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Hamutenya headlines in Botswana

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Hamutenya headlines in BotswanaHamutenya headlines in BotswanaThree Namibians to fight in neighbouring country Namibian boxer Kapena Hamutenya will headline a boxing event tomorrow, organised by Bond Boxing Promotions in Gaborone, Botswana. Kapena Hamutenya from the 21 Brigade Boxing Academy will exchange blows with Tsepiso Mokgadi of Botswana in an international junior welterweight clash tomorrow in the neighbouring country.

Two other Namibian boxers from MTC Sunshine Promotions will also fight on the same night. Timotheus 'Remember' Shuulula will face Tefo Letshigwane in a six round non-title super bantamweight fight, while Max Ipinge squares off against Modiri Sanyati in a super welterweight four-rounder.

Hamutenya said he has trained well for the fight and would not be going to Botswana if he is not ready to represent his country. He, however, mentioned that he has not studied his opponent but this will not stop him from battering Mokgadi.

His coach Peter Shimuafeni said his boxer is eager to step into the ring, as he last fought in December at The Dome Swakopmund.

“He is a quality boxer who I have been coaching for the last five years. He had great sparring partners towards the build-up to his fight and he is ready to step into the ring,” he said.

Hamutenya has a record of 10 fights, seven wins and three losses to date. His opponent has so far fought four professional and is undefeated.

Trainer and promoter of MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions, Nestor Tobias, who is also sending two boxers to the same event, said they are both good prospects for the future and these tune-up fights are meant to build their careers and give them the necessary experience to take them to the next level.

“We are happy about their participation for this tournament in Botswana and we are confident that they will do well,” Tobias said.

Ombili inayi gwana –aayakulwa ya MTC

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Ombili inayi gwana –aayakulwa ya MTCOmbili inayi gwana –aayakulwa ya MTC Ehangano enene lyomakwatathano goongodhi dhopeke moshilongo olya thigi aayakulwa yawo mOmaandaha gopaasa itaya vulu okutuma omatumwalaka omafupi okuzilila koongodhi dhawo nenge ya longithe omakwatathano gointernet pokati kotundi onti 08:00 no 19:30.

Omunambelewa omukuluntu mehangano lyoMTC, Tim Ekandjo okwa popi kutya uupyakadhi mboka owa etithwa kuupyakadhi womakwatathao mboka itawu vulu okuyandwa.

Ekandjo okwa popi kutya omukundu ngoka oshinima ta uvanekele aayakulwa kutya itashi ka ningwa we.

Okwa popi kutya oya nongele kutya aayamulwa yamwe po oodata dhawo unene mboka yeli koAweh odha puko inadhi longithwa. Ekandjo ina holola ngele aayakulwa mboka otaya ka shunithwa oodata dhawo.

“Otwa hala okugandja ombili kookastoma dhetu adhihe. Otu na ontseyo kombinga yomaupyakadhi ngoka ga etithwa konkalo ndjoka, na otatu pandula sho mwa uvuko uupyakadhi mboka,” Ekandjo a popi.

Okastoma dhaMTC odha longitha epandja lyoFacebook lyehangano ndyoka mokuhoola ongeyo yawo.

“Ookastoma dhandje odha li dhi na okuninga iifuta nena okupitila komalungula ihe omolwa eyakulo lyoye lyankundipala inashi pita. Ngashiingeyi ondili momambo omawinayi gombaanga yandje. Onda pumbwa okufutwa shi vulithe ombili,” omuyakulwa gumwe gwaMTC a shanga.

Omuyakulwa gumwe natango okwa pula MTC a kale ha longitha oradio mokutseyithila aayakulwa ye nokuya yelithila kombinga yuupyakadhi mboka tawu holoka po.

Omuyakulwa gumwe okwa pula MTC a fute aayakulwa ye, unene mboka ooAweh dhawo dha puko omanga inaye dhi longitha sha.

Aalongithi yomakwatathano goTN Mobile inaya gumwa kuupyakadhi mboka.

TN Mobile okwa longitha ompito ndjoka mokutseyitha omayakulo ge koshigwana, sho a shanga kepandja lye kutya “Owu na uupyakadhi noodata dhoye dhokongodhi nena? Tameka okulongitha omakwatathano go getu ngoka haga longo aluhe! #TamekaokulongithaTNMobile.”

Olugodhi lwaJob naShanghala talu tsikile

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Olugodhi lwaJob naShanghala talu tsikileOlugodhi lwaJob naShanghala talu tsikileShanghala kwa tegelelwa a yamukule momasiku 11 gomwedhi nguka Moonkambadhala dhokwiigamena omolwa iifuta yo­N$500 000, omuhwahwameki gwaanyasha okwa popi moomikanda dhompangu kutya hahende nale gwepangelo ngoka monena e li ominista yuuyuuki okwa kambadhala oku mu longitha uulingilingi. Momasiku ga4 gaDesemba, Sacky Shanghala okwa ningi eindilo lyomompangu moka a hala okufutitha Job Amupanda, oshimaliwa sha thika pooN$500 000. Shanghala okwa lombwele ompangulilo kutya Amupanda okwa nyateke edhina lye sho emuula kutya omukengeleli na oha taamba oombumbo nokukutha ombinga miikumungu yomiyonena.

Amupanda okwa yamukula muFebruali gwonuumvo tiigamene komapopyo gaShanghala.

Amupanda okwa popi kutya Shanghala okwa kambadhala okumulongitha uulingilingi sho a li Omupresidende gwoSRC moUnam, metungo lyomuhandjo gwopaumwene moshiputudhilo shoka.

Omuhandjo ngoka ogwa patulula omiyelo muJanuari gwo 2014. Konima sho opo gwa patuluka aailongi oya futu oshimaliwa shili pokati ko N$2 500 noN$3 000 opo ya vule okukala momuhandjo ngoka, pauyelele wa dhika kepandja lyopaungomba lyomuhandjo ngoka.

Amupanda okwa popi kutya Shanghala okwa kambadhala oku mu longitha uulingilingi omolwa etsokumwe ndyoka lya li pokati kehangano lyoHanganeni Emona noshiputudhilo shoUniversity of Namibia.

