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Aanaskola oyendji taya ningi omategelelo mOhangwena

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Aanaskola oyendji taya ningi omategelelo mOhangwenaAanaskola oyendji taya ningi omategelelo mOhangwenaFawena a pyakudhukwa okugandja ekwatho kaanona mboka Omwaalu gwaanona yoskola taya ningi omategelelo moshitopolwa shaHangwena onkene tagu londo pombanda noonkondo kwiikwatelelwa komiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa. Omalelo gelongo monooli oga limbililwa omolwa ondjele yaanona yaakadhona mboka haya yi koskola taya ningi omategelelo tayi londo pombanda noonkondo.

Oshikondo shelongo moshitopolwa shaHangwena osha hololele oshifokundaneki shika kutya aanaskola ya thika 109 oya ningi omategelelo muule woshikako shotango shoskola nuumvo. Mokati kaamboka ya ningi omategelelo omwa kwatelwa aanona yooskola dhopevi yeli 16.

Omukomeho gwelongo mOhangwena Isack Hamatwi oye a tseyitha omiyalu ndhoka, ta popi kutya omategelelo mokati kaanona aashona moshitopolwa shawo ogeli pombanda noonkondo, nonando aanona iha ya thigi po we ooskola .

“Ondjele yomategelelo maanona yoskola oyi li pombanda noonkondo ihe aanona ihaya thigi po we ooskola. Muule woshikako shotango shonuumvo aanona yeli 109 oya ningi omategelelo, mwaamboka omwa kwatelwa aanaskola mooskola dhopevi yeli 16, gumwe ogwomondondo onti-5, yatatu oyomondondo 6, 12 oyomondondo onti-7,” Hamatwi a popi.

“Ngele yapulumutha otaya galukile koskola. Ooskola odhiipyakidhila nokutula miilonga oprogramma tayi ithanwa 'learner-mother programme' yanuninwa aanaskola mboka ya ningi omategelelo na otaya galukile kooskola.”

Okwa tsikile kutya omategelelo ogendji oga lopotwa mooskola dhomuushayi noForum for African Women Educationalists Namibia (Fawena) oya tokola okugandja eyambidhidho kaanaskola mboka yiihumbata naaamboka ya pulumutha opo kaya ningilwe okatongo.

Fawena ehangano lyaashi lyopapangelo tali longele kumwe nuuministeli welongo.

Omukomeho gwoprogramma ndjoka, Happy Shapaka, okwa popi kutya otaya yambidhidha owala aanona mboka yeli moluhepo naamboka ya za mokati kaakwashigwana mboka ya kala inaya talika monakuziwa.

Monena aanaskola ye na uunona ya thika po-3 000 mooskola dhomiitopolwa 14 moshilongo otaya mono ekwatho okuza kehangano ndyoka.

Ohangwena oyo unene yi na omwaalu guli pombanda noonkondo.

“Monena aanaskola owala 670 taya hiti iigongiilonga yoFawena moshitopolwa shaHangwena ihe otwa tseyithilwa kutya ope na ooskola dhimwe ndhoka dhi na ohokwe okutuma aanaskola yawo kiigongiilonga mbyoka opo ya tameke okumona omauwanawa okuzilila mooprogramma dhetu. Ngele otwa shangitha aanona ayehe mboka nena Ohangwena otayi kakala yi na omwaalu omunene gwaanaskola mboka taya kutha ombinga mooprograma dhetu,”Shapaka ta ti.

Oshikundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha nongele kutya aanaskola owala 670 ya shangithwa mooprograma dhoFawena molwaashoka ooskola odha ndopa okutaambako ehiyo lyehangano ndyoka.

Pahapu dhaShapaka, Ohangwena oya landulwa koshitopolwa shaMusati shoka shi na aanona yoskola ye na uunona yeli 427, omanga oKavango West

West (395) noKavango East 296.

Shapaka okwa popi kutya ehangano lyawo ohali mono omakwatho giiyemo okuza kehangano lyoGlobal Fund nomunaskola kehe okwa nuninwa oN$1 884. Iimaliwa ohayi longithwa mokulanda omizalo dhoskola, iikwathitho yoskola nomalweendo.

Okwa tsikile kutya ohaya gandja owala omakwatho kwaamboka yeli mompumbwe molwaashoka kape na ngoka teya pe omakwatho, noku ya tsa omukumo opo ya tsikile nomailongo gawo.

Nonando Fawena ota gandja omakwatho ngoka, aanaskola oyendji onkene taya thigi po omanongelo omolwa omategelelo.



ILENI NANDJATO

Nafinu ta futitha aakomeho yoSME Bank

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Nafinu ta futitha aakomeho yoSME BankNafinu ta futitha aakomeho yoSME Bank Ehangano ekalelipo lyaaniilonga lyoNamibia Financial Institutions Union (Nafinu) otali pangele okutulilamo oshipotha nokufutitha aakomeho yombaanga yoSME Bank, pauyelele wa gandjwa kuamushanga gwehangano ndyoka, Asnath Zamuee.

Pahapu dhe okwa popi kutya aakomeho yombaanga ndjoka oya pumbwa okufuta omolwa eyonagulo enene ndyoka ya ningi lya etitha embangoloto lyombaanga ndjoka, omolwa okulonga nuuhasha nonando oya li yiinekelelwa oshinakugwanithwa shokupungula iimaliwa yoshigwana.

Zamuee okwa popi kutya otashi kala owala pauyuuki ngele aakomeho mboka ya futithwa omolwa eyonagulo ndyoka ya ningi, sha etitha woo aaniilonga kaye na ondjo ya kanithe iilonga yawo .

