Jobless anglers should register

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

The Hanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association (HAFA) at Henties Bay has invited unemployed youth and pensioners to join the association.

The director of the association and mayor of Henties Bay, Herman Honeb said such membership would allow them to fish without having to pay the fishing levies charged by the fisheries ministry.

Anglers pay N$14 a month for recreational fishing permits, which was increased to N$1 500 a month in July last year. This decision was however reversed pending public consultation.

Registration is N$5, after which HAFA members are expected to pay a monthly fee of N$10.

Honeb said the ministry has given the association the right to register all interested small-scale anglers across Namibia this year.

He said this means unemployed youth, women and pensioners can make a living by catching fish and selling it to the association.

“I encourage everyone from Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Terrace Bay and Swakopmund to register and take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

The idea is to encourage anglers outside Henties Bay to organise themselves into a mini association under HAFA, after which a HAFA branch could be opened in their area where they can sell their catch.

Asked if HAFA is not concerned about overfishing, Honeb said the anglers usually do not catch large quantities of fish.

If it should happen that overfishing becomes a problem, measures will be taken to protect the stock, he added.

There are currently 100 anglers registered with HAFA, but only 15 to 30 are active daily.

The association was established by the Ministry of Fisheries and partners to develop and support traditional fishing in Namibia for the benefit of Henties Bay's disadvantaged inhabitants.

They are also expected to work towards the establishment of future facilities complementary to fishing and ecotourism activities.

NAMPA

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Zooming in on wildlife conflict

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Zooming in on wildlife conflictGlobal experts flock to Namibia to tackle human-wildlife conflict Bringing communities closer to wildlife has been the cornerstone of Namibia's conservation success but, has also increased human-wildlife conflict.

Namibia's strategy of bringing local people living with wildlife on board to protect the environment and the animals, has been essential to a conservation success strategy that is recognised globally.

John Kasaona underlined Namibia's conservation approaches as a speaker at the launch of the 2018 Pathways Africa Conference in Windhoek on Tuesday, where nearly 200 participants from across the globe have gathered to explore the theme 'Living with Wildlife'.

Kasaona, a pioneer of community-based conservation and co-director at the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), said involving the communities living with wildlife is about building a culture of “trust and respect. Attitude is very important in all of this”.

Kasaona noted that this conservation model is also about a measure of restoring justice, as many areas now closed off exclusively for wildlife once were the homes of communities before they were forcibly relocated.

He added that without community involvement, authorities would struggle with increased poaching and a lack of wildlife across the country, which in turn would be disastrous for tourism, jobs and development.

Empowering communities through entrusting them with important conservation goals and implementing sustainability principles, has benefitted the country in multiple ways, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said on Tuesday.

He explained that the sustainable utilisation of wildlife and natural resources “is fundamentally and inextricably connected to successful wildlife conservation in our country. We cannot achieve the targets of our sustainable development goals without it.” Wildlife recovery has been notable over the past two decades, including elephant population growth from 7 500 individuals in 1995 to more than 23 000 today, many of which live outside of formally protected areas.

Shifeta underlined that Namibia has “long recognised that people play key roles in conservation and natural resource management. Wildlife managers, fishermen and foresters must practice sustainability to secure their livelihoods.”

But, to “coexist and share the same habitats with wild animals is not an easy lifestyle. Our communities bear the brunt of conflict with wild animals daily and that is why Pathways Africa is so important.”

Shifeta said the Pathways Africa conference will play a role in future research, innovation and collaboration on these topics.

In Namibia, at least 44% of the country is under various forms of conservation management, which includes the largest contiguous protected landscape in Africa, the Namibian coastline that stretches a distance of 1 570 km from the Orange River in the south to the Kunene River in the north.

“However, 80% of Namibia's wildlife is found outside of government-protected areas and are in the people's hands. The good stewardship of Namibia's natural recourses is a source of national pride and it supports the Namibian economy,” Shifeta said. Nevertheless, while tourism has become the second largest industry and employs more than 100 000 people, challenges such as poaching, remain.

“Our conservancies are our most important allies in the fight against poaching. In our experience, the local communities based in the conservancies are the champions of conservation, once they experience benefitting fairly and equitably from conservation,” the minister noted. Kasaona added that the “big threat of poaching by selfish individuals who rob us of our assets and heritage” can only be combatted by Namibians banding together.

He said already there “is evidence we are breaking ground to bring poaching down”.

The goal of the Pathways Africa 2018 conference is to provide a forum for scientists and practitioners to address topics critical to understanding the science of human dimensions and its application in wildlife conservation.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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In Kenya, struggling potato growers ink a new deal

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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In Kenya, struggling potato growers ink a new dealContract farming brings relief To deal with climate pressures, farmers are turning to growing contracts to earn more money and get better seed. This paper means I get paid on time for my potatoes, even when the weather is bad. - Samuel Macharia, farmer

Kagondu Njagi - Sitting on a rickety bench at his home in Kipipiri, in central Kenya, Samuel Macharia pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and proudly points to the signature at the bottom.

"This paper means I get paid on time for my potatoes, even when the weather is bad," he said.

The precious document is a farming contract Macharia signed in March with the East African Potato Consortium. It says he will sell at least two tonnes of potatoes to food processors each harvesting season for the next two years.

"Thanks to this contract I can earn up to 22 000 Kenyan shillings (US$213) per season," he said.

Recurring drought and sudden cold spells have affected the quality of potatoes and other staples across Kenya.

Peris Mukami, a farmer from Timau village, in Meru County, said her potato yields had declined by over 10% in the past two years because "it is either too cold or too hot".

"The cold damages potato vines with frostbite while heat makes them wilt," she explained.

To try to fight back, Kenyan potato farmers such as Macharia are increasingly turning to production contracts with food processors – a system known as contract farming – through the East African Potato Consortium.

By working with the consortium, they get access to seeds that better stand up to harsher conditions, as well as better fertilisers.

They also get a guaranteed price for their crop, as long as they produce good-quality potatoes on time, said Wachira Kaguongo, head of the National Potato Council.

FAIR DEALS

The consortium, which was set up in 2016 by the National Potato Council, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and the Grow Africa partnership, aims to increase private investment in agriculture by linking potato farmers with food processors across the country, Kaguongo said.

Each production agreement is reviewed and approved by the National Potato Council, which ensures it is fair to both parties, said Willy Bett, cabinet secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

"Businessmen will always want to get farmers to sign something that may not be favourable to them," Bett told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "We're trying to prevent that by ensuring that farming activity is done on a contract basis in Kenya."

Contract farming has allowed farmers to sell produce to food giants such as the fast-food chain KFC, formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Macharia's potatoes now fetch 22 shillings (US$0.20) per kilo, more than double what he used to get when selling them at the Kipipiri open air market.

"I am paid in cash at my farm," he said. "And I do not have to travel to the market when I don't want to."

So far 5 000 farmers have signed up to the system, with a total of 23 000 expected to have made the switch by 2020, said Kaguongo.

SUPPLY SHORTAGE?

Felix Matheri, a researcher at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, said that while contract farming provides farmers with a steady income, it risks depriving poor families of their food supply.

