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Bakkie carrying 21 overturns

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Bakkie carrying 21 overturnsBakkie carrying 21 overturns A one-year-old girl and a 33-year-old man died Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle they were traveling in overturned between Epupa and the Nungurura Border Post.

Namibian police acting crime investigation coordinator, Detective Chief Inspector Paavo Iiyambo confirmed the incident to Nampa Wednesday.

Their identities are yet to be revealed.

Iiyambo said the brakes of the vehicle failed while it was going downhill, causing the driver to lose control.

The Toyota Land Cruiser had 21 people on board when the accident happened.

Three injured passengers were rushed to the Oshakati State Hospital, while the rest are receiving treatment at the Opuwo State Hospital.

Three other people have died in vehicle accidents in Kunene since the start of the festive season.



NAMPA

Police were doing as instructed

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Police were doing as instructedPolice were doing as instructed Chief says meeting was called without authorisation Chief Glony Arnold of the !Kung Traditional Authority instructed the police to break up a meeting which she says was sowing discontent, amongst other things. The !Kung Traditional Authority has responded to an article that appeared in Namibian Sun on 14 December concerning a San meeting that was broken up by the police on 8 November in the Na‡aJaqna conservancy in the Tsumkwe West area.

In a media release to Namibian Sun, John Arnold the advisor to Chief Glory Arnold of the !Kung Traditional Authority, he states that there is a total “confusion” about the meeting that was held at Omatako on 8 November 2016. “The meeting in Omatako had absolutely nothing to do with the court ruling regarding the 22 illegal farmers,” said Arnold.

It was initially reported that more than 50 people had gathered at the Omatako church hall where they wanted answers about 22 illegal settlers who had been ordered by the High Court to break down their illegal fences and remove their cattle from the area by 20 November. Arnold stated that the meeting was held to disrupt the leadership of the !Kung Traditional Authority. “We are aware that the meeting was planned by individuals through their recruits in their own interests and not by the community of Tsumkwe as claimed,” said Arnold. He continued saying, “The meeting was planned without the consent of the head of the !Kung leadership”.

Arnold says the meeting was halted by the police at the request of Chief Glony Arnold. He says the reason why the meeting was halted was because the chief was not invited to the meeting and that the chief was instructed to be at the meeting “without being given the opportunity to respond which undermines her authority”. Arnold says that the chief took the decision to stop conflict from developing and escalating amongst her people. “She took the necessary actions through law enforcement with the aim to prevent misleading information, confusion and conflicts leading to division amongst the members of the traditional authority,” said Arnold.

He warned that no meeting should take place within the chief’s area of jurisdiction without her authorisation. He cleared the police of any wrong doing stating that it was the chief’s decision to break up the meeting in Omatako. “The police of Maroelaboom are not to be blamed for the breakin gup of the meeting because the decision to have the meeting did not come from the police,” said Arnold.

He added that the Namibian government already protects the rights of San in the country arguing that the rights of the San people are recognised at regional and international levels. “Those who claim that the rights of the San are not recognised in Namibia need to wake up, and start participating in matters of national development,” said Arnold.

Shona Ngava

Four children nearly drown in Swakop

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Four children nearly drown in SwakopFour children nearly drown in Swakop An eight-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl were rescued by bystanders in a near drowning incident at Pebble on Tuesday.

A girl, 13, was also rescued on Monday by bystanders who took her out of the water and immediately started administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A doctor who was on leave from South Africa, took over and managed to resuscitate the girl. According to the chief of the Swakopmund fire brigade, Adri Goosen, the girl’s father was at the scene.

“He said he had turned around when he heard a scream not realising it was his daughter screaming. Everyone was quick to assist. She was stabilised at the scene.”

She was taken to hospital where she received further treatment.

During a separate incident on Saturday, a girl was also rescued by bystanders after encountering trouble while swimming. She was also stabilised at the scene. She was taken to hospital for a check-up after she was slightly injured from being tossed against the rocks by the waves at the Mole.

The deputy station commander of the Sea Rescue Institute of Namibia, Petrus van Staden, said that visitors should be careful while swimming.

“If you know you can’t swim, or you are not a very good swimmer don’t go in too deep. Be mindful of the tides,” he said.

He also mentioned that the sea will be rougher over the next two to three days.

In another unrelated incident a 67-year-old pensioner committed suicide Monday morning at 09:15. Harald Stauder allegedly shot himself with a revolver in the mouth at his home. This was confirmed by the regional crime investigations coordinator, Chief Inspector Erastus Ikuyu. No suicide note was left and his next of kin have been informed.

Leandrea Louw

Limits of inclusion

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Limits of inclusionLimits of inclusionThe lacklustre performance by the Tsintsabis Secondary School demonstrates the marginalisation and daily struggles of the San people in Namibia. Spotlight on 0% pass-rate schools Nowhere has the marginalisation of Namibia’s first people been so evident than in the Grade 10 results of the Tsintsabis Secondary School in the Oshikoto Region, where all 18 learners failed the examination this year.

Figures available confirm a continued downward spiral of poor performance at the school which saw only four learners out of 14 pass in 2013, in 2014 only four of 17 passed while last year, only four of 16 learners qualified for admission to Grade 11.

When queried about the state of affairs at the school the Oshikoto deputy director of education Vilho Shipwata said the only reason he could think of is the fact that the “school is predominantly San”.

“The trend of the school has been more or less like that. It has not improved in the last year, but it is a surprise that all failed this year,” he said.

