Preserving Ya Toivo legacy

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Cota students, ministry reach deal

≪ Previous: Walvis expands rapidly

$

0

0

Preserving Ya Toivo legacy Ondangwa residents are calling for the renaming of the town's airport facility after the late struggle hero Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo as a way to honour his rich legacy.

The residents say Ya Toivo, who died last weekend in Windhoek at the age of 92, deserves to be afforded the recognition following his immense contribution to the town.

Ya Toivo is a revered national hero not only in Namibia, but also many other parts of the world, including South Africa where he served for 16 years on Robben Island. Before his imprisonment, Ya Toivo used to run businesses in Ondangwa. He is also one of the founders of Swapo and its predecessor the Ovamboland People's Organisation.

“Namibia is free because of people like the late Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo and others and therefore if we want the future generation to know what his contribution was, his legacy must be recognised even if we have to rename the Ondangwa airport after him, he deserves it,” said Ondangwa resident Martin Petrus.

Concurring with the idea to rename the airport after Ya Toivo, David Hauwanga, who is the acting headmaster at the Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Secondary School, said something needed to be done to preserve the rich legacy of the late freedom fighter.

“We are aware of history and in order for his name to be remembered as a way of motivating the upcoming generation, something needs to be done and he can be named after the Ondangwa airport or the Ondangwa sports field which is in the pipeline. He deserves it because of the role he played in the liberation struggle,” he added.

Hauwanga added pupils and teachers at the school were grateful to be associated with a legacy of a giant like Ya Toivo and his death is a great loss to them.

“We feel very bad about his departure as he used to visit the school, support us with material and stationery as well as rewarding the outstanding learners and teachers at the school.

“He even celebrated his 90th birthday here at our school, which shows you he loved this school,” Hauwanga said. A Grade 12 learner at the school, Elina Tjiriange, said another way to honour Ya Toivo's legacy was to perform well academically.

“It is terrifying for what has happened as we lost our patron unexpectedly.

“However, we as learners especially the Grade 12s we will have to ensure his legacy continues and that is by putting our school among the best schools in the country,” Tjiriange said.

Family spokesperson Helmut Angula said the residents should take up the issue with the local political leadership in ensuring that the local procedures are followed.

“If they have a proposal, they should just go through the channels, propose it to the regional council which should take it to the governor who will then transmit it to the government,” Angula.

Yesterday afternoon the remains of the late Ya Toivo arrived at the Ondangwa Airport ahead of a memorial service at the town today.

He will be laid to rest at the Heroes Acre next week Saturday.

Ya Toivo is survived by his wife, Vicki and twin daughters Mutaleni and Nashikoto.



KENYA KAMBOWE

---

Cota students, ministry reach deal

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Ndilimani members involved in accident

≪ Previous: Preserving Ya Toivo legacy

$

0

0

Cota students, ministry reach deal 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,” she said. “The ministry has fast-tracked solutions to problems resulting from historical issues and financial constraints.”

Steven Angula, a member of the Students Representative Council (SRC) said that he was overwhelmed about resuming classes.

“I feel so overwhelmed because at the beginning we were so into the deep and didn't know what we getting our self into but with the help of Nanso, SRC, members of the management and the public we managed to get a positive response from the education ministry,” said Angula.



STAFF REPORTER

Ndilimani members involved in accident

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Political impasse delays Oshana hospital

≪ Previous: Cota students, ministry reach deal

$

0

0

Ndilimani members involved in accident Two Ndilimani Cultural Troupe members Castro Iileni, the lead singer and Joseph Gabriel, the band manager, are in critical condition from injuries sustained in a road accident that claimed the life of one of their friends, 29-year-old Arture Foustinu.

Jessy Nombanza, the troupe's manager confirmed to Namibian Sun the Ndilimani members were involved in the accident on Tuesday.

“Two members of the Ndilimani cultural group were involved in an accident about 70km from the police checkpoint between Kamanjab and Werda. They were on a private trip with a friend and sadly, she died instantly,” said Nombanza.

He confirmed the condition of the two band members is critical.

“The two are in a critical but stable condition and that is just my own analysis. Maybe the doctors have another opinion,” said Nombanza.

He said the two members are in a hospital in Windhoek after being transferred from Outjo.

“We will only know about their condition after the doctors tell us the results from the CT scans and X-rays,” said Nombanza.

According to the police report, the accident occurred on Tuesday at 17:15 on the main road between Kamanjab and Werda.

The police believe the driver of the Toyota Hilux double-cab lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn and Foustinu was killed instantly.

The 36-year-old driver and another passenger, who is 35 years old, were transported to Outjo State Hospital.

Foustinu's next of kin have been informed.

Charges of culpable homicide will be investigated.

Castro, who is popularly known as Etondo, had a successful CD launch in Windhoek on Saturday at a packed Palm Tree Park. He had a line-up of artists whom he featured on the album, including legendary reggae artists Hishishi Papa and Ras Sheehama.

