Uefa president arrives in Namibia

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Uefa president arrives in Namibia The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president, Ceferin Aleksander, arrived in Namibia on Wednesday morning.

Aleksander was met at the airport by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) general manager, Tim Isaacs.

The UEFA president will be in the country until 5 January, with his family and two other families he invited along for the trip.

Speaking to Nampa upon his arrival, Alexander said he was in Namibia five years ago with his friends on a private visit, and the beauty of Namibia captured his heart.

“I believe Namibia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, hence I decided to bring my family here for holidays,” he said.

He added that he will be meeting the NFA president, Frans Mbidi, for dinner where “issues related to football will definitely be discussed”.

“There are possibilities of working together with the NFA, but at this point in time, let me meet the president (Mbidi) first before I talk to the media about our discussions,” he said.

Mbidi is expected to attend the dinner with Aleksander and other leading football personalities in Namibia.





NAMPA

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Legal procedures for instant divorce in India

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Legal procedures for instant divorce in IndiaLaw to protect Muslim women India aims for law that could jail Muslim men who instantly divorce wives. The Indian government yesterday introduced a bill in parliament aimed at prosecuting Muslim men who divorce their wives through the “triple talaq”, or instant divorce, which women complain violates their right to equality.

In August, the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional the law, which allows Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering the word “talaq” three times.

Muslim women had petitioned the court, arguing the practice of husbands divorcing them through “triple talaq”, including by Skype and WhatsApp, not only violated their rights but left many women destitute.

“Only a law can explicitly ban triple talaq, we have to enforce legal procedures to provide allowance and protect custody of children,” said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The bill, if approved, would make the practice a non-bailable offence with a possible three-year jail term. Muslims are the biggest religious minority in Hindu-majority India and relations between the communities have been occasionally strained since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won a 2014 election.

India is one of the few countries where the practice of instant divorce has survived and some Muslim groups have said that while it was wrong, the law should be reviewed by the community itself.

Members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board said the government had no right to outlaw instant triple talaq, as it was directly interfering with the Muslim personal law.

India's civil codes are designed to protect the independence of religious communities. Unlike most Hindu civil laws, which have been codified and reformed, Muslim personal laws have largely been left untouched. Zakia Soman, founder of a Muslim women's group, the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, said once triple talaq becomes a legal offence, victims could approach the police and the legal system to initiate action against offenders.

(NAMPA / REUTERS)

Chinese-built power plant boosts Botswana's electricity production

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Chinese-built power plant boosts Botswana's electricity production Morupule B Power Station, a coal-fired power station built by the China National Electric Engineering Corporation, has been credited to spurring electricity production in Botswana, Statistics Botswana said Wednesday.

In its latest figures on electricity generation and distribution, Statistics Botswana said the volume of electricity generated in the third quarter of 2017 stood at 893,831 MWH, an increase of 32.4 percent from 675,047 MWH in the second quarter.

“This increase is mainly attributable to improved performance of power generators at Morupule B power station due to all the four units being operational during the period under review,” said Statistics Botswana.

Morupule B Power Station, located some 270 km north of the capital Gaborone, accounts for 90 percent of the country's domestic power generation.

The generation of electricity in Botswana started in 1985 with a coal-fired thermal power station at Morupule operating at a capacity of 132 MWH. Prior to that, most of Botswana's electricity was imported from South Africa's power utility, Eskom. In 2008, South Africa's electricity demand started to exceed its supply, resulting in the South African government restricting power exports.

The volume of imported electricity decreased by 62.6 percent from 333,355 MWH during the third quarter of 2016 to 124,612 MWH during 2017 third quarter.

NAMPA/XINHUA

Wife of acclaimed SA artist arrested

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Wife of acclaimed SA artist arrested Northern Cape police have confirmed that the 29-year-old wife of acclaimed South African artist Walter Meyer has been arrested for his murder.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi said Sophia Meyer is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate's court for a bail application on Friday.

Meyer was stabbed to death on December 22, allegedly during an argument with his wife. She was subsequently arrested, and made her first appearance on a charge of murder on Wednesday.

The 52-year-old Meyer was born in Aliwal North. He matriculated with a distinction in Art in Pretoria and went on to study Fine Art at the University of Pretoria.

The celebrated artist, who painted mainly South African landscapes, has exhibited his work in Germany, London and New York.

On Wednesday, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa tweeted: “We are shocked & saddened to learn about the tragic events which have led to the passing of iconic South African artist Walter Meyer, whose works have been exhibited and celebrated for over three decades.

