Geingob departs for London

April 17, 2018, 1:33 am

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Geingob departs for London President Hage Geingob is departing for London this morning to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum and Commonwealth of Heads of Government meeting on Thursday.
The presidency also announced this morning that the president is expected to meet with the Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge on Wednesday morning.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government will meet in London and Windsor in the United Kingdom from 16 to 20 April 2018.
The summit will discuss a number of issues including security threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime and serious, organised crime.
According to the presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari, the president will visit the facilities of the De Beers Group at Maidenhead, Berkshire, holding meetings with its leadership on 21 April.
“President Geingob will participate in the Commonwealth Business Forum Summit round table with senior business leaders,” Hengari said.

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NVF to train volleyball referees

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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NVF to train volleyball referees The Namibian Volleyball Federation (NVF), in conjunction with the African Volleyball Confederation, will host a national refereeing course in Windhoek from 20 to 24 April.

NVF president Dux Imbuwa on Monday told Nampa the training would be held at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in the capital under the auspices of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

“The course will be facilitated by FIVB accredited instructor Waleed Kabel from Egypt,” stated Imbuwa, adding that it would be attended by 29 participants and 12 observers from different regions of Namibia.

The participants will be from all regional volleyball associations. Participants, who will be certified on successful completion of the course, will stand a chance to become international candidate referees in the next three years.

Namibia last held a similar course in 2010.

“The pass rate was not impressive. As a result, Namibia failed to produce an international candidate for the past years,” said the NVF leader.

Sport ministry permanent secretary Emma Kantema-Gaomas is expected to officially open the event on Saturday.

NAMPA

President congratulates Commonwealth medallists

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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President congratulates Commonwealth medallistsJonas and Johannes receive applause President Hage Geingob expressed satisfaction with Namibian athletes who scooped gold medals in two sports codes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. The head of state congratulated boxer Jonas Junias and veteran marathoner Helalia Johannes on the medals they secured at the Games which started on 4 April and ended on Sunday.

Junias beat Thomas Blumenfeld from Canada in the 64kg light welterweight boxing final, whereas Johannes took the first spot in the marathon with a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes and 40 seconds after outpacing firm favourites.

Team Namibia sent 30 athletes and a guide to the competition which saw top athletes from around the world compete in the prestigious event.

Namibia Sports Commissions (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said the team's results were cause for celebration considering the limited resources at the athletes' disposal. “Taking the sixth spot in Africa and 19th in the world is not easy. Johannes took gold, which was a miracle. I really think the marathoners are maturing and that is a great sign. The other athletes also recorded personal best times. I attended the Games and visited the athletes at the village where they lived. The spirit throughout was great,” said Mwiya.

He however emphasised that preparation funds for Tokyo 2020 needed to be released now and not next year so that the athletes could prepare well for the competition.

Before the athletes left for Australia, Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary-general Joan Smit said the qualification criteria were very high as they wanted to send medal contenders to the Commonwealth Games.

“There were international events which the local athletes took part in to qualify. Most worked really hard and qualified. The athletes are in great shape, well prepared and ready,” she said. She added that the Games set the tone for the Olympic Games that will take place in two years' time.

“The Games are preparatory for athletes who hope and dream to become Olympians.

It's a benchmark to determine what they need to work on before reaching the Olympics. “Namibia has now won a healthy 20 medals in total at the Commonwealth Games, including five gold, four silver and 11 bronze medals. Legendary sprinter Frank Fredericks alone has won two gold, one silver and a bronze medal.” The athletes are expected to land at Hosea Kutako International Airport at 10:40 where they will be welcomed by the minister of sport, Erastus Uutoni.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Amateur Kawauchi takes alternative route to Boston glory

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Amateur Kawauchi takes alternative route to Boston gloryJapanese athlete wins marathon Yuki Kawauchi's victory shocked the pundits at the Boston marathon, but to his legions of fans around the world, it was only one in an incredible list of achievements. Kawauchi's improbable victory at the Boston Marathon on Monday is the crowning glory in the career of an amateur Japanese runner who has defied every convention in modern athletics and taken the road less travelled to make his mark.

The 31-year-old from Saitama, who becomes the first Japanese man to win the Boston Marathon since Toshihiko Seko in 1987, holds down a full-time job working at a local school, and trains without the aid of a coach or sponsorship.

And he has competed in more than 80 marathons. After splashing across the finish line through wind and rain ahead of defending champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya on Monday, Kawauchi was in no doubt he surprised a few people.

“I don't think there was a single person in Boston who thought I would win this today,” he said with a smile.

In the marathon you never know what could happen. Many of Kawauchi's marathon wins have come in awful weather and he said being battered by wind and rain in Boston played right into his hands.

“I think the conditions were instrumental in being able to win,” he added.

He has won his last five marathons, including four in 2018 alone, and ran 12 last year. Kenya's reigning Olympic champion Eluid Kipchoge by comparison ran only two.

“I love to run races. Races gives me the opportunity to travel and in a more practical sense, because I train by myself if I didn't put in a lot of races I wouldn't be able to put in the same quality.”

