Tokyo 2020 countdown begins

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Tokyo 2020 countdown begins Uncertainty over Russia's participation in a third consecutive Olympics and concerns over heat hang heavy over the Tokyo 2020 preparations, with only six months until the opening ceremony.

The Japanese capital has avoided many of the crises that dogged previous Games. International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach said the city is the best prepared host city he has seen, with facilities complete well ahead of schedule and tickets massively oversubscribed.

But elements largely out of organisers' control have overshadowed the run-up to the 2020 Games, the second time they will be held in Tokyo after 1964 when a post-war Japan wowed the world with its technological prowess and economic 'miracle'.

Chief among these is whether Russian athletes will compete after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) imposed a four-year ban from international sporting events over what it views as a state-sponsored doping scheme.

Moscow has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but sources have told AFP a decision is not expected before May, just weeks before the Games open on 24 July.

Bach has urged CAS, the world's highest sports court, to give a decision that “does not leave room for any kind of interpretation”, warning of “real, total confusion” if the ruling is not watertight.

Russia's up-in-the-air participation follows confusion at the Rio Games, where the IOC allowed individual federations to decide whether to permit athletes to compete.

At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the IOC barred the Russian Olympic Committee but allowed clean Russian athletes to take part as neutral competitors.

Even less predictable than Russian participation is the Tokyo weather, which has resulted in the unprecedented moving of the marathon from the host city over safety concerns.

In 1964, the Games were held in October to avoid the hot and humid Tokyo summer where temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

But athletes in 2020 will have no such respite, with some doctors warning there could be deadly emergencies. Concerns have been raised for volunteers, spectators and the competitors. Test events last summer gave organisers a taste of what could be. A French triathlete was hospitalised with suspected heatstroke and several spectators took ill at a rowing event.

Tokyo 2020 has rolled out a series of measures designed to counter the heat, including artificial snow, cooling mist sprays, paper fans and towels to cool the neck.

Events have been moved earlier to avoid the burning afternoon sun, but the most extraordinary change was shifting the marathon and race walk 800 kilometres north to Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido.

The move, which apparently caught Tokyo officials off guard when it was announced by the IOC, sparked fury in the capital, with mayor Yuriko Koike describing it as “a decision without an agreement”.

Kazunori Asaba, training chief of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, went further. “It's like the athletes who had been training for many years to climb Everest were told just nine months before they would go to a different mountain.”

Tokyo officials are also carrying out drills in case of natural disaster in one of the world's most active seismic regions, which also gets battered by several typhoons each year.

Last year's Rugby World Cup was affected by the huge Typhoon Hagibis, which forced the cancellation of three matches.

With six months to go, excitement is building and nearly 60 000 fans packed out the new national stadium for its opening to see three-time 100-metre sprint gold medallist Usain Bolt trot around the track.

Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto, who represented Japan at seven Olympic Games as a speed skater and cyclist, said the country would stop at nothing to pull off a spectacular show.

“Last week I was in Lausanne, where president Bach again complimented our preparations. But we're not complacent. We will do everything possible. I will do my best as a minister to make the Games a success,” she told reporters.

NAMPA/AFP

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Four SA referees named on Super Rugby panel

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Four SA referees named on Super Rugby panel The experienced Jaco Peyper, along with AJ Jacobs, Rasta Rasivhenge and Marius van der Westhuizen are the four South African referees on the 12-man Vodacom Super Rugby referee panel for the 2020 season, Sanzaar confirmed on Monday.

The 39-year-old Peyper is the most experienced referee on the panel with 106 competition matches under his belt, as well as 50 tests.

The panel was reduced in size from 15 in 2019. As in previous years, the 12-man team comprises a mix of very experienced referees and emerging match official talent with one or two years of Super Rugby behind them.

In preparation for kick-off on 31 January, the Super Rugby refereeing team recently attended a camp in Stellenbosch, where they reviewed game management protocols from the previous year and proactively assessed the requirements for the new season, given World Rugby directives and potential law trials.

Super Rugby CEO Andy Marinos said: “Ensuring we continue to deliver world-class and best performance match officiating is hugely important to the integrity of Super Rugby. Vodacom Super Rugby has led the way, I believe, in match officiating, but we cannot afford to be complacent. Therefore, we are constantly adapting and innovating to ensure our match officials are the best they can be. This year, we have reduced the referee team from 15 to 12 following intense scrutiny of performance and the objectives we want to meet, as identified by the Stellenbosch camp in South Africa recently. This smaller, tighter team we believe will deliver greater consistency of performance and better critical decision-making processes to ensure Vodacom Super Rugby delivers fantastic rugby for the players and fans,” added Marinos.

NAMPA/ANA

Another first-round loss for Sharapova

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Another first-round loss for SharapovaUncertain over return The former world number one Maria Sharapova, playing on a wildcard, is set to drop below 350 in the rankings following her 3-6, 4-6 defeat to Croatia's 19th-seeded Donna Vekic. Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova admitted she does not know if she will be back at the Australian Open next year after suffering a first-round defeat in Melbourne on Tuesday.

It was the 32-year-old's third first-round exit in a row at Grand Slam tournaments, and will increase speculation over her future.

Sharapova, banned for 15 months for failing a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open, was unable to say whether she would return next year.

“I don't know, I don't know,” said the Russian, already ranked a lowly 145th, when asked by AFP if she would be back at Melbourne Park in 2021.

“It's tough for me to tell what's going to happen in 12 months' time.”

Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in 2008, was similarly vague about the months and even weeks ahead.

“Honestly, I'd give you the answer, I just don't know,” she said about what tournaments she will play in the near future.

“I haven't thought of my schedule moving forward from here yet.”

Against Vekic there were flashes of the form that helped make Sharapova one of the most marketable women in sport, but she carried a haunted look at times.

After missing large chunks of last year with a shoulder injury, she needed a wildcard to compete in Melbourne.

Playing on the centre court, a sign of Sharapova's enduring pulling power, she lost the first set in 36 minutes.

She broke to go 4-1 up in the second set, but Vekic struck back and sealed victory on the second match point when Sharapova fired wildly wide. Sharapova said she was not taking much notice of her plummeting ranking.

“Last year I think I played seven or eight tournaments so I don't know if I can look at the ranking and really think about it in depth,” she said, cutting a forlorn figure.

“Just because I really haven't played and I was injured most of the year. You know, I certainly have to take that into account.”

Sharapova, who last lost in the Melbourne first round in 2010, has struggled for form and fitness since returning from the ban for taking meldonium.

