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Tapping into social welfare

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Tapping into social welfare Tapping into social welfare Katiku is passionate about touching lives Haingura Maria Katiku is a social services consultant at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) in Rundu. JUSTICIA SHIPENA

Having lost her husband in the same year she started working at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) in 2003, Haingura Maria Katiku dedicated her life to assisting others during their most vulnerable times through her work at the Fund.

Sixteen years later, Katiku still enjoys working at GIPF and commends the Fund on the tremendous positive changes it has made in the lives of its members and employees.

Her role at GIPF involves working with people who are grieving and coping with the loss of their breadwinners while adjusting their lifestyles from what they were used to before losing a family member.

“Losing my husband in the same month I started working, and being confronted by the reality of counselling and working on death claims with widows, widowers and orphans, really touched my heart and the whole 2003 was not an easy journey for me,” she says.

Katiku says although she is a social worker it is not easy to be confronted by the real situation. She feels it has been a wonderful experience to have observed how GIPF touched a lot of lives of orphans, widows and widowers in terms of the monthly annuities they receive.

“I have observed GIPF empowering the caretakers and guardians of minor children, widows and widowers by using the monthly annuities to take part in income-generating activities to generate extra income and keep themselves busy,” she explains.

Katiku says GIPF invests money in a variety of sectors, which contributes to the national welfare by creating jobs and adding value to the economy.

The highlight of her job is seeing how it touches people’s lives, especially those of pensioners, by supporting them through the Government Institutions Pensioners Association of Namibia (GIPAN).

“The company does not only focus on paying out pensions or annuities; it has escalated and touched a lot of people lives through a lot of investment. It has stretched out a hand to reach the needy,” Katiku says.

Positive thoughts generate positive experiences

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Positive thoughts generate positive experiencesPositive thoughts generate positive experiencesShipefi overcomes challenges Sara Shipefi has realised that focusing on the bright side of things is a good thing. EVANY VAN WYK



Sara Shipefi grew up in a small village in northern Namibia. When she was a child, becoming a dentist seemed like the ultimate career but towards the end of her matric year she changed her mind.

Nature conservation was next on her career list but she was advised to choose a field of study that would easily get her admission to a university and she followed that advice.

Shipefi now is an administration assistant at the GIZ Start-Up Namibia project and is responsible for running all the administrative aspects of the project. Start-up Namibia is a Namibian-German technical cooperation project, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German government.

Her responsibilities range from procurement to dealing with media, organising events, travel management and general office administration.

“In other words, I am the engine that makes sure the Start-up Namibia project bus keeps running,” says Sara.

She says every day is different and this leaves space for a lot of new things to learn and embrace.

“It makes each day exciting.”

Admittedly, it can be a little frustrating at times if things don’t immediately go as planned, but in the end they always manage to move forward.

During her studies towards a master’s degree in business administration at the Limkowing University of Creative Technology, she lived in Malaysia for three years. Shipefi recalls a few incidents where she was treated in a certain way because of her skin colour.

“in one incident a group of people refused to board an elevator with me. This was not at the university but rather on the streets or at shops. This taught me to ignore any negativity in life and focus on the bright side of things,” she says.

Despite these minor incidents, Shipefi says she thoroughly enjoyed every moment of her residence there. She advises to not let other people’s hang-ups affect you for more than a second, because it’s their issue, not yours.

Obtaining her master’s degree in business administration at the age of 26, paired with publishing an academic article, has been her greatest achievement. She also holds a national diploma and a national certificate in business technology from the Namibian University of Science and Technology(NUST).

Shipefi says her motivation comes from positive vibes. “I feel that if you have a positive outlook on life, problems become challenges that you can overcome.”

Life do-overs are not on the list of things that she wishes she had. Sara is grateful for the opportunities accorded to her, the lessons learned and, most of all, the challenges she has faced.

Over the years, the challenges have been many but the bureaucratic channels in organisations are usually the most difficult to deal with.

“I understand that certain measures have to be put in place but I find that it affects one’s overall productivity and service delivery. Never obtain a service from somebody who asks what you do for a living because they will use that to calculate the level of service satisfaction to give you.”

Having a bit of down time is very important to Sara, who says spending time with family is her go-to pastime. “It helps so that you can be recharged when you go back to work.”

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

N$590m asset-rich August 26 sheds old skin

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N$590m asset-rich August 26 sheds old skinN$590m asset-rich August 26 sheds old skin The August 26 Holding Company, which has been operating under a thick veil of secrecy, has announced plans to rebrand and triple its dividends from N$8 million to N$20 million.

This was revealed in the company's strategic plan that was launched yesterday by the company chairman, Colonel Mox Shafashike.

According to him the company is also looking at raising its capital to N$155 million and reducing its debt by 40%.

At the same event, defence ministry deputy executive director Dr Willemina Shivute said the company had an asset base of N$591 million and had diversified its investments from one subsidiary to ten in the last 21 years.

Deputy defence minister Billy Mwaningange said he was happy to see that the standards were set high in the strategic plan and added that the rebranding came at the right time.















“The nation does not know that the defence industry does not receive state funding and therefore is not subject to scrutiny by agencies responsible for accounting public funds. Since the corporate image of the company was mired in negative publicity, rebranding should be the only way out of this morass,” he said.

He said the rebranding would save the defence industry from “unfriendly rhetoric” by some Namibians who cling to the era of “white privilege and obsessive Eurocentric chauvinism” and refused to see the good August 26 was doing.

Mwaningange also urged management to remain objective and free from external influences as they grow the company.

“There is a saying that in Namibia of our times, when news of investment comes in at the door camaraderie flies out of the window. Directors and managers become deadly enemies. A plethora of speculative fantasies take centre stage and the work of the company stalls. Therefore I appeal to you to shape yourselves into an organisation of universal virtues and brighten up the way for others to emulate,” he said.

The August 26 Holding Company is a wholly government-owned company under the ministry of defence.

jemima@namibiansun.com

JEMIMA BEUKES

One million live in shacks

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One million live in shacksOne million live in shacksNew figures reveal shocking humanitarian crisis A new study has found that close to a million Namibians live in shacks, at least 327 000 of them in Windhoek alone. The latest count by Namibia's largest community collective has found that close to 40% of Namibians live in shacks - amounting to close to one million individuals and 228 000 shacks in countrywide.

