Khanyi not fazed by bad vibes over "pink" skin

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Khanyi not fazed by bad vibes over "pink" skin Khanyi Mbau claims she doesn't care if people think she looks "pink" and "raw", but she certainly appears to be feeling raw over the way she has been attacked on social media

Mbau sparked heated conversation over a picture which featured the sexy celeb in a skin tone an entire colour spectrum lighter than her normal hue. Mbau was still hitting back at her "haters" in the wee hours of the morning, swatting away criticism by pointing to her success and the fact that people were still interested in her.

Earlier, in a since deleted tweet, Mbau claimed: “Twirra since 2005 and you are still on me... who I marry, what I drive, where I work, how I get my money, now what colour I am! Welcome back."

The TV and radio personality is no stranger to creating waves. In 2011, leaked nude pictures of her in a variety of sultry poses created a social media stir.

IOL

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Carl's at it again

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Carl's at it again Zimbabwean Comedian Carl Joshua Ncube is back in Windhoek. The funniest proclaimed comedian in southern Africa is here to fill the air with jokes and laughter.

He is described by CNN as the new face of Zimbabwe comedy and by Comedy Central Africa and probably the funniest comedian to come out of Zimbabwe. A few years ago during the /Ae //Gams Festival, the Zimbabwean stand-up comedian came to perform at the Warehouse Theatre with Free Your Mind and almost brought the house down. Now he is back in Namibia for one night only at The Loft and his name is Carl Joshua Ncube.

Ncube is currently on an exile tour around the world and is visiting Namibia to tell his story about Zimbabwe to the world. The Warehouse Theatre is really excited to have him perform his true, incisive, thought-provoking and wonderfully African perspective of stand-up comedy.

Ncube has been breaking barriers to bring Zimbabwean stand-up comedy to the world having performed in countries like Australia, USA, America, Nigeria, Botswana, Ivory Coast and South Africa just to mention a few. He is a constant feature at some of South Africa's leading comedy clubs Parkers Comedy and Jive, Goliath Comedy Club and the Cape Town Comedy Club which was recently named as one of the best comedy clubs.

Ncube is bringing the spotlight on Zimbabwe and as a result on the growing Zimbabwean stand-up comedy scene by his relentless drive and ambition to tell his story to the world. The event will take place at the Loft on Thursday 27 April from 19:30. Entrance is N$50 at the door.









June Shimuoshili

NAMA fashion meets style

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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NAMA fashion meets styleGet to know your presenter stylists and designers The NAMA organising committee has identified the country's best designers and stylists to adorn the NAMA 2017 presenters. The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMA) is creating an opportunity for local designers, stylists and seamstresses to inform the country and the rest the world of their talents, which consequently can afford them commercial recognition and allow them to soar to greater heights in the fashion business. The selected group of fashionistas is made up of six designers and they are complemented by three make-up artists and one hairstylist.

The NAMA's platform is provided to young and talented Namibians to showcase to the world their artistic works and allow them grow their careers.

The designers include Damage brand owner Nicoleen Menjono who designs for socialites, career women as well as weddings, and Melisa Poulton who has been in the industry since 2012 and became known as “House of Poulton by Melisa Poulton”. Her design style is based on the elements of earth and is based on the motto freedom, strength and independence. For the gents Eneas Ngiponoka, a stylish man who is not selfish in sharing his passion and love of smart looking lifestyle with others will feature. He believes that a man should be elegant with simplicity and that a man's look and way of dressing should speak for him. “That it should not be just a look but a lifestyle,” he says. Ruberto Scholtz, Ingo Shanyenge and Lumiere – The Lifestyle Avenue - will also have their garments graced on the stage by the presenters.

The makeup artists are Hannah Nangula-Kolokwe and Anna Hauwanga. Nangula-Kolokwe is a makeup artist with over eight years' experience in the beauty therapy industry. She shares her knowledge with aspiring makeup artists by tutoring them in her master classes that she hosts around the country.

Merino Kandjii is a hairstylist based in Windhoek and raised in the heart of Katutura. Merino has been a stylist since 1996. After four years of being a barber, Merino decided to study hair styling. Merino adds that good hairstylists will cut your hair in different angles, which will make it leaner and remove the excess volume, leaving a massive impression and look. Merino is a stylist who turns heads and brings out the inner glow.



Staff Reporter

One bead at a time

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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One bead at a timeWeaving her way to success A young entrepreneur that juggles a full-time job with her own business shows that you can turn a hobby into a profitable business. Dedicated to creating unique jewellery pieces including chandelier earrings, studs, necklaces, charms, bracelets and fashion rings, Jacobina Newaka is the face behind all of her magic. Owner of CreativeBee Designs, Jacobina Newaka is a force to be reckoned with.



tjil: Give us a brief introduction about who the lady behind the beads is.

JN: My name is Jacobina Newaka, 26 years old. I was born in Oshakati and grew up in Ongwediva. I am a BSc. Honours degree holder in Computer Science and Mathematics and a systems developer by profession which is my full-time job.



tjil: What inspired you to start your business?

