six-round decision over German Meraz on October 8, 2014. The bout was Meraz's 80th pro fight while Davis entered it with an 8-0 record.

Davis said he hopes his next fight is against IBF champion Tevin Farmer.

Nunez, who turns 26 on Sunday, had his string of 10 straight wins stopped. He was seeking his first world title and was fighting in the US for the first time.

NAMPA/AFP

Pirates floor Chiefs to claim bragging rights

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Pirates floor Chiefs to claim bragging rights Orlando Pirates were largely on top throughout as they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in Saturday's Carling Black Label Cup final at FNB Stadium.

Lazarous Kambole started in attack ahead of Leonardo Castro whereas Brilliant Khuzwayo was dropped from the line-up due to injury at the expense of Leonardo Castro.

In the early exchanges, Dumisani Zuma threatened Sandilands' goal but his looping shot failed to hit the back of the net.

Nonetheless, following a horrendous mistake at the back by Chiefs, Augustine Mulenga profited as a shot came back off the post and the Zambia star struck home.

Not long afterwards, Kambole was guilty of missing an absolute sitter as he failed to convert into a gaping goal.

Around the half-an-hour mark, the talk-of-the-town Thembinkosi Lorch showed his class as he struck a goal-of-the-season contender curler beyond Bruce Bvuma.

Just before the break, Ramahlwe Mphahlele was forced off with injury as Reeve Frosler joined the fray in his place.

In the second stanza, Chiefs showed improvement in the final third but still were not able to trouble the scorers.

Changes were made after the break as Kabelo Mahlasela came in for Siphelele Ntshangase while new Pirates signing Fortune Makaringe replaced the lively Lorch.

With that said, Khama Billiat showed quick feet on the edge of the area before firing in a low shot which Sandilands did well to get down to save.

Kambole ran in for the follow-up but his strike went into the side-netting though he was offside anyway.

Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic were also introduced with there being signs of a potentially promising partnership.

Castro headed an effort over the bar whereas Frosler struck a fierce effort from distance which Sandilands palmed away.

The Sea Robbers had a golden chance to strike a third on the counter but substitute Fortune Makaringe dragged his strike wide, when a pass across goal to fellow sub Gabadinho Mhango may have been a better option.

It was Pirates' fifth Carling Black Label Cup win.

NEWS24

Ompangela yomalweendo monooli yoshilongo

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Ompangela yomalweendo monooli yoshilongoOomiliyona 12 tadhi ka longithwa Okwa hololwa omaipulo kutya okweenda kolupadhi, okuhinga ombasikela nenge okuya molweendo taku longithwa ekangwa lyoombaki kashi li megameno na itashi vulu okwiinekelwa. Oshikondo shomalweendo oshowo oshikondo sheyambulepo lyiitopolwa noondoolopa pamwe nookume kawo momayambulepo oyiikalekele oshimaliwa sha thika poobiliyona 12, sha nuninwa oompangela dhomalweendo miitopolwa yomonooli yoshilongo, ndjoka tayi ka kwatelamo omalweendo goombesa oshowo endiki lyomayakulo gokudhengela ootaxi.

Shoka osha nuninwa okuya moshipala omaupyakadhi gomalweendo moonoli.

Ompangela ndjoka oya tulwa iilonga komupeha minista moshikondo shomalweendo, James Sankwasa, pehala lya minista John Mutorwa, sha ningilwa mOndangwa oshiwike sha piti. Sankwasa okwa popi kutya konima shoCity of Windhoek, uuminiteli wawo oshowo uuministeli woayambulepo goondoolopa niitopolwa nookume kawo momayambulepo ya tokola okulongela kumwe okutula miilonga Suompangela yoshilandopangelo oshowo omidhingiloko dhopopepi, tayi ithanwa Sastainable Urban Transport Master, na okwa ningwa etsokumwe opo ku ningwe oompangela dha faathana moshitopolwa Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto oshowo Omusati.

Uuna ompangela yaVenduka ya tulwa miilonga okuudha, otayi ka yambulapo omalweendo gaakwashigwana oshowo omalweendo ngoka inaga kwatelamo iiyenditho moshilando. Ompangela otayi tala koompito dhomalweendo dha yooloka kumboka haya ende iinano iile okukonga iiyenditho nokumona omayakulo galwe gomalweendo ngaashi oombesa oonene, oombesa ooshona nootaxi. “Otu shi shi nawa kutya iitopolwa yomonooli oya taalela eshongo enene omolwa omulandu gomalweendo ngoka gu li miilonga ngashiingeyi. Omikundu dhoka otadhi hwahwamekwa woo kekoko lyeliko oshowo omwaalu gwaakwashigwana, onkene osha simana okutula miilonga ompangela ndjoka tayi ka vula okugandja omayakulo gomalweendo taga endele pamwe nompumbwe.”