Hanganeni Emona, ehangano lya kwatela mo aanambelelwa yopombanda mepangelo, mwa kwatelwa Shanghala ngoka a li omukomeho gwiikumungu yopaliko mombelewa yOmupresidende pethimbo ndyoka. Okondalaka yetungo lyomuhandjo ngoka yongushu yoomiliyona 80, oya tamekele mo 2009.

Amupanda okwa popi kutya Shanghala oku li oshitopolwa shuulingilingi naAmupanda ota vulu okukalelapo omapopyo ge ngoka mompangu.

Amupanda okwa popi kutya pethimbo ndika ota kwashilipaleke owala kutya oku na uumbangi tawu popile omapopyo ge.

Shanghala ina vula okumonika opo a tye sha komapopyo ngoka ga ningwa kuAmupanda.

Momaipopilo ge, Amupanda okwa tsikile kutya Shanghala, omanga a li omunashipundi gwoLaw Reform and Development Commission, okwa yi pondje ompango, sho a kala nokulonga iilonga yilwe tayi mu petha ondjambi, pondje yiilonga ye yepangelo, okupitila mehangano lyoNamibia Liquid Fuel (Pty) Limited.

“Pethimbo ndyoka iilonga yondjambi pwaahena egano osha li oshikengelela kushoshene na kashi li pampango,” Amupanda a popi.

Amupanda okwa tsikile kutya pethimbo a li hahende okwa lopotwa iinima oyindji mboka tayi ulike ekengelelo okuza kombinga yaShanghala.

Okwa popi kombinga yefuto lyoomiliyona lya ningilwa oohahende yaUnited Kingdom oshowo oshikumungu shoomiliyona 10 dhoGovernment Institutions Pension Fund moSouth Africa. Amupanda okwa tindi kutya iinyolwa ye yokomapandja gointernet oyi li enyano nenyateko lyedhina lyaShangala onkene okwa pula ompangu opo yi ekelehi oshipotha shoka, niifuta.

Shanghala okwa tegelelwa a ka yamukule komapopyo gaAmupanda momasiku 11 gaApilili.

Kadhila Amoomo ota kalelepo Amupanda omanga oshipotha shi li kohi yetonatelo lyOmupanguli Shafimana Ueitele.

AaNamibia ya dhimbuluka Winnie Mandela

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AaNamibia ya dhimbuluka Winnie MandelaAaNamibia ya dhimbuluka Winnie Mandela Aanyasha aakadhona otaya ka ninga nawa ngele ya kutha o oshiholelwa sha Winnie Madikizela-Mandela omuhwahwameki gwaanyasha, Job Amupanda a popi.

Nomzamo Winifred (Winnie) Madikizela-Mandela‚ ependafule lyaSouth Afrika, okwa hulitha mOsoondaha mepupi lyoomvula 81. Okwa li a hokanwa kOmupresidende gwotago gwoRepblika yamanguluka yaSouth Afrika, Nelson Mandea, ihe oya topoka mo 1996.

Amupanda ngoka mo 2014 sho a li natango oshilyo shAanyasha yEwawa lyoSwapo, a kondjitha elukululo lyepandaanda lyaBismarck opo li ningwe epandanda lyaWinnie Mandela, okwa tumbaleke omukondjelimanguluko ngoka.

Amushanga gwEwawa lyAakiintu mOngundu yoSwapo,

Eunice Iipinge okwa popi kutya oya uvitha nayi keso lyaWinnie.

Okwa popi kutya nakusa okwa li ependafule.

Okwa tsikile kutya Swapo nongundu yoANC oya topola ondjokonona yimwe mekondjelomanguluko lyiilongo yawo onkene ya dhengwa pevi keso lyependafule ndyoka.

“Okwa li omukiintu omunankondo ngoka ina sholola mekondjo. Okwa li omukomeho gwongundu ye nuuthiga we otawu kala aluhe oshitopolwa shaAfrika, unene aakiintu,” Ipinge a popi.

Omunapolotika gwaNamibia, Elma Dienda okwa popi kutya shoka sha longwa kuWinnie mopolotika osha etitha a ninge yina yoshigwana shaSouth Afrika. Okwa popi kutya Winnie oye e mu tsu omukumo opo a ye miikwapolotia molwaashoka okwa li iha mbandapala.

Personal interests fuel NFA battle

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Personal interests fuel NFA battlePersonal interests fuel NFA battle Much has been reported about the strained relationship between Namibia Football Association boss Frans Mbidi and his subordinate in the form of secretary-general Barry Rukoro. The two officials have been embroiled in a standoff that could have serious consequences for Namibian football. This infighting among football bosses is nothing new. Historically the NFA has always been reduced to an organisation that has been wracked by infighting and allegations of corruption. There is clearly now a power struggle with the majority of the executive members backing Rukoro despite his suspension from Cosafa activities, following his alleged attack on the regional football association’s president Phillip Chiyangwa in South Africa recently. The power struggle between the two factions has polarised Namibian football to the extent that Mbidi is now facing a vote of no confidence, while Rukoro’s future also hangs in the balance. New Era newspaper reported yesterday that Mbidi has been accused of serious administrative and financial transgressions, which the NFA executive felt were damaging. The newspaper has promised to expose the shenanigans at the NFA sometime this week and this will make for interesting reading. The NFA president position is voluntarily, but comes with a number of sought-after privileges, including VIP seats at global football events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. Excursions and positions in powerful committees within CAF and FIFA are also an added benefit. There is also enough reason to believe that the ongoing infighting and battle for the control and soul of the NFA has nothing to do with furthering the interests of Namibian football, but rather involves personal interests. The tit-for-tat suspensions that we are about to experience are really going to hurt our football and any logical person would question the motives behind the negative campaigning. The beautiful game is certainly bigger than anyone and until such time that the executive get their own house in order and put proper leaders in place, who truly have the game at heart, Namibian football will forever be trapped in victimhood.

