Brazilian star Kaka announces retirement

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Brazilian star Kaka announces retirement Former Brazilian World Cup champion Kaka announced his retirement as a player Sunday, suggesting that a management career at his old club AC Milan could be on the cards.

“I am preparing to continue in football and to have a different role, but I will no longer be a professional player, an athlete,” the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner told Globo television.

“I would like to take part in a club in a role more like a manager, or a sporting director, someone between the field and the club.”

Kaka, 35, said AC Milan “recently made this proposal”.

On his Twitter feed, devout Christian Kaka, who was part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team, wrote: “Father, It was much more than I could ever imagine. Thank you! I'm now ready for the next journey. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

He started his storied career with Sao Paulo in Brazil, where his performances attracted the attention of Europe's leading clubs and prompted a move to Milan in 2003.

It was while at Milan that Kaka picked up the Ballon d'Or, awarded annually to the world's best player. He was the last player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to receive the prize.

He also helped the Italian side to a Serie A title in 2003-04 and propelled Milan to 2007 Champions League glory, scoring a competition-best 10 goals as the club were crowned kings of Europe for the seventh time.

The hugely talented attacking midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer worth 68 million Euros ($89 million, £56 million), but Kaka struggled to consistently reproduce his top form in the Spanish capital.

He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and was part of Jose Mourinho's team that won the league crown a year later, but he fell out of favour in Madrid and returned to Milan on a free transfer in September 2013. Kaka was unveiled as the face of Major League Soccer's expansion franchise Orlando City in 2014, heading home for a brief reunion with Sao Paulo ahead of the US club's debut season in 2015.

He scored the MLS team's first ever goal and was the North American league's highest-paid player for three years running before leaving Orlando in October.

He scored 29 goals in 92 international appearances for Brazil, although having been overlooked for the 2014 World Cup on home soil he was also ruled out of last year's Copa America Centenario by injury.

In November, media reports said he had been considering a move to Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng in the Chinese Super League.

Spain's La Liga paid homage to Kaka on its Twitter account, saying: “One of football's greatest talents is hanging up his boots after a glittering career.”

However, Kaka said his transition off the pitch wasn't being taken for granted.

“The fact of having had successes as a professional player does not mean I will or won't be a good manager. So I want to prepare myself for this going ahead, to study, to follow, to be closer to certain clubs, especially those where I played,” he told Globo.



NAMPA/AFP

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Mourinho won't give up on catching City

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mourinho won't give up on catching CityUnited chase log leaders Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United will not give up on the Premier League title race after his side cut Manchester City's lead back to 11 points. Mourinho's side won 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard before Gareth Barry replied for the hosts.

And Mourinho is adamant United will keep going until the end of the season despite their Manchester rivals' huge lead at the top.

“I know that the questions are always coming in the same direction and I keep saying the same,” Mourinho said.

“Our last match in the Premier League is Watford at Old Trafford, in mid-May, and until then in every match we go - every match we will try to win.

“If people ask that question to us and then you do it to the third team and the fourth and to the fifth and to the sixth, probably they will disappear.

“Probably they want to go on holidays. We don't want to go on holidays. We want to play until the last match.”

Mourinho refused to be drawn on the leaked video which emerged on social media before United's victory at the Hawthorns, showing City players celebrating Saturday's win against Tottenham by taunting United over their cautious style of play with the words “park the bus”.

“I didn't see, I didn't watch,” Mourinho said. “I am not interested in doing that.

“You are the ones to make your evaluations, your comments, for me, nothing.”

United are set to check on the fitness of captain Antonio Valencia after he limped off with a sore hamstring after 66 minutes at West Brom.

The full-back will be assessed ahead of the League Cup trip to Bristol City on Wednesday and next Saturday's Premier League game at Leicester.

“The Valencia injury is what I call a December injury,” said Mourinho.

“It is an injury of the accumulation of fatigue. It is a muscular one - hamstring. Big, small, medium? I don't know.

“He is an experienced guy who will know not to let it go to difficult limits.

“But it is an injury of fatigue - everyone in the Premier League, especially the ones with more accumulation of cups and European cups, are at risk.”

Meanwhile, West Brom are still without a win in four games under new boss Alan Pardew despite an improved second-half display against United.

And Pardew admitted his own errors after the game.

“We were disappointed in the first half and I think I picked the wrong team,” he said.

“The boys gave me so much at Liverpool, obviously I'm getting to know them, but I didn't think we had that energy in the first half that we need against Man United. It was too comfortable for them.

“Second half, we had some experience in Gareth Barry; I thought he made a big difference when he came on.

“And then Chris Brunt came on and suddenly we looked threatening from the moment he entered the pitch.

“It was a lesson for the other players in having confidence in what you're doing.

“There are some good managers at the bottom of the league and some good squads and we're not going to make it up playing like we did in the first half.”



NAMP/AFP

Vogel wins Coastal Senior Open

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Vogel wins Coastal Senior Open The Senior Open Golf Championship took place at Swakopmund on 12 and 13 December.

This year 39 golfers took part in the competition with participants from various golf clubs inland and the coast competing in the two-day tournament at the Rossmund Golf Course.

During the tournament the players not only competed individually, but also had to play for the Central versus Coastal trophy.

Gerd Vogel from Swakopmund was the overall winner, while Bennie Venter and George Vink from Windhoek battled it out for second and third place.

Vogel won the competition with 76 stableford points, while Venter and Vink both obtained 73 points.

The team from the central branch won the Central versus Coastal trophy back from the coastal branch who won it both in December 2016 at Rossmund and in May 2017 in Windhoek.

“It was a very good turnout from both the coastal and the central branches. But this year central was the better team on the course. They won with a final score of 844 points versus the 820 points of the coastal golfers,” said Tienie van Rensburg, senior coastal golfer.

Bank Windhoek was the main sponsor of the event.

SPORTS REPORTER

Mnangagwa in tight spot

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mnangagwa in tight spotZim leader must pick two deputies Army chief Constantino Chiwenga is being tipped for a high-profile appointment this week. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was reportedly facing a tough time in choosing his two deputies after strong backlash for picking a militarised cabinet early in December.

Mnangagwa appointed two senior military officers to key portfolios in his first cabinet and dropped close allies of Robert Mugabe who resigned after the armed forces took control of the country.

President Mnangagwa appointed as foreign affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, the army major general who went on state television announcing the military's take-over, a dramatic power grab which culminated in Mugabe stepping down a week later.

The long-serving airforce commander Perence Shiri also became the lands and agriculture minister.



