Quantcast
Channel: Namibian Sun
Viewing all 36395 articles
Browse latest View live

SA, Egypt dominate

0
0
SA, Egypt dominateSA, Egypt dominateVisitors leave Namibia trailing behind at youth chess champs South Africa and Egypt dominated the just-ended youth chess championship in Windhoek. The 2019 African Youth Chess Championships (AYCC) tournament kicked off on 14 December and ended this past Saturday at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.

At the conclusion of the tournament, South Africa was crowned the best performers, winning three gold, four silver and three bronze medals, followed by Egypt who took home three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Algeria came third with two gold and two silver medals.

Host country Namibia won one gold medal through Dante Beukes in the under-18 open age group to become a World Chess Federation (FIDE) international master (IM).

The lifetime IM title is awarded to strong chess players and is one step behind the grandmaster title, which is the highest grading a chess player can achieve.

A total of 16 countries took part in the tournament - Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Addressing the closing ceremony, FIDE vice-president Olalekan Adeyemi said the AYCC was a platform where future world champions could be unearthed.

“I would like to congratulate all the players who participated in this tournament, because they are all winners. FIDE will continue to support this initiative, as it a proper place to develop chess players,” he said. Adeyemi further paid tribute to the organisers, saying they have done a wonderful job in putting together a tournament of such a magnitude.

Namibia Chess Federation president Charles Eixab thanked the African Chess Federation for allowing Namibia to host a huge tournament like the AYCC for the first time ever.

“This tournament will help the participants to nurture their talent, which will one day help them to derive the benefits of playing chess. The AYCC not only gives an opportunity for the best players to showcase their skills, but it also helps us to introspect on ourselves as federations, on where we must improve,” he explained.

Over 240 players participated in the under-8, u-10, u-12, u-14, u-16; and u-18 players boys and girls sections.

NAMPA

Okauua Rovers crowned Otjinene Christmas Cup champs

0
0
Okauua Rovers crowned Otjinene Christmas Cup champsOkauua Rovers crowned Otjinene Christmas Cup champs Okauua Rovers were crowned the champions of the 2019 Otjinene Christmas Cup, after they won the football category of the tournament on Saturday.

The annual tourney, which concluded at the Otjinene sports field, saw 18 netball and 33 football teams competing in their respective categories from 7 December. In the football final Okauua Rovers defeated Okaumbangere FC 8-7 on penalties after a 0-0 full-time draw.

They walked away with N$17 000, a trophy and 20 gold medals.

Okaumbangere pocketed N$9 000 and 20 silver medals as runners-up, while Mighty Bucks and Ozombovire each received N$4 000 as the losing semi-finalists.

The netball final saw Otjinoko winning the title.

They pocketed N$6 000, a trophy and 12 gold medals. The netball runners-up were Ozongaru, who took home N$4 000 and 12 silver medals. Semi-final losers Fine Young Stars and Golden Chicago each pocketed N$2 000.

Lebese Tjitemisa of Okaumbangere scooped the football player of the tournament award and Deven Njembo of Mighty Bucks was named goalkeeper of the tournament. Okauua Rovers head coach Alphons Tjatindi said the tournament was very competitive, as teams introduced young players to showcase their talent.

“All the teams that participated were very well-prepared,” he said.

The coach said although it was a long journey, he could not be happier with his team's performance, as his players were prepared both mentally and physically, and proved this on the field.

“Okauua Rovers is one of the best football academies in Otjinene and it really spoke for itself. I'm happy with the win, as it was our aim, and we have achieved it,” Tjatindi added.

Executive member of the Otjinene Sports and Culture Association, Mervin Kamenje, congratulated the winners of both categories and thanked all participants and spectators who rallied behind their teams, saying the tournament was a great success.

NAMPA

Ekwafo continues to shine

0
0
Ekwafo continues to shineEkwafo continues to shineChanging negative perceptions into successA The community's perception of the school as “a dumping site” for poor performers has been irrevocably changed. Keeping learners at school from 08:00 to 18:00 from Mondays to Saturdays has produced good results for Ongwediva-based Ekwafo Senior Secondary School in the Oshana Region, which performed exceptionally in the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) Grade 12 higher level examinations, despite being a non-boarding school.

School principal Hamalwa Erastus said they are doing their best to change the negative perceptions that had over the years been associated with the school.

The school was established in 2008 and at first only accommodated Grade 10 repeaters, but in 2009 it was turned into a secondary school where Grade 11 learners were enrolled whose Grade 10 results were not good enough for them to find placements at other schools.

Out of the 81 learners who sat for this year's Grade 12 higher level exams, only five candidates were ungraded, while the majority of learners whose first languages are Oshindonga and Oshikwanyama received either 3 or 4 gradings.

A few learners who wrote biology and physical science on higher level also received good grades.

Ekwafo is now rated among the best schools in the Oshana Region.

In 2016, during the Oshana education directorate's awards ceremony, Ekwafo was announced as the most improved school in English at Grade 12 ordinary level for the 2015 academic year.

According to Erastus, who has been at the school since 2009, this achievement was an indication that they are striving to be among the best schools in the region.

He said the school has been producing acceptable Grade 10 and Grade 12 results over the past few years, and since 2016 the results have been at satisfactory levels.

During an interview with Namibian Sun in 2016, Bernhard Hashiyana, a learning support coordinator and life skills teacher at the school, said the community's perception of the school as “a dumping site” for poor performers was demoralising to the learners and caused them to expect failure instead of aiming for success.

“We have to spend time instilling morale and confidence in the learners that the school is not as bad as they perceive it, by showing them performance statistics for the past years, just to redefine their mentality towards the school and help them focus on their studies,” Hashiyana said at the time.

“Learners do not apply to our school; they are referred to us from the regional office, while the best learners we produce from Grade 10 are also taken up by other schools,” he said.



Journey to success

Hashiyana said the secret to their success has been the learning system introduced at the school in 2014.

“In 2014 we introduced a learning mechanism for Grade 10. Due to the absence of a hostel, we introduced a system of keeping learners at the school from 08:00 to 18:00 from Mondays to Saturdays during the last semester of the year, in order to limit the time they spend in the community doing nothing, and replace that with time to do their school activities.