Former school principal Beatrice Kaula told Namibian Sun that all the children who “suffer” academically are sent to Tsintsabis from surrounding feeder schools.

Kaula confirmed that the school has historically performed poorly with only “one or two passing” despite interventions such as afternoon classes in the past.

She, however, argues that the poor pass rate is connected to the fact that the education system is not well accepted by the San community.

“The parents are not interested in school and you know most of the learners’ parents never even finished Grade 2,” said Kaula, who also highlighted the mushrooming of shebeens as a key factor.

She added that Tsintsabis hostel offers boarding for only 19 learners and as a result the rest are living by themselves in shacks since their parents are labourers on surrounding farms.

DTA parliamentarian Jennifer van den Heever, however, feels the blame must be put squarely on the shoulders of the education ministry.

According to her, the ministry has for the past 26 years failed to transform the system so that it can suit the needs of minorities such as the nomadic San.

“The system cannot be allowed to discriminate like this. Does it want to imply that the San children are stupid, because we do not see this kind of failure in other areas?” she asked.

Commenting on the persistent failure of the school, Van den Heever said the education ministry must explain why it has never been addressed.

“One can see no one tried to salvage the situation. It is unacceptable. I have tried the entire morning to make sense of this, but I can only believe the teachers failed in their duty otherwise one child would have passed the grade,” she said.

‘Tragedy’

Meanwhile, a speechless human rights activist Rosa Namises said the state of affairs at Tsintsabis is a tragedy.

“It is so sad. If this continues, the elders of Tsintsabis will never in their lifetime see any of their children attain success,” said Namises. According to her, the situation at Tsintsabis is testimony to Namibia’s treatment of minority groups such as the San.

“They are not regarded as important citizens of the country,” she said and added that “they do not even occupy positions”.

Poor showing

The same appears to be happening in the Himba community as the Kephas Muzuma Combined School in the Kunene Region also recorded a 0% pass rate in Grade 10.

Still in Kunene at the Otjerundu Combined School only one learner out of 18 candidates passed Grade 10.

Kunene education director Angeline Steenkamp who took up the position in September said a possible reason may be because the schools only started offering Grade 10 this year.

She also attributed the poor performance to indiscipline on the part of some learners.

“Both schools were new centres which were opened in 2016 to cater for learners in the Region who could not be admitted at schools in the region, because of non-availability of space,” said Steenkamp, adding that most teachers taught for the first time at Grade 10 level.

“However, interventions were done to assist these schools, for example textbooks were provided, learners attended holiday classes and a co-teaching weekend with experience and well performing teachers was organised, schools were visited by senior education officers and Inspectorate,” she said.

“In 2017 a thorough analysis will be done to identify the main challenges and the causes for the high failure rate, and action plans will be compiled for implementation. All stakeholders are encouraged to join hands in order to address the challenges in the region. Schools are congratulated for good performance and we have to work very hard to bring the results up to a desired level.”



JEMIMA BEUKES

Chinese nabbed for money laundering

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 Chinese nabbed for money laundering Chinese nabbed for money laundering A 48-year-old male Chinese national who was arrested in Ondangwa on Monday will face charges of fraud, money laundering and contravening section 9 of the customs and excise act, which pertains to legislation of when goods are to be imported into Namibia.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Oshana police regional commander, Rauha Amwele, who said the accused, who is the owner of Glory Building Material Supply in Ondangwa, was arrested and is in police custody.

Police in both Oshana and at head office in Windhoek were mum on the identity of the accused but Amwele confirmed he appeared in court yesterday.

The accused and his legal team were at court on Tuesday for his first appearance however it allegedly did not take place as the court could not print the charge sheet. The accused is represented by prominent lawyer Sisa Namandje who refused to comment on the case yesterday.

The police would also not share the full details of the matter and what it entails. However, Namibian Sun is reliably informed that it involves N$3.5 billion which was found in a container.

Namibian Sun could not secure any details from the police as to whether the monies were counterfeit or not and whether the money was to be smuggled into or out of the country.

Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga when contacted said the case is part of a big scam taking place countrywide. He added that he would not confirm the amount of money involved but said that it could be more that N$3.5 billion.

On Tuesday, three Chinese nationals were arrested at Oshikango on charges of attempting to bribe customs officials. Investigations continue.

KENYA KAMBOWE

SAFA sacks Shakes

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SAFA sacks ShakesSAFA sacks Shakes SAFA has fired Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba with immediate effect.

Mashaba was dismissed after being found guilty of 'gross misconduct, insubordination and violating SAFA's communications policy' at a disciplinary hearing which took place over five days this month.

Shakes was previously indefinitely suspended from his coaching duties on 13 November following a tirade aimed at the SAFA hierarchy after Bafana's 2-1 win over Senegal in a World Cup qualifier.

“It is regrettable that we had to face the events of the past month at a time when the national team is experiencing a resurgence in its quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” said SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble, who recently shot down reports linking ex-Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa with the Bafana job.

“Due to the seriousness of the coach’s actions, we had to release our head coach with immediate effect. We shall immediately institute a search for a new head coach familiar with African football competitions who will be expected to continue the quest to qualify for the world’s apex football competition. We ask all supporters to continue to support Bafana Bafana.”

SAFA released a statement yesterday morning which reads: “Following the unfortunate incidents that occurred in Polokwane on Saturday, 12 November 2016, after the match between Bafana Bafana and Senegal, the South African Football Association (SAFA) placed head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba on suspension pending a disciplinary hearing.

