Namibia, world lash Trump

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Conte won't lose sleep over Mourinho feud

≪ Previous: NSFAF bosses must account, says Nudo

$

0

0

Namibia, world lash Trump‘Such language has no place in diplomatic discourse’ The US leader has been widely condemned for his remark about 'shithole countries'. The Namibian government has strongly objected to utterances made by US President Donald Trump, who described El Salvador, Haiti and certain African nations as “shithole” countries during a White House meeting last week.

“Such language has no place in diplomatic discourse and is contrary to the norms of civility and human progress. Further, it does not contribute to international cooperation.

“Namibia commends those American people who have disassociated themselves with these derogatory remarks,” the international relations ministry said in a statement at the weekend.

The comment was reportedly made during a meeting in which Trump rejected a bipartisan deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme.

According to the international media, Trump had questioned why the United States would want to have immigrants from Haiti and African nations, referring to some as “shithole countries”.

The Namibian government reminded the American leader that Africa was on the rise.

“The Africa we know and live in is one that is recovering economically and rising. The USA we know is one that was built with blood and sweat of African slaves and immigrants from all over.

“Namibia, while associating itself with the tweeted African Union official statement, condemns these utterances and calls on the international community to reject racism in all forms,” it stated.

Meanwhile, the Washington Mission of the African Union says it “demands a retraction as well as an apology not only to Africans but to all people of African descent around the globe”.

The African Union, representing all 55 nations on the continent, has demanded that Trump apologise for his “shithole countries” remark.

In a blistering statement, the union's diplomatic mission in Washington also accused Trump of dishonouring America by supposedly using foul language to describe Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations.

The Washington Mission of the African Union said Trump didn't just need to apologise to Africans, he should be saying sorry to all people of African descent, all over the world.

The Washington Mission's demands follows earlier statements issued by the African Union from its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in which the organisation reportedly made clear its “alarm” at Trump's “very racist” comments.

Spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo was quoted as saying: “Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, [Mr Trump's] statement flies in the face of all accepted behaviour and practice.

“This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity. We believe that a statement like this hurts our shared global values on diversity, human rights and reciprocal understanding.”



'Shithole' nation?

Meanwhile, in the Botswana government had asked the US ambassador to the country to “clarify” whether it is one of those countries Trump considers to be “shitholes”.

It has also described the comments as “irresponsible, reprehensible and racist”.

“The government of Botswana is wondering why President Trump must use this descriptor and derogatory word, when talking about countries with whom the US has had cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations for so many years,” the statement reads.

Botswana also urged SADC in particular and the AU as well as other “progressive nations across the world” to take a stand against Trump's comments.

-Additional reporting BBC

---

Conte won't lose sleep over Mourinho feud

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Malaga replace sacked Michel with Gonzalez

≪ Previous: Namibia, world lash Trump

$

0

0

Conte won't lose sleep over Mourinho feud Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists he isn't losing sleep over his bitter feud with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

Conte and Mourinho have traded increasingly poisonous barbs in recent weeks since the United chief ignited the row by claiming he didn't need to “act like a clown” on the touchline. That pointed comment was perceived to be aimed at the animated Conte, who responded by claiming Mourinho must have “demenza senile” -- senile dementia.

When Mourinho then appeared to allude to a four-month suspension Conte served in relation to match-fixing, the Italian, who was later cleared of any wrongdoing on that issue, responded by accusing his rival of being “fake” and “a little man”. On Friday, Mourinho said he felt “contempt” for Conte and their ugly relationship. Speaking after Chelsea's 0-0 draw against 10-man Leicester at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Conte made it clear he felt the same way about Mourinho and the feud.

“I think...I said I'd stop. It's the same for me (contempt),” he said.

“I don't know if he said this for me, but I'm not worried. I sleep very well.

-NAMPA/AFP

Malaga replace sacked Michel with Gonzalez

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Nam legends off to Germany

≪ Previous: Conte won't lose sleep over Mourinho feud

$

0

0

Malaga replace sacked Michel with Gonzalez Struggling La Liga side Malaga have named Jose Gonzalez as their new head coach, after sacking Michel earlier on Saturday with the team languishing in the relegation zone.

The 51-year-old Gonzalez, who had a brief stint at Malaga as a player in 1996, has been out of a job since being sacked as coach of Chinese club Beijing Guoan last June. “Jose Gonzalez Lopez will be in charge of the first-team squad on the return of training next week,” Malaga said in a statement.

“The coach will have the whole second half of the championship to change the dynamic of the team.”

The club announced the departure of the 54-year-old Michel in the wake of their 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Friday, a result that left them five points from safety.

Michel took over last March after the sacking of the Uruguayan Marcelo 'Gato' Romero and led the Andalusian side to safety but they have won only three of 19 league games this season.

Former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Michel has also coached Getafe and Sevilla. He enjoyed a successful stint in Greece with Olympiakos before a disappointing spell at Marseille.

-NAMPA/AFP

Nam legends off to Germany

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Africa Briefs

≪ Previous: Malaga replace sacked Michel with Gonzalez

$

0

0

Nam legends off to GermanyPforzheim is the destination Pforzheim is geared for an indoor football spectacle which will bring some of the world's football legends together. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



Former Namibia senior men's national team football players will be travelling to Germany to compete in a five-a-side tournament.

