Auntie Nangy

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Auntie Nangy We both cheated

Dear Auntie Nangy

I have been with my girlfriend for the past four years and everything has been going well until I cheated on her because I got bored. I didn’t tell her about it but now we are in a good space. I was shocked to find out that she knew about my cheating and also went and cheated on me and I am very angry. What must I do?

Wait, why are you angry? Because she did exactly what you did? You were bored, she was probably bored. Oh child, you two are a pretty bored couple. So now you are angry with a bored and an angry cheater, what a combination. Stick together; you both kinda deserve each other. Peace!

Best of the kids

Dear Auntie Nangy

I am the middle-born child in my family and I am the most successful. My siblings kind of hate me as our parents make it clear that I’m the favourite child. Should I lower my standards for my siblings or what must I do? I feel so bad for them. Please advise.

The worse mistake parents can make is to make one child feel less than the other. You shouldn’t lower your standards, but you should acknowledge your privilege, and be sensitive to the feelings of your siblings. Tell them that you see the inequality too, but you don’t have control over it. At the same time, point it out to your parents, tell them that you don’t like the way they treat you and your siblings. But mostly remember, family is the one place where love is always enough. Keep working on rebuilding your relationship with your siblings.

Where is my wet dream?

Dear Auntie Nangy

I am 17 years old and I am yet to have my first wet dream. All my friends got theirs from age 15 and talk about getting sexually active but I always keep quiet becuase I have no experience. Am I not normal?

You are normal; your wet dreams will come. You will eventually come when you need to come, pun intended. Just be patient, but if you are overly concerned you could consult with a doctor and just have him check up on you to ease your mind.

Best friend flirting with my crush

Dear Auntie Nangy

My best friend is flirting with my crush and my crush is noticing her. She knows I like the guy but still does this. Is she still my friend? What must I do to make the guy notice me? We are in the same class at school. Please help me.

Oh child, she is certainly your friend and having a “crush” on someone does not mean it is mutual or that you have ownership of that person. You don’t need to do anything to be noticed… if you are yourself that should be enough. If he doesn’t notice you, maybe he just isn’t interested. Direct your “crushing” in another direction okay. Also, pay attention in class, focus on finishing school, you have an entire future filled with crushes.

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Latest reel music

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Latest reel musicFeast your eyes on these pieces tjil catches you up on the latest music videos Namibian artists have to offer, all available Musicians need something bigger than a hot track raking in top positions on radio playlists to get the publicity they deserve.

Artistic visuals are one way to help draw attention to the artist's work and to create a bond between the artist, the fans and potential fans. Local artists have never disappointed, always shooting dope music videos. Here are some of the hottest visuals dropped this month, so far. All these videos are available on YouTube.

How to get the job done, well

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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How to get the job done, well I see so many entertainers almost screwing up their careers with their so-called connections to success. I'm talking about entertainers who have friends who know people in the media and with that, they want to call themselves managers. Just because you have my number on speed dial or we grew up together… you think I can get you two articles and this qualifies you to manager an artist. Well, news flash. It's not that simple and it's not about knowing two or three journalists and radio presenters.

Managing an artist or entertainer is being able to successfully be in control of this person's career as many of them only have this job. It's a skill that one needs… and of course certain experience or knowledge… and here I mean knowledge, not what you found on google. Some of you are no different from the people you are trying to sell to the market - you also want to be famous or you have no real reason to grow your brand and are more concerned about the coins.

For some really lucky people, they can pull it off but this comes from being in the game for so long and having contacts. The so-called managers of today are just friends who want to arrive with their friends, and also because they offer to do it for free. Two things happen when people do things for free; they either don't deliver 100% or they don't deliver at all because I mean, they have nothing to lose.

So to the creatives, yes, I get that today is all about achieving with your friends or cousins close to you but it doesn't hurt investing actual money in your career. Getting the right person will cost you less than what you would need for your party money, or that money for the nice lunch for the 'gram at News Cafe every week. Self-investment always pays off and when you know you have put in every cent, it makes it even more special and will most definitely motivate you and your manager or publicist.

So yes, knowing two or three people is part of the deal but it's not the only part. Some of you so-called managers call us for story tips but your approach shows you have no idea of what you are doing or talking about. This reflects negatively on both client and brand. I'd suggest you start off by shadowing someone before you clip your wings and go solo. The guys who are great managers and publicists all started somewhere and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mind mentoring a newcomer. I hope this speaks to two or three of you.



June Shimuoshili



june@namibiansun.com

Starting from scratch

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Starting from scratchMy Namibia song search kicks off again After a disappointing response from the public, the search for the My Namibia national song is back at square one. Since last year August, the information ministry and the custodian of the 'Nationhood and National Pride' campaign has been lobbying Namibians to come up with a national song titled My Namibia.

The campaign went as far as having the top five songs identified until recently when the ministry announced the need for a re-look at the competition. The national song is meant to arouse feelings of patriotism and unity at official ceremonies like the national anthem does.

According to the minister, Stanley Simataa, the organising ministries came up with a technical committee made up of different institutions who developed the terms of references for the My Namibia song competition where 141 songs entries were received.

“Out of 141 songs entries vetted, only 17 songs made it through to the second stage of the vetting process which involved five independent professional judges. Subsequently, the top five songs were then aired on both NBC services to allow for public scrutiny and voting this year,” said Simataa.

Simataa added that considering the unique nature of Namibians in appreciating the beauty of their country in diversity, they projected that the winning song should not receive less than 15 000 to 50 000 votes from the public.

However, to the committee's disappointment, they only received total of 6 827 votes from the public and overwhelming negative feedback from the public about the songs.

Simataa announced that the technical committee came to the conclusion that the total number of votes received is not a reflective of the citizenry thus rendering the whole exercise invalid.