“For the first time that year we produced an over 50% pass rate in Grade 10. We did not do it with the Grade 12s, but they started implementing the system on their own with our support. During 2014 we managed to produce the best learner who attended the national awards ceremony for Grade 12 higher level and who is currently pursuing his law degree at the University of Namibia,” Hashiyana said.

“We trust in the quality of teachers we have here. They are the type of teachers who understand that here we have learners with special needs and they help each learner as per their individual needs, and that is helping a lot.”

ILENI NANDJATO

Germany pledges seed and fertiliser

0
0
Germany pledges seed and fertiliserGermany pledges seed and fertiliser Germany has pledged to provide seed and fertiliser for the current cropping season in an effort to support Namibia in mitigating the impacts of the drought.

This was announced in a statement issued by the agriculture ministry last week.

With additional funds made available to respond to the devastating drought gripping most parts of the country, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in collaboration with the agriculture ministry, has purchased 203 tonnes of pearl millet (mahangu) seed, 70 tonnes of white maize seed and 503 tonnes of fertiliser.

The ministry estimates that the seed will permit the cultivation of more than 40 000 hectares of the staple crops pearl millet and maize and may yield a harvest of 47 000 tonnes.

The ministry said that would contribute significantly to food security and availability of seed during the post-harvest season of 2020.

The support is targeted towards rural farming households in the Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi regions.

These regions recorded crop failures during the 2018/2019 cropping season. The seed and fertiliser will be distributed to the farmers at the end of December 2019.

STAFF REPORTER

Be festive but obey the law

0
0
Be festive but obey the lawBe festive but obey the lawCrime, pollution damage vital tourism sector The environment minister urges holidaymakers to think of the environment and foreign visitors' impressions of the country during the holiday season. Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has condemned any act of violence against visitors to Namibia and urged tour operators to recommit themselves to ensuring the safety of tourists at all times.

Shifeta said the safety of all travellers is highlighted as a priority in the National Sustainable Tourism Growth and Development Strategy (NSTGDS), which is aimed at transforming the country into a preferred tourist destination.

“There is no doubt that the challenges around safety and security have negatively affected Namibia as a tourist destination,” he said.

The ministry has therefore joined hands with the private sector and other stakeholders to establish collaborative efforts to fight crime against tourists. According to him customer service delivery and skills gaps have also been identified as challenges for the tourism sector, which remains dependent on people to provide services. He called upon all operators in the tourism industry to ensure that they render impressive customer service to all visitors during the festive season and beyond.

Shifeta said tourism was one of the important economic sectors contributing enormously to the country's Gross Domestic Product as well as creating employment opportunities for locals and ultimately contributing to poverty reduction.

“In our efforts to give tourists the best Namibian experience, we also appeal to the tourists and travellers visiting our beautiful national parks to always observe the stipulated park rules and regulations,” he added.

For their own safety, park visitors are not allowed to jump out of cars, lean out of car windows or get too close to wild animals.

Other regulations prohibit taking plastic bags into parks, littering and flying drones. The minister warned all visitors that plastic bags are prohibited by law in national parks and any such transgression constitutes a criminal offence. Shifeta further urged holidaymakers to respect the environment during the festive season. He said parties and public events generate huge amounts of waste, which is usually disposed of irresponsibly. “We specifically want to discourage the trend of throwing garbage out of cars, polluting the roadside, and further encourage the use of refuse bins to dispose of garbage when and wherever people are travelling or having fun activities during the festive season and beyond.”

Shifeta reminded the public that litter and irresponsible waste disposal can contaminate the soil, air and water with toxins, chemicals and disease-causing bacterial agents.

He said littering is one of the most visible and persistent environmental issues facing Namibia and costs the country a substantial amount of resources every year to clean up and repair the damage to the environment.

“The ministry further calls upon members of the public not to relent this festive season, but to rather remain vigilant and report wildlife crimes such as poaching and illegal possession of wildlife products.”

Shifeta said considering that this is a holiday season, poachers may view it as the right time to commit crimes, but the public should be reassured that measures have been put in place to ensure that national parks and other conservation areas are sufficiently guarded with intensified anti-poaching patrols throughout the festive season. “Both ground patrols and aerial patrols are being carried throughout the festive season.”

He added that poaching and littering have a negative impact on Namibia's natural environment, which is a key driver of the tourism industry and a livelihood for many communities.

“In this regard it is crucial that our environment is protected from littering, pollution, poaching and other wildlife crimes to ensure that the economic benefits derived from tourism are sustained to benefit our people.”



ELLANIE SMIT

LPM claims Geingob offered it seats

0
0
LPM claims Geingob offered it seatsLPM claims Geingob offered it seats Landless People's Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi claims President Hage Geingob offered his party seats in the National Assembly if it removed the party's deputy leader, Henny Seibeb.

The party won four seats in the November general election.

“Geingob was sitting and saying if they remove Seibeb from the list, I will give them more seats. It is not too surprising if it is true because he told [Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry] Venaani at the State of the Nation Address that he had given them five seats. Now he has given them 16 seats,” Swartbooi said.

Seibeb last year held up a poster which read, “Voetsek Hage Geingob voetsek.” The poster drew wide condemnation.

Swaartbooi also accused the PDM of intentionally siding with Swapo, saying they were comfortable playing second fiddle as the official opposition party.

“The partnership between Swapo and the PDM is so close that they have a coalition in Okakarara and they work together. You can see that PDM in its history is a party of government, it is a regime-friendly party because it was created by a regime… its history and DNA is to be in a regime that is how it operates, it cannot operate without a regime,” said Swartbooi.

He further argued that the PDM was unable to compete head to head with Swapo, illustrating its choice to remain a supposed partner to the ruling party.

PDM parliamentarian Vipuakuje Muharukua blasted the comments made by Swartbooi, saying that opposition parties were doing a disservice to themselves instead of fighting Swapo on important issues.

“Opposition politics has been dampened by opposition political parties. Instead of fighting Swapo, Swapo's corruption, maladministration, Swapo's political arrogance against the Namibian people, non-delivery of services, opposition parties keep trying to fight… jostling for the position of official opposition. That in turn causes Namibian people not to have faith in opposition parties,” he told One Africa Television.

