DBN a model for social enterprise in finance

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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DBN a model for social enterprise in financePloughing back through CSI The DBN’s track record of growth and the exercise of social purpose show that social enterprise can flourish in the financial sector.

Staff Reporter - The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) transcends stereotypes of financial enterprises, by reapplying profits in the interests of financial service delivery, while delivering growth, says its senior manager: corporate communication, Jerome Mutumba.

The key distinction, Mutumba says, is that DBN has a core focus on long-term growth of its balance sheet, whereas private sector providers of finance are often constrained by shareholder requirements for short-term returns. He illustrates this point by saying that the DBN’s apportionment of its earnings consists primarily of reapplication of funds to additional lending for infrastructure and enterprises. The bank also allocates returns to prudent financial reserves, and redemption of its bond.

Multiplier effect

The reapplication of funds for lending has a multiplier effect on the DBN’s capacity to lend. This can be seen from the bank’s approvals growth from N$110.7 million reported in 2005, to N$4.42 billion in 2017. The bank’s balance sheet stood at approximately N$7.82 billion in 2017.

Mutumba says that this should not just be seen as financial growth but also a multiplier of the number of projects, scope and size, in the fields of both enterprises and infrastructure.

Taken in total, he says, the track record of growth and the exercise of social purpose show that social enterprise can flourish in the financial sector. The benefit of this approach is seen in investor confidence, proven by subscribers to the bank’s bond. Not only does the bond add to the range of investment mechanisms within Namibia, but it also gives investors an opportunity to harvest returns from social enterprise, Mutumba says.

Social investment

The DBN allocates a portion of its earnings to various applications that can be seen as further investment in Namibia. This is done in agreement of the bank’s shareholder, the Minister of Finance.

The first portion is allocated to DBN’s Project Preparation Fund (PPF). This fund is applied to projects that have potentially significant development impact, but do not yet meet the bank’s requirements. Financial resources from the PPF are allocated to further analyse areas of the application to identify risks, and recommend mitigation measures. Through this mechanism, the DBN is able to finance projects which might previously posed a threat to its sustainability.

The second portion is allocated to corporate social investment. Mutumba says that the bank’s core business is to preserve its sustainability and grow through lending, however it took a decision to provide donor finance to projects which would not ordinarily qualify for finance through corporate social investment. Projects financed under this allocation are selected to alleviate poverty, develop education, develop skills, steward the environment, improve community health, and improve the business environment.

Awards

A third portion is allocated to the Innovation Award. This initiative provides a solution to Namibia’s need for innovation by identifying the most innovative enterprise entered for consideration by the public, and rewarding the winner with a combination of grant finance and loan finance. Capital provided by the Innovation Award is seen as seed finance.

Finally, the DBN also hosts the Good Business Awards. These awards are used to highlight a combination of good business administration and development impact to the public, as a stimulus to administer enterprises well, and/or to apply for DBN finance.

According to Mutumba the DBN is a case study, not only for social enterprise in the financial sector, but also for the means in which finance providers can allocate CSI and outreach budgets to secure their operations, and improve their operating environments.

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Africa Briefs

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Africa Briefs

Kenya's poverty rate drops sharply

The proportion of Kenyans living in poverty has fallen by 10.5 percentage points in a decade, to 36.1%, the statistics office said on Thursday.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) attributed the drop to economic expansion and devolution of resources to local authorities.

The economy of the East African nation grew an average 5.2% a year between 2006 and 2016, helping to boost real per capita GDP by 2.3% a year, the office said in a report.

There were 16.4 million people below the poverty line at the time of the survey, KNBS said, down from 16.6 million a decade earlier - when the population was 10 million people lower.

In 2010, Kenya created a second layer of government in the shape of 47 counties. The so-called devolution is intended to promote development in rural areas, since the counties are allocated a minimum of 15% of the budget every year. – Nampa/Reuters

Nigeria must boost social spending

Nigeria needs to boost investment in social infrastructure to lift its population out of poverty and achieve a higher income status, billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said.

Gates said in an interview that his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed US$1.6 billion so far in Nigeria to fund pilot projects targeted at healthcare, agriculture and financial inclusion, its biggest investment in Africa.

But the government needs to boost spending. "That's what drives the country towards self-sufficiency," he said after addressing Nigeria's highest economic policy advisory body in Abuja.

Gates told the Nigerian Economic Council that neglecting investment in human capital would limit how much Nigeria can grow.

Nigeria is set to become third most populous nation in the world by 2050 with around 400 million people. It emerged from its worst recession in a quarter century last year and launched a reform programme to rebuild its finances. – Nampa/Reuters

Mastercard Foundation to spend US$100m in Rwanda

Mastercard Foundation, a private Canada-based charity, said on Thursday it will invest US$100 million in Rwanda to train young people with skills in order to reduce unemployment.

The project is part of a 10-year plan to help African countries create 30 million jobs for young people by 2030.

Reeta Roy, the foundation's chief executive officer, told Reuters they would spend more than US$2 billion to create 30 million "dignified jobs" for young people on the continent by 2030.

It will set aside $50 million over the next five years in Rwanda to provide 30 000 young people with skills in technology and digital literacy in the hospitality and tourism sector, the country's biggest foreign exchange earner.

The balance will be spent on in recruiting educators and training them to equip you people with the skills required for jobs.

Rwana has 125 000 young people joining the labour market every year, with more than 65% of 14- to 35-year-olds deemed underemployed, the Foundation said. – Nampa/Reuters

Gabon to revise hydrocarbons law

Gabon plans to revise its hydrocarbons law to attract new investment, the oil ministry said on Thursday.

Under the current legal framework, the Gabonese state holds a minimum 20% stake in oil projects. The state oil company has the right to a stake of up to 15%.

That law was implemented in 2014, the year that the market was shocked by a 50% drop in prices from over US$100 a barrel to around US$50 due to global oversupply.

"The same fiscal framework cannot be applied both when the barrel is at US$150 and when it's at US$50 or US$60, which limits the room to maneuver of investors interested in exploration," the oil ministry said in a statement.

Companies operating in Gabon include Royal Dutch Shell, Total and Tullow Oil. – Nampa/Reuters

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Boxing has its perks

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Boxing has its perks If you look at certain nations and the level that boxing is at in those countries, you would say they are suffering from an Ebola virus.

Sorry to say, but the state of boxing in those countries is laughable. You find guys past their prime trying to throw punches in the ring and there is absolutely no aspiration from youth to join the sport.

You will not even hear of a boxing bout in some countries. But here in Namibia, we have a land where everything is possible, if you put your mind on it.

Boxing is a growing sport in Namibia. Young boys idolise the more experienced boxers and want to fight just like them.

The young boys are seen in the early hours of the morning following their mentors around and also watching the big guns compete.

It's a sign that we are doing something right.

But there are however a few little things that don't gel well with me, when it comes to how we run things.