"Contracts bind farmers to supplying an agreed amount of potatoes, meaning that when the harvest is low farmers are forced to sell all their produce to meet their obligations," he explained.

"But potatoes are rich in starch and a critical source of nutrients – farmers should save some for home consumption," he said.

Others have concerns about contract farming as well. Louise Wangari, a roadside seller of potatoes in Nyandarua County, said she is worried it might affect the supply she gets from farmers.

"The quantity of potatoes I was getting from farmers was already decreasing due to extreme weather," she said.

"If they start signing contracts with other buyers, then I may be out of business soon, as I can't afford to pay them as much as the food processors."– Nampa/Reuters

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Oshikuku hospital under fire

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Oshikuku hospital under fireMedical records are missing In a matter where the family of a pensioner allege that St Martin's hospital at Oshikuku caused his disability, the hospital now says it cannot locate the man's medical records.

The health ministry has been unable to provide the medical records of a pensioner treated at St Martin's Hospital at Oshikuku to the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA).

The man's family claim that he became disabled after being kept in hospital for six months with a dislocated hip.

The acting chief medical officer at the Oshikuku hospital, Dr Samwel Awe, said they could not locate Jonas Nehemia's record for the treatment he received at the hospital from 8 November 2010 to April 2011.

The HPCNA manager for legal services, Sylvia Hamata, said they had repeatedly requested Nehemia's medical records from the hospital and the health ministry, but to date they had received nothing.

“The council still hasn't received the said medical records from the health ministry. Our last correspondence requesting these from the ministry permanent secretary is dated 13 November 2017,” Hamata said.

This has irked Nehemia's wife, Susana Matheus, 75.

“They treated my husband for almost seven months in their hospital and now they are saying they cannot find the medical record? This cannot be true, where have they taken it to?” she said.

“We had hope at the beginning, but now we have given up. My husband cannot move by himself anymore. I also have to stay home all the time to take care of him.”

The family of the 84-year-old Nehemia lodged a complaint with HPCNA, seeking answers as to how the hospital could have admitted him without doing an X-ray examination.

Nehemia, who is the village headman of Oshiku Shomunkete, fell while gathering his livestock on the afternoon of 7 November 2010. He was taken to the Oshikuku hospital the following day, where he stayed until April the following year.

The family claims that the hospital staff only dressed him and no other treatment was given. He did not move at all until he was eventually discharged in April 2011.

The family said the hospital staff could not provide them with any diagnosis.

Nehemia was discharged and returned home, but he could not walk and was confined to his bed. Two months later, his family took him to the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital where X-rays were taken.

“We were shocked to hear that the X-ray showed that his right hip was dislocated and this is what caused his disability. They told us that it was too late to repair it since it had been dislocated for too long.

“They said there was nothing they could do since he was Oshikuku's patient and they did not want to take any risks. They only sent him for physiotherapy at Oshikuku hospital,” Nehemia's son, Silas Emvula, said.

He said they took his father back to Oshikuku, but nothing was done and his father has been disabled since that time.

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Rebate ban a lose-lose situation

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Rebate ban a lose-lose situation

Local gym owner Henk Cloete believes the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has made a big mistake by doing away with gym rebates.

This, he says, will not only have the effect of making gyms unaffordable for many people, but will also prove costly for medical aid schemes that will have to pay for treatment of chronic illnesses that could have been prevented or managed with exercise.

He made the comments in a brief interview with Namibian Sun at his gym this week.

Cloete said he believes Namfisa was forced into issuing a directive that prohibits medical aid schemes from paying rebates to active gym members who exercised regularly.

Giving his take on the matter, he said Namfisa was not acting in the interest of the nation.

“I think Namfisa is doing a lot of damage and they have made a big mistake. This is going to keep people who would have liked to gym, but could not afford the high rates, from exercising. Many people used the services of a gym because they could claim their rebate from their medical aids,” Cloete said.

The removal of the rebates not only means a loss of income for gyms, but will also harm the health of people who need exercise to prevent or manage chronic illness.

“The gyms will suffer yes, but so will the people,” said Cloete.

He felt that Namfisa could have amended the relevant legislation instead of outlawing gym rebates.

“I think Namfisa took the easy way out. The better decision would have been to amend the law and I believe there is something sinister behind this. I cannot prove it now but there is someone behind this,” Cloete said.

He also believes that medical aid fund members will now claim more for medical treatment.

“People [who exercised] claimed less from their medical aids and this helped the medical aids. People will suffer the most because of this new directive. It is equally bad for the medical aid service providers. As a result of a bad law, people will suffer the most, everyone will lose,” Cloete said.

“We will lose some clients who could only afford to gym because of the rebate. Some people signed up because they could use the rebate to subsidise their membership fees. We will lose those clients who cannot afford to pay,” Cloete said.

“It is not a win-win situation, it is a lose-lose situation for the gyms and the medical aids.”

BRG Biokinetics Namibia board member Michiel Greeff shared Cloete's sentiments and said the new directive would affect biokineticists too.

“The removal of the rebate will affect us negatively,” he said briefly when approached for comment.

Namfisa announced last year that medical aid funds would no longer be allowed to offer gym rebates or other “wellness” benefits to their members.

Namfisa spokesperson Victoria Muranda said the registrar of medical aid funds had issued a directive stating that gym rebates and wellness programmes were in contravention of section 1 of the Medical Aid Fund Act.

Wellness benefits include rebates on gym membership, quit-smoking programmes, walking clubs, boot-camp fitness training and cooking classes.

Funds were directed to comply with the directive by 31 December 2017.

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E-filing of flight plans a reality

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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E-filing of flight plans a reality

Namibia this week became the first African country to join the Central African Aviation Database. The Namibian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says Namibia has taken the lead in aviation in Africa in this regard.

The online system allows pilots to file flight plans electronically, even from their cellphones, and according to NCAA CEO Angeline Simana this is a true milestone for Namibian aviation.

She described the new portal as a central reference base of exceptional quality and as a solution to safer aviation on the continent.

The system offers pilots, wherever they may find themselves in the country, immediate access to the digital flight information from across the world.

Now flight plans can be filed, adjusted and updated without going to the NCAA offices.

“It is a big day for pilots in Namibia,” Simana said.

The system, which will cost the country N$21 million in the next eight years, connects local aviation regulations to those of the rest of the world.

It was developed for Namibia in cooperation with the Air Transport and Navigation Services (ATNS) in South Africa and was supplied by Frequentis from Austria.

The system is also a quality source of information for users and NCAA staff have been trained for the past 20 months to work on the system.

Through the implementation of this system, Namibia has met eight of the 21 steps established by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) to take the country's management systems from an aviation information system to an aviation information management system, Simana said. By 2025, every country in Africa should be connected to this portal.

Telecom Namibia manages the system, which also has an archive for old flight plans for research purposes.

The NCAA targets a two-minute flight plan approval, but added that manually filed flight plans would still be accepted from those who have no internet access.

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St Boniface does it again

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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St Boniface does it againStar pupils share their success stories The top ten performers in last year's NSSC ordinary level examinations are all from St Boniface College.

