Kavango West Governor's Cup to excite

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Kavango West Governor's Cup to exciteFootballers ready for cup The first Kavango West Governor's Cup, themed 'Clash of the Constituencies', will take place from 15 to 17 December at Nkurenkuru. The Governor's Cup, sponsored by the governor of the Kavango West Region, Sirka Ausiku, to the tune of N$20 000, was launched on 8 December and will take place at the Nkurenkuru Combined School.

It will be contested by eight constituencies in Kavango West Region. The tournament was introduced by the governor in collaboration with the Kavango West Football League Committee and will become an annual tournament for the region.

The purpose of the tournament is simply football development for the youth of Kavango, targeting mainly under-17 and under-20 footballers.

According to Egidius Nambara, a member of the Kavango West Football Committee, the tournament was initiated after the annual The Namibian Newspaper Cup which took place at Swakopmund over the Easter weekend.

He said preparations were done and football lovers should come out in numbers to support the players.

The Kavango West Regional under-20 soccer team performed poorly at the Newspaper Cup tournament, losing both matches against Khomas and Oshikoto.

Being a football lover herself, Ausiku was present at this tournament, watched all her team's matches and was touched by the team's poor performance.

After receiving a report on the team's participation in the tournament from the technical team, she decided to sponsor a tournament for the youth, creating a platform to scout for players for the under-17 and under-20 regional teams for next year's Newspaper Cup and Scorpion Zinc tournaments.

Once a team is selected well in advance, it will give the technical team ample time to train and prepare the boys for these tournaments.

At the launch the draw was also conducted. The tournament will be played in a league format consisting of two groups of four teams each.

The two top teams from each group will play in the semi-finals. The two winners will play the final and the two losers will contest for third position. The groups are as follows:



Group 1

Ncuncuni, Mankumpi, Mpungu and Ncamagoro.

Group 2

Musese, Nkurenkuru, Kapako and Tondoro.

The opening match will take place on Friday, 15 December with a mouth-watering clash between the two most feared constituencies, Nkurenkuru taking on Tondoro. The second match will see the underrated Mankumpi take on Ncamagoro.

The winners of the Cup will pocket N$5 000, a floating trophy and gold medals. The runners-up will receive N$3 000 and silver medals and the third-placed team will pocket N$2 000 and bronze medals.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Angula returns with personal bests

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Angula returns with personal bests Namibian disabled swimmer Matheus 'Spiderman' Angula set two personal best times during the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) 2017 World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico.

Angula was using the championship as an entry event to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Before leaving for Mexico the swimmer said he would focus on his strokes in order to produce the best time in the championship, which is to swim below 50 seconds. He managed to swim a personal best time of 1:57.80 in the 100-metre freestyle, way better than his old record of 2:06.17seconds.

In the 50-metre freestyle he swam 49.41 seconds, improving his old record of 59.79 seconds. His coach said the swimmer will have to go through a reclassification review in 2018 because his current class is too high for him. He is at present classified to swim freestyle in the S6 category and breaststroke in the SB5 category, a class for swimmers with more body functions than Angula.

“So this means Angula has to be reviewed for a new classification and that will be in Kenya next year,” coach Sonja Lindemeier said.

Angula is currently ranked number one in Africa in the S6 category.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Mugabe flies out for medical checks

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mugabe flies out for medical checksFirst trip since being ousted Mugabe will not be in the country for Zanu-PF's special congress to endorse his ouster and confirming his former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa as his replacement. The former president has reportedly left the country for routine medical checks in Singapore - the nonagenarian's first foreign trip since his ouster in November.

Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe has left the country for medical checks in Singapore, his first foreign travel since the army forced him from office last month, a state security official said on Tuesday.

The 93-year-old, who ruled the southern African nation for 37 years, resigned after the army and his ruling ZANU-PF party turned against him when it became clear that his 52-year-old wife, Grace, was being groomed as his successor.

Until recently the world's oldest head of state, Mugabe had a reputation for extensive and expensive international travel, including regular medical trips to Singapore - a source of public anger among his impoverished citizens.

He left Harare with Grace and aides on Monday evening, the official said. He is expected to make a stop-over in Malaysia, where his daughter, Bona, is expecting a second child.

“He has gone for a routine medical trip to Singapore,” said the official, who has organised Mugabe's security protection but who is not authorised to speak to the media. “He was due for a check-up but events of the last few weeks made it impossible for him to travel.”

The trip means Mugabe will not be in Zimbabwe when ZANU-PF endorses President Emmerson Mnangagwa as its leader and presidential candidate for next year's elections during a one-day special congress on Friday. The security official would not say how Mugabe was travelling although the privately owned NewsDay newspaper said he was on a state-owned Air Zimbabwe plane.

Mugabe was granted immunity from prosecution and assured of his safety under his resignation deal, a source of frustration to many Zimbabweans who accused him of looting state coffers and destroying the economy during his time in power.

Another government official told Reuters last month Mugabe had been due to travel to Singapore on Nov. 16 but was unable to leave because the military had confined him to his private home the previous day.