Once deemed a rival to Serena Williams at the top of women's tennis, Sharapova refused to blame her right shoulder problem for her latest early exit.

“I can speak about my struggles and the things that I've gone through with my shoulder, but it's not really in my character to,” she said.

“I was there, I put myself out there (playing). As tough as it was, I finished the match. It wasn't the way I wanted.”

NAMPA/AFP

Oshikandjohogololo shaKatjali tashi kongo ekwatho

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Oshikandjohogololo shaKatjali tashi kongo ekwatho Ombelewa yakansela gwoshikandjohogololo Okatjali moshitopolwa shaShana otayi kongo ekwatho okuza kAasamaria aanamutimahenda opo ya gandje oondjatha dhokugamena oomwenyo pethimbo taku taagulukwa omeya kaanafaalama moshikandjohogololo shoka.

Aanafaalama oya kunkililwa woo opo kaya taaguluke omeya kehe pamwe ihe ya longithe ekwatho lyuuwato mbyoka hawu longithwa kongundu yaagandjiyomakwatho gopaulumomhumbwe moshikandjo shoka.

Omolwa omuloka omunene ngoka gwa loko monooli yoshilongo, omulonga gwaNiiwe oguudha omeya naanafaalama mboka ye na oohambo dhi li popepi noshikunino shiinamwenyo shEtosha, itaya vulu we okuya koohambo dhawo.

Elelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana okupitila mombelewa yakansela gwaKatjali olya gandja uuwato mboka opo wu vule okukwathela aanafaalama. Kansela gwoshikandjohogololo shoka Joseph Mupetami okwa popi kutya omulonga ngoka ogwa ya muule na omunene na ogwa nika oshiponga okutaaguluka koompadhi nenge niihauto.

Mupetami okwa popi kutya oshikandjo oshi na uuwato utatu, naanafaalama mboka yah la okuya koohambo dhawo na ya longithe ekwatho lyuuwato mboka.

Kansela okwa popi kutya momvula yo 2009 ombelewa yawo oya mono uuwano mboka wa gandjwa omagano kehangano lyoNovanam Fishing, na ohawu longithwa pethimbo lyefundja. Uuwato mboka ohawu tsilike aantu yahamano poshikando pamwe nomitsalo dhawo, na ope na aakwashigwana mboka ya dheulilwa okulongitha uuwato mboka.

Mupetami okwa tsikile kutya aanafaalama naya longithe ekwatho ndyoka ihe naya longele kumwe naamboka haya longo nuuwato mboka. Okwa popi kutya inaya hala aantu taya yi muuwato moka ya longitha iikolitha nenge ye na omitsalo odhindji.

Mupetami okwa popi kutya okawato okatine oka pewa oshikandjohogololo shaMpundja opo ka vule woo okukwathela monkalo ya faathana.

Okwa popi kutya uuwato mboka itawu vulu okuhumbata iimuna ihe otawu vulu okuhumbata ooshako dhuusila wepungu niinima yilwe.

“Ngele opwa holoka oshiponga, otwa hala okuhupitha oomwenyo. Uuwato wetu kawu na oondjatha dhokuhupitha oomwenyo naashoka oshi li uupyakadhi unene ngele pwa holoka sha. Otatu indile ekwatho lyaaiyambi ye tu pe omagano goondjatha opo tu kalekepo egameno muuwato wetu,” Mupetami a popi.

ILENI NANDJATO

Swapo ta kanitha oomiliyona moPaliamende

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Swapo ta kanitha oomiliyona moPaliamendeOongundu dha kumagidhwa dhi longithe iimaliwa nawa Ondjele yomwaalu gwiimaliwa ngoka hagu pewa oongundu dhopolotika mOmutumba gwoPashigwana otayi lalakana unene koongundu dhompilameno, konima sho ongundu tayi pangele yoSwapo a kanitha iipundi 14 momahogololo ga piti. Swapo ota ka kanitha oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 13 moshikakomvula sho 2020/21 sha landula sho eshi enditha nayi momahogololo gOmutumba gwoPashigwana ngoka ga ningwa omvula ya piti moshilongo.

Ongundu tayi pangele oya kanitha iipundi 14 momahogolo ga ningwa muNovomba 2019.

Iimaliwa mbyoka hayi pewa ongundu yoPopular Democratic Movement (PDM) otayi londo pombanda noomiliyona 9.58 uuna iilyo yOmutumba gwoPshigwana ya ganithilwa miilonga momwedhi Maalitsa gwonuumvo, sha landula sho ongundu ndjoka ye shi enditha nawa momahogololo ngoka twa zi.

Omwaalu gwiipundi yoPDM ogwa londo pombanda okuza piipundi itano okuya piipundi 16.

Ongundu ompe yoLandless People's Movement (LPM) otayi ka pewa oomiliyona 3.8 omolwa iipundi yawo ine mbyoka ya mono sha landula omahogololo ngoka ga ningwa.

Oongundu ngaashi All People's Party (APP), Republican Party (RP), Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEEF), National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) oshowo United Democratic Party (UDP) adhihe otashi ka mona ooN$1 916 000.

Moshikakomvula sho2015/16 oongundu dhopolotika odha li dha pewa oshimaliwa shooN$958 000 moshipundi kehe sha landula omahogololo gomomvula yo 2014 ngoka ga ningwa moshilongo.

Palongitho lyomiyalu ndhoka, nena ongundu yoPDM otayi mono oomiliyona 15 komvula omanga Swapo ta pewa oomiliyona 60.3 komvula.

Oongundu dhopolotika odha pewa oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 114 momvula yo2015/16 moka Swapo a mono oshipambu oshinene shoomiliyona 96 okuza momwaalu ngoka gwa pewa oongundu.

Nonando ongundu yawo ngashiingeyi otayi mono omwaalu gu li pombanda, omudhiginini gwiiniwe gwongundu yoPDM, Nico Smit okuuvite kutya oongundu odha pumbwa okupewa oshimaliwa kwiikwatelelwa kondjele yontumba tayi kalelele.

Sho a pulwa kutya okwa longithwa omayalulo ge li ngiini okutopolwa iimaliwa mbyoka ya pewa oongundu dhopolotika, Smit okwa yamukula kutya okwa longithwa ondjele yoshilongo yogross domestic product (GDP) yambalipalekwa noopresenda 0.0002.

Okwa popi kutya ongundu yawo ngashiingeyi otayi ka mona oshimaliwa oshindji mokugwanitha po iinyangadhalwa yawo ihe okwa popi kutya oongundu itadhi gwanenwa kiimaliwa opo dhi vule okukandulapo oompumbwe dhawo mokugwanithapo iilonga yadho.

