Omulandu gwokufuta elongo lyopombanda nagu talululwe - Kapere

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Omulandu gwokufuta elongo lyopombanda nagu talululwe - Kapere Omulandu omupe gwokufuta omailongo miiputudhilo yopombanda okuza kaailongi AaNamibia, ogwa pumbwa okulundululwa opo aailongi aakwanaluhepo ya vule woo okumona oompito dhokutsikila omailongo gawo miiputudhilo yopombanda.

Omunashipundi gwelelo lyoNational Youth Council, Mandela Kapere okwa popi kutya elongo yopombanda moshilongo itali vulika we koyendji unene kaailongi mboka ya za oofamili dha hepa.

Okwa pula aakuthimbinga moshikondo shelongo pamwe nepangelo opo ya tule miilonga omikalo omipe ndhoka tadhi kandulapo uupyakadhi mboka wa taalela omukalo gwegandjo lyekwatho lyokwiilonga.

Kapere okwa popi kutya omulandu ngoka tagu longithwa, inagu tala kaailongi mboka taya lumbu moluhepo, noyendji otaya thiminikwa konkalo yokuya momapandanda molwaashoka itaya vulu iifuta yoouniversiti.

Okwa popi kutya ope na omikalo odhindji moka aailongi taya vulu okufuta omailongo gawo okupitila mooscholarships, bursaries nenge omikuli ihe omakwatho ngoka omashona noonkondo.

Okwa tskile kutya omathimbo galwe oompango nomilandu dha tulwapo uuna taku gandjwa omakwatho ngoka, odhi li pombanda noonkondo na itadhi vulika.

Kapere okwa tsikile kutya oshiketha shoNamibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) inashi longa nawa ngashi sha tegelelwa molwaashoka yamwe yomaailongi mboka ya li ya pewa ekwatho koshiketha shoka inaya shunitha omikuli dhoka ya pewa sho ya ningi aanashilonga.

Okwa pandula eidhopomo lyomuleli gwoshilongo moshikumungu shoNSFAF oshowo sho epangelo olya tokola okugandja oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 150 koshiketha shoka, opo shi vule okutsikile nokugandja ekwatho lyiimaliwa yokwiilonga kaailongi.

SHONA NGAVA

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Sanchez sparkles as United progress

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Sanchez sparkles as United progressImpressive kickoff Alexis Sanchez wins his first match with his new club Manchester United. SUPERSPORT



Jose Mourinho hailed new signing Alexis Sanchez after he delivered a man-of-the-match performance to fire Manchester United into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win against lowly Yeovil Town on Friday.

Sanchez was named in the starting line-up just days after he signed for United from Arsenal and was involved in the build-up to the first two goals, scored by Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera.

Substitutes Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku added late gloss to the score line as United ran out comfortable winners against their fourth-tier opponents.

“Alexis Sanchez is a fantastic addition, everyone is happy that he comes,” said a delighted Mourinho. “Good players want good players. The question is always which one is going to be left out; it is not about that for us.

“We have a fantastic group of attacking players and he is another one with more maturity and experience. His choice for the second goal is a choice that a player like Marcus Rashford is too nervous to make that kind of decision. He brings maturity and class.”

Fresh from signing a contract extension with United, Mourinho put out a much-changed side for the fourth-round clash in his 100th competitive match in charge but the visitors still had far too much firepower for Yeovil.

Sanchez lined up alongside Michael Carrick at Huish Park, with the veteran midfielder making his first start since September after he received treatment for an irregular heart rhythm.

It was the second time the sides have met in the Cup in four seasons and United were desperate to avoid an embarrassing slip-up against a side fighting for their lives in the bottom reaches of League Two.

United dominated possession early in the game but were unable to create many clear-cut chances despite a potent-looking forward line featuring the likes of Sanchez, Rashford and Juan Mata.



Sanchez sharp

Sanchez, wearing United's iconic number 7 shirt, looked sharp on the left side of the attack, drifting into central areas to orchestrate United's attacks and taking some knocks from the rugged hosts.

Seconds after he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area, he was involved in the build-up to the opening goal, releasing Rashford on the edge of the box.

Rashford lost control of the ball but a disastrous defensive mix-up in the home-side's penalty area gifted the 20-year-old forward with a clear opening, and he made no mistake, giving United the lead five minutes before halftime.

The football was scrappy after the interval, with the rotated United line-up struggling to find attacking rhythm but they extended their lead with half an hour to go, with Sanchez again central to the move.

The Chilean carried the ball forward during a United break and fed Herrera, who finished impressively with his left foot.

United began to find their fluency in the latter stages, with the in-form Lingard and Lukaku adding the goals to reflect United's superiority.

Elsewhere on Friday, Sheffield Wednesday beat Reading 3-1 in an all-Championship clash.

On Sunday, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple, have a tough challenge against Championship high-fliers Cardiff while Chelsea face Newcastle.

In another all Premier-League tie on Saturday, Liverpool host West Brom while Nottingham Forest's reward for dumping out champions Arsenal in the third round is a trip to Hull.

