Namibian Sun

Living off artNam Arts Fair to create market Art is life, but what happens when living off your art becomes difficult?

This week, tjil spoke to Nam Arts Fair organiser Rahmatoulie Muhammed about the first-ever edition biannual event, which focuses on connecting artists with an audience, in order to exhibit and sell their work.

The event will reinforce the value and importance of Namibian artists in the community. It is scheduled to take place on 28 July and 1 December at the Goethe-Institut.

It will engage both local and international artists to find new avenues for the exposure and the sale of their work.

There also numerous networking opportunities and collaborations in the offing, and artists are encouraged to create their own mini events and exhibitions within their display spaces.

“The local art community will be enriched by the workshops we give that teach them how to best display their craft and promote it for sale, both locally and internationally,” Muhammed said.

“The main audience we are targeting with this event is art collectors and enthusiasts, both locally and internationally. This is the group that is most interested in purchasing local artwork, and many are looking to expand their existing collections. This audience can include private collectors, art galleries, and potentially other artists.”

Muhammed said they hope to also draw families and groups of adolescents, who want to attend for the performances, food market, workshops, and kid-centred events.

“Families are often looking for the type of events where everyone will be entertained, from the children to the adults. The kids and adults alike will learn about Namibian artists currently working, and learn to appreciate the different disciplines of art on showcase,” Muhammed said.

Adults can purchase artwork for their homes and adolescents will be able to purchase smaller pieces, such as jewellery.

Corporations can also attend the fair for various reasons - as a client outing, to show their support for the arts, to raise funds for a charitable cause, to purchase artwork for their offices and to simply enjoy a fun-filled art filled day.

Any local art explosion would not be complete without a VIP auction, where 50% of the proceeds from the pieces sold will go to charity.

“The call for a workshop proposal ends tomorrow, while the deadline for booking artist exhibition stalls is 1 June and the call for food vendors' deadline is 15 June. All the application forms are available on our social media pages and everyone is welcome to apply,” said Muhammed.

BET Awards: Cassper Nyovest, Distruction Boyz nominated

Rapper Cassper Nyovest and Durban Gqom duo Distruction Boyz are the two South African acts nominated in the Best International Act category for this year's Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

'Mr Fill It Up', Cassper Nyovest, is South Africa's most successful rapper, having released three albums, all of which have gone platinum.

Distruction Boyz, a duo from KwaMashu, are one of South Africa's home-grown house sound Gqom's biggest proponents.

They released the massive hit Omunye, a track which caused some controversy when it was discovered that it was almost identical to Trip to New York, a song by fellow Gqom pioneer DJ LAG.

Past South African nominees include AKA, Babes Wodumo, Nasty C and Black Coffee, who won the award in 2016.

DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar lead the pack when it comes to nominations this year, with six and five nods, respectively, including video of the year, best collaboration, and album of the year. The awards will take place on 26 June.

Check out the complete list of nominees for the 2018 BET Awards below:

Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyoncé, SZA, H.E.R., Rihanna, Kehlani

Male R&B/Pop Artist: Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, the Weeknd, Khalid, Daniel Caesar

Group: Migos, A Tribe Called Quest, N.E.R.D., Rae Sremmurd, Chloe x Halle

Collaboration: Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B (Finesse Remix); DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller (Wild Thoughts); DJ Khaled featuring Jay-Z, Future and Beyoncé (Top Off); Cardi B featuring 21 Savage (Bartier Cardi); French Montana featuring Swae Lee, (Unforgettable); Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna (Loyalty)

Male Hip-Hop Artist: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, J. Cole

Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Remy Ma, DeJ Loaf, Rapsody

Video of the Year: Drake (God's Plan); Cardi B, (Bodak Yellow); Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, (Finesse Remix); DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller (Wild Thoughts); Kendrick Lamar (Humble); Migos featuring Drake (Walk It Talk It)

Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom, Director X, Ava DuVernay, Chris Brown, Dave Meyers

New Artist: SZA, H.E.R., Daniel Caesar, GoldLink, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel/Inspirational Award: Lecrae featuring Tori Kelly (I'll Find You); Snoop Dogg featuring B Slade (Words Are Few); Ledisi and Kirk Franklin (If You Don't Mind); Marvin Sapp (Close); Tasha Cobbs Leonard featuring Nicki Minaj (I'm Getting Ready)

International Act: Booba, Cassper Nyovest, Dadju, Davido, Distruction Boyz, Fally Ipupa, J Hus, Niska, Tiwa Savage, Stefflon Don, Stormzy

Actress: Tiffany Haddish, Lupita Nyong'o, Issa Rae, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Taraji P. Henson

Actor: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Donald Glover, Sterling K. Brown, Denzel Washington, Daniel Kaluuya

Young Stars Award: Yara Shahidi, Ashton Tyler, Caleb McLaughlin, Lonnie Chavis, Marsai Martin, Miles Brown

Movie: Black Panther; Girls Trip; A Wrinkle in Time; Detroit; Mudbound

Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Candace Parker, Elana Meyers Taylor

Sportsman of the Year: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Odell Beckham Jr.