“The hearing took place over five days in December and was chaired by an independent legal expert who is an advocate of the High Court.

“Following extensive deliberations, the chairman of the hearing concluded that the coach was guilty of the three charges levelled against him: Gross misconduct/professional misconduct, gross insubordination/professional misconduct and violation of the SAFA communications policy.

“The association will urgently consult its internal structures for the purpose of finding a replacement as soon as possible.”

KICKOFF

Female boxers AIBA requirement

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Female boxers AIBA requirementFemale boxers AIBA requirement NBF satisfied with 2016 achievements With countries now being required to have female boxers at different events, the national boxing federation is a step ahead as it is already developing our girls. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has instructed member countries to have female boxers at amateur boxing events.

In a media statement by the Namibia Boxing Federation’s (NBF) PRO Robert Haihambo it stated that according to AIBA, the just-ended games in Luanda are the last at which no female boxer took part.

“It will be a requirement for all countries to have female boxers and the federation has thus stepped up efforts to develop women boxing from club to national level and re-emphasis the need for sponsorship in this area specifically,” said Haihambo.

The federation will not be starting from scratch with female boxers as it already has active ones. The numbers must be increased however.

Haihambo explained that after the federation’s coaching course earlier this year, emphasis was put on the female boxing.

“We asked those who attended the coaching course to really go out there in their areas and draw the talent of female boxers, and they have extensively done so. We now hoave more female boxers in the northern regions and the Oshikoto Region dominates,” he said.

He added that the country’s only female AIBA one-star qualified coach Maria Magano is spearheading the identification and development of female boxers in the regions.

He also mentioned that more awareness still has to be created to reach the correct numbers.

Meanwhile, the federation also ended its sport activities for the year yesterday and will restart on 16 January.

It closes off on a high note as it welcomed the national U-20 youth team that participated in the Zone five youth games in Angola.

The team of six boxers brought back one gold and two silver medals as well as a trophy for ending second out of the ten countries that participated.

KAINO NGHITONGO

Hotline tournament set for next week

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Hotline tournament set for next weekHotline tournament set for next week The Hotline Football Club (FC) sports ground at Oshali village in the Ohangwena Region’s Ongenga constituency will serve as the venue for the club’s annual soccer tournament from 28 to 30 December 2016.

This year's tournament is expected to attract many teams and spectators from all parts of the Ongenga Constituency.

Organiser of the tournament, Vaino Shimutwikeni told Nampa on Tuesday that former players of Hotline FC jointly sponsored the tournament prize monies of N$8 000, as well as the floating trophy and medals.

The Hotline Annual Football Tournament was introduced in 2002 with a sponsorship of N$1 000 by Nangolo Kondja, also a former player of the club.

“Hotline FC, which initiated the tournament, played in the Ohangwena Second Division Football League in 2003 until 2005 when it was relegated to village-based football,” Shimutwikeni revealed.

He pointed out that 16 football teams from within the Ohangwena Region and beyond have confirmed their participation in the tournament.

A former Hotline FC player and one of the sponsors, Joseph Kaudevali told this news agency in an interview that the tournament is about promoting the game of football in and around the Ongenga Constituency.

“It is also meant to encourage our players to work hard in order to ensure that our club returns to the Ohangwena Region Second Division League,” Kaudevali explained.

A participation fee of N$500 will be paid by each team taking part in the tournament.

The champions to be crowned at the end of the tournament will walk away with a prize of N$3 000, a floating trophy and gold medals. The runners-up will get N$2 500 and silver medals.

The third-placed team will take home N$1 500 and bronze medals while the team in fourth place gets a prize of N$1 000.

NAMPA

Balotelli off as Monaco close gap

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Balotelli off as Monaco close gap Balotelli off as Monaco close gap Two players receive straight red card A game between Bordeaux and Nice ended on a disastrous note after two players from Nice were handed red cards and now the team will start 2017 without the pair. Mario Balotelli and Younes Belhanda were sent off in the dying seconds as Ligue 1 leaders Nice stumbled into the winter break with a 0-0 draw at Bordeaux, allowing Monaco to trim the gap at the top to two points.

Paris Saint-Germain eased the pressure on coach Unai Emery by beating Lorient 5-0.

Bordeaux had suffered three successive defeats conceding eight goals in their last two outings and a frustrating evening for Nice ended disastrously with Balotelli and Belhanda dismissed for off-the-ball incidents.

Lucien Favre's side will now start 2017 without two key players after the pair was shown straight red cards in the closing stages.

Radamel Falcao scored a penalty in a 2-1 win over Caen as Monaco rebounded from their defeat at home to Lyon last weekend.

The Colombian striker won and converted a spot-kick shortly after half-time for his 11th goal of the season before Tiemoue Bakayoko scored for the second game running at the Stade Louis II.

Herve Bazile grabbed a consolation for Caen in stoppage time.

Edinson Cavani struck his league-best 18th goal this term as reigning champions PSG snapped a three-games winless run with a five goal demolition of bottom side Lorient at the Parc des Princes.

Emery had challenged his players to finish 2016 on a high after a series of disappointing results and Belgium international Thomas Meunier opened the scoring with a superb 25th-minute lob.

Lorient centre-back Zargo Toure turned a cross from Lucas into his own net for PSG's second just before the break, and captain Thiago Silva headed in a third minutes after the restart.