The competition is organised by the Pforzheim Football Club and will see big names like Bayern Munich taking part in the one-day event.

Tiro Tlhabanello, Allen Shekupe, Haroldt Akwenye, Costa Khaiseb, Dokkies Smith, Alfred Ndyenge and Pepe Calabrese will all compete in the competition.

The former legends have been invited by the German football club who will contribute 50% of their travelling costs.

“We are very excited about the trip because of the importance of the tournament.

“We were initially a group of 13 people that had to travel, but we were reduced to eight because of other commitments.

“We however hope that we can win the competition,” team member Costa Khaiseb said.

“The players have been preparing for this tournament since last year and we are happy that we can finally compete in the tournament.

“It will be a great honour to represent our country at such a big indoor tournament.

“I can also tell you now that the Namibia Sports Commission has given us blessings and the right to represent Namibia in national colours.”

Namibia is drawn in group B of the legends tournament.

Africa Briefs

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Ambunda wants world title

≪ Previous: Nam legends off to Germany

$

0

0

Africa Briefs SA economy may grow 2% in 2018

South Africa's economy may grow 2% or more this year if the government takes the right policy decisions, finance minister Malusi Gigaba said on Thursday.

The country's economy slipped into recession in the first quarter of 2017, then recovered in the next two quarters, although it is expected to lag a global growth recovery, mainly because of policy and political uncertainty.

"We need to ensure that Moody's does not downgrade us in February this year. We will outline a programme to stabilise the debt at the same time as we outline a programme to grow the economy and create jobs," he said. – Nampa/Reuters

Chad shelves bid to cut civil service salaries

The cash-strapped central African nation of Chad has suspended a plan to reduce the salaries of its civil servants, Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke announced last week.

Trade unions had angrily opposed the scheme. Chad is under pressure to cut costs to meet performance targets under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid programme.

Civil service salaries in 2017 totalled 376 billion CFA francs (about US$720 million), roughly the equivalent of the combined revenue from income tax and customs duties.

The country is one of the poorest in the world. Nearly half of its population lives under the threshold of poverty. – Nampa/AFP

Unauthorised gold mining in Cameroon reaps deathly toll

Forty-three gold diggers died in abandoned mines in Cameroon in the first 10 months of last year, a watchdog group, Foder, has said.

The group said much of the blame lay with corporations, many of them Chinese, which abandon open-cast gold mines after profitable seams run out.

Foder said the problem is worst in eastern Cameroon, where from 2012 to 2014, 250 mines were opened and then abandoned by their operators. It is campaigning for mining companies to cover over open-cast operations with earth when they pull out. – Nampa/AFP

Zambia sees mining revenue rising

Zambia expects to collect more revenue from mining companies this year compared to 2017 after copper prices rose above US$7 000 per tonne, the revenue authority (ZRA) said.

The authority is targeting a revenue-to-GDP ratio of 17% this year, higher that 16.8% in 2017. It collected net revenue amounting to 39.1 billion kwacha (US$54.60 million), which was 4.1% above the annual budget target of 37.6 billion kwacha.

The 2018 net revenue target had been set at 44.6 billion kwacha. – Nampa/Reuters

Tunisia's trade deficit at record high

Tunisia’s trade deficit widened in December 2017 to 15.592 billion Tunisian dinars (US$6.25 billion), a record level, the State Statistics Institute said.

The growing deficit is one of the main problems facing the government of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.

The deficit was 12.6 billion dinar in December 2016. – Nampa/Reuters

Ambunda wants world title

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: All the best for 2018

≪ Previous: Africa Briefs

$

0

0

Ambunda wants world titleHappy about WBC belt Paulus 'El Jesus' Ambunda wants to defend his WBC international title as soon as possible. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



Namibia's bantamweight boxing sensation Paulus 'El Jesus' Ambunda aims to claim the World Boxing Council (WBC) world title.

The former WBO bantamweight world champion won the WBC international title when he defeated Tanzania's Nasibu Ramadhan at the Desert Rumble boxing bonanza held in Swakopmund in December.

Ambunda, who joined the Salute Boxing Academy from the MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Academy last year, said he always dreamed of winning the WBC belt.

“Winning the WBC belt was always a dream I wanted to achieve and now I have finally done that.

“I made history by being the first person to bring this belt to Namibia.

“Right now, I want to focus on bigger things like winning the WBC bantamweight world title,” Ambunda said.

Ambunda now has two months in which he must defend his WBC title.

The academy stated that they would like Ambunda to defend the title sooner though.

“He is in great shape and it would just be nice if he could actually defend the title sooner.

“We want him to move faster so that he can fight for the world title because we know that he is a very good boxer.

“I promised Namibia that Salute was going to be a very successful stable and now the results are showing,” Salute's chairman Kiriata Kamanya said.

The Namibian boxer now holds a record of 28 professional fights with 26 wins and two losses.

All the best for 2018

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Ohangwena schools bursting at the seams

≪ Previous: Ambunda wants world title

$

0

0

All the best for 2018 JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



As we begin this year, I would like to wish all the sport codes the best of luck in 2018.

