Seven rhino carcasses found in Etosha

June 27, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Seven rhino carcasses found in Etosha Seven rhino carcasses of which several have already been confirmed to be poached, were discovered in the Etosha National Park this past weekend during routine patrols by officials of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda yesterday confirmed to Namibian Sun that during patrols in the park between 23 and 25 June seven rhino carcasses were discovered. “The carcasses are all believed to be for this year.”

According to Muyunda, the ministry is busy with an assessment to establish the exact cause of death of the rhino and have already completed the assessment of three rhino carcasses. This indicated that two rhinos were poached and one died of natural causes. “We are continuing with the assessment to establish the cause of death for the rest of the carcasses and we will release the results of the assessment through our normal communication channels with the media,” said Muyunda.

According to him no arrests have been made yet and investigations are still on-going.

He stressed that poaching remains a big concern and tackling it remains priority for the ministry. In this regard the ministry will do anything possible within the framework of the laws and policies to bring poaching under control as it robs the nation of valuable resources, said Muyunda.

This is the first confirmed poaching of rhino in Etosha this year. The environment minister, Pohamba Shifeta, just last week boasted about the progress that has been made with regards to anti-poaching activities in the park and that there has been no rhino poaching in the park.

Muyunda said official figures on rhino poaching in Namibia would be released today.

In May this year it was reported that eight rhinos were already poached. Altogether 59 rhinos in the country were poached last year and 95 rhinos in 2015, 56 in 2014 and 9 in 2013.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Nailenge's academy plans SA trip

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Nailenge's academy plans SA trip The Mario Football Academy has begun with its preparations to travel to Cape Town, South Africa for its annual tour.

An estimated 45 young players will leave for Cape Town on 25 August where they will play against other academies in South Africa.

It will be the academy's 11th tour and the players will return on 2 September.

Last year, the academy played the Ajax under/11, 12, 17 teams and also played Old Mutual football academy.

The founder of the academy, Mario Nailenge, emphasised the importance of the tour.

“This annual tour is mainly to expose the players to foreign clubs and to help them develop their skills further.

“We will play against big clubs like Ajax Cape Town who have been working with us for a very long time.

“The players will travel by bus and I can confirm that all the arrangements have been made,” Nailenge said.

He urges all parents with kids at the academy to contribute a travelling fee of N$4 600.

The fund will cover the accommodation fee and three meals per day voucher.

Nailenge said previous tours had been successful.

“The only challenge we sometimes face is that the parents are reluctant to sign a letter of consent regarding the trip of their young ones.

“That is why I would like to urge all parents to sign the agreement letter in order to avoid any complications. The closing date for payments and registrations will be on 17 July.”

The academy caters for Windhoek boys and girls between seven and 15 years of age.

Currently, the academy is affiliated to the Khomas Youth League and the Namibia Football Association (NFA).

“We are very excited about this tour because I am sure that it is going to be better than before.

“It is important to teach the young players all the necessary knowledge they need about football.”

The academy will also participate in a Ramblers Football Academy tournament on 15 July before heading to South Africa.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Last chance to qualify

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Last chance to qualifyNamibia need to avoid loss in Gold Cup The Namibian senior men's national rugby team is out to secure a spot for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The senior men's rugby team travelled to Tunisia yesterday for their first match in the 2017 Rugby Africa Gold Cup tournament.

An RA Gold Cup win will accord Namibia the opportunity to play in the 2019 World Cup to be held in Japan from September 20 to November 2.

However, the Welwitschias need to pass Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Uganda, Kenya and Senegal in their quest as South Africa have already qualified.

The Gold Cup tournament is the brand new format of the Africa Cup 1A: more competitive and longer as games will be played over seven weeks in a series of home and away matches.

Elizma Theron, acting CEO of the Namibia Rugby Union, congratulated the selected players and said she looked forward to an exciting match against Tunisia. She said due to studies, injuries, family crises and other commitments, 13 players were not available for this tour. That created an opportunity for new players to be exposed to the national team.

Namibia won the RA Gold Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Through the Rugby Africa agreement with Kwese Sport, all matches of the Rugby Africa Gold Cup will be broadcast on the national broadcaster, NBC.



The Squad:

Collen Smit, AJ de Klerk, Desiderius Sethie,Shaun du Preez,Orbert Nortje, Louis van der Westhuizen, Casper Viviers,Max Katjijeko,Mahepisa Tjeriko, Ruan Ludick,Thomasau Forbes, Wian Conradie, Rohan Kitshoff (Captain),Christo van der Merwe, Eugene Jantjies (Vice Captain),Damian Stevens,Lesley Klim,Darryl de la Harpe,Justin Newman,Gino Wilson, Johann Tromp, Helarius Kisting,David Philander and Chrysander Botha.



Dates for upcoming matches:

8 July Senegal (Home), 15 July Zimbabwe (Home), 22 July Uganda (Away) and 29 July Kenya (Home).

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Netball team face tough time

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Netball team face tough timeBad tournament The senior women's netball team are finding the competition tough in Uganda. The women's netball team are struggling at the Africa Senior National Netball Championship in Kampala, Uganda.

Namibia are trying to get back on the African ranking which they lost in 2015, because of inactivity on the international scene.

However, in their opening game of the competition against the host nation last week Sunday, Namibia lost 31-69, and in their second game went down 46-56 against Zambia.

Their last game of the competition will be today against Zimbabwe.

Before the team left Coach Manuelle Tjivera said the players were not in camp and they also did not play competitive friendly games with other countries, which will make their journey in the competition a little tough.

Tjivera said they also did not have all the players in training, because some were not released by their employers.

He gave them a training schedule which they followed.

“I can say with limited resources we managed to do what we could to get the team ready for the competition.

Winning games in the competition is not everything, because what is important is getting back in the Africa ranking,” Tjivera said.

The sport commission of Namibia is funding 95% of the trip to Uganda, “because we want to see the sport as one of the most loved games in the country that will be played at all levels, starting from grassroots level,” NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said before the team left for competition.

Netball Namibia secretary-general Rebecca Gowases said the women were doing their best.

“The shooters and defenders are doing a great job because the turn-around by the defenders is applauded,” she said, adding they have not competed internationally for a long time.

Before the championships, the Namibian women played two friendly matches against Zambia, which they lost 48-64 and 44-60.

Gowases said the experience the women are gaining should help them improve their ranking.





NAMPA

Sponsor drops Evans over cocaine scandal

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Sponsor drops Evans over cocaine scandal Britain's tennis world number 50 Dan Evans testing positive for cocaine has cost him a lucrative sponsorship deal with Italian sportswear.

