Monumental milestones

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

Monumental milestonesNamibia's film industry grows in leaps and bounds The Namibia Film Commission (NFC) would like to inform the public about recent monumental achievements in the Namibia film industry.

The latest Namibian films have been performing very well.

Namibian films are not only screening at local exhibitions, but are filling cinemas and emerging as competition to international films in the local market. The NFC-commissioned feature film Hairareb, had an extremely successful debut and now is back by popular demand.

The NFC-supported short film Baxu and the Giants premiered at Grove Ster Kinekor on Thursday, 19 September to packed cinemas. The film has also won awards for Best Foreign Narrative Film at the San Fransisco Independent Short Film Festival this year.

The #LANDoftheBRAVE film is slated to premiere at Grove and Maerua Ster Kinekor on 10 and 11 October respectively and will run a full 10 days at 20:00 on weekdays and 17:00 during weekends. The film has a strong social media presence thus far.

Both feature films Hairareb and #LANDoftheBRAVE film were produced as part of the annual NFC film funding cycle.

The Namibia Film Week which ends tomorrow has also been very popular. This event was held in anticipation of our Namibian Theatre and Film Awards, where we recognise and honour Namibian film and theatre practitioners.

The awards take place on Saturday, 5 October at the National Theatre of Namibia.

“The NFC is delighted to see packed cinemas for Namibian films, we are proud to have been an intricate part in developing the local film industry and encourage Namibians to participate in this growing screen culture,” the commission said.

STAFF REPORTER

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Bringing fashion to the people

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Bringing fashion to the peopleExposing Namibian fashion to the world Say hello to Dennis Hendricks - the man behind Katutura Fashion Week (KFW).

Katutura could stand for a lot of important things, like diverse cultures or its rich historical heritage. However, model Dennis Hendricks, real name Hendrik Muashindange Muatara, could just have the most important job of them all on Katutura's fashion scene. A model by trade, founder of KFW and DH Exclusive Modelling Agency, and overall hard worker, let's meet a man who is conquering all things behind the scenes to help build our fashion and modelling industries.

The first-ever annual KFW commenced yesterday with an exhibition day, where different exhibitors are displaying and selling their garments at Katutura Youth Complex. The event will conclude tomorrow at the National Independence Memorial Museum Restaurant with the Fashion Week Award ceremony. “It has been a crazy journey leading up to the actual event. The KFW team have been working hard since the beginning of this year and now our vision is being realised,” said Hendricks.

On why he started KFW, Hendricks shared that this was his way of ploughing something back into the community, adding that with KFW he created a brand that embraces and represents all Namibians. “When you look at Namibia's fashion industry, it is not intact because certain individuals push the agenda of exclusivity; forgetting that if we want to build this industry we have to involve everybody and be as authentic as we can be.

“With KFW, Namibians get to understand that even if you are a self-taught designer and have not gone to university to study fashion you are not left out. You are still talented in your own right and that opportunities and platforms are created for everybody,” argued Hendricks.

He announced that the Namibian government through the ministry of foreign affairs has expressed its interest in supporting KFW, a gesture he does not take lightly. “They reached out to me and it felt like a dream because government hardly supports fashion entities, so this means a lot to the team. For government to get involved, it must have seen something significant,” he said.

Recounting his journey in the modelling world, the model said that he started doing modelling when he was still in high school. His first big gig was being featured in an international television advert for Reebok in the late 1990s. He emphasised that he got into the modelling arena to enhance the fashion industry in Namibia, help upgrade it and involve the black community. “I got into the industry during its darkest period in Namibia. The profession was shunned by many and it came with so many stereotypes.”

Having been in the industry for so many years, Hendricks attributes his longevity to passion, tenacity and having a vision. He noted that in this industry, companies and individuals would want to work with you, not only because you are amenable and easy to work with, but the secret is studying the market and knowing how to go about executing your ideas. “Often, models have the tendency of relying on their agents to do all the work on their behalf. I was not like that, I had to get involved with everything as much as I could and that is what got me far.

“I have done billboards, advertising, print and almost everything a model could dream of. In all that I have always kept myself humble,” said Hendricks.

His highlights include being in the Reebok television commercial, being the face of Kongoma Africa Dance 2018, and being the overall winner of the Best Male Model Face of Southern Africa Fashion Awards 2014-2016, to mention but just a few.

“I used to sacrifice my last money and take Intercape to go for castings in other countries. Little did I know I was building my portfolio, because I ended up getting calls from different countries and ended up on billboards.

“To get on a billboard is not an easy thing and I have probably been on eight billboards in my life,” he said.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

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Union gives NBC 14 days

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Union gives NBC 14 daysThieme says everything is above board Employees of the NBC have demanded answers from the corporation in 14 days but the board chair, Sven Thieme, says there is nothing to hide.

AUGETTO GRAIG

Workers at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation held a protest at the company’s head office in Windhoek on Tuesday.

They handed over a petition to the broadcaster’s head of human resources, Vezenga Kauraisa, in which they demanded answers to several allegations.

The employees, who are members of the Namibia Public Workers’ Union (Napwu), claimed that managers undertake unnecessary trips, spending “large amounts” on accommodation and subsistence and travel allowances.

They also complained about outsourcing of work that NBC employees are able to perform, which they described as “costly, unnecessary and questionable”.

Concerned about their job security, the workers say the corporation’s austerity measures have caused them “panic and stress”. They also complained about contract workers, some of whom have been on contract for more than seven years, “which is unlawful”.

