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NAFPU seeks Cosafa ties

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NAFPU seeks Cosafa tiesNAFPU seeks Cosafa ties JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

The Namibia Football Players Union (NAFPU) has plans to create a close relationship with the Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa), says secretary-general Olsen Kahiriri.

Kahiriri believes that the move to seek affiliation with Cosafa will strengthen NAFPU’s operations.

Speaking in an interview Kahiriri said: “We have been in contact with the Cosafa president who has shown that he is open to working with us.

“The most important thing now is to expand our operations in order to help the players without contracts play in a tournament.

“Cosafa is a very big organisation and therefore we are delighted that the communication between us is going well at the moment.”

The NAFPU secretary-general added that becoming partners with Cosafa would also benefit the players in the region.

“Like I said on Sunday, we obviously want the inactive players in the region to play in a tournament.

“There will be several meetings held in the region for the sake of the players without contracts.

“I do believe we will start talking with their former clubs to get confirmation that they are not under any contracts.”

Kahiriri also said that NAFPU would continue to grow despite the financial challenges the country was facing at the moment.

He feels that it is important that organisations in and outside the country unite for the sake of football.

“This year we have already decided that we will not go to war with anyone in order to avoid confrontations.

“We have made ourselves available to discuss pressing football issues on the continent,” Kahiriri said.

The president and the vice-president of Cosafa were not available to comment about NAFPU’s plan.

Johnson keeps things simple

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Johnson keeps things simpleJohnson keeps things simple Dustin Johnson made the complicated world golf ranking calculations simple on Sunday, vaulting to number one with a convincing victory in the Genesis Open.

“I don't really understand it,” he said of the math involved in determining the game's top player “but I can read the 'one-two-three'. I guess that's all that matters.”

All week at Riviera Country Club, Johnson shied away from talk of ending Jason Day's 47-week run atop the rankings - a possibility that also depended on where Day finished.

“I was coming in here to put myself in a position to win and I did that - and I played really well,” said Johnson, who led by as many as nine strokes on Sunday en route to a five-shot victory with a 17-under par total of 267.

“If I get to number one winning the golf tournament, then obviously that's even a bonus.”

After a heart-breaking history of near-misses in major championships, Johnson broke through at the US Open at Oakmont last year. His victory on Sunday was his fourth since June.

“Obviously winning the US Open in the summer kind of gave me a little bit of a boost with confidence with my game,” he said. “It was big for me ... to finally win one.

“Today kind of felt a lot like how I was playing this past summer, finally getting back to where I was, driving it really well.”

But the rankings are tight at the top - right down to number six Jordan Spieth. Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson - ranked second and fourth coming into the week, were absent, but number five Hideki Matsuyama also had a mathematical chance to topple Day at Riviera only to miss the cut.

“Number one can toss and turn in the coming weeks a lot of times if the guys keep playing well,” Day said.

The Australian also noted that the number one ranking brings some added pressure, although he thought Johnson had the wherewithal to cope with that.

“I think he's going to do just fine,” Day said. “I think he's won every single year that he's been out here. That's the formula - you've got to win as much as you can.”

Johnson said he hadn't considered whether becoming number one could prove a burden.

He'd been too busy celebrating his victory on the 18th green with two-year-old son Tatum. Days earlier, his fiancée, Paulina Gretzky, announced on Instagram that the couple are expecting their second child.

“I've only been number one for about 30 minutes,” Johnson said. “Ask me in a couple of weeks.”

NAMPA/AFP

Gowaseb and Kamenye bag silver in South-Africa

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Gowaseb and Kamenye bag silver in South-AfricaGowaseb and Kamenye bag silver in South-AfricaMechanical problem stops Paulus The Namibia Paralympic Committee is pleased with the performance of its para-cycling team and is prepared to expose the team to more events. Namibian Para-cyclists Roodly Gowaseb and Matias Kamenya won silver medals at the Outeniqua wheelchair challenge in George, South Africa, over the weekend.

Gowaseb competed in the 21km T53 race, while Kamenya was in the T54 category. They finished second, winning silver medals and cash prizes of N$1 500.

Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Namibia Paralympic Committee (NPC) secretary-general and coach Michael Hamukwaya said the third cyclist, Frans Paulus, did not finish because of a mechanical problem he encountered.

“The guys did very well. It was Gowaseb's first race so it was exciting for him to come second. Paulus did not finish as he had some mechanical problem and in his second lap the bike could not go any further so he had to withdraw, but the other two did very well,” he said.

This being their first competition of the year, Hamukwaya said it was good motivation for the cyclists and it was just a matter of giving the athletes a chance to compete in different competitions.

“At least now they got a chance and we have seen that they can put it out there so from here it is just to put all our resources together and make sure that these guys take part in more competitions and give them more opportunities both locally and internationally.”

He said the cyclists were motivated by seeing other athletes and wanted to continue with the sport and move to the highest level.

He maintained that this was just the beginning. “We feel that the sport is growing as we only had one cyclist and now we have three, so the sky is the limit for para-cycling.

“This is a good injection for us to send them to that event and it is now up to them to work hard. We will try to give them more opportunities and see them qualify for major competitions,” he said.

The Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge is a race exclusively for disabled athletes and has been staged successfully for the past six years.

Athletes compete in hand-wheelchair cycling over 45 kilometres, and racing with sport wheelchairs over 41km, 21km or 10km.

KAINO NGHITONGO

IMF to help Somalia print first banknotes

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IMF to help Somalia print first banknotesIMF to help Somalia print first banknotesState will circulate shilling notes to bolster monetary policy Printing of the new notes, which will initially be in small denominations, is aimed at restoring the Central Bank of Somalia's powers to set monetary policy. The International Monetary Fund is backing Somalia's plans to replace tattered currency notes that were printed before the country plunged into civil war almost three decades ago.

The new Somali shilling notes may come into circulation this year, alongside the dollar that's been the main means of payment, and will replace fake or old currency in circulation, said Samba Thiam, the IMF's country head.

“About 98% of the currency circulating in the country is fake,” Thiam said in an interview on Friday in Nairobi, the capital of neighbouring Kenya.

“The remaining 2%is currency printed during 1990-91, still circulating, but in very bad shape.”

Somalia's descent into anarchy began with the ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. A subsequent Islamist insurgency has hastened the destruction of its political and economic institutions, slashing annual per-capita income to US$435 and making Somalia the world's fifth-poorest country, according to the World Bank.

Printing of the new notes, which will initially be in small denominations, is aimed at restoring the Central Bank of Somalia's powers to set monetary policy, Thiam said.

While the institution doesn't have the money to finance the plan, donors will back the reforms and financing will be agreed on once the government decides whether it wants a floating- or fixed-rate currency regime.



Debt Cancellation

While Somalia qualifies for debt cancellation, it would have to clear arrears that are part of US$5.3 billion owed to international creditors such as the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank to secure fresh funding, Thiam said. Writing off Somalia's loans depends on progress toward curbing corruption, introducing a new currency and an effective monetary policy in the US$6 billion economy.

“There are hurdles,” Thiam said. “But there is a general willingness from creditors to write off Somalia's debt when the time comes, it's a good prospect.

“They will not be asked to repay the debt tomorrow, so they have time to work on consolidating their economic base.

“The debt is an issue that will be resolved some time.”

Economic growth may slow to 2.5%in 2017 from 3.7% last year, the IMF estimates.

Agriculture accounts for 40% of national output in the country whose main export is camels to Gulf Arab countries.

Expansion will be supported by a “boom” in construction, telecommunications, investments in port development and new road infrastructure.

Somalia's “rich waters” also hold untapped potential for commercial fish production, he said.

The IMF is also assisting the central bank with regulation and supervision of the financial sector to open it to new investors, Thiam said. KCB Group Ltd. and Commercial Bank of Africa Ltd, neighbouring Kenya's biggest and sixth-largest banks by assets, are among lenders that have applied to set up shop. Somalia has six banks and 12 money-transfer businesses.



Better Governance

Somalis living abroad have buoyed the economy with remittances of as much as US$2.3 billion a year, Thiam said.

“We pretty much think the amount that could be going unnoticed, undeclared must be much bigger,” he said.

President Mohamed Abdullahi, elected into office this month, must make good on his word to fight graft, Thiam said. Somalia is the world's most corrupt nation, according to Berlin-based Transparency International.

Somalia's new president, popularly known as Farmajo, faces “formidable obstacles” tackling challenges posed by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab and corruption within the government, BMI Research said Monday in an e-mailed note.

Al-Shabaab's “influence could continue to revive” as an African Union-backed military force, which has struggled to get finance for its operations, starts withdrawing in 2018, BMI said.

Improving governance may enable the nation to exploit potentially “quite large” oil and gas reserves, Thiam said.

The government has said production could begin as early as 2020 after exploration by companies such as Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp. and BP Plc showed probable offshore hydrocarbon deposits.

The state has held talks with those companies about reactivating dormant contracts.

BLOOMBERG

Food Namibia conference planned

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Food Namibia conference plannedFood Namibia conference planned The first Food Namibia Trade Expo and Conference, which will address the future of agriculture and sustainable food production in Namibia, will be held at Rundu this winter.

The event, scheduled for 7 to 10 June, will be held under the theme 'Food Security for a Healthy Nation'.

Food Namibia is a public-private partnership initiative that brings together government representatives and food producers. The director of Food Namibia, Manfried Likoro, told Nampa that the exhibition would provide a unique business-to-business platform to showcase products and services in the local agriculture and food production industries.

Exhibitors will meet with retailers, wholesalers, distributors, investors and other professionals to discover new business opportunities.

“The conference will provide a platform for the public and private-sector role players to interact with each other, share their vision and discuss key issues concerning the future of food and agriculture industries in the country,” he said.

The objective of the event, he said, was to showcase crop production in the Kavango East and West regions and Namibia in general.

The trade expo will also create awareness about the agriculture and food production industries in Namibia, and provide a platform for networking.

Individuals, businesses, organisations, government institutions involved in agriculture and food production, small-scale and commercial farmers are all welcome to be part of the expo.

“Buyers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, banking industries, financiers, investors as well as education and training institutions can also attend,” Likoro said.

