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2018 NAMAs presenters

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2018 NAMAs presenters2018 NAMAs presentersNo auditions held New and old faces have been selected to host the NAMAs as things were done a little outside of the norm. An entertainment trio consisting of Tanya Doringo, Esperance Luvindao and Odile Gertze, have been selected to MC the 2018 NAMA event which will go live to over 40 million viewers across the world. Doringo is the RadicallyRadz.com lifestyle blogger and face of Tutaleni, while internationally published Poet Luvindao was the 2017 NAMAs Blue Room host and Odile Gertze, a former Miss Namibia, actor and presenter, will be this year's main stage presenters. The three ladies could not contain their excitement to be heading the country's high-status award show.

“The first time I was on the NAMAs stage I was a back-up dancer. It feels great to be in front, literally, and presenting the awards,” said Gertze.

Speaking at the host town announcement, NAMAs executive members Umbi Karuaihe-Upi and Tim Ekandjo said selecting the show hosts is an important decision for the NAMAs because they steer the ship on the night.

“Our tradition is to have auditions every year, but this year we are breaking that tradition by having hand-selected these three phenomenal women to do us proud on the NAMA stage this year. We are confident that they will shine and we thus wish them the very best,” said Ekandjo. He added there will be no international presenters this year.

The 2018 NAMAs nominees will be announced on 28 March 2018 live on NBC TV during the Whatagwan slot at 16:00. The executive committee also announced that ticket sales to the 2018 event have gone live at Webtickets. VIP tickets sell for N$600 while general tickets sell for N$250. The first 150 VIP tickets will, however, sell at a special discount of only N$450 while general tickets would sell for only N$150. Once the first 150 tickets are sold out, the prices will go back to normal.

The eighth Namibian Annual Music Awards will take place at the Swakopmund Dome on 28 April 2018.

June Shimuoshili

Hot topic: The Ees clean-up video

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Hot topic: The Ees clean-up videoHot topic: The Ees clean-up videoA long-overdue conversation A call for a clean-up of the country instead of celebrating our 28 years of freedom has become a countrywide debate… tjil takes a look. Kwaito artist, and Namibian branded clothes merchandiser, Ees has the whole country talking about what to do with the funds for the Independence Day celebrations this year.

After stirring up anger and criticism all over the Twittersphere, Facebook and even the small, back alleys of Windhoek when he said government must divert the independence celebrations budget to cleaning the country, Namibian artist Ees insists he just “wanted to help”.

The video, shared on his Facebook wall and by several others, starts off with the Namibian kwaito artist talking about the past 27 years of celebrating independence with great festivities, parades and other special ceremonies.

Then he inspires the president to perhaps use this year's budget to clean up the country and get clean water to people in need. The professionally made video by the artist speaks directly to the people of Namibia to not just sit back and ask what government can do for them but instead, to ask and look what one can do for Namibia.





In the video, he urges the Namibian people to start a movement beginning on this year's Independence Day on 21 March to organise and create groups to work together and clean up Namibia. To go out and help the needy, and to even plant trees. He also motivated his fellow Namibians to take pictures and create videos and post them online with the hashtag #itsup2us, to inspire more Namibians, and even other countries, to join the movement of making their countries a better, cleaner place on independence and from there on.

Ees's video took social media by storm and within hours it was virtually on everyone's lips and while some agree that the money can be better spent, the majority took offence.

Finance minister Calle Schlettwein hit back on Twitter and said Independence Day is worthy to take special note of. The choice therefore cannot be whether or not to replace it with a cleaning-up day. “It is the day when all of us must reflect upon the immeasurable values of peace, freedom, liberty and justice. Clean up your own mess every day,” he wrote.

Local comedian turned businessman Lazarus Jacobs also took to Twitter saying if it wasn't for German colonialism and apartheid there would be no need for independence celebrations. Instead, he encouraged Ees to inspire white Namibians to attend the official celebrations and also to encourage Germany to recognise the genocide against Ovaherero and the Namas.

While some defended him others on Twitter, believe that Ees comes from the people who made their wealth by 'putting Namibians in concentration camps, raping them, experimenting on them and murdering them like dogs'.

Ees, who has made a name for himself as a Namibian Kwaito artist in Germany and locally, despite the negative perception believes his video definitely helped to create awareness about the current economic, and sanitation situation in Namibia.

While he is being ripped apart on social media for his 'audacity' Ees wishes that all Namibians can work together to make Namibia a better place for all of us.

“Receiving negative reactions is never a fun experience, especially when the intention was positive. The video sparked a healthy debate, even though many negative remarks focus more on my skin colour and background than my positive and motivational message,” he said.

When tjil caught up with him, Ees explained that he believes Namibia's Independence Day must always be celebrated and the people who have sacrificed their lives for this freedom be honoured.

He added that one of the many ways to show respect to freedom fighters is to try to continuously improve the wellbeing of the country.

“I think we should always celebrate our independence and honour the people that sacrificed their lives for the freedom we have today. One of the many ways to show your respect to our freedom fighters is to try to continuously improve the wellbeing of our country and keeping it clean,” he concluded.

The video collected over 130 000 views in two days, over 10 000 people shared and liked it.

June Shimuoshili

Land: we cannot shy away

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Land: we cannot shy awayLand: we cannot shy away The land question has remained at the centre of our socio-economic and political debates for many years and land reform in Namibia is still having major problems.