Kawauchi has not fared so well at the major events, however, finishing 18th at the 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Championships and ninth at London last year, he has never been selected for the Japanese Olympic team.

After failing to record a qualifying time for the 2012 London Games at the Tokyo Marathon, Kawauchi shaved his head to apologise.

“I felt that I had to give everyone who supported me a sign of my remorse,” Nikkan Sports quoted him as saying at the time.

“It is better that my shame be exposed for everyone to see.” Kawauchi's personal best of 2:08:14, recorded in Seoul in 2013, would have been enough to win gold at a rainy Rio Games but it is more than five minutes outside the world record. He has only once run under 2:10:00 since July 2016.

In an interview with SpotsNavi last year, Kawauchi, who holds the record for the most sub 2.20 marathons, said that being able to fit in only one training session a day had actually helped him.

When you consider that runners belonging to teams are doing 12km a day on average in their morning runs, my monthly mileage is going to be at least 360km less since I don't do them. I'm pretty sure the human body has a mileage limit,” he said.

NAMPA/REUTERS

De Bruyne backs youthful Man City squad to build on success

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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De Bruyne backs youthful Man City squad to build on success Manchester City's young squad can help the newly-crowned Premier League champions build on their success in the coming years, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has said.

After a trophy less debut season in England, manager Pep Guardiola oversaw the exits of several older players and brought in younger replacements.

City, who have 11 players below the age of 25 in their current squad, have been rampant this season, winning 28 of their 33 league matches to seal the title and add to February's League Cup triumph.

“It's no coincidence that the type of players brought in over the last year or two have all been of a similar age and we will look to build as a group together,” De Bruyne,26, told City's website.

“The feeling amongst the squad is great.

We have enjoyed the season a lot but there is work to do if we want to achieve more in future.

“That can be the trickiest thing in football, to not only win but keep winning. Having such a young squad will hopefully help us to achieve that.”

City has scored 93 league goals so far and could still surpass Chelsea's record tally of 103 goals in a single campaign.

The champions host 17th-placed Swansea City in the league on Sunday.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Coleman scores in Spain to extend her tally to five in 10 games

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Coleman scores in Spain to extend her tally to five in 10 games Brave Gladiators and Real Zaragoza striker Zenatha Coleman scored a goal in her team's 2-0 victory against rivals Real Sociedad in the Spanish Primera División Femenina on Sunday.

In a match monitored online, her teammate Armisa Kuc opened the scoring for Zaragoza in the 7th minute before Coleman added a goal for her fifth goal of the season before halftime.

Her teammate Chloe Richards fumbled a pass in Sociedad's area and it bounced off the opposition defender and fell into Coleman's path, who took the opportunity and scored with her left foot to extend her brilliant start at the club.

The Namibian star now has five goals in ten outings this season for the Spanish club; however, they are rooted on the 15th position with 20 points from 26 games.

The win pulled Zaragoza to 20 points, four clear of bottom-placed Santa Teresa who lost 3-0 against Levante.

Meanwhile Joy Bokiri, another player from Africa, was also on target for her team.

Bokiri was on target for her first goal for Sporting Huelva in a 3-0 win over Albacete on Sunday as the Spanish league resumed following the April international break.

The Nigerian midfielder added to Sporting's lead in the 83rd minute before Bárbara Santibáñez buried the match in added time.

NAMPA

Oshilando onkene tashi kundathana opo kulukilwe Winnie epandanda

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Oshilando onkene tashi kundathana opo kulukilwe Winnie epandanda Eindilo lya li lya ningwa opo limwe lyomomapandanda gaVenduka li lukilwe omukondjelimanguuko gwaSouth Afrika.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela natango olya talikako onga eindilo ewanawa konima yoomvula 12 nkene eindilo ndyoka lya li lya ningwa kuamushanga nale gwoSwapo Party Youth League, Elijah Ngurare.

SPYL pethimbo ndyoka okwa li a shangele omukanda elelo lyaVenduka, opo mo 2006 ku lukilwe epandaanda Madikizela-Mandela. Ependafule ndyoka lyaSouth Afrika olya hulitha momasiku gaali gaApilili, na okwa fumbikwa mehuliloshiwike lya piti.

Mayola gwaVenduka, Muesee Kazapua okwa zimine naamboka taya pula opo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela a lukilwe epandaanda lyaandjetu, ta popi kutya eindilo ndyoka oli na okupita manga mokomitiye yowina ndjoka hayi ungaunga neluko lyomapandanda goshilandopangelo.

“Otashi vulu okuningwa ihe eindilo oli na manga okuukithwa kokomitiye ndjoka. Ehangano kehe nenge omuntu oku na uuthemba opo a pule epandanda li lukilwe omuntu gwontumba. Otandi zimine neindilo po ku lukilwe epandanda

Madikizela-Mandela omolwa eyambidhidho lye kekondjelomanguluko,” Kazapua a popi.

