Taxi demo set to continue

September 19, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Taxi demo set to continue The taxi industry will today embark on a demonstration that is intended to lead to a nationwide strike.
According to the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) president, Werner Januarie, the taxi drivers will embark on demonstrations immediately, followed by a national strike if the relevant authorities are not forthcoming with feedback on issues raised by the taxi drivers.
Januarie yesterday told Namibian Sun that the demonstration will start at Donkerhoek, Katutura, and proceed to the head office of the Ministry of Works and Transport where a petition will be handed over.
He said they expect immediate feedback from the ministry on issues raised in the petition.
The chief spokesperson for the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, told Namibian Sun that an agreement was reached between the union and the police that they may march on the agreed route but that only 20 vehicles may participate in the action.
Some of the issues raised by the union are that it wants taxi and bus drivers to be recognised as employees in order to start engaging employers in the industry.
They also want social protection, the introduction of basic salaries in the industry and a pay increase, which the union says would be a good start in attaining a sustainable standard of living.
Furthermore the union said the behaviour of police officers towards taxi drivers needs to change drastically, as their current attitude is “undesirable”.
The protection of taxi drivers’ rights as workers must also be addressed, it said.
Another concern is foreigners driving taxis, which the union claims is a contravention of several laws.
It threatened that if foreign drivers are found working during the strike they might “regret the decision”.
Januarie condemned the restriction on the number of taxis that may take part in the demonstration.
“We feel that we are being threatened and that the police are taking advantage of us because we are in a weak financial position and therefore they are putting unnecessary conditions on us,” he said.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Teachers draw battle lines

September 19, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Teachers draw battle linesPublic-school teachers across the country have voted unanimously for strike action after the government rejected a demand to hike their salaries by 8%. Nantu says educators have no confidence in education minister The Namibia National Teachers’ Union yesterday blasted Education Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa for comparing their pay scales to those in Botswana and South Africa.
The Nantu leadership said it has no confidence in the minister, who according to them, failed to play a liaison role between the government and the union. The pronouncement came just a few days after teachers unanimously voted in favour of strike action.
“Nantu is of the opinion that the minister was supposed to play a liaison role between the union and government in an attempt to reach consensus on the matter. However, she opted to become a spokesperson of the government threatening teachers,” Nantu president Simeon Kavila told journalists yesterday.
“Against this background, the Nantu leadership would like to state that the teachers of this country have no confidence in the honourable minister of education, arts and culture.
“Her actions do not guarantee future working relationship with the teachers and the Nantu leadership in particular.”
Nantu further claimed that it had never met with the minister since the government rejecting their demand for an 8% salary hike.
The government offered 5%, citing other priorities such as the nationwide drought emergency.
Hanse-Himarwa could not be reached for comment yesterday.
About 95% of teachers in the public service voted to strike, while fewer than 5% voted against strike action.
Of the 20 473 votes cast, 19 473 were in favour of a strike, with just under 1 000 voting against the strike. There were 42 spoiled ballots.
The looming strike will halt learning at state schools and the government has warned the teachers that the ‘no work, no pay’ policy would apply if they stay away from work.
The Nantu leadership added that teachers have always been patriotic and have the interest of the Namibian child at heart. They accused the government and the minister of education of not caring for Namibian learners.
They added that the same politicians had increased their own utility allowances by more than 100%, and their salaries by 6%.
“The statement that politicians did not get an increase over the past years in not accurate,” Kavila added.
“To our beloved parents and learners, we understand your concerns about upcoming examinations. We are also concerned about it, but we would like the government to meet our demand.
“We are willing to work after our demands are met. We have always remained patriotic and hard working.”
Teachers are expected to decide tomorrow on the rules of the strike, after which they will inform the labour commissioner and other stakeholders of their next step.
If the government does not engage them in the interim, Nantu says the strike will go ahead as planned and as long as necessary until their demands are met.

