Enduro Series heads to Otjihase

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Enduro Series heads to Otjihase The Bank Windhoek Namibia Enduro Championship is heading to Otjihase this coming weekend for round three of the series.

Marcel Henle (KTM) won the first event at Farm Omakwara in February, while Henner Rusch (KTM) was victorious at Farm Lichtenstein in March.

Tied on points, the two will battle for the lead in the open motorbikes class at Otjihase. Corne Visser (Sherco) is hot on their heels in third place and ready to pounce.

In the open quads class, JL Oppermann (Honda) has built up a comfortable lead, while 2016 champion Shannon Rowland (Honda) will seek to gain her second victory of the season in the women's quad class. Joern Greiter (KTM) seems firmly in control in the senior motorbike class after two victories, and second-placed David Brown (KTM) will have to start closing the gap to stay in championship contention. In the clubman's motorbike class, Juergen Gladis (KTM) outclassed the other 17 riders on the technical terrain in Lichtenstein. Otjihase provides a nice mix of surfaces and terrains, including long, sandy and wet riverbeds, single-track mountain passages and the famous “canyon”.

The Namibian Enduro Club expects around 60 quads and motorbikes to enter in 11 competition classes. Junior riders as young as ten will be on the track, as well as a large number of clubman's class riders.

The venue can be reached by following the B6 from Windhoek in an easterly direction towards Gobabis for approximately 15km, turning off to the Otjihase Mine and Heja Lodge. After 14km, enter through the mine entrance. From this point on, signposts will point the way to the pit area, which is about 6km farther.

SPORT REPORTER

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The Catalans face Juventus

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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The Catalans face JuventusThe Catalans face Juventus The Camp Nou will be roaring today as the Spanish giants attempt to produce another miracle. Barcelona striker Neymar is confident the Catalans can launch another remarkable Champions League comeback as they look to overturn a 3-0 quarter-final deficit against Juventus today.

Just as they had done in the previous round, when Barcelona overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit to eliminate Paris St Germain, the Spanish giants will be relying on Neymar to produce another magical performance if they are to reach the semi-finals.

The Brazilian scored Barcelona's fourth and fifth goals in the last-16 second leg, setting up the sixth too, as they won 6-1 to progress 6-5 on aggregate.

If Barcelona are to do the impossible in the quarter-final as well, after losing 3-0 in Turin, they will need the winger to be at his electric best.

Neymar should be well rested after missing Barcelona's 3-2 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday, the first of three matches he is suspended for in La Liga, including next Sunday's Clasico.

Having been sent off in the team's 2-0 defeat at Malaga and hit with a longer ban after sarcastically applauding the fourth official, he has a point to prove in the Champions League.

“We have to believe we can do it,” said Neymar in an interview with Brazilian television channel Esporte Interativo.

“The other day my father told me one thing which has stayed in my head, and I think it's true. In front of us we have a different team, but Barcelona is the same. And we can do it.

“We did it once and we can do it a second time. We have to give our absolute maximum. If everything goes well, there will be another comeback.

“I believe in the team and in our power. Everything is lost (already), so we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Although Neymar will return for the clash, Barcelona are likely to be without Javier Mascherano, who did not train on Monday due to a calf injury, as well as long-term absentees Aleix Vidal and Rafinha.

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, who scored twice in the first leg, was taken off with an ankle injury as they won 2-0 at Pescara on Saturday, but is expected to be fit to play.

Defender Georgio Chiellini watched Neymar and co. dismantle PSG in the previous round and is wary of the threat the Catalans pose.

“We need to be compact and show no fear. (Barcelona) are like sharks who scent blood and finish you off. We've got to keep them as far away from our goal as possible,” he told Sky Italia.

If former Barcelona defender Dani Alves can keep his friend and compatriot Neymar at bay like he did in the first leg, Juventus should be able to book their place in the semi-finals.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Fireworks at Spin City

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Fireworks at Spin City The Swakopmund-based Drift, Spin and Drags (DSD) Motor Club hosted spin and drift fanatics from Okahandja, Rehoboth, Windhoek and South Africa at the coast over the Easter weekend.

Revving and roaring engines, burning and popping tires, doing doughnuts, drifting and clouds of smoke filling the air occasionally were the order of the day.

The twelve participating drivers produced some jaw-dropping driving displays while their co-drivers entertained a large crowd with some death-defying stunts throughout two days of nonstop action at Spin City on the outskirts of Swakopmund.

David 'Bokkie' Dawood from South Africa and his co-drivers, Nino Petersen and Kenneth 'Zulu' Mwangonde, opened the Easter Spin Bash with a 325 Multivalve BMW.

Bradley Rickerts from Rehoboth-based Midway Spinning with his 328 BMW and Elbie Snyders from Okahandja Spinning and Drifting in a 325 E30 BMW joined the coastal spinners who included the likes of Geraldo du Plessis, Chris 'Toppie' van Rooyen, Dario Nels, Gerrit Du Plessis, Morgan Moller and Jacque du Plessis.

Gerrit, a member of DSD, said the club decided to host the event to keep the youth from the streets and keep people occupied during the Easter weekend.

“We do not want people to race and spin on public roads and therefore appeal to everybody to rather join us and to come do so in a safe and secure environment.

“This is a family sport enjoyed by young and old. Our future plans involve approaching the municipality for a piece of land where we can construct a drag strip in order to promote safe motorsport, safe road usage and tourism, and at the same time entertain fans.”

DSD has a strong social consciousness. The club raised more than N$18 000 in gate fees during a charity event organised in December and purchased stationery for more than 100 pre-primary learners from the DRC settlement.

DSD is also planning to host a charity event in aid of the Cancer Association later this year.

OTIS FINCK

Ehuliloshiwike lyOpaasa olyali lyuudha Iiponga

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ehuliloshiwike lyOpaasa olyali lyuudha IipongaAantu yaheyali ya hulithila miiponga Liponga yiihauto, omatsano nombele oshowo omaikuthomwenyo oya faalele oomwenyo dhaantu ya thika pomugoyi mehuliloshiwike lyapaasa, ndyoka lya piti. Ongulohi yEtine okanona koomvula hetatu kedhina Aneli-Rejoice Namakumbu oka hulitha konima sho ka lyatwa kohauto, sha ningilwa pomukunda Okatope mOshitopolwa shaShikoto.

Namakumbu okwa li mondjila ye okuza koskola sho a pumwa kohauto. Okwa patululwa oshipotha shedhipago lyaashi lyoshiningilawina.

