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Trump provides impetus to BRICS

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Trump provides impetus to BRICSTrump provides impetus to BRICSCan take initiatives traditional leaders have left One economist is of the view that Brics can increase its relevance as the traditional leaders are abandoning certain efforts including climate change and collective security. The election of Donald Trump as US president potentially provides the Brics block - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - with a new lease on life, allowing it to assume a role in championing the initiatives that the traditional leaders of multilateralism are now threatening to undermine.

This is the view of Simon Freemantle, senior political economist at Standard Bank in South Africa.

The 9th annual Brics Summit took place in China last week.

“Recent political shifts in the advanced world have created a clear opening for the Brics to offer leadership on issues currently being abandoned by the US,” said Freemantle.

“By keeping the faith in key multilateral global achievements - most notably the collective advance of security, ameliorating the effects of climate change, and preserving the structural integrity of international trade agreements - the Bricswill increase its relevance as both leader of the emerging world - and torchbearer of the kind of multilateral engagement that has defined the post-war global order.”

Economic globalisation stands at a crossroads, in the view of Freemantle. The multilateral trading system lacks progress, and economic cooperation becomes more regionally fragmented. Global trade and investment remains sluggish and less effective in spurring growth.

“Under such circumstances, the Brics need to work together for an open world economy. It is important to firmly uphold the role of the multilateral trading system as the main channel, keep pushing forward the WTO Doha Round negotiations, oppose all forms of protectionism and ensure that all countries enjoy equal rights and opportunities and follow the same set of rules in development,” he said.

Freemantle pointed out that Brics countries have been facing some internal headwinds. Since its inception in 2009 much of the economic rationale, as well as some of the domestic political support, underpinning the Brics optimism has “evaporated”, in his view.

Over the past two years the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the Brics averaged just 1.9% - down from 4.4% in preceding years. Furthermore, in some instances political shifts within individual Brics economies (most notably Brazil) have altered the levels of commitment of some of the member states.

“There is also ideological divergence. For example, India and Brazil are less aligned to the Russian view, to some extent supported by South Africa under President Jacob Zuma, that the grouping stands against the interests and dominance of the US and 'the West.' In addition, significant bilateral political tensions exist within the Brics,” said Freemantle.

Border tensions between India and China, as well as India's broader objections to China's Belt and Road Initiative are just two examples of such tensions.

For Africa, the days of 20% year-on-year growth in trade with the Brics economies have tailed off, replaced by an increasingly imbalanced relationship characterised by a widening trade deficit with the Brics. In 2016 total Brics-Africa trade amounted to US$248billion, down from a peak of US$366 billion in 2014.

Notably, Africa's exports to China have declined from a 2013 peak of US$113 billion to US$55 billion in 2016. Brazil's recent economic recession has seen a 70% decline in the value of its imports from Africa since 2013.

“Despite these headwinds, the Brics economies have likely reached a cyclical bottom in their respective cycles, meaning that it is fair to expect a slight recovery in the overall economic performance of the Brics this year and in 2018,” said Freemantle.

“Specifically, it is expected that stable and medium-to-high growth in China and India will underpin improved economic performance by the Brics. Along with stable commodity prices this year this growth is expected to aid the stabilisation of Brics-Africa trade flows.”

The IMF expects India's economy to expand by 7.2% in 2017, up from 6.8% in 2016. Russia and Brazil are also expected to record positive output after two years of protracted recession.

“While SA's growth at around 0.8% this year remains anaemic, the country's diminutive economic status (38 times smaller than China) reduces its impact on the grouping,” said Freemantle.

Collectively, the IMF expects the Brics average GDP growth to reach 3.2% this year.



FIN24

Eskom sets eyes on region

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Eskom sets eyes on regionEskom sets eyes on region The Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) is expecting growth in regional electricity trade in 2017 after a return to surplus power generation capacity across southern Africa, led by South Africa's State-owned utility Eskom.

Nevertheless, the potential for cross-border electricity trade is expected to remain constrained by inadequate transmission and interconnector capacity. Speaking at the power pool's management committee meeting in Pretoria on Thursday, SAPP chairperson Ernest Mkhonta reported that trade flows increased to a value of US$76 million in 2016/17, representing about one million megawatt-hours (MWh). However, this still represented only 37% of what the region could have traded during the year had it not been undermined by a lack of transmission infrastructure.

The immediate growth outlook was promising, though, with 4 180 MW of new or rehabilitated generation capacity added by member states last year; a figure that was 11% ahead of target. Between April and August, 700 000 MWh was traded through the SAPP platform, which represented more than 50% of volumes achieved for the full 12 months last year. Therefore, SAPP was expecting full-year volumes to rise to around 2 million MWh in 2017/18.

South Africa's Eskom was particularly keen to expand its cross-border exports, owing to falling demand in its home market and the prospect of a growing surplus as additional units at the Medupi and Kusile coal-fired power station were introduced.

At the end of April, the region's operational capacity stood at 54 397 MW against demand of 53 478 MW. Total installed capacity stood at 59 539 MW and it was anticipated that 3 672 MW would be added this year, including 1 234 MW from South Africa and 1 727 MW in Angola.

Acting Eskom Enterprises CEO Abram Masango told delegates that the utility had “turned the corner” and was keen to sell its operating surplus into the rest of Southern Africa. Eskom had set a target of increasing cross-border sales by 8% a year over the next five years.

Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who formally opened the SAPP meeting, indicated that there was currently a 900 MW surplus across the region. She said efforts should, thus, be intensified to ensure that this surplus could be shared in the interest of economic growth and accelerated industrialisation.

