Strict stance on subdivision of farms

April 29, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Strict stance on subdivision of farms The subdivision of commercial farmland will in future be firmly regulated in a bid to ensure sustainability of farming operations and ecosystems.

The agriculture ministry last week introduced the outline of a future national policy aimed at protecting the important resource of agricultural land.

“The philosophy behind the national policy on subdivision and consolidation of agricultural land is aiming at redressing, in the spirit of national reconciliation and nation building, the challenge of subdivision and consolidation of agricultural land in order to promote sustainable economic development,” former agriculture minister John Mutorwa wrote in the foreword to the policy.

The policy, which addresses the lack of a “coherent policy and legal instruments to reliably and objectively direct the subdivision of agricultural land”, is aimed at freehold, or commercial, farming areas.

Land in communal areas, as well as resettlement farms, belongs to the State and is not covered under this policy, the ministry said.

The aim of the policy is to prevent unrestricted subdivision of farms that leads to “small, ecologically and economically non-viable farming units, which undermine the capacity of agricultural land users to sustainably derive decent living standards from agricultural land”.

Agriculture permanent secretary Percy Misika wrote in the executive summary of the new policy that the subdivision of agricultural land into units that are too small to be economically viable, “be it as a means of bequeathing inheritance among named beneficiaries in testamentary disposition, intestate succession, diving shares among shareholders or claimants, will not be permitted unless written consent has been obtained from the minister responsible for agriculture.”



During his official statement last week, newly appointed agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb said the new policy would guard against the subdivision of farmland into uneconomic units, as well as against speculation with agricultural land which inevitably results in inflated prices.



He added that given Namibia's different ecological zones and climatic conditions, the policy sets parameters used to determine viable agricultural economic unit sizes in specific areas.



!Naruseb said in an effort to address the high demand for land, landowners often opted to subdivide their farms into small portions.



“Unplanned or uncontrolled land subdivision into smaller units can easily lead to over-exploitation of resources, bush encroachment and permanent loss of the most fertile soils through erosion,” he pointed out.



He added that small, non-economical land units were likely to pose a threat to food security at national level.



“The high demand has resulted in the current situation where farms are sold at prices which by far exceed their real productive values,” he said.



Mutorwa emphasised that nearly 70% of Namibians depend on agriculture for their food, income and employment.



Yet Namibia's colonial history “facilitated the concentration of large tracts of fertile land in the hands of a small section of the population.”



Further, after independence, the price of land increased tremendously due to a very high demand and limited supply of available land.



“It is an undisputable fact that productive capacity of agrarian land in Namibia has been severely diminished as a result of land degradation to which bush encroachment and small land use are the major contributors,” Misika wrote.



Misika emphasised that post-independence policies and laws were aimed at advancing prosperity, dignity and improved human living standards while protecting vital natural ecosystems and resources through sustainable utilisation.



The permanent secretary explained that livestock production was the most appropriate land use type for Namibia's climate.



For that reason, farm unit sizes will be based on livestock production and the carrying capacity of the specific area.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Pastors prey on the poor

April 29, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Pastors prey on the poorRwandan crackdown keenly watched in Namibia Mainstream churches in Namibia feel that the government should follow the example of Rwanda, which is debating a new law regulating the forming of religious groupings. The spotlight will be firmly focused on Pentecostal churches in Namibia if the Council of Churches in Namibia has anything to say about the matter.

Developments in Rwanda, where multiple religious organisations were banned and regulations introduced, have made the council revisit the issue for the need for greater regulation of churches in the country.

The plea was made by CCN secretary-general Ludwig Beukes, who said certain sects exploited people.

Rwanda's government has closed thousands of churches and dozens of mosques as it seeks to assert more control over a vibrant religious community whose sometimes makeshift operations, authorities say, have threatened the lives of followers. Only pastors with a theology degree are permitted to operate churches.

Commenting on the developments in Rwanda, Beukes said he was not aware of that country's laws but he believed the reasons that led to its government's decision to close the religious organisations were very close to Namibia's.

“If you do something like that here, it would raise a lot of questions but it looks like it is the same problem here. There is an exploitation of people by these so-called prosperity gospel organisations,” said Beukes.

He pointed out, however, that the Namibian constitution guarantees the right of freedom of association, leaving people free to choose their religious affiliation. A unit within a ministry specifically dedicated to registering religious organisations would be a great benefit, Beukes believed.

“I think the government must have a unit where churches can be registered and where there are basic requirements that they need to adhere to,” said Beukes.



According to him, many church organisations are registered as Section 21 not-for-profit organisations with the trade ministry.



“It is the only alternative, otherwise these churches must register as welfare organisations,” Beukes said.



According to him, it is also convenient for the heads of these organisations to use the umbrella term “church”.



This, he said, made it necessary for the government to look into regulation. Beukes cautioned, though, that a broad consultative process would be needed before introducing church regulation.



“It is time for the church to look into regulation but we would not want politicians to prescribe what churches will preach,” said Beukes.



Beukes believes that the so-called “prosperity churches” are making more money than shebeens because they prey on people's desperation.







Police agree







Community policing officer Christina Fonseca said she fully supported Rwanda's crackdown on fly-by-night religious organisations.



“I will support this 100% because of what we are witnessing. People are changing their names because a pastor said so, people do not talk to their own family members because of what a pastor said, people go extended periods without eating because of what a pastor said … this is nonsense,” said Fonseca.



She added that she had seen many “unpleasant things” some religious organisations had asked from their congregants.



“People sign over their houses and cars and quit their jobs,” she said.



The other worrying factor for Fonseca is that these organisations are registered as Section 21 organisations, which raises the question of what they do with the money collected from congregants.



She also questioned whether these self-appointed pastors had any theological training.



Law Reform and Development Commission chairperson Yvonne Dausab said the regulation of religious organisations had been looked at, but a position paper would not be immediately available.







The Rwandan example







In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame said he was shocked by the high number of churches in the small East African country.



