Lishen, the chess queen

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Lishen, the chess queenMentile started playing chess from quite a young age She was but a blip and in the infancy of her school career when Lishen Mentile pulled up a chess board. Pull quote: “Today I can say that I have been playing chess for over 15 years,” – Lishen Mentile Michelline Nawatises



Lishen Mentile joined her first chess club at Eros Primary School in 2008, in grade 2. Since then she was fascinated and her interest in chess continued to develop and grow. A few years after that she joined another chess club where her chess skills were further enhanced and she started playing chess at a professional level.

“Chess has always, and will always be, a huge and very important part in my life. I enjoy every single moment of chess from playing, to practicing, and coaching as well.

“Growing up I was exposed to the game from a very early age as I would always watch the bigger guys in my street play chess against each other,” she mentioned.

The biggest chess inspiration for Lishen is herself. “Every time I look into the mirror before or during a tournament I always tell myself that ‘this is the girl who dreamt about being a good chess player 15 years ago, and today she is living her dream’,” she says.

The best advice given to her was ‘do what you love’, and that is where the connection between herself and chess lies.

“Because I developed the love for the game of chess I never gave up on it even during the most difficult tournaments.”

Besides having played chess in Namibia, she has played chess in countries like South Africa, Slovenia, Istanbul, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and from those countries her favourite chess experience was in Turkey, Istanbul in the 40th World Chess Olympiad in the year 2012.

Her advice to aspiring chess players is to keep investing in their chess journey. Chess is a life-learning game and investing in chess will definitely expand your intellect, not only on the chess board itself, but in life and in business.

“When not playing chess, I read books. Mostly books that expand my knowledge on financial literacy and financial independence. Other than that I like playing other types of board games, like 30 seconds, scrabble and so on.”

She mentions that becoming a good chess player takes a lot of practice, dedication and sacrifices. “Get yourself a chess tutor by signing up with a chess academy, watch chess videos, read books, and most importantly play a lot of chess,” she advises. It will not take you two weeks, two months or even two years to become a good chess player.

“Chess is an ever-learning game and for that there is always room for improvement. If chess was a short-term thing, I wouldn’t have been doing it for over 15 years. I am yet to improve my chess in many more years to come.”

Her thought process before making a move involves a lot of things. “Firstly, I ask myself why my opponent made a certain move, I put myself in the shoes of my opponent and try to see what they are planning with a certain move,” she explains.

Once she has identified the intent of the opponent’s move, she checks to see whether she as tactical opportunities and strategical opportunities. Through this she identifies her top three best moves and tries to break this down to the best move taking into consideration what her opponent can do after her best move.

She would basically plan her next three to four moves in advance during her thought process, after every move her opponent makes. Once she has identified all of that only then does she make her move.

To improve her own chess skills she puts in a lot of practice, not only by having a paid tutor but also putting in individual practice by revising her old games, using chess databases to do strategic and tactical practice through solving puzzles.

Her highlight in chess would definitely be all of her achievements over the years of playing chess, from being best female junior player, to winning the Female National Chess Champion title three times, to being crowned three-time champion in the National Blitz Chess Championship, Rapid Chess Championship and the Namibia National Chess Championship, and many more achievements.

When asked by The Zone who her toughest opponent was she mentioned that she has encountered hundreds of tough opponents throughout her chess career and this has only made her a better chess player. “I have lost hundreds of games and I have won many games as well, and never a day in my life has facing a tough opponent or losing a game of chess demotivated me,” she said.

"If you are not big enough to lose a game of chess, you are not big enough to win."

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Stock theft in spotlight

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Stock theft in spotlightAppeal against 18-month sentence backfires The High Court has ruled that a man's 18-month sentence for the theft of three goats was too lenient. An 18-month jail sentence for the theft of three goats valued at N$2 400 will be increased by at least six months after the man's sentence was found to be too lenient.

Last week judges Johanna Salionga and Herman January of the Oshakati High Court in a review judgment confirmed the conviction of Tjaritye Matine, but set aside his one-and-a-half-year prison term.

They issued a directive to the magistrate who handled the case to impose a longer sentence of two years or more in line with the Stock Theft Act.

“The magistrate is directed to inform the accused that the sentence will have to be increased considering his personal circumstances, the seriousness of the offences, the prevalence thereof and that it was clearly well premeditated,” the judges ruled.

The case was remitted to the magistrate to sentence the accused “afresh in according with the directions of this court.”

The review judgment underlines that under Namibia's Stock Theft Act a distinction is made between cases where the value of the stolen livestock is less than N$500 and cases where the value is N$500 or more, but that in either case imprisonment is mandatory and a fine is not an option.





Under exceptional circumstances, where the courts are presented with substantial and compelling circumstances in a case where a person is convicted of stock theft to the tune of less than N$500, a shorter imprisonment can be imposed or wholly or partly suspended.

Moreover, while the law prescribes a minimum two-year custodial sentence for stock theft valued at less than N$500, no minimum sentence is prescribed for cases of stock theft of N$500 or more.

This is due to a landmark 2011 High Court judgment, which declared unconstitutional the minimum 20-year sentence for first offenders of stock theft, and the minimum mandatory 30-year sentence for repeat offenders.



What is proper?

A 2013 High Court judgment underlined that, as per the 2011 ruling, the minimum sentence of two years for stealing livestock valued at less than N$500 was left intact.

“The applicable sentence in such a case is still imprisonment for a period of not less than two years without the option of a fine. Furthermore, the only sentence that may be imposed for stock theft, irrespective of whether the value is more or less than N$500, is still only imprisonment without the option of a fine.”

In 2017, in another stock theft judgment, Judge January stressed that the courts “may not impose a sentence of a fine” and underlined that if the minimum sentence prescribed for stock valued at less than N$500 is two years' imprisonment, “it stands to reason that the court cannot impose a sentence of less than two years' imprisonment for stock worth more than N$ 500 despite the fact that there are no prescribed minimum sentence at present, the latter having been struck down.”

Salionga and January last week underlined in the Matine judgment that while a 20-year sentence was no longer applicable for stock theft cases of N$500 or more, the court was not permitted to impose “any sentence” and that the sentencing options are limited to imprisonment.

The two judges said further that “common sense dictates that an accused having committed stock theft with a value of less than N$500 should not be worse off than one who committed the offence where the value is more than N$500.”

They found that the 18-month prison sentence Matine had received for stock theft with a value of N$2 400 is “nearly five times more than N$500”.

The sentence therefore “has the effect that the accused in this matter is better off” than a person who is convicted of stock theft valued at less than N$500.

The judges declared this to be “unfair and is not reflecting the intention of the legislators”.

The judgment notes that the sentence Matine should face should not be less than the minimum sentence for those found guilty of stealing livestock valued at less than N$500.

In the Daniel v Attorney-General appeal at the High Court in 2011, the appellants were Protasius Daniel and Willem Peter, who collectively faced 50 years behind bars for the theft of nine goats (Daniel) and a cow (Peter).



Misunderstanding

In a 2013 review judgment, a man who had stolen a sheep valued at N$750 had told the magistrate “I stole out of hunger”.

Despite his circumstances, he was sentenced to a two-year jail term.

On review, High Court Judge Kato van Niekerk noted in her judgment that it was not necessary for the magistrate to determine whether there were substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a lesser sentence, as the stock in question was valued at more than N$500.

Nevertheless, she added that the “magistrate clearly laboured under the misconception that the applicable prescribed sentence was one of two years' imprisonment, which is a misdirection.”