Kubayi lauded the advances SAPP had made in creating a competitive trading platform, which now included a day-ahead market, as well as an intra-day market. She said the more competitive marketplace for electricity would be important for attracting investors into the sector.

However, greater cooperation in system planning, together with regional interconnector projects, would be key to improving security of supply and increasing electricity access. At present, about 45% of the region's citizens had accesses to modern electricity services.

Nine of SAPP's 16 members were currently active in either buying or selling power through the SAPP platform and acting CEO Alison Chikova said priority was being given to projects that could more fully integrate all 16 member states into the trading platform.

MINING WEEKLY

FNB performs well

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FNB performs wellFNB performs wellWith the economic pinch, bank has shown good growth The results of First National Bank show that despite the economic crunch, the group has demonstrated above average growth for the year. FNB Namibia Holdings year-end results show good organic growth, prudent risk management and investment for growth. The group executed well on its growth strategy of its core business during the year under review, with advances growing at 9.6% compared to market credit extension of 8%. Deposits were grown by 9.7% and the number of active accounts increased by 4%, despite the high number of retrenchments in the country. As a result of the good growth of our core business, interest revenue increased by 15%, and normalised non-interest revenue grew by 7%.

The macroeconomic environment however remained tough in the period under review, globally, in the rest of sub-Saharan region and locally. A number of countries, including Namibia, had to deal with ongoing commodity price challenges and increased cost of liquidity (up 26%).

“During the year, the Namibian economy continued to struggle as gross domestic product numbers confirmed that the economy remained in the grip of a recession for four consecutive quarters. Being a responsible lender, we continued our prudent approach to good quality asset growth, maintaining the group's strong capital levels, and managing liquidity needs dynamically. Although the group continued its investments in staff, infrastructure and risk management (operating expenses were up 17%), its performance is still positively correlated to Namibia's economic performance. The group positioned all its operating entities to make the most of the limited growth opportunities and produce another set of satisfactory results in an increasingly difficult operating environment”, said Oscar Capelao, FNB's chief financial officer.

Profit for the year ended 30 June 2017 was N$1 113.1 million (2016 saw N$1 217.6 million). Headline earnings, being adjustments for the profit on sale of properties during the periods, decreased by 4.4% to N$1 086.3 million. Earnings per share decreased to 418.9 cents (2016 saw 459.7 cents).

Return on average equity reduced to 25.6% (2016: 31.0%), return on average assets was 3.0% (2016: 3.6%) and cost to income ratio increased to 48.9% (2016: 43.7%).

Normalised profit before tax, which caters for headline earnings adjustments, and the impact of the acquired subsidiaries which did not form part of the group for the full year, increased by 3.8% to N$1 768 million. The normalised ROE is still a very healthy 28.4%.

The banking group and OUTsurance are the two key operations with banking operations dominating the contribution to earnings. The group results include the consolidation of Pointbreak and Ebank for the three months to year end as well as the newly launched Ashburton Investments.

Net interest income grew by 6.7% to N$1 764.6 million (2016: N$1 653.6 million).

Margins came under severe pressure with no upward adjustment in the repo rate during the period, while interest expenses increased by 25% linked to liquidity challenges in the economy and deposit growth of longer term products which are more expensive.

Total unadjusted non-interest revenue increased by 3.1% to N$1 553 million (2016: N$1 506 million). The prior year figure was boosted by the sale of the Talas building at a gain of N$ 67 million (compared to an N$7 million gain on sale of property in the current year) and the net forex gain from trading in Kwanza as allowed for in the prior year.

The increase of 17.0% in the group's operating expenses is reflected in our increased cost to income ratio of 48.9% (2016: 43.7%). Cost reduction of the operating base is lagging the migration of clients to digital channels from our branches. The consolidation of Pointbreak and Ebank entities during the final quarter of the year also contributed to the increase in operating expenses.

Regulatory changes during the year, the introduction of mandatory deposits for instalment sales and for secondary home loans, contributed to cooling of demand for credit in home loans and vehicle finance

Mortgage loans increased year on year by 6.5% to N$12.6 billion and constitute 44.5% (2016: 45%) of FNB's advances book while the granting of instalment credit slightly reduced by 0.1% as 2017 reported the worst industry vehicle sales figures since 2012.

Growth in the RMB and FNB Business advances was 14%, compared to corporate private sector credit extension of 7.5% for June 2017.

Total dividend declared for the year is 204 cents per ordinary share.

Capelao concluded: “FNB Namibia is a significant stakeholder in the financial services sector and the effect of the down turn in the economy directly impacted performance. The group continues to exercise discipline in allocating capital and will not chase market share growth at the expense of returns. We believe these results demonstrate the quality of our underlying businesses and strike the right balance between growth, prudent risk management and investment for growth.”

Okakarara Town Council takes over trade fair

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Okakarara Town Council takes over trade fairOkakarara Town Council takes over trade fair The Okakarara Town Council will as from next year organise the Okakarara Annual Trade Fair.

The town council on Friday officially took over the organising of the trade fair from the Okakarara Trade Fair Society, which was in charge of organising the event since 2007.

“It is now my pleasure to officially hand over the trade fair to the town council,” chairperson of the Okakarara Trade Fair Society, Elia Kandjii said during the handover.

He explained that it was agreed that after 10 years, the town council would take over the organising of the annual event, meaning this was the last year it was done by the organising committee.

