Genocide council rapped over knuckles

March 1, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Genocide council rapped over knucklesGovt cannot waste time on tribal issues President Hage Geingob has made it clear that there are no kings, queens or paramount chiefs in a modern democracy. President Hage Geingob has castigated members of OvaHerero, OvaMbanderu and Nama Council for Dialogue on the 1904 Genocide for asking him to strip Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro's of that title.

Geingob told a delegation that there was no way the government could spend a third of its time on traditional authority disputes while it had larger issues to deal with.

He emphasised that Namibia was a democracy with no place for kingdoms with kings and queens, and that traditional leaders must be referred to as chiefs, using the applicable terms in their language, such as “Gaob” in Damara.

Geingob pointed out that Rukoro himself during his term as attorney-general ruled out the title “paramount chief”.

“Are we going to be bound down with these quarrels about titles? So we said in English there will be no paramount chief. If you have problems [then] go to the court...

“He [Rukoro] is leading people. He has a following... you cannot deny that. You must stand up and challenge him. We cannot be the ones to fight for you. Government is an arbitrator,” he said.

The group yesterday called on the president to discuss some “impediments” in their dealings with the government.

Former cabinet minister Willem Konjore, who spoke on behalf of the group, told the president that Rukoro was “boasting” with his title of paramount chief.

He also criticised the fact that the Government Gazette confirmed Rukoro's status as paramount chief, which he said caused confusion.

According to him the class action brought against the German government over the 1904-08 genocide against the Nama and OvaHerero people demonstrated the real danger Rukoro's paramount chieftaincy could cause.

“A recognised chief allowed to use the title of paramount chief will escalate disputes among our communities, especially OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu people. The ONCD therefore pleads with His Excellency to take steps that would alter this situation in the best interest of 'one Namibia, one nation',” said Konjore.

Rukoro's spokesperson, Bob Kandetu, said they were not privy to the ONCD's concern regarding Rukoro's status and could not comment at this stage.



Chiefs' forum

Konjore also told the president that chiefs working with the office of vice-president Nickey Iyambo were not properly recognised.

According to him the chiefs are simply referred to as an “informal body”.

The chiefs' forum is one of the representative committees established to inform the government's reparation negotiations.

“This kind of treatment of the vice-president plays directly into the hands of our adversaries and provides ammunition to those who want to see the negotiations fail,” said Konjore.



JEMIMA BEUKES

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Logging at Zambezi Green Scheme still on hold

March 1, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Logging at Zambezi Green Scheme still on holdLogging company had no permits An investigation into the illegal felling of high-value, protected trees in the Zambezi Region continues. The cutting of at least 70 high-value trees in or near a Green Scheme construction site in the Zambezi Region was conducted illegally, forestry officials confirmed this week.

Last month, Namibian Sun reported that a probe into suspicious logging activities by a Chinese company, New Force Logistics, had been launched after dozens of protected trees were cut without a permit.

At the time, the companies involved with the logging argued that permits were not required to cut the trees, because an environmental clearance certificate, based on a completed environmental impact assessment (EIA), had been issued.

Joseph Hailwa, director of forestry in the agriculture ministry, told Namibian Sun last month that it was his understanding that the de-bushing activities, including the felling of listed trees, within the boundaries of the Green Scheme did not require additional permits from his department, given the environmental clearance certificate.

However, this week Hailwa said that a permit was in fact needed under forestry regulations, because New Force Logistics was not merely de-bushing the area, but cutting the trees for commercial purposes.

“They were actually operating without a permit. And yes, they do need a permit. They need a permit because they are actually converting those trees into commercial products,” he explained.

Hailwa added that issuing a permit to cut protected trees, even for commercial purposes, was merely a formality if the trees were cut within the area set aside for the irrigation scheme.

“It is in any case just formalising the permit. It must be given,” he said, explaining that the area must be cleared for the agricultural project.

He said a problem would arise if the trees were not cut within the designated area, adding that the logging operations remained on hold because forestry officials suspected that some of the trees had been harvested outside the designated area.

This issue, as well as the required paperwork, will be discussed at a meeting scheduled for 14 March, officials confirmed this week.

The investigation to date has discovered that at least 70 trees were felled without a permit.

The trees consisted of Zambezi teak, a high-value species that is listed as near threatened, in addition to another high-value species, the large false mopane (African rosewood). Both species are protected under Namibian law.

According to sources close to the investigation, there was “selective cutting” of valuable timber near or at the Green Scheme area, and there was no evidence no large-scale de-bushing activities, as claimed.

Two of the issues that will be discussed at the upcoming meeting are whether the commercial harvesting took place within the boundaries of the Katima Farm and Liselo irrigation project, or outside it as some suspect, and to address the lack of permits from the forestry department.

The meeting will be attended by forestry officials, agriculture officials, regional councillors and officials from the Ministry of Land Reform.

Also in attendance will be representatives of New Force Logistics and Uundenge Investments, the company that subcontracted the de-bushing tender to the Chinese company.

It is not clear whether MK Construction Investment JV Okatombo Investment, the joint venture that was awarded the N$26 million tender last year for the de-bushing and ripping of the Katima Farm and Liselo irrigation project, will be in attendance.

Uundenge Investments subcontracted the de-bushing and ripping to New Force Logistics in January this year. New Force Logistics is reportedly owned by Chinese national Hou Xueching, who has faced numerous criminal charges in Namibia.

In an agreement seen by Namibian Sun, Xueching agreed to pay Uundenge Investments N$3 million over the course of March, May and a last million-dollar payment in July this year, in order to carry out the de-bushing.

Although the contract between the two, titled 'Farm Trees Sale Agreement', stipulates that the “main contractor assist sub-contractor to apply for those permits and documents about requiring felling, transporting, selling these trees, and cost undertaken by main contractor”, Laban Kandume, owner of Uundenge Investments, told Namibian Sun last month that a permit was not required for the cutting of the trees.

He argued that a permit was only required for the transporting of the timber.



JANA-MARI SMITH

War vets want in on govt spoils

March 1, 2017, 2:00 pm

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War vets want in on govt spoils A delegation of pioneer war veterans of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) yesterday told President Hage Geingob that they wanted regional heroes' acres or shrines, fishing quotas and easy access to business opportunities.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the meeting, group spokesperson Elobi Amundaba said many veterans still lived in dire conditions, struggling to access their veterans' pensions.

He said their visit was primarily to remind the government of their existence and that they should be made a priority.

According to him those who worked when they were young now have pension payouts to live on, but the rest struggled with poverty.