Let me make an example. There was a recent weigh-in before a big boxing bonanza. There were many rumours running around that the fights will not take place because of this and that issue. Mostly the rumours circulated around unpaid fees of the main boxers, and so forth.

One tries by all means not to always seem like a thorn in the flesh, but cannot ignore situations if it's happening right in front of one's eyes.

Say for instance, the weigh-in was meant to start at 11:00, but due to the unavailability of certain boxers and the authoritative people who were meant to sign off the bonanza, everyone else was left waiting, on their feet!

I do not know how that is professional in anyway, but it happened.

The camera crew from the national broadcaster as well as photographers and reporters gawked at the situation, unable to make sense of what was happening.

This was amid the fact that they all had a morning engagement which finished promptly, allowing them all to take on another assignment, which was the boxing weigh-in.

Yes, it is true that the reporters needed the story to appear in their respective papers and broadcasters the next day, but let's think of the deadlines and the fact that there are also other stories which needed to be filed.

Firstly, we are a growing nation and with that should come a sense of responsibility, to oneself and to others.

With this I mean, respect people's time. This story of Namibian/African time is an embarrassment not only to ourselves but to what we project to the outside world.

The visiting boxers were first to arrive at the scene. What does that tell you as a person?

If not as a person, what does it tell you as a Namibian?

This is disappointing, so as much as we are the 'Don King' of Namibian boxing, let us also work on the administrative side of things.

Let it flow. Let's not play delay tactics even if these things happen in boxing. Paying people at the last minute and keeping boxing lovers in limbo is plain rude and should end.

On a lighter note, covering boxing events in the country has its perks. Not only do I get the opportunity to cover the sport and write my own personal thoughts, I also get to share my analyses with a wide audience.

I also get the chance to meet a multitude of young men and women who share the same passion for boxing, in the form of fellow journalists, boxing trainers and both current and former fighters at all levels.

In fact, through my work I have actually learned far more about the sport – gaining the most intimate of knowledge - and I get to hear positive stories from aspiring boxers and those who have already been at the top.

I also get to see young boys throwing punches in the air, hoping to walk in the same shoes as some of the greats. Let's think of these boys and give them something to look forward to in boxing.

limba@namibiansun.com

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Court battle over Commando Hall

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Court battle over Commando HallOvaherero Royal Red Flag Association claims ownership The ongoing battles within the Ovaherero community have once again ended up in court, with the Ovaherero Royal Red Flag Association claiming ownership of the disputed Commando Hall.

The Ovaherero Royal Red Flag Association has launched an application in the Windhoek High Court over the ownership of the Ovaherero Commando Hall.

They are also demanding that the Ovaherero Red Flag Association, which is currently occupying the erf on which the Commando Hall is situated, vacate the premises as a matter of urgency. It claims an error occurred in the ownership registration process, and that ownership was registered in the name of Ovaherero Red Flag Association and not in the name of Ovaherero Royal Red Flag Association, which was the name of the plaintiff at that time.

It is alleged that Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated in 2016 applied to the Registrar of Deeds to have the title deed amended.

It is further alleged that an affidavit dated 29 November 2011 was deposed by Theophilus Benestus Uahongora to have the name on the title deed amended to Ovaherero Red Flag Association.

The Ovaherero Royal Red Flag Association is also asking the court to rule that the Ovaherero Red Flag Association and any other defendant that may oppose the court action be ordered to pay the costs jointly or severally. The Ovaherero Red Flag Association, the City of Windhoek, the Registrar of Deeds and Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated were cited as the respondents in the matter. This court action is over the land portion, Erf 6297, which was allegedly sold by the City of Windhoek to the Ovaherero Royal Red Flag Association at a cost of N$57 838 on 16 May 2006. The plaintiff is alleging they were represented by Festus Kamburona at the City council on 16 May 2000 and concluded a written deed of sale for Erf 6297, measuring 2 391 square meters. The immovable property is registered under TY1445/1983.

They allegedly paid a purchase price of N$57 838 on 16 May 2000 and the City instructed Kauta, Basson and Kamuhanga to effect the ownership transfer to the Ovaherero Royal Red Flag Association. The legal firm was subsequently taken over by Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated. According to the plaintiff, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka, acting on behalf of the City, had the power of attorney to effect the registration of transfer on 18 May 2007 and had the ownership transfer registered on 2 December 2009.

The matter is still at the status hearing stage in the High Court.

A earlier disagreement between Ovaherero groupings was experienced at a shrine in Okahandja, with the main squabble being about the location of the holy fire at the Red Flag Commando grounds.

A faction of the Ovaherero community, under instruction of the late Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako allegedly relocated the holy fire to a place where it now faces the sunset.

All Ovaherero leaders, including Samuel Maharero, Hosea Kutako, and Clemence Kapuuo, are resting there.

The Maharero Royal House, supported by members of the Technical Committee of the Ovaherero/Ovambanderu Council on the 1904 Genocide, insist that the holy fire should face the sunrise (east), as it has done for the past 88 years.

The Red Flag Day is commemorated annually at Okahandja on 26 August. The event sees the Ovaherero people gather to commemorate their deceased chiefs. The day is significant for the Ovaherero as on this day, Maharero's body was reburied alongside his ancestors at Okahandja in 1923.

FRED GOEIEMAN

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Nam to consult on AfCFTA

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Nam to consult on AfCFTACommitted to free trade agreement Many SADC counties did not immediately sign for the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Namibia says it had no time to undertake and complete its constitutional or legal requirements before the day of 21 March. Namibia and her SACU partners will take one tariff offer to the other parties on basis of reciprocity. – Annacsy Mwanyangapo, Chief negotiator: Namibia

Ndama Nakashole - Namibia did not sign the agreement on the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda because a process of national consultation on the final agreement is yet to take place.

Namibia’s chief negotiator at the AfCFTA, Annacsy Mwanyangapo, told Market Watch that while Namibia has fully participated in the negotiations of the AfCFTA agreement, the last rounds leading to the legal scrubbing of the instruments and their final adoption by all the relevant AU structures up to the assembly happened sequentially, leaving Namibia, and similarly some other countries with no time to undertake and complete their constitutional or legal requirements before 21 March.

On Wednesday last week, 44 of the 53 countries signed for the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda.

This was done during the African Union (AU)’s 10th extraordinary session held in that country.

‘Fully committed’

Apart from Namibia, other SADC countries such as South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia, Botswana did not sign. Neither did Eritrea, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau.

“Namibia is fully committed to the AfCFTA process and will now proceed to undertake domestic requirements to enable her to sign the agreement as early as possible,” she said.

Mwanyangapo, who is the deputy permanent secretary heading the international trade directorate, highlighted that South Africa, Namibia’s biggest trading partner’s non-signing or signing will not have any impact on Namibia.

She added that there is still outstanding work to be done and signatures do not automatically result in the implementation of the agreement.

