Namibian Sun

Hunger drives kids homeFree meals keep children at school A lack of food at schools has led to children dropping out.

Rural schools in the Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions have reported a significant number of learner dropouts after halting the school feeding programme.

The permanent secretary of the education ministry, Sanet Steenkamp, confirmed that the ministry had suspended the school feeding programme because of transport problems. Steenkamp confirmed that the programme was there to keep learners in school.

Schools in these regions started recording a high rate of absenteeism when the feeding programme was stopped. Over time that led to a high school dropout rate.

The schools had registered a large number of learners at the start of the previous academic year, which slowly dwindled as the year progressed.

This was also confirmed by the governor of the Oshikoto Region, Henock Kankoshi, last week. He said 1 768 learners had dropped out of school in the region last year.

Kankoshi said most of them dropped out in the third term after the school feeding programme was suspended.

“The school feeding programme for Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto was suspended last year due to transportation problems, but it resumed this academic year. The programme is crucial because it reduces absenteeism and hunger and school dropouts,” Steenkamp said.

Not all principals agreed with Steenkamp, saying that the feeding programme had not yet resumed this year and that was keeping children at home.

“The programme was suspended after the ministry failed to pay the transport companies that delivered food to the circuit offices. We understand that this has not been solved yet and we are still faced with the challenge of absenteeism,” one school principal told Namibian Sun.

“Some parents started coming to school to enquire what happened to the feeding programme. They are saying that their children started complaining that there was hunger at school and that is why they were not attending. As the period without food continues, they eventually dropped out of school altogether.”

Steenkamp told Namibian Sun that the national school feeding programme was introduced as an intervention to increase enrolment rates and reduce absenteeism.

The programme was first introduced in 1996 with support from the World Food Programme (WFP).

“The aim is to improve access to education, enhance performance and respond to the nutritional and general health of children,” she said.

“This programme is effective because it relieves short-term hunger and thus enables learners to attend school and pay attention in classes. The meal provided at school is a maize blend consisting of maize meal, sugar, salt and added protein.”

Steenkamp said this year 330 000 learners and 1 398 schools were registered as beneficiaries of the programme.

ILENI NANDJATO

Namwater act on water demand
The situation of last year when water taps ran dry in some parts of the north forced The Namibian water utility (NamWater) to construct a new water reservoir.

NamWater is busy with the constructing a 13 500 m3 new water reservoir in Oshakati to secure water security in Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions on the tune of N$33 million.

According to NamWater’s head of communication, Johannes Shingwedha, population in these three regions has increased and they all depend to the Oshakati purification plant.
“Population in these areas is increasing putting stress on the current water reservoirs to the point that it is no longer possible to have 48 hours stand - by period as is the policy of the Water Utility,” Shingwedha explained.

Shingwedha said that the six phased construction that started on 09 May last year is in its final phase which is expected to be completed by 27 July. He said the project has created employment opportunity to 91 skilled and unskilled workers.

From August to November last year most parts of the northern regions of Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena have experienced an unprecedented water shortage. Taps in areas at the end-points of the supply such as Omuthiya, Eenhana, Omuntele and Okankolo were running dry.

Namwater said this was due to the increased demand of water consumption in the north as more water was consumed than normal due to drought. These forced Namwater to mobilize resources to increase water transfer in the area.

MTC puts NPL rumour to bedCompany unhappy with lies MTC has advised Namibia Premier League (NPL) officials to avoid appearing in the media for the wrong reasons, and to unite to save football instead.

Former Namibia Premier League sponsor MTC yesterday warned that rumours about it sponsoring the league will further tarnish the image of the NPL.

This came after senior NPL officials once again hinted yesterday that the telecommunication company was considering resuming the relationship.

It was said that MTC would only sponsor the needed N$15 million if league chairman Johnny Doeseb stepped down.

That came a few weeks after a similar report appeared in a local daily newspaper about a potential sponsorship from MTC.

MTC spokesperson Tim Ekandjo expressed disappointment at the ongoing rumours.

He said MTC was exhausted by the rumours and would make a final statement to put any speculations to bed.

“MTC has always been a very transparent brand when it comes to communication around our sponsorships and other investments.

“While we are aware that there are so many rumours out there, we would like to urge the football community to refrain from such rumours as they only tarnish the image of football, and further give potential investors more reasons not to invest in the beautiful game.

“You would recall that MTC parted ways with the NPL last year. The reasons were clearly explained at a joint press conference between MTC and NPL.

“MTC has ever since not made any comment or statement with regard to returning to the league, and our position remains the same,” Ekandjo said.

Ekandjo rubbished allegations that the company wanted NPL chairman Johnny Doeseb out.

He said something of that nature would be blatant interference in football, as executive members were elected by the football leadership.

“MTC will not under any circumstances get involved in the internal politics of football or any other sports code.

“We have had the pleasure and privilege of having been associated with the NPL for the past 14 years. That relationship has come to an end, and we have absolutely no regrets.”

Ekandjo advised the football community to unite now more than ever.

He said unity could prevent the present back-biting and name-calling, which did not benefit the players.

“No responsible corporate will invest so much money in a divided organisation.

“The leadership in football need to be mindful that potential investors are monitoring the situation, and it is up to them to either build the brand or burn it to ashes,” he said.

Namibia Premier League spokesperson Cassius Moetie declined to comment on the matter.

“I am not in any position to talk about this sponsorship rumours at the moment.

“The understanding between the chairman and I is that he will deal with these matters directly and I wish to respectfully refer you to the NPL chairman to verify and comment on your enquiries,” Moetie said.