The PDM won 16 seats and garnered 16.6% of the votes cast in the National Assembly election, improving significantly on its performance in the 2014 general election.

OGONE TLHAGE

'Embarrassing' council owed millions

0
0
'Embarrassing' council owed millions'Embarrassing' council owed millionsGross irregularities found at Rehoboth Financial mismanagement, political interference and non-compliance with legislation and ministerial directives have resulted in an unbearable situation at the Rehoboth council, a ministerial report states. The 2017 Rehoboth Intervention Report has revealed gross irregularities that occurred under the watch of the Rehoboth town council led by Mayor Christina Blaauw.

The report was based on an investigation by a ministerial task team into poor governance and service delivery at Rehoboth.

“In recent years, issues of financial mismanagement, political interference and non-compliance with legislation and ministerial directives have resulted in the situation at [the Rehoboth council] having become unbearable and caused mixed feelings among stakeholders, especially community, political leaders and central government,” the report states.

Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga commissioned an in-depth assessment of the Rehoboth council's financial and administrative operations in 2017.

And in March 2018, Mushelenga suspended the entire town council following reports of infighting and allegations of maladministration and appointed ministry official Nathalie Goagoses an interim representative.

Goagoses eventually took over the duties of former CEO Christoph /Uirab, who resigned in 2018.

/Uirab was the one who had informed the ministry of the irregularities. In 2017, /Uirab told Namibian Sun that Rehoboth was dying and on the brink of collapse.

Simeon Kanime, who took over as CEO this year, confirmed the state of affairs, but said he and his new team were hard at work to turn things around.

According to Kanime they are now setting up a property register and a land policy.

“We have given those people leasing the town lands a deadline to come and make arrangements on how they plan to pay up,” he said.



Bleeding books

The report stated that in 2017 the council owed NamWater N$30 million and NamPower N$25.9 million.

According to the report the council had lost more than N$16 million in outstanding lease and rental fees because there was no property register.

The report also pointed out that the council operated without an updated land policy and was leasing properties without lease agreements or ministerial approval.

It also found that land at the town was sold without valuations and that the council lost money on these transactions by estimating rates and taxes.

By April 2017, unpaid rent for town lands stood at N$12.8 million.

That was because the town council had failed to collect payment and enforce lease agreements.

The report found that the town council had lost substantial revenue because there were no valuations done of new developments at the town. It recommended that new rates and taxes be determined in line with ministerial policies.

Mushelenga has not been reachable for comment.

Meanwhile, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) believes a new local election should have been called to get rid of the current council.

According to party treasurer Nico Smit, Swapo's poor performance in the last election was a result of the political mistakes it had made.

“The full council should have been removed and a new election held. If that was done Swapo would have lost badly in the whole of Rehoboth. Swapo is therefore not interested in good governance but rather to have control,” he said.

jemima@namibiansun.com

JEMIMA BEUKES

Let’s be kind

0
0
Let’s be kindLet’s be kind The holidays are in full swing and many of you have already hit the road towards your holiday destinations. We wish you, your family and loved ones a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.

Much has been written in the past about attitudes on our roads, but it’s that time of the year again when the right attitude and a bit of patience can ensure that you and your loved ones arrive alive and in high spirits.

It costs nothing to be courteous and kind to each other on the long road, and of cause also while we are ferrying our precious family cargo to beaches, events and other festivities this season.

Yes, 2019 has not been an easy year, but there is much to be grateful for. We can show this gratefulness by simply being kind to each other during this time of family, fun and festiveness.

Let us put anger and overreaction on the backburner! Let’s show that true Namibian spirit of compassion and consciously make an effort to show that we can unwind and relax without creating stressful situations around us. In the end, this time of the year is all about spreading cheer and happiness. Let us not hurt those nearest and dearest to us. Let us not be the purveyors of violence. Let’s treat our partners with the necessary respect. Revelry should never end in violence and confrontation. Most importantly, let’s protect the most vulnerable in our midst, especially women and children and the elderly. Let us look for opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those who will be sharing our holiday spaces. There will be many opportunities for all of us to show kindness and consideration, or simply to lend a helping hand where there may be an emergency or crisis that someone is going through. It is up to us to sow seeds of goodness where we find ourselves this festive season. May all of you enjoy it to the fullest!

Agribank bites back

0
0
Agribank bites backAgribank bites backSays ancestral land commission 'offered no solutions' Agribank says it is telling that the ancestral land commission did not offer any solutions, in terms of how it should deal with persistent defaulters. Agribank says it is disappointed by what it sees as a scathing attack by the ancestral land commission.

The commission recently complained to President Hage Geingob about the proposed repossession of 179 farms by Agribank from black farmers, who had persistently defaulted on their loans

The commission last week handed in its interim report to the head of state and pleaded with government to throw these black farmers a lifeline and support them.

Judge Shafimana Ueitele, who is chairing the commission, informed Geingob that Agribank was obtaining court orders for the repossession of the 179 farms, adding that most of the farms sold on auction usually end up in the hands of white farmers. Agribank spokesperson Rino Muranda hit back this past Friday.

He said it was telling that the commission did not offer any solutions on how the bank ought to be able to fulfil its mandate without requiring clients, within reasonable and practical means, to honour their financial obligations to the bank.

He also pointed out that the board and management have the duty to ensure that the bank is prudently and sustainably managed, so that it can deliver on its mandate of assisting more Namibians.

“Legal action is a step the bank takes only after prolonged engagement with a client. It is important to emphasise that legal action does not necessarily equate to repossession, as the commission's chairperson is alleged to have claimed,” Muranda said.

“The bank's experience is that such action, whilst not its preferred route, is logical and necessary, and often results in repayment arrangements finally being entered into between clients and the bank.

“It is most regrettable that the commission chose to attack a process that is taken against persistently defaulting clients and invokes the sentiment of 'repossession of farms' by Agribank.”

In 2017 Agribank Namibia called in the help of debt collectors to start collecting an outstanding N$500 million in loan repayments from farmers across the country.





At that time the bank had disbursed loans to clients to the tune of N$2.4 billion and for the first time made use of external debt collectors.



