The need for mature debate

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

The need for mature debate The Namibian political sphere, in its current form, is not attractive enough. Very few young people want to venture into politics.

They rather opt for high-salaried jobs in the private sector.

There are, however, those who have dedicated their time to serve both party and country. To be quite frank many young people feel disillusioned with politics, because they see little opportunity for real change through the current system.

Take for instance the ruling Swapo party – there is little evidence that it is constantly connecting with the young people and getting them interested in politics.

How often does the top leadership engage with the pioneer's movement, for instance? When was the last time the head of state arranged for a meeting to dissect the issues of the day with a group of young people? And, the goings-on within Swapo do not augur well for the future of our country.

As the old saying goes when Swapo sneezes, everyone catches flu.

It is important that the ruling party leads the debate, especially regarding bread and butter issues. The party should not just be reduced to a mere petty politicking platform.

Just like the media, Swapo has a greater role to play in shaping public discourse. Many people out there are not interested in the political mudslinging and bickering between various factions, they want to know where the party stands on the big issues, amongst others.

This country needs more practical idealists who never think of compromising on the issues of principle. Whether it is from the so-called forces of change or the current administration, the art of political tolerance looks to be fast disappearing, and this is a worrying trend. It also clearly will not motivate young people to serve in politics, especially when they are used as pawns in battles for wider control of political parties.

There must be the political will to help ignite a sense of optimism in young people when it comes to politics.

Generating opinions and shaping attitudes that serve to challenge or affirm the state of affairs in our country should be the mainstay of our society.

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Zambezi logging to continue

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Zambezi logging to continueConditions have been imposed on the activities The activities for the creation of an irrigation scheme near Katima Mulilo have been given the green light to proceed, but with conditions.

De-bushing activities have been given the go-ahead at the construction site of an irrigation scheme near Katima Mulilo, albeit with strict guidelines set by the forestry department for future logging activities.

Forestry officials, regional council representatives and contractors last week discussed the felling of 70 high-value, protected trees near the Liselo and Katima Farm agricultural project site in the Zambezi Region.

Officials said the issue had been resolved and that it had “basically been a misunderstanding”. Confusion arose partly because of two maps of the area that show different buffer zones where logging is off-limits.

John Niipale, a senior forestry official, said it had “not really been illegal harvesting” but looking at the old and new maps, it appeared that the Chinese contractor had acted on outdated information. Another forestry official explained that the new map had been revised to include a 200-metre buffer zone along the Angolan border in which no logging activities could take place.

The old map, which had been provided to the contractors at the site, including the Chinese company New Force Logistics, showed a 60-metre buffer zone.

Based on the old map, New Force Logistics apparently had been logging outside the buffer zone, but on the new map the logging took place within the buffer zone. Nevertheless, New Force Logistics, and the other companies linked to the original de-bushing tender for the green scheme - MK Construction Investment, JV Okatombo Investment, and Uundenge Investments - were instructed to stop cutting trees in areas that had not yet been cleared by bulldozers and excavators.

“We agreed that they should not cut in front of the others. They must remain behind the bulldozers and then cut what remains there,” Niipale explained.

Moreover, the timber that is collected may not be removed from the site and sold commercially by any of the contractors for the time being.

“We agreed that the timber, once it is cross-cut, must be piled at the site and then the community and the councillors and the contractors will agree what to do with the timber. Forestry will issue a harvesting permit at a later stage,” Niipale said.

New Force Logistics signed a contract to pay N$3 million to Uundenge Investments to cut, transport and sell the timber from the area.

It is unclear whether the agreement remains valid with the new guidelines in place.

“We haven't gone into detail on that. Our interest was on the protection of the resources, not on the Chinese. We wanted to ensure that there was no illegal harvesting,” Niipale said.

He said the parties also agreed to bring in a consultant to clearly identify the areas that may not be cleared for the irrigation scheme, as stipulated in the initial tender's scope. Joseph Hailwa, director of forestry in the agriculture ministry, confirmed that the two maps had “led to a bit of confusion”.

He added that he was not made aware that any illegal cutting had taken place. He said the differences had been sorted out.

Hailwa added that because the area had been officially designated as a future Green Scheme site that must be cleared for crop production, the contractors would need permission from the forestry department to utilise the resources within the designated area. Niipale said it was important to investigate and clarify the matter because of the ongoing illegal logging taking place in the region.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Boy, 10, shoots girl, 6

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Boy, 10, shoots girl, 6 Erongo chief regional investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Otillie Kashuupulwa has issued a stern warning to gun owners following an incident in which a 10-year-old boy shot and injured a six-year-old girl in Kuisebmond in Walvis Bay.

“I want to warn members of the public not to leave their firearms unattended. How did this child know how to get the firearm? The keys to the safe must not be left unattended either. You should be in possession of the keys at all times,” said Kashuupulwa adding that the father of the boy will be charged with negligent handling of a firearm.

According to Kashuupulwa, the boy was left alone at home with his friends, the victim and her nine-year-old brother, when the incident occurred around 17:00.

“The children were watching TV in the bedroom where the safe is kept. The boy took the safe keys from the wardrobe and unlocked the safe. He took his father’s firearm from the safe and while he was trying to remove the cartridge, the firearm went off accidently and the girl was shot in her left eye,” said Kashuupulwa.

The girl was rushed to the state hospital in Walvis Bay and was later transferred to the state hospital in Windhoek. According to Kashuupulwa, although the victim lost her eye, she is still alive but the bullet has not been removed yet.