Shot of the day

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Shot of the dayShot of the day A GLIMPSE OF HAPPINESS: Syrian children evacuated from Eastern Ghouta run with balloons after arriving in the village of Qalaat al-Madiq, some 45 kilometres northwest of the central city of Hama, on 27 March 2018, as evacuations continued following a deal with the regime that was announced earlier in the week. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Company news

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Company newsCompany news Murray & Roberts awarded US$312m in new projects

South African engineering and construction group Murray & Roberts, which is currently subject of a takeover bid, said on Tuesday it has been awarded 3.7 billion rand (US$312 million) in new underground mining projects. The firm, which was previously awarded underground mining projects in North America and Australasia, said the additional contracts would be for diamond, gold, copper, salt and platinum mines. The projects are due for delivery in two to three years.

-Nampa/Reuters

As Trump attacks Amazon on Twitter, White House holds its fire

Judging from his tweets, President Donald Trump appears to have the knives out for Amazon.

But inside the White House, there are no active discussions about turning the power of the administration against the company, according to five people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

None of the five people was aware of any ongoing discussion about turning Trump’s tweets into action against Amazon, not on the legal or regulatory fronts, or even regarding its reliance on the US Postal Service, which has drawn the lion’s share of Trump’s wrath.

Trump expressed a desire to aides last summer to raise the Postal Service’s rates for delivering Amazon packages, one person said. His staff explained to the president that the Postal Service is an independent organisation and its mail rates are set by a commission, the person said.

-Fin24

Sagarmatha eyes US$4b valuation in IPO

Sagarmatha Technologies Ltd, a South African company that owns newspapers, online shopping and classified platforms, is targeting a valuation of more than US$4 billion in Johannesburg’s first initial public offering of an e-commerce company.

Sagarmatha said it plans raise 7.5 billion rand (US$636 million) in a share placement of 189.3 million shares at 39.62 rand each, it said in a pre-listing filing on its website.

Investors are to include Jim Rogers, the longtime Asian bull and co-founder of hedge fund Quantum Fund.

-Nampa/Reuters

Tesla’s Model 3 is now America’s best-selling electric car

Tesla released its production numbers for the first quarter 2018 on Tuesday. The company delivered 8 180 Model 3s in the first three months of the year. That compares with 6 468 deliveries for Toyota's Prius Prime plug-in hybrid and 4 375 for General Motors' Chevy Bolt.

Coming out on top is no small feat for a company that’s been manufacturing vehicles for barely a decade. However, huge hurdles remain as Palo Alto, California-based Tesla tries to turn the page on one of the most difficult chapters in its short history.

-Fin24

Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand to end seven-year alliance

Air New Zealand said on Wednesday it would end its seven-year alliance with Virgin Australia Holdings covering flights between the two countries.

The joint venture, which allowed for schedule and pricing coordination as well as codeshares, expires in October and the parties will not apply to renew the alliance, the New Zealand airline said.

-Nampa/Reuters

Steinhoff cuts estimated value of property portfolio

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Steinhoff cuts estimated value of property portfolioSteinhoff cuts estimated value of property portfolioValue may be R16billion less Embattled retailer Steinhoff has announced that the true value of real estate interests owned by one of its European subsidiaries may be €1.1bn (about R16bn) less than previously calculated. "The company will consider CBRE’s valuations in detail and will work with its auditors to determine the consolidated net book value of the Hemisphere portfolio for the purposes of publication of the company’s consolidated financial statements for 2017," -Steinhoff Jan Cronje

The Stellenbosch-headquartered conglomerate said in a market announcement on Tuesday evening that commercial real estate advisory group CBRE had valued the real estate portfolio of its subsidiary Hemisphere International Properties at "approximately €1.1billion".

This is half the company's previous estimate of €2.2billion.

"The company will consider CBRE’s valuations in detail and will work with its auditors to determine the consolidated net book value of the Hemisphere portfolio for the purposes of publication of the company’s consolidated financial statements for 2017," it said.

The Hemisphere portfolio comprises approximately 140 properties - including stores, warehouses, offices, production sites and vacant land - across Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and Eastern Europe, said Steinhoff.

Plunge

Steinhoff's shares closed at R3.32 on the JSE on Tuesday, up marginally on the day. Two years ago, on April 4 2016, shares in the group sometimes at the time referred to in the press as "the Ikea of Africa" were changing hands at around R94 a share.

The group's share price plunged following an announcement in early December last year that its CEO Markus Jooste was abruptly stepping down amid an accounting scandal.

Jooste is under investigation by priority crime investigating unit the Hawks.

A joint parliamentary committee has agreed to follow a process to subpoena him to give testimony after he declined an invitation to appear before Parliament.

Steinhoff's 2017 financial results, meanwhile, have been delayed while PwC conducts a forensic audit of its books. This investigation may continue until the end of 2018.

-Fin24

Mama Winnie hailed by Namibia

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Mama Winnie hailed by NamibiaMama Winnie hailed by Namibia Land activist and former Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary for information, publicity and mobilisation, Job Amupanda, has joined the outpouring of grief that has become an avalanche in the aftermath of the death of South African icon and struggle leader, Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The defiant and outspoken ex-wife of Nelson Mandela died on Easter Monday at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. Her death was confirmed by her personal assistant, Zodwa Zwane. The cause was a “long-term illness”, according to her family.

A state funeral will take place on 14 April. She had been banned, brutalised and character assassinated by the apartheid regime, but stood firm and encouraged generations of freedom fighters, and lately the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) opposition party in South Africa.

The radical EFF, led by Madikizela-Malema favourite Julius Malema, who had remained at her side even when she slipped from public gaze, is at the forefront of calls to implement the Freedom Charter and its associated goals of free education, the nationalisation of mines and land redistribution to the poor and landless. Amupanda, who was at the forefront of calls by the youth league in 2014 to have Bismarck Street in Windhoek renamed in honour of Madikizela-Mandela, said she was a staunch challenger patriarchy and an inspiration.

He said young Namibian girls should emulate her, echoing the ANC Women's League, which Madikizela-Mandela once led.

The women's league said she will forever remain an encouraging figure in the fight against patriarchy and male chauvinism in and outside politics.

Amupanda said: “You find many freedom fighters, those that have served in the kitchen and then those brave ones that have confronted the battle lines. Winnie was brave. She is symbol of women emancipation and was a staunch challenger of patriarchy.”

During Nelson Mandela's 27-year incarceration, Madikizela-Mandela campaigned tirelessly for his release and for the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed masses in her country, while establishing a massive following that saw her many times after liberation being elected as number one on her party's national executive committee.

