US won't dictate to us - Schlettwein

April 8, 2018, 4:00 pm

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US won't dictate to us - Schlettwein Finance minister Calle Schlettwein says it is none of the United States' business how Namibia runs its fiscal affairs, while also dismissing reports that China is trying to “recolonise” Africa through the provision of loans.

Schlettwein made it clear that China is not forcing Namibia or any African nation into any agreement or loan.

He said whatever agreements are in place or will be entered into between Namibia and China, these are done on a win-win basis.

According to Schlettwein, Chinese President Xi Jinping made it clear during Namibia's official state visit recently that he is not imposing China on Namibia to get access to raw materials.

Schlettwein was responding to claims by former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who cautioned African countries against taking Chinese loans.

Tillerson recently warned African nations against accepting loans from the Asian superpower.

He said African countries must “carefully consider” their agreements with China, saying these forced African countries into dependency and harm growth.

“Chinese investment does have the potential to address Africa's infrastructure gap, but its approach has led to mounting debt and few, if any, jobs in most countries,” Tillerson said.

“When coupled with the political and fiscal pressure, this endangers Africa's natural resources and its long-term economic political stability.”

Schlettwein described the advice by Tillerson as biased. He said it was wrong to assert that China is recolonising Africa, because it had never previously colonised Africa.

He said the loans China is offering are accepted and agreed upon between the two governments.

“They are not imposing anything on Africa, which by the way the World Bank is doing.”

According to him the World Bank dictates to country's how financing must be spent.

He stressed that China is offering loans to countries because it sees their need.

“It is none of their business how our fiscal affairs are run,” Schlettwein said in reference to Tillerson and the US.

Attorney-General Albert Kawana added that African countries are no longer minors to be told what to do and what not to do.





He said developed countries can no longer treat Namibia the way they want to. “We are not minors anymore. We will not accept it. We are equal. When we go to China, we are treated as equals. Nobody must come here and lecture us,” said Kawana.

He added that loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have brought nothing but poverty and misery to developing nations.

Schlettwein added any loan Namibia takes up must have benefits for the country and the economy.

“There must be a real gain for the economy. It is a good thing to take up cooperation financing with China, we must just make sure it is satisfying our interests.”

He further pointed out that the investment by China into the Husab uranium mine has created 3 000 jobs and is the single largest foreign investment into Namibia.

According to Schlettwein the production at the mine contributes 5% to Namibia's GDP and added the country's GDP has grown because of this investment.

“People working there are paying taxes and the mine is paying royalties to government, while it is also a co-owned mined,” said Schlettwein.

Over the years, China has pumped billions into infrastructure projects in Africa, but critics say there is often little benefit for local economies, as Chinese firms and labour build the roads and railway networks in these countries.

ELLANIE SMIT

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RA's N$219m hazard

April 8, 2018, 4:00 pm

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RA's N$219m hazardMutorwa to address shoddy headquarters' saga today The newly constructed Roads Authority building's multiple concrete beams are being held together by straps and rudimentary steel additions, as cracks run down the middle. Newly appointed works and transport minister John Mutorwa will tackle the unfolding saga surrounding the shoddy work that went into the construction of the N$219 million new headquarters for the Roads Authority (RA) during a two-hour media conference today.

Mutorwa, who took the reins as the country's new works minister recently, said he will engage the media on a number of issues during his media conference, which will also be attended by other parastatals that fall under his ministry.

“I will be having a press conference where I will be addressing a number of issues, so please come,” Mutorwa said yesterday.

RA spokesperson Hileni Fillemon requested written questions to be sent to her and would not respond telephonically to any queries, when asked about the state of the new building, or an outstanding report that was to have been submitted.

Images seen by Namibian Sun show how the newly constructed building's multiple beams are being held together by straps as cracks run down the middle.

Steel beams have since been erected to help support the existing concrete beams, which are already showing signs of distress.

RA CEO Conrad Lutombi previously said there is no cause for concern that the building will collapse and that precautionary measures were being taken nonetheless to guard against any looming potential catastrophe.

“It was a cautionary measure from our side, and we needed to be sure there is nothing wrong with it. So far, the southern wing has been occupied, the information technology and engineering departments are already there; just not on the affected floor,” he said.

According to him, independent engineers had already been roped in to investigate any potential hazards at the N$219 million building, adding there was a very minimal risk that the building may collapse.

“There is only a 2% chance that it might collapse, but I do not want to take any chances. I am not being unnecessarily harsh either. I just want to be sure because safety is key. This building needs to stand for the next 100 years,” Lutombi said.

Lutombi said they had been scheduled to move into the new building in February after they were issued with a completion certificate, but before they could occupy it, they detected the faults.

“While we moved into the new building we detected cracks on one of the pillars on the ground floor,” said Lutombi.





According to him, they informed the construction company about the defects and they have carried out investigations to find out the cause of the cracks.

“We did not want to take a chance and we instructed our engineers to investigate. They hired an expert from South Africa and we also hired our own independent engineer to find out what caused the cracks,” said Lutombi.

Bicon Namibia Consulting Engineers were mandated by the RA to investigate the cause of the cracks in the building. The report has not yet been made public by the RA.

The seven-storey building was constructed by Namibia Construction (NC) with two basement levels and is located on the south-easterly corner of the intersection of David Hosea Meroro Road and Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue.

The project team consisted of Stauch & Partners, (principal agents), Bicon Namibia (structural, mechanical and electrical experts) and Richard Frankle & Partners (quantity surveyors).

The construction contract for the building was awarded to NC in 2013 and construction started in 2014.

Government will also have to attend to other shoddy projects, one such being poor work done on a stretch of highway in the Zambezi Region, which is expected to cost the taxpayer and additional N$200 million on top of the N$872 million already spent on construction alone.

It is alleged that substandard material and poor quality design contributed to the poor quality of the 210km stretch of the Siselo-Linyanti-Kongola road.

Works officials said that some sections of the road would have to be redone completely. This will bring the total cost of the project to close to N$1.1 billion.

“Government might have to redo the road completely in some parts and this will cost it not less than N$200 million on top of what has already been spent. The contractors of the road were only responsible for construction of the road with material from designated borrow pits approved by the RA,” sources told a weekly newspaper recently.