For many, it represents a ticking time-bomb and there comes a time when Namibians will run out of patience due to the unresolved land issue, which can become cancerous. While the Namibian parliament has blocked numerous debates on this very important topic, their counterparts in South Africa have voted to amend property clauses in that country’s constitution to pave way for the government’s policy of acquiring land without compensation. The motion, brought by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, was adopted with a vote of 241 in support, and 83 against, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) throwing its full weight behind the move. This signifies a strong intent on the part of South Africa politicians, who see the need to address equitable access to land urgently without destabilising the agricultural sector, without endangering food security in the country and without undermining economic growth and job creation. It is extremely laughable when our MPs, who are expected to serve the interests of thousands of landless Namibians, simply shoot down attempts to discuss land-related issues in the August House. This is poor leadership. The land question is critical and a topic we simply cannot shy away from. It cannot be business as usual when absentee landlords are allowed to own large tracts of land in the country, while the natives who have lost untold acres of land during white rule, are without a place to call home. We are even struggling to organise a national land conference for Pete’s sake. The national land conference should come up with a favourable land distribution policy, as a means to tackle poverty and economic inequality in our country. Our people cannot just be bystanders of economic activity. They too are prepared to work the land. The economy and land must belong to all who live in Namibia, not just to a selected few elite.

I still roll in my 1980s Merc!

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I still roll in my 1980s Merc!I still roll in my 1980s Merc! After much deliberation and consideration, I decided to stick with my 1980 Mercedes-Benz. After all, it is wholly paid for. Well, it was brought for N$6 000, but that is beside the point. I have seen how my colleagues buy their Land Rovers, BMWs et Al., only to see their precious commodities returned to the bank.

Okay, first things first – I really sympathise with my brothers for losing their valuable possessions. I mean, they must find it really hard to explain such occurrences to their kamborotos. After all, pitching up at the kamboroto’s place with the wheels has been a favourite pastime.

You see, with the real wifey, it is easy to explain such occurrences – not with the girlfriend though. If you are having trouble differentiating between a kamboroto and the wifey, allow me to be of assistance. The wifey is the one you go home to, argue with every night and refuse to leave money for food.

The kamboroto on the other hand, is the one you take on those expensive vacations to Malaysia, pay her university tuition and have her name as the password to your work computer.

Once that precious commodity is gone however, car wash Sundays will never be the same! Somehow, and for reasons beyond comprehension, these Land Rovers and BMWs appear to be more sensitive to dirt than some of our cars. I mean, how on earth do you take your car to the car wash on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday? I travel with my Merc on a gravel road almost every second weekend, yet my beloved commodity is only washed once a month.

Once the car is repossessed, my brothers would try different excuses from “my car is in for service …” to “… I have left it at the farm for the chores there”. If they run out of excuses, they would look you straight in the eye and say “F***k off, I have sold the darn thing. Stop asking me questions.”

Finally, I can now drive my Merc into the car wash and comfortably take up my favourite bay overlooking that table where the three stooges sit. To those of you who do not know who the three stooges are; they are a group of ladies that not only dress to kill, but also have curves in the right places.

I always wondered why they call themselves the three stooges, of only they knew how the name came about. But nonetheless, buying drinks for the three stooges is considered a privilege. Mind you, these ladies do not drink the conventional Black Label like our women from the hood. Nah, that is too cheap for them. They gulp of these new drinks that usually cost an arm and a leg- Smirnoff Ice, Bacardi Breezer, Archers and so on.

Another trick that I will use at the car wash now that the flashy cars are gone is to adopt an entirely new walk as I pass the table of the three stooges. The trick is to walk as if you have a wound in the foot, while rolling the keys of the Merc around your finger. To the untrained eye, that move denotes a man in charge – someone who knows where he is going.

The other day I saw a brother who was rolling in a BMW strolling the streets of Windhoek – on foot. Eish, it was not a pleasant sight; the last time I saw him walk was when he had to seek help after his car had a puncture between Okahandja and Windhoek.

That dude never had to change a tyre in his life – apparently Club Motors would write off the car.

I met one of my friend’s kamborotos in town the other day and when I asked her about my friend, she had no idea whom I was talking about. Not even the mention of the dude’s heyday with his BMW could make the woman recall.

That is the reason why I would never part with my Merc. I mean, girls look at it once and think it is probably driven by some old German ‘toppie’, which is good for me as it saves me the trouble of buying drinks for the three stoogies.

Until then…

tjatindi@gmail.com

FNB Namibia appoints facilities manager

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FNB Namibia appoints facilities managerFNB Namibia appoints facilities manager Bryan Newman has been appointed as the facilities manager at FNB Namibia. Bryan holds an Electrical Engineering Light Current qualification. His electrical engineering career started at the NBC and he has been responsible for operations at a variety of companies, ranging from Jensen Electronics, to the Bank of Namibia, and Broll Namibia.

“My responsibility will be to ensure that FNB buildings are maintained and kept in a neat and functional condition and that they comply with all regulations and acceptable standards. I will also make sure that infrastructure requests are reported and attended to timeously and in a cost-effective manner. I am excited about my move to FNB Namibia and look forward to a great career here.”

Shuuya is new Opuwo CEO

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Shuuya is new Opuwo CEOShuuya is new Opuwo CEO ILENI NANDJATO The Opuwo town council has appointed Petrus Shuuya as the town's new CEO.

The chairperson of the council's management committee, Richard Tjazapi, said Shuuya started his new job yesterday. He took over from Alfons Tjitombo, whose contract was not renewed last year.

Tjazapi said Shuuya is a former employee of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

“He holds a master's degree in public administration and is highly experienced. He was the best scorer in the interview and was recommended as such,” Tjazapi said.

He said Shuuya worked for the Kunene Regional Council for several years before joining the ministry.

Tjitombo is now the CEO of the Omaruru town council in the Erongo Region. He had been blamed for a lack of development at Opuwo by a group of residents who staged several protests.

In November last year, the Outapi town council's manager for infrastructure and technical services, Iiyambo Benjamin, was seconded to Opuwo as acting CEO to drive the recruitment process.

The CEO post was advertised three times. The process was delayed by the simultaneous recruitment of two other managers to fill vacancies that were also supervised by Iiyambo.

ILENI NANDJATO

Hosea Kutako under threat

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Hosea Kutako under threatHosea Kutako under threatUrgent intervention needed The PDM has expressed its concern over a possible status downgrading of Hosea Kutako International Airport. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called on President Hage Geingob and the minister of state-owned enterprises, Leon Jooste, to urgently intervene to avoid a downgrade of the Hosea Kutako International Airport.