Cavani tucked away a penalty after he was brought down in the area, with Brazilian international Lucas racing onto a fine Marco Verratti pass to seal a resounding victory.

PSG head into the break trailing Nice by five points as they chase a fifth consecutive French title.

Lyon claimed their fourth win in a row with France internationals Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir on target in a 2-0 triumph over Angers.

Bafetimbi Gomis scored his 10th goal of the campaign to help Rudi Garcia's Marseille beat Bastia 2-1 and extend their winning run.

Marseille looked destined to leave Corsica with just a point after Alexander Djiku levelled on 83 minutes, but on-loan Tottenham Hotspur forward Clinton Njie swept home an injury-time winner.

Portugal striker Eder rescued a point for Lille with superbly-taken late volley in a 1-1 draw with Rennes, while Nantes continued their resurgence under former Portuguese international Sergio Conceicao by beating Montpellier 1-0 to climb out of the relegation places.

NAMPA/AFP

Oskola ayihe ya ndopa ondondo onti-10

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Oskola ayihe ya ndopa ondondo onti-10Oskola ayihe ya ndopa ondondo onti-10 Aayelele aniwa inaya simaneka elongo Osekundoskola yaTsintsabis mOshitopolwa shaShikoto oya ndopa anaskola ayehe18 mboka ya shanga ondondo onti-10 nuumvo. Omiyalu dhoka dha monika po odha koleke kutya iizemo yoskola ndjoka onkene tayi tsikile okugwa pevi kehe omvula sho aalongwa owala yane yomaalongwa 14 mboka ya shanga ekonaakono lyondondo onti-10 moskola ndjoka mo2013 ya piti, omanga mo-2014 aalongwa owala yane yomaalongwa 17. Omvula ya piti natango moskola ndjoka omwa piti owala aalongwa yane yomaalongwa 16.

Sho a ningilwa omapulaapulo kombinga yonkalo yoskola ndjoka, omupeha gwelongo mOshikoto Vilho Shipwata okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka ta vulu okutumbula oondjoka owala kutya oskola ndjoka unene oyi na aakwashigwana yomuhoko gwAayelele.

Shipwata okwa popi kutya onkalo yendopo moskola ndjoka osho ya kala ngaaka oomvula dha piti, nonuumvo oya hwangwa unene sho kape na omunaskola gumwe a piti.

Omukuluntuskola nale poskola ndjoka Beatrice Kaula okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya aanona ayehe mboka kaye na omagano ohaya tumwa koskola ndjoka okuza pooskola dhopomudhingoloko. Kaula okwa koleke kutya iizemo yoskola ndjoka itayi shambula nonando okwa kambadhala oshindji mwakwatelwa ootundi dhomutenya.

Okwa tsikile kutya endopo poskola ndjoka otali hwahwamekwa woo konkalo kutya elongo inali simanekwa unene mokati kaakwashigwana yomuhko gwAayelele molwaashoka aakuluntu inaya simaneka elongo naanona oyendji ihaya yi nokuli sigo okondondo onti-2.

Kaula okwa tsikile kutya oskola ndjoka ohayi gandja owala omuhandjo kaanaskola 19 omanga yalwe haya zi poombashu dhomomudhingoloko molwaashoka aakuluntu yawo aaniilonga moofaalama dhopopepi.

Nonando ongaaka omunapaliamende gwoDTA, Jennifer van den Heever, ota gandja uusama koshikondo shelongo kutya osha ndopa okulundulula omulandu gwelongo nokugu ninga gukale gwa wapalela aantu ayehe mwakwatelwa mboka yomuhoko gwAayelele.

“Omusindalandu gwelongo itagu pitikwa gukale tagu tongola ngaka. Osha hala okutya aanona yAayelele omalayi molwaashoka ihatu mono endopo lyoludhi ndoka momidhingoloko dhilwe?” Van den Heever a pula. Okwa popi kutya uuministeli nawu yelithe kombinga yonkalo ndjoka.

Omuhwahwameki guuthemba womuntu, Rosa Namises okwa popi kutya onkalo yoskola yaTsintsabis oya piyagana nongele oya tsikile nena akokele momudhingoloko ngoka itaya ka mona monkalamwenyo aanona ya pondola sha. Okwa popi kutya Aayelele ina ya simanekwa onga aakwashigwana yoshilongo shika na kaye na nookuli oonkatu dhopombanda.

Omapopyo ga faathana oga ningilwa oskola yedhina Kephas Muzuma Combined School mOshitopolwa shaKunene ndjoka nayo ya ndopa aanaskola ayehe ya shanga ondondo onti-10. Natango oskola yaOtjerundu Combined School moKunene omwa piti owala omunaskola gumwe mokati kaanaskola 18 mboka ya shanga ondondo onti-10.

Omukuluntu gwelongo moshitopolwa shoka, Angeline Steenkamp ngoka opo a tameke iilonga muSepetemba okwa popi kutya endopo ndyoka otashi vulika lyeetithwa konkalo kutya ooskola dhoka opo owala dha tamekitha ekonaakono ndyoka omvula ya piti.

Okwa ti nonando ongaaka okwa ningwa oonkambadhala ngaashi egandjo lyomambo ga gwana oshowo ootundi dhomutenya opo aanaskola ya vule oku yambidhidhwa melongo lyawo.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Malls are evolving

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Malls are evolvingMalls are evolving Changing face of retail Online options, entertainment and interactivity are key to the success of the malls of the future. The shopping mall of the future will have to be innovative and find creative ways of making the shopping experience more convenient, according to Louis van der Watt, CEO of Atterbury Property, which is the developer behind the Mall of Africa.