“We asked that we should be considered because we are veterans. That is what we came to ask him, specifically fishing quotas, possibly land for the people living in towns,” he said.

According to Amundaba many war veterans are yet to receive the veterans' grant while others are struggling to get their business proposals approved.

“There are some who are living in small houses and some who have houses need their houses renovated,” he said.

The Veterans Act of 2008 came into force on 8 July 2008 to assist the Veterans' Affairs Ministry in designing and implementing appropriate, targeted poverty-reduction programmes for veterans and their dependants.

The Act provides for the state's responsibility to provide financial and other assistance to eligible veterans and dependants of veterans to enable them to be reintegrated in the social and economic mainstream of society.

The Act defines a veteran as a person who was a member of the liberation struggle and who consistently and persistently participated in the political, diplomatic or underground activities in support of the struggle.

Veterans are eligible for a N$2 500 monthly grant and also qualify to receive a lump sum of N$50 000 or N$20 000, depending on the category in which they fall.

Those who went into exile from 1960 to 1987 received a one-off payment of N$50 000, while those who went to exile from 1988 to 1989 are entitled to a one-off payment of N$20 000.

Additional benefits include project funding of N$200 000 to make war veterans self-sustaining, as well as education benefits.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Schools abandoned after heavy rains

March 1, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Schools abandoned after heavy rainsFlooding in northern regions Heavy rainfall has caused flooding at northern schools, where classes may be suspended today. Learning in some schools in northern Namibia has been affected after heavy rains experienced on Tuesday evening and the early morning hours of yesterday.

Schools in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions were flooded, with classrooms and offices under water.

The whole of northern Namibia has received good rains in the last few days. According to the weather bureau, Oshikango received the highest rainfall of 94.6mm while Oshakati reported 44.6mm.

The heavy downpours also disrupted traffic at northern towns during the morning peak hour.

Namibian Sun visited several schools in Omusati. Eengwena Primary School principal Paulus Lazarus said they were considering cancelling classes until the water subsided.

The school is surrounded by floodplains, and learners and teachers have to wade through knee-deep water to reach the school.

“Only a few learners turned up for school. Others could not cross the plains as the school is in the middle of big plains on both sides,” he said.

“Pre-primary learners are heavily affected, as well as grade 1 learners. Fewer than 10 turned up for classes. Other classes could not go ahead because learners were wet,” he said.

He said when he left the school around 10:00 to attend a meeting at the circuit office in Okalongo, the school management decided to suspend pre-primary classes until Friday.

“I think the best option is to suspend learning for all classes for us not to risk learners and teachers. Water does not only pose an access problem, but it can also bring waterborne diseases. School management and the school board will meet again tomorrow [today],” he said.

Teachers interviewed by Namibian Sun said it took them about 20 minutes to cross the oshanas to the school.

Lazarus added that it was the first time he had experienced such flooding since he started working at the school in 2011.

Another school that is under water is the Shitambi Primary School in the Ohangwena Region.

Nampa reports that classes at the school were cancelled and the learners sent home. According to Nampa, books and stationery were damaged.

“We felt it was hazardous, especially for the young ones, so we sent them home,” said grade 1 teacher Lydia Shoovaleka.

She said officials from the Directorate of Education were at the school to assess the situation.

“We have not received any instructions about what to do yet,” Shoovaleka said.

Nampa also quoted Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi as saying that it was the first time the school had experienced such flooding. He said they suspected the flooding was caused by the new Okatana-Onhuno road, which blocks the flow of floodwater and channels it towards the school. The directorate has liaised with the relevant authorities.

“We are waiting for a response from the Roads Authority, which has promised to attend to the situation as soon as possible,” Hamatwi said.

Regional police spokespersons for the northern regions said they had not received any reports of rain-related incidents.

“It was a quiet and peaceful rainfall,” Omusati police spokesperson Warrant Officer Linekela Shikongo told Namibian Sun.

Many other schools are expected to provide a clearer picture of the situation on the ground today.





ILENI NANDJATO

Dubious SME Bank investments laid bare

March 1, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Dubious SME Bank investments laid bare OGONE TLHAGE

Once championed by President Hage Geingob, the SME Bank has been placed under curatorship because of questionable investment in South African financial instruments.

Implicated in the saga is cabinet secretary George Simataa, who is the chairperson of the partially government-owned bank’s board, along with his fellow board members and three exco members including former chief executive officer Tawanda Mumvuma.

The Bank of Namibia has appointed a new board as well as a chief executive officer while investigations into the matter continue, central bank governor Iipumbu Shiimi announced yesterday.

According to Shiimi, between N$181 million and N$196 million was invested in questionable financial instruments in South Africa.

“The Bank of Namibia’s considered view is that such investments have the potential to cause instability if they are verified to be unsound.

“The Bank of Namibia has assumed control of the operations of the SME Bank to allow for an objective and thorough assessment of the investment portfolio of the SME Bank to make a full determination of the soundness of these investments.”

According to Shiimi, the answers given by the implicated persons were not satisfactory and resulted in their suspension.

He added: “We have not pronounced the suspended guilty, that is the duty of the courts.”

The interim board members are Dennis Khama, Melani Tjijenda, Ali Ipinge and Fanuel Kisting, while Benustus Herunga takes the helm as CEO.

“The board of the SME Bank and the CEO will work closely with the dedicated staff members of the SME Bank to ensure the institution continues to deliver on its mandate,” Shiimi said.

“It is also important to note that the SME Bank will continue to operate during the time the Bank of Namibia assumes control. The management in place will make decisions regarding the continued granting of loans and banking activities, based on the existing policies and procedures in place.

“Further, the SME Bank transactions, including ATM and online platforms, will be available and fully operational.”

Shiimi assured the public that depositors would have full access to their money in the ordinary course of doing business.

“The Bank of Namibia undertakes to restore ownership of the SME Bank within the shortest time possible,” he said.

Minister of economic planning Tom Alweendo voiced concern about operations at the SME Bank in August 2016.

Alweendo, a former governor of the central bank, said at the time: “We can admit that the SME Bank is not doing what it is intended to do. We are very aware of that. It could well mean strengthening the management.”

Just last year, it was revealed that the SME Bank had incurred N$182 million in losses since its inception and had not been paying taxes since 2012.

The bank’s financial results were delayed at the time and were in stark contrast to governance rules which encourage the publishing of results three months after the financial year-end.

Another concern raised by the BoN is that Zimbabwean businessman, Enock Kamushinda has been allowed to own a 5% stake in the commercial bank despite being blacklisted by the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa.

