Happy cars & happy people

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Happy cars & happy people The Masterspray Collision Repair Centre in the northern industrial area in Windhoek, is an established business providing excellent service for more than 25 years.

Management is of the view that reinvesting back into the company is key to being successful and as such, the company has stayed abreast of all the latest technology and applications for the trade.

Starting from scratch 25 years ago, Derick Reichel, the owner of Masterspray Collision Repair Centre, built up his business to provide customers not only with the best service available, but also to provide his clients with peace of mind and honoured guarantees. Turnaround times are sped up due to the open-plan design of the premises where damaged vehicles are taken through the required processes in a seamless movement from one phase to the next.

“A client's car is critical to him as Windhoek does not provide well-established public transport so we work as quickly, yet efficiently as is possible,” Reichel said.

The company has state of the art Zenith spray chambers and utilise Chief repair benches. Along with these, the Autorobot measuring system is employed for a perfect job and flawless finish, each time. Glasurit paint, a high-quality automotive paint, is used providing any shade required and a quality shine to the vehicle.

“For us, it is about keeping track of how new vehicles change and keeping our clients happy with quality service and workmanship,” Reichel said.

STAFF REPORTER

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Auas Motors… your dream stop

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Auas Motors… your dream stopFor every taste and every wallet, there is something Auas Motors has been serving the Namibian driving public for over 60 years and still offers a major diversity of great vehicles for you. If you are looking for a car, Auas Motors is your final stop. The dealership, established in the 1953 and a young 64 years old, offers you quality vehicles in every price class. They are situated in Windhoek, Gobabis, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Mariental, Tsumeb and Ongwediva.

They also have service centres in Oranjemund, Rosh Pinah, Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Tsumeb, Rundu and Katima Mulilo.

Namibian Sun sat down with James Short from Auas Motors about how his dealership stands head and shoulders apart from the rest in terms of car safety.

In what way does your dealership stand apart from others when it comes to the provision of safety?

We are involved on a yearly basis with the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) Fund regarding road safety. The past holidays we sponsored 10 baby car seats as well as assisted them with two response vehicles for a period of three months.

How does you dealership complement safe travel in Namibia?

For starters I would say that if a customer's vehicle breaks down they don't have to travel vast distances to have it repaired. We have a 24-hour help line to assist our entire customer base. Our vehicles are all equipped with the latest technology regarding road safety and safe driving.

Tell us about the features or technology which you use on your cars to promote safety for passengers?

Almost all vehicles sold by us are equipped with ABS brakes, airbags, side-impact bars and some of the models are fitted with stability control and the latest models come standard with line departure alerts (Opel Astras and Chev Trailblazer).

What is your message to road users in Namibian in regard to safe travel?

We would like to urge all road users to drive in a responsible manner and to be very patient on our roads.

What type of vehicles will you have at the Namibia Tourism Expo?

At the tourism expo we will concentrate more on our vehicles that can and will be used in the tourism industry. The Isuzu LCV and the Chev Trailblazer.

Any other advice to vehicle owners?

Apart from being safe on the road, Auas Motors urges customers to always take time out to compare and evaluate car models before buying them. Customers should research the various vehicle s and try to determine which size is best for their needs: whether it's a compact, a sedan, a two-door, a pick-up, sport utility vehicle 4X4, 2X4, or whether they want a car which runs with petrol or diesel.

Also, potential customers should compare the driving that will be done with the vehicle and the conditions under which the vehicle will operate: Long-distance driving, or loading materials and goods for the farm or work. Safety, power, carrying capacity or economy will be some of the factors that they need to consider.

They should also consider the price range which will be comfortable for them and options like service, maintenance plans and the vehicle's manufacturer warranty.

Most importantly they are encouraged to take the vehicle for a test drive and to make sure that they feel comfortable with the vehicle.



Road safety tips from Auas Motors

-Don't speed;

-Rest when you are tired;

-Don't overload your vehicle;

-Check your vehicle for roadworthiness before travelling;

-Plan your trips during the day;

-Go on the road with a positive attitude and report bad driving.





LIMBA MUPETAMI

Schumi, Cape Town and jam

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Schumi, Cape Town and jam Well now here's an interesting story... Did you know that in the late 1990s, Michael Schumacher came to South Africa to shoot a TV commercial to highlight German confectionery?

The advert had nothing to do with vehicles or F1 but was filmed to promote a popular jam called Zentis, a German confectionery producer. At least there was a Ferrari involved!

Cindi Harding, a former SA rally navigator, shares her story and some never seen before images of Schumi in Cape Town taken more than two decades ago.

Harding says: "In the late nineties I had a company called Exoticar, vehicles for productions. I supplied picture and action vehicles to the then growing film industry in Cape Town. I was asked to supply a classic car and a convertible Ferrari for a jam commercial (Zentis) involving Michael Schumacher.

"They chose a beautiful green Jaguar 150 XK droptop and a Ferrari 355 Spyder. On the first day of the shoot we had all signed confidentiality agreements and the shoot location was a big secret.

"Michael and Corina were staying at the then very new Table Bay Hotel, there were fans camped out at the door, which didn’t help them as the Schumacher’s were being flown to set from the rooftop helipad.

Harding says she had the privilege of driving the Ferrari to set.

She said: "There were insurance clauses that Michael couldn’t drive the Ferrari on a public road, so Chris Aberdein (a South African racing driver) was bought in to be the stand-in driver. Not to be outdone, he also flew himself to set, so there I was arriving in the Ferrari while Michael and Chris arrived in their respective helicopters."

"We shot at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek locations for three days."

Harding says Schumacher came across as "shy" but was always courteous and friendly towards her.

Harding: "I couldn't understand why some people in the F1 fraternity called him arrogant, but really he was just shy.

"One afternoon I was making a cup of tea at the craft table and there was a bowl of crunchies on the table. He came over to make himself some tea and asked me what kind of biscuits are these, there was me trying to explain crunchies in my best German, his broken English, we ended up settling on ‘daten cookies’.

"I took the opportunity to ask him what he actually drove if he was really just popping down to the shops to buy croissants, he said a Mercedes C-Class.

"There was a scene with a bunch of kids and he looked like he was having so much fun playing with all the kids. I’m sure when it was his turn he made a great dad.

