Pohamba says plant local, buy local

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Pohamba says plant local, buy local The chancellor of the University of Namibia (Unam) and former president, Hifikepunye Pohamba has called on Namibians to put more effort in producing and buying local products.

He emphasised how economically satisfying it would be to the country.

During his speech at the graduation ceremony of Unam's four northern campuses Oshakati, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Ogongo and Jose Eduardo dos Santos on Thursday last week, Pohamba commended the Ogongo campus in the Omusati Region for promoting the production of food and food security as well as the Kalimbeza Rice Project in Zambezi, also pioneered by the campus.

“The campus further assists farmers in Omusati and other regions to grow both rice and mahangu, which is a good initiative in the direction of self-sustainability,” Pohamba added.

He said these deserve sustained support to ensure food self-sufficiency through the correct choice of crops, seeds, irrigation methods and agricultural mechanisation.

He also expressed satisfaction with the envisioned industrial park, which will fall under the university's faculty of engineering and information technology.

The park, which will be constructed on a piece of land made available by the Ondangwa Town Council in the Oshana Region, will also serve as a catalyst for large-scale industrial development and promotion of agricultural mechanisation.

Pohamba, who jokingly advanced the ending of his chancellor duties, congratulated the university, noting that the graduates it produces are indeed crucial in achieving the country's national development plans and socio-economic development.

“We are counting on you; the nation and indeed the world at large expects you to continue to work hard with commitment and professionalism in a meaningful way in all you do,” he advised.

A total of 697 students graduated from all four campuses, including 29 from the university's Centre of Distance Education Learning in Eenhana and five from Opuwo.

NAMPA

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Namibian drug mule appears tomorrow

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Namibian drug mule appears tomorrow The 33-year-old Namibian woman who has been arrested for smuggling cocaine into South Africa will appear in court tomorrow to make a formal bail application.

Lena de Waal was arrested last week Sunday at the O.R. Tambo International Airport while travelling from Sao Palo in Brazil.

In her luggage, the South African Hawks discovered 5kg of cocaine with a value of N$2 million.

The cocaine was wrapped in foil.

In a media statement, the spokesperson of the Hawks, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, confirmed the arrest and said that the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Unit was following up on information regarding a suspected drug mule who was reported to have boarded a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil the previous night.

According to Mulamu, a routine check was conducted at the check-in points and authorities recovered the cocaine in the suspect's luggage.

Investigations into the case are ongoing to establish what De Waal was doing in Brazil.

De Waal made her first court appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court last week Tuesday and was denied bail and remanded in custody. A few years ago, seven Namibian women were arrested after being found in possession of drugs in Brazil and were held in prisons in Sao Paolo. The women were between the ages of 20 and 40, and were arrested during 2011.

The women were allegedly trying to take the drugs out of that country for destinations in southern Africa.

At that time, the Namibian police said Namibian women were being used as drug couriers (mules) after they were recruited by foreign drug dealers operating in Namibia and neighbouring South Africa.







ELLANIE SMIT

Poverty budget to social and food provision

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Poverty budget to social and food provision A total of 98.7% of the poverty's ministry budget has been allocated towards social assistance, food provision and the implementation and coordination of special programmes.

According to the Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Bishop Zephania Kameeta, a total of N$3.23 billion of the ministry's N$3.27 billion budget has been allocated for this programme.

Kameeta said that the total number of beneficiaries for social grants stood at 204 025 by 31 March this year of which 16 832 are senior citizens and 39 193 are citizens with disabilities. According to him there was overall improvement in the total coverage of the social grants to beneficiaries with the coverage of grants to senior citizens that has improved to reach 99.7% of eligible beneficiaries. Coverage of citizens with disabilities now stands at 71%.

He also announced that the ministry will effect increases to social grants from N$1 100 to N$1 200 per month during the 2017 /18 financial year.

This increment is important and is expected to make a significant and positive impact in the poverty levels of the beneficiaries and their families. Earlier, DTA parliamentarian Elma Dienda said that the only unique initiative brought by the ministry of poverty has been the Food Bank Pilot Programme and it is not justified that the ministry receives a 14% increase in its budget allocation. During the budget contribution, Dienda said she already expressed concern last year over what the unique role is that the ministry performs. She said it is even less clear why a ministry had to be created to perform a crosscutting function that should be performed collectively by all ministries, offices and agencies. According to her an improvement in the provision of social services will not happen automatically just because a new ministry is created.

“Instead, what is needed is to strengthen the operational capacity of those ministries who have the potential to directly impact on the livelihoods and well-being of our people.”

Meanwhile Kameeta in his budget motivation said that some of the achievements that were made during the past financial year included that it has successfully started with the distribution of dry food items as part of the pilot project since July last year.

The number of households benefiting from this programme are 18 974 totalling 79 910 people. He also added that in support of the food bank activities the ministry has adopted the social street committee model from Cuba and is making mainly use of unemployed youth.

The food bank is currently being supported by 305 street committee members. “The main idea behind the street committee members is to empower the youth within their own localities not only to limit them to the distribution of food but to identify and engage them in social development programmes.”

ELLANIE SMIT

Omusati teachers' housing in limbo

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Omusati teachers' housing in limboMinistry awaits court's decision on the matter The termination of a contract to construct teachers' homes in Omusati Region now lies at the High Court while the schools wait in vain. The education ministry is waiting on the High Court's decision to decide what is to be done regarding the 34 housing units for teachers that are still not completed in the Omusati Region since 2013.

The education ministry's permanent secretary, Sanet Steenkamp told Namibian Sun that the ministry terminated the tender after the contractor Tandii Trading failed to complete the N$18.6-million project on time.