“The father is a fisherman. He left his son alone at home to go out to sea. The lady who was supposed to look after the child was still on her way to the house when the incident occurred. Unfortunately we have to charge the father.”

According to her, the father has not returned from sea yet. “He will be charged as soon as he gets back,” Kashuupulwa said.

Jessica Botes

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Menial pay far from home

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Menial pay far from homeMigrant labour kept fathers separated from their families Often described as one of the cruellest features of apartheid, migrant labour was for many, the only way to bring some money, into their households.

The work was backbreaking and the pay of 15 cents or N$2 a day, was next to nothing whether on a mine or a farm. But, they kept trekking in droves to seek work.

This was migrant labour in Namibia, a system that lasted for close to 50 years, from 1925 to 1972. For many it was a journey to becoming a man, to stand on one's feet and earn a living. While some died, others were maimed both physically and in mind.

To tell the story of their experiences as migrant labourers, with the backdrop of Namibia's 27th independence celebrations, were 94-year-old Frans Weyulu from Okandi-Oshivanda Shanghatanga village in the Ohangwena Region and Sadrag Kamati, who now reside in Ohongo village in the Ohangwena Region.

Although unable to recall the exact years the events happened, Weyulu says the treks, sleepless nights and fear of being sent back home because of a lack of work, are still fresh in his mind.

He was about 18 in 1941 when he decided to be a grown man by going to seek work in the south.

Weyulu says some of his friends started working on farms when they first went to the south, but later secured jobs in the mine where they crushed rocks in search of copper; Tsumeb.

“As much as I wished to work at the mine in Oranjemund, they told me I could not as I was as thin as a stick. They needed men with big calves,” he chuckles.

He describes how he was hardworking and always did extra jobs on the side, as he wanted to save-up.

“I did not like being at the compound doing nothing on weekends, so I always went out and looked for work in the white people's homes where I would rake the yard or sweep and polish their houses for N$2 per day.”

Weyulu worked in the mine for eight years, earning not more than 15 cents per day, which could buy him a loaf of brown bread, one kg of sugar for five cents and a packet of coffee. This angered the black workers at some point, forcing them to strike.

“We once questioned the bosses why our salaries were so low compared to those of the white people and they told us we were not important as we were just contract labourers.

“They also told us that we would not get more money because they provided us with accommodation and food.”

Weyulu was diagnosed with Tuberculosis during his employment in the mine and was advised to stop working for a while. He was sent to the kitchen as a cook, where the salary was slightly lower than what he got at the mine.

He later moved to Windhoek where he got a job filing scraper machines at the then power utility, Swawek.

He returned to Tsumeb but only managed to get a housekeeping job for about four months, before they were told they could no longer do that work, as it was a woman's job.

He was then sent back to the smelter, where the work was tough. It is here that he witnessed the most horrific mining accident in his life.

“I remember a friend of mine losing his arm when he threw a rock in one of the crushing machines. It was the worst sight ever.”

The pensioner, who spent most of his life in these jobs, describes the experiences as difficult but a lifelong learning journey.

He says in his last year of work, he received N$100, but laments that he was cheated out of his deserving pension package.

“I was shocked but they betrayed me with my pension package because the years they claim I worked at the mine were decreased.”

Weyulu today lives with one of his five children in a house he shared with his late wife, who died more than 10 years ago. He still works in his mahangu field, although he walks with the aid of a golf club that he uses as a walking stick.

Seventy nine-year-old Kamati recalls that contract labourers, who were mainly from the northern parts of Namibia, were paid low wages that were not in proportion to the amount of work they did.

They endured psychological hardships, which included leaving families behind to live in single-sex compounds.

Although most men walked for an entire day from their homes to Ondangwa, where the job-seeking process began, it was not an easy 24 hours. Only the strong survived the distance, especially those with water and food.

Kamati recounts that he endured the contract labour system from 1954-1985, and only exited five years before Namibia gained independence.

He says at the age of 16, he left home in 1954 to find work in a land where a black person needed permission to enter.

Jobs were allocated at Grootfontein, according to a man's physique, Kamati explains, adding that if a person was slender, the only job available was herding sheep.

Since he was of medium size, Kamati landed a job on a farm a few kilometres from Okahandja, where he milked cows and helped his boss' wife in the kitchen. Black women were not allowed that side of the red line until only years later because it was against the law. The line was used to control the movement of livestock and people from the northern parts of the country to the central and southern parts.

“He was a very bad boss and I wanted to leave that place as soon as the contract came to an end, but he told us that we needed to wait, as his new employees were only arriving after two months.”

This did not sit well with Kamati, who decided to use force to leave. This meant he would not receive his salary either.

“He beat me up for not obeying him but I had my mind made up so I fought back and he let me go. I had to walk about 60 km to Okahandja, where I sought help after a day's walking.”

He recalls that a kind German man came along and drove him to the police station where he reported his boss.

Kamati managed to get his last salary and made his way back home with about 12 pounds or N$160, which he had saved up over the past 18 months.

He described how some people tried to escape from the farms before the end of their contracts, but failed as they were quickly tracked down, beaten up and taken back to the farms.

“We got no leave. The employers did not care if your mother died and you needed to attend the funeral or not. They needed their work done and we had to do it.”

Kamati found another job on farm Grünau after two years of unemployment, but described his new boss as a kind one.

He says he had the same job description here too. However, the treatment was better and he was happy to work there for another 18 months, after which he decided to go to Windhoek and become an illegal migrant.

The employers regulated the compounds in which the employees lived and a person without a job was not allowed to stay there, as they did not have a reason to.

