Unisa staff forfeits bonuses

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Unisa staff forfeits bonuses Unisa management has forfeited its 2016 bonuses and put the N$10 million into a kitty for fees for deserving poor students, the university said on Wednesday.

By its calculations, this will add to its existing contribution to top-up National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding in 2016 for undergraduate and postgraduate students (N$74.1 million) and the Unisa bursary fund (N$11.4 million), bringing the total institutional financial aid to N$95.6 million for the current year.

“We understand the demand by students for free education, but given the challenges that this worthy cause encompasses and the reality that it cannot be achieved overnight, we thought it imperative to make our own contribution to try and alleviate the inclement conditions of our students,” said Unisa principal and vice-chancellor Professor Mandla Makhanya.

Makhanya said there had been a steady decline in the number of students getting NSFAS funding in the past two years, compared with an increase of 7% of students requiring the NSFAS loans.

A contributor was the introduction of the central NSFAS application model at the beginning of 2014. According to the new model, all application and award processes usually carried out by Unisa had to be transferred to NSFAS as part of a pilot project.

This meant the institutional knowledge relating to the process at Unisa was lost and led to less NSFAS funding at the university.

Makhanya lauded higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande''s announcement that students from households earning less than R600 000 a year would not have their fees increased for a second year running.

At the same time, he said he hoped that a solution to the fees crisis could be found without adversely affecting poor students.

NEWS24

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Calais camp to go

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Calais camp to go Thousands of migrants to be moved In what has become a slight diplomatic row, the French say Britain has a responsibility to help minors seeking their families across the channel. Nearly 1 300 minors are among thousands of migrants living in squalid conditions at the “Jungle” migrant camp soon to be demolished in northern France, a charity said on Wednesday.

The figure is a steep jump from the 861 minors the group France Terre d''Asile counted at the sprawling site in late August, its director Pierre Henry noted.

In a census on Monday and Tuesday, the charity counted 1 290 minors of whom nearly 500 had family in Britain, Henry said, adding that “95% of them say they want to go to Britain”.

The makeshift settlement has become a focal point in France of Europe''s migrant crisis, the subject of heated debate among politicians and a constant source of tension with Britain.

France said on Monday that Britain had a “moral duty” to let migrant children still in the Jungle join their relatives across the Channel.

Earlier on Wednesday, a top French court approved the authorities'' plans to shut down unlicensed cafés and stalls in the Jungle.

Overturning a lower court decision in favour of the shop owners, the Council of State ruled their premises were “unhygienic” and a “serious fire hazard”.

In its ruling it backed the authorities'' claim that the shops and cafés were being used for smuggling activities that had “caused tension and violence”.

The decision comes as the state prepares to dismantle the camp, whose overall population was estimated on Tuesday by local authorities at under 5 700, down from 6 900 in August.

Charities have said the number is closer to 10 000.

After the camp is closed, asylum-seekers are to be moved to shelters around the country.

Many shops and cafés in the camp had already closed.

In August, a court in the city of Lille ruled they should be allowed to remain open, saying they fulfilled an important social role for the migrants.

Calais is a magnet for migrants trying to reach Britain by stowing away on trucks heading across the Channel from France.

NAMPA/AFP

The wonders of flying

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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The wonders of flying You can call yourself an atheist – you know all that jazz about not believing in the existence of a God – but when you are 12 000 kilometres off the ground, you will convert in no time.

If you have been on a plane before, you surely remember your first time. My dear friend Tjeripo can attest to that. When an opportunity beckoned for cadet reporters with the mainstream media to travel to China, many moons ago, my friend Tjeripo and I could hardly contain the excitement.



All I could think of back then was meeting ''Master Chifu'' - the great Kung Fu master who appears to have trained every great Kung Fu legend! I had a lot of questions for him - for instance, why is it that his students managed to fight on tree top branches, roofs and even the moon itself!

I know it must be protocol, but the things they tell you before you fly makes you want to think twice about getting on that plane. It’s like a scene from one of those movies about going into space and saving the world by sacrificing yourself to be the target of a loose meteorite!

Ja, the part where the entire human race gathers at the foot of your spaceship, some watching over live television, as you make your slow-motion entrance into the space ship. Mind you, they clap hands after you take off – what the hell? Shouldn’t someone be crying her lungs out – I am on a suicide mission for crying out loud.

The cabin attendants are tasked with the ensuring your safety. To execute their work thoroughly, they show you how to escape the plane in cases of emergencies and how to put on an oxygen mask when needed.

And there I am, seated in my window seat, seeing dear ground getting smaller and smaller as we take off. At that point I am thinking to myself – ‘emergency exit from the plane”? Exit to where – cloud nine? Nah, I’d rather put on the oxygen mask and remain in my tiny seat.

As the plane took off, Tjeripo''s nerves couldn''t hold it any longer. He closed his eyes and started giving praise to the ancestors. All I could do was help him along by shouting "Ijoooo….brrrrrrr…Ijoooo…"



Out of the corner of my eye, I could see some tourist taking pictures and clapping in rhythm to our ululations and traditional battle cries. I bet they were thinking we are on some kind of ‘rain dance’.