Employees of the town council were however involved in the arrangements this year so they could learn from the experience.

The new board members of the Okakarara Annual Trade Fair will include town mayor, Olga Tjiurutue-Katukundu, constituency councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu, Okakarara Chief Executive Officer Erhnst Katjiku and six other local authority councillors. Tjiurutue-Katukundu on Friday also received the memorandum of understanding signed by the two parties. She thanked the outgoing members of the Okakarara Trade Fair Society for their hard work over the past 11 years.

Tjiurutue-Katukundu on behalf of her team promised to make the annual trade fair one of the biggest events of its kind in the country.

“As a council we will make sure it takes place in an atmosphere that is conducive for our sponsors, visitors and potential investors,” she said.

Tjiurutue-Katukundu then urged small and medium enterprises and local farmers to seize the opportunity presented by the event to network and grow their businesses.

The mayor said hosting a trade fair is costly and interested sponsors should therefore hold hands with the town council to continue where the Okakarara Trade Fair Society left off.

De Bruyne masterclass leaves Guardiola purring

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De Bruyne masterclass leaves Guardiola purringDe Bruyne masterclass leaves Guardiola purringCity trounce Liverpool De Bruyne created goals for Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus and had a hand in one of Leroy Sane's two strikes as City recorded their biggest win over Liverpool since March 1937. Pep Guardiola said Manchester City were lucky to have Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgium midfielder inspired his team to a resounding 5-0 victory over Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The game hinged on Liverpool forward Sadio Mane's 37th-minute dismissal for a shuddering head-high challenge on Ederson that ended the City goalkeeper's match, but Guardiola only had eyes for De Bruyne.

“Kevin is, pfff,” said the City manager, puffing out his cheeks, in his post-game press conference at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

“With his quality, his commitment without the ball, he learns, he's so intelligent. You say one instruction and he understands immediately.

“He produces a huge (number) of passes and assists. Last season he shot 15 or 16 times against the posts. We were unlucky. Hopefully this year he can help us.

“He's quick, he always sees the spaces on the middle or outside. He runs more than anyone else. He's good with balls to feet, he's good attacking space.

“He is a complete player. He loves to be here with us. We are a lucky team, a lucky club to have Kevin with us.

“This season he's in a good mood, maybe because he is a father. He is one of our captains. I am so happy with his performance. And not just today.”

De Bruyne's pass released Aguero to round Simon Mignolet and open the scoring in the 24th minute and his cross from the left was headed in by Jesus in first-half stoppage time.

Aguero unselfishly teed up Jesus for City's third goal and late strikes from substitute Sane, the second a glorious effort into the top-left corner, completed the rout.

Ederson was stretchered off in a neck brace after Mane caught him in the face with an outstretched right boot as he tried to latch onto Joel Matip's lofted pass behind the City defence.

But he re-emerged beside the dugout towards the end of the game, the left side of his face covered in a white dressing, and tests revealed he had not sustained any facial fractures.

Guardiola joked it would make the Brazilian “more beautiful” and said the injury would probably not sideline him for very long.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury after racing to the edge of his box to head the ball clear and Guardiola praised him for having reacted so alertly.

“We play so high, the goalkeeper has to play on the 16-metre box and help with these frontal balls,” said the City manager, whose side open their Champions League campaign at Feyenoord on Wednesday.

“It's so important for us to feel that we have one guy to help the central defenders. Of course it was brave because Mane was coming. Unfortunately he's injured, but hopefully he will come back as soon as possible.”

Guardiola concurred with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's assessment that Mane's challenge had been “accidental”.

Klopp said Mane had been left “very, very, very upset” and “shocked” by the incident, but suggested an appeal against the Senegal forward's dismissal would be “another waste of time, like the whole game”.

It was Liverpool's heaviest defeat since Klopp became manager in October 2015, but he felt Mane's dismissal had distorted the game.

“That was a hard lesson today and I know the boys will learn from it,” he said.

“But I'm not concerned in the long term. If City take too much confidence from this game, they make a mistake. If we lose too much confidence, we also make a mistake.”

Liverpool were without Philippe Coutinho, who returned to action with Brazil during the international break following a back injury, but Klopp said he was in contention to face Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Namibian Tekken champion crowned

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Namibian Tekken champion crownedNamibian Tekken champion crownedPlay Station sport growing Namibia's eSports community was in for a great treat as they saw the country's most fierce eSports athletes battling it out for top honours. Namibian electronic sports (eSports) continues to grow in leaps and bounds, and this weekend saw the country's very first nationals for Tekken 7 on Play Station 4 concluded.

Top athletes Freddy Mazila and Morné Hough came out as the victors following a gruelling competition of skills and nerves. These athletes will be rewarded with official national colours from the Namibian Sports Commission and go on to represent Namibia internationally.

The Namibian Electronic Sports Association's (NESA) goal is to send Namibia's Tekken 7 champion to the International eSports Federation (IeSF) World Championship in Busan, South Korea. This will be the very first opportunity for a Namibian eSports athlete to compete abroad and officially represent Namibia at an international eSports competition.

NESA spokesperson, Timo Lippert, explained that the competition was held under strict IeSF rules and regulations.

“We at NESA believe the event is a testament to the great future and possibilities eSports can have in Namibia. Now is the time for a united effort from the Namibian professional eSports community to take the sport as well as the country across borders.

“Our association has an exciting line-up of events in the near future promising to cement our commitment to Namibian eSports.”

