Cota students end strike, classes to resume

June 15, 2017, 6:59 am

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Cota students end strike, classes to resume College of the Arts (Cota) students enrolled for its media courses will resume classes next week Monday after government agreed to meet their demands. The students embarked on a strike this week following a decision by the education, arts and culture ministry to cancel courses for media students due to budget cuts. More than 140 students were affected by the cancellation of the courses. Education permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp said the matter has been resolved in good faith. “All classes for all courses will resume Monday 19 June onwards, as sustainable solutions were found for the immediate staff shortages. The ministry has fast-tracked solutions to problems resulting from historical issues and financial constraints,” she said in a statement.

STAFF REPORTER

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President unimpressed by leaders

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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President unimpressed by leadersNPL and NFA ordered to fix problems The NPL and NFA leaders did not deliver any good news to the head of state yesterday. President Hage Geingob remains unmoved by the progress Namibian football leaders have made to get the Namibia Premier League (NPL) running.

The Head of State once again ordered the leaders to bring their house in order for the sake of football when the leaders paid him a courtesy visit yesterday.

This is barely four months after the Namibia Football Association (NFA) and other football leaders visited the State House.

In March, the NPL interim committee and the NFA assured the President that MTC has committed itself to a N$15 million sponsorship.

It was also revealed at that meeting in March that Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has agreed on a sponsorship deal towards the league.

However, as we stand, nothing concrete has been sealed and football in the country remains on hold.

The NFA yesterday explained to Geingob that negotiations between them and MTC have been concluded.

They informed the President that they await a response from MTC about the deal.

At a meeting that left an acrimonious look on many people faces, Geingob said: “The solving of football crises is in your hands.

“You must go back to the line ministry in order to solve this problem,” Geingob said.

One of the few things told to Geingob was that the NPL constitution was being reviewed by FIFA.

The NFA promised the president that they will hold an NPL executive elective congress as soon as FIFA is done with reviewing the document.

“We have forwarded the NPL constitution document to FIFA were it is being reviewed.

“The NFA expects the document to be back next week. After that, we will then hold an elective congress in July,” NFA president Frans Mbidi said.

It is alleged that the potential sponsors remain reluctant to sign the deal because of the events that transpired after the meeting in March.

The turn of events occurred when the NPL interim committee which had initially informed the President about the MTC and NBL deal was ousted by NFA.

The NFA then replaced the interim committee with an ad hoc committee responsible for insuring that the sponsorship deal is sealed.

Geingob yesterday questioned why the leaders came with the interim committee in March, if they knew that they were illegal.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Nothing comes easy

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Nothing comes easyWelwitschias to meet Pumas The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias face a tough encounter when they host Steval Pumas in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge in Windhoek on Saturday at Hage Geingob Stadium. The Welwitschias suffered an irredeemable loss last weekend when they were mauled by Xerox Golden Lions 84-0 in the challenge on home-ground last weekend. The team is, however, not giving up their fight and hopes to impress the crowd with their young players who the coach is grooming and pushing for national and Welwitschia selection.

Most of their senior players are unavailable due to national duty in Uruguay and this will again be a challenge for the players.

Before the team faced the Lions last weekend, coach Lyn Jones said that a changing culture, a realisation of the daily commitment, excellent facilities and growing number of staff are all ingredients for long-term improvements in Namibian rugby.

He emphasised that the Namibia Rugby Union has a succession plan in place en route to the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers which will allow the team to record their first win.

In the rugby challenge, the Blue Bulls are leading the pack, followed the Golden Lions, Pumas, Valke and than Welwitschias. The team has now lost six games in the competition, with four in the first round of the competition against the Valke (33-50), Xerox Golden Lions (14-112), the Vodacom Blue Bulls (25-50) and the Steval Pumas, 8-64.

The SuperSport Rugby Challenge is organised by the South African Rugby Union and this year takes place from 22 April to 16 July.

The squad for the game:

Desiderius Sethie Obert Nortje Andries Rousseau,Denzyl van Wyk, Max Katjijeko, RK/ Winmar Rust (c), Thomassau Forbes, Adrian Boysen, JC Winkler, Dirk von Weidts, Janry du Toit, Ethan Beukes, Francois Wiese, Russell van Wyk, David Philander, Neil van Vuuren, Christo Mcnish, Herman Grobblaar, Muniovita, Victor Rodriguez, TC and Macho Prinsloo.

Limba Mupetami

Oshikumungu shoFarm 37 sha yelekwa

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Oshikumungu shoFarm 37 sha yelekwaElelo lyaMbaye lya kutha po omalimbililo goshigwana kombinga yeyambulepo lyopoloyeka yoFarm 37 Aakalimo yomOmbaye oya gandja uusama kelelo lyondoolopa yawo sho lya gandja omainekelo giifundja konima sho lya tseyitha kutya olya pewa po ofaalama yonomola 37 (Farm 37 )opo li ninge po ofaalama ndjoka ehala lyomalukalwa. Aakwashigwana oya popi kutya konima sho a tseyitilwa kutya oNamibia Planning Advisory Board (NAMPAB) oya zimina opo ofaalama ndjoka yi pewe po elelo lyondoolopa oya li yiinekela kutya elelo lyondoolopa otali ka wapaleka mbala ehala ndyoka nokutunga mo omagumbo gaakwashigwana.

Ehala ndyoka lyuunene woohecta 2000 otali adhika popepi nondjila ndjoka uuka kokapale koondhila mOmbaye.

Omupevi mayola gwondoolopa ndjoka , Hilka Erastus, okwa lombwele aakwashigwana mboka ya li moshigongi shaakwashigwana shoka sha ningwa mEtiyali kutya ondjodhi yekutheko lyofaalama ndjoka otayi tsu masiku nelelo lyondoolopa otali ka manitha mbala omulandu ngoka.

