GIPF may finance MTC buyout

March 12, 2018, 3:00 pm

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GIPF may finance MTC buyout The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is in the process of conducting due diligence to help the government fund the planned acquisition of mobile service provider MTC.

GIPF spokesperson Daylight Ekandjo said a formal request had been received from the government for the planned acquisition. The GIPF was now conducting an assessment on the viability of the study. “GIPF received a request from government, however, we are in the process of carrying out due diligence to determine if we will invest.

As one of the largest local investors, GIPF is committed to invest in Namibian assets that meet both our regulatory and financial criteria,” said Ekandjo.

According to her, the planned purchase would also ensure that the GIPF complies with pension regulations which require local investment managers to have a minimum of 45% of their total assets under management in local instruments.

“This is in line with proposed changes to allow pension funds to invest a minimum of 45% of their assets in Namibia, which was announced by the finance ministry,” she said.

“At this point, we are unable to determine how long the due diligence process will take as it involves engagement with various stakeholders,” she said.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) also recently gave its blessing for the acquisition of a 34% stake by the government.

One of the conditions is that GIPF should own 20% of MTC, as proposed by Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings (NPTH) in its letter last month.

Another condition was that “Mobile Telecommunications Limited must be listed on the Namibia Stock Exchange within a period of 12 months”.

Cran also said 29% of MTC shares should be sold to private and or local investors on the Namibia Stock Exchange.

Former communications minister Tjekero Tweya in December 2016 announced plans by the government to purchase 34% of MTC.

The 34% stake is owned by Samba Luxco SARL, which is incorporated in Luxembourg. MTC is owned and majority-controlled by NPTH.

Cabinet took note of the progress made with regard to the buyback of the 34% foreign-owned shares in MTC. Cabinet endorsed the NPTH decision to obtain confirmation of the legal rights of Samba to act on behalf of Africatel, before the transaction will be negotiated further.

“Cabinet approved NPTH and MTC to devise a strategy to safeguard the future operation of MTC by way of acquiring a technical partner which is not necessarily a shareholder.”

OGONE TLHAGE

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Credit crunch slows down resettlement

March 12, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Credit crunch slows down resettlementLand-reform programme 'will be responsible' The lands ministry says N$6.1 billion is required to reach its 2020 land acquisition targets. The minister of land reform, Utoni Nujoma, says preliminary work has already been undertaken for the second land conference that President Hage Geingob said would take place later this year.

Nujoma said a date had not yet been set but his ministry was working in tandem with the Office of the Prime Minister.

He said he hoped it would provide a platform where Namibians could give input to ensure a “reasonable” land-reform process that would be acceptable to all citizens and international investors.

“It will be a responsible land-reform programme,” Nujoma said at a three-day review and planning workshop that started in Windhoek yesterday.



Acquisitions and developments

The ministry had planned to acquire 3.1 million hectares of land for resettlement purposes during the previous strategic plan period (2017/18), but was able to buy only 836 000 hectares, made up of 155 farms, costing N$1.1 billion.

During 2017/18 the ministry planned to resettle 579 beneficiaries, but only 365 were resettled on 104 farming units in //Karas (26), Erongo (26), Hardap (104), Khomas (10), Kunene (24), Omaheke (99), Oshikoto (1) and Otjozondjupa (75).

Nujoma said that was because most suitable farms (360 farms totalling 996 202 hectares) were offered to the government after they were waived in favour of Affirmative Action Loan Scheme (AALS) candidates.

He said for the fifth National Development Plan (NDP 5) period N$2.1 billion was allocated for farm acquisitions, which he said was not enough to buy up the remaining 1.9 million hectares of farmland needed by 2020.

Nujoma said to reach the target by 2020, the ministry would have to buy 60 000 hectares per year for the remaining three years. That would cost N$2 billion per year, or N$6.1 billion over the next three years.

As a result, only 136 beneficiaries will be resettled on 224 123 hectares over the next five years.



Nujoma said the programme for communal land development (PCLD) was “bearing fruit”. This programme is jointly supported by the European Union, the German and Namibian governments, through which “substantial socio-economic investments” have been given to communal farmers.

In this regard, 286 000 hectares have been developed with 857 kilometres of fencing, 20 multi-purpose kraals erected, 30 boreholes drilled and another 30 rehabilitated, and 98 kilometres of water pipelines installed in Kavango East and West, Ohangwena, Omusati and Zambezi regions.

Nujoma said these infrastructural developments would benefit 7 800 farming households.

Infrastructure development projects are envisaged for Otjozondjupa and Omaheke in the next financial year.

A total of 177 593 communal land rights were mapped and digitised, which accounted for 90% of the 196 000 communal land rights that can be registered nationally.

Another 116 220 customary land rights (or 65%) have been registered and digitised and 101 432 certificates have been issued. This programme is expected to affect 500 000 citizens.

A number of lease agreements under the resettlement programme have also been finalised. These are 16 in Otjozondjupa, 19 in //Karas, nine in Kunene, four in Erongo, seven in Oshikoto, one in Khomas and five in Hardap.

