'Stand by me'

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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'Stand by me'Harry and Meghan start married life Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have become husband and wife in a moving ceremony at Windsor Castle. Prince Harry and his new wife Meghan began married life yesterday after their spectacular, rule-breaking wedding, but will be delaying a honeymoon as they turn immediately to royal duties.

The newly ennobled Duke and Duchess of Sussex staged a huge party after the ceremony on Saturday at Windsor Castle, where they were greeted by around 100 000 people lining the streets and watched by millions around the world.

The beaming couple were seen driving to the evening bash in a vintage Jaguar, Meghan having changed from her sweeping Givenchy wedding gown into a sleek Stella McCartney halterneck dress, with Harry switching his military frockcoat for black tie.

On the bride's finger was a large aquamarine ring, which belonged to Harry's beloved late mother, Diana.

Details of the bash, hosted by Harry's father Prince Charles in a house on the castle grounds for 200 close friends and family, were a top secret although fireworks were seen over Windsor late in the evening.

Some of the celebrities who attended the earlier service, including George Clooney and tennis star Serena Williams, were also spotted heading in.

The wedding was like no other the royal family has ever staged, a mix of the pageantry that Britain does so well, with celebrity razzmatazz and African-American culture.

In a ceremony filled with laughs and not a few tears, the couple held hands, and the prince was visibly emotional as he greeted his bride at the altar saying: “You look amazing.”

A gospel choir sang “Stand By Me” and US pastor Michael Curry delivered a passionate, lengthy address about the power of love, referencing slavery.

Meghan, a mixed-race television actress, also made her mark by walking up the aisle partly on her own, and giving a speech at the evening reception.

“Kisstory: Harry & Meg's historic change for monarchy,” headlined The Sun on Sunday, with a photograph of the couple kissing on the steps of St George's Chapel.

“If ever there was a wedding to symbolise modern, multi-cultural, multi-racial Britain, yesterday's was it,” the Sunday Mirror wrote in an editorial.

“Disney could not have come up with a better princess,” said the Sunday Telegraph, while The Mail on Sunday simply said: “Harry ever after!”

After staying at Windsor overnight, Harry and Meghan were due to return to their home at Kensington Palace in London at some point on Sunday afternoon.

They will not be taking a honeymoon immediately, as they are due to attend a charity garden party for Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Meghan and Charles have reportedly forged a strong bond, and he stepped in to escort her to the altar at the wedding after her own father pulled out following a media furore and subsequent heart surgery.

Charles also invited Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, the only member of the Markle family to attend the wedding, for tea before the big day and chatted to her in the church.

Windsor was transformed into a sea of Union Jack flags for the wedding, with the world's media mixing with thousands of well-wishers, many of whom camped out for days.

“Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world,” the royal family tweeted.

As a member of the monarchy, Meghan now has her own section of the royal.uk website, which highlights her charity work - and plays down her acting career.

The section “About the Duchess of Sussex” notes her activism from an early age, as well as her work with UN Women, One Young World and World Vision, with only a passing reference to “filming in Toronto”.

The biography section offers a few more details about Meghan's near 15-year career as an actress, including in hit US television series “Suits”, shot in Toronto.

It also references her lifestyle blog, The Tig - which, like her acting, she has given up to join the House of Windsor.



NAMPA/AFP

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Agribusdev ta lalakanene iiyemo yoobiliyona 1.8

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Oonakutulululwa mofaalama yOndera taye shi enditha nawa

≪ Previous: 'Stand by me'

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Agribusdev ta lalakanene iiyemo yoobiliyona 1.8 Oshiputudhilo shoAgricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) osha pititha oompangela dhasho shopangeshefa dhoka dha nuninwa okweetela oshiputudhilo shoka iiyemo yoobiliyona 1.8 nokutotapo oompito dhiilonga dhopakathimbo dhi li 4 000.

Ondjodhi ndhoka otadhi kaninga owala dhoshili ngele oya mono oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 111, opo ya vule okuyambulapo oopoloyeka yawo yuunamapya.

Omunambelewa Omukomeho gwehangano ndyoka, Petrus Uugwanga, okwa tseyithile Ominista yUunamapya Alpheus !Naruseb, kutya oompaangela ndhoka odhomvula yo2017 sigo 2022.

