Bogut breaks leg on Cavs debut, season likely over

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Bogut breaks leg on Cavs debut, season likely over Australian centre Andrew Bogut suffered a fractured left tibia just 58 seconds into his Cleveland Cavaliers debut on Monday, with the team reporting that he could be out for the rest of the season.

The 32-year-old, a former champion with the Golden State Warriors, signed as a free agent with Cleveland for the remainder of the campaign last week and joined the team before Monday's game after resolving visa issues.

However, with 11:38 left in the second quarter, Bogut ran out to the perimeter to guard Miami's Okaro White and the pair made contact, with the Australian landing badly on his left ankle and hobbling before falling to the court.

His new team mates helped carry him to the locker room and the Cavaliers later said X-rays revealed a fracture that could end his season.

“It's very deflating,” Cleveland forward LeBron James told reporters after the Cavaliers' 106-98 defeat.

“As soon as the collision happened, I heard a break. When I went over to him and he said it, I already knew, I heard it crack,” he added.

When he was carried off, it was like the air had been sucked out of the building and the Cavs seemed to be distracted by the incident after talking with Bogut in the locker room at halftime before he was sent to the hospital.

“How would you think his spirit's like? He played 58 seconds,” James added. “And to have an injury like that to take you out for the rest of the season, possibly, and you really, there's not much you can say.”

NAMPA / REUTERS

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The rise of Dembele

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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The rise of DembeleTough fixture awaits Germans With Germany winger Marco Reus injured, French wunderkind Ousmane Dembele will look to shine. Dortmund are hosting Benfica at their Westfalenstadion home in the last-16 second leg today, looking to overturn a 1-0 defeat in Portugal three weeks ago.

But the bitter news Dortmund were dreading was confirmed on Sunday - club captain Reus tore his hamstring in their 6-2 rout of Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday and is out until April.

The loss of Reus is a significant blow, but Dembele was on fire against Leverkusen and is enjoying a stellar first season in Dortmund.

The 19-year-old France winger has justified the 15 million euros Borussia paid Rennes for him by scoring six league goals and providing eight assists this season.

“I'm enjoying myself, but I can do better,” said the gangly Dembele.

The teenager showcased his dazzling skills with the opening goal on Saturday, turning Leverkusen's Tin Jedvaj inside out firing home on six minutes.

He then earned the corner that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted to make it 2-0 with just 26 minutes gone.

The French teenager has been attracting 'Wunderkind' headlines with Dortmund since July when he ghosted past Manchester United's Luke Shaw and Marco Rojo before scoring an outrageous solo goal in Dortmund's 4-1 win on a pre-season tour of China.

“I'm not a phenomenon, I'm just trying to be decisive for my teammates, there are a lot of talented young people in football,” Dembele modestly told AFP in an interview.

Off the pitch, Dembele's introduction to Germany's top tier has been eased by fellow French-speaker Aubameyang, whom he regards as “a brother”.

The league's top-scorer has benefited from Dembele's pin-point crosses this season on his way to netting 21 goals in as many matches.

Dortmund have been careful to shield their rising star.

His transition to the Ruhr Valley has been helped by close friend Moustapha Diatta, 18, a neighbour from his home town of Evreux in Normandy who plays for Dortmund's reserves.

Dembele says he came to Dortmund to learn his trade.

He has ironed out the early season chinks, no longer “stupidly losing the ball”, as he puts it, and improving his finishing, which he demonstrated against Leverkusen.

But as German magazine Kicker observed: “We can excuse a few lost balls when he attracts so many spectators to their seats.”

Dembele says he is revelling in the talent around him, including the likes of Portugal international Raphael Guerreiro and German Julian Weigl, not to mention Aubameyang, known as 'PEA'.

“Guerreiro and Weigl look for me between the lines, 'PEA' makes good calls and we combine well with Reus,” said Dembele with obvious delight.

Dembele also won respect from Kicker, who dubbed him “a fighter” by coolly nailing Dortmund's opening spot-kick in a penalty shootout win over Hertha Berlin in the German Cup last month, despite suffering from cramp.

Bayern Munich are again running away with the Bundesliga but Dortmund, the 2013 Champions League finalists, have their eyes on other prizes.

They are bidding to reach the quarter-finals in Europe for the first time in three years and are through to the last eight of the German Cup.

It leaves Dembele brimming with expectation in his first season in Germany “to win something - at least one trophy”.

NAMPA / AFP

Ondondo yomeya moondama otayi londo pombanda

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Ondondo yomeya moondama otayi londo pombanda Ondama yaVon Bach oya thikama poopresenda 54.4 Omvula onene ndjoka ya loko moshilongo iiwike ya piti, oya etitha opo ondjele yomeya moondama dhokupungula omeya moshilongo yi londe pombanda.

Omvula ndjoka ya loko miitopolwa ya yooloka moshilongo okwa lopotwa yeeta elunduloko lyondjele yomeya moondama dhomoshilongo, unene nOndama yaSwakoppoort ndjoka ya kala owala poopresenda 19.5., okutameka omwedhi Februali.

Palopota ndjoka ya tseyithilwa kehangano lyaNamWater, Ondama ya Swakoppoort monena oyuudha noopresenda 31.7 okuyeleka noopresenda 12.2 momasiku 27 gaFebruali.