This follows recent media reports that the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has three months to upgrade facilities at the airport, failing which, it will be downgraded by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

PDM national chairperson Jennifer van den Heever painted a bleak picture of the consequences of such a downgrade, which would prompt major airlines to pull out of Namibia.

She said it would affect the local economy, mainly the tourism and transport industries, and would result in job losses.

She warned the NAC not to play with the country's international reputation and economy through its incompetence, which is costing the taxpayer millions.

“In critical economic times like this to have a downgraded international airport that is partly key to our economy is a serious insult and harm to every progressive Namibian, a harm to our global repute and a harm to our local economy.”

Van den Heever said the government has been reluctant to consider recommendations by PDM and other pressure groups.

“Over the years, we have been cautioning the Namibian voters to think of their future when voting. Over the years we have been providing alternatives to problems in our procurement systems as well as the management of the state-owned enterprises, particularly that of the NAC.

“Over the years, the NAC has been home to all sorts of corruption. Over the years, the interventions of politicians in the awarding of tenders to favour their cohorts and eventually gain commissions amounting to millions of dollars have cost this country so much money through inflated tenders.”

According to Van den Heever the squabbles at the NAC were the result of appointing corrupt and incompetent managers and board members who only looked after their personal interests.

She further blamed “the complete ignorance and carelessness of the appointed personnel”.

“We call upon the entire management and board of the NAC to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and consider this issue as the most urgent of all.”

Van den Heever said it was time for the NAC management to account for their actions and avoid a downgrading, and for Namibians to stand up and raise their concerns over this matter and others that have the potential to harm the economy.

She said pressure groups must join forces and hold the government accountable for the results of “their carelessness and ignorance”.

Van den Heever added that Namibians must consider giving a mandate to the PDM to run the affairs of the country to ensure a prosperous economy for all through responsible and accountable governance.

“The PDM is more than ready to provide advice on the said matter, and we challenge the NAC as well as the line ministry to invite concerned stakeholders to provide further assistance and direction in this matter.”

In 2014 Hosea Kutako was downgraded after the airport failed to meet international ICAO standards on fire preparedness and the upkeep of the runway. The airport was downgraded from category nine to category five at that time.

The downgrading forced Air Namibia to relocate its intercontinental flight operations to Zambia and Botswana.

ELLANIE SMIT

Access eased to fight climate change

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Access eased to fight climate changeAccess eased to fight climate change Namibia needs about US$22 billion (N$259 billion) to react and adapt to climate change, while only half of that will be spent on preparing for its affects.

An agreement was signed yesterday between the environment ministry and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) regarding access to the Green Climate Fund.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the ministry stands ready to work with the financial institution to come up with bankable, transformative projects that can be submitted to the Green Climate Fund for funding.

He said through the DBSA, which is an accredited entity to the Green Climate Fund, Namibia is now in a position to undertake programming of projects in the areas of food security, water, renewable energy and resilient infrastructure.

According to Shifeta, estimations indicate that Namibia will need about US$22 billion for adaptation and US$11 billion (N$129.8 billion) for mitigation.

Shifeta said climate change is recognised as one of the greatest current global challenges and Namibia is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world facing the impacts of climate change. He said the signing of this agreement is thus a milestone in the endeavour towards the mobilisation of much-needed climate finance in order to enhance climate resilience for Namibians, and also to tap into mitigation opportunities which can significantly reduce greenhouse gases.

Namibia has communicated its climate change actions through its Intended Determined Contributions (INDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNDCC). In this document, Namibia pledged very ambitious commitments to the world to tackle the problem and ultimately, to achieve the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

According to Shifeta the implementation of this INDC will cost around US$33 billion up to 2030 of which 10% will be sourced by Namibia through domestic financial resources, and the remaining 90% of this cost will be mobilised from multilateral and bilateral sources. “Therefore the signing of this agreement comes at an opportune time for us to mobile resources to fully implement our Nationally Determined Contributions to fight against climate change,” he said.

He said Namibia's commitments to the world in terms of emissions are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 89% by 2030. This will involve increasing the share of renewable energy consumption on electricity production to 70% by 2030, and reducing energy consumption by about 10% through energy efficiency programmes.

“We believe that with proper planning and the availability of financial resources, and technical capacity, the commitment is achievable.”

Shifeta further said that Namibia has the most fertile grounds for renewable energy in the world and has one of the best solar regimes.

“In the transport sector, we commit to reduce emissions by 1 300 metric tonnes.” Shifeta said this will be achieved through the implantation of mass green transportation systems in urban areas, starting with the City of Windhoek.”

ELLANIE SMIT

Keetmans explains Erongo RED deal

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Keetmans explains Erongo RED dealKeetmans explains Erongo RED dealNamPower threatens legal action The Keetmanshoop CEO Desmond Basson has shed some light on their deal with Erongo RED which led to non-payment of N$16 million to NamPower. Keetmanshoop municipality CEO Desmond Basson says its deal with Erongo RED will not affect power supply to the town, despite the threat of a pending lawsuit from NamPower.

The municipality currently owes NamPower N$16 million and used money collected from residents to establish the Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit in close corporation with Erongo RED, instead of honouring its obligation.

Giving his take, Basson dismissed an allegation that it was a joint venture (JV) company and said an interim arrangement with Erongo RED had been entered into rather to take over the function of electricity distribution at the southern town.

“The Keetmanshoop municipality has not formed a JV with Erongo RED. We entered into an interim electricity management contract (EMC) with Erongo RED as one of the forerunners in the electricity supply industry,” said Basson.

According to him, the EMC states that the contract is entered into for a period of two years or until such a time that the Southern Regional Electricity Distributor (SORED) is established.

“We are firmly informed that SORED will be established by end of June 2018. If that is indeed the case than the EMC will cease to exist and SORED will take over the function of electricity distribution from the municipality, which is the licence holder,” said Basson.