The closures elicited mixed reactions in Rwanda, where human rights groups have long accused Kagame's government of clamping down on freedom of expression, which the president has denied.



Six Pentecostal pastors who protested the church closures were arrested and accused of “illegal meetings with bad intentions,” and since then other critics have refused to discuss the issue, The Associated Press reported.



The proposed legislation aimed to regulate faith-based organisations separately from civil society organisations, said Alexis Nkurunziza, president of the private Rwanda Religious Leaders Forum.



Suggestions from religious leaders soon will be forwarded to the Rwanda Law Reform Commission for scrutiny and later to parliament, he said.



The legislation is expected to be passed, as the ruling party holds a majority of parliamentary seats.



The new legislation would require pastors to have a theology degree before they start their own churches so that they teach correct doctrine, said those familiar with the discussions.



The aim is to regulate Pentecostal churches that often spring up under leaders who claim to have received a call to preach. Not everyone, however, has the money for such a degree, some observers have said.



The majority of churches that have been closed are said to be small Pentecostal prayer houses, with some preachers suspected of growing rich off often impoverished followers. Some churches meet in tents or houses that cannot accommodate crowds and noise pollution from night-time gatherings is a concern, authorities said.



Mosques across Rwanda also have been affected. About 100 have been closed, the leader of the country's Muslim community, Mufti Sheikh Salim Hitimana, told The Associated Press.

OGONE TLHAGE

League champ stars beat Arrows

April 29, 2018, 4:00 pm

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League champ stars beat ArrowsCivics wait It was an emotional night for the fans of the Reds after they proved that they want to win everything this season. African Stars dramatically beat Eleven Arrows 5-4 on penalties to confirm their semi-final duel with Civics while Black Africa and Unam will meet in the other semi-final following victories in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Debmarine Namibia Cup played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday.

African Stars and Eleven Arrows met in the final match of the quarterfinals, and by the second half, both sides knew that a date with Civics in the semi-finals was on the cards following the draw conducted at halftime of their goalless encounter.

After an enterprising game that was full of action and even saw Ambrosius Amseb and Ronald Ketjijere hit the upright in the first and second half respectively, penalties had to decide who progressed.

Jürgen Naobeb and Simon Nekongo scored for Arrows in the mandatory five while Valton van Staden, Salomon Omseb and Pinehas Willem were saved by Ratanda Mbazuvara.

Tjiuana Tja Tjinotjiua and Ivan Kamberipa scored for Stars while Elvis Tjivasera, Amseb and Godwin Jena were saved, to take the shootout-out to sudden death.

Neville Tjiueza and Denis Tjetjinda scored for Stars while Immanuel Angolo and Luciano Fischer scored to make it four each before captain Paulus Shanyenga was saved for Arrows and Brave Warriors captain Ketjijere buried his spot kick to send Stars through 5-4 after the shootout.

Tinashe Dzambara of Arrows was given the Man of the Match accolade for his saves in the game and two more in the shootout.

Earlier on, Man of the Match Deven Somseb and captain Heinrich Isaacks scored in the first and second half respectively to see Unam past Blue Waters in their quarterfinal encounter. Earlier on, Gregory Aukumeb missed a spot kick for Waters.

Jerome Louis and Wendell Rudath came through with two goals each in the second half to guide Black Africa past a plucky Golden Bees who held them to a goalless first half.

Clement Nangombe pulled one back for the North West First Division qualifiers. Louis capped off a great afternoon with the Man of the Match award.

Each man of the match winner walked away N$2 000 richer thanks to Debmarine Namibia while a charity of their choice will receive an equivalent amount from the mining company.

With BA to meet Unam and Civics to play Stars, the NFA Secretariat will be confirming the dates and venues of the games to be played on the weekend of 11 May.

The final of the 2018 Debmarine Namibia Cup will also be played in May and the winners will walk away with a cheque ofr N$500 000 while the losing finalists will receive N$250 000 and each losing semi-finalist N$150 000.



-Additional Reporting by NFA

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

May Day – the second struggle is on

May 1, 2018, 8:09 am

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May Day – the second struggle is on The annual May Day celebrations, held in Khorixas today, saw agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb stand in for the vice-president, Nangolo Mbumba, who prepared the keynote address on behalf of President Hage Geingob. A small crowd of people attended the event which is celebrated across the world to recognise workers and their struggles everywhere.
This year, the theme was ‘Namibian workers and employers unite for economic upliftment’ which !Naruseb said represents the inclusivity as emphasised in the concept of the Namibian House.
“Pursuing prosperity is futile without you, our workers. You are the fire that ignites the engine of our economy. You are and will always be Namibia’s most valuable asset in the fight against poverty and in the pursuit of a prosperous future.”
!Naruseb spoke at length on the contribution made by the workers and their unions in Namibia’s liberation struggle saying, “the workers’ fight for justice in the work place, coinciding with the broader national struggle for socio-economic and political rights and freedoms, became a central plank of the anti-colonial resistance movement and the backbone of SWAPO in 1960.”
However, the minister added, political freedom which gave workers their rights did not afford them “shared prosperity” and better welfare. “The challenges facing these two goals are subjected to our common objective of achieving economic emancipation for all Namibians. Already, the theme of this year’s May Day commemoration which seeks a constructive dialogue for unity between labour and capital is the right starting place, for identifying and removing some of these entrenched structural impediments, and we look forward to hear from the NUNW collective leadership with constructive suggestions in this regard. Ultimately, the fortunes of all Namibian workers and their future generations are inextricably tied to Namibia’s attainment of the aims and objectives of its economic freedom.”
The struggle for economic freedom, will not be easy, the minister said but, “will be long and bitter, and just as many did not live to see the day of our political freedom, many of our compatriots too may not experience economic freedom in their lifetime, but their children and grandchildren will see the day”.
The minister touched on crime and corruption, urging workers and Namibians alike to refrain from some activities. He also warned against losing focus.
“A classic example of side-tracking from the core mandate of pursuing economic freedom is the current fruitless discourse of heaping the blame for all which is economically wrong on the government. This discourse is ahistorical, and is creating the incorrect impression that the peoples’ government, while having all means to provide the basic necessities of life to its citizens, is wilfully denying them. This narrative has been advanced by a small yet media-connected coterie of politically opportunistic people who seemed to have vowed to target the government and denounce it as everything but good and competent until it is brought down. Together with some media houses, and on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter forums this group has been chronically painting the sitting president in very dark colours.”
He intimated that this can only stop if all Namibians adhere to the core values of peace, unity and inclusivity as advocated for by the Geingob administration.
Civil society however, was accused of inaction.
“More telling, however is the silence of some of our civic partners such as the labour movement, the church, traditional leaders, the youth, elders and women groups in this regard. The, voices of reason of our co-workers have gone silent. For example, the public discourse on the NEEEF, have been dominated by some analysts and segments of the media posturing as the civil society, and daily expounding the notion that anything which government propose should be opposed as corruption ridden, environment destroying, costly or incompetent.
“It is at this point, where the workers under the leadership of the NUNW are expected to get their house in order, be united as one, and to solidly fall behind government efforts to appropriate a share of the means of production for all the Namibians.”
He called on existing think tanks to assist government to clearly delineate and conceptualise the constituent elements of the second struggle, that of economic freedom.
He concluded by urging workers to take part in the national clean-up campaign.
STAFF REPORTER