The road has been marred with potholes, while it has been further alleged that substandard material was used to construct it.

Airing his concerns in a ministerial memo, Mutorwa vented his frustration at the substandard quality of work government has to pay for.

“As a layperson, my reading of the two reports shows that things have not and are not going on well so well with these two projects. Costs appear to be increasing whereas the quality of the work appears to be decreasing and deteriorating. What an unacceptable contradiction. Is government paying for quality or lack of it?” Mutorwa wrote.

The road was constructed as a joint venture project between the Roads Contractor Company and MCC.

During inspection, works officials had found that the road was marred with potholes, scoured shoulders, a damaged roadway and exposed road layers.

OGONE TLHAGE

Junias revival sparks medal hope

April 8, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Junias revival sparks medal hopeMixed bag of performances for Namibian team Jonas Junias is staying on course as a possible medal contender at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. LIMBA MUPETAMI



Namibian boxer and 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jonas Junias beat Valentin Kondakov of Samoa in their men's 64kg round 16 boxing match at the Commonwealth Games in Australia yesterday.

This is Junias' second victory at the games, after he beat Rashfield Williams of the Bahamas last week Thursday to kickstart his campaign.

In his first bout the Namibian pugilist fought with a lot of confidence, while teasing his opponent who looked out of sorts and lost by unanimous decision.

Junias' teammate Mathias Hamunyela was however unlucky, as he lost on Friday. Hamunyela was competing in the men's 46 to 49kg category, and lost against Kenya's Shaffi Hassana. Only two judges out of the five scored in his favour.

In the men's bowling competition Namibia lost 28-8 to New Zealand on Saturday.

The women's fours sectional team also lost their match 20-7 against the Cook Islands on the same day.

There is however still hope, as boxer Tryagain Ndevelo will also make his debut at the games today, coming face to face with Harry Garside from Australia in the 60kg category.

The women's triple B team will also confront New Zealand and the men's four section C team will go head to head with Northern Ireland.

The Namibian team travelled with 30 athletes, who are competing in athletics, bowls, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, para-sports and triathlon at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which end on 15 April.



More on the games

This is the fifth time Australia has staged the games following Sydney (1938), Perth (1962), Brisbane (1982) and Melbourne (2006) – making Australia the nation that has hosted the most number of editions.

The Commonwealth Games have been conducted by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) since the first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.

There have been many magical moments witnessed at the prestigious games over the years, including the famous 'Miracle Mile' at the 1954 Games when England's Roger Bannister and Australian John Landy created history by both breaking the four-minute mile in a race.

A key player in the staging of the first Commonwealth Games was sports reporter and administrator Melville Marks (Bobby) Robinson, who helped bring to reality what Commonwealth nations had been dreaming about for three decades.

Since then, the games have grown from an event featuring 11 countries and 400 athletes to a modern sporting spectacular that includes 71 nations and territories and over 6 600 athletes and team officials.

An important change has also been made in gender equity over the years, with this year's event marking the first time in the history of a major multi-sport games that there will be an equal number of medal events for men and women.

The size and format of the sporting competition has also grown over the years.

Meatco a gwedhele oondando

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Meatco a gwedhele oondando Omolwa e yo pombanda lyelando lyonyama yongombe moshilongo oshowo pondje yoshilongo, ehangano lyaMeatco olya gwedhele oondando. Oondando odha gwedhelwa muMaalitsa.

Ondondo C ngashiingeyi otayi landithwa koo N$40.95 omanga ondondo A tayi landithwa kooN$46.95, monyama yookg 260.

Ehangano olya popi kutya nonando oshilongo osha taalela onkalo yopaliko tayi nana nondatu, ehangano lyawo otali kambadhala okukwathela aalandithi yoongombe, opo ya vule okulikola sha okuza mongeshefa ndjoka. Ehangano olya popi kutya e yo pombanda lyelando lyonyama momalanditho gomoshilongo oshowo pondje yoshilongo, olyo lya etitha onkalo ndjoka na otashi gandja woo uuhupilo wu li nawa mongeshefa ndjoka, na otashi etitha ehangano li tsikile nomapungulo momalanditho gopondje omape ngaashi moHong Kong oshowo United States.

Nonando ongaka, natango omaupyakadhi gopaliko miilongo yimwe muuyuni, otaga etitha eshuno pevi lyomalanditho miitopolwa yimwe. Onkalo ndjoka yeshuno pevi oya dhidhilikwa ngaashi miilongo yoEU, Norway oshowo iilonga yopokati.

Meatco okwa popi kutya elando lyonyama moshilongo otali tsikile nokukala pevi okuyeleka niilongo yilwe muuyuni.

Iilongo yaAfrika mbyoka yi na ondjele yomalanditho gaMeatco yi li pombanda, ongaashi oshishiindalongo South Afrika, naashoka otashi etithwa unene kondjele yomwaalu gwaakwashigwana moshilongo shoka.

Meatco okwa popi kutya ota tsikile nokupatulula oompito dhopangeshefa, opo ku gandjwe ompito yopangeshefa unene kaaNamibia.



ELLANIE SMIT

Calling all planters

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Calling all plantersEntries open for Horticultural Producer of the Year Providers of food security, the call for entries has been made and producers are urged to stand up and be counted. National Horticulture Day will take place on 26 September and producers are called upon to submit entries for the 2018 Horticultural Producer of the Year awards.

The awards recognise the extraordinary breed of horticulture producers who have made a success of their farming business through sheer determination, dedication and foresight. Honouring such achievements is one important effort aimed at encouraging local supply of fresh produce, whilst decreasing our dependence on imports - or import substitution as it is known in the industry.

The horticulture industry in Namibia is regulated through the Market Share Promotion scheme, or MSP, where all importers of fresh fruit and vegetables in Namibia are required to buy a minimum percentage of their fresh produce from Namibian producers – before they are granted a permit to import fresh produce from outside the country.

Currently this minimum stands at 44%, up from a mere 5% at the inception of the MSP scheme during 2005.