Food Namibia will incorporate Operation Werengendje, an all-inclusive programme of food production initiated by the Kavango East Region last year.

Operation Werengendje is aimed at assisting and inspiring Kavango East residents to produce their own crops and become self-sufficient and ensure food security in the region.

An assessment published by the National Early Warning and Food Information Unit in May/June 2016 stated that approximately 596 000 Namibians faced hunger and were in dire need of food assistance.

NAMPA

FNB half-year results good

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FNB half-year results goodFNB half-year results goodProfit for the period is N$599.2 million An interim dividend for the six months ended 31 December 2016 of 91 cents per ordinary share was declared on 31 January 2017. FNB Namibia Holdings' half-year results were released this week in the context of an embattled economy.

Previously flourishing on pro-cyclical fiscal spending and foreign investment in new mines and infrastructure, the Namibian economy is facing severe headwinds that include a current economic growth forecast for 2016 which has been revised downwards by government and most research houses.

“For the period under review, the economy was challenged by lower commodity prices, severe drought conditions, weaker global and regional growth, and a sudden slump in the construction and manufacturing sector.

FNB Namibia Holdings' performance for the six months ended 31 December 2016 reflects the impact of the macroeconomic environment,” said Oscar Capelao, chief financial officer at FNB Namibia Holdings.

While the Namibian group's local investment continued at full commitment, rising costs and falling incomes in real terms affect normally high returns to stakeholders and shareholders.

FNB's core operations have performed well over the period with active accounts up by 9%, Electronic channels, such as eWallets showing growth of 44% and point-of-sale transactions growing by 12%, and advances growth of 8.4%.

However, performance was affected by the increased cost of funding in the current tighter liquidity environment and investment in risk management.

Profit for the half-year was N$599.2 million, compared to N$597.4 million in 2015: Earnings per share were flat at 226.3 cents compared to 2015's 226.5 cents.

Other key ratios reflect a similar trend. Return on average equity was 30.3% compared to 35.4% in 2015, return on average assets at 3.5% (2015: 3.9%) and cost-to-income ratio at 46.3% (2015: 42.4%).

The return on average equity at 30.3% is closer to the five-year, long-term average of 29%, according to Capelao.

An interim dividend for the six months ended 31 December 2016 of 91 cents per ordinary share was declared on 31 January 2017.

Said Sarel van Zyl, CEO at FNB Namibia Holdings: “While we anticipate operating conditions to become more demanding - in both the economic and regulatory environment, we believe our strong balance sheet, diversified earnings base and innovative customer solutions and service will work together to deliver a continued solid and sustainable performance.”

STAFF REPORTER

Fisheries introduces quota scorecard

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Fisheries introduces quota scorecardFisheries introduces quota scorecard The introduction of a scorecard to evaluate the performance of fishing right-holders and the allocation of quotas is expected to increase fairness.

Fisheries minister Bernhard Esau on Friday said that from this year the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) will be calculated based on the information on a right-holder's scorecard.

“The scorecard will ensure fairness in the quota allocation because it shows proof why a company received a bigger quota.”

Esau said that would also eliminate the possibility of accusing ministry staff of unfairness.

“You will no longer blame me or my permanent secretary for getting a small quota.”

Esau was speaking at the annual State of the Fisheries address in Walvis Bay.

He said some right-holders had already submitted the information requested for their scorecards and the ministry was analysing it.

A scorecard records a company's contribution in terms of inclusivity of shareholding by Namibians, local procurement, women empowerment, youth beneficiation and assisting disabled and previously disadvantaged groups.

“Our measures for employment creation are a number of quality jobs per metric ton allocated.”

After the analysis in the next two weeks, the minister will then allocate the quotas, giving bigger ones to companies that contributed more to the Namibian economy and less to those that recorded poor performance.

“Those who do not add sufficient value, create more jobs, pay more taxes, levies and fees will continue to have their quotas transferred to those who do so,” said the minister.

He urged right-holders to ensure the submission of the requested information and not blame anyone for a smaller quota.

“I wish to inform you that this scorecard is an important part of the transformation agenda on fishing quota allocation process, which the government is determined to implement.”

Noting that some right-holders had not submitted the information, Esau said they would be assessed on the available information to determine their TAC.

He said the ministry did not want to keep quotas in reserve when right-holders do not submit information on time.

“I want to give away all the quotas, I do not want to keep them because we must continue to work.”

NAMPA

Government to rein in debt

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Government to rein in debtGovernment to rein in debtDebt to reduce over MTEF However, some debt will be taken up to stimulate the economy in the short term. Finance minister Calle Schlettwein this week met with the heads of state-owned enterprises to discuss the upcoming tabling of the national budget. This marked the first time a finance minister has broadened the consultation basis.

Announcing some of the plans on the horizon, he said the government was looking at reining in debt, which had risen considerably from just over 40% of GDP to as much as 45%.

Last year, ratings agencies Moody's and Fitch raised concern about Namibia's debt level and placed the country on a negative outlook.

Explaining briefly what had led to the liquidity crisis Schlettwein said: “What has happened is that there was an overall liquidity crunch in the rand area.”

According to him, the flight of capital had a negative bearing on liquidity.