Ian Mclaren na David Bruni oya ulikwa koMaster of the High Court opo ya ungaunge noshikumungu shombaanga ndjoka nokufuta aaniilonga ya thika po-208 mboka ya kanitha iilonga yawo.

Pauyelele mboka ywa gandjwa koonakuliikwa, aaniilonga mboka otaya ka pewa ondjambi yawo yomweedhi gumwe, oshowo iifuta yomasiku gomafudho, kwaamboka ye na ko omasiku oshowo iifuta yokomumvo kwiikolelelwa kutya aaniilonga oya longela ombaanga ndjoka omvula yuudha.

Kombinga yaashoka, Zamuee okwa popi kutya Nafinu otaka longela kumwe naamboka ya ulikwa opo ya ungaunge noshikumungu shoka.

“Omanga tau tsikile nokulongala kumwe naaulikwa mboka, otatu yelitha kutya otuuviteko oshinakugwanitwa shawo na katu na nando ehalo lyokuninga iilonga yawo iidhigu. Olugodhi lwetu inalu nuninwa aanakuulikwa mboka ihe epangelo pamwe naakomeho yombaanga ndjoka,” Zamuee ta ti.

Ombaanga yoSME Bank oyi li oshiputudhilo shepangelo lyaNamibia ndyoka li na mo iipambuliko (65%), Metropolitan Bank of Zimbabwe (30%) oshowo omunangeshefa gwaZimbabwe Enock Kamushinda (5%).

Elelo lyoSME Bank olya li lya kwatelwa komeho kuamushanga gwokabinete kaNamibia,

George Simataa ngoka e li omunashipundi, Petrina Nakale, Theofelus Mberirua, Milka Mungunda, Kamushinda naOzias Bvute ngoka a li omunambelewa omukuluntu gwombaanga. Omutokoli Hannelie Prinsloo, okwa ningi etokolo opo ombaanga ndjoka yi patwe manga.



OGONE TLHAGE

Eskom denies cash crunch

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Eskom denies cash crunchEskom denies cash crunch NAMPA/REUTERS

South African power producer Eskom is not facing liquidity challenges, the utility said on Sunday, after media reports alleging it would be unable to pay salaries by November.

Eskom, which produces nearly all of the electricity in Africa's most industrialised economy and exports energy to neighbouring states such as Namibia, is backed by more than $10 billion in government guarantees.

“Eskom refutes the notion that it is facing a cash crisis, and that it has only enough cash to last for the next three months," the state-owned utility said in a statement.

The state-owned power producer last week postponed the publication of its annual results without giving reasons, but said later that external auditors had raised "reportable irregularities".

Eskom has also come under scrutiny in the media after leaked documents put it at the centre of allegations of improper dealings in government contracts by the Gupta family, business friends of President Jacob Zuma. Zuma, Eskom and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.

“...the power utility is sitting on its last R20 billion. This means that unless something is done urgently, the parastatal could find itself unable to pay November salaries," the Sunday Times reported, citing the unpublished financial statements.

Eskom last month appointed Johnny Dladla as acting chief executive after Brian Molefe, who was at the helm for 18 months from 2015 and reinstated in May, was removed following growing concerns about governance.

Dladla, who has more than two decades' experience at the company, is the sixth person to take on the job of chief executive in three years.

“External auditors have confirmed Eskom as a going concern, and as a result, the company sees these reports as being inaccurate and misleading,” Eskom said.

Lesotho’s migrant crisis

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Lesotho’s migrant crisisLesotho’s migrant crisisLesotho's economic woes create generation of migrants A flood of migrants often flock to South Africa from Lesotho in search of better work opportunities. NAMPA/AFP



In a cottage in rural Lesotho, Tisetso Litheko lays out six full passports packed with immigration stamps showing his constant movement across the border to neighbouring South Africa.

The 31-year-old former shepherd is one of more than 400 000 Lesotho nationals who live for much of the year in South Africa, forced by decades of a lack of work in the small mountain kingdom to seek a livelihood elsewhere.

“Moving to South Africa was something I could not avoid. I had very few options here in Lesotho,” Litheko told AFP.

The flood of migrants from Lesotho, a country the size of Belgium that is encircled by South Africa, goes back to the discovery of gold in Johannesburg in the 1880s, when thousands of men from Lesotho were recruited to work in mines.

Litheko says his father and grandfather spent most of their lives as mineworkers in Johannesburg, the first in a long line of male members of the family who were forced to migrate for work.

“In Lesotho there are no jobs, there is no money, that is why many people sacrifice the comfort of their home life to work in South Africa,” he said.

Litheko left his village, Ha Abia, when he was 22 years old, initially sneaking illegally across the border to toil on farms in nearby Ladybrand as a seasonal worker.

“Before I had a passport, I used to go over the mountains before sunrise to avoid being detected, and come back at night.”

Now employed as a mine security guard, Litheko often works 24-hour shifts patrolling the boundaries of a gold mine in Carletonville, a gritty mining district south west of Johannesburg.

He saves the bulk of his weekly R550 wage and sends it home at the end of each month to his wife and three children.

The sum may appear meagre, but it goes a long way in a country where 56.2% of the two-million population lives in extreme poverty.

The World Bank puts Lesotho jobless rate between 24 and 28%.

The red tape of South Africa's immigration system, where officials frequently have a reputation for demanding bribes and causing long delays, has exposed desperate Lesotho job seekers to exploitation and cheap labour.

“Getting a South African permit is harder than getting a job,” said Litheko.