The firm Ellesse terminated their contract after just three months.

The 27-year old, whose natural talent has been marred by off the court controversies throughout his career, is suspended after admitting last Friday he had failed the test at the Barcelona Open in April.

Ellesse, who stepped into the breach in March when Nike opted not to renew their sponsorship deal, issued a statement announcing the end of their association.

It will cost the Englishman who started the year in fabulous fashion tens of thousands of pounds a year.

“Ellesse announces, with regret, the decision to end its sponsorship of Dan Evans,” read the statement.

“Dan has shown great promise on the court and has been a valued member of the Ellesse team, however we cannot condone the lifestyle choices he has made and are therefore withdrawing his sponsorship.”

Evans is yet to be officially sanctioned by the sport's governing body International Tennis Federation but remains suspended until they hand down their punishment.

Evans has twice been stripped of his Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) funding for staying out late and then for his attitude.

He said in his defence last week that he had taken it out of competition but admitted he had let a lot of people down including his family.

He is not the first tennis player to test positive for cocaine.

Swiss legend Martina Hingis tested positive at Wimbledon in 2007 and was subsequently suspended for two years.

Richard Gasquet had been issued with the same suspension in 2009, but it was reduced to a little more than two months when the ITF's tribunal panel ruled the Frenchman had taken the substance inadvertently.

NAMPA/AFP

Foreign players slammed in CSL

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Foreign players slammed in CSLOscar leads names behaving badly in China The Chinese league has attracted big-money players in recent times. As the Chinese Super League (CSL) hits the halfway point of the season this weekend, the megabucks lavished on imported players has triggered unprecedented interest.

However, the headlines have been dominated by foreigners behaving badly.

Oscar is suspended for eight games after a brawl. Carlos Tevez riles fans with a trip to Disneyland while his club are playing. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Hulk deny being anti-Chinese.

While nobody is chasing them out of the country just yet, Brazilian international Oscar who received the mammoth ban for sparking a mass brawl last week is not even the latest acquisition to run into trouble.

Beijing Guoan's Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz was sent off on Monday night after appearing to slap an opponent during a melee at the end of a bad-tempered scoreless home draw with Fabio Capello's Jiangsu Suning.

Prior to the rush of blood in which he lashed the ball directly at two Guangzhou R&F opponents, attacking midfielder Oscar, who cost an Asian-record 60 million euros from Chelsea in the January window, appeared to have settled well into life at Shanghai SIPG with a string of highly-rated performances.

Far better than Argentine forward Tevez who has so far failed to ingratiate himself with fans at neighbouring Shanghai Shenhua and is rumoured to be eyeing a move away from China despite signing a contract reported to be worth a staggering 38 million euros ($40 million) a year in January.

Lavezzi, another Argentine forward on big money following his move last year from Paris Saint-Germain to Hebei China Fortune, was told by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) last month to “regulate his words and actions more” after promotional photos emerged of him in a slant-eyed pose, causing outrage on social media.

Forward Hulk, while flourishing with nine CSL goals on the pitch alongside fellow Brazilian Oscar at SIPG, was also hauled before the CFA last month over allegations that he punched the Guizhou Zhicheng's assistant coach and made anti-Chinese comments in the players' tunnel at half-time.

The burly striker and the club both denied the claims and the CFA said there was “no evidence” against Hulk after an investigation.

Yang Qinnong, 25, a diehard SIPG fan, said the money his club shelled out on Hulk and Oscar at a combined cost of 116 million euros (U$132 million) had been worth it.

Yang said it would benefit Chinese players to come up against the likes of Oscar, but felt some big-name imports have the wrong attitude and were motivated by money.

“They think they are hot shots and think they don't need to train and have self-discipline like others because they make more money than others and have more experience,” he said, supporting a ruling that caps the number of foreign players to three a match in China.

“I think certain limitations on foreign players is a good thing but it could make the CSL less attractive to watch,” he added.

Across Shanghai all is not well.

The 33-year-old former Manchester United and Manchester City striker Tevez scored just his second goal for Shenhua last weekend as they beat bottom club Yanbian Funde 2-0.

Shenhua, managed by former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet, are languishing in eighth place in the 16-team CSL, 21 points behind pacesetters Guangzhou Evergrande, and failed to reach the group stages of this season's AFC Champions League.

Liu Yuan, a hardcore Shenhua supporter, accused the imports of failing to make an effort to blend in and were there only for the money.

“Foreign football players did not change their state of mind. They came to China seeking only a high salary,” he said.

Fang Hui, a 30-year-old football fan in Shanghai, said Chinese football was attempting a tough balancing act between attracting star names to raise the profile of the league while not squeezing local talent.

Fang, who says she does not support either of the Shanghai teams, added that foreign players were being unfairly singled out for criticism.

“Fans have higher expectations of foreign players,” she said.

“They would make a big deal when Tevez went to Disneyland in his own time (instead of going to a Shenhua game when he was injured) and once they do anything that is not so good fans think they're not worth the money they are being paid.”

NAMPA/AFP

A lot of engine, little spec

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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A lot of engine, little specLandwind impresses in SA market Touted as a knock-off of the Land Rover and Range Rover, the JMC Landwind 5 comes in competitively priced with a whole lot of power. Jiangling Motor Corporation, better known as JMC, has been in South Africa for a few years with its Boarding and Vigus bakkies. Over time, it has built a reputation for offering tough, albeit basic, value-for-money vehicles.

Recently JMC SA has expanded its line-up by entering the hotly-contested SUV market with the addition of its Landwind.

My impression is that this is a cautious, toe-in-the water exercise for JMC. To date there is only one version of the Landwind available, so let’s run through a few of the specs of the vehicle.

It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. Its fairly high outputs of 140kW/250Nm already put it near the top of the pack in terms of power in its segment.

Its positioning is unusual as its quite low/basic in terms of spec, creating an anomaly in my mind. I couldn’t quite work out what market position or segment the SUV is aimed at. Maybe a lower- power output or a much higher spec level with this motor would make a far better combination to buyers.

At present, the engine can only be mated with a six-speed manual transmission, though an automatic will be available soon. SUVs are naturally suited to an auto for relaxed driving. In general usage, I found the gearbox rather “clunky” and heavy, especially in the cold. It did improve once it had warmed up but still remains a weak point in the vehicle.

Although some other tests that I have read complained about turbo lag, I did not find this an issue at all. I found the engine responsive. Freeway driving is very pleasant with good acceleration in all gears and downshifting to overtake is seldom required. Cruising ability is assisted by fairly long gear ratios, that means that the engine is simply ticking over at less than 2500rpm at 120km/h.