He said he wanted to revive unity amongst Namibian artists and that is his aim in the industry.



SHONA NGAVA

Political impasse delays Oshana hospital

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Cran seizes illegal equipment

≪ Previous: Ndilimani members involved in accident

$

0

0

Political impasse delays Oshana hospital Construction activities related to a planned referral hospital in the north are being delayed because of a strong opposition to the project.

Health minister Bernard Haufiku said he was not convinced Ondangwa was the ideal location for the planned referral hospital in Oshana Region.

He added it could be within a 60-kilometre radius of the Ondangwa Airport and that it need not necessarily be in Ondangwa or its immediate surrounds.

Ondangwa was initially set for a district hospital, but such plans have since been shelved by the ministry of health for a bigger project.

“I think Ondangwa compromised itself when we agreed that they would come back to us. I am not convinced that Ondangwa is the best location for the hospital,” Haufiku said yesterday on the sidelines of a handover of health equipment to his ministry.

“We will go on with this project, even if they [Ondangwa Town Council] come with daggers. We don't want to build a hospital where people will have to be flown to. The best we can do is fly in doctors to the northern hospital.”

It is likely that the new hospital will be constructed in Ongwediva.

“We have to go back to the drawing board. The process has been constrained but we are looking at the end of 2018,” said Haufiku.

He also indicated that a meeting was planned with a potential suitor in due course.

Explaining the private investor's role, he said, “We are leveraging on their capital and skills.”

The Ondangwa Town Council has expressed discontent with the shelving of the district hospital project in favour of a northern national referral hospital. Ondangwa town CEO Ismael Namugongo said council would not canvass for additional support and that it would wait for President Hage Geingob to pronounce himself on the matter.

“There will be no effort from council; we have made our position clear to the president. We will not look for support from any other office or structure.”



OGONE TLHAGE

Cran seizes illegal equipment

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Civil society challenges Trump

≪ Previous: Political impasse delays Oshana hospital

$

0

0

Cran seizes illegal equipment The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) yesterday seized all telecommunications equipment of a South African-based firm, Internet Solutions (Pty) Limited.

According to the authority, “Internet Solutions Namibia (Pty) Limited is in contravention of section 37(1) of the Communications Act in that it is providing unlicensed telecommunications services in Namibia.”

Cran said in a statement there were reasonable grounds that the company was providing unlicensed telecommunications services by renting rack space for installation equipment to facilitate telecommunications services.

What this means is that the said company was using the data lines of Telecom and Paratus for their server to offer internet services in the country.

According to Cran, the company “issued an 'enter and search' warrant to our inspectors to enter and search Telecom Namibia and Paratus Telecom's data centres and has instructed Paratus and Telecom Namibia to disconnect all clients of Internet Solutions.”

The authority will now proceed with prosecution.

“Cran will utilise the evidence to finalise the prosecution of the matter as per the relevant provisions of the Communications Act. Members of the public are therefore cautioned to refrain from entering into any business transactions relating to the provision of telecommunications services with Internet Solutions (Pty) Limited and or any other unlicensed operator.”

The authority warned companies to not contravene the law in Namibia and said prosecution will follow any entities found to be guilty of such an offence.

The public was also urged to ensure that they use telecommunications services from companies registered to practice in Namibia.

Internet Solutions (Pty) Limited is a South African-based firm with its head offices in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

The company has executives in charge of West African, Mozambican and Middle Eastern operations.

Saki Missaikos is the managing director and Julian Sunker the chief operating officer.



STAFF REPORTER

Civil society challenges Trump

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: SS Nujoma adds sparkle

≪ Previous: Cran seizes illegal equipment

$

0

0

Civil society challenges TrumpUS leader must honour Paris climate agreement Namibia's environmental chamber has said that America's departure from the Paris Agreement cannot go unchallenged. Namibian civil society is not backing down to US President Donald Trump's decision to pull his country out of the Paris Agreement.

The local activists are also angered by Trump's decision that his country will no longer contribute to the Green Climate Fund.

In a statement reflecting the views of the environmental non-governmental sector, under the umbrella of the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE), it said the decision taken by Trump means that the world's greatest polluter expects the rest of the world to carry their costs.

“This moral injustice cannot go unchallenged by civil society in Namibia,” the statement reads.

The statement has been sent to the US Ambassador to Namibia, Thomas Daughton, with the request that he forwards it to his principals in Washington.

Trump announced on 1 June that the US will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, joining only two other countries in the world that have not signed it. The other two are Syria, which is in the midst of a civil war, and Nicaragua, which felt the goals were not ambitious enough.

“In the view of the NCE, this decision is short-sighted. It will have negative consequences for the US economy and for the international community, to which Namibia will not be immune.”

The NCE said that it deplores Trump's decision.

