Khorixas entrepreneur donates to vulnerable

January 7, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Khorixas entrepreneur donates to vulnerable

An upcoming local entrepreneur at Khorixas in the Kunene Region on Monday donated food items to ten households of the needy elderly and unemployed residents, to help them get through the month of January.

Owner of RJ Investments, Richard John Dawids (42) told Nampa here Monday that: “January can be a very challenging month considering the unemployment rate and also the elderly that have finished their pension money during the festive season. I am doing this out of good faith and ploughing back into the community is the right thing to do.'

One of the beneficiaries Victoria Nanus (92) said the only decent meal she had last, was during the month of November, as she did not get any donations last year.

“As I am sitting here I am very hungry. I am sure God has sent you in the form of an angel to my house. I am very grateful. I was wondering where my next meal would come from. God has answered my prayers,” she said.

Another beneficiary living with ten unemployed people at her home, Elizabeth Klim (60), said that she has been facing difficult times every January and the food items will help them get through January worries.

“I am speechless. I have many mouths to feed. I am thankful that I am part of the beneficiaries. God will bless Dawids for coming to rescue us. Who in Khorixas would have come to our house just like that to donate food? May God bless him,” said Klim.

Lydia Kordom (75) said that God has seen her struggles.

“He truly will be blessed. I have been struggling and I am sure this food will help my household survive this month. I was praying that somebody helps me at least with food yesterday, my prayers are answered,” she said.

Three unemployed residents aged between 44 and 47 years were also among the beneficiaries. Donated items include 10 kilograms of rice, maize meal and baking flour as well as 2 litres cooking oil, and a 5kg bag of sugar.

Dawids added that the donation of food items to needy will be an annual gesture.

NAMPA

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Correctional officers targeting inmates' money

January 7, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Correctional officers targeting inmates' money

Since March 2018, nine correctional officers have been implicated in 13 cases of illegal activities, including smuggling contraband into correctional facilities.

Four of the officers were implicated in illegal transactions of offenders' money, while others were involved in smuggling drugs and cellphones.

All implicated officers were held before disciplinary hearings and some have since lost their jobs.

This is according to information provided by the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS). The NCS manages 13 correctional facilities across the country.

In April 2018, three officials were involved in illegal transactions of inmates' money at Gobabis, Windhoek and Oluno correctional facilities.

The NCS could however not specify the amount of money.

The officer from the Gobabis facility resigned after admitting guilt and paying back the inmate's money.

The Windhoek facility officer was charged in a disciplinary hearing and the matter was handed over to the High Court for prosecution, while the Oluno officer was arrested after deserting the service and is currently still in Ondangwa police custody.

Another case of illegal transaction of inmates' money was reported in May 2018 at the Windhoek facility. The matter is currently pending before a disciplinary committee.

An official from the Oluno facility was dismissed after being caught smuggling cell phones, mandrax, cannabis, tobacco and SIM cards in September 2018.

Four incidents from last year are pending before a disciplinary committee. This includes a case of an official smuggling cell phones and SIM cards into the Walvis Bay facility in February, an officer smuggling cannabis into the Hardap facility and the smuggling of cell phones at the Oluno and Elizabeth Nepemba facilities.

Four cases of visitors smuggling drugs and cell phones were also recorded at the Windhoek and Gobabis facilities.

ILENI NANDJATO

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German reparation offer ‘not true’

January 7, 2020, 2:00 pm

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German reparation offer ‘not true’ JEMIMA BEUKES

Namibia's envoy on genocide and reparations Dr Zed Ngavirue has rejected claims that Germany has presented the Namibian government with a quantum on what they are willing to pay in terms of reparations for the 1904-1908 Nama and Ovaherero genocide.

This follows claims by former Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung representative to Namibia Heiner Naumann that in the second quarter of 2019, the German government presented Namibia with an official proposal on reparations.

On the sidelines of his farewell ceremony last November, Naumann told Namibian Sun he was surprised that this information had not been made public yet.

“But I think it is also wise for President Hage Geingob not to use this before the elections, otherwise it may be seen as a political tool,” he said.

Ngavirue however vehemently denied this and said there was a different proposal presented by former German ambassador to Namibia Christian-Matthias Schlaga, who discussed it at a local German high school.

“They talked about support for vocational training, housing and electricity installations and provided some figures. It was sort of an indication of interventions they are willing to give and this has been presented to the communities through their respective representatives. But for now, we are still negotiating,” he said.

Ngavirue added that the political elections in both Namibia and Germany delayed the negotiation process and they are expected to only return to Berlin in February for another round of talks.

The last round of talks took place early 2019 in Swakopmund.

“We have to go back to Berlin to respond to some of the proposals made in Swakopmund. I am positive that we should make a real advance this time around, but it would certainly not be the conclusion of talks,” he said.

Ready to pay

In June 2019, Namibian Sun reported that Schlaga told a group of German-speaking Namibians in Swakopmund that it was unfortunate that the negotiating process between the two countries could not be completed during his time as ambassador.

At the time, he also said Germany will not bind itself to legal terms such as reparations, but prefers “voluntary commitment to heal the wounds of the past”.

According to him, reparation is a no-go area for Germany since this creates a certain legal bond and that, instead, Germany is looking at the establishment of a ‘reconciliation fund’ which would finance specific nationwide projects in Namibia, while a ‘higher amount’ was intended for a trust account.

jemima@namibiansun.com

STILL GOING STRONG: Namibia's envoy on genocide and reparations, Dr Zed Ngavirue.

PHOTO: FILE

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Only one Air Nam route profitable

January 7, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Only one Air Nam route profitable

10 others all making losses

The national airline has been begging government to relieve it of the Windhoek-Frankfurt route, its biggest loss-making operation, but to no avail.