Commenting on the monies owed to NamPower, Basson said the council's obligation would be settled when SORED becomes operational. He added there was no risk of the electricity supply to the town being cut off.

“Any electricity-related loans will be taken over by the new regional electricity distributor, therefore no risks exist that electricity-related loans would cause the municipality to be without electricity,” said Basson.

He further quelled fears that it does not have the ability to settle its obligations to NamPower.

“We have funds at our disposal to make payments towards the outstanding NamPower account, but this can only happen when the ministry approves the agreement between us and Erongo RED,” Basson was quoted as saying by The Namibian. The council accumulated the N$16 million debt after the Southern Electricity Company (SELCo), which had been managing electricity supply at the town for 16 years, failed to honour the NamPower invoices for March and April 2017, amounting to N$11 million.

SELCo, said Basson, left the council with the huge NamPower bill in a bid to recover an outstanding N$10.3 million it was owed, according to the daily.

The power distribution agreement between SELCo and council expired in November 2016.

OGONE TLHAGE

Farmers urged to sell weaners

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Farmers urged to sell weanersFarmers urged to sell weaners Farmers are being encouraged to market their cattle while weaner prices are exceptionally high.

According to Agra a new high price of N$41.86 per kilogramme was paid for weaners at its auctions during January.

Agra's general manager of auctions, Titus Koen, said the future trends in auction prices are difficult to predict.

“Livestock producers who have cattle that are ready to market, should preferably sell them as soon as possible to make use of the good prices. We have no certainty as to how long the prices will remain this strong.”

He said despite the fact that high prices had been paid for weaners for nearly a year, the near future remains unpredictable.

“Agra often tries to speculate what could happen in the coming year, just to realise that it is virtually impossible to predict price trends at auctions.”

According to auction price statistics kept by Agra, the average price paid for weaners in June 2016 stood at a low of N$15.70 per kg. By January this year it increased to N$36.94 per kg - more than double the price.

Koen says prices for weaners reached a maximum of N$40.27 per kg at Agra auctions last year.

Data maintained by the Livestock Auctioneers, Brokers and Traders Association (LABTA) shows that the national average auction prices of all Namibian cattle agencies have risen sharply since June 2017.

National figures indicate, with the exception of August 2017, that the average price per kilogram has not fallen below N$31.23 since September last year.

Koen says the main reasons why weaner prices have risen sharply, is due to a shortage of cattle in South Africa because of recent droughts, as well as the lower maize price, which holds a significant cost benefit for feedlots.

He said another contributing reason is that South Africa, previously a net importer of meat, has now become a net exporter after the country successfully marketed its meat overseas.

“The largest number of Namibian weaners are currently being exported to South African feedlots,” said Koen.

According to him maize, or feed, is the main expenditure of a feedlot. The maize price dropped below N$2 000 a ton after South Africa produced a record yield last year.

He further explained that the local price for weaners is strongly linked to the South African maize price.

“If it stays stable, chances are that the weaning calf price will remain stable. However, if it fluctuates or becomes more expensive, the weaning price will definitely decrease.”

Koen said a significant rise in weaner prices had been predicted, but this sharp rise during the previous year was definitely higher than expected.

“Following discussions between Agra and South African feedlots in the middle of last year, a consensus was reached that the high auction prices would not stay at these levels for a long time. However, the contrary was the case when prices increased even more. So far these high prices have been maintained.”

During 2016 a total of 35 892 weaners were marketed, while in 2017, 53 334 weaners were sold.

ELLANIE SMIT

Nedbank Namibia selects staff members for MDP Programme

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Nedbank Namibia selects staff members for MDP ProgrammeNedbank Namibia selects staff members for MDP Programme Nedbank Namibia recently welcomed 14 of its staff members into its Management Development Programme (MDP). The candidates, who are all on supervisory or management level, were selected from across the business to undertake the intense six month programme.

The Nedbank MDP is a collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch Business School and forms part of Nedbank’s Leadership Development Programme. Nedbank has initiated the programme to upskill and better equip employees in leadership roles within the business.

The course will cover subjects including, Finance and Business Environment, Marketing and Customer Service, People Management and Leadership as well as Strategy Formulation and Implementation. The candidates will also be required to submit a project to the business before their graduation at the end of August 2018.

This group will be the third intake into the MDP which has already seen 35 Nedbank staff members completed the course since its inception in 2016.

Speaking to the candidates Nedbank Managing Director, Lionel Matthews, encouraged them to work hard and emphasized that the programme is put in place to not only equip them with skill and to enhance their performance, but it also demonstrates Nedbank’s commitment to invest back into its people, “Nedbank has selected you for this programme because we see a potential in you, it is now your responsibility to work hard and use the learnings of this programme to not only enhance the bank but also to add value to yourselves as individuals.”

Self-sufficient Chartered Accountants

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Self-sufficient Chartered AccountantsSelf-sufficient Chartered Accountants A total of 58 Namibian Chartered Accountant candidates today cleared the final hurdle to becoming self-sufficient Chartered Accountants. Having equipped themselves in corporate governance, business ethics and the application of international accounting and auditing standards in the interest of and to the benefit of Namibia’s public and private sectors. The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN), Talita Horn, says the Institute is immensely proud to announce that 58 successful. Candidates passed the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) on 22

2 November 2017 – a gruelling full day examination implemented as a real-life simulation case study reflecting the demands of the modern business world. Sixty four candidates took the exam and 58 were successful (90% pass). This significantly exceeds the 51 who passed in 2016.

She highlighted that 24 of the 58 successful candidates obtained their undergraduate degrees at the University of Namibia or Namibia University of Science and Technology. With a pass rate of 89% for these candidates it is evident that. Namibian universities can produce graduates that do succeed in their post-graduate studies and professional examinations. Congratulations to UNAM and NUST.

She noted that it takes a minimum of seven years to qualify as a Chartered Accountant [CA(NAM)].