Third-party payments such as medical aid, pensions and home loans were also addressed. “These payments are made according to the pay slips but not honoured as indicated and are hence considered as fraud.”

They demanded that the NBC honour its agreement with Napwu and reverse all austerity measures with immediate effect. Moreover, they demanded “transparency about the chief’s secret, separate payroll”.

They gave the NBC 14 days to respond.

Their dissatisfaction stems from a recent announcement by board chair Sven Thieme that the company was technically insolvent and its future was under direct threat.

The broadcaster needs N$100 million if it is to continue its operations.

However, its challenges do not end there. On Monday, the NBC halted the rebroadcasting of One Africa Television, which is now only available on the DStv and GOtv platforms, as well as on the internet.

One Africa had been piggy-backing on the NBC. Last week, the NBC notified One Africa that it would halt its rebroadcast.

Stefan Hugo, One Africa’s CEO, responded by asking what money would be saved by not broadcasting One Africa.

He also expressed concern about the decision’s impact on press freedom, the production of local television content and access to information.

Thieme spoke to Namibian Sun regarding the allegations made by the workers, saying: “There are bigger problems. Many companies outsource for reasons of effectiveness and skills.”

He added that there is no secrecy regarding salaries, “because I know they are far below par”.

Regarding the matter of unpaid third-party payments, Thieme said that was precisely why austerity measures were implemented.

“If you have to pay N$100 for food, N$50 for pension and N$50 for medical aid, but you only have N$100, what will you buy first? If there is no money there is no chance.

“This is why these measures are implemented. The mandate to inform the nation comes with costs and if government does not want to pay, it should change the NBC’s mandate,” he said.

Napwu demanded an independent investigation by information minister Stanley Simataa into alleged mismanagement of funds at the NBC.

The minister was not available for comment.

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‘This is why they call us baboons’

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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‘This is why they call us baboons’

NAMPA

The appointment of Namibians into advisory capacities or on boards of parastatals should not be an opportunity to give jobs to comrades but to field competent Namibians, ideally the youth.

These were the sentiments of Swanu president Tangeni Iijambo in the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday when he took a swipe at the re-appointment of the four members of the Land Reform Advisory Commission by lands minister Utoni Nujoma.

The four commissioners are Rachel Nathaniel-Koch, John Akwenye, Martina Mokgatle and Jeff Mbako.

They will be commissioners for the next three years.

However, it is how Iijambo vented his disappointment that caused a stir in the chamber.

“Al dra ‘n bobbejaan ‘n goue ring, hy bly net ‘n bobbejaan,” Iijambo said, an expression that did not sit well with his compatriots. It loosely translates to: “Even if a baboon wears a golden ring, it remains a baboon.”

Bobbejaan or baboon is regarded a derogatory term used by proponents of the apartheid regime.

According to Iijambo, the appointment of incompetent people into critical positions is what has earned Namibians, especially blacks to be referred to as ‘bobbejaan’ by the former colonialists.

“It is not my expression. It is an Afrikaans proverb,” he said, adding that the apartheid regime used the expression to say: “Give a black person something [in this case a farm] that is good, it will end up being destroyed.”

He said it is a long-held perception by those who sell land to the government.

Iijambo was asked to retract the expression, as other parliamentarians were of the view that it was not in line with the decorum of the August house.

“It’s very inappropriate in this house. Withdraw that,” a clearly agitated National Assembly Speaker, Peter Katjavivi said.

Deputy home affairs minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende was also unimpressed by Iijambo’s choice of words.

Iijambo responded that his expression was deliberately being blown out of context, however conceded to withdrawing the Afrikaans version of his statement after Katjavivi threatened to throw him out of the chamber, but stood firm on his view’s intended meaning.

Further, he claimed before farm owners sell their farms to the government, they deliberately damage the farms by pouring concrete into boreholes, destroying water points and poisoning trees and land to make it impossible for the new farmers, who are predominantly black Namibians, to progress.

For this, he was unapologetic, attributing it to the lack of oversight from the commission.

“On our part, we are so weak, or the people who we recycle as advisors to ministers and so on don’t have the expertise to go deeper to scrutinise what happened to the farms,” he said, noting that forensic audits ought to be conducted at farms bought for resettlement purposes before deserving Namibians are resettled.

All People’s Party (APP) leader Ignatius Shixwameni on the debate said: “Why do we have to repeat recycling the whole old wine by just putting it into a new bottle?”

Jan van Wyk of the United People’s Movement also said: “Are you saying that we don’t have younger people to take up these positions?”

Opposing the assertions was justice minister Sacky Shanghala, who supported Nujoma’s appointments.

“You people in the opposition just oppose everything. Even if Swapo supports the rain, you might as well oppose it,” Shanghala said.

The motion was shelved until Thursday.

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Jail doors slam for panga killer

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Jail doors slam for panga killer20 years' effective sentence for father's murder A man who hacked his father to death with a panga has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison, with the judge expressing concern about increasingly brutal domestic violence cases.

A High Court judge who sentenced a man for hacking his father to death with a panga said the premeditated and chilling crime was symptomatic of the high rate of violent crimes within families in Namibia.

Before sentencing Mukonka Ambrosius Haingura (27) to an effective 20-year prison term on Thursday, Oshakati High Court Judge Johanna Salionga said Haingura's coldblooded decision to use a pang to hack his sleeping father to death was a “serious, callous and heinous” crime.

She added that the prevalence of domestic murder cases in which a panga or knife is used has increased in Namibia, and has become prevalent not only in northern Namibia but the entire country.