KEITH VRIES

Let''s welcome our stars - Haseb

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Let''s welcome our stars - HasebNamibia’s Paralympic athletes will arrive back in the country tonight and fans are urged to turn up in large numbers at the airport. Paralympic athletes due to touch down tonight The Namibia Sports Commission’s (NSC) acting chief administrator, Walter Haseb, has called on the public to gather at the airport to welcome home the Paralympic team.
The athletes and the rest of the delegation are expected to land at Hosea Kutako International Airport at 21:30 today.
Haseb said the team’s return is historic for Namibia, since they are bringing home five medals.
“I am calling on the nation to go out and gather at the airport and welcome back our stars,” he said.
At the time of going to press, the NSC was still negotiating free transport for fans to the airport.
If the discussions are successful, details of the transport arrangements will be communicated during the day.
Haseb said those who are unable to make it to the airport will have a chance to meet the athletes in Windhoek on Thursday.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Alfred Ilukena, will officially welcome the team at the airport tonight.
The programme will continue at 09:00 on Thursday with a parade from the Snyman Circle down Independence Avenue to the UN Plaza in Katutura.
Thursday’s event will be graced by the deputy sport minister, Agnes Tjongarero, while the NSC chairperson will also address the team.
The Ministry of Disability Affairs, NamPower, the head of the Paralympic Games delegation and medallists Ananias Shikongo and Johannes Nambala will also speak at the event.
Namibia ended eighth out of more than 40 African countries that participated in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Namibia won five medals, beating the country’s previous record of three medals.
Johannes Nambala and Ananias Shikongo collectively won five medals.
Nambala won two silvers in the men’s T13 100m and 400m, while Shikongo won gold and two bronze medals in the men’s T11 100m, 200m and 400m.
In the overall world rankings, Team Namibia finished 53rd in the team standings but 47th in the medal standings from the 159 countries that participated.
Nine athletes represented Namibia at this year’s Games in athletics, swimming and powerlifting.

KAINO NGHITONGO

Black Mamba poised to strike

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Black Mamba poised to strike Namibian light heavyweight boxer Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo will be looking to shake up the boxing world when he steps into the ring with Britain’s Callum Johnson at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.
The two will fight for the vacant Commonwealth light heavyweight title.
Johnson is unbeaten after 15 fights, having won 10 of those bouts by stoppages for a 67% knockout rate.
Shihepo, though, is vastly more experienced, having fought 31 times with 23 wins and eight losses.
The Namibian has won 17 fights by knockout for a 55% knockout rate.
Despite having lost eight pro fights, Shihepo is regarded as one of Namibia’s fiercest competitors.
He has fought some of boxing’s most highly rated fighters, including Germany’s Arthur Abraham and South Africa’s Johnny Muller.
As proof of his tenacity, Shihepo has never lost a fight by knockout.
Looking at the type of opponents Johnson has faced previously, the Namibian might be in another class altogether.
The last fighter the British boxer faced was Hungarian Norbert Szekeres, who has the unenviable record of 52 losses from 73 fights, accompanied by three draws.
Another of his opponents, Tzvetozar Iliev from Bulgaria, has 15 losses from 20 fights while Polish foe Bartlomiej Grafka has 22 losses from 44 fights.
But having won gold as an amateur boxer at the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010, Johnson is regarded as a possible world title contender.
He recently told Sky Sports that he expects an easy win on Saturday.
"I feel very confident ahead of this fight. I''m excited for this test and it''s one I''ll come through with flying colours.”

HECTOR MAWONGA

King and Queen of the Beach crowned

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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King and Queen of the Beach crowned

The fourth Timeout Beach Series event took place last Saturday at the DTS Beach Arena, Windhoek.
The Red Bull Interpack was the third time a competition was held at the DTS Beach Arena this year, after the huge success of the Vita Juice Mixed Grand Slam in April and Word Press Namibia Winter Classic in June 2016.
The format for the King and Queen tournament is to enter as an individual athlete and play with several partners to find the best all-round beach volleyball athlete.
The tournament had five categories, four for the two-a-side beach volleyball: men, women, legend men and legend women; and the ever-popular mixed social four-a-side.
The 45 athletes and seven teams weren’t just playing for becoming the Red Bull Interpack King and Queen champions, they were also fighting for prizes totalling N$6 000, sponsored by Red Bull Interpack.
In the four-a-side category, seven teams battled it out in a round-robin format to try and reach the finals.
At the end of the pool stages, the top four teams crossed over for the semi-final with Dunes, Spikoholics, Phoenix Y and Phoenix O all comfortable coming through their pool games with at least four wins each.
The Timeout Beach Volleyball Series 2016 makes its last stop of the year at the Mole Beach, Swakopmund for the FabuPharm Swakop Masters on 22 and 23 October.

Results:
Men
1. Jan-Erick Sack
2. Andriko von Ludwiger
3. Panashe Chiguta
Women
1. Simone von Wietersheim
2. Kristin Schulz
3. Steff Palmhert

Legend Men
1. Deon Heinrich Cloete
2. John Beukes
3. Ruben Delie

Legend Women
1. Selma Nahambo
2. Karin Curschmann
3. Kirsten Schreiber

Social Mixed four-a-side
1. Dunes
2. Spikoholics
3. Phoenix Y

Fistball league ready for playoffs

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Fistball league ready for playoffs

