Namibian Sun

Top Score 7-a-side kicks off at coast

Top Score, the leading maize meal brand of Namib Mills, launched the coastal leg of its seven-a-side tournament at the Mondesa Soccer Stadium in Swakopmund last week Wednesday.

This is the third year that Namib Mills is hosting the tournament at the coast. Fifteen teams are taking part in three groups.

Speaking at the launch, Namib Mills spokesperson Ashante Manetti said players should give only their best in the tournament but also enjoy the company of fellow soccer fans who continue to show their support, devotion and passion for the game.

The tournament, which is the oldest social soccer tournament in Namibia, is aimed at uplifting and engaging the community. Furthermore, it is Namib Mills' way of rewarding those dedicated sportsmen who continue to show spirit and perseverance in their support of the Top Score seven-a-side soccer tournament.

Soccer teams in attendance at the launch showed a lot of excitement and team spirit. It was clear that the teams were ready to bring their A game and showcase their speed, agility, and talent in an attempt to be crowned the Top Score coastal seven-a-side champions.

The sponsorship totals N$135 000, including cash prizes, a floating trophy and medals for the top three teams.

The winning team will receive N$10 000, runners-up N$7 500, third-placed team N$3 500 and fourth-placed team N$2 000.

Supporters are encouraged to bring chairs and come and support their favourite teams as they compete for this prestigious title. Entrance is free and the games will take place weekdays at 18:00 and Saturday afternoon at 14:00.

Group A: Liam Trading, Langer Heinrich Mine, Gendev Group, Unik Construction A and OTB Sport.

Group B: Bayer FC, Legal Wise, Jaros Group, Mentor Fish, and Top Score.

Group C: Multi Choice, Gas United, Unik Construction B, Davids FC and Home Corporation.

ADOLF KAURE

SKW champs as fistball league concludesLeague dominated by SKW SKW were crowned champions in the Bank Windhoek national A and B fistball leagues which concluded in Swakopmund over the weekend.

The last three league matches in the national A league kicked off the match day in typical cold coastal weather just before the finals.

CFC 2 were prepared on the day as they showcased their best performance of the season in both their encounters against their club mates CFC 1 and record champions SKW 1. The CFC reserve was very close in winning a set but was denied by the finalists.

CFC 1 started a bit better in the finals, but could not hold their lead due to self-inflicted, unforced errors. As a result, SKW 1 won the first set. In the second set, the title defendants faded entirely and the green-and-whites defeated CFC 1; capitalising on the weak services from Cohen 1.

In the third set, the Blue-Whites recovered. Their build up play and execution went according to their tactics giving them a quick 4-0 lead. However, this did not last long; unforced errors once again diminished their lead. The set remained tense until the end, but CFC 1 won eventually.

In the fourth set, SKW picked up their game and attacked mercilessly. The Green-Whites held CFC 1 at a distance as they dictated the match. The fifth set brought back excitement in the game as CFC 1 turned the game around and won the set.

With the score of 3-2, both teams showed signs of exhaustion and were fatigued after giving it their best shot at the title. This was noticeable in the sixth set as the attacks from both teams lacked power. In the end, SKW managed to outplay Cohen 1 4-2 and took back the title.

In the national B league's semi-finals, SFC and DTS battled it out. DTS started better, scored quickly and won the set. This was followed by two long sets, which could not be more nail biting for the spectators.

Both were won by the hosts (SFC) 14-12. DTS went close to winning the next two sets that followed, but were beaten with 4-1 by SFC who went on to qualify for the final.

In the match for third place between CFC 3 and SFC, it was once again a tight affair as none of the teams wanted to give up easily, they fought till the end.

At the end Cohen 3, sneaked the bronze medal after a 4-3 victory. The final between title defender SKW 2 and the coastal fistballers was rather unspectacular.

SKW 2 acted solid and won the championship 4-0. The game between the minis from the SFC and CFC was held in the hall, which was won by the Cohen 5-0. This was the first match in years and this gives the fistball community a spark of hope.

The player of the day trophy went to Stephan Zimny from SKW 1. The national tournament will take place on Saturday, 4 November at Cohen Fistball Club.

SPORTS REPORTER

Russia's first step in space race

When the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite 60 years ago yesterday, it marked both the beginning of space exploration and the start of a race between Moscow and Washington.

Sputnik, the tiny silver sphere with four spider leg-like antennae, showed off Soviet technological prowess.

But German scientists - who had worked on Adolf Hitler's rocket projects and brought to the USSR after the war - were the ones who stood at the forefront of space achievement.

The founder of the Soviet space programme, Sergei Korolyov, worked with German scientists and fragments of the German FAU rocket to develop a new military missile, said Nikolai Shiganov, one of the scientists behind Soviet rocket R-7 which put Sputnik into orbit.

“The Korolyov bureau had to create an intercontinental rocket capable of carrying a hydrogen bomb to any point on the planet,” Shiganov, now aged 97, told AFP.

As he worked for the military, Korolyov - who spent six years in the Gulag - dreamt of space conquest. But time was running out: one of the principal German engineers, Wernher von Braun, was already working for the Americans.

After three years of work and three rocket accidents, the fourth R-7 with a dummy warhead successfully hit its target in Kamchatka, in the Far East, in August 1957. The test was hailed as successful although the rocket head disintegrated in flight.