Safety is catered for with ABS (with EBD) and two airbags. Once again, I believe that a higher-spec model could include an increased airbag count for families although given its price I suppose its current load-out is sufficient. A loud beep and muting of the sound system occurs when engaging reverse and rear-park assist is fitted.

Inside, you'll notice how low-spec the model really is. The steering wheel is devoid of any buttons or controls and the instrumentation is basic. No touch screen and the infotainment system looks very dated. You'll notice a similar cell-phone style layout to the previous Ford Fiesta.

There's nothing wrong with it it's just rather old school and there are way too many buttons. The system does offer a USB facility and works very well. Below the infotainment system is the air-con and again I have no complaints with both heating (on cold Highveld mornings) and cooling functions.

The first impression when entering the vehicle is of its generous space. There's loads of legroom for rear passengers as well as the ability to adjust the angle of the rear backrests. The standard cloth upholstery looks like it will be hard-wearing and suited for family use (read: kids). One area that disappointing is the cheap look and feel of the shiny plastic along the door handles, something that could be improved very easily.

The boot area is voluminous with Landwind quoting a capacity of 855 litres and the usual pull-out section to protect your luggage from prying eyes. The rear seats do have a 60/40 split folding facility if you need more luggage capacity.

Landwind claim fuel consumption of 8.5-litres/100km for the vehicle which sounds reasonable for a vehicle of this size and type.

In summary, this vehicle is a conundrum to me; It offers excellent space, probably too much engine and not enough luxury and up-to-date tech. However, the price positioning is very competitive. If you need a medium-sized family SUV with more than adequate power then this could be just the vehicle that you’ve been looking for. I’ll eat my hat if you can find a competitor with similar power and spec at this price.

Talking about price, the listed figure for the Landwind 5 is R289 880 but right now, there is a special offer at R249 880 and that includes tow bar and sidesteps.

The three-year or 100 000km warranty plus five-year or 100 000km service plan could go a long way toward assuaging any lingering doubts that potential buyers may have regarding a relatively untried and unproven (in SA at least) product.

ALAN ROSENMEYER

Is it a car? Is it a plane?

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Is it a car? Is it a plane? Aeronautics giants are treating the idea of a flying car with caution, as such a project raises more questions than it answers, experts say - it's a child's dream, a millionaire's toy.

But is it really the next big thing in transport?

At this year's Paris Air Show, you had to search hard to find an aircraft that looked anything like an automobile: but one such model, the AeroMobil, was tucked away under the old Concordes at the Air and Space Museum, just outside the capital.

This strange-looking hybrid, with its bulbous nose and retractable wings, designed by a Slovakian company, is scheduled to go into series production by 2020.

"After you've landed at an airport, you transform the plane into a car and take the road to wherever you want," Simon Bendrey, AeroMobil's deputy head of engineering, told AFP.

And they have already received a number of orders, he added, despite an asking price of 1.2 to 1.5 million euro.

While flying cars have starred in films including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Fifth Element, the race to turn such dreams into a reality is being run by dozens of small creative start-ups like AeroMobil.

Among those nearest to take-off is the Dutch outfit PAL-V, which is offering a two-seater gyrocopter and is scheduled to be available by next year - a steal at 300 000 euro.

Czech company Nirvana Systems says it has had dozens of orders for its mini-helicopter, which can also travel on roads, albeit at rather sluggish ground speeds.

Silicon Valley-based company Kitty Hawk says its Flyer will be on sale by the end of the year.

And just last week France's Pegase, a cross between a ultra-light plane and a mini-car, crossed the Channel, the narrow stretch of water between England and France.

Until recently, flying cars "were a cross between a bad car and a bad plane," said Bruno Sainjon, head of the French aerospace lab ONERA, on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.

But there has been a quantum leap in design thanks to vast improvements in the power of electric propulsion, linked largely to the rapid advances in drone technology recently.

Xavier Dutertre, director of the Techoplane project based in Normandy, northern France, told AFP: "And we're not far from having the capacity to transport one or two men for about 20 minutes. In five to 10 years, that will have become commonplace."

While driving-flying hybrids may initially be the latest must-have gadgets for the ultra-rich, experts believe that such vehicles could actually be rapidly overtaken, as the industry sets its sights on fly-only solutions further down the line.

The real future, said ONERA's Sainjon is "a system of on-demand air transport, which would clearly be the start of a new era for aviation" - a flying taxi service, in other words.

Flying cars will not be something that just anyone can drive, "because it's too risky," Pascal Pincemin, an aerospace specialist with Deloitte, told AFP.

He envisaged digital platforms to manage the new form of traffic, and that appears to be what Uber, the App-based ride-hailing service, has in mind with its "Elevate" project.

The idea appears to be to develop a network of electric, vertical-takeoff aircraft and they are aiming to make their first demonstrations in 2020.

Dubai could be the first off the starting blocks with a new kind of small autonomous electric helicopter scheduled to come into operation later this year.

There is "a real appetite, a real interest", in this kind of transport in some of the more traffic-congested cities, said Jean Brice Dumont, head of engineering at Airbus Helicopters.

At the last Geneva motor show, the company presented its own prototype flying car, "Pop Up", developed in cooperation with a subsidiary of Volkswagen. But Dumont said they were expecting the technology to mature and develop further.

Boeing, so far, has not shown its hand and Deloitte's Pincemin does not see flying taxis becoming a common mode of transport before 2050. First, he said, the vehicles would have to prove their reliability.

Air transport today has a death rate of 0.2 per million flights, said Patrick Cipriani, director of security at the DGAC, France's civil aviation directorate.

"Will we be prepared to accept levels like those of light aircraft, which are 100 times less safe?" he asked.

NAMPA/AFP

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Mine’s better than yours

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Mine’s better than yoursBrag night at sunset a raging success How low can you go, how much glitz do you have, check out those rims, look at his trims and so on, and so on… say hello to Brag Night. The annual car show, or should we say, show-off, was a first for Namibia. The crowds were wild, the cars looked stunning and the DJs were on the mark and on the groove. The show kicked off on Friday at the Grove Mall of Namibia in Windhoek’s Kleine Kuppe suburb, showcasing two rides done, redone and jazzed-up by Ricky’s Custom Shop. The first was a Honda S2000 and the second, an Audi A4 hatchback fitted with air suspension. They were accompanied by the Red Bull Mini Cooper. The main show started at 10:00 on Saturday morning 24 June.

The theme for this event was a perfect fit. The car shows normally start during the day and run all the way through until it is dark so, ‘Cars at sunset’ suited that perfectly.

