Windhoek Affies takes the cup again

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Windhoek Affies takes the cup againSchools rugby thrills The Namibian schools’ rugby season reached an intense climax on Saturday night as Windhoek Affies beat Tsumeb Gymnasium by 37-34 to retain the Momentum U-19 Super League Trophy for the second year. Andrew Poolman & Elizabeth Joseph

Tsumeb held a 15-9 lead at halftime, but spectators were treated to an action-packed second half in which both teams simply refused to back down. A TV referee decision was needed to confirm whether Windhoek Affies fly half Keanu Engelbrecht scored the winning try to overtake Tsumeb’s lead of 34-30 in the final minute.

Engelbrecht’s kicking boot was on song in the final, as he contributed five penalties and two conversions, besides the winning try. Right wing André Siepker and scrumhalf Louis Karsten scored the other tries for Windhoek Affies, who won the first national U-19 Super League title in the school’s history last year when they beat Windhoek Gymnasium.

Tsumeb provided their travelling fans with full value as they delivered a stunning attack in their quest to win the first U-19 Super League trophy in its history. Their tough number 8 and captain, WJ Otto, scored twice and prop Tinus van Wyk and flank Frikkie Engelbrecht one try each, while fly half Bothma Keyser kicked 14 points.

Keanu Engelbrecht was named the best backline player of the U-19 Super League final, and captain De Wet Oosthuizen was named best forward.

• The Super League bronze final was won by Schoemans Group Windhoek Gymnasium, who beat Samsung Windhoek High School 32-24.

The U-19A league trophy went to OK Foods Moria Private School from Outjo, who prevailed in another tough contest against PSG Pro-Ed (35-30).

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Scrum down

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Scrum down Under construction: champions building Justicia Shipena

The finals of the Momentum Schools Rugby Boards Trophy took place on Friday and Saturday at the Hage Geingob Rugby field in Windhoek. The tourney showcased 18 teams competing for the coveted title in their respective age categories. This year marks 26 years of sponsorship for the league by Momentum Namibia.

The three month league started in June and attracted over 57 schools from eight regions with nine leagues played and a total of 314 games throughout the season with 1 800 players participated.

Celebrating 50 years of schools rugby since its inception in 1969 on Friday the first match saw the U/14B of Gobabis Gymnasium Private School and Dr Lemmer High School battle it out on the field. With only two points close to a win Dr Lemmer lost the match ending the score of 17-19 in favor of Gobabis Gymnasium.

In the second match the U/19D of Gobabis Gymnasium played against Windhoek Technical High School (HTS).The game ended with a score of 12-25 in favor of HTS being crowned champions of the group titled.

The day ended with a match between the U/19B of Windhoek High School and Windhoek Gynasium Private School. In the first half Windhoek Gymnasium Private School led with 13 points while Windhoek High School had a score of 6 points. In the second half Windhoek High School up their game and both schools had a score of 13. However the game ended with a score of 18-13 in favor of Windhoek High School.

Correction

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Correction On Tuesday, 6 August, The Zone published the incorrect results of the second league NSSU boys’ hockey match between Windhoek High School and Windhoek Gymnasium. The incorrect score was published as WHS 5-0 Windhoek Gymnasium, in the article under the headline ‘Thrilling end’. The correct score is WHS 0-5 Windhoek Gymnasium. The error is regretted. Pictured, the winning team of Windhoek Gymnasium.

Mushelenga a yamukula kombinga yoshikumungu shuuleli melelo lyUukwangali

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Mushelenga a yamukula kombinga yoshikumungu shuuleli melelo lyUukwangali Ominista yeyambulepo lyondoolopa niitopolwa, Peya Mushelenga oya popi kutya Omupresidende Hage Geingob ita vulu okwiidhopa molugodhi lwekondjelo lyoshipundi shuulelo melelo lyUukwangali Traditional Authority molwaashoka oshikumungu shoka oshi li kompangu.

Mushelenga natango okwa tothamo kutya omulandulwa gwe, Sophia Shaningwa ina zimina Eugene Siwombe Kudumo onga omuleli gwoVakwangali omanga inaku landulwa omilandu dhomondjila, na okwiikutha mo sho oshikumungu shoka sha yi mompangu.

Mushelenga okwa yamukula komapulo ngoka ga pulwa komukalelipo gwoUukwangali Traditional Authority, Hiskia Siteketa pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka gwa ningwa noshigwana komupresidende, moka ya pula eidhopomo lyomupresidende moshikumungu shawo.

Severanus Siteketa oshowo Kudumo ayehe oya ningi eindilo kuumiisteli opo ya zimine onga yaaleli yUukwangali Traditional Authority sha landula eso lyomuleli nale Chief Sitentu Daniel Mpasi goka a hulitha momvula yo 2014.

Eindilo lyaKudumo olya ziminwa na olya e ta omananathano.

Mushelenga okwa yelitha nkene omupeha omupanguli, Hosea Angula muKotomba gwomvula yo 2016 a kaleke eziminino lyaKudumo onga omuleli gUukwangali, ndyoka lya li lya ziminwa kuShaningwa.

Angula okwa ningi etokolo ndyoka nomatompelo kutya Shaningwa okwa zimine eindilo lyaKudumo omanga okomitiye yomakonaakono ndjoka uulike moshikumungu shoka inayi manitha natango omakonaakono.

Sha landula etokolo lya Angula, uuministeli pamwe naKudumo owa yi kompangu yopoombanda opo ku kuthwemo etokolo ndyoka, ihe nonando ongaaka eindilo lyawo inali tambulwako na osha hala okutya Kudumo keshi omuleli noshikumungu shoka natango otashi talika. Nonando okwa ningwa etokolo mompangu, Shaningwa momasiku 15 gaFebruali momvula yo 2017 okwa tokola okuulika Kudumo onga omuleli gwUukwangali Traditional Authority.

Etokolo ndyoka Mushelenga a popi kutya kalya li li na okuningwa omanga pe na oshipotha shi li mompangu inashi pwa natango.

Mushelenga okwa popi kutya minista kali a pumbwa okutsikila komeho omanga oshipotha shoka shi li natango mompangu.

