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

Sanlam rewards Cape Town Marathon runners

0
0
Sanlam rewards Cape Town Marathon runnersSanlam rewards Cape Town Marathon runners Sanlam Namibia applauded the efforts of the local runners who took part in the Cape Town Marathon last weekend.
The company had helped send five athletes to compete in the event, which attracted runners from more than 50 countries.
Reonald Namupala and Lavinia Haitope were the initial recipients of the sponsorship to travel to Cape Town but it was later agreed to also send 2016 Olympic Games participants Alina Armas and Helalia Johannes, as well as the well-known Reinhold Iita.
Namupala came 16th in the men’s marathon while Haitope finished fifth among the women.
Both recorded times that were fast enough for them to qualify to run at next year’s World Championships, which will take place in London, England.
Johannes won the women’s 10km race while Armas came third in the same event.
Iita, who is working his way back after a long injury layoff, finished sixth in the men’s 10km race.
Sanlam Namibia executive Evans Simataa said the Namibian athletes’ performance was noteworthy, especially given the number of runners at the event.
“They performed exceptionally well because they were competing against many athletes, with the marathon having about 8 000 participants and the 10km about 10 000.”
As a token of appreciation Sanlam also decided to hand the five athletes N$30 000.
“This will be divided among them and the winners will get a little more. But instead of giving them cash, we will put the money in unit trusts as a way to teach them financial literacy,” Simataa added.
The athletes all expressed their thanks for the company’s support.
“I’m very happy with my third position and I’m also happy that my colleague Helalia won. She helped me from a distance to get that third place,” Armas said.
Haitope said it was great running in Cape Town.
“I’m happy with the time I recorded and also that I qualified for the World Championships,” she said.
It was the first time Namupala competed in South Africa, an opportunity he cherishes.
“It was my first time to run in South Africa and I managed to record my season’s best,” he said.
Johannes said their performance is evidence that marathon running is doing well in Namibia.
“Long-distance running is playing a big role in Namibia because we were the only ones at the Olympic Games as track athletes. And I want to thank Sanlam for sponsoring us. Also my teammates and coaches because you cannot get success alone, you always need someone to push you.”

HECTOR MAWONGA

Heads must roll -Jacobs

0
0
Heads must roll -JacobsHeads must roll -JacobsAdministrators must face the music when it comes to the state Namibian football finds itself in, says Woody Jacobs. Outspoken coach wants revamp of football affairs Nicholas ‘Woody’ Jacobs is adamant that administrators must face the consequences as the country faces the reality of having no Namibia Premier League (NPL) this season. The outspoken coach spoke toNampa in an exclusive interview, calling the current state of football in Namibia “deplorable.”
“This has been coming a long way, it’s only surfacing now.
“It is time we take stock of what we have done right and what we have done wrong.
“We must re-look at the way we do things,” said Jacobs, who has won the NPL title with Civics and African Stars. The NPL, which was supposed to start last weekend, was thrown into disarray after the previous sponsor, MTC, ended its association with the league.
This after the NPL failed to source N$9 million of the N$24 million the league had budgeted for the season.
MTC had committed N$15 million annually for three years to support the league’s activities, while the league was supposed to come up with an additional sponsor to cover the deficit. The NPL failed to get that additional sponsor, causing MTC to withdraw its offer of sponsorship.
This left the NPL with the very real prospect of no football this season. Jacobs says this is a clear sign of failure because football is a performance-based industry, where results determine success.
“When a coach does not perform to the expectations of their employer they get fired. When players are not producing the desired results, they get fired. Why can’t it be the same with the administrators, whom I feel have failed our football?
“Don’t they themselves feel they have failed our football?” he asked.
The coach added they are planning a meeting at Eldorado High School tomorrow to bring stakeholders together to find solutions to the crisis.
“We are not plotting to oust the current leaders, but we want to contribute by coming up with suggestions that will look at solving the issues facing our football.”
-Nampa

Namibia, Saudi Arabia share the spoils

0
0
Namibia, Saudi Arabia share the spoilsNamibia, Saudi Arabia share the spoils Namibia’s senior national cricket side and Saudi Arabia ended their series in Windhoek with a draw over the weekend after both nations won one match.
The guests from the Middle East brought their A game during the first encounter on Saturday. Mohammad Afzal and Inayat Saeed did the main damage with Afzal scoring a good 77 runs (not out), while Saeed added another 66 to take the total tally to 301 runs after 50 overs.
The Namibians then found themselves in all sorts of trouble from the beginning of their innings.
The likes of Stephen Baard and Gerry Snyman were dismissed for a run each while the rest of the team also failed to build momentum.
Nicolaas Scholtz was the most successful batsman with only 39 runs.
Saudi Arabia eventually got their final wicket after 42 overs to claim a 141-run win at the Wanderers cricket grounds.
The following day the hosts were the ones in charge, clinching an emphatic seven-wicket victory at the same venue.
Their opponents struggled to put on runs with a relentless bowling onslaught from the home side. Largely due to Sarel Burger’s exploits of four wickets, the Eagles restricted Saudi Arabia to 132 runs after just 38.2 overs.
The Namibian batting order then did the rest.
Wian van Vuuren (46) and Craig Williams (55 not out) scored almost at will, reaching 136 runs with seven wickets to spare.