This came amid protests from a group of disgruntled loan holders, who demanded that their repayment periods be extended to a maximum of 33 years, without undue delay.



These farmers claimed that they had been blacklisted following the bank's decision to rope in debt collectors to collect outstanding loan arrears that have been accumulating over the years.



Ueitele said last week that Agribank repossessing farms was a retrogressive step in the process of land redistribution and land reform, and must be addressed urgently.



The deputy chair of the commission Phanuel Kaapama said yesterday they will not get into a debate with Agribank until the full report is available, but pointed out that the media has focused only one matter, and not the full picture.



“We had findings and we had recommendations on that issue. We also spoke of the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme (AALS), which is programme that Agribank is merely implementing,” he said.



During the briefing with the president the commission said although government had adopted well-intentioned land reform programmes such as the AALS, these programmes lacked a robust environment to nurture and support professionally and financially.



The commission also pleaded with the government to throw black farmers a lifeline and support them, just like Germany and apartheid South Africa did for their people who had settled in Namibia.



“We have heard cause and were implored to what we also learn from history is that both the Germans and South Africans supported the settlers they had transplanted to Namibia,” Ueitele said.



The commission also found that both the colonial and apartheid regimes, after dispossessing the black majority, constantly adopted policies and programmes to consolidate white settlement and to create an agriculture-based industry which excluded the majority of black Namibians, he said.



The commission also found that all land in the country is committed and there is no existing alternative land in communal and commercial land and it can only be made available through reclassification of land use.

jemima@namibiansun.com

JEMIMA BEUKES

Thousands behind bars for Xmas

0
0
Thousands behind bars for XmasThousands behind bars for Xmas JANA-MARI SMITH



Housebreaking, murder, rape and stock theft top the list of crimes that landed more than half of Namibia’s present prison population of 4 456 men behind bars.

Data shared by the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) last week shows that the majority of female prisoners, 61%, are in prison for crimes that involved murder, assault or theft.

In total, 762 inmates were imprisoned for housebreaking, and 680 for murder.

Among the 144 female inmates currently incarcerated, 38 are in prison for murder, 28 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and 22 for theft.

Among the men, 758 are in prison for housebreaking with intent to steal, 642 for murder and 613 for rape.

The fourth most common type of crime for which current inmates are in prison is stock theft, for which 579 men and two women are locked up.

The data shows that among the women inmates, 27 types of crimes were committed and 73 types of offences are listed among the men.

Three men were imprisoned for the offence of violating a dead body, 30 are serving time for kidnapping and 39 men are in prison for attempted rape.

Close to 200 men and nine women were sent to prison for attempted murder.

Violent

Four men are behind bars for domestic violence and one man was convicted of incest.

Another male prisoner was convicted for the ill-treatment of a child and one man was found guilty of animal abuse.

One male prisoner is behind bars for the crime of bestiality.

Three men are serving time for breaching protection orders while two are serving time for failure to pay child support.

Three of Namibia’s 144 women inmates are in prison for rape, and four women were jailed for concealment of birth and abortion – equal to the number of women in prison for burglary. One woman is in prison for child neglect.

Thirty-three prisoners, 32 men and one woman, were convicted of arson.

Four men are currently serving time for public drunkenness, the NCS data indicates.

Variety

A total of 54 inmates, 41 men and 13 women, are serving time for fraud, the fourth most common conviction seen among current female inmates.

Eleven inmates, all men, were convicted of corruption.

Dealing in or possession of drugs landed 352 men and women behind bars, including 202 for possession and 150 for dealing. The majority - 329 - are men.

Among the women, one is behind bars for bribery, two for malicious damage to property and two for obstructing the course of justice.

Traffic offences led to prison time for 242 men, while 196 are serving time for escape from lawful custody and 156 for contempt of court.

Forty-three men are in prison for illegal possession of ammunition and 33 for illegal possession of firearms.

Illegal immigration offences are behind the imprisonment of 108 men.

Other types of crimes committed by male inmates include aiding a prisoner to escape (1), forging documents (3), dealing in counterfeit money (3), using a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and car theft (37).

Offences related to the environment include 33 men imprisoned for illegal hunting of protected game, and 30 for illegal hunting of game. Twenty-four men are in prison for possession of suspected stolen livestock.

Fifty-four men were imprisoned for offences under the marine resources act, and 81 for crimes under the nature conservation ordinance.

Twenty-nine inmates are imprisoned for the crime of treason.

Seidler smashes record

0
0
Seidler smashes recordSeidler smashes recordJetty Mile winner closes year off in style Their ability to cope successfully with the strong current during the 1.9km race contributed to Phillip Seidler and Amica de Jager's success. Phillip Seidler broke his own record as he won the 13th edition of the Pupkewitz Jetty Mile in a time of 18:33.

The 21-year-old, who has now won the Jetty Mile on seven consecutive occasions, broke his previous record of 19:08, which he set last year.

“I had a three-week training camp and it worked really well for me. It was the best race that I've ever had. I think that record will never be broken again, even when I die,” Seidler added.

“The current was very good. The strong winds and big waves made the current stronger and this gives an advantage for getting a faster time.” He said it was one of his most memorable Jetty Miles ever, especially because he shared the water and the experience with his girlfriend, Amica de Jager, who won the women's race.

“This year I was aware of being challenged by international Italian swimmer Luca Simonetti (who took second place in a time of 20:41) and my friend, Xander Skinner (who took third place in a time of 21:08).”

Seidler said in order to defend his title his focus was setting a faster pace and to use his open water tactics, acquired from international exposure, to ensure a win.

“Using the average swell and rough conditions to my favour made the race more exciting and I broke last year's record.”

He attributed his success to his training regime, which evidently paid off.

He further congratulated every competitor that challenged the tough conditions of the Jetty Mile.

“This makes us, at the end of the day, all winners.”

In the women's race, South African De Jager (20) emerged victorious in a time of 20:33.

“I feel absolutely amazing after winning the race. It was my first Pupkewitz Jetty Mile, so I was just trying to see what happens. I just gave it my all and ended up winning it,” De Jager said.