“If you ask any car show organiser in Namibia they will tell you the same thing: It is an issue getting a sport field or any proper type of grassy area which is what we normally use. This year we wanted to try to secure a parking are with enough space and that is why we approached the Grove Mall of Namibia. They welcomed us with open arms and with that said, we really appreciate them giving us the opportunity to give Namibia something completely different than your average car show,” said Nadia van Wyk, one of the organisers. Nadia was assisted by Zeeno Farmer and together they set up a stunning show.

A lot of sponsors were involved such as Dee Dee Electrical, TyreRack Namibia, MultiChoice Namibia and many more. Every event’s challenge is also getting as much exposure as possible and giving the car enthusiast something completely different every time - basically taking it to the next level .

Prizes consisted of trophies, certificates, a N$5 000 rim voucher sponsored by TyreRack Namibia and other product prizes. Speed and Sound has always been a part of the event but this year they approached Brag Night with something different. This year they sent a production crew to cover the event and get some of the cars featured. “We really do appreciate them being here,” Nadia said. “I would say that what was really different this year would be our amazing venue and having Speed and Sound here, and having the wonderful support from our sponsors and friends that helped make this event possible,” she added.

She sent a personal shoutout to all the sponsors that can on board and extended a special thank you to Webticket for their hard work on the event and on the day.

On Friday, a display and promotion day was held at the Grove Mallwe had on the Friday at The Grove Mall and FreshFM and Red Bull were involved.

All in all the show was remarkable and everyone is looking forward to the next Brag Night.

Sadly, two famous faces died over the weekend. “We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the friends and families of Lesley Carew and Desmond Coetzee. We offer this with love respect from all car enthusiasts and motorclubs in Namibia. Let the roads be a safe place to be,” Nadia concluded.

COBIE BOK

Omupolisi ngoka a sile miilonga a ningilwa efumbiko lyopapangelo

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Omupolisi ngoka a sile miilonga a ningilwa efumbiko lyopapangeloOmunamimvo 22 a tulwa miipandeko Nakusa Aina Magano Iileka gwoomvula 42 okwa fumbikwa momukunda gwaandjawo Oshilulu popepi nEtilyasa moshikandjohogololo shaKahao mOmusati, mehuliloshiwike lya piti. Iileka okwa hulitha omanga a li miilonga peinda lyopolisi pOshiko, konima sho a pumwa koshiyenditho shoka sha li tashi hingwa komunamimvo 22 ngoka keena omukanda gwokuhinga na okwali ta kambadhala okuya ontuku yopolisi.

Iileka okwa wo omwiilongi moshiputudhilo shoInternational University of Management (IUM) mOngwediva. Okwa hulitha momasiku 15 gaJuni, esiku owala ndyoka a tameke iilonga konima sho a kala mefudho lyokwiilonga lyuule wiiwike iyali.

Opolisi yaShana oya ningi oshituthi shokumudhimbuluka peinda lyopolisi pOshiko mEtitatu lyoshiwike sha piti. Pahapu dhOmupeha Komufala , Hilja Haipumbu, opolisi yaShana oya tula miipandeko Erastus Tashiya shi na sha nedhipago lya Ileka. Nakutulwa miipandeko okwa holoka nale komesho yompangu yamangestrata gwaShakati, noshipotha she osha undulilwa kesiku lyotango lyomwedhi Septemba. Ota tamanekelwa iipotha ngaashi edhipago, okuhinga e li kohi yondhungo, okuhinga ohauto keena omukanda gwokuhinga oshowo endopo okuyambidhidha omuntu ngoka eehamekwa. Ota kala mondholongo.

Haipumbu okwa popi kutya Tashiya okwa yaka po ohauto yofamili pegumbo lyaandjawo momukunda Afoti popepi nOnaanda mOmusati. Okwa li ta tidhwa kopolisi sho a pumu Iikela ngoka a li a thikama pomunkulo gwondjila.

Pethimbo lyoshituthidhimbuluko shanakusa, komanda gwopolisi yopOshiko, Inspector Benjamin Hophin, okwa popi kutya Iileka okwa tameke iilonga pamwe nayakwawo esiku ndyoka potundi onti- 14:00.

“Oye li omukomeho omutiyali miilonga esiku ndyoka. Onda ningi nayo oonkundathana omanga inandi thiga po ehala ndyoka. Lyopotundi onti-20:00 onda dhengelwa ongodhi kutya opwa ningwa oshiponga oshinene peinda lyopolisi na osha faalela omwenyo gwoshilyo shetu shimwe. Oshiwinayi okunongela kutya okwa li a thikama pomunkulo gwondjila sho a pumwa kohauto,” Hophin ta ti.

Sergeant Dornatus Paulus ngoka a li miilonga nanakusa esiku ndyoka okwa popi kutya kali pehala lyiilonga sho oshiponga sha ningwa ihe okwa lombwele aaniilonga pamwe naye kombinga yohauto ndjoka tayi tidhwa kopolisi yuuka kombinga yawo.

“Osha tseyithwa moradio kutya ope na ohauto ya yakwa mOmusati na oya monika moshitopolwa shaShana, na oyali tayi hingwa okuuka mOndangwa. Sho ya lopotwa yuuka peinda lyondjila yaNgwediva, onda tseyithile iilyo opo yi ze mo mondjila molwaashoka ohauto ndjoka oyali tayi hingwa nayi,” Paulus ta ti.

Otaku hokololwa kutya ohauto ndjoka tango oyiipumu mohauto yali ya thikama peinda ndyoka, na oya kiipuma muIileka ngoka a li a thikama pomunkulo gwondjila.

Nakusa okwa wayimine etanga lyopolisi mo-2011. Iileka okwa tameke iilonga moshitopolwa shaTjozondjupa nomo-2013 okwa lundululilwa mOmusati. Konima sho a tameke ootundi moIUM mo-2015 okwa lundululilwa mOngwediva.

MuFebruali gwonuumvo, Ileka okwa tameke okulongela popolisi yopeinda lyopolisi pOshiko. Ngoloneyaa gwaShana okwa holola omalimbililo ge omolwa egameno lyaanambelewa yopolisi, peinda ndyoka , sho muJuli gwo-2011, natango pwa hulithile omupolisi gumwe ngoka a li miilonga.

Constable Albertina Naambo Uugwanga naye okwa li a pumwa kosheenditho omanga a li miilonga peinda ndyoka.

“Shika oshiponga oshitiyali tashi holoka pehala ndyoka. Omaihumbato getu onga aahingi kage shi omawanawa. Aahingi naya ihumbate nawa uuna taye ya pomainda gopolisi, ethimbo olya thikana opo tu tulepo iinima yokushunitha ondapo pevi opo aantu kaya hingilile we,” Kashuupulwa a popi.