All eyes on Constantino Chiwenga

The omission of the military head General Constantino Chiwenga suggested that he was being earmarked for one of the country's two deputy president posts, according to reports.

There is also speculation that the army chief, who is widely believed to have orchestrated the military take over leading to end of Mugabe's 37-year rule, is likely to be elevated to the vice presidency seat during the upcoming Zanu-PF congress.

However, The Standard is reporting that Mnangagwa is facing a tough balancing act in appointing his two deputies amid indications he is under pressure to reward the military for playing a pivotal role in removing long-time ruler Mugabe.

Mnangagwa did not appoint his deputies as expected at the just ended Zanu-PF conference, saying “he needed to wait for certain institutional processes” to run its course.



'An invidious position'

Analyst believe that Mugabe's successor wanted to appoint Chiwenga as one of his deputies but had to also balance the competing interest of his backers before ascending into the presidency last month.

“I don't envy President Mnangagwa's current position,” said UK based political analyst Reward Mushayabasa, who is a former media lecturer.

“He seems to be in a very invidious position where he has to balance the competing interests of all the stakeholders who cleared the way for his ascendancy to power.”

Mushayabasa, however, added that in his view the president was being remote controlled by the military who had him installed as Zanu-PF leader and Zimbabwe's president. An unnamed source within the ruling party who claimed to know “the plan with the VP appointments”, however, said Chiwenga and defence minister Kembo Mohadi are tipped for appointment this week.



NEWS24

Gabon arrests dozens in knife attack that wounded two Danes

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Gabon arrests dozens in knife attack that wounded two Danes Police in Gabon arrested dozens of people Sunday over a knife attack that wounded two Danish nationals working for National Geographic, apparently in retribution for “US attacks against Muslims,” officials said.

The men detained were mostly traders and sellers in the popular market in Libreville where the attack occurred Saturday - and all are from west Africa.

An official said they were taken to police headquarters, where they are due to be questioned.

“Operations are ongoing,” government spokesman Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze told AFP. “We are not commenting at this stage.”

National Geographic confirmed that the targets of the attack were working for the organisation.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the reports that the two Danish nationals horrifically attacked in Gabon are members of the National Geographic family,” it said in a statement.

“We are in direct contact with the victims and the Danish production company with whom they were on assignment, and our main objective is to support their recovery and safe return to Denmark.”

Police said the assailant is a 53-year-old Nigerien man who, according to witnesses, shouted “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) during the attack.

The man, who has lived in Gabon for 19 years, said in his first statements that he “acted in retaliation for US attacks against Muslims and America's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital,” Defence Minister Etienne Massard said.

Residents said the man was from the Muslim Hausa/Fulani community and sold smoked meat from a cart in the city and in the market.

“We are still gathering information,” Bilie By Nze said.

The market in Libreville, popular with tourists, was shut down after the incident and remained closed on Sunday, with security forces manning the gates.

Authorities have said the attack appeared to be politically motivated, but have not publicly classified it as terrorism.

Gabon, a small French-speaking former colony with 1.8 million inhabitants, has so far been spared the Islamist-inspired attacks that have taken place in some neighbouring countries.



NAMPA/AFP

Indonesia court jails men for two years over 'gay sex party'

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Indonesia court jails men for two years over 'gay sex party' An Indonesian court has sentenced ten men to two years in prison for taking part in a gay sex party at a sauna, court documents show.

The group were among at least 141 men detained during a raid on a building that houses a sauna and a gym in the capital Jakarta in May.

While most were released, ten were charged and found guilty last Thursday of violating the country's controversial 2008 anti-pornography law.

“(The defendants) have been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt of displaying nudity and sexual exploitation collectively in public,” said the documents, which have been reviewed by AFP.

The North Jakarta Court also ordered the defendants to pay one billion rupiah (US$73 700) in fines.

The sentencing is further evidence of growing hostility towards Indonesia's small lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Homosexuality and gay sex are legal everywhere in Indonesia except in conservative Aceh province, but police have used the country's tough anti-pornography laws or drugs charges to criminalise LGBT people in the past 18 months.

Rights groups condemned the decision to jail the men.

“It is an abuse of these gay men's rights. It is not a crime, they did not hurt anyone,” said Andreas Harsono, a Human Rights Watch researcher in Jakarta.

The men, who were tried in two separate closed court hearings, were sentenced the same day the Indonesian Constitutional Court rejected a bid to outlaw extramarital sex.

The unsuccessful petition would have affected both unmarried heterosexuals and gay people, who cannot marry in Indonesia. Its rejection was seen as a victory by LGBT communities.

Jakarta's Community Legal Aid Institute, which often provide legal assistance to LGBT-related cases, said the timing was ironic.

“While the Constitutional Court said social norms should not be addressed using law enforcement, the North Jakarta court sentenced these people using such a problematic law,” its director Ricky Gunawan told AFP.



NAMPA/AFP

Elongitho lyiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno oli li pombanda

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Elongitho lyiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno oli li pombandaOmwaalu ngoka ogwa londo pombanda noonkondo muule woomvula 10 dha piti Nonando Namibia okuli oshilongo oshinambili, okuli gumwe gwomomusholondondo gwiilongo hayi longitha omwaalu omunene gwiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno lyoshilongo. Elongitho lyiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno lyaNamibia olya londo pombanda noonkondo muule woomvula dha piti, okuza poobiliyona 2.8 mo 2007 okuya poobiliyona 7 mo 2016. Oshikondo shoka oshi li shimwe shomiikondo hayi mono omwaalu omunene gwiimaliwa yomutengenekwathaneko gwopashigwana okuza kepangelo lyoshilongo.

Okuyeleka niilonga iikwawo muAfrika, oshikondo shegameno shaNamibia oshi li ponomola ontitano muAfrika, miilongo mbyoka hayi longitha omwaalu omunene gwiimaliwa a landula iilongo ngaashi Algeria, Botswana, Congo oshowo Mauritius.

Uuyelele mboka owa pitithwa koStockholm International Peace Research Institute's (Sipri) military expenditure project, ndjoka ya nuninwa okweeta polweela uuyelele welongitho lyiimaliwa miikondo yegameno.

Namibia okwa talika omeho mo 2o15, sha landula sho oshilongo sha hololwa kutya osha pewa egwedheleo lyomwaalu omunene gwelongo lyiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno. Omagwedhelo ngoka oga londo pombanda noopresenda 200, pauyelele mboka wa pitithwa koSipri.