OGONE TLHAGE

All but one of Air Namibia’s 11 routes are loss-making, a situation which public enterprises minister Leon Jooste blamed on low passenger load factors and high operating costs of some of the aircraft being operated.

The aircraft’s operating costs are influenced by lease costs, maintenance, fuel and other fixed costs, Jooste told Namibian Sun yesterday.

The national airline flies to 11 destinations in Europe, southern Africa and domestically. It flies from Windhoek to Frankfurt, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gaborone and Durban daily. It flies from Windhoek to Victoria Falls six times a week, as well as to Harare and Lusaka four times a week.

On the local front, it flies from Windhoek to Ondangwa and Walvis Bay on a daily basis while it flies from Windhoek to Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Lüderitz four times a week.

Even though certain aircraft can be operated profitably where high load factors are constantly maintained, they will generate losses on routes where their capabilities are not fully utilised.

“The other related factor is aircraft utilisation, where the amount of time aircraft spend flying to generate revenue versus the amount of time they spend on the ground losing money becomes critical,” said the minister, who is leading efforts to reform the company and make it efficient.

A breakeven or profitable Air Namibia will have to operate under a very different business model, says Jooste, with changes being mooted to the current fleet composition to ensure profitability.

Namibian Sun understands that for a long time, the airline has been begging government to relieve it of the Windhoek-Frankfurt route, its biggest loss-making operation, but the pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Jooste did not comment on this route, but said ‘carefully selected routes’ would help the airline become profitable under a new model.

“Loss-making routes cannot be sustained unless they have definite potential to become profitable within an acceptable period of time. Other than that, significant cost-cutting and restructuring will have to be implemented to address the current unsustainable levels of inefficiency,” he explained.

“Even with the above measures implemented, chances of commercial profitability will remain challenging and Air Namibia will require world-class executive leadership to give it the best chance possible to operate within an acceptable margin of commercial performance.”

The airline has been without a substantive head since 2014, after it parted ways with Theo Namases.

Asked about the future of the national carrier in light of a recent funding request on the part of the airline, the minister said no such funding has been approved.

“I want to make it clear that government has not approved any additional funding for Air Namibia. We have simply approved a government guarantee to the value of N$578 million that the company has used to source funding from a commercial financial institution,” he hastened to clarify.

Air Namibia has over the years received favourable bail-out packages from government, despite never making profit in its entire history of existence.

When asked if the status quo would continue infinitum, Jooste acknowledged that time would come for the airline to change or go under.

He said Air Namibia’s fleet structure further exacerbated the airline’s problems. The airline currently makes use of two Airbus A330 aircraft on its Windhoek-Frankfurt route, Airbus 319 aircraft on its regional routes and Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft on its domestic routes.

Jooste had last year explored the possibility of cancelling the airline’s leasing agreements for the Airbus aircraft.

The airline reportedly pays N$15 million per month for the use of the Airbus A330 aircraft, and cannot exit the lease arrangement until it expires in 2025.

TROUBLED SKIES: Air Namibia pays N$15 million monthly for leased aircraft.

PHOTO: FILE

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Iiyambo lands Fifa spot

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Iiyambo lands Fifa spot

Namibia's former national women's football team striker and Fifa Masters graduate Salome Iiyambo recently joined the football governing body.

The former footballer landed a spot as an intern trainee for member associations.

She started her football career as a speedy and tricky attacker in the Rundu College of Education women's football team.

She went on to join the most successful women's football team in Namibia, Okahandja Beauties FC.

During her time there, Iiyambo and her teammates won six national titles.

She is currently employed by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) and also coordinates the Okahandja Galz & Goals programme.

In a statement released by Namibia's Women Football Development Desk, Iiyambo is hailed as a great coordinator.

“Salome did not only do well on the field of play but showed great coordination, administrative and management skills already while being a full-time teacher.

“She is one of the top five women in Namibia who are groomed to lead the women's game.

“With a glittering CV, she remains the next big thing in the local female sport arena,” the statement reads.

The desk further wished Iiyambo well in her endeavours and encouraged her to use this experience to improve the game locally.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Back to boxing business

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Sharapova handed Aussie Open wildcard

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Back to boxing businessTobias hints card in March Renowned boxing promoter Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias is confident that he will produce a world champion this year.

The MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy is planning on hosting its first bonanza for the year in March, founder Nester Tobias said.

He said his boxers need to regain fitness before he can stage any fights at the moment.

The academy, which has produced world and African champions over the years, began its operations for 2020 on Tuesday. Boxers officially started doing some light training in an attempt to regain fitness following a long holiday break.

“We officially opened on Tuesday and we definitely have big plans for the year.

“I must confess that we have already received offers for some of our top fighters but we are still weighing our options before we can make any moves.

“What is important now is that the academy has plans to host its first boxing bonanza in March,” Tobias said. The promoter expects more amateur boxers to join his stable this year, adding that he plans to ensure that those who have been in the amateur ranks for a long time turn pro this year.

“We have boxers joining this academy almost every day but it actually takes time and steps to get them ready. “The truth is that some boxers take longer to master the art while others are fast learners.

“It is important that we continue assessing our boxers by ensuring that they are completely ready to take bigger steps in their boxing careers,” Tobias added. One of the academy's biggest world title hopefuls for 2020 is the sensational Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila.

Nakathila defeated Peter Pambeni towards the end of last year in a fight that took place at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.

He has not lost a bout in three years. Nakathila's only defeat came in 2016 when he lost to Evgeny Chuprakov during a World Boxing Organisation intercontinental super featherweight title fight.

“I have been on holiday but I am back in the capital and ready to start my year off with a bang.