The playoffs and finals of the Bank Windhoek Fistball League will take place on Saturday at the DTS grounds in Windhoek.
The first match starts at 08:30.
SKW 1 will face Cohen Fistball Club (CFC) 2 in the semi-final of the National A League.
The defending champions will be the definite favourites to win this match as their counterparts only managed to win three sets against them the entire season.
Cohen 2 will have to be in top form to beat their opponents. Cohen 2 managed to be log leaders after the fourth round.
SKW 1, with all their experience, however, defeated them in the final last year.
This year CFC 1 want to end their 21 years of title drought.
The final is set for 16:15.
It is expected that in the National B League the outcome will be more interesting.
In the first match the fourth-placed DTS will play the fifth-placed CFC 4. The winners will face the losers of the semi-final.
In the semi-final the fistball players from the coast will challenge the record-holder, CFC 3.
SFC played brilliantly this season with the likes of Nikolai Hof and Christian Knobloch and they are set to qualify for the final.
It will be difficult for CFC 3 this time around as they play against a much younger and more agile team.
In the final, SKW 1 are ready for their as-yet-undecided opponents.
Not only do they have a strong attack with father and son Baas, but also a solid defence.
Even so, they will have to bring their A-game to seal the deal against the team that will win the semi-finals.

Sevens fun heads to Swakop

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Sevens fun heads to SwakopThis year’s Safland Rugby Sevens tournament will be hosted in the coastal town of Swakopmund in November. Safland tournament to be held at the coast Swakopmund will host the premier Rugby Sevens Tournament on 12 and 13 November.
The organisers say the tournament, which is known as the Safland Sevens, will be the second annual tournament in Namibia and will see international teams such as South Africa’s famed Blitzbokke battling it out with the Namibia Sevens Rugby team.
Other invited teams include Uganda, Poland, Germany, Italy, the United States, Argentina, Germany, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Most of them have yet to confirm their participation.
Last year’s tournament was held in Windhoek. A South African All-Stars Team and Living Legends Team are also expected to showcase their skills.
Willem Strauss, the promoter of the tournament, says there will be three sections in the tournament.
“We will have the international section and the club section, which will see between six and eight local teams taking part with two teams coming from South Africa.
“In the schools’ section, we will have various age groups namely under-13, under-15 and under-17 teams battling it out for top honours. Twenty teams have already confirmed for the school section,” he said.
Sevens rugby made its Olympic debut at the recently ended Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, with Fiji winning the gold medal, while Great Britain took the silver and South Africa the bronze.
With the HBSC World Rugby Sevens Series due to kick off in Dubai in early December, most international teams will be using the Safland Rugby Sevens as preparation to fine-tune their teams.
Strauss says there will be a rugby skills development clinic targeting children aged three to 12.
“All the coaches of the participating teams will impart their knowledge to the young ones. It will be free for everyone.”
Being an Olympic sport, sevens rugby is likely to gain more popularity, and Strauss added that Namibia can emulate Fiji, which has a population of 1.5 million people, by one day winning a gold medal in the sport.
Sevens rugby is a variant of rugby in which teams are made up of seven players playing seven-minute halves, instead of the usual 15 players playing 40-minute halves. -Nampa

Torres relishes Barca showdown

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Torres relishes Barca showdownThe Spanish striker says Atletico Madrid’s clash against Barcelona tonight comes at the perfect time. Striker looks forward to facing ‘most difficult opponent’ Fernando Torres believes Atletico Madrid travel to Barcelona at just the right time after emphatically bouncing back with three wins over the past week.
Tonight’s showdown is the first major clash of the La Liga season, but despite their free-scoring form, both sides face the prospect of being cut adrift from league leaders Real Madrid even at this early stage.
"It''s a good time to visit Barcelona," Torres said after netting twice in Atletico''s 5-0 thrashing of Sporting Gijon on Saturday.
"It seems like they are playing as we have become accustomed to. They are the most difficult opponent we have faced in the last few years without a doubt and we know how difficult it will be.
"But when you are winning and playing well it always gives you that little more confidence."
Atletico scored 10 times and kept three clean sheets in seeing off Celta Vigo, PSV Eindhoven and Sporting in eight days.
However, they already trail city rivals Real by four points after disappointing draws against Alaves and Leganes to open the campaign.
"We just needed to find the goals because we have been consistent in the way we have played despite the two draws in the first two games," added Torres.
Despite dumping Barca out of the Champions League twice in the past three years, Atletico haven''t won at the Camp Nou since Torres scored twice in a 3-1 victory during his first stint at the club in 2006.
Barca also hit five at the weekend against newly promoted Leganes to back up their 7-0 hammering of Celtic in the Champions League with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar scoring 10 times in their first two starts together this season.
However, a shock home defeat to Alaves earlier this month leaves Luis Enrique''s men three points behind Real in the early running for the title race.
Both sides will make changes having rotated at the weekend.
Real can extend their lead at the top before Barca and Atletico kick off and set a La Liga record with a 17th straight win at home to Villarreal in tonight’s earlier game.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale missed Sunday''s 2-0 win at Espanyol due to illness and injury respectively.
However, both returned to training on Monday and are expected to start.
Victory at the weekend saw Real set a new club record for consecutive league wins and match the 16 straight wins Barcelona managed under Pep Guardiola in 2010/11.