PROACTIVE

Fabregas hits the right notes

0
0
Fabregas hits the right notesFabregas hits the right notesThe midfielder stated his case for a starting berth at Chelsea with an emphatic display on Tuesday. Helps Chelsea down Leicester Cesc Fabregas made an emphatic point to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as his double sealed a 4-2 win at Leicester, while Everton and Bournemouth suffered shock third-round exits from the English Football League Cup on Tuesday.
Fabregas has been limited to three substitute appearances in the Premier League since Conte took charge over the summer, but the Spain midfielder proved he can still be a game-changer with an influential display capped by the decisive two goals in extra-time.
"I was happy to play from the start! Hopefully this will shut up a few journalists talking rubbish all the time," said Fabregas, who has been linked with a move away from Chelsea.
Elsewhere, second-tier Norwich spoiled Everton''s impressive start to the season and inflicted Ronald Koeman''s first defeat as Toffees boss with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth was the other top-flight casualties as second-tier Preston won 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Denmark striker Simon Makienok.
At the King Power Stadium, Shinji Okazaki put Premier League champions Leicester ahead in the 17th minute when the Japan striker punished terrible Chelsea defending to head home from close range.
Okazaki followed his first goal since March with a second in the 34th minute.
Gary Cahill reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime, the defender heading home after being left unmarked at the far post from a Fabregas corner.
The Blues equalised four minutes after the interval through Cesar Azpilicueta''s blistering long-range effort.
Leicester had to play extra-time with 10 men after Marcin Wasilewski''s 89th minute dismissal for elbowing Diego Costa and Fabregas made them pay, finishing a flowing move in the 92nd minute and drilling home again two minutes later.
Lucas Perez''s first goals for Arsenal inspired a 4-0 rout of second-tier Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Liverpool, last year''s beaten finalists, remain on course for a return to Wembley after a 3-0 win against Championship side Derby at the iPro Stadium.
Estonia centre-back Ragnar Klavan took advantage of poor Derby defending to fire home in the 24th minute.
Philippe Coutinho doubled Liverpool''s lead in the 50th minute and Divock Origi put the result beyond doubt four minutes later.
Newcastle defeated Championship rivals Wolves 2-0, Leeds beat fellow second-tier side Blackburn 1-0, while Reading won 2-1 in another all-Championship clash at Brighton.

NAMPA/AFP

Golf Day in aid of welfare a great success

0
0
Golf Day in aid of welfare a great successGolf Day in aid of welfare a great success The organisers of the Bank Windhoek Holdings Golf Day in Aid of Welfare, which took place on Friday at the Windhoek Golf Club, have described the event as a success.
The event saw 30 teams battling it out to win the trophy.
Corporates, government agencies and NGOs were invited to enter.
All proceeds will go towards various welfare organisations in Namibia.
Since its inception the Golf Day has raised over N$1.3 million in aid of welfare. This year N$100 000 was raised, but further funds will be raised by the raffling of a Venter trailer filled with groceries.
The trailer is sponsored by Lubbe’s Motor Group, while the groceries are sponsored by Shoprite Namibia.
This year’s golf day had the format of scramble drive.
The day concluded with a prize-giving ceremony in the evening, where each team received a prize for their efforts.
The winning team was from the bank’s Walvis Bay Branch, while Capricorn Asset Management was in second place.
Bank Windhoek’s Marketing and Corporate Communication Services took the third spot.
“We want to thank all the participants in this year’s Bank Windhoek Holdings Golf Day in Aid of Welfare. Without each team’s outstanding sportsmanship, this event would not have been such a great success,” said Riaan van Rooyen, Bank Windhoek’s head of corporate affairs.
To participate in the draw for the trailer and groceries, please ontact Suzette January at 061 299 1278 or email JanuaryS@bankwindhoek.com.na .

Winners
Longest drive: Andrew Milne
Nearest to the pin on hole 3: René Kruger
Nearest to the pin on hole 9: Gunther Heitman
Nearest to the pin on hole 13: Fouché Brand
Nearest to the pin on hole 17: Fouché Brand

SPORT REPORTER

Rosberg to take the crown?

0
0
Rosberg to take 
the crown?Rosberg to take the crown?

The Formula 1 paddock is musing the possibility that Nico Rosberg will be crowned the sport’s next world champion.
His team mate Lewis Hamilton has won the last two titles, but it is the sister Mercedes driven by Rosberg that has won three grand prixs on the trot.
After dominating in Singapore 16 to 18 September, La Gazzetta dello Sport summarised it by writing: “Quiet, balanced and optimistic. Rosberg’s exceptional character is perfect for the duel against Hamilton.”

Hamilton in trouble?
France’sL’Equipe agreed that Hamilton has been “a shadow of himself” at recent races.
Italy’s Corriere della Sera added: “Rosberg is at his best, while Hamilton is sinking in crisis.”
And plenty of other observers also think Rosberg recapturing the world championship lead in Singapore may have been a turning point.
F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart told the Swiss newspaper Blick: “Since Spa, Rosberg looks fresher and more stable than Hamilton. I can see him (Rosberg) being the new world champion.”
The German newspaper Bild agreed: “Since four weeks of partying in the summer break, Hamilton has won no more races.”
On Italian radio Rai, former Renault chief Flavio Briatore said: “Rosberg seems to have put his head in the right place. Hamilton has great talent, but he is a bit ‘rapper’ too and if you want to win you have to concentrate on that. “If I were him, I would look a little less at music and a little more at F1.”