"It was a great, fun shoot, I got teased because I actually washed the Ferrari on set, and nobody had seen me wash a car before, which obviously caused great amusement for the crew who I had worked with back then.

"And just like that it was all over, very special times and special memories that I will always cherish. What an amazing guy, a true legend."– Wheels24

Janine van der Post

DIY car repair

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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DIY car repairFive things to do yourself Five tips for you to keep your car running and safe and you can do them all at home. The price of vehicles can be disheartening but there's nothing quite as soul-destroying as turning the key in your ignition and nothing happens. Many motorists may feel that maintaining a car is too difficult but here are simple skills you can master in minutes to ensure your wheels continue rolling.

To make things easier, we have graded checks according to a 1-5 scale of difficulty, with 5 being the most difficult.

Checking your oil (skill Level: 1)

Despite the latest technology of modern cars, vehicles still use oil to lubricate engine components and if the oil is low or dirty, it could seriously damage your engine, leaving you stranded along the road. Luckily, checking the oil is easy on most cars with a simple check via the dip stick, though some models have dispensed with it entirely. Make sure you check the oil after the engine has run for at least five minutes and that the vehicle is on a level surface.

Changing oil (skill level: 2)

The key to doing this job - or any car job - is being methodical. Before you begin, make sure that the engine is warm but not hot. Having it idle for a few minutes should do the job. Make sure that the car is parked on a level surface. It also helps to locate the oil filter on the engine prior to removing the sump plug. Jack the car up gently and secure it with a jack stand - preferably on the front wheel opposite the sump plug. Position the oil capture can underneath the sump plug and loosen the plug with the socket wrench. The oil will be warm so best not to linger there too long with your hands. (On large capacity engines, more than 5l of oil could drain so ensure that your oil capture can is a match for the vehicle's oil capacity.) While the oil is draining, loosen the oil filter - it should come off with hand power, but if it's tight, use an old wet rag or an oil filter wrench to get it off. Once the oil has completely drained, pour a small amount of the new oil around the inlet of the new oil filter and gently screw it on to the fitting. Be sure not to use too much force and it should sit firmly with the rubber seal. Replace the sump plug and lower the car from the jack stand. Open the oil plug on the engine top and pour in fresh oil. The amount of oil that drained should be you guideline. Do not start the engine. Once the oil mark is close to the 'Full mark' on the dip stick, stop adding oil and wait a couple of minutes to let the oil settle and check again. Start the engine and let it idle for five minutes. Switch off the car and check the oil again. If it's significantly below the Full mark, add some oil, but do not overfill - it will cause the engine to drag and potentially break engine oil seals.

Changing the battery (skill level: 1)

Make sure the ignition is off before you go anywhere near the battery. Battery terminals are usually covered with a plastic clip. Remove these to gain access to the terminals. The terminals will be marked minus (-) for negative and plus (+) for positive. Ensure you have no metal jewellery hanging from your wrist and remove the negative terminal. Make sure it is secured away from any metal. Repeat the process for the positive terminal. Before you can remove the battery, there will usually be a battery clamp to keep the battery secure in the engine bay. Find and remove the clamp and the battery should be easy to pull out of the car. Once you place in the new battery, reverse the process and don't forget to secure the clamp. Remember to hand in your old battery when you buy a new one as you could receive a discount.

Changing your wiper blades (skill level 1)

Make sure that you purchase new wipers of the correct size before removing the worn pair. If you accidentally break them, you have new ones with which to replace them. Raise the wipers off the windshield. On some cars (such as a VW Polo), you will have to set the wipers up before you can raise them and avoid damaging the bonnet. Most wipers have a plastic clip in the middle that you raise. A locking clip can then be slid out and viola, the wiper can be removed. On new models, open the clip and slip them around the metal hook along the wiper arm. Make sure that the plastic clip is secure and it will lock your wipers in place. Check your blades: Check you wiper blades by running your finger along the blade to check for a smooth surface. If your wipers are worn or are excessively noisy during use, it's time to replace them.

Rotate your tyres (skill level: 3)

If you have mag-lock nuts, ensure you have the adaptor-lock ready or if you have hub caps, purchase cable ties to secure them to the wheel when you're done. Loosen the wheel studs while the car is parked (with the handbrake deployed) on a level surface. Raise the car via a jack and secure with a jack stand. Remove the wheel studs and take off the wheel. Take the opportunity to check the wheel and tyre for any road damage. Also check the tyre tread to ensure it's safe enough to drive. It doesn't hurt to run your finger over the brake discs - the surface should be perfectly smooth as uneven wear could indicate a brake-pad replacement or brake-skimming due. The right rear wheel moves to the left front and the left, rear wheel should move to the right front. The front wheels needn't be switched when moving them to the rear. Make sure that tyre sizes on both sides of the vehicle are identical and if your car has directional-pattern tyres, only front tyres should move to the rear. Tighten wheel studs lightly before lowering the car and tighten wheel studs in the opposite order you secured them in.

WHEELS24

Aanona yavalelwa mekondjelomanguluko ya tulwa miipandeko

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Aanona yavalelwa mekondjelomanguluko ya tulwa miipandeko Opolisi yaShana oya tula miipandeko aanona yatano yongundu yaanyasha ya valelwa kombanda yoshilongo mboka ya yunga oontanda popepi nokapale koondhila mOndangwa.

Mbaka yatano otaya tamanekelwa iipotha yokuya mehala lyopaumwene inaashipitikwa oshowo eyonagulo lyomaliko.

Shika osha kolekwa ku kOmanda gwopolisi yaShana, Komufala Rauha Amwele ngoka a popi kutya opolisi oya vulwa omaihumbato gonayi gaanona mbaka, sho taya taaguluka oompangu moshitopolwa.

Etulo miipandeko ndika olya ningwa ongula yEtitatu lyopotundi onti- 03:00 omanga ya kotha. Aagundjuka mbaka ya thika lwopo-36 oya tulwa ayehe miipandeko na oya ka ningilwa omapulaapulo sha landula sho ya tulilwa mo oshipotha sheyonagulo lyomaliko.

