Hoërskole vra mekaar vas

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Hoërskole vra mekaar vasBoN-kompetisie ‘n groot sukses Die Bank of Namibia se tweejaarlikse vasvrakompetisie vir hoërskole het weer eens vir hope pret, spanning en opwinding gesorg. Evany Van Wyk

Meer as 716 leerling van 179 skole het vanjaar aan die Bank of Namibia (BoN) se vasvrakompetisie deelgeneem.

Die doelwit van die tweejaarlikse kompetisie is om finansiële geletterdheid te bevorder. Die bank verskaf hulpbronne aan die deelnemers.

In die finaal, wat Vrydag in die hoofstad gehou is, het die meisiespan van die Sekondêre Skool De Duine op Walvisbaai die span van die Hoërskool Epako op Gobabis uitgestof.

Strawwe kompetisie het gelei tot ? ‘sudden death’-ronde waarin die finaliste vyf vrae gevra is om die wenner te bepaal. Die spanning was tasbaar totdat die wenners aangekondig is.

De Duine het N$50 000 losgeslaan en Epako N$20 000.

Die Hoërskool Etosha, in die derde plek, het N$10 000 vir hul skool gewen. In die vierde plek was Dr. Romanus Kapungu wat ? splinternuwe drukker vir die skool losgeslaan het.

Me. Cathleen Galant, ’n onderwyseres van De Duine, het gesê hul wil om te wen was vir die span die beste aanmoediging.

“Ons het lank voor die tyd begin voorberei met ou hulpbronne. Ek is oneindig trots op hulle vir die harde werk en toewyding,” het sy gesê.

Een van Epako se leerlinge het gesê dit was “absoluut ongelooflik om so goed in die kompetisie te vorder. Ons het dit glad nie verwag nie en ons is só trots,” het sy gesê.

Mnr. Ebson Uanguta, die adjunkgoewerneur van die BoN, het tydens die geleentheid gesê die deelnemers moet baie trots op hulself wees.

Hy het die ministerie van onderwys bedank vir die ondersteuning van die projek.

“Ons het besef finansiële geletterdheid vanaf ? jong ouderdom is van kardinale belang sodat mense ingeligte besluite kan neem wat hul geldsake betref,” het Uangata gesê.

Hy het die leerlinge aangemoedig om altyd geleenthede met albei hande aan te gryp en daarna te streef om vooraanstaande lede van die gemeenskap te wees.

Foto’s: Evany Van Wyk

BON1- Die Sekondêre Skool De Duine se meisiespan het die eerste prys losgeslaan.

BON2- Die Hoërskool Etosha-span, wat derde was, bespreek hul antwoord gedurende die kompetisie.

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Music chose Ndjiharine

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Music chose NdjiharineDancing to the rhythm of her passion Natasha Ndjiharine shares her experiences at the University of Free State in South Africa. Natasha Ndjiharine





I am a student at the University of the Free State, in South Africa.

I am currently doing a diploma in music at the Odeion School of Music, which focuses mostly on classical music, with my voice as my main instrument. I started my studies here in 2017.

I chose my programme, because firstly I absolutely love music and I am a firm believer in doing and focusing on what you are good at. Secondly, had it not been for Fanie Dorfling, the choir conductor of the College of the Arts (Cota) youth choir, I probably wouldn’t be pursuing music. God really used him to groom me and encourage me to believe in myself, as much as he did in me.

My decision was quite sudden, as it was not part of my plans, prior to the opportunity of studying music presenting itself.

The University of The Free State’s music school professor came to Windhoek for a workshop and to recruit people.

I say ‘recruit’, for lack of a better word, but that is basically how everything unfolded for me.

I was in grade 11 at the time. The main challenge for me was qualifying for a music degree, because I did not have enough knowledge to qualify, so instead I went for a diploma, because it was more attainable, as I had about a year and a half to work on my music theory and qualify. It was really tough for me, however, I was not concerned.

I really just wanted to get in! I didn’t take a language test, but English as a module was compulsory. I love that the university has become more inclusive of cultural differences and that it has changed its language policy to fit everyone.

I also love the residence life and the university’s love for culture. This made the transition a lot easier! It shouldn’t be a big thing, because you would expect to have cultural differences when you move to a new country, but experiencing it is totally different, so the language difference was the biggest surprise for me, and the amount of people not willing to speak English.

There was nothing wrong with it, it was just a very different experience.

My advice I would give students who study abroad is: Have an open mind - you will be grateful and understand why in the long run. Don’t lose your sense of identity and be proud of who you are! Also, if you are contemplating whether or not you want to study outside your country, I say: 100% ABSOLUTELY GO FOR IT!

Go explore and experience the world. Live! There is nothing I would do differently, because every single hardship and failure has taught me something, and I believe the way my life is unfolding is a part of God’s plan, and I messed up a couple of times, but gained something in the end.

Everything works out for my good. My plans after graduating? Hmmm, we will just have to wait and see. God is leading the journey, though! Facts about myself: I am God-fearing. I really enjoy writing. I have a blog, check it out: tashurrr.wordpress.com

Did you know?

The University of Free State was first established as an institution of higher learning in 1904, as the tertiary portion of Grey College.

Natasha fun facts:

· She is a ‘wander bug’.

· She loves travelling and any form of art.

· Her family is everything to her.

· She enjoys DIY (do-it-yourself), including painting cellphone covers, sewing her own clothes and making earrings, etc.

City budget under pressure

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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City budget under pressureProperty tax up by 15% The municipality's reliance on tariffs to fund social services has made Windhoek one of the most expensive cities to live in. The City of Windhoek has announced a 5% tariff increase on basic water supply, water consumption, household refuse removal, solid waste management and sewerage for the 2019/20 financial year.

The City said there were some water tariff adjustments that were wrongly gazetted. These have been corrected and affected customers will be credited.

Property tax has gone up by a whopping 15%. There is no tariff increase for electricity.

The increases will affect low-income Katutura residents by about 8%. For middle-income neighbourhoods such as Dorado Park it will mean an average increase of 10%, and 11% for high-income neighbourhoods.

These averages are calculated based on the total rates and taxes of sample households.

