Africa and the begging bowl mindset

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Africa and the begging bowl mindset The new US leader Donald Trump gave a glimpse on how his nation intends to conduct its foreign affairs when he boldly declared “only America first” just moments after taking the oath of office.

Trump's speech has been criticised here and there, with some commentators blasting him for not inspiring hope with what was arguably his most important address to date.

With his “national pride” rhetoric, Trump stated that it was time to protect America from the “ravages” of countries he claims have stolen US jobs.

The Trump presidency's impact on Africa is not clear at this stage, but it seems he is letting his pride get the better of him.

African leaders equally don't know what to expect from a man whom they probably never imagined one day would be the US president.

Trump's election rival Hillary Clinton had made a commitment to Africa. The Obama administration forged strong ties and continued where former president George W. Bush left off with his 2003 President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) that has helped lower HIV/AIDS rates in African countries, including Namibia.

Questions have already been asked by those close to Trump whether PEPFAR was worth the massive investment when there are many security concerns in Africa.

Claims of corruption and maladministration on the part of African nations have also been cited as another concern when it comes to the successful rolling out of the PEPFAR programme.

Be that as it may, we think the time has really come for Africa to follow its own growth path. We need to do more and ditch this aid entitlement mentality.

As a continent that has already suffered from bad political and economic guidance, Africa can ill-afford to rely on foreign aid, which ever so often comes with “terms and conditions”.

It is high time that we step up our economic diplomacy with the West by forging strong trade ties and not dependence on aid.



The new Africa should be about taking a closer look at trade and development partnerships, while ditching the begging bowl mindset that has become so prevalent.

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Action on animals on roads

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Action on animals on roadsStakeholders take hands after spate of fatal crashes A committee has been established address the challenges of animals in road reserves as a matter of urgency. The committee, led by the chairperson of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), Eugene Tendekule and involving stakeholders from the ministries of agriculture, justice and works, the Joint Crime Prevention Forum, the attorney-general's office and the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) met on Friday to discuss the way forward.

According to a NAU newsletter, the committee was established a result of increasing road accidents on national roads involving animals in road reserves, which are claiming many lives. The committee is looking at several alternatives to prevent animals from entering road reserves.

The newsletter pointed out that one of the alternative solutions that were discussed in the meeting is the maintenance of fences of road reserves as well as border fences between farms.

“With the support of the office of the attorney-general, action will be taken to keep animals - all animals - out of road reserves. The Namibian police will play a major role in this regard. It is expected that this action will also be applied across all the national roads in the country,” NAU said.

According to union, the NRSC suggested that the main problem of animals in road reserves is the absence of fences along the national roads. According to the Roads Ordinance No. 122 of 1972 the owners of the farms over which the road stretches, are responsible for the maintenance of the fences and can such owner, who does not maintain his fence, be prosecuted.

The meeting further suggested that maintenance of border fences between farms is also a focal point for many years, especially in many cases where the State is the owner of the land due to the resettlement programme. In this case there is also legislation, namely the Fencing Act of 1922 which is still applicable and which clearly stipulates the responsibility of an owner with regard to maintenance of border fences.

“There are still legal issues need to be ironed out by the attorney-general's office before we pass a legal framework that will be passed into a law. This needs a critical review by legal experts before it can be passed into a law,” Tendekule said.

He continued that the biggest challenge their committee is faced with is areas of operation. He said challenges in communal areas are not the same as challenges in commercial areas. In communal areas there are only domestic animals, while commercial areas there are also wild animals that are found roaming along national roads.

Once be enforced into a law, road users will be responsible of reporting animals to be found within the road reserves to the nearest police station so that will remove them and owners or those who fail to repair the protective fence will be fined.



ILENI NANDJATO

Chinese in court over rhino horns

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Chinese in court over rhino horns The two Chinese nationals who were arrested last week for possession of rhino horns worth more than N$400 000 appeared in court on Monday and their case was postponed to next month.

Yonghui Lu (41) and Nan Chen (29) made their first court appearance before the Windhoek Magistrate's Court.

The two Chinese nationals appeared on charges of possession of and dealing in controlled wildlife products.

The case was postponed to 13 February for a formal bail hearing.

