Zim white farmers included

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Zim white farmers includedNew 99-year leases are back Zimbabwean president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has offered white commercial farmers 99 years on their land instead of the five offered by Mugabe's regime. Zimbabwe's land ministry has issued a directive that would see an end to the discrimination of white farmers as they have now been included on a 99-year land lease, says a report.

Under ex-president Robert Mugabe's government white farmers were allowed to lease the land for only five years.

But according to New Zimbabwe.com, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government has scrapped that policy, with the country's eight acting provincial resettlement officers being told that “there should be no more restrictive 5-year leases to white farmers”.

The ministry said the 99-year leases were immediately bankable.

This came as a report by Voice of America said that the 99-year leases issued to farmers were “untenable as they were not accepted by banks as collateral”.

Ben Purcel Gilpin, director of the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) said this had made the land dead capital as the banks would not be able to sell when the farmers failed to repay their loans.

Gilpin called on the government to instead offer farmers freehold titles.

Thousands of white commercial farmers and their employees were displaced and left without sources of income during the fast-tracked agrarian reforms that were masterminded by Mugabe's administration in 2000.

According to the CFU, more than 4 000 white farmers were affected by the often violent farm invasions.

Some of the white farmers that were kicked out of their properties during the agrarian reforms have now set base in neighbouring countries such as Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

NEWS24

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Plea for Boko Haram displaced

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Plea for Boko Haram displaced The UN refugee agency appealed on Wednesday for US$157 million to help over a quarter of a million people affected by the insurgency led by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

The UNHCR, acting with more than 40 other agencies, said it needed to help 208 000 Nigerian refugees and 75 000 of their hosts in Niger, Cameroon and Chad, where infrastructure has been strained by the influx.

Since 2013, the Boko Haram conflict has internally displaced another 2.4 million people in northeast Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, it said.

“The Boko Haram crisis lingers on and is far from over,” said UNHCR deputy high commissioner Kelly Clements while launching the appeal.

“The world should not forget the victims of this deadly conflict, especially as there appears to be little hope for a return to peace and stability in the near future.”

“Devastating” side effects of the conflict include a huge rise in food insecurity and severe malnutrition, the agency said.

More than seven million people in the Lake Chad Basin region were food-insecure as of September 2017, with potentially severe consequences for child health, it said.

A similar appeal for US$241 million in 2017 was only 56% funded, the UNHCR noted in its press release.

Chad and Cameroon are engaged alongside Nigeria and Niger in the battle against Boko Haram extremists, who first took the conflict across the border into Niger in 2015, with numerous raids around the region of Diffa.

Between 2015 and 2017, UN monitors recorded 582 civilian casualties in 244 raids blamed on Boko Haram in Diffa.

On Monday, at least two soldiers were killed in southeastern Niger while fighting off an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants.

A source in Niger's security forces said that the insurgents came from neighbouring Nigeria.

NAMPA/AFP

Trump's SOTU a mixed bag

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Trump's SOTU a mixed bag US President Donald Trump's call for American unity in his first State of the Union address struck an 'us-versus-them' tone for many minorities, raising questions as to what extent Americans are put off by a leader who continually draws criticism as bigoted and xenophobic.

For many people of colour, Trump's address before Congress on Tuesday night hardly reflected a shift in his ideology or his bruising style of governance.

To them, the president simply softened what he's been saying all along, particularly when it comes to immigration, and sought to add a veneer of tolerance by using the stories of people of colour to illustrate his points.

“After more than a year of toxic policies and attacks on marginalised communities, the time for hoping Trump might change is long over,” said Colour of Change Executive Director Rashad Robinson.

“Behaving like an adult for one speech doesn't change those facts.”

In taking credit for a drop in black unemployment, Trump showcased a black welder's journey from unemployment to a meaningful career.

At one point, he reiterated his disgust for NFL players' national anthem protests against systemic racism by praising a 12-year-old white boy's act of patriotism.

And he conflated immigration with urban gun violence by highlighting two Long Island families who were victimised by gang members who were in the country illegally.

The result was a rhetorical throwback to mean-spirited race baiting of the past, said Brookings Institute research fellow Andre Perry.

“You replace 'immigrant' with 'black person', and you're talking 1950s rhetoric,” Perry said.

“If you're a person of colour, it wasn't a dog whistle - it was a direct attack. It wasn't that long ago that blacks and women were not full citizens, but we were members of society denied rights under the law.”

While some praised Trump for staying on message and striking a more presidential tone, others pointed out that his tone contradicted his actions.

“President Trump can pause his Twitter habits long enough to deliver a prepared speech to a national TV audience, but isn't doing anything real to bring us together or improve the lives of everyday Americans,” Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey said in a statement.

Representatives John Lewis of Georgia, Maxine Waters of California and Al Green of Texas - all Democrats who have criticised Trump - decided to skip the speech entirely.

“I'm part of those who decided that we would protest outside as a matter of principle to say to the president: 'We disapprove of what you're doing,'” Green said.

Others wore black to show their displeasure, and several wore sashes or ties made of African Kente cloth, a nod to the president's reference to African nations as “shithole countries”.

Some wore buttons bearing the name of Recy Taylor, a black Alabama woman gang raped by white men during the Jim Crow era; she died in late December at age 97.