As a result of this voluntary agreement between producers and traders, the local horticultural industry in Namibia continues to grow. The Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) plays a crucial role in facilitating and overseeing the implementation of this agreement which is implemented by the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), the agent appointed by the NAB.

Producers can submit entries for the title of the 2018 Horticultural Producer of the Year across three different categories namely;

- Large Scale Horticulture Producer of the Year, where the production takes place on an area of 10 or more hectares per annum.

- Medium Scale Producer of the Year, where the production takes place on an area of between 3 to 10 hectares per annum.

- Small Scale Producer of the Year, where production takes place on 3 hectares or less per annum.

Applications can either be submitted through the representative of the National Association of Horticultural Producers (NAHOP), or directly to NAB.

Entries close on 27 April and farm evaluation visits are scheduled during the period 14 to 24 May.

This will be done by a panel of judges comprising representatives from the NAB, NAHOP, the agricultural ministry, AMTA, AGRIBUSDEV and the previous winner of the award.

Entry forms are available either through the NAHOP Area Committee Representatives, or may be downloaded from the NAB website at www.nab.com.na.

STAFF REPORTER

Book online with Meatco

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Book online with Meatco Meatco is in the process of introducing an improved booking system that functions like an app.

The new booking system is essentially a webpage that looks like an app, with the added benefit of working on any device.

The new initiative was brought about by the ever-changing technological world and Meatco's principle of always striving to create easy interaction with producers at all levels, therefore ensuring better working relations.

The system has two major objectives: first, to make it as simple as possible for all users and to make the system fair to all producers with the appropriate allocations using minimal human intervention.

Only registered Meatco producers with existing email addresses on the database will be able to register and login to the system, which will also include tutorial videos in the near future to assist with the learning phase. For producers with multiple producer numbers, the system will be able to consolidate these numbers under a producer name, making for easier interaction. The new initiative is currently going through the final testing phase and will soon be introduced to valued Meatco producers.

Producers will be able to change delivery dates and view a summary of slaughter statement. Overall, the new system is a better way to serve valued producers and will also be beneficial to Meatco as a business entity.



STAFF REPORTER

Trump promises swift action

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Trump promises swift actionRussian and Syrian troops find no trace of chemical weapons The now notorious White Helmets in Syria have said that chemical weapons were used, angering the US, but no trace could be found at Douma where the attack allegedly took place. US President Donald Trump has met with military commanders about a possible “forceful response” to alleged chemical attacks in Syria. Washington is ready to act without UN approval, its envoy told the Security Council earlier.

The alleged chemical attack in Syria “will be met and it will be met forcefully,” Trump told reporters on Monday evening. “We can't let atrocities like we all witnessed… we can't let that happen in our world,” Trump said, “especially if because of the power of the US, we are able to stop it.”

“We're getting some very good clarity” on who is responsible for the attack, the president added.

“We have a lot of options militarily, and we'll be letting you know pretty soon.”

Earlier in the day, US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley spoke of the alleged chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma on Saturday as a proven fact, and blamed Russia and the “monster” Bashar Assad for it.

On Monday, however, Russian and Syrian troops inspected the area, which had been cleared of Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) militants, and found no traces of any chemical agents. There were no patients at the local hospital with any signs of chemical poisoning, either.

“All these facts show… that no chemical weapons were used in the town of Douma, as it was claimed by the White Helmets,” the Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria said in a statement, referring to the controversial group that was among the first to report about the alleged attack.

The centre called White Helmets-circulated photos of the alleged chemical attack “yet another piece of fake news”.

No options were off the table in articulating the possible US response, with Defense Secretary James Mattis saying earlier he “would not rule out anything right now.”

Flanked by Vice-President Mike Pence and his new national security advisor John Bolton, Trump was mostly asked about the FBI raid on the offices of his personal lawyer. He condemned the “witch hunt” against him over alleged Russian collusion from the very beginning of his campaign, calling it a “disgrace” and an attack on the entire country.

Trump has used harsh words about the alleged chemical attack, calling Assad an “animal” and vowing there would be a “big price to pay” for the purported use of chemical weapons. This echoes his words from a year ago, when the US launched missiles against a Syrian airbase after anti-government militants accused Damascus of a chemical attack in the town of Khan Shaykhun.

On Saturday, some rebel-linked groups, including the White Helmets, accused the Syrian government of carrying out a chemical attack that, allegedly, affected dozens of civilians in the Eastern Ghouta town of Douma. The reports have already provoked a wave of outrage in the West, as the US and the EU rushed to put the blame for the incident on Damascus and Moscow. US President Donald Trump hastily denounced the perceived attack as a “mindless” atrocity and a “humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever,” warning of a “big price” to be paid.

The White Helmets claim to be volunteer first-responders saving Syrians caught up in the fighting. They gained traction in the western media and rose to prominence during the Battle of Aleppo in 2016, while working exclusively in the militant-controlled areas of the city and becoming one of the most widely used sources of information and visual materials in the West.

The people on the ground in Aleppo, however, told RT's Murad Gazdiev that the White Helmets were working closely with the militants and saving only “their own.” Local witnesses also accused the “activists” of looting the humanitarian aid that was coming into the city and of forcing the locals to read fake anti-government statements on camera, in return for food.

RUSSIA TODAY

Honoured for her art

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Honoured for her art When South African Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu began painting at the tender age of ten, she never thought that she would get to travel the world just by doing something that she loved.

Mahlangu received an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg on Monday evening.

“I am so grateful to the university management for the gifts given to me today. What they have done for me, they must do for others.”

“If heaven was within reach, I would fly. I never thought that painting would work out so well. I got to travel the world just by doing something that I did out of love,” she added.

She was accompanied by members of her community, clad in traditional regalia.

Mahlangu, whose full names are Esther Nikwambi, was born in Middelburg, Mpumalanga in 1935.

In an interview with News24 in September, shortly after she had been honoured with a mural in New York, the 82-year-old said her journey with her love for her culture and Ndebele artwork began when she was ten years old, when she used to watch her mother and grandmother painting the outside walls of their home.

She longed to join them and when the pair took a break from painting, she would steal the paint and try her luck. But, as soon as they returned, she would be out of sight.