Aagandji yomaiyuvo naanongononi yonkalo yopolotika oya holola kutya oongundu dhompilameno odha pumbwa okukwata nawa iimaliwa mbyoka tadhi pewa opo dhi vule okunkondopela omwaalu gwaayambidhidhi yawo.

Ndumba Kamwanyah okwa popi kutya oongundu dhompilameno ngaashi ongundu yoPDM, otayi ka kala yi na iimaliwa ya gwana okuninga omahwahwameko.

Okwa kunkilile opo oongundu dhi longithe iimaliwa mbyoka miinima mbyoka yi na oshilonga na otayi tungu po oongundu.

Hoze Riruako okwa popi kutya oongundu dhompilameno inadhi koka natango niimaliwa itayi ka yambidhidha mekoko lyaayambidhidhi yoongundu.

Okwa popi kutya oongundu dhompilameno odhi na ondjila onde okuya, niimaliwa itayi ti sha ihe shoka shi na oshilonga okuninga omahwahwameko noondunge.

Riruako ke na omukumo kutya PDM otaka kokeka omwaalu gwaayambidhidhi ye muule woomvula ntano twa taalela nonando omwaalu gwiimaliwa ngoka taka pewa ogwa londa pombanda.

Okwa popi kutya iinima iyali mbyoka ya kwathele oPDM pethimb lyomahogollo ngoka ga piti, omuhogololwa presidende iithikamena Dr Panduleni Itula, oshowo omawi ngoka ga zi kAakwaSwapo mboka ya tokoka okukala inaya hogolola ongundu yawo onga omukalo gwawo gwokuulika omahololodhilaadhilo gawo.

Okwa kunkilile oongundu dhompilameno dhi kale tadhi ningi omahwahwameno nonando kashi shi oomvula dhomahogololo nenge kashi shi pethimbo lyomahogololo.

Omupeha omuleli gwongundu yoLPM, Henny Seibeb okuuvite kutya oongundu oompe dhoka opo tadhi totwapo odha pumbwa okumona omwakwatho giimaiwa opo dhi vule okukwathela pethimbo lyomahwahwameko.

Oshiputudhilo shoInstitute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) omvula ya piti osha li sha ningile omapulo omukalo gwokugandja iimaliwa koongundu dhopolotika.

IPPR okwa popi kutya egandjo lyiimaliwa mbyoka otali ningwa pethimbo mpoka oshilongo nepangelo li li nale monkungo yi na onkambe ngele tashi ya kompumbwe yiimaliwa.

OGONE TLHAGE

A beacon of hope

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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A beacon of hope The Tsintsabis Combined School's feeding programme has received resounding support from stakeholders since its implementation in 2004, acting principal Christalina Narubes said.

During an interview at the school over the weekend, Narubes applauded members of the community for volunteering to prepare meals for learners.

She also acknowledged the contributions of government and corporates to the feeding programme.

Narubes said government contributes maize to the school, while Namibia Free Caterers/Tulipamwe donates a weekly consignment of vegetables and Tsumeb-based Dundee Precious Metals donates a monthly food voucher worth N$800.

“Last year, we were fortunate to receive a one-tonne donation of fish from a fishing company at the coast and we have been preparing this high protein-concentrated diet for our children,” she said.

She added that the feeding programme encourages children from the marginalised San community to attend school.

Tsintsabis Combined School also produces its own food through aquaculture and gardening, including tilapia fish, maize, spinach, tomatoes, beans, onion and carrots.

In addition to helping with the preparation of meals, members of the community volunteer their labour for the school's projects.

“Our fish farming produces enough fish for the feeding programme and to sell to the local community, which helps to generate revenue for the maintenance of project,” Narubes said, adding that the school implemented the two projects so that it does not rely solely on handouts.

She explained that only 86 learners accommodated in the school hostel are not catered for by the feeding programme.

“They (hostel learners) cannot benefit twice, as they receive food in the hostel,” Narubes said.

Situated in Oshikoto's Guinas Constituency, 62 kilometres north of Tsumeb, Tsintsabis Combined School has over 795 learners from pre-primary to Grade 9, as well as 25 teachers.

It was established inside the military barracks of the then colonial administration by current Guinas Constituency councillor Betty Kaula in 1993. Back then, it catered for 135 San children.

NAMPA

Man in court for registering 'fake' accident

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Man in court for registering 'fake' accident A 58-year-old man arrested at Aranos last Friday for allegedly providing false information relating to an accident made his first appearance in the Aranos Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Gawie Gabriel Ngatajosi appeared before assistant magistrate Mclean Urinavi and was denied bail.

The case was postponed to 6 February for him to apply for legal representation through the justice ministry's directorate of legal aid.

It is alleged the suspect drove to the Aranos police station in a white Volkswagen Polo with an Okahandja registration number and unlawfully and intentionally registered an accident, claiming a kudu had jumped on his vehicle and that he had then lost control of the car.

When the police visited the accident scene, it was, however, allegedly observed that he intentionally drove the vehicle against a tree several times and hit the roof of the car with a hammer that was found at the scene. Ngatajosi is being held at the Aranos police station holding cells until his next court appearance.

Police investigations continue.

Meanwhile, eight people arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs made their first appearance in the Rehoboth Magistrate's Court, also on Monday.

The suspects were arrested during a police operation on Friday.

In the first case, Christo van Wyk (32), Dirk Coetzee (33), Chantelle van Wyk (25), Andelien Titus (23), Adriaan Coetzee (26), Marchet van Wyk (age unknown) and a 17-year-old minor appeared before magistrate Desmond Beukes on charges of possession of and dealing in dependence-producing drugs.

They were allegedly found in possession of 20 mandrax tablets worth N$2 400 during a police operation at around 18:00 last Friday at Block F.

The six older suspects were denied bail, while the minor was released into the care of his guardian.

The matter was postponed to 28 January for a trial date.

Prosecutor Rosalia Aihuiki represented the State in the matter.

In a second case, 22-year-old Ni Carlio Fraygang appeared before Beukes on charges of being in possession and dealing in dependence-producing drugs.

He was denied bail and the case was postponed to 26 February for further investigation and for him to obtain legal representation.

Fraygang allegedly had 60 small parcels of cannabis worth N$6 000 in his possession when a police search was carried out in Block D at around 16:00 last Friday.