Kashera rewarded for Commonwealth performance

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Kashera rewarded for Commonwealth performance The Maria Mwengere Secondary School rewarded one of its teachers, Patrick Kashera, with a certificate of excellence for managing Jonas Junias, who brought home a gold medal from the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Australia recently.

Kashera was the national boxing team's head coach and team manager, together with Israel Hamutumbangela from the Ohangwena Region at the games, which concluded recently.

The two coached Junias to a gold medal performance in the 64kg light welterweight category at the competition.

During the handing over ceremony of the certificate last week, MWSS principal Venislaus Kudumo said Kashera did an exceptional job with the task of coaching that was given to him.

“What I am most proud of is that whenever they are going to talk about Kashera, there will always be mention of the school. That, to me stands out very much,” Kudumo said.

Kashera told Nampa on Sunday that Jonas was placed in a very challenging division that had experienced boxers, but triumphed because he already had the enthusiasm to bring home a gold medal.

“As coaches we had to guide him, train with him and encourage him,” Kashera said.





NAMPA

Fifa honours for local refs

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Fifa honours for local refsNamibian officials ready for new possibilities Local Fifa-accredited referees received their official uniforms from the world football governing body on Friday at the NFA Technical Centre. Fifa has recognised 11 Namibian referees, with 2017 Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Referee of the Year award recipient Jackson Pavaza, joining Ongwediva-based Jonas Shongedi and new referee on the block Nehemia Shovaleka from Ondangwa, among those who received their official uniforms.

In the assistant referees' bracket, regulars Mathew Kanyanga, Dawid Shaanika, Isaskar Boois and Christof Vries are joined by new entrant Sem Singeve from Grootfontein.

In the ladies section, former Brave Gladiators defender Vistoria Shangula has been accepted by Fifa as a 2018 female referee, and was joined for the first time by two assistants, Olivia Amukuu and Paulina Joel. NFA referees coordinator Absalom Goseb said when the association started off it had no Fifa recognised referees, but the number has been steadily increasing ever since.

“The previous year, the association had seven Fifa recognised referees and the number has increased to 11 this year. This is a positive result as three out of the 11 referees are female,” said Goseb.

According to Fifa rules, women are not allowed to officiate men's matches unless they pass a fitness test and this is the reason why female referees in the country are unable to officiate at league games. “However, when the first division kicks off they will be able to officiate at that level because they are qualified,” Goseb explained.

He added that the new Adidas equipment which consists of bags, tracksuits, socks, shoes and two T-shirts will enable the referees to officiate matches in a more professional manner, compared to the attire they currently use, which is outdated.

Pavaza, Mathew Kanyanga, David Shaanika and Shongedi will depart for Ghana to officiate at the African Champions League match between Aduana and Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on 16 May.

Goseb said there will also be a referees' workshop in Cairo, Egypt on a date to be announced, where Namibia will send Shovaleka, Singeve and Shangula.

NFA

Ekutho miilonga lyaaniilonga momina yaLanger Heinrich tali limbilike

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Ekutho miilonga lyaaniilonga momina yaLanger Heinrich tali limbilike Iilonga momina yaLanger Heinrich otayi hulithwa po naaniilonga otaya ka tumwa komagumbo. Aaniilonga owala ya thika po 20 taya ka kala miilonga.

Amushanga-ndjai gwomineworkers' union, Desley Somseb, okwa popi kutya: “Shika kashi shi oshikando shotango omina yaLanger Heinrich tayi kutha miilonga aaniilonga. Aaniilonga ya thika po 300 oya li ya kanitha iilonga. Onkalo oya dhigupala noonkondo naantu moshikondo shouranium oya gumwa noonkondo kondando youranium.”

Somseb okwa popi kutya, otaya yi molweendo komunkulofuta oshiwike shika, nokuka tala onkalo ndjoka.

Omunashipundi gwoshitayi shoMUN, Paulus Iipumbu okwa popi kutya etseyitho ndyoka olye ya halutha.

“Otwa li twa fekele kutya ope na omalongekidho geli ngaaka, ihe elelo olya kala tali popi kutya hasho tashi ningwa,” Iipumbu a popi. Pahapu dhaIipimbu okwa shangele ehangano ndyoka ta pula kombinga yonkalo ndjoka, opo ku ningwe etsokumwe li li nawa.

Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwomina ndjoka, Michael Itrona, oshiwike sha piti okwa tseyitha kutya omina ndjoka otayi ka tulwa momake gaakondololi naasilishisho.

Itrona okwa popi kutya, otaku ka kuthwa miilonga omwaalu omunene gwaaniilonga naaniilonga owala aashona ngiika ye li po 20 mboka taya ka kala taya sile omina oshisho.