Oondama dhimwe po ndhoka dha mono omeya ogendji natango ongaashi Ondama yaVon Bach ndjoka monena yili poopresenda 54.5%, okuyeleka noopresenda 42.8 mpoka ya li oshiwike sha piti.

Ondama yaMatako oyuudha noopresenda 60, okuyelaka noopresenda 53.3 mpoka ya li oshiwike sha piti.

Otashi ulike kutya oondama ndatu ndhoka oonene moshilongo odhuudha noopresenda 46.7 , okuyelaka noopresenda 33.3 mpoka dha li mOmaandaha goshiwike sha piti.



Muumbugantu woshilongo, Ondama yaHardap oyuudha noopresenda 72, niiyelo yondama ndjoka oya egululwa mEtine lya piti nOmetitano opo omeya gamwe ga pite mo sha landula omvula onene ndjoka ya loko momudhingoloko ngoka. Ondama yaMaruru Delta oya mono omeya lyotango nkene yiihulile okukala nomeya mo-2011. Monena oyi na omeya goondjele yoopresenda 4.2.

Oshiwike sha piti, ekuthikuthi lyomeya gefundja olya a dha iishana yomonooli yaNamibia. Kwiikwatelelwa koonkundana kombinga yefundja ndhoka dha pitithwa koHydrological Service mEtitano lya piti, omeya miishana mOmpundja oga yelekwa noometa 1.25, moShaneheke 0.51 , Shanalumono 0.67 nomEndola omeya oga yelekwa nondjele yoometa 0.90.

Metitano, ondjele yomeya mOmulonga gwaZambezi moKatima Mulilo oya li poometa 2.66 okuyeleka noometa 3.8 pethimbo lya faathana omvula ya piti.

MoRundu, Omulonga gwaKavango ogwa yelekwa poometa 5.15 okuyeleka noometa 5.84, dhoka dha yelekwa pethimbo lya faathana omvula ya piti.

Ondjele yomeya mOmulonga gwaRange, posasiyona yaBlouputs oya ulike e yo pombanda eshona noocendimeta 3 na oya li poometa 0.68 mEtitano.

JANA-MARI SMITH

AaChiina ye wete taya thindilwa kongudhi

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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AaChiina ye wete taya thindilwa kongudhi Ombelewa yOmukalelipo gwaChina moNamibia oya popi kutya AaChina oyafa taya thindilwa kongudhi sho yeli iihakanwa yokulundililwa iimbuluma yiiyamakuti moNamibia.

Omunambelelwa mombelewa ndjoka, Li Nan, okwa popi ndhika pethimbo lyosemina yEsiku lyIiyamakuti mOvenduka sho a ti kutya okwa ningwa oolopota oombwiinayi kombinga yaakwashigwana yaChina .

Okwa popi kutya muule woomwedhi ndatu dha piti, okwa ningwa oolopota dha thika po-70 tadhi popile AaChina muuwinayi.

Okwa tsikileko kutya oolopota oombwinayi odha thika po-74 omanga oolopota owala 28 odho dhili muuwanawa woomvalele dhaChiina.

Li okwa popi kutya oku na omaipulo omolwa omapopyo omawinayi taga ningilwa aakwashigwana yaChina mboka ye li moNamibia.

“Oshiwinayi shili kutya AaChina yamwe po oohandimwe oya longo iimbuluma mbyoka ya ningilwa iiyamakuti.”

Li okwa popi kutya moolopota ndhoka dha ningwa AaChina owala ya-8 yomaantu 231 mboka ya tulwa miipandeko shi na sha nomiyonena dhiiyamakuti.

“Onkene ethimbo kehe to kambadhala okugandja uusama kongundu yaantu omolwa shoka sha ningwa kuyamwe po oshiwinayi dhilaadhila woo kombinga yaamboka kaaye na ondjo.”

Okwa popi kutya epangelo lyaandjawo otali kondema noonkondo na itali popile omiyonena dhiiyamakuti ndhoka tadhi ningwa moNamibia, na itali popile aapiyaganeki yoompango dhoshilongo, kutya oye li aakwashigwana yaChina nenge kaye li aakwashigwana yoshilongo shoka.

Li okwa popi kutya China ota yambidhidha epangelo lyaNamibia mokunkondopeka Ompango yEgameno lyIiyamakuti, opo ku gandjwe omageelo omanene kwaamboka taya pogola ompango ndjoka.

Li okwa popi kutya nonando ongaaka, AaChina ayehe inaya paindwa nopainda ombwiinayi molwaashoka ope na yamwe po mboka ya pogola oompango. Okwa tsikile kutya oyendji yomAaChina mboka yeli moNamibia, aayinekelwa naanashili na otaya simaneke oompango dhoshilongo, taya gandja iilonga, taya futu iishoshela yepangelo nokugandja omakwatho kaakwashigwana.

Oshiwike sha piti, Omupevi Minista gwOmidhingoloko nOmatalelepo, Tommy Nambahu okwa popi kutya uuministeli wawo otawu lundilwa kutya otawu popile AaChina mboka taya kutha ombinga miimbuluma mbyoka tayi ningilwa iiyamakuti yaNamibia.