According to information obtained by Namibian Sun Tandii Trading was given a tender to construct an unspecified number of teachers' houses at various schools in the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. The ministry could not provide a clear answer if the unfinished houses are only in Omusati or also in other regions.

Namibian Sun was unable to get comment from Tandii Trading, but it is reported that the company took the matter to court after the ministry terminated their contract and allegedly refused to compensate them for the 95% of the work done. The ministry is of the view that the company breached the contract by not finishing the work on time.

It is reported that this tender was managed from the ministry's head office in Windhoek as the Omusati Education Directorate was not consulted about the project.

“This tender was subsequently terminated by the ministry after Tandii Trading cc fail to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe.

All these 34 houses throughout the Omusati Region's schools are standing at 95% completion,” Steenkamp said. “The matter is currently in court and until such a time that judgement is delivered, we cannot do anything to resolve that matter.”

School principals, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they don't know what is going on with the construction, as they were not given any role in the project, and they were never informed when the construction of the houses is expected to be completed.

“We were only tasked to identify the housing locations, which we did in conjunction with traditional authorities, and that is where our engagement with contractor and the regional office of education ended.

“The construction has been on and off, but nobody asked us about the progress. For a year now, the contractor has not visited the site. We don't know the status of the houses, as to what is missing, when they are expected to finish and when they are expected to be handed over to us.

There has been no regular communication from the regional office to us on the matter,” the principals said.

They added that the housing project had been welcomed as being of paramount importance to their schools, as housing is very challenging in remote areas, because whenever they are recruiting, the first thing potential teachers ask them is if accommodation is available.

“This is the reason why schools in remote areas are only full of unqualified teachers.

Qualified teachers are going to schools in town or where there are accommodations. Even the qualified teachers we had have transferred to those schools.”

ILENI NANDJATO

Rehoboth councillor arrested

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rehoboth councillor arrested A Rehoboth councillor was arrested for breaching a protection order last week.

It is alleged that the councillor, whose identity has not been made public, on Wednesday at about midnight, went to the house where his wife lives and broke the windows and the door.

When he saw his wife calling the police, it is alleged he fled from the scene.

He was arrested on Thursday between 15:00 and 16:00, for breaching the protecting order that his wife took out against him. In another incident that occurred between 10 and 18 April at a commercial farm Nuwerus which is about 65km south of Usakos, a case of stock theft was reported.

According to the police, 20 cattle worth N$100 000 were stolen. The suspects are unknown and investigations are continuing. The police are appealing to anyone with information regarding this stock theft case to call the nearest police station in Erongo. Also on Thursday at about 18:00, a 50-year-old resident from Maltahöhe was arrested and detained after he allegedly chased and slaughtered three goats. Passers-by apparently saw him going into a field in the morning with gunny bags and he was seen chasing goats and he allegedly slaughtered three of them. The police are investigating the matter. In another incident, a government vehicle and a Toyota bakkie were involved in a head-on-collision on Thursday at around 18:00 at Omahanda village. The accident occurred on the main road between Eenhana and Oshigambo when the driver of the government vehicle apparently tried to avoid bumping a donkey and collided with the oncoming bakkie. Four people including the driver were in the government vehicle. Two passengers, a 33-year-old and 68-year-old man sustained serious injuries, while the third passenger a 58-year-old female was slightly injured.

The driver escaped unhurt. In the Toyota bakkie, a 49-year-old man sustained serious injuries and was transferred to Ondangwa Private Hospital while the other 28-year-old passenger and the driver were slightly injured.



ELLANIE SMIT

Hage: Swapo is for the people

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Hage: Swapo is for the peopleParty milestones celebrated in Otjiwarongo President Hage Geingob spoke passionately about Swapo's legacy and its way forward at the party's 57th birthday celebrations over the weekend. Nearly 1 000 members of Swapo on Saturday gathered to celebrate the 57th birthday of the party at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region. Party colours, blue, red and green abounded and Otjiwarongo was painted Swapo over the weekend. The main event was held at the Mokati Sports Stadium.

Several local musicians and the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe entertained the audience with music.

President Hage Geingob, who is also party president, delivered the key message, calling on Namibians to unite and fight economic inequality amongst themselves.

“Our 57th birthday celebration is a celebration for all Namibians because it is the Swapo-Party which delivered the ultimate gift to the people of Namibia, the gift of liberation,” said Geingob.

He said the party has always been a people's organisation since its formation on 19 April 1960.

“Swapo has entrenched itself in the Namibian psyche as the only party that can truly call itself a party of the people. It is a party which is inclusive and welcomes all Namibians.”

Geingob explained that Swapo was founded as a political movement and spearheaded by people who engineered the political liberation of the country from colonial occupation.

He furthermore said Swapo's main objective was to ensure the liberation of the country by means of political, diplomatic and military efforts.

He said during the liberation struggle, the party fought for the interests of all Namibians, adding that it will continue to do so in order to bring about economical emancipation for all.

Geingob quoted legendary Che Guevara of Cuba, “I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves.

“As we move forward, let us be ready to face the challenges that lie ahead of us and let us not face these challenges as individuals or groups,” he said.

He elaborated on the history of the party discussing the contract labour system which led to the formation of the Owambo People's Congress in 1957 in Cape Town by Emile Apollus, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and Andreas Shipanga. At its core, it mandate to was remove the labour system and to get Namibia under United Nations trusteeship.

Swapo was formed on 19 April 1960 and the plight of the Namibian people was brought to the United Nations. After 1966, the armed struggle was taken up when the International Court of Justice, following a technicality, did not rule on the legality of South Africa's occupation of Namibian. On 26 August of that year, the armed struggle was born, Geingob said.