The grand finale took place at the DTS sports grounds in Windhoek on 9 September 2017. First place was awarded to Fredd Mazila and Morné Hough came in second with Flip de Bruyn hot on their heels in third place. The event organisers expressed their gratitude to the DTS sports grounds and Cash Converters Windhoek for their continued and valued support throughout the tournament. A highlight of the competition saw the Namibia Sports Commission at the handing over ceremony where Commissioner Peter Wilson proudly presented the winners with their medals.

“The aim of NESA is to professionalise and globalise competitive Namibian sports and the aim behind the Tekken nationals was to find the top Tekken players as we rightly have.”

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Isaacs positive about Gladiators

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Isaacs positive about GladiatorsIsaacs positive about Gladiators The Brave Gladiators are heading to their third regional football showpiece evidently with a lack of game time but their coach Brain Isaacs is positive the ladies can emerge from the group stage.

“I'm positive the ladies will do us proud in Zimbabwe. We have done all we could in terms of preparations and they have what it takes to reach the next round.

“Facing Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa will be challenges we need to overcome as a team and the ladies know they need to believe in their own abilities for us to achieve this,” explained Isaacs.

The coach added that the experience and exposure of the players in the team will also play a part. “Most of the ladies in the team featured at the continental showpiece in 2014 and have since played in some qualifiers and that exposure and experience can only do us good. The team has been part of regular visits of Germany over the years and that can also give us an edge,” he said.

The Gladiators are also boosted by the availability of European-based duo Zenatha Coleman and Veweziwa Kotjipati, who ply their trade in Lithuania and Germany respectively.

“They bring a new dimension to the team and give confidence to the other players. This is why we remain positive and we go there to compete,” Isaacs added.

The Gladiators will open the competition with a match against Botswana on Wednesday, 13 September at at 10:30 and then play South Africa on 15 September at 14:00 and then finish off against Lesotho on 17 September, 16:00 in Bulawayo.

The Gladiators team for the Cosafa Women Championship: Agnes Kauzuu, Melisa Matheus, Iina Katuta, Uerikondjera Kasaona (captain), Twelikondjela Amukoto, Stacey Naris, Lorraine Jossop, Ester Amukwaya, Vewe Kotjipati, Juliana Skrywer, Millicent Hikuam, Thomalina Adams, Zenatha Coleman, Memory Ngonda, Shirley Cloete ,Lovisa Mulunga, Elmarie Fredericks, Elina Uulumbu, Anna-Marie Shikusho and Twanyanyukwa Anstino.

Sport Reporter

Comberesa 'Jomuramba'

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Comberesa 'Jomuramba'Comberesa 'Jomuramba'Living legend Not even some of the fastest stallions in the region have got what it takes to challenge a mare that has earned respect from locals. Many times, credit goes to the owner of the horses and jockeys forgetting the animal that has done all the hard work to achieve great things.

About three years ago, Comberesa was just a hunting horse gracing the lands of Otjomunguindi in the Otjinene area.

Having made several kills of warthogs, red hartebeest and many other wild animals in the valleys and hills of Otjinene, its owners decided to change the horse’s trade into racing.

The horse came on the scene about three years ago in local races in Omaheke Region.

At the age of 15, many could have written the horse off, but Comberesa continues to terrorise many horses in horseracing events.

With its white colour and slim body, the horse has earned respect gaining over 3 000 supporters in three years.

Still to bear a foal, Comberesa has taken a lonely journey towards becoming one of the most famous horses among the Herero tribe.

People in the region have actually started naming their upcoming horses after the living legend Comberesa.

It has become a brand in Omaheke Region, given many of its supporters have bought shirts printed with figure of the horse.

It races in the maiden horseracing category which has produced some of the most fantastic horseracing battles of all time.

Maiden horse races are held in a range of distances and eligibility based on the sex or age of the horse.

Spokesperson for the horse Benjamin Kasuto, said that the horse is a blessing to the people of Otjinene.

“We are very proud of what this horse has achieved on the horseracing track given that it was just a hunting horse back in the past.

“It is a brilliant horse that has given the people of Otjinene something to brag about,” Kasuto said.

The horse has won over eight horseracing events in the maiden horseracing category over 1 000m along with its jockey ‘Toe Car’.

What is said to be astonishing about Comberesa is that it still continues to compete at the highest level despite being 15 years of age.

Kasuto believes that the horse still has more to offer before it can finally retire from the horseracing track.

“People of Otjinene love this horse, and as the owner of the horse loves it too.

“All we can hope and wish for is that the horse continues to be healthy and fit,” Kasuto remarked.

Horses like Comberesa have been an inspiration to a sport that lacks sponsorship.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

The #Festival that was

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The #Festival that was The #Festival that was Participants impressed It was a glorious weekend filled with sport activities at the Namibia Media Holdings #Festival which took place at the SKW Stadium in Windhoek. Many people who attended the NMH #Festival could not hide their gratitude towards the event on Saturday.

The festival had a series of sports activities which included hockey for boys and girls, rugby, football for boys, fast five netball, sprints, swimming, tennis, chess, volleyball as well as a cheerleading competition.

Nine community schools competed against each other in these sports codes: four community teams from Windhoek and five from the rest of the country will took part in the games.

Apart from the sport games, there was a career expo for the schools, providing an opportunity for school pupils to engage with career professionals who helped them to choose a career upon completion of high school.

What the people had to say

A teacher at the Etosha Secondary School and coach of the Etosha Ravens rugby team Richard Pollman lauded the NMH for the initiative.

“It is a very amazing moment given that we had an opportunity to compete with some of the finest schools in the country.