He political ambitions, if she had any, were stymied by swirling controversies, which have been blamed on the apartheid regime apparatus that targeted her and on patriarchal attitudes within the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The ANC is yet to elect a female party president.

“We have no guns - we have only stones, boxes of matches and petrol,” she told a township crowd during the height of her mesmerising public oratory.

She and Mandela divorced in 1996, two years into his term as South Africa's first democratically elected head of state.

Swapo Party Women's Council (SPWC) secretary Eunice Iipinge said the ruling party is deeply saddened by the passing of “the late Winnie”.

She described her as a genuine revolutionary and added that Namibians will be consoled by the rich legacy of the late freedom fighter.

“Swapo and the ANC has shared the same struggles against apartheid and their loss is our loss. We are deeply saddened by the passing of their mother,” she said, in reference to Madikizela-Mandela's much-loved “Mother of the Nation” tag.

“She was a strong woman who was committed to her principles and never wavered. She was as a strong pillar for her party during the liberation struggle. Her legacy is a rich heritage for Africans, and in particular women,” said Iipinge.

Namibian politician Elma Dienda said Madikizela-Mandela's contribution to politics makes her undeniably the mother of South Africa and a towering inspiration for other female leaders.

“Winnie encouraged me to go into politics. The manner in which she dealt with things, she was fearless. It is because of women like Winnie that we can do what we do,” said Dienda.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Failing our kids

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Failing our kidsFailing our kidsExpert unlocks solutions to early childhood education From birth to nine years old, children have the best chance to learn language. Namibian Sun recently reported that one fifth of the country's Grade 1 learners have had to repeat their first year of school over the past seven years, while 30% of Grade 5 to 8 learners have repeated grades during the same period.

Jemima Beukes interviewed Annaly Strauss, an expert in early childhood education, who talked about the gaps in the Namibian system and how best to deal with them and the consequences if further left unresolved.

JB: Please tell us about your work as an early childhood education expert?

AS: My work involves the training of early childhood education teachers, curriculum development and policy development, program evaluation and research.

My field of specialisation is the teaching and learning processes of English Second Language and Mathematics.

Early childhood studies at post-graduate level deals mainly with research in this field and in general.

Teacher training requires specialised teaching and learning methodologies, a curriculum and developmentally appropriate teaching, learning and assessment strategies.

The teachers of young children need to be prepared on how to teach once they are in practice.

Therefore, the methodology of early childhood education aligns with developmentally and culturally appropriate practices for the field.

Developmentally, in the sense that young children learn fundamentally differently to older children, and from a cultural perspective, they are coming from different language backgrounds.

However, the field of study does not limit me to work in any other field for which I was trained during under-graduate studies.

JB: Please in three sentences, as simply as possible, explain what early childhood education is?

AS: Early childhood education deals with the education of young children. From a very young age, parents have to create a supportive environment at home for children to learn from. If teachers are well-prepared through studies, they are in a position to foster young children's learning in the absence of support at home, in centres or pre-primary classrooms.

JB: Why is early childhood education important?

AS: From birth to nine years old, children have the best chance to learn language.

This is the time when they have to be exposed to interactive verbal participation in home and school environments, constructive play, shared book reading and exploration, to develop their cognitive abilities and to be ready for school and later learning.

JB: What are the existing gaps in the sub-region and most importantly Namibia with regards to early childhood education or development?

AS: The biggest challenge for Namibia, and I believe the region, is the lack of professionally trained early childhood education teachers in both schools and educators in institutions of higher learning.

Furthermore, we have a language policy, but this language policy of Namibia does not stipulate any provisions for pre-primary teaching.

In the absence of clear policy guidelines on how to mediate language within a multilingual context, the majority of pre-primary teachers and educators are not professionally trained to use appropriate ESL (English second language) or early literacy pedagogical approaches when they teach young learners. These professional challenges have an impact on a child's foundation phase and future learning.

JB: What it the most cost-effective way to bridge these gaps?

AS: I would say the most cost-effective way to improve pre-primary teacher training would be through the professional development of in-service teachers and educators. The solution to this vast problem would require curriculum evaluation and the subsequent training on how to engage in online learning environments or communities of practice. As a result, assessment of learning would require a mind shift. Transformation of didactic beliefs and practices are necessary for improved early childhood education provision in the 21st century and within the current economic circumstances.

JB: In very plain English, explain what will be the consequences to a child should these gaps not be filled?

AS: We have seen these consequences in the annual grade 10 and 12 year-end examination results for the past decades, since the country became independent. If a child's foundation for language learning is not laid right, they struggle in their education later.

Children from homes without print-rich or interactive oral language environments have limited understanding of and/or mastery of oral language, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, print awareness, and the ability to make critical connections to print, when they start school.

When pre-primary teachers are not well-prepared for their task, this situation has negative effects on a child's future learning and thus their success in life.

JB: Obviously not every family can afford educational toys, books or programmes. Can a loving home therefore be a cure for this? In other words, how can a poor parent create a healthy balance?

AS: Children who come from poor homes have the school as their last hope to learn to read. However, in homes where parents do not value reading, or where they possess few reading materials, engage in limited reading activities, or do not support their children's emergent language and literacy development before school and during grade 1, awareness needs to be raised on alternative strategies and the importance for emergent literacy learning. Schools and public libraries should play an active role in communities to attract parents through interactive reading programs. In the absence of libraries and in remote areas, parents may still have electronic devices to stimulate early literacy in creative ways.

JB: What role does pets play in early childhood development?

AS: Pets play a role in children's character development. In fact, character education may form part of the teacher training curriculum in institutions of higher learning where pre-primary teachers are prepared. With pets and when character education is part of the curriculum, both children and pre-service teachers learn to care, love and to have empathy to reduce gender-based violence in future.

JB: What is the most common thing we take for granted that can assist in creating a balance in the Namibian context?

AS: In the context of early childhood education, we have locked ourselves into a self-perpetuating set of values and practices for the field that prohibit the field of early childhood education to move forward. When I talk to people about early childhood education, the perception of kindergartens and business come to the fore.