“Swapo fought for the interests of all Namibians and after independence, Swapo continues to fight for the interests of all Namibians.” Speaking on the continuing legacy of the party, Geingob said that times for former liberation movements are difficult.

“We are living in a time when former liberation movements are under attack from all kinds of enemies, both internal and external. It is only unity amongst comrades and cadres that will ensure we continue to evolve as a peoples' movement.”

He continued by saying that although “we face many challenges, no pressure, not strain can wipe away 57 years of milestones, successes and most importantly, camaraderie.”

He highlighted the role played by founding president Sam Nujoma saying it was his inclusiveness and reconciliatory approach which allowed peace to thrive in Namibia.

Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba also thanked founding President Sam Nujoma and former Head of State, Hifikepunye Pohamba for their excellent leadership that brought peace and stability to the country.

STAFF REPORTER

7de Laan squatters to appeal against ruling

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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7de Laan squatters to appeal against ruling The shack dwellers of the 7de Laan informal settlement, who were ordered by the Windhoek High Court to vacate the area they were illegally occupying, are appealing the court's ruling.

Lawyer for the 15 illegal squatters Kadhila Amoomo on Friday submitted a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court at the High Court Registrar's office.

In the notice, the 15 applicants, who were two weeks ago given an ultimatum for 28 April to vacate the open area alongside 7de Laan informal area, are appealing to the Supreme Court against the entire judgement and its orders.

High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele two weeks ago delivered the ruling in respect of an urgent application brought by the group following the demolition of some of their shacks by City Police officers.

Ueitele dismissed the application after the aggrieved people could not provide the court with valid proof that they had been living in the area for the past three years prior to the City Police's demolition of their shacks on 28 and 29 March this year.

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, representing the group, argued in papers before court that the demolition was unlawful as the City Police officers did not have an eviction order from the court. The High Court had earlier, before the AR brought this case, granted an interim order that no further evictions and demolition of shacks should take place until the case had been heard. It was also ordered that the confiscated property of the evicted people be returned to them. However, the police argued that they did not need a court order to evict residents who were found erecting shacks illegally on municipal land. They stated they demolished shacks that were in the process of being erected. The City Police had emphasised if members of the public are found erecting and occupying land illegally, those structures would be taken down without any court order. Immediately after the incident, the Swapo Party Youth League accused the Windhoek City Council and municipality of inhumane and oppressive treatment of vulnerable residents, as well as potentially costing the ruling party votes during elections.

They listed numerous recent actions by City authorities, including the “ill-advised, inhumane demolishing of shacks in the 7de Laan informal and black-majority inhabited areas of the city, the deliberate closure of the car washes in Katutura, and the forceful removal of enterprising youth from their livelihoods and places where they trade their skills instead of stealing or loitering on the streets.

The SPYL had claimed that the City Police had acted “outside of the law” when they ordered the dismantling of at least 10 shacks around 7de Laan saying it was illegal to destroy a “fixed structure without a court order.”

However City Police Chief Abraham Kanime had said that in the view of the police, the actions were preventive and had taken place before occupation was final.



FRED GOEIEMAN

SPYL fight gets vicious

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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SPYL fight gets viciousNgurare must behave, warns Mbumba The battle for the SPYL soul is far from over, almost a year after a court ruled in favour of youth leaders Elijah Ngurare and Job Amupanda. The fight for control of the Swapo Party Youth League is about to get uglier, following developments over the weekend that saw youth leader Elijah Ngurare notifying regional structures and SPYL members that he has resumed his duties as the league's secretary.

This, he says, will result in him chairing the national executive committee, central committee and the upcoming congress of the youth league, which will precede the elective congress of the mother body.

Ngurare, whose two letters, were distributed widely on social media at the weekend, also gave acting SPYL secretary Veikko Nekundi until this Saturday to hand over the office keys of the SPYL office. “By now you have seen and read my notification dated 20 April 2017, and I am mindful that the constitutional quagmire, that SPYL has found itself in over the past two years since our illegal expulsion, cannot be blamed on you entirely,” Ngurare wrote to Nekundi, instructing him to include congress resolutions of the Swapo Party Pioneers Movement and that of the 2012 SPYL congress to the agenda for Saturday's central committee meeting. “Finally in reference to my 20 April 2017 note, I should like to meet you at the SPYL national headquarters before 29 April 2017 so that you can hand over the office keys. Thank you for your assistance to the office during my absence.”



Leadership tussle

The SPYL now faces a leadership tussle in the coming days, underlining many of the divisions within the ruling party, especially ahead of its November 2017 much-anticipated congress.

Nekundi yesterday declined to comment on the latest developments, saying he would talk on the issue today. Swapo secretary-Nangolo Mbumba emphatically denounced Ngurare's behaviour, labelling him provocateur. “What Ngurare is doing now is to try and confuse and harass the youth. I am just urging the youth to stand strong and not listen to him. He was given a chance to lead the youth, but he spoiled it himself by not following the party rules,” said Mbumba.

“If he wants to lead them again, he must start over again and start behaving. Ngurare is not going to do anything and he will not come back to the office. He is just trying to provoke.”