Ngurare mo 2006 okwa gandja eindilo ndyoka kelelo lyaVenduka, nomo 2014 natango oSPYL okwa dhimbulukila elelo kombinga yeindilo ndyoka, oshowo okulukulula epandanda lyaBismarck li lukilwe omukondjelimanguluko Simeon Kambo Shixungileni.

Shixungileni okwa li komanda omutiyali gwaakwiita yoPLAN, mboka ya kutha ombinga olugodhi lwotango lwekondjelomanguluko pOngulumbashe momasiku 26 gaAguste, 1966. Omaindilo agehe ngoka oga li ga ukithwa kOmunambelewa omukuluntu gwelelo lyaVenduka pethimbo ndyoka, Niilo Taapopi.

“Sho twa li twa ningi endilo opo Madikizela-Mandela, a lukilwe epandanda oya li ya popi kutya eindilo lyetu otali ukithwa kokomitiye ndjoka hayi ungaunga neluko lyomapandanda. Oya li ya popi kutya natango otaye shi kundathana. Osha kutha ethimbo ele na otwa landula ko opo tu pule. Omvula ya piti otwa pula elelo epe na oya popi kutya naatango otashi kundathanwa. Omupya omunene okutya ina mona epandanda ndyoka a lukilwa, nenge tu mu hiye,” Ngurare a popi.

Ngurare okwa popi kutya

Madikizela-Mandela okwa ndalapatele ombepo yuumwayinathana muAfrika. Amushanga gwoSwapo Party Women's Council, Eunice Iipinge okwa popi kutya oompangela odha li metifa opo ku lukilwe Madikizela-Mandela epandanda moNamibia, sha landula elombwelo lyagandjwa kOmupesidende Hage Geingob mo 2015.

Madikizela-Mandela okwa pewa omapapa ngaashi Most Brilliant Order of the Sun oshowo First Class ndyoka a pewa kuGeingob mo 2015, omolwa eyambidhidho lye kekondjelomanguluko lyaNamibia mo 2015.

Madikizela-Mandela ina vula okukala poshituthi shoka sha li sha ningwa omvula ndjoka, naGeingob okwa longitha ompito ye fumbiko lye okuhiya oyana opo ye ye moNamibia nokutaamba ko omapapa ngoka.



OGONE TLHAGE

Opolisi ya hala iiyenditho

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Opolisi ya hala iiyenditho Etokolo opo Oshikondo shOpolisi kashi lande iiyenditho, olya guma noonkondo iilonga yoshikondo shoka pahapu dhominista yoshikondo shoka, Charles Namoloh, pethimbo a popile omutengenekwathaneko gwiimaliwa mboka yapewa uuministeli mboka, mOmutumba gwoPashigwana.

Namoloh okwa popi kutya uuministeli mboka inawu landa iiyenditho muule woomvua ndatu dha piti. Okwa tsikile kutya oopresenda 70 dhiiyendiho yuuministeli oya kulupa, na opwa pumbwa iiyenditho yimwe iipe.

Minista okwa popi kutya epangelitho lyiiyenditho mbyoka iikulu olya ninga ondilo noonkondo neinyengo lyaanambelewa yopolisi oya ngambekwa noonkondo omolwa ompumbwe.

Momvula yo2016, Omukomeho gwEtanga lyOpolisi, Sebastian Ndeitunga okwa li a popi kutya opolisi otayi ka ya muupyakadhi omolwashoka inaku landwa iiyenditho iipe.

“Iiyenditho yetu otayi tondoka oowili 24, otayi vulu woo okuninga iiponga onkene oya pumbwa okupingenwapo.”

Pethimbo lyoshipopiwa she, Namoloh okwa popi woo kombinga yompumbwe yomagumbo giilyo yetanga lyopolisi.

Momutengenekwathaneko gwonuumvo, oshikondo shEgameno nUuhepelo osha pewa oshimaliwa shoobiliyona 5.1, nomwaalu omunene gwoobiliyona 3.54, ogwa nuninwa okukondjitha iimbuluma.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Omukomeho gwoNSFAF a kuthwa miilonga

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Omukomeho gwoNSFAF a kuthwa miilongaNghiwete ota ningilwa omakonaakono Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwOshiketha shoNamibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), Hilya Nghiwete, okwa kuthwa miilonga meendelelo kelelo epe lyoshiketha shoka, ndyoka li li kohi yomunashipundi Jerome Mutumba. Ekutho miilonga ndyoka olya tseyithwa mOmaandaha.

Mutumba okwa popi kutya elelo lyoshiketha otali ka manitha okutongolola iipotha mbyoka tayi tamanekelwa Nghiwete, muule womasiku 14.

Patseyitho ndyoka lya ningwa koNSFAF, ekutho miilonga olya etithwa komalundilo omanene. Omalundilo ngoka oga kwatela mo uulingilingi nelongitho lyiiyemo yoshiketha pambambo.

Momukanda ngoka gwa pitithwa kuMutumba, etokolo lyokukutha miilonga Nghiwete, olya ningwa momutumba gwelelo, ngoka gwa ningwa momasiku 9 gaApilili. Nghiwete otaka futwa ondajmbi ye yuudha ihe okwa kuthwa oonkondo adhihe dhiilonga onga omukomeho gwoshiketha shoka.

