Stay in touch with your roots

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Stay in touch with your roots We are very ignorant about the things that happen in our own country.

Majority of the youth are not fascinated about what is happening at home. Many of us have turned a blind eye to the situations that affect us on a daily basis.

I do not know whether I should blame the advent of globalisation or the rise of technology as part of the reason why we are no longer patriotic or not. I understand that we have become global citizens and thus have access to information on many other cultures and traditions but that should not be used as an excuse to not pay attention to what is happening in our own borders.

I was engaged in a conversation with about 16 youth this weekend with regard to what is currently taking place in our country.

We were discussing everything from Politics, entertainment and finance. We rounded up our conversations by talking about the closure of the SME Bank and how it affected us the youth. I was really surprised by the 'don't care' attitude and the lack of interest showed by the youth in some of the issues that affect us.

The people I spoke of did not participate in the talk and their excuse was that it was not important to them. What really shocked me was that the same people who said they were not interested in the SME Bank saga were up to date with current affairs of other countries.

They knew all about the pop culture in America and what Trump was going to do next. They knew all about the TV and radio shows in Europe but had zero to little knowledge about the local TV content.

I really tried to put myself in their shoes and think like they did but I was only disappointed.

The picture was clear to me, we are very uninformed and show no interest in local affairs. It's not wrong to focus on the worlds issues but it becomes worrisome when all we care about is just how the Kardashians looked or how many goals Christiano Ronaldo scored.

It is pretty simple, read! Show some interest in the things that will directly impact you.

You do not have to do much but just read and watch the content that will keep you informed about what is happening in your own country.

Buy our newspaper, or any other paper, watch our local TV channels and listen to our radio stations and you too will have something to say about your own people just like you proudly do about other nations.

Be a bit patriotic and balance the amount of news or information you get.

Make it a point to know what is happening in your country's economy, sports, finance and many other factors.

*Roger Kangootui is an Agriculture student at Nust

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Hou die lig aan die brand

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Hou die lig aan die brand Die Junior Sekondêre Skool Goreangab was een van die eerste skole wat in Katutura gebou is. “Ek is nie spyt dat ek hier is nie, want ek moet die lig laat aanhou brand. My grootouers het by hierdie skool ontmoet en hierdie skool het soveel goeie aspekte,” het Kingsley Schultz, 'n leerlingraadslid, gesê. Ander leerlinge het die skool as 'n klein gemeenskap beskryf waar almal mekaar ken en 'n goeie verhouding het. Foto Octavia Tsibes

Padveiligheid vir kinders

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Padveiligheid vir kinders Die FIA- en die Puma Energy-stigting het onlangs 'n padveiligheidsprogram by die Primêre Skool Moses van der Byl in Windhoek van stapel gestuur.

Octavia Tsibes



Die twee wêreldwye stigtings ondersteun die Privaatsektor-Padveiligheidsforum (PSRSF) om doeltreffende padveiligheidsmaatreëls rondom laerskole in Windhoek te implementeer en ook met die regering en ander belanghebbendes saam te werk ten einde te verseker dat die maatreëls wyd en syd in Namibië geïmplementeer word.

Verlede jaar het 732 voetgangers in ongelukke omgekom, waarvan 14% kinders en die helfte in Windhoek was. Die Wêreldgesondheidsorga­nisasie (WHO) beraam dat gemiddeld meer as 551 voetgangers jaarliks op ­Namibiese paaie sterf. Kindervoetgangers is een van die hoogste risikogroepe en kinders in Afrika is twee keer meer geneig om op die pad te sterf as dié in enige ander wêrelddeel.

“Die PSRSF ondersteun van die armste, kwesbaarste kinders op die planeet - kinders wie se behoef­tes en belange vir die meeste beleidmakers nie prioriteit is nie. Deur middel van effektiewe samewerking en onwrikbare toewyding, wys ons navorsing dat die voorkoms van verkeersverwante sterftes en beserings onder kinders bekostigbaar voorkom kan word, “ het mnr. Saul Billingsley, uitvoerende direkteur van die FIA-stigting, gesê.

Van 2017 tot 2019 sal die PSRSF onder meer voetpaadjies, sebra­krui­sings, spoedbulte en padtekens rondom laerskole verbeter, en ook onderrig oor padveiligheid by die skole verskaf.

'n 2015-2016-studie oor die doeltreffendheid van sulke verbeterings in Tanzanië bewys dat lewens deur middel van hierdie maatreëls en onderrig gered kan word.

“Die Puma Energy-stigting is verbind tot die verbetering van die veiligheid van Afrika se kinders op die paaie,” het mnr. Vincent Faber, uitvoe­rende direkteur van die stigting, gesê.

Healthcare: Same old issues

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Healthcare: Same old issues There is, rightly so, a massive weight of expectation on the shoulders of healthcare workers doing service in public hospitals and clinics around the country. Nurses in particular, are at the frontline of healthcare in our country and need to be supported by being equipped and thoroughly trained in their respective disciplines. The challenges in the public sector are well documented and as highlighted in the last Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the state of health services, the negative attitudes of nurses, doctors and other hospital staff continues to rear its ugly head.