Ongula onene yEtitano, omukiintu gwoomvula 20 okwa tulwa miipandeko sho a tsu ohonda ye nombele yOkapi. Etsano ndika olya etitha eso lyomunamimvo 24, Carlos Garab.

Opolisi oya hokolola kutya oshiningwanima shika osha ningwa lyopotundi onti-02:30 omanga aaholathani mbaka yaali yali molweendo lwawo okuza kondunda yomanwino.

Omufekelwa okwa tegelelwa a holoke komeho gompangu yaMangestrata gwaGrootfontein.

Moshipotha sheikuthomwenyo, olutu lyomunamimvo 35 olwa adhika lweendjelela mondunda ye yokulala momukunda Onguma-Omulonga mOshikoto ongula yOlyomakaya. Nakusa okwa dhimbululwa kutya oJosef Tomas.

Okakadhona koomvula 14 oka kwatwa onkonga komulumentu omunamimvo 29 momukunda Oshifukwa mOshitopolwa shaShikoto.

Omufekelwa okwa tegelelwa a holoke mompangulilo yaNdangwa.

Omutenya gwEtine, lyopotundi onti- 18:00, aantu yatatu oya hulita mwakwatelwa omuhingi, sho okabbaki moka yali yiidhenge omutse nomutse mumwe nokambesa koIveco. Oshiponga shika osha ningilwa pokati kOndangwa nOmuthiya.

Omuhingi gwokabbaki okwa li a yanda ongombe ndjoka ya thikama mondjila na okwa nyengwa okupangela osheenditho shoka sha etitha iidhenge mumwe nokambesa.

Okambesa okali ka humbata aantu ya thika po-20 na okali taka zi koSwakopo. Aafaakelwa ayehe mokambesa oya hupa moshiponga na oya taambelwa moshipangelo shaNandjokwe.

Oonakusila poshiponga shoka oya tumbulwa kutya omunamimvo 48 Tangeni Fillemon (omuhingi), Victoria Iishuna (45) naMagnaem Ishuna (3).

Ongula yOlyomakaya, Nel van Greunen (32), omuthaneki OmuNamibia na okuli omutotipo nOmunambelewa Omukuluntu gwoNamlish Media, okwa hulitha sho ohauto moka a li a ya gu nokugalangata popepi noGrootfontein.

Moshitopolwa shErongo opolisi otayi konaakona oshipotha shedhipago lyaashi lyoshiningilawina, oshowo okuhinga nuuhasha sha landula oshiponga shoka sha faalela omwenyo gwomuntu gumwe, mOmbaye mOlyomakaya.

Loretha Louw (41), omufaalelwa muyimwe yomoobbaki ndhoka dha ningi oshiponga okwa hulithile pehala lyoshiponga omanga aahingi yaali yiiyenditho mbyoka ya ehamekwa noonkondo.

Komufala gwopolisi merongo, Erastus Ikuyu okwa koleke oshiponga shika.

“Uuyelele mboka twa mono po owa holola kutya ohauto ontokele yoNissan yoondunda mbali yonomola (N154-660 W), yi na aafaalelwa yaali Robert Hanekom (45) nanakusa, oya li tayi ende mepandanda lyo5th sho ya pumwa kombinga hoka haku kala omufaalelwa kohauto yoToyota Hilux yoondunda wo mbali (N168-988W) ndjoka yali tayi ende mepandanda lyaNangolo Mbumba,” Komufala ta ti.

Pahapu dha Ikuyu, Liam Daniel (25) oye a li omuhingi gwohauto ndjoka na oye owala a li mo moshiyenditho shoka shiidhenge moNissan.

Onakweehamekelwa moshiponga oya taambelewa moshipangelo shaWelwitschia nOshipangelo shEpangelo mOmbaye.

Natango okwa patululwa oshipotha shokuhinga nuuhasha moUsakos konima sho ehauto lya thigi po ondjila nokugalangata mEtitano. Aakwashigwana yaali aaZimbambwe oya ehamekelwa moshiponga shoka.

“Omuhingi, Michael Richard Matafeni (26), okwa ehamekwa kashona omanga omufaalelwa Bonani Mthimkhulu (25), e ehamekwa metundji oshowo momutse. Okwa taambelewa mOshipangelo shEpangelo shaSwakopo na okuli monkalo ohwepo. Oshiyetithi shoshiponga otashi konaakonwa.”

Aaholathani yaali oya li molweendo okuza mOvenduka okuya komunkulofuta, sho ohauto yo Toyota Etios yonomola (FB 77 YZGP). moka ya li ya gu, konima sho omuhingi a nyengwa okupangela osheenditho, lwopotundi 22:40 konyala oshinano shookilometa 45 okuza muUsakos okuya moArandis.

Omutenya gwolyomakaya, aagandji yomakwatho gopaulumompumbwe oya gandja eyakulo poshiponga sha ningilwa oshinano shookilometa 40 monooli yaHenties bay, sho ohauto moka mwali aantu yane ya thigi po ondjila nokugalangata, aantu yaali oya ehamekelwa noonkondo moshiponga shoka.



ONZO-NKUNDANA YOMENI

OLOPOTA YA GWEDHWAPO-NAMPA

Omukwaniilwa gUukwanyama a sindana

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Omukwaniilwa gUukwanyama a sindana Olugodhi lwopampangu pokati kOmukwaniilwa gwUukwanyama Queen Mwadinomho Martha ya Kristian Nelumbu oshowo ooyene yomukunda yatatu mboka a kuthile miilonga aniwa shaaheli pamulandu olwa hulu mEtine mOmpangu yoPombandanda mOshilongo ano Supreme Court ndjoka ya ningi etokolo muuwanawa womukwaniilwa.

Ompangu oya ningi etokolo sha landula sho omukwaniilwa a ningi eindilo mompangu ndjoka opo ku talululwe etokolo ndyoka lya ningilwe kOmpangu yoPombanda opo a shune miilonga meendelelo ooyene yomukunda yatatu, George Hikumwah, Sipora Weyulu Dan naVatilifa Hangula.

Mbaka oya kuthilwe miilonga muJuni gwo-2011, shalandula iizemo yomakonaakono ga ningwa kokomitiye yelelo lyUukwanyama.

“Oshizemo shomaakonono ngoka ga ningwa osha ulike kutya mbaka yatatu oyeli momusholondondo gwaamboka ya monika ondjo kutya oyo taya hwahwameke etopoko moshigwana nokudhina elelo lyomukwaniilwa,” Omupeha Omupanguli-Ndjai moSupreme Court Petrus Damaseb a popi.