Shoka natango osha thiminike aantu ya ye kompangu taya pula opo etulo koshipundi lyaKudumo li kuthwe oonkondo.

Omupanguli Harald Geier momasiku ga6 gaMaalitsa okwa ningi etokolo kutya etokolo lyaShaningwa nali ikalekelwe manga.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Iita yopakana pokati kaGeingob naDiescho

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Iita yopakana pokati kaGeingob naDieschoHelmut Angula a pula opo ka kwatelwemo miita mbyoka Oshigongi shomupresidende naakwashigwana shoka sha ningwa mEtitano moRundu osha shituka oontamanana kombinga yetidho miilonga lyOmuprofessa Joseph Diescho onga omukomeho gwoNamibia Institute of Public Administration and Management. Omupresidende Hage Geingob okwa longitha oshigongi shoka a ningi naakwashigwana moRundu mokuponokela nomalaka Omuprofessa Joseph Diescho, omanga a popi kutya oye eeta Diescho paantu.

Geingob okwa koleke woo kutya Diescho okwa tidhwa onga omukomeho gwoshiputudhilo shoNamibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) omolwa iinyolwa ye mbyoka a kala ha shangele oshifokundnaeki shoNew Era.

Diescho okwa longa onga omukomeho gwoNipam uule woomvula mbali na okwa tidhwa miilonga muDesemba gwomvula yo 2015.

“Ongame owala ndali handi ningile Diescho iinima na ongame owala a tothamo moSwapo,” Geingob a popi pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka a ningi moRundu mEtitano.

“KoNipam hoka professor a li a pumbwa okutayima okwa li iinyolwa ya shangwa ihe kape na nande oshinyolwa shimwe sha shangwa kombinga yaNipam, nkene ku na okukwatelwa komeho, kape na nande oshimwe. Ayihe mbyoka ya shangwa (Frans) Kapofi oteyi mu lombwele.”

“Ngoka omuntu ongame nde mu kutha mehalakano molwaashoka onda lombwelwa kutya ke na mo egumbo moRundu. Oku na ko noKavango ihe ke na mo egumbo, oha kala mongeleka yaCatholic. Itandi manapo ethimbo lyandje naProfessor Diescho, onda mona iinyolwa ye ihe ondi na iinima ya simana okuninga. Inamu etha Diescho e mu pukithe molwaashoka okwa ndopa nale kuye mwene.”

Geingob okwa popi ngaaka sha landula sho aapopi ya yooloka mwakwatelwa omunashipundi gwoMuzokumwe Volunteers Organisation (MVO), Paulus Mbangu, a pula kutya omolwashike Diescho a kuthwa mo moNipam nokwiihumbatelwa onga omuzaizai.

Pethimbo lyomutumba, Geingob okwa popi natango kutya nakusa Theo-Ben Gurirab, pethimbo a li omukalelip gwaNamibia koUnited Nations General Assembly, ngoka a tumbalekwa kuDiescho sho ta nyana epangelo lyaGeingob, okwali gumwe gwomwaamboka inaya inekela Diescho.

Pahapu dhaGeingob, Gurirab okwa kanitha einekelo lye muDiescho molwashoka okwa lopotwa a pulwa iikando yontumba opo a kale ondaadhi yaSwapo.

Natango okwa popi kutya oshilyo shelelo lyaSwapo, Helmut Angula, ngoka a longa onga omukalelipo kIigwana yaHangana omanga oshilongo inashi manguluka naye ina inekela Diescho.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, Angula okwa tindi omapopyo gaGeingob ta popi kutya ita dhimbuluka oshinima sha fa mpoka, na okwa pulwa opo eethiwe.

Angula okwa pula woo kutya omolwashike Geingob e na okutulamo edhina lyanakusa Gurirab momananathano gawo omanga ye ita vulu okwiipopila yemwene.

“Itandi dhimbuluka iinima yi li ngaaka, onda kala nawa nomuprofessa Diescho,” Angula a popi.

“Omolwashike e na okupopya omuntu a sa nale ngoka ita vulu okwiipopila? Omolwashike ita yamukula owala lyo epulo lyuukulila. Theo ke po mpaka opo iipopile yo naya ethe edhina lyandje.”



Eyamukulo lyadiescho

Diescho okwa yamukula komapopyo gaGeingob mehuliloshiwike, na okwa koleke kutya oye omushangi gwiinyolwa ya yooloka mbyoka ya kala tayi topolwa komapandja gomakwatathano gopainternet.

Okwa tothamo kutya Geingob okwa zimine kutya iinyolwa ye mbyoka a kala ha shanga oyo yemu kanithile iilonga koNipam, na okwa tindi kutya ina shanga nando oshinyolwa shimwe ombinga yaNipam.

“Hugunina owa zimine kuuyuni kutya iinyolwa yandje oyo ya kanithilendje iilonga na owa fundju noshipala shuukilila kutya inandi shanga nando oshinyolwa shimwe kombinga yaNipam. Onda shanga iinyolwa yi vulithe pushimwe,” Diescho a popi.

Kombinga yaGurirab ine mu inekela, Diescho okwa tinddi omapopyo ngoka ta popi kutya Geingob ina nyanyukwa owala sho a tokola okutumbaleka Gurirab ihe haye.

“Onda dhidhilike sho wa nyateke edhina lyonakusa Theo-Ben Gurirab, ngoka nda kala ndi na naye ekwatathano ewanawa na omanga ina hulitha okwa hokololandje kutya ongame ewi lyoshigwana shaNamibia. Owu na uupyakadhi sho tandi mu tumbaleke na hangwee tandi tumbaleke. Shoka otashi halutha sho wa hala okutumbalekwa pehala lyoonakusa,” Diescho a popi.

“Owa endelele okutumbula omadhina gaantu molwaashoka ku na omayamukulo komapulo gaakwashigwana, na osha nika oshiponga na otashi ulike omadhidhiliko gokwaahakoka mopolotika, komuntu wuli pokantu mpoka wuli.”