He says an example of this would be the ability to allow consumers to buy an item online and collect from a store near them. He says the nature of shopping malls has already begun to change in the sense that people are increasingly looking towards these spaces to be entertained.

“Our experience has been that as people become more dependent on technology and spend more time online, they also have a greater need to get out. Shopping malls need to adapt to this need and ensure that they also provide enough entertainment,” said Van der Walt.

“Some products, like household appliances, will definitely be bought online more frequently because it is easy to do research and compare prices online. But people still want to see, touch and try on more personal items.”

Stefan Salzer, partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), added that consumers constantly switch between shopping online and in physical stores. This means retailers also need to use technology to make this transition a seamless and convenient experience.

“Consumers want to get products when and how they want. This means retailers have to integrate their marketing, special offers, loyalty programmes and content so they function in union between stores and mobile and online portals,” explained Salzer.



FIN24

Okaukuejo rakes in revenue

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Okaukuejo rakes in revenueOkaukuejo rakes in revenue Reports amount of N$ 100 million Okaukuejo rest camp in Etosha National Park has shown an improvement of 16% compared to the previous financial year. In what can be described as a major milestone in the life of the biggest and oldest resort within the Etosha National Park, Namibia Wildlife Resorts's (NWR) Okaukuejo generated a revenue of N$100 million during the financial year, 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2016 which translated to an overall revenue increase of 16% compared to the previous financial year.

According to NWR this milestone can confidently be credited to the popularity of the resort, which has an annual average occupancy of over 80%.

One of its drawcards is the large, floodlit waterhole, which receives exceedingly regular visits from a wide diversity of wildlife.

This includes herds of antelopes, family groups of elephant, some black rhinos, as well as lions.

“Reaching such a milestone cannot be attributed to her team only. The different reservation offices tremendously contributed to this achievement and should be congratulated as well,” said Okaukuejo's resort manager Katriena Hoeses.

During the certificate handover at the resort, NWR's managing director Zelna Hengari, could not hide her joy at Okaukuejo's latest achievement. She pointed out that such an achievement would serve as encouragement to other NWR camps and resorts.

She concluded by saying, “As the year draws to an end, each one of us has a reason to celebrate due to this major milestone. That's why, as we celebrate, we should plan for the future so that we can work to achieve more.”



STAFF REPORTER

TransNamib must find CEO: Jooste

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TransNamib must find CEO: JoosteTransNamib must find CEO: Jooste The public enterprises minister Leon Jooste has instructed the board members of TransNamib to appoint a CEO for the company as soon as possible.

Jooste was speaking during a media briefing in the capital on Thursday.

“TransNamib needs to address this issue immediately, because there is a leadership vacuum within the company,” he said.

Jooste said the State-owned transport and logistics company has made some progress with its integrated strategic business plan, but it is not yet finalised.

TransNamib has been without a CEO since October 2014 after Sara Naanda was suspended.

Mbahuku Hippy Tjivikua is currently acting as CEO.

There are currently two other State-owned enterprises besides TransNamib operating without CEOs - Air Namibia and the Roads Contractor Company (RCC).

Jooste further emphasised that it is difficult to find a right Namibian candidate with all the required skills for such complex State-owned enterprises.

“There is a need to enhance the skills and capacity of board members, however it is quite rare to find expertise for some of these complex enterprises,” he said.

The appointment of CEOs for RCC and Air Namibia will depend on the strategic plans of these companies as they are also required to come up with their own integrated strategic business plans.

Only once those processes are completed will the minister expect them to start the process of finding substantive chiefs.

Mandi Samson and Tino !Hanabeb are currently acting at Air Namibia and RCC respectively.

NAMPA

48 journos killed

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48 journos killed48 journos killed Numbers drop but intimidation is up Deadly violence against the media eased in 2016 from recent record levels as the number of journalists singled out for murder declined. The number of journalists killed in the line of duty declined in 2016 from recent record levels as fewer journalists were targeted for murder, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) found in its annual analysis. Deaths in combat or crossfire ticked to their highest number since 2013 as conflicts in the Middle East dragged on.

At least 48 journalists were killed in relation to their work between 1 January and 15 December, 2016. CPJ is investigating the deaths of at least 27 more journalists during the year to determine whether they were work-related.

More than half of the journalists killed in the year died in combat or crossfire, for the first time since CPJ began keeping records. The conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, and Somalia claimed the lives of 26 journalists who died covering the fighting.

Historically, about two thirds of journalists killed are singled out for murder in retaliation for their work, according to CPJ’s detailed records since 1992. This year, 18 journalists were targeted directly for murder, the lowest number since 2002. The reason for the decline is unclear, and could be a combination of factors including less risk-taking by the media, more efforts to bring global attention to the challenge of combatting impunity, and the use of other means to silence critical journalists.

Overall, Syria was the most deadly country for journalists for the fifth year in a row. At least 14 journalists were killed in Syria in 2016, the same number as in 2015, bringing the total number killed there in the line of duty since conflict broke out to at least 107.

Also mired in conflict, Iraq is among the top three most deadly countries for the fourth year in a row, with six journalists killed in 2016. In Yemen, where the number of journalists killed has been creeping higher as fighting intensified, six journalists were also killed this year, bringing the total to 12 since 2014.