Agribusdev oshimwe shomiiputudhilo yepangelo mbyoka ya talelwa po ku!Naruseb oshiwike sha piti, onga oshitopolwa she shokwiiuvithako niilonga yiiputudhilo mbyoka ya yaama kepangelo yi li kohi yoshikondo shuunamapya.

Ehangano ndyoka olya totwa po muNovemba gwo 2011, opo li kwatele komeho omayambulepo nekwatelo komeho lyoopoloyeka dhuunamapya muuministeli wuunamapya.

Pauyelele woompangela dhongeshefa dhoshiputudhilo shoka, otashi ka pumbwa oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 111, 434 opo li vule okuyambulapo oopoloyeka dhogreen schemes moNamibia, dhi li 11.

Agribusdev oha kwatele komeho oopoloyeka ngashi ndjoka yEtunda, Hardap, Kalimbeza,Mashare, Musese, Ndonga Linena, Orange River, Shadikongoro, Shitemo, Sikondo oshowo Uvhungu-Vhungu.

Okwa popi kutya ngele andola ayihe oya tulwa miilonga ngashi taya thaneke okupitila moompangela dhawo ndhoka, nena oshiputudhilo otashi ka mona iiyemo yi li poobiliyona 1.8, okuza momvula 2017 no 2022.

Okuya momasiku 31 gaMaalitsa gwo 2017, ehangano ndyoka olya likola iiyemo ya thika poomiliyona 158.5 okuyeleka niiyemo yi li poomiliyona 91.4, mbyoka ehangano lya ningi momasiku 31 gaMaalitsa mo 2016.

Okwa popi kutya oompito dhiilonga dhi li 464 odha totwa poo manga oompito dhiilonga dhili 98 dha gwedhwa po dha totwa po oshowo oompito dhiilonga dhi li 4 000 dhopakathimbo.

Uugwanga okwa tsikile kutya ootona dhepungu dhi li 16 091 dhongushu yoomiliyona 72 okwa tegelelwa dhi likolwe okuza miikunino mbyoka.

Epungu ndyoka oli li etokolo lyotango lyepangelo okulanda nokupungula moompungulilo dhopashigwana ndhoka tadhi kwatelwa komeho kehangano lyoAgro-Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA).

Uugwanga okwa tsikile kutya Agribusdev ota ningi oonkambadhaala dhokuya melongelokumwe nooPublic-Private Partnerships (PPPs) opo dhi kwatele komeho oopoloyeka dhimwepo moshilongo.

Ofaalama yaKatima/Liselo moshitopolwa shaZambezi ndjoka yin a uunene woohecta 1 600, otayi ka longitha omukalo ngoka mokuwapaleka ofaalama ndjoka nokuyi tula ondhalate.

Moshitopolwa sha//Karas, Neckartal, ndjoka yi na uunene woohecta 5 000 otayi ka longitha oPPP megandjo lyomayakulo gomuhanga.

Oopoloyeka dhilwe ndhoka tadhi tala kokulongitha omatsokumwe gooPPSs ongaashi ndjoka yuunene woohecta 4 000 yaTandjieskoppe tayi adhika moNoordoewer, moshitopolwa sha//Karas.

Oopoloyeka dhilwe ongaashi ndjoka tayi adhika momukunda Zone moshitopolwa shaKavango West ndjoka yi na uunene woohecta 2 000, ofaalama tayi adhika pondje yaRundu, yedhina Uvhungu-Vhungu, ndjoka yi na uunene woohecta 263.

Uugwanga okwa tsikile kutya opoloyeka yawo yEtunda ndjoka yi na uunene woohecta 360 tayi adhika moRuacana oyi li ngashiingeyi poshitopolwa shawo oshitiheyali noshitihetatu shokukunununa.

Mashare oyi li poshitopolwa shawo oshitiyali shelongekidho lyevi nokukuna omanga Musese ndjoka yi na oohecta 110 yiipyakidhila nokukuna.

Okwa tsikile kutya ehangano lyawo olya futa omalelo gopamuthigululwakalo oshimaliwa shooN$190 400 moshikako shomvula yo 2016/17 onga iifuta yomahala moka mu na iikunino yawo.

Iifuta mbyoka oya londa pombanda muule woomvula okuza pooN$185 425 mo 2015/16 okuya poN$ 142 550 momvula ya piti.