“We do not have to take up more debt without breaking the threshold. Some debt will be taken up but we will not exceed the 42% debt-to-GDP threshold. We think it is still affordable and sustainable to take up more debt. Over-time [however] we will move closer to 35%.”

Had government not reined in spending, the debt-to-GDP ratio would have increased to 50%, debt servicing would have been close to 10% of GDP while the fiscal deficit would have been close to 10%. Currently, debt-to-GDP is 40% while the fiscal deficit is 6%.

With government nearing its debt ceiling, Schlettwein explained that some debt would have to be taken up to stimulate the economy because of the size of the government relative to the entire economy, which comes in at 60% of total output.

The budget will be tabled in the first two weeks of March, most likely on the eighth.

Moody's and Fitch both downgraded their outlooks for growth but kept their ratings affirmed at BBB- and Baa3 respectively on their ratings scales, just one notch above junk status.

A concern expressed by Moody's was the ratio of debt to GDP.

“Moody's would likely downgrade Namibia's rating if the new fiscal consolidation plan were to prove ineffective in containing public-sector debt accumulation beyond the rating agency's baseline.

“A sustained decline in foreign currency reserves to below three months of import cover and or an increase in funding pressure resulting from reduced market appetite for government securities that lead to an increase in borrowing costs would also put downward pressure on the rating,” the agency said.

Fitch's assessment stated that a downgrade would be affirmed in the case of “a failure to narrow the fiscal deficit, leading to continued rise in the government debt-to-GDP ratio, failure to narrow the current account deficit or significant drawdown in international reserves, deterioration in economic growth, for example, due to a worsening of the business environment”.

OGONE TLHAGE

Omakwatathano gointerneta ogapumbwa okondolola - Omupevi presidende

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Omakwatathano gointerneta ogapumbwa okondolola - Omupevi presidendeOmakwatathano gointerneta ogapumbwa okondolola - Omupevi presidende Omupevi presidende, Nickey Iyambo okwa popi kutya, okwa pumbwa okutulwa miilonga omikalo ndhoka tadhi indike aantu mokulongitha omakwatatahano gopainternet, ngaashi Facebook noWhatsApp mokutuka aakuluntu nokupiyaganeka ombili moshilongo.

Iyambo okwa li a popi poshituthi shegandjo lyomagano sha ningililwe mondoolopa yaNdangwa mEtitano lya piti.

Okwa ti kutya AaNamibia unene aagundjuka otaya longitha omakwatathano ngaka, mokutaandelitha uuvideo wiihulo, oompangela dhili ompinge nepangelo, uukwamuhoko, okatongo nomatukano.

“Onda limbililwa ke yo pombanda lyiinima itayi tungu mbyoka tayi ningwa komapandja ngaka, unene kaanyasha naakuluntu mboka ya li ye na okukala ye shi ondjoolola pokati kuuwanawa nuuwinayi oshowo ondjokonona yoshilongo. Otashi ulike kutya aantu inaya hala ombili onkene oya hala okuteya po oshilongo nokupiyaganeka ombili ndjoka ya pula ekunguluko lyoombinzi dhAaNamibia oyendji ,” Iyambo ta ti.

Okwa popi woo kutya, shimwe tashi halutha osho shika kutya naaniilonga yepangelo otaya longitha omakwatathano ngaka, mokuhwahwameka uukwamuhoko nokatongo mokati kaakwashigwana ooyakwawo naazaizai oshowo epangelo, okwa gandja oshiholelwa shiikolokosha mbyoka ya holoka omasiku ngaka ga piti muumbugantu woshilongo pokati komihoko mbali.

Omapopyo gaIyambo oga landula oshiningwanima sho shiwike sha piti, moka omupevi minista nale mUuministeli wOmavi nOmatulululo, Bernadus Swartbooi, ali uula omupombanda gwe nale miilonga, Utoni Nujoma, sha ningilwa montaneho yiilyo yomutumba gwomegumbo lyopashigwana.

Swartbooi okwali uula Nujoma kutya ye“egoya”. Omalaka ngaka ogeeta omananathano noompata komapandja gomakwatathano gopainterneta.

Omwedhi gwa piti, okavideo komukiintu a hokanwa eli ponkatu yilimbilika yopaihulo nomulumentu gwontumba okali kapitithwa komakwatathano goWhatsApp. Aanapolotika yoongundu dha yooloka moshilongo oshowo mongundu yoSwapo otaya longitha wo omakwatathano ngaka mokunyana epangelo omolwa ompumbwe yoshimaliwa moka oshilongo shii adha shili oshowo iikumungu yevi.

Iyambo okwa pula iikondo ngaashi, Ombelewa yOmuprima, Uuministeli wEgameno oshowo Uuministeli wOmauyelele nOmakwatathano goPautekinika wu katuke oonkatu omolwa onkalo ndjika.

Okwa popi kutya ngele omakwatathano ngaka oga li taga longithwa mondjila, nena andola otaga vulu okuyambulapo oshilongo pamakwatathano nonkalonawa.