Creating a new rocket head would take six months, much too long as the Soviets wanted to pre-empt the launch of a US satellite in 1958. So Korolyov suggested creating a simple satellite made of two hemispheres containing sensors, a radio and a battery pack.

In just two months, the apparatus measuring 58 centimetres in diameter and weighing 63.8 kilogrammes was ready, remembered Shiganov, whose lab created the aluminium alloy and came up with a new welding technique used to make the Sputnik and the R-7.

Though the satellite captured imaginations, with radio amateurs tuning in around the world to hear its simple calls, Sputnik was secondary to its inventors, Shiganov said.

“The most important thing was that it proved the effectiveness of the R-7 rocket.”

The secrecy around the project meant Shiganov didn't learn of the actual launch until he heard on the radio that the first Earth satellite was put in orbit on 4 October 1957 from a testing range in Kazakhstan, the future Baikonur cosmodrome.

On a sunny October Sunday, Shiganov was able to see the glint of Sputnik with his naked eye.

“It was a tiny dot which shone in the sun because of its glossy surface,” he said.

Sputnik was in orbit for 92 days, making 1 440 circles around Earth, before losing speed and burning up in the atmosphere. Several replicas are now on show in museums.

Shiganov's colleague Eduard Bolotov, 84, actually saw Sputnik as a young rocket trajectory engineer of 24, even gaining access to the depot where the rocket stood during final preparations.

The miniscule satellite sat atop the rocket and Bolotov, with other young specialists, patted the rocket's side and signed his name on the inside of the nozzle.

“I watched the actual launch through a gap from my post,” Bolotov said.

Although workers were summoned to the launchpad with secret letters, crowds of people also turned up, he said. “Their relatives had told them about the launch.”

“Only at 03:00 we found out that Sputnik was in orbit, and radios all over the world started to register its beeps.

“Then we went back to our dorms and drank pure alcohol for victory of our rocket,” he said.

NAMPA/AFP

Girlfriend of Vegas shooter back in US

The girlfriend of Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock returned to the United States yesterday from the Philippines, as authorities in Manila said they were looking into reports he transferred $100 000 to her.

Marilou Danley flew out of Manila's international airport on Tuesday night for Los Angeles, immigration bureau spokesperson Maria Antoinette Mangrobang told AFP.

She was met in the United States on Tuesday evening local time - Wednesday in the Philippines - by FBI agents. The 62-year-old is classified as a “person of interest” to investigators but remains free to go wherever she wants, US media reported.

The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the FBI, its US counterpart, had sought help in finding Danley.

“The FBI has coordinated with the Philippine office of the Interpol to look for her,” NBI spokesperson Nick Suarez told AFP.

Suarez said the NBI was looking into reports Danley arrived in the Philippines last month, and that Paddock had sent $100 000 to her via a wire transfer.

Suarez initially said the FBI had shared to the NBI the information on the date of her arrival and the money transfer.

But he later revised his statement, telling AFP that information was from the media.

Paddock, a 64-year-old gambler and retired accountant, killed 58 people and injured at least 527 others when he used a vast arsenal of weapons to shoot at a Las Vegas concert from a hotel room on Sunday.

Danley is an Australian citizen who moved to the United States 20 years ago to work on the casino strip.

“There are reports her ID was used for booking the hotel or some such detail,” Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.

“Australia will support the US authorities in their investigation in whatever way we can, but we have not had contact with Marilou Danley directly.”

Media reports said Danley was born in the Philippines, although the Philippine foreign department and Suarez said they could not confirm that.

Paddock killed himself after mowing down the concert-goers.

NAMPA/AFP

No economic crisis in Zim'Government is in control' A high-level aide to President Robert Mugabe has said that there is no reason to panic over the Zimbabwean economy and that there are in fact, signs of recovery.

An aide to President Robert Mugabe has said there is no economic crisis in the southern African country following heightened panic-buying in Harare last week.

Industry minister Mike Bimha has “insisted that the government is still in control of the situation”, adding that the country's economy was showing signs of recovering, reported The Standard.

“I wouldn't agree that there is an economic meltdown. There are indicators to convince us that our economy is actually recovering in terms of mining, agriculture, manufacturing as well as tourism. We just have to work harder to turn it around,” Bimha was quoted as saying.

He added: “There are people who want to see the country's economy deteriorate by claiming, based on unsubstantiated information, that prices will go up, that there is no foreign currency and that there will be shortages”.

He, however, stated that using a currency that was not your own had challenges.

Bimha also maintained that there was “no need to panic” as most of the issues affecting the southern African country were imagined.

President Mugabe last week repeatedly said that some ruling Zanu-PF party officials he likened to “Judas Iscariot” wanted to betray him in order to seize power.

Mugabe said the unnamed associates wanted to use the chaos “to effect regime change”.

“There are those who tamper with our currency to trigger inflation. Those people are among us,” Mugabe said, speaking in Shona.

“Like Jesus said, that those we eat with are the ones who will sell us out. The Judas Iscariots of our times,” Mugabe said.

According to reports a decade ago, hyperinflation in Zimbabwe wiped out personal savings, left shops empty and made it all but impossible to buy a tank of petrol or daily groceries.