Album of the Year: Damn. (Kendrick Lamar); Ctrl (SZA); 4:44 (Jay-Z); Culture II (Migos); Black Panther: The Album (Kendrick Lamar and various artists); Grateful (DJ Khaled)

BET Her Award: Janelle Monaé (Django Jane); Lizzo (Water Me); Mary J. Blige (Strength of a Woman); Remy Ma featuring Chris Brown, (Melanin Magic - Pretty Brown); Chloe X Halle (The Kids Are Alright); Leikeli47 (2nd Fiddle)

Viewers' Choice: SZA featuring Travis Scott (Love Galore); Cardi B (Bodak Yellow); Kendrick Lamar (Humble); Drake (God's Plan); Migos featuring Cardi B and Nicki Minaj (Motorsport); DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller (Wild Thoughts)

Citizen and the Grapevine

Sewing up the futureFashion Council makes a difference As their three-year term nears its end in February next year, the Fashion Council of Namibia reflects on a range of successes and challenges.

Having been elected in 2016, the current Fashion Council of Namibia (FCN) says they have done a lot, but not enough.

The FCN was formed to represent, develop, support and grow the Namibian fashion industry and to establish and maintain a code of ethics.

While different countries in Africa are at different levels in terms of fashion awareness and maturity, the challenges and potential for growth are strikingly similar.

Namibian fashion is a fast-growing and creative industry, providing job opportunities for many related professions, including jewellery designers, seamstresses, textile manufacturers, production teams, makeup artists, hairstylists, photographers, videographers, models, fashion buyers and bloggers.

The Fashion Council board said they are focusing on knowledge and developing a platform for networking during their term.

“A problem we encountered is people understating the role of the council, because many had the understanding of us being a union, which we are not. We are here to facilitate and support the fashion industry in the country. In our first year we went to Cape Town Fashion Council and sat down with them just to give us a broader perspective of a fashion council,” said FCN chairperson Melisa Poulton.

The board consists of Poulton, Kalistu Mukoroli, Lea Misika, Taati Sibolile, Lafika Heita, Ingo Shanyenge and Andriano Visagie.

Challenges include lack of funding, which becomes a barrier for them to carry out their duties.

“The Goethe-Institut came to our rescue last year with funds and we are very grateful for their support. This allowed us to take part in the Berlin Fashion Week, by sending a representative to the event, and they are also on board this year; their support will help us do some activities including workshops in which we will collaborate with Namibians and international people to build and strengthen the council,” said Poulton.

The FCN is facilitating fashion workshops that take place during the Windhoek Fashion Week. They also host the Namib Fashion Festival - a platform for upcoming designers to showcase their work. The council has also hosted successful mixer sessions this year.

“The road has been bumpy. We want to do so much, but we are tight (financially). We are trying to do what we can, but we can only do so much. We are focusing on who we can help. Our next mixer will be free, so everyone is welcome,” said Misika.

The next annual general meeting will be held in February next year, where a new board will be elected.

June Shimuoshili

Vanessa lives her passion

Swakopmund-raised Vanessa Kamatoto is a theatre actress who is putting the Erongo Region on the map.

The 24-year-old, who is a fourth-year media student at the University of Namibia (Unam), told tjil in an exclusive interview this week that Namibian theatre is gaining momentum. She however wants to see more a better appreciation for drama in the country.

“More theatre practitioners are creating opportunities for actors and directors in our country. People always see plays being advertised on different media platforms. Although there are opportunities presented to actors and actresses, I still don't see enough support for drama in Namibia. I would love to see more Namibians going out in numbers when there is a play and supporting Namibian filmmakers when they release their movies,” said Kamatoto.

She said she was grateful for the support she received from her parents, as an actress, saying it keeps her motivated.

“I would say my supportive parents keep me motivated and also the passion I have for theatre and film keeps me going. I believe that one day I will be fortunate enough to co-star alongside my favourite actors and actresses from Namibia and all over the world.”

The former Westside High School learner who featured in plays like House of Paradox, Nuthouse and Raisin in the Sun, said she has dreams of one day acting in South African soap operas like Isibaya and Stranger Things. She encouraged upcoming actors to follow their dreams.

“God has a plan for all of us in this life and be sure to let your passion lead you to become a better you. Don't forget to smile, it's good for the soul,” she said.

Adolf Kaure

Music videos blossom

The year is in full effect and many Namibian artists have dropped a countless amount of impressive videos. Here's tjil's review of some of the most impressive videos we've seen so far.

LMPC ft Lioness - Location

Artists LMPC and Lioness prove in their video for Location that you don't need a big budget to shoot and shoot well. All you need is a phone and a creative mind and you will come up with something spectacular. The backdrop for the video was shot in Windhoek at night and it adds a bit of ambience. The video effects are amazing and they create a trippy, eerie atmosphere that pleases the viewer.

Sally Boss Madam - Netso

Sally Boss Madam takes it to the people in the video for her smash hit Netso. The video is a great representation of Windhoek with many of the scenes being shot in places such Katutura, Golgotha and Herero Location. What the viewer will appreciate about this video is its rawness, realness and authentic take on people in the location. The video features sleek dance moves and amazing choreography from Sally. This is one you should be looking out for.

Topsy Kim ft Kalux - XaKa kai

Topsy Kim takes us on a tour of Swakopmund for her video of her song XaKa Kai. What makes the video stand out are the smooth, crispy and clean shots that are featured in most of its scenes. The video was kept real simple and follows Kim as she walks through the streets of Swakopmund. This is a very old yet new feel for the music video market. You are bad Topsy Kim!

Lioness ft Slickartie – Bad

This is another video that is a great representation of creativity. What makes the video a great one is the use of props and great costumes. The video may also be visually appealing, because of the use of location, as it was shot in the desert at the coast and captures great portrait shots as Lioness raps to her music. The colour correction and use of other means to add flavour to the video, such as studio shots, should also be applauded.

