Letshego listing welcomed

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Letshego listing welcomedMore choices for local investors Letshego is expected to gain market share by listing on the Namibian Stock Exchange. Letshego's planned listing on the Namibian Stock Exchange has been welcomed by Simonis Storm analyst Megameno Shetunyenga, who says that it will provide the NSX with more liquidity.

According to Shetunyenga, this now broadens the choice open to investors.

“We think it's a good step, especially for the market. More counters in the market and will slightly improve on liquidity. There are more options for investors to choose from,” he says.

According to Shetunyenga, the listing will also help provide liquidity on the NSX.

“We do expect there to be an increase in demand, especially with the proposed adjustments of the pension fund Regulation 28 to increase local asset limit to 45%,” says Shetunyenga.

Currently, Regulation 15 and 28 require that 35% of long-term insurance and pension fund assets must be invested locally on the NSX.

The analyst is also of the view that Letshego still has more room for growth.

“Letshego is in a growth trajectory path and has potential to gain market share. It is still to grow the loan book [and its] balance sheet is not geared yet. Hence, we should expect the bank to go to the market to raise debt for further funding and not use shareholders capital as have been doing. With leveraging, we should expect growth in earnings and return on equity from current levels.”

Shetunyenga believes investors will be happy with a new counter to invest in.

“It is the only primary listing since Bank Windhoek Holdings' listing, hence, it should prompt some excitement.”

Bank of Namibia governor Iipumbu Shiimi described Letshego as a financial trailblazer and welcomed the listing when the announcement was made in July.

“I believe Letshego has been a strong partner in this journey of exclusive growth. Listing on the NSX is commendable and it broadens the ownership of the financial sector. Letshego is a trailblazer in this journey of financial inclusion,” said Shiimi.

According to him, the listing would help spur the growth of the financial sector locally.

“If some financial institutions list on the NSX, we will provide an outlet for money invested on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and elsewhere to find a way home,” said Shiimi.

The move its CEO says will bode well for the country's financial inclusiveness agenda.

“We believe that to be totally financially inclusive, we should offer Namibians the opportunity to be part of our growth. Through the planned IPO, partners, customers and wider stakeholders of Letshego have an opportunity to own shares in this business they have come to know so well. As we grow, so shall ordinary Namibians' wealth. We believe this is what empowerment is all about, as Letshego is now becoming our Letshego,” group CEO Ester Kali said of the planned listing.

The planned Letshego IPO will be a first of its kind on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), as the public offer will prioritise educating the public, giving preference to Namibian residents. This is with a primary focus on previously disadvantaged Namibians.

“We will be calling our planned IPO 'Ekwafo Letu', which means 'Our Support'. This is in recognition of what Letshego, at its core, stands for: to provide support. Support to those who are typically under-served by traditional financial institutions. Our Letshego story is about empowerment, via the solutions we provide, and now via Ekwafo Letu,” said Kali.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Langer Heinrich tests processing tech

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Langer Heinrich tests processing tech Ore from the Langer Heinrich mine is being put to the test as Marenica moves to show prospective uranium companies the benefits of using U-pgrade processing technology.

Paladin's Langer Heinrich mine will be the first mining operation to make use of the technology.

Marenica CEO Murray Hill welcomed the development.

“The aim of the test work is to confirm the substantial benefits expected from implementation of Marenica's proprietary U-pgrade process on the ore. It is expected that the test work will indicate reduced unit operating costs, a substantial benefit in their own right, and which could also enhance future production expansion opportunities at Langer Heinrich,” he said.

Marenica expects the test programme to be completed early in the December quarter of 2017, he added.

Hill also pointed out that Marenica would not be discouraged by Paladin's administration woes. Paladin Energy Limited owns 75% of the Langer Heinrich uranium mine.

“With Paladin in administration the final ownership of the mine may not be known for a period of time. Nevertheless, successful test work results of the U-pgrade application are expected to provide operating costs benefits to the mine, irrespective of the owner,” said Hill.

OGONE TLHAGE

Chariot pulls out

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Chariot pulls outLack of support cited Chariot Oil & Gas has divested from certain Namibian oil interests. Chariot Oil & Gas this week announced that it would be pulling out its interest out of two Namibian oil blocks, citing a lack of support from potential partners who would have collaborated with Chariot in carrying out exploratory work.

The two oil interests are Block 2714A and 2714B.

Chariot elected not to enter into the First Renewal Exploration Period of either of the exploration licences covering the Namibian Blocks 2714A and 2714B (Chariot 85% and operator; NAMCOR 10%; Quiver 5%). The ministry of mines and energy and Chariot's partners were notified of the decision and the process of withdrawal is now under way.

The work undertaken by Chariot to define this prospectivity resulted in industry interest; however the technical risk associated with these prospects deterred potential partners from committing to a programme of exploration drilling in the current environment.

The decision not to enter into the next period was made in line with Chariot's risk management strategy, its focus on portfolio management and capital discipline.

Chariot said it was disappointed that it was not able to attract partners for exploration in the southern blocks it held, according to its CEO, Larry Bottomley.

“The focus for Chariot is the delivery of transformational value through the discovery of material hydrocarbon accumulations. While it is clearly disappointing that we were unable to attract a partner on the southern blocks in the current environment, it is important that the company maintain discipline in the management of risk and the allocation of capital,” said Bottomley.

According to him, there was however interest to partner by the Namibia Petroleum Corporation.