Of course, there are deep-seated operational problems preventing the majority of Namibians from accessing quality healthcare. However, administrative incompetence and the bad attitudes of hospital staff are some of the issues compromising proper healthcare in this country.

This newspaper's investigation recently found that the Katutura State Hospital was experiencing a critical shortage of basic supplies, while nurses have to manage with whatever is available. The poor patients, who are at their mercy, are treated with disrespect and arrogance, at a snail's pace. This is really uncalled for and it is high time that this disreputable state of affairs is once and for all addressed.

These high levels of unprofessionalism can regrettably lead to gross negligence as recently reported in the north where a mother lost her baby after giving birth on her own, while nurses were seemingly minding their own business.

We are saying it again that an attitude transplant is needed at the ministry of health to avoid tragic incidences of this nature. There are so many challenges on so many different levels that continue to haunt our health system to the detriment of those who are yearning for a proper national health infrastructure. Obviously, the budget cuts left a huge impact on the operations of many ministries, including health, but in our bid to save millions hospitals should not be allowed to make do with second-grade resources. And again, hospitals must be run efficiently by those who know how it should be done.

Shot of the day

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day SURVIVAL: An Afghan woman collects saffron flowers after picking them in a field on the outskirt of Herat. For years, Afghanistan has tried to give farmers alternatives such as fruit crops and saffron to wean them away from poppy farming -- the lifeblood of the Taliban insurgency. Photo: NAMPAS/AFP

Shot of the day

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day SURVIVAL: An Afghan woman collects saffron flowers after picking them in a field on the outskirt of Herat. For years, Afghanistan has tried to give farmers alternatives such as fruit crops and saffron to wean them away from poppy farming -- the lifeblood of the Taliban insurgency. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Japan ondersteun Laerskool Auas

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Japan ondersteun Laerskool Auas Op 30 Oktober is die nuwe skoolblok by die Laerskool Auas in Katutura oorhandig wat die Japannese regering deur middel van sy Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security (GGP)-­projek gefinansier het.



Octavia Tsibes



Laerskool Auas is in 1969 gestig. Dit akkommodeer tans 1 522 leerlinge van preprimêr tot graad 7 en het 48 onderwysers. Die skool is geleë in een van die arm woonbuurte in Windhoek waar die ­bevolking vinnig groei.

Ten einde die drastiese toename in leerlinge te akkommodeer, gebruik die skool die peloton-stelsel (oggend- en middagsessie) wat gehalte-onderwys beperk.

Derhalwe het die regering van Japan 'n lening van N$829 000 toegestaan om die skoolblok te bou wat uit vier klaskamers en 'n stoorkamer bestaan. Die nuwe blok sal 144 leerlinge in graad 2 huisves wat tans die middagsessie bywoon. Met die hulp kan die skool die peloton-stelsel uitfaseer en 'n bevorderlike, opvoedkundige omgewing vir die leerlinge bied.

Japan het in 1997 die GGP in Namibië geïmplementeer. Sedertdien is 49 projekte ten bedrae van ­ongeveer N$34 miljoen ondersteun, en die Laerskool Auas is die 31ste skool wat hierby baat.

Onderwys is een van die prioriteit­gebiede vir die regering van Japan. Met die uitbreiding van die GGP in Namibië word gepoog om 'n direkte en onmiddellike impak op die welsyn van benadeelde gemeenskappe deur middel van relatief klein ontwikkelingsprojekte in onderwys, landbou en gesondheid te bewerkstellig. Dié projekte moet dan deur organisasies sonder winsoogmerk en plaaslike owerhede geïmplementeer word.

Smart mobility powered by greater connectivity

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Smart mobility powered by greater connectivity Continental is pushing the boundaries of vehicle connectivity as it strives to deliver next-generation smart mobility solutions for the automotive industry.

“For Continental, holistic connectivity creates entirely new business models. In addition to our product business, mobility services will become the next key pillar of Continental,” says Helmut Matschi, member of the Executive Board at Continental and head of the Interior Division.

To enable drivers in the future to enjoy digital content without having to stare at a classic flat media display, Continental has developed a 3D display surface featuring optically bonded, topographical elements that restore a sense of quality and allow individuality to the classic display.

In addition, the integration of digital functions in decorative surfaces for vehicle interiors is featuring more and more on customers’ radars. Light integration is a vital development step in this respect.

The translucent cover material Acella Hylite produces special lighting effects that can be used, for example, for backlighting a vehicle door. Varying light sources can be used to create customised colour effects or to light up warning signals.

To improve wordless communication between drivers and their vehicles, Continental has developed user-friendly touch gestures for the cockpit to ensure the displays are geared towards the connected functions, as well as the digital world.

Holistic connectivity

Alongside new technological and design possibilities in the vehicle, holistic connectivity offers a range of additional benefits.