Sport in Namibia has been progressing as slowly as a chameleon.

I do understand that the slow development in our sport has been mainly caused by a lack of funding.

Sport in the country is not considered a priority sector and therefore receives less from the government's purse.

However, I have always preached about countries in Africa that are poorer than Namibia but continue to thrive on the global sport stage.

It is all up to the sport code administrators to use the little they get to produce global superstars.

It is about time that sport administrators find innovative ways in which they can lure potential sponsors.

One cannot just downgrade Namibia sport because we did our best in 2017.

Namibia managed to secure major world titles and qualified for top competitions last year.

That is indeed a sign Namibia has talent and it just needs to be explored and given the necessary exposure it needs.

I must admit that the government has been disappointing as far as supporting various sport codes in the country is concerned.

I would like to urge the government to show much more interest and commitment towards sport in 2018.

It is time that the Ministry of Sport goes out of its way to help sport codes grow in all aspects.

We saw last year that sport codes like horseracing have started gaining more support from the community.

It is such sport codes that many companies must try and invest in this year.

We have spoken so much about international companies that are based in Namibia but never lend a helping hand towards sport in this country.

I urge these companies to get involved into local sport because they continue exploiting our resources without us benefiting much from them.

There are companies that have been involved in sport for many years and I would like to thank them for being there for various sport codes despite the tight financial situation Namibia finds itself in.

It is indeed selfless efforts from these companies and I hope that the generosity from these companies continues into 2018.

To the athletes, it is important that you show potential sponsors that you are really willing to succeed in your sport career.

It is important to stay committed and do your utmost best to shine at local and international level.

Athletes in 2018 should maintain discipline and avoid getting involved in verbal brawls that end up in the media.

I have seen that many administrators have been trying their best to improve the standards of their sport codes in 2017.

However, there are still some administrators who have been doing little in their respective sport codes.

The power struggle among administrators in various sport codes in the country is also a major concern.

Now is the time that they must settle their differences in order to make things work.

It is time they realise that when they are fighting, the athletes are the ones who suffer the most.

The mismanagement of funds by sport administrators must also stop.

Administrators must provide proper financial reports in order to earn the trust of sponsors.

It is time that we produce a generation of fine athletes to represent the country at future global events.

Last but not least, I encourage the sport commission chairperson and the entire staff to show more drive and energy than they did in 2017.



Jesse@namibiansun.com

Ohangwena schools bursting at the seams

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Chief Frederick dies

≪ Previous: All the best for 2018

$

0

0

Ohangwena schools bursting at the seamsAcute shortage of hostel accommodation Regional education authorities are struggling to place all the newly promoted Grade 11 learners in Ohangwena. The Ohangwena regional education directorate still faces challenges when it comes to allocating Grade 11 learners places in the region.

The regional education director, Isack Hamatwi, told Namibian Sun that schools in the region would remain very full, as the directorate had to squeeze pupils in again this year.

Last year the region had overcrowded schools and Hamatwi said this year they had over 3 300 local learners who were promoted to Grade 11, compared to 3 000 last year.

“The placement has been finalised but we still have a few learners we have to attend to. We have a lot of pupils who will not be in hostels due to a lack of space. This is due to the good Grade 10 performance we see every year,” Hamatwi said.

He said there was a huge shortage of hostel facilities, especially at Ongha, Ondobe, Omungwelume, Endola, Eenhana and Okongo.

Last year the region experienced a setback when a hostel block at Oshela Secondary School at Okongo caught fire because of a radio illegally connected to exposed wires.

He said this facility had not yet been repaired, but the education ministry had made money available.

“We sent a report to the permanent secretary with a cost analysis based on the bill of quantities performed by our directorate of works and they responded positively. They gave us feedback that they made N$1.5 million available to renovate the hostel,” Hamwati said.

He said that for now the directorate had to follow the procurement procedures and they expected renovations to start by February and be completed by May or June.

He said since the entire block consisting of two wings would be renovated, a large number of learners at Oshela would be without hostel accommodation for the duration.

ILENI NANDJATO

---

Chief Frederick dies

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Oshakati, Katima Mulilo abattoir rehabilitation on its way

≪ Previous: Ohangwena schools bursting at the seams

$

0

0

Chief Frederick dies Chief David Frederick of the !Aman Traditional Authority of Bethanie has died.

The Nama clan chief, widely respected by many in the south of Namibia and beyond for his firm leadership and humility, died at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital on Friday afternoon.

The governor of the //Karas Region, Lucia Basson, told Nampa that the chief had died at 16:50.

Basson, who spent the afternoon at the hospital before and after Frederick's death, said he was surrounded by many of his family members.

“I was with his family at the hospital, his room was full,” she said.

Frederick died after a long illness.

“He has been sickly since 2014, but he was a strong man, his heart and mind were strong and many times, we forgot that he was unwell,” Basson said.

She described Frederick as a unifier and peacemaker.

“He just wanted the whole Nama clans to be united and to live in peace. From what I was told, he called all his children and sat with them on Sunday, telling them to remain together and to live in peace with one another,” the governor said.

Frederick's death is a huge loss in many ways, she said, more so as he was a great historian.