Iinyandwa pethimbo lyoshigongi

Pethimbo lyoshigongi shoka sha ningwa moRundu, Geingob okwa pulwa opo a yelithe iinima mbyoka a li a tothamo pethimbo a li omuprima gwoshilongo momvula yo 1991, moka a popi kombinga woo yekalelwepo lyAaKavango moompito dhopombanda mepangelo.

Mbangu okwa popi kutya kashi li mondjila Geingob a kale eli ompinge naamboka taya popi ngashiingeyi oohapu dha fa dhoka a li ta popi nale.

“Kashi li mondjila omupresidende wu tulundile kutya otwa hala okuundulila Namibia muuBantustans sho tatu popi iikumungu mbyoka wali wa popi oomvula 28 dha piti. Ngele ekalelepo inali pumbiwa omolwashike aantu ye na okuhogolola,” Mbangu a pula.

Geingob okwa yamukula kutya okwa thikama kwaashoka taku popiwa a li a popi ihe omananathano mokati komihoko dhAaKavango oko kwa etitha ya patelwe pondje.

Geingob okwa pula kutya omolwashike aantu yamwepo moshitopolwa shaKavango East taya etha ya longithwe kuDiescho, ngoka a kala nokuula kutya okwa ndopa.







KENYA KAMBOWE

It is farewell season

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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It is farewell seasonTime for Cinderella to play Matric dances have evolved over the years and it is no longer a dance but a red-carpet event. Octavia Tsibes

Every year grade 12s go out of their way to look better than their peers, and now matric dances are no longer what they were. Over the years matric farewells have changed, from being a last dance to a flashy red-carpet event where learners make entrances with expensive cars and dresses and suits worth thousands of dollars.

“When I was in matric I wore my sister’s dress and ordinary shoes,” says 42-year-old Alexa Cloete, mother of a matriculant. She further says that over the years, seeing how matric farewells have changed, “I was worried for my daughter’s matric farewell, not because I don’t have money, but for the pressure she will go through at school when her peers talk about their dresses,” she adds.

Cloete admits that N$1 000 is not enough as that only covers for the learner to be able to attend the matric dance. The schools requires the learners to pay to attend the dance, and the money, she believes, is used to pay for the venue and caterers.

Matric farewell experience

“High school is fun, one of the big days all grade 12s look forward to is the matric dance,” says Madeline Gases, a 2017 matriculant. Gases further says that there is pressure on the girls because that is all they talk about especially this time of the year. “Parents should plan for their children’s matric farewells and not compare it to their years, they should look into saving options, for example at Nampost,” she says.

Madeline stresses that parents are not in this alone. “Grade 12s should not be influenced, they should understand what their parents can afford, not forgetting that there are still tuition fees to follow after they obtain their grade 12.

Panga killer found guilty

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Panga killer found guilty‘Monstrous and brutal attack’ Mukonka Ambrosius Haingura had admitted to the killing, saying he acted in self-defence after his father had threatened to kill him. JANA-MARI SMITH

A young man who hacked his sleeping father to death with a panga in 2016, and then buried the body in a shallow grave, was convicted of murder in the Oshakati High Court last week.

Mukonka Ambrosius Haingura was 24 years old when he was arrested and charged with the murder of his father, Mukonga Simon Mangandu (49) at Ndama location in Rundu on 16 April 2016.

After his arrest he admitted to the murder but said he had acted in self-defence after his father had threatened to kill him.

He pleaded not guilty and argued that he had killed his father because “he did not want to die first.”

A post-mortem examination found that Mangandu had suffered an open skull fracture and multiple other injuries to the head, arms, abdomen and neck.

Oshakati High Court Judge Johanna Salionga said in her ruling on 5 August that police photos of the murder scene “told a tale of a monstrous and brutal savage [attack] on the deceased, as the face and the neck were totally disfigured.”

Haingura’s mother, Kazumba Veronika Mutando, corroborated her son’s testimony of a troubled relationship with his father, which had deteriorated notably after he failed grade 12.

Haingura told the court that his relationship with his father had turned sour in 2016 and that his father allegedly assaulted him on at least two occasions.

He told the court that on the day of the panga attack, he and his father were home alone after his younger brother had left the house.

“He stood up, fetched a machete and went to his father’s bedroom. When he entered his room his father was lying on the bed and he could see that he was not sleeping because his eyes were flicking. He immediately hacked him more than once because he did not know what the deceased’s intentions were,” the judge recounted.

Haingura was unable to tell the court how many times he had hacked his father.

Afterwards, he wrapped the body in a blanket and dug a hole in the yard. He buried the body and then wrapped the panga in a blue overall and hid it in his sister’s room under a mattress. He also hid the blood-stained bed sheets and turned the mattress on which his father had lain upside down.

Gruesome find

When his younger brother returned home late that day, he found no one at home at first.

Mukonka Fabianus Kaukuwo testified that he then saw his brother coming out of his father’s room, “sweating” and when he entered the bedroom he saw blood spatter on the walls. He also noticed an area outside the house that had been freshly dug, covered up and raked.

When his mother returned from work, he took her to the room.

“She turned the mattress and she saw a lot of blood. His mother started crying,” the judge summarised.

A cousin reported the matter to the police.

The police found the body of the murder victim beneath around “20 cm of soil” wrapped in a checked cloth.

Intention

Salionga said in her judgment although Haingura had pleaded not guilty and had argued he acted in self-defence, there was no justification for the use of the panga on a defenceless person. She further said that at the time, there was no direct threat against him.

Salionga said the use of a panga to hack his father “several times was not only unnecessary but wholly disproportionate as well.”

She said instead of the murderous action, Haingura could have reported his father’s threats to the police.

She further found that Haingura had acted in revenge for an earlier grievance and that it is “safe to conclude that there was no manifestation of imminent danger or attack.”

On a second charge of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, the judge found Haingura guilty.

The State was represented by Advocate Robert Shileka and Haingura by Godfrey Bondai from the directorate of legal aid.

The sentencing date has not yet been released.

Union condemns suspension of health training centres

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Union condemns suspension of health training centres NAMPA

The Namibia Nurses Union (NANU) has condemned the suspension of the national health training centres under the health ministry where enrolled nurses, pharmacist assistants and environmental health practitioners have been training.

