Nigeria plots course to membership of AfCFTA

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Nigeria plots course to membership of AfCFTA ABUJA - Nigeria is backing its commitment to join Africa's recently agreed free trade zone by setting up a committee to implement the agreement, and promising new laws where necessary to enact membership of the pact, the presidency said on Sunday.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), launched by African leaders on July 7, will if successful create a US$3.4 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development.

Nigeria joined AfCFTA despite initial reluctance due to a desire to ensure it would not open local industries to dumping from countries outside the region, and its decision is an important endorsement as the largest economy on the continent.

The presidency said it would set up a committee made up of government agencies and private sector groups to implement the trade agreement.

‘Long journey’

In preparing Nigeria for the pact, president Muhammadu Buhari needs to approve a number of measures which would facilitate trade and boost local capacity to produce and export goods and services, among other policies, it said.

"Overall, the implementation of the AfCFTA is going to be a long journey," it said. "Nigeria is committed to ensuring that Africa achieves a free and fair trade environment ... through increased intra-African trade."

The African Development Bank president told Reuters on Saturday that African nations will need to boost output of goods and services and integrate payment systems if they are to take advantage of the initiative.

The AfCFTA agreement, which creates a single market for goods and services and movement of persons to increase intra-African trade and deepen African economic integration, would be implemented in phases.

The first phase will be to establish a protocol for trade in goods and services and dispute settlement rules. The second will cover competition, investment and intellectual property rights, with negotiations due to start next year. – Nampa/AFP

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SA panel backs land seizures, within limits

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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SA panel backs land seizures, within limitsCall for national audit The South African parliament will this year debate changing the constitution to strengthen the legal case for land seizures. The [panel's] majority endorsement of land expropriation without compensation will further batter our ailing economy. – Democratic Alliance Johannesburg - A South African advisory panel on Sunday backed land redistribution without compensation for owners, but only in limited circumstances, as the government pushes ahead with the controversial policy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established the panel of experts last year after he took power and embraced enforced land reform as a flagship policy, despite warnings that it could scare off investors.

"The panel endorses the proposed policy shift towards using the provisions of the constitution to expropriate land without compensation," its report said, adding "this need not, and should not, be applied in every case."

Parliament will this year debate changing the constitution to strengthen the legal case for land seizures.

The panel also called for clarity in a draft "expropriation bill" that suggests zero compensation only if land is held for "speculative purposes", is owned by the state, has been abandoned or has received government subsidies more than it’s worth.

The panel said that property owners who bought land after the end of apartheid rule in 1994 should be treated differently to those who inherited land that was held under the white-minority system.

Political parties

Forced land redistribution has become a central policy for the ruling ANC as the party tries to win back support from poorer black voters who still suffer harsh racial inequalities 25 years after the end of apartheid rule.

The party has vowed to change the constitution to make it easier for land to seized - largely from white owners - without payment.

Ramaphosa has said reform would start with state-owned land in urban areas being released for housing, and would not damage the country's weak economy.

The advisory panel said that data on ownership was still incomplete and called for a national audit to pin down who owned land.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance party rejected the report's recommendations "with regards to land expropriation without compensation and other untenable suggestions."

"The [panel's] majority endorsement of land expropriation without compensation will further batter our ailing economy," it added.

The far-left South African Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party made its mark with voters by pushing for radical land redistribution - a policy now adopted by the ANC. – Nampa/AFP

Africa Briefs

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Africa Briefs Kenya appoints acting finance minister

Kenya's presidency appointed labour minister Ukur Yatani as acting finance minister last Wednesday, a day after incumbent Henry Rotich was charged with corruption.

Rotich, who has been in the finance post since 2013, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to corruption charges in connection with tenders for the construction of two dams.

Rotich, who was bailed on a surety of 15 million shillings, is one of 26 people facing charges related to the project. He is due to return to court on 8 August.

President Uhuru Kenyatta also replaced the finance ministry's number-two official, Kamau Thugge, who was charged alongside Rotich, also pleading not guilty.

Italian construction company CMC di Ravenna, which is also implicated in the corruption investigation, has denied any wrongdoing and said late on Tuesday it was co-operating with authorities. – Nampa/Reuters

Tanzania's economic growth slows in Q1

Tanzania's economic growth slowed to 6.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019 from 7.5% in the same period a year earlier, official data showed on Sunday, weighed down by softer construction, agriculture and manufacturing activity.

A leaked report from the International Monetary Fund said earlier this year that Tanzania's economy has not been expanding as fast as official figures suggest. It said lower growth was partly due to president John Magufuli's "unpredictable and interventionist" policies.

In the first quarter, construction, the biggest driver of GDP, grew 13.2%, compared with 15.6% a year ago, the state-run National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

However, growth in the mining sector, which has been the target of repeated government interventions, rebounded to 10.0% from a 5.7% decline during the same period in 2018. Tanzania is Africa's fourth-largest gold producer.

Agriculture, which accounts for about a third of economic activity, also slowed in the first quarter of this year, with crop production growing 6.0% compared to 8.9% in the same period last year, the statistics bureau said. – Nampa/Reuters

West Africa piracy threatens regional trade plans

Piracy in the waters off West Africa threatens plans to bolster regional trade, Ghana's defence minister warned last week, as navy chiefs discussed efforts to secure the troubled waters.

The Gulf of Guinea is the most dangerous stretch of sea for pirate attacks in the world, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

The IMB said 62 seafarers were taken hostage or abducted in the area in the first half of 2019, accounting for 73% of kidnappings and 92% of hostage-takings at sea worldwide.