Just recently, the SME Bank was chosen to administer N$11 million given to the so-called struggle children. The money was drawn from the reserves of the Social Security Commission of Namibia. President Hage Geingob signed off the transaction.

The SME Bank is majority owned by the government of Namibia, which holds a 65% stake through the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development. Kamushinda holds a 5% stake and the remainder is held by Metbank of Zimbabwe.

Nam's boccia team to compete in SA

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Nam's boccia team to compete in SAParalympics Namibia aims for diversification Namibia's first boccia team will visit South Africa at the end of the month to make their international debut. The Namibia Paralympic Committee's boccia team will compete internationally for the first time at the Nedbank championship in South Africa later this month.

NPC secretary-general Michel Hamukwaya told Namibian Sun that after classifications and training done in December, they selected a team of four.

“We had our first training in December last year and had a classifier from South Africa and did classification here,” he said.

He said because the sport was new and unknown they could select only four athletes, who are all based in Windhoek.

“We only selected a team of four athletes for now. This is also because it is an expensive sport because every athlete needs an assistant, so we only managed to select four to go and try it out in South Africa,” he said.

Boccia, which means “ball” in Latin, is a sport for people with cerebral palsy or related neurological conditions requiring the use of a wheelchair.

Hamukwaya added that officiating courses were also conducted and a Namibian official is now in Luanda, Angola, for further training.

He said the athletes were very keen.

“When they started they showed interest and we are really happy and see they are improving because they want to practise every day.

“We are happy to see the good reaction from the athletes and that will also attract interest from other regions because this is an Olympic sport and it is very important for us if we can also have guys like this so that we can have diversification in our team,” he said.

Hamukwaya appealed to the public to support the new sport code.

“The NPC is trying to give as many opportunities as possible to our people with disability and we believe we have talent, but it is an expensive sport.”

The Nedbank championship will be held in Port Elizabeth from 31 March to 4 April.

KAINO NGHITONGO

Stars meet 'Kahirona' in Debmarine Cup

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Stars meet 'Kahirona' in Debmarine Cup Old rivalry will be renewed when African Stars and Life Fighters (Kahirona) meet in the Debmarine NFA Cup round of 32.

The draw pitted some top premier league clubs against second-division clubs, with the majority of them avoiding each other early on in the competition.

The games will be played in mid-April at venues still to be confirmed.

The most mouth-watering battle is expected to be between old foes African Stars and Life Fighters.

The fact that these two clubs have traditionally shared supporters from the same ethnic group - Otjiherero-speaking people - makes their rivalry inevitable.

Life Fighters have played non-league football since being relegated nearly 11 years ago. The Otjiwarongo club however gained promotion for the 2016/17 season.

Rivals African Stars have been successful in cup and league competitions in the last ten years, making them hot favourites over Life Fighters.



Fixtures of the Debmarine Cup round of 32

Rhino FC vs Young Beauties

Khuse FC vs Touch & Go

Orlando Pirates vs Gendev FC

Life Fighters vs African Stars

Young African vs Otjiwarongo FC

Mighty Gunners vs Citizens

Try Again vs Chief Santos

Young Chiefs vs Kantema Bullets

Black Africa vs Bee Bob Brothers

Ogongo United vs Eleven Arrows

UNAM FC vs Eleven Champions

Tigers vs Eastern Chiefs

King Fischer vs Tura Magic

Blue Waters vs Rundu Chiefs

Civics vs Ohangwena NAMPOL

Outjo FC vs United Stars

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Swimming event set for weekend

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Swimming event set for weekend The annual Pointbreak Open Water swimming competition will take place on Sunday at Lake Oanob Resort.

The dam's water level has risen from 42% to 70% after recent rains.

Traditionally the race has consisted of 2.1km; 700m or Fun Swim. This year a 5km distance has been included.

The event organisers, OTB Sport, said they were approached by NASU to include a 5km swim, so that NASU-registered swimmers could use the Pointbreak to gain FINA points for use at international events.

“We were only expecting a very small handful of swimmers for this distance, but a number of regular swimmers are excited to use this distance for a training race in preparation of a 10km race they will do in SA later this year.

“Other swimmers have told us that it on their bucket list for 2018, when they are fit enough,” the organisers said.

“The 5km will have a 2:15-minute cut-off. In total, across the distance, we expect around 230 swimmers.”

The 5km swim will start at 9:00, with the 700m at 9:30 and the 2.1km at 10:00. The Kiddies Fun event will take place at 11:00. The prize-giving ceremony will take place around 11:45.

SPORT REPORTER

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Icexpress partners with Namibia

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Icexpress partners with NamibiaParalympics Namibia gets technology partner South African Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics will be Namibia's technology partner ahead of the 2020 Paralympic Games. Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics, in conjunction with Is Ability Sports Club and the Jumping Kids Foundation, will serve as technology partner to Team Namibia ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The collaboration, a knowledge-sharing platform for the fitment and maintenance of prosthetic sports solutions, was reached when Namibian Paralympic Committee secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya, accompanied by Windhoek prosthetist Werner Nakale, visited Icexpress to fit Etchegaray Nguluwe with his first 'blade'.

Nguluwe is a below-knee amputee who represented Namibia in the T44 long jump item at the 2015 Paralympic World Championships. Now, fitted with a sports prosthesis, he is set to become Namibia's first 'blade runner'.

Icexpress has a long-standing relationship with Namibia. In 2011 the team joined with OK Prosthetics in Rundu to demonstrate the latest prosthetic manufacturing technology, while fitting 30 Namibians with advanced walking prostheses.

“One must remember, although the technology to assist athletes competing with prosthetic equipment is widely used, it is still not accessible to marginalised communities. Our vision is to provide neighbouring countries with affordable sports solutions,” says Icexpress's Johan Snyders.

By including Is Ability Sports; a club established to provide sport opportunities for athletes living with amputations, and Jumping Kids; the company's social responsibility initiative, Icexpress's vision is to help create a new generation of blade athletes ready to perform on the world stage.

“The idea is to replicate the process used for Ntando Mahlangu – a bilateral above-knee amputee who went from a wheelchair-bound ten-year-old to Paralympic silver in only four years. With a holistic approach to prosthetics, rehabilitation and knowledge-sharing, we hope to contribute to a strong South and Southern African Paralympic squad in preparation for the 2020 Paralympics,” Snyders said.

ICEXPRESS

DTA accuses breweries of racism

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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DTA accuses breweries of racism The DTA political party has lambasted Namibia Breweries Limited's (NBL's) sponsorship of a South African rugby club.