“We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

NAMPA/ANA

Olwaadhi lwa dhipaga iikombo 23 mOhadiwa

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Olwaadhi lwa dhipaga iikombo 23 mOhadiwaMo2013 okwali a kanitha iikombo 12 natango kolwaadhi Omuniimuna gwomonooli yoshilongo ngoka e li woo mwene gwomukunda okwa kanitha iikombo ye 23, yongushu yooN$19 000 konima sho ya kwatwa kolwaadhia ongulohi yEtiyali. Israel Nghandi (61), mwene gwomukunda Ohadiwa moshikandjohogololo Ongwediva, okwa hokolola ekanitho lye. Okwa popi kutya ekanitho ndyoka olya etitha uupyakadhi komapepe ge molwaashoka keshi kutya otaka palutha ngiini aanegumbo lye ya thika po 14.

Nghandi okwa popi kutya oshiningwanima shoka osha holoka lwopotundi 18:00 na kali megumbo ihe okwa lombwelwa owala oshiningwanima shoka mongodhi, sho a dhengewla ongodhi komukulukadhi gwe.

Okwa popi kutya okwa yi meendelelo kegumbo na okwa a dha iikombo ye 26 yomiikombo 46 ya lala ya sa momuti guli mepya lye. Omukokele ngoka okwa popi kutya okuuvu nayi noonkondo omolwa ekanitho lye ndyoka, molwaashoka ye omukokele owala ha hupu mopenzela ndjoka hayi pewa aakoleke kepangelo.

Nonando ongaaka okwa popi kutya okwa pandula molwaashoka opwa hupa ngaa.

Omukokele ngoka okwa popi kutya mo 2013 okwa kanitha iikombo ye 12 natango moshiningwanima sha faathana. Okwa tsikile kutya ke na shoka ta vulu okuninga andola opo a yande oshiningwanima shoka molwaashoka ye okwiitaala mOmbimbeli na okwa pepelelwa sho maanegumbo lye kape na ngoka eehamekwa.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Emanya lyombila yokukondjelimanguluko lyayonagulwa mElombe

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Emanya lyombila yokukondjelimanguluko lyayonagulwa mElombe Emanya lyokombila yomukondjelimanguluko, Julius Kambo Eino pomawendo gomElombe mOnayena moshitopolwa shaShikoto, olya yonagulwa.

Emanya ndyoka olimwe lyomomamanya gane ngoka ta tulwa koombila dhomapendafule kUuministeli wIipambele yOonakulwa Aakulu moshilongo, mboka ya kondjela emanguluko lyoshilongo. Okwa hololwa kutya emanya ndyoka olya hanagulwa, nongundu yaantu yontumba oyo tayi pelwa uusama eyonagulo ndyoka.

Pahapu dhofamili yanakusa Eino oya tseyithilwa owala muSepetmba kaakwashigwana kombinga yeyonagulo ndyoka.

Shoka osha landulwa ketalelepo ndyoka lya ningwa kuamushanga muuministeli woonakulwa aakulu Eino, Hopelong Ipinge.

Emanya ndyoka lya pula epangelo oshimaliwa shooN$16 000, olya kuthwako kombila na olya tulwa pooha nombila.

Ipinge okwa holola okuuva nayi kwe na popi kutya omukalo guli ngaaka itagu vulu okwiidhidhimikilwa.

Okwa kunkilile kutya mboka ya ningi ngaaka ngele oya kwatwa otaya ka ungaungiwa nayo koveta.

Okwa pula oshigwana shi kale sha tonata nokutseyithila opolisi uuna ya mono omainyengo taga limbililike momawendo.

Ipinge okwa popi kutya kashi shi oshikando shotango omamanya gokoombinga ngoka ga ningwa kepangelo taga yonagulwa. Omamanya gamwe ngoka ga yonagulwa po ongaashi lyominista nale yelongo, Abraham Iyambo.

Ipinge okwa popi kutya ewendo lyaEino otali longululwa.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Iilonga yomapya ya latekwa komuloka

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Iilonga yomapya ya latekwa komuloka Omuloka gwankundipala ngoka gwa dhidhililwa metata lyotango lyoshikako shomuloka moshilongo, ogwa etitha iilonga yomomapya moshilongo yi late naanafaalama oya kunkililwa ya longithe ompito pethimbo lyomuloka omwaanawa ngoka tagu tengenekwa muJanuari.

Omiyalu dhomo 2016/17 odha holola kutya Namibia okwa dhidhilike e yo pombanda meteyo noopresenda 85, okuyeleka nomimvo dha piti, moka eteyo lya li pevi noopresenda 14.

Eteyo lyomo 2016/17 olya li pootona 137 500 okuyeleka nootona 74 300 dheteyo dha dhidhilikwa mo2015.