“Oupab [Grandpa] was good for us all and he knew everything about Nama history and our country's history.”

Frederick often highlighted the plight of the southern people and was vocal about land matters and the genocide.

Chief Frederick, alongside OvaHerero chief Vekuii Rukoro, was a plaintiff in a matter filed in a US court seeking reparations from Germany and demanding the inclusion of the affected communities in official genocide talks.

He was 85 years old and leaves behind 17 children and his wife, Anna.

NAMPA

Oshakati, Katima Mulilo abattoir rehabilitation on its way

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: More than N$100 mln for infrastructure for Karibib

≪ Previous: Chief Frederick dies

$

0

0

Oshakati, Katima Mulilo abattoir rehabilitation on its way OSHAKATI - The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) has confirmed receipt of the long awaited bills of quantities for the Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs.

The amount of close to N$14 million was received on Friday and is expected to rehabilitate the abattoirs.

A media statement issued by the ministry on Friday stated that MAWF in conjunction with the ministry of works and transport will soon start the processes of renovating and commissioning the abattoirs using the existing procurement procedures.

“The MAWF would like to give assurance to the Namibian public that all efforts are being made to ensure the reopening of the abattoirs in the shortest possible time,” the statement said.

According to previous reports, the money is part of the N$110 million allocation to the directorate of veterinary services from the European Development Fund.

MAWF permanent secretary, Percy Misika, on a different platform noted that the rehabilitation of the abattoirs comes after the lease agreement between the ministry and the Meatco signed in 2011, expired in 2014, but a renewal agreement failed to take place thereafter, making operations of the abattoirs redundant.

Oshakati Elolo and Zambezi Meat Corporation will be the new operators of the two abattoirs.

According to the ministry, the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency will administer the 25-year lease agreement of the abattoirs on behalf of the ministry and shall be responsible for maintenance.

Misika emphasised that the lease will be paid into an account designated by the ministry of finance under the State Revenue Fund. - Nampa

More than N$100 mln for infrastructure for Karibib

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Church school in a sorry state

≪ Previous: Oshakati, Katima Mulilo abattoir rehabilitation on its way

$

0

0

More than N$100 mln for infrastructure for Karibib886 erven to be serviced The mayor says the town council wants to make housing accessible to the people of Karibib. KARIBIB – The Karibib Town Council (KTC) serviced 309 erven in 2017, the town’s mayor, Petrus Nabot has said.

Of the serviced erven, Nabot said the council plans to build 21 houses for its employees while 71 erven were sold to the National Housing Enterprise.

KTC also entered into a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with Tulaing Properties Developer to construct 50 low-cost houses.

The remaining erven, meanwhile, will be sold to residents on a private treaty mode as per the council’s waiting list.

“The extension that we have also built is Extension 4 whereby we have started with 20 houses. Those houses are 99% completed,” said Nabot, adding that the houses are valued between N$200 000 and N$600 000 each.

He added that Extension 5 is being developed to cater for housing needs of different income groups.

The groups are divided into three: ultra-low income (earning N$3 000 and below), low (earning between N$3 000 and N$7 000) and middle (earning from N$7 000 to N$15 000).

“We want to make housing accessible to the people of Karibib in order to mitigate or to assist our government in achieving national growth, especially the Harambee Prosperity Plan,” said Nabot.

Master plan

A document obtained from the KTC shows that a little over N$100 million has been earmarked for a bulk infrastructure master plan for 2016 to 2030.

As part of the plan, the council seeks to service Karibib Extension 2 (N$10.5 million), Karibib Extension 3 (N$14.6 million) and Karibib Extension 4 for N$16.5 million.

The same document shows that Usab Extension 2 (N$15.9 million), Usab Extension 3 (N$15.3 million) and Usab Extension 4 (N$10.1 million) will also be serviced.

A total of 886 erven will be serviced in the process. These include both residential, industrial and institutional plots.

For the short term, a N$9 million water reservoir will be constructed, while another N$8 million will be used for an additional reservoir.

A combined N$38.2 million will be used to set up a sewerage treatment plant at the town, the plan further reveals. - Nampa

Church school in a sorry state

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: English in firing line

≪ Previous: More than N$100 mln for infrastructure for Karibib

$

0

0

Church school in a sorry state Despite being one of the top-performing schools in the recently released Grade 12 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) ordinary level examination results, the Oshigambo High School hostel is in a very bad state.

Parents who took their children to the renowned school for the beginning of the new academic year expressed shock at the state of the hostel. One of the parents, who requested anonymity, said they paid a lot of money for their children's education, but the conditions learners were living in were not conducive, with graffiti and vandalism a common sight.

Parents said the school, which is owned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), is partly subsidised by the government and parents pay N$8 652 annually per child. An amount of N$362 per year is paid towards the building fund.

“That school does not look like a private school where parents pay a lot of money for their children to get educated there at all. We take our children there because of the better education they offer, but on other hand the school is not in a good state,” said one fuming parent.

“What is the damage fee for if the school is not maintaining school facilities? Something needs to be done seriously and urgently because that does not look like a school at all.”

When for contacted, school principal Hendrick Shikonda declined to comment and demanded to know who the complainants were.