Member states are yet to engage on tariff offers and conclude on rules of origin and services sectors of liberalisation which are critical to the implementation of the agreement, she said.

“Namibia and her SACU partners will take one tariff offer to the other parties on basis of reciprocity,” she said.

Outstanding issues

Namibia Trade Forum’s CEO Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati told Market Watch from Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday that she is not sure exactly why Namibia did not sign but said there are so many outstanding issues with regards to the agreement.

She said a date is set to finalise those outstanding items to 21 March 2019, giving a year for finalisation of those issues. Only then, Namibia would possibly lose out on the benefits of the agreement, according to her.

“It makes sense that the government would not want to signal to the business operators by signing the agreement with all the outstanding issues as there will in reality be not much happening by ‘just signing’ , she said.

She added that the real value lies in a complete package especially the issues that are still outstanding.

Nghipondoka-Robiati said despite that, Namibia is still very committed to signing the agreement.

She said South Africa, Namibia’s biggest trading partner mentioned at the AU that they will sign in June at the next AU summit, due to legal technical grounds as the document needs domestic reviews.

Schedule

According to the AfCFTA Transition Implememtaion Work Programme, issues such as legal scrubbing of annexes and appendices, hosting of more meetings of the AfCFTA, having a workshop on the schedule of tariff concessions, and the establishment of relevant AfCFTA committees, among other issues, should be done within a period of one year from 22 March 2018.

The agreement will require ratification by at least 22 member states before it comes into force.

Trade minister Tjekero Tweya, who is Namibia’s signing authority on AfCFTA, told Market Watch from Kigali on Thursday that he will give a full report upon return to the country.

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'Nauseating stench of death'

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Global report tears into Geingob

≪ Previous: Nam to consult on AfCFTA

'Nauseating stench of death'

The Ondangwa Town Council has been given until the end of April to get the necessary administrative measures in place for the temporary closure of the local abattoir.

“If not, the Meat Board of Namibia and the Oshana SPCA will follow the legal route for closure,” the Oshana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says.

This follows a meeting that was held between Oshana SPCA the Meat Board of Namibia and the town council last week.

According to the SPCA, locals will have to make use of the Oshakati abattoir until the Ondangwa facility has been renovated and improved in the new financial year, as from 1 July 2018.

An urgent appeal has been made to private investors to assist the Ondangwa Town Council with the construction of new facility, as it does not have the funds to build it on its own.

The Oshana SPCA said it, together with the Meat Board, is busy investigating the Ondangwa Town Council slaughterhouse.

“The circumstances are appalling. No hygiene. No water. Cattle are cramped in small pens in mud so thick they cannot move. Slaughtering consists of chasing them into a manga and killing the cow/bull with a knife. The stench of death is nauseating! “The CEO of Ondangwa Town Council was contacted but is too busy to come and see the facilities and will send an official,” the SPCA added.

The SPCA recently also filed a court application due to the terrible conditions that animals were being kept in at the impound pens of the Ondangwa abattoir, without food and clean drinking water for several days.

The court ordered the immediate release of the impounded animals and that no other animals may be impounded until policy regulations are drafted and implemented by the council, to ensure compliance with the Animal Protection Act and the model pound regulations. The legal battle is still ongoing.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Global report tears into Geingob

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Global report tears into GeingobSays president has 'delivered little to date' A global governance report says there is a growing feeling of marginalisation in Namibia, which has been exacerbated by the emergence of a “nouveau rich” that benefit from close relations with the political elite.

President Hage Geingob has been lambasted in a global report, which says his presidential term started off with promise, but has delivered little to date, except for a government that has overspent.

The Bertelsmann Stiftung's Transformation Index (BTI), which dissects and evaluates the quality of democracy, as well as the market economies and political management of countries, also classifies Namibia as a “defective democracy” in its latest report.

The BTI systematically places political decision-makers' steering capability at the heart of its analysis, and as a result, is the only index in the world that measures and compares the quality of governance with self-collected data.

It says Geingob's presidency was initially welcomed with high expectations and within a year of taking office, he had established a new ministry for poverty reduction and presented the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), a programme to dramatically reduce poverty.

“But, while Geingob has promised a lot, his presidency has delivered little to date.”

According to the report, the government has overspent, and exacerbated by the decline in neighbouring Angola's oil industry, which had a significant spillover effect on the Namibian economy, and one of the most serious droughts in the country's recent history, revenue deteriorated and now the administration faces massive liquidity problems.

“Public debt increased beyond the accepted maximum of 37% of GDP and the government has had to borrow.”

As a result, the government introduced massive budgetary cuts for 2016 and 2017, after the finance minister announced a strict austerity policy with far-reaching consequences, the report says.

“… Namibia's government is faltering in its ability to deliver on its policy commitments and fulfil high public expectations. “While the country's international reputation remains positive, governance weaknesses have grown.”

The report further notes that even the country's international reputation has been damaged to some extent.

According to the report, the government's foreign policy agenda has shifted toward a “look east” policy, while the government has violated international sanctions imposed on North Korea and has proposed withdrawing Namibia from the International Criminal Court.

Consequently, the government's foreign policy commitment to international normative frameworks has been questioned, the report said.

It says on the domestic front, massive inequalities have only been slightly reduced more than a generation after independence.

Despite being a higher middle-income country, more than half of the population live on or close to the multiple dimensional poverty threshold.

Consequently, there is a growing feeling of marginalisation among the wider population, which has been exacerbated by the emergence of a “nouveau rich” that benefit from close relations with the political elite.

In the long-term, this development might undermine the ruling Swapo Party's popular credibility, although there is no political alternative at present. Policy reforms will depend largely on internal party initiatives and pressure.

Furthermore, the report says fiscal prudence and a strict commitment to austerity will be required to limit the damage caused by long-term government overspending and the abuse of state funds.

Ensuring fiscal stability will be among the government's immediate priorities, which will require a reprioritisation of government expenditure.

Disputed land reform and ethnic tensions

“Though overall Namibia remains a relatively stable country, social protests and ethnic tensions have increased in recent years. This has resulted in interventions by the president and even the dismissal of a deputy minister over the government's disputed land and resettlement reforms.

“Land reform requires urgent government attention. In urban areas, public demand for greater access to affordable land has grown,” the report said.

It says popular dissatisfaction with the current availability of urban land resulted in the formation of a new protest movement within the ruling party's youth league.

According to the report this movement has won support among the younger generation and has established itself as a force to reckon with.

“Land distribution is also a key issue in rural areas of Namibia, particularly where ethnic minorities lost claim to their traditional tribal lands during the country's colonial period.”

Current resettlement policies offer the use of these rural lands to members of any ethnic group, whether or not they were made landless by the colonial regimes.

This has become a cause of dispute among affected ethnic minority groups and has increased ethnic tensions, even leading to disputes within the ruling party. In rural areas, land is as much an issue of identity and ancestral rights, as it is an economic issue. If the government cannot address the issue of land with greater sensitivity, it is likely to reinforce ethnic differences and increase inter-ethnic divisions, the report says.