NAMPA/AP

Oshikungulu sha hanagula po omatungo monooli

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Oshikungulu sha hanagula po omatungo monooliTaya ka totulula oongeshefa dhawo Aakalimo yomomukunda Oshimwaku moshitopolwa shaHangwena oya thigwa moluhepo koshikungulu shoka sha yonagulapo omaliko gawo. Ongulohi yOmaandaha aakwashigwana mboka oya li ya nyanyukwa omolwa omuloka ngoka gwa dhenge omudhingoloko gwawo, ihe ongulohi yEtiyali , oshikungulu oshinene shombepo osha yonagula po omagumbo gawo nokuteyagula omiti.

Omukalimo gumwe, Fillemon Ngenokesho, ngoka e na ongeshefa yokuhwilika okwa lombwele oNamibia Sun kutya etungo lye olya gu po niilongitho ye ayihe oya hanagulwa po nokudhigwa pomutenya pamwe nofamili ye.

“Kandi shi kutya ostola yandje otandi ke yi mona we ngiini, opo ndi tsikile iilonga yandje. Okupitila mekanitho lyandje, aakwashigwana yopomudhingoloko nayo oya gumwa molwaashoka otaya kala taya ende iinano iile okukakonga omayakulo ngele oya hala okufikililwa iinima yawo,” Ngenokesho a popi.

“Ondi na okutameka ishewe. Etungo olya kala nale li na omisa na onda li tandi pangele opo ndi li longulule, ihe shoka tandi vulu okuninga ngashiingeyi okuhanagulapo owala etungo alihe nokutamukululwa okutunga.”

Okwa popi kutya ita vulu okututsa omashina ge ngele otaga longo molwaashoka kaye na natango olusheno.

Okwa popi kutya eyonagulo ndyoka ota tengeneke lyongushu yooN$50 000.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, kansela gwoshikandjohogololo Engela, Jason Ndakunda, okwa popi kutya okwa ninga oonkundathana naakuthimbinga ayehe, na okwa holola kutya otaku ka ningwa omakonakono ku talike kutya eyonagulo ndyoka lya ningwa oli thike peni.

“Pethimbo ndika otwa tuma ongundu yoRed Cross Society of Namibia, aanambelewa yuunamiti oshoowo aapolisi pamwe noshikondo shodisaster risk management melelo lyoshitopolwa shaHangwena, opo ya ka konakone onkalo,” Ndakunda a popi.

Okwa popi kutya uuna kwa manithwa omakonaakono nena otaku ka tumwa olopota kombelewa yomuprima minista.

Okwa indile mboka taya vulu okugandja omakwatho opo ye shi ninge.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Omalweendo gopondje gominista ga kalekwa

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Omalweendo gopondje gominista ga kalekwa Omupesidende gwongundu yo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani okwa popi kutya etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kOmupresidende Hage Geingob opo ku kalekwe omalweendo gopondje yoshilongo koominista oshowo aapeha momwedhi Februali olya ningwa kwa lata.

Etokolo ndyoka olya ningwa konima yethimbo efupi sho omuleli kwa li kwa lopotwa a longitha odhila yomatukodhila gaayehe pangeshefa opo a ye komutumba gwIigwana yaAfrika, ngoka gwa li gwa ningilwa moAddis Ababa shaEthiopia oshiwike sha piti.

Geingob okwa galukile moshilongo petameko lyoshiwike shika.

Omuleli okwa lopotwa natango a li a longitha oodhila dhomatukodhila dhehangano lyaAir Namibia pehala lyokulongitha odhila yomupresidende okuya mefudho moCape Town omvula ya piti.

Nonando okwa pandula omuleli sho a tokola ngaaka, Venaani okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka itayi kala ethimbo ele.

Venaani okwa tsikile kutya omuleli ita vulu okukala ta longitha oomiliyona uule womvula momalweendo ge nodhila yomupresidende nokutula po oondjindila sho e wete kutya oshilongo otashi nana nondatu.

Okwa tsikile kutya etokolo ndyoka otali ulike kutya oshilongo oshi li monkugo yi na onkambe na ope na omapulo kutya omalweendo ogeni ga talika ko ge na oshilonga naangoka ga talika ko inaga simana.

Okwa popi kutya ngele andola okwa li a tameke ngaaka sho opo a yi koshipundi andola osha kwatha epangelo, ihe ngashiingeyi otashi ulike kutya epangelo lyaandjetu kali na omuthigululwakalo gwokupungula iimaliwa.

Omu Kakujaha-Matundu ngoka eli omunambelewa gwokutengeneka onkalo yopaliko okwa popi kutya aanambelewa oyendji mepangelo oya longitha epangelo onga omukalo gwawo gwokwiimonena iimaliwa okuza miimaliwa yomalweendo.

Okwa pula woo aakomeho yiiputudhilo yayama kepangelo ya tule miilonga eindilo lyomupresidende.

“Iimaliwa ya longithwa momalweendo okwa li ya pumbwa okulongithwa mooskola dhaanona. Andola otwa pungula nokuhupitha oobiliyona ngapi ngele otwa li twa tameke oomvula adhihe ndhoka.”

Ominista yIipambele yOmupresidende Frans Kapofi okwa popi kutya omuleli otaka tala ketokolo lye ndyoka konima yaFebruali nokutala ngele otali kuthwa po nenge otali vulu okulelepekwa.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Oompumbwe yiikwaniipangitho mooskola dhaKavango

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Oompumbwe yiikwaniipangitho mooskola dhaKavango Omalelo gelongo moshitopolwa shaKavango otaga pangele okudhika ootenda onga omukalo gwopakathimbo gokukandula po ompumbwe yongulu dhoskola mooskola moshitopolwa.

Oshiwike shika, oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, osha lopota onkalo yelongo moskola yaNkurenkuru Combined School, moka oonguludhoskola dhi na aanaskola ya thika po 60 mongulu yimwe.