“It was not easy. I had to sneak around because unemployed people were not allowed to stay in the provided accommodation. So, I had to make another plan before I got into trouble.”

In 1959, Kamati's friend who was employed as a housekeeper offered him his old job as he had found another one, which got him arrested because of a lack of the right documentation.

“I got caught when my new boss tried to get me the right papers and the law authorities found out I was there illegally. I spent the whole month in prison, but it did not end there as I still went on to look for another job immediately after I was released, landing me in more trouble.”

Kamati was forced to lie about his tribe in court as it was the only way he could get a lenient sentence. He told the prosecutor his mother was Damara and he was born in Okahandja.

Kamati described his second and last job, a packer at a shop in Windhoek, as the best 25 years of his working life.

“I learnt so much with my new bosses. I learnt how to drive and in no time, I was driving trucks and got a promotion.”

With his new pay cheque, Kamati was able to save and marry the love of his life on 6 December in 1966.

He says although he reached retirement before independence and could not benefit from the greater things which came afterwards, he is happy that Namibia is finally independent because the treatment of workers is much better than before. - Nampa

Isabel Bento

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Soldiers will face civilian justice

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Soldiers will face civilian justicePG to decide on charges in park shooting NDF troops who opened fire on a Windhoek family in the Bwabwata National Park will not be brought before a military court.

Legal experts say it is up to the prosecutor-general to decide whether criminal charges will be brought against soldiers who shot a three-year-old girl in the head in the Bwabwata National Park last week.

There has been some confusion over whether the soldiers will be charged before a military tribunal, but that is not the case.

Legal experts say any crimes committed by military personnel within Namibia are investigated by the Namibian Police and are heard by civilian courts. Military courts only have jurisdiction if such crimes are committed outside Namibia.

A Windhoek family - Harald Keil (33), his wife Teresa (33), and their two daughters, three-year-old Alexia and two-year-old Caytlin – came under fire from an anti-poaching unit in the park in north-eastern Namibia last week.

The unit consisted of uniformed NDF troops and plainclothes members of the Anti-Poaching Unit.

Keil allegedly drove off after being stopped by the patrol.

Alexia has a bullet lodged in her brain and is in critical condition in the intensive care unit of a Windhoek hospital.

The family has laid a charge of attempted murder with the police.

The Ministry of Defence has remained mum on the incident. A press conference scheduled for Friday was called off.

On Monday, Namibian Sun was told that no questions from the press would be answered and that matter was in the hands of the police.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Kavango Open Africa Route (KOAR), Mark Paxton, has expressed concern over the impact the incident will have on tourism.

In a letter sent to the tourism ministry he said KOAR was distressed to learn about the horrific incident involving the Keil family.

“By first-hand accounts it appears to have been an example of men in uniform abusing their powers in a totally unprofessional and irresponsible manner.

“While we quite understand and appreciate the need for efficient and effective law enforcement and anti-poaching activities, we do not see the need for this measure of unreasonable conflict with tourists travelling in the parks,” Paxton wrote.

He said the incident could easily have involved international tourists who would have spread the word globally, with catastrophic results for the Namibian tourism industry.

According to Paxton several incidents of harassment of tourists and tour operators in parks have been reported lately.

“We would like to know what steps are being taken to investigate this incident, and we would also like to know what this ministry is doing to prevent any further similar incidents from occurring in our national parks in these regions and elsewhere in Namibia.”

He said the Kavango and Zambezi regions were still recovering from similar incidents during the 2000-2002 unrest when tourists were shot at. These incidents caused the collapse of the tourism sector in both regions.

According to Paxton the badly handled murder of tour guide Andi Maier in the Mudumu Park in July 2015 was another blow to the already fragile tourism industry in the northeast.

KOAR has been operating in the Kavango Region for almost eight years. It has about 50 members, representing most of the legitimate tourism operations on the Okavango River System.

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Stoop murder trial to continue in April

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Stoop murder trial to continue in April

The illness of a defence lawyer this week led to the postponement of the High Court trial of three people accused of killing 78-year-old Gideon Johannes (Koos) Stoop.

The trial will continue on 3 April.

Lawyer Boris Isaack was booked off for an eye infection.

“He cannot read and thus is not able to prepare for the case due to the severity of the medical condition,” his colleague, Louis Karsten, representing the female accused, Nelsiene Utiapatie Kauaria, informed the court.

The other lawyer, Monty Karuaihe, who is based at the coast, also asked to be excused because the case was likely to be postponed.

Kauaria (31), together with brothers George Tjikuao Katjingisua (33) and Erwin Katjingisua (32), are charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances and conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances.

They allegedly killed Stoop at his flat in Shilunga Street, Cimbebasia, a residential suburb of Windhoek, on 28 or 29 August 2009.

They allegedly assaulted Stoop by hitting, kicking and stabbing him after tying his hands and feet and stuffing a T-shirt deep into his mouth.

They are further accused of robbing the deceased of a Tedelex television set, a Panasonic car radio/tape, a Wahl hair clipper and a Nokia cellphone.

The defence is expected to present their case before Judge Alfred Siboleka. It is not clear whether the accused will testify in their own defence, call witnesses or leave their fate in the hands of the judge.

Earlier the case had been bogged down by a lengthy trial-within-a-trial involving the admissibility of some statements and confessions.

The court upheld Kauaria's objection against the admissibility of a statement taken down by the police and a confession she had made to Magistrate Alexis Diergaardt.

However, it ruled that the pointing-out of the crime scene by Erwin Katjingisua was admissible as evidence.