Ehangano ndyoka ohali longitha iimaliwa yaAmerika mokuninga omapekaapeko gawo na olya tothamo omvula 2014.

Elongitho lyiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno lyaNamibia olya londo okuya poopresenda 4.4 mo 2015, oshowo poopresenda 4.1 mo 2014.

Namibia oshimwe shomiilongo hayi longitha iimaliwa oyindji moshikondo shoka, okutala woo komwaalu gwaakwashigwana moshilongo nonando oshilongo inashi kala niita konima sho sha mono emanguluko lyasho.

Nonando omvula yo 2016 oya li omvula ontiyali yeshunitho pevi lyomwaalu gwiimaliwa ngoka hagu longithwa miikondo yegameno muAfrika, elongitho lyiimaliwa miikondo mbyoka menenevi Afrika olya thikama poobiliyona dhaAmerika 37.9 na oli li eshuno pevi lyoopresenda 1.3 okuyeleka nomvula yo 2015.

Nonando okwa dhidhilikwa eshuno pevi ndyoka, natango aakwiita yiilongo yaAfrika otaya longitha iimaliwa oyindji neyopombanda lyoopresenda 48 okuyeleka noomvula 10 dha piti. MoNamibia osha monika mo kutya elongitho lyiimaliwa moshikondo shoka mo 2007 olya li pooUS$203 million (N$2.8 billion), US$312 million (N$4.1 billion) 2013, 2015 olya li pooUS$540 million (N$7.1 billion) na olya shuna pevi kashona mo 2016okuya pooU$500 million (N$7 billion).

Natango egandjo lyiimaliwa okuza kepangelo okuya koshikondoshoka olya londo pombanda okuza poobiliyoan 1.3 mo 2007 okuya poobiliyona 6.6 mo 2016.

Okuyeleka niilongo yilwe muumbugantu wAfrika, South Afrika okwa longitha ooUS$3 160 million momilitali ye mo 2016, Angola US$2 824 million, Botswana US$514 million, Zimbabwe US$358 million oshowo Zambia US$292 million.

Sipri pethimbo a ningi omapekaapeko ge okwa mono kutya elongitho lyiimaliwa moshikondo shegameno muuyuni olya li pooUS$1.69 trillion mo2016.

Iilongo mbyoka hayi longitha omwaalu omunene gwiimaliwa miikondo yegameno muuyuni oya tumbulwa okutya US, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, UK, Japan, Germany oshowo South Korea.

Elongitho lyiimaliwa itali talika owala komwaalu gwiimaliwa ngoka hagu longithwa mokulanda iilwitho ihe otaku talika woo kiinima yilwe ngaashi omwaalu gwiimaliwa ngoka hagu longithwa mokufuta aaniilonga, oopenzela, iikwathithomiilonga, omapekaapeko nomayambulepo.

Namibia olundji okwa nyenyetelwa omolwa omwaalu omunene ngoka ta longitha moshikondo she shegameno nonando oshilongo oshi na ombili konima nkene sha manguluka mo 1990. Oshiputudhilo shoInstitute for Public Policy Research osha kunkilile kutya oobiliyona odhindji ndhoka tadhi pewa oshikondo shEgameno opo shi totepo oompito dhiilonga mokati kaanyasha yaNamibia oshi li oshinima sha puka noonkondo, nopehala iimaliwa mbyoka nayi longithwe mokuyambulapo iikondo yilwe.

ELLANIE SMIT

TUN a hala elelo lyoNSFAF li tidhwe

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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TUN a hala elelo lyoNSFAF li tidhwe Ehangano lyoTeachers Union of Namibia olya taambako etokolo lyepangelo opo oshiketha shoNamibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) shi shunwe mepangelo nokukala oshitopolwa shUuministeli wElongo lyoPombanda.

Oshiwike sha piti, Ominista yElongo

Itah Kandjii Murangi, okwa koleke kutya oya tokola opo NSFAF ka kale we oshiputudhilo shiithikamena sha yama kepangelo nopehala oshiketha shoka shi shunwe muuministeli sha landula oolopota dhuulingilingi nekano lyiimaliwa okuza moshiketha shoka. NSFAF okwa totwa po mo 1997 opo a kale ta gandja omakwatho giimaliwa yokwiilonga kaailongi miiputudhilo yopombanda.

Amushanga gwoTUN, Mahongora Kavihuhua okwa pula epangelo opo kali kuthe po aakomeho yoshiketha shoka molwaashoka kaye na oshilonga.

Okwa popi kutya aakomeho mboka itaya vulu okulela oshiketha shoka molwaashoka oya ndopa nale okushininga, sho ya ndopa okugandja omakwatho kaailongi nokugandja uumbangi kutya oya longitha ngiini iimaliwa yoshiketha shoka.

Omutseyinawa gwoomilandu dhopashigwana, Graham Hopwood okwa holola kutya ope na ompumbwe onene yokulundulula omapangelo miiputudhilo yepangelo. Okwa holola woo onkalo ndjoka ya kala ya taalela nale oshiketha shoka omanga sha li oshitopolwa shuuministeli, ta popi kutya ina yelelwa ngele okushunitha muuministeli oshiketha shoka otashi ka kandulapo uupyakadhi mboka wuli po.

Kashi shi oshikando shotango elelo lyoshiketha shoka tali pulwa opo li kuthwe miilonga. MuNovemba oshifokundaneki shoThe Villager newspaper osha lopota kutya oshilyo shongundu yoRally for Democracy and Progress, Mike Kavekotora osha pula opo elelo lyoshiketha shoka li kuthwe miilonga.

Onkalo yiilonga yuulingilingi oya dhigupala moshiputudhilo shoka nomo 2016, nokomisi yoACC oshowo Uuministeli wIiputudhilo yEpangelo oyali ya pulwa opo yi ningile omakonaakono oshiputudhilo shoka.

Omvula oyo tuu ndjoka, okwa hololwa kutya oshiputudhilo shoka osha ndopa okuulika oondokumende ndhoka tadhi holola kutya oya gandja omakwatho giimaliwa kaaiilongi.

Omvula ya piti, oshifokundnaeki shoNamibia Sun osha lopota kutya NSFAF okwa pyakudhukwa okugandja omakwatho giiyemo yokwiilonga kaailongi 16 669 mboka ya gwanitha po iipumbiwa yokuninga omaindilo gokumona omakwatho ngoka pokati ko 1997 no 2010, naailongi mboka oya ndopa okushunitha iimaliwa mbyoka yali ya kwathelwa.