“Prevalence of murder cases related to domestic relationships where a panga or a knife was used has increased,” the judge stated.

Salionga in August declared Haingura guilty of murder and a count of trying to defeat the course of justice. Haingura was arrested three years ago after he killed his father, Mukonga Simon Mangundu (49), at Ndama location in Rundu on 16 April 2016.

After he killed his father, Haingura wrapped the body in a cloth and buried it in a shallow grave to conceal the crime.

The judge said his actions constituted “an act against the morals of any society” and that his burying of the body “was uncaring and emotionless. It does not support an iota of remorse”.

The judge underlined that the panga killing was a premeditated act following a disagreement between the two and was not made in self-defence as claimed during the trial.

She said even if Haingura had felt threatened by his father based on previous assaults, “there can be no doubt that his action of resorting to using a panga and hacking the deceased several times was not warranted.”

She added that following their argument about money, Haingura “went outside and was thinking what to do with his abusive father. He went and picked up the panga and proceeded to the deceased's bedroom, and hacked him to death.”

She highlighted that Mangundu was resting “and was attacked in the comfort of his bedroom. He could not have expected to experience such a deadly attack from a son who was supposed to protect him.” Haingura's claim of self-defence was an attempt to “escape the consequences of your evil deed. You represent a serious danger to society and deserve to the removed for a long period.”

Salionga said “retribution is the only answer for what you have done, and your personal circumstances pale into insignificance compared to the barbarity of your actions.”

On Thursday, she handed down a 25-year sentence on the conviction of murder; of which five years were conditionally suspended for three years.

Moreover, he was given a one-year prison term on the second charge, to be served concurrently with the murder sentence.

Effectively, Haingura will serve 20 years in prison.

When she convicted Haingura in August, Salionga commented that the murder scene “told a tale of a monstrous, brutal, and savage [attack] on the deceased, as the face and the neck were totally disfigured.”

The State was represented by State Advocate Ruben Shileka and Haingura by legal aid lawyer Godfrey Bondai.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Money transfers a tedious exercise

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Money transfers a tedious exercise

Since Monday this week, cross-border electronic fund transfers (EFTs) are being more closely controlled and restricted.

Contrary to an earlier statement by the Bankers Association of Namibia (BAN), this change appears to have a greater impact on the public than originally expected.

Bank Windhoek customers have come to the realisation that they are not only expected to confirm, but provide significantly more information – including personal data – of payees resident in the Common Monetary Area (CMA). Some information must be re-entered on a case by case basis.

“On 23 September 2019 Bank Windhoek, in compliance with the implementation of the Common Monetary Area Payment System Oversight Committee directive, successfully adjusted the iBank services to meet international standards relating to anti-money laundering practices,” was the bank's response to an enquiry as to why the measures introduced were much stricter than what had been indicated in the BAN press release.

Remitters of payments are now obliged to specify the country, province, city, first and last name of recipient, gender, name of the recipient institution, reason for payment, residential address, and in the case of travel money, exact passport data.

Clients of Citibank, Capitec Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Bidvest Bank, South African Reserve Bank, Grobank, SASFIN Bank, Mercantile Bank, Tyme Bank and the South African Post Office can in future only be paid by SWIFT transaction.

This is not only more expensive but has recipients waiting for at least two days before they receive their money. This was confirmed by Karl-Stefan Altmann, Nedbank Namibia's executive for corporate and investment banking, who points out to customers that this is likely to also apply to normal EFTs.

First National Bank does not expect any serious problems.

FRANK STEFFEN

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1700 new teaching posts created

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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1700 new teaching posts created

STAFF REPORTER

More than 1 700 teacher vacancies will be advertised by the education ministry today in the new teacher vacancy bulletin for next year. The bulletin is included in today’s Namibian Sun.

In a statement released this week, education spokesperson Absalom Absalom said of the 1 746 posts that were approved, 35 are for principals, 121 for department heads and 1 590 for teachers.

“The posts have been identified as critical, hence the need to be filled in order for the teaching and learning process not to be compromised,” Absalom said in a statement.

He added that vacant posts for school principals and department heads that have already been advertised are not included in the new posts advertised.

Absalom underlined further that the “issue of overstaffing and understaffing, currently studying and employed teachers with a ministerial five-year contract have been considered and addressed before this submission”.

The teaching posts are currently occupied by temporary teachers whose contracts end in December this year, while heads of department and principal positions are occupied through acting posts.

The ministry further provided a comparison of the overall positions to be filled over a two-year period, which shows a decrease of 366 vacant positions.

A decrease in teaching vacant positions with 261, from the total of 1 851 for 2019 against the 1 590 for 2020.

A decrease in head of department vacant positions by 74, from 195 for 2019 to 121 for 2020.

Further, a decrease in principal vacant positions totalling 31, from 66 in 2019 to 35 for 2020.

The closing date for the teacher positions is 11 October, while the closing date for applications for the position of principal or head of department is 25 October.

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The devil is in the detail

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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The devil is in the detail

The news broke on Wednesday that a very large herd of elephants, 70 in total, gained access to the Musese green scheme and managed, within a few hours, to destroy 35 tonnes of wheat.

