The defence of billions of dollars

March 8, 2018, 2:00 pm

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The defence of billions of dollarsSchlettwein on spending According to the finance minister, the defence ministry is not performing useless activities as it carries out difficult tasks such as anti-poaching operations and international peace-keeping. The government went into fixed contracts that we cannot escape. – Calle Schlettwein, Finance Minister

Ndama Nakashole - Finance minister Calle Schlettwein has come to explain the increase in spending at the Ministry of Defence at a time when fiscal consolidation is at the centre of state finance decisions.

According to the Appropriation Bill tabled by Schlettwein on Wednesday, Defence will receive nearly N$5.96 billion in the 2018/10 Budget.

During a budget review hosted by PwC Namibia, Standard Bank Namibia, Liberty and Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) Wednesday evening, members of the public wanted to know why the defence ministry, in such a peaceful country, is getting nearly N$6 billion, which is higher than priority sectors, such as higher education’s N$3.2 billion allocation.

Schlettwein, during the question-and-answer session, said government too recognised that expenditure on defence is high, but this is a result of an old decision by parliament to up spending on defence.

He said parliament had decided that increased defence spending needs to be realised in order to maintain an ailing defence infrastructure, as well as ordering new equipment, as some infrastructure dated back to independence.

“During that time, the government went into fixed contracts that we cannot escape,” he said.

Schlettwein said the defence ministry is not performing useless activities as it carries out difficult tasks such as anti-poaching operations and international peace-keeping.

Prioritised

Members of the public further asked Schlettwein how the biggest allocation of nearly N$13.5 billion to the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture will impact public education and specifically, public schools. This ministry got the biggest chunk of the national budget, which has been a norm over the years.

Schlettwein said he noted that education benefited from generously high allocations in the past, and that Namibia ranks well in allocation of more money to education, which he said is a positive trend for the country.

He said as for education, budget allocations are not expenditures, but are an investment.

“It is an investment in our youth, so it is an investment in the future capacity of our country,” he said.

Asked whether the government in these trying times still subsidise private education, the minister said the government’s liquidity constraints over the past two years have made it difficult to subsidise private education. He added that subsidies for private education are provided for by the law because the government “believes spending on education is an investment”.

PSEMAS

Another notable highlight in this year’s national budget is the allocation of N$2.5 billion to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS). The scheme is getting a whopping 62.5% of the Ministry of Finance’s N$4 billion total allocation, Schlettwein said in his budget speech.

Schlettwein, during the question-and-answer session, said the funding of PSEMAS has reached unsustainable levels. His ministry is looking at ways in which to make the scheme sustainable, in a way that does not bring down the benefits of public servants.

Schlettwein added that the unsustainability of PSEMAS is not just caused by the way it is structured, but also various forms of fraud such as over-servicing, over-subscription and card fraud.

“During the year, we are introducing a biometric system because with card fraud, you actually service a much larger base than that which is covered,” he said.

The minister said they are in continuous consultations with the medical sector to best see how they can bring the scheme to sustainability.

Managing debt

In an interview with PwC Namibia, and screened during the review dinner, Allan Gray Namibia’s CEO James Mnyupe said government debt, which has gone up, is not a bad thing if borrowed money is used productively.

Mnyupe explained that when debt is taken, it’s taken to fund projects that bring income. He noted that every debt issued is going to fund those projects where the income is coming in. However, there is servicing of debt and the income generated is going to fund those projects with an aim of making more to fund new projects and attain financial stability.

“Debt is not a bad thing to issue but you must make sure that it increases income capacity of the country to sustain it,” he said.

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Namibians lead in wine consumption

March 8, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Namibians lead in wine consumption

Namibia has the highest wine consumption in Africa, polishing off close to 20 litres of wine per person per year.

This should come as no surprise, as Namibia has time and again been ranked as one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption in the world.

According to the latest data available from the Wine Institute, Namibia consumed 49.8 million litres of wine in 2014, the most recent year for which comprehensive statistics are available.

With a population of about 2.5 million people, that equals about 19.8 litres, or 27 bottles, of wine per person.

Namibia was the only African country whose population consumed more than 10 litres of wine per person that year.

The country with the second highest wine consumption on the continent was Equatorial Guinea with 8.7 litres per capita, followed by Tunisia with 7 litres of wine per capita.

South Africa, which is a major wine-producing country, consumed only 360 million litres of wine in 2014.

With a population of about 54 million people this meant that 6.5 litres of wine were consumed per capita.

In other African countries such as Botswana, the consumption per capita was 4.6 litres, in Angola 4 litres and in Algeria 1.2 litres.

The country that has the highest wine consumption in the world was Andorra at 56.9 litres (76 bottles) per person. The country consumed 3.9 million litres of wine in 2014 and has a population of only 69 165.

Second on the global list is Vatican City, where 56.2 litres of wine were consumed per capita. Croatia, Portugal and France completed the top five globally.

The United States consumes more wine than any other country at 3.3 trillion litres but that is just 9.9 litres per capita, putting it 55th overall.

At the other end of the scale, Pakistan consumes the least wine at 0.00019 litres per capita. Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and Bangladesh follow. Alcohol is forbidden in Muslim countries.

Namibia was last year ranked as the 18th highest per capita consumer of alcohol in the world. Statistics indicated that Namibia consumed 11.8 litres of pure alcohol per person a year. Namibia was also the highest consumer of alcohol in Africa, tying with Uganda.

In 2016 alcohol was Namibia's third highest import by value, at US$47 million. Wine was Namibia's fifth largest import, to the value of US$40 million.

Meanwhile finance minister Calle Schlettwein on Wednesday announced an average 5% increase in sin taxes.

Tax on malt beer, sparkling wine, ciders and alcoholic fruit beverages was increased by 10%, and on fortified wine by 6%.

The minister said the price increases came into effect on 21 February as is required under the SACU agreement.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Smit must just shut up - Nahas

March 8, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Smit must just shut up - Nahas

The former and current education ministers have blasted Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Nico Smit for implying that the post-independence government education system has failed the nation.

Smit this week explicitly blamed the country's first education minister Nahas Angula for what he calls the “disastrous state of our education”.

Angula responded yesterday by saying Smit “must just shut up”.

He also said stressed policies he introduced were “good” and is the reason why “hundreds” of Namibians are able to “think for themselves” and go to university.

In his contribution in parliament this week, Smit said Angula's decision to introduce English as the medium of instruction was flawed.

He also accused Angula of abolishing all pre-primary schools operated by the government, which in turn deprived thousands of disadvantaged children of the essential opportunity to learn the basics of education.

Angula, who was education minister from 1990 to 1995 and then, for the next ten years, served as the higher education minister until 2005, is widely credited with a smorgasbord of wide-ranging reforms to education in the country following independence.

He has endured criticism before for removing the pre-primary phase of schooling and on other occasions, removing road safety from the curriculum, amongst others.

Smit continued to blame the Swapo government of mixing politics and education which eventually, according to him, has ruined the lives of three generations of Namibian children.

“You need only to compare the results achieved by the private schools that have proliferated across Namibia since independence and the government-run schools in the country, to realise that the problems being experienced in government schools are not insurmountable. However, until now, this government has been unwilling to address the real problems and act to fix them,” he said.

Angula said he understands Smit's outburst because the pre-independence education system was “better for the cultural minority of European descent”.

Angula justified his introduction of English as medium of instruction by saying it was a neutral language accepted by all Namibians.