Omakwatho ngoka ogongushu yoomiliyona dhaNamibia 479.

Oshiputudhilo osha ulike ehangano lyokugongela oongunga, opo li kwathee oshiputudhilo shoka mokugongelako ongunga dhoka dhiniwe kaiilongi.



JEMIMA BEUKES

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Osasiyona yoonkondo dholusheno tayi tungwa mOlindili

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Osasiyona yoonkondo dholusheno tayi tungwa mOlindili Omahangano lyoUnited Africa Group, Quantam Power oshowo NamPower oshiwike sha piti oga shaina etsokumwe lyuule woomvula 25, ndyoka tali ka utha etungo lyopoloyeka yoonkondo dholusheno yoomegawatt 44 popepi nondoolopa yaLindili.

Oonkundathana dhopoloyeka ndjoka odha tamekele mo 2007, pahapu dhomukomeho gwoUAG, Haddis Tilahun.

“Oshe tu kutha uule woomvula 10 opo tu kundathane. Mo 2008 onda tameke oonkundathana ndhoka dha tameke mo 20017. Mo 2011 otwa adha etsokumwe. Onda nyanyukwa.”

Onga oshitopolwa shetsokumwe, gumwe gwomomahangano ngoka okwa pumbwa okutula poshitaafula oshititatu shongushu yopoloyeka ndjoka.

“Gumwe gwomutse okwa pumbwa okutula poshitaafula oomiliyona 450, opo dhi vule okukwatela komeho opoloyeka ndjoka. Onda longitha iimaliwa yandje mbyoka nda pungula noQuantama oya longitha woo iimaliwa yawo yene yomapungulo.”

“Opoloyeka yoDiaz otayi ka kala yimwe yomoopoloyeka dhopamuthika. Otwa tegelela yi longe uule woomvula 25. Oshitopolwa shotango shoonkondo dholusheno dhoMW 44, otashi ka gandja olusheno komagumbo 100 000.”

Omunangeshefa ngoka okwa popi kutya opoloyeka ndjoka otayi ke ya kutha uule woomwedhi 16 oku yi tunga. Oopresenda 30 nenge oomiliyona 440 otashi ka gandjwa kehangano lyoQuantam oshowo United Africa, omanga iihupe tayi ka gandjwa kaagandji yiiyemo yopaumwene mwakwatelwa oDevelopment Bank of Namibia.

Okwa tsikile kutya opoloyeka ndjoka itayi ka pula elongitho lyiimaliwa okuza kehangano lyoNamPower kakele otaya ka mona omukuli okuza koDBN.

Tilahun okwa hiya aagandji yiiyemo moshikondo shopaumwene opo ya kuthe ombinga megandjo lyiiyemo kopoloyeka ndjoka, ta popi kutya oshizemo shepungulo ndyoka otashi kala pauyuuki.

Opoloyeka ndjoka okwa tegelelwa yi ka gandje oompito dhiilonga kaantu ye li po 300, naaniilonga 100 okwa tegelelwa ya kakale taya kwatele komeho osasiyona ndjoka yoonkondo dholusheno.

Onga oshitopolwa shetsokumwe oosasiyona dhoonkondo dholusheno dhehangano lyoNamPower, ndjoka yoKokerboom oshowo yoNamib otadhi ka yambulwapo pwaahena elongitho lyiiyemo yasha okuza kehangano lyoNamPower.



OGONE THLAGE

Anafaalama mOlushandja ya thigwa pomutenya

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Anafaalama mOlushandja ya thigwa pomutenya Ehangano lyoNamWater olya thiminikwa opo li pombe omeya okuza moompungulilo dhawo dhomeya mOlushandja okuza mOshakati nokuthiga aanafaalama yomOlushandja yeli mompumbwe yomeya.

Aanafaalama mondama yOlushandja moshitopolwa shaMusati oya thiminikwa opo ya kaleke iilonga yawo noyendji itaya vulu okufuta we omikuli dhaantu dhombaanga yoAgriBank omolwa ompumbwe yomeya. Aaniikunino mbyoka haya longitha woo omeya okuza moompungulilo dhaNamWater oya thiminikwa konkalo opo ya kuthe miilonga aaniilonga. Etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kehangano lyoNamWater opo li pombe omeya okuza moompungululo dhawo dhoka dhopaulumomhumbwe okuza mondama yawo yokuwapalekela omeya mOshakati, olya thigi aanafaalama pomutenya.

Ehangano ndyoka hali ungaunga negandjo lyomeya moshilongo olya popi kutya aluhe ohali kutha omeya molushandja ngele olya taalela ompumbwe yomeya okuza mOndama yaCalueque Dam moAngola.

Pahapu dhomunambelewa gwomauyelele goshigwana mehangano lyoNamWater, Johannes Shigwedha, ondama yOlushandja ndjoka yoshinano shookilometa 17 na oyi na unene yookilometa 2 oyo hayi longithwa kaanafaalama mboka okukutha omeya nokutekela iimeno yawo. Nonando ongaaka ondama ndjoka oyo woo hayi longithwa kehangano lyawo okukutha omeya uuna ya taalela ompumbwe yomeya. Shigwedha okwa popi kutya oya taalela ompumbwe yomeya okuza meni lyaAngola, konima nkene epangelo lyaAngola lya tamekitha iilonga yokulongulula ondama yawo. Onkalo ndjoka oye ya thiminike opo ya pombe omeya okuza mOlushandja.

Ngashiingeyi kape na omeya gaanafaalama ya thika po 68 momudhingoloko ngoka, naaniilonga ya thika po 2 000 oya kanitha iilonga yawo.

Omunashipundi gwOlushandja Horticulture Producers Association (OHPA) Paulus Amutenya, okwa koleke onkalo ndjoka, ta popi kutya aanafaalama yamwe oya pata nale oopoloyeka dhawo, omanga yamwe taya ilongekidha nale opo ya pate oopoloyeka dhawo.

Shigwedha naye okwa koleke kutya ehangano lyawo olya shunitha pevi epombelo lyomeya mOlushandja, oomvula ndatu dha piti omolwa iilonga yondama yaCalueque.

Okwa tsikile kutya mondama ndjoka omwa li mwa tulwa oopomba ndatu ihe omolwa ondjele onene yomeya okanala hoka oka yonagulwa. Okanala kaCalueque-Oshakati koshinano konyala shookilometa 150 ohaka gandja omeya monooli yaNamibia, nomeya ngoka unene ohaga longitha mokutekela iimeno.