Chamber of Mines of Namibia ina vula okutya sha pethimbo a ingilwa omapulaapilo kombinga yonkalo ndjoka.

Omina ndjoka oya ningi ekanitho lyoomiliyona 876.7 mo 2017, pauyelele mboka wa lopota koChamber of Mines.

Omina yaLanger Heinrich oya kuta miilonga aaniilonga taya kalelele ye li 296 oshowo aaniilonga yopakathimbo yeli 49.

OGONE TLHAGE

Shifeta a ndjiki oonyala mevi

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shifeta a ndjiki oonyala mevi Ominista yomidhingoloko oya tsu omuthindo kutya kape na omuntu taka futilwa ngele uuhasha owa dhana onkandangala sha etitha adhipagwe koshiyamakuti.

Minista Pohamba Shifeta okwa popi kutya ita gandja ombili sho a popi kutya epangelo itali ka futa oshimaliwa shooN$100 000 kaantu mboka taya dhipagwa koongandu nenge koondjambameya, omanga taya yogo momilonga dhomonooli yoshiongo, nonando opwa tulwa omalondwelo kutya osha nika oshiponga, omolwa oongandu noondjambameya ndhoka tadhi adhika momilonga ndhoka.

Omapopyo ngoka inaga taambiwa koshigwana unene kaakwashigwana mboka ya nyenyeta komapandja gomakwatathano gopainternet.

Gumwe gomwaamboka inaya tambulako epopyo ndyoka, ongoloneya goshitopolwa shaKavango West, Sirrka Hausiku, ngoka a popi kotiivi yopashigwana kutya Shifeta okwa pumbw aokugandja ombili.Shifeta okwa popi ngaaka pethimbo kwa patululwa oMaurus Nekaro Conservancy moKavango West omwedhi gwa piti. Okwa kunkilile aantu mboka ye li poha nomulonga gwaKavango na ya kuthe omeya gawo meendelelo nokuthigapo omulonga, na inaya yoga iikutu yawo nenge yiiyogele momulonga. Okwa kunkilile woo aantu mboka taya kwata oohi momilonga opo ya kale ya angala oongandu noondjambameya.

Sho a popi mOmauni moshitopolwa shaHangwena, Olyomakaya ga piti, Shifeta okwa popi kutya itaka gandja ombili omolwa omapopyo ge ngoka. Minista okwa popi kutya omulandu gwiifuta iipe, yomiyonena pokati kaantu niiyamakuti, otagu utha kutya itaku ka futwa aantu mboka ya dhipagwa kiilikama omanga taya yogo nenge taya wapaleke iizalomwa yawo momilonga. Okwa tsikile kutya iipotha oyindji yomiyonena pokati kaantu niiyamakuti otayi holoka unene momilonga mbali, gwaKavango oshowo Zambezi, nomilonga ndhoka odhi na oongandu oshowo oondjambameya.

“Ngele omuntu ota yogo momeya nenge ta wapaleke iizalomwa ye omanga a thikama momeya, nonando oku na owino kutya momeya moka omuna oongandu noondjambameya, itatu ka futa oshimaliwa shooN$100 000 ngele omuntu okwa dhipagwa kiilikama mbyoka, monkalo ndjoka yali tayi vulu okuyandwa.”

“Shoka kashi na sha noshigwana shetu nenge omithigululwakalo, ihe uuhasha. Ngele omuntu oku li okawato ta kwata oohi e na omikanda ndhoka tadhi mu pitika opo a kwate oohi, noshiponga e ta shi holoka okawato hoka ka ponokelwa koondjambameya nena otaku futwa molwaashoka oohi odhili oshitopolwa shoonkalamwenyo dhaantu yetu,” Shifeta a yelitha.

Hausiku okwa uvaneke taka yamukula komapopyo gaminista ngoka a ningi ngashiingeyi, ihe ina yamukula sigo onkundana ndjika ya nyanyangithwa.



ILENI NANDJATO

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Omisindalandu omipe dhoofaalama

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Omisindalandu omipe dhoofaalama Oshitopolwa shevi lyoofaalama monakuyiwa otashi ka kala tashi kondololwa opo ku kwashilipalekwe kutya oofaalama otadhi longithwa shili muunafaalama ngaashisha pumbiwa nomomukalo gwomondjila. Uuministeli wuunamapya oshiwike sha piti owa tula miilonga omusindalandu gwopashigwana ngoka gwa nuninwa okugamenena po esimano lyoonzo dhevi lyuunafaalama.

“Enenedhilaadhilo lyomusindalandu ngoka okulongela kumwe mombepo yedhiminathanepo lyopashigwana netungo lyoshigwana, nokutala komaupyakadhi ngoka ga taalela oshikondo shuunamapya mokuyambulapo eliko lyoshilongo,” Ominista nale yUunamapya, John Mutorwa a shanga moontentekelihapu dhomulandu ngoka.

Omusindalandu ngoka ogwa nuninwa woo okuyanda eningo lyoofaalama iitopolwa iishona mbyoka tayi yi moshipala ku longithwe omavi ngoka ngaashi tashi pumbiwa meyambulepo lyeliko lyoshilongo nokuyambulapo onkalamwenyo dhaakwashigwana okuzilila mevi lyuunafaalama.

Amushanga muuministeli mboka, Percy Misika okwa shanga momusindalandu ngoka kutya etopolo lyoofaalama miitopolwa iishona mbyoka tayi yi moshipala iilonga yuunafaalama, ngele sha zilile petopolo lyuuthiga nenge etopolo lyofaalama mokati kooyene yofaalama itashi kapitikwa pwaahena ezimino okuza kuuministeli wuunamapya.

Moshipopiwa she shopambelewa oshiwike sha piti, ominista ompe yuunamapya, Alpheus !Naruseb okwa popi kutya omusindalandu ngoka omupe otagu ka gamena opo evi lyuunafaalama kali topolwe miitopolwa mbyoka itayi longo sha, oshowo elanditho lyoofaalama ndyoka tali ningwa kondando yi li pombanda noonkondo.

