State must own the land

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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State must own the landMalema speaks on his expropriation motion The South African Parliament has passed the EFF's motion on the expropriation of land without compensation. “No one is going to lose his or her house. No one is going to lose his or her flat. No one is going to lose his or her factory or industry.”

These were the words of EFF leader Julius Malema on the steps of the National Assembly, shortly after the House adopted his motion, which opens the way for the Constitution to be amended to allow land expropriation without compensation.

The motion was passed with the support of the ANC, IFP, NFP, UDM, Agang, AIC and APC.

This means that Parliament's Constitutional Review Committee, which comprises members from both Houses of Parliament, will have to report back to the National Assembly by August 30 and its process will include public hearings.

“There is no motion there saying expropriation of rural land. We're saying expropriation of land without compensation. So the question of urban or rural doesn't arise,” said Malema.

“Every land in South Africa should be expropriated without compensation and it will be under the state. The state should be the custodian of the land,” he explained.

“No one is going to lose his or her house, no one is going to lose his or her flat, no one is going to lose his or her factory or industry. All [that] we are saying is they will not have the ownership of the land,” he said.

“They will have a lease, depending on what the arrangement is, particularly as it relates to the outcome of the Constitutional review process.

“You'll see, once we find land is owned by the state, we're going to find a lot of idle land which is not being used for any purpose. And that land should then immediately be made available to be used, particularly by the previously disadvantaged people.”



The EFF is not 'going to war'

He said the EFF is not “going to war”, but is “using the instruments and the institutions of democracy to achieve the founding principles of the liberation in South Africa”.

The DA, which governs in three metro's with the EFF's support, did not support the motion.

Malema issued a “warning shot” to the DA.

He said on 6 April, the day on which Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape in 1652 and the day of Solomon Mahlangu's death, they will support a motion of no confidence in the mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality Athol Trollip.

“It will depend what is the attitude of the DA when the committee starts, because PE is the attitude in the chamber now and then in the committee, if their attitude continues, Jo'burg will follow, in the committee, if the attitude continues, Tshwane will follow,” Malema warned.



An ANC mayor with integrity

He said they will support an ANC mayor with integrity and mentioned former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas.

According to Malema, Trollip was a “victim of the attitude of his own party”.

The DA released a statement on Tuesday evening, explaining that it was “completely committed to redressing the history of violent land dispossession” and recognised the unjust legacy left behind.

“We view land reform as a social justice imperative which all South Africans must rally around,” DA land Reform spokesperson and MP Thandeka Mbabama said.

She said the DA did not support the motion because it preferred a model which saw emerging black farmers as dynamic business people and entrepreneurs who were entrusted with full title and ownership of the land.

“The current approach by the ANC government sees the state as 'benevolent' custodians of all land, with individual black farmers denied the opportunity to really own land. This, we argue, is not real land reform. This is permanent tenancy and dependency,” Mbabama said.

“Expropriation without compensation would severely undermine the national economy, only hurting poor black people even further. We therefore cannot support such an approach.”

The ANC caucus in Parliament and its women's league welcomed the passing of the motion.



Transforming economy

“The ANC in Parliament appreciates the need to take bold steps that will transform our economy including land ownership and reform.

“This resolution therefore heralded a new era of intensified land distribution to address the long-standing national grievance of African people around land dispossession,” read a statement from the office of the ANC chief whip.

“We look forward to the outcome of the Constitutional Review processes on the modalities of expropriation of land without compensation. As the ANC in Parliament, we will closely monitor this process.”

The ANC Women's League said it was excited, “irrespective of which political party tabled the motion, for the benefit of the landless masses who were displaced by the unjust laws of colonialism and apartheid”.

NEWS24

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Ya Nangoloh nAsino taya futithwa N$500 000

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Ya Nangoloh nAsino taya futithwa N$500 000 Iilyo iyali yOndonga King’s Commission itayi futitha omuhwahwameki guuthemba womuntu, Phil Ya Nangoloh naJoseph Asino.

Phil Ya Nangoloh oshowo Amushanga gwOndonga Traditional Authority, Joseph Simaneka Asino otaya futithwa oshimaliwa sha thika pooN$250 000 kehe gumwe omolwa omapopyo gawo ya ningi koFacebook oshowo miilyo yiikundnaeki.

Mboka otaya futithwa kuWerner Simaneka Kaniita na Ananias Natangwe Iiyambo, mboka ayehe ye li iilyo yOndonga King’s Commission.

Kaniita na Iiyambo oya popi kutya omadhina gawo oga nyetekwa okupitila miinyolwa mboka ya ningwa miikundaneki yokointernet na oya uvikako kaaleshi kutya otayi hwahwameke uukwamuhoko.

Mboka oya tsikile kutya Ya Nangoloh na Asino oya popi miilyolwa yawo mbyoka ya shanga kutya yo oye li ompinge naakwashigwana yomuhoko gwaaKwanyama, okutumbulapo owala yimwe po mbyoka tayi adhika momusholondondo gwomanyenyeto ngoka ga pewa ompangu okuza koonakutula mo iipotha.



Otaya pula iifuta yoN$250 000 kwa gwedhwa iishoshela, yoopresenda 20 komvula, tayi tulwa miilonga okuza mesiku taku ningwa etokolo lyahugunina moshipotha shoka.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Kwa ningwa etokolo metungo lyoshipangelo monooli

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Kwa ningwa etokolo metungo lyoshipangelo monooliOshipangelo shoka otashi ka tungwa mondoolopa yaNdangwa Omupresidende Hage Geingob okwa hololwa a gandja uusama kominista yUundjolowele, Bernhard Haufiku omolwa omukalo ngoka a ungaunga noompangela dhokutunga oshipangelo. Geingob okwa shangele Haufiku omukanda momasiku 9 gaFebruali nuumvo, omasiku owala gaali sho oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, sha pititha oshinyolwa moka Haufiku a popi kutya otayi metalelepo moonoli opo ya ka konaakone omahala ngoka ga gandjwa opo ku vule okutungwa oshipangelo shoka.