Oshigambo is ranked fifth among the country's top-performing private schools and is the third best performing school in the Oshikoto Region.

English in firing line

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Hosts start on a high

≪ Previous: Church school in a sorry state

$

0

0

English in firing lineMatric results ignite debate over core requirements Some people feel that proficiency in the official language should not be a requirement for university admission. The stringent admission requirements of local tertiary institutions, which normally require a mandatory pass in English, have sparked strong but mixed reactions among Namibians in the wake of the recently released Grade 12 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) ordinary level examination results.

The education ministry last week released the 2017 Grade 12 NSSC ordinary level results, which showed that only 39.3% of 22 091 full-time learners qualified to be admitted to local tertiary institutions.

English as a second language was one the subjects in which the pupils fared poorly.

The results of the part-time Grade 12 Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) students also did not make for good reading, as a meagre 10% of the institution's students managed to pass English as second language.

This has prompted widespread debate, with many calling for a review of the admission requirements, saying the current standards are depriving many Namibians of the opportunity to study at local universities.

They also believe that English is proving to be a barrier to higher education, especially for learners who excel in other subjects.

One of the minimum requirements for admission at the University of Namibia is a C symbol or better in English as second language, or a minimum D symbol in English as first language.

The Namibia University of Science and Technology is not as strict. It requires a minimum E symbol or better in English, while at the International University of Management, only a D symbol is required.

Activist Job Amupanda is one of those who want to see changes in the system.

Amupanda argues that English – albeit the official language of the country - should not prevent Namibians from succeeding in life.

“English is not a measure of intelligence.

The problem with the English policy in our country is that they have not decolonised completely. A good grade in English must only be a requirement for those that are specialising in English-related courses,” he said.

Amupanda, who the deputy dean of Unam's Faculty of Economics and Management Science, added that a number of learners scored as high as 35 points in Grade 12 but were unable to go to university because of their poor performance in English.





Teachers Union of Namibia leader Mahongora Kavihuha is of the opinion that the old curriculum adopted by the education ministry assumed that everyone was an academic and on this basis universities were crafted the way they are.



Needs on the ground

“The assessment was not made to determine whether a student studying towards a qualification in law ... needs the same level of English as the one studying engineering or any other programme and the results are what we see now - thousands of learners in the unemployment pool because of English,” Kavihuha argued.

He also complained about the “rigid” education system of the past decades. Instead Kavihuha called for a more responsive system to be introduced because of the changing times.

“We are still suffering from the hangover of the 19th century. Their systems were rigid and not responsive and now we are living in a world where changes are rapid and therefore we cannot have a system which is rigid in a changing environment,” he said.

According to Kavihuha, the new school curriculum has a vocational training aspect, which means schools will offer two streams. However, he questioned whether two streams of English would be introduced in line with the new changes.



Poor teaching

Retired educationalist Andrew Matjila blamed teachers for the learners' poor showing in English. He added that the continued poor performance was not surprising, as he had foreseen it 23 years ago.

He explained that when Namibia gained its independence in 1990, it was decided that English would be the official language. However, Matjila argued, there were challenges because the teachers at that time were trained in Afrikaans and were then expected to teach in English.

“Back then, and it still happens today, if a teacher could not say a word in English he or she would then use the exact similar word in Afrikaans or any African language in order to make the children understand. If a teacher is more versed in Afrikaans or any other language and not English, they are not able to express themselves very well, which is a problem,” Matjila said.

Matjila pleaded with the government to send teachers for special English training in order to improve their proficiency and that of the learners they teach.



Ministry willing to listen



Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said she welcomed debate on the issue, as it required a holistic approach. She also admitted that the poor showing in English was not new.



“Let the learners and teachers collectively put efforts to ensure if others can pass this English who are coming from the same environment and same backgrounds, what is the problem.



“We will not reverse back and lowering the standard of education, not under my leadership,” Hanse-Himarwa said.



She said if the right platforms were used to address issues affecting the nation, she was willing to listen and the matter could be discussed in parliament.

“For now we are following the policy that we have adopted right at the beginning of the inception of this government. That is the only policy we will rely on and continue to implement but if there is a debate and the nation is bringing up an issue to be discussed, I am open for that,” she said.

“We are free to take it to parliament, we are open to public hearings and to see how the nation feels about that and if the nation feels there should be a different approach to this, who are we not to listen?”

KENYA KAMBOWE

Hosts start on a high

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Bangladesh beat Namibia

≪ Previous: English in firing line

$

0

0

Hosts start on a highMauritania gaps prove costly It seems that the African Nations Championship (CHAN) will entertain the fans with goals after the opening match already produced four. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



It took plenty of chances before the Moroccans could find the back of the net against a sloppy Mauritanian defence in the first encounter of the African Nations Championship on Saturday night.

It however later proved all too easy for the host nation as they went on to score four past a nervy and tired-looking Mauritania.

The stadium was packed and the home nation fans chanted for their side which went out all guns blazing from the first half of the match.

The Moroccans however failed to capitalise on early opportunities and this silenced the home crowd going into halftime.

The host nation finally found the net in the 66th minute after striker Ayoub El Kaabi slotted home from close range.