ILENI NANDJATO

Ompangu otayi ningi etokolo moshikumungu shaRössing ngula

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ompangu otayi ningi etokolo moshikumungu shaRössing ngula Ompangu yopondandeelela moshilongo okwa tegelelwa yi ninge etokolo kombinga yoshikumungu shetokolo lyetopolo lyiiyemo yagwedhwapo ya thika pomiliyna 454, moshiketha shehangano lyaRössing shoopenzela.

Omupeha Omupanguli Omukuluntu, Petrus Damaseb, okwa popi kutya omolwa uuwanawa nohokwe yoshigwana kombinga yoshikumungu shoka, oshizemo ashihe osha pumbwa okuleshwa, noshigwana otashi hiwa opo shi ka pulakene,

Ompangu otayi ka tseyitha woo ngele etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa metopolo lyiimaliwa mbyoka, otali yi pondje ompango yoPension Fund Act.

Otaku ka tokolwa woo ngele epataneko lyetokolo lyokutopola openzela ndjoka, olya ningwa pethimbo lyomondjila.

Oshiketha shopenzela shoRössing pension fund ohashi gandja omauwanawa gopenzela kaaniilonga yawo ngashiingeyi oshowo mboka yonale oshowo iifuta yomaso nomaulema.

MuMaalitsa gwo-2009, oshiketha shoka osha tseyitha kutya oshi na iimaliwa oyindji ya pitilila noomiliyona 367. MuApilili gwo-2012 iimaliwa mbyoka oya ningi oomiliyona 454, naaniipambuliko oya tokola opo iimaliwa mbyoka yi topolwe miipambuliko yi thike pamwe noopresenda 33.3 pokati kiilyo iikulu yoshiketha shoka niilyo mbyoka iipe.

Elelo lyaRössing olya tindi etokolo ndyoka na olya tokola opo oopresenda 15 dhi pewe iilyo mbyoka iikulu omanga iilyo mbyoka iipe tayi pewa oopresenda 33 momukalo gwiifuta yomafudho guule woomvula ndatu oshowo oopresenda 52 kiilyo yoshiketha shoka monena.

Etokolo ndyoka olya geyitha iilyo iikulu na oya pula ompangu opo etokolo ndyoka kali tulwe miilonga. Ompangu oya zimine na oya gandja etokolo opo elelo lyaRössing kali ninge etokolo ndyoka molwaashoka itali tsu kumwe nomulandu gwoshiketha shoka.

Ompangu yopombanda oyali ya ningi etokolo inayi tula miilonga omulandu gwoshiketha shoka kutya aapombanda mehangano oyo owala ye na oonkondo okutokola kutya iimaliwa mbyoka otayi topolwa ngiini. Ompangu yopombanda natango oya tokola kutya etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kelelo otali yi pondje ompango yiiketha yoopenzela. Ompangu natango oya ekelehi omaipopilo kutya epataneko lyetokolo ndyoka inali ningwa pethimbo.

Rössing Uranium okwa pataneke etokolo lyOmpangu yoPombanda sha etitha oshikumungu shoka shuundulilwe kOmpangu yoPombandambanda.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Eindilo lyoobiliyona 5 lya ningwa kuRCC inali puka-!Hanabeb

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Eindilo lyoobiliyona 5 lya ningwa kuRCC inali puka-!Hanabeb Ngoka ta longo pehala lyomunambelewa omukuluntu gwehangano lyoRoads Contractor Company (RCC), Tino !Hanabeb, okwa popi kutya inashi puka ngele omahangano ngoka ga yama kepangelo taga pula iiyemo ya nuninwa oopoloyeka dhawo.

Okwa holoka omaipulo gekwatho lyoshimaliwa kehangano TN Investment moka !Hanabeb uApilili gwomvula ya piti, a shanga kutya RCC okwa pula oobiliyona 5.237 opo a vule okumanitha oopoloyeka dh,.

Okwa yelitha kutya iimaliwa otayi ka longitwa ngaashi oomiliyona 300 tadhi pumbiwa okukwatela komeho iilonga, oomiliyona 440 otadhi ka longithwa mokupingena po iilongitho mbyoka ya kulupa, oomiliyona 161 otadhi ka longa ondjila yookilometa 245 yopokati kaGobabis-Aminius-Aranos, oomiliyona 321 otayi ka longa ondjila yoshinano shookilometa 105 pokati kaKhorixas-Kamanjab, oomiliyona 225 otadhi ka longithwa mokukalekapo oopoloyeka omanga oomiliyona 90 tadhi ka longithwa momulandu gwoompangela.

Okwa tsikile kutya oomiliyona 800 otashi ka longithwa metungo lyoRCC Plaza, oomiliyona 900 otadhi ka longithwa meyambulepo lyoWaterfront oshowo Marina Development pomatulilo gaMbaye, oshowo oobiliyona 2 ndhoka tadhi ka longithwa moopoloyeka ndhoondjila dhepangelo.

!Hanabeb okwa popi kutya ombapila ndjoka ya shangelwa Thomas Nakasole oya holola owala ompumbwe yiiyemo ndjoka ya taaalela oopoloyeka dhaRCC. Okwa tsikile kutya shoka osho hashi ningwa komahangano ga yama kepangelo ngele geli mompumbwe. Okwa popi kutya ehangano lyoTN Investment olya holola ohokwe yokugandja omakwatho koRCC muFebruali gwo-2016. MuJunigwo-2016 ehangano olya tseyitha kutya olya pumbwa omakwatho giiyemo opo li vule okupula komeho noopoloyeka.

Omahangano ngoka ga yamukula keindilo ndyoka ongaashi, Red Bull CC , Development Bank of South Africa oshowo Lexna Incorporated melongelokumwe noSasari Co. Ltd & Winthorpe, oshowo Development Bank of Namibia (DBN). Elelo lyoRCC olya zimine etaambo lyoomiliyona 36 okuza koDBN niimaliwa mbyoka otayi ka longithwa mokuwapaleka nokukwatela komeho opoloyeka yomass urban land servicing project moGoreangab Extension 1 mOvenduka. !Hanabeb okwa popi kutya RCC ina kutha omukuli okuza kehangano lyoTN Investment.

Oonzo ndhoka dha popi kutya inadhi hala okuhololwa odha ti kutya, epangelo inali zimina elongo lyondjila yoshinano shookilometa 105 pokati kaKhorixas-Kamanjab ndjoka ya popiwa ku!Hanabeb momukanda gwe gwomuApilili gwomo-2016, moka a popi kutya otaya ka pumbwa oomiliyona 321.