We repeat that: 35 tons of wheat. This, in a time, when rations are being handed out to starving Namibian families and food insecurity is estimated to be at almost 40%. Yes, it is a period of severe drought and elephants will enter, where they are able, to source what is green. They too, are hungry. However, those employed at Musese are now concerned for their jobs, and yes, you guessed it, their ability to feed their families. Moreover, Musese is well-known for having conflict with marauding elephants, so this was not new to those employed at the green scheme. What is remarkable is that a green scheme, lush with growing crops, in an area known for its elephants, was constructed and put into action without any elephant-proof fencing. What further compounds matters is that no environmental impact assessment was done prior to the establishment of the green scheme, and according to the environment ministry, had this been done, challenges with elephants would have been flagged. It is so typical of Namibia. We make lofty plans in boardrooms, and then, when those plans are executed, they are often without any depth or future planning. We are a nation with leaders who stick plasters on wounds that are festering, without cleaning them. We are a nation with leaders who react after the problem has arisen, even though we were most likely warned it was on its way. Let us look at the current water crisis. Where is the implementation of the master plan to connect all the dams from Naute to Von Bach? No money. Let us look at hepatitis E. Where is the decentralisation and provision of decent sanitation? No money. Air Namibia? TransNamib? Roads Contractor Company? No money. The devil is in the detail, people.

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Woman slips, sues for 800k

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Woman slips, sues for 800k

A woman is suing a Walvis Bay shop for N$800 000, alleging that she suffered serious injuries to her left hip and knee after slipping on a wet floor three years ago.

The company she is suing, Edgars Stores Namibia trading as Jet Stores Namibia, has strongly denied all the allegations, including that the woman had slipped or that the shop had a wet floor on the day in question in June 2016.

Martha Sabina Madisia (63) is suing the retailer for N$804 927.99 for damages based on her claim that staff acted negligently in June 2016 when she allegedly slipped on the wet shop floor and sustained “serious bodily injuries”.

Yesterday High Court Judge Hannelie Prinsloo postponed the case to 7 November and ordered the parties to engage in mediation to see if the case could be settled by that date.

Meanwhile, papers filed by the defendants accuse Madisia of having launched a “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit in order to “extort money” from the company.

Moreover, they stressed that Madisia never reported the incident to staff and further that the floor was not wet and Madisia never slipped.

Their papers state Madisia has “pre-existing injuries and medical conditions in respect of her knees, hips and joints that predated the alleged incident in any case. The plaintiff also had degenerative changes in respect of her hips, femur and acetabulum.”

Pricey slip

Madisia is asking the court to order the retailer to pay her N$500 000 for the pain, suffering and trauma she endured as a result of the fall and subsequent injuries. She informed the court that as a result of the fall she now “continues to suffer limited but permanent general disability”.

She is asking for a further N$4 927.99 for medical expenses incurred, and N$300 000 for future medical expenses, in addition to the costs of the suit.

Edgars in turn argues that even if she had fallen on the floor, asking the company to pay more than N$800 000 to cover alleged medical expenses of N$4 927.99 was merely an attempt to wrest money from the retailer.

Madisia accuses the Jet Stores staff of having failed to take reasonable steps to ensure public safety. Furthermore, they failed to “warn the public of the danger of the wet floor” and “failed to ensure the floor was free of water or slippery fluids”.

The defendant dismissed these allegations “with the contempt it deserves” and demanded that Madisia provide proof. The company further noted that the shop has a standard policy to safeguard the public on its premises, which includes regular floor inspections and instructions that staff remain at the spot when they notice any wetness, until the area is secured and cleaned. Moreover, luminous warning signs are placed at areas where the floor is wet.

Madisia is represented by Rachel Mondo of Nixon Marcus Public Law Office, while Samuel Philander of LorentzAngula Inc. has stepped in for the retailer.

Brief

Although Namibian Sun was unable to conclusively establish a definite link, there was a similar lawsuit in 2014. In that case, one 'Martha Sabina Madisia' lost a N$3 million civil claim against a doctor she had accused of botching a foot operation. The lawsuit was dismissed after the court found that the plaintiff, Madisia, had failed to prove her allegations that the doctor had acted negligently.

In that case, Madisia, who Namibian Sun could not confirm was the same person that has brought the current case, claimed that she continued to suffer pain after the alleged botched operation, including “claw toes”.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Villagers expose healthcare woes

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Villagers expose healthcare woesAmbulance 130 km away, mobile clinic open twice a week Mururani villagers say they can no longer tolerate government's poor service delivery.

Residents of Mururani village in Kavango West are relying on a mobile health clinic that only opens twice a week, while an ambulance that is supposed to assist the community is stationed 130 kilometres away in Rundu.

Villagers revealed this to Namibian Sun recently, while expressing their utmost disappointment with the lack of basic services they receive.

They said they have been living in Mururani for many years, but access to health services remain a challenge. Prior to the construction of the mobile clinic in 2017, the villagers had to travel about 30 kilometres to the Katjinakatji or Mpora clinics for health services.

For complex medical issues, villagers still have to travel about 130 kilometres to either Rundu or Grootfontein health facilities, while spending hundreds of dollars for transport.

Those who stay at the Mangetti settlement have to travel about 100 kilometres for treatment at the Katjinakatji clinic.

If Mangetti residents visit the Rundu state hospital or Grootfontein health facility, they endure 200 kilometres of travelling and the associated costs.

Mururani villagers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they can no longer tolerate government's poor service delivery and need a fully-fledged clinic at Mururani. The villagers argued it is very disappointing for government to construct a school and hostel, while there is no proper healthcare facility in place. They were referring to the Mururani Combined School and the community hostel.

“We spend hundreds of dollars to access health services.”

“That money is not spent on medication, but on transport to get to clinics and faraway hospitals,” one villager said.