Geingob okwa pula kutya omolwashike Haufiku a hala oku ka tala omahala ngoka omanga kwa ningwa nale etokolo kokabinete kutya oshipangelo shoka otashi tungwa mOndangwa.

Okomitye tayi ithanwa Cabinet Committee on Overall Policy and Priorities (CCOPP) oya ningi nale etokolo opo oshipangeo shoka shi tungwe mondoolopa yaNdangwa.

Omwedhi gwa piti, Haufiku okwa shangele omukanda ngoloneya gwaShana, Clemens Kashuupulwa, te mu hiya pamwe nomalelo gondoolopa yaNdangwa oshowo Ongwediva, opo ye mu wayimine metalelepo ndyoka ta ningi momasiku 22 no 23 gaFebruali.

Omahala ngoka inaga talelwa po nonando Haufiku okwa li monooli onguloshi yOlyomakaya opo a kale pomutumba gwoNamibian Surgical Society, ngoka gwa ningilwa mOndangwa.

Okwa popi kutya okuuva nayi sho oshikumungu shoka sha ningwa po opolotika na oku na einekelo kutya otaku ka adhika mbala ekandulepo lyuupyapadhi moshikumungu shoka.

Metine nEtitano lya piti, Haufiku okwa li kwa tegelewa a ka kwatele komeho osheendo shaanambelewa mboka taya ka konaakona omahala ngoka ga tothwa mo kutya opo taku ka tungwa oshipangelo shoka.

Omahala ngoka taga ka konaakonwa andola ogeli mondoolopa yaNdangwa naNgwediva.

Nonando ongaaka Haufiku okwa kalele etalelepo ndyoka konima sho a nongele kutya okwa ningwa omutumba nokomitiye ndjoka ya kwatelwa komeho kuGeingob, kombinga yoshikumungu shoshipangelo shoka naHaufiku ka li a hiwa opo a ka kuthe ombinga momutumba ngoka.

Sha landula omutumba ngoka a ningi nomalelo guundjolowele oshowo omalelo gopolitika miitopolwa ngaashi Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati nOshikoto okwa tokolwa opo oshipangelo shina oombete dhi li pe 1 000 shi tungwe mondoolopa yaNdangwa nenge mOngwediva.

Momasiku 30 gaJuni omvula ya piti, Haufiku okwa pula elelo lyaNdangwa naNgwediva opo ga hogolole omahala mpoka tapu vulu okutungwa oshipangelo shoka.

Mayola gwaNdangwa, Ismael Namgongo, sho a ningwa omapulo, okwa kolele kutya okwa yakula omukanda okuza komutse gwoshilongo, ngoka tagu mu tseyithile kutya okwa tokolwa opo oshipangelo shoka shi tungwe mOndangwa.

Mayola okwa popi kutya uuyuuki owa longwa mpoka, molwaashoka okwa longithwa nale iimaliwa oyindji mokuhogolola ehala ndyoka tali tungwa oshipangelo.

Omunashipundi gwelelo lyaShana, Gerson Kapenda, okwa popi kutya inaya tseyithilwa kombinga yetokolo lyahugunina moshikumungu shoka. Mayola gwaNgwediva, Angelina Angula naye okwa popi kutya inaya tseyithilwa.

ILENI NANJDATO

Haufiku okwa hala iimaliwa yoshipangelo shaKahao

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Haufiku okwa hala iimaliwa yoshipangelo shaKahao Ominista yUundjolowele nOnkalonawa, otayi ningi oompangela dhokulikola iimaliwa yoomiliyona 16 dhomoomiliyona 17 ndhoka, dha futwa ehangano lyomatungo lyoProperty Decorative Developer opo ku wapaleke oshipangelo shaKahao.

Opoloyeka ndjoka inayi manithwa sho omutungi a thigi po iilonga oomvula heyali dha piti, pwaahena omatompelo gasha, naHaufiku okwa popi kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oya futwa ehangano ndyoka, omanga inali tameka niilonga.

Mo2015, omukomeho guunamiti moshipangelo shoka, Dr Mary Nandjebo okwa popi kutya konyala oomiliyona 17 osha futwa nale ehangano lyoProperty Decorative Developer. Haufiku okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oya futwa ehangano ndyoka omanga iilonga inayi tameka niilonga mbyoka ya longwa kayi shi yongushu yoomiliyona 17, onkene otaya ka pula ko oomiliyona 16.



Haufiku okwa popi kutya emanitho lyiilonga yoshipangelo shoka, otali pangelwa li ningwe mo 2018/2019 ihe uuministeli owu na tango okukala wa likola iimaliwa mbyoka ya futwa omutungi ngoka ina mana iilonga.

Haufiku okwa popi kutya uuministeli wiilonga owa kala tawu kondolola etungo lyopoloyeka ndjoka, na ke shi kutya osha ende ngini, opo omutungi a futwe omanga ina tameka iilonga. Okwa lopotwa mo 2012 kutya uuministeli owa kutha ko iilonga mbyoka kehangano lyomatungo lyoProperty Decorative Developer na okwa ulikwa omutungi omupe.

Opoloyeka yetungo lyoshipangelo shoka oya kwatela mo iinima ngaashi ondunda yomiti, omathano, oklinika yomayego, olabora, oklinika yomeho oshowo iinima yilwe.

Aayakulwa mboka taya pumbwa omathano moshipangelo shoka ngashiingeyi ohaya ukithwa koshipangelo shaIndira Ghandi Clinic shoka shili oshinano shokilometa 13 okuza moKahao, omanga omayakulo galwe aantu haya tumwa moshipangelo shaShakati shoka shi li oshinano shookilometa 75.