He faces charges of dealing in drugs and wrongfully and unlawfully being in possession or using a prohibited dependence-producing drug or plant from which such a drug can be manufactured.

Aihuiki again represented the State in the matter.

Fraygang is being held at the Rehoboth police station holding cells.

NAMPA

Weak military: PDM blasts Swapo

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Weak military: PDM blasts Swapo Weak military: PDM blasts 'fat generals' The official opposition argues that despite consuming a significant portion of public resources, the country's security apparatus makes no commensurate contribution, either to the economy or to Namibia's internal or external security. STAFF REPORTER



Popular Democratic Movement PDM parliamentarian Nico Smit says the official opposition is very concerned about the “appalling condition of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF)”, given what government spends annually on the country’s armed forces.

“The PDM asserts that the Namibian taxpayer can no longer afford the financial burden of keeping former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) generals and commanders fat and happy. We can no longer pay to keep Swapo in power. This is unsustainable and threatens the long term economic viability of the Namibian state,” Smit said in a statement

This follows a Namibian Sun article last week that revealed that Namibia's military has been ranked as one of the weakest in the world, at 126th out of 137 countries, by the 2019 Global Firepower Index.

Among 34 African countries, Namibia also ranked poorly in 28th position.

Smit said in the 2019/20 budget, after the revisions of October 2019, the defence force received an allocation of N$5.5 billion for operational expenses and a further N$385 million under the development budget. “Therefore the total expenditure on the military in the current fiscal year amounts to about N$5.9 billion.”

Smit said defence expenditure has been relatively stable over the past five years, totalling N$6.6 billion in 2015/16, N$5.9 billion in 2016/17, N$5.7 billion in 2017/18 and N$5.9 billion in 2018/19.

“The disconcerting fact is that the military has consumed roughly N$30 billion from the state’s coffers over a five-year period only to end up ranked among the 10 worst defence forces in the world!”

Taxpayers ‘paying through their noses’

“Namibian taxpayers are paying through their noses for a service which does little to add to their quality of life.

“Also consider that in the current fiscal year, N$380 million has been allocated for training, leaving us with the inexplicable situation that if so much money goes into training, why is the military’s ability ranked so low? The PDM therefore demand that the defence minister tells us who are being trained for what?” Smit asked.

The Global Firepower Index analyses data on military spending, strength and readiness of 137 countries.

The ranking is based largely on each nation's potential conventional war-making capability across land, sea and air, with the final ranking incorporating values related to resources, finances and geography.

Smit said the ranking of the NDF, in the context of Namibia’s annual military spend, is cause for serious concern.

“This is because despite consuming a significant portion of public resources, the security apparatus makes no commensurate contribution, either to the economy, or to both Namibia’s internal or external security,” he said.

“This inevitably leads to the suspicion that the NDF is being used by the Swapo government as a vehicle for employment creation.”

‘Unproductive operational expenditure’

Smit said two related questions need to be asked. “Firstly, is this the most efficient means of employment creation, and secondly, what return on investment does the Namibian public see? It is no stretch of the imagination to conceive that such unproductive operational expenditure in no way contributes to economic growth,” he said.

Smit said the PDM is also very concerned that expense items are indicated for the defence force’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in South Sudan.

“From the information we obtained, we understand that the ministry of defence is compensated extensively by the UN for this service.

“Furthermore, it is also our understanding that Namibian military personnel in the DRC are employed to protect the mining interests of the defence force holding company August 26.

“If this is not so, we require an unequivocal undertaking by the minister of defence that this is not the case. Nevertheless, we maintains our demand of an explanation of what happens to the compensation the UN provides to Namibia for security services rendered,” Smit continued.

Confusion around staff complement

Smit said there is also some confusion about the total staff complement of the NDF.

“The 2019/20 budget lists 9 153 members in active service but it omits any figure for the number of combat soldiers in the army. The indicated number of established full-time positions for combat soldiers is 20 799, but it is not indicated what the actual number of serving soldiers is.

“Yet, this unknown number still collects N$2.8 billion from the government’s budget. In 2015/16 there were 26 623 serving military personnel in the defence force, decreasing by about 1 000 to 25 951 in 2016/17.

“Since 2017, this figure was no longer published by the ministry of finance in budget documentation,” Smit added.

He said the safety and security ministry receives another N$5.5 billion from treasury.

“The public safety budget category costs Namibians around N$12 billion per year, or 22% of total expenditure.

“Thus, more than one fifth of the entire government spending goes into our security apparatus. It is unacceptable that such significant public expenditure produces such a poor return on investment, namely a military that is ranked amongst the 10 worst in the world,” Smit added.

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Sustainable use of biomass strengthened

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Sustainable use of biomass strengthened Germany has donated more than N$2 million in vehicles and equipment to the agriculture ministry and the University of Namibia (Unam) in an effort to strengthen the sustainable use of biomass.

The donation included three vehicles for the monitoring and law-enforcement capacities of the forestry directorate in selected priority regions. In these regions, which are the most severely affected by bush encroachment, the forestry directorate offices have been equipped with computers and stationery. This equipment support enables the directorate to effectively implement an ongoing re-engineering process, which includes the digitalisation of its service delivery.

According to a media statement, the directorate of forestry will increasingly rely on satellite images and aerial photos for farm inspections and will pilot a digital system for harvesting permit applications. This is meant to reduce the cost and turnaround time of the directorate's permitting process and increase its reliability and efficiency.

The Unam department of animal science also received a laboratory incubator for analyses of animal fodder samples. The statement said due to the continuing drought, hundreds of farmers resorted to producing bush-based emergency fodder in 2019. “Dedicated laboratory capacities will help to improve the quality of the respective feed mixtures. In the same vein, the directorate of agricultural research and development is also set to receive laboratory equipment.”

This directorate already offers testing of biomass samples to the public and will strengthen this services with the new analytical equipment. “Namibia and Germany enjoy a long-standing history of cooperation. This handover affirms the mutual dedication to address developmental challenges, stimulating sustainable and equitable growth, creating jobs and providing equal opportunities, said German ambassador Herbert Beck.

He said Germany has supported the agriculture ministry through various programmes including in the areas of conservation agriculture, agricultural advisory and rangeland management. “Recently, the German government has especially strengthened its efforts to foster the drought resilience of the Namibian population. In this context, the utilisation of bush biomass, for example for bush-based animal fodder, plays a vital role.” Dr Thomas Kirsch, the country director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Namibia, said more than 30 million hectares of rangeland is affected by bush encroachment in Namibia, which is more than two-thirds of the country. He however said that bush is no longer seen as a problem, but as an opportunity.

