Ondoolopa yEenhana tayi ka dheula aailongi yoEVTC

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Ondoolopa yEenhana tayi ka dheula aailongi yoEVTC Elelo lyondoolopa yEenhana olya yi metsokumwe noshiputudhilo shuungomba shoEenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC), opo ondoolopa ndjoka yi gandje omadheulo guunongo kaailongi yoshiputudhilo shoka.

Onkundana ndjoka oya tseyithwa kumayola gwondoolopa ndjoka, Amos Nangolo pethimbo kwa patululwa pambelewa etungo lyiilonga oshowo omuhandjo moshiputudhilo shoka mOlyomakaya ga piti. Epatululo ndyoka olya ningwa kOminista yElongo lyOpombanda, Itah Kandjii-Murangi.

Nangolo okwa popi kutya oya tokola okuya metsokumwe ndyoka opo ya yambidhidhe omalalakano goshiputudhilo shoka gokuyambulapo onkalo yeliko moshilongo nokuyambidhiaha aagandji yiilonga oshowo oohandimwe metotepo lyiilonga.

Oshiputdhilo shoEVTC osha tungupo endiki ndyoka lyiilonga kongushu yoomiliyona 3.6.

Nangolo okwa popi kutya oya tokola okuya metsokumwe ndyoka, opo ya vule okugandja oompito dhomaidheulo giilonga kaailongi yoshiputudhio shoka tashi adhika mondoolopa yEenhana.

Pahapu dhomunambelewa omukuluntu gwoNamibia Training Authority's (NTA), Jerry Beukes, etungo lyendiki ndyoka lyiilonga olya tungwa kaailongi yoshiputudhlo shoka, mboka ya li woo ya kutha ombinga metungo lyoopoloyeka dha yooloka ngaashi Egambo Resource Centre, Eembahu Rural Development Centre steel works oshowo oNakayale VTC mOutapi.

Beukes okwa popi kutya mo2016 elelo lyoNTA olya zimine oprograma dha yooloka dhekuthombinga lyaailongi moopoloyeka dha yooloka kohi yoVocational Education Training Levy's Key Priority Training Grant , ndjoka ya nuninwa okukondopeka omukalo gwegandjo lyomadheulo momandiki gomadheulo gopaungomba.

Kandjii-Murangi okwa pandula endiki ndyoka lyomadheulo, sho lya mana etungo lyiilonga ndyoka, tali ka longithwa mokugandja omadheulo ga yooloka kaailongi moshiputudhilo shoka.

Okwa pula iiputudhilo yopaungomba moshilongo yi tameke okukondopeka aailongi yawo, ta popi kutya pakuninga ngaaka, iiputudhilo yopaungomba otayi kandula po omaupyakadhi gopaliko ngoka haga etithwa kokwaahena iilonga, iiyemo yi li pevi oshowo eteyo lyomukumo lyaailongi.

Pahapu dhaBeukes oshiputudhilo shoka shoEVTC oshi na aailongi ya thika po-703, momailongo ga yooloka. Epatululo pambelewa lyetungo ndyoka lyiilonga, olya endele pamwe nepatululo pambelewa lyetungo lyomuhandjo gwaailongi, ngoka gwa tungwa kongushu yoomiliyona 11, guna oondunda dha thika po-20 dhaailongi aakiintu naalumentu.

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Eikuthilo lyevi lyuulithilo mOnalusheshete

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Eikuthilo lyevi lyuulithilo mOnalushesheteNgolonya a zimine ontseyo yuupyakadhi mboka Eikuthilo lyevi lyuulithilo olya lopotwa kaanafaalama yomomikunda ndhoka dhili moshikandjo sha Onalusheshete melelo lyaNdonga moshitopolwa shaShikoto, naanafaalama mboka otaya kongo ekwatho okuza kelelo lyawo.

Aanafaalama mboka oya hokolola kutya aantu mboka otaya longitha ompito ndjoka okwiikuthila evi, sho elelo lyoshilngo shoka li li moontamanana.

Okwa lopotwa mboka taya ikuthile evi taya tule meni lyomalugumbo iitopolwa yevi lyuulithilo inene, noku thiga yakwawo kaye na mpoka taya litha iimuna yawo.

Elenga enene lyoshikandjo sha Onalusheshete, Eino Shondili Amutenya ina vula okumonika opo a tye sha ihe nholoneya gwaShikoto Henock Kankoshi, okwa koleke olopota ndjoka ta popi kutya ombelewa ye oya yakula omanyenyeto gopambaapila okuza kaanafaalama yomomudhingoloko ngoka gwa Onalusheshete.

Omudhingoloko gwa Onalusheshete oguli ehala lyuulithilo, na ogu li woo oshitopolwa shehala lyuulithilo shaMangetti, kohi yevi lyaayehe. Pahapu dhaanafaalama mboka taya nyenyeta, aantu taya popi kutya oyeli oshitopolwa shelelo lyaNdonga, otaya fala aantu kehala ndyoka nokuya pa omavi.

Anafaalama oya popi kutya oya lopota woo uupyakadhi mboka kelelo lyaNdonga, kombelewa yaNgoloneya oshowo kelelo lyevi lyaayehe ihe kape na shoka sha ningwa po.

Pamulandu gwelelo lyaNdonga, ooyene yomikunda oyo owala ye na uuthemba noonkondo dhokugandja evi momikunda dhawo ihe kaye na oonkondo okugandja evi momikunda dhili momalelo ga yakwawo

Kankoshi okwa popi kutya oku na uuyelele kombinga yomanyenyeto ngoka, ihe ita vulu okukatuka oonkatu molwaashoka omanyenyeto ngoka inaga ukithwa kuye guukilila.