NBL announced this week that the Tafel Lager brand was the new official sponsor of the Griquas rugby team for the next three years.

The news drew criticism from many Namibians, with the latest coming from the official opposition.

DTA member of parliament Nico Smit described the sponsorship as “unpatriotic and racially motivated”.

In a press release, Smit said: “As a member of the senior leadership of the DTA, I wish to express my utter shock and disbelief upon reading that NBL has engaged in a sponsorship deal with the Griqua Rugby Union.

“It is my belief that seeing a Namibian company, which produces a symbol of national pride, engage in a sponsorship deal with a foreign-based sports team that has no linkage to Namibia.”

Smit said the company should have sponsored a Namibian team instead.

“This will come as an affront to the sensitivities of every patriotic Namibian.

“It is unacceptable and quite frankly disgusting that the Ohlthaver & List Group would decide to invest in sport in South Africa instead of Namibia,” he said.

The politician said although most of what is consumed in Namibia is imported from South Africa, the neighbouring country's businesses do not develop Namibia.

“As such, I find it difficult to comprehend how the Ohlthaver & List Group could come to such a decision despite to say that it is a symptom of the colonial mentality.

“It is white-owned monopoly capital in Namibia supporting their colonial masters in South Africa,” Smit said.

Smit charged that the deal only served to reveal “the complete lack of understanding of sports development at the Ohlthaver & List Group”.

He said it also showed the low priority the company attached to the symbols of national pride such as the Namibian national rugby team.

“Firstly, if the Ohlthaver & List Group was committed to the development and advancement of rugby in Namibia, it would be better served by investing money in the local game by making it possible for clubs to attract top coaches and administrators and players to become professional.

“Secondly, and in light of the above, our national rugby team will remain uncompetitive.

“It goes without saying that the decision by the Ohlthaver & List Group to engage in this sponsorship deal is entirely selfish in nature.”

He insisted that the sponsorship was never meant to benefit Namibian society or Namibian sport, but rather would benefit South Africans and the handful of executives at the company.

The DTA MP said the sponsorship motivated him to table a motion calling for a law that would force all businesses operating in Namibia who make profits above a certain threshold to invest a set percentage of their profit in either sport or education development in Namibia.

However, some sports personalities and NBL itself remain optimistic that the sponsorship will benefit Namibia.

Jannie Louw, president of Griquas Rugby, assured that Namibians would benefit from the deal.

“After successfully concluding the signing of the sponsorship agreement, NRU and Griquas are scheduled to meet in due course to determine a full needs analysis in order to implement the commitments discussed in the agreement.

“These include joint clinics for coaches, joint clinics for referees and training camps for Craven Week and senior players, the loan of players to Namibia for the Currie Cup team, while Namibia will also play in other qualifying matches.

“GWRU is also in discussion with the Sol Plaatjie University to make bursaries available to promising young rugby players to further their studies,” Louw said.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Pain-free Wie sets early Champions pace

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Pain-free Wie sets early Champions pace Michelle Wie revelled in being injury-free for the first time in years as she carded a superb 66 to grab the clubhouse lead at the HSBC Women's Champions Thursday.

The 27-year-old American shot a brilliant six-under-par round at Singapore's brand new Tanjong course after needing a sponsor's invite to play in the elite event featuring 19 of the world's top 20.

Her round, played in wind and rain, featured eight birdies and a series of long putts, reminiscent of when she won the US Open in 2014 before injuries and a loss of form saw her tumble to 179th in the world.

“It feels good to play without much pain,” she said.

“To go out there and just play some golf and focus on my game rather than trying to finish out rounds.

“I'm very proud of myself today.” Wie's career has been in freefall since she captured her first major in 2014.

The Hawaiian of Korean heritage has had only one top-10 finish since the end of 2014 and made just 12 cuts from 25 events she entered in 2015.

Last month at the Australian Open, she suffered back spasms, triggering fears of another layoff, but showed no signs of discomfort as she strolled around the Sentosa Golf Club without a care in the world.

“It's always exciting to be on the top of the leaderboard or near the top of the leaderboard,” she said. “Even though it's just the first day I want to just keep building and hopefully the next three days I can take it day-by-day, hole-by-hole, shot-by-shot and play as hard as I can.”

We made a slow start to her opening round Thursday with a bogey at the third.

But she charged to the top as she reeled off three birdies in a row at the fourth, fifth and sixth holes, then another three on the trot from the 11th.

Wie made her second bogey of the day on the 15th, but picked up two more birdies to sign for a 66 and a new course record at the recently opened layout.

Wie said she would not be carried away by her sizzling start.

“It's a marathon this week, it's not a sprint,” she said.

“But I have to say I'm very proud of where I've positioned myself today, and hopefully the next three days I can keep it going, keep it rolling and keep having fun.”

NAMPA/AFP

Red card unfair, claims repentant Bale

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Red card unfair, claims repentant BaleNo excuses for Madrid – Zidane Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted his side had no one to blame but themselves despite Gareth Bale's red card in a thrilling 3-3 draw at home. Gareth Bale complained he had been harshly treated after the first red card of his Real Madrid career cost the European champions in a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Las Palmas on Wednesday.

Bale kicked out at Jonathan Viera twice before finally pushing the Las Palmas midfielder to the ground early in the second-half with the scores level at 1-1. “I don't believe that it was deserving of a red card,” the Welshman told Real Madrid TV.

“I was shown the yellow for the foul, I was then pushed and I just pushed him back.

“I want to apologise to the team and the fans. I hope to learn from my mistake”. Madrid looked set for a first home league defeat in a year as Las Palmas took advantage of Bale's dismissal to lead 3-1 with just three minutes remaining through Viera and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo's double salvaged a draw that keeps Real just a point adrift of league leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.

“We can't look for excuses,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

“What we can do is improve our performance. We are not happy with how we are playing. “There are moments in the season like this. The past three or four games things haven't gone as we would want, but we are not going to look for excuses in the referees.” Madrid vice-captain Marcelo said Bale is aware his moment of madness had badly let his teammates down. “I am not one to give him a clip round the ear, that is what I do to my children,” said the Brazilian.

“Bale is old enough to know if he has made a mistake or not.

“These things happen in football, but hopefully it doesn't happen again between now and the end of the season.”

In a recurring theme of Madrid's season, a stunning late effort undid a lot of the damage caused by a below-par display. The European champions trailed Villarreal 2-0 on Sunday before a rousing fightback in the final 25 minutes sealed a 3-2 win.