Doeseb could not be reached for comment before our print deadline.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Absa and PSL launch new award Absa, sponsors of South Africa's Absa Premiership, together with the Premier Soccer League, on Wednesday launched an exciting new addition to the monthly recognition awards - the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month.

For the first time in Premiership history, power is being taken away from the panel of judges and given to the football supporters and members of the public in general in deciding the winner for the Absa-lutely Goal of the Season.

The journey to the PSL Awards started on Wednesday with the voting for the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month. All the monthly goals are now available on www.PSL.co.za and the public can start voting.

David Wingfield, head of marketing for Barclays Africa Group Limited, said: “Absa seeks to use this opportunity to involve and engage more with the football fans and continue connecting them with their passion of the beautiful game.

“This is in line with our strategy of allowing South Africans to do life better. We are allowing football fans to do football, just better by voting for their Goal of the Month and ultimately the Premiership Goal of the Season.” Each of the goals selected during the monthly voting will go towards the list of goals that will be voted for the Premiership Goal of the Season at the end of the season.

Football supporters can vote for the Goal of the Month starting with August/September 2016 and stand a chance to win many prizes including a jersey of their favourite PSL club.

NAMPA/ANA

Women's league continues

The Swakopmund Women's Soccer League (SWSL) will resume on Saturday.

League officials and regional sports officers in the Erongo Region last weekend held trials to select a team that will compete against the national women's football team, the Brave Gladiators, at the 2017 Namibian Newspaper Cup. The annual youth football cup will be held in Swakopmund in the Erongo Region over the Easter weekend. The second leg of the SWSL kicked off at the end of January after a two-month break, with Dragon City continuing their dominance. The league's chairperson, Wilson Nguvauva, told Nampa on Wednesday he was happy with the players' current fitness level and expected improved football over the weekend. Nguvauva said most players were 60 to 70 percent fit. “We saw good skills being displayed by some of these players during the Under-20 regional team selection,” he said. Nguvauva called on people in Swakopmund to go to the football fields over the weekend and support the teams. The amateur women's football league was established in June 2015, with eight football teams all based in Swakopmund.

Kavetu Football Club (KFC) from Arandis joined the league with two teams (KFC A and KFC B).

Dragon City, Namib Daughters, Dream Team, Swakopmund Sport Development Club (SSDC), African Queens and Chelsea are all based in Swakopmund.

Namib Daughters were crowned champions in the league's maiden season.

Saturday's fixtures:

Namib Daughters vs Dragon City at 11:00

African Queens vs Namibia Daughter at 13:00

Kavetu FC vs Dream Team at 12:00, Arandis

NAMPA

DebMarine action continues this weekendCompetition picks up Action in the 2017 DebMarine Namibia Cup continues this weekend at Gobabis, Katima Mulilo, Rosh Pinah, Tsumeb, Ohangwena, Oshakati and Swakopmund.

The DebMarine NFA Cup returns this weekend as several clubs gun for qualification.

In a media statement issued Wednesday, the Namibia Football Association confirmed it is all systems go in those towns.

Action at the Legare sports stadium in Gobabis, Omaheke Region, starts at 11:00 on Saturday. The final is expected on Sunday at 17:00.

In the Zambezi Region, action in the semi-final stage continues at the Katima Mulilo sports complex from 07:00 Saturday, following last weekend's games that produced 30 goals in nine matches played.

King Fischer takes on Bucks Bucks in the first semi-final, followed by the second semi-final between Katima Wanderers and Namib Chiefs.

The final will be played at 16:00 on Saturday.

In the Oshikoto Region, the elimination round will take place at the Nehale stadium from 07:00 on Saturday, with the final taking place on Sunday at 15:00.

The Vineta stadium will be a hive of action with the Erongo leg of the elimination round. Action kicks off on Saturday at 08:00 and the final will take place on Sunday at 18:00.

In Ohangwena, all roads lead to Ohangwena stadium from 07:00 on Saturday. The finals there are expected on Sunday at 16:00.

The Mweshipandeka Secondary School in the Oshana Region will be the place to be, with regional clubs fighting it out to represent their region in the Round of 32 proper from Saturday at 08:00.

The final will take place on Sunday in the Oshakati Independence Stadium at 21:00.

The DebMarine Namibia Cup started last weekend with the knockout rounds in the first and second divisions, before the last 32 teams, including the 16 Namibia Premier League (NPL) teams, battle it out for further progression.

The regional winner will pocket N$20 000 with the losing finalist winning N$10 000, and both semi-final losers receiving N$5 000 each.

NAMPA

Super Rugby introduces disciplinary review committee NAMPA / REUTERS

A permanent three-man committee will review all incidents of foul play in Super Rugby this year in an effort to bring more consistency to the disciplinary process, southern hemisphere rugby bosses said on Thursday.

The three-man panel, headed by New Zealand's Nigel Hampton, will review all disciplinary procedures recommended by match citing commissioners and make an initial determination as to whether a player is to be sanctioned.

Players will then have the opportunity to accept the recommendation or continue to a formal disciplinary hearing.

Under the previous process, players faced a disciplinary hearing after being cited by the match commissioner.

"The new process is the result of the identification of certain challenges within the application of an effective and consistent judicial process," SANZAAR Chief Executive Andy Marinos said in a statement.

"SANZAAR believes Super Rugby has unique challenges across six territories and 15 time zones and the enhanced Super Rugby judicial process will deliver a more streamlined and effective system for teams and a more consistent outcome."