“If we had the mindset of the Afrikaners we would have said let us take Oshiwambo, but we did not. Smit must just shut up,” he said.

He added that he was fully aware that the majority of teachers were unqualified at the dawn of independence - directly because of the Bantu education system which did not prepare them for teaching.

“I knew it would take time for education to stabilise. We have put measures in place and as a result, transformed the education system to a place where it is now.

“We found a curriculum that was designed by a group of people with all the resources on earth to cater for their needs. And we transformed it into a system which produced critical thinkers - people who can think for themselves today.”

Incumbent education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said Smit must “wake up from his colonial slumber and hallucinations”.

She added Smit would have found the pre-independence education system favourable because it deprived black people any opportunity.

“What may have been good in his perception is that the whites were allocated the biggest chunk compared to the other racial groups. Furthermore, education was provided along racial lines whereby black children received an inferior Bantu education under inferior circumstances, including resources and educational material,” she said.

Bensen Katjirijova, the secretary-general of the PDM's youth league leapt to Smit's defence and issued a statement yesterday, lamenting the fact that “politics of the belly have taken centre-stage, before education”.

“It goes without saying that education is the most important sector in our country, and therefore has to come first and foremost before politics of the belly.”

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Churches and NGOs stunned by tax move

March 8, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Churches and NGOs stunned by tax moveCharities will be crippled Charitable organisations and churches say paying income tax would prevent them from providing much-needed social services that the government cannot provide.

A plan to have religious, non-governmental organisations and charities file tax returns and pay taxes on income received through commercial activities has met opposition, with commentators saying this is being done without logic and consideration of the tough economic conditions all entities are currently going through.

Finance minister Calle Schlettwein said during the tabling of the 2018/19 budget on Wednesday that plans are in place to tax the commercial activities of welfare organisations and that they should register as taxpaying entities.

African Methodist Episcopal (AME) pastor Maria Kapere felt the ministry of finance should have consulted church organisations before the planned introduction of the tax measure.

According to Kapere, during her time with the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), efforts were always made to engage the government on issues of national interest, particularly in the area of social development.

“The churches should have been consulted on this move. Churches never get any type of assistance from government. Take the example of the Dutch Reformed Church, which had the assistance of the former South African apartheid government,” Kapere said.

“Government does not offer any type of support but if you look at the mainstream churches, they have always contributed towards social development issues and we do not get help from government.”

Kapere said she was surprised.

“I cannot understand on what grounds this tax is being introduced,” she said.

SPCA Namibia manager Monique Redecker said welfare organisations were struggling to keep afloat. The introduction of a tax, she felt, would make it more difficult for welfare organisations to survive.

“We are very upset about the planned introduction of the tax,” said Redecker.

“We are a welfare organisation that only depends on donations and we are barely surviving as it stands. We do not have the money to pay tax.”

Taxes would be an additional burden, Redecker said.

“This additional burden is unacceptable; they are now going to tax people that are suffering. We cannot understand why non-governmental organisations are going to be taxed, this is really beyond understanding,” Redecker said.

Legal Assistance Centre director Tony Hancox said NGOs were providing vital services, some of which the government could not provide.

Money received by NGOs either through donations or commercial activities contribute to funding their operations, Hancox said.

“In our view any funds obtained (whether from commercial activities or not) which are utilised purely for the objectives of the NGO, should not be taxed. NGOs are not profitmaking entities. As it is, NGOs in Namibia play a vital part in providing services, some which should actually be provided by government,” Hancox said.

She added the current economic climate did not make it conducive for a tax to be introduced and said she hoped the motion would not be supported.

“NGOs are already struggling to source sufficient funds in this difficult economic climate and this places a further burden on them and may result in them not being able to sustain themselves. Ultimately this will be to the detriment of all those who rely on NGOs for assistance in any number of ways. We would urge parliament not to approve such a motion,” Hancox said.

Institute of Public Policy Research director Graham Hopwood also felt consultation was key before the move was announced by Schlettwein.

“It would be good if such moves were based on consultation with non-profit bodies rather than just announced in the budget.

“However, it is fair for government to tax commercial activities that may be carried out by a non-profit body.

“In the broader sense, government should talk to NGOs and come up with supportive policies. Civil society in Namibia is currently in crisis and this has a lot to do with the funding situation,” said Hopwood.

Announcing the measure in the National Assembly during the tabling session, Schlettwein said tax registration would soon be required for Section 16 listed organisations.

He said the government planned to subject income derived from commercial activities by charitable, religious, educational and other types of institutions under Section 16 of the Income Tax Act to normal corporate tax.

“Such institutions will be required to register as taxpayers and file annual income tax returns,” Schlettwein said in the National Assembly yesterday.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Company news in brief

March 9, 2018, 2:00 pm

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Company news in brief

MTN cuts dividend to rein in debt

South African telecoms firm MTN Group cut its 2018 dividend on Thursday to cut debt but outlined increases in the next three to five years, lifting sentiment in the firm which some investors had expected to scrap this year's payout.

MTN said it was cutting its 2018 dividend to 500 cents from 700 cents in 2017 but would use this year's figure as a base to increase payouts by 10 to 20% in the next three to five years, describing this as a "progressive" dividend policy.

MTN, which operates in more than 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East, wants to expand from telecoms services into financial services, music streaming and e-commerce.

The new dividend policy would help cut MTN's net debt, which stands at R57 billion, more than double the pile of its nearest rival Vodacom.

Group service revenue rose 7.2% to R124 billion, due to strong performance in Nigeria, the company's most lucrative where it has also been embroiled in a dispute over repatriating funds and unregistered SIM cards. – Nampa/Reuters

Eskom to launch probe into SAP contract

South Africa's state-run power utility Eskom said on Thursday it would launch its own probe into a contract with German software maker SAP which has ensnared the company in a wider graft scandal.

SAP said on Thursday it had found compliance breaches and "indications of misconduct" in public sector deals in South Africa involving the Guptas, friends of former president Jacob Zuma accused of corruption.

Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing. – Nampa/Reuters

Exxaro eyes Optimum quotas

South Africa's Exxaro Resources Ltd said on Thursday it was interested in buying coal export quotas from the Gupta family's Optimum Coal mine that is now in business rescue proceedings.

Chief Executive Mxolisi Mgojo made the comments as he announced Exxaro's results that showed an impairment charge had driven down full-year earnings by 65%, despite an improving operating profit.

The impairment relates to replacing its economic empowerment vehicle used to boost the level of black shareholders in Exxaro.

Optimum Coal mine, which has faced a strike by its workers over unpaid salaries, sought protection from creditors on Feb. 20 with seven other companies owned by the Guptas who are accused of corrupt ties to former President Jacob Zuma.

Exxaro declared a final dividend of 400 cents per share, compared with 410 cents last year. – Nampa/Reuters

Botswana pays Russia's Norilsk Nickel

Botswana has paid Norilsk Nickel US$45 million to settle a dispute after its state-run mining company pulled out of buying a stake in a South African mine from the Russian firm, the minerals minister said on Friday.

Botswana's state-run BCL Mine pulled out of a 3 billion pula (US$281 million) deal in October 2016 to buy a 50% stake in Nkomati Nickel Mine from Norilsk due to a lack of funds, prompting the Russian firm to file a legal claim.

Minster of Minerals Sadique Kebonang confirmed the settlement and said the payment was approved through a presidential directive on Jan. 24.