Pethimbo kwa ningwa etokolo ndyoka, aapanguli ayehe yatatu mompangu, Damaseb, Dave Smuts naElton Hoff, oya popi kutya Ompangu yoPombanda oyali ya ningi etokolo inayi tala kwaashoka sha monika po.

Meindilo lye ndyoka a ningi, omukwaniilwa okwa popi kutya oku na uuthemba onga omukwaniilwa opo a kuthe miilonga ooyene yomikunda mbaka.

Mboka ya ningi eindilo ndyoka lyomeendelelo omwa kwatelwa Omukwaniilwa Nelumbu, pamwe nOukwanyama Traditional Authority, Uuministeli wEyambulepo lyIitopolwa nOondoolopa, oshowo ookansela yElelo lyUukwanyama, Nghidinihamba Urias Ndilula, Elias Waandja, Samuel Mateus, Josef Kamati naLinda Nauyoma.

Ooyene yomikunda mbaka oya li ya tidhwa konima sho sha monika mo kutya oya longitha pambambo oshiketha shiiyemo ya nuninwa aakwashigwana.

Okwa monika kutya oshiketha shoka inashi longithwa ngaashi tashi uthwa Pampango yOmalelo goPamuthigululwakalo naashoka osha monika mo-2010.

Okwa lopotwa kutya iimaliwa yontumba ya kuthwa moshigwana inayi tulwa moshiketha shoka ihe oya tulwa momayalulilo goombaanga ga yooloka nomikuli dha gandjwa okuza mOukwanyama Community Trust Fund odha gandjwa kaantu inaku ningwa omatokolo okuza komalelo gopombada nomilandu dhomondjila.

Omukalelipo gwopaveta OmuSouth Afrika Ishmael Semenya, ta yambidhidhwa kuSilas Kishi-Shakumu okwa kalelepo aaningi yeindilo kelombwelo lyOffice of the Government Attorneys.

Denis Khama okwa kalele po oonakutidhwa kelombwelo lyehangano lyoohahende lyoKwala.



NAMPA

Ondonga oyi li mehalakano

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ondonga oyi li mehalakanoOmananathano mOndonga otaga tsikile Omakondjithathano kombinga yuuleli oga etitha ekutho miilonga pakathimbo lyookansela yahetatu Melelo lyOpamuthigululwakalo gwaNdonga. Mokati kaamboka ya kuthwa miilonga pakathimbo kOmukwaniilwa Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, omwakwatelwa ongoka a kala omunashipundi gwElelo lyOndonga Traditional Authority (OTA), ethimbo ele, Peter Kauluma, oshowo amushanga gwo OTA Joseph Asino.

Omalenga omanene ngaashi John Walenga oshowo ngoloneya nale gwoshitopolwa shaShikoto, Vilho Kamanya nayo oya kuthwa miilonga pakathimbo yelelo, omanga omakonaakono ta ganingwa.

Ookansela yamwe mboka wo yakuthwa miilonga pakathimbo ongaashi Kashona kaMalulu, Joseph Akawa, Tonata Ngulu naFillemon Nambili.

Ookansela mbaka otaya lundilwa kutya otaya dhini elelo lyopombanda lyombala oshowo okweeta etopoko maakwashigwana yaNdonga.

Ookansela oya yamukula kutya ekutho lyawo miilonga oli li iikonene tayi ningwa kongundu ndjoka ya kwatelwa komeho komunyekadhi Secilia Elifas, ngoka ta longitha onkalo yuunkundi wOmukwaniilwa Elifas onga ompito ombwaanawa.

Ookansela mboka ya kuthwa miilonga-manga okwa hololwa taya yambidhidha, Shuumbwa Nangolo, ngoka a hogololwa komukwaniilwa muSepetemba gwo-2012 onga omulanduli gwe.

Namibian Sun okwa mona ombaapila ndjoka ya shainwa kuElifas ya shangelwa ominista nale Jerry Ekandjo, ngoka a li ominista yIitopolwa, Omalelo goPapangelo, Omagumbo nEyambulepo lyokOmikunda oshowo omulanduli gwe Joe Kaapanda.

Monena shoka otashi patanwa osho iilyo yimwe mombala mwakwatelwa omukulukadhi gwomukwaniilwa, tayi pataneke euliko lyaNangolo.

Oscar Sheehama ngoka e li mwene gwomukunda melelo ndyoka okwa lopotwa ta yambidhidhwa komunyekadhi onga omulanduli gwaElifas.

Mboka ya kuthwa miilonga-manga oyali ya ningi oshigongi naakwashigwana ya thika po-300 mehuliloshiwike na oya pula engungumano mokati kaakwashigwana.

Oya longitha woo ompito ndjoka okupopya kutya etokolo lyokuyakutha miilonga manga kali li mondjila.

Kauluma, ngoka a kala omunashipundi gwelelo ndyoka okutameka mo-1982 okwa lombwele oshigongi shoka kutya okwiihula okupopya nomukwaniilwa momasiku 20 gaFebruali nuumvo. Okwa popi kutya ombala, unene omukulukadhi gomukwaniilwa ke na oonkondo dhokwiidhopa miinima yuuwa.

“Ondi na oomvula 75 ngashiingeyi ihe inandi mona nale omunyekadhi tiidhopo miinima yelelo lyuuwa ngaashi tashi ningwa ngaashingeyi. Omunyekadhi gwetu ota longitha onkalo yuunkundi womukwaniilwa opo iidhope miilonga yelelo,” Kauluma ta ti.

“Asino pamwe nangame otwa li twa ithanwa kombala momamasiku 17 gaFebruali molwaashoka aniwa omukwaniilwa okuna sha shoka a hala oku tu lombwelwa. Sho omunyakadhi ke po okwe tu pula kutya onkalo oyili ngiini mo OTA oshowo kOngula yaNetanga. Sho omukulukadhi gwe e ya po okwa mwena. Omukulukadhi okwa kondjitha opo e tu lombwele shoka e tu ithanena, ihe Omukwaniilwa ina popya sha sigo tatu zi po,”Kauluma ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya natango oyali yi ithanwa kuuwa momasiku 20 gaFebruali, ihe naatango onga shikwawo.

“Konima omunyekadhi okwe tu lombwele kutya omukwaniilwa okwa tokola opo a tidhe miilonga elenga enene Wilbard Lidker,” Kauluma a tsikile.