“Namcor has requested that Chariot remain engaged in the partnering process through a zero-cost option to back-in after exploration drilling in recognition of the depth of understanding of the Chariot team of these licences and the quality of technical work performed,” said Bottomley.

Chariot would be able to shift its focus to its other Namibian interest, Bottomley indicated.

“While supporting the remaining partners in these efforts, our operational focus is on preparing for the drilling programme in Morocco, progressing preparations to drill in the Central Blocks in Namibia and launching the partnering process in Brazil,” Bottomley said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Recap of Russian ops in Syria

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Recap of Russian ops in Syria The chief of the main operational directorate of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoy, has provided a summary of the Russian military's activities in Syria at the 2017 International Military Technical Forum.

Rudskoy told a roundtable conference that following an appeal by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to provide assistance to fight international terrorism Russian President Vladimir Putin, on 30 September 2015, ordered his military to launch an operation against ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria.

“Combat aviation units of the Russian Aerospace Forces are the basis of the force's grouping,” Rudskoy said.

“At the start of the military operation, the situation in Syria was critical. The government of Syria conducted warfare against terrorism entirely on its own. In fact, units of so-called 'moderate opposition' joined with ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, which were well-funded, well-armed, and supported by their foreign sponsors. They controlled more than 70% of Syria's territory, and continued their offensive from all directions.”

According to the colonel-general, the actions of the Russian forces significantly damaged the control and logistics systems of the terrorist groups. Main weapons and munitions supply routes have been cut off and the organisations have lost financial sources from oil trafficking.

The Russian air force performed 28 000 combat sorties, and conducted about 90 000 strikes during the operation in Syria.

“The actions of the Russian forces allowed the Syrian army to turn the tide.”

Territory controlled by Syrian army has increased four-fold from 19 000 to 78 000 square kilometres since the start of the Russian operation.

Large illegal armed formations near Hama and Homs have been defeated. The Latakia province has been completely liberated as have Palmyra and Aleppo. The primary highway leading from Damascus to the north of the country has been unblocked.

The government troops have taken oil and gas fields back under their control and the north-eastern regions of the Aleppo province located to the west of Lake Assad have been liberated.

In the south of Syria, a 181-kilometre section of the Syria-Iraqi border as well as the 1 950-kilometre Syria-Jordanian border in the provinces of al-Suwayda and Damascus have been taken back under control of the Syrian army.

As a result of agreements between the armed opposition and the Syrian government, which were achieved under the facilitation of Russia and Turkey, a ceasefire regime has been established in the Syrian Arab Republic.

“Issues of establishing of four de-escalation zones in Syria have been approved during the fifth round of negotiations in Astana. De-escalation zones located in the south-west of Syria, in East Ghouta, and to the north from Homs are operating successfully. Issues of establishing another zone in the Idlib province are being discussed,” the general said.

Currently, the control over the ceasefire regime observation is carried out by units of the Russian military police.

The establishment of these de-escalation zones has allowed for a ceasefire between armed formations of moderate opposition and government troops, as well as to stabilise the situation in southern and central areas of Syria.

The final efforts now are focused on the last ISIS stronghold near Deir ez-Zor.

ISIS has concentrated its forces near Deir ez-Zor and insurgents from Mosul and most battle-ready units have been redeployed there.

Units of Syrian military, supported by the Russian air force are developing their offensive on Deir ez-Zor from three directions. Moreover, a large ISIS grouping has been encircled near Uqayribat. It is being defeated.

Al-Sukhnah has been liberated from ISIS.

syria.mil.ru

Mugabe slams SA, Nigeria over Gaddhafi

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Mugabe slams SA, Nigeria over GaddhafiSays Africa betrayed him by supporting Nato decision Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has lauded slain Libyan leader Muammer Gaddhafi saying he was a friend of Africa. President Robert Mugabe has criticised the 2011 decision made by African countries that voted in favour of a resolution by western countries to invade Libya resulting in the killing of Libyan long-time leader Muammar Gaddhafi, reports say.

According to Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper, the nonagenarian described the decision to support Nato's “no fly zone” as “shameful and disgraceful”.

Mugabe said this while speaking during the official opening of the 67th World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa summit in Victoria Falls early this week.

“The weakest of our world system is that when innocent countries are attacked, we fold our hands. I'm saying this off the cut because it worries me. Where are we going? Where is the world going,” Mugabe was quoted as saying.

The no-fly zone decision had earlier failed to garner enough support after China and Russia who were part of the five countries with veto powers at the UNSC opposed the Nato backed resolution.

During the second round of the vote, three African countries seating at the UNSC voted in favour of the Nato's backed “no fly zone” vote.

South Africa, Nigeria and Gabon were among the non-permanent members who voted in support of the resolution, the report said.

Mugabe said: “Then it came to us poor Africans. The poor Africans, sometimes not thinking well about the consequences of those attacks. So, what did we have? Quite disgraceful and shameful thing.”

According to New Zimbabwe, President Mugabe applauded Gaddhafi, saying: “Yes, he may have been a dictator but he was a friend of his people, a lover of his people, one who desired that his people should develop and not live under poverty....”

Mugabe said that Gaddhafi wanted to “democratise the African Union to be better politically and economically united”.

NEWS24

Cartoon

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Cartoon This is the cartoon for friday 1 September, 2017.