Rosberg a different driver
And former F1 driver Robert Doornbos told Ziggo Sport Totaal: “I don’t know what Rosberg did in the summer, but he must have found something in himself. He may have slightly less raw talent than Hamilton, but he fills that gap with hard work.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, said the recent trend should not be overstated.
Wolff said: “We tend to talk one up and the other one down. I remember talking about Lewis’ momentum a few weeks ago and suddenly we have this mega Nico weekend. We will see if it stays the same in Malaysia.”

Record attempt bogged down

0
0
Record attempt bogged downRecord attempt bogged downTriumph’s attempt to set a land-speed world record in Utah, USA, has been hampered by bad weather and a mishap. Crashes and weather hamper maximum velocity World-famous motorcycle racer Guy Martin’s attempt to break the two-wheel land speed record has suffered yet another setback when his 643km/h-bike toppled during a test run.
The 1 000 horsepower bike has to undergo inspection before another attempt
The 34-year-old was attempting to reach speeds of 483km/h during the trial, a requirement before he attempts to break the record, when his bike slipped on a damp patch on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.
This is the latest incident to hinder the record-breaking attempt, which currently stands at 605.69km/h.
Just days ago the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner was damaged as it was being towed into position on the start line.
The Isle Of Man TT star escaped the incident uninjured, although the 1 000 horsepower bike will undergo a full inspection before any further attempts can be made.
Tricky course conditions at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats have once again proved challenging during the latest stage of the Triumph Motorcycles Land Speed Record attempt.
During practice sessions over the summer, the bike became the fastest to be built by Triumph as Guy achieved a speed of 441.28km/h. The bike is 25.5ft long, 2ft wide and 3ft tall with a 1 000 brake horsepower, producing 9 000 revs per minute.
The East Yorkshire-born driver is experienced in setting speed records which includes fastest speed on a gravity-powered snow sled, in a soap box and highest speed around a wall of death.
Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed that the current stage of its land speed record attempt has been postponed due to the course conditions at Bonneville.

And then came the rain
Rain at the start of this week has continued to affect the team’s running during the last seven days. While track inspections have shown that conditions improved, it has not been possible to create the constancy across the full eleven mile course required for the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner to safely conduct a Land Speed Record attempt.
“I know people will be disappointed at this news, but the safety of the rider, Guy Martin, and the wider team supporting the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has to be our prime consideration. The course conditions on the salt flats have forced us to wait for another window of opportunity,” commented Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller.
The team will look to resume its record attempt once conditions will allow.

Sexy Lexus is here

0
0
Sexy Lexus is hereSexy Lexus is hereLexus has always been a vehicle of style and refinement and the new, refurbished and revamped models have come. New models arrive in South Africa

Lexus has refreshed three of its models in 2016; its CT hatchback and luxury SUVs, the RX and LX.
New colours for Lexus CT200h:
The 1.8-litre Hybrid powered Lexus CT200h hatch is now available with four new bi-tone (two-tone) colour schemes.
The bi-tone scheme is created by combining high gloss black treatment on the roof and pillars, with a choice of four stylish ‘body colours’ adorning the metal below the ‘waistline’. Customers can choose from ‘White Quartz’, ‘Sonic Titanium’, ‘Mercury Grey’ and ‘Morello Red’.
Mono-tone traditionalists are also catered for, with the addition of a new bronze colour.
Audiophiles will appreciate the newly added digital media holder housed in the centre console, which provides secure storage for portable music devices and improved interface via the USB, AUX and Bluetooth systems, says the Japanese automaker.
Price in SA: Lexus CT 200h - R506 400.
Lexus RX receives electric seats
Following the launch of the fourth-generation RX SUV earlier this year, the top of the range RX450h SE’s luxury credentials are bolstered by changes centred on enhancing convenience.
Rear passengers now have electric adjustment for the second row seats, as well as seat heaters.
A panoramic view monitor replaces the previous reverse camera, offering a wider field of vision, improving visibility and enhancing convenience, says Lexus.
Prices in SA: Lexus RX 450h SE - R1 175 600 and the Lexus LX 450d - R 1 600 700.

LX given more luxury
The Lexus LX has established itself as a formidable luxury SUV, with demand often exceeding supply. Befitting its status, the Lexus SUV flagship inherits a number of safety and technological upgrades.
A newly added pre-crash electronic safety system scans the road ahead, constantly monitoring vehicle distance and warning the driver of potential obstacles impeding vehicle approach. The system is also capable of taking corrective action, increasing brake pressure, closing windows and adjusting vehicle dynamics to prevent a collision, says Lexus.
Integrated into the pre-crash system is adaptive cruise control, which allows the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance - adjusting speed autonomously - to provide peace-of-mind cruising. Lane keep assist is now also added.
Adaptive high-beam system (AHS) automatically alters the field of light provided by the LED headlamps to shield oncoming vehicles from the high-beam illumination without deactivating the high-beam function.
To complement AHS, sequential turn signal illumination is included.
The Lexus LX is available in two models, the petrol powered LX570 features a 5.7-litre V8 (270kW/530Nm), and a turbodiesel powered LX450d (195kW/650Nm).
Price in SA: Lexus LX450d - R1 600 700 and the Lexus LX570 - R1 648 200.

