Horror at how SA let 141 mentally-ill patients die

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: AMTA a mono evi lye

≪ Previous: Kenya in limbo

$

0

0

Horror at how SA let 141 mentally-ill patients die Weeks of gruelling testimonies at an inquiry in South Africa have tried to answer an unfathomable question - how authorities allowed 141 mentally-ill patients to die after being moved out of a hospital.

The evidence presented has been a litany of neglect, incompetence and cruelty that lawyer Dirk Groenewald described as “the greatest human rights violation since the dawn of democracy” in South Africa.

Every day, families of the victims have told shocking stories of how their loved ones were taken from the hospital, badly mistreated at unlicensed health facilities and then died.

Starting last February, more than 1 700 patients were rapidly relocated from the Life Esidimeni hospital in Johannesburg to 27 privately run clinics that were unable to care for them.

The Gauteng provincial health department cancelled its contract with Esidimeni as a cost-cutting measure.

“One day my sister went to go see our mother, but was told she was moved. Nobody contacted us,” Boitumelo Mangena, 24, told the inquiry in just one of many harrowing personal accounts.

“My brother found her (at a clinic). She lost a lot of weight. She hadn't been bathed for a while, I could tell it from the smell.

“All the patients were getting the same medication but my mom's meds were very specific to her condition.”

Mangena's mother, who suffered dementia, died three weeks after being moved from Esidimeni to one clinic and then another in Soweto.

“The cause of death was cardiac arrest and epileptic fit. My mother was never epileptic. We discovered she had been starved and dehydrated to death,” she said.

“These people were sent to their death and they died in the most horrible way possible, they were tortured to death.

“I was thinking we could get some answers so we can heal, but that didn't happen. Nobody wants to be held liable.”

An earlier official investigation, which sparked uproar in South Africa, detailed how confused patients were hurriedly removed from the hospital and taken to care centres that were often overcrowded and unheated.

Staff were untrained, the facilities were ill-equipped, and patients were left far from their families, who didn't know where they were.

Joseph Maboe, a pastor, told the inquiry that he went to Esidimeni to visit his son Billy, who was epileptic, but found he had already been transferred.

Instead Maboe watched other patients being moved in “big trucks”.

“They were just like goats and sheep taken to an auction,” he said.

Maboe said that “Billy was very happy to be there (Esidimeni)” but later he found his son at a clinic outside Pretoria looking “frail, filthy, hungry and disorientated”.

“He asked for water and they said they couldn't give it to him because he wets himself,” he said.

Billy, 53, died less than a week later.

“When we are shattered like this, what can we say to the government? They don't care,” Maboe said.

In another distressing testimony, Sandra de Villiers said that “not even an animal would be treated” like her brother Jaco Stols was at the clinic he was taken to.



NAMPA/AFP

---

AMTA a mono evi lye

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: LPM a pula UN a konaakone epangelo lyaSwapo

≪ Previous: Horror at how SA let 141 mentally-ill patients die

$

0

0

AMTA a mono evi lyeAMTA a koleke etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa agricultural marketing agency evi lyongushu yoomiliyona 1.7. Elelo lyondoolopa yaShikango olya gandja kehangano lyo

Ehangano lyoAgro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) monena ohali futu oshimaliwa shooN$140 000 kehe omwedhi onga ohiila yehala okuza komunangeshefa Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba. Etsokumwe lyohiila ndyoka olya kala miilonga okutameka omwedhi Desemba gwo-2015.

Momutumba ngoka gwa ningwa momasiku ga 3 Auguste moHelao Nafidi, elelo lyondoolopa olya tokola okugandja epya kehangano lyoAMTA. Epya ndyoka otali adhika mOshikango Extension 2.

AMTA okwa pumbwa okufuta mwene gwepya ndyoka, Heinrich 'Swapo' Ndume, oshowo mwene gwegumbo li li pooha, Joao Nghuukete Ndume. Iifuta mbyoka otayi ka pula ehangano ndyoka oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 1.7.

Omupopiliko gwoAMTA, Meke Namindo okwa koleke etokolo ndyoka ihe ina popya kutya ehala ndyoka otaye ke lilongitha shike.

Oshikundanekifo shoThe Namibian osha li sha tseyitha kutya etsokumwe lyohiila pokati kaAMTA nehangano lyoShapumba Tower Investment CC olyuule woomvula ntano, ihe oNamibian Sun oya nongele kutya ehangano lyoShapumba Tower Investment CC olya li li na okutunga oompungulilo pehala ndyoka ihe olya ndopa.

Namindo okwa koleke kutya iilonga mbyoka yali yi na okulongwa pehala ndyoka ha ya hiila inayi gwanithwa po ngaashi tashi uthwa, ketsokumwe nonando ongaaka omukalelipo gwopaveta gwaShapumba, Sisa Namandje, okwa tindi kutya okondalaka ndjoka inayi gwanithwa po.

“Tango otandi tindi kutya Chicco ina gwanitha po etsokumwe. Oshitiyali ngele ina gwanitha po etsokumwe, etsokumwe olya gandja ompito yomawapaleko..” Namandje ta ti.

KENYA KAMBOWE

LPM a pula UN a konaakone epangelo lyaSwapo

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Kehe gumwe ta nanene kombinga ye

≪ Previous: AMTA a mono evi lye

$

0

0

LPM a pula UN a konaakone epangelo lyaSwapo Ehwahwameko lyoLandless People's Movement (LPM) otali pula opo Iigwana yaHangana yi konaakone elongitho lyoonkondo dhuukoloni , ndyoka tali ningilwa AaNamibia nonando oshilongo osha manguluka oomvula 27 dha piti ngashiingeyi.

Aaleli yoLPM Bernadus Swartbooi naHenny Seibeb oshiwike sha piti oya popi kombinga yeindilo lyawo ndyoka ya ningi pambaapila na oye li gandja komukalelipo gwIigwana yaHangana moNamibia, Kiki Gbeho.

Ombaapila ndjoka ya nuninwa Amushanga gwIigwana yaHangana, Antonio Guterres, oya popi kutya nonando Namibia okwa mono emanguluko lye momasiku 21 gaMaalitsa mo-1990, aakwashigwana yamwe oya fa inaya manguluka molwaashoka otaya gwililwapo koluhepo omanga yamwe yeli taya tyapula uukengeli.

Oya popi kutya kape na shoka sha ningwa opo aakwashigwana mboka ya kanitha evi lyawo pethimbo lyuukoloni ya shuninwe evi lyawo.