!Naruseb okwa popi kutya, omolwa ompumbwe yomavi guunafaalama yi li pombanda moshilongo, ooyene yoofaalama ohaya topola oofaalama dhawo miitopolwa iishona, nokutula momalanditho iitopolwa mbyoka. Okwa popi kutya etopolo ndyoka otali tula moshiponga oofaalama, nokweetitha eshunopevi lyelongo lyondya dha gwana moshilongo.

Ompumbwe yoofaalama oya etitha woo ooyene ya landithe po iitopolwa mbyoka kondando yi li pombanda noonkondo yi vulithe nokuli ongushu yondando yofaalama ayihe ndjoka ya topolwa.

Konima sho oshilongo sha manguluka okwa dhidhilikwa kutya oondando dhoofaalama odha londa pombada noonkondo.

Misika okwa tsu omuthindo kutya, omilandu ndhoka dha tulwa miilonga okuza pemanguluko lyoshilongo odha nuninwa okukaleka pondondo yi li nawa oofaalama dho tadhi kwathele mokuyambulapo onkalo yaakwashigwana okupitila melongo lyoondya dha gwana.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Top level abattoirs coming

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Top level abattoirs comingNCA farmers to have improved access The agriculture ministry will, in this financial year, prioritise access to markets for the northern communal farmers. The agriculture ministry embarked on several projects to ensure the development of the beef value chain in the Northern Communal Area (NCA). This aims to ensure improved marketing of livestock in the NCA and the production of value-added meat and meat products in order to compete at local, regional and international markets. This was said by the agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb during his budget motivation. !Naruseb said cattle and goats in the NCA have limited marketing channels and almost no access to lucrative markets. “Appropriate, well-situated slaughter facilities, in the form of abattoirs that conform to best practice standards, are therefore needed.”!Naruseb said during the 2017/18 financial year the Eenhana and Outapi abattoirs were upgraded and the construction of the Rundu abattoir and cold storage continued. The Zambezi Regional Council also availed land to the ministry near Bukalo to erect an abattoir, cold storage and a meat processing/cooking facility for value added products. “Project funds and administration were transferred to the Meat Board of Namibia. The land has been surveyed and the deed of sale has been signed by the ministry.”The ministry also continued with the construction of the cold storage facility and meat processing facility at Ongwediva Fresh Produce Hub during 2017/18. According to !Naruseb planned projects for this financial year include a feasibility study to be undertaken for the development of a meat processing facility at Bukalo in the Zambezi Region. The construction of the Bukalo Meat Processing Facility is also planned for this financial year. The ministry will also continue with the construction of the meat processing facility at the Ongwediva Fresh Produce Hub and construct a storm water drainage channel at Outapi Abattoir.!Naruseb said trail slaughters will be undertaken at Eenhana abattoir this financial year and the Rundu abattoir will also be completed and fitted with equipment. Other projects include the renovation of the Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs. !Naruseb added that Namibia continues to access foreign markets for its animals and animal products. The traditional markets are mainly in Norway, the EU, Angola and South Africa.Namibia has also managed to gain acceptance into China, Hong Kong, United States and Russia.Namibia has since exported three consignments of beef to Hong Kong and passed tests in that country.In September last year, Namibia was audited by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). With regard to the US market the labels for Namibian beef have been approved by USDA and as such exports to the USA can now commence. ELLANIE SMIT

Ugandan cops raid mosque

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Ugandan cops raid mosqueSay it was a radicalisation centre Suspected of being involved in mass kidnappings, Ugandan police and security forces raided a mosque in Kampala. Ugandan police said they had stumbled upon a “radicalisation centre” at a Kampala mosque, shooting dead two people, arresting dozens and releasing over 100 women and children.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said officers had found what appeared to be an Islamist radicalisation centre inside the mosque.

The discovery came on Friday evening as police officers followed a suspect, believed to have been involved in a high-profile kidnapping and murder earlier this year, into the ramshackle Usafi mosque.

During an ensuing shoot-out, police said one officer was wounded, two men were shot dead and 36 arrested and accused of hoarding weapons.

Also inside the mosque were 18 women and 94 children that police said were being held against their will.

“A number of children and women, suspected to either have been kidnapped or held hostage, were rescued,” police spokesman Emilian Kayima told a news conference on Saturday.

“Two of the hostage-takers were shot dead after violently attacking and severely injuring one of the security officers,” Kayima said, adding that the man who police had followed into the mosque was taken into custody.

Investigations into the connection between the original suspect and those found inside the mosque were continuing.

At the scene, in a particularly poor part of the city, bullet holes pocked the collection of corrugated tin lean-tos and tarpaulin sheets that constitute the mosque, situated in a low-lying area between a bus station and a shipping container park.

Police had cordoned the area, blocking curious residents and passers-by.

The men arrested on Friday – who police said were found with 23 machetes, 60 bullets and a bow and arrow – are suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and illegal detention of the women and children who come from various East African countries.



NAMPA/AFP

The Guptas and the VAT scandal

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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The Guptas and the VAT scandal The controversial Guptas have been implicated in a R100-million VAT scandal which has been running for years – but it appears the State will not take any action against them.

Nine people from up-market neighbourhoods in Centurion and Durban have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the SA Revenue Service (Sars) out of millions using false VAT claims.

According to court papers filed in the Pretoria High Court, the false claims amount to about R100 million, of which about R30.5 million was paid out.

In its provisional charge sheet, the state alleges that the “manager” of the scheme, Ridwaan Joosab, “distributed” the money that Sars paid out through 38 entities or individuals to disguise its origin.

Oakbay Investments, the Gupta family's parent company, is one of those entities. But Oakbay is not an accused in the matter now before court.

In this latest case the nine accused were arrested at the end of January. They appeared in two courts and were released on bail.

The Hawks have dubbed the syndicate 'The Enterprise'.

Among those arrested are a family from the Eldoglen estate in Centurion: Ridwaan Joosab, one of his three wives, Shazia, and his father Mahomed Iqbal Joosab, the owner of Shaz Trading.