Last year's top-performing NSSC ordinary level learner, Muupa Kabajani, credits the support of her family and teachers at St Boniface College, as well as her own will and motivation, for her success.

“I was born a fighter. You can knock me down, but I will always get back up,” she told Namibian Sun yesterday at the announcement of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) ordinary level exams results.

And Kabajani has faced a few knocks in her life including the loss of her beloved father and watching her mum cope as a single parent.

“As a single mother my mother went through a lot of hardship, financial struggles, sleepless nights – we have been through it all,” she said.

For Kabajani, her top score of 87.6% is not only a personal achievement that sets her well on her way to become a doctor, but also repays a debt of gratitude to her mother.

“There was nothing else I could've done to repay her; you can never repay your mother. This is all and everything I could do. And I put my heart and soul into my work, just for this moment.”

Muupa's mother told Namibian Sun that what helped her daughter succeed was discipline.

“She is very disciplined. She is always at home, doesn't wander about. She doesn't watch much television, spends most of her time reading and she has only a few friends.”As a mother, she said her role consisted of continuously talking to her daughter and motivating her to study hard so that she didn't give up.

“I feel so very much honoured today. Her results show that she respected me, that she took my advice and listened to my words. It was not easy. I am a single mother, and now I feel honoured.”

Kabajani's dream is to specialise as an oncologist.

“That is specialising in cancer, the disease that took away my dad, so it's something close to my heart. So from here it's to the University of Namibia's School of Medicine, and in five years you will see me again as Dr Kabajani.”

Education and books are two of her favourite things.

“Education is the number one thing in my life. Nothing else matters. The friendships, the phones, the trends, they come and go, but your education is everlasting.”

Self-admittedly a bookworm, Kabajani said her love of reading can be traced back to her late father who taught her the importance of reading. A close circle of friends and family kept her grounded and motivated, she added. St Boniface School principal Mary Phillis Yesudasan also kept her on the right track.

“Short as she may be, she is dynamite. She never gave up on me. She always saw the potential in me, even when I did not see it myself. She was just always there for me.”

Rundu's St Boniface College once again blew all competition out of the water, with the top ten performers all proud graduates from the school that has consistently outperformed other schools in the NSSC ordinary level exams. The top male NSSC performer in the country is Paulus Iyambo, who achieved an 86.9% average score. Iyambo plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Namibia and said time management was key to his success.

He added that a desire to make his parents proud kept him going through tough times, and a love of reading and socialising with friends allowed him to relax before and after studying hard.

Morion Mupiri, who came in a close second to Kabajani with a score of 87.6%, said working hard from the beginning is a must to achieve good results.

Her aunt, Mechitilde Mupiri, said she was “ecstatic and overjoyed and very proud” of her niece's performance.

Morion intends to become a chartered accountant and will start studying at Unam this year.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Still trapped in mediocrity

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Still trapped in mediocrityEducation minister reads riot act The matric class of 2017 has achieved a pass rate of nearly 40%, but serious concerns remain over thousands who are unable to meet university requirements.

Nearly 61%, or 13 459 of the 22 091 full-time Grade 12 learners who wrote the 2017 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) exams did not qualify for admission to tertiary institutions this year.

Meanwhile, 8 632 full-time candidates (39.3%) qualified for entry into universities or other higher learning institutions, just 0.7% shy of the 40% target in line with the National Development Plan 5.

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said for those who did not achieve the points necessary to study at higher education institutions, alternative learning opportunities are available.

“Improving their subject grades on part-time basis, joining skills training centres or the job market, becoming entrepreneurs to be self-employed and more.”

Overall, 56 305 candidates, of whom 34 214 were part-time students, wrote their NSSC ordinary level exams in 2017, an increase of 9.3% from 51 527 in 2016 to 56 305 last year.

The minister said that of the 22 091 full-time candidates, 93.7% of the entries were graded compared to 93.3% in 2016, an increase of 0.4% in graded entries.

Moreover of the 34 214 part-time candidates, 81.1% of the subject entries were graded in 2017, compared to 78.5% in 2016.

Further, the overall performance in key subjects failed to achieve targets set per the NDP5 for full-time learners scoring a D or better.

An average of 29.8 was achieved in English second language, below the target of 30%, while 41.7% was achieved in Mathematics, below the target of 47%.

In Physical Science, the average score of a D and higher was 46.1%, below the 49% target.

In terms of best performing regions, the top region with the highest accumulative percentage performances at Grade D and above in English second language was Erongo with 74%.

Kavango East took the top spot in Physical Science with an accumulative percentage of 66%, and Ohangwena led in Mathematics with a general score of 49.9%.

Achieving 40.9% with the highest accumulative percentage in Biology, Kavango West took the top spot and also in Agriculture, with a 65.6% accumulative percentage.

An achievement of 53.9% put Omusati at the lead in Accounting.

The average accumulative achievements in all regions, for select subjects, was 29.8% for English second language, 41.7% for Mathematics, 46.1% for Physical Science, 31.5% for Biology, 55.9% for Agriculture and 45.1% for Accounting.

“It is high time that we start moving away from this mediocrity and start to look at our contributions towards the regional performances,” the minister said, adding that looking at regional performance levels would highlight the gaps and could lead to regions learning from each other.

She said it was time regional education directorate started emulating high-performing regions by reaching out and asking for assistance.

She urged them to “twin up teachers, schools or even regions in subject areas for collaboration to facilitate improvements.”

She added that regions that don't do well pull down high-performing regions and that it is time to “strive for better outcomes.”

Hanse-Himarwa pointed out that 2018 will be a year for reckoning, and that teachers, starting from Grade 0 to Grade 12 are not exempted from having to take stock of their part in disappointing exam results.

“The results speak to the pre-primary and primary teachers too, because it tells me that somebody somewhere somehow failed to lay down a solid foundation for a child. So we need to do a collective reckoning as teachers from Grade 0 to Grade 12.”

She further urged parents to give their best to support their children.

“The government is indebted to parents who fulfilled their tasks as primary educators for their guidance and support. However, more support is needed to enable more leaners to succeed in their school career,” she said.

Outstanding

The top three government schools registered for the NSSC ordinary level exams were Rukonga Vision School in Kavango East in first place, Reverend Juuso Shikongo Secondary School from Oshikoto in third place, and Negumbo Senior Secondary School from Omusati came third.

Delta Senior Secondary school achieved the fourth spot out of 153 government schools, while Oshana-based Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School was ranked fifth.

Out of the 35 private schools, St Boniface College in Kavango East again took top spot, followed by St Paul's College in Windhoek at second place, and Elcin Nkurenkuru High School in Kavango West in third spot.

Swakopmund Private School took fourth spot and Oshigambo High School achieved fifth place.

All top ten candidates are St Boniface College graduates.

Nationally, Muupa Kabajani from St Boniface was the highest performing candidate of the class of 2017, achieving 87.6%.

Among the boys, her classmate Paulus Iyambo took the lead with an 86.9% overall score.

The top two state school performers were Trendy Masule with a total score of 81.6% and Marichen Heibes with a top score of 81.2%.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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The race for a place

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Still trapped in mediocrity

The race for a place

With the academic year for all government schools having commenced yesterday, thousands of children and parents are still waiting in queues at schools and education centres in order to secure a place for the year.