Oshipotha shoka osha tulwa mo kaahingi yiihauto mboka iiyenditho yawo yiidhenge momamanya ngoka gali ga tulwa mondjila kaanona mbaka mondjila onene pokati kokapale koondhila kAndangwa.

Shika osha etitha opo opolisi yi hanagulepo ootenda dhaanyasha mbaka nokuya tula miipandeko ayehe na oya falwa kosasiyona yopolisi yaNdangwa opo ya ka pulwaapulwe.

Ongundu oya tokola okuulika mboka taya tamanekelwa ngashiingeyi iipotha ya tumbulwa kutya oMaria Endjila naJona Leticia .

Mbaka yaali oya holoka mOmpangulilo yaMangestrata gwaNdangwa mEtine na oyeli natango modholongo.

Amwele okwa popi kutya yakwawo o-34 oya mangululwa na oya pewa elondodho opo kaya ye pehala mpoka yali ya yunga oontanda nenge palwe mOshitopolwa shaShana omanga inaya epwa epitikilo kumwene gwehala .

“Onde ya lombwele kutya kehe mpoka taya yi mOshana oya pumbwa epitikilo molwashoka ngele oya tulilwa mo oshipotha shokuya pehala lyaantu pwaahena epitikilo okuza kumwene gwehala nena otatu ke ya tula miipandeko. Otwa vulwa omaihumbato gawo gonayi, okwaahena esimaneko oshowo okukala taya taaguluka oompangu dhoshilongo,” Amwele ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya nonando oya gandja elondodho ndyoka, aanona mboka inaye li landula.

Shoka osha landula oshipotha shokuya pehala lyaantu pwaahena epitiko, sha tulwa mo kElelo lyaNdangwa mEtitatu nopolisi oya tula miipandeko aakomeho yatatu yongundu ndjoka, mboka omadhina gawo ge shiwike koshikundanekifo shika ihe itaga vulu manga okutumbulwa.

Namibian Sun oya talelepo ehala ndyoka, nongundu ndjoka oya holola omaiyuvo gawo kombinga yaashoka sha holoka po netulo miipandeko lya yakwawo. Ongundu oya popi kutya ootenda dhawo odha hanagulwa po na oya kanitha omikanda dhawo oshowo iinima yawo yi na oshilonga.

Oya pula kutya omolwashike opolisi opo owala tayi ya tula miipandeko ngashiingeyi ngele oya kala pehala ndyoka ule woomwedhi hetatu ngashiingeyi.

Ongundu otayi pula woo epangelo li ya kongele ehala lyokukala oshowo omadheulo.

“Otashi yemateke noonkondo okutala yakwetu mboka twa tameke nayo ehololomadhilaadhilo ndika taya pewa iilonga oshowo omadheulo omanga tse tu li owala mpaka,” oshilyo shimwe sha holola.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Ohiila nomalweendo yalondeke oondando

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ohiila nomalweendo yalondeke oondando Ondando yomagumbo oshowo okuthitha omalukalwa ano okuhiila oyo yimwe tayi falitha pombanda ondjele yoondando moshilongo, kwiikwatelelwa kolopota yehangano lyomapungulo lyo IJG Securities.

Molopota yawo yoondando ndjoka ya pitithwa muMalitsa nuumvo, ehangano ndika olya popi kutya omagumbo ogo unene taga etitha oondando dhi londe pombanda nonkondo sho iifuta yokuthitha ya londo pombada noopresenda 9.7 muJanuari gwonuumvo. MuMaalitsa oondando ndhika odha gu pevi nopresenda 0.1.

Onkundana ombwanawa oyo ndjika kutya, ondjele yoondando koonono oya gu pevi muMalitsa okuza poopresenda 7.8 okuya poopresenda 7.

IJG okwaholola kutya eshuno pevi ndika olya etithwa keshunitho pevi lyoondando dhiikulya naashika osha shuna pevi kashona oondando dhoohiila ihe onkalo oya yiwa ishewe moshipala ke yo pombanda lyiifuta yomalweendo niiyenditho, omolwa e yo pombada lyondando yomahooli.

Palopota ndjika oondando dhopatatu miitopolwa yoondando ya thika po-12 odha londo pombanda muFebruali . Oondando dhiinima odha londo pombada noopresenda 6.3 omanga oondando dhomayakulo dha londo pombada noopreseda 8.1

Omolwa iimaliwa yaNamibia mbyoka ya kala nongushu, shika osho sha etitha e yo pombanda lyondjele yoondando tali ende kashona.’

Oondando dhiikulya niikunwa mbyoka ihaayikolitha oya londo pombada noopresenda 7.4 omumvo nomumvo oshowo e yo pombanda lyoopresenda 11.3 muFebruali.

Oondando dhokoothiwa, otee oshowo ococoa odha londo pombanda kashona , neyo pombanda lyoopresenda 22.7 komvula kehe. Ondando yoohi oya londo pombada noopresenda 16.7.

Oondando niifuta yiihauto oya tsikile no kugwa pevi sigo opoopresenda 6.9 muMaalitsa okuyeleka noopresenda 9.4 muFebruali omanga ondando yelongitho lyiihauto yopaumwene lyayi pombanda poopresenda 8.5 komvula okuyeleka neyopombanda lyooresenda 4.5 muFebruali.

Ondando dhiikolitha nomakaya inayi londa opamwe niikunwa mbyoka iilulu sigo opoopresenda 0.4 kehe omwedhi

IJG okwapopi kutya e yo pombanda lyiihohela yepangelo koondando dhiikolitha nomakaya otali ka etitha e yopombanda lyoondando lyiinima mbika muApilili.

Nonando oondando dhetu otadhi londo pombanda pandjele tayi ende kashona shika osha hwahwamekwa keyo pombanda lyongushu yorand oshowo eshuno pevi lyondando mondoloma yomahooli. Onkalo yoshikukuta ndjoka yi li pokuthika pehulilo omolwa omuloka omwaanawa ngoka gwa ndhindhilikwa nuumvo nasho oshimwe shoka sha etitha onkalo ndjoka.

Nonando ongaaka eshunitho pevi lyorand yaSouth Afrika olya etitha iimaliwa yi kale tayi shuna pevi mongushu.