Ridwaan's brother Shoayb, a Muslim theologian from Durban, is also an accused.

In February the state obtained a restraint order in the Pretoria High Court to freeze the immovable and movable property that belongs to the accused.

Shaz Trading, which trades as Exotic Auto, was one of the 38 entities that allegedly received some of the VAT booty.

But in Shaz Trading's case, the Asset Forfeiture Unit took action against them.

However, Ridwaan, his wife and father succeeded last week in getting the order substantially narrowed insofar as it related to them.

The State now has control only over the nine houses they own in Centurion.

Ridwaan argued in court papers that the state had frozen around R61.8 million of their assets, far more than the R30.5 million in seizures for which the order made provision. Even his watches, worth R5.2 million, three vehicles that belong to Shaz Trading, four bank accounts, four vacant properties, a farm and four houses that were not subject to the order were confiscated from him.

Ridwaan argued that the state should not have seized five Krugerrands, seven women's watches and a three-piece diamond jewellery set worth R5 million. They argued that the initial preservation order had made severe inroads in their property rights.

Shoayb also had the preservation order against him discharged. The state alleges Shoayb received R1.5 million as a gift from Shaz Trading.

But Shoayb told the court that the state had it the wrong way around, because he paid R1.5 million to Shaz Trading.

The accused vehemently deny any involvement in crime.

But the state alleges that after Sars paid out the money, Ridwaan and his associates used some of it to buy luxury vehicles on behalf of Shaz Trading.

These include a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, five Mercedes-Benzes, a Ferrari F151, three Lamborghini Huracáns, two Porsches, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, four BMWs and various other vehicles.

Gold coins worth R2.6 million were allegedly also purchased in a bid to conceal the source of the money.

The National Prosecuting Authority also alleges that Ridwaan and Shazia own gold bars.

The other accused are Ahmed Amla, Saleem Mohamed Hoosen, Ahmed Mulla from Durban, Adnan Archad Ravat from Vereeniging and Zuber Patel from Pretoria.

Neither the NPA nor the Hawks responded to questions sent to them asking whether Oakbay Investments and the other 37 entities are being investigated if they were, on the state's version, part of the same scheme.

Ronica Ragavan, chief executive officer of Oakbay, could not be reached for comment.

Both the NPA and the Hawks have, in the past few weeks, been under fire in Parliament because of the perception that decisive action against those implicated in state capture came only after the political winds began to change in January.

Various people around the Guptas have now been charged, but no action was taken against the Gupta family because they had escaped the country.



NEWS24

Zimmermann seals the deal

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Zimmermann seals the dealThis Golf could gleam in your garage The NTE Win-a-Car Competition is kicking into high gear. YOCHANAAN COETZEE



The Volkswagen Golf has long been a no-brainer when buying a car. Whether it’s down to its comfortable interior, excellent ride quality or astonishing value-retention is anyone’s guess, because there’s something about it that just can’t be quantified.

A vehicle with such an iconic legacy and that resonates with so many only needs a trusted supplier to make it a champion, and for Zimmermann Garage, which has been in operation for decades, this heritage not only complements their cars, but truly elevates the ownership experience.

“Being in the position to assist families in getting a good-quality car that is safe and affordable and seeing not only that initial joy when the vehicle is delivered, but also how the enjoy their ownership experience over the years is very gratifying,” says Adolf van Vuuren, sales executive at Zimmermann Garage.

Safe Travel

Zimmermann Garage has put the Golf 1.4 TSI Comfortline up for grabs in the Namibia Tourism Expo’s Win-a-Car Competition, which will see one lucky NTE attendee drive off in comfort, safety and style.

Packing a respectable 81 Kw and 200 Nm of torque, the TSI is perfect for daily commuting and even better when the long road beckons.

With the interior boasting a modern and sophisticated aesthetic, centred around a 6.5" touchscreen infotainment system with CD/MP3/USB/SD card and Bluetooth functionality, there’ll never be a dull moment.

In terms of safety, the Golf definitely shines in its segment, and comes complete with ABS, ESC, Blind-Spot Monitoring and Iso-Fix anchor points for the little ones.

All roads lead to the NTE

The Namibia Tourism Expo is a celebration of all Namibia has to offer in terms of hospitality and travel. This year’s theme, ‘Safe Travel’, is key to developing the industry and allowing locals to also enjoy the many wonders the country has to offer.

It is for this reason that Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) and its valued partners in the motor industry have joined hands to not only showcase some of the safest, value-for-money cars around, but to also drive home the message of ‘Safe Travel’.

All NTE attendees who purchase an adult ticket will be in the running to win one of seven exciting vehicles and although there can only be one winner, the runners-up will get the opportunity to purchase the other vehicles at a massive discount.

See the competition details in the advertisement below.

Touching God's 'anointed'

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Touching God's 'anointed' Rwanda, which has not exactly been a beacon of human rights and democracy amid tight restrictions on freedom of speech and the political space in the country, made headlines recently when a crackdown on the mushrooming of churches and other religious establishments was revealed.

Rwanda's government has closed thousands of churches and dozens of mosques as it seeks to assert more control over a vibrant religious community whose sometimes makeshift operations, authorities say, have threatened the lives of followers. Only pastors with a theology degree are permitted to operate churches.

President Paul Kagame said he was shocked by the high number of churches in the small East African country.

The closures elicited mixed reactions in Rwanda, where human rights groups have long accused Kagame's government of clamping down on freedom of expression, which the president has denied.

Six Pentecostal pastors who protested the church closures were arrested and accused of “illegal meetings with bad intentions,” and since then other critics have refused to discuss the issue.

Proposed legislation aims to regulate faith-based organisations separately from civil society organisations.

This has found resonance in Namibia, where fly-by-night 'pastors' and 'churches', who aim to isolate and milk congregants of their money, have proliferated over the years.

It is therefore unsurprising that formalised religious structures, including the Council of Churches in Namibia, have called for the need for greater regulation of churches in the country.