Inflation peaked at 500 billion percent before the national currency was abandoned in favour of the US dollar, and the economy never recovered.

Fears of a repeat of those desperate days have grown in recent weeks in Zimbabwe, and panic-buying has seen prices rocket.

The stockpiling has been driven by a collapse in confidence in the parallel “bond note” currency that was launched by the government nearly a year ago.

Bond notes dispersed by banks and ATMS are in theory worth the same as the US dollar, but consumers worry the currency could be rendered worthless like the old Zimbabwe dollar that was scrapped in 2009.

News24

Aahingi yoombesa mOshakati taya tindi okulondekela pehala epe

Omikweyo omileeleka pehala lyokutsilikila oombesa momatala gamuni gwaShakati, odha thiminike ooyene yoombesa ya tameke okutsilikila pomahala mpoka inapu pitikwa.

Yamwe yomooyene yoombesa ngashiingeyi otaya longitha omahala omakulu ngoka gali haga longithwa nale ngaashi osasiyona yaKatana, namuni okwa popi kutya shoka kashi li pamulandu.

Ehala lyokulondeleka ndyoka tali adhika pomatala oli li kohi yelelo epe ndyoka lya pingenepo ehangano lyoNamibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) omwedhi gwa piti.

Pahapu dhomunashipundi gwelelo epe, Dave Hashili, oya shangitha konyala oombesa dha thika pe-120, ndhoka hadhi hingi iinano iile. Hashili okwa popi kutya elelo lyondoolopa yaShakati olye ya tungila ehala ewanawa ndyoka tali adhika komatala ngoka omape, na olyo hali longithwa okutsilikila oombesa ndhoka dhiinano iile.

“Ompango otadhi landulwa pehala lyetu mpoka hatu tsilikile, mboka kaye hole elandulathano oyo taya dhigipo ehala ndyoka, taya nyenyeta kutya ope na omikweyo omile,” Hashili ta ti.

“Ohatu shanga oombesa kwiikwatelelwa kelandulathano kutya oyi ni ye ya po tango, naasho taku londekwa aafaalelwa otaku londeka kombesa ndjoka ye ya po tango.”

Gumwe gwomooyene yoombesa ngoka a tindi okuholola uukwatya we, okwa popi kutya ehala ndyoka hali londekelwa olyuudha noonkondo.

Ooyene yoombesa otaya nyenyeta kombinga yomusholondondo ngokahagu longithwa pehala ndyoka.

Okwa gwedha po kutya ookastoma odhindji kadhi hole okukalondekela pomatala mpoka omolwa ootaxi ndhoka hadhi longele pOkatana Service Station hadhi fala aafaalelwa komahala ga yooloka hoka haku londekelwa oombesa.

“Muka omo hatu hupu, itandi vulu okukala nda tegelela omasiku gaali ndili momukweyo omanga yakwe tu taya udha oombesa dhawo pondje yomatala. Otandi mono ngiini iimaliwa yokufuta omuhingi, okukalekapo ombesa, oshowo okupalutha ofamili ndjoka yili kegumbo. Oombesa dhetu dhimwe otwe dhi landa noombaanga nokehulilo lyomwedhi onda pumbwa okufuta ombaanga.”

Mwene gombesa gumwe okwa popi kutya, mboka taya kwatele komeho okapale hoka otaya longo uulingilingi na ihaya landula omukweyo ihe ohaya londeko oombesa dhawo tango.

Hashili okwa ekelehi omapopyo ngoka ta popi kutya elondeko lyoombesa pomatala ngoka oli li pauyuuki.

“Oombesa dhetu adhihe odha landwa noombaanga naashoka itashu vulu okukala omaipopilo gokuya pondje omalandulathano. Ngele otaya vulu okumona ookastoma momapandaanda nena otashi ulike kutya ope na ookastoma odhindji momatala, okutya owala inaya hala okulongela kumwe.”

Omunambelewa omukuluntu gwondoolopa yaShakati okwa popi kutya ope na owala ehala limwe lyokulondekela oombesa mOshakati, ndyoka tali adhika pomatala.

Kehe ngoka ita londekele pomatala otayi pondje omilandu na otu na oonkondo okwiithana Opolisi yaNamibia yi kalekepo elandutlathano mondoolopa yetu,” Iita ta ti.

Omuprima a tindi omapopyo guulingilingiUumbangi owuli peni? Omuprima gwaNamibia kwa popi kutya aantu mboka taye mu lundilile uulingilingi, na ya fale omaumbangi ngoka ye na koombelewa dhomondjila.

Omuprima Minista gwoshilongo, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwa tindi opo a tulwe moohapu kutya okwa longa uulingilingi oshikando oshitiyali nuumvo.

Omuprima monakuziwa okwa li a kwatakanithwa netungo lyoompungulilo dhomahooli mOmbaye, ndhoka ondando yadho ya li ya tulwa pombanda okuza pobiliyona yimwe okuya poobiliyona 5.2.

Momukanda ngoka a pititha oshiwike sha piti, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwiikalekele kokule nomapopyo ngoka, ta pula opo mboka taya mu lundile ngaaka ga gandje uumbangi komalelo gomondjila.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwa tindi woo omapopyo kutya okwa longitha oonkondo dhe dhombelewa opo a gandje omauwanawa kuye mwene naapopepi naye.