During this financial year 21 894 property deeds and 3 776 sectional-title deeds were registered, contributing more than N$2.5 million in revenue.

Property registration is ongoing; so far, 44 898 deeds documents have been digitised.





Valuation roll

The main valuation roll for 2012 was approved by the valuation court in November 2016. Based on that, the lands ministry revised the rates of land tax downwards in response to an increase in land values, Nujoma said.

He said had the current rate been maintained, it would have led to exorbitant land tax being paid by landowners.

However, farmers appealed the decision of the valuation court in the High Court, a matter which is still pending.

In the meantime the ministry has proceeded to issue the 2016/17 land tax assessments based on the 2012 valuation roll.

After the High Court on 21 February 2018 stopped the issuance of the tax assessments on commercial farmland, no commercial agricultural farmland transactions could take place until the interdict was lifted or the main review case was disposed of, Nujoma said.

He said notwithstanding the interdict, the ministry was urgently engaging stakeholders to find a solution to the effects of the interdict.

The 2017/18 valuation roll is currently being prepared and will be on display during the second quarter of the 2018/19 financial year.

During 2016/17, land taxes of N$20.8 million were collected.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Nora Schimming-Chase passes on

March 12, 2018, 10:41 pm

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Nora Schimming-Chase passes on Former CoD parliamentarian Nora Schimming-Chase has passed on after a long illness, President Hage Geingob announced on his Twitter account this morning. Schimming-Chase was a struggle veteran and served as Namibia's ambassador to Germany from 1992 to 1996 and Austria from 1994 to 1996. She was also the Swanu representative in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 1974 to 1978.
STAFF REPORTER

First Listeriosis case reported

March 13, 2018, 7:14 am

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First Listeriosis case reported
A Namibian man, 41, has been diagnosed with Listeriosis after eating a vienna he bought at a butchery in Tsumeb this week. He is in a critical condition in hospital, fighting for his life.
This was announced by health minister Dr Bernard Haufiku in parliament this afternoon.
The disease that is prevalent in processed, ready-to-eat meat broke out in South Africa in January and has already claimed 180 lives in the neighbouring country. It is said to be the worst global outbreak in living memory.
Haufiku told the National Assembly that the ministry is prepared for the disease as surveillance mechanisms were activated when it broke out in SA in January, but that measures to contain the situation will be sharpened.
He especially cautioned the people of Tsumeb where the country's 28th independence celebrations will take place to be cautious and not consume read-made meat products.
“Our inspectors will be going from shop to shop to remove all meat products identified as sources of the disease in Tsumeb and all other towns in the country."
Products from the Tiger Brands Enterprise Food range, along with Rainbow chicken ready-to-eat products in South Africa were identified as a source of the disease.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Fight over financial control at NFA Oshikoto

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Fight over financial control at NFA OshikotoOusted treasurer refuses to hand over The ousted treasurer of the regional football association is refusing to transfer control of their bank accounts to the new executive. After being voted out as the regional treasurer of the Namibia Football Association in Oshikoto at the annual general meeting (AGM), the regional councillor for Omuntele Constituency, Sacky Nangula, refuses to surrender his signatory power for the NFA bank accounts.

Nangula confirmed to Namibian Sun that he refused to give up his position and signatory power because he was not invited to the AGM that voted him out.

According to the regional NFA chairperson, Iita Albina Kauko, Nangula was invited but refused to attend the AGM.

Nangula maintained that he only learned about his ouster after the AGM when he was requested to go to the bank to hand over his signatory power to the new executive.

He added that during his time as treasurer he was never invited to attend any NFA activity apart from attending to financial issues.

“I asked them to give me the minutes of the AGM and also to write a letter to me explaining everything. I do not want to be accused of squandering NFA money tomorrow,” Nangula said.

At the AGM, Nangula, his deputy, Abed Indongo, and former regional chairperson Shali Amakali were replaced as signatories by new treasurer Dumeni David, Sacky Alugodhi and Kauko as chairperson.

The new NFA Oshikoto executive also accused Nangula of failing to provide the annual financial statements to the AGM.

“It is not true that I failed to submit the financial report. The only time those people will contact me is when they have a cheque that needs to be signed. For other things and meetings they don't invite me. Until now I am the treasurer and only if they do everything in a transparent way will I go,” Nangula said.

Kauko said Nangula as an executive member used to be telephonically invited to all the NFA activities in the region, but he refused to attend and demanded official invitations, which the regional NFA could not afford.

“As an executive member, Nangula knows the status of the NFA office in the region. We always invite him by way of calling him as it is done with any other members, but he never accepted any of our invitations, demanding official written invitations. Where will the Oshikoto NFA get those resources if he knows that the office does not have even a computer?” Kauko said. “We do not have resources and the only way we could invite executive members to meetings and other activities was by phone calls. Apparently Nangula was not happy with this and he decided not to attend to our calls expect when there was a cheque to be signed or he was required to go to the bank. Until now he is still the signatory and he is refusing to sign papers to hand it over to the newly elected members,” Kauko said.

He urged Nangula to hand over his signatory power immediately so that the new executive committee could perform their duties.