“Shoka kashi shi oshili. Shoka twa ningi okuyoolola owala oongangala mokati kaamboka aawanawa,” Nambahu ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya epangelo lyaNamibia otali kalekepo ombili nelongelokumwe ewanawa ndyoka li li pokati kiilongo mbika iyali.

Okwa popi kutya China okwa kala kuume kaNamibia uule wethimbo ele, nepangelo otali pula opo AaChina ayehe ya gamenene po iiyamakuti yaNamibia nokuyambidhidha omahwahwameko ngoka taga ningwa opo ku yiwe moshipala uukongo mboka waaheli paveta.

Li okwa tsikile kutya Ombelewa yOmukalelipo gwaChina moNamibia oya gandja eyambidhidho lyooN$200 000 megamenene po lyiiyamakuti, na otayi pangele natango okugandja oshindji. China natango ota ningi oompangela dhelongelo kumwe pokati kOpolisi yaNamibia nUuministeli waChina wEgameno lyOshigwana mekondjitho lyiimbuluma yopashigwana.

Ombelewa yomukalelipo gwaChina oya pula aakwashigwana yaChina opo ya totepo oshiketha sheyambidhidha lyegameno lyiiyamakuti moNamibia.

ELLANIE SMIT

LPM iikanyuna omalundilo gompinge noshigongi shaGeingob

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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LPM iikanyuna omalundilo gompinge noshigongi shaGeingob Ongundu yoLandless People’s Movement (LPM) oya ekelehi omapopyo ngoka ga ningwa kutya otayi lombwele aantu moKaiti opo kaaya kaye poshigongi shoSwapo, shoka kwa tegelelwa shi ka ningwe kOmupresidende Hage Geingob mehuliloshiwike ndika.

Oshikundaneki shoNew Era osha lopota mOmaandaha kutya omukwatakanithi gwongundu yoSwapo, moshitopolwa sha //Karas, Mathews Mumbala, okwa lundile oLPM kutya otayi lombwele aantu opo kaaya ye koshigongi shoka tashi ka ningwa kuGeingob.

LPM okwa pula Mumbala uulike uumbangi womapopyo ge.

Ongundu ndika oya popi kutya kayi na ohokwe yekuthombinga lyasha miikwapolotika yo ina yi kwatakanithwa noongundu dhoopolotika. Oya popi kutya yo ehangano lyehwahwameko lyuuthemba womuntu na otali pula owala egandjo lyevi lyuuthiga kooyene.

“Onkene otatu tindi nomuthindo oohapu dhaMumbala, molwaashoka ota kambadhala okukwatakanitha LPM nongundu yopolotika. Otu wete kutya Mumbala ota kongo esimano lyopapolotika paku ponokela LPM,” LPM a popi ngaaka momukanda ngoka a pititha.

LPM okwa popi kutya Mumbala okwa kambadhala okuya moshipala oshigongi shawo shaakwashigwana shoka ya ningile mokapale ka J Stephanus omwedhi gwa piti, sho a ningi ekwatathano nelelo lyondoolopa opo kali pitike ehwahwameko ndyoka li ningile oshigongi shawo mokapale hoka.

Oya popi kutya Mumbala okwa li a hala okuningila oshigongi she shoSwapo, mehala ndyoka esiku olyo tuundyoka, na oya popi kutya Mumbala ke na euveko lya sha kombinga yepulo lyoshikumungu shevi.

“Epulo lyevi oshinima oshinene okuyeleka nomupresidende kehe oshowo ongundu yopolotika kehe. Omadhipago gakiinahenda ngoka ga ningilwa AaNamibiaa pandjokonona oga ningwa opo ku kuthweko evi lyawo. Ekuthoko lyevi ndyoka olya etitha omaupyakadhi gopaliko, pankalathano nopamuthigululwakalo mokati kaantu yetu, omaupyakadhi ngoka tuli mugo sigo okesiku lyonena.”

Ehwahwameko ndyoka olya popi kutya kali na omalakano gasha kombinga ye yo moshipala oshigongi shoSwapo nonando mboka oye wete kutya inaya simanekwa na otaya tukwa kaaleli yopashigwana unene kelelo lyaSwapo.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Aailongi yaUnam ya loloka okutegelela

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Aailongi yaUnam ya loloka okutegelela Aailongi oye wete inaya simanekwa kelelo lyoshiputudhilo shawo Aailongi mOshiputudhilo shoUniversiti yaNamibia mOshakati, oya popi kutya oya vulwa okutegelela elelo lyoshiputudhilo shika opo li kandulepo omukundu gwomuhandjo. Onkalo itayi vulu okwiidhidhimikilwa no ya nika oshiponga oyo yimwe yomiitya ya longithwa kaailongi mboka taya thitha omahala ga yooloka popepi noshiputudhilo shaUnam mOshakati.

Shoka osha landula etalelepo lya ningwa komutoolinkundana nguka, pomahala gamwe po mpoka hapu zi aailongi mboka, taya thiminikwa konkalo opo ya thithe mpoka tayazi omolwa ompumbwe yomuhandjo moshiputudhilo.

Aailongi oya kala uule woomvula odhindji taya pula elelo opo li ya tungile omuhandjo, nomwedhi Kotomba omvula ya piti, aailongi oyali ya ningi ehololomadhilaadhilo, na oya ningi omatilitho kutya otaya ka dhengela oombashu meni lyoshiputudhilo.