“Ombelewa yandje oya yakula omanyenyeto geikuthilo lyevi lyuulithilo mOnalusheshete ihe itandi vulu okukatuka oonkatu dhasha molwaashoka omanyenyeto ngoka inaga ukithwa kungame onda tseyidhilwa owala. Ngame otandi vulu owala okukatuka ngele omanyenyeto guukithwa guukililandje. Pakutala kuuyelele otashi ulike kutya ope na ombalakata momudhingoloko ngoka.”

Omunashipundi gwelelo lyevi lyaayehe mOshikoto, oshowo omupevi omukomeho gwomavi muuministeli womatulululo, Melania Iiputa ina vula okumonika sho kwa lopotwa kutya kemo mombelewa ye.

Aanafaalama mboka oya popi kutya ngele elelo lyevi itali katuka oonkatu,nena sho elandulathano tali keya mOndonga itamu ka adhika evi lyuulithilo mOnalusheshete, niimuna kayi na mpoka tayi ka napa.

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Swapo race wide open

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Swapo race wide open The race for the Swapo presidency has taken an interesting twist which could see just three candidates vying for the hot seat. All indications are that acting president Hage Geingob and veterans like Nahas Angula and Jerry Ekandjo look set to challenge for top honours, which makes the battle for the control of the ruling party an interesting one. The party appears to be deeply divided given the number of candidates availing themselves for the top four positions. And with the succession battle now taking shape, major twists in the coming weeks cannot be ruled out. Last week Geingob announced his top-four slate, picking international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for the vice-presidency. Geingob also announced that Sophia Shaningwa will be his running mate for the secretary-general position, while Marco Hausiku will have to campaign to land the deputy secretary-general position. Before last week Friday, Geingob and Ekandjo were both seen as frontrunners, but it is the high-profile candidacy of Angula that is shaking things up a bit. Geingob seemingly abandoned Angula at the last minute and instead picked Nandi-Ndaitwah for vice-president. Angula is a disappointed man reading between the lines of his interview in The Namibian. He vehemently told the newspaper that he was unhappy with Geingob’s choice of candidates. “I told him its fine, it’s his decision, but I do not support it. There is a tradition in Swapo to follow the pecking order when selecting leaders. He violated that tradition,” Angula was quoted as saying. Angula is one of the party seniors, already enjoying a strong position within Swapo. But so does Ekandjo and Geingob too. In fact, Team Ekandjo has made inroads having aligned himself with the likes of Armas Amukwiyu and most recently we also hear that home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana will be his running mate for the position of vice-president. We now have three heavyweights in the presidential race, while arguably two of the foremost women politicians within Swapo will also square off. The other question is will Shaningwa prevail against the likes of Amukwiyu and Elijah Ngurare for the powerful secretary-general post?

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Shot of the day

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Shot of the day

REMEMBERED: Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of Guevara’s death on 9 October 1967 – an event, which Bolivia’s current left wing president, Evo Morales, commemorated with a host of events including a “Relaunching of the Anti-Imperialist Struggle”. Photo: THE SOCIABLE

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DTA is rebranding

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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DTA is rebranding

DTA president McHenry Venaani, at the opening ceremony of the party's central committee meeting Saturday in Windhoek, presented the plan for the party's renaming and logo change for approval.

The central committee is expected to refer the final decision to an extra-ordinary congress of DTA to be held on 4 November 2017, one day before the 40-year celebration of the party, he said.

“It is only fitting that as we begin our year of transformation we align it with honouring and remembering what and who planted the seeds from which the branches grew,” Venaani explained.

According to him the central committee of the DTA at its meeting in October 2016 unanimously agreed to rebrand and rename the party.

He said the management committee of the party was tasked to consult widely and report back on a new name, but still have some stop-overs to make throughout the country before the official rebranding date.

Venaani also made known his disdain for corruption. According to him there is a new, ideology in Namibia that designs development projects in such a way that they are open to mass looting and corruption.

“There is barely national development project undertaken in the country that is not marred in the controversy of tender price inflation, nepotism and other social evils designed to rob taxpayers,” he said.

He added the collapse of corporate governance has become a norm and used SME Bank and RCC as examples, saying corruption is increasingly becoming institutionalised in Namibia.

He also touched on the issue of education bemoaning the slow rate at which infrastructure is being improved in rural areas.

He called for new out-of-the-box thinking to be found to create cheaper and easier models of improving school infrastructure.

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NamPower to disclose documents

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Namibia spa and wellness tourism tops in Africa

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NamPower to disclose documentsHigh Court orders parastatal make processes known The legal battle over a N$357-million tender has intensified with NamPower ordered to make all documents, including minutes of board meetings, known.

“Every scrap of paper throwing light, however indirectly, on what the proceedings were, both procedurally and evidentially, leading to the decision by the NamPower board of directors to cancel the construction of new Masivi and Shoyambi substation, must be disclosed,” the Windhoek High Court ordered.

Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula made these remarks during an interlocutory application for the disclosure of the record of decision making.

At the heart of the matter is the cancellation of a tender, valued at N$352 million, to Consolidated Power Projects of Namibia (Conco) notwithstanding the recommendations from the internal tender board to award the tender to them. Conco has taken NamPower and five other respondents to court in this regard.

Conco on Friday won the interlocutory application in the High Court in Windhoek for the disclosure of documents they see as relevant.

NamPower informed Conco on 16 February 2017 about the cancellation of the tender for the construction of the two substations, as well as the cancellation of the tender for the construction of the new Kunene substation and the Omatando substation extension.