Hugunina Iyambo okwa pula aakwashigwana ya kambadhale okukandulapo omikundu nomaupyakadhi ga taalela oshigwana momukalo guukumwe nombili. Okwa pula omusindalandu gwelongo moshilongo opo gu kuthe po oshinakugwanithwa shoku tekula aanona ya ninge aakuluntu ye na esiloshimpwiyu yo taya kala yena esimaneko naakuluntu aakwawo yepupi lyawo no kusimaeka wo omithigululwakalo.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Aagandji yuuyelele otaya ka gamenwa kompango

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Aagandji yuuyelele otaya ka gamenwa kompangoAagandji yuuyelele otaya ka gamenwa kompango Mboka ta ya ka gandja uuyelele wiifundja otaya ka geelwa Omukuluntuwiliki gwOkakomisi kOkuvudha mo Iilonga yUulingilingi mOshilongo, Paulus Noa okwa pandula epangeo sho lya tula poshitaafula ontotwaveta ndjoka ta yi ka gamena aagandji aalopoteli yepangelo.

Ontotwaveta ndjoka ya kala ya tegelelwa uulethimbo, oya tulwa poshitaafula mOmutumba gwoPashigwana mEtine lya piti.

Noa okwa popi kutya, ontotwavea ndjika oya kala ya tegelelwa nale na oyi li etungilomanya mokuvudha mo iilonga yokulunga nokwiitapula moshilongo.

“Otu na AaNamibia oyendji mboka ya holola kutya otaya nyengwa okulopota iilonga yuulingilingi molwaashoka kape na oveta ndjoka ye ya gamena,” Noa ta ti.

Okwa holola kutya oku na omukumo kutya ontotwaveta ndjika otayi ka kwatelamo iikundathanwa ayihe mbyoka yiikundwa pethimbo lyiigongi ya ningwa naakuthimbinga ayehe mboka ya gumwa kontotwaveta.

“Ngele omuntu okwa kwathele epangelo mokumona omwaalu omunene gwiimaiwa mbyoka ya li ya gwile momake gaadhudhu nena otashi kala owala pauyuuki ngele omuntu ngoka ta mono olupandu okuza poshimaliwa shoka.”

Sho a tseyitha ontotwaveta momutumba gwopashigwana, Minista Albert Kawana okwa popi kutya ontotwaveta otayi ka kala oshilwitho oshiwanawa mokukondjitha uulingilingi, uukongo, eyakelo lyiingangamithi moshilongo, elanditho lyaantu, eyonagulo lyomidhingoloko, eholeko lyoonzo dhiimaliwa oshowo iimbuluma yimwe moshilongo.

Ontotwaveta ndjika otayi pula etotepo lyOmbelewa tayi ithanwa Whistleblower Protection Office ndjoka tayi ka kala yi na komufala, omupevi komufala oshowo aaniilonga yalwe. Ontopolwa onti-9 yOntotwaveta ndjika oyi na etotepo niilonga yoWhistleblower Protection Review Tribunal.

Opo ku shunithwe pevi elongitho lyiimaliwa oyindji okwa tokolwa opo iilyo yoWhistleblower Protection Review Tribunal yi kale tayi longo pamalupita.

O Whistleblower Protection Review Tribuna otayi ka kala yi na oshinakugwanithwa shokutala komatokolo agehe ngoka taga ningwa mompango ndjoka. Kawana okwa popi kutya pe na ompumbwe onene yokugamena omauyelele ngoka taga gandjwa kaahikihiya mboka, molwaashoka ngele uuyelele owa yi pondje omanga iipotha inayi manithwa nena otashi ka kala oshidhigu okuyeleka edhina lyomuntu ngoka ngele lwanima okwa mangululwa okuza kiipotha mbyoka .



“Oshili oshooka kutya aanapolotika yaahena ondjo, aanangeshefa naanenentu yalwe moshigwana otaya ka lundilwa kaakondjithi yawo,” Kawana a tsu omudhindo.

Ontotwaveta otayi tulitha miilonga euliko lyaanambelewa mboka taya ka lopotelwa iipotha miiputudhilo inene.

Ontopolwa onti-5 yompango ndjoka otayi indike ekatukilo lyoonkatu omuyakeliko gwepangelo kehe mokuholola uuyelele wontumba nokutaalela etongolo neningilo lyomatilitho uuna omuhikihiya ngoka omuniilonga.



“Iinima yilwe mboka yiindikwa ongaashi, ekutho miilonga pakathimbo, etidho miilonga, eshunitho pevi monkatu yiilonga, etindo lyokuyela omuniilonga ngoka onga oshizemo sho kuholola uuyelele. Okulundulula onkalo yiilonga nokufala omuniilonga komutumba gwomayutho, oyimwe ya indikwa okuza kaagandji yiilonga,” Kawana a yelitha.

Ontotwaveta otayi utha woo egandjo lyomageelo kwaamboka taya ka gandja owina omauyeelele gaahena uukwashili. Omageelo ogeli pooN$100 000, nenge oomvula 20 mondjeedhililo.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Be tenacious

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Be tenaciousBe tenacious Tenacity is one of my favourite words because I simply take tenacity as my normal method of achieving goals. I know many people who are tenacious and they get the job done. But I'm beginning to realise that a lot of people are not tenacious and they give up easily.