Sho a pulwa ngaaka, !Hanabeb okwa holola kutya RCC okwa pewa iilonga yoshitopolwa shotango shondjila yaSwakopmund-Henties Bay-Uis-Khorixas-Kamanjab muJuni gwo-2015.

Okwa popi kutya etungo lyoRCC Plaza olya tamekele mo-2012, sha landulwa komakonaakono ngoka ga ningwa mo-2013. Kombinga yopoloyeka yowaterfront nomarina development pomatulilo gaMbaye, !Hanabeb okwa popi kutya RCC okwa pulwa a ninge oshitopolwashiilonga mbyoka, nonando ina ninga eindilo lyiilonga sha landula etseiytho ndyoka lya ningwa koNamport mo- 2015.

!Hanabeb okwa ekelehi omapopyo kutya RCC okwa pula oobiliyona 2 dha gwedhwa po dha nuninwa oopoloyeka dhepangelo dhoondjila.

Catherine Sasman

Omutumba gu na sha nevi tagu unganekwa koLPM

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Omutumba gu na sha nevi tagu unganekwa koLPMAakuthimbinga yopashigwana ya hiwa Omutumba gwevi tagu ningwa kohi yoshipalanyole “People's Land Conference” tagu longekidhwa kehwahwameko lyoLandless People's Movement (LPM) nokupewa omayambidhidho koNamibian Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (Nangof) otagu ningwa muSepetemba nuumvo Omutumba ngoka otagu ningwa momasiku ga 8 sigo 10 gomwedhi Sepetemba na otagu landulwa komutumba gwevi gwopashigwana moshilongo ngoka tagu ningwa momasiku 13 sigo 18 gaSepetemba.

Omutumba ngoka tagu ningwa koLPM otagu longekidha okwiikunda oshikumungu shevi nokukwashilipaleka kutya omaiyuvo gaantu yopevi oga uvika moshikumungu shoka, nonando aantu mboka inaya hiwa opo ya ka kuthe ombinga momutumba gwopashigwana ngoka tagu ningwa momwedhi gwa faathana.

Momasiku 19 gaJuni Uuministeli wEvi nOmatulululo owa owa tseyitha omasiku moka tamu kaningwa oonkundathana momwedhi Juli, nokwiilongekidhila omutumba gwopashigwana ngoka kwa tegelelwa gu ningwe.

Omunashipundi gwoPeople's Land Conference, Henny Seibeb, okwa popi kutya omutumba ngoka taya ningi otagu ka tala woo kondjokonona yuumwene wevi moNamibia.

Oonkundathana otadhi ka tala woo kompango nokutula po uuyuuki mepulo lyevi lyuuthiga okuza kwaamboka ye wete kutya oya kuthwa evi lyawo, eilongo okuza moAffirmative Action Loan Scheme (AALS), iikumungu yomatulululo gevi papangelo, omilandu dhooprogramma dhomatulululo oshowo onkalo yaakengeli ngoka taya ikuthile evi.

Omutumba okwa tegelelwa gu ka konaakone omukalo gwomaayambulepo neyambidhidho lyaaakwashigwana yomomikunda, nokugandja omayele komilandu dhoka tadhi vulu okweetitha kondjila ooprograma dhomatulululo.

LPM okwa hiya aakuthimbinga ya yooloka yopashigwana ngaashi oLa Via Campesina, ndyoka li li ehwahwameko lyopashigwana mwakwatelwa iilonga yaAfrika o-17, aanafalama aaashona naamboka yopokati, aantu mboka kaaye na evi oshowo aakwashigwana aavalelwa mo ya za pomahala ga yooloka mboka taya pula uumwene wevi lyawo lyuuthiga.

Omahangano galwe ga hiwa ongaashi Landless Peoples Movement of South Africa, aahwahwameki yevi ya za moBotswana, Institute of Agrarian Reform based in Zimbabwe, Brazilian Landless People, oongudu okuza koBolivia, Venezuela naMexico, Native American First People, oshowo oongundu dhaakwashigwana aavalelwa mo ya za koAustralia naNew Zealand.

Seibeb okwa popi kutya omutumba ngoka otagu keeta po uutokolitho mboka tawu ka gandjwa momutumba gwopashigwana gwevi omutiyai ngoka tagu ka ningwa.

“Otwa hala okutameka nomahwahwameko getu molwaashoka otu wete kutya Swapo ongundu ndjoka itayi ka kandulapo omukundu gwevi,” Seibeb ngoka e li woo oshilyo shoSwapo a popi.

Pahapu dhe oongundu adhihe dhilwe dhopapolotika, kakele koSwapo, otadhi popile oshikumungu shevi lyuuthiga.

Opo omutumba ngoka gu vule okuningwa LPM okwiikolelela komayambidhidho nomagano ta pewa kiilyo ye oshowo kaagandji yooshali.



CATHERINE SASMAN

Africa high on G20 agenda

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Africa high on G20 agendaConcerns that Trump will thwart progress If Africa is to gain attention at this year's G20 summit, it will have to be without the support and cooperation of the United States. When the Group of 20 (G20) leaders meet in Hamburg in early July they face a problem not on their formal agenda: how to work around Donald Trump. The US president disdains multilateral financial cooperation, is opposed to US participation in the Paris Agreement on climate change, has shown little interest in, knowledge of, or desire to partner with African countries.

These core issues frame the 2017 G20 agenda with a proposed 'Compact with Africa' slated as the summit's big initiative. Its aims will be to encourage private-sector investment, support infrastructure development, and greater economic participation and employment in Africa.

In addition to South Africa, the G20's only African member, the leaders of Guinea, Kenya and Senegal have been invited as guests.

The US convened the first 2008 G20 Summit in Washington in response to the global financial crisis and has played a leading and constructive role ever since. Such experiments in informal global governance are an anathema to Trump, although he lacks any experience in such matters.

If Africa is to gain the attention in Hamburg the agenda promises, this will have to be without the support and cooperation of the US, at least while Trump is president. But can anything be achieved while this is the case?

If the G20 is to remain relevant in the quest for more inclusive and fair global governance, Africa offers an historic opportunity for collective action, despite US absence. Most urgent is alleviating the famine in East Africa while China, India, and others among the G20 are showing fresh interest in Africa's long-term peace and development.