Sankwasa okwa popi kutya monooli aantu oyendji ohaya ende iinano iile kolupadhi ngele oya hala okuya komahala gontumba na oshi li oshinima shi shiwike kutya omayakulo goombesa ngele oodhoka oonene nenge oonshona oshowo ootaxi ohaga monika owala pomahala gopopepi noondoolopa.

Okwa tsikile kutya okweenda nenge okulongitha oombaskela kwaamboka ye na oombaskela nenge okweenda komakangwa goombaki ogo owala omikalo dhili po kaantu yamwe na inadhi gamenwa na itadhi vulu okwiinekelwa.

Verusckha Araes, omugandjimayele gopautekinika koGIZ, okwa popi kutya omalolelo gopoloyeka ndjoka ongaashi okutula miilonga omayakulo goombesa pokati kOshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa-Omuthiya, etulo miilonga lyendiki lyomayakulo gokudhenga oongodhi, egandjo lyomayakulo goombesa dhoskola oshowo omayakulo goombesa dhaayehe moondoolopa oonene ngaashi moshitopolwa shaShana.

“Monena ondjila yoB1 oshowo C46 pokati koondoolopa ndhoka dhiipyakidhila unene monooli yoshilongo otayi pewa omayakulo kootaxi dhopaumwene oshowo koombesa ooshona nomulandu ngoka ngashiingeyi itagu vulu we okugandja omayakulo giihwapo omolwa ompumbwe, iifuta itayi vulika, oshowo egameno,” Araes a popi.

Okwa gwedha po kutya ethimbo olya thikana opo ku lundululwe omulandu gomayakulo gomalweendo monooli.

Okwa popi kutya ngashiingeyi omulandu ngoka hagu longithwa okukwata otaxi pooha dhondjila molwaashoka kape na omahala gokuthikamena ootaxi. Ngoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaShana, Elia Irimari okwa taambako ompangela yomalweendo ta popi kutya iitopolwa ine yonooli yoshilongo oyi li egumbo koopresenda 40 dhaakwashigwana yoomiliyona 2.5 moNamibia nopethimbo lyiituthi yomatango omanene omwaalu ngoka ohagu londo pombanda sigo oopresenda 60, sho aantu taya wayiimine oofamili dhawo mokutyapula iituthi yaKrismesa oshowo omvula ompe.

Okwa popi kutya pethimbo ndyoka oostola ooshona oshowo oosasiyona dhomahooli ohadhi manapo oostoka, omanga omagumbo gaayenda noohootela hadhi kala dhiipyakidhula noonkondo ethimbo ndyoka, nongeshefa ndjoka ohayi ya kwathela okupitila momathimbo ngoka ihaya kala nookastoma.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Omalolelo goondya dhiimuna mOshikuku taga katekwa

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Omalolelo goondya dhiimuna mOshikuku taga katekwa Uuministeli wuunamapya otawu lundilwa kutya otawu kateke omapekaapeko neningilo lyomalolelo giikulya yiimuna ya longwa miipakete.

Uuministeli owa popi kutya inawu shambulwa kosasiyona yomapekaapeko mOshikuku na otawu pula opo omalolelo ngoka ga ningilwe mOmatjene Agricultural Research Centre, mUuzilo waTjiwarongo.

Omunambelewa Omukomeho guuministeli Percy Misika okwa popi kutya inaya vula okuzimina opo omapekaapeko gofakitoli yokulonga iikulya yiimuna okuza momapekate ga ningilwe mOshikuku, molwaashoka inaya shambulwa kutya ehala ndyoka tamu ningilwa omalolelo otali ka gandja tuu oshizemo ngaashi shoka sha pumbiwa.

Konima sho a mono iiyemo oshowo eyambidhidho lyopautekinika okuza koLocal Economic Development Agency (LEDA) moshikondo sheyambulepo lyoondoolopa niitopolwa, omunongononi gwoondya, Roderick Haraseb okwa tameke ta ningi omapekaapeko menduluko lyiikulya lyiimuna ya longwa momapakete, ngoka ga mono epopilo enene okuza koolabora dhaSouth Africa.

Haraseb okwa popi kutya uuministeli wuunamapya inawu kuthako omapekaapeko ngoka neutulemo na inawu hala okukutha ombinga.