Ofamili ya thigwa moluhepo komulilo

0
0
Ofamili ya thigwa moluhepo komuliloOfamili ya thigwa moluhepo komulilo Ofamili yaantu 20, mwa kwatelwa aakokele yatatu, aakuluntu yahamano oshowo aanona 11 oya dhigwa kaaye na sha sho egumbo lyawo lya hanagulwapo komulilo.
Elago enene momulilo ngoka inamu ehamekelwa omuntu.
Pahapu dhaakwanezimo mboka yomomukunda Onangama momudhingoloko gwaNgenga mOshitopolwa shaHangwena, oshiningwanima osha holoka lwopotundi 16:00 mEtine lyoshiwike sha piti, sho okanona kokamati koomvula 15 okuza megumbo ndyoka kali taka hwike iiyagaya oshinano oshishona okuza pegumbo. Okwa li kwa tukuka ombepo onene ndjoka ya etitha omulilo gu kwate kondunda yimwe megumbo nokweetitha omulilo.
Ofamili oya kanitha konyala omaliko agehe okuza megumbo lyawo moka ya kala uule woomvula 40.
“Kapwa li shoka tatu vulu okuninga omulilo ogwa taandele meendelelo na molwaashoka ngame ohandi endele komampango. Gumwe gwomaatekulu yandje okwa kwathandje opo tuye mepya na otwa tala nkene egumbo lyetu tali popi,” omunamivo 79, Jolonimo Ngholoimune ta ti.
Ngashiingeyi ofamili ndjoka otayi kongo omakwatho na oya popi kutya otaya tambula kehe omayambidhidho ngoka taya pewa.
Mwene gwomukunda ngoka, Cleophas Daniel okwa popi kutya ombelewa yakansela gwawo oga gandja eyambidhidho lyooshako ndatu dhuusila wepungu na ota pula oshigwana shi kwathele aakwanezimo mboka.
KENYA KAMBOWE

Tu ka tsakanekeni omapenda getu- Haseb

0
0
Tu ka tsakanekeni omapenda getu- HasebTu ka tsakanekeni omapenda getu- Haseb Ongundu yaadhani yuudhano wokutondoka yoNamibia Paralympic okwa li kwa tegelelwa yi thike moshilongo ongulohi yohela naayambidhidhi oya pulwa opo ya ka tsakaneke aadhani mboka pokapale.
Omunambelewa gwoNamibia Sports Commission’s (NSC), Walter Haseb, okwa pula oshigwana opo shi gongale pokapale nokutsakaneka aadhani mboka. Aadhani mboka oshowo osheendo ashihe osha li sha tegelelwa dhi thike pokapale kaHosea Kutako International Airport potundi 21:30 ohela.
Haseb okwa popi kutya egalukilo kegumbo lyongundu ndjoka olimwe li na ondjokonona molwashoka ongundu ndjoka otayi galukile kegumbo nomapapa gatano.

Pethimbo omanga onkundana ndjika inayi nyanyangithwa, NSC okwa li ta ningi oompangela dhondalasipota yoshali yokufala aayambidhidhi kokapale.
Haseb okwa popi kutya mboka itaya mono ompito yokuya kokapale, otaya ka mona ompito yokumona aatondoki mboka, nena (mEtine).Amushanga ta kalelele mUuministeli wOmaudhano, Alfred Ilukena, oye ta tsakaneke ongundu ndjoka,.
Nena oprogramma otayi tameke potundi 09:00 poSnyman Circle mepandanda lyoIndependence Avenue okuya poUN Plaza moKatutura.
Oshituthi shonena otashi kwatelwa komeho komupevi Minista gwOmaudhano, Agnes Tjongarero, omanga omaunashipundi gwo NSC taka popitha ongundu ndjoka yaadhani.
Uuministeli wAantu taya lumbu nOmaulema, NamPower, omukomeho gwosheendo shoParalympic Games oshowo aatondoki Ananias Shikongo na Johannes Nambala otaya ka popya poshituthi shoka tashi ningwa nena.

Namibia okwa hulile e li ponomola ontihetatu mokati kiilongo 40 yaAfrika mbyoka yakutha ombinga muudhano mboka wo2016 Paralympic Games wa ningilwa moRio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Namibia okwa sindana oombandi ntano nokutota ondjokonona ompe okuza poombandi ndatu ndhoka dhali dha sindanwa koshilongo.
Omapapa ngoka oga sindanwa kuJohannes Nambala naAnanias Shikongo.
Nambala okwa sindana oombandi mbali omanga Shikongo a sindana oombandi ndatu.