I thought I was a feminist – until I heard their stories

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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I thought I was a feminist – until I heard their stories By Jay Naidoo

I am a feminist but I question each day how I live that truth. And I realise how arrogant I am to believe I know what it means to be a woman in a brutal, oppressive patriarchal world. I had the honour of sharing a two-day education workshop with five remarkable women who taught me what it was to be a woman today.

“I was sitting at a family celebration. I was eight years old. I remember sitting on a bench with an older man. He put his hand under my dress and his finger in my vagina. I didn’t know why this man, who was a friend of the family, was doing this. But I felt uncomfortable. I ran away. I felt ashamed. I felt guilty. I told my mother. I started to fear men,” said Lucie Pagé, my wife, my confidante and love of my life. I knew her story of course, after 27 years together, but to hear her tell her experiences one after the other, sitting on the stage with these other women, made me shiver.

I was moved. I was ashamed to be a man. In spite of sharing the raising of children, supporting my wife in her work, changing nappies, trying to be a progressive man, of fighting for women’s rights, I still could never understand a woman’s pain of living in a man’s world full of prejudice against them. Sexual abuse is often at the hand of the uncle, the cousin, the family friend, who breaches the trust and inflicts a deep physical and psychological wound that destroys self-confidence and instils fear and anger in women.

“As I grew up my fear of men grew. I felt helpless. To help pay for my studies, I got a job filling petrol. But it was the night shift. I was alone and men who came to fill up felt that I was also on sale. They smothered me as if it was their birthright to grope me. When I finished university, I got a job. It was a big company. I had to stay beyond office hours to do editing of the day’s shoot. My producer would come into the editing suite. He usually rubbed his penis against my back. He put his hands on my shoulder.

‘Relax,’ he said, ‘You are too tense. I will massage you.’

“I was terrified. He got bolder.

‘Do you want to report me? You will lose your job. Who will believe you?’ he taunted me.”

I feel her pain.

“I lost many jobs to run away from sexual harassment. And then my fear grew. I feared all men. It was in fear of men and their penis. We talked as women. But we felt powerless. The only option was to leave. But I was a single mother and I needed these jobs to take care of my son. I started to feel useless. I became withdrawn. I felt afraid to talk. It takes weeks of preparation to be able to talk in public. I felt ridiculed, even when everyone feels the presentation or input I gave was invaluable and brilliant. Although many think I am confident and successful I do not feel that about myself. Even today when a man gropes me in a lift or at a party I want to blame myself. I’m the one that is guilty.”

August – Month of No Violence Against Women, a government-inspired programme, is a shocking indictment when those in power continue to abuse the trust of women with impunity. I am tired of platitudes. We need every day to be a day of respecting women. Women are sacred. They give us life. Where would we be as a human species if women disappeared? Extinct! It is our mothers who carry our children, who give birth to new life, who breastfeed our children and who nurture and raise our children. Women are the heart, the love, compassion, generosity and peace that we want in the world. By violating women, we as men violate ourselves. And we crush our real role – of being protectors of what is sacred.

We men have to learn to listen, with empathy. We have to respect sacred spaces where women can tell their stories. Just listen. Feel. Understand. Not to drown out the voices of our Mothers, Wives, Sisters and Daughters. Just shut up and change.

A third story we heard was that of my daughter, Shanti. She is 22. She has grown up in a home where we have always positively affirmed her womanhood. And shared values that gave her the confidence that she was equal to any other person. She grew up without the fear and anger that generations of women had to endure. It showed in her story, “I feel a bit guilty, listening to the stories of you, the older women. I was fortunate. I learnt from my parents to believe in myself. But I also learnt to defend myself. I know how to deal with men who show me disrespect. I know that every girl growing up should have the same right. But the majority don’t. And that is all our fight. Until men and women are equal and we destroy patriarchy, we will never have peace in the world.”

Every man should imbibe these lessons. Every man should sit down with their female co-workers, friends, family, and ask them: what is your story? What hardship did you go through in life because of your gender?

As the founding father of our democracy, Nelson Mandela determinedly expounded, “The cause of women’s emancipation is part of our national struggle against outdated practices and prejudice. It is a struggle that demands equal effort from both men and women alike.”

Stop relying solely on donors for funds

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Stop relying solely on donors for funds Donor support for HIV/Aids, malaria and TB programmes has been drying up for the last couple of years. Namibia, just like many other African nations, face dire circumstances and challenges ahead in mobilising sufficient financial resources in an effort to lower the rate of new infections and ultimately save thousands of lives. Although we have made huge progress in fighting HIV/Aids, malaria and TB over the past decade, it is inevitable that one day donor funding for the fight against these three ailments will dry up. Namibia’s efforts, especially in the fight against HIV/Aids, have been recognised internationally and according to the Global Aids Update for 2017, new adult infections declined by an estimated 8% between 2010 and 2015, as well as 11% between 2010 and 2016. The report, published by UNAIDS, states that paediatric treatment has improved impressively, with regional coverage approaching 51% in 2016, up from 19% in 2010. Despite already spending millions on public healthcare, Namibia is determined to continue to act as a leader in the fight against HIV/Aids. However, there is a need to devise new plans, which will include coming up with home-grown funding mechanisms for health programmes such as HIV/Aids, malaria and TB. The Donald Trump administration has already hinted that it will slash funding provided by the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) to developing African nations, thus putting millions of lives at risk. Those supporting the proposed drastic cuts argue that the rest of the world must do its fair share as the US retreats from its traditional spending outside of America. Now that we have got wind of the imminent cuts, it is high time that the authorities explore financing options before the situation spirals out of control. Government has an obligation to ensure that everyone has access to appropriate, efficient and quality health services. We know that we are experiencing financial problems in the country, but surely health is one priority area which we cannot afford to compromise.