“We congratulate the five finalists and those who participated in the voting process. We want to assure the public that we will go back to the drawing board. In other words, the search for My Namibia song continues,” said Simataa.

June Shimuoshili

Land Rover Discovery delivers rugby in a box

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Land Rover Discovery delivers rugby in a boxRural rugby supported The 4 500kg payload was no challenge for the hardy SUV MOTORPRESS



With an illustrious history of towing, including hauling road trains and space shuttles, the Land Rover Discovery has become the benchmark towing vehicle in its class – winning numerous accolades in the process.

Given Land Rover’s long involvement in rugby, from grassroots level to the Rugby World Cup, the choice was obvious when a special donation from Land Rover had to be delivered in February this year.

The donation in question was a Rugby Club Starter Kit – a repurposed shipping container outfitted with the all the essentials a young rugby team needs to nurture talent.

Weighing in at 4 500kg on its trailer, this mobile locker room proved to be the ideal challenge for the new Land Rover Discovery and its guest driver, Springbok and Stormers Rugby player Siya Kolisi.

Kolisi jumped at the opportunity to tow the Rugby Club Starter Kit to its new home in Zwide Township, near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Not only is this where Kolisi started his rugby journey, on the dusty fields of the rural schools, but it is also the home of The African Bombers – his former rugby club.

Going for goal

“As a global supporter of grassroots rugby, we’re absolutely thrilled to donate this Rugby Club Starter Kit to The African Bombers with Siya’s help – it is a truly heart-warming story of a return to his roots and Land Rover’s continued support of grassroots rugby,” said Lisa Mallett, marketing director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa.

“The kit will bring the joy of this sport to the young players at his old rugby club and inspire them to become future Springboks. The Discovery was the perfect vehicle for this task, thanks to its 3 500kg tow rating and class-leading off-road capability,” she added.

The Discovery’s 3.0-litre diesel engine produces 600Nm of torque, which allowed Siya to effortlessly tow the specially prepared trailer holding the Rugby Club Starter Kit.

Equipped with Land Rover’s suite of proven and capable technologies, safety was never compromised: the Terrain Response 2 system ensured optimum traction on loose gravel surfaces, while Trailer Stability Assist helped the trailer and its special payload remain secure.

On broken and potholed roads, the Discovery’s self-levelling air suspension kept each wheel in contact with the road surface.

“The Discovery’s capabilities are simply incredible. I genuinely thought that only a truck would be able to tow this huge container, but in the Discovery it felt no different to towing a caravan or boat. This container is the beginning of something huge, something new. It will give them the facilities here, that’s how you make the community better. That’s how you transform a nation. It’s hope,” said Kolisi, Springbok and Stormers Rugby loose-forward.

With the Rugby Club Starter Kit set up, members of The African Bombers now have access to brand-new equipment that will help them prepare for seasons ahead.

This includes rugby balls, tackle bags, kicking cones, towels and water bottles. Additionally, solar panels on the container help provide electricity, while built-in desks give students a safe, comfortable environment for doing their homework.

Gazza's lessons

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Gazza's lessonsCareer tips from the 'groot man' The award-winning artist speaks on success and how to succeed. Gazza is known for many things he does - both in the entertainment industry and out of it. The brand ambassador, in the spirit of independence shares tips on how to make it and be successful in the industry in the current times.

For him, it is important to continually reinvest back into the music industry. According to Gazza, this will help elevate the local music industry and also provide a platform for upcoming artists.

“We are working hard, spending money to try and make the music industry on par with the rest of the world.

As a record label owner, I look at it as an investment in my passion and building a bridge for others who are as passionate about music as I am,” says Gazza.

His love for music was spurred out of a need to create something positive out of nothing, shortly after completing high school.

“Looking at where we came from, we were just in a pool of unemployed people just like you see today.

What do you do as a young person, either you indulge in the good things or you indulge in the bad things… you cannot remain idle, you are going to do something,” says Gazza.

Despite the multiple awards, countrywide tours and endorsement deals, Gazza says that there is still room for growth.

“I am just a big fish in a small pond. A big fish in a small pond can only move to a certain extent, whether it's commercial or other things, you can only move in a certain direction. The things that you want your country can no longer provide. That said, I do not think that I have reached my cap.

I am embarking upon the world and I have reached a rebirth,” says Gazza.

“I have never lived to see a day in Namibia where I will need bodyguards.

I am taking that power [fame] to see where I can lead my nation to something great,” he adds.

Sharing a few lessons he learned when he started out; he says that it is no longer necessary for younger artists to associate with negative influences to build a music industry. Talent, he says, should be sufficient.

“You do not have to start off with bad influences like we did. Those are my school fees for the industry.

You can start off by being yourself, doing the right things from the beginning. Building street credit is out now. When we started out we were unemployed and didn't know what to do.”

As the interview comes to a conclusion, the hit maker acknowledges that one can use fame to inspire good deeds that benefit a broader populace.

“Namibia is very small. Everything you hear comes by hearsay.

A good reputation will bring you good endorsements, respect, and with that, at the end of the day, we know that we are just human and we need to control our humanity for the greater good of the nation, sacrifice our personal desires for a greater good,” says Gazza.

“If you start off today you do not have to be a bad boy to show off your talents,” he concludes.