Mutumba okwa tsikile kutya ekutho miilonga lyaNghiwete itali ka guma nando okashona iilonga yoshiketha shoka.

Menindjera gwopombanda moNSFAF,

Kennedy Kandume oye ta longo pehala lyaNghiwete, onga omunambelewa omukuluntu gwoshiketha shoka. Nghiwete ina vula okumonika opo a popye sha kekutho miilonga lye. Mutumba okwa popi kutya kape na omuniilonga gumwe, akuthwa miilonga shi na sha nomatompelo ngoka ga kuthitha Nghiwete miilonga.

Okwa tsikile kutya Kandume okwa hogololwa opo a longe pehala ndyoka, molwaashoka oku li omuniilonga a longela oshiketha shoka ethimbo, nopoompito woo dhelelo lyoshiketha shoka uule woomvula ne.

NSFAF okwa kala ta dhana onkandangala miikundaneki uule womathimbo ga piti, nomatompelo ga puka. Oshiketha shoka osha ndopa woo okuholoka komesho yoParliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts omvula ya piti, nelelo lyoshiketha olya holoka komeho yokomitiye ndjoka muMaalitsa gwomvula ndjika. Pethimbo mbyoka ya holoka komeho yokomitiye, oya ningilwa omapulo omolwa iimaliwa yoobiliyona 1.7 yoshiketha shoka, mbyoka ya nuninwa omailongo gaayakulwa yoshiketha, kaku shiwike kutya oya longo shike.

Pethimbo lyomutumba nokomitiye yoPaliamende, NSFAF okwa popi kutya ota vulu okumona mpoka wa yi oobiliyona 1.5, na okwa popi kutya okwa yi metsokumwe nehangano lyoNamibian company Tribesmen oshowo lyaSouth Afrika lyoNew Integrated Credit Solutions (NICS) opo ya vule okumonako iimaliwa mbyoka inayi futwa natango koonakupewa omikuli dhokwiilongitha.

Epangelo otali ningi oompangela dhokushunitha oshiketha shoka mepangelo, kUuministeli wElongo lyoPombanda nOmadheulo. Etseyitho ndyoka olya li lya ningwa oshikando shotango kOminista yOshikondo shoka,

Itah Kandjii-Murangi omvula ya piti, pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka gwa ningwa niikundaneki.

Momvula yo 2016 Okakomisi koAnti-Corruption oshowo Uuministeli wIiputudhilo yEpangelo, owa pulwa ya konaakone iilonga yokakomisi hoka.

NSFAF okwa totwa po muJanuari gwo 1997, nelalakano lyokugandja omikuli nomayambidhidho gokwiilonga kaailongi AaNamibia.





CATHERINE SASMAN

MeatMa through the roof

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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MeatMa through the roof The Meat Marketing Africa (MeatMa) brand has registered exceptional growth since inception in August 2014.

MeatMa sales have increased by over 50% each year as a result of the increased volumes of raw material to the business chain through the Meatco Windhoek factory into the local market, and due to the external clients (retailers) who stock the brand for public consumption.

In August 2014, Meatco launched the MeatMa brand and the MeatMa Windhoek outlet, located next to the Meatco head office in Windhoek. This was part of the trade ministry’s Growth at Home Strategy aimed at diversifying the economy and encouraging local value addition. MeatMa’s phenomenal growth can also be attributed to sales at MeatMa Okahandja and MeatMa Bonanza in Oshakati.

According to Meatco, from the outset MeatMa knew it had to push significant volumes.

Meatco focused on being a reliable supplier of affordable products in order to gain the trust of our local consumers, and at the same time grow sales and expand its footprint vastly across Namibia.

“Our aim for 2018 is to intensify relationships with existing clients while ensuring that quality affordable MeatMa products reach even more clients in remote areas,” says Meatco.

The MeatMa range of products includes a variety of value-added braaiwors such as Beef Grillers, Chakalaka, Legends, Babalaas, Barbeque and the famous Hotchix wors.

Other products are beef patties, beef mince, Chiefs Choice Econo-Burgers, sliced beef and stewing beef, just to name a few.

In the quest to diversify and provide even more choice to customers, MeatMa also sells products like viennas, and going forward MeatMa outlets will start selling additional products.

STAFF REPORTER

Farmers express concern over cost

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Farmers express concern over costDe-bushing may need EIA Consultations are currently being held over proposed regulations that will require a full impact assessment before activities can begin. Farmers have raised concern over new proposed draft regulations that will require environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for normal de-bushing activities.

The GIZ last week held a workshop during which inputs were given by stakeholders about government's planned draft regulations regarding EIAs. According to the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) the environmental ministry has requested the GIZ to facilitate proposals in this regard.

The NAU said Stephan Bezuidenhout from Environmental Compliance Consultancy was contracted as consultant by the GIZ.

“The concerns of the farming community are that the draft regulations require that for normal de-bushing activities EIAs are required which are very expensive and might have a negative effect on agronomy, charcoal and rangeland activities,” said the NAU.