Onkalo ndjoka oya etitha woo aanaskola taya faalele iipundi yawo koskola molwaashoka kape na iipundi ya gwana.

Omukomeho gwelongo moshitopolwa shoka Teopolina Hamutumua okwa popi kutya oku na ontseyo yonkalo ndjoka poskola ya tumbulwa nuuministeli otawu pangele okukandulapo omikundu ndhoka dha taalela ooskola moshitopolwa shoka.

Omunambelewa ngoka okwa popi kutya ooskola dhimwe odha pula uuministeli opo dhi pewe ootenda, dho dhi longithe ootenda ndhoka, omanga uuministeli tawu katuka oonkatu.

Okwa tsikile kutya oshikondo shawo osha mono iimaliwa opo ku tungwe ooskola dhoondondo dhopetameko dha thika po 15 moshitopolwa.

Kombinga yiipundi niitaafula, Hamutumua okwa popi kutya kape na iimaliwa yiikalekelwa okulanda iinima mbyoka, naashoka taya vulu okuninga okukutha iipundi niitaafula mbyoka ya teka nokuyi pangelitha opo yi vule okukala tayi longithwa ishewe.

Hamutumua okwa popi kutya ondando yoshitaafula otayi tengenekelwa pooN$430 omanga oshipundi pooN$350. Nokutala kiimaliwa mbyoka yi li po itayi ka vula okulanda iinima oyindji onkene oshihwepo ku kuthwe iinima mbyoka ya teka yo yi vule okupangelwa.

Kombinga yomatungo ngoka ga kulupa noonkondo, omunambelewa ngoka okwa popi kutya uuministeli itawu vulu okukandula po oompumbwe dhooskola dhihe moshitopolwa momvula yimwe.

Okwa popi kutya momvula yo 2016/2017 uuministeli owa gandja iimaliwa ya thika poomiliyona 17 mokuwapalekitha omatungo goskola yaKandjimi Murangi Senior Secondary School oshowo ooskola dhilwe.

Okwa tsikile kutya uuministeli owiitulamo na otawu tsikile nokutungulula ooskola nomihandjo uuna pwa monika iimaliwa.

Oshiwike shika, oshifokundaneki shika natango osha lopota kombinga yonkalo yanayipala na otayi etitha ohenda moka mu na aanona yooskola ya thika po 200 momuhandjo gwongeleka yaELCIN moNkurenkuru.

Hamutumua okwa popi kutya uuministeli owu na ontseyo na okwa ningwa eindilo opo ku tungwe oskola ompe nomuhandjo naashoka otashi ka ningwa uuna sha ziminwa.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Ombii nayi pangele mOndonga

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Ombii nayi pangele mOndongaAandonga ya taambako oonkundathana dhombili Aakwashigwana mOndonga oya taambako etokolo lya ningwa kOmukwaniilwa gwoshilongo shoka, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas ngoka a tokola okushuna miilonga aaleli mboka a li a tidha miilonga. Oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun ohela osha lopota kutya omananathano ngoka ga kala melelo lyaNdonga otaga thiki pehulilo na otaku pangelawa okushunwa miilonga ookansela mboka ya li ya tidhwa miilonga omvula ya piti.

Omananathano ngoka oga li ga tukuka sho ofamili yomukwaniilwa yali ya tindi Fillemon Shuumba Nangolo onga omulanduli gwomukwaniilwa Elifas Kauluma, nonkalo ndjoka oya etitha etidho miilonga lyookansela yelelo ndyoka, mboka ya longa uule wethimbo, mwa kwatelwa omunashipundi gwelelo ndyoka Peter Kauluma oshowo amushanga Joseph Asino.

Aanambelewa yopombanda melelo nayo oyali ya tidhwa miilonga okupingenwapo naanambelewa aapopepi nofamili ndjoka.

Sho a ningwa naye oonkundathana koNamibian Sun, omupopiliko gwongundu yaakwashigwana yaNdonga, Pendapala Nakathingo, okwa yamukula kutya shoka osho ya kala taya kondjitha opo shi ningwe uule wethimbo ngashiingeyi.

Okwa popi kutya ongundu yawo oya li ya tkola okuninga omahololomadhilaaadhilalo iikando yontumba pOmbala yomukwaniilwa taya pula eeto lyombili nuukumwe melelo lyaandjawo.

Nakathingo okwa popi kutya oya pandula elelo lyawo sho tali kambadhala okuhulitha po uutondwe nomananathano ngoka ga kala po.

Sho a pulwa kombinga yomanyano nomatukano ngoka ga li ga holoka pokati koongundu ndhoka mbali dha kala tadhi nanathana, Nakathingo okwa yamukula kutya aantu ayehe ohaya ningi omapuko.

Okwa tsikile kutya shoka ya li yahala ombili nuukumwe mokati kelelo lyawo oshowo oshigwana shaNdonga naashoka otashi ningwa ngashiingeyi.

“Onga omuntu kehe gumwe oha vulu okuninga epuko owina nenge keshi ngele ota ningi epuko. Shoka twa hala okumona ombili nuukumwe mOndonga.

Omagandjo guusama kutya ngoye owa popi shike na owa ningi shike kashi na shoka tashi kwatha. Iinima ohayi vulu okukongwa nokupingenwapo ngele oya kana ihe uuna ombili ya kana oshidhigu oku yi galula,” Nakathingo a popi.