“Eyambulepo lyofaalama ndjoka noku yi ninga ehala lyomagumbo gaakwashigwana oli li mondjila. Elelo lyondoolopa olya yakula ombaapila ya za kuuministeli ndjoka ya holola ezimino okuza koNAMPAB oshiwike sha piti. Etamekitho lyomathaneko nkene ehala ndyoka tali ka tungwa otali ka ningwa mbala, uuna shoka sha manithwa nena oompangela ndhoka otadhi ka tuminwa koNAMPAB natango. Ethimbo lyokumanitha opoloyeka ndjoka otali kala pokati koomvula mbali sigo ntano ihe otwa hala ethimbo tu li ninge efupi. Onkatu yimwe ta tu tala ehengemukilo mumwe lyoNAMPAB noTownship Board,” Erastus ta ti.

Erastus okwa yelitha kutya onkatu yotango ndjoka ya li ya kwatelamo okumona ezimino okuza koNAMPAB, ndjoka yali yi na okukala ya kutha uule woomvula ntano oya endelelithwa.

Okwa popi kutya iinima yilwe ngaashi egandjo nezimino lyompangela okuza kaathaneki yevi pehala mpoka tapu tungwa, etseyitho lyetungo lyehala ndyoka momushangwa gwopapangelo oshowo iinima yilwe yopaveta okwa tegelelwa natango yi ka manithwe omanga etungo inali tamekwa. Okwa uvaneke kutya iinima oyindji mbyoka otayi kaningwe meni lyoomvula ntano.

Omunambelewa omukuluntuwiliki gwOmbaye, Muronga Haingura, okwa gwedha po kutya elelo lyawo otali ka tala kutya omulandu guni tali ka longitha opo li endelelithe iilonga.

“Otwa ninga ekwatathano nuuministeli wa yooloka opo tu tale ngele ehala ndyoka otali wapala tuu noku ninga ehala lyomagumbo na otwa pewa omulilo omuzizi. Ope na natango omilandu odhindji ndhoka dhi na okulandulwa. Otwa pumbwa natango okuninga omapekaapeko nokutala kutya omagumbo ga ngapi taga ka vula okutungwa pehala mpoka.”

Omutumba ngoka ogwa ningwa naakwashigwana opo ya yelithilwe omulandu aguhe nkene tashi ka enda mokutunga po opoloyeka ndjoka ya nuninwa omagumbo gaakwashigwana opo aakwashigwana yuuveko kutya omulandu otagu longo ngiini.

OTIS FINCK

Andimba iha sholola

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Andimba iha shololaMbeki a dhimbuluka Ya Toivo Okwatwa nale yaRobben Island, Marten Kapewasha okwa tumbaleke Ya Toivo omanga omuleli nale gwaSouth Afrika, Thabo Mbeki a popi kutya Ya Toivo ofule yenenevi. Omupeha omunashipundi gwoNamibian Former Robben Island Political Prisoners Trust, Marten Kapewasha, okwa popi kutya nakusa Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo kali ha sholola na okwa kala iitulamo meeto lyombili nemanguluko moshilongo, onga ofule ndjoka yali ya hala nokuhalelela emangululo lyaNamibia.

Sigo osho a hulitha, Ya Tivo okwa kala omunashipundi gwoFormer Robben Island Political Prisoners Trust, ehangano lya totwa po opo li tale nokusilashisho ookwatwa dhiita nale ndhoka dha edhililwa mondholongo ya

Robben Island.

Ya Toivo ngoka a hulitha oshiwike sha piti, mepupi lyoomvula 92 okwa kala mondholongo moka uule woomvula 16.

Kapewasha okwa popi kutya Ya Toivo omuntu a kala ha thikama komatokolo ge na iha shuna monima.

“Tse aanadholongo nale yaRobben Island otwa kanitha ependa lyetu ndyoka twa kala twiinekela ethimbo alihe. Otwa kanitha kuume ketu, komrade ngoka e tu pe omukumo , noyendji mboka aashona otwa tsuwa omukumo opo tu landule moompadhi dhe. Otatu gandja omahekeleko kofamili ayihe unene omukulukadhi gwe naanona.”

Monkundathana ndhoka a ningwa naye koshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, Kapewasha okwa popi kutya ye okwa kala modholongo yaRobben Island uule woomvula hetatu okutameka mo-1974 pamwe nominista yaanyasha Jerry Ekandjo oshowo Nghidinwa Jacob.

Oya monika ondjo moonkambadhala dhokuya moshipala iilonga yepangelo lyokatongotongo lyaSouth Afrika.

Okwa popi kutya oyali ya tulwa mondjeedhililo yi li oshitopolwa moka mu na Ya Toivo oshowo omuleli nale gwaSouth Afrika, Nelson Mandela ihe inaya pitikwa okuya mekwatathano naakokele mboka.

“Otwa totopo omukalo gwokuya mekwatathano nayo pakushanga omatumwalaka koombapila dhootoilet. Molwaashoka ombaapila ndjoka oshona yo ompu, otwali hatu yi tonyo eta tu yi tula kokamanya nosellotape, e ta tu yi ya umbile uuna twa pitikwa oku endaenda.”

Okwa popi kutya okwa tsakanene owala na Ya Toivo mo-1981 konima sho yamangululwa, sho yo naMandela ya pula opo ye yamone.

“Oya li ye na omukumo na oye tupe omayele, kutya otwa li aashona ihe natu kwashilipaleke kutya sho tatu shuna otatu ka tsikile nekondjelomanguluko lyoshilongo shetu. Onda takanene naye woo natango mo- 1984 oshowo konima sho oshilongo sha manguluka.”

“Otu li moluhodhi lweso lye ihe otatu tyapula natango onkalamwenyo ye. Ombepo ye otayi kala natse sigo aluhe. Otwa kala hatu topolwa okashona kehe hoka twa mono okupitila momagano ngoka hatu pewa ihe iilyo otayi mono iihuna ngashiingeyi omolwa iiyemo iishona. Nonando ongaaka otatu tsikile nokulonga nuudhiginini mokudhimbuluka woo ependa lyetu Ya Toivo.”

Mbeki okwa gandja omahekeleko ge kofamili yanakusa oshowo koshigwana ashihe shaNamibia, omolwa eso lyaYa Toivo.

Okwa tumbaleke Ya Toivo kutya ependafule ndyoka lya kondjele emanguluko lyaAfrika, na okwa dhigile enenevi oshiholelwa sha simana.

