Tottenham target West Ham win

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Tottenham target West Ham win Tottenham Hotspur must beat West Ham United on Friday night to reduce the gap with Chelsea and hope the Premier League leaders falter under pressure, striker Harry Kane has said.

Second-placed Tottenham can keep their title chase alive and cut the lead at the top to one point if they beat West Ham and Chelsea fumble against Middlesbrough three days later.

“We just have to try to finish strong,” Kane told British media.

“We've got another game Friday night and it's good to play first. Hopefully, we can drop the gap to one point and then see what happens.”

Kane said that Tottenham knew the pressure of playing later as they often played after champions Leicester City in the closing stages of last season and eventually faltered.

“We know what it's like from when Leicester were playing last year before us, and even today, that it's good to play first and put the pressure on,” he added.

“It will be a tough game away from home but hopefully we can get that win, put that pressure on and just wait and see.”

Tottenham lost 1-0 at West Ham last year but beat their London rivals at White Hart Lane earlier this season.

NAMPA/REUTERS

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Khomas Wellness Games to kick off

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Khomas Wellness Games to kick offThe focus is on socialising and healthy lifestyles Workers in the public service and the private sector are invited to register teams for the second edition of the Wellness Games in Windhoek. LIMBA MUPETAMI



The Khomas regional sport office will hold its annual Wellness Games on 20 May at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

The second edition of the games will pit government ministries and private companies against one another.

The aim is to bring workers in the public and private sectors together on a social level, as well as to promote healthy lifestyles.

Gabriel Katuuo, the regional sport officer of the Khomas Region who started the initiative, says several sport codes will be included.

“Sport codes include seven-a-side football, netball, volleyball, basketball, tug of war and a 100-metre relay. All ministries, private companies and NGOs with Khomas offices are encouraged to enter this tournament as it is for them to enjoy.”

Katuuo says it’s important for managers to encourage staff to join in the fun.

“We would like to make sure that everyone contributes to the world of sport. Managers should allow their employees time to relax just for the two days which the tournament is taking place in order to find them more productive thereafter,” he says.

Ministries or companies that wish to provide information or services during the competition are welcome and should contact the regional sport office as soon as possible.

All teams are requested to participate in all codes in order to stand a chance of winning a big overall floating trophy apart from medals and other prices. A formal invitation will be sent to ministries and companies. Last year’s winners should turn up to defend their titles. Refreshments will be served at the stadium.

Registration for all the games is free.

Under-20 women’s league introduced

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Under-20 women’s league introduced LIMBA MUPETAMI

The Namibia Football Association (NFA) Galz and Goals programme has introduced an under-20 league this season for their youth programme which will start on 3 June at the NFA Technical Centre.

The programme has so far introduced three leagues for under-13, under-15 and under-17 girls since its inception in 2009. It has attracted more than 4 000 girls with the aim of playing organised football on a weekly basis and to participate in healthy lifestyle activities and health information sessions.

The additional league will be played in an eight-a-side format with home and away games. Games will be played every Wednesday along with the under-17 league games. The under-13 and under-15 league games will take place every Friday.

All 12 regional Galz and Goals programmes are expected to cater for this age group to make sure that girls graduating from the under-17 league are able to continue playing.

The players to be registered in the youth league should all be 19 and younger. School teams, Women Super League (WSL) clubs or any community teams are encouraged to enter.

The coach of the Brave Gladiators, Jacky Shipanga, said she was happy with the development of the programme.

“I am happy that the Galz and Goals programme has grown so well that it now caters for under-17 as well as under-20 players. I urge the girls to play the league matches regularly and to make it big for the young girls in order for them to have the opportunity to play in the national team,” said Shipanga.

At least ten Windhoek teams are expected to register for the under-20 league, which will be run by volunteer coaches recruited from their communities.

With the support of Unicef, the programme expanded to the Oshana and Zambezi regions last month.

Shaningwa a pula ehwahwameko lyomidhigululwakalo mokati moshigwana

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Shaningwa a pula ehwahwameko lyomidhigululwakalo mokati moshigwana Ominista yEyambulepo lyOondoolopa nIitopolwa, Sophia Shaningwa, okwa popi kutya omikundu odhindji dha taalela Namibia otadhi etithwa kokwaahasimaneka oonkuluhedhi hoka ku li mokati kaakwashigwana.

Sho a popi poshituthi shegongelo lyiimaliwa yOmauliko gIipindi gElelo lyOndoolopa yaShakati, Shaningwa okwa popi kutya omaihumbato nomikalo gaazailongo moshilongo shetu oga etitha aantu ya kanithe oonkuluhedhi naashoka osha etitha aanyasha ya kanithe esimaneko lyaakuluntu.

“Omaupyakadhi ngoka ga taalela oshilongo shetu otaga ulike kutya oga etithwa komaihumbato gonayi omolwa okwaahasimaneka omidhigululwakalo ndhoka tadhi kwatele komeho Aafrika opo ya vule okwiitumbulwa kutya oyo oolye na oya za peni,” Shaningwa a popi.

“Omithigululwakalo dhetu odha hanagulwa po muule woomvula dha piti onga oshizemo shuukoloni naashoka osha etitha aanyasha yetu ya kutheko nokusimaneka omaihumbato gaazaizai.”

Shaningwa okwa tsikile kutya oshigwana shi na omuthigululwakalo, oshigwana shi na iimbuluma iishona na okwa pula aanyasha yiilonge omithigululwakalo dhawo okuza kaakokele.

Minista okwa popi kombinga yomazimo oshowo onkandangala onene tayi dhanwa meuliko lyomazimo.

Shaningwa okwa pandula Elelo lyOndoolopa yaShakati, sho tali longekidha okuninga Omauliko omatihamano gOmazimo, ngoka ga nuninwa okuthitika omwaka pokati komaihumbato ganakanena nomidhigululwakalo.