Van Niekerk underlined that the “accused's personal circumstances, which were apparently accepted by the magistrate, are dire indeed. Although stock theft is a serious crime and prevalent throughout Namibia, the fact that the accused at the age of 50 is a first offender is an indication that he is not in need of a two-year sentence of imprisonment to deter him from committing crimes. In my view a shorter and partly suspended sentence would meet the demands of this case.”

She ordered that the man, Benjamin Tjiromungua, be sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, of which 10 months were conditionally suspended for four years.

Several other stock theft sentences have been reviewed and set aside as a result of the interpretations of magistrates of the law.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Chieftaincy battle: Hage can't intervene

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Chieftaincy battle: Hage can't intervene Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga says President Hage Geingob cannot intervene in the Uukwangali Traditional Authority chieftainship battle because the matter is before court.

Mushelenga also pointed out that his predecessor, Sophia Shaningwa, should not have approved nor designated Eugene Siwombe Kudumo as chief of the Vakwangali community without following the proper procedures and sidestepping pending court orders.

Mushelenga made the remarks in response to a request by the Uukwangali Traditional Authority representative, Hiskia Siteketa, for Geingob to intervene in the succession dispute.



Siteketa had made the request at the president's town hall meeting at Rundu on Friday.

“For the traditional authority to ask the president to intervene ... when you have appealed to the court? It does not work like that,” Mushelenga said.

Severanus Siteketa and Kudumo both applied to the ministry to be designated as chief of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority after the death of Chief Sitentu Daniel Mpasi in 2014. Kudumo's application was approved by Shaningwa. Mushelenga explained how Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula had set aside Kudumo's appointment in October 2016.

Angula's judgment was based on the fact that Shaningwa had approved Kudumo's application although an investigation into a petition by those objecting to the application was still ongoing.

The ministry and Kudumo unsuccessfully appealed against Judge Angula's ruling.

Despite their pending court application, Shaningwa on 15 February 2017 decided to designate Kudumo as chief of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority.

Mushelenga says this decision was wrong.

“The minister (Shaningwa) was not supposed to proceed when there was still a pending court order,” Mushelenga said.

He further explained that it was on that basis that Rudolf Ngondo and Siteketa, as well as 20 others, turned to the court to oppose Kudumo's designation.

Following the previous court rulings and the arguments raised by the Ngondo and others, Judge Harald Geier ruled on 6 March this year that Kudumo's designation as chief of the traditional authority by Shaningwa be put aside.

This meant that the process of designating a new chief should have started afresh.

The ministry then withdrew from the matter, but a persistent Kudumo approached a new lawyer and appealed to the Supreme Court against Judge Geier's ruling.

By law, if someone appeals against a court order, that order is put on hold until there is an appeal court ruling.

In this case it means that Kudumo is still the chief of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority until the Supreme Court decides to either put aside the High Court ruling or uphold it, Mushelenga said. However, the minister said if he were the new lawyer approached by Kudumo he would not have advised him to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“If I were the second lawyer and read this judgment, I would say, Hompa, you have no case. We can appeal but I do not see a different court coming to a different argument,” Mushelenga said.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Company news in brief

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Company news in brief Tullow makes major oil discovery in Guyana

Tullow Oil announced yesterday a major oil discovery in the Orinduik block in Guyana, raising expectations it will move to develop a field in the oil-rich South American country.

The discovery in the closely watched Jethro-1 well follows a number of exploration successes by Exxon Mobil in the neighbouring Stabroek block in recent years where over 5 billion barrels of oil were discovered.

Tullow chief executive Paul McDade said the well is expected to hold over 100 million barrels of oil, in excess of expectations. The company will start drilling a second well, Joe-1, later this month.

"It looks like we have something we would develop. It looks like we have a long-term business in Guyana," McDade told Reuters in an interview.

The discovery gives the London-based oil and gas explorer a boost after operational issues at its flagship field in Ghana and delays to projects in East Africa. – Nampa/Reuters

Aramco says half-year net income slips

Saudi state-owned energy giant Aramco said yesterday its first half net income for 2019 had slipped nearly 12% to US$46.9 billion, a first such disclosure for the secretive company ahead of its debut earnings call.

The fall in revenue - owing to lower oil prices - was reported amid renewed speculation the company was preparing for its much-delayed overseas stock listing, dubbed potentially the world's biggest.

It is the first time the company has published half-year financial results and comes after Aramco opened its secretive accounts for the first time in April as it prepares to raise funds from investors.

Analysts say record demand for a US$12 billion debut international bond launched this year has propelled the world's top oil exporter to speed up efforts to float the company. But yesterday's statement made no mention of the planned initial public offering.

Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said the IPO - which could potentially be the world's biggest stock sale - would take place in late 2020 or early 2021. – Nampa/AFP

Cathay Pacific warns staff over 'illegal protests'

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific warned staff yesterday that they could be fired for supporting "illegal protests", as the firm comes under pressure from Beijing over pro-democracy demonstrations.

The flagship carrier's stock plunged more than four percent in Hong Kong trade yesterday after Beijing imposed new rules banning airline staff involved in the Hong Kong protests from flights to or over the mainland.

The airline cancelled over 150 flights last week as a result of a strike linked to the unrest and bookings have dropped since the protest movement began ten weeks ago.

Cathay has struggled to find middle ground in the increasing bitter standoff between protesters in Hong Kong and local authorities backed by Beijing.

The protests in Hong Kong were sparked by opposition to a bill allowing extradition to the mainland, but they have morphed into a broader movement seeking greater democratic freedoms in the city. – Nampa/AFP

Write-downs hit dairy giant Fonterra

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra announced more than NZ$820 million (US$530 million) in write-downs yesterday, a financial hit that will plunge it deep into the red and prevent an annual dividend payout.

Fonterra - the world's largest dairy exporter - said a review of operations had found assets were collectively over-valued by NZ$820-860 million.

It said the one-off costs meant the co-operative would post a rare loss of NZ$590-675 million when it unveils its annual results next month.

The upcoming loss will be only the second in the 18-year history of Fonterra, a collective that buys milk and dairy products from New Zealand farmers then sells them on to foreign firms.

It follows a troubled few years which has seen a slew of top executives depart as Fonterra slashed the value of investments in China and struggled to contain the fallout from a 2013 baby formula contamination scare. – Nampa/AFP

Apple offers record 'bounty' for iPhone security flaws

Apple Inc is offering cyber security researchers up to US$1 million to detect flaws in iPhones, the largest reward offered by a company to defend against hackers, at a time of rising concern about governments breaking into the mobile devices of dissidents, journalists and human rights advocates.

Unlike other technology providers, Apple previously offered rewards only to invited researchers who tried to find flaws in its phones and cloud backups.

At the annual Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, the company said it would open the process to all researchers, add Mac software and other targets, and offer a range of rewards, called "bounties," for the most significant findings.

The US$1 million prize would apply only to remote access to the iPhone kernel without any action from the phone's user. Apple's previous highest bounty was US$200 000 for friendly reports of bugs that can then be fixed with software updates and not leave them exposed to criminals or spies.

Government contractors and brokers have paid as much as US$2 million for the most effective hacking techniques to obtain information from devices. Apple's new bounties, however, are in the same range as some published prices from contractors. – Nampa/Reuters

Brexit turmoil drives UK towards recession

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Brexit turmoil drives UK towards recessionFirst contraction in 7 years The government's official forecaster last month warned that Britain would slide into a year-long recession should it leave the EU without a deal. The latest look at the UK economy makes for pretty grim viewing. – David Cheetham, Analyst: XTB Roland Jackson - Britain's economy unexpectedly shrank in the second quarter of the year on Brexit turmoil, placing the country on the verge of recession and sending the pound tumbling to a 2.5-year low.

Gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.2% in the April-June period, the first time the economy has contracted in almost seven years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement, blaming a dramatic slump in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The data, which was worse than market expectations for zero growth and also reflects global economic strains, sent the pound diving to US$1.2056 - the lowest level since early 2017.

Another contraction in the current third quarter would put Britain in an official recession, ahead of the nation's expected withdrawal from the EU at the end of October.

"The latest data reveal an economy in decline and skirting with recession as headwinds from slower global economic growth are exacerbated by Brexit-related paralysis," said IHS Markit economist Chris Williamson.

The result contrasted with 0.5% expansion in the first quarter, when activity was boosted by companies stockpiling ahead of Brexit.

Output was buoyed in the first three months of 2019 because Britain had initially been scheduled to leave the European Union at the end of March.

"GDP contracted in the second quarter for the first time since 2012 after robust growth in the first quarter," said Rob Kent Smith, ONS head of GDP.

"Manufacturing output fell back after a strong start to the year, with production brought forward ahead of the UK's original departure date from the EU.

"The construction sector also weakened after a buoyant beginning to the year, while the often-dominant service sector delivered virtually no growth at all," he added.

‘Fundamentals strong’

British prime minister Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May in July after winning the governing Conservatives' leadership contest on a pledge to take Britain out of the bloc on 31 October with or without a divorce deal.

Brexiteer Johnson, a pivotal 'Leave' campaigner in the 2016 EU exit referendum, has repeatedly insisted that Britain can make an economic success of Brexit.

New finance minister Sajid Javid on Friday said that the global economy was slowing, but highlighted other recent positive data for the UK.

"This is a challenging period across the global economy, with growth slowing in many countries," said Javid.

"But the fundamentals of the British economy are strong - wages are growing, employment is at a record high and we're forecast to grow faster than Germany, Italy and Japan this year," he added.

"The government is determined to provide certainty to people and businesses on Brexit - that's why we are clear that the UK is leaving the EU on 31 October."

‘Growing threat’

The government's official forecaster last month warned that Britain would slide into a year-long recession should it leave the EU without a deal.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney recently warned that a no-deal Brexit could undermine entire sectors of the economy such as the car industry and farming.

"The latest look at the UK economy makes for pretty grim viewing," XTB analyst David Cheetham said in reference to Friday's data.

"Given the growing threat of a no-deal Brexit that looms menacingly overhead, it would not be at all surprising if the current quarter also shows a contraction - therefore meeting the standard definition of a recession."

Johnson's predecessor May stepped down last month after failing to get her EU-divorce deal through parliament and being forced to delay Brexit twice. – Nampa/AFP

Chinese firms learn to adapt as US trade war rages

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Chinese firms learn to adapt as US trade war ragesChanging business models Some Chinese firms have moved manufacturing abroad to countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia to skirt tariffs. The US is taking advantage of its market position and bullying the many scattered Chinese tilapia suppliers. - Hainan Tilapia Sustainability Alliance Ryan McMorrow - Export-reliant Chinese companies are slashing prices, moving production abroad, creating new domestic markets and even rebranding goods as they try to survive the escalating trade war with the United States.

Factories along the eastern coast, fish processors in the south, apple juice exporters in central China and farmers in the northeast have all been forced to change their business models since US president Donald Trump launched the conflict more than a year ago, hitting everything from motorcycles to MRI machines.

But no matter what the survival tactic, times are tough and set get worse with newly threatened tit-for-tat tariffs meaning that virtually all trade between the world's two biggest economies would be covered.

"It's impacted all of us exporters ... we include the tariffs in our quotes now," a sales manager at Shaanxi Hengtong Fruit Juice, who gave his surname as Liu, told AFP.

Exports plummet

Chinese apple juice exports have nosedived 93% in the first half of the year since Trump hit them with tariffs in September last year.

Shaanxi Hengtong Fruit Juice, which sends almost all of its product abroad, and some of its subsidiaries had to pledge shares as collateral for loans last year.

One of its juice plants also put up dozens of its machines and appliances as collateral for another loan.

The fish processing industry has been hit hard too.

China is the main supplier of frozen tilapia to the American market, but those exports are also down this year and fish farmers have been forced to look inward.

"The United States is taking advantage of its market position and bullying the many scattered Chinese tilapia suppliers," the Hainan Tilapia Sustainability Alliance said on its WeChat account.

"The trade war is the last straw to crush the industry."

The trade group has been brainstorming how to grow sales at home, but different domestic tastes mean it has its work cut out for it.

"Tilapia has done very well in the US because it's breaded and processed ... it's kind of bland. Chinese consumers like their fish fishy," said Even Pay, an agriculture analyst at advisory firm China Policy.

Large fish processor Zhaoqing Evergreen Aquatic retrofitted its factory this winter to focus on the domestic market, according to industry publication Undercurrent News.

Other industries

Firms in other hard-hit industries have simply had to absorb some of the tariff pain.

"We've dropped our prices for the US market to cover some of the tariffs," said Andy Zhou of Anytone, which makes radio handsets.

Radio exports to the US were down to just US$33 million in the first six months, from US$230 million a year before.

Zhou, too, is looking to Asian and European markets now to boost sales.

Some struggling low-end radio manufacturers have been forced into drastic measures such as attempting to dodge US tariffs by swapping customs codes - where a product is incorrectly labelled to evade levies when it arrives in America.

Other firms have resorted to transshipment - re-routing their goods via neighbouring Vietnam to pass them off as being made there.

Hanoi has vowed to crack down on Chinese manufacturers illegally using "Made-in-Vietnam" labels to dodge US tariffs, fearful of the punishment it could face from Trump over its annual trade surplus of US$40 billion with the United States.

Rules

New rules proposed by the trade ministry last month require all "Made-in-Vietnam" labelled goods to be mostly or fully produced in the country or contain a significant share of locally-sourced materials.

They also bar "temporarily imported" goods from using the label.

Some Chinese firms have moved manufacturing abroad to countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia to skirt tariffs.

Textile maker Jasan Group, which says it supplies Adidas and Nike, bike parts manufacturer HL Corp, and industrial yarn producer Zhejiang Hailide New Material have all moved some production to Vietnam.

But the trade war has helped some Chinese sectors.

Beijing's retaliatory tariffs have benefitted some of China's soybean farmers, with a boost in subsidies to local growers.

"The government is encouraging us to plant more soybeans ... our incomes are rising with the subsidies," said Sun Changhai, a farmer on an agricultural collective in the northern Inner Mongolian region.

The subsidies have boosted China's soybean output but it still needs to import roughly 85% of what it consumes each year - including some from top producer the United States. – Nampa/AFP

Africa's biggest reserve under threat from Chinese oil deal

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Africa's biggest reserve under threat from Chinese oil deal The reserve is under a real threat from petroleum exploration by a Chinese firm. - Hamadou Soumana Oumarou, Jeunes Volontaires pour l'Environnement Niamey - Environmental activists said Friday they have launched a petition to stop the break-up of Niger's Termit and Tin Toumma national nature reserve, the biggest in Africa, to honour an oil deal with China.

The government in Niamey announced in June it had decided to "redraw the boundaries" of the Saharan wildlife park, set up in 2012, to respect a production share contract signed four years earlier with the China National Petroleum Corporation.

The deal gives the CNPC rights in the Agadem oil blocs that fall within the 96 560 square kilometre park.

"The reserve is under a real threat from petroleum exploration by a Chinese firm," Hamadou Soumana Oumarou of the African NGO Jeunes Volontaires pour l'Environnement (Young Volunteers for the Environment) told AFP.