KAINO NGHITONGO

Ooplota dhomOshakati dhi li pokupwa

0
0
Ooplota dhomOshakati dhi li pokupwaOoplota dhomOshakati dhi li pokupwaKonyala ooplota dhomalukalwa dha thika po-807 odhi li pokupwa okuwapalekwa mOndoolopa yaShakati, onga oshitopolwa shoprograma yoMassive Urban Land Servicing Project (MULSP). Opoloyeka yo MULSP oya nuninwa okukandulapo ompumbwe yomagumbo Ewapaleko lyooplota dhoka mwakwatelwa ominino dhomeya, ominino iiyekelwahwi, oondjila nomalusheno otali pula Uuministeli wEyambulepo lyOondolopa nIitopolwa oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 139 momudhingoloko gwaEhenye. Momudhingoloko gwa Ehenye 2 no 7 omayakulo ngoka otaga ka pula oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 48 omanga mEhenya 3 no-8 ewapaleko tali ka pula oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 44 omanga oomiliyona 47 otadhi ka longithwa mEhenye proper.
Omayakulo ngoka otaga ningwa kehangano lyoNexus Group., melongelokumwe no Windhoek Consulting Engineers (WCE), Lithon Project Consultants and Conselect Engineering .

Elelo lyOndoolopa yaShakati olya gandja evi momudhingoloko gwEhenye oshowo Ompumbu koprogramma yoMULSP sha landula sho Omupresidende Hage Geingob omvula ya piti a pula ondolopa ndjoka yi tothemo ehala mpoka tapu vulu okuwapalekwa ooplota dha thika po- 2 932.
Oshitopolwa shotango mEhenye otashi ka kala nooplota 326 omanga moshitopolwa oshitiyali ooplota 7 320 omanga moshitopolwa 3 no8 otamu kala ooplota 161 kehe.

Omupopiliko gwOndoolopa yaShakati, Katarina Kamari okwa popi kutya ooplota dhoka otadhi ka kala dha pwa okuya muJanuari gwomvula yo-2017.

“Oprogramma yoMULSP otayi pula nawa komeho nomahangano ngoka taga wapaleke omahala ngoka oga longa shi thike poopresenda 52 moshitopolwa 2 no 7 omanga 3 no 8 iilonga oyi li poopresenda 54 omanga mEhenye proper iilonga oyi li poopresenda 48.
Pethimbo kwa tamekithwa iilonga mbyoka muJanuari, Minista Sophia Shaningwa okwa li a popi kutya oprogramma ndjoka oya nuninwa oku wapaleka omahala gomagumbo gaakwashigwana.
Uuna ooplota dhoka dha manithwa otaku ka tamekwa newapaleko lyooplota mEhenye Extension 1, Ompumbu Extensions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 no6 oshowo mOmpumbu proper. Momudhingoloko ngoka otamu ka za ooplota 2 125.

ILENI NANDJATO

Big Sugar fights back

0
0
Big Sugar fights backBig Sugar fights backSugar industry players have protested against new taxes meant to address obesity, citing ongoing processes to determine South Africans’ lifestyle and eating habits as holding better promise. SA industry players find plan hard to swallow The announcement of the South African government’s plan to implement a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages took industry players and health officials by surprise.
Discussions on a study costing R33 million were well advanced when the announcement was made by the National Treasury in February.
“The study has been two years in the making. Industry and senior Health Ministry officials have been talking and just when we had finalised the concept and agreed to the finances and logistics, we were told of the tax,” said Portia Mpofu, the SA Sugar Association’s director of external affairs.
The Consumer Goods Council of SA had gathered industry players to discuss the escalating lifestyle diseases among South Africans with the Health Department, she said.
Among the collaborators were food and sugar producers and they had undertaken to fund the study jointly. “The questions were what do South Africans eat, what are their lifestyle habits, what contributes to the high obesity rates, as well as the increase in sugar diabetes, hypertension and other diseases,” said Mpofu.
The process had been spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, which had brought all the role players together to tackle the problems of non-communicable diseases stalking the heath of the nation.
“We were shocked. In fact we felt betrayed when sugar was singled out as the cause of the country’s obesity problems,” the association’s vice-chairman Suresh Naidoo said.
Naidoo and other officials from the association were briefing the media on their submissions on the proposed sugar tax yesterday and said they were rejecting the proposal in its current form.
“The imposition of the tax would have far-fetching ramifications for the industry and all who depend on it for their livelihood,” the association’s chairman Rolf Lutge said.
He said an estimated one million people stood to be affected by any job losses emanating from the need to downgrade production and the possible shutdown of some business aspects of sugar production.
“About 85 000 would be directly affected and 350 000 indirectly.
“And when you factor in those dependent on the industry for their livelihood, that figure becomes a million,” he said.
The association made its feelings known on the controversial 20% levy on sugar sweetened beverages.
The topic has sparked both fury and agreement since Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan made the announcement during his budget speech in February. He said the tax would discourage people from drinking sugar-sweetened drinks and therefore reduce obesity in the country.
It would also help reduce the high burden of non-communicable diseases which held the country’s health system under siege, he said, to wide condemnation from specialists and companies in the sugar industry.
They said obesity could not be targeted via one food item, in a country of poor health practices and lifestyles.
The arguments included examples of countries with a sugar tax which had failed to achieve the desired effects.
“The plan is to dig deep and root out the cause of all the country’s health problems,” said Siduduzo Myeza, nutritional manager at the sugar association.
And on the sidelines of that plan have been engagements by industry and the Health Department, on reshaping the diet of South Africa and changing the way the nation ate and viewed food.
“In a calorie reduction forum, we have had commitment on changing advertising and marketing, restaurateurs have undertaken to reduce portions and ingredients, a focus on what children are exposed to... a lot of work is being done for the South African community,” he said.