State prosecutor Rowan van Wyk said the two Chinese were in possession of rhino horns valued at N$404 000 and weighing 505kg.

He objected against bail, saying that the suspects are a flight risk and might interfere in the investigation.

Kadhila Amoomo, who appeared on behalf of Chen, said they would request the State for the entire record of proceedings emanating from the search, warrant and the charging as well as the chain of custody as far as the rhino horns are concerned.

The two men were remanded in custody.

They were arrested at around 22:00 on Thursday at Berghoff Flats in Eros, Windhoek, after a joint operation by the Namibian police and Windhoek City Police.

Items found alongside the rhino horns were described as a rhino poaching kit, including hunting rifles, bullets and other items.

The two men had reportedly entered the country from Zambia sometime in the past month.

The Chinese men had allegedly been seen at a popular gambling establishment in Windhoek during the week, flashing large amounts of cash, sources told Namibian Sun. Official confirmation could not be obtained from the police.

The two men appeared before Magistrate Edien Iyambo.

ELLANIE SMIT

Property registration in limbo

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Property registration in limboRumours that dispute at Omatando ongoing While the Ongwediva Town Council says they are starting soon with registration of properties, other sources say a dispute is delaying the process. The Ongwediva Town Council is yet to start with the process of registering properties in the Omatando area despite giving assurances that it would do so in early January.

Although council says they are still busy with the internal procedures to get the ball rolling, Namibian Sun understands that the more than a decade-long land dispute between the Ongwediva Town Council and residents of Omatando still lingers and this has delayed the process.

In October last year, the issue between the residents of Omatando and the Ongwediva Town Council seemed to have been resolved amicably after the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority (OTA) intervened.

However some residents have accused council of not wanting to work with them at a decision-making level.

“Council is not honouring the agreement we had last October where we agreed to work together and now they are not showing any sign of wanting to cooperate. I think a new approach needs to be taken,” a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Meanwhile Ongwediva spokesperson, Jackson Muma said council is still busy with its logistics and that the community should be patient.

Muma however could not give an exact date when the registration of properties will commence. At a media briefing last year in December, he told reporters that the registration of properties for the formalisation process would commence in the second week of January.

Muma was also quoted saying council plans to make sure that all the properties in Omatando 1, 2 and 3 are registered within a period of one month.

At the same briefing, Muma also said home owners were not allowed to sell any plots because the responsibility to handle land sales is solely council's.

“Council is still busy putting together all the logistics necessary to commence the process. The community should be patient,” Muma said.

The council has appealed to the residents of Omatando not to embark on new developments during the registration process so as to allow council to properly plan and coordinate the development.

Council has made a budgetary provision of N$800 000 during the 2016/17 financial year toward the formalisation of Omatando adding that provision will be made for more funding if it is needed. According to sources, council plans to make use of about 10 residents from the area in the registration exercise.

According to Muma, the registration exercise will not include the valuation of the assets but will only register the number of assets which the owners have and how many people live in each homestead.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Young man drowns at Mole

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Young man drowns at Mole A 28-year-old man from Mondesa drowned at the Mole in Swakopmund on Sunday afternoon.

According to Detective Chief Inspector Erastus Iikuyu, David Thomas was swimming north of the Mole with his brother and friends when he ended up in deep water.

Thomas's brother tried to help but then swam to shore to save himself and to sound the alarm. Emergency services were called at 15:50 and responded in full force. A crowd of onlookers quickly gathered at the scene. According to the West Coast Safety Initiative an initial search and rescue operation was conducted by the Sea Rescue Institute of Namibia [SRIN]. This operation was scaled down to a search and recovery operation and SRIN divers were called to search for the body.

The search proved to be futile due to a strong undertow and poor visibility, and the matter was handed over to the police.

The chief of the Swakopmund fire brigade, Adri Goosen, said yesterday that the search for Thomas's body would resume today. “Rescue workers will search the beach area north of Mile 4 as members of the public usually walk on the beaches south of this area,” he said.

JESSICA BOTES

D-day for illegal carwashes

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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D-day for illegal carwashes A citywide operation to shut down illegal carwashes in public spaces such as pavements and driveways will begin today, the Windhoek City Police confirmed yesterday.