“The sustainable use of bush biomass creates economic potential along various biomass value chains. Today, thanks to professional industry structures, and accelerated by the ongoing drought, the biomass utilisation sector employs some 10 000 workers.”

The agriculture ministry's acting executive director and director of forestry Joseph Hailwa said the donated equipment will support two priority areas – law-enforcement and the monitoring of bush-harvesting operations. This is part of the forestry directorate's mandate to effectively regulate forest resource utilisation, he said. The vehicles will be used to carry out timely farm and site inspection where harvesting and processing of bush biomass is done to ensure correct procedures are followed.

ELLANIE SMIT

Katima abattoir to start with test slaughtering

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Katima abattoir to start with test slaughtering ELLANIE SMIT



The Katima Mulilo export abattoir is expected to commence with test slaughtering by the end of February, if repairs on the quarantine camp have been completed.

This is according to the Meat Board of Namibia, which has been asked to assist the abattoir with operations by the agriculture ministry.

Funding for the process was transferred to the board.

According to the Meat Board, contractors for the provision and service of cooling, water, electricity and security have already been appointed and are on site.

“All cattle offered for slaughter at the abattoir must adhere to the requirements of the World Organisation for Animal Health recommendations for commodity-based trade.”

Test slaughtering provides a chance to test the abattoir to assess whether all requirements of the Namibian environment are in order and functioning correctly.

The board further said users should be mindful of the use of antibiotics, saying consumers across the globe are increasingly opposed to the use of these medications.

“Namibia, as a meat export country, is judged according to its management of antibiotics. The use of antibiotics, under certain conditions, is allowed.”

The Meat Board said antibiotics may only be used if recommended and prescribed by a veterinarian.

“It is imperative to adhere to the withdrawal periods to avoid residue in the meat.”

The board said the directorate of veterinary services has urged all role players to keep complete records of the import, distribution, sales and usage of these drugs. The availability of these records enables the directorate to certify Namibia’s meat exports with increased confidence. In case of uncertainty, contact your nearest state or private veterinarian.

Furthermore, the Meat Board reminded producers that animal health declarations for July to December must be submitted by the end of January.

These declarations can be submitted online through NamLITS or in hard copy. Hard copies must be submitted to a local state veterinarian. Producers are further reminded that a proof of receipt slip must be requested from the veterinarian's office when the declaration is submitted.

Tough road ahead

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Tough road aheadFarmers face arduous task of rebuilding herds After seven years of disastrous drought, Namibian farmers face an uphill battle to rebuild their herds, while facing severe cash flow challenges. The disastrous drought in Namibia over the past seven years has forced livestock producers to significantly reduce their herds. They are now faced with cash flow challenges to rebuild them.

According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the cash generated from the sale of livestock was utilised to feed the remaining herd, with limited ability to save funds for recovery and herd-rebuilding.

The NAU says the next three years will be challenging in terms of rebuilding livestock herds, while surviving cash flow challenges.

“The agricultural sector as a whole needs to work together to find solutions, and put action plans in place to assist producers to recover to full production levels.”

Furthermore, the union says young and emerging farmers with debt on land are the most vulnerable, as they need to continue servicing long-term debt while very limited marketable animals will be available to sell in the herd-rebuilding phase.

The NAU developed cash flow scenarios, and has had various consultations with stakeholders and development institutions to determine what can be expected and what is required to ensure long-term recovery after the drought.

“The recovery after the drought is one of the main priorities which has to be addressed.

“A healthy productive primary agricultural sector in Namibia creates rural jobs and improved livelihoods, curbs rural-to-urban migration and multiplies job opportunities in the rest of the value chain.”

However, when primary agricultural production is destroyed, the total value chain – including input supply, processing and marketing – disintegrates, the NAU says. Furthermore, with regards to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa, four cases have been reported since mid-December, the last of which occurred in the first week of January, the South African agriculture department reported.

The total number of confirmed positive locations since the beginning of the outbreak has increased to 15. According to the NAU, the directorate of veterinary services (DVS) in Namibia has confirmed that import restrictions on raw animal products from South Africa remain unchanged and that regulations regarding the import of animal feed are also unchanged.

No raw meat or products derived from split hoof animals may be imported into Namibia, with the exception of pork only from certain parts of South Africa.

Animal feed must still be certified by a veterinarian in South Africa that it complies with certain regulations before it can be imported.

In other news, the Roads Authority (RA) of Namibia has expressed concern about the increasing amount of animals in national road reserves, which may cause road accidents.

The RA has requested farmers to keep their animals within boundaries to ensure that they do not enter the roads.

The authority also noticed that grass has been cut in road reserves along national roads.

“Farm owners, lessees or occupiers of a farm may not cut grass in road reserves without the consent of the RA.

“Applications to cut grass must be accompanied by proof of ownership of the farm, a lease agreement or proof of occupation of land.”

People who want to cut grass in national road reserves who are not the farm owner, lessee or occupier of the land must apply at the relevant RA district office with an original, signed letter of permission from the land owner, lessee or occupier of the land.

This letter must be accompanied by a signed copy of proof of ownership, the lease agreement or proof of occupation of land.

“Anyone who does not adhere to these procedures can be issued with legal procedures by the RA,” the NAU said.





ELLANIE SMIT

Hardap Dam level drops to 6.4%

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Hardap Dam level drops to 6.4% The Hardap Dam's level has dropped even further since last week.

Even though the dam received its first inflow since 2018 last week after some rain fell in the catchment area, the level has decreased by 0.635 million cubic metres of water. The dam currently contains only 18.952 million cubic metres, leaving it just 6.4% full compared to last week's 6.6%.

NamWater has indicated that it will cut supply to the Hardap irrigation scheme at the end of this month if the dam does not receive sufficient inflow.

“The low water levels at Hardap, the central area dams and the Omdel and Otjivero dams remain a concern,” said Andre Mostert, NamWater's manager of hydrology.

The average of the dams in the central areas of Namibia currently stands at 18.2%, in comparison to last season's 26.5%. The Swakoppoort Dam is 5.4% full, down from 5.5% last week. Last season it stood at 21.7%.

The Von Bach Dam is currently 38.9% full. The level decreased from last week's 39.5%. Last season, the dam was 50.5% full.

The level of the Omatako Dam also decreased from 15.8% to 15.5%. Last season the dam was only 1% full.

Meanwhile, the Friedenau Dam is 20.6% full, while last week the level was 20.7%. In comparison, last season the level stood at 31.3%.