“This decision will undermine the US legitimacy as a partner in advancing sustainable development in Namibia. It undoes the work of years of delicate US diplomacy and leadership that united 196 countries with vastly different interests and circumstances around a common goal to address a critical global challenge.”

According to the NCE it will impede the achievement of the objectives of the Green Climate Fund which is an important funding mechanism for climate compatible development for Namibia and other developing countries.

The NCE further said that Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement, in line with his campaign promise, is based on the argument that the agreement “disadvantages the US, leaving American workers and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, closed factories and vastly diminished economic production”.

However, the NCE pointed out that growth in renewable energy investments would provide many more jobs than fossil fuels, and improve economic output.

It said that the withdrawal will also have implications for the role of the US in international diplomacy, both in the climate negotiations, in which it will lose its bargaining position, and in other international issues such as trade and security, in which the US stands to lose its credibility as a responsible global power.

According to the chamber, China is well positioned to step up to fill the leadership void that the US has left as a major power in the climate negotiations and a leader in green energy technology.

It said that perhaps the most critical impact of the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement is that Trump also pulled out of the pledge of US$3 billion toward the Green Climate Fund.

The fund was set up to support developing countries to transition towards low carbon, climate resilient development pathways, and has already received over US$10 billion in pledges.

The US has already transferred US$1 billion of its pledge.

Namibia was one of the first countries to access resources through the Green Climate Fund, with the accreditation of the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) to access funds in 2015 and the first two projects.



ELLANIE SMIT

SS Nujoma adds sparkle

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS

≪ Previous: Civil society challenges Trump

$

0

0

SS Nujoma adds sparkleDiamond exploration vessel commissioned Debmarine Namibia yesterday launched its N$2.3 billion and the world's largest diamond exploration vessel. Founding President Sam Nujoma expressed his profound appreciation to Debmarine Namibia for bestowing the honour of having his name placed on its sixth and state-of-the-art marine diamond sampling and exploration vessel.

“I am honoured to be the namesake of the first and only dedicated exploration and sampling vessel, SS Nujoma,” he said during the christening ceremony in Walvis Bay yesterday.

“It is the most environmentally friendly vessel in the Debmarine Namibia fleet. It is also technologically advanced and carries a green passport since it is fitted with a desalination system with the capacity to ensure that it is self-sufficient with regards to freshwater supplies.”

Nujoma said that he was grateful for the distinct honour and said he accepted it with humility and pride on behalf of Namibian people for whom he was honoured and privileged to provide guidance.

He applauded Debmarine for investing in youth development and said no country would progress unless it invests in its youth.

He commended Debmarine for purposefully embarking on a strategic initiative to grow Namibian captains to master the mining vessel and for ensuring the country fully benefit from its marine resources.

He reminded the employees of Debmarine that working for the company was a national duty.

He encouraged the company to take its corporate social responsibility seriously by sponsoring the youth, schools, hospitals and thereby playing a pivotal role to combat the problem of unemployment and contribute to economic growth and wealth creation.

He further reiterated his commitment to safeguard, preserve and ensure that the country's mineral resources are used for the benefit of all Namibians and said he was an ardent believer that the beneficiations of mineral resources is one of the critical factors for achieving the national development agenda.

“We are no longer content with mining companies which invest and export. We seek more value out of our natural resources both directly and indirectly through shareholding in mining ventures, and greater value-addition by processing raw materials further down the value chain before exporting.”

The former president said that he was satisfied that the rehabilitation of the marine mining environment occurs naturally once the mining has been completed in a particular area.

“I am informed that all aspects of operations are carefully considered and managed through the implementation of an environmental management system certified to international standard. Through a commitment to ensure long-term sustainability as well as clear focus on its medium- and long-term goals, Debmarine Namibia continues to live up to its mission of delivering value to its shareholders and is increasingly becoming the most important source of diamonds in the country.”

He also encouraged the continuation of strong relations between the Mine Workers Union (MUN) and the management of Debmarine Namibia in order to advance the common good of the country.



OTIS FINCK

SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Councillor pleads for the poor

≪ Previous: SS Nujoma adds sparkle

$

0

0

SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS SHIP'S AHOY: The SS Nujoma, Debmarine Namibia's sixth and only dedicated exploration and sampling vessel has been christened, named after Founding President Sam Nujoma. At the ceremony held yesterday in Walvis Bay, Nujoma said, “I am honoured to be the namesake of the first and only dedicated exploration and sampling vessel, SS Nujoma.”

Read the full story on page 2. PHOTO: OTIS FINCK

---

Councillor pleads for the poor

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Youth remain defiant

≪ Previous: SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS

$

0

0

Councillor pleads for the poor A Windhoek councillor is fighting to find a permanent solution for pensioners and vulnerable Windhoek residents who face homelessness because of unpaid municipal debts.