Furthermore, it adds that politically, Swapo remains uncontested and the major challenge to the ruling party involves internal party developments. Having been occupied with several challenges, government achievements regarding its policy commitments have been few, and public frustration with the current government and administration has increased.

The index ranks Namibia's status of transformation at 37th among 129 countries, scoring 6.5. According to the index this meant that Namibia falls into a category of limited transformation.

The country was also ranked at 27th in terms of political transformation, classifying Namibia as “defective democracy” with a score 7.5 for its democracy.

The country was ranked at 47th for its governance, scoring 5.49, classifying it as “moderate”.

In terms of Namibia's economic transformation Namibia was ranked at 68th, scoring 5.5 overall. This meant that the country's economic transformation had functional flaws.

The Check Republic was ranked first for its status in transformation, while Somalia was ranked last.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Stranded vessel leaking fuel

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Warriors out to destroy Lesotho

≪ Previous: Global report tears into Geingob

Stranded vessel leaking fuel

Another manmade disaster has hit the Namibian coast, with confirmation that Japanese long-line tuna fishing vessel, the Fukuseni Maru No 7, has run aground about 100km from Henties Bay, and is leaking fuel.

The running aground of the Japanese vessel last Wednesday close to the Winston wreck, follows two previous oil spills within the past three weeks at the coast - near Afrodite Beach and in the Walvis Bay Lagoon.

A representative of Walvis Bay marine services provider, Subtech, confirmed yesterday that 11 of the 24 crewmembers were evacuated from the vessel, which is stuck on a rocky reef approximately 800m from shore.

“The hull was damaged and we suspect the double bottom fuel tanks were ruptured. Diesel is leaking from the damaged fuel storage tanks. We, however, do not know the extent of the damage since it occurred underneath the vessel. It would be possible but difficult to salvage the vessel.

“Pulling it from the rocks could result in more damage to the hull. A South African salvage tugboat is, however, on its way and a team of our divers are on the scene to observe and provide assistance if needed,” a Subtech employee said.

A ministry of works official said a press release on the incident would be forthcoming.

“We however ordered the removal of all non-essential crew members from the vessel and they complied. Eleven persons were evacuated with a helicopter at the owners cost. The vessel is not in immediate danger and the remaining crewmembers will ensure the seaworthiness and assist with the salvaging operation.”

The works official also said experts from Nippon Salvage Company arrived in Namibia on Saturday and met with local divers to discuss a salvage plan.

“The Smit Amandla tugboat is also on its way from Cape Town in order to assist with the salvage operation.”

The stranded vessel has a gross tonnage of 379 tonnes, a length of 49.39 metres, a width of 8.8 meters and was built in 1996.

Francois van Rooyen a shipping agent with a Walvis Bay-based shipping agency Express Services, which is responsible for the Fukuseni Maru no 7 in Namibia, said the vessel was on its way to Walvis Bay when it ran aground.

“It looks like human error resulted in the ship running aground and appears as if the night watchman fell asleep behind the steer. The vessel was en route to Walvis Bay from Angola for a crew change and to take on supplies.”

The ministry of works official also confirmed preliminary reports had been received from a company contracted by Namport to conduct an investigation and determine the origin/source of the oil that washed ashore in Walvis Bay recently.

“We have very interesting leads as to who the culprits could be and will take the matter further this week. If found guilty the offender could be fined or face imprisonment. Based on the polluter pays principle of general law, the guilty party has to cover all reasonable expenses incurred. Contrary to media reports, we do not have a final figure yet but it could be a fairly substantial amount,” the official added.

OTIS FINCK

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Warriors out to destroy Lesotho

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Warriors out to destroy LesothoMannetti looks to future with youthful squad Coach Ricardo Mannetti is eager to blood a few talented youngsters when the Brave Warriors clash with Lesotho tomorrow in an international friendly.

The Brave Warriors will face Lesotho in an international friendly match tomorrow at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, which promises fireworks, amid an opportunity for some young players to prove their mettle.

The Windhoek stadium is expected to be filled to the rafters as the Warriors welcome Lesotho in style.

Looking to the future, Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti has called up 12 youth players to his squad.

The new players are all national under-20 and under-23 prospects that according to Mannetti is seeking to improve and gain exposure to international football, ahead of their anticipated international youth qualifiers later this year.

In a media statement last Thursday, Mannetti said the u-20s will be playing Botswana at the end of March and the Brave Warriors technical team decided to include them for the Lesotho clash so they can get much-needed exposure.

“They are here to supplement the first 11. We need to improve these players and hence a lot of favorite names are on the list,” Mannetti added.

The coach said they still have the core of an experienced team that will do the job against Lesotho.

“We need to beat Lesotho because they knocked us out of the Cosafa Cup last year and we need to prove ourselves. We can't have everyone now but it also shows that there's competition in the team and players need to play (their best) to be part of the team.”

However, Warriors striker Peter Shalulile will miss the friendly due to club commitments.

Shalulile who has been the top goal- getter for the Warriors in recent times was included in the 25-men squad, but on Thursday Warriors team assistant manager Jakes Amaning revealed he will be not available for the match.

His club, South African first division side Highland Park, is on the verge of promotion and the club has requested that he be excused from the friendly.

“We have a good working relationship with the club and given that we are playing a friendly in which we also want to expose more youngsters, we agreed to their request. There is also the issue of his work visa, which they are busy with, and hence his passport is with home affairs in South Africa,” Amaning explained.

Except for Shalulile, all the other players will be available and fighting for places in tomorrow's match.

The team last played together in January in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, where they bowed out in the quarterfinals.

The Namibia Football Association confirmed that tickets are selling at Computicket outlets for N$40 each.

The team's next assignment will be the Cosafa Cup, from 27 May to 7 June in South Africa.

They will then resume their 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group K qualifier against Zambia on the weekend of 8 September and then play away and home against Mozambique between 8 and 16 October.

The 24-man squad for tomorrow's Lesotho clash is as follows:

Max Mbaeva (Golden Arrows, SA), Calvin Spiegel, Vitapi Ngaruka, Dynamo Fredericks and Natangwe Petrus (Black Africa), Vipua Tjimune, Panduleni Nekundi and Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars), Enzo Mungendje, Romeo Kasume, and Itamunua Keimuine (Tura Magic), Hubert Mingeri (Life Fighters), Lubeni Haukongo, Aprocius Petrus and Anthony Kham (Eleven Arrows), Brendon Kotungondo, Absalom Iimbondi and Ferdinand Karongee (Tigers), Donovan Kanjaa (Young African), Deon Hotto (Bloemfontein Celtic, SA), Denzil Haoseb (Jomo Cosmos, SA), Benson Shilongo (Alssiouty SC, Egypt), Riaan Hanamub (Orlando Pirates) and Kennedy Eib (Mighty Gunners).