In my opinion tenacity is one of the major character traits that many people lack. For me tenacity is simply being able to hold on to what you love and not to let go no matter what circumstances come your way. Often, we are easily discouraged by our friends who do not share the same vision as us and we tend to let go of our dreams and aspirations. It takes grit to hold on to what we want to achieve and not let others influence us to think otherwise. The good thing is we all have the desire to focus on what we want without being discouraged.

We all have set out plans of some sort and we allocate a timeframe within which we want to achieve these plans. However the biggest mistake that we make is we tend to reveal a lot to our friends before we even start executing these plans. You have to know that not all your friends want to see you shine. When you reveal your great plans to them, sometimes it does not go down well with them because they are scared that their peers will do better than them. Sometimes some of your friends will tell you that you cannot achieve your goals. This makes it difficult to understand their attitude because as humans, we expect our friends to support our dreams and goals. So what do you do then when your friends do not believe in you and do not support your dream? This is the right time to show them your tenacity. You have to realise that not all of your peers are going to realise the potential in you but that is okay. So, what you ought to do is to believe in yourself and work hard quietly. Get rid of bad company, because it does not help you in any way to surround yourself with people who do not see your potential. I know it will be hard at first to eliminate those types of friends but if they are not encouraging you in any way then they are of no use to you.

As a young person you tend to benefit a lot by just being tenacious. Firstly, tenacity helps you to keep focused. This trait will allow you to hold on to your dreams and it will fuel your eagerness to achieve all that you have set out to achieve for yourself.

Tenacity it about staying focused and understanding that goals are achieved over a period of time. It is all about perseverance. As I said earlier, it can mean getting rid of those who say you cannot achieve set goals, you cannot make it work, and you cannot do it. Well, they cannot because they say it. You can because you choose to.

Tenacity is about doing what is needed to be done to get where you want to be. It is about figuring out where you are and where you want to be and then making the first step to get there. Avoid spending too much time on the plan, on figuring out how to get there. Yes, you do need to know how to get there, you need a plan but do not get stuck in the planning stages. You need to start executing these plans. Since we are young and experimenting and learning about these aspirations, we are bound to make a step in the wrong direction but this too should not discourage you. Taking the first step in executing your plans is very important because, it helps you figure out what the right direction is and you usually learn more than one good lesson at a time.

Tenacity is different from not being realistic. I am not saying go out there and set unrealistic goals for yourself. It is good to aim high but do so realistically and do not rush yourself to achieve your dreams. Remember, Rome was not built in a day. So, set goals that are achievable, work towards achieving them and do not let those with a negative outlook on life tell you that you are not capable of achieving your dreams. Lastly, I would say use tenacity to uplift you in all your aspects of your life. You will be amazed by what tenacity can do for you.

MICHEAL KAYUNDE

michael@namibiansun.com

Somali blast targeted civilians

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Somali blast targeted civiliansSomali blast targeted civilians The death toll from a car bomb at a marketplace in Somalia's capital has risen to 34 with 52 injured, said a police officer.

Many of the dead were carried away by their relatives soon after the blast, said Captain Mohamed Hussein.

“It was a horrific and barbaric attack only aimed at killings civilians,” he said from the scene of the blast.

Sabriye Abdullahi, an ambulance driver told The Associated Press that some of the injured victims died on their way to the hospitals.

“Many of them suffered extensive third degree burns and others were burned beyond recognition,” he said.

The blast by a car bomb parked near a restaurant went off at a busy time when shoppers and traders were gathered inside the market, said district commissioner Ahmed Abdulle.

Mohamed Haji, a butcher who suffered shrapnel wounds, pointed to a clothes shop devastated by the blast. “Someone had parked the car here and left before it was detonated,” he said. Pieces of wood and metal sheets on the ground were all that remained of the shop. Women sobbed and screamed outside the market as rescue workers moved bloodied bodies and wounded victims into ambulances.

“It's a painful carnage.” said Ali Mire, a government soldier who was helping a friend with shrapnel wounds

The powerful explosion was the first major attack since Somalia's new president was elected on 8 February. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility, it bears the hallmarks of Somalia's Islamic extremists rebels, al-Shabaab. In a Twitter post, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed condemned the blast, saying that it shows the “cruelty” of al-Shabaab.

A few hours before the blast, al-Shabaab denounced the new president as an “apostate” and vowed to continue fighting against his government.

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano, in a statement condemning the attack, said that “Italy remains solidly on Somalia's side in the process of the country's stabilization.” He added that “together we will act so that the terrorists don't succeed in stopping the path of peace and reconciliation that is underway.”

NAMPA/AP

Zambian law, FIFA clash

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Zambian law, FIFA clashZambian law, FIFA clashGay discrimination not allowed internationally Soccer authorities in Zambia want to ban discrimination against homosexuals in line with FIFA, but the law and the church in the country do not agree. A proposal by Zambian football authorities to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians has kicked off a dispute over homosexuality, which is illegal in the country and widely seen as immoral.

The new draft constitution of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) contains a clause banning discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, in line with regulations from world governing body FIFA.

But Zambian church leaders and senior football figures have attacked the proposal as undermining the country's devout Christian beliefs, which are protected by the national constitution.