Some parents still flock to the best-performing schools in their regions hoping to find a place for their children even if they were accepted elsewhere.

To further compound matters, some parents demand that their children be enrolled at a certain school even if it is already full.

Namibian Sun yesterday visited schools in several towns and most of the best-performing schools were full to capacity but parents were not giving up, continuing to request to see the principals hoping for a miracle to happen.

Parents were seen crying, begging and trying by all means to persuade school personnel to make a plan for their child to be enrolled.

According to principal of Oshakati West Primary School, Aila Kavungo, when she arrived at school yesterday she observed that parents had slept outside the school premises in order to be first in line if there were any places available.

Kavungo said at the end of day on Tuesday afternoon, when they finished enrolling learners, 99 parents were still waiting.

“Parents are flocking to our school but we do not have spaces available. Some parents even slept here just to be assisted, but the classes are full,” Kavungo said.

She further said that due to the 350 applications they received last year for Grade 1, the school had to create a fourth class but this has not addressed the issue as a lot of people are still in need for a place.

Asked why the demand was so high at her school, Kavungo said it was because of the good performance and discipline instilled in the learners.

The situation was the same at Erundu Combined School, where parents refused to go home when they were informed the school was full.

Parents were advised to go to other schools or come back after a week, as it was possible a few learners would not turn up.

At the coast, the situation for first-graders is dire.

The director of education in the Erongo Region, John //Awaseb, says there are still approximately 1 850 Grade 1 learners that need to be placed at the coast.

According to //Awaseb 1 230 of these learners were on the waiting list in Walvis Bay with 620 learners waiting for places in Swakopmund.

“I can confidently say that we are overstocked with Grade 0 and 1 learners at the coast. There are definitely more than 1 000 learners starting with their primary school careers. We will only be able to tell the actual numbers of Grade 0 and 1 intakes for this year towards the end of the week since the schools are still submitting information to us.”

//Awaseb visited Immanuel Ruiters yesterday where a block of eight new classrooms are being constructed and said at least two more erven were urgently needed in Walvis Bay for the construction of schools. He pointed out that the ministry had already secured two erven in Swakopmund for this purpose. He also added that the primary “lower” grade levels (0-3) faced serious challenges and said there was an urgent need for qualified teachers.

“There is definitely a demand for qualified teachers. We are necessitated to make use of retired teachers and utilise candidates who are studying to become teachers.”

Narraville Primary School (NPS) principal Paul Fisher confirmed that he had accepted 50 Grade 0 and 220 Grade 1 learners for 2018. NPS is one of the largest primary schools in the region.

“Our first school day went smoothly. We have approximately 1 600 learners, 52 teachers and just enough classroom space for all our learners. Our Grade 0 learners are unfortunately still at home because we did not secure a venue for them. I am, however, looking at the issue. The ministry wanted to construct another two classrooms but could not proceed due to space constraints.” In Windhoek, the situation was not much better. Parents had arrived in droves at the Teachers' Resource Centre in Katutura. Parents who spoke to the Namibian Sun hoped to secure places for Grade 1 and 8 pupils. Sara Nangula was referred to the centre after she couldn't find placement for her daughter.

“I have been to many other different schools such as Dawid Bezuidenhout and A. Shipena but unfortunately all their classes were full. Other people were also sent away from the Teachers' Resource Centre because they could not be assisted,” she said.

Administrative staff at Eros Primary School said that the school was no longer admitting learners for Grade 1 because it was full.

Many of the parents that the Namibian Sun spoke to also opted to look for schools that they felt were better performers even though there were some spaces at other schools.

“I want my child to have access to quality education. That is why I am here at the Teachers Resource Centre,” said Margret Katjingusiua, a mother looking for placement for her daughter.

KENYA KAMBOWE & OTIS FINCK

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Rosy growth prospects fading

January 10, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Rosy growth prospects fadingBoN, World Bank lowers forecasts Economic growth forecasts for Namibia for 2018 have been cut by between one and 1.6 percentage points.

Jo-Maré Duddy – Economic prospects for Namibia in 2018 remain under pressure with both the World Bank and the Bank of Namibia (BoN) which sliced their growth forecasts for this year.

Releasing its Global Economic Prospects on Tuesday, the World Bank said it expects the Namibian economy to grow by 3.0% in 2018. This is a whole percentage point less than the institution’s forecast in June. The latest forecast for Namibia is also below the average of 3.2% that the World Bank forecasts for Sub-Saharan Africa this year.

In its Economic Outlook Update for December, the BoN penned in projected growth of 2.2% for 2018, significantly less than the 3.8% the central bank predicted in July.

Both the BoN and the World Bank also cut their growth estimates for last year.

The BoN now expects that Namibia’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0.6% in 2017 compared to 2.1% it estimated in July. The World Bank thinks the economy grew by 1.7%, down from the 3% it projected in June.

Not only is the World Bank’s latest estimate less than the regional average of 2.4% it expects for 2017, it also places Namibia under the ten economies with the lowest growth in Sub-Saharan Africa last year.

The World Bank’s forecast for Namibia is in contrast with its global view.

Global economy

For the first time in many years, the World Bank's outlook for the overall global economy is better than expected rather than worse, with all regions seeing improved growth.

However, the bank warns that countries must make investments to improve their growth prospects, and the time to do that is before the next economic crisis hits, as it inevitably will.

"The big story is a good story. Global growth stronger than what we expected," World Bank economist Ayhan Kose told AFP, noting that all the forecasts are better than those in the June edition of the Global Economic Prospects report.

Kose, who heads the World Bank's Development Prospects Group - which twice a year prepares the global economic forecasts - notes that the world is seeing "highly synchronised" economic expansion across regions.

That includes solid growth in the "big three" advanced economies - the United States, the eurozone and Japan - and improvements in the important emerging market economies.

In addition, large commodity exporting economies like Russia and Brazil - that were struggling and saw their economies contract in 2016 - recovered last year.

Since the last forecast in June, the World Bank has upgraded nearly all of its forecasts, with global economic growth now expected to rise to 3.0% for 2017, three-tenths of a point higher than the prior estimate.

Growth is expected to hit 3.1% this year, and 3.0% in 2019.

Advanced economies

The biggest gains are in advanced economies, which were revised up four-tenths for 2017 and 2018, to 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively.

But for 2019 and 2020, those economies are seen slowing to 1.9% and 1.7%, the report said.

Euro area growth was revised up 0.7 points to 2.4% in 2017, and another 0.6 points to 2.1% for 2018.

The United States saw a smaller upgrade to 2.3% last year and 2.2% this year, while Japan rebounded to 1.7% in 2017 and an expected 1.3% this year.

The report raised its forecast for China in 2017 by three-tenths to 6.8%, and sees 6.4% GDP expansion this year.

The efforts by central banks to keep interest rates low has helped stabilise the global economy and fuelled the recovery, Kose said in an interview.