“They always said: 'Don't ever do that again, you are ruining things,'” she told News24.

The following day Mahlangu would do it again, and again she faced the wrath of her matriarchs.

Eventually, her mother and grandmother gave up and allocated Mahlangu a small space on the wall, which was away from the public, where she could practice drawing Ndebele patterns.

“The next day, I would go there, sit on a tin and take chicken feathers and paint, paint and paint.”

Mahlangu added that her mother and grandmother inspected her work daily.

“Eventually they told me that my work was impressive and they called me to paint the front of the house, and I never looked back until I got married. In my culture, they used to say when you get married, you have to paint your first house yourself.”

On Monday evening, the university's vice-chancellor and principal Professor Tshilidzi Marwala said the university recognised Mahlangu's legacy as a cultural entrepreneur who skilfully negotiated local and global worlds as an educator.

“As a visionary individual, she traversed what to others are insurmountable political barriers. In the late 1980s, when KwaNdebele and Moutse region erupted in anti-apartheid violence, she [broke] down barriers in her own way.

“During the time she was invited to participate in the groundbreaking Magiciens de la Terre exhibition, a significant achievement for a black female artist at the time.

“The curators asked her to paint the walls of a life-size replica of her Mthambothini home for the exhibition…she would take the language of Ndebele art to the world.”

Marwala added that, in order to ensure the survival of the Ndebele arts, Mahlangu taught young people at her home.

“She also shares her expertise via a project that aims to document Southern African visual culture as expression of a diversity of inherited local knowledge systems that date back to before the colonisation of Southern Africa.”

“Esther Mahlangu is a living example of how authentic African knowledge systems can be articulated meaningfully and sustainably.

“In her we have an icon worthy of being looked upon to by the next generation of creatives,” Marwala said. He said the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture was honoured to confer the degree of Philosophiae Doctor Honoris Causa upon Mahlangu.



NEWS24

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Take us into your confidence, Mr President

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Take us into your confidence, Mr President A cursory look at the unfolding events surrounding a French investigation into the sale in 2007 of Canadian company UraMin, which had mining operations in Namibia, South Africa and the Central African Republic, to Areva, creates the immediate impression that where there is smoke, there is fire.

Over the years, there has been widespread media reporting - both in South Africa and Namibia - that the sale was linked to kickbacks to the politically connected and that Areva had been positioned as the frontrunner for a R1 trillion nuclear build in the neighbouring country.

As the arrests of Areva executives mount, amid allegations of overpricing in the deal, President Hage Geingob's work as a consultant for UraMin and exactly what was done, has once again surfaced in international media reports.

At the razor-edge of attempts to link Geingob to the sale, an allegation he has repeatedly denied, including this week in a scathing letter written to France Radio International (RFI), is a report - 'Pomerol 4' - compiled by ALP Services to determine whether anybody profited personally from the US$2.5 billion transaction.

This widely publicised report claims, among others, that senior ANC comrades were playing choir master in the deal.

Geingob emphatically stated to the media in 2012 that UraMin offered him a directorship, but he declined the offer.

“I chose to play the role of a consultant. I, therefore, served as a consultant to UraMin and helped the company secure a licence which it already had, but which was about to be terminated due to several technicalities.”

He also stated that for this he received payment which was part of an amount of US$300 000.

“US$200 000 went to two South African partners who brought the matter to my attention and US$100 000 was paid to me, of which I took US$10 000 to assist a person in need, leaving me with US$90 000.”

The immediate questions are obvious. Why was the payment split three-ways with two South Africans and who were they?

When was the payment received and what exactly did the work entail?

Geingob, known for his open-door policy, should call a media conference and open the floor for questions.

Shot of the day

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day A NATION MOURNS: 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 gather to pay respect to the late high-profile anti-apartheid activist during a candle vigil in Durban recently. Winnie , the former wife of South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, died on 2 April 2018, aged 81, triggering an outpouring of tributes to one of the country's defining and most divisive figures. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

PDM urges use of flood water

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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PDM urges use of flood water The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has reiterated its call for the massive inflow of water from the Cuvelai River basin, which floods northern regions, to be trapped and used productively.

PDM secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe said during the party's regional and local authority councillors' capacity building workshop held in Oshakati at the weekend that Namibia's agriculture sector could be transformed by the flood water.

Ngaringombe said the massive influx of water from the Cuvelai, as well as normal rainfall, should be trapped and used by the agricultural sector, which will result in the creation of jobs. “The northern regions have their own challenges, but have the greatest potential to transform the country's agricultural sector and create employment.

“The northern regions make up more than half of the country's population and therefore needs a robust approach to develop and modernise towns and settlements.

“Flooded with massive amounts of water from the Cuvelai, this water is mostly not used productively, but rather treated as a disaster and threat,” Ngaringombe said.

In February 2016, PDM's president, McHenry Venaani, also made a similar call, while saying government should consider building underground water reservoirs throughout the country in drought-prone areas, so that the water can be utilised for irrigation. “It is no longer acceptable for Namibia to continually be caught by surprise by the same weather patterns and it is thus time that we evolve into a country that seeks to not only cope better with natural disasters like floods and droughts, but that is generally in a state of readiness for such eventualities,” Venaani said at the time.

Ngaringombe also reminded the PDM members who have been elected into local authorities and regional councils to live by their oath of office and not use their positions for personal gain.

“Public officials such as yourself are honourable and should always conduct yourselves in an honourable manner, and by all means avoid the practice of self-enrichment and serve the public. When you join public office, you are sacrificing most of your interests, hence your title, public servant,” Ngaringombe said.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Onus rests on RCC board to avert takeover

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Onus rests on RCC board to avert takeover The current board of the Roads Contractor Company will have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they have a turnaround strategy in place in order to avoid being placed under judicial management, says transport minister John Mutorwa.

Minister of public enterprises Leon Jooste last year announced that the RCC would be placed under judicial management as a means to try and revive its operations.

Under judicial management, a moratorium is placed on debt payments. A manager is appointed to oversee the business and restructure its debt.

At a press conference yesterday, Mutorwa said the RCC board would have to present a strong enough case to him, which he would submit to a cabinet committee.