Okwa popi kutya ompango oya yela nkene aaniilonga yepangelo ye na okwiihumbata mwakwatelwa aanapolotika.

Omapopyo guukombunda neningo nayi aaniilonga yamwe yepangelo nago oga tindwa omunambelewa ngoka.

Momapopyo ngoka goompungululo dhomahooli mOmbaye, otaku popiwa kutya omuprima pethimbo a li ominista yEmona, a kondjitha opoloyeka ndjoka opo yi pule komeho, pamwe namushanga gwoNational Planning Commission, Leevi Hungamo oshowo amushanga nale gwiikwankondo, Kahijoro Kahuure, oshifokundaneki shoThe Namibian sha lopota omasiku ga piti.

MuMei, amushanga mUuministeli wEmona, Ericah Shafudah, okwa pewa ekunkililo lyahugunina konima sho kwa monika kutya okwa ndopa okukala momitumba dhokomitiye ndjoka tayi kwatele komehooompangela dhetungo lyoompungulilo ndhoka.

Aalumentu ka ye hole okuya komakonaakono goHIVAantu yamwe otaya ikonaakona yoyene nokukala ya holeka iizemo yawo Aalumentu otaya shunitha Namibia monima mokwaadha omalalakano ge geshunitho pevi etaandelo lyombuto yoHiv and Aids, oshowo okuyambulapo uundjolowele waantu mboka taya lumbu noHIV.

Omaiyuvo ngoka oga hololwa kuAmushanga gUuministeli wUundjolowele, Andreas Mwoombola, pethimbo lyomutumba tagu ithanwa Namibia's National Gender Policy ngoka gwa ningwa oshiwike shika.

Pamiyalu dhoka dha tseyithwa kuMwoombola, aakiintu yeli 8 084 oshowo aalumentu yeli 3 530 yoomvula dhili pokati ko- 15 no 24 oya tameke epango lyoantiretroviral muJuni.

Okuya muJuni aakiintu yeli po- 37 575 yoomvula dhili pokati ko-33 no 55 oya tulwa kepango lyoART omanga aalumentu owala 17 487 yoomvula dha faathana ya tulwa kepango ndyoka.

Mwoombola okwa gwedha po kutya okuya muJuni, aakiintu 7 621 yoomvula dhili po-55 sigo 64 oya tulwa kepango ndyoka, omanga pethimbo lya faathana aalumentu owala 5 074 ya tulwa kepango ndyoka.

Okwa popi kutya aakiintu owala 2 620 yoomvula dhili po-65 okuya pombanda ya tulwa kepango ndyoka okuya muJuni nuumvo, oshowo aalumentu 2 535.

Nonando ongaaka omuhwahwameki guuthikepamwe, Sarry Xoagus-Eises okwa popi kutya omiyalu ndhoka itadhi ulike shili onkalo yaNamibia.

Okwa popi kutya omolwa onkalo yokatongo ndjoka hayi ningilwa aantu uuna ya monika ombuto yoHIV, aantu oyendji otaya landa uututsa wokwiikonaakonena momagumbo, nokukala ye na owala ontseyo kombinga yiizemo yawo yoyeyene.

“Omiyalu ndhoka otadhi ulike ethano lyomondjila kutya aakiintu oyo yeli pombanda molwaashoka ohaya yi komakonakono pethimbo yeli momategelelelo. Oshinima shimwe sho itatu mono aalumentu oyendji mboka taya yi kepango omolwashoka kutya aakiintu oye na uutile . Ipula nee omukiintu ta shuna kegumbo e ta lombwele omusamane gwe kutya okwa monika ombuto,nena oye ta kala ta pewa ombedhi kutya okweeta oAids megumbo.”

Xoagus-Eises okwa tsilkile kutya omithigululwakalo nadho otadhi dhana onkandangala sho, omithigululwakalo dhimwe inadhi pitika omukulukadhi a pule omusamane gwe opo a ye komakonaakono gombuto nenge a ka ningilwe omakonaakono guunamiti.

Okwa popi kutya oshinima shoka otashi vulu oku teya oondjokana nokuhwahwameka iikolokosha.

Gumwe gwomwaamboka yali haya landitha nale iihulo na okuli omukomeho gwoRights not Rescue, Mama Africa okwa popi kutya aalumentu otaya tindi okuya komakonaakono, taya popi kutya ihaya yi miihulo naantu oyendji.

Lwopokati mpoka, omunashipundi gwoNangof Board of Directors, Sandy Tjaronda okwa popi kutya omiyalu ndhoka otadhi ulike kutya ekuthombinga lyaalumentu momakonaakono ngoka gopaundjolowele, oli li pevi noonkondo.

Okwa gwedha po kutya otashi limbilike sho aakiintu ihaya pula aalumentu yawo ya ye pamwe nayo komakonaakono.

Okwa popi woo kutya ethimbo limwe onkalo yiilonga, sho aasamane haya kala kokule nomagumbo pethimbo aakulukadhi yawo yiihumbata omolwa iilonga.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Boois a tulilemo Katrina iipotha noACC

Omunambelewa nale omukuluntu gwoshitopolwa shaHardap, Yvonne Boois oshiwike sha piti, okwa tulilemo iipotha ya thika pu ihetatu, Ominista yElongo, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa nOkomisi yOkukondjitha Iimbuluma moNamibia.