OMUTOOLINKUNDANA

Oshipotha shuukulo sha tameke ishewe mOmpangu yoPombanda

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Oshipotha shuukulo sha tameke ishewe mOmpangu yoPombanda Aatamanekwa taya popi kutya Caprivi keli kohi yepangelo lyaNamibia Aatamanekwa yahamano moshipotha shuukulo shoka sha ningililwe moshitopolwa shaCaprivi oomvula dha piti, otaya pataneke Ompangu kutya Caprivi keshi oshitopolwa shaNamibia.

Epulakeno lyoshipotha showina sha landula eindilo lya tulwa mo kaatamanekwa yahamano yomaatamanekwa yahetatu mboka ya pula oonkondo dhompangu yaNamibia ndjoka tayi ya pangula kombinga yoshipotha shuukulo, otali kapulakenwa mOmpangu yoPombanda muJuli.

Omukalelipo gwopaveta gwaatamanekwa mbaka yahamano, Ilse Aggenbach, okwa tegelelwa a tule mo eindilo lyoshipotha omolwa elukululo lyoshitopolwa shaCaprivi shoka ngaashingeyi hashi ithanwa nedhina epe Zambezi.

Aatamanekewa mbaka yahamano oyo Progress Kenyoka Munuma, Shine Samulandela Samulandela, Manepelo Makendano, Alex Sinjabata Mushakwa, Diamond Samuala Salufu, naHoster Simasiku Ntombo na otaya kalelwa po kuAggenbach. Aalumentu mbaka otaya tamanekelwa oshipotha shiilonga yuukulo, omuyonena gwoshigwana, okugandja iilwitho yaana oombapila nooholo.

Jorge Neves ngoka ta kalelepo yakwawo yaali , Frederick Ntambilwa naJohn Mazila Tembwe, ina ninga eindio lyafaathana.

Mo-2007 ayehe mboka oya monikile ondjo moshipotha shuukulo na oya pewa omageelo godholongo ga yooloka, komupanguli nale mOmpangu yoPombanda, nakusa ngashiingeyi John Manyarara.

Metokolo ndyoka lya ningwa muAguste gwo-2007, Munuma, Makendano, Samulandela, Mushakwa, Salufu naSamuele oya pewa oomvula 32 konima yekumba Ntombo naNtembwe ya pewa oomvula 30.

Kwiikwatelelwa komaumbangi ngoka ga gandjwa komukalelipo gwepangelo moshipotha shoka, pethimbo mbaka ya pewa omageelo gawo okwa hololwa kutya ongundu yaalumentu mbaka okwa monika kutya oya kutha ombinga miigongi ya yooloka pokati ko-1998 no-1999 moshitopolwa shaCaprivi moonkambadhala dhokukutha ko oshitopolwa shoka kuNamibia.

Osha monika mo kutya mbaka yahetatu oyeli oshitopolwa shaantu mboka ya kutu aantu mongundu yoCaprivi Liberation Army (CLA).

Ompangu yoPombandambanda moshilongo muJuli gwo-2012, oya kutha oonkondo omageelo ngoka ga pewa aalumentu mboka sha landula sho ya pataneke omageelo gawo.

Etokolo olya ningwa opo omageelo ngoka ga kalekwe sho oshipotha shoka shi tamukulule mOmpangu yoPombanda natango.

Mbaka oya popi kutya konima sho ya kongo uuholameno wopapolotika moBotswana konima yoshiponokela sho muAguste gwo1999, epangelo lyoshilongo shoka olye ya tula miipandeko shaaheli pampango nokuya gandja momake gepangelo lyaNamibia pokati komvula yo2002 no 2004.

Ngoka ta longo pehala lyomupanguli Omunene mOmpangu yoPombanda, Peter Unengu okwa undulile oshipotha shika komasiku o-15 gaJuli. Oshipotha shika otashi kwatelwwa komeho kuAdvocate Neville Wamambo.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Netflix trades user growth for profits

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Netflix trades user growth for profitsMillions of new subscribers needed Content is king, as Netflix has learned from its latest reported financial results. BLOOMBERG



The streaming video giant has reported first-quarter user gains that fell short of estimates because there wasn’t a House of Cards-style hit to draw new viewers and retain others.

For now, Netflix investors can have rapid subscriber growth or a big jump in profit, not both.

The streaming video giant reported first-quarter user gains that fell short of estimates because there wasn’t a House of Cards-style hit to draw new viewers and retain others.

On the other hand, the lack of big-budget productions boosted net income. Next quarter, with the return of ‘House of Cards’ and three major movies on the release schedule, profit will miss estimates while customer gains will improve, Netflix said on Monday.

The dilemma whipsawed Netflix investors early on Tuesday, with the stock dropping before recovering and moving higher.

The world’s biggest paid video service signed just shy of five million new customers last quarter, less than the 5.5 million analysts were expecting. It’ll make up some of that in the current period, with a forecast for viewer growth that beat analysts’ forecasts.

“There’s nothing here that changes the thesis,” said Anthony DiClemente, an Instinet analyst who recommends buying the shares. “If you own Netflix because you think they are going to add subscribers globally, you’re still going to own it. If you don’t own it because you think Netflix was spending too much money to invest in said growth, you still feel the same way.”

Netflix needs to add millions of subscribers every quarter to help pay for the billions of dollars the company spends making TV shows and movies or licensing programmes from others. The company, which has committed US$15.3 billion for movies and TV shows over the next five years, hasn’t given any indication it plans to slow those outlays and said on Monday it plans to raise money this quarter by issuing long-term debt.

Netflix released 17 stand-up specials, nine feature films and an array of original series for kids and adults, but blamed the absence of one show, ‘House of Cards’, for its slower-than-projected viewer growth.

Investors have permitted Netflix to operate near break-even on the expectation that the company, which expects to top 100 million customers this week, will continue to grow rapidly, especially outside the United States. Chief executive officer Reed Hastings has also pledged to deliver material profits starting this year. Analysts are forecasting net income of US$477.2 million, or US$1.09 per share, on revenue of $11.2 billion, based on the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

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King Price is here to stay

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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King Price is here to stayInsurance disruptor makes waves A casual-dressing executive plans to shake up the insurance industry with his recently founded insurance firm, King Price Namibia. STAFF REPORTER



Justinus van der Westhuyzen, the chief executive officer of the newly formed short-term insurance company King Price, goes to work dressed in shorts and a casual shirt.