A non-incriminatory statement Kauaria made to Sergeant Billy Kamusivise when they first met at the Katutura police station was also ruled as admissible.

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Barbaric attack on leopard condemned

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Barbaric attack on leopard condemned

The environment ministry has expressed shock and dismay over horrific video footage that has been circulating on social media showing a leopard being bludgeoned to death with an axe while being savaged by a pack of dogs.

The video clip shows the dog pack ripping chunks of flesh from the living animal while a group of up to four men stand watching and laughing.

The men then take turns clubbing the leopard while the dogs continue the attack. The endangered big cat eventually dies when one of the men smashes its head with an axe continuously for more than 40 seconds.

The ministry condemned the illegal killing of the protected animal, and particularly the cruelty of the act.

It said that the leopard had allegedly caught livestock on the farm Okamiparara in the Otjiwarongo District and the owner of the farm took it upon himself to set a trap in which the leopard was caught.

“It is regrettable that this animal was killed in such a cruel and illegal manner using inappropriate means. It should be noted further that such a hunt was not sanctioned by the ministry, nor was the case of this leopard killing livestock reported to the ministry for action or advice.”

Meanwhile, a petition by the International Humane Society urging the ministry to seek justice for the brutal leopard killing has gained more than 85 000 signatures.

The ministry said conflict between people and wildlife was on the increase and measures have been put in place to address and mitigate such conflict.

The ministry is reviewing the National Policy on Human-Wildlife Conflict and public consultation was done.

“We appeal to all Namibians to work closely with nature conservation officials in any cases involving wildlife to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law. We discourage the developing trends where people take the law into their own hands by killing problem animals without notifying the ministry,” it said.

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Big names want big land

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Big names want big land ‘Gold rush’ for land at Okakarara Prominent businessmen, politicians and a political analyst all want a piece of Okakarara.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Several well-known people want to set up shop at the small town of Okakarara after the town council indicated that it wants to attract more investment.

Earlier this month the municipality invited objections to the selling and leasing by way of private treaty of 30 plots. The deadline for objecting to these transactions is 29 March.

One of the potential investors is a Chinese company registered as Sino Nami Development CC, belonging to a certain Clark Qiao who has applied to lease 50 hectares of virgin land from the municipality.

There was no answer at the Okakarara municipality on Monday and it could not be ascertained for what purpose the Chinese company wants to lease such a large plot.

A Google search indicates that Clark Qiao is the president of the construction company Qingdao Construction (Namibia) CC, which has been awarded multi-million-dollar government construction contracts.

Upon enquiry, however, staff at the construction company said the Qiao associated with Qingdao Construction knew nothing about a land transaction with the Okakarara municipality.

The municipality intends to lease the property at N$4 000 per square metre.

Another large piece of land covering 43 hectares is to be leased to Eben-Ezer Karokohe, and a 20-hectare plot is to be leased by Arnold Hindjou at N$2 500 per square metre. Gabes Hikuama intends to lease 10 hectares at N$1 500 per square metre.

Former Swapo MP Kazenambo Kazenambo, who owns large tracts of land in other towns, wants to buy five hectares in a business zone for N$3 million.

Brahman stud farmer Justus Tjirimuje wants to buy 25 hectares of land for N$15 million. Northern businessman Benson Zaaruka intends to buy an “open space” of 23 908 square metres for an undisclosed purpose for N$357 000.

Standard Bank’s chief executive officer Vetumbuavi Mungunda intends to buy 32 680 square metres at N$1.1 million in a business zone.

The academic Phanuel Kaapama, as Anangwe Marine Harvesting & Processing, intends to buy a business plot of 1 955 square metres for N$68 775. Former Nudo politician Benestus Kandundu is prepared to pay N$900 000 for a business plot of 1 500 square metres.

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‘Executive Immunities Bill is unconstitutional’

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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‘Executive Immunities Bill is unconstitutional’

JEMIMA BEUKES

The government’s plan to grant executive privilege to cabinet ministers has the potential to create an apartheid-style society of upper-class and lower-class citizens, argues human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe.

According to Tjombe, if passed in its current form, the Executive Immunities Bill approved by Cabinet last week is likely to be unconstitutional, as the Namibian Constitution intended for only the president to have criminal and civil immunity while in office.

“Also, Article 10 of the Namibian Constitution demands that each person be treated as equal before the law, and the Executive Bill blatantly violates this sacrosanct principle of our constitutional democracy,” said Tjombe.

Legal expert Hoze Riruako, however, supports the bill. He says too often ministers who do their jobs are dragged to court for violations they have nothing to do with.

Although he does not support immunity for ministers who commit offences, Riruako argues that a “fiasco” has been created by disgruntled people who sue ministers or permanent secretaries simply because they can.

Article 31 of the Namibian Constitution stipulates that that no person holding the office of state president, or performing the functions of the president, may be sued in any civil proceedings for actions taken during their term of office.

It further states that after a president has left office, no court may hear a criminal case in respect of any act done during their tenure as president.

Courts only have jurisdiction to hear civil or criminal cases against the president in respect of acts alleged to have been perpetrated in his or her personal capacity whilst holding office; or if parliament has removed the president on grounds specified in the constitution; or if parliament resolves that any such proceedings are justified in the public interest.

The bill has not yet been made public. According to a statement issued by the attorney-general’s office, it seeks to provide certainty for ministers that they, too, will not be held personally civilly liable for the performance of their duty.

It also emphasises that ministers should not have their attention diverted by concerns about private lawsuits because of violations committed by public servants.