“It is important for me to start working out as early as possible because one never knows when an opportunity arises.

“My promoter is the one who makes the decisions and that is why I trust that he will make ways for me to get closer to a world title fight this year,” Nakathila said yesterday.

The academy is situated at the Katutura Youth Complex in Windhoek.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Sharapova handed Aussie Open wildcard

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Sharapova handed Aussie Open wildcard Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova said it was ‘very special’ after being handed an Australian Open wildcard yesterday as she attempts to resurrect her career after an injury-plagued 2019.

The 32-year-old, who won the tournament in 2008, has slipped down the rankings to 147, outside automatic qualification, and was bounced out of the Brisbane International this week in the first round.

But the Russian remains a big name and she will line up at Melbourne Park for a 16th time since her debut in 2003.

"To be in the draw of the Australian Open is incredible," Sharapova said.

"I've had wonderful experiences there, from holding the championship trophy to losing some very tough finals as well. There's been a lot of ups and downs in Australia.

"So, to have another chance, another opportunity, to compete on all those courts is very special."

She reached the fourth last year, upsetting defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in an epic third round win.

Until Brisbane, Sharapova had not played since a first-round loss to career-long rival Serena Williams at the US Open in August, with her season ruined by a shoulder injury.

"It was a long match. I think this is going to be a good test for my shoulder, not so much right now, but maybe tomorrow and the day after to see how I feel," she said after her Brisbane defeat on Tuesday.

"I definitely lost speed on it and strength toward the end of the match, but that comes with time. I have to be patient with that."

Sharapova also revealed she had been battling a virus "where I just couldn't keep anything in".

NAMPA/AFP

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Ogongo FC crowned champions

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Ogongo FC crowned champions Ogongo Football Club was crowned the new champion of the Uukwangula Annual Sports Festival last Saturday.

The four-day sports tournament started at Uukwangula Stadium in the Oshana Region’s Embandu village last Wednesday.

It featured more than 20 teams competing in football and netball.

Ogongo emerged as the new football champion when the team defeated host Uukwangula 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw.

Ogongo vice captain Absalom ‘Tokolo’ Amukushu told Nampa he was impressed by his team’s performance. He said this was the fourth time they reached the finals, but that they were always knocked out through penalty kicks.

“We did not expect it, but everyone is happy for the surprise win. The Ogongo community was very happy after we presented the trophy to our villagers. We are planning to present it to our village headman, tatekulu Sakaria Kuudhingwa,” said Amukushu.

Also speaking to Nampa was event organiser Jona Kasheeta, who said the tournament was conducted in a professional manner.

Kasheeta added that this year’s competition brought together people from different walks of life as they celebrated the first day of the year in sportsmanship.

He urged men aged 40 and above to join the annual sports festival.

“It re-energises you and is a good platform to transfer sports skills to the youth,” he said.

Meanwhile, 21 Brigade Sports Club, which represents the Namibian Defence Force in the competition, emerged as the overall winner after collecting four trophies for netball, women’s football, football for men aged 50 and over as well as for penalty kicks.

The Uukwangula Annual Sports Festival was initiated in 1999 by community members in the Oshana Region to bring people from different cultural and social backgrounds together and to celebrate the first day of the New Year while promoting sport.

Winning teams and individuals were awarded trophies, medals and cash prizes.

NAMPA

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Player of the Year first for Mane

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Omuloka omuwananwa tagu tsikile mOnooli

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Player of the Year first for ManeForward beat out Salah and Mahrez Sadio Mane became the second star from Senegal to be named the African Player of the Year after El Hadji Diouf, who was the continent's best player in 2001 and 2002.

NAMPA/AFP

Liverpool star Sadio Mane was crowned Africa's 2019 Player of the Year for the first time at an awards gala in Egypt on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Senegalese striker was up against his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian who won the award the last two years, and Algerian Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City.

"I am really happy and at the same time I am really proud to win this award," said Mane at the ceremony organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the Egyptian Red Sea city of Hurghada.

"It's a big day for me."

He scored 34 goals and produced 12 assists in 61 appearances in 2019, according to CAF statistics.

Salah's tally stood at 26 goals and 10 assists in 55 matches while Mahrez accounted for 14 goals and 18 assists in 48 games last year.

The key Senegalese player shared the 2018/19 Premier League Golden Boot award with Salah and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Gabon.

"I would love to thank all the Senegalese people. They have been for me all the time, they push me," said Mane, extending sincere gratitude to people from his village Bambali.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino as well as former Argentinian player Juan Sebastian Veron and Brazil's Cafu attended the event.

Some of Africa's former star players including Senegal's Diouf, Egypt's Ahmed Hassan and Algeria's Rabah Madjer were also at the ceremony.

Neither Salah nor Mahrez, who was playing for Manchester City, were present on Tuesday.

Mane, Salah and Mahrez played for their respective countries in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah's Egypt crashed out of the competition shortly after it kicked off but Mane and Mahrez faced off in the final.

Algeria claimed the title following a 1-0 victory over Senegal in Cairo.

At the ceremony, other male awards went to Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi, Algerian Youcef Belaili for African Interclubs Player of the Year and Algeria's national team.

The award for the youth category was given to Morocco's Achraf Hakimi of Borussia Dortmund.

Female awardees included Nigerian Asisat Oshoala, who won the African Women's Player of the Year prize for the fourth time.

South African national team boss Desiree Ellis was also voted top coach for the second consecutive year.

Cameroon's women's team was selected as the continent's best after reaching the last 16 of the World Cup.

The Egyptian Football Association also won the Federation of the Year award.