ELLANIE SMIT

Oonakutulululwa mofaalama yOndera taye shi enditha nawa

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Oonakutulululwa mofaalama yOndera taye shi enditha nawaOofaalama ndjoka otayi adhika oshinano shookilometa 70 monooli yaTsumeb Ofaalama ndjoka ya tulululwa aakwashigwana mo 2012 ngashiingeyi oyi na oofamili dha thika po500, oskola oshowo oshikunino noongombe dha thika po 252, na oyi li yuuka ondjila ombwaanawa meyambulepo lyaakwashigwana. Epangelo olya tululula aakwashigwana mofaalama ndjoka, sha landula sho aakwashigwana oyendji mwakwatelwa aakwashigwana yomuhoko gwAayelele yiiyadha pondje yOshivelo moshitopolwa shaShikoto yamwe ohaya zi moombashu omanga yamwe ya kala haya zi momawendo omolwa ompumbwe yevi.

Ofaalama ndjoka oya monika okupitila mOmbelewa yOmuprima moshikondo shoka hashi ungaunga naantu mboka ya kala inaya talika nale, shoka ngashiingeyi shi li kohi yOmbelewa yOmupeha Presidende.

Ofaalama yOndera oyi li miitopolwa iyali yoofaalama, Ondera oshowo Komeva. Ofaalama ndjoka otayi adhika oshinano shookilometa 70 mOnooli yaTsumeb. Sho onzonkundaneki yoNampa ya talele po ofaalama ndjoka osheendo shaatoolinkundana osha tsakanekwa konkalo yeitaalo oshowo enkondopeko okuzilila maakalimo yomofaalama ndjoka.

James Uerikua, omunambelewa gwopombanda gwompangela dhomayambulepo mOmbelewa yOmupeha Presidende, naye okwa li oshitopolwa sholweendo ndoka.

“Otwa tameke etulululo lyetu lyotango mo2013, na otwa tululula aanamagumbo ye li 130, okuza mOshivelo. Egumbo limwe olya li naakalimo ye li puyatano. Monena otu na aanamagumbo ye li po 500, mofaalama ndjika,” Uerikua a popi.

Uerikua okwa popi kutya nonando ofaalama ndjoka otayi gandja omahokololo omawanawa oya taalela woo natango omashongo.

Limwe lyomehokololo ewanawa mofaalama ndjoka, oshikunino shoka sha topolwa moohecta dhokuhelela 11, oshowo miitopolwa 8 yoshikunino shiihape ngaashi omakunde, omatama oshowo iihape yilwe.

“Ongaashi mushi shi kutya omuloka inagu kala tagu shambula muule womvula ndjika, ihe omapungu ngoka oga pya,” Uerikua a popi omanga a thikama poshitopolwa shevi shoka sha helelwa.

Okwa tsikile kutya mo 2015, aakalimo mboka oya landithile ooshako dhepungu dhi li o-50 na oyiilikolele iiyemo yoshimaliwa sha thika poN$71 000.

Iimaliwa mboka oya pungulwa momayalulo gombaanga yaakwashigwana mboka, ndjoka ya nuninwa okupungula iiyemo yomayambulepo guunafaalama mokati kaakwashigwana mboka.

“Kehe shoka tatu nduluka mpaka osha nuninwa omayambulepo gaakwashigwana oshowo elogitho lyaakwashigwana. Kehe oshiwike ohapu zi ohauto yuudha iihape niilikolomwa yetu ayihe yomoshikunino shetu, tayi ka landithwa mOshivelo oshowo moTsumeb nenge Grootfontein,” Uerikua a yelitha.

Ehangano lyoNamsov Fishing Enterprises, olya li lya pungula oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 4 mofaalama ndjoka, opo shi vule okuyambidhiaha melongitho lyofaalama ndjoka.

“Elalakano lyepungulo ndyoka okukwashilipaleka kutya ofaalama oya yambulwapo monkantu ya landulako.”

Iimaliwa mbyoka oya longithwa mokulanda iimuna oshowo iilongitho yomofaalama.

Okuya muMaalitsa, ofaalama ndjoka oya landitha oonani dhi li po 40, koshimaliwa shooN$200 000, shoka sha tulwa momayalulo gombaanga yokupungula yaakwashigwana mboka.