Omolwa uupyakadhi wopashimaliwa, aailongi mbaka otaya thiminikwa konkalo opo ya thithe nduno oombashu omanga yamwe taya thitha momagumbo geli monkalo ya nayipala noonkondo, moka oongodhi dhomalusheno inadhi tulwa mo nawa oshowo omakuma ga kulupa.

Yamwe mboka itaya vulu okufuta iifuta yokomwedhi ohaya kala pamwe naakwanezimo yawo mOshakati nenge mOngwediva nomahala ngoka ogeli kokule noshiputudhilo.

Aailongi oya lombwele oNamibia Sun kutya ohaya ende iinano iile molwaashoka iifuta yotaxi oyi li ishewe uupyakadhi.

Nonando aailongi mbaka oye na omahala gokuza, olusheno olu li ishewe omukundu gumwe ya taalela. Yamwe oya popi kutya ohaya thitha pomahala mpoka kaape na olusheno, na ohaya thiminikwa konkalo ndjoka opo ya kale kongulumambo yoshiputudhilo taya lesha sigo oowili dhuusiku, na otaya ningi iihakanwa yoongangala mondjila dhawo dhokuya komagumbo, ndhoka tadhi ya yeke iinima yawo ngaashi oongodhi dhopeke noolaptop.

Pehala limwe mpoka hapu zi aailongi ya thika pomulongo, oya thiminikwa konkalo opo yiiyogele moshiyaha sha tentekwa kombanda yoshipakete shoombiila, mokandjugo, naashika otashi holola kutya uuna pe na gumwe tiiyogo nena yakwaawo itaya vulu okulongitha okandjugo.

Kakele kompumbwe yehala noshotuu, aailongi otaya lumbu mokati kezimba ewinayi ndyoka hali zi mokandjugo hoka, na oyiigilika ngashiingeyi molwaashoka otaya popi kutya oyo onkalo ya kala muyo uule woomvula ngashiingeyi.

“Inatu nyanyukwa. Unam ina hala oku tu tungila omuhandjo, otaye tu lombwele kutya oyiipyakidhila nokutula miilonga eindilo lyetu ndyoka ihe osho ya kala nokutulombwela uule woomvula ndatu dha piti monena. Inatu hala owala omauvaaneko ihe otwa hala okumona iilonga tayi longwa,” omwiilongi gumwe a popi.

Aailongi oya gandja omukandanyenyeto gwawo omvula ya ziko, pethimbo ya ningi ehololomadhilaadhilo, na oya li ya pe elelo lyoshiputudhilo shawo sigo omasiku 28 gaFebruali opo li kale lya yamukula, na oyali ya ningi omatilitho kutya otaya ka dhika oombashu meni lyolugumbo lwoshiputudhilo shoka.

Pahapu dhomupeha presidende gwoStudent Representative Council (SRC) Junia Shilunga okwa popi kutya omukandanyenyeto gwawo ngoka inagu mona eyamukulo okuza kelelo lyoshiputudhilo.

“Katu na esiku kutya otatu shi ningi uunake ihe otatu ke shi ninga mbala.”

Shilunga okwa popi kutya aailongi moshiputudhilo sho mOshakati kaya uvite ombili molwaashoka otaya thiminikwa yiilongele monkalo ondhigu.

“Oto vulu okweenda to pula aailongi, kape na ngoka te ku lombwele kutya okwa nyanyukilwa onkalo ndjika, naashika osho sha etitha tu kale twa pyakudhukwa okudhengela oombashu dhetu meni lyoshiputudhilo. Pamukalo ngoka otatu ka yanda iifuta yoohiila/yokuthitha yili pombanda oshowo otatu ka kala megameno.”

Shilunga okwa popi kutya oye wete kutya elelo lyoshiputudhilo inali kuthako uupyakadhi waailongi onga onkalo yopaulumomhumbwe.

“Andola okwali elelo lyoshiputudhilo li na natse andola olya kaleka etungo lyomweelo gwoshiputudhilo oshinene mOvenduka ndyoka lya pula oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 27. Iinima yimwe mbyoka oyo tayi etitha omaipulo mutse okwiipula kutya tse otwa simanekwa ngaa kaaleli yetu?.”

KENYA KAMBOWE

Borrowers owe NHE N$20 million

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Borrowers owe NHE N$20 millionDebt-collection campaign starts Defaulting customers are hamstringing the operations of the National Housing Enterprise. The National Housing Enterprise has embarked on a debt-collection campaign in an effort to recoup close to N$20 million owed by defaulting customers.

The campaign kicked off this week and will run until 14 March in the towns of Otjiwarongo, Okahandja and Gobabis, says NHE spokesperson Eric Libongani.

According to him, the central region accounts for most of the debt.

“Windhoek, Gobabis, Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Okakarara represent a huge chunk, with N$10 million owed to the NHE.”

He says those who don't pay their home loans are hampering NHE operations.

“Defaulting clients are certainly impacting negatively on NHE's operations and its ability to fulfil its mandate effectively by rolling out more projects to benefit other citizens who are on the waiting list.”

There are 83 701 applicants on the NHE waiting list, of whom 29 232 are in Windhoek, Libongani says.