Australia's John Langford and Stefan Terblanche from South Africa are also on the committee.

The Super Rugby season begins on Feb. 23 when the Melbourne Rebels host the Auckland Blues.

Ancelotti backs Wenger to beat Arsenal slumpThe Arsene curse continues Arsenal are on the verge of exiting the Champions League once again after a miserable performance in the first leg. NAMPA / AFP

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has backed under-fire Arsene Wenger to lead Arsenal out of their slump, despite their "sensational" 5-1 Champions League thrashing in Germany.

Wenger's 20-year reign as Arsenal coach is under pressure after their mauling at Thiago Alcantara-inspired Bayern.

The Gunners had few answers to the hosts' second-half display at the Allianz Arena and face an uphill battle for the last 16, second leg tie on March 7.

But Ancelotti believes the Frenchman has the experience to pull Arsenal out of the mire as they stare down the barrel of a seventh last-16 exit in consecutive seasons.

"This is football, Arsene has the experience to manage this result and move forward - this is only one game," said Ancelotti, who oversaw his 148th European game.

After Alex Ferguson, who coached in 198 Champions League matches, Wenger has the second highest number of European games under his belt with 183.

Bayern extended their Champions League record to 16 home wins by flooring the Gunners with three goals in ten second-half minutes.

Arjen Robben gave Bayern the lead after 10 minutes with a curling shot from outside the area.

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez equalised when he drilled home a penalty at the second attempt as it finished 1-1 at the break.

But Bayern hit top gear after the interval.

Robert Lewandowski restored the lead with a powerful header before Thiago added two more in a devastating ten minute spell.

Thomas Mueller came off the bench for Lewandowski to net their fifth two minutes from time to complete Arsenal's misery.

Ancelotti hailed it as Bayern's best performance since he replaced Pep Guardiola as head coach this season.

He proclaimed Thiago's magnificent 90 minutes in the attacking midfield role as "perfect".

"Thiago played really well, we put him in the position between their lines. It meant he closed them down and gave us more space," said Ancelotti.

"His performance was really good - he was perfect.

"It's the best performance since I have been here, but it's not the final, we still have another game - unfortunately."

The Italian said the focus is now on completing the job in the second leg, which would see Bayern knock Arsenal out in the last 16 for the fourth time.

"The result was really important and we have the advantage, but we don't want to make a mistake," said Ancelotti.

"We want to play like we did tonight with the same intensity, the same spirit and the same tempo, because we don't want to give ourselves problems."

The result matched the 5-1 group-stage thrashing Arsenal received in Munich in November 2015 - the club's joint record away defeat in Europe.

Robben also admitted he was surprised by the margin.

"Things worked very well," said the Dutch winger.

"I am a bit surprised that we played so well, but on the other hand, I know the team has great character and can move up a gear when it matters."

Bayern's captain Philipp Lahm, who like Xabi Alonso, will retire in June, said the first-leg result should be enough to reach the quarter-finals for the sixth year in a row.

"Before the penalty, we were very good, then not very good until half-time, but sensational after that," said Lahm, who is suspended for the second leg after a booking.

"We used our quality in terms of possession and created the goals at the right time.

"A 5-1 should be enough for the return leg."

The brutal domination of Bayern's second-half display left Chile midfieder Arturo Vidal dreaming of the Cardiff final on June 3.

"It would be a dream to win the Champions League," said Vidal, who lost the 2015 final with Juventus against Barcelona.

Prevention is betterTobacco control can save billions of dollars and millions of lives A new research document shows that it is more beneficial financially to reduce tobacco consumption than to tax it.

Policies to control tobacco use, including tobacco tax and price increases, can generate significant government revenues for health and development work, according to a new landmark global report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Cancer Institute of the United States of America. Such measures can also greatly reduce tobacco use and protect people's health from the world's leading killers, like cancers and heart disease.

But left unchecked, the tobacco industry and the deadly impact of its products cost the world's economies more than US$1 trillion annually in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity, according to findings published in The economics of tobacco and tobacco control. Currently, around six million people die annually as a result of tobacco use, with most living in developing countries.

The almost 700-page document examines existing evidence on two broad areas:

The economics of tobacco control, including tobacco use and growing, manufacturing and trade, taxes and prices, control policies and other interventions to reduce tobacco use and its consequences; and the economic implications of global tobacco control efforts.

“The economic impact of tobacco on countries, and the general public, is huge, as this new report shows,” says Dr Oleg Chestnov, WHO's assistant director-general for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. “The tobacco industry produces and markets products that kill millions of people prematurely, rob households of finances that could have been used for food and education, and impose immense healthcare costs on families, communities and countries.”

Globally, there are 1.1 billion tobacco smokers aged 15 or older, with around 80% living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Approximately 226 million smokers live in poverty.

The report states that annual excise revenues from cigarettes globally could increase by 47%, or US$140 billion, if all countries raised excise taxes by about 80 US cents per pack. Additionally, this tax increase would raise cigarette retail prices on average by 42%, leading to a 9% decline in smoking rates and up to 66 million fewer adult smokers.

“The research confirms that evidence-based tobacco control interventions make sense from an economic as well as a public health standpoint,” says co-author Professor Frank Chaloupka, of the Department of Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The conclusions include:

The global health and economic burden of tobacco use is enormous and is increasingly borne by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 80% of the world's smokers live in LMICs.

Effective policy and programmatic interventions exist to reduce demand for tobacco products and the death, disease, and economic costs resulting from their use, but these interventions are underused.