On-the-ground profiling by the Shack Dwellers Association of Namibia (SDFN) found that in Windhoek alone more than 327 000 individuals live in 71 300 shacks in dozens of informal settlements.

The SDFN noted that over the past 11 years, shacks have increased by more than 60% from 135 000 in 2008 to over 218 000, excluding the 10 000 backyard shacks in Walvis Bay.

Since 2008 the number of people living in shacks in small to large urban areas has doubled, from half a million in 2005 to 953 937 now.

The SDFN says this number rises to 991 700 if the Walvis Bay families living in backyard shacks are added.

Anna Muller of the Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG), which supports the SDFN, told Namibian Sun recently that “access to secure shelter and water and sanitation is a basic need” of every Namibian, but those living in informal settlements struggle to access these on a daily basis.





Experts warn that at the current rate of new shacks being erected as the country rapidly transitions from a rural to urban society poses a real risk that more Namibians will live in shacks than brick houses within less than a decade.

This will entrench new forms of poverty and inequality for generations to come.



Crisis

“Many stakeholders are showing their willingness to work together, but the challenges remain huge. It is approaching a situation where half the population is living in informal settlements,” Muller said.

She added that government faces “a huge and increasingly growing challenge”, and while the country's leadership stands out as actively pro-poor, “the scaling-up of existing initiatives are facing stumbling blocks.”

The solution presented by the SDFN and many other non-profits is to provide land and minimal services, and allow people to build their homes incrementally over time.

“Shacks are not the problem. The problem is land or tenure security,” John Mendelsohn of Research and Information Services of Namibia (RASION) told Namibian Sun.

He said the steep growth in urban informal settlements is due to the influx of urban migrants, but “the problem is rather that central and local government have done little to accommodate people moving to towns.”

He said to date, despite increased focus on the issue following the land conference last year, in which the conditions in which Namibians live in informal settlements was declared a national humanitarian crisis, government has not addressed the issue in a meaningful way.

“Government has not responded in any significant way to the massive demand for secure land on which rural migrants can begin a new and better life, and build houses which become very valuable assets for them and their children.”

He added that despite the promises “nothing more than superficial words and projects” have been initiated to address the crisis.



Solutions

The slum-like conditions in which close to a million Namibians live have been identified one of Namibia's biggest developmental challenges and a national humanitarian disaster.

In January, the Windhoek municipality, which estimates that just 131 000 residents live in informal settlements - substantially fewer than the SDFN counts - warned that the squalid conditions in which residents live qualify as slums.

“The informal settlements in Windhoek are on a downward spiral, if left unattended,” the municipality warned, adding that without urgent intervention “we are headed to one of the biggest urbanisation disasters in Namibia.”

This year Development Workshop Namibia (DWN) launched a joint partnership with several municipalities to develop close to 1 000 residential plots.

Low-income residents should be able to buy these minimally serviced plots for between N$10 000 and N$17 000.

The main priority of the programme is to provide a basis for low-income residents to invest in their properties over time.

The programme is financial sustainable and non-profit in order to keep plot prices as low as possible.

“Looking at towns across Namibia and examining successful approaches, it becomes clear that towns can effectively address informal settlement growth by providing planned and partially serviced erven at low costs,” Beat Weber of the DWN said.

Weber said a more enabling environment has to be created “focusing less on outdated laws and regulations and more on pragmatic solutions” to fast-track urban development.

Eight more local authorities in five regions reached out to the SDFN recently to help communities collectively upgrade their areas, following a successful project at Freedom Square in Gobabis in which 1 030 households secured tenure.

The new projects “mean that an additional 8 900 households in these eight towns are provided the opportunity to be involved in initiating their own upgrading,” Muller said.

Moreover, with the help of the private sector, government and communities the SDFN will construct 700 houses this year, for less than N$40 000 per house.

Currently, there are 836 saving groups, consisting of more than 25 000 households, who are members of the SDFN.

The SDFN saving groups have saved more than N$29 million since the network was first established in 1998 and have helped households build more than 4 700 homes across Namibia to date.

Muller underlined that the work done through the SDFN saving groups has shown clearly that low-income communities have the will and capacity to participate and manage their own development.

She said the upgrading of informal settlements should be based on inclusivity and partnerships.

“We need many stakeholders, not to talk but to constructively become involved and let communities lead the solution,” she said.

JANA-MARI SMITH

EVMs unprocedurally handed to Swapo

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EVMs unprocedurally handed to SwapoEVMs unprocedurally handed to Swapo The ministry of finance did not grant approval for the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to lend the missing electronic voting machines (EVMs) to Swapo, as is stipulated by the State Finance Act, officials have said.

ECN chairperson Notemba Tjipueja said in a statement published this week: “The Swapo Party has since paid the requisite amount to the Receiver of Revenue as payment for the missing EVM units.”

Namibian Sun has established that Swapo paid N$32 000 in February this year for the missing EVMs, but Treasury is unaware how this amount – which it had not approved – was arrived at.

The State Finance Act stipulates that state property may only be lent out with Treasury approval.

The Act states further that the rate at which such items are lent must be determined by Treasury.

It is not clear whether the N$32 000 paid by Swapo included interest accrued since the EVMs were lost in July 2017.

Finance spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu said Treasury rules had not been followed in the matter.

“As per the Teasury instructions, we have not seen a report from ECN informing Treasury about the missing state property [EVMs].

Thus, it remains difficult for us to ascertain whether there was payment made,” he said when asked to verify Tjipueja's assertion that the ruling party had paid for the lost items.

He referred all further questions to the ECN, which had previously said it did not want to comment on the subject extensively due to its sensitivity.

The EVMs were signed out by justice minister Sacky Shanghala for use at the 2017 Swapo Party Elders Council (SPEC) elective congress. Shanghala was a returning officer for the congress election.

The minister last week issued a statement in which he said he took responsibility for the missing machines, which he said had fallen out of a trailer as they were being transported to Windhoek from Outapi where the SPEC congress was held.

STAFF REPORTER

Attitude equals altitude

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Attitude equals altitudeAttitude equals altitudeMaking hard work look effortless Ian de Waal finds it very rewarding to transfer insurance knowledge and skills to his colleagues. Evany van Wyk



Every morning when Ian de Waal, a founding member and chief operating officer (COO) of King Price Insurance Namibia, walks into the office, he makes himself a cup of coffee and then starts grafting.