-Additional information supplied by the NFA

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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United win marred by violence

March 25, 2018, 3:00 pm

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United win marred by violence

Windhoek-based Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Premier League outfit United on Friday night thrashed Rehoboth-based Reho Falcon 56-17 in a league match that was overshadowed by violence at the Trustco United Sports Grounds.

After the final whistle blew, bouts of verbal and physical assaults between players and team officials ensued.

Falcon players, who were not happy with the officiating in the match, started the exchange of words which led to fights between them and Falcon players and management, bringing an ugly end to the encounter.

Going into the game, United were the favourites to win after recording their first victory of the season, a 18-13 win against Khomasdal-based Western Suburbs last Saturday, while Falcon were smashed 43-0 by Unam in Rehoboth.

In this past Friday's clash, Falcon got off to a great start, as they were awarded two penalties in a space of 12 minutes, but they only managed to convert one.

A more composed United scored their first try as early as the 16th minute through Niel van Vuuren, while Winmar Rust converted to give them their seven points.

Minutes later, United extended their lead to 14 points with a penalty try.

Falcon did not take this lying down as they managed to narrow the gap in the 33rd minute when Enrico Benade scored their first try of the game, which Desley Beukes converted.

The half-time score was 14-10 in favour of United.

In the second half, United dominated play as they had more possession. Falcon were not well-organised defensively in the second half, which allowed United to show their character and run in six tries, which Rust converted.

Falcon only managed to break the resilient United defence in the 57th minute, when Reginald Araeb scored their second try and Beukes converted.

The tries for United were scored by Alcino Izaaks, Nandivatu Karuuombe, Morne Blaauw, Tuna Amutenya (2) and Naude Neethling.

The impressive win gained them two bonus points for scoring more than seven tries.

NAMPA

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Namibian arrested for Zambian murder

March 26, 2018, 8:24 am

≫ Next: Namibia's medal tally hits 36

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Namibian arrested for Zambian murder

While details remain sketchy, reports have emerged that a Namibian truck driver, 38 years old, was arrested in Zambia on Sunday evening in connection with the murder of a Zambian national, following a botched hijacking/robbery.
The driver, who hails from Keetmanshoop and whose identity is known to Namibian Sun, is alleged to have stabbed the victim at a roadblock near Sioma on Sunday. The information was confirmed to Namibian Sun by the governor of the Zambezi Region, Lawrence Sampofu.
Sampofu further confirmed the suspect is being held at the Senanga prison
The Namibian suspect reportedly works for a local trucking company.
Namibian Sun understands the truck driver fended off two alleged robbers, who wanted to hijack the truck he was driving.

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Namibia's medal tally hits 36

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: 11th hour deal for Israel refugees

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Namibia's medal tally hits 36

Namibian athletes on Sunday added 21 medals to Team Namibia's treasure chest at the 2018 Nedbank South Africa Sport Association for the Physically Disabled and Visually Impaired (SASAPD) National Championships in Bloemfontein.

This means Namibia has won 36 medals in total since Saturday when the three-day championships started.

Eino Mushila, Lahja Ishitile, Johanna Benson, Beatha Hausiku, Olivia Iyambo, Masule Mazila, Murere Bradley, Donald Hanavi, Alfred Bernardo, Ashipala Tangeni, Denzel Namene, Dian Jisane, Etchegaray Nguluwe, Sylvia Shivolo, Leornard Amadhila and George Patunomasa are just some of the athletes who won medals over the weekend.

Namibia National Paralympic Committee (NNPC) official Memory Kahlari told Nampa on Monday she was impressed by the athletes' performance at their first SASAPD champs.

“We came to this competition with a group of new athletes. I am especially happy to see that one of our athletes with dwarfism managed to win a gold medal in her F40 event. It is encouraging for us as officials and serves as inspiration for other athletes to continue working hard,” Kahlari said.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, in November 2016 called on the NNPC to include people with dwarfism in its pool of athletes.

The committee has since recruited Rovisa Petrus, Nathalia Kambo and Shivolo, who they are training in the shot put and discus events.

NAMPA

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11th hour deal for Israel refugees

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Botswana's Masisi sworn in

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11th hour deal for Israel refugees

The Israeli government announced on Monday that it has reached a landmark agreement with the United Nations to scrap its contested plans to deport African asylum seekers and would resettle many of them in Western countries instead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the “unprecedented understanding” with the UN refugee agency would see more than 16 000 migrants being sent to various Western countries that are willing to absorb them. It said the new deal would be implemented in three stages over five years, with much of those remaining in Israel integrated and granted official status.

Netanyahu and his interior minister, Arieh Deri, are to make a formal announcement shortly, according to the prime minister's office.

The deal lifts the threat of a forced expulsion to unnamed African destinations, widely believed to be Rwanda and Uganda, with whom Israel had reached a secret agreement.

The Africans, nearly all from dictatorial Eritrea and war-torn Sudan, say they fled for their lives and faced renewed danger if they returned. Israel has said it considers the vast majority of the 35 000-40 000 migrants to be job seekers and has said it has no legal obligation to keep them.

Critics at home and in the Jewish American community have called the government's proposed response unethical and a stain on Israel's image as a refuge for Jewish migrants.

The world is grappling with the worst refugee crisis worldwide since World War II, something that has struck a raw nerve in Israel, which was established in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

The optics of black asylum seekers accusing the country of racism has turned into a public relations liability for Israel, and groups of Israeli doctors, academics, poets, Holocaust survivors, rabbis and pilots have all appealed to halt the plan. Before Monday's announcement, the government had remained steadfast, bristling at what it considered cynical comparisons to the plight of Jews in Nazi Germany.

The Africans started moving toward Israel in 2005, after neighbouring Egypt violently quashed a refugee demonstration and word spread of safety and job opportunities in Israel. Tens of thousands crossed the porous desert border before Israel completed a barrier in 2012 that stopped the influx. But Israel struggled with what to do with those already in the country, alternating between plans to deport them and offering them menial jobs in hotels and local municipalities.

Thousands of the migrants concentrated in neighbourhoods in south Tel Aviv, where ethnic food shops and phone card stalls line the streets, and the area has become known as “Little Africa” This has sparked tension with the working-class Jewish residents who have been putting pressure on the government to find a solution.

Netanyahu's office said that legal obstacles and ensuing problems with the proposed third-country African destinations forced the government to amend its plans and come to an agreement under UN auspices. It says the new framework will include a development and rehabilitation plan for southern Tel Aviv.

The protests also appear to have played a part.

The government had previously said that women, children and families, for example, would be exempt from the deportation order, as well as those who escaped the genocide in Sudan's western region of Darfur. Those it did not detail in the proposed breakdown, those who will leave Israel, are likely to mostly be single men from Eritrea - where the regime is one of the world's most oppressive and men are forced into a military service with slavery-like conditions.

