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Graft: Hanse-Himarwa to appear in court

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 Graft: Hanse-Himarwa to appear in court Graft: Hanse-Himarwa to appear in court Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa has been charged with corruption and will appear in the Mariental Magistrate’s Court next week. In a media statement issued today, Hanse-Himarwa admitted that she was summoned to appear in court on charges of corruption. She allegedly used her office for gratification. “These charges stem from my duties as governor of the Hardap Region, which portfolio I was appointed to by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba from 2005-15,” she said. Hanse-Himarwa defended her tenure as Hardap governor, saying programmes such as the Mass Housing project implemented during her reign, yielded tangible results. “It is thus painful that actions taken within the scope of responsibility and duties as a governor have resulted in the case being pursued against me. I state categorically that I neither abused by powers nor was I motivated by a desire for my direct and or indirect benefit.”
STAFF REPORTER




NWFD Debmarine at Grootfontein

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NWFD Debmarine at GrootfonteinNWFD Debmarine at Grootfontein Grootfontein's Omulunga Stadium will be the venue of the Debmarine Namibia Cup elimination round for the North West First Division, scheduled to take place on 10 and 11 March.

The Debmarine Namibia Cup, Namibia's biggest cup competition, kicked off across the country on Friday, with clubs in the first and second divisions battling it out for places in the competition's Round of 32, which will be played on the weekend of 23 and 24 March.

The draw was conducted last week Tuesday at the Namibian Football Association (NFA) headquarters.

The first two rounds will be played on Saturday, with the semi-final and final round of the matches scheduled to continue on Sunday. Military School Football Club (FC) are pitted against former Namibia Premier League campaigners and winners of last year Touch & Go FC in the first game of the elimination round on Saturday.



The full fixtures are as follows:

Saturday, 10 March

Military School FC vs Touch & Go FC

Golden Bees vs Tropical Heat

Ongwediva City vs African Lions

Young Stars vs KK Palace

Quarter-finals

African Motto vs Onambula United

Unam Ogongo vs Eleven Warriors

Winner 1 vs Winner 2

Sunday, 11 March

The semi-final and final will be played on Sunday.





NAMPA

Oshana Region rounds up preparations

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Oshana Region rounds up preparationsOshana Region rounds up preparationsFormer Newspaper Cup champions ready The 2016 Newspaper Cup winners, Oshana Region, are seeking to repeat their triumph this Easter. The 2016 Newspaper Cup winners, Oshana Region, are hard at work with preparations for the 2018 edition at Katima Mulilo.

The team is seeking to replicate their 2016 form with the hope that they can win the 18th edition of the annual under-20 championship set for 30 March to 2 April.

The northern team has won the tournament twice.

This time around, they will have to overcome Hardap and Oshikoto in Group C in the first round before they can think of triumph.

Goals from Andreas Keenjele and Immanuel Kalla helped Oshana defeat Khomas 2-0 and clinch The Namibian Newspaper Cup title at Rundu in 2016.

The region's under-20 coach, Samuel Bongo Shaama, says they have held trials and a provisional team list is already in place.

He adds that they will not undermine any region, but will rather work towards defeating them.

“We have had an encounter with Hardap Region during the 2017 Scorpion Zinc Cup, where we beat them 1-0 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. It was a tough game because they have great attack.”

Shaama says they have not yet faced their northern rival Oshikoto at youth level.

“Judging from our play last year, it was evident we lacked tactics, an area we intend to pay much attention to this year.

We have to combine the tactics and experience of the young boys who graduated from the under-17s with that of the seniors who already played in the Newspaper Cup last year and try to go all the way in Katima Mulilo,” Shaama says.

The regional team will play a friendly game against the Oshana 11, a Second Division team, on Saturday, 10 March to test their readiness.

Including the netball teams, the other groups are as follows.

Group A: Kunene, Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Kavango West;

Group B: Zambezi, Erongo, Omaheke, Omusati;

Group D: Ohangwena, Kavango East, //Karas.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

NPC recruits athletes with dwarfism

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NPC recruits athletes with dwarfismNPC recruits athletes with dwarfism The Namibia National Paralympic Committee (NNPC) has answered the call of deputy sport minister Agnes Tjongarero to include people with dwarfism in its pool of athletes.

In November 2016, Tjongarero called on the NNPC to start scouting for people living with dwarfism and get them involved in sports.

Rovisa Petrus, Nathalia Kambo and Celvia Shivolo have now been recruited by the NNPC and are being trained in shot-put and discus.

Speaking to Nampa last week, Petrus and Kambo said they have been in training for the last two months.

“I never did sports in school and when I joined the NNPC it was my first time stepping on to the field to do sports. All I did at school was compete in cultural dances,” Petrus said.

Kambo, who also competed in cultural activities before, said she found the going tough when she started training at the beginning of the year.

“I never had the courage to do sports because I did not see people of my height competing with tall people. But when I was advised by Jo-Ann Manuel that I can do sports with people of my size, I decided to give it a shot,” she said.

Manuel is the deputy director of marginalised people and women in sport in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.

Of the three athletes only Shivolo is employed. She works as a petrol attendant at the Puma Service Station in the Greenwell Matongo residential area of Windhoek and trains as her shifts allow.