Amushanga gwelelo ndyoka monena, Nepando Amupanda, okwa popi kutya ke na ontseyo yomalunduluko ngoka, na okwa tseya owala kutya ope na komitiye ndjoka yatotwapo opo yi e te pehulilo oontamanana nomananathano melelo ndyoka.

Nakathingo okwa popi kutya shoka otashi vulika shi kale oshili molwaashoka oonkundathana ndhoka opo dha ningwa naashona yowala mboka ye na ontseyo yoonkundathana ndhoka.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Stop stealing!

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Stop stealing!Local artist cautions public to be vigilant Gospel artist Fire Lenga speaks out about robbery and shares safety tips. Robberies are not something new to us. Local figures show that over 50 people get robbed each day. Many say those that get robbed are at fault, one truly can never anticipate robbery. This week tjil chats to gospel rapper Fire who shares his ordeal of being a victim of a robbery and cautions people on how to be more vigilant.

Rapper Fire's story is no different from the many we hear of or read about on social media. Fire says he wants to caution people and to reveal the trauma that comes with being robbed at knife-point. He said he and a female friend where walking from the shops in their neighbourhood in the evening when a car pulled up. According to him, they walked up to a house as if it was theirs until the car drove off. “Just as we got into our street we saw the car again. By the time we realised that the robbers had parked the car at a distance and were walking towards us it was too late. They pushed my friend against a pole with a knife up her shirt. The street was quiet and I told them not to hurt her but to take my phone and the N$10 I had on me and they took off,” he narrated.

Although Fire and his friend were unhurt, many are not so lucky. He agrees that there are ways the incident could have been prevented. The rapper advises people to walk in a group of three or more any time of the day and wherever you find yourself. While the artist disagrees with walking with weapons he says self-defence measures such as pepper spray is an essential item one should have on them all the time.

“Thing is, having a weapon doesn't guarantee your safe it makes things worse you could miss and the moment they know you tried to hurt them they will kill you. I believe give them what they want comply with them, don't try to fight but if you can run, do it. If you don't have room then just stand and listen to them,” he said.

June Shimuoshili

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Taking Namibian jazz to America

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Taking Namibian jazz to AmericaElemotho and Suzy to represent Africa Musicians from China, Germany, Mexico, Japan, Spain, Namibia and more, will take part in a Jazz Ensemble that will result in a glitzy final concert tomorrow night. Singer and saxophonist Elemotho and Suzy Eises have kick-started 2018 with an amazing musical project in San Antonio, Texas.

A list of musicians from all over the world have been invited to take part in the 300-year celebration of San Antonio 's International Sister Jazz Ensemble exchange which is but one of 700 community events in this year's celebration.

Eises and Elemotho are the only Africans to perform at the festival.

Globetrotter songwriter Elemotho said the news excited him so much as having international gigs is always an honour for him.

“It is something out of this world. San Antonio is a renowned American jazz city plus getting to play with jazz musicians from all over globe in. Thanks to the City of San Antonio and City of Windhoek,” he said.

Eises said the opportunity to play and to be present at such an event is one-of-a-kind as not only do they get to showcase Namibian culture through music to the rest of the world, but they also get to uplift the music industry.

“Personally, it's great for me as musician as I am able to network and learn from other musicians and make connections internationally.

I am also able to share my knowledge and joy of African music that I play with the world and this is one of my main focuses - to share heartfelt music and to heal people's souls,” she said.

Elemotho said he looks ward to playing his songs Seshaba from his third album and Ke Nako, while Eises will blow her horn to her song titled Harambee on her debut album.

The artists agreed that more festivals need to be established where international collaborations are made and cultures are shared.

“The world is small and big at the same time.

These international platforms are not only necessary but are a way for us to finally use the digital age to cross geographic, racial, economic and cultural borders in our relations to each other as fellow earth inhibitors,” said Elemotho.

June Shimuoshili

Township's 2018 poetry sessions

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Township's 2018 poetry sessions Township Productions will be launching the 2018 edition of the bi-monthly poetry project on 8 February at the Goethe Institute Namibia.

This poetry project takes place in cooperation with the Goethe Institute Namibia in the promotion and hosting of poetry sessions.

The first session will take place at the institute under the theme 'Love is... Is love, love' and will precede the celebration of Valentine's Day. Township Productions has produced various poetry projects, including numerous poetry workshops, four editions of World Poetry Month commemoration, five volumes of poetry publications and a regional poetry competition for secondary schools in the Erongo Region. This year, Township Productions will again organise and host six poetry sessions over 12 months. The primary objectives of the Bi-monthly Poetry Project are as to promote poetry as a creative and sustainable activity in the Namibian arts sector, to create a poetry platform for younger and established poets to interact and share skills in writing techniques, recitation and performances and to document poetry activities through publishing, video and audio recordings. Interested poets who would like to present and share their thoughts and emotions on the above theme are invited to submit poems to mola@iway.na.

World Car of the Year: Champions in the making

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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World Car of the Year: Champions in the making Twenty vehicle manufacturers from across Asia, Europe and North America are through to the final stages of the 2018 World Car Awards.

Nine of those finalists are in the running for the most talked about, sought after and important automotive award on the planet – the 2018 World Car of the Year title. It’s no great shock that familiar stalwarts and past WCOTY winners such as BMW, Mazda, Nissan and VW have been voted into the prestigious Top Ten this time around.

But fast-improving Kia and born again Alfa Romeo are welcome additions to that ten-strong list, too - as is a buoyant Volvo which can do little wrong at present.