Monim Haroon, a 28-year-old university student in Jerusalem who fled Darfur five years ago, said he was relieved to hear that a just solution had been found and he would be able to stay in Israeli without worry.

“As asylum seekers we don't care where we are going to be as long as it is a safe place and these countries are willing to protect us and we can live with human dignity,” he said. “If we will get status here in Israel there are a lot of things we can learn about how to build our country when we are able to go back. Israel is like a school for us.”

NAMPA/AP

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Botswana's Masisi sworn in

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Botswana's Masisi sworn inNew president vows to tackle unemployment Hailed as Africa's strongest democracy, Botswana still struggles with high youth unemployment and what is described as an HIV epidemic.

Botswana's new president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, used his inauguration speech on Sunday to vow to tackle youth unemployment in one of Africa's most stable countries.

The swearing-in ceremony in parliament came after Ian Khama stepped down, having completed the constitutional maximum of ten years in office.

As the vice-president, Masisi took over automatically, and he is likely to secure a further five-year term in elections in October 2019 when the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is expected to hold on to power.

Botswana prides itself on good governance and rule of law, and the carefully managed handover of power comes a full 18 months ahead of parliamentary elections in 2019.

Masisi, takes over a county widely seen as an African success story that has made good use of its lucrative income from diamond, beef and tourism.

It is rated as the least corrupt country in Africa by Transparency International.

But it has also struggled with rising unemployment rate of about 18% and an HIV epidemic.

“It is because of the peace and tranquillity that our leaders have sustained for so long that Batswana (people) have continued to enjoy relative prosperity,” Masisi said after taking his oath.

“One of my top priorities as the president of this country will be to address the problem of unemployment especially amongst the young people.”

He also pledged to improve treatment and prevention of HIV in a country with a 22% infection rate among adults.

President Masisi, 55, is a close ally of Khama and a BDP veteran.

He is a US-educated former teacher, Unicef official and education minister, whose father was also a cabinet minister.

“Despite its small size, Botswana continues to play an important role in the promotion of global issues such as respect for human rights, democracy, good governance (and) the rule of law,” Masisi said.

Khama, 65, completed a month-long national farewell tour last week, bidding goodbye to the country's population of 2.2 million.

He earned a record for straight talking, often criticising leaders including US President Donald Trump and - unlike many in the region - neighbouring Zimbabwe's then-president Robert Mugabe as well as Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila.

Khama led the BDP to landslide victories in two elections, although the party won less than 50% of the vote for the first time in 2014.

“Internationally, Khama positioned himself as a moral leader,” Matteo Vidiri, a BMI Research analyst, told AFP.

“(But) a slowing economy and increasing public discontent has damaged the narrative of Botswana's 'special character', of a country being able to escape the 'resource curse'.”

Four opposition parties have said they could unite for the 2019 election to try to unseat the BDP, which has held power since independence from Britain in 1966.

At a farewell event in his home village, Khama was showered with gifts including a 4x4 truck, 143 cows, hundreds of chickens, more than 415 000 pula (US$44 000) and a fully-equipped luxury caravan.

His father, Seretse Khama, served from 1966 to 1980 as Botswana's first president.

NAMPA/AFP

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A boost for milk production

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Aavali inaya simaneka osapota

≪ Previous: Botswana's Masisi sworn in

A boost for milk productionIncentives to expand dairy farming In a unique venture between Namibia Dairies and Agribank, five emerging farmers have received dairy cows in a bid to boost milk production in the country.

Agribank and Namibia Dairies, in a joint venture, donated dairy cows to five emerging commercial and communal farmers last week, in an effort to stimulate dairy farming and milk production in the country.

The five farmers, who are active in the Dordabis, Hochanas, Kalkrand, Otjozondjupa and Kunene areas, each received three heifers and a fridge at the handover that took place at the !Aimab Superfarm outside Mariental in the Hardap Region last week.

One of the beneficiaries, 41-year-old Arnold Gaseb from the Kunene Region, said he hoped to be a catalyst to restore milk production in the region which has literally been obliterated by the persistent droughts.

According to him the ‘omaere’ culture, entrenched in the Kunene communities, has virtually died out and has seen many children suffering from malnourishment, and general persistent even hunger. “We had a lot of farmers with cows in the region and milk was in abundance, but the drought has been devastating. I hope to bring back this culture with this donation. I already have 30 calves and 15 dairy cows. This donation will really boost my ability,” he said.

Gaseb farms with small stock and cattle on a communal farm barely 50 kilometres north-west from Kamanjab in the Grootberg vicinity. He started farming on a weekend basis in 2002 with just five goats and two cattle.

He now owns 60 cattle and 250 small stock.

“I now farm fulltime because of the stock theft. I had to sell many of my animals during the drought and used some of the money to build the Sa Kaite guesthouse to buffer me against the financial troubles caused by the drought,” he said.

Another beneficiary was the 58-year-old Ernst Möwes who farms with his wife Rosy at their farm Endlich near Dordabis in the Khomas Region.

Möwes also started farming as a weekend farmer and eventually changed to fulltime to keep a “closer eye” on his livestock.

“We plan to provide milk to primary schools around our farm once we have this on track,” he said.

According to Agribank CEO Sakaria Nghikembua the Rural Dairy Farmers Programme was established in 2016 after an agreement was signed between the bank and Namibia Dairies for the financing of some of the requirements of the !Aimab Superfarm.

The project was split into two rounds with Namibia Dairies - with the assistance of the Mariental branch of Agribank - being responsible for the identification of ten potential farmers who could benefit from the scheme.

Each beneficiary received three Holstein heifers of which two are pregnant, and a fridge to keep their milk or milk products refrigerated.

“Agribank financed N$20 million to Namibia Dairies in February 2016 for production, implements and water infrastructure and one of the conditions was to have a rural dairy development programme,” he said.

Beneficiaries are expected to produce milk and value-added milk products for subsistence use and for the benefit of the surrounding farming communities.

It is envisaged that the initiative will also create further employment opportunities in their respective communities and food security at a household level.

Beneficiaries of this scheme do not necessary hold loans with Agribank and are often selected on merit and the ability to care for dairy cows and their products.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Aavali inaya simaneka osapota

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Itula tulilemo Mbako oshipotha

≪ Previous: A boost for milk production

Aavali inaya simaneka osapotaIikolitha ya simanekwa yi vule aanona Omwaalu omushona lela gwaavali mboka taya gwanitha po iifuta mbyoka ya nunimwa okuyambidhidha aanona okupitila moompangulilo, otagu ulike kutya okwa pumbwa okuningwa omahwahwameko kombinga yoshinakugwanithwa shaavali opo ya yambidhidha aanona yawo.

Konyala etata lyiipotha yosapota yaanona moompangulilo dhoomangestrata dhi li 33 moshilongo, mbyoka unene ya tulilwa mo aalumentu, oya ndopa sho oonakutulilwa mo iipotha itaya gwanitha po oshinakugwanithwa shoka.