Lesotho is enclosed by South Africa, and thousands of its citizens cross the border daily, not just to work but also to shop or attend school.

The government is the largest employer, after the textile industry, which benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that allows Lesotho to exports goods to the US duty free.

Even if that has provided some relief, it has failed to significantly dent the high unemployment rate.

In the capital Maseru, stalls selling a wide mix of goods and services clog pavements, creating a vibrant informal sector.

Because the local loti currency is pegged to the South Africa rand, Litheko points out that migrant workers do not benefit from fluctuations in the exchange rate.

“Despite earning rand, at the end of the day, I am no different from someone who is working in Lesotho,” he said.

The African Centre for Migration and Society, based at Johannesburg's Wits University, said statistics show that remittances, transfers of money by migrants to their home country, make up to 30% of Lesotho's economy.

“Lesotho with its weak GDP remains dependent on South Africa through remittances -- and an economy that relies largely on remittances is... politically and economically weak as a result,” said researcher Zaheera Jinnah.

With long queues of goods trucks waiting to be cleared, the two 24-hour border posts bear witness to the hectic to-and-fro between South Africa and Lesotho.

“The operation of the border has made travel easy, but you still have to get your passport stamped,” said Litheko. calling for passport controls between the two countries to be scrapped.

Faced with the flow of immigrants, South Africa in February 2016 launched a special documentation process.

The programme, which came to an end at the end of 2016, attracted over 127 000 applicants, with the permits valid until end of 2019.

Woermann's lucky winner

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Woermann's lucky winnerWoermann's lucky winner ELATED: Lorenzo Gaweseb (centre) walked off with a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser in Woermann Brock's Royal promotion. Jonas Johannes (left) and Magnus Sechogele (right) were the other two finalists. He participated in Woermann Brock's Royal promotion competition finals at the Woermann Brock store in Khomasdal on Saturday. Magnus Sechogele and Jonas Johannes were the other two finalists. Konrad Schwieger, head of marketing, and Frieda Kandji, operations manager for the store, officiated. Each finalist had to choose a key and try the start the car with it. Gaweseb was the last to try his key and was elated when the powerful V6 engine came to life. Photo: AUGETTO GRAIG

A future for manufacturing

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A future for manufacturingA future for manufacturing Development Bank of Namibia CEO Martin Inkumbi has reiterated the bank's support for the manufacturing sector.

The bank is currently engaged in a drive to stimulate the sector with finance, and is reaching out to existing manufacturers with expansion plans, and potential manufacturing start-ups.

This will be augmented by the ambitions of manufacturers to penetrate regional markets. Concerning regional markets, Inkumbi says although South Africa and Angola are experiencing recessionary economic environments, there are opportunities in other countries in the SADC. He says economic contraction is a cyclical phenomenon, and that the upward trend of growth resumes in the long-term.

He points out that a viable manufacturing enterprise will have the scope to increase its output in future, and encourages entrepreneurs with plans to initiate them now, rather than delay at the expense of future productivity.

“The bank also provides access to a network of consultant business professionals who assist with capacity development after lending. This can be used to develop skills or streamline and strengthen operations to the benefit of the borrower,” says Inkumbi.

Talking broadly about access to finance for manufacturers, Inkumbi says manufacturing enterprises face challenges attaining the optimal financing mix. DBN's experience indicates that manufacturing enterprises with a higher equity capital in the financing mix tend to do better than those funded solely with debt capital. Manufacturing enterprises require a longer period to achieve break-even, given the complexity of their environments and the need to secure markets for their products.

“Manufacturing requires vision and ambition, and the Bank recognises this, and has commenced engaging local manufacturers, to better understand their challenges in raising capital. Manufacturers who have ambition and plans should make use of the Bank's open door, and expect more,” Inkumbi says.

STAFF REPORTER

Land sales stalled

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Land sales stalledLand sales stalledChallenges in acquiring land for resettlement Input gathered during the regional deliberations will be compiled into one document to be presented during the Land Conference from 18 to 22 September 2017. Inadequate budgetary provision for acquisition and limited supply are some of the challenges encountered in restoring land to landless Namibians since the inception of the land reform programme in 1991.

Added to this is an uneven distribution of land offers, as most offers to the government are coming from the southern regions of Hardap and //Karas.

This information was contained in a presentation on the state of land reform by the Ministry of Land Reform on Friday, during a two-day regional consultative meeting on the matter.

The meeting was convened to gauge opinion and gather input from the public on land reform issues, ahead of the second land conference in September this year.

According to the ministry, the government has been finding it hard to acquire land as owners register commercial land under companies and closed corporations to circumvent the law.

There is also a high demand for land under the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme run by Agribank in areas with the most suitable commercial land such as the Otjozondjupa Region, which leaves the National Resettlement Programme with marginal agricultural land.

The ministry's statement noted that the government has failed to fully address issues of farm land owned by foreigners and absentee landlords, mainly due to the slow pace of creating legislation to this effect.

Although the Agricultural Land Reform Act of 1995 and the Land Bill both address the issue of land acquisition by non-Namibians and the registration of land under companies, such laws are yet to be implemented.

As such, the amendment to existing legislation that deals with land ownership by foreign nationals is still pending.

Government has also been hitting a brick wall continuously in some areas when it comes to the expropriation of farmland for resettlement purposes.

Farm owners have also challenged the government for the use of the expropriation method to acquire their land, which hindered the effectiveness of this method.

Input gathered during the regional deliberations will be compiled into one document to be presented during the land conference from 18 - 22 September 2017.