“This arduous and challenging path of qualifying, consisting of three parts, firstly formal university education up to a post graduate level, secondly, a training contract of at least three years of professional competency-based training and thirdly a 12-month professional programme course and two sets of profession Institute exams, requires talent, diligence and commitment.

“In the ever-changing global and regional business environments, there are still people that perceive “accountants” to be the traditional bean counters. But this is not true, the role of CAs has changed dramatically to meet the demands of the modern business world.

Chartered Accountants are now recognized as capable and competent business leaders and ICAN is proud to recognise Ms Baronise Hans, Mr Lionel Mathews and Mr Junius Mungunda, the Managing Directors of Bank Windhoek, Nedbank and Standard Bank as members of ICAN.”

Horn said the 2017 APC highlights ICAN efforts to continue ensuring its qualifying process reflects the development of relevant competencies which a CA(NAM) needs to have in the workplace.

ICAN, the premier Accounting Institute in Namibia, endeavours to:

• Promote the common interest of persons carrying on the accounting profession

Throughout Namibia,

• Advance the theory and practice of accountancy in all its aspects,

• Preserve at all times the professional independence of members of the

Accounting profession,

• Strive for a high standard of professional and ethical conduct,

• Preserve and maintain the integrity and status of the accounting profession in

Namibia, and

• Encourage growth in the accounting profession in Namibia.

Price hike for police services

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Price hike for police servicesPrice hike for police services The Namibian Police this week announced a tariff hike on old and new services provided to the public.

The increases are effective from today. For copies of full written statements made by witnesses, complainants or victims, the police now charge N$100 instead of N$40.

Vehicle clearance certificates and tracing of fingerprints for criminal records will cost N$100.

Road accident reports are up from N$40 to N$60. Copies of sketches of accident scenes now cost N$100, up from N$40 previously. The storage of corpses in the police mortuary will cost N$20 per day, starting when the family of the deceased are notified.

Other services rendered by the police to private institutions or ministries will cost N$50 per hour per person, or N$400 per eight-hour shift.

Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi explained that the police only charge for copies of accident reports and statements required by people such as lawyers. Taking down witness statements after a crime or traffic accident remains free of charge.

One of the new services on offer is renting the police band to perform at events. That costs N$2 500 per performance, plus meals, accommodation and transport costs where necessary. Another first is a fee of N$413 per hour for an expert from the National Forensic Science Institute to testify in court. The National Forensic Science Institute also charges fees ranging from N$500 to N$1 000 for forensic tests, and N$100 per printed page of documents requested.

Private hiring of a single-engine AS 350 B3 police helicopter costs N$10 200 per hour, and hiring a double-engine police helicopter from the Air Wing Directorate costs N$17 350 per hour.

JANA-MARI SMITH

City tackles land and lights

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City tackles land and lightsCity tackles land and lightsLarge backlog in electricity provision About 30 000 homes and more than 4 000 demarcated erven in the informal settlements of Windhoek are waiting to be provided with electricity. While the City of Windhoek has announced the allocation of more than 200 single residential erven, it is also facing a severe backlog in electrifying more than 30 000 homes and more than 4 000 demarcated erven in the informal settlements of Windhoek.

At the monthly press briefing on Thursday, City of Windhoek officials announced that the municipality had “made considerable strides in the allocation of land to successful bidders for the development of single residential houses.”

More than 200 successful bidders in Otjomuise and Academia would soon be homeowners, public relations officer Scheifert Shigwedha said.

In the informal settlements, the municipality is facing pressure to address a huge backlog in electricity provision. It has a target of electrifying 4 000 formalised and demarcated erven.

Further, there are more than 30 000 “un-formalised homes” in the informal areas that need to be electrified.

Shigwedha said Windhoek's rapid population growth, especially in the informal areas, had overtaken the City of Windhoek's capacity to provide formal housing and basic bulk municipal services … “and thus, sadly, most of Windhoek's informal households remain un-electrified”.

He highlighted that one of the objectives of the City's transformation strategic plan 2017 to 2022 is to “increase access to municipal services, including electricity services, within the boundaries of the city”.

Planning, designs and contract administration for this objective are being handled in-house by the municipality's electricity department.

“Windhoek's informal areas are extremely dynamic and as a result, township layouts change due to the movement of people within these informal areas,” Shigwedha said, putting pressure on planners to identify “creative methods” when designing and installing electricity networks.

The agenda for this week's council meeting included recommendations that the relevant department “adopt a flexible design approach, including on-site planning rather than desk-based planning to respond to conditions encountered” during the electrification project.

It was further recommended that communities be consulted throughout the process.



Vacate now

The City of Windhoek announced yesterday that it had obtained eviction orders from the Windhoek Magistrate's Court against ten illegal squatters in portion 277 of Otjomuise.

Shigwedha said the ten persons invaded the area in March last year and illegally erected makeshift homes overnight.

On 27 February this year, Magistrate Alice Gawanas ruled in favour of the City of Windhoek and ordered that the land be immediately vacated.

Shigwedha said the municipality was calling on the community to stop occupying city land illegally, as it hampered efforts to plan and service the land.



Home, sweet home

With regard to the allocation of more than 200 serviced erven in Academia and Otjomuise Extension 5, Shigwedha said the deeds of sale would be signed within 90 days from the date of approval.

The plots were allocated to first-time buyers.

One-hundred-and-one plots were approved for single residential housing at Otjomuise Extension 5 and serviced through a public-private partnership with Ino Investment.

In Academia, 102 erven were serviced through a partnership with Acacia Investment Holding.

“The erven have a combined estimated sale value of about N$125 million,” Shigwedha said.

Most of the plots were sold at 30% above the upset price in order to ensure affordability.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Sex worker rights battle continues

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Sex worker rights battle continuesSex worker rights battle continues In support of sex worker rights and combatting the abuses they face nationally and across the globe, human rights organisation Rights Not Rescue Trust (RNRT) Namibia is celebrating International Sex Workers' Rights Day this weekend.