“Pethimbo mpoka twa tululula aakwashigwana, ka mwa li oskola mofaalama ndjoka ihe nena ope na oskola ndjoka yi na ondondo yotango sigo ondondo onti 4. Aanona yomofaalama ndjika inaya pumbwa we okuya kOshivelo nenge Ombili opo ya ye koskola.”

Kombinga yimwe ofaalama oya taalela omikundu odhindji ngaashi oonkoshi ndhoka hadhi zi mEtosha nokuyonagulapo oloogolo lyofaalama ndjoka.

Omukuluntuskola gwoskola ndjoka, Lena Nakatana, okwa popi kutya oya taalela omikundu odhindji unene iiyakakuti, nokutula moshiponga oomwenyo dhaanona aashona momalweendo gawo okuya koskola.

Nakatana okwa popi kutya uupyakadhi wulye ya taalela ompumbwe yendiki lyuunamiti tali kalele mofaalama yawo.

Okwa popi kutya natango oya taalela omukundu gwaantu taya ikuthile evi mofaalama ndjoka, nonando oyeshi shi kutya ofaalama ndjoka oyepangelo, na okwa popi kutya otaya tula miilonga omikalo ndhoka tadhi ka longithwa opo ku yandwe onkalo ndjoka.

Sho omupeha presidende, Nangolo Mbumba a talele po ofaalama ndjoka muMaalitsa nuumvo okwa li a holola enyanyu lye omolwa omayambulepo ngoka taga ningwa mofaalama ndjoka na otaga pula komeho.

Nonando ongaaka Mbumba ka li a nyanyudhwa konkalo yiinima yilwe mbyoka tayi ningwa mofaalama ndjoka, ngashi okwiikuthila evi niimbuluma.

Omupeha minista gwoshikondo shiipambele yaantu mboka ya kala inaya talika nale, Royal /Ui/o/oo, ngoka a li oshitopolwa sholweendo lwaMbumba okwa popi kutya ina nyanyudhwa komukalo ngoka tagu longithwa mokutululula Aayelele omanga Aanamibia yamwe taya tulululwa onga oohandimwe.

Ofaalama dhi li 10 odha landwa kepangelo okupitila moprograma yomatulululo gaakwashigwana okutameka omvula 2005.

Omikunda dhili puhamano odha totwapo na odha tulululwa aanamagumo ye li po400 omanga natango odhi li pune tadhi longekidhwa okutotwa po.

Oongombe dhi li 600 oshowo iimuna mbyoka iishona yi li 100 oya pewa aakwashigwana mboka ya tulululwa, onga omayambidhidho gopetameko muunafaalama wawo.

Aakwashigwana mboka oyomuhoko gwAayelele, Ovatue nOvatjimba.

-NAMPA

EDWARD MUMBUU

'Undermined, patronised' Willemse storms off

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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'Undermined, patronised' Willemse storms off Former Springbok winger Ashwin Willemse stormed out of a live Super Rugby TV show Saturday, saying he was “undermined” and “patronised” by fellow analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.

The incident happened as the trio were reviewing a match in which Golden Lions defeated the ACT Brumbies 42-24 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Asked to comment on the game, Willemse said “he cannot work with people who undermine other people”.

He also spoke of being called a “quota” Springbok, referring to a defunct system that ensured a certain number of black players were chosen for national teams.

Willemse added on air that he “refused to be patronised by two individuals who played in apartheid/segregated era.” Neither Botha nor Mallett used the word “quota” during the show.

Blacks were barred from representing the Springboks during apartheid and the majority of the current side is white despite 90% of the population being black. Botha and Mallett, both former Springboks with the latter also having coached the team, are white and Willemse black.

Broadcaster SuperSport said “they were aware of the on-air incident and are looking into the matter”.

Social media was divided with some believing Willemse should have stayed and stood his ground while others backed his decision to walk off.

Other tweets called for Botha and Mallett, the most respected TV rugby analyst in South Africa, to be fired.

-NAMPA/AFP

Stevenson draws with Jack

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Stevenson draws with JackRetains light-heavyweight crown by skin of his teeth The 40-year-old southpaw, kept his title after two judges scored the bout 114-114 and the third saw the challenger as the winner. Haitian-born Canadian Adonis Stevenson retained his World Boxing Council (WBC) light-heavyweight title on Saturday after fighting Sweden's Badou Jack to a majority draw in which no judge scored him a winner.

Adonis Stevenson, a 40-year-old southpaw, kept his title after two judges scored the bout 114-114 and the third saw Jack as a 115-113 winner in the title bout at Toronto.