When the pilot announced that we are now flying over the Red Sea and are about to enter the airspace of Italy, my dear friend could not take it anymore.



I recalled the story from the bible about the Red Sea. The details were vague - did the Israelites drown in the Red Sea or did they cross it. Wait a minute, I think they crossed it - but their leader Moses drowned! No man, Moses died on some mountain - he didn''t drown! My thoughts were going wild!



At that moment, I started missing simple thing about Namibia, like that big camelthorn tree near my mother''s place in Goreangab location! I silently said a prayer to myself, promising to ''come back to you, my beloved camelthorn tree''. I joined Tjeripo in singing "You can take my body, but not my soul…."



When the plane eventually touched down at Frankfurt, we were both ready to bow down to the pilot. His wish is our command! We waited on the runway to catch a glimpse of this brave son of the soil.



After a few minutes, a figure appeared in the plane doorway. Its hair was being brushed onto its face by the wind. The figure walked in slow motion down the staircase, clutching one of those big black suitcases in one hand. As the figure comes closer, Tjeripo exclaimed;



"Mbuae otjiiti… it’s a woman. Charlie, the ''driver'' of the plane was a woman all along. Eish, we almost died….ijoooooo."



I didn''t say a word. Tjeripo is from a different dispensation, he wouldn''t understand the difference between gender and sex. I simply straightened my tie, tested my voice and rushed in front of her to get her number.



With a woman like that, we can surely go places!

Until then…

Education crisis could have been avoided

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Education crisis could have been avoided Thousands of children sat at home as the highly-publicised teachers'' strike started yesterday, countrywide following a court ruling in favour of the teachers.

It is really unfortunate that innocent pupils now have to bear the brunt of the teachers'' strike, which could have been long avoided in the first place.

When teachers voted overwhelmingly to vote this was already an indication that we are headed towards a crisis, which has dire consequences for the Namibian child and our economy, especially in light of the current economic problems and the financial hardships facing our government. What followed was threats by the authorities and government officials actually went as far as comparing the salaries of Namibian teachers to their counterparts in South Africa and Botswana.

Their salary grades were published in the media and this clearly incited the situation further.

Teachers, rightly so, have the right to feel aggrieved by the conduct of politicians who are the first to conceal their hefty salary packages from the general public.

It is true that strike action only divides us a nation and no one really benefits from sit-ins of this nature.

Imagine the 700 000 pupils who are unable to attend classes. Imagine the Grade 10 and 12 children whose examinations are now being disrupted.

The learners whom the government professes to be helping are the victims here.

Although the right to strike is a constitutional right, government negotiators and Nantu had enough time to find a solution to this impasse.

It must be said that government has handled this process very poorly. There has been a clash of egos being played out on a national scale if one looks at this negotiation period.

It is really a pity that the negotiation teams couldn''t find any middle ground, which could have helped to avert unnecessary disruption to pupils and schools across the country. While government has expressed concern about the rights of children, is it only teachers who should have put children''s interests first, or should government have led by example?

These are sad times indeed.

Legal aid chaos at treason appeal

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Legal aid chaos at treason appeal Short notice, no response and attorneys who were not informed The appeal by the State against the acquittal of 41 treason accused has been bogged down by disarray regarding legal aid. The State''s appeal against the acquittal of 41 former treason accused was postponed Wednesday in the High Court to enable the respondents to obtain legal representation.

Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula further postponed the appeal hearing to 31 January next year when the respondents are expected to file answering statements.

He informed the respondents that they do not necessarily have to appear in person for the appeal hearing, but may if they wish.

It appears as though the Sate''s summons was served unexpectedly on the respondents and most only started to apply for legal aid on Tuesday. This brought its own chaos with some applicants being acknowledged and some being informed of the name of their counsel and some still in the dark. However, some of the lawyers are not even aware that they are appointed.

Gabriel Mwillima, speaking on behalf of the respondents, informed the court that he and most of his co-respondents only received confirmation letters of their application for legal aid and some were informed of who their appointed attorneys are.

Though they applied for legal aid some respondents informed the court that they haven''t received any confirmation of approval letter.

One of the respondents expressed concern that he borrowed money in Katima Mulilo to travel to Windhoek. But in Windhoek he had to sleep in a car and that most of them are in the same predicament.

“If the case is now adjourned to tomorrow we will have to go back to the bus-terminal taking travellers to Katima Mulilo and Rundu,” he said.

Profisyn Muluthi, the lawyers appearing on behalf of six accused said that it was impossible for all the lawyers representing the respondents to be at court at such short notice.

“Some legal representatives were only informed that they must appear on behalf of the respondents on Tuesday or Wednesday,” he stated.

He further confirmed that they will oppose the application and that the case be set down for case management in order to allow them to consult with their clients.

“We will file opposing sworn statements, the date of hearing can thereafter be set down, a new judge can possibly be appointed for the appeal and he or she will need time to read the case records,” he said.





FRED GOEIEMAN

Rundu schools without water

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Rundu schools without water Water supply to all 29 schools in Rundu was disconnected by the Rundu Town Council on Monday for debt of N$1.9 million.