“Imagine spending more than N$200 to go to Rundu or Grootfontein to access proper healthcare.

The clinics in the villagers only work from Monday to Friday, meaning that if you fall sick over the weekend, you should either choose to wait for Monday, which worsens your situation, or you hitchhike to Rundu or Grootfontein. Is that fair 29 years after Namibia gained independence?”

The villagers also complained about the ambulance issue.

“This thing of an ambulance does not only affect us, but all citizens of this country. Just imagine if you get involved in a car accident here at Mururani. Should you really wait for an ambulance coming from Rundu, which is 130 kilometres away? That is the sad reality which needs to be addressed,” the villagers said. Mankupi constituency councillor Lucas Muha confirmed the health service challenges. Muha explained that government only started distinguishing between Mururani and Katjinakatji, in terms of development, in 2017.

“The people of Mururani have been suffering all along until in 2017. We pushed the ministry of health to at least to consider Mururani as separate village from Katjinakatji, where there is a clinic that is about 30 kilometres from Mururani. We have been pushing for that agenda, and at least in response, they brought us that mobile clinic,” Muha said.

He said they do not want the mobile clinic to operate only two days a week. “The situation there is that it (the clinic) only opens twice a week, which I am not happy with, because you cannot say people should only be sick on Monday and then be sick again on Friday,” Muha argued. “Expecting mothers should now only be troubled by their pregnancies on Monday, when the nurse is there, which is not what we want.”

Muha said they proposed to the health ministry that the Mururani mobile clinic be treated differently from other mobile clinics, because the number of people relying on its services and the location.

Muha said deputy health minister Juliet Kavetuna had visited Mururani and saw the challenges.

He also said former health minister Bernard Haufiku had promised to take up the issue of the ambulance. At the time the plan was for an ambulance to be stationed at Mpora. However, the challenge was the recruitment of a driver, with the advice being that he or she should be from the area, to avoid accommodation issues.

During a visit to Rundu this week, health executive director Ben Nangombe told Namibian Sun the ministry is well-aware of the issues at Mururani and that they will be addressed in due course.

Nangombe said a driver will be recruited to operate an ambulance that will be stationed at Mpora clinic. “We are well-aware of the challenges the people are faced with and that is why the ministry is busy with the recruitment of staff, which will address all these issues,” Nangombe added.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Clear vision for all

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Clear vision for allSanlam sponsors eye care project Children at three schools in Outapi will receive free eye tests and spectacles thanks to a sponsorship by Sanlam.

Michelline Nawatises

Sanlam, together with its project partner Shaetonhodi Optometrist, recently launched the third edition of a programme known as the Sanlam Vision for Change Project.

Under the project, which is in its third year of operation, a team of optometrists visits selected schools to conduct eye screening tests. Those children who are found to need glasses receive them free of charge.

The project was launched at the Sanlam offices in Outapi and will target three schools at the town. The schools to benefit from the project this year are John Pandeni Junior Secondary School, David Sheehama Senior Secondary School and Errki Tauya Junior Secondary School.

Speaking at the media launch, Sanlam agency manager Roberta da Costa said she sees projects of this nature as an investment in the leaders of tomorrow.

“Sanlam is guaranteeing a bright future and a level playing field for the learners who are to benefit from it,” she said.

Da Costa thanked Shaetonhodi Optometrist for joining the project to help the insurance company to give back to the community.

Optometrist Linna Shaetonhodi stressed the importance of eye screenings. Shaetonhodi said many learners are not even aware of their eye problems and those that are aware of them are often limited because of a lack of resources.

She added that the government has done its part to ensure the children are educated, but it is up to different stakeholders to make contributions through projects like this which assist the government in its quest to educate Namibian children.

Shaetonhodi thanked Sanlam for considering her practice to be a part of this important project and reiterated her commitment to ensuring the project is a success.

Previously the Sanlam Vision for Change project was conducted in Windhoek at Hage Geingob High School, Windhoek High School and Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary School in 2017. Last year the project was conducted in the coast at Swakopmund Secondary School, Coastal High School, Kuisebmond Secondary School and Duinesig Combined School. To date, over 2 000 learners have had their eyes tested through this project and over 700 learners have received glasses.

Currently, the team is conducting tests at John Pandeni Junior Secondary School in Outapi. Magdalena Nusiku Jacob is a grade six learner there who has defective vision. Before this project, Magdalena had to sit on the floor closest to the chalkboard to take notes. During examinations, the school allocated Madgalena additional time. Now she will be provided with glasses, which will allow her to develop to her full potential.

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Pitcher perfect

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Pitcher perfect Raise a glass to Namibian culture The Windhoek Oktoberfest continues to celebrate cultural diversity, as it has done for the past 61 years.

Justicia Shipena

This year’s edition of the annual Oktoberfest was launched at the headquarters of one of its founding sponsors, Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), on Wednesday night.

The Windhoek Oktoberfest has grown to become one of the most appreciated cultural festivals in Namibia.

Having developed from a typical German beer fest to one of the country’s most culturally diverse events, this year marks the 61th consecutive year that the Windhoek Oktoberfest is taking place.

Last year’s jubilee attracted 6 670 festivalgoers, and this year the organisers are preparing for an even larger turnout at the Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) on 25 and 26 October.

On 26 October, the fest will offer a mix of traditional games for all ages and traditional Bavarian cuisine. Music will be provided by the original Oktoberfest band from Munich, the Kirchdoker band, and the Jaegermeister band.