The Moroccans then raised the tempo of the game after scoring the goal, creating more space in their opponents' backline.

El Kaabi's goal was followed by another strike from Ismail El Haddad to make the score 2-0 in favour of the host nation.

El Kaabi got his second of the night with a cool finish 10 minutes from time to give his country an unassailable lead.

Substitute Achraf Bencharki sealed the game with a fourth goal in injury time.

In the early parts of the competition, the Moroccans look much more of a complete team than their opponents Mauritania were.

However, the home side will have to capitalise more on their chances if they want to win the trophy on home soil.

The fact that Morocco missed several chances before they finally hit the back of the net should be a worrying scenario for the coach.

On the other hand, Mauritania will have to strengthen their backline if they want to avoid exceeding the competition in the group stages.

Their backline was loose and allowed space for the attackers to penetrate.

Morocco's next game will be against Guinea on Wednesday, while Mauritania play Sudan on the same day.

Bangladesh beat Namibia

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Namcol prepares for 2018

≪ Previous: Hosts start on a high

$

0

0

Bangladesh beat Namibia ESPNCRICINFO



Saif Hassan, the Bangladesh under-19 captain, ensured his team got off to a winning start despite the complications of a rain-shortened match in Lincoln at the under-19 cricket world cup.

He struck a blistering 84 off 48 balls - with a whopping five sixes - to lift the total to a formidable 190 for 4. Faced with massive scoreboard pressure, Namibia's top order crumbled inside five overs and the match became little more than a formality after that.

This is Saif's second Youth World Cup. In the previous one, his role had been to be the anchor, and many of his exploits in first-class cricket exhibit him as a steady batsman.

In January 2017, he became the youngest double-centurion in Bangladesh domestic cricket when he made 204 not out off 410 balls.

But Saif's natural tendency is to attack the ball; he has a BPL contract with Khulna Titans and when Saturday's game was essentially reduced to a T20, he switched to big-hitting mode.

He came in with the score on 33 for 1 after four overs, put on 97 off 69 balls with Mohammad Naim, then 40 off 27 with Atif Hossain and finished the innings hitting 20 runs off the final over.

Following in their captain's footsteps, new-ball bowlers Qazi Onik and Hasan Mahmud took four wickets while conceding only 26 runs between them.

Namibia in the face of all that slumped to 12 for 4 in the fifth over and were it not for a half-century from Eben van Wyk, they might not have lasted their full quota of 20 overs.



Scorecard

Bangladesh Under-19s 190 for 4 (Hasan 84, Naim 60) beat Namibia Under-19s (van Wyk 55, Mahmud 2-12, Onik 2-14) by 87 runs.

---

Namcol prepares for 2018

January 14, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Unam postpones online re-registration

≪ Previous: Bangladesh beat Namibia

$

0

0

Namcol prepares for 2018Register early to avoid disappointment The Namibian College of Open Learning has urged prospective students to register as soon as possible, as places are limited. Preparations for the academic year are in full swing at Namcol, with the enrolment period scheduled for 15 January to 7 February.

A total of 138 enrolment points have been established across the country and will be manned by more than 300 staff.

According to the director of the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol), Heroldt Murangi, the institution last year piloted online registration at some of the enrolment points and this will be extended to 25 centres countrywide.

The registration process for all Windhoek centres is completely online and will take place at the main campus at Jetu Jama Centre.

“Annually we are challenged with prospective learners approaching enrolment points late, resulting in them not securing their desired subjects.” Murangi stressed that Namcol was unable to accommodate the demand for all subjects due to limited resources and therefore requested all prospective learners to reach enrolment points as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Namcol will award N$300 000 in scholarships to 250 beneficiaries this year.

According to Murangi, Namcol established a scholarship fund for needy learners and this year modified their approach of identifying learners, partnering with regional councillors.

“We have the firm belief that regional councillors as the elected leaders of our communities are best placed to identify needy learners in their respective constituencies.”

He said applications for scholarships were therefore facilitated by regional councillors.

“I would be failing if I did not sound my unhappiness with some regional councils that to date did not manage to communicate any nominations from the regions.”

He said this denied opportunities to the most vulnerable members of the society.

“We have made the decision not to reallocate the quotas and encourage regional councillors to get nomination forms from their offices soonest.” One of the scholarship recipients from the Khomas Region, Ailly Ndifnefafo Hangula, was ecstatic that she would be able to continue her schooling.

The 28-year-old mother of three told Namibian Sun that she had left school nearly ten years ago, but was motivated to make a better life for her children. Hangula, who lives in the Mix settlement just north of Windhoek, said she was an orphan and never had the money to continue her schooling, but was inspired by the councillors to apply for the Namcol scholarship.

“I am very happy and want to improve my education to provide a better life for my children,” said Hangula.

Another beneficiary, Helena Kamulu, said that she failed Grade 12 in 2011 and since then had been unable to pay for her studies. Kamula is also from the Khomas Region and lives in the Golgotha residential area in Katutura.

According to Kamulu her mother died in 2014, which made her financial situation even more difficult. Last year she came across the scholarship application and was elated when she heard that she would be able to complete Grade 12.

Kamulu plans to become an accountant.