These may vary from one household to the next, depending on the property valuation. Water and electricity are subject to consumption tariffs.

Acting City CEO O'Brien Hekandjo said the ministry of urban and rural development had approved the adjusted tariffs.

Factors that are affecting the municipality's budget are the high unemployment rate in the city, high bulk costs charged by NamWater and NamPower, the increased pressure of urbanisation on the provision of basic services, a lack of funding assistance from the central government, and a reliance on land sales to fund operations.



Approved budget

The expected income for this financial year is N$4.7 billion; its expenses are anticipated to be N$4.5 billion. The surplus is only about N$130 million.

The social budget, which is included in the operational budget, accounts for the operations of the City Police (N$532.7 million), public transport (N$320.7 million), fire and other emergency services such as ambulance services (N$79.6 million), community services (N$13.7 million), and N$9 million for disaster management.

The social budget shows a deficit of N$494.6 million. The municipality carries the social budget, which is not funded by the central government. It generates about N$600 million from rates and taxes, which only goes towards the provision of services.

The City said only the central government can provide sustainable funding of the deficit. It said the reliance on tariffs to fund social services is unsustainable and makes the city one of the most expensive to live in.

One of the ways in which the municipality hopes to do to deal with the budget deficit is to maintain the salary budget below 34% or 35% of total spending.

It hopes to gradually increase repair and maintenance to 5% of its expenditure.

It intends to create a revolving fund from its land sales revenue, as well as fund its capital expenditure from a combination of debt and revolving funding.

It hopes for funding from the central government, as well as other donors, and loans to reduce its reliance on bulk suppliers, with, among other things, a 25-megawatt solar power plant.

It also intends to identify additional revenue such as the commercialisation of its fibre-optic network.

CATHERINE SASMAN

No 5G plans for Paratus yet

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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No 5G plans for Paratus yet Paratus Telecom says it is not yet the time to introduce fifth generation (5G) cellular network technology, saying that the roll-out of 4G technology across towns in Namibia has been slow.

The comments were made by its manager for marketing and regulatory, John D'Alton, when asked about his thoughts on 5G.

5G has been deemed the new space race and countries like South Korea and Russia commercially launched 5G while Sweden, Estonia, China, Japan and Turkey are planning commercial launches by 2020.

Transmitting data at 10 gigabits per second, the fifth-generation network will deliver up to 100 times faster data speeds compared to what the best 4G Long-Term Evolution connection can provide today, The Africa Report noted.

“While taking note of the 5G arena, it is very prudent to also take into consideration that Namibia has seen an infant 4G rollout with very few national towns boasting access to 4G,” D'Alton said when asked to comment on the company's plans for 5G.

“Paratus will instead continue to focus on its core services, delivering much-needed infrastructure across Africa before placing an investment focus on 5G technology, which is still shrouded in controversy and potential spectrum debates in the short- to long-term,” D'Alton said.

Going forward, he said much is dependent on spectrum policy to inform future technology deployments, and especially so in Namibia. “There is a spectrum band plan for Namibia which aligns with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) band plan which is collectively dependent on policies and regulations established globally by global regulatory and telecommunication bodies such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU),” said D'Alton.

The World Radio Communication Conference (WRC - 19), an ITU initiative, takes place in Egypt from 28 October to 22 November and has the purpose of reviewing 'Radio Regulations', an international treaty governing the use of the radiofrequency spectrum, D'Alton explained.

From this conference, a report will be made available, most likely during mid-2020, to provide guidance on the contentious topic of spectrum and its availability for new deployment strategies, he said.

MTC, which has been identified by Huawei as an able technology partner in developing 5G, referred this publication to Huawei.

MTC has been pushing the envelope and launched 4.5G in 2017, becoming the first operator on the continent to launch the service, while South African operator MTN has only trailed 5G.

“We will onward process this question to Huawei for their consideration,” MTC spokesperson John Ekongo said.

Huawei local spokesperson Elton Katangolo did not respond to a query when asked about its 5G ambitions for Namibia. Its senior vice-president for Africa Luo Lei last year said the Chinese technology giant was interested in developing the technology for Namibia.

OGONE TLHAGE

The birds and the bees

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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The birds and the bees What you need to know before engaging in sexual activities Sex education is often absent or simply ignored, leaving young people to engage in sexual activities without having the relevant information. Ester Kamati





Abstinence is cool and is often the first tip someone would give, when the topic of sexual intercourse arises. This, however, is not the option that everyone goes for. When this option is crossed off the list, people often lack the necessary information to stay safe.

1. It MUST be consensual: In order for two parties to engage in sexual activity of any sort, it must be expressly communicated by both parties that they are allowing it to happen. Consent can only be drawn from a person saying they agree to continue with the act, and cannot be implied by dress code, flirting or by allowing the other party to touch them in a particular way.

2. It is absolutely fine to change your mind: Valeria David, a student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), emphasised the importance of not only choosing somebody that makes you feel safe, especially if it is your first time, but also how vital communication is. Just because things have gone further than you intended does not mean that you should simply allow them to happen. “It is important to know that when you decide that you do not want to continue, the person will understand that it is your right to say no.” No, it is not about being selfish, because if you are uncomfortable, then you should not be forced to continue.

3. Know your partner’s status: According to David, youngsters often engage in sexual activities on the spur of the moment and often do not plan for it. In that instance, they may not even know the status of their partner. It is thus advisable that you and the person you are dating get tested together at a local clinic. This does not imply there are plans to have sex soon, but if it does happen, it’s better to be safe than sorry. David added that planned activities give more room for better preparation and safety precautions to be taken.

4. Safety measures: Pregnancy is not the worst thing that could happen and therefore is not the only thing that preventative measures should be taken against. Other than contracting HIV/Aids, there are many sexually transmitted infections and thus necessary action should be taken to prevent contracting these.]

Contraception

Family planning is highly advised for individuals who are sexually active. Consulting your local or family doctor is a great help to find what works for you in terms of birth control. It is advisable to first consult a doctor before taking any form of contraception, as it needs to be prescribed. Here are some of the contraceptives that are deemed reliable by local pharmacists:

Oral tablets (the pill)

These are the most common forms of contraception locally and are taken as prescribed by the doctor. Penny Ashipala, a practicing pharmacist at a local clinic, advised that the pill is recommended especially for individuals who have not yet had a child. There are not many side-effects, other than an irregular menstrual cycle. Triphasil and Ovral are the two most common tablets that can be found in local pharmacies.