It's not long before he cracks a joke or tells a funny story to lighten things up.

“I find it very useful, because in that moment all of us forget about our stress, and when we get back to what we're working on, we're in a better mood and the work is better,” De Waal said.

September 2016 was the start of a new adventure for De Waal when he and two other partners launched King Price Insurance in Namibia. Admittedly, although the strategy they undertook was challenging, the journey has been a lot of fun and very rewarding.

“We have had to work very hard and smart to go up against the established insurance giants in the country,” De Waal said.

But hard work and the right business model pays off.

“The day our gross written premium reached N$100 000 000 and we had over 8 000 happy clients enjoying their monthly decreasing premiums, I realised we're onto something big,” he explained excitedly.

And all of that in only three years! De Waal is a firm believer that attitude equals altitude. “With the right attitude you can accomplish anything. Reach for the stars, but be mindful of the ceiling,” he added.

Upliftment and job creation remain an important part of the company's culture, as it strives to employ mostly Namibians.

They spend a lot of time and effort on ensuring that employees gain as many skills as possible, while at the same time making King Price the best in the business.

“I've learnt that people start off as colleagues and usually end up being more of a family,” said De Waal.

“I know that we've achieved this goal when clients inform me that they have never seen so many happy people under one roof.”

As a child, De Waal wanted to become a fireman or policeman.

“Today, instead of putting out fires and saving lives, I save a lot of people money with their premiums and help extinguish their proverbial 'financial fires',” he explained.

After matriculating, De Waal went to study at the University of Stellenbosch towards his BCom degree in marketing management, and ended up working in the insurance industry. As an underwriter, he was able to attend several workshops and training seminars presented by well-known and established firms in the global short-term insurance industry. “One of these workshops was presented by Munich Re, the largest reinsurer in the world. Today, they are not only our reinsurer, but also one of our shareholders,” he said.

The success of King Price is thanks to a lot of focus being put into ensuring that everyone gets a good deal and great service.

“My goal for King Price is that within the two years we will have strategically positioned the company in the minds of the consumers as the go-to insurance company in Namibia. Low premiums, hassle-free claims and making insurance fun,” De Waal added.

As they always say, the only way to do great work is to love the work you do.

De Waal says that helping fellow Namibians save some moolah and making sure that, in the event of a loss, accident or an unforeseen misfortune they are insured correctly, is what makes him love his job.

“I also find it very rewarding to transfer insurance knowledge and skills to my colleagues. Teach a man how to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime.”

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

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Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Melkisedek-Shivute Ausiku

Starting and running a business is very much like riding a crazy rollercoaster at a funfair.

It’s exciting, dangerous and assaults the senses like nothing else. Do you sit and scream and close your eyes, or do you sit and enjoy the ride and anticipate the next loop, dip or climb? When I started LEFA, the ride-hailing company right here in Namibia that works through a smartphone app, I was full of optimism. I still am, but it has been slightly tempered and it’s been a crazy ride so far.

We all feel our struggles are unique and in some ways they are. However, as an entrepreneur we all go through several similar stages. Once you’ve started the business, the various stages of this rollercoaster ride occur over and over again. Simply making payments that are due every month provides enough excitement and sometimes cold sweats.

Stage 1: The first stage of the concept is called ‘Uninformed Optimism’. At this stage on a rollercoaster, just getting to the top, you experience feelings of an adrenalin rush, characterised by excitement and nervous energy. LEFA definitely made me experience this when it launched. Would the people embrace it? Would there be sponsors and would investors showing an interest? We assumed they would and thought we would be an overnight success… well, ‘an over one-month’ success, perhaps.

Stage 2: The second stage is called ‘Informed Pessimism’. As you ride over the top of the curve you now have a bit more information. Feelings of fear, nervousness, and frustration begin to set in. Perhaps you even want to get off of the rollercoaster. This too was a sensation I embraced almost unknowingly. Will it work, will people download the app, will drivers sign on? These were all things that kept me awake at night. Being a young entrepreneur suddenly seemed a lot more daunting.

Stage 3: The third stage is called ‘Crisis of Meaning’. You’re past scared. You feel despair. It’s as if you’re standing on the edge of a cliff ready to jump, and you begin to think, “Today the rollercoaster’s going off the bottom of the track for the very first time.” LEFA was getting downloaded, but the expenses kept coming and discussions with drivers and potential investors took much longer than anticipated.

At this point, you face a critical juncture. You can come off the bottom of the curve and crash and burn, which is when your business goes bankrupt or get a stress burnout. Or you can come around the corner because you’re getting support during ‘Crisis of Meaning’ and you can enter an upward swing call ‘Informed Optimism’. LEFA started getting traction in the media. I was able to attend Vivatech Paris and FABlab Namibia became a big supporter and LEFA was invited on a trade mission by the Namibian government to Portugal. Along with Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) as a sponsor, seeing some investors becoming interested meant that LEFA and I were weathering the storm. We weren’t on dry land yet, but the hellish conditions were behind us for now.

Stage 4: ‘Informed Optimism’. You’re calm. You’re informed. You might even say you are cautiously optimistic. It’s very fragile at best. But it does seem as if LEFA has gone from being a rollercoaster ride with its hair on fire to a more manageable ride with bumps, but definitely no fire.

In Namibia we dream of a good paying job and alternatively we dream of making it big as an entrepreneur. There’s something to be said for both sides. I have experienced both, and despite the crazy moments, the uncertainty and the ever-looming moment of your hair being on fire, being an entrepreneur is definitely the way forward; especially with a business like LEFA, where we are offering a great service which has proven successful internationally and which keeps Namibia’s roads safe. I will choose entrepreneurship each and every time.

*Melkisedek-Shivute Ausiku is the founder of LEFA

Alvarez KOs Kovalev

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Alvarez KOs KovalevAlvarez KOs KovalevMexican claims WBO crown It was one of the most devastating knockouts of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's boxing career. Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez knocked out Sergey Kovalev with a vicious combination in the 11th round to win the WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday, moving up two weight classes to become a four-division champ.

The 29-year-old Mexican superstar caught Russia's Kovalev with a left hook/right hand combination that sent the former champion almost crashing through the ropes near the end of the 11th round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“This is just one step in my history,” Alvarez said. “Be patient because Canelo will make history. It's a guarantee.”