Angula further dismissed a technical legal point raised by the respondents NamPower, the chairperson of NamPower board, the chairperson of NamPower's tender board and the central procurement board of Namibia, that the relationship between them and the applicants was contractual as opposed to administrative in nature. Therefore, Conco can protect its rights through private law remedies without resorting to review proceedings and that they did not exhaust internal remedies. Both legal points were dismissed.

The other respondents in the matter are Siemens Aktiengesselschaft, and General Electric Grid Solutions and Radial Truss Industries.

The judge said it is necessary to disclose the documents sought for the procedural fairness of the decision to cancel the tender and the substantive fairness to cancel the tender. Angula said the respondents' grounds for the refusal to disclose based on irrelevance and lack of proper identification, lacked merits. Conco lost out on two construction tenders valued at N$352 million, due to allegations that they had received inside information.

NamPower was said to have had an alleged conflict of interest as Jurgen Senke, the parastatal's former senior manager of project management and implementation, had joined Conco.

Senke resigned in February 2016 to join Conco and this is alleged to be at the same time when evaluations were being made to award the tenders. He was responsible for the administration of the Omatando tender as well as for the preparation of tender documents for the transmission projects.

When Conco emerged as the frontrunners for the tender for the Omatando substation, it was suspected he passed information on the bid.

The Johannesburg-based company had three NamPower tenders, namely the Zambezi substation, the Gerus substation and Omburu & Otjikoto 220 kV shunt voltage compensator. The Hippo substation tender and a tender for the protection of substation equipment were also been awarded to Conco.

The former managing director of NamPower, Leake Hangala, owns a 25% stake in Conco Namibia and according to reports, the company is said to have been awarded two tenders allegedly under controversial circumstances over two years.

The court further ordered NamPower to disclose all tender evaluation reports for the two tenders, NPWR 2015/50 and NPWR 2016/16 which were prepared in terms of the Tender and Procurement Policy, all tender board recommendation forms signed by head of tender evaluation team, chairperson of the Tender Board and MD for the two tenders.

It also ordered for further disclosure, the minutes of each NamPower Tender Board meeting where the two tenders were discussed and the 8 February NamPower board meeting, documents evidencing each objection raised to and by the board against the awarding of the tenders, including those raised by Siemens and General Electric about the conflict of interest between the period of September 2016 to December 2016 and the documents evidencing action in response to the objection raised against the award of the two tenders.

The respondents, in complying with the order, are ordered to make copies of the requested documents available to the applicant for inspections within 10 days.

The matter was postponed to 18 October for case management.

Advocate Raymond Heathcote appears for Conco, instructed by Engling Stritter and Partners while Advocate Elia Shikongo of Shikongo Law Chambers appears for the respondents.

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Namibia spa and wellness tourism tops in Africa

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Namibia spa and wellness tourism tops in Africa

Spa and wellness tourism is continuing to grow in Namibia with the country retaining its position in the top 10 destinations on the continent.

The country has not only increased its number of spas and wellness offerings, but has also grown its employment in the sector.

According to the Global Spa and Wellness Economy Monitor, Namibia has been ranked eighth in sub-Saharan Africa for spa tourism with spa revenues of N$285.4 million recorded.

The figures are for 2015 and were just released in the latest report by the Global Wellness Institute.

Namibia has increased its number of spas from 40 in 2013 to a total of 57 in 2015, while employment in the sector has also increased from 553 workers to 760 workers during the same period.

The country was also ranked second in the region in terms of its revenue earned at its thermal/mineral springs. Namibia's two facilities generated N$43.5 million.

A whopping 100 000 visitors came to Namibian wellness centres and they spent N$620 million, latest figures indicated.

Globally, wellness sectors now represent a US$3.7 trillion economy. “Wellness tourism continues to grow faster than global tourism, as more consumers aspire to higher levels of wellness and incorporate this intention into their travels,” according to the report

It said robust growth in the spa industry has been fuelled by rapid expansion of African economies and a rising middle class.

“Across the continent, not only are consumers spending their increasing incomes on beauty, relaxation, fitness and sports, and healthy eating, but they are also showing increasing interest in products and treatments inspired by local traditions.”

The report added that growth in the hotel and resort spa markets continues to be anchored by strong tourism inflows and investments in new and existing properties, especially in the island resorts of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, as well as in popular destinations in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.

It said the growth of both the local wellness consumer base and wellness tourists alike, is helping to promote home-grown African brands and products, including special herbal blends and natural and organic beauty and skincare products, which are often purchased by visitors as gifts or for their own use.

However, it adds that the few thermal establishments that exist in countries such as Namibia, Zambia, and Swaziland, tend to have very basic and out-of-date facilities.

“In response to the growing consumer interest in hot springs around the world, governments and investors in Africa are starting to take a new look at the potential of their underutilised thermal resources. For example, historic properties have recently been refurbished and reopened in Namibia (Gross Barmen Hot Springs Resort).”

According to the report, the worldwide wellness industry grew by 10.6%, to US$3.72 trillion, from 2013 to 2015, while sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest-growing spa market with a 40% spike in revenues.

In 2015, spas were operating in 210 countries around the world. The majority of these were concentrated in the key markets of Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Outside of the three leading regions, spa market growth is robust across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Travellers made 691 million wellness trips in 2015, which is 104.4 million more trips than in 2013. Wellness trips account for 6.5% of all tourism trips, but represent 15.6% of total tourism expenditures.

“This is because wellness travellers are high-yield tourists, spending much more per trip than non-wellness travellers.”

An international wellness tourist spends 61% more than the average international tourist, while a domestic wellness tourist spends 164% more than the average domestic tourist.