It seems that the profession is misunderstood, regarded as 'western', or within a limited and set framework, relevant within our socio-cultural context.

When we realise that early childhood education encompasses more than our current views, early childhood education and research in this field can inform and contribute toward education reform in general. *Strauss holds a PhD degree from the University of Pretoria, Master of Education Degree obtained from the University of Namibia, and another one obtained from the University of Missouri in St Louis, America. She is a Fulbright Fellow, PEO Sisterhood Fellow, a Sue Shear for Women in Public Life Fellow and was elected as an UMSL Women's Leader at her previous university. She hails from the villages of Schlip and Duineveld and therefore loves the outdoor life and community work.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Many still threatened by food insecurity

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Many still threatened by food insecurityMany still threatened by food insecurity While the household food security situation in Namibia remains satisfactory following a good cereal harvest last season, there are still some areas where food insecurity is being experienced.

The greater part of the Karasburg, Warmbad and Aus areas in the //Karas Region are experiencing food insecurity because of poor rainfall received last season.

Other areas that suffered armyworm infestations or flooding are also food insecure.

The situation is expected to improve this month, when seasonal fresh produce will be available until the main harvest in May.

According to the Crop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report released by the agriculture ministry, the majority of households in the communal crop-producing regions are still dependent on last season's harvest. Households indicated that last season's harvest was sufficient to take them through to next month's harvest.

Farmers in these regions had a good harvest last season and many were able to sell their surplus to commercial millers or the Agricultural Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA).

“However, few pockets of food insecurity were still being reported, especially in areas that suffered the effects of poor rainfall, excessive rainfall and damages due to fall army worms last season,” says the report.

Household food security in the Zambezi rural areas was reported to be satisfactory, as most households interviewed reported that they were either dependent on their own production or the market, using money from the sales of last season's harvest to buy food. In the Kavango East and Kavango West regions, household food security in the rural areas was noted to be in an acceptable state in most constituencies and most households interviewed indicated that they were still using last season's production.

Households in areas where pockets of food insecurity were reported indicated that their own production was diminishing and was being supplemented with market purchases.

In the north-central regions (Omusati, Oshikoto, Oshana and Ohangwena), household food security in the rural areas was reported to be good following a good harvest last season.

Most households in these regions said last season's harvest was sufficient to sustain them until the next harvest.

Pocket areas of households with diminishing food stores were also reported in the Omusati and Ohangwena regions. These households are reportedly supplementing their food stores with market purchases.

The Oshana and Oshikoto regions recorded a bumper harvest, while Omusati and Ohangwena recorded near normal crop production last season.

Elsewhere in the country, food security was reported to remain satisfactory in many places following a good harvest last season. As in the northern regions, a few pockets of food insecurity still exist, especially in the Kunene, //Karas and Erongo regions, particularly the Omatjete area in the Daures constituency.

ELLANIE SMIT

China hits US goods with tariffs as 'sparks' of trade war fly

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China hits US goods with tariffs as 'sparks' of trade war flyChina hits US goods with tariffs as 'sparks' of trade war fly China has increased tariffs by up to 25% on 128 US products, from frozen pork and wine to certain fruits and nuts, escalating a dispute between the world’s biggest economies in response to US duties on imports of aluminum and steel.

The tariffs, which take effect on Monday, were announced late on Sunday by China’s finance ministry and matched a list of possible tariffs on up to US$3 billion in US goods published by China on March 23.

Soon after the announcement, an editorial in the widely read Global Times newspaper warned that if the United States had thought China would not retaliate or would only take symbolic countermeasures, it could “say goodbye to that delusion”.

“Even though China and the US have not publicly said they are in a trade war, the sparks of such a war have already started to fly,” the newspaper said.

The ministry of commerce said it was suspending its obligations to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to reduce tariffs on 120 US goods, including fruit and ethanol. The tariffs on those products will be raised by an extra 15%.

Eight other products, including pork and scrap aluminum, would now be subject to additional tariffs of 25%, it said, with the measures effective starting April 2.

“China’s suspension of its tariff concessions is a legitimate action adopted under WTO rules to safeguard China’s interests,” the finance ministry said.

China is moving swiftly with retaliatory action amid escalating trade tension with the United States, which has rocked global financial markets in the past week as investors fear a full-blown trade dispute between the two economic superpowers will damage world growth.

In response to China’s move, Washington said Beijing’s subsidies and overcapacity were behind the action on steel.

“Instead of targeting fairly traded US exports, China needs to stop its unfair trading practices which are harming US national security and distorting global markets,” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said in a statement.

More tariffs

US President Donald Trump is separately preparing to impose tariffs of more than US$50 billion on Chinese goods following an investigation under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act.

The US administration says China has systematically misappropriated American intellectual property - allegations China denies.

About the Section 301 investigation, China had “yet to unsheathe its sword,” the official Xinhua news agency said.

Sometime this week, the Trump administration is expected to unveil a list of Chinese goods that could be subjected to new US tariffs.

US technology industry officials said they expected the list to target products that benefit from Beijing’s “Made in China 2025” program, which aims to upgrade the domestic manufacturing base with more advanced products.

China has repeatedly promised to open its economy further, but many foreign companies complain of unfair treatment. China warned the United States on Thursday not to open a Pandora’s Box and spark a flurry of protectionist practices across the globe.

“There are some people in the West who think that China looks tough for the sake of a domestic audience, and would easily make concessions,” the Global Times said.

“But they are wrong.”

The Global Times is run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, although its stance does not necessarily reflect government policy.

Reaction to China’s measures varied on social media, with some saying Chinese customers would be the ones to ultimately pay for a trade war.

“Why not directly target soybean and planes? The tariffs that China announced today don’t sound a lot to me,” said a user on the Weibo microblog platform.

Aircraft and soybeans were China’s biggest US imports by value last year.

In a statement published on Monday morning, the commerce ministry said the United States had “seriously violated” the principles of non-discrimination enshrined in World Trade Organisation rules, and had also damaged China’s interests.

“China’s suspension of some of its obligations to the United States is its legitimate right as a member of the World Trade Organisation,” it said, adding that differences should be resolved through negotiation.

Weibo prominently featured the list of US goods that China is targeting among the day’s “hot” trending topics.

“I will never buy fruit from the US ,” a Weibo user wrote.

-Nampa/Reuters

China hits US goods with tariffs

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China hits US goods with tariffs China hits US goods with tariffs 'Sparks' of trade war fly China has responded to US duties on Chinese imports by increasing tarrifs on US products. "I will never buy fruit from the US"- Weibo user China has increased tariffs by up to 25% on 128 US products, from frozen pork and wine to certain fruits and nuts, escalating a dispute between the world’s biggest economies in response to US duties on imports of aluminum and steel.

The tariffs, which take effect on Monday, were announced late on Sunday by China’s finance ministry and matched a list of possible tariffs on up to US$3 billion in US goods published by China on March 23.

Soon after the announcement, an editorial in the widely read Global Times newspaper warned that if the United States had thought China would not retaliate or would only take symbolic countermeasures, it could “say goodbye to that delusion”.

“Even though China and the US have not publicly said they are in a trade war, the sparks of such a war have already started to fly,” the newspaper said.

The ministry of commerce said it was suspending its obligations to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to reduce tariffs on 120 US goods, including fruit and ethanol. The tariffs on those products will be raised by an extra 15%.

Eight other products, including pork and scrap aluminum, would now be subject to additional tariffs of 25%, it said, with the measures effective starting April 2.

“China’s suspension of its tariff concessions is a legitimate action adopted under WTO rules to safeguard China’s interests,” the finance ministry said.

China is moving swiftly with retaliatory action amid escalating trade tension with the United States, which has rocked global financial markets in the past week as investors fear a full-blown trade dispute between the two economic superpowers will damage world growth.

In response to China’s move, Washington said Beijing’s subsidies and overcapacity were behind the action on steel.

“Instead of targeting fairly traded US exports, China needs to stop its unfair trading practices which are harming US national security and distorting global markets,” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said in a statement.

More tariffs

US President Donald Trump is separately preparing to impose tariffs of more than US$50 billion on Chinese goods following an investigation under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act.

The US administration says China has systematically misappropriated American intellectual property - allegations China denies.

About the Section 301 investigation, China had “yet to unsheathe its sword,” the official Xinhua news agency said.

Sometime this week, the Trump administration is expected to unveil a list of Chinese goods that could be subjected to new US tariffs.

US technology industry officials said they expected the list to target products that benefit from Beijing’s “Made in China 2025” program, which aims to upgrade the domestic manufacturing base with more advanced products.

China has repeatedly promised to open its economy further, but many foreign companies complain of unfair treatment. China warned the United States on Thursday not to open a Pandora’s Box and spark a flurry of protectionist practices across the globe.

“There are some people in the West who think that China looks tough for the sake of a domestic audience, and would easily make concessions,” the Global Times said.

“But they are wrong.”

The Global Times is run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, although its stance does not necessarily reflect government policy.

Reaction to China’s measures varied on social media, with some saying Chinese customers would be the ones to ultimately pay for a trade war.

“Why not directly target soybean and planes? The tariffs that China announced today don’t sound a lot to me,” said a user on the Weibo microblog platform.

Aircraft and soybeans were China’s biggest US imports by value last year.

In a statement published on Monday morning, the commerce ministry said the United States had “seriously violated” the principles of non-discrimination enshrined in World Trade Organisation rules, and had also damaged China’s interests.

“China’s suspension of some of its obligations to the United States is its legitimate right as a member of the World Trade Organisation,” it said, adding that differences should be resolved through negotiation.

Weibo prominently featured the list of US goods that China is targeting among the day’s “hot” trending topics.

“I will never buy fruit from the US ,” a Weibo user wrote.

-Nampa/Reuters

Cape Town 'Day Zero' pushed back to 2019 as dams fill up

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Cape Town 'Day Zero' pushed back to 2019 as dams fill upCape Town 'Day Zero' pushed back to 2019 as dams fill up South Africa’s drought-stricken Cape Town has pushed back its estimate for “Day Zero,” when taps in the city run dry and people start queuing for water, to 2019 from August of this year, and data show dam levels rising elsewhere in the country.

An El Nino-triggered drought two years ago hit agricultural production and economic growth throughout South Africa. Cape Town was particularly hard hit, and lack of good subsequent rains around the city has made its water shortage worse.

The City of Cape Town said on its web site that Day Zero had been “pushed out to 2019.” Residents have been living with stringent consumption restrictions, which now stand at 50 litres per person per day. Those restrictions remain in effect.

Dam levels for the Western Cape Province, which includes Cape Town, were at 18.3% last week compared with 19% the week before, according to South Africa’s Department of Water Affairs. Elsewhere, the water situation has been improving.

The Vaal Dam, a major supply source for Gauteng, the province that includes Johannesburg, Pretoria and much of South Africa’s industry, was at 94.7%, up from 83.5% the week before.

Levels in the Katse and Mohale dams in neighbouring Lesotho, which are key water storage systems for Gauteng, have a combined capacity now of almost 54 percent. In late January, they were at 32% raising concerns that the water crisis would spread beyond Cape Town.

Relief for Cape Town, a major tourist draw famed for its mountain backdrop, beaches and nearby wine farms, may also be imminent, with good seasonal rains forecast. Cape Town typically gets rain in the southern hemisphere winter, starting around May. Above-average-rainfall is now forecast over the next three months, according to the latest seasonal outlook from the South African Weather Service.

-Nampa/Reuters

MTC to make amends for network failure

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MTC to make amends for network failureMTC to make amends for network failure MTC will compensate customers for an operating system malfunction that prevented internet access and test communication on Easter Monday.

The network failure left customers without SMS and data services from 08:00 until 19:30.

“We can confirm that 54 595 data subscriptions and 56 877 short message service (SMS) customers were affected. These are customers whose bundles terminated and who still had bundles which they could not use on Monday because of the network failures we experienced.

“We will reimburse these customers with both data and short message services, and will accordingly give them what they lost,” said MTC executive Tim Ekandjo.

“We will communicate to all the affected customers via SMS to inform them how much data and SMS [credit] they will receive and for how long they will be able to use it.

“All customers will receive 24-hour use of the data we will reimburse and this reimbursed data will receive preference of usage above the existing bundles,” said Ekandjo.