The same goes for Land Rover which has just achieved the unthinkable by winning enough votes to ensure that two of its all-new models are in a position to compete for WCOTY glory. Nissan, with its new LEAF, will be defending the title it won with the original version back in 2011.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR VW

Although Volkswagen should be relieved that its T-Roc has qualified, there must be disappointment at the company’s HQ in Wolfsburg that its latest version of the Polo did not. This year VW was hoping to repeat what it achieved in 2010 when it won the WCOTY trophy with its (previous generation) Polo. But a follow up victory in 2018 is not to be, following the revelation that the latest version of its big-selling supermini has not earned Top 10 status and is therefore out of the WCOTY running.

The elimination was unexpected but is possibly a sign of the times. After all, Volkswagen has been producing Polo superminis for the last 43 years. And its’ latest (sixth generation) version that will see it through to Polo’s 50th birthday is not as cute, distinctive and VW-like as its predecessors. But at least the all-new Polo stands a one in five chance of claiming the World Urban Car crown at our prize-giving ceremony in New York on the morning of March 28.

VW knows it’s up against stiff competition, though - from conventional, up to 4.2m long superminis such as the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra and Suzuki Swift, plus the cleverly designed Hyundai KONA SUV which looks large in the flesh, but is in fact only 4.165m long and therefore just within the new World Urban Car rules.

It’s a hugely important category this, as small cars already sell in colossal numbers in Europe and Asia and will become increasingly popular as demand intensifies for precious road space and parking bays across the globe. All over the world the trend is that more people are moving from rural to urban areas in search of employment and improved social lives.

FUTURE MOBILITY

This has to mean that small (but not necessarily tiny) cars are the future for the motoring masses.

Over the years Audi has been awarded eight World Car trophies - that’s more than any other company has won in the history of the competition. But its German and Japanese rivals in the World Luxury Car class are highly impressive this year, so the serial World Car winner from Ingolstadt may struggle to beat exciting offerings from BMW, Lexus and Porsche - the latter having a 40% chance of winning the category thanks to the inclusion of the Panamera and Cayenne.

But both Audi (with RS 3) and Lexus (LC 500) also have a chance of victory in the World Performance Car sector where the comparatively modest Honda Civic Type R has also qualified as a finalist, along with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and BMW M5.

The group of 2018 Word Green Car contenders is dominated - surprisingly, perhaps - by American manufacturers.

Another surprise is that more pure-electrics have not made it through to the Green finals this year, thereby suggesting that there’s some way to go before the world accepts them as genuine and affordable alternatives to petrol/gasoline, diesel, and LPG models.

The finalists in the WCOTY division and the five supporting categories are a deliciously diverse lot, though. In no particular order of importance, there are - as expected - conventional superminis, compact cars and mid-sized to large saloons/sedans (some sporty, some not), plus a traditional minivan/MPV in the mix. Hot hatches, crossovers, sports cars, Grand Tourers, a luxury limo or two, plus a pure-electric are other contenders.

But it’s the small/medium/large, modest/premium/ luxury crossovers or SUVs that dominate - not least because they’re present in most of our 2018 World Car categories. On this evidence, the petrol/gasoline or diesel SUV remains in rude health and is still extremely popular with World Car jurors based in cities, towns and rural areas across the globe.

At the very least, it’s fair to conclude that these SUVs are among the best, most fit for purpose and desirable cars in the world today. Equally true is that with just one pure-electric candidate (LEAF) in the World Car finals in 2018, the much talked about ‘electric car revolution’ is still limping along slowly instead of surging forward as it should be doing by now. Despite the growing objections from politicians and environmentalists to diesel and gasoline cars, they continue to account for the overwhelming majority of sales on the world stage.

At the same time, pure-electrics still sell in minuscule volumes. And unless and until EVs cost less to buy new and travel further after each recharge, demand and sales will remain desperately low. – Wheels 24

World Car of the Year Finalists

Alfa Romeo Giulia

BMW X3

Kia Stinger

Land Rover Discovery

Mazda CX-5

Nissan Leaf

Range Rover Velar

Toyota Camry

Volkswagen T-Roc

Volvo XC60

2018 World Luxury Car of the Year Finalists

Audi A8

BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo

Lexus LS

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Panamera

2018 World Performance Car of the Year Finalists

Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio

Audi RS3

BMW M5

Honda Civic Type R

Lexus LC 500

2018 World Urban Car of the Year Finalists

Ford Fiesta

Hyundai Kona

Nissan Micra

Suzuki Swift

Volkswagen Polo

2018 World Green Car of the Year Finalists

BMW 530e iPerformance

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid

Nissan Leaf

Women of excellence search for 2018

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Women of excellence search for 2018 So many women are contributing to the upliftment of the poor and the needy, but sadly, their dedication and unselfish commitment to the community goes unnoticed by the nation.

It is a fact that no pageant would be a success without the generous support and sponsorship of its sponsors. This includes the Miss Namibia pageant.

Their commitment to the Miss Namibia pageant as a vehicle to identify young intelligent, beautiful, enthusiastic Namibian girls, to be a role model for other young people and to make a contribution to the disadvantaged in society, should be applauded.

Through Miss Namibia's sponsorship they make their resources work for the betterment of our country and its people. It also gives them the opportunity to create more possibilities for charitable awareness and reward the Namibian community for their hard work and dedication for a better tomorrow.

At the 2007 Miss Namibia pageant, The Women of Excellence campaign was launched by Standard Bank Namibia where community members nominate women-run charity organisations as part of the project andnominees are placed in one of two categories; women who have contributed greatly to the less privileged and one for a spirit of generosity and kindness.