ILENI NANDJATO

Uuministeli tawu gandja ekwatho kaakiintu

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Uuministeli tawu gandja ekwatho kaakiintu Uuministeli wuuthikepamwe nonkalonawa yaanona, otawu pula aakiintu mboka yeli momategelelwa opo ya ka konge omakwatho kuuministeli mboka, pehala lyokweekelahi uunona nokutula oomwenyo dhuunona moshiponga.

Uuministeli owa popi kutya okupititha mOmpango yEgameno lyAanona otawu ka hwahwameka iipotha yaakiintu mboka taya ekelehi uunona wawo.

Owa popi kutya otawu hwahwameke opo aakiintu mboka ye wete kutya itaya vulu okusila oshisho aanona wawo, opo ya konge omakwatho okuza kuuministeli opo uunona mboka wu tulwe megameno.

Uuministeli otawu pula woo oshigwana shaNamibia, mwakwatelwa oongeleka naaleli yopamuthigululwakalo opo ya kwashilipeleke kutya aakiintu oya mona omakwatho pethimbo yeli momategelelo, opo ku yandwe omukundu ngoka gwa taalela oshigwana.

Oomvula ndhika Namibia, okwa kala noshiponga shaakiintu taya ekelehi uunona, moka miipotha yilwe uunona wa si.

Uuministeli otawu kondema iipotha moka aakiintu haya thigi po uunona wawo konima yepulumutho, na owa popi kutya otawu hwahwameke opo aakiintu mboka ya vule okukala taya thigi uunona wawo momahala ga gamenwa pehala lyoku ekelahi uunona konima yepulumutho.

Uuministeli otawu pula woo aakiintu ya kakonge omakwatho kuuministeli nokuholola ngele itaya vulu okusila oshisho uunona mboka.

Uuministeli natango melongelokumwe noshikondo shuundjolowele, otawu pula aakiintu mboka itaya vulu okusila oshisho uunona opo ya holole onkalo ndjoka yo taya yambidhidhwa ya pulumuthe megameno nokonima yepulumutho okanona taka kongelwa aasilishisho.

Pakuninga ngaaka, uunona oshowo oonakuvala otaya gamenwa.

Olopota oya tsikile kutya miipotha moka okanona ka ekelwahi kuyina, uuministeli wuundjolowele otawu ka kwasshilipaleka uundjolowele wokanona. Otaku patululwa oshipotha nopolisi oshowo okanona otaka kongelwa ehala lyagamenwa lyokukala.

Opolisi otayi ka katuka oonkatu okukonga yina yokanona.

Ngele yina yokanona ina monika, nenge okwa monika ihe okuli monkalo ita vulu okusila oshisho okanona hoka, nena otaku tamekithwa omulandu opo okanona hoka ka kongelwe aasilishisho yalwe. Ombaapila ndjoka ya nyanyangithwa koLegal Assistance Centre (LAC), oya popi kutya aakiintu yamwe ohaya thiminikwa konkalo yegandjo lyuusama okuza kaakwanezimo noshigwana, sho ya ningi omategelelo omanga inaya hokanwa, oshowo onkalo yaahena eyambidhidho okuza kaavali.

Omategelelo inaga pangelwa oshowo uutile wokuthiga po ooskola niinima yilwe, natango ohashi e ta onkalo ndjoka.

Shimwe natango ompango yekuthemo lyomategelelo ga gamenwa ndjoka kayi li miilonga moshilongo, nominista yuundjolowele oya li ya pula etameko lyoonkundathana kombinga yompango ndjoka.

Minista okwa a li a popi ngaaka a tala komwaalu omunene gwiipotha yekuthemo lyomategelelo, ngoka gwa lopotwa moshigwana.

JANA-MARI SMITH

VW announces T-Roc cabriolet

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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VW announces T-Roc cabriolet There's a green light for a new ­cabriolet based on the T-Roc: within the framework of its major model offensive, the Volkswagen brand is launching its first convertible SUV.

The new model is to be produced from the first half of 2020. At its meeting held earlier this week, the Volkswagen Group Supervisory Board confirmed the investment of more than €80 million in the Osnabrück plant which is required for this purpose. With this decision, the brand will be continuing the cabriolet success story of the Osnabrück team and safeguarding employment at the plant.

Dr Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, says: “Volkswagen is evolving into an SUV brand. The T-Roc is already setting new standards in the compact SUV segment. With the cabriolet based on the T-Roc, we will be adding a highly emotional model to the range. I am especially pleased to note that we can count on the Osnabrück team's decades of experience with convertibles. The Osnabrück plant now has bright prospects for the future.”



Tiguan a global success

SUVs are currently making a key contribution to the growth of the Volkswagen Group's core brand. With 720 000 Tiguan vehicles delivered, this car is among the 10 best-selling models in the world and the top three SUVs. By 2020, the brand intends to expand its SUV range throughout the world to 20 models. By then, about 40% of the vehicles sold by Volkswagen are to be SUVs. With the new cabriolet based on the T-Roc, Volkswagen will further reinforce its presence in the compact SUV segment, one of the fastest growing segments in global automobile markets.

The investment of more than €80 million in the production of the new cabriolet will allow the comprehensive modernisation of production technology, assembly and logistics at the Osnabrück plant. Following the run-up phase, a production volume of up to 20 000 vehicles per year is planned.

With the new cabriolet based on the T-Roc, Volkswagen is bringing this body style into the currently particularly strong growing SUV segment. This model continues Volkswagen's cabriolet tradition, which dates back almost 70 years. The original version of the T-Roc was successfully launched in European markets at the end of 2017. To date, more than 40 000 orders have been taken for the model.