Land scarcity continues to drive prices

0
0
Land scarcity continues to drive pricesLand scarcity continues to drive pricesProperty prices don’t have much more room to grow, independent researchers say, as even the cost of renovations is becoming prohibitive. Affordability a growing concern for construction Namibia’s current subdued economic position extends to the performance of the construction sector, as attested by the latest report on building plans from IJG-Research.
In Windhoek 177 building plans were approved in August, bringing to 1 141 the total number approved since January.
Although the value of those plans, at N$1.4 billion, was just N$6.4 million (0.5%) lower than the same time last year, the number of plans was significantly lower than the 1 759 approved in the first eight months of last year.
“The slowdown in the number of building plans approved has been largely driven by a lack of serviceable land in Windhoek, as opposed to the popular belief that water restrictions in the Khomas Region have been the causal factor,” the IJG researchers said in their report.
“Furthermore, there has been no water restrictions imposed on construction activities around Windhoek. The municipality has indicated that there is a high demand for land, but little land left around Windhoek that can be developed,” they said.
The majority of building plans approved in August were for additions to existing structures, with 935 such plans approved by the end of August.
That was 439 fewer plans than at the same time last year and 466 less than the average year-to-date figure for the past ten years.
Plans for new residential units approved from January to August amounted to N$324.8 million, more or less in line with the N$339.8 million approved over the same period in 2015.
Commercial units approved so far in 2016 amounted to 55, compared to 98 units last year. In terms of value, the approved plans amounted to N$372.5 million, compared to N$410 million in 2015.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that the lack of available land has contributed to a large extent to the number of additions applied for over the last 158 years, as well as limiting the amount of new plans applied for,” the research states.
As lack of supply has caused property prices to rise, the team suggests more people have started living under one roof, promoting renovations and additions to existing buildings.
“Children stay with their parents longer, and families accommodate members who cannot afford to rent.”
And under current conditions, they say even opting to renovate can be more costly than before.
“The fact that we have seen a steady decline in additions on a cumulative basis over the last two or so years suggests that value addition to existing properties has become significantly less affordable and that the gains from such additions are now much less pronounced than before.
“In the past, the lack of available land has driven increases in property prices, but the limit of affordability is currently being tested, and thus property prices are unlikely to increase at the accelerated rate seen previously,” the IJG report states.

DENVER ISAACS

Migrant labour history remembered

0
0
Migrant labour history rememberedMigrant labour history remembered The Museums Association of Namibia (MAN) yesterday launched a new mobile art exhibition at the Walvis Bay Municipality Hall, aimed at raising awareness of the country’s historic migrant labour system before independence.
The exhibition forms part of MAN’s contribution to National Heritage Week, marked from 16 to 22 September every year.
Affecting indigenous Namibians born between the 1920s and 1940s, the South African government’s contract-labour system required people living in tribal lands to acquire passes for movement around the country. In order to get work, the local labourers were assigned to contracts in mines and municipalities for a year at a time, having to leave their families behind for the duration.
“The exhibition starts by introducing the viewer to the concept of migrant labour and the way in which men became numbers,” the MAN said about its exhibition, entitled ‘Omtete wOkaholo’.
“It asks why so many men from northern Namibia joined the migrant labour system. What were the roots of the system?” the association said.
Among the aspects of migrant labour explored by the exhibition are the system of classification and physical inspection the men went through at the recruitment centres – being graded according to age, physical strength and education.
“The wages they received were determined by their classification. Once recruited, workers were issued with passes which they had to carry at all times while on contract.”
Also featured in the exhibition are the names of 16 South African migrant workers discovered by the MAN research team, who were killed by German soldiers in 1910.
“It was, probably, the most deadly labour dispute in Namibian history. The men died near the small railway station at Wilhelmstal, on the line to the coast,” the association said.
It said it hoped the exhibition would serve as a tool to help collect more memories and images from those who worked as migrant labourers, with the aim of one day displaying these in a local museum for educational purposes.