Norilsk Nickel declined to comment. – Nampa/Reuters

China Resources Beer in talks with Heineken

China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co Ltd is in talks to acquire Heineken NV’s China business in a deal that could be worth more than US$1 billion, as the country's largest brewer seeks new growth from premium brands, five people close to the discussions said.

The negotiations come as global beer giants such as Heineken, AB InBev and Carlsberg are facing fierce competition from local rivals and each other in emerging markets, which have been touted as the growth engine for the world's biggest brewers.

China is the world's largest beer market by volume. CR Beer's biggest brand, Snow, is the world's top-selling beer, but is almost exclusively sold in China.

One of the sources said the deal between CR Beer and Heineken would most likely include three breweries – in Guangdong, Hainan and Zhejiang provinces - Heineken's distribution operation and its brands in China.

The two brewers have discussed a share-swap as part of the transaction, the source said. – Nampa/Reuters

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Simmering tensions

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Simmering tensionsErongo league defies fuming clubs The executive of the Erongo Football League has swiped away calls for its chairperson to resign, while pushing ahead with the current season, despite some clubs saying a NFA directive had indefinitely put the league on ice.

The Erongo Football League (EFL) has refuted allegations of incompetency levelled against chairperson Charles Mukuua and says he is going nowhere, despite calls by local coaches for him to fall on his sword.

Several second division coaches, who spoke to Namibian Sun's sports desk, said Mukuua should resign with immediate effect, as he is ignoring a year-old directive from Namibia Premier League (NPL) president Frans Mbidi that the league is suspended.

According to Young Eleven coach Wycliff Martins, Mbidi declared the 2015/16 league season null and void after he was called in to mediate between club officials and committee members, following a plethora of grievances that included false log standings being recorded and claims that funds had been mismanagement.

However, there was no formal letter from Mbidi, which has now been used as a loophole to kick-start the league this year.

This has frustrated coaches as they claim some clubs never received their prize monies for the 2015/16 season and that the league just resumed with a few teams, without settling what they are owed.

In an email addressed to the Namibian Sun on 7 March, the league stated they received a N$10 000 grant from the NFA to kick-start the 2017/18 season and that they did so with six teams - Sorento Bucs FC, Karibib FC, Swakopmund FC, Zula Molest FC, Namibian Navy FC and Tuta Super Eagles FC.

In the statement the league also said there was still no clarity on what prize monies would be on offer this season, as this had not been communicated by the NFA, even though the league had commenced.

Martins claimed they were given a league coordinator, who was supposed to deal with registration of clubs, player cards and so forth during the 2015/16 season, but that the committee had “released” the coordinator and decided to do the work themselves, which was against the rules of NFA.

The league again responded and said it is the responsibility of its exco to ensure football activities are going on in the region.

“This includes the administration and coordination of the league. Yes, the EFL exco is ensuring that there are league fixtures and in addition that promotion and relegation is done as per the NFA rules and regulations. However, currently we are not aware of any promotion and relegation issues,” the statement read.

The league also rebuffed claims made by another source that some clubs did not receive their winnings from the 2015/16 season, saying the top three teams that submitted their banking details on an official bank letterhead had received their prize monies.

“The request of member clubs' banking details on an official bank letterhead aims to maintain transparency in EFL fiscal transactions. Walvis Bay Barcelona FC and Mighty Eagles FC did not submit their clubs banking details on a bank official letterhead and therefore their prize monies were not paid to them.”

The EFL, however, disclose what had happened to the money.

Debmarine woes

Apart from frustrating club heads when it comes to his management style, one of the coaches accused Mukuua of inviting teams not affiliated to EFL to take part in the DebMarine Namibia Cup preliminaries recently.

“It is true that he brought in teams which are not affiliated. Teams like Celtic and Gendev FC - which are not registered members, played in the cup. Their player cards did not have a NFA stamp,” the coach said.

The league confirmed that Celtic FC, Sorento Bucs FC, Karibib FC, Gendev FC, Swakopmund FC, Zula Molest FC, Namibian, Navy FC, Tuta Super Eagles FC and Young Eleven FC (who were included in the fixtures but did not play) formed part of the preliminaries and that they are all affiliated members of the EFL.

Four clubs, Blue Birds FC, Mighty Eagles FC, Young Eleven FC and Walvis Bay Barcelona FC, boycotted the cup.

The EFL executive members are Mukuua, vice-chairperson Ephraim Shozi, treasurer Gabriel Iiyambo, Gabriel Iiyambo Magrieta Philipus, Kaunalenga Avia, John Tjiveze and Taleni Tjiueza.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Rebels thrash Brumbies in derby

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Rebels thrash Brumbies in derby

The Melbourne Rebels created a piece of club history when they overpowered the ACT Brumbies 33-10 in their Super Rugby clash in Melbourne on Friday.

The bonus-point win ensured the Rebels won their third match in a row, the first time they have opened the season with three victories.

Earlier in Dunedin, the Highlanders extended the DHL Stormers' losing streak on New Zealand soil to 10 matches with a 33-15 bonus-point win.

The Rebels have now skipped clear at the top of the Australian conference after also securing bonus-point wins over the Reds and the Sunwolves.

Melbourne, who picked up the bulk of the axed Western Force outfit at the end of last season along with coach Dave Wessels, survived an early test from the Brumbies before finishing far stronger.

The Brumbies opened the scoring through a 10th-minute try to Chance Peni, but that was the last time they had any joy. Melbourne's impressive number 8 Amanaki Mafi levelled the scores 20 minutes later before Reece Hodge crossed to give the home side a 14-5 lead at the break.

The Brumbies came out full of intent in the second half and got within four points when Henry Speight scored.

But from that point the Rebels dominated and tries to Hodge, Josh Maddocks and Michael Ruru secured the win and the bonus point.

Rebels captain Tom English said the squad was full of confidence after such a blistering start to the season.

“To know that we can do that brings a lot of confidence heading into next week (against the Waratahs),” he said.

“We always know when we play the Brumbies they will bring intensity and physicality.

“The boys showed up tonight and we came away with the bonus point win.”

SUPERSPORT

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Garcia dethrones Lipinets

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Garcia dethrones Lipinets

Mikey Garcia outpointed Sergey Lipinets to claim his fourth world title in as many divisions

Garcia sent Lipinets to the canvas for the first time in his career on Saturday as he seized the Russian's IBF super lightweight world title with a 12-round unanimous decision.

The unbeaten Garcia, who improved to 38-0 with 30 knockouts, has now won world titles in four weight classes, his triumph in Saturday's 140-pound (63.5 kg) bout in San Antonio, Texas, making him the third fighter, along with Filipino great Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez to win world titles at 126, 130, 135 and 140 pounds.

“It's a great feeling,” said Garcia, who called it “a huge honour” to have his name alongside those of Pacquiao and Marquez.

“It means a little chapter with my name,” he said.

Lipinets, 28, was the underdog at Freeman Coliseum despite his status as the world champion. He was making the first defence of the title he won with a unanimous decision over Japan's Akihito Kondo for the vacant IBF belt in November in New York.

“He came in exactly as I expected, very tough, very determined, very hungry - strong fighter,” Garcia said. “We knew he was very determined, and he's dangerous, we had to be very careful.”

But Garcia, who was out of the ring for more than two years over a contract dispute, seized his chance in the seventh, dropping the Russian with a left hook to the chin.