Bolt set for SA visit

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Bolt set for SA visit SUPERSPORT



World athletics icon Usain Bolt will be at Ruimsig Stadium in Johannesburg today, as part of a development programme sponsored by a sportswear company.

The multiple Olympic gold medallist winner in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m Relay, who is also world record holder of the mentioned events, is visiting South Africa as the principal of the Puma School of Speed which will see five competitions held around the country.

Bolt, who retired in 2017, is also an ambassador for the IAAF to promote athletics worldwide.

“The arrival of Bolt comes at an opportune time when the 2018 youth and junior domestic athletics season is now in full swing,” said Aleck Skhosana, the president of Athletics South Africa.

“His presence here will encourage a lot of youngsters to perform better and elite athletes to renew their ambitions to make South Africa the best.

“We have more than 500 000 youth and junior athletes between the ages of 14-19 years at high school level that are currently competing in domestic school competitions.

“Their main objective is to reach the 2018 ASA Youth and Junior Championships (5-7 April, Paarl) where they hope to qualify to represent South Africa at the 2018 IAAF World Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland from (10-14 June 2018).

The presence of this icon is a great chance for athletics fans that have followed his career over the years to see him.”



The Puma School of Speed competitions:

1. PUC MC Arthur Stadium, Potchefstroom, 20 January 2018

2. Ruimsig Stadium, Johannesburg, 29 January 2018

3. Kings Park Stadium, Durban, 10 February 2018

4. Dal Josaphat Stadium, Paarl, 26 February 2018

5. Bestmed Tuks Stadium, Pretoria, 3 March 2018.

VAR comes of age at Anfield amid much criticism

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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VAR comes of age at Anfield amid much criticism The new video assistant referee system came of age in a dramatic fourth-round tie at Anfield, with the on-field review system used for the first time in England and the replay evidence widely perceived to have provided correct decisions.

Yet despite his side's 3-2 victory to make them the first visiting team to win at Liverpool this season, Pardew was left dismayed by more than just how VAR made two key rulings against his side. He was not the only observer to be unimpressed by the “strange” atmosphere created in the stadium as the crowd, without a big screen to see for themselves, were left in the dark about the replays viewers could watch over and over on TV.

Pardew also suggested the length of the reviews resulted in one Albion player suffering an injury as they hung around in the cold waiting for a ruling.

Referee Craig Pawson chalked off an Albion goal for offside, awarded Liverpool a penalty and checked VAR before awarding the Baggies' crucial third, a Joel Matip own goal, as the video referrals dominated theatrically in the first half.

Craig Dawson had seemingly headed Albion 3-1 ahead from a corner but VAR showed clearly that team mate Gareth Barry was interfering in play in an offside position. Amid a four-minute stoppage, Pawson used his pitchside monitor - the first time the on-field review has occurred in the English game - to change his mind and award a penalty to Liverpool after a foul by Jake Livermore on Mohamed Salah. The fact that Roberto Firmino missed the resulting kick and that Albion went on to win thanks to Jay Rodriguez's early double and the Matip own goal did not appease Pardew.

“From the sideline, it was strange. It wasn't what I'd like to see going forward,” Pardew told BT Sport.

“We were struggling at the end because we ran out of bodies and the VAR system was a problem because I think we got a player with a hamstring injury because they were standing around for too long.

“It was just weird. We waited so long to wait for the decisions, the stadium went flat and every goal was a bit of a mockery because we were waiting for the decision.”

On the goal ruled out for offside, he added: “I found it hard to believe from a corner. Is it (VAR) going to start taking away goals?” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was less bothered about VAR and more concerned with how familiar defensive deficiencies had cost his team their best chance of domestic silverware this season.

“Big mistakes let them back in the game,” he said, noting how Firmino's fifth-minute goal was quickly wiped out by Rodriguez's double.

“It's obvious what we did wrong in these situations. The second goal was just, wow, really bad defending from the whole group.”

-NAMPA/REUTERS

Spoils shared between two Sundowns and Chiefs

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Spoils shared between two Sundowns and Chiefs An action-packed league match at a near-capacity FNB Stadium on Saturday night had everything but goals as Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 0-0 draw.

Sundowns had a great chance to open the scoring in the first minute of the game when Khama Billiat cut in from the left and put in dangerous cross, which narrowly eluded Sibusiso Vilakazi just two yards out from goal.

Chiefs' first opportunity arrived in the eighth minute after a blunder from 'Downs keeper Denis Onyango resulted in a chance for Dumisani Zuma, but his effort deflected off a defender and away from goal.

There was another opportunity for the Glamour Boys six minutes later when Ryan Moon headed wide from a good position before Zuma drew a save from Onyango with a stinging drive on 20 minutes. The Soweto side continued to dominate first-half proceedings and were again close to scoring after 31 minutes, when Siphiwe Tshabalala's cross took a deflection off Bangaly Soumahoro and narrowly missed finding its way into goal. The Brazilians could, however, have nicked a goal in the 38th minute when a long ball from Hlompho Kekana was poorly cleared by Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso, the ball going to Percy Tau, but from close range his header went straight at goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

The action died down somewhat after the break, and both coaches went to their benches to bring on new striker signings Leonardo Castro and Jeremy Brockie for Chiefs and Sundowns respectively.