The atmosphere at the company’s offices in Windhoek’s Klein Windhoek suburb is informal, with both the senior executives and junior staff casually dressed. The office is painted in bright colours.

Van Der Westhuyzen says his casual dressing represents a new approach to the rigid nature of the insurance industry, which he says King Price plans to shake up.

‘’We have shaken up the industry. Everybody has said so,’’ he says of the company formed late last year.

The company started operating on 1 September last year with a start-up capital of N$35 million and has so far written 1 500 policies.

Van Der Westhuyzen was born in Windhoek in 1983 but moved to South Africa at a young age, where he grew up on a wheat farm in the Western Cape. He matriculated from Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch.

He studied for a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Stellenbosch and later obtained an honours degree in accounting from the University of South Africa (Unisa).

He returned to Namibia in 2007, where he worked for one of the country’s biggest auditing firms before getting into the insurance business, where he was employed as a financial director.

He later moved on to a larger insurance company, where he became chief operations officer and a board member.

Despite achieving success at a young age, Van der Westhuyzen says he wanted to achieve more. He says the slow ways of the corporate world frustrated him.

“There was always something missing. I wanted something better. There is lack of innovation in the market. Insurers are always these slow-moving dinosaurs,” he says.

He says consumers are not well looked after by the industry.

“The rest of the companies are not as consumer focused as they should be.”

Van der Westhuyzen says King Price wants Namibians to pay less for insurance than they do at the moment.

“Insurance has always been a grudge purchase. I want to evolve it. I want to take it to the next level.”

Namibian shareholders own 26% of shares in King Price, while the rest of the shares are owned by Munich Re and the Mertech Group, whose owner, Francois van Niekerk, co-founded the Atterbury Property Group. The company is reinsured with Munich Re and NamibRe.

Van Der Westhuyzen claims that King Price has disrupted the industry with its pricing model. While most insurance companies increase car premiums every year, his company’s premiums decrease every month as the car value depreciates.

“We adjust the premiums every month to the retail value. We don’t give bogus out-bonuses. We give the best price upfront. We reward you for not claiming.”

Giving an example of a car insurance premium that starts at N$900, he says over 36 months, the client would have paid 20% less and saved N$5 829 compared to other insurers.

Talking about future plans, he says King Price plans to introduce services like car towing and chauffeur services. “This is just the beginning. I am going to complete the whole insurance chain in the future.”

With 47 000 visits to its website and 7 700 Facebook likes in six months, Van der Westhuyzen says the company is growing rapidly.

Nampost signals banking aspirations

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Nampost signals banking aspirations Standard Bank and Nampost recently signed a banking relationship agreement.

The agreement will provide NamPost and its customers with access to the National Payment System, which enables SWIFT transactions, electronic funds transfers, card services and access to Point of Sale (POS) devices, as well as the ability to make payments and run collections through the clearing house.

Standard Bank's head of personal and business banking, Mercia Geises, said NamPost selected the bank as preferred sponsor after a procurement process that started last year.

“Standard Bank is proud to partner with NamPost to provide its clients with access to a banking platform in an innovative and efficient manner, which eventually results in financial inclusion for all,” said Geises.

Speaking at the same occasion, NamPost chief executive officer Festus Hangula said the agreement was a critical step in NamPost's journey towards insuring financial inclusion for all Namibians.

“It is our government's vision that all Namibians, without exception, should have access to the correct type of financial services and products at an affordable price offered through a wide network of service points.

“To deliver on this important national vision NamPost has created online transactional banking, which enables NamPost to become a significant card issuer thus providing transactability at reduced costs throughout the broad postal network within Namibia,” said Hangula.

As the sponsoring bank, Standard Bank will be required to settle transactions between institutions. The agreement ensures that all payments and transfers by customers will be settled between the banks at the central clearing system in Namibia through Standard Bank's membership of the National Payment System.

“While we are acutely aware that NamPost and Standard Bank are competitors in some respects, a smart partnership such as this can often provide the synergy required to move ahead of less agile market players. But most importantly, besides serving our customers, together we are taking a giant step in addressing our national needs. A role, I am sure, both Standard Bank and NamPost are passionate about,” said Hangula.

He said new NamPost Smartcards would be issued in the second half of the year.

STAFF REPORTER

Langer Heinrich's production falls

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Langer Heinrich's production fallsNo mining activities recorded of late Production compares with the December quarter's output of 1.21 million pounds and the March 2016 quarter's production of 1.30 million pounds. Uranium oxide (U3O8) production from the Langer Heinrich mine fell by 26% during the three months to March as production was affected by the first full quarter of a reduced mining plan.

Paladin Energy yesterday reported that production from the Langer Heinrich mine reached 896 070 pounds during the quarter under review, while C1 cash costs at US$21.02per pound exceeded the guidance of between US$17per pound and US$19per pound.

Paladin attributed that the decreased production to a 21% drop in head grade associated with mining curtailment, and a 7% decrease in ore processed owing to lower process water availability caused by several NamWater and Areva water supply interruptions. The miner also reported lower-than-expected tailing storage facility water recoveries.

No mining was carried out at Langer Heinrich during the quarter under review, with run-of-mine feed supplemented by high-grade ore until early March. Subsequent run-of-mine feed was reclaimed from medium-grade stockpiles.

Meanwhile, sales volumes for the March quarter were also lower at 730 642 poundsU3O8, generating gross sales revenues of US$14.3-million.

Looking ahead, Paladin expected uranium production to reach between 750 000 pounds and 850 000 pounds in the June quarter, in line with the reduced mining plan, while uranium sales were expected to reach between 1.1 million and 1.3 million pounds of U3O8.

The outlook for the full-year ended June has remained unchanged, with production expected to reach more than four million pounds of U3O8.

MINING WEEKLY

Controlling free media

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Controlling free mediaAfrican governments use advertising as censorship Print media across the continent are becoming starved of public advertising as governments in Africa focus their spend primarily on government publications. National governments remain the single largest source of revenue for news organisations in Africa. In Rwanda, for example, a staggering 85-90% of advertising revenue comes from the public sector.