“The NHE western regional office has 27 013 applications, followed by the northern regional office with 17 389 applicants, while the North-East regional office has the low number of applicants of 6 278 waiting to be housed by the NHE. The southern regional office has the lowest number of clients which stands at 3 789.

“The campaign will also serve as a platform for NHE clients to get clarity on all general and accounts-related queries. The campaign team will be based at these local authority premises and NHE clients are encouraged to visit these local authority premises in order to make payment arrangements of their outstanding accounts,” Libongani says.

STAFF REPORTER

RTA finalists announced

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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RTA finalists announced Nine entries received for awards The four finalists of the 2017 Responsible Tourism Awards have been announced. STAFF REPORTER



Namibia Media Holdings announced the finalists of the 2017 Responsible Tourism Awards (RTA) yesterday.

The awards, initiated by Namibia Media Holdings, aim to acknowledge and reward tourism operators and accommodation establishments who practise ecotourism and invest in the communities where they operate.

The awards are linked to the Namibia Tourism Expo, an annual event which brings together tourism operators from Namibia and neighbouring countries to network and market their products and services.

Nine entries were received for this year’s awards.

The four finalists are: Gondwana Etosha Safari Camp from the Oshikoto Region, Jackalberry Lodge from the Zambezi Region, Ongava Tented Lodge from the Oshikoto Region and Wilderness Safari Hoanib Skeleton Coast from the Kunene Region.

They were assessed with a focus on safe travel, which is the theme of the 2017 Namibia Tourism Expo.

The winner will be announced at the official opening of the Namibia Tourism Expo on Wednesday, 31 May at the Windhoek Showgrounds.

The winner and runners-up will receive free coverage in a Namibia Media Holdings publication of their choice. The coverage may market their products and services, or community projects in the areas where they operate and will be worth N$200 000 (first place), N$150 000 (second place), N$100 000 (third place) and N$50 000 (fourth place).

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Air Namibia celebrates women pilots

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Air Namibia celebrates women pilots STAFF REPORTER

Air Namibia acting managing director Mandi Samson recently announced that the airline would embark on a drive to encourage aspiring female pilots to take to the skies.

The airline welcomed its first female pilot in 1997 and currently 17% of the 83 pilots it employs are women.

Said Samson: “It is fitting that the theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2017 is ‘Be Bold for Change’. The battle for a more gender-inclusive world is the responsibility of every industry. IWD recognises, as do we, that the potential women offer to economies across the world must be nurtured and developed.”

Plumblink opens new shop at the coast

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Plumblink opens new shop at the coast STAFF REPORTER

One of the biggest specialist plumbing companies in Southern Africa, Plumblink, last week opened its first shop in Swakopmund.

Plumblink is a specialist plumbing, bathroom and kitchenware merchant currently operating 85 shops throughout Southern Africa. More than 10 000 quality products are sourced from over 600 of the best local and international suppliers.

“Our customers are plumbers, the construction industry and developers. We have the best of everything our customers need,” said Manica’s managing director of commercial and industrial services and products, Werner Schuckmann, at the opening ceremony.

The company originated from a consolidation of the leading plumbing merchants in South Africa and continues to grow its network through acquisitions and opening of new branches.

Plumblink branches offer a full range of products on site with accounts that are centralised, facilitating customer account purchases from any branch nationally.

According to Gary Chandler, the commercial director of Plumblink, the company offers its clients high-quality products at competitive prices.

“Just because the products are cheap does not mean they are of poor quality. We continually add to our range and we want to be innovative and offer our clients more. Our whole philosophy is about finding solutions. If you need it, we will find it,” he said.

The deputy mayor of Swakopmund, Maria Elago, thanked Bidvest for seeing the potential and choosing to invest in Swakopmund.

“This is a substantial investment which will create many job opportunities and community upliftment in our town. This is an important pillar of sustainable development,” she said.

In 2015, Plumblink was sold to the Bidvest Group.

Okakarara Trade Fair to publish promotional magazine

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Okakarara Trade Fair to publish promotional magazine The Okakarara Trade Fair Society, in partnership with the Okakarara town council, will launch a magazine for the Okakarara Trade Fair on 30 June.

The marketing magazine will provide exhibitors and visitors with information on the trade fair, investment opportunities at the town, and a show programme.

Speaking at the launch of this year's fair on Friday, the society's chairman, Elia Kandjii, said “exhibitors would be guaranteed space in the magazine.”

The first edition of the magazine on 30 June will give exhibitors the opportunity to pre-market their products and services to be showcased at the trade fair.

A second edition will be published on 15 August to accommodate new exhibitors and sponsors who made pledges at a fundraising dinner on 3 August.

Tickets for the dinner at the Chief Riruako VIP Hall will be available from 30 June.

Kandjii said exhibitors would pay a minimal fee for the production of the magazine and visitors to the trade fair would receive a free copy.

The fair is scheduled for 5 to 10 September. Various activities are scheduled, including the Miss Okakarara Trade Fair pageant, horse racing and a music concert.

The trade fair society has transferred the running of the fair to the Okakarara town council, which will assume full control of the event next year.

NAMPA

First Omusati Business Expo on the cards

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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First Omusati Business Expo on the cards The first Omusati Business Expo and Trade Fair will be held from 30 March to 9 April at the Olufuko Centre at Outapi.