The statement says making the bill public at this stage of the drafting process would be premature, as it would pass through several more levels of scrutiny by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, legislative drafters, and the attorney-general’s office.

“The inclusion of a right of action for the State to recover from a minister who has engaged in conduct other than in good faith, and/ or with gross negligence, ensures an appropriate balance is maintained in supporting ministers while ensuring that they remain accountable for their actions,” the statement reads.

DTA president McHenry Venaani believes that accountability will be thrown out the window if this bill is passed.

He says there is a reason why only the president enjoys immunity under the constitution.

“I am not aware of this bill, but if it gets to parliament we are going to object to it. We must be very careful about how we do things. We must avoid a situation where we cannot question it when a minister fires the head of a parastatal without due diligence,” he says.

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White-owned land to be taken

March 21, 2017, 3:00 pm

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White-owned land to be takenWilling-seller concept to be reconsidered Addressing the Independence Day celebration at Rundu yesterday, President Hage Geingob said the government would consider the expropriation of land and look at foreign land ownership.

In a strongly-worded speech, President Hage Geingob announced at the 27th independence celebration that the time for the expropriation of land has come.

“We are committed to addressing the land issue and this is why I have alluded to the fact that we need to revisit the willing-buyer, willing-seller concept which we adopted to adhere to Resolution 435.

“We have exhausted the concept because after 27 years, the process is slow in satisfying the wishes of the majority of Namibians. This means we need to refer back to our Constitution, which allows for the expropriation of land with fair compensation, and also look at foreign ownership of land, especially absentee land owners,” he said.

Thousands attended the event at Rundu Stadium and the mood was energetic, with people chanting “Harambee”, “One Namibia, One Nation” and “Hage Geingob” while waving the Namibian flag.

The presence of people from all walks of life did not go unnoticed, as Geingob thanked the crowd and the organisers of the event, saying that it was in line with the aims of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).

In his speech Geingob touched on many topics, in particular the challenges the country is facing and how the government intends to resolve them.

Geingob spoke of unity in Namibia, emphasising freedom of speech.

“You have exemplified the spirit of Harambee by pulling in the same direction, and in so doing, you have repelled those retrogressive forces whose intent was to propagate their reactionary tendencies by encouraging people not to celebrate independence,” he told the crowd.

Geingob questioned the motives of those who planned to boycott the independence celebrations, saying it was absurd for people to deny others the opportunity to take part in such an event.

“How can you boycott your own achievement? How can you boycott national reconciliation? How can you boycott the freedom of movement and the freedom of speech? How can you boycott the desire to maintain unity, national sovereignty and human dignity? Let the free people of Namibia celebrate their existence.”

Again, the president highlighted the peace enjoyed by the country and warned that there were some people intent on destroying it.

“I am aware there are some people in this country who are tired of peace and have made it no secret by questioning why we keep talking about peace. The truth cannot change. We must be wary of centrifugal forces who are intent on destroying what took us so many years and so much blood, sweat and tears to build,” he said.

Harambee, the president said, was not to be scoffed at or ridiculed but should be seen as a concept to unite the people and promote and safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

The crowd listened attentively and talking to Namibian Sun on the sidelines, people expressed gratitude at having been part of one of the most important days on the Namibian calendar.

“We see the efforts of the government but more should be done, not just for us but also for the future generations,” Namibian Sun was told.

Geingob stressed that in order for the country to achieve economic growth and maintain peace everyone should be open to new approaches.

Talking about poverty and the need to curb it, Geingob said if one Namibian is poor it affects everyone.

“Poverty is a scourge that continues to wreak havoc in our lives, because if one Namibian is poor, then we all are poor and we will all pay a price for that. We are aware that after 27 years we still face many uphill challenges, most specifically with regard to our socio economic architecture,” he said.

He said the problems and social imbalances in the country were not created by Swapo or the government of the day. Touching on the current economic challenges, he said: “in the midst of financial headwinds, austerity measures must be put in place.”

Harambee, the National Development Plan and Vision 2030’s strategic projects would be fast-tracked, he said.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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NPL to start in May

March 22, 2017, 7:00 am

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NPL to start in May

The 2017 Namibia Premier League season will start on 12 May this year. However, it is not yet clear whether a new sponsor is on board. In a letter written to all the clubs by league administrator Tovey //Hoebeb, the interim management committee also suggested that they are planning to iron out any issues with the Namibia Football Association. “Reference is made to the above mentioned subject; we have the pleasure to provide you herewith important information. Kindly be informed that the interim committee at its last meeting held on 18 March resolved that the 2016/2017 season will kick-off on the weekend of 12 May 2017,” the letter reads.

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Boxing fireworks expected

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Boxing fireworks expectedWBO sanctions Independence Bonanza Promoter Nestor Tobias is thrilled that his star-studded event on 1 April has received the official green light.

The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has approved MTC Sunshine Promotions' Independence Bonanza scheduled for 1 April.

The boxing body scrutinised all the proposed opponents in order to give promoter Nestor Tobias the green light.

“Sanctioning a fight is an important process for the WBO. This vetting process ensures that we only allow credible opponents to fight for our titles.

“Opponents who have lost their last fights, or who have poor records, will not be approved for WBO titles.

“Boxers who fight for our titles all around the world are watched by fans who pay their hard-earned money to come and watch our title fights.

It is therefore imperative that we protect our high standard as one of the top four sanctioning bodies in the world,” remarked Samir Captan, WBO's Africa representative.

The WBO has appointed officials to oversee and officiate at the Independence Boxing Bonanza.