Farmers, landless Namibians and other members of the public attended the deliberations.

NAMPA

NDP 5 translations necessary

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NDP 5 translations necessaryNDP 5 translations necessary Residents of the Otjozondjupa Region on Friday called on the government to translate the Fifth National Development Plan document into indigenous languages.

The Otjozondjupa residents made this call after a presentation on the development plan by senior officials of the National Planning Commission at the Swanevelder Community Hall in Otjiwarongo.

“This document is very important. It should be translated into languages which people understand better,” said a senior traditional councillor in the Kambazembi Royal Traditional Authority, Annie Ngujapeua.

Ngujapeua told Nampa afterwards that NDP4 was not translated into any vernacular, adding that the majority of people in the Okakarara Constituency still did not know what had been achieved in NDP4.

Grootfontein town councillor Tjeripo Tjikuua also called on the government to make sure the NDP5 document is translated for everyone to understand.

Tjikuua suggested the document could be summarised in indigenous languages.

NPC spokesperson Fillemon Nangonya in a telephone interview with Nampa on Friday agreed with the Otjozondjupa residents' concerns.

“Yes I agree with them, and NDP5 will be translated,” he said.

Nangonya said the commission was still calculating the cost of translating and printing the NDP5 document.

He said a decision had been made to translate the NDP5 document into Otjiherero, Oshiwambo, Rukavango, Setswana, Afrikaans, Damara-Nama, Silozi, San languages and Braille.

The deputy permanent secretary in the NPC, Sylvester Mbangu, said the government had decided to popularise the NDP5 to the regional and local governments and institutions dealing with the implementations at grassroots level.

Mbangu said the implementation of NDP5 was ready, and his office had embarked on popularising it in the different regions.

His team on Thursday visited the Oshikoto Region and Khomas is next.

The NDP5 is founded on four pillars - economic planning, social transformation, environmental sustainability and good governance.

NAMPA

No tax write-offs

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No tax write-offsNo tax write-offsNo legal provision to write off tax The special tax arrears programme lapses at the end of this month. Finance minister Calle Schlettwein has said that no debt write-offs will be entertained as that would be in contravention of the relevant tax laws.

The government is owed N$19 billion in taxes. N$4 billion is principal tax while the remainder is made up of penalties and interest.

According to the minister, defaulting taxpayers have been given ample time to settle outstanding debts and should visit the Inland Revenue directorate before the special arrears programme lapses at the end of this month.

He made the comments when he addressed his staff members on Friday.

“The tax arrears programme has yielded N$242 million. That is not a good performance. As we speak there is reason to be worried the target will not be met and then we will have to consider what we have to do thereafter.”

According to him, the finance ministry was assessing the situation.

“It is a very generous offer, if it is not taken up; we need to see what the next step is because those arrears cannot be written off. There are a number of options that we are interrogating. We will see where we end up in two weeks' time.

“The [yet to be established] revenue agency must make sure we do not land ourselves in these situations,” added Schlettwein.

Giving an update on the planned revenue agency, he called the development a step forward.

“The establishment of the tax office is a significant change from what we are used to at the Inland Revenue directorate. It touches on all our lives,” said Schlettwein.

The revenue agency is expected to become fully operational next year. “Day one is expected in 2018 once budget provisions and transition arrangements are finalised,” he said.

“I want to appeal to all of you to make the transition smooth and as easy as possible. The change will be there for the better. Revenue flows must not be interrupted during the transition period,” Schlettwein said.

He gave an update on proposed changes to the Financial Markets and Institutions and National Special Risks Association bills

“The Financial and Institutions Market Bill is to be tabled in the last session of parliament. Its finalisation should not be further delayed. The National Special Risks Insurance Association Bill is also finalised. The NASRIA Bill will go to the National Council for scrutiny. It will come back to the National Assembly in September and then to the president for signature,” he said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Mazda recalls 19 000 cars

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Mazda recalls 19 000 carsMazda recalls 19 000 carsMazda 2, Mazda 6 and RX-8 on list Mazda issued a global recall covering a wider manufacturing period in order to place the highest priority on the safety of Mazda customers. WHEELS24



In 2015, many Japanese automakers, including Mazda South Africa, recalled local models fitted with defective Takata airbags. In July 2017, Mazda has extended its recall following an investigation and is recalling 19 000 Mazda vehicles.







Takata saga continues



According to the automaker, it had announced a global recall covering a wider manufacturing period in order to place the highest priority on the safety of Mazda customers.



“This recall follows investigative recalls by Mazda in Japan and North America for three different types of Takata Corporation manufactured inflators and although no cases of abnormal deployment or dangerous flaws have been found in any Mazda vehicles in the course of the investigative recall; the concern had deemed an extended formal recall campaign necessary,” it said in a statement.







Which models are affected?



“To date it has been recorded that an additional estimated 19 000 units are affected in South Africa.” Affected units are Mazda2, Mazda6 and RX-8 vehicles produced from 2003 with VIN numbers starting with MM6DE, JM6GG and JMZSE. These include Mazda2, Mazda6 and Mazda RX-8 vehicles equipped with the “PSDI-4” driver-side air bag inflator, the “SDI-160” driver side air bag inflator, or the “SPI”, “SDI-230” and the “PSPI” passenger-side air bag inflators,” the Japanese automaker said.







What is the issue regarding airbags?



“The recall is due to an inappropriate production condition and storage of the propellant in the inflator. The density of the propellant may be insufficient in the inflator. This might cause the propellant to ignite abnormally at the time of airbag deployment and potentially result in extremely high inner pressure of the inflator causing a rupture of the inflator case. In a case of a rupture, the airbag might not deploy as designed and may lead to injury,” Mazda concluded.