– Motorpress

World debut for new Toyota Aygo

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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World debut for new Toyota Aygo The new Toyota Aygo makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 6 March. Changes to the successful city car strengthen its stand-out character in a highly competitive market segment, both in terms of a youthful and distinctive design and improved performance and handling for a fun-to-drive experience.

The current Aygo has been a notable success for Toyota since its launch in 2014 (2015 on the local front), becoming an instantly recognisable model with its trademark frontal “X” design and expressive variants.

The frontal “X” on the new Aygo has been transformed from a two-dimensional graphic into a more powerful, three-dimensional architectural element. The distinctive new look includes redesigned headlight units with integral daytime running lights, giving the car an even more striking appearance. The lower section of the X frames the front grille, communicating a stable stance and agile performance.

When viewed in profile, there is a strong visual connection between the front and rear of the car thanks to the more pronounced frontal form and the introduction of new outer lenses for the tail lamp clusters, generating a sense of forward movement.

New colours and new wheel designs – each dedicated to a specific model grade – will be available.

In the cabin, the instrument cluster has been upgraded with graphics that have a more three-dimensional look and a new illumination colour. Most grades have new seat fabrics and a more premium colour scheme in Quartz Grey and Piano Black has been introduced (local colours and trim still to be confirmed).

Performance and driving dynamics have been improved for more agile performance around town, while maintaining Aygo's class-leading fuel economy. Measures have also been taken to achieve a marked reduction in noise and vibration levels experienced in the cabin.

Toyota's award-winning 998cc three-cylinder, 12-valve DOHC engine now meets Euro 6.2 emissions standards. Revisions have achieved an ideal balance of power and fuel efficiency, with better torque delivery at lower engine speed, giving an even better driving experience in urban traffic.

The changes include a new dual fuel injector system, a higher compression ratio, new low-friction components, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system and an improved balancer shaft for less vibration at idling speed.

Outputs are slightly higher at 53kW (+2kW) at 6 000rpm, with 93Nm of torque at 4 400rpm. Acceleration from rest to 100 km/h can be accomplished in 13.8 seconds, and top speed is 160 km/h.

Finally, sealing and sound absorption materials have been added to the dashboard, front pillars, doors and rear deck, bringing a marked reduction in noise and vibration in the cabin, at all engine speeds. Aygo model grades and equipment features for the local market will be announced nearer the car's on-sale date later this year.

– Words and image Motorpress.co.za

Nissan and DeNA start ­robo-vehicle service trial

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Nissan and DeNA start ­robo-vehicle service trial Nissan Motor Co. and DeNA Co. will begin a field test of Easy Ride – the robo-vehicle mobility service being developed by both companies, on 5 March.

Easy Ride is envisioned as a mobility service for anyone who wants to travel freely to their destination of choice in a robo-vehicle. During the field test in the Minatomirai district of Yokohama in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture, the participants will be able to travel in vehicles equipped with autonomous driving technology along a set route. The route spans about 4.5km between Nissan's global headquarters and the Yokohama World Porters shopping centre.

For efficient fleet operation and customers' peace of mind, Nissan and DeNA have set up a remote monitoring centre that uses the two companies' advanced technologies.

Nissan and DeNA will also test Easy Ride's unique service functions. Using a dedicated mobile app, passengers can input what they want to do via text or voice and choose from a list of recommended destinations. An in-car tablet screen will show selections of nearly 500 recommended places of interest and events in the vicinity. Additionally, about 40 discount coupons for retailers and restaurants in the area are available for download on the participants' own smartphones.

Participants will be asked to complete a survey about their overall user ­experience, usage of content and coupons from local retailers and restaurants, and preferred pricing for the Easy Ride service. Nissan and DeNA will use the survey results as they continue to develop the offering, and for future field tests.

The field test will enable Nissan and DeNA to learn from the experience of operating the Easy Ride service trial with public participation, as both companies look toward future commercial endeavours. Nissan and DeNA will also work to develop service designs for driverless environments, expanded service routes, vehicle distribution logic, pick-up/drop-off processes and multilingual support. The companies aim to launch Easy Ride in a limited environment at first, and then introduce a full service in the early 2020s.

With customers able to discover new local destinations, the companies expect Easy Ride will also help energise cities and neighbourhoods.

– Words and image Motorpress.co.za

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Food for thought

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Food for thought In the midst of a crippling economic crisis, which is forcing breadwinners across the national spectrum to dig deep to feed their families, comes the news that a basic basket of food items costs - on average - 18% more in the northern parts of the country.

The First Capital Food Price Index, which compared prices for the past two years, found further that the same basket of food for which a Namibian - on average - pays N$1 174.90 could cost a person 9% less in Botswana and 14% less in South Africa.

While we are cognisant of the fact that transport costs play a role in why the northern regions, compared to the rest of the country, and furthermore why Namibia, compared to its two neighbours, pay more for a basic basket of groceries, it is also an indictment on our continued dependence on imports.

For example, the index mentions that fruit and vegetable prices continue to rise because Namibia imports most of these products. Shockingly, the country only produces 25% of the potatoes consumed by citizens.

With our green schemes in operation for years, it becomes a point of concern when we are dependent and exposed to external shocks when it comes to the most basic of food items.

It was, however, heartening this week to report on a call from the Agro-Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA) for private sector entities to take up spaces at its national fresh produce hubs, in order to push value addition.

This will be key to Namibia raising the necessary expertise and capital to not only feed itself, but also export these value-added products and earn foreign revenue.

The issue of value addition, which takes our raw produce and raw materials - in the case of the mining industry - to create items that can earn vast revenues overseas, is a sore point for most Namibians.

We cannot still be grappling with this basic concept nearly 28 years after freedom.