Dillish ft Cleo Ice Queen - Lights

If you are looking for a perfectly directed video with the right concept then Dillish's video is for you. The video plays right into the lyrics of the song.

The song talks about having a party at a house with friends and that is exactly what you get to see in the video. Dillish is joined by friends at a house party, as they celebrate a good life.

The lighting, editing and the mood set by the video is going to astonish everyone who watches it.

Taylor Jaye ft Uhuru and Dj Clap - Kho te re

Taylor Jaye keeps on keeping on! The South African-based artist released her Kho te re music video over a week ago, and damn is it good. Featuring some very new dance moves the artist is seen going the extra mile, as she jives in the video. The feel good video is one that should be on your playlist, as you can definitely learn a move or two for your next get-together. Keep it up super, Chiquita.

June Shimuoshili

Go Luis!Munana jets off to represent Namibia in London Luis Munana is definitely one of the people who are having a great year, as all he does is win.

Having just arrived from France where he had the opportunity to present his Waka Waka Moo children's programme to leading players in the global entertainment industry, Luis Munana has now just jetted off to London.

Munana will be giving a presentation as a panellist at the 2018 Oxford Africa Conference.

The conference is an annual student-run gathering, with an audience of about 350 people from across Africa and its Diaspora. Previous speakers at the conference have included prolific leaders such as Graça Machel and international advocate for women and children's rights Michel Elsie Kanza.

Munana received the news earlier last month and he says he is honoured to be part of the conference.

“I was scared because they also invited the president of Ghana and our first lady so I was like, 'waar pas ek?' This is Oxford so it's overwhelming,” he said.

The 2018 conference is themed 'Enough rhetoric! Catalysing an Era of Concrete Action'. Intentionally daring, the theme encapsulates the vision for a solution-driven and proactive conference, and will include how to deal with the contemporary challenges and opportunities within the African continent. Munana will be on the panel on African art and media and its role in entertainment and public expressions on social and cultural issues. The talk is scheduled to take place tomorrow and can be followed on @oxafrica on Instagram for live feeds, updates and links to YouTube videos.

One of the reasons he was invited is because they have taken notice of his work.

Munana will be touching topics like challenges he faces as a creative and how he overcame them and what it is like being a creative in Namibia.

“Namibia benefits because it creates awareness of the different artistic projects that I will mention. The projects include Waka Waka Moo, Voigush and the Windhoek Fashion Week. I also benefit as a brand, as I get to learn, mingle and network with great minds from all over the world. I am truly honoured,” said Munana.

June Shimuoshili

Lady Dyna walks awayLeaving D-Naff Entertainment 'right move' Having achieved so much with the D-Naff Entertainment music label, run by her husband, Lady Dyna believes leaving is the right move for her brand.

Lady Dyna has ended her relationship with D-Naff Entertainment.

Her first singles since singing with the label were Oh featuring Ty2 from Zambia and Friend in Jesus featuring Exit in 2014.

During her time at the label she has managed to produce two albums and shoot four music videos with the best producers in town.

The label has taken her places, but Lady Dyna says she is still far from achieving her goals and believes that moving on is the best way forward.

“It was a mutual agreement for me to automatically be under his management, because I was starting and there was no one at that time that could do it better for me than him. D-Naff was and still is my inspiration,” said Lady Dyna.

The Osalila songstress said she had sat down with her manager and husband, D-Naff, and they both decided she must be an independent artist.

According to her the move is about fulfilling her career goals successfully.

“D-Naff Entertainment is a growing brand and he has other artists under the label, including D-Naff himself. Therefore, sometimes it becomes difficult for D-Naff to pay particular attention to each artist's personal goals. We thought it was best to do this differently, for us to achieve these goals with undivided attention. My husband is still supporting my music and will keep investing in my career, as it is still a family thing,” she said.

Lady Dyna is thankful for her stint at D-Naff Entertainment.

She says she has learned a lot about the industry and her brand has been exposed both locally and internationally. The gospel singer will be focusing on her brand for now and she will not be signing with a new label anytime soon. She said she will be looking into international collaborations.

“I have grown to appreciate the importance of personal branding and how important it is to take a music career seriously and not just as a hobby. I do music for the public and for people who are not able to go to church and listen to praise and worship and preachers. I am called to minister to the lost outside of church buildings. I take the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone,” said the singer.

Lady Dyna is available on her social media pages for all bookings and engagements.

June Shimuoshili

Kasi Vibe Festival buzz grows500 stall applications received For the third edition, organisers of the Kasi Vibe Festival are planning an event that is bigger and better.

The Kasi Vibe Festival is a youth entrepreneurship and empowerment event that brings together young entrepreneurs.

The initiative aims to get Namibians from different backgrounds to come together to support one another's business ideas, and it is also a platform for young business owners to connect and engage with one another.

At the beginning of the year, the organisers called on young entrepreneurs to apply for stalls to sell and market their brands during the event that takes place from 1 to 3 June this year. A total of 500 applications were submitted and the organisers say it is the most they have received since the festival's inception.

“The amount of stalls were not our target as the Kasi Vibe Festival. The festival strives to create a platform closer to the people in the location, with the objective to bring out young entrepreneurs and SMEs to come out and showcase their innovative products or services, which is our main focus,” said organiser Salmi Shiguedha.

The organisers are still not satisfied with the total number of applications received and hope that all upcoming entrepreneurs will take part in the next two festivals that will happen later this year. They also promise more activities at the festival, including new stalls that will showcase a variety of items, as well as a go-karting track.