The schools are among the many defaulters that owe the council N$43 million which in turn is owed to the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater).

The acting CEO of the council, Herman Haingura confirmed that water to the schools had been disconnected and they are now making arrangements with the Kavango East Directorate of Education for this debt to be paid in instalments.

Deputy Director of Education in Kavango East, Fanuel Kapapero also confirmed the disconnections, stating that the regional office has asked the head office to transfer the outstanding N$1.9 million on Wednesday.

“Our account has been outstanding because the Rundu Town Council does not provide us with invoices on time,” he explained.

He said the situation is particularly bad for schools with hostels, some of which accommodate disabled children.

“It was not necessary to disconnect water to some of these schools, particularly those with hostels,” Kapapero said.

The hostel learners have been released and told to go home.

Many schools also sent learners home by 10:00 on Wednesday.

The Rundu Town Council is under pressure as it has not been honouring its water repayment agreement with NamWater.

The town council owes N$43 million in overdue account payments to NamWater.

Haingura said all defaulters'' water has been cut. The council was planning on disconnecting the supply to government offices on Wednesday.

A letter seen by Nampa from the NamWater''s Debt Collection Manager Wilma Husselmann to the council on Tuesday reminded the town council of the conditions stipulated in their repayment agreement.

“We had similar agreements in the past which had not been honoured. It was agreed that we should monitor the repayment agreement very closely. I had to phone on several occasions and also do e-mail follow-ups to ensure that the payments remain up to date,” Husselmann said.

The letter indicated that the two parties agreed that the town council would as from June settle its monthly account and pay an additional N$500 000 to reduce the arrears.

This agreement is due for review in November.



NAMPA

Free power for debt-free

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Free power for debt-free Oshakati explains free electricity misunderstanding The Oshakati Town Council says that only those without outstanding basic service fees will benefit from the free electricity installation project recently launched. The agreement between the Oshakati Premier Electric (OPE) and the council is that the electricity supplier will direct half of its dividends for two years to council which amounts to N$7 million towards the project which will electrify about 1 120 households for free.

It costs N$6 000 for OPE to electrify a single household but under the two-year initiative households in informal settlements that are not yet connected to the grid will receive free electrification.

Meanwhile, the misunderstanding came about after members of the community were invited to apply and they did not understand why they had to pay amounts of up to N$2 000 to council for their applications to be approved after it was announced by the Oshakati Mayor, Katrina Shimbulu that the electrification boxes in their households will be for free.

“They invited us to apply for free electricity and just to be told that your form cannot be processed as you had to pay an amount. I thought the electrification was for free,” a concerned resident said.

However according to Oshakati spokesperson, Katarina Kamari, only those with outstanding municipal debts were informed that they have to settle their debts before their applications for free electrification will be approved while those with up-to-date accounts will get free electricity boxes installed by OPE.

Kamari added that the municipal debts date back to 2014 when the council informed members of the community living in various informal settlements that they will start paying for services rendered to them.

She said people that owe council about N$2 003.95 are those residents who opted not to pay the monthly service fee which was N$51.45 per month in 2014 and which currently stands at N$58.90.

“Only those that owe municipal basic services fees are requested to pay their debts in order for their applications to be approved,” Kamari said.

At the launch of the initiative earlier this month it was said the first phase will only see 600 households being electrified while the second phase will commence during the 2017/18 financial year.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Farmers should innovate

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Farmers should innovate Swapo veteran politician and farmer, Ben Amathila has urged famers to become more innovative to cope with the unpredictability of the weather in the country.

Speaking at the Agri-Outlook Conference that was held last week Amathila said that farmers are currently experiencing circumstances that are difficult to comprehend.

“There is a dark cloud hanging over the country and the agricultural sector. We are experiencing one of the severest droughts that the country has encountered,” said Amathila.

He said that while agriculture has become a mainstay for the country and several achievements have been made in the sector, farmers are on the verge of losing everything they have produced.

“Farmers'' profitability is at stake and some are on the verge of giving up,” he said.

Amathila said that young people are also becoming more educated and are no longer interested in farming, leaving it up to the older generation which does not have the resources or strength to cope with the challenges and the pressure that the sector is currently faced with.

He therefore stressed that due to unpredictable weather in the country, farmers have to equip themselves for tough times.

He said one of the ways that they can do this is to use solar energy as well as produce electricity from making use of encroaching bush.

This he said is necessary so that in times of need, such as the on-going drought, farmers do not have to turn to government for help.

“Proud people that we are, it is not nice to ask government for a bailout,” he said.

He pointed out that N$3 billion is being spent to buy electricity from other countries, while farmers and other Namibians should instead produce their own electricity and this money can be paid to them.



ELLANIE SMIT

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Cuba honours Nujoma

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Cuba honours Nujoma Founding President Sam Nujoma was bestowed with Cuba''s highest award, the Order of Solidarity ''El Mehdi Ben Barka'', by that country''s government during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Tri-continental Conference and the creation of OSPAAAL.

The ceremony took place on 30 September in Havana, Cuba.