“I do believe that the #Festival will benefit these young boys who are aspiring to become sport legends.

“We know Namibia is challenged with many things, which include drugs and alcohol abuse.

“I do however believe that the #Festival will change many lives and keep the boys off the street,” Pollman said.

Johan van Zyl, Manie Viljoen and Christopher Deck of the Etosha Ravens also spoke highly of the competition.

They expressed gratitude towards the event, stating that their lives will be changed for the better after attending the festival.

“We are very happy to have been part of this memorable competition.

“It is great exposure for us and our school and we hope that the competition will continue next year,” the boys collectively said.

Charlotte Beukes-Muundjua who was part of the netball event expressed her joy over the event as well.

“This is a great opportunity for the young people to find their dreams and become important people in the society.

“It is a great plan by the Namibia Media Holdings given that it will benefit these children.

“I do believe that most of the young people who attended this event now have an idea about what they want to do in future.

“As to the sport games, I actually do believe that the young children will benefit largely from this event.

“I hope more companies can follow in the footsteps of what the Namibia Media Holdings has done today,” Muundjua reiterated.

Muundjua also hopes that more schools will join the #Festival next year.

Jonas Johannes who was a security guard at the event said his job was made easier because the children were disciplined.

He said that he did not encounter any problems as he guarded the premises of the SKW Stadium.

“The good thing is that all of these children are very excited to be here at this event.

“They behaved very well and one can see that they are well taught children.

“From my observation, I do actually believe that the event is really worth it.

“I am happy to be part of this #Festival, even if I am just a security guard at the gate,” Johannes said with a smile on his face.

Uaenenisa Uapingene was also an excited figure as he watched the rugby and netball games.

“I am thrilled to be here and part of this historic event which I believe will change my life for the better.

“It will be great for all the learners who attended this event as it will give us a good choice when it comes to choosing our careers.

“The other good thing is that we made new friends and got the opportunity to exchange ideas.

“I honestly hope that the event will return next year for more schools to actually join this event,” Uapingene noted.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Support youth in sport

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Support youth in sportSupport youth in sport Before I pen my request, I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards the various companies, organisations and schools that have supported youth sport over the years.

It also goes without saying that initiatives such as the Namibia Media Holdings #Festival have set a trend as to what can be done in terms of supporting youth and sport.

This weekend we just witnessed the Skorpion Zinc under-17 football tournament which I also believe will benefit Namibia in the future.

Companies like FNB Namibia and Coca-Cola, just to name a few, have also shown their involvement in school sports.

I will also not forgive myself if I do not show my appreciation towards the Momentum board for having staged various events and as well as Bank Windhoek.

The German government through their embassy in Namibia have also done wonders towards helping with the development of sport in this country.

MTC has done its part too, but I expect more from a company which makes millions through its services from this nation.

Nedbank Namibia has also been at the helm of some of the success stories of sport.

I would however like to advise other companies that are still not supporting youth in sport to do so.

We all know that the youth are the future of this country and it is important that they get the necessary support from corporate Namibia.

Most of these young athletes aspiring to become future stars need help and that help lies with corporate Namibia.

It will be great if more youth tournaments are sponsored in order for the country to groom future stars to fulfil the adage “catch them while they are still young”.

I am not talking about only sponsoring football, netball, rugby and hockey, but all sport codes that fall under the Namibia Sports Commission need equal treatment.

I am also encouraging the companies that are already involved in sport funding to go the extra mile as far as creating more events is concerned.

The hopes and dreams of many young Namibian sport lovers are all in the hands of corporate Namibia.

What I do believe is of utmost importance is that corporate Namibia must not only focus on the main region (Khomas), but must expand to other regions where children are desperate to get involved in sport.

Many countries in the world are successful because they have invested so much in their youthful talent.

It is the reason why countries like America are great and come to dominate in global events.

Namibia would have been one of the best countries in terms of sport had we had nurtured the talent we had in schools a decade ago.

As a learner in the late 90s and to date, I have witnessed many talented young fellas we had at our school excelled in football, others in athletics and many other sport codes.

Today, it is sad to see that many of those children did not reach the standard and level where they could have become great stars.

I believe the reason for their failure is because they did not have the mentorship and financial muscle required at that moment.

For this reason, I also believe that is why many turned into drugs and alcohol as a source of comfort.

I am left with the thought that if corporate Namibia had stepped in to help these young people they would be our stars shining today? I bet their lives would be different now.

What really worries me the most and which I hope to see change in is to see many corporate companies, but only a handful have taken their social responsibility towards sport seriously.

I can tell you now that there are more companies than the sport codes we have in this country, yet sport continues to be in financial doldrums.

We have to take care of Namibian youth in sport because they are our future.



jesse@namibiansun.com

Omusati Region makes it three

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Omusati Region makes it threeOmusati Region makes it three A brace from Willem Elia and a goal each from Timotheus Petrus and Shiimi Matheus ensured a 4-2 victory for Omusati over Erongo in the final of the 2017 Skorpion Zinc under-17 Cup at the Sam Nujoma Stadium yesterday afternoon.

The champions wasted no time as they got their first goal at two minutes through Timotheus Petrus and Erongo tried to get back into it through Steven Damaseb but his goal was disallowed for offside. The Erongo boys finally got the equaliserer through Dario Gorases at 13 minutes to draw the game level.

Omusati then went on the offensive again and a moment of madness from an Erongo defender who handled the ball assuming the whistle had gone for offside led to a penalty for Omusati. Willem Elia slotted home to make it 2-1 at 25 minutes and it was then 3-1 as Elia scored his second goal a minute later.