Journalists who brave conflict are at risk not only of dying in combat but of being kidnapped or murdered by Islamic State and other militant groups. Islamic State is responsible for the disappearance of at least 11 journalists since 2013. They are feared dead, but do not appear in CPJ’s data on killed journalists because their fate cannot be confirmed.

The ravaging of journalistic communities by extremist groups in recent years could be one of several potential reasons for the decline in murders in 2016. For example, in Somalia, the killers’ work has had an effect: Years of violent intimidation with little hope of justice has left the ranks of the media scared, weakened, and depleted. Somalia has for two consecutive years topped CPJ’s Global Impunity Index, which spotlights countries where journalists are murdered and their killers go free. The number of journalists murdered in Somalia each year has precipitously declined since 2012, with two murdered in 2016.

CPJ research shows that entrenched impunity fosters self-censorship, as journalists flee into exile or fall silent to avoid grave risk.

In some places, tools other than violence are being deployed to cow journalists into silence. In Russia, where 36 journalists have been murdered in retaliation for reporting since 1992, CPJ has not recorded a murder since 2013. Journalists who might dare report on sensitive issues such as corruption and human rights abuses, despite the immense risks of physical reprisal, have had their avenues to report systematically cut off through legislation, regulations, closure of news outlets, and other forms of harassment, including threats of imprisonment. - CPJ

ELANA BEISER

*Elana Beiser is editorial director of the Committee to Protect Journalists

Let us drive with respect

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Let us drive with respectLet us drive with respect The Namibian Police have been doing a relatively good job to ensure that motorists adhere to traffic laws over the festive season. Obviously there have been a number of unfortunate accidents on our roads in the last couple of days, but the presence of law enforcement agencies on our national roads is really commendable thus far. As part of the national road safety campaign, it is a pleasure to see that traffic officers are subjecting drivers to random drink and drug tests. There is no doubt that alcohol and substance abuse are among the most serious causes of fatal road accidents on our roads. Even if you are a super good driver, alcohol will always impair your cognitive functions like planning, vision and decision-making when driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The nation can no longer afford to lose its most productive citizens to horrendous road accidents and because of the bad judgement or incompetence of some inconsiderate and negligent drivers. Furthermore, we need to realise that driving is a very demanding activity that requires serious responsibility and motorists must express attitudes in line with road safety. We also need to be cognisant of the fact that in the hands of a drunk or inconsiderate, incompetent negligent driver, a motor vehicle is a deadly weapon. As many holidaymakers drive to their respective destinations, there will be heavy traffic congestion on the national road network. For those travelling the message is simple: exercise patience (you will get there nevertheless, albeit ten minutes later), be mindful of fellow motorists and abide by the speed limit. Road safety is everyone's responsibility and we should always be considerate of others. On a lighter note, we would like to wish you, our esteemed advertisers and readers, a blessed and joyous festive holiday and a Merry Christmas together with your loved ones. Your favourite newspaper will once again be on the streets next week, December 27, 2016, Tuesday. Once again let us heed the call to reduce speed, wear seatbelts and to not drink and drive – as responsible motorists.

I dream of Swapo unity

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I dream of Swapo unityI dream of Swapo unity BY CASTRO ETONDO

I remember vividly since childhood. I was just one of the little children growing up in Swapo camps in exile; ours was in Kwanza-Sul, in Angola.

What I knew about Swapo is that it was united to free Namibia from the yoke of the colonial apartheid regime of South.

I think many young Namibians inside the country and in exile believed the same too. And it is true, there was political unity.

But nowadays as I look around, I don't see that unity.

Everyone fights for their own stomach and less for the ideology of Swapo.

All I see everywhere is infighting and the seeds of division, all in the name of political power.

Sometimes I look at those who were once brave freedom fighters, but today they have become cowards or maybe age has made them surrender and give up their bravery.

I see it daily, leaders are not united; members are not united; elders are not united; women are not united; men are not united; youth are not united even chickens are no longer united against hawks. I say hawks in figurative sense.

Even the youngest pioneer's movement is being confused by the disunity in the Party.

It is a pity.

After over 30 years of dormancy, the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement was activated in Okalongo in 2013, as an injection of hope for the future of the Swapo Party and Namibia.

I was there.

I performed with Ndilimani Cultural Troupe.

We sang and danced for joy.

Sadly, all that enthusiasm is disappearing.

Today our Swapo is walking in the valleys of darkness and feeding on the gossip and rumours manufactured by our top leaders.

The country is losing hope, because of the infighting and lack of vision of the leadership of the party and country.

Corruption is the new religion and tribalism is the new colonialism.

Just yesterday, you said the criteria for leadership was the tribe, non-Oshiwambo, and the children were listening; the other day you said there can be no black economic empowerment, because whites too are citizens, children were listening, and you awarded tenders to yourselves – the leaders, to your friends, to your proxies, to your children, and you even gave land to yourselves “special category you called it”, you even gave your children Chinese scholarships, and you did all these things in broad daylight while God was watching, you even called your voters demeaning names.

All these things happened, while the children were watching and are watching.

My comrades when we sing “ALERT NAMIBIA” what does it mean to each of us? Take a moment to reflect!

Do you really, really understand the meaning of these revolutionary words, do you really internalise the implications of these words, do you really understand that the melody of this song should reverberate for every Namibian in all 121 Constituencies of our 14 Regions.