Furthermore, dams in the Gobabis area are, on average, at 7.9% full.

The Otjivero Main Dam's level is 7.1% after it decreased from 9%, while the Tilda Viljoen Dam is 32.2% full. It decreased from 32.8% last week. The Daan Viljoen Dam is 59% full after its level dropped from 62.2%.

The average of the dams in the south stands at 22.5% in comparison to last season when they were 39.6% full. The Naute Dam is 77.1% full, while Oanob Dam's level is at 37%. The Dreihuk, Bondels and Omaruru Delta dams are all empty.

ELLANIE SMIT

Recording-breaking stats

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Recording-breaking statsTourism arrivals edge toward 1.7 million According to the report, tourists intended to stay in Namibia for an average of 16 days in 2018, which is down from the average of 19 days the previous year. Namibia recorded an unprecedented number of foreign arrivals in 2018 of 1.659 million, which was an increase of 3.2% from the 1.6 million arrivals the previous year. The number of tourists who visited Namibia increased to 1.57 million in 2018 from 1.499 million the previous year, which is a 3.9% increase.

This was announced by tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta yesterday at the launch of the Tourist Statistical Report for 2018.

The report indicates that of the 1.659 million foreign arrivals Namibia received in 2018, tourists accounted for 93.8% of the total, followed by same-day visitors at 4.9%, while returning visitors accounted for 0.9% and other categories 0.4%.

The largest number of tourist visitors in 2018 came from Angola (489 013), South Africa (299 319), Zambia (242 160), Zimbabwe (60 689) and Germany (124 622).

The report noted that there was an increase of 6.8% to 1.16 million visitors in the African market compared to 2017's 1.09 million, while the North American Region decreased with 8.4% from 39 576 tourists in 2017 to 36 262 in 2018.

The European market also declined with 1.9% from 311 636 visitors to 305 737. Overall, overseas tourists to Namibia decreased from 408 893 in 2017 to 356 590 in 2018.

Analysing the tourist arrivals by purpose of visit, business tourists fell from 205 845 arrivals in 2017 to 191 613 in 2018, making up only 12.3% of total tourist arrivals.

However, the category of visiting friends and family continued to dominate with 50.9% of total tourist arrivals, followed by 34.8% of tourists who came for holiday. Tourists who came for other purposes made up 2.1% of total arrivals.

According to the report, tourists intended to stay in Namibia for an average of 16 days, which is down from the average of 19 days the previous year. The majority of tourists came into Namibia by road (70.4%), while 28% preferred to travel by air.

Meanwhile, Air Namibia brought in 41.1% of the total tourist arrivals by air in 2018. This was a major increase from the 34.3% of the previous year. South Africa Airways brought in 21.9%, followed by Qatar Airways with 8.6%.

Shifeta stressed that with the national carrier still bringing in the lion's share of tourists, it is important that Air Namibia keeps flying.

“The public sees Air Namibia getting billions as a waste of money, but it is bringing billions into the country.” He added that the money that Air Namibia receives is an investment into the tourism sector, which provides thousands of jobs, and it will be catastrophic if the airline is lost.

Shifeta further said that the year-to-date tourism sector performance, especially inbound demand, remains remarkably strong despite the persisting global economic crisis.

“These figures give us confidence that we are making good progress in our efforts to grow and develop the tourism industry as a global player.”

He said the increase in the tourist arrivals help the tourism sector to contribute to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provide jobs across the value chain.

These days, Namibia is in a much better place than it was in previous years, Shifeta added. “We know this because statistics say so. We have achieved various development goals in providing a conducive environment, infrastructure such as roads and a host of other issues in order to further our national development agenda.” According to Shifeta, Namibia is close to reaching its goal of two million foreign arrivals. Predictions for 2019 indicate that foreign arrivals will stand at 1.76 million. The Tourist Statistical Report for 2019 is expected to be launched in August.

ELLANIE SMIT

Mushelenga warns structureless councils

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Mushelenga warns structureless councils In the wake of some local authorities having failed to elect and swear in office-bearers, urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga says the ministry is monitoring the situation.

Mushelenga was responding to queries about the current developments at the Rundu town council where the swearing-in ceremony for office-bearers has not taken place, affecting service delivery at the riverside town.

He pointed out that not only the Rundu is faced with this issue and the ministry is observing all local authorities in the same boat, stressing that action will be taken.

Other local authorities with incomplete structures include the Okahandja municipality, which has not yet sworn in its office-bearers, while the Oshakati town council is yet to swear in members of its management committee after the initial ceremony was marred by controversy.

“For all local authorities that do not have structures in place, the act is very clear and the law will be put in place,” Mushelenga said briefly.

Last year, the minister had to intervene in a debacle involving the Rundu town council after service delivery at the town was halted because of an incomplete management committee.

At the time, the minister said if Rundu failed to comply, he would invoke the provisions in Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act, which can be used to remove or suspend local authority councillors if they fail to comply, as well as appoint any other person before an election.

A management committee at a local authority serves as a key body that deals with making recommendations to the council for resolutions to be taken. The absence of a management committee results in decision-making being placed in the hands of the accounting officer, and in the case of the Rundu town council which is yet to appoint a substantive CEO, the situation is dire. However, the delay in swearing-in office-bearers is not new to Rundu, as December 2018 seems to be repeating itself.

At the time, the issue was about three Swapo councillors - Isak Kandingu, Anastacia Shinduvi-Foya and Toini Hausiku - defying a party directive regarding who should occupy which position.

This time around the fight is between the Swapo Rundu urban district executive committee and the trio, who have been recalled because they have not provided the district leadership with a progress report.

Rundu urban district executive committee coordinator Gabriel Hakusembe is at the centre of this fight.

On 11 December 2019, during a scheduled swearing-in ceremony, Hakusembe interjected, successfully demanding that the process be halted. A letter war has raged since, with Hakusembe writing to acting Rundu CEO Matheus Naironga, and Kandingu threatening the Swapo district committee.

The last communication by Hakusembe is a letter to Naironga dated 16 January, informing him about the recall of the trio, and their replacement by Serafine Mandjoro, Johaness Ngondo and Romanus Munika.

When contacted for comment, Naironga confirmed having received the letter. He, however, indicated that based on ongoing developments, the local authority will wait for a communication that will bring peace and no objections.

Meanwhile, Kandingu, Hausiku and Shinduvi-Foya have written a letter of complaint against the committee, denouncing their recall and bemoaning Hakusembe's conduct. When contacted for comment, Hakusembe described the letter as unlawful.