Brockie soon got in on the action and should have scored 20 minutes from time when Oupa Manyisa crossed brilliantly, but the New Zealand international sent his volley wide from close range.

Chiefs survived a double scare in the 78th minute when Tau volleyed against the upright, before Brockie struck the crossbar with the rebound.

Willard Katsande headed over the bar three minutes from time as the game remained on a knife-edge while Sundowns substitute Gaston Sirino could have sealed it late for Pitso Mosimane's team, but lacked the power to beat Khune as the match ended scoreless.

-NAMPA/ANA

Ex-Olympic champion Schwazer's doctors sentenced over doping

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Ex-Olympic champion Schwazer's doctors sentenced over doping Two doctors who helped Italian 50km walker Alex Schwazer to dope have received two-year jail terms and banned from practising for the same period by a criminal court in Bolzano on Thursday.

Italian Athletics Federation (Fidal) doctors Pierluigi Fiorella and Giuseppe Fischetto were accused of aiding 2008 Olympic champion Schwazer in doping.

Former Fidal technical manager, Rita Bottiglieri, was sentenced to nine months, with all three convictions going beyond those requested by prosecutor Giancarlo Bramante.

“The decision confirms that Alex Schwazer has told the truth to the judges, which is an important confirmation for us,” the athlete's lawyer Gerhard Brandstaetter said.

Schwazer returned to competition after serving a three-and-a-half year ban for testing positive before the 2012 London Olympics.

But a sample, which had first returned a negative result, was re-tested in May 2016 which showed traces of anabolic steroids.

Schwazer was subsequently ruled out of the 2016 Rio Olympics after losing an appeal over an eight-year doping ban.

The investigation followed immediately after Schwazer's positive test, with the athlete claiming he was now clean and the victim of foul play.

-NAMPA/AFP

Linares outpoints Gesta to retain WBA title

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Linares outpoints Gesta to retain WBA title Jorge Linares retained his World Boxing Association lightweight world title with a unanimous decision over Filipino fighter Mercito Gesta in a 12-round bout on Saturday. The 32-year-old Linares, of Venezuela, made the third defence of his title and extended his win streak to 14 straight fights, with his victory at the Los Angeles Forum. Linares improved to 44-3 with 27 KOs. He landed the harder and cleaner punches throughout, winning almost every round on the judges' scorecards. Two judges scored it 118-110 and the other at 117-111. “I didn't really feel his power, though I hurt my hand in the fourth or fifth round,” said Linares. “There wasn't a knockout because he was well prepared.”

Linares chipped away at Gesta's defence in the first five rounds before taking his attack up a notch in the middle rounds.

By the seventh he was landing some four- and five-punch combinations, showing off his superior hand speed and ring experience. He suffered a cut around his right eye in the eighth round when Gesta hit him with a left hand and then used a shoulder jab in close to open up the wound. Linares fought with blood flowing from the cut for the rest of the round but his corner was able to stop it from bothering him for the remainder of the fight. Linares is hoping this victory puts him in line for a unification fight against Mikey Garcia or a battle with Ukrainian champion and 2017 fighter of the year Vasyl Lomachenko. The 30-year-old Gesta dropped to a career record of 31-2-2. This was his second title fight following a 2012 loss to Miguel Vazquez.

Gesta played the showman early in the fight, smiling widely whenever Linares landed a hard punch to the head, but the grin turned to grimaces in later rounds as the punches piled up.

“I fought against a world champion,” said Gesta.

“He adjusted well to my style after the first couple of rounds.” In a welterweight fight on the same card, Lucas Matthysse broke through in the middle rounds against Thailand's Tewa Kiram, scoring an eighth round knockout victory.

-NAMPA/AFP

Gloves are off as Coetzee fumes

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Gloves are off as Coetzee fumesSpringbok coach demoted Springbok coach Allister Coetzee's fiery letter to SA Rugby has ended up in the hands of the media. In the letter, Coetzee states that he will not accept a demotion to a “ceremonial” role that sees him suffer the “indignity” of reporting to Rassie Erasmus. Erasmus recently took up his position as the new South African director of rugby, and it has become increasingly apparent that he will effectively serve as the new Bok boss.

The under-fire Coetzee has faced ongoing calls to be sacked after the Boks slipped back to sixth place in the world rankings during a 2017 season that yielded just seven wins from 13 Tests, while including record losses to the All Blacks and Ireland.

Overall, the Springboks have managed just 11 wins from 25 Tests under Coetzee. The Springbok coach was expected to undergo a season and performance review around the middle of January, but before this could take place in its entirety, Coetzee allegedly states that he was informed by SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux that his contract would be terminated. Times Live is in possession of the letter addressed to Roux, and which sees Coetzee lash out at SA Rugby, while accepting little responsibility for the failings of the Springboks over the last two years.

Coetzee alleges that the meeting took place on January 18, when he was misled, before learning his fate. “At this meeting, you [Roux] represented the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and I was represented by Mr Piet Heymans of Sport Employees Unite, although I was also personally present in the meeting,” wrote Coetzee in his letter.