She also said that winning the race has motivated her to take part in similar events in the future.

“I always love racing in the ocean; it is so much fun and it always presents a welcome challenge.”

De Jager beat second-placed Heleni Stergiadis (23:33) and third-placed Vicky Botha (23:40) to the title.

According to event organiser Ivonne Brinkmann over 300 swimmers participated in the Pupkewitz Jetty Mile this year.

“When we first started this event with the Pupkewitz Foundation 13 years ago, it was mostly an event where family and friends took part, but over the years it has grown.

“What is interesting about this event is that world-class athletes took part here. We also had a full range of participants, from the youngsters to the older ones. So it is just not an event for a specific group and that is why people enjoy it,” said Brinkmann.

The Pupkewitz Jetty Mile also included a 600m sprint event. The results of the sprint event were as follows:

Males

Niko Esslinger - 11:11

Jo Dave Chocolanti: 11:39

Bravo Magongo - 12:01

Females

Adriana Naukosho - 12:54

Mackenzie Spath - 12:56

Maja Brinkmann - 13:51

Limba Mupetami and Adolf Kaure

Van Zyl, De Haas win Vasbyt

0
0
Van Zyl, De Haas win VasbytVan Zyl, De Haas win VasbytDriving technique pays off in gruelling event Theuns van Zyl and Doyle de Haas attributed their victory to a combination of factors, including their level of focus and technique. Vasbyt 4x4 driver and navigator duo Theuns van Zyl and Doyle de Haas emerged as the winners of the gruelling ten-stage Weskus 4x4 Vasbyt event, which took place behind Dune 7 near Walvis Bay on Saturday.

Van Zyl and De Haas, driving in 'Non Stop' set the pace and successfully completed nine of the 10 extremely demanding stages.

They amassed 490 points at the end of the day and also won the C-class category of the competition.

“It is always huge pleasure to win the Vasbyt. Not everyone is a favourite to win overall. It was a great day for us,” said van Zyl.

He attributed their victory to a combination of factors, including their level of focus and technique.

“The vehicle and the high concentration levels during the event always helps. Maybe it was a little bit of luck, a little bit of skill or it was a combination of both that led to our success. I'm really happy because it was a big feat for us to win,” he said.

Eighteen vehicles competed in three different classes at the event, namely the A, B and C classes.

Class A is for standard short wheelbase vehicles, while class B is for standard long wheelbase vehicles and Class C is for short and long wheelbase vehicles with lockable differentials.

Despite the windy conditions, the crowd was treated to some good motorsport.

The event consisted of six manoeuvring and climbing sandpit obstacles, two dune obstacles as well as mud-pit and tyre-pit stages.

Floris Steenkamp senior and junior in 'Bobjaan' finished second overall with 420 points. Herman and Nico Theron in 'Junior aka Poetsie' ended the event third overall, having also accumulated 420 points.



The winners of the respective classes are as follows:

Class A

Floris Steenkamp Sr and Floris Steenkamp Jr: 420 points

Michael Behnke and Juan Theron: 330 points

Dolf Bothma and Rainer Kompat: 280 points

Class B

Morne Oosthuysen and Niels Gartner: 400 points

Chris Bruyns and Janco Bruyns: 390 points

Jaco Oberholzer and Porra Dias: 380 points

Class C

Theuns van Zyl and Doyle de Haas: 490 points

Herman and Nico Theron: 420 points

Henri Knouwds and Rudolf Leeb: 390 points

Adolf Kaure

Tucna slams education ministry

0
0
Tucna slams education ministryTucna slams education ministry OGONE TLHAGE

The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) is blaming the ministry of education for the poor 2019 Grade 12 higher level results, saying the lack of support to schools that led to the regression.

Tucna president Mahongora Kavihuha said the lack of support that schools and teachers received from the line ministry led to the poor showing.

“There is a regression, there is no progression. That is because schools and teachers were left to make the most out of a bad situation; we have to thank the teachers for going out of their way. They need to be commended,” he said.

Kavihuha said materials such as schoolbooks that learners and teachers needed were delivered late. “The communication between the schools and the ministry was not there.”

According to him, the message coming from institutions of higher learning was not positive, in the light of the new high school curriculum that is in its implementation stage.

He further blasted the introduction of the new curriculum, which he said would not create more problems than solutions.

“This new curriculum leaves us with more challenges then solutions. From our side as Tucna we have engaged institutions of higher learning. We have found that they are only willing to take in prospective students for courses like your Bachelor of Arts degrees,” he said.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) treasurer Nico Smit also expressed disappointment with the Grade 12 results released.

“The PDM is deeply dismayed and saddened by the recently released exam results that showed once again that our education system is on the wrong track, with a significant drop in the number of learners who managed to achieve the required grade of 3 and above that will allow them to further their studies at a tertiary institution,” he said.

“It should be kept in mind that nothing has changed in our schools, as far as the skills of the teachers faced with this new situation is concerned.”

There has been a drop of almost 6% in Grade 12 candidates who qualified for university, while the number of ungraded candidates increased by almost three percentage points since last year.

More than 12 500 Grade 12 students who sat for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) higher level examinations qualified for university admission.

Of the 20 605 candidates who were registered for the grade 12 higher level exams this year, 66% qualified for university admission. Last year, 61% of 17 968 candidates qualified for further studies.

This was announced by deputy education minister Ester Anna Nghipondoka recently.

A total of 20 605 candidates - comprised of 18 649 full-time and 1 956 part-time candidates - registered for the NSSC higher level examinations.

The number of candidates increased by 2 637 or 12.8%, compared to 2018.

According to Nghipondoka the results did not meet the ministry’s expectations, particularly since 8.6% of the full-time candidates were ungraded.

Jailbirds appeal long sentences

0
0
Jailbirds appeal long sentencesJailbirds appeal long sentencesLandmark Supreme Court ruling opens door to challenge prison terms Prison authorities confirmed recently that at present 52 prisoners are serving sentences of between 41 and 50 years, and 37 prisoners are serving sentences of 51 or more years. At least three inmates facing decades behind bars with no prospect of release have taken steps to reduce the ultra-long sentences they are serving after these were declared unconstitutional in a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year.