DENVER ISAACS

Obama slams Trump, Putin

0
0
Obama slams Trump, PutinObama slams Trump, PutinAmerican president Barack Obama has warned of hard-line politics and the leaders of those ideas saying the results would not be good for the world. Uses farewell UN address to warn world of strongmen Barack Obama used his farewell UN address on Tuesday to castigate strongmen and populists, taking aim at Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s rise at home.
Obama told the UN General Assembly that democracy was a better path toward prosperity than the “crude populism” that is mushrooming in the United States and around the world.
“Some argue the future favours the strong man,” Obama said, in remarks sure to echo on the 2016 US campaign trail. “I believe this thinking is wrong.”
“History shows that strong men are then left with two paths: Permanent crackdown, which sparks strife at home, or scapegoating enemies abroad, which can lead to war.”
Obama’s comments come amid a scorched-earth campaign to succeed him, which has seen a wave of popular support for Republican Party nominee Trump, who holds far-right stances on immigration and national security.
“Our country has been weak. We’re letting people in by the thousands and tens of thousands,” the businessman said on Monday, attacking Obama.
Obama challenged that thinking in his address at the UN, saying: “We have to open our hearts and do more to help refugees who are desperate for a home.”
“We have to imagine what it would be like for our family, for our children if the unspeakable happened to us.”
Obama admitted, however, that a “course correction” was needed to smooth the serrated edges of globalisation and neutralise “alternative visions” promoted by populists and zealots.
‘Past glories’
He had a more direct message for his Russian counterpart, accusing Putin - who has invaded Ukraine and deployed forces to Syria - of trying using the military to gain global clout.
“In a world that left the age of empire behind, we see Russia attempting to recover lost glory through force,” Obama said.
Even as a Syrian ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow lay in tatters, Obama insisted diplomacy - not force - is the only way to end the brutal five-year conflict.
“There’s no ultimate military victory to be won, we’re going to have to pursue the hard work of the diplomacy that aims to stop the violence and deliver aid to those in need,” Obama said.
On Monday the Syrian military declared the ceasefire over and 18 UN aid trucks were destroyed as they tried to bring relief to war-ravaged citizens near Aleppo.
Syria and Russia denied striking the convoy, with Moscow suggesting it may have caught fire.

Legacy on the line
The Syria crisis, perhaps more than any other, threatens to sully Obama’s eight-year effort to improve America’s standing in the world.
Obama arrived at the White House in 2009 to find America’s reputation tattered by the war in Iraq and George W. Bush’s disdain for global forums.
Obama has been more cautious - critics would say timid - with using US power, refusing to intervene to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Before the UN, Obama restated the case for multilateralism and an America that knows the limits of its own power.
“I’ve noticed as president times when both America’s adversaries and some of our allies believe all problems were either caused by Washington or could be solved by Washington.”
“Perhaps too many in Washington believe that as well,” he said to laughs from delegates.

Migrants should live like the French

0
0
Migrants should live like the FrenchMigrants should live like the French French Presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday that once immigrants are granted citizenship in France they “should live like the French”.
Speaking at a public meeting in the northern Paris suburb of Franconville, the outspoken former president, who wants to return to the top job in 2017, also denounced “extremist political Islam” whose goal was to “provoke the Republic”.
“I will be the president of action, I do not accept the 238” victims of attacks in France since January 2015, he added, promising to lead a “merciless war” on Islamist terrorism.
“I will not accept the medieval behaviour that wants men to swim in swimsuits while the women are locked up” in burkinis, he added.
Denouncing the “tyranny of minorities”, Sarkozy said that if he won the 2017 election, he would be “the president of the national community, because in France the only community that matters is the French community.”
“If you want to become French, you speak French, you live like the French. We will no longer settle for integration that does not work, we will require assimilation.
“Once you become French, your ancestors are the Gauls. ‘I love France, I learned the history of France, I see myself as French’,” is what you must say, he added.
“If we say we can no longer continue with immigration (...) then it is racist. It’s unbearable,” he said.
“I want to be the voice of the silent majority,” Sarkozy added to applause.
The 61-year-old standard-bearer for the centre-right, who was president from 2007-2012, had seen his poll ratings rise recently after taking a hard line on Islam and immigration following a truck massacre in Nice in July which saw 86 people killed.
In August he said France had to fight to protect its secular “way of life”.

Shot of the day

0
0
Shot of the dayShot of the day WE ARE ONE: Giraffes stand together during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

A dangerous precedent

0
0
A dangerous precedentA dangerous precedent Revelations this week that President Hage Geingob has approved the transfer of more than N$11 million from the Social Security Commission towards the training of the struggle kids has been frowned upon, and rightfully so.
To taxpayers and ordinary citizens, this cloak of secrecy under which public funds are handled is a reminder that government is not walking the talk when it comes to their apparent policy of transparency and accountability. The latest shenanigans confirm our assertions that dodgy dealings within government are still rampantly the order of the day. Namibians have the right to scrutinise and hold government officials accountable when questionable dealings are exposed. Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa this week claimed that the issue to transfer SSC funds to government to address the plight of the struggle kids was a Cabinet decision. However, if such a decision were in the interests of the Namibian public, surely they wouldn’t have hesitated to make it public, as is normally done with other Cabinet decisions. Seemingly ordinary Namibian workers, who contribute to this very development fund through their hard earned Social Security contributions, are apparently not the only ones in the dark, since the association representing the struggle kids (who are seemingly the beneficiaries) is said to have no idea about this transfer of N$11 million either.
When it was announced earlier that the struggle kids would receive a monthly grant while on training, Namibians had already raised questions as to where this money will come from. This was the perfect time for Cabinet to offer the required clarity and answers, instead of these secret dealings. The SSC Act is clear and does not give authority to the president or the labour minister to authorise the release of funds from the SSC Development Fund. This is clearly an irresponsible act and should not go unchallenged. The authorities are setting a dangerous precedent and this not good for our cash-strapped government, which is struggling to deal with a myriad of serious issues, including teachers’ salaries and frozen state tenders. Let’s not forget, our Kora millions are still missing to this day.