NAMPA/AFP

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India embark on bumper home season

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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India embark on bumper home season There''s no place like home if you are looking to scramble back to the top of the world rankings and that appears to be India''s mantra as they kick off a bumper test season against New Zealand in Kanpur on Thursday.
The world''s richest cricket board has long been accused of ignoring the game''s longest format, a wrong they decided to right in June by scheduling a whopping 13 tests in the 2016-17 calendar.
All of them being on home soil, also dovetailed perfectly with India''s ambition to regain the top test team''s billing.
They had grudgingly handed over the honour of top test team to arch-rivals Pakistan following a washed-out test in the West Indies.
New Zealand will bear the brunt of it as Kane Williamson''s men prepare for a trial by spin over the next three weeks from the world''s number two test team in their three-match series.
Making India the top test team was one of the key goals listed in Anil Kumble''s presentation before he landed the head coach''s job but the former spinner has said he is not someone who would call up the curator and order a dustbowl to achieve the target.
"No, it is the job of the curator," Kumble told ESPNcricinfo in a recent interview.
"It is a given that home conditions will favour the home team where spin is a dominant force, but not where (from) the first ball you have dust coming off."
It did exactly so when they hosted South Africa in their last home series, a four-test rubber, last year.
Ravichandran Ashwin and his spin partners wreaked havoc on raging turners and the Proteas managed to take a test into the fifth day only once, that too after a record-shattering stonewalling by Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf Du Plessis in Delhi.
"It''s a tough place to play, particularly in recent years," Williamson said on his arrival in India.
"The pitches have been very tricky and you throw in world class spinners, the challenge is very tough."

NAMPA/REUTERS

Gay in USA bobsled championships

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Gay in USA bobsled championships Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay is entered in this week’s USA Bobsled National Push Championships, making him the latest track star to give sledding a try.
The push championships start today in Calgary, Alberta and are the first step toward a potential spot on this season’s national team.
Gay has competed in each of the last three Summer Olympics.
He was part of a team that won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the London Games in 2012, though that medal was ultimately stripped after Gay tested positive for steroids at the US championships in 2013 and served a one-year suspension.
He also had all results annulled going back to July 15, 2012, a period that included that year’s Olympic competition.
One of the runners who lost his London silver medal because of Gay’s positive test was Ryan Bailey, another bobsled rookie who is scheduled to compete in the push championships.
“I’m still not over it,” Bailey said last month, referring to having his medal taken away.
And now they could be teammates once again.
Bailey has impressed coaches so far, especially after winning the preliminary push championships on dry land in Lake Placid, New York last month.
This competition takes place on ice and Gay has been practicing sled-pushing for only a few days, according to USA Bobsled and Skeleton. But Gay’s speed figures to give him a chance to make a huge splash.
His all-time best in the 100 metres is 9.69 seconds, a time bettered only by three-time reigning Olympic 100m champion and world-record-holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Gay follows a long line of speedsters who will try to push a sled, a list that includes Lauryn Williams - a medallist in both the summer and winter games - as well as long-time US hurdles star Lolo Jones, Rio Games double gold medallist Tianna Bartoletta and former men’s competitors Edwin Moses, Willie Davenport and Renaldo Nehemiah.

Alvarez finished for 2016 after breaking hand

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Alvarez finished for 2016 after breaking hand

Mexican star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will not fight again this year after suffering a fracture to his right hand after his bruising defeat of Liam Smith, his promoters said Monday.
Golden Boy Promotions said on Twitter, Alvarez would now not fight until 2017 after suffering the injury in Saturday’s ninth-round knockout of Smith.
“Canelo has a fracture on his right hand and unable to fight again in 2016,” Golden Boy said.
Alvarez dropped down to super welterweight to claim the Briton’s World Boxing Organisation belt in the fight held at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Mexican star, who won the WBC middleweight title last November, is eyeing a possible super fight against Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin.
Alvarez, 26, improved to 48-1-1 with 34 knockouts after his latest win.
He has now won six fights in a row since suffering his lone defeat - a 12-round majority decision loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2013.