The other two athletes said it was not easy to convince their relatives to allow them to do sports instead of looking for jobs.

“Our families were not happy when we said we are going to do sports. My mother asked if I will get paid for what I was going to do and when I said no, she told me it was a waste of time,” said Petrus.

Kambo however said after being in training for two months it appears as if their families are starting to accept their choices.

The athletes are expected to travel to South Africa with the NNPC to compete in the 2018 South Africa Nedbank National Championships for Physically Disabled that will be held in Bloemfontein from 28 March to 3 April 2018.

-Nampa

HESRON KAPANGA

Rassie plans quick Bok recovery

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Rassie plans quick Bok recoveryRassie plans quick Bok recoverySpringbok gaffer faces huge task The new Springbok coach acknowledged that he faces a “huge task” reviving fallen giants South Africa. New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus believes that it won't take long for the national team to rise back up to the top of the world rankings.

Erasmus, who doubles as the national director of rugby, faced up to his first media conference since taking over as Bok coach at the SuperSport studios in Randburg on Thursday, and said that while the world rankings were an accurate reflection of how far the Boks have fallen, he felt the remedy could be applied quickly.

“I firmly believe we have both the players and the coaching IP to win the World Cup (in Japan next year),” said Erasmus.

“The current world rankings do tell a story and we have slipped. We've been down to No 7 and have been hovering near No 5 or lower for a while.

“But the big thing is that it is in our hands.

“We as South Africans do not just roll over and accept our lot, we get stuck in and correct things.

“What I can tell you is that while the media view may be different and differ with my view, the players on the ground firmly believe we can get quickly back to No 1 or No 2 in the world.

“We have the resources and players to do it.”

The appointment of Erasmus was a poorly kept secret, and the die was effectively cast in that regard early in December, when he took up his position as director of rugby after 18 months away successfully guiding the Irish provincial team, Munster.

However, what was a minor surprise was the length of time that Erasmus has been appointed for. The former Bok captain has been contracted until the 2023 World Cup, a period of six years, which is unprecedented for a Bok coach.

It was initially understood that Erasmus would take on the Bok role as a kind of Kitch Christie style “ambulance job” until the 2019 World Cup in Japan and then hand over to another coach to focus on the broader director role. But that is no longer the case.

“I will stay on until 2023 and while it is a big challenge it is one that I believe I can meet.

“Up until I left for Munster I was responsible for all the teams except the Boks.

“I worked together with the national age-group coaches and also with the national Sevens coaches.

“I did a lot of planning towards the Commonwealth Games (win). My job will effectively stay the same, it will just be that the full responsibility for the Boks will be added to what I was doing before.

“We play 14 matches a year and I will spend much of my time with the Boks, but I will still work with the other coaches and teams. The plan is to align everything with the Boks, build a pathway that aligns everything we do at the other levels with the Bok goal.”

Erasmus did do that effectively when he was in charge of rugby at Western Province so he is no stranger to what he envisages doing at a national level.



Challenge

Erasmus' first big challenge will be the series against England in June.

Eddie Jones' team will be in the country for three test matches, and there is one logistical challenge in the form of an exhibition test match against Wales in the USA to get through immediately before that series.

“To the outsider it must look like suicide to travel to America to play Wales just a week before our first test against England, but we needed the extra test match as part of our planning for the World Cup,” said Erasmus.

“The extra match gives us 18 games until the World Cup as opposed to 17, and we will need that. Of course we have to win that game, and the bottom line for me remains the same as it is with every Bok coach – if I don't win then I will be moved out of the job. But we need to be creative both with the planning for the World Cup and the immediate priority of beating England in mind.

“I haven't finalised plans yet but we are giving it a lot of thought. This might be a chance for us to split resources and use some of the players who are based overseas who will be back in the selection mix in the World Cup year.

“Use it as a chance to look at them. If we are only travelling back from the US on the Tuesday before the first England test it would be foolish to take one squad of 23 that will play in both games.

“We may try something like having two squads, maybe with bench guys playing in both games but different starting teams.”

Regardless of what he eventually settles on, Erasmus believes the Boks have the beating of England.



First hurdle

“England is the first hurdle and I would say that a series win over them would be sufficient (to say we had enjoyed a good start). England have been playing well but they are definitely beatable.

“I know some of the players in the Six Nations quite well after coaching over there. Gregor Townsend has a good Scotland team and they have good continuity and they showed us that England can be beaten.

“I would say we are in with a good chance.”

More headaches for Ramaphosa

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More headaches for RamaphosaMore headaches for RamaphosaState-owned enterprises blocked by Treasury Parastatals in South Africa continue to want to spend money while the Treasury has already indicated a R50 billion shortfall. As President Cyril Ramaphosa faces a backlash over his new cabinet and parliament's resolution on land expropriation, he and new Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene now have a new crisis to deal with.

In the past three months Treasury was forced to block state-owned entities and government departments from blowing R15 billion on irregular purchases.

The companies and departments have continued wanting to spend money Treasury cannot afford because of a R50 billion shortfall in the budget. The largest culprits, a City Press investigation found this week, are state companies SAA, Armscor and Eskom which now fall under new public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan. They account for more than 90% of all spend Treasury blocked for flouting tender and procurement laws.