“This is the day that we voice ourselves as sex workers and we look back on our history and craft our future in regards to recognition, social justice and equality,” the organisation's executive director Nikodemus (Mama Africa) Aoxamub said in a press statement.

According to the 2013-2014 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey among female sex workers in Namibia, it was at the time that an estimated 1 800 to 3 400 sex workers are active in Windhoek, 825 to 1 500 in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, between 380 to 2 000 in Katima Mulilo and 775 to 2 750 in Oshikango.

Several studies over the past two decades have underlined the lashing of human rights abuses and harassment sex workers face, often when seeking help from the police or health workers.

This year's international sex workers' day is taking place under the theme 'Leaving no one behind'.

In lieu of the commemoration, Rights Not Rescue is launching the results of a 2015 baseline survey, titled 'Hands Off', which looked at programmes to address the violence faced by sex workers and the sexual reproductive health and rights needs of sex workers.

Aoxamub noted that the study will help “stimulate discussion, and raise awareness of the reality sex workers face in Namibia.”

The 2017 Namibia Gender Analysis, compiled by the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) for the European Union delegation to Namibia, listed a number of studies on sex work in Namibia, and noted that the act of sex work for reward is not specifically outlawed in Namibia, but a host of surrounding activities are.

The Combating of Immoral Practices Act 21 of 1980 prohibits brothels, the procurement of prostitutes, the soliciting of prostitutes and more.

An LAC study from 2002 found that many sex workers were driven into the profession by poverty and “out of desperation to support themselves and their families”.

Key concerns identified in the study included lack of access to healthcare and persecution from clients and police officials, based on the criminalisation of the work.

Law-enforcement officials are frequently accused of perpetuating a host of abuses against sex workers, including “violence, extortion and abuse,” a 2012 United Nations report noted. Moreover, sex workers are denied “access to healthcare services due to stigma and discrimination from healthcare workers… severely compromising sex workers' access to equal protection under the law” and creating “a climate of impunity that fosters further violence and discrimination against sex workers in the community at large”.

A 2013 report found that the police often confiscated condoms from sex workers, exposing them to high risks of diseases, including HIV.

Moreover, police have used possession of condoms as a justification for detention and as evidence of illegal sex work.

These actions discouraged many sex workers from carrying condoms, for fear of the police response.

“The report concludes that criminalisation of sex work is harmful to sex workers' safety and that the described police practices, whether sanctioned or unsanctioned, discourage access to protection.”

Further, criminalisation of sex work and police abuses discourages sex workers from reporting crimes against them. “The sex workers interviewed also complained that the laws criminalising sex work activities meant that they had no recourse against clients who refused to pay for sexual services, or against clients who physically abused or raped them.” According to the study, the “vast majority” of sex workers wanted to see their profession decriminalised “as a way to give them greater protection and security”.

In contrast, almost 70% of the public surveyed felt that the laws should be changed to make sex work illegal for both the client and the sex worker. In 2010, a survey of about 400 young people in Windhoek and selected rural areas supported the decriminalisation of sex work.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Student killer wants clemency

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Student killer wants clemencyStudent killer wants clemencyCalls himself a victim, in need of love and support Andre Dausab, who was convicted of murder after stabbing his girlfriend 27 times and slitting her throat, told the court he should get a fine. Convicted killer Andre Fidel Castro Dausab (36), who stabbed his girlfriend 27 times, says any sentence longer than ten years would “degrade his dignity”.

The prosecution yesterday suggested that the High Court should sentence Dausab to life in prison.

“The circumstances and the seriousness of the case show that a life sentence is appropriate. Such a sentence is not only just, but is constitutional,” State Advocate Ethel Ndlovu submitted.

She argued that the viciousness of the knife attack on Gofaone Motlamme (33), who was stabbed 27 times and locked up in a room which was supposed to be her sanctuary, made the moral blameworthiness of the killer very high.

Dausab, however, reacted that it would be inappropriate, and added that even ten years would be too much.

He asked the court for a fine, or a lesser sentence, saying anything more would “denigrate his ability and dignity”.

“I believe I should be given a chance in life through the imposition of a shorter sentence,” he submitted.

Dausab's lawyer, Brownell /Uirab, had withdrawn from the case citing irreconcilable differences. Therefore, Dausab represented himself in testimony in mitigation of sentencing. He was convicted of murder with direct intent on 25 July last year.

He told the court that he is the father of five girls by three different women. The eldest is 12 and the youngest eight.

On 22 February 2014, Dausab stabbed Motlamme 27 times before slitting her throat at the United Lutheran Paulinum Theological College in Pionierspark Extension One.

The prosecution yesterday argued that the murder was premeditated and that the offence was committed in a domestic setting.

“The aggravating circumstances by far outweigh the mitigating factors in sentence consideration,” Ndlovu maintained.

She pointed out that the courts had warned in 1991 against the danger of using knives in settling disputes, and against the prevalence of violence in domestic relationships.

“Despite those calls murders in domestic settings are still prevalent. Killing is getting out of control,” Ndlovu argued.

She maintained that one would have expected that given Dausab's educational background - he is said to be qualified in information technology – one would have considered him to be a sophisticated person and he ought to have been aware of the dangers of domestic violence.

When he testified in mitigation of sentencing, Dausab read a letter that he had written to the Motlamme family and his own.

“You should understand that we are all broken and that I am also a victim, in need of love and support. I swear that I never was and never will be a threat to you. I am not your enemy. I belong to you as the deceased used to. I am not her replacement. I belong to you. Do not fear me,” he pleaded in the letter.

He said he would never pretend to them and he would never lie to be forgiven or accepted, because “God who created us bears witness to my deeds”.

“The truth is with you. Rely on God. If I am worthy in your sight forgive me and more so, if you truly believe me. However, if your hearts are hardened, for the sake of mercy, pity my plea and forgive me at least before we depart from this world (sic),” Dausab read.

Judge Naomi Shivute postponed the case to 15 March for sentencing.