Mboka oya popi woo kutya aakwashigwana yAaNama nAaHerero, mboka yali ya kuthwa evi lyawo pethimbo lyomadhipago ga kiinahenda ngoka ga ningwa mo1904-08 sigo onena kaye na evi.

Omukanda ngoka otagu pula ekwatho lyIigwana yaHangana molwaashoka aakwashigwana oyendji aniwa oya kanitha omukumo mepangelo lyongundu yoSwapo, opo li vule okukandula po omikundu dhawo, unene evi.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Kehe gumwe ta nanene kombinga ye

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Taya futitha epangelo omolwa eso lyokamona

≪ Previous: LPM a pula UN a konaakone epangelo lyaSwapo

$

0

0

Kehe gumwe ta nanene kombinga yeOmahwahwameko gethigathano lyiipundi moSwapo ga tameke Olugodhi kutya oolye taya sindana po uuleli mongundu yoSwapo olwa tata lwa windula, sho kuna owala omasiku omashona okuya momwedhi moka tamu ningwa omutumba gwomahogololo gwaaleli yongundu ndjoka. Aanapolotika aakulu Nahas Angula naJerry Ekandjo, mboka taya kondjele oshipundi shuupresidende wongundu, oya panga uukume womahwahwameko opo ya vule okukondjitha Hage Geingob, ngoka e li methigathano lyuuleli woSwapo, oshowo ongundu yaaulikwa ye, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Sophia Shaningwa naMarco Hausiku.Mboka yeli woo mehwahwameko pamwe naanapolotika mboka

Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Helmut Angula, Armas Amukwiyu, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun naPetrina Haingura.

Omunapolotika namushanga nale gwongundu yoSwapo, Ngarikutuke Tjiriange okwa gandja etumwalaka pethimbo lyomahwahwameko ngoka ga tamekithwa moombelewa oonene dhongundu yoSwapo, moshilandopangelo, Etine lyoshiwike sha piti.

Okwa popi kutya ekotampango lyongundu olya taagulukwa nongele inaku katukwa oonkatu nena ongushu yongundu ndjoka ya kwatelwa komeho nale kuSam Nujoma, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Nathanael Maxuilili, Hendrik Witbooi naMoses Garoeb, otayi shuna pevi.

Okwa tsikile kutya nashi kale sha yela moSwapo kutya kamu na etaambathano lyuuleli , ihe ohali ningwa okupitila muundemokoli.

Ongunddu oya nyana wo amushanga gwongundu ndjoka, Nangolo Mbumba kutya ota longitha pambambo ombelewa ye pa ku ningila okatongo iilyo yimwe po.

Okwa gandjiwa shoo oshiholelwa shetidho lyaanyasha mongundu ndjoka, Elijah Ngurare, Job Amupanda, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma naGeorge Kambala, mboka yali ya tidhwa ongundu mo-2015 ihe oya sindana po oshipotha shoka omvula ya piti. Mboka oyali ya tidhwa sho yiikuthile evi momudhingoloko gwa Kleine Kuppe moshilandopangelo, onga omukalo gwokuulika ompumbwe yevi lyomagumbo mokati koshigwana omanga Ngurare a tidhwa sho a yambidhidha ehwahwameko lyaanyasha mboka tali ithanwa Affirmative Repositioning.

Ongundu ndjoka oya popi woo kombinga yonkalo yopaliko moka mu na oshilongo ngashiingeyi, oshowo sho oshilongo sha tulwa ponkatu yopevi paliko.

Angula okwa popi kutya sho a li mepangelo oshilongo inashi tulwa pankatu yopevi paliko, ta popi kutya ongundu yoSwapo oyo owala ongundu ndjoka tayi vuu okuhupitha oshilongo okuza monkalo moka shi li ngashiingeyi.

Iivula-Ithana okwa gwedha po kutya etokolo lyokutula miilonga opoloyeka yombaanga yiikulya olyo woo tali pelwa ombedhi onkalo yopaliko ya nayipala moka mu na oshilongo. Okwa pula woo kutya omolwashike epangelo tali holeke onkalo yopaliko moka mu na oshilongo.

Okwa popi kutya ndika olyo ethimbo ku na okupopiwa oshili, ta popi kutya oshilongo otashi vulu ngiini okukala nombaanga yiikulya ngele ihashi nduluka iikulya sho shene.

Namundjebo-Tilahun okwa popi kutya oyo aantu mboka oshigwana sha kala sha tegelela, ta popi kutya ongundu yawo oya hala okuhupitha eliko lyoshilongo.

Amukwiyu okwa popi kombinga yomaihumbato gaMbumba, ta gwedha po kutya okwa kala ta gama ombinga omanga a li a pumbwa okukala omupokati.

Helmut Angula ina kala po pomutumba gwomahwahwameko mpoka, ihe moshipopiwa she shoka sha leshwa, kuDr Panduleni Itula, okwa pula oshigwana shi gwanithepo uuthemba washo wopaundemokoli nokuhogolola aaleli yawo pethimvo lyomutumba gwomahogololo ngoka tagu ningwa momwedhi twa taalela.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Taya futitha epangelo omolwa eso lyokamona

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Swiss great Hingis retires

≪ Previous: Kehe gumwe ta nanene kombinga ye

$

0

0

Taya futitha epangelo omolwa eso lyokamona Aavali yokanona kokakadhona hoka ka hulitha konima sho ka pulumuthwa omanga yina a thikama, sha ningilwa mewalanda lyokanyothi moshipangelo shepangelo mEngela koongulasha dhOlyomakaya yoshiwike sha piti, otaya pangele okufutitha epangelo.

Sho a gandja ehokololo lye koNamibian Sun, omunamimvo 38 Peelina Nghikumwa okwa popi kutya oya tegelela owala olopota kutya oshike sha etitha eso lyokanona, okuza kopathologist nonando oye na nale olopota yoshiyetithi sheso kutya okanona hoka okavalwa nomwenyo na oka hulitha sho keehama momutse.

Nghikumwa okwa gandja uusama kaapangi mboka yali miilonga, ta popi kutya oye mu idhimbike nonando okwa pula ekwatho omanga oshiningwanima shoka inashi ningwa.

Okwa zi komukunda gwawo Onanghwe yaNghikumwa moshitopolwa shaHangwena momasiku 19 gaSepetemba na okwa kala polukalwa talu adhika konima yoshipangelo shEngela sigo Etitano, sho a taambelwa mewalanda lyokanyothi opo a vule okupulumutha okanona ke.