Taxi union seeks answers

0
0
Taxi union seeks answersTaxi union seeks answersFines, loading zones, illegal taxis and even a new curriculum to train taxi drivers were discussed with transport ministry. Peaceful protest led to transport ministry offices The Deputy Minister of Works and Transport, James Sankwasa on Tuesday met with roughly 100 unhappy taxi drivers and members of the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) at the ministry’s head office in Windhoek.
The union has been at loggerheads with the government for months now with union head Werner Januarie threatening as far back as June of this year that his members would march if they see no progress on the implementation of the new public transport plan.
The protest action, which was peaceful, was accompanied by a heavy police presence on Tuesday morning.
Discussions held with Sankwasa included what taxi drivers described as the “harassment by police of taxis”. Sankwasa instructed them to report such members of the police and to secure their identities, they should ask for the police members’ identity cards.
“We want to know what the strategy is for better results in the plan for the reform of public transport in Namibia,” Januarie asked Sankwasa.
The plan, published in June, holds specific deadlines of which some are slated for 30 September.
Sankwasa informed the union members that the government is currently on a fact-finding mission in this regard and is travelling across the country to acquaint themselves of the situation on the ground.
“We need to know what must change and why,” he said, adding, “They have done the Khomas Region and are currently busy in Erongo.”

Earlier in the year, the strategy for the reform of the public transport sector was launched with great fanfare by government. One of the goals in the strategy was for local authorities to provide taxi loading and off-loading points in urban centres.
According to Sankwasa, local authorities have their own challenges that influence their budgetary exspenditure and he told Januarie, “Rome was not built in a day.”
He, however, admitted that loading zones are essential for taxis.
“When you stop to load passengers in the middle of the street you block traffic and furthermore, taxis that stop anywhere are breaking the law. It is high time that both citizens and taxi drivers learn not to get into a taxi anywhere they want.”
He added that the registration of taxis, such as is the case in Windhoek with registration numbers, is being rolled out to the regions.
Januarie wanted to know why the deadlines for the reclassification of taxi drivers in relation to the labour law are not being met. He told Sankwasa that work permits are not being issued to taxi drivers but that foreigners are becoming more and more common in the industry.
“Who appoints them?” Sankwasa asked, “Namibians are appointing foreigners.”
He urged the union to assist government with illegal taxis. He said that Windhoek has 5 000 registered taxis but more than 13 000 are operational. “This is a matter that must be regulated but, tell me, how do the unregistered taxis get into the industry. You tell me? It is your industry.”
Allegedly there is a Whatsapp group that warns taxi drivers of road blocks and Sankwasa asked Januarie to assist them to close this group.
With regards to the high traffic fines, Sankwasa said parliament will discuss the matter as it was brought to the fore by the Swapo Party Youth League. He added that the ministry is also preparing a new curriculum for the training of taxi drivers and is looking for reputable driving schools to provide such training.

AUGETTO GRAIG

Remember the rhinos

0
0
Remember the rhinosRemember the rhinos

The international community celebrates World Rhino Day today, in the midst of the greatest crises these animals have faced in their eons of evolution.
Targeted for their horns which are used in traditional Chinese medicine and as a status symbol in Asia to demonstrate a person’s wealth and success, global populations have dwindled. On the black market, the horn sells at a higher price per ounce than gold.
According to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, “For people whose annual income is often far below subsistence level, the opportunity to change one’s life by killing an animal that they do not value, is overwhelming.”
World Rhino Day celebrates all five species, including the black and white rhino from Africa, the greater one-horned rhino from India, the Sumatran rhino and the Javan rhino. The latter is the most critically endangered with between 58 and 60 animals left in the world, while the Sumatran rhino shares a similar fate with around 100 animals. In India, there are only just over 3 000 greater one-horned rhino. Between the white and black rhino, the white fares far better with around 20 000 animals left in the wild in Africa, while its black counterpart totals just over 5 000.
Namibia is home to the largest population of black rhino and according to Shifeta, “Is the stronghold of the south-western subspecies of black rhino, Diceros bicornis. More than 91% of the total number of this species is found locally.”
Namibia has been lauded internationally for its management of its rhinos and the numbers have, over the years, steadily grown. However, as poaching took a foothold in southern Africa, it invariably, as it does, spilled over into Namibia from South Africa and other countries in the sub-region.
Our animals traverse vast areas, especially in the north-west of the country and Etosha National Park too, is very large in size. While this is a bonus for management and conservation, it hampers the battle against poaching due to the isolation of the animals and the areas they live in. More often than not, carcasses are found days or even weeks, months or years after the poaching incident.
Anti-poaching efforts by the authorities in Namibia have borne fruit and Etosha is also being patrolled by specially-appointed units of the Namibian police. There is also good collaboration between the relevant NGOs, stakeholders and government.
Roadblocks have also achieved successes with arrests of poachers and just recently, the landmark case in which four Chinese nationals were arrested in possession of rhino horns in 2014, was concluded with a guilty verdict.
Calls have been made to legalise rhino horn as there is a viable market for the product. While most conservationists agree, the jury is still out on the issue and debates continue. Trade is banned under CITES.
Conservationists say there are three Es in saving animals which are: whether they have economic value, ecological value and of course, the ethics of sharing resources with the animals. In the case of the rhino, the economic value alone is reason enough to protect these animals with everything we have. The value of such a success will impact our international image and our tourism on economic levels that could have major spin-off effects.
Viewing all 36395 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images