“The bank's support towards the Miss Namibia pageant goes beyond the beauty pageant. Ultimately, their support focuses on women that are contributing to the upliftment of the poor and the needy. The two will be financially rewarded by Standard Bank,” said Conny Maritz, Miss Namibia organiser.

Standard Bank has launched the sixth search for the Women of Excellence Award. The winners will be announced during the pageant in July 2018.

Entry forms can be collected at the standard bank head office in the town square centre, Windhoek on the fourth floor. The Namibian nation is again invited in the search, to nominate the women of excellence who have excelled in contributing in areas where specific communities most need their unconditional support, Maritz concluded.

June Shimuoshili

VW hid '­devastating' ­monkey test results

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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VW hid '­devastating' ­monkey test results Volkswagen tried to hide the results of a diesel emissions test on monkeys because it showed a worse health impact than expected, a German news report claimed on Wednesday.

The Bild daily reported that the exhaust fumes tests on 10 monkeys that have sparked fresh public outrage following VW's emissions-cheating scandal “were never supposed to come to light” because the results were “too devastating”.

Amid a storm of criticism over the experiment and over separate tests on German human volunteers commissioned by an auto industry-financed research institute, VW on Tuesday suspended its chief lobbyist Thomas Steg and labelled the testing “unethical and repulsive”.

The US study using monkeys in an Albuquerque laboratory, which VW said took place in 2015, was meant to show that the diesel exhaust fumes from a VW Beetle were cleaner than those from an older Ford pickup.

“This was not what the results showed at all, however,” reported Bild, citing internal study papers, despite the fact that the VW model had been fitted with a so-called defeat device that reduced emissions while testing.

The Bild report said that after four hours of exposure, blood was taken from the animals and a special endoscope was inserted into their windpipes and bronchia through their noses or mouths.

It said some of the monkeys that had inhaled VW fumes showed a higher degree of inflammation than other animals.

The human and animal tests were commissioned by an organisation funded by VW, Daimler and BMW, the European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector, which has since been disbanded. – Nampa/AFP

The Battle of the Bakkie Beasts: Hilux v Ranger

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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The Battle of the Bakkie Beasts: Hilux v Ranger We love bakkies.

So much so that, almost uniquely in the world, the top selling passenger vehicle last year was the evergreen Toyota Hilux which topped even the massively popular VW Polo Vivo and Toyota Corolla.

But the Ford Ranger wasn't far behind the Hilux and even managed to outsell it in five months of 2017.

Nissan, Isuzu and the VW Amarok also hold solid niches in the bakkie market but the Hilux and the Ranger are the gorillas and debate rages across the country about their relative merits.

Jeff Osborne, Head of Gumtree Autos, has analysed the data on both vehicles from South Africa's biggest virtual car showroom and has come to some interesting conclusions.

“They go toe-to-toe on Gumtree with an almost identical number of listings – around 1700 each – and are widely available in every ­province with a significant predominance of diesel over petrol, and white as the overwhelmingly favourite vehicle colour.

“In both cases, around 40% of listed vehicles have done over 100 000km, so longevity is clearly not a problem especially given that one Hilux owner recently turned over his one millionth kilometre.

“Even though their retail prices are very similar, we do notice that among pre-owned vehicles the Ford Ranger seems to be markedly cheaper. Obviously pre-owned prices are dependent on the quality and specs of the individual vehicle but, in the case of 2012 models as an example, the Ranger average sits closer to N$200k compared to around N$240k for the Hilux.

“Gumtree listers sing the praises of both vehicles with almost religious fervor, so they are clearly superbly engineered and deliver on their promises. My own take is that the Ford Ranger is marginally stronger in the interior comfort areas while the Toyota Hilux remains the king of workhorses.”

– Motorpress.co.za

Let's get it right

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Let's get it right The past few weeks I have dedicated myself to listening to local music. I have really listened to local music. The one thing I have noticed is the abundance of talented musicians in the land of the brave. The only sad thing is that most of these talented persons do not have the right kind of exposure. This exposure needs to be generated partly by artist managers and depending on the record deal, the record labels also are responsible for promoting the artist. A manager, especially in the entertainment industry, needs to have a sound knowledge of the industry and should have an ear for good music. You, as an artist manager, works on the publicity and the individual goals of your artist, sometimes you may have to work a little harder than your client.

Your client, who spends many hours coming up with ideas and concepts for their songs, do not get the fair share of the deal. Our artist managers in Namibia need to step up and make sure they work hard to ensure that artists are visible in their respective industries. This means that music videos shoots need to be planned, simple things like a documentary that explain the creative process that an artist went through to create albums and songs need to be prepared. There are so many ways that artists can be promoted and they should be explored.

This is a new year and if you represent an artist ask yourself: Do I have a vision board for my artist? How will I get people to talk about my artist for the next 11 months? What are some of the songs I want to promote for my artist and what songs deserve a music video?

If you have answers to all the questions you need to have an action plan and ensure that everything for your artist is implemented. We have seen so many artists drop out from music labels because of a lack of promotion and many other reasons. It is your responsibility as an artist manager to make sure that your artist gets noticed and has a great amount of presence in the industry they find themselves in.



June Shimuoshili



june@namibiansun.com

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Top five Namibian national songs announced

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Top five Namibian national songs announced141 songs entries received After a call on all Namibians to enter the national song competition last year, the top five finalists have been chosen. Five months ago on the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in partnership with Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture launched the search of a national song by Namibians for Namibians. The competition was aimed at encouraging Namibians to write and compose a song titled My Namibia, which can evoke feelings of patriotism and national pride. The competition ran for a period of one month and 141 song submissions were received.