Mbeki okwa popi kutya nakusa okwa dhigi po omatumbulo ga simana sho a popile ta ti: “Uuna nda thigi po uuyuni mbuka otandi kala omuntu a nyanyukwa molwaashoka Namibia okwa manguluka, naamboka tamu thigalapo kaleni noshinakugwanithwa opo kamu teye po ombili ndjoka'. onkene sho tatu laleke epende ndika, lya kondjele ombili natu kale tu shi kutya otwa thigwa molugodhi lyokukondjele enenevi epe.”

Ya Tovo ota fumbikwa mOmawendo gOmapendafule mOlyomakaya tayi ya.

NAMENE HELMICH

Iilyo yoNdilimani yeehamekelwa moshiponga shohauto

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Iilyo yoNdilimani yeehamekelwa moshiponga shohauto Iilyo iyali yoNdilimani Cultural Troupe, Castro Iileni, oshowo Joseph Gabriel, oyi li monkalo yanayipala sha landula oshiponga shohauto shoka sha faalela omwenyo gwakuume kawo omunaimvo 29, Arture Foustinu.

Jessy Nombanza, omukomeho gwongundu ndjoka okwa koleke koshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun kutya iilyo yoNdilimani oya mono oshiponga mEtiyali.

“Iilyo iyali yoNdilimani oya mono oshiponga shoka sha holola konyala oshinano shookilometa 70 okuza peinda lyopolisi pokati kaKamanjab naWerda. Oyali molweendo lyopaumwene nakuume kawo ngoka a sile pehala lyoshiponga,” Nombanza ta ti.

Okwa koleke kutya mboka yaali oyeli monkalo ya nayipala.

“Mboka yaali oyeli monkalo yanayipala ihe oyili hwepo, naangoka omaiyuvo gandje owala pamwe oondohotola odhi na omaiyuvo ga yooloka.”

Okwa popi kutya iilyo mbyoka oyi li moshipangelo shaVenduka, konima sho ya tumwa okuza moshipangelo sha Outjo.

“Otatu ka tseya owala kutya oyeli monkalo yi li ngiini uuna oondohotola dhe tu lombwele iizemo yomathano goCT scans no X-rays,” Nombanza ta ti.

Palopota yopolisi, oshiponga shoka osha holoka lyopotundi 17:15 mEtiyali mondjila onene pokati kaKamanjab naWerda.

Opolisi oyiinekelwa kutya omuhingi gwohauto yo Toyota Hilux yiikoto iyali okwa nyengwa okupangela oshiyenditho, sheetitha shi gwe nokugalangata naFoustinu okwa hulithile poshiponga.

Omunaimvo 36 omuhingi oshowo omufaalelwa gumwe omunamimvo 35 oya falwa moshipangelo shaOutjo nofamili oshowo aapopepi naFoustinu oya tseyithilwa.

Oshipotha shedhipago lyaashi lyoshiningilawina otashi vulika shika patululwe.

Castro ngoka a tseyika nedhika Etondo okwa pititha ookaCD okape koomusika dhe mOvenduka, Olyomakaya ya piti.



SHONA NGAVA

EU roaming charges dropped

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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EU roaming charges droppedBut risks linger for travellers Mobile roaming charges have been abolished in the countries of the European Union. The European Union rang in the end of cross-border roaming charges for mobile phone users in the 28-nation bloc yesterday, hailing it as “one of (its) greatest and most tangible successes”.

The move, more than a decade in the making, comes in time for the summer holidays when millions of Europeans will be on the move, and is a public relations success at a time when the EU is under pressure from Brexit and other problems.

The EU “is about bringing people together and making their lives easier. The end of roaming charges is a true European success story,” said European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.

“From now on, citizens who travel within the EU will be able to call, text and connect on their mobile devices at the same price as they pay at home. Eliminating roaming charges is one of the greatest and most tangible successes of the EU.”

It remains to be seen whether Britons will continue to enjoy same-cost mobile calls and data downloads in Europe after Britain's departure from the EU, negotiations for which are due to start next week.

But the existence of roaming charges - an important source of revenue for telecoms companies - was long seen as a “market failure” by Brussels.

“Each time a European citizen crossed an EU border, be it for holidays, work, studies or just for a day, they had to worry about using their mobile phones and a high phone bill from the roaming charges when they came home,” Juncker said.

“Roaming charges will now be a thing of the past.”

Juncker noted the abolition of the practice had “been a long time coming, with many actors involved”.

Nevertheless, “by working closely together, the European Union has delivered a concrete, positive result for European citizens”.

Brussels estimates the end of roaming fees will cost European telecom operators 1.2 billion euros (US$1.3 billion).

But the share of revenues from roaming charges already significantly declined in recent years as charges for calls and text messages dropped 90% since 2007 and data charges declined 96% since 2012 under EU regulations.

Data traffic, meanwhile, has grown 100-fold, according to the EU.



NAMPA/AFP

Dreams don't work unless you do

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Dreams don't work unless you dotjilling with Elvis se Seun tjil caught up with the ever busy Stefan on what he's up and so much more. Here is what he had to say. Stefan Ludik is a household name in Namibia and tjil thought it high time to sit down with him for some Q & A.



Tell us a little bit about Elvis se Seun and your chosen genre?

After the Big Brother Africa competition I got massive support and I was very grateful for the English market and my Namibian supporters. I tried to do an English hip hop rock type of album and after doing that, I also got a lot of support in the Afrikaans industry because I starred in a few Afrikaans soap operas. I tried to cater for that audience as well and that's why I chose the name, Elvis se Seun.



Is what you are doing now what you always wanted to?

I'm more of a songwriter. I've always wanted to write songs and entertain people. So yes, I'm doing what I always wanted to do and, I love what I'm doing. It's got its challenges but, it's definitely something I wanted to do. The satisfaction I get when I see people buying the album or telling me how they enjoy the songs so much.

What is your biggest success to date?

There were some proud moments especially when I had more time to do projects in Namibia. I'm a very patriotic and proud Namibian. I think we've got a beautiful country and awesome people. Like when we did the Hart Van Windhoek Music Festival for Huisgenoot. We also travelled to about 400 schools with the blessing of the Ministry of Education. Those were proud moments for me, being involved with projects in Namibia and promoting Namibia.



How has MultiChoice enriched your life?