JN: At inception, it was not a business idea. Growing up I always enjoyed making things with my hands so while at university, I remember being on holiday at home and I had one of those free bracelets you normally get in a magazine that I got from a friend, and I really liked it. The bracelet fell apart and I took some wire and made hoop earrings with the beads. About a month later I stumbled upon a bead shop and that is when I started making jewellery. So as a student I would sell my jewellery to my fellow students and also at the Tuuthikeni Fashion and Art Flea market that took place the first Saturday of every month.



tjil: How is the response from the public so far?

JN: I have had great response from the public. My customer base has grown from just catering to students and on occasion at the Flea Market to having requested orders from different parts of the country which is something every entrepreneur dreams of.



tjil: Your beading is quite different from the other pieces. What is your target market?

JN: My target audience is women of all ages who are less concerned with getting a jewellery piece that matches a particular outfit but rather getting something unique to their personality that they can show off. My audience is that of women willing to explore and who are willing to try new things. Gone are the days of picking your accessories according to the dress you are wearing. Let your jewellery drive your outfit.



tjil: And your beading techniques?

JN: My beading techniques include stringing, pearl knotting, netting, bead fringe and seewing.



tjil: Have you always been interested in arts? Do you come from a creative background?

JN: Yes, I have always been interested in arts. There is a creative side to me that keeps me curious and eager to try new things. Handiwork is a hobby for me, therefore anything DIY that I can try, I always go for it. Jewellery happened to be DIY that turned into business. I can also add that having a jewellery business calls for creativity… fashion keeps evolving therefore creativity is a must.



tjil: What are the challenges you have experienced so far in your business?

JN: Considering that I have a full-time job, focusing and maximising my potential within the business world is limited. Although I enjoy both. Another challenge I'm faced with is a shortage of manpower.



tjil: Any memorable moments? Best highlights etc.?

JN: I do not have specific moments or highlights per se, but what I find rewarding is to have so much interaction and feedback from customers, especially via social media. It has turned my business around and allowed for growth and innovation.



tjil: How do you juggle your business with your daily life?

JN: Work and life balance is very important. Time is a valuable commodity and we need to utilise our time wisely. For me personally, my family comes first. I try as much to work with a schedule over what I need to do during the day, week, month etc. Setting realistic goals is also another thing.



tjil: Hopes for the future in terms of business?

JN: In the near future, an online shop is a definite target. Growing my product range and really building a brand. Another dream is to have a vocation and arts school. Another dream is to create a platform to inspire young people to find their God-given purpose and pursue it regardless of the challenges that come along the way.

*Like CreativeBeeDesigns on Facebook and purchase your own piece by contacting Jacobina @ 0812231366.















































TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA

The spirit of sharing your bed

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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The spirit of sharing your bed It is said that 'we live in a generation of not being love but we still make it seem like we are together'. New-age relationships or millennial dating, as I like to call it, has transcended the way relationships work or at least the dynamics of traditional relationships. Some youth members are no longer interested in traditional and committed relationships… there are “open relationships” now. Not utterly healthy but, do we blame the youth?



Our generation of daters take pride in the amount of girls or men they date and gloat or brag to their friends about such things. As a safeguard and as a way to limit the disappointments of dating in this new age and due to a general lack of trust, more and more young people opt to enter open relationships in order to test whether their partners are going to be faithful to them or not. When people enter open relationships they consider the benefits instead of the challenges. Part of the reason why many opt for these relationships is because they believe they get what they want without difficulty or any effort at all. In an open or polygamous relationship you do not belong to the person you are seeing, you are not exclusive to them but you can still see them. You can date, hook up and mingle with any other person that you want without the baggage of being in a relationship. Quite frankly, open relationships are messy and highly unpredictable but a few people make it work for them.



The underlying reasons vary for entering into such relations with anyone. The fear of getting your heart broken by someone, not having time to enter into a “real” relationship or maybe the hanky panky stuff is exciting… those are but a few of the reasons I can think of.



Whether open relationships work or not that is still up for debate. Although in some respects it is the perfect solution for those of you who want to be in a steady relationship but are afraid of commitment, it can also be a very painful experience that causes you to feel a range of emotions none of which are good. Because you are not exclusive with other the person you are in the relationship with they can dump you and move on. You can also be jealous of the other partners that your partner is seeing or open relationships may just not work for you. Open relationships are casual affairs and just like any other kind of sexual affair they open you up to diseases and pregnancies and unwanted stress.



I still don't understand the concept of open relationships but I know a few people who have made them work and know not to judge them. The only real reason to have an open relationship is because that's how the people in it are happy. The only real reason not to is because it doesn't make the people in it happy.



june@namibiansun.com



June Shimuoshili

Smart cut is winning

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Smart cut is winningOver 21 000 snips made in four months Operation Smart Cut gears for its second phase to conquer the rest of the country after an excellent four months. It was all fun and games to some when multi award-winning musician The Dogg embarked on his 'Get a Smart Cut with The Dogg' campaign as he wasn't practising what he was preaching until he went under the knife himself.