Proposals by role players which were submitted and accepted make provision that EIAs are only required at large de-bushing projects which might have a negative impact on the environment.

“If the regulations are approved, de-bushing projects which require harvest permits from the agricultural ministry's department of forestry will have to get an exemption from the Environmental Commissioner,” said the NAU.

In practice, a form must be completed with the details of the project.

The commissioner will then issue an exemption certificate for normal activities. If the size of the project however seems to be too big, the commissioner can insist that a scoping must be done. For this another standard form must be completed with more information and details.

“If it is a big project, he will require a complete EIA. Forestry will issue no harvest or transport permits without an exemption certificate from the Environmental Commissioner,” the NAU said.

STAFF REPORTER

Addicted to power

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Addicted to powerAfrican voters hold the key to change African leaders must be weaned off power and the popular view is that voters and citizens have the ability to do that. Some African countries have recorded democratic victories in the past 12 months. Ethiopia has a new leader whose ascent holds great promise for change, despite the country's problematic 2015 election. Liberia and Sierra Leone have new leaders.

But elsewhere on the continent, leaders continue to disregard their countries' own constitutions and laws governing presidential tenure. The Democratic Republic of Congo's Joseph Kabila has been in power since 2001. He refuses to go even though he was meant to step down in December 2016. In Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has clung to power since 1986. Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled Congo for almost 30 years.

Their refusal to step down at the appointed time flies in the face of several governance blueprints adopted as African countries shifted away from liberation politics to the new post-independence struggle for democracy in the early 2000s.

The Organisation of African Unity was transformed into the African Union in 2001 with this shift in mind. The continent adopted progressive governance tools like the African Peer Review Mechanism. This was spearheaded by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and South Africa's Thabo Mbeki as a tool for African countries to review one another's performance.

Numerous African countries adopted and agreed to uphold the terms of the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. It came into force in 2012 and was designed to guard against undemocratic governance.



Addicted

These plans promised a great deal. They were designed to usher in good governance, democracy and security. It was hoped Africa's image as a continent of ignorance, poverty, disease, misrule and corruption could be erased.

The rhetoric pointed in the right direction. But not all African leaders were willing to be swept by this wave of democratic reforms. Some are quite simply addicted to power, as shown by their reluctance - if not outright resistance - to leave at the end of their legal terms.

Leaders continuing to overstay their welcome undermines Africa's attempts at overhauling its leadership and negates the noble intentions of the AU's founders.



Term limits

Term limits regulate leadership succession. They are meant to counteract leaders' temptation to overstay their welcome. This helps to consolidate and legitimise democratically elected leadership.

Of course, they're not enough. Regular transfer of power as seen in countries like Mauritius, Ghana, Botswana and Zambia, among others, cannot guarantee political and socio-economic stability. Other ingredients such as accountable, legitimate leadership are critical.

But regular transfers of power give citizens hope that new policies, programmes and approaches will be adopted by the new leadership. In turn, this could overturn numerous political, social, economic impacts of uninterrupted strangleholds on power in Africa.

The benefits of frequent power transfers are evident in African countries that have them, such as Senegal; Botswana and Mauritius. Incumbents are kept on their toes because there's a real chance they can be removed from power if they fail to govern properly.

Term limits have recently become controversial and divisive. Some leaders have used dubious constitutional amendments to extend their stay in power. Usually, governing parties and their leaders almost exclusively pass such amendments with minimal or no opposition participation. That's what happened in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Congo Republic.



De facto one party

Similarly, despite constitutional provisions and regular elections, countries such as Angola, Togo, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are virtually de facto one party or one leader repressive states wherein resignation, retirement and term limits are meaningless.

Leaders have different reasons for refusing to leave office. In some countries, the answer lies in a lack of succession planning to transfer power. In others, leaders blatantly refuse to resign because of their despotic and kleptocratic tendencies. They abuse their states' minerals, oil and money with their families and friends. Stepping aside would cost them these “benefits”.

For instance, the eventual departure of Angola's Eduardo Dos Santos from office after decades in power has left his family exposed. His children stand accused of amassing billions during their father's many terms. Without strong constitutional safeguards and a democratic culture to counter the negative consequences of the “sins of incumbency” – as corruption associated with state power is often described by South Africa's governing party, the African National Congress – can be menacing. It breeds “Big Men, Little People”, to borrow a phrase from the title of a book by journalist Alec Russel.



Weaning leaders

Perceptive leaders know when to leave office, whether through resignation or retirement. Botswana's past and current presidents have established this practice despite the country's continued one-party domination.

With the emergence of a strong democratic culture, South Africa has experienced the opposite of such presidential power mongering. Two presidents were recalled by their political party the ANC, albeit for different reasons. Thabo Mbeki readily accepted his fate when he was told to pack up and go, although he was not accused of any specific wrong doing. Jacob Zuma remained defiant and only stepped aside when faced with the very real prospect of a vote of no-confidence. Ghana, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi and Tanzania are other African states where regular transfer of power has occurred. African voters are not blameless. They habitually relax their vigilance on leaders and fail to hold them to account after elections. This, coupled with winner-take-all election systems, renders some African countries vulnerable to autocratic, despotic and non-accountable leaders who would rather die in office than leave.