ILENI NANDJATO

Ospreys sign Lesley Klim

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Ospreys sign Lesley Klim Namibian pacey winger Lesley Klim has scored an opportunity to play in Wales for two years.

The 23-year-old centre is featuring for English side Doncaster Knights on a short-term contract where he scored two tries in four games to date for the Championship side and picked up the man of the match award on his debut against Bristol.

With his work on the field he caught the eye of Ospreys management, which he will join ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Featuring regularly over the last two years for the Welwitschias, a development side for the national side, Klim finished both seasons as the club's top try scorer.

Having been capped by Namibia throughout the age-grades and at sevens, Klim made his senior international debut against Spain last June at the World Rugby Nations Cup in Uruguay and has now scored six tries in eight games for his country.

He has also played a crucial role in Namibia's winning the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, scoring a try in their 45-7 win over Kenya.

“I'm delighted to sign for the Ospreys, it's a huge opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to playing quick, attacking rugby with a good team,” said Klim.

“I've known about the Ospreys since I played sevens in Swansea a few years ago and I know that there are so many quality players there. I'm really excited about being part of the Ospreys, training and playing with top internationals and Lions, and giving the best I can to help the team.

“I think that being at the Ospreys I can become a better player. I'm an attacking player who likes to have the ball in my hands, using my feet and vision to beat players and create opportunities for my teammates.

“This is fantastic opportunity for me and I can't wait to get started,” the Namibian was quoted as saying by Ospreysrugby.com

On his Instagram account on Sunday, Klim also expressed his happiness. “I'm overwhelmed by messages of support and sincerely would like to say thank you. To Doncaster Knights especially, I'll always be grateful for the opportunity to have started my professional career with the Knights and I cherish the family and friends I've made over here. Not to forget the influence from back home,” he said.

Klim has been a Currie Cup regular over the last two years, finishing as the top try scorer for the Welwitschias in both seasons. Capped for the first time by Namibia last June, he has six tries from eight games so far for Namibia.

The Ospreys are one of four professional rugby union teams in Wales. They compete in the Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

-Additional reporting Ospreysrugby.com

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Ndjavera new NPL head

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Ndjavera new NPL head The Namibia Premier League (NPL) yesterday announced the appointment of Irvine Ndjavera as chief executive officer pending an agreement with his current employer, the ministry of sport.

The coveted CEO post has been vacant since 2011 when Mathew Haikali was fired. In February, ten applicants were shortlisted, from whom Ndjavera was selected.

At the announcement NPL chairperson Patrick Kauta said they were negotiating the terms of Ndjavera's contract and his secondment from the ministry.

He said if the ministry agreed, Ndjavera's contract would be for three years.

Kauta also mentioned that the misconduct case made against Tigers FC after they failed to turn up for premier league matchs against Citizens and Unam Football Club was resolved.

He said the clubs involved received letters explaining the decisions that were made.

He said a disciplinary hearing agreed that the match was properly scheduled and was not abandoned or forfeited.

Kauta said they were comfortable with the decision and that it was made in terms of the laws of the game.

He added that the first-division league would take place this season, with or without a third sponsorship, and would conclude before the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Namibian sprinter chases T11 titles in Dubai

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Namibian sprinter chases T11 titles in Dubai Shikongo at 2018 World Para Athletics Grand Prix Namibia's three-time Paralympic gold medallist Ananias Shikongo is in Dubai taking part in the 2018 World Para Athletics Grand Prix Fazza International Athletics Competition.

The competition started yesterday and will run till 16 March. The T11 athlete will run alongside his guide, Even Tjiviju, and hopes to use the competition to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Coach Michael Hamukwaya said on Facebook that they always have Namibia in their hearts when they compete.

Shikongo competed in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. He won three medals, placing third in both the T11 100m and 400m sprints and coming first in the T11 200m.

He won the 200m with a Paralympic record time of 22.44 seconds, making him the third Namibian athlete to win a medal at a Paralympic competition.

At the Grand Prix competition he will be competing among 450 athletes from around the world.

Last year athletes smashed seven world records and with warm weather practically guaranteed, more records could fall once again at the Dubai Club for the Disabled track, with the Namibian being one of the hopefuls to do so.



LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Omadhilongo gopangeshefa oga simana noonkondo-Iindji

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Omadhilongo gopangeshefa oga simana noonkondo-Iindji Omunashipundi gwoshitayi shehangano lyaanangeshefa moshilongo monooli yoshilongo, ano Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Tomas Iindji, okwa popi kutya aaanyasha otaya ka vula okuyambidhidha kekoko lyeliko lyoshilongo, ngele oya tameke okwiitula moongeshefa omanga aashona.

Iindji okwa popi ngaaka mOnathinge, pethimbo lyegandjo lyomapapa koshikandjolongo shoka, ndyoka lya ningwa ehuliloshiwike lya piti.

Iindji okwa popi kombinga yesimano lyoshilongwa shuunangeshefa mooskola na nkene kutya otashi yambidhidha kekoko lyeliko.