George Charamba, a senior information ministry official, declined to comment. Under Zimbabwe's Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits Act, a former head of state is entitled to perks including limited foreign travel and medical insurance.

“These are very standard features of a retired president,” another government official said, trying to head off any controversy. “You are making a storm out of nothing.”



NAMPA/REUTERS

Russia asks UN for green light to send arms to CAR

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Russia asks UN for green light to send arms to CAR Russia has asked the UN Security Council for permission to supply light arms and ammunition to the struggling armed forces of the Central African Republic beginning next week, according to a request obtained by AFP on Tuesday.

The move has raised concerns from France which has questioned Russia's plan, notably over the storage of the weaponry, according to a Security Council diplomat who declined to be named.

Russia is asking for an exemption to the arms embargo imposed on the Central African Republic in 2013 when the impoverished country descended into violence.

CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera asked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the military assistance during talks at the Black Sea resort of Sochi in October, a diplomat said.

Russia is proposing to provide two battalions totalling 1 300 men - who were recently trained by the European Union - with automatic rifles, pistols and ammunition.

Council members had until yesterday at 3:00 pm to consider the request. If no objections are raised, Russia will receive a green light for the shipments that would begin next week, according to the request.

A first shipment is planned for Monday, with two others scheduled for February 1 and April 1.

The three-stage delivery would address French concerns that the weapons be stored under tight security to prevent them from falling into the hands of rebel groups.

Russian defence ministry officials travelled to CAR on November 25 to 27 to review the newly-trained forces and discuss the military aid.

“Having assessed the situation in CAR, the Russian side agreed with the opinion of this country's leadership on the necessity to increase the overall strength of the armed forces of the Central African Republic,” said the request from the Russian mission to the United Nations.

Among the weapons on the proposed list are 900 pistols, 5 200 assault rifles, 140 sniper rifles, 840 Kalashnikov machine guns, 270 RPGs and 20 anti-aircraft guns, the document said.

Russia would also provide millions of pieces of ammunition including armour-piercing cartridges, hand grenades and mortars, the document said.

NAMPA/AFP

Okabinete taka ka tokola koshipangelo shomonooli

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Okabinete taka ka tokola koshipangelo shomonooli Okabinete koshilongo otaka ka kala newi lya hugunina kombinga yoompangela dhokutunga oshipangelo oshinene monooli yoshilongo. Uuministeli wuundjolowele owa koleke kutya otawu longo waahena oluthuwo opo wetepo olopota kombinga yoshipangelo shoka taku pangelwa opo shi tungwe monooli.

Omupeha amushanga muuministeli mboka, Petronella Masabane okwa popi kutya uuministeli owiipyakidhila omanga inawu fala kokabinete omagwedhelepo, ko okabinete ka vule okuninga etokolo.

Oshifokundnaeki shoNamibian Sun osha lopota oshiwike sha piti kutya okwa holoka omananathano pokati kaanapolotika monooli yoshilongo oshowo ominista yuundjolowele, Bernard Haufiku omolwa oshikumungu shetsokumwe kutya oshipangelo shoka otashi tungwa mondoolopa yini.

Elelo lyopapolotika mOshana olya li lya tothamo ondoolopa yaNdangwa kutya omo tamu tungwa oshipangeo shoka, omanga Haufiku ta lundilwa kutya okwa gama kombinga ndjoka yahala oshipangelo shi tungwe mOngwediva.

Haufiku okwa ekelehi omalundulo ngoka.

Omwedhi gwa piti, amushanga nale muuministeli mboka, Andreas Mwoombola okwa li a lombwele elelo lyaShana kutya okabinete otaka kakundathana oshikumungu shoka.

Uuministeli owali wa tegelelwa wu gandje olopota yomagwedhelepo kokabinete muule wiiwike iyali sha landula etseyitho lyaMwoombola, ihe Masabane okwa popi kutya shoka otashi ka ningwa owala momvula twa taalela molwaashoka olopota yomagwedhelepo ngoka inayi manithwa natango.

Masabane okwa popi kutya otaya ka ninga tango oonkundathana nolopota ndjoka otayi kakwatelamo omutengenekwathaneko gopaiyemo metungo lyoshipangelo shoka. Omunashipundi gwelelo lyaShana, Hannu Kapenda okwa koleke kutya okwa yakula omukanda okuza kuuministeli, nonando inaya vula okukundathana omukanda ngoka, molwaashoka ogwe ya pethimbo mpoka elelo li li mefudho.

Mujuni gwonuumvo, elelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana olya tsu kumwe opo oshipangelo shoka shi tungwe mOndangwa. Etokolo ndyoka olya ningwa kokatokolitho hoka ka pitithwa kelelo ndyoka.

Kapenda okwa li a lombwele oshifokundnaeki shika kutya etokolo lyawo olya ningwa kwa talwa kompumbwe yomayambulepo ngoka ga pumbiwa moshitopolwa, netokolo olya yambidhidhwa kookansela 11.

Elelo lyaNdangwa olya pula woo Omupresidende Hage Geingob opo oshipangelo shoka shi tungwe mondoolopa yawo.