Earlier this month a group of ten Turkish sailors were kidnapped by alleged pirates off the coast of Nigeria.

"The threats to maritime security and safety transcend borders and have the propensity to affect international trade hence a threat to one coastal nation is a threat to all nations; coastal or landlocked," Ghana's minister for defence Dominic Nitiwul told a major maritime conference in Accra. – Nampa/Reuters

Egypt can draw from loan programme

The International Monetary Fund said last week its board completed the fifth and final review of Egypt's US$12 billion loan programme, allowing authorities in Cairo to draw another US$2 billion in funds.

The disbursement will complete the amount approved under the three-year extended fund facility programme launched in November 2016.

"Egypt has successfully completed the three-year arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility and achieved its main objectives," IMF acting managing director David Lipton said in a statement. "The macroeconomic situation has improved markedly since 2016, supported by the authorities' strong ownership of their reform programme and decisive upfront policy actions."

He said Egypt had met a 2018/19 primary budget surplus target of 2% of GDP, and it would be important to maintain primary surpluses at that level to keep public debt on a downward trajectory. Elimination of most fuel subsidies will help in this regard while promoting energy efficiency, he added.

A favourable economic outlook provides an opportunity to advance further structural reforms to boost private sector growth and job creation, but Lipton said more work was needed on reforming state own enterprises, competition policy, public procurement and industrial land allocation. – Nampa/Reuters

Algeria's state power firm to seek foreign loans

Algeria's state power utility Sonelgaz will seek foreign loans to finance its development plan, its chief executive said last week, becoming the first company in the North African country to look for funds abroad in decades.

OPEC member Algeria relies heavily on oil and gas, which account for 94% of total exports and 60% of the state budget.

The government has been trying to cut spending to cope with budget and trade deficits since crude oil prices fell sharply in mid-2014.

Subsidised electricity prices are very low in Algeria compared with neighbouring countries, and energy minister Mohamed Arkab said there was no plan to raise prices.

Algeria subsidises almost everything, from basic foodstuffs to fuel and medicine, with the aim of avoiding social unrest in the country which has been shaken by protests since early this year demanding the removal of the ruling elite. – Nampa/Reuters

Kenya launches Africa's biggest wind farm

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Kenya launches Africa's biggest wind farmLargest private investment in history The project has been closely watched as a case study of investing in renewables in Africa. Kenya is without a doubt on course to become a world leader in renewable energy. - Pres Uhuru Kenyatta Nick Perry – Kenya recently formally launched Africa's biggest wind power plant, a mammoth project in a gusty stretch of wilderness that already provides nearly a fifth of the country's energy needs.

The US$680-million scheme, a sprawling 365-turbine wind farm on the eastern shores of Lake Turkana, is delivering 310 megawatts of renewable power to the national grid of East Africa's most dynamic economy.

The largest private investment in Kenya's history, the Lake Turkana Wind Power project was beset with delays and took nearly a decade to rise from the arid landscape 600 kilometres north of Nairobi.

The turbines, scattered across Turkana's stark lunar landscape and rocky hills, began to deliver their first electricity last September.

Today, their giant blades deliver 15% of Kenya's entire installed capacity, connected to the national grid through a 428-kilometre power line.

"Today, we again raise the bar for the continent as we unveil the single largest wind farm," said president Uhuru Kenyatta, after touring the project.

"Kenya is without a doubt on course to become a world leader in renewable energy."

The project lies in a natural corridor dubbed "the windiest place on earth" and promises to harness this endless power at low cost.

The nearly-50 metre turbines were engineered to handle the fierce gusts that tear through the "Turkana Corridor", a wind tunnel that generates optimal conditions, year round.

The winds howling near constantly through the barren valley deliver double the load capacity enjoyed by similar projects in America and Europe.

"It is unprecedented. This is one of the most consistently windiest places in the world," said Rizwan Fazal, the executive director of the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.

Herculean effort

A Herculean effort was needed to construct the behemoth wind farm in Kenya's farthest extremes.

The windmills, manufactured by Danish company Vestas, had to be brought one-by-one overland from the Kenyan port of Mombasa, some 1 200 kilometres away.

Each one was customised so its different segments could be packed "like Russian dolls", the company said.

More than 2 000 trips were needed to bring all the materials from port to plant.

Some 200 kilometres of road leading to the site had to be tarred to allow trucks through.

Another 100 kilometres of internal roads linking the turbines dotting the hot, desert horizons were also constructed.

Case study

The project, far more ambitious in scale than rivals elsewhere on the continent, has been closely watched as a case study of investing in renewables in Africa, where demand for energy is soaring as economies grow and populations swell.

In Kenya - which relies heavily on hydropower and geothermal - power is unreliable and costly, hindering business as energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing look to take off.

Kenyatta has previously committed to 100% renewable energy for Kenya by 2020 - a pledge the government has been accused of betraying with plans to build a coal-fired power plant off the coast in Lamu.

That project - deemed unnecessary by experts - has been stalled by legal challenges.

The Turkana wind farm involved years of planning and construction but the turbines went up quicker than one a day, with the last raised in March 2017, ahead of schedule.

Difficulties

But difficulties in financing the transmission line, being laid by state-owned power company Ketraco, and problems acquiring land, meant this landmark project didn't connect to the grid for another 18 months - in September 2018.

"The farm was built on time. But the project can only operate if you can bring power to the client," said Catherine Collin, East Africa head of the European Investment Bank.