“We are still busy with confirming the artists and they will be announced on our social media platforms, but Black Boxx is still 100% on board. This time around, volume three of the Kasi Vibe Festival is definitely bigger and better. We will also have a charity box available at the event, in case people want to bring all their unwanted items,” Shiguedha said. The event tickets are available at Airtime City vending machines countrywide, EventsToday and on the Pay Today app for N$30. Tickets cost N$40 at the event.

June Shimuoshili

To all arts enthusiasts Invest in yourself. The greatest decision you can ever make is to plough back into your career. There are many success stories and you can become one of them. Some of you have been in the industry for many years and you have nothing to show for it. You do not have a studio, you do not own a camera, you do not have a publicist, a manager and so many other essentials that are needed for you to progress and excel in your career.

If you have been in the industry long enough, you must have learned a couple of essential skills. Can you make your own songs? Can you edit videos? Can you play any instruments? Investing in yourself does not necessarily mean you pump money into your career. It relies heavily on the kind of skills you have managed to acquire over the years. The minute I say the word investment to someone in the arts industry, their brains instantaneously jump to funds. While financial investment is an important aspect needed to create a professional product, it is not the only or even the most crucial investment that you can make.

I know many artists (not only in music), who do not even have their own equipment and that is totally unacceptable, especially if you have experience. How do you expect the corporate industry to invest in you, if you cannot even expand on your own brand? And this is not an attack on any artists, just a wake-up call - more so to the upcoming artists. Investing time in educating yourself first will help you feel more confident in tough situations, avoid you making the same mistakes or even help you to make the decision to walk away from ventures that simply are not working out anymore.

You must invest your time, your energy, and your all into your craft, if you want to create a recipe for success.

june@namibiansun.com

June Shimuoshili

Peter Opali, aka Most Wanted, gives back Helping the less fortunate “I believe I will help a lot more people, because God has given me a calling to help the nation.” Peter Opali, spinner.

COBIE BOK -
Most nights, the average Namibian has food to eat, clothes to wear and a warm bed to sleep in, but not all have that privilege.

Winter is here, at the dismay of many of those rough sleepers who call the streets their home.

“Due to the extreme cold, I got very sick one year and it made me think about the people on the streets that have far less than I have. So as I woke up that morning and prayed, God told me to help them and so I did,” Peter Opali recalls.

Since many benefactors support old-age homes and orphanages, Peter decided to physically go into the dark corners under bridges and in the bush to find the people that most of society has forgotten.

“These are the people I want to help, because nobody thinks of them,” he says.

So, between a busy schedule of spinning and running his private business, Peter, his brother Emmanuel, their friends and associates have taken it upon themselves to collect donations to be handed over to the homeless of Windhoek.

Their latest campaign will see Peter collecting donations until this evening, which will be distributed from Monday.

“I believe I will help a lot more people, because God has given me a calling to help the nation,” says Peter.

Until then people can expect to see Peter Opali, aka Most Wanted, perform at Tsumeb on 30 June with both his spin cars in action.

Being PapakiMakeup all-rounder has bigger dreams Papaki speaks on the growth of the beauty industry and his huge plans for the future.

He has become a household name after a decade and a half in the industry, but Papaki says he is only halfway when it comes to accomplishing his goals.

Papaki has made a name for himself on the makeup, performance and local modelling scene and tjil wanted to know the secrets behind his obvious success.

“You have to keep up with trends to be relevant,” he said. The makeup artist said he took up the challenge of becoming a successful and professional makeup artist during a gig as assistant on a movie set in 2005.

“I was the only Namibian in the makeup team and I was just an assistant. I then asked why this was so and the answer shocked me and at the same time inspired me. They said there was no professional available in the country. That day I made a decision to take it on seriously and I never looked back, because I believe it was needed.”

Before he got the assistant gig, Papaki recalls always having a passion for makeup. His first inspiration was his mother, who used to wear makeup to church.

“My mother was the first person I saw using makeup; she loved this deep purple lipstick that she matched with her outfits and her eyeshadow, whenever she went to church. I then picked up the habit as I always used makeup on myself and on other people too and that's how I gained experience,” he said.

Armoured with confidence, Papaki decided to attend INTEC College in South Africa to strengthen his skills and to have it on record that he is a professional makeup artist.

He says the only person who really supported him in his beauty career is his sister and this encouraged him greatly.

“People tend to believe the quality of one's work when they have a qualification. I have also gotten training on how to apply character, beauty and prosthetic makeup. I have really invested in this,” he said.

Papaki has in his career so far used his makeup skills on local celebrities.

He was the makeup director on a short film for the Goethe-Institut and also worked at University of Namibia (Unam) fashion shows.

He however says he is yet to work with corporates, which he looks forward to someday.

“I did make up for artists like Taylor Jaye for the NAMAs this year. I've worked with Snazzy and Ann Singer. It is fulfilling when one loves what you do. Getting into the corporate world is hard, but I want to challenge myself to do it,” he said.

Papaki says as a makeup artist, what he loves about his job is the end result and the happiness on the client's face.

He says many people are shy in the beginning about the thought of using makeup, but this because they do not know how to apply it themselves.

He says he has convinced so many people, who love the end product to the point of them being regular clients.

Papaki says there are people who don't know how to use makeup and this can end up damaging faces, which he feels is a concern.

“The ability to transform someone is phenomenal. I don't advocate for anyone to wear makeup every day, because it is not healthy; the skin needs to breath.

“A lot of people use makeup to cover up their insecurities and this requires them to wear makeup every day. If this is the case, wear less of it and wash it off every night,” he said.