Elelo lyondoolopa olye shi pondola okulikola iimaliwa ya thika lwopomiliyona 1 mbyoka ya nuninwa okukwatela komeho omauliko ngoka. Nuumvo omauliko ngoka otaga ningwa pokati komasiku 25 gaMei sigo 3 gaJune kohi yoshipalanyolo ‘My Culture, My Pride’.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Oshiponga shombesa sha dhipaga aantu 15

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Oshiponga shombesa sha dhipaga aantu 15Omaihumbato gaahingi ogo taga etitha iiponga Omukomeho gwEtanga lyOpolisi yaNamibia, Sebastian Ndeitunga okwa pula aahingi moNamibia ya lundulule omaihumbato gawo moondjila, ngoka taga etitha iiponga mbyoka tayi faalele oomwenyo dhoyendji. Momasiku 16 gaApilili, mehuliloshiwike ele lyOpaasa, ehangano lyoMotor Vehicle Accident Fund olya lopota kutya aantu ya thika pe-180 oya hulithila miiponga ya thika 1 067 mbyoka ya lopotwa moondjila dhaNamibia omanga ya thika 1 829 ya ehamekelwa miiponga okutameka esiku lyotango lyomvula yo- 2017.

Omwaalu ngoka ngashiingeyi ogwa londa sigo opo-200 okutameka omwedhi Mei, sho opolisi ya koleke kutya aantu ya thika po-22 oya hulithila miiponga yomoondjila mehuliloshiwike ele lya piti.

Momaandaha Letenanda-Njai Ndeitunga okwa indile aahingi ayehe yiihumbate nawa nokukala aluhe ya angala moopate opo ku yandwe iiponga mbyoka tayi dhipaga aantu na otayi etithwa kokuhinga nuuhasha.



“Otandi kulombwele kutya iiponga oyindji mbyoka ya holola oya etithwa komapuko gopauntu,” Ndeitunga a lombwele oNamibian Sun.

Okwa popi kutya oshilongo osha taalela omukundu omunene gwiiponga.

Okwa pula aantu ayehe taya longitha oondjila ya lundulule omaihumbato gawo ta gwedha po kutya aahingi naya konaakone omaihumbato nomatokolo gawo ngoka taga vulu okutula moshiponga oomwenyo dha yalwe.

Ndeitunga okwa popi kutya omatokolo taga ningwa kaahingi moopate ogo taga etitha omaso ogendji nolundji iiponga mbyoka otayi etithwa komaihumbato gonayi gaahingi.



Elongitho nayi lyoondjila dhongushu

Okwa popi kutya oondjila dhongushu moNamibia odha li ombwaanawa noshigwana ihe ngashiingeyi aahingi itaya simaneke onkalo yekalekepo lyegameno moondjila naashoka osho tashi etitha omaso, ta pula woo kutya oofamili ngapi dhili moluhodhi monena omolwa omaso ga etithwa kiiponga.

Pamakonaakono gopetameko ngoka ga ningwa sha landula oshiponga shomOsoondaha, yimwe yomoohauto oya kambadhala okusineyaomanga omeho taku zi naashoka osha etitha oohauto dhiidhenge mumwe omutse nomutse.

“Oondjila odhetu atuhe onkene omuntu na sineye mpoka e wete kutya opwa gamenwa okushiningila. Otandi ndopa okuuvako kutya omolwashike aantu yetu ya hala okwiidhipaga.”

Ndeitunga okwa popi kutya aakuthimbinga aayehe mekalekepo lyegameno moondjila oshowo opolisi oya pumbwa eyambidhidho okuza koshigwana.

“Atuhe otwa pumbwa okuthikama nokukala ompinge naahingi mboka haya hingi nayi molwaashoka ngoye otashi vulika wu kale to hingi nawa ihe oto ka etelwa owala oshiponga kwaangoka ta hingi nayi.”

Okwa kumike oshigwana shi dhengele opolisi uuna sha mono aahingi taya hingi nayi.

Okwa indile woo aanafaalama pokati kaTjiwarongo naKahandja ya gandje evi opo ku tunge osasiyona yokugandja omakwatho gopaulumomhumbwe opo ku vulwe okugandjwa omakwatho meendelelo uuna taga pumbiwa.

Oshinyanyalithi

Omupeha Komufala gwOpolisi yaTjozondjupa, Naukalemo Andreas ngoka a li pehala lyoshiponga mOsoondaha okwa popi kutya aantu omulongo yomaantu mboka ya li mokambesa koIveco oya pya itaya vulu okudhimbululwa.

Aafaalelwa ayehe mohauto yombaki yoNissan aakiintu yatatu naalumentu yaali oya hulithila pehala lyoshiponga.

Pethimbo onkundana ndjika inayi nyanyangithwa, Andreas okwa popi kutya inaya vula natango okukoleka oomvula nuukashikekookantu woonakusa.

Opolisi otayi indile mboka ye na aakwanezimo yawo ya kana nenge ookume kawo opo ya ye kopolisi ko kuvule okudhimbululwa oonakusa.

Andreas naye okwa tsu omuthindo kutya iiponga otayi etithwa kaahingi mboka taya ihumbata nayi moondjila, okwa popi kutya omaihumbato gonayi mokati kaahingi oga pumbwa okulundululwa molwaashoka iiponga oyindji otayi etithwa kaantu.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Rand woes on the horizon

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rand woes on the horizonVolatility expected to continue Political infighting in the ANC is adding to the rand's volatility, analysts have said, leading to disinterest in the currency by traders. Currency traders are in for a rough ride this week as political pressures intensify both locally and internationally.