Kwiikwatelelwa kolopota tayi ithanwa Agricultural Inputs and Household Food Security Monitoring Assessment Report ndjoka ya pitithwa kuuministeli wUunamapya, onkalo ndjoka ya hwepopala oyi li oshizemo sheyopombanda lyiilongomwa yaalongi yomapya.

Elongo lyepungu miitopolwa ngaashi Zambezi, Kavango East oshowo Kavango West olya lopotwa lya londo pombanda noopresenda 40, okuyeleka neyo pombanda ndyoka lya dhidhilikwa mo 2015/16. Ehwepopalo li li nawa olya zi moshitopolwa shaZambezi moka mwa longwa epungu lyoopresenda 95, omanga oopresenda 5 dha hupako dha zi miitopolwa yaKavango.

Nonando ongaaka elongo lyiilya olya ulike eshuno pevi noopresenda 38 okuyeleka no 2015/16, sho kwa longwa owala ootona 6 100.

Eshuno pevi ndyoka okwa lopotwa lya etitha kekuno lya lata omolwa omuloka ngoka gwa loko kwa lata woo.

Namibia muKotomba nuumvo okwa tumu pondje yoshilongo momalanditho ootona 50 800 dhiilya, epungu 8 700 oshowo iilyaalyaka 1 700.

Olopota natango oya tsikile kombinga yomuloka kwa lata ngoka gwa dhidhilikwa natango moshilongo moshikako shomuloka shotango nuumvo. Onkalo ndjoka otayi etitha aantu ya tameke iilonga yawo yomomapya kwa lata.

Nonando ongaaka omuloka omwaanawa otagu tengenekwa tagu ka dhenga oshilongo pokati komwedhi Januari sigo oApilili gwomvula twa taalela.

Konima sho oshikako shomuloka s shotango, sha tameke muKotomba sigo oDesemba , inaku dhidhilikwa omuloka tagu shambula, opo andola aanamapya ya tameke iilonga yawo.

MuNovemba moka unene aanamapya haya tameke iilonga yawo yomomapaya inaya tameka we omolwa omuloka ngoka inagu tameka. Aanafaaama oya holola kutya kape na oshindji shoka taya vulu okuninga kakele okukala yiilongekidhila owala iilonga uuna omuloka gwa tameke.

KENYA KAMBOWE

A legacy worth following

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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A legacy worth following It is not often that a famous personality is able to transcend from one sphere of society to become influential in another.

And yet this is exactly what Liberia's George Weah has accomplished.

From being a world famous footballer –and only African to win the World Player of the Year back in 1995- to winning the elections to become Liberia's 25th president, Weah has done the seemingly impossible.

What is more, it did not come on a silver platter for the native Liberian.

In fact, his story is one worth talking about even as he is yet to fully occupy the highest office in that West African country.

For starters, Weah is not being whisked into office of the back of solely his popularity among his people.

He has had to work for the right to be recognised as a respectable politician and leader.

During his first endeavour to become president, he lost out to Eileen Johnson-Sirleaf, who became Africa's first female president in 2005.

One of the reasons given for his loss, at the time, was that Weah lacked education, more particularly a degree from an American university; something all previous Liberian presidents apparently possessed.

As such, Weah instead of accepting the status quo, went on to finish his high school, before heading out to college where he eventually graduated with a degree in Business Management.

Although he admits that leadership is not about how many degrees one has, Weah took steps to show that he is not a fly-by night politician.

In the process, he also became an example that it is never too late for any person to pursue their studies.

His loss in 2005, also showed how humble the man is.

Instead of refusing to accept the result, Weah begged his followers not to boycott subsequent elections and instead work with the incumbent government for the betterment of all Liberians.

Such was his influence then, that the country, which in previous years had been ravaged by civil wars, maintained peace.

At just 51 years, Weah is one of the youngest presidents to take office in Africa and the world will be watching his every move.

We believe that the man will do justice to his legacy thus far.

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Shot of the day

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day RITE OF PASSAGE: Circumcised Maasai young men wearing new clothes and accessories come out from the bush near Kilgoris, Kenya, on the last day of the annual one-month-long circumcision ceremony, on 20 December 2017. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Grazing deteriorates further

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Grazing deteriorates furtherDelayed rainy season causes worry Poor rainfall in the first part of the current rainy season has worsened the situation caused by prolonged drought in previous years. Grazing conditions in various parts of Namibia have continued to deteriorate because of poor rainfall during the first half of the current rainy season.

In some areas of the //Karas and Erongo regions conditions have been described as critically poor, while the farmers in the Khomas Region have less than 30% of the normal grazing available to them.