“In the context of the engagements between you and I prior to the aforesaid meeting, it was made plain to me that the meeting would deal with the anticipated performance review and its procedures as contemplated by my employment contract.

“Instead, the meeting was used as a platform to inform me of SARU's decision that it intends to, inter alia, terminate my contract of employment with immediate effect.

“You informed me that the decision was taken by Mark Alexander (president of SARU), Francois Davids (deputy president) and James Stoffberg (vice-president) and mandated you as the CEO of SARU to inform me of the decision.

“You further informed me that a further aspect of the decision is that my services will be terminated regardless of the outcome of the anticipated performance review, as contemplated by my employment contract.

“And, should I wish to remain in SARU's employment, I will be reduced to a ceremonial coach, and further that Johan Erasmus ('Rassie') has already been employed to replace me and is already performing the duties of the Springbok coach. Should I be reduced to the position of a ceremonial coach I would have to face the indignity of reporting to Rassie.”

Coetzee goes on to suggest that SA Rugby had failed to fulfil its contractual obligation of exercising good faith towards him, while he insists he was set up to fail.

“My treatment since my return suggested that elements in SARU embarked on a deliberate attempt to undermine me from the word go and to create the public impression of incompetence on my part whilst wilfully obstructing my efforts to be successful.

“I will not allow elements in SARU to wilfully destroy me and render me unemployable as was done to Peter de Villiers. I am not interested in money and that I will fight to protect my hard-earned reputation which is in the process of being deliberately soiled publicly by elements within SARU.”

SA Rugby has confirmed the authenticity of the letter, but would not comment on the content.

-NAMPA/ANA

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Customs to tackle illegal wildlife trade

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Customs to tackle illegal wildlife trade Namibia will be among several countries to take part in a workshop for custom officials who deal with wildlife crime.

The three-day workshop kicks off on Tuesday in Johannesburg and is hosted by the British High Commission in South Africa.

It will bring together customs officials from countries in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe that deal with aspects of wildlife crime.

The workshop is a collaboration between the United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Chinese State Forestry Agency and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

The participants from Namibia are the environment ministry's Ellias Amunime, chief warden in the Etosha National Park and Allison Kukuri at the risk management section in customs and excise in the finance ministry.

According to a statement by the British High Commission in Windhoek, tackling illegal wildlife trade is an important part of conservation, law enforcement, and socioeconomic development for all affected countries.

“With illicit activity crossing borders, regional cooperation and knowledge sharing is an essential component of a coherent response to this issue,” it says.

The discussions at the workshop will provide a platform for sharing best practice, innovation, and expertise, and aims to further develop the regional networks that are vital to addressing the trans-boundary issue of illegal wildlife trade.

Different components of the workshop will be led by experts from UK Border Force, who have experience with CITES and capacity building around the globe, and experts from Chinese State Forestry Agency, General Administration of Customs, and Northern Forestry University, who have experience in customs enforcement, species identification, and technical innovation in relation to illegal wildlife trade.

Valuable perspectives and best practices will also be shared by the South African Revenue Service. This workshop is a key step towards the 2018 London Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference which will also recognise illegal wildlife trade as a security issue, affecting people as well as animals. It will also focus on building coalitions, engaging the private sector, NGOs and academia; harnessing technology and innovation and closing markets for illegally traded wildlife products.

ELLANIE SMIT

Namibia, Finland take hands against GBV

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Namibia, Finland take hands against GBVConsidered as biggest human rights violations Namibia looks into the need for its legal system to reconsider granting police bond and court bail to aggravated offenders. Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Maria Lohela, said one way to assist Namibia in its fight against gender-based violence (GBV) is through expert volunteers with lots of experience in data management and analysis.

Lohela led a Finnish delegation on a visit to Namibia last week during which the group, among others, brainstormed on a framework on a joint action to combat GBV, which is a growing concern in Namibia and an on-going social evil in Finland.

Lohela made the suggestion of the use of interested expert volunteers after Kiki Gbeho, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative to Namibia observed that Namibia is in dire need of data collection and analysis on GBV cases.

Gbeho stressed the point that data analysis is crucial to understand, manage and successfully and consistently prosecute cases of GBV.

Speaker of the Namibian Parliament, Professor Peter Katjavivi, said there were discussions around the need for the Namibian legal system to reconsider granting police bond and court bail to aggravated GBV offenders, and to have an easily accessible database on repeat offenders.

He said Namibia needs targeted intervention to deal with GBV as well as domestic violence in urban and rural areas equally.

Katjavivi acknowledged that shelters for victims of GBV and domestic violence in the country “do not offer comfort” and that the police is often not able to “capture a simple case in black and white”.

Katjavivi noted that the time has come to have people dealing with GBV to be properly sensitised and equipped, saying appropriate training of such actors cannot be underestimated.

Katjavivi also noted that perpetrators of GBV should understand that their place in the country “is diminishing”.

He said while the Namibian government is “strong on human rights issues” there is still need for all organs of the state to “strongly push” issues of GBV.

Lohela said there is globally not enough people to tackle GBV, commenting that women on their own cannot solve the problem.