Samir Captan of Ghana will be the supervisor. The referees and judges will be Deon Dwarte, Jaap van Nieuwenhuizen and Clifford Mbelu of South Africa, alongside Naville Hotz, Timo Haikonda and Lazy Nainda.

Former WBA lightweight world champion Paulus 'The Hitman' Moses will headline the show, defending his WBO Africa title against Benoit Makangali Vela from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas will face Oscar Chauke of South Africa in defence of his WBO Africa featherweight title.

Namibia's hard hitting Walter 'Executioner' Kautondokwa will trade leather with Med Sebyala of Uganda in defence of his WBO Africa middleweight title.

WBO Inter-Continental bantamweight champion Immanuel 'Prince' Naidjala will step into the ring against South African Sibiniso Ngonya.

The night promises quality boxing with the likes of Mike Shonena, Benedistus Mendu, Emmanuel Mungandjela, Timoteus Shuulula and Andreas Amupolo in action.

Former WBO super lightweight champion Jeremiah 'No Respect' Nakathila will also make a return to the ring.

General tickets are selling for N$50, while VIP tickets are going for N$300.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

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Wanderers join Khomas netball league

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: North embraces Galz & Goals

≪ Previous: Boxing fireworks expected

Wanderers join Khomas netball league The Wanderers Netball Club has decided to affiliate itself with Khomas Netball for the year 2017.

The management decided to register one team consisting of 12 players for the 2017 Netball Premier League.

According to Wanderers, the reason for not registering three teams is that Wanderers intend to continue travelling the country to play against and support netball clubs in other regions.

“We also intend to identify a school in each region and host a development clinic and just share some fun netball tips with the girls.

“In light of this we need players available to join these ventures. Should we register three teams, we would be restricted with time and girl-power.

“This is still Wanderers' Year of Giving Back and we would like to pursue these plans,” the officials said.

The club is under new management. It has recruited a new coach and new structures are in place.

Wanderers added that they have the utmost respect for Khomas Netball and therefore relish playing in the league.

SPORT REPORTER

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North embraces Galz & Goals

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: BAS becomes independent

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North embraces Galz & GoalsOshana joins the girls' football programme Brave, Young and Baby Gladiators have all benefited from the Galz & Goals programme.

The Independence Stadium in Oshakati witnessed yet another launch of the popular Namibia Football Association (NFA) Galz & Goals development programme.

Over the past eight years the programme has produced some of Namibia's biggest women football talents, whose skills were on show during the 2014 CAF Women's Championships held in Windhoek.

The programme visited the Oshana Region on Saturday to offer girls a platform to play football and learn about a responsible life in an organised environment.

The festival, supported by Unicef, provided an opportunity to all adults and girls over the age of 16 to get tested for HIV and TB, and to get their blood-sugar levels and blood pressure checked.

Unicef country representative Micaela Marquez de Sousa shared information with the girls visiting the organisation's information booth.

A five-day training workshop was held for 37 teachers prior to the festival, explaining how to integrate life skills and health education into their training sessions. Basic football coaching courses were conducted by FIFA instructor Jacqui Shipanga, and Sport2Life training by SCORE Namibia.

The event included a football competition for under-13 to under-19 girls from schools in the Oshana Region. The winners received trophies, medals and Adidas gift bags courtesy of FIFA. Talent was identified for further assessment.

The event was attended by the mayor of Oshakati, Angelous Iiyambo, NFA president Frans Mbidi and representatives of several government departments.

UNICEF's De Sousa reminded those in attendance that an organised environment was crucial in reducing the risk of HIV/Aids and empowering girls to become valuable members of society.

Mbidi reiterated the NFA's commitment to the Galz & Goals programmes in the Erongo, Khomas, Zambezi, Oshana, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap and Karas regions.

SPORT REPORTER

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BAS becomes independent

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Boxing cut short at Rundu

≪ Previous: North embraces Galz & Goals

BAS becomes independent

The Basketball Artists School (BAS) in Katutura has announced that it has been released from its German supporting association, Isibindi.

Now that BAS is a Namibian trust, it will be able to do its own operations without being controlled by its former affiliates.

Isibindi chairperson Bernd Seibel and Isibindi treasurer Carmen Rhode handed over a key to BAS director Ramah Mumba and his team. Bernd Seibel said: “The key does not only represent that BAS Foundation is the owner now, but also to remember that education is the only key to vocational training or even university.”

Seibel also announced that they were considering implementing a bursary scheme for graduated BAS students with excellent grades and were committed to provide tutors for BAS.

The event was attended by BAS students, parents and staff, while the Thlokomela choir performed several songs and dances.

The BAS Foundation was represented by trustees Auguste Nyambali-Hategekimana and Katrina Gowases.

The BAS representatives thanked Isibindi for their longstanding support.

BAS is still supported by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

SPORT REPORTER

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Boxing cut short at Rundu

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Southgate gets tough

≪ Previous: BAS becomes independent

Boxing cut short at Rundu The National Amateur Boxing Championship finished early in Rundu on Tuesday due to a lack of funds and a limited number of competitors.

The championship was held at the Dr Romanus Kampungu Secondary School hall in the Kavango East Region from Monday to Tuesday. Initially, the event was slated for five days but was shortened to three days and later to only two days. Organisers expected six boxers in each of the eight weight classes, but only 18 boxers showed up.

Speaking to Nampa on Tuesday, Namibian Boxing Federation (NBF) marketing officer Allan Narib said despite the limited number of boxers, the talent on display was exceptional. “On the other hand we are doing well and we are getting results, as truly there are boys with international standard skills and talents,” Narib said. He expressed hope that they would be able to travel for continental or international competitions in the near future. It was the first National Amateur Boxing Championship of the year.