Papaki has many plans for his career, including releasing a beauty book, transforming his brand into a money-making business and leaving behind as a legacy. He is also about to release a tutorial DVD that will be sold and donated to certain beneficiaries on various platforms.

The inspiration for this came from wanting to give people something tangible that can last long. Papaki is doing this with hope that his brand will be able to sustain him in the future, to the point where he stops applying makeup on people.

“I want to donate the DVD to five schools for grade 11 and 12 learners, because I want to show them that beauty too can be a career path. Makeup is not just about beautifying, it's about growing as a business and a brand. If you get comfortable, the industry will swallow you up,” he said.

The video features three looks for busy people, evening looks and “intense smokey eye”. The 45-minute video was shot and directed by Papaki, with the help of Hildegard Titus and model Bea.

June Shimuoshili

DRIVEN: 2018 Audi RS 5 CoupeR-rated, yet refined Has it become more of a Grand Tourer than a sports car? “The RS 5, like all fast Audis, uses four-wheel drive which adds a crucial safety net but also blunts the driving experience for me.” Sean Parker, Wheels24

SEAN PARKER -

When the Audi RS 5 Coupe was launched late last year in Mzansi, it was already on the backfoot.

Down on power to its closest rivals the BMW M4 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 Coupe, the RS 5 has lost its V8 growl for a turbocharged V6 whine instead.

The reason? Less weight and emissions and a car that's not as thirsty for fame as a Kardashian.

331kW from a forced induction V6

Sean Parker spent a few days with the RS 5 to get the under the skin of the all-wheel-drive sports coupe.

Let's start with the RS 5's new engine, it's a 2.9 TFSI V6 bi-turbo engine, which Audi says is brand new and has a claimed output of 331 kW / 600 Nm – 170 Nm more than the model it replaces. But the same 331 kW as the previous 4.2-litre V8 powered RS 5.

Hmm, don't we all

want more power?

Against the clock, Audi claims it'll reach 100 km/h from standstill in a claimed 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h – though the limiter can be removed enabling the needle to reach 280 km/h.

What's it like to drive?

The RS 5 uses a revised five-link construction on the front axle.

At the rear, a five-link suspension replaces the trapezoidal-link suspension used on the previous model. It was evident that the chassis can handle more power.

It feels very composed though some may say bland.

It's one of the best “daily” sport coupes on sale.

The RS 5, like all fast Audis uses four-wheel drive which adds a crucial safety net but also blunts the driving experience for me.

The Audi, for me, did not feel special enough. Sure, when it gets going in its sportiest setting it feels helluva fast. But the 8-speed auto lacks the immediacy of a dual-clutch box and although the noise fills the cabin, the V6 just fails to excite the senses.

It doesn't feel like an occasion. It's not the type of car you'll want to rise early on Sunday morning and tackle your favourite passes.

No, it's more accustomed to a blast down to the shops or an naughty trip down a deserted road in the Northern Cape.

It's a very fast car, insane in the manner it picks up speed and hauls you to a destination quicker than you can send a gif.

Some readers on Instagram mentioned Audi is pitching the RS 5 as more of a Grand Tourer than a sports car. And I'll agree with them to a certain extent - Shouldn't the RS 5 be able to go toe-to-toe with M4 and C63? Who knows, Audi may bring out a beefier “Plus” model later on.

For now, the RS 5 is akin to a velvet-encased bomb; gloriously svelte but capable of pure destruction in a couple of seconds.- Wheels24

AfriForum's experiment will likely backfire on its members BY MPUMELELO MKHABELA

Rightwing Afrikaner interest group AfriForum is conducting a foolish experiment. Its decision to badmouth South Africa abroad is no different to a person who commits suicide to get the feel of dying.

AfriForum’s message to its allies in conservative circles in the United States (US) is that Afrikaners in South Africa are under siege.

They are victims of all kinds of crimes which the government allows to be perpetuated.

The group provides fake statistics to legitimise the fake story.

What if, in the developed countries, including in the US, people start believing AfriForum’s fake news and decide to act on it? Say, for illustrative purposes, they decide to impose sanctions on democratic South Africa for failing to protect this group of people that AfriForum portrays as special and vulnerable.

Alternatively, what if Western companies, on their own accord, decide to pull out of South Africa in protest against the alleged persecution of white South Africans? You don’t need to be an economist to figure out what could happen. South Africa’s economy could collapse.

The wealthy farmers and other Afrikaners AfriForum claims to speak on behalf of will become paupers.

The value of their wealth will significantly diminish.

Many white South Africans built their wealth through hard work.

The added advantage was, of course, colonial and apartheid privileges.

But the kind of suffering that would result from divestment would be indiscriminate. Regardless of how they acquired their wealth, they would be hit hard.

If this hypothetical scenario were to become reality, will AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and company pop champagne bottles, raise the apartheid flag and celebrate a mission accomplished? Fortunately, no rational investor would be fooled by AfriForum.

South Africa is a beautiful country and its values are admired all over the world. Neither the conservatives in Australia nor their cousins in US can change that. But there is a risk that within South Africa itself race relations could deteriorate as a result of AfriForum’s self-hate diplomacy.

You could have the emergence of a black rightwing that would mobilise specifically against whites to counter AfriForum. Kriel probably sees the EFF in that light. It’s true that the EFF is vocal about white wealth and black poverty. But the EFF is a parliamentary party constrained to what it can do by the prevailing constitutional order and its values.