Treasury documents City Press obtained indicate that in the past three months, Treasury has stopped:

- SAA from sourcing R13 billion in loans to spend on consultants to provide “cultural change services”, “organisational design” and recruiting foreign airline turnaround specialists; - Armscor from spending R330 million on direct procurement to refit the navy frigate Isandlwana;

- The SABC from buying three outside broadcast trailers for R12 million without a tender;

- The SA Post Office from spending R67 million on manufacturing bank cards, without a tender;

- More than five requests from Eskom totalling about R500 million – including R136 million on a security tender extension, R127 million for a technical supplier contract extension, R85million on a printing tender extension and R43 million on a catering contract extension; and

- The environmental affairs department from directly procuring R120 million on goods and services without going to tender.

Senior Treasury officials told City Press that all they could do was refuse, but it did not mean the state companies and departments abided by their decision.

“In some cases government departments go ahead and deviate [from the rules],” said one. Former finance minister Malusi Gigaba warned of this in his budget speech two weeks ago, when he said “a large number of deviations from normal procurement processes have reduced the credibility of the supply chain management system”. “Deviations can also result in anticompetitive practices that open the door to corruption and which limit transformation by preventing small businesses from doing business with the state. In future deviations will be allowed only in rare, well-justified cases,” he said, adding that Treasury would strengthen collaboration with “all law enforcement agencies” to “fight fraud, corruption and abuse” of supply chain management systems.

Two senior Treasury sources said officials at the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer declined numerous requests to “deviate” from tender laws and “extend” existing contracts, all of which amount to “irregular, unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful” expenditure.

They said some officials in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and departments demand kickbacks from companies after securing Treasury permission to extend or award contracts without their having to tender first. “Very few companies are able to resist this. Some of these tenders are massive and the kickbacks run into millions,” said one.

The other said: “When it comes to extensions, government departments and companies will wait until it is too late to advertise a tender. They will then go to Treasury and ask for the current contract to be extended.

“Often they will find fault in the procurement process, cancel it and advertise again. In the meantime they approach Treasury and request another extension. This means that the contract will be extended several times and, while the process unfolds, money bags and brown envelopes are exchanging hands.” SA Shipyards CEO Prasheen Maharaj, for whose company Armscor applied for a R330 million tender deviation, had no idea that a deviation was requested in his company's favour. “We wish to confirm that SA Shipyards has never received any tender recently or ever from Armscor or any other state entity through a process of deviation,” he said. Deloitte, for which Eskom asked Treasury for a R22 million deviation to supply IT services, was also not aware of the request. “Deloitte is not aware that Eskom was about to award a tender to it,” said CEO Lwazi Bam.



What they said

SAA CEO Vuyani Jarana said he approached Treasury to request the deviations because the airline was in a dire financial situation.

“At the heart of it all were liquidity issues. We understood why Treasury said no, we just wanted to be pragmatic. “When Treasury said no, we went the long route. But the board was anxious to get things done,” he said. But a senior manager at Treasury said “Jarana's requests had no substance”. “In any case, we told him what his procurement department had been telling him all along, to allow procurement processes to be followed to the letter.”

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said it could not appoint Deloitte because Treasury blocked the appointment. Environmental affairs department spokesperson Albi Modise said the request to Treasury to appoint a service provider directly was informed by the agency's internal capacity and specialist staff.

Armscor and SABC were unavailable for comment.

NEWS24

Opoloyeka yezulonkalo ya thikama uule woomvula 4 monena

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Opoloyeka yezulonkalo ya thikama uule woomvula 4 monenaOpoloyeka yezulonkalo ya thikama uule woomvula 4 monena Okwa holoka omaipulo omolwa etungo lyopoloyeka yongushu yoomiliyona 66 ndyoka inali manithwa natango konima nkene opoloyeka ndjoka ya tamekwa mo 2014, moshitopolwa shaMusati. Opoloyeka ndjoka oya nuninwa okutunga endiki lyezulonkalo lyaakondjelimanguluko nale, na oya tamekwa momumvo gwoshimaliwa gwo 2014/15.

Aakondjelimanguluko yamwe oya holola kutya iimaliwa mbyoka andola oya longithilwe miinima yilwe pehala sho tayi hepa ngaaka, sho etungo ndyoka inali manithwa natango muule woomvula adhihe ndhoka.

Oya popi kutya aakondjelimanguluko oyendji otaya kulupa ngashiingeyi omanga endiki ndyoka tali pula oomvula odhindji okumanithwa. Oya tsikile kutya aakondjelimanguluko oyendji inaya mona natango omauwanawa gawo giimaliwa nkene andola iimaliwa mbyoka oya li owala ya longithwa mokukwashilipaleka kutya aakondjelimanguluko ayehe oya mona iimaliwa yawo.

Omupresidende gwoNamibian National Liberation Veterans Association (NNLVA), Ben Shikongo, okwa popi kutya ye ina tseyithilwa kombinga yopoloyeka ndjoka na okwe yi uvi owala moshigwana.



NNLVA ehangano lya totwa po 2010, opo li kalekepo uuwanawa waakondjelimanguluko nokuyambulapo oonkalamwenyo dhawo.