The injection

According to Ashipala, the injection is advisable for individuals who have already had a child, as it may affect the ability to conceive in future. There are two types of injections, mainly the two-month injection and three-month injection. The two-month injection has minimal side-effects, whereas the three-month injection’s side-effects could range from not getting your period at all to extended bleeding during your cycle - sometimes for as long as a week. Additionally, the menstrual cycle could occur twice a month.

Implants

These range from three-year to five-year implants. Implants are the least advised form of contraception, as they may have many complications. According to Ashipala, they come with side-effects that most people would not want to deal with. Ashipala added the side-effects can only be reported after three months of having the implant. These implants are replaced after every three or five years, depending on the kind of implant. In terms of the three-year implant, for instance, if it is inserted in October 2019, it would have to be replaced in October 2022 or in an earlier month during the same year, unless a complication arises after the first three months, in which case it would be removed earlier.

Condoms

These are not only for pregnancy prevention, but also for the protection of sexually transmitted infections. The rubber forms a barrier between the two partners that avoids skin contact, thus avoiding the contraction of such infections.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

This is an anti-HIV medication that prevents HIV-negative individuals from contracting the virus during intercourse with their infected partners. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), PrEP is 92% effective. It is available at selected health facilities.

From a registered nurse

According to Kristine Siseho, a registered nurse who also offers services at the Nust, male and female condoms are the best preventative measures and are almost 100% effective for not only pregnancy prevention, but also for prevention in terms of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

She advised that birth control is normally accompanied by side-effects that are considered hormonal, such as breast tenderness and disturbed bleeding patterns, as well as non-hormonal side-effects that may include gaining weight, acne and lightheadedness.

“Things like implants are placed under the skin and release hormones every day. The moment that it is removed, that is the end of it. It does not leave residual hormonal content in the blood, Siseho explained.

“Abstinence and condom use are the best precautions,” she said. She explained that circumcised men have a 60% reduced risk of HIV infection.

“However, 40% is still a big number and should be managed,” she added. She also advised that partners should be faithful to one another, to ensure reduced exposure to diseases.

STI testing

The signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be managed through consulting a nurse, but when it is chronic or reoccurring infection, one can be referred to a doctor. All clinics where there is a doctor present can do testing when it is necessary. The only fee applicable is the consultation fee, which is N$8 at public health facilities.

PDM to launch election manifesto

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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PDM to launch election manifestoDocument hones in on social challenges The PDM has announced that it would launch its manifesto, responding to the country's needs, at the end of September. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) is set to launch its election manifesto under the theme 'Strategy Namibia' at the end of September, its president McHenry Venaani announced on Saturday.

Opening his party's central committee meeting in Windhoek, Venaani explained that the manifesto will be a social contract between the party and all Namibians which will address burning issues the country is facing.

“The document reflects values, strategies and the ethos that PDM will deploy in the fight to push back the increasing poverty and bring prosperity to our people,” he highlighted.

It will focus on the education sector that speaks to the labour needs, agriculture, and modernisation as well as decreasing the size of the government, he said.

The manifesto, Venaani continued, is set to detail a plan on reforming the administrative centre of the Ombudsman and the Anti-Corruption Commission to allow the two entities to have prosecuting powers and more budgetary allocations for additional transparency in the country.

The PDM president further reported back to the committee that it formed a coalition with the United People's Movement, which has a seat at national level.

Venaani also gave assurance that the party will continue to make calls to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in order to address their concerns especially on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

“We have for the past months been urging the ECN to change its rules so that it allows political parties to be present at centres when tallying the results of elections and the use of the EVMs in their present form. We have been communicating with ECN to take note of the act that states that the EVMs must produce a verifiable paper trail,” he noted.

Venaani reminded the central committee members that the party was established to serve the people of Namibia, and as they head to the polls, to continue to campaign over the next three months before the national elections.



NAMPA

Support for presidential checks and balances

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Support for presidential checks and balances Democracy is designed to keep powerful leaders in check. The separation of powers into three branches of government creates a system of accountability by all three. This is crucial if democracy is to survive and perform.

The president is directly elected by the people and obtains a specific mandate from voters. A complex system of checks and balances prevents the president from operating without accountability.

One source of checks and balances is the judiciary. Graph 1 shows that citizens' support for checks and balances by the judiciary has increased significantly since 2006. At the same time, those supporting the notion that the president should be allowed to operate without these judicial constraints declined to 35%. The second source of checks and balances on the president iin parliament. Graph 2 shows that between 2008 and 2017 support for the president acting without parliamentary accountability declined from 56% to 42%. Conversely, support for parliamentary oversight increased from 41% to 56%.

This provides more evidence that Namibians are slowly growing into their democratic system. The majority of Namibians now support a system of judicial and legislative checks and balances on the president.

*All survey data used is sourced from the Afrobarometer, a pan-African series of national public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, and society. For more details, please visit http://afrobarometer.org

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Potjiekos battle

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Potjiekos battleAdding more flavour to life It was a tough competition, but ultimately Elichen Geises was awarded first place. Ester Kamati



All hands were on deck at Perivoli Okonjima Country School, as it hosted a potjiekos competition, where the grade two class put all their skills to the test, to see who has the sauce.

The pupils were independent in their decision-making and had to plan the event to the best of their ability.

They had to make choices, including how to prepare their meal, which ingredients to buy and what recipe they were going to use. Although each participant was required to have an adult there to oversee their work, the parents’ hands were tied and they did the minimum, by started fires.

The event was hosted to teach and test the skills of the children, according to Loraine Kotze, one of the teachers at the school.

“For me, the highlight of the day was the wonderful way this group of learners pulled this day off so successfully,” said Kotze.

She expressed her gratitude to everyone from outside the school and everybody else who made the day possible.

It was a tough competition, but ultimately Elichen Geises was awarded first place out of the seven participants.

Some of the criteria used to identify the winner included the neatness of their area, the manner in which they managed their fire and presentation.