The date was announced by Indigenous People's Business Forum (IPBF) CEO Chrisch Siririka on Monday.

Siririka said there won't be an agricultural exhibition because of a possible low turnout of farmers affected by the veterinary cordon fence known as the Red Line.

The Red Line is a fence that stretches over 1 000 kilometres from north-west to north-east, separating the northern communal farming area from the rest of the country. It was established by the colonial South African government in 1960 to prevent the spread of livestock diseases. The fence has made it difficult for northern communal farmers to market their livestock south of the line.

Siririka said the expo was endorsed by the IPBF to stimulate regional trade, youth employment and rural development.

He said the show would offer talks on agriculture and small businesses, as well as a music concert.

A fundraising dinner will be held at Outapi on 30 March. Siririka said they needed about N$600 000 to host the event.

He said 30% of the profit derived from the expo would go towards the Omusati Governor's Development Fund to be used for education, SME development and social safety nets.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is expected to officiate at the dinner and expo.

The entrance fee to the expo is N$20 for adults and N$5 for children.











































NAMPA

Financial year ends on 31 March

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Financial year ends on 31 MarchNational budget to be tabled today More budget cuts are expected when the finance minister tables his budget for the next financial year in the National Assembly today. The national budget for the 2017/18 financial year will be tabled in the National Assembly today.

The budget will be tabled by finance minister Calle Schlettwein at 14:30, National Assembly media officer Ndahafa Kaukungua told Nampa on Monday.

Schlettwein said at a media briefing in January that he had already laid out the priorities and fiscal policy stance for the next Medium-Term Expenditure Framework in the Mid-Year Budget Review.

“We shall follow through with the stated policy direction, emphasising fiscal consolidation and without losing focus on growth dimension as well as poverty reduction efforts,” he said.

He promised that there wouldn't be another budget cut during this financial year, because the ministry was confident that the re-balanced budget would maintain sustainable levels.

Namibia is expected to benefit from improved Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) revenue, as the region has registered an improvement in the revenue pool.

Sacu executive secretary Paulina Elago told the media last month that the Sacu revenue allocation to member states might be better than last year.

The Sacu member states are Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland.

Since independence in 1990 the national budget was tabled in March, but from 2012 to 2015 the budget was tabled in February.

The government allocated N$40.2 billion for the 2012/13 national budget; N$47.6 billion for the 2013/14 financial year; and N$60.28 billion for the 2014/2015 financial year.

The 2016/17 national budget was tabled in Parliament on 23 February 2016.

The N$61 120 637 000 national budget was reduced to N$57 620 637 000 for the remainder of the 2016/17 financial year in October last year.



NAMPA

Livestock STDs under the lens

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Livestock STDs under the lensImpacts productivity of meat producers Often overlooked, reproductive diseases in livestock herds in Namibia are found to be prevalent after testing. The economic impact on sexual- or reproductive diseases among cattle and sheep flocks is becoming increasingly important due to the influence it has on reproduction.

The appearance of sexual/reproductive diseases leads to low calf- and lamb numbers and a subsequent loss of income.

The Meat Board of Namibia together with agricultural unions, launched an awareness campaign to make producers more aware of sexually transmitted or venereal diseases in livestock.

Paul Strydom, CEO at the Meat Board, said that Namibia is losing its competitiveness against major lamb and beef exporting countries. According to him producers find it increasingly difficult, due to various reasons, to reach profitability on farm level.

“One factor to improve profitability on herd level is to improve calving and lambing rates to increase production.

If herd calving (85%-90%) and lambing performances (100%-120%) are below industry norms, the reasons should be thoroughly investigated.

One reason could be the presence of reproductive diseases such as Trichomoniasis and Vibriosis in cattle and Brucella ovis in sheep. Besides the lack of pregnancy, low pregnancy and abortion, which should be above 3-5%, it is otherwise difficult to observe these diseases in herds.

The impact of venereal disease of livestock has been a discussion point at various congresses of the Namibia Agricultural Union and research done on cattle in certain regions of Namibia showed that these diseases appeared in more than 15% of herds tested.

Veterinarians in the south also reported high incidences of Brucella ovis in sheep herds. It is thus strongly recommended that producers annually test their bulls and rams for these diseases.

The Meat Board, together with agricultural unions, sponsored the drafting, design and printing of pamphlets and brochures to make producers aware of the economic impact of diseases on farming and business.



STAFF REPORTER

Trump's new plan slammed by Democrats

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Trump's new plan slammed by DemocratsExit Obamacare The Trump Administration has unveiled the replacement for Obamacare which the democrats say will make American families suffer and pad the pockets of the rich. US House Republicans unveiled long-awaited legislation on Monday that would repeal and replace the health care reforms known as Obamacare, largely under the framework that President Donald Trump laid out in his recent congressional address.

The American Health Care Act would dismantle several of the core aspects of the reforms, including ending related subsidies and taxes.

It would also end the requirement for individuals to have insurance, instead providing incentives for people to purchase it on the open market.

“After years of Obamacare's broken promises, House Republicans today took an important step,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden said in a statement.

“Simply put, we have a Better Way to deliver solutions that put patients - not bureaucrats - first, and we are moving forward united in our efforts to rescue the American people from the mess Obamacare has created.”