Asino ngoka a popi a kengela omahodhi momeho naye okwa nanyana omunyekadhi gwaNdonga kutya otaya longitha pambambo edhina lyomukwaniilwa.

Omutumba ngoka ogwa popithwa woo komunashipundi nale gwelelo lyoshitopolwa shaKhomas Khomas, Zulu Shitongeni, Mayola gwaNdangwa Paavo Amwele, Mayola gwaNiipa Mannetjies Kambonde, Kansela gwOndangwa Urban Elia Iimali oshowo Kansela gwaNiipa, Jerry Ngwena.

Lyopokati mpoka omusholondondo ngoka gwa ulikwa konzo yi li popepi naakwanezimo yombala, ogwa holola omadhina gaamboka taya pingenepo oonakukuthwa miilonga manga.

Momusholonondo omuna omunangeshefa John Akapandi Endjala onga elenga enene lyaNdangwa, amushanga gwOshikondo shOkukondjitha Oluhepo nOndjala, I-Ben Nashandi onga elenga enene lyaAmuteya.

Oscar Sheehama ota pingenepo Eino Shondili Amutenya mOnalulushete, omanga Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwoCRAN Festus Mbandeka ta ningi elenga enene lya Oniiwe, na ota pingenepo Asino.

Tonis Kalenga ota pingenepo Anneli Sakaria Mbumba mEpale.

Ooyene yomukunda Oniimwandi, Omulondo nOshuushe itaya gumwa. Ombaapila ndjoka oya holola kutya oshapumbiwa opo omuntu ngoka a simanekwa kaapopi yelaka lyOshikwanyama oye uulikwe a ninge elenga enene lya Ongula ya Netanga oku pingenapo Kauluma.

Ngoka ta longo pehala lyamushanga gwo OTA Nepando Amupanda ina vula okukokela nenge a tinde uushili wombaapila ndjika, ihe okwa popi kutya elelo lyoshilongo shoka oli na omilandu dhili pomahala nooyene yomikunda otaya ka kwatela komeho elelo miikandjo mbyoka kayi na aaleli manga.

Lwopokati mpoka, omunamimvo 82 omukwaniilwa Elifas okwa holoka poshituthi sheganithilo koshipundi lyaEster Gwashamba Nepando onga elenga enene lyoshikandjo shUukwanambwa. Nepando ota pingenepo Lidker, ngoka ali a tidhwa.

Elifas ina popya sha poshituthi shoka kaleke sho a koleke kutya okwa nyanyukwa mokumona aakwashigwana yaNdonga naambala ya hangana.

Nonando Gwashamba okwa ganithilwa koshipundi kelenga enene lyaNiimwandi, Naeman Amalwa, omukwaniilwa okwa tindi okumupa omayambeko.

Amalwa okwa uvika ta pula ta ti: “Tatekulu gandja omayambeko kelenga enene.” Ihe Elifas okwa yamukula: “Aawo, Itandi vulu okuninga ngaaka.”

Amalwa okwa lombwele engathithi lyaamboka ya kala poshituthi shoka kutya omukwaniilwa okwe mu pula opo a yambeke elenga ndyoka pehala lye.

ILENI NANDJATO

Aaniilonga oyendji ya ningi iihakanwa yokukuthwa miilonga

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Ondonga oyi li mehalakano

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Aaniilonga oyendji ya ningi iihakanwa yokukuthwa miilonga Namibia nuumvo otaka dhimbuluka esiku lyAaniilonga pethimbo mpoka onkalo yokwaahena iilonga ya londa pombanda noonkondo na otayi etithwa komakutho miilonga ngoka taga ningwa konyala kehe oshiwike , naaniilonga ya thika po-41 000 oyeli ya gumwa.

Sho a popi noshikundanekifo shoNamibian Sun, amushanga-ndjai gwoNational Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) Job Muniaro okwa popi kutya aaniilonga oyendji oya ninga iihakanwa yonkalo yuupyakadhi wiimaliwa moshilongo. Omahangano ogendji gokutunga oga gwile moshiponga omolwa onkalo yompumbwe yomeya unene mOvenduka, na oga thiminikwa okukutha miilonga aaniilonga.

Kaye shi owala aaniilonga yomatungo mboka ya kanitha iilonga yawo, ihe iikundaneki moshilongo oya lopota kutya aaniilonga ya thika pe-1200 oya kanitha iilonga yawo moomwedhi ndatu dhopetameko mo-2016. “Uupyakadhi uunene. Aantu itaya kanitha owala iilonga ihe otaya kanitha oonkalamwenyo dhawo, omauwanawa gawo guunamiti, oondjambi dhawo, iihauto yawo nomagumbo gawo. Ofamili ayihe ohayi mono iihuna molwaashoka omakutho miilonga ngaka ohaga gumu woo aanegumbo. Aantu otaya ningi uupyakadhi wepangelo molwaashoka itaya vulu okwiipalutha yoyeye,” Muniaro ta ti

Okwa gwedha ko kutya onkalo otayi nayipalekwa woo komahangano ogendji gaaChina.

Muniaro okwa pula epangelo opo li tule miilonga oompango ndhoka tadhi gamenene uuwanawa waaniilonga. “Ito vulu owala okukala wuna omutungi gwopaumwene a za koshilongo shoka sha huma na okuna ontseyo yopombanda, ta kondjele otendela nomuntu ngoka a za moshilongo inahu huma natango. Onkalo ndjoka otayi dhipaga aaanangeshefa yetu aashona molwaashoka itaya mono ompito yokukoka.” Muniaro okwa tsikile kutya oshinima shimwe tashi nayipalaleke onkalo, aaniilonga kaye shi uuthemba wawo, na ohashi etitha omwaka gwaaniilonga ya ningwe nayi kaagandji yawo yiilonga.

“Oshidhigu okunkondopeka aaniilonga molwaashoka ethimbo limwe aagandji yawo yiilonga inaya hala ya tseye uuthemba wawo.”

Omukuluntu gwehangano lyaaniilonga okwa popi kutya okwaahenakonasha nako otaku etitha aaniilonga ya kanithe iilonga yawo omolwa omatokolo gokufaula kiilonga omolwa ongeyo nokuuva nayi molwaashoka kaye na ontseyo kutya opena omilandu tadhi vulu okulandulwa opo ya holole omaupyakadhi gawo.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Rand weakens slightly

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rand weakens slightlyExpected to remain relatively flat The rand is generally regarded as a commodity currency that benefits from higher commodity prices. The rand was weaker against the dollar at midday yesterday, as the market mulled weaker commodity prices and the dollar stabilised at about $1.06 to the euro.