The CAF Team of the Year featured Salah, Mane and Aubameyang as well as Mahrez and Ajax duo Andre Onana and Hakim Ziyech.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye was included alongside Senegal teammate Kalidou Koulibaly, with Hakimi, Joel Matip and Serge Aurier also selected.

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Omuloka omuwananwa tagu tsikile mOnooli

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Omulumentu a tsu nombele omukiintu gwe nale iikando ihetatu

≪ Previous: Player of the Year first for Mane

Omuloka omuwananwa tagu tsikile mOnooli Omvula ombwaanawa okwa lopotwa tayi tsikile nokuloka miitopolwa yomonooli yoshilongo noku etitha aanamapya yi ipyakidhile momapya gawo netegemaneno lyeteyo tali shambula.

Omuloka guli nawa ogwa lopotwa uule womasiku gaheyali ga landulathana monooli yaNamibia.

Oyendji taya longekidha omapya gawo omanga mboka ya tameke nale yiipyakidhia noondima.

Paulina Mufeti, ngoka e li omukomeho gwoshikondo shonkalo yombepo muuministeli wuunamapya okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya nonando okwa dhidhilikwa omuloka guli nawa, inaku lopotwa hewa efundja.

Pauyelele kombinga yondjele yomuloka ya dhidhilikwa, omudhingoloko gwaNdangwa okwa lopotwa gwa mono omuloka guli pombanda muule womasiku 12 muDecemba sho kwa lopotwa oomililita 65.2 omanga ondoolopa yaShakati ya lopotwa oomililita 51.6. Ondangwa oya lopota omuloka gwotango mesiku lyotango lyaDecemba omvula ya piti , ngoka gwa yelekwa nondjele yoomililita 4.5, omanga momasiku gane gaDecemba oshowo 5 gaDecemba kwa lopotwa omuloka gwondjele yoomililita 65.2 oshowo 18.5.

Ondoolopa ndjoka natango okwa lopotwa ya yakula omuloka omunene okuya pehulilo lyomwedhi Desemba, sho oomililita 33.3, 21, 11 ,4 dha lopotwa momasiku gatatu gahugunina gomwedhi Desemba.

Ondoolopa yaShakati oya yakula omuloka gwawo gwotango momwedhi gwa piti moka oomililita 15.4 dha lopotwa momasiku gaali gaDesemba, momasiku gatano okwa lopotwa oomililita 51.6 omanga momasiku gahamano kwa lopotwa oomililita 6.2.

Okongo moshitopolwa shaHangwena oya yakula omuloka gwoomililita 32 momasiku gaali gaDesemba, omanga momasiku gahamano 6 kwa yakulwa omuloka gwoomililita 31, noomililita 15.5 momasiku 17 gaDesemba oomililita 24.5 dha lopotwa momasiku 18 gaDesemba.

Mondolopa yEenhana omwa lopotwa omuloka guli pevi nomililita yimwe momasiku 5 oshowo 16 gaDesemba.

Moshitopolwa shaMusati, ondoolopa yaKahao oya lopotwa omuloka gu li pombanda momasiku gatano gaDesemba sho kwa lopotwa oomililita 27.4 omanga oomiliita 10 dha lopotwa esiku lyalandula.

Mesiku lyotango yaDesemba, mugaali, 19 oshowo momasiku 20 okwa lopotwa omuloka guli pevi lyoomililita 10, omanga mondoolopa ya Outapi omwa lopotwa oomililita 0.3 momasiku gatatu.

Ondoolopa yaMuthiya moshitopolwa shaShikoto oya yakula omuloka gwoomililita 9 momasiku gahamano gaDesemba omanga momasiku 19 kwa yakulwa omuloka gwoomililita 0.6 nomomasiku 20 gaDesemba okwa dhidhilikwa omuloka gwoomililita 16.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Omulumentu a tsu nombele omukiintu gwe nale iikando ihetatu

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Ukraine passenger jet crashes in Iran

≪ Previous: Omuloka omuwananwa tagu tsikile mOnooli

Omulumentu a tsu nombele omukiintu gwe nale iikando ihetatu Omukiintu gwoomvula 29 okwa tsuwa nombele iikando ihetatu komumati gwe nale sha ningilwa molukanda lwedhina Palmwag moshitopolwa shaKunene.

Palipota yopolisi, oshiningwanima shoka osha ningwa mOlyomakaya lwopotundi onti 18h00 konima yoondjuma. Omulumentu ngoka okwa tulwa miipandeko.

Omukiintu ngoka okwa falwa kokapangelogona kaBergsig nokonima okwa tuminwa oshipangelo shaKhorixas na okwa lopotwa e li monkalo yi li hwepo.

Moshiningwanima sha yooloka omunamimvo 27 okwa dhengwa nokukwatwa onkonga komulumentu gwoomvula 31 mEtitano lya piti molukanda Kangenya moNkurenkuru. Omulumentu ngoka aniwa okwa hilile omukiintu motenda ye noku mu kwatwa onkonga. Omulumentu okwa tulwa miipandeko.

Momukunda Uukwandongo mOkahao, aafekelwa yaali oyiiteyele mondunda yomunamimvo 42 noku mu manga komaako nomagulu.

Oya pula ongodhi ye yopeke, iipatulula yopokandingoshi niimaliwa.

Sho aniwa omufekelwa gumwe a yi kokandingosho mukwawo okwa kwata onkonga omukiintu.

Aalumentu yaali yoomvula 22 no 24 oya tulwa miipandeko.

Molukanda Tutaleni mOmbaye, omukiintu gwoomvula 21 okwa kambadhala okukwata onkonga omukiintu gwoomvula 34 mondunda yomanwino. Otaku hokololwa kutya omulumentu ngoka okwa landulile omukiintu kokandjugo na okwe mu hula iikutu ye na okwa kambadhala oku mu kwata onkonga. Omulumentu okwa tulwa miipandeko.