National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) representative Joseph Kauandenge told Namibian Sun that he intervened on behalf of a 60-year-old Katutura resident last month who was facing eviction because she owed the city nearly N$95 000 in unpaid municipal bills.

The eviction has been put on hold for now, after he tabled a motion at last month’s council meeting.

In it he is asking the City council to help devise a strategy to address the “burning issue” affecting vulnerable Windhoekers.

Kauandenge yesterday said he is aware of 10 to 15 families who could be homeless soon in low-income areas, due to unpaid bills, but that the problem is likely much bigger.

He said there is an increasing trend “of our pensioners and vulnerable residents’ houses being sold by our City of Windhoek legal department, because they are in arrears of water and electricity, including other municipal services.”

He questioned the “moral justification” of evicting poor and vulnerable residents.

“Should we always find the easy option of selling people’s houses because they are in arrears? How justifiable is this action in the eyes of our people?”

Kauandenge said it is “high time” to tackle the prolonged problem faced by many cash-strapped and vulnerable residents, and to create a concrete policy to regulate the process of how to deal such cases.

He said the issue has been a continuous problem for many years, but instead of resolving it there has only been “talk, talk, talk and no action”.

Kauandenge also warned that evicting residents worsens Windhoek’s illegal shacks and land occupation challenges.

“When the municipality sells their houses, they are left on the street and have to fend for themselves. That must stop. We are putting them outside of their homes, and then they are forced to build shacks somewhere else. There is no plan B.”

Equal pressure

In May, City officials confirmed that unpaid total debt of residents and government agencies is crippling the municipality, with more than N$500 million accumulated through unpaid rates and taxes, as well as municipal bills for sewerage and water services.

The City has attributed N$12 million to pensioners and vulnerable people, while more than N$105 million was owed by various government intuitions.

City of Windhoek CEO Robert Kahimise told reporters recently that one of the solutions the city was considering was to install pre-paid meters in the homes of low-income residents struggling to pay their municipal bills.

Kauandenge told Namibian Sun this week that it was unfair to target the pensioners and vulnerable residents to recuperate costs, when the vast majority of unpaid bills could be linked to state institutions and other entities.

“We can’t just pick on the most vulnerable, and ignore those like government institutions who have money but do nothing about it. It’s called selective morality.”

Kauandenge said he is not advocating for non-payment of municipal fees nor does he want to provide ammunition to those who make excuses for non-payment.

“What this motion is attempting to do is to make us aware of the acute and dire situation in which some of our residents find themselves, and to devise strategies that must mitigate this shortcoming to propose water-tight alternatives.”

The Nudo politician said his motion, asking the City to stop auctioning off the houses of poor and the elderly, received overwhelming support and he is hopeful that a solution can be found.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Youth remain defiant

June 15, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Traffic cop killed at roadblock

≪ Previous: Councillor pleads for the poor

$

0

0

Youth remain defiantA year on…AR vows to continue new parliament protests National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi maintains the idea to build a new parliament building has not fallen yet and the project will be resuscitated when the time is ripe. One year after the mass anti-parliament protests by Namibian youth, the battle-axes remain drawn for another stand-off between government officials and young people. The government officials continue to insist when the time is right a new parliament will be built, much to the dismay of the youth who don’t see the mega project as a priority. Affirmative Repositioning (AR) radical youth activist Job Amupanda, who helped to mobilise the June 16 protests against the proposed N$2.2 billion new parliament building last year, vowed that if the project is revived the youth will protest again. “If they bring back that non-sensible, corrupt initiative, we will protest again. This time we will protest to parliament and even proceed to their houses to show them how serious we are,” he declared. National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi this week confirmed that while the project was put on hold because of government’s money troubles, it will be reactivated when the time is right. He cautioned that “the longer we delay the construction, the more costly it will become. It is our sole responsibility to ensure that the cost is affordable and manageable.” Amupanda said the decision last year to stand up to Namibia’s “elite politicians” allowed the youth to show the current political leaders “that we will not allow them to urinate on our future”. He said their actions played a decisive role in shutting the project down and if the youth had not acted the project would likely have gone ahead in some form. “By standing up on 16 June, we wanted to demonstrate to people like Katjavivi and the other elites that we will not allow them to urinate on our future,” he said.

‘Protestors don’t matter’

Katjavivi disagreed, emphasising the pause on the project “had nothing to do with the AR”. He added that “whoever may feel like crediting the AR for the postponed parliament building project simply has a misguided perception.” The DTA's Nico Smit agreed that the youth protests had no influence. He said the “complete disdain for any and all forms of criticism against the proposed project, which was shown by government at the time, and the insistence, even today, that the project should continue once there are funds to do so, is evidence that the protests did not have any real impact.” Smit, however, praised the widespread outcry and the protests on 16 June last year. He said the fact that young Namibians came together and put aside their political differences to unite “behind the need to see proper prioritisation and utilisation of state resources,” was a positive sign for Namibia’s democracy.