The rand traded flat at its previous closing level of R13.31 for most of the morning before weakening, despite commodity prices ticking up.

Platinum rose 0.35% to $982.86 an ounce and gold added 0.18% to $1 286 an ounce. Iron prices remained at five-month lows.

Analysts said the rand had benefited from generally positive emerging-market sentiment over the past week.

“Emerging markets across the board have gained ground as the geopolitics in the US, along with the comments by President Donald Trump that he is looking for a weaker dollar, had led to a risk-on perspective in the markets,” TreasuryOne currency dealer Andre Botha said.

At 11.43am, the rand was at R13.4 to the dollar from R13.31.

The rand was at R14.28 against the euro from R14.17 and at R16.8 against the pound from R16.72.

The rand was expected to remain range bound for most of the day as there was little scheduled news to move the local currency.

Analysts at Nedbank's corporate and investment banking division earlier said in a note that despite the uncertainty, the rand had prospered. After slumping to R13.95 it had steadily firmed, and had made an attempt on the technically significant level of R13.30.

BUSINESS DAY

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PSG looking to raise money

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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PSG looking to raise money PSG Konsult is considering launching a domestic medium-term note (DMTN) programme in the light of downgrades of debt in the financial-services sector after Standard & Poor's and Fitch's decisions to cut South Africa's foreign-denominated debt to junk.

The corporate-debt market has “frozen” as a result, says Ashburton portfolio manager Wayne McCurrie, with telecommunications company MTN and industrial conglomerate Barloworld both cancelling planned debt issues.

The PSG-controlled wealth manager said at the release of its results for the year to February that the note programme would give it a flexible cost-effective structure to fund its ScriptFin loan book internally.

ScriptFin lends money to subsidiary PSG Wealth's customers to continue buying securities, with loans secured against their investment portfolios. “We are concerned by the recent sovereign-rating downgrade,” said chief executive officer Francois Gouws.

“It was not ideal and does create headwinds for our initial DMTN funding programme. While we intend finding a suitable time to launch this programme, PSG always focuses on the longer term. We will be discussing the same with select investors.”

However, PSG Konsult's results showed it had more than N$1.7 billion in spare capital.

Gouws said the company was growing at a rapid rate, and the note programme, the size of which has not yet been determined, would give it additional muscle to fund this growth.

The company's results were resilient in what it called a challenging business environment characterised by periods of poor investment market conditions.

Recurring headline earnings, its main profit measure, rose 19% to N$486.4 million as PSG Asset Management, its second-largest revenue contributor, grew earnings 57%, thanks to higher performance fees earned from beating benchmarks across all asset classes. The unit's assets under management increased 19% to N$33.1 billion, with N$2.6 billion of this a result of client inflows into higher-margin funds.

Overall, PSG Konsult saw group assets under management, including PSG Wealth, growing 14% to N$175.3 billion during the year.

Growth rates have slowed from the previous year, when recurring headline earnings rose 20% and assets 16%.

“The current growth rate in recurring [headline earnings] is consistent with the longer-term track record of the firm,” said Gouws.

“Recent events have created some uncertainty and they will spill over into the real economy and have an impact on markets. Nevertheless, the mindset of the firm is to deal with challenges and identify opportunities and always to remain optimistic.”

BUSINESS DAY

Local matangara plant to serve Gauteng

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Local matangara plant to serve GautengAfrican ready meals to hit the shelves A Walvis Bay company is planning to export traditional African cuisine in microwaveable pouches to South Africa. Development Bank of Namibia spokesman Jerome Mutumba has announced that the DBN has provided financing to African Deli, a start-up food exporter at Walvis Bay.

African Deli will manufacture ready-made traditional African meals using beef, lamb and chicken. These will include beef and lamb matangara, or tripe. The DBN financing is being used for plant and equipment.

According to Mutumba, Africa Deli had approached the bank with an impressively researched proposal. After consumer demand studies and recipe development, South Africa's Gauteng Province, with 8.3 million potential consumers, was identified as the ideal market penetration point, with the rest of South Africa, followed by SADC member states, as next steps in the company's expected expansion.

In terms of product appeal, Mutumba said the product was targeted at the emerging middle class, who have strong links to traditional culinary culture, but limited time for the lengthy preparation process required for traditional meals. Africa Deli's products are packaged in microwaveable pouches, which save time.

He said ready meals used to be dominated by European and Mediterranean culinary styles, and the bank was proud to be associated with an addition to the range of African foods available on shelves. He mentioned chakalaka as an example of successful uptake of a traditional African dish.

Mutumba said the factory's location in Walvis Bay was ideal as it provided access through SADC transport corridors as well as shipping routes.

Walvis Bay is also well positioned to receive the unprocessed ingredients required for manufacturing the ready meals.

Mutumba said the company was a perfect example of DBN's financing ambition. Manufacturing has been singled out as one of the key elements of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).

Since African Deli was both a manufacturer and exporter, and would require inputs from local agriculture and agri-industry, as well as transport and logistics, the benefits of financing the company would spread to other sectors of the economy, he said.

He encouraged other entrepreneurs in the Erongo Region to approach the bank's office in Walvis Bay to discuss their ambitions and find out about the bank's requirements.

Mutumba concluded by saying that Erongo was a region that kept on giving to Namibia's economy, and the DBN regarded it as a gateway for development in view of that.

Since 2004, the bank has granted financing of more than N$4.4 billion to the region. In line with its national gateway status, the majority of that financing, N$3.3 billion, was allocated to transport and logistics developments.

That was followed by an allocation of N$451 million to the electricity sector and N$197 million to business services.

STAFF REPORTER

Businesses pledge big to Ondangwa Expo

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Businesses pledge big to Ondangwa Expo The seventh Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE) fundraising dinner held on Saturday collected over N$400 000.

Conselect Engineering contributed the highest amount of N$50 000, followed by First National Bank Namibia with N$45 000.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged would-be exhibitors to trade with their own products and not those of others.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also called on them to ensure quality products suitable for the international market at the expo, which is a platform created for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services.

She promised that the government would continue creating an enabling environment for the expansion of trade to generate employment and contribute to poverty eradication.

The expo runs from 29 April until 6 May at the OTIE Centre situated near the Ondangwa airport.

The spokesperson of the Ondangwa town council, Petrina Shitalangaho, told Nampa that the minister of industrialisation, trade and SME development, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, would officially open the expo on 2 May.