In the second half, Erongo brought on Leighton McCalty who needed only three minutes to reduce the deficit to 3-2 with a well-taken goal.

Omusati then regained their composure and made it 4-2 at 55 minutes through Shiimi Matheus, a lead that they held on until the end. Erongo were missing their star man Prince Tjiueza who missed the game due to injury from the semifinal. Willem Elia from Omusati won the Man of the Match award.

In the battle for third place, Kavango West and East met and it was Kavango West that ran riot as they scored four goals to take third place. Pontanius Shikanga opened the scoring and that was followed by a strike by Victor Nependa. Alfons Newakka made it 3-0 and it was later 4-0 through Oskar Kambanzera. Kavango West's player Petrus Kaveto won the Man of the Match accolade.

Erongo's Prince Tjiueza won the Player of the Tournament award and Kavango East walked away with the Fair Play award. Omusati's Aron Nghitengeluwa won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award and teammate Elia Willem won the Top Goal Scorer award with eight goals, as 98 goals were scored during the three-day teen tournament. Petrus Amutenya walked away with the Official of the Tournament Award.

Namibia finishes third in Pent series

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Namibia finishes third in Pent series Namibia finishes third in Pent series Namibia finishes third in Pent series The Namibian senior netball team finished in third place out of the five teams that competed in the DebMarine Pent series in Windhoek last weekend. Namibia finished above Botswana and last-placed Swaziland in the final rankings, although champions Zimbabwe and runners-up Zambia dominated proceedings.

The Namibians narrowly lost yesterday's last match of the tournament against Botswana (40-38), with coach Manuel Tjivera reiterating the importance of the need to regularly expose the country's top players to such international competitions.

Tjivera's statement that the Namibian players have shown improvement as the tournament progressed, was supported by some of the captains and coaches of opposing teams.

Namibia convincingly won their opening match against Swaziland last Wednesday (51-34), before falling short against a determined Zambia (45-53).

In their third match, Zimbabwe outclassed the Namibians – leading by 21-6, 35-13 and 49-27 on their way to a runaway 57-33 victory.

The higher ranked nations such as Zimbabwe and Zambia are now setting their sights on preparing for the qualifying campaign for next year's Commonwealth Games to be held in Australia.

About yesterday's defeat against Botswana, coach Tjivera said: “I think the girls started out making quite a number of errors. Maybe the nerves caught up with them. We are working with a squad of 30 players and we need to keep exposing all of them in order to be more competitive.

“We will keep training now and we should once again compete in the Africa Cup to be held in Uganda. We need to play regularly against teams of this quality.

“This tournament has given us a lot of valuable lessons to work on.”

Tjivera reserved praise for the Namibian goalkeeper Cherlyn Muese as the most consistent player for the team.

Zimbabwe also beat Botswana (52-40) and Zambia on their way to winning the DebMarine Pent series title.

During the closing ceremony, sports commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya expressed appreciation to the tournament's sponsors, organising committee and match officials that ensured a successful return of competitive netball to benefit Namibian netball.

Government must do its share

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Government must do its shareGovernment must do its share That Namibia is a developing country is a fact – we all know it and we are all aware of the challenges our country faces. It is all over the news media and all over social media pages too. We know that our children are struggling with quality education and infrastructure. We are aware that there is a need for far more food banks across the country as people are going to bed hungry. We know that medical care has its own set of challenges and that there is a chronic and very dangerous shortage of advanced life care support paramedics available to State patients. We know this.

We know that the older hospitals inherited from South Africa are falling apart. There is no linen and barely any food, let alone seat covers on the toilets or beds for patients.

We know that communities have no fresh water in many parts of our country and we also know that in these places there is a shortage of everything – including clinics and schools.

We know that there is a very high accident rate on our roads mainly because of errant and undisciplined drivers, most of whom speed and many of them, drunk. Often, however, crashes occur because of livestock grazing on the road reserves.

Explain to us why the private sector is called on to jump in and help the State? Organisations are using the Katutura hospital as a team-building event – painting wards, hanging curtains and donating to the patients. One sees the same thing at government old-age homes.

Namagri has launched a Whatsapp service, along with police reservists and other volunteers to follow up when livestock is seen grazing on road reserves. Tags are to be photographed and sent via Whatsapp and they will deal with the rest.

Where are our authorities? This is not yesterday's problem? This has been ongoing for decades. The hospitals did not fall apart in 2016. They fell apart due to lack of maintenance. The president is quick to remind us of the Namibian House. And solidarity tax. But where are our other taxes going? To the S&T and luxury hotels for yet another trip to the US?

Shot of the day

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Shot of the dayShot of the day MASSES FOR MOHAMMED: An aerial view shows Muslim pilgrims gathering on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on Arafat Day which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage on August 31. Arafat is the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon about 14 centuries ago after leading his followers on the pilgrimage. PHOTO: NAMPA/AFP

LGBTI group more prone to HIV

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LGBTI group more prone    to HIVLGBTI group more prone to HIVStudy finds this group most vulnerable A study has found that along with drug users who inject their drugs, the LGBTI community is at greater risk of contracting HIV. A recent study has concluded that HIV/Aids prevalence rates are relatively higher among certain population groups, based largely on their sexual orientation.

The study was carried out by M&C Saatchi, a partner organisation of the Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS).

Researchers generally found that men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, transgender persons, women who have sex with women (WSW) and people who inject drugs (PWID), have significantly higher prevalence rates of the infection than those of the general population.