“We have to expect the unexpected in May, locally and internationally, with the second round of the election in France next Sunday and the UK election coming up early in June.

“Locally, the internal fight in the ANC was clearly apparent this weekend and the whole country is being drawn into it,” warned Umkhulu Consulting's Adam Phillips.

He said in a note on Tuesday morning that currency operators were right to be nervous ahead of the politically charged weekend in South Africa.

“We did see an orderly move in the ZAR down to 13.22 on Friday, but despite month end and a thin market due to the Thursday holiday, it did not stay down there for long.

“[Deputy President Cyril] Ramaphosa was out in KZN not sticking to the script, while our president [Jacob Zuma] was unable to speak in Bloemfontein yesterday. He was warned not to come and was given a bloody nose by a majority of the crowd. I am sure local politics will play a big role this month”” said Phillips.

He warned that investors will be nervous of politicians' statements, possible physical violence and negative moves in the bond market.

Having touched R13.43/$ in New York on Monday night, the local unit was back at R13.35 against the greenback by 07:43 on Tuesday, “but expect some whippy moves this week and a wide range”, cautioned Phillips.

The rand went over R13.40/$ on February 9 when President Jacob Zuma delivered his State of the Nation Address. Since then the currency systematically strengthened to trade at R12.31 against the greenback, minutes before former finance minister Pravin Gordhan was ordered on March 27 to return to South Africa from an international investor roadshow in the UK.

The local unit has since taken a turn for the worse, reversing all the gains and more following Zuma's midnight Cabinet reshuffle on March 31 which saw Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas lose their jobs. The unit's loss of over 50c on that day alone was the start of a 6-day decline against the dollar to R13.90, before the rand found favour amid emerging market optimism.

“Given the majors it should be nearer to 13.20, but nobody wants to transact down there at the moment. I expect 13.40 to be tested again and beyond today,” said Phillips.

FIN24

Keetmanshoop upgrades gravel roads

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Keetmanshoop upgrades gravel roads The Keetmanshoop municipality is busy interlocking two connecting streets in the town's central business area at a cost of N$610 000.

The tender for interlocking Mittel Street and 3rd Street, measuring a combined 550 metres, was awarded to Shouli Investment.

The project is expected to be completed at the end of June this year.

The construction follows the completion of the 120-metre Jooste Street by Hennima Investments last year. The interlocking of that road cost N$550 000.

The projects are funded by the Road Fund Administration.

Municipality spokesperson Dawn Kruger told Nampa on Thursday the local authority would continue to source funding for upgrading roads in the years to come.

Interlocking was the preferred manner of construction over tarring as it required less maintenance, she added.

Kruger said the upgrades were welcomed by the community.

“We have had very positive feedback so far because the improvements minimise dust and reduce damage to people's cars.”

She said the move also boosted tourism and attracted new business.

“The municipality is striving to continuously better itself by addressing shortcomings identified in the beautification of the town and raising its profile as the capital of the //Karas Region,” Kruger said.

NAMPA

/Hai-/Khaua envisions development

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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/Hai-/Khaua envisions development NAMPA

Kaptein Johannes Isaack of the /Hai-/Khaua Traditional Authority on Saturday assured his clan that council was hard at work to change the fortunes of the impoverished Berseba community.

In his speech delivered at the annual /Hai-/Khaua Festival at Berseba, Isaack said his council over the last year had embarked on engagements with relevant stakeholders, which hopefully would bear fruit soon.

“We spoke to various captains of industry, stakeholders and government ministries we believe would bring significant change in the plight of our people,” he said.

Particular engagements were with minister of agriculture, water and forestry John Mutorwa to discuss future interests in the Neckartal Dam located in the Berseba Constituency.

The council also met with the minister of works and transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, to discuss road infrastructure in the constituency.

“That discussion was very fruitful and gave us hope for the future,” Isaack said.

The traditional authority meanwhile identified and appointed young people in the clan’s seven wards as junior councillors to help strengthen leadership in the community.

Elders were also appointed to give guidance and help safeguard and promote customs and ethical values in the clan.

Members of these groups were officially introduced during the festival that was held under the theme ‘Repositioning for Socio-economic Development’.

Isaack called on clan members to become part of the drive for positive change in the constituency.

Speaking after the chief, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said she sensed a spirit of optimism and dynamism in the clan.

She wished the group success and pledged that the government will continue to help settle members of the Berseba community whose homes were destroyed during a storm at the village in February.

“Droughts and floods all over the country were a challenge over the last few years, but government’s aim is to ensure good health and economic advancement in both urban and rural areas.”

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said she believed that discussions at the upcoming second national land conference would help realise equity in land ownership.

“That engagement and other economic policies of government strive to eradicate poverty and inequalities and promote unity,” she said.

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Road user charges increased

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Road user charges increased7% increases gazetted Namibia compares favourably in terms of road user charges when compared to other countries in the SADC region, according to RFA CEO Ali Ipinge. OGONE TLHAGE



The Road Fund Administration has announced that it will be increasing road user charges by 7% according to its CEO, Ali Ipinge.



According to him, the increase in road user fees was driven by the annual consistent growth in the vehicle population which grows at a rate of between 7% and 8% as well as the natural depreciation of the road infrastructure.



“The increases in the tariffs will additionally bolster the capacity of the Fund to support road maintenance projects performed by local and regional authorities,” he said. The RFA would require an additional N$170 million per annum to sustain current minimum maintenance levels of the roads according to him.



All the categories of road user charges, which include annual motor vehicle licence and vehicle registration fees, cross border charges, mass distance charges, abnormal road fees and fuel levies, would be increased, Ipinge said.



“The increases in tariffs will additionally bolster the capacity of the RFA to support road maintenance projects performed by local and regional authorities,” said Ipinge.