Okwa popi kutya aanyasha oya pumbwa omayambidhidho opo ya kunwe ombuto yuunangeshefa omanga aashona.

Okwa tsikile kutya ngele aanyasha oya pewa omukumo ngoka omanga aashona, nena otaya koko ye na edhiladhilo lyokutota oongeshefa, opo ya vule okukuta miilonga AaNamibia yakwawo yo ya vule okukondjitha oluhepo nokwaaneha iilonga.

“Oongeshefa otadhi totopo iilonga, otadhi yambulapo onkalamwenyo yaakwashigwana.

Otadhi etitha oompito dhomayambulepo muutekinika oshowo ethigathano ewanawa pangeshefa.

Elalakano lyomayambulepo paliko okukaleka onkalo yetu AaNamibia yi li nawa, ndjoka tayi etitha tu kale nomwenyo ethimbo oshowo okugandja oompito kuyakwetu nokukaleka po oshigwana shetu,” Iindji a popi.

Okwa popi kutya omalundululo okuza momikalo moka iinima ya kala tayi ningwa monakuziwa nenge pamuthigululwakalo, inaga talikako onga omukundu, ihe naga talike ko onga omayambulepo.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Ompumbwe yiimaliwa tayi shunitha monima omatulululo

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Ompumbwe yiimaliwa tayi shunitha monima omatulululoInaku tseyithwa natango esiku taku ningwa omutumba gwevi omutiyali moNamibia Ominista yEvi moshilongo oya gandja olopota yaampoka pwa thikama uuministeli mboka, unene sho kwa tegelelwa opo ku ningwe omutumba gwevi moshilongo, ngoka tagu ka kundathana onkalo yevi ndjoka ya taalela oshilongo. Ominista yEvi oya popi kutya kwa tamekithwa omalongekidho omashona omolwa omutumba gwevi omutiyali ngoka Omupresidende Hage Geingob ta pula gu ningwe nuumvo.

Utoni Nujoma okwa popi kutya esiku inali tothwa mo natango kutya uunake taku ningwa omutumba ngoka ihe otaya longele kumwe nuuministeli wemona mokuninga omalongekidho gomutumba ngoka.

Minista okwa popi kutya okuna einekelo kutya omutumba ngoka otagu ka gandja ompito koshigwana opo shi gandje omaiyuvo nomagwedhelepo kombinga yoshikumungu shevi moshilongo, ngoka taga taambiwa ko kaakwashigwana ayehe naapunguli.

Uuministeli wevi otawu pangele okukutha ko oohecta dhevi omiliyona 3.1 opo ku vule okutulululwa aantu mboka ya pumbwa evi. Omulandu ngoka ogwa tameke moshikako shomvula ya piti, sho 2017/18 ihe uuministeli owe shi pondola owala okulanda oohecta 836 000 dha kalelapo oofaalama 155, kongushu yoobiliyona 1.1.

Muule woshikako shoka, uuministeli owa pangele okutululula aantu 579 ihe aantu owala 365 ya tulululwa moofaalama 104 moshitopolwa sha //Karas (26), Erongo (26), Hardap (104), Khomas (10), Kunene (24), Omaheke (99), Oshikoto (1) oshowo Otjozondjupa (75).

Okwa popi kutya okupitila moompangela dhomayamulepo tadhi ithanwa National Development Plan (NDP 5) uuministeli owa pewa oshimaliwa shoobiliyona 2.1 shoka sha nuninwa okulanda evi lyokutululula aakwashigwana ihe iimaliwa mbyoka inayi gwana okulanda oohecta dhevi lya hupako dhi li 1.9 ndhoka dha pumbiwa okuya momvula 2020.

Nujoma okwa popi kutya opo ku vule okwaadhika omalalakano gomwaalu gwevi ngoka gwa pumbiwa, uuministeli owa pumbwa okulanda oohecta dhevi 60 000 kehe omvula muule woomvula 3, naashoka otashi ka pula oobiliyona mbali kehe omvula nenge oobiliyona 6.1 muule woomvula ndhoka.

Onga oshizemo, aantu owala 136 taya ka tulululwa moshitopolwa shevi shuunene woohecta 224 123 muule woomvula ntano twa taalela.

Minista okwa tsikile kutya oprograma yoprogramme for communal land development (PCLD) otayi gandja iiyimati iiwanawa.

Oprograma ndjoka oyi li oshiyetwapo shIigwana yaEuropa oshowo omapangelo lyaNamibia naGermany. Okupitila moprograma ndjoka oohecta dhevi dhi li 286 000 odha yambulwapo dhoonhdalate dhuule wiinano yookilometa 857, iigunda yakwalukehe yi li 20, oomboola 30 oshowo ndhoka dha longululwa dhi li 30 oshowo ominino dhomeya dhuule woshinano shookilometa 98 ndhoka dha tungwa moKavango East oshowo West, Ohangwena, Omusati oshowo moshitopolwa shaZambezi.

Nujoma okwa popi kutya omayambulepo ngoka otaga gandja uuwanawa kaanafaalama yeli 7 800.

