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Swapo congress kicks off

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 Swapo congress kicks off Swapo congress kicks off The much-anticipated elective congress of the ruling party has started in Windhoek with over 760 delegates as well as invited guests attending this morning’s opening session. The four-day event will elect the top leadership of the party as well as new members to the Central Committee, the highest-decision body between congresses. In his opening statement, acting Swapo president Hage Geingob described the congress as a momentous occasion, saying the party should emerge stronger after the contestation. “Since its inception, Swapo has been a party forthright and honest in its aims and objectives. Swapo is not a personality cult, it is not an exclusive club, it is not a shortcut to personal wealth or power,” said Geingob to thunderous cheers from the crowd. “Swapo is a movement of the people. It is bigger than any individual, and when the day comes that we are no longer here, Swapo will remain standing. The exercise of internal party democracy is a strength, not a weakness and we should never allow our stable succession practices and our democratic nature to become a weakness.” Geingob is one of the presidential candidates and will be vying for the top position against Nahas Angula and Jerry Ekandjo. The vice-presidency candidates include Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Helmut Angula and Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana. Armas Amukwiyu and Sophia Shaningwa are running for the powerful secretary-general position, while Marco Hausiku, Petrina Haingura and Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun are candidates for the deputy secretary-general.

FESTUS NAKATANA




Brave Warriors move up FIFA rankings

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Brave Warriors move up FIFA rankings Brave Warriors move up FIFA rankings The Namibian national senior football team moved up 10 places on the latest Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) world rankings.
Namibia moved from 129 to 119th position on the international football body’s ranking table.
The country also moved from the 35th position to 30 on the African continent.
The team’s improvements on the FIFA ranking have been linked to victories in international and local competitions.
In July this year, Namibia had dropped from 94th in the world to 156th.
Coach Ricardo Mannetti said he was happy with the way the team has been improving on the FIFA rankings.
“The improvement of the team is very good and it will encourage us to work harder.
“I believe that we deserve to be in that position and we are just going to work harder from here,” Mannetti said.
Mannetti hopes that his team can also make a further improvement in January when they play three games.
Mannetti now believes that his team can take back their rightful position on the FIFA ranking table.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Kasuto, MUN lose again in court

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Kasuto, MUN lose again in courtKasuto, MUN lose again in court An urgent court application seeking to stop the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) delegates from taking part in the ongoing Swapo congress was struck from the roll this afternoon. Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula dismissed the application, saying there was no urgency. The Mineworkers' Union (MUN) led by deposed NUNW president Ismael Kasuto had approached the High Court to interdict the unionists’ participation in the congress. The NUNW has been split in two over the list of representatives to the Swapo congress – a split considered to reflect support to either Team Swapo or Team Harambee. The ruling effectively means that the accepted list of NUNW delegates as endorsed by the Swapo Central Committee is final. The list is made up of Anna Shiweda, Loide Shaanika, Sarafina Kandere, Hilma Uushona, Lovisa Ndeyapo Iikali, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, Justina Jonas, Petrus Nevonga, Jacob Nghifindaka, Job Muniaro, John Uushona, Evans Mawahu, Jessy Nambanza, Jacob Penda, Joseph Dinyando and Elijah Ngurare, former secretary-general of the Swapo Youth League.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Corruption - A social disease (Part 126): Are business leaders accountable for the level of corruption in Namibia?

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Corruption - A social disease (Part 126): Are business leaders accountable for the level of corruption in Namibia?Corruption - A social disease (Part 126): Are business leaders accountable for the level of corruption in Namibia? The Transparency International (TI) trend for 1998-2016 demonstrates that perceptions about Namibian governance and anti-corruption initiatives are negative.

With an average rating of below five out of 10, Namibia has not improved its rating over 19 years, despite numerous initiatives. For example, the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act, Act No 8 of 2003; a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians in 2015/16; and three Declarations of Assets by Members of Parliament.

We have implemented the NamCode that is a watered-downed version of King III. The NamCode of Namibian Corporate Governance is relatively unknown as was found during an unpublished study done on behalf of the Institute of Public Policy Research (2017). However, the NamCode is a baseline to improve upon and a stepping stone to improve corporate and good governance.

TI indices are compiled based on perceptions of Namibian business leaders. Such leaders support politicians with financial donations in order to campaign for elections and with the expectations of receiving tenders in future. No elections are possible without money from business.

In The Namibian of 15 November 2017, it has been reported that the ruling party allegedly requested donations from Public Enterprises (PEs) for its Congress. However, the alleged requests were denied by Central Committee members. According to this newspaper previously MTC and other companies contributed N$ 130 million via Kalahari Holdings, owned by SWAPO. Based on donations as reported in newspapers prior to previous elections, numerous PEs contributed to the ruling party’s Congress.

CONCERNS

How PEs can be allowed to make donations to political parties is a concern, because PEs should according to the NamCode operate in the best interest of all citizens, and not favour any political party. Why are Chief Executive Officers of PEs not being held accountable for such donations? From the discussion, it can be deducted that business and politics, and also business leaders and politicians are intertwined, two sides of the same coin that cannot be separated.