Region

Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to rise to 3.2 percent in 2018 and to 3.5 percent in 2019, on the back of

Firming commodity prices and gradually strengthening domestic demand will drive better-than-expected growth in Sub-Saharan African, Xinhua quotes the World Bank report.

Although the growth is forecast to rise in the years 2018 and 2019, it will remain below pre-crisis averages, partly reflecting a struggle in larger economies to boost private investment.

South Africa is forecast to tick up to 1.1% growth in 2018 from 0.8% in 2017, and the recovery is expected to solidify, as improving business sentiment supports a modest rise in investment.

However, policy uncertainty is likely to remain and could slow needed structural reforms, warns the World Bank.

Nigeria is anticipated to accelerate to a 2.5% rate this year from 1% growth in the year just ended. An upward revision to Nigeria's forecast is based on expectation that oil production will continue to recover and that reforms will lift non-oil sector growth.

And growth in Angola is expected to increase to 1.6% in 2018, as a successful political transition improves the possibility of reforms that ameliorate the business environment.

However, given demographic and investment trends across the region over the longer term, structural reforms would be needed to boost potential growth over the next decade, according to the report.

It further warned that excessive external borrowing without forward-looking budget management could worsen debt dynamics and hurt growth in many countries. Protracted political and policy uncertainty could further hurt confidence and deter investment in some countries.

It said that rising government debt levels highlight the importance of fiscal adjustment to contain fiscal deficits and maintain financial stability. Structural policies, including education, health, labor market, governance, and business climate reforms, could help bolster potential growth.

Risks

Kose also cited "downside risks continue dominating the [global] outlook”.

He warned that "history will repeat itself," and like all recoveries, "this expansion will end at some point."

Risks include rising debt levels, which are more concerning given that central banks are beginning to raise interest rates and could do so more quickly if the recovery starts to ignite inflation, Kose said.

Another risk are the "escalating trade restrictions".

While Kose did not specifically name the United States, President Donald Trump has taken a very aggressive stance on trade policy.

The Republican has targeted China, hitting Beijing with numerous trade complaints, and sought to renegotiate free trade agreements, including the NAFTA pact with Canada and Mexico.

The World Bank said its report was "a clarion call for public action" to prevent growth from slowing.

Kose said increasing the ability of countries to grow faster is "the single most important issue for the global economy."

Recommendations

The World Bank recommends a combination of improvements in education and health systems; high-quality investment; and labour and business reforms that together "could yield substantial long-run growth dividends and thus contribute to poverty reduction".

Removing obstacles to getting women into the workforce is a key component for many countries, Kose said.

Potential growth was 2.5% from 2013 to 2017, 0.6 percentage points below its average a decade ago, with an even steeper decline in emerging market and developing countries, the bank said.

That decline is expected to widen further without investment.

"To arrest and possibly reverse this decline in potential growth, emerging market and developing economies need to accelerate investment in both physical and human capital," the World Bank said.

"Today, the costs of neglecting these principles have gone sky-high."– Additional reporting by Nampa/AFP/Xinhua

↧

Mnangagwa comes to town

January 11, 2018, 5:49 am

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≪ Previous: Rosy growth prospects fading

Mnangagwa comes to town

The Office of the President has announced that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will pay a one-day courtesy visit to
Namibia on Monday. According to the press secretary in the Presidency, Albertus Aochamub, Mnangagwa will use the occasion to formally introduce himself since assuming office and hold bilateral talks with President Hage Geingob
This is the first working visit by President Mnangagwa since his inauguration in November. According to Aochamub, the visit is being conducted in the interest of further strengthening existing excellent bilateral relations between Namibia and Zimbabwe and to consider new possible areas of cooperation.
STAFF REPORTER

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Uushona geared for UK

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Uushona geared for UK

Namibian welterweight boxer Bethuel 'Tyson' Uushona says he is ready to fight Britain's Frankie Gavin for the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) world title.

The boxer will step into the ring against Gavin on 23 February in Birmingham, England for the prestigious world title fight.

“Tyson Uushona does not fear anyone in the ring and I can tell you that I am ready,” Uushona said yesterday.

“If Paulus Ambunda and Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo have held IBO world titles before, why can't it be me too?

“I have been preparing myself really hard because every time I wake up I imagine that boy in front of me.”

Uushona will go into the fight with a record of 36 wins, five losses and one draw in 42 fights, while Frankie Gavin boasts with a record of 25 wins and three losses in 28 professional fights.

The Salute Academy yesterday announced that it needed around $20 000 (N$248 600) for Uushona's trip.

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Warriors confront Elephants

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Aakwati yoohi naya ishangithe

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Warriors confront ElephantsCHAN games begin The much-anticipated African Nations Championship (CHAN) competition will kick off in Morocco today.

Namibia's senior football team, the Brave Warriors, are ready to play entertaining football against Ivory Coast's Elephants in their first CHAN encounter.

Namibia have all the odds against them when they play one of Africa's powerful nations at 18:30 in Morocco on Sunday.

Coach Riccardo Mannetti however hopes for a fairy-tale start against the Ivorians.

“Ivory Coast is such a strong team and we do know what we are up against in our first match.

“I am however not very worried because I have prepared my boys very well and just hope that they can surprise anyone with a victory.

“Our opponents are very physical and we will therefore have to play a quick passing game in order to catch them on the break,” Mannetti said.

The Brave Warriors are expected to start with Loydt Kazapua in goal and with Charles Hambira, Ferdinand Karongee and Riaan Hanamub the likeliest first defenders.

Captain Ronald Ketjijere will begin the game in the middle of the pitch and is likely to be the one in charge of controlling the ball.

The fixture between the two teams in all competitions is very rare given that they have only played against each other on four occasions.

The teams met for the first time in 1994 in an international friendly where Namibia scored a 2-0 win against the West Africans.

Namibia then lost 3-4 to the African giants at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1998.

In 1999, Ivory Coast defeated Namibia 3-0 in the first leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and then the teams drew 1-1 in the return leg in Windhoek in the same year.

The head-to-head records clearly suggest that Namibia will go into the match as the ultimate underdogs.

Morocco and Mauritania open the competition with their group A match at 21:30 tomorrow while Guinea play Sudan on the same day.

Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea are in Group C and will play in Tangier while in Agadir; Group D will take centre stage with Angola, Cameroon, Congo and Burkina Faso.

The quarterfinals will be played on 27 and 28 January, while the semi-finals will be held on 31 January 2018.

The third-place match will be on 3 February and the grand finale is slated for 4 February 2018 at the newly refurbished Mohamed V Complex in Casablanca.

↧

Aakwati yoohi naya ishangithe

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Oshipangelo shaShikuku tashi tamanekwa

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Aakwati yoohi naya ishangithe

Ehangano lyoHanganeni Artisanal Fishing Association (HAFA) moHenties Bay olya hiya aanyasha mboka kaye na iilonga oshowo aakokele ya wayimine ehangano ndyoka.

Omukomeho gwehangano ndyoka, na okuli mayola gwondoolopa yaHenties Bay, Herman Honeb okwa popi kutya uukwashilyo mboka otawu ya pitika opo ya vule okukakwata oohi itaya futithwa iifuta yokukwata oohi kuuministeli woohi noonzo dhomomeya.