The campaign will also target those violating City bylaws by providing illegal water or electrical connections to these operations. It was set to start yesterday but last-minute planning sessions caused a delay. According to a City of Windhoek technician, it is difficult to estimate the number of illegal carwashes in the city, but there are at least 300. They are hard to pin down though, as they move around. The municipality has warned that anyone found operating an illegal car wash in public areas such as pavements or road reserves will be shut down immediately. The City Police will disconnect water connections and fine those operating the business as well as those supplying the water. Fines will range from N$1 000 to N$2 000, including reconnection fees. A second campaign is being planned to tackle unlicensed carwashes operated from residential properties. The City of Windhoek yesterday again urged car-wash owners to ensure that they are in possession of the relevant fitness certificates and that they do not operate in residential zones. The City urged business owners to contact the City of Windhoek for more information to ensure that they comply with the law and don't face a shutdown in March, when the second campaign will begin.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Fourth poaching suspect nabbed

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Fourth poaching suspect nabbedNo bail for David Stephanus A fourth man has been charged with the killing of two rhinos and wounding of another two on a farm near Gobabis in December. A fourth suspect implicated in last month's Gobabis rhino poaching case, in which two white rhinos were killed and two critically wounded, was denied bail yesterday.

David Stephanus (35) appeared before the Gobabis Magistrate's Court on charges of illegal hunting of specially protected game, possession of an unlicensed firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and illegal possession of game meat.

Stephanus, along with three other men, including murder, robbery and rhino-poaching accused Gerson Kandjii (51), stand accused of illegally entering a farm near Gobabis on 22 December and shooting a white rhino bull and cow, who was in the process of giving birth.

They further wounded another bull and cow who managed to flee, sustaining serious wounds but surviving the onslaught.

The men sawed off the horns of the dead rhino, which have not been retrieved to date.

A fifth suspected reportedly remains on the run.

Police said when they arrested Stephanus last week, on 17 January, four legs from an illegally hunted Damara Dik-Dik as well as a hunting rifle were found in his possession. His case has been attached to the poaching case of Kandjii, the former physiotherapist for the Brave Warriors, Erwin Tjiteere (37) and Domingo Justice Moma (32).

All have been charged under the Nature Conservation Ordinance, hunting of specially protected game, under which the accused could face a maximum jail term of 20 years, a fine of N$200 000, or both. State prosecutor Salomon Kanyemba yesterday objected to bail and the case was postponed to 31 March, when Stephanus will join Kandjii, Moma and Tjiteere in the dock.

Stephanus yesterday indicated that he will engage the legal services of a private lawyer from the law firm Kruger, Van Vuuren &Co legal practitioners in Windhoek.

The other three accused have applied for legal aid.

In January, Kandjii was also charged with illegal possession of ammunition after the police discovered 46 cartridges for a hunting rifle in his possession. That case was postponed to 12 April.

Stephanus was linked to Kandjii in a previous case dating back to a rhino poaching investigation in 2014.

Kandjii is also linked with Moma and Tjiteere in a murder and robbery case dating back to the killing of Reinhard Schmidt on the hunting farm Hoodia in the Kalkrand District in February.

Together with three others, Stephanus and Kandjii were arrested in November 2014 for poaching critically endangered black rhinos in Etosha National Park.

They were additionally charged with possession of a firearm without licence and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Police at the time reported that they had seized tens of thousands of dollars when the gang was arrested.

Both men were released on bail and failed to return to court in August 2016, following which a warrant of arrest was issued. Nevertheless the men were not rearrested.

That case has been postponed to 27 February at Okahao.

The remaining fugitive in the Gobabis poaching case is also reportedly linked to the Schmidt murder case, according to reliable sources.

All the suspects in the Schmidt case were released on N$5 000 bail in November 2015, sparking public protest. The Kalkrand murder case will continue on 16 March.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Poachers strike at Otjiwa Game Ranch

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Poachers strike at Otjiwa Game Ranch Barely a month into the new year, the first rhino poaching in Namibia has been reported.

When photos of yet another rhino killed by poachers were posted on Facebook yesterday the news spread like wildfire and the international and Namibian community expressed outrage about the ongoing problem and urging the government to take action.