ILENI NANDJATO

Mulunga aniwa ina halika

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mulunga aniwa ina halikaAaniilonga yopakathimbo omugoyi ya kuthwa miilonga moNamcor Omukomeho gwehangano lyoNamcor Imms Mulunga okwa popi kutya ope na aantu yamwe mboka yahala okumukutha mombelewa omanga oshikako she shuule woomvula ntano inashi thika pehulilo Elelo lyehangano lyoNational Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) olya hulitha po ookondalaka dhiilonga dhaaniilonga itaya kalele omugoyi, onga oshizemo shomananathano ngoka geli pokati kelelo lyehangano ndyoka oshowo omukomeho gwehangano ndyoka.

Aaniilonga mboka ya gumwa konkalo ndjoka, oya tseyithilwa kutya elelo olya tula miilonga okatokolitho momasiku 27 gaNovemba hoka ka utha ehulithepo lyookondalaka dhawo dhiilonga, omolwa oshikumungu shi na sha netulo lyawo iilonga. Yamwe po yomaaniilonga mboka oya tameke owala iilonga mesiku lyotango lyaNovemba.

Mulunga ngoka a li a gandja ookondolaka ndhoka na okwali a thiminikwa konkalo opo a shaine omakutho miilonga ngoka na okwa popi kutya elelo olya ningi etokolo ndyoka, pwaahena omatompelo gasha. Mulunga okwa popi kutya okwa lombwela komunambelewa gwiikwaveta yaaniilonga, Frank Köpplinger kutya omakutho miilonga ngoka kage li paveta.

Okwa popi kutya okwa fala oshikumungu shoka koohahende oshowo koNamibia Public Workers Union (Napwu).

Mboka ya kuthwa miilonga oya tumbulwa kutya oSam Hasheela, Karina Indongo, Elina Karlos, Reginalda Kennedy, Tuyenikelao Nangolo, Mwaka Zibiso, Sharon Kavita, Wenselaus Iita, oshowo Elina Alweendo.

Yamwe oya tokola okukatuka oonkatu dhopaveta ihe inaya hala okupopya kombinga yomatokolo gawo.

Omunashipundi gwelelo lyehangano ndyoka,

Patrick Kauta ina vula okumonika molwaashoka okuli pondje yoshilongo.

Oonzo dhilwe ndhoka dha yakeleko oshifokundnaeki shika odha popi kutya omauliko ngoka oga ningwa kuMulunga, na kage li pondondo yomulandu gwehangano. Onzo oya tsikile kutya oyendji mboka ya kutwa miilonga ookume naapopepi yaMulunga.

“Mombelewa yaMulunga omuna oohamushanga yaali. Ondjele ndjoka yali tayi longithwa kuMulunga momugandja iilonga inaku landula omilandu oyi li pombanda noonkondo. Elelo lyongashiingeyi oli na oonkondo na elelo ewanawa.”

Oonzo odha holola kutya Mulunga okwa gandja iilonga mbyoka inaku ningwa omatseyitho goompito dhiilonga nenge ku ningwe omapulaapulo.

Oya tsikile kutya mboka ya pewa iilonga kuMulunga ohaya lopotele Mulunga. Mulunga okwa popi kutya omulandu gwoompito dhiilonga yopakathimbo mehangano ndyoka, ogwe mupa oonkondo opo a vule okugandja iilonga inaku ningwa omatseyitho goompito dhiilonga.

Okwa tsikile kutya epuko ndyoka lya ningwa koshikondo shoonzo dhopauntu, oondyoka kutya mookondalaka ndhoka dhiilonga oya shangamo kutya oompito ndhoka odhuulewethimbo lyontumba pehala lyokutya odhopakathimbo.

Mulunga okwa popile euliko ndyoka kutya olya pumbiwa kehangano na okwa tsikile kutya ookondalaka ndhoka odha kuthwa oonkondo molwaashoka aaniilonga yamwe moshikondo shopangeshefa mehangano inaya hala okulonga nayakwawo.

Mulunga okwa popi kutya kutya ehangano ndyoka itai lelwa we kwiikwatelelwa koompango dhehangano ihe okwiikwatelelwa komagwedhelepo taga zi pondje yehangano. Okwa tsikile kutya ope na mboka inaye mu hala mehangano ndyoka, na oya hala okuninga oshikako shelelo lye lyuule woomvula ntano shi kale kashi na epangelo.

Mulunga okwa ningi omukomeho gwoNamcor mo 2015, sha landula sho Obeth Kandjoze a ningi ominista yiikwamina niikwankondo.

Okutameka Februali gwo 2016 opwa kala enanathano pokati kaMulunga naKandjoze, sho minista a li a pula Mulunga a thigepo iilonga omolwa oshikumungu shondjokana ye oshowo ekwatathano lye nomuprofeti gwaMalawi, Shepherd Bushiri ye ya polweela moshigwana.

Kandjoze ina hala okupopya sha kombinga yoshikumungu shoka, kakele okwa popi kutya okwa hala okudhimbulukitha kehe gumwe kutya Namibia oshilongo tashi lelwa koompango.