A panel of independent judges was selected by the technical committee.

The terms of reference for the judges included that they shortlist five top songs. “I am happy to be launching these shortlisted five songs to the public so that the public can vote for the best song. Public vote will make up 50% while the judges will retain the other 50%,” said minister Tjekero Tweya this week.

All five shortlisted songs have been given unique short codes that are as follows song one MN1, song two MN2, song three MN3, song four MN4 and song five MN5 respectively. To vote, one simply sends the unique short code of their favourite song to 33033. The SMS cost N$3.

These songs will be played on NBC television and all its radio stations in order to reach out to all the citizens. The songs will play at the following times on NBC TV; Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays at 17:30 and Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays at 19:00. “It is therefore my honour to declare the shortlisted songs and voting line officially launched and may I ask this great nation to partake in the voting.

The public is urged to listen to each song before voting,” concluded Tweya.

The competition will close on 28 February.

June Shimuoshili

On Cleo Ice Queen's throne

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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On Cleo Ice Queen's throne We got to know about, and fell in love with Cleo Ice Queen on our screens on the season eight of Big Brother Africa - The Chase, where she came in second place to our Dillish Mathews.

Today, she is the most loved and hardworking hip hop artist in Zambia and southern Africa.

It's from that moment that she took advantage of the new fans from all over Africa and started working on her music career by releasing songs and featuring a variety of artists from Zambia, and Africa at large.

It is noticeable that through the years Cleo Ice Queen has grown her brand by being a jack of all trades from rapping to hosting TV shows, and doing ambassadorial work.

Cleo says the trick is in being willing to learn from those who know better and practising what they preach to you.

The year 2015 saw the multi-award winner Cleo release her first album titled Geminice that brought a refreshing sound that was new and original. The Ice Queen said she learned so much from her debut album and has not only grown but learned a lot which helped make her sophomore album even bigger and better. Cleo shared with tjil her sentiments on females in the rapping world and how she got where she is today.

Tjil (T): You recently released the video of your hit track Fever, how has the response been?

Cleo (C): It has been super amazing. I always aim to beat my last piece of work and from the feedback I have gotten so far I think I did just that! Thank to everyone for the love and support.

T: What can we expect from your second album in terms of tracks and features and what will be different about it from Geminice?

C: The second album will definitely be more mature and have more melody. The features will be epic so stay tuned for the big surprises. This one is for Africa.

T: Do you feel like being a female rapper is more accepted now?

C: Well, definitely yes and I'm honoured to be part of the pioneering team of female rappers in Africa. It has not been an easy journey but it is all worth it. Big ups to all female rappers, let's take the industry to levels never expected from us.

T: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?

C: That would be the fear of being myself. Overcoming this fear meant I could do really be free to do my work and to deliver.

T: What is the most common misconception about female rappers?

C: That our lines are written for us and that we are all trying to sell sex. This is not true. We work just as hard as the male rappers so we deserve the outmost respect as well. It is 2018 and it's about time we move away from such misconceptions. What men can do, women can do too, just better. So when you get an opportunity to show off your skills, do the most.

T: How was the Coke Studio experience for you and would you say we need more opportunities like that for African artists?

C: I would say it was one of the highlights of my career, an amazing opportunity and a wonderful milestone. We definitely need more opportunities like that for African artists to connect and make good sound and music.

T: You have just shot the music video of your song featuring Dillish, what do you think of the Namibian music industry and would you feature any other artist?

C: The song is actually Dillish's single featuring myself. Lol! It's an epic song and I'm super proud of my friend Dillish. The Namibian music industry is about to be taken by storm for sure.

T: What would be your number-one piece of advice to girls who just started writing rhymes, making beats or spinning records in their bedrooms?

C: Keep going my darlings!! Work hard. Stay passionate and determined and always put God first. It is not about the money because if that is your goal you will not make it far.

June Shimuoshili

The state of denial

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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The state of denial Finance minister Calle Schlettwein will be in the spotlight again this month, when he delivers his national budget statement, in which he is expected to persevere with his policy of fiscal consolidation, given the severe cash crunch prevailing in the country.

Treasury is clearly under pressure, and the onus is on government to revive and reinvigorate our weak and battered economy, amid massive fiscal deficits and excessive borrowing. The finance minister has repeatedly warned against wastage, and while we have seen deep cuts in key sectors such as education and healthcare, we are yet to see stringent cost-cutting measures at an executive level. Also, we are not yet convinced that government is holding officials accountable, who continue to waste scarce resources. This week the presidency, and rightly so, announced a foreign travel ban for ministers, their deputies and other public office-bearers, but only for the month of February. The decision - many would argue - is too little too late, but nevertheless it is better late than never. Our past financial recklessness has now well and truly caught up with us! How will we justify this to the generations that follow? It is incredible that for just shy of three years, this administration has done little to boost the economy, despite promising reforms. The political elite, particularly, have tried to play down suggestions that the country is financially crippled, despite unprecedented cuts and job freezes. As we speak, thousands of Namibian Defence Force members will be sent home this month, as there is simply no money to feed them. We have been borrowing at an alarming rate, as if there is no tomorrow, while spending recklessly on useless projects. The new administration also failed to review spending on major projects, in order to determine which ones are affordable for the next five years. It will surely take collective sacrifices to dig us out of this mess, and hence the nation needs an honest assessment of the true state of affairs. Treasury must be frank about the situation the country finds itself in. We can no longer live in a state of denial!

All protocol not observed!