Notwithstanding its occasional anti-white outbursts, the EFF does not have a policy of mobilising African nations to take anti-South Africa positions on international platforms. Moeletsi Mbeki’s statement at the Nampo Harvest Day that EFF and ANC policies on expropriation of land are aimed at scapegoating the white population for government's failures is not entirely true.

On different occasions Mbeki had said that the ANC and white businesses people struck a deal during the transition from apartheid to democracy for the party elites to secure BEE benefits. This suggests that it’s in the interests of those ANC elites that whites prosper. It should, therefore, follow that as white businesses succeed, BEE deals will continue to flow to the elites.

By scaring off investors with fake news about crime statistics, AfriForum has positioned itself directly against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commercial diplomatic initiatives to attract investments.

If Ramaphosa succeeds, the economy will grow.

A fast-growing economy where everyone has an opportunity to earn a living has the potential to reduce not only inequality but also tensions in society. AfriForum should encourage its members to participate in community initiatives to prevent crime instead of mourning about it. No one is immune to crime.

If AfriForum wants to be taken seriously, it must spend resources and lead practical initiatives to help the government deal with crime. The victims of crime are largely black, not white. They were black during apartheid. They are black in a democratic country.

The colonial and apartheid states were licensed to kill black people. At no point in our short history as a democracy was it ever made law that a certain racial grouping will be made victims of crime. In fact, the Constitution makes it clear that everyone is equal before the law and has equal protection from it.

The state has an obligation to ensure that the equality provisions are implemented. If the state fails to fulfil its obligations, citizens including AfriForum's members, have two key options: take the government to the Constitutional Court or contest elections.

Currently, younger black women are increasingly the target of the most vicious types of crimes. If AfriForum has ideas to solve such crimes, including crime on farms (affecting both workers and farmers), it should work with government and partner with other civil society groups in a non-racial fashion to find solutions. Police Minister Bheki Cele is very desperate right now to find solutions to serious crimes including political killings in KwaZulu-Natal which affect black politicians.

Even merely criticising the government for failing to do its work in combating crime is good. That we need an overhaul of the criminal justice system cannot be gainsaid.

But it’s one thing to criticise the government as we should in a normal democratic system where we enjoy freedom of speech; it’s another to besmirch the whole democratic country where all citizens, regardless of race, have equal rights.

The country is not the government. There is a difference.

Crime does not pay Crime in Namibia has reached critical levels and despite renewed calls by the authorities, including civil society organisations and the church to tackle all forms of social ills in our society, the problem remains a severe one. Violence, particularly against women, is a dark stain on our reputation as a nation. We need to agree that the fight against violence against women and child abuse cannot be left to law-enforcement officials only. It requires a collective responsibility. Gang violence has been on the increase and is not only tearing families and communities apart, but law-abiding citizens have to endure pain and humiliation at the hands of vicious thugs, who in most cases are never held responsible for their actions. Perpetrators of such heinous crimes no longer respect and defend human rights as enshrined in our constitution and this should no longer be allowed to continue. The reaction to the gunning down of a Windhoek man, who was believed to be a suspect in a robbery case, by undercover police officers, is evidence that Namibians are generally fed up with crime. Sakeus 'Kablou' Amateta was reportedly shot dead by detectives moments after he had allegedly attempted to attack the police officers with a knife. He had also resisted arrest after failing to cooperate with the law-enforcement officers. The cops are now facing murder charges and are likely to raise the self-defense claim in that the use of deadly force was necessary, as they were possibly threatened with death or injury. It must also be highlighted that resisting arrest is a very serious offence and one of the major factors the courts will take into consideration. Yes, human life is sacred and the right to life shall at all times be respected and protected as enshrined in our rule of law. The lure of making a little 'easy money', unfortunately, comes with a very heavy price, which does not only include receiving a lengthy jail sentence, but worst of all, ends in unnecessary loss of life. This case really brings to the fore what constitutes the elements of self-defence vis-à-vis police brutality. It is now up to the courts to determine whether the cops were right or not to employ deadly force in this matter. At the end of the day, crime does not pay.

'Let's just be friends' In honour of all my brothers, who after hard and endless toil have to settle for being ‘just friends’ with the ladies of their dreams, I felt I should let our opposite equals know of the suffering they subject us to.

Dear sisters, when you allow a man to get closer to you, we expect a photo finish - not a dubious penalty decision against us in injury time! To a man, a woman that opens up and starts revealing hidden family secrets or sheds light on her last break-up, is usually a sign of interest. In a man’s vocabulary, such actions shout, “Get closer, you are doing well so far.”

Sisters, a man does not pull out all the stops in an effort that you notice him just to be diplomatically shown the door, as in “let’s just be friends”. You mean after taking his boss’s BMW X6, which he was supposed to park at the back, for a spin at Herero Mall to impress you; that’s how you pay him back?

Guys would stop at no point to get the attention of the lady of their dreams, not even when it involves buying her and her entire office friends Nando’s every day. It is a long and winding road to a girl’s heart, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, right?

First he has to get the approval of his friends before setting his ‘dream’ in motion. He would mention you during a conversation with his buddies, like: “Oh, that woman. I don’t know who the hell she thinks she is.” If his friends reply with, “Are you kidding me, that woman is the bomb”, then he will know he is on the right path.

After that, he would ascertain his mother’s approval of you - yes, even before he has plucked up enough courage to introduce himself to you. You see, a woman might introduce her man to his mom after a few months, but a man does it even before you meet him!