Aakwati yoohi kolupadhi ohaya futithwa oshimaliwa nale shooN$14 komwedh, niifuta mbyoka oya gwedhwa omvula ya piti muJuli nokuninga ooN$1 500 komwedhi. Etokolo ndyoka olya kalekwa manga na okwa tegelelwa ku ningwe oonkundathana noshigwana.

Omaishangitho guukwashilyo mboka iifuta yooN$5, okuninga iilyo yoHAFA otayi ka kala tayi futukomwedhi ooN$10. Honeb okwa popi kutya uuministeli owa gandja omulilo omuzizi kehangano lyawo opo li shangitwe ayehe mboka yena ohokwe moNamibia.

Okwa popi kutya mboka taya pumbiwa unene aanyasha mboka kaye na iilonga, aakiintu naakokele moka haya hupu mokukwata oohi nokulanditha.

“Otandi hiya aantu ayehe okuza moLüderitz, Walvis Bay, Terrace Bay oshowo Swakopmund opo yii shangithe nokumona uuwanawa okupitila moprogramma ndjoka.”

Sho a pulwa ngele ehangano lyawo lyoHAFA olya tala ngaa koshikumungu shekwato lyomwaalu gwoohi ogundji gwa pitilila, Honeb okwa popi kutya aantu mboka ihaya kwata omwaalu ogundji, nongele osha ningi uupyakadhi nena otaya ka tula miilonga omilandu.

Monena ehangano ndyoka oli na iilyo ya thika pe 100 mbyoka yiishangitha, ihe iilyo owala yi li pokati ko 15 no 30 mbyoka hayi longp kehe esiku.

Ehangano ndyoka olya totwapo kuuministeli woohi noonzo dhomomeya, onga omukalo gwokuyambidhidha ekwato lyoohi pamuthigululwakalo

↧

Oshipangelo shaShikuku tashi tamanekwa

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: St Boniface e shi enditha nawa natango

≪ Previous: Aakwati yoohi naya ishangithe

Oshipangelo shaShikuku tashi tamanekwa Moshikumungu moka ofamili yomukokele tayi popi kutya uulema we owa etitha koshipangelo sha St Martin, mOshikuku, oshipangelo otashi popi kutya inashi vula okumona ondjokonona yepango lyomukokele ngoka.

Uuministeli wuundjolowele inawu vula okugandja epeko lyondjokonona yepango lyomukokele ngoka a pangwa moshipangelo shaSt Martin, mOshikuku koHealth Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA).

Ofamili yomukokele ngoka, otayi popi kutya okwa lemana konima sho a kalekwa moshipangelo shoka uule woomwedhi hamano e na onto ya za pehala.

Ngoka ta longo pehala lyomukomeho gwoshipangelo shoka, Dr Samwel Awe, okwa popi kutya inaya vula okumona epeko lyondjokonona yomupangwa ngoka, Jonas Nehemia, ngoka a pangwa moshipangelo shoka okutameka momasiku ga 8 gaNovemba 2010, sigo Aprili gwo 2011.

Omukomeho gwiikwaveta moHPCNA, Sylvia Hamata, okwa popi kutya oya kala noku ninga eindilo lyepeko ndyoka okuza koshipangelo ihe sigo onena uuministeli wuundjolowele inawu vulu okugandja epeko ndyoka.

Shoka osha uvitha nayi omukulukadhi gwaNehemia, Susana Matheus, 75.

“Oya panga omusamane gwandje konyala uule woomwedhi heyali moshipangelo shawo ihe nena otaya popi kutya itaya vulu okumona epeko ndyoka? Shoka kashi shi oshili, oye li fala peni?” Matheus a pula.

Okwa tsikile kutya oya li ye na omukumo nale ihe ngashiingeyi oya kanitha omukumo. Okwa popi kutya omusamane gwe iha inyenge we, na ye oha kala megumbo kehe ethimbo opo e mu sile oshipwiyu.

Ofamili yomunamimvo 84, Nehemia oya tulamo enyenyeto noHPCNA, tayi kongo omayamukulo kutya omolwashike oshipangelo sha taambele moombete omukokele ngoka omanga inashi mu ningila omakonaakono goX-ray.

Nehemia, ngoka e li mwene gwomukunda Oshiku Shomunkete, okwa gu omanga a li ta kongelele iimuna ye momasiku ga 7 gaNovemba mo 2010. Okwa falwa moshipangelo shaShikuku esiku lya landula na okwa kala moshipangelo sigo omwedhi Apilili omvula ya landula.

Ofamili oya popi kutya moshipangelo shoka, Nehemia okwa kala owala ta mangululwa na ina pewa we epango limwe. Ina inyenga sigo a lalekwa moshipangelo shoka muApilili gwo 2011.

Ofamili oya popi kutya oshipangelo inashi mona kutya epuko oli li peni.

Omukokele ngoka okwa lalekwa nokushuna kegumbo ihe ina vula okweenda okwa kala owala mombete.

Konima yomwedhi mbali ofamili ye oyemu fala moshipangelo shaShakati, hoka a ningilwa omakonaakono gox-ray na okwa monika kutya onto ye oya za pehala na osho sha etitha uulema we. Oya lombwelwa kutya ita vulu we okupangwa molwaashoka onto oya ninga ethimbo ele ya za pehala.

“Oya popi kutya kaye na shoka taya vulu okuninga molwashoka okwa li omupangwa gwomOshikuku na inaya hala okwiitula muupyakadhi. Oye mu tumine owala kepango lyophysiotherapy moshipangelo shaShikuku,” Silas Emvula, omona gwaNehemia a popi.

Okwa popi kutya he oye mu fala moshipangelo shaShikuku na kape na shoka sha ningwa, na okwa lemana sigo onena.

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St Boniface e shi enditha nawa natango

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Iizemo yondondo onti 12 ya pitithwa

≪ Previous: Oshipangelo shaShikuku tashi tamanekwa

St Boniface e shi enditha nawa natango

Omunaskola dhingi mekonaakono lyoNSSC ordinary level, Muupa Kabajani, okwa pandula eyambidhidho lyofamili ye oshowoo aalongiskola ye poskoa yawo yoSt Boniface College, oshowo eutelemo lye miilonga ye yoskola.

“Ngame onda valwa ependa. Oto vulu okudhengandje sigo tandi gwile pevi ihe aluhe ohandi itoola po,” Kabajani a lombwele oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, pethimbo kwa tseyithwa iizemo yekonaakono lyondondo onti 12, yoNamibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) ordinary leve. Kabajani okwa taalele omashongo ga yooloka monkalamwenyo mwa kwatelwa ekanitho lyahe nokukala a tala yina nkene ta kondj, mokukala teya sile oshipwiyu, oye awike konima ye so lya he.

“Onga omuvali gumwe meme okwa mono iihuna, ompumbwe yiiyemo, ita kotha uusiku,ihe otwe shi pondola.”

KuKabajani, oopresenda 87.6 ndhoka a mono kadhi shi owala elikolo lye lyopaumwene mondjila ye yokuninga omundohotola ihe olupandu woo a gandja kuyina.