SME Bank victims should be assisted

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SME Bank victims should be assistedSME Bank victims should be assisted The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for urgent assistance from the government and the Bank of Namibia to business depositors at the former SME Bank.

NCCI's CEO Tarah Shaanika on Friday said the organisation was extremely worried about businesses that had banked with the SME Bank.

“The fact that these businesses have their funds that are now trapped in the recently liquidated bank, completely stalls operations,” Shaanika said.

He explained that members who had deposited their revenues in accounts at the bank were now unable to pay suppliers and their employees because they did not have access to their funds.

“The closure of this bank is not of our members' making. Key stakeholders, especially the government and the Bank of Namibia, should make urgent provisions for victims with positive balances to access funding through other financial institutions to support their operations.”

Shaanika stressed that businesses could no longer be allowed to close at a time when there was so much economic hardship and the financial squeeze was already crippling them.

“Every effort must be made to ensure that the impact of the mess created at the SME Bank on the economy in general and business operations in particular is minimised as far as possible,” he said.

The NCCI further called for alternative funding of start-up businesses and SMEs through the Development Bank of Namibia during and after the winding up of the SME Bank.

The High Court on Tuesday made a provisional order for the liquidation of the loss-making bank.

The Legal Assistance Centre said on Thursday that people who had suffered damages as a result of the liquidation of the SME Bank could lay criminal charges with the Namibian Police.

NAMPA

Inspired by his community

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Inspired by his communityInspired by his communityAffordable houses for low income earners Johannes Kakoro, a Level 2 brick laying trainee at Windhoek Vocational Training Centre and one of the 2017 WorldSkills competitors shares his vision to see the poorer citizens sleep in proper houses. Twenty-one-year-old Kakoro describes himself as a hard working young man who is using his vocational skills to realise his dream. “My dream is to be able to build affordable houses to the masses, especially people in my community and that is why I decided to get training in brick laying,” he said. Kakoro said he was inspired by his father who has a construction company to choose his career path. “My father is one of my biggest motivators. I want to do the same profession but I want to just do it on a larger scale,” said Kakoro about his vision. He added that he enjoys making bricks and doing practical work in because sitting in an office all day doing white collar jobs has never been his dream. “I prefer a hands-on approach when work needs to be done. I also love the fact that as a bricklayer, I am constantly using my hands and I am able to see and touch what I make,” he added.

Kakoro said it is sad that many people from his village at Okadila in Oshana Region struggle to build proper houses because they cannot afford to buy bricks because they are expensive. “I have noticed people want to build houses but bricks are just so expensive and that is why I want to have my own company that will supply bricks to not just people in my community but to the majority of the poorer masses so that many Namibians can be able to sleep in decent homes,” he said.

Kakoro also said his plans for the future. He said he has already started refining his skills in Windhoek so that when he finally opens the doors of his business, he will be able to deliver quality work. “I get small tenders here in Soweto and most of the people who I do these small jobs for, love the quality of my work,” he said happily.

Though he has not yet decided the name of his construction company, he said it is going to be a company that will serve people rather than just make profit. He also said the main purpose will be to help people to get affordable building material. “I am not a materialistic person, and I know the purpose of having a business is to make a profit, but I just want to help people to be able to afford proper houses by offering affordable building materials,” Kakoro said.

Kakoro said he is proud to be one of the few trainees from various vocational training centres in Namibia who will represent the country at the WorldSkills Competition this year. “It is a feeling that I am yet to find the right words to describe. For now, I just feel proud and satisfied that I am one of the competitors,” Kakoro said. He explained that he is hoping to scoop a gold medal in his trade at the competitions that will be held later this year. He also shared he is spending most of his time doing practical lessons at the college in preparation of the competitions. “WorldSkills Competition is a big competition so, I really want to at least win a gold medal in bricklaying but more than anything, I am really proud that I am a competitor because not many get this opportunity,” he said.

He said he hopes to learn new lessons about bricklaying that will help him grow as a brick layer. “I really hope to learn new things during the competitions that will contribute to my success. I do not have to win but, I will cherish the experience and lessons for the rest of my life,” he said. Kakoro also shared he hopes to inspire fellow youth that they can also become prosperous after studying at vocational schools. According to him, there are many young people who are hesitant to enrol at vocational schools because of the negative public perception associated with these schools. Kakoro hopes to see people with negative perceptions change their mind sets when he comes back from the competitions. “It is definitely better to study at a vocational school than sit at home doing nothing,” he said. He said although he feels the debate about the goodness of vocational schools is exhausted, it is important that this negative perception is addressed once and for all. “Young people in Namibia really need to do away with this negative perception about vocational schools. I hope this year's WorldSkills competitors will do well and maybe, people's negative perceptions will be changed.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

School receives two classrooms

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School receives two classroomsSchool receives two classroomsCreating a conducive learning environment Ohlthaver and List Group donated two container classrooms and a soup kitchen to Monte Christo Project Primary School last week Wednesday. Eighty learners at Monte Christo Project Primary School previously learning in tents in Havana, an informal resettlement, are now learning in classrooms following a donation of two containerised classrooms donated by Ohlthaver and List Group.

Sven Thieme, executive chairman of Ohlthaver and List Group, said the group apart from growing the economy, it also values contributing towards education and skills development.

“Within the O&L group, driven by our purpose of creating a future and enhancing lives we acknowledge that our contribution to building the Namibian house is not only in our economic contribution or our role in creating jobs but also by playing our part in education and skills development,” said Thieme.