I knew I was going to get into music somewhere and when that opportunity came along with the Big Brother Africa competition, I entered. It was because of a lot of luck and blessings that I got where I am today. You can't just enter a competition and then expect things to just happen for you.



What's next for Stefan Ludik?

I am just focusing on the album now. We have a lot of shows with Elvis se Seun this year. I hope in two or four years that I can move back to Namibia, use my contacts and experience to start doing more projects in Namibia. Even staying in Namibia, which would be my ultimate.



Do you have a message for those who would like to pursue their dreams like you did?

Take that leap if you really believe in yourself and have a dream. Dreams are good but they require you to work hard and that's also not a guarantee.

June Shimuoshili

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Designed to set apart

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Designed to set apartThe fairest of them all She’s known as Dnaff’s right-hand woman. Lady Dyna, whose real name is Dianess Ziba and who hails from Zambia, is a gospel artist who caught the singing bug at the tender age of 10. She would backup in church choirs with her peers and as they grew older they started producing praise and worship songs - something new in the church. Before long, Dyna’s choir was banned from singing in church. “The songs were more Hillsong-kind of music and we would have instruments and dance - real worshipping you know,” she said.

Lady Dyna came to Namibia in 2006 to pursue her profession as a social worker and by that time, she had put her music dreams aside. She met Dnaff in 2009 when she became his backup singer on songs like What a Mighty God We Serve and others. She was a backup singer until she met a vocalist who gave her voice training on a professional level. “I decided to learn about the industry before becoming a mainstream artist. That was around 2011 when I was also about to get married and prepared a surprise song for my husband which I sang on our wedding night. I shocked everyone! Even myself,” she said. Dyna and her manager, who is her husband, released her first album in 2013 which is titled Design of Destiny which featured artists like Exit. “If you want to target the youth through church you need to move with time and do things differently. People ask me if my songs are gospel because they cater for everyone. Only when they listen to the message then they get it,” said Dyna.

Dyna will be pulling off a hat trick by celebrating her birthday, Master’s graduation and launching her second album tonight at Avani Hotel and she says it shows growth above all. She says she took her time to come back as she wanted the right people to contribute on the album titled Set Apart. “It doesn’t help doing music because it’s your passion because there will be people who want to invest in you and you won’t be able to balance the two. I titled it Set Apart because from the Design of Destiny, I realised that I’m unique and want to stand out and be set apart from everyone,” she said. Some hits on the 16-track album include Osalila a gender-based violence song featuring Adora and Elizabeth that is making waves in southern Africa right now.

The album is a mixed genre album will sell for N$100 for deliveries and all shops where Dnaff Entertainment music is sold. She thanks her followers and fans for all the support so far.

June Shimuoshili

As strong as a father's love

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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As strong as a father's loveAnyone can father a child but few few can be fathers A dad is a son's first hero and a daughter's first love. In anticipation of Father's Day on Sunday, tjil caught up with a couple of awesome fathers and their children who shared how strong their bonds are. Here is what the families had to share.







Dani and his kids

Tjil: Tell us how being a father has changed your life.

Dani: I came to experience unconditional love and realised that you live for your kids.

T: What is the one memory you have of you and your father growing up?

D: Fishing together.

T: What is the one thing you teach your child?

D: Integrity.

T: Describe your child in one sentence.

D: I have got three. They are beautiful, unique and to die for.

Kids

Tjill: What makes your daddy happy?

Kids: His family and friends makes him happy, as well as fishing and hunting.

T: If your daddy was a cartoon character which one will he be?

K: He would be Jerry from Tom and Jerry, because he is smart and he outwits everyone. On top of this he is really cute.

T: Why do you love your daddy?

K: He sweet, he is funny, he has muscles and he is an all-out awesome parent. He protects those around him, even people with disabilities and kids, and he puts a lot of effort into his relationships. He is not a bully and makes us feel safe. He looks after the dogs and keeps the promises that he makes. He is our hero, a real-life hero.

T: What's your favourite thing to do with your daddy?

K: Going hunting with him and swimming with him. Simply to have dinner with him is the best, everything is fun with daddy.



Jeremy and his kids

Tjil: Tell us how being a father has changed your life.

Jeremy: Becoming a father creates a bond that can never be broken. I think the only thing in life that can make me angry is if somebody upsets one of my daughters.

T: What is the one thing you teach your child?

J: I hope my children learn that each of us can make a difference, can make the world a better place.

T: Describe your children.

J: Hambelela likes to be naughty and then dismantle your anger with her big eyes and a smile. Namutenya has grown up into a strong woman who wants to travel the world on a musical journey. Hambelela loves me because I give her things to eat that her mum won't let her have, but if you put that in the paper I will be in trouble.



Bradley and Adriaan

Tjil: Tell us how being a father has changed your life.

Bradley: Being a father actually taught me how to prioritise and be patient... it has created a different lifestyle for me the fact that I can be Bradley Anthony the artist and just a simple dad to my son, and have patience for both my son and music.

T: What is the one thing you teach your child?

B: I always remind him that he should live with no excuses and love with no regrets and be the change he wants in this world.

T: Describe your child.

B: He is a like a candy shop, so mysterious and sweet.

Adriaan

Tjil: What makes your daddy happy?

Adriaan: My dad is always happy when he sings. He keeps us up all day in the house singing for us.

T: If your daddy was a cartoon character which one will he be?

A: Superman - he is very strong.

T: Why do you love your daddy?

A: He always gives me what I want, he is the best.

T: What's your favourite thing to do with your daddy?

A: Going to church and hearing him sing better than some people in church… very loud.



Haimbili's clan

Tjil: Tell us how being a father has changed your life.

Haimbili: Being a family man changed me in such a way that I am way more responsible as I have lives in my care.

T: What is the one thing you teach your children?

H: I make sure that my children know that they are responsible for their actions.

T: Describe your child in one sentence.

H: My children are extremely naughty, loving and very smart.

Haimbili's kids

Tjil: What makes your daddy happy?

Kids: When he is playing with us and when we listen to him.

T: If your daddy was a cartoon character which one will he be?

K: Mickey Mouse because it is our favourite show.



Gottfried and Gracieta

Tjil: Tell us how being a father has changed your life.