CATHERINE SASMAN

Shot of the day

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day SUFFERING: A Rohingya girl gathers dried rice stalks in a field near the Naybara refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. Bangladesh doctors warned of a sharp escalation in Rohingya children suffering from pneumonia as hundreds of thousands of refugees shiver through winter in overcrowded camps with little protection from the cold. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Stop the insanity on our roads

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Stop the insanity on our roads There are three kinds of drivers in Namibia: those who stick to the law, those who think they are above the law, and those who are above the law.

That is how one man who has worked in road safety for years and seen a lifetime of carnage summed up one of our problems on national roads. The other one: a lack of real consequences for illegal driving behaviour.

Most importantly, a lack of visible policing along the national roads allows drivers to continue breaking the law and putting the lives of others at risk. There is no real cost for their attitude or behaviour, aside from a crash and injury or death. But before millions are spent and another life lost, why not institute globally recognised strategies that could significantly reduce the carnage? Key is law enforcement visibility and response to law breaking and costly punishments. The lack of law enforcement between roadblocks allows reckless, selfish, arrogant driving to thrive with impunity. Moreover, the absence of effective punishment undermines all other road-safety campaigns. Why would someone change their behaviour when the cost is minimal? One definition of insanity is to do a thing over and over again and expect different results. Most of the horror on our roads, if not all, is in some way related to negligence, arrogance, bad decision-making, haste and simple ignorance. Yet traffic authorities remain glaringly absent from the roads.

No licences are suspended and no cars impounded. Law breakers thrive. Each year another family is plunged into the depths of grief, their lives forever changed.

Each year our cash-strapped government forks out millions in healthcare costs.

This killing spree cannot be stopped if authorities are not visible along the road and punishments remain weak. This is a national emergency and action is needed now. Apart from death or injury, which many of the culprits clearly don't foresee as a possible result of their deviant actions on the roads, what are the real, visible consequences they could fear? There are few, and none that inspire a change in behaviour. Do your job, road authorities. You are letting the killing spree continue on our roads.

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Subaru XV and Impreza awarded top rating

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Subaru XV and Impreza awarded top ratingPerformed exceptionally in 2017 Euro NCAP safety test Subaru has been honoured with the prestigious five-star rating from Euro NCAP for the sixth time. Subaru Corporation has announced that the Subaru XV and Impreza models have won the highest five-star overall rating in the 2017 European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) safety performance test.

This follows the April 2017 announcement that the XV and Impreza had won the JNCAP 2016-2017 Grand Prix Award for earning the highest safety score, setting a new score record for the first time in three years.

The Euro NCAP evaluates adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist.

Starting with the 2016 safety performance assessment, a test that checks how well vehicles autonomously detect and prevent collisions with pedestrians has been introduced.

The EyeSight-equipped Impreza and Subaru XV capable of detecting pedestrians showed good performance in the new test.

This is the sixth time that Subaru has been honoured with the prestigious five-star rating from Euro NCAP.

Subaru XV and Impreza models sold in Southern Africa feature the award-winning EyeSight driver-assist system.

At the core of the technology, and a key point of difference between EyeSight and other driver assistance systems of similar nature, is the pair of stereo, colour-reading cameras. These are mounted behind the rear-view mirror and they scan the road ahead for unanticipated dangers.

Other systems of a similar nature make use of either radar, LIDAR or single-camera technology, each of which has its shortcomings. Radar systems have difficulty detecting nearby objects, have a narrow field of vision and low resolution. Light-based LIDAR systems have a short range and only detect vehicles. Single-camera systems struggle to detect still objects and don't judge distances as accurately as any of the other systems.

The EyeSight system offers a full suite of driver assistance systems that are designed to reduce or circumvent collisions caused by driver error and to reduce or circumvent collisions caused by driver fatigue.

The system does this by detecting the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other potential hazards up to 110 metres in front. Key functionality includes pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure & sway warning.

- QuickPic

Namibia condemns killing of peacekeepers

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Namibia condemns killing of peacekeepers Namibia has condemned the killing of Tanzanian peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling it a barbaric act of violence.

The deputy prime minister and minister of international relations and cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said Namibia learned about the wanton killing of the Tanzanian troops with “deep horror and revulsion”.

“The government of Namibia unreservedly condemns this contemptible act of atrocity committed against the peacekeepers.”

The United Nations last week confirmed that 14 of its peacekeeping officers had been killed in an attack by an armed militia group on 7 December in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The peacekeeping officers, who were all Tanzanian, were part of the UN Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). The UN said 53 other officers were also injured in the same attack. Nandi-Ndaitwah extended Namibia's sympathy and fraternal solidarity to Tanzania, adding that the act of dastardly violence was perpetrated against those whose mission it was to help the DRC restore peace and security.

“The government of Namibia also extends condolences to the bereaved families of the gallant peacekeepers who made supreme sacrifice in the course of peace and to wish the wounded peacekeepers speedy recovery.”