The Trump factor

Trump's first and only exposure to multilateral summit diplomacy was at NATO's Brussels headquarters on 25 May. Then immediately to a two-day G7 summit in Sicily. Neither went well. More significant than all the negative media coverage of Trump's performance, was German Chancellor Angela Merkel's veiled warning that after 70 years, the US under Trump was no longer a credible ally and Europe must be ready to take its fate into its own hands.

Merkel's comments were probably intended for a global and American domestic audience as well. The US foreign policy elite and public continue to support close ties to Europe. Cooperation with Africa also has been generally popular in America. It is one area of foreign assistance that has enjoyed enduring bi-partisan support since the early 1990s.

Trump's antics in Hamburg could detract from the summit and his recalcitrance may complicate setting and slow implementation of the G20 agenda. But, progress on the Africa Compact is still possible with support from the US private and non-governmental sectors. The same goes for climate change and economic cooperation.

How G20 leaders interact with Trump, and comment publicly on the progress or lack of progress in Hamburg will resonate domestically in the US.

In deciding what to say publicly, G20 leaders may want to consider recent and escalating US domestic constraints impinging Trump's presidency.



Referees Matter

Trump's mendacity points to a much bigger problem. In an era of big data and contested statistical evidence how can opinion be informed by agreed facts to achieve consensus at any political level?

He has ridden roughshod over decades of research findings regarding the human causes of climate change.

To inform and help frame democratic debate, about such scientifically complicated contested topics as climate, public health, national security, and a raft of other vital policy issues, the public used at least rely on professional journalists to arrive at the best obtainable version of the truth.

This is no longer sufficient. Trump has advanced politically by questioning scientific evidence, those who produce it and dismisses as 'fake news' any journalistic reporting he disagrees with. G20 leaders should not be diplomatic in calling attention to this.

And a positive counter-note to Trump's cavalier claims would be for the G20 leaders to make clear that they believe in evidence based policymaking, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of recommendations.

US crude inventories rise

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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US crude inventories rise Oil markets were steady to lower yesterday after a report of rising US fuel and crude inventories underscored concerns that a three-year supply glut is far from over.

Oil had recovered some ground over the past week after falling nearly 20% since mid-May, but a report by the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed that US crude inventories rose by 851 000 barrels in the week to 23 June to 509.5 million, compared with analysts' expectations for a decrease of 2.6 million barrels.

Petrol stocks rose by 1.4 million barrels even though the US summer driving season began a few weeks ago.

The US inventory gains show global supplies are still ample despite the effort by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) between January 2017 and March 2018.

Ian Taylor, head of the world's largest independent oil trader Vitol, says Brent crude prices will stay in a range of US$40-US$55 a barrel for the next few quarters as higher US production slows a rebalancing of the market.

“Everybody was positioned for a market rebalancing and a stocks draw to happen in the second quarter. And if you look at the macro analysis, that should start happening,” Taylor said in an interview with Reuters.

“But so far it hasn't happened and everyone has made the same mistake. Nobody has distinguished themselves,” he said.

Some analysts said that crude prices had likely bottomed out and would rise.

“We believe that the selloff in crude is overdone ... Brent is primed for a recovery,” BMI Research said.

NAMPA/REUTERS

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Accidental roaming affects MTC customers

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Accidental roaming affects MTC customers MTC has noticed that the majority of its customers, especially those living near border towns, are unaware of accidental roaming and the effect it has on their calls and data plans.

As background, electromagnetic spectrum is a limited resource and is assigned by the respective regulative authority in each country. As a consequence, there are many cases in which mobile networks of neighbouring countries are assigned the same bands of frequencies.

When this happens, different implications to the provision of the service may occur. Particularly, interference problems can disable the possibility of placing calls and generate cases of accidental roaming inside the country of the customer.

The overlapping of network signals is a common activity at the borders of a country and often locals tend to latch onto the network signal which in most cases happens to be the foreign operator's, and subsequently results in a customer getting charged more than the usual cost.

Often this activity happens automatically, unbeknown to the customers. It may also vary depending on the device setup and network preference selection.

Once roaming is activated and a customer latches onto the foreign network, a customer normally receives a welcoming SMS from the foreign network, which is a sign that they are roaming.

MTC thus advises its customers, especially those at border towns such as Rundu, Nkurenkuru, Katima Mulilo, Oshikango, Ruacana, Oranjemund, Noordoower and Buitepos, of some of the solutions to control accidental border roaming.

The issue of accidental border roaming affects customers differently, depending on their product package or service plan. Prepaid customers are the most affected because their communication is cut upon depleting their credit.

MTC therefore urges its customers to do the following when receiving an SMS from a foreign network provider: “Switch your cellphone to a manual network search which will assist to stay on your current network, deactivate voice and data roaming by dialling *682# and then follow the instructions and acting immediately when you receive the SMS mentioned by dialling the MTC Customer Contact Centre for a guided roaming deactivation set up by our service advisors.”

STAFF REPORTER

Silver jubilee for MultiChoice

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Silver jubilee for MultiChoice25 years of service in Namibia MultiChoice's Namibian journey began in December 1991 with the issuance of a transmission licence by the then Namibian Communications Commission. MultiChoice Namibia (MCN) is celebrating its silver jubilee to mark 25 years of enriching lives with a series of initiatives across the country, which started at the beginning of June and will continue until the end of July.

The journey began in December 1991 when M-Net received a transmission licence from the Namibian Communications Commission to start broadcasting. In 1992, a joint venture was formed between M-Net and Kalahari Holdings, which marked the beginning of this incredible partnership.

Through the power of entertainment, MultiChoice Namibia has informed, educated and inspired Namibians from all walks of life by offering 125 television channels and 30 radio stations via its DStv satellite and GOtv platforms.

“Throughout the last quarter of a century, MultiChoice Namibia has been a much-loved part of society, a friend who brings the family together to share precious moments and unforgettable memories,” said Multichoice Namibia general manager Roger Gertze.

“Each day 130 staff go to work in Windhoek, Ongwediva and Swakopmund to deliver on the promise of the DStv and GOtv brands and live out the company values of caring, connecting and creating a future by supporting each other to achieve excellence,” he said.

Gertze said the MultiChoice Namibia staff were a valuable part of the company's economic impact on Namibia's GDP.

“Our employees, along with our valued customers, suppliers and government, have all played a role in the value chain of our investments to the Namibian economy for the past 25 years and have a direct economic impact of some US$11.9 million each year. That's something we at MultiChoice are extremely proud of.”

While the economic impact of the company has been significant for the country, it's the social impact that is the heart of the company. One of the ways it has achieved this is by extending the power of edutainment to tens of thousands of Namibian children through the MultiChoice Resource Centres.