“We both exchanged left hooks,” Garcia said. “He cut me up a little bit and I landed mine on the chin.”

Lipinets recovered and fought gamely through the 12th round, but he couldn't turn the tide.

One ringside judge scored it 116-111 and the two others both saw it 117-110 for Garcia, who said he'd like to return to lightweight in a bid to unify those titles before rising again to super lightweight and even, perhaps, to welterweight.

On the undercard, Karyl Relikh took a 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy to claim the vacant World Boxing Association super lightweight world title.

Relikh avenged a loss to Barthelemy last year, winning the fight by scores of 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109.

NAMPA/AFP

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Rashford shines

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Rashford shinesSidelined player proves his worth to United Marcus Rashford's double handed Manchester United a stunning victory over Liverpool on Saturday.

Marcus Rashford showed Jose Mourinho just why he deserved his first Premier League start of the year by scoring both Manchester United's goals as they beat Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday.

His double inside the first 25 minutes means that Rashford has more goals from one game than Alexis Sanchez has managed for United since signing the most lucrative contract in Premier League history in January.

The Chilean's arrival has pushed Rashford down the pecking order despite Sanchez's struggles to recreate the form that made him so in demand when he decided to run down his contract at Arsenal.

Sanchez has just one goal in nine games in a United shirt, but has shown great hunger and is relentless and willing.

Indeed, had it not been for an impact injury suffered by Paul Pogba in what Mourinho described as “the final minute” of training on Friday, there is every chance Rashford would have been sidelined once more. Instead, Sanchez moved inside to an advanced midfield role Pogba would likely have filled to create the space on the left for Rashford to win the game. “He scored two goals in a big match against a top class opponent,” said Mourinho. “Of course he was fundamental.” His first goal in particular didn't resemble a player short on confidence and without a goal in the league since early December.

Rashford burst onto Romelu Lukaku's flick-on and turned inside Trent Alexander-Arnold before blasting past Loris Karius into the far corner. Boosted by breaking his drought, Rashford then swept home a second 10 minutes later with the Liverpool defence again scrambling after Lukaku had outmuscled Dejan Lovren. “The good thing was the first chance he had, he got it, he scored because I think in the last two months that was not happening with him,” added Mourinho.

“Today, a big game, probably he didn't expect it, but we trusted him and thought the game adapted to his qualities (sic).” Rashford's return to form couldn't have come at a better time not just for United - who face another two crucial games this week when Sevilla and Brighton visit Old Trafford in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively - but also for England. England manager Gareth Southgate was among an impressed crowd just five days ahead of naming his squad for friendlies later this month against the Netherlands and Italy.

Those games will be Southgate's last chance to experiment before naming his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.

“It was nice that he was here to watch but there are a lot of players in contention,” said Rashford.

“He keeps in contact with us and let us know where we are at.”

Rashford is undoubtedly better placed to feature in Southgate's plans after his performance on Saturday, but his World Cup prospects may still hinge on how much he features for Mourinho in the final months of the season. Tellingly, despite his two goals, it was Rashford and not Sanchez who was sacrificed as the Portuguese looked to shut up shop in the final 20 minutes by introducing Marouane Fellaini.

Mourinho was booed by the United fans for his decision, which he defended by citing a fear Rashford could have seen a second yellow card.

However, with Pogba soon to be back from injury, Mourinho will most likely have to make a brave decision by dropping the £89 million (US$123 million) Frenchman or Sanchez if he is to continue to show faith in Rashford.

NAMPA/AFP

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Russians go to the polls

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Russians go to the pollsThe world waits and watches Russian president Vladimir Putin may be one of the most intriguing statesmen the world has seen in a long time, and on yesterday, Russian citizens went go to the polls in the country's presidential election. Namibian Sun sat down with the Russian ambassador to Namibia, Valeri Utkin, to talk about...

Namibian Sun (NS): Mr Ambassador, on Sunday Russians will go to the polls in the presidential election… please elaborate on this event?

Valeri Utkin (VU): The elections of the president of the Russian Federation are to be held on 18 March in all our territories, and abroad. It is a major domestic political event.

The priority is to fully ensure the constitutional right of citizens for the free democratic expression of their will and fair elections. Strict observance of the law is the basis of the legitimacy of the state power and the guarantee of citizens' confidence.

A substantive part of electorate, including overseas voters, took part in the early voting. To exercise this right a person should present proof of Russian citizenship at the polling station.

NS: How does the nomination process work?

VU: The president is directly elected for a term of six years. Political parties represented in the State Duma can nominate a candidate to run for the office while candidates from officially registered political parties that are not represented in the parliament have to collect at least 100 000 signatures.

Independent candidates have to collect at least 300 000 signatures with no more than 7 500 from each federal region of Russia and also from action groups made up of at least 500 people. This year the Russian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) registered eight candidates for the election to the country's highest office.

The list includes the incumbent president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin as an independent candidate; the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky; the Communist Party nominee and businessman Pavel Grudinin; one of the founders of Yabloko party Grigory Yavlinsky; Ksenia Sobchak of the Civil Initiative party; Maksim Suraikin of the Communists of Russia Party; Boris Titov of the Party of Growth; and Sergei Baburin, the leader of the Russian All-People's Union and former Deputy Speaker of Russia's State Duma.

NS: Explain the voting process.

VU: If in the first round no candidate attains an absolute majority of the votes (more than half), then a second round will take place exactly three weeks later, on 8 April 2018.

NS: Does the CEC invite international observers to monitor the forthcoming elections?

VU: It is a very good question. I should tell you that there is an unprecedented interest from observers in the forthcoming presidential election in Russia. We extended invitations to many foreign countries, including Namibia, and international organisations. Many of them will send their observers. The representatives of at least 52 foreign embassies in Moscow will observe the electoral procedures, with the total number of applications from diplomatic missions already tripling that in the 2016 State Duma election. Foreign embassies in Moscow have asked to be included in the lists of observers. If there were 20 people in the elections to the State Duma in 2016, there are presently 60 of them out of 52 embassies. According to experts, the number of applications will further increase.

NS: Could you explain how your expats will vote?

VU: Russia has accumulated a serious experience in this sphere. It refers to the best electoral practices of the 21st century, representing an effective implementation of constitutional and international standards. This experience is based on the principles of legitimacy, competition, ensuring the political rights of Russian citizens who are outside the country.

The CEC plays the central coordinating role in this process. It has developed necessary regulatory tools. In accordance with federal law, the commission adopted important recommendations on organising voting at polling stations established outside the country; clarification of the procedure for the activities of foreign (international) observers; methodical recommendations on ensuring the implementation of electoral rights of servicemen and law enforcement officers; a decree on the unified numbering of polling stations established outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

According to the foreign affairs ministry, about 2 million Russian citizens are registered as voters outside the country. Add to this number, individuals who on voting day will be abroad temporarily for various reasons. Based on this, a decision was taken to establish 382 polling stations abroad.

NS: Do you plan to organise voting for Russian citizens residing in this country?

VU: We have already held voting in Swakopmund on Saturday and in Walvis Bay on Sunday. Another round of early voting will take place in Oshakati on 14 March and on our election day on 18 March, a polling station will be opened at the embassy of the Russian Federation in Windhoek from 08:00 to 20:00. We expect that the voter turnout will be remarkable.

NS: How do you suppose the outcome of the elections will influence bilateral relations and cooperation between Namibia and Russia?