Education minister, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, said plans are underway to construct three permanent schools for the learners. Hanse-Himarwa urged the school management, staff and entire school community to guard against any form of vandalism of the infrastructure. “The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is battling over the past years with insufficient funds to meet the implementation of its capital projects and thus the least we can do is protect these properties for generations to come,” she said.

Last year, the Ohlthaver and List Group promised to provide safe learning environment to all learners of Monte Christo Project Primary School who were learning under the harsh conditions in tents.

Monte Christo Project Primary School was established to cater for the needs of learners in the area. The container classrooms provide learners with a safe environment and to protect them from harsh weather conditions.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Erongo Marine Enterprises ploughs back

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Erongo Marine Enterprises ploughs backErongo Marine Enterprises ploughs back Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME) MD, Martha Uumati, handed over a donation of canned fish worth N$100 000 to the founding father and former president, Sam Nujoma.

The fish will be distributed to marginalised schools and communities in Walvis Bay.

The pledge of the donation was made by the company at Nujoma's 88th birthday celebration. Beneficiaries include Children Life Centre in Katutura, Ada Ma/Hao Senior and Ausens Kindergarten in Otjozondjupa region and the Omuangete Primary School in the Kunene region.

“We are well aware of the fact that many of our fellow citizens do not enjoy the same privileges as we do. Sometimes we take liberties such as enjoying a healthy meal every day for granted. We hope to make a small contribution through our humble donation of canned fish products to vulnerable communities throughout Namibia, identified by the Sam Nujoma Foundation,” said Uumati.

She pointed out that the fisheries sector is one of the highest contributors to the economy and comes after the mining sector in terms of exports.

“The profits gained from one of Namibia's most precious resources should drive the industry to empower and contribute towards a better life for fellow Namibians,” Uumati added.

Nujoma also expressed gratitude for a N$250 000 donation from EME made towards the completion of the Etunda Farm Clinic and primary school during another occasion and commended the company for responding to his call to assist Simon Petrus a young and gifted inventor who stunned the world with his invention of a mobile phone that works with radio frequencies and requires no SIM card or airtime.

“I was touched when I read about Petrus and approached EME to sponsor him to further his studies. EME subsequently provided an all-inclusive sponsorship that will enable the young inventor to study for three years at the Vocational Training College in Windhoek,” Nujoma said.

Uumati presented the educational sponsorship of N$135 000 to Petrus. She expressed EME's delight to be able to sponsor and support home grown talent and create an enabling environment for him to harness his energy towards the progressive realisation of Namibia's Vision 2030 goals.

She commended Nujoma for his commitment towards addressing the education, health shortcomings among rural communities, especially farm workers and for supporting science and technology education and research. This follows an announcement this month which said mining and marine institutes will be established at the coast.

She also pledged that EME would, through various corporate social investment initiatives, continue to convert its fishing rights into human rights that create shared value by investing in sustainable and empowering community programmes and advance the lives of local communities throughout Namibia.

Uumati further acknowledged the commitment and contribution of the employees towards the success of the company and said they are its valuable asset.



OTIS FINCK

Olivia Nghaamwa: Senior Tax Manager

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Olivia Nghaamwa: Senior Tax ManagerOlivia Nghaamwa: Senior Tax Manager Olivia Nghaamwa, a Senior Tax Manager at Deloitte says her job deals with “anything and everything tax-related.” Being a tax professional means she has to give advice to clients on complex tax matters, such as tax planning, tax risk management, whether or not to acquire a certain business, doing business with partners in various countries and the tax implications of certain transactions.

Working in the tax industry for 10 years, Nghaamwa says her job also involves assisting clients with their tax calculations, submissions of tax returns and liaising with Inland Revenue on behalf of her clients.

“The beauty of our work environment is that no two days are similar. There are surprises every day and one needs to be flexible. So I take each day as it comes and discern what is urgent and important,” Nghaamwa says.

“I have always loved the combination of working with numbers and the law and particularly loved tax and commercial law as subjects in university. However, my love for tax was cemented while doing my masters in tax,” she explains.

She says her job is requires her to have a high level of integrity, be goal oriented and have strong interpersonal skills as you work with many clients on a daily basis. According to her a Senior Tax Manager should also have good writing skills as you write reports every day.

Graduates in accounting, economics or law can work in the field of taxation and a tax qualification would also come in handy. “The highlight of my career is providing solutions to complex tax matters, making a positive impact on our clients' businesses and seeing our people grow into seasoned tax professionals.”



Pull quote:

“The highlight of my career is providing solutions to complex tax matters, making a positive impact on our clients' businesses”

A Senior Tax Manager should:

· Have a passion for intricate tax policies

· Pay attention to detail.

· Be able to explain all various forms of tax practically to clients

Fares Amukete: Business Process Solution Manager

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Fares Amukete: Business Process Solution ManagerFares Amukete: Business Process Solution Manager Fares Amukete, a Business Process Solution Manager at Deloitte Namibia says his job involves handling a company's finances or auditing a company's financial records. It is the responsibility of a Business Process Solution Manager to assist clients with the review of the structure of their finance departments, make suggestions on how to optimise business processes and prepare financial statements.

Amukete says he spends his day supporting clients and making sure their demands are met. “We try and understand the clients' challenges and sit together with my colleagues and the partner, who is my boss, to find innovative solutions. I also spend time coaching my team and facilitating training sessions, which I really enjoy and find very stimulating,” says Amukete.