Realist Koeman gives short shrift to ‘crazy’ title talk

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Realist Koeman gives short shrift to ‘crazy’ title talk

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has nipped talk of his team’s title chances in the bud, despite their unbeaten start to the season lifting them to second spot in the English Premier League standings behind leaders Manchester City.
The Dutchman took over at Goodison Park from Roberto Martinez in June and his impact is apparent in Everton’s new-found defensive resilience and improved work rate.
Everton secured a 1-1 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in their season opener before winning their next four league games, sparking speculation they might emulate last season’s unlikely champions Leicester City.
Koeman, however, dismissed talk of the title as premature and unrealistic.
“It’s a good start but we know it is very early and there is a long way to go,” the manager told reporters yesterday.
“I don’t think we can do a Leicester. I am realistic. If I tell you we will fight for the title I think most people will tell you that man is crazy. Even when I mention that it sounds crazy.
“Why would we change our ambition and aspiration after 13 points from five games? The big teams have much more qualities and unless it is like it was last season it will be impossible.”
Koeman, whose stated aim is to get his team into next season’s Europa League, said Everton needed to get better to hit even that target.
“We need to improve and we can improve if we want to fight for Europe,” he added.
Everton are likely to be without striker Romelu Lukaku in the next few games after the Belgian picked up an injured toe. His absence will open the door for new signing Enner Valencia to state his case as a possible starter for Everton.

Super Rugby format unchanged

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Super Rugby format unchangedDespite a barrage of criticism Super Rugby will retain its current format next year. Tournament to follow same set-up next year

Super Rugby will retain its much-criticised conference format next year, while tweaking kick-off times to trial Thursday night matches and increase the number of afternoon games.
Governing body SANZAAR introduced conferences in 2016 to allow Super Rugby’s expansion to 18 teams, including Japan’s Sunwolves, Argentina’s Jaguares and South Africa’s Southern Kings.
But the expanded competition - which straddles 16 time zones and four continents - resulted in complaints of lopsided contests, exhausting travel schedules and a fragmented four-conference system seen as too complex.
In addition, the new teams struggled, particularly the Sunwolves, who managed just one win from 15 matches.
SANZAAR chief Andy Marinos yesterday unveiled an unchanged format for 2017, saying: “The new season is set to be another enthralling, action-packed one.”
He predicted the new clubs would be more competitive next year.
“It is anticipated that all three teams will be better for the experience of 2016 as we look forward to seeing their continued improvement,” he said.
“Super Rugby continues to be the toughest rugby tournament in the world.”
The season kicks off with the Melbourne Rebels playing the Auckland Blues at home on Thursday, 23 February, and culminates in the competition final on Saturday, 5 August.
The Sunwolves, who did not play any New Zealand teams last year, face a daunting start to the season against defending champions Wellington Hurricanes in Tokyo on 25 February.
The Japanese will play four of their home matches in Tokyo and three in Singapore.
The first South African match is a local derby between the Central Cheetahs and Golden Lions in Bloemfontein.
There will be a short mid-season pause and some split rounds in June and July to accommodate international fixtures, including the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
The Australian Rugby Union said experimenting with Thursday night matches in the first two rounds of the season would “extend the Super Rugby weekend for fans”.
It said adding more afternoon kick-offs was designed to make the game more family friendly.
Each Super Rugby team plays 15 matches and has two byes in the 17-round regular season.
The eight finalists are made up of the four conference winners and four “wildcards”.