Yina yomunaskola ngoka, okwa popi kutya okwa gandja ekwatho komona opo a vule okupondola ngaaka, nekwatho ndyoka a gandja eihumbato lyonawa.

“Oku na omikalo. Aluhe oha kala megumbo, iha kala ethimbo kehe ta talaoTV ihe lundji okuli pomambo ge ta lesha, na oku na owala ookuume aashona.”

“Ondi uvite etumba nena. Iizemo ye otayi ulike kutya okwa simaneka ndje na okwa kutha ko omapukululo gandje na oha pulakene koohapu dhandje. Kashi shi oshipu okutekula okanona ongoye awike.”

Ondjodhi yaKabajani okwa hala okwiilongela oncologist.

“Ngaaka okwiilongela epango lyokankera, omukithi ngoka gwa kutha po tate. Shoka oshinima shi li komutima gwandje. Okuza mpaka okuya koshiputudhilo shuunamiti shaUnam, nokonima yoomvula ntano otamu ka mona ndje ishewe onga Dr Kabajani.”

Elongo oshowo omambo oyimwe yomiinima mbyoka e hole.

Oskola yaBoniface College ndjoka tayi adhika moRundu, natango oyeshi pondola okukutha po epapa lyoskola dhingi mekonaakono lyondondo onti 12, sho aanaskola dhingi ayehe omulongo mekonaakono ndyoka ya za owala moskola ndjoka.

Omunaskola omutiyali dhingi mekonaakono ndyoka, oPaulus Iyambo, ngoka a piti noopresenda 86.9.

Iyambo ota pangele okwiilongela uuindjinia moshiputudhilo shaUnam.

↧

Iizemo yondondo onti 12 ya pitithwa

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Company news in brief

≪ Previous: St Boniface e shi enditha nawa natango

Iizemo yondondo onti 12 ya pitithwa Kwa lopotwa e yo pombanda eshona Ondjele yepito miizemo yondondo onti 12, yomomvula 2017 oya ulike e yo pombanda eshona, ihe nonando ongaaka, oyendji inaye shi pondola okumona iitsa tayi ya falitha kiiputudhilo yopombanda.

Konyala oopresenda 61, nenge aanaskola 13 459 yomaanaskola 22 091 mboka ya shanga ondondo onti 12 miipundi omvula ya piti, mekonaakono lyoNamibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) inaye shi pondola okumona iitsa tayi ya falitha kiiputudhilo yelongo lyopombanda nuumvo.

Aanaskola 8 632 mboka ya kala miipundi, yakalelapo oopresenda 39.3, oye shi pondola okumona iitsa tayi ya falithila kiiputudhilo yopombanda, naashoka osha kalela po oopresenda 0.7 dhomoopresenda 40 dhoNational Development Plan 5.

Ominista yelongo Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, okwa popi kutya mboka inaya mona iitsa yoku ya tambulitha koouniversity, otaya vulu okukutha oompito dhilwe dhomailongo.

“Otaya vulu okuyambulapo iitsa yawo nokuwayimina iiputudhilo yopaungomba. Otaya vulu woo okuninga aanangeshefa oshowo iilonga yilwe.”

Aailongi ayehe kumwe ya thika po 56 305 mwakwatelwa aailongi yopaumwene 34 214 oya shanga ekonaakono lyondondo onti 12 lyoNSSC ordinary level exams mo 2017, nomwaalu ngoka oguli e yo pombanda noopresenda 9.3 okuza paailongi 51 527 mboka ya shanga ekonaakono ndyoka mo 2016 , naailongi 56 305 mboka ya shanga ekonaakono ndyoka omvula ya piti.

Paizemo mbyoka ya pitithwa okwa dhidhilikwa eshuno pevi miizemo pailongwa, sho aalongwa oyendji ya ndopa okwaadha omalalakano moondondo dhiilongwa nokumona ondondo D nenge yi li hwepo.

Konyala oopresenda owala 29.8 dhe shi pondola okumona ondondo yi li hwepo moshilongwa shelaka lyOshiingilisa, ondjele ndjoka yi li pevi noopresenda 30 ndhoka dhaIi dha tengenekwa omanga oopresenda 41.7 dheshi pondola okumona ondondo dhili nawa moshilongwa shOmwaalu, nonando okwali kwa tengenekwa oopresenda 47.

Moshilongwa shoPhysical Science, aanaskola yakalelapo oopresenda 46.1 oya mono ondondo D nenge yili pombanda, nonando okwali kwatengenekwa oopresenda ndhoka dhi kale po 49.

Miitopolwa mbyoka yeshi enditha nawa, oshitopolwa shoka sha mono omwaalu guli pombanda gwaanaskola yeshi enditha nawa mElaka lyOshiingilisa, oshitopolwa shErongo, shoka sha mono oopresenda 74.

Kavango East okwa kutha po ehala lyotango moshilongwa shoPhysical Science e na oopresenda 66, omanga Ohangwena yi li ponomola yotango mOmwaalu yi li poopresenda 49.9.

Kavango West okwa kutha po onomola yotango moBiology sho e na oopresenda 65.6, omanga Omusati guli ponomola yotango noopresenda 53.9 moshilongwa shoAccounting.

Ooskola dhepangelo dhingi dhoka dhe shi enditha nawa mekonaakono odha tumbulwa kutya oRukonga Vision School moKavango East ndjoka yi li ponomola yotango, Reverend Juuso Shikongo Secondary School moshitopolwa shaShikoto oyi li ponomola ontiyali, omanga ponomola ontitatu pe na Negumbo Senior Secondary School moshitopolwa shaMusati.

Delta Senior Secondary school oya mono ehala etine momusholondondo gwooskola dhepangelo dha thika pe 153, omanga oskola Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School mOshana yi li ponomola ontitano.

Mokati kooskola 35 dhopaumwene

St Boniface College moKavango East oyo ya mono ehala lyotango tayi landulwa koSt Paul's College mOvenduka ndjoka ya mono ehala etiyali oshowo Elcin Nkurenkuru High School moKavango West ndjoka yili ponomola ontitatu.

Swakopmund Private School oya kutha po ehala etine omanga Oshigambo High School ya kutha po ehala etitano.

Aanaskola dhingi ayehe omulongo mboka yeshi enditha nawa oyomoskola yaBoniface College.

Pashigwana, Muupa Kabajani gwomoSt Boniface oye e shi enditha nawa sho a piti ekonaakono lye niitsa 87.6.

Paulus Iyambo naye gwomoskola ndjoka okwe mulandula niista yoopresenda 86.9.

Aanaskola yaali dhingi mooskola dhepangelo oTrendy Masule ngoka a mono iitsa 81.6 oshowo Marichen Heibes ngoka a mono iitsa 81.2.

↧

Company news in brief

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Education reforms are needed

≪ Previous: Iizemo yondondo onti 12 ya pitithwa

Company news in brief

Aspen CEO defends earnings

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings CEO Stephen Saad said full-year earnings are “completely clear” and the South African drug maker has nothing in common with scandal-hit retailer Steinhoff International Holdings NV.