“If something was meant for you, never give up,” she said.

Murangi thanked the ministry for its support, adding that an additional N$36 million was allocated to Namcol that would enhance support service provision.

“Please make 2018 a year of hard work and your ability to achieve quality results depends entirely on you,” he told learners.

The fees for the academic year include a non-refundable registration fee of N$90, plus N$170 per subject for Grade 10 and N$290 per subject for Grade 12.

These fees include all required modules per subject, tuition throughout the year and access to support services.



ELLANIE SMIT

Unam postpones online re-registration

January 15, 2018, 6:58 am

≫ Next: Warriors dump Adidas for Kappa

≪ Previous: Namcol prepares for 2018

$

0

0

Unam postpones online re-registration Unam has postponed its online registration for senior students, scheduled to start today, to next week Tuesday, 23 January. In a statement issued by the insitution's spokesperson Simon Namesho, the "postponement is due to challenges experienced with their system".
He wrote that registration dates for first-year students, set for 22 to 26 January, remain unchanged.
Prospective students who applied last year and have not received any response yet should expect feedback by the end of this week. For those students who still wish to apply to Unam, they may apply online from tomorrow, 16 January, to Friday this week.
Namesho warned that the late application fee of N$300 will apply to applications submitted manually while online applications remain free of charge.
According to Namesho, admission statuses for late applications will be communicated from 7 to 9 February 2018.
"Unfortunately, no telephonic enquiries can be attended to regarding these late applications."
Unam apologised to all stakeholders for any inconvenience caused.
STAFF REPORTER

Warriors dump Adidas for Kappa

January 15, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: England too strong for Namibia

≪ Previous: Unam postpones online re-registration

$

0

0

Warriors dump Adidas for KappaMannetti prepares for Uganda Adidas, which has been the kit supplier for Namibia's national football teams for over four years, has been replaced. Namibia's national football team has officially migrated from Adidas to Kappa as the national team's kit supplier.

Namibia played with Kappa branded jerseys against Ivory Coast, while they have been using Adidas branded kits during training in Tunisia.

It appears as if Namibia has now migrated to Kappa which was visible on the kits on Sunday night.

The Namibian team left Puma as their kit supplier about four years ago to join Adidas.

Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Frans Mbidi confirmed that the team has migrated to Kappa as their kit supplier.

“Adidas has been very reluctant to issue us with replica jerseys and that is why the fans have been struggling to get hold of the Brave Warriors jerseys.

“We got a better and cheaper deal with Kappa which will enable us to have more replica jerseys in shops for our fans,” Mbidi said.

The president also noted that the training gear from Kappa only arrived a day or two before the match and that is why the team trained with the Adidas branded gear while stationed in Tunisia and Morocco.



Namibian shift focus to Uganda

Namibia will have to win their next match in order to secure a spot in the next stage of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with the hope that Zambia will beat Ivory Coast.

Namibian national team coach Riccardo Mannetti still feels Namibia will need to work harder in order to progress to the next stage of the competition despite winning the first match.

Ivory Coast failed to come to the party in a game which the Namibia senior national team created all the best of chances.

Ricardo Mannetti's fast counter-attacking tactics caught the Ivorian defence lacking in most of the occasions.

A late header from defender Charles Hambira was enough to secure Namibia three points in the encounter.

The coach however predicts a bigger challenge from opponents Uganda, whom the Brave Warriors meet on Thursday.

Namibia will book their place in the next round of the competition if they manage to beat Uganda and Zambia manage to beat Ivory Coast.

The Zambians defeated Uganda 3-1 on Sunday night to go top of group B in the competition.

Mannetti however maintains that his aim is to reach the quarterfinal of the competition.

“Very sentimental victory for us today against Ivory Coast because in 1998 we lost our opening game of AFCON and I was a player then and now being the coach have led the team to victory.

“The win means a lot for Namibians as it gives them hope and also shocks them,” Mannetti told the NFA media.



JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

England too strong for Namibia

January 15, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Guardiola urges City to learn

≪ Previous: Warriors dump Adidas for Kappa

$

0

0

England too strong for Namibia Will Jacks and Harry Brook displayed batsmanship of such utmost power that Namibia had few answers at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown yesterday.

Jacks scored an unbeaten, belligerent 44-ball 73 and Brook an unbeaten 48-ball 59 as England won by eight wickets, getting off to a great start in Group C of the 2018 ICC under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Namibia had earlier set what had seemed a reasonably tricky target after posting 196/9, with solid knocks from all of Sam Fouche, Petrus Burger and Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

Their contributions helped overcome stagnation in the middle order, but eventually, their inability to power on from that start proved costly.

England, on the contrary, always seemed intent on attack. Savin Perera and Tom Banton, their openers, added 55 runs for the first wicket, with Banton batting with intent.

Their association lasted eight overs before it was broken against the run of play – Banton chopped a Gerhard Lottering delivery onto his stumps. In his next over, Lottering had Perera dismissed, the batsman mis-timing a pull to square leg.

With the openers back in the dugout, Namibia would have hoped to peg England back, arrest the flow of runs, and build scoreboard pressure.

Unfortunately for them, Brook and Jacks were in no mood to play the waiting game. Unperturbed by the wickets, they attacked.