Aanona yokombanda naakondjelimanguluko ya hala iimaliwa yoUN

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Aanona yokombanda naakondjelimanguluko ya hala iimaliwa yoUNOngundu yaakwiita nale yoPeople’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) oya popi kutya Iigwana yaHangana oya ndopa okuya kwathela onga oontauki. Taya pula omayamukulo okuza kIigwana yaHangana Ongundu yaakwiita mboka oshowo aanona mboka ya valelwa mekondjo pondje yoshilongo oya ningi ehololomadhilaadhilo lyawo okuza moBrakwater okuya moSoweto market okukagandja omukanda nyenyeto gwawo kIigwana Yahangana.
Ongundu ndjoka oya popi kutya Iigwana Yahangana oye ya e ta owala moshilongo nokuya dhiga mpoka sheetitha ekanitho lyonkalamwenyo yopauntu unene kaanona.
“Ngele aantu oyali ya tulululwa pamukalo gwolela andola aanona yawo oya kala nayo. Aavali yamwe oya sila kombanda, nena olye ta sile oshisho aanona yaamboka ya sile kombanda? Iilonga mbyoka oyali yi na okulongwa po kIigwana Yahangana, okutala kutya oodhigwa dhoka oolye,” gumwe gwomaakokele mongundu ndjoka, Michael Matthias ta ti.
Ongundu oya hala Iigwana Yahangana yi hokolole kutya omolwashike ya ndopa okutululula aantu mboka nokuya pa ezulonkalo. Taya pula woo kutya iimaliwa mbyoka ya nuninwa okutululula aantu mo-1989 onga oshitopolwa shokatokolitho 435 komo-1978, oya yi peni.
Okatokolitho kOmbili nEgameno kIigwana yaHangana oka tulwa po momasiku 29 gaSepetemba mo-1978. Okatokolitho hoka oka tulwa miilonga onga ka kwatele komeho omahogololo ngoka ganingwa moSouth West Afrika nokumangulula oshilongo okuza kelelo lyaSouth Afrika.
Momukandanyenyeto gwawo, ongundu ndjoka oya popi kutya Iigwana Yahangana oyo tayi pewa uusama omolwa onkalo yoluhepo mokati kaanona mboka ya valelwa kombanda oshowo aakondjelimanguluko.
Omukandanyenyeto otagu pula Iigwana Yahangana yi gandje iimaliwa mbyoka ya li ya nuninwa aantu mboka onga oshitopolwa shezulonkalo nehungomwenyo.
“Aanona yetu mboka ya valwa nokuputudhilwa miita ngashiingeyi oya koka na oya pumbwa okupewa iimaliwa yawo yomatulululo nomazulonkalo.
Pahapu dhaTuulimoupya Kakolonyah , ngoka e li omupopiliko gwongundu ndjoka okwa popi kutya pethimbo ye ya moshilongo oya pewa ooRand 10 kehe gumwe, ekuya, etemo, uuyaha, okatalashe, ekumbatha, ombiga kayi na oshisikilo, ondooha yomakunde yookg 1 oshowo ekende lyomagadho gokulya lyoomililita 750.

Inaya longwa
Ongundu oya popi kutya oyendji yomuyo inaya mona elongo nenge oya kanitha iilyo yawo yolutu onga oshizemo shiita. Oya popi kutya inaya vula okumona iilonga iiwanawa omolwa omaupyakadhi ngoka.
“Inatu silwa oshisho nawa molwaashoka ka kwali tatu vulu okwiikwathela tse noofamili dhetu molwaashoka inatu mona iilonga konima nkene twa galukile moshilongo mo-1989.”
Gumwe gwomaakwiita nale, Gabriel Naftali, ngoka e na aanona 19 okwa popi kutya okwa ningi oshilema sho a yahwa miita.
“Onda kambadhala okuwayimina Etanga lyAakwiita ihe oya popi kutya ngame itandi vulu molwaashoka otandi lumbu nuulema na onda kala owala komukunda gwetu.’
Ongundu ndjoka oya gandja omasiku 14 kIigwana Yahangana opo yi leshe omukandanyenyeto gwawo nokuya pa omayamukulo.
Jean-Pierre Ilboudo, omukomeho gwombelewa yoUNESCO mOvenduka oye a taambako omukandanyenyeto ngoka pehala lyomukwatakanithi gwoUN, Anita Kiki Gbeho.

Gordhan investigation ‘needs to be done quickly’

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Gordhan investigation ‘needs to be done quickly’Infighting in South Africa’s ruling party is resulting in a serious threat to its legacy and future. ANC needs self-analysis - Gigaba Splits within South Africa’s ruling African National Congress may cause it to lose power at the next national elections in 2019, according to a senior cabinet member.
“If the situation stays as it is, the risk of losing power is there,” Malusi Gigaba, the home affairs minister, said in an interview in New York on Monday. “The ANC is divided. The centre doesn’t seem to be holding. We need to address that.”
While the ANC has dominated South African politics since the end of apartheid in 1994, it is facing rising discontent as the economy barely grows and unemployment stands at 27%, among the highest levels globally. The party suffered its worst electoral result to date in municipal voting on August 3, when it lost control of the cities of Johannesburg, the main economic hub, Pretoria, the capital, and Port Elizabeth.
“The elections drove a cold and brutal message that we can never take the support of the people for granted,” Gigaba, 45, said. “You have an unprecedented level of people who are feeling pessimistic, who feel the country is not going in the right direction. They say there are no jobs, there are high levels of corruption, crime is high.”

Police investigation
The party’s divisions have been worsened, according to Gigaba, by a police investigation into Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, which may lead to his arrest. President Jacob Zuma has dismissed Gordhan’s request to fire the nation’s tax chief for insubordination and delayed his attempts to install a new board at the loss-making state airline. Opposition politicians have accused the head of state of using the probe to install a more pliant Treasury chief.
The prospect of Gordhan being fired sparked a sell-off in the rand and raised speculation that the nation’s credit rating may be cut to junk by the end of the year.
The investigation of Gordhan centres on allegations that he oversaw the establishment of an illicit investigative unit when he headed the national tax agency. While the probe must be allowed to continue and follow due process, it needs to be done quickly, Gigaba said.