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Eenhana energises vocational training

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Eenhana energises vocational trainingAgreement signed for on-the-job training In a move set to give impetus to vocational training in the north, Eenhana’s town council has signed an agreement to provide real and tangible experience to local students.

The Eenhana Town Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC) to provide experiential, on-the-job learning to students studying at the centre.

This was announced by the town's mayor Amos Nangolo during the inauguration ceremony of the EVTC production unit and hostel block in Eenhana late last week. The ceremony was attended by higher education minister Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi.

According to Nangolo, the partnership would complement efforts by the EVTC to provide skills which are needed by employers through employment creation, and to grow the economy by providing skilled personnel.

The EVTC has N$3.6-million worth of production facilities consisting of seven workshops with tool storage space, a storeroom for finished items, a kitchen and four bathrooms.

“The construction of the production unit at this centre will enable our trainees to learn skills and acquire knowledge on production and value-addition processes, so that they can contribute to our economy - be it in existing factories or by starting up their own businesses,” Nangolo says.

“I also wish to inform you that an agreement has been entered into between Eenhana and EVTC in order for us to take some of the trainees on job attachments for them to gain relevant skills and equip them with industrial experience. Our partnership with the EVTC is very strong and we are proud of this new development that we are witnessing today,” Nangolo said.

According to the Namibia Training Authority's (NTA) CEO Jerry Beukes the construction of the unit was done by EVTC trainees who are also involved in other various construction projects such as Egambo Resource Centre, Eembahu Rural Development Centre's steel works and the construction of the Nakayale VTC in Outapi.

Beukes said in 2016, the NTA approved a number of interim interventions under the vocational education training levy's key priority training grant whose aim is to strengthen innovative approaches to training delivery at public vocational training centres through the establishment of production units.

“The EVTC applied for the establishment of such a production unit which was approved and they were allocated with N$3.2 million for the construction. Today, the EVTC production unit is ready to accept projects in a number of trade areas, such as bricklaying and plastering, joinery and cabinet making, plumbing and pipefitting, welding and fabrication, spray-painting and panel-beating and solar installation,” says Beukes.

Kandjii-Murangi commended the EVTC for availing a production unit saying that she hopes it will go a long way in alleviating the plight of trainees outside the vocational training center. She called for a paradigm shift across all the vocational training institutions in the country to start empowering trainees with entrepreneurial skills development by offering more practical lesson sessions than theoretical ones. She said that provision of quality entrepreneurship training transform graduates from being job-seekers into job-creators and makes a huge difference in their lives.

“By doing this through vocational institutions, we will address and prevent some of the socio-economic challenges that come with unemployment, under-employment, low income levels as well as graduates' low morale. Entrepreneurship training seeks to identify and develop entrepreneurial abilities among people,” Kandjii-Murangi told delegates who attended the inauguration ceremony.

Beukes also said the EVTC that has more than 700 trainees has proven its ability to provide skilled, determined and disciplined trainees and is generating over N$1 million through the production unit.

The event was also merged with a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of N$11-million hostel facilities for the trainees. Beukes said the hostels will consist of 20 self-catering rooms for male and female students.

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New minimum wage for domestic workers

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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New minimum wage for domestic workers

The labour ministry has confirmed that an 11% increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers has been gazetted and is mandatory since the beginning of October.

The new minimum wages for domestic workers are N$1 502.05 per month, N$346.89 per week, or N$69.37 per day.

The previous minimum monthly rate was N$1 353.20. The weekly wage was N$312.30 and the daily wage N$62.45. The hourly wage was previously set at a minimum of N$7.80.

The new hourly wage is N$8.67 and the minimum pay for part-time domestic workers who work five hours or less in any day other than a Sunday or public holiday is N$43.35.

The labour ministry acknowledged that the minimum wage for domestic workers does not constitute a living wage that will ensure a decent standard of living for domestic workers and their families.

“It is a bare minimum. Employers and employees alike are therefore urged to understand that the Wage Order is a step towards decent work in this sector and toward the goal of establishing a guaranteed living wage in the longer term.”

The minimum overtime pay for those who are asked to work on public holidays or Sundays was also adjusted.

The minimum wage will increase again on 1 October 2018, by an amount equal to one percent plus a percentage equal to the increase of the annual inflation rate of the above-mentioned categories, the ministry confirmed.

The gazette also instructs that where public transport is available, a domestic worker is entitled to receive a transport allowance for travel to and from work unless alternative transport is provided by the employer. The allowance must equal the cost of a return trip for each day of work.

Live-in domestic workers, who are defined as those who care for children in a household, cook, or are employed as a driver, gardener or housekeeper, should be provided with living quarters at no additional charge and no deductions may be made.

Domestic workers, like all Namibian employees, are entitled to paid sick leave. An employee who works a five-day week should be given not less than 30 days for every three-year sick leave cycle. Those who work six days a week are entitled to not less than 36 days. Employees who work less than five days a week are entitled to sick leave calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Domestic workers are also entitled to compassionate and maternity leave as per Namibian labour law and annual paid leave, calculated on the number of days the domestic worker ordinarily works.

All employers must register domestic workers as a member of the social security, maternity, sick and death benefit fund and the employee compensation fund.

The updated labour regulations for domestic workers also make it mandatory for food to be provided to live-in domestic workers and domestic workers are entitled to a meal break.

Domestic workers must be provided with uniforms and personal protective equipment at no cost to the employee.

The regulations also instruct all employers of domestic workers to enter into a written contract with their new employees.

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Anthrax results expected tomorrow

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Anthrax results expected tomorrow

More than 100 hippos and 20 buffalo have been found dead in the Bwabwata National Park, suspected to have died from anthrax.