Top priority

Obamacare has stirred controversy since becoming law in 2010 under president Barack Obama and a Congress controlled by Democrats. But it has increased in popularity and is credited with helping 20 million Americans acquire coverage.

Republicans argue, however, that insurance premiums have soared for millions of Americans, and that Obamacare has been a job killer.

The new bill would preserve two popular Obamacare elements: prohibiting health insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, and allowing dependents to remain on their parents' plans until age 26.

Republicans have not provided a cost figure for the new plan, or estimates on how many people might be covered.

The legislation requires passage by the House of Representatives and Senate before it goes to Trump for his signature.

Trump has declared repeal and replacement of Obamacare as his top legislative priority.



Democrats blast bill

The replacement plan has courted controversy for months from within Trump's own party, as some GOP lawmakers warn that the tax credits in the new measure are just a reworked version of Obamacare's existing subsidies.

Under the new bill, Americans would receive such tax credits amounting to between US$2 000 and US$14 000 per year that would help low- and middle-income families gain access to health insurance.

Several Republican governors who expanded the low-income Medicaid programme through Obamacare warn that the plan could leave their state budgets underwater.

The new bill ends the Medicaid expansion, opting instead for a block grant system that allows states to use the funding in ways they see fit.

The first public congressional review of the legislation occurs on Wednesday, when the House Ways and Means Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee gather to debate and amend the bill.

Trump's party controls both chambers of Congress, but it holds the Senate by a 52-48 margin, meaning three or more Republican defections could sink the bill.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer blasted the bill as a “sham” that pads the pockets of the wealthy and insurance companies “at the expense of American families” who will be forced to pay more out of pocket for medical care.

“Senate Democrats will work hard to see that it is defeated,” he said in a statement.

NAMPA/AFP

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Money down the drain

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Money down the drain Less than 10% of finance from international climate funds to help developing countries adapt to climate change impacts and adopt clean energy is reaching local-level projects, finance researchers say.

In part, that is because international climate funds, under pressure to get donated funds into action, are opting to work with development banks and other big international agencies that can quickly spend millions - rather than with smaller-scale local governments and projects, said the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

Weak local ability to design and evaluate projects and to fill out complicated forms to access money are another problem, they said, as is the smaller scale of local projects, as vetting each one takes more time.

Another obstacle is the lack of a specific target in the Paris Agreement on climate change to spend more finance at the local level, the researchers said.

“Understanding how to get money where it matters is the challenge of the moment,” said Clare Shakya, climate change director at IIED and one of the report's authors.

Donors have given only 11% of the climate funds they promised, in part because of the obstacles, she said.

Richer nations have promised to donate or otherwise mobilise US$100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries switch to clean energy and adapt to problems such as worsening droughts, flooding and sea level rise.

But getting that money raised and flowing has proved challenging.

The United States, for instance, has promised US$3 billion to the Green Climate Fund and so far delivered US$1 billion. But President Donald Trump has suggested he would not make any additional contributions, and may pull the United States out.

The lack of international finance is a problem for countries such as Ethiopia, which has estimated it needs US$7.5 billion a year to switch to clean energy and adapt to climate change, but is so far receiving between US$100 million and US$200 million a year in international support, said Saleemul Huq, a senior fellow at IIED.

Ethiopia is nonetheless moving ahead with a large-scale national push toward hydropower and wind, solar and geothermal energy.

The east African nation is saving money by incorporating its clean energy projects into its national plans, rather than carrying out each piece of the effort as a separate internationally funded project.

But Paul Steele, IIED's chief economist, warned that donors sometimes balk at directing funding into national plans, arguing they don't trust the systems for accounting for it.

In Mali and Senegal, a three-year effort by IIED and the Near East Foundation has led to the creation of six US$700 000 funds to help local communities build resilience to climate variability and extreme events.

The funds, administered by local governments, allow communities to choose the actions they think will most help them. In Senegal, for instance, a salt harvesting community has used money to plant salt-resistant trees to help protect the estuary where they work.

The effort, part of the UK-funded Building Resilience to Climate Extremes and Disasters (Braced) project, aims to help local governments and communities develop better skills to manage climate funds and to use money in a transparent and cost-effective way.

“We really need to focus discussion on making sure that (climate finance) gets to the right places,” said Archie Young, the UK's lead climate negotiator, during a discussion at IIED.

NAMPA/REUTERS

'Taking back our oil'

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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'Taking back our oil'East Libyan forces say gang's days are numbered The self-proclaimed Libyan National Army says they will retake oil terminals in the Oil Crescent, currently held by Islamist gangs. Forces loyal to eastern Libya's strongman Khalifa Haftar said on Monday they were preparing a large counter-offensive to retake key oil export terminals days after losing them to rival fighters.

“Libyan forces are mobilising in great numbers to chase terrorist gangs from the Oil Crescent,” said Mohamad Ghanim, a spokesperson for the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army.

On Friday the Islamist-led Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) seized the key oil terminals of Ras Lanuf, which also includes an airport, and Al-Sidra in the Oil Crescent.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) forces have since carried out air strikes on BDB positions, but have not succeeded in repelling them.

Colonel Ahmad al-Mismari, a spokesperson for the LNA, said fresh strikes on Monday hit vehicles of the Islamist militia, which controlled Libya's second city Benghazi until Haftar's forces ousted them from nearly all of it in an offensive started in 2014.