In a media statement issued by NANU Kunene regional coordinator Junias Shilunga, NANU labelled the decision by the government to close down the training centres as reckless.

“This recklessness has just proved what we always doubted, that government is not committed to safeguarding the health of its citizens and has no plan to rescue the healthcare sector which is on the verge of collapsing,” it stated.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula recently announced the suspension of the training centres during President Hage Geingob’s town hall meeting at Ongwediva.

“It’s irresponsible of the government to close down these institutions with the reason being lack of funds after millions have been spent on reckless expenditure, while the health sector continues to limp on its knees,” it reads.

NANU called on the government and the health ministry to reconsider its decision to close down such progressive institutions.

The union rather wants the government to take in a limited number of students as a cost-saving measure and give the nation a good quality healthcare system.

Responding to questions sent by Nampa, health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe said there is a rational plan behind the decision to suspend the centres.

“It would have served them well had they sought clarification before making wild statements,” said Nangombe.

He explained that the centres were established for a specific purpose “of which training is not the core business”.

“There are other local institutions training the cadres mentioned, including the University of Namibia, which is funded by the state. It serves no purpose to duplicate efforts,” Nangombe said.

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Mitigating human trafficking

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Mitigating human trafficking World Day against Trafficking in Persons was commemorated at the Mondesa Multipurpose Centre in Swakopmund last week.

The day is commemorated worldwide by human rights defenders to show solidarity with the victims of human trafficking and to emphasise the importance of stamping out the practice.

Speaking at the event, the special advisor to the governor of the Erongo Region, Adelheid Kandjala, said it is everybody's task to combat human trafficking.

“The call to action is not only to governments, but everyone should take action to prevent this heinous crime,” said Kandjala, speaking on behalf of governor Cleophas Mutjavikua.

She said the government strongly condemns trafficking in persons.

“That is why Namibia is party to several human rights instruments such as the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1992), UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000), International Labour Organisation Convention on All Worst Forms of Child Labour (2000), AU Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003) and SADC Protocol on Gender and Development (2008),” she said.

Namibia last year passed a law on trafficking in persons and lawmakers are now finalising its regulations.

Although the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act is not yet in force, trafficking in persons is illegal in Namibia under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 2004.

Kandjala said the government had taken steps through its various ministries to tackle human trafficking.

“The ministry of gender equality and child welfare and stakeholders, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration, held a technical training [course] on the concept of human trafficking, coordination and cooperation and on key provisions of trafficking in person legislations in 2017.

“Furthermore, the ministry of home affairs and immigration has introduced comprehensive training for all newly appointed immigration officers. Such training puts emphasis on how to identify, handle and follow the line of command to report suspected cases of human trafficking.”

“The Namibian police has also developed training manuals used during training for new recruits,” Kandjala said.

The first case of human trafficking in Namibia was reported in 2010. In the Erongo Region, seven human trafficking cases have been reported to the police between 2010 and 2018. Of these, three cases have been finalised and four are still pending.

ADOLF KAURE

Not out of the woods yet

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Not out of the woods yetRecovery after drought poses huge challenge While Namibians hope for some relief in the coming season, the agricultural sector will only see relief in about five years. Recovery after the current drought, which has been declared a national disaster, is the biggest challenge the agriculture sector will face for the next three to five years.

Once a normal rain pattern returns to Namibia, farmers will have to enter into a herd rebuilding phase. This will put enormous cash-flow pressure on them, as they will have fewer cattle to market while expenditure and loan repayments remain the same, says the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU).

The executive council of the NAU met last week to determine the most critical factors that need to be addressed in order to recover from the drought. “On farm level recovery of grazing, herd rebuilding, cash-flow management and a positive way of thinking are the most critical issues that producers have to focus on,” the union says. On a national level, the union says it will investigate options for the re-financing of agricultural debt, assistance to its members with a cash-flow management plan and documenting drought lessons which have been learned.

Furthermore, an effective long-term drought strategy is a critical action which must be developed and implemented in cooperation with the government in order to manage future droughts better, according to the NAU. The Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) also met last week to take stock of the situation in the livestock industry and devise plans for assisting its members.

The LPO said feedback from the representatives of 10 regional agricultural unions indicated that farmers are surprisingly positive.

“The fear is, however, that farmers show a positive face, but that they are facing deep hardship.”

The LPO said for small stock producers the temporary lifting of the government's small-stock marketing scheme had brought relief and they were optimistic about the future.

There were still many unresolved issues on the agenda, though.

One of these was predators that made an already difficult situation even harder for livestock farmers.

“South Africa's foot-and mouth disease (FMD) status and the red tape to bring roughage into the country, along with other import regulations of South Africa, remain a headache,” the LPO said.

Discussions also looked at building relationships with partners such as Meatco and Farmers Meat Market, liaising with the government, the financial crunch affecting service delivery by the Directorate of Veterinary Services, maintaining border and veterinary cordon fences and other issues.

ELLANIE SMIT

How well do you know your youth leagues?

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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How well do you know your youth leagues? These are your people in the political sphere Elizabeth Joseph & Justicia Shipena

The Namibian youth knows all too well about political promises, but how much do we really know?

Young people in Namibia are often accused of being without vision and not caring about politics, or taking their role as citizens seriously. However, the silent approach adopted by many youth leagues of political parties in the country has to some extent highlighted the inactivity of young people in formal politics.

This, however, does not mean young people have no strongly defined opinions or knowledge of current affairs with many involved in some kind of civic activity, while others have taken a keen interest in the future of the country and are staking their claim in forging that future, albeit in different ways, outside of politics.

With elections drawing closer and closer The Zone spoke to political party youth leagues in Namibia to see what they are up to.

Here’s a look into the leagues of some political parties in Namibia. Let this be a guide when you’re deciding which party to vote for.

NEYE stands for Namibian Economic Youth Empowerment, which basically translates to equal economic empowerment for the youth. It is a radical militant youth organisation that brings together revolutionary young people to spearhead the fight for economic emancipation for Namibia and Africa at large.