The Schuhplattler, a traditional style of folk dance popular in the German regions of Bavaria and Tyrol, will also form part of the entertainment programme.

And, of course, a specially brewed Festbier will be on tap to delight beer lovers.

According to project leader Danie Keulder a cashless payment system will be facilitated by Howler, a service provider with an outstanding track record in Namibia, including the annual Jazz Festival and Hop Heads Festival.

Nico Gericke, Windhoek Oktoberfest member, says this year’s Oktoberfest will also offer more food choices. The beer bar has been extended by 10 metres, while two additional bars will offer beer and spirits. To ensure that nobody will go thirsty, there will be an additional beer trailer.

Pupkewitz BMW dealer principal Armand Barnard says the company will ensure that people are chauffeured safely home whilst enjoying the hospitality of NBL at Oktoberfest.

Tickets to the Windhoek Oktoberfest are available at all Pick & Pay outlets countrywide, as well as online through Webtickets, at a cost of N$140.

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Empowering young leaders

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Empowering young leadersErongo Marine Enterprises grants golden opportunity The Young Professionals Leadership Development Conference took place in Windhoek earlier this month.

Francois van der Merwe

As part of its ongoing mission to empower, equip and transform, Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME) sponsored ten young leaders, including five students from Namibia’s leading universities, to participate in the Young Professionals Leadership Development Conference that took place in Windhoek earlier this month.

Four of the sponsored youth are interns at the company.

The aim of the two-day conference was to encourage and inspire young professionals, and help them find inspiration and gain knowledge from established leaders and from each other. This is according to event coordinator Samuel Mocumi from Benguela Training Consultants.

“We wanted to challenge each and every attending young professional to be a change agent and understand how success in leadership is underpinned by determination and emotional resilience; and make it clear that limits only exist in their minds,” Mocumi explained.

The conference included presentations by six local industry experts and one motivational speaker from South Africa, Stef du Plessis, who is a thought-leader on employee and workplace culture.

“If you are a young leader, you have energy. You bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the table. You have a lot of potential.

At Erongo Marine Enterprises we want to make sure that we nurture young leadership potential and saw this as a golden opportunity to afford these ten individuals the opportunity to take part in such a great event,” said Dr Martha Uumati, managing director of EME.

She added this is testimony to the company’s commitment to convert its fishing rights into broad-based social upliftment, coordinated through its social development trust, the Arechanab Community Trust.

The participants sponsored by Erongo Marine Enterprises included Christine van Wyk (Nust SRC member), Kudzai Sibanda (Unam SRC president), Epaphras Angolo (IUM SRC president), Marvellous Shilongo (former Nust SRC president) and Simon Petrus, a student at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre, whose studies is also sponsored by the company.

The Erongo Marine interns included Orlanda Kambindangolo, Tareree Kaura, Tonateni Shaketange and Joram Shifa.

Six of the ten sponsored participants were females.

“I wish to thank Erongo Marine Enterprises for affording me the meaningful experience and contributing towards my development as an individual, both on a personal and corporate level. The conference was very informative and had a major impact on my perceptions and creating a positive workspace for myself and my colleagues all around,” said Van Wyk.

Shaketange offered the following advice, which she took from the conference: “We are not separated by our differences, but by our ignorance. If you want to be a transformational leader, you have to learn.

“As a leader your behaviour and attitude influences multitudes. It is our behaviour in the workplace that creates unwritten ground rules, which are people’s perceptions that this is how we do things around here. As a leader, learn to influence others in a way that it will change their lives in a positive way.”

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Investing in employees’ future

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Investing in employees’ future

FirstRand Namibia supports education with bursaries

FirstRand Namibia Assistance Trust has reduced the tertiary financial burden for 38 of its employees by awarding bursaries allowing them to further their studies.

The FirstRand Namibia Staff Assistance Trust recently announced that 38 applicants for the 2019 bursary programme were successful and the trustees approved their tuition for the 2019 academic year.

The bank uses annual dividends to assist previously disadvantaged non-managerial staff with their educational and medical needs.

The bursary is limited to a maximum amount of N$40 000 per student. All students are further entitled to an amount of N$10 000 for books and related study material.

“We are delighted with our choice of FNB employees who will further their studies,” says Nelago Ashipala, the group company secretary.

“Our employees are looking forward to pursuing a variety of diplomas and degrees ranging from business administration to business management, industrial psychology, human resources, law, marketing management, banking, credit and finance and accounting. We are proud of our recipients and wish them well with their studies.”

Applicants must be enrolled at a recognised NQF tertiary institution. Application is limited to undergraduate studies. The bursary is awarded primarily based on academic ability and the financial needs of the applicants. The Trust can consider any other relevant factors in making the final decision in granting the award.

Employees of FNB have expressed their gratitude to the bank for the financial assistance they have received. Andy Gaoseb, an external lifestyle consultant who is currently a second-year student at Unam in the field of accounting and auditing, said the bursary was the reason he could start his tertiary education. “I am very grateful and this would not have been possible without it.”

Tjimbi Kaeka, a financial crime risk analyst, said the bursary would enable him to cover the costs of his studies. “The funding from FNB couldn’t have come at a better time. The bursary has come as great help for me to stay away from worries of my education expense and focus on my studies.”

The FNB Staff Assistance Trust was established in 2008 with the aim of assisting previously disadvantaged non-managerial employees within the FirstRand Namibia Ltd Group and its subsidiary companies.