Not giving up

Ngurare told Namibian Sun yesterday that he was not seeking any permission from the youth league to be reinstated, but was mainly informing members of his decision and action, arguing that the 23 April 2016 court ruling by after Acting Judge Collins Parker was clear on their reinstatement. Ngurare, along with then SPYL spokesman Job Amupanda as well as youth leaders George Kambala and Ndimbulukweni Nauyoma were expelled from the ruling party in July 2015 for their involvement in the Affirmative Repositioning Movement affairs, who presented various land demands to the authorities. The four took the ruling party to court, claiming that it did not follow the correct disciplinary procedures before dismissing them. They were reinstated on 23 April 2016 after Parker found that the party circumvented its own constitution and disciplinary code when it expelled the four. Swapo was also ordered to pay 60% of the four's legal costs and reinstate them as fully-fledged Swapo members. Ngurare argued yesterday that there was a natural expectation that the party would adhere to the court ruling. “The court will not give order as to what the party must do. It is an irrelevant discussion whether the court ruled that we must be reinstated back into our positions or just in the party. We were waiting for them to do their part and get us back into our position by themselves, but they failed. We are now doing a constitutional right to get my position back,” he said. “The court said those whose positions were already filled during the suspension, like for Kambala and Nauyoma, who were serving at district level, must be reinstated as ordinary members. But for Job and I who were elected by the congress were to be reinstated back into our positions.”



Guidance

The outspoken Ngurare, who is not eligible to stand as SPYL secretary at the next congress, added that the purpose of his communication was to guide and unite the divided youth ahead of the SPYL elective congress billed for August. “My intention is not to leave my Unam job and go hold the secretary position, but I just don't want to be selfish that I am having a Unam job so I must not do anything for the benefit of the future generation. Politburo has no say on SPYL matters. We were elected by the SPYL congress to lead them, but not by politburo. We are working toward the constitution to prepare the future generation. Our leaders must put constitution first before their emotion. Job and I will attend the August elective congress.”



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Ohangwena governor kills pedestrian

April 23, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ohangwena governor kills pedestrian
The Oshikoto police are investigating a case of culpable homicide involving Ohangwena’s governor, Usko Nghaamwa, who is charged with hitting a 20-year-old male pedestrian and killing him instantly. In the incident is said to have taken place this morning at around 01:00 on the Ondangwa-Omuthiya main road. Read the full story in tomorrow’s edition.
KENYA KAMBOWE

Flights diverted due to bad weather

April 24, 2017, 1:46 am

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Flights diverted due to bad weather Windhoek-bound international flights had to divert to the Walvis Bay Airport this morning due to bad weather experienced at the Hosea Kutako International Airport. Air Namibia spokesperson, Paul Nakawa confirmed this, saying that it was not only Air Namibia flights that were diverted but all Windhoek-bound international flights that flew into Hosea Kutako this morning. At present, nine different airlines use the Hosea Kutako International Airport to service their flights. Flight schedules for all the nine airlines flying into Windhoek showed that at least eight flights were affected because of the bad weather experienced at the airport.

Geingob to open Zim trade fair

April 24, 2017, 9:12 am

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Geingob to open Zim trade fair
President Hage Geingob will undertake a two-day state visit to Zimbabwe from Wednesday this week, where he is expected to among others officiate at the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Friday. According to the presidency, Geingob will also address Zimbabwean businesspeople in Harare. He will also be part of the Namibia-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation diplomatic talks. “The visit is expected to be an opportunity for further strengthening existing relations between Namibia and Zimbabwe and to consider new possible areas of cooperation,” said presidency spokesperson Albertus Aochamub. First Lady Monica Geingos, ministers of international relations, trade, works, gender, businesspeople and senior government officials will accompany the president.

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Basson praises future stars

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Basson praises future starsSuccess waits for young players The Namibia under-20 national team played some of the best rugby at the just-ended Barthes Cup tournament. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) president Bradley Basson has praised the national under-20 rugby team for winning the Barthes Cup.

The team trounced Kenya 66-24 in the final of the competition in Madagascar over the weekend.

Namibia first defeated Madagascar 66-7 before going on to beat the Kenyans in the tournament.

Basson felt that the results were a sign that the senior national team would have plenty of talent to select from in the future.

“The NRU and the entire board would like to congratulate the under-20 team for winning the competition.

“We would also like to thank the players, coaches and everyone who made this trip to Madagascar a success,” Basson said.

The president emphasised the importance of this victory, stating that the future of rugby in the country would be determined by these young players.

Basson hinted that commitment from these players could earn them surprise call-ups to the senior teams.

“I would also like to encourage these young boys to continue doing well for the nation.

“Their hard work will possibly earn some of them places in the senior national team as we are busy with the Currie Cup competition.

“We know that the world cup is not so far away and therefore it will be good for us to have a number of options to select from,” he said.

The team’s focus now shifts to the World Rugby Junior Trophy to be staged in Uruguay in August this year.

The last time the team participated in that competition they ended fourth in Zimbabwe last year.

Basson hopes for more trophies from the junior team in order to improve the standard of Namibian rugby.

Geingob congratulates boxer

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Geingob congratulates boxer SPORT REPORTER

President Hage Geingob yesterday met and congratulated the unified light-welterweight world boxing champion Julius Indongo at State House.

The boxer had previously met the president before travelling to Glasgow, Scotland, to fight Ricky Burns.

Indongo made history when he became the first Namibian to hold world titles from two different sanctioning bodies and is now the only triple world champion in Africa.

The boxer was accompanied by his team from the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing Academy. His coach and promoter, Nestor Tobias, said after Indongo’s fight in Glasgow the president took time from his busy schedule to phone the team and congratulate them on the win.

Tobias said it was an honour to get a call from the State House.

“It’s everyone’s dream to receive that call. It’s an encouragement for youth doing sport and amateur boxers to do well in their sport.”

Tobias added that the mayor of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua, had promised the boxer that a street would be named after him soon.

“We are looking forward to that day because the guy is a hero,” he said.

Sharapova back in business

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Sharapova back in business Tennis sensation Maria Sharapova returns tomorrow after a 15-month doping ban.