Today The Dogg and his team have successfully completed their first phase of the campaign. They took on four regions the Zambezi, Oshana, Khomas and Erongo, where people whose traditions and cultural beliefs don't permit boys and men to get circumcised live. These regions also have high HIV/Aids rates. Within the four months the campaign has been running, a total of 21 000 circumcisions have been recorded.

The Dogg said he was one who approached the ministry to be part of the life-changing campaign and it has become a project that is close to him. “I am very happy with the results because this is something I have never done before and it was very overwhelming to know and see how many lives I have changed,” said The Dogg. The campaign includes free HIV/Aids testing and circumcision for the men, as many shy away from hospitals even for the simplest of things.

The journey was not a walk in the park as The Dogg recalls having encountered challenges such as people not believing in the campaign as tradition and science hardly correlate. “I heard of taboos like one's performance will be affected if the foreskin is cut off or God will be angry and so many more. I have even had people on social media who tried to convince others not to get circumcised,” he said. These challenges were overcome with the campaign team first approaching traditional leaders and council members and then visiting schools and communities with the message of hope.

The Dogg said he has been in touch with some of the people who have nothing but words of gratitude for him convincing them to get circumcised. He says he mostly hears from parents and girlfriends who thanked him as their children and partners are cleaner now. “There is a lot of things a smart person thinks they know but they don't.

The last campaign of phase one will be in Oshana and Zambezi regions in May. The Dogg said phase two of the smart cut campaign will involve them visiting all corners of Namibia instead of focusing on specific places. “We will go from east to west. Nobody will be left out. My aim is to have successfully circumcised 100 000 men. There were many guys who were afraid but after I got circumcised they got the courage. I am very happy with the progress,” he said. He hopes to have an influential female partner for the next phase as they play an important role.

The Dogg said he expects men to come in numbers as it is a painless process and one which can be done anytime of the year so no one has excuses.

June Shimuoshili

PRISA turns 60

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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PRISA turns 60PR association restructures, rebrands Established in 1957, the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) has registered practitioners in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa. Influenced by the understanding to keep abreast of changing needs in the market and members' inevitable and dynamic needs, PRISA has restructured and rebranded itself with a new logo, vision and mission to serve its members better.

This is a befitting exercise as it talks to brand revitalisation to make PRISA the de facto PR body that represents the broader communication profession. This is an important event in the foundation of the organisation.

“Often times rebranding is misconstrued to be very similar in scope but drastic in nature. However, as PRISA rejoices in its 60th birthday diamond jubilee celebration, it equally vows to up its game with new brand promises. We do so by taking PRISA to the next level as we continue to play a leading role to unite professionals and driving the industry transformation,” says PRISA Namibia chairperson Rhingo Mutambo.

“To us this rebranding means a refreshed visibility, rededication, and engaging members in a more personal and exciting manner in 2017 and beyond.

“We are also excited to celebrate 20 years of the PRISM Awards. PRISM Awards are presented to public relations and communication professionals who have successfully incorporated strategy, creativity, innovation and professionalism in the public relations and communication programmes.”

STAFF REPORTER

Telecom registers progress

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Telecom registers progress Telecom Namibia has made progress in expanding its fibre access network footprint despite the negative economic climate.

The last mile fibre links were installed to connect corporate businesses and public institutions in 24 towns: Swakopmund, Windhoek, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop, Omuthiya, Omafo, Omalala, Okahao, Oshikango, Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, Khorixas, Okahandja, Karibib, Opuwo, Gobabis, Karasburg, Ruacana, Eenhana, Tsumeb, Oshifo and Rundu.

The expansion of the national fibre backbone network to Otjiwa via Rietfontein and De Hoek from Buitepos has started and will be completed during the 2016/2017 financial year. The fixed broadband network was expanded through additional ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), very fast digital subscriber line (VDSL) and Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) port capacities to 40 existing sites across the country.

These are Aranos, Bethanie, Buitepos, Eenhana, Grootfontein, Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Kaisosi, Kalkfeld, Karaburg, Katima Mulilo, Maltahöhe, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Khorixas, Kuisebmond, Lüderitz, Ogongo, Okahao, Okalongo, Okakarara, Rundu, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay, Oranjemund, Otjiwarongo, Rehoboth, Oluno, Omaruru, Ondangwa and Omuthiya.

Telecom Namibia has also deployed new Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) sites at Auas Retirement Village, Nkurenkuru, Kahenge, the Swakopmund Waterfront, Ompoto in Ohangwena, Khorixas and Otjiwarongo.

New WiMAX base stations were installed at Ondangwa, Kongola and Nchinchimane to increase fixed wireless broadband coverage.

Telecom Namibia also started with the replacement of the 40-kilometre dilapidated fibre-optic backbone cable between Nankudu and Rupara in the Kavango West Region. The government network was made ready for service at 13 regional council offices and 13 points of presence, dedicated for national government services, excluding Nkurenkuru which is waiting for building works.