Regulatory risk analyst Barry-John Beukes felt privileged to be a recipient of an FNB bursary. “I am honoured to be a recipient of the bursary offered by the FirstRand Staff Assistance Trust. Since being named one of the recipients of the bursary, my dream is becoming a reality. The bursary reduced my financial burden, which allowed me to focus on my studies and not to worry about how I am going to pay for school.”

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A solution for every problem

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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A solution for every problemOnce you go Green, you never go back Green Enterprise Solutions plans on being the leading provider of ICT solutions in Africa.

Green Enterprise Solutions, also known as Green, was founded in 2010.

It is a Namibian company that provides information and communication technology (ICT) services to corporates in Namibia.

Green is owned and managed by previously disadvantaged Namibians.

The company’s vision is guided by the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) and Vision 2030.

Being the lead provider of innovative ICT solution throughout Africa is a vision they have made their own.

Green has grown considerably since its inception in 2010 and now has footprints across all regions in Namibia.

The company has grown from a simple infrastructure department to a start-to-finish ICT provider of technological solutions to various industries in Namibia.

Their experience in the ICT industry has facilitated the formation of relationships and allowed them to partner with some of the best businesses and brands in the industry. These partnerships enable them to offer clients the best service and most suitable solutions for their needs.

The four pillars upon which Green’s success is built includes, innovation, creativity, teamwork and good corporate citizenship.

With their rapid expansion during the founding phase, the brand has significant influence in the Namibian market. As part of Green’s expansion, a Swakopmund branch was established in June 2015. During this time, Green also started servicing Swakop Uranium, a business relationship that continues today.

Launching with a sole focus on infrastructure, rapid growth within the company soon saw the development of a software team one year later.

Green has since started looking at other ventures within the Erongo Region and has expanded its national footprint to service multiple regions across the country.

Committed to building future leaders in ICT, they have started their work integrated learning (WIL) programme. This offers a wide range of opportunities for students to gain practical insights in the technical and administrative field of ICT.

The duration of Green internships are between three to six months, but may be extended based on the internship guide and requirements, as well as the performance of the interns.

Green’s long-term objective is to sustain a Namibian business that makes a positive contribution to all its stakeholders. The plan is to accomplish this through their activities and programmes. Green also offers support to local, regional and national development projects.

Security has become increasingly important, with the increased number of cyber-attacks and malicious hackers online. A business is the culmination of countless hours of work and effort and the last thing anyone wants is to fall victim to cybercrime.

Green’s wide range of solutions can provide an effective gatekeeping mechanism to keep hackers out and secure all private information within the safe confines of your company’s networks.

Green looks into every detail, to provide the most suitable solution for your business. Boasting personalised services to suit specific business objectives and highly specialised staff, who are always on standby, this is accompanied by their 24/7 call centre and helpdesk.

Through project management and consulting services, Green aims to define tangible steps to achieve their clients’ business goals.

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Investing in employees’ future

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Investing in employees’ future

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The full package

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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The full package Chrysander finds his niche at King Price He is a family man, rugby guru and a firm believer that clients are king.

Evany van Wyk

Born and raised in Walvis Bay, former national rugby star Chrysander Botha now calls Windhoek home.

It’s also where he is actively working towards making sure King Price Insurance takes over the insurance industry in Namibia.

In his position as a claims validator, he is responsible for checking information disclosed by clients in terms of their claims, in order to make sure it is true and complete.

After high school, Botha did a two-year short course in financial management at Boland Collage in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Later, he enrolled and completed a three-year diploma in transportation and logistics at the University of Johannesburg.

With nothing less than a huge smile on his face, Botha shares with Careers that he married his childhood sweetheart.

“We are also blessed with two beautiful sons and of course a family dog,” said Botha.

Botha is also working on obtaining his level 3 certificate in rugby coaching.

“One of my biggest accomplishments was to represent my country at the age of 20,” said Botha, who played for the Welwitschias from 2008 to 2019.

Ten successful years later, he has celebrated playing 50 games for the country, while breaking the national try-scoring record. His glory days on the field might be over, but Botha says he will continue to be involved in the sport he loves.

Botha has shown he has a clear vision for and absolute dedication towards his job. His mission is to be the best at what he does, but at the same time also offer a service to clients that will put a smile on their faces.

“With King Price, the client is king,” he said. Not only does he work hard, he believes in working smart.

“I always try to implement new ideas in the way I work and this has worked out quite well so far,” Botha said.

A surprising fact Botha shared is that he initially wanted to become a navy seal. He feels they have the best jobs in the world. Admittedly his current job is completely different from what he wanted to become, but he believes that destiny definitely played a part.

“In 2018, I came in for an interview, was hired that same day, and boom, now I’m part of the King Price family,” explained Botha.

His advice is for people to live to learn, because information is vital in the corporate world.

“Go out there, meet people, talk to them and find out what they do and how they do it, because the more you know, the better. You can never know too much,” Botha advised.

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Nam-mic appoints new CFO

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Nam-mic appoints new CFO

Nam-mic Financial Services Holdings has appointed Judy Dentlinger-Mouton as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective 9 September.

Dentlinger-Mouton brings a wealth of experience spanning 16 years in the financial services industry.

Prior to joining Nam-mic, she was employed at the Lexus Group, a diversified financial services company, where she was responsible for process mapping, the project management of system implementations, finance and risk and compliance management tasks.

Before that, she was the group financial manager at a local bank.

In her new role, Dentlinger-Mouton will be responsible for the overall leadership of her department, financial management, accounting, compliance, risk management and the board reporting of Nam-mic Financial Services Holdings and its subsidiaries.