‘Poisonous environment’
“It adds to the poisonous environment,” he said. “It needs to be dealt with. Let those who are investigating speed up their investigations so that the matter is closed. It must not hurt the economy.”
Gigaba dismissed a call last month by the ANC Youth League, which he formerly headed, for the party’s next major policy conference to be brought forward from late 2017, when it will vote to give Zuma another term or elect a new party leader.
An ill-prepared conference “would replace one problem with a new one”, he said. “The worst thing the ANC can do is rush into an elective conference without a proper analysis of the challenges it’s facing, occasioned by the recent elections. We shouldn’t jump the gun. We’d be making a terrible mistake.”

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Bitcoin is money, says judge

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Bitcoin is money, says judge

Bitcoin qualifies as money, a US federal judge ruled on Monday, in a decision linked to a criminal case over hacking attacks against JPMorgan Chase & Company and other companies.
US District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan rejected a bid by Anthony Murgio to dismiss two charges related to his alleged operation of Coin.mx, which prosecutors have called an unlicensed bitcoin exchange.
Murgio had argued that bitcoin did not qualify as “funds” under the federal law prohibiting the operation of unlicensed money transmitting businesses.
But the judge, like her colleague Jed Rakoff in an unrelated 2014 case, said the virtual currency met that definition.
“Bitcoins are funds within the plain meaning of that term,” Nathan wrote. “Bitcoins can be accepted as a payment for goods and services or bought directly from an exchange with a bank account. They therefore function as pecuniary resources and are used as a medium of exchange and a means of payment.”
The decision did not address six other criminal counts that Murgio faces, Nathan wrote.
Brian Klein, a lawyer for Murgio, said he disagreed with the decision.
“Anthony Murgio maintains his innocence and looks forward to clearing his name at his upcoming trial,” he added.
Prosecutors last year charged Murgio over the operation of Coin.mx, and in April charged his father Michael with participating in bribery aimed at supporting it.
Authorities have said Coin.mx was owned by Gery Shalon, an Israeli man who, along with two others, was charged with running a sprawling computer hacking and fraud scheme targeting a dozen companies, including JPMorgan, and exposing personal data of more than 100 million people.
That alleged scheme generated hundreds of millions of dollars of profit through pumping up stock prices, online casinos, money laundering and other illegal activity, prosecutors have said.
Shalon has pleaded not guilty, and is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Manhattan. He hired new lawyers last month and is seeking permission to replace lawyers who joined the case in June, a Monday court filing showed.
The case is US vs Murgio et al, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 15-cr-00769.

SA’s public broadcaster in the red?

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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SA’s public broadcaster in the red?

The SABCis expected to announce a R500 million loss when it tables its financials in parliament amid a poor fiscal performance in the last financial year.
The public broadcaster had refused to disclose to parliament, when it appeared before the portfolio committee on communications a month ago, how much it would lose. Earlier reports had suggested that the unaudited financials had shown a loss of R500 million in the last financial year. This is in addition to R400 million lost in the previous financial year.
Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said yesterday that the public broadcaster would table its financials in the National Assembly at the end of the month. The public would be able to study the financials once the full report had been tabled in parliament.
The SABC suffered a loss of R400 million in the 2014/15 financial year. The last time it posted a profit was in the 2013/14 financial year - with R358 million recorded.
When the board and its executives appeared before the portfolio committee last month, they refused to disclose the extent of the losses.
But the public broadcaster and the Department of Communications have hinted at a loss during the financial year under review. At the same meeting, the ANC blocked an inquiry into theSABC.
The ANC had backtracked on its decision to back the inquiry regarding the firing of eight staff members for challenging censorship policies and the SABC blocking the broadcast of violent protests.
The journalists were reinstated, except for Vuyo Mvoko, who is appealing the high court decision.
The SABC has moved from one crisis to the next over the past 15 years, with several chief executives not serving their full terms amid infighting.
Frans Matlala was the last to have one of the shortest stints before receiving a golden handshake. He was appointed in July last year and suspended in November. He left in July.