According to the parks deputy director of the north-east regions, Apollinaris Kannyinga, the latest assessment done on Saturday indicated that a total of 109 hippos had died in the floodplains of Bwabwata West.

“We have not done an assessment following that, but we believe that the numbers will increase.”

He added that 20 dead buffalo were also spotted.

According to Kannyinga a state veterinarian was sent to take samples from the animals yesterday morning.

“We have not confirmed whether it is anthrax yet. The results will be sent to Windhoek and are expected to be out today or tomorrow.”

He said the agriculture ministry would forward the results to the environment ministry and they would then release the results.

Kannyinga said they had not noticed any suspected anthrax deaths among domestic animals.

He added that the deaths were confined to the “core areas” of the national park. While anthrax had previously spread into Namibia from countries such as Botswana, Kannyinga said no recent outbreaks had been reported in neighbouring countries.

At the end of last month 10 hippo carcasses were found and 53 more last week. By Saturday the total had risen to more than 100. The carcasses are burnt to prevent the disease from spreading.

Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivores although it affects a wide range of species. It is generally of an acute form in wildlife, with animals showing few symptoms before collapsing and dying.

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Mass hysteria strikes another school

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Mass hysteria strikes another schoolFits usually associated with exam time A school in the Ohangwena Region cancelled yesterday's classes and sent children home after a number of them showed signs of mass hysteria.

Chaos erupted at Shikeva Combined School in the Ongha circuit in Ohangwena yesterday morning during the year-end examinations. Learners fell to the ground in apparent fits of mass hysteria.

Yesterday morning during the assembly, 21 learners from grades 1 to 9 started having episodes making them scream, roll on the floor and flail.

According to a well-placed source at the school, the affected learners from these grades are the smart and well-performing students and thus, the theory of children 'misbehaving' fearing evaluations and tests does not hold true.

“It is the learners that usually get first and second positions in their classes so it is not as though they are 'acting out' for being fearful of exams. All of the children are screaming the same thing. They are saying 'my name is [a villager's name] and I will not get out of your body'. It is very strange that all 21 learners are mentioning one person's name,” said the source.

The situation of learners having hysterical episodes at the school started earlier this year with more than 20 episodes recorded from the second trimester alone.

According to the principal Abner Haiduwa, two learners a day was the most that presented these symptoms but, the numbers increased as time went by. The parents of the learners expressed their shocked and concern. They believe witchcraft is involved.

“We released the younger children first as they were terrified and were crying before we called the parents of the learners having the seizures,” he said.

Classes were suspended and are expected to resume today. Haiduwa said the authorities have been informed but the school has been told to refer to circulars from the ministry.

“These things are real and have an effect on our performance as a school. We notified the ministry but they didn't show up. They told us to send the children home. We are scared and we don't know what to do with this matter,” said Haiduwa.

The grade 10 learners proceeded with their examinations uninterrupted although the principal is worried about how the school's performance will be affected.

“The grade 10 learners went into the hall immediately after the incident and we can only hope for the best. We will call a meeting with the parents to find a way forward. We would like the ministry to step in and if there are members of the public who can assist us they are more than welcome,” he said.

When the education director for Ohangwena, Isak Hamatwi was contacted he told Namibian Sun the situation is “not new and there is nothing much that can be done”.

“There is no genuine [medical] diagnosis that has been conducted from any of the reported cases. We can only have the parents collect their children,” he said.

There have been several cases of mass hysteria in Namibian schools over the years.

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San miss golden opportunity

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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San miss golden opportunityRefused to work for monthly wages San people in the Ohangwena Region were not interested in working on a labour-intensive road project because they wanted to be paid daily.

The regional councillor for Omundaungilo Constituency in the Ohangwena Region, Festus Ikanda, says none of the marginalised San people in his constituency benefited from the construction of the Etomba-Omundaungilo road.

Ikanda said the regional council made provision for local San communities to be recruited as casual workers, but they refused because they wanted to be paid daily and not monthly.

“None of the people from the San communities where this road runs through benefited from this project. The first day they came in large numbers and started work and they expected to be paid that day.

“After they were told that they would only be paid at the end of the month, they abandoned the work. These people can only work seriously if they know that they will be paid that day and there must be food to keep them there,” Ikanda said.

Andreas Jona from Onehova village told Namibian Sun that the people who were employed to replace the San earned a lot of money. Since they were compensated depending on the amount of work done, they hired the San to do the work for them.

“These people just hired the San and gave them food to eat, alcohol or a little money to complete the tasks for them. They are very hardworking when there is food or liquor. They ended up completing many tasks,” Jona said.

Both Ikanda and Jona said for the government to address the needs of the San communities, they must consider giving them food to keep them at work and paying them daily.

“These are special people with special needs. They cannot work without food or wait for a salary. We need to consider special programmes for them if we are to address their needs. Regional council offices do not have their own budgets, otherwise we would design special programmes for them,” said Ikanda.

According to the chairperson of the Ohangwena regional council, Erickson Ndawanifa, the total cost of the project was N$143 million, of which 40% of the budget, or N$57.2 million, was allocated to labour.

He added that the work started in March 2015 and despite financial challenges the project is almost completed and the inauguration is planned for 16 October.

The councillor and residents of the area say the 71km gravel road built by Nexus Construction has improved their lives. They say it was very difficult to travel by foot or with four-wheel-drive vehicles to visit their relatives.

In the past, inhabitants north of the Onhuno-Okongo road faced serious transport challenges. The only means of transport was by donkey or by foot to Omundaungilo or to the Onhuno-Okongo road, where they could get lifts to Oshikango, Eenhana or Okongo. There are schools and clinics in the area, but access was difficult given the terrain.