Namibia further called on MONUSCO to provide all the necessary assistance and support to the Congolese national army to pursue and bring to justice those responsible for the “barbaric act” of unprovoked aggressions against the peacekeepers. UN secretary-general António Guterres has described the attack as the worst against a peacekeeping mission in recent history.

He said the deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers were unacceptable and constituted a war crime. MONUSCO reportedly has about 18 000 troops in DRC. DRC has been locked in a political impasse for much of the past year as president Joseph Kabila refused to step down from office at the end of last year when his tenure expired. Riots protesting Kabila's continued stay in office led to a breakout of violence which left dozens dead.

ELLANIE SMIT

Schoolgirls get pregnant over holidays

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Schoolgirls get pregnant over holidays The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is urging parents to take care of their daughters during school holidays, as most teen pregnancies are reported a few months after school breaks.

Speaking to Nampa recently, the deputy director in the ministry's HIV/Aids Management Unit, Julius Nghifikwa, said they had observed that girls are getting pregnant during holidays when they are away from schools and in their parents' care.

“Children get pregnant while at home, especially [during] the December holiday and the few months of the first term of the academic year. We count a lot of pregnancies in learners [early in the year],” he said.

Nghifikwa said this was because parents did not keep track of where their children were.

“Some parents are not really taking care of their adolescent girls. They are hardly there. Some because of work and others are just not there,” he said.

He urged parents and the community to take responsibility for protecting, engaging and guiding girls so that they could make informed decisions.

“Young girls are engaging in drugs and alcohol use and this is becoming a problem and a major factor in pregnancy. We therefore need parents and community engagement at a family level,” Nghifikwa said. According to the ministry's most recent statistics, 1 843 schoolgirls fell pregnant in 2015 and 2 233 in 2016. Ohangwena topped the chart for the last two years with 551 pregnancies in 2016 and 349 in 2015, followed by Omusati with 319 in 2016 and 282 in 2015.

NAMPA

Infrastructure key to employment

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Infrastructure key to employmentYouth boom can be a challenge or opportunity Failure to effectively deal with deepening unemployment among Africa's growing youth population could have catastrophic effects. African Union representative Cheikh Bedda has warned that sky-high youth unemployment on the continent can seriously harm economic gains.

“Failure to effectively deal with deepening unemployment among Africa's growing youth population could seriously erode the economic gains achieved across the continent in recent years,” Bedda, the director of the African Union Commission's (AUC) infrastructure and energy department, said in Swakopmund this week.

He was speaking at a meeting of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (Pida).

Bedda said Africa had one of the fastest growing youth demographics in the world, which could be seen as an asset for change, progress and dynamism.

“Today's generation of people in Africa is the largest the world has ever known. About half of Africa's population of 1.1 billion is under the age of 25,” he explained.

Bedda said the challenge of creating enough jobs and opportunities for the large African youth population entering the labour market was a major challenge faced by the continent.

In line with the objectives of Pida, Bedda said the benefits of a regionally integrated approach to infrastructure development were to make possible the formation of large competitive markets instead of “small, fragmented and inefficient ones, and to lower costs across production sectors so as to stimulate industrialisation and growth and consequently enabling job creation.”

The Pida event focused on the best ways to develop infrastructure in Africa in order to grow economies and to create jobs.

Bedda urged public decision-makers and private-sector management to “actively undertake training and skills acquisition in infrastructure development, particularly in building roads, rail systems, power generation, power transitions systems and ICT connectivity” to help young Africans to be prepared for the job market brought to life by programmes such as Pida. Speaking at a panel discussion at the Pida event, Shem Simuyemba from the African Development Bank urged countries to use multimillion-dollar infrastructural projects as opportunities to grow local economies for the benefit of local communities in terms of job creation and capacity building.

“In most cases when such projects are established, we tend to import experts and materials from abroad, such as China. These services are very expensive and take all the money out of the continent,” Simuyemba said.

He urged countries to source materials and experts and other services from within their own borders or, failing that, other African states. The minister of works and transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, who attended the meeting, said economic emancipation was a key element of unity and peace in Africa. He said weak economies struggled to maintain peace.

“Only with economic freedom are we able to sustain reconciliation and coexistence in Africa,” he said.

- Additional reporting by Nampa

JANA-MARI SMITH

Walters not surprised by IPPR report

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Walters not surprised by IPPR report Namibia's ombudsman, John Walters, is not surprised by the findings of a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which assessed the state of access to information in Namibia.

In a telephonic interview with Nampa on Tuesday, Walters said the unresponsiveness of public officials and institutions was nothing new.

“I am not shocked. I deal with this issue every day [and] get complaints continuously,” he said.

“It is a genuine challenge that I face each day. I don't know if public officials and institutions are reluctant in providing information,” he added.

Walters said he would continue taking action to ensure that officials give the public and the media access to information.

He called upon permanent secretaries and their staff to pass on information so as to ensure accountability.

The report found that 80% of surveyed organisations and institutions did not respond or could not provide information requested.

The report further showed that out of the 14 regions, only Erongo responded with the requested information within a reasonable time.