That committee would then discuss the turnaround strategy before the cabinet made a final decision on the future of the RCC.

“I was thoroughly briefed about the self-sustaining model and we are waiting for the RCC's model. Some people doubt that the RCC can be turned around but you must give people the benefit of the doubt,” Mutorwa said.

The RCC board was working towards finding a solution, he said.

“If we find a solution, I will report back to the cabinet committee on overall policy and priorities and then cabinet. I cannot say what the decision will be. Only if everything fails, then we will go to judicial management,” Mutorwa said.

The RCC recently had 13 of its pickups attached for auctioning by Nedloans while RexQuip also attached a range of RCC vehicles and equipment for auctioning. Another creditor, Namibia Protection Services, was owed N$4 million.

These developments were no cause for concern to RCC board chairperson Fritz Jacobs, who said that “tireless efforts were being made to ensure the continued operations of the parastatal”.

“We are not taking our eye of the ball. We will very soon make very significant announcements,” Jacobs said.

Jooste initiated the process of placing the RCC under judicial management in September 2017 because of the company's inability to make profit and always requiring bailouts.

If approved, the current RCC board would be disempowered.

The duration of the period of judicial management, if approved, could not be predicted, Jooste said.

Jooste also said that the 393 RCC employees would not be affected if the company was placed under judicial management, because the move would try to prevent the company from closing down.

“The RCC has many creditors who will, while the company is under judicial management, have to wait to see their claims against the company settled. The judicial manager will proactively seek ways to restructure the debt of the company and respond to the financial demands of the company,” Jooste said.

Furthermore, Jooste said that the judicial manager, if appointed, would be empowered to make far-reaching decisions on the company's business transactions, covering all aspects of operations, human resources and financial management.

OGONE TLHAGE

'Three cups of rice & a cool drink'

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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'Three cups of rice & a cool drink'Harambee cleaners demand their pay Roughly 150 jobless Tsumeb residents say they have been done in by the town council after cleaning for independence. A group of 150 unemployed Tsumeb community members, who cleaned the town prior to this year's Independence Day celebration, are planning to demonstrate as the local council this week over not being paid for their services.

The group, consisting of old and young unemployed residents who go by the name 'Harambee cleaning group', claim that the Tsumeb town council promised them money for their services, only to be told after the event they were recruited as volunteers.

The group further said they were only rewarded with three cups of rice and a 330ml can of cool drink this past Friday at the Oshikoto regional council's office, after they kept demanding payment from the council.

They said they expected more and will now go ahead with their demonstration.

“Our agreement with the council was that they are going to pay us once we are done with the cleaning of Tsumeb. This never happened. We kept going to their offices for answers and they told us that we were volunteers.

“Even if we were volunteers during the clean-up, we did not even receive lunch packs,” the group alleged.

They further questioned why the council recruited another group to clean up the Oscar Norwich Stadium during the Independence Day celebration event, and they were paid money.

When contacted for comment, Tsumeb town council spokesperson Stella Imalwa-Nangolo explained there was never an agreement between the Harambee group and council regarding payment for their services.

Imalwa-Nangolo said the council had mobilised members of the community, including business establishments and institutions, in order to clean the town.

“I told the group from the onset that this was not a job, it is just volunteering to clean the town. I also told them I was not sure that at the end of the day they are going to get something, because you know these volunteering jobs come with lunch packs. So they started working and I can really testify that they did a great job,” she said.

“So when they finished before the Independence Day celebration and there was a review by the national preparatory committee, there were a lot items that were not necessarily all consumed and from that day they decided that the other volunteers, such as the prisoners, the police and different constituencies, will get those remaining items. That is where the volunteers were not recognised.”

Imalwa-Nangolo confirmed the people who were assisting within the stadium received payment.

Regarding the planned demonstration, Imalwa-Nangolo said the council is aware of this and is willing to accept the petition, as it is the group's right to express their concerns.

KENYA KAMBOWE

NMH and car dealers join hands for safe travel

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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NMH and car dealers join hands for safe travelIt's thar-riffic! Eight Expo attendees will become finalists. Yochanaan Coetzee - With the Namibia Tourism Expo (NTE) just weeks away, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) has teamed up with some of Namibia's best-known car dealers to highlight not only our recurring theme of safe travel, but to also add even more excitement for those who will attend one of the Southern Hemisphere's most highly anticipated industry expositions.

One of the eight finalists, who will be randomly selected from all NTE ticketholders who visit the three-day event, will get the opportunity to drive home in a brand new vehicle selected by each of the respective dealers. The remaining seven will have the opportunity to buy the vehicles they draw at a vastly discounted rate.

"Travelling by road is an excellent way to see the country and truly soak up what each locality has on offer," says Michelle le Roux, events manager for Namibia Media Holdings, the country's largest media holding company.

"Through the Win-a-Car competition, we aim to reinforce our message around safe travel and showcase some of safest and most exciting vehicles on the local market, while adding to expo's already renowned air of excitement, as each person attending the Namibia Tourism Expo will be automatically entered into the competition," she added.

Good hope

One of the iconic names in the Namibian car industry, Spes Bona, has been building up a sterling reputation over its decades-long presence in the market and with its portfolio ranging from everything from respected global brands to premium pre-owned, car rental services and even automotive accessory fitment, it is certainly a name you can trust.

For this year's Win-a-Car competition, they've prepared a truly unique version of the recently released fan favourite, the Mahindra Thar, in a locally designed ‘Spes Bona spec’.

"We wanted to take the phenomenally comfortable and capable Mahindra Thar and give it a uniquely Namibian twist, turning it into a perfect vehicle for those wanting to enjoy Namibia's wide open spaces in safety and with peace of mind," said Brandon Strauss, new car sales executive at Spes Bona Motors.

Not only does the Thar boast Mahindra's legendary never-say-die engines and engineering, but also comes in the visually appealing and outdoor-proven Willy’s Jeep body style, which combines exterior appeal with outdoor-enhanced design ready for any terrain.

The New Mahindra Thar 2.5 CRDe is currently the country’s most affordable low-range-equipped 4x4, but don’t think they skimped on it in any way.