According to Ekandjo, the unexpected outage was attributed to an operating system malfunction and a service interruption could not be avoided.

“This was an isolated incident and we would like to reassure our customers that MTC will take every precaution to ensure that such incidences are not repeated.

“We would once again like to sincerely extend our apology to all our customers for any inconvenience we might have caused them and thank them for their continued support and understanding in isolated incidents like this one,” said Ekandjo.

STAFF REPORTER

Shaningwa reads riot act

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Shaningwa reads riot actShaningwa reads riot actSwapo headquarters beefed up Besides a full-time secretary-general, the ruling party's headquarters now has a permanent secretary and a deputy permanent secretary. Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa yesterday laid down the ground rules for the party's headquarters staff, saying lax behaviour and wastage would not be tolerated.

Shaningwa, who was elected to the position in November last year, urged staff to respect their leaders and to keep them informed with verified, accurate and credible information to ensure that detractors do not infiltrate party members with propaganda and fake news.

“It is disturbing to note that some staff members distribute such information to unintended recipients, who distort such information, using the distorted information for their own agendas to cause damage to the party and its leadership and government,” she said.

She emphasised that her “hands are not red” as far as public funds were concerned and that she is “not a thief” and therefore urged staff to use party funds prudently.

She in particularly criticised the infamous “breaking news” circulated on Whatsapp and other social media.

“As much as we do have our democracy, you cannot be an enemy within, hence you cannot be causing embarrassment to your own party which you claim to love,” she said.



New office

The SG also announced plans to construct new, state-of-the-art headquarters on the existing premises to solve a lack of office space.

She said six architectural companies had been approached for design plans and two were shortlisted.

She said once the two companies presented their designs and the costs a decision would be made, but she aimed to have a ground-breaking ceremony by no later than June.

“All of us are required to render our support towards this project to ensure successful implementation. Companies and subsidiaries owned by the party will therefore be required to make their contributions towards this noble project,” she urged.



Staff expansion

Shaningwa also announced the appointment of Austin Machana Samupwa as executive director and permanent secretary to strengthen the SG's office. Tangeni Haindongo was appointed as special advisor and deputy permanent secretary.

“The two comrades are Swapo cadres with academic training up to Master's level and with vast experience in administration, both in political and administrative offices in government.

“I have no doubt that the PS and his deputy will come up with proposed positive changes, policies and administrative structures that speak to our mandate and large membership of the party,” she said.

She urged the rest of the staff to develop their own and their colleagues' skills by means of mentoring and coaching.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Voice of liberation airwaves silent

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Voice of liberation airwaves silentVoice of liberation airwaves silent“When God speaks and says yes, no one can say no; God has spoken and called Sackey Namugongo home and it is beyond our authority.”

These were the words used by Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa to express her condolences on behalf of the ruling party to the bereaved Namugongo family and others who loved and respected the man whose voice kept the flames of liberation alive during Voice of Namibia (VoN) broadcasts.

The VoN was a pirate radio station propagating Namibian independence, and was the political mouthpiece of Swapo during the liberation war. It operated from 1966 until Namibian independence in 1990, from different hosting stations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Namugongo, 65, a veteran of the liberation struggle, spearheaded the mobilisation of Namibians to join the battle for independence through the renegade radio broadcasts in exile.

He died at the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek on Monday after a short illness.

Shaningwa remembered that she heard Namugongo on the VoN and said his loud voice had contributed immensely to the political mobilisation of scores of Namibians that joined the struggle.

She said he spearheaded the VoN broadcasts from Tanzania, Zambia and Angola.

“We feel down because of his death. He has gone and it will not be easy to replace him.”

During his colourful life, Namugongo was also known by his combat name 'Katau'.

He was one of the few men and women who fanned the flames of freedom and hope in the hearts of Namibians with informative, educative and inspiring information from the frontline states.

He sourced information and liberation songs during his visits to the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) frontline and broadcasted these recordings on the anti-apartheid airwaves.

He was born on 31 May 1952 in Mariental in the Hardap Region and at the age of five relocated with his parents to the Old Location and later to Katutura in Windhoek.

He completed his primary school education in Windhoek and matriculated at the Martin Luther High School in the Omaruru district.

Namugongo went into exile in 1974 and received an education opportunity to do his O-levels at Mukumbi Training College in Zambia.

He later did a crash course in journalism at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka and thereafter joined the VoN.

He later obtained a master's degree in communication and social psychology at the Karl Marx University in Leipzig in the former East Germany.

After independence he worked at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation and the information ministry.

Former Swapo secretary for information and mobilisation Helmut Angula, who worked with Namugongo, described him as a hardworking and committed cadre.

“Sackey was knowledgeable and experienced in international affairs, as he had training in world affairs. He was also well versed in Swapo affairs as he has been working in the party's information department during the liberation struggle,” Angula said.

According to him Namugongo came from a family with a rich struggle history dating back to the days of the Old Location. He said Namugongo's parents were strong and committed activists.

Angula expressed his sympathy to Namugongo's widow, children and the rest of his family during vigil held on Monday.

“As far as the Swapo veterans are concerned, we will meet him. We recognise his contributions towards the ideological position of the party,” Angula added.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Bishop shuns cellphones

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Bishop shuns cellphonesBishop shuns cellphonesNambala says he has no use for them The man of the cloth says in today's world many people draw their attention away from those physically with them and only pay attention to their cellphones. The handheld mobile phone or cellphone is undoubtedly one of the most used inventions known to man, but in the case of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) presiding bishop, Dr Shekutaamba V.V. Nambala, he could simply not be bothered.

Nambala who has been on the helm of Elcin since 2011 told Namibian Sun over the Easter weekend that he has never owned a cellphone because he could never convince himself of a reason why he should have one.

Being a leader of one of the most followed Christian organisations in Namibia, one would not expect Nambala to be without a cellphone.

But he proved that he has no use for these devices again recently when he was asked for the third time in three years for his cellphone number and said he still does not have one.

“Why should I own a cellphone? What shall I use it for? I chose to preserve my culture and traditions. In today's world cellphones are linked to criminal activities and they also make one react unprofessionally or as if you are not brought up well. Some people even store sensitive or private information in their cellphone devices. I opted not to be that way,” Nambala said.