Amukete says he enjoys the diversity and complexity that comes with his job. “What I enjoy most of my job is that the assignments and projects I work on every day are very diverse. The projects I do range from corporate finance, strategy and innovation and assisting them to reach their financial aspirations. This has resulted in tremendous personal and professional growth for me,” shares Amukete.

He says people, who can adapt to change, take on a leadership role at crucial times and individuals who are very competitive make excellent business process solutions managers.



Pull quote:

“What I enjoy most of my job is that the assignments and projects I work on every day are very diverse.”



A business process solutions manager should:

· Be able to see where changes are needed in the financial portfolios of clients

· Be able to understand a client's challenges and help with an innovative solutions to it

· Be dynamic, adaptable and versatile in the workplace.

Deloitte Namibia | Our Namibian Identity

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Deloitte Namibia | Our Namibian IdentityDeloitte Namibia | Our Namibian Identity Deloitte & Touche in Namibia is a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an international accounting firm founded in 1845 in London. We have been operating in Namibia since 1959, serving a wide variety of clients throughout Namibia.

Our firm provides a range of accounting, auditing, taxation and consultancy services. Deloitte partners and managers are registered with the Public Accountants and Auditors Board of Namibia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia.

Deloitte's professionals are unified by a collaborative culture that fosters integrity, outstanding value to markets and clients' commitment to each other and strength from cultural diversity. We enjoy an environment of continuous learning, challenging experiences and enriching career opportunities. Deloitte's professionals are dedicated to strengthening corporate responsibility, building public trust and making a positive impact in their communities.

As a firm we are dedicated to the development of our Namibian staff. We do this through providing bursaries to Namibians, particularly those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, to study toward their qualifications as Namibian Chartered Accountants. In the past 13 years this program has invested N$ 11.1 million in the future of our people.

Deloitte Namibia has a significant number of Chartered Accountants (CA's) in relation to its total number of professional employees. Our firm currently has 20 chartered accountants in its employ, of which 12 are qualified black chartered accountants. Deloitte has produced, on average, a 29% of Namibia's chartered accountants over the last 9 years, and over 42% of all black chartered accountants in Namibia.

Our other specialized Risk Advisory department includes, amongst others, highly specialized computer audit capability, including three Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISAs), one Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and two Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs).

Piquet Fisher: Chartered Accountant

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Piquet Fisher: Chartered AccountantPiquet Fisher: Chartered Accountant Piquet Fisher is a chartered accountant at Deloitte Namibia.

According to Fisher, chartered accountants are professionals who offer financial advice, audit accounts and provide trustworthy information about financial records to their clients.

Fisher shares that the duties and responsibilities of chartered accountants also involves financial reporting, taxation, auditing, corporate finance and business recovery and insolvency.

“Different clients have different needs so we strive to cater to them and ensure that we make them happy thus every day come with its challenges and lessons,” says Fisher.

Skills required to be a chartered accountant include; communication skills, commercial awareness, analytical skills and the ability to work in a team. “Being a successful chartered accountant involves more than just having a good head for figures and knowing your way around a spread sheet,” says Fisher.

Fisher shared that she loved Accounting when she was in high school and a career in finance was an obvious route for her. The highlight in her line of work is the fact that her job is never the same and always challenging thus she continuously learns new things from the team that she works with and her clients. “I really enjoy working with people and feeling that I can make a difference in the financial lives of our clients,” she says.



Pull quote:

“Being a successful chartered accountant involves more than just having a good head for figures and knowing your way around a spread sheet.”



A charted accountant should:

Have a head for figures.

Know their way around a spread sheet.

Have good time management skills.

A culinary school for all

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A culinary school for allA culinary school for allGet cooking with Silver Spoon Academy After opening its doors in February 2016, Silver Spoon Academy is aiming to grow into one of the country's biggest culinary institutions. “In Namibia, we only see waitressing, cooking and hosting as a job – not as a profession,” said Tom Mutavdzic, owner of Silver Spoon Academy in Windhoek.

Mutavdzic feels that in Namibia, hospitality is still a growing industry.

It is one of the many economic sectors that play a big role that contributes to gross domestic product and tourism and hospitality is probably one of the most dynamic, colourful and intricate, as it touches every part of life and truly has become “everyone's business”.

“When people think of hospitality, they only think of hotels, lodges and restaurants.

“Hospitality is more than that. What about the mines, hospitals and other facilities that require the care of our people?” asked Mutavdzic.

Hospitality is an important element in every country's industry, hence the need to increase awareness of this important sector, as well the educating and making sure all Namibians are well equipped and skilled to enable them to become part of it.

Tourism truly is a cross cutting sector and is one of the Namibia's fastest growing industries, providing significant employment opportunities at all skills levels and offering income and benefits well beyond the areas directly linked to tourism and hospitality.



Industry demand

According to Mutavdzic, about 1 000 chefs are needed in the country and only a few are qualified.

“Most established hotels and lodges in Namibia provide training on the job, but it is not the easiest thing to execute,” explained Mutavdzic.

With Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy, their main focus and end is to enhance culinary education and training in the tourism related areas at grassroots level with the existing tourism workforce and build more effective partnerships as set out in the Tourism Human Resources Strategy 2011.

Privately owned by Mutavdzic, who has 42 years experience in the hospitality business and also plays the role of being a lecturer at the institution; he started his career in South Africa and furthered his education in Switzerland for seven years.

“I started out as an army chef and I basically grew up in this industry.

My father owned a hotel in Otavi so these are things I am well experienced with.”