VU: It is widely known that Russia attaches a lot of significance to our warm and friendly relations with Namibia, which is our reliable and time-tested partner.

Our Namibian friends remember very well, and we appreciate it, that during the liberation struggle in Namibia we supported Namibian patriots who fought bravely under the guidance of Swapo.

Our present day relations in many spheres, from the economy to culture, are based on this solid foundation, which has consolidated friendship and mutual respect between our nations. Bilateral economic cooperation between our countries is well coordinated by the Russian-Namibian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. The most recent meeting of this Commission adopted practical and useful decisions in mining, agriculture, energy, fisheries and tourism as well as personnel training. The eighth meeting of the Commission will be held this year to discuss these promising partnership trends. In my view, our bilateral relations have successfully stood the test of time and will prosper in future.

I am confident that after the presidential elections in Russia, the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries will continue to expand and deepen.

YANNA SMITH

↧

Omaiyuvo kombinga yegwedhelo lyoshikwiila shaakokele

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: NSFAF ta pulwaapulwa

≪ Previous: Russians go to the polls

Omaiyuvo kombinga yegwedhelo lyoshikwiila shaakokele

Etokolo lyaningwa kepangelo opo ku gwedhelwe oshikwiila shaakokele moshilongo noshimaliwa shooN$50, olya taambiwako nomaiyuvo ga yooloka.

Ominista yemona Calle Schlettwein, oya tseyitha mEtitatu lyoshiwike sha piti kutya oshikwiila shaakokele shoka haya mono kehe omwedhi okuza kepangelo otashi gwedhelwa noshimaliwa shooN$50. Minista okwa ningi etseyitho ndyoka pethimbo a tseyitha omutengenekwathaneko gwelongitho lyiimaliwa yepangelo moshikako shomvula ndjika. Omagwedhelo ngoka otaga ka etitha opo aakokele ayehe mboka ya gwanitha omimvo o 60 opo ya kale haya mono oshimaliwa shooN$1 250, okuza kepangelo, kehe omwedhi.

Paulina Hamunyela, omukalimo gwomOshakati, okwa popi kutya okwa pandula noonkondo egwedhelo ndyoka ihe okwa gwedha po kutya oshimaliwa shoka inashi gwana okusila oshisho aatekulu ye yane mboka yeli mesiloshipwiyu lye.

Omunamimvo 74 okwa popi kutya yatatu yomaatekulu ye oothigwa na yeli kooskola dhomihandjo, omanga gumwe e li moshiputudhilo shopaungomba moGobabis. “Oshiwanawa sho epangelo lya gwedhele oshikwiila shetu, ihe ngame kashi shi oshinima shoka tandi vulu okutyapula,” omukokele ngoka a popi. “Shika itashi ti omolwaashoka ihandi pandula ihe ngame ondiinekela mohapu yoKalunga noonkondo, ndjoka ya kala nokupandje oonkondo uule woomvula adhihe ndhoka opo ndi longe nuudhiginini kandi kale owala nda tegelela ooshali,” Hamunyela ta popi.

Hamunyela okwa popi kutya nonando epangelo olya tula miilonga elongo lyoshali, aavali naasilishipwiyu yaanona natango oye na oshinakugwanithwa oshinene okulanda omizalo dhoskola niikwathitholongo, mbyoka yi na woo ondilo.

“Ngele owa tala konkalo yandje, ondi na aanona yane ye li momihandjo nongele oye ya komahuliloshiwike, ondi na okufuta omalweendo gawo nokuya pa iimaliwa yokwiikwatha oshowo okulanda iikulya sho taya shuna koskola molwaashoka ihaya li esiku ndyoka taya shuna.”

Hamunyela okwa tsikile kutya omolwa onkalo ndjoka ke li megumbo a kuutumba a tegelela openzela ihe ota ngeshefa. Omukokele ngoka oha landitha omambo gopambepo niilandithomwa yopaundjolowele.

Thomas Johannes a za mOkahao okwa popi kutya ita vulu okwiitaala kutya openzela ye oya gwedhelwa nooN$50, pakutala konkalo yeliko ndjoka ya taalela oshilongo. Okwa popi kutya ita vulu okwiitaala na okwa nyanyukwa omolwa egwedhelo ndyoka molwaashoka oya kala nukuuva mooradio oshowo miikundaneki mbyoka haya lesha kutya epangelo kali na iimaliwa.

Johannes okwa pula aakokele ya kwate nawa iimaliwa yawo mbyoka haya pewa kepangelo, nokukwashilipaleka kutya oya longitha iimaliwa yawo miinima mbyoka ya simana na oyi na oshilonga yo taya pungula woo.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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NSFAF ta pulwaapulwa

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Oongeleka tadhi ka tameka okufuta iishoshela yepangelo

≪ Previous: Omaiyuvo kombinga yegwedhelo lyoshikwiila shaakokele

NSFAF ta pulwaapulwaEkondololo lya nkundipala lya dhidhilikwa moNSFAF Elelo lyoNamibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) olya popi kutya ekwateko komeho lyankundipala pethimbo kwa lundululilwa oshiketha shoka shi kale oshiputudhilo shiithikamena okuza kepangelo mo2013, olyo lya etitha ekano lyiimaliwa ya thika poobiliyona 1.8, mbyoka ya pewa aailongi pokati komvula yo 2007 no 2013.

Omukomeho gwoNSFAF, Hilya Nghiwete okwa zimine kutya ekondololo pethimbo ndyoka olya li omukundu omunene, ta popi kutya otapu ka kala ethimbo mpoka oshiputudhio tashi ka pula omayele kepangelo nkene ku na okuungaungwa noonakumona omwakwatho mboka itaya vulu okumonika okuza mo 1997.

Nghiwete okwa gwedha po kutya omiyalu dhomo 2016 odha holola kutya oobiliyona 1.5 dhomoobiliyona 1.7 ndhoka dha pumbwa okukongwa kutya odha uka peni, omiyalu odha holola kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oya pewa iiputudhilo.

NSFAF okwa popi kutya okuli ponkatu ontitatu mpoka a tegelela okuya moonkundathana niiputudhilo opo yi vule okukoleka ngele shili iimaliwa mbyoka oya pewa iiputudhilo.

Oshiketha shoka shokugandja omakwatho giimaliwa yokwiilongitha kaailongi AaNamibia, osha holoka komeho yokomitiye yoParliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts oshiwike sha piti, konima sho sha li sha ndopa okuholoka komeho yokomitiye ndjoka momasiku 27 gaNovemba omvula ya piti.

Mboka ya yamukula komapulo oye shi ningi pakugana. Iilyo mbyoka omwa kwatelwa iilyo iipe yelelo lyoshiketha shoka, omunashipundi

Jerome Mutumba oshowo omupeha omunashipundi Christina Swart-Opperman.

Omunashipundi gwokomitiye ndjoka yopaliyamende, Mike Kavekotora, okwa popi kutya omutumba ngoka inagu vula okuningwa omvula ya piti, sha landula shoNSFAF a tindi.

A hala omayelitho guudha kutya omolwashike oshiketha shoka inashi holoka komeho yokomitiye ndjoka ngaashi shali shi na okukala omvula ya piti, Kavekotora okwa popi kutya okomitiye yawo oya yakula omukanda momasiku 26 gaNovemba moka NSFAF a holola kutya ita kala momutumba ngoka.