According to Ikanda, elders, expectant women, children and the disabled were transported by donkeys to places where they could get services that were unavailable in their area.

According to the residents, clinics, including the one at Omundaungilo, only operate during the day and if one falls ill at night it becomes a very expensive exercise because they have to seek assistance from people who own cars to get them to Eenhana or Okongo.

“In most cases, those who have vehicles ask for a cow as payment and those who don't have cattle will just die in their houses. I am appealing for the upgrade of Omundaungilo clinic to at least a health centre so that it will be able to assist us after hours,” pleaded George Mikael of Eexwa village.

Ikanda said the new road provides access to schools and clinics in the area. It also connects them to Eenhana and Oshikango.

“For now, I am happy that my people are directly connected to towns and places where they get basic and essential services. Ambulances will also be able to transport patients at any time to clinics that they currently struggle to reach and teachers can also commute from towns to go and teach in the villages without any problem,” said Ikanda.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Woman charged with raping boy

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Nandi-Ndaitwah ready to lead

≪ Previous: San miss golden opportunity

Woman charged with raping boy A 24-year-old woman, Catherine Cooper, appeared before the Swakopmund magistrate's court yesterday charged with raping a 15-year-old boy.

Cooper allegedly raped the boy on several occasions between August and 5 October in the Mondesa neighbourhood of Swakopmund.

According to Detective Inspector Daniel Gurirab, Cooper's relationship with the boy resulted in him leaving school.

“She accommodated the victim at her place and had sexual acts with him on numerous occasions over the said period of time. This resulted in the victim dropping out of school,” he said.

The State, represented by prosecutor Paulus Shilongo, opposed the granting of bail.

Magistrate Conchita Olivier postponed the case to 23 November to allow further police investigation.

In other news from the coast, a 23-year-old man committed suicide in the Oletweni location of Mondesa. The police identified the deceased as Tjitjeja Hiiho.

“It is alleged that the deceased reported for duty this morning as usual at Rubicon Security Company. He booked out a nine-millimetre service pistol with five rounds and asked his supervisor to drop him at Woermann Brock supermarket in Mondesa, so he could get his cellphone from someone there,” said Detective Inspector Gurirab.

Shortly after dropping Hiiho at the shop, the supervisor received a text message from him in Otjiherero, stating: “I know we have been together, don't think too much, just go and bury me”.

The supervisor immediately drove back to the shop where he had left Hiiho but could not find him. He proceeded to the man's shack where his family informed him that Hiiho had shot himself.

ADOLF KAURE

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Nandi-Ndaitwah ready to lead

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Katima demolitions halted

≪ Previous: Woman charged with raping boy

Nandi-Ndaitwah ready to lead

Deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she is ready to continue working with President Hage Geingob at party level.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has been picked as Geingob's preferred candidate for the position of party vice-president at next month's Swapo congress.

“It is an honour for me. I am already working with the president of Swapo,” she said.

“I am ready to continue (working) with him. I will be guided by the Swapo Party principles and also by the party manifesto. I have over the years been given different opportunities to serve the country and the party on different levels, the liberation struggle, the diplomatic front and politically.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also the international relations minister, is expected to be nominated for the vice-presidency at Thursday's politburo meeting.

In 2012 she scored the second highest number of votes after Swapo veteran Nahas Angula to be part of the 21-member politburo.

“I was privileged to have served the party in its social sectors such as gender and women affairs. My time at the ministry of information complemented this social work and gave me a broader view of the people.

“At the environment ministry I worked in the economic sector and now in the international relations ministry I am working on the political front, so I am ready to serve in this position if I am nominated,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Geingob has also picked urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa and former deputy prime minister Marco Hausiku for the positions of Swapo secretary-general and deputy secretary-general respectively.

They are also expected to be nominated on Thursday.

'Divisions'

Meanwhile, political commentators yesterday expressed concern about the deepening divisions within the ruling party as it prepares to elect a new leadership.

There has never been so much bitterness in the party, noted Nico Horn.

He said the sudden developments following Geingob's announcement of his list could easily be interpreted as sour grapes.

“We are in for a battle; there is a lot of bitterness in Swapo and everybody is trying to be nice,” he said.

According to Horn, the party is at war with itself.

He pointed out, though, that there was no indication that this would hurt the party's performance at the ballot box in 2019.

Another commentator, Ndumba Kamwanyah, said Nahas Angula's emergence was certainly going to be a game-changer.

“All I can say is that Swapo will not be the same again. Angula is not really known as the confrontational type so it shows there is some disagreement in the party,” he said.

Angula has indicated his willingness to stand against Geingob for the party presidency. Another likely candidate is Jerry Ekandjo.

Kamwanyah also questioned why Geingob had failed to pick younger candidates following his announcement in New York that the old guard would leave soon.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Katima demolitions halted

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Harry Simon Jr looking to impress

≪ Previous: Nandi-Ndaitwah ready to lead

Katima demolitions haltedNew construction won't be tolerated The demolition of illegal shacks in Katima Mulilo has been put on hold following a national outcry.

The government has ordered the Katima Mulilo town council to immediately halt the demolition of illegal structures, which has affected more than 2 000 families.

Hundreds of Katima residents are facing eviction from their homes as the local authority embarked on an operation to demolish all illegal structures.

Urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa yesterday met with the management and town councillors of Katima Mulilo to address the demolitions, which have been likened to similar tactics used during apartheid.

At the weekend, the town council had threatened to continue until all illegal structures were razed.

This has now been put on hold following huge public uproar and pressure from land activists and politicians.