STAFF REPORTER

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Okahandja-Windhoek road nears completion

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Okahandja-Windhoek road nears completionCarriageway to have two interchanges The dual carriageway between Windhoek and Okahandja will be completed in four sections at a total cost of N$2.5 billion, according to the Roads Authority. Construction of the dual carriageway between Windhoek and Okahandja is expected to be completed by the end of 2019 according to Roads Authority chief executive officer, Conrad Lutombi.

The first section of the dual carriageway connects the Western Bypass to Auas Road and runs all the way up to Brakwater. The second section runs from Brakwater to a bridge over the Döbra River.

The third section runs to a permanent police checkpoint that is yet to be established. The fourth section will be from the checkpoint to the Okahandja-Otjiwarongo interchange.

According to Lutombi, N$1.4 billion has been spent on the project so far. The last section of the dual carriageway will cost approximately N$1 billion. “We estimate that the remaining section will definitely cost around N$1 billion because of the interchange, the bridges and rehabilitation of the roads. At the end of the day it may cost around N$2.5 billion,” said Lutombi. Section three of the dual carriageway was completed last month.

“This section covers the road from Brakwater to the Döbra River and it was upgraded to a dual carriageway. This section covers about 10 kilometres. In addition to that, it also covers about six to seven kilometres of the service road,” said Lutombi.

Lutombi explained that section three was initially going to cost N$200 million and end at the police checkpoint. The cost increased because of roadworks beyond the police checkpoint.

“We also added the service road and the project was then revised to N$335 million. So far that is the amount this project has cost,” said Lutombi. He pointed out that the construction of section three was not completed on deadline and the main contractor was penalised. “It went beyond the completion time but what we have to indicate here is to say contractually if a contractor goes beyond time there are penalties on this project until the completion date,” said Lutombi.

He said the road will be equipped with speed-monitoring cameras to discourage drivers from speeding.

“If you travel along the road you will find yellow cameras and we are putting those cameras where we see there are black spots or areas where there are accidents. That is just to monitor the speed and probably put other interventions to calm the speed,” said Lutombi.

The road will have two interchanges and will be fitted with cat eyes to enhance road visibility, he added.

SHONA NGAVA

Venezuelan riots to continue

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Venezuelan riots to continueOpposition vows fresh protests despite deaths In the face of mounting threats of deadly force, opponents of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro say they will continue to protest his rule. Opponents of the Venezuelan government held fresh huge protests on Thursday, upping the ante in their bid to oust President Nicolas Maduro after a day of deadly clashes in the oil-rich but beleaguered nation.

A 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old woman died after being shot Wednesday during massive protests, and a soldier outside Caracas was said to have been killed, bringing to eight the number of people killed this month in a mounting political crisis.

Riot police fired tear gas to force back stone-throwing demonstrators as hundreds of thousands of people fed up with food shortages and demanding elections joined protest marches in Caracas and several other cities.

Thousands of Maduro's supporters held a counter-rally in central Caracas.

The opposition has accused Maduro of letting state forces and gangs of armed thugs violently repress demonstrators as he resists opposition pressure for him to quit.

Despite Wednesday's deadly violence, his opponents displayed their determination to ratchet up the pressure by calling for renewed protests on Thursday.

"Today there were millions of us," senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles told a news conference late Wednesday.

The 23-year-old woman, Paola Ramirez, died after being shot in the head in the western city of San Cristobal, the state prosecution service said later in a statement.

A pro-government politician and reservist, Diosdado Cabello, said on his television show that anti-Maduro activists had also "murdered" a soldier in San Antonio de los Altos, a town just south of Caracas, late Wednesday. Prosecutors confirmed the death.

Authorities had previously reported five other people killed, including a boy of 13, in protests around the country earlier this month.

The opposition leader of congress, Julio Borges, and Maduro's vice president, Tareck El Aissami, traded blame for Wednesday's deadly violence.

Pressure on the leftist president has been mounting since 2014, as falling prices for Venezuela's crucial oil exports have aggravated an economic crisis.

"I don't have any food in the fridge," said protester Jean Tovar, 32, who held rocks in his hands ready to throw at military police in Caracas.

"I have a two-year-old son to support and I am unemployed, and it is all Maduro's fault."

Recent moves by Maduro to tighten his grip on power and ban Capriles from politics have escalated the country's political and economic crisis and sparked international cries of concern.

They have galvanized the often divided opposition in the recent protests in their efforts to force Maduro from power.

"We have to end this dictatorship. We're fed up. We want elections to get Maduro out, because he's destroyed this country," said protester Ingrid Chacon, a 54-year-old secretary.

The president in turn has urged his supporters, the military and civilian militias to defend the socialist "Bolivarian revolution" launched by his predecessor Hugo Chavez in 1999.

"We are firmly with Maduro out of loyalty to our eternal commander" Chavez, said teacher Nancy Guzman, 50, demonstrating at Maduro's rally on Wednesday.

The centre-right opposition has called for the military - a pillar of Maduro's power - to abandon him.

But the defence minister, General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, has pledged the army's "unconditional loyalty" to Maduro, who has accused the opposition of inciting a "coup" backed by the United States.

In Washington on Wednesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States is "concerned that the government of Maduro is violating its own constitution and not allowing the opposition to have their voices heard."