Demand reduction policies and programmes for tobacco products are highly cost-effective. Such interventions include significant tobacco tax and price increases; bans on tobacco industry marketing activities; prominent pictorial health warning labels; smoke-free policies and population-wide tobacco cessation programmes to help people stop smoking.

Control of illicit trade in tobacco products is the key supply-side policy to reduce tobacco use and its health and economic consequences. In many countries, high levels of corruption, lack of commitment to addressing illicit trade, and ineffective customs and tax administration, have an equal or greater role in driving tax evasion than do product tax and pricing.

Tobacco control does not harm economies: The number of jobs dependent on tobacco has been falling in most countries, largely due to technological innovation and privatization of once state-owned manufacturing. Tobacco control measures will, therefore, have a modest impact on related employment, and not cause net job losses in the vast majority of countries. Programmes substituting tobacco for other crops offer growers alternative farming options.

Tobacco control reduces the disproportionate health and economic burden that tobacco use imposes on the poor. Tobacco use is increasingly concentrated among the poor and other vulnerable groups.

Progress is being made in controlling the global tobacco epidemic, but concerted efforts are needed to ensure progress is maintained or accelerated. In most regions, tobacco use prevalence is stagnant or falling. But increasing tobacco use in some regions, and the potential for increase in others, threatens to undermine global progress in tobacco control.

The market power of tobacco companies has increased in recent years, creating new challenges for tobacco control efforts. As of 2014, five tobacco companies accounted for 85% of the global cigarette market.

Dr Douglas Bettcher, WHO director for the prevention of NCDs, says the new report gives governments a powerful tool to combat tobacco industry claims controls on tobacco products adversely impact economies. “This report shows how lives can be saved and economies can prosper when governments implement cost-effective, proven measures, like significantly increasing taxes and prices on tobacco products, and banning tobacco marketing and smoking in public,” he adds.

Tobacco control is a key component of WHO's global response to the epidemic of NCDs, primarily cardiovascular disease, cancers, chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and diabetes. NCDs account for the deaths of around 16 million people prematurely (before their 70th birthdays) every year. Reducing tobacco use plays a major role in global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030.

WHO

Oonakwaana evi kOmbaye oyena etegameno

Aakalimo yomOmbaye omathele ogendji mboka yeli tayathitha omalukalwa moombashu konima yomagumbo oshowo pomahala galwe oya li yuulula no kuligola muule kenyanyu ketegameno lyehumithoko lyOfaalama 37.

Onkundana kutya ofaalama yonomola 37, ota kudhilaadhilwa yi gandjwe kaakwashigwana oku kandulapo uupyakadhi wo kwaahena evi, onkundana oya tsakanekwa koondigolo nomakaluko pethimbo lyoshigongi shoka sha ningilwe uusiku wOmaandaha mondoolopa yaMbaye.

Ehala ndika okwa tegelelwa li kakandulepo uupyakadhi wompumbwe yevi mOmbaye no li li oshinano shookilometa konyala ntano muumbugantu wOmbaye. Elelelo lyondoolopa olya thaneka oku katembudha aantu yathika konyala po 65 000 mboka ye li tayathitha omalukalwa moombashu dhadhengelwa konima yomagumbo.

Onkundana ndjika oya li ya tseyithwa poshigongi shoka shali shagongalwa kengathithi lyaantu oyendji.

Mayola gwondoolopa, Immanuel Wilfred okwa ti elelo lyondoolopa otali ka kondja lyamanamo okumona evi no kutungapo ehala lyomagumbo ndoka tali kiithanwa ‘Green Valley’.

Wilfred okwa ti, omukanda-indilo gwawo okumona evi ndika ogwa li gwa tindwa kewilikongundu lyoNamibia Planning Advisory Board (Nampab) omvula ya piti.

Ewilikongundu ndika lya kwatelamo iilyo yuulikwa kominista yEyambulepo lyOondoolopa nIitopolwa, na yimwepo yomiinakugwanithwa oyo okutonatela omalelo goondoolopa oshowo giitopolwa ngele tashi ya pomathaneko goondoolopa.

Wilfred okwa shilipaleke kutya otaya ka tsakanena ishewe noNampab moshiwike twa taalela yo ya ka gandje eindilo lyawo ishewe.

Kansela Ndishoshili Nghilumbwa, ngoka e li wo oshilyo shewilikongundu lyoNampab, okwa ti omukanda-indilo ogwa li gwa tindwa molwaashoka oshigwana kasha li sha tseyithilwa sha moshinima shika. Etompelo ekwawo olyondika kutya ehala ndika olyili mpoka hapuzi ontsi oyindji no tashi vulika shikatule uukalinawa waantu moshiponga oshowo onzapo yokugandja omulilo omuzizi kombinga yomidhingoloko ndjoka inaa yipwa natango.

Omunashipundi gwokomitiye yewiliko, Tobias Nambala okwa li a longitha oshigongi shika onga ompito yo kutseyithila aakwashigwana moshinima shika . Aakwashigwana yamwe oya li yapula kutya omilandu nomikalo dhokutembudhwa odhili ngiini, mpoka Tobias a li kutya oshinima shotango yahala osho okumona evi, opo nduno omathaneko agehe ota ga katamekiwa na go ihe opakwatathano naakwaashigwana. Yalwe oya li yapula opo aanapolotika yagwanithepo omauvaneko gawo mokupititha oprojeka ndjika. Ina tu hala tu kuuve kombinga yofaalama 37 ndjika konima yoomvula 5 ishewe, omunashigongi gumwe anukilemo.