The group has made many efforts in ensuring that the youth are educated on their democratic right to vote and what role they play in the country.

“We hold capacity-building workshops to capacitate the youth on voting. Educating the youth on the importance of participating in elections is important.

By encouraging the youth to take up leadership in political positions and be part of the decision-making body cannot happen without voting participation, “said president, Hendrik Moongela, when asked what part they played in the high youth voting registrations tallied.

Only recently established, the group hosted a fun day for the youth in the northern regions where they educated and encouraged the young people to vote and make their voices heard.

Their hopes are to see the older generation re-entrust power to the young people.

They further want to see the youth get a place in parliament so that the youth have a platform for their concerns.

The All People's Party Youth League (APPYL) represents the interests of all the youth. There's a need to understand and engage youth matters at grassroots level from basic education to tertiary level, establish youth APP student commands in all VTCs, colleges, and universities, and to stand and fight for every child's rights in the education fraternity.

The group aims to promote sports and entertainment to address the current high rate of unemployment in the country, push for sports complexes in all constituencies, and push for entertainment studios in all the regions that will see the youth advance their talents and compete internationally.

They also want to promote the excellence of youth in entrepreneurship, to build a culture of adding value to natural resources and sell these products both locally and internationally.

“We engaged the youth on our social media platforms to register and vote for a party of their choice and made them understand that it's their democratic right and the only way to advance good governance that will address youth matters, and helped to publicise the ECN visits to the villages,” said Sebastian Njamba, the league’s president.

They stand for justice and genuine wealth redistribution. The white and black elites with their connected family and friends are richer while the majority of people are in poverty, thus we need to end and redistribute wealth to all people in Namibia. These were the sentiments of Njamba.

The National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) youth league advocates for youth involvement in all the party structures and firmly believes that the youth should be given political or senior positions to determine their own future.

“We are here to be the voice of the voiceless and to promote youth empowerment. The unemployment rate in Namibia is a big concern.

“We did not do much previously concerning it but we are looking forward to hosting various conferences that will bring, deliberate on, and solicit, amicable solutions to it with time,” said Veparura Kandirikirira, Nudo Youth League secretary-general.

As a youth league, they are also there to ensure that the education system in Namibia is free from political manoeuvring and to monitor the government’s effectiveness in all youth matters.

The organ also advocates for entrepreneurship amongst the youth, especially those from the less privileged communities. Namibians must be employment providers and in doing that they lessen pressure on the government.

The league continues to have various public meetings and capacity-building workshops on educating young people countrywide on what their roles as citizens are.

“Recently, on 1 June 2019, we held a mass meeting where we lectured the youth to register during the previous supplementary registration. The youth league is proactively on social media to sensitise the youth on the significance of exercising their democratic right, and voting,” he said.

In their busy schedule, they are looking forward to having various platforms before the elections that will bring youth together and continue to educate them.

They hope to ensure that they groom young people that will be able to be elected into the party offices by 2024 congress, for the party to have more youth in most public offices, being councillors and in parliament.

They further hope to vigorously encourage and support woman and youth to realise their potential and to participate actively in the affairs of the country in a friendly and non-discriminatory environment where everybody will be given equal opportunity.

“We are part of the National Youth Council and we advocate our national interest there; every year we send young people to a programme called ‘Youth Leadership Development Programme’ under the youth ministry and with other stakeholders,” he further mentioned.

The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) youth league spokesperson, Maximilliant Katjimune, said many young people, from all over the country have expressed immense hope and trust in the PDM as the party of choice in the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.

“I think the party, through all its relevant structures, has demonstrated immense leadership capabilities since 2014,” he said.

Katjimune added that over the past years they have kept the ruling party on its toes through robust public and intellectual engagement.

“We have also demonstrated the capacity to lead through our policies which will enable Namibians to get access to better healthcare, access to higher education and efficient, efficient land and urban housing reform.

“It is the Popular Democratic Movement that has shown that we are the only credible alternative, and we think that message has resonated well with the young masses of this country,” he said.

Katjimune also stressed that Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is doing the bare minimum as there are many cases, which even the PDM has red-flagged, that the ACC has never followed up. “The latest indictment and conviction of Katrina Hanse-Himarwa is a drop in the ocean among the plethora of corrupt syndicate activities that we know of in the public service.”

He further added that the country still has to support the ACC, as it is a very important instrument in combating corruption.

“We have to do this by making sure that our investigating officers in the ACC do their work without fear, favour or prejudice, that they have suitable working environments and that the relevant bodies that work with the ACC are robust as well,” he said.

Katjimune told The Zone that PDM youth league, as the think tank of the movement, has been on the ground ensuring that the young people go out and register to vote during the just past supplementary registration of voters. In addition the youth league has been on the ground establishing different branches at institutions of higher learning, in an effort to constantly be in conversations with the everyday young people of this country.

“We are very confident that our message has resonated well with the young people, and that they will vote en masse for the Popular Democratic Movement and for McHenry Venaani for president,” he said.

Dominga Ndala, head of student command element of Landless People’s Movement (LMP) voiced that youth integration in leadership positions is essential for sustainable economic growth development in the country.

She added that youth representation contributes greatly to the positive development of youth and their communities, thus it helps the youth sharpen their skills by coming up with polices that reflect their generational aspirations and enhance their citizen participation.

“When looking at our national structure I think we as an organisation have already achieved in terms of youth representation in key positions. LPM has young dynamic leaders like the likes of Utaara Mootu who is 23 and is our national spokesperson,” she said.

Ndala strongly agrees that it is necessary to launch a party manifesto before the elections so that people may vote according to ideologies that resonate with them and also so that they may know where the party stands on certain issues as an organisation.

She further added that LPM has already demonstrated on where they stand on most issues and have managed to drive a national agenda before they became a political party.

“Launching a manifesto is just not a campaign tool but rather what we stand for and what we will achieve when we become the incumbent, and that's restoring our people's dignity,” she said.

She conclude by saying the LPM youth league is a dynamic, radical youth wing that stands for the truth and advocates for a better Namibia in terms of refining policies that resonate with the local inhabitants and restoring the dignity of Namibian people.