The poster girl of women's tennis won't necessarily be welcomed back with open arms by rivals who were already suspicious of the towering Russian's ice-cold detachment even before her fall from grace.

However, Sharapova isn't losing any sleep as the 30-year-old prepares for her first match since being defeated by Serena Williams in the 2016 Australian Open quarter-finals

“That is the least of my concerns. I know that I am respected in my field. I see it in how my opponents play against me,” said Sharapova

Sharapova, who starts her Stuttgart campaign against Italian veteran Roberta Vinci, had been taking an over-the-counter cardiac supplement when it was within the rules, but it was later reclassified as a prohibited drug.

Far from being remorseful, Sharapova recently hit out at tennis authorities for failing to give her sufficient warning that meldonium had become a banned substance.

The Russian will step onto centre court at 16:30 GMT tomorrow and could not have picked a better tournament for her return, having won the Stuttgart title three times, and suffering just one defeat.

Radwanska, the sixth seed in Stuttgart, expects a 'fierce' return from the Russian, but says Sharapova should have had to qualify on merit rather than being given a free pass on a wild card.

“This kind of entry into the tournament should apply to players who dropped in the ranking because of injury, illness or some other random event. Not for those suspended for doping,” said Radwanska.

Sharapova's agent Max Eisenbud believes his client's rivals are motivated solely by jealousy especially with Sharapova battling also for a French Open wild card.

Sharapova can expect plenty of support from the Stuttgart organisers as her return is the highlight in the tournament's 40th anniversary celebrations.

Tournament director Markus Guenthardt knows her presence will boost ticket sales.

“Her return in the Porsche Arena is a fabulous present for our fantastic spectators and is certain to be one of the sporting and emotional highlights of our anniversary tournament,” he said.

As well as Radwanska, many of her other potential Stuttgart rivals have made it clear they disapprove of her getting a helping hand into the main draw.

Germany's Angelique Kerber, this year's top seed and the only player to have beaten Sharapova in Stuttgart, said her place should have gone to local talent.

“It's a German tournament, and we [have] so many good German players, so this is also a little bit strange,” said Kerber.

“It's also strange for the players that she can walk on site on Wednesday and she can play on Wednesday.”

Dominika Cibulkova, the third seed, claims Sharapova is benefiting from unfair treatment.

“It's not about her, but everyone who was doping should start from zero,” said the Slovakian.

NAMPA/AFP

Nam archer impresses

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Nam archer impressesBronze medal for young archer Junior archer Dirk de Bod won a bronze medal at the recent European Youth Cup Marathon in Greece. The European Youth Cup Marathon ended in Greece on Saturday and Dirk de Bod managed to bag a bronze medal for Namibia.

The junior archer took part in the championship, which is the most prestigious competition on the youth-archery calendar. De Bod competed in a group of 300 participants from 29 countries.

The 14-year-old Windhoek Gymnasium pupil shot 1/8 eliminations against top seed Sebastian Osnowski from Belgium on Thursday and won with 111 points against 105.

He then shot in the semi-finals against fourth-seeded Giovanni Abbati from Italy. That competition proved to be more of a challenge for the youngster, as he lost by one point. That meant that Abatti went through to the gold-medal match and De Bod had to shoot for bronze or settle for fourth place.

Saturday's match against 10th-seeded Kai Thomas-Prause from Great Britain proved an easy win for De Bod as he sailed through the match and won comfortably with a nine-point margin.

The participants used the tournament as preparation for next year's European Youth Championships, and also served as quota tournament for the 2018Youth Olympics. Team coach Frank Reddig said it was a great first international competition for the youngster.

“We expect to see great things from him in the future. It was a great learning experience for the whole team and we are sure that we are on the right path preparing youngsters for more international events.” De Bod will have an opportunity to add another medal to his cabinet when he competes in the African Regional Field Archery Championships (ARFAC) at Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek from 29 April to 1 May.

Eighty-three archers between the ages of 10 and 72 have registered for the competition in preparation for the World Championships to be hosted in South Africa in October 2018. Athletes from South Africa, Botswana and Zambia will participate against the best of Namibia.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Pohamba a pula eyambidhidho lyaanafaalama moshilongo

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Pohamba a pula eyambidhidho lyaanafaalama moshilongo Pethimbo lyoshituthipito shaailongi miiputudhilo yaUnam monooli yoshilongo, omupresidende nale Hifikepunye Pohamba okwa popi kombinga yompumbwe yomayambidhidho gaanafaalama aashona monooli.

Omuleli nale oshowo chancellor gwoUniversity of Namibia (Unam) ngoka ta thigi po oshipundi, Hifikepunye Pohamba, okwa pula iiputudhilo moshilongo yi gandje omakwatho kaanafaalama aashona.

Pohamba, okwa tseyitha woo kutya oshikako she onga chancellor gwaUnam otashi thiki pehulilo muNovemba gwonuumvo nadhoka okwe dhi popi mOngwediva oshiwike sha piti.

Omapopyo gaPohamba oga ningwa pethimbo mpoka aanafaalama monooli taya nyenyeta kutya epangelo itali ya tala.

Aanamapya mboka oya popi kutya kaye na mpoka taya landitha iilongomwa yawo yomomapya niikunino yawo sho epangelo lya ndopa okupitika iiputudhilo yepangelo yi vule okulanda iilongomwa yawo nonando epangelo otali ya tsu omukumo ya pungule iimaliwa yawo muunafaalama.

“Ondali nda nyanyukwa noonkondo sho nda talelepo opoloyeka yaKalimbeza Rice Project moKavango West. Aanafaalama mboka otaya longo olwishi oluwanawa ihe onda uvu nayi sho nda lombwelwa kutya aanangeshefa inaya hala okulanda olwishi ndoka nokuyambidhidha aanafaalama mboka. Shoka natango otashi ningilwa aanafaalama mboka taya longo iihape ya yooloka momudhingoloko nguka,” Pohamba a popi.