We are awake

Amupanda said although government will not credit the protests for their impact, the fact is that “Namibians are no longer sleeping”. He said that many of Namibia’s leaders are approaching the “sunset of their lives” and that the youth, who he said represent 60% of the country’s population, “don’t take them seriously in terms of future related issues of our country”.

He said the youth “is not scared of them”.

Katjavivi warned that “people should stop politicising and toying around with issues of great national importance.”

He said the plans for a new parliament were based on the spatial constraints of the current building and remains a necessity. Katjavivi argued that an independent republic like Namibia “needs a convenient and appropriate national parliament building for the current and future generations to come. A parliament is a national asset.”

Instead of arguing against a new parliament, the discussion should revolve the timing of the project versus the rise in costs the longer it is delayed, he said.

“Some parliamentarians feel that the project should never be undertaken, whereas some feel that given its significance and the facts on the ground, the project can be delayed for a reasonable time, but it should proceed to completion when the time is financially suitable for government,” Katjavivi said.

Parliament currently houses 104 lawmakers in the National Assembly and 42 in the National Council.

Smit added that in regard to the new parliament building the DTA’s “primary bone of contention has never been that a new parliament building should never be built, but instead that Namibia simply has greater priorities at present.”

The DTA has also questioned the “inflated amounts spent on the feasibility studies and these could not be satisfactorily explained. This represents money lost on what now appears to be more of a pipe dream than a realistic project that could have been rather directed towards developmental programmes.”

Last year it was reported that N$20.8 million was received from treasury to pay for a feasibility study as well as N$17.6 million paid for designs.

He said should the day come that the project is green-lighted again, “one would hope the costs will not be inflated and there will be a deliberate and genuine attempt to keep costs low, and that we will not fall prey to the price and cost inflation ailments which continue to affect government procurement.”

JANA-MARI SMITH

Traffic cop killed at roadblock

June 15, 2017, 11:36 pm

≫ Next: Construction worker falls to his death

≪ Previous: Youth remain defiant

$

0

0

Traffic cop killed at roadblock A female police officer was hit by a car last night and died on the spot while manning the Ongwediva roadblock. A 22-year-old man, who was driving the Toyota Hilux pickup that bumped the police officer, was arrested immediately. According to deputy commissioner Hilja Haipumbu, the suspect tried to flee the scene, but police were able to take him into custody. It is believed the suspect was driving the car without the consent of the owner. In 2011 a police officer was also killed at the Ongwediva roadblock.
STAFF REPORTER

Construction worker falls to his death

June 16, 2017, 6:31 am

≫ Next: Three burn to death in crash

≪ Previous: Traffic cop killed at roadblock

$

0

0

Construction worker falls to his death A 46-year-old Namibian male, an employee of SH Hendimbi Construction, fell to his death from the sixth floor of the new Namundjebo Plaza building next to the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek. According to the police, he was wearing a safety harness, but it was not clipped onto anything. He was trying to straighten a piece of metal which broke and he fell.

Three burn to death in crash

June 17, 2017, 2:34 am

≫ Next: New rules drop SA miners

≪ Previous: Construction worker falls to his death

$

0

0

Three burn to death in crash horror crash occurred last night some 60km from Karibib towards Okahandja. The Eongo police's Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu confirmed that two sedan collided head-on and immediately caught fire. Two people in one of the vehicles and one person from the other vehicle (3 people in total) burnt beyond recognition. One person survived the incident and was taken by ambulance to Usakos State hosptal in a critical condition. He was later transferred to Windhoek for further medical treatment. The particulars of the injured person are not yet known and it is not yet known in which vehicle he was and if he was a driver or passenger. The details of the vehicles are also not yet known as both vehicles were destroyed. The unidentified bodies of the deceased persons were taken to Walvis Bay police mortuary. Investigatios continue.

New rules drop SA miners

June 17, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Namibian towns advised to try fog harvesting

≪ Previous: Three burn to death in crash

$

0

0

New rules drop SA minersBlack ownership regulations cause bump in share price After announcing the new regulations pertaining to black ownership of mines in South Africa, major players saw a loss in share prices. Companies including Anglo American and Sibanye Gold dropped after South Africa increased the minimum black ownership requirement for local mines and set a 12-month deadline for compliance with the new rules.

The country’s department of mineral resources will raise the requirement from the current 26% to ensure more proceeds from the country’s natural resources flow to the black majority, South African mining minister Mosebenzi Zwane said in Pretoria, the capital. The new minimum applies regardless of whether they have previously sold shares or assets to black investors that later divested.

Sibanye dropped 7.4% at 12:58 p.m. on Friday in Johannesburg, while Kumba was 6.2% lower. Anglo American declined 6% in London.

A holder who claims a historical transaction that achieved 26% prior to the new Mining Charter, which Zwane presented on Thursday, “must top up to 30%”, regardless of whether the earlier black shareholders still hold their position, according to a statement handed to reporters.