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Let's get back to basics

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Let's get back to basics When have things become so complicated? I must have fallen asleep once and the world was a totally different place when I woke up. Whatever happened to basic, down-to-earth life?

I must have missed the Memo. I mean, you can’t listen to good old South African bubblegum music anymore, and also can’t be seen drinking guava juice without people looking at you with raised eyebrows. It’s like seeing someone riding a donkey down the city’s main street!

In fact, guava juice is apparently as ancient as the sun and as medieval as chewing gum with your mouth open. Eish, I am even afraid these days to admit that guava juice is my favourite drink.

So, whenever I come into a shop, I would fill my trolley up with sparkling mineral water, ice-tea and all other fancy drinks - just to give off the image that I too can fly with the big names.

If I am in a group and someone mentions that still mineral water is better than sparkling mineral water, I simply nod and smile. Deep down I would be burning with a lot of questions. For instance, why the hell do people buy still mineral water anyway?

Come to think of it, doesn't 'normal' tap water have minerals too? Or is it metals? Eish, I am confused; what the hell is Hydrogen and Oxygen which make up hydrogen dioxide (H2O)? Guess we will never know.

It is apparently also illegal and to speak English with a Namibian accent. That is disrespect for the Queen's lingua, I am told. We are all encouraged to speak like Mr. Bean or that lady from the British sitcom series 'Keeping up Appearances'.

Eish, these things are tough for us Hereros! Ask me what is the country to the east of Botswana and I would be mumbling my way to the dictionary! Trust me, there is no way I could say Zimbabwe without sounding like &Zimbambwe&! Also, we cannot - for some reason - say Debtors ledger. Any attempt at saying it out loud is equal to profanity.

Ndamona, my lovely neighbour always ask for the 'bloom' and I would be looking at the flowers, not knowing that she wants to sweep her floors and has no interest in botany. If she says she 'roves' red roses, I am forced to figure out that what she means is 'love'.

Dantago, our social league football coach - who by the way thinks all the celebrated English Premier League coaches are unqualified for the job - has trouble pronouncing 'Shoprite'. I never quiet paid attention to it, until he started boasting that he has a kamboroto at 'Soplite'. I thought it was some new, fly-by-night business or some sort of briefcase establishment.

Once from the hood, always from the hood - one just can’t get rid of the hood inside of us that easily. Have you ever come across a group of men at a communal water point? This is the only place where we can exaggerate about our performances - in every aspects of life - and overrate ourselves in relation to our peers.

For instance, if a person challenges you and tell you his horse is bigger and faster than yours, you simply tell him that you are done riding horses - you now own light aircrafts! But when it comes to women, some of us would remain quiet and give 'Big Bazooka' - our trusted ring leader - the chance to shine. Who would want to disagree with someone who can fit an entire coke can in his mouth?

Oh yeah, the man can go on for hours boasting about how much of a player he is. If you dare comment, he unleashes his fury on you so much that you wished you had remained quiet. Well, I don't blame him - people like 'Big Bazooka' only thrive on trivia. Ja, there is no sense of healthy competition where they are concerned.

I guess some of us will forever cherish our roots; our genesis. After all, we wouldn't be who we are today if not for the hood. I would not be inking all these life experiences had I not been raised in the hood.

So next time someone tells you that you need to endear yourself to others, ask him how his last slave died!

Until then...

tjatindi@gmail.com

Ndeitunga calls for Ovaherero unity

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ndeitunga calls for Ovaherero unity There have been mixed emotions among various leaders of Ovaherero and the community at large on the impasse that has threatened to tear the tribal group apart.

Despite calls by various leaders for the warring parties to reach an amicable solution, such calls are yet to come to fruition.

Amongst those who have made such a call is head of the Namibian police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, who this week, through the Otjiherero radio service, requested that the leaders from the two factions come together to address their differences.

“The world is laughing at us and it is not good that it does. Let the parties please find way to come together and iron out the differences for a better future,” Ndeitunga said.

The factions in reference are the OtjikaTjamuaha Royal House under the leadership of Chief Tjinaani Maharero and the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) led by Chief Vekuii Rukoro.

Another leader, Chief Vipuira Kapuuo of the OTA told this agency that it puzzled him as a leader that there was so much interest among the leaders and elders of the Ovaherero people, yet they failed to come together and resolve these differences that have torn them apart.

Speaking on Otjiherero radio on Wednesday morning, Kapuuo said after almost every commemoration during the past few years, the interest in resolving the dispute have reached a climax, but no action was taken.

Kapuuo however said that he would not like to discuss this subject over the phone, but preferred to make time to sit with media for the subject or his view thereon not to be blown out of context.

Responding to Nampa on behalf of the OtjikaTjamuaha Royal House, Phanuel Kaapama said they always were willing and prepared to cooperate, leading them to get into the settlement agreement in 2014 through the High Court on which an amount close to N$1 million was spent.

“I don't think coming together around the same table is the problem here. I think we have a problem of some of our leaders not acting in good faith after settlement agreements,” said Kaapama.

NAMPA

35 years for killing ex

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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35 years for killing ex A 26-year-old Otjiwarongo man was sentenced to 35 years in jail for the murder of his former girlfriend during March 2013.