“I have learned a lot, like how to plan ahead and adapt, if my recipe and plans do not work out,” Geises said.

“It was a lot of fun, because I did everything on my own. I could answer all the judges’ questions.”

Nadine Heyns and the other judges had some difficulty picking a winner.

There were no losers, as everybody received a prize.

Johannes Kapner was awarded second place and Rosalia Ndaponondaka came third. The most independent chef, with minimum assistance, was Katrina Nyumbu, while the chef who presented their dish the best was Prosper Mukukutu.

Khumalo Sakeus scooped ‘the potjie with a bite award’ and Maria Ngoma was named ‘the most chilled chef’.

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‘We are the change’

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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‘We are the change’ The DREAMS girls’ camp was recently hosted by Ekulo Senior Secondary School.

The camp was held in Oshikoto and was arranged by Project Hope and Star for Life in, conjunction with the regional education directorate.

Star for Life is one of the organisations that implements the DREAMS Project in Oshikoto.

The camp attracted more than 200 girls under the leadership of Desmond Kapuka, the school’s health coordinator, and coaches from all the represented schools were present.

Twenty schools from three districts (Tsumeb, Omuthiya and Onanjokwe) participated in the camp.

The camp started on 9 August and ended on 11 August. The purpose of the camp was to strengthen peer educators at schools, so they know exactly what their responsibilities are, in order for them to be a voice for the girl child.

The camp took place under the theme: ‘We are the Change’.

The main aim was to empower girls to communicate health issues, behaviour changes and interventions with their peers, through awareness activities at their schools.

The programme broadly covered gender-based violence, the importance of education, making the right choices and women’s health issues, etc.

Oshikoto education director Aletta Eises said their dreams will only become a reality, if the girls put some activity into them.

She said it is futile to dream of passing, without opening up a book to study.

Eises said it is wasteful to think of having a life of excellence, when you keep yourself busy with things that do not add value.

The girls were urged to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse and to make the right choices for their lives and future.

Eises further informed the girls that government is trying its best to keep them in school and to uplift them, but cautioned that rights come with responsibilities.

She added that the girls are worth more than diamonds and should conduct themselves as people who are priceless and wonderfully made.

The camp was also packed with fun activities.

Matter of fact

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Matter of fact In an article published in The Zone, dated 3 September and titled ‘Protecting the queen’, it was stated that 500 players are expected from across the continent for the 2019 African Youth Chess Championships, which will be hosted by Namibia. However, 500 delegates are in fact expected, which includes players and those accompanying them. Additionally, the Namibia Chess Federation is currently faced with a deficit of N$2 million, in terms of the funds needed to host the championships and hopes that private and public institutions will assist. It has thus not raised N$3 million, as the article said. The Zone humbly apologises for the errors and any inconvenience that may have arisen.

Nigeria to repatriate 600 citizens from SA

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Nigeria to repatriate 600 citizens from SA Nigeria will repatriate about 600 citizens from South Africa this week following a wave of xenophobic violence that sparked sharp exchanges between the two countries, a Nigerian diplomat said yesterday.

“They are about 600 now” to be flown back, Godwin Adamu, Nigerian consul general in Johannesburg, told AFP.

A first flight will carry 320 Nigerians, he said, adding: “We will have another one immediately after that.”

Johannesburg and its surrounding areas were rocked by a series of deadly attacks on foreigners last week, including many directed against Nigerian-owned businesses and properties.

At least 10 people were killed in the violence and hundreds of shops destroyed, while more than 420 people were arrested.

More than 100 000 Nigerians are estimated to live in South Africa, Adamu said.

Foreign workers in South Africa - the continent's second largest economy after Nigeria - are often victims of anti-immigrant sentiment in a nation where almost one in three people are unemployed.

The violence prompted reprisal attacks against South African firms in Nigeria and the temporary closure of South Africa's diplomatic missions in Lagos and Abuja.

Nigeria last week summoned the South African ambassador to condemn the violence, while sending an envoy to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The envoy returned to Nigeria over the weekend, the presidency said.

After a week of hardening rhetoric against South Africa, Nigeria pledged to “work as brothers” with Pretoria on Thursday.

“Nigeria does not seek an escalation of the ongoing situation,” a senior aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, told reporters.

NAMPA/AFP

NDF soldier 'protected'

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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NDF soldier 'protected'Packed courtroom prevents media coverage A soldier accused of shooting a civilian during an anti-crime operation last week has made his first court appearance, but the media could not get access to the crowded courtroom. ELLANIE SMIT



The media were prevented from covering yesterday’s court appearance of a Namibian Defence Force (NDF) soldier accused of shooting a civilian in Katutura last week.

Family members of Benisius Kalola (32), who was killed last Thursday at the Single Quarters in Katutura, expressed their dismay, saying the soldier was being “protected”.

Kalola was allegedly shot by members of Operation Kalahari Desert while they were searching for narcotics.

Early reports of the incident indicated that Kalola was shot when he attempted to flee. Kalola later died in the Katutura state hospital.

When NDF member Darrel Mulele Nyambe appeared in a packed courtroom at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court yesterday, members of the media were unable to enter the full courtroom to cover the case.

The reason for this was that nobody was allowed to stand in the courtroom.

As court proceedings started with another matter, journalists were still able to stand outside and follow what was happening in the court.

However, as soon as Nyambe was called to take the stand, the doors of the courtroom were shut, blocking the media from taking any photos or video footage of Nyambe.

When reporters tried to take photos of Nyambe at the checking-in area for offenders at the court, they were thrown out. They were told that they may not take any photos in this area, even though this had previously been allowed in several high-profile cases.

Nyambe was denied bail yesterday and was remanded in custody. His case was postponed until 29 January next year.

Prosecutor Victoria Likius objected to bail, saying it would not be in the interest of justice to grant bail as this was a serious matter and investigations were still at an early stage.

Magistrate Atutala Namwenyo Shikalepo informed Nyambe that he could make a formal bail application.

“Should you decide to apply, keep in mind that whatever you will say at bail proceedings will be recorded and may be used against you during trail,” the magistrate warned.

An aunt of Kalola’s, Lena Nekundi, said the family was not happy with the protection afforded Nyambe.