The online petition says: "China is destroying biodiversity in Africa".

According to Oumarou, 24 000 signatures have already been collected out of a target of 50 000.

French NGO Noe (Noah), which manages the reserve for the Niger government on a 20-year mandate, said the government move would remove protected status from 45 000 square kilometres of the reserve.

Noe warned last month that critically endangered species such as the addax, or white antilope, would disappear.

CNPC currently operates 21 oil wells within the reserve which is crossed by a 100-kilometre pipeline, according to Noe.

Termit and Tin Toumma spreads over the Agadez, Zinder and Diffa regions and boasts 130 species of birds as well as critically endangered dama gazelle, Saharan cheetah and vulnerable Barbary sheep. – Nampa/AFP

Global economic outlook darkens

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Global economic outlook darkens BERLIN - The economic outlook has deteriorated in all parts of the world over the summer due to an escalating trade dispute between the United States and China, a survey showed yesterday.

Germany's Ifo economic institute said its quarterly survey among nearly 1 200 experts in more than 110 countries showed that its measures for current conditions and economic expectations have both worsened in the third quarter.

"The experts expect significantly weaker growth in world trade," Ifo president Clemens Fuest said, adding that trade expectations hit the lowest since the beginning of the tariff conflict last year.

"Respondents also expect weaker private consumption, lower investment activity, and declining short- and long-term interest rates."

US president Donald Trump said on Friday he was not ready to make a trade deal with China and even called a September round of talks into question, reviving concerns on financial markets that the dispute is unlikely to end anytime soon. – Nampa/Reuters

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Tsumkwe road feasibility study welcomed

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Tsumkwe road feasibility study welcomedN$2 million earmarked The upgrading of gravel road will unlock economic growth and employment opportunities. MANGETTI DUNE - The ongoing feasibility studies on the Tsumkwe C44 gravel road being conducted by the Roads Authority (RA), with a plan to upgrade it to a bitumen standard, continue to excite residents of the constituency.

The chief executive officer of the RA, Conrad Lutombi, on Saturday said the feasibility studies on the road started in May this year and are expected to be completed in March 2020.

Lutombi said a feasibility study involves regular site visits by road engineers and technical teams to investigate the accessibility constraints of the road, designs and predict the traffic flows of the vehicles on it once it is completed.

The CEO said the study alone on the C44 Tsumkwe gravel road would cost approximately N$2 million for a distance of about 300 kilometres from the T-junction of Grootfontein to Tsumkwe, Gam and Dobe border post.

“I cannot hide my excitement to hear about the feasibility studies on the Tsumkwe road, because it means one day the Tsumkwe gravel road will be tarred,” said Francina Hishekwa-Ghauz, the councillor of the Tsumkwe constituency.

Development

Hishekwa-Ghauz said once the tarring is done the constituency would then start to see development activities coming to the people in Tsumkwe.

The deputy minister of marginalised communities, Royal /Ui/o/oo, also a resident of Tsumkwe, said once the C44 gravel road is upgraded to a bitumen standard, Tsumkwe would start to experience economic growth and employment opportunities.

/Ui/o/oo said the residents will even appreciate it more if the actual road construction is carried out in phases from Grootfontein to Rooidag Gate, later continued to Tsumkwe, Gam and Dobe border post.

“We have lost so many lives on this long drive gravel road of approximately 300 kilometres, therefore any upgrading on it will definitely improve our lives as our vehicles are also driving on it in poor conditions,” /Ui/o/oo said. - Nampa

Hong Kong demos hit economy

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Hong Kong demos hit economyCrisis worse than SARS Group tour bookings from the short-haul market have plunged up to 50%. What has happened in Hong Kong has indeed put local people's livelihoods as well as the economy in a worrying, or even dangerous situation. - Edward Yau, Secretary: Commerce and economic development Yan Zhao and Catherine Lai - Empty hotel rooms, struggling shops and even disruption at Disneyland: months of protests in Hong Kong have taken a major toll on the city's economy, with no end in sight.

City leader Carrie Lam has warned that the international financial hub is facing an economic crisis worse than either the 2003 SARS outbreak that paralysed Hong Kong or the 2008 financial crisis.

"The situation this time is more severe," she said. "In other words, the economic recovery will take a very long time."

The private sector, in particular the tourism industry, has begun counting the cost of more than two months of demonstrations that erupted in opposition to a bill allowing extraditions to China but have morphed into a broader pro-democracy movement.

The figures are stark: hotel occupancy rates are down "double-digit" percentages, as were visitor arrivals in July. Group tour bookings from the short-haul market have plunged up to 50%.

"In recent months, what has happened in Hong Kong has indeed put local people's livelihoods as well as the economy in a worrying, or even dangerous situation," warned Edward Yau, Hong Kong's secretary for commerce and economic development.

Under siege

The city's tourism industry says it feels under siege.

"I think the situation is getting more and more serious," Jason Wong, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, told AFP.

The impact is so bad that travel agents are considering putting staff on unpaid leave as they try to weather the storm, he warned.

Images of increasingly violent clashes between masked protesters and police firing tear gas in the city's streets have made global headlines, with protesters announcing new demonstrations throughout August as they press their demands.

A Hong Kong Tourism Board spokesperson told AFP that the number of forward bookings in August and September has "dropped significantly," suggesting the economic toll will linger throughout the summer season.

A string of travel warnings issued by countries including the United States, Australia and Japan is likely to compound the industry's woes.

The fall in arrivals has hurt Hong Kong's carrier Cathay Pacific, which was also forced to cancel flights this week during a general strike that caused chaos in the city.

And even Disneyland Hong Kong has been hit, with CEO Bob Iger telling reporters: "We have seen an impact from the protests."

"There's definitely been disruption. That has impacted our visitation there."

Retail, property

The retail sector has also been hit by the drop in arriving visitors hunting for bargains, shops often forced to shutter during the sometimes daily protests.

Experts say the crisis is compounding the economic downturn Hong Kong was already experiencing as a result of being caught up in the US-China trade war.

It's a "double whammy," warned Stephen Innes, managing partner of Valour Markets.

"We always take a view that oh, this too will pass. But so far that view is not holding any water ... and now it seems like every weekend we're dealing with further escalations," he told AFP.

The property market, which fell over 20% during the 2008 financial crash, remains strong.

But Innes warned that the deepening crisis could result in capital outflows.

"All the money from the mainland that has propped up Hong Kong property markets could reverse as quickly as it flowed in," he said.

"This is getting a little bit nastier than any of us had expected."

Economy

The economic picture for the city was far from pretty even before the protests began, with growth shrinking from 4.6% to 0.6% year-on-year in the first quarter - the worst quarterly performance in a decade.

Preliminary data suggests the second quarter fared no better, and while the government still hopes for 2%-3% growth this year, predictions from major banks are more pessimistic.

Those falls reflect the effects of the US-China trade war on an economy that relies heavily on logistics processing and is vulnerable to a fall in trade.

The impact of the protests on growth will not be clear until later in the year, but Martin Rasmussen, China economist at Capital Economics, said the crisis was likely to weigh heavily.

"In the beginning they were quite peaceful, you could say comparable to the protests back in 2014," he said, referring to pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in the city.

"Now they've become much more extreme, so we think the impact on the economy will begin to take its toll."– Nampa/AFP

CoW delivers zero serviced plots in 2017/18

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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CoW delivers zero serviced plots in 2017/18Misses housing target Budgetary constraints is one of the reasons for the municipality’s failure to ease the housing crisis in the capital. The City’s financial position continues to hamper the implementation of many key projects. – Windhoek municipality Despite setting sights on delivering 430 serviced erven for residential, business and institutional purposes during the 2017/18 financial year, the City of Windhoek (CoW) failed to make a single plot available.