Ogone Tlhage

Customer is still the king

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Customer is still the king The listeriosis outbreak, which started in South Africa last year, and has resulted in the death of nearly 200 people because of contaminated ready-to-eat meat products that are widely consumed, brings the issue of consumer protection back into the spotlight. For many years, consumer groups in Namibia have been lobbying government to implement the Consumer Protection Act that will empower consumers to lodge complaints about service providers and also promote ethical business practises. Cabinet last year approved the National Consumer Protection Policy for implementation and a bill in this regard is yet to be passed by parliament. There is a lot at stake, particularly for businesses, and adhering to good practices and taking care of consumers should be seen as integral to both brand and reputation. Northern businessman David 'Kambwa' Sheehama this week made startling allegations against some foreign businesses, which he claims are selling Namibians inferior products that are at times repackaged to appear genuine. Another concern raised by Sheehama is that customers are also being sold items with false litre and metre amounts indicated. The concerns raised by the businessman are not new and many Namibians have grown accustomed to poor customer service over the years. They have grown to tolerate it, in the absence of a legislation protecting consumer interests. It is unbelievable that despite the United Nations providing guidelines around issues of consumer protection, our government appears to have taken a lax attitude toward this essential piece of legislation. As clearly outlined by the eloquent Milton Louw from the Namibian Consumer Protection Group, there is a need to directly protect consumers from shoddy service and low quality products. The status quo of consumers being bullied by businesses should be a thing of the past. Consumers can no longer be taken for a ride. Equally the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI) and the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) must do everything possible to ensure there is fair marketing and business practices within the various sectors of our nation. The Consumer Protection Act must at the end of the day provide a mechanism for redress, when it comes to defective goods and service deficiencies.

Namibians are born entrepreneurs!

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Namibians are born entrepreneurs! It has either become too easy to be a farmer nowadays, or those in Omaheke are the special and chosen ones. Every second person you meet in Omaheke is a farmer; you will find him in Agra, Kaap Agri or some other farmer's outlet with a pamphlet of the day's specials in hand.



And here I thought my brothers from the north – or those from Khomasdal - are the worst form of show-offs with their spinning rims on their GTi Golfs!



When you meet an aspiring farmer - who believes he has already arrived, he will take a few minutes of your time complaining about how the absence of the rain has affected farmers. He will tell you the last time Otjombinde received good rains was two years ago, even if you have just come back from there and you struggled to navigate the wet roads.



Mind you, even Tjeripo is now apparently a farmer. He wears those big hats - embroidered with the Big Five - carries a walking stick and just recently acquired a 1997 Model Toyota Hilux 2.4. I tried talking sense into him about buying an old car, but he wouldn't listen.



“That is the problem with you city guys. I do not see an old car when I look at this Toyota of mine. What I see is every Herero man's dream,” Tjeripo tried to convince me.



But he was right. He proved it to me. At a recent funeral of someone whose name I can hardly remember because I was dragged there by Tjeripo to test his new wheels, his bakkie proved a hit.



Tjeripo, playing to the attention of mourners at the funeral, would wait until everyone had bowed their heads in prayer and then, he would start his Toyota and pull away slowly. Obviously, the diesel bakkie did what it does best - make sweet noise.



Everyone, including the pastor, opened their eyes and smiled in admiration. One mourner even remarked that the best things in life are money, education and a Toyota 2.4 Diesel with a Gobabis number plate.



In the north for instance, everyone there are business people. Just stop any person on the streets of Oshakati or Outapi and ask him what he does for a living and you will hear: “I am a businessman, bra yandje.”



If you ask what business they are into, they will cut the conversation short, give you the look and attempt to sell cheap perfume to you. Seriously, I never understand why they would run to you with these obviously cheap products and try to sell them for an arm and a leg to you.



These dudes are properly dressed in the latest fashion, yet they want you to believe that they are struggling business people.



If I could acquire such designer items, I too would become a 'businessman' in the north.



I am told brothers in the north run into the bank to demand a loan for the latest Corolla, if he sees a friend of his driving the latest model car.



Once the first friend realises that he has been 'overtaken' by his friend, who now rolls in a Corolla, he will up the game to a BMW.



This will go on, until they both become proud owners of a Mercedes-Benz ML Class. Mind you, ladies too have their own unique ways of showing-off. If they buy a new watch, every conversation will start with “I think it is almost time to…” This is done simply to have an excuse to look at the watch.



Or if it is a new necklace, you will always hear them saying “Og, that guy made me so angry I felt like strangling him…” at which point, they will mimic strangling by touching their neck.



The last platform where the sisters create a 'whole new world' - as in the Aladdin theme song - is definitely on Facebook. Eish, women would posted stuff like, “Sipping on expensive wine and watching the sunset…”, while we know darn well the nearest thing to a wine you have tasted is Castello!



They would also pose in front of the one or the other house in Pionierspark and then write “At home, bored”, while we know the specific house belongs to a white man.



Until then…



tjatindi@gmail.com

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Company News

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Company News Kenya Airways in US$59m loss

Kenya Airways reported on Wednesday nine-month pretax loss of 5.97 billion shillings (US$59.03 million) and an after tax loss of 6.1 billion shillings, hurt by a prolonged election period in the country and rising fuel prices. Nine-month operating profit stood at 1.3 billion shillings, acting chief financial officer Hellen Mwariri said.

Kenya spent most of 2017 conducting elections, which in addition to effects of drought, hit economic growth.

-Nampa/Reuters

Facebook apologises for data mistakes

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg apologised on Wednesday for mistakes his company made in how it handled data belonging to 50 million of its users and promised tougher steps to restrict developers’ access to such information.

The world’s largest social media network is facing growing government scrutiny in Europe and the United States about a whistleblower’s allegations that London-based political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly accessed user information to build profiles on American voters that were later used to help elect U.S. President Donald Trump in 2016.

-Nampa/Reuters

Best Buy cuts ties with Huawei

Best Buy Co Inc, the largest US consumer electronics retailer, will cut ties with China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a person familiar with the matter said, amid heightened scrutiny on Chinese tech firms in the United States.

Best Buy will stop selling Huawei’s devices over the next few weeks, according to the person with knowledge of the matter, a setback for the Chinese telecommunications giant as it looks to expand in the US market.