Shigwedha okwa popi kutya oya taalela ompumbwe yomeya na osho sha etitha ya pate omeya mOlushandja molwaashoka kaye na omeya ga gwana.

Okwa popi kutya ehangano ndyoka tali pangele omunino ngoka gwa yonagulwa opo lya thikile Etitano lya piti, na otali ka kutha uule wiiwike yathika puitatu opo yamanithe iilonga yawo. Okwa gwedha po kutya monena otaya longitha owala opomba yimwe.

Pahapu dhaTangeni Negonga, ngoka a kala omunashikunino mOndana yaLushandja okutameka omvula yo 1998, okwa popi kutya onkalo itayi vulu okwiidhidhimikilwa. Okwa popi kutya ongeshefa yawo oyali tayi ende nawa sigo omomvula yo 2015 osho NamWater a hulitha po okukala ta pombele omeya mondama ndjoka, na oya kala owala yiikolelela momeya gomvula. Okwa popi kutya oya tameke taya longo omwaalu omushona giikunwa yawo omolwa ompumbwe yomeya nomeya ngoka ya kala taya longitha kage shi omawanawa niikunwa yawo.

Onkalo ndjoka oye ya thiminike ya kuthe miilonga aaniilonga.

Okwa popi kutya sho ongeshefa yali tayi ende nawa aafalaama oyendji oya mono omikuli okuza kombaanga yoAgriBank ihe ngashiingeyi oyendji natango itaya vulu we okushunitha omikuli dhaantu. Okwa popi kutya aanafaalama mboka ihaya mono ekwatho okuza kepangelo na osho owala yali taya ningi ongeshefa ombwaanawa ombaanga yoAgribank opo ya yi kuyo nokuya pa omikuli. Aanafaalama mboka ohaya landithilwa iilongomwa yawo kehangano lyoAgro-Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA) mOngwediva oshowo mOlushandja Horticultural Marketing Centre mEpalela.

ILENI NANDJATO

Shot of the day

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day SANTAS GALORE: Participants dressed in Father Christmas costumes take part in the traditional Santa Claus run in Michendorf, eastern Germany, on December 10, 2017. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

NSFAF's reform challenge

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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NSFAF's reform challenge There have been mixed reactions to the government's decision to reintegrate the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) into the higher education ministry. It is now almost certain that NSFAF will lose its parastatal status and return as a department within the higher education ministry. The financial aid scheme has had its fair share of challenges in the past despite being one of the biggest beneficiaries of state subsidies. Since becoming an independent parastatal in 2013, NSFAF has been beset by poor performance and bad governance, which has been attributed to a failure of oversight and accountability. Over the years, the management and board have been accused of running the fund into the ground. Apart from its lack of failure to provide documents to verify the loans and scholarships awarded to Namibian students in the past, the questionable NSFAF procurement procedures have been investigated before, by both the public enterprises ministry and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Despite the myriad of challenges facing the institution, we are not in agreement with the government's decision to strip NSFAF its SOE status. It simply doesn't make sense. You see, the problem around capacity had necessitated the big switch in 2013. It was because of those historical problems that changes were made to the act, paving way for an independent institution. NSFAF's biggest problem at the moment is management, not beneficiaries - in this case Namibian students or junior staff. We appreciate the serious reforms being undertaken at all parastatals by the public enterprises ministry. However, our leaders must guard against making ill-advised decisions with far-reaching consequences. The government must ensure that the taxpayer's money invested with SOEs is properly managed and applied efficiently. It also has an obligation to ensure that the right people with the necessary balance of skills and experience, and who are capable of providing ethical leadership and appropriate oversight, are appointed to head institutions of this magnitude. Even if moved back to the ministry, the problems at NSFAF will continue if there is no clear direction from the authorities. Unfortunately, the poor students will be left high and dry when this happens.

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF Standard Bank CEO appointment welcomed

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has congratulated Standard Bank Group for appointing former director-general at National Treasury Lungisa Fuzile as the new chief executive of Standard Bank SA. Fuzile quit Treasury in April after his former boss Pravin Gordhan was sacked in a cabinet reshuffle. He had served 20 years in the public service. His departure from the Treasury represented a setback to the South African civil service.

Standard Bank SA on Thursday announced that Fuzile would take over the reigns as its new chief executive with effect from 15 January 2018. He would replace Sim Tshabalala, who, in September, took over as sole chief executive after Ben Kruger stepped down from the shared position.

NAMPA/ANA

Toyota to market more electronic vehicles

The Toyota Motor Corporation yesterday said it will market more than 10 all-electric vehicle (EV) models globally in the early 2020s, and that investment to develop their batteries is likely to exceed US$13 billion through 2030.

Setting out EV sales goals, the world's second-biggest automaker by sales after Volkswagen AG said it needed to accelerate the pace of battery development, as tightening vehicle emissions regulations would require a steep increase in manufacturing capacity for more powerful batteries.

Toyota has also partnered peers including Mazda Motor Corp and Suzuki Motor Corp to jointly develop and market electric cars.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Nestle sells off tea brands in North America

Nestle has sold its sold two of its tea brands in North America as the world's biggest food maker presses ahead with reshaping its business to focus on new consumer trends and healthcare.

Private equity firm Fireman Capital Partners said yesterday it has linked up with Dunn's River Brands to buy the Sweet Leaf Tea and Tradewinds businesses from Nestle North America.

The deal, which was for an undisclosed sum, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Nestle was not immediately available to comment.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Ryanair pilots in Ireland suspend strike planned for Wednesday

Ryanair pilots in Ireland on Sunday suspended a 24-hour strike planned for tomorrow, the final strike threat facing the airline in the busy run-up to Christmas, trade union Impact said in a statement.

"Impact has this evening suspended a planned one-day strike of Ryanair pilots next Wednesday after company management agreed to recognise the union as the representative of Irish-based pilots," the union said in a statement.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Subdued coal demand - IEA

Global coal demand will be subdued over the next five years, growing at just 0.5% a year, marginally higher than current levels, due to lower consumption in China, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Monday.

Coal consumption fell last year by 1.9 percent to 5.357 billion tonnes from a year earlier as lower gas prices, a surge in renewables and efficiency improvements dampened demand, the IEA said in its annual coal market report.

Global coal demand is expected to rise by an average rate of 0.5% a year to 5.534 billion tonnes by 2022, "only marginally higher than current levels and meaning that coal use all but stagnates for around a decade," the agency said.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Family reeling after bizarre suicide

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Family reeling after bizarre suicide The family of a South African man, who was found buried in a shallow grave north of Swakopmund, say they are reeling from the bizarre event and massive loss.