Youth league president of the Republican Party of Namibia (RP) commented that they don’t have a manifesto yet their campaign is going strong.

“My subordinates are very active in campaigning we are really moving boundaries and are ready for this year’s elections. The good thing about our party is that new members are joining especially the youth and we are growing daily,” he said.

FACT

- A manifesto is a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.

*The Swapo Party Youth League did not respond to questions from The Zone\

Probe into kindergarten beating

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Probe into kindergarten beating Parents whose children were allegedly assaulted by a teacher at Rehoboth Primary School have opened a case of assault with the police.

A video clip that went viral last week showed how a teacher, identified as Rika Denk, slapped and shouted at young children in her class.

The crime investigations coordinator for the Hardap Region, Deputy Commissioner Eric Clay, says the police are investigating the matter.

The education ministry is also investigating the incident.

Rehoboth Primary School management has refused to comment and is not taking calls from the media. Denk has also refused to comment.

In the video the teacher is seen shouting impatiently, “Hou jou mond! (Shut your mouth!)” “You won't ask. This child is already finished with her row and you are dying here. You must count to six. Six, girlfriend, count to six,” she shouts before heading over to slap another child in the face.

“You are crying for nothing. I am beating you because you cannot count to six,” she says as she continues walking through the class.

The executive director in the ministry of education, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, said the ministry would immediately take disciplinary steps.

She said the ministry strongly condemned any form of abuse, corporal punishment, bullying or violence in schools.

“The ministry has with great shock viewed a video circulating on various social media platforms in which a teacher is seen assaulting and manhandling a learner in her classroom. We further take note of the intolerance and frustration displayed by the said teacher,” said Steenkamp. She emphasised that the teacher's behaviour constituted misconduct and would be dealt with accordingly. Parents expressed outrage on social media, with one saying she had removed her child from the school.

JEMIMA BEUKES

New HIV infections remain a challenge

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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New HIV infections remain a challengePandemic is far from over Although new HIV infections worldwide are slowly declining, the United Nations warns against complacency. An estimated 6 000 adolescent girls and young women become infected with HIV around the world every week.

On the other hand, new HIV infections among young women aged between 15 and 24 have dropped by 25% between 2010 and 2018.

This was said by Gunilla Carlsson, deputy executive director of UNAids, in the foreword of the Aids Report 2019.

According to this report the majority of global infections in 2018 were among key populations and their sexual partners.

Carlsson emphasised that where there are inequalities, power imbalances, violence, marginalisation, taboos, and stigma and discrimination, HIV takes hold.

The report also points out that discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV and key populations remain common in too many countries.

It adds that discrimination in these countries is often reinforced by criminal laws, aggressive law enforcement, harassment and violence.

The report says criminalisation of perceived, potential or actual HIV transmission, as well as non-disclosure of HIV-positive status, continues to slow the HIV response and violate the rights of people living with HIV in at least 86 jurisdictions around the world.

It adds that strong progress in settings with high HIV prevalence in the general population, such as in eastern and southern Africa, coupled with a lack of progress in settings where key populations are criminalised and marginalised, has seen the global distribution of new HIV infections cross a notable threshold.

The report also states that among children and adults of all ages, annual HIV infections have declined from 2.1 million in 2010 to 1.7 million in 2018, a 16% reduction that leaves the world far off the 2020 target of fewer than 500 000 new infections.

The report further states that gay men and other men who have sex with men accounted for an estimated 17% of new HIV infections globally, including more than half of new HIV infections in western and central Europe and North America, 40% in Latin America and 30% in Asia and the Pacific.

It adds that people who inject drugs accounted for an estimated 12% of global infections, including 41% of new HIV infections in Eastern Europe and central Asia, and 37% of new infections in the Middle East and North Africa.

On the other hand, sex workers accounted for 6% of global HIV infections, ranging from 14% in western and central Africa to less than 1% in western and central Europe and North America.

The report also states that transgender women made up a small number of new HIV infections globally, but they accounted for 5% of new HIV infections in the Caribbean and 4% of new infections in Latin America and western and central Europe and North America.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Getting lost in the pages

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Getting lost in the pagesPromoting the culture of reading Spelling is improved when more reading is done. Michelline Nawatises

The First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos provided the last of the three mentorship sessions with the learners at the KAYEC Trust after-school centre.

Since the initial visit in March 2019, Geingos has returned to the trust to provide monthly mentorship sessions. Moreover, to promote a culture of reading among learners, she, alongside the learners, are holding a Readathon and Spelling Bee Competition. Thus far the Office of the First Lady has donated 52 books to the after-school centre. There are approximately 83 learners at the after-school centre and the books are age appropriate and diverse in subject matter.

Geingos made mention of the importance of these type of competitions. She asked the boys who were present in the spelling room to stand up and promise her the following: “FLON, I promise that I am going to make an effort to read books in order for my spelling to improve and I am not going to use spelling to write love letters to the girls but to write full sentences.”

She further mentioned what she is trying to promote together with the trust is the culture of reading. She asked the learners if they ever imagined dreaming about their big houses or cars. “Reading more books is good for your imagination as it aids creativity and to understand logical reasoning,” she said.

The Spelling Bee competition took place on 9 August. It comprised of learners per grade category competing. The categories were grades 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9. The readathon was also held prior to the spelling bee competition at the KAYEC Trust and the purpose of it is to create a culture of accountability and support within the learners. The top six learners shared book reviews with the audience.

There were 24 learners who took part in the competition. The schools which were present were Hage Geingob High School, Moses van der Byl Primary School, Elim Primary School, Eros Girls schools and more. Amenenge Negumbo, a learner from Hage Geingob School mentioned the importance of spelling bees. “You get to improve on your vocabulary and in the same vein add more words to it,” she said.

Good Samaritan ploughs back

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Good Samaritan ploughs back Michelline Nawatises

Kaleb Haipinge, a self-employed visual artist, parent and community member, donated building material of N$10 000 on 6 August to the A. Shipena Secondary School.