-Nampa/Reuters

Telkom raises R1b in bond sale

Telkom raised R1billion in its first debt issue of the year as South Africa’s biggest landline provider looks to invest in its network and take on rivals including MTN and Vodacom.

After a five-year hiatus, Telkom started selling debt again in 2017 and has raised R4.3billion from nine bonds in 12 months. The Pretoria-based company has significantly increased capital expenditure in recent years to focus on its mobile-phone business, which reported a maiden profit in 2016 as landline use declines.

Telkom has sold bonds to diversify its funding sources and reduce the cost of borrowing, a spokesman said Tuesday. The company is almost 40%owned by the South African government.

-Fin24

Uber, Careem licences suspended in Egypt

An Egyptian court ordered on Tuesday the suspension of licences for ride-hailing companies Uber and Careem after taxi drivers filed a lawsuit seeking to shutdown operations of the two firms in Egypt, judicial sources said. The case was taken up in April last year, said Khalid al-Jamal, a lawyer acting for the taxi drivers who filed the case.

The case against the two companies argued that the ride-hailing services were illegally using private cars as taxis.

Tuesday’s decision was effective immediately, meaning the companies must suspend services pending a final ruling, but it can be appealed within 60 days, the judicial sources said.

-Nampa/Reuters

No date set for Hosea Kutako audit

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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No date set for Hosea Kutako auditICAO has not made a formal communication The Namibia Airports Company reassured travellers that there is no reason to expect a security audit within the next 90 days as there has been no notification from authorities as yet. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has allayed fears of a possible status downgrade of Hosea Kutako International Airport, saying that it has not received a mandatory three-month notice for an audit at the airport yet.

According to the NAC, no date for an International Civil Aviation Organisation security audit has been confirmed yet.

The company stressed that it is customary that an airport due to undergo an audit must receive a mandatory 90 days' notice prior to the commencement of an audit.

“To date no such formal correspondence has been received and therefore there is no reason to believe an audit is due in 90 days' time and that the airport will therefore be downgraded.”

The NAC said an audit might take place during the fourth quarter of this year at the earliest, or early next year. “In conformity with international best practices, the NAC endeavours to provide the best facilities we can under extremely trying circumstances as experienced by all operators at Hosea Kutako due to the congestion-related challenges. We report on all safety- and security-related compliance issues to the regulator as stipulated in law.”

The NAC added that it was in the final planning stages of remedial works to address issues of congestion, safety and security at the airport. It said information on the progress would be shared in the coming weeks.

The NAC statement follows media reports at the end of February which stated that the company had three months to upgrade facilities at Hosea Kutako to avert a downgrade of the airport.

The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) at that stage painted a bleak picture of the possible impacts of such a downgrade for the country, saying that major airlines would pull out of Namibia.

The PDM said the impact on the local economy would be huge and would result in job losses as transport companies shut down.

According to the PDM a downgrade would also harm the country's reputation internationally.

ELLANIE SMIT

Kambonde denies nepotism

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Kambonde denies nepotism Oniipa Town Council mayor Immanuel Kambonde has dismissed claims by the community that he is employing family members in key positions and is therefore guilty of nepotism.

The town council has three people in key positions with the surname Kambonde, excluding the mayor, which has irked community members.

Kambonde set the record straight, saying as mayor he has no power to appoint council employees, apart from the CEO. He said further he has no relatives employed at the council.

“I am being victimised by the community of Oniipa that I am only putting my family members in key positions in the town council. It must be clear that as the town mayor I do not have any appointing authority for the council employees and I do not even sit in the interviews meetings. My power ends at the appointment of the town CEO,” Kambonde said.

The two council features a David Kambonde, who is a councillor and a member of the management committee, as well as finance manager Victoria Kambonde and technical services, planning and environment officer Wyclif Kambonde.

“I do not know all these people and they are not my family members. It is just a coincidence that the town employs Kambondes, including me, who are not related,” he said.

Kambonde also confirmed that newly appointed junior councillor Joseph Amutenya is his “God child”, who he is taking care of, but he does not know how he was appointed in his new role.

“I do not know the criteria that were used to appoint these junior councillors. Only to my surprise did I see that Amutenya is also a junior councillor,” he said.

Kambonde is the first mayor of Oniipa since it was declared a town in 2015. The town is currently faced with the challenge of people building illegally on municipal land.

ILENI NANDJATO

10 Important career lessons

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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10 Important career lessons Teachings to help you find yourself If you want to achieve success, you will have to make big sacrifices. I find that many people fervently heed this advice and make sacrifices on a permanent basis and then learn too late that there’s more to life than just chasing after success.

Yes, you must make sacrifices but it should be for the short term. You should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

1. Don't stay in a job you hate. You spend half of your life at work. Life is too short to put up with a job you hate or a boss who treats you poorly. Many people convince themselves that they can stay in a job that makes them unhappy because they need the income or because they don’t believe they can find another job. But the truth is spending too much of it in a bad situation will make you miserable and it can affect your health. If you’re in this situation, try taking small steps to where you want to be. You deserve so much better!

2. Take care of yourself - Sacrificing your health for success or wealth isn’t worth it. I had a close friend who worked non-stop. He was always “plugged in” and wouldn’t even take vacation. He was diagnosed with cancer, took retirement and died shortly thereafter. Sadly though, he never got to enjoy any of his retirement earnings. Our bodies are not machines. You can’t keep going 24/7. The lights won’t always be green. If you don’t slow down, eventually, you will come to a red light and have to make a complete stop.

3) Take time to listen. Listening is a great time and money saver. It can solve a host of problems, bring creativity, give insights and not to mention show people that you care. Listening is crucial to gaining a complete understanding of situations. Without this full understanding, one can easily waste everyone’s time by solving the wrong problem or merely addressing a symptom, not the root cause. I would like to challenge you to make a concerted effort to listen more than you speak and just see the benefits.