Two television channels, El Tiempo of Colombia and Todo Noticias of Argentina, said they were taken off the air in Venezuela during Wednesday's unrest.

According to a survey by pollster Venebarometro, seven in 10 Venezuelans disapprove of Maduro, whose term does not end until 2019.

Maduro said Wednesday he was willing to face his opponents at the ballot box.

"I want to have elections soon... to seek a peaceful path so the Bolivian revolution can put the conspirators, murderers and interventionist right-wingers in their place," he told a rally of supporters in central Caracas.

Regional elections due in December were indefinitely postponed and there is still no date for local polls due this year. The next presidential election is due in December 2018.

NAMPA/AFP

The power of imagination

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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The power of imagination Has someone ever posed a question to you and asked you to use your imagination to come up with the answer? Chances are that if you were raised in the hood like I was, you will struggle with such a question.

Well, it’s not because kids raised in the hood – the Katuturas, Omulungas, Kuisebmonds and Tseiblaagtes of this world – have no imagination; it’s because we were raised with a completely different set of imagination than those boys from the suburbs.

Kids from the suburbs have a wild imagination – and so do their parents. Gary, an old school friend of mine, who recently graduated with a chartered accountant (CA) qualification is one such person with a wild imagination.

Ask Gary anything, and he is bound to come up with the most outrageous answer. For instance, I recently sat Gary down and told him I have some news to tell him.

“Don’t tell me… wait, I know! You just won the lottery and the two of us will go on a road trip across the world. We will rob banks, date women and just go nuts. I will change my name to Kiko and I will call you Dudu!”

Eish, I was only going to inform him that I bought a new exercise bicycle! Such a wild imagination!

It is people like Gary that allow their kids to have imaginary friends, with whom they do almost anything under the sun. Our kids from the hood will be staring at the suburbs’ kids in awe as the kid talks to his imaginary friend and even asks them to talk to him!

We had no imaginary friends – it was already enough keeping up with our fake friends who only came around when mommy dishes out the food! To be honest, we didn’t even know back then of the existence of such a thing as an imaginary friend.

Our imagination took us to other places – like actually believing that Daisy, the most sought-after girl at school was ours! Or that we look exactly like Denzel Washington and are the best thing to happen to girls since ‘Bu-Tone’. Ja, those were how far our imagination went.

Have you ever wondered why kids from the hood back in the day had difficulty understanding science fiction movies like E.T. and others? Well, our brain was not made to explore and actually believe the possibility that a dog could talk, or that a cat could fly!

Show us Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris and MacGyver anytime and we will actually believe that a man can fly through a hail of bullets. That, my friends, was our kind of imagination. In fact, I believe to this very day that nothing beats Chuck Norris – the man is just tough and nothing will get him down.

So, whenever a mother tells her kid, “You can be anything you set your mind to. Let the limits of your imagination be your only guide…”, we always giggled and whispered to ourselves that the mother had no idea what she is telling her kid.

Like, can someone really be anything, and anyone you want to be? At that moment we all looked at Chuck Norris on our TV screens and in unison shook our heads and broke down in uncontrollable laughter. To us, there can only one Chuck Norris.

But living in a world full of trials and tribulations, we are at times called upon to be creative with our imagination. For instance, if your ATM refuses to give you the amount you asked for due to insufficient funds, simply slip the card back in and imagine the money rolling out of the ATM.

In fact a little prayer will help too: “By the grace of the almighty God, God of Moses who helped him part the Red Sea, God of Abraham who held his hand when he was about to sacrifice his own son, please take away any evil cast upon this ATM. I declare and decree that no insufficient funds formed against me shall prosper. I decree that I will receive that N$1 000 I seek, in Jesus name I pray…”.

If nothing pops out by the time you open your eyes, then the ATM most probably had an imagination of its own too!

Until then…

tjatindi@gmail.com

Messing up education

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Messing up education Education is one of the most topical issues in our country. It goes without saying that education challenges in Namibia are deep-seated and can inevitably not be addressed in one year. Government has done well to provide access to many children of school-going age. However, the same cannot be said about the quality of education pupils receive in our country. On this score, we have been less successful. It is only through proper education that Namibia would easily mitigate the high levels of inequality simply because it will enable the majority poor to be employed or run their own businesses. We have argued over the years in our editorials that the measure of a nation is in turning education into an asset. We are saying this having observed that many decision-makers and those sitting at the high table have the privilege of sending their children to private schools where they receive the best schooling. The majority black poor children have nowhere near the same educational opportunities as those from privileged backgrounds. And we see these disparities in education significantly narrowing each year. The public education system is in ruins at the moment and this is compounded by the misplaced priorities of our government as far as spending is concerned. The recent announcement by the education ministry that government subsidies to learners at public schools would be cut by 50% from N$500 to N$250 per learner is a sign that there is little premium placed on the quality of education. We are talking about the loss of millions of dollars used to assist poor families, especially with the cost of textbooks. Schools and learners will be left worse off as up to four learners now have to share one textbook. The cutbacks also reverse the gains that were achieved through the implementation of the free primary and secondary education, with former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and the late education minister Abraham Iyambo playing a leading role. It is sad when government ventures into the business of low priorities with almost zero effect on Namibians, and yet does little to keep the dream of the Namibian child alive.