Nekundi said the family was thinking about suing the NDF.

She said a memorial service for Kalola would be held in Windhoek today and another service in the north tomorrow.

According to her several political parties have visited the family to offer their condolences to the family, but neither the police nor the NDF has done so.

She further referred to the criminal cases the police have confirmed Kalolo had been involved in.

“We do not know anything about this and only came to hear about it in the newspapers,” she said.

A cousin of Kalolo’s, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the police were trying to cover up what happened.

“We are grieving for our brother that was killed in cold blood, now they are saying that he was a fugitive. Why did they then never come looking for him? Was he ever convicted?”

According to the police preliminary investigations have revealed that Kalolo had two outstanding criminal cases of armed robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The control prosecutor at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court, Pieter Smit, has commented on the fact that media were denied access to the courtroom.

He said there are instances where the media and the public are not allowed to attend certain court proceedings, such as in-camera cases.

However, he said this was a first appearance and he was not aware of any directive from the NDF to allow for certain circumstances.

Meanwhile, the People’s Litigation Centre (PLC) has lodged a complaint of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.

The complaint is for crimes committed by the NDF, Namibia Correctional Services, Windhoek City Police and the Namibian Police during Operation Hornkranz and Operation Kahalari Desert.

ellanie@namibiansun.com

Struggling NBC pulls the plug

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Struggling NBC pulls the plug STAFF REPORTER

In an effort to contain costs, the financially crippled public broadcaster, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), yesterday announced a host of austerity measures, which includes removing indigenous news content from its screens.

The new measures may also impact the number of staff needed to carry out its revised operations. The NBC board resolved to implement a number of measures as of today, while describing the financial situation as critical.

Among the new measures, the broadcast hours of NBC1 will be reduced to 07:00-21:00 daily, while the main English news bulletin will only air once a day at 20:00. The live broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings will be discontinued on NBC2, while there will be a delayed broadcast the following day.

The broadcaster also announced it will abolish its movie, educational, sport and entertainment channels.

“Staff travel from duty stations to assignments will be limited and all foreign travels, unless paid for in full for man-hours and all related costs by the initiating entity, will be suspended,” board chair Sven Thieme announced, while adding that board director fees have already been discontinued.

“No live broadcasts will take place, unless paid for in full for man-hours and all related costs by the initiating entity.”

The austerity measures come as the state broadcaster, along with other media, prepares to roll out election coverage ahead of the November polls.

“The current situation also risks limitations in the coverage of the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections, unless this production is fully supported,” Thieme said.

According to Thieme, the board and management have tried their best to keep the business afloat. In the past four years, NBC has managed to grow its revenue from N$90 million to N$116 million.

He said the total subsidy received from government between April and August this year was N$73.8 million, against a requested N$100 million, leaving a shortfall of N$26.2 million. “The magnitude is severe and resulted in us getting to where we are.”

Gender-related crimes

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Gender-related crimes With the recent rise in gender-related crimes, The Zone spoke to Eros Girls’ School learners and asked them what they think society can do to prevent gender-based violence. Here is what they had to say: Prayline van Wyk

I believe that when your boyfriend slaps or threatens you for the first time, you should walk out of the relationship at once. Don’t go back to someone who hurts you; not even because you have a child with that person.

Bernice Skrywer

Women should know their worth and dress appropriately, so that they do not provoke men. They should be aware of what they wear and not cause a man’s imagination to run away with him.

Lezelle van Wyk

I think woman should be alert about their surroundings at all times. If any danger lurks, then they will be able to see the signs and make the right decision immediately. They should not be afraid to ask for help.

Mupangure Kazapua

The country should change its rape and murder laws. There should be stricter sentences for these crimes. Criminals should be jailed without parole, so an example can be set for others not to do the same.

Esperanca Kapitango

We tend to forget that men also need support; thus I suggest that more clubs should be created, where men can deal with anger management issues and the abuse they may have experienced. Most importantly, learn to respect women.

Pioné van Rooyen

Starting a young girls’ club, where they can organise initiatives to stand up against this type of abuse, is vital. We should not live in fear, but rather show men that we are not afraid.

Saskya Smith

I personally believe that all women should go for self-defence training, so they will know what to do in the event that they end up in dangerous situations. We need to be able to protect ourselves at all times.

Petronel Havenga

If you feel unsafe in a relationship, be sure to alert someone about it. You were create to be loved unconditionally and cherished, not abused. Always be alert and don’t get blindsided by love.

Quawa Katjangua

We need to educate men on the consequences of their actions. They need to understand that we are just as capable as them and deserve the basic human right of safety and security. No woman should live in fear.

Gretchen Katjipii

Community meetings should be organised to discuss this matter and come up with measures to keep woman and children safe. And if men still continue at this rate, then lifelong prison sentences should be the order of the day.

Ukarapo Makari

Discussing their challenges and problems will be beneficial for men and women. Groups should be created where they can talk openly about their problems, so they can overcome them and not take it out on women or young girls.

Rosa Veldskoendraer

I feel we need to stand together as a community. A peaceful march should be organised, where both men and women can show their support. We, as women, need to respect each other, so that men will also respect us.

Positivity is a mindset

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Positivity is a mindset Mariselle Stofberg

‘Later’ is a concept that inevitably means spending more time on something than compared to ‘now’. Everything can happen later. We often say: “I’ll do that later. Maybe tomorrow will be better and then I’ll attend to it. I’ll buy those shoes next month. I’ll visit my relatives next week. I’ll send those message in five minutes.”

We live in a world where we take time for granted. We believe that people live longer, and that in turn means you still have so much time left to do the things you love. You’ll start writing that novel later; you just need to work hard enough now to ensure you have a stable career. You will work towards that degree in a few years, because now you have to focus on your family.

Between ‘now’ and ‘later’, anxiety is born. We become indecisive, because we are scared of making mistakes, but mistakes are an inevitable part of life. Even though some might try to convince you otherwise, no one is perfect. We keep on saying ‘later’, because we are afraid of the now and the immediate. We believe that more time will ensure better results, and then we tend to lose our faith that what should happen, will happen.