Edmund Jagger, 26, was found guilty in July in connection with the murder of Renelda Alien Oamite Hoeses, 22, at her parents' home in Orwetoveni, Otjiwarongo.

He stabbed her with a knife 18 times all over the body.

This was after she informed him that she is in love with someone else and that she wanted to end their relationship.

Hoeses died at the scene due to severe blood loss after the brutal stabbing. Jagger fled after which he attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself with a wire. When the police cut him from the wire he was found in possession of the blood-stained knife he had used to kill Hoeses. Judge Alfred Siboleka in sentencing said it appears that brutality perpetrated by male persons on their female partners is increasing despite the community's pleas that it should be halted and added that the imposition of heavy custodial sentences on perpetrators of these crimes does not seem to calm down this tendency.

“Some male persons continuously appear to be under the impression that they are entitled to end the lives of their female partners whenever they see fit, which is totally unacceptable,” Siboleka lamented.

According to him, the court in considering the sentence, takes into account that Jagger is a first offender, was trial-awaiting for four years and five months, and at the time of the murder, he had already relocated to another residence.

He however said, from the evidence it clearly appears that he came back to the deceased's residence to forcibly take away his still breastfed child despite Hoeses and the police previously telling him not to do so.

Siboleka sentenced Jagger for murder with direct intent read in conjunction with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act to 35 years' imprisonment.



FRED GOEIEMAN

Kudu project forging ahead

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Kudu project forging aheadBW Offshore remains preferred partner The Kudu gas project is expected to significantly reduce reliance on imported power. The N$14.4 billion Kudu gas project will continue as planned through a partnership between National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), NamPower and BW Offshore.

NamPower and Namcor are major project partners and have expressed their determination to ensure that Namibia becomes power self-sufficient and this is the motivation for pushing forward on the Kudu gas project.

While addressing stakeholders at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, NamPower's managing director Simson Haulofu said there was no major power crisis, however, the country is faced with a challenge to address power demand with its own supply.

Haulofu said relying on imported power is risky, saying in the event of the country's suppliers facing challenges this would consequently affect the power supply to Namibia. He said both NamPower and Namcor will be involved in the Kudu Gas project.

“Namcor will be responsible for the offshore extraction of gas, while NamPower will be responsible with onshore gas power generation. Namcor has already appointed BW Offshore as their partner, while NamPower and Namcor are waiting to formulate the gas purchase agreement,” Haulofu explained.

Information obtained from Offshore magazine states that BW Offshore, via its subsidiary BW Kudu, has an agreement to take a 56% operated stake in the Kudu licence offshore Namibia, while Namcor retains the remaining 44%.

Chevron discovered the Kudu gas field in 1974, 170km offshore.

Subsequently, various operators, including Shell and Tullow Oil, drilled a further seven appraisal wells before withdrawing from the concession, after failing to secure a commercial outlet for the gas.

Namcor, together with its partners (collectively known as the upstream parties) will be responsible for drilling of production wells, installation of subsea equipment, installation of the floating production system, gas production, conditioning and transportation of the gas to the power plant.

The Kudu field is estimated to contain resources in the range of 755 to 2 308 billions of cubic feet. BW Offshore, Namcor, and NamPower are considering development via a floating production unit with production exported through a pipeline to a new 885 MW gas-to-power plant onshore in Namibia. It is also reported that Kudu could remain in production for 15 to 25 years.

According to BW Offshore, falling development costs since the 2014 drop in oil prices have helped make the project economically feasible.

“The Kudu-to-gas-power project is a key strategic power generation project for Namibia, which will significantly reduce reliance on imported power while at the same time accelerating economic development…It will not only enable Namibia to entirely cater for its own power needs but become a net exporter of power to regional markets,” Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga was quoted as saying in the Offshore magazine.

Namcor and the Namibian government have identified the Kudu gas project as one of its key and ultimate responses to the looming energy crisis in the country. The Kudu development project's purpose is to develop the Kudu Gas field located offshore in Namibia.

The gas will be transported through a 170-km pipeline to a power station that will be built and situated at Uubvlei, approximately 25 km north of Oranjemund. NamPower is developing the 800 MW (nominal) Kudu Power Station through the KuduPower (Pty) Ltd, a special purpose vehicle that was established in 2005. The Kudu Power Station will be the first combined cycle gas turbine power station of this size in southern Africa.



ILENI NANDJATO

Cement distribution made easy

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Cement distribution made easy Northern businessman David 'Kambwa' Sheehama has welcomed a decision by Ohorongo Cement to open a depot at the Nehale lyaMpingana Railway Station in Ondangwa.

Namibian Sun learned that 80% of cement orders from the north are made by Kambwa Trading, which is owned by Sheehama.

He orders between 80 000 and 100 000 bags of cement a month.

Sheehama said the new arrangement would drastically reduce their transport costs, as they would no longer have to collect cement from the Sargberg plant outside Otavi, about 300km away.

“I welcome the opening of the cement depot in Ondangwa. Cement is being transported by train from Otavi and we can get it from Ondangwa, which is easier. This will also help us to supply our customers without any delay,” Sheehama said.

He commended the government for investing in infrastructure such as railway lines.

Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, the managing director of Ohorongo Cement, said most of their customer base is in the north and takes up 44% of their production.

With the Ondangwa depot, they would like to shorten the distribution time.

“We entered into a nine-year agreement with TransNamib to enable us to utilise their infrastructure in order to deliver our products to the people safely and efficiently. The depot is worth N$4 million and it will be the distribution point of various cement types,” Schütte said.