'Krusher' Kovalev was officially knocked out at 2:15 of the 11th and stayed down for some time while being attended to by his corner and the doctor.

“The plan was patience, to have patience. We knew it would take time for me to get to him. I am new at this division, but overall it was successful,” Alvarez said.

The fight had been close throughout with Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) winning most of the early rounds by using a steady jab to keep the burly Alvarez at a distance. Alvarez was ahead 96-94, 96-94, 95-95 on the scorecards.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) becomes just the fourth boxer in history to win a junior middleweight world title and one at light heavyweight, a spread of 21 pounds (154 to 175). The other three are Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Mike McCallum.

Alvarez is also the second fighter from Mexico to win a light heavyweight belt, joining Julio Gonzalez who did it in 2003 and 2004.

Despite giving up a size and reach advantage, Alvarez's best punch throughout was the left hook which he used in the 11th to initially send Kovalev staggering backwards to the ropes. As a defenceless Kovalev was going down, Alvarez then landed a vicious right hand to the face that knocked the champion out cold.

“It was a very close fight. He was defensive, closing up his guard. All he was doing was establishing his points, getting points. But we knew it was coming and everything came out the way we had planned,” Alvarez said. This was Alvarez's first fight since a unanimous decision over Daniel Jacobs in May.

Alvarez is now riding a four fight winning streak with his lone blemish being a majority draw against Gennady Golovkin in their first of two bouts.

He sought out Kovalev to add another belt to his impressive collection which includes titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and super middleweight.

Many boxing fans would have liked to have seen Alvarez face rival and former unified titleholder Golovkin for a third time after two highly entertaining but disputed bouts - a draw in 2017 and a majority decision win for Alvarez in the 2018 rematch. But Alvarez had other plans.

Alvarez left that door open on Saturday for another showdown with Golovkin.

“It is really not a challenge for me,” he said. “We fought 24 rounds and we beat him. But if it represents business then why not.”

Kovalev was the biggest name in the light heavyweight division having boxed there his entire career, which began in 2009.

“I tired after the sixth round,” said Kovalev. “I had instructions to use more jabs. Just not enough stamina. It is okay, I will be back.”

The Russian was hoping that a win over pound-for-pound king Alvarez would help resurrect an ageing career that had been on shaky ground of late. Kovalev lost his WBA, IBF and WBO belts in back-to-back defeats to Andre Ward in 2016 and 2017, but regained a share of the title after beating Colombia's Eleider Alvarez in a rematch in February.

Kovalev was coming off an 11th-round knockout of mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde in August, making this one of the shortest breaks between fights in his career.

Even though he beat Yarde, Kovalev still found himself in trouble and was nearly stopped in the eighth round.

In bizarre move for a major boxing card, Saturday's main event was delayed for over an hour with both fighters left to lounge in their dressing rooms with gloves on because the boxing streaming service DAZN wanted to wait until a televised mixed martial arts bout in New York had finished first.

The Vegas boxing crowd was shown the martial arts fight on a big screen in the arena while they waited.

NAMPA/AFP

Ramaphosa lauds world champion Boks

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Ramaphosa lauds world champion BoksRamaphosa lauds world champion Boks South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his elation over the Springboks' triumph at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, saying “it's a great outcome”.

Speaking shortly after the Springboks, led by captain Siya Kolisi, beat England 32-12 at the International Stadium in Yokohama, he said: “The boys have outshone everyone in the world. They are the best; they are the best team.

“When I spoke to them hours before the match, I could see in their eyes that they were really determined, and they have delivered a great victory. We are the champions; indeed, we are the champions of the world.”

Ramaphosa congratulated Kolisi, coach Rassie Erasmus and the technical staff, the tournament squad, the team on the day, and the leadership of SA Rugby for securing the Webb Ellis Cup at the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in Asia. “This is a historic moment for South Africa, for world rugby and for Japan, as the host nation and close partner of South Africa.

This historic win has been achieved with the passionate support of more than 57 million South Africans, who have been inspired by the Springboks' performances throughout the tournament,” he said.

“This is a powerful indicator of what we can achieve as South Africans when we set goals for ourselves and we work together to achieve success.

This is a moment of inspiration for all South Africans in all avenues of life and all sectors of our society. It is a moment that is embedded forever in our national memory.”

Ramaphosa also commended England as worthy finalists in Yokohama, and said the result would ensure intense interest and competition in the 2021 tour of South Africa by the British & Irish Lions featuring the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

For the latest news on the Japan Rugby World Cup please log into http://rwc.my.na

NAMPA/ANA

Samaria reveals squad

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Samaria reveals squadSamaria reveals squadMomentum builds around Dr Hage Geingob Cup Fans are just a few days away from watching the Brave Warriors battle Zambia in the Dr Hage Geingob Cup. Brave Warriors coach Bobby Samaria has named a strong 23-man squad for the Dr Hage Geingob Cup.

Namibia will play Zambia in the sixth edition of the cup on Saturday.

The Brave Warriors will be eager to impress in front of a packed Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Striker Elmo Kambindu will be one of the players likely to star in the match, given that he scored a brace in Namibia's last match against Madagascar, which ensured their qualification for next year's African Nations Championship (Chan) finals.

Zambia will come into the match oozing confidence, after beating Namibia 4-1 in their previous encounter. The curtain-raiser will be between former national players mixed with local celebrities.

Top local musicians will entertain the crowd before the match, as well as during halftime.

After the match, artists like Sunny Boy and Top Cheri will keep the festive atmosphere going.

Tickets can be bought beforehand for N$20 each from Webtickets Namibia at all Pick n Pay stores countrywide and at Football House in Katutura.

The event sponsors are MTC, Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), Huawei, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), Air Namibia, Namcor and Bank Windhoek.

The cup is played in honour of President Hage Geingob, who is also the patron of the football association. Last year Petrus Shitembi scored the winning penalty as the Brave Warriors ran out 4-1 winners over Ghana, following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.



The 23-man Brave Warriors squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers - Edward Maova, Ratanda Mbazuvara, Calvin Spiegel and Charles Uirab.

Defenders - Vitapi Ngaruka, Emilio Martin, Ivan Kamberipa, Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Aprocius Petrus, Gregory Auchumeb, Larry Haraeb and Tjiuana Tja Tjatindi.