“The total number of serviced plots for the 2017/2018 financial period is zero. This reflects negative performance against then the initial target of 430,” reads as section of the council’s latest annual report.

Another reason is “a moratorium on the Build Together Scheme since fraudulent activities were detected. The new management is busy revising the current system to implement control measures prior to reactivating the said scheme.”

The CoW also targeted the delivery of 470 affordable houses through the Mass Housing Project and the Windhoek Housing and Build Together Schemes.

This target was also not realised as the City failed to handover any houses during the period under review.

Meanwhile, plots serviced through public private partnerships were 214, while the initial target was 529.

However, the City remains committed to proclaiming more serviceable land, despite being in a precarious financial position.

Money

“Service delivery remains a priority especially for marginalised communities who are in dire need of basic service. Unfortunately, the City’s financial position continues to hamper the implementation of many key projects.

“The Debt Book (accounts receivable 30 days and above) was N$655 million as at 30 June 2017 and stood at N$637 million on 30 June 2018,” CoW chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, states in the report.

The failure is attributed to budgetary constraints, scarce resources concentrating on availing land through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and ambitious target.

“Land and housing delivery remain a critical priority both at local and national levels and all efforts must be made to secure adequate funding and staff to ensure that the national development goals are met within met within the 2017-2022 strategic horizon,” another part reads.

Further, on the land delivery front, a total of 100 erven were allocated to the youth and 80 to the City’s staff in Khomasdal's Extension 16.

“Sales in Ext 16 are ongoing. The next step will be to proceed with the signing of deeds, collection of land sales and transfer of ownership of land,” it further reads. – Nampa

Thousands more need drought relief

August 12, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Thousands more need drought relief RUNDU – Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has said the number of beneficiaries of the drought relief programme in the Kavango East region is much greater than expected.

The prime minister said this during the Presidential Town Hall meeting held here on Friday, where president Hage Geingob met with the residents of the region to give feedback on state issues.

A total of 2 325 households were registered to benefit from the drought relief programme, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

However, it was later discovered that a total number of 23 943 households were in need of support from the programme. The ncrease in the number of households has created a challenge, the PM said.

She said although the food was delivered based on the initially identified households.

More money needed

Additional funds need to be raised by the end of August to cater for those in need, she said, adding it was important for people above the threshold to a give chance to those in need.

“It has now become very important for us to embrace the call to allow those that are most destitute to receive the food under the programme in order for us to ensure that no one dies of hunger as a result of this drought,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

The PM explained that government had previously approved a budget of over N$570 million, whereby N$400 million was sourced from internal sources, allocating an additional N$150 million from government.

She reiterated government's call for all Namibians to assist in the mitigation of the drought and its effects, saying that individuals can contribute two percent of their basic annual salaries like how others have done. - Nampa

19 arrested for wildlife crime

August 13, 2019, 6:44 am

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19 arrested for wildlife crime ELLANIE SMIT

A total of 19 suspects were arrested for wildlife crimes during August with six new cases that were registered this month.
This is according to wildlife crime statistics compiled by the Intelligence and Investigation Unit in the environment ministry and the Protected Resources Division in the Namibian Police.
Statistics show that out of the 19 suspects arrested, two suspects were arrested for rhino poaching and or trafficking crimes (including cases of conspiracy of rhino poaching).
Furthermore wildlife products that were seized included two live pangolin, one pangolin skin, one duiker and four oryx.
Meanwhile two suspects were arrested on Friday at the Mbambi village in the Kavango West Region after being found in the possession of a pangolin during a police search.
The suspects who are between the ages of 48 and 60 were arrested on the Nkurenkuru Mpungu highway. The value of the pangolin is estimated at N$50 000.
In another incident three suspects were arrested on Friday for the theft of a tombstone that was stolen during May at the Golgota Cemetery.
According to the police the suspects are aged between 24 and 32 and were arrested when they attempted to take back part of the gravestone which was previously stolen.
It is alleged that on Thursday a security guard saw the three suspects in a private vehicle entering the graveyard and later place back part of the stolen gravestone. The driver of the vehicle is apparently a funeral undertaker. The value of the recovered tombstone is N$13 000, while the value of the missing tombstone is N$5 000.
In a separate incident a 36-year-old man was arrested after he was found in possession of five blocks of cannabis weighing 2 500 grams. The suspect was arrested on Thursday at Ooievaar Street in Windhoek North. The value of the drugs is estimated to be N$50 000.
In another incident on Friday in Kuisebmond, two suspects who are believed to a couple, were arrested for being in the possession of crack cocaine and cannabis.
A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested by the police when they were found with five units of crack cocaine, a half moon of crack cocaine and one ballie in Swael Street. The value is estimated at N$3 020.
Another two suspects were also arrested on Friday in Kuisebmond after they were found in the possession of cannabis.
A 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested at Harmetiet Street and are believed to be a couple. The suspects were found in the possession of 224 grams of cannabis during a police operation. The value of the drugs are estimated at N$3 100.
A 45-year-old woman was also murdered on this weekend at the Omundaungilo cucashops after she was hit with a brick on her head.
It is alleged that a fight broke out between Victoria Hamupolo and another woman on Thursday. It is believed that the deceased started beating the suspect with a brick and the suspect also assaulted the deceased with a brick. Both sustained serious injuries which resulted in them being transported to the Eenhana State Hospital. Hamupolo succumbed to her injuries on Friday. The suspect was arrested.
Six suicides were also reported this weekend.

Read the constitution - Basson-Namundjebo

August 13, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Read the constitution - Basson-NamundjeboNC and NPL divided houses Premier League relegation woes are jeopardising the resumption of the league next month. The chairperson of the Fifa NC, Hilda Basson-Namundjebo, has appealed to the NPL heads to read their constitution and the statutes before making decisions in future.

Basson-Namundjebo was referring to an announcement made by the Namibia Premier League (NPL) chief executive officer, Harald Fuller, that the domestic league would start on the weekend of 13 September.

The NPL has also announced that it will go ahead and start the league with 13 clubs, thus cutting out clubs that ended in the last three spots on the table. These clubs are Civics, Orlando Pirates and the demoted Young African.

This even after Fifa gave clear instructions through the NC that there should be no relegations and promotions.

The NPL has taken a step further by asking the Namibia Sports Commission's Appeals Committee to look into the relegation and promotion issue before they start the league in September

Basson-Namundjebo stated that the NPL executive does not have the mandate to pronounce themselves on when the 2019/20 NPL season will start, as well as the first and second division kick-off.

That is the responsibility of the NFA, which at the moment is being taken care of by the NC.

“They don't have the prerogative to pronounce themselves on that. They must read their constitution and statutes and not try to cause chaos.

“They are announcing when the premier league will start, but then trying to shift the kick-off of the lower leagues responsibility to the NC.

“We are busying finalising those dates because we want all the three leagues to start collectively because, we don't want to sit with a scenario were one league doesn't start because there was no planning done,” Basson-Namundjebo stressed.

She further asked the NPL why they want to continuously entertain football chaos.

“There are still issues pending like the Young African case, seems like the NPL does not care about resolving pending issues before properly kicking off the league.”

“They need to read and know what they need to do,” she stressed.

Article 2 of the NFA Statutes reads that the objectives of the NFA are: to organise competitions in association football in all its forms at a national level, by defining precisely as required, the areas of authority conceded to the various leagues of which it is composed and to draw up regulations and provisions and ensure their enforcement.