NAMPA

Comair bids for Air BotswanaN$1 billion in the kitty for acquisitions Comair is also looking for other acquisitions but is keeping a tight lid on its targets. MONEYWEB

South Africa’s Comair will submit a proposal to Botswana take over the nation’s carrier, Comair’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

Comair, which operates British Airways in southern Africa alongside its no-frills brand Kulula.com, has vied for Air Botswana before, but in 2008 pulled out of a bidding round that failed to attract successful suitors.

Botswana on Monday again put its national carrier up for tender as part of a strategy to privatise loss-making state companies.

“We’ll make a submission and see if they are interested in our approach,” Comair chief executive Erik Venter told Reuters, adding that proposals had to be made before end-February.

Botswana’s transport department has said it is open to proposals on various forms of privatisation including joint ventures, ownership, franchising and concessions.

Comair wants equity in and control of the airline that connects four Botswana towns to South Africa, Venter said.

“We’d even look at a management contract, but it would have to be on the basis that we run a large amount of it from Comair to get economies of scale,” he said.

Botswana Air, which provides cargo and air passenger services to Cape Town and Johannesburg from Gaborone, Francistown and the tourism hubs of Maun and Kasane, has been a drain on state finances.

Financial losses, blamed on a large workforce and an aging fleet, have prompted a five-year turnaround plan that includes cutting costs and cancelling unprofitable routes.

“It needs economies of scale and a small airline on its own is never going to achieve that,” Venter said, adding that a takeover would mean moving some of the airline’s services to Johannesburg.

Botswana Air, which recently discontinued flights to Harare and Lusaka from Gaborone, halved its operating losses to 83 million Pula (US$8 million) in the 2016 fiscal year.

Venter thinks the airline is unlikely to attract cash offers from suitors.

“I don’t think there is any money involved in this one, to be honest. We wouldn’t pay for it, that’s for sure,” he said.

Comair is also looking for other acquisitions, Venter said, without providing further details.

Chief financial officer Kirsten King told Reuters in a separate interview that Comair has as much as N$1 billion available for acquisitions and other projects.

Auntie Nangy 16 Feb He disappeared

Dear Auntie Nangy, I'm a 20-year-old lady in love with a dude who is 24. The problem is, the guy went to Windhoek a long time ago but when I call him the phone is always off. I think he won't come back to me because he used to tell me so. Help me Auntie Nangy. What can I do?

Sometimes women live in denial and I think this is what you are doing right now. You said your boyfriend used to tell you that he will not come back and he has not come back. The fact that he has not communicated with you since he went to Windhoek to me is a clear sign that he is no longer interested in you or continuing with the relationship. Not only that, he has also changed his number so that you do not get in touch with him. All this is a very clear sign that he is no longer interested in you. I would advise you to forget about this man and move on. He does not deserve your love at all.

Pregnant and bleeding

Dear Auntie Nangy, I am 21 years old and I am pregnant. After I had sex with my boyfriend I started bleeding and I don't know if the blood is from my body or the foetus? Please help me I'm confused.

I suggest that you go to the doctor and make sure there is no threatening reason for the bleeding and go now. Secondly, I think it could be your man is jamming too hard and he must just take it easy. While it is common to bleed after sex (spotting), if you start having heavy bleeding while pregnant then it is worrying and you must seek medical advice without delay. It is very unlikely the bleeding is coming from the foetus because your baby is in your womb and the penis does not reach the baby during intercourse.

He is cheating

Dear Auntie Nangy, My boyfriend is cheating. My boyfriend has lots of children with different mothers. Can I still be with him?

What is worrying is the fact that your man is promiscuous and you know that he is not honest with you. Auntie Nangy is very territorial and will not share my man. I would be lying to tell you to stick around this Casanova. The fact that he has fathered many kids with different women is a red light to tell you to be careful. He seems to be the type of man who does not get satisfaction from drinking from one hole but gets pleasure from changing women like pants in summer. He has fathered children with many women and that is risky behaviour and a good breeding ground to get sexually transmitted infections. It means he does not use protection and unprotected sex is a highway to HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases. Just leave this sex maniac and dedicate your love to someone else.

I still love my ex

Dear Auntie Nangy, I am a married young man who is still in love with my daughter's mom. Can you please help me to erase my ex-girlfriend from my mind so that I can focus on my married life.

I am really surprised that you are married to someone while confessing that you are committing mental adultery with the woman you once had a relationship with and is the mother of your daughter. But I guess you are not the only one who goes through such a dilemma. However, imagine how the woman you married would feel if she were to discover this is how you feel. You gave me sketchy information and I may not be able to give you good advice. You did not say for instance how old you are and why you broke up. The fact that you are still haunted by the romance that you had with the other woman sounds like a complex issue and it may be difficult to overcome that feeling. If not managed well it may end up affecting your marriage. I hope the other woman that you left is not feeling the same way that you do because it would be disastrous. Does it mean you married a woman that you don't really love? Are you regretting the choice you made for a lifetime partner? All I can advise you to do is to try and forget about the mother of your daughter but I know it is no easy job because emotions can drive a person crazy and no one can give you medicine to treat that. It's all in your mind and you are the best person to discards those adulterous thoughts. Work on it.

Cracks showing in WarehouseOld brewer’s building needs some tender love and care One of the biggest entertainment and leisure spots in Windhoek could be held back due to hazards of the building.