The EU's lending facility loaned US$200 million for the project, which received other finance from a consortium of European and African companies

"There was a delay, there were a few difficult moments, I have to say, for everybody, but in the end we all made it," Collin said.

Fazal said it had been "an incredible journey" but more than anything it let the world know Kenya's untapped clean energy markets were open for business.

"It sends a very strong signal about Kenya being ripe for projects," he said. – Nampa/AFP

China exports gasoline to Nigeria, Mexico

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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China exports gasoline to Nigeria, Mexico Chen Aizhu - China will ramp up gasoline exports in July and August to near record levels with cargoes moving to Mexico and Nigeria as refiners seek outlets for their fuel amid a wave of new production and slowing domestic demand.

The surge in Chinese shipments will fill a supply gap caused by refinery outages in the United States and the Middle East but are likely to accelerate a plunge in Asian gasoline margins, which have dropped 50% since 12 July, when they clawed back to a three-month high.

China's refineries, led by PetroChina Co, the country's second-largest, will export about 1.5 million tonnes of gasoline a month in July and August, said two senior traders with knowledge of China's gasoline exports. That is up from June exports of 1 million tonnes and near the record of 1.69 million tonnes exported in March, according to Chinese customs data.

Surge

The export surge is a result of the start up of two large-scale refineries owned by Hengli Petrochemical and Zhejiang Petrochemical that will each add about 4 million tonnes per year of new gasoline output when fully operational.

The surge will reverse the trend of falling gasoline exports in 2019, for the first half of 2019 they are down 9% from the same period a year ago.

"Gasoline was overflowing [in China] as Hengli shocked the market...companies took the advantage of stronger demand in Latin America and West Africa," said one of the traders.

PetroChina was granted gasoline export quotas of 4.7 million tonnes in the second batch of quotas issued in May, more than half of the quotas given. As a result, the company is placing cargoes to Mexico, Chile and Nigeria, according to the traders.

"Gasoline surplus in China is exacerbated by slowing demand growth, given weakening consumer confidence as the trade war continues, reflected also in slumping car sales," said Michal Meidan, director of the China energy programme at Oxford Institute of Energy Studies. – Nampa/Reuters

Pound tumbles towards 30-month lows

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Pound tumbles towards 30-month lows Sterling extended losses and fell below US$1.23 towards 30-month lows yesterday, as more investors rushed to factor in the growing risk of a no-deal Brexit and the chance that new British prime minister Boris Johnson will call an early election. "The market is now increasingly concerned about hard Brexit being a possibility," said Esther Maria Reichelt, an analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. Until recently, most investors had believed a last-minute agreement would be reached. This view is being strongly tested - the government said yesterday it assumed there would be a no-deal Brexit because a "stubborn" European Union was refusing to renegotiate their divorce. At lunchtime yesterday, the pound was worth N$17.47. Photo Nampa/Reuters

Elso to cut distribution and logistics

July 29, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Elso to cut distribution and logisticsCleaning product maker partners with CIC Job losses can be expected as the Namibian manufacturer focuses on core business. Nicole Maske, Elso acting CEO: “We are testing exports to South Africa and would like to export to other neighbouring countries in the near future.” Augetto Graig - Namibian cleaning product manufacturer Elso has announced that it will restructure its business model from August, outsourcing its distribution and logistics to a local supply chain partner, CIC.

The 60-year-old Elso Holdings is the only Namibian manufacturer of cleaning materials. It currently employs 134 workers, 61 of whom work in its factories in Windhoek and Swakopmund.

The restructuring aims to optimise operational efficiencies and improve customer service through faster and more reliable deliveries, according to the company.

“Elso will focus on the core of its business, manufacturing great Namibian cleaning and tissue products and ensuring customer service through its Elso Ambassadors around the country,” reads the press release.

“As part of this change, Elso will need to right-size the workforce, as distribution will be entirely handled by the outsourced partner with its own employees,” it continues.

Acting chief executive officer Nicole Maske says the exact number of employees who will be directly affected depends on the outcome of final negotiations with staff.

“Although it is very sad to see people leave the business, it is a necessary part of building a strong Elso business that is able to best serve its customers around the country,” the statement reads.

Going forward

Elso stores around the country will now be co-located with CIC’s depot facilities to ensure higher stock availability and increased efficiency. The Windhoek branch in Lazarette Street will remain where it is, as will the branch in Tsumeb. Elso will continue to refill containers with its cleaning products at stores countrywide. Customers will also be serviced through Elso Ambassadors in each region and key retail account managers.

Elso offers a wide range of products suitable for everything from daily household chores to cleaning big factories or shopping malls.

“Elso will continue to build truly Namibian brands in the cleaning space with new products that can compete head-on with the imported brands,” the press release reads.

Asked about trends in the cleaning product development space Maske said: “Watch this space. We have some products already offered to non-retail customers, which we will be looking to convert into retail products, and some extensions for industry.”

New brands

Regarding ingredients for Elso cleaning products, Maske said: “We source as much as we can locally, however there is little available locally in terms of the raw materials; largely chemicals and paper wadding. We do source most of our packaging material locally, including plastic bags, labels, boxes and the like.”

Elso is a proudly Namibian business that will continue to build new Namibian brands, such as its recently launched multi-purpose cleaner, Citro Power, and window cleaner, Citro Shine, supporting Namibia’s vision of industrialisation, according to the company.