While the adjustment in fees currently exceeds inflation, Ipinge said benchmarking undertaken by the RFA actually showed that the rate increases were very favourable when compared to six countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).



“Even with a 7% increase, Namibia is still low in the region. Save for Botswana, Namibia is the second country in SADC with the lowest fuel levy. Even if we were to raise road user fees by about 20% to 30%, we would still be the lowest with the countries that are connected to us.”



According to him, it is important for road users to contribute towards servicing the road network. “If road users do not contribute, the quality of the roads will deteriorate. Road users have got a choice in as far as do I contribute or not. Do I contribute or not and opt to drive on bad roads,” he said.



He also revealed that the RFA's reserve fund was in a healthy position. “We have cleared the deficit that plagued the fund. We are creating a buffer to service emergencies going forward. The RFA's board does not want us to go into a position where we are in a deficit. We have built up heavy reserves.”



In its last financial year that ended in March, the RFA was able to raise approximately N$2.35 billion of which 80% was channelled towards the Roads Authority, Ipinge said.

Rabies increases

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rabies increasesFarmers urged to deliver samples While research is underway, farmers and others who have experienced incidences of rabies are urged to deliver samples to the authorities. The occurrence of rabies among Kudus is on the increase, especially east of Windhoek. A renewed call has been made upon farmers and hunting farms to be on the lookout for incidents of rabies among any animals, and to submit samples of animals which might be affected to the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek.

According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) it is necessary to get as many samples as possible not only for kudu, but also for eland, jackals and other wildlife and livestock. The most convenient manner is to submit the head of an animal to the laboratory. “The head can be transported in a strong refuse plastic bag in cool storage. Fresh samples would be ideal, but there is a new method to do tests on samples which are a few days old,” the union said.

The NAU says that care should be taken when working with the dead animal and it is recommended that gloves and a mask are worn in order to prevent contamination. The laboratory should also be informed on which farm the animal was found, the owner of the farm as well as information about the symptoms, and other pertinent details. The project leader of the Kudu/Rabies Research Project, Dr Rainer Hassel can be contacted for further information or to assist with the delivery of the samples to the laboratory. Dr Hassel can be contacted at 061 - 2909331, 081 332 4514, or email him at rainerh@agra.com.na.

The contact person at the Central Veterinary Laboratory is Dr Jolandie van der Westhuizen, the section head of pathology, parasitology and virology diagnostics and she can be reached at Windhoek, 237684.



STAFF REPORTER

Meatco urges speedy delivery

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Meatco urges speedy delivery Meatco has urged producers, especially those living in the Windhoek area, to ensure that delivery trucks arrive at the abattoir early due to the wintertime adjustment.

Producers are requested to not take advantage of their distance from the abattoir to travel late in the afternoon since unforeseen incidents can occur.

According to company it will only make exceptions for breakdowns and other incidents that have been communicated to the service office in advance.

“It is the responsibility of the producer to ensure all relevant, valid documents accompany the delivery truck.”

All documents must be completed correctly and signed off by the producer or his representative, before departing from the farm of origin.

Incomplete documentation might result in animals to be sent back to the farm of origin. The 90/40 days report must also be attached as proof of verification and must accompany the delivery truck. Furthermore, Meatco says it is imperative that producers themselves complete the movement permits and that each permit includes a separate departure form.

Producers are urged to read their booking confirmation documentation as well as the sales advice for more information. Finally, producers are cautioned against the delivery of sick animals to the abattoir as well as those with other conditions such as injection marks and those without ear tags.



STAFF REPORTER

Assad accused of chemical attack

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Assad accused of chemical attackHuman rights organisation says his forces using nerve gas Human Rights Watch has reported the use of nerve gas by Syrian government forces in four attacks in the country on rebels. Syrian government forces used deadly nerve gas in Khan Sheikhun and in three other recent attacks, Human Rights Watch said on Monday, describing a "clear pattern" of chemical weapons use that could amount to crimes against humanity.

President Bashar Assad's forces are also stepping up chlorine gas attacks and have begun using surface-fired rockets filled with chlorine in fighting near Damascus, the US-based rights group said in a new report.

"The government's use of nerve agents is a deadly escalation - and part of a clear pattern," said Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch's executive director.

"In the last six months, the government has used warplanes, helicopters, and ground forces to deliver chlorine and sarin in Damascus, Hama, Idlib and Aleppo."

"That's widespread and systematic use of chemical weapons," he said.

Pretext

In April, Assad said in an interview that the suspected sarin attack in Khan Sheikhun was "100%" fabricated, serving as a pretext for US missile strikes on a Syrian air field.

Human Rights Watch interviewed 60 witnesses and collected photos and videos providing information on the suspected April 4 attack, and on three other alleged uses of nerve gases in December 2016 and March 2017.

The rights group said at least 92 people including 30 children died from exposure to sarin in Khan Sheikhun and hundreds more were injured. The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights has put the death toll at 88.

Residents said a first bomb believed to be carrying the deadly agent sarin was dropped near the town's central bakery and was followed by three or four high-explosive bombs a few minutes later, the report said.

Dozens of photos and videos provided by residents of a crater from the first bomb showed a green-coloured metal fragment that Human Rights Watch said was likely the Soviet-produced KhAB-250 bomb.

Human Rights Watch said 64 people died from exposure to nerve agents after warplanes attacked territory controlled by the Islamic State group in eastern Hama on 11 and 12 December.

Activists and local residents provided names of the victims, while Human Rights Watch interviewed four witnesses and two medical personnel about the alleged attacks.

A third suspected nerve agent attack in northern Hama on 30 March caused no deaths but injured dozens of civilians and combatants, according to residents and medical personnel, the report said.