Kevekotora okwa gwedha ko kutya shoka otashi ulike ondhino, nokudhina oshinakugwanithwa shoka shiinekelela okomitiye ndjoka.

Nghiwete okwa popi kutya NSFAF okwa simaneka oshinakugwanithwa shoka shiinekelelwa okomitiye ndjoka yopaliamende, ta gwedha po kutya oshiketha shawo osha tala komapulo ngoka ga tumwa kokomitiye nokonima yomutumba ngoka gwa ninga nOmuyalulimambo gwepangelo, Junius Kandjeke osha monika mo kutya oobiliyona 1.7 ndhoka odha longithwa ngaashi dha nuninwa.

Ondjokonona

NSFAF okwa li a pulwa opo a holoke komeho yokomitiye ndjoka omolwa omapulo ga holoka momambo ge gopashimaliwa okutameka omvula yo2008/09 sigo 2012/13.

Omapulo ga holola ongaashi kutya oongunga dhilwe odha kuthwa po molwa omatompelo gontumba. Okwa kala woo evundakano mokati kaamboka ya mono omakwatho ngele omakwatho ngoka ga pewa omikuli nenge ooshali dhokwiilongitha.

Oshiketha osha popi kutya ka sha li sha yela ngele yamwe po mboka ya pewa omakwatho ngoka na ohaya longele epangelo otaya shunitha tuu iimaliwa mbyoka ya pewa momailongo gawo oshowo kombinga yoonkondalaka ndhoka dha shainwa naanona aashona.

Okwa hololwa kutya omikuli odhindji inadhi futwa, omanga natango okukonga ko omikuli ndhoka shi na ondilo na oshidhigu.

NSFAF okwa yi metsokumwe nehangano lyaNamibia lyoTribesman oshowo omulandu omupe gwaSouth Afrika gwoNew Integrated Credit Solutions (NICS) opo a vule okukonga ko omikuli dhe dhoka dhi niwe kaailongi dhongushu yoomiliyona 453.

Shoka sha monika po komuyalulimambo gwepangelo

Sho NSFAF a lundulilwa okuninga oshiputudhilo shiithikamena okuza kuuministeli welongo mo 2013, okwa li e na oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 115 momayalulo ge gombaanga, nomuyalulimambo okwa popi kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oyali ya talikako onga iiyemo.

Kandjeke okwa holola muKotomba gwomvula ya piti kutya oobiliyona 1.7 dhoka dha shangwa onga iimaliwa itayi vulu we okumonika kashi li mondjila, ta popi kutya omwaalu ngoka otagu vulu okukala gwa thika poobiliyona 2, ngele okwa gwedhwa iishoshela.

NSFAF ina shanga omwaalu ngoka momambo ge gopashimaliwa mo 2014. Kandjeke okwa tsikile kutya oshiketha shoka inashi gandja omatompelo gasha kutya omolwashike iimaliwa mbyoka ya shangwa kutya oongunga itadhi vulu we okumonika.

Natango omambo gopashimaliwa goshiketha shoka inaga konaakonwa pokati ko 2010 no 2013, nokuholola kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oshiketha sha kala nokumona okuza kepangelo oya longithwa shike.

Oshilyo shokomitiye yopaliamende, Nico Smit osha popi kutya elundululo lyoshiketha shoka okuza kuuministeli nale olya li lya piyagana, ta pula ngele eshuno lyoshiketha shoka muuministeli otali ka kala ekanddulepo lyomukundu.

Okomitiye ndjoka oya nyana woo shoNSFAF e na okondalaka nehangano lyoPricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) opo li kale tali longekidha omambo goshiketha shoka mo 2014. Kandjeke naye okwa tindi okutsa kumwe nomunambelewa gwiiyemo moshiketha shoka Blessing Nyandoro kutya ngoka omukalo gwopamayalulo giiyemo guli mondjila.

CATHERINE SASMAN

CATHERINE SASMAN

↧

Oongeleka tadhi ka tameka okufuta iishoshela yepangelo

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Aakalimo yomEhenye taya nyenyeta ondjila

≪ Previous: NSFAF ta pulwaapulwa

Oongeleka tadhi ka tameka okufuta iishoshela yepangeloEtseyitho lya ningwa kominista yemona oshiwike sha piti Oongeleka dha haluthwa konkundana yiifuta yiishoshela yepangelo.

kutya oongeleka nomahangano gokugandja omayambidhidho moshigwana ngoka inaga yama kepangelo otaga ka tameka okufuta iishoshela yepangelo, inali tambulwa ko nawa kaakomeho yoongeleka nomahangano ngoka, taya nyenyeta kutya otaya hupu nale nuudhigu okumona iiyemo.

Omahangano gooshali oshowo oongeleka odha popi kutya okufuta iishoshela yepangelo otayi ka etitha opo kaya vule we okugandja omayakulo ngoka taga pumbiwa koshigwana nepangelo itali vulu oku gandja.

Oompangela ndhoka dhi li metifa opo oongeleka, omahangano gooshali oshowo ngoka inaga yama kepangelo ga tameke okufuta iishoshela yepangelo okutala kiiyemo mbyoka hayi ningwa komahangano ngoka inadhi taambiwa ko kuyamwe po mboka taya gandja omaipopilo gonkalo yopaliko ndjoka ya taalela oshigwana.

Oompangela ndhoka odha tseyithwa kOminista yEmona lyaNamibia, Calle Schlettwein pethimbo a tseyitha omutengenekwathaneko gwelongitho lyiiyemo yepangelo yoshikakoshomvula yo2018/19 mEtitatu lyoshiwike sha piti.

Minista okwa popi kutya oompangela odhili metifa opo oongeleka nomahangano ga tumbulwa yiishangithe onga aafuti yiishoshela yepangelo.

Omusita gwongeleka yoAfrican Methodist Episcopal (AME) Maria Kapere okwa holola omaiyuvo ge kutya uuministeli owa li wa pumbwa okuya moonkundathana noongeleka tango omanga inawu ninga omatokolo gokuninga omalongekidho ngoka.

Kapere okwa popi kutya oongeleka ihadhi mono omayambidhidho gasha okuza kepangelo, inashi fa nale, a gandja oshiholelwa shongeleka yoDutch Reformed Church, ndjoka yali hayi mono omayambidhidho okuza kepangelo lyuukoloni lyaSouth Afrika.

“Epangelo ihali gandja omayambidhido gasha koongeleka, ihe ngele owa tala oongeleka otadhi dhana onkandangala onene monkalamwenyo dhaakwashigwana nokugandja omakwatho koshigwana.”

Kapere okwa popi kutya kwa haluka noonkondo koompangela ndhoka, ta pula kutya omatompelo geni po epangelo lya longitha opo li tokole okutula miilonga etokolo opo oongeleka nomahangano gooshali ga tameke okukala taga futu iishoshela yepangelo.

Menindjela gwoSPCA Namibia, Monique Redecker okwa popi kutya omahangano ngoka inaga yama kepangelo otaga kondjo nuudhigu okuhupa, na okuwete kutya okutula miilonga efuto lyiishoshela yepangelo komahangano ngoka otashi ka dhigupaleka onkalo ndjoka ya taalela nale komahangano ngoka.

Redecker okwa popi kutya oya uvithwa nayi ketokolo ndyoka, ta gwedha po kutya yo oyiikolela owala mooshali na kaye na iimaliwa yokufuta iishoshela yepangelo.