This time a white rhino was shot and left for dead at Otjiwa Game Farm near Otjiwarongo. The poachers did not get away with the horn, but it was removed post-mortem.

According to the owner, WP Barnard, it is suspected that the rhino was killed at the weekend.

He said they found the carcass of the rhino cow on Monday afternoon at 16:00 after searching for her for several days.

Barnard said the rhino had an eight-month-old calf. After not seeing her for several days they started searching the area and found the calf about ten metres from its dead mother.





Barnard said it appeared that the cow was wounded and managed to get away from the poachers before dying.



It is uncertain when exactly she was shot and when she died.



“We searched for her for about three days,” he said.



He express sadness over the loss of the animal and added that the calf was receiving special attention and care.



By yesterday afternoon investigations were continuing at the scene.



The police spokesperson for the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha, confirmed that the police were investigating the case.



Barnard said the farm had not had any problems with poaching in recent years. One rhino was poached there in 1994 and two more in 2006.



Statistics released by the environment ministry showed that 63 rhino were killed in 2016, 91 in 2015, and 61 in 2014. This is the first poaching for 2017.



A N$10 000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the poachers.

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Namibia's candidate for AU post faces uphill battle

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Namibia's candidate for AU post faces uphill battle Namibia has thrown its weight behind Botswana's foreign affairs minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi to replace the outgoing Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as African Union Commission chairperson.

South Africa's Dlamini-Zuma, who was also supported by Namibia when she took over in 2012, is planning to contest for the post of South African president and won't seek a second term at the AU.

The elections will take place during the 28th ordinary session of the AU, which starts on 30 January.

With the elections fast approaching, some political commentators believe that the Botswana candidate does not stand a good chance owing to her country's reputation when it comes to continental affairs. Professor Shadrack Gutto of Unisa also believes that Dlamini-Zuma's failure to stay for a second term may have damaged SADC's chances. He further argues that Botswana President Ian Khama's outspokenness may be an obstacle for Moitoi's candidature.

“Botswana has a problem engaging with the African Union and its president is often seen disagreeing with African leaders. I doubt that any candidate from there will get a good vote,” he said.

In 2013 Botswana differed with the rest of the AU member states when it was argued that the International Criminal Court was unfairly targeting African leaders.





The Botswana president has also been calling for Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to step down, much to the chagrin of many African leaders.

Gutto believes that the real race will between Amina Mohamed of Kenya and Senegalese Abdoulaye Bathily. The other candidates for the AU top seat are Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad and Agapito Mba Mokuy of Equatorial Guinea.



Intense lobbying

Kenya and Chad have been lobbying Namibia, with Mohamed personally visiting President Hage Geingob at his Swakopmund residence last year.

A Chad delegation called on Vice-president Nickey Iyambo in Windhoek this week. Gutto argues that the gender card won't work for Moitoi and could even affect Mohamed's candidature.

“In terms of gender leadership, Amina would have had a head start but South Africa has disappointed by having a woman who is not going for a second term. People will be asking what it does with its chances for women. It will therefore be difficult to push for gender because it gives the impression that countries can just pull out their female candidates whenever they pleases,” says Gutto.



He believes that Bathily is likely to come out tops.



“He is an intellectual and a diplomat. I believe he is the most experienced for this job but I will also welcome Amina. She is very competent.”







SADC vote



Local political commentator Andrew Niikondo differs with Gutto, saying Moitoi's candidacy will not be affected by her president's outspokenness.



Niikondo emphasised that she will, however, be a good candidate because of Botswana's good reputation in terms of governance.



“Botswana is seen as a leading example of good governance in the African context and she will be respected for that especially if she takes that to the AU level,” said Niikondo, who believes that all 14 SADC member states will be backing the Botswana candidate.







Second chance



Moitoi who was regarded a “little-known” candidate failed to make it during the elections at the 27th AU summit in Kigali, Rwanda in July last year.



Elections were suspended as none of the three candidates could secure a two-thirds majority.



At the time only Moitoi, Equatorial Guinea's Mba Mokuy and Specioza Kazibwe from Uganda stood for elections. Kazibwe has since decided not to run for the top post.