Uuyelele mboka wa pewa oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, kOmbelewa yOompangulilo mOshilongo, owa holola kutya mokati kiipotha 31 104 mbyoka ya tulwa mo moompangulilo dhili 33, iipotha 15 097 oya ndopa nenge aantu mboka itaya futu oosapota ndhoka ngaashi ya pulwa.

Movenduka amuke, iipotha 8 290 yomiipotha 11 479 oya ndopa.

Mompanguli yaMangestrata gwaMbaye, iipotha 1 895 yomiipotha 2 432 oya ndopa.

MoRundu, iipotha 1 409 yomiipotha 1 954 oya ndopa.

Mompangulilo yaShakati iipotha 598 yomiipotha 1 371.

Mokaiti, iipotha 464 yomiipotha 571.

Mompangulilo yaKatima Mulilo, iipotha 157 yomiipotha

5 578.

Ondangwa oyi na iipotha 1 051 yomiipotha 1 371.

Kehe omvula oompangulilo ndhoka ohadhi mono iipotha iipe, pauyelele mboka wa pitithwa, sha landula omapekaapeko ngoka ga ningwa koLegal Assistance Centre mo2013.

Yolande Engelbrecht okwa popi kutya muule woominute 30 kehe pethimbo lyoowili dhiilonga moNamibia, ohaku ningwa enyenyeto li na sha neyambidhidho lyuunona. Omanyenyeto ngoka ogeli pokati ko 4 000 no 5 000 komvula.

Okwa popi kutya owa pumbwa okutulwa miilonga omilandu dhokufuta oosapota ndhoka dha yaga komuntu.

Okwa tsikile kutya aalumenetu unene otaya idhimbike oshinakugwanithwa shoka, na otashi ulike kutya okwa pumbwa okuningwa omahwahwameko unene mepupi ndyoka eshona opo ya kutheko esimano lyoshinakugwanithwa shaanona yawo.

Ompango ndjoka otayi pitika aavali ya lopote endopo lyokufuta eyambidhidho ndyoka, omasiku omulonga okuza kesiku ndyoka iifuta yali ya tegelelwa.

Engelbrecht okwa popi kutya olundji LAC oha gandja omayele koonakutulamo iipotha opo ya ninge omaindilo iimaliwa mbyoka yi kale tayi nanwa yuukilila okuza koondjambi, opo kuyandwe onkalo ndjoka yaantu itaya gwanitha po omalombwelo ngoka gompangu.

Ompangu otayi vulu woo okutulamo oshipotha shomuyonena molwaashoka okundopa okufuta iimaliwa mbyoka oshi li oshimbuluma. Omuntu ota vulu okupewa egeelo lyokufuta oshimaliwa shooN$4 000 nenge a kale mondholongo uule woomwedhi 12.

Oshinyolwa sha shangwa kOmbelewa yOompangililo kombinga yeyambidhidho lyaanona osha holola kutya otashi uvitha nayi sho aaalumentu yamwe itaya sile oshisho aanona yawo kuyoyene na otaya kondjithwa kompangu opo ya sile oshisho oyana.

Oshinyolwa shoka osha holola kutya omulumentu e na oshisho oongoka kuyemwene ta thikama nokusila oshisho okanona ke nenge uunona we na ita tegelele ompangu yiidhopemo. Oshinyolwa osha tsikile kutya oshi li woo oshinima oshiwinayi pamaipulo, sho aanona taya koko ye na owino kutya gumwe gwomaavali yawo kali a hala okuya sila oshisho meputuko lyawo.

Esiloshisho lyaanona otali gandja ompito kaanona ya ze monkalo yoluhepo. Aanona oyendji mbyoka taya yambidhidhwa owala komuvali gumwe itaya vulu okumona elongo molwaashoka kape na iimaiwa, ihe ngele ope na osapota nena omuvali ngoka oku na ompito yokugwanithilapo aanona ye oompumbwe dhelongo, uunamiti noompumbwe kehe.

Oshinyolwa shoka osha shangwa kOminista nale yuuyuki, monena Hahende-Ndjai Albert Kawana, pethimbo lyoompata momutumba gwoshigwana, kombinga yosapota yaanona. Minista okwa li a popi kutya oku na owino kutya aavali yamwe oya simaneka omalovu unene shi vulithe aanona yawo.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Itula tulilemo Mbako oshipotha

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Elcin a shanina etsokumwe nelelo lyaNiipa

≪ Previous: Aavali inaya simaneka osapota

Itula tulilemo Mbako oshipotha

JEMIMA BEUKES

Omukwatakanithi gwongundu yoSwapo, Elliot Mbako okwiiyadha momeya omapyu konima sho a tulilwa mo oshipotha kutya okwa dhenga omuyambidhidhi gwoTeam Swapo Dr Panduleni Itula.

Dr Itula okwa tula mo oshipotha mehuliloshiwike lyaPaasa.

Omupeha Komufala, Abner Agas, okwa ngoka e li omunambelewa omukwatakanithi gwiimbuluma moshitopolwa shaKhomas okwa koleke oshipotha shoka koNamibian Sun.

Mbako, ngoka e li omuyambidhidhi gwoHarambee, okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya ye okwa kwata owala omakende gokomeho gaItula, sho e mu pula eidhopo lye miikumungu yoSwapo.

Pahapu dhe, Itula okwa kala nokukonga uupyakadhi sho ta popi iifundja kombinga yomikundu dha taalela iitayi yoSwapo moKatutura East oshowo Windhoek Rural.

“Ka pwa li olugodhi, oshinima osha hwahwamekwa owala kopolitika.Oshinima ashihe osha zilila pomutumba gwomahogololo gwoSwapo ngoka gwa ningwa omvula ya piti. Inaya hala okuzimina kutya oya sindika. Kaya uviteko kutyaTeam Harambee oshowo Team Swapo kayi po we, otwa li twa pumbwa okuhangana,” Mbako a popi.

Mbako ngoka e li oshilyo shelelo lyoSwapo, okwa popi kutya otashi ulike kutya iilyo yimwe yelelo otayi notheleko Itula shoka hashi kundathana momitumba dhelelo dhokomwedhi.

“Konima kehe yomutumba gwelelo lyiitopolwa, oha shanga oombaapila ta nyenyeta kombinga yomaupyakadhi. Onda yi owala ndi ke mu pule na okwa popi kutya kandi na uumbangi,” Mbako a tsikile.

Mbako okwa popi kutya okwa nongele kutya okwa tulilwamo oshipotha okuza kongundu yepandja lyoWhatsapp tayi ithanwa ‘Breaking News’.

“Ondi na owino yoshipotha. Onda yi ndi ke mupe ombili molwaashoka ye omukokele gwandje ihe inatu kondja, onda kwata owala omakende ge.”