This is according to the latest Agricultural Inputs and Household Food Security Monitoring Assessment released by the agriculture ministry.

According to the report, the poor rainfall has worsened the situation caused by prolonged drought. Much of the grazing has been depleted while water resources have also been diminished in certain areas.

However, the situation is said to be slightly better than at the same time last year. Farmers have reported no livestock deaths due to malnutrition.

“However, poor grazing conditions are reported to be worsened by the delay in the onset of the rainfall season as many areas reported poor rainfall or no rainfall yet received by end of November,” the report says.

Moderate to light showers were reported in many areas from the end of October to early November 2017, but there were no follow-up rains to strengthen the onset of the 2017/2018 rainfall season.

The report adds that by the end of November, evidence on the ground showed that rainfall had been virtually absent in most parts of the country, except a few places where light to moderate showers were received.

“This is said to be worsening the detrimental effects of poor rainfall on grazing and water resources and subsequently livestock conditions.”

Poor to fair grazing conditions with less than 30% of grazing available were reported in most areas of the Khomas Region. Light to moderate sporadic rains received since the beginning of this season were not significant to rejuvenate grazing, the report says.

Grazing conditions in the Erongo and Hardap regions were reported to range between very poor and fair.

Critical grazing conditions were reported in the Omatjete, Spitzkoppe and Okombahe areas in Erongo, and east of Maltahöhe, Gibeon and Hoachanas in the Hardap Region.

In the //Karas Region, grazing was reported to range between poor and fair, but critically poor in the eastern part of Berseba, south of Bethanie, south of Rosh Pinah, Aus, Warmbad and Bondelswart.

In the central part of the region towards Keetmanshoop, grazing is also described as poor, especially in the Blouwes area.

At Aranos, Stampriet, Mariental and Kalkrand in the Hardap and Omaheke regions, fair grazing conditions were reported.

In the commercial farming areas of Otjozondjupa good grazing was reported, with fair grazing status in the communal areas. Fair to good grazing was also reported in the commercial area around Outjo in the Kunene Region.

In the north-eastern part of the country (Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West regions) grazing was reported to be fair in many places.

In the Kavango East and Kavango West regions, grazing was reported to be poor along the river, but fair to good in the inland areas. It was further reported that veld fires in the inland areas exacerbated the situation, while water availability for livestock was satisfactory in areas along the rivers and boreholes in the inland areas.

Farmers noted that poor grazing conditions were worsened by the delay or poor rainfall performance experienced since the start of the 2017/2018 rainy season and that grazing conditions were supposed to have recovered by now.

ELLANIE SMIT

Public asked to help find man missing for two years

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Public asked to help find man missing for two years The Namibian police are appealing to the public to help trace a 31-year-old Zambian national who has been missing for more than two-and-a-half years.

Brian Mulonga was last seen in March 2015.

He was a second-year engineering student at the University of Namibia, who left Zambia in March 2015, travelling to Namibia by road. He never reached his destination. Efforts by the Zambian authorities and his relatives to find him have proved futile.

Anyone who has any information regarding Mulonga is asked to contact the High Commission of the Republic of Zambia in Windhoek at 061 237 610/1 or his mother, Ms Chikobela, at +260 973 357 471, or the nearest police station.

STAFF REPORTER

Kalkrand police struggle in crime fight

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Kalkrand police struggle in crime fight The police at Kalkrand, a village situated between Rehoboth and Mariental in the Hardap Region, have been experiencing various challenges with the combating of crime in the area.

Speaking during an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, the Kalkrand station commander, Warrant Officer Alion Haraseb, said the station had some difficulty controlling and combating certain crimes that are rife in the area.

These crimes, according to Haraseb, include stock theft and general theft, assault, reckless and negligent driving and drug and alcohol abuse.

“It is hard to recover stolen livestock in this area, because most suspects have developed criminal connections with passing drivers on the B1 road who they sell the animals to,” Haraseb maintained.

He added that the B1 road was slowly becoming a hub for criminal activity, hence the police effort to hold occasional patrols some Thursdays and during weekends.

Haraseb also highlighted lack of community cooperation as one of the station's biggest challenges.

He said people do not contribute to any police investigations nor collectively show up for meetings unless they are directly affected.

“This makes it difficult to bring suspects to justice as in most cases we have no witnesses or liaisons within the public, especially when it comes to drug dealing,” Haraseb complained.