Evi ndyoka tali adhika mOnesi oya tulwa meni lyolugumbo mo 2014/15, sha landula sho elelo lyoshitopolwa shaMusati, lya gandja evi ndyoka omagano kUuministeli wIipambele yOnakulwa Aakulu.

Uuministeli owa popi kutya oompangela dhetungo odha manithwa nale, niilonga otayi tameke mbala uuna kwa monika oshimaliwa. Omvula ya piti okwa lopotwa kutya epangelo olya longitha oshimaliwa shoobiliyona 1.9 mokufutila aakondjelimanguluko yeli 11 000 oopoloyeka dhawo. Mboka oya mono oshimaliwa shooN$200 000 moopoloyeka dhawo.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, amushanga guuministeli wiipambele yoonakulwa aakulu, Hopelong Iipinge, okwa ekelehi omapopyo kutya opoloyeka ndjoka oya ethiwa.



“AaNamibia oye hole okunyenyeta. Opoloyeka ndjoka oya tameke mo 2011 naakuthimbinga ayehe oya tseyithilwa. Otandi mu lombwele opoloyeka ndjoka otayi pula komeho,” Iipinge a tsu omuthindo. Okwa popi kutya opoloyeka ndjoka otayi tameke okutungwa uuna pwa monika iimaliwa.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Aandonga ya pulwa ya ngungumane

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Aandonga ya pulwa ya ngungumaneAandonga ya pulwa ya ngungumane Oshilyo shelelo lyaNdonga na okuli ta longo pehala lyakansela gwoshikandjo sha Onethika, Selma Gwanandjokwe Shejavali, okwa pula aakwashigwana yaNdonga opo ya kale ya ngungumana omanga ofamili yelelo lyoshilongo shoka tayi kwatele komeho oonkundathana dhoku e ta ombili melelo lyaNdonga.

Shejavali oye omunashipundi gwoonkundathana dhopambili pamwe nOmukwaniilwa gwaNdonga, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas oshowo omulanduli gwElifas, Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo.

“Oshili kutya iilyo yombala yaNdonga okupitila moonkundathana ndhoka tadhi kwatelwa komeho kungame oshowo Nangolo otatu kundathana eeto lyombili mokati kelelo lyoshilongo shetu. Oonkundathana otadhi pula komeho, nuuyelele owundji kombinga yoonkundathana ndhoka otawu kala wa holelwa nowopaumwene.”

Okwa tsikile kutya omanga elelo ndyoka tali kundathana oshikumungu shetidho miilonga lyaaleli nale mboka ya tidhwa omvula ya piti, okwa popi kutya etokolo lya hugunina moshikumungu shoonkundathana ndhoka, otali uthwa kontopolwa onti 9 oshowo onti 10 yOmpango yOmalelo goPamuthigululwakalo onti 25 yomo 2000.

Shejavali okwa popi kutya uuna onkundatha ndhoka dha manithwa nena otaka tseyithilwa oshigwana shaNdonga, oshizemo shoonkundathana dhawo, pamushangwa. MuJuli gwomvula ya piti, omukwaniilwa Immanuel Kauluma Elifas okwa tidha ookansela yaheyali yomookansela 8 mboka yali ya kuthwa iilonga muApilili omumvo ngoka.

Mwaamboka ya tidhwa omwa kwatelwa omunashipundi nale gwelelo ndyoka Peter Kauluma oshowo ngoka a li omupopiliko gwelelo ndyoka Joseph Asino.

Yamwe po mbyoka ya tidhwa omwa kwatela omalenga omanene nale ngashi John Walenga, Ngoloneya nale gwaShikoto, Vilho Kamanya, Kashona kaMalulu, Tonata Ngulu naFillemon Nambili.

Omunangeshefa Erastus Mvula oshowo Paavo Amweele oya pingenepo Walenga onga elenga enene lyoshikandjo shaNdangwa, omanga Rainhold Nepolo pingenepo Asino moshikandjo Oniiwe.

Naeman Kambala okwa pingenepo Kamanya moAmuteya omanga Nepando Amupanda a pingenepo Peter Kauluma mOngula yaNetanga.

Nepando natango ota longo onga amushanga gwelelo lyaNdonga.

ILENI NANDJATO

Ondjele yiifuta momatala gaShikango ya gu pevi

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Ondjele yiifuta momatala gaShikango ya gu peviOndjele yiifuta momatala gaShikango ya gu pevi Elelo lyondoolopa yaHelao Nafidi olya shunitha pevi ondjele yiifuta yokomwedhi mbyoka hayi futwa kaanangeshefa mboka haya landithile momatala gaShikango. Shoka osha tulwa miilonga sha landula okatokolitho ka ningwa mEtitatu lyoshiwike sha piti, pethimbo lyomutumba omutiyali gwelelo lyondooloa ndjoka.

Mayola gwaHelao Nafidi, Eliaser Nghipangelwa okwa popi kutya etokolo ndyoka olya ningwa, sha landula sho elelo lya ningi omutumba nokomitiye ndjoka ya kalela po aanangeshefa mboka haya longele momatala ngoka, mboka ya popi kutya oondando yokulongela momatala ngoka oyili pombanda noonkondo.