Gottfried: Being a father is a God-given privilege which changed my perspective on life.

T: What is the one memory you have of you and your father growing up?

G: My father was strict and old-school and he taught us to be obedient. That stuck with me.

T: What is the one thing you teach your child?

G: That would be obedience, respect and discipline - always.

T: Describe your child in one sentence.

G: She is the sweetest and most beautiful child.

Gracieta

Tjil: What makes your daddy happy?

Gracieta: My dad is happy when I clean my room and when we do my homework.

T: If your daddy was a cartoon character which one will he be?

G: Superman because he is the best.

T: Why do you love your dad?

G: I love him a lot because he cares about me.



Garth and Garth Jr

T: Tell us how being a father has changed your life.

Garth: It changed my life in many ways. My son was born at six months. Being a father is inspirational.

T: What is the one memory you have of you and your father growing up?

G: I grew up with my grandfather who passed away at 104 years. I learned a lot.

T: What is the one thing you teach your child?

G: To be respectful and honest. He must be passionate about everything he does.

Garth Jr

Tjil: What makes your daddy happy?

G: When he is at home and we play soccer.

T: If your daddy was a cartoon character which one will he be?

G: Blaze. Blaze is powerful like my dad.

T: Why do you love your dad?

G: He is always there for me and because we play soccer together.



June Shimuoshili

Etondo goes all out at album launch

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Etondo goes all out at album launchIt's all about unity amongst the artists Etondo comes back using military strategies for his second album 'Ambush' which was launched at Palm Tree Park. Castro, who also goes by the name Etondo, started his musical journey when he was in exile and joined well-known cultural troupe Ndilimani which he is still part of today. “I joined Ndilimani because I was born in Swapo and growing up in Kwanza Sul watching artists like Ras Sheehama and Jackson Kaujeua make beautiful music, motivated me. So I joined Ndilimani and I never looked back,” he said. Etondo says him going solo doesn't mean he left Ndilimani. He started doing his own music in 2004 when he released his first album 'Etondo'.

This time, he came back in military style as he has been working in silence on 'Ambush'. The double CD album has tracks like Aakulupe, Ouyelele and Dear Mama. “The album speaks for itself. The first album is a mixed genre with reggae and Shambo songs. It's for everyone really. It's my best work yet,” he said.

The album launch was as unique as 'Etondo' and had a crazy artist line-up. It is thus far one of the best this year as he had new kids on the block as well as artists that have been in the game for long. The album is available at Antonio's Arts in town for N$100.

June Shimuoshili

ICT is expensive and lacks quality - Tweya

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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ICT is expensive and lacks quality - Tweya Information and communication technology (ICT) services and products are expensive and lack quality, said ICT minister, Tjekero Tweya.

Opening the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Conference on Wednesday, Tweya said business for small and medium entities in the region is hampered by the high costs.

“Roaming costs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are high, while your small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose offices and work places are their mobile phones, are suffering because of the exorbitant roaming charges.”

Namibia is rated as the third most expensive in the region, according to the 2010 Namibian Telecommunication Sector Performance Review that compared the value of short message services (SMSs).

“The industry must connect customers wherever they are in SADC and beyond at affordable rates,” said Tweya.

He emphasised that customer expectations are not static and change daily, which makes it imperative for ICT network operators and service providers to stay ahead and on top of their game.

Tweya highlighted that the traditional service quality management, which mainly focused on the quality of services, no longer appeals to network operators.

Now, he said, there is a demand for service providers to take customers' perception into consideration.

He advised ICT network operators and services providers to expand their business to remote areas instead of aiming at a few customers living in urban areas only.

“The buying power lies in the hands of the vast majority living in the remote rural areas and these are the people who can guarantee your business sustainability.”

Tweya said the conference comes at a robust and exciting time when funds are increasingly becoming a scarce commodity for all sectors of the economy, however it should not be flagged as an excuse to further deprive the people of southern Africa from quality telecommunication services and breakthrough customer experiences in ICT.



NAMPA

Full stalls, empty markets

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Full stalls, empty marketsSouth Sudan's economy crumbles The country is mostly dependent on oil revenues, which account for almost all of its exports and for 60% of its gross domestic product. “I sell the small bottle of cooking oil for 140 SSP.

Six months ago, it was 70. The customers complain,” said James Deng, an 18-year-old stallholder in Aweil, South Sudan.

In this regional market in the country's northwest - just as at the main Konyokonyo market in the capital Juba, 800km to the south, and other towns across the country - prices of essential items have rocketed as a direct consequence of almost uninterrupted civil war since December 2013.

The South Sudanese Pound (SSP) has collapsed from 18.5 to the dollar in December 2015 to around 140 now in black market transactions in Juba.

Inflation has reached record levels increasing by 730 percent in the 12 months up to August 2016, according to World Bank figures.

Adam Oumar, a shopkeeper in Aweil, sells red onions for 500 SSP per 'malua', an iron container used as a measuring unit and containing about four kilogrammes. Only six months ago, it cost 70 pounds.

“It's now very expensive and people can't afford it anymore, so they take little,” he said, standing in front of his shop, well-stocked like those of his neighbours, but lacking customers.

In Konyokonyo, Saturdays used to be the busiest in the hectic market, but in early June the dense maze of uneven paths contained just a few customers, shuffling between stalls dedicated to mattresses, plastic buckets and second-hand clothing in the section run by Sudanese traders.

Vegetables are sold in an area dominated by Ugandan merchants. Kamala, a 46-year-old schoolteacher, a basket of shopping in her hand, had a frustrating morning. “I came with 6,000 pounds but just see, this basket is not filled up.” She said she received her last wages in January and it was getting harder and harder to buy the basics.

Kamala should receive 2 000 pounds a month, a salary that has not increased for years.

In early 2016 it was worth about US$65 (58 euros). Now it's worth just US$15. This is a particular problem in South Sudan where almost everything is imported.

“This money we are pulling out now, it's money we saved for the future, to cater for issues of children, medicine or education for children. But this money, now we are finishing it for food,” she said.

“The first solution to this problem is for the conflict to stop. This will give us opportunity to cultivate and grow our own food,” Kamala said.