Suspected attacks

All four suspected nerve agent attacks were in areas where anti-government fighters were threatening Assad's military air bases, according to Human Rights Watch.

The alleged attacks were systematic and in some cases directed against civilians which would meet the legal criteria to be characterised as crimes against humanity, the rights group said.

HRW's Roth told a news conference that the string of suspected attacks cast doubt over Syrian and Russian claims that toxic agents were released in Khan Sheikhun after a bomb struck a chemical weapons depot on the ground.

It would be "utterly impossible" for warplanes to hit chemical caches repeatedly across the country, Roth said.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has said its experts were investigating 45 cases of alleged use of toxic gases in Syria since late in 2016.

Citing mounting evidence of repeated chemical weapons use, Human Rights Watch said the UN Security Council should once again ask the International Criminal Court to open a war crimes investigation.

Such a move by the council in 2014 was blocked by Russia, Assad's top ally, and China.

NAMPA/AFP

Unlocking elephant milk

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Unlocking elephant milk Researchers in Zimbabwe and South Africa have embarked on a quest to unlock the make-up of elephant milk – and hopefully come up with a baby "formula" to keep orphan elephants alive.

The difficulties of hand-rearing baby elephants are well-known: close to half die in captivity, many from diarrhoea caused by milk substitutes they’ve been fed up to now.

As elephant poaching spreads, creating more orphans, the need to find an effective milk formula is seen as vital.

Getting samples of wild African elephant milk for research purposes would ordinarily be impossible, but a unique opportunity recently arose in Zimbabwe.

At a safari lodge an hour’s drive south-west of Harare, a tame female elephant called Shorty gave birth in 2016. Her handlers have managed to obtain fortnightly samples of her milk over the past year.

“Shorty is an extremely placid elephant and loves her handlers. She didn’t seem to mind the (milk) collection by them,” said Lisa Marabini, the wildlife vet who is directing the Zimbabwean side of the project.

Marabini, who is also director of the Aware Trust, said the project took two years of planning. Earlier this month, a year's supply of frozen milk samples were shipped to food biochemist and elephant milk expert, Garry Osthoff, at the University of the Free State.

Osthoff told News24 that he and his team aims to study the milk over a full lactation period - two years.

“Elephants’ milk is completely different from any other milk that we know,” he told News24 in a phone interview.

“Apart from fats and sugars differing from other species, the milk composition changes over lactation to a much greater extent than that found in other mammals,” he said. “This means that a single surrogate milk formula will not do. At least four different formulas will have to be designed.”

Osthoff says there are close similarities between African and Asian elephant milk, meaning a surrogate milk formula that works in sub-Saharan Africa should help Asian elephants too.

Wildlife vet Marabini said a better milk formula would help at least five orphaned elephant calves per year in Zimbabwe alone, and more in East Africa, where elephant poaching is higher.

But she added: “It is expected that, as poaching spreads, more and more calves in southern Africa may require assistance.”

At least 20 000 elephants were poached for their tusks in Africa in 2013, according to international wildlife regulators CITES. Some in the conservation world believe that figure - or at least something close to it - may well represent elephant losses every year in Africa.

NEWS24

US, N. Korea tensions ease

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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US, N. Korea tensions ease US President Donald Trump said he would be "honoured" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un under the right conditions, dialling back threats of military action against the regime on Monday.

As Pyongyang threatens to carry out a sixth nuclear test that would further enflame tensions on the Korean peninsula, Trump appeared to offer the prospect of a diplomatic off-ramp.

"If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him I would, absolutely. I would be honoured to do it," Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg.

"If it's under the, again, under the right circumstances. But I would do that," Trump said.

In recent weeks Trump has threatened and berated the regime, fearing it may be months away from marrying nuclear and long range missile technology - making a strike against the western United States possible.

Trump's main gambit has been to encourage China to use its leverage to pressure Pyongyang - a strategy that has failed to produce results in the past.

The Republican president has also said he is ready to act alone in the stand-off, however - and on Monday signalled that this could involve face-to-face talks with Kim, who has yet to meet a foreign leader since taking power.

In the latest rhetoric to fuel jitters across the region, North Korea warned Monday that it was prepared to carry out a nuclear test "at any time and at any location" set by its leadership.

The regime will continue bolstering its "pre-emptive nuclear attack" capabilities unless Washington scraps its hostile policies, a spokesperson for the North's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run KCNA news agency.

"The DPRK's measures for bolstering the nuclear force to the maximum will be taken in a consecutive and successive way at any moment and any place decided by its supreme leadership," the spokesperson added, apparently referring to a sixth nuclear test and using the North's official name, the Democratic Republic of Korea.

CIA director in South Korea

The North has carried out five nuclear tests in the last 11 years and is widely believed to be making progress toward its dream of building a missile capable of delivering a warhead to the continental United States.

It raises the tone of its warnings every spring, when Washington and Seoul carry out joint exercises it condemns as rehearsals for invasion. But this time fears of conflict have been fueled by a cycle of threats from both sides.

The joint drills have just ended, but naval exercises are continuing in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) with a US strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

CIA director Mike Pompeo was in South Korea on Monday, the US embassy in Seoul confirmed, following reports of an unannounced visit as tensions mount on the peninsula.

Pompeo's visit coincided with news that the controversial US missile defence system known as THAAD - whose deployment has angered China - is now operational in South Korea.

"It has reached initial intercept capability," a US defence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

'A pretty smart cookie'

Seoul regularly warns that Pyongyang can carry out a test whenever it decides to do so.

Pyongyang's latest attempted show of force was a failed missile test on Saturday that came just hours after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pressed the UN Security Council to raise pressure on the North.

Trump on Sunday repeated his determination to resolve the threat posed by North Korea, warning in a CBS interview: "We cannot let what's been going on for a long period of years continue."