However, having also lost 2-1 at Valencia last week after conceding twice in the first 10 minutes, Zidane insisted Los Blancos can't always leave themselves with a mountain to climb.

“We can't go over the top. There are things we have done well this year, but we have to analyse it and we will change things,” added the Frenchman. “We have shown we have character and we can do more. We have to improve particularly in our first-half performances.

“We have to think about the positives. We will analyse the negatives, but to come back from 1-3 to 3-3 is a huge effort.” On the same night that Barcelona coach Luis Enrique announced he will not continue next season, the Catalans have the fate of the title in their own hands for the first time in months.

A 6-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon earlier on Wednesday saw Barca leapfrog Madrid into top spot and the two sides are still to meet at Real's Santiago Bernabeu in April. However, Zidane rejected suggestions Madrid are in danger of throwing the title away.

“We are going to fight. When there were good moments and we were leaders, I always said we would have difficult moments.

“We are not leaders, but the league is still open and we are not going to give up. “You win leagues at the end (of the season) not now.”

NAMPA/AFP

Leonard leads Spurs past Pacers

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Leonard leads Spurs past Pacers Kawhi Leonard nailed a clutch jump shot with two seconds remaining to lift the San Antonio Spurs to a 100-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Leonard's game winning shot capped a 31-point performance for the American in front of a crowd of 18 400 at the AT&T Center arena.

Leonard drained the shot despite being guarded by Pacers star Paul George. It was then George's turn at glory but his shot from beyond the arc bounced harmlessly off the rim, ending the contest.

“Coach drew up a good play and LaMarcus (Aldridge) set a good screen for me,” Leonard said about his final shot. “We had about nine seconds. I wanted to take my time and try to get off a good shot and it ended up going in for me.”

The Spurs led 98-97 before Danny Green missed a layup with 1:46 to play. Myles Turner took advantage on the other end with a jumper 11 seconds later to give Indiana a 99-98 lead.

After a pair of empty possessions by both teams, Monta Ellis missed two free throws for the Pacers with nine seconds to play, giving San Antonio a final shot at the victory.

Elsewhere, Anthony Davis reached the 7,000 point milestone and Jrue Holiday snapped his scoring slump as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Detroit Pistons 109-86.

Davis scored 24 of his game high 33 points in the opening half to become the seventh-youngest player in league history to score 7,000 points.

Holiday finished with 22 points for the Pelicans who improved to 24-37 and ended a three game losing streak.

The Pelicans began a 28-17 run late in the third quarter and never looked back in front of a crowd of 14,400 at the Smoothie King Center.

The Pistons looked like a tired team as they fell to 29-32 on the season.

They shot three of 17 from the free-throw line and three of 23 from three-point range.

Forward Jon Leuer led the Pistons with 22 points, while centre Andre Drummond was ejected late in the third quarter on a Flagrant 2 foul and finished with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

In Toronto, the Washington Wizards seized control early in the second quarter and never looked back, with a 105-96 win over the Toronto Raptors who had their four game win streak halted.

Bojan Bogdanovic came off the bench to score 27 points for the Wizards who won their second in a row.

The Raptors led by two points after the first quarter, but the Wizards used a surge early in the second quarter and were control the rest of the way.

Washington led by as many as 24 points late in the first half.

In Sacramento, Brook Lopez scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and the Brooklyn Nets snapped their 16-game losing streak with a 109-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Centre.

The New York Knicks meanwhile kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 101-90 win over the Orlando Magic, behind a 20 point performance from Kristaps Porzingis.

NAMPA/AFP

Shanghai stubs out smoking indoors

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shanghai stubs out smoking indoors Chinese lawmakers and political advisors in Beijing for their annual meetings said they will push for a national indoor smoking ban.

Shanghai on Wednesday became the latest major Chinese city to ban smoking in all indoor public venues, workplaces, and public transportation. Smokers who break the ban can be fined up to 200 yuan (N$380), and venue owners may be fined up to 30 000 yuan (N$56 800). Shen Jinjin, a national lawmaker, said local experiments had paved the way to roll out the ban nationwide.

Shen, a disease control official in eastern Jiangsu Province, said smoking control in public places is the most effective way to reduce second-hand smoke exposure.

There are over 300 million smokers and 740 million people exposed to second-hand smoke in China. Tobacco control legislation faced strong resistance in the past. Only recently has it received more support thanks to growing public health awareness.

Kong Qian, mother of a two-year-old in Shanghai, said her family often spots smokers puffing in restaurants.

“Sometimes I try to tell them to stub out their cigarettes,” she said. “If they don't, I walk away.”

“Now we finally have a legal basis to defend ourselves,” Kong said.

Shanghai is not the first major Chinese city to issue such a ban. Beijing enforced its own ban nearly two years ago.

Lawmakers like Shen said such a ban should go beyond big cities to the rest of the country for the sake of people's health.

In November 2014, the legal affairs office of the State Council solicited public opinion for the first draft of a smoking control regulation. To date the draft is still in the making. Health authorities said earlier that they would continue to promote deliberation of the draft this year.

China has set a target to reduce the smoking rate among people aged 15 and above to 20% by 2030 according to the “Healthy China 2030” blueprint issued by the central authorities last October.

“A national smoke-free law will protect people's health to a large extent and help realise the target set out by the blueprint,” said another health expert.

NAMPA/XINHUA

Waterborne killers

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Waterborne killersBoiling water and checking for symptoms critical now With good rains received in many parts of the country, areas where there is standing water are high risk for many, sometimes deadly, waterborne diseases. The World Health Organisation says that every year more than 3.4 million people die as a result of water-related diseases, making it the leading cause of disease and death around the world. Most of the victims are young children, the vast majority of whom die of illnesses caused by organisms that thrive in water sources contaminated by raw sewage.

Waterborne diseases are caused by drinking contaminated or dirty water. Contaminated water can cause many types of diarrheal diseases, including Cholera, and other serious illnesses such as Guinea worm disease, typhoid, and dysentery. Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that most commonly are transmitted in contaminated fresh water. Infection commonly results during bathing, washing, drinking, in the preparation of food, or the consumption of food that is infected.

With copious rains that have been received across the country, including the north so prone to flooding at standing water ponds, people must take heed now more than ever, to ensure that they boil all water if they are collecting rain water, before they drink it. A report published recently in the medical journal The Lancet concluded that poor water sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water take a greater human toll than war, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction combined.