In Kenya, it's estimated that 30% of newspaper revenue comes from government advertising. In 2013, the government spent Ksh40 million in two weeks just to publish congratulatory messages for the new President Uhuru Kenyatta.

But with a general election coming up this year in August, the Kenyan government has decided to stop advertising in local commercial media.

In a memo, reportedly sent to all government accounting officers, the directive was given that state departments and agencies would only advertise in My.Gov - a government newspaper and online portal.

Electronic advertising would only be aired on the state broadcaster – the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.

It's difficult not to characterise the withdrawal of state advertising from commercial media as punitive. Without this revenue stream newspapers are likely to fold.

Worse still, efforts to withdraw government advertising from commercial media can be interpreted as a worrying way to undermine the freedom of expression.

Starving news media of revenue is a means of indirect state control. This has been the case in countries such as Serbia, Hungary, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.

But to fully understand the link between government spend on advertising and media freedom it's important to take a historical perspective.



How did we get here?

The 1990s saw the adoption of multi-party politics in many African countries. This led to relatively liberal constitutions in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana among others.

Since then, most African governments have grown anxious about their inability to control the local news agenda, much less articulate government policy.

For governments in countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and more recently Tanzania, controlling the news agenda is seen as a means to stay in power. Views that compete with the state position are often cast as legitimising the opposition agenda.

This is part of a much broader strategy for political control which Africanist historians and political scientists have called the “ideology of order”.

This is based on the premise that dissent is a threat to nation building and must therefore be diminished.

The narrative was popularised by most post-independence African governments and emphasised through incessant calls for what they liked to call “unity”.

In Kenya, former president Daniel Moi even coined his own political philosophy of “peace, love and unity”. Citizens were expected to accept this narrative unequivocally. Dissenting views were undermined through state-controlled media such as Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and newspapers such as the Kenya Times.

From the 1960s - 1980s, African governments conveniently used the nation-building argument to suppress legitimate dissent. Opposition was punished by imprisonment, forced exile and even death. This was common practice in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and in West Africa more generally.

The current political climate on the continent is premised on constitutional safeguards including the protection of free speech which make these kinds of punishments unlikely in the present day.

Many countries now have institutional safeguards including fairly robust judicial systems capable of withstanding the tyranny of naked state repression.

As a result, the media is controlled in subtler ways and its violence is softer. It's against this background that I interpret the withdrawal of government adverts from the commercial media in Kenya.



Controlling media budgets

In Kenya, the decision followed a special cabinet meeting which agreed that a new newspaper would be launched to articulate the government agenda more accurately.

The government also argued that the move was part of an initiative to curb runaway spending by lowering advert spend in Kenya's mainstream media and directing all the money to the new title.

A similar move was made in South Africa last year when the government's communications arm announced that it would scale down government advertising in local commercial media.

Instead, advertisements would be carried in the government newspaper Vuk'uzenzele. The decision withdrew an estimated US$30 million from the country's commercial newspaper industry.

The South African government also claimed that the move was made to reduce government spending. But critics have argued that the decision was made to punish a media outlet that's been particularly critical of President Jacob Zuma's presidency.

In both countries the decisions have hit at a particularly hard time for the media industry, providing governments with the perfect tool with which to control the press.



Will a free press survive?

Commercial news media is going through a period of unprecedented crisis. The old business models are unable to sustain media operations as audiences adopt new ways of consuming news.

More than that, mass audiences are growing ever smaller. Newspapers particularly haven't been able to adapt to the changing profile of the old versus the new newspaper reader.

The effect has been that newspapers are no longer as attractive to advertisers. As such, they have to rely a lot more on state money and patronage for survival.

To sidestep state control commercial media in Africa must rethink their business models and diversify their revenue streams.

It won't be an easy road but non-state media must also work hard to disrupt this re-emerging narrative of “order”. Nation states cannot revert to the dark days when government policy was singular and alternative viewpoints were silenced or delegitimised. – The Conversation

*George Ogola, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, University of Central Lancashire



GEORGE ORGOLA

Shot of the day

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day WISHES: A worker checks lanterns in preparation for the upcoming celebration of Buddha's birthday at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. Many Buddhists visit the temple across the nation to celebrate the Buddha's birthday on 3 May and to pray for their wishes. Photo: NAMPA/AP

Swapo at 57

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Swapo at 57 Yesterday Swapo celebrated its 57th anniversary even though with not much pomp and fanfare. The party is scheduled to hold a star rally as part of its birthday celebrations this weekend in Otjiwarongo, with head of state Hage Geingob billed as keynote speaker. The mood was relatively quiet and subdued yesterday and not many people were aware that the former liberation movement turned 57 years old. To be quite frank, Swapo has come of age and deserves credit for maintaining peace and stability over the years. Unlike many liberation movements on the continent that are threatened at the polls, Swapo has admirably been growing in leaps and bounds. However, in a country where corruption is rampant and held back by high levels of inequality, poverty and other dire social needs, there is more that needs to be done. Swapo's role was not only to rid the country of apartheid colonialism, but a huge premium was also placed on restoring the dignity of the Namibian people. We must admit that there have been progressive developments over the years, but challenges still persist, especially those affecting the poor and the previously disadvantaged. Land and housing remain two of the most pressing issues in this regard. Despite landslide victories at the polls over the years, Swapo has somewhat been resting on its laurels, partly owing to the ineffective opposition in the country as well as the culture of deploying incompetent party cadres. The Swapo of today is one rocked by factions and infighting. There is clearly a rift between the old guard and the young blood within the party. There is little being advocated on a daily basis to bring about social justice for the suffering masses as the attention is mainly on defending individuals and the leadership and primarily, the unity of the party. It goes without saying that Swapo needs corrective action to return the party to its true self. Lest we forget, Swapo still has the burden of delivering economic prosperity to the previously marginalised Namibians. It is indeed high time for self-examination and the party must listen to the voice of the masses.

Mental problems caused by liquor, drugs

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Mental problems caused by liquor, drugs Alcohol and substance abuse are the leading causes of mental health problems among Namibia's youth, the health minister Bernard Haufiku said.