As a leading entertainment brand, MultiChoice Namibia's aim is to grow hand-in-hand with Namibia's local creative industry. Most recently, the Namibian drama series 'Third Will' premiered on Zambezi, making it accessible to Southern Africa.

MultiChoice Namibia's silver jubilee marks a time of change for the organisation as it's reshaping the business to improve on customer experience, whenever and wherever there is customer engagement. Going forward into the next 25 years, MultiChoice will remain committed to putting customers at the heart of all the decisions made every day.

STAFF REPORTER

Competition Commission denies withdrawing FX charges

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Competition Commission denies withdrawing FX charges South Africa's competition watchdog has denied withdrawing charges against some of the 14 banks accused of rigging the rand currency, its spokesman said yesterday.

Bloomberg reported late on Tuesday that the Competition Commission would revoke its complaint against some of the lenders.

“It's not true, we are fairly content with how our litigation is going and we're not going to withdraw charges against any bank,” the Commission's spokesman Sipho Ngwenya said.

The Commission is seeking to impose fines on more than a dozen local and foreign banks that it alleges colluded to coordinate trading in the rand and the US dollar.

The case was referred to the Competition Tribunal, which holds hearings on anti-trust matters before making a ruling.

The watchdog began its investigation in April 2015, joining global probe into the manipulation of foreign exchange rates that has led to big banks paying more than US$10 billion in settlements.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Making sense of NDP5

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Making sense of NDP5Government has work cut out, analyst suggests Approximately N$164 billion will be spent in the implementation of NDP5 which aims to lift Namibia's profile economically. With the launch of NDP 5 in May, it is hoped that the government would have created at least 50 000 jobs annually when the ambitious development plan finally runs its course in 2022. But questions linger as to whether the ambitious plan will prove successful in its implementation.

Digging into NDP 5, PSG Konsult equity analyst Eloise Du Plessis does not think that it will be smooth sailing all the way as the government sets to raise the economic profile of Namibia in line with Vision 2030.

Taking stock of NDP 4, she says that plan fell short of its outcomes. “Although the NDP4 coincided with the highest average annual growth rate compared to any of the previous five-year plans since independence in 1990, the outcomes of the plan fell well short of its goals to ameliorate unemployment and promote prosperity – in addition to missing a host of other ambitious targets,” says Du Plessis. Applauding the thinking behind NDP 5, she says it provides more detail on the attainment of goals. “The NDP5 is a step in the right direction compared to previous five-year plans in terms of generally setting more realistic targets, providing more detail about strategies to achieve the desired outcomes and increasing efforts to monitor and evaluate the progress in reaching targets.”

She warns, though, that its successful implementation would not be easy, making reference to the SME Bank investment scandal.

“Some desired outcomes will be challenging to achieve because they require current trends to be reversed. For example, the government hopes to increase micro, small and medium enterprises' contribution to Gross Domestic Product, but Namibia has dropped four places in the latest Ease of Doing Business rankings and this suggests that it is harder for new MSMEs to enter the market and the state-owned SME Bank, which should help finance MSMEs, is currently embroiled in a scandal over N$200 million worth of 'investments' made in suspicious South African financial companies.

“Some targets are overambitious while some are rather unambitious. For example, the government hopes to add about 50 000 jobs to the economy per annum over the NDP5 period, while our forecast suggests closer to 20 000 per annum is likely. About 5 000 of these 50 000 jobs would have to be in industries related to sports and arts to reach the NDP5's desired outcomes.”

According to her, this is not a realistic target. “We think it is highly unlikely that the Namibian economy would be able to deliver the rapid increase in employment in these sectors as envisaged by the NDP5.”

She also cast doubt on the government's grandiose plans for the manufacturing sector.

“The desired outcome of manufacturing production increasing to N$20.6 billion by 2022, implies a rather unambitious nominal growth rate of 2.4% per annum which means that manufacturing prices would have to increase by less than 2.4% per annum for the sector to record real growth.

“While the NDP5 is more detailed than previous plans, which could help with the implementation of the plan, the government should be careful not to overload departments with targets and should prioritise targets according to their realistic potential to improve growth and employment,” Du Plessis says.

In light of the government's liquidity crunch, she questions how the government will finance the ambitious plan. “Perhaps the biggest question is whether the government can finance the NDP5 in its entirety. Mr Geingob has said that the government will commit N$164 billion towards the plan, although the current allocation to the development budget over the medium-term expenditure framework (from 2017/18 to 2019/20) is only N$24.2 billion,” Du Plessis says.

She also alludes to concerns raised by economic planning minister Tom Alweendo, who admitted that if the government missed its revenue forecasts, it would have to scale down some the NDP5's targets.

“Despite an expected rebound in economic growth on the back of improved mining and agricultural output in 2017, we see a moderate risk of significant fiscal slippages over the medium term given the size of the required budget cuts and risks to the global economic outlook that may adversely affect the local economy and tax collections,” Du Plessis concludes.

OGONE TLHAGE

Major cyberattack hits India's largest port

June 28, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Major cyberattack hits India's largest port A wave of cyberattacks wreaking havoc across computer systems worldwide disrupted operations at India's largest container port, the government said Wednesday.

India's shipping ministry said a private terminal run by Danish sea transport giant A.P. Moller-Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai had been affected.

Maersk earlier tweeted that the attack had impacted “multiple sites and business units”, without confirming which ones.

“It (JPNT) has been informed by the private terminal operator that this disruption is a consequence of a worldwide disruption being faced by them because of a cyberattack,” said the statement.

“While the terminal operator is taking steps to address the issues disrupting the operations, it is anticipated that there could be bunching of in-bound and out-bound container cargo,” it added.

The series of cyberattacks began in Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting government and corporate computer systems across the world as the virus spread to western Europe and across the Atlantic.

Several multinational companies said they were targeted, including US pharmaceutical giant Merck, Russian state oil giant Rosneft, British advertising giant WPP and the French industrial group Saint-Gobain.

The first reports of trouble came from Ukrainian banks, Kiev's main airport and Rosneft, in a major incident reminiscent of the recent WannaCry virus.

Some IT experts identified the virus as “Petrwrap”, a modified version of the Petya ransomware which hit last year and demanded money from victims in exchange for the return of their data.

However global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab said they thought it was not a variant of Petya ransomware “but a new ransomware that has not been seen before”.

India's shipping ministry said it was “alive to the situation and are taking steps to ensure minimum disturbance to trade, transporters and more importantly local citizens”.

The cyberattacks recalled the WannaCry ransomware outbreak last month which hit more than 150 countries and a total of more than 200 000 victims.

NAMPA/AFP