According to Maske the company is also looking at opportunities abroad. “We are testing exports to South Africa and would like to export to other neighbouring countries in the near future,” she said.

Elso Holdings belongs to the Allegrow Fund, a private equity fund managed by Eos Capital. Investors in Allegrow Fund include Namibian private and state-owned enterprise pension funds, said Maske.

O&L to buy Hartlief

July 30, 2019, 5:45 am

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O&L to buy Hartlief The Ohlthaver & List Group has signed an agreement to purchase the majority shareholding in the Hartlief Group, Roux-Ché Locke, the communications manager of O&L, has confirmed.
O&L also owns Windhoek Schlachterei.
Locke told Market Watch the deal is subject to “certain closing conditions”, including regulatory approvals by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC).
O&L said further details will be shared at a later stage.

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Desert Storm to hit Gaborone

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Desert Storm to hit Gaborone Boxing trainer Imms 'AC' Moses says Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas is the next big thing in Namibian boxing, as he has talent in abundance.

Moses said the boxer, who has been training at the AC Boxing and Fitness Gym, is fit and ready to take on any fighter in his weight class.

“He is hungry for a win and has been preparing tirelessly for an upcoming fight in Gaborone, Botswana,” said Moses.

The undefeated Lukas will challenge for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Africa title on 27 September in the Rising Stars boxing tournament, promoted by Global Boxing Stars (GBS).

The title is currently held by South Africa's Jeff '911' Magagane. This fight is set to be a war, with both fighters having the chance to fight in the United States, if they emerge victorious.

Lukas has a flawless record of 22 fights, with 15 knockouts, while Magagane's record is 15 fights, 12 wins and three losses.

“Botswana, in fact Africa, be ready, as you have never seen anything as well-produced. We will present a great night of world championship boxing,” said GBS CEO Scott Farrell.

“Rising Stars will deliver the ultimate boxing experience to everyone attending the show, and the millions watching from home via our live broadcast. If you're not at Stanbic Bank Piazza on 27 September, then you are going to miss a truly great night.”

The undercard is also stacked with great fights and features Botswana's Steven 'Small' Bagwasi facing current Zimbabwean national champion Ndodana Ncube.

Adding further excitement to the fight card is the presence of former two-time WBA world champion Paulus 'Hitman' Moses.

The Namibian is set to make his comeback to the ring against Mbena Rajab from Tanzania.

It doesn't end there. Farrell has also helped the Professional Boxing Association of Botswana (PBAB) by launching their first professional boxing national titles.

Not one, but four titles will also be contested on the night.

The bouts include a national super lightweight title fight between Tshepiso Mokgadi and Kutlwano Ogaketse.

The national featherweight title will be contested by Moabi Ngaka and Thabiso Mpolokeng.

The national welterweight title fight will see Gomotsang Gaasite exchanging leather with Kagiso Bagwasi.

In the national bantamweight title fight, Tefo Letshikgwane will cross swords with Onkarabile Mothibedi.

“This is the place to be seen, so dress to impress,” Farrell said, while launching the ticket sales for the event last Friday.

The ticket partner is webtickets.co.bw, who is also an official sponsor.

LIMBA MUPTAMI

Up for grabs

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Up for grabsWarriors coaching post to be advertised in 10 days The Brave Warriors coaching post will be up for grabs soon, with an advert to be placed in the coming days. Fifa normalisation committee chairperson Hilda-Basson Namundjebo has confirmed that the Brave Warriors coaching post will be advertised in 10 days' time.

Ricardo Mannetti's contract ends tonight and the committee has ruled out any possible extension. He can, however, reapply if he chooses to do so.

“Yes, I can confirm that the coaching post will be advertised in 10 days and that is our final decision.

“We, however, continue to encourage the coach (Mannetti) to reapply if he still wants to continue as the coach,” Basson-Namundjebo said.

The committee further confirmed that Namibia will have an interim coach when they play Eritrea in a Fifa World Cup preliminary round qualifier match in September.

It is a decision many people in the country's football circles feel will cause confusion and could limit Namibia's chances of beating the lower-ranked nation.

The fact that the team is likely to play in a crucial qualifiers with an interim coach has created doubt about the future of some of the players and the continuity in the national team.

Basson-Namundjebo is, however, adamant that anyone who is in charge of the team during the World Cup qualifiers, on an interim basis, will do a good job.

“I am not saying that Bobby Samaria will be the one in charge of the team against Eritrea, but it can be anyone we see fit to do so.

“We had Collin Benjamin as an interim coach for the Cosafa team and now Bobby for the African Nations Championship (Chan) team, so the word 'interim' must not be seen as an issue.

“The reason why we will have an interim coach is because we will not have enough time to do all the interviews and make a permanent appointment by early September,” Basson-Namundjebo said.

Meanwhile, Mannetti refused to dwell much on his future, saying he will wait until midnight to see what he will do.

“I will not be able to say I will reapply until the position has been advertised.

“At the moment, my contract is still on until midnight and from there I will be able to give my view on what I will do,” Mannetti briefly said. As things stand, this could be the end of the journey for Namibia's Cosafa Cup-winning coach.

In recent weeks there have been mixed feelings about Mannetti's future with many asking for a renewal of his contract, while others felt that he has done enough and must leave. Mannetti has been in charge of the national team since 2013, after replacing Swedish national Roger Palmgren.

The coach won the 2015 Cosafa Cup and has helped the team to qualify for the 2018 Chan and 2019 Afcon finals.

Namibia were beaten 1-4 by Ivory Coast in their final group match at Afcon, and were eliminated.