But the US leader also offered some backhanded praise for Kim, saying he had faced a formidable challenge in taking over the country at a reported age of 27 after his father's death in 2011.

"He's dealing with obviously very tough people, in particular the generals and others. And at a very young age, he was able to assume power," Trump said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

"So obviously, he's a pretty smart cookie," he said.

That comment left the White House struggling to downplay Trump's apparent admiration.

"His point was he assumed power at a young age when his father passed away and there's a lot of potential threats that could have come his way and he's obviously managed to lead a country forward," said Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

NAMPA/AFP

Turning point for Zuma

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Turning point for ZumaMay Day turns sour as ANC leader booed off stage Seen by many as an indictment of his leadership, South African president Jacob Zuma could not address workers on May Day. The heckling and booing of President Jacob Zuma which led to the cancellation of labour federation Cosatu's Worker's Day rally has been hailed as a turning point in the battle against Zuma and his allies by some in both the Free State and the country.

The president of country and the African National Congress were received by anti-Zuma songs and chants for him to fall at the event where he was meant to be delivering a message of support on behalf of his political party but all speeches were cancelled as crowds refused to participate in the programme or even hear from certain leaders.

Cosatu's own president, who has been lambasted over his continued show of loyalty toward Zuma even after the federation had resolved that the he needed to step down as South Africa's number one citizen, had been booed and shown the 'change or substitute' sign often used in football when he greeted workers earlier on Monday.

“The view of South Africans has been vindicated,” said Shima Mohohlo.

The former ANC branch leader had joined the crowds in order to support the annual event. He added that Zuma had been fobbing off demonstrations pretending it was just the white minority but that workers demonstrating against the president proved otherwise.



Conflict of views

The workers' actions and his views are in complete conflict with ANC Youth League chairperson of the province Makalo Mohale who had believed that workers would welcome Zuma and prove that they don't agree with calls made by leaders in both Cosatu and another affiliate the SACP that Zuma should resign as the country's president.

“It was highly encouraging and refreshing to witness what the workers did to this monster, which was created by both the SACP and Cosatu before 2007,” said Mahhlo.

The Cosatu Worker's Day rally is yet another platform being used by members of the alliance to sling mud at one another, this time with Zuma in the firing line.

In April, SACP's deputy general Secretary Solly Mapaila was booed at the commemoration of the 24th anniversary of Chris Hani's murder and former finance minister Pravin Gordhan was booed by the ANC Youth League in KwaZulu Natal during a memorial service in honour of former struggle icon Ahmed Kathrada.

Another elated provincial leader in the Free State, who refused to be named, said he imagined Ace Magashule the chairperson of the province was frustrated and embarrassed by the turn of events.

Mahohlo also believes a leader like Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa should step in and rectify some of the errors made by Zuma.

“We defeated the premier league,” he said laughing. It was obvious the workers had refused to take instruction from Magashule, he added.

The provincial leader accused Magashule of attempting to “buy” support for Zuma. He also said the chair who doubles as premier in the province had filled Loch Logan Park, where the event took place with ANCYL and ANC Women's League members and bought t-shirts which said “100% Zuma”.



Embarrassment

Magashule, however, denied such claims, telling members of the media that he did not lobby for the event because it did not belong to the ANC.

“I don't know anything… If I was involved the whole of the Free State would be here,” he said.

“I am not surprised by this; it was actually staged to embarrass the whole leadership. There are people who planned it,” Magashule added.

The ANC Free State chair said he was told those who had been vocal and disruptive at the May Day gathering were not from his province.

“All leaders must be embarrassed,” said Magashule when asked how leaders in the tripartite alliance should react to the president of the liberation movement being booed.

In giving insights on what was playing through Zuma's mind while he was being heckled, Magashule said it was the nature of politics.

“This is the nature of the struggle unfolding. This is what makes us stronger and resolute to work harder on the ground,” he said.

NEWS24

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DRC voter registration delayed

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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DRC voter registration delayed The Democratic Republic of Congo said on Monday it had indefinitely postponed voter registration in two provinces of its troubled central Kasai region after the brutal killing of an electoral official.

On April 3, Philippe Iyidimbe, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), “was decapitated by militias of chief Kamwina Nsapu in Ndekesha”, in central DRC, the CENI said in a statement.

He had travelled to the Kasai capital, Tshikapa, to train technical staff, it added.

Following Iyidimbe's killing and the “destruction” of electoral materials and offices, “voter registration in Kasai-central and in Kasai, which should have started on April 30, has been delayed [indefinitely] due to insecurity” sparked by Nsapu's rebellion, commission president Corneille Nangaa told AFP.

Kasai has seen a major spike in violence since September, leaving at least 400 dead in an uprising that erupted when government forces killed Nsapu, a tribal chief and militia leader, who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila.

The UN has accused the Nsapu rebels of using child soldiers and committing several atrocities, while also denouncing the disproportionate use of force by the military.

The UN has reported finding 40 mass graves, while two UN researchers - Michael Sharp, an American, and Zaida Catalan, a dual Swedish-Chilean national - investigating the violence were abducted and shot dead. One of the victims was also beheaded.

A new date for voter registration will follow discussions with top officials in the two provinces, Nangaa added.

Under a power-sharing deal reached on New Year's Eve, DR Congo is set to hold an election by the end of 2017.

The country has been marred by violence as fears mount that President Joseph Kabila will refuse to hand over power and further to this, civil violence with gangs and warlords has continued unabated.

Human rights organisations have expressed concern over the state of affairs in the country repeatedly but very little is done to protect the civilians.

Rumours further abound that rioters are paid to cause disruption and attack opposition members.