Omukomeho gwoLegal Assistance Centre, Tony Hancox okwa popi kutya omahangano ngoka inaga yama kepangelo ohaga gandja omayambidhidho omanene mokati koshigwana. Okwa popi kutya yo ohaya mono owala iimaliwa okupitila mooshali, na ohaya longitha iimaliwa mbyoka miilonga yawo.

Naye okwa popi kutya omahangano ngoka otaga nana nale nondatu okumona omayambidhidho gopaiyemo, nongele iishoshela mbyoka oya tulwa miilonga nena otashi ka tula omahangano ngoka moshiponga.

Omukomeho gwoInstitute of Public Policy Research, Graham Hopwood okwa popi kutya oku wete kutya okwa li kwa pumbwa okuningwa oonkundathana natango nomahangano ngoka, omanga inaku ningwa tseyitho ndyoka kuMinista Schlettwein.

Okwa popi kutya nonando ongaaka otashi kala pauyuuki ngele omahangano ngoka taga futu iishoshela miinyangadhalwa yopangeshefa mbyoka taga ningi. Okwa pula epangelo li ye oonkundathana nomahangano ngoka ko kutulwe miilonga omilandu ndoka tadhi vulu okuyambidhidha oompangela ndhoka.

Sho a ningi etseyitho ndyoka mEtitatu, Schlettwein okwa popi kutya omahangano geli momusholondondo gwontopolwa onti 16 yomahangano, otaga ka pumbwa okukala taga futu iishoshela yokongulu.

OGONE TLHAGE

↧

Aakalimo yomEhenye taya nyenyeta ondjila

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Amakhosi on track for Nedbank glory

≪ Previous: Oongeleka tadhi ka tameka okufuta iishoshela yepangelo

Aakalimo yomEhenye taya nyenyeta ondjila

Aakalimo yolukanda lwedhina Ehenye mondoolopa yaShakati, otaya nyenyeta omolwa onkalo yondjila ndjoka haya longitha kehe esiku na otaya popi kutya otayi yonagula iiyenditho yawo.

Aakwaashigwana mboka ya yi moonkundathana noshikundaneki shoNamibian Sun oya popi kutya onkalo ndjoka oya tameke konima sho kwa lokwa omvula ya piti, ihe elelo lyondoolopa inali ninga po osha, okuwapaleka ondjila ndjoka.

Aakwashigwana otaya pula elelo lyondoolopa yaShakati li wapaleke ondjila ndjoka molwaashoka otayi yonagula iiyenditho yaakwashigwana mbyoka yi na woo ondilo okupangela.

Pethimbo oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun sha talelepo Ehenye, osha mono onkalo moka mu na ondjila ndjoka, naahingi otaya yi momunkulo gwondjila opo ya yande okuya momalambo omanene ngoka geli mokati kondjila.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, Omunambelewa omukuluntu gwondoolopa yaShakati, Werner Iita okwa popi kutya aantu aluhe naya kale ya tegelela oondjila dhomamanya dhi kale monkalo yanayipala uuna taku lokwa.

Iita okwa pula oshigwana opo shi idhidhimike, ta popi kutya otashi ka kala ehepeko lyiiyemo, ngele elelo olya tokola okulonga ondjila ndjoka pethimbo ndika lyomuloka.

Okwa gwedha po kutya ngele oya tala kutya ondjila ndjoka oyi li monkalo yili ngiini na otayi yonagula iihauto yaantu nena otaya ka katuka oonkatu.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Amakhosi on track for Nedbank glory

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Ireland win Six Nations

≪ Previous: Aakalimo yomEhenye taya nyenyeta ondjila

Amakhosi on track for Nedbank glory

Kaizer Chiefs booked their spot in the 2018 Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after easing to a 2-1 win over national first division club Stellenbosch FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

A first-half header by Erick Mathoho and a goal from Leonardo Castro midway through the second half in Durban made it a fairly comfortable evening, despite the visitors having given themselves some hope when they pulled one back 13 minutes from time.

Chiefs were on top for the opening stages of the game but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and it was only in the 27th minute that Stellenbosch keeper Washington Arubi was called into play, with the Zimbabwean doing outstandingly to keep out his countryman Teenage Hadebe's header, following a Siphiwe Tshabalala free-kick.

But it was from the resultant corner that the first division outfit found themselves 0-1 down as Erick Mathoho headed in Bernard Parker's delivery from six yards out.

The Cape side looked a bit shell-shocked but still managed to get in a couple of chances on goal, both through Iqram Rayners, but the first was deflected into Itumeleng Khune's arms, while the second was a wayward effort from a good position on the edge of the box. Chiefs though could have extended their lead before halftime, but Tshabalala fired over after some good work by Willard Katsande out wide, before Arubi pulled off a stunning save to palm Parker's fierce volley away from goal.

Tshabalala was showing signs of his creative best and he opened up the Stellenbosch defence with a defence-splitting pass 15 minutes into the second half to put in Joseph Molangoane, but having rounded Arubi with some nifty footwork, his parting shot from a tight angle hit the outside of the post. Chiefs' constant probing for a goal was to pay off in the 65th minute when Castro ran on to Parker's flock before smashing the ball through the hands of Arubi and into the net.

But the deficit was reduced in the 77th minute later when against the run of play, Steve Barker's team managed to pull a goal back after Alan Robertson headed in a corner kick with a near-post glancing effort.

Stellenbosch showed spirit as they went looking for an equaliser, but the Glamour Boys were able to play out the closing minutes without much of a threat to their goal as coach Steve Komphela kept himself in with a chance at claiming some elusive silverware.

-NAMPA/ANA

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Ireland win Six Nations

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Salute to host boxing bonanza

≪ Previous: Amakhosi on track for Nedbank glory

Ireland win Six NationsAfter France beat England Ireland have won the 2018 Six Nations title after England's defeat by France.

SUPERSPORT

France's a 22-16 victory over England on Saturday has handed the Six Nations rugby championship to Ireland.

A revitalised France beat an uninspired England to claim a rare victory over their arch-rivals.

Les Bleus, who had lost nine of their last 11 meetings against England in the championship, prevailed through penalties by Maxime Machenaud (four) and Lionel Beauxis and a penalty try, while their opponents scored two penalties and conversion by Owen Farrell, a penalty by Elliot Daly and a try by Jonny May.

Ireland top the table with 19 points from four games after securing a 28-8 bonus-point victory over Scotland earlier on Saturday, meaning they cannot be caught by England when the two teams meet at Twickenham next weekend.

France, who narrowly lost their first two matches against Ireland and Scotland, defended furiously throughout and it became obvious that England, who needed a bonus-point win to keep their title hopes alive, would not score the four tries they needed.

It was England's second defeat in a row after their lost to Scotland in the previous round of matches and only their third in 27 matches under coach Eddie Jones.

France collapsed the scrum early on and Farrell, captain in the absence of the injured Dylan Hartley, converted the resulting penalty.

England enjoyed possession but could not find a way through a solid French defence.

The visitors, however, pinched three French lineouts in a row to continue their domination, although the hosts threatened after Remy Grosso ran 40 metres after stealing the ball in his 22 metres.

England struggled at the breakdown but Daly landed a 53-metre penalty to double their advantage midway through the first half.

No 8 Nathan Hughes was carried off the pitch with a leg injury and was replaced by Sam Simmonds as Machenaud converted his first penalty attempt, only for Farrell to restore a six-point advantage as France were penalised for collapsing a maul.