Nghipangelwa okwa popi kutya elelo pamwe nokomitiye ndjoka oya tala koondando ndhoka na oya tokola oku dhi shunitha pevi, ihe ngele onkalo yopaliko mondoolopa ndjoka oya humu komeho nena oondando otadhi ka gwedhelwa.

Okwa tsikile kutya oya tokola eshunitho pevi lyoondando molwaashoka ngele aalandithi mboka itaya futu iifuta yawo omolwa oondando tayi nyengana nena otashi ka etitha elelo li ye moondjo.

Oondando dhaanangesehfa mboka ye na oosalona, uukululilo niihondjelo odha shuna peni okuza poo N$350 okuya pooN$225, aalandithi yiihape oshowo mboka haya landitha pahwata oya shunithwa okuza pooN$225 okuya pooN$130 nooN$80.

Aalandithi yiizalomwa mbyoka ya longithwa nale otaya futu N$100 pehala lyoo, N$225, mboka haya landitha oondya dhopamuthigululwakalo dha kukutikwa otaya futu N$50 pehala lyooN$95.

Mboka taya landitha onyama inayi pya, oongalashe oshowo iilonga yokomake itaya kala we taya futu oN$658 komwedhi ihe N$350. Aanangeshefa mboka taya landitha onyama yapya otaya futu komwedhi N$100.

KENYA KAMBOWE

SHOT OF THE DAY

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SHOT OF THE DAYSHOT OF THE DAY HAUTE COUTURE: Haute, a six-year-old Aubrac breed cow and the mascot for the 2018 Paris International Agriculture Fair (Salon de l'Agriculture) is led by her owner, livestock farmer Thibault Dijols, from a trailer as she arrives ahead of the fair's opening at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris on February 22, 2018. PHOTO: NAMPA/AFP

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

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If you fail to plan, you plan to failIf you fail to plan, you plan to fail We were surprised to read that double the amount of money needed for the reaction and adaptation to the effects of climate change is needed than that for mitigating or preparing for climate change.

Namibia is very vulnerable in this regard and the reasons for this are many. Firstly, we are a dry country, prone to drought and we have navigable rivers only at our northern and southern borders, meaning, we share those resources. Secondly, our country's history indicates limited development in this regard with South Africa only developing what was important and needed at the time, and where. Hence, our dams and water storage in the north of our country, where more than half of our population lives, are limited, or non-existent. In the third instance, we have a large rural community that relies on subsistence farming to get by and thus, need adequate, reliable rainfall. Finally, the continued existence of the red line at its current position has limited the possibility for northern farmers to truly access markets and farm forward, so to speak. So why are we not ready? Why do we need almost N$260 billion to react to climate change? Reactionary measures have become far too commonplace in this country. We do not plan. We react. There are countless issues which can be used as an example. Take the massive urbanisation and the influx into Windhoek, with three meagre dams built decades ago for less than half the population. No measures were put in place to halt this migration, no decentralisation policies were implemented and actually made a difference. Now we have sprawling informal settlements and Hepatitis E because there are no services and no proper sanitation. The issue of the 'struggle kids' eventually came to a head and led to violence, repeatedly, before training programmes were implemented. Erven, or plots as they are so popularly referred to, were an issue that had to be forced by youth activists like Job Amupanda… in this country, everything must reach burning point before we take action. This is how we are. Climate change is here and it is real. And we should have planned, a long time ago, and implemented those plans.

North signs landmark Limpopo deal

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North signs landmark Limpopo dealNorth signs landmark Limpopo deal The Limpopo province of South Africa is ready to assist Namibia's northern regions with the management of livestock diseases, especially foot-and-mouth.

This was announced during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Limpopo provincial government and the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto regions.

The MoU is aimed at establishing, sharing and consolidating economic, social, cultural, environmental and ecotourism developments. The Mapungubwe Arts Festival, which is a flagship project of Limpopo's department of sport, arts and culture, and the Oshituthi shOmagongo Festival will be the platforms on which these relationships will be consolidated.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Oshakati, Limpopo's economic development member of the executive committee (MEC), Seaparo Sekoati, said the province and the northern regions have the common objective of growing their economies for the betterment of the lives of their people.

“Our economies will indeed grow if we pay attention to our tourism sectors, improve on health, agriculture, mining, education and human resources or skill development. In this regard we are ready to support the working group to enable them to start with their work as proposed by the joint technical committee,” Sekoati said.

“Limpopo is ready to immediately share experience in livestock disease management, especially on foot-and-mouth epidemics, which is hampering us from reaping economic benefits from our livestock.”

Sekoati said this “friendship consolidation” started in 2006 when a delegate from Limpopo visited the northern regions during the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.

He added that as part of the agreement, Limpopo shall continue to participate in the trade fair to expose their business sectors to the opportunities available.

Oshana governor Clemens Kashuupulwa said the agreement will help the northern regions and the Limpopo provincial government to strengthen their existing relationships, thereby establishing fruitful partnerships.

“It is important to us as regions in Namibia to continue integrating and engaging the global economy in pursuit of socio-economic development and prosperity for our people,”

The signing ceremony was attended by three regional governors, councillors and senior government officials, as well as local and traditional authorities.