Nuclear corruption rumours dispelled

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Nuclear corruption rumours dispelledReports of a nuclear programme contract awarded to the son of a close friend of President Jacob Zuma have reignited criticism of public management in South Africa. Department of Energy opens books South Africa’s Department of Energy Tuesday released further details of the companies it had used, in a bid to thwart reports that a company belonging to businessman Vivian Reddy’s son was among the firms getting a slice of the mooted nuclear build programme.
The department said Empire Technology, a company that is owned by Reddy''s son, Shantan, was one of several companies that it had used in the past five years. It issued two statements within 72 hours to assure the country of the integrity of the procurement process.
On Saturday, the department said it would co-operate with the Treasury to verify compliance with the supply chain management norms and standards in relation to the programme. Then yesterday the department named the companies that have been awarded 13 contracts.
“In line with the (National Development Plan, or NDP) directive, the Department of Energy, in conjunction with other organs of state has, over the past five years, been developing various strategies and policies and as a result has commissioned independent studies to create a framework for the procurement decision and the preparation for the procurement of the nuclear new build programme,” the department said.
Last week, reports emerged that the department had awarded a programme management system contract to Empire Technology, whose sole director is Shantan. His father Vivian Reddy is one of President Jacob Zuma’s closest friends. The news reinvigorates claims that the nuclear programme will spark a feeding frenzy for politically-connected individuals.

Investigation
The department said it was working within the NDP guidelines for a thorough investigation of the implications of nuclear energy, including its costs, financing options, institutional arrangements, safety, environmental costs and benefits, localisation and employment opportunities, and uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication possibilities.
It said companies that were used included consulting engineering and project management company Ingerop (owner-operator and financing structures, cost of nuclear power and the economic impact of nuclear new build programme); professional services firm Deloitte (finance options models and deferred return on government investor approach); law firm Nathan Gift Nhlapho, which was hired to do a feasibility study on effective independence of the National Nuclear Regulator, as well as requirements, considerations and necessary arrangements by the government in order for South Africa to accede to one of the International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear liability conventions.
Investment holding company Mahlako-A-Phahla Investments and nuclear firm Mzansi Energy Solutions and Innovations were contracted for a pre-procurement readiness assessment and feasibility study on the withdrawal of the safeguards function from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), respectively. The University of Pretoria provided a detailed financing model for the radioactive waste management fund.
“It is important to note that the above activities are all part of the preparatory work for the procurement for the programme. The procurement of all the transactional advisers and services providers has been conducted in a manner that is compliant and consistent with all applicable procurement prescripts,” the department said yesterday.

BUSINESS REPORT

PPP solar plant to supply Arandis

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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PPP solar plant to supply ArandisA new N$80 million power plant is expected to supply the town of Arandis with ample renewable energy. Erongo RED signs with Arandis Solar Energy The Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor (RED) on Monday signed a 25-year power purchase agreement that will see it obtain solar energy from a privately built, three-megawatt plant.
The partnership agreement between the Walvis Bay-based power utility and OLC Arandis Solar Energy will generate enough power to supply the town of Arandis.
At a media conference on Monday, OLC Arandis Solar Energy Project director Bernd Walbaum said more than 30 people would be employed temporarily during the construction phase, with ground breaking for the solar power plant expected in November.
The project is estimated to cost the company around N$80 million, and operations are expected to start by April 2017.
Once operational, the number of permanent staff needed would number three, Walbaum said.
Local businesses would be hired during the construction period, he said.
“We believe in renewable energy because it is the right way to go for Namibia to avoid importing power,” said Walbaum.
He said an information centre would be set up at Arandis to provide updates on the progress and operation of the solar power plant.
“We want to make more people understand the importance of renewable energy and how it can improve power supply in our country.”
Erongo RED chief executive Robert Kahimise said the agreement would save Erongo RED an estimated N$127 million over its lifespan, set at 25 years.
“We are committed to diversifying our energy mix to ensure that electricity consumers reap benefits emanating from renewable energy.
“We also know that reliable supply and distribution of electricity remains and will continue to be an important component in boosting economic development in the region.”

Dundee gives Tsumeb school toilets a facelift

September 20, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Dundee gives Tsumeb school toilets a facelift The Etosha Secondary School at Tsumeb recently benefited from more than N$120 000 worth of upgrades to its toilet blocks, sponsored by Dundee Precious Metals (DPM).
Dundee Precious Metals’ Tsumeb Community Trust on Tuesday handed over six new toilet blocks to the school, worth approximately N$122 252.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dundee Community Trust administrator Andre Struwig said the charity was undertaken in line with President Hage Geingob’s Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), and particularly its goal of building 50 000 rural toilets and eliminating the bucket toilet system by 2017.
“The Dundee Community Trust will play its role in support of our president’s Harambee Prosperity Plan wherever possible and by upgrading already existing toilet facilities the Trust prevents the toilets from falling into complete ruin,” Struwig said.
The Etosha Secondary School’s toilet blocks would benefit some 800 learners, he said.
“Providing hygiene and sanitation facilities in schools will create an enabling school environment; awareness of hygiene and sanitation will ultimately lead to fewer waterborne illnesses,” Struwig said.
“Everyone knows there is joy in using a clean toilet. This also encourages learners to keep the toilets clean, tidy and maintained.”

STAFF REPORTER