In South Sudan, 85% of the working population is self-employed, the overwhelming majority engaged in small scale farming. But the conflict has severely disrupted agricultural production, triggering a major food crisis nationwide and even famine in some areas.

The government of President Salva Kiir understands the sensitivity of the matter and ordered food trucks from neighbouring Uganda to Juba at the beginning of May.

The influx of subsidised food was supposed to help relieve pressure on prices, but the effect was limited.

The conflict has also hit South Sudan's oil production, its only source of foreign exchange, at the same time as global oil prices have tumbled.

“Before the crisis of 2013 we were producing 240,000 barrels per day. In 2014 up to the first half of 2015 we were producing 160,000 barrels per day. To my knowledge today we are below 130 000,” said finance minister Stephen Dhieu in an interview.

He added that the government is trying to rehabilitate some of the oil facilities damaged by fighting and increase production to around 160 000-180 000 barrels a day this year.



NAMPA/AFP

Inflation on downward spiral

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Inflation on downward spiral The inflation rate observed during the year suggests that the overall price of goods and services appears to be going down – according to the latest numbers released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) this week.

“The downward trend of the annual inflation rates observed during the 2017 calendar year continues and for the month of May 2017, the annual inflation rate decreased by 0.4 % points, to 6.3% from 6.7% recorded in May of the previous year,” the NSA said.

The decline was as a result of a decrease in the price levels of the categories food and non-alcoholic beverages, health and recreation.

“This decrease resulted mainly from decreases in price levels of food and non-alcoholic beverages which declined to 3.7% from 12.2%, Alcoholic beverages and tobacco which declined to 3.3 % from 7.3%, furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house which declined to 4.9% from 5.5%, health having declined to 5.4% from 7.4%, while recreation and culture declined to 5.1% from 6.4%,” the NSA said.

On a monthly basis, the monthly inflation rate declined to 0.1% as compared to 0.3% registered in the previous month according to the NSA.

“For the month of May 2017, the major drivers of the annual inflation rate were housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (9.8%), education (7.8%), hotels, cafés and restaurants (7.6%) and transport (7.1%),” it said.

For the minor groups, high annual inflation rates were witnessed in education (7.8%), hotels, cafés and restaurants (7.6%); miscellaneous goods and services (5.8%), health (5.4%), recreation and culture (5.1%), furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (4.9%), respectively.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Namibia left the repo rate unchanged at 7% on Wednesday during a monetary policy announcement.

STAFF REPORTER

Bushveld acquires tin mine

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Bushveld acquires tin mineScoping study to start soon Bushveld Minerals this week announced that it had completed the acquisition of the Uis tin project. Bushveld Minerals is listed on the development board of the London Stock Exchange announced this week that it had completed the acquisition of a 49.5% interest in Dawnmin Africa Investments through its Greenhills Resources subsidiary.

The miner bought the stake from a consortium of Namibian shareholders through the issue of 41-million ordinary shares at a pence apiece.

Dawnmin's interest in the Uis tin project, in Namibia, is held through its 85% shareholding of Guinea Fowl Investments. The remaining 15% shareholding in Guinea Fowl is held by the Small Miners of Uis, and spearheaded by the mines ministry.

Bushveld Minerals CEO Fortune Mojapelo called the acquisition of the prospect significant. “The completion of the Uis tin project acquisition by Greenhills is a very significant step in delivering our strategy of establishing Greenhills as an attractive stand-alone platform, with options for listing Greenhills currently being considered by the company,” he said.

Erongo, the majority shareholder in Dawnmin, will spend up to Aus$2-million to complete a scoping study at the project, including the acquisition of processing equipment where deemed appropriate by the board of Bushveld and technical team of Dawnmin, which will be comprised of representatives from Bushveld and Erongo.

Pilot scale production at the existing plant, which is currently being refurbished by Erongo, is being targeted for the second half of 2017.

The project is estimated to host about 20 000 tonnes of tin.

The Namibian government owns the remaining shares in Uis, which is one of the largest undeveloped opencast hard rock tin deposits in the world, according to Proactive Investors.

MINING WEEKLY

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Lesotho PM-elect's wife shot dead

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Lesotho PM-elect's wife shot deadThabane 'devastated' by shooting She is alleged to have been attacked while driving home with Thato Sibolla, who works for the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services. The estranged wife of Lesotho's incoming prime minister was gunned down just two days before his inauguration, his party and police said yesterday, creating confusion ahead of the handover of power.

Thomas Thabane's wife Lipolelo, 58, was shot dead in the Ha Masana village, 35 kilometres south of the capital Maseru where she lives, as she was driving with a friend on Wednesday. Samonyane Ntsekele, the secretary general of Thabane's All Basotho Convention party, said the prime minister-elect was devastated by the shooting.

“Yes it is true that Mrs Lipolelo was shot dead last night... Everyone is traumatised by these developments,” he said. Thabane is due to replace Pakalitha Mosisili, prime minister since 2015, after forming a coalition with three other parties following elections earlier this month that handed his party most seats in parliament.

He and Lipolelo are understood to have been embroiled in a bitter divorce dispute.

Lipolelo reportedly won a court case against Thabane during his first stint as prime minister affirming her position as Lesotho's first lady instead of Thabane's youngest wife, Liabiloe Thabane. A police source told AFP that Lipolelo had been driving with a friend when they spotted a man walking down the road.

“The suspect pulled out the gun and opened fire on them. Lipolelo died on the spot while the other woman is fighting for her life in hospital,” he said.

Police spokesman Clifford Molefe confirmed there had been a shooting.

“A 58-year-old woman was shot dead last night at Ha Masana but it is too early to disclose the name of the deceased or whom she is related to,” he said. Detectives are investigating the incident, he added.

Ntsekele said it was too early to know if the shooting would affect Thabane's inauguration.

But Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesman for South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa who has played a key mediation role in Lesotho, told broadcaster SABC he hoped the ceremony would go ahead as planned.

Thabane is due to be sworn in at the Setsoto stadium in Maseru, marking the impoverished country's third attempt at a coalition government. Both of the previous joint administrations have collapsed.

Lesotho has a long history of political instability having suffered coups in 1986 and 1991.