NAMPA/AFP

The blood that waters our roads

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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The blood that waters our roads The grisly crashes recorded on our roads almost every holiday, have become a heart-breaking norm that seem to suggest that all efforts made towards minimising the fatalities on our roads have yielded very little.

Something is wrong and the real cause for the negligence of some motorists traversing our highways is causing heartache and robbing the nation of its citizens, the majority in their youth.

But where are we getting it all wrong? The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has rolled out numerous million-dollar campaigns to educate Namibia's motoring public, but our roads continue to be watered by the blood of innocent accident victims losing life and limb in these incessant crashes.

How can this social service meant to benefit accident victims remain viable when road carnage claims so many lives?

The recent accident that claimed the lives of 15 people who died a painful death in pain and flames from the impact only moves the hearts of motorists who have sincere respect for humanity.

Heart rending is the fact that most accidents are the result of human error and selfishness from drivers who don't drive to arrive alive. Namibia is a young nation with a small population and the lives of some of its citizens are ended prematurely by rogue drivers.

It is high time that the government introduces stiffer sentences on drivers who are found guilty of reckless driving and speeding if they themselves survive.

We urge the government to consider reducing the number of number of public holidays that constitute a series of long weekends, keeping people on the move as they travel to their homelands, supported by these numerous holidays.

Geographically, the country is vast and the homelands are far from the places where the people are working. With the closeness of holidays comes the pressure and fatigue of the motorists. Stakeholders must put their heads together to find a lasting solution to this road rage now.

Shot of the day

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day WORKERS’ DAY: People participate in a May Day parade to raise awareness of the rights of workers in Vancouver, Canada, on Monday. Photo: NAMPA/Xinhua.

Ethical and free media crucial

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ethical and free media crucialNamibia’s drop in rankings a concern While still on top in Africa, Namibia’s drop out of the top 20 most press-free countries remains worrisome for the media fraternity in the county. Namibia’s seven-point drop from 17th to 24th place and it’s exit from the top 20 in the annual global press freedom rankings is worrying and should spur journalists, government and other stakeholders on to do better.

However, local media experts this week said that while Namibia’s latest annual Reporters without Borders world press freedom index score has plucked it out of the top 20 rankings for the first time in a number of years, the country’s continued top ranking in Africa, as well as globally, should not be ignored.

“We do remain number one in Africa, and internationally, remain ahead of countries such as France (39), United Kingdom (40), and the United States of America (43),” Robin Tyson, media studies lecturer at the University of Namibia (Unam), said.

Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) chairperson, Joseph Ailonga said that while the drop of seven points is “worrying, as it speaks to the protection of journalists in Africa” the total absence of any African country in the top 20 is “also worrying”.

Ailonga added that Namibia’s lower score furthermore signals “that our continued back and forth between government and the media is not reflecting well in terms of media freedom indicators” globally.

The seven-point drop “signifies that Namibia needs to up its game again,” Wanja Njuguna, a senior media lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) told Namibian Sun.

She added that nevertheless it is important to note that overall “Namibia remains a well-regarded nation in terms of press freedom and in the six years I have worked in this country, I have not had a reason to doubt that journalists in Namibia have much more freedom and little government interference compared to so many other countries on the continent to do their stuff, including online journalism, which many developing nations have curtailed in various ways.”

She said that while there have been “incidents of concern” on media freedom in the country, Namibian journalists should be cognisant of the freedom they do have, compared to countless other countries.

“I would wish to see that journalists ensure anything they report on is credible and can stand in a court of law. I am not yet at a level where I should be worried about that mark, though a seven-point drop is significant, because I know it can be worked on.”

Earlier on

In 2015 and 2016, Namibia scored a top 20 spot with a 17th place ranking over two consecutive years in the annual Reporters without Borders press freedom index.

Namibia, while not in the top 20 category this year, outranked a number of countries on the #Zambia (114), Mozambique (93), India (136), Spain (29) and Italy (52).

North Korea reached the bottom ranking while Scandinavian countries took the top spots, with Norway in first place, Sweden in second, Finland in third and Denmark in fourth place.

The Reporter’s without Borders scorecard on Namibia, titled ‘Relative calm’, noted that Namibia’s constitution guarantees free speech and protects journalists, but journalists are often the target of government threats.

The scorecard found that “critical journalists find a refuge on the internet, where they are not subject to control, but self-censorship is common in the state-owned media.”

The scorecard stated that “public order and security legislation is often used to restrict freedom of information. Journalists are often the targets of attacks by political parties. This was the case during the 2014 elections, when both ruling party officials and members of the opposition attacked NBC journalists.”

Some issues of concern, listed by Tyson, include “derogatory remarks about the media” or against individual journalists made by high-level government officials on public platforms.

He noted that officials demanding that the media should focus solely on positive developments or heed government instructions that the role of media is to “built the country” does not reflect the true and necessary role of the media.

“I don't believe the media should be 'sunshine journalists', but should be objective and balanced in reporting the positive and negative developments in the country.”

He highlighted the absence of the access to information legislation, a law that has long been touted by government as a priority, despite the slow pace at which it is being finalised.

He added that government must ensure that all media are treated equally and fairly, including in the provision to information and timely notification of events or press conferences.

“Preference should not be given to those media houses seen to be favourable to the government. A standardised mailing list, for example, for all ministries and the prime minister and president’s office, constantly kept up to date, would assist in ensuring fair coverage of these events, along with a clear understanding of the deadlines faced by journalists.”

Fake news

EFN’s Ailonga and other media experts noted that the role of an ethical and trustworthy media remains critical, notably with the increasing trend of influential figures increasingly making allegations of misrepresentation of the facts by and in the media, a strategy that has cast the spotlight on media ethics and responsibility.

“The media is the voice of the voiceless and it assists governments in executing developmental programmes within the constitutional boundaries.”