He added that because there is no courtroom in Kalkrand, when an arrest is made, suspects only appear in court within 48 hours in Mariental, where the cases are often prolonged. Asked about the number of reported crimes over Christmas, Haraseb told Nampa that although crime is usually high during this time, no major incidents occurred this year over the weekend before Christmas, apart from a single case of domestic violence.

The police officer appealed to the public, most specifically in Kalkrand, to abide by the law and to join crime prevention efforts in the area.

NAMPA

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF Mining stocks fuel FTSE 100

Britain's top share index steadied below a record high on Thursday as mining stocks rallied, though strength in the pound capped gains.

The UK's mining index traded at its highest level since mid-2014 as shares in Anglo American, Antofagasta, Glencore and BHP Billiton all rose between 0.8% to 1.1 percent, thanks to the underlying copper price hitting a fresh four-year high.

Miners also dominated the action among British mid cap stocks, which were flat in percentage terms.

"It's no real surprise to anyone that we're pushing all-time highs as we get deep into Brexit talks towards the end of the year," Henry Croft, research analyst at Accendo Markets, said.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Apple, Amazon look to Saudi Arabia

Apple and Amazon are in licensing discussions with Riyadh on investing in Saudi Arabia, two sources told Reuters, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to give the conservative kingdom a high-tech look.

A third source confirmed that Apple was in talks with SAGIA, Saudi Arabia's foreign investment authority.

Both companies already sell products in Saudi Arabia via third parties but they and other global tech giants have yet to establish a direct presence.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Carmaker PSA eyes collective bargaining over future job cuts

French carmaker PSA is considering adopting a collective bargaining process with its workforce over future job cuts, said a trade union official on Thursday, with some unions warning the move could make it easier for PSA to shed staff.

Officials at PSA could not be immediately reached to comment on the matter, first reported by newspaper Le Parisien.

CFTC trade union representative Franck Don said the collective bargaining option would be on the agenda at a January 9, 2018 works council meeting, while CGT trade union official Jean-Pierre Mercier said such a move could make it easier for PSA to sack workers.

NAMPA/REUTERS

LME copper gives back a little but holds at 4-yr peak

London copper eased slightly in early Asian trading on Thursday, but largely held sharp overnight gains that drove the contract to a four-year high on signs of strong demand from China next year.

Commodities traders said some profit taking emerged at the higher end of copper's price rise, but was held in check somewhat by a weaker US dollar.

Non-US holders of US-dollar-denominated commodities, such as London Metal Exchange contracts, typically sell into a stronger dollar.

NAMPA/REUTERS

SpaceX to launch rocket today

When SpaceX launches a batch of satellites into low-earth orbit Friday evening from California’s central coast, it will cap a record year for the closely held company led by Elon Musk.

If the launch goes well, Space Exploration Technologies will have completed 18 missions in 2017. That’s more than any competitor this year and far exceeds the eight it launched in 2016 before a September explosion grounded the company for the rest of the year while an investigation took place.

“SpaceX has had a phenomenal year, and they’ve motivated and inspired a lot of people as to what is possible,” said Eric Stallmer, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry group for the private space sector.

MONEYWEB

Brace yourself for climate change

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Brace yourself for climate changeClimate change cases predicted to make a legal splash in 2018 People will need to adapt to climate change, as it is expected to influence the world economy greatly. THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION

One big problem confronts Africa as it tries to predict how its weather patterns will shift in the face of climate change: Almost all the climate models for the continent were created in the United States or Europe.

Now, South African climate researcher Francois Engelbrecht has changed that by developing a climate model for Africa, in Africa.

The model aims to "generate reliable projections of future climate change over Africa," said Engelbrecht, the chief researcher for climate studies, modelling and environmental health at South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Those projections include figuring out which areas will get more or less rainfall – a key to adapting agriculture successfully – or looking at where African grasslands might give way to thickets as more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere drives the growth of trees.

"We know that climate is changing, risks are changing, including changes in the risk of heatwaves, flooding, drought, tropical cyclones, changes in growing seasons (and) rising temperatures," said Rachel James, a visiting climate researcher at the University of Cape Town.

"People everywhere will need to adapt to these changing conditions in the years and decades to come," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The problem is that we don't know exactly what will happen in any one location. It's challenging to predict which areas might get more rainfall and which might get less."

MORE DETAIL

The new African-built climate model aims to generate much more detailed and place-specific projections, to give decision makers the information they need to prepare for coming changes.

It responds, in part, to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change noting in 2014 that Africa was the only region of the world in which climate forecasts had not improved in recent years.

Developed in collaboration with Australia, the model will look at things such as how El Nino patterns are likely to affect Africa in the future and how African monsoons may shift, Engelbrecht said.