“Women need the support of men and vice-versa,” she said, adding that it was important not only to castigate those who find themselves guilty of GBV but importantly to have women and other victims informed of their rights, which include the rights to protection and safety.

She said Finland, which in 2016 had a population of about 5.5 million, has a variety of institutions running an extensive shelter system, and that there is wide and open discussion, but mentioned that there remains a greater need for more open and fluid communication between institutional systems.

She said there is a multi-dimensional approach at police points where cases of GBV are being reported and that the police, which usually deal with the execution of the law, are supported by social workers and other support staff.

Both countries said the root causes of GBV seem to be unemployment, poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and that more evidence-based methods are required to prevent and manage violence at family level.

They also agreed that schools should form part of the battle in the fight against domestic violence, because children's behaviour at school usually is a good indicator of how healthy, or not, relationships are at home.

Finnish ambassador to Namibia, Pirkko-Liisa Kyostila, said there already exists a number of cooperation and intervention projects with NGO's, including NGO-to-NGO cooperation on the issue of GBV, which she said is the “biggest human rights violation” in this country.



Catherine Sasman

New funding model urged

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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New funding model urgedKapere says deserving poor are left out The current funding model for tertiary education needs to be changed so that poor and academically deserving students can access universities. The executive chairperson of the National Youth Council, Mandela Kapere has said that tertiary education in Namibia is becoming increasingly unaffordable for the many students who come from underprivileged families. He has called on stakeholders and government to take a fresh look at solutions for the education funding model.

Kapere is of the view that if the education funding model is not tweaked to accommodate hundreds of academically deserving and underprivileged students, many will be left on the streets because they cannot afford exorbitant university fees.

He called on the public and private sector to work with one another to come up with a better funding model that would benefit students.

“Such a funding model will not only eliminate the outcry caused by the University of Namibia's demand for 50% upfront, but will also remove the obstacles to the progress of the academically deserving and the underprivileged student and avoid sending capable young people to the street,” he said.

He added he recognised that there are many ways in which students can pay for their studies including through scholarships, bursaries and loans, but says they are limited because they are inaccessible to far too many.

“In some cases, the requirement attached to this type of assistance makes it inaccessible. We therefore need to develop and fast-track a higher education funding model that is efficient and sustainable and that will meet the funding challenges of underprivileged students,” he urged.

He noted that organisations such as the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) do not operate as smoothly as they should because many of previous beneficiaries do not pay back their loans after they get into the job market. “The demand for financial assistance from NSFAF outweighs what it can support and the institution is not meeting its goals because many beneficiaries do not pay back loans. For this fact alone, other students are deprived the opportunity to benefit from NSFAF,” he said.

He also welcomed the prompt intervention of President Hage Geingob into the NSFAF financial crisis and government's allocation of an additional N$150 million in order for the fund to meet its obligations.

Shona Ngava

Power to the people

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Power to the people The Northern Regions Electricity Distribution Company (Nored) through its social responsibility programme this week commissioned the electrification of the Ekango Lamulunga area in Ohangwena Region.

According to Nored's board chairman Sacky Kayone the electrification forms part of the company's efforts to give back to the community and to ensure all Namibians have access to electricity, especially those living in rural communities. Kayone said that the project, which was fully funded by Nored, was completed in May last year and N$940 000 was spent.

The residents in this area now have access to electricity and they are only expected to apply to Nored in order for their homes to be connected.

“At this area, the low voltage reticulations were constructed to provide access to the residents… Nored will make continuous efforts and investments in the enablers of the rural economy, such as electrification, in order to improve the economic and social welfare of rural communities,” Kayone said.

He said that this development is in line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan which calls for the increase of the rural electrification rate from 34% to 50% by 2020.

The Ohangwena Region is listed as one of the regions facing challenges such as transmission and demand capacity, however these constraints will be addressed in due course.

A resident of the community, Amon Hamata, said that he was happy that they now have access to electricity.

“I am feeling good because we received electricity. It was not easy living without it. I hope that Nored continues with electrifying other communities that do not have electricity,” Hamata said.

A speech read on behalf of the mines and energy minister, Obeth Kandjoze, addressed a number of projects which were completed, and some that are still in the pipeline.

Kandjoze pointed out the importance of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) saying that it will assist the ministry in addressing the electricity needs of the people.

“Government alone cannot shoulder the immense investments that are required to meet our country's future electricity needs. We therefore need to be an attractive destination for investors and that is why the IPP policy is so important,” Kandjoze said.

The minister also used the opportunity to commend Nored for their efforts in addressing the needs of the people.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Shonena delighted with WBO ranking

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Shonena delighted with WBO ranking SPORTS REPORTER



Welterweight prospect and current WBO Africa welterweight champion Mike Shonena is now a WBO world ranked boxer.

Shonena is ranked number 15 by the World Boxing Organisation in their January 2018 rankings.

Shonena won the WBO welterweight Africa title on 21 October 2017 with a unanimous decision win over Juma Waiswa. Shonena remains undefeated after 11 fights.

“I'm extremely happy to make the WBO world rankings in the welterweight division. This means a lot to me and most certainly a boost for my confidence. For now, I regard myself as the best welterweight in Namibia and Africa and my immediate priority will be to defend my title as many times as I can and keep winning to improve my record,” said an excited Shonena.