Local businessman John Akapandi Endjala of the J&P Group is the patron of the expo, which will be hosted under the theme 'Empowering Businesses Towards an Industrialised Nation'.

NAMPA

Bigger gems for local market

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Bigger gems for local market Local NDTC sightholders will now be able to polish bigger diamonds than was previously available on the local market.

This follows the signing of a ten-year sales agreement that will see 10-carat diamonds sold, cut and polished locally.

No specific mention was made of any of the 12 sightholders, including the government's new diamond company Namdia, with regard to the distribution of bigger gemstones.

Commenting on the opportunities the new agreement has created, Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) chief executive officer Shihaleni Ndjaba said: “The new agreement now sees 10-carat diamonds being distributed locally. It is a laudable opportunity. We are now seeing progress in the diamond beneficiation process.

“I am glad to report that we have now seen some upward movement. The latest sales agreement has created new opportunities. More diamonds are now available for the local industry.”

Ndjaba was also happy to point out that the NDTC had sold approximately N$26 billion worth of diamonds and paid dividends of N$1.7 billion to its shareholders - the government and De Beers - while also paying N$1.1 billion in taxes in its ten-year history.

“The NDTC is 100% localised. We have noted a reduction in expatriate staff over the years,” said Ndjaba.

“There are now 700 jobs [in the diamond cutting and polishing industry]; there were times when there were over 1 200 jobs. It is picking up again.”

Commenting on other diamond matters, NDTC marketing manager Brent Eiseb said: “It will be a stable year. Obviously demand for jewellery is very much linked to GDP growth in China, the United States and Europe.

“Demand in the US has been very stable and that economy has seen a sustained recovery and subsequently we have seen good demand from that side.

“The Trump-led reforms on tax will help the diamond industry.

“If those reforms come through we should see more demand from there.

“Retailers in China are much more confident, from what we see. They are in a much better position to do restocking if you look at other consumer markets.

“We should see India take its place as a consumer. We should see stability coming back ... in the volatile market we operate in. We are looking at another solid 2017.

“Volatility is still there; we have to try and mitigate risk. The industry is however in a much better position to deal with external shocks,” said Eiseb.

Katima welcomes new Woermann centre

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Katima welcomes new Woermann centre STAFF REPORTER

The ever-expanding 100% Namibian retail group Woermann Brock recently opened a new centre at Katima Mulilo that was built through a partnership called Puzzel Investment.

The expanded shopping centre on the Trans-Caprivi Highway already hosts a Tyre Fitment Centre, and Outdoor Centre and a Midas hardware shop.

With the addition of three Woermann Brock outlets the shopping centre will become a more attractive destination for the inhabitants of Katima Mulilo and the surrounding areas.

The WB Cash & Carry Wholesaler provides local retailers and the public with a wide variety of products in bulk, while WB Super Liquor, a new addition to the group’s portfolio, stocks alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

A brand new WB Hardware and Building Material outlet completes the current offering.

Rare-earth project closer to reality

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rare-earth project closer to realityN$2 billion required for Lofdal mine Namibia Rare Earths president Don Burton says opportunities for local value-addition exist. While the mining of rare-earth metals has largely been confined to China, Namibia may soon also have its own rare-earth mine, a rarity for this part of the world.

Namibia Rare Earths recently shared some insights into its exciting planned mining development.

“Mining is planned by open pit. The depth of the pit is limited by economic considerations to about 200 metres but the deposit continues much deeper and may be economic to mine by underground methods but this will depend on commodity prices,” said Namibia Rare Earths president Don Burton.

“Assuming the initial permitting (Environmental Clearance Certificate and Mining Licence) is forthcoming; the primary consideration for timing of mine development is commodity prices,” explained Burton. “Rare-earth prices are currently depressed. However, price forecasts should see improvements throughout 2017 and onwards such that investment for mine development can be secured to realise mine production sometime between 2019 and 2020.”

According to Burton, Namibia Rare Earths has spent about N$200 million to date at Lofdal.

“This covers all the exploration to date. It will cost about N$2 billion to develop the mine,” he said.

“Current mine life is just over seven years, however there is clearly potential to extend this to between 12 and 15 years at Area 4 and by developing satellite deposits throughout the carbonatite complex the goal is to ultimately realise a much longer mine life.”

He explained that the scale of the mine project (2500 tonnes per day mining operation) would be similar to what was constructed for Okorusu fluorspar.

“The main infrastructure comprises crushing, grinding, magnetic separation, flotation and leaching to produce a mineral concentrate. There is a unique aspect in the processing that will use a process called X-Ray Transmission sorting (XRT) to reduce the waste volumes from mined material prior to grinding to reduce costs. There will be a mine camp facility but the objective for the labour force is to see housing developed in Khorixas and surrounds to maximise benefits to local communities,” said Burton.

Environmental impact assessments have been completed to develop power and water lines from the Khorixas area, said Burton.

“We are also considering supplemental solar power to be developed at site.”

While the prospect of housing a rare-earth mine seems exciting, Burton pointed out that there were other challenges adding to the complexity of owning and operating such a mine.

“One of the challenges in developing a rare-earth project is the small size of the end user market and the fact that much of it is controlled by China. Although a small market when compared to commodities like copper or zinc, the use of rare earths is extremely specialised and focused on high-tech applications such as computers, display screens, smartphones, electric motors for cars, wind turbines and the defence and aerospace industries.” Nonetheless, there are benefits to housing a rare-earth mine which could also entail value-addition.

“The control that China holds especially over heavy rare earths, which are the main product from Lofdal, presents a unique opportunity to Namibia. If we can develop a heavy-rare-earth source outside of China there can be opportunities to develop further downstream processing in Namibia. This is a long-term objective that NRE will explore in partnership with the government, and has already been brought to the attention of the minister of mines and energy.”

OGONE TLHAGE

Biotech for food security

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Biotech for food securitySA research could halt hunger in the world By harnessing what natural plants do in drought periods, scientists may be able to get crops to turn dormant when dry and revive when watered. Could harnessing the power of “resurrection plants” - with the ability to survive severe water shortages for years - hold the secret to feeding a hungry planet?

Jill Farrant, a biology professor at Cape Town University, hopes that by putting resurrection plants' survival skills into crops, making them drought-tolerant, the world's population could be better fed.

A resurrection plant is defined any poikilohydric plant that can survive extreme dehydration, even over months or years. They dry out completely and revive completely when they are watered. Certain resurrection plants have long been sold in their dry, “lifeless” form as curiosities. This custom was noted by many 19th century authors, and continues today.