Africa has a lot of expertise on its ecosystems, regional oceans, and climate, but this knowledge has not been built into models up to now, he said.

Models developed by northern hemisphere countries have tended to focus more on areas of northern interest, such as the Arctic, where sea ice is fast disappearing, he said.

And global models that include Africa generally are not specific enough to be helpful on the ground in a particular country or region, said Neville Sweijd, head of the South Africa-based Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science.

"All models are not complete representations of reality and have to be tested for sensitivity to various features and phenomena," he said, including the direction of winds.

James noted that "climates in Africa are particularly challenging to model" because of the influence of local events such as key thunderstorms, "which occur on finer scales than the models can resolve," she said.

A ‘GAME CHANGER'

Jean-Pierre Roux, who manages the Future Climate for Africa project, an effort, backed by UK aid, to improve climate information and resilience on the continent, said he worries that weak climate information and weather information services that do not meet the needs of vulnerable communities could hurt millions in Africa.

Having African scientists involved in climate information efforts is important as African researchers naturally have more expertise on local and regional weather and climate in many cases, he said.

Also, "it gives a better chance for African priorities to shape the research agenda and leaves behind a legacy in terms of improved African capacity to conduct research," he said.

African climate scientists say they are also worried that the continent does not yet have enough climate scientists to collaborate with other experts globally on models and other work.

"A lot of model application work is being done in Africa, but not by Africans or at African institutions. That disempowers African intellectual development in this field," Sweijd told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Engelbrecht sees the development of his model as a chance to build skills in everything from climate science to high-performance computing.

"It is a game changer in enhancing our human capacity in the climate and earth sciences," he said.

Value of German takeovers doubles

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Value of German takeovers doubles NAMPA/XINHUA

German companies have seen a surge in demand from international investors in 2017, a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) showed on Wednesday.

The volume of corporate takeovers which involved foreign parties rose to €99.8 billion until November compared to €38.5 billion during the same period last year. For the entire year of 2017, PwC expected record international transactions of €119.8 billion in total.

According to the study, the strong increase in acquisitions of German firms was partially due to a few very large transactions such as the merger between the rail divisions of Siemens and French rival Alstom and the purchase of carmaker Opel by French Peugeot.

Measured by the number of announced transactions, most foreign buyers in 2017 were from the United States (158), followed by Switzerland (80) and the United Kingdom (72).

However, investors from France accounted for 55% of the total value. Chinese investors (including Hong Kong) sealed a total of 47 deals in Germany during the reported period.

The same as in the previous year, the majority of takeovers occurred in the industrial production sector (24%). Retail and consumption goods producers (24%) were the second most popular firms among foreign investors, while the third place was occupied by technology firms (16%).

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Hunger, obesity levels both high

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Hunger, obesity levels both highNumber of undernourished people rises Namibia last year had 700 000 food-insecure people, an FAO report states. While Namibia remains one of the most food-insecure countries on the continent it is also one of the nations with the highest obesity level in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation's (FAO) regional overview for the year, the number of food-insecure people in Africa has increased from 220 million to 224 million.

The FAO contributes this to changing weather patterns that led to poor harvests, a loss of livestock, conflict and recurrent droughts.

“The number of undernourished people rose from 200 to 224 million, accounting for 25% of the 815 million undernourished people in the world in 2016,” said Bukar Tijani, FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for Africa.

East Africa accounts for 39% of the 224 million undernourished people while West and Central Africa accounted for 20% and 18%, respectively, and Southern Africa accounted for less than 2%.

According to the FAO report, the prevalence of undernourishment in Namibia last year stood at 28.6% with 700 000 food-insecure people. In 2011 these figures stood at 37.6% and 800 000 food-insecure people.

In comparison with other countries in Southern Africa, Botswana's prevalence of undernourishment is 26% with 600 000 food-insecure people and South Africa has 2.5 million food-insecure people and a 4.6% undernourishment rate.

“The trend in Southern Africa is heavily weighted by South Africa.

“The rate of undernourishment is indeed much higher in all other Southern African countries and in general, despite some fluctuations over time, has remained largely unchanged since 2000,” the report says.

It adds that Botswana, which has seen the prevalence of undernourishment fall over time, is the exception.

The countries in the region have been badly affected by drought, with 2015/16 having been the driest agricultural season in 35 years in the region. According to the report Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland experienced massive crop and livestock losses.

Tijani explained that adverse climatic conditions and conflict, often occurring concurrently, are key factors driving the recent increase in food insecurity in the region.

Despite a rising prevalence of undernourishment, rates of stunting continue to decline while levels of overweight and obesity continue to grow, notably in Southern Africa in terms of the latter.