Closing the gap

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Closing the gapLandmark survey to unveil child HIV stats The first of its kind and only one of three in Africa, a survey on HIV in children and infants will be conducted in Namibia. A landmark HIV population survey aimed at closing a crucial data gap on the state of the HIV epidemic in Namibia and the impact of prevention, care and treatment will include the first in-depth analysis on HIV infection among infants and young children.

Of the more than 26 000 people targeted for interviews in 12 000 households during the fieldwork stage of the first Namibia population-based HIV Impact Assessment survey (Namphia), at least 6 000 will be children.

Although there are estimates available of HIV infection among young children and babies, experts say the survey will confirm whether the estimates are correct and help health workers and others to develop improved tools to help prevent infection and provide access to treatment.

Namphia is the first population-based survey of its nature in the country, and one of only three on the continent.

The survey aims to measure in detail the rate of new HIV infections in Namibia, the HIV prevalence by region and nationally, and the effectiveness of HIV treatments and responses.

To date, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia have conducted the same survey with the notable finding that adult HIV prevalence is higher in females than in males aged 15 to 59.

The survey “will help us better understand the epidemic, where to focus our efforts more, in order to concentrate our actions in our quest to intersect transmission of the virus and ultimately reducing or ending the epidemic,” Dr Bernhard Haufiku, the minister of health and social services, said this week.

He said although Namibia had taken many steps to ensure a broad-based and effective response to the epidemic, Namphia was “a welcome and long overdue process” as a critical data-gathering tool.

The data collection phase begins this week and will involve at least 500 fieldworkers, divided into 35 teams, including health professionals, who will conduct tablet-based data collection methods in addition to testing for HIV during the next six months of the ground-based phase of the survey.

All information will be handled with strict confidentiality and newly diagnosed participants will be provided referrals to treatment centres.

Although Namibia's HIV response has long been praised for its data-driven response and intervention, experts say the Namphia project will target key and unique aspects of the epidemic.

United States ambassador Thomas Daughton said Namphia would help Namibia “to cross that last gap” in order to achieve its goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation.

“In other words, for the last and hardest part of the journey, we need to use the power of more detailed data. We need more information because there are still things about the epidemic that we do not know and that we need to know,” Daughton said.

He said Namphia would help Namibia establish how it had performed in the fight against HIV.

“The fact that the survey also has an impressive prevention, treatment and care component that will have a positive impact on the epidemic is an added benefit.”

From the surveys conducted to date, it is known that some population groups are more at risk of HIV infection than others.

These include adolescent girls, who are two to five times more likely to be infected with HIV than boys of the same age.

It is also known that the health system does not retain all HIV-positive patients in treatment.

With the Namphia survey the goal is to understand how adolescent girls enter the HIV infection cycle in order to take more effective steps to prevent infection.

Moreover, the survey aims to find out why patients stop treatment and how to ensure they remain in treatment.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Ambulance driver charged with attempted rape

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ambulance driver charged with attempted rape A 43-year-old ambulance driver of the Okahandja State Hospital was arrested Wednesday on a charge of attempted rape of his 28-year-old female colleague.

The suspect appeared in the Okahandja Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Spokesperson of the Namibian police in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha yesterday told Nampa the suspect works with the complainant who is a nurse at the same hospital.

It is alleged that the driver went to the victim's room at the institution's nurses home on Friday at about 10:30.The nurse was off-duty that morning.

He allegedly entered the room, closed the door, grabbed the complainant and used force to undress her.

Mbeha noted that the victim allegedly resisted and screamed out loud, calling for help.

“During this struggle between the two, the cell phone of the suspect rang and the suspect allegedly dropped the victim to answer it,” she said.

The driver then allegedly exited the room and headed to the office.

The victim only opened the case of attempted rape on Wednesday at the Okahandja Police Station.

Police investigations continue.



NAMPA

Graduates urged to be innovative

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Graduates urged to be innovative President Hage Geingob has told graduates from the Namibia University of Science and Technology that they hold a very important key to the country’s development.

The head of state told graduates to be highly efficient and further implored them to be productive citizens.

“In every way, your country’s prosperity depends on your collective and personal contribution,” said Geingob who was speaking at the Nust graduation ceremony yesterday.

“Society has invested in you and you must re-invest your knowledge and energy in society. You are at crossroads in your lives. Many things await your engagement: opportunities, responsibilities, liabilities and risks. You are the workforce of today and tomorrow. Once you receive your respective diplomas and degrees, you will hold the key to our country’s development and prosperity,” he said.

The head of state also challenged graduates to be innovative as they enter the job market.

“To the graduants, I am confident to say that your educational, training and learning experience at Nust has been a time for discovery and self-development. We believe you have developed your intellect to analyse complex ideas and think ahead, innovate and lead people and institutions in a multi-cultural environment. The world of tomorrow is about thinking ahead, creativity, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation. These are important facts that should be easily recognisable as benchmarks of educated persons.”