With its 2.5-litre turbodiesel producing a solid 79 kW and 247 Nm, coupled with a claimed fuel economy figure of 7.5 L/100 km, nearly any adventure is within reach and within budget.

Its interior is comfortable and beautifully appointed, but purposely kept to a minimum in terms of electronic systems to mitigate damage when bogging through Efundjas or the swampy streets of Swakop after a cloudburst.

The 200 mm ground clearance, coupled with beautiful Linexed bars on the back and the stocky front bumper, give the Thar a great visual pop and speaks to its utilitarian nature.

With its great looks, hardy build quality and incredible value for money, the Mahindra Thar is a proposition like few other.

Visit Spes Bona Motors on Independence Avenue in Windhoek to see this exciting model up close and make sure to attend this year's Namibia Tourism Expo at the end of May to get in the running to win this dream machine.

Producer prices at all-time high

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Producer prices at all-time high With a steady increase in beef consumption, both locally and internationally, Meatco recently increased producer prices, which now stand at a record high.

Prices in March ranged from N$40.95 for C-grade to N$46.95 for A-grade, for 260kg carcasses.

In comparison to the same period last year, prices ranged from N$33.09 for C- grade and N$40.19 for A-grade for 260kg carcasses.

According to Meatco, despite all the challenges that the industry has faced the company strives to help Namibian producers get through trying times, keeping in mind the future of the Namibian beef industry.

It added that the European economy is still under pressure and prices remain relatively stagnant.

“Europe is one of Meatco's most lucrative markets and instability in the exchange rate, with prices from clients remaining unchanged, results in instability in returns to Meatco.”

It added that the Norwegian market has been something of a lifeline as Norway and the rest of the Scandinavian market is isolated from Europe.

“Meatco's increased Norway quota therefore helped tremendously in the face of all these challenges, as the company is able to put more products into this lucrative market, which in turn supported the Namibian producer price.”

Furthermore, Meatco says the steady increase in the consumption of beef locally and internationally is creating more opportunities for the Namibian meat industry as it enables Meatco to invest into new markets such as Hong Kong and the United States.

Despite the increase in beef consumption around the globe, effects of the recession are still felt in many parts of the world due a lag effect.

According to the company, being in niche markets such as the EU and Norway as opposed to commodity markets in the Middle East, has allowed it to continue maximising revenue as the recession always hits the commodity markets hardest.

“The niche markets always hinge on good relationships and quality products that are highly sought after and allow the company's products not to suffer as much as products on the commodity markets.”

Meatco added that due to different affordability trends and population dynamics, beef consumed in Namibia remains at lower levels than in other countries.

All of the products currently available in Namibia cater for the various needs of Namibian families, providing variety and affordability.

“Our aim is to add as much value to carcasses as possible and to closely align ourselves with the needs of the end consumer. As a result, we are constantly developing our value chain by placing greater emphasis on the quality and unique characteristics of our beef. Almost 100% of the slaughtered animal is processed and sold.

In this way, we can maximise value addition opportunities,” says Meatco.

Meatco's biggest market by volume in Africa is neighbouring South Africa. Due to South Africa's population size, income levels and proximity, it remains a lucrative market for some of Namibia's beef products.

Meatco said it will continue to unlock markets that can mean more value for Namibian producers and broader market diversification for the company.



ELLANIE SMIT

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Apartheid's labour shame

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Apartheid's labour shameCall for museum to remember contract labour Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Ondangwa to ensure the story of the contract labour system of yesteryear is told. International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the Ondangwa town council to turn an old mining recruitment office, which was the scene of dehumanising activities linked to the hated contract labour system, into a museum.

Speaking at the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE) fundraising dinner held at the weekend, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the story of the old Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM) recruitment office needed to be told, so the younger generation can understand and appreciate why there had been a fight for the country's independence.

The underlying dehumanising actions of contract labour can be traced to the organisation of living and working conditions, which in turn influenced the lives of Ovambo and Kavango contract labourers. The living conditions were extremely dire, with contract labourers living in virtual prisons or compounds.

Contract workers, according to historical records, laboured under the disadvantages, restrictions and weakened bargaining position of pass laws, indenture and migrancy, enforced by criminal law.

In the face of contracted work, each worker received a blanket, a shirt, sometimes a pair of khaki shorts, which were supposed to last the worker the whole period of his contract period. The cost of provisions such as, food and sundries, a medical exam and a recruiting fee, was all paid by the employer. And for the duration of the contract, migrant workers were confined to the property of the employer, could not visit home, could not accept visits from family, ate only what their employer was willing to feed them and suffered whatever punishment an employer thought appropriate for any suspected offences.

The Okaholo recruitment centre, as it was known at that time, was the property of the Oranjemund town council until it was handed over to the Ondangwa town council in 2015, after the two towns entered into a partnership agreement.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ondangwa has a rich history, adding when she was growing up the only town she knew was Ondangwa.

CDM started recruiting its contract workers from the Ondangwa centre in 1929 and it was the only external recruitment centre apart from the one in Oranjemund.

“Ondangwa was not only the seat of the apartheid colonial regime of South Africa, where dehumanising activities such as the process of sorting out men who went into contract labour took place, it was the centre of all activities.

“As I was growing up at Onamutai, which is not far from Ondangwa, the only shopping place we knew was Ondjondjo in Ondangwa. To a high extent Ondangwa continues to be a getaway from the south to the north of the country, by road or by air,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She said everybody has a historical and moral responsibility to see to it that Ondangwa is developed to become a town of choice and establishing the Okaholo museum is one of the strategies.

“I am hoping that photos are available. We have to think of reconstructing the Okaholo centre to become a museum that enables our people to understand and appreciate why we had to fight for our independence. Such a historic museum will obviously attract both national and international tourists,” she said.

The Oranjemund town council took control of Okaholo centre and other Namdeb properties when it became an independent town in 2012. Oranjemund and Ondangwa entered into partnership agreements in 2013, and the two towns decided that the old recruitment office should be handed over to the Ondangwa town council to strengthen their agreement.