The small kingdom was plunged into crisis in 2014 when soldiers attempted to oust Thabane during his last stint as prime minister.

Thabane fled to South Africa, where he spent two years, while the regional bloc SADC stepped in to end the crisis. Early elections took place in 2015.



NAMPA/AFP

Primary School teachers rock!

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Primary School teachers rock! Move aside Mr Bean. Mr. Kokauru, our primary school teacher takes the cake hands down. The man had the unmatched ability to interpret things completely different to most people. Mr Kokauru was the kind of person that would have an answer - and a solution - for every crisis or situation.

Mr Kokauru’s ingenious scribbling on a piece of cardboard, warned learners at the school hostel premises not to “… play in this pond when this sign is submerged in water”.

Poor Mr Kokauru could not fanthom how learners could not understand the sign. He was also a firm believer in doing things right the first time. He believed that counting should start from the ‘number’ zero. He also believed the first day of the week was Monday and not Sunday, but that is a conversation best left for another day.

One day, some students in the hostel complained of not having received their share of dinner, after standing in the queue.“How many of you did not receive their dinner. Let me see a show of hands,” Mr Kokauru said.

Four learners put their hand in the air.

Mr Kokauru moved closer to the learners and started counting “…zero, one, two, three… give me three plates there please,” he shouted to the kitchen staff.

After the plates arrived, one learner was still short of his dinner

“Hey you boy,” Mr Kokauru protested, “Did I not count you here? Stop playing games with me - you got the plate already because you were counted.”

That was Mr Kokauru for you. By the way, we never dared call him by his full surname, which meant ‘small, funny-shaped head’ (which he unfortunately had). We abbreviated it to Mr K.

When Mr K saw a learner carrying water in a glass to his room one day, he stopped her and summoned her to his office.

“Don’t you know that it is prohibited to take tea and foodstuff into the rooms?” he asked the learner.

“I know sir, but this is just water,” she said.

“I knew that is what you would say. Pour it out. You kids of nowadays are too smart. I am sure you have taken the tea and hid it under that water in your glass,” was his response.

My friend Tjeripo once tricked him into letting him leave his classroom. Once he was outside, I called him to the class widow and asked how he managed to do that.

“Ag, you know that Mr Kokauru is not that literate. Just throw him any line in English and he will believe you. You have to make it sound like an emergency though,” he told me.

“Really? So, what line did you use?” I asked Tjeripo.

“I told him I needed to go, as I need to go and help my dad to carry the Geography back to school. Of course, he had no idea what Geography was.”

I decided to follow Tjeripo’s lead. I approached Mr K’s table and a few minutes later, I was out of the class after using the very same line.

After the fifth learner used the same line on him to be excused from class, the teacher got suspicious and yelled at the last learner: “You boys think I am stupid. How on earth will you all carry the Geography back to school? You think I do not know that Geography is merely the size of a matchbox?”

I left it at that. I never really knew what Mr K understood by the term ‘Geography’, but it surely did provide for much-needed comic relief.

Oh, how time flies. All I am left with now of Mr Kokauru, who has since retired from teaching and returned to Kaokoland, is a picture of him with the rest of the teachers of class 1986.

True to his image as a gentleman, Mr K is pictured with his white shirt tucked neatly in his formal pants, a dark blue tie and flip-flop sandals! He was indeed a man of style and knew just how to do it!

Let’s raise our glasses, of water and a hidden tea bag, to the amazing Mr Kokauru.

Until then…

tjatindi@gmail.com

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE ANDIMBA TOIVO YA TOIVO

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE ANDIMBA TOIVO YA TOIVO By Kennedy Hamutenya



The last time I saw Tatekulu Honorable Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo was at Eros Airport, with his loving wife, on the way to the north for the wedding of the daughter of Honourable Helmuth Angula. I put my arm around him, walked him from the car and helped him get seated whilst Mrs Ya Toivo was checking them in for their flight to Ondangwa. It was first time I noticed he looked a bit frail and it got me a bit worried. But despite his apparent frailty he was in a jovial mood and his spirits as high as always. As usual he enquired about the wellbeing of my family. This time he was specifically asking about my late Uncle's widow and her family. “How are they? How are they coping?” That is the man that I have come to know over the past twenty years. Caring. Amongst many other positive attributes.



Tatekulu Ya Toivo was the first Minister of Mines and Energy (MME). There was no such ministry before independence. In those days – in the previous dispensation -the mines were under the auspices of the Department of economic Affairs. At the time I joined MME as a mining inspector in 1995, the ministry was headquartered in the Trust Centre Building – opposite the Kudu sculpture on Independence Avenue in Windhoek. This is where majority of the MME employees were based. At the same time there was another fraction of MME employees that worked at the Geological Survey of Namibia (GSN) Building next to Eros Airport. At the time the GSN and its employees sought and wanted to be recognised as a separate and ringfenced entity from MME. The problem was that the majority of GSN employees were disproportionally white – from the previous dispensation - and on the other side the CBD based MME employees were predominantly non-white and mostly new entrants into the Namibian mining sector. At the Trust Centre building there was tension between some of the few white employees and some of us hotheads – especially the returnees who were educated and trained by SWAPO in exile and who were trying to find our place in the new dispensation. Honourable Ya Toivo could not tolerate these racial divisions and the tensions that came with it. He sought to unite the entire Ministry under one umbrella and to instil racial and tribal harmony at MME. It was on that basis that he pushed for the construction of the new MME building next to the GSN building in the proximity of Eros Airport. He wanted a seamless, harmonious and non racial ministry under one umbrella. Today as we speak the GSN now represents the demographics of Namibia, is predominantly female and led by three strong black women – amongst others. This was part of the vision of Honourable Toivo Ya Toivo. Most importantly he spearheaded the establishment of the Ministry, the promulgation of legislation and policies on mines and energy and the creation of various institutions that are today the driving force of our economy.