Midfielders - Dynamo Fredericks, Immanuel Heita, Wendell Rudath, Obrey Amseb, Gustav lsaack, Llewelyn Stanley and Absalom Iimbondi.

Strikers - Elmo Kambindu, Panduleni Nekundi, lsaskar Gurirab and Mapenzi Muwane.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Habana hails Boks

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Habana hails BoksHabana hails BoksWorld Cup win much bigger than rugby Siya Kolisi leading the team will inspire millions of South Africans, Bok legend Bryan Habana said. South Africa's Japan Rugby World Cup victory is about far more than rugby, Springbok legend Bryan Habana said, following their thumping 32-12 win over England on Saturday.

South Africa's third World Cup triumph was marked by the side's first black captain Siya Kolisi receiving the trophy in a sport that for decades was seen as a bastion of apartheid.

Habana, who was in the side that beat England in 2007, said the sight of Kolisi leading the team would inspire millions of South Africans.

“I'm taking a moment to take it all in - this is what the best dreams are made of,” Habana told broadcaster ITV.

“This moment will be etched forever not only on the trophy but for every South African.

“This has been a journey which has been so transformational.

“Siya Kolisi thank you for giving South Africa hope, thank you for inspiring South Africans.”

In a nod to the past, Kolisi was wearing the same number six that white captain Francois Pienaar wore when he accepted the trophy from South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela in 1995.

Kolisi briefly joined Habana on the ITV interview podium and the two locked in an emotional embrace before Kolisi said: “This gives hope. I never thought I would be living this experience.

“When I was a kid all I was thinking about was getting my next meal.”

Habana said he hoped the victory marked a turning point for both the country and the sport.

“This will be so much bigger than just for rugby and also for a new generation watching back home,” said Habana. “It is incredibly special to see a story like Siya's and the journey he has been on for the last seven years.

“To see a guy galvanise a team which did not seem possible (winners) 18 months ago is extraordinary.

“With him at the helm I hope this story lingers on a long time.”

Kolisi said having his father at the match was a way of repaying him.

“I believe you never forget where you came from and those who helped you,” he said.

For Habana, capped 124 times, South Africa were by far the better team, as they upped their performance considerably after their dour semi-final win over Wales.

“Absolutely phenomenal. Nobody expected such a commanding display. They won all the big battles,” said Habana.

For England's 2003 World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward, who edged current England coach Eddie Jones' Australia in Sydney, there was no hard luck stories for the losers.

“Congratulations, the better team won,” said Woodward.

“At this level of rugby, if you cannot scrum properly you are always going to come second. England will be bitterly disappointed, they never fired a shot.

“They can have no complaints, but also there should be no recriminations. England are a strong side, they just got belted.”

Jonny Wilkinson, whose drop goal in the dying seconds of the 2003 final sealed a remarkable win, said England had been unable to adapt their game from the one they played so impressively to beat the All Blacks in the semi-final.

“The needed a different type of performance and could not produce it,” Wilkinson told ITV.

“The South African defence had power over the ball and never allowed England to move the ball.

“South Africa were ruthless and relentless and got better as their confidence grew.

“They had a huge emotional attachment to this game and were a different side to the one last week,” Wilkinson said. Irish rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll put the win down to the Boks' defence.

“They were outstanding, they played with a lot of ambition,” said O'Driscoll.

“A special mention to their defensive coach Jacques Nienaber, who turned their defence into an attacking weapon.

“The Kolbe try came from a terrific hit by Malcolm Marx.

“This is terrific for them as they, like Wales, are a nation that lives and breathes rugby.”

For the latest news on the Japan Rugby World Cup please log into http://rwc.my.na

NAMPA/AFP

Black Caps draw level

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Black Caps draw levelBlack Caps draw levelDe Grandhomme stars with his safe hands England captain Eoin Morgan said it was easy to analyse the reasons for the loss. New Zealand drew level with England 1-1 in their Twenty20 international series in Wellington on Sunday.

While Colin de Grandhomme was pouching all four skied balls that went his way, England were left to rue an uncomfortable day in the field with six spilled chances, including three by James Vince.

New Zealand, who suffered a seven-wicket loss in the first match on Friday, were sent in to bat first and made their most of the errant fielding to post 176 for eight.

Martin Guptill at the top of the innings clouted 41 off 28 deliveries, while Jimmy Neesham belted 42 off 22, including four sixes, before he was removed on the final ball of the innings.

De Grandhomme also pushed the pace, facing only 12 balls for a whirlwind 28.

England in reply looked comfortable at 91 for four in the 11th over before New Zealand removed the remaining six wickets to end the innings with a ball to spare.

Mitchell Santner claimed three for 25 while Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi took two wickets apiece.

England captain Eoin Morgan said it was easy to analyse the reasons for the loss, and the issues were repairable.

“We dropped catches and we continued to lose wickets,” he said.

“We need to keep the attacking positive mindset. I think it's important to make mistakes, but I think the most important part is to learn from them.”

After England lost Johnny Bairstow first ball, and Vince in the second over, Morgan (32) and Dawid Malan (39) set about rebuilding the innings.

But when Morgan gave De Grandhomme his first catch, the wickets fell regularly with only Chris Jordan (36 off 19) providing any solid resistance at the lower part of the batting order. Malan fell to an exceptional diving catch by Guptill who also accounted for the wicket of Jordan in a polished New Zealand fielding performance. Game three in the series is in Nelson on Tuesday.

NAMPA/AFP

St Boniface ta tindile omikandapopilo dhaanaskola mboka yiihumbata nayi

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St Boniface ta tindile omikandapopilo dhaanaskola mboka yiihumbata nayiSt Boniface ta tindile omikandapopilo dhaanaskola mboka yiihumbata nayi Aavali yaanaskola poskola yaSt Boniface College, mboka yamanitha okushanga omakonaakono gawo gondondo onti 12 omwedhi gwa piti, oya holola okuuva nayi kwawo omolwa omukuluntuskola gwoskola ndjoka Mary Phillis Yesudasan, ngoka ta tindi okugandja omikandapopilo dhaanaskola mboka yiihumbata nayi, sho ya manitha omakonaakono gawo.

Aavali mboka ya holola omaipulo gawo omolwa omasiku ga hugunina gokuninga omaindilo goompito dhokwiilonga kiiputudhilo yopombanda taga thikana, oya popi kutya kashi li pauyuuki oskola yi tindile omapopilo ngoka.