4. Rejection and Failure will strengthen you. Failure is not the end. Few things in life are certain but failure is. Although it leaves a sour taste, failures are the pillars for success. You gain experiences you could not get any other way. Additionally, rejection is unavoidable in a creative life. Learning how to deal with rejection early on, will keep you from plummeting into a place of immobilizing despair. Rejection hurts but don't dwell on it. If you focus on positive thinking, even the harshest defeat is only a stepping-stone.

5. Don’t let money or your job title define you. Most people define success around money or fame. They get their self-worth from these things. This gives money way too much power over your life. We must realize these things could be lost in an instant. Maybe it's time for you to re-define success. Enter the race you are designed to run. Focus on a higher purpose and you’ll bring out the best in yourself and others. Only by using your gifts and talents in the service of others can you live a life that brings lasting fulfilment.

6. Surround yourself with people who will motivate you and push you to grow. Teamwork and networking is key. Part of your success is dependent on the people you surround yourself with. Social networks matter. I am not saying you should only surround yourself with sycophants but those with positive voices who will see the greatness in you, believe with you and encourage you to take action. Many of us have stifled our dreams because of doubtful and negative colleagues and friends.

7. Spend more time away from the office and more time with your family. Work is a never-ending process and life is not only about work, office, and clients. Sometimes in our efforts to provide for our families, we miss a key point: precious time with them.The interests of a client is important but so is your family. No one wishes on their death bed they spent more time in the office or more time checking email. Disconnect regularly and experience real life with those that matter most to you.

8. Worrying doesn’t solve anything. It just magnifies fear and creates anxiety. The antidote to fear is action. Don't let fear hold you back. You won’t achieve your goals if you’re afraid to pursue an idea, or are worried what others will think of you. If you push through the worry and the fear you’ll almost always find that you were worried about nothing. Have faith.

9. Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Personal development is continuous. Learn everything about the field you are in and also related fields. Become the expert others look to for advice. With the rate at which technologies are changing, if you decide that you are done learning, you will be left behind. By continuously learning you will be able to keep on top of things, make better decisions and remain "relevant" in this digital era. Try as well to diversify your skill-set so you can have income from more than one sources.

10. Happiness is in the present moment. Many people say. "I'll be happy when I achieve..." Happiness seems to be somewhere in the distant future where you will find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. None of us knows how long we have on this earth so you can choose to be happy now. The truth is the rat race is never ending. It sucks you in and has its grip fixed so tightly that you forget to enjoy the journey and those around you. Life is full of moving targets. The bar is constantly being set higher and higher. No matter what your situation, if you can approach it with an attitude of happiness, you are already successful.

I could go on for hours as this is a subject dear to me. I've heard of employees passing away because of stress at work or working 100+ hours a week. Money should not be the only determinant factor when choosing a job. Work life balance is very important. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices. There are three aspects to our lives - Personal, Spiritual and Professional. A fine balance needs to be maintained between the three elements to lead a satisfied and contented life. Sadly, most often it is the professional that occupies the driving seat. Life is too short to live with regrets. It's time to stop enduring life and start living it.

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For youth in Tunisia mining region, it's 'mine or die'

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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For youth in Tunisia mining region, it's 'mine or die'Phosphate only means of survival Metlaoui is rich in phosphate, a highly sought after ore used to make fertiliser of which Tunisia is the world's fourth largest producer. For us, the solution is either emigration, death or prison. - Ali Ben Msalah, Unemployed youth Caroline Nelly Perrot – Dozens of unemployed youths camp out around phosphate mines in central Tunisia, demanding jobs as part of a wave of protests aimed at focusing attention on alleged state neglect.

The surge in anger is the latest in the North African nation's mining region, where one of the country's highest unemployment rates and a stark lack of infrastructure have fuelled regular unrest.

The most recent confrontations broke out at the end of January, with demonstrators frustrated over hiring practices blocking work for six weeks.

Among the grey dunes of phosphate at the Kef Eddour quarry near the town of Metlaoui, 10 women and about 50 young men – sons and grandsons of miners – eat and sleep in a few prefabricated cabins.

"The phosphate company is the only thing here, we have no development, no jobs," said Ali Ben Msalah, 25, who has been unemployed since finishing high school.

"For us, the solution is either emigration, death or prison."

Next to him, Souad Smadah, 60, the daughter and wife of miners, nods as she warms couscous and tea over a fire for the young protesters.

She is angry that none of her five sons have managed to find work at the phosphate mines, accusing businessmen and trade unions of prioritising their relatives when hiring.

Smadah's eldest earns 300 dinars (US$125) a month in a bakery, almost three-times less than a starting salary at the mine.

Decades of corruption

Metlaoui is rich in phosphate, a highly sought after ore used to make fertiliser of which Tunisia is the world's fourth largest producer.

Boasting a swimming pool, cinema and tennis courts, it was once nicknamed "Little Paris".

Today, however, the town's jobless youth loiter along cratered roads, their teeth yellowed from polluted water.

The Gafsa Phosphate Company (CPG), a state monopoly, has long been the main source of jobs and income for the region.

Decades of corrupt or absent authorities sparked mass protests around the mines in 2008 that were brutally repressed by dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

His fall in a 2011 uprising which sparked the Arab Spring upheavals sparked hope of change.

But there has been no sign of improvement and a combination of lack of investment, skilled workers and unrest has even seen output nosedive.

"Since the revolution, we can no longer produce the desired tonnage," said CPG's general secretary, Ali Khmili.

The company, which used to produce up to 8 million tonnes a year, barely extracted 4.2 million last year.

Tension

The most recent disruption to the mine's work began in January after the series of demonstrations and riots, fuelled by price and tax increases and persistent unemployment, broke out in the region and across Tunisia.

Adding to the tensions are looming municipal elections scheduled for May, with legislative and presidential elections set for 2019.