We lose a grip on all the promises we make to ourselves, because we run out of time. We see ourselves as invincible, even though we are so fragile. We witness tragedies, where people die young, and still we devote more time each day to either complaining about everything that needs to be done or planning how we can do them later.

We see lives being lost, when they are yet to see or experience the world, but we complain about homework that needs to be done or waking up early for work. I am firstly taking a hard look at my own life. I came to realise how much time I’ve lost, while wishing it was Friday. I spend endless hours complaining, instead of being grateful.

Even though I realise I need to change the way I look at life, I will be the first to confess that it is damn hard to look for the silver lining of every cloud, when you expect thunder. It is hard to remain positive, when we see kids being abducted, the Amazon burning, people hurting innocent animals and each other for their own benefit.

Positivity is not a mood, but a mindset. It is a way of realising that even though you are not able to control what happens to you, or those around you, you are able to control how it makes you feel. You are able to take ownership of yourself and your emotions. You become the captain of your own boat, because you are able to generate your own happiness. What a wonderful feeling it is to actually take charge, instead of letting others determine what you feel. You take back the power you give others to hurt you, because you no longer depend on their opinions, ideas or moods.

When I wake up, I try to find something positive I can latch onto. I try to see what I can do today that can make me happy. I try to counteract everything I complain about, by finding something that I should be grateful about. It can be simple things like being grateful for the sunshine, rain, laughter, a good movie, a great meal, a strong cup of coffee, a message from a friend or even just your pet being silly.

It all starts by changing the way you think. Something only becomes a habit when you start doing it for 30 consecutive days. If you start everyday identifying the things you are grateful about, before you know it, this will become second nature to you. When you actively decide to make happiness your priority, you start to change your way of looking at the world. You see hope where others see despair and you see opportunities where others are too afraid to venture.

Stop focusing on what others may think. Stop wondering if what you do will be frowned upon. Please stop making choices you believe will impress your friends, family, colleagues or even society. Make decisions and choices for you. Do the things that make you happy. Walk barefoot into a store, laugh really loudly when something is very funny, randomly give people compliments, read whatever you want, eat the dish you’ve always wanted and celebrate who you are as a person.

When you give yourself just a fraction of the time you waste complaining about life, you actually have the time to put your own happiness first. You are allowed to think of you; that does not make you selfish. Making the right choices for you is possible, without stepping on others to do so. Your happiness is just as important as the happiness of others.

I want to live unapologetically, without regrets. I want to stay true to who I am. I am weird, silly, demanding at times, strong-willed and peculiar, and I tend to laugh at the most inopportune times, but that is what makes me human.

I would rather regret the things I did, than regret the opportunities I didn’t take.

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A cautionary tale

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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A cautionary tale On Friday morning, Africa and the rest of the world woke up to the news of the death of Robert Mugabe.

Immediately, media outlets began to connect the tapestries and threads that convalesced into the persona and person that was Robert Gabriel Mugabe. At the age of 95, he had lived a full and controversial life. Many opined about his journey from liberator to so-called despot. Others wrote and spoke of his sterling contribution to overcoming Africa’s struggles and his penchant for bashing Western powers. But more than that, Mugabe’s life represents a cautionary tale that other leaders should learn from. There is no doubt there were many things Mugabe had done that one could find inspiration in, while there are also examples where the former Zimbabwean president scrapped the basest levels of humanity’s psyche and actions. Mugabe was elected prime minister of the newly-founded Republic of Zimbabwe in 1980. After serving two terms as PM, he abolished the position and became president in 1987, a post he held for 30 years.

As his grip on power diminished, amid the union-backed MDC’s ascension and a government-in-waiting, Mugabe, according to his detractors, launched a series of populist interventions, spiced with intimidation, violence and murder, to cling to power.

Yet principally, Mugabe’s tale is one of a leader who could not read the writing on the wall, who could not bring himself to relinquish the reins of power, even as his countrymen and women fled to seek greener pastures away from the economic disaster that befell Zimbabwe, and which still grips it. It is the oldest story in African politics, where a liberation leader or movement feels they are entitled to unending payback, salutations and loyalty from the ‘liberated’, and when things go wrong, they resort to Cold War ideology and the safety of Western bogeymen, who hunt them in their dreams and in reality. Mugabe has run his race. Another generation of leaders, who can move beyond Jurassic politics, need to now lead the way.

Blessers, friendship and betrayal

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Blessers, friendship and betrayalNautwima tackles thorny issues in her book The story touches on true love, friendship, betrayal, jealousy, sorcery and the desperation for money. Michelline Nawatises



Pull quote: We live in the world that is full of two-faced people - Johanna Pangeiko Nautwima





Johanna Pangeiko Fortune Nautwima was born in Ohangwena 26 years ago.

She is master's degree graduate in economics and is currently in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, working at the African Development Bank (AfDB) in its department of regional development and integration.

Nautwima is also the author of ‘The Beauty and Beast of Friendship in the World of the Blessers’.

She is also working on a motivational book with a friend, which will be released early next year.

She also writes articles related to economics and finance and is the co-author of a trending article published by Africa Growth Agenda, titled ‘Does microfinance really eradicate poverty in Africa?’, which she co-wrote with Petrus Hamukwaya.

She started writing her book when she was a master’s student, with no ample time to give it the attention it required; so it took her nine months to complete it, due to her hectic schedule and limited time.

The book is about the beauty of having friends and the bad side of it, predominantly in the era of the blessers, as everything comes with good and bad, and friendship is no exception.

Hence, it is vital to critically observe the intentions of people we accommodate in our lives.

The book is a fictional novel that narrates the story of people who have fallen victim to betrayal, in the name of friendship.

It correspondingly brings out many substantial life lessons, which will teach the reader about the importance of the intentions of people in their lives. It also warns about the penalties for betraying others.

The story touches on true love, friendship, betrayal, jealousy, sorcery and the desperation for money.

When asked what inspired her to write the book, Nautwima mentioned that the world we live in and her love of writing was what inspired her.

She added that the pain of seeing people becoming victims of betrayal by people who claim to love them, has given her the audacity to share a message that could help other to be vigilant in today’s world.

“We live in a world that is full of two-faced people,” she said

Nautwima believes we all have something to share with others, but how to deliver it becomes of critical concern.