Okwa tsikile kutya ngashiingeyi sho a hala okushangitha oondya ndhoka opo uuministeli wa hala okukutha ombinga.

Okwa popi kutya uuministeli inawu talela po osasiyona ndjoka yomapekaapeko nenge wu tulepo omilandu ndhoka e na okulandula.

“MuApilili gwomvula yo 2012 sho twa tameke onda pula uuministeli koshikondo shoka hashi ungaunga nomashangitho na onda pula omilandu ndhoka ndi na okulandula nenge okugwanithwa po mendiki lyomapekaapeko. Oya lombwelendje ndi pule komeho molwaashoka kape na omilandu. Otwa tameke nomapekaapeko na otwa longitha oondohotola dhiinamwenyo dhepangelo mokukonaakona iimuna,” Haraseb a yelitha.

Haraseb okwa nduluka oondya dhoka dhiimuna miipakete na okwa kala uule woomwedhi hamano okuza muApilili okuya muKotomba gwomvula yo 2017, ta palutha oongombe mbali oshowo iikombo iyali noondya ndhoka.

MuFebruali gwonuumvo, iimuna mbyoka oya tomwa nomapekaapeko oga ningwa na oga holola kutya iikulya mbyoka otayi vulu okupalutha iimuna nawa shi vule omwiidhi nenge olusiyana.

Pahapu dhaMisika, momasiku gaali gomwedhi Aguste omvula ya piti Haraseb okwa gandja eindilo lyokushangitha ofalama yoondya dhiimuna, nokugandja ompangela ye kelelo lyuuministeli.

“Momasiku 13 gaSeptemba omvula ya piti, uuministeli wuunamapya owa tseyithile Haraseb kutya eindilo lye inali ziminwa omolwa kutya eshangitho lyofaalama ye yiikulya yiimuna inayi shambula uuministeli oshowo omapekaapeko ngoka oga ningilwa pehala li li mondjila, sho iikulya mbyoka yiimuna ya pumbwa okukala niitungithi yolutu yiihwapo,” Misika a popi. Haraseb aniwa okwa pewa omayele opo a gandje oshiyetwapo she kaatseyinawa naanongononi yiinawenyo muuministeli, shoka a ningi ihe pethimbo lyegandjo lyomauyelele ngoka okwa tothwamo iinima ya yooloka nomagwedhelepo gamwe ga gandjwa.

Omayele gamwe ngoka gapewa aniwa Haraseb okuya mekwatathano nomunonginino gumwe gwiinamwenyo muuministeli opo ya talulule omukalo gwe.

Misika okwa gwedha po kutya uuministeli owa li wa pyakudhukwa okugandja omakwatho ngaashi omandiki gokulongela oshowo omakwatho galwe, naHaraseb okwa pulwa opo omalolelo ngoka ga ka vule okuningilwa mOmatjene Research Station. Okwa tsikile kutya momasiku 17 gaJanuari nuumvo, uuministeli owa shangele Haraseb ombaapila tawu pula opo a tumwe ookg 10 dhiipakete mbyoka ta longitha oshowo kg 10 dhiilongomwa ye, ihe sigo onena uuministeli owa tegelela. Okwa popi kutya uuministeli otawu yambidhidha noonkondo oompangela kehe tadhi ningwa ndhoka dha nuninwa okuyambulapo oshikondo shuunamapya ihe iilongomwa nomapekaapeko nayi vule okukala ya konaakona nokuziminwa koolabora dhiithikamena nenge kuuministeli.

Haraseb, ngoka e li iilongela uutekinika moondya na okwa manitha eilongo lye moCape Peninsula University of Technology, okwa popi kutya uuministeli itawu yelitha sha gwana.

“Omakateko opo geli molwaashoka uuministeli itawu yelitha kutya owa hala omalolelo ga ningwe ngiini na olye te ga futile molwaashoka tse katu na iimaliwa na shoka osho sha etitha ndi kale inandi ningulula omalolelo. Kandi shi kutya omolwashike yahala okuningulula omalolelo ngele omalolelo gamwe oga ningwa koondohotola dhawo dhiimuna na odhi na uuyelele awuhe.”

Haraseb okwa popi kutya ngoka kage shi omalolelo gopaunongononi ihe enduluko lyoshinima.

ILENI NANDJATO

Epic Momentum matches

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Epic Momentum matchesQuarterfinals deliver top clashes The teams involved in the Momentum Schools Boards Trophy delivered outstanding quarterfinal clashes over the weekend. Octavia Tsibes





As the finals of the Momentum Schools Boards Trophy near, the young rugby players are becoming even more focused.