Moshitopolwa shaKavango East omulumentu gwoomvula 32 okwa ningi omatilitho gwokudhipaga nekatana omulumentu gwoomvula 20 mEtitano lya piti.

Natango okwa lopotwa woo iipotha yomaidhipago yi li itatu mehuliloshiwike omanga mOngha momukunda Oshikwiyu, okanona koomvula ndatu kokakadhona ka adhika ka sila mokandambo komeya. Okanona oka kana mOsoondaha na otaku fekelwa kutya oka si omeya.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Ukraine passenger jet crashes in Iran

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Iran fires missiles at US troop bases in Iraq

≪ Previous: Omulumentu a tsu nombele omukiintu gwe nale iikando ihetatu

Ukraine passenger jet crashes in IranAll 176 on board feared dead The Ukrainian president has warned against speculation about the cause of the crash amid increasing tensions in the Middle East.

A Ukrainian airliner carrying 176 people from seven countries crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran yesterday, killing all on board.

The vast majority of the passengers on the Boeing 737 flight from Tehran to Kiev were non-Ukrainians, including 82 Iranians and 63 Canadians, officials said.

The crash occurred with tensions high in the Middle East and shortly after Tehran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing US troops. But there was no immediate indication of foul play and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned against “speculating” on the cause of the disaster.

The US aviation authority said it had banned US-registered carriers from flying over Iraq, Iran and the Gulf, and airlines including Lufthansa and Air France said they were suspending flights through Iraqi and Iranian airspace.

Footage released by Iranian state media showed a field on fire and the smoking wreckage of the crash. Rescue workers carried body bags and the passengers' personal items - including cases, clothes, a Santa Claus doll and a boxing glove - were lying amidst the debris.

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), the ex-Soviet country's privately owned flagship carrier, said flight PS752 took off from Tehran airport at 6:10 am and disappeared from radars just two minutes later.

It slammed into farmland at Khalaj Abad, in Shahriar County, about 45 kilometres northwest of the airport, according to reports on Iranian state media.

Officials in both Iran and Ukraine said there was no hope of anyone having survived.

Children, students on board

As well as the Iranians and Canadians, the passengers included 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons, Ukraine's foreign minister said. Eleven Ukrainians, including the nine crew, were also on board.

Canada is home to a large Iranian diaspora community and UIA offers discount flights between Tehran and Toronto, with a transit in Kiev.

Officials in Tehran said 15 children were among the passengers. The semi-official news agency ISNA said 13 were students from Tehran's Sharif University, the most prestigious in the country.

The airline, which suspended its flights to Tehran after the crash, said the Boeing 737 had been built in 2016 and checked only two days before the accident.

“The plane was in working order,” UIA company president Yevgeniy Dykhne told a briefing in Kiev where he choked back tears. “It was one of our best planes with a wonderful crew.”

Zelensky, who cut short a vacation to Oman to return to Kiev, ordered an investigation into the crash and a sweeping check of “all civilian aircraft” in the country.

“I ask everyone to keep from speculating and putting forth unconfirmed theories about the crash,” Zelensky wrote on Facebook.

Iranian state media reported that the plane caught fire after crashing, but a video aired by the state broadcaster appeared to show the plane already on fire as it fell from the night sky.

'Something catastrophic'

Iran yesterday fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing the US military, in the first action of its promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.

“There is a lot of speculation at the moment it has been shot down - I think that is not going to be the case at all,” said Stephen Wright, a professor of aircraft systems at Tampere University in Finland.

“The aircraft was climbing... it was going up in the right direction, which means that something catastrophic has happened.

“It could be a bomb or it could be some sort of catastrophic breakup of the aircraft.” The aircraft was not one of the MAX models fitted with anti-stall systems that have been linked with two other recent crashes of Boeing 737s.

Boeing, which has been roiled by a nine-month crisis after 737 MAX was grounded, tweeted yesterday: “We are aware of the media reports out of Iran and we are gathering more information.”

UIA vice president Igor Sosnovskiy told reporters in Kiev that the airline doubted its crew was at fault.

“(The chances) of a crew error are minimal, we simply are not considering them,” he said. “Considering their experience, it's difficult to say that there was something wrong with the crew.”

The airline was notifying passengers' families and working with aviation authorities “to do everything possible to find the reasons for the aviation accident,” he said.

A statement posted on the website of the Ukrainian embassy saying the crash was caused by an engine malfunction and ruling out an act of terror was later redacted, saying all information will now be provided by an official commission.

Iran's civil aviation authority said search and rescue teams had found the airliner's two black boxes.

The Red Crescent in Iran said its teams were being assisted by soldiers and firefighters in the effort to recover bodies.

“All operational teams were dispatched to the area,” Shahin Fathi, the head of its search and rescue unit, told state television. “Unfortunately... we haven't found anyone alive.”

AFP

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Iran fires missiles at US troop bases in Iraq

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Iran fires missiles at US troop bases in Iraq

Iran fired a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and other foreign troops yesterday, the Islamic republic's first act in its promised revenge for the US killing of a top Iranian general.

Launched for the first time by forces inside Iran instead of by proxy, the attack marked a new turn in the intensifying confrontation between Washington and Tehran and sent world oil prices soaring.

There was no immediate suggestion of any link to the missile strikes but a Ukrainian airliner crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran early Wednesday with the loss of all 176 people on board.

The Pentagon said: “Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.

“It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel.”

The missiles targeted the sprawling Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, both housing American and other foreign troops deployed as part of a US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group.