JEMIMA BEUKES

Father Katenda quits

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Father Katenda quitsAnglican church suspends his licence The popular priest claims he was bullied and intimidated by unnamed elders opposed to his preaching style. Questions are mounting in the wake of the resignation of a popular and outspoken priest, Lukas Kaluwapa Katenda, from the Anglican Church of Namibia.

Katenda tendered his resignation, which is effective 1 January 2017, to the Anglican Diocese of Namibia presiding bishop Luke Pato.

The 39-year-old Katenda told Namibian Sun yesterday that he decided to quit the church because he had been bullied and intimidated by unnamed elders in the church. He said he resigned as a priest according to the manner and form as prescribed by Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, which is part of the Anglican Diocese of Namibia.

He maintained that he will never relinquish the priesthood of the general Anglican Church, adding that his resignation was limited to the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and not other parts of the Anglican Church worldwide.

Katenda said his resignation was fuelled by bullying, lies, slander, character assassination and intimidation he suffered as a way to oppose his biblical preaching.

“My preaching style has been between the Catholic and Evangelical affiliates, but they have been opposing it and restricting me to their so-called tradition of Catholic, which is more on rituals than biblical. When I refused, they said I violated their Anglican tradition.”

Last year, Katenda challenged Pato, who is a South African, for the position of Anglican Diocese of Namibia presiding bishop. He lost.

At the time Katenda was serving as the church's secretary and treasurer. The Diocese of Namibia is part of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

“I appeal to my friends to remain calm and collected. There is nothing unusual in this case. As far as biblical and church history is concerned, there is nothing new. We should remember that God uses unprecedented things in order to prepare people for tasks ahead,” Katenda told more than 4 000 of his Facebook friends on Sunday.

On the same day, the different parishes and church members were notified of Katenda's resignation through a statement by Pato, who insisted that his priesthood licence was also suspended and that he was no longer allowed to perform sacred duties in the church. “Because he is no longer a licensed priest in the Anglican Diocese of Namibia and in the Anglican church of Southern Africa, Reverend Katenda cannot officiate, or perform a priestly duty by, for example, conducting or preaching at an Anglican service in any form and in any of the parish churches in our diocese and in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa,” said Pato.

“What this means is that he can attend services of the Anglican Church, if he so wishes, and simply sit in the pews.”

The presiding bishop added that Katenda's resignation had been accepted by the church, and the Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Thabo Makgoba, had been informed. “The archbishop was also excruciatingly pained to hear of this news,” he said.

Pato further explained to Namibian Sun that Katenda's licence was suspended because he chose to resign on his own.

“He resigned and that is why we suspended his licence. It is just like in any other profession. He must just stay away from our practices and services. We accepted his resignation without any negotiation because he was not forced to do it. We are just saddened because he is a good priest and church leader,” Pato said.

Not guilty, says Dippenaar

January 24, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Not guilty, says DippenaarClaims to have no memory of crash Jandré Dippenaar pleaded not guilty and told the court he cannot remember anything immediately before, during or after a car crash that killed six people. Jandré Dippenaar, 32, accused of killing six people in a gruesome crash on 29 December 2014, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

In the Swakopmund Regional Court, he told Magistrate Gaynor Poulton that he was not guilty on six counts of murder, one count of reckless and negligent driving, alternatively inconsiderate driving, one count of fraud, alternatively furnishing false information, and a charge of driving a vehicle without a valid licence.

In his plea explanation, read into the record by his counsel, Advocate Louis Botes, Dippenaar says he has no memory of what happened before, during or after the accident.

“Due to my frustration at my inability to remember anything, I have sought the assistance of a clinical psychologist. I am still in therapy in this regard. To date, I still cannot recall anything that happened immediately before, during or after the accident near Henties Bay,” Dippenaar said.

He did however, admit that he drove the Toyota FJ Cruiser on that day.

In his plea explanation he said he first met Dina Pretorius, the owner of the Toyota, on 13 December 2014 in Windhoek.

“On 18 December we enjoyed an evening together at my home in Windhoek and there we agreed that we would travel together to the coast the next day.”

He told the court that a relationship had developed between them.

“She was the person I wanted to share my life with,” Dippenaar said.

On the day of the crash, he told the court that he, Pretorius, Charlene Schoombe and JC Horn, all of whom were passengers in the vehicle, travelled to Langstrand at 06:00 that morning to spend time in the dunes with friends.