What, then, is the solution? It may be time for ordinary voters across the continent to begin to collaborate through non-governmental organisations and other cross-border institutional mechanisms to share experiences and begin to enforce durable continental democracy. Africa needs democracy from below.

*Kealeboga J Maphunye is a professor in the department of political sciences at the University of South Africa

Kealeboga J Maphunye

Boko Haram hampers polio campaign

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Boko Haram hampers polio campaign Islamic extremists made Imana Alhaji Gana's village in northeastern Nigeria too dangerous for health workers to vaccinate against polio. Now that she and her family have fled to a displacement camp, those workers want to catch her children in time.

Here in the camps housing thousands of families seeking safety from the extremists, health teams are going from tent to tent, inoculating youngsters against the disease that withers limbs and disables children for life.

At first, Gana is afraid to let the outreach workers vaccinate her baby. Eventually they persuade her that the three-week-old child is not too young for immunization, which can take place as early as the day of birth.

The complicated fight against polio is yet another way the Nigeria-based extremist group Boko Haram has disrupted life in the northeast, leaving children vulnerable to an entirely preventable disease.

“When such children come to the camps or host communities they become a threat to other children,” said Almai Some, the field coordinator in Borno state for the vaccination campaign run by Rotary.

Some of the families arriving are from areas where polio vaccinators have not been able to visit for as long as six years.

Boko Haram's insurgency began in Maiduguri, Borno state's capital, but its reach has expanded beyond Nigeria's borders to neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Its violence has proved to be a major setback to the international campaign against polio.

Nigeria is one of just three countries where polio is endemic and has not been eliminated, along with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The final phase to wipe out polio is “proving to be extraordinarily difficult” because “the poliovirus is surviving despite all the good work and in the face of everything that is being thrown at it,” said a WHO-appointed monitoring group at the end of last year.

In Nigeria, there is little or no surveillance data in Borno state, and “unless there is a breakthrough to reach those areas in Borno, the entire polio (eradication) program is at risk,” said the monitoring group. Nigeria had other outbreaks last year including cholera, hepatitis, monkeypox, Lassa and yellow fevers, showing the challenges to the country's health care system. Globally the campaign to eradicate polio has been faced with outbreaks last year in non-endemic countries like Congo and Syria.

The World Health Organisation had declared Nigeria polio free in September 2015 after it went a year without any new cases. But in 2016 - after two years with no cases - fresh polio cases broke out in three locations in Borno state. No new cases were reported in Nigeria in 2017 or so far this year.

Now the WHO says it will be spending US$127 million toward eradicating polio in Nigeria between 2018 and 2019. Rotary's program is helping that effort by targeting some 2.1 million children in 24 accessible local governments. But there are still three areas in Borno state that are not included because of ongoing instability: Kala-Balge, Marte and Abadam. For those unreachable areas, the vaccinators train Nigerian soldiers in how to administer the vaccines.

In a few cases, villagers have reported being threatened by Boko Haram fighters to avoid the polio vaccine. And in 2013 a number of vaccinators were attacked and killed by the extremists, leading some of their colleagues to disguise their vaccine carriers or hide them under their hijabs.

In addition to the threat posed by Boko Haram, some communities are still fearful of the polio vaccine after years of misinformation that it can cause sterility and other health problems.

“Many people now accept the vaccine against polio, but there are still more cases of rejections here and there and we are doing our best to tackle them,” said Digma Zubairu, district head in Shehuri-North.

Falmata Kolo, a 21-year-old volunteer with Rotary's outreach program Polio Plus, said she works to reassure people that the vaccinations are safe.

“I also tell them should your child contract polio and grew up to understand that his or her parent had a chance to prevent the disease but failed, the child would never forgive the parents,” she said.

“This kind of message actually spurs many mothers to offer their kids for the vaccine.”

Fatimah Muhammed, a 45-year-old mother of six, says parents should accept the vaccine.

“Today we have children that had taken the vaccine some 15 years ago who are married and are even having children of their own,” she says. “So my advice for my fellow mothers who have kids under the age bracket (six years old) to get them to take the vaccine because it is good.”