Boois okwa tulamo iipotha mbyoka momasiku 26 gaSepetemba, omasiku owala omashona sho a popi kutya otaka tula mo iipotha mbyoka, pethimbo lyomutumba gwiikundaneki ngoka a ningi megumbo lye mOvenduka.

Omupeha Omukomeho gwoACC,

Erna van der Merwe, okwa popi kutya iipotha mbyoka otayi ka gwedha kiipotha iikwawo mbyoka Boois a li a tulamo nale.

Boois okwa popi kutya okwa gandja okopi yomukanda gwetulemo lyiipotha mbyoka, kombelewa yOmbudsman, ngele ACC okwa tokola okukala ina konaakona iipotha mbyoka.

Boois okwa popi kutya pokati komvula yo 2011 no 2012, Hanse-Himarwa, pethimbo a li ngoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaHardap, okwa longitha oonkoondo dhombelewa ye pambambo nokulongitha woo pambambo iiyemo yoHardap Regional Development Trust Fund (HRDTF).

Oshiketha shoka shoHRDTF osha li sha totwapo mo-2011, kOmupresidende nale Sam Nujoma, opo shi vule okukala tashi gandja omayambidhidho kaakwashigwana, moopoloyeka ndhoka tadhi ka gandja uuwanawa kaakwashigwana yomoshitopolwa.

Boois okwa popi kutya oshimaliwa shooN$300 000 sha kuthwa komayalulo gombaanga yoshiketha shoka, pwaahena epitiko lyelelo lyoshitopolwa , niimaliwa mbyoka oya longithwa okulanda iipambuluko mehangano lyedhina Hardap Feedlot moka Hanse-Himarwa e na mo iipambuluko.

Okwa popi kutya kape na uunzapo wontumba nenge omukanda gwokuulika omafutilo ngoka gwa ulikwa.

Oshipotha oshitiyali, Hanse-Himarwa okwa kuthako ofaalama yedhina Farm Daweb, ndjoka tayi adhika momudhingoloko gwaMaltahöhe na oyali ya pewa omagano elelo lyahardap, opo yi vule okugandja uuwanawa kAanamibia mboka yeli mompumbwe.

Hanse-Himarwa ota lundilwa woo kutya okwa hwahwameke egandjo lyotendela kehangano lyoHIPET Construction, ndyoka lyomusamane gwe Andreas 'Ghenno' Himarwa.

Boois okwa popi kutya okwa li a pulwa kuHimarwa omukalo guuhwapindi opo a fute nonando kape na uunzapo womafutilo, niimaliwa mbyoka oya futwa mo pwaahena epitikilo lyomunambelewa omukuluntu gwoshitopolwa.

Boois okwa popi kutya okuza kesiku ndyoka a tindi okuninga iifuta mbyoka, onkalo oya lunduluka. Okwa popi kutya

Hanse-Himarwa okwa tokola opo okondalaka ye kayi lelepekwe nonando ookansela yelelo ndyoka oyali yahala okondalaka ye yiilonga yi lelepekwe, konima sho okondalaka ye yoomvula ntano yotango ya thiki pehulilo.

Hanse-Himarwa otaku popiwa kutya okwa kutha mo mofaalama yomatulululo omukokele Magdalena !Gaoses ndjoka ya pewa omukwanezimo gwe Erica Mungunda-//Khaibeb.

Natango otaku popiwa Hanse-Himarwa a pula oohamushanga ye mu wayimine molweendo lwe okuya koAlgeria, ndoka lwa pula elelo lyoshitopolwa oshimaliwa shooN$30 000.

Natango otaku popiwa kutya okwa longitha pambambo oonkondo dhombelewa sho uulike

Boois onga omunambelewa omukuluntu gwoshitopolwa.

Hanse-Himarwa muAguste gwomvula ya piti, okwa zimine kutya okwa kwatha ofamili yaBoois sho a gandja iionga mbyoka kuBoois nonando mokakonaakono kiilonga okwa zi mo omutine.

Hanse-Himarwa ina vula okumonika omanga onkundana ndjika inayi nyanyangidhwa.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Anti-corruption war is selective Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila this week came out strongly, dismissing allegations linking her to instances of corruption. The premier's name has been mentioned in a number of controversial deals, including the cancelled N$7 billion Hosea Kutako International Airport upgrade tender as well as the bulk fuel storage facility in Walvis Bay, which has seen its price skyrocket from just under N$1 billion to almost N$5.2 billion. The escalation in the cost has been attributed to flimsy tender control measures on the side of Namibian authorities. As we speak, there is a pending disciplinary hearing on the Walvis Bay tender, with senior officials in government asked to answer about the escalation. Regarding the airport saga, it has been reported that the contract is likely to continue under a private-public partnership arrangement. On the allegations against her, the prime minister has requested those that accuse her of corruption to take the evidence to the relevant authority. It is not clear who the premier was referring to. However, in light of reports that works ministry permanent secretary Willem Goeiemann has reportedly accused senior politicians in government of having instructed him to approve the N$7 billion tender in 2015, we cannot disassociate the two. In fact Goeiemann, according to The Namibian, is on the brink of losing the responsibility of managing the ministry's finances owing largely to his role in the airport upgrading saga. This has potentially opened a can of worms, leading to mumblings that only certain officials were facing consequences, while others were allowed to go scot-free. Yes, it is also a little too late if indeed Goeiemann confidently spoke to associates regarding the political pressure he has received in awarding the now cancelled N$7 billion tender. Government needs to deal with the cancer of corruption and this must be done aggressively and not selectively. A bad precedent has already been set because we see the alleged corrupt practices of some officials and politicians ignored simply because there is a fear of the likelihood of them exposing their colleagues in government. Corruption must be tackled head-on and selective persecution must stop.