In the 2018 State versus Gaingob judgement it was held that jail terms that exceed the life expectancy of an accused and results in an informal life sentence with little chance of release are cruel and inhumane.

The Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) confirmed recently that at present 52 prisoners are serving sentences of between 41 and 50 years, and 37 prisoners are serving sentences of 51 or more years.

The option of parole for these 84 prisoners will come much later than the 25 years minimum time to be served by the 42 lifers currently incarcerated.

Last year the Supreme Court pointed out that while lifers become eligible for parole after 25 years, in a fixed sentence parole becomes a possibility only after having served two thirds of a sentence.

In cases of jail terms longer than 37 and half years it would mean the fixed sentence is harsher than a life sentence, “the most onerous and serious sentence”, the court found.

An affidavit by the attorney-general's office underlined that “death should not be the only hope of release that such an offender has of ever being released.”



Reduce

Office of the Judiciary spokesperson Ockert Jansen confirmed that following the ruling last year, the Supreme Court has received two applications from inmates seeking to reduce their jail terms.

A third inmate, Tuhafeni Berendisa Kutamudi, was given the green light by the High Court to appeal his 85-year sentence for triple murder handed down in 2005.

Kutamudi would only become eligible for parole after serving 56 and a half years.

High Court judge Orben Sibeya in October said leave to appeal was granted because Kutamudi's prospects to succeed, based on the Gaingob ruling last year, were reasonable.

The judge underlined that the court cannot obstruct Kutamudi's “attempt to have his sentence reduced to the constitutionally permitted terms of imprisonment.”

Since the ruling the Supreme Court has received a number of letters from inmates serving ultra-long sentences, Jansen said, but as these are not legal applications they cannot be processed.

He explained the correct procedure is to submit a legal application for leave to appeal through the Registrar of the High Court.

Ombudsman John Walters this week said in most cases, the Supreme Court would likely reduce the sentences to life imprisonment, the harshest sentence now available.

He warned that inmates should be aware that life imprisonment means that should the conditions for parole be met, they would be released from prison on lifelong parole.

He warned that in such cases, if a parolee is convicted of another crime, they would be returned to prison for life, with no possibility of release.

Rehab

Among some of Namibia's record-breaking prison terms was an effective sentence of 110 years to which serial child rapist and murder convict Quinton Pieters was sentenced in 2015.

In 2011 Jeckonia Hamukoto, convicted of a triple murder, was given an effective 90-prison term.

In 2011, Ernestus Aibeb was sentenced to an effective 87 years behind bars for the murder of two young children and their aunt.

Also in 2011, Sylvester Beukes, who massacred eight people, was sentenced to an effective 105 years in prison, while his brother Gavin Beukes was handed an effective prison term of 84 years.

The Supreme Court judgment last year stressed that parole is not automatic and that the National Release Board must be satisfied that offenders meet the requirements for parole and release back into society. The judgement however stated that ultra-long sentences were a tool judges applied to ensure that convicts do not stand a chance for release.

The deputy commissioner-general of the NCS, Anna-Rosa Katjivena, said the objective of imprisonment is not only punishment, but also rehabilitation.

“One of the greatest catalysts in the rehabilitation process is hope. It is the hope of release that enables the process of rehabilitation to yield fruitful results. An offender without hope of release will not likely participate in programmes designed to rehabilitate them.”

She said long jail terms further pose an unnecessary financial burden on the state as offenders who could contribute positively towards nation-building are not able to do so because of their sentences.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Christmas babies galore

0
0
Christmas babies galoreChristmas babies galoreKatutura hospital records 23 births Many moms in Namibia welcomed special gifts on Christmas Day. Hospitals in Windhoek recorded 28 new births on Christmas Day, while Erongo welcomed 16 of these births and Otjiwarongo six.

The Katutura State Hospital topped the list of Christmas babies with 23.

The Windhoek Central Hospital recorded a total of seven Christmas babies - five girls and two boys.

Rhino Park private hospital recorded two baby girls and Medi-Clinic one baby boy born on Christmas Day. The first Windhoek Christmas baby - a girl - was born at 00:04 at the Windhoek Central Hospital and weighed in at 3.22 kilograms. The Katutura hospital welcomed its first Christmas baby boy at 00:36, born to Martha Haikali and weighing in at 2.78kg.

Haikali, who lives in the Okahandja Park informal settlement, said: “I am extremely happy that God has blessed me with a child on Christmas Day.”

No births were recorded at Lady Pohamba private hospital.

Last year, 43 babies were born in Windhoek on Christmas Day.



Erongo births

A total of 16 babies were born on Christmas

Day in Erongo, with the first one - a baby girl - delivered at around 00:23 in the Swakopmund State Hospital. Altogether, eight healthy babies - five boys and three girls - were delivered at the hospital.

Another three babies were delivered at the Walvis Bay State Hospital, where the first baby - a girl -was born at 07:30. Walvis Bay State Hospital nurse Belinda Ganases said the second and third Christmas babies - both boys - were delivered at 12:40 and 17:45 respectively.

Three mothers also welcomed their Christmas babies at the Usakos State Hospital.

According to nurse Secilia Shilongo the last Christmas baby at Usakos was born at around 19:50.

Omaruru also delivered one Christmas baby at 03:00, according to nurse Selma Josephat.

No Christmas babies were born at the Welwitchia Hospital in Walvis Bay.



Six in Otjiwarongo

The Otjiwarongo State Hospital recorded a total of four boys and two girls born on Christmas Day.

Supervisor at the hospital's maternity ward Theresia Vatilifa said her team of nurses assisted six mothers who delivered their babies on their own between 03:30 and 18:00 on Christmas Day.

Among the babies born was a premature baby boy weighing 1.4kg.

“We first assisted a 22-year-old woman to deliver her baby girl at about 03:30 in the early hours of Wednesday morning,” said Vatilifa.

All six babies weighted between 1.4kg and 3.78kg.

Hilma Moongela, 24, from Otjiwarongo expressed her happiness after delivering a healthy baby boy on Christmas Day - the same day Jesus Christ was born.



NAMPA

Bridging the gap to success

0
0
Bridging the gap to successBridging the gap to success Starting a business requires one to be determined, motivated, focused and ambitious, because it is not easy to get an enterprise off the ground.