ILENI NANDJATO

From prisoner to panel beater

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From prisoner to panel beaterFrom prisoner to panel beaterChange is possible, with support Following training received while imprisoned, coupled with support from the first lady, one man has changed his life. After initially being sentenced to life imprisonment, a 56-year-old convict is on a quest to change his life. After being released on 21 November last year, Elifas Kamberiua immediately set out to change his narrative for the better and opened a panel beating business.

Sharing his initial experiences right after leaving prison, the lanky craftsman said he was overwhelmed when he walked out of jail as a free man.

“I was released last year in 2017. It was a Tuesday as far as I can remember. That feeling of walking out of the prison gates was indescribable, it felt like I was in heaven,” said Kamberiua, who was imprisoned since 1994.

This prompted him to set in motion the arduous task of opening a business straight out of prison. With no formal education, limited access to networks and a lack of acumen required to operate a small enterprise, Kamberiua was steadfast and keen to apply the knowledge he had gained while imprisoned.

“I met First Lady Monica Geingos while I was imprisoned. When I was released, I wrote to her and we discussed a few business ideas,” Kamberiua said.

His journey towards redemption started in prison.

“When I went in, I applied to undergo training in the workshop. I started in 1999 and gradually my destiny started to change,” recalled Kamberiua.

“After I was accepted to join the workshop I started working at a popular panel beating business in Khomasdal.

For three months I would wake up every day and go for my training. After the brief training spell, I returned to work in the prison workshop,” said Kamberiua.

This, he says, is where he mastered his craft.

“I worked in the prison workshop for the 18 years, up until the point when I was released.”

His meeting Geingos while in prison gave him the impetus to establish his business and as soon as he left the correctional facility, he moved quickly to meet up with the first lady.

“I met the first lady and we discussed a few business ideas.

I was asked to submit a business plan and the One Economy Foundation reviewed my plan. Soon enough I was sent on a training course by the foundation,” Kamberiua said.

Asked how he got the funding together to start his business, he said: “Look, I am a man, I have to do what it takes.”

With the help of the One Economy Foundation, he had the sufficient equipment required to open his first workshop in the yard of an associate.

Soon enough this proved to be a problem, owing to the complaints of residents in the area in which his workshop was situated in.

While still acclimatising to being a free man, Kamberiua said he has had to rely on former customers to refer others through word-of-mouth.

Kamberiua took Namibian Sun to his home, where he revealed the love of his love.

He nervously looks down as he talks about his love life.

“This woman has waited for me for all this time. In all this time, she has always visited me. She has never left my side,” said Kamberiua, before he excitedly lets the cat out of the bag.

“I want to get married. In fact it must happen this year.

She really is deserving and you do not meet a woman like this easily in life; she is one in a thousand.”

His business is located at the corner of Kindergarten adn Michaelangelo streets in Katutura.

OGONE TLHAGE

New CRO to tackle unaudited mess

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New CRO to tackle unaudited messNew CRO to tackle unaudited mess Newly appointed Ohangwena chief regional officer (CRO), Fellep Shilongo, has vowed to urgently attend to the submission of the council's unaudited financial statements to the auditor-general.

The regional council, which has been without a CRO for the past four years, has not submitted financial statements to the AG during this period.

The CRO position became vacant when the former incumbent Daniel Kashikola became a parliamentarian and was appointment deputy safety minister.

In 2015, candidates were interviewed, including Shilongo, but the regional council failed to consult former urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa, when it recommended its preferred candidate.

Shaningwa declined the appointment and members of the regional council then conducted meetings with her, seeking her advice on the way forward.

Shilongo, who assumed his duties last week, told Namibian Sun his first priority is the submission of the unaudited financial statements.

“Ohangwena has a backlog of unaudited annual financial statements for the past four years. Therefore, it will be my first priority to make sure that all these financial statements are submitted to the auditor-general before the end of this year.”

Shilongo is not new to Ohangwena or regional council affairs. For the past ten years he has been the regional council's director of planning and has also been acting as CRO.

Before joining Ohangwena, Shilongo worked as a deputy director of planning at the Kunene regional council.

He is the holder of a master's in philosophy, specialising in sustainable development planning, from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

Regional council management committee chairperson, Erikson Ndawanifa, said: “The Ohangwena Region is regarded as one of the poorest regions in the country and according to Shilongo the region has started some tree planting projects for households at the Endola, Omulonga and Epembe constituencies, aimed at alleviating poverty through enhancing food security, and he would like this project to be a success and to be implemented across the region.”

ILENI NANDJATO

Shelter for Outapi mothers

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Shelter for Outapi mothersShelter for Outapi mothersDBN comes to women's aid The long-suffering mothers of Outapi now have a shelter where they can stay while waiting to birth or, for prenatal care. The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has provided accommodation facilities for expecting mothers visiting Outapi State Hospital in the Omusati Region.

Valued at more than N$300 000, the facility alleviates the need for shelter for women who cannot afford accommodation when visiting the hospital for prenatal health services and care.

Previously, some women seeking prenatal care slept in tents or on the ground, under trees.

Handing over the facility to the hospital, the bank's CEO Martin Inkumbi said that Namibia's future is built on mothers, and their care for their children and families. The bank recognises that maternal health is a pillar on which the future relies. To this end, it made the donation to construct the facility.

Inkumbi went on to say, DBN also supports needy communicates through its CSI intervention, albeit under limited budget.