A media statement issued by the office of the founding president said the Executive Secretariat of OSPAAAL decided to honour Nujoma during its extraordinary meeting held in Havana on 31 May.

The Order of Solidarity was created in 1986 to be awarded to Third World personalities who have won the esteem of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America because of their struggle and outstanding contribution in the common battle for freedom, independence, peace, economic development and social justice.

“In addition, valuing the lifetime achievements, proven integrity and consistent political militancy of Sam Nujoma, OSPAAAL considered that Nujoma owns extraordinary merits that honour the purposes of which the Order of Solidarity ''El Mehdi Ben Barka'' was created,” the statement read.

Nujoma also paid courtesy calls on Cuban President Raul Castro and the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro.

He also paid homage to the Cuban soldiers who fought in Angola by laying a wreath at the cemetery of the veterans of the revolution at Colon.

Former recipients of the award included Hugo Chavez, who was president of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega, president of Nicaragua, Jorge Handal of El Salvador, the first president of Angola, Agostinho Neto, Kwame Nkrumah, who was the first president of Ghana, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.





STAFF REPORTER

Farmers warned to keep cattle out of Etosha

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Farmers warned to keep cattle out of Etosha The deputy inspector-general for operations of the Namibian Police, Major-General James Tjivikua, has warned people living adjacent to the Etosha National Park that it is illegal to graze cattle in national parks.

According to him there have been reports from Onanke, an area that borders the Etosha National Park, that some people are intentionally damaging the park fence to let their animals graze in the park.

He said farmers are cutting the fence and collapsing it by driving their vehicles over it. That is compounded by uncontrolled movements of people and livestock into and out of the park.

Tjivikua said it appeared that environmental awareness campaigns were having no effect. He asked local communities to do their part in protecting natural resources in Etosha and provide tips to law-enforcement agencies.

Environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta last year issued a strict warning that no grazing of livestock is allowed in the Etosha National Park and that game guards are allowed to kill animals that trespass in the park.

He said drought conditions had prompted communities to cut park fences so that their livestock can graze there, leaving the country''s flagship park vulnerable to poachers.

Shifeta issued the warning in light of last year''s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and said it is very important that livestock do not graze in the park alongside wildlife.

“This control measure is also important for wildlife management, tourism, general conservation and the development of the flagship Etosha National Park,” he

said.



ELLANIE SMIT

Rehoboth rocked by tit-for-tat politics

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Rehoboth rocked by tit-for-tat politics Town''s financial manager suspended Suspensions of municipal officials are apparently all the rage at Rehoboth. The Rehoboth Town Council (RTC) on Tuesday suspended its financial manager, Jennifer Kays, after apparently discovering she could not draw up a financial statement.

Lennie Pienaar, United People''s Movement (UPM) Rehoboth Town Council member, confirmed the suspension.

“There was evidence that she had forged her CV and qualifications from the University of Namibia,” said Pienaar.

Kays recently served as acting chief executive officer when Christophe //Uirab was unceremoniously removed from his position after questioning the manner in which the town''s financial affairs were handled. According to Pienaar, Kays''s suspension was the result of an investigation initiated by //Uirab, who has since resumed his job as CEO.

Although reluctant to comment on the matter, //Uirab confirmed that he instituted the investigation, but said it was not necessarily about Kays''s ability to draw up a financial statement.

“I can confirm, yes, I am the one that investigated the whole matter,” he said. Meanwhile, Pienaar said following Kays''s suspension the Swapo councillors decided to suspend the town''s chief of technical services, Ernst de Waal.

“There is still a bit of uncertainty around his suspension but we understand it is mainly because he testified against the former CEO, Theo Jankowski,” said Pienaar.

However, when contacted yesterday for comment, De Waal said he had heard the “rumours” of his suspension but had not been served with a suspension letter.

By noon yesterday, Hardap Governor Esme Isaak said she knew nothing about these developments.

One of the Swapo councillors, Jonas Matthew, also declined to comment on the issue.



Community

Rehoboth community activist Abes Khaibeb feels that the town''s human resources manager, Willie Swartz, must also be investigated.

Khaibeb also commended //Uirab''s “bravery” to expose what he termed “corrupt elements” and called on the Rehoboth community to throw their weight behind

//Uirab to “clean up” the town.

“This is the best thing that has happened to our town. But if Kays was suspended over forged documents then the person that appointed her, who is Swartz, must also be investigated,” Khaibeb argued.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Rural Out counters SPYL homophobia

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Rural Out counters SPYL homophobia Rural Out (Rural Dialogue Namibia) is an LGBTI organisation that will create a space for LGBTI, traditional and religious leaders in rural communities to better understand the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and other issues so that the LGBTI community and others may live together in a peaceful and safe environment.

Rural Dialogue Namibia, a soon to be launched NGO from Khorixas, Kunene region takes offense to comments made by Sam Hamuolo on behalf of the SPYL whereby they condemn efforts to promote the rights of homosexuals in Namibia by saying that the bible forbids sexual relations between men. While we are aware that the bible forbids sexual relations between men, the SPYL must take cognisance of the fact that Namibia is a secular state according to the constitution.