And we certainly cannot remain a nation that continues to be reliant on others to feed our people, while punishing citizens' pockets for an inability to build a horticulture industry that does not require imports.

Our people have suffered enough.

Shot of the day

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day GLITTERING FINISH: Dancers perform during the closing ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Pyeongchang Stadium on 25 February. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Swakop gets NAMAs again

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Swakop gets NAMAs again The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMA) committee announced their host town for the eighth edition of the glamorous event.

The coastal town of Swakopmund appears to have become the one-stop destination for the country's only musical awards as once again it will host the NAMAs this year. The announcement was jointly made by NAMAs executive members Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, Tim Ekandjo and the mayor of Swakopmund, Paulina Nashilundo.

The mayor expressed her gratitude saying since the event took place for the first time in Swakopmund in 2014, close to 7 000 people visited her town to watch the NAMAs. This created a positive financial injection, she said.

“This means that the visitors will bring much-needed capital into our local economy, as they will be staying in our accommodation facilities, dine at our restaurants or engage in tourism and leisure activities, spending their hard-earned money on improving our economy,” she said.

She added that the event is remarkable considering that the organisers, as part of their own spending, will contribute close to N$1 million to the economy of Swakopmund by making use of various service providers.

Ekandjo explained that Swakopmund ticked all the boxes in terms of their requirements and they are looking forward to working in the town once again for the prestigious event.

“Many town councils do not realise that hosting the NAMAs in their towns is a great business investment. We are looking forward to joining forces with such a progressive and forward-looking leadership that understands the impact of such events on their communities and more importantly, that it takes sacrifice to make it happen,” he said.

The NAMAs will take place at the Swakopmund Dome on 28 April 2018. The Dome is known as the new business, entertainment and sports hub of Namibia, attracting a growing number of business travellers, sports teams, tourists and holiday makers. The glitzy and glamorous event was also hosted at the Dome in 2016 and 2017.

June Shimuoshili

Gobabis leads way in upgrading informal settlement

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Gobabis leads way in upgrading informal settlement The Gobabis municipality, in partnership with the Shack Dwellers' Federation of Namibia and the Namibia Housing Action Group, has managed to turn the Freedom Square informal settlement in the town into an organised, semi-formal settlement.

The municipality, through regular consultations with residents of the informal settlement, and other stakeholders, crafted a plan which mapped out how the area should look like.

The project started in 2013 and has been receiving technical support from students of the Namibia University of Science and Technology's town and regional planning department.

The intention of the project is to eventually see the informal settlement formalised, with all the relevant services and amenities present.

Amenities such as communal water taps, community gardens and crèches were identified as necessities by the residents.

The previously haphazardly constructed shacks have been aligned in straight rows, making way for streets and other future amenities.

Overall, about 700 informal erven have been made available to people in the informal settlement during the first stage of the project.

The intention, according to the municipality's public relations officer, Frederick Ueitele, is to have these erven serviced during the later stages of the project.

“The process has been going very well and we are proud to have worked so well with the residents.

It is an ongoing process and we hope that with the availability of funds, all intended services will be made available in the area,” he said.

Andreas Cloete, a resident of the informal settlement told this news agency the changes to the area have helped bring about order and a sense of organisation.

“Previously one would have shacks scrambled together, which made it hard to make your way around them but now we are in a setting that almost depicts a formal residential area,” he said.

Another resident, Fransina Garoes is of the opinion that the programme has made the informal settlement more hygienic.

“We are happy to be living in an environment that is cleaner now. We now await the provision of potable water to each of our erven,” said Garoes.

The project forms part of the Spanish Embassy's Community Land Information Programme, which encourages community members to be part of efforts pertaining to the planning of town land.

NAMPA

Ekandjo, Iivula-Ithana redeployed in parliament

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Ekandjo, Iivula-Ithana redeployed in parliament Former cabinet ministers Jerry Ekandjo and Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana have each been designated to serve in different parliamentary committees and international organs.

Making the announcement in the National Assembly on Tuesday, National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi said Ekandjo would serve on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Iivula-Ithana's latest assignment includes serving on the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs as well as the IPU.

Efforts to get comment from Ekandjo and Iivula-Ithana on their new assignments were fruitless as their mobile phones went unanswered on Tuesday.

The two were recently sacked from their ministerial positions by President Hage Geingob.

Additionally, Eunice Ipinge – who recently replaced former parliamentarian Petrina Haingura – will serve on four committees.

These are the committees on Human Resources and Community Development, Economics and Public Administration, Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs and the Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF).

Parliamentarian Elifas Dingara – who replaced new Vice President Nangolo Mbumba – will now serve on the committees on Human Resources and Community Development, Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Economics and Public Administration and on Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA).

Levi Katoma and Emilia Nuyoma-Amupewa will also serve on the IPU.

IPU is a global organisation of national parliaments that works “to safeguard peace and drive positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action”.

NAMPA

Trafficking… it's everywhere

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Trafficking… it's everywhereFew industries globally are immune A Polaris report looking into the incidence of human trafficking in the United States has found that the crime is omnipresent. At least 25 distinct types of human trafficking were identified in the United States in a ground-breaking report published in 2017. “One of the primary challenges to ending modern slavery has been the lack of data to understand the problem,” Bradley Myles the CEO of Polaris said when their report was published. Last year, Namibia was again identified as one of the nations that is failing to effectively combat human trafficking in the 2017 US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP). The report noted that Namibia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but has taken significant steps to do so. In 2008, the TIP report designated Namibia as a 'special case', because of a lack of “reliable information on the country's trafficking circumstances”.

The report noted that “the existence of a significant human trafficking problem is suspected, even though the scope and magnitude remain unsubstantiated by sufficient reliable reporting.”