This according to entrepreneur, whose construction business Epatululo Trading Enterprises held a year-end party for employees and their families recently. The company specialises in bridge construction.

The get together with nearly 100 employees and their families coincided with the 10th birthday of the company. They were treated to awards and Christmas hampers, depending on their years of service and contributions to the firm.

Shimana, an employee of Nexus, started the construction company in 2009 and today they specialise in bridge construction and concrete making.

The company is named after his home village.

“It was not an easy beginning because we could spend up to six months tendering without getting any tender. After I attended Roads Authority (RA) construction training and got certified, we got our first tender as a subcontractor for the Oshakati-Ompundja road to construct bridges,” Shimana said. “The challenging part was that due to the nature of the work I was supposed to resign and focus on the company work, but since it was just few month works, I decided not to resign and put all the day to day responsibilities on my wife. After knocking off from my Nexus work, I used to work extra hours assisting my wife, who had no experience in the construction industry.”

Shimana said his wife was willing to do the work and it only took her few months to start working on her own, without his involvement.

He said they recruited a few people with experience in the construction industry and they helped grow the firm from strength to strength.

Shimana's wife Emilia said that from their very first tender, she had to work hard to make sure that they complied with the tender specifications and deliver quality work.

“John Shapumba is our first experienced construction employee, while Salomon Angula was our engineer. Angula told me Shapumba was doing a good job and from there I decided not to let him go,” Emilia said.

Today Shapumba is Epatululo's site foreman.

“Today we have been in operation for 10 years and we are still getting recommendations to build bridges and we have constructed many bridges across the country.

Shimana said even after 10 years, they are still operating as a subcontractor and are trying to tap into more experience, before taking on major construction projects as a main contractor.

Epatululo has done subcontractor work at the Omafo railway bridge, flood repairs and multi-care protection at Omwandi and at the Oniipa railway bridge.

They have also worked on the Oshigambo bridge near Oshigambo High School and constructed returning walls at the crocodile farm at Kongola in the Zambezi Region.

The company is currently constructing bridges along the Namalubi-Isize-Luhonono road, which are expected to be completed next year.

Staff Reporter

Recalled Rundu councillors defiant

0
0
Recalled Rundu councillors defiantRecalled Rundu councillors defiant Three Swapo councillors who were recently recalled from the Rundu town council are refusing to accept their fate and have questioned the legality of their removal.

They are arguing that the Swapo district executive failed to cite either the party constitution or the Local Authority Act when removing them.

The trio have indicated that if the Swapo Rundu Urban district executive does not stop interfering in the swearing in of office-bearers, legal action will follow.

In a no holds barred letter to Swapo Rundu Urban district coordinator Gabriel Hakusembe, Isak Kandingu points out the alleged irregularities relating to his, Toini Hausiku and Anastacia Shinduvi's unceremonious recall. According to Hakusembe the trio were recalled on the basis that they do not attend district meetings, leaving the district in the dark over what transpires at the local authority.

The trio are to be replaced by Serafine Mandjoro, Johaness Ngondo and Romanus Munika. However, Kandingu argues that at no point did Hakusembe, who authored their recall letter, cite the Local Authority Act or the Swapo constitution. He also stressed that when a candidate serves on a local authority, they do not become puppets of the party they represent, but people who serve in the best interests of the residents of that particular town

“The party members serving on the town council cannot just be withdrawn in terms of the Swapo constitution and or in terms of the Act, without due process of the law,” Kandingu wrote on 20 December.

“I now hereby write to inform the district executive and the regional executive committee leadership that when a candidate lawfully serves on the town council on a party ticket, such person does not serve as puppet of the party nor is such individual without free will or an independent opinion from that of the party, provided such opinion is in the best interest of the town council he or she serves (on).”

Kandingu also used the opportunity to draw Hakusembe's attention to the Local Authority Act on the issue of directives from political parties. He said in terms of the Act a political party has no legal basis to issue a directive on the election of office-bearers, as the directive would be “unlawful and without any legal force”. “Should the district executive or any individual by any means impede or attempt to impede the councillors from achieving their statutory obligations, appropriate legal action against the district executive and other individuals involved will be taken,” Kandingu said.

Hakusembe confirmed he has seen Kandingu's letter. He, however, said he will not respond to it because a Rundu town council letterhead had been used and that Kandingu had been recalled from the local authority. Hakusembe is also troubled by the fact the Kandingu is still being transported in the council vehicle.

“How can I respond to a letter which is on the logo of the local authority? The district has decided,” Hakusembe said.

He said the district will meet next year to discuss the way forward.

Attempts to get comment from Swapo Kavango East regional coordinator Ottilie Shinduvi proved futile.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Fishrot 6 stay in jail

0
0
Fishrot 6 stay in jailFishrot 6 stay in jailNew Year in prison for 'leisurely' accused The so-called Fishrot Six will stay behind bars after an urgent application to have their warrants of arrest set aside was removed from the High Court roll. The so-called Fishrot Six will remain in prison until at least February 2020, after Acting High Court Judge Kobus Miller dismissed their urgent application to have their warrants of arrest set aside.

They were also ordered to pay the legal costs of the respondents, including the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Namibian police.

Former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and his co-accused former justice minister Sacky Shanghala former Fishcor board chairperson James Hatuikulipi, businessman Tamson 'Fitty' Hatuikulipi, former Investec Asset Management client manager Ricardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo had challenged the legality of their arrests.

They are in custody after allegedly receiving about N$150 million in bribes in exchange for giving Iceland seafood company Samherji access to Namibian fishing quotas.

Miller pointed out on Friday that their rather leisurely approach to the court flies in the face of any sense of urgency to secure their release from detention.

He said they did very little to show the High Court what caused them not to immediately turn to it after their arrest on 27 November.

“The matter lingered in the magistrate's court for several days in pursuit of a bail hearing, which was ultimately abandoned, at least for the time being.

“The first of what was to be this application was made on 29 November, with an indication that it would be brought on 2 December with the bail hearing.

“That turned out not to be the case. The matter was allowed to linger on further until at least the 14th of December, when it was filed with this court,” Miller said.