According to an assessment commissioned by the United Nations, 4 000 children die each day as a result of diseases caused by ingestion of filthy water. The report says four out of every ten people in the world, particularly those in Africa and Asia, do not have clean water to drink.

Resources analyst Erik Peterson, of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, describes the water crisis this way:

“At any given time, close to half the population of the developing world is suffering from waterborne diseases associated with inadequate provision of water and sanitation services,” Peterson explained. “There are about four billion cases of diarrhoea disease per year, resulting in about one or two million deaths, some 90% percent of which, tragically, are in children under the age of five.”

Cholera, typhoid fever and hepatitis A are caused by bacteria, and are among the most common diarrhoeal diseases. Other illnesses, such as dysentery, are caused by parasites that live in water contaminated by the faeces of sick individuals. Lakes and streams which people use for drinking water, bathing and defecating are sources of disease, as is water left by natural disasters.

People can also contract a diarrhoeal disease by eating food that's prepared by sick individuals who have not washed their hands, or touching something handled by an infected person and then putting their own hands into their mouths.

Marla Smith-Nelson helped form Water Partners International, after becoming alarmed by the health impact of unclean water in some of the world's poorest countries.

“In Ethiopia, I believe one in five children are dying before they reach the age of five. So, we are working in countries that have significant water issues,” she said.

“But there are so many countries that have severe water issues, I don't want to paint a picture that we are working in the absolute worst places. I think it's probably a tie among a lot of different countries where there are issues.”

Experts say there are both short-term and long term-measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses.

In the short term, they say people should wash their hands as much as possible, use a latrine, even if it's a hole in the ground, and boil water and store it. In the long term, better infrastructure and sanitation systems are required.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

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Efundja otali patitha ooskola monooli

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Efundja otali patitha ooskola monooliOmeya moongulu dhoskola noombelewa Omvula onene ndjoka ya loko monooli yoshilongo petameko lyoshiwike shika, oya etithwa efundja ndoka tali ka thiminikitha opo ooskola dhimwe dhika patwe manga. Elongo mooskola dhimwe po monooli yaNamibia olya gumwa, sho kwa lokwa omvula onene ongulohi yEtiyali oshowo metitatu. Ooskola moHangwena nOmusati odha adhika kefundja sho omeya gayi moongulu dhoskola noombelewa pooskola.

Onooli ayihe yoshilongo oya mono omuloka omwaanawa omasiku ga piti. Kwiikwatelewa koonkundana dhonkalo yombepo, Oshikango osha mono omuloka omunene sho sha lokwa omuloka gwa yelekwa noomilimeta 94.6 omanga Oshakati ya yelekwa noomilimeta 44.6.

Omuloka ngoka ogwa yi moshipala woo omalweendo giihauto moondoolopa dhomonooli unene pethimbo lyongula.

Oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha talele po ooskola dhimwe po moshitopolwa shaMusati.

Omunkuluntuskola gwoskola yedhina Eengwena Primary School, Paulus Lazarus okwa popi kutya otaya pangele okupata manga oskola sigo ondjele yomeya ya shuna pevi.

Oskola ndjoka oya dhingililwa komeya, naanaskola pamwe naalongi otaya ende momeya ngoka ga tya sigo omoongolo opo ya vule okuthika poskola nokushuna komagumbo.

“Aanaskola owala aashona ya thiki poskola, oyendji inaya vula okuthika omolwa omeya ngoka. Oshikunino naanaskola yondondo yotango, aashona owala ya thiki poskola, kaye vulithe nokuli pomulongo. Oondondo dhilwe inadhi longa sha molwaashoka aanona oya li ya tuta noonkondo,” Omukuluntuskola ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya sho a dhigi po oskola lyopotundi onti-10:00 opo a ye koshigongi shombelewa yelongo mOkalongo, elelo lyoskola olya tokola okukaleka ootundi moshikununo sigo onena.

“Omukalo omuwanawa okukaleka owala ootundi moondondo adhihe poskola opo tu gamenene po aanaskola yetu naalongi. Omeya itaga e ta owala uupyadhi wookwaahavula aantu ya thike poskola ihe ohaga taandelitha woo omikithi dha yooloka.Elelo lyoskola otali tsakanene ishewe nena.”

Aalongi mboka ya ningwa nayo oonkundathana koshifokundaneki shika, oya popi kutya oshe ya kutha konyala oominute 20, opo ya taaguluke oshana, ya vule okuthika poskola.

Lazarus okwa popi kutya osho oshikando shotango ta mono efundja li li ngaaka pomudhingoloko gwoskola yawo, konima nkene a tameke iilonga poskola ndjoka, mo-2011.

Oskola yimwe natango ya taalela uupyakadhi wefundja oShitambi Primary School moshitopolwa shaHangwena.

Onzonkundaneki yoNampa oya lopota kutya ootundi poskola ndjoka odha kalekwa manga naanaskola oya tumwa komagumbo. Omambo goskola niilongitho yimwe mooskola okwa lopotwa kutya oya yonagulwa komeya.

“Otu wete kutya osha nika oshiponga unene kaanona mboka aashona onkene otwe ya tumu komagumbo,” omulongiskola gwondondo yotango Lydia Shoovaleka ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya aanambelewa ya za koshikondo shelongo oya li poskola opo ya tale konkalo.

“Inatu mona elombwelo kutya natu ninge ngiini natango,” Shoovaleka a tsikile.

Nampa natango okwa lopota kutya, Omukomeho gwelongo moshitopolwa shaHangwena, Isak Hamatwi okwa popi kutya osho oshikando shotango oskola ndjoka tayi mono efundja li li ngaaka. Okwa popi kutya otaya fekele kutya efundja olya etithwa kondjila ompe ya Okatana-Onhuno ndjoka ya thitika oondjila dhomeya okuza poskola.

Oya popi kutya oya tseyithila omalelo gomondjila na oya tegelela eyamukulo okuza kehangano lyoRoads Authority, ndyoka lya uvaneke kutya otali ka tala konkalo ndjoka meendelelo.

Aapopiliko yopolisi miitopolwa yonooli, oya popi kutya inaya lopotelwa natango iiponga ya etithwa komvula nenge kefundja ndyoka lya holoka. Ooskola odhindji okwa tegelelwa dhi ka ninge omatokolo nena kutya oshike tashi ningwa po, omolwa onkalo ndjoka.



ILENI NANDJATO

Oonakulwa aakulu ya hala natango omauwanawa ga gwedhwapo

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Oonakulwa aakulu ya hala natango omauwanawa ga gwedhwapo Osheeendo shaakondjelimanguluko oPeople's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) osha tseyithile Omupesidende Hage Geingob kutya, oya hala okutungilwa iilimbo yomapendafule miitopolwa, ookota dhokukwata oohi, oshowo omukalo gokumona oompito dhopangeshefa nuupu.