Therefore, since Christianity is not an official religion of the country and because we are not all necessarily Christian, the SPYL should refrain from imposing its Christian views on the nation. The same bible that the SPYL uses to attack minorities, also forbids sexual relations between a man and a woman before marriage and the SPYL members and/or leadership should not throw stones at people while others are “living in sin” by engaging in sexual relations before marriage. The same bible promotes complete abstinence from sex before marriage.

SPYL should not selectively apply what suits them from the bible, but follow and obey all the scriptures. We recommend that the SPYL leadership reads the following verses: 1 Corinthians 7:2, (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7) to educate themselves on what the bible says about sex before marriage, etc.

The bible says take the log out of your eye before taking the splinter out of the eye of another. There is no one that promotes the agenda of homosexuality in Namibia, as homosexuality is nothing new that needs promotion, as Namibians are aware of it since it also exists in different tribal groups.

SPYL should clarify what they mean by “They must do whatever they do in their private spaces, we don''t want to see those practices”. What is the SPYL talking about?

The Namibian government must also scrap the sodomy laws as it''s no longer necessary.

Sodomy laws make it hard for some people to report crimes to the police when belongings are stolen. If a person steals your things not all of us feel free to seek police assistance since it''s hard to report while you know you were involved in an act which is “illegal” according to the law – still after 26 years. One is fearful to open a case or seek assistance from the police. Why? Because of the sodomy law that still exists! The Sodomy law violates our rights and stops us from seeking police assistance.

Rural Dialogue Namibian wonders why a sexual act between two consenting adult men or women must still be illegal. No one forces another man to engage in a sexual activity with him forcefully, no one holds a knife or a gun or threatens another. Consenting adults engage in the act, so why is it still illegal?

Rural Dialogue Namibia calls upon government to rethink the sodomy law that the Apartheid regime imposed upon us. Even South Africa scrapped the law after realising that it violates the human rights of others.

Rural Dialogue Namibia and other human rights organisations will not be silenced when it comes to sexual minority rights as these minorities are citizens of Namibia that need equal treatment like any other Namibian.

We also want to be part of the Namibian house; we do not want to be left out. As gay, transgender and lesbian we also want to adopt children, shop with our husbands/wives and add them to our lives on health insurance/life insurance – we need rights like all other Namibians, regardless of sexual orientation.

Rural Dialogue Namibia would like to invite the SPYL leadership to a workshop so that we and our future leaders understand each other. We could thereby attempt to educate the SPYL leadership and membership on LGBT issues, since we will be visiting rural areas in our outreach programme – to have discussions with rural communities about LGBTI issues that may affect them. Rural Out will also encourage LGBTI people to further their studies and assist them with opportunities to further their education and attend literacy classes, encouraging education and work empowerment. In addition Rural Dialogue will conduct psychosocial and health counselling. Rural Out Namibia – Rural Dialogue Namibia aims to be a leading platform for dialogue in rural areas and in sensitising communities on issues once seen as taboo.

Mr Gay Namibia 2011 and Director of Namibia Lesbian and Gay Movement said that his organisation is shocked and disappointed by the statement made by the SPYL and says the same people who make these comments, live and eat with gay people, but attack them instead of defending them.

“We are longer going to be silenced. We will hit back and shall never tolerate such statements made by the SPYL, as activists we must unite,” Hamutenya said, adding that the SPYL has an aparthied mentality.



*Clemans Miyanicwe is the Acting Director: Rural Dialogue Namibia (Rural Out).

‘Govt thought it was impossible’

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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‘Govt thought it was impossible’ Teachers’ strike starts peacefully The first legal teachers’ strike in Namibian history started without incident in the North yesterday. KENYA KAMBOWE & ILENI NANDJATO

Teachers in the Oshana Region who took part in yesterday’s nationwide strike said the government thought it was impossible for teachers to strike until it eventually happened.

“Government thought because of the peace enjoyed in Namibia it will be impossible for teachers to strike but today we proved otherwise. There is a saying that everything that is successful today was regarded as impossible before,” one of the teachers shouted.

This is the first legal teachers’ strike in Namibia.

Namibian Sun yesterday visited a number of schools as well as the Adorfy area a few kilometres out of Ongwediva where teachers gathered under a tree and were informed of the strike rules by Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) representatives.

“As you can see this is a peaceful demonstration. We are just gathered here to talk about the code of conduct,” said Nantu’s regional chairperson, Isaih Nanhapo.

Although the strike was regarded as peaceful, police intervention was needed in Oshakati as the road between Oshakati Secondary School and Iipumbu Senior Secondary School was barricaded with bricks and stones.

When Namibian Sun arrived at the scene a police officer said the learners blocked the road and ran away when police arrived.

At Opuwo, the start of the strike was postponed to today, to which the teachers responded with anger.

The police had to intervene when the teachers decided to march from Otuzemba to the Opuwo sport stadium, where an event organised by the prime minister’s office was taking place. Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking at a commemoration of the International Day of Disaster Reduction.