With it being one of the oldest buildings in Windhoek and housing one of the locals’ favourite places to enjoy sundowners, live music, good food, watch a film or get on the mic and karaoke all night, the Warehouse Theatre has found itself on the unfortunate side of things as they are reaping the fruits of the old building which seems to be slowly falling apart. The recent rain showers have not helped at all and have caused the Warehouse managers headaches as they had to cancel one of their biggest events ‘The Show’ due to the theatre’s roof leaking. The Show was put together by leading technical events company DB Audio Namibia together with several role players in the live events industry. The Show was aimed at performers and technicians collaborating with each other to celebrate and explore this creative symbiosis. Big names of acts which were due to perform include Ndinomholo, The Fate of Miss H, Blend, First Rain Dance Theatre and Priscilla.

Many drove in for the event from places as far as Swakopmund and Gobabis and all the 200 tickets had been sold out. Conny Pimenta, manager of Warehouse said the roof has been fixed before by Broll Namibia, the building’s managing agents but it still continues to leak. “The gap in the roof was repaired two weeks ago. When it rained on Friday [last week], the day of the event, we had to make the decision whether to continue with the show or not and we chose safety first,” said Pimenta. Pimenta acknowledged the fact that the building is indeed old but adds that the roof has not been repaired in the past four years and says its time it’s fixed as it’s becoming a concern. “We had a meeting with the landlords and we told them that it needs to be done. They have realised that it is now time and they are willing to invest in repairing the entire building. The landlord knows that the Warehouse is part of the city’s landscape, it’s an institution so they don’t want to see the place close down,” she said.

Those that had attended the show were disappointed but they understood the situation and the night still continued in the other venues of the Warehouse as if nothing much happened. “We had to repay the tickets and for us it is a huge loss because that was money we needed as we are going through a financial crisis. It’s a terrible thing having to cancel a show. The next event we are hosting in the theatre is Song Night next week Wednesday so by Monday we hope the roof will be fixed,” said Pimenta.

Pimenta said regardless of the maintenance problems the Warehouse has thrilling events they will host this year and encourages people to support them. “People respond and engage on our social media pages so well but when it comes to showing up only a few do. Our maximum price for international acts is N$150 whilst local shows cost N$100. For us to keep this place alive we need to come through. We also welcome sponsors,” she said. Some of the shows to take place at Warehouse include Song Night, Free Your Mind and Spoken Word.

June Shimuoshili

World Radio Day 2017: Do we still tune in?

Radio is one of the most dynamic and engaging mediums out there and it is also the quickest way to get the word out. But is it still relevant today?

Whether you drive yourself to work or school or make use of taxis, we find ourselves listening to the radio and you receive your first dose of entertainment for the day. Usually, one would either be listening to a breakfast show with a topic being discussed in studio or you would receive a roundup of the latest news happening around our country and beyond.

Celebrated under the theme ‘Radio is YOU’, the main focus this year’s Radio Day is that radios should represent the views and diversity of its audience. Over the past few years, listenership has decreased. “Spreading news about disasters will always be quicker on radio. The only time radio will be outdated is when disastrous events end”, said Bertha Amakali, who was the keynote speaker at the World Radio Day celebrations held in Windhoek.

Amakali narrated that it is vital that radio stations keep up with the needs of the listeners and “knowing your audience is the only way to keep your audience.” Keeping up with trends and making sure one knows what’s hip and happening around the country is mandatory to staying relevant and building a bridge where the radio presenter and the listeners can interact and relate to whatever is being discussed in the studio.

Established in 2002, Unam Radio is the oldest campus radio stations in our country and allows students to stay informed on issues happening on campus. Isdor Kamati, presenter at the station feels that campus radio helps to create a link between the university and the students at large. “The student community at Unam is quite large, but with the help of radio, we can all be on the same page,” said Kamati.

Kamati feels that only way radio can keep up with other forms of mass media mediums is advocating for interactive listening. “Although listening to radio online is currently the future, it could discourage listeners from staying tuned as sometimes the quality is affected, because of signal problems in certain areas,” he said.

Mark Kariahuua, radio personality on Base FM, however has different sentiments on streaming radio as he believes it does not dilute its authenticity. “The aim of listening to radio online is to receive maximum coverage and exposure. We want to make sure that no one is left out, as our target market is scattered around the world,” he said.

Radio has proven to be a well-adjusting medium, adapting to technology and always offering new ways to get listeners involved. “Involving the community through social media is also another way to make sure that your listeners interact with you and also give them that sense of power of what is happening in the studio.” Kariahuua added.

The day also had the audience entertained with a drama by Children and Youth on the Move and an exhibition debate followed thereafter.

Tunohole Mungoba

Strut the stuff Heiko’s new kid on the block

Logistics manager by day, catwalk superstar by night – Heiko does it all.

Global supermodel of yesteryear Veronica Web said that one of the things that fascinated her about modelling was that one had the freedom to look any way you wanted; modern day (and local) ‘Adonis’ Heiko Prior says his talent doesn’t define him.

Many people discover their talents at a very tender age but Prior has a different story to tell about how he discovered his talent. Having only had two runway gigs ever that have put him on the international modelling map, Heiko is curious to know how far his talent will take him and his country.

The 27-year-old Prior was born in South Africa and moved to Namibia where he has been living ever since. He attended both his primary and secondary school at Delta and went to Stellenbosch to study accounting. Today he is a financial manager at Imperial Logistics. “I was a normal kid in high school. I consider myself a very friendly and outgoing person. I just never thought that I’d be a model in a million years. I play volleyball and I regard myself as someone who likes adrenaline rush-type activities like skydiving and I enjoy high-intensity training with a couple of friends in the garage,” said Prior.