FRED GOEIEMAN

6 Emotions you`ll experience during a job change

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6 Emotions you`ll experience during a job change  6 Emotions you`ll experience during a job change Leaving one job to pursue another can be a bittersweet time in your career. On one hand, you're glad that you have this new, promising opportunity lying ahead, but it's also scary and unfamiliar. You may even struggle with feelings of guilt and sadness as you leave your current employer and co-workers behind. However, making the switch from one job to another doesn't have to be an emotional roller coaster, if you know what to expect. Here are six emotions you're probably going to experience during this transitional phase in your career.

Leaving one job to pursue another can be a bittersweet time in your career. On one hand, you’re glad that you have this new, promising opportunity lying ahead, but it’s also scary and unfamiliar. You may even struggle with feelings of guilt and sadness as you leave your current employer and co-workers behind. However, making the switch from one job to another doesn’t have to be an emotional roller coaster, if you know what to expect. Here are six emotions you’re probably going to experience during this transitional phase in your career.

Evolving in your career is natural, but change isn’t always easy. For instance, if “evolving” is the result of being fired or laid off from your job, then you will probably experience some negative emotions from the upheaval. Even if your departure from your current job is amicable and a positive boost for your career, you’ll have some feelings as a result of leaving the familiar behind.

To prevent your emotions from blindsiding you during the transition, be prepared. Here’s what you might feel, when you leave one job and take another:

Negative Emotions You May Experience

1. Depression and Sadness

Leaving your current job can feel like a breakup or divorce for many professionals, so it’s not uncommon for feelings of sadness, and even depression, to set in after the decision to leave is finally made. These initial feelings are normal when momentous occasions like a career change happen, so don’t beat yourself up over it. Instead, accept that this is part of the process and that you’re doing exactly what you should be doing for yourself and your career.

2. Guilt

Moving on in your career can bring on feelings of guilt because you may feel as though you’re leaving everyone and everything behind (e.g. job, employer, co-workers, clients, etc.) to pursue new opportunities at a new company. You may even feel selfish for moving on, but try not to let those damaging feelings seep in during this time, because they will only do more harm than good.

3. Fear and Anxiety

Change isn’t always easy, but as the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens. Just know that there will always be fear in the unknown, so do your best to focus on making this new chapter in your life an unforgettable one. Doubting yourself and/or your decision to move on will only cause you undue stress and anxiety, which will do absolutely nothing for you but set you back. This time of change is about moving forward, creating new memories, and achieving new successes – not about looking back or trying to predict the future.

Positive Emotions You May Experience

1. Acceptance

Once you get through the emotional turmoil mentioned above, you’ll begin accepting your decision to move on and realize that you’re doing what’s best for you and your career. You’ll see that your decision to move on is not you not abandoning your employer and leaving them high and dry. Instead, you’ll appreciate the role that your employer played in your professional development during your time there, and you’ll also realize that you played a pivotal role at the company while you were employed.

2. Relief

One of the best emotions you’ll encounter during this process is relief. This is the time to start constructing your game plan for this new phase in your career, now that you’re past the negative emotions and in the right mindset. You no longer have feelings of guilt or sadness, so you can make room for the good feelings that will help drive success.

3. Motivation and Determination

Your newfound feelings of elation and relief will open the door for motivation and determination to seep on in – and, boy, does it feel good. This is about the time that you begin getting excited, and you finally begin to embrace the fact that you are doing the right thing. You’re more motivated than ever to achieve your dreams and go for the gold. You’ve worked hard to get where you’re at, and there’s no stopping you now.

In these types of situations, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, it may ease some anxiety to get a good idea of what you should be earning, how to negotiate the salary you deserve, and where your new career path will take you over the next five years. The more you know about what to expect during these transitional periods in your life and career, the better. Good luck!

Pupkewitz Investing in Personnel

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Pupkewitz Investing in Personnel Pupkewitz Investing in Personnel Create equal opportunities for employees PUPKEWITZ Group of Companies, dream of excellent leadership on every level of the Company. Enhancing and developing the strengths of their employees, so they can grow to be competent leaders and maintain a high performance culture. They believe that managing talent formally, with excellence, is a business imperative. They aspire to drive innovation, growth and breakthrough performance by balancing and integrating both the business and individual needs

The Talent Management department at the PUPKEWITZ Group was introduced in March 2016, and its strategic approach is built upon the understanding of the Group’s business strategy and how that translates into capability and skill requirements.

Talent Management in our Group operates under 9 Pillars, namely leadership development, talent pool development, communication, on-boarding, skills development, wellness, transformation, organisational development and support to chief executive officers and managing directors.

All these pillars are aligned with the strategic objectives of the Group and tie in with our 10 uniting principles. The number one unifying principle being commitment to people development.

According to our Group Talent Management Executive, Schalk Pienaar, “Talent Management in our Company is not only a human resource process but is fully owned by executive and senior leadership who are visibly involved. Our leaders are collectively responsible for the process and outcomes.”

He further said, “Our role as Leaders is to create a culture where all our employees are developed and cared for in an ‘extra ordinary manner, through creating an experience on a different level when it comes to caring, engaging, developing and providing exposure to all our employees. We understand that the development of human capital is not an option, but a business imperative.”

The economic downturn has not deterred us from consistently investing in our people for the past two years. Our focus now more than ever is creating equal opportunities for our employees, leveraging their strengths in order to have an empowered and productive workforce. As this is the only guarantee of ensuring our success as an organisation, even in difficult economic times.

Our commitment towards growing and developing talent from within the PUPKEWITZ Group also goes towards supporting the Government in making sure that we develop the required skills in the country, and refrain from sourcing skills from other countries. Thus leading towards equitable and sustainable development, as outlined in NDP 5, Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030.

NamPower mum on Xaris cancellation

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NamPower mum on Xaris cancellationNamPower mum on Xaris cancellation NamPower says it is not at liberty to say why it has cancelled the request for proposal (RFP) to jointly develop the Walvis Bay Power Project with Xaris Energy.