Ondangwa town council CEO Ismael Namgongo said that Nandi-Ndaitwah's call came at the right time, as the town's 2017/18 financial year is coming to an end and the establishment of the museum would be crucial issue in its 2018/19 financial year plans. “It is only a building that was handed over to us. The Oranjemund town council has done some renovation to the building, but there are no artefacts for us to use it as a museum. This is now an instruction that we will take seriously into consideration. We have to institute a feasibility study before we start collecting materials to be displayed,” Namgongo said.

He said the council's management committee chairperson is one of those who underwent labour recruitment process during apartheid.

“We will invite those who were recruited through the centre to tell their stories and we will also engage the Museum Association of Namibia and the National Archives of Namibia to assist us with photos and other materials to be displayed,” he said. During the handing over ceremony of the recruitment office between the two councils in August 2015 was witnessed by former CDM employees.

Lazarus (Kappies) Kapolo said former CDM/Namdeb employees have fond memories about the place which gave them their future, although it was not easy.

“Being selected as a mine worker at this building was a prestigious honour for us, because in order to get recruited you had to be fit and strong, because you had to go through the 'harsh reality'. Once you succeed it is a pride. If you succeed you were issued with brass and copper tags (Okaholo) as social rewarding. At home we were regarded as 'Omulange', which enhanced our status in the community,” Kapolo said.

ILENI NANDJATO

Company news

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Company news Libstar plans stock market listing

Libstar Holdings Propriety Ltd, a South African consumer goods company, plans to raise 1.5 billion rand (US$124 million) to repay a portion of its debt and expand its capacity by selling shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the firm said on Monday.

The offering, which will only be made available to private investors, is targeting a free float of at least 40%, Libstar said.

Libstar is the third company in the past two weeks to state its intention to float in Johannesburg, highlighting a more positive mood among investors following newly elected president Cyril Ramaphosa’s promises to kick-start the economy.

-Nampa/Reuters

Impairments push Lafarge Africa to 2017 loss, shares fall

Lafarge Africa has taken a one-off impairment in Nigeria and South Africa totalling around 33 billion naira (US$105 million), widening its loss before tax for 2017 from a year earlier and sending its shares tumbling.

Bruno Bayet, chief financial officer, told Reuters the impairments accounted for bulk of the loss, without which the cement maker would have turned a profit.

Lafarge Africa shares listed on the Lagos bourse fell to a one-year low on the news.

-Nampa/Reuters

ABSA announces structural changes

Barclays Africa Group, the holding company for ABSA bank, announced a new structure with four core businesses in a statement on Monday morning.

The announcement is part of the bank's long-term vision to chart its own path, after separating from its United Kingdom parent company and doubling its share of banking revenue on the African continent from 6% to 12%.

Among other executive changes, the bank’s current head of compliance Yasmin Masithela will now become chief executive of strategic services. Masithela will be responsible for the bank’s digital strategy and human resources, and lead ABSA’s separation from Barclays Plc.

Augustus Van Heerden will go from leading the separation programme to serving as chief risk officer. Current group chief operating officer Charles Russon will become the group’s chief technology officer, responsible for technology infrastructure, cyber and data.

-Fin24

Gordhan appoints new Denel interim board

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced the appointment of a new interim board for Denel after meeting with the state-owned defence company.

Speaking in Irene, Gordhan said Denel had a "good reputation in the past [but] sadly that reputation has been lost".

"The changing of the board is the first step we are taking as governance," he said.

Gordhan announced that the new chairperson of the board will be Monhla Hlahla, the former CEO of Acsa and a non-executive director of various South African companies.

No members of the previous board were retained.

Hlahla said the board would, in the next weeks, be immersed in trying to understand the financial health of the group and would start by scrutinising its 2016/2017 financial results.

-Fin24

Nigerian oil firm Neconde mounts arbitration case against Shell

Nigerian energy company Neconde has launched an arbitration case against Royal Dutch Shell, the West African firm’s chief executive said, alleging the oil major continued to lift crude and failed to remit funds after a lease had been sold.

The oilfield in question, Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, is also at the centre of corruption allegations. Shell filed a criminal complaint against a former employee in late March over suspected bribes in the US$390 million sale of the field.

Neconde CEO Frank Edozie told Reuters the company bought a stake in OML 42 from Shell in April 2011. He alleged the oil giant continued to produce crude there until the petroleum ministry approved Neconde’s licence in November that year.

-Nampa/Reuters

Namibia's Areva mum on Hage saga

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Namibia's Areva mum on Hage saga Areva Namibia has said that it is not ready to comment on a probe by French authorities that is investigating payments made out by former executive, Sébastien de Montessus.

Its country manager, Hilifa Mbako, said that they were still studying the developments and were thus not in a position to make any comments.

“As you know, the UraMin acquisition is under investigation by French justice so we cannot make any comments. Concerning the indictment of Sebastien de Montessus, we did learn about it this weekend. The indictment appears to be part of the judicial investigation opened in May 2015 concerning the conditions of the acquisition of UraMin companies,” Mbako said adding: “We are studying this new situation and it is too early to comment on the subject.” President Hage Geingob's involvement at UraMin as a consultant, which earned him US$300 000 (N$2.475 million at the exchange rate at the time, said to be 2008), has come back to haunt him, amid an unfolding corruption probe in France.

However, the president, who has over the years denied he played any part in UraMin's sale to French nuclear firm, Areva, hit back yesterday with a scathing letter in which he threatened legal action against Radio France International (RFI) for its report earlier this month alleging he was in any way linked to the unfolding investigation.

De Montessus, Areva's former mining branch head, has been charged with corruption in relation to Areva's purchase of Canada's UraMin, which owned the Trekkopje mine in Namibia.

The case dates back to 2007 when Areva, which today is in financial difficulties, bought UraMin for U$S2.5 billion.

Former Areva boss Anne Lauvergeon and two members of her team have also been charged with the alleged overvaluation of the sale to conceal the fall in the price of uranium. The inquiry, according to RFI, is looking into payments made to Namibia's United Africa Group in 2009 and 2010 and 8 000 euros paid in 2008 and 2009 to Geingob, who was trade and industry minister at the time.