A. Shipena is running a holistic campaign to improve the results at the school. The main objective of this initiative is to motivate learners to work hard and achieve their goals by improving the living conditions of the hostel boarders to make it a haven and a home away from home.

The school, along with the parents, decided to take hands and assist the government to create a conducive learning environment for its learners. Haipinge has urged the Soweto community to join hands and assist the school. “A. Shipena has been supporting my business through the years. This is a way of saying thank you to the school. I call on the rest of the community members to take this school to another level,” Haipinge said. He further mentioned that it doesn’t have to be a big chunk, even a brick will improve the circumstances at the school.

The principal of the school, Moses Haufiku, expressed his gratitude. I wholeheartedly appreciate the effort Haipinge has made. It is good to see that the parents of the community is meeting the government halfway,” Haufiku said.

He further mentioned the impact parental involvement has. “This is a clear indication that parental involvement from the community plays a major role,” he said.

In the same vein, the superintendent of the hostel, Ntwala Clara Mwazi Simataa excitingly thanked Haipinge for the donation. “We are going to put the material to good use; we did not have doors for the hostel rooms, now the learners will be safe at night, all thanks to Haipinge,” she said.

A learner who stays in the hostel, Henry Ahrens, added: “We can be safe now with no worries, in the past doors were broken and couldn’t be locked,” he said.

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NBSL hosts first-ever basketball festival

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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NBSL hosts first-ever basketball festival The Namibia Basketball School League (NBSL) recently hosted the first-ever basketball festival this weekend, on Saturday, 10 August The festival, which took place at the Basketball Artists School (BAS), looked at bringing together the basketball community. This includes players of all ages as well as parents. The day’s festivities started off with a Parent-Player Basketball for Life Fun Day. Parents joined in on team-based activities that were set-up to teach inclusion and teamwork. A set of Sport2Life life skills activities started off in the morning and ended with a small tournament at which the parents and players were mixed.

The day continued with a 3X3 tournament for u-15 boys and girls who battled it out for prizes worth N$1 000. Teams from the north also came through to take part in the competition. These players are from the Oshana Basketball School (OBS) and were accompanied by the programme coordinator, Pondo Nailenge.

Nailenge said that this was a great opportunity for the children to not only visit the capital, but moreover, take part in competitive play with the players at the tournament.

“This exposure served them well and it showed the other players that the northern region produces competition-worthy players when it comes to the sport. We hope to take part in more competitions such as this and we are happy that the federation is really working towards its goal of uniting all the various basketball bodies under one footprint,” he said.

A very clear final in the girl’s division was played between Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) and the girls from the Basketball Artists School (BAS). Team DHPS proved stronger and took home the N$1 000 voucher by winning the game 12-1. Representing in the finals yet again was BAS and they took on OBS in a game which ended 11-0 for team BAS.

On board to make the event a success was Deutsche Basketball Bund (DBB), Bokomo Namibia, OTB sport, Pako Children’s Magazine and the basketball federation.

The Namibia Basketball School League is an initiative run under the Namibian Basketball Federtion (NBF). The league is run by a group of creative, vibrant and innovative youth. They are the NBSL committee.

How do we make the youth happy?

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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How do we make the youth happy? In accordance with International Youth Day, celebrated on 12 August, My Zone paid a visit to the Namibia University for Science and Technology (Nust) to ask students what they believe can be done to improve the morale of the youth in the country. Silas Mujeri

The youth plays a pivotal role in all spectrums of morale development. Youth involvement in how we shape society allows development in various sectors of the country. We need to see more young leaders in decision-making.

Warren Beukes

I feel every young person in Namibia should believe in him or herself. It does not matter what your circumstances are, you should always feel encouraged to take charge of your life. I think the government should give the youth the necessary tools to equip themselves.

Cleopatra Geises

I feel like the youth is lacking in positive activities. Most people think concerts and parties are the only things that boost young people’s morale. There can be activities that give back to the community like seminars, including planning for what to do after college or high school.

Celine Ndongo

There are numerous ways in which the morale of the youth can be improved. For starters, a lot of people deal with anxiety and this may be due to the behaviour of others. If one can be taught to overcome this, they will be able to go out there and make something of themselves.

Melanea Nangolo

Growing up has never been easy. I’d say believing in yourself could be a good start. With that, all can be achieved. Motivate each other. Support each other. We as the youth should learn to lift each other up and to not breakdown one another.

Salome Mangaba

The youth needs motivation from family members, lecturers and friends. This can help boost our morale because the energy of those around us is contagious. When the people we surround ourselves with are positive and hopeful, that tends to influence them well.

Gordan Keith

By keeping the youth involved in all matters, whether politically or socially, helps to lift the spirits or our youth. By giving the youth a voice we are able to lift their spirits and strengthen self-motivation and their self-belief.

Willyroyed-Shode Feris

Developing a general sense of curiosity amongst the youth will keep them interested and uplift them, because once you are interested in something, you will find a way to do it. Sparking interest can provide passion and determination.

Vaino Alweendo

Politically speaking, I think the youth is not well informed. I believe there are not enough political platforms. I hear statements from the youth that say they will not vote, but these are the same people who complain about the way politicians are running things.

Jasmin Emad Eldin

I believe more motivational stories should be shared. The youth needs more relevant stories they can relate to. Our youth needs moral support and we need to create opportunities to boost their confidence, to encourage them to break free from the societal pressures.

Rakkel Uugulu

By investing in sports we can create more opportunities to boost the confidence of our youth. We need to create and become a part of clubs where one can improve their public speaking skills and support more conferences and campaigns like BeFree.

Mario Mankele

It is hard to find a place where you are not judged. Someone always has a bag of judgement they want to throw around and we can’t run away from this. You need to stay true to who you are, regardless of the opinions of others.

Damian Adams

You are responsible for your own morale. We are all in the same ocean and it is up to us to choose how you are going to swim. Regardless of perceptions, social constructs or personal preference, you can’t decide to stop doing what makes you happy because others don’t approve.