Nghikumwa okwa popi kutya, okuya potundi 01:00 okwa yi moshitheta na okwa pula ekwatho okuza kaapangi ihe inaye mu yamukula.

Okwa popi kutya okwa lombwelwa a ye kaapangi ihe ka li e na oonkondo.

“Onda li tandi igidha ihe kape na ngoka a kwathandje. Gumwe gwomaaapangi okwa lombwelendje ndi ye kuyo. Kanda li tandi vulu oku enda,” Ngukumwa a popi.

Okwa popi kutya sho owala omutse gwokanona ke gwiidhenge pevi opo aapangi ye ya okumukwathela.

“ Onde ya lombwele kutya ondiinekela okanona kandje okeli nawa,” Nghikumwa ta popi.

Okwa popi kutya aapangi pya kutha po okanona na oya galuka lwanima taya popi kutya okanona inaka hupa.

Nghikumwa okwa popi kutya he yokanona okwa hala futitha epangelo omolwa oshiningwanima shoka.

Pahapu dhomunambelewa omupopiliko gwuuministeli, Manga Libita, okwa popi kutya oshiningwanima shoka otashi konaakonwa, nomukanda otagu ka pitithwa mbala.

Okwa popi kutya uuministeli owu na ontseyo kombinga yoshiningwanima shoka sha holoka moshipangelo shoka ihe itawu vulu okupopya sha manga omolwa omakonaakono ngoka taga ningwa.

Ombudsman John Walters, sho a ningilwa omapulo okwa popi kutya, ngele aavali oye wete kutya okanona kawo oka si omolwa uuhasha okuza kaapangi, nena ombelewa yawo otayi vulu okuya kwatha.

Oonkambadhala okumona omayamukulo okuza koHealth Professionals Council of Namibia odha hulile muunyengwi.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Swiss great Hingis retires

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Rangers part company with manager

≪ Previous: Taya futitha epangelo omolwa eso lyokamona

$

0

0

Swiss great Hingis retiresTennis player’s career halts Swiss tennis great Martina Hingis announced her ‘definite’ retirement on Thursday, signalling the end of a career which took her from 1990s teenage superstar to doubles world No 1 some 20 years later. SUPERSPORT



The 37-year-old ‘Swiss Miss’ has retired twice before – once after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine – but she said the ongoing WTA Finals in Singapore would be her last tournament.

"I think now it's definite. It's different, because before I walked away thinking I might come back," Hingis told reporters after her 6-3, 6-2 doubles win alongside Chan Yung-Jan over Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke.

"After a season like this, I think it's also perfect timing. You know, you want to stop on top and not when you're already going backwards.

"I couldn't ask for a better finish."

Fellow Swiss star Roger Federer credited Hingis with helping him become a record 19-time Grand Slam champion.

"Martina was partially the one who showed me how it was all done," 36-year-old Federer said in Basle where he is playing at the Swiss Indoors tournament.

"It was great for Switzerland to have someone of her calibre. We were very lucky.

"I'm not sad to see her retire, she's been in the game for long enough, and she seems at peace with her decision – that's wonderful. I've always been a fan of her and I always will be."

Hingis could end her career on a high in Singapore, with a semi-final looming against Timea Babos and Andrea Hlavackova. "We have a pretty decent chance. I think we are the ones to beat right now," she said.

Slovakian-born Hingis took the tennis world by storm when she won her first three major titles, the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open, in 1997 at the age of just 16, opening a period of dominance when she spent 209 weeks as world No 1.

It was a run that inspired a young Roger Federer, the leading light of the group of Swiss players – also including Stanislas Wawrinka and Belinda Bencic – who followed Hingis onto the world stage.

Hingis, coached by her mother, Melanie Molitor, had five Grand Slam singles titles to her name when injuries drove her into her first retirement in 2003, when she was just 22.

She returned two years later but the comeback was short-lived and Hingis stepped away from the sport again after failing a drugs test at Wimbledon in 2007.

But she has enjoyed considerable success since her reincarnation as a doubles specialist, and ends her career at the top of the rankings and with 20 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles.

"Here we are for the third and final time," Hingis posted on Facebook. "Looking back now, it's hard to believe that almost exactly 23 years ago I made my professional debut.

"The years that followed have been some of the most rewarding years of my life, both personally and professionally, but I believe the time has come for me to retire, which I will be doing after my last match here in Singapore."

Hingis said she would remain involved in the sport, perhaps in a coaching capacity – which could raise questions over a potential match-up with Federer.

"I'll always be part of the game of tennis," she said. "Somehow we will be connected. I will definitely take some time out. I have done coaching before. I can help my mom, her tennis school.

"I'm definitely not going to miss that day-in, day-out grind."

Rangers part company with manager

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Man City surge on, United sink Spurs

≪ Previous: Swiss great Hingis retires

$

0

0

Rangers part company with manager SUPERSPORT

Rangers have sacked manager Pedro Caixinha after a seven-month spell in charge at Ibrox, Scottish Premiership club said on Thursday.

The decision was made at a board meeting after Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock on Wednesday and the club said in a statement it would being the search for a new manager immediately.

"Graeme Murty, head development squad coach, will take charge of the first-team in the interim," the statement added.

Portuguese Caixinha was appointed in March after Mark Warburton left the club and won 14 of his 26 games in charge.

The record 54-times Scottish champions have won five of 10 league games this season, with three draws and two defeats.

Rangers backed Caixinha in the last transfer window, bringing in the likes of midfielders Carlos Pena and Graham Dorrans, strikers Eduardo Herrera Alfredo Morelos and centre-back Fabio Cardoso.

The club said the decision to sack him was taken after careful consideration and that "results have been disappointing and not commensurate with the level of investment that was made available".

Rangers are fourth in the Scottish Premiership, eight points behind leaders Celtic, and visit Heart of Midlothian on Saturday.

Arch-rivals Celtic have won the league for the last six seasons while Rangers were demoted to the fourth tier in 2012 after going into administration but returned to the top flight in 2016.

Man City surge on, United sink Spurs

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Controversy as Joshua retains world titles

≪ Previous: Rangers part company with manager

$

0

0

Man City surge on, United sink Spurs SUPERSPORT

Manchester City maintained their charge towards the Premier League title with a 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion as Manchester United kept within five points of their neighbours with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Goals from Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling moved the leaders on to 28 points - equalling the best return after 10 matches of a Premier League season - as irresistible City took their campaign's tally of league goals to a remarkable 35.

Earlier, Jose Mourinho received the response he had demanded from his United side following their humbling defeat at Huddersfield Town as an 81st-minute goal from substitute Anthony Martial preserved their perfect home record.

The win, their sixth straight victory in the league at Old Trafford without conceding a goal, moved United on to 23 points, three clear of Spurs as champions Chelsea and Arsenal both marched to within a point of their London rivals.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who had shown unusual irritation last week when asked about stories linking compatriot Carlo Ancelotti with his job, seemed rather happier after Eden Hazard's 51st minute goal earned his side a 1-0 win in the late game at Bournemouth to maintain their fourth spot.

Arsene Wenger celebrated a successful 800th Premier League match in charge as Arsenal fought from one down to beat Swansea City 2-1 with second-half goals from Sead Kolasinac and Aaron Ramsey.

Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp got the better of his best friend, Huddersfield boss David Wagner, in a 3-0 win at Anfield where second-half strikes from Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum pushed the Reds to sixth on 16 points.

Watford's giddy ascent, though, was checked with a 1-0 home defeat by struggling Stoke City - Darren Fletcher hit the target in the 16th minute - that dropped them to seventh on 15.

At the other end of the table, Crystal Palace escaped with an astonishing 2-2 draw with West Ham United, coming back from two down and earning a draw in the seventh minute of stoppage time through Wilfried Zaha.

Pep Guardiola's Man City continue to look unstoppable at domestic level, having opened up in brilliant fashion with Sane scoring his sixth goal in seven league games after 10 minutes.

COMPLETE CONTROL

Though Jay Rodriguez equalised quickly, City were in complete control once Fernandinho's deflected effort put them ahead after 15 minutes.

Substitute Sterling scored his ninth of the season in all competitions four minutes after coming with City's only late moment of concern en route to a 13th straight win coming when careless defending from Nicolas Otamendi let in Matty Phillips for a consolation.

City's 28 points equalled the tally accrued by Chelsea in 2005 and Manchester City themselves in 2011 - and both those sides went on to win the title - but neither of those teams could match the plus-29 goal difference of Guardiola's charges.

The manager reserved special praise for Sane, describing him as a "special talent" after City extended their unbeaten record in all competitions to a club record 21.

Mourinho hailed United's win in difficult windy and rainy conditions in the lunchtime fixture between the second and third-placed teams as "deserved" after they had created the lion's share of chances.

Martial struck 10 minutes after coming on, latching on to Lukaku's flicked header from David de Gea's goalkick.

It was a scruffy left-foot finish from the Frenchman, leaving Mourinho to smile: "Martial scores with a bad shot – but the bad shots can be the most beautiful."

Wenger was in bullish mood after Arsenal's win, saying the Gunners had proved their critics wrong by overturning a lead for a third time in a week.

"Again we have showed the mental strength to come back and win the game," said Wenger, now just 10 matches short of former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson's landmark of 810 Premier League matches as manager.

---

Controversy as Joshua retains world titles

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Information under lock and key

≪ Previous: Man City surge on, United sink Spurs

$

0

0

Controversy as Joshua retains world titlesStrong finish for English boxer Anthony Joshua maintained his 100 percent knockout ratio by stopping a bloodied Carlos Takam in the tenth round on Saturday. The English boxer retained his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association world heavyweight titles with a devastating display of his punching power to finish Cameroon's France-based challenger at the Principality Stadium.

Takam became Joshua's 20th consecutive knockout victim in a fourth defence of his IBF belt and first of his WBA title, but the challenger stubbornly resisted the champion after being cut by the right eye in the fourth round.

“It was a good fight until the ref stopped it. I have the upmost respect for Takam,” said Joshua, who injured his nose from a headbutt in the second round.

“Imagine if it's broke and I couldn't breath and he started catching up in the middle rounds? It would have been a disaster, so I kept my cool. You have to control these situations because, if I showed any signs of weakness, the ref could have jumped in.”

Takam was also given a count in the fourth round before being finished off by a barrage of unanswered punches which prompted the referee Phil Edwards to stop it.

Takam complained it was a premature stoppage, which was jeered by Joshua's fans, and the challenger was given warm applause afterwards.

“I don't think they should have stopped it,” said Takam.

“I want the rematch if Anthony gives me it.”

Takam, 36, had only accepted his first world title shot at less than two weeks' notice and fought for most of the fight with a gruesome cut which obscured his vision.

For Takam, it was a fourth career defeat after a point's loss to Parker last year and knockout loss to Russia's Alexander Povetkin in 2014.

Takam, who boxed for Cameroon at the 2004 Olympics before relocating to Paris a year later, was drafted in as a late replacement opponent at 12 days' notice after Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev injured a shoulder.

Joshua made an especially cautious start, not landing any power punches in the opening round, as he took time to assess Takam, who fought out of a crouch and burst forward with punches.

Joshua landed a good left-right combination in the second round, but did not have as much success in the third.

In the fourth, Takam suffered a nasty cut by the right eye from a big right from Joshua which caused him problems instantly with his vision due to the blood.



Shook by a right

When the fight continued, Takam was caught by a left that sent him spinning and was given a count as his glove was ruled to have touched down.

Takam bravely fought back in the fifth but Joshua teed off on him in the sixth, landing heavy, unanswered blows.Takam had some of his best moments of the fight in the seventh round as he repeatedly caught Joshua.

Joshua tried to regain momentum in the eighth with two left hands that shook Takam, who was inspected by the ringside doctor at the start of the ninth round.

Takam was allowed to fight on but in the tenth he was shook by a right to the head and as Joshua unloaded more punches that landed flush, referee Phil Edwards stopped the fight.

On the undercard, Dillian Whyte unanimously out-pointed Finland's Robert Helenius by scores of 119-109 twice and 118-110 to move into contention for a shot at the WBC world heavyweight title.

Ireland's Katie Taylor won a world title in her seventh professional fight after unanimously out-pointing Anahi Sanchez for the vacant WBA lightweight belt by three scores of 99-90.

England's Kal Yafai also unanimously out-pointed Japan's Sho Ishida in a second defence of his WBA world super-flyweight title, winning by scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112.

SUPERSPORT

Information under lock and key

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Shot of the day

≪ Previous: Controversy as Joshua retains world titles

$

0

0

Information under lock and key Not so surprisingly, the head of state's repeated call to government staff and elected officials for increased transparency and access to information is falling on deaf ears in most circles.

The Namibian police this week informed journalists that any media request for statistics must either be mailed in the post or faxed and addressed to the Namibian police chief directly.

The ban on email requests, which is the preferred mode of communication in 2017, as it has been for at least a decade, in Namibia, was not explained. The Namibian police are not the sole culprits who seemingly prefer to play cat and mouse with information the tax paying public has a clear right of access to.

By instating red tape steps that vary from the way information should be requested, to the number of people who are allowed to speak to the press, among a number of other frustrating tricks, getting information becomes a cumbersome and tiresome exercise.

Any professed intention by President Hage Geingob and his team to jack up transparency, accountability and access to information seems like a gimmicky plaster aimed at pleasing international and national watchdogs. Whether the reluctance to dish out public information is linked to ignorant suspicion or a deliberate attempt to keep some information out of the spotlight, is not clear here. Rarely will state institutions explain themselves, least of all to the press.

A media expert described the recent police instruction as a reflection on “the sorry state of affairs of the current status of the right to access information in the country.”

He said this type of “unreasonable administrative action by administrative officials” reflects a widespread malady in government offices and agencies.

The latest NDP5 again contains a number of strategies to improve transparency and accountability in government, of which access to information is undoubtedly a crucial key.

Will the millions that are budgeted to be spent on these goals be fruitful or just another money dump?

Another question, and an answer we shouldn't expect to receive anytime soon.

Shot of the day

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: WP rock Sharks to win Currie Cup title

≪ Previous: Information under lock and key

$

0

0

Shot of the day KILLER BLAZE: A fire fighter extinguishes a fire at Kandawgyi Palace hotel in Yangon early on 19 October. One person died in a pre-dawn blaze on 19 October that tore through a teakwood hotel in Yangon popular with foreign visitors to Myanmar's main city. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

WP rock Sharks to win Currie Cup title

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Company Briefs

≪ Previous: Shot of the day

$

0

0

WP rock Sharks to win Currie Cup titlePower team secures the Cup The slow poison of a strong scrum and complete dominance of the gain-line battle after halftime saw Western Province come from behind to score an emphatic 33-21 win over the Sharks in Saturday’s Currie Cup final that secures the Cape union its 34th domestic title. SUPERSPORT



Currie Cup final wins built on strong scrumming platforms are part of the folklore of the oldest national competition in world rugby but it looked like it was going to go against the script early in the game.

Western Province pushed the Sharks off the ball in the first scrum of the match and they retained that domination of the key set-piece throughout, but the Sharks scored a thrilling try down the left flank to Odwa Ndungane just seconds after Province had made their telling statement.

Western Province struck straight back with a good try to the eventual man of the match Huw Jones, who bade farewell to South African rugby before moving to Scotland with a brace of tries and a masterful all-round performance at inside centre for the visitors.

The winning team wasted the early forward dominance by making too many mistakes, and too many dropped balls and some silly penalties given away saw the Sharks move into a 21-10 lead at one point.

Part of that advantage on the scoreboard was down to the brilliance of Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who snapped over a phenomenal drop-goal from near the halfway line. It was phenomenal because not only was it from long range, but he did it from behind a retreating scrum. Unfortunately for the Sharks it was an otherwise average performance for their pivot and ace kicker.

Daniel du Preez also joined Ndungane on the team’s try-scoring sheet by wriggling over in the right corner, and while the Sharks were being pounded in the scrums, with Wilco Louw once again surely a strong contender for the man of the match award, somehow they managed to remain comfortably ahead until the stroke of halftime.

It was then that perhaps the key score of the match came. Western Province had been camping in Sharks territory but were battling to break down the Sharks defence. It was eventually sensational young WP fullback Damian Willemse who produced the skip pass that sent Dillyn Leyds over in the corner.

If the Sharks had gone to the break 10 points ahead they may have had the confidence to hang on in the second half, but that score would have been a big psychological blow to them, and a massive boost for the team.

Instead of going into the break well behind, WP were just six points down (21-15), and such was their scrumming dominance and the strength of other aspects of forward play, that you would have had to have given them a strong chance of prevailing in the second 40 minutes. The longer the game lasted so the WP dominance of the gain-line battle had also increased, and let it be said that the Sharks weren’t helped by the early exit to injury of Jean-Luc du Preez.

When the big flanker left the field his team was leading 15-7. They were to score only six more points after that while WP scored another 29. And make no mistake, WP were worth every point of that scoreboard dominance, that’s how much on top they were of a Sharks team that was leaden footed and flat by the time the final whistle arrived.

WP scored 18 unanswered points in the second half and in many ways the match was a carbon copy of the league match played here two weeks ago. On that occasion the Sharks led 13-3 at the break before losing 31-20.

Province had let themselves down in the first half by being poor in fielding restarts, which allowed the Sharks to apply pressure. After the break though they tightened up that area of their game, and simply suffocated the Sharks out of the contest, much like they did to the Lions in Cape Town in the semifinal the previous week.

Ironically though it was off the first and only strong Sharks scrum of the match that Nizaam Carr managed to snaffle the ball and break through to put big Cobus Wiese in for the try down the right touchline on the 50th minute. The conversion was missed by WP flyhalf Robert du Preez so the Sharks retained a one point advantage, but by then it was obvious that the dominant WP team were going to have their day.

And so it proved, with Jones going over for his second try before Du Preez kicked a penalty to propel his team into a 30-21 lead after an hour. With 20 minutes to go there was no way back for the Sharks as WP were so emphatically on top and were playing most of the game in Sharks territory. However, Bosch did have an easy penalty attempt after 65 minutes that could have brought his team back to within a score of WP but missed it.

It wasn’t his only miss from the place-kicking tee, and the Sharks missed out on eight points that Bosch might normally have kicked. Having said that, and although Bosch was shown up in several areas of his game, not the least when Seabelo Senatla ran around him to set up Jones’ second try, you can’t blame Bosch for the defeat.

He was shown up for sure, but this final was decided where so many finals are decided – in the battle up front. A few weeks ago such a dominant WP forward performance would have been unimaginable but over the past three weekends they have hammered the Sharks and the Lions packs. And when you that when Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Steven Kitshoff and others return to the mix for Super Rugby next year only three of the players in this pack will be sure of their places, then you realise how formidable the Stormers pack could become.

Company Briefs

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: LPM calls on UN to probe Swapo govt

≪ Previous: WP rock Sharks to win Currie Cup title

$

0

0

Company Briefs PPC gets LafargeHolcim approach

South Africa's biggest cement producer PPC said it had received an expression of interest from LafargeHolcim which is planning a combination of some of its African assets.

PPC, which has operations in six countries in Africa, has previously received interest for its assets from other bidders looking to expand in the region.

Dangote Cement said last week it was still interested in acquiring PPC and would do a deal at the right price. – Nampa/Reuters

MSCI keeps Nigeria in frontier indexes

Index provider MSCI said Nigerian stocks will remain part of its frontier indexes and are no longer under review for a possible demotion - a status which the securities had been under since September 2016 after the government introduced capital controls.

"The market will be removed from the review list for potential reclassification to Standalone status," MSCI said in a statement posted on its website, adding that the central bank's introduction of a new foreign exchange window in April had improved the situation for foreign investors.

"Market participants have indicated that since the establishment of this Window, funds can be repatriated at close to the official rate. Concerns on the spreads and delays which investors have earlier experienced have also eased."– Nampa/Reuters

Scrapped dividend crush Mattel shares

Shares of Mattel Inc were set to open at their lowest since the 2008 financial crisis on Friday after the Barbie maker suspended its dividend and warned it would miss forecasts for revenue this year.

The toymaker was the second in a week to report trouble with existing plans from the bankruptcy of major retailer Toys'R'Us and analysts said Mattel's streak of sales declines could now persist into 2018.

Performance across top brands Barbie, Fisher-Price and Monster High was much worse than most had expected, putting more pressure on management after sales have declined in four of the past six quarters.

New CEO Margo Georgiadis has already embarked on a turnaround plan that has seen the departure of many top-level executives as well as cost cuts. – Nampa/Reuters

Dangote Cement mulls Eurobond issue

Nigeria's Dangote Cement is considering a Eurobond or a local debt issue and will make a decision towards the end of the year.

CFO Brian Egan said 70% of its 389 billion naira (US$1.2 billion) debt was short term and from its parent firm, Dangote Industries Limited, and the company wanted to move away from that.

He said the company, majority owned by Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, was probably leaning towards a eurobond given that yields were falling and the naira currency was stablising. – Nampa/AFP

Coca-Cola to invest millions in Kenya

Coca-Cola Co plans to invest up to US$90 million in Kenya over the three years through 2018 to increase its product range in the region's biggest economy.

Coca-Cola, which is the leader in the Kenyan soda market with brands like Coke and Fanta, has committed to invest US$17 billion in Africa as a whole since 2014, double what was invested in the continent a decade before, the company said.

The group, which faces growing competition in Kenya from other soft drinks producers like SABmiller and PepsiCo it will produce a wider range of soft drinks in the country from 2018 but did not give details. – Nampa/AFP

Standard Chartered sells stake Kamoso

Standard Chartered Private Equity has sold its stake in a Botswana retail and consumer goods company Kamoso Distribution to a consortium led by Investec Asset Management Private Equity, RMB Ventures, local partners and senior management.

Kamoso was mostly a supplier to Botswana's largest budget retail chain, Choppies Enterprises, before StanChart PE and New York investment firm Development Capital Partners (DCP) bought a 72% stake in 2015 and expanded operations. – Nampa/AFP

Apple says iPhone X pre-orders ‘off the charts’

Apple Inc quashed concerns of muted demand for its iPhone X, saying pre-orders for

the 10th anniversary phone were "off the charts".

The company's shares, which have fallen steadily since it announced in early September it would launch two iPhones within two months, rose nearly 3% in response.

Pre-orders for the much-anticipated 10th anniversary phone started on Friday.

IPhone X's launch follows weeks of concerns among analysts about the production of the new phone, which for the first time includes new facial identification software to replace the fingerprint used on previous phones. – Nampa/Reuters

LPM calls on UN to probe Swapo govt

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: AMTA acquires own land

≪ Previous: Company Briefs

$

0

0

LPM calls on UN to probe Swapo govt The Landless People's Movement (LPM) is petitioning the United Nations to investigate what they term the reinforcement of the colonial regime legacy after 27 years in Namibia.

LPM leaders Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb last week briefed the media on the purpose of the petition which will be delivered to the UN country representative to Namibia Kiki Gbeho soon.

The letter that is addressed to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, states that while 21 March 1990 marks an epic victory by oppressed Namibians against colonialism and apartheid, apartheid persists.

The letter highlights the issue of the 1904-08 Nama and OvaHerero genocide, stating that descendants of this genocide remain landless and destitute in a country of their birth.

“Many languish in urban slums in the excessive squalor of poverty, as these urban areas were once their indigenous lands. Others are internally displaced in parts of the country, with no single effort made since independence to return them to their original land. In contrast, South Africa began repatriate certain communities that were internally displaced due to apartheid policies,” the letter states.

Instead, the letter states, the Swapo government has perpetuated this state of affairs by primarily allocating land to those it considers its own, ignoring the “dire historic reality” of land dispossession.

“In the administration of the affairs of the state, ethic employment in the public service, the police services and defence services is the unwritten but well-known policy. Opportunities in education, economic empowerment and any programme aimed toward human social and economic development is preserved and afforded on ethic lineage while the rest of the country are forced into helplessness and despair,” the letter read. The letter further seeks to draw the attention of the UN to the land struggles of local communities emphasising that they have lost trust and confidence in the willingness of the Swapo government to address their historic legitimate plight.

“Sadly, the government in power since the advent of independence has trumped and trampled upon thousands of Namibians, through policies of oppression, falsification of history, ethnic privileging and deliberately engineered political domination,” the letter states.

JEMIMA BEUKES

AMTA acquires own land

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Africa Briefs

≪ Previous: LPM calls on UN to probe Swapo govt

$

0

0

AMTA acquires own landOshikango plot will cost N$1.7m The Oshikango town council has offered the government's agricultural marketing agency its own plot to obviate the need for renting. The Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) has acquired seven hectares of virgin land at Oshikango at a cost of about N$1.7 million.

The company currently pays N$140 000 per month to rent a property owned by businessman Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba. The rent agreement has been in place since December 2015.

At a meeting on 3 August the Helao Nafidi town council resolved to offer AMTA a mahangu field situated in Oshikango Extension 2.

AMTA will have to pay compensation to the owner of the field, Heinrich 'Swapo' Ndume, and of the adjacent homestead, Joao Nghuukete Ndume.

This will cost the agency about N$1.7 million.

AMTA spokesperson Meke Namindo confirmed receipt of the council's offer but could not say what the immediate plans were with the property.

The Namibian recently reported that the rental contract between AMTA and Shapumba Tower Investment CC was valid for five years.

Namibian Sun, however, understands that Shapumba Tower Investment CC built a warehouse on the property but it was not completed to specifications.?

Namindo confirmed that the work on the site as stipulated in the contract was incomplete.

“Some of the work was not complete, however, at this stage we cannot dwell much on the matter as it is being dealt with through lawyers. Further information will be provided once agreements have been met,” Namindo responded.

Namibian Sun visited the site and observed construction work taking place.

Shapumba's lawyer, Sisa Namandje, denied any breach of contract by his client.

“First of all I am denying that Chicco did not comply with the agreement. Secondly, if he did not comply, the agreement made provision for remedy...” Namandje said.

“The agreement gives AMTA the right to go to the High Court. They have lawyers that negotiated that agreement, they can go to lawyers and if there is a problem we can meet them in court.

The fact that they did not follow the procedure in the agreement means there is no breach.”

KENYA KAMBOWE

---

Africa Briefs

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Paving my own way – Harry Simon Jr

≪ Previous: AMTA acquires own land

$

0

0

Africa Briefs S&P, Fitch grill SA budget

The direction of South African politics will probably trump near-term macro-economic performance, particularly for the country's still-investment grade local currency credit rating, S&P Global has said.

"I think the committee will take the view that political and institutional developments matter the most in determining South Africa's longer term economic prospects and will answer difficult questions about rising contingent liabilities and corruption," Frank Gill, one of S&P's top EMEA sovereign analysts, said.

South Africa's medium term budget signals a policy shift by the Treasury away from commitments to cut down deficits and debt and contains no plans to limit the damage to the economy, ratings firm Fitch said.

A downgrade to South Africa's local currency debt by either S&P or Moody's would push the country's bonds out of widely used global bond indexes that rely on investment grades only. – Nampa/Reuters

Angola, IMF agree about money laundering

Angola’s central bank has signed agreements with the International Monetary Fund to be provided with technical assistance to strengthen its banking supervision, the prevention of money laundering and the illegal financing of militant groups.

In a statement on its website, the central bank said the contracts would run for about two years and were aimed at restoring credibility in the Angolan banking sector and re-establishing relations with international financial institutions. – Nampa/Reuters

Tunisia to lay off 16 500 civil servants

Tunisia will ask the United States for a US$500 million loan guarantee as it seeks to lay off about 16 500 public sector workers in 2017 and 2018.

The layoffs, which the government aims to make voluntary but which are demanded by its international lenders, come from a public sector workforce of around 700 000.

Tunisia is under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its partners to speed up reforms to create jobs and cut its deficit after its tourism sector was hit by militant attacks in 2015. It hopes the public sector wage bill will reach 12% of GDP in the next three years versus 14.5% now. – Nampa/Reuters

Sudan hopes for quick turnaround after sanctions

Sudan's government and its businesses have begun introducing financial reforms and lobbying for new investment to revive the economy after Washington lifted 20-year-old trade sanctions earlier this month.

Khartoum businessmen say they have begun closing deals with US companies, and President Omar al-Bashir began a trip to Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia last week, seeking new markets for Sudanese exports and Arab investment in Sudan.

The central bank has also started pushing Sudan's banks to circulate US dollars, to alleviate a shortage of foreign currency.

Inflation hit 35.13% in September year-on-year and unemployment is estimated at 19%. – Nampa/Reuters

Paving my own way – Harry Simon Jr

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Water security still high on agenda

≪ Previous: Africa Briefs

$

0

0

Paving my own way – Harry Simon JrSlow rise to stardom Many young boys dream of following in the footsteps of their fathers, so it was no surprise when Harry Simon Junior decided to become a boxer just like his father, who was Namibia's first world champion. LIMBA MUPETAMI

ior started off playing basketball even though he always used to see his father leaving home for gym to train for big fights. He saw how his father toiled at his trade but he didn't tag along to gym; instead he chose to play basketball with his friends. At the age of 13, then a grade 7 learner at Flamingo Primary School in Walvis Bay, the young boxer met a trainer who was working with some of the older boys at a community basketball court. “I knew then that I was interested. Right after the boxing show I immediately talked to the coach, Germen Nhikembwa, and told him that I wanted to join and he roped me into boxing. “I was however sceptical because I wanted to continue playing basketball so my basketball coach told me that it was possible to do both and that basketball would help me with my footwork. “Boxing is in my blood. I grew up watching it but as time goes by I see that it's a great way of escaping poverty and the social evils which face young people these days,” he says. Harry Jr has won close to 30 medals on amateur level and was also part of the 2014-2016 national boxing team. Recently he took part in the Champions in Action Boxing Bonanza that was held by MTC Nestor Tobias Academy. An aspiring engineering student, Simon Jr is a highly technical fighter who is currently being mentored at the MTC Nestor Tobias Academy in Windhoek. He says his mother is his greatest inspiration as she supports and motivates his ambitions. “She always knew that I had something special. In boxing circles I look up mostly to Max 'Kwaluudhi Boy' Ipinge. He is a young prospect like myself who has achieved a lot on amateur level. “He always gives me motivational speeches and we train together. I have copied some of his moves to better mine,” he says. He also says that he looks up to his father because he changed the face of boxing in the country, as well as Julius Indongo. “I always watch their boxing tapes as there is so much I can learn from them.”Simon Jr says the reason why he chose Nestor Tobias's gym is because they have great trainers like Immanuel Moses. Tobias says the young boxer's future is bright and he should remain focused to achieve his dreams. “My dream is to be the first Namibian boxer to win the WBC world title, to defend if more than five times and to go down in the hall of fame as one of the greatest boxers,” Simon says. Asked whether he wants to emulate his father in the boxing ring, the young boxer says boxing has changed and he doesn't have the same boxing style as his father. “My dad has achieved a lot in boxing but I would like to make my own legacy and to be my own person. “I love his style but I will never be able to fight like him. I know that the new boxing style I learned from my trainers is suitable for the modern day. I want to focus on that, to grow as a boxer. I want to be focused and see how far I can go.” LIMBA MUPETAMI

Water security still high on agenda

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Resettled farmers must commercialise

≪ Previous: Paving my own way – Harry Simon Jr

$

0

0

Water security still high on agendaAmbitious three-year plan drafted The main dams supplying water to central Namibia now hold enough water to last until the winter of 2019. Water supply to Windhoek and the rest of central Namibia could be theoretically secured until 2020 subject to efficient water demand measures, a three-year model designed by NamWater experts indicates.