“Shonena is a prospect, and I'm happy to have him finally in the world ratings. For us everything is about world ratings because if you are not in there nobody knows you. Shonena is in a very competitive weight division and for now we want to continue building him with competitive fights,” said promoter Nestor Tobias.

Shonena is in a very competitive division, with Jeff Horn from Australia being the current WBO welterweight world champion and Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao also in the same division. Jeff Horn will face Terence Crawford in their next fight.

Gala serves as qualifier

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Gala serves as qualifier SPORTS REPORTER



The fourth Bank Windhoek Long Course Gala, which took place on Friday and Saturday at the Olympia pool, was a great success.

The teams that took part in the gala were: Aqua Swimming and Fitness Club, Dolphins Swimming Club, Marlins, Namib Swim Academy, Oranjemund Sale Sharks and Swakopmund Swimming Club.

A total of 170 swimmers entered this year's gala. Dolphins entered 95 swimmers, Aqua 31, Oranjemund 22, Swakopmund 10, Marlins seven and Namib Swim Academy five.

This event included longer distances such as the 800m freestyle for women and the 1500m freestyle for men and served as the final qualifier for the Bank Windhoek National Championships, to be held in Windhoek from 22 – 25 February.

The names of those who qualified will be made available in the Namibian Sun sport pages during the course of the week.

Hockey team set on winning

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Hockey team set on winning LIMBA MUPETAMI



Namibia's senior inline women's hockey team played to a three-all draw in a friendly match in Germany on Saturday.

It was the first practice match against Blau-Weiss Köln, a team which plays in the German women's premier league in Cologne.

The Namibian team had two more training sessions yesterday before taking on the number one in the world, the Netherlands, this afternoon at 15:00 Namibian time, and again tomorrow at 11:30 and 15:00 in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

The hockey team is preparing for the fifth Indoor World Cup which will take place in Berlin from 7 to 11 February. In their preparations they also played tournaments in Cape Town last December.

According to coach Erwin Haindura, the first match was physical.

“Our defensive tactics worked out quite well and both goalkeepers did pretty well,” he said.

The players will take on an under-18 youth team from Rott-Weiss Köln Hockey Club and on Thursday play a newly promoted team, Bonn.

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CEO wants a change in Namibian rugby

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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CEO wants a change in Namibian rugbyOne-on-one with Mervin Green The newly elected chief executive officer of the Namibian Rugby Limited (NRL) company, Mervin Green, wants to break down the stigma associated with rugby, work on improving the women's game, strengthening ties in previously neglected areas and improving school rugby. LIMBA MUPETAMI



The CEO took time out to speak to Namibian Sun Sports Desk about his experience playing rugby in the past, his plans in trying to change the dynamics of Namibian rugby and the hand he will play in Namibia's quest to reach the Rugby World Cup.

Green is the epitome of respect, distinguished focus and determination: a man who knows his standing in line with a clear vision of where he is heading with his passion, rugby.

Green was appointed CEO of NRL for the next three years, ensuring continuity at least one year after the 2020 World Cup in Japan.

NRL is a new company formed to take care of all national teams and high-performance activities, including the Namibian Rugby Union's (NRU) national academy.

Green took a keen interest in rugby in primary school but only started taking it seriously in high school.

After high school he studied education and played provincial rugby for Western Province Country Districts and Griqualand West from 1980 to 1988. He then moved into coaching and administration, and became the vice-chairman of the SA Rugby Schools Association by 1997.

A statement issued by NRU on Friday said Green's addition to Namibian rugby is greeted with great enthusiasm, as he has a wealth of experience and global networking in the rugby fraternity to offer.

“As South African Rugby Union (SARU) senior manager, he was responsible for drafting policies and strategies, as well as directing all junior tournaments and teams.

“His recent position held at SARU was as general manager: strategic transformation. He was instrumental in negotiating and liaising with national and provincial ministries and various forums on the subject of transformation in South African rugby, reporting directly to the CEO, SARU Executive and SARU General Council.”

Internationally Green holds the position of general secretary of Rugby Africa, where he provides strategic support in terms of developing the game on the continent.

He regularly represents SARU and Rugby Africa at World Rugby General Council meetings and conferences.

Green said he has been involved with Namibian rugby for many years and understands the dynamics of Namibian rugby. He also adds that his decision to take the new job was because of the passion the Namibian people showed him.

However, he said he is proud of the achievements and the contributions he made to South African rugby, having chaired on boards and working with the ministry of sport to bring change in the country.



Plans ahead

In his new job, he will look at improving local leagues and structures. He will also make sure that there is an equitable distribution of resources to all premier league clubs so that they all have equal resources to compete.

“You cannot have a situation where top teams have corporate funding and others don't.

“School rugby is strong in Namibia but I'm not happy with the fact that the game is dying in some areas like Katutura as well as in some traditional strongholds like the rural northern regions.”

He also said that the under-20 national rugby team has been performing well under Rodger Thompson's guidance.

“We need to give credit where it is due.

Namibia has the right guys in the structures. With knowledge and skills transfer they will become high-class coaches.”