“[The] town council suspends the current operations of demolishing the illegal structures to allow time to respond to the letters received from the lawyers and other organisations. However, the council will not tolerate the continuation of erection of illegal structures within town land,” said Shaningwa.

The minister condemned land grabbing at the town, saying most of the people who were occupying land had already been allocated plots by the town council.

Many residents of the New Cowboy, Dairy and Lwanyanda settlements were affected by the demolitions.

“The leadership is in agreement that the land grabbing should be stopped and prevented. The people need to adhere to the laws of the country, hence anarchy and un-governability is not going to be tolerated,” said Shaningwa.

She also directed the local authority to create reception areas where people migrating to the town can be accommodated until they can afford to buy a plot.

The demolitions have been criticised countrywide and the ombudsman's office has dispatched a team to investigate potential rights abuses.

Human rights law firm Tjombe and Elago has threatened the council with legal action should the demolitions continue.

The council's chief executive officer, Raphael Liswaniso, yesterday rejected claims that the land on which the demolished structures were built belongs to a traditional authority and not to the council.

“You can come into my office and see the boundaries for yourself. Besides, why would we bother ourselves with land that does not concern us? If so then we would be invading the villages where the chiefs are, but we are not,” he stated.

Political parties, including the DTA and APP, also condemned the demolitions in strongly worded statements last week.

“It is truly shocking that this many years after the house demolitions at the Old Location under the apartheid government, today we are faced with a situation in Katima Mulilo which eerily echoes the past,” said DTA leader McHenry Venaani.

He further said his party did not advocate lawlessness and people taking the law into their own hands, but it also did not support laws and policies with no humanitarian aspect.

“What is happening in Katima Mulilo is a shame to the political government in this country,” Venaani said.

On Friday, Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba said the government, and not the ruling party, should deal with the problem.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Harry Simon Jr looking to impress

October 10, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Erongo Powersave Street Mile draws big names

≪ Previous: Katima demolitions halted

Harry Simon Jr looking to impress The talented 19-year old Harry Simon Junior will step into the ring for his third professional fight against Nathanael Shimanda on 21 October as part of the Champions in Action event promoted by MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions.

Simon is the son of Namibia's first world boxing champion, Harry 'The Terminator' Simon, who remained undefeated in his professional boxing career.

Simon Junior had a successful amateur boxing career with 31 fights before turning professional. He started boxing at the tender age of 14 and has been undefeated in two professional fights.

“Harry Junior will step into the ring with Shimanda on 21 October as an undercard. We are proud to have taken him under our wing because he is a talented young boxer that we wish to guide with discipline and dedication so that he can reach his ultimate goal to become world champion like his father one day,” said promoter Nestor Tobias.

“His father and I came a long way. We would go to bed on empty stomachs during our boxing days but still wake up at 04:30 in the morning to hit the road training to realise our dreams,” he added.

Simon Junior expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fight again and admitted that he would need to blaze his own trail with hard work and total dedication.

Champions in Action is promoted by MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions. The main fight will see Walter 'Executioner' Kautondokwa defend his WBO middleweight title against Meshack 'Smart Boy' Mwankenwa from Tanzania.

Namibia's promising welterweight prospect Mike Shonena will challenge Juma Waiswa from Uganda for the vacant WBO Africa welterweight title in the main undercard.

There will be eight other undercards plus an exhibition fight billed as 'Selma vs Michael'.

Tickets are available at Computicket outlets, Antonio's shop in Post Street Mall and at the Windhoek Country Club reception.

General tickets sell for N$200 while a VIP table seating 10 persons costs N$10 000.

SPORTS REPORTER

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Erongo Powersave Street Mile draws big names

October 10, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Jerusalem Football Club wins Tses Spring Tournament

≪ Previous: Harry Simon Jr looking to impress

Erongo Powersave Street Mile draws big namesRunners gear for marathon glory The popular Erongo Powersave Street Mile Challenge will take place at Omaruru on Saturday.

The 1.6km road race has attracted close to 900 participants this year, a number which might increase according to the organisers.

The race started in 2013 with 484 runners; in 2014 the race had 506 participants, the number increased to 604 in 2015 and last year's race attracted 946 participants.

Runners from Botswana will also take part in the challenge to add flavour to the competition.

There will be categories for business people, schoolgirls and boys, and junior, senior, masters and veterans classes for men and women.

Race director Bethold Karumendu says well-known runners have registered to take part, but no one will be left behind as everyone is welcome to participate.

Last year they had a wheelchair category but it won't be repeated this year because of financial constraints.

“However, we will make sure that in the future we cater for that particular category as well,” he said.

Letu Hamhola, acting director of sport, said the sponsors should be congratulated as they went out of their way to make the event possible for the athletes.

“It is one of the most exciting events in the country. We hope the target is reached because this is where dreams are built and where we identify talent.”

Armand Steyn of Powersave, the title sponsor, said it is easy to sponsor an event that is well managed. He promised that they would sponsor the event again next year.

The event is co-sponsored by Coca-Cola, Marathon Sugar, First National Bank Namibia and Namib Mills' Pasta Polana brand.

Registration will take place in Omaruru's main street on Friday.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Jerusalem Football Club wins Tses Spring Tournament

October 10, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Namibian Enduro series finals this weekend

≪ Previous: Erongo Powersave Street Mile draws big names

Jerusalem Football Club wins Tses Spring Tournament

Jerusalem Football Club from Keetmanshoop won the fifth Tses Spring Tournament held at Tses in the //Karas Region over the weekend after defeating Rush Ups Football Club from Lüderitz 3-2 on penalties.

The competition, which attracted 28 teams, saw Jerusalem defeating Barcelona from Mariental 2-1 on penalties in the first semi-final match, while Rush Ups won 3-1 on penalties against Keetmanshoop outfit Real Fighters.