Mannetti's men also suffered two unlucky defeats to Morocco and South Africa in their first two group matches.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

PSG sign Gueye on four-year contract

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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PSG sign Gueye on four-year contract NAMPA/REUTERS

Paris St Germain have signed Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye on a four-year contract, the French champions said on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Senegal international joined Everton from Aston Villa in 2016 and made 108 appearances for the Merseyside club. He spent five years at Lille before moving to England, winning a league and cup double with the French club in 2011.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but British media reported earlier that PSG would pay about 30 million pounds (US$36.49 million) for the player.

"I'm immensely proud to sign for Paris Saint Germain," Gueye said in a statement on PSG's website.

“I wanted to give a new boost to my club career by joining Paris Saint Germain, one of the most structured and ambitious sport projects in Europe.

Hoops give hope

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Hoops give hopeBasketball clinic incorporates life skills in training The two-day coaching clinic was a boon for those who want to use the sport to fully impact the lives of the children. The Namibian Basketball School League (NBSL) hosted a two-day basketball4Life level-1 coaching clinic at the Valombola Vocational Training Centre in Ongwediva this past weekend.

The clinic was made possible through the Namibian Basketball Federation (NBF), with the aid of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Deutsche Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB) and the Oshana Basketball School (OBS). NBF secretary-general Ramah Mumba and NBF development officer Malakia Matias were the two instructors for the training that accommodated 20 participants.

As an extension of a clinic that took place earlier this year in Windhoek, the Ongwediva clinic focused on developing the incorporation of life skills into basketball training.

The level-1 course is the first of three levels that look at using basketball as a bridge between sport and life. The participants were taught the basics of basketball, conducted a full practice session and incorporated Sport2Life skills in these sessions.

The level-2 course is set for September and level-3 will be completed soon after.

Mumba said it is a great experience being a part of basketball development, as it is the small initiatives that lead to bigger and better opportunities.

“We are proud of the other regions taking the initiative and running programmes of their own to keep the sport alive, as they are staying true to the concept of being united under one footprint.

“Because at the end of the day, we all have the same goal - to develop the sport for the sake of the children,” he said.

Matias said as a development officer it was great seeing the eagerness from participants from other regions, who want to use the sport to fully impact the lives of the children.

“Because the sport of basketball is still growing, getting these programmes out of the capital will take time, but with the help of organisations such as DOSB, GIZ, OBS and more, we can move these courses to other parts of the country in due time,” added Mathias.

The NBSL is an initiative supported by the NBF and caters for schoolgoing players from as young as nine to 18 years of age.

The league is run annually by a youth committee of individuals aged 17 to 20. For the 2019 season, the league will soon be hosting playoffs, and until then, games are played on weekdays and on weekends in the capital.

To find out more about the league, visit the NBSL Facebook page or find them on Instagram at nbsl school_league.



SPORTS REPORTER







[AS1]

Parrot says he's beaten cancer

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Parrot says he's beaten cancer NAMPA/REUTERS

Olympic snowboarding slope style silver medallist, Max Parrot of Canada, says he has beaten cancer and intends to return to competition at an X Games event in Norway in August.

Parrot, a five-time X Games champion, who won silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

"After battling myself to the best I could during these past seven months, I can finally say that I have won against cancer," the 25-year-old said in an Instagram post.

"So hyped to compete at X Games Norway in a month. It has felt so weird not to compete last season. Stoked to get back at it. Can't wait."

Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively rare cancer, according to Lymphoma Canada.

It accounts for around 0.5% of all cancers and 15% of all lymphomas diagnosed. Each year in Canada, approximately 900 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Omategelelelo mokati kaanona yoskola oga ninga omukundu omunene

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Omategelelelo mokati kaanona yoskola oga ninga omukundu omuneneAanaskola ye li pe 1 000 ya ningi aavali Omuhwahwameki guuthemba waanona, Rosa Namises okwa popi kutya kashi li mondjila epangelo okukala tali lopota kehe omvula kombinga yaanona yaanaskola mboka ya ningi omategelelo omanga kali shoka tali ningi po mokukandula po uupyakadhi mboka. Oshitopolwa shaKhomas osha lopota kutya aanona yoskola yeli 89 oya ningi omategelelo moshikakomvula shotango nuumvo omanga aanaskola yeli 1 002 ya ningi omategelelo pokati komvula yo 2015 no 2018.

John Walters gwOmbudsman okwa popi kutya shoka oshi li oshikumithi na otashi halutha omanga omupeha minista muuministeli wuukashike kookantu, Lucia Witbooi a popi kutya kape na omaipoppilo kaanona yaakadhona ya ninge omategelelo ngele ope na elongo kombinga yomilalo ndyoka li li mooskola. Oshikondo shelongo moshitopolwa shaKhomas osha gandja omiyalu ndhoka koshifokundaeki shoNamibian Sun, sha landula omapulo ngoka sha ningilwa. Oshitopolwa shaShana osha lopota kutya anona yoskola ye li po 88 mwakwatelwa aanona yondondo onti 7 oya ningi omategeleo moshikako shotango nuumvo.

Aanaskola o80 ya za moosekundoskola moshitopolwa shaKhomas, oshowo yane ya za mooskola dhaamboka taya lumbu nomaulema ga yooloka, oya ningi omategelelo moKhomas moshikako shotango, pauyelele mboka wa pewa oNamibian Sun koshikondo shelongo shomoKhomas.