Fuller however insisted that they are not in the wrong and will go ahead to start the league on the date proposed.

“You can quote the constitution or the statutes but we have 13 teams and will go ahead with the decision to start the ball rolling,” he said.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Bank supports Unam's charity golf day

August 13, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Bank supports Unam's charity golf day Bank Windhoek will this year join other corporates in support of the University of Namibia's (Unam) Chancellor's Charity Golf Day, scheduled to take place on 16 August at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.

Organised by the Unam Foundation, the annual fundraising event brings together golfers from the private and public sectors for a day of networking for a good cause.

The funds raised go to the Student Hardship Fund, a non-discretionary trust that helps qualifying Unam students who are faced with unexpected financial difficulties to complete their studies.

“The current economic climate that Namibia finds itself in has far-reaching and often devastating consequences to low-income and marginalised families, whose difficulties are further compounded by retrenchment and unemployment.

“This situation can only be reversed by enhancing human resource capacity and skills. Indeed, the equalising power of education cannot be emphasised enough,” said Unam Foundation director Lorna Mbwale.

To date, Mbwale said, the Student Hardship Fund has received and spent in excess of N$4 million on thousands of needy students and continues to ensure that deserving applicants are able to continue and complete their studies at Unam, enabling them to graduate and contribute meaningfully to nation building.

Bank Windhoek's head of corporate social investment (CSI), sponsorship and events, Bronwyn Moody, said: “The bank is committed to investing in the communities in which it operates, especially in the areas of education. We therefore encourage other corporates to join us in numbers and support the charity golf day event.”

This year, the Chancellor's Charity Golf Day has set the fundraising target at N$1 million.

“This can only be achieved with the support of corporates such as Bank Windhoek and others,” said Mbwale.

SPORTS REPORTER

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A new dawn for Alexander Forbes Namibia

August 13, 2019, 4:00 pm

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A new dawn for Alexander Forbes NamibiaStability, trust key pillars Financial service providers are facing a challenging landscape. Stefan du Preez, the new chief executive officer of Alexander Forbes Namibia, sat down with Business7, touching on issues ranging from the regulatory environment to the national pension fund. To be able to survive and move forward, things we did today in one way will have to be done differently tomorrow. B7: Your appointment as CEO marks a new era for Alexander Forbes Namibia. What is your vision for the company?

SdP: There were a lot of changes over the past few years, not only within Alexander Forbes Namibia, but also within the Alexander Forbes Group, our parent company in South Africa. This led to a lot of uncertainty and loss of clients and staff members.

For me the most important thing is to bring back stability and trust - not only within the company, but also to our clients. We have dedicated and well-trained people within Alexander Forbes Namibia. We have the required systems - all we need to do is to focus our energy towards what is best for our clients in an organised manner.

We know where we want to be. We want to provide a complete value proposition to our clients which results in their financial well-being. We want to be in pursuit of certainty – our client’s certainty – and want to be the partner of choice.

My vision to put it short is – Let’s do what we do best, do it efficiently and do it correctly, the first time. Once we’ve achieved this, we can review the vision for the extended future.

B7: Alexander Forbes is a household name in Namibia. What has set the company apart from its competitors so far?

SdP: I think it is the way we try to be on the forefront of the industry, to set the tone for others to follow.

Looking at the investment side, there are quite a few arguments for and against single- and multi-managers, but given the size of the Namibian market, multi-management, which is an implemented solution, makes sense to most of the retirement clients. Our initial ‘Life stage’ model, which was recently updated or replaced with our ‘Goals based’ investing, is testament of being at the forefront.

On the technology side we continue to roll out our AF-Online platform that eases the administration burden for all who interact via the platform with us.

But ultimately it is the Alexander Forbes ‘Best Advice’ approach, combined with its people, its passion for employee benefits, and investments focussed on increased financial security for the future, that differentiates us from the rest. We offer our clients complete advice-driven solutions from the day they start working, straight through into and during retirement.

B7: What is the prevailing landscape for financial services providers in Namibia currently?

SdP: We are faced with a very competitive landscape, imminent regulatory changes and a devastating drought that is not conducive to the financial services industry. The possible client base is limited, which makes it tough for any industry player. To be able to survive and move forward, things we did today in one way will have to be done differently tomorrow, and we need to be able to adjust quickly to any changes, of which regulation is probably the most important.

B7: What are the major challenges the industry faces and how should it be addressed?

SdP: The regulatory environment will change. We are waiting for the Financial Institution and Market Bill (FIM Bill) to be promulgated. This will have a definite impact on the way the industry will be regulated, and changes will be required to the current way of conducting business. We will have to start planning/adjusting our methods of doing business to prepare ourselves for the promulgation of the FIM Bill now already.

Literacy levels and level of income influence the ability of people to save and to understand the need to start saving early. We need to continually try and educate our people and provide them with value for money products that will allow them to save from day one, even if it is N$10 at a time.

The imminent national pension fund can also have a huge impact on the future of the pension fund industry and related service providers such as asset managers and insurers. We will have to see whether any exemptions will be given (or not) to existing pension funds before the real impact can be determined.

B7: What are the growth opportunities for the industry?

SdP: I think we need to start doing things differently and more efficiently. We will then have time to focus on new business, client retention and servicing our clients more effectively.

The implementation of the FIM Bill will lead to new opportunities like compulsory preservation.

And, we need to become more digitally focussed, with easier access to services for our clients. If 80% of our client base can be serviced electronically, then we can give personalised attention to those in need of it, thereby increasing business from those who would normally just walk away.

B7: Focussing on the retirement industry, how is the landscape changing?

SdP: Increased and more focussed regulation will have an impact on our day-to-day jobs.

There are the changes to our underlying local investment requirements encouraging us to invest 45% of the assets locally and thereby uplifting the economy. It does help that all role players are impacted by this, but it does create difficulty in achieving the same returns as before. We thus need to think of ways to increase local performance so that our members don’t loose out, as they are the ones that is ultimately paying for this increased requirement.

We also have the pending tax legislation which will focus on the preserving of money for retirement, and together with the possible increased tax-deductible amounts, will bring new opportunities to the market.

Over time we may also see a move towards umbrella funds with only a few funds remaining as standalone funds.

B7: It is often pointed out that Namibians don't save enough, especially for their golden years. How can this be turned around?

SdP: This is and has always been a difficult one.

It comes back to the literacy levels referred to earlier, but then also our standard of living. We need to educate our people around the benefits of long-term savings together with the effect of compound interest. The relative effect remains the same, irrespective of the size of the savings, whether it is a N$10 contribution, or a N$1 000 contribution.

Based on certain assumptions, you can achieve the same result with N$10 per month saving over a 40-year long career compared to a N$300 per month saving over the last 10 years of your career. And the N$10 per month will cost you N$4 800 from your pocket compared to almost N$40 000 if you need to contribute the N$300 per month. Surely the N$10 per month make sense.

We need to educate people to have a balance between the real cost of living (where N$10 can make a difference), and the ‘not so real’ need where they want to replace an existing cell phone with a newer model or buy other nice to haves – rather save that N$10 ... and they must preserve!

B7: Tell us more about yourself: your early years and your career.

SdP: I first visited Namibia in 1987. Later, I got married to my lovely Namibian wife. I thus prefer to refer to myself not as a born Namibian but as a bred Namibian.

I started my career with Sanlam in Cape Town in 1993 and was seconded to Sanlam Namibia from 1999 till 2006 during which period 2 of my 3 children were born here in Windhoek. I eventually resigned from Sanlam after 26.5 years to join Alexander Forbes Namibia.