Pakutala kiifuta yoskola yi li pombanda mbyoka ya kala taya futu oskola ndyoka ya talikako onga yimwe yomooskola dhingi moshilongo, aavali oya ningi omatilitho gokukatukila Yesudasan oonkatu dhopaveta.

Aavali oya popi kutya pehala lyokuya moshipala ompito yaanaskola mboka ya vule okumona omayambidhidho gokwiilonga, oskola oyali tayi vulu okugandja egeelo lya yooloka kaanaskola mboka.

“Omukuluntuskola okwa li a pumbwa okugandja egeelo kanaskola mboka ya wapaleke nando ehala lyontumba nenge yetu pe elombwelo tu futile shoka sha yonagulwa. Otandi zimine kutya oskola oya pumbwa okukala noompango ihe okugeela okanona onkalamwenyo yako ayihe konima yondondo onti 12 kashi li mondjila,” omuvali gumwe a popi.

Sho a yelitha kutya omolwashike ta tindile omapopilo gaanaskola, Yesudasan okwa popi kutya aanaskola yondondo onti 12 momasiku 17 gaKotomba, esiku lyawo lyahugunina lyomakonaakono oya yonagula owili yoskola na oya ihumbata nayi pethimbo lyuulalelo wawo wahugunina moskola.

Yesudasan ngoka a tseyika kutya omundungiki e na ompango, okwa yelitha kutya aanaskola mboka oya gunwa kombinga yomaihumbato gonayi na oya pulwa opo ya thigepo oskola momukalo gwombili, gwaahena uuhwapindi.

“Otwe ya lombwele ya mane omakonaakono gawo nokuthigapo oskola momukalo gombili,” Yesudasan a yelitha.

Okwa hokolola kutya esiku lyomakonaakono gawo lya hugunina, aanaskola yaamati oya teya owili moshinyanga shokulila naanaskola yaakadhona oya tameke taya dhenge uuyaha wawo kiitaafula na osha etitha embuyagano moskola.

Okwa tsikile kutya ngele inaku ningwa sha nokutulwapo oompango nena oya tegelela aanaskola yondondo onti 8 sigo 11 ya landule omikalo dhoka. Okwa popi kutya okwa pyakudhukwa okugandja omikanda dhoka uuna aanaskola mboka pamwe naavali yawo ya yi yaka gandje ombili koskola miipathi yaanaskola ayehe.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Onakuyiwa yaAir Namibia tayi ka tokolwa

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Onakuyiwa yaAir Namibia tayi ka tokolwaOnakuyiwa yaAir Namibia tayi ka tokolwaKape na omvula yimwe Air Namibia a yambidhidha moshiketha shepangelo Omutumba gwopashigwana okwa tegelelwa gu ka kuutumbe opo gu vule okukundathana kombinga yonakuyiwa yehangano lyomatukodhila lyaNamibia, ndyoka tali shongola. Okabinete kaNamibia otaka ka ninga etokolo ngele otaku pitikwa okugandja oshimaliwa shoombiliyona 2.5 kehangano ndyoka nenge itashi ningwa, sho ominista yemona lyoshilongo Calle Schlettwein inayi ikalekela oshimaliwa shoka sha nuninwa ehangano ndyoka andola pethimbo kwa tseyitha omutengenekwathaneko gwelongitho lyiimaliwa yepangelo gwetata lyomvula, nonando omunashipundi gwehangano ndyoka, Dee-Sauls Deckenbrock okwa ningi eindilo.

Momukanda gwa shangwa momasiku 28 gaAguste kuSauls-Deckenbrock okwa pula ekwatho lyoshimaliwa okuza kepangelo omanga inaku manithwa omutengenekwathaneko gwetata lyomvula.

“Ehangano otali pula oshimaliwa okuza komuniipambuliko sha thika poobiliyona 1.6 shoka tashi futwa miitopolwa yopaali. Oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 800, otashi gandja okuya momasiku 31 gaAguste oshowo oomiliyona 800 okuya momasiku 30 gaSepetemba.”

Oonkundathana kombinga yonakuyiwa yehangano ndyoka otadhi ka ningwa pakantu yokabinete, pahapu dhaSchlettwein.

Schlettwein okwa popi kutya oshidhigu kuye a popye sha kombinga yegandjo lyoshimaliwa kehangano ndyoka onkene okabinete oko owala taka ka vula okuninga etokolo.

Oshifokundaneki shoNamibia Sun okwa ningile ehangano lyoAir Namibia omapulaapulo kutya otali vulu okutegelela ethimbo li thike peni okupewa ekwatho lyopashimaliwa omanga inali tali kankameka iilonga, ihe inali gandja eyamukulo lya sha sigo onkundana ndjika ya nyanyangithwa.

Pethimbo lyoonkundathana dhomutengenekwathaneko gwelongitho lyiimaliwa yepangelo, Schlettwein okwa popi kutya endopo lyehangano lyoAir Namibia okuninga iiyemo konima nkene ehangano ndyoka lya totwapo olya ningila oshidhigu oshikondo shemona, okutokola ngele ehangano ndyoka otali pewa oshimaliwa nenge itali pewa.

Minista okwa popi kutya muule woomvula 29 kape na omvula yimwe ehangano lyaAir Namibia lya yambidhidha moshiketha shepangelo, nonando okwa ningwa oonkambadhala dh yooloka dhokuyambidhidha ehangano ndyoka opo li vule andola li ninge iiyemo.

Okutameka omvula yo 1998, ehangano lyoAir Namibia olya pewa oshimaliwa kepangelo sha thika poobiliyona hamano, pauyelele mboka wa gandjwa koshiputudhilo shoInstitute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) momvula yo2017.

OGONE TLHAGE

Marquez wins Moto2 crown

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Marquez wins Moto2 crownMarquez wins Moto2 crown Spain's Alex Marquez was crowned world champion in the Moto2 class, as he finished second in the Malaysian Grand Prix Sunday, following a tough race against winner Brad Binder.

The Kalex rider, who is the younger brother of MotoGP world title holder Marc Marquez, completed the race at the Sepang circuit in 38min 8.601 sec. He was 0.758 behind Binder, but a second-placed finish was enough for him to take an unbeatable lead in the standings with 262 points, and just one race remaining this season.