Political parties and individual politicians are also funded by private and public companies, and small to medium enterprises. Although it is the prerogative of such companies to make donations, business leaders need to start demanding from politicians a transformation of the public sector and systems supporting the public private interface where corruption is at play. For example, hot spots of this interface include Inland Revenue (tax evasion), Customs and Excise (bribery to speed up the clearing of goods at border posts), Works and Transport (kickbacks in tendering), the Namibian Police (under-resourced and below standard dockets to prosecutors) and the Fisheries sector (favouritism in allocating fish quotes).

DEMANDING CHANGE

It is probably appropriate to pose the following questions: Are business leaders accountable for corruption in Namibia? What are business leaders going to do about corruption? Are they going to put their money where their mouth should be, namely to reduce corruption? Should business leaders not demand a transformation of the public service when they make donations? What will be business leaders’ legacy? Will their legacy be profit and strengthening corruption?

The golden key to gain political commitment for reducing corruption lays with businesses leaders.

Could it be that the TI ratings of Namibia is an indication that Namibian business leaders, academics and economists perceive The Land of Brave as The Land of Ulingilingi/Korruption? Who will be the game changers? Will it be Enterprise Namibia?

References

Coetzee, JJ. 2017. Institute of Public Policy Research, unpublished article, The role of the private sector in tackling corruption, Windhoek.

Ikella, S. 2017. The Namibian, SWAPO begs from SOEs to fund congress, 15 November. Windhoek.

Namibian Stock Exchange. 2014. Code of Corporate Governance. (NamCode). Windhoek.

Republic of Namibia. 2003. Anti-Corruption Act, Act No 8 of 2003. Government Gazette.

Transparency International. 1998-2016. Corruption Perception Indices.

jcoetzee@nust.na

Rhino poached outside capital

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Rhino poached outside capitalRhino poached outside capital Investigations are ongoing at a farm on the outskirts of Windhoek where a rhino was poached over the weekend and its horns removed.

Two rhinos were shot on Friday on a farm located near Aris and one of them survived the attack.

The spokesperson of the police, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, late yesterday afternoon told Namibian Sun that no progress had been made thus far and the investigation teams were still on the ground gathering evidence.

Environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda also confirmed the latest poaching incident.

Neither the police nor the ministry could provide further information at this stage.

This brings the total number of rhinos poached this year to 28 in comparison to the 60 poached rhinos last year. In 2015, a total of 95 rhino were poached and 56 rhino in 2014.

The tourism minister, Pohamba Shifeta, last month released the latest poaching statistics which indicated that rhino poaching had declined by about 50% from 2016.

He said the strategies the ministry had implemented against poaching were working.

“We want to eradicate poaching completely. Hopefully by next year, things will change with a dedicated anti-poaching unit,” he said.

Shifeta said these successes demonstrated that the investment in anti-poaching efforts was worthwhile.

“This is contrary to critics [who say] that the government is not doing enough and is ill-prepared to deal with the poaching problem.”

He added that the ministry had managed to achieve these results despite financial constraints and that was thanks to the security forces and those working on the ground.

ELLANIE SMIT

MUN’s urgent application struck from roll

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MUN’s urgent application struck from roll MUN’s urgent application struck from roll Accepted list of NUNW delegates is final The High Court has dismissed the Mineworkers’ Union’s last-ditch attempt to prevent NUNW delegates from attending the Swapo congress currently under way. CATHERINE SASMAN AND FRED GOEIEMAN



An urgent court application seeking to stop National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) delegates from taking part in the Swapo congress was struck from the roll yesterday afternoon.

Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula dismissed the application, saying there was no urgency.

“Even if the court is going to give an interim order, what will be the return date given the congress proceedings will last until 26 November?” Angula asked.

The Mineworkers Union (MUN), led by deposed NUNW president Ismael Kasuto, had approached the High Court to interdict the unionists’ participation in the congress.

The NUNW has been split in two over the list of representatives to the Swapo congress – a split considered to reflect support of either Team Swapo or Team Harambee.

The ruling effectively means that the accepted list of NUNW delegates as endorsed by the Swapo Central Committee is final.

The list is made up of Anna Shiweda, Loide Shaanika, Sarafina Kandere, Hilma Uushona, Lovisa Ndeyapo Iikali, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, Justina Jonas, Petrus Nevonga, Jacob Nghifindaka, Job Muniaro, John Uushona, Evans Mawahu, Jessy Nambanza, Jacob Penda, Joseph Dinyando and Elijah Ngurare, former secretary general of the Swapo Youth League

The application came at the eleventh hour while the party congress is already in session.

The MUN maintains that these delegates were “wheelbarrowed” into the Swapo congress contrary to the NUNW and Swapo constitutions.

It alleges that on or about 3 August an invitation was sent out to members of the affiliated unions that a meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) was to be held on 19 August.

No agenda was attached on the invitation and the MUN contends that scheduled meeting was not in compliance with the constitution of the NUNW because the meeting was not requested by the CEC.

The MUN alleges that the conveners of the meeting nonetheless continued with “on their own” and unilaterally adopted resolutions.

It further alleges that Muniaro, the secretary-general of the NUNW, was of the view that the NUNW constitution need not be obeyed despite the insistence of MUN members that the meeting should be in compliance thereof.

Moreover, it states, the affiliate unions were not represented by the required officials.

The MUN concluded that the meeting of 19 August was in “complete breach” of the NUNW constitution.

The MUN further stated that it was the only affiliate union that is in good standing because it was the only one that had paid its membership fees, while none of the others had paid their fees and therefore were not entitled to participate in a CEC meeting.

It said the inclusion of Nevonga on the list of representatives to the Swapo congress was not compliant with Swapo’s constitution because Nevonga was not the president of the NUNW.

The MUN said it was prejudiced because Kasuto, as president of the MUN, had been replaced by Nevonga at the Swapo congress, who constitutionally should not be there.

Making a career out of coffee

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Making a career out of coffeeMaking a career out of coffeeNamibia’s Coffee King To all the coffee lovers in Namibia, Dennis de Wet is probably a saint. He is the owner and founder of Slowtown Coffee Roasters, a proudly Namibian brand of premium coffee. The business was established with the agenda to ‘’rid Namibia of bad coffee, cup by cup.’’ Q: What motivated you to leave your job at the property development company?

A: I realized that I had no passion for the Corporate Finance world. It would choke me to think I am destined for an office job. On the other side I was always inspired by successful people that just had such a love for their trade. The key has always been that if you have passion for what you do, success will follow. The motivation must be passion - not money or power. Look at people like Phil Knight (NIKE) or Richard Branson, even Bill Gates - they simply do what they love.

Q: Why did you decide to enter the coffee business, specifically?

A: Coffee was a process of elimination. I wrote down 5 things I love. Just random stuff. I realised that everything has a market. So I made a list. Surfing/F1 Racing/Wine/Fine Dining/Coffee. I took my list and researched what markets surround each one of these. Where would I fit in? Is there a market in Namibia? etc. In the end COFFEE won. As I already loved coffee, it felt like a natural process.

Q: What is Slowtown's recipe for success?

A: Success. I guess the organic growth of the brand. We never really spent money on advertising. I just felt that the best way to get loyalty is by offering something different. High quality. Honest coffee. It was never a business to make money. It is a family that loves coffee. And we have just been so blessed to see that this has attracted people over the last 6 years.

Q: In your opinion, what makes Slowtown unique?

A: We are dealing with the second most traded commodity in the world, after oil, the humble coffee bean. So what we offer as a product is very common. I think perhaps it's in the way we offer it. We are 100% Namibian. We love this country and we are proud to be able to grow a brand that is loved. So the uniqueness is that we did not 'import' any of our identity. We don’t have a foreign franchise DNA in us. People feel that and are drawn to our originality.

Q: What are your future plans for Slowtown?

A: As long as the demand is there and as long as it remains fun, we will grow. Never too fast and never too slow.

Q: What type of coffee is the most popular and what is YOUR personal favourite?

A: Most popular is between the House Blend an El Morito Guatemala. My pallet changes over the week and therefore I like to always jump around and try everything.

On behalf of all the coffee lovers in Namibia, we would like to thank Mr. De Wet for his contribution to society and wish Slowtown all success for the future.

‘’We love coffee because it’s so much more than a drink, it’s a conversation, and it’s the essence of stopping and enjoying the moment.’’

FNB Staff Assistance Trust awards another 12 Bursaries to employees

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FNB Staff Assistance Trust awards another 12 Bursaries to employees FNB Staff Assistance Trust awards another 12 Bursaries to employees FNB Namibia has proudly announced that another 12 employees have received bursaries from the FNB Staff Assistance Trust for assistance with tertiary education fees for 2017. Andrew Kanime, Chief Human Resources Officer said that the people pillar of FNB Namibia aimed at ensuring that the bank was the best employer to the best people in Namibia. “We can only achieve this goal if we empower our people and what better way to equip them with the correct tools than through enhancing their tertiary education.”

The ecstatic recipients – all full time employees of the bank - are Marthinique Joodt (Advanced Diploma in Banking, Finance & Credit); Charles Roos (Advanced Diploma in Banking, Finance & Credit); Conroy Goliath (Certificate in Banking, Finance and Credit); Elizabeth Nghidinwa (Bachelor of Business Administration); Emilly Sem (Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Marketing Management); Jennifer Tjavanga (Bachelor of Accounting (Honours); Michael Hochobeb (Diploma in Management Accountancy); Ruhonga Tom (Bachelor of Marketing Honours); Tjimbinaje Kaeka (B.Com Law); Zenith Tsuses (Bachelor of Accounting); Ladia Pieters (Bachelor of Communications); Ortencia Nghiitwikwa (Certificate in Counselling).

NWR empowers women in tourism

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NWR empowers women in tourismNWR empowers women in tourismThe women were part of a class of graduates all from the Southern African region. Five young women from the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (ARTP) recently graduated from the SA College for Tourism (SACT) in Graff Reinet town in South Africa with certificates in hospitality. "As NWR, we embraced this mandate and as a result, have overseen the development of tourism products such as the Desert Knights Mountain Bike Tour Challenge and the Desert Kayak Trails which are all within the ARTP," Mrs Zelna Hengari, NWR’s Managing Director The women mainly from groups within the ARTP were selected as part of a development programme in Southern Namibia and Northern South Africa, based on the mandate that Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) received from the two Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) partner countries to develop tourism in the region. The programme aims to empower marginalised women with the necessary skill sets to operate within the hospitality industry.

Since tourism contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Namibia and South Africa, the work that SACT instils goes hand in hand with the philosophy that Dr Anton Rupert believed in when he founded the Peace Parks Foundation together with Nelson Mandela and Prince Bernard of the Netherlands. He believed in conserving crucial landscapes which surpass international boundaries and training people to manage these areas, from a conservation and tourism perspective to stimulating economic growth through ecotourism within these areas.

Mrs Zelna Hengari, NWR’s Managing Director illustrated this by saying, “as NWR, we embraced this mandate and as a result, have overseen the development of tourism products such as the Desert Knights Mountain Bike Tour Challenge and the Desert Kayak Trails which are all within the ARTP".

With regards to the graduates, she said that "we aim to employ them to provide a platform where they can showcase their newly acquired skills”. At the same time, I am pleased that two of the graduates were privileged to receive internships for further training at the five star Drostdy Hotel in Graaff Reinet”.

During the ceremony, past graduates from SACT, Tshepiso Thelingoane and Innocent Ngwenya presented the Keynote Address, providing personal stories of how the training at SACT has had an impact on their career development. Award certificates were presented by Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Irene of the Netherlands, carrying forth the legacy of her father, Prince Bernard of the Netherlands, one of the Founders of the Peace Parks Foundation.

Knowing the importance of training within the tourism sector, SACT has also established a Tracker Academy aimed at providing an opportunity to young men to receive training on the art of tracking. During the ceremony, 24 young men graduated as Trackers, who will then be placed within the tourism industry for internships.

Swapo's moment of truth

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Swapo's moment of truthSwapo's moment of truthRuling party gets down to business President Hage Geingob yesterday reminded delegates to the Swapo elective congress that the ruling party was not an exclusive club to be used as a springboard to quick riches. FESTUS NAKATANA



Despite weeks of bickering over leadership matters, Swapo members yesterday attempted to put up a show of unity by embracing each other as the ruling party kicked off its long-awaited elective congress.



Clad in the traditional blue-red-and-green Swapo attire, the comrades exchanged hugs and shared jokes after a gruelling campaign marked by rampant factionalism.



There was thunderous applause when acting party president Hage Geingob and his predecessors, Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, entered the main hall for the opening session, which was directed by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.



In a stern tone, Geingob reminded delegates that the ruling party was not a personality cult and an exclusive club to be used as a springboard to quick riches.



“It is not a shortcut to personal wealth and power. Swapo is a movement of the people. It is bigger than any individual, and when the day comes when we are no longer here, Swapo will remain standing.



“The exercise of internal party democracy is a strength, not a weakness, and we should never allow our stable succession practices and our democratic nature to become a weakness,” he said.



Geingob, who is vying against Nahas Angula and Jerry Ekandjo for the party presidency, called on delegates to accept the outcome of the elective congress.



“Let us adhere to the Swapo rules and principles during these elections. Let us play the ball and not the player,” said Geingob. “Furthermore, in the spirit of the Swapo Party unity, once the contest is over and the winners have been announced, let us all rally behind the victors; because it is not personalities that matter, it is principles that matter.”



The head of state, who boasted about the government's achievements over the past 27 years, said Swapo was as strong as ever.



“There are those who claim that Swapo has changed and it is no longer the party they used to know. For those I have the following to say: Swapo has not changed. The world has changed and in order not to be left behind, we have to change with the times, while retaining our core values. Swapo remains true to the pursuit of its fundamental ideals for social justice and liberty, in all its forms. Swapo is here to stay, and it is here to stay for a very long time,” said Geingob.



Geingob is campaigning under the banner of Team Harambee and his slate includes deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is vying for the Swapo vice-presidency, as well as urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa (secretary-general candidate) and the acting rector of the Swapo Party School, Marco Hausiku, who is a candidate for the deputy secretary-general position.



The four are competing against the self-styled Team Swapo made up of Angula, Ekandjo as well as vice-presidency candidates Helmut Angula and home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.



The youthful Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu is a candidate for the secretary-general position, while businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and former health deputy minister Petrina Haingura are the other deputy secretary-general candidates.







Expectations







The gathering will elect the top leadership of the party as well as a new central committee. The congress will also discuss proposed constitutional amendments and review implementation of resolutions taken at the fifth Swapo congress in 2012.



The party will also discuss and adopt new resolutions.



Gert Titus, a delegate from the //Karas Region, said he was hoping to see an increased commitment on the part of national leaders in developing rural areas.



“Housing in the rural areas is in particular a very big concern to me. The living conditions in many rural areas are very bad and many people live in poorly made shacks.



“I really think it is time for opportunities to be levelled out. Why must someone in town drive a car that is worth five houses in a village?” he asked.



“We need to fight poverty in the real sense of the word. Many leaders still believe they have done something major when they hand out food to poor people.



“We need to move away from that. There is an urgent need to invest in sustainable and long-term poverty eradication policies. Especially in my region factories need to be set up, a trade zone must be established and jobs will be created.”







Elections







The electoral process of the congress will only start on Sunday morning, with lawyer Sisa Namandje to preside over the voting.



Delegates will first vote for the top four positions - the party president, vice-president, secretary-general and deputy secretary-general - before electing a new central committee.



Members who are part of the current central committee automatically qualify to contest the 56 positions, if interested, and will compete against 56 regional delegates.



-Additional reporting by Jemima Beukes

S. African court doubles Pistorius sentence to more than 13 years

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 S. African court doubles Pistorius sentence to more than 13 years S. African court doubles Pistorius sentence to more than 13 years A South African appeals court increased paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius' sentence for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to 13 years and five months today.
The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein more than doubled his original sentence of six years after the state argued that it was unduly lenient.
Pistorius, 31, was not in court for the hearing.
"One of the essential ingredients of a balanced sentence is that it must reflect the seriousness of the offence," Andrea Johnson, of the National Prosecution Authority, had told the court.
Pistorius' lawyer Barry Roux mounted a strong defence of the judge who handed down the six-year sentence, saying she took into account his claim that he believed he was shooting an intruder.
The Paralympic athlete shot dead Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013 when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet.
He pleaded not guilty at his trial in 2014 and has always denied that he killed Steenkamp in a rage, saying he mistook her for a burglar.
In 2015, Pistorius was found guilty of murder and given less than half of the minimum 15 years in jail for that crime.
Pistorius was originally convicted of culpable homicide -- the equivalent of manslaughter -- but the appeal court upgraded his conviction.
Nazreen Shaik Peremanov, a constitutional law expert at the University of South Africa's law school, told AFP that Pistorius could now appeal the latest sentence at the country's highest court -- the Constitutional Court.
But National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said he was pleased with the Supreme Court's ruling.
"We always maintained as an institution that this appeal is not about an individual. It has got everything to do with the proper administration of justice," he said.
"We hope the family will find closure knowing that justice has been served and the proper sentence has been handed out."
Oscar's brother Carl Pistorius tweeted that he was "Shattered. Heartbroken. Gutted" following the court's ruling.
"We have all suffered incomprehensible loss. The death of Reeva was and still is a great loss for our family too," he wrote.
Previously an ambassador for disabled people worldwide, Pistorius was released from jail in 2015 after serving one year of the initial five-year term for culpable homicide.
He returned behind bars after his conviction for murder.
The year before he killed Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double-amputee to race at the Olympics when he competed at the London 2012 games.
In a television interview, he said he believed an intruder was in the house and "instant fear" drove him to grab his gun and walk on his stumps towards the bathroom.
AFP

Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe's new president

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  Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe's new president Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe's new president Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose removal as vice president by Robert Mugabe led to the veteran leader's ouster, was sworn in as Zimbabwe's new president on Friday.
"I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe," he said as he took the oath of office before the chief justice, watched by a jubilant crowd of tens of thousands of people.

NAMPA/AFP

S. African court doubles Pistorius sentence to more than 13 years

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S. African court doubles Pistorius sentence to more than 13 yearsS. African court doubles Pistorius sentence to more than 13 years A South African appeals court increased paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius' sentence for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to 13 years and five months on Friday.
The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein more than doubled his original sentence of six years after the state argued that it was unduly lenient.
Pistorius, 31, was not in court for the hearing.
"One of the essential ingredients of a balanced sentence is that it must reflect the seriousness of the offence," Andrea Johnson, of the National Prosecution Authority, had told the court.
Pistorius' lawyer Barry Roux mounted a strong defence of the judge who handed down the six-year sentence, saying she took into account his claim that he believed he was shooting an intruder.
The Paralympic athlete shot dead Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013 when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet.
He pleaded not guilty at his trial in 2014 and has always denied that he killed Steenkamp in a rage, saying he mistook her for a burglar.
In 2015, Pistorius was found guilty of murder and given less than half of the minimum 15 years in jail for that crime.
Pistorius was originally convicted of culpable homicide -- the equivalent of manslaughter -- but the appeal court upgraded his conviction.
Nazreen Shaik Peremanov, a constitutional law expert at the University of South Africa's law school, told AFP that Pistorius could now appeal the latest sentence at the country's highest court -- the Constitutional Court.
But National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said he was pleased with the Supreme Court's ruling.
"We always maintained as an institution that this appeal is not about an individual. It has got everything to do with the proper administration of justice," he said.
"We hope the family will find closure knowing that justice has been served and the proper sentence has been handed out."
Oscar's brother Carl Pistorius tweeted that he was "Shattered. Heartbroken. Gutted" following the court's ruling.
"We have all suffered incomprehensible loss. The death of Reeva was and still is a great loss for our family too," he wrote.
Previously an ambassador for disabled people worldwide, Pistorius was released from jail in 2015 after serving one year of the initial five-year term for culpable homicide.
He returned behind bars after his conviction for murder.
The year before he killed Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double-amputee to race at the Olympics when he competed at the London 2012 games.
In a television interview, he said he believed an intruder was in the house and "instant fear" drove him to grab his gun and walk on his stumps towards the bathroom.
AFP

Swapo to convene extraordinary congress

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 Swapo to convene extraordinary congress Swapo to convene extraordinary congress The Swapo Party will convene an extraordinary congress next year to amend the party constitution, according to secretary general Nangolo Mbumba.
He confirmed this, but omitted details of the dates and particulars of the amendments during an interview with Nampa on Saturday, the third day of the party’s elective congress.
“We have amendments, even though we were not able to polish them to the standard we want. The language of the constitution must be precise as well as in line with other provisions. We are therefore going to have an extraordinary congress to approve these amendments,” he said.
Once all the preparations have been passed through the political bureau and central committee, the amendments will then be approved at the planned extraordinary congress.
According to media reports, Namibian President and current vice-president of the party, Hage Geingob during a closed door congress session agreed that the amendments can be done next year.
Recent media reports also had it that Helmut Angula, current secretary for information and mobilisation, noted that the amendments were primarily made to harmonise party structures in terms of operations.
According to Angula, the biggest amendment is that of gender balance, which is likely to have extensive implications once implementation starts.
The amendment stipulates a 50:50 gender representation in the CC.
Under the new constitution, all party structures will be compelled to comply with the 50:50 gender representation requirements by adopting a zebra style electoral system.
This means that some men will have to drop out to give way for women, even if they have won.
This amendment also affects all party structures – from section, branch, district, regional to national levels, through to the upper most structures, including the top four leaders.

NAMPA

Uruguay takes series

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Uruguay takes seriesUruguay takes seriesHome side puts on great performance Uruguay beat Namibia 39-34 in their second rugby test in Windhoek on Saturday to win their international test series. The national senior rugby team, the Welwitschias, lost to Uruguay despite putting on a gallant performance in very hot weather in Windhoek.

In the first ten minutes of the match the visiting side scored a try from Mateo Sanguinetti. The conversion was done by Rodrigo Silva.

In the 14th minute another try came from Agustin Ormaechea, and again Silva did not fail to convert.

Cliven Loubser, who received the Man of the Match award in the first test, scored a free kick much to the excitement of the crowd who came out to support the home side.

The home side was gaining momentum as captain Rohan Kitskoff scored a try and the young Loubser again stepped up and converted the try.

In the 30th minute JC Greyling passed a brilliant ball to De la Harpe who leaped through the Uruguay defence to score, and Loubser converted giving Namibia a 17 – 14 lead.

Before halftime Silva spoiled the excitement for Namibia.

levelling the score 17 - 17.

In the second half fatigue started to show in both teams but the Uruguayans stood their ground, showing some brilliant individual play and winning the match.

Captain of Namibia Kitshoff expressed his disappointment with the loss but said the team played well.

“We scored great tries and will take the lessons from the test matches and work on our mistakes as we have a lot of work to do,” he said.

Uruguay's captain Juan Manuel Gaminara said the match was tough and the Namibians were not a walk in the park.

He thanked the Namibian Rugby Union for the great hospitality.

The home team lost their opening match in the test series against Uruguay 36-52. The second test was much better in terms of structure and the build-up going forward.

According to the latest world rankings, Uruguay were ranked 19th and Namibia 21st in the world before this test series.



Scores:

Two tries by centre Darryl de la Harpe, centre JC Greyling, flanker Rohan Kitshoff, substitute hooker Obert Nortje.

Cliven Loubser scored one penalty and converted two and Theuns Kotze has one conversion.

Frederico Favaro had four conversions and two penalties. Santiago Arata, prop Juan Echeverria, scrumhalf Agustin Ormaechea, and hooker German Kessler had two tries.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Desert Storm to light up December

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Desert Storm to light up DecemberDesert Storm to light up DecemberTrio set on winning MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions' last fight for the year, scheduled for 2 December, will undoubtedly be an event not to be missed by boxing lovers. The event, titled 'Desert Storm in Action', will take place at the Windhoek Country Club and general tickets sell for N$200 while a VIP table sells for N$10 000.

Sakaria Lukas, Jeremiah Nakathila and Harry Simon Jnr will top the bill and according to promoter Nestor Tobias, they are all ready to deliver.

“From my point of view on preparations, it is clear that Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas, Jeremiah 'Low Key' Nakathila and the young Harry Simon Jnr are certainly more than ready to do battle as they all looked in great shape and spirits to end the year on a high,” he said.

There will be two WBO regional titles on the line with both Lukas and Nakathila defending their respective WBO Featherweight and Jnr Lightweight Africa titles against two tough South African opponents.

Lukas said he is honoured to headline the main event of the night and even more honoured to have it named after him. “This is going to be a big night for me against another champion and the most important fight given my current world ratings. I am more than prepared and would like to thank the team behind me for setting me up for greatness and I promise nothing but a win on the night against Tello.”

Jeremiah Nakathila, who recently swapped nicknames from 'No Respect' to 'Low Key', said he needs to do justice to this change by winning the fight and doing so in style.

“It's all about hard work and dedication, what we do behind the scenes and all the work and hours we put in, what you see on the night is just a result of all that and I promise to do well and keep on winning,” said Nakathila.

Many will look forward to see the young Simon Jnr in his fourth professional fight. “I am looking forward to this fight and I can feel myself growing and making good progress under MTC Sunshine Promotions. I am taking things easy and not putting any unnecessary pressure on myself, I will step in the ring and focus only on winning because that is all that matters”.

He also said that training has been going well and his eyes are set on winning. The young boxer also urged boxing fans to turn up in numbers as they conclude the year in style.

Tickets are available from Computicket, MTC Nestor Sunshine boxing office and Antonio's Art shop in Post Street Mall.

The event will see six other exciting undercards which will be announced in due course.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

MVA ta pula oshigwana shi hinge nawa

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MVA ta pula oshigwana shi hinge nawaMVA ta pula oshigwana shi hinge nawa Sho iituthi yomatango omanene yi li pokutameka, aalongithi yoondjila oya pulwa ya hinge nawa opo ku vule okuyandwa iiponga pethimbo ndyoka.

Palopota ndjoka ya pitithwa kehangano tali unga unga noshiketha shiiponga yomoondjila, lyoMotor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) pethimbo lyomatango omanene omvula ya piti 2016/17 aantu ya thika po-124 oya kanithila oomwenyo dhawo miiponga nomaso ngoka oga lopotwa pokati komasiku 22 gaNovemba omvula ya piti oshowo 17 gaJanuari nuumvo.

Omiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa odha holola kutya iiponga ya thika po 603 oya lopotwa pethimbo ndyoka, kwa yelithwa kutya oopresenda 36 dhiiponga mbyoka oya etihwa kiihauto ya galangata, kwalandula iiponga yomaipumo mumwe yoopresenda 26 oshowo oopresenda 19 yakwatelamo aayendi yokolupadhi.

Aantu ya thika pe 1 087 oya ehamekelwa miiponga mbyoka ya lopotwa.

Okuyeleka nomvula yo 2015/2016 omwaalu gwiiponga ogwa shuna pevi noopresenda 8, omanga omaehamekelo miiponga ga shuna pevi noopresenda 16 nomaso oga shuna pevi niiponga 6.

“Omiyalu ndhoka otadhi tu dhimbulukitha oshiponga oshinene sha taalela oondjila dhetu. Na tu longekidheni omalweendo getu pe na ethimbo, natu kale twa alanga, na tu kale tu li momapaya, na tu kale tatu tala aayendi yokolupadhi, na tu iyuthe koompango dhomoondjilwa twiikwatelelwa konkalo yondjila ngele otaku lokwa. Na tu kalekepo egameno lyomoondjila, nokuhupitha oomwenyo,” omunambelewa gwomauyelele goshigwana moshiketha shoka, Kapena Tjombonde a popi.

MVA Fund ota pula woo oshigwana shi lopote iiponga konomola yongodhi 081 9682.

OMUTOOLINKUNDANA GWOMENI

Omulumentu a monika ondjo medhipago lyohonda ye

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Omulumentu a monika ondjo medhipago lyohonda yeOmulumentu a monika ondjo medhipago lyohonda ye Ompangu yaShakati mEtitatu lyoshiwike sha piti, oya mono ondjo, Elia Shituwa Iipinge (44) omolwa edhipago lyaashi lyoshiningilawina, sha landula eso lyohonda ye Nangombe Indongo mo- 2013.

Omupanguli Werner Januarie sho a ningi etokolo okwa popi kutya, ompangu oya mono kutya Iipinge kali e na elalakano lyokudhipaga Indongo na oye mu mono ondjo moshipotha shedhipago lyaashi lyoshiningilawina.

Oshipotha shoka osha undulilwa kesiku lyotango lyaFebruari omvula twa taaalela.

Indongo okwa hulitha momasiku 22 gaFebruali mo 2013, sha landula olugodhi lwawo na Iipinge momukunda Oluhali moshikandjohogololo sha Outapi moshitpolwa shaMusati. Oya kondjo ongulohi ya piti, okupendukila esiku ndyoka na otaku popiwa kutya Iipinge okwa thanga nakusa mepunda sha etitha ehuli lye li zinde.

Okwa hulitha mondjila okuya koshipangelo shaShakati okuza mOshipangelo shaKahao moka a li a fwalwa tango.

Konima nkene a tulwa miipandeko momasiku 25 gaFebruali mo 2013 okwa tindi ondjo kutya okwa dhengwa nakusa.

Yina yaIndongo okwa gandja uumbangi kutya omona mesiku ndyoka a hulitha omanga ina falwa koshipangelo okwe mu lombwele kutya okwa dhengwa kuIipinge.

Omugandji guumbangi gumwe okwa popi kutya, Iipinge okwe mu lombwela kutya oya kondjo nanakusa ongulohi omanga ina hulitha.

Iipinge okwa gandja uumbangi kutya okwa thindikile ohonda ye nale, Indongo komuthima a ka teke omeya ongulohi yomasiku 21 gaFebruali mo 2013.

Osha li lwopotundi 21:00, mondjila yawo yokushuna kegumbo sho Indongo a gu po nakwiidhenge memanya ndyoka tashi vulika olyo lye mu monitha oshiponga, pahapu dhaIipinge. Okwa popi kutya lwanima oya umana omolwa omukadhona omupe gwa Indongo. Oya kondjo na okwe mu pe enkawa molwaashoka okwe mu undula. Okwa popi kutya ongulohi ndjoka oya lala pamwe, ihe Indongo okwa kala ta kungu uusiku sha etitha po Iipinge a ka lombwele yina yaIndongo kutya kuuvite nawa. Okwe ya kongele woo ohauto yokumufala koshipangelo kOkahao, ihe okwa hulithile mondjila sho aadhika ta falwa koshipangelo shaShakati. Iipinge ota kalelwa po paveta kuPhineas Nsundano omanga Johan Pienaar ta kalelepo epangelo.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Ofamili ya pewa ekwatho mOtjerunda

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Ofamili ya pewa ekwatho mOtjerundaOfamili ya pewa ekwatho mOtjerunda Ofamili yaakwanezimo 51 momukunda Otjerunda moshikandjohgololo sha Opuwo moshitopolwa shaKunene ,mEtiyali oya mono eyambidhidho lyoondya niikwathitho okuza kombelewa yoshikandjohogololo shawo.

Mwene gwegumbo ndyoka, Hinauandje Kambapa, okwa lombwele oNampa kutya aanegumbo ndyoka ohaya hupu owala mokulitha iimuna yaantu oshowo iilonga yilwe moshitopolwa. Aanegumbo 41 yomaanegumbo 51 mofamili ndjoka oye na oomvula dhili kohi yo 20.

“Onda pandula kwaashoka Kalunga a ningi pamwe nepangelo mokukwathela ofamili yandje,” Kambapa ta popi.

Moshipopiwaa she, shoka sha leshwa pehala lye, kansela gwoshikandjohogolo sha Opuwo, Weich Mupia okwa popi kutya ofamili ndjoka oya tothwa mo kutya oya pumbwa ekwatho, pethimbo lyopoloyeka ndjoka ya ningwa muSeptemba nuumvo.

Mwene gwomukunda ngoka, Mbuze Tjijeura okwa indile lombelewa yangoloneya oshowo yoshikandjohogololo opo ya tothemo ishewe aakwashigwana yalwe mboka taya pumbwa omayambidhidho ga faathana.

Okwa pandula epangelo lyaNamibia, sho tali sile oshipwiyu aantu yalyo na okwa pula woo ookinda yaanona opo yi tungwe mOtjerunda.

Omunambelewa mombelewa yoshikandjohogololo, Abner Namgongo okwa lombwele oNampa kutya oya pewa omayambidhidho kombelewa yangoloneya, uuministeli wuukashike kookantu oshowo ehangano lyoRed Cross.

Omukalelipo okuza kombelewa yangoloneya, Theodor Kazombiaze, cokwa pula aakwashigwana ya ninge omaindilo gomikuli yo ya vule okutota oongeshefa dhawo.

Kazombiaze okwa popi kutya oombelewa dhoshitopolwa odha pyakudhuka okuyambidhidha aakwashigwana ya totepo oopoloyeka dhomayambulepo.

Otjerunda, omukunda tagu adhika oshinano shookilometa 30 muuzilo wa Opuwo.

NAMPA

Omwaalu omushona gwaanona tagu kutha ombinga mooprograma dhoECD

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Omwaalu omushona gwaanona tagu kutha ombinga mooprograma dhoECDOmwaalu omushona gwaanona tagu kutha ombinga mooprograma dhoECDIinano iile oyimwe yomomatompelo taga indike ekuthombinga lyaanona mooprograma ndhoka Aanona owala aashona moshitopolwa shaKunene oshowo Omaheke taya kutha ombinga mooprograma dhepangelo ndhoka ya nuninwa eyambulepo lyekoko lyaanona. Omayalulo omape ngoka ga ningwa na oga pitithwa koNamibia Statistics Agency (NSA) oga ulike kutya aanona owala aashona yishangitha moprogramma dhoearly childhood development (ECD).

Oshitopolwa shaKunene oshimwe shomiitopolwa yi na omwaalu omushona noonkondo gwaanona yeli konima ngele tashi ya mekuthombinga lyooprograma ndhoka.

Omwaalu gwaanona moshilongo mboka yeli poomvula 0-5 ogwa thikama po388 202, na oopresenda owala 8.8 nenge aanona 1 888 yomomwaalu ngoka oyo taya kutha ombinga mooprograma ndhoka.

Kakele koshitopolwa shaKunene oshitopolwa shaMaheke nasho osha lopotwa shi na omwaalu omushona gwaanona mboka taya kutha ombinga mooprograma ndhoka.

Pandondo yopashitopolwa, aanona mboka taya kuthwa ombinga mooprograma dhoECD, moshitopolwa shErongo oye li owala poopresenda 37.7 omanga moKhomas ye li poopresenda 37, pamiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa ko NSA.

Omiyalu ndhoka odha ulike kutya ekuthombinga lyaanona mooprograma ndhoka miitopolwa yomoondoolopa oli li pombanda noopresenda 30.4 omanga miitopolwa yomuushayi li li pevi noonkondo sho kwa lopotwa li li poopresenda 19.9.

“Pandondo yopashitopolwa oopresenda dhaanona mboka taya kutha ombinga mooprograma ndhoka oyi li pombanda miitopolwa ngaashi Oshana, mpoka yili poopresenda 53.5, mOhangwena oyi li poopresenda 51 omanga mboka taya kutha ombinga moshitopolwa shaHangwena ye li poopresenda 51.

Mboka itaya kutha ombinga miitopolwa ngaashi Kunene oye li poopresenda 76, Omaheke 72, Kavango East 60.1,”NSA a lopota.

Etompelo enene lyaanona mboka itaya hiti ooprograma ndhoka pandondo dhopashitopolwa iinano iile okuya komandiki gooprograma ndhoka,oshowo uuvu.

Onkalo yompumbwe yiiyemo nayo oyi li momusholondondo gwomatompelo gaanona mboka itaya hiti ooprograma ndhoka, na oya hololwa yi li poopresenda 36.2, omanga oopresenda 41.6 taya popi kutya omandiki ogeli kokule naashoka osho tashi etitha aanona ya kale itaya kutha ombinga. Oopresenda 15.7 inadhi holola omatompelo gothaathaa kutya omolwashike aanona ihaya hiti ooprograma ndhoka, omanga oopresenda 1.4 ya holola kutya omolwa uuvu aanona taya ndopa okuhita mooprograma ndhoka.

Oopresenda 4 inadhi vula okugandja omatompelo kutya omolwashike aanona itaya kutha ombinga mooprograma ndhoka dha nuninwa eyambulepo lyaanona.



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