Omayambulepo goopoloyeka ndhoka, otaga tsikile moshitopolwa shaOtjozondjupa oshowo Omaheke momumvo tagu landula.

Uuthemba wevi lyaayehe wuli 177 593 owa thanekwa naashoka osha kalela po oopresenda 90 dhuuthemba wuli 196 000 mboka tawu vulu okushangithwa pashigwana.

Omauthemba natango geli 116 220 ga kalela po oopresenda o 65 oga shangithwa noonzapo dhuumwene wevi dhili 101 432 odha gandjwa. Oprograma ndjoka okwa tegelelwa yi ka gume aantu yeli 500 000.

Omwaalu gwomatsokumwe gokuhiila evi oga manithwa sho mOtjozondjupa mwa manithwa geli 16 in Otjozondjupa, 19 mo//Karas, omugoyi moKunene, ne mErongo, heyali mOshikoto, limwe moKhomas oshowo gatano moHardap.

Moshikakomvula sho 2016/17, iishoshela yevi ya thika poomiliyoan 20.8 oya gongelwa kepangelo.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Iihauto yoOpels, Peugeots tayi ka tameka okulongelwa moNamibia

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Iihauto yoOpels, Peugeots tayi ka tameka okulongelwa moNamibia Ondolopa yaMbaye otayi ka taambako muule wethimbo efupi ofakitoli yokulonga iiyenditho, sho ehangano lyaFrance lyokulonga iiyenditho lyedhina Groupe PSA lya tseyitha oshiwike shika kutya otali ka tameka okulongela moNamibia iihauto ngaashi Opel Grandland X oshowo Peugeot 3008.

Iiyenditho mbyoka tayi ka longelwa mOmbaye oya nuninwa omalanditho gaAfrika lyoMuumbugantu.

Ehangano lyoNamibia Development Corporation otali ka kala li na uumwene woopresenda 49 mehangano ndyoka.

Iilonga tayi ka tameka metata etiyali lyomvula yo 2018 noompangela dhokulonga iiyenditho ya thika po 5000 okuya momvula yo 2020, opo ku vule okuthitika omwaka gompumbwe yiiyenditho mbyoka miilongo yi li oshitopolwa shoSouthern African Customs Union, pauyelele wa gandjwa koGroupe PSA.

Omupeha omupresidende gwehangano ndyoka miilongo yopokati kaAfrika nuuzilo, Jean-Christophe Quemard, okwa popi kutya epungulo ndyoka otali endele pamwe noompangela dhuulethimbo dhehangano.

Okwa popi kutya ompangela dhawo okukala ya landitha iiyenditho yi li omiliyona yimwe okuya momvula yo 2025.











Omupeha amushanga muuministeli wiipindi, Michael Humavindu, okwa popi kutya epangelo olya kala moonkundathana nehangano ndyoka lyaFrance okutameka omvula yo 2015.

Ofakitoli ndjoka otayi ka kala mo!Nara Namib na otayi ka gandja iilonga tayi kalele kaantu 50 oshowo mbyoka itayi kalelele kaantu 200, pauyelele wa gandjwa kuHumavindu.



Oompangela dhopaali dhokulonga iihauto moNamibia odha li dha ndopa. Gobabis okwa li a tothwamo kehangano lyaRomania lyoAro 4x4 opo li tameke okulongela iihauto yalwo mondoolopa ndjoka.

OGONE TLHAGE

Grab your bully beef

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Grab your bully beefMeatco reassures Namibian consumers The outbreak of Listeria in South Africa is considered as the worst global outbreak yet and Meatco has assured its clients of the safety of its own ready-to-eat range of products. Meatco has assured Namibian consumers that their products are safe to use following the outbreak of listeria in South Africa.

In a new statement, the corporation provided further context and a full explanation of its production processes that provide the assurance that all its products, processed or not, are safe to consume.

“It is important to clarify from the onset that our corned meat is cooked in a sterilised can. The basic purpose of this packaging is to protect the meat products from undesirable impacts on quality, including microbiological and physio-chemical alterations.”

According to Meatco Quality Assurance Executive, Rosa Katjivena, Meatco does not compromise on the quality of its products. She said in the food processing industry, food safety and quality assurance requires diverse technical and analytical programmes.

Quality Assurance personnel continually monitor incoming raw products to ensure compliance with relevant standards, microbiological standards, and government regulations.

As the organisation's vision states: “Meatco will have the most sought-after meat brands in selected markets in the long-term interests of stakeholders”.

The canned meat range is part of the legacy of Meatco's production since the early 1980s. The Texan, Eloolo and Ranch brands, which are household names in Namibia and Southern Africa, are part of a long and proud tradition for Meatco.

The corporations' canning operation annually produces almost 16 million cans of corned meat of various sizes according to specific recipes that many have grown to love. All Meatco's canned products are ISO 9001, HACCP- and Halaal-certified.

The corporation added that while its products are safe to use, Meatco as a responsible corporate citizen feels obligated to educate the general public about listeriosis in brief.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regards the listeriosis outbreak in South Africa as the worst in global history.



But what is listeriosis?