In addition, the president said the country needed education Namibians to drive development and to maintain it at higher levels.

STAFF REPORTER

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SAS Amatola docks in Walvis Bay

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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SAS Amatola docks in Walvis Bay The South African high commissioner to Namibia, Yvette Myakayaka-Manzini, officially welcomed the South African navy’s first valour-class frigate, SAS Amatola, and its crew in the port of Walvis Bay on Wednesday.

Myakayaka-Manzini said South Africa played a leading role in contributing to peace and security on the African continent and had mediated and deployed troops through SADC and the AU in the DRC, Burundi, South Sudan, Lesotho, Central African Republic and Côte d’Ivoire.

“We remain committed to the AU objective of silencing the guns on the continent and bringing a better life to all and it is with this in mind that we welcome the SS Amatola to Walvis Bay,” she said.

Captain Francois Roux, the commander of the SAS Amatola, said the vessel departed from Simonstown on 16 January and visited Spain, Germany, England, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and Angola before arriving in Walvis Bay on 17 April.

“Our visit to Walvis Bay serves the purpose of strengthening the long-standing relations that exist between our nations. It forms part of a greater South African joint exercise called ‘Kethane’, which means ‘chain’. From here we will head home and conclude our deployment over the weekend.”

Commander Roux hailed the centenary commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi as the highlight of the diplomatic voyage.

The SS Mendi disaster is regarded as one of South Africa’s worst tragedies of the First World War. The troopship transported South African Native Labour Corps members to support the Allied efforts in France and collided with SS Darro. It sank and took 628 South African soldiers to their graves within 20 minutes in the English Channel on 21 February 1917.

Some of the relatives of the soldiers who perished accompanied the SAS Amatola and laid wreaths at the water grave. Royal Navy divers draped a South African flag over the wreckage and attached a plaque to it.

The SAS Amatola also participated in a British sea-training exercise and proceeded to Germany for exercise Good Hope VII with the German armed forces.

OTIS FINCK

Possible fraud at regional council

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Possible fraud at regional councilOmaheke accused of undisclosed assets Missing monies, over- and under-appreciation of assets and many other irregularities were highlighted in the audit of the Omaheke Regional Council. Where there is smoke, there is fire and the same may be true for the Omaheke Regional Council if auditor-general Junius Kandjeke’s comments are anything to go by.

In its audited report of the Omaheke Regional Council for the financial years ended 31 March for 2014 and 2015, the Office of the Auditor-General found that fixed assets were understated by N$19 million and depreciation overstated by N$3.6 million.

Assets amounting to N$1.2 million for 2015 and N$448 000 for 2014 were not disclosed in the financial statements.

It was also found that inventory goods amounting to N$7.1 million were not disclosed in the financial statements while differences amounting to N$1.9 million for 2015 and N$222 438 for 2014 were found between the trial balance and the financial statements.

Differences amounting to N$1.03 million for 2015 and N$35.9 million for 2014 were also found relating to its general ledger and bank statements.

“According to the management representation letter there is a possibility of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the financial statements and the operations of the entity. There were observations of irregularities involving management or employees that have a significant role in the accounting control systems or that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Not all the recorded expenditure transactions have been appropriately authorised during the years under review,” Kandjeke said.

In the audit opinion, he wrote: “In my opinion, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the basis for adverse audit opinion paragraph, the financial statements do not present fairly the financial position of the Omaheke Regional Council.”

Various statutory bodies, regional councils and local authorities also failed to submit their financial statements on time, and included the town council of Karasburg, the Zambezi and Ohangwena regional councils as well as the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund, which was allocated a whopping N$962 million with the just-recently tabled budget.

Other statutory bodies that failed to submit their financial statements included the National Youth Service, the National Arts Council, the Veterans Fund and National Heritage Council.

“The non-submission of financial statements hampers the execution of my mandate, causes unnecessary delays and as such I express my concern about this issue to the National Assembly. Another concern is the number of requests to the auditor-general, in terms of their respective acts, for extensions to submit financial statements, “Kandjeke said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Swapo cliques must end – Hausiku

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Swapo cliques must end – Hausiku The prevailing culture of cliques, entitlement and poor service delivery in the Swapo Party must stop, Swapo Party School rector Marco Hausiku said in a lecture at Keetmanshoop on Wednesday.

The mindset of greed would only destroy the party and the country when citizens finally revolted, the former deputy prime minister warned in his lecture to regional party delegates, who had gathered to celebrate Swapo's 57th anniversary.

“This materialistic mindset of thinking only about positions, money, tenders and bribes must end. We need to change if we are concerned about our country,” he said.

Hausiku emphasised that the future of Swapo lay in collective leadership and a change of mindset.

He said the party wanted to return to its former ideals of inclusiveness and tolerance in safeguarding a prosperous future for the country.

In an effort to do so, Swapo established the party school aiming to stimulate free debate, cultivate a culture of critical thinking and promote democratic principles, Hausiku elaborated.

“We need free thinkers who will find better ways of doing things in the country.”