NAMPA

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Southgate gets tough

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: ‘Okwaaha hokololitha aaleli kashi li pakontampango’

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Southgate gets toughCoach wants positive change The England national football team has embarked on a journey to make tougher decisions as they attempt to repeat the 1962 era.

Gareth Southgate is determined to ensure England have a successful 2018 World Cup campaign but knows that “challenging conversations” are needed to help the side move on from recent setbacks at major competitions.

Southgate, who was part of the last England side to reach the semi-finals of a major tournament at Euro 96, has urged his players to learn from high-profile defeats, including the shock loss to Iceland at last year's European Championship in France.

“That (World Cup) has to be the ultimate aim because then that drives your behaviour,” Southgate told the reporters ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Germany in Dortmund.

“The tournaments haven't gone so well recently. I'm part of that... I've been involved in tournaments as a player, so it's not all down to these guys.

“It will be a lot of hard work and it might need some more challenging conversations and difficult decisions on my part but that is why we are in elite sport.”

The former Middlesbrough boss has praised Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford ahead of this week's internationals, suggesting England are now producing young players with world-class potential.

“I know there has been a lot of talk about Germany and their system but I think ours is starting to produce a different type of player,” he added.

“I thought Marcus was excellent in the game against Chelsea (a 1-0 FA Cup loss) last week.

“He makes powerful runs in behind defenders and you can ask (Chelsea defender) Gary Cahill how much of a problem that is.”

Following the friendly in Dortmund, UEFA Group F leaders England face Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Sunday.

NAMPA / REUTERS

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‘Okwaaha hokololitha aaleli kashi li pakontampango’

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

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‘Okwaaha hokololitha aaleli kashi li pakontampango’

Oompangela dhepangelo okutula miilonga ontotwaveta ndjoka tayi indike oominista dhokabinete dhi tulilwe mo iipotha, oyi na ompito onene yokweeta onkalo yuukoloni yokutopola oshigwana mongundu yopamuthika gwopombanda naandjoka yopamuthika gwopevi.

Ngoka omaiyuvo gomukalelipo gwopaveta guuthemba womuntu, Norman Tjombe.

Pahapu dhaTjombe, ngele ompango ndjoka oya tulwa miilonga nena kayi li pakotampango, molwaashoka ekotampango lyaNamibia olya utha owala omupresidende gwoshilongo oye ka vule okutulilwa mo iipotha omanga e li mombelewa onga omuleli gwoshilongo.

“Natango ontopolwa onti-10 yEkotampango lyaNamibia otayi pula aantu ayehe moshilongo yiihumbatelwe shi thike pamwe komeho yompango, nompango ndjoka otayi yi pambambo ekotampango lyuundemokoli,” Tjombe ta ti.

Omutseyiveta, Hoze Riruako, ota yambidhidha ontotwaveta ndjoka, a popi kutya olundji oominista ndhoka tadhi longo iilonga yadho ohadhi falwa kompangu molwa okuya pambambo iinima mbyoka inayi ya pamba.

Nonando ita popile ekwatelemo lyoominista dhoka tadhi pogola ompango,

Riruako okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka otayi etithwa kaaantu mboka haya hokololitha mompangu oominista nenge oohamushanga yiikondo molwaashoka oye na oonkondo dhokushininga.

Ontopolwa 31 yEkotampango lyaNamibia oya yelitha kutya hamuntu ngoka e li mombelewa yuupresidende woshilongo nenge ta longo iinakugwanithwa yomupresidende ta hokololithwa mompangu omanga e li mombelewa yoshigwana. Ontopolwa ndjoka oya tsikile kutya uuna natango omuleli a zi mo mombelewa kape na ompangu tayi vulu okumuhokololitha iipotha mbyoka a longo pethimbo a li omupresidende.

Oompangu odhi na owala oonkondo okuhokololitha omupresidende omolwa iipotha e yi longo omanga e li mombelewa uuna opaliamende ya ningi etokolo okumu kutha ko koshipundi omolwa uuwanawa woshigwana.

Ontotwaveta ndjoka inayi tseyithilwa natango oshigwana ihe kwiikwatelewa komukanda ngoka gwa pitithwa kombelewa yahahende-ndjai, oya nuninwa okugamena oominista naakomeho yiikondo opo kaya hokololithwe miinima ye yi ningi omanga taya gwanitha po iilonga yawo.

Omupresidende gwoDTA, McHenry Venaani okwa holola kutya ke na natango ontseyo yontotwaveta ndjoka, ihe okwa popi kutya uuna ye ya mopaliamende otaye ke yi pataneka molwaashoka otayi ka e ta omwaka miinakugwaanithwa yoominista.

“Kandi na natango ontseyo yontotwaveta ndjoka, ihe uuna ye ya mopaliamende otatu yi pataneke. Otwa pumbwa okukala twa kotoka kombinga yiinima mbyoka. Otwa pumbwa okuyanda oonkalo ngaashi itatu vulu okuningila minista omapulo, uuna a tokola okutidha miilonga omukomeho gwoshiputudhilo shontumba pwaahena omatompelo.”