Among the types that will be distributed are CEM II 42.5 N, CEM I 42.5 R and the popular CEM II 32.5N B-LL.

He added that there will also be the CEM II Portuguese label for the Angolan market.

TransNamib's acting CEO, Fernand Ganaseb, said the rail operator expected its cargo volumes to Ondangwa to increase, especially from Sargberg Plant to Ondangwa.

Kambwa has 14 building material outlets at Oshakati, Okahao, Ondangwa, Oshikango, Eenhana, Omuthiya, Outapi, Oshikuku, Ruacana, Tsandi, Onesi and Opuwo.

ILENI NANDJATO

RA hands over boreholes to Ohangwena communities

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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RA hands over boreholes to Ohangwena communities The Roads Authority (RA) on Wednesday handed over four boreholes to communities in the Ohangwena Region's Omundaungilo constituency.

In an interview with Nampa, the headman of Omhito village Henock Haiyambo could not contain his gratitude as his community has struggled for clean and potable water.

“We cannot be thankful enough for this gesture as we had, for a long time, consumed unhealthy water for which we even had to walk long distances to access,” said Haiyambo.

The donation to also the Oshidute, Okaanda and Oupili villages comes after residents in the constituency, through the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, requested to make use of the sealed boreholes after the completion of the road's construction.

Speaking at the handover, RA CEO Conrad Lutombi explained the boreholes were dug and used during construction of the Elundu/Nkurenkuru road between Uushake in the Ohangwena Region and Mpungu in the Kavango West about two years ago.

“The RA has been aware of the shortage of water in this area and as a government institution, as part of our corporate responsibility, we deemed it necessary to approve this request,” Lutombi said.

According to him, the RA is in the process of transferring the boreholes to the agriculture ministry that will be expected to take charge of their maintenance.

Until that transfer is complete, the community will be required to maintain the water sources.

He called on the community to take care of the water sources and protect them against vandalism, adding the RA will also have access to the boreholes when necessary.

In her acceptance speech, Ovakwanyama Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu through a representative noted how the provision of clean water to these communities will significantly improve their quality of life.

NAMPA

Namibia ideal film location

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Namibia ideal film locationMovie production potential is huge Namibia provides the most spectacular landscapes for filmmakers, says tourism deputy minister Tommy Nambahu. Tourism deputy minister Tommy Nambahu says Namibia is a fantastic destination for filmmakers from around the world.

He was speaking at the 41st Annual World Tourism Conference in Kigali, Rwanda this week.

Nambahu shared the panel with renowned filmmakers from USA, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda and was asked what Namibia does to entice film production to the country.

Most of the international movies that were shot in Namibia such as 'Mad Max', 'Flight of the Phoenix', 'Sands of the Kalahari' and even 'Red Scorpion' in the late 80s were filmed in the country's protected areas.

According to Nambahu, the ministry has played a significant role to ensure that permits for filming movies in the national parks were issued on time, adding that Namibia's peace and stability also added to the advantage why producers preferred coming to Namibia.

Nambahu added that the uniqueness of Namibia as a country where the desert meets the ocean and its majestic sand dunes and having one of the longest coastlines on the continent, has attracted film producers as well.

“Provision of infrastructure is also key. When Tom Cruise came to Namibia to shoot 'Mad Max', he demanded the fastest internet connection in the middle of the desert and we provided it,” he said.

One of the panellists, Peace Anyiam Osigwe, CEO of the African Movie Academy Awards based in Nigeria, expressed disappointment about the lack of private businesses that are willing to invest in the films produced on the continent.

She said in Nigeria for example, investors freely spend more money on international media such as CNN to market their brands, but are not willing to partner with African filmmakers to market their brands through films, saying such situation needs to change to ensure that African filmmakers are supported to be able to tell an African story effectively.

Nambahu said there is also need for those in the creative industry to create awareness about the importance of their industry to policy makers so that the budget allocations are done appropriately. He said many policy makers do not understand the importance of films and how they can support economic growth through tourism. Namibia's first ever international film festival is scheduled for 2018, and will include a tour to the best locations in the country.

The Africa Travel Tourism which organised the conference believes that Africa has great potential to attract big Hollywood productions due to their unique locations. Most production houses are looking at locations with unspoiled beauty such as Namibia, with some of the world's highest sand dunes.



STAFF REPORTER

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Mission accomplished: Kamwi

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Mission accomplished: KamwiFirst locally trained nurses graduate Namibia is now producing its own doctors, pharmacists and nurses, largely thanks to the determination of former health minister Richard Kamwi. Former health minister Richard Kamwi, who has fought tooth and nail for training registered nurses in Namibia, says the healthcare sector has come full circle.

Namibia making a serious effort to provide jobs to the first batch of 200 locally trained registered nurses who are graduating today.

Kamwi, driven by a chronic shortage of nurses, launched the three-year registered nurses training course at Keetmanshoop on the last day of 2014 after numerous postponements.

The training has since been extended to Rundu and Windhoek.

“I can now finally have peaceful sleep. I still recall it was like a song, the shortage of nurses was like a rhyme which I recited every time,” an emotional Kamwi said yesterday.

“But we must thank the former president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, who pushed and guided me to make sure this happens. I remain extremely grateful today to that so many nurses will graduate,” he said.

Kamwi, who had encountered numerous obstacles, eventually poured out his heart to Pohamba, pleading for an intervention to make the training programme a reality. He said it was worth the fight.