“Colleagues, we are very sorry to inform you that we are not going to demonstrate today because we have the deputy prime minister in town and we are not allowed to strike when our national leaders are in our towns,” Nantu’s regional chairperson in Kunene, Ignatius Kamati, and Opuwo branch chairperson Urikee Tjazapi told the teachers.

This angered the group. “Why are teachers in Windhoek striking if they have all the national leaders including the president there?” shouted one teacher.

Another teacher shouted that their colleagues at Outjo demonstrated without police supervision and they could do the same if the Opuwo police would not help them.

The Kunene police’s head of operations, Deputy Commissioner Jaron Iita, was called to the scene to talk to the irate teachers. Iita told them that the idea was not to stop their demonstration, but the issue was the venue.

“The stadium was already booked for another event and we cannot take you there. Just wait until tomorrow and you can demonstrate,” Iita said.

No violence was reported and teachers agreed to gather at a place outside Opuwo.

Mureti Senior Secondary School principal Tjipueja Gert Wayne Uaavi told Namibian Sun that he had to be at school to make sure that examination material and school property were secured.

“Two other teaching staff decided to join me. We have hostel learners at school and part-time candidates were also supposed to write examinations and I have to be here to monitor them,” Uaanivi said.

Learners at Mureti started shouting at the hostel superintendent when he explained to them that they would not be writing their scheduled examination yesterday.

Govt is selling Namibia out, Swanu says

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Govt is selling Namibia out, Swanu says ELLANIE SMIT

Swanu has accused the government of selling Namibia out by indefinitely postponing the second land reform conference, charging that external forces had applied pressure on the government to abandon the conference.

Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua also claimed that the “majority tribe” in Namibia is stealing land just like the former colonial powers.

“The stealing of land continues unabated since the colonial times. First the German government systematically stole land from the Namibian people and then the South African government took over and continued with the evil practice and again the same practice is being followed by our current government,” he said.

The accusations were made after the minister of land reform, Utoni Nujoma, this week postponed the second land conference indefinitely because of financial constraints and the drought.

Maamberua yesterday said it is theft when stolen land is bought and then given to someone other than the one it was stolen from.

“The majority ethnic tribe is buying stolen land through the government and resettling themselves on it. Is that not theft?” he asked.

He added that land stolen from the Damara, OvaHerero, San and Nama people is being allocated to people who did not even lose any land, leaving the victims landless.

Maamberua warned that the government’s “indifference” to the land question and the 1904-1908 genocide could only fuel racial, ethnic and class tensions in the country.

He said the postponement of the conference came in the wake of President Hage Geingob’s visit to the USA, where he made a U-turn on farm expropriation and said that the Damaras, San, OvaHerero and Nama do not know their ancestral land.

“It is therefore clear to us that government has been put under internal capital interest and foreign capital interest pressure to abandon the land question solution in favour of forces unknown to us,” the Swanu leader said.

He said while the government supports the expropriation of land in Namibia it is not being implemented.

According to him the legislation is in place but government is running away from it and therefore statements are being made that the “whites and Western countries are going to get angry if we proceed with the expropriation process”.

Maamberua said the government’s “flimsy excuses” that it cannot afford to host the conference smack of underlying tribalism because the land conference would mostly affect minority ethnic groups.

Swanu estimated that it will cost about N$20 million to host the conference. Maamberua said Nujoma on Wednesday refused to say what the conference would cost when he announced the postponement in the National Assembly.

“He was dodging questions and the truth must come out.”

Furthermore, he said it was irresponsible of the government to think that Namibians are so foolish to believe government cannot afford to host the conference while the president could afford to spend a month in the USA with a large delegation. He said the cost of that trip has not even been made public.

According to him the indefinite postponement of the conference is a further indication that government is not serious about the land question.

“Government is also not conscious of the fact that the land question is linked with the genocide. Since government has already demonstrated that it is not concerned with the genocide and repatriation as demonstrated by its lacklustre attitude, similarly it is not concerned with the resolution of the land question.”

Maamberua said the land reform resettlement programme should pay attention to the issue of ancestral land.

He also said the transformation and concept resettlement process should be designed to address the plight of the people who were disposed of their ancestral land. “We demand that the land be returned to its rightful owners.”

He also said that the second land conference should put in place measures to restore everything lost during colonial rule, being property, dignity and their rights.

Education chaos

October 13, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Education chaos Government makes frantic efforts to stop strike Examinations scheduled for yesterday and today were cancelled as a national teachers’ strike took effect, but the government is confident that classes will resume on Monday. JEMIMA BEUKES

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Hundreds of schools have been forced to close by a teachers’ strike that started yesterday in a long-running dispute with the government over salary increases.

The teachers are demanding 8% increases, while the government said it could only offer 5% because of a weak economy.

The massive disruption affected grade 10 and 12 examinations scheduled for yesterday and today. Government and private schools alike are affected.

The Ministry of Education announced early yesterday that the examination papers scheduled for yesterday and today had been postponed until further notice. Grade 12 learners were due to write mathematics and entrepreneurship exams, while grade 10 learners were to write integrated performing arts and life science.