The final match ended in a goalless draw with both teams missing chance after chance and had to be decided on penalties, during which Jerusalem showed nerves of steel and converted three of their five spot kicks, with Rush Ups only converting two penalties.

Jerusalem received N$20 000 in cash, a floating trophy and 25 gold medals for their efforts, while Rush Ups walked away with N$10 000 and 25 silver medals.

The losing semi-finalists, Barcelona and Real Fighters, were rewarded with N$4 500 each, while the top goal scorer was rewarded with N$1 000.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Thomas Tsuseb told Nampa that the tournament went as planned, but needed more corporate sponsorships.

“This tournament is one of the biggest in the region and the organising committee hereby convey our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our sponsors who contributed towards hosting this year's event,” said Tsuseb.

He said the tournament was growing each year and they wanted to take it to greater heights but could not do it alone.

“It is the only way we can expose rural players to such competitions and help them develop to represent our country one day,” Tsuseb said.

Each year the defending champions enter the competition for free and usually play the opening game. This year, three-time winners and defending champions Young Beauties from Keetmanshoop were dumped out of the competition when they lost 2-0 to Baroka from Tses.

NAMPA

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Namibian Enduro series finals this weekend

October 10, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Namib Daughters lead Swakopmund Women's Soccer League

≪ Previous: Jerusalem Football Club wins Tses Spring Tournament

Namibian Enduro series finals this weekendRiders to compete for top three spots The final event of the 2017 Bank Windhoek Namibian Enduro Championship is taking place at Elisenheim Guest Farm near Windhoek on Saturday.

After six exciting and entertaining events, the season-ender, co-sponsored by Hemco Paint and Solsquare, promises to be a special one.

Taking place just outside Windhoek at Elisenheim Guest Farm, spectators seeking an entertaining day out can see the best Namibian enduro riders close up at the pit areas.

More than 70 motorbikes and quads are expected to start, battling for the Elisenheim crown and podium places in the overall championship.

The 2017 Namibian open motorbikes champion, Henner Rusch (KTM), once more will face his closest rival of the season, Marcel Henle (KTM), who displayed his exceptional talent during the year.

Henle will be out for victory after having missed the last two events, aiming to secure second place overall ahead of Corner Visser (Sherco), who also had an excellent season and is in close contention.

The men's open quads championship deservedly went to JL Oppermann (Honda) with his victory at the last event. Gary Rowland (Honda) sits comfortably in second place overall and is likely to keep this position. Shannon Rowland (Honda) is expected to be at the start to repeat her 2016 championship victory. The Elisenheim track will again test the quad riders to their limits and a tight battle for the first three places can be expected.

Joern Greiter (KTM) had an exceptional season and secured the senior motorbike class early in the season too.

The terrain at Elisenheim suits him well, as he demonstrated during the recent X-race, which took place on the same course. Werner Wiese (KTM), David Brown (KTM) and Stefan du Plessis (KTM) will be battling for second and third overall, as the currently third-placed rider, Frank Ahlreip (KTM), will not be able to participate.

The clubman's class too has a 2017 champion already. Juergen Gladis (KTM) will therefore be out to secure the Elisenheim title, while Wayne Schablinski (KTM), Liam Gilchrist (Husqvarna) and Lenny Bagwitz (KTM) still battle for the overall podium places.

Youngster Keanu Weber Trianus (KTM) is just a small step away from winning the offroad bike class championship with Teddy Kausch (KTM) and Jaco Husselmann (Husaberg) in contention.

In the development class for beginners, Dylan Hilfiker (KTM) won the championship ahead of Levin Quinger (KTM) with his victory at Otjihase in August, and spectators will be looking forward to seeing the young riders at Elisenheim.

For entries and all other related information, the Bank Windhoek Namibian Enduro Club has posted information on the website www.namibianenduro.com and on Facebook.

SPORT REPORTER

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Namib Daughters lead Swakopmund Women's Soccer League

October 10, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Aanaskola yaadhika koombepo dhaashiwike

≪ Previous: Namibian Enduro series finals this weekend

Namib Daughters lead Swakopmund Women's Soccer League

Namib Daughters Football Club on Saturday climbed to the top of the Swakopmund Women's Soccer League (SWSL) after picking up three points at Swakopmund's Mondesa Stadium.

Daughters lost their first fixture against African Queens after failing to make it to the game on time, but picked up three points later in the day after their opponents, United Nations, failed to show up for their fixture.

With only one game left for most teams to complete in the first leg of the 2017 league, which kicked off in the middle of July, Daughters are two points clear of the chasing pack, with 12 points from five games played.

Dream Team are second on 10 points, while African Queens take up the top three positions with nine points.

Defending champions Dragon City are in fourth position with eight points while the new kids on the block, Super Ladies from Walvis Bay, are fifth on the log with six points.

Arandis-based Kavetu FC are sixth with five points.

The bottom of the log is occupied by another newcomer, United Nations, who have no points after five games.

The league is scheduled to conclude with its first-leg games this weekend.

League chairperson Wilson Nguvauva told Nampa on Monday that the league had a problem with teams not turning up for matches, which made it easy for other teams to pick up points without kicking a ball.

Nguvauva added that Dragon City finished playing all six of their first-leg matches last weekend.

The amateur women's football league was established in June 2015 with eight football teams based at Swakopmund and Arandis.

Only seven teams now compete. They are Dragon City, Namib Daughters, Dream Team, African Queens, Kavetu, Super Ladies, and United Nations.

Namib Daughters were crowned champions in the league's maiden season in 2015.

NAMPA

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