NAMPA/AP

Shot of the day

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day TAKE FLIGHT: Australia's Georgie-Rose Brown competes in the women's floor final artistic gymnastics event during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on the Gold Coast recently. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

The curse of unemployment

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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The curse of unemployment Unemployment remains one of the most challenging social problems currently facing Namibians. The failure by government to address unemployment is undoubtedly the biggest failing of the ruling party in the last 15 years. The most recent statistics show that about 350 000 people are currently desperately in search of jobs. This figure continues to rise considering the massive job losses being experienced across industries throughout the country. The national unemployment rate, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency, stands at 34%. Government at this stage is unable to provide statistics on exactly how many jobs were shed during the last two years. It goes without saying that job losses have continued unabated and the fiscal consolidation process initiated by the authorities had a negative impact on employment in the country. President Hage Geingob last week in his State of the Nation Address spectacularly failed to account on the high levels of unemployment, which has sadly seen large masses of frustrated youth sitting at home with tertiary qualifications. A huge proportion of young Namibians can simply not find employment or earn a living given the current economic conditions. The president dedicated his SONA to the young people of Namibia, however, the point remains that there is little political will to put issues facing the youth on the national agenda in such a big way as other government programmes. The system has extremely neglected the Namibian youth and this is what our leaders don't realise. In his maiden SONA in 2015, Geingob had given us all hope for a better Namibia and an inspiration to dream big. However, things have clearly fallen apart and despite achievements here and there, the bane of unemployment has not been addressed to this day. Namibians are angry and impatient at government's misplaced priorities and not forgetting the ever-growing frustration over allegations and suspicions of corruption implicating high-level government officials and politicians. The government has failed to follow through on its commitments to reducing unemployment in the country in the absence of clear policy interventions and the much-needed investment in youth-related programmes. The young people of this country have every reason to feel left out. We need to do better.

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Lack of budget not stopping Oniipa

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Lack of budget not stopping Oniipa The Oniipa CEO Junias Jakob said he was delighted by the ideas presented during a stakeholders' consultative workshop held to formulate the town's strategic plan last week.

The town, situated in the Oshikoto Region, is in the process of formulating its first-ever strategic plan entirely on its own. No consultants are being used and community participation is guiding the process. Jakob said the Friday meeting was a success and the town's key stakeholders, including traditional authorities, the business community, institutions and community were actively involved.

“From the meeting we obtained ideas on how to draft the document. Stakeholders gave us key elements including a mission, core values and our strategic objectives. Members were very involved and I am happy with that.

We are now going to compile everything to come up with a draft that we will present to them again. After those changes, we will make a final presentation to them and then, take out document to the council,” Jakob said. He said he hopes that everything will be ready for endorsement by the end of July. This will be the first strategic plan for Oniipa and will guide the town planning from 2019 to 2023. Chairperson of the management committee Thomas Matsi said: “We are in the process of formulating our first-ever strategic plan that will lead us from 2019 to 2023.

This is the first consultation meeting where we are engaging our key stakeholders on our planning. As residents of our town you are all welcome to bring forward every idea on how you would like your town to look or be like.

We must all contribute in order to avoid pointing fingers at each other when things are not going right.” Instead of hiring a consultant to draft the town's strategic plan, Oniipa opted to be assisted by the Otjiwarongo Municipality strategic executive for community services Agatha Mweti who was facilitating Friday's discussion. Mweti said that she is volunteering her skills and experience and expects no payment. Jakob informed stakeholders that Oniipa was not properly formalised and only has two proclaimed townships of Onethindi proper and Onethindi Extension One.

“This meeting came at the right time. We only have two fully formalised townships while the rest is just town lands. We currently depend on a government subsidy as a source of income, but our revenue collections are also picking up slowly.

However, we cannot allow this to prevent us from formulating ideas to develop our town,” Jakob said. “Another challenge we have is that we are under-staffed. Council should employ 23 but only 15 positions are filled. Despite that, this is a dynamic and dedicated team that is ready to move the town forward.” In June last year the Oniipa town council and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) entered into a strategic partnership agreement that will tap into the church's rich history, networks and land assets to bring about development.

ELCIN owns most of the town's prime land. Onandjokwe, the central attraction, was founded by Finnish missionaries in 1911. It became the Finnish stronghold in Namibia and later became ELCIN's head office. The church developed the area and obtained large tracts of land. When Oniipa was proclaimed in 2015, the church had developed infrastructure that includes the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital.

ILENI NANDJATO

Govt pilots e-death notification system

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Govt pilots e-death notification system The ministry of home affairs will from the beginning of June pilot an electronic death notification system at Windhoek's Central Hospital, minister Frans Kapofi announced in parliament recently.

This follows hot on the heels of the electronic birth notification system that has been rolled out at most government hospitals.

Speaking during the motivation for his ministry's budget in the National Assembly, Kapofi said the new system would notify the population register when it will be introduced.

“The department of civil registrations led the design and development of the e-death notification system which aims to notify the e-National Population Registration System of all deaths occurring, as well as the recording the causes of death according to International Classification of Diseases. The system will be piloted at the Windhoek Central Hospital during the second quarter of 2018,” Kapofi said.

He also announced that a statistics report will be released based on data in the national population registration system.

“I am delighted to inform you that during the current financial year, Namibia will for the first time release a vital statistics report based on administrative records from the national population register.”

Meanwhile, Kapofi said the e-birth notification system had been rolled out at most state hospitals across the country.

The e-birth notification system was launched in May 2017.

“The system is currently implemented at the Windhoek Central and Katutura hospitals, the Eenhana and Engela state hospitals in the Ohangwena Region, the Rundu State Hospital, the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, the Oshikuku and Outapi hospitals in Omusati and the Onandjokwe hospital in Oshikoto,” Kapofi said.