Detailed figures and statistics of the study are expected to be released later this year.

A psychosexual educator from South Africa, Delene van Dyk, said policies in countries should promote health equity in order to address the health needs of those who face a higher degree of disease burden.

Van Dyk said this during a three-day workshop held in the capital last week to address stigma and discrimination as barriers to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.

The workshop was also held to reinforce Namibia's readiness to carry out advocacy work so as to reduce HIV infections and HIV-related deaths in key populations such as among sex workers and homosexual men and women.

She pointed out that a lack of resources and inadequate access to healthcare services, combined with stigma and discrimination, are widely recognised as factors responsible for undermining efforts to prevent the spread of HIV for people living with HIV and other marginalised groups.

Giving an example of South Africa, Van Dyk said the country has a few health facilities that are sensitised to the special circumstances and vulnerabilities of these key population groups.

She added that South Africa also has the SA National Aids Council (SANAC) in place, which is not the case in many other southern African countries.

SANAC is a voluntary association of institutions established by the South African government to build consensus between the public service sector, civil society and all other stakeholders to drive an enhanced country response on HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“SANAC has over 18 different sectors such as for women, men, sex worker, as well as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI), just to mention a few,” she said.

These sectors, she stressed, fought to get their concerns included in the national Aids plan.

It is through such plans, she stated, that national health facilities will be sensitised on key populations.

Van Dyk further explained that in Pretoria, the South African government funded a clinic by attaching it to a non-governmental organisation that serves key populations such as sex workers and others.

This clinic, she indicated, has now also become a placement centre for nursing students who get sensitised on key populations.

Former health minister, Dr Richard Kamwi told Nampa that Namibia does not have a national Aids council in place, but stressed that the constitution condemns any kind of discrimination against persons in the country.

“In Namibia, you cannot discriminate against a person on the basis based on their sexuality,” he said.

The workshop was conducted by the new regional Global Fund programme - Key Populations Representation, Evidence and Advocacy for Change in Health (KP REACH).

KP REACH falls under SAfAIDS.

NAMPA

Tourist crime on radar

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Tourist crime on radarTourist crime on radar The German Embassy in Windhoek says it is continuously updating its travel and security advisory, reflecting the deteriorating and increasingly worrisome security situation especially for German citizens visiting or residing in Namibia.

According to the ambassador, Christian Schlaga, the embassy has not issued a high-risk travel rating for Namibia, although it is concerned about the increasing crime against tourists.

Reports in recent weeks with regards to attacks and robberies on tourists have increased during the current tourism high season, while there have also been increased reports of some fatal tourists accidents due to speed, but also due to the bad quality of the roads.

The UK, Canada and Germany are among the countries that are now rating Namibia as with an increased risk level as a travel destination.

The Federal Foreign Office of Germany has updated their travel advisory for Namibia warning their citizens that the number of thefts against foreigners continues unabated in both Windhoek and the rest of the country.

In May, Canada changed its risk level of Namibia due to the high levels of crime, while the UK as of August said there is a growing level of violent street crimes affecting foreign tourists, particularly in Windhoek.

With crime levels on the increase and tourist attacks and robberies mounting in Namibia, foreign embassies are adjusting their risk level of Namibia. The authorities in the country are working towards a solution in a multi-stakeholder approach and will inform the media soon in this regard.

STAFF REPORTER

Cigarette rep free

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Cigarette rep freeCigarette rep free The former cigarette sales representative of CIC Holdings, then Indo Atlantic, in Walvis Bay broke into tears after the Windhoek High Court found him not guilty.

Dawid Martin Bezuidenhout was acquitted on 12 charges of fraud and theft involving cigarette sales of around N$2.5 million and one of theft by false pretence. The judgment found no common purpose and found only his co-accused Venecia Ann Koning, an administrative clerk of the company who generating invoices, guilty on 18 fraud charges. Judge Alfred Siboleka in his verdict said Bezuidenhout could not be credibly connected to any wrongdoing but that Koning was credibly connected to the fraud by some witnesses and a software expert. “Key witnesses testified to her failure to acknowledge receipt of monies for the purposes of banking and this created serious material shortcomings in the credibility of her evidence. Her evidence denying any receipt of monies from Bezuidenhout created a reasonable doubt in favour of him,” Siboleka concluded. Between October 2006 and August 2007, Koning defrauded Indo Atlantic's Walvis Bay clients listed as Kuiseb Shop 4 Value, Bargosa Wholesalers, Walvis Bay Self Service, Parade Supermarket, Trust Market, Metro Walvis Bay, Metro Swakopmund, Shoprite U Save, Shoprite/Checkers Walvis Bay, Sentra Portuguese Market, Spar North Rand Henties and Shoprite Swakopmund.











FRED GOEIEMAN

Blacklist failing contractors – Nde

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Blacklist failing contractors – NdeBlacklist failing contractors – Nde The inspector-general of the Namibian police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, says contractors who abandon government projects should be blacklisted because they waste the government's time and money.

Ndeitunga said the current situation where building contracts are merely terminated after several warnings was not working. Contractors who fail to complete projects should not be awarded any further public tenders. “Some of the contractors are not serious at all. Instead of spending money on buying materials and paying their workers, they first go and buy expensive vehicles. They are wasting the government's time and money. All projects have a timeframe as to when they should start and be completed,” Ndeitunga said.