Sho a popi niikundaneki konima yomutumba ngoka, omupopiliko gwongundu ndjoka, Elobi Amundaba okwa popi kutya oonakulwa aakulu oyendji natango otaya lumbu monkalo ya nayipala, na otaya mono iihuna mokumona oopenzela dhawo dhuukondjelimanguluko.

Okwa popi kutya etalelepo lyawo olya nuninwa okudhimbulukitha epangelo kombinga yawo, yo ya tulwe ponomola yotango.

Okwa popi kutya mboka yali haya longo sho aashona otaya hupu mopenzela dhawo ihe mboka yali ihaya longo oya gwililwa po koluhepo.

“Otatu pula kutya natu talike molwaashoka tse oonakulwa aakulu. Osho twe ya okumupula tu pewe ookota dhoohi oshowo evi kwaamboka yeli moondoolopa.”

Pahapu dha Amundaba oonakulwa aakulu oyendji natango oya tegelela okupewa iimaliwa yawo mbyoka ya nuninwa kepangelo omanga oyendji natango taya kondjo nuudhigu opo omaindilo gawo goongeshefa ga ziminwe.

“Ope na mboka ye na uugumbo uushona noonkondo, nayakwawo mboka omagumbo gawo ga kulupa na oga pumbwa okulongululwa.”

Ompango yOonakulwa Aakulu yomo- 2008 ndjoka ya tulwa miilonga momasiku ga8 Juli mo-2008 oya nuninwa okukwathela Uuministeli wIipambele yOonakulwa Aakulu, opo wu vule okutul a miilonga ooprogramma ndhoka dha nuninwa okukandulepooluhepo mokati koonakulwa aakulu oshowo mboka yeli kohi yesiloshisho lyawo.

Ompango ndjoka otayi pula epangelo opo li gandje omayambidhidho gopashimaliwa nomakwatho galwe koonakulwa aakulu naayambidhidhwa yawo opo ya vule okuyambulapo oonkalamwenyo dhawo dha kehe esiku.

Ompango ndjoka oya ndjandjukununa kutya, nakulwa omukulu oshilyo shekondjelomanguluko , shoka sha kutha ombinga yopapolitika, oshowo okugandja omayambidhidho galwe meyambidhidho lyekondjelomanguluko lyoshilongo.

Oonakulwa aakulu ohaya mono iiyemo yokomwedhi okuza kepangelo yooN$2 500, oya otaya mono iimaliwa yooN$50 000 nenge N$20 000, kwiikwatelelwa kutya oyeli mongundu yini po.

Mboka ya wayimine ekondjelomanguluko muupongekwa pokati ko1960 no 1987 otaya mono ooN$50 000, omanga mboka ya yi pokati komvula yo-1988 no- 1989 taya mono ooN$20 000.

Omauwanawa ga gwedhwa po, omayambidhidho gopashimaliwa gongushu yooN$200 000 koopoloyeka dhawo dhokwiikwathela oshowo omauwanawa gomailongo.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Ya ningi aakalelipo yelongo momudhingoloko gwawo

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Ya ningi aakalelipo yelongo momudhingoloko gwawoElongo ihali kulupilwa Saara Lukas,24, pamwe nookume ke yatano mboka ya tokola okushuna moskola omvula ya piti, konima yoomvula omulongo, onkene taya tsikile nokutsa yakwawo omukumo. Ngoloneya gwaMusati , Erginus Endjala, okwa uvaneke kutya ota kala ta ningile omakonaakono eyo komeho lyaakiintu yomomudhingoloko gwaAmarika mbok ya tokola okushuna koskola mondondo onti-5 konima sho ya li ya thigi po ooskola uule woomvula omulongo.

Endjala okwa popi kutya okwa kumwa sho a lesha kombinga yaakiintu mboka yamwe ye na nookuli uunona, ihe oya tokola okushuna moskola mondondo dhopetameko moAmarika.

“Aavali taya yi koskola, oyimwe yomoonkundana tadhi uvitha nayi nda lesha miikundaneki. Ope na ompito kutya aavali mboka otaya ka ya mootundi pamwe naanona yawo.

Oskola ndjoka oya tungwa oomvula dha piti, ihe kandi shi kutya omolwashike inayi yambulwa po oomvula adhihe ndhoka,” ngoloneya a popi oshiwike sha piti, pethimbo a gandja omagano kooskola ngoka ga pewa ooskola 25 komunangeshefa Maria Nakale. Oskola ndjoka oya totwa po moomvula dho1960 kongeleka yaELCIN, Oskola yaAmerika momukunda oAmrika oshowo oskola ya Dr Ndeutala Angolo Primary School mOnghaanghaa odho owala ooskola tadhi adhika momudhingoloko na odhina owala ondondo yotango sigo ontine.

Sha landula etalelepo lyomupevi minista mOmbelewa yomupevi presidende , ngoka e na oshinakugwanithwa shokusila oshisho aantu yomihoko dhoka dha kala inadhi talika nale monakuziwa, Royal /Ui/o/oo, ngoka a talele po oskola ndjoka muJuli gwomvula ya piti, osha tokolwa opo oskola ndjoka yi kale nondondo sigo onti-8 nuumvo.

Namibian Sun okwa pititha onkundana kombinga yaakiintu mboka ya tokola okushuna moskola.

Omunamimvo 24 Saara Lukas ngoka e li othigwa na okuna okanona, okuli mondondo onti-6 nuumvo konima sho a piti ondondo onti-5, omvula ya piti.

Lukas okwa tokola okushina koskola kuyemwene, konima sho a li adhigi po oskola oomvula omu-10 dha piti, netokolo lye okushuna koskola olya hwahwamekwa ketalelepo lya ningwa kOmuprima Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila momudhingoloko gwaAmarika mo- 2015.

Yakwawo yalwe mboka ya shuna pamwe naye koskola, Ottillie Johannes, 20, ngoka a popi kutya okwa li adhigi po oskola mo-2006 na okwa shuna koskola omolwa omayele ngoka a pewa kaavali ye. Yamwe po mboka ya shuna koskola oLyidia Ipinge, 19, Josephina Gabriel 17 na Ottillie Jonas, 17, oshowo Leena Kashenye, 16.

Endjala okwa popi kutya ye, pamwe nombelewa yomupevi presidende taya konaakona aakiintu mboka.