He says his modelling career started out of the ordinary and is a story to remember. “I had volunteered to do the books for the Trustco Star Performer talent search programme in 2013 as nobody wanted to do because it was an after-hour job. The organisers and I then had a pre-briefing meeting to understand the scoring procedure and through that I met the organisers and my mentor, renowned model Andries Potgieter,” he said. Prior says his mentor and now close friend Potgieter has had an impact on his career as he was the one who told him to give it a try. The organiser of the Trustco Talent Search had gotten him his first billboard gig with Otto Muhr. “Andries helps with me my diet and workout plans as it is very important for me to be fit. The Otto Muhr gig was easy because all I did was pose and they used my pictures. I really enjoyed it,” he said.

Prior then took a break until last year when he walked on the first Windhoek Fashion Week runaway and he says it was quite the experience. “My mentor told me to try it out and he prepared me. It wasn’t so organised and I’m German so that doesn’t make it easy. I hope they learned from it because there was a lot to learn from,” he said. He then met a producer who hooked him up with a gig at the Lexus South African Menswear Week 2017 which is a platform dedicated to the development and promotion of menswear within the African continent. “I’m looking at pursuing a career in modelling and having the SA Menswear Week on my CV will be nice and that’s why I wanted to do it. It was intimidating because out of the 200 models that were cast 70 were chosen. I don’t really look at guys but there were some very good looking ones out there,” said Prior. He said it was very well organised and he was selected by five designers and he will definitely do it again.

As a model Prior says he had to change a few things in his life including his diet. “My diet is split into two parts; I have a normal model eating plan like most models which consists of eggs in the morning, chicken at 11:00, steak and rice for lunch, chicken at 15:00 and fish and salad as supper every day. Around 90 days prior to a gig I change it. I do have cheat days where I get a burger but that’s about it,” he said. He further added that one needs to be committed for best results because as a runway model one is not supposed to be big.

The model says his family supports his career and he enjoys it to regardless of the misconceptions and taboos that exist about models. “The thing is when you are a model you are selling your body as a product and it is what it is. If they want you to take off your shirt then you do so because it’s what you signed up for. You have to so what they want you to do if you want the job. You will get weird outfits but that’s just it,” he laughed.

Prior said he is thinking of becoming a model if an opportunity presents itself. He also is aware of the fact that there is no money in modelling. “I’m looking for an agency but not one from Namibia because there isn’t much happening here,” he said. He advises upcoming models not to base their lives solely on modelling and that they should have back-up plans. “One has to be very patient because you can’t force it. You must take it day by day,” he concluded.

Interesting facts about Heiko Prior:

The last book he read is Poor Dad Rich Dad.

His favourite local artists are Lize Ehlers and Sunny Boy.

His favourite movie is Wolves of Wall Street.

He is scared of heights and he enjoys being by himself.

June Shimuoshili

Today's role models I'm certain that there's a really good reason why we adore our role models or those that we look up to, but what are the things we should consider when we admire someone? Is it a certain character trait or the whole of them? I'm asking because I'm aware of many people who have made role models of people in the media like Beyoncé because she's inspirational, someone like Drake because of his flows adds a sense of sentimentality and vulnerability that one would rarely see in rap anymore. There is also Dillish Mathews who has many little girls who look up to her because of what she has achieved for herself at such a young age. My concern is for those that look up to the Kardashian family and others like them. I have no problem with them really because most of them have aspects of their lives that are genuine. Say for instance Kim Kardashian is a mother, a wife and an extremely successful businesswoman. One good pointer is also the fact that she lives an unapologetic life. Then we have the youngest of them all - Kylie. Kylie has turned herself into a multimillion dollar brand and is adored by many other 19-year-olds across the globe. With all the pressure from the media and being born into a wealthy family Kylie has undergone surgery to be what society approves of as beautiful and teenage girls love her for that too.

My concern is what then happens to those that we look up to that have done cosmetic surgery and cannot do the same? What message does that give about the way we were born? Is there such a thing as a perfect nose or jaw line? There was a time were girls where doing the Kylie Jenner lip challenge whereby one sucks on a shot glass to blow their lips up because she made it look cool and easy. Many of them were injured as a consequence because they cannot afford the injections. Many of them end up travelling to places where they can afford the cheap surgery and end up botched for life. Can we still conclude that she's a role model? What about confidence as a character? There was nothing ever wrong with her body for her to undergo surgery because now there is a perception that one can change their body and it is okay – in reality it is not. Not to the extent where ribs are removed to enhance a small middle.

Role models are persons who serve as an example of values, attitudes and behaviours associated with a role.

One should never feel the need to change their body and we should also be cautious of what we see on TV and what happens on reality. It's always good to keep an eye on who and what your little siblings and cousins are following because the media has many platforms and characters that can be very dangerous for young people. As KP.illest one said, we might as well just kill the television.

June Shimuoshili

june@namibiansun.com

Dancing for lifeOYO is creating jobs through art Who would have thought that a hobby or talent could end up paying bills and in the Namibian entertainment industry too? The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) is one of the very few establishments that do just that.

The OYO dance troupe is one of the most successful components of the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO). It is made up of young dancers from different parts of the country, identified and brought to Windhoek where they are trained by Philippe Talavera, director and founder of OYO. It all started in 2008 with the Namibian Odysseus at the National Theatre. Since 2010 OYO has employed young Namibian dancers as performers. With Namibia being a multi-linguistic country, the OYO dance troupe have found a way to communicate with everyone by using body language only to express and execute their dance pieces.