“The letter of complaint is unlawful, but the recall of the councillors was done lawfully,” he said.

Namibian Sun understands a Swapo Kavango East regional executive committee meeting is scheduled for this Saturday to address the issue.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Swapo must outlive its members

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Swapo must outlive its members Swapo is in the midst of probably its toughest spell of post-independence existence. The mushrooming of the independent candidates phenomenon, almost all of whom are Swapo members, points to a party hanging onto dear life by its fingernails. More dangerous is the fact that such independent candidates have often refused to surrender their membership to the party, prompting extraordinary scenes last year when two party members Hage Geingob and Panduleni Itula both contested for State House. What is even more extraordinary is that the independent candidacy agenda is driven and trumped by, for example, leaders of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, whose own leaders have seemingly not surrendered their membership to the party against which they field candidates at every opportunity.

This critical moral question cannot be answered without bringing into sharper focus the status of unity in Swapo over the past couple of years. It would seem that the independent candidacy syndrome has picked up pace at a time when factionalism has taken its toll on the party and divisions have widened into unprecedented cracks. Surely, this cannot be a mere coincidence.

Factions in the party must put their egos and individualities aside and start showing more care for the institution itself. Leaders must swallow their pride and put the party first for its own sake. If this downward spiral continues, Swapo is in real danger of not only losing ground, but also of extinction. The United National Independence Party (UNIP), which governed Zambia from 1964 to 1991 under the socialist presidency of Kenneth Kaunda, does not even have a single seat in the Zambian National Assembly as we speak. Arrogance and an unwillingness to listen to logic are what have gotten UNIP on its tired knees today.

Swapo, if it still has the appetite to soldier on, must put factionalism to bed and start accommodating all its members as children of the same house who must all contribute towards invigorating the party that once dominated the political turf.

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Teachers warned against accepting bribes

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Teachers warned against accepting bribes Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero has issued a stern warning to teachers who are accepting bribes from parents in exchange for placing children at schools.

Kapapero made the remark following a Namibian Sun investigation into how some schools in Rundu are continuing registration through the backdoor, despite informing the public that they will no longer be accepting new learners. Several schools in Rundu have stopped the enrolment of learners for the 2020 academic year. However, parents paying bribes for the placement of their children has reared its ugly head.





Apart from the voluntarily N$300 contribution schools expect parents to pay, it has been said bribes range from N$500 to N$1 000 per child.

Although it is difficult to prove how and when the exchange of money takes place, Namibian Sun is reliably informed that the practice is happening especially when the demand for placement is very high.

Namibian Sun has visited a number of schools since last Wednesday when the first 2020 school term commenced and observed parents begging schools to enrol their children.

The situation is said to be worsened by the high number of people migrating to the riverside town, yet no new schools are being constructed.

Last year Namibian Sun also reported on the need for more schools to ease overcrowding in classrooms.

At the time, Kapapero revealed that more than 30 000 of the 60 000 learners in Kavango East are enrolled in schools in the Rundu circuit.

Rundu has a population of about 90 000.

Another factor that is said to have added to the high influx of people to Rundu in search for school placements for their children is the newly adopted revised school curriculum, which has seen some schools in and around Rundu not offering certain grades.

Kapapero, during a meeting with various stakeholders, including school principals, warned them to guard against bribery.

“Yes, the meeting took place in the morning. It was one of the talking points. I warned the principals to guard against bribery and I implored them to sensitise the teachers,” Kapapero said via a text message.

Meanwhile, during visits to various schools, parents patiently waiting to be assisted with placements for their children expressed their unhappiness over the issue.

“We were told that there were no places in Grade 8 because the classes have reached their capacity, and as we did not apply we were told to go back, but there were people who were standing next to me, having the same problem, and yet they got assisted. The question now is: Why are only some people being assisted,” a parent, who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity, said.

Several sources at schools confirmed that getting placements in schools at Rundu is very difficult.

“It is about who you know and how much you have,” one school-seeking learner said.

Namibian Sun has also established that incidences of bribery have increased following the education ministry's recent directive that learners who wrote Grade 10 on a part-time basis will be allowed to register at mainstream schools - provided that there is space.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Fishrot: Man nabbed for ACC bribery attempt

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Fishrot: Man nabbed for ACC bribery attempt A man was arrested on Monday night after he allegedly attempted to bribe an official of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in exchange for releasing the ATM cards of one of the Fishrot accused who is currently behind bars.

ACC director-general Paulus Noa told Namibian Sun that an investigative officer of the commission was offered money from the account of the unnamed Fishrot suspect in return for gaining access to his ATM cards.

The ATM cards of the so-called Fishrot Six were confiscated as part of ongoing investigations into allegations that the accused – among them former ministers Sacky Shanghala and Bernardt Esau – have received bribes amounting to not less than N$150 million in exchange for government fishing quotas.

Others are James Hatuikulipi, Tamson 'Fitty' Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo.

They were arrested on 27 November last year and have been in police custody since then.

It is not clear which of the sextet might have ordered the suspect to make a bribery attempt in order to get access to their bank account.

“We arrested someone last night (Monday) for attempting to bribe an investigative officer to remove the ATM cards [from our offices],” Noa said late yesterday.

The man, whose name could not be published before he appears in court, is expected to formally appear in court today.

He is the second person arrested recently over alleged attempts to temper with evidence related to the Fishrot saga.

Nigel van Wyk is currently behind bars after he allegedly attempted to remove evidence from Shanghala's house in Klein Windhoek.

The Fishrot Six are expected in court on February 20.

They have so far failed in their numerous attempts to have their case thrown out for supposed lack of wrongfulness on their part.

On January 3, they filed a new application in the Supreme Court, challenging the ruling of the High Court that they matter was not urgent.

OGONE TLHAGE

N$450m party funding unaudited

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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N$450m party funding unauditedAG's hands tied over lack of legislation Political parties remain unaccountable to anyone regarding their use of public funds. OGONE TLHAGE







Auditor-General Junias Kandjeke says there is no law authorising him to scrutinise how the eight political parties represented in parliament utilised the N$449 million they collectively received between 2015 and this year.

According to ministry of finance spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu, treasury has paid over N$112 million in the 2017/18 fiscal year to the National Assembly to disburse to political parties represented in parliament, N$112 million in the 2018/19 fiscal year and N$116 million in the 2019/20 fiscal year. The Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) last year revealed that political parties received N$109 million from parliament in 2015/16.

Swapo has always received the lion’s share of funding, given the party’s large representation in parliament.