According to the report, Namibia has some of the highest levels of adult obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa with a prevalence of about 15%. Just four other countries have higher prevalence levels.

Botswana has a prevalence of adult obesity just higher than 15%, Mauritius 20%, Seychelles 22% and South Africa 25%.

Globally, progress in fighting hunger has been steady with the prevalence of undernourishment falling from 14.7% to 10.6% between 2000 and 2015, while the number of undernourished declined from 900 million to 777 million over the same time period.

However, the decline has slowed and the most recent data show that between 2015 and 2016 the prevalence of undernourished may have risen slightly from 10.6% to 11.0% and the number of undernourished rose from 777 million to 815 million.





ELLANIE SMIT

Massive clean-up at coast

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Massive clean-up at coast A huge beach clean-up was recently held at the coast during which a ton of rubbish was collected.

Erongo Marine Enterprises organised the clean-up action along a 50km stretch of coastline between Cape Cross and Mile 108 after reports were received that its branded plastic bags had washed ashore in this area.

A crew of 20 employees covered this stretch of beach on foot to collect all discarded rubbish, which amounted to more than a ton.

According to EME a report was received from the fisheries ministry that plastic sleeves used in the production of frozen horse mackerel had been found washed ashore along the stretch of coastline between Cape Cross and Mile 108.

According to the company, a full-scale investigation was launched into the reported incident.

Although no conclusive cause could be found, it was surmised that the spill of plastic bags into the ocean could have occurred during the loading of provisions in the bay at Walvis Bay and eventually washed ashore in the affected area.

“As a major player in the fishing industry, Erongo Marine Enterprises would like to make it clear that we are a responsible harvester of our natural resources.

“This is the first time in our operational history that such an incident has occurred.

“Our company proudly supports all environmental initiatives and when we were informed that it was our plastic sleeves that were littering the coastline, we immediately actioned a beach clean-up,” said Shane Westerdale, EME sales and marketing manager, who coordinated the clean-up.

According to him, as a result of the incident, stricter controls have been put in place to avoid a possible repeat.

The clean-up action comprised a team of 20 employees who were dispatched to the area on 21 December in five four-wheel drive vehicles.

A team of four employees were designated to patrol a 10km section of beach on foot for a stretch of 50km.

Employees not only collected Erongo Marine branded plastic bags, but also all discarded rubbish on the beach.

After a six-hour clean-up along the affected stretch of coastline a total of 150 black refuse bags weighing close to a ton were collected.

In view of the huge amount of rubbish collected on the stretch of beach, Erongo Marine Enterprises requested beachgoers and fishermen to not leave plastic bags and bait boxes on the beach.

STAFF REPORTER

Illegal firework users warned

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Illegal firework users warned Despite a long-standing ban on the use of all fireworks and crackers without legal authorisation, many Namibians are gearing up to unleash these displays over the weekend.

The Windhoek City Police have confirmed that patrols will be intensified over the New Year's weekend to clamp down on illegal shebeens, noise pollution, fireworks and crimes.

City Police spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Cillie Auala, told Namibian Sun that fireworks remain prohibited within the city limits and can only be used if a special permit is issued by the Namibian Police explosives unit.

The ban on fireworks has been in place for decades and includes any type of fireworks, whether big or small, and persons caught using them without the necessary permits will be fined and their fireworks confiscated.

A major cause of concern regarding the use of fireworks is the impact on domestic and wild animals.

Fireworks cause severe anxiety, fear and confusion in animals, as they have much more sensitive senses, including hearing and smell, than humans. Animal protection services have warned pet owners to take extra care to keep their pets safe over the weekend, ensuring that they are kept indoors and that they are helped to remain calm.

Pet rescuers in Namibia say that in desperation, pets often try to escape the smells, sounds and other effects of fireworks by trying to flee the area.

Incidents of animals escaping through burglar bars and jumping over razor-wire fences, or running through glass doors, severely injuring themselves, have been reported.

Owners who leave their pets alone are often faced with a missing pet when they return.

Auala also warned that in terms of the City's noise control regulations, anyone found causing a disturbance by broadcasting loud noises, including speeches and music, within their homes or vehicles will be fined N$1 000. Moreover, a person or persons holding a public event that causes a noise disturbance to the surrounding area, without prior permission from city authorities, can be fined N$2 000.

Auala said that large groups wishing to celebrate the end of 2017 and the start of the New Year are advised to make use of official city recreational facilities such as Goreangab Dam, Parkies or Avis Dam.

She added, however, that the operational hours of these areas must be adhered to.

She said the City Police would continue to monitor shebeens, which are prohibited from operating on public holidays.