Most mining companies reached the 26% level under previous versions of the charter but many of the black investors have since sold out. The Chamber of Mines, which represents mining companies, has said it’s willing to fight the government in court over the issue of getting credit from earlier deals, which it says would kill investment in the industry.

“The new charter is significantly worse for the mining industry than the original draft,” Peter Leon, the Africa co-chair at Herbert Smith Freehills, said by phone last week. “It’s poorly considered and raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to the protection of property rights.”

Glencore Plc, Impala Platinum Holdings Limited, South32 Limited and Kumba Iron Ore Limited, which is majority owned by Anglo American, would need to sell the biggest stakes if the new charter fails to give credit for previous deals, Avior Capital Markets said1 June. AngloGold Ashanti Limited and Sibanye, the country’s two biggest gold miners, may also be affected by the new rules.

The charter will require companies to pay 1% of annual revenue to communities and new prospecting rights will require black control, Zwane said.

Miners must also ensure that at least 80% of their total spending goes to South African companies, including a minimum of 65% of spending of services to black-owned companies, according to a copy of the charter handed to reporters.

At least 50% of the executive directors and 60% of senior management must be black, with black women making up half of each target.

MINING WEEKLY

Namibian towns advised to try fog harvesting

June 17, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Aquaponics the answer

≪ Previous: New rules drop SA miners

$

0

0

Namibian towns advised to try fog harvesting Towns in Namibia that do not receive a lot of rainfall should try fog harvesting, renowned rain water harvester in San Antonio, Texas, Billy Kniffen has said.

Kniffen, who is now retired from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, travels the United States to provide rain water harvesting education and systems to organisations across the country.

He has built a house that is fully sustainable, with rain harvesting incorporated into the design.

Kniffen also conducts workshops and classes at his home for organisations with a focus on sustainability for people living in rural areas.

He told Nampa fog harvesting is practiced in the western part of South America, where there is no rainfall.

“As the fog comes through, they put up a windscreen netting. A little gutter is built underneath it for when the water vapour hits the windscreen and it transfers the water into a storage container,” he explained.

Kniffen advised that towns such as Swakopmund, which frequently experience thick fog, should practice fog harvesting.

This method could reduce demand on municipal water.

Namibia’s climate is distinctly arid in the greater parts of the country. It has been experiencing a persistent drought for the past three years, which has affected over a quarter of the population who have no food security.

Kniffen said several large communities in Chile in South America harvest fog. They save this water and use it inside their homes or outside for irrigation or other uses.

Harvested fog that is used as drinking water needs to be disinfected.

“Whatever may hit the windscreen could have dust or bugs thus it needs to be filtered and disinfected,” he said.

Kniffen said this type of water is of a very high quality and contains no salts or minerals.

NAMPA

---

Aquaponics the answer

June 17, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Dubious Groot Systems deal ended

≪ Previous: Namibian towns advised to try fog harvesting

$

0

0

Aquaponics the answerHolds potential to revolutionise agriculture Aquaponics may be the answer for small, urban agriculture projects to alleviate hunger, poverty and even, unemployment. The landscape of urban vegetable gardening can soon be a reality for communities to produce their own food from even a tiny spot in a backyard through aquaponics.

The concept or method of aquaponics is an environmentally friendly alternative to soil-based agriculture and was put to test by Namibia Future Farming (NFF) as a means to combat unemployment, poverty and malnutrition.

An aquaponics system is a self-sustainable microclimate or mini water cycle that needs little input from the producer, as less water is lost than through the conventional ways of agriculture that require fertile soil.

The water used in the system is stored in a fish tank from where the liquid is pumped to the roots of the plants that unlike conventional agriculture is amongst rocks and pebbles.

This closed circulation system prevents water loss through evaporation, despite the direct sunlight and heat required for the plants to grow.

The fish play an important role as their waste that is broken down by bacteria in the water is nutrition for the plants that in turn filter the water for the fish through the root system.

NFF trustee Antje Schidlowski, told interested parties on Monday at a media briefing that any home gardener can run and manage such a system to produce vegetables for personal consumption.

“As a self-contained system, aquaponics has no footprint on the environment and does not require farmland with fertile soil or even land with soil,” Schidlowski said.

The benefit of such a system she noted is that aquaponics can be installed in any rocky, sandy or gravel area that is normally not suitable for crop farming.

Since the crops are not in touch with soil, no chemicals like pesticides or weed killers are needed, making this environmentally friendly as well as economically viable. Pesticides and chemicals would be harmful to the fish.

“Although the Namibian environment lends itself ideally for aquaponics farming, the harsh climate presented unique challenges for the NFF team,” she said.

Schidlowski said Namibia’s extreme heat during summer and the extreme cold during winter will require skills to ensure all year production.