Apart from praising the local guys, Green will appoint someone who will work closely with him as he wants to groom and share knowledge by the time he steps down.



Empowering all

Not only does he want to focus on the men's game but he said women rugby players should be groomed at an early age.

“Women's rugby is non-existent in Namibia. We need to focus on grassroots programmes and to groom players young.

“You cannot expect women to start playing rugby at the age of 21. You need to create a pathway at junior level,” he emphasised.

With that said, he also wants to break down barriers in rugby saying that the former administration made mistakes in many aspects.

“Rugby belongs to the nation and if you don't treat it as such you will end up in trouble. There is stigma around rugby and I want to break it down and show Namibians that I'm serious despite the fact that I inherited a lot from previous administrators. Transformation takes time but we need to speed it up,” he said.

Chain of evidence questioned

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Chain of evidence questioned The defence lawyer in the trial of a young man accused of having caused the death of three people, including a police officer, while driving drunk, alleges that the police committed fraud to make things appear in certain way in order to secure a conviction.

Sisa Namandje, appearing on behalf Morné Mouton, 21, made the allegation on Friday in the Magistrate's Court in Windhoek.

A police officer, Desiree Hoases, under cross-examination by Namandje confirmed that the police perform a public duty when they collect evidence.

She also confirmed that they are not only there to secure an arrest and conviction, but must maintain neutrality in the execution of their duty and must report any nonprocedural conduct.

Mouton faces charges of culpable homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol.

He allegedly ran over two civilians and a City Police officer along Sam Nujoma Drive in Hochland Park while driving a Volkswagen sedan at high speed while he was allegedly heavily intoxicated. The three victims were standing next to the road.

The deceased were Werner Simon, 22; Joshua Ngenokesho, age unknown; and City Police officer Manfred Gaoseb, 35. They were instantly killed.

Mouton in his defence indicated that when a person suddenly appeared in the road he swerved to avoid hitting the person. In the process he lost control and hit a motor vehicle which was parked on the side of the road.

Hoases told the court that she gave her witness statement under oath on 4 July 2015 at the accident in Sam Nujoma Drive but was not able to tell before whom she took the oath.

“I cannot remember who the commissioner of oaths was. There were lot of police officers on the scene,” she said but later stated that it was a certain Cleophas Nehoya.

She confirmed that the blood kit used for the collection of the accused's blood samples stayed in a safe but could not confirm who put it there.

Another police witness testified that there is a procedure for the handling of exhibits, especially blood kit and blood samples.

However, it was confirmed that the form for the blood sample was signed by the investigating officer but not by his commanding officer.

Nasmandje stated that the blood sample kept in the police safe was handled by somebody on 22 July 2015 but no one knows who took the blood sample from from the police safe.

“There is a gap in terms of handling of the exhibits. The blood sample was taken by one officer on 4 July 2015 and kept in the storeroom for a day before he handed over to the laboratory,” Namandje alleged.

He further stated that the Occurrence Book (OB) is also not included in the docket.

“The OB is supposed to be in the docket as an exhibit for auditing purposes,” he stated.

Magistrate Vanessa Stanley postponed the matter to 16 April for the continuation of trial.

Rowan van Wyk appeared for the State.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Unam extends payment of deposits

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Unam extends payment of deposits The due date for the payment of registration fees and deposits at the University of Namibia has been extended from 2 to 9 February.

According to Unam's public relations officer, Simon Namesho, all students are allowed to register before paying the N$2 000 registration fee and the 50% tuition fee deposit. However, the fees must be paid by 9 February.

Namesho said the registration of first-year students has been extended to 2 February and that no late registration fee will be applicable for the 2018 registration.

He further said that students' registration status will remain pending until the compulsory minimum registration fee and the 50% tuition fees deposit are paid. Access to the student portal and printed proof of registration will be available after registration and payment.

“If payments are not made by 9 February, the registration status will lapse and one will be required to re-register during the late registration period. An invoice, which includes the registration fees and total annual tuition fees, is provided at the end of the registration process for all students,” said Namesho. The due date for the remaining balance after registration is 30 June 2018.

“Aspiring students who still wish to apply to Unam are advised to apply online from Monday to Friday. The late application fee of N$300 will apply to applications that are submitted manually, while online applications remain free of charge.”

Meanwhile, online registration for senior students that started on 23 January is continuing until Friday.

Namesho said that first-year students who might not have completed their registration process before their faculty-designated dates can approach their faculty officers from Monday to Friday at the different Unam campuses.

Prospective students who may not be in possession of a printed admission letter, but their application status on the university website indicates provisionally admitted, are encouraged to register between Monday and Friday.

ELLANIE SMIT

Iyambo collapses at Nghidinwa funeral

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Iyambo collapses at Nghidinwa funeralLow blood pressure and heat the cause It is the second time that the elderly vice-president Nickey Iyambo has collapsed at an official gathering and there is concern about his ability to hold office. Vice-president Nickey Iyambo on Saturday fainted during the funeral of Rosalia Nghidinwa at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region and was taken for a medical check-up.