“All examinations for the remaining subjects will proceed as scheduled from Monday, 17 October 2016,” the ministry said in a statement.

Permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp explained that if only ten schools wrote exams it would put the credibility of the Namibian examinations at risk. Namibian examinations, although locally set, are evaluated and accredited by the Cambridge University Examination department in London.

In fact, the ministry was forced to recall a visiting Cambridge assessor currently in the country from Rundu because no examination centres were available for him to assess. This was confirmed by the ministry’s director for examinations, Calvin Nyambe.

“What can he do if schools are closed? We cannot keep him in the country; we have an obligation to keep him safe. He might have to go back and come back at a later stage,” said Nyambe.

When asked whether there was a chance of Namibia’s losing its Cambridge accreditation, Steenkamp said, “No, these are local exams and it is in government’s power to postpone it, but there may be additional costs involved.”



State commitment

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila yesterday issued a statement saying that the government remained engaged with the teachers’ union to find a solution to the impasse as early as next week.

“The disruption and discomfort the prevailing situation has caused, especially on the learners that are currently writing examinations, are regretted,” the premier said.

“May I, again, emphasise that government is committed to have this matter resolved as soon as possible, and the outcome of the ongoing engagement will be communicated once a conclusion is reached.”

However, the Namibia National Teachers’ Union’s Khomas regional chairperson, Kevin Kahungi, yesterday said the teachers would be on strike for a month if need be. According to him, teachers will not return to their classrooms until the government has agreed to give them a 8% salary increase.



Ghost house

Milton Ya Otto, the inspector of education in Khomas, yesterday visited schools in the region to inform them that schools would resume on Monday.

However, Ya Otto found only skeleton staff at some schools and absolutely no one at the Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School.

“The fact that there is no one at the school demonstrates the seriousness of the strike and how it will affect learners. This thing has far-reaching consequences,” he said.

When asked how learners would be informed about the resumption of school if the notice could not be delivered, Ya Otto said he hoped that a broadcast by Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa would reach everyone.

Impact

Meanwhile, Helena Eises, a mother of a grade 10 learner in Windhoek, said she has no hope, because grade 10 itself is a doomed grade.

“I can only see how my child will end up on the street; we all know that they are not allowed to repeat grade 10. What will now happen to them?” she asked.

Duncan Towe, a grade 12 learner at Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary School, said he hopes the government plans to pay the university fees of this year’s grade 12 learners.

He has applied for a NamPower bursary and needs to submit his final year’s exam results.

“There is simply no way that my family can pay for me. Will government pay for me? My whole family is just general workers and we do not even break even every month financially, so there is no way that my parents can pay for me,” he said.

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Horror explosion kills four children

October 15, 2016, 1:15 am

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Horror explosion kills four children Last night between 20:00 and 21:00 a farmworker family of 14 was injured in a gas explosion on Farm Karib, some 25 km from Dordabis. This included 4 adults and 10 minors.
The family was watching television when a gas cylinder caught fire and exploded. All 14 sustained injuries and were taken to the Dordabis clinic by the farm owner where they were transferred to Windhoek. This morning four of the children died. Investigators are still at the scene.

High honour for Shipanga

October 16, 2016, 3:00 pm

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High honour for Shipanga Top women’s coach in CAF awards Selection College Namibia’s Jacqueline Shipanga will be involved in deciding who Africa’s best footballers are for this year. Quote Box

Jacqueline Shipanga

For me to be involved at this high level means so much

Brave Gladiators head coach Jacqueline Shipanga will have a crucial say in the 2016 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards.

She was named as a member of the third Electoral College in the newly expanded network of voting for Africa’s best footballers awards.

Voting for the 2016 GLO CAF awards have four groups of voting colleges namely, the CAF Media Committee, the Technical and Development Committee, the Panel of 20 Experts (Journalists and TV consultants) and Member Associations (Head Coaches of National Team ‘A’ or National Technical Directors).

Shipanga, whose technical expertise has been widely used by CAF and Fifa at numerous occasions, is a member of the 20-member Panel of Experts, which also have other Southern Africa experts in Mark Gleeson and Velile Mbuli, both from South Africa.

The Technical and Development Committee has 13 members including Cosafa President Suketu Patel, Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya and Khalilou Fadiga of Senegal.

The CAF Media Committee is led by Ghanaian FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Shipanga expressed her appreciation for being part of these historic awards. “This is something very special to me,” Shipanga said.

“Something I would cherish forever. These are continental awards and for me to be involved at this high level means so much. I will do my level best in my contribution.

“This goes to show the impact of our development and exposure. Thank you Namibia Football Association and CAF for the trust and belief,” she added.

For the two main awards, the African Player of the Year and Africa of the Year-based in Africa, all four components of the Electoral Colleges will be involved in the selection process which has been classified into two phases.

Colleges one, two and three will be involved in phase one.

College four and half of three will be used for phase two.

For the other awards categories only college one, two and three will take part in the selection of the eventual winners.

The GLO CAF 2016 awards Gala will be held on Thursday, 5 January 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.