A central requirement for a range of mobility services is the acknowledgement that the better a vehicle knows its environment, the safer, more efficient and more user-friendly it is on the road. With eHorizon, Continental demonstrates how a vehicle provides important traffic information for the cloud and other road users using a so-called crowd-sourcing function in the driver assistance camera.

Numerous mobility services can be implemented on the basis of the resulting database. It is also a central element in the development of automated vehicles.

Another example of a new application that announces the concept of holistic connectivity in its name is the Holistic Connectivity Car from Continental. With this application, the company not only demonstrates how a vehicle becomes part of the Internet of Everything, but also offers an insight into the development of new services such as eHorizon.weather.

Using eHorizon technology as a basis, this solution will turn a vehicle into a mobile weather station. The service, which was devised in collaboration with Météo-France, not only increases driving safety and comfort, but also acts as a data supplier for weather forecasts.

Continental has also constructed a special-purpose, outdoor test field in France comprising 200 vehicles, which allows testing this and other services and to develop new services.

Fleet management

In the world of fleet management in particular, connectivity opens up whole new possibilities and enables, for example, remote and anticipatory diagnostics. vAnalytics and Remote Vehicle Data are examples of Continental services that are already available.

Through the application of VoicR, Continental is also transforming the 40-year-old analogue CB (citizens band) radio technology into a digital, speech and location-based social ad hoc network with real-time functionality. In so doing, the technology company is creating new solutions for efficient, secure and future-oriented fleet management, especially aimed at fleet operators and the commercial vehicle market.

Whether rental via an app, vehicle access via a smartphone, personalised seat adjustment or even remote diagnostics: Continental will demonstrate how holistic connectivity is changing the mobility experience of rental car users by means of a vehicle that brings together the technologies making up the rental car of the future into a single ecosystem. – Quickpic.co.za

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Rape fugitive bust with stolen meat

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Rape fugitive bust with stolen meat In the weekend crime report from the police, Erongo's crime investigations coordinator Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu said a 43-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for possession of a beef carcass and a rifle without legal documents for either.

“He is a fugitive from an Usakos rape case. As such he will be taken to Usakos to be charged and to appear in court,” said Iikuyu.

The suspect was also due to appear in Swakopmund in connection with possession of the carcass worth N$8 000 and rifle which were found in the boot of a sedan he was in with two other men. Iikuyu said the other two men, who are known suspects, jumped out of the vehicle and ran away when the police stopped the vehicle.

“The animal is suspected to have been stolen in the area of Uis, Tubusis and Okombahe. The owner of the firearm found with the suspect is known, he will be charged for irresponsible handling of the gun,” reads the police report.

In Swakopmund, a 28-year-old man was arrested by the police on Friday for growing marijuana at his residence in the DRC informal settlement. He is charged with dealing in, and the cultivation of, cannabis plants. Iikuyu said the man was found in possession of 24 cannabis plants, seven big and four small batches of cannabis and one packet of cannabis seeds. Iikuyu said the street value of the drug and seeds is yet to be determined. He was due to appear in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court yesterday. Also in the DRC informal settlement on Saturday, a 37-year-old man bled to death after he allegedly used his fist to break the windows of his house, following an argument with his partner. The incident took place early in the morning between 06:00 and 06:30.

Iikuyu said Joel Somseb allegedly argued with his girlfriend over Tassenberg wine he bought and refused to share with her.

“He got angry, slapped the lady twice in the face and decided to move out of the house he shared with her, but before leaving, he started smashing windows with a clenched fist,” said Iikuyu.

The deceased was allegedly cut by the broken glass under the right arm. The police said he continued bleeding and smashing the windows until he fell to the ground and died on the spot. No foul play is suspected and his next of kin have been informed.

The police will continue to investigate the case.

NAMPA

SPYL fumes at PDM

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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SPYL fumes at PDMDefends Sochi joyride SPYL's international affairs secretary Akser Mwafangeyo has hit back at accusations made by PDM youth leader Benson Katjirijova. The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) claims members of the opposition who attended the 2017 World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi, Russia, did so at the mercy of the ruling party's wing.

The SPYL particularly took issue with the PDM's youth leader Benson Katjirijova who last week accused the ruling party of hijacking the event.

Katjirijova claimed SPYL hijacked the festival to promote its acting president Hage Geingob ahead of the ruling party's elective congress later this month.

The purpose of the festival was to consolidate international youth community, strengthen international ties, as well as promote intercultural cooperation. The main agenda of the discussion programme was to encompass the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations. Katjirijova, who was one of the 172 delegates who travelled to Sochi last month, said 95% of Namibians who attended the festival, were drawn from SPYL.

In a statement at the weekend, SPYL explained that the invitation was extended to Swapo.

He criticised Katjirijova's 'unfriendliness' for not appreciating the courtesy extended to him.

According to SPYL secretary for international affairs Akser Mwafangeyo, the youth league in a spirit of 'no one must feel left out' extended a generous invitation to the National Youth Council of Namibia, National Youth Service and the youth ministry to join them at the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Russia.

“We want to explicitly make it clear to the PDM and others not to take for granted the opportunities accorded to them by SPYL. Being part of the Namibian house we feel like nobody should feel left out. However if [they are] not happy with the festival organisation it remains within their right to not accept the invitation extended to them,” he said.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Carmakers join forces in Europe to make electrics widespread

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Carmakers join forces in Europe to make electrics widespread A group of major automakers plans to open hundreds of fast-charging stations for electric cars in Europe in coming years and use a common plug technology in what they hope will be a big step toward mass acceptance of battery-powered vehicles.

BMW, Daimler, Ford and the Volkswagen Group with its Audi and Porsche brands have equal shares in the venture, Ionity, plans for which were first announced last year.

They said Friday that they will open the first of 20 stations this year in Germany, Austria and Norway at 120km intervals along major roads. They plan to expand the network to more than 100 stations next year and have about 400 in place across Europe by 2020.

The founding companies said "other automotive manufacturers are invited to help expand the network".

The aim is to make it easier for electric cars to travel long distances and render them more appealing to the mass market. Hours-long charging times have meant battery-powered cars are limited to use for short commutes and local shopping trips. Owners typically recharge overnight at home or in an employer's parking lot during the day. That has left battery cars as a second vehicle in some first-adopter households, with a conventional car kept for longer journeys. The chance to charge up fast far from home would make it possible to take an electric vehicle on a family vacation.

A typical electric car can take several hours to charge from empty using a 7 kilowatt-hour home plug. The Ionity network stations by contrast will have charging capacity of up to 350 kilowatts per hour. That's aimed at the future because currently available cars cannot charge at that speed. A BMW i3 electric would take 30 minutes to fast-charge at its maximum of 50 kilowatts per hour; at 350 kilowatts per hour, in theory the time could be cut to under 10 minutes. The hope is, drivers could charge in the time it takes to have a cup of coffee at the recharging station.

The new network will also use a standardized plug - the CCS, or Combined Charging System standard - that isn't tied to any one car maker.

It will set up the stations in partnership with operators of rest areas and gas stations in the three countries.

A pan-European fast-charging network "plays an essential role in establishing a market for electric vehicles," Ionity CEO Michael Hajesch said in a statement.

Uptake of electric cars across Europe has been patchy so far. Electrically chargeable vehicles were only 1.2 percent of European car sales in the second quarter, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Norway, where the government has aggressively pushed for low-emissions vehicles, is an exception with 29 percent market share for electrically chargeable vehicles. By contrast, Greece registered only 32 rechargeable cars last year.

The higher cost of the vehicles is a key reason, on top of limited range and lack of places to charge up, and for now government subsidies and tax breaks are important to supporting sales. Analysts say that electric vehicles may become more affordable as battery costs fall.

Automakers are sinking billions into developing electric cars in part as a response to ever-tougher limits on air pollution and carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.

The new company will be headquartered in Munich, Germany, and have 50 employees by the start of 2018. – Nampa/AP

Ford invests N$3 billion in production expansion

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Ford invests N$3 billion in production expansion Capacity building for South African operations The all-new Ford Ranger Raptor will be assembled in South Africa as from 2019 – a new addition to the Ford Performance family. Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa on Friday announced that it is investing R3 billion to expand production capacity at its South African manufacturing operations in order to meet growing local and international demand for the trend-setting Ford Ranger.

Along with the continued local investment, it has also been confirmed that the first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor will be produced in South Africa when it hits the market in 2019, introducing an entirely new level of off-road performance and capability to the one-ton pickup segment.

“As part of our strategic planning to accommodate the growing market volumes for the Ranger in South Africa and our export markets, the N$3 billion investment encompasses both product and capacity related actions,” said Ockert Berry, vice president Operations, Ford Middle East and Africa.

“Looking further ahead, the expanded production capacity will ensure that we are geared up and fully prepared to respond to additional future market demands for the Ranger by ramping up our production even further,” Berry added.

This significant investment reaffirms Ford’s ongoing commitment to South Africa as a local manufacturer, exporter and key employer in the automotive sector, supporting a large number of direct jobs as well as indirect employment through our extensive supplier base.

With the extensive Ranger model line-up and its segment-defining levels of technology, safety and comfort features already making it one of the country’s best-selling vehicles, the range will be bolstered in 2019 when local production of the Raptor starts at the Silverton assembly line.

“The response to our announcement that Ford will be introducing a Ranger Raptor has been phenomenal, and we’re proud to confirm that this highly anticipated performance model will be assembled in South Africa,” stated Dr Casper Kruger, managing director of Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

“This is yet another fantastic achievement for our local team, and signals our ability to produce world-class products of the highest calibre.”

The current Ranger programme has been an unprecedented success for Ford since it was launched in 2011, and the company has experienced remarkable growth in Ranger sales and market share, both locally and internationally with its export programme to over 148 markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Following the all-time record deliveries of 10 117 Rangers to local and export customers in September 2017, Ford delivered 8 646 units in October. This continues to secure Ford’s status as one of the region’s leading vehicle manufacturers and a global centre of excellence for the Ford Ranger programme.

As a new addition to the Ford Performance family, the Ford Ranger Raptor is a purpose-built, desert-racing inspired model that builds on the unrivalled heritage of Ford Performance’s legendary F-150 Raptor, the world’s most extreme production pickup.

Designed and engineered to deliver an adrenaline-pumping driving experience, the Ford Ranger Raptor sports a head-turning exterior look that exudes toughness as well as a level of capability and off-road performance never before seen in this segment. – Quickpic.co.za

Etosha gets new anti-poaching patrol facility

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Etosha gets new anti-poaching patrol facility The poaching of rhinos and elephants Namibia is plagued with can negatively impact wildlife and may drive these magnificent animals into local extinction, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says.

He made these remarks whilst officiating at the inauguration of new facilities of the Skerpioenbult Anti-Poaching Patrol Camp in the Etosha National Park over the weekend.

Rhinos and elephants, he said, are arguably the most significant animals and high value species, both ecologically and economically.

“Overall, wildlife is the driver of the tourism economy and tourism holds major socio-economic benefits for the country through employment creation, poverty alleviation and national development at large,” he explained.

All these benefits, Shifeta noted, are on the brink of collapse owing to the ongoing poaching in the country.

However, the minister took cognisance of a decline in poaching this year. He pointed out that 27 rhinos were poached this year, compared to 60 rhinos last year.

According to him, poachers killed 20 elephants in Namibia so far this year in comparison with 101 poached in 2016.

Shifeta indicated that with continued support from its partners, the government has committed significant resources and the deployment of security to the hotspot areas.

“The Skerpioenbult Anti-Poaching Patrol Camp is another step in the fight against poaching, and enables the deployment of anti-poaching personnel to this hotspot area,” the minister said.

Speaking at the same event, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative, Anita Kiki Gbeho said over 20 000 elephants were reported poached on the African continent in 2013.

In 2015, poachers reportedly killed over 1 300 rhinos in Africa, she added.

There is a high concentration of rhinos in the Skerpioenbult area, and it is where the highest cases of rhino poaching were recorded for the past few years.

Yahoo Japan Corporation, one of the leading media houses in Japan, in March this year donated N$5 million, through the Namibian Protected Areas System Strengthening (PASS) Project, to construct the patrol camp.

Anti-poaching personnel, consisting of MET officials, the police and defence force members, will be deployed to the camp for anti-poaching patrol purposes.



NAMPA

'No one will have you'

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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'No one will have you'Man, 58, charged with killing girlfriend Chilling testimony was heard in the High Court as a State witness relayed the murder of her friend, lying next to her in her bed. A 58-year-old resident of Keetmanshoop is charged with stabbing his girlfriend eight times, allegedly because he did not want her to belong to anyone else.

“No one will have you, you are mine,” Andrew Britz allegedly exclaimed before killing Juliana Sarvanda Garises. She is said to have brushed off his advances to kiss her and told him she does not want him because she does not love him anymore.

Britz between 11 and 12 December 2013 at house 58/62 in Krönlein, Keetmanshoop, allegedly stabbed Garises eight times with a sharp object in her neck, upper body and arms.

He had intimate relationship with her, but, at the time of her death, she was in the process of breaking up with him.

Christelle Minnie took the stand yesterday for the State. At the time of the murder, she was lying in back-to-back with Garises on her bed.

She told the court that Britz, after smoking a cigarette outside, entered the room.

Minnie said as she and Garises were lying on the bed, Briz bent down over her towards Garises but, Garises brushed him off and allegedly told him she does not love him anymore. It is said she had revived her relationship with a certain Petrus Swartbooi with whom she was involved prior to Britz.

Minnie testified that Britz had said: “If I cannot have you, no one will have you. You are mine.”

She said he stepped over to her kitchen cupboard and when she enquired what was he looking for in her kitchen utensil bowl he replied that he was looking for his nail cutter.

“Since when do you keep your nail cutter in my bowl?” she wanted to know but Britz did not answer her, she told the court.

She added that Garises commented “I wonder who he wants to stab with that knife.”

She said Britz walked to Garises and that she thereafter only heard sounds as though he was beating her on the chest with his fists.

“Garises did not utter a word and I was afraid to say anything because I feared that he was also going to beat me,” Minnie said.

She said another woman, a tenant in the house, told her to call the police but Britz threatened to beat her if she does so.

Minnie continued her testimony saying she got up to look for a candle as the lightbulb was fused. When returning to the bedroom she came across Petrus Swartbooi and another man who followed her to her room.

When she arrived in the room, she said she could see blood on the black T-shirt Garises was wearing. She told the court when she touched her chest her hand was wet and when she looked in the candlelight she observed it was blood.

Swartbooi and the other man left and returned with Bruce Raymond Plaatjie who was driving a bakkie. Garises was rushed to hospital but it was established she had died due to wounds.

The trial continues before Judge Christie Liebenberg.

Hesekiel Iipinge is prosecuting while the Jan Wessels is acting in defence of Britz.

FRED GOEIEMAN

We are all equal

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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We are all equal People with disabilities are no different from us Some young people spoke to The Zone about the challenges they face as they live with their disabilities and why people should make it a priority to understand their plight.



Shona Ngava



Some people usually shy away from the lives of those who are visually or hearing impaired. Society at times does not deem those with disabilities as equal to them and sometimes those with disabilities are shunned by the public. Those with disabilities have been living a difficult life compared to those who are able bodied.

Andreas Unyemba, a Grade 9 pupil from The Hearing Impaired School in Windhoek says that people have a wrong perception that the hearing impaired are crazy because of the sign language they use.

“People think we are not mentally fine because we do not talk and hear because we use sign language when we are out in public,” he says. Unyemba pointed out that many members of the public do not know sign language and cannot communicate with the hearing impaired and that it makes life difficult for them.

“I want people to understand that as deaf people we consider ourselves a community and we also have a culture and a way of doing things. We also want people to understand us and communicate with us just like they normally do,” he says.



Communication

He says as a hearing impaired person communication is usually a huge concern because many people do not know how to interact or engage with him. He says there are usually difficulties for him to communicate with his parents and siblings and that it sometimes puts pressure on the relationships he has with his relatives. “Whenever I am at school I can communicate freely without any issues because many people can understand me. However, when I get home the problems begin, my parents and siblings can only communicate basic sign language and sometimes we do not understand each other,” he shares.

He argues that part of the reason why people do not understand the hearing impaired is because their language is not recognised as an official language in the country and has called on the government to make sign language a priority.

“Languages such as English and our home languages are all taught in schools and are given a priority in our education system's curriculum. If the government can also recognise our language so that it can be taught to everyone in schools and society maybe people will understand the deaf community a bit better,” he says.

A teacher from the school, Paulina Van Staden says that the learners from the school are just as bright as learners from any other school and says they people just need to understand them.

“It can be difficult teaching the kids but once you are patient with them you get to see how smart they really are,” says Van Staden.



Accessibility

Laimi Uutoni, who is also a hearing impaired learner from the school, says she cannot get around town easily because many people do not understand her and it can very frustrating at times because her movements are restricted.

“Getting into a taxi can be very difficult for me. Taxi drivers cannot speak sign language so I usually write on a piece of paper where I have to go but that is usually not successful. I rely on my sign language to tell them where to drop me off and sometimes they do not understand that,” she says.

Getting help for her when she is sick or ill is also another difficulty because there are no interpreters at hospital and she cannot communicate to the doctor clearly about her ailments. “Many of our hospitals do not have interpreters and whenever I seek assistance I usually do not get proper medical attention. The doctors end up giving you a wrong diagnosis because they do not understand what the issue is with you,” she shares.



Inclusive education

Joshua Amukwaya, a visually impaired first year student at the University of Namibia (Unam) is grateful for the government's efforts to include people with disabilities in the broader education system.

“I am really happy that the government introduced inclusive education to cater to those ones with disabilities but it is underfunded. Usually we do not have enough material to study successfully,” he says. Amukwaya lost his vision when he was 11-years old and is studying for a degree in Lifelong Learning and Community Education. He believes that people with disabilities are as equal as those without any disabilities and called on employers to provide jobs to those with disabilities.

“People should not feel sorry for those with disabilities because we are all the same and we have the same opportunities and skills. We are capable of working and should all be employed according to our skills. We are no different from everyone else,” he shares.

He emphasised that the infrastructure at universities and public areas should also be built for people with disabilities.

“Sometimes the environment is not conducive for us with disabilities. Some students stay in the hostel and they have to travel through steep slopes and that is really not convenient for them. Some public places do not even have spaces that people with disabilities can use” he says.

Manie Oberholzer, the Principal of the school of the hearing impaired says that many people with disabilities are being empowered through education and that people should not look down on them.

“If you take a look at the curriculum of many of our schools you can see that the education is really impacting the students' lives in a positive way. The learners can compete with anyone because of the skills they learn from their education,” he says.

He says the community needs to understand the plight of the disabled and assist them where they can.

“There is so much that the members from the public can do to help the disabled. You can teach yourself sign language and use that to communicate with the deaf and if possible you can look for ways you can assist the blind through various ways such as accompanying them to hospital and making sure they eat their food,” he says.

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Second solar taxi in the works

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Second solar taxi in the works The designs and installations for the second Solar Taxi called Prototype created by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) students are well underway at the university premises.

The Innovation Design Lab, Fab Lab and students from Nust's engineering department are currently busy working on the Prototype 2 project. Brian Lwendo, the project leader of the Solar Taxi initiative says they've already made groundwork and hope to finish working on the taxi by February 2017.

“So far we have built the bottom chassis and bottom layer and frame of the car. There is a lot of progress especially because we are using aluminium which is a lighter metal,” he says.

Lwendo says it has been a challenge working on the second solar taxi because they are not equipped with the necessary skills or machinery to work on the aluminium metal.

“None of us here are aluminium welders and we are using pop rites to put everything on the car together,” he shares.

Another hurdle for the team is also finding the necessary parts to use on the car.

“We usually get our parts from scrap yards and if they do not have them there it is a challenge finding them elsewhere. Working on suspension is tricky as things like shock absorbers are challenging to find but we are improvising and we will finish working on the car,” he says.

There are 15 people working on Prototype 2 of the solar taxi. The members working on the car are divided into four different teams that are going to work on mechanical, electronic, electrical and intelligence aspects of the car.

The car, which will operate with solar energy, will feature three photovaltic solar panels and 2 000 lithium batteries. The lightweight vehicle will run a zero carbon footprint. It captures solar energy with solar voltaic cells and stores them in lithium-ion batteries.

He says compared to the previous Prototype one, the second prototype will feature a composite body frame, seatbelt sensors, cameras, lane sensors and artificial intelligence.

Lwendo says Namibia has a lot of sunshine that could be used to generate energy and says the solar taxi has the potential of becoming a much safer vehicle for the environment and its passengers.

“The point of the solar taxi we are designing is to make sure it is safe for the people in it and also so that we take care of the environment because solar taxis have a zero carbon footprint which is good for the environment,” he says.

Shona Ngava

School for Hearing impaired awards learners

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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School for Hearing impaired awards learners The School for Hearing Impaired recently awarded its top performing learners in the academic and sports discipline for their outstanding performance this year.

The Dux Learner award was granted to Grade 5 pupil, Chelsy Shoniwa who says she worked hard to be crowned the overall best learner at her school.

“I am very excited and proud of myself for my achievement because I studied to be the best. I made sure that I focused in class and that I always studied after class and revised all my work whenever I had the chance to,” she says.

Shoniwa said that her disability did not hinder her from achieving all that she set her mind to and encouraged other learners to focus on their academics to in order to excel.

“Just because I cannot hear does not mean I cannot work on my goals or dreams. Disabled people are smart and capable of becoming successful. No one should ever look down on us no matter the circumstance,” she says.

During the introduction of the Learners Representative Council (LRC), Andreas Unyemba who was crowned the headboy of the school says he will use his position to improve the wellbeing of the learners at school.

“I want to assist most of the learners by making sure that their teaching environment is suitable and by making sure that I communicate regularly with staff members. I want to help the younger learners at school by making sure they show up to class on time,” he says.

Carven Izaks, from the Fatherhood Foundation, who was one of the speakers at the event, encouraged the learners who did not receive any awards to continue on studying hard and to remain committed to their academics.

“Sometimes you might not win and you do not get to walk away with any prices but you do not give up, you move forward until you reach all your goals,” he says.

Victoria Shikwambi, an education inspector from the Ministry of Education says that award ceremonies instil an aspect of healty competition amongst learners.

“Learners uphold their values and morals and that is why award ceremonies are important because we reward students for their good behaviour and academic performance,” she says.

Shikwambi called on parents and teachers to cooperate in order to provide the learners with the best education.

Shona Ngava

Libraries foster development

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Libraries foster development Namibia has through its partnership with Finland and Tanzania trained 7 500 library users on basic ICT skills in the past five years through their Libraries for Development project. This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka.

Nghipondoka says the Libraries for Development project has had an impact in the lives of many who received the training. She said that the project made it possible for the youth to have access to information when they needed and that it bridged the digital divide in Namibia since its inception in 2012.

“Through this project 153 library stuff members were trained to train community members on basic ICT skills,” she says. The minister says that libraries can become a powerful tool that can help Namibia reach its developmental goals.

“There is a need for libraries to introduce new services that will enable the public to have access to information and training needed for education and employment,” she shares.

She called on the education sector and members of the public to take into consideration the significance that libraries play in society and that libraries have a vast potential for wealth and employment creation.

“Access to Information Technology through libraries will promote inclusivity and foster innovation and this can be done optimally at public institutions,” she says. Absalom Paulus, who received training through the Library for Development project stated that the knowledge he got through the training impacted his life in a positive way. “I could not use a computer or search for information online before the training I received. After the training I could do so much through the project because it was really powerful,” he says. He says young people should take all opportunities provided to them and that they should take Information and Technology seriously as it is important for their own personal development. “Young people have all these tools at hand that can help them become better. They should use social media and the internet to their advantage and just not for the sake of it,” he says.

The Library for Development project has received 4.7 million in total to offer training at 27 public libraries across the country since 2012.



\ Shona Ngava

Western Bypass facelift under way

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Western Bypass facelift under wayFirst up: Mandume Ndemufayo traffic lights Roadworks have started to improve safety on Windhoek's Western Bypass road. Two hundred traffic fines totalling N$230 500 were issued on Windhoek's notorious Western Bypass road over the past two months.