In a fight nobody lost, both fighters saw themselves as winners. “I thought I definitely won the fight,” Jack said. “No judge had him winning.”

Stevenson's record went to 29-1-1 while Jack settled for his third career draw against 22 wins and a lone defeat. “I feel that I won the fight,” Stevenson said. “I hurt him in the body. He got slowed down. I keep pressure on him. He moved slick but I touched him more all the time. I think I win this fight.”

All three judges awarded Jack the 12th round to lift him into the draw, which could set the stage for a title rematch.

“I feel I win this fight but Badou is a good fighter, two-time world champion,” Stevenson said. “I can give him a rematch if he needs one.”

Jack is ready, but wants Stevenson to fight outside Canada for the first time since September 2011.

“Let's do a rematch. Let's do it in Vegas,” Jack said. “I came to his place. Now it's his turn to come to my place.” Jack settled for a draw two fights ago in January 2017 with James DeGale and wondered if the fact he is promoted by retired unbeaten champion Floyd Mayweather played a role in his struggles to get more than draws.

“I have no idea,” Jack said. “It could be they are jealous of Floyd. I'm one of Floyd's top fighters.

“I don't know. I can't do anything about it. I'm not the judge. I've got to respect.”

Stevenson extended the second-longest active reign in boxing. He knocked out Chad Dawson for the crown in 2013 and since then stopped six of eight prior foes with two other victories by unanimous decision.

Stevenson, who had not fought since stopping Poland's Andrzej Fonfara last June in Montreal, dominated early but struggled late as Jack, with Mayweather at ringside cheering him on, bloodied the champion's nose in the eighth round and controlled the pace to the finish.

Jack, a 2008 Olympian for his father's homeland of Gambia, owned the WBC super-middleweight crown from 2015 to 2017 and stopped Britain's Nathan Cleverly last August for the World Boxing Association crown, but relinquished the title for the chance to fight Stevenson.

-NAMPA/AFP

Free State Stars win Nedbank Cup

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Free State Stars win Nedbank Cup Free State Stars ensured there was no fairy tale ending to Maritzburg United's remarkable season after they won a tightly-contested Nedbank Cup final 1-0 at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Maritzburg, enjoyed the lion's share of the approximately 20 000 fans who turned out in the Mother City, but never really got going with their customary brand of enterprising football against a street-wise Stars side.

Stars managed the game extremely well and went on to win the encounter through Sthembiso Dlamini's well-taken strike just before halftime.

The initial stages of the game were open, the two sides trading blows as they each had their moments in attack, although there were no clear shots on goal apart from a Patrick Phungwayo effort which Maritzburg keeper Richard Ofori dealt with easily.

The action continued at a brisk pace, with the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) side trying to get their slick passing game going, although some crunching tackles from Stars captain Paulus Masehe made it difficult for United to find their rhythm.

For their part, Ea Lla Koto looked dangerous on the counterattack, especially through Sinethemba Jantjie, who was making life difficult for young Maritzburg defender Rushine de Reuck.

The Team of Choice did manage to fashion some chances towards the last 10 minutes of the first half as Bevan Fransman had a header saved by Stars keeper Thela Ngobeni, before Lebohang Maboe had an effort blocked from close range.

But Luc Eymael's side continued to look dangerous when they moved the ball to Jantjie and it was his storming run and cut-back a minute before the interval that set up Dlamini to sweep home a crisp first-time finish from the edge of the box.

Maritzburg coach Fadlu Davids withdrew De Reuck after the break and went to a back three, but although his side enjoyed good periods of possession around the Stars box, their composure with the final pass or attempt on goal was lacking.

There was a volley from Andrea Fileccia in the 70th minute which hit the side-netting, but too often the Belgian was unable to deliver a killer ball into the box from the wide position he took on the right.

Stars also survived a handball call after a rebound seemed to have possibly caught his arm, although it would have been a harsh call, while at the other end of the park, Ofori kept out a well struck effort from Jantjie.

The KZN capital city side though were doing all of the attacking in the final minutes of the game, piling on the pressure. And after a series of goalmouth scrambles, they seemed set to equalise in the 88th minute, only for Siyanda Xulu to hook his parting shot over the bar from just six yards out.