He was the managing director of the Canyon Hotel for 21 years and is a director of the Lüderitz Nest Hotel.

In addition, Mutavdzic is also a founder member of HAN (Hospitality Association of Namibia) and chairman for three years.

Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy offers different courses ranging from certificates and diplomas in restaurant management and becoming a chef.

They also offer domestic cooking classes for those who would like to work on their cooking skills at home.

“A lot of money is spent on the buildings on these training institutions, but not enough is spend on educating our people,” explained Mutavdzic.

The school is also affiliated to Chef MLK School of cooking in South Africa, which is City and Guilds approved.

“City and Guilds is an international qualification. We made sure to establish this partnership with them as it is recognised internationally and we do not want to limit our students. With this affiliation, our students will be able to get employed from anywhere around the world,” he said.



Legacy

Mutavdzic explained that it was always his father's dream to open up a culinary school and with hard work and determination, the dream came alive.

“To join us, you do not need a grade 12. As long as you can read and write English and have the right dose of enthusiasm and will to succeed,” he added.

Martin Shipanga, a 21-year-old chef student, says he enjoys his time with the institution and he cannot wait to see what the future holds.

“Since I started here, I have learned different cooking styles and cuisines from all around the world, from Chinese, Arabic and Italian,” Shipanga explained.

Growing up, Shipanga witnessed his grandmother experiment with different fruits to make jams. “My love of food started to grow as I was always fascinated with the way my grandmother cooked different meals,” he added.

For his future plans, Shipanga would like to work in Doha, Qatar or in Dubai as he would like to make sure he works he gains world class experience.

“I am very happy with our teaching style as we do more practical activities and less theory. It makes the lesson so much fun and the two compensate each other very well,” he further explained.



Service is key

The initiators of Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy are aware of the ever-changing and increasing demands of the international travel market in terms of service levels and gourmet and cuisine experience on their journeys.

The school ensures that the Namibian tourism industry is equipped with suitably trained staff to meet and exceed the expectations of all travelers, both local and international, covering traditional, international and trendy cuisine. Mutavdzic also warned future students that culinary schools are not glitz and glamour.

“Most of our students think that cooking is like what they see on these international television shows. We teach our student chefs that you have to start from the total bottom and then only you can work your up to the top. A senior head chef can tell you to wash the pots and clean the oven and this must be done,” he said.

The aim of this educational institute is to train students for their future careers in the field of hospitality and tourism in Namibia. With the main purpose to provide education to students in Namibia, the academy's wish is to branch out to other parts of the country and educate future world class chefs, born and bred in the motherland. Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy is situated in the Old Power Station in Windhoek.



TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA

Miss Generous

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Miss GenerousMiss GenerousDanel du Toit loves giving back to her community A young girl who is taking part in the Miss Princess pageant speaks to The Zone about her preparations for the event and how it has impacted her life. Danel du Toit is no ordinary nine-year-old. She is one of the finalists for Miss Princess Namibia 2017 pageant. She recently started contesting in beauty pageants and says she enjoys the competitions she takes part in.

She also shares how her random acts of kindness to communities in Windhoek have put a smile on the faces of the needy.

The third grade learner at Pioneers Park Primary School, understands that her role as a finalist is not an easy job and is not just about being pretty and all dolled up.

Du Toit said it's all about learning from a young age, giving back to those in need and being responsible for the choices she makes in life.

“I like assisting people because when I usually help people I know that I can change their lives,” she said.

Du Toit has been taking part in pageants because it has been a way for her to build her character saying she wants to assist more people in Namibia through various pageant platforms. “I compete in pageants because they are very great and build someone's character and instil discipline.

“I also want to make Namibia a better place one day,” said du Toit.

The soft spoken girl says more young girls should take part in pageants because they teach young ladies about the importance of life, leads to character development and prepares them for a better outlook for the future through interacting with different people. “I think pageants are important because you help people. It builds one's self-confidence and turns you into an emotionally stronger person.

“It is also a good opportunity to interact with other people,” du Toit said.

Du Toit said she does not let the pressure of the Miss Princess Namibia get drain her as she can she still enjoy doing regular things.

“My favourite subjects at school are mathematics and arts. I enjoy reading and drawing,” said du Toit.

She must do charity as part of her duties and in fulfilment if this mandate, she has visited the Katatura Old age Home and served them soup.

During another visit, she delivered lunch packs for them. She also recently visited Dinosaur Land in Katatura with where she engaged different people and donated a few items to them. Du Toit also donated paint to Dinosaur land so that the school can have a face lift.

Her mother, Rivonia du Toit, says the Miss Princess pageant has motivated her daughter to work harder and has since boosted her confidence.

“What I have seen so far is that she has gotten stronger and more confident about the kind of things she does. The most important thing is that the girls have learned to give back to the community and that is a very important role they play.”

The mother says Danela has so far been preparing for the event and that it has been a learning curve for the little one.

“The theme of the event is based on the mermaid and she has been working hard working on the masquerade and costume dresses for the big night. She has been working hard through her charity initiatives.

“She has amazed me because she is an introvert but she has changed and she communicates more and is not shy like she used to be,” said her proud mother.

Du Toit engages in random acts of kindness once a week before she leaves for school.

Throughout the week she collects food to make a hamper and then randomly select someone on the street to give.

“I help whenever and wherever I can once a week by giving people a hamper of food every morning before I go to school I choose randomly.

There is so much we can do to help one another and I really feel good that I give back to the community,” shared du Toit.

She says she will continue helping people and giving back to the communities after the pageant and is calling on more people to assist people in their commiunities.

Shona Ngava
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