Haufiku made these remarks in the National Assembly last week while responding to questions by members of parliament on his ministry's N$6 514 579 000 allocation from the N$62.5 billion budget for the 2017/18 financial year.

He said he noted during a visit to the Oshakati State Hospital recently that at least 80% of male patients aged between 23 and 29 in the mental ward there were affected by mental illnesses as a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

“Alcohol is the main contributing factor to social problems in society and among young people; it heavily affects mental health,” said Haufiku.

He emphasised that as much as the ministry is required to deal with mental health patients, the main action is to combat alcohol abuse in communities.

“These people abuse alcohol and drugs, yet they come to the hospital to use up government resources including expensive mental health medication, while as a nation we can avoid this problem by combating alcohol abuse,” Haufiku asaid.

He called on government to close down liquor outlets like sheebens in residential areas.

Haufiku further noted that operating hours of liquor outlets in informal and urban areas should be the same to stop people moving from one outlet to another.

He also stressed that people lose their lives every day because of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Haufiku urged government to develop and enforce stricter laws including immediately arresting a person found driving drunk.

“People will not listen to counselling and campaigns on road safety, but they will listen to the punishment if implemented,” he emphasised.

The health ministry identified some programmes under which its budget was allocated:

Curative and clinical health care services – N$5 435 029 000

Health system planning and management – N$862 941 000

Public health – N$92 201 000

Developmental social welfare – N$18 108 000

NAMPA

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HPP feeds off main pot

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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HPP feeds off main potNo separate budget for projects The Harambee Prosperity Plan is implemented under the umbrella of all the developmental plans in the country without a separate budget. Presidential advisor for policy implementation and monitoring Penny Akwenye is of the opinion that the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) should not be viewed in isolation but rather in unison with the series of national development plans and Vision 2030.

“The Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) was introduced to fast-track certain activities, the low hanging fruit from the previous National Development Plans - it is a short-term plan,” said Akwenye, who was speaking to Namibian Sun in a recent interview.

“What is to be noted is that HPP is aligned to the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. There is no specific budget for it. It cannot be implemented in isolation; it is already in the system. HPP has no ring-fenced budget.”

When asked how its implementation could be hampered because of a consolidated budget, she said: “All is not lost. HPP is measured through indicators and up to 70% of those indicators can be achieved without additional budget. Both the narrative and indicators are not changing but some activities might,” Akwenye said, adding that, “leeway has been given to ministries to include in projects, activities for the second year of HPP that will contribute to the achievement of the agreed indicators. We are re-scoping, re-planning and adopting other methods. Despite financial difficulties, the plan is going on. With available resources, we will find a way how to get through it.”

The private sector has been doing its part. It is exciting to note that they are pulling in the same direction.

She did caution that HPP should not be seen as the president's plan or a plan for individuals. “HPP is a plan for the whole nation.”

Recently delivering his State of the Nation address, President Hage Geingob noted that the HPP was able to overachieve on some fronts and notably housing.

“I am pleased to report that we have made good progress with servicing residential land, especially in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Outapi and Oshakati. In Windhoek, we are also making progress, albeit at a slower pace. In total, 7 754 plots have been serviced countrywide, surpassing the annual target of 6 000. Similarly, 5 554 houses were completed nationwide, in year one of Harambee, exceeding the annual target of 5 000 houses.

“When we targeted zero load-shedding under HPP, it seemed a tall order. Today, the electricity supply situation in Namibia has improved significantly, owing to the inclusion of renewable sources into the national energy mix. We have also gazetted net-metering rules and are delighted to see that a number of bigger firms have already invested in rooftop solar installations, to generate power and benefit from this initiative.

“The HPP has set a target of 526 kilometres of specific roads to be upgraded to dual carriageway, '2 plus 1' or bitumen over the Harambee period. In year one, a total of 159 kilometres were completed, which represents a completion rate of 30% and suggests this target is attainable over the remaining period of three years,” Geingob said of the noticeable achievements of the HPP.



OGONE TLHAGE

Gecko denies illegal salt mining

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Gecko denies illegal salt mining Gecko Namibia has denied any wrongdoing with regards to illegal salt mining and has insisted that its operations were above board.

This was before reports arose that it was at the centre of investigation regarding illegal salt mining in the Erongo Region.

Its managing director Pine van Wyk, in response to questions from Namibian Sun, said that his company was not involved in any illegal salt mining activities.

“I can confirm that Gecko Salt is not involved in any illegal mining activity, the allegation is totally false and the police is busy with the investigation. We have no further comment,” he said.

A local daily recently reported that Gecko's salt activities were at the centre of a police investigation

The dust in a long-standing squabble between Cape Cross Salt and Cape Cross Namibia Investment over the ownership of a salt mine has refused to settle, even though questions on the rightful ownership of the mine have been sent to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Both companies have claimed ownership of the salt mine just north of Henties Bay. It is further alleged that Cape Cross Namibia Investment roped in the expertise of Gecko Namibia to mine for salt.

Telling his side of the story, small-scale miner Petrus Iimbodi insisted that he was the rightful owner of the salt mine, telling Namibian Sun in an earlier interview: “I went to the Ministry of Mines and Energy two weeks ago to follow up on the ownership of the mine. I have had no answer to that effect.”

According to Iimbodi, the concession was transferred to his company, Cape Cross Salt (Pty) Limited, by the Small Miners' Assistance Centre in 2002 for an initial 10 years which was renewable for another 10.

Iimbodi also claimed that Cape Cross Namibia Investment did not have the necessary registration documents that would enable it to own a mining licence.

“What does not make sense to me is that the same entity [Small Miners' Assistance Centre] also transferred the concession to Cape Cross Namibia Investment.

“They have said that the mining rights were transferred to them by the centre and have claimed that they have an agreement with the Employee Equity Trust, which are the employees of the salt mine's equity stake.”

Questioning the legality of Cape Cross Namibia Investment's existence as a company Iimbodi asked: “How can a mining licence be granted to a company that does not have a year of incorporation? How will the Small Miners' Assistance Centre turn around and breach an [earlier] agreement with Cape Cross Salt? This means that the claim should never have gone through. Cape Cross Salt exists and it should be mine.”