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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All protocol not observed! Namibians are probably the only nation in the world that either do not know the real meaning of the phrase 'all protocol observed', or simply abuse the term intentionally. Seriously, one would swear they overuse the phrase - probably because the man who coined it was a sworn rival of theirs or something.

This is the only country in the world where our politicians, business people and whoever is in a position of power takes 20 years to make a speech – spending more than half that time on greetings.

A typical speech of a minister or anyone in that position would go something like “Your excellency, President of the Republic of Timbuktu, Dr Charlie Tjatindi, the right honourable Prime Minister of the republic, Honourable Tjeripo Tjeripo, Governor of the great banana region, honourable…you get the point?

But the cherry on top of the cake is when they conclude by '…all protocol observed….” Seriously? After all the effort you put in making sure you greet or acknowledge everyone by name and status, you are now just going to throw these VIPs with the rest of them all?

Ja, that is the status quo of Namibian political event. It does not matter whether the occasion is the welcoming of a visiting Head of State, or a simple prize-giving ceremony of a kindergarten – the programme remains the same.

Of coure, all of this is preceded by my favourite part of the programme – the singing of the Namibian and AU anthems. Oh what a disaster!

To start off with, Namibians can simply not sing without that magic CD containing a recording of the one or the other choir singing the two anthems.

After the master of ceremonies announces that the singing of the anthems is the next item on the list, everyone will be standing to attention and patiently wait on the technician to play the tune so they can follow.

I am not making fun of the national anthem or anything like that – trust me, I know just how sensitive and emotional our national anthem words are for some of us.

As for the AU anthem, only a few of us know the exact words of the anthem. For many of us it is like singing Brenda Fassie's Xhosa songs in Otjiherero.

Ja, Tjeripo used to do that when we were young. Every time he returned from the big city, he would steal one of his father's cassettes of Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka or some 'funny' music I later learned to be that of 'Bad Company'.

So when he plays a Brenda cassette, you could swear Brenda did the songs in Otjiherero. Tjeripo would stand proud in front of us and sing 'Mitoto to tola losi' at his loudest. Whether those were indeed the words of the song, we never knew.

Trust me, if one person was to step on the cable connecting the amplifier to the CD tray playing the anthems, you would hear each one going in his own direction on the words of the anthems!

I could swear I once heard someone going '…cats and dogs are animals…' in the second stanza of the AU anthem after the CD got stuck!

The toughest job at any formal occasion is undoubtedly that of the person who is tasked with doing the 'vote of thanks'. I always look at such people with sympathy, I mean there is not really much they can say.

If there have been welcoming remarks, introduction of the key speaker, and keynote address; what else is there to say? I would watch in awe as the speaker waffles from one topic to the next, not knowing exactly what to say.

Dear friends, there is nothing as embarrassing as not knowing the words to the national anthem. Consult your eight-year old daughter and allow her to teach you the correct words to the anthem – it will do you good.

If we could sing 'Alert Namibia' word by word and get it right, there is simply no reason why we cannot sing our own national anthem. Does not matter who claims to have composed the anthem – all that matters is that you know the correct words, period.

So, in the interest of all my devoted readers of this column, let me thank you for your devotion and all protocol observed!

Until then…

tjatindi@gmail.com

Namibia a ‘flawed democracy’

February 1, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Namibia a ‘flawed democracy’ Namibia has for the third consecutive year been labelled as a ‘flawed democracy’ by a global report that ranks countries by how functional their political systems are.

Namibia ranked 71st out of the 167 countries that are assessed annually by British research company, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

It released its 2017 Democracy Index this week, in which it says that less than 5% of the world's population lives in a ‘full democracy’.

The index ranks countries on a scale of 0 to 10 and only countries with scores above eight are categorised as ‘full democracies’.

With an overall score of 6.31 out of 10, Namibia retained its status as one of 57 ‘flawed democracies’ and was rated on par with Hong Kong and Paraguay.

Namibia has shown no improvement in its average score since 2015.

In 2006, Namibia scored 6.54, but since then the country’s score has gradually decreased, until 2014 when it received its lowest score of 6.24.

The Democracy Index rates countries in five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation and political culture.

The report indicates that Namibia received its lowest points in the category of a functional government (5.36), political culture (5.63) and for its electoral process and pluralism (5.67).

The country, however, scored better in political participation (5.63) and civil liberties (8.24).

The main theme of this year’s report was the state of media freedom and the challenges facing freedom of speech around the world.

“Media freedom around the world has fallen to its lowest level since we began producing the Democracy Index in 2006, and restrictions on freedom of speech have become commonplace even in developed democracies,” EIU said.

According to the research, Namibia has a partially free media, and was ranked 31st out of 167 countries.

Regionally, Namibia ranked seventh for its democracy.

Mauritius (ranked 16th globally) came in first regionally, followed by Cape Verde (23), Botswana (28), South Africa (41), Ghana (52) and Lesotho (56).

Globally no region has recorded an improvement in its average score, compared to 2016.

The list of flawed democracies also includes Singapore (ranked 69th), Taiwan (33), South Korea (20), Japan (23), France (29) and the United States and Italy, which tied at number 21.

‘Hybrid regimes’ – scoring greater than four and less than or equal to six – include Thailand (107) and Bangladesh (92).

‘Authoritarian regimes’ – with scores less than or equal to four – include North Korea (167), China (139), Russia (135), Cambodia (123) and Myanmar (120).

Norway is ranked as the best democracy, followed by Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand and Denmark in the top five.

Chad, Syria and North Korea were ranked as the world’s worst democracies.

ELLANIE SMIT