Momvula yo 2018, omategelelo geli po 268 oga lopotwa omanga momvula yo 2017 aanona yaakadhona yeli 180 ya ningi omategelelo. Momvula yo 2016 okwa lopotwa kutya aanaskola ye li po 266 moshitopolwa shaKhomas oya ningi omategelelo omanga momvula yo 2015 kwa lopotwa aanona yeli po 288.

Omukomeho gwelongo moKhomas, Gerard Vries okwa popi kutya ope na omulandu gu li miilonga gwa nuninwa aalongiskola oshowo aaniilonga poskola ya vule okuyambidhidha aanona mboka ya ningi omategelelo.

“Aanona yaakadhona inaya tongolwa, ihe aamati mboka taya kwatakanithwa nomategelelo mboka yeli mooskola ohaya tumwa kehungomwenyo. Elalakano okukaleka mooskola aanaskola nenge ya galukile koskola. Otatu longo kehe shoka tatu vulu opo tu kwashilipaleke kutya shoka osha gwanithwa po.”

Pahapu dhe, okwa lopotwa iipotha iishona yaalumentu aakuluntu taya kwatakanithwa nomategelelo ngoka na okwa lopotwa woo iipotha yekwatonkonga.

Pauyelele mboka wa pitithwa koUnited Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) moshitopolwa shaKunene, Omaheke oshowo iitopolwa yaKavango oya lopotwa oopresenda 30 dhomategelelo mokati kaanona aashona okuyeleka nondjele yoopresenda 19 moshilongo.

Omuhwahwameki guuthemba waanona, Rosa Namises okwa popi kutya onkalo yomategelelo ngoka otashi holola elilo lyaanona taya kongo ekwatho unene mboka taya hiti ooskola ndhoka dha nuninwa aanona mboka taya lumbu nomaulema, sho ya pumbwa esiloshisho nohole.

“Ngele ooskola dhaanona mboka taya lumbu nomaulema nadho odha gumwa, e to tala konkalamwenyo yaanona yaakadhona mboka, nena shoka ekwatonkonga. Sha simana natango okutala kaalumentu mboka ya gandja omategelelo ngoka oyendji aalumentu aakuluntu. Ondi wete olundji aanona mboka ya yiwa nayo momilalo shaaheli pamahalo gawo, unene okukwatelamo oohe mboka ye ya vala, oohe mboka ya hokana ooyina nenge aalongi yawo.”

Namises okwa gwedha po kutya itashi tambulwako sho epangelo hali lopota omategelelo unene maanona yomoondondo dhopevi kehe ovula, ihe kali na shoka tali ningi po, ta popi kutya ethimbo olya thikana opo ku katukwe oonkatu. Walters okwa holola ehaluko lye omolwa omategelelo mokati kaanona yoondondo dhopevi ngoka ga lopotwa nokulandula momapopyo gaNamises kutya okupopya okupu.

Walters okwa popi kutya okwa pumbwa okukongwa ekandulepo lyomukundu ngoka naavali oya pumbwa okupopya noyana.

JEMIMA BEUKES

'Imported lifestyles' detrimental

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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'Imported lifestyles' detrimentalForeign habits dominate development A social activist says Namibia's development model is replacing heritage. Ohangwena community-based social activist Hangula Hamwaalwa does not support the current paradigm Namibia is using to develop communities.

He says the current development model replaces Namibian heritage with imported lifestyles, which is in contradiction of the theory that implies that development must not replace heritage and the way people live, while bringing modernisation.

Hamwaalwa said the proclamation of townships in communal areas in many northern parts of the country is one example of this.

“Who says the Eurocentric lifestyle of living is what all Namibians want? Who says development is only when you live on serviced and proclaimed township land?” Hamwaalwa questioned. He said residents are forced to leave their traditional homesteads to pave the way for so-called development. He said some people have been using the land for food production for many years, but later they are forced to move so townships can be developed. “Moving residents from their land in the name of development is not only affecting people's livelihoods; it is also disrupting their heritage and cultural practices and norms. In most cases, land owners in the proclaimed areas are not compensated fully, but are only given peanuts to vacate the land they have been living on their whole lives, and they do not have anywhere else to find such land,” said Hamwaalwa.

“If they refuse to move from their piece of land to pave the way for so-called development, they will be labelled as anti-development, and local authorities use all possible means to make sure they take such land, and this is by means of introducing payments for municipal services.”

Hamwaalwa said during his visits the Northern Communal Areas, many places are earmarked for proclamations. He said many people who kept animals or cultivated land at their houses have to stop this because it is against local authority regulations

“Now that people's productive land has been taken away, this is being replaced with institutions such as the poverty eradication ministry, to make sure that people are not doing anything, but they are being spoon-fed.

“This is not development, because it does not recognise the needs and desires of local people. We do not need to entirely emulate what other nations in the world are doing, without thoroughly analysing the effects and endangerment of our own environment,” Hamwaalwa said.

The poverty eradication ministry has introduced a Food Bank programme to feed poor households in urban areas.

Hamwaalwa added that Africans, particularly Namibians, should localise their own development agenda.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Furniture factory for Kavango East

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Furniture factory for Kavango East MJ Tanko Investments plans to establish a furniture factory at Rundu that will assemble and repair school furniture.

MJ Tanko Investments director Mechitilde Mupiri says the assembly plant will work in collaboration with a manufacturing company based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mupiri says if everything goes according to plan, the project will kick off by the end of this year.