At a water forum meeting on water security for central Namibia, hosted by the Namibia Scientific Society last week, a NamWater presentation indicated that the central areas could have sufficient water to bridge three rainy seasons until April 2020 if the projected water demand can be achieved and a number of plans implemented.

The three-year plan is just theoretical at this stage, Namibian Sun was informed, and a number of requirements would have to be met to make it achievable.

The NamWater presentation looked at the current status of the water resources in the central areas, as well as short- and medium-term plans.

NamWater is embarking on a pre-feasibility study to assess 29 potential new water sources in order to bridge the period until a new major resource can be developed.

The Swakoppoort dam is currently at 45% of its capacity, compared to 7.2% last year this time.

The Von Bach dam is at 68.1% compared to 14.1% last year, the latest dam bulletin shows.

The average total of the three central area dams, including Omatako Dam, is currently 41.2% compared to 7.4% last year.

According to the proposed three-year water security plan, based on the worst-case scenario that excludes additional inflow into the dams until end April 2020, Von Bach Dam could be a viable source of water until May 2020, and Swakoppoort until April 2020.

NamWater has emphasised that the three-year model is dependent on a number of factors, including wise water use, planning, monitoring and teamwork between various agencies and cooperation by all water users.

One of these requirements is that plans for achieving full supply from the Berg Aukas and Kombat mines, and the Karst boreholes, must be in full swing by May 2018.

The plan is also designed around the Windhoek aquifer recharge goals and the extraction of water from boreholes in the same aquifer managed by the City of Windhoek.

Since the Windhoek Aquifer has not been subjected to the planned high rates for such a long period of time, some say this could be the weakest link in three-year model.

However, NamWater emphasised that there is a high level of confidence in the two -year water security model which was agreed to at the Central Area of Namibia (CAN) workshop which was attended by most of the stakeholders.

At present the estimated run-dry dates of the dams without inflow in the dams, according to the two-year model and based on current resources, are May 2019 for Von Bach and July 2019 for Swakoppoort.

Experts at the meeting added that water demand management would always be the highest priority on the agenda to contain the demand within reasonable limits.





JANA-MARI SMITH

Resettled farmers must commercialise

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Erongo welcomes Dunes Mall

≪ Previous: Water security still high on agenda

$

0

0

Resettled farmers must commercialise Minister of land reform Utoni Nujoma last week advised resettled farmers to transition from subsistence to commercial farming.

“Just like full commercial farmers, resettlement farmers are expected to contribute to the country's agricultural economy,” was Nujoma's advice.

Nujoma was expected to address farmers at a resettlement farmers' symposium at Farm Tsumore No. 761 adjacent to the Otjikoto Lake, but failed to show up due to ill health.

His speech was delivered by Oshikoto governor Henock Kankoshi.

The symposium, a yearly event, provides an opportunity for resettled farmers to share the successes and failures of their agricultural ventures.

According to the directorate of land reform and resettlement, adherence to carrying capacity and land use on farm units, as well as the recurring problem of sub-leasing, is poor.

Nujoma said these matters were continuously monitored and cases of illegal sub-leasing, illegal occupations and non-adherence to the carrying capacity of the land were recorded.

One of the matters that emerged at the symposium was that in some cases lease fees had never been charged.

A response was that the ministry was hamstrung by budgetary shortfalls and in some cases had not been able to survey and value farm units.

Nujoma said one of the matters negatively affected as a result was the programme of land acquisition and infrastructure development.

Nujoma said under the current financial year, infrastructure on some farms would be rehabilitated.

“Therefore, beneficiaries should maintain and rehabilitate their farm infrastructure on their own because taking care of this is very important,” Nujoma said.

He added: “I want to encourage you not to lose hope in this difficult economic situation; the successful implementation of the resettlement programme rests primarily with you.”

He also observed that the process of inheritance of farming units in Oshikoto takes too long to be completed. This is mainly because families of deceased resettlement beneficiaries do not fill in required documents at the ministry that can facilitate the inheritance procedures.

He therefore encouraged beneficiaries to finalise their wills and testaments. However, ministerial officials mentioned that resettlement farms cannot be registered as personal assets of beneficiaries because these farms remain government property, being rented out to the beneficiaries.

Resettlement farmers were also advised to seek loans from Agribank under the post-settlement support services for rehabilitation and improvement of infrastructure.

Nujoma said farmers are not fully utilising this fund.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Erongo welcomes Dunes Mall

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: NCCS Pro Cycling needs funds for Telkom Challenge

≪ Previous: Resettled farmers must commercialise

$

0

0

Erongo welcomes Dunes Mall Investment of N$700 million More than 3 000 construction workers were on site during the construction phase and between 700 and 1 000 full-time jobs have been created at the centre. The SA government can learn a thing or two from Namibia where it is quite easy for the private sector to engage, invest and create opportunities. - Louis van der Watt, Atterbury CEO Otis Finck - Dunes Mall in Walvis Bay, the second largest shopping mall in Namibia, opened for business last week.

Mayor Immanuel Wilfred inaugurated the N$700 million facility.

More than 3 000 construction workers were on site during the construction phase and between 700 and 1 000 full-time jobs have been created at the centre.

A massive influx of bargain-hunters created a bottleneck in the vicinity of the Diaz traffic circle and traffic officers had their hands full to maintain order.

Atterbury CEO Louis van der Watt said Dunes Mall came into being after businesses approached the company and requested that such a facility be constructed.

“We made a promise and delivered. The South African government can learn a thing or two from Namibia where it is quite easy for the private sector to engage, invest and create opportunities.”

The mayor commented that the presence of Dunes Mall changed the landscape of the harbour city and said it would become an iconic first stop for many visitors entering Walvis Bay from the north and east.

“The impact of Dunes Mall, which offers 77 top national and international brands, will be very positive for all concerned. It is easily accessible and [because of] the sheer size of the project a lot happened behind the scenes before it became a visible reality.

“Its presence contributes to all-round stability and all visitors will found something of interest. We are extremely proud of the result and since it is a regional mall, everyone in Erongo should embrace it as their own,” Wilfred said.

Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua thanked the developers for pushing forward despite tough financial times.

“Erongo is one of the most affluent regions with the second highest per capita income in Namibia. A number of development projects ... indicate we are moving in the right direction.”

The governor listed the Walvis Bay port expansion and new container terminal, the Husab Mine, Arandis and Karibib solar plant projects, the Platz am Meer Mall and the envisioned Desert Rose project as some of these projects.

He added that Group Isidoro was looking to establish cheese factories at Uis, Okombahe and Otjimbingwe.