Listeria is a family of bacteria commonly found in our environment and is usually harmless. Listeria monocytogenes is one strain of the listeria family that can cause harm. The illness is called listeriosis. This dangerous strain is transferred from the environment to unprocessed foods of animal products or ready-to-eat processed meats, if hygiene rules are not applied correctly.

Eating foods containing high levels of listeria monocytogenes is generally the cause of illness.

Listeria can cause nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhoea or constipation, headache and/or convulsions and fever. Symptoms of listeria usually appear within two to three days after exposure. People most at risk of getting sick from listeria exposure are: pregnant women, babies, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.



How is it spread?

Listeria is spread by eating food that is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Food that is not properly washed, cooked/pasteurised, refrigerated, or has been in contact with contaminated cooking surfaces may carry Listeria monocytogenes.

What can be done to prevent the spread of listeria?

Listeria is found everywhere in the environment, so there may be no connection between different outbreaks. The key is to keep the bacteria out of the food chain, either by washing (surfaces of fruit and vegetables), heating (milk pasteurisation, meat cooking), and general hygiene (processing, packaging and cross-contamination). Also, store raw meat on shelves below cooked or open food and clean your hands before, during and after handling any type of food, especially raw meat and poultry.

Refrigerate cold food promptly. Keep the refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius. Cook thoroughly or boil foods such as hot dogs and poultry products until they are steaming hot.

Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Clean all utensils, cutting boards and work surfaces with a mild bleach solution (5ml/1 tsp bleach per 750 ml/3 cups of water) before and after using. Separate utensils for raw and cooked foods.

Follow “sell by” dates especially on packaged foods with a long shelf life and use right away after opening. Pregnant women and people with weak immune systems should thoroughly reheat or steam ready-to-eat meat (such as hot dogs) and poultry products before eating. It is recommended that pregnant women not eat cold cuts and unpasteurised cheese.

STAFF REPORTER

No online cattle NamLITS yet

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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No online cattle NamLITS yet The Meat Board of Namibia has advised that producers should note that the function to register cattle ear tags on NamLITS online is NOT yet active. This function is currently only available for sheep and goat ear tag registrations. Producers should not try to register cattle ear tags on NamLITS online, but rather hand in registration cards at the nearest State Veterinary Office or by means of the Livestock Traceability Register.

The activation of the cattle ear tag registration function on NamLITS online is still in the planning phase and producers will be informed as soon as this function becomes active.

'Think up new fairytales'

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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'Think up new fairytales'Russia responds to UK threats The British prime minister, Theresa May, pointed the finger at Russia for the Skripal poisoning but, stopped short of announcing retaliatory measures. Moscow on Monday rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May's statement to parliament that Russia was “highly likely” responsible for the poisoning of a former spy on British soil.

The statement was part of an “information and political campaign based on provocation,” said Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova in comments carried by news agencies.

“This is a circus in the British parliament,” she added.

“Rather than think up new fairytales, maybe someone in the kingdom could explain how the previous ones ended up - about Litvinenko, Berezovsky, Perepilichnyy and many others who have mysteriously died on British soil,” Zakharova said.

Former spy Alexander Litvinenko, oligarch Boris Berezovsky and whistleblower Alexander Perepilichnyy all died in the UK in recent years.

The Kremlin has long rejected any involvement in their deaths, despite a British judge concluding Russian President Vladimir Putin likely approved Litvinenko's killing.

May on Monday pointed the finger at Russia for trying to kill Sergei Skripal, who sold secrets to Britain and later moved there in a 2010 spy swap.

But she stopped short of announcing retaliatory measures against Moscow and instead gave the Kremlin until the end of yesterday to explain.

Theresa May said that Russian state involvement, if proven, would be considered an “unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom” and would draw a strong response.

May said that British scientists have determined that Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in Salisbury with Novichock — a form of nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union near the end of the Cold War — and there were two possible explanations.

“Either this was a direct act by the Russian state against our country, or the Russian government lost control of this potentially catastrophically damaging nerve agent and allowed it to get into the hands of others,” she said.

She said Britain would be prepared to take “much more extensive measures” than the diplomatic expulsions and limited sanctions imposed after the death of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned with radioactive tea in London in 2006.

“There can be no question of business as usual with Russia,” she said.

“We will not tolerate such a brazen attempt to murder innocent civilians on our soil,” May added.

Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, remain in critical condition following the March 4 nerve agent attack. A police detective who came in contact with them is in serious but stable condition.

The Kremlin has dismissed claims it was behind the attack on the Skripals.

Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Sergei Skripal worked for British intelligence and was poisoned on British soil, and therefore the incident “has nothing to do with Russia, let alone the Russian leadership”. Peskov also said the Kremlin hasn't heard any official statements of Russian involvement.

Skripal was a Russian military intelligence officer when he was recruited to spy for Britain in the 1990s.

He was jailed in Russia in 2006 for revealing state secrets before being freed in a spy swap in 2010.

He had settled in the cathedral city of Salisbury, 140km southwest of London.

He and his daughter were found comatose on a bench near the city centre after visiting an Italian restaurant and a pub.