Iimbodi also claimed that although he had made repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, nothing has happened.

“The ministry never consulted us about these developments. The ministry has given a licence to another small miner despite an outstanding arrangement with us.”

According to Iimbodi, he would like to resolve the matter but the rival company was not willing to negotiate.

Cape Cross Namibia Investment has denied the allegations and claim they are the rightful owners.

Namibian Sun spoke to one of Cape Cross Namibia's directors, Lamech Mwanyangapo, who shot down Iimbodi's claims.

“Last year they went to the court; what did the court say? Who does Mining Licence 147 belong to and for what purposes? I think I must also go to court. If they are the owners of the mine, they must just mine,” Mwanyangapo said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Cops round up exile kids

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Cops round up exile kids36 held for malicious damage to property The Oshana police say they are fed up with the lawlessness and rogue behaviour of a group of 36 struggle kids. Motorists whose cars were damaged after hitting rocks allegedly placed on the road by a group of so-called struggle kids have opened cases of malicious damage to property, drawing the ire of Oshana police who reacted by rounding up the 36 struggle kids in the early hours of last week Wednesday.

It is alleged that members of the group placed rocks on the Ondangwa-Ongwediva main road near the entrance of Ondangwa airport.

The arrests were confirmed by Oshana police regional commander Rauha Amwele this week.

Amwele said the police are fed up with the rogue behaviour of the group.

“They have been causing chaos and flouting the law in the region,” she said

The arrests took place last week Wednesday at around 03:00 when the struggle kids were still asleep. The entire group of 36 was rounded up, loaded onto police vans and taken to the Ondangwa police station for questioning. The police also dismantled their tents.

The struggle kids accused two members of the group Maria Endjila and Jona Leticia who were subsequently arrested and charged with malicious damage to property. The two appeared at the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Thursday and remain in police custody.

According to Amwele, the remaining 34 members of the group were released on Wednesday under the instruction not to go back to the site where they were camping or camp at any premises in the Oshana Region without the owner of the land's permission.

“I told them that wherever they go in Oshana they should go there with permission because as soon as an owner opens a case of trespassing we will go there and arrest them. We are tired of their ill-discipline, no respect and breaking the laws of this country,” Amwele said.

She said this instruction was ignored by the struggle kids who returned to the site.

Ondangwa Town Council on Wednesday subsequently opened a case of trespassing against the group which resulted in the arrest of the three leaders whose names are known by this publication. They are currently in police custody.

The Oshana police arrested five struggle kids who were camping near the Ondangwa Airport for trespassing and malicious damage to property.

At the weekend Namibian Sun visited the group at the camping site and was told about the five members of the group who were arrested. They claimed that when the police dismantled their tents, they lost their documents and valuable items.

They further questioned the police action and trespassing charge saying the group has been camping at the site for the past eight months.

The group called on government to look into their issue while they seek an alternative place to live and get training.

“It is so sad to see others that started this demonstration with us, being employed or receiving training while we are still stuck here,” one of the group members said.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Employment portal places 1 233 jobseekers

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Employment portal places 1 233 jobseekers The Namibia Integrated Employment Creation system has managed to place almost 10% of registered jobseekers, says labour minister Erkki Nghimtina.

In the 2015-2016 financial year, the system had placed 2 240 jobseekers.

“A total number of 64 911 jobseekers are currently registered on the Namibia Integrated Employment Creation system since its launch in December 2013, of which 13 676 jobseekers were registered during the reporting period [February 2016-March 2017] and 1 233 were placed,” Nghimtina said of the system's ability to match jobseekers and employers.

“The system also registered 632 designated employers, of which 463 were trained to use the system,” he said.

According to him, 3 699 individuals received vocational counselling services, which included psychometric testing for career counselling, as a result of being registered on the system.

Men account for 37.3% and women 62.7% of the registered jobseekers, labour ministry statistics show.

Commenting on the advantage of using the system, the ministry's permanent secretary, Bro-Matthew Shinguadja, previously said: “This will help bridge the gap between employers and the ever-increasing number of jobseekers in the labour market. Registrations can be done online or at the ministry's offices in all regions.”

In his State of the Nation address, President Hage Geingob expressed concern about the high youth unemployment figure. “The high unemployment rate, especially among the youth, which is estimated at 39.2%, is a source of concern. Youth unemployment has the potential to undermine the peace and stability in our country,” Geingob said.

Meanwhile, the ministry has also signalled its intention to start deliberations on a minimum wage bill.

“The ministry will place emphasis on protecting low-wage and informal workers, including extending social protection. This will bring into effect a wage order that improves the minimum wages and minimum conditions of employment of domestic workers,” Nghimtina said of his ministry's plans for the current financial year.

Nghimtina also announced the planned establishment of a new employment commission.

“In order to establish a strong legal and institutional framework for the coordination of employment creation, we intend to introduce the Employment Creation Commission as soon as the drafting process is completed.”

OGONE TLHAGE

Schools to close early

April 19, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Schools to close early Allgovernment schools will close a week early on 21 April, the Ministry of Education permanent secretary, Sanet Steenkamp, announced in statement sent to all chief regional officers and regional councils.

Steenkamp said schools must release learners on Friday, 21 April. If there were schools that had scheduled examinations for next week they must adjust their timetables to ensure that all examinations and tests were written by 21 April.

The schools were initially scheduled to close next week Wednesday, on 26 April.

“There is a circular in place that states learners should be released three days before the assessment marks are in to allow the teachers to have enough time to mark,” she said in an interview with Namibian Sun.

Steenkamp also said the extension of the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) Junior Secondary Certificate (JSC) and National Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) examination registration had necessitated the early closure of government schools.

“We are experiencing a shortage of manpower to help with the registration so if government schools close earlier, we can send more teachers to help out and hasten the process.”

She said the deviation from the school calendar was only applicable to learners and all teachers and other staff were required to work until the end of the term.

“The staff members can use this time to finalise outstanding administrative tasks and prepare for the reopening of schools for term two of 2017,” Steenkamp said.

She said if schools closed on Wednesday, learners would have had to travel home on a weekday and that would have inconvenienced their parents.

“Moving it to Friday makes it easier to plan travel arrangements over the weekend,” Steenkamp said.

TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA