Pogba sympathises with Libyan slaves

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Pogba sympathises with Libyan slaves With one simple gesture the son of African migrants did more to raise awareness of slavery in Libya than any politician on the planet.

More than 80 African and European leaders met in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday and Thursday last week for the fifth annual African Union – European Union summit.

Top of the agenda was the issue of slavery.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) – a UN body – first reported in April that African migrants – now numbering a reported 700 000 - travelling north through Niger and Libya were being kidnapped by people traffickers and sold into forced labour for as little as £400.

A CNN report last month brought slavery in Libya to wider prominence with grainy video footage confirming the first visual evidence.

But it was not until Manchester United's Paul Pogba celebrated a goal in his comeback match against Newcastle at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago that slavery in Libya forced its way into the general consciousness.

Pogba crossed his hands, held them aloft and mimicked a man in chains. Many inside Old Trafford and indeed watching around the world were probably wondering what it signified.

Thanks to Pogba's follow-up post on Instagram following the game, they wondered no more.

“There has been a 100-fold increase in interest in this after the simple gesture Pogba made,” said Itayi Viriri, head of the IOM's online communications told Goal.

“He could have celebrated any other way that he wanted but he chose to do that.

“That resonated so much with so many young people around the world - especially people who look like him and whose background could be like his.

“What it meant was that most people who follow football around the world and the young people who adore these football stars like Pogba had their attention piqued.

“These young stars can mobilise so many young people around the world and get so many people interested in a topic that a few weeks ago no one really knew or cared about.

“Now we are talking about it and that can only be a positive thing.”

Pogba – born in France to parents from Guinea – was supported in this campaign by Cedric Bakambu - of Villarreal - and Valencia's Geoffrey Kondogbia. Senegal's Cheikhou Kouyate and Cote d'Ivoire's Cheikh Doukoure also followed suit.

“Outside of football, I am not for sale,” ran Doukoure's message while Bakambu's was shorter to the point. “Fuck slavery.”

Bakambu and Kondogbia, like Pogba, are French-born. Bakambu is an international for DR Congo while Kondogbia's brother Evans has turned out for Central African Republic.

“It's always one of our dreams to get as many of these football stars especially from the continent or who have African heritage to work with us and shine a spotlight on the terrible things which are happening when it comes to irregular migration,” said Viriri.

“Now that the attention is on this fully we expect something will happen.

“We need more support from these very influential young men who have a huge amount of followers.

“The majority of them, especially those of them born in Africa, are migrants in one way or form. So really, they are very ideal people to work with us and make a better world for migrants.”

Pogba is known to be a favourite athlete of the Guinean president and AU chair Alpha Conde, who praised the Manchester United man earlier this year as an example for all young Guineans to follow.





GOAL.COM

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'Bigger things are coming'

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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'Bigger things are coming'Excited about 2018 Namibian boxer Jeremiah 'No Respect' Nakathila has his sights set on bigger things next year following a victory in Windhoek over the weekend. WBO Africa junior lightweight champion Jeremiah 'No Respect' Nakathila says he hopes for bigger things next year after defending his title on Saturday.

Nakathila came up against South Africa's Sibusiso Zingange at the last MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Boxing and Fitness academy bonanza of the year.

The Namibian proved too strong for the South African, who only lasted until the sixth round of their fight at the Windhoek Country Club.

“I am very happy for what I have accomplished this year and I hope that this is a sign of bigger things to come.

“Fighting for a world title will be something remarkable for me and I hope it will be soon.

“The year has not been that easy, but I closed it off with a fantastic victory,” Nakathila said.

Nakathila now has a record of 15 professional fights, of which he has won 13 and lost only one.

The boxer said he would remain calm and wait for his chance to fight for the world title.

“It all remains in the hands of my promoter and I know that he will get me that chance when the time is right.

“As for now, I am just going to continue improving my world ratings and record,” he said.

Nakathila began his professional boxing career in 2013 with a fight against fellow Namibian David Shinuna.

After his debut fight, Nakathila went on to win eight of his fights before getting his first crack at an African title.

He defeated Jasper Seroka by a knockout to clinch the interim WBO Africa super featherweight title on 6 August 2016.

He however suffered a huge setback in November 2017 when he lost an intercontinental featherweight title to Russia's Evgeny Chuprakov.

Since his big defeat, Nakathila has bounced back with incredible fights this year.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

N. Korea vs USA

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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N. Korea vs USAPre-emptive war become more likely Tensions between the United States and North Korea have increased sharply and experts predict an pre-emptive strike soon. North Korea on Sunday blasted the United States and South Korea as “warmongers” on the eve of their largest-ever joint air exercise, saying it could trigger a nuclear war.

The comments came as White House National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster warned of the “increasing” possibility of war with the impoverished but nuclear-armed North.

The five-day Vigilant Ace drill - involving some 230 aircraft including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters – began yesterday, five days after the North test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile believed capable of hitting the US mainland in a fresh challenge to President Donald Trump.

The North's ruling party Rodong newspaper slammed the upcoming drill.

“It is an open, all-out provocation against the DPRK, which may lead to a nuclear war any moment,” it said in an editorial on Sunday, using the North's official name.

“The US and South Korean puppet warmongers would be well advised to bear in mind that their DPRK-targeted military drill will be as foolish as an act precipitating their self-destruction,” it said.

The commentary was published a day after Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of “begging for nuclear war” by staging what it called the reckless air drills.

McMaster said the possibility of war with the North was “increasing every day”.

“There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, but it is a race because he's getting closer and closer, and there's not much time left,” he said.

The North says the Hwasong-15 missile fired Wednesday can be tipped with a “super-large heavy warhead” capable of striking the whole US mainland.

But analysts remain unconvinced that it has mastered the advanced technology to allow the rocket to survive re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.

The months-long nuclear standoff between Kim and Trump has fuelled concerns of another conflict, after the 1950-53 Korean War left much of the peninsula in ruin.

In the meanwhile, another top Republican lawmaker warned on Sunday that the United States moves closer to pre-emptive war with North Korea every time Pyongyang carries out a missile or nuclear test.

“If there's an underground nuclear test, then you need to get ready for a very serious response by the United States,” Senator Lindsey Graham said on CBS' “Face the Nation”.

His remarks echoed those of McMaster, who told a security forum in Washington on Saturday that the potential for war with North Korea “is increasing every day”.

The United States has demanded tougher international sanctions, including cuts in oil shipments to the isolated state, but both McMaster and Graham suggested that the risk of war is growing despite the diplomatic efforts. Graham, a foreign policy hawk, said he has had extensive discussions with the Trump administration about the situation. The administration's policy, he said, is “to deny North Korea the capability to hit America with a nuclear-tipped missile. Not to contain it”.

“Denial means pre-emptive war as a last resort. That pre-emption is becoming more likely as their technology matures. Every missile test, every underground test of a nuclear weapon, means the marriage is more likely.

“I think we're really running out of time. The Chinese are trying, but ineffectively,” he said.

Beijing has backed a slew of sanctions that include bans on imports of North Korean coal, iron ore and seafood. The UN also barred the hiring of North Korean guest workers and capped exports of refined petroleum products.

But China has refused to turn off its pipeline shipping crude to North Korea. North Korea has boasted - and western experts agree - that the missile tested on Wednesday is capable of reaching the United States.

In September, it conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. It is unclear whether it has succeeded in making nuclear warheads small enough to be put atop a missile.

NAMPA/AFP

Motivation is essential

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Motivation is essential Life with no motivation has no direction as it helps us to see life in a different way. It give us courage and hope to overcome all our challenges and difficulties and it also serves as a factor that stimulates desire and energy in a person to continually be interested and committed in their job. Motivation is one of the keys to success, as a motivated person takes action and does whatever it takes to achieve his or her goals.

Everyone needs motivation, for example parents need motivation to raise their children, students to graduate from university and employees to keep doing a good job and to get promoted. Each time you conquer a step, there will always be a challenge waiting, but motivation will give you courage to continue fighting until you achieve success. People that copy and paste, the one that do not want to become independent thinkers end up living their lives imitating others and they must learn to believe in themselves and motivate themselves as well so that they can also be useful in this world by bringing up new ideas that will help others. Thoughts that we possess can bring changes in our life and can influence others minds too as they say the way you think is the way you live and if it's negative thoughts, you will live negatively and if it's positive thoughts, you will live positively. We must learn to be positive thinkers to live a positive life because if you allow your mind to reject negative thoughts and possess thoughts that bring positive results, we must visualize a perfect scene of what we want to accomplish. People in our environment can be influenced by the way we are and talk, therefore we must always try to be a good example to others.

Unmotivated people become frustrated when they are unable to fully utilize their talents and pursue their interests. They develop a fear to failure and success; they start to feel useless as they cannot accomplish what they want. Students start to drop out of school because they are failing and being buried, employee starts quitting from work as they are not promoted and sometimes they feel they are unable to make progress in the work environment and parents give up on their children as children don't want to follow instructions and do bad things. But with motivations the journey will continue even if there are challenges.

We need to set goals that we need to maintain as this is one way of maintaining motivation. We must surround ourself with people that motivate us and challenges us in achieving our goals. We must always expect challenges and we must try to think about the way to overcome them. Focus in whatever we are doing and try motivating other people too. We must always remember what we overcome in life and use it to overcome our current challenges.

It's a long journey but with motivation and motivating others the journey will never end, therefore we must always look towards motivation.

*A former learner at Ekulo Senior Secondary School, Josephine enjoys reading and writing and being an inspiration to her peers.

Elelo lyUukwambi tali yi pondje ekotampango lyomahala ga gamenwa

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Elelo lyUukwambi tali yi pondje ekotampango lyomahala ga gamenwa Iilyo yokomitiye yoIipumbu yaTshilongo Conservancy otayi popi kutya elelo lyUukwambi Traditional Authority (UTA) oshowo Ngoloneya gwaShana, Clemens Kashuupulwa otaya yi pondje oompango dhekotampango dhomahala ga gamenwa gopaushitwe, nonando oyeli aashaini yoompango ndhoka. Shoka sha landula sho mboka taya popile etulo miilonga lyopoloyeka yokumina oshimongwa okuza mekango lyomongwa lyOtjivalunda ndyoka Ii li oshitopolwa shehala lyagamenwa. Pahapu dhomupopiliko gwokomitiye tayi gamene ehala ndyoka,Thomas Nambambi, okwa popi kutya Kashuupulwa onga omunashipundi gwelelo lyoshitopolwa oshowo elelo lyopamuthigululwakalo lyUukwambi, moka ekango ndyoka lyomongwa tali adhika, okwa shaina ekotampango lyehala ndyoka shoka tashi ti kutya otaka gamenene po ehala ndyoka na iteli gandja po momukalo kehe.

Nambambi okwa popi kutya Iipumbu yaTshilongo Conservancy oya tseyithwa pamushangwa gwopapangelo muMei gwo 2012, omanga elelo lyUukwambi oshowo ndyoka lyaNdonga, inaya mona omukanda gwoexclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 4365 okupitila mehangano lyOndonga-Uukwambi Mining Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (OUME) ndyoka li li omuniipambuliko mehangano lyoGecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd, okupitila mehangano lyOtjivalunda Holdings (Pty) Ltd ndyoka lya hala okumina oshimongwa mOtjivalunda.

Nambambi okwa popi kutya ehangano lyo OUME ehangano lyopaumwene na kali shi ehangano lyoshigwana, nuuna ngele olwa pewa epitiko lyokumina oshimongwa okuza mekango moka nena uuwanawa mboka otawu kaya owala kooyeye yehangano noshigwana itashi ka mona uuwanawa washa. Okwa tsikile kutya pethimbo ya ningi omutumba nehangano lyoGecko oya tseyithiwa kutya ehangano ndyoka kali na ohokwe moshimongwa ihe omootrona moka hamu mene omongwa.

“Shoka UTA ka ta kambadhala okuninga pamwe noGecko Namibia mOtjivalunda naashoka tashi yambidhidhwa kuKashuupulwa otashi yi pondje ekotampango lyomahala ga gamenwa, nokukengelela aantu. Osha yelithwa mekotampango kutya UTA ina gandja po evi mehala ndyoka omanga ina tseyithila okomitiye yehala ndyoka lya gamenwa,” Nambambi a popi. “Omapekaapeko getu oga holola kutya uuna ootrona dha minwa mo nena muule woomvula 25 omakango ngoka itaga ka kala nomongwa. Shoka otashi yi pondje omayambulepo.” Nambambi natango okwa holola kutya ehangano ndyoka tali mini oshimongwa otali ka gandja owala iilonga kaantu ya thika po 30 omanga okupitila mopoloyeka yawo ndjoka yehala lya gamenwa, aantu ya thika po 4000 haya mono uuwanawa, okupitila momongwa ngoka.

Aakwashigwana oya totopo Iipumbu yaTshilongo Conservancy oshowo okomitiye tayi ithanwa Ekango sub-committee opo ya tinde emino lyomongwa okuza momakango gawo ngoka. Okwa popi kutya konima nkene kwa tamekwa oonkundathana dhemino lyoshimongwa okuza mOtjivalunda muSepetemba gwo 2012, ndhoka ya tindi, aakalelipo yoUTA oya tameke okukala itaya holoka miigongi yokomitiye yehala ndyoka. Omukomeho gwehangano lyoGecko Namibia, Pine van Wyk okwa popi oshiwike sha piti kutya Gecko Namibia pamwe nOUME, oya ya mbidhidhwa koEnviro Dynamics, opo yangonge po oEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mo 2013 yi na sha niilonga yokumina oshimongwa mekango ndyoka. EIA oya gandjwa kuuministeli womidhingoloko momasiku ga 6 gaDesemba mo 2013, na komufala gwomidhongoloko okwa li tindi eindilo ndyoka pambelelwa momasiku 24 gaJuli 2014.

Gecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd, okupitila mehangano ndyoka li li oshitopolwa shoGecko Otjivalunda Holdings (Pty) Ltd, oli na mo oopresenda 50 dhiipambuliko mehangano lyOndonga-Uukwambi Mining Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (OUME), ndyoka olyo li na omukandapitiko gwokumina gwoiexclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 4365.

Iipambuliko yoopresenda 50 oyehangano lyOUME ndyoka li li ehangano lyomuhanga lyelelo lyaNdonga oshowo lyUukwambi.

Kashuupywa okwa popi kutya ye ina ningwa naye ekwatathano sho eindilo lyoclearance certificate lya ningwa nonando okuli omunambelewa omukuluntu gwepangelo moshitopolwa. Otjivalunda omu na omakango gomongwa gopaali. Otjivalunda 1 moshikandjohogololo Otamanzi moshitopolwa shaMusati oshowo Otjiwarunda 2 moshikandjohogololo shUuvudhiya moshitopolwa shaShana, nomakango ngoka agehe ogeli kohi yelelo lyUukwambi. Elelo lyaNgandjera, kali shi oshitopolwa shokomitiye yehala ndyoka li li moshitopolwa shawo.

ILENI NANDJATO

Iimaliwa yokutunga uundjugo mOshana ya kana

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Iimaliwa yokutunga uundjugo mOshana ya kanaIimaliwa ya kana omanga iilonga inayi pwa Elelo lyoshitpolwa shaShana itali vulu okuyelitha kutya iimaliwa mbyoka ya nuninwa okutunga uundjugo moshitopolwa shoka kohi yoHarambee Prosperity Plan, oya kana ngiini omanga omutungi guundjugo mboka ina futwa omolwa iilonga ye mbyoka a longo. Okuya pehulilo lyomvula ya piti, elelo lyoshitopolwa olya pewa oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 2.3 opo ku tungwe uundjugo wa thika po 230 moshitopolwa shoka.

Otendela yokutunga uundjugo mboka oya pewa ehangano lyoGAB Investment opo li tunge uundjugo koshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 1.9, ihe nonando ongaaka iimaliwa oya kana. Shoka osha thigi ehangano lyoGAB Investment, momilema opo li manithe uundjugo 140 womuundjugo 230, muule wiiwike itatu.

Iilonga yehangano lyoGAB Investment oya yiwa nale moshipala kepato lyombaanga yoSME Bank hoka ehangano lya li lya mono iimaliwa yokutamekitha opoloyeka ndjoka.

Ekano lyiimaliwa mbyoka olya dhimbululwa owala sho elelo lyoshitopolwa lya li lya hala okufuta ehangano ndyoka omolwa iilonga.

Pauyelele wolopota yoshikondo shuuyogoki womomikunda moshitopolwa shoka, sho uumbaapila womaindilo giifuta wa gandjwa muKotomba, osha monika mo kutya momayalulo gombaanga kamu na iimaliwa, nonando elelo olya li lya pewa oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 2.3, nehangano ndyoka lya li tali longo olya li tali futwa owala oshimaliwa shomiliyona 1.9. Ehangano ndyoka olya pewa otendela konima sho omahangao galwe giikutha mo motendela moka, molwaashoka itaga vulu okutunga okandjugo koshimaliwa shooN$10 000, ngaashi tashi uthwa koompango dhotendela ndjoka.

Kohi yoHarambee Prosperity Plan, epangelo otali tungu uundjugo wa thika po 50 000 miitopolwa yomuushayi. Kehe oshitopolwa otashi pumbwa shi tunge uundjugo wombiliha koshimaliwa inashi vula pooN$10 000 kehe mokandjugo, muundjugo mboka tawu ithanwa VIP latrines.

Muundjugo 230, mboka wa li wuna okukala wa manithwa okutungwa okuya pehulilo lyomweedhi nguka, ehangano lyo. GAB Investment, ndyoka lya pewa otendela muDesemba gwomvula ya piti, olya manitha owala uundjugo 126. Pahapu dhamwene gwehangano lyoGAB Investment, Gabriel Gabes okwa tameke iilonga yopoloyeka ndjoka niimaliwa e yi pewa kombaanga yoSME Bank nokonima shoombaanga ndjoka ya pata, okwa kala a taalela uupyakadhi niilonga ye oya yiwa moshipala omolwa okwaaha futwa okuza kelelo lyoshitopolwa. Elelo lyoshitopolwa olya kokele onkalo ndjoka. “Omutungi okwa tameke okutaalela uupyakadhi wiimaliwa konima sho ombaanga yoSME Bank ya pata. Oku na oondjo dhaantu dha thika poN$400 000 omolwa etungo lyuundjugo wotango 115. Ehangano ndyoka olya yi metsokumwe noostola hoka hali kutha iitungithi opo ya tsikile okupaathana iitungithi sigo uundjugo 104 wa pu okutungwa niimaliwa otayi ka pewa omulandithi, naayehe oya li ya ithanwa kombelewa yoshitopolwa opo ya zimine ketsokumwe lyawo ndyoka. Omupya omunene sho uumbaapila womaindilo giifuta wa gandjwa koshikondo shiiyemo muKotomba otwa lombwelwa kutya kape na iimaliwa. Ngashiingeyi oshikondo shuuyogoki womomikunda oshowo shoka shiiyemo otaya konaakona kutya iimaliwa oya kana ngiini omanga opoloyeka inayi manithwa.” Olopota ya holola.

Gabes okwa popi kutya opoloyeka ndjoka oya kala omukundu okuya petameko, omolwa oompango kombinga yiiyemo. Okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka oye mu thiminike opo a zimine otendela ndjoka, a vule okutunga uundjugo mboka kondando yooN$8 500 kehe mokandjugo oshowo oomiliyona 1.9 muundjugo 230.

Okwa popi kutya okwa li a nyanyukwa sho a mono otendela ndjoka muDesemba ihe iinima oya tameke yuuka kuuwinayi sho iilonga ya tameke. “Sho nda mono ombaapila yotendela kutya ongame tandi ka tunga uundjugo mboka 230 moshitopolwa onda li nda nyanyukwa noonkondo. Lwanima onda mono kutya onda pewa iimaliwa iishona molwaashoka iitungithi yuundjugo mboka otayi pula nale oshimaliwa shi vulithe pooN$10 000, inamu kwatelwa iilonga nomalweendo,” Gabes a popi. Monena ota kambadhala nuudhigu okumanitha otendela ndjoka, na okwa popi kutya okwa ninga etokolo lya puka monkalamwenyo yiilonga yehangano lye. Okwa popi kutya oshitopolwa oshinene na okwa taalela nale omukundu gwokufala iitungithi komahala ga yooloka moshitopolwa, oshowo aaniilonga. “Iitungithi yuundjugo otayi pula oshimaliwa shooN$900 000, omanga oosamende noondhopi tadhi pula mondjato ooN$500 000 natango otapu pumbiwa oshiyenditho. Iilonga mbika oya nika oshiponga na kashi shi oshipu kungame nonando ondiiyamba opo ndi longele epangelo iilonga mbyoka.” Otendela ndjoka oya kwatela mo okutunga uundjugo miikandjohogololo tayi adhika mOshana. Uundjugo 45 mOkaku, 35 mOkatana, 11 mOmpundja, 24 mOndangwa Rural, omugoyi mOndangwa Urban, 32 mOngwediva, 18 mOshakati East, omugoyi mOshakati West, 29 mUukwiyuushona oshowo 10 mUuvudhiya.

Monena uundjugo awuhe miikandjohogololo yilwe owa manithwa kakele mOkatana, Ongwediva oshowo Uuvudhiya, moka inamu tamekwa natango. Uundjugo omugoyi inawu pwa natango mOkaku oshowo uwali mOndangwa Rural.



ILENI NANDJATO

Mwene gwomukunda omupe moAmarika

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mwene gwomukunda omupe moAmarika Molyomakaya ga piti, Omukwaniilwa gwaNgandjera Johannes Mupongolitha Mupiya okwa ulike ooyene yomikunda aape ya thika po 21.

Mokati kaamboka ya pewa iinakugwanithwa iipe yokulela aapiya yomukwaniilwa , omwa kwatelwa Ottilie Ndeutala Ipinge, 61, mwene gwomukunda omupe gwa Amarika ngoka a pingenepo Simeon Ngesheya, ngoka a hulitha mo 2015.

Ipinge okwa lombwele oNamibia Sun kutya okwa pyakudhukwa okulela oAmrika pamwe nomikundu ndhoka dha taalela omukunda ngoka ngaashi ompumbwe yomeya, okwaahena iilonga unene mokati kaanyasha, okwaahena eitulemo menongelo mokati kaanona aashona oshowo eyambidhidho eshona okuza kepangelo. Ipinge okwa popi kutya keshi omupe moAmarika na okwa kala nontseyo yoompumbwe dhaanamukunda mboka sho a kala amushanga gwomukunda oshowo omuleli gwongeleka okuza mo 2003. Okwa popi kutya okwa tulapo nale ekwatathano lye naakwashigwana naashoka otashi ka ningitha iilonga ye iipu. Pethimbo lyoshituthi shoka sha ningilwa mOmbala yaNgandjera mUukwandongo, Mupiya okwa lombwele ooyene yomikunda mboka aape kutya oye li mekwatathathano pokati kelelo lyoshilongo naakwashigwana, onkene okwe ya pula opo ya longe yiikwatelela koompango dhoshilongo oshowo dhelelo lyopamuthigululwakalo. Okwe ya pula woo ya kwashilipaleke kutya egandjo lyevi moshigwana olya ningwa taku landulwa oompango. “Kakeni muna ontseyo yoongamba dhomikunda dheni nokutala kuuwanawa waantu yeni tango. Yambidhidheni aaniilonga yepangelo opo ya vule okugwanitha po iilonga yawo oshowo oopoloyeka dhepangelo. Mpoka tamu pumbwa omakwatho kongeni omakwatho komalenga miikandjo yeni nenge kookansela yiikandjohogololo yeni,” omukwaniilwa a popi. Euliko lyooyene yomikunda olyo lyotango tali ningwa komukwaniilwa gwaNgandjera Mupiya, konima nkene a yi koshipundi shuuleli mo 2012. Ipinge okwa popi kutya omukundu omunene gwa taalela omukunda gwe, ompumbwe yomeya oshowo aanona mboka inaya hala okuya kooskola. Okwa popi kutya otaka tala nkene ta ka kandulapo omikundu ndhoka.

“Epangelo olya tunga ooskola dhopashinanena dhi na nomihandjo, ihe aanona inaya hala okuya kooskola, nopehala oya hala okukalonga moohambo. Ondi wete kutya oshindji osha pumbwa okuningwa opo aavali yawo ya pewe elongo kombinga yesimano lyenongelo. Otu na omwaalu omunene gwaantu kaye na iilonga molwaashoka aantu yetu kaye na nelongo lyopetameko, opo ya vule okumona iilonga ngaashi mepangelo.” Kombinga yomeya, Ipinge okwa popi kutya muule woomwedhi ne dha piti, aantu yawo oya kala taya nu omeya okuza momithima.

“Otenga yokupomba omeya ndjoka ya tungwa momukunda gwetu koshimaliwa shoomiliyona 200 itayi longo okutameka Aguste. Otwa yi mekwatathano nakansela gwaTamanzi na okwe tu lombwele kutya kape na iimaliwa opo epangelo li tu etele omeya nootenga. Okwe tu pe omayele tu gongele iimaliwa yomahooli ihe aantu kaye na iimaliwa.” Ipinge okwa popi kutya omeya gomomuthima ogeli uupyakadhi kaakashigwana ye molwaashoka kage na uundjolowele.

ILENI NANDJATO

Energy 100fm debating competition a win for all

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Energy 100fm debating competition a win for all After 7 weeks of debating, which spanned across 16 high schools in Windhoek and comprised of over 60 debaters, Hage Geingob High School emerged victorious.

On the way they managed to overcome, among others, Centaurus High School and Windhoek High School, who were one of the favourites to win.

Topics of debate ranged from lowering the voting age in Namibia, to stiffer prison sentences for perpetrators of gender-based violence and even whether water should be a free commodity in Namibia.

The lucky winners take home a prize of N$3000 for their outstanding performance.

Tracey Manuel, from the winning team, said that “I am happy because we have been underestimated the whole tournament, and this proves that we have the potential to win”.

Her teammate, Natalia Haikali mentioned that “I learnt that you need to be a team player and make sacrifices for the team. I definitely learnt the importance of teamwork and working together over these last few weeks”. The final member of the team, Ester Abrantes had some advice for the opposition “the opposition needs to present more original arguments, not only rebuttals”.

The team triumphed over Dawid Bezuidenhout High School in the final, by arguing as to why national indigenous languanges should be included in the school curriculum.

These were not the only winners of the day, with several individual prizes being awarded for individual performances. The prizes best male speaker and overall best speaker went to Shaun Adams from Dawid Bezuidenhout High School, who also received prizes of N$1000 and N$500 respectively for each prize. Of his achievements he said “this was very unexpected, I am very overwhelmed right now. I want to use the money to buy a laptop, so I may compete in other events such as the Model United Nations.” He went on to explain he would like to one day study psychology and sociology, because he sees a lack of learner support in education in these areas. The prize for best female speaker went to Rejoice Sackeus from Jan Mohr Secondary School, while the prize for best adjudicator went to Ndahmbla Hafene.



Luca Milanesi

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Treinry en diere vir Kersfees

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Treinry en diere vir Kersfees Octavia Tsibes

Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) het onlangs 40 leerlinge van die preprimêre skole Nelson en Loide Kasingo vir hul Kerspartytjie met 'n trein na Okapuka Ranch geneem.

Die twee skole volg die Amos Meerkat-kurrikulum. Die onderwysers word vir twee weke opgelei en 'n week lange werkswinkel vind in Mei plaas. Daarna word van die onderwysers verwag om dit wat hulle geleer het te implementeer. Aan die einde van dieselfde jaar moet onderwysers weer vir 'n week 'n werkswinkel bywoon. “Daarna is hulle gereed om die Amos-kurrikulum by hul skole aan te bied," sê me. Magda Shamalaza, die Amos Meerkat-streekkoördineerder van die Windhoek-omgewing. Die program word landswyd aangebied vir leerlinge wat in informele nedersettings woon.

Die 40 leerlinge, wat volgende jaar graad een toe gaan, het die uitstappie terdeë geniet. "Ek het baie diere gesien. Die kameelperde en die renoster ek het baie geniet," het Claudia Nekwaya, 'n leerlinge van die Preprimêre Skool Nelson, gesê.

"Dit is vir my 'n groot voorreg. Dit is die derde jaar dat NMH vir die Kerspartytjie betaal. Dit is nie net vir genot nie; die leerlinge kry ook die geleentheid om die diere te sien waaroor hulle in die klasse leer,” het Shamalaza gesê.

Volgens Shamalaza is sy baie bevoorreg om deel van Amos Meerkat te wees. "Ek raak so bly as ek die glimlag op die kinders se gesigte sien wanneer hulle op sulke avonture gaan, want ek weet ek het daartoe bygedra."

Die skoolhoof van die Preprimêre Skool Nelson, me. Theresia Ndara, het gesê: "Dit is selde dat kinders die voorreg het om op 'n trein te klim. Wie sou kon raai ek en my leerlinge van Nelson sal vanjaar in een ry. Ek het gedink die trein loop nie meer nie. Ek is baie bly dat ek dit saam met my leerlinge kon ervaar."

Groot prestasie vir Laerskool Aranos

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Groot prestasie vir Laerskool Aranos Octavia Tsibes



Laerskool Aranos het vanjaar vir die tweede keer aan Conquesta deelgeneem.

In Suid-Afrika dien Conquesta as 'n eksterne eksamen vir primêre skole. Dit word ook in naburige lande soos Namibië geskryf by skole wat die Suid-Afrikaanse leerplan volg. Vanjaar het 30 leerlinge van Laerskool Aranos deelgeneem en die skool het goud ontvang.

Laas jaar het die skool vir eerste keer deelgeneem en 'n brons sertifikaat verwerf.

“Conquesta vind elke jaar in die derde kwartaal plaas, maar die onderwysers en graad 4- tot 7-leerlinge berei al van die tweede kwartal af voor,” sê mnr. Gerrit de Koker, Afrikaans-onderwyser by die skool.

De Koker sê hy bied in die namiddag ekstraklasse van 45 minute elk aan twee klasse aan. Hulle bestee ’n kwartaal aan voorbereiding om die eksamen te skryf. Die leerlinge werk ou Afrikaans-vraestelle uit en op die manier berei hulle terselftertyd vir die eindeksamen voor.

Laerskool Aranos is baie trots op hul leerlinge se prestasies en hoop dit gaan elke jaar net beter.

The honeymoon is over

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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The honeymoon is over The winds of change are surely blowing in Swapo as the ruling party redefines itself with a view to chart a new way forward.

Following his landslide victory last week, Swapo president Hage Geingob has now strengthened his tight grip on the ruling party after overseeing the election of his loyalists to top structures, while many of those who were against his election fell by the wayside.

Geingob's loyalists were elected to both the central committee and the politburo of the ruling party.

With the Swapo electoral process now a thing of the past, Geingob will be expected to make some bold moves involving personnel changes and rhetorically laying down the gauntlet. As president of both the country and the ruling party, Geingob wields significant political authority like never before.

His influence has seemingly let to more young people getting elected on the central committee and by extension, the politburo, the highest decision-making body of the party. Youthful leaders such as Pohamba Shifeta and Lucia Ipumbu have secured senior positions within the organisation, while former youth leader Veikko Nekundi missed out by a whisker.

The appointment of 35-year-old Jennelly Matundu to the central committee also marks a new chapter in Swapo's political development as there is now a strong youth focus.

However, we need to see more young people spelling out a vision for a better Namibia, which reflects a transformed attitude. Another interesting phenomenon that deserves close inspection is that Swapo has now achieved 50/50 gender representation in all leadership structures. The top four, politburo and central committee are all balanced in terms of gender representation.

The ruling party has also opted for a zebra-style representation for the National Assembly. This too is a success story. Surely now the honeymoon is over. The new leadership has made the right kind of noise and there are now great expectations to deliver. Equally, Geingob must keep to his promise to be president for all and by being resolute and decisive.

Shot of the day

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day FOR WOMEN: Hundreds of women perform during the fourth edition of the "Not even with the petal of a rose" festival as part of the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in Bogota, Colombia on 25 November 2017. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

A young teacher with a dream

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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A young teacher with a dream A passion for teaching that has taken her outside her comfort zone Tunohole Mungoba



Currently doing her master of teaching English as second languages (MA TESL), Leena Iitula, a Namibian student in the United States of America is currently enrolled at the Minnesota State University and she has dreams of coming back to her country and to develop teaching models that meet the needs of our Namibian teachers and learners.

At 31 years of age, Iitula opted to do a MA TESL because of her passion for the teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL) and mainly because she wants to acquire additional knowledge and skills to share with fellow Namibian educators in the field of English, for the betterment of learners’ performance in ESL. “I have served in the Education fraternity for nine years now. Six years as an ESL secondary school teacher and 3 years as a senior education officer responsible for English in Oshana Region. I am therefore aware of the challenges that our learners face in acquiring and learning the English languages in addition to their first languages as well as the challenges that ESL teachers face in teaching of ESL,” she says. She also says the program is exposing her to the intricacies of linguistics and the teaching thereof. “I am particularly interested in developing teaching and assessment models based on the Namibia English syllabus and that is the area I want to focus on for my thesis.”

With an undergraduate bachelor degree in Education, majored in English and Biology; Iitula is on a fully funded Fulbright scholarship. “The Fulbright program is managed in Namibia by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at U.S. Embassy Windhoek. The scholarship is advertised online and that is where I downloaded the application form in 2015. I learned about the scholarship through friends and former Unam classmates who got the privilege to pursue their masters in USA, funded by the Fulbright program. I got inspired and decided to give it a shot,” she recalls.

After only spending three months in the States, she tells The Zone that she has learned immensely and has gained profound exposure to various facets, both academic and social. “I spent my first three weeks at Syracuse State University in New York State, for a pre-academic course. There, I got an opportunity to learn about the American culture, history, law, political system, education system among other things. Academically, got we had learned professors teaching us how to polish my writing and presentation skills, thus preparing us for graduate school,” she says. She also got a chance to meet fellow Fulbright scholars from all parts of the world and according to her, it was enriching to learn from each other and to share knowledge and experiences both socially and academically.

“The course that I am pursuing is exposing me to new approaches and theories in English as second language teaching and learning. This is because the TESL field in the US is booming with nuanced research studies hence novel findings which are applicable in modern day classrooms. We have the privilege of receiving first hand expert opinion and guidance from renowned scholars and researchers in the field of TESL,” she says.

Iitula admits that she was mainly worried about the culture shock as she had never lived in a country other than Namibia. “I thought it was going to be a struggle for me to adjust and get used to the new country which is going to be my new home for the next 2 years. I grew up with the understanding that life in the US is so fast paced and no one really has time for the next person. I thought the people won’t be too willing to socialize and I was going to find it difficult to assimilate into my new world and culture but, I was wrong,” she says. “After completing my masters, I would like reinstated my position as Senior Education Officer-English, in Oshana Region. Given the innovative ways of assessment and learner centered approaches I am being introduced to in the US, I plan to assist in the development of teaching materials relevant to our learners’ situation through workshops to supplement what our English teachers in the Region currently use.”

The 5 steps to Studying in U.S.

1. Researching your options

The first step to studying in the United States is researching your options to find a college or university that best fits your needs. Students are advised not to try to match themselves to the school, but rather find the school that matches them, their priorities and long-term goals.

2. Financing your studies

The cost of living and studying varies across the United States. With the right amount of planning and research, pursuing a U.S. higher education can be made affordable with high returns on your investment. Start your financial planning as early as possible. Each year international students receive significant amounts of financial assistance for their studies. However, competition is high. Applications for financial aid go together with applications for admission.

3. Completing your Applications

This step covers the general application requirements for U.S. colleges and universities. Applying for U.S. study is a task that takes time and concentration as each application is different and involves collecting recommendations, writing essays, and routing the results of required standard examinations. Managing application timelines is very important for international student’s especially due differences in academic calendar.

4. Apply for your Student Visa

The most common student visa type is the F-1 visa. Students need to learn about the forms needed, the outline of the visa application process. When student have received admission from U.S. universities and colleges they receive an official documents from the Department of Homeland Security with which they can apply for their student visa.

5. Prepare for your Departure

Key components to this final step include making your travel arrangements, attending a pre-departure orientation at your local EducationUSA center or online, gathering pre-departure materials and documents for arrival, as well as reporting to your school and attending orientations. Check your new institution's website for additional pre-departure information that will be more specialized and have information about health insurance, average local temperatures throughout the year, local transportation options, housing, and more. EducationUSA advising centers organize pre-departure orientations for students getting ready to depart for the United States.

Toyota concept takes outdoor fun to new levels

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Toyota concept takes outdoor fun to new levels Toyota has taken its series of adventure-loving concept vehicles to the next level with the global premiere of its brash and versatile Future Toyota Adventure Concept, or FT-AC.

Debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the FT-AC has been conceived as a thoroughly capable all-wheel-drive petrol or hybrid-powered vehicle catering to various lifestyles, preferences and even generations.

It represents the latest iteration of Toyota's adventure-loving line-up of concept vehicles, providing an ideal vehicle for a wide mix of on and off-road excursions.

Although currently a design experiment, its bold and daring design reflects the confident spirit of Toyota's existing SUVs and commercial vehicles.

It is particularly appropriate that the new concept was unveiled in Los Angeles - a city where much of the population escapes to the hills, deserts or beaches for much-needed weekend recharges after a long week of work.

The FT-AC is designed to encourage people of all skill levels that to undertake one-of-a-kind adventures, such as going for a paddle on a river, climbing a favourite rock face or hitting a trail on a mountain bike.

Its powerful stance is emphasised by a long wheelbase, wide track and a pronounced, wide black grille that is flanked by LED headlights. Extra-wide fender flares provide body shielding above the 20” wheels and beefy all-terrain tyres, both of which help accentuate its commanding look.

Fog lights can be removed from their pods and used as portable lamps, ideal for being attached to a mountain bike for night riding, while the safari-style cargo roof-rack system can haul all types of adventure gear.

An integrated Wi-Fi hotspot provides adventure-goers the ability to livestream their fun or upload footage to cloud-based storage for real-time editing and posting via a mobile device.

The FT-AC envisions a petrol-powered engine with an advanced torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, apportioning torque as required for excellent controllability and maximum traction.

Variable terrain-response settings and four-wheel lock functionality build on its capability by managing traction control and throttle response to provide maximum grip at each wheel for a more dynamic driving experience.

FT-AC could also offer a next-generation hybrid powertrain that blends fuel efficiency with rugged all-wheel-drive grunt, giving drivers better power, responsiveness and impressive fuel economy - all without compromise. – Motorpress.co.za

Neckartal delayed by 6 months

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Neckartal delayed by 6 monthsSlowdown due to non-payment Billed to be completed this month, the delivery of the massive Neckartal Dam near Keetmanshoop has been delayed by six months due to a cut in shifts because of non-payment by government. Despite a slowdown in construction activities witnessed at the Neckertal Dam site, Salini believes that the project is still poised to be completed in 2018 as scheduled. The dam was originally planned to be completed this month.

This is according to its spokesperson Gilles Castonguay who provided a brief update on the project.

“Construction activity at the site is going well. We expect to complete our part of the project by mid-2018,” he said briefly.

Salini recently reduced its 12-hour work shifts to seven and a half hours to circumvent layoffs and the payment of overtime to workers and subcontractors.

“Work has been reduced to a minimum and it will be the case until we get paid,” Castonguay said in an update.

The slowdown in construction activities at the Neckartal site is not expected to affect the completion of the project, according to him.

“We are working to complete the project on schedule, we are working towards that target,” said Castonguay.

Construction activities were split into two phases. The first involved the construction of a temporary enclosure called a cofferdam on the left side of the river.

Standing at a height of 10 metres, it allowed workers to complete the excavations in safety, prepare the foundations of the dam, start pouring the reinforced concrete and build a diversion culvert, which allows water to flow under its structure. The second phase will see the deviation of the river through this diversion culvert so as to allow workers to complete the job on the right side of the riverbed. Construction work on the dam started in September 2013. Once complete, Neckartal will be three times the size of Hardap Dam, while its dam wall will be three stories high. Neckartal forms part of the Ministry of Water, Agriculture and Forestry's master water plan.

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Better days for Oshana's youth

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Better days for Oshana's youth The Oshana governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa, has tasked each of his 11 regional councillors to identify two poor homesteads in their respective constituencies to benefit from his poor household solar power project.

Kashuupulwa said his governor's trust fund had secured N$500 000 for solar energy for the rural community in his region. He said school-going children must form part of the identified households as the project is aimed at assisting these children by providing them with light to enable them to study more effectively.

“Each of you, the regional councillors, must identify two poor households in your constituencies to benefit from the solar energy power project to be funded by the governor's trust fund. In the homes you select, there must be school-going children as the project is aimed at assisting these learners who are faced with the challenge to study after dark,” Kashuupulwa told regional councillors. Kashuupulwa made the remarks in Oshakati at the close of last week during the handover of N$285 140 towards development of businesses for unemployed youth and women in his region. The donation was handed over to 13 businesses from all the constituencies in the region.

“This is an initiative aimed at assisting young people and women to start their own businesses which is not only aimed at addressing the challenges of acquiring start-up capital, but also to empower them and to provide them with opportunities. Once innovative businesses are established they will eradicate poverty and contributed towards sustainable economic growth,” he said. Oshana comprises of eleven constituencies and according to Kashuupulwa each constituency received N$26 000, made possible by a donation from the Fishing Corporation of Namibia (FISHCOR).

ILENI NANDJATO

Drop-top thrills: BMW's new i8 Roadster headed for SA

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Drop-top thrills: BMW's new i8 Roadster headed for SAEfficent, emotive and exhilirating Munich’s masterpiece refreshed and roofless The new BMW i8 Roadster takes the combination of emission-free and high-performance driving and adds open-top thrills.

The i8 Roadster made its world premier at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show and will be joined in showrooms by the mid-life update of the i8 Coupé.

The Roadster is the third vehicle in the 'i-car' line-up and this drop-top version forms part of a facelifted i8 range, set to arrive in South Africa in May 2018.

Electrically operated soft-top roof

All-electric operation ensures the fabric soft-top opens or closes within 16 seconds while travelling at up to 50 km/h.

The i8 Roadster is unique in offering a fabric soft-top which stows into a perpendicular position in the rear when opened, therefore taking up very little space. The three segments of the roof fold vertically in a Z-shape, leaving an additional 100 litres of storage space between the roof box and the seats, on top of the 88 litres of cargo space in the rear compartment.

Opening the roof raises the rear window automatically by 30 mm, reducing air turbulence inside the cabin and ensuring passengers can enjoy the pleasure of open-top driving with minimal disturbance. The driver can adjust the height of the window at the touch of a button and control airflow.

Design

The i8 Roadster’s broad roof retracts fully into the rear end, lending greater emphasis to the car’s low-slung silhouette. The C-pillars are adorned with beautifully made model-specific badges bearing the inscription “Roadster”. A similar logo can be found on the tail of the sporty two-seater.

Powertrain, chassis and body

The new BMW i8 Coupé and new BMW i8 Roadster are powered by a hybrid synchronous electric motor and a three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a six-speed Steptronic transmission, while the electric motor propels the front wheels via a two-speed automatic gearbox.

Continual development has enhanced the performance offered by BMW’s eDrive technology. The energy capacity of the latest version of the i8’s lithium-ion battery has increased from 20 Ah to 34 Ah and gross energy capacity from 7.1 kWh to 11.6 kWh (net energy capacity: 9.4kWh).

Extra energy reserves have made it possible to raise the electric motor’s peak output by 9kW to 106kW. In typical electric motor fashion, it generates its maximum torque of 250Nm from rest, which means it is ideally equipped to deliver razor-sharp responses to the slightest movement of the accelerator.

The battery cells’ higher capacity means that the proportion of all-electric driving can be increased substantially, even in hybrid mode. With the default driving mode engaged, both the new i8 Coupé and new i8 Roadster are capable of pulling away and reaching speeds of up to 105 km/h purely on the electric motor’s power, making it possible to drive with zero emissions not just in town, but on country roads as well. And if the eDrive button is pressed, the all-electric threshold of both models is increased further to 120 km/h.

The new high-voltage battery benefits the electric range of the two plug-in hybrid sports cars too. In the EU test cycle, the new BMW i8 Coupé achieves a maximum range of 54 km – around 50% more than before – while the figure for the new BMW i8 Roadster is 53 km.

Improved sound and lower emissions

The i8’s combustion engine has also undergone further improvements. The turbocharged three-cylinder unit featuring direct injection and VALVETRONIC variable valve timing extracts a maximum output of 172kW from its displacement of just 1.5-litres, plus peak torque of 320Nm. It is pleasantly refined and generates a distinctive soundtrack that now has an even sportier note when its power reserves are called upon. The engine also runs more cleanly, as it now comes equipped with a particulate filter as standard that effectively absorbs all the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gases.

The system output produced by the electric motor and engine acting in unison has increased to 278 kW. The new BMW i8 Coupé accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, while the new i8 Roadster takes 4.6 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km. -Wheels24

New headman for Amarika

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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New headman for AmarikaSays she is ready for the challenge With a severe shortage of access to potable water and a very weak academic drive amongst its youth, Amarika is now in the hands of Ottilie Ipinge who says she will rise to the occasion. King Johannes Mupongolitha Mupiya of the Ongandjera Traditional Authority installed 21 new village headmen at the weekend.

Among the installed leaders is Ottilie Ndeutala Ipinge, 61, the new headman for Amarika village replacing Simeon Ngesheya, who died in 2015.

Ipinge told Namibian Sun that she is ready to take over the village of Amarika and all its problems of access to water, high unemployment among the youth, lack of academic focus among young children, and minimal social support from government.

Ipinge said that she is not new to Amarika and its problems since she has been a village secretary and church leader since 2003. She said she already established a relationship with community members as well as various stakeholders and this will make her job easier.

During the ceremony at Ongandjera palace at Uukwandongo, Mupiya told the new headmen that they are the link between the traditional authority and the community. Therefore, he urged them to lead in accordance with the laws of the country and those pertaining to traditional authorities.

“Leading is not a one-man show. You have to establish your council which will help you to lead and make good decisions. Whatever decision you make must be agreed to by the council and must be in line with the laws and regulations of the traditional authority and those of the country,” Mupiya said.

He also urged them to ensure that the allocation of land is done procedurally and that natural resources are protected.

“You must know your village boundaries and put your people and their welfare first. Assist all the agencies of government in executing their mandates and projects. Where you need help, approach senior traditional leaders of your district or constituency councillors,” he said.

This is the first installation of traditional leaders of the Ongandjera since Mupiya became king in 2012.

Ipinge said that the biggest challenge of Amarika is access to water and children who do not want to go to school. She said that she will see how she can help overcome these challenges.

“The government has constructed a modern school with hostel for us, but children are not attending school, opting rather to work at cattle posts.

“I think a lot needs to be done to educate their parents on the need for education. We have a very high unemployment rate in our community just because our people have not received formal education that can help them get employment, especially in government,” Ipinge said.

On the water issue, Ipinge said, “for the past four months, our people are drinking from their wells. The desalination plant (built at a cost of N$200 million) has not been working since August.

“We communicated this to the Otamanzi councillor, but he told us that there is no money for government to bring us water with a tanker.

“He advises us to collect money for petrol but people have no money.”

Ipinge said that water from the wells is problem for the people of Amarika as it is unhealthy.

ILENI NANDJATO

N$150m tractor plant gains traction

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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N$150m tractor plant gains traction A Namibian and Iranian consortium is planning to construct a tractor assembly plant in Brakwater which will have the capacity to roll out up to 5 000 units off its production line each year.

This is according to the deputy chairman of a subsidiary of the Iran Truck Company, Abolfalh Ebrahimi.

The plant is the brainchild of the governor of Omusati, Erginus Endjala, and a local business delegation that travelled to Iran this year.

Speaking at a signing ceremony to mark the beginning of the business relationship last week, Ebrahimi said it was now up to the Namibian business group to accelerate the planned project and assembly plant.

A part shareholder in the plant which will be built north of Windhoek at Brakwater, Governor Erginus Endjala, said the negotiations to get the Iranian counterparts to invest in Namibia were not easy.

“This plant will serve the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. There is a huge market that we need to fill,” said Endjala of the need to build the assembly plant in Namibia.

The plant, which will be built at an estimated cost of N$150 million, will employ 40 people at the start-up phase Endjala said.

Thereafter, the number of people employed at the plant is expected to increase by 10% per year, according to him.

The plant which is being constructed on a joint venture basis, will see Endjala and his Namibian counterparts hold a 70% stake under a company called Vispa.

Endjala also pointed out that the Namibian interest was the licence holder for sub-Saharan Africa and that the tractors would bear a local brand.

The only delay that was now holding the construction of the plant back was the approval of an environmental impact assessment, which Endjala was sure, would get approval by the end of February, giving way to a planned ground-breaking ceremony.

“By March next year, we might invite you for a ground-breaking ceremony,” he said.

Agriculture minister John Mutorwa said Endjala and his delegation could count on government's support in light of the difficulty in procuring tractors and the relevant spare parts. According to Mutorwa, it meant that government often had to procure spare parts for tractors from faraway places.

“We procure tractors and spares from faraway places. We are looking with keen interest at what will be signed. You are guaranteed of one customer and that is government,” Mutorwa told the business delegation. He called the signing ceremony an important occasion.

Ebrahimi said it was now up to the Namibian counterparts to bring the project to commercial close.

“We are going to establish a centre for production and export. Our choice to invest in Namibia is because of the political stability. The ball is now in your court,” Ebrahimi said adding that he was positive the first locally assembled tractor could be available within six months of the Brakwater plant's commissioning.

OGONE TLHAGE

A new perspective on Traditional Healing in Namibia

December 4, 2017, 2:00 pm

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A new perspective on Traditional Healing in Namibia Luca Milanesi

Traditional healing and traditional healers are a controversial topic for some in Namibia due to the conflicting values taught through Christianity, but Mukwaita Wa Mnadjanima is looking to change this. The 26-year-old traditional healer was born and raised in Northern Wambaland in a Christian family. Once he had completed school he moved to Windhoek to study film and TV, but eventually worked in advertising for 3 years before realising his calling to traditional healing. He says he first realised his calling through his ancestors, who appeared to him in dreams and visions. When speaking of his time studying he says that he felt “unsettled and unwell”, especially spiritually, yet once he started his transition in Northern Wambaland he began to feel more at ease.

Once he had started his transition, he moved to South Africa to complete his traditional studies, and 9 months later returned to Windhoek as a traditional healer. In a traditional healing seminar on the 29th of November, he elaborated on the significance of this: “the process of transitioning to a traditional healer allowed me to reconnect with my African spirituality, and brought me peace”. Mukwaita speaks very passionately of his new profession, and discussed some of the issues of being a traditional healer in Namibia.

The vision of Mukwaita

“I feel like traditional healers in Namibia are extremely misunderstood. Through colonialism and the spreading of Christianity in Namibia, I feel like people have gotten to the point where they no longer understand what traditional healing actually entails”. Beyond being able to assist in curing certain physical ailments and psychological issues, he believes that traditional healing is a way for Africans to get in touch with their spirituality. “I believe my calling has to do with educating people on who they are and reconnecting them with their traditional heritage and spirituality”. The connection between a person and their ancestors, he says, can have an impact on how the person acts, the decisions they make and how they see themselves.

Mukwaita often speaks through metaphors, which mostly have to do with the Christian faith he grew up with. He believes that the ancestors in traditional practices are much like angels in Christianity, who are believed to watch over a person and guide them through life. He continues to say that he hopes to host and create informal forums and methods of communication and dialogue, much like his ancestors teaching under the shade of a tree, in order to discuss and educate people on his practices and beliefs, centred around philosophical thought and discussion.

These sentiments were shared by some of the people who also attended the seminar. Trixie Munyama, a local artist, and Hazel Hinda, well known Namibian actress, have both known Mukwaita since he was younger. They believe that “traditional healing brings an African perspective to a Christian country in Africa” and believe that Mukwaita brings a new perspective to traditional healing. “The mind is always looking to challenge things that have been previously accepted” elaborated Hazel. She believes that many Africans have forgotten their heritage in the face of colonial influences, and she is seeking to reconnect with hers. Trixie on the other hand has only praise for the message that Mukwaita is looking to spread, “he brings a new perspective to a secretive practice. He is debunking these practices, and for him to be so open about it, and transition so openly, is a truly revolutionary act”.

The future of Traditional Healing

Mukwaita says he hopes to see a regulatory body set up, with government approval and assistance, in order to give credibility to traditional healers. “The spirits work in many different ways, but a governing body where traditional practitioners could be registered in a government database would validate our practices and help expose fake practitioners”, he explains. This would also allow any patients to voice complaints and grievances they may have, much like the Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa. The Zone reached out to the Health Professionals Council of Namibia (HPCNA) for comment on the state of such a body, but they declined to give an interview or comment.

The youth factors

The Zone managed to speak to some students at a local high school, about attitudes towards traditional healers. One of the high school learners, Tareekuje Kavezeri, mentioned that she had visited a traditional healer we she was ill, but the results were underwhelming. “I think he wanted revenge and I almost died as a result. Only when I went to the doctor did I start to get better, I would never go back”. This sentiment is shared by the other students as well. Gift Uariva, Martha Shipanga and Utjenere Mbura all agreed that they would not go to a traditional healer as they believed “they make things worse” and that “they do fake things to make money”. This was particularly interesting to note, as Eerike had also mentioned that “I would become a traditional healer if I got good money, but eventually someone may find out that it is fake, and I could get arrested”.

This comes after 3 more conmen were arrested in July in Khomasdal for posing as Traditional Healers with the intent of defrauding the public. The three were charged with fraud and theft under false pretences as well as endangering the safety of the public, among other charges.

In response to these incidents and the opinions of the youth, Mukwaita stressed that he seeks to unify traditional practices and western medicinal practices in order to promote the wholistic wellbeing of a person, i.e. both physically and spiritually. He points to a case where a man came to him seeking help from substance abuse. Mukwaita identified that the cause of this abuse must be spiritual, but that the man needed professional medical help, and thus he advised him to go to a rehabilitation centre. In accordance with this, Mukwaita says he hopes to further his studies by studying Psychology, so that he may provide both traditional and western methods in helping his clients.

While concluding the interview, Mukwaita said that he had one more message to share “I would like to address the issue of fear, when seeing a traditional healer. I see it as being the fear of the self, the ‘African self’ and recognising ones’ own identity and heritage, because that is what I aim to do”.

Fact Box:

1. Traditional Healers can train for anything from 9 months to 2 years to qualify as a traditional practitioner

2. One can only start the transition to becoming a practitioner if one has a calling.

3. There are many different aspects to traditional healing, some claim to have the power of vision, others specialise as herbalists or even as educators.

4. Sexuality plays a large role in traditional healing, as healers believe the ancestors can impact your desires and actions, and can portray themselves through you.

5. Ones’ sexual orientation plays no role in whether one can become a traditional practitioner or not.

6. A younger healer may not necessarily be less powerful than an older one, age has no impact on the power of a healer, but the biggest difference comes in how that power is used, in which case older healers have more experience in how to use that power.

7. Traditional practitioners aim to strengthen their ties to their ancestors through prayer and sacrifice in order to become more spiritual.

8. The practice of their traditional ceremonies has very strong ties to their faith. A healer may be challenged in his faith by a client, in which case they will work to strengthen their faith so as to help their client.

9. The ability to help a client can rest heavily on the abilities of a healer, one that has a gift for seeing into a person and understanding them may not be gifted when it comes to herbal practices.

10. Traditional practitioners are able to work in harmony with western medicine. The two can work hand in hand for holistic wellbeing.