Farrant and her team are currently testing the technique on maize, but in theory, it could be applied to any crop, she said.

“Give (the plants) water, and they are fully active within 24 to 48 hours,” Farrant told the Thomson Reuters Foundation at her office.

Nearly 800 million people go to bed hungry each night, according to the United Nations, with drought one of the greatest threats to food production.

In southern Africa, more than 21 million people need emergency assistance due to a food crisis after the region's worst drought in 35 years and an infestation of the crop-damaging fall armyworm.

Farrant's research has shown that survival mechanisms found in the 135 varieties of resurrection plants, such as the 'Rose of Jericho' and 'Siempre Viva' desert plants, are similar to the desiccation processes found in crop seeds.

During a drought, a resurrection plant behaves like a seed, drying up and appearing to be dead, but then bursts back to life when rain finally falls. “Since all crops produce dry seeds, this implies that the genetic mechanisms for desiccation tolerance exist in crops,” said Farrant.

The problem is the mechanism is not switched on, she said. By modifying the existing gene composition, Farrant and her team could potentially produce drought-tolerant crops.

“By figuring out how they turn on these genes in roots and leaves, we can enable the same processes in leaves and roots of crops under drought conditions,” Farrant said.

“Most of the genes responsible for desiccation tolerance are controlled by two master switches,” she said, comparing the mechanisms to a household electronic circuit.

By understanding how these switches are flipped in vegetative tissues of resurrection plants in response to water loss, Farrant is investigating how to enable the same reaction in crops.

Her first trial crops are maize, beans and an edible grass called teff, which accounts for two-thirds of the daily protein intake in hunger-stricken Ethiopia.



Breakthrough

Mel Oliver, research leader of the US Department of Agriculture and professor of plant sciences at the University of Missouri, is also trying to find out how resurrection plants tolerate water loss and recover.

“The genes are there, they're just not activated. If we understand how it works in resurrection plants, we can do it in crops,” he said by phone.

David Orr, southern Africa spokesman for the UN World Food Programme (WFP), said the research could bring benefits to drought-susceptible southern Africa.

“In a region where climate-related shocks are becoming more frequent and more intense, farming communities are having to contend with drought – and occasionally flooding – as a new reality,” he said by email.

“By having access to drought-resistant seeds and other agricultural technologies such as water harvesting and irrigation, they will be better equipped to face the future.”

Farrant said the research could cost a total of N$280 million adding that she needed more funds to continue her work.

Nick Vink, chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, said weighing up the costs versus the benefits of the research was a difficult calculation.

“The potential benefit is really very high, while it is not easy to estimate what the probability of success is,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.



Evidence

Chikelu Mba of the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in Rome was hesitant to evaluate the potential of such technologies before seeing evidence-based testing and the impact of modified crops on the environment.

“You have to look at the effects of gene modification,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation via Skype. Small farmers growing maize - a crop that can produce bumper harvests but is susceptible to poor rainfall - may also be persuaded to switch to unmodified crops that are simply better able to resist drought, like beans, the FAO has said.

Farrant is confident that in time, she can deliver plants that are resistant to drought.

“Five years, and I'll give you a resurrection plant that can provide crops,” she said, adding that testing the drought-resistant crops might take a further five years.

“Then it is food on your plate, but it might be too long - people need food now.”

NAMPA/REUTERS

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Erdogan's fragile grip on power

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Erdogan's fragile grip on powerHas US backing for now but poll results questioned President Recep Erdogan has held on to his seat as president of Turkey in a referendum his peers say shows the massive splits in the country's society. Donald Trump has congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his victory in Sunday's referendum that gave him sweeping new powers.

The US president's phone call contrasts with concern by European leaders who have pointed out how the result - 51.4% in favour of the changes - has exposed deep splits in Turkish society.

Erdogan has rejected criticism from international monitors who said he had been favoured by an “unequal campaign”.

“Know your place,” he told them.

The narrow victory was ruled valid by Turkey's electoral body, despite claims of irregularities by the opposition.

On Monday, Turkey extended the state of emergency for three months. The measure, introduced after a failed coup last July, was set to expire in two days.

The call from Donald Trump was pre-arranged and the focus was Syria - but the congratulations for President Erdogan's victory means the US president joins leaders from Qatar, Guinea, Djibouti and the Palestinian militant movement Hamas to voice the opinion, while those in Europe have been far more cautious.

It will delight Erdogan supporters, who will see it as legitimising the president's victory. But it will dismay opponents, after Erdogan's fiery tirades against the West and the damning verdict of international observers.

It also exposes a split between the EU and US on Turkey: Trump opting for realpolitik while Europe urges the unpredictable Turkish leader to reconcile a divided country.

And it will reiterate similarities between Presidents Trump and Erdogan on issues like democratic norms and press freedom - though the Turkish president has of course dealt with them in a far more extreme way.

Ultimately, President Trump was perhaps aiming to win favour in Ankara, given that the two sides have fundamental disagreements over Syria.

What are the disagreements about?

Syria is one of the issues straining relations between Washington and Ankara. Turkey is irked by the policy started by the Obama administration of supporting Kurdish fighters in Syria who are fighting IS forces.

Turkey views the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) as a terror group linked to Kurdish separatists waging an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984.

Turkey - a key Nato ally - has established closer co-operation with Russia recently.

The two sides are also at loggerheads over Fethullah Gulen. Turkey accuses the Pennsylvania-based cleric of orchestrating the failed coup and wants him extradited.

Officially Washington insists any decision on returning him to Turkey from the US remains a judicial rather than a political one.

What have European leaders said?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the “tight referendum result shows how deeply divided Turkish society is and that means a big responsibility for the Turkish leadership and for President Erdogan personally”.

The European Commission issued a similar call while others expressed concern about the possibility of the return of capital punishment.

The French president's office warned that any referendum on reviving the death penalty would “obviously be a break with values and engagements” that Turkey had accepted in joining the Council of Europe. The president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, tweeted his own concerns.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz went further. He said the referendum result was a “clear signal against the European Union”. The “fiction” of Turkey's bid to join the bloc must be ended, Kurz said.

Why are international monitors concerned?

Despite saying that the voting day was “well administered”, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe criticised the referendum campaign, and the Council of Europe said the vote “did not live up” its standards.

The monitors also criticised a late change by electoral officials that allowed voting papers without official stamps to be counted. But the head of Turkey's electoral body, Sadi Guven, said the unstamped ballot papers had been produced by the High Electoral Board and were valid. He said a similar procedure had been used in past elections.