The aquaponics system and development under the initiative is mostly financed and sponsored through the Finland Embassy’s Fund for Local Cooperation under the priority area of ‘Promotion of inclusive green economy that creates employment’.

Speaking at the same briefing, Finland’s Ambassador to Namibia Anne Saloranta said the project is intended to contribute towards improved nutrition and nutritional self-sustenance.

Saloranta indicated that she and her husband are already at an advanced phase to finance an aquaponics system in the Omusati Region; one of many aquaponic projects at schools, lodges, communities and the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility.

Correctional Services deputy commissioner, Meunajo Tjiroze commended the initiative and said it not only provides vegetables to inmates but also rehabilitates them to continue farming and ensure food security in their communities when integrated back into society.

NAMPA

Dubious Groot Systems deal ended

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Kashihakumwa a toto po oshiputudhilo shomadheulo goosekuriti

≪ Previous: Aquaponics the answer

$

0

0

Dubious Groot Systems deal ended Conclusion in N$9-million saga The dodgy sponsorship deal between Groot Systems and the Namibia Premier League (NPL) has officially ended. The administrator of the Namibia Premier League, Tovey Hoebeb, has confirmed that Groot Systems have totally pulled out of football.

Last year, the company announced a sponsorship of N$9 million towards the NPL for a period of three years.

Groot Systems and former NPL chairman Johnny Doeseb said that they sealed the deal and were finalising the paperwork during the time of the media briefing.

However, this year it was reported that the company had requested the terms of the sponsorship to change because of the problems the league was facing.

According to a report published by Namibian Sun earlier this year, the company allegedly requested the sponsorship to be transferred to the first division.

During an interview in March, former interim committee member of the NPL Ranga Haikali promised to follow up on what had transpired with that deal.

He did confirm that there were no transfers made from Groot Systems to the NPL accounts during his short tenure.

Haikali promised this newspaper they were going to follow up the matter.

The former committee member could not provide any further information given that he was ousted by the NFA in April.

As a result, Namibian Sun contacted Johnny Doeseb who was the chairman of the NPL when the deal was announced.

“I think you must speak to Tovey //Hoebeb because he is the one who will be able to tell you what happened to Groot Systems.

“I am trying to avoid getting into football matters because I am no longer the chairman,” Doeseb said.

When contacted for comment, NPL administrator Tovey //Hoebeb reiterated that there had been talks to transfer the deal to the first division.

He however maintained that nothing was done and no money was ever transferred into the accounts of the league.

“Groot Systems have decided not to continue with the N$9 million deal because of the football commotion that was going on.

“I can also confirm that there were talks about transferring the funds to the first division.

“All that did not happen and I now can confirm that they have completely pulled out of everything,” //Hoebeb said.

Groot Systems Cornelius Kapenda could not be reached for comment.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Kashihakumwa a toto po oshiputudhilo shomadheulo goosekuriti

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Oshikumungu shoFarm 37 sha yelekwa

≪ Previous: Dubious Groot Systems deal ended

$

0

0

Kashihakumwa a toto po oshiputudhilo shomadheulo goosekuriti Mathias Nanghanda

Komanda nale gwOpolisi yaShana, Komufala Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa okwa toto po oshiputudhilo shomadheulo goosekuriti mehangano lye lyedhina Tobias Hainyeko Trading Enterprises company.

Kashihakumwa okwa koleke ngaaka konzokundaneki yoNampa, pethimbo a ningwa naye oonkundathana okuzilila megumbo lye momukunda Edimba, popepi nEenhana moshitopolwa shaHangwena.

Oshiputudhilo she shoka otashi gandja omadheulo komahangano gopaumwene guusekuriti oshowo koohandimwe mboka yeli iilyo yoMen and Women Network against Crime.

“Omahangano guusekuriti gopamwene ogo tatu tala tango, molwaashoka aaniilonga yawo oye na oshinakugwanithwa shokukeelela nokugamena omahala gepangelo ngaashi iipangelo,” Kashihakumwa ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya itaka dheula aantu mboka inaya simaneka oveta yoshilongo onkene ayehe mboka taya ka pewa omadheulo otaya ka ningilwa tango omapekaapeko kopolisi, opo ku talike ngele oye na ondjokonona yiimbuluma.

Okwa popi kutya monena omadheulo otaga ka ningilwa poplota ye yili momukunda Edimba hoka kwa wapalekwa nokuninga okapale kokuumbula naadheulwa otaya ka za mootenda.

Aadheulwa otaya ka pewa omadheulo gomweedhi gumwe kombinga yeyigameno lyawo yene pwaahena elongitho lyoondjembo, omuzalo, odhelela, okusaluta oshowo okulonga noondjembo.

“Oohandimwe mboka ya hala okulongwa nkene ye na okulonga noondjembo nayo oya tambulwa ko opo ya vule okumona omadheulo.”

Omadheulo ngoka otaga gandjwa kondando yooN$2 000 komwedhi, na otaga ka gandjwa kaanambelewa nale yopolisi netanga lyegameno mboka yeli moshipundi shevululuko.

“Omahangano gane guusekuriti oga ulika nale ohokwe okufala aanambelewa yawo komadheulo koshiputudhilo shoka.

Omadheulo gotango otaga ka ningwa uuna ongundu yaadheulwa ya thika po-250 sigo 300 ya ningilwa omakonaakono gokumona ngele oye na ondjokonona yiimbuluma.

Kashihakumwa okwa mono omadheulo ge gotango moshikondo shegameno pethimbo lyekondjelomanguluko lyoshilongi omanga e li muupongekwa.

Okwa popi kutya okwa ninga omapulaapulo nokugandja omayele ge kombinga yohokwe ye yokutotapo oshiputudhilo she shoka, okuza ngaashi kOmukokoli Presidende Sam Nujoma, Omupresidende nale Hifikepunye Pohamba, Ominista yIipambele yOmupresidende Frans Kapofi, Ngoloneya gwaHangwena ,Usko Nghaamwa oshowo Omukomeho gwOpolisi, Sebastian Ndeitunga.

Kashihakumwa okwa zi miilonga onga komufala gwOpolisi yaShana mo-2015, mepupi lyoomvula 57. Okwa longa oshilonga sha simana meshunitho pevi lyiimbuluma moshitopolwa shaShana shoka a longela okuza mo-2006 okuya po-2015.

Kashihakumwa okwa longa onga omunambelewa gwopombanda gwegameno mEgumbo lyEpangelo pethimbo oshilongo sha manguluka. Okwa li a pewa oshinakugwanithwa shokweeta megameno Nujoma okuza muupongekwa mo-1989 oshowo oshikondo shegameno lyaanenentu mopolisi yaNamibia mo-1996.

Kashihakumwa okwa longa woo onga ndjai mEtanga lyEgameno oshowo omunambelewa omukonaakoni muUministeli wIilonga nOmalweendo. –Olopota ya gwedhwa po KONampa

Oshikumungu shoFarm 37 sha yelekwa

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Aanaskola taya longelwa mootenda

≪ Previous: Kashihakumwa a toto po oshiputudhilo shomadheulo goosekuriti

$

0

0

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. OTIS FINCK

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.

Aanaskola taya longelwa mootenda

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: SS Nujoma is world's biggest

≪ Previous: Oshikumungu shoFarm 37 sha yelekwa

$

0

0

Aanaskola taya longelwa mootenda MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Aanaskola moskola yaMount-View High School molukanda lwaBabylon mOvenduka, oya holola onkalo ya nayipala ya kehe esiku sho oskola ndjoka tayi longitha ootenda onga oonguluskola dhawo.

Oskola ndjoka oya totwa po mo-2015 opo yi gandje ootundi dhondondo onti-8 sigo onti-10, ihe aanaskola yawo yondondo onti-8 sigo onti -9 otaya longelwa mootenda. Oskola ndjoka oyi na aanaskola ya thika po-350 oshowo aalongiskola 15.

Sho a popi noNamibian Sun, omukuluntuskola gwoMount-View High School, Brian Ndabeni, okwa popi kutya oskola ndjoka kaya li yi na onguluyoskola sho ya totwa po mo-2015 ihe onkalo oya lunduluka kashona sho kwa tungwa oonguluskola ooshona omvula ya piti.

Okwa popi kutya nonando epangelo olya kambadhala mokutunga po oonguludhoka, oya taalela omashongo ogendji sho taya longele mootenda molwaashoka, osha ningwa oshidhigu aalongi opo ya longithe iikwathitholongo yimwe po, molwaashoka mootenda moka kamu na olusheno. Okwa popi kutya oshidhigu okulongela mootenda ndhoka, molwaashoka pethimbo lyuutalala ohadhi talalala noonkondo omanga puupyu hadhi pupyala noonkondo.

Nonando oya taalela omikundu ndhoka, Ndabeni okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka inayi ya moshipala elongo poskola nenge e yo kootundi lyaanaskola.

Okwa tsikile kutya nonando oskola oya taalela onkalo ndjoka,inayi sitha aalongi uunye.

“Otandi longitha ongulu yoompungulilo onga ombelewa yandje ihe nonando ongaaka onda nyanyukwa okulongela poskola ndjika oshowo aalongi molwaashoka otu uvite kutya ombelewa itayi tu ningi aantu aawanawa ihe ooshoka tatu longo,”



Ndabeni okwa popi kutya oshikondo shopaumwene nasho osha kala nokuya yambidhidha konima nkene oskola ndjoka ya totwa po. Nuumvo oskola ndjoka oya mona omagano gookompuita 25 okuza kehangaan lyoTurkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (Tika).