He said that in today's world many people draw their attention away from those physically with them and only pay attention to their phones.

Nambala said he has been researching how people will cellphones react and found out they do not have professional or cultural etiquette.

He said for many cellphones are an absolute must, and even when they are attending an important meeting they keep are disturbingly busy on their phones. He said cellphones have now become a part of them.

“But I always wonder what makes cellphones so important, almost like a basic necessity? Even if you are in the middle of an important discussion, the moment you receive a call or SMS you pay attention to your phone. Sometimes you even find people talking or laughing to themselves just because of their cellphones.

“Cellphones have limited people's interpersonal interactions in families and neighbourhoods. If you want me, then you must look for me where I am and not just visit me over the phone. You will find a person begging a neighbour, but they are doing it over the phone.

That is not culturally right. Go to that person and then ask for what you want; don't do it over the phone,” he said.

Nambala said he is not saying that people should stop using cellphones, adding the fact that he does not have a device does not mean he does not have other people's phone numbers.

He said he does have them and if he needs to make a phone call he asks those with cellphones to help him.

A source in the mobile telecommunications industry supported Nambala.

“In this age of connectivity you have to be very careful, as cellphones are linked to lot of social happenings, which might not be good for him. The bishop comes from the age of letters writing and his social environment is attached to that, which is understandable,” source said.

ILENI NANDJATO

No Chinese loans for now

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No Chinese loans for nowNo Chinese loans for now Finance minister Calle Schlettwein says the government has not entered into any new loan arrangements with the Chinese government recently.

Schlettwein, together with President Hage Geingob, other ministers and senior government officials, travelled to China last week on the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a briefing after the visit, Schlettwein said the government was looking to strengthen its relationship with the world's second biggest economy. “For now, no new loan agreement has been entered into. As part of the comprehensive, strategic partnership between Namibia and China, strategic consultations in bilateral as well as multilateral financial matters will be conducted regularly,” said Schlettwein. Should the government consider any Chinese loans, it would be done on a win-win basis where both parties would benefit, Schlettwein said.

“Conditionalities and loan terms, empowerment provisions, skills and technology transfers as well as sourcing and procurement rules must be given due consideration for a win-win impact,” Schlettwein said.

Namibia stood to benefit immensely from its relationship with China, the minister added.

According to Schlettwein, Namibia could benefit from increased financial cooperation targeted towards industrialisation and improved productive capacity, economic diversification and infrastructure development in both the productive and social sectors, and especially in agriculture and skills and technology transfer.

“China in turn can utilise Namibia's strategic geographical location and market access into the Southern African Customs Union, the Southern African Development Community and Africa and beyond to serve these markets,” said Schlettwein.

During the visit, Geingob told Chinese news agency Xinhua that China-Africa cooperation was on equal footing and that China's investment in his country was not just “digging out resources.”

“No country in the world has added so much value to our products as China has. China has done a lot of technology transfer and job creation,” Geingob told Xinhua.

Before leaving for China, Geingob said some financial arrangements would be considered if they had favourable terms.



“China is a superpower, there is a lot that we are going to discuss that includes cooperation in agriculture, industrial parts and many other things and therefore we are also going to look for financial arrangements and if we see good terms we will take it,” Geingob said.



According to a report in The Namibian, a source familiar with the Chinese trip said the government was likely to borrow money to fund airport upgrades, but the costing of such upgrades had not yet been finalised.



It was speculated that several concessionary loans would be entered into by the two governments.



The source said Geingob and his team did not want to rush into concluding the transaction before the costing of the airport contract was done to avoid a repeat of issues that plagued a previous airport deal.



The source said the cost of the airport upgrades would be lower than the N$7 billion of the initial contract that was cancelled in 2015 after allegations of corruption and bribery, including over N$100 million allegedly channelled into the pockets of senior government officials.



It is also understood that another project that could be funded by China's Exim Bank is the construction of the last phase of a two-lane highway to Hosea Kutako International Airport.

OGONE TLHAGE

Funding crisis: Students face bleak future

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Funding crisis: Students face bleak futureFunding crisis: Students face bleak future The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called on President Hage Geingob to walk the walk when it comes to fighting corruption by probing the mess at the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), which the official opposition says may not have enough money to finance most students during the current academic year.



“We call on President Hage Geingob to put his preaching of tackling corruption into credible and beneficial action and clean up the mess created by the board of NSFAF and also hire competent individuals to lead the institution from here on, to ensure the students currently enrolled at different institutions are ensured that their education futures are covered for this financial year and many other years to come (sic),” PDM secretary for education Elma Dienda said.

She said NSFAF board chairperson Jerome Mutumba allegedly informed close friends of the fund's inability to finance most students this year.



According to Dienda since the fund was established it has been characterised by corruption, malpractice, maladministration and the misappropriation of millions of dollars, as well as billions not being recovered from beneficiaries.



“There has been growing concerns over its management, and the loss of money that would have been used to fund the education of thousands of students and ensure a better future for them,” she said.



Dienda said the NSFAF board had been accused by employees of incompetence and corruption and these were just some of the reasons for the institution's failure.



According to her it is imperative to conduct thorough investigations into NSFAF's dealings and to hold the guilty individuals accountable for incompetence and corrupt practices.



Dienda said this would ensure that the same does not happen at other public institutions.



According to Dienda, NSFAF is the third state entity after the SME Bank and the Roads Contractor Company to face closure because of administrative failure.



“What is happening in our country is unexplainable. What the president or government is doing about this is even more worrying. After the closures of all the above-mentioned public entities, little has been done to uncover the practices that have led to the closure of these institutions.



“Instead, they simply close down or get downgraded without anyone being held accountable for their failures, much to the detriment and suffering of the employees and the Namibian public at large.”



Dienda said the PDM had continuously called on the president and his government to intervene and question those responsible for the failure of these large public entities.



“It seems to be a continuing trend which might lead to the closures of all our public institutions and a loss of funds without any responsibility or accountability.”



The PDM believes that education is a very important asset for the country and that an educated youth will lift the country out of its financial crisis, Dienda added.

ELLANIE SMIT
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