I was privileged, as an Inspector of Mines and later as Director of Mines, to work and travel with the late Honourable across the width and length of the country, the region and the world. There is one particular trip we took in the country that I'll never forget. It gave me a lot of insight into his character and personality. We set out to visit a number of mines across the country. At the time almost every mine we travelled to, the workers complained about mistreatment, poor pay, bad living conditions, unsafe working conditions, racism and tribalism. Honourable Ya Toivo did not hesitate to verbally rough up many a mine manager. To their dismay he'd do it right in front of the workers. By the time he left the mine he extract many concessions from management. Equally, he'd also lambast workers for absenteeism, for laziness and poor productivity. That's how fair he was. Once we were at a mine in the Kunene and the Himba workers there refused to work because they did not want a Herero supervisor. They called him a “white man from the city.” They also complained that they could not be supervised by a “young boy” who had not had his “cut his teeth yet.” This was to us a complex problem, but the Honourable gently spoke to the workers and explained to them that in the new Namibia we are all equal before the law and there was no need for tribalism. By the time we left that mine there was peace and harmony. He was a man who used his painful experiences and lessons in life to promote harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst a diverse nation.



One poignant memory I have of him is that he truly valued his friendships throughout the country and beyond. On that particular trip around the country I remember that he made a point of visiting old friends in every town that we drove through. He'd stop in Tsumeb to visit his Portuguese friends at a corner shop. And we'd be there for two to three hours whilst they reminisced about the good old times. He'd do the same thing in Ondangwa and in Oshakati and by the time we got to Walvis Bay he'd instruct me- as usual – to come with him (he never liked to be alone) to the home of the late Nathaniel Maxuilili where they'd sunrise whilst downing their whisky and trolling each other mercilessly. In the same vein, when we were in Cape Town attending the Cape Town Mining Indaba he'd invite me to go on a long 30-45 minute walk up Table Mountain (he declined a taxi as walking is good exercise) to visit his long time friend and comrade the late Honorable Helen Suzman. There they'd chat endlessly for hours about their trouble-making days, plotting resistance, in and out of prison pre- Robben Island.



That was Honourable Toivo Ya Toivo – a great man who treasured his friendships and relationships – a kind man, fair, honest, caring, gentle and brave. A bona fide Namibian Hero. My sincere condolences to his loving wife Meme Vicky, his beautiful twin daughters and his family and loved ones, may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Promote citizen engagement

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Promote citizen engagement It is good that government has finally come up with a social media policy for its agencies and civil servants. The new Social Media Use Policy and Implementation Plan made public by information minister Tjekero Tweya last week is an indication that government is moving with the times in its efforts to improve quality of service and enable greater citizen engagement. Almost every second person is on social media in Namibia these days and in many other countries have realised the enormous power of social media networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. It is true that social media can also be a double-edged sword considering that it can be used by unscrupulous elements to spread inflammatory messages. Social media platforms can also be chaotic and difficult to control, but it is nevertheless an ideal platform to establish communities and networks without substantial costs. It is, however, disappointing to see many politicians and government agencies only using social media when it suits them. In the last general elections, political parties used the digital space to woo potential voters. They have since disappeared into thin air and are likely to resurface again during the next campaign period. Although the authorities deserve praise for introducing such a policy, which will now be integrated into government's information dissemination strategy, there are still lingering questions regarding its effectiveness. At the moment, many government officials, including ministers and accounting officers, have made it common practice to send journalists from pillar to postl; although there are a few that are really doing an exceptional job, so it isn't be fair to paint all government officials with the same brush. However, the majority of government officials clearly don't yet understand the role of the media and the significance of sharing vital information with the media. Now that government has rolled out its media use policy, it is imperative that there is an honest desire to serve the public interest through the involvement of bi-directional multimedia engagement.

Walvis expands rapidly

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Walvis expands rapidlyBuilding plans worth N$800m approved According to the municipality, the value of completed building structures stands at N$413 million. The municipality Walvis Bay approved and recorded building plans with a total value of N$828.7 million between November 2015 and February 2017.

“The value of completed building structures stands at N$413 million for the same period and include 300 residential properties, 191 flats or apartments, 172 additions to existing structures, 24 industrial buildings and 14 commercial buildings,” deputy mayor Hilka Erastus told community members at a public meeting this week, where she provided an update on capital projects.

She further said that council would attend to town planning matters that will result in the servicing of more than 1 618 erven located in Narraville.

With regard to the construction of affordable houses at Extensions 5, 6 and 7 in Kuisebmond, and Extension 7 in Narraville involving 42 contractors, Erastus indicated the progress to date showed that 539 erven were allocated, 118 houses have been completed, 207 houses are under construction and 214 have been declared non-starters.

“The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) received 100 of these erven. Council also provided blocks of land to SDFN and once all necessary approvals have been obtained from the Namibia Planning Advisory Board and the Townships Board, an estimated 8 000 erven would be yielded.”

According to Erastus, several general residential erven located on Extensions 5, 6 and 7 in Kuisebmond and Extension 7 in Narraville have also been allocated for the construction of two bedroom apartments/flats to be leased to interested persons.

The construction of the electrical and civil services for Kuisebmond Extension 10 consisting of 1 023 erven was completed in May 2017.

Council also implemented a project for the resealing of streets and sidewalks as well as paving of sidewalks at an estimated cost of N$5.5 million.

The project is earmarked to include all suburbs in Walvis Bay and will be implemented gradually over the next months until the end of the financial year.

An amount of N$8.6 million was recently approved for the tarring of roads in Extension 3 in Kuisebmond.

This is the area where the Mass Housing project has been implemented.

About N$48 million was awarded for the tarring of streets in different suburbs of Walvis Bay.

The implementation of the tarring programme was awarded to four different contractors in order to speed up the completion of the individual projects as well as to address the issue of broad-based empowerment for more role players to participate in and benefit from the same programme.



Higher urbanisation

The African Economic Outlook (AEO) for 2016 indicates that Namibia's rate of urbanisation accelerated and now stands at 4.5% per year.

The urban population as a share of total population increased from 28% in 1991 to 43% in 2011.

The rate of urbanisation has been higher than the population growth rate of 3.5% and this led to the mushrooming of informal settlements in the major towns and urban centres.

According to the AEO about 74% of the Namibian households cannot afford conventional housing and only 57% of urban households have access to sanitation facilities.

The organisation is of the opinion that the government's ongoing public housing programme will need to be completed with better urban infrastructure development programmes and further strengthening of rural growth points to create more rural jobs.



OTIS FINCK