France piled on the pressure in England's 22 but was only rewarded with a penalty after a dangerous tackle.

Machenaud slotted it home and levelled the score with a 45-metre kick after England were penalised for offside shortly before halftime.

Nine minutes into the second half, the crowd went into raptures when France were handed a penalty try after Benjamin Fall was tackled high by Anthony Watson after collecting a superb kick to the corner by Machenaud.

Watson picked up a yellow card for his dangerous tackle and Les Bleus came close to scoring another try, but England held them over the line at the end of a lightning-quick counterattack.

Machenaud converted another penalty as France extended their lead to 10 points but the visitors reduced the arrears six minutes from time when May touched down in the corner after England stole yet another French lineout.

But replacement fly-half Beauxis converted a routine penalty to give France breathing space with two minutes left and the home side survived a late onslaught to beat England for the first time since 2015.

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Salute to host boxing bonanza

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: The Stinger continues its blaze of glory

≪ Previous: Ireland win Six Nations

Salute to host boxing bonanza

The Salute Boxing Academy (SBA) will host its first boxing bonanza for the year at the Windhoek Showgrounds on 7 April. Eleven bouts are scheduled for the 'Show-Down' boxing bonanza, with two World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa titles on the line.

Some boxers anticipated to fight on the night are Vakufilapo 'Cowboy' Nashivela, Nathanael Kakololo, Wilberforce Shihepo, Daniel 'Open Fire' Kashela and Alfeus 'Viper' Shilongo. Their opponents are from Malawi and South Africa.

Speaking at a media briefing last Thursday, SBA executive chairperson Kiriata Kamanya said all preparations are in order.

He called on sports lovers to fill up the Windhoek Showgrounds hall and cheer for the boxers.

Nashivela, who is scheduled to fight Roarke Knapp from South Africa for the WBF Africa super welterweight title, said he has prepared properly for his opponent and the title will remain at home.

“All I am promising the Namibian fans is that there will be fireworks in the ring on fight night and they should come in their numbers,” said Nashivela. Kakololo, who will compete for the WBF Africa featherweight title, said he is ready to deliver and his opponent, Israel Kammwamba from Malawi, should forget about winning the title as he has prepared well for him.

-NAMPA

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The Stinger continues its blaze of glory

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Verdasco upsets Dimitrov

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The Stinger continues its blaze of glory Wins plaudits for design, engineering and performance The SADC is rumoured to recieve a few models by late 2018. “We're proud of what we've achieved with the Stinger, and multiple accolades highlight how this pioneering vehicle has true global appeal.” - Bryan Cho, chief marketing officer, KIA Motors Corporation.

The KIA Stinger has been honoured with a series of prestigious awards by European and North American media.

The growing number of accolades for the new fastback sports sedan makes the Stinger one of the most celebrated new KIA vehicles ever – just a few months after going on sale in most global markets.

Since the start of the year, the Stinger has been awarded the Roadshow by CNET 2018 Shift Award Vehicle of the Year, and Best of the Year in the MotorWeek 2018 Drivers’ Choice awards – the top honour in the 14-category awards program.

The car has also been shortlisted in both the North American and European Car of the Year award programs, with the winner of the latter crowned at the forthcoming Geneva International Motor Show in March.

The Stinger is one of seven candidates being considered by the 60 European automotive journalists on the jury.

“We're proud of what we've achieved with the Stinger, and multiple accolades highlight how this pioneering vehicle has true global appeal. It provides something different and exciting to customers in terms of its design, character and performance, and it is gratifying to see the efforts of our engineers and designers recognised by media across the world,” said Bryan Cho, chief marketing officer of KIA Motors Corporation.

The Stinger has been widely praised by motoring media for its fun-to-drive handling characteristics, high refinement and exceptional grand touring capabilities.

It has been named Car of the Year in Slovakia, Performance Car of the Year in the UK, and awarded the Trophée Argus 2018, voted for by leading French media. The Stinger has also been shortlisted for the Czech Car of the Year award.

Its sleek gran turismo looks has resulted in a 2018 iF design award, one of the most prestigious pan-industrial design awards, while its 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine – delivering effortless pace and performance – has made Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for 2018.

The KIA Stinger was designed in Europe by Peter Schreyer, KIA’s chief design officer and president, and Gregory Guillaume, senior chief designer for KIA Motors Europe. The car’s chassis and drivetrain were honed at the Nürburgring Nordschleife and on roads around the world.

Specified with the high-performance 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, the Stinger is the most powerful and fastest-accelerating production KIA ever. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and are available with a choice of all-wheel or rear-wheel drive (market dependent). – QuickPic

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Verdasco upsets Dimitrov

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Verdasco upsets Dimitrov

Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco used his powerful serve to upset third seed Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday while Roger Federer's tournament debut was hampered by rain.

Verdasco's first serve proved nearly unplayable in the deciding set of the second round match as he improved his career head-to-head record against Dimitrov to 2-2.

The 34-year-old, who has seven career titles, pounded down 12 aces, including six in the deciding set.

Dimitrov won the ATP Finals in November, and three weeks ago lost to Federer in the final of the Rotterdam tournament.

The two-hour-plus match delayed the start of the evening session on centre court, where top seed Federer finally made his first appearance in the event, up against 67th-ranked Argentine Federico Delbonis.

Federer, the defending champion and at 36 the oldest men's world number one, took little time breaking left-hander Delbonis in the fourth game, and claimed the first set 6-3.

But rain, a rarity in the desert, stopped play at 2-2 in the second set.

Earlier, fifth seed Dominic Thiem narrowly avoided the same fate as Dimitrov, the Austrian edging hard-hitting Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Thiem has already won a tour-leading 17 matches this season, but he had to work hard to beat 19-year-old Tsitsipas, who reached the quarter-finals in Dubai last week and is ranked 71st in the world.

South African seventh seed Kevin Anderson also prevailed in his second round match, 7-5 6-4 over Russian Evgeny Donskoy.

Seeded losers included Italian No. 16 Fabio Fognini, 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 against Jeremy Chardy of France, and Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas, hammered 6-0 6-3 by young Croat Borna Coric.

-NAMPA/REUTERS

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Diergaardt unimpressed

March 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Diergaardt unimpressedBemoans drop in club rugby standards The Unam coach says the NRU should be doing more to ensure that club rugby reaches new heights in the country.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Local rugby coach Johan Diergaardt has expressed his disappointment over the state of club rugby in the country.

University of Namibia (Unam) head coach said the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) is not doing much to support and invest in clubs.

The university side is showing incredible dominance, as they secured their 33rd win after beating Western Suburbs 51-18 in a derby at the Unam Stadium on Saturday and is chasing a fourth premiership title win. The club first won the title in 2015 and has been unstoppable since then. This is an achievement Diergaardt is proud of, as he has many players with great potential and ambition.

“It was a great match against an equally good side. I'm a great coach with a strong squad, and we managed to do the unexpected in the derby. It might look like we are dominating club rugby at the moment, but also competition levels are dropping,” he said.

“I'm really concerned about that fact, because last year we had four derbies, now we only have three and that does not do much for competition,” he said.

The coach said more should come from the NRU in, order for club rugby to reach new heights.

He said further that his club is lucky as they are backed by the university or else they would not be able to carry out their plans.

The team has signed more young players to strengthen the side and expose more of them to much-needed game time.

This coming weekend they will face Rehoboth Falcons.

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