Shot of the day

AMONGST GIANTS: A woman takes a selfie in front of busts of Soviet Leaders Nikita Khrushchev, Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin during a ceremony unveiling a series of new sculptures of former top political figures at the so-called Alley of Rulers in downtown Moscow on 22 September 2017. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Two minors raped The police in the Oshikoto Region have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly raping a girl, 13, at Onakankuzi West village in the region during July this year.

According to a report by Nampa, the region's deputy Commissioner Naomi Katjiua said the suspect raped the victim on two separate occasions and is her neighbour.

“It is alleged that the suspect had sexual intercourse with the minor (girl) under coercive circumstances in his bedroom and in the hut at the victim's house,” Katjiua's statement read.

She added the victim reported the incident to her mother, who registered the case with the police at Omuthiya on Monday, and the suspect was arrested afterwards.

The victim is a Grade 6 learner at a local school.

Nampa also reported on the rape of a girl, 12 at Tses village on Sunday. She is alleged to have been raped by a 27-year-old man.

According to the //Karas police, the girl was left alone at home and a man snuck in and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. Neighbours are said to have heard the girl scream and rescued her. Members of the community helped the police to apprehend the man who was expected to appear in Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court yesterday.

In Walvis Bay, two men were arrested after they kicked a man to death for insulting them.

According to the police the two men were arrested in Kuisebmond on Sunday morning.

They allegedly killed Aaron Ruhozu, 31, by beating him with sticks and kicking him.

On Monday evening, a 23-year-old man was stabbed to death in a fight in Windhoek's Havana informal settlement.

The deceased was identified as Rocky Beukes. The suspect was admitted to the Katutura State Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the fight.

Also in Windhoek, a person was shot in the head yesterday morning when two men broke into a house in Eros.

According to the police two men broke into a house in Eros Road at around 04:30 yesterday.

They allegedly broke the padlock of a small gate at the back of the house before entering the house through the kitchen door.

The men shot the victim and stole two Samsung cellphones and a laptop from the main bedroom.

The person was taken to hospital. A spent cartridge and a bullet were found in the bedroom. No arrest has been made yet.

STAFF REPORTER

Farming water demand jumpsInnovative water-saving measures needed While the country is not making use of all its available water resources, water use in agronomy is expected to increase sharply in the coming years and farmers are urged to apply the latest technologies.

Namibia's total water demand is expected to increase from 426.7 million cubic metres utilised in 2015 to 635.6 million by 2025.

The bulk of this will be used by irrigated agriculture, which is expected to increase from 204.6 million cubic metres utilised in 2015 to 379.8 million by 2025.

This is according to NamWater CEO Vaino Shivute, who spoke about the importance of water in agricultural production at a recent Bank of Namibia symposium with the theme 'Feeding Namibia: Agricultural Productivity and Industrialisation'.

His message was that agriculture should adapt to using less water more efficiently.

“Demand for irrigation water will increase significantly up to 2030. Demand for urban, mining and tourism water will increase gradually while rural and domestic demand will grow very slowly. Water for livestock consumption does not show any growth at all, suggesting that livestock numbers will not go up.”

According to Shivute, due to population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and climate change, improved water use efficiency will need to be matched by reallocation of as much as 40% of water in water-stressed regions from lower to higher productivity and employment activities.

“Given that irrigated agriculture is on average at least twice as productive per unit of land compared to non-irrigated practices, it provides an important buffer against increasing climate variability, and allows for more secure crop diversification. Thus, it is certain that irrigation will continue to play a key role in ensuring food and nutrition security.”

According to him there is an agreement between Namibia and Angola which makes provision for Namibia to abstract six cubic metres of water per second from the Kunene River. At the moment, Namibia is abstracting a third of this, at an average of two cubic metres per second.

Shivute explained that Namibia is entitled to draw about 189 million cubic metres of water per year from the Kunene. Currently, the country is only using about 63 million cubic metres.

“This is about a third of what the country is entitled to. The implication here means that Namibia can actually set up at least two irrigation schemes the size of the Etunda Irrigation Scheme in the north.”

He said by claiming its fair share of the water from the Kunene River, Namibia would be able to produce more crops under irrigation.

In terms of international protocols, a country can only claim its fair share of a shared river by utilising the water.

However, Shivute said Namibia must invest in irrigation infrastructure for this to be viable.

“The most important issue to consider here is to ensure that production takes place under irrigation wherever there is water that can be used for irrigation purposes.”