Ndeitunga statement follows Namibian Sun's enquiry regarding the N$54 million dollar Omusati regional police headquarters being built in Outapi. On 5 June Namibian Sun reported that the construction had come to a standstill after the contractor, Amupolo Building Construction CC, owned by Erasmus Amupolo, had been removed from the site on the basis of poor performance, as some of the completed work had been done poorly. The project had been scheduled for completion on 23 May 2015. When Namibian Sun visited the site last week, employees of the Ministry of Safety and Security's procurement and logistics division were working to complete the project.

The workers will complete the outstanding work and mend the areas that were poorly done.

This includes putting in interlock paving, painting some parts of the buildings, fixing locks on some of the doors, repairing water and sewage problems, fixing some minor electrical problems as well as installing air-conditioners in some of the buildings.

The work resumed on 20 August and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

When asked about the decision to take over the project, Ndeitunga said it was saving the government money.

“We have taken over that project because the initial contractor delayed the process. Our construction team will finish the remaining work… It is cheaper for the government as we will be saving a lot,” Ndeitunga said.

Ndeitunga also said if the ministry's construction team had been better equipped and resources were available, they would have been the ones building all police offices countrywide.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Rhino security under spotlight

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Rhino security under spotlightRhino security under spotlight At a workshop held last week, the security of custodial and private rhinos, as well as legally held horns, was discussed. An audit will be conducted to ensure the safekeeping of not only rhino horns held legally in Namibia, but also that the permits held by all the rhino horn owners in the country are up to date. This is according to Dr Malan Lindeque, permanent environment and tourism secretary.

Moreover, rhino owners in Namibia have raised concern about the management, the legality and the safekeeping of rhino horns in the event of the death the animal.

Namibia's owners of white rhinos and custodians of black rhinos met last week with ministry officials at a security workshop to come up with strategies in the safeguarding of the animals as privately owned rhinos have now become the target of poachers. Speaking at the event, Kenneth Uiseb, deputy director of scientific services at the environment ministry, said that Namibia's black rhino population stood at 2 085 prior to and this figure has decreased to 1 827.

He said the growth of the black rhino population in the country stands at a meagre 4.7%, however, this has also been influenced by the recent drought years.

According to him the white rhino population in the country stands at 936 with 700 that are privately owned and 236 that are in national parks owned by the ministry.

The growth of the white rhino population is currently 6.7% per year.

At this time, the good news is that the level of poaching and natural deaths of rhino has not yet exceeded the birth rate of the animals, but will reach a tipping point at some stage if poaching continues unabated.

Figures from 2014 to date indicate that 470 black rhino were dehorned and 96 white rhino have been dehorned. “This is a very expensive undertaking and a huge investment.”

Of concern to the ministry and NGOs alike, is that conservation efforts, maintenance of parks, and training is falling by the wayside because the bulk of the available funds are being directed to combat poaching. Brigit Kötting, of the chief control warden at the ministry, explained the importance of the black rhino custodian programme to those attending the workshop in Windhoek.

She said especially with the unprecedented levels of poaching the custodian programme is essential for saving rhino in Namibia. The programme has since it was established in 1993, grown from 11 rhinos on two freehold private farms to 500 rhino on 23 freehold farms.

Fillemon Iifo of the scientific services directorate in the ministry also made a presentation and indicated that the white rhino population has grown from 128 in 2014 to 700 last year. According to him 31 white rhino were imported to Namibia, 23 last year, and 64 permits have been issued for importing white rhino to Namibia this year.

Furthermore, 18 white rhino have been trophy hunted since 2015.

The head of the Special Protected Resource Unit in Namibia, Deputy Commissioner Barry de Klerk said since 2012 poaching levels have increased to alarming rates.

“Although police and members of the defence force have been deployed in national parks, the repulsive determination of poachers has shifted and now focuses on private farms.”

However, he added that tracking and capturing poachers after incidences on private land is less complicated.

The reasons for this, he explained, include a smaller area which makes tracking easier, insider involvement and generally the carcasses are fresher and the evidence better preserved.

“Our success rate in Etosha is being hampered because carcasses that are found are mostly old and bullets can become corroded in these incidences. We would love to have a carcass as fresh as possible.”

He also pointed out that technological advances have allowed for the tracking of suspects and these have been employed with great success. The methods are known to Namibian Sun but cannot be made public as this may impede future probes.

He urged rhino owners to do regular patrols on farms, vet employees, do record-keeping of current and old employees and even occasional workers as they might be recruited by poachers.

He also said rhino owners should ensure that a crime scene is not disturbed when a poaching incident occurs and to cordon it off at a 300-metre radius. Many times owners drive over the crime scene and destroy vital evidence.

“Do not collect anything from the scene as even the most insignificant piece of evidence may be important.”

Two arrested with drugs ­in Narraville

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Two arrested with drugs ­in NarravilleTwo arrested with drugs ­in Narraville The police arrested two suspects with various quantities of cocaine, cannabis and mandrax tablets in their possession in Narraville on Friday.

The police's Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu confirmed the arrest of two men after a sting operation and said the suspects will appear in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court today.

One suspect (21) was arrested with cocaine powder, crack cocaine, and cannabis at approximately 10:30 at a house in Atlantis Street Narraville.

“We found two grams of cocaine powder, seven units (pieces) of crack cocaine and three bankies (bank bags) of cannabis with an estimated value of N$2 000 in his possession.

The other suspect (26) was also arrested at the same house in Atlantis Street.

“Police officers discovered 27 full mandrax tablets and one bankie of ­cannabis with an estimated value of N$2 720 in his possession.
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