The deceased, Barry Vorster, allegedly came to Namibia last month with his partner, who buried him, reported his death to the police and indicated where the body was.

Deputy Commissioner Erastus Ikuyu said the deceased's body was exhumed on 19 November and was taken to the police mortuary in Walvis Bay where a post-mortem examination was conducted.

Ikuyu said no foul play is expected. Barry's brother, Alan, who resides in the United Kingdom, however said he and his sister are sure a crime has been committed.

In a letter addressed to Alan, the deceased's partner wrote that they came to Namibia on 4 November. After having bought a car in Windhoek for N$55 000, they drove to the coast to an isolated area and burnt N$60 000, almost all of the remaining money they had brought with them.

This was allegedly done because “humans have been enslaved into believing that this is the only existence, and after we leave this life, there is either heaven, hell or recycling back into this existence. These are all true – depending on your perspective – but there is also a lot more.”

Barry's partner further explained in her letter that the couple came to Namibia on a quest to find spiritual enlightenment and to experience “other existences and realities”.

They had allegedly developed as spiritual mediums over the past six years and had asked on numerous occasions for permission to experience more.

“Of course, the only way this would be possible is to leave this existence. One way of crossing from one existence to another is to cause one's physical to cease,” she wrote.

“The concept of suicide has been manipulated by the church over time because if people's eyes were opened as to how severely humanity is being enslaved and pushed further from the truth, everyone would choose to depart from this reality by their own hands.

“There was nothing negative about this experience. In fact, we were both excited.

We waited for nightfall; said to each other 'see you later', attached a hosepipe to the exhaust, took sleeping pills each and cut our wrists.

“After some time, we woke up, the car still running, back window open and I was unable to close it. We were later told by our spirit guide that we were dead for three days, and spent two more days in the desert trying to die,” she wrote. The couple allegedly drove back to Swakopmund for medical care at the state hospital. Thereafter they spent a few nights sleeping in their car before deciding on another suicide attempt. They drove to the beach north of Swakopmund on 18 November where they waited for the sun to set before attaching a hosepipe to the exhaust again and running the engine.

“After about 15 minutes Barry said 'switch it off'. I did. I opened all the doors. His breathing was very strange, and I was at his side holding his hand. Then he stopped breathing. I didn't know if he was gone or not. It was dark. I covered him with a duvet, closed the doors with windows open slightly, fell into the driver's seat and slept.

“When I woke up the next morning, I realised he was [dead].

“My first reaction was a joy. I am happy for him that he is definitely in a better place. Also, angry and disappointed that I didn't get to go with him. And devastated to be without my best friend,” she wrote.

Alan said he had no knowledge of Barry and his partner's participation in any religion or cult and that his brother had never before attempted to commit suicide.

“Why did she initially tell us that Barry 'died peacefully in his sleep' on 19 November, but it took her another 11 days to notify his family? Why did she survive both suicide attempts? Why did she bury Barry in the desert? She has told us that Barry was buried at the Walvis Bay Cemetery on 8 December, the police say he is still in the mortuary? Why did she burn the remaining money? Did she consider who would pick up the pieces and bury Barry?”

“These are all questions that are lingering in my mind and in my sister's mind. I do not have answers,” said Alan.

JESSICA BOTES

Alleged child trafficker in court after extradition

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Alleged child trafficker in court after extradition Nearly two years after the sentencing of his co-accused in one of Namibia's first cases of trafficking of children for sexual exploitation, Marthinus Pretorius has made his first court appearance.

The South African citizen is accused of having raped, trafficked and assaulted three minor girls at his home in Swakopmund during 2012.

He is charged with a total of 19 counts including rape, human trafficking and assault, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act. His co-accused, Johanna Lukas (24), was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment by Judge President Petrus Damaseb in August 2015 on counts of human trafficking and rape.

Lukas sold the three minor girls to Pretorius on four occasions in 2012.

The 46-year old Pretorius was extradited to Namibia last week and appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on Friday.

He allegedly fled to South Africa shortly after Lukas's arrest and was in hiding ever since. During his court appearance on Friday, Magistrate Conchita Olivier immediately transferred the matter to the High Court.

State prosecutor Faith Chipepera-Nyaungwa said the State was opposed to bail being granted to the accused on the grounds that it would not be in the best interest of the public.

She further argued that it is a serious case, the State has a strong case against the accused and that the accused poses a flight risk.

Olivier did not grant bail to the accused and further informed him of his right to apply for legal aid. Pretorius will make his first appearance in the High Court in Windhoek on 23 January 2018.

Lukas was convicted in June 2015 on five charges trafficking in persons, in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, and five counts of rape.

Judge President Damaseb found that she had procured two underage girls in Swakopmund to be sexually exploited by Pretorius, in April, May and June 2012.

The two girls, who were 13 and 14 at the time, testified in court during Lukas's trial that Pretorius gave them money for having intercourse with them, and that they gave some of that money to Lukas.

JESSICA BOTES

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A day with Sam Nujoma

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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A day with Sam Nujoma It is just after 07:00 at Farm Etunda, some 30km south of Otavi in the Otjozondjupa Region. The serenity farm life brings is clearly felt as workers calmly go through their early morning chores.

Etunda is home to one of Namibia's most recognisable faces – Founding President Sam Nujoma.

Our mission here is simple: spend a day with Nujoma and get first-hand knowledge of how the man who led the long and bitter struggle to liberate Namibia keeps himself busy.

As we make our way along the well maintained sand road, it's not difficult to see why Nujoma chose this piece of land as his permanent dwelling; it truly is a haven for peace and tranquillity.

After a few wrong turns on the farm, we finally find our way to the main farmhouse, which also serves as his office while on the farm.

A few minutes later, my three colleagues and I are ushered into a room where we wait for Nujoma who is an adjacent room, engaged in a last-minute briefing of the day's programme with his executive assistants.

The waiting room is not the usual doctor-type waiting enclave; no outdated magazines placed on coffee tables, no water cooler or file cabinet.

Instead, we are seated on comfortable leather sofas with Nujoma's portraits depicting his heyday at the helm of the erstwhile People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) round up the mood of the room.

We sit in silence, with only a few pensive nods and small talk exchanged between ourselves and the security detail stationed in the room with us. Finally, the doors separating the waiting room and Nujoma's office swing open, and the Founding Father emerges clad in Safari-like overalls in anticipation of the day's activities.