According to him in order to maximise the use of water, there is a need to look at irrigation technology.

“The technology is available. Namibia must simply acquire the technology and put it to good use. Thus, the volume of water that Namibia has at its disposal can enable the country to establish a viable crop sector producing more than enough to meet local demand and also to produce for processing industries.”

ELLANIE SMIT

Kavango and Zambezi can ensure food security

The Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions have the potential to become the breadbasket of Namibia, the secretary-general of the DTA of Namibia, Manuel Ngaringombe, has said.

Ngaringombe was speaking after a visit of the north-eastern regions together with the secretary-general of the DTA Youth League, Bensen Katjirijova, and the deputy secretary-general of the party, Linus Tobias.

He said the three regions could ensure food security for the country if they received the necessary support from the central government.

“Government should try and provide them with tractors and seed, and extend the irrigation projects that are already in the regions,” Ngaringombe said.

He praised the building of several schools in the region but added that there were still children being taught under trees in extremely hot weather.

Ngaringombe gave the example of the Munganya Combined School in the Mukwe constituency of the Kavango East Region where pupils are still being taught under a tree.

According to the Crop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report prepared by the Namibian Early Warning and Food Information Unit (NEWFIU) released in June 2017, maize production showed a significant improvement on the Zambezi, Kavango East and West regions this year.

It also indicated that household food security had improved in communal crop-producing regions although there was still a lot to be done to ensure food security for the entire country.

NAMPA

Avid kingpin accused of lies Prosecution highlights suspects’ contradictions Nico Josea has been accused of providing contradictory evidence in the N$30 million Avid/Social Security Commission case before the High Court.

Thursday October 5 2017

AR, DTA lay into Katima CEO

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and DTA this week condemned utterances made by Katima Mulilo CEO Raphael Liswaniso following the demolition of illegal structures at the town.

The Namibian this week quoted Liswaniso as saying that urban land is not for the poor and that those who cannot afford town land should instead stay on communal land.

“The town is not a place for people who are poor, as we provide services at a cost. So if you are poor it is better you stay in communal land,” Liswaniso said.

“You should only come to town when you know you have organised your life and are able to afford land here. Being poor does not give you the right to obtain land in an illegal way, you must follow the law. Many of these people are coming here to look for employment while there is no employment and they are instead becoming criminals.”

The statement was not well received by the land activists and the country's main opposition, DTA.

In a statement issued by DTA's treasurer, Nico Smit, the party called for the resignation of the CEO.

“Such unbecoming behaviour and conduct has no place in the public service, and much less in executive management structures of a local authority in Namibia. The DTA therefore calls on Mr Liswaniso to resign from his post as CEO of the Katima Mulilo Town Council with immediate effect, as the party regards him to be unfit to hold a position in the public service. Failing this, we call for his dismissal by the relevant authority,” the DTA said.

“The DTA believes the statement by Mr Liswaniso reveal a shocking misunderstanding and ignorance of the role of local authorities in local economic development, and in creating the conditions and opportunities for all Namibians to improve their lives.”

The AR movement said it was unfortunate but not surprising that Liswaniso who is barely six months in office was demolishing structures of poor families.

“That he is only employed for the rich appeared shocking for some. We are not surprised because it has become an organising principle for those who want to be liked by the Harambee regime to take anti-poor positions such as demolishing houses for the poor,” the statement read.

AR further stated it cannot help but conclude that Liswaniso landed the CEO job because “he is an elite stooge”.

“The AR movement is busy restructuring and reinvigorating its structures in towns. Because of Liswaniso's undomesticated and uncultured mouth Katima Mulilo will be our first target town for restructuring. There will be land occupation in Katima Mulilo,” it stated. Meanwhile, Nampa reports that, Mukendwa Simasiku, who was injured during a scuffle with police and council officials during the demolitions at Katima Mulilo last week, is planning to sue the police and municipality.

Liswaniso declined to comment and referred Namibian Sun to the Katima Mulilo Town Council spokesperson Pasval Elija who confirmed that demolishing is ongoing.

Responding to Simasiku's threat to sue the municipality, Elija said they are waiting until “papers are served to see if we must engage our lawyers.”

Swapo's Otjiwarongo district elects office bearers Members of the Swapo party's Otjiwarongo district on Tuesday elected new office bearers and delegates to the party's national congress.

The exercise, aimed at restructuring the district leadership, was originally scheduled to take place before 2 July 2017 for its new members to participate in the regional congress that took place at the Waterberg Plateau Park on 3 July this year. The conference was, however, delayed by internal conflicts.

Swapo's Otjozondjupa Regional Co-ordinator, Susan Hikopua told Nampa that Carlos Josef was elected new district co-ordinator, taking over from the late Jefta Veripi Kasuto, who died in September 2016.

Maria Kambonde is the new mobiliser, a position that was occupied by Otjozondjupa Regional Governor, Otto Ipinge.

Former Otjiwarongo Mayor, Hilda Jesaja is the treasurer.

Hikopua said Jesaja, Tusnelda Kamatui, Otjiwarongo Mayor Bennes Haimbondi, and Paulus Nekundi were elected as delegates to the national congress set for 25 and 26 November in Windhoek.

The Otjozondjupa Region has seven districts: Okahandja, Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, Otavi, Grootfontein, Omatako and Tsumkwe.