In September, pro-Haftar forces captured Ras Lanuf, Al-Sidra and two other eastern oil ports in a blow to the authority of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli.

Haftar backs a rival administration in the country's far east that has refused to cede power to the Government of National Accord since it started working last year.

The eastern administration has accused the GNA's Defence Minister Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi, who is known for being hostile to Haftar, of backing the BDB.

But the minister on Monday denied the accusations.

“Those who are responsible for what is happening in the oil fields are those who have confiscated the real will of the Libyan people,” Barghathi said.

“It shows nobody can control Libya by force,” he said, in an apparent reference to Haftar, whose critics have accused him of wanting to install a military regime in the oil-rich country.

Barghathi's comments came after the Tripoli government on Friday denied any involvement in the offensive against the Oil Crescent, and condemning it as a “military escalation”.

Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed long-time ruler Muammar Gaddhafi.



NAMPA/AFP

Shot of the day

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day STUNNING: This photo of the Swakop River taken this week near the Moonlight Resorts, Rossing's old swimming pool. Photo: DAVID VISSER

The plight of our students

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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The plight of our students In Namibia we only have a few worthy institutions of higher learning and most notably, the University of Namibia is one of these institutions, but for how long we do not know. Not that we are criticising the quality of tuition that our students get – there are many fantastic and dedicated lecturers at the University of Namibia, lecturers that believe in quality and in life-long education. It is the abhorrent and unhygienic conditions that our students have to endure in order to receive this valuable education that is of grave concern. At the outset, let it be said that many of our Namibian students studying at Unam and other institutions of higher learning in Namibia come from previously and in most cases, still disadvantaged backgrounds. These are students who have triumphed for better or for worse against all odds, they have survived the pathetic education and sub-standard system and they have succeeded in beating the odds, which have in most cases been stacked heavily against them; despite this, they have shown their mettle and resolve. Now they have finally achieved what they perceive to be their “dream” – they have been admitted to Unam to receive a higher education, the education which is supposed to be “the great equaliser” – they have seen light at the end of the tunnel. They have seen a path out of that poverty which they want to leave behind, the endless cycle of poverty that has seen no hope for generations. Now alas, for the “cream of the crop” of our country and the “hope for our future” there spears to be darkness at the end of the tunnel, not much light, as they face the stark reality of lack of accommodation and hygienic and clean ablution facilities. In the north, our students have to face sub-human living conditions, while the authorities only make empty promises about building hostels to appease them. In Windhoek at the main campus, which should be a source of pride and joy to all of Namibia, the bathroom facilities at that huge and landmark facility, catering to thousands of students are sickeningly filthy and unhygienic.

Government will table bill by April

March 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Government will table bill by AprilAR satisfied with Rent Bill progress Cautious optimism has followed government's announcement that the new Rent Bill will be tabled next month after amendments. The activist movement Affirmative Repositioning (AR) has commended government's commitment to finalise the amendments to the Rent Bill later this month and to table the bill in April.

“Although it's too early to celebrate it is a worthy development,” AR spokesperson George Kambala wrote in a press release this week.

The AR has been advocating for the appointment of a rent control board since mid-2015 and this week accused government of “zigzagging” on the issue, allegedly because of pressure from “property moguls and politicians in the property industry”.

Although government made several public commitments in 2015 and 2016 to establish the rent control board, the announcement in February that the board appointments would not take place until amendments to the current rent ordinance were finalised, surprised, and angered, many.

Kambala described the U-turn in February as a “dramatic turn of events”. The announcement was made after the AR re-ignited their push for the implementation of the rent board in January. A letter demanding the establishment of the board and a threat of legal action was made in January.

Last week, following the announcement of the postponement by government to appoint a rent board, the AR demanded that government withdraw their “illegal stance” or face legal action. The prescribed deadline was 4 March.

In response, the Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and SME issued a press release late last week, publicly committing to finalise and release a draft of the amended rent bill by 20 March and to table the rent bill in April.

Minister Immanuel Ngatjizeko explained that the resolution to pause the appointment of a rent board was made in lieu of government's opinion that the current Rent Ordinance of 1977 would be impractical to implement in its current form.

Ngatjizeko explained that the current penalties included in the 1977 ordinance “are too little … and therefore would not deter any lessor from contravening the Rent Ordinance, 1977. It will defeat the purpose that the government aims to achieve.”

The minister said that government has always been committed to introduce measures to protect lessees against “exploitation” of lessors.

He said government is aware of the current state of affairs range “from the charging of exorbitant rentals, to the eviction of lessees at the whim of lessors while disregarding the interests and rights” of tenants. Moreover there are currently few options for tenants to address complaints against landlords.

Ngatjizeko stated that one of the issues to be addressed through the amendments to the current law is the prescribed 7.5% of the value of a mortgage as a rental price.

He described this as “unfair on the part of the lessor” and government is committed to explore an alternative option that would replace it with a “fair value of rental”.

The AR has welcomed the announcement.

“It is a good prospective victory for the militant youth of AR who kept soldiering on since 2015 despite the challenges, insults, intimidation, harassment and all the negative things done and directed to all activists.”

Nevertheless, based on past experience, the movement said that they will continue to keep a close eye on the issue to ensure that government sticks to “their own commitments”.

JANA-MARI SMITH