This means that if you are a leader today; remember that you are renting the trust and confidence of the people, the ideology and the hope of the country. You are temporary, but the party and the country are forever.

All I intend is to call for genuine unity in our party and our country. I am a young man crying for my generation, for the need for true unity, not lies and deceptions. Let us preach and practice true unity in this Party from President to section leader; let us go out in broad daylight to practice unity.

On the morning of 21 March 1990, I was young, but I remember what Founding President Sam Nujoma said, “…as from today, we are masters of this vast land of our ancestors. The destiny of this country is now fully in our own hands. We should, therefore, look forward to the future with confidence and hope. Taking the destiny of this country in our own hands means, among other things, making a great effort to forge national identity and unity.”

So many in our country and in the structures of Swapo are scared to speak the truth. We are forced to sing praises of lies and propaganda. This is not the type of unity or forging of a national identity that Founding President was referring to. Let us return to the real unity that glued us in 1990. Otherwise, we are confusing the children and we are misleading the country. Namibia belongs to all who live in it and the resources of Namibia must benefit all Namibians.

So many times, you dance to the tunes of Ndilimani Cultural Troupe and some get elected through the rhythm of this dancing and the energetic youth. Yet after the show and the campaign, who cares where we sleep; who cares what we eat; who cares whether there is a decent house for each of us; who really cares whether we live or die? We are still sleeping in the containers given to Ndilimani in 1990.

All Swapo leaders, including the so-called Top 4, know about the situation of Ndilimani.

In the 2014 election campaign we were promised houses by President Geingob – to this day – nothing. Some of the ministers and former central committee members have used Ndilimani's name just to get fishing quotas for themselves, nothing is done about this. This is the absolute truth, we are dancing and singing, yet we are suffering.

I pray that from today, all of us must tell the truth and bury fear. I pray that all of us must remember that Swapo must live longer than all of us; intergenerational equity is in the DNA of Swapo, let us remember that. We need to remind some among us to always remember that Swapo and Namibia is not a bank for self-enrichment at the expense of the masses and our future wellbeing. This is what the Alert Namibia anthem represents to me. I hope it has the same symbolic meaning to you. Swapo, United, Swapo, Victorious –honesty and hard work – NOW!

190 Komsberg homes razed

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190 Komsberg homes razed190 Komsberg homes razed Reed huts burned like wildfire The workers at Komsberg grape farms in Namibia's south have suffered a major setback days before Christmas when 190 homes were burned, and more destroyed in a bid to halt the fire. Komsberg grape farm workers were hit by disaster once more when around 190 reed houses burnt to the ground during a raging fire on Tuesday.

Around 260 workers lost personal belongings in the fire that reportedly started in one of the huts alongside the Orange River and quickly spread to reed structures nearby.

No injuries were reported.

Police officers helped extinguish the fire on the farm some 70 km west of the Ariamsvlei Border Post.

Workers, on their way back from their lunch break, noticed the fire in one hut and alerted management.

Komsberg human resources manager, Hilda Shithigona described the inferno as a disaster, saying the blaze almost destroyed the entire commune.

“It was very hot and in some of the huts, gas cylinders exploded and that fuelled the fire.”

She said workers and other rescuers later destroyed unaffected huts to stop the fire from spreading.

“It was very dangerous and the fire moved very fast. We used fire extinguishers and water but that was not enough, so we destroyed the remaining houses.”

Health assistant on the farm, Leonard Hatzkin told Nampa the nearest water tank ran dry quickly but the fire was doused around 17:00.

“We were all very shocked, but tried our best to help each other rescue the belongings of the workers in some of the burning huts and others alongside the river,” he said.

Karasburg East Constituency Councillor, Dennis Coetzee, Wednesday arrived on the scene with tents and food for the affected. He vented his frustration over the living arrangements of workers on the farm.

Several fires occurred at the farm over the years and in January this year, a flood destroyed dozens of huts. A three-year-old boy drowned and his body is still missing.

Coetzee said it was unacceptable for workers to live in reed structures without proper hygiene and sanitary facilities in an independent Namibia.

This is a historic situation that seemingly can never be resolved, he said.

“Government authorities convened with Komsberg management countless times over housing at the farm, but yet again, the workers find themselves in another perilous situation.”

Shithigona said the company provided food vouchers worth N$200 to those affected and will give a further N$1 500 to replace lost items.

Attempts to reach Komsberg general manager, Jannie Thiaart failed as his mobile phone went unanswered on Wednesday.

NAMPA

Reaching out to Amarika

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Reaching out to AmarikaReaching out to Amarika The Queen and her close circle of friends donate The impoverished community of Amarika, by virtue of the bravery of six young ladies, has been at the receiving end of royal donations. The Queen of Ongandjera Adelheid Mupiya, along with her friends, demonstrated their support to Saara Lukas and five other young ladies who returned to school in their early 20s.

The queen and her friends collected scores of clothing items from Windhoek and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and donated them to the impoverished community of Amarika in solidarity with of young ladies who returned to school.

“What these young ladies have done is worth commending and should receive the support of every Namibian. We organised these donations to show that we are supporting them and would like others to emulate their move. Education is needed for everyone. We also went to encourage their parents and guardians to give them support,” Mupiya said

The wife of a former Namibian diplomat to Malaysia, Maria Shikongo, used her four-year stay in Malaysia to collect clothing. She told Namibian Sun that since she returned home in August this year, she collected scores of clothes, shoes, toys and linens from her friends and colleagues here and abroad for the marginalised people in Namibia.