The Team of Choice gave their all in the dying stages of the game, but some desperate defending from the Bethlehem team saw them holding on to claim the R7 million winners prize, and with it a place in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup.

-NAMPA/ANA

Young Brazilians narrowly defeat SKW

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Young Brazilians narrowly defeat SKW Young Brazilians Football Club (FC) from Karasburg defeated rookies Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) 2-1 on Saturday in the first round of the Southern Stream First Division Inland Stream.

The match played at Karasburg Combined School Stadium started off at a slow pace with both teams pressing hard for an opening goal.

SKW mostly relied on aerial balls and the opening goal eventually came against the run of play in the 20th minute, when Lukie Claassen scored after intense pressure.

Minute's later SKW veteran defender Ivan Blom was cautioned for a mistimed tackle on an opposing player. Young Brazilians then started to throw everything at SKW and equalised in the 40th minute through the boot of Reginald Vries, to send the game level into halftime.

In the second half Young Brazilians found their rhythm and starting playing the ball on the ground with passing moves from player to player.

SKW were then reduced to ten men after Blom was showed a second yellow card.

Young Brazilians used the numerical advantage and pinned SKW in their half. After intense pressing, the winner came via the boot of Revered Matroos in the 88th minute for a well-deserved three points for the home team.

Young Brazilians coach Tolla Julius said SKW caused them problems with their aerial balls and did not make it easy for them.

“We could not deal with the long balls they played, as our players are physically inferior to those of SKW. We decided to play our short passing game and rather draw fouls, which eventually paid off,” Julius said.

SKW coach Hans Dicka Danster said the game was good, lamenting only that his players could not adapt to the gravel field.

“We had a good game, but could not implement our game plan due to my players not being used to playing on a gravel field. Well done to our opponents for giving us a good game. We will learn from our mistakes for the next games,” he remarked.

On Sunday, Young Brazilians will face Windhoek United in round two, with SKW facing Try Again FC in Keetmanshoop.

-NAMPA

Messi played in SA due to 'contractual issue'

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Messi played in SA due to 'contractual issue' Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted Lionel Messi played in a friendly against Mamelodi Sundowns last Wednesday due to a “contractual issue”, even though the striker was left out of last weekend's loss to Levante.

Levante's shock 5-4 victory ended Barca's hopes of completing their first ever unbeaten La Liga season in what was their 37th, and penultimate, match of the campaign.

The result placed added scrutiny on Valverde's decision to rest Messi, who was not even included on the bench at the City of Valencia Stadium, as Barca chased an equaliser in the final 20 minutes.

But Messi did come on as a substitute in South Africa three days later as Barca took part in a friendly to contribute to celebrations marking 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela.

“In South Africa I played him for 15 minutes because of a contractual issue,” Valverde said on Saturday. “But he has helped us a lot and the idea now is to rest him.”

Messi has made 57 appearances for club and country this season and with Barcelona's domestic double already confirmed, his next focus is Argentina and this summer's World Cup.

Valverde indicated Messi is also likely to be spared Sunday's final league game of the season at home to Real Sociedad.

“Messi has played a lot of big matches, even sometimes playing with discomfort,” Valverde said. “Now the plan is to rest him a little.”

Barca will be hoping to finish on a high against Real Sociedad, as Andres Iniesta plays his final game for the club.

Iniesta joined Barcelona's academy 22 years ago and Valverde accepts the Spaniard will be impossible to replace.

“We shouldn't make the mistake of trying to find an Iniesta replica because we're never going to find one,” Valverde said. “We will all have to make up for his absence together.”

-NAMPA/AFP

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Unam bludgeon Falcons

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Unam bludgeon FalconsSecure mammoth 78-7 win over rivals Unam have extended their lead at the top of the premiership to 12 points and are sitting pretty after eight matches. NAMPA



Unam showed no mercy at home, as they thrashed Reho Falcons 78-7 in round eight of their Rugby Premier League fixture on Friday night.

Despite being humbled by a huge margin, it was the Rehoboth outfit that opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute with a converted try.

Unam responded in the ninth minute with their opening try. From that point on it was one-way traffic, as they ran in six tries in total in the first half, converting all but one.

With just minutes before the half-time break, a Reho Falcons was yellow carded for a high tackle.

The half-time score was 40-7. The second half started with Falcon pressing for their second try of the match but a strong and resilient Unam team continued were they left off as they dominated a Falcons team that was still a man down.