A baselines assessment by the gender and child welfare ministry from 2009, noted that only a small number of cases of human trafficking were identified in Namibia at the time. “However, it is possible that there might be more cases,” the report acknowledged. The report found that a global problem in tackling trafficking, namely the “conflation of terminology and understanding of trafficking, smuggling and illegal migration” was to blame for data scarcity. Moreover, that “one of the major difficulties in assessing potential trafficking cases is the lack of definitional clarity about trafficking on the part of both lay- and professional personnel.”

While several investigations were launched over the past eight years, and a handful of reports on trafficking published, recent data remains slim and information on whether suggested interventions and recommendations to tackle the issue have been effective, scarce. Nevertheless, a number of government workshops have taken place in the past three years, to equip officials to better understand the issue of trafficking, and several cases of human trafficking are on the court rolls.

And in 2017, a Trafficking in Persons Bill was tabled.

Still, general awareness and concrete data on types of trafficking and the mechanisms behind them is lacking in Namibia.



Data, data, data

The Polaris report highlighted the critical need for an in-depth understanding of the different types of trafficking occurring in a country.

“From sex trafficking within escort services, to labour trafficking of farmworkers, the ways humans are exploited differ greatly. Each type has unique strategies for recruiting and controlling victims, and concealing the crime,” the 'The Typology of Modern Slavery' stated. Polaris researchers analysed more than 32 000 cases of human trafficking documented between December 2007 and December 2016 in the United States through its national hotline and text services.

A lack of data has slowed down progress on combatting traffickers, the report warned.

Without concrete data, anti-trafficking campaigners work “at an incomplete chess game, moving pieces without seeing hidden squares or fully understanding the power relationships between players.” The report's goal was to bring the way in which traffickers operate and who the vulnerable are, into sharp focus.

The classification system created through the research, subsequently found that the 25 types of human trafficking each have its own business model, trafficker profiles, recruitment strategies, victim profiles and methods of control that allow the exploitation of people to take place.

It is hoped the research will give anti-trafficking campaigners a better understanding of the vulnerability of these networks and how to disrupt them.

“Polaris' data-driven Typology segments the market of human trafficking beyond the existing categories of sex trafficking and labour trafficking, revealing the dozens of manifestations of how traffickers control and exploit others for profit.” The data also highlighted a common problem of awareness. “Only 16% of the cases identified on these hotlines involved labour trafficking,” but Polaris “strongly believes” that labour trafficking cases in the US, and globally, are chronically underreported due to a lack of awareness and recognition of the significant vulnerability of workers.



Puzzle pieces

Trafficking categories identified by Polaris include traveling sales crews, involving mostly young, vulnerable persons, who move between cities and go door-to-door, often selling fraudulent products such as magazine subscriptions that customers may never receive.

Another type of trafficking involves criminal syndicates who force victims into criminal activities, including selling or smuggling drugs or other contraband.

This type of “labour trafficking within illicit activities can occur in tandem with sex trafficking business model,” the research indicated. Cooks and other restaurant or food industry employers, including waiters, are also vulnerable to traffickers, who “often taking advantage of language barriers between exploited workers and patrons to help avoid detection”. Trafficking victims can include peddlers and beggars, who are forced to trudge the streets during all hours of the day. This type of trafficking is “is a well-known type of labour trafficking globally,” the report noted.

Often, traffickers force young children to “sell candy or baked goods, or solicit donations on streets or in shopping centres”.

Labour trafficking has further identified in landscaping, construction, forestry and logging, agriculture and animal husbandry industries. Carnivals, the arts and entertainment industry, hotels and hospitality industries and commercial cleaning services, have all reported forced labour trafficking. Human trafficking was detected at recreational facilities, including amusement parks, summer camps, golf courses, and community swimming pools. Lifeguards, camp counsellors, ride attendants, and food vendors, have involved trafficking cases in the United States, the Polaris report found. Healthcare was frequently linked to labour trafficking cases. “Labour trafficking victims in the healthcare industry are primarily found in nursing homes and as home health aides”.

The findings also report in depth on trafficking in the sex and pornographic industries, and the wide variety of exploitation taking place there.

Polaris stated in the report that “cases of modern slavery are diverse and involve complex situations, and many cases lacked sufficient detail to be easily classified.”

Polaris believes that maximising understanding of human trafficking types “we can begin to develop strategic campaigns to spur systematic action, unite disparate efforts, allocate limited resources, and facilitate effective interventions to combat the crime”.

Further, policy loopholes can be closed and countries or communities can adopt better safeguards to reduce the risk of trafficking. “Smart, targeted interventions can be coordinated and directed at specific types of trafficking, reducing the chance that human trafficking continues to be a low-risk, high-profit crime.”

*Namibian Sun journalist Jana-Mari Smith was in the United States on invitation by the US Department of State's Foreign Press Centre. She joined 19 other journalists from around the world to take part in an international reporting tour to create awareness and gain insight into combating human trafficking through prevention, protection and prosecution.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Bid to halt SME liquidators stalls

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Bid to halt SME liquidators stallsLiquidators seek N$500K in security A bid by two Zimbabwean shareholders in the defunct SME Bank to halt legal action by the liquidators has come to a grinding halt. The liquidators in the SME Bank saga are demanding security to the value of N$500 000 from the Metropolitan Bank of Zimbabwe and World Eagle Properties for costs.

David Bruni and Ian McLaren, the appointed liquidators for the SME Bank, made this demand after an urgent application for rescission was filed by the two Zimbabwean firms, wherein they seek an undertaking from the liquidators, that while court papers are being exchanged between the parties and until the matter is heard, to hold off exercising their powers to pay out any monies to the SME Bank's depositors.

They are also requested not to engage any lawyers to further litigation in Namibia, Zimbabwe and or South Africa.