“Aakiintu mboka oya nin ga aakelelipo yelongo momudhingoloko gwawo na otandi ke ya kwathela.

Molwaashoka oyeli oshitopolwa shaakwashigwana mboka ya kala inaya talika nale monakuziwa,ope na ooprograma dhoka dha nuninwa aantu mboka.

Mboka ye shi pondola okwaadha ondondo onti-10 otatu ka kwashilipaleka kutya oya ya koouniversiti omanga mboka inaye shi pondola tatu ya tumu kiiputudhilo yopaungomba,”

Sha landula sho oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun sha pititha onkundana yaakadhona yahamano mboka ya shuna koskola konima yoomvula 10, onkalo yoskola ndjoka oya kuthwa ko onga oshinima shopaulumomhumbwe netungo lyomagumbo gaalongi olya tamekithwa nale, omanga etungo lyoongulu dhoskola nomuhandjo nalyo li li pokutamekithwa.

Ombelewa yOmupresidende oya tokola okukala tayi gandja eyambidhidho lyoshimaliwa shooN$500 kehe omwedhi kuSaara Lukas nayakwawo yalwe yatano, mboka ya shuna koskola.



ILENI NANDJATO

Ethiopia draws banking interest

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Ethiopia draws banking interestBanks are beating a path to Ethiopia's door Lenders are lining up to establish a presence in one of Africa's fastest-growing and most under-banked economies. Lenders are lining up to establish a presence in Ethiopia, one of Africa's fastest-growing and most under-banked economies. Now they need the government to let them open their doors.

Over the past two years, Standard Bank Group, Africa's biggest lender by assets, and KCB Group, Kenya's largest lender, have joined the likes of Citigroup, Commerzbank and Ecobank Transnational in setting up representative offices in sub-Saharan Africa's second-most populous country. The lenders are hoping the government will eventually start granting licences for fully fledged branches.

They are wagering that the country's ambitions to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), coupled with increasing demand for capital to support the economy, will lead the government to open up an industry that has been closed to investors since a Marxist junta nationalised banks four decades ago. Still, they will be investing in a country that has cracked down on political opponents, with the benefits of faster growth yet to trickle down to the majority of the population.

“It has the potential to become one of the most exciting banking markets in the region,” said Robert Besseling, Johannesburg-based director at Exx Africa, which advises companies on risks and business risks on the continent. “Government has hinted at liberalisation and even privatisation of state-protected sectors.”



Exciting market

The prize is a $62bn economy of 105-million people that has grown faster than any other in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade and may expand 7.5% this year, according to IMF data. Only 22% of adults in Ethiopia have access to a bank account, compared with 70% in SA and a sub-Saharan African average of 34%, according to World Bank statistics.

The country's two state-owned banks, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Development Bank of Ethiopia, account for more than half of the industry's assets, with the rest split between 16 other lenders, while about 11 foreign companies have been allowed to open representative offices. These so-called rep offices allow the lenders to meet clients operating in Ethiopia and advise them on issues such as cross-border trade while learning more about the economy. With just a rep office, the foreign lenders cannot take deposits, open branches or offer full-service banking.

Total capital in the banking system increased by 26% to 46.4-billion birr ($2.04bn) in the three months to end-September, compared with the year-earlier period, according to the central bank. The value of new loans granted during the quarter was up 20%. In comparison, South African banks, the continent's largest, control assets of at least R4.8-trillion.

“We're optimistic that the financial regulations in Ethiopia will continue to evolve to deepen financial inclusion,” said Lawrence Kimathi, chief financial officer of Nairobi-based KCB Group, which opened a representative office in the capital Addis Ababa in 2016.

The government's growth and transformation plan for the five years to the end of 2020 does not allow for the sale of stakes in local banks to foreign lenders, or for those wanting to enter the market to start their own operations. National Bank of Ethiopia governor Yohannes Ayalew referred only to that document when asked by Bloomberg on February 10 if rules might be relaxed in 2017.



Retain control

“I doubt they'll do it,” said Maurice Oduor, a money manager at Nairobi-based Cytonn Investments Management, when asked if Ethiopia would give full banking licences to foreigners this year. “But if they do, it won't be 100%, they will likely want to control employment terms and things like profit repatriation.”

Ethiopia is not without risk. The government declared a state of emergency in October to deal with protests by ethnic communities who said they were being pushed off their land. As a result, foreign direct investment dropped by a fifth in the first half of Ethiopia's fiscal year that began in July. Much of the country's continued growth has been due to the dominance of the state.

The state has previously said that the opening of vital industries will not occur until the government is able to regulate them effectively and domestic businesses can compete with foreign companies.

“We have seen increasing interest from investors in Ethiopia's economic growth,” said Standard Bank spokesperson Kate Johns. “We have key clients who are currently operating, or seeking to establish themselves, in Ethiopia.”

Nigerian lenders will also be keen to expand in Ethiopia as economic growth slows at home, according to Doyinsola Afolabi, a banking analyst at Afrinvest West Africa in Lagos, citing Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Zenith Bank and FBN Holdings as likely investors.

“The closed banking sector could be eventually be opened up for foreign investment,” said Besseling.

BLOOMBERG

Ogopa left with one artist

March 2, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Ogopa left with one artist Ogopa Butterfly Entertainment owner Kyababa has confirmed that musicians Jaleel and LMPC are no longer under his label and says the artists left in good faith as there is no bad blood.

He further said he will continue with the artist Oteya who is still with the label since the early 2000's. Kyababa said being a record label owner is just the same as any other business which either works out or not. “In any other business sector, if the business does not go your way one has to move on and that is what happened here,” he said.

Kyababa further criticised the local media for failing to fulfil their duties when writing stories. “The duty of a journalist is to inform, educate and entertain, however the local media is lacking on the educating point. A music label is a business and if people don't understand what they are getting, you make a fool of yourselves, know the difference between a music label and the artist manager before publishing any work,” he said. According to Kyababa, the mandate of Ogopa Butterfly in Namibia is to invest in artists by recording their albums and releasing them to the public. It is then up to the manager to sell the artist to the public.

The two artists' manager, Jean Emmery Ngabo-Shingiro said they would not have been where they are without the help of Ogopa and are truly grateful for what the label did for them. He also said that the two artists haven't done many gigs as one can easily become irrelevant once overexposed. “We saw an opportunity to move to greener pastures and that is what we did. Jaleel and LMPC will be bigger and greater this year,” said Ngabo-Shingiro.

June Shimuoshili