So, while writing this novel, she learnt that getting started was the master key to the flow of ideas.

“When you note down your ideas, how to present them comes automatically, based on what you like,” she added.

She said there is nothing challenging about writing a book, “if you have drafted your ideas carefully, with a clear message of what you would want to share”.

“However, publishing it becomes an issue, in terms of finance,” she said.

Her favourite author is Ndatulumukwa Haikali.

He is not only her favourite author, but her inspiration.

Although he is the youngest author in Namibia, his books still carry a consequential message with the highest order of inspiration, she said.

Also, he is an author of books dealing with various genres.

Nautwima’s target audience for her book are those aged 18 to infinity, more specifically the youth.

She does not really encounter writer’s block, simply because she brainstorms very well and the ideas flow accordingly, once she gets started. “Anytime I think of something related to the title, I wake up and start writing. If it happens while I’m in bed or when I am in class or elsewhere, I note it,” she says.

Her advice to someone who has started, but has not finished their book, is to never give up.

“You can’t give up on something that you have already invested your time in. In fact, an unpresented idea is a wasted of idea. Hence, you have to be determined. Brainstorm well and face it again more courageously,” Nautwima said.

She enters a relaxed and happy mind-space before writing, and she snacks on some biscuits, chips, sweets and water to make her writing easier.

This happens mostly at midnight or very early in the morning, when her mind is fresh and ready to think.

The vibrant 26-year-old is venturing into other genres of writing, as is currently working on a motivational book with her friend Lukas Lihongeni Lukas. The book is titled ‘The Beginning of a New Race’.

FACTS ABOUT JOHANNA

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PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Ph 1, 2 & 3 - Johanna Pangeiko Nautwima is a master's degree graduate in economics.

Ph 4 – The cover of her book, ‘The Beauty and Beast of Friendship in the World of the Blessers’.

Chicken import war

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Chicken import warMeat Board dragged to court by SA citizen In its papers the Meat Board says the applicant “has little interest in supporting the local poultry industry and that it insists upon allocation of a quota well in excess of what it is entitled to”. A South African citizen, and owner of African Meals Catering at Otjiwarongo, is suing the Meat Board and the ministers of industrialisation and agriculture in a bid to import an extra 95 tonnes of frozen chicken monthly.

In his particulars, signed on 24 May this year, Sarel Oberholzer asks the court to review, correct or set aside the decision by the Meat Board to allow him to import only 5.963, 5.608 and 5.194 tonnes of chicken for the months of April to June this year.

Oberholzer's company supplies frozen chicken to the Namibian Defence Force and school hostels across Namibia.

“In order to meet its needs in respect of frozen chicken, [African Meals Catering] requires no less than 100 tonnes monthly. Given that insufficient frozen chicken is produced in Namibia, [African Meals Catering] is constrained to import its monthly chicken requirements from South Africa,” Oberholzer's court documents state.





'Premium' price of N$10

He told the court that other importers “such as Deep Catch are permitted to import more than 20 times as much” and that he is then forced to buy this chicken “at a premium of at least N$10 a kilogram,” which he says costs him N$600 000 a month.

He attached a letter from his lawyer, Mark Kutzner of Engling, Stritter & Partners, to the Meat Board, dated 18 September last year, to this effect.

In its response on 27 September 2018, the Meat Board said it had approved imports of 6.966 and 8.649 tonnes for September and October last year.

Oberholzer says he buys 25 to 30 tonnes of local chicken from Namib Poultry Industries but his permissible imports have been reduced monthly.

This, he says, limits his right to constitutionally protected trade.

By way of its general manager Paul Strydom, the Meat Board hit back with a scathing affidavit in which it describes the procedures for quota allocations. These, Strydom says, are based on a formula and are allocated without “fear or favour”. Currently, the maximum allowable imports are 1 500 tonnes monthly.



Enough local stock

Strydom says that Oberholzer claimed that “insufficient chicken is produced locally and he is constrained to import his monthly chicken requirements from South Africa”.

Attached to his affidavit is a letter from the commercial manager of NPI, Pieter van Niekerk, confirming sufficient local stock. The letter is dated 10 July 2019.

Van Niekerk says: “Stockpiles for the last year have been in excess of 1 000 tonnes, currently standing at 1 686 tonnes. We can supply more than 100 tonnes on whole birds or any portion of the whole bird.”

Strydom told the court that “it follows that [African Meals Catering] has little interest in supporting the local poultry industry and that it insists upon allocation of a quota well in excess of what it is entitled to with consequent prejudice to other importers (including those who give local support).”

There are currently more than 60 importers in Namibia and the total quota is shared between these companies. The allocation of quota is made by the Meat Board based on the current demand, local supply, the importer's historical market share over a period of 12 months, and the extent of the importer's purchase of locally supplied poultry in the two months preceding the application.



Low local support

Strydom is of the view that Oberholzer is well aware of the formula and yet, “expects preferential treatment”.

“Increased quota,” Strydom writes, “can only be achieved by buying locally.” Moreover, the quota can be increased if the importer provides proof that no local product is available. This, he says, Oberholzer did not do.

“I dispute [Oberholzer's] claim to giving local support. During the past 24 months, 116.3 tonnes were bought, an average of 4.8 tonnes per month of which 59% were bought over the last four months.”

With respect to Oberholzer's claims of his constitutional rights as well as “unreasonable, unfair or irrational restriction to his right of trade”, Strydom told the court that “in light of the obvious rationale and purpose behind the import restrictions, clearly made and implemented in the interest of Namibians, he disputes those grounds.

He also asked the court that the matter be dismissed because the allocations that Oberholzer wanted set aside had already expired at the end of July, having been valid for only 30 days.

In closing, Strydom also made it known that as of 1 July this year, the Meat Board would no longer manage the poultry marketing promotion scheme and the management of import permits.

Last week, before Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula, Oberholzer's counsel filed a notice that it would bring an application on 30 September to compel the Meat Board to provide the full records it has on African Meals Catering.

The matter was postponed to Wednesday of this week for a status hearing.

Tobias Louw from Theunissen, Louw and Partners appears for the Meat Board while the government attorneys act for the two ministers.