“Everyone enjoyed a few drinks. I only had one, which I did not finish. I wanted to put my best foot forward because of my developing relationship with Pretorius and because my parents were also present. I did not want to embarrass them and the vehicle I was driving was not mine.”

At 15:30, the group returned to Henties Bay. Freddy Mills, the first witness called by the State, testified that he had called the Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch on 29 December 2014 to report reckless driving by Dippenaar.

“He overtook vehicles several times while cars were approaching and he was driving at high speed. When he passed me, I took down the registration number of the vehicle and called Karel van der Merwe of the neighbourhood watch,” Mills said.

Dippenaar denied this allegation, saying he only overtook when it was safe to do so.

Allegedly, Dippenaar was warned by members of the Swakopmund traffic department to drive more carefully.

The trial continues.

JESSICA BOTES

13 tusks found in Kavango East

January 25, 2017, 3:35 am

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13 tusks found in Kavango East Thirteen elephant tusks were discovered yesterday night in the Kavango East Region near Tjova village, during a joint operation between the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Namibian police. Three suspects, two Angolan nationals and one Namibian were arrested. Two further suspects fled the scene and have not been apprehended. The origin of the tusks as well as their value, are unknown at this stage and authorities say investigations are ongoing. Of late, there have been several elephant poaching incidents reported with predominantly carcasses recovered by authorities.

ELLANIE SMIT

Otjiwa rhino not poached

January 25, 2017, 7:28 am

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Otjiwa rhino not poached The Ministry of Environment and Tourism released a statement with regards the poaching incident on Otjiwa Game Ranch near Otjiwarongo on 23 January. According to the ministry's public relations officer Romeo Muyunda, there is no evidence that poaching ever took place.
"The ministry has conducted an investigation in this case and preliminary findings indicate that there is no evidence the rhino was poached."
The carcass of the dead animal was scanned for ballistic evidence and no signs of foul play could be found.
"The carcass has a wound that could be as a result of fighting with another rhino," Muyunda said.
Of great concern, is that the horn of the rhino was intact at the time the carcass was discovered and it was allegedly removed postmortem.
Investigations continue.

STAFF REPORTER

Unam freezes hiring

January 25, 2017, 7:43 am

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Unam freezes hiring The University of Namibia has today announced that it has with immediate effect frozen the recruitment of new employees.
In an internal memo sent to senior staff at the university, vice-chancellor Lukas Hangula said all vacancies and new positions, including those that were already approved, should be put on hold.
“No new position will be advertised without the approval by the vice-chancellor,” read the memo.
The university has announced that no employment agreements must be entered into between any part-time staff members and Unam without the approval by the vice-chancellor as recommended by various heads at the institution.
“Detailed motivations must be submitted to the human resources directorate for critical (approved) urgent positions (full-time and part-time positions), for review by management bi-weekly or as required, depending on the need and urgency of such.


STAFF REPORTER

No salary for NPL exco members

January 25, 2017, 2:00 pm

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No salary for NPL exco membersConstitution designed to cut costs The Namibia Premier League is strategising how to spend less money on pay packages. The new draft constitution of the Namibia Premier League (NPL) does not allow the executive committee members to be paid by the league, Namibian Sun can reveal.

Last week, this newspaper reported that the new constitution will dismantle the existing management committee, replacing it with an executive committee consisting of eight to nine members.

The constitution will be discussed and is expected to be adopted at the NPL's extraordinary AGM taking place on 4 February.

The management committee currently consists of chairman Johnny Doeseb, Cassius Moetie, Tim Isaacs, Mabos Vries and Kenneth Gaoseb.

“The exco members will not be full-time office staff and will therefore not be paid by the league in view of the fact that the constitution does not make any provision for that,” a reliable source said.

The draft apparently gives delegates to the extraordinary AGM the power to nominate executive committee members.

NPL spokesperson Cassius Moetie declined to comment on the information, saying that it would be premature and risky to talk about things that had not yet been discussed by NPL members.

“I can however tell you that the NPL with sponsored funds, which we must secure as a matter of urgency, will be used for the remuneration of full-time employees,” Moetie said. The information came in the wake of news that NPL chairman Johnny Doeseb had assured a local daily newspaper that he would announce a sponsorship soon, following a war of words with NFA president Frans Mbidi.