He would say, “Mom, what do you think of Nancy?” His mom would roll her eyes and strike a cunning smile, “What are you telling me my boy, you mean you and Nancy - the student doctor are - you know?” The guy at this stage would simply smile and say, “Well she is kinda interested in me, but I don’t know if she is the right woman for me.”

So, as soon you allow the guy to drop you at home, instead of the street corner, and you start mentioning how you would want to settle down one day - this all ‘green light’ signs for the dude!

The sad news, however, my dear brothers, is that she might not necessarily have you in mind when she contemplates all these good things. You see, she considers you a friend and would share ‘anything with you’. Yeah, you are apparently the best friend she ever had - ever more than Maria, her trusted primary school confidant.

She would run to you every time a dude is interested in her; and you, being her best friend, are obliged to listen attentively and advise her to go for the dude! Yeah, if you say she should not go for the guy, you will be labelled as not knowing what you are talking about.

Back in the hood, they would tell you that it is a bad idea to befriend a woman whom you have feelings for. Apparently it makes it difficult for the man to change his tune once he has plucked up enough courage to do so.

The bottom line - even if he won’t admit it – is that no man wants to be “just friends” with someone he has taken a liking to. That’s like saying, “I have something important to tell you, something that will make you happy… but then I will have to kill you.”

To a woman it might be a sign of keeping the cage door open in case ‘the crow returns home to roost’, but to a man it means being used for a relationship counsellor and made to carry heavy shopping bags!

So, next time you intend telling a guy off by using the “let’s just be friends line”, first pause to consider the harm you would be causing the poor fella.

Until then...

tjatindi@gmail.com

Company news

Cisco's tepid forecast clouds quarterly beat, shares fall

Network gear maker Cisco Systems Inc reported third-quarter profit and revenue that topped analysts’ estimates on Wednesday, but shares fell 4% after dour current-quarter forecasts indicated that the transition to a software-focused business remained a work in progress.

Cisco’s stock has climbed 18% and is the second biggest gainer among Dow components this year as investors bet on the company’s turnaround under chief executive officer Chuck Robbins.

Since taking the helm in July 2015, Robbins has steered the hardware giant away from its traditional business of supplying switches and routers and into newer growth areas such as cloud, Internet of things and cyber security.

-Nampa/Reuters

Swiss watchmaker Richemont launches lower priced brand

Luxury goods group Richemont has launched a new watch brand, Baume, offering trendy time pieces priced in the hundreds rather than the thousands of dollars to lure young people away from their smartphones for reading the time.

Swiss watchmakers have seen sales improve recently, after a prolonged downturn, but are struggling to reach young people who wear no watch at all or a connected Apple Watch and want online services luxury watchmakers have been slow to embrace.

-Nampa/Reuters

Nike, H&M and Burberry join forces for sustainable fashion

Major global brands Nike, H&M, Burberry and Gap have signed up to an initiative that aims to improve the industry’s record on sustainability after a study found less than one percent of clothing is recycled.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, set up by the record-breaking sailor, announced on Wednesday that the brands were joining its Make Fashion Circular scheme to reduce global waste from fashion by recycling raw materials and products.

-Nampa/Reuters

Uganda power distributor Umeme to spend US$1.2b to expand grid

Ugandan power distributor Umeme Ltd plans to spend US$1.2 billion in the next seven years to revamp and expand the grid and has hired an adviser to explore options for raising the money, the company’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

The investments will be used to prepare for an expected rise in power expected to come online by 2020, CEO Selestino Babungi told Reuters in an interview.

The East African country is developing two new hydropower plants on the Nile - Karuma and Isimba - and when completed, they are expected to add a combined 780 megawatts (MW) of power to the grid.

South Africa's Tharisa acquires 90% stake in Zimbabwean chrome

South African mining firm Tharisa has bought a 90% stake in Salene Chrome Zimbabwe Limited, it said on Wednesday, gaining access to rich chrome deposits and growing its presence in Zimbabwe.

Tharisa previously announced an interest to move into Zimbabwe’s Great Dyke region, which is considered to have chrome and platinum reserves comparable to those it mines in the Bushveld region of South Africa.

In Wednesday’s statement, it did not disclose financial terms, saying only they required “nominal upfront payment”.

-Nampa/Reuters

Dundee Metals embraces share schemes

Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) this week warmed up to the New Equitable Economic Framework with the transfer of a 2% stake to employees.

The 2% ownership interest is to be housed in the Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (DPMT) Employee Trust to be established for the benefit of the smelter employees.

According to Dundee, the principal terms and conditions of the GHM acquisition are that GHM will acquire an 8% share for approximately US$20.2 million, that the acquisition will be financed by DPM, that GHM will receive an annual dividend of US$500 000 for the first five years subject to DPMT having sufficient available distributable funds and GHM achieving approved performance metrics and that GHM will nominate one of the five members of DPMT's board.

The board will also include three DPMT employees and a fifth independent director to provide additional Namibian perspective and diversity.

DPM president Rick Howes said the transaction demonstrated his company's willingness to meet the government halfway as it seeks to redress economic inequality.

“This transaction is another demonstration of our support for the government and its New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF),” said Howes.

“As a leader in corporate social responsibility, we believe this transaction will help achieve the objectives of economic empowerment across a broad group of Namibians, including our own employees.”

“This transaction creates hope for previously disadvantaged Namibians to believe that share in wealth will let the business grow. I am thrilled by the fact that our employees are new shareholders and they will be working for their company which will result in increased productivity,” said Zebra Kasete, DPMT's managing director.

The transaction has been substantially agreed to between the parties and is expected to be completed by mid-2018. The structure and details of the DPMT Employee Trust are being finalised and additional information will be made available in due course.