Iran's supreme leader, who has the final say in all matters of state, said it was a “slap in the face” for the United States but that revenge was yet to come.

The Pentagon said the facilities had been on “high alert” after days of steadily mounting tension.

The office of Iraq's premier said it had received “an official verbal message” from Iran informing it that a missile attack on US forces was imminent.

The statement by Adel Abdel Mahdi's spokesman said his office was simultaneously contacted by Washington as the missiles rained down.

“Iraq rejects any violation of its sovereignty and attacks on its territory,” the statement said, without specifically condemning the missile strikes.

Iraq's military said it sustained no casualties in 22 missile strikes, most of them hitting Ain Al-Asad.

US President Donald Trump said initial casualty assessments indicated “all is well”.

The Iraqi military said it sustained no casualties in 22 missile strikes on bases housing US troops.

France too said it sustained no casualties.

But British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab voiced concern about “reports of casualties”.

“We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting coalition - including British - forces,” Raab said.

“We are concerned by reports of casualties and use of ballistic missiles.”

The Norwegian military said coalition troops were warned of the attack in advance through intelligence channels.

'Slap in the face'

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps said Ain al-Asad was hit with dozens of missiles in response to Friday's US drone strike in Baghdad that killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

It warned any US counter-attack would be met with an even “more crushing response” and threatening to strike Israel and America's “allied governments.”

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said a “slap in the face” had been delivered to the US but hinted more could come.

“An important incident has happened. The question of revenge is another issue,” Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state television.

“Military actions in this form are not sufficient for that issue.

“What is important is that America's corrupt presence must come to an end in this region.”

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, had seemed to indicate the missile strikes were over for now.

“Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defence,” Zarif said on Twitter.

The Norwegian military said coalition troops were warned of the attack in advance through intelligence channels.

'Don't close your eyes'

The attack emboldened Iran's allies in Iraq, who ramped up threats to avenge top Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed with Soleimani.

Muhandis was the deputy head of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a military network incorporated into the Iraqi state whose factions are backed by Tehran. Paramilitary chief Qais al-Khazali - blacklisted as a “terrorist” by the US - said Iraq was preparing its own response for Muhandis's death.

“That response will be no less than the size of the Iranian response. That is a promise,” Khazali threatened. The brazenness of the strike was highly unusual for Iran, which has tended to disguise attacks on US interests or troops through its use of proxy Shiite forces. This time, conventional, rather than guerrilla-style weapons were used and responsibility was rapidly claimed.

“It is a major escalation. Ballistic missiles openly launched from Iran onto American targets is a new phase,” said Phillip Smyth, an expert on Shiite militias.

Oil prices jumped on the news, with the benchmark WTI spiking more than 4.5 percent to $65.54 a barrel before receding slightly.

Overflights suspended

Separately, the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 went down just outside Tehran after taking off bound for Kiev.

There was no immediate suggestion of any link with the Iranian strikes but carriers including Air France, Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa announced they were suspending flying though Iranian and Iraqi airspace as a precaution.

The crash was likely to have been caused by “technical difficulties”, Ali Khashani, spokesman for Imam Khomeini International Airport told Iran's Press TV.

The US's aviation regulator banned civil flights over Iraq, Iran and the Gulf, citing the potential for “misidentification” of aircraft.

The slide into open confrontation followed days of sabre rattling between Washington and Tehran, coupled with growing confusion over the future of US troops in Iraq, where many are outraged at the drone strike.

Hours before Iran struck, Trump tried to end confusion over his plans for the approximately 5 200 American troops in Iraq, saying they should stay despite calls by the Iraqi parliament for their expulsion.

“At some point we want to get out, but this isn't the right point,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Despite Washington's assurances, several allies started to leave, raising questions over the future of the US-led mission to help Iraqis fight jihadists.

Ahmad AL-RUBAYE

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EIF funds make a difference for San communities

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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EIF funds make a difference for San communities

The San community in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy is using funds provided by the Green Climate Fund and the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) to build a wall to protect water points in their village from elephants.

According to the conservancy human-wildlife conflict is rare in the area, which has around 18 water points for the estimated 1 000 to 1 500 elephants.

However, the drought that has devastated the entire country has put a greater strain on wildlife to find water, the conservancy said in a press release.

“This search for water has meant that elephants are more likely to stray into the conservancy area inhabited by people. This means that there is a greater likelihood of village water points being attacked and damaged.”

Protecting the water points is important to guarantee a secure water supply for the villagers and their gardens, the conservancy added.

According to the conservancy many approaches to water protection have been tried over the years, but in Nyae Nyae, the only approach that has proven to consistently work is a two-metre-high stone wall.

The conservancy says these barriers have proven to be impenetrable, keeping the village's water supply safe. This has allowed the conservancy to invest in water-dependent activities such as livestock farming and agriculture to improve the San community's self-sufficiency.

The Green Climate Fund and EIF project is funding the building of walls at three villages and the overhaul and servicing of all village boreholes in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy over a 12-month period.

Other than investment, the funds received from GCF/EIF represent development and empowerment for the communities.

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Conservancies must improve governance

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Conservancies must improve governanceAdministrative shortcomings hamper benefit sharing Financial mismanagement and non-compliance with standard operating procedures were the main challenges for communal conservancies in 2018, a new report states.

The biggest challenges for conservancies in Namibia during 2018 were financial mismanagement and non-compliance with standard operating procedures.

The 86 registered conservancies and the Kyaramcan Association, which operates as a de facto conservancy in the Bwabwata National Park, also struggled with poor benefit distribution to conservancy members and inadequate membership engagement.

This is according to the 2018 State of Community Conservation Report that the environment ministry and Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Support Organisations (NACSO) recently launched as a website.