The league parted ways with its former sponsor, MTC, at the end of the 2015/16 season after the telecommunications company decided to end the relationship.

The reason was that the league had failed to raise the additional N$9 million that was required.

“I seriously have no idea of any sponsor which my chairman said he will announce soon and therefore will not be able to speak on that matter,” Moetie said.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

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Volleyball For All launched

January 25, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Volleyball For All launched The 34th edition of the Windhoek Draught DTS Volleyball For All was officially launched yesterday.

This year's tournament will see about 240 mixed teams competing at the DTS club in Olympia on 4 February.

Speaking at the launch, Nico Gericke of Namibia Breweries said the company had always been a keen sponsor of sporting events.

“We hope that this association will encourage participants to preserve and have fun regardless of the figure on the scoreboard,” he said. DTS chairman Werner Gouws expressed gratitude for the support making it possible to host a successful event every year.

He said the tournament had been growing over the years and a lot of people wanted to take part.

“This is a great event that brings a lot of people together and I call on people to come and have fun on that day,” he said.

Namibia Volleyball Federation president Gunther Rust said Volleyball For All was an event that continued to attract a lot of people. He said the event promoted the game and allowed people to showcase their talent, while some tried the game for the first time and ended up enjoying it.

Rust thanked Windhoek Draught for the sponsorship and called on the public to make their way to Olympia for a fun day.

Mixed six-a-side teams can enter. Two women are required to be on the court at all times and only two regular or registered players are allowed per team.

Entries close today, or when the maximum of 240 teams is reached.

KAINO NGHITONGO

VRK Academy starts

January 25, 2017, 2:00 pm

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VRK Academy startsKatjaimo continues with football dream The founder of the VRK Sports Management Company wants to do more for the youth this year. The Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo (VRK) football academy has commenced its operations for the 2017 calendar year.

The football academy was launched last year with the aim to enhance the skills of young and upcoming football players.

Speaking in an interview yesterday Katjaimo said: “We officially opened our doors for young players this week.

“I am happy with the turnout so far and will love to encourage the parents of these children to stay committed towards sending their children to our football academy.

“We have big plans at the moment, because all our teams will be part of the HopSol league which was launched by former footballer Colin Benjamin.”

Katjaimo's academy caters to age groups from under-9 to under-19 and holds its training sessions at the St Barnabas Primary School in Katutura. When it started its training camp, the academy hosted more than 90 children from various locations in Windhoek.

Training takes place on Tuesdays to Thursdays at the St Barnabas Primary School, opposite Football House.

Each player is obligated to pay a fee of N$100 a month.

Brave Gladiators skipper Mamie Kasaona is currently coaching the young players at the academy.

“I have decided to do more with the VRK Sports Management programme by travelling to various places around the country to focus on a mentorship programme,” Katjaimo said.

“I will be looking for sports icons with knowledge in an attempt to educate many people on the importance of sport and how it can be used to improve education.

“Kasoana and many others will now be directly responsible for the academy, which falls under the VRK Sports Management company,” Katjaimo said.

Katjaimo who also reports on sport for the NBC Otjiherero radio service, said sport was something close to his heart and he was not in it for the money.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Trade union weighs in on football matters

January 25, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Trade union weighs in on football matters The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) on Tuesday led a delegation of affiliated labour organisations to meet National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi and appeal to his office to rescue local football.

Speaking at a media briefing in Windhoek following their closed-door meeting, Tucna secretary-general Mahongora Kavihuha said parliament had a duty to oversee the work of the cabinet, hence the stakeholders in football and the Namibia Football Players' Union (Nafpu) decided to seek intervention from the National Assembly.

“Following the pronunciations by President Hage Geingob last year on the problems being faced by Namibian football, we decided to bring our concerns to parliament with the hope that they get referred to a specific parliamentary committee.”

This committee, he said, should engage stakeholders to develop a mediation procedure and resuscitate football in Namibia.

The Namibia Premier League was put on hold after its main sponsor, Mobile Telecommunications Limited, withdrew funding in August last year after the league administration failed to meet goals set by MTC.