The ministry of home affairs had in the 2017/18 financial year registered a total of 43 147 births under the age of one while 28 465 persons births were registered later.

Sadly, 20 264 deaths were recorded in the same period which starts on 1 April and ends 31 March the following year.



OGONE TLHAGE

Rhino dress a winner after all

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Rhino dress a winner after allTakes Miss Namibia to United States The ridiculed dress Miss Namibia Suné January wore at the Miss Universe pageant caused her to be invited to the US to speak on poaching in Namibia. Reigning Miss Namibia Suné January has been invited by Cornell University in the United States to discuss poaching issues in the Land of the Brave.

January was the talk of town last year when she chose to dress in a Save Our Rhinos-inspired gown during the Miss Universe beauty pageant held in Las Vegas. The dress was ridiculed locally, but earned her international recognition, while some described her choice of dress as the best political statement of the night. January wore a horn headpiece and a cape with the phrase “Save Our Rhino” printed in glittery pink. January, who was also recently appointed patron of the Intelligence Support against Poaching (ISAP) Namibia, is scheduled to fly to the United States on 1 May.

“They want me to talk about the poaching situation and why I chose to reflect on it. I will represent the environment ministry and ISAP,” she said. “Young people, including those in the pageant industry, want to get involved. I will continue helping ISAP by raising awareness and creating more attention as I go to the US to help curb poaching.” January was criticised locally when she first displayed her national costume. A local weekly wrote: “Miss Namibia, your national costume for the Miss Universe beauty pageant is horrendous.

You look ridiculous, and wearing it will make Namibia a laughing stock. Your national costume is only a caricature; a cliché!” It continued to say that Namibians have been expressing their unhappiness about “this rhino-inspired, quasi-KKK costume” on social media. “Suné, we know that you did not design this monstrosity and that local designer Cobus Moller is actually responsible for this mess. This is NOT a national costume. We 'get' the importance of using an international platform to raise awareness about the devastating and criminal rhino poaching going on in Namibia; but we cannot at the same time define the diverse and beautiful Land of the Brave only in terms of poaching.

It is not too late…please get another outfit!”

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta expressed his gratitude towards January for getting involved in the fight against poaching and for specifically raising awareness amongst the youth.

“Make us proud on this trip. Joining anti-poaching activities is commendable and others must also follow suit,” said Shifeta. He said young people are the victims of poaching syndicates and are the ones forced into these illicit activities.

He added that the ministry and ISAP must coordinate their activities, especially when it comes to poaching on private farms where poachers are now targeting rhinos.

“You can really see that it is in-house people that are forming part of these cases,” he said. “I had a meeting with private farmers last year to see how they can be incorporated into the national strategy.

We need to do more to ensure that poaching is not taking place anywhere in Namibia.” Shifeta also stressed that information provided by informants is very sensitive and therefore their identity must be concealed so that they will not be scared to do so again.



ELLANIE SMIT

Geingob in London for Commonwealth business

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Geingob in London for Commonwealth business President Hage Geingob yesterday departed for London to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum and Commonwealth of Heads of Government meeting starting tomorrow.

The presidency also announced that the president is expected to meet with the Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge this morning. The Commonwealth Heads of Government will meet in London and Windsor in the United Kingdom from 16 to 20 April 2018. The summit will discuss a number of issues including security threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime and serious, organised crime. Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said Geingob will also visit facilities of the De Beers Group at Maidenhead, Berkshire and hold meetings with the leadership on 21 April.

“President Geingob will participate in the Commonwealth Business Forum Summit round table with senior business leaders,” Hengari said.



JEMIMA BEUKES

SSC still working on pension fund

April 17, 2018, 4:00 pm

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SSC still working on pension fund The Social Security Commission of Namibia (SSC) says it remains committed to rolling out a national pension fund this year still.

SSC spokesperson Unomengi Kauapirura says the operationalisation of the national pension fund remains a priority on the SSC agenda for 2018.

“The fund is currently in the process of implementation, with the design and legal framework issues being worked out. Stakeholder consultations will be convened before the roll-out of the fund to ensure substantial buy-ins,” said Kauapirura.

According to her, once operational, the fund would provide pension benefits to all Namibians.

“The fund will provide pension benefits to all Namibians so as to ensure every Namibian retires with dignity and with assurances of a sustained income through old age,” Kauapirura said.

Providing an update during a 2017 media briefing, SSC CEO Milka Mungunda said the plan was to implement the national pension fund in 2018.

“It is no longer a question of if, but when,” Mungunda said.

“The national pension fund is dear to our head of state. The president has added it to our line minister's performance agreement, so we are equally under pressure to make sure this is realised,” said Mungunda.

A team of international experts was expected to complete a study on the modalities of the pension fund by June this year, she previously said.

“An implementation team consisting of five experts will conclude its 18 months' timeline by June 2018 to have every Namibian covered,” Mungunda was quoted as saying.

The government currently provides a national pension for persons over the age of 60. This is financed through the national budget. All registered pensioners currently receive N$1 200 a month.

OGONE TLHAGE