He said the graduation of these nurses was symbolic of the independence people fought for, which included the opportunity to take care of themselves. Kamwi was also the proponent of the Unam Medical School, which has produced the country's first home-grown doctors and pharmacists.

“The combination of these three professions is the backbone of the health and wellbeing of any nation. Namibia will never achieve the objectives of Vision 2030 unless the nation is in good health. No production will be realised if fellow Namibians are not healthy,” Kamwi said. Kamwi, who has had countless sleepless nights over the staff shortage in the health ministry, urged Namibian nurses to cherish their work.

“My only plea to them is to honour the Florence Nightingale oath and to deliver on it to the letter of their profession.”

He further commended the current health minister, Bernard Haufiku, and his team for a job well done.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Striking fishermen did not listen - Esau

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Striking fishermen did not listen - Esau Fisheries minister Bernard Esau has castigated fishermen who embarked on an illegal strike two years ago, saying they did not listen to the authorities.

“We tried to tell the people, don't go on strike as you are stronger from the inside and not when you are out,” Esau said.

In October 2015, more than 4 000 fishermen went on strike at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. The strike was declared illegal.

The seamen demanded basic salary increases, higher medical aid benefits, overtime pay and housing allowances.

Most of them were fired from their jobs, while a few returned to work after the strike was declared illegal.

The fisheries minister, who was talking during a stakeholder engagement at Ongwediva this week, said the outcome of the impasse would have been different had the fishermen refrained from striking.

The illegal strike placed the government in a difficult situation, said Esau.

“We are in a country with laws,” Esau said.

He added that the government was sympathetic to their cause, and the fired fishermen should have first right of refusal when new jobs are advertised.

Rights holders warned

Esau also warned fishing rights holders who side-line their partners after raking millions from fishing quotas.

“It is really painful and I know of such people. I will not think twice before cancelling that contract, that is total misrepresentation to the ministry.

“You have misled me and the cabinet and therefore I will cancel that contract and we will call the police to lock you up,” Esau warned.

He added that the fishing industry played a vital role in the economy and there was a need to ensure greater participation by Namibians in the sector.

“All vessels not owned by Namibians... it is clear for sure their chances of getting quotas or rights will be lessened,” Esau said.



KENYA KAMBOWE

24 years for Shaningwa

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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24 years for Shaningwa Danne Rodney Shaningwa was yesterday sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment for shooting and killing a Finnish man during a road-rage incident on 9 August 2015.

Shaningwa (45) was sentenced by High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg after the same judge on 14 August found him guilty on a charge of murder with indirect intent, or 'dolus eventualis', in the sense that he should have foreseen that the shots he fired would kill Ronni Marco Kristian Uolevi.

Shaningwa was also found guilty on a second charge of defeating the course of justice for failing to report a car accident within 24 hours and hiding his car that was involved in the accident.

On the first charge, Shaningwa was sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment and on the second charge to four years in prison. The two sentences will run concurrently.

Shaningwa was declared unfit to possess a firearm for two years from the date of his release from prison.

The pistol Shaningwa used to shoot Uolevi was forfeited to the state.

“You - Danne Rodney Shaningwa - only expressed genuine remorse and accepted your responsibility in respect of the shooting shortly after the court had found you guilty as charged. You had acted extremely recklessly when you fired shots at the deceased's vehicle a few minutes after the deceased hit the rear part of your vehicle,” said Liebenberg when he handed down the sentence.

Shaningwa claimed that he fired the shots in self-defence after Uolevi threatened to run him over at around 00:30 in front of Joker's Pizzeria and Sports Bar in Windhoek.

He fired nine rounds, killing Uolevi, before driving off.

The police recovered the pistol upon Shaningwa's arrest at his home in Windhoek on 11 August 2015. He had been on the run for almost two days.

Carol-Ann Esterhuizen prosecuted. Slysken Makando appeared for Shaningwa, who owns a construction company and now leaves the business in the hands of his family.

He is a first-time offender.

NAMPA

Geingob ‘badly influenced’, says Namvet

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Geingob ‘badly influenced’, says NamvetSays president’s statements should not be taken seriously The organisation representing SWATF and Koevoet veterans says it remains positive that the current administration is sincere in its promise to address the plight of these ex-soldiers. CATHERINE SASMAN



The Namibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) says President Hage Geingob’s statements about former SWATF and Koevoet soldiers at the Heroes’ Day celebration on 26 August were the result of some Swapo politicians “badly influencing” him.

“There has been manmade tension between former soldiers and some Swapo politicians. There are still some individual politicians who are trying to badly influence the president without recognising the danger they put him in nationally and internationally,” said the chairperson of Namvet, Jabulani Ndeunyema, at a press briefing yesterday.

Geingob said at the celebration at Oshakati that the Swapo-led government would “never be convinced that entertaining the demands of former Koevoet soldiers to be recognised as war veterans is constructive”.

He also said these ex-soldiers were “paid by those who hired them and will not receive compensation from [the Namibian] government”.

Ndeunyema said Namvet was contacted by its local and international supporters minutes after Geingob’s statement.

“We told them to calm down. We are busy consulting them, asking for advice, because this is a very sensitive matter,” said Ndeunyema.

Geingob has repeatedly met with the former SWATF/Koevoet members at State House, notably in February and April, to listen to their plight and to consider means of supporting them.

Ndeunyema said at a three-hour meeting with Geingob in November last year that discussions mainly focused on the future and benefits for former SWATF/Koevoet members, and not on the past or “opening of old wounds”.