What did the president say about the result?

Erdogan told supporters that Turkey did not “see, hear or acknowledge the politically motivated reports” of the monitors.

The result, he said, ended the debate on changing the constitution and creating an executive presidency, adding that the process of implementing the reforms would now begin.

He also said the country could hold a referendum on its long-stalled EU membership bid.

Additionally, Erdogan said he would approve the death penalty if it was supported in a referendum or a bill was submitted to him through parliament. This would end Turkey's EU negotiations.

What do the constitutional changes include?

The president will have a five-year tenure, for a maximum of two terms. He will be able to directly appoint top public officials, including ministers and one or several vice-presidents. The job of prime minister will be scrapped. The president will have power to intervene in the judiciary, which Erdogan has accused of being influenced by Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based preacher he blames for the failed coup in July, and finally, the president will decide whether or not impose a state of emergency.

BBC

5 nabbed for jewel heist

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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5 nabbed for jewel heist Five suspects believed to have been involved in a jewellery store robbery at the Hyde Park shopping centre were arrested on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said an intelligence driven operation by the SAPS Provincial Trio Task Team in Gauteng led to the swift arrest of the five men, between the ages of 23 and 36 years.

"The five were arrested on Sunday and police seized a rental vehicle suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime."

Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange welcomed the swift arrest of the five suspects following the robbery at a jewellery shop last week.

Six armed men robbed a luxury boutique in the Hyde Park Corner mall of high-end watches on Thursday morning.

They got away with thousands of rands worth of stock around 10:00.

Their target was the Boutique Haute Horlogerie, which stocks brands including Audemars, Parmigiani Tonda, Zenith El Primero, and Dior VIII Montaigne.

A shell shocked staff member at a nearby restaurant said she hoped security would be increased around the mall, because it was not the first robbery.

She said customers lay down on the floor when a gunshot rang out in the mall. Waiters dropped food as they fled for safety.

NEWS24

Zim at 37

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Zim at 37Independence celebrations lacklustre A mood described as ‘flat’ currently reigns in Zimbabwe as the country celebrated 37 years of freedom yesterday. Zimbabwe marked 37 years of independence on Tuesday - but it's not clear if anyone will be really celebrating.

The economy is in a tailspin, there's very little money on the streets and as for President Robert Mugabe... he's 93 and top officials in his Zanu-PF party are at each other's throats.

With elections little more than a year away, Zimbabweans in London are planning to hold a "What Independence?" demonstration.

Back home in Zimbabwe there will be festivities and speeches, as every year... but, what's the main event and will anyone go?

There was an Independence Day parade and a speech by Mugabe at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday, and yes, people went - there was a big football match afterwards.

Mugabe attended the annual children's party to mark independence in Harare on Monday afternoon, sporting his new short haircut and a very big floral buttonhole.

But the mood is flat. Not hopeful but not totally despairing either. Though it was a public holiday, street vendors were out selling their wares on Easter Monday; fish sellers mingling with used clothes sellers.

Zimbabweans are making a plan - even if that plan involves trading goats or free labour for outstanding school fees.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party tried to start a hashtag, #37yearsofwhat? After eight hours, only three people had bothered to respond.

Here's what Zimbabwe's opposition is not doing: Writing persuasive editorials, running eye-catching social media campaigns or doing anything to counter the ruling party's things-for-votes strategy.

Opposition parties don't seem to have made much visible progress in forming a coalition. Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC is campaigning, according to local press watchdog @ZimMediaReview and others.

Joice Mujuru's party doesn't look to be living up to the hopes some had in it. It suffered a damaging split in February and its spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire, was reportedly involved in a public fistfight recently.

But another Mawarire start the #ThisFlag movement about this time last year. Pastor Evan Mawarire posted his first #ThisFlag video two days after Independence Day in 2016.

His heartfelt account of his frustration and love for his country quickly touched a chord with the masses.

Many Zimbabweans were swept up by the call he made for politicians to be accountable - and it would not be unfair to say that a fair few saw in the youthful pastor a possible new face of Zimbabwe.

But his huge following unsettled Zimbabwean authorities.

When a national stay-away he'd called for in July was widely supported, Mawarire was arrested.

Upon his release he fled into exile, arguing that he needed to put his family first.

Mawarire returned to Zimbabwe on 1 February only to be promptly rearrested.

The case against him still hangs over his head and because of that, he appears to be keeping a low profile.

Rightly or wrongly so, many Zimbabweans feel Mawarire betrayed them.

The momentum of #ThisFlag has all but gone.

NEWS24

All hail king Julius

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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All hail king Julius It has taken less than ten years for Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo to establish himself as a prolific boxer in the paid ranks. After a sparkling career as an amateur boxer, Indongo was clearly destined for greatness and waited for the right time to turn professional.

This has paid off handsomely and the Blue Machine is now basking in the glory of having outsmarted arguably one of the most popular boxers from Scotland, following Saturday's exploits in which he defeated Ricky Burns to capture the WBA super-lightweight crown on top of his IBF and IBO titles. Indongo has become an overnight hero to many boxing enthusiasts worldwide. For commentators he was a marvel to watch on Saturday evening, with his deft footwork and heavy-hitting southpaw attributes widely credited in post-match analyses. As for Indongo the job is not done yet.

His promoter Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias has been quoted as saying that he still has another four good years ahead of him as age is not on his side.

He has the daunting challenge of not only remaining grounded and level-headed, but proving his mettle against the top boxers of the world.

There is indeed a massive weight of expectation on the Namibian boxer to continue putting our country on the global map. Clearly now Indongo is the man to beat and the international promoters are already lining up a potential humdinger of a fight involving the 29-year-old Terence Crawford, who is the division's number one at the moment.

With 30 fights unbeaten, the WBO and WBC champion is seen as the perfect match for Indongo.

And then there is Kazakhstani boxer Sergey Lipinets who is waiting in the shadows for a date with Indongo. Lipinets, undefeated in 12 fights, is the IBF mandatory challenger and Indongo might consider fighting him first before squaring off against Crawford. Anyways, Indongo has done the nation proud with his latest achievement in Glasgow.

The Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing Academy and sponsors MTC also deserve a special mention for helping Indongo achieve this wonderful feat.

Shot of the day

April 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day MUDDY BUSINESS: Runners take part in the Mud Day, a 13km race with obstacles recently at the Lac de Peyrolles, near Aix en Provence, southern France. Photo: NAMPA/AFP