CAF on Saturday released a 30-men list for the African Player of the Year award The African Player of the Year-based in Africa has 25 players on the list.

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Namibia's bowlers shine at ICC Intercontinental Cup

October 16, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Namibia's bowlers shine at ICC Intercontinental Cup Namibia managed to restrict Papua New Guinea to just 294 on the opening day''s first innings in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

The four-day tie between the countries got underway yesterday while the two one-day fixtures of the IWCL will be played on 21 and 23 October.

Namibia regularly picked up wickets during yesterday''s play with Bernhard Scholtz doing the most damage.

He claimed the wickets of Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Dogodo Bau, John Boge Reva and Normal Oreta Vanua.

The bowler''s exploits were supported by Stephan Baard, who claimed two wickets, JJ Smit and Nicolaas Scholtz, who each claimed one wicket apiece.

Overall, Namibia''s bowlers were quite economical as most of PNG''s batsmen were restricted to relatively low scores.

The only exception was the home side''s captain Assadollah Vala, who recorded 136 not out.

Namibia were due to bat later on in the day.

PNG and Namibia are both on 20 points from three outings each in the ICC Intercontinental Cup with only the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lagging behind them on seven points from four matches in the eight-team competition, which is the pathway to Test cricket.

PNG''s high point in this competition has been a five-wicket victory over the Netherland but it has lost to former champion Afghanistan and reigning champion Ireland by 201 runs and 145 runs, respectively.

Namibia defeated Hong Kong by 114 runs but lost by big margins to Afghanistan and Ireland. It went down by an innings and 36 runs to Afghanistan and by an innings and 107 runs to Ireland.

Ireland leads the points table with 80 points from four matches while Afghanistan is second with 61 points, meaning their match in India in March could be the potential decider of who wins ICC''s premier first-class championship.



The squads:

Papua New Guinea: Assadollah Vala (captain), Dogodo Bau, Sese Bau, Mahuru Dai, Willi Toua Gavera, Hiri Hiri, Vani Vagi Morea, Alei Nao, Nosaina Pokana, John Boge Reva, Lega Siaka, Chad Aiwati Soper, Tony Ura, Normal Oreta Vanua.



Namibia: Sarel Burger (captain), Stephan Baard, Helao Ya France, Jan Frylink, Zane Green, Jean-Pierre Kotze, Mika Mutumbe, Colin Peake, JJ Smit, Bernhard Scholtz, Nicolaas Scholtz, Gerrie Snyman, Waan van Vuuren, Craig Williams.-Adapted from ICC-Cricket

Legend impressed with young talent

October 16, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Legend impressed with young talent Namibian football legend Lemmy Narib saw potential in the players that took part in the Khomas Community Cup football tournament over the weekend.

Speaking on the sidelines of the competition, which took place at the Katutura Youth Complex, the former star said that it is only a matter of polishing the players.

Narib is a founder and former player of Namibia''s version of Orlando Pirates Football Club (FC) and is one of a few Namibians who played for South African elite league team Kaizer Chiefs FC.

He told Namibian Sun on Saturday that he was impressed with what he saw in the tournament.

“I saw a few of the teams play early on and was especially impressed by one of the sides from Havana,” he said.

“They were able to hold on to the ball and play a good passing game. That is always nice to see.”

Narib added that at least five players have made an impression on him.

“The ones I have identified can go on and play at a higher level.”

But while there were good signs, the former player said that he was not happy to see some players indulging in alcohol.

“I asked them if there is any positive in doing that if you want to play well.”

Another aspect that was lacking was the tactical awareness of players.

“They are struggling to do the basics and most times they are losing shape quite easily. I think that is one area that we are far behind when it comes to Namibian football.

“Our players don''t know when to shoot, when to pass and when to stay in your position. When we get that right, a lot of things will go well,” he noted.

Narib is a technical advisor of the Khomas Under-20 regional team.



HECTOR MAWONGA

Galz footballers receive first aid training

October 16, 2016, 3:00 pm

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Galz footballers receive first aid training The NFA Girls Centre commissioned Namibia Red Cross Society to conduct a First Aid – Class A training recently to seventeen girls and young women who play football or have stake in the game of football.

Although most injuries in football are minor, usually bruises and sprains, proper first aid helps to minimize the effects of injury. Seeing that team doctors are not always on site during matches, equipping footballers with First Aid skills can help to preserve life, prevent further harm and promote recovery of injured footballers.

With this newly acquired skill the ladies can now use not only use on the pitch but also at home whenever the need arises.

“I’m happy to be a first aider, now I can to assist someone who may be in need when medical assistance is not available or has been delayed” said Ndapewa Iipinge, one of the participants.

Another participant Lydiana Nanamus said that “Now that we are first aiders we can now complement and assist medics during our Women Super league and training sessions as we have been trained as First Aiders and know what to do”.

Sharing the same sentiments is a Juliana Skrywer.

“As a football player, now I understand why medics place ice in bandage or a cloth before applying on a casualty and this is because ice can burn the victim’s skin’’.

The training forms part of the Centre’s Life skills programme which is aimed at equipping girls and young women with skills that will allow them to make better informed decision.

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