Almost 200 troops, including soldiers trained in chemical warfare and decontamination, have been deployed to Salisbury to assist the police investigation into where the nerve agent came from and how it was delivered.

British officials have said the risk to the public is low, but urged people who visited the Zizzi restaurant or the Mill pub to wash their clothes and take other precautions.

Some have questioned why it took health authorities a week to issue the advice.

NAMPA/AP

Shot of the day

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Shot of the day IT'S A FISH: A picture taken on 4 March 2018 shows a jelly-fish swimming off the shore of the town of Qalamoun, south of the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

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Forward with industrialisation agenda

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Forward with industrialisation agenda It is indeed refreshing to read that Namibia will soon welcome its first vehicle assembly plant after French automaker Groupe PSA announced this week that it will set up shop at Walvis Bay. The carmaker will assembly the Opel Grandland X and the Peugeot 3008 for its southern African market, and will partner with the Namibia Development Corporation, who will take up a 49% stake in the plant. Assembly will start in the second half of 2018 with an annual targeted volume of 5 000 units by 2020 to meet satisfy the demand in countries belonging to the Southern African Customs Union, Groupe PSA said. There have also been talks that an Iranian company is also finalising a contract to roll out a tractor assembly plant, either in Windhoek or Walvis Bay. These two large-scale investments will definitely be a great shot in the arm for our economy given the tough climate we are currently operating in. These investments will create the much-need jobs and will augur well for skills transfer. Namibia must position herself to be one of the biggest recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the coming years. We have maintained political and economic stability for the past 28 years and there is no reason why we cannot succeed in achieving high economic growth going forward. Coupled with investments in the infrastructure sector, government must take the lead in driving the industrialisation agenda across the country. Finance minister Calle Schlettwein recently announced, during the tabling of the 2018/19 national budget, that government has increased the revised development budget of N$5.6 billion 2017/18 to N$7.3 billion this year and N$8.2 billion by 2020/21 in the hope of boosting industrialisation. This is good news and it is our sincere hope that such resources would be optimally utilised, especially in ensuring sustainable jobs. The government has an important role to play in the economic activity of any nation and it is essential that the welfare of citizens is not compromised by poor prioritisation and allocation of resources that tend to benefit only the elite.

Condom use drops

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Condom use drops The health minister Dr Bernard Haufiku has expressed concern that the use of condoms has decreased over the past 11 years.

According to the just-launched five-year National Strategic Framework (NSF) for the HIV and Aids response in Namibia, government's condom programme distributes over 30 million free male and female condoms annually.

However, these condoms are now piling up at distributed points, Haufiku said during the launch of the NSF in Windhoek.

He said from 2000 to 2007, condom uptake performed very well, due to the strong prevention messages through campaigns at that time.

“Somehow, we slacked down as far as prevention is concerned, because there are less campaigns on HIV/Aids,” said Haufiku.

He said these campaigns have been reduced drastically due to financial constraints and this in turn caused the downturn in the use of condoms.

“Now, condoms are piling up at the distributed points; why are we not taking condoms to people that need them, such as at nightclubs, taxi drivers, soccer matches and prison,” asked Haufiku.

Currently, condoms are distributed at, among other places, government offices, hospitals and shebeens.

According to the NSF document, the 2006/07 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) showed that young women using condoms at last sexual intercourse was 73.7% whilst in 2013, a decrease to 67.8% was recorded. Young men using condoms in 2006/07 stood at 81.8%, dropping to 79.4% in 2013.

The NSF report recommended that condom outlets be increased and condoms placed in user-friendly locations for key populations; sex workers, truck drivers and those at high risk of contracting HIV, as well as for adolescent and young people, to improve access.

“Special condom branding will be undertaken to encourage uptake among adolescents and youth as well as uniformed forces,” says the report.

It further emphasised that the success of the condom programme will depend on the availability, accessibility and acceptability of condoms by both men and women.

The NSF will serve as the prime strategic guide for HIV/Aids response in Namibia.

NAMPA

Marginalised get financial aid

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Marginalised get financial aid The office of the vice-president through its division for marginalised community affairs has provided financial support to 648 students and learners from the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities.

The support, which includes N$1 000 for students at tertiary institutions and N$500 for both primary and secondary school learners, is only meant to cover basic needs and excludes tuition fees, stationery and books.

Deputy director for the marginalised communities Gerson Kamatuka said government has put in place a student support programme to assist the marginalised communities.

“The division has been busy from the beginning of January to the end of February providing support to students and learners with enrolment recommendations to various recognised institutions of learning locally for accredited programmes, formulating and approval of the master list of beneficiaries for the 2018 academic year and updating of our database,” Kamatuka said.

Kamatuka added before the directorate was established in 2015, learners and students from marginalised communities struggled with basic education needs.

He said the division has channelled a significant amount of money from its allocated budget towards education support.

“Unfortunately this has placed financial constraints on the budget of the division as the programme is catering for many students,” he said.

The division is currently assisting 37 learners at primary schools, 246 at secondary schools and 365 students enrolled at institutions of higher learning.