As per popular African customs, we rise to our feet in recognition of the entrance of an elder into the room, as our minds race on whether we were doing it right.

Wearing his trademark smile, Nujoma greets us with a firm handshake, before motioning us to take our seats.

“Welcome to Etunda. Here we work hard and also relax when the time permits,” he quips.

Breaking the ice is relatively easy for now, as the obvious denominator of the conversation is the pleasantries of farm life. Introductions and a rundown of the anticipated programme for the day follow, to which Nujoma eagerly agrees to. He quickly reminds us that a tour around the farm is one of the activities planned for the day.

By now, we realise how important life on the farm has become for him, as Nujoma lets us know that there is no other place he'd prefer.

One of my colleagues makes an observation about the picture of Nujoma as PLAN commander, which triggers a recount of the activities surrounding the liberation struggle.

We exchange glances not knowing if we should ask our camera operator to set up her equipment pronto and record the conversation, or if we should remind Nujoma that the interview is only scheduled for after the greeting.

The tales are too good to pass on, so we embrace the moment to learn a thing or two about Namibia's struggle for liberation through stories that were never printed or published.

Soon, time for the interview arrives: the set is arranged, the excitement palpable and Nujoma is called to take his seat in front of the camera.

Lights, camera, action! The interview gets underway, and so does our appetite to learn more of the life of the man who, alongside others, sacrificed his entire youth for the liberation of Namibia. As we wind up the interview, there is no question that Nujoma had lost valuable years of his youth, but he had achieved an invaluable feat – to help liberate Namibia.

The next phase of our day was without a doubt Nujoma's favourite – a tour around the farm he calls home.

In fact, Etunda is the original birthplace of Nujoma. It is located in the heart of northern Namibia, a few kilometres outside Okahao in the former Ongandjera district.

As Nujoma narrated, he named the farm after his birthplace as it reminded him of his upbringing as a cattle herder. Embarking the 1980s Toyota Land Cruiser, fully converted into a sightseeing and camping vehicle, we knew it was going to be an information-rich ride – and Nujoma did not disappoint.

Our first stop is at a borehole where some cattle are kept. Here, workers are seen inspecting the animals and making sure the water trough is filled. We disembark after the Founding Father, who immediately gets into an inspection of the cattle.

The love for these animals is clearly visible on Nujoma's face as he describes how he plans to rear the cattle.

His methods are nothing fancy; no stud breeding and neither is it for show.

It is all about production in order to sustain his family and others dependent on his farming.

He admits it is a lot of hard work, but the pleasure he derives from farming far outweighs the difficulties that come with it.

“This is the life I have always wanted.

“The peace around here is what keeps me mentally young and will keep me going for more years to come,” Nujoma smiles, pointing to birds chirping in the background and the occasional sighting of some wild animals. After spending close to an hour orbiting the farm, we return to the main homestead, where Nujoma invited us for lunch.

Although we gladly accepted, we were worried about sharing a table with the man; what will we talk about? Can't we have a smaller table in a corner somewhere where we can be on our own?

Nujoma will, however, have it no other way. It was a buffet meal, and Nujoma kindly allows us as guests to serve ourselves first.

With our plates filled, he proceeds to dish up for himself. At this point, we were already seated, anxious of what to do next. I was assigned the seat immediately to his left, while my colleagues and Nujoma's assistant filled up the remaining chairs at the table. Nujoma tells us that the springbok meat we are about to enjoy, was shot for the pot the day before.

“We only consume what we have on the farm. This springbok was shot yesterday for meat right here on the farm.”

He shares how he walks 2 kilometres daily to keep healthy; a remarkable feat for a man of his age.

Not long after the meal, we get into the Land Cruiser again to visit projects on the farm.

The first stop is the clinic operated by two permanent nurses. It was handed over by Nujoma to the Ministry of Health and Social Services earlier this year. The clinic was built mainly to cater for nearby farmworkers who had been finding it difficult to access healthcare facilities.

Just a stone's throw away from the clinic is the construction site for a primary school. This too was financially supported by Nujoma through the Sam Nujoma Foundation.

Next was a visit to the Namibian icon's evergreen garden; clearly a source of pride. It houses mainly citrus trees.

More fruit trees and vegetables are set to be planted.

“I come here almost every day to take a breather. As you can see, all trees here were planted by myself as this area was only full of bush,” gestures Nujoma.

And so the time to depart drew nearer. Saying our goodbyes, Nujoma offers us treats for the road: biltong, fresh omaere (cultured milk) and other snacks from the shop at the Etunda fuel station.

As his protection detail whisks him away back to his farmhouse, we cannot help but admire the strength and agility of a man now in his late 80s.

My mind is now surely made up on what I want to be when I grow up: another Sam Nujoma ...of the journalism world.

CHARLES TJATINDI/ NAMPA

Bitcoin starts trading on Chicago Metals Exchange

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Bitcoin starts trading on Chicago Metals ExchangeCryptocurrency now being traded on futures exchange Last week, Chicago-based derivatives exchange Cboe Global Markets launched bitcoin futures, which saw the price surge nearly 20% in its debut. NAMPA/REUTERS



The CME Group Inc, the world's largest derivatives exchange operator, began trading bitcoin futures on Sunday, with the contract opening at what is currently its session high and dropping over 6% within the first half hour.

The CME bitcoin front-month futures opened at US$20 650 and have so far traded as low as US$19 290 and as high as US$20 650 in a session that extends into Monday.

The launch of bitcoin futures is viewed as a major step in the digital currency's path toward legitimacy that should ease the entry of big institutional investors.

"We saw a nice open on light volume, but pretty uneventful so far. I do think we could certainly pick up in volume as Asia begins to open. This is a brand-new asset class and I think perhaps a lot of investors want to sit back and see how this plays out before dipping their toes in this market," Spencer Bogart, partner at Blockchain Capital LLC, said shortly after trading began on Sunday.

Volume on CME was recently at 287 contracts. On its debut last Sunday, the Cboe traded nearly 4 000 contracts during the full session.

Bitcoin was set up in 2008 by an individual or group calling itself Satoshi Nakamoto, and was the first digital currency to successfully use cryptography to keep transactions secure and hidden, making traditional financial regulation difficult if not impossible.

Some investors believe the CME bitcoin futures could attract more institutional demand because the final settlement price is culled from multiple exchanges.

The Cboe futures contract is based on a closing auction price of bitcoin from the Gemini exchange, which is owned and operated by virtual currency entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

The general sentiment in the market remains one of caution and that has been reflected in margin requirements for the contracts.