This past weekend schools from all corners of Namibia travelled to Windhoek to take part in the league quarterfinals at the Hage Geingob Stadium.

Schools pulled out all the stops and displayed some new tactics, as they attempted to push through to the semi-finals.

“I travelled all the way from Grootfontein to support my younger brother,” said Leanka van Zyl from Grootfontein Agri College, adding that playing at the Hage Geingob Stadium is a wonderful experience.

The Momentum rugby journey has proven that great support from friends and family plays a major part in how teams perform.

“We drove from Rehoboth to participate in netball. We didn’t win, but we had a chance to support our sister school, Dr Lemmer, from Rehoboth, who participated in the quarterfinals,” Merischa Claasen, a netball player from M&K Gertze High School, said.

Dr Lemmer played against Moria Private School and won the match 27-24.

Claasen said she saw great tactics from other teams and will surely take these back home.

“We prepared so much for the match against Walvis Bay Private High School (WBPHS), because we have lost twice against them before,” said Erik Strauss, captain of Windhoek High School’s first rugby team.

He added that in order to perform and win against any team, one should be mentally prepared to tackle the game. “My team never gives up. We push through, regardless.”

The game between Windhoek High School and Walvis Bay Private High School was intense, as WHS moved into the semi-finals where they will play Tsumeb Gymnasium in Windhoek at the Hage Geingob Stadium next week.

No stopping Gymnasium

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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No stopping Gymnasium Andrew Poolman and Elizabeth Joseph



Windhoek Gymnasium clinched the most prestigious title on the final day of the Steers primary schools rugby finals, when they beat Pionierspark Primary School by a whopping 57-12 on the latter’s home turf.

Gymnasium scored nine tries against two. Following the halftime score of 24-5, the Pionierspark resistance proved futile, as the red and black team scored five tries within the next 13 minutes.

Gymnasium team, coach by Wessel Kotzé, Francois van Schouwenburg and Mario Jacobs, have not lost a single league match since clinching the under-11 title two years ago. The team, captained by number eight Ruan Agenbag, includes six players that represented Namibia at the u-13 Craven Week tournament this year.

The results were as follows:

U-11 bronze - Walvis Bay Primary 10-7 Elnatan.

U-12 bronze - Wilhelm Nortier 24-10 Origo.

U-13A bronze - Narraville 41-5 Suiderhof.

U-11 cup final: Pionierspark 12-3 Windhoek Affies.

U-12 cup final: Pionierspark 10-5 Windhoek Gymnasium

U-13A cup final: Okahandja Schools 28-7 Origo.

U-13 super league bronze final - Windhoek Affies 22- 19 Pro-Ed.

U-13 super league cup final - Windhoek Gymnasium 57-12 Pionierspark.

Clash over fodder

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Clash over fodder Ministry accused of delaying cardboard-based product The agriculture ministry is being accused of frustrating and delaying research into cardboard-based fodder at Oshikuku in the Omusati Region.

The ministry says it is not satisfied with the research station at Oshikuku and is demanding that trials be carried out at the Omatjene Agricultural Research Centre, west of Otjiwarongo, to assess the feed composition in terms of energy, protein, mineral and wax content. Ministry executive director Percy Misika said it could not approve the research study into the factory manufacturing of animal feed from cardboard boxes at Oshikuku, because it is not satisfied that the feed where the study was conducted is suitable and sufficiently effective for the intended purpose. After securing funding and technical support from the Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA) of the urban and rural development ministry, food technologist Roderick Haraseb started conducting a study on the manufacture of animal feed from discarded cardboard boxes, which he said gained positive responses from South African laboratories.

Haraseb said the agriculture ministry has never taken the study seriously and never wanted to be involved.

Only now that he would like to register the feed, the ministry wants to be involved. He said the ministry never visited his research station or set any standards for him to comply with.

“Around April 2017, when we started, I approached the ministry's department that deals with registrations, asking for the standards to be used at our research centre, and they told me just to go ahead because there are no standards. We came back and started with the research. We made use of state veterinarians to inspect the animals all the time,” explained Haraseb. “After we started, we made a presentation to the ministry on the overview of the whole project. There was a request from their side that they will come visit the site and we had an agreement that they were coming. They never came to visit our centre, until they sent us a letter that based on what they have seen from the presentation on the project, it will not work.” Haraseb produces animal feed from cardboard boxes and spent six months, from the end of April to October 2017, strictly feeding two cows and two goats with the new feed.