UraMin was a Toronto Stock Exchange-based company that owned, among its assets across a few African countries, the Trekkopje mine in the Namib Desert. UraMin touted Trekkopje as the jewel in its crown, and promised it had rich and huge deposits of uranium when selling it to the French state-owned nuclear power producer, Areva, for US$2.5 billion in 2007. United Africa Group founder Haddis Tilahun is yet to respond to questions regarding the payment of is yet to reply as he is implicated.

Tilahun was also cited in the report and it emerged that Areva paid about N$30 million to United Africa Group (UAG), a company owned by Tilahun and his wife Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun shortly after the Namibian company had bought shares in Areva's desalination plant.

Geingob has demanded a retraction of the article from RFI who broke the story of the investigation into alleged dubious payments by De Montessus through his lawyer Sisa Namandje.

OGONE TLHAGE

Job bonanza from tourism

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Job bonanza from tourismIndustry continues to grow and flourish When taking into account the vast number of jobs the tourism industry creates and supports, there has never been a better case for treating our tourists well. The travel and tourism industry in Namibia is expected to create 103 000 jobs this year, contributing more than 14% of the country's total employment.

The industry last year directly contributed 2.9% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) with spending from domestic tourism contributing more than visitors from other countries.

Meanwhile, leisure tourists spent more than business travellers to the country.

This is according to the latest Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2018 Namibia report released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC.) The research conducted by the WTTC covered 185 countries.

According to the report, the travel and tourism industry in Namibia generated 23 000 direct jobs last year which contributed 3.2% of the total employment in Namibia. This includes employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services, but excludes commuter services. The figure also includes the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries that are directly supported by tourists.

The direct employment by the industry is expected to grow to 24 500 this year, which is 6.5% of total employment, while it is predicted that by 2028 travel and tourism will account for 35 000 jobs directly.

Furthermore the total contribution to employment by the travel and tourism industry was 98 000 jobs last year, which was 14% of total employment. This is forecast to increase to 103 000 jobs this year contributing 14.2% of total employment in the country.

By 2028 the industry is expected to support 137 000 jobs.

The impact is massive when one considers that there are between eight and ten dependents per wage earner in Namibia.

The direct contribution of travel and tourism to the GDP last year was N$4.9 billion (2.9% of GDP). According to the report this primarily reflects activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists.

This is expected to increase by 8% to N$5.3 billion this year and to N$10.1 billion (3.7% of GDP) by 2028.

The total contribution of the travel and tourism industry to GDP was nearly five times greater than the direct contribution last year, at N$23.7 billion, representing 13.8% of GDP.

This year the amount is expected to grow to N$25 billion contributing 14.1% of to the GDP. It is also forecast that in the next ten years the total contribution to the GDP will be N$42.6 million by 2028 (15.6% of GDP).

The report also indicates that money spent by foreign visitors to a country - known as visitor exports - is a key component of the direct contribution of the travel and tourism industry.

Last year Namibia generated N$4.3 billion in visitor exports and this is expected to grow by 10.6% this year to N$4.8 billion and by 2028 it is expected to increase to N$8.6 billion.

Meanwhile, leisure travel spending, including both inbound and domestic travellers, generated 81.1% of the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the GDP last year which amounted to N$16.1 billion. This is in comparison with 18.2% for business travel spending that amounted to N$3.5 billion.

Leisure travel spending is expected to grow by 7.1% this year to N$17.2 billion, and to N$29.2 billion in 2028.

Business travel spending is expected to grow by 5.8% this year to N$3.8 billion and increase to N$5.9 billion in 2028.

Also, domestic travel spending generated 77.9% of direct the direct travel and tourism contribution to the country's GDP last year compared with the 22.1% for visitor exports last year.

Domestic travel spending is expected to grow to N$16.2 billion this year to N$26.5 billion in 2028.

Namibia's Tourism Satellite Account (5th Edition) that was launched in January of this year and analysed data from 2005, calculated that Namibia is projected to create close to 50 000 direct jobs and 123 100 indirect jobs by the end of 2020.

It said tourism directly supported more than 44 700 jobs in 2015 which represents 6.5% of the total employment in Namibia, while indirectly it supported 100 700 jobs, representing 14.5% of employment in the country. Meanwhile tourism directly contributed N$5.2 billion in 2015 to the country's GDP which is equivalent to 3.5% of the total GDP, while the sector indirectly contributed N$15.1 billion, representing 10.2% of the GDP.



ELLANIE SMIT

Magdalena Stoffels 'case' makes comeback

April 10, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Magdalena Stoffels 'case' makes comeback Hope glimmers for man who says he was victimised in the aftermath of the murder of Magdalena Stoffels, as the Supreme Court struck from the roll the government lawyers' special plea against the man's lawsuit for malicious prosecution.

On Friday, the court ordered that the lawsuit by Junias Fillipus for malicious prosecution be heard in the High Court.

Judge of Appeal at the Supreme Court Dave Smuts concurred with by Deputy Judge President Petrus Damaseb and Acting Judge of Appeal Theo Frank, ruled that leave to appeal was required to launch the special plea, which the government did not do.

All three of Fillipus' damages claims amounted to N$2.7 million. Fillipus is demanding N$200 000 compensation for unlawful arrest, N$2 million for wrongful detention, as well as N$500 000 for malicious prosecution.

He was arrested in July 2010 after Magdalena Stoffels, a high school student was found dead in a riverbed in the vicinity of Dawid Bezuidenhout Senior Secondary School in Khomasdal. He was detained for 191 days until charges against him were withdrawn in May 2011 after forensic evidence could not link him to the charge of rape and murder.

Smuts stated that when the High Court Act was passed in 1990, leave to appeal was required in all civil appeals in South Africa where there was no longer reference to interlocutory orders in its legislation governing appeals.

He said Namibian jurisprudence in section 18 of the High Court Act has evolved in the context of the different legislative provisions applied in Namibia and South Africa, with Namibia proceeding to develop its own jurisprudence in the area. The Namibian court interpreted section 18(3) of the High Court Act to the effect that interlocutory orders are not appealable except with leave.

He stated that Chief Justice Peter Shivute conducted a detailed survey and analysis of decisions of the Supreme Court and the leading cases in South Africa before and after the procedure of appeals had been amended in 1982.



FRED GOEIEMAN