The exploitation of Namibians by so-called prosperity gospel churches is a fact, and instances reported in the media are just the tip of the iceberg.

Desperate individuals, who can ill-afford to be exploited are told to sow liberally into the pockets of the 'church' - and by implication the 'pastor', in order to receive 'blessings' in the form of material wealth.

This has left many families destroyed and divided, while 'pastors' drive fancy cars, live in fancy homes and often indulge in unscriptural relationships with female congregants.

Although all these churches cannot be painted with the same brush, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

And these incidents are mounting, while the money-hungry hide behind the scripture that God's anointed should not be 'touched' or criticised.

Regulation is needed, and needed urgently.

Shot of the day

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day BEAUTIFUL AFRICA: The sunset over the Chobe River that runs alongside the border village of Kasane in Botswana. The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park in Botswana and the higher reaches of this river are known as the Linyanti. Photo: JEMIMA BEUKES

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Company news

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Company news Walmart attempts international turnaround with UK, India tie-ups

Walmart Inc’s urgency to stem market share losses to rivals around the world is driving it to partner with local players in the UK and India, even as it scales back in some other markets like Brazil.

The world’s largest retailer is in talks to merge its UK arm ASDA with J Sainsbury Plc in which it will hold a minority stake. Walmart is also looking to acquire a majority stake in India’s leading online retailer Flipkart for US$10 billion to US$12 billion after years of underperformance there.

-Nampa/Reuters

National Bank of Egypt seeking to raise US$600 mln club loan

National Bank of Egypt, the country’s largest bank by assets, is putting together a group of lenders for a club loan in the region of US$600 million, banking sources said.

It is expected a three-year debt facility and will likely be provided by international banks and some United Arab Emirates lenders, the sources said. NBE is coordinating the fundraising.

The bank could not be reached for immediate comment.

-Nampa/Reuters

KPMG urges spot sale system to address Ivory Coast cocoa defaults

Global audit firm KPMG has urged Ivory Coast to introduce a spot sales system for local cocoa exporters who were responsible for defaults on 148 000 tonnes of contracts in the last growing season.

The world’s top producer sells forward the bulk of its anticipated harvest to be able to set a minimum price for farmers at the start of its October-September growing season.

But world market prices fell 40% over the course of the 2016/17 season and exporters were unable to honour their commitments to suppliers, forcing Ivory Coast’s cocoa marketing board (CCC) to resell their contracts at a loss.

-Nampa/Reuters

Angola's sovereign wealth fund to remove Quantum as asset manager

The sovereign wealth fund of Angola (FSDEA), Africa’s No. 2 crude producer, “is taking steps to remove” Swiss-based Quantum Global as its asset manager, it said on Friday.

“FSDEA has great concerns about Quantum Global’s approach to investment of the FSDEA funds, as it believes that is not fully aligned with the principles for which the FSDEA was established,” the fund said in a statement.

Quantum Global could not immediately be reached for comment.

-Nampa/Reuters

MTN‚ Vodacom‚ Cell C and Telkom respond to new data rules

New regulations governing the use of data will be introduced in South Africa following the popular #DataMustFall campaign that was sparked in 2016.

The regulations will require companies to notify subscribers when their data falls below 50%, 80% and 100% depletion levels, to rollover unused data, allow transfer of data and prohibit service providers to charge out of bundle charges without the customer consent.

-Fin24

MTV gets nod to pay R17.3m in price-fixing settlement

The Competition Tribunal has approved an MTV Networks Africa (MTV) settlement agreement for a package of remedies amounting to R17.3million for price fixing and fixing of trading conditions.

The agreemeent between the MTV and the Competition Commission relates to a media collusion case that involves over 20 media companies.

-Fin24

Omauni's water woes

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Omauni's water woes Residents of Omauni and nearby villages such as Oshalumbu, Onghalulu, Oshushu and Oshamukweni in the Ohangwena Region are without water after their community borehole's water pump broke and there is no money to have it repaired.

It is reported that the borehole's pump broke due to over-use and undue pressure caused by an increase not only in residents at Omauni, but also higher numbers of livestock.

Many of the community members are now sharing their livestock's water source which is not purified and collected from a local earth dam. The agriculture ministry supplies 5 000 litres of water daily but this is not enough to cater for the entire community's needs.

The Okongo constituency councillor Fanuel Ndadi told Namibian Sun that for the past three months the community of Omauni and the surrounding villages has been without water.

“The community has been without water for about three months since the borehole pump broke. The government has no money to fix it and we are making arrangements with the community to raise money to buy parts and pay for repairs,” Ndadi said.

Although he was unable to elaborate what was broken on the pump or what the repairs would cost, he said the ministry's technicians have already visited the borehole.

Petrus Uugulu from Oshalende village said that the problem with the borehole is not something new as it frequently happens.

“Every time the machine breaks, we share the cost to fix it among our households. Sometime the problem can take a very long time to solve because not all the households cooperate and some do not have money to pay. We are now forced to get water from earth dams as the ministry's water is limited per day,” Uugulu said.

An employee from the Omauni's agriculture office who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that borehole breakdowns are regular occurrence due to the ever-increasing pressure on the machine. There are too many people to serve.

He said that the pump is old and needs to be replaced with a bigger one to properly support the community's numbers. He said the machine operates 24 hours a day to supply water to the people and animals.

Omauni also forms part of the Ohangwena aquifer and it borehole has good quality water, however, the earth dams are saline.

“The community is crying but there is nothing we can do. Our pump does not have capacity to provide water to such a large population. Every day we fill a 5 000-litre water tank for the community. Once that water is finished we can only supply the next day. We understand that this water is not enough but we do not want to abuse our borehole pump,” the employee said.

He also said that due to security reasons, community members are not allowed to gather inside the ministry's premise to get water.



ILENI NANDJATO

Accidents eat into GDP

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Accidents eat into GDPLack of road safety can cost governments Governments pay a very high price for not ensuring that road safety is a priority exercise for any country with chunks falling away from the gross domestic product. As the latest year-to-date crash statistics for Namibian roads show a decrease of nearly 35% in fatalities compared to last year for the same period, a World Bank study on the high costs of traffic accidents warns that road accidents are a developmental challenge that come with a steep price if not tackled urgently by a cross-section of stakeholders.