Traffic police issued 121 fines for driving without a valid driving licence between 15 August and 25 October, the media were informed at a press conference yesterday.

The other summonses included 29 violations relating to licensing and registration of vehicles, 17 for overloading and 10 for using cellphones while driving. Two drivers were arrested for drunken driving on the Western Bypass during that time.

These figures were presented as part of an update on the short-term plans being implemented to improve road safety.

A number of long-term plans are also being developed by the task team.

Members of the team again urged the public to understand the danger of reckless driving and ignoring traffic regulations, noting that many accidents come down to bad driver attitudes.

Eugene Tendekule, executive secretary of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), said despite a number of strategies that had been introduced over the years, “lives continue to be lost on account of improper road usage”.

Tendekule said bad driver attitudes persisted, forcing the authorities to employ “the full force of the instruments at our disposal” to tackle the issue.

And although policing plays a crucial role, Tendekule underlined the importance of public cooperation in obeying the law and reporting traffic violations.

A tsunami of plans

He said the most recent initiative, announced by transport minister Alpheus !Naruseb in July, was “triggered by an upsurge of incidents that claimed lives”.

The initiative started with a reduction of the speed limit on the Western Bypass from 120km/h to 80km/h.

The next step will be the installation of traffic lights at the Mandume Ndemufayo intersection with the Western Bypass at a cost of N$400 000.

The Roads Authority (RA) contributed N$160 000 while the City of Windhoek, the NRSC and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund each contributed N$80 000 to the project.

The orders for the traffic lights have been placed and work has started on the underground ducts for the cables, Tendekule said.

Warning signs are expected to be erected within the next two weeks, to be followed by flat-topped speed bumps.

There are also plans to close off intersections that increase risky driving.

The first of these is the Hegel Street intersection in Academia. A public notice about the intended closure has been placed in the newspapers.

“For the purpose of ensuring smooth traffic flow, and taking the needs of the public into account, the [closure of the] Hegel Street intersection will take effect when the traffic lights at Mandume Ndemufayo intersection are functional,” Tendekule said.

Other intersections flagged for closure are the Country Club and Prosperita intersections. The Bernt Carlsson Street intersection will be redesigned to allow for a northbound, right-turning lane.

Designs for road markings at the Bernt Carlsson intersection have been completed and the work will start once the required funds have been secured.

Pedestrian education programmes on how and where to cross the road safely have been initiated by the Private Road Safety Forum in conjunction with the City Police.

Tendekule added that traffic surveillance and law enforcement initiatives also formed part of the short-term remedial plans.

He said traffic on the Western Bypass would be closely monitored in order to assess the effectiveness of the interventions.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Geingob gets Ohangwena backing

November 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Geingob gets Ohangwena backing Delegates from the Ohangwena Region say they are supporting presidential hopeful Hage Geingob at this month's Swapo congress.

The region also endorsed Geingob's slate, which is made up of vice-presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, secretary-general candidate Sophia Shaningwa and Marco Hausiku, who is contesting the deputy secretary-general position.

The announcement was made by Swapo regional coordinator Hafeni Hatutale during a campaign event attended by Nandi-Ndaitwah at Eenhana on Sunday.

Ohangwena is sending 54 delegates to the Swapo congress.

Addressing the delegates, Nandi-Ndaitwah said endorsements were part of the Swapo culture, adding there was nothing untoward about it.

She said candidates for the top four positions were duly nominated during politburo and central committee meetings.

“This is part of our democracy,” she told the meeting.

She also rejected calls for two centres of power. It is the first time that an incumbent state president is contesting the party's presidency.

“I do not know why the issue of one centre of power has to come now because it was resolved. As you know, comrades, when we were going for the 2007 congress Founding President Sam Nujoma was the president of Swapo and there was nothing in the party constitution that prevented him to stand,” she said.

“However, under his guidance and leadership he said it would not be proper to have a president of the party different from the president of the country, and now that Comrade Hifikepunye Pohamba is the president of the country, he presented to us the party's presidential candidate.”

She added that Geingob's slate was made up of tried and tested party cadres.

“We must make sure that we vote for tried and tested cadres of the party,” she urged.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also discouraged members from accepting bribes in exchange of votes.

“If somebody is offering you something to vote for them, you are selling your party and this party is not for sale. That money is a one-off thing you get and by the time you get to the congress it is finished. But you would have sold your party and it is going to haunt you for the rest of your life.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah is contesting for the vice-presidency against home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Swapo spokesperson Helmut Angula.

The presidential candidates are Geingob, Jerry Ekandjo and former prime minister Nahas Angula.

Swapo coordinator for Oshikoto Armas Amukwiyu is contesting against Shaningwa for the party's secretary-general position, while Petrina Haingura, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and Hausiku are the candidates for deputy secretary-general.

ILENI NANDJATO