I qualified as an actuary in 2001 and during my career I was involved in most areas of the life and pension business.

I’m looking forward to giving back some of the experience I’ve gained up to now until such time that I retire here in Namibia.

What an awesome privilege to spend some more years staring over red dunes or sitting next to the ocean with a line in the water … watching the sun set in the west!

Namibian oshimwe shomiilongo tayi hili nayi omakaya muAfrica

August 13, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Namibian oshimwe shomiilongo tayi hili nayi omakaya muAfrica Namibia okwa tothwamo nokutulwa momusholondondo gwiilongo yaAfrika moka hamu hilwa noonkondo omakaya.

Ehangano lyoWorld Health Organisation (WHO) olya tula Namibia ponkatu onti 8 momusholondondo gwiilongo yaAfrika moka mu na aakwashigwana haya hili noonkondo omakaya.

Oshilongo shi li ponomola yotango oLesotho a landulwa kuMauritius, Seychelles, South Africa oshowo Madagascar. Oshilongo shi li pevi muAfrika, miilongo mbyoka hayi hili omakaya oEthiopia.

Kwiikwatelelwa kolopota yiilongo 136, yi na aakwashigwana ya thika poobiliyona ntano, oya tula miilonga omulandu gumwe ngoka gwa nuninwa okushunitha pevi elongitho lyomakaya.

Ompango yoNamibia Tobacco Products Control Act oya tulwa miilonga mesiku lyotango lyaApilili mo 2014, na oya nuninwa okuhwahwameka ekondololo lyomakaya moNamibia oshowo omahala ngoka inaga pitikilwa okuhililwa omakaya, okutumbulapo owala yimwe.

Ompangu otayi utha woo omakumagidho kombinga yoshiponga shomakaya pomahala mpoka hapu landwa omakaya oshowo kuupakete womakaya.

“Aantu oyendji oyeshi oshiponga shomakaya niizemo yomakaya naalongithi oyendji yomakaya oya hala okuhulitha po okuhila omakaya na otushi kutya otatu ya kwathele ngiini,” olopota ya holola. Omayakulo kwaamboka yahala okuhulitha po elongitho lyomakaya oga kwatela mo edhengo lyoongodhi lyoshali oshowo ehungomwenyo.

Olopota oya holola kutya omikithi dhoka hadhi ithanwa non-communicable diseases (NCDs) ohadhi e ta omaso gaali gomomaso gatatu miilongo inayi putuka, nomakaya ogeli eshongo enene momikithi ngaashi okankera nuuvu womutima.

Nonando ongaaka ooprograma dha nuninwa okushunitha pevi omikithi dhoka itadhi pewa eyambidhidho lya gwana, sho oopresenda owala mbali dhomiimaliwa ya nuninwa omayambulepo hadhi yi kooprograma ndhoka, pauyelele wa gandjwa kolopota ndjoka ya pitthwa. Olopota oya tsikile kutya otaku tengenekwa muuyuni mu na aahili yomakaya yeli poobiliyona 1.1, noopresend 80 dhaahili yomakaya mboka odhi li miilongo yiiyemo yili pevi niiyemo yopokati. Oya tsikile kutya ope na euveko lya puka kutya omahala ngoka inaga pitikwa okuhilila omakaya otaga gamene mboka ihaya hili omakaya, ihe oshili ooshoka kutya egameno otali zilile owala uuna kwa hulithwapo ehilo lyomakaya okuudha. Olopota oya tsikile kutya omathano nomakunkililo ngoka haga tulwa kuupakete womakaya ohaga thiki kaalongithi yomakaya, sho omakumagidho ngoka haga kala nuuyelele kombinga yoshiponga shomakaya, na okuwetike kutya otashi etitha aahili yomakaya ya shunithe pevi elongitho lyomakaya. Nicotine, oshingangamithi shoka hashi adhika moshimeno shekaya na ohashi nana nokuhwahwameka noonkondo elongitho lyomakaya.

Aantu mboka ya hulitha po ehilo lyomakaya ohaya mono uuwanawa wuundjolowele muule woowili nenge oominute ya hulitha po ehilo lyomakaya.

Muule womwedhi ndatu, iilonga yepunga otayi tameke nawa nomukolo oshowo uupyakadhi womifudho otayi shuna pevi muule woomwedhi omugoyi uuna omuntu a hulitha po okuhila omakaya.

Ompito yoshiponga sheso omolwa elongitho lyomakaya nayo otayi shuna pevi, uuna omuntu a hulitha po elongitho lyomakaya.

ELLANIE SMIT

Endiki lyOngwediva ART inali tameka iilonga

August 13, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Endiki lyOngwediva ART inali tameka iilonga Endiki epe lya tungwa koshimaliwa shoomiliyona 73 lyoAgricultural Technology Centre (ART) mOngwediva olya thikama owala sho uuministeli wuunamapya inawu yelelwa ngele nawu gandje tuu endiki ndyoka momake gehangano lyoAgribusdev ndyoka tali shongola paiyemo.

Ndyoka eyambulepo lyiikwaniipangitho muunamapya pashigwana oshowo epungulo muunamapya, lya landula endiki lyoRundu ART ndyoka lya kwatele komeho oshilongo momakwatathano gomandiki guunamapya gopautekinika pashigwana.

Endiki lyoRundu ART centre oli li egumbo kiikwamashina niilongotho yokupangela, mwakwatelwa omapekaapeko gopaunongononi neyambulepo lyoopoloyeka dhoGreen Scheme Projects. Agribusdev, oye ta kwatele komeho endiki lyaRundu ART, konima nkene endiki ndyoka lya patulula omiyelo momvula yo 2015, uuministeli wuunamapya owa tokola okupatulula eindiki lya faathana mOngwediva moshitopolwa shaShana. Omunambelewa omukomeho muuministeli wuunamapya, Percy Misika okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya uuministeli owa manitha etungo lyo lyOngwediva National Agricultural Technology Centres kongushu yoomiliyona 72 886 165.15.

Misika okwa popi kutya endiki ndyoka olya pwa okulongwa na olya gandjwa kuuministeli muJuni gwonuumvo, niilonga okwa tegelelwa yi tameke moshikakomvula sho2019/2020

“Endiki otali gandja omayakulo koshigwana oshowo koopoloyeka shoGreen Scheme okupitila mepangelo lyomaloli nomambakumbaku oshowo omashina niiyenditho iishona mbyoka hayi longithwa moopoloyeka ndhoka.” Onzo yimwe oya lombwele oNamibia Sun kutya uuministeli inawu tokola natango ngele elelo lyoAGRIBUSDEV otali vulu okugandja omayakulo gopautekinika koshikondo shuunafaalama moshilongo.

Pauyelele mboka wa gandjwa kuMisika, endiki itali ka kwatelwa komeho koAGRIBUSDEV ngaashi ndyoka lyomoRundu, na otaku ka gandjwa otendela okupitila moprocurement board.

Endiki ndyoka lyomoRundu oli na ongulu yiilonga yi na iilongitho ya gwana po yopamuthika, na otali gandja omayakulo gokupangela omashina ngoka haga longithwa muunamapya ga yooloka oshowo iilongitho lyilwe yopautekinika. Misika okwa gwedha po kutya okuza momvula yo 2016 sigo onena, eindiki ndyoka olya nini iiyemo yi li pooN$ 6 897 944.77.

Inaku monika omayamukulo okuza komunambelewa Omukuluntu gwoAGRIBUSDEV, Petrus Uugwanga, sho ina yamukula komapulo ngoka a tuminwa.