The bank's CSI policy has multiple targets, defined by specific fields in which the bank seeks to make targeted interventions.

These are poverty alleviation, development of education, skills development, care for the environment, community health, and activities that materially improve the business environment.

Talking about the bank's inclusive approach to women, Inkumbi explained that DBN has three effective pledges to the women of Namibia.

Firstly, he said the bank encourages economic participation on the part of women and women-led enterprises through its drive to transform the economy with finance. He added that the bank measures approval of finance for women, and uses its figures as a benchmark for its effect.

He encouraged women entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises to approach DBN with their business plans.

Secondly, Inkumbi said, the bank treats women on its payroll equally, and with respect. As a matter of fact, women are more than men in the Bank and he added that more than half of DBN's senior management team are women. Thirdly, the bank supports women through its CSI policy, of which the Outapi facility is an example.

Inkumbi concluded by saying that women play an invaluable role in all facets of life in Namibia, and that the bank should be seen as an enabling agency for their socio-economic development.



STAFF REPORTER

Oshikango open market rates dropped

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Oshikango open market rates droppedOshikango open market rates dropped The Helao Nafidi town council will drop the monthly rental fees for the vendors operating at the Oshikango open market.

The resolution was taken on Wednesday at the second ordinary council meeting.

According to council, the mayor, Eliaser Nghipangelwa had a meeting with the committee representing the vendors who have complained about the rent, saying the fees are too high.

“The committee pleaded with the council to relook their monthly fees which they feel are unaffordable. However, should the economy of the town improve, council will look at increasing the fees,” the council document read.

“The plea of the open market traders comes at a time where the administration was also looking at comparing the rates with neighbouring authorities, because the administration has picked up that the traders are struggling to pay their monthly fees. This may increase debt owed to the council.”

Council resolved that the monthly price for vendors with barbershops, tailoring and salon businesses will be reduced from N$350 to N$225, while the rental price for vegetable wholesalers and retailers will be reduced from N$225 to N$130 and N$80, respectively.

Vendors selling second-hand clothes will no longer pay N$225, but N$100, while those selling traditional dry food will pay N$50 instead of the usual N$95 per month.

The vendors selling raw meat, and those who operate a garage and workshops, will no longer pay N$658 per month but instead, council resolved them to pay N$350, while vendors selling cooked meat, will now pay N$100.

The town council said that the reduction will not cause a loss to the council because the reduced percentage will be covered by the fees paid by the daily sellers.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Aandonga urged to remain calm

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Aandonga urged to remain calmAandonga urged to remain calm A senior member of the Ondonga royal family and acting traditional councillor for the Onethika district, Selma Gwanandjokwe Shejavali, has urged the community to calm down while the royal family busies itself with talks to restore peace.

Shejavali is chairing the peace talks alongside King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas' successor Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo.

“It is true that members of the Ondonga royal family, through meetings chaired by myself and Nangolo, have been in talks to bring about peace and unity within the Ondonga royal family. The peace talks are ongoing and details of said talks of the Ondonga royal family remain private and confidential, unless otherwise officially stated,” Shejavali said.

She said while the royal family has been deliberating on how best to deal with the fallout resulting from the dismissal of councillors, and advises the king accordingly, a final decision in this regard is outside the mandate of the royal family, and falls squarely within the authority of the king, as set out in sections 9 and 10 of the Traditional Authorities Act 25 of 2000.

Shejavali said once the talks are concluded she will communicate the results to the Ondonga community in writing.

In July last year Elifas ordered the dismissal of senior traditional councillors, including former traditional authority chairperson Peter Kauluma and former spokesperson Joseph Asino.

The senior headman for the Ondangwa district, John Walenga, and former Oshikoto governor Vilho Kamanya were also expelled from the traditional authority. The other dismissed councillors are Kashona kaMalulu, Tonata Ngulu and Fillemon Nambili.

Businessmen Erastus Mvula and Paavo Amweele replaced Walenga as the senior headmen responsible for the Ondangwa district, while Rainhold Nepolo was named to replace Asino in the Oniiwe district.

Naeman Kambala took over from Kamanya in the Amuteya district, while former President Sam Nujoma's bodyguard Nepando Amupanda took over from Peter Kauluma in the Ongula yaNetanga district.

Nepando also acts as secretary of the Ondonga Traditional Council.

ILENI NANDJATO

N$66m project lies idle

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N$66m project lies idleN$66m project lies idleWar vets say money could have been better used Namibia’s war veterans are not in the least impressed by a planned centre for recreation and healthcare services for them, saying it costs too much. Serious reservations have been expressed about the construction of a N$66 million leisure and rehabilitation facility meant for war veterans in the Omusati Region.

The project, which started in the 2014/15 financial year, now lies idle because of budgetary constraints.

The centre at Epalela in the Onesi area is aimed at giving registered veterans of the liberation struggle access to leisure activities, palliative care as well as psychosocial and physiotherapy services.

Some registered war veterans have questioned the need for a facility of this magnitude, saying the funds would have been utilised for other needs.

Some veterans also said the government never consulted them about the project.

“The war veterans are getting old and if you are saying that the fencing was done about three years ago, when do you think this project will be in full swing?