There was a boundary almost every over, and Namibia weren't helped by their bowlers – 19 runs were given away in extras.

The gears shifted in the 18th over, when Jacks picked three consecutive fours off Dewald Nell.

Brook then targeted Fouche, before Jacks went all out against Louwrens, the Namibia captain. There were five consecutive boundaries in that over, including a six that wouldn't have been had the catch been taken in the deep.

It was the 22nd over, and rather symmetrically, 22 runs came off it, with Jacks bringing up his half-century off just 36 balls in the process.

Brooks notched up his own 50 off 42 balls, and he finished things off a couple of overs later, fittingly, with a boundary past point.

Earlier, the Namibia openers Jurgen Linde and Louwrens put on a solid foundation, adding 42 runs within ten overs. They carefully picked their shots and put away the short-pitched deliveries, with the England opening bowlers – Ethan Bamber and Dillon Pennington – unable to find a way past them.

A bowling change eventually did it for them as Linde (16) holed out off Luke Hollman. The wicket triggered a slide as Louwrens (24) holed out off Jacks, and all of Eben van Wyk (17), Erich van Mollendorff (6) and Lottering struggled to impose themselves. All the while, Fouche sealed up one end, putting on partnerships of 24 with van Wyk, 27 with Mollendorff and 26 with Loftie-Eaton. By the time Fouche departed, chipping a catch to mid-on off Hollman, he had scored a 75-ball 44, taking Namibia past the 100-run mark.

Loftie-Eaton then took charge, ably supported by Burger. The two went about attacking England in what turned out to be Namibia's best period of play. They put on 33 for the seventh wicket, before Burger holed out of Hollman, having picked the bowler for consecutive fours earlier in the innings.

Then, Loftie-Eaton dished out similar treatment to Brook before being trapped in front by Scriven.

Ramon Wilmot's 18-ball 13, comprising some efficient, at times desperate running, helped Namibia near the 200-mark – a commendable effort, especially given England's excellent over-rate. Unfortunately for Namibia, the Jacks-Brook show rendered their efforts insufficient.

ICC CRICKET

Guardiola urges City to learn

January 15, 2018, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Kizzire tops Hahn in playoff

≪ Previous: England too strong for Namibia

$

0

0

Guardiola urges City to learn The day belonged to Liverpool Guardiola admitted City had lost their composure in the second half after being rattled by Liverpool. NAMPA/AFP



Pep Guardiola has challenged his Manchester City stars to use their dramatic 4-3 defeat at Liverpool as a warning to guard against complacency.

Guardiola's side saw their 30-match unbeaten run in the Premier League come to a stunning end at Anfield on Sunday.

The leaders fell behind to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's early opener and although Leroy Sane equalised before half-time, City were blown away by three goals in nine second half minutes from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Although late goals from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan put a flattering gloss on the scoresheet, City boss Guardiola had no complaints about his side's first league defeat since April 5 at Chelsea.

It was City's first domestic defeat since an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on April 23.

Conceding that all the talk of City winning the title at a canter and possibly going unbeaten throughout the entire season made it hard to keep his players motivated, the Spaniard said: "In every press conference for the last few months you have said that the Premier League is done.

"I always said no. It is still to be done. Sometimes the worse thing is when people say from one month ago that it is over.

"It's so difficult to maintain this run, especially against good teams like Liverpool.

"Football is an unpredictable game. We have to fight until the end to win the league."

"We lost a lot of balls. Liverpool are so aggressive without the ball and we had little bit of a problem to control that," he said.

"We started the second half good until the goal from Firmino. After that we lost our control and we become involved in the environment at Anfield."

Although City's lead at the top can be cut to 12 points if second placed Manchester United beat Stoke on Monday, they remain firm favourites for the title.

Guardiola, who will be without defender Fabian Delph for several weeks after his first half injury, believes City will use their Anfield frustration to bounce back in their next game against Newcastle.

"Now we must be positive, analyse why we lost and look to the game against Newcastle," said Guardiola, who refused to reveal if he is still in the hunt to sign Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

"It's never good news to lose, but when you lose it's important not to lose again.

"We have a young team and maybe it can be good for the future.

"I've won a lot of titles and always I've dropped points on the way."

For Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp the victory was a cathartic moment after City thrashed his team 5-0 earlier this season.

It was also significant because it proved Liverpool can still thrive without Brazil forward Philippe Coutinho, who got his wish to join Barcelona earlier this month.

"To score four in the week after Phil Coutinho leaves the club is a very big statement," Klopp said.

"It's not like we held a meeting and said 'guys can you win today because then no-one will talk about Phil.

"But of course it was important to show it's possible to play well without him."

Unlike the rest of the Premier League this season, Liverpool found the formula to knock City out of their stride.

Klopp believes the game undoubtedly one of the best in England this term showed the need to be fearless when facing a team of City's class.

"Maybe it was a historical game, it could be the only one they lose in the entire season," Klopp said.

"They are so strong but I really think we deserved it. You need to be brave, you need to play football.

"You can sit in your box and hope they don't score but that's not really likely.

"We are Liverpool, so we shouldn't play that way. We have to attack. There is no alternative against City."