“It's a dream come true,” said an emotional Marquez, as his brother Marc jumped and cheered at the side of the track, pumping his fists in the air.

The 18-lap race was a hard-fought duel between Binder and Marquez. The South African, riding a KTM, initially took the lead only for Marquez to push past him near the start of the race.

But a few laps later, Binder managed to swing inside the Spaniard as they rounded Turn 1, with the rivals' bikes wobbling as they briefly made contact, and get back in front. The South African held on to the lead for the rest of the race, with Marquez never really looking like a threat, but coming second was enough to hand the 23-year-old the world title.

Binder said that he gave “my absolute all today”.

“The track was insane, the grip was absolutely nothing compared to what we had all weekend,” he added.



NAMPA/AFP


Future in the balance

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Future in the balanceFuture in the balanceCabinet to decide national carrier's fate Cabinet is set to meet to discuss the way forward regarding the struggling national airline. Air Namibia's future is set to be discussed at cabinet level in due course.

The government's highest decision-making body will have to decide whether to throw the national airline a N$2.5 billion lifeline.

Finance minister Calle Schlettwein did not set aside any money for the crippled airline in his mid-term budget despite a request from its former board chairperson, Dee-Sauls Deckenbrock.

During a post-budget discussion, Schlettwein put the amount needed to rescue Air Namibia at N$2.5 billion.

In a letter dated 28 August 2019, Sauls-Deckenbrock had asked for a slightly smaller short-term financial injection while the mid-term national budget was being finalised.

“The company requires urgent shareholder capitalisation in the amount of N$1.6 billion to be paid in two tranches of N$800 million each by 31 August 2019 and 30 September 2019,” Sauls-Deckenbrock wrote, failure of which could result in Air Namibia's likely demise.

Talks on a planned bailout would be held at cabinet level, Schlettwein said. He would not speculate about the likelihood of such a bailout.

“We looked at the situation and we will inform cabinet,” said Schlettwein.

“It is difficult for me to discuss the way forward. We are looking at a number of issues like job losses and very sensitive guarantees that may be called.”

According to him, the situation regarding Air Namibia is dire.

“The situation of Air Namibia is a complex and not a pretty picture that we see. For now we are seized with the matter,” he said.

Namibian Sun approached Air Namibia for clarification on how long it could wait for extra funding before having to cease operations, but no response had been received by the time of going to press.

During the recent budget discussion, Schlettwein said Air Namibia's failure to turn a profit since its establishment made it difficult for Treasury to decide whether to grant another bailout.

“You have to realise that for the last 29 years there was not a single year where Air Namibia contributed to the state coffers; it has never made money,” Schlettwein said.

This situation was further exacerbated by the airline's inability to turn a profit despite interventions to steer it to financial viability, Schlettwein explained.

“The drain on state coffers was becoming worse and that was despite two turnaround strategies that were aimed at improving it.

“We are at a point where we have to crucially think; if we put in what they have asked us to put in, that is N$2 billion, is that the best way to spend money to create jobs, to grow the economy? The answer is obviously no,” said Schlettwein.

Since 1998, the airline had received N$6 billion in bailouts, the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) reported in 2017.

OGONE TLHAGE

Bakpro bread no threat to bakers

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Bakpro bread no threat to bakersBakpro bread no threat to bakers Namib Mills says its new N$120 million bakery is not a threat to small bakers, who distribute their bread to shops across the country.

The company recently launched a new bread brand that retails for as little as N$11, following the commissioning of its new bakery.

Namib Mills' commercial manager Pieter van Niekerk Junior (Jnr) says the market is big enough for all bakers.

“There will always be a market for breads that SMEs bake… buns, cakes, rolls, speciality breads, etc. This along with a model where we give current SME bread suppliers an opportunity to add Bakpro bread to their range of offerings, if they are interested, ensures small and medium enterprises have more products to offer,” he said.

Van Niekerk said Namib Mills has always supported local bakers.

“As with our vetkoek entrepreneur drive, 6 000 vetkoek producers which we know of, and our SME poultry production drive, 730 which we know of, we are always looking how to uplift SMEs, as their entrepreneurial skills is the only way we can grow sectors,” Van Niekerk said.

“There is a lot we can do in sectors where large organisations work with SMEs and create wealth together. We welcome all SME bakeries to contact us for technical assistance; we remain committed to all of our customers and consumers.”

The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) said it was not worried.

“The Competition Act prohibits is an abuse of a dominant position. The commission, as the custodian of the Competition Act, is not concerned with the commercial strategies that undertakings, including dominant ones, employ in order to remain competitive. The commission will only intervene in the event that undertakings engage in anti-competitive conduct, in contravention of the Competition Act,” NaCC spokesperson Dina Gowases said.

According to her, there was no evidence to suggest that Namib Mills would automatically put small bakeries out of business with his new bakery.



OGONE TLHAGE

Father Time fuels McIlroy win

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Father Time fuels McIlroy winFather Time fuels McIlroy win World number two Rory McIlroy said his recent return to top form was motivated by the realisation that at 30 he faces a ticking career clock, after he won his fourth event of the year at the WGC-HSBC Champions Sunday.

McIlroy was the class of the field throughout the tournament in Shanghai, which ended when he defeated defending champion Xander Schauffele in a sudden-death play-off.

It was the Northern Irishman's first win in east Asia's premier event and keeps him on course in a personal quest to retake the world's top golf ranking that he last held in 2015.

McIlroy went a rock-solid 67-67-67-68 for the tournament and said his resurgence was fuelled by the fact that “I don't have as much time left as I used to when I was 20.”

“Even if I'm having a bad day, I'm trying over every single shot. My concentration is better and my mental capacity on the golf course is much better than it ever has been,” he said.

“I think that's a big key to why I'm able to play consistently week-in, week-out.”

He had a one-stroke lead stepping to the 18th tee of regulation play but nearly put his drive into the imposing lake that hugs the long par-5 hole at Sheshan International Golf Club.

He could only salvage a par, leaving him tied with Schauffele after the American carded a birdie.

But the Northern Irishman shrugged off the mistake to split the fairway in the play-off replay on 18 as Schauffele's tee shot missed left.

McIlroy went on to win the hole and the US$1.745 million winner's purse.