Zambia does not implicitly ban homosexual sex, but it outlaws “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature”.

“Zambia is a Christian nation and any instructions from FIFA which will conflict with Christianity are not welcome,” former FAZ executive committee member Masha Chilemena told AFP.

“The FAZ cannot go against what is stipulated in the law of the land.

“If FIFA is to impose sanctions on Zambia, we will play in the local league.”

International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC) president Simon Chihana told AFP that if FAZ agreed to a clause banning discrimination against gays it would be “inviting the wrath of God”.

“We are a blessed nation and we cannot allow an individual or institution to bring the happenings of Sodom and Gomorrah here,” he said.



Illegal in much of Africa

Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who was re-elected last year, has spoken out strongly against gay rights, despite pressure from donor countries that provide essential aid to the country.

“Those advocating gay rights should go to hell…. That issue is foreign to this country,” he said after the arrest of two Zambian gay men in 2013.

The two men, who faced 14 years in prison if convicted, were acquitted the following year after more than a year in jail.

Amnesty International said the accused were subjected to forcible anal examinations by government doctors seeking evidence of sexual activity.

Homosexuality is punishable by the death penalty in Mauritania, Sudan and some parts of Nigeria and Somalia, and is also illegal in 30 other African countries.

FAZ general secretary Ponga Liwewe said that the association would ensure its new constitution was not against Zambian law, stressing that the document was still at its draft stage.

“When it is finalised, it will reflect the laws of the country and the law of football so that there will be no conflict between the two,” Liwewe told AFP.

Human rights campaigners called on FAZ to take a stand against discrimination, with the Engender Rights Centre for Justice group accusing evangelical churches of waging an anti-gay crusade.

“It is overzealous people, mostly Pentecostal movements, that are misleading the government and the masses,” said ERCJ project coordinator Paul Kasonkomona, who was arrested and acquitted four years ago after he appeared on television calling for homosexual relationships to be decriminalised.

“The constitution says the rights of all should be respected, so let the rights of the minority be respected,” he said.

“I don't think FAZ should feel that they are doing something wrong, they are not asking people to have sex. It's not a sin to be gay.”



NAMPA/AFP

Shot of the day

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Shot of the dayShot of the day THERE’S A STORM COMING: Large parts of Namibia enjoyed wonderful showers and lots of much-needed moisture as tropical storm Dineo brought a low pressure system and good rainfall over many parts of the country. The west was also blessed as this photo, taken in Kleine Kuppe, Windhoek, on Sunday, shows. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

The bough isn't breaking, yet

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The bough isn't breaking, yetThe bough isn't breaking, yet We have made great strides as a nation, but we would be foolish to believe that things started going wrong only recently.

President Hage Geingob recently spoke at the opening of cabinet, the judiciary and parliament.

At each occasion, the president referred to those whom he believes are a threat to peace and stability.

He went as far as using examples of now war torn countries in an attempt to highlight the importance of pledging alliance to our nation and its peace and stability. President Geingob left for exile to free Namibia from South African rule, the struggle was as much about land, equality, equal access to opportunities and prosperity for all, and for many Namibians this is not reality.

They see the fruits of independence only in the fridges of others, their masters – the elite. What is peace and stability for those in rural Namibia who do not know where their next meal will come from or don't have clean drinking water – not because they are lazy or unwilling to work, but because they were seemingly forgotten? What does peace and stability mean to a young graduate who works hard and honestly, unable to own a house of his/her own yet watches as his/her uneducated peers with the right connections get rich quickly through million dollar tenders? Can people eat peace? Can they sleep in it? Everything in Namibia however, is not a story of gloom and if we all engage each other on how to do right by ourselves, instead of just hurling insults and veiled threats, things can also become much better. We need to ask ourselves what the election promises were – what was ignored and how we can deliver on those promises made.

We have a history of overcoming adversity. We beat colonialism and said never again, we have managed to establish an acceptable democracy, with its flaws, but one that we can be proud of.

Yet, our bravery should transcend our faults and we need to acknowledge the mistakes we made and do right by the poor.

Shoprite workers to vote on strike

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Shoprite workers to vote on strikeShoprite workers to vote on strike Employees under Shoprite Holdings in Namibia are this week expected to begin voting on whether to embark on a national strike or not.

The Labour Commissioner on 10 February issued the 3 900 employees a certificate of unresolved dispute.

The ballot process is expected to start on Wednesday and run until 7 March.

Labour consultant, Petrus Hange Zondjembo and the workers' representative Josef Nambinga met with some of them on Saturday at UN Plaza in Soweto, Katutura to explain what it means to receive the certificate.

Nambinga said the workers may now stage a legal strike, but must follow procedures such as the ballot process.

“If the majority are in favour of the strike then the parties (employees and company) have to agree to strike rules and after that the employer will be informed of the date of strike.”

Nambinga said the dispute started in September 2015 when it was referred to the Labour Commissioner that the employees are not happy with their remuneration.

Zondjembo noted the lowest paid employee at a Shoprite company in Namibia earned N$1 750 per month without benefits.

“The employees want an increment of 10 to 15%. In addition they want transport and housing allowance and medical aid benefits,” said Zondjembo.