NAMPA

Young woman raped and assaulted by ex

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Young woman raped and assaulted by ex A 19-year-old woman was assaulted and raped by her ex-boyfriend last weekend while another woman was held hostage and raped at Mariental.

According to the police a man held the 24-year-old Mariental woman hostage for the entire weekend. He threatened her with a knife and repeatedly raped her.

The suspect apparently abducted her from the Oxygen Bar in Mariental and then took her to different locations where she was raped. The suspect has not been arrested.

On Sunday night, a 19-year-old woman was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend at the Okombahe settlement. He allegedly threatened her with a knife and then took her to his house where he raped her. The suspect has been arrested.

Two minors were also raped over the past long weekend.

On Monday, a 13-year-old girl was raped by a 22-year-old man at Karibib. The police said that the girl was apparently sleeping in a house in the Usab location when the man entered the house and raped her. He threatened to harm her if she screamed. The suspect was arrested.

In another incident a 12-year-old girl was raped by a 35-year-old relative at Dordabis last week. The incident happened last Wednesday night. The suspect was arrested.

Several housebreakings were also reported during the weekend which included a robbery in Klein Windhoek during which four firearms, €3000, £1000, gold coins, jewellery, a laptop and a car were stolen. The car was recovered on Monday in the Wanaheda area.

In Eros, burglars stole goods valued at N$366 300 as well as two vehicles. The two vehicles, a silver VW Polo and a Chevrolet bakkie, were found abandoned on Matsitsi Road in the Goreangab Dam area on Sunday.

ELLANIE SMIT

Nghaamwa warns farmers

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Nghaamwa warns farmersIllegal border crossings a concern Namibian farmers should not abuse the hospitality of the Angolan authorities who allow them to cross into Angola with their cattle, the governor of Ohangwena has warned. Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa has expressed concern over Namibian farmers who illegally graze their cattle in Angola, saying they were disrespecting the laws of the neighbouring country.

Nghaamwa, who also farms in Angola, was speaking during a meeting with farmers at Omundaungilo last week.

He warned that they must not take the good relations between the Namibian and Angolan authorities for granted.

Nghaamwa said he was informed by the Angolan authorities about the illegal activities of some Namibian farmers who were reportedly utilising grazing areas not allocated to them.

According to the governor, over 50 000 head of cattle belonging to Namibian farmers are grazing in Angola.

He warned farmers not to abuse the good gesture extended to them by their Angolan counterparts.

“Once you keep on violating this friendship you will be kicked out of Angola and you will end up losing your cattle. Those large numbers of cattle will not be allowed in Namibia and there is nowhere you will keep them.

“It will be good if you behave well to be on the safe side. You must also refrain from going to graze where you are not allowed to,” Nghaamwa said.

The governor said Angola was the only neighbouring country allowing cattle from Namibia to graze there.

“You will never find Namibian cattle grazing in Zambia, Botswana or South Africa; only in Angola. We must respect such a gesture and respect those people.

“We must also try by all means to always reduce the number of our cattle to prevent overgrazing that may force you from grazing even where you are not allowed,” Nghaamwa said.

A group of farmers from the Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati and Ohangwena regions complained that they were not allowed to bring live cattle or meat back into Namibia and had to sell them in Angola, which is not profitable.

“Our cattle are surviving very well in Angola, but the problem is when we want to sell them. The trading system of the Angolan market is like they are stealing our cattle because there is no value for products and they only offer what they want or feel like.

“At the border it is easy to get into Angola with cattle from Namibia, but getting back into Namibia with cattle from Angola is difficult, unless you are smuggling them in,” one of the farmers claimed.

In 2013, a meeting held in Angola between Nghaamwa and his two Angolan counterparts, Higino Carneiro of the Cuando Cubango province and the former Cunene province governor, the late António Didalewa, agreed to allow communal farmers in Namibia to graze their livestock in Angola on condition that they were registered.

They suggested that mobile offices would be established along the border on the Angolan side for the registration of Namibian farmers moving into Angola to obtain legal grazing privileges there.

Due to a lack of animal disease control in Angola, the Division of Veterinary Services (DVS) in the ministry of agriculture has introduced strict measures at the border to control cattle movements. This is mainly aimed at preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which is common in Angola.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Market disruption in the age of innovation

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Market disruption in the age of innovationHow do you manage it? Uber, Airbnb and Netflix have been seen as major disruptors but can be managed meaningfully according to Thomas Müller. THOMAS MÜLLER

Airbnb has disrupted the local Namibian hospitality market, much like it did in other countries. It created a new market and proposition that did not previously exist.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with what they did. Instead of fearing them, the Namibian hospitality industry should embrace them.

Consider how these new developments can assist other businesses in achieving their goals.

The digital revolution brings opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses, opportunities they would never have had even 10 years ago.

The digital revolution is not the problem; the reluctance to change is the problem, as it has been throughout the ages.

Let’s start by creating an overly simplified scenario. Jack and Jill have guesthouses next door to each other. Both do very well in the current market. Peter, one of their other neighbours, opens a guesthouse too. His guesthouse offers lower rates and is more modern. Both Jack and Jill lose 50% of their occupancy to Peter’s new venture.