“Conservancy financial mismanagement and poor financial governance has been a growing concern, particularly in north-western conservancies,” says the report.

It points out that mismanagement is different from theft or fraud. According to the report most financial mismanagement is the result of poor record keeping, reporting and a lack of supported receipts, although there were cases of misappropriation of cash, some of which are being investigated by the police.

It says financial management in the north-east of the country is generally improving, owing to a more stringent financial management system launched in 2017, combined with additional support from the environment ministry and regional staff from non-governmental organisations.

This new system requires conservancies to reduce cash transactions and restrict bank accounts to a maximum of three accounts (income, operational and human-wildlife conflict) with an additional oversight from the ministry on transactions between income and operational accounts.

During the 2018 financial year 15 of the 16 conservancies in the Zambezi Region successfully tabled their financial reports at their annual general meetings (AGMs).

“Only six conservancies recorded cases of unaccounted conservancy funds, with most being amounts less than N$10 000. Overall, only 2.28% of the funds were unaccounted in Zambezi during the 2018 financial year.”

According to the report this was a significant improvement on previous years. Other regions, including the north-central area, also recorded notable declines in unaccounted funds. In total 53 financial reports were presented by conservancies at AGMs during 2018 and 50 were approved.

Furthermore the report says that 19 conservancies were issued letters of non-compliance for failing to hold AGMs, submit AGM documents or mismanaging funds during 2018.

The number of AGMs held in 2018 was 63, up from 57 in the previous year. Similarly, the number of management plans in place increased from 46 to 56.

“While there is an improvement in AGMs held, a need still exists for conservancies to improve on governance and overall compliance with the SOPs.”

The report also said that only 25% of conservancy staff were women in 2018.

“This gap between men and women employed is wide, indicating a need to engage more women in conservancy governance.”

Statistics showed that in 2018 there were 17% female chairpersons at conservancies, 41% female treasures/financial managers, and 33% female management committee members.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Aron returns to Okahandja politics

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Aron returns to Okahandja politics JEMIMA BEUKES

Former Okahandja mayor Valery Aron was late last year elected as information and mobilisation secretary for the Utoni Nujoma branch in the Okahandja, to the chagrin of a local pressure group.

Basie Tjikune, leader of the group Damage Control Committee, said Aron must be investigated for questionable activities during her turbulent time as mayor.

Aron said there is no link between her return to politics and her time in office.

She was further unmoved by allegations that she ran the town into the ground.

“I did not fail as mayor. How can they say I failed as mayor? If you have questions about development, then it should be directed towards those who are at the helm of the local authority. There is a mayor now, you can ask him about the progress of development of the town,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tjikune said it is unacceptable for the ruling party to allow Aron, with her questionable history as mayor, to vie for leadership positions.

According to him, Aron must explain what happened to the money earmarked for the construction of a fire station during her time as mayor.

“She must also be held accountable for the house she built illegally on a plot that was reserved for a public open space. It is because of her that the moratorium was placed on land sales. They did it to undermine development in Okahandja and to push their own deals through,” he said.

According to him, Aron even used dubious ways to get elected by using her business address instead of her residential address.

“She has a bar or shebeen in the Grysblok suburb but she has a big house in town near the park. She mobilised people staying in that area to support her to be elected as district leader now,” he said.

Aron refused to comment on these accusations.

Swapo’s regional coordinator for Otjozondjupa Susan Hikopua confirmed Aron’s election to branch politics but said she could not comment on her history as mayor.

“I don’t know about that [history as mayor], but she went through the elections.”

The Okahandja district coordinator for Swapo Martha Kandiwapa Mwandingi-Simeon also said they cannot stand in Aron’s way.

“It is politics. You know how politics works. If anybody needs a position, then they will work hard to get it. I know people have complained but I have no say. I cannot stop her from standing for elections, she is still a party member,” said Mwandingi-Simeon.

jemima@namibiansun.com

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Motorists heed the safety call

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Motorists heed the safety call JANA-MARI SMITH

Road-safety campaigners saw their efforts rewarded for a second consecutive year with a welcome dip in car crashes, injuries and deaths during the festive season.

While the death toll remained high, with 70 people killed on the country’s roads between 1 December and 5 January, it marked 20% fewer fatalities than the 88 people who died in car crashes during the same period last year.

The data provided this week by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund of Namibia, which includes only crashes involving injuries and fatalities, further shows an 8% decline in crashes - 367 compared to 400 last year.

Moreover, 682 persons sustained crash injuries this December and early January, compared to 703 last year.

A similar trend was observed over the 2018 and 2019 festive season compared to the previous holiday period.

Between 25 November 2018 and 3 January 2019 a 14% reduction in crashes, an 18% reduction in injuries and a 29% reduction in fatalities were recorded compared to the 2017 and 2018 festive period.

Better drivers

The Namibian police this week stated that driver compliance had improved notably, with fewer persons caught drunk behind the wheel in comparison to previous years.

Data from the NamPol traffic division provided yesterday show that of the total of 79 432 drivers screened by traffic officers between 18 November and 5 January, 1 299 men and 145 women tested positive for alcohol.

However, as not all were over the legal limit, the total drunken-driving arrests amounted to 236.

Moreover, traffic officers suspended the licences of 501 vehicles and issued 777 warning notices.

Between 18 November and 5 January, officers issued 10 724 fines for traffic violations, valued at more than N$11.4 million, NamPol confirmed yesterday.

Horst Heimstadt of the Private Sector Road Safety Forum (PSRSF) agreed that driver attitudes are changing for the better as they recognise their “actions are part of the problem.”

Still, Heimstadt warned that despite the positive statistical trends, limited resources present a crucial hurdle.