Pohamba okwa popi kutya otaka pula epangelo opo iiputudhilo ayihe yepangelo yi tameke okuyambidhidha aanafaalama mboka. Okwa pandula woo oshikondo shoondholongo kutya ohashi longo iikulya yasho yene.

“Omolwashike wu na okulanda pondje yoshilongo iinima mbyoka hayi longwa moshilongo shaandjeni?Otwa pumbwa okuyambidhidha aantu yetu. Otandi ka popya nepangelo opo li tameke okulongitha iilongomwa yaakwashigwana yomoshilongo.”

Aanafaalama mboka taya longo kohi yoopoloyeka dhepangelo, aanafaalama yopaumwene oshowo mboka taya longo kohi yoFarmers Union (NNFU), ayehe taya longele monooli oya popi kutya iiputudhilo yepangelo otayi ya tongola.

Oya popi kutya epangelo olya toto po oAgro-Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA) moRundu oshowo mOngwediva opo andola ku yambulwepo iikunwa yawo ihe AMTA naye ke na ongeshefa niinima yawo ohayi ningilemo nayi moompungulilo dhaAMTA.

Oya popi kutya omalanditho gaNamibia oguudha iinima ya za pondje yoshilongo unene moSouth Afrika oshowo moofaalama dhoongeshefa moshilongo.

Olushandja Farmers Association, ongundu yaanafaalama yopaumwene pOndama yaLushandja oshowo oNNFU, oya popi kutya iiputudhilo yepangelo ngaashi omihandjo, iipangelo noondholongo ihayi yambidhidha aanafaalama mboka.

Oya popi kutya omahangano ngoka haga gandja iikulya kiiputudhilo mbyoka ohaga landa iikulya pondje yoshilongo nenge kaanafaalama mboka yeli meni lyomusinda omutiligane.

Menindjela gwomalanditho moAMTA Sackeus Enkono, okwa tsu kumwe naanafaalama yomOlushandja.

“Aanafaalama ohaya e ta iilongomwa yawo kutse opo tuya landithile nena oshi li oshinakugwanithwa shomahangano ngoka haga gandja iikulya kepangelo opo ya lande okuza kutse ihe ohaya ka landa owala iinima yawo kaanafaalama yomeni lyomusinda omutiligane nenge koSouth Afrika. Shika otashi shunitha pevi aanafaalama yetu mboka taya longo iinima ya faathana ihe itaya pewa eyambidhidho,” Enkono ta ti.

Okwa tsikile kutya opo iinima kayi ningile nayi moompungulilo dhawo nena aanafaalaa mboka ohaya ka landitha momatala nokukala ishewe taya iyeke ookastoma nookastoma dhawo ndhoka dhili aalandithi nale yomomapandaanda. Aanafaalama yoGreen Scheme otaya mono omayambidhidha gopashimaliwa okuza kepangelo oshowo omayambidhidho galwe ihe oyeli muupyakadhi wafaathana naamboka yomOlushandja. Monena otaya longo owala omatama, oonyasha niinima yilwe opo ya vule okukalnditha momapandanda.

Aanafaalama yoNNFU miitopolwa ngaashi Zambezi, Kavango East noWest, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati naKunene oya tsakanene mOngwediva omvula ya piti na oya popi kutya oya pumbwa ehala lyokulongela onyama yawo ihe otaya uvithwa nayi kuMeatco.

Pahapu dhawo, Meatco okwa totwapo kompango yopaliamende opo a vule okugandja omakwatho kaanafaalama mboka ihe ngashiingeyi ehangano ndyoka otali longo onga ehangano lyopaumwene.

Oya lundile ehangano ndyoka kutya otali gandja owala uuwanawa kaanafaaalama yomuumbugantu womusinda omutiligane na olya simaneka owala etumo lyonyama momalanditho gopondje ihe kali na ko nasha nomalanditho gomoshilongo.



ILENI NANDJATO

Olugodhi mewawa lyoSPYL ta lu tsikile

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Olugodhi mewawa lyoSPYL ta lu tsikile Ngurare niihumbate nawa, Mbumba a gunu Olugodhi kombinga ya kutya olye ta kwatele komeho oSwapo Party Youth League olwa tameke ishewe mehuliloshiwike lya piti, sha landula sho omuleli gwaanyasha Elijah Ngurare a tseyithile omalelo gopashitopolwa oshowo iilyo yoSPYL kutya ota tameke ishewe iilonga ye onga amushanga gwewawa mongundu.

Shika otashi keetiha oye a kale omunashipundi gwelelo lyopombanda mewawa ndyoka pethimbo lyokongressa onene yewawa , ndjoka tayi kwa kwatela komeho omahogololo gelelo epe lyewawa.

Oombaapila mbali ndhoka dha shangwa kuNgurare, odha topolwa komapandja gomakwatathano gopainternet mehuliloshiwike lya piti na okwa gandja elombwelo kwaangoka ta longo pehala lyamushanga gwoSPYL Veikko Nekundi opo a kala a gandja ooshapi dhombelewa .

“Ngashiingeyi owa lesha omukanda gwandje ngoka gwa shangwa momasiku 20 gaApilili 2017 na ondi wete kutya onkalo moka mwiiyadha SPYL uule woomvula mbali dha piti, sha landula sho twa kuthwa miilonga shaaheli pampango itayi vulu okukupelwa ombedhi,” Ngurare a shanga.