According to him the defence counsel's explanation why they were delayed lacks important detail and remains vague and that the Fishrot lawyers' only response was that their clients have been deprived of liberty.

“It is correct that cases involving personal liberty should be treated with jealous regard to the constitution. However, the right to personal liberty, as guaranteed in Article 7 of the constitution, is not an absolute right,” Miller said.



Unlawful

On 19 December the Fishrot Six's high-powered legal team, including two South African advocates argued that the State had played a trick by regurgitating an unlawful warrant to arrest their clients.

The unlawful warrant stems from the arrest of former fisheries minister Esau, who was released from custody on a Sunday after the state and his lawyers agreed that the warrant was illegal.

South African advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that when Esau was rearrested with his co-accused, “no new facts have been produced”.

“Instead, the affidavit in support of the warrant of 26 November regurgitates the affidavit of 23 November.

This leaves the inescapable conclusion that the application of 26 November was simply a trick to circumvent the order of 23 November 2019,” Ngcukaitobi said.

He said the allegations in the affidavit used for the arrest warrants did not set out a convincing basis for the need to arrest the applicants, and the officials had not disclosed that the investigations had been ongoing since 2014.

“In none of the affidavits filed in support of the application of the warrants of arrest is any allegation made for the case that it was necessary, particularly at this stage, to arrest the applicants,” Ngcukaitobi said.

In his view the respondents had not shown that arresting the accused was the only way to ensure their attendance at court, and therefore the arrest warrants were unlawful.

jemima@namibiansun.com

JEMIMA BEUKES

Crime sours festive season

0
0
Crime sours festive seasonCrime sours festive season Several murders have been recorded so far over the festive period.

On Christmas Day at a residence in Willa-Fillies Street in Khomasdal a suspect fatally shot his girlfriend with a hunting rifle.

This was after the suspect and his girlfriend were travelling in a car, stopped at a traffic light and got into an argument with a taxi driver.

The suspect drove home after the argument and collected a hunting rifle. The girlfriend allegedly stopped him from going after the taxi driver and the two allegedly struggled for the rifle. During the scuffle a shot went off, killing the deceased instantly. A 31-year-old man has been arrested.

At about 21:15 on Christmas Day at Ozondanda location in Epukiro, a quarrel erupted between a suspect and a victim over a cigarette. The suspect took a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest causing his death.

Also on Christmas Day at about 23:00 in Okarundu Street in Wanaheda a suspect shot Elvis Eiseb (28), who died upon arrival at the Katutura State Hospital. His next of kin have been informed. The motive for the shooting is unknown and no arrests have been made.

On Family Day at about 04:00 at the Khomas Apartments Flats in Zanzibar Street in Otjomuise, a man fatally shot one of the three suspects who broke into his apartment. It is alleged that suspects broke into the apartment by forcing the door open and stole two laptops, clothes and food from the freezer.

The owner of the apartment was awoken by the noise. He allegedly fired a warning shot from his licenced shotgun and as the suspects were exiting with his goods, he fired another shot which fatally hit one of the suspects. The other two suspects fled with other items. No arrest has been made yet. Also on Family Day at about 10:30 in Omukunga Street in Hakahana, the lifeless body of Hilma Shigwedha (25) was found in her shack by family members. It is alleged that she was hit with a brick on the head and bled to death. The deceased's boyfriend, Vilbard Pandulani Shigwedha (29), who is a soldier was also found hanging from a tree between Ombili and Hakahana on the same day. It is believed that the suspect killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide.

A case of attempted murder was also reported on Family Day at Mukuvi village in the Kavango East Region at about 11:00 along Trans-Caprivi highway. A Toyota Fortuner overturned killing Ruth Joao (20) on the spot and seriously injuring the driver and five other passengers. The injured are in a critical condition at the Nyangana State Hospital. The next of kin were informed. Police investigations continue.

A 37-year-old man was arrested last Tuesday for allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death.

Nampol acting regional commander for Kunene, Deputy Commissioner Jaron Iita, told Nampa on Saturday that the suspect is on the run.



368 road crashes

Meanwhile, a total of 368 road crashes were recorded countrywide between 25 November and 25 December. This reflects a decline compared to the same period in 2018 which recorded 383 crashes.

Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said the highest number of road crashes were recorded in the Khomas Region for both 2018 and 2019. The Otjozondjupa Region registered the highest road crash fatalities for both periods in 2018 and 2019. Nationally, fatalities dropped from 73 in 2018 to 46 this year for the period under review.

A slight decline in injuries was further recorded this year.

OGONE TLHAGE

To better days ahead!

0
0
To better days ahead!To better days ahead! Namibia goes into 2020 leaving a truly forgettable year behind it.

It was a landmark year for many families in a truly bad sense, given that the economic woes and accompanying job losses continued to take food off tables countywide. As a nation, we also have had to come face to face with naked greed and corruption, which put the interests of the few above those of the many. We obviously cannot paint all politicians with the same brush, but 2019 taught us there are those among us who would sell our crown jewels so they, their families and side-chicks can feast, while the rest of us starve. In 2020 there should be a renewed call to civil society activism. As Namibians we should be at the forefront of demanding action and change from the powers that be. We have also just emerged from a general election in which those in power learnt a crucial lesson that citizens will no longer tolerate the status quo of the proximity to political power determining which hands are empty or full. We should gird our loins in the year ahead and press forward on critical issues still facing the country. It cannot be correct that restorative justice, access to housing and the dignity of a job is still out of reach for the majority of our people. What is needed is the kind of positive citizen activism that drives this nation forward in meaningful ways. It has become obvious that the rhetoric and emotion-filled harkening back to the past will not fill our bellies and those of our families. Power must be further held to account in the coming year. The rise of impunity must be further stopped in its tracks! We wish all of you a safe and blessed time as you see in the New Year. Business as usual ended in 2019; let the decade ahead be one of sweeping fruitfulness for ordinary citizens!
May there be better days ahead for all in 2020 and may the spirit of bravery and activism grow stronger in the face of all the challenges that may come our way as a country!
Viewing all 36395 articles
Browse latest View live


Latest Images