NamPower cancelled the lucrative tender, estimated at N$5 billion, with Xaris on 1 February.

In a brief statement the power utility yesterday said it had begun crafting its “strategic intent”, a process that would enable the development of a new five-year corporate strategic and business plan.

Its current five-year plan ends in June.

The new strategy, NamPower said, was aimed at meeting its goal for medium- and long-term energy self-sufficiency.

“Once finalised, the strategic intent will be presented at a stakeholder forum to all interested stakeholders in the electricity supply industry for their views and input. The public is, however, assured that NamPower is and will continue to ensure security of supply to Namibia in accordance with its mandate,” NamPower said.

The power utility faced harsh criticism and a court challenge after it had awarded the tender to Xaris Energy, in which Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba and Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) executive member Boni Paulino have shares.



Supreme court reserves judgement

The Supreme Court yesterday reserved judgement in an appeal by Arandis Power against a High Court decision that its challenge against awarding the lucrative Walvis Bay Power Project tender to Xaris Energy had no merit and lacked integrity.

Arandis Power filed its appeal with the Supreme Court on 30 January.

Two days later, on 1 February, NamPower informed it that the RFP by Xaris to jointly develop the 250-megawatt power plant had been cancelled.

Legal representatives of Xaris and Arandis then met on 8 February to discuss how the new development would affect Arandis's Supreme Court appeal and Xaris's legal representatives felt it was moot.

Acting on behalf of Arandis, law firm Etzold-Duvenhage Attorneys argued that the matter was not moot, arguing that it would only be over if Xaris “unequivocally and irrevocably” acknowledged in writing that the tender with NamPower had been validly cancelled and that the decision by NamPower to award the tender to it on 30 March 2015 was of no force and effect.

The Arandis team argued that Xaris had refused to provide the requisite acknowledgement of the tender cancellation.

Xaris's legal representatives, Engling, Stritter and Partners, in their heads of argument before the Supreme Court said they would challenge NamPower's cancellation of the tender and seek to enforce the tender award in its favour.

Arandis challenged the lawfulness and validity of awarding the tender to Xaris and whether Xaris could seek to enforce it.

Arandis maintained that the tender award was invalid and therefore Xaris could not seek its enforcement, irrespective of the confirmed cancellation of the tender.

CATHERINE SASMAN

'Germany in denial'

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'Germany in denial''Germany in denial'Experts shocked by genocide 'sugarcoating' The German government and its ambassador to Namibia have been accused of being flippant and evasive on apologising and paying reparations for the 1904-08 genocide, while using development aid as a carrot. The German government has been accused of soft-soaping the Namibian government with development aid, to avoid having to pay reparations to communities affected by the 1904-08 genocide.

The former colonial power has also been accused of a sinister attempt to wipe the Nama and Ovaherero genocide from memory, by referring to it as “atrocities” and of sugarcoating its role through the bilateral funding it gives Namibia each year.

Academic and social commentator Dr Henning Melber also reminded the Namibian and German governments this week that their negotiations for reparations were in violation of international indigenous law, which gives affected communities the right to represent themselves.

During a recent public lecture on genocide matters, Melber remarked that German government officials, including the country's ambassador to Namibia, Christian Schlaga, exhibited a flippant attitude towards the genocide issue.

In a letter published in a local newspaper this week, Schlaga explained that the two governments were trying to find a common language for the events that took place from 1904 to 1907.

He added that the focus would be on how the term 'genocide' would figure in such a text and that Germany was ready to apologise for the atrocities committed in its name, but it remained important for Germany that such an apology must be accepted by Namibia as marking the end of the moral discussion.

“We will talk about the necessary details of such an apology,” he added.

Melber, however, said there could never be an end to the moral discussions around the genocide.

“I am shocked. Basically what Germany is saying is, let us negotiate if and how we will apologise. It is clear that Germany is in complete denial and it is offensive; there can never be an end to a moral discussion. It will last forever. We cannot unhappen injustice, but we can deal with it. Just as much as the Holocaust haunts the German generations, so will the Nama and Ovaherero genocide,” he said.

According to Melber, Germany is being offensive and is dangling development aid like a carrot in front of the Namibian government.

“This is at an opportune time with the financial constraints, so the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) can be rolled out and the Germans are off the hook.”

Social scientist Sima Luipert, who spoke as a descendent of the Nama victims, said oral history dictates that the genocide started before 1904 and was already happening in the very late 1800s.

“They have wiped the !Hoan clan off the face of the earth and the Nama who fled to South Africa were extradited, court marshalled and charged with high treason. We saw a gradual dispossession of land of the Nama people already during this time,” she said.

According to her, the Namibian government only sees the development aid as a big cake and does not want to lose out on its share, hence its reluctance to boldly confront the German government.

There are two separate processes currently at play with regard to the genocide issue.

The Ovaherero and Nama genocide case against the German government, which was lodged in New York, was postponed to 3 May at the German government's request.

Germany made their first appearance in the US federal court in January this year after it had rejected a summons since 2017.

Meanwhile, the Namibian government is negotiating with its German counterpart, and appointed a special envoy, Dr Zed Ngavirue, to head these talks, which have been lambasted by Nama and Herero groupings – the affected genocide communities.

Ngavirue told the media last month that six rounds of negotiations had so far taken place.

“We can say we have advanced to that point of them not contesting that indeed what happened was genocide and that they are prepared to give an apology.

“The sticking point now has been reparations, because in a document that we submitted, we quoted a quantum that they felt was unrealistically high. We later submitted another one, which they did not say was unrealistic, but they went about suggesting what they are prepared to give, on the understanding that they say it's not reparations, but 'healing the wounds'.

“As you know the word reparations in Germany is a byword, a sensitive word that they will never want to be used because of their history.

“So we said, let's not ponder on the word; we should put our focus on getting them to understand our situation,” Ngavirue said at the time.

JEMIMA BEUKES
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