In Gafsa, the heightening of political tensions has complicated negotiations with the protesters, paralysing production earlier this year.

The halt in work was "essentially linked to a lack of trust" between residents and the government, according to Rabeh Ahmadi, an activist with the Tunisian Forum of Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), an NGO specialising in social issues.

The government eventually demanded legal action and suspended some 1 700 hires in progress in an attempt to quell the unrest.

Unhappy

Mining slowly resumed this month and ministers were dispatched to the region last week. But residents unhappy with solutions proposed by the government have continued to disrupt production.

They say it is the only way to force those in power to pay attention to them, as phosphate is crucial to reaching the government's target of three percent growth.

CPG, which is running at a deficit largely because of recurring unrest, has not contributed to the state budget since 2011.

And some at the company warn that by targeting the phosphate output the demonstrators could end up just hurting their region even more.

"The protesters' claims are legitimate, there is a total absence of the state in this area," said Rafiq Smida, an CPG engineer and advocate for the phosphate industry.

"But if work there is blocked, 32 000 jobs are at risk."– Nampa/AFP

Meagre slaughtering in NCAs

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Meagre slaughtering in NCAsFarmers not getting out of the starting blocks One percent of the total cattle slaughtered in 2017 for the formal market came from the NCA. Only 854 cattle were slaughtered north of the red line last year, which is the total Northern Communal Areas' (NCA) contribution to the formal market.

There are estimated to be 1.6 million cattle in the NCA.

According to the Meat Board of Namibia, out of the total of 83 790 cattle that were slaughtered last year, 854 were slaughtered at the Meatco mobile abattoir in the NCAs.

The Meatco mobile abattoir is currently the only formal market available for producers in the NCA as the Oshakati and Katima abattoirs are not yet operational.

The bill of quantities has been completed and renovations recently started on both abattoirs.

According to the Meat Board, the mobile and Katima and Oshakati abattoirs will improve competiveness.

The Meat Board says the cattle sector, and specifically weaner production, experienced a positive year in terms of the prices offered to producers.

Throughput to the export abattoirs however decreased in 2017.

A 29.8% increase in the total number of cattle marketed was observed, from 295 217 in 2016 to 420 646 in 2017.

“This was driven by the sharp increase in the live exportation of weaners to South Africa, of 47% year-on-year,” the Meat Board said.

However, the reduced stock numbers due to droughts experienced in previous years resulted in decreased slaughtering numbers at both export and smaller local abattoirs.

“The Namibian export abattoirs however experienced a decline in throughput. This can be contributed to many reasons, including the declining national herd size and unpredictable pricing. The shortage in supply had a positive impact on specifically the lower grade (B2) beef price.

There is a notable increase of slaughtering at local abattoirs which creates a competitive environment for domestic slaughtering,” the Meat Board said.

Of the total number of cattle marketed, 65% were live exports, 17% were sent to export abattoirs and 18% to local abattoirs.

Although the local abattoirs only registered 23 455 cattle, a total of 87 730 hides were purchased from these abattoirs. An undeclared difference of 64 275 cattle was observed.

Furthermore, the Meat Board says Namibian weaner prices followed an upward trend between January and December last year, moving on average from 16.96/kg in January to 34.18/kg in December 2017.

Weaner prices increased by 33.58% year-on-year.

“The same trend is expected during the next quarter, given the predicted trends in the demand for these animals at the feedlots in South Africa,” the Meat Board said.

Decreased throughput at export abattoirs supports the gradual increase in the lower grade (B2) beef producer price. The annual average price increased from N$30.11/kg in 2016 to N$35.98/kg in 2017, between January and December.

ELLANIE SMIT

Skewed resettlement irks /Ui/o/oo

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Skewed resettlement irks /Ui/o/oo The collective resettlement of marginalised communities on Government procured farms has angered the deputy minister of marginalised communities, Royal /Ui/o/oo.

The deputy minister aired his frustration on Tuesday at Farm Ondera near Tsumeb, where about 500 San families are resettled.

/Ui/o/oo, who was asked to introduce vice-president Nangolo Mbumba who was on a familiarisation visit, instead used the opportunity to vent about the group resettlement, as opposed to being resettled as individuals.

“Yes of course, there is a concept of saying it's a group farm. But why is it always the marginalised groups who are being grouped? It makes things difficult for them,” he said.

/Ui/o/oo said he would brief Mbumba about the matter in Windhoek.

“Resettlement is also a big challenge, that is why we have a challenge, including with these communities [San],” he said.

He also said the communities resettled by the State on ten commercial farms need written documentation of land ownership.

“Once you are given something, you must at least have a paper to show that this is yours,” he said.

Approached for comment, Mbumba said one must look at the “principle issue” of their resettlement.

“This community did not have any land. They were staying at a checkpoint [Oshivelo]. They were provided with land. This land is theirs as a community,” he said.

He said if they want to divide it into sections, the next step is to discuss the matter and find a solution.

With the second national conference on land slated for this year, Mbumba urged the various stakeholders to prepare for the conference. “Nobody should say they did not prepare their own documentation because there was no date. The land conference will take place this year, so let us organise ourselves,” he said.

Mbumba also urged people to attend the conference to solve problems and “not to fight other people”. He said he hopes President Hage Geingob or the cabinet will soon set a date for the highly anticipated conference.

NAMPA

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One giant leap to success

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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One giant leap to successDiscover yourself in the corporate world Leveraging her skills and experience to do what she loves to do in her spare time. Octavia Tsibes

Catherine Shipushu, founder of Azania Communications that was established a few years ago.

Azania Communications is an integrated marketing communications boutique agency specialising in branding, design, strategic communication and events management. “I recently introduced a brand coaching service specifically to work with individuals who would like to strategically position themselves in order to attract the right opportunities, advance their careers or grow their businesses,” Shipushu.