Oberholzer made the news some years ago when it came to light that he was part owner, along with former Windhoek mayor Matheus Shikongo, in August 26 Logistics at the time it was awarded the tender to supply food to the Namibian Defence Force. The then Tender Board had not given the ministry of defence an exemption to bypass it in the N$5 billion tender. Oberholzer is also a director of Natural Namibian Meat Producers, which operates the abattoir at Aranos. At the time of its establishment, Shikongo was a shareholder but it is not known whether he retains those shares at this time.

The matter of chicken imports has been in the news of late, in particular with the South African Poultry Association trying to have import restrictions removed in the Namibian High Court in spite of asking for increased protection in their own country, and the recent revelation that roughly 5 000 tonnes of chicken were imported illegally into the country last year.

YANNA SMITH

GIPF breaks silence on loan saga

September 9, 2019, 3:00 pm

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GIPF breaks silence on loan saga The CEO and principal officer of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), David Nuyoma, says the fund had from the outset given its full cooperation in the investigation into non-performing loans under its Development Capital Portfolio (DCP) loan scheme.

Millions of dollars are yet to be repaid.

Nuyoma was responding to Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa's unexpected announcement recently that she will not prosecute in the majority of cases that have been under investigation for 10 years, reportedly due to lost documents or a lack of evidence.

The DCP matter was sub judice until 21 August and now the PG has pronounced that she will only prosecute two cases. The first prosecution is expected in October.

Nuyoma, however, said he does not know which cases are to be pursued.

“It is difficult to comment on the PG's memory. I have not seen her for many years. It is difficult to know what she is saying. The GIFP has provided whatever it thought could be helpful,” Nuyoma said yesterday at a press briefing.

He said the GIPF had given the police and forensic investigations nearly 200 ledger files dealing with the DCP loans. “We want this matter to be closed and we are still willing to provide information on whatever file,” Nuyoma said.

He said the PG's pronouncement does not in any way affect the fund's investments and operational philosophy.

“[The] fund remains in a healthy and sound position,” Nuyoma said.

He said the GIPF has learnt hard and valuable lessons from the DCP loan scheme and has since “strengthened on the weak investment governance that prevailed at the time”.

Not a single director, board of trustee or defaulting DCP lender has so far been brought to book despite the GIPF having laid a criminal case with the police.

Nuyoma said from these lessons, subsequent unlisted investment programmes are now ring-fenced and managed by professional managers. To date, the GIPF has committed N$6.9 billion to unlisted assets. The fund's assets have grown to about N$120 billion as of 1 April.



DCP loan scheme

The loans were taken out during 1995 to 2005 when the GIPF disbursed a total of N$661.2 million to 21 companies by way of equity and debt.

Nuyoma said some of the companies experienced difficulties, either through poor management, poor governance and negative changes in the business environment. In 2005 the GIPF put a moratorium on the loan scheme, to ensure proper divestiture of the 21 companies, which was followed by a number of investigations into the DCP.

To date, most of the DCP investments have been disposed of or written off, with the exception of three performing loans. These are the Etosha Fisheries, FNB Holdings Namibia and Bank Windhoek loans.

Given the three performing loans the GIPF still holds today, the total unrealised gain by the end of March this year stood at N$988.7 million.

Similarly, by the end of March this year, 12 of the 21 investments incurred losses of N$386.6 million, and a total of N$1.1 billion was collected in the form of dividends and interest and capital repayments.

Nuyoma said the GIPF exited from the 12 companies that failed to perform “in a responsible, way under the circumstances prevailing at the time”.

Six companies were liquidated, either at the insistence of the GIPF or other creditors, or through voluntary liquidation.



Zero returns

Three companies have completely failed to repay anything on their DCP loans. Among these is Tsogang Investments (Pty) Ltd, set up as a special purpose vehicle to acquire a 12% shareholding in the !Uri !Khubis Abattoir at Witvlei. It received N$5 million from the DCP loan scheme. Omina Investments (Pty) Ltd, which received N$12 million, also failed to pay a cent.

Coen Wium, formerly described as the late Aaron Mushimba's right-hand man, was involved in both the Witvlei abattoir and Omina.

The third company is Sepiolite Production (Pty) Ltd, which received N$10 million. Former president Sam Nujoma's son-on-law, David Iimbili, was involved with this company.



Only some paid

The two companies that “inflicted the heaviest losses” on the DCP scheme was the Namibia Grape Company (NGC) and the //Karas Abattoir and Tannery, formerly known as Ostrich Production Namibia.

The NGC got N$164.6 million and only repaid N$56 million.

The //Karas abattoir got N$179 million and only N$18.5 million was recouped.

Ongopolo Mining and Processing has repaid N$50.4 million of its N$70 million loan. The GIPF has since acquired shares in Weatherly International, which took over the company. Namibia Pig Farm (Pty) Ltd got N$26.4 million and repaid N$9.8 million.

Omaheke Tannery & Leather Processing only returned N$2 million of its N$23 million loan.



Six performing and

exited loans

The Namibia Housing Enterprise (NHE) got collateral of N$15.8 million and has repaid all money.

Mushimba's Windhoek Country Club & Resort repaid N$142.9 million of its N$120 million loan. Its sister company, the Swakopmund Station Hotel, repaid N$40 million of its N$40 million loan.

Multiline Investments (Pty) Ltd, which received N$20 million, has repaid N$23.3 million, which includes interest, and Tutunge Investments (Pty) Ltd, which received N$4.6 million, has repaid N$5.6 million.

Preferred Management Services, which received a N$7 million revolving credit facility, has repaid this in full.

catherine@republikein.com.na

CATHERINE SASMAN

President's aide shot, robbed

September 10, 2019, 12:20 am

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President's aide shot, robbed

The executive director in the private office of President Hage Geingob, Moses Pakote, was shot last night during a robbery at his home by unknown men. Namibian Sun understands the attackers fled with his cellphone and laptop. Presidency spokesperson Alfredo Hengari confirmed this morning that Pakote was receiving treatment in a local hospital following the attack. "The presidency wishes to request you to respect his privacy and that of his family during this period." He also confirmed that the police are investigating the matter.
STAFF REPORTER