“Alcohol is still the number one contributor when it comes to all forms of violence, including assault and domestic violence. Alcohol is also a main contribution to accidents. Many people still driver under the influence of alcohol.”

She said all alcohol outlets need to adhere to operating hours stipulated by law, and even those with special licences to operate on public holidays need to adhere to the hours stipulated.

Auala said City Police patrols would cover large areas to ensure that lawlessness remains at a minimum, but asked that property owners take note of the risks when they leave their homes unattended.

“Crime in general has decreased this festive season, as our statistics show. But housebreaking remains a concern and most homes are broken into when they are left unattended.”

JANA-MARI SMITH

PDM negative about 2017

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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PDM negative about 2017Says new, proactive measures necessary The leader of the official opposition says the government must put the needs of the nation ahead of those of the Swapo Party. The manner in which the government is operating is “wholly unsustainable”, not just for the future but also for current times, commented McHenry Venaani, president of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), in his year-end message.

Venaani said the three downgrades of the country's economy by international bodies were worrying, while the government failed in 2017 to reduce public debt, public spending and the budget deficit.

He said the government's taking on further debt to finance public sector programmes was indicative that a widening and deepening of the tax base had not been successful. Venaani also expressed concern over the collapse of the SME Bank, the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) that teeters on the brink of closure, and the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), which used employees' medical aid contributions to pay salaries. He said another concern was the fact that the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) had to suspend top managers over fraud investigations.

“Miraculously the Anti-Corruption Commission made neither breakthroughs nor arrests in high-level corruption cases and what is more is that Namibia's president is of the opinion that the director of the ACC [Paulus Noa] is doing a good job!” said Venaani. He said 2017 stood out as a year in which administrative and financial mismanagement at state-owned enterprises was brought to the fore.

“The year has also been highlighted by a total lack of political will to address this dangerous malaise,” Venaani said.

One positive he pointed out was the good rain received at the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017, which signalled an end to the crippling drought experienced during the previous two years and allowed the agricultural sector to recover somewhat.

However, he bemoaned the government's failure to modernise the agricultural sector.

“The PDM has in the past continuously called for the modernisation of this sector. We continue this all in the hope that the government will, at a time when resources are scarce, prioritise the needs of the nation ahead of the desires of the Swapo Party,” Venaani said. He said the PDM hoped that President Geingob and his leadership would commit themselves to the implementation of the lofty promises made each year and ensure inclusive development and prosperity for all Namibians.

He said the government should lay foundations for sound economic conditions in an effort to promote job creation and address poverty reduction.

Venaani said the only way this could be achieved was through the introduction of new and proactive measures to tackle the country's socio-economic and developmental challenges.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Mario Guterres – a jack of all trades

December 28, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mario Guterres – a jack of all trades There is only one man in Rehoboth whose name is on everyone's lips and probably on speed dial for more than half the town's people.

When Mario Guterres is not catching snakes then he is educating the town's youth about conservation and climate change or share a tongue-in-the –cheek tale over the local radio station.

But most importantly is his latest venture, the town's own humble charity-based fire fighting club which aims to empower hundreds of youth and steer them away from the “evil of drug and alcohol” and Guterres himself puts it. Guterres believes there is clearly an imbalance between the Rehoboth town council's capacity and the town's population which often sees a slow response to disasters such as fires.

“There is also a concern from surrounding farmers who cannot afford to pay the payments for fire fighting companies. And even if they manage to call out the fire brigade then it can take a considerable time before it actually reaches the farm,” he said. He pointed out that it takes about 45 minutes to fill up the 5 000-litre tank of the fire truck while it only takes about 5 to 8 minutes for him to fill up his 1000-litre tank of his mini fire trucks. The fire truck business was his own initiative but was made possible with the generous support from the Rehoboth community and a number of private individuals outside the town.

Since the launch of the venture about a month ago the team has managed to fight a number of fires including shack fires in Rehoboth.

“There is certainly a very big demand for this service in the town. But I truly want to help people and I want to use this venture to show the rest of the town that we can help ourselves and to reach out a helping hand to each other's,” he said.

Guterres said he has already received over 1 500 applicants from young people who are interested in fire fighting, and first-aid training.

“I want to get them on board as volunteers to instil a spirit of philanthropy and to care for others and not always expect to receive. I had training in natural disaster management and even trained as fire-fighter in the army,” he said.

According to him a local company has come on board to assist with the training of young people in fire fighting and first aid.

Most of their work includes veld fires, shack fire and fires started during motor vehicle accidents on the nearby roads and especially the congested B1 road that runs through the town.

JEMIMA BEUKES