Unam continued to show why they are the log leaders, turning on the gas and running in six more tries to kill any hope their opponents had of fighting back. For scoring more than seven tries, Unam secured themselves two bonus points.

Of the six tries scored in the second half they only managed to convert four for them, leading to a final score of 78-7.

The win extended their lead at the top of 39 points from eight matches. Wanderers, who will had the weekend off, are second on the log, 12 points behind Unam on 27 points from seven matches played.

United, who will play Suburbs this weekend, are third on the log standings with 21 points from seven matches played. Suburbs are fifth on the log with 17 points.

Rehoboth, who will host Walvis Bay-based Kudus are sixth with 15 points, while Kudus are fourth on the log with 19 points, with all these teams having played seven games.

Reho Falcons are bottom of the log with one point from eight matches played.

Shot of the day

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day Shot of the day

Raised by the streets

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Raised by the streets No parent should experience burying their child.

It is perhaps one of the hardest things in life - even if that child has been derided as a thug by the media.

So too was the case this weekend when Sakaria Amateta, better known as 'Kablou', was laid to raise as his mother cried in anguish. He was gunned down last Sunday in Kangueehi Street at a bar in Wanaheda, after allegedly attempting to stab a police officer with a knife.

He has reportedly been living a life of crime since the age of 12. In the aftermath of his death, the issue of the use of deadly force, and if it was necessary in this instance, has dominated media reports, which have also painted Kablou as the devil incarnate, or in other cases, as some kind of anti-hero.

The reality for his mother was different. He was simply a son who had chosen a wrong path. It is critical to look at what kind of a society produces Kablous.

In April we reported that nearly half of all active maintenance cases in Namibia's 33 magistrate courts are cases where parents, mostly fathers, have failed to honour court ordered child support payments.

A summary provided by the Office of the Judiciary to Namibian Sun showed that out of 31 104 active maintenance cases before 33 of Namibia's magistrate courts, 15 097 are default cases.

In Windhoek, 8 290 default cases are before the maintenance court, out of a total of 11 479 active cases.

In these cases, fathers have abdicated or denied their responsibilities to their sons and daughters, who become more susceptible to being drawn into a life of crime. American gangsta rappers, with their allure of easy money and 'get-rich-or-die-trying' ethos have become surrogate fathers to our kids.

Of course, it would be disingenuous to paint each child battling social evils with one brush, but the reality is that many mothers and grandmothers are raising young children on their own, with no father figure or fatherly influence.

So when we tell the stories of the Kablous of this world, let us make sure that we are not adding to the crime scourge by simply being absent.

Thompson cruises to win

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Thompson cruises to win Jamaica's double Olympic sprint Elaine Thompson was back in the winner's circle on Saturday, after cruising to victory in the 100m at the Jamaica International Invitational in 11.06 seconds.

Thompson, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist in the 100m and 200m, finished well in front of compatriots Kerron Stewart (11.25) and Natasha Morrison (11.26) in a race that saw Jamaicans occupy the top five places.

Thompson's victory came 11 days after she pulled out of the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai with what meet organisers called a “physical issue”.

A week earlier Thompson had finished third in the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Doha.

The women's 200m also went to Jamaica as Shericka Jackson triumphed in 22.55 seconds in her long-awaited duel with Nigerian Blessing Okagbare (22.66).

But in rainy conditions in Kingston, neither approached her best times of the season. Okagbare has the fastest 200m in the world this year of 22.04.

America's 400m world champion Phyllis Francis took third in 22.76.

American Ronnie Baker won the men's 100m in 10.00 in a favourable wind of 2m/sec. He headed compatriot Mike Rodgers (10.04) with Jamaica's Tykwendo Tracey third (10.14).

Jamaican Oshane Bailey was third in 10.28 and Nesta Carter settled for fifth in 10.35, just ahead of ageless Kim Collins (10.37).

While the sprints were the centre of attention, American DeAnna Price dominated the night's field events in winning the women's hammer with a throw of 76.27m - the best in the world this year at one centimetre better than the 76.26 of Belarusian Hanna Malyshik.

-NAMPA/AFP

Mourinho salty

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Mourinho saltyBemoans Conte's tactics in FA Cup final United's Jose Mourinho came off second best against Antonio Conte's charges on Saturday. Manchester United's Jose Mourinho bemoaned old foe Antonio Conte's tactics, as his side failed to breakdown Chelsea's defensive wall in losing the FA Cup final 1-0 on Saturday.