STAFF REPORTER

Miner shares renewed phosphate optimismWants to engage constructively with govt Phosphate miner, NMP, says it is willing to constructively engage with government around the implementation of its Sandpiper project.

Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) is optimistic a recent High Court ruling, setting aside a decision to revoke the environmental clearance certificate for its proposed Sandpiper project, now opens the door for it to engage government with renewed optimism.

High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele last week set aside environment minister Pohamba Shifeta decision withdraw the environmental clearance certificate issued to NMP by environmental commissioner Teofilus Nghitila.

NMP was given an environmental clearance by the ministry of environment in 2016 to kick-start its Sandpiper project.

An environmental clearance certificate is a necessary legal requirement before any mining activities can take place.

Commenting on the developments yesterday, NMP said it was now looking forward to working with government.

“With this matter concluded, the company now welcomes the opportunity to resume working constructively with government in order to take the project forward and to resolve any residual stakeholder concerns or misinformation regarding the project development, within the framework of the Namibian legislation and the conditions of the clearance certificate,” NMP said.

NMP has in the past claimed that it has invested N$780 million into its project to support exploration as well as technical, economic and environmental studies.

A major legal challenge however lays in wait and, brought by the fishing industry.

Namibian Hake Association president Matti Amukwa would not be drawn into commenting this week on last Friday's verdict, while saying the fisheries industry's objection to marine phosphate mining was still with the courts.

When asked when the association would be making a return to court, Amukwa said the matter was at the case management stage.

The association is challenging the mining licence granted to NMP for its Sandpiper project. The mining licence was awarded to NMP by the ministry of mines in 2011. The association has argued the licence granted failed to comply with a condition requiring the firm to provide an environmental impact assessment to the ministry of mines within six months of it being granted.

Lawyer Sisa Namandje, who is representing the fishing industry, told The Namibian this week: “I don't know why they (NMP) are celebrating.”

He added NMP would be blocked from mining if the court agreed with his clients that the mining licence had expired at the time they received the environmental clearance in 2016.

OGONE TLHAGE

Tweya to respond to AR

Trade minister Tjekero Tweya has confirmed he has received a letter from the Affirmative Repositioning movement outlining government's alleged failure to deliver on its promises to alleviate skyrocketing rental prices.

“I guess I have received the letter and out of courtesy I will respond. No matter who that person is that wrote the letter, I hold a public office and must out of courtesy respond,” Tweya said yesterday.

On Tuesday, AR leader Job Amupanda threatened to take government to court for the slow implementation of resolutions taken during a meeting with President Hage Geingob three years ago, which included the introduction of a rent control board.

In a strongly worded letter to Tweya, Amupanda demanded to know why the government had not implemented the resolutions, as agreed to at the State House in 2015.

He also demanded that the minister explain before 18 May at 16:00 why the youth should not approach the court to compel him and the government to implement a rent control board and to prescribe tariffs as stipulated by the Estate Agents Act.

Tweya's predecessor Immanuel Ngatjizeko said in 2016 that a cabinet meeting had approved the establishment of a rent control board.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Measurement Standards: A catalyst for science and technologyA celebration of science On 20th of May 2018, Namibia will join the international community in commemorating World Metrology Day.

World Metrology Day is an annual event during which more than 80 countries celebrate the impact of measurement on our daily lives. This date was chosen in recognition of the signing of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875, the beginning of formal international collaboration in metrology.

Metrology, the science of measurement is at the core of the National Quality Infrastructure, being at the centre of the national measurement system. Every process or service, for which a decision has to be made based on a measurement, must be supported by a sound metrology infrastructure. Certain decisions are critical and require accurate measurements, others are regulated and there are laws to protect the consumers and the environment, others have a bearing on safety and health.

The theme for 2018 is the 'Constant evolution of International System of Units'. This theme was chosen because in November 2018, the General Conference on Weights and Measures is expected to agree one of the largest changes to the International System of Units (the SI) since its inception which will result in further improvements in measurement science and technology to meet the needs of future users for many years to come.

Namibia through the NSI will commemorate this day through the hosting a stakeholder’s dinner event tonight in Windhoek, targeted at senior government officials responsible for policy and decision making and support for metrology quality infrastructure and stakeholders in the metrology business. The event will also celebrate the achievements of NSI’s Metrology laboratory, based in Prosperita Windhoek, and will host an official handover of the accreditation certificates for both mass and volume laboratories. The NSI has invited speakers from the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) and the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) to discuss the redefinition of SI units and on the importance of accreditation.

The NSI, as the National Metrology Institute in Namibia, plays an important role in ensuring that credible measurements standards are in place to service the food, transport industry, wholesale and retail sector and medical industry.

In the retail sector, the NSI inspects all pre-packaged goods and weighing scales in the supermarkets to ensure they comply with the required quantities declared, this ensures that Namibian consumers have peace of mind that pre-packages contain the correct quantities.

The NSI regulates all measuring instruments used for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Container Weight Verification regulation. This regulation, implemented by the International Maritime Organisation, requires that shipping containers are weighed accurately and on time to ensure the safe loading of container ships.

The NSI plays a critical role in the area of road safety through ensuring the accuracy and compliance of measuring instruments used in law enforcement, these include speed measuring devices (speed cameras) and the evidential breath analysers.

Each year World Metrology Day is organized and celebrated jointly by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) with the participation of the national organizations responsible for metrology such as the NSI.

As science and technology progress, the demands for measurements to underpin new products and services will increase.