ILENI NANDJATO

Etalululo lyiipotha yuulunga wiimuna

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Etalululo lyiipotha yuulunga wiimunaEindilo lyetalululo lyegeelo moshipotha shuulunga wiimuna lya etele mwene Ompangu yOpombanda oya tokola kutya egeelo lyoomwedhi 18 modholongo ndyoka lya Ii lya gandjwa moshipotha shuulunga wiikombo itatu olya li eshona. Egeelo lyoomwedhi 18 modholongo omolwa uulunga wiikombo itatu yongushu yooN$2 400 otali ka lelepekwa noomwedhi hamano konima sho egeelo ndyoka lya monika kutya olya li eshona.

Oshiwike sha piti, omupanguli Johanna Salionga oshowo Herman January yOmpangulilo yoPombanda mOshakati oya talulula egeelo ndyoka lyali lya pewa, Tjaritye Matine.

okwa gandjwa elombwelo kumangestarta ngoka a li a gandja egeelo ndyoka opo a gandje egeelo lyuule woomvula mbali nenge li vulepo tali endele pamwe nOmpango yUulunga wiimuna. Ompango ndjoka otayi utha kutya uuna kwa yakwa iimuna yongushu yi li pombanda yon$500, otaku gandjwa owala geelo lyokukala modholongo na kape na ompito yegeelo lyiifuta.

Natango ompango ndjoka otayi pula egeelo lyoomvula dha thika pumbali uuna omuntu a monika ondjo moshipotha shuulunga wiimuna yongushu inayi pitilila pooN$500, omanga uuna ongushu ya pitilila poN$500, inaku gandjwa kutya egeelo otali vulu okukala poomvula ngapi.

Momvula yo 2013 etokolo mompangu yopombanda olya holola kutya ngaashi petokolo lya ningwa momvula yo 2011, egeelo lyopevi muulunga wiimuna yongushu inayi pitilila poN$500, oomvula mbali modholongo.

Momvula yo 2017 omupanguli January okwa popi kutya ompangu itayi vulu okugandja egeelo lyiifuta moshipotha shoka nokutenda kohi kutya egeelo lyuufuthi wiimuna yongushu inayi pitilila poN$500, oomvula mbali modholongo nompangu itayi vulu okugandja egeelo lyoomvula dhili pevi dhoomvula mbali.

Sailonga naJanuary oya popi oshiwike sha piti kutya moshipotha shaMatine omanga egeelo lyoomvula o 20 itali longithwa we muufuthi wiimuna mbyoka yi li pongushu yi vulithe N$500, ompangu inayi pitikwa okugandja egeelo limwe negeelo ndyoka li po egeelo lyodholongo owala.

Aapanguli mboka yaali oya popi kutya egeelo ndyoka lya pewa Matine eshona okuyelela nomageelo ngoka ga tulwa po kompangu kwiikwatelelwa kutya iimuna mbyoka a yaka, oyongushu yi vulithe pooN$500.

Meindilo lyetalululo lyegeelo ndyoka lya li lya ningwa kutya Protasius Daniel oshowo Willem Peter, mOmpangu yoPombanda momvula yo 2011, mboka oya pewa oomvula 50 dhodholongo muulunga wiimuna.

Daniel okwa monika ondjo muulunga wiikombo 9 omanga Peter a monika ondjo muulunga wongombe yimwe.



Okwaahauvathana

Metalululo lyegeelo ndyoka lya ningwa momvula yo 2013, omulumentu gumwe ngoka a li ta pangulwa sho a yaka onzi yongushuyoN$750, okwa lombwele omupanguli kutya okwa yaka omolwa ondjala.

Nonando ndjoka oyo yali onkalo okwa pewa egeelo lyokukala modholongo uule woomvula mbali.

Metalululo lyoshipotha shoka, Omupanguli mOmpangu yoPombanda, Kato van Niekerk okwa popi kutya inashi pumbiwa mangestrata a tale konkalo ndjoka ya thiminike uulunga mokupopila egeelo eshona molwaashoka oshimuna shoka sha yakwa oshongushu yi vulithe poN$500. Okwa gandja elombwelo opo Benjamin Tjiromungua, a pewe egeelo lyokukala modholongo uule woomwedhi 20.

Iipotha yimwepo yuulunga wiimuna ya talulwa nokwiikwalekelwa onga oshizemo sheuveko lyompango moomangestrata.



JANA-MARI SMITH

'Daan Viljoen is ours'

August 13, 2019, 4:00 pm

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'Daan Viljoen is ours'Claim is for the bulk of the Khomas Region From the pressure from the Namas and Ovaherero, and then the colonial settlers, |Khomanîn say they have lost all their land. An ancestral land claim submission for the |Khomanîn traditional communities by Karl Mudani ||Aribeb lays claim to the Daan Viljoen settlement and the city of Windhoek and wants compensation for the loss of these lands.

It also criticised the continued use of the name 'Daan Viljoen' in reference to the game park created on |Khomanîn ancestral land, claiming that it is an insult of the highest order to their dignity and heritage.

“The park is named after the then South African colonial administrator-general who presided over the forced removal of the !Ao||aexas |Khomanî community to Sori Soris. This forced removal arguably counts amongst most inhumane and most atrocious abuses committed by colonial government on Namibia's indigenous communities but does not enjoy the prominence as the genocide and the Old Location forced removals enjoy.”

Aribeb also points out that the lack of communal land in the Khomas Region largely contributes to the landlessness of the |Khomanîn traditional communities, who unlike most Namibian communities have no place to call home.

“Pockets of post-independence group resettlement efforts by the government are recognised. However, these schemes have been patchy, far and in between, and have not even begun to address the land hunger of the |Khomanîn.

“Apart from the land hunger, these group resettlement schemes are unable to address the need for a sense of place, sense of belonging and the dignity that come with these. The |Khomanîn have been denied these virtues, which most indigenous Namibian communities enjoy, by the historical loss of all of their ancestral land,” he states.

The submission states that the |Khomanîn traditional communities' home range stretches from the south bank of the Swakop River, past the eastern slopes of the Eros Mountains in the vicinity of the present-day Midgard, then westwards almost up to Otjimbingwe and south for hundreds of kilometres until almost directly west of Rehoboth (|Anhes).

“Some accounts actually place Rehoboth within |Khomani territory but this conflicts with the claim by |Gowanî Damara before turning east, enclosing the !Aomites and !Naoaspoort both settlements south of Windhoek, and further stretches as far as Seeis.

“It would also encompass the landscapes around the present-day Hosea Kutako International Airport and reconnect with the eastern slopes of Eros Mountains with the starting point in the Midgard vicinity,” said ||Aribeb.

He continued to say that a combination of Ovaherero and Nama territorial pressure and the subsequent colonial land grabs by European settlers effectively reduced the |Khomanîn to a state of destitution and landlessness.

According to him this displacement led to a vast majority of the members of the |Khomanîn traditional community being reduced to perpetual farm labourers on freehold farms formed on what once were their ancestral lands.

He also said that these people, for generations, have been completely left to the whims of freehold farm owners, often exposed to unfair labour practices, human rights abuses of epic proportions and evictions when they reach retirement age.

“A significant number of them are said to have flocked to and settled in urban centres, especially in the famous Windhoek Old Location and similar old location at Kai||khaes (Okahandja) while some found refuge at various mission stations. Many elders, but mostly descendants, continue to live in Katutura in trying living conditions. Some were forcibly moved to 'Damaraland', in other words the communal areas of Okombahe and Sori Soris, Erongo and Kunene Regions, respectively,” he said.

JEMIMA BEUKES