“I collected and when I returned home I started thinking where to take them. In October I took some items to the Otjomuru, Otjikojo and Ohaihuwa villages in the Kunene Region. When the Queen of Ongandjera who told me the story of the Amarika ladies who returned to school after so many years, we decided to donate to show our support for them and their community at large,” Shikongo said.

She said that some of the items are second-hand, but some are brand new. Like Shikongo, Mupiya also maintained that she collected the clothing items from her friends in Windhoek to donate to marginalised communities in Ongandjera. She said the donation to Amarika was necessitated by the story of Saara Lukas and other ladies who returned back to school after many years of absence.

This year Namibian Sun reported that six young ladies, all former learners of Amarika Primary School resumed school this year after staying home for around ten years because their former school only offered classes to Grade 4. Last year Amarika Primary School was granted immediate curriculum extension approval up to Grade 8 this year and then, Saara Lukas, 23, Ottillie Johannes, 20, Lyidia Ipinge, 19, Josephina Gabriel and Ottillie Jonas, both 17, and Leena Kashenye 16 decided to return back to school to continue their education.

“We were told that some of these ladies have small babies. They leave them at their houses and find them after school. This means that they need our support and apart from the donations we also had time to talk to these ladies and their parents just to motivate them not to drop out, but to work hard. We gave them school uniforms and clothes for them and their babies,” said Mupiya.

Mupiya said to show their support to these community, they donated to every inhabitant of Amarika, young and old. The donation event was attended by Amarika Primary School principal, Abraham Haukelo, Otamanzi councillor Johannes Iyambo, Senia Endjala, an economic planner attached to the Office of the Vice-President and senior leaders of Ongandjera Traditional Authority.

In October, Endjala told Namibian Sun that the Office of Vice-President has offered a N$500 monthly grant as financial support these six young ladies.

ILENI NANDJATO

Mom locked up for trying to kill daughters

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Mom locked up for trying to kill daughters Mom locked up for trying to kill daughters A Walvis Bay woman, who allegedly tried to kill her two daughters with antiretroviral (ARV) medicine two weeks ago, was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted murder.

Meschtilde Musole, 28, allegedly made her two children drink the medicine mixed with water with the intention to overdose and kill them.

The girls are one and six years old.

A police report obtained from Detective Chief Inspector Erastus Iikuyu indicated that Musole intended to kill her daughters because their father allegedly does not support them financially.

She then tried to commit suicide with the same medication.

Iikuyu said before the mother tried the overdose on the ARVs herself, she informed a family member via text message of what she did to the children.

The relative immediately alerted the police, who rushed the children to the Walvis Bay State Hospital.

Musole was arrested on Monday immediately after being discharged from the hospital where the three were treated.

“The children were also discharged and placed in the care of relatives,” said the detective.

Musole was taken to court on Monday, where she was denied bail and the case postponed to 9 February 2017 to allow for further police investigations.

In an unrelated incident, a young man was found dead in a pool of blood next to the Arandis post office on Thursday at about 03:00.

Iikuyu said 18-year-old Prince Gowaseb was stabbed four times.

A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.

The next of kin were informed and police investigations continue.

NAMPA

Fraud accused Chinese secures N$500k bail

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Fraud accused Chinese secures N$500k bailFraud accused Chinese secures N$500k bail Case transferred to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court Prominent lawyer Sisa Namandje has argued strongly against the second arrest of his client. The Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon granted bail of N$500 000 to 48-year-old Chinese-born businessman Hongang Zhu who was arrested early this week on charges of fraud and money laundering and contravening section 9 of the customs and excise act. Magistrate Petrus Nangula granted the bail and postponed the case to 27 December next week, with the case now to be heard in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

Nangula ordered Zhu not to interfere with any state witnesses and that he should not leave the country without the consent of the investigative officer. Zhu is the owner of Glory Building Material Supply in Ondangwa and is said to be a Namibian national.

He was arrested on Monday. However, he did not appear within 48 hours to face his three charges, prompting his release on Wednesday afternoon after the case was struck off the roll.

However, the Namibian police rearrested him yesterday and brought him before the Ondangwa court. During his appearance yesterday, his lawyer Sisa Namandje argued strongly against his second arrest, saying it was unlawful and that the state was making mockery of the justice system. Namandje claimed the court already reached an agreement when it pronounced itself on Wednesday by striking the case off the roll and that his client should be released.

He demanded the state to provide an original copy of the warrant of arrest as the one presented in court was a faxed document. However, the prosecutor Frank Tjibeba argued that the state rearrested Zhu in accordance with the law, saying that it was a new day and a new case with its own case number although the accused person remained the same. This time around Zhu was arrested on charges of fraud and for contravening section 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 28 of 2004 which is about the acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities.

Namandje criticised Tjibeba’s ethics and professionalism saying that what he did qualifies him for disciplinary measures.

Namandje challenged the state to inform the court as to where N $3.5 billion, which his client is being arrested for and reported in the media, comes from. Tjibeba explained that because the case is a Windhoek case the Ondangwa court is not in possession of the case docket and he cannot say where the amount is derived from.

However, in his first submissions he confidently said the amount involved is N$3.5 billion. Namandje argued that the state was not taking the court seriously as they did not have a case docket at hand. Zhu was released on bail and will appear in Windhoek on Tuesday next week.



KENYA KAMBOWE
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