“It’s simply not enough. If we want to be really effective, we need much more funding.”

Numbers

The MVA Fund said both the Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions experienced a close to 20% decline in crashes.

Moreover, a “major decline” of 66% and 31% in reported injuries were observed in the Kavango East and Otjozondjupa regions respectively, while a 23% decline in injuries was seen in the Khomas Region.

The road death toll in the Omusati, Zambezi and Erongo regions saw a notable decline this season.

An 89% decline in deaths, from nine last year to one death this year, was observed in the Omusati Region, while a 57% decline in fatalities, from seven to three this year, was recorded in the Zambezi Region.

In the Erongo Region, Namibia’s holiday hotspot, the death toll declined by half, from six last year to three this festive season.

The highest number of accident fatalities was recorded in the Otjozondjupa Region, where 19 people lost their lives, compared to 10 people last year.

None of the other regions reported a death toll higher than nine this season.

Roll-overs (93), crashes involving pedestrians (92) and collisions (89) accounted for the majority of the 367 crashes this festive season.

Fourteen cyclists were involved in car accidents, and 12 persons jumped or fell from moving vehicles.

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1 200 without Grade 1 places in Oshana

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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1 200 without Grade 1 places in OshanaMore than 4 000 applications The demand for school placements at or near Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva far exceeds the available infrastructure.

ILENI NANDJATO

With school starting next week, the directorate of education in the Oshana Region is struggling to find space for 1 200 Grade 1 learners for the new academic year.

After receiving over 4 000 applications for Grade 1, the region only managed to place 2 732 learners, leaving many others, specifically those who applied to schools in or near towns, without placement.

In contrast, in rural parts of the region, many schools have openings.

The deputy director of education Gerhard Ndafenongo says these learners could not get places at schools situated in the three towns of the region - Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva - as well as at schools near these towns.

Ndafenongo said this number is too high and the region cannot place the learners in town schools as they have all reached their limit already.

“When we resumed duty this week, we called their parents to contact the circuit offices to verify if until now these learners have not yet been placed. Based on the findings, next week we will start applying Plan B,” said Ndafenongo.

“If by the end of this week we find out that parents have confirmed that a high number of learners are still not placed, we will be left with no other option but to apply the platoon system. This means in each town we will have one school which will offer morning and afternoon class sessions to accommodate these learners.”

Ndafenongo however said the platoon system is not a good option as it may reduce performance.

He added that some school activities will be affected by the system.

“We will divide these schools into two segments. For example, the junior primaries will be attending in the morning, while lower primaries will be attending in the afternoons. Class sessions will be reduced and extramural activities such as sport and extra classes will be affected.”

He added that schools in Omaalala, Oikango, Akuna, Omusheshe and other nearby towns are also under pressure.

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Hepatitis E situation an embarrassment

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Hepatitis E situation an embarrassment There is no sign that Namibia's hepatitis E outbreak, which erupted more than two years ago, will soon be contained.

Nineteen people were killed by the disease in 2019 and a 65% rise in new infections saw close to 7 000 reported cases by the end of 2019.

At the start of January 2019, a total of 40 deaths had been recorded, which increased to 59 by 15 December. This is a scandal of monumental proportions.

That our country cannot contain this outbreak for more than two years is, for lack of a better word, embarrassing.

We may not have all the facts related to this situation, but there is a strong sense that the root causes of this disease are not being addressed with the intensity required.

Globally, this disease is common in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to essential water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. In these areas, the disease occurs both as outbreaks and as sporadic cases.

It is no wonder the disease has been wreaking havoc in the poor suburbs of Windhoek and other areas in the country where poverty is the order of the day.

In areas like Havana and other impoverished suburbs of Windhoek, the issue of hygiene remains a pipe dream. At some stage in 2019, New Era published, twice, a photo of sewage overflowing in Hakahana. Weeks after the first photo was published, the problem was still not addressed. The poor are simply never a priority.

Children were often spotted playing in that water, or picking up soccer balls from there as they indulge is street football, which is the only recreational activity available in the destitute location.

A lot of people in those areas continue to defecate in the open because there are either no toilet facilities or the few that are available are crowded or broken.

Yet so much of the country's financial resources are being channelled towards meaningless activities such as entertainment allowances or the travelling pleasures of their custodians.

If this outbreak continues, we have an emerging humanitarian crisis. A crisis that could have been averted but the will to do so is simply not enough.

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Law Society appoints new council

January 8, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Law Society appoints new council

The Law Society of Namibia has appointed its new council that will oversee its activities.

Existing councillors Eldorette Harmse, Etuna Josua, Eliaser Nekwaya and Meyer van den Berg, who were elected in 2018, will continue serving until November 2020.

The new councillors elected on 22 November 2019 are Vanessa Boesak, Gilroy Kasper, Jo-Mari Koekemoer, Appolos Shimakeleni. They will serve for a two-year term.

Van den Berg was elected chairperson and Boesak was elected vice-chairperson for the term November 2019 to November 2020.

The LSN plays a pivotal role in protecting monies entrusted to legal practitioners in private practice by members of the public.

It further ensures compliance with the rules and regulations regarding trust monies.

The Law Society also represents the interest of its members, who all took an oath to uphold the Namibian constitution.

It is further tasked with maintaining and enhancing the standards of conduct and integrity of all members of the legal profession; encouraging and promoting efficiency and responsibility in the legal profession; defining and enforcing correct and uniform practice and maintaining discipline among members of the legal profession.

The Society is a self-regulating body created in terms of the Legal Practitioners Act (1995), which serves the profession and the public by promoting justice, protecting the independence of the judiciary and upholding the rule of law.

STAFF REPORTER

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