At regional level, Hikopua is the co-ordinator, Clive Kavendji regional mobiliser and Patrick Goagub treasurer.

Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Juliet Kavetuna, Tobie Aupindi, Erickson Nenghwanya and Kaino Dawid are the region's candidates for the Swapo Central Committee.

Namibia tightens poultry ban Namibia has reintroduced a complete ban on poultry imports from South Africa, including poultry feed, as the bird flu (H5N8) outbreak in that country is reaching catastrophic levels.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has informed the industry that it is has suspended the import and in-transit movement of birds, live poultry, raw poultry products and poultry feed from South Africa.

This suspension was implemented in accordance with the Animal Health Act on 22 September. According to a notification issued by the chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Milton Masheke, the suspension is valid with immediate effect and all previously issued permits are cancelled. “This has been necessitated by continuing outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza,” he said. Imports of cooked poultry products will continue as before.

Masheke further said that all imports are subject to certification by the veterinary authorities and veterinary permits can be obtained at the veterinary office in Windhoek.

Namibia banned all poultry imports from South Africa at the end of June but relaxed it at the end of July.

Since then the increasing occurrence of bird flu outbreaks in South Africa has had Namibian poultry and egg producers on high alert and strict biosafety measures are being implemented. Namibia's contingency plan for an outbreak of bird flu has also been updated. Since June this year following an outbreak in Zimbabwe, there have been 67 reported outbreaks of avian influenza in South Africa. These included 20 outbreaks at commercial chicken farms, two at commercial duck farms, 12 at commercial ostrich farms, 18 among wild birds, nine among hobby birds and six among backyard flocks. It is estimated that over four million birds have been or are in the process of being culled.

Bird flu is currently spread in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Free State provinces. Laying farms have been affected the worst, with the Western Cape accounting for the majority of cases.

The Western Cape estimates the immediate industry losses to be N$800 million, but the long-term financial impact is likely to be around N$4 billion.

Struggle kids clean up

A group of about 25 young people born in exile during the liberation struggle, who are camping at Swapo's Oshana offices outside Oshakati, surprised many when they started collecting rubbish in and around Okandjengedi yesterday.

The group started their clean-up at the Swapo office and according to their spokesperson Hamukoto Fredrick, they decided to clean up because they are tired of spending their days doing nothing.

Fredrick said there are currently 32 protesters camping at the Swapo office, but only 25 participated in the clean-up. He said the others could not join because they did not have enough safety equipment.“We tried to get gloves, masks and plastic bags from the Oshakati hospital but we could not secure enough. We decided to go ahead with our clean-up anyway.

“Our idea is just to keep our surroundings clean by collecting all the rubbish we find around Okandjengedi,” Fredrick said.

Fredrick said they informed the management of the Swapo regional office of their decision and they supported them to go ahead.

The Oshana youth league secretary for information, publicity and mobilisation, Israel Twiihendeni, commended the group for a job well done.“We were impressed when they informed us of their idea. They are doing a good thing instead of just sleeping all day,” Twiihendeni said.

This group returned to Okandjengedi from Ondangwa where they were camping in front of the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre. In January the police clashed with the group after they caused traffic chaos on the Oshakati-Ondangwa main road several times.

Fredrick said survival was difficult for them at the camp and urged the youth ministry to consider them for National Youth Service training at Berg Aukas.

All hail the teachersToday is World Teachers’ Day While government officials praise Namibian teachers' commitment, a union leader says they have nothing to celebrate because they are overworked.

Namibia's first education minister, Nahas Angula, says the government must introduce an award system for teachers in order to boost the quality of education.

In his message to the Namibian teaching fraternity on World Teachers' Day that is celebrated today, Angula said teaching remains the country's backbone. “I hope the government can give medals to teachers especially those that are teaching mathematics and science to encourage teachers to teach learners to the best of their ability. If this is done then there is no need for us to bring skilled workers from far away,” he said.

He said it was a worry that some people become teachers merely because they need a job.

In a full-page newspaper announcement the minister of education, arts and culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, implored teachers to take ownership of the profession.

She commended teachers for transforming the classroom experience to be a place of great opportunity and for using it as a platform to actively promote understanding and respect for human rights, inclusion and equity.

“We encourage teachers to critically examine their roles and responsibilities and position themselves to ensure that learning outcomes are expanded to include competencies and skills that go beyond basic reading and math and reflect local values, needs and expectation for education,” she said.

Meanwhile, TUN president Mahongora Kavihuhua says the country's teachers are not in a celebratory mood and will be mourning instead of commemorating Teachers' Day.

Kavihuhua says Namibian teachers have nothing to celebrate since they are oppressed and overworked.

“The education ministry has failed to fulfil the promises it had made to the teachers. The vacancy bulletin for 2018 teaching posts is still not out yet, as was promised recently, and teachers are still expected to teach around the clock. In the meantime, the quality of education is suffering,” he said.

A joint statement by United Nations agencies said being an empowered teacher means having access to high-quality training, fair wages, and continuous opportunities for professional development.

“It also means having the freedom to support the development of national curricula, and the professional autonomy to choose the most appropriate methods and approaches that enable more effective, inclusive and equitable education.”