“I prefer to work with small business owners and individuals and help them to build strong, reliable brands that stand out for the right reasons. I believe that what sets Azania Communications apart is our proven expertise in public relations, brand management, media relations and event management, as well being driven by achieving measurable results for our clients,” she says.

Shipushu was born in Oshakati and grew up in Ongwediva. She did her schooling at Hashiyana Combined School and then matriculated from Gabriel Taapopi Senior Secondary School.

After high school, she left for South Africa to pursue her studies at Pretoria Technikon that is now known as Tshwane University of Technology where she attained a national diploma in public management.

“I also hold an honours degree in journalism and communication technology from Namibia University of Science Technology (NUST) and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Regenesys Business School,” Shipushu said.

Last year, she obtained a certificate in brand management from the University of Cape Town to expand her skills in that area.

Shipushu is generally a positive and optimistic person because she believes that she is responsible for the energy she brings to any situation.

About her journey

“I am an experienced branding and communications strategist with close to 20 years of experience across television broadcasting, public relations and marketing under my belt,” she says.

Shipushu’s first job, she was a production assistant at NBC where she worked her way up the corporate ladder. She left NBC after 10 years of service to pursue a different career path in corporate communication and public relations.

“This led me to work for amazing organisations such as the MVA Fund and Namibia Qualifications Authority and I feel honoured to have contributed to building these strong, respected brands,” she adds.

At her full time job, she works as a marketing and communications manager that she enjoys, because she gets the opportunity to engage with people. Shipushu is also an aspiring entrepreneur and is currently working on her business which is centred on many of her passions including brand management and strategic communications.

“Although my business is currently a side ‘hustle’, my vision is to run it on a full time basis in the near future,” Catherine Shipushu says.

Primarily this business was mainly about leveraging her skills and experience to do what she loves to do in her spare time. Along the way she realised that there is a need for what she knows that is why she decided to be bold enough to monetize her knowledge.

“I believe that my divine purpose is to help people recognize the greatness within them and use their God-given talents to achieve success and live their best lives. At the end of my life, I would like to look back and be content knowing that through my work and being of service to others, I have made a meaningful contribution to humanity,” she says.

Corruption - A social disease (Part 134): Board Members of Public Enterprises and perceptions about corrupt relationships

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Corruption - A social disease (Part 134): Board Members of Public Enterprises and perceptions about corrupt relationships Johan Coetzee - Boards of Public Enterprises (PEs) consist partially of senior public officials that represent governments’ interests on such boards.

The two examples in this article focus on the Small and Medium Enterprises Bank (SME Bank) of Namibia that has been liquidated and is under curatorship.

Frans Kapofi, the current Minister of Home Affairs (previously the Minister of Presidential Affairs) served as chairperson of the SME Bank from 2012 to 2015. He obtained a loan that has been flagged as underperforming (The Namibian).

The SME Bank’s previous and last chairperson of the board before liquidation, George Simataa, the Secretary to Cabinet, applied for a loan for chicken farming (The Namibian). Simataa applied for this loan while he was chairperson of the board.

Both Kapofi and Simataa are appointed by and accountable to the highest political and public office holder, the President. The President indicated as reported in several newspapers during 2017, that the decisions and actions of these two public office bearers were not responsible for the unaccountable underperformance and the liquidation of the SME Bank.

ACCOUNTABILITY

If chairpersons are not accountable, who are then accountable? Other board members? The managers? The staff? The government as one of the main shareholders?

Do the two chairpersons’ accountability in terms of their appointments as chairpersons by the President to whom they are also political accountable (because they double up as Presidential appointees as Minister of Presidential Affairs and as Secretary to Cabinet respectively) supersede all other accountability? Such relationships are examples of conflict of interest and corrupt relationships (Coetzee).

Conflict of interest can most probably not be proven without doubt in these two cases and allegations could be completely unfair and be considered as defamation. These two examples are not necessarily corruption, until proven.

However, in terms of the fiduciary powers of board members as directors (Companies Act), and by implication also morally (public values), the following questions can be posed: Did the two chairpersons declare their interests when they applied for their loans? Even if they declared their interests, did their positions as chairmen of the board had any influence on their applications?

Due to their powerful political positions, as well as chairmen of the board, it is possible that their positional power could have influenced their applications, even if they themselves did not exercised influence peddling and/or conflict of interest.

THE POWER OF PERCEPTION

From the two examples, it can be deduced that board members of PEs (as public and private entities funded by taxpayers) are accountable to their shareholders (the public as represented by the government of the day and private individuals and companies) and their stakeholders (the public of Namibia) for the activities of PEs and public perceptions about their leadership. Even if such perceptions are unfair and without substance, leaders remain accountable to the public for clearing such perceptions.

Leaders should lead in such a way that their actions are beyond reasonable doubt. If negative perceptions are created about leaders, even unproven, taxpayers and the public at large loose trust in such leaders. Such leaders are not respected.

Leaders that are not respected, are leaders without credibility and influence and they cannot inspire people in dire economic circumstances. What is the cost of leaders that are disrespected, discredited and uninspired? Billions of Namibian dollars, because people tend to justify their behaviour based on the perceptions about corrupt relationships of leaders.

The purpose of using the examples in this article is not to tarnish the character of the people mentioned, but to illustrate the negative perceptions attached to possible conflict of interests, even if such people are completely innocent. If negative perceptions are not cleared beyond doubt by leaders, such perceptions are strengthened.

One outcome of such reinforcement of perceptions is corruption by the public. Over time public perceptions become tolerant of corruption, justifying it as normal and acceptable.

References

Coetzee, J.J. 2012. Systemic corruption and corrective change management strategies: A study of the co-producers of systemic corruption and its negative impact on socio-economic development. Unpublished PhD dissertation. Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch.