“For now we are just having meetings here and there; we still need to secure a piece of land and hopefully if everything goes as planned, the plant will be operational by end of this year,” Mupiri told Namibian Sun.

She said the idea was in response to a serious shortage of desks and chairs at schools in the region, which meant that children had to sit on the floor. Mupiri said they were also influenced by the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), which encouraged the youth to come up with innovative ideas that would assist the government in delivering goods and services to the people.

“We observed how children were sitting on bricks and on the floor in classrooms, which is not right. Every learner should have a chair to sit on and a desk to write on, which is why we are planning to have this plant to supply the schools with furniture and replace their broken ones,” she said. She said the furniture would be affordable and a significant number of local people would be employed at the plant, helping to reduce the high youth unemployment.

The unemployment rate in Kavango East currently stands at 62.5%.

“We have a high unemployment rate amongst the youth in the region and in the country and therefore through the establishment of the plant, we will employ fellow youth and help address this problem,” she said. Mupiri urged the various stakeholders to support their initiative and help make it a success.

MJ Tanko Investments' long-term goal is to export the products to neighbouring countries.

When contacted for comment, Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero said his office welcomed the project. Kapapero described the lack of furniture at schools as critical, adding that for the past three years there had been no budget for the procurement of school furniture.

“It is a great idea because it will assist our schools, as well as the ministry. I hope they finalise all their plans and start their project,” Kapapero said. However, he made it clear that procurement procedures would have to be followed and the ministry would not automatically start procuring from MJ Tanko Investments.

Kapapero said the Procurement Act encourages the procurement of readily available products and, therefore, MJ Tanko Investments would have a competitive advantage if their products and services were available in the region.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Namibia improves data collection

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Namibia improves data collection Namibia is well underway to achieving the target for the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable disaggregated data by 2020.

This is according to Alka Bhatia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative.

She was speaking yesterday at the official launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Baseline Report Namibia 2019, an indicator framework and portal.

“The SDG baseline report serves as a foundation to not only indicate where we are starting, but to also show where we want to go in terms of the 2030 Agenda, as well as Agenda 2063. Indicators are the backbone of monitoring the SDGs at local and global level,” she said.

Bhatia added they also serve as a scorecard to measure progress towards achieving a target and ensure the accountability of governments and other stakeholders in achieving the SDGs.

According to her the process of developing a nationally relevant indicator framework, based on the approximately 240 global indicators, is an intensive process requiring not only broad-based consultations, but also extensive mapping of meta data and definitions for greater clarity on what is being measured and reported upon.

“I commend the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) for the broad-based consultative process involving data producers and users that it has undertaken and the effort it has made in cleaning, refining and aligning significant amounts of data,” she said.

According to her the SDGs provide the UN with a common plan and agenda to tackle some of the pressing challenges facing the world, such as poverty, climate change and conflict.

“Namibia continues to make great strides by constantly showing its capabilities to implement and report on its achievements,” Bhatia added.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Producers to adhere to protocols

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Producers to adhere to protocolsRegulations and procedures highlighted With an increase in slaughter numbers due to the ongoing drought, Meatco has reminded producers of the relevant protocols. Due to an increase in deviations from the conditions of purchase on the sales advice and inconsistencies with the NAMLITS ear tags, Meatco has urged producers to adhere to the regulations as stipulated.

The company says the identification of livestock is described in the Animal Identification Regulations under the Animal Diseases and Parasites Act.

At Meatco, the official ear tag is the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) (on the button). Therefore, animals offloaded at Meatco will undergo verification of 40/90 days, according to the RFID Ear Tag, whereas the visual ear tag will only be verified if the RFID tag is missing.

According to manager of commercial livestock procurement, Abrie van Wyk, producers who compile animal movement notices (departure registers) and verify the 40/90 days at their establishment based on the visual ear tag number, run the risk of causing discrepancies between the RFID number and the visual ear tag number.

“Additionally, if the RFID number does not correspond with the number on the herd statement, the animal delivered will be declared as an illegal movement by the regulatory body, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), and the animal/s will be sent back to the farm of origin, followed by the establishment being closed down and placed under quarantine for 30 days, because Meatco's Windhoek Abattoir is currently under a Red Cross Permit status,” Van Wyk adds.

To avoid further financial losses due to animals being sent back to the farm or the need to slaughter for the local market and/or other risks, Meatco has urged producers to ensure all European Union (EU) requirements, as stated below, are met.



Documentation

Documents indicated below are compulsory and must be attached to the sales advice. Producers should, therefore, ensure that all documents are valid, completed in full, and are available from the transporter upon arrival at the Meatco abattoir.

DVS permit to move animals;

Animal movement notice;

Proof of residency compliance (40/90 Days) DVS certificate of registration to transport animals; and

DVS certificate of cleaning and disinfection of livestock transport vehicle.

It is imperative that cattle movement notices are completed before animals arrive at Meatco.



Animal welfare

The Animal Health and Welfare protocol requires producers to refrain from transporting/loading any weak or injured animals to an export abattoir. This applies to all animals with limps, weak animals or injured animals. Furthermore, this also applies to cows or heifers in the late stage of pregnancy, animals with prolapse, and old injuries not healed properly and/or any genetic defects that might cause it not to stay on its feet during transportation. Any animal that cannot compete for standing space in the compartment might be injured

“Therefore, we urge that only healthy and strong animals be loaded. The abattoir veterinarian (DVS) might deem such loads unfit for offloading, causing unnecessary complications to all the parties involved,” Van Wyk says.