“I am a firm individual who strives for excellence in everything I do. I value accountability for actions and I am a keen organisational leadership student. I am looking forward to this exciting challenge,” Dentlinger-Mouton said.

She holds a master’s degree in business administration, obtained from the University of Stellenbosch, as well as a bachelor of commerce honours and a bachelor of accounting degree attained from the University of South Africa and the University of Namibia, respectively.

Walter Don, the CEO of Nam-mic, said they are happy to welcome their new CFO.

“We are pleased to welcome Dentlinger-Mouton. Her financial management experience and key skills, which are financial reporting and analysis, and include her critical thinking abilities and experiences, will add value to Nam-mic Financial Services Holdings’ business objectives in both the short and long term. We wish her the best.”

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Years of dedicated service

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Years of dedicated service Go-getter Cynthy Kaliinasho Haihambo has been part of the Unam family for 23 years

Michelline Nawatises

Cynthy Kaliinasho Haihambo was born in Windhoek in the 1960s and had the privilege of living in pre- and post-colonial Namibia. She grew up in Katutura, surrounded by a diverse and rich community.

After completing secondary education a teacher training course was the most obvious choice, although she really wanted to study journalism. As a political activist of the ’70s and 80’s, Haihambo enjoyed the adrenaline rush of journalists running and protecting their cameras more than their own lives when conflict erupted.

But there were no scholarships available for journalism courses and the South African universities were often closed due to student unrest. Given these circumstances, Haihambo’s mother did not approve of this career.

Her second choice became the next available option. One January day, she walked to the Khomasdal College of Education to make enquiries and later that same day she received a call saying that she had passed the entrance interview and could start college the next day.

She completed a Diploma in Education and Higher Education Diploma in 1989, which heralded her entry into the education sector as teacher at Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School.

Haihambo completed a Bachelor of Education (Honours) through the University of Namibia in 1994.

This landed her an appointment as staff development fellow and she was then selected for a scholarship to study towards a Master in Special Needs Education at the University of Oslo, which she obtained in 1996 after joining the then Department of Special Education at the University of Namibia on 1 August 1996.

In 2010, she attained a Doctor of Education (Inclusive Education) degree from the University of South Africa. Her other qualifications include an Honours Certificate in Teaching in the Era of HIV from the University of the Western Cape (2007), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Studies from the University of Cape Town.

The go-getter has been with the Unam family for 23 years She is now a senior lecturer, researcher and head of department in the Faculty of Education. Her work involves teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of educational psychology and inclusive education. She also conducts research and does community work.

“It has been a great journey of growth and development as Unam provides a space in which every employee can decide for themselves how far and how fast they want to go,” she says.

She adds that the institution also provides faculty members various opportunities for professional and personal development.

As department head she ensures the smooth running of her department and faculty, and she serves on various committees at Unam, in the country and internationally.

One of the achievements she is proud of is the establishment of the Unam Disability Unit, which has not only raised awareness about the rights of students and staff with disabilities and special needs, but has also restored the dignity of many who were rejected or discriminated against just because they are different.

“In no way do we regard this task as complete. We have a lot to learn and to do, but with the support of many stakeholders, the journey we started gathers momentum every year,” she says.

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Gregarious Kotze

September 26, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Gregarious KotzeEager to pursue his farming dream One of Wessel Kotze’s dreams is to manage a big international event in Namibia.

Michelline Nawatises

Wessel Kotze was born in the small but beautiful town of Aranos.

He attended Aranos Primary School and completed his schooling career at Mariental High School.

After high school, Kotze studied part-time through Technikon South Africa (SA) and did various short courses over the years, such as the Sanlam USB-ED Executive Development Management Programme.

Kotze has been part of the successful Sanlam family for 24 years and four months.

“When I first joined the company 24 years ago, I started at entry-level and I have since grown with the company,” he says.

He explains that he has seen the company grow through many changes and has always felt happy.

He mentions that completing more than two decades with Sanlam is definitely something he is proud of.

“I am grateful to all my managers and colleagues in Sanlam, who have contributed towards my journey to grow professionally. This would not have been possible without everyone’s support,” he says.

Kotze looks forward to coming to work every day.

“I enjoy my work very much. I also like the fact that I get to contribute towards the future growth of the company and the overall brand.”

Kotze is responsible for retail support at Sanlam.

He is responsible for a comprehensive range of appropriate, competitive financial solutions to intermediaries that include formal training, coaching, ease-of-doing business, training the trainer, lead management, sales tools’ support and event planning, which will ultimately lead to growth in performance.

His biggest achievement so far is the rollout of a financial needs analysis programme that has been used by all intermediaries to support their clients with peace-of-mind financial solutions. “I am also very proud of driving the Sanlam Cancer Golf Challenge for more than 10 years,” he says.

This project has generated funds for the fight against cancer through the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).

What he loves about his job is the fact that he can interact with people from a variety of backgrounds. This allows him to build relationships through training, sales events and conferences with strategic roleplayers that contribute to the success of the company.

“I am a people’s person and this is an aid to my personality too,” he says.

Kotze has quite a long bucket list, but the two main things that stand out for him is his wish to manage a big international event in Namibia.

Aside from his job, he is passionate about sport and rugby in particular. “In 2015 I was the manager for the Rugby World Cup for Namibia. This was a big deal for me and one that I will remember for a very long time,” he said. In the near future, he wants to pursue his dream of becoming a farmer.

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