In the futures market, margin refers to the initial deposit made into an account in order to enter into a contract.

The margin requirement at CME is 35 percent, while at Cboe, it is 40%, reflecting bitcoin's volatility. The margin for an S&P 500 futures contract, by contrast, is just 5%, analysts said.

One futures trader said the average margin for brokers or intermediaries on bitcoin contracts was roughly twice the exchange margins.

Stray lions wreak havoc, again

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Stray lions wreak havoc, again A farmer in the Omusati Region has once again lost livestock to stray lions that had escaped from Etosha National Park.

The five lions attacked and killed two cattle belonging to Andreas Ndakukamo at his Omutambowomawe farm in the Otamanzi constituency on Sunday morning.

Ndakukamo told Namibian Sun the lions were roaming the area on Saturday before carrying out the attacks in the early morning of hours of Sunday.

“On Sunday, I called minister Pohamba Shifeta to inform him about what happened at the farm. He told me that he would send regional officials to the farm, but as we speak, nobody from the ministry came to the farm or attempted to call me,” he said. The farmer said he would continue waiting for environmental officials because he did not want to take the law into his own hands. Ndakukamo has lost 18 head of cattle this year. In April this year, he shot and killed three lions after attacking 16 of his cattle. A fuming Ndakukamo yesterday said he was not going to accept the low compensation from government. He demanded to be compensated fairly.

“I am not going to accept N$1 500, unless they buy me 18 cattle instead of the money. Cattle are expensive and hard to look after. Where am I going to get cattle with such money?” Ndakukamo said. Stray lions have been causing havoc in the Ongandjera grazing area this year. In May, well-known businessman David Kambwa Sheehama also shot three lions after they attacked livestock at his cattle post, which is 12km from Etosha.

A lioness with four cubs was also reported on private farmland near the Otjivalunda salt pans.





ILENI NANDJATO

NC chair calls for end to human trafficking

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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NC chair calls for end to human trafficking The Namibian police, immigration officials and the judiciary are not trained to deal with human trafficking and as a result the scourge remains unreported and continues unabated.

These were the sentiments of the chairperson of the National Council, Margaret Mensah-Williams, when she briefed members during the opening of an urgent NC session yesterday to review the Urban and Regional Planning Bill of 2017, as well as the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill of 2017 and the Education Amendment Bill of 2017.

Mensah-Williams put specific emphasis on the proposed penalties for human trafficking and urged parliamentarians to be mindful of the importance of the bill that must urgently be passed to protect the people of the country and those innocent people who end up here through trafficking.

According to her, victims of modern slavery are unable to leave their situation of exploitation because they are controlled by threats of punishment, violence, coercion and deception.

She said the parliament had an important role to play in ending this shameful practice through passing laws such as the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill of 2017.

“The bill has some flaws but we have the responsibility to ensure we amend the bill. I believe that the proposed sentences in the current bill are too lenient. I also think that that there should not be an option of a fine upon the conviction of a human trafficker. When you steal one goat you go to prison. Why should traffickers who torture and brutalise people be penalised or fined?” she asked.

According to her, the bill will serve as a tool to effectively prosecute criminals who profit from exploiting others.

“Furthermore, when this bill comes into force, it will serve as a deterrent to perpetrators and make citizens more alert to the problem,” said Mensah-Williams.

She further stated that Namibia had an obligation to address the evil of human trafficking under the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.

“We need to end this despicable industry and protect especially the most vulnerable in society. I urge all members to create awareness of the dangers of human trafficking in their constituencies. Furthermore, the National Council will, early next year, embark upon creating public awareness on the issue through its programmes,” she said.

The session was then adjourned to today.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Angolan tourists on the decline

December 18, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Angolan tourists on the declineOil price hits Namibian tourism hard The economic crisis in Angola has led to an 11% drop in Angolan visitors to Namibia, with devastating effect for northern businesses. Although Angola remained Namibia's largest tourism market with more than 398 000 Angolans visiting the country last year, the economic crisis in the neighbouring country had a major impact on the numbers.

The number of Angolans visiting Namibia dropped by nearly 11%, from 447 038 in 2015 to 398 939 last year. Between 2014 and 2015 there was a 5% decline. Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta expressed concern over the drop in the numbers when he released the Tourism Statistical Report for 2016 last week.

“Angolan visitors have dropped due to the declining buying power caused by the economic crisis and the drop in oil prices.”

After a continued drop in oil prices in recent years, the price of crude oil dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade at the beginning of this year and pushed oil-exporting Angola's currency to record lows. This plunged the economy of Africa's second largest crude producer into a crisis. Despite the country's oil and diamond resources, Angola suffers endemic poverty, with more than a third of the population of around 24 million living below the poverty line.

“They depended on the oil income, which went down. You will now find fewer Angolans coming here to spend. Now you can see that there is a problem and even day-visitors are declining,” said Shifeta.

He said large numbers of Angolan day-visitors used to do shopping at the towns of Oshikango and Katwitwi, but the local economies of these border towns have collapsed.

Shifeta said those Angolans still visiting Namibia are not spending as much as they used to.

In 2015 already, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) had expressed concern that the plunging global oil price would lead to Angolans curbing their massive shopping sprees in Namibia, which had long been the lifeblood of the northern regions.

“Low oil prices are not only good news. Depending on how long they will prevail, they can have a negative impact on oil exploration activities in the country in the medium to long term.

“In addition, demand from Angolans living in Namibia or coming for shopping could decline once the lower oil prices impact on salary levels, economic activities in Angola, and the value of their currency,” the IPPR said. Bonnie Mbdizo of the Namibian Tourism Board added that South Africa had recently lifted its visa restrictions for Angolans.

He said Namibia must ensure that it does not become a transit destination for Angolans on their way to South Africa.

“We need to move our destination further, our competitors are doing well. We have to diversify our markets and address the issue of seasonality.”

Furthermore, statistics show that there was a 1% increase in arrivals from African tourist markets from 2015 to 2016. That poor result is attributed to the 11% drop in the Angolan market. Occupancy statistics indicate that Angolans accounted for only 1.6% of the business done by Namibian accommodation establishments last year. Namibians occupied 33% of accommodation establishments. There was a 35% increase in German visitors to Namibia since 2015 and Germany showed dominance in the overseas market, while the UK and USA took second and third place. The number of tourists from Europe grew by 26% while North American visitors grew by 10% in 2016. There was also an increase of 8% in the number of tourist arrivals from China.

ELLANIE SMIT