Okwa gwedha po kutya okomitiye yiithikamena oya totwapo opo yi konaakone omanyenyeto ngoka ga shangwa kuItula. Mbako okwa gwedha po kutya Amushanga-ndjai gwoSwapo, Sofia Shaningwa okwa tegelelwa a ka tsakanene nelelo lyaKhomas.

Shaningwa okwa koleke omutumba ngoka ihe okwa popi kutya inagu hwahwamekwa koshikumungu shaMbako naItula.

Oonkambadhala okumona Itula odha hulile muunyengwi.

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Elcin a shanina etsokumwe nelelo lyaNiipa

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: In praise of Winnie

≪ Previous: Itula tulilemo Mbako oshipotha

Elcin a shanina etsokumwe nelelo lyaNiipa

Elelo lyondoolopa yaNiipa, okupitila mehangano lyawo lyoLA Oniipa Investments (Pty) Ltd, olye shi pondola okumona uuthemba wokukwatela komeho oongulumpungulilo mbali okuza kongongangerki yoEvangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin). Oompungulilo ndhoka odha tumbulwa kutya, Nakambale Museum oshowo Onandjokwe Hospital Medical Museum.

Oshiwike sha piti, ongerki ndjoka oshowo elelo lyondoolopa yaNiipa oya shaina etsokumwe lyuule woomvula 20, opo elelo lyondoolopa li kutheko ekondololo lyoompungulilo ndhoka, nokuyambulapo oongulumpungulilo ndhoka dhondjokonona, dhi vule okuninga omahala taga nana aatalelipo.

Sho a li ta popi poshituthi sheshaino lyetsokumwe ndyoka, shoka sha ningilwa mOlukonda Ominista yOmidhingoloko nOmatalelepo, Pohamba Shifeta oya pandula oombinga ndhoka mbali metsokumwe ndyoka, lya ningwa.

Okwa popi kutya omatsokumwe ngoka otaga gandja oshinakugwanithwa kelelo lyaNiipa opo li yambulepo oongulumpungulilo ndhoka ihe okwa nkukilile kutya elelo inali longitha oondjila oofupi mokuyambulapo oompungulilo ndhoka dhondjokonona.

“Ongulumpungulilo yondjokonona yaNakambale oyimwe ya simana noonkondo mondjokonona yoshilongo shika, na otayi gandja omayamukulo komapulo ogendji gondjokonona. Ompungululo ndjoka oyi li oshitopolwa shuuthiga noonkuluhedhi dhomatalelelpo. Onda nothelwako kutya onkalo moka mu na ompungulilo ndjoka itayi pitika yi longithwe ngaashi ya nuninwa omolwa ompumbwe yondondo yokunana aataleli momudhingoloko ngoka, oshowo ompumbwe yuunongo ngele tashi ya komahwahwameko geyambulepo lyomahala goludhi ngoka,” Shifeta a popi.

Okwa indile elelo lyondoolpa opo li ninge oompangela dhomuule uuna tali longulula omahala ngoka, lyo tali kala lya nongela kutya omahala ngoka ogeli uuthiga woshigwana onkene onkatu ya go oya simana noonkondo koshigwana.

Olukonda olwa simana sho lwa kala egumbo kaatumwa yaaSoomi.

Pahapu dhOmumbisofi gwaElcin, Shekutamba Nambala, aatumwa yaSoomi oya thiki mOndonga momvula yo 1879 na oya kala mOmandongo pethimbo lyelelo lyomukwaniilwa Shikongo Shakalulu.

Momvula yo 1871 oya totopo endiki lyawo mOlukonda nomo 1880 omutumwa Martti Rautanen okwa ulikwa a ninge omukomeho gwendiki ndyoka.

Kohi yelelo lyaRautanen, ngoka a kala nokwiithanwa Nakambale kaantu yomomudhingoloko, Olukonda olwa ningi ehala lyaatumwa lyotango moNamibia, nopoosa yotango oya totwa po mo 1911, omanga Nakambale ina hulitha koMalaria momvula 1926, Nakambale okwa fatulula woo Ombimbeli mElaka lyOshindonga.

Nambala okwa tsikile kutya mo 1991, Elcin okwa ningi endiki lyongeleka ndjoka oshowo omayendo, ongulumpungulilo yondjokonona.

Momvula yo 2015 ehangano lyoMuseums Association of Namibia melongelo kumwe nomukalelipo gwaFinland moNamibia oya ningi omauliko gotango gondjokonona yaatumwa yaSoomi moNamibia, mOlukonda.

Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwelelo lyondoolopa yaNiipa, Junias Jakob, okwa popi nokukoleka kutya otaya ka yambulapo ongulumpungulilo yondjokonona ndjoka, nokuyi tula pondondo.

ILENI NANDJATO

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In praise of Winnie

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Shot of the day

≪ Previous: Elcin a shanina etsokumwe nelelo lyaNiipa

In praise of Winnie When the fires of the liberation struggle burnt low, while others fled and many cow-towed before a regime so heinous, it turned its architects and defenders into pariahs, you cemented fearless defiance.

That very regime launched its most heinous machinery against you. You stood firm. You led from the front, even when they tried to take away your dignity and pride.

Your coruscating brilliance ignited generations of young and old who demanded their freedom. Fiery as lioness, as resolute as a mother elephant protecting her young, fist raised, impassioned words cutting deep to the bone.

You were a single mother, a social worker reaching out to the lowest in a twisted societal hierarchy.

On a freezing winter's night, a few hours before dawn on 12 May 1969, the security police stormed your Soweto home, and arrested you in the presence of your two young daughters, then aged nine and ten. They held you for 491 days.

They banished and abused you. Your tears fell to the ground, but your spirit soared.

They sent you to what you referred to as “little Siberia” – exiled to the dusty town of Brandfort in the Free State.

“Here is really a living grave,' you said.

'The whole thing was calculated to break one's spirit. What difference does it still make?' The only difference is between being in prison and this outside prison. My country is a prison in itself.'

You never gave up. You led your people from the front during their darkest of days. And even after liberation, you howled at the slow pace of restoring the dignity of the poorest of the poor. You openly criticised the predatory elite in your political home. You were vexed and furious - your spark gave birth to another generation of fighters.

You are an icon. An inspiration. The mother of a nation. A symbol of defiance. A leader. Unquestionably strong and an example to all who have continued to embrace life in the midst of their deepest, darkest struggles. Your 'politics' was the poor and downtrodden. Let whoever thinks they are without sin cast the first stone. You will never ever be forgotten.

Rest in peace Mama Winnie.

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Shot of the day

April 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day

HAMBA KAHLE: A black and white photograph of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is surrounded by the South African and African National Congress (ANC) flags on a pole at the Old Durban Prison's Human Rights wall as South Africans gathered to pay respect to the late high-profile anti-apartheid activist during a candle vigil in Durban on April 2, 2018. PHOTO: NAMPA/AFP

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