I’m not authoritarian - Venaani

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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I’m not authoritarian - Venaani ‘Tjikuua was lobbying for Nudo’ The leader of the official opposition has hit back at a suspended town councillor who accused him of running the party like his “own house”. OGONE TLHAGE



Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani has denied an accusation that he is running the party as if it were his personal property.

PDM Grootfontein town councillor Othniel Tjikuua made the comment in response to his recent suspension form the party.

Hitting back, Venaani accused Tjikuua of actively campaigning for the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo). Tjikuua was further accused of setting his sights on becoming a councillor for Nudo in the Okakarara constituency.

“Tjikuua wants to run as a Nudo candidate in the Okakarara elections. He should not play the victim here. He is mobilising PDM support for that,” Venaani said.

Tjikuua had also accused Venaani of denying him the right of being involved in the affairs of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority.

“There is no truth in what Tjikuua is claiming. He has been serving as a councillor in Grootfontein for the last four years,” said Venaani.

According to him, Tjikuua is not the only PDM member involved with a traditional authority.

Venaani further asked what decision he had taken to be labelled authoritarian by Tjikuua and political stray Olsen Kahriri, who had also criticised the PDM leader.

“He [Kahiriri] was not even a PDM member at the last congress. He is not a national executive council member, he is not even a central committee member,” said Venaani.

“There is no truth that I am being authoritarian. Which decision did I take to be called authoritarian? There is no truth that I am being authoritarian,” the party leader said.

Tjikuua was recently suspended from the party on charges of gross insubordination and violation of the PDM Code of Conduct.

“Mr Tjikuua has further been given 14 days from receipt of the written letter to show cause as to why he should not be subjected to a disciplinary hearing,” party secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe said in a statement.

Tjikuua was further forbidden to attend any PDM events.

When called for comment, Tjikuua accused Venaani of running the party as if it were his personal property. He added that he was a victim of tribalism because he had backed a traditional faction Venaani did not favour.

Young people rise up to the challenge

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Young people rise up to the challenge As the world paused to observe International Youth Day yesterday, we are once again reminded of the critical role young people play in society. Young people the world over represent our common hope and future. As the great thinker Franz Fanon said: ‘Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, [and] fulfil it or betray it.’ It goes without saying that the young people in Namibia need to be provided with opportunities and be encouraged to become active citizens in their communities in order to be custodians of positive change in our country. Young people are vibrant by nature. They ooze positive energy and remarkable talent, which can significantly fuel the much-needed change in society. Today’s youth face a multitude of challenges and social problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and joblessness. They also have to overcome worrying trends of poverty. To treat young people with disrespect is to attack their human dignity. Above all, we should protect the young generation, guide them and nurture them to become the best they want in life. Equally, there must be a holistic approach to help improve the capacity of young people and develop their potential in key areas such as education, employment and decision-making across all economic sectors. We have often decried the involvement of young people in petty political fights that is of no benefit to the youth constituency. We all have an important responsibility towards the young people of this country and greater energy must be channelled to development, youth empowerment and other critical issues. We need more young people to spell out a vision for a better Namibia and which reflects a transformed attitude. We must therefore give the young people the necessary support in their quest to help shape the future of our motherland. It is indeed a massive weight of expectation, but rest assured we are in good hands.

Your dreams deserve a chance!

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Your dreams deserve a chance! Ester Kamati

Many individuals, the youth in particular, live their lives in a box and never get to explore. In this regard, exploration does not mean going on adventures - even though this is vital. What’s even more miserable than not exploring places is not exploring and discovering yourself.

Individuals who come from strict households are often told not only how to act and how to live, but how to think and who to be, and that is a complete waste of who they are. This isolation is worse than being locked up physically. It hits differently when you are in a space where you are given a false idea of freedom that doesn’t really exist.

Take the example of parents who try to live out their dreams on their children. Children who become the parent’s second chance. This is the typical case of a pageant mom who drags her child to every pageant that she comes across, all because she didn’t meet the requirements or did not excel at it when she was younger. This is where the young individual, who is still trying to discover him- or herself, is driven to a dead end because they cannot imagine a life beyond what they have become accustomed to.

Now this is not me dragging the Beyoncé ‘Pretty hurts’ song to print, is a realisation that I had recently how we are given such false ideas of freedom by the people around us. This is not just about the sash-crazy mom, it is equally about that father who emotionally bullies their child into a medical or accounting career to “retain the family legacy”.

It is equally about that grandmother who paints your uncle as an unemployed, dependant drunk because he chose to be an artist. In all these cases, the bottom line is that if you do not carry out what is expected, the title “family disappointment” does not cease to become a familiar description when you are around.

It is that same feeling of being in Woolworths with N$50. Sure, you have the freedom to spend on anything that you would like but the budget constraint holds you back. Now the people who constantly try to steer you in a particular direction are that budget constraint because they will never truly allow you to soar.

Once you step one foot out of that line of expectation, you so easily stop being the favourite child and that is not fair. I feel that individuals deserve the chance to explore, discover and show the world who they are. You are in no way doing the youth a favour by trying to define them; be it with religion, culture or your idea of what they ought to be doing.

Carrying out tasks that are pleasing to other people and being in everybody’s good books is not an accomplishment. As a matter of fact, being rewarded to put your needs aside is not a reward, it is rather a self-sacrifice and character suicide because you shut yourself down in hopes of lighting up somebody else’s light.

A candle is special because it burns out to light the way for others but what happens when it finally burns out? There is no way of revival and the people you once lit the room up for get a replacement candle or better yet, a light bulb. Well, while we are on the topic of cliché quotes, you cannot pour from an empty cup, so take care of yourself first before you can think about pleasing other people. There is a fine line between being selfless and completely shutting yourself down for the amusement of other people. If chasing your own dreams is selfish, then do just that because at the end of the day, it is better to lie in bed knowing you have lived than to stay awake with regrets of what could have been.

In conclusion, nobody has any business telling somebody else who to be. This supresses the person’s true character and even though this person was capable of great things, the suppression reduces their capability to thrive. If the person was meant to be in the entertainment division, they won’t thrive in a law career. For an individual whose calling is to do make-up, an accounting profession will not contour her creativity and if the person is into computers, they may not excel in a police job.