Hausiku encouraged the party leaders to appreciate others' views and allow people to speak their minds openly.

“Clapping hands is not consensus. We need to talk, discuss and come to an understanding of each other's ideas. This will also help people discover themselves.”

Hausiku further emphasised the importance of providing quality service to citizens.

“If people don't get what they need because we only think of ourselves, then we have no right to expect of them to vote for us.”

He urged regional party and government representatives to take ownership of the party's ideology by developing district centres and presenting training programmes to other party members.

“We need to root out tribalism and factionalism collectively in the interest of unity and nationhood.”

He said the party school classes and outreach lectures would continue in the regions and at the main centre in Windhoek.

NAMPA

Pupil repeats grade five times

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Pupil repeats grade five timesEducation director to look into situation A northern school principal says he has refused to promote a 21-year-old pupil because he spends his times in bars instead of studying. The directorate of education in the Oshana Region has indicated that it will investigate a northern school principal for refusing to promote a learner who has spent five years repeating the same grade.

Nangolo Senior Secondary School principal Wilbard Nailenge has confirmed to Namibian Sun that he refused to promote a 21-year-old pupil, Simon Metumo, arguing that the pupil spent most of his time at bars. Metumo has spent five years in grade 9 at the school, while he also repeated grade eight twice.

However, Oshana deputy education director Gerhard Ndafenongo says it is against the government policy for a learner to repeat a grade more than once.

The automatic promotion policy has been a contentious one over the years and various schools have adopted internal policies on promoting learners who fail.

At some schools, the inspector of education promotes learners depending on the number of times they have repeated a certain grade.

Metumo told Namibian Sun that he joined the school in 2011, adding that he had been struggling with mathematics.

“For all those years I am only failing mathematics. With other subjects I am doing very well, but the school does not want me to go to grade ten. All I want is to at least go into grade ten and obtain a certificate,” Metumo said.

Nailenge, however, believes that Metumo is not ready to be promoted to the next grade, alleging that he spends most of his time gallivanting around shebeens instead of studying.

“I am from Ondangwa and I know Metumo and his parents. This boy is not serious with his schoolwork. At night I see him at bars and that is why he is not performing at school. I do not want him to go to grade ten and score low points and that is why he has to repeat,” Nailenge said.

Metumo's mother, Hambeleleni Paavo, says she has approached the school principal several times to complain, but was told the he is not ready.

“Some of the children he started school with have already graduated from university, while he is still struggling with grade nine. This has affected him mentally and has resorted to not spending time at home anymore,” she said.

Nailenge confirmed that Metumo's mother had approached him.

“There is nothing else I can do. I care for these children and that is why I do not want him to get destroyed by grade ten,” he said.

The inspector for Oluno Circuit, Levi Vries, and regional education director Hileni Amukana could not be reached for comment this week.

Ndafenongo, who said he was outside the region, promised to look into the matter upon his return.

“If that is true it is done against the education policy and I will follow it up with the inspector once I return to the region,” Ndafenongo said.





ILENI NANDJATO

Complaints to ACC drop

April 20, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Complaints to ACC drop The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigated 172 of the 401 allegations of corruption referred to it during the financial year 2015/16.

It forwarded 29 cases to the prosecutor-general, of which 13 were prosecuted.

The number of complaints received by the ACC had decreased by 6% from the previous financial year.

The commission referred all non-corruption cases to other authorities and 184 cases were closed without investigation.

The ACC says cases are closed because there are no reasonable grounds for investigating, or the matter is non-jurisdictional, or the matter is the subject of an investigation by another body, or the complaint is frivolous or vexatious.

The extent of the fraud in the cases referred to the PG's office amounted to more than N$27 million. Other notable cases under investigation by the ACC during 2015/16 involved amounts totalling N$132 million.

One of these cases involved eight public servants from the Ministry of Health and Social Services who had conspired to channel close to N$5 million into a bank account to which they had access.

At the Henties Bay municipality three private persons submitted fraudulent claims of N$788 995 that were paid out by corrupt officials.

The ACC reported that a prisoner had orchestrated a criminal scam involving N$20 000 from police cells where he was detained.

Two public servants at the Oshikoto regional council attempted to embezzle N$20 million from a toilet-construction project.

An employee of the Hardap regional council working in the Schlip constituency was accused of having misappropriated N$62 446 collected for water and electricity.

The ACC also investigated and charged Namibians and a group of Angolans who had connived to submit fraudulent value-added tax refund claims to the value of N$114 million. The accused were charged under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). The High Court has issued forfeiture orders totalling more than N$20 million against the accused.

There was also alleged corruption involving N$11 million at the former Polytechnic of Namibia, where forged documentation was used to allow students with outstanding debts to register.

A bribe of N$1 million was reportedly solicited at Unam for the awarding of a security contract.

A former employee at the Namibia Development Corporation was accused of fraud amounting to close to N$5 million.

The ACC forwarded documentation to the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the PG's office in order to restrain close to N$3 million that had been transferred into the bank account of an employee of August 26 Industries because the origin of the funds was suspicious.

CATHERINE SASMAN