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Efundja caption

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Epangelo lyahala omulandu gwevi gutalululwe

≪ Previous: ‘Okwaaha hokololitha aaleli kashi li pakontampango’

Efundja caption

EFUNDJA: Ekuthikuthi etiyali lyefundja ndyoka lya zilile muumbugantu waAngola, olya thiki monooli yaNamibia Osoondaha ya piti na olya etitha omapya gaakwashigwana guudhe omeya oshowo iishana. Ondjele yomeya oya lopotwa ngashiingeyi ngaashi tashi landula: Ompundja oometa 1.33m, Endola 1.08m, Nalumono 1.04m, Engela 0.98m, Oshuuli 0.94m, Ohaingu 0.75m, Onyele 0.55m, Akati 0.50, Onembaba 0.39m nOmafo oometa 0.30.

ETHANO: ILENI NANDJATO

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Epangelo lyahala omulandu gwevi gutalululwe

March 22, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Cape Town issues green bond

≪ Previous: Efundja caption

Epangelo lyahala omulandu gwevi gutalululweNamibia a gwanitha oomvula 27 dhemanguluko Sho a popitha aakali poshituthidhimbuluko shemanguluko lyaNamibia, shoka sha ningilwa mEtiyali moRundu, omupresidende Hage Geingob, okwa popi kutya epangelo otali ka tala komukalo gwokukutha ko evi nokutala unene kevi ndyoka li li momake gaazaizai.

Omupresidende Hage Geingob okwa tseyitha pethimbo lyedhimbuluko lyemanguluko lyaNamibia oshikando oshiti-27 kutya ethimbo olya thikana opo epangelo li kuthe ko evi.

“Otwiitulamo mokuungaunga noshikumungu shevi na onda gandja omayele opo ku talululwe omusindalandu ngoka hagu ithanwa ‘willing-buyer, willing-seller’ ngoka gwa tulwa miilonga mokulandula okatokolitho 435.

Otwa loloka omulandu ngoka molwaashoka konima yoomvula 27 omulandu ngoka otagu ende kashona mokugandja uuwanawa koyendji yomaaNamibia. Shika osha hala okutya otwa pumbwa okushuna kekotampango lyetu ndyoka tali pitika ekutheko lyevi pakugandja iifuta yi li pauyuuki nokutala woo konkalo yaazaizai mboka ye li ooyene yevi unene mboka kaye shi aakalimo yomoshilongo,” Geingob ta ti.

Aantu omayovi oya kala poshituthi shoka sha ningilwa pokapale kaRundu nokwiigitha iitya ngaashi “Harambee”, “Namibia limwe, Oshigwana shimwe” oshowo “Hage Geingob” omanga ya yelutha omapandela goshilongo.

Omupresidende Geingob okwa pandula engungo lyaakwashigwana ndyoka lya kala poshituthi shoka oshowo aalongekidhi yoshituthi na okwa popi kutya tashi endele pamwe nondungethaneko ye yoHarambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).

Moshipopiwa she, Geingob okwa popi kombinga yiinima oyindji unene omaupyakadhi ngoka ga taalela oshilongo na nkene epangelo tali pangele okukandula po omikundu ndhoka.

Geingob okwa popi woo kombinga yuukumwe moNamibia oshowo emanguluko lyokupopya.

Geingob okwa pula omalakano gaamboka ya li ya hala okuya moshipala etyapulo lyoshituthi shedhimbuluko lyemanguluko, ta popi kutya kashi li mondjila aantu ya tindile yakwawo ompito yokutyapula oshituthi ngaashi shoka.

“Otamu yi moshipala ngiini shoka mwa pondola? Otamu yi moshipala ngiini ombili yedhiminathanepo? Otamu yi moshipala ngiini emanguluko lyokweenda nokupopya? Otamu yi moshipala ngiini ehalo lyokukalekapo uukumwe, ombili yopashigwana nuuthemba womuntu? Etheni AaNamibia mboka ya manguluka ya tyapule emanguluko lyoshilongo shawo,” omuleli a popi.

Omupresidende okwa popi kombinga yombili ndjoka tayi tyapulwa moshilongo ta popi kutya ope na yamwe po mboka ya hala okuyi teya po.

“Ondi shi shi kutya ope na aantu yamwe po moshilongo shika, mboka ya loloka ombili ndjoka tayi tyapulwa moshilongo na itaya holeke nookuli omapulo gawo kutya omolwashike tatu tsikile nokupopya kombinga yombili. Oshili itashi holekwa na itatu ka pitika eyonagulo lyombili ndjoka yetukutha oomvula odhindji okweetapo oshowo etiko lyombinzi nomahodhi.”

Kombinga yoHarambee, omupresidende okwa popi kutya nayi talikeko onga omukalo gwa nuninwa okuhanganitha aantu nokuhwahwameko ombili negameno lyoshilongo.

Aantu yamwe po mboka ya ningwa nayo oonkundathana koNamibian Sun, oya popi kutya oya nyanyukwa okukala poshituthi shoka shi li esiku lya simana mokalindeli koshilongo.

“Otu wete kutya epangelo otali kondjo ihe oshindji natango osha pumbwa okuningwa,” oNamibian Sun ya lombwelwa.

Geingob okwa popi kutya opo oshilongo shi likole onkalo yekoko lyeliko nokukalekapo ombili, nena kehe gumwe okwa pumbwa okukala a mangulukila omikalo omipe.

Kombinga yoluhepo, Geingob okwa popi kutya ngele gumwe gwomaaNamibia omukwanaluhepo nena oluhepo olwa guma kehe gumwe moshilongo.

Okwa popi kutya omikundu dhopankalathano naandhoka dhopandondo yoshilongo inadhi e twa po kuSwapo nenge kepangelo lyonena. Okwa popi kutya oopoloyeka dhondungethaneko yoNational Development Plan and Vision 2030, otadhi ka tulwa miilonga meendelelo.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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