He added that media must report based on strict ethical guidelines, which ensures that the medium can be trusted in a world in which misinformation thrives.

“People need information they can trust and only an ethical and credible media industry can help the audience receive credible information,” he said.

Njuguna, also a former journalist, said the watchdog role of the media is crucial in keeping the public informed on a wide range of issues, but that the media must responsibly shoulder their portion of the burden of ensuring that the news is accurate and factual.

“The critical thing is that journalists must use this freedom responsibly. Do not publish unless you have proof, do not use journalism to settle scores. Do not misquote people.”

She said that journalists must take responsibility for accurately portraying a balanced view, ensure that they provide right of reply and to be gender sensitive, providing women and men with equal voices, as well as the youth.

She pointed out that one of the concerns, and pressures facing the media, is the impact of social media and the increasing spread of unverified information on these platforms.

“This is the age of social media and it is very easy to be caught up in the buzz,” she cautioned.

She said journalists must remain vigilant in ensuring that they continue to adhere to media ethics, basing their decisions to use information and other material found on social media, including photos, responsibly and sensitively.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Cassinga survivor recalls harrowing account of survival

May 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Cassinga survivor recalls harrowing account of survivalThis month marks another commemoration of Cassinga Day Just a teenager when the bombs rained down on Cassinga, Tuutileni Nekwaya shared with the Namibian Sun the story of how he made it out of the camp by luck, and recounted the horrors that have engraved Cassinga Day as a day to commemorate the fallen soldiers and civilians of... Tuutileni Vilho Nekwaya recounted the horrors that took place in the early hours of what was supposed to be another normal day in the refugee camp where majority of the unarmed and untrained students, women, children and elders made their way to the roll call parade where they would be allocated work for the day.

“It was around 07:30 in the morning when we saw a South African military jet fly over the camp as we were headed to the parade.

“Moments later, with our heads still tilted towards the sky in confusion, a squadron of six bomber jets appeared over the camp, and started dropping a variety of murderous weaponry on the innocent civilians below,” Nekwaya shared. This would come to be known as the day we commemorated as Cassinga Day, a moment in our tortured history that resigning many innocent Namibians to an early death on 4 May 1978.” Tuutileni Vilho Nekwaya, who was 16 years old at the time of the attack, remembers hiding in the trenches with wounded soldiers, while they desperately endured the attack while waiting for assistance. “While in the trenches, a soldier was trying to teach me how to operate a machine gun, something I had never seen or touched before,” Nekwaya recalled.

“Fifteen kilometers away, Cuban forces were based at Oshamutete, and were on their way to assist the soldiers and civilians at the refugee camp, but hit an anti-tank mine that killed 20 Cuban forces that day,” Nekwaya shared.

“After the Cubans arrived to help us save the lives of our women, children and elders from the South African forces, we went to another trench where we found a battery (ZU23) that was critical for combating the fighter jets of the enemy force,” Nekwaya said.

In the camp, Nekwaya who was just another one of the many untrained young Namibians at the camp, remembers a man that they called Epalla in the camp, a commander whose crew was instrumental in trying to neutralise the explosive shells, grenades and gas that rained down from the air that fateful morning.

Men in Epalla's regiment were injured severely and some even lost their lives, Nekwaya further narrated.

Nekwaya remembers in great detail the nightmare that unfolded when the South African forces entered the camp.

In one instance Nekwaya remembers South African soldiers stabbing civilians with knives, and where they would get struck in the body, the civilians would be shot to make the removal of the knife easier.

“I am because I took cover under three dead bodies, and they [SA forces] did not notice that I was there, ending up just passing by me,” Nekwaya recounted.

The morning the attack started the South African forces had landed helicopters on the ground at the camps, near the parade where the civilians gathers, and as they plundered the population the camp, the helicopters loaded wounded South African forces, as well as taking aboard arrested Namibian soldiers.

“While all of this was happening, there were journalists there that were taking pictures while the South African forces surrounded the remaining members of the camp,” Nekwaya said.

“Comrade Paulina Kautondokwa and I were called by one of the South African Special Forces, not knowing what might come of it.

“When we got there, we were handed a baby that was taken from her mother's, who has been shot in the head and died.

“Paulina and I took the baby to the surviving members, and we can report that the baby survived and is a well-known Namibian figure today.

“Her name is Ndinelago Mulukeni is there is an iconic photo of her being held by Founding father Sam Nujoma that was taken some time after the attack,” Nekwaya further shared.

Nekwaya said that throughout the attack, a lot of the students did not know what to do, or how to defend themselves, as “most of us were just students from Onamulenge and Odibo schools.”

Scared that his life might not be spared again, Nekwaya, made a run for it while South African forces shot at him.

“Luckily none of the bullets hit me and after running some distance I fund a trench where I met Commander Mbolondondo and Newaka. Mbolondondo had an AK-47 while Newaka was carrying a pistol. We stayed in that trench with goats and other animals until 18:00 that evening, as the attack continued,” he recalled.

After Nekwaya left the dugout, they found Cuban forces assisting the surviving and injured, where Nekwaya and others immediately joined to offer relief and care for their fellow Namibians.

Although the soldiers and the people in the camp did not necessarily understand each other, they were all helping injured people in tandem until 06h00 the next morning, Nekwaya shared.

The following morning, on 5 May 1978, Nekwaya and a couple others decided to leave the camp and cross the river so that they could go look for help as most of his colleagues in the camp were injured.

While crossing the river, a boy was washed away, and with the other boys with no knowledge the boy was washed down the river.

Although Nekwaya helped save the boy with the assistance of nearby, but injured soldiers, there were many other lives lost on that day, something that will forever give meaning to the term “their blood waters our freedom.”

NAMENE HELMICH