“For those under grade 12 we offer them N$500 a month because many are young and they also stay with their parents and they are going through a free education programme.

For those at institutions of higher learning we offer them N$1 000 a month just because they are now grown, their basic needs have also increased and many stay away from their parents,” he said, before adding the division has been holding talks with the Namibian Students Financial Assistant Fund (NSFAF) to help fund the marginalised students through a special requirement criteria.

“Therefore, discussions are underway with NSFAF to transfer all marginalised students from our system to that of NSFAF.

This is to make sure that all student matters are centralised and is part of our integration process.

It remains government responsibility as a division to ensure that students and learners are not dropping out of their educational programmes due to the lack of accommodation, tuition fees, meals, transport, books, stationery and toiletries,” he said.

Kamatuka also announced Namcol has donated N$17 000 to sponsor marginalised learners currently enrolled at the institution.

ILENI NANDJATO

Company News

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Company News Guptas lose bid to keep bank Baroda in SA

JOHANNESBURG - A group of almost 20 South African companies linked to the Gupta family have lost a court bid which sought to have India’s Bank of Baroda, the last lender doing business with the firms, maintain operations in the country, court documents showed on Monday.

Baroda’s South African division was thrust into the spotlight two years ago when it agreed to take on the Guptas after South Africa’s major banks turned their back on the family’s businesses.

Baroda said a month ago that it had pulled the plug on its South African business, citing a strategic decision to slim down in international markets.

-Nampa/Reuters

MTN, Vodacom charging 2 639% more for out-of-bundle data

JOHANNESBURG- Amid reports of South Africa’s top two networks charging up to 2 639% more for out-of-bundle data, Vodacom has said it is normal business practice to offer discounts to customers that make longer term commitments.

Despite a push by government and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), out-of-bundle data rates are much more expensive than in-bundle.

MyBroadband recently revealed that data rates on both the Vodacom and MTN networks were reported to be exponentially higher when users ran out of data bundles.

It was reported that while on contract, a Vodacom 20GB data bundle cost R329, which worked out to R0.02 per MB, but out-of-bundle the rate per MB was R0.44, 2 630% higher than an in-bundle rate.

-Fin24

Telkom Kenya to challenge Safaricom's dominance

NAIROBI - Telkom Kenya relaunched a mobile financial services platform on Monday that it hopes can challenge Safaricom’s dominance of Kenya’s lucrative mobile money market.

It said it has spent 1 billion Kenyan shillings (US$9.9 million) redesigning and rebranding the platform, T-kash, which enables customers to transfer money and pay bills via mobile phone. The company shut down its original mobile money platform, which drew a limited number of subscribers, last June.

It has now signed up 20 000 new mobile money agents to provide the service, which it hopes will help accelerate its subscriber growth, Telkom chief executive officer Aldo Mareuse told reporters in Nairobi.

-Nampa/Reuters

Foschini CEO to retire

JOHANNESBURG - The Foschini Group (TFG) said on Monday that CEO Doug Murray would retire on September 3, and be replaced by the firm’s chief financial officer Anthony Thunström. Murray, who took the helm in 2007, will become a non-executive director after his retirement, a TFG statement said.

“Over the past 11 years, Doug has continuously delivered returns to shareholders and responsibly grown TFG to what it is today. He has a people-orientated, results-driven approach which has made him an invaluable leader,” said chairman Michael Lewis.

-Nampa/Reuters

Sonatrach to invest US$250m in gas field

TINHERT- Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach will invest US$250 million to boost output at the Tinhert gas field to 20 million cubic metres (mcm) per day by 2020 up from 5 million cubic metres, its CEO said on Monday. “This is an important project that will push our gas output up,” Sonatrach’s CEO Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour told reporters on the site located in Algeria’s southeast not far from Libya’s borders.

Algeria’s total gas output is around 100 billion cubic metres per year, of which 55 billion are exported.

-Nampa/Reuters

Oshikoto gears up for independence party

March 13, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Oshikoto gears up for independence party Oshikoto governor Henok Kankoshi says preparations for next week's Independence Day celebrations are well on track.

The main event will be held at Tsumeb's Oscar Norich stadium under the theme 'United we stand for the love of Namibia'.

Kankoshi said the region has not experienced any challenges thus far, adding the responsible organising committees established to make sure the national event turns out as a success, are doing a great job. Kankoshi invited everyone to make their way to Tsumeb for the Independence Day celebrations. President Hage Geingob will deliver the keynote address.

“We are ready, and everything is going according to plan. We have committees in place to make sure the event is a 100% success and therefore I would like to invite people from all walks of life to come to Tsumeb and celebrate the Independence Day celebration with us,” Kankoshi said.

Kankoshi called on members of the public to book for accommodation well in advance because of a shortage of lodging facilities. He said some schools will be utilised to host certain dignitaries.

He also advised people to make use of the accommodation establishments in nearby towns or surrounding areas.

“It is true that Tsumeb has a few establishments but I would encourage people to make use of the lodges in the surrounding areas or towns such as Grootfontein and Otavi,” Kankoshi said.



KENYA KAMBOWE