No cattle are allowed to be forced onto or off a truck.

Animals with any cases of lumps under the skin as a result of healed Lumpy Skin Disease or injection marks should be brought to Meatco's attention before loading and a declaration of the condition and treatment, including dates of treatment and withdrawal period, provided.

The closing time for offloading is 17:00.

Because all animals must be inspected by the DVS before slaughter, late arrivals might not be slaughtered on the arranged slaughter date. Furthermore, the animals might be sent back to the farm.

In cases of emergency where late delivery becomes unavoidable, producers should contact one of the following contact persons to request permission for the late delivery:

Meatco's livestock procurement staff, 061-321 6459 office hours only or the offloading staff at the Windhoek Abattoir: 061-3216042.

Meatco urges producers and transporters to load animals early to ensure that provision is made in the event of possible breakdowns or other unforeseen circumstances.

Once a late delivery is arranged, the concerned producer should keep Meatco informed of the time the load is expected to arrive at the abattoir.

STAFF REPORTER

Jobs in spotlight at economic summit

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Jobs in spotlight at economic summit The much-anticipated economic summit, which the government is pinning its hopes on to revive an ailing and depressed economy, starts in Windhoek today.

The summit is being hosted by the high-level panel on the Namibian economy, which is chaired by businessman Johannes !Gawaxab, with a mandate to raise about N$14 billion over two years. The summit ends Thursday.

President Hage Geingob will officially open the summit this morning, while a number of breakaway sessions focusing on different sectors of the economy and job creation are planned for today.

The plenary and breakaway sessions will bring together policymakers, investors and experts from all 14 regions of Namibia to make recommendations for the country's economic growth and job creation.

The PDM yesterday said in a statement that the summit should address the country's tax regime as well as joblessness, which has thousands of a Namibians sitting at home without work.

“The PDM has consistently called for a job summit, and for this reason our movement feels that the Economic Growth Summit alone is not the solution. This summit must also plot a path to job creation for our people. We all know that thousands of breadwinners are sitting at home, unemployed,” the PDM said.

“As we speak, unemployment and inequality stand at 37% while unemployed youth have peaked at 43.4%. The unbelievable number of 36 822 employment contracts were terminated during the 2017/18 financial period, while 73% of graduates are unable to find relevant employment after completion of their studies. We know that one of every two youths is unemployed, so it cannot be business as usual anymore.”

The PDM also proposed that the government should consider lowering taxes in order to stimulate the economy.

“Namibians pay more taxes than the citizens of most developed countries – a policy that the PDM considers to be hopelessly short-sighted but is kept in place by a government that is desperate to squeeze every cent possible from its beleaguered private sector and taxpayers.”

STAFF REPORTER

Windhoek dumps Alan

July 30, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Windhoek dumps AlanNo financial reports in years The Windhoek city council has resigned from the voluntary Association for Local Authorities because of a lack of financial accountability. The Windhoek city council has resigned from the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (Alan) over concerns that the voluntary umbrella body has failed to submit financial reports for several years despite numerous requests.

During a closed-door portion of last week's monthly council meeting, city councillors resolved to resign from Alan “until they put their house in order and provide the necessary financial reports as requested, upon which [the] council will rejoin”.

Documents seen by Namibian Sun show that the City of Windhoek has long maintained a good standing with Alan with annual membership fee payments, and assisted the association in congresses and events.

The last annual fee of N$150 000 was paid in October 2018.

Nevertheless, the latest council agenda notes that “the City on several occasions made written requests to Alan to share the said reports, in which the association has failed to submit any reports for the past years”.

With the Alan membership fees for the upcoming financial year due to be paid in July, the City last week placed the issue of membership on the agenda and resolved to resign for the time being, pending a response to their long-standing request for reports.

In November last year, after the membership fee had been paid, then acting CEO Ludwig Narib reminded Alan in a letter to respond to their request.

“Your office is further reminded that the City of Windhoek has not yet received Alan's report as per the undertaking in your letter dated October. Once again, we kindly request you to furnish my office with the outstanding report for consideration by council.”

Alan president Katrina Shimbulu in a response letter, addressed to the mayor's office and dated February 2019, said Alan “will provide the report once it is available. We humbly request your office to bear with us in this regard”.

Council documents show that Alan activity and financial reports “are still pending”.

In November, Narib further informed Alan that going forward, the City would no longer cover costs for participating members assigned to the Alan board, as this is covered by the annual membership fee.

Alan was also notified that costs related to activities of Alan in which councillors took part would be deducted from the annual membership fee.

Shimbulu responded by referring the City to Alan's articles of association, and underlined that Alan's main source of income is its annual membership fees.



Payment plan

In July this year, Alan issued the 2019/20 membership fees invoice to its members.

The letter notes that membership fees help Alan to strengthen its operations and to improve on its service delivery to the members.

Alan said it took note of the “persisting social economic situation in our local authorities” and encouraged “local authorities with outstanding membership fees to engage the secretariat for a payment plan”.

Alan is a voluntary body which is not recognised by law or linked to an official government structure.

A concerned councillor, who declined to be named, confirmed the City's decision to resign from Alan and accused Alan of doing very little in return for steep membership fees which it rakes in “year after year. And then they can't even report what they are doing with all that money”.

City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye on Tuesday confirmed to Namibian Sun that the council had decided to resign from Alan, but could not confirm whether the association had been notified of the decision.

Alan was approached for comment on Monday but had not responded by the time of going to print.

JANA-MARI SMITH