The party received N$61 million from 2000 to 2004, N$68 million from 2005 to 2009 and N$104.6 million from 2010 to 2014 – a combined figure of N$233.6 million, according to the IPPR.

This is in stark contrast to the then Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Congress of Democrats (CoD) and Rally for Democracy and Progress. The DTA received N$60.6 million over the 14-year period, the CoD N$15.8 million and the RDP N$15.5 million from 2009 to 2014, IPPR figures showed.

The IPPR report also shows that parties got N$958 000 per annum per seat won in the National Assembly and National Council. This would mean that losing 14 seats in last year’s National Assembly election will cost Swapo N$13 million, while the DTA, now known as the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), will get a boost of N$15 million for winning 16 seats when the new parliament is sworn in.

The amounts given to political parties could increase or decrease as a result of the outcome of the regional and local authority elections slated for November.

Kandjeke said despite the huge outflow of public funds from treasury to political parties, he was limited in terms of his auditing functions.

“The Office of the Auditor General is not mandated by legislation to audit political parties. Unless the political parties themselves provide the books to audit, our mandate is based on the law. We do not audit political parties; we stop at the institution which is availing the funds to the political parties. Our mandate stops there,” Kandjeke said.

According to him, his office did not want to prescribe to policy makers what should be done.

“We still do not have a mandate. We do not want to interfere in policy-making. In my personal capacity, as a tax payer, I want someone to account for that money if it is public money. In terms of governance, public funds should be audited,” Kandjeke said.

Section 158 of the Electoral Act (Act Number 5 of 2015) makes provision for political parties represented in the national assembly to account for funds received from treasury taken out of the fiscal budget. Each year, all political parties represented in parliament [National Assembly and the National Council] receive funding in proportional representation provided for in the Constitution.

To put this into context, political parties got N$958 000 for every national assembly or national council seat they won in either the national elections or by-elections held to choose law-makers in the 2015/2016 fiscal year.

Republican Party president Henk Mudge said he was open to the idea of having party funds scrutinised by the Auditor General.

“I do not have a problem with the Auditor General auditing our books. We get so little money that it will be easy to audit the funds that we receive,” Mudge said.

He anticipated that his party would table their financial statement in the National Assembly by February when parliament is expected to open and that they were up to date.

Mudge’s Republican Party and the Workers Revolutionary Party had fallen by the wayside in terms of regularly submitting audit reports to the National Assembly for three consecutive years, New Era reported in 2018. Swapo was the only political party that was able to submit all of its audit reports.

“We are submitting our report from our own auditors in the National Assembly in February,” Mudge said.

Popular Democratic Movement secretary for treasury Nico Smit said his party was open to being audited by the Auditor General. His party had also made regular submissions to the National Assembly on the usage of the funds it received from treasury.

‘It’s no gimmick’

January 21, 2020, 2:00 pm

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‘It’s no gimmick’Kahungu defends office move to Babylon Windhoek’s new mayor says the council is committed to intensifying efforts to find solutions for residents. OGONE TLHAGE

New Windhoek mayor Fransina Kahungu has moved her office to the Babylon informal settlement, saying this will put her in touch with the city’s residents.
The move prompted questions on whether this was a gimmick, given that her political party Swapo had lost 14 parliamentary seats in last year’s National Assembly election, with the party expected to face a battle royal in the upcoming local and regional authority polls.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) will also be contesting in the Windhoek election, with its leader Job Amupanda gunning for the mayor post.
Kahungu’s office is now at the Nathaniel Maxuilili community centre.
This sees Kahungu break tradition with previous mayors who opted to keep their offices at the municipality’s head office in the central business district.
“I will never do something just to impress if I know that it is not from the bottom of my heart and if it is not for the benefit of other people. Bringing the office this side has nothing to do with votes. It has something to do with my theme, which I said was taking deliberate but cautious action to deliver services to all residents of Windhoek,” she said.
Kahungu said the council is committed to intensifying efforts to find solutions for the city’s residents.
“One of the approaches the council has embraced is the need for councillors to be more visibly among the electorate. We believe that this approach will not only enable us as councillors to assess, by direct observation, the needs of our residents, but will also enable us to engage residents continuously,” she said.
Kahungu also said she would share the council’s development plan, which is yet to be finalised, in due course.
She takes over from former city mayor Muesee Kazapua. Kahungu is a teacher by profession and taught at Olaf Palme Primary School.

No surrender, no retreat

January 22, 2020, 2:00 pm

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No surrender, no retreatSamaria calls for courage Namibia will battle traditional African powerhouses Senegal, Togo and Congo in Group H of the Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Brave Warriors interim coach Bobby Samaria says his players and the coaching staff will have to up their game going into massive World Cup qualifiers.

Samaria's men have a mammoth task ahead, facing nations ranked higher than them. The group also pits them against African player of the year Sadio Mane.

There's no doubt that the Brave Warriors head into the qualifiers as the ultimate underdogs of the group.

Samaria admitted that his team has a tall order ahead of them and they will therefore have to be on top of their game.

“These are countries with professional players who play in top professional leagues.

“We can however not surrender. These games can serve as a motivation for the players and coach to pull up their socks,” Samaria said.

Namibia is currently ranked 117th in the world and 29th in Africa, while Senegal boasts the number one spot in Africa and are 20th in the world.

Congo is ranked 20th in Africa and 89th in the world, while Togo is 126th in the world rankings and 34th on the continent.

As things stand, Namibia has an edge over Togo as far as the rankings are concerned.

Most of the Togolese's national team players are based in big European leagues, however, while only a handful of Namibian players ply their trade overseas.

The fact that Namibia's league has not been active for over a year could play a significant role in the country's qualification chances.

Samaria will need every player at his disposal to strengthen the depth of his squad.

The coach however feels the absence of the domestic league will not be an excuse, given that most of the players he will select play in other leagues outside Namibia.

“Yes, it is true that the domestic league has not been active but that's not a major issue because we qualified for Chan and the Africa Cup of Nations while in a similar situation.

“The only thing I must admit we have to be realistic about is the fact that we are now facing a different challenge with different quality.

“In respect to our opponents in this group, Namibia will not just give up,” Samaria assured.

A total of 40 teams (ranked one to 26 and 14 first-round winners) have been divided into 10 groups of four to play home and away round-robin matches. Only 10 teams (group winners) will advance to the third round of the qualifiers.

Each team will then be drawn against another and play a two-legged tie.

The five victorious teams from the third round will book their places at the 2020 World Cup in Qatar.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa