SS Nujoma is world's biggest

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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SS Nujoma is world's biggest Anglo American's diamond unit De Beers on Thursday launched the world's largest diamond exploration vessel off the coast of Namibia as it looks to maintain high production levels until 2035.

The 12 000-tonne, 113-metre-long SS Nujoma was built at a cost of US$157-million and is named after Founding President Sam Nujoma.

“I am very, very confident this (vessel) will allow us to continue to extract 1.2-million carats a year,” De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver told Reuters by telephone.

He said he was “cautiously optimistic” about diamond sales in 2017 and in terms of value there have been “some small positive movements” but it was too early to declare a trend.

Anglo American and De Beers rely heavily on diamonds. Anglo American says they are central to its portfolio of assets as they tend to hold value when bulk commodities fall in price.

Diamonds are also important to Namibia as they generate 20% of its foreign export earnings. Namibia receives 80 cents of every Namibian dollar generated by Debmarine Namibia, its 50:50 joint venture with De Beers.

Marine diamonds are particularly prized. They are generally more valuable than land-based stones because lower quality gems are washed away by waves.

Debmarine Namibia produced 1.2-million carats of diamonds in 2016, a level De Beers says it can maintain until 2035 when its licence expires on a 6 000 square kilometre area.

The SS Nujoma is the sixth diamond exploration vessel to join Debmarine Namibia's fleet. It can hunt for diamonds at more than double the speed of its predecessor, De Beers said.

De Beers has a budget for land-based exploration of about US$35 million to explore in Canada, Botswana and South Africa.

NAMPA/REUTERS

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Russia gets off to a winning start

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Russia gets off to a winning startNew Zealand struggle in first match Hosts Russia got off to a winning start at the Confederations Cup on Saturday. Fedor Smolov's second-half goal sealed a 2-0 win over New Zealand in Saint Petersburg in the tournament opener.

Russia went ahead in the first half of the Group A encounter through what was credited as an own goal from New Zealand defender Michael Boxall, and Smolov top scorer in the Russian league last season wrapped up the points in the 69th minute.

It was the ideal start for the Russians in a game played at the new Krestovsky Stadium, where President Vladimir Putin and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino both gave speeches before kick-off.

Group A rivals Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico met in Kazan on Sunday, with Russia's next game against the Portuguese in Moscow on Wednesday.

This competition offers Russia a chance to showcase its readiness to host the 2018 World Cup amidst off-field concerns surrounding hooliganism and security.

But it is also an opportunity for coach Stanislav Cherchesov and his side to show what they can do on the pitch, although they will face far greater tests in their next two outings than what New Zealand provided here.

“I liked New Zealand's team but luckily we managed to cancel out their strengths and displayed ours, and that was the key to our win tonight,” Cherchesov said.

The Krestovsky Stadium was late in opening and came home well over budget, while serious problems have been experienced with the playing surface.

But the venue, which will also host the final on 2 July, came through this opening test unscathed, even if there were a considerable number of empty seats.

Cherchesov's men were too strong for a limited New Zealand side and were unlucky not to take an early lead, Viktor Vasin heading against the post from an Alexander Samedov corner, with Michael McGlinchey clearing off the line.

Dmitry Poloz then went down under a challenge from New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic in the area, but the Colombian referee waved away the penalty appeals and there was no intervention from the video assistant.

Smolov had an effort ruled out for offside before the opening goal arrived just after the half-hour mark.

Alexander Yerokhin sparked the attack with an interception around 30 yards from goal, and his pass was helped on by Poloz into the path of Denis Glushakov.

The Spartak Moscow midfielder lifted the ball over Marinovic and saw his effort hit the post before Boxall, one of two defenders desperately scrambling back to try to clear, helped it over the line.

“I thought I scored the opening goal but it doesn't really matter who was credited for it,” Glushakov said. “The main thing is that we took the lead.

“We can play much better and perform much more skilled football than we showed today and we made too many mistakes. That means we still have plenty of homework to do.”

New Zealand's goalkeeper Marinovic, who plays in the German lower leagues, did well to keep the Oceania champions in the game in the second half, producing a fine double save from Poloz and Yerokhin and then turning away another effort from Rostov forward Poloz.

But Russia did increase their lead with just over 20 minutes left, Smolov finding Samedov on the right and then arriving unmarked in the box to convert his team-mate cross.

“Obviously in the first game of the tournament we wanted to get a better result than we did,” New Zealand manager Anthony Hudson said.

“So, we're slightly deflated but the team showed a lot of spirit.”

NAMPA/AFP

Andre Ward stops Kovalev

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Andre Ward stops Kovalev Andre Ward turned the tables on a big puncher when he stopped Sergey Kovalev in the eighth round Saturday night to win the light heavyweight title rematch.

The undefeated Ward turned the fight around with a big right hand that wobbled Kovalev and then swarmed all over him.

Kovalev was in the neutral corner and Ward was landing shots to the body when the Russian sat on the ring rope and referee Tony Weeks signalled an end to the bout at 2:29 of the eighth.

“I knew this time it was going to be different,” Ward said.

In a lot of ways it was the same, until Ward - who was knocked down in the first fight - showed he was a big puncher, too, with a right hand that made Kovalev's right leg wobble and signalled the beginning of the end to the bout.

The fight had been close; with Kovalev (30-2-1) winning the early rounds before Ward (32-0) began making adjustments and Kovalev began tiring. Both fighters complained of dirty tactics and Weeks spent a lot of his time breaking up clinches.

Ward won the first fight in November, coming back from a second round knockdown to get a controversial decision. The rematch seemed just as close until Ward landed the right hand that caused Kovalev's legs to wobble.

“He's a great fighter,” Ward said. “You've got to raise your game to the next level and thankfully that's what we did tonight.”

Kovalev complained that Ward hit him with two low blows in the final exchange, forcing him to sit on the first rope.

“Why stop the fight?” he said. “I could have continued to fight.”

The fight was rough and tumble from the beginning, much like when the two met the first time when both were unbeaten. But while Kovalev was supposed to be the puncher it was a big right hand by Ward that landed midway through the eighth.

“I could tell he was reacting to my body shots and I knew I had him then,” Ward said. “I knew he was hurt.”

Ward was up by a point on two scorecards and down three points on the third going into the eighth. But Kovalev was fading, just as he had in the first fight, and he picked up the pace. Kovalev was credited with throwing 407 punches to 238 for Ward, and out landing him 95-80.

The AP had Kovalev ahead by a point going into the final round.

“I don't know, I can't explain it,” Kovalev said. “I thought I was doing very well. I was better and he was better this fight. I didn't feel like I was getting knocked down by the power of his punches.”

Ward, who won an Olympic gold in 2004 and hasn't lost a fight since he was 12, took a few rounds to find his mark but once he did the two engaged in close rounds that were difficult to score. The crowd at Mandalay Bay thought otherwise, roaring at every punch landed by Ward and chanting his nickname.

There was genuine dislike between the two fighters, born largely out of their first fight. Neither made any effort to touch gloves when given their final instructions, and once the bell rang, they both went after each other.

Ward was paid US$6.5 million for the rematch, while Kovalev got a percentage of the gate and the pay-per-view.

NAMPA/AP

Li makes history at US Open

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Li makes history at US Open Haotong Li made a small piece of history by surviving the halfway cut at the U.S. Open, but closed out a frustrating third round with a quadruple-bogey at the par-five 18th on Saturday.

Li found the rough with his tee shot on 18 and hacked it out with an eight-iron, but his ball settled into a deep divot on the fairway, before his third shot bounded through the green into more nasty grass, from where he took six more shots to hole out for a 10-over 82 at Erin Hills.

The disappointed 21-year-old declined to be interviewed.

The final-hole struggle was in marked contrast to his second-round rally, when he became the first player from China to make the cut at a U.S. Open, according to U.S. Golf Association records.

On Friday, Li birdied two of his final three holes to make the cut with a shot to spare, even hitting the flagstick with his approach shot at his 17th hole, the par-four eighth.

Li turned professional at age 16 and won the Volvo China Open last year on the European Tour, securing a two-year membership and qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

He is hoping to receive a few sponsor exemptions on the PGA Tour this year and earn enough FedExCup points to have a shot at the Web.com Tour Finals and a path to a PGA Tour card.

Li is among the Chinese golfers following in the footsteps of Liang Wen-chong, who finished eighth at the 2010 PGA Championship.



NAMPA/REUTERS

Gatland says Hansen is worried

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Gatland says Hansen is worriedCelebrates win over Maori All Blacks Gatland has dismissed mid-week losses to the Auckland and Blues and Otago Highlanders as part of a learning process with winning the Test series the goal starting with the first Test in Auckland next Saturday. A confident British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland celebrated the convincing win over the Maori All Blacks by claiming it was Steve Hansen who was “worried” a week before the first Test.

All Blacks coach Hansen has been firing barbs at Gatland, accusing him of having only one style of play, claiming inside knowledge of the Lions reinforcements and saying New Zealand's thumping 78-0 over Samoa on Friday was “just the start”.

After biting his tongue for a week, Gatland fired back after the Lions overcame early tour difficulties to look sharp and well-drilled as they comprehensively outplayed the Maori All Blacks 32-10 in Rotorua on Saturday.

“He is a little bit more worried than he normally is, saying these comments about us, things he knows about or doesn't know about, that is normally a sign of a man that is a little bit worried,” Gatland said of Hansen.

“It's unlike Steve and maybe he is worried by potentially how good this team can be.”

The Kiwi-born, Wales coach also defended the harmony in the Lions bulging squad, dismissing Hansen's allegation that they had split into a likely Test line-up and the rest.

“There is no way we are divided into two,” he said.

“The harmony, and the boys singing in the changing rooms from the guys who weren't involved (against Maori All Blacks) and what it means to them in terms of the whole squad, we're very, very close.

“If Steve Hansen knows what's going on from outside, then he's a much better man than I am.”

He also defended calling in six extra players from the Wales and Scotland squads, who are already in the southern hemisphere, so he could have two squads of 23 and Test players would not be required for midweek duty.

He said it was similar to his successful preparation for the first Test against Australia when the Lions last toured four years ago.

“Like I said, it's all about us doing that for the best opportunity for the first Test. We did that in 2013 and I have no doubt it's one of the reasons why we won the first Test because we gave the Test team a chance to win the Test.”

England coach Eddie Jones, who is in Argentina with his side, had appealed to Gatland to choose reinforcements on “merit rather than geographical proximity”.

Gatland said he understood why his decision to add Wales quartet Gareth Davies, Kristian Dacey, Cory Hill and Tomas Francis along with Scotland's Allan Dell and Finn Russell had proved unpopular.

“I understand the concerns. Does it devalue the shirt? I can see some people's point on that, but we're here to win a Test series,” Gatland said.

NAMPA/AFP

France to play for pride

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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France to play for pride France will be playing for pride in the third test against South Africa, captain Guilhem Guirado said as they dip into last reserves at the end of a long season before heading off on holiday.

“We have one week left, the last of the season for us, to raise our heads. It will be a difficult week, no doubt,” he said after a second successive defeat to the Springboks cost them the series.

South Africa beat France 37-15 at the King's Park Rugby Stadium on Saturday in a bruising forward battle to add to their 37-14 win in Pretoria on June 10.

Guirado was one of eight changes that the French made for Saturday's match in Durban after fielding a weakened team in the first test.

A closer contest, however, did not materialise and France now face a series whitewash to add to a disappointing third place in this year's Six Nations Championship.

“We will remain focused until the end. We hammered the message all week, with the staff and the players, about finding a little pride.

“In terms of our commitment on the field, no player failed but there are always adjustments that can be made, both in defeat as well as after victories. I told the players we will play for our honour next Saturday. If we can win in Johannesburg, it will be with a great sense of pride.”

French coach Guy Noves said the defeat showed a “class of discrepancy” between his side and top southern hemisphere rugby-playing nations.

“We do not have much to say, because twice now we have conceded 37 points. We are realising what needs to be done in the coming months in order to compete more regularly with these nations.”

NAMPA/REUTERS

WHS celebrates 100 years in style

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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WHS celebrates 100 years in style The Windhoek High School (WHS) celebrated their 100 years sports festival with a fantastic sporting atmosphere over the weekend.

For the first time, the school invited the Windhoek Gymnasium (WHK GYM) in a historic inter-high spectacle.

Over 600 fans flocked to WHS to witness great sporting events that took place.

The two schools showed glimpses of why they are sport powerhouses in the region.

There were mixed results as the home team attempted to give their fans a great show.

On Friday, the under-14 (B) Rugby team of WHS defeated WHK GYM 25-17.

WHS under-15 (B) team also trounced WHK GYM 15-5 in the second encounter of the day.

The netball category also saw WHS under-19 team clinching a 45-25 victory over their opponents.

There were also some positive results for the visiting team after their girl's second hockey team defeated WHS 29-13 on Saturday.

On Saturday, arguably one of the biggest and anticipated matches of the festival was between the WHS rugby first team against WHK GYM team.

The home side once again claimed the bragging rights, defeating WHK GYM 30-23 on Saturday.

WHS hockey boys first team claimed a 5-0 victory over WHK GYM, while the WHK GYM settled for 1-0 win over WHS girls first hockey team.











































Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

NRU league delivers

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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NRU league deliversSuburbs cruise past United Unam rugby club looks set to defend their title given their dominance this season. Namibia Rugby Union Premier (NRU) League produced emphatic results as some of the top clubs remain displayed fine rugby over the weekend.

Khomasdal giants Western Suburbs overcame Trustco United 36-16 at the United field on Saturday afternoon.

United started off the game well, but could however not contain a hungry Suburbs side in the second half.

Defending champions Unam also continued with their winning streak after crushing Wanderers 52-15 points on Friday night.

The win meant that Unam remains the only team without a defeat in this season's campaign.

In Rehoboth, Kudus defeated Rehoboth 23-20, while Reho Falcons managed to outclass Walvis Bay 35-17 over the weekend.

Some of the clubs in the league played with their second teams since most of their first team players are away on national duty with the Welwitschias.

However, the remaining players did not fail to disappoint, scoring a total of 214 points over the weekend.

Wanderers coach Charl du Toit attributed his team's loss to the absence of several first team players due to work commitments, injury and national team call-ups, while praising UNAM's depth in playing.

“While I cannot use the absence of these players as an excuse, we have to take into account that UNAM is also affected by this. But they are doing a fantastic job bringing in new players who are as good as those who are absent,” he said.

UNAM coach Johan Diergaardt congratulated his players for working hard.

“With the point's gap between us and the rest of the teams so big, the championship is for us to lose. It will be a disaster if we do not win this league for the fourth time in a row,” he said.

-Additional reporting by Nampa

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Reaching new heights

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Reaching new heightsMale netball mentor shines Unam netball club coach, Manuel Tjivera, is changing gender stereotypes in Namibia. The netball coach of the University of Namibia (Unam) team, Manuel Tjivera, has not only broken the ice in the female-dominated coaching domain, he is helping players to reach new heights.

The Unam Jaguars coach is one of the few male coaches who have ventured to coach in the female dominated sport code. Tjivera said it is a universal norm to have male coaches for female sports and vice versa and that there is nothing brow-rising about it.

Tjivera, who holds Level 1 and 2 coaching certificates in netball from Netball South Africa, has been nurturing netball players for the past 10 years and still finds time to do his daily job as a sales executive, and he said he manages to juggle the two very well.

His interest in netball started in high school where he challenged female players at goal shooting but even though he was good at it, he could not join the ladies team and instead decided to further his interest through volunteering to be an umpire at netball games.

With time, what seemed like just a hobby, developed into something deeper.

He began to coach local teams and received recognition for his work. While at the helm of the Unam Jaguars, the team won three consecutive Khomas Regional League titles and this resulted in the majority of his players being selected for the Under-21, as well as the Namibia senior national netball teams.

Tjivera participated in the 2016 World University Games in Florida where he rubbed shoulders with best coaches in netball at the INF High Performance Coaching Workshop in Australia.

He was also awarded Referee of the Year at the Namibia Sports Awards as well as in Mozambique in 2009 at the Region 5 Games proving that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and if one is equipped with good coaching philosophies and skills.

Such philosophies stress the importance of accountability, responsibility, team unity, discipline, mental toughness, self-confidence and the desire to compete. According to Tjivera, his team can be described as disciplined and highly motivated, saying the players put in intense effort when they are practicing and at competitions.

“The training sessions which I have designed are of high intensity, enabling athletes to work hard for a certain period and they have breaks between the drills. This is a form of cardio training. There are certain parts in netball training when players have to play with intensity for a period of time followed by a short rest. Therefore this type of training will not only help the players to get fit but it relates to a real game situation and helps them manage exhaustion in a game much easier,” Tjivera said, explaining some of his coaching techniques.

But despite the fact that intense training is needed, he said his role is to support and enhance the players’ skills by showing an interest in their abilities, respecting and listening to their needs, and helping them to realise their goals.

He also emphasised that the reason why he stays on top of his game is because he is always keeping abreast with the latest developments in netball. “I’m always reading and watching what coaches in Australia, New Zealand, England and Jamaica are up to. From there I focus on my coaching style which is player-centred,” he said.

“Coaches need to have confidence to try new things and to strive for continual improvement. University netball clubs want to empower coaches to be confident enough to make bold decisions, even if it may lead to mistakes. Sometimes, experience is what we get when we don’t get the result we want. The coach’s approach aims to create resilient and competent players who are motivated to enjoy their sport.”

Netball is inclusive and still one of the cheaper sports disciplines. However, there is a lack of netball coaches in Namibia to reach out to the biggest female sport in the country, according to Tjivera. “I hope to remain a mentor to those whose lives I’m impacting through the game and I hope many aspiring coaches join us into developing this game further,” he said.

Limba Mupetami

Baby Warriors off to victory

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Baby Warriors off to victory The national under-17 side have acclimatized well in Germany and won their first game 3 -1 against Homburcher SV under 18s on Saturday at the Kaiserau Sports Centre.

The boys departed for their bi-annual Westphalia tour on Wednesday and on Saturday got their first taste of German opposition against Homburcher SV.

The team coached by Pauhl Malembu conceded an early goal but fought back well to draw level before halftime through captain Eldery Morgan.

They carried the moment into the second half and it was not long before Jovane Narib added a second and Goodwin Eiseb made it safe when he scored the third for a hard fought 3-1 win on tour for the Baby Warriors.

Coach Malembu was satisfied with the response from the boys and looks forward to the rest of the tour with the boy's next game coming on Wednesday against their host Westphalia under-17.

“The boys listened to instructions very well and despite it being a tough game, they did well under pressure and this is the objective of the tour, to make sure they can handle the pressure going forward and with more games to play it can only get better.

“Results are important too for their confidence but overall, it is about their maturity and character strengthening” says coach Malembu.

Sport Reporter

Debmarine Cup thrills

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Debmarine Cup thrillsTwo premier league contenders eliminated Action at the coast saw some of the top teams exiting the competition at the hands of the division clubs. Southern Stream First Division soccer side Try Again caused a major upset by eliminating coastal based Premier League giants Eleven Arrows while Mighty Gunners shot down Unam in an all premier league affair in Kuisebmond on Saturday.

Try Again took their chances in the second half of the Debmarine Namibia Cup competition round of 16 encounter and overturned a 2-1 half time deficit into a hard earned 3-2 victory.

Reginald Rooi put Try Again in the lead. Simon Nekongo equalised from the penalty spot and Thomas Petrus handed Eleven Arrows a one goal advantage at halftime (2-1).

Try Again however kept on trying throughout the second half and were adequately rewarded with goals by Lyndon Aseb (penalty) and Quinton Van Staaden.

Try Again goalie Lee Louw was named man of the match.

Premier league contenders Rundu Chiefs defeated the Northern Stream First Division side Touch & Go 2-0.

Fares Haidula pounced twice for Chiefs. Riaan Hanamab of Touch & Go was named man of the match.

The other premier league tenders Tura Magic turned on the magic and hammered the Erongo Second division side Gendev 6-2. Itamunue Keimune scored three goals for the Magicians and was subsequently named as the man of the match.

Theophilus Junias added two goals and Papi Kyezembi also scored a goal. William Iiyambo and David Teofulis were on target for Gendev.

Mighty Gunners defeated Unam 2-1 in an all premier league showdown and final match in Kuisebmond. Namkambare Maomdjarure and Asser Lamseb fired home for the Gunners. Ndemuwandha Shivute scored for Unam. Vernon Klaazen of Mighty Gunners was named man of the match.

The respective man of the match winners pocketed N$2 000 of which the charity of their choice will receive N$1 000.

Eastern Chiefs defeated Outjo FC, Civics thrashed Young Beauties 6-0, Young Chiefs defeated Bee Bob Brothers 3-1 and Young African defeated Life Fighters 5-2 in the final clash of the day at Mariental sport stadium.



WALVIS BAY OTIS FINCK

Welwitschias fall to Pumas

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Welwitschias fall to PumasInexperience proved costly The lack in depth from the home side was the difference in the match at the Hage Geingob Stadium. The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias failed to win their last game of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge after losing 8-48 to the Steval Pumas on Saturday.

The Pumas started off the game firing on all cylinders as they went on to score three back-to-back tries against an inexperienced Namibian side.

With the home team lacking in depth because of some players being on international duty, the Pumas outmuscled the Welwitschias with ease.

For most parts of the game, the visitors had it all easy as Namibia's defence appeared shaky and vulnerable.

Puma's Emile Temperman opened the scoring for the away side, followed by a wave of attacks from the South African club.

The game was already beyond the Welwitschias approaching halftime, with Pumas leading 21-0.

The Pumas continued with their counterthrust early in the second half to stretch their lead to 35-0 in the 58th minute of the encounter.

With the atmosphere appearing very flat, Fly Half Dirk von Weidts gave the home side something to smile about with a magnificent try in the 74th minute of the game.

Winmar Rust also converted a penalty for the home side, reducing Pumas lead to 35-8 points late in the game.

The South Africans however had the last say in the match after scoring two more tries to keep their playoff hopes alive in the competition.

Namibia will now shift focus to the Currie Cup competition when they play the Griffons in their opening match.

Welwitschias coach Lyn Jones said he was not disappointed by the result.

“Like I said before, the team still needs to improve and I therefore see a great future for this rugby nation.

“The boys did us proud because they tried the best they could against a very experience side.

“We managed to win one game in this competition this year, which signals great improvement,” Jones said.



Scorers

Windhoek Draught Welwitschias: Try: Dirk von Weidts (74”). Penalty: Winmar Rust.

Steval Pumas: 42 (21) - Try: Emile Temperman (10”); Jean-Paul Lewis (16”); Carel Greef (24”, 57”); Francois Kleinhans (48”); Jannie Stander (80”).

Conversions: Kobus Marais (3); Sias Ebersohn (3)

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

In too deep

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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In too deep I once watched a movie of an undercover agent who was deployed to investigate a drug lord.

However, things became tough for him because he almost lost his way in the crime world in view of the fact that he had to act like one of them.

The gentleman consumed so many drugs and was involved in gang riots, forgetting that he was still an agent.

He was in too deep.

Now the mess that our football leaders find themselves in at the moment reminds me of this movie.

As Namibians and together with the football leaders, we have to admit that the mess we find ourselves in is just too hard to shake off.

There have been several meetings to fix the on-going football problems, but I guess the evil of football politics is winning the battle.

We are too deep in the football mess, because we are finding more problems than solutions as the days go by.

We are in too deep because at this moment, our government's financial status is precarious and sadly, it is also the time when football needs the State's support the most.

The tribulations that football leaders find themselves in, are so deep that they have almost lost their way and are finding it difficult to make things right.

I must admit that over the 25 years of my existence, I am starting to see the reality of what politics can bring into football.

People continue to fight each other on a sinking ship, while football is literally drowning.

The leaders care more about the fight to hang on to their positions than to fight to pull the beautiful game out of the mud.

More lies and deceptions have become the common trend in the leadership of our game.

Those that are entering the football industry do not come in with the ideas to build, but with ideas of how much they can milk from the already drowning football entity.

There has been some positive news that sponsors were willing to invest in the Namibia Premier League at the beginning of the year.

However, I do believe that they decided to put their plans on hold because of what had transpired after March at the State House.

Many sponsors have lost interest in an ever-fighting Namibia Premier League and NFA.

On Thursday, President Hage Geingob once again ordered the football leaders to put the football house in order.

He advised them to go back to the ministry of sports in order to fix what has been broken.

However, I do not see anything materialising from the ministry of sports because they are going through their own financial problems.

I do not see this ministry playing Bay Watch on the sinking ship of Namibian football because the minister in office clearly failed to intervene when the troubles started.

What happened to the Cosafa under-17 team this year when they opted not to participate in the regional games because of financial problems was a sign that we are almost at the end of the game of football.

The same thing happened to the under-20 team last year given that they also failed to participate in a similar competition in December.

These boys are the future of the national team, but now they will have to play fewer competitions because of the financial difficulties.

Imagine what will happen to the national team if less football players grow through the ranks.

This will simply mean that the national team will continue using the aging players until there will be no options left to select from.

I had hope that things were going to be fine for football in this country, but that hope is fading with each passing day.

I had a dream that my younger brother will one day wear the national team jersey and become a national football star.

I guess the deep hole that football has fallen into has made me realise that it was just a pipe dream that is drifting far away from becoming a reality.

jesse@namibiansun.com

All hail Walter

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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All hail Walter Kautondokwa executes Sai One of Namibia’s best knockout boxers again proved why he is feared by many in the world by sending his opponent down to the canvas. Walter ‘the executioner’ Kautondokwa added another title to his name with an ecstatic knockout performance against Ghana’s Obodai Sai in Ghana on Saturday.

It took the Namibian knockout specialist five rounds to deliver devastating punches to his opponent in an IBF and WBO Africa middleweight title fight.

The boxer told the MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias boxing academy communication department that he was delighted by the victory.

“This fight meant a lot to me. Sai and the entire Ghanaian fans predicted that he was going to win but I want to thank the lord for being with me.

“I will also like to thank the Namibian fans in Ghana that came out to support us, it was an incredible victory and the future looks bright,” Kautondokwa said.

It took four hours before the fight could start after the heavy rain delayed the boxing bout.

However, not even the delay managed to crack the Namibian who was determined to bring the titles home.

The deadly puncher delivered his trademark left hook to send Sai to the canvas in the fifth round.

Sai was left for dead and failed to recover from the devastating punch, handing the victory to the Namibian.

Promoter Nestor Tobias emphasised the importance of the victory in Ghana.

“I always boasted about this boy’s power and warned the world that his punching power is special.

“We are hopeful that this win will elevate him in the world ratings and open bigger doors and opportunities for him” Tobias told the academy’s communications department.

Kautondokwa now boast with a record of 15 wins out of 15 fights with 14 knockouts to his name.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Northerners remember Ya Toivo

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Northerners remember Ya ToivoThousands attend Namibian hero's memorial Close friends, family and relatives, along with high-level officials, came together to celebrate the life of Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, a life well lived. Thousands of people from all over the north, and neighbouring Angola, gathered at the Ondangwa airport to welcome the remains of the late liberation struggle icon Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo and later, at his memorial service at the Ondangwa trade fair centre on Friday.

Many remember the late Ya Toivo as a loyal, humble and patriotic man who always made time for ordinary people.

Ya Toivo, who was born at Omangundu village near Onyaanya in Oshikoto Region on 22 August 1924, died on 9 June in Windhoek at the age of 92. His first memorial service was held in Ondangwa on Friday and he will be buried this weekend at Heroes' Acre, just south of Windhoek.

Speaking at the service, the former prime minister and retired politician Nahas Angula, said that Ondangwa is where Ya Toivo started his liberation struggle after his return from the Second World War.

“With other early leaders of the liberation struggle they set up a network of connections between the villages. That is what gave OPO (SWAPO) power. If it was not of that network the liberation struggle would have been harder,” Angula said.

The minister of safety and security, retired major-general Charles Namholoh, who spoke on behalf of government, said it was decided to hold a service in Ondangwa for Ya Toivo, who was accorded a State funeral and heroic burial at Heroes' Acre next Saturday, because of the ordinary people who would want to say goodbye but cannot make it to Windhoek.

When Ya Toivo returned from the war, he worked as a contract labour before he co-founded the Owambo People's Organisation (OPO) in 1959 which became the South West African People's Organisation (Swapo) in 1960. Ya Toivo served 16 years in Robben Island in South Africa, sharing the prison with South African liberation icon Nelson Mandela. In 1984, he was released and rejoined Swapo in exile in Lusaka, Zambia. He returned to Namibia in 1989 where he served both as a parliament and Cabinet member.



Northerners

The 86-year-old Selma Shilongo and 80-year-old Martha Elia travelled all the way from the Iikango and Oshamba villages in the Oshikoto Region to see the body arrive and attend the memorial service of their friend whom their say was their mentor while they were growing up.

“When we were growing up Ya Toivo was like a big brother to the whole community. We all relied on him for help. When he became a minister after independence he did not forget us. Whenever he visited the north he always made time for us and he always brought us gifts. The last time I saw him was at a wedding in Omuthiya last month. He told me that he was now old and could not make time to visit us anymore,” Elia said.

Shilongo said that Ya Toivo, while he did not visit, always made time to call them. “He would call me and we would talk, sometimes for an hour or more. He always gave us advice on how to raise our children. I have lost a friend upon whom I could rely.”

Prominent northern businessman Erastus Mvula Kakololo said that Ya Toivo was servant of the people of Namibia more than he was Wto his own family.

Ya Toivo is survived by his wife Vicky, and two daughters, as well as a brother and sister. His family described him as a down-to-earth person who always made time to attend to family events and his children's activities.



Youth

Many of the speakers used the memorial to advise the youth to emulate the legacy left behind by liberation struggle icons.

The governor for the Cunene Province in southern Angola, Kundi Paihama, retired Anglican bishop Shihala Hamupembe and Peter Iilonga all urged the youth to exercise discipline.

Angula also urged Swapo members not to use the name of the party for material reasons. “We should not be victims of materialism in the name of Swapo. If you want to benefit materially go join the business sector and do not do it through the party,” he said.





ILENI NANDJATO

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Where are the fathers?

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Where are the fathers? That Namibia is a patriarchal society is a given. The concept of respecting your elders is rhetoric that is often thrown about in both politics and general conversations. Some experts are of the view that the Founding Father, both as a concept and a personality, is what binds a lot of Namibia under one concept, one idea. We are raised to fear our fathers as the disciplinarians and they are to lay down the rules in their households and for their children. They are considered the breadwinners.

Women assume the surname of the man when they marry and even if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother registers the child in the father’s surname.

Often, we hear of cultural practises which are abhorrent to one group of people and yet, utterly accepted in others, such as women crawling into a tent on their hands and knees as the men had already filled up the place and were sitting. The women are not allowed to be higher than the men.

We are not questioning culture or respect in any way. We also recognise the strides the Swapo government has made with its 50/50 gender representation.

However, in light of yesterday’s celebrations of Father’s Day, we would very much like to know, where are they?

They are at the shebeen or local bar while their children languish with grandparents in the village. They are beating the mothers of their children or out making babies with other women. They are unemployed and contribute maybe a bag of porridge once every few months to the lovers, wives, mothers, aunts and grandmothers who are raising their children. Or, as we have seen of late, they are killing the children and the mothers of their children.

Our boys and our girls are growing up with no inkling of how to act like a good man or how a man should treat a woman. We are raising a generation of lost children. We need the fathers to step up and be that. We need the fathers to embrace their roles as caregivers and educators and protectors of the family. We need to fix that part of what is broken in Namibia to ensure that tomorrow looks better for all of us.

Can the fathers please stand up?

Shot of the day

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day TRADITION AND CULTURE: Revellers take part in a traditional party named ‘La Patum’ in Berga, Spain. The Patum of Berga, or simply ‘La Patum’, is a popular and traditional festival which is celebrated each year in the Catalan city of Berga during the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. It consists of several performances of mystical and symbolic figures that dance to the rhythm of a big drum and vivid music. It also includes fire and pyrotechnics. PHOTO: NAMPA/AFP

Tent classrooms still common

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Tent classrooms still common As with many schools across the country, the Mount-View High School in the Babylon informal settlement of Windhoek teach Grade 8 and 9 learners in tents but they say they are not daunted by the scarcity of infrastructure.

Opened in 2015, Mount-View offers tuition from Grade 8 to 10, but its Grade 8 and 9 learners have no classrooms. The school has 350 pupils and 15 teachers.

Speaking to Namibian Sun, the school's principal Brian Ndabeni said that when the school opened in 2015 there were no constructed classrooms. The situation has improved somewhat with a few classrooms built last year. “The government is doing its best to help us and this is evident by the few structures that have been built for our learners. Construction is on-going,” said Ndabeni.

He explained that there are a number of challenges that come with teaching in tents pointing out that it is difficult for teacher to make use of teaching aids like projectors as the tents do not have electricity. “It is not conducive to use tents as classrooms as they are very cold during winter and very hot during the summer season which impedes teaching.”

Despite these challenges, Ndabeni maintains that the situation has not affected the performance and attendance of the learners at the school. “The performance and attendance of our learners is impressive,” he said.

Ndabeni added that although the environment is not conducive for teaching it has also not demoralised teachers at the school as they give their all despite these challenges. “I use a storeroom as my office but despite this I am still proud to serve at this school and so are the teachers. We understand that it is not an office that will make us better people, it is the value we add to the lives of these learners that makes us better people,” Ndabeni said.

He maintains that the private sector has been very helpful. “The school management sent out letters of request to various companies and organisations for assistance and the response has been positive,” he said. In June this year the school received a donation of 25 computers from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (Tika).

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Free legal advice for Hardap

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Free legal advice for Hardap The Law Society of Namibia, in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman, hosted the first Free Legal Advice Day in the Hardap Region.

The day was held at the Persianer Hall in Mariental last week.

The Free Legal Advice Day forms part of the Law Society's objectives to make legal services more accessible to those members of the public who cannot afford legal services.

A total of 41 members of the community attended and received free legal advice on topics such as labour, domestic violence, wills and estates, divorce and maintenance.

Opening the day governor of the Hardap Region, Esme Isaack, said that this event brings critical services to the doorstep of people at grassroots level.

According to her, access to legal services is a challenge to the most vulnerable people in the communities. She called upon the community to seek legal advice on the pressing issues they are facing.

Isaack said her office is being flooded with labour-related complaints on a daily basis.

She said that this is because employers are exploiting people because of their level of literacy and because of the country's high rate of unemployment.

Isaack further said that although the exercise of the Free Legal Advice Day is costly, looking at the challenges communities are faced with, she wants to organise more frequent days for the region.

Other days will also be hosted in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Gobabis and Tsumeb and will be confirmed in due course.

STAFF REPORTER

Walvis sewage over-burdened

June 18, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Walvis sewage over-burdenedCouncil says it has not kept up with demand Following complaints from residents about clogged drains and sewage lines, the Walvis Bay municipality says the infrastructure is not adequate for the number of residents. Densification seems to be the real reason behind the unprecedented occurrences of blocked sewage lines and overflowing drains in Walvis Bay.

Concerned residents allege the lagoon area is being turned into a ghetto due to the growth in illegal structures being erected in Walvis Bay and say this has led to the problem worsening considerably since November 2016.

John Esterhuizen, the GM for solid waste, water and environmental management at the municipality, acknowledged that planning did not keep up with development at the town and said a sharp increase in building extensions led to more residents as well as toilets being constructed in areas such as Meersig, Kuisebmond, Narraville and Fairways. This in turn has resulted in additional pressure on the sewage system.

Many erven have also been converted from residential to business properties and this culminated in a pressure spike on the systems of the harbour town.

“The sharp rise in the number of people living in Walvis Bay, coupled by an acute shortage of building inspectors and limited capacity with only two pump trucks being operational, also worsens the situation. One pump truck costs approximately N$500 000. There are talks to privatise the cleaning of the sewage system. Council simply does not have enough machines and is looking to involve or appoint a private contractor to ensure the system operates efficiently.”

Esterhuizen said blocked sewage lines and flooding drains were a definite nuisance factor and that he could not put an estimate figure in terms of the cost of the problem.

He also told residents during a visit to the Jan Wilken pump station and the problem area that it would take approximately 10 years and considerable funding to catch up and ultimately bring the system in line with the demands of the town's increasing residential population.

Esterhuizen pointed out that the municipality was monitoring the situation in order to determine the magnitude of the problem.

“The sewage levels are extremely high and pumping capacity needs to be upgraded urgently. The municipality is considering constructing an additional pump station between Jan Wilken and the lagoon, or possibly adding an additional pipeline to bypass the problem area in order to relieve the current situation,” he explained.

Money has been budgeted with the tendering process expected to be issued in 2018. Residents, however, do not want such facilities in their areas due to the smell and noise factor which accompanies them.

According to Esterhuizen, additional pumping commenced in April to determine the cause of the current sewage levels and why the system constantly clogs and overflows in certain areas.

For the time being (short-term) regular clean-ups of the existing system are done. Fat traps also need to be maintained and policed by health inspectors since another contributing factor to the problem is businesses who dump fatty waste and people who discard foreign substances into the system.

“Restaurants as well as certain businesses located in the central and southern part of the town should look at and maintain their fat and oil traps properly. We recently discovered and removed over 500 litres of used engine oil from the sewage system in 5th Street. This shows the enormity of the problem we have to deal with. The policing aspect admittedly lacks. Society must exercise self-regulation and we need more awareness and training on the issue of dumping illegal substances into the sewage system.”

Concerned residents welcomed the fact that the municipality took time to listen to their concerns and also explained what was being done to resolve them.

“At least we now know that something is being done to solve the problem and that the situation will eventually change,” said Petrus Germishuys.



OTIS FINCK