He is coming off a strong 2019 that saw him secure the FedEx Cup, win PGA Tour Player of the Year honours, and climb the world golf rankings.

McIlroy burst onto the stage a decade ago as a shaggy-haired youngster widely predicted to dominate golf for years but was overtaken by a succession of other young stars.

He said this week that next on his list was recapturing the world's top rank, currently held by American golfer Brooks Koepka.

As the sport buzzes with the return of Tiger Woods who achieved a record-tying 82nd PGA Tour win this past week in Japan McIlroy showed that he also remains a potent force.

He did not drop a shot over his final 38 regulation holes and finished at 19 under par.

“I'm excited for the future. I feel like this year compares to 2014, 2015, but I don't see any reason why I can't go ahead and have an even better year next year,” he said.

The gutsiest performance of the week was put in by world number nine Schauffele.

The American won in a similar 18th-hole playoff last year against Tony Finau and was gunning to become the first back-to-back victor.

But he arrived in Shanghai battling a bad case of flu that had him nipping on a nasal inhaler on the course, and occasionally backing off shots to let out a hoarse cough.

Schauffele stayed on McIlroy's heels, however, and pounced on the Northern Irishman's bad final drive in regulation to catch him, posting a six-under-par 66 for the round.

But with McIlroy playing the way he is, Schauffele didn't like his chances in the playoff on the long par-5.

“He's (McIlroy) the best driver in our game. So if I was a betting man, I probably would have bet on him if we had to play the hole over and over again.”

“When he's on, I'd say he's arguably the best player in the world.”

NAMPA/AFP

Liverpool sink Villa

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Liverpool sink VillaLiverpool sink VillaMane caps thrilling fightback The late escape maintained Liverpool's six-point lead over Manchester City, who also came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1. Liverpool staged a thrilling fightback to beat Aston Villa 2-1 as the Premier League leaders scored twice in the final minutes through Andrew Robertson and Sadio Mane on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's side were in danger of losing in the league for the first time this season after Trezeguet put the hosts ahead in the first half at Villa Park.

But Robertson equalised with four minutes left and Senegal winger Mane grabbed the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to spark wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.

It may only be the start of November but it was another significant hurdle overcome as Liverpool came from behind for the third successive league game and have still only dropped two points this term.

Much talk beforehand had centred on the match with no date, namely the League Cup quarter-final between these sides, which clashes directly with Liverpool's involvement in the Club World Cup in Qatar in December. Klopp's impassioned speech about the crowded schedule may or may not be listened to but this was the first of 15 matches between now and January 2.

Influential midfielder Fabinho was rested, although this had more to do with him being on four bookings and Klopp not wanting him to get another yellow card and be suspended for the huge game with City at Anfield next weekend.

Villa started with real energy as Anwar El Ghazi tested Alisson before striker Wesley glanced a header away from team-mate Bjorn Engels.

Liverpool's obvious threat emerged as Mane headed just wide from an inviting Jordan Henderson cross and then Mohamed Salah sneaked in at the back post and forced an alert save out of Tom Heaton. But the European Champions were stunned when they fell behind to a first goal in English football from Trezeguet.

The Egyptian volleyed in from John McGinn's free kick as the defenders waited in vain for an offside call, which did not come from either the assistant referee or VAR.

Roberto Firmino had the ball in the net from Mane's low cross only to see the flag up straight away. It went to VAR where Firmino was adjudged to be offside by the narrowest possible margin, with his armpit being ruled the wrong side of the invisible line.

To complete a hat-trick of VAR calls in Villa's favour, replays backed up the decision by referee Jon Moss that Mane had dived under pressure from Frederic Guilbert to try and win a penalty for which the Senegalese was booked.

After the interval, there was immediate urgency from Liverpool as they pressed for an equaliser. Their best opportunity came when Mane arrived at the back post to meet another delicious ball from Alexander-Arnold but rather than finding the net, his header came off Heaton's chest as the goalkeeper made himself big.

Klopp had to act and made a double change with Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thrown on, but the surprise was that Salah was one of the men to go off.

Adam Lallana had a wonderful chance to bring his side level when he arrived to meet Firmino's pull back from only six yards out but he failed to convert and at this stage nobody was expecting Liverpool to produce such a sting in the tale.

Mane's deep cross found the unmarked Robertson and the Scot headed in at the far post from close-range with four minutes left.

Then, in the fourth minute of stoppage-time, Mane glanced in Alexander-Arnold's corner to win it.

NAMPA/AFP

Climate-change resilience in spotlight

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Climate-change resilience in spotlightClimate-change resilience in spotlight The United Nations in Namibia, in collaboration with the Namibian government, organised and hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue on resilience-building in the context of climate change on Friday.

The objective of the dialogue was to initiate and support a transformative process that will contribute to strengthening the capacity of people, communities and institutions in Namibia.

It further aimed to prevent, anticipate, absorb, respond to and recover from crises and shocks, such as the drought emergency that Namibia is currently experiencing.

The dialogue session was also aimed at ensuring that vulnerable populations in disaster-prone areas and biodiversity-sensitive areas are resilient to shocks and climate-change effects, and that they benefit from sustainable natural resources management practices.

To enable this outcome, investments in climate-change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management are needed to build economic, social and environmental resilience.

“There is a specific need to improve coherence through platforms that can deliberate upon solutions to address the root causes of emergencies, reduce disaster risk, mitigate and adapt to climate-change impacts, recover from crises and build longer-term resilience,” a statement said.

Solutions aimed at building resilience are likely to have a long-lasting impact, which not only prevents or mitigates crises and shocks, but also influences everyday lives across all UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) objectives.

The statement said countries and communities need to develop adaptation solutions and implement action to respond to the impacts of climate change that are already happening, such as droughts in Namibia.

They also need to prepare for future impacts that will then culminate in building a resilient economy, society and ecological systems.

“There is no 'one-size-fits-all-solution' -adaptation can range from building flood defences, setting up early warning systems for cyclones and switching to drought-resistant crops, to redesigning communication systems, business operations and government policies.”

Some of the expected outcomes from the dialogue session include a discussion paper on the need for strengthened coordination, the feasibility of putting in place a comprehensive resilience strategy and an action plan with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, under the overall leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister, which will build resilience in the context of a changing environment, and support Namibia.

The dialogue was hosted under the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF) pillar 3: Environmental sustainability.

ELLANIE SMIT
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