He said renting a shack in Windhoek costs about N$1 000 per month, which forces the workers to walk to work.

The employees want a minimum wage of N$3 500 per month with benefits.

Zondjembo said they want the process to be legal for employees to not lose their jobs.

Businesses that fall under Shoprite Holdings in Namibia are Checkers, Shoprite, U Save, Hungry Lion, OK Furniture, Shoprite Liquor Store and House and Home.

NAMPA

Drownings mar weekend

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Drownings mar weekendDrownings mar weekendMurder and assault also prominent While no rapes were reported in the weekly crime briefing of the Namibian police, murders and assaults are still commonplace. Two men aged 29 and 41 drowned at Lisikili village in the Zambezi Region over the weekend after their canoe capsized.

According to police, the canoe capsized while crossing the river. The bodies of Samuel Kamwi Simataa, 29, and Voster Mukungu, 41, were recovered from the river by the police. Their next of kin have been informed.

A 66-year-old man was found dead in a riverbed at the Katutura location at Opuwo in the Kunene Region. The deceased has been identified as Tjiliva Kakondi. It is suspected that Kakondi might have attempted to cross the flooding river and drowned. His next of kin have been informed and police investigations are continuing. In Usakos, the body of a woman who earlier was reported missing was found in a field. The deceased was identified as 32-year-old Trudie Cloete. It is alleged Cloete went missing from a farmhouse on Sunday, 12 February. No foul play is suspected and her next of kin have been informed. Police investigations continue.

The police also recorded four murders over the weekend. Thirty-seven-year-old Malakia Tuli Nghiwelepo was found with a stab wound at the corner of Beijing and Havana Streets at 7 de Laan in Otjomuise in Windhoek. He was rushed to Katutura hospital but was declared dead on arrival. His next of kin have been informed. No arrests have been made and police investigations are continuing. In another stabbing incident, 36-year-old Boysen Immanuel died in Wanaheda on Saturday morning after he was allegedly stabbed by a suspect whom he had accused of stealing his cell phone. The suspect, who is out on bail for another murder case, is on the run. In Oshikoto Region, two suspects who are alleged to have fatally stabbed 19-year-old Hofnie Erastus were arrested and were expected to appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate's Court yesterday. On Sunday, police also reported the death of an 82-year-old woman, Sofia Shamba. It is alleged that Shamba was assaulted with an unknown object by her husband. Her body was found the following morning close to her house with multiple wounds. Her husband is aged between 80 and 90 years. He is in custody while police investigations continue.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

US embassy gives to drought relief

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US embassy gives to drought reliefUS embassy gives to drought relief The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), will purchase eight water tanker trucks and promote community and school sanitation to the tune of N$21 million.

Additionally, USAID, with funding from the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), is rolling out N$28 million in drought assistance activities to help malnourished HIV patients, pregnant and lactating women, orphans and vulnerable children in food-insecure districts in Namibia with a high HIV burden.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, USAID will support the training of health extension workers to identify and refer HIV-positive individuals and vulnerable children who are malnourished.

Referred clients will receive a medical assessment and if necessary therapeutic nutritional feeding supplements, as well as counselling on improved nutrition and hygiene.

To support the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's efforts, USAID will assist in expediting the registration of orphans and vulnerable children for social grants to mitigate the effect of drought on vulnerable children.

In addition, USAID will work with the Office of the Prime Minister and UN organisations to ensure coordination, technical support, and sustainability of the response.

USAID anticipates providing nutrition screening and counselling to over 42 000 people living with HIV and providing food supplements to up to 14 000 vulnerable children.

These drought assistance interventions support the existing Pepfar and Namibian government programme to meet the USAID targets to combat HIV in the country.

STAFF REPORTER

We are back – talking Africa

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We are back – talking AfricaWe are back – talking Africa Last year these pages carried a number of articles and commentaries from the youth. We initially started with students from the department of political science at the University of Namibia. It is this department that introduced this initiative. Later on, it expanded to other departments in the faculty of economic and management sciences before we moved to other faculties. In some instances, we even published articles from Namibian students studying at universities outside Namibia. We have gotten feedback; many people from various walks of life are talking about The Astute Conversation. The impact is surely felt. Indeed, we have heard both negative and positive commentaries about The Astute Conversation. It is 2017 – The Astute Conversation is back. We are beginning the year with a discussion on African consciousness and African political economy. Tobias and Kalimbwe, our regular contributors take us into the conversation.

We are back – talking Africa

0
0
We are back – talking AfricaWe are back – talking Africa Last year these pages carried a number of articles and commentaries from the youth. We initially started with students from the department of political science at the University of Namibia. It is this department that introduced this initiative. Later on, it expanded to other departments in the faculty of economic and management sciences before we moved to other faculties. In some instances, we even published articles from Namibian students studying at universities outside Namibia. We have gotten feedback; many people from various walks of life are talking about The Astute Conversation. The impact is surely felt. Indeed, we have heard both negative and positive commentaries about The Astute Conversation. It is 2017 – The Astute Conversation is back. We are beginning the year with a discussion on African consciousness and African political economy. Tobias and Kalimbwe, our regular contributors take us into the conversation.
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