Jack decides to do renovations to improve his sales. It works, and Jack’s sales are back up. Jill believes she needn’t spend money if her model has worked well so far. Rick, another neighbour, realises their location has potential and joins Airbnb. Jack, Jill and Peter lose some business to Rick. Jack hires a marketing agency to improve his strategy and online presence. It works, and Jack soon exceeds his previous sales. Rick gets a website and does a bit of marketing and his occupancy goes back to what it was previously. Jill still thinks she will be fine and business will come back eventually.

The Namibia Tourism Board announces that Airbnb users have to register their properties as an accommodation establishment. Jill is overjoyed and gets her staff members to protest outside Rick’s house for two days until the NTB approaches him about registration.

Rick’s Airbnb account is closed for two months while he sorts out his logistical issues. Jill waits for business to go up, but nothing happens. All Rick’s would-be customers go to Jack and Peter’s establishments due to their strong brand identities. Rick eventually gets back into business and, shortly afterwards, Jill goes out of business.

Some business operators simply can’t afford to drastically change their way of doing business, especially if they don’t have the knowledge or expertise.

This is understandable, but go back to basics – what set you apart from your competitors initially? Would you objectively choose your own company above your competitors? If so, why? You need to leverage this and then, through very simple and effective steps forward, get back your competitive advantage. Plus, you need to know and understand your customers and their needs, desires and wants.

Keep in mind, “If you do what you always did, you get what you always got”. This is certainly the case when people aren’t open to changing their business model. While the world and business around them is undergoing a paradigm change, they stick to their status quo.

The hospitality and tourism industry is in flux, there’s huge growth as globally more tourists are discovering the magic that is ‘The Land of the Brave.’ However, to fully benefit, a business needs to be fast, agile and able to adapt accordingly and change its go-to market, business model. As well as tweaking the way it engages and acquires new and returning business.

This does not mean that there shouldn’t be regulations in place to establish fair and level competition. Airbnb has created a completely new market, encouraging homeowners to rent out their rooms in competition with established hospitality businesses. It is obvious that those private operators have to be compliant with the regulations, adhering to fire & safety guidelines, getting registered, accredited, pay tax and levies like any other market player in the hospitality industry.

Just as the taxi sector was up in arms when Uber started, Airbnb needs to comply with the country’s existing laws and regulations. Uber drivers should have a valid driver's licence, roadworthy vehicle and comply with any laws regarding transporting people for money.

Considering the rapid rate at which the industry is changing, growing and new technology is arriving constantly, it is important to remain relevant. Do this by keeping up with trends and embracing new ideas. If a disruptive entity enters the market, don’t be afraid to follow their lead, perhaps even improve on it.

See what makes them successful and learn from that. Find your Unique Value Proposition, build on it and find ways to combine it with current trends. Most importantly, if anything happens to slow down the disruptive entity’s success, don’t get your pitchforks and chase them out of town. Look at how you can prevent similar issues or solve their problem for yourself. Obstacles present opportunities, not dead ends.

Newly renovated John Meinert branch re-opens

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Newly renovated John Meinert branch re-opens FNB Namibia has refurbished its John Meinert branch, which is now open to the public.

The newly renovated branch opened its doors on 12 December after being closed for almost four months.

Elzita Beukes, communications manager at FNB Namibia, said the renovations at the branch would ensure fast effective services.

“The renovation of one of our flagship branches included a total restructuring, with a new layout done over the past few months. This iconic branch will now greet our customers with a new, modern and upgraded look and we guarantee fast effective service, greater efficiencies and visibility of branch management. We look forward to welcoming all our new and existing clients,” said Beukes.

No standoff here, says Kauta

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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No standoff here, says Kauta The board chairperson of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Patrick Kauta, says there was no ministerial influence or any other implied personal considerations in the board's decision to sack nine temporary employees.

“There is nothing personal between me and [managing director Immanuel] Mulunga and the board did not get any instructions from the minister [of mines and energy, Obeth Kandjoze],” Kauta emphasised.

Kauta was reacting to an allegation by Mulunga that Namcor staff submitted complaints against him to Minister Kandjoze, who in turn used the Namcor board as conveyor belt to transmit his decisions.

Mulunga also said that Kandjoze did not want him in that position. Kandjoze denied that.

The board on 27 November resolved that the contracts of the nine temporary employees be terminated because of questions around the circumstances surrounding their appointment.

It is understood that most of the dismissed employees had been working at Namcor for about one year; another was employed for only about a month and a half.

It is further understood that their salaries ranged between N$60 000 and N$140 000 per month, costing Namcor an estimated N$4.7 million.

Speaking from his holiday in the Seychelles yesterday, Kauta said the board had merely taken a policy decision regarding the termination of the contracts.

Inside sources preferring anonymity said managing director Immanuel Mulunga was in agreement with the board decision but that he must have had second thoughts because he later wanted the decision to be rescinded.

Mulunga had reportedly advanced the argument that it would be inhumane to leave the dismissed employees high and dry over the festive season and instead pleaded with the board that their employment rather be terminated later in January.