Ngurare okwa tseyithile woo Nekundi opo a tulemo iikundathana yokongressa yomo-2012 yewawa ndyoka momusholondondo gwiikundathana yomutumba gwelelo ngoka gwa ningwa mOlyomakaya.

“Hugunina mombaapila yandje yomomasiku 20 gaApilili 2017 onda hala ndi ku lombwele opo tu tsakanene poombonge oonene dhoSPYL omanga omasiku 29 gaApilili inaga thikana opo wu pendje ooshapi dhombelewa. Tangi unene sho wa yambidhidha ndje miilonga yandje pethimbo ndyoka nda kala kandi li mombelewa.”



Oontamanana dhuleli

Ngashiingeyi SPYL okwa taalela oontamanana dhelelo lyewawa ndyoka muule womasiku twa taalela nokweetitha natango omaatopokauko ngoka geli nale mongundu tayi pangele, unene sho kwa tegelelwa ku ningwe okongresa yomahogololo gaaleli mongundu ndjoka muNovemba nuumvo.

Nekundi okwa tindi okupopya sha kombinga yonkalo ndjoka na okwa ti otaka vula owala okutya mOmaandaha.

Amushanga gwoSwapo, Nangolo Mbumba okwa nyana omaihumbato gaNgurare ta ti: “Shoka Ngurare ta ningi ngashiingeyi okungwangwaneka aanyasha. Otandi indile aanyasha ya kale ya nkondopala nokukala itaya pulakene kwaashoka ta popi. Okwa li a pewa ompito yokulela aanyasha ihe okwe yi dhanene yemwene molwaashoka ina hala okulandula oompango dhongundu.”

“Ngele okwa hala okulela ishewe okwa pumbwa okutamekulula nokwiihumbata nawa. Ngurare ke na shoka ta vulu okuninga na ita galukile mombelewa, okwa hala owala okuhinda.”



Kapena okusholola

Ngurare okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya ita kongo epitikilo okuza kewawa lyaanyahsa opo a shune miilonga ihe okwa tseyithile ewawa lyaanyasha kombinga yetokolo lye noompangela dhe. Okwa popi kutya momasiku 23 gaApilili 2016, etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kOmupeha Omupanguli Omunene Collins Parker olya yela kombinga yeshuno lyawo miilonga.

Ngurare, pamwe nomupopiliko gwoSPYL Job Amupanda oshowo aaleli yalwe yaanyasha George Kambala naNdimbulukweni Nauyoma oya li ya tidhwa kongundu tayi pangele muJuli gwo-2015, omolwa ekuthombinga lyawo mehwahwameko lyoAffirmative Repositioning Movement ndyoka tali pula egandjo lyevi kaakwashigwana okuza komalelo goondoolopa.

Mboka yane oya fala ongundu oSwapo kompangu, taya popi kutya inaku landulwa omilandu sho mboka ya tidhwa mongundu .Oya shunwa mongundu momasiku 23 gaApilili mo-2016 sha landula etokolo lyopampangu ndjoka lya ningwa kuParker, ndyoka lya koleke kutya inaku landulwa omilandu sho mboka yane ya tidhwa.

Swapo okwa pewa elombwelo opo mboka ya shunwe mongundu ye ta futu oopresenda 60 dhiifuta yopaveta yaanyasha mboka.

Ngurare okwa popi kutya oya kala ya tegelela opo ongundu yi ya shune miilonga na okwa popi kutya kashi na oshilonga okukundathana kutya Ompangu oya pula owala ya shunwe mongundu ihe inayi tya sha ngele otaya shuwa miilonga yawo nale.

Okwa popi kutya oya kala ya tegelela ongundu yi tule miilonga ombinga wo nokuya shuna miilonga yawo ihe oya ndopa. Ngurare okwa popi kutya ngashiingeyi otaya ningi shoka tashi uthwa kEkotampango, nokushuna miilonga yawo.

“Ompangu oya popi kutya mboka omahala gawo ga tulwa nale aantu ngaashi Kambala naNauyoma mboka yali taya longele poonkatu dhopaikandjo naya shunwe mo mongundu onga iilyo ihe tse naJob mboka twa hogololwa mokongressa otatu shuna poompito dhetu.”



Ewiliko

Ngurare, ngoka itaka vula we okukutha ombinga methigathano lyomahogololo guuleli wewawa ndyoka okwa popi kutya elalakano lyoombaapila ndhoka a shanga okukwatela komeho nokweeta pamwe iilyo yoSPYL mbyoka ya topoka, pethimbo ndyoka kwa tegelelwa ku ningwe omutumba gwomahogololo gaaleli taya landula.

“Elalakano lyandje kali shi andola okuthiga po iilonga yandje yaUnam nokukala amushanga gwewawa ihe inandi hala owala ndi kale ndiihole ngame mwene molwaashoka ondi na iilonga yaUnam itandi ningi we sha shoka tashi ka gandja uuwanawa monakuyiwa yaanyasha. Otwa li twa hogololwa koSPYL opo tuya lele ihe hakelelo lyoSwapo. Otatu longo meni lyekotampango naaleli yetu naya simaneke ekotampango pehala lyokwiihumbata pamaiyuvo gawo.

Job nangame otatu ka kala mokongressa ndjoka tayi ningwa muAguste.”



ONZO-NKUNDANA YOMENI

Production bolstered

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Production bolsteredOperation Werengendje in second stage About 2 000 hectares are expected to be ploughed under Operation Werengendje according to Kavango East governor Samuel Mbambo. The food-production programme Operation Werengendje is in its second stage, Kavango East governor Samuel Mbambo said on Friday.

Mbambo was briefing vice-president Dr Nickey Iyambo on the state of the region. Iyambo is visiting the Kavango East and West regions on a familiarisation tour that started Thursday and ends today.