They cited other respondents in the matter including the Namibia Financing Trust, Master of High Court, the government, Minister of Trade, Industrialisation and SME Development, Minister of Finance and Bank of Namibia.

On 2 February this year, the Windhoek High Court granted Bruni and McLaren the right to pursue any proceedings, as required, in the high courts of South Africa and that of Zimbabwe, to track and trace the missing N$174.4 million of the SME Bank.

Following an urgent application, Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula ruled that the pair, acting as the official liquidators of the SME Bank, are authorised to institute any proceedings, including that of the recovery of movable and immovable assets, and seek any interdictory relief, as is necessary for the winding up of the bank. They were also allowed to pay limited amounts to depositors.

The two Zimbabwean applicants in the current matter seek a rescission of that judgement by Angula.

Judge Thomas Masuku postponed the matter to 19 March for arguments and ordered Bruni and McLaren to file their answering sworn statements on or before 9 March while the applicants are to file their replying papers, if any, on or before 14 March.

The parties were also ordered to file their heads of arguments on or before close of business on 16 March.

“The determination of the issue of costs and related matters stands over,” Masuku said.

There was a delay in the delivery of the papers to the liquidators who had no time, after receiving the documents on Monday of this week, to file answering papers.

The liquidators, in their demand for security for costs, further informed the Zimbabweans that if they object to their liability to security they must meet at the High Court where they will apply to the managing judge for an order that security be furnished.

The liquidators maintain they are compelled by their fiduciary duty to request security for costs.



FRED GOEIEMAN

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Action coming on trash

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Action coming on trash The poor state of infrastructure at the majority of waste disposal sites in Namibia is posing a health hazard to the environment and the country's citizens.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said despite the revenue that accrues from charges for waste disposal, it is clear that the majority of local authorities do not re-invest these funds to ensure that their waste disposal sites are of sufficient standard.

He said there is a lack of human resources and capacity, as well as basic technologies, at waste disposal sites to handle the waste effectively and in an environmentally sound manner.

He said in many settlements and jurisdictions of local authorities there is often a complete absence of formal facilities for waste disposal. “This is a major risk to the humans and animals residing in these areas.”

Shifeta was speaking at the launch of the National Solid Waste Management Strategy. During the consultative process for this strategy, which took place during 2017, it was confirmed that facilities and practices for waste management are indeed in a worrying state.

Shifeta added that there is a critical shortage of data recorded for waste disposal as many facilities do not even weigh the volumes of rubbish they receive. “Therefore we still cannot accurately estimate how much waste is generated in the country.”

He said the most worrying of all is the attitude of citizens towards disposing their litter and that Namibians have become “such a throw-away society”.

He said the ministry will be undertaking an awareness campaign to encourage behavioural changes while the strategy will also see the implementation of practical measures.

“The improper management of our waste is a risk to our animals, our marine life, our landscape and to human life.”

He, however, said the biggest threat is to the tourism sector. According to Shifeta, the degradation of landscapes and urban areas caused by littering will damage Namibia's reputation as a tourism destination of choice and discourage visitors from returning.

“It will make tourists suspicious of us as a nation. If we cannot keep our streets clean, tourists will start to wonder about the quality of our water, the safety of our food and much more.”

Shifeta said certain measures will be implemented within the coming months to kick-start the implementation of the strategy and this includes the process to introduce a levy on plastic bags as well as other measures to control and reduce plastic in the environment.

He said the Environmental Management Act also confers the powers on him to impose fines or imprisonment on persons who do not discard waste in a manner or method that the minister prescribes and that he will be evoking these powers.

He said the ministry is in the process of developing regulations on waste management, standards and guidelines to assist in the environmentally sound management and disposal of waste.

For him, the overall vision of the strategy is for Namibia to become a leading country in Africa in terms of solid waste management by 2028. The strategy is valid for five years after which it will be renewed and updated.

ELLANIE SMIT

Foreign students in permit panic

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Foreign students in permit panic Hordes of foreign students, who have been queuing at the home affairs ministry for the past two days to apply for their study visas, are panicking over having to return home without starting or finishing their studies in Namibia.

Some of the students have been unable to apply earlier as they are still waiting for police clearance certificates or last year's academic results.

One of the students, Cuban national Charity Hernandez, told Namibian Sun she has been queuing for two days and needs her study permit to improve her examination results at the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol).

She lives in the country, as her mother is married to a Namibian.

Another student from Zambia, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of victimisation, said she stood in the line for two days and when she eventually received assistance, she was told to produce proof of her belonging to a medical aid.

“That took me another day because I had to run around to get an affordable one. Some people practically slept here, since they came at four in the morning. We are also bullied and threatened by officials who say you will just be deported,” she said.

Ministry spokesperson Salome Kambala said the queues are long because people waited until the last-minute to apply for their visas.

She encouraged students to start their applications online, if they are in their home countries during the holidays.

“We have been announcing since November last year that students must start with their applications. Two days ago these lines were not there. These people were in the country, what were they doing?” she asked.

She also criticised those that finish their studies and immediately apply for a work permit, with the intention of finding a job within Namibia.

“I am not against that, but you must have proof that you have found a job and with that you apply for a permit.

You cannot apply for a permit with the intention of looking for a job here. Even the company that has recruited you must give a letter in which it explains why you are the best candidate for the job,” she said.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Bringing back the middleman

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Bringing back the middlemanLocal business protection needed A prominent business personality, Epafras Mukwiilongo, says foreigners should not enter into direct retail in Namibia. Northern businessman and politician Epafras Mukwiilongo says that in order for Namibian businesses to succeed, foreigners should only be allowed to supply goods to locals and not sell these directly to the end-users.

Mukwiilongo argued that the reason why Namibian businesses are closing doors is because they are competing with their suppliers, which are foreign-owned companies that sell their goods cheaper than local companies.