When the board refused to do so, it is alleged, he then consulted lawyer Frank Köpplinger on the matter. Mulunga said Köpplinger advised him that the board decision was illegal.

“I will be very surprised if Köpplinger will conclude that a legal consequence can flow from an unlawful, illegal appointment,” Kauta said when asked about Köpplinger's purported advice to Mulunga.

Köpplinger is expected to give his opinion on the matter in the middle of January.

The Namcor board is likely to pronounce itself publicly on the matter at a press briefing scheduled for next week.



CATHERINE SASMAN

No listeria fears for Namibia

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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No listeria fears for NamibiaTravellers to SA should exercise caution Travel alerts have been issued to tourists visiting South Africa, warning against a listeria outbreak spread by contaminated food. Namibia is safe from contaminated food products which have caused an outbreak of listeria in South Africa and caused the death of at least 37 people.

But Namibians travelling to South Africa for the festive season should be careful not to eat contaminated food and take the necessary precautionary measures.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described the outbreak of listeriosis in South Africa as insidious and widespread, affecting all provinces.

“This event requires meticulous investigations to identify the source of infection,” it said.

Travel alerts have been issued to tourists visiting South Africa, warning against the disease and providing information about symptoms and what precautions can be taken.

Listeriosis is a potentially serious bacterial infection that contaminates food and is particularly dangerous to pregnant women, causing premature labour and stillbirth, and neonatal meningitis.

The listeria bacteria cause a flu-like illness with diarrhoea, fever, body aches, vomiting and weakness, as well as infection of the bloodstream and infection of the brain.

Listeriosis can also occur in some animals, including poultry and cattle. Raw milk and foods made from raw milk can also carry the bacteria.

The chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Milton Masheke, yesterday told Namibian Sun that Namibians need not be concerned that contaminated food would be imported from South Africa into Namibia.

He stressed that strict measures were in place for testing food products before any products are imported.

According to Masheke, the biggest threat is cooking in unhygienic conditions. When meat is properly cooked the bacteria are destroyed even if the meat was contaminated.

The infection is spread by raw food products that are contaminated with the bacteria.

However, he pointed out that cross-contamination between foods can also take place and it is therefore important to wash your hands when working with food.

“It can happen that you are spicing meat and you then spread the bacteria to the salad. The issue of hygiene and safe handling is extremely important.”

The South African Department of Health is still busy with investigations into the source of the listeria outbreak.

According to the WHO, the South African National Department of Health notified the organisation of the outbreak in the country on 6 December. The outbreak was detected in October this year when increasing cases of the disease were noticed.

Individuals at high risk of developing severe disease include newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weak immunity such as those who have HIV, diabetes, cancer or chronic liver or kidney disease.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID), 557 cases of listeriosis have been reported in South Africa since January this year, with 345 of them being in Gauteng.

Of these confirmed cases there has been a fatality rate of 6.5%.

Evidence suggests that most of the patients were exposed to a widely available, common food source.

“This increase and the associated deaths are worrying, particularly in the face of South Africa's high prevalence of HIV infection. The current flooding in Gauteng Province and recently in KwaZulu-Natal, and the severe drought in the Western Cape, may well exacerbate the situation, with associated problems with safe food storage and general hygiene.

“Street-food vendors are common across South Africa and poorly regulated and many people lack access to electricity and thus refrigeration. Authorities need to act swiftly and efficiently to prevent the outbreak from spreading further,” the WHO warned.

People are advised to take precautionary measures when consuming raw dairy products such as unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses; ensure they eat well-cleaned vegetables; avoid dried meat and other ready-to-eat meats and smoked fish products; and wash their hands with soap.

ELLANIE SMIT

Big changes coming at Health

December 13, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Big changes coming at Health Health minister Bernhard Haufiku yesterday said massive administrative changes could be expected at the beleaguered ministry, including the complete overhaul of the Central Medical Store in an effort to promote accountability and efficiency.

The changes will include staff changes at the CMS and moving the department to a bigger building.

A portion of the former Ramatex textile factory has been identified as a potential storage facility for the CMS.

The ministry has enjoyed negative publicity in recent weeks, with a personality clash between Haufiku and his former permanent secretary, Andreas Mwoombola, widely reported in the media.

The standoff had threatened to compromise the quality of service delivery at state hospitals.

Mwoombola has since been transferred to the cabinet office in the Office of the Prime Minister. Mwoombola was hastily moved last Friday in an effort to restore order at the health ministry.

Haufiku yesterday briefed journalists that consultants from the United Kingdom were roped in to turn around the CMS.

“Come 2018 things will change and they will change for the better,” he said.

Haufiku also said communication would be strengthened to ensure that medical supplies are distributed timeously to health facilities.

He also said service delivery at the ministry was compromised because of a poor attitude among staff, but that would be a thing of the past in the new year.

“Come 2018 we will all wear name tags – from the minister to the cleaner – so that when you come to the hospital you will know exactly that Haufiku was the one shouting at you,” he said.

According to Haufiku, call centres will also be introduced to help improve service delivery.

JEMIMA BEUKES