Talavera says sustaining the dance troupe has not been an easy task but the team has been committed - especially in the past year. “Sustaining a dance troupe in Namibia is not easy, but it's also not impossible and we are here today to celebrate it. Our dancers don't just dance, they give a message. In 2016 we organised almost 300 shows reaching 11 219 people. This is worth celebrating,” said Talavera.

The dance troupe has a thrilling year ahead as they have selected ten more dancer trainees through a series of workshops they have held. Talavera says the idea is to train the dancers to help them reach more audiences and a chance for the already employed to train the potential talent. “We will need the dancers for campaigns including addressing teenage pregnancy with special emphasis on the promotion of the policy of the education ministry to prevent and manage learners' pregnancy, gender-based violence as sadly it is still a burning issue in Namibia and we will use their skills to continue the work we have started in correctional facilities,” said Talavera. He further said they hope to make a difference in many lives with the 200 shows planned for this year. The OYO dance troupe will start to showcase their new material as of June with a piece titled Maria.

June Shimuoshili

WB rewards top suppliersWB group now has more than 40 shops New Woermann Brock branches are expected to be launched before Independence Day.

“We are fostering long-term relationships with top suppliers and other parties to create win-win situations,” Jesko Woermann, CEO of the WB Supermarket Group, said on Wednesday at the annual suppliers' awards function hosted by the company.

The company is celebrating its 123rd anniversary later this year.

After two years of the WB N$1 000 000 cash giveaway the company plans to top that with a new competition that will be launched later this year.

The WB Supermarkets Group now has more than 40 stores across the country and new branches are in development for launch before Independence Day.

The 2016 winners are as follows:

Category

Winner

Liquor and Beverages

Distell Namibia

Perishables

Seapride Foods

Overall FMCG

Indo-Atlantic Tiger Culinary

Commodities

Tongaat Hullet Namibia

Franchise Division

Agra

Support Services

A3 Layout Services

STAFF REPORTER

Decline in revenue for PaladinUranium production expected to reach 4 million pounds The decline in sales prices and volumes also resulted in a gross loss of US$17.7 million for the period under review.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy has reported a 46% decrease in sales revenue for the six months ended December 31, compared with the previous corresponding period, on the back of a 36% fall in the sales price and a 15% decrease in volumes.

During the interim period, sales volumes reached 2.12-million pounds of uranium oxide (U3O8), compared with the 2.49-million pounds produced in the six months to December 2015, with sales revenue reaching US$55.2-million for the period under review.

The decline in sales prices and volumes also resulted in a gross loss of US$17.7-million for the period under review, compared with a gross profit of US$23.7-million in the prior comparable period.

It also resulted in a US$22.3-million impairment of inventory, which was partially offset by a 35% decrease in the cost of sales.

Impairments during the period under review included a US$16.2-million impairment on the Langer Heinrich mine stockpiles; a US$2.9-million impairment on the product-in-circuit at the mine, owing to the write-off of the build-up of solubilised uranium present in the interstitial water; and a US$3.2-million impairment of finished goods as a result of the low uranium price.

Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation decreased by US$11.3-million to US$5.7-million.

Paladin has maintained its production outlook for the coming third quarter of the current financial year, with the Langer Heinrich mine expected to produce between 900 000 pounds and one million pounds U3O8, while uranium sales are expected to be between 700 000 pounds and 800 000 pounds U3O8. Full-year expectations have been adjusted, with uranium production now expected to reach more than four-million pounds, compared to the previous guidance of between 3.8-million and four-million pounds.

MINING WEEKLY

Competition Commission prosecutes banks for collusion

South Africa's Competition Commission on Wednesday referred a collusion case to the tribunal for prosecution against 17 banks, including three of the country's big banks.

The commission said in a statement it had been investigating a case of price-fixing and market allocation in the trading of foreign currency pairs involving the rand since April 2015. It has now referred the case to the tribunal for prosecution.

The banks are Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan Chase & Co, JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Investec Ltd, Standard New York Securities Inc, HSBC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Suisse Group; Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd, Commerzbank AG; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Nomura International Plc, Macquarie Bank Limited, ABSA Bank Limited (ABSA), Barclays Capital Inc, Barclays Bank plc (Respondents).

The commission is seeking an order from the tribunal declaring that the respondents have contravened the Competition Act.

Further, the Commission is seeking an order declaring that 14 of the banks - Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan Chase & Co, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Investec, Standard New York Securities, HSBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Suisse Group; Standard Bank of South Africa, Commerzbank; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Nomura International and Macquarie Bank - are liable for the payment of an administrative penalty equal to 10% of their annual turnover.

The commission said it found that from at least 2007, the respondents had a general agreement to collude on prices for bids, offers and bid-offer spreads for the spot trades in relation to currency trading involving US dollar/rand currency pair.

It further found that the respondents manipulated the price of bids and offers through agreements to refrain from trading and creating fictitious bids and offers at particular times. The commission said traders of the respondents primarily used trading platforms such as the Reuters currency trading platform to carry out their collusive activities.

They also used Bloomberg instant messaging system (chatroom), telephone conversation and had meetings to coordinate their bilateral and multilateral collusive trading activities.

They assisted each other to reach the desired prices by coordinating trading times.

They reached agreements to refrain from trading, taking turns in transacting and by either pulling or holding trading activities on the Reuters currency trading platform. They also created fictitious bids and offers, distorting demand and supply in order to achieve their profit motives.

“The referral of this matter to the Tribunal marks a key milestone in this case as it now affords the banks an opportunity to answer for themselves,” said Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele.

FIN24