“Secondly, not all the veterans received their money for their business plans and yet there are plans to have a facility that cost that much,” one war veteran said on condition of anonymity.

The president of the Namibian National Liberation Veterans Association (NNLVA), Ben Shikongo, said he was never officially informed of the project. He said he heard about the project on the grapevine.

NNLVA was established in 2010 to represent the interests of war veterans striving to improve their lives through income-generating activities.

The land at Onesi was fenced during 2014/15 after the Omusati Regional Council donated it to the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs.

A year later, a guardhouse and two chalets were built. There has been no construction activity since then.

The ministry said the master plan for the project had been completed and construction would continue as soon as funds were made available.

Last year it was reported that the government had spent N$1.9 billion on funding about 11 000 individual veterans’ projects. They received up to N$200 000 each to implement their business plans.

Contacted for comment, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Hopelong Iipinge, dismissed talk that the Omusati facility was not viable.

“Namibians like criticising. This project started in 2011 and the stakeholders were consulted and that is why I am telling you that this project is viable,” Iipinge said. He stressed that the project would continue once funds were available.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Fishermen widows elect committee

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Fishermen widows elect committeeFishermen widows elect committee Members of the Fishermen Widows Trust (FWT) elected a five-member interim committee on Saturday in line with a directive by fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau.

Milly Isaacs is the chairperson, with Leoni Warne as treasurer and Geraldine Moses as secretary. Delicia Ahrens and Vanessa Nash will serve as additional members.

Isaacs expressed appreciation towards the minister for his intervention and guidance rendered on behalf of FWT. She also acknowledged the roles of Rojo van Wyk and the late Clive Johannes as founder members of FWT.

“We are grateful and thank the minister from the bottom of our hearts for hearing our cries and acting to address the contentious issues we raised. We know it will not be easy but want to move forward and will inform the minister accordingly of any developments, and the decisions we take. If things were done properly, the animosity would not have existed. Please understand that things won’t happen overnight. The minister afforded Ehika MD Rojo van Wyk 21 days to act and make things right.”

Minister Esau directed Van Wyk to facilitate the full operation of the widows' trust and that the widows should elect its officials after FWT members complained about a lack of transparency and consultation.

The minster also instructed that a bank account be opened, which will be operated solely by the widows, and requested the company to submit audited financial, and bank, statements showing how dividends (profits) were shared in Ehika Fishing since 2012 to date.

“In the event that FWT did not receive proportionate share dividends, all such balances must be deposited in the bank account of the trust immediately. I also want written justification for the monies supposedly redirected by the company to investments. This must be satisfactory to both the company and FWT,” Esau wrote to Van Wyk in a letter dated 23 February.

Isaacs further said that the interim committee would work towards hosting an AGM where all members of the FWT will have to be present. They must nominate and vote for an executive committee that will represent the interest of the widows at Ehika’s board level.

“We would ideally have candidates consisting of a community leader, a lawyer and someone with knowledge about the industry. We have already identified and approached a number of candidates and they indicated their willingness to serve on the board. Once elected they must keep us informed and advise us.”

The interim committee will also try to facilitate information sessions to educate FWT members about their rights and relevant documentation.

Forty-two fishermen widows attended the elections which were conducted by show of hands. The process was observed by deputy mayor Penelope Martin, Narraville Primary School headmaster Paul Fisher and a member of the police.

Martin said she understood the plight of the fishermen widows and was honoured to observe the election process.

“My father was a fishermen. Our mothers had to take up the role of the fathers due to their absence at home. It took guts to stand up and I commend all of you for doing it.”

OTIS FINCK

Budget cuts halt construction, costs escalate

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Budget cuts halt construction, costs escalateBudget cuts halt construction, costs escalate Work stoppage at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration’s new headquarters in Windhoek due to budget cuts could cost government an extra N$32.5 million.

This was revealed by the new works minister John Mutorwa in the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday.

“The anticipated extra estimated costs that will accrue as a result of work stoppage due to budget cuts for the project are N$32 544 171.80,” Mutorwa told the house.

This figure could increase if the project is delayed further due to the escalation of prices and all specialised works that are yet to go out on tender.

These include the installation of the private automatic branch exchange (PABX) telephone system, joinery, balustrading, signage and landscaping.

Mutorwa was responding to queries by Swanu of Namibia parliamentarian, Usutuaije Maamberua.

When broken down, the extra construction costs that are expected to accrue include the extension of time claim (preliminaries and general items) which could cost the State N$1 418 010.39 from 22 June 2018 to 6 August 2018.

In addition, the extension of time claim on preliminaries and general items could escalate to N$22 861 094.38 from 7 August 2018 to May 2020, the ministry’s projections indicate.

Interest on late payments to the contractor is N$8 265 067.03.

The anticipated cost is inclusive of value added tax, Mutorwa noted.

He did not indicate when work on the building in the Windhoek North residential area is expected to re-commence.

The state-of-the-art headquarters’ initial cost was N$1 billion.

This makes it one of government’s most expensive properties, alongside the N$400-million police headquarters in Ausspannplatz and the N$400-million State House administrative building.

A total of 570 capital projects were earmarked for implementation during the 2017/18 financial year, but work on 320 of these projects have been stopped at various phases.

In all these stages, government has incurred expenses for work done by consultants.

NAMPA
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