Immanuel, S. 2017. "Bank bosses, politicians got shady loans." Article in The Namibian, 19 May, Windhoek.

Republic of Namibia. 2008. Companies Act, Act 28 of 2004, Government Gazette, Windhoek.

jcoetzee@nust.na

Ready-to-eat meat market blow

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Ready-to-eat meat market blowCustomers stay away Those who sell ready-to-eat meat say customers are refusing to buy their products following a deadly listeriosis outbreak in South Africa, and now in Namibia. “It is really a big blow to the business. People are now staying away from all the processed products and business is affected” - John Hayes, owner of Readi Bites Meat Market. NDAMA NAKASHOLE

It is a weekday morning, but it’s not business as usual. Just like those who work in formal markets, those in the informal sector are getting ready for the workday. Food vendors prepare their wares; some have already set up their stands and wait for customers. It all seems normal.

One of those trading at Monte Cristo centre in Windhoek’s Katutura suburb is Olivia Namundo. A single mother, Namundo sells one of the most popular take-aways in Namibia: russians and chips. According to the 2016 Labour Force Survey (LFS) report by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) released last year, 48.4% of the 164 000 vulnerable employees are own-account workers. Namundo is one of them.

Business has been “fair” according to her. Despite stiff competition as she sits next to six others selling the same wares, she says profits, although small, have been flowing in.

Despite the economic slowdown, which has led to job losses and consumers tightening their belts, Namundo said she would still sell chips and russians every day, maybe just a bit less.

That was until the recent news of a listeriosis outbreak, which is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, in neighbouring South Africa (SA).

The SA health department said about two weeks ago that the bacterial contamination had been traced to an Enterprise Foods meat processing plant. The announcement prompted a recall of Enterprise polony, viennas, russians and other meat products in South Africa as well as Namibia.

Despite immediate directives by the government for shops to remove these products from their shelves, a man at Tsumeb last week became Namibia’s first confirmed case of listeriosis. The illness has killed 180 people and infected over 1 000 in SA, according to local and international media.

Fear of the illness has made people wary of all ready-to-eat meats.

“Look at those russians in there. I warmed them yesterday morning already and they are still there as I did not sell a single russian,” Namundo said while peeling potatoes. The chips were made fresh that morning, she said.

“Things have been tough lately. But I always sold the few russians I would prepare,” she said, adding that she had reduced the quantity of sausages she prepared every day when the “struggle for customers began last year”.

According to her, none of her children and those under her guardianship has a job. Some are studying at tertiary institutions and need taxi money every day. If her customers stay away, “it is just hunger” for her family.

Listeriosis free

On 14 March, Windhoek Schlachterei announced that its machinery and products had been tested and declared free of listeria.

Other local producers of ready-to-eat meat products such as Meatco and Readi Bites also said their products were safe.

The owner of Readi Bites, John Hayes, emphasised that all their products were produced locally. They were tested at a private laboratory and found to be listeria free.

“Even our suppliers sent confirmations of no presence of that bacterium,” he said, adding that on Monday, they had a meeting with municipal health inspectors who also took some samples.

Business Unusual

Hayes told Market Watch that following the listeriosis outbreak in SA in January, customers continued buying as usual. That all changed last week, when the first case of listeriosis was reported in Namibia. Last Tuesday, health minister Bernard Haufiku announced in parliament that a 41-year-old man had been diagnosed with listeriosis after eating a russian bought at a Tsumeb butchery.

“It is really a big blow to the business. People are now staying away from all the processed products and business is affected,” Hayes said.

Another successful Shake-a-Can for Buy-a-Brick

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Another successful Shake-a-Can for Buy-a-Brick As part of its national Buy-a-Brick Day on 16 March, Standard Bank Namibia employees mobilised themselves to raise awareness and increase funding through the Buy-a-Brick Shake-a-Can initiative at various intersections throughout the country between 06:00 and 08:00. Buy-a-Brick is a Standard Bank Namibia corporate social investment initiative in partnership with the Shack Dwellers’ Federation of Namibia, which aims to deal with the housing problem amongst no- and low-income households by mobilising individuals and corporates to contribute towards this initiative so that houses can be built for these people. “Ever since the Buy-a-Brick initiative was launched in 2015, Standard Bank has handed over N$1.4 million to build over 40 new houses in the town of Rehoboth for the members of the Shack Dwellers Federation. Additionally, another N$2 million was raised to build new houses in the towns of Otjinene, Berseba and some informal settlements of Windhoek,” said Standard Bank Namibia’s chief executive Vetumbuavi Mungunda. The public can to donate to Buy-a-Brick by downloading the newly launched PayPulse App or make their deposit at any Standard Bank Namibia branch countrywide. Photo Contributed

Robbers escape with N$200K

March 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Robbers escape with N$200K Four armed robbery suspects who broke into the home of a 55-year-old woman in the Omusati Region earlier this week, got away with N$200 000 in cash, but had to flee the scene on foot after their two getaway cars got stuck in the mud.

According to Omusati police spokesperson, Sergeant Anna Kunga, the incident happened on Tuesday at Embumba village in the Oshikuku constituency at around 22:00, when the four suspects broke into Rauha Haiduwa's home.

Kunga said the suspects gained entry by cutting through one of the window burglar bars and then shot thrice into the victim's bedroom door.

She said one of the bullets struck the victim, who sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Kunga could not confirm whether the victim was still in the hospital at the time of going to print.

“They then took items worth N$216 530 of which N$200 000 is cash money, which was in a safe,” Kunga said. She added the suspects had also taken a flat screen television, which was recovered in one of the two Toyota Corollas which they abandoned.

She said there had been no arrests, but the police were hot on their trail.

Kunga called on the public to come forward with information that could assist them in tracking down and arresting the perpetrators.





KENYA KAMBOWE