“The president assured us that we are members of his house and we are his children. During the three-hour meeting, we only used 15 minutes to discuss the question of veteran status, which is very sensitive in Namibia because it was wrongly interpreted by [first minister of veterans’ affairs Ngarikutuke] Tjiriange and others who are anti-Koevoet.

“It requires sophisticated thinking and President Geingob alone cannot overcome it. It requires all Namibians and parliament, and if we cannot resolve the matter, we will challenge the Veterans Act in court,” said Ndeunyema.

Ndeunyema added: “We will not allow anyone to eat alone. President Geingob says we are his children, members of the Namibian house, but what is on offer for us to eat in the Namibian house? You do not expect us to steal, end up in jail or join Boko Haram. What are we eating in your house?”

Ndeunyema also said: “President Geingob does not want us to eat, but it is not his house. We are demanding that President Geingob give us our share of the fish, uranium, diamonds. These must be divided among each and every Namibian. Then only can we move forward. But for how long can people suffer because of politics?”

The Namvet leader nonetheless said the organisation “loves” Geingob and believes that the Geingob administration “will look into the matter and the difficulties surrounding former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers”.

“We are 100% sure President Geingob’s administration will look into the plight of the former soldiers. He is busy with it and we are sure he will try his best to unite his house. People should not take President Geingob’s statement seriously; that was a political statement,” said Ndeunyema, in the same breath calling for calm among the former soldiers.

WHAT HAPPENED TO MONEY?

The former soldiers still want to know exactly what has happened to the N$36 million paid over by the former South African government as compensation to them.

President Geingob said in his first state of the nation address in 2015 that the N$36 million had been equally divided among former SWATF/Koevoet, PLAN and the new Namibian government, each receiving N$12 million.

Ndeunyema yesterday said the N$36 million was not meant as compensation to the former SWATF/Koevoet members, but was rather to cover their salaries over eight months of the demobilisation process during 1989.

He further claimed that only soldiers from northern Namibia, to the exclusion of others, received a one-off N$1 300 each of this money.

“President Geingob knows what happened to the money but instead he wants us to go to South Africa to claim compensation there. How can you send us there? To get what?” questioned Ndeunyema.

LUBANGO DUNGEONS

Asked what his sentiments are about the impending probe into the so-called Lubango dungeon matter, Ndeunyema said: “We did not kill more innocent people than Swapo did. Swapo killed thousands of innocent people inside and outside the country. Why can it not come out with it? What is it hiding? If President Geingob allows the commission of inquiry to continue it will smooth tension between his administration and others.”

Ndeunyema said the inquiry would not have been planned had the Namibian government genuinely pursued and fully implemented the policy of national reconciliation.

Aids funds are drying up

August 31, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Aids funds are drying up Namibia cannot afford to be caught with its pants down and must urgently find ways to mobilise domestic resources to combat HIV amid plans by the United States government to cut HIV funding for African countries.

This is the view of local public health expert Sandy Tjaronda, who commended the Namibian government for having taken ownership of its HIV burden, spending 13% of its public funds to acquire antiretroviral treatment and on other HIV programmes.





But he warned the government not to rest on its laurels and to pull up its socks in addressing key areas where high infection rates are a concern.

“We need to do more; we can only relax if our national prevalence rate is at a single digit. But we are seeing a troubling increase among our youth and our youth are critical… we cannot afford to lose them,” he said.

Namibia's prevalence rate now stands at 17% and according to the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief's (Pepfar's) statistics, 13.3% of the 15-49-year-old population is living with HIV.

According to those same figures, HIV/Aids will be responsible for 3 369 deaths in 2017 as the disease remains the leading cause of death among adults, and sixth among children under five years.

Deputy health permanent secretary Petronella Masabane yesterday said there was no indication yet that Namibia would be affected by the cuts proposed by the Trump administration.

International media this week reported that President Donald Trump's plan to cut foreign aid supporting HIV/Aids treatment could cost nine million lives in South Africa and Ivory Coast.



Strides

The Global Aids Update 2017 report states that Namibia has made great strides in the fight against HIV and Aids, which has seen new adult infections declining at an estimated 8% between 2010 and 2015, and 11% between 2010 and last year.

The report, published by UNAIDS, states that paediatric treatment has improved impressively, with regional coverage approaching 51% in 2016, up from 19% in 2010.

The report adds that several challenges must be addressed to close remaining gaps in southern Africa as current programmes miss many mothers who acquire HIV while they are pregnant or during the post-partum and breastfeeding periods.

Problems also include the fact that some pregnant mothers who know they are living with HIV are reluctant to take antiretroviral medicines, while others simply stop treatment after giving birth.

“Routine and repeated provider-initiated voluntary screening for HIV should be part of the basic package of services for pre-pregnancy, antenatal and postnatal care in all countries with generalised HIV epidemics, and globally for women belonging to key populations.

“Partner testing can identify women in serodiscordant (one partner is positive and the other is HIV-free) relationships who are at high risk of acquiring HIV. Finally, in order to maximise the benefits of lifelong antiretroviral therapy, women require more effective counselling and preparation before they start antiretroviral therapy; they also need supportive services at the family, community and facility levels to enhance their retention in care.

“Children born to mothers living with HIV require early infant diagnosis and, if found to be living with HIV, rapid initiation of paediatric treatment,” the report states.

JEMIMA BEUKES