Iyambo (81), who was seated next to founding president Sam Nujoma, fainted just minutes before Nghidinwa's coffin was lowered into the ground. His protocol officer reacted quickly by carrying him into his official vehicle and took off.

Iyambo had been expected to lay a wreath on the grave but he did not return to the cemetery.

Iyambo had earlier read a speech on behalf of President Hage Geingob, who was in Ethiopia for the African Union summit.

When the incident was reported on social media, many people called for Iyambo to step down as vice-president because of ill health.

When contacted for comment, the minister of presidential affairs, Frans Kapofi, said Iyambo was doing well and people should not be concerned.

Kapofi said Iyambo suffers from low blood pressure, which is aggravated by travelling long distances and by hot weather.

He said when Iyambo's blood pressure returned to normal he was airlifted to Windhoek and he was doing well.

“When he arrived in Windhoek we spoke and he was doing well, there is no sort of concern at all,” Kapofi said.

In September 2016, Iyambo fainted at an event at Tsumeb and it was reported that he had had nothing to eat that day.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Farmers sue Mutorwa, others

January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Farmers sue Mutorwa, othersFurore over Meatco board continues The chaos surrounding last year's appointment of the Meatco board is continuing. An application in the High Court is seeking an order to set aside the appointment of Meatco's six-member board on 16 February last year.

The application was brought by five farmers - Amon Ngavetene, Alia Fasa Kandjii, Peter Kazongominja, Gottfriedt Tsuseb and Tjakazapi Janson Mbunguha.

According to them, agriculture minister John Mutorwa was not authorised to appoint a new Meatco board on 16 February 2017.

The board consists of Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun (chairperson), Ronald Kubas, Sophia Kasheeta, Ismael Ngangane, Fanie Oosthuizen and Mushokobanji Mwilima and had their term extended by the minister until 2020.

Mutorwa, the board and public enterprises minister Leon Jooste are listed as respondents in the matter.

The matter that was heard last week dates back to an urgent application in February last year, brought by the Meatco livestock producers based on an affidavit by Ngavetene.

In the application currently before court Ngavetene said the appointment of board members at Meatco had a troubled history.

He said Mutorwa had no power in terms of the Meatco Act, or the Public Enterprises Governance Act, to appoint a new board on 16 February last year, while in law there was an existing board.

According to the court papers, Mutorwa, in his capacity as agriculture minister, contravened the provisions of the Meatco Act, Public Enterprises Governance Act of 2006 and Article 18 of the Namibian Constitution when he made the appointments.

Ngavetene said on 15 February 2017, a day before the board was appointed, an urgent application was brought before the court regarding the earlier appointment of a different, temporary Meatco board by Mutorwa.

That urgent application sought an order to set aside the decision of the minister and declare the temporary board illegal. However, Mutorwa settled the matter and agreed that his appointment of the temporary board be set aside and declared illegal. Ngavetene said the matter over the temporary board was settled on 17 February last year.

However, Mutorwa on 16 February already took the decision to appoint Meatco's current board led by Namundjebo-Tilahun. Furthermore, the court order regarding the temporary board's matter was only issued on 15 March.

According to Ngavetene the decision taken by Mutorwa on 16 February 2017 to appoint the current board should be declared invalid and set aside.

Ngavetene also argued that the agriculture minister ignored their statutory role as members of Meatco when it came to the nomination of Meatco board members, while the Meatco board ignored the farmers' request for a motion to the effect that the board should resign as it was illegally appointed.

He said the Meatco Act expressly stipulates that all livestock producers registered at Meatco are automatically members and, therefore, have a say in the composition of its board. Therefore, they are legally authorised to nominate possible members of the board and to protect their interests in the company.

Mutorwa is required to select from these nominations two persons with expertise and competence in meat processing and marketing. In addition, he was asked to identify a board member from the proposals made to him, representing the interests of communal and commercial farmers, as well as employees of Meatco. However, Mutorwa allegedly disregarded that provision by first arbitrarily extending the term of office of the previous board of directors and then appointing a new board without consulting the livestock producers.

“Further, if the minister was entitled to appoint a new board on 16 February 2017 (which is denied) in so doing, the minister was required to comply with the provisions of the Meatco Act in seeking nominations from interest groups,” said Ngavetene.

According to him, no nominations were sought from Meatco members for persons to represent the interests of communal farmers, as well as for two livestock experts.

Ngavetene and other applicants only heard about the appointment of the board in early March.

“We discussed the issue amongst ourselves as livestock producers and were very dissatisfied with the turn of events.”

He said the dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that a meeting was held in August 2016 where Meatco members nominated specific people to represent communal and commercial livestock producers as well as experts on the board.

The meeting that was scheduled for 12 August 2016 was called to nominate their candidates for the new board of directors even though a special members' meeting that had been scheduled to take place was postponed.

The meeting was cancelled on short notice on advice by the minister and was boycotted by the majority of the then board.

Former Meatco CEO Veikuii Rukoro went ahead with a special members' meeting at which new board members were nominated, despite the existing board, at the time, having 60 days left in their term. After the meeting, a letter was sent to Mutorwa with the list of nominations, but he rejected the proposals on the grounds that the term of office of the board had not yet lapsed.



ELLANIE SMIT