Iyambo was accompanied by minister of agriculture, water and forestry John Mutorwa, deputy minister of environment and tourism Tommy Nambahu and senior officials from the Office of the President.

Mbambo explained that the programme aimed to plough about 2 000 hectares.

N$600 000 for the implementation of Operation Werengendje was donated by the Namsov Community Trust and Fishcor Namibia.

The programme was initiated by Mbambo towards the end of last year to assist and inspire residents of the region to produce their own crops to become self-sufficient and ensure food security.



Werengendje means 'termite'

“Werengendje has several stages, namely ploughing, weeding, harvesting and marketing. It is now at the end of its second stage, which is weeding,” the governor explained.

He said the impact of Operation Werengendje was evident and could be seen by anyone driving through the constituencies where it was implemented.

Mbambo informed the delegation that the programme would end with a Food Expo to be held from 7 June to 9 June.

“We are now planning to visit neighbouring countries to learn more about food production. The country we have in mind is Zimbabwe and the province we want to visit is Mashonaland West,” he added.

The region planned to sign a twinning agreement with the province of Mashonaland.

“I am planning to lead a delegation within the first half of this year on a familiarisation visit if finance for this trip is available,” Mbambo said.

After consultations with the governor, Iyambo visited the Swapo Party regional office, called on the chief of the Mbunza Traditional Authority, Alfons Kaundu, and visited the Sikondo Irrigation Scheme in the Kavango West Region.

NAMPA

Liberty's Standard nexus

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Liberty's Standard nexus One thing that is not changing, for better or worse, is Liberty's relationship with Standard Bank, says Standard Bank group joint chief executive officer (CEO) Sim Tshabalala.

Tshabalala is very happy with the current level of holding in Liberty at a little over 50%. He is adamant that neither a buyout and delisting, nor an unbundling is being considered.

“Growing up, I remember that while Checkers was generic for plastic bag and Colgate for toothpaste, Liberty was generic for life insurance,” said Tshabalala.

“The bank's opinion as majority shareholder is that Liberty remains a fundamentally sound business. We remain confident that Liberty's solvency, dividend security, financial soundness and capacity for long-run profitability, competitiveness and sustainability are not compromised.”

It was widely speculated that the bank had imposed a 10-point plan on Liberty but Tshabalala says it is just “supporting and assisting” Liberty CEO Thabo Dloti to help the company recover as soon as possible. Both the short-term and long-term plans have the bank's full support. Officially, at least, no member of senior management will be expected to fall on his sword. Tshabalala is confident Liberty can both preserve its position in the affluent market and diversify its income stream in February 2017.

He says the Standard Bank group is a portfolio of businesses in which some businesses won't perform at times, but will make a stronger contribution at others. And it is true that life industry lapses are increasing while bank bad debts are stabilising or even improving.

Standard Bank plays a governance role at Liberty through its seats on the Liberty board. As well as Tshabalala, Dave Munro, head of the corporate and investment bank, was also appointed to the board in February 2017.

Munro has the job which former Liberty CEO Myles Ruck once held. Perhaps he will play the same attack-dog role for the bank.

Liberty chairman Jacko Maree is not, strictly speaking, a representative of the bank, even though he was Standard Bank's CEO for more than a decade. But he can't be called independent, especially since he was appointed deputy chairman of Standard Bank last year.

But just as important for the bank is its working relationship with Liberty. Both Dloti and Tshabalala say the bancassurance agreement is the best in the country — Dloti says the tie-up between Old Mutual and Nedbank, when he was there, was much looser and less clearly defined.

At its base, bancassurance is embedded credit life products sold in the branch to go primarily with home loans and vehicle finance. But these products are much more profitable for the bank, as Liberty receives just 10% of the profit.

In 2016 Liberty's credit life profit increased by about 10% to R160m. More significant is the R406m Stanlib received in service fees on assets sourced through Standard Bank distribution. Stanlib has developed a series of multimanager unit trusts for Standard Bank financial planners, cutely named Goal Standard.

Tshabalala says the relationship with Liberty makes even more sense now that the bank is developing its wealth management business more aggressively; insurance and investments are a key part of the offering.

On the whole there has been clear demarcation of responsibility. Some posters advertising Standard Insurance caused confusion, but Tshabalala promises that this will dovetail with Liberty's short-term insurance plans, not compete with them.

FINANCIAL MAIL

Zambezi Mubala Lodge opens soon

April 24, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Zambezi Mubala Lodge opens soon A new Gondwana Collection lodge located in the Zambezi Region will open in November. The lodge will be located 40 kilometres east of Katima Mulilo on the riverbank of the Zambezi overlooking the Chobe.

Gondwana Collection's brand and marketing director, Mannfred Goldbeck, is convinced that the name of the new lodge is exactly what it promises: “Mubala means 'colour' in the local Silozi language. We are convinced that the harmonious colours of nature and its reflections on the water of the Zambezi will be a unique and memorable holiday experience.”

The Zambezi Mubala Lodge is currently being rebuilt on the site of what used to be Kalizo Lodge, and accommodation can be booked as from 1 November 2017. Eighteen spacious double chalets and two family chalets, all en suite and air-conditioned, offer breath-taking views of the river landscape. There are also six tented chalets with en suite bathrooms.

“Here, our guests will find a temporary home but it is also home to the colourful, cheerfully fluttering carmine bee-eaters. The colony on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River is one of the largest in southern Africa,” Goldbeck said.

Day trips to the famous Victoria Falls, the Chobe National Park and other national parks in the region are not to be missed once the Mubala Lodge opens its doors

STAFF REPORTER