The World Bank study, titled 'The high toll of traffic injuries: Unacceptable and preventable', is a landmark study that took an in-depth look at both the potential economic benefits and aggregate social welfare gains in reducing road traffic injuries in low- and-middle income countries.

The study results for the transport sector “are humbling and underscore the responsibility the sector has towards the sustainable development agenda”, according to the publication.

It warns however that road traffic injury prevention is “not a transport challenge, it is a development challenge with strong impact on health, wellbeing and economic growth”.

The authors say that the results, for health planners and public health officials, “make it clear that road traffic injury prevention should be regarded as a key pillar of the health agenda.”

The study notes that overall, developing countries have made significant strides in reducing the proportion of communicable diseases, maternal deaths, and nutritional diseases, and are making strides in dealing with non-communicable diseases.

“However, the benefits linked to reducing road injuries are yet to be realised.”

The study outcomes indicate that road traffic injuries or deaths will not be reduced in a significant way “unless we bring a wide range of stakeholders around the same table”.

The report notes that achieving the developmental goals of halving road injuries or more, would not be a victory only for the transport sector, but “a significant milestone for global development, with far-reaching benefits for public health, wellbeing and economic growth.”

Looking better

According to the most recent statistics issued by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, fatalities on Namibian roads between January and 15 April this year totalled 126, compared to 193 during the same period last year.

The total number of crashes for the period decreased by 15.9% this year, from 1 108 in 2017 to 932 this year. Injuries dropped by 15.5% for the same periods under review, from 1 744 to 1 473.

Findings from the World Bank study indicate that reducing road traffic injuries in half could translate into an additional 15% to 22% of GDP per capita income growth over 24 years for a country.

The study noted that failing to meet the UN Sustainable Development goal target to halve road deaths by 2020 “accrues to about two to three percentage points in unrealised per capita GDP growth for low- and middle-income countries.”

The publication warns that the impact on national income is only half the story.

“Aside from their direct impact on the national product of a country, road traffic injuries also cause individual and social welfare losses that cannot be ignored.”

The study warns that if the high number of road crashes are not reduced, taxpayers will fork out anywhere between 6% and 32% of the country's GDP to mitigate those effects.

The study calculated these percentages would apply over a period of 24 years.

A 2016 paper published by the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) on road crashes in Namibia cautioned similarly that the costs of the high rate of crash statistics “extend far beyond the families and communities of those directly affected and are ultimately borne by wider society and government.”

The LAC pointed out that hundreds of millions of Namibian dollars are spent each year in the aftermath of road accidents.

“The total figure has been estimated to equate to a staggering 3% of annual GDP.”

The LAC highlighted that both the public service and private sector is impacted and that the majority of road deaths affect individuals between the ages of 21 and 45.

Globally, an estimated 1.25 million people are killed on road's each year and between 20 million and 50 million are seriously injured.

Further, road traffic accidents are the single largest cause of death or long-term disability among people aged 15 to 19 years old and their impact is also considerable among working-age people.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Still working on the State lottery

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Still working on the State lottery Work to refine provisions of the Lottery Act is still continuing according to spokesperson in the ministry of tourism, Romeo Muyunda who gave an update on the development of the Act.

Once finalised, it will pave the way for the establishment of a State lottery fund. The bill revises the existing Lotteries Act of 2002, which was mainly established to regulate and control lottery activities in the country.

If parliament passes the proposed legislation, a Lotteries Board will be established to supervise and control benevolent lotteries in the country.

“The Lottery Act has been enacted but most of the provisions contained in the Act are not yet implemented. The ministry is still trying to identify which provisions of the Act will need to be enacted first,” said Muyunda.

According to him, the ministry will also need to appoint a board and draft a set of regulations. “When the board is appointed will we be able to implement many other things,” said Muyunda. “We will also need to advertise an expression of interest from which we hope to receive bids for someone to run the lottery,” Muyunda said. “We are working on it,” he said.

It is believed that the creation of a State lottery will help supplement government's revenue and also contribute to the fight against poverty.

Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has previously explained that a board will be appointed to run the lottery on behalf of government.

The proposed legislation makes provision for the Lotteries Board to run the State lottery on its own or through an operator who would be granted a licence. “In essence the Lotteries Board has to assure that the State lottery is run with all due propriety, that the interests of participants are protected, that the long-term sustainability is safeguarded, and subject to the above, the revenues allocated to good causes are as high as possible,” said Shifeta.

According to him, the lottery will also help government source funds for development programmes.

“Lotteries run for or by governments are used as a source of funds to support public programmes such as infrastructure development, public safety, public health and education.”

OGONE TLHAGE

Oshakati collects over N$1m for totem expo

May 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Oshakati collects over N$1m for totem expo At a fundraising event held at the weekend, the Oshakati Town Council collected over N$1 million to host this year's totem expo.

The totem expo is expected to take place from 25 May to 5 June and is held under the theme 'Strengthening ties through culture'.

The top three pledges were made by Standard Bank who committed a whopping N$150 000 while Sahala Investment pledged N$100 000. In third, the Fysal Group of companies and Rani Trading both pledged N$50 000.

The event was graced with the presence of newly appointed presidential affairs minister Martin Andjaba who stood in for Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba and delivered his keynote address.

According to Mbumba, culture plays a big role in terms of fighting social evils and people who are culturally grounded can confidently define their identity.

“Those without a solid cultural education and communal support system seem to lack physiological and emotional confidence and are therefore easily swayed into many socially aberrant behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, passion killings, prostitution, crime and many similar ills,” Mbumba said.

He added with unchecked modernity comes disempowerment and alienation from one's cultural roots.

“We should not remove culture from the modernisation process but by allowing the progressive elements within these two complex socialisation modes, culture and modernity can co-exist.”

KENYA KAMBOWE