In February last year the animals were slaughtered and post-mortems were conducted. Haraseb said it was established that the feed is able to nourish animals better than grass and lucerne. According to Misika, on 2 August last year, Haraseb submitted an application for the registration of the farm feed, after he presented the study to the ministry's management.

“On 13 September last year, the agriculture ministry informed Haraseb that his application was not successful, due to the fact that the registrar of farm feed was not satisfied that the farm feed where the study was conducted was suitable and sufficiently effective for the intended purpose, as an animal feed with all the necessary nutrients,” said Misika.

“However, Haraseb was advised to do a presentation to the ministry's animal scientists and specialists, which he did. During that presentation there were number of issues that were raised, such as his experiment design, the uniformity of the animals used in the trials and the lack of a clear hypothesis. “Recommendations were made that Haraseb liaises with one of the ministry's animal scientists to relook at the experiment design and formulate a new one, while considering the animal uniformity to be used in the trials.” Misika added the ministry was ready to avail facilities, such as an intensive feeding system, animals and assistance in terms of labour. He said in the meantime, Haraseb approached the ministry's top management for a meeting.

“In this meeting an instruction was given that the ministry, jointly (with Haraseb) carry out trials at the Omatjene Research Station. Before the commencement of the joint trials, it was imperative to assess the feed (cardboard boxes) composition, in terms of energy content, protein content, minerals and wax content.

“Hence, this year, on 17 January, the ministry wrote to Haraseb, requesting him to submit 10kg of raw cardboard boxes and a 10kg feed sample of the final product. The ministry is still waiting on Haraseb to submit the samples, as requested this year,” Misika said.

He said the ministry welcomes research around introducing new agricultural products, as well as studies aimed at adding value to the agriculture sector. However, such products/research findings must be tested and verified, either by independent accredited laboratories or by the ministry. Haraseb, a food technology graduate of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, said the ministry is not being clear enough. “The delays are there because the ministry is not clear as to what they want to be tested and who will fund it, as we do not have money, and that is why I could not carry on with the retests. I don't even know why they want to do a retest, if some of the testing was done by their veterinarians and they have all the data. “This is not scientific research, but a product development study… the scope of references is available and can be verified. If there is no standard, what else are they going to retest?” Haraseb asked.

ILENI NANDJATO

Ntjamba guns for APP presidency

July 28, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Ntjamba guns for APP presidency All People's Party (APP) Youth League president, Sebastian Ntjamba, whose yearlong suspension was recently lifted, says he has ambitions to take over the party presidency from Ignatius Shixwameni.

The APP announced recently it had lifted the suspensions of Njamba, Hendrick Haikera and Kaghugongo Shingereshu.

They were suspended in July last year for, among other reasons, referring to party leaders as being “useless”.

Ntjamba said he will not be deterred from his ambition to become the APP's next president.

He is 31 years old and the party does not have any age restriction, in terms of running for its presidency.

Because he does not qualify to contest the national presidential election, he said his main aim is to take over the party and transform it.

Only those over the age of 35 can contest for head of state in a presidential election.

The APP's third national elective congress will take place between 23 and 25 August in Rundu, where various leadership positions will be up for grabs.

“I have ambitions to become the president of the party; that's the only position that will enable me to bring change into APP.

If people make me president, I will do what the people want. I have a clear plan of what I am going to do,” Ntjamba said.

He said he is confident of winning, should he be nominated at the congress, adding that youth within the party want change.

“I was just the voice of what the people were thinking about the party.

As a leader, I cannot shy away from what my people want me to say or do.

What I was talking about, which got me suspended, are things the people have been talking about for years.

I just spoke on their behalf,” Ntjamba said.

He said the party is not living up to its vision of the equal redistribution of wealth in the country.

He said the party should address the issue of elitism, adding APP parliamentarians should share their benefits with fellow party members.

Ntjamba said a certain percentage of the income of APP parliamentarians should be directed to the party, in order to assist all members and build party coffers.

“This will assist greatly and it will simply mean that we live up to our objective of the equal distribution of wealth. We must lead by example and then the people will see that we mean what we say,” Ntjamba said.

He said he serve in the interest of the people and implement strategies that will gain the party more support.

APP acting secretary-general Vincent Kanyetu said all party members, including Ntjamba, are welcome to contest for positions at the upcoming elective congress, if they are eligible and follow the rules.

“I mean, if he is going to be a delegate to the congress, we have rules of nomination and everything.

He will be informed about the rules and if he is still inspired to become my president, he can stand,” Kanyetu said.

KENYA KAMBOWE