He attributed the dominance of foreigners in the retail sector to the absence of local business protection policies that will help Namibians venture into business and to succeed.

Mukwiilongo told Namibian Sun that currently, the retail sector is dominated by foreigners from India and China and their numbers are increasing.

“People should not get me wrong… I don't want the Chinese and the Indians to go.

“I simply want local businesses to succeed as they did before.

“The current situation makes it hard for local businesses to thrive.

“There were a lot of local businesses, especially here in the north, that were doing well and where are they today?

“They are gone and they are now, renting their property to other people and not doing any business. This is because government has made it easy for foreigners to come and take over,” Mukwiilongo said.

Mukwiilongo said government consistently calls on people to venture into business in order to help the economy, but it does not put any emphasis on ensuring that potential entrepreneurs will penetrate, and survive, in the market.

“Our youth can come up with business ideas and plans and start a business, but it will not be long before they close down and the reason is because the foreigners sell their products cheaper.

With our economic situation, people, especially those who are not financially well-off, will buy from the cheaper retailer and are not interested if the shop is Namibian-owned or not,” Mukwiilongo said.

On this basis, he argued that foreigners should not be allowed to be part of retail sector but should, instead, supply goods in bulk to local stores.

“What should happen is that foreigners should be stationed at a certain town or area.

“They must sell their items to locals and the locals sell to the people.

“They must not be the suppliers to businesses and be in the retail market.

“They will be cheaper than us because we sell with a mark-up,” Mukwiilongo argued.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Notable progress on SORED, says ECB

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Notable progress on SORED, says ECB The ECB has appointed a consultant to develop a business plan for SORED. - Foibe Namene, CEO: ECB Ogone Tlhage - The Electricity Control Board (ECB) is confident that a southern regional electricity distributor will be established within the current year.

The establishment of the Southern Regional Electricity Distributor (SORED) builds on the existence of other distributors in the north, west and central parts of the country.

Speaking to ECB CEO Foibe Namene this week, she said engagements have been ongoing with stakeholders in the south.

“The ECB has appointed a consultant to develop a business plan for SORED. The municipalities in the south are aware of this appointment and have welcomed it. In fact, the consultant made a presentation to the municipalities in the south during the February 2018 stakeholder consultation meeting, where the municipalities made significant inputs towards the establishment of SORED,” said Namene.

According to her, the municipalities in the south have been part of the stakeholder consultations in the south for the establishment of Southern RED. “They have also formed part of the technical committee and shareholders committee which have been established to drive the establishment as well as operationalisation of southern RED,” said Namene.

Activities to establish the southern electricity distributor have been supported by keen municipalities, she said.

“The ECB views the above developments in a positive light, and regards them as the much-needed buy-in for the establishment of Southern Regional Electricity Distributor. The ECB is optimistic that once concerns on issues such as local authority surcharges (LA surcharges) and shareholding by the local authorities have been resolved, SORED could be established before the end of 2018,” said Namene.

According to Namene, further stakeholder engagements will be held to map out the way for the establishment of the southern RED.

“The ECB is therefore looking forward to the next technical committee and shareholders committee meeting which will take place in March, and is confident that its outcome will add weight to efforts to establish SORED before the end of 2018,” said Namene.

Budget drought, arid growth

February 28, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Budget drought, arid growthBoN paints red picture Public administration and defence, construction, as well as wholesale and retail are expected to be in recession in 2018. Jo-Maré Duddy – Slashed government expenditure is bound to hurt the economy more this year than it did in 2017, the latest forecast report of the Bank of Namibia (BoN) shows.

According to the BoN’s Economic Outlook Update, released Tuesday, the recession in the public administration and defence sector is likely to worsen in 2018. The central bank real growth forecast for the sector for 2017 is -0.5%. For this year it is -1.3%, while -0.8% is expected for 2019.

As one of the major contributors to gross domestic product (GDP), negative growth in the public administration and defence sector has a huge impact on overall economic growth.

The BoN now expects overall real growth of 1.4% this year, down from its December forecast of 2.2%. In March and July last year, the central bank pinned its growth hopes at 3.8%. Real growth is adjusted for inflation.

The BoN’s report is an indication of just how tight finance minister Calle Schlettwein intends to hold the purse strings in his pursuit of fiscal consolidation. Schlettwein is expected to table the 2018/19 Budget next week.

In nominal terms – figures which aren’t adjusted for inflation – the public administration and defence sector is currently expected to contribute 9.99% to the GDP this year. The BoN’s three previous reports estimated a GDP contribution of between 10.49% and 11.07%.

Moneywise, the central bank expects the sector to pump about N$18.15 billion in nominal terms into the economy this year. This is about 10% less than the nearly N$20.2 billion it expected in July 2017 and a drop from the N$19 billion plus it forecast in February and December. The average inflation rate for 2017 was 6.2%.

Construction, retail

The effect of fiscal consolidation is also evident in the construction sector, which the BoN now believes grew by -28% in 2017. In the beginning of last year, the central bank still expected a contraction of 12%.

The BoN expects construction to spend 2018 in recession too – its third consecutive year in the red. A contraction of 14.9% is forecast for this year. The sector is unlikely to escape recession next year, with the BoN expecting growth of -7.1%.

The overall recession, coupled with less government expenditure, has also eroded the overall spending power of Namibians. This is clear from the BoN’s growth forecasts for wholesale and retail trade.

In the beginning of 2017, the central expected this sector to grow by 4.9% last year. It now calculates a contraction of 6.4%. Although expected to pick up, the central bank is forecasting another recession year for wholesale and retail this year, with growth of -2.5% anticipated.

Besides public administration and defence, construction, as well as wholesale and retail, the only other sector the BoN expects a contraction is crop farming and forestry.