Responding to a slump in the share price, the company said it was aware of speculation that Viceroy Research, a group of investors who published a report into Steinhoff's accounts last month, is preparing a similar dossier on Aspen.

The drug maker has had no contact with Viceroy and “is not aware of any information of a price-sensitive nature that requires communication to shareholders,” the Durban-based company said in a statement.

The shares pared losses and closed 4.6% lower at R250.13 in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the lowest since February 2016. The stock had earlier slumped as much as 10%, the most on an intraday basis in 16 months.

– Fin24/Bloomberg

Lufthansa usurps Ryanair as Europe's biggest airline

Germany's Lufthansa has overhauled Ryanair to retake the crown as Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers after the Irish budget carrier was forced to cut thousands of flights because of pilot rostering problems.

The Lufthansa group as a whole carried 130 million passengers last year, it said on Wednesday. The equivalent figure from Ryanair was 129 million, meaning Ryanair slips behind Lufthansa after overtaking it in 2016.

Ryanair and Lufthansa were both ahead of rival IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, which carried 104.8 million people in 2017, an increase of 4%.

– Nampa/Reuters

S.Korea plans to ban cryptocurrency trading

The South Korean government yesterday said it plans to ban cryptocurrency trading, sending bitcoin prices plummeting and throwing the virtual coin market into turmoil as the nation's police and tax authorities raided local exchanges on alleged tax evasion.

The local price of bitcoin plunged as much as 21% in midday trade to 18.3 million won (US$17 064.53) after the minister's comments. It still trades at around a 30% premium compared to other countries.

The clampdown in South Korea, a crucial source of global demand for cryptocurrency, came as policymaker around the world struggled to regulate an asset whose value has skyrocketed over the last year.

– Nampa/Reuters

Uber rival Taxify expands into Lisbon

Taxify, Uber's upstart European-based rival, is looking to expand during the coming year outside of the biggest cities in the more than 20 countries where it now operates into secondary markets, Chief Executive Markus Villig said yesterday.

The Estonia-based taxi-hailing platform active in Central and Eastern Europe and Africa, has taken advantage of Uber's headline-grabbing missteps in 2017 to undertake expansion into a handful of Western European markets and Australia.

Taxify is active in 40 cities on four continents, seeking to capitalise on mounting driver resistance to Uber in the newer markets it has targeted. By contrast, Uber is active in more than 80 countries and nearly 700 cities.

– Nampa/Reuters

Kodak creating KodakCoin

Kodak is getting into the digital licensing and cryptocurrency market as part of a partnership with WENN Digital.

The companies are launching blockchain technology with KodakOne and KodakCoin. The Kodak systems will allow photographers to register work that they can license and then receive payment.

Kodak's shares have been slumping over the last year, shedding more than 70 percent of its value.

– Nampa/AP

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Education reforms are needed

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Education reforms are needed Every year there is brouhaha about the Grade 10 and matric exam results, with specific interest in whether the pass rate went up or down and which region or school came out tops, among others. This year is no different and the widespread debate about the recently released matric results is an indication that Namibians do care about the education sector. It goes without saying that education remains the key to the door of opportunity, without doubt. In her statement on Wednesday when she publicly announced the Grade 12 ordinary level exam results, education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa laid down the marker and called on teachers and other stakeholders to move away from the mediocrity of poor pass rates. She specifically noted with concern the poor performance in key subjects such as English, Mathematics and Accounting. This perennial poor showing of learners in these subjects can be attributed to many factors such as poor teaching, lack of parental support and the sheer lack of commitment on the side of the learner. However, the weak foundations that learners are exposed to also play a big role. A good education is the foundation of every qualified professional in this country and it is high time that considerable efforts are made to ensure that stakeholders adopt a number of programmes to help address such learning weaknesses. A pass rate of 40% does not give us much hope. It does also not inspire the education sector which wants all Namibian children by 2022 to have a secure foundation, as well as equitable inclusive quality education, in order for learners to pursue higher education. Government has prioritised the education sector by making significant investments to it every year. All stakeholders must go back to the drawing board once more, and holistically consider serious measures to improve the situation on the ground. It will not help passing the buck at this point in time as the education problems are systemic and would require a thoughtful and multi-faceted approach to tackle.

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How to get through month-end bills

January 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

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How to get through month-end bills I love my friends and really care for them but when it comes to month-end, the only friend I care about is God! Yeah, God is the only friend I keep during the month-end weekend and, if luck has it, for the week after that too.

Whoever said trouble can knock you down to your knees and force you to pray, probably had month-end in mind.

Month-end is like a partner in love - you miss her so much when you are apart, yet when you are together you wish you never met her in the first place! Yeah, you all know what I am talking about – you know that moment when you notice for the first time that he has a hunchback after spending close to a year with him?

I don’t know how you get through the animal call month-end, but I have my own unique and tested ways. The golden rule, of cause, is to avoid spending money you do not have. If they label people like that in the community where you come from, take the new name with pride.

I mean, I am called a ‘successful failure’ by the three stooges – the group of ladies that think they are the most complete invention after sliced bread – but I wear the name with pride!

When a ‘friend’ calls and all indications are that he intends asking for money - be the first one to ask for money, even if you don’t really need it. You know, if he goes like “Eish, my friend I have a serious problem… you know what happened…. Eish, I am in big trouble…” - all indications are that he intends asking for money and just wants to be diplomatic in his approach.

Dear friends, there is no harm in saying ‘NO’ to someone who expects you to have money to lend him - even if he gets paid on the same date as you.

Any bearded, huge white man wearing khaki shorts and carrying a cardboard entering your office is bad news. Ever heard of the term ‘Messenger of the Court‘? You would be unlucky if you spot him too late, else you could change your name to that of a non-existent person.

It is actually simple to come up with such a name. You see, in Namibia for instance you could connect a name popular with one tribe with a surname known to belong to another tribe - something like Tangeni Tjivikua, or Veenda Haimbodi.

The trick is even more foolproof when applied over the phone. When a person phones your office and struggles to pronounce your name, chances are he too wears khaki shorts - say you are not in the office! Something like “… who? Charles… oh I am sorry, he is not in the office…this is David Mosimane speaking!”

If Mary, Susan or Tussy phone out of the blue and agree on that date you had asked her around the tenth of last month, turn her down. Chances are she would suggest you rent DVDs and watch the movies from home.

Next she would place her monthly groceries tag on you - all in the name of ‘… snacks while we watch the movie…’. If that fails, she would make sure she orders more than what her small tummy can take so that she carries the rest home in a ‘doggy bag’.

Also, avoid spanning your net of conquest around month-end; dates do not come cheap around this time. Rather take her out around the 15th of the month; she will take anything you offer her.

And don’t believe the hype around bargains. It is only a bargain if it is for free and you can take it home immediately! It is not a bargain if you never needed it in the first place.

Forget about all that gold that seems to glitter when you look at the bargain; it is

all superficial. Trust me, sales people are professionally trained to have the unparalleled ability to sell ice to an Eskimo.

Also, if you can’t afford the car’s fuel, simply walk - people who see you along the way will think you are merely walking for fitness purpose.

At least that’s how we do it in the hood.

Until then…

tjatindi@gmail.com

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