Geingob said during the Harambee Prosperity Plan mid-term performance review in December that the government would not get involved in the problems faced by local football, as the International Federation of Football Associations (Fifa) did not allow politicians to meddle in the sport.

Kavihuha said parliament could initiate this mediation process by requesting submissions from stakeholders such as the Namibia Football Association, Namibia Premier League, Nafpu, current and former players, current and former sponsors, the sport ministry, football fans and the public to come up with a grand plan and solve the current football crisis.

Nafpu president Sylvester 'Lolo' Goraseb said the fact that no football was being played in Namibia was a “national crisis”.

“It reflects very negatively on the image of our nation,” he said.



NAMPA

Valencia club affairs called to change

January 25, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Valencia club affairs called to changeMendieta wants Lim to change tack at Valencia Valencia has been accused of not building for the future by a former player who spent nine years with them. Former Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes owner Peter Lim needs to adopt a more long-term approach to running the club, as they teeter above the La Liga relegation zone.

Valencia has gone through five coaches and three sporting directors in Lim's two-and-a-half-year tenure, with Cesare Prandelli and Jesus Garcia Pitarch the latest figures to give up the respective roles.

Voro Gonzalez is now in his fifth stint as caretaker coach at the Mestalla and with Valencia three places above the bottom three.

“The owners should maybe change the way they're running the club, because it's definitely not working,” Mendieta said.

“When managers keep coming and going, when people on the football side keep leaving, this is not a good sign. That means the owners are not giving stability to the club.

“It's not a club that in the last two years has had any consistency and football needs that. Players coming and going, all the players on loan, is something that needs to be arranged,” Mandieta said

Valencia finished fourth at the end of Lim's first season in 2015, but slipped to 12th last season and could now face a relegation battle, albeit having witnessed an upturn in results under Voro.

Supporters took to the streets to call for his departure after the recent 4-1 Copa del Rey defeat by Celta Vigo and fans on social media have rallied around the hashtag #LimGoHome.

Mendieta, blond-haired star of the Valencia team that reached the Champions League final in 2000 and 2001, thinks there are not enough people at boardroom level with a feel for what the club means.

“It seems from outside there's not enough football people in the club, especially now the sporting director has left,” said Mendieta.

“Through my experience, I don't see in the club people who know the club and the city and the country and the league well enough to make football decisions.

“But Peter Lim is a mega-successful businessman, so I'm not going to tell him what to do.”

Mendieta also offered words of support for his compatriot Aitor Karanka, who is managing another of his former clubs, Middlesbrough.

Karanka hit out at fans after Boro's 3-1 loss at home to West Ham United in the Premier League last Saturday.

Karanka is reported to have expressed regret over his outburst to club officials, but Mendieta feels he was within his rights to speak out.

“I think every manager is allowed to say whatever he wants, especially if you feel fans are not really supporting your team when you most need them.

“In the same way that fans have the right to express their opinion and maybe say: 'Play in a certain way.

“Fans have to understand that the team has been working in a way, not only for that week, (but) for years or for months. If they want to play that way, it's for a reason.”

NAMPA/AFP

Cuba and Hungary strengthen sports ties

January 25, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Cuba and Hungary strengthen sports ties Representatives from Cuba and Hungary inked an agreement to promote the development of sports between their two nations on Tuesday.

The document was signed by Antonio Becalli, president of Cuba's National Sports Institute (Inder), and Tunde Szabo, Secretary of State for Sports Affairs of the European country. Szabo, silver medallist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and captain at the World Swimming Championships in Perth, Australia 1991, stressed that through the new deal, her country and Cuba could take advantage of their mutual know-how in the sports arena. She added that Hungary aspires to hold the Olympic Games in 2024, and also wants to implement a programme of “Sports for all,” an endeavour in which Cuba has a great deal of experience. For his part, Becalli told reporters that the two countries have a historical connection in the area of sports collaboration. “Many of Cuba's doctors in science studied in Hungary, and later they were the pioneers in the theory of sports training in our country,” the president of Inder recalled. He added that the agreement will allow the sharing of common projects between the two countries, running through the area of human resources, which is important for the sports development, and collaboration in sports training across different disciplines. .







NAMPA/XINHUA