Eden Hazard's 22nd minute penalty proved the difference between the teams to ensure Mourinho's second season at Old Trafford ends without a trophy.

United enjoyed a far better Premier League season than Chelsea, as Conte's men failed to even qualify for the Champions League by finishing fifth just a year after claiming the title.

However, despite finishing second in the league to a record-breaking Manchester City side, Mourinho's approach has been much-criticised this season for lacking the flair and invention displayed by City and Champions League finalists Liverpool.

“I congratulate them because they won but I don't think they deserved to win,” said Mourinho.

“I'm curious to read today and tomorrow, to watch, to listen to your (the media's) opinions.” Mourinho and Conte have consistently clashed since the latter arrived in England just under two years ago.

But tactically they have plenty in common as despite Mourinho's protestations, Chelsea's defensive resistance inspired by Conte's organisation is exactly what Mourinho has made his own trademark in a trophy-laden career.

Mourinho claimed on the eve of the game that he didn't understand the media's interpretation of “entertaining”.

In the Portuguese's estimations, racking up 6-0 victories is not as exciting as “emotion until the end, the game open, everyone on the edge of their seats, both dugouts nervous and tense with the result in doubt”.

The final did deliver on that promise as Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved brilliantly from Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba headed wide as United tried in vain to force the game to extra time.

Mourinho hasn't been afraid to publicly criticise his players this season, most notably lambasting his squad after winning their cup quarterfinal against Brighton in March.

However, one of two exceptions that night along with Nemanja Matic was Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian striker has scored 27 goals in all competitions in his debut season at Old Trafford.

But even he bore the brunt of Mourinho's frustration for only declaring himself fit enough for a late cameo appearance from the bench due to an ankle injury.

“When a player tells you he is not ready to play, not ready to start, then the question is how many minutes you think you can? How can you convince a player?” he added.

“Chelsea is not stupid. They know our team without Lukaku does not have a presence, so putting eight or nine players in front of the box they knew they would be dominant in that direct football.

“We tried everything by other ways but they had a huge block of compacted players.”

The damage at the other end was done early on when Chelsea capitalised on a fast start and a fine individual display by Hazard.

The diminutive Belgian excelled in the space between United's defence and midfield despite Mourinho's best efforts to man mark him with Ander Herrera.

Hazard pounced on indecision by Phil Jones to burst clear on goal and was then brought down by the England international as he prepared to shoot before converting the spot-kick himself.

“They only played long balls,” insisted Mourinho. “When you play against a team so predictable, it is quite easy to adapt to it. But of course Hazard is a very good player and of course he created a penalty.”

-NAMPA/AFP

Company news

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Company news United Airlines' chief financial officer resigns

United Airlines’ chief financial officer Andrew Levy is stepping down, the carrier said on Thursday, in a major management shakeup as the airline’s financial performance lags rivals.

Levy will be replaced in the interim by Gerry Laderman, a senior United executive, who had served as acting chief financial officer before Levy’s appointment. The carrier said it will immediately begin a search for a permanent replacement.

In a statement, Levy said he resigned on Monday, May 14, after serving less than two years in the post.

-Nampa/Reuters

SAA seeks urgent funding after latest loss

South African Airways said executives will meet National Treasury officials every two weeks to address urgent funding needs after the embattled national airline reported a seventh consecutive year of losses - and the worst since 2015.

The carrier’s precarious balance sheet is among the most urgent tasks on the to-do list of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, who is already under pressure to revive the country’s own stretched finances. SAA chief executive officer Vuyani Jarana said last month the airline needs R5billion immediately, while looming debt payments next year may require further government assistance.

-Fin24

Investec bleeds R220m on Steinhoff exposure

Investec Bank lost R220million as a result of credit exposure to Steinhoff, the company said on Thursday, as it released financial results for the year ended March 31.

The company said the trading and investment losses were lower than earlier estimates.

Investec said the credit exposures, through Steinhoff Africa Retail, "represent a small portion [of] the group’s balance sheet".

In December, Investec said in a statement that its loans to Steinhoff represented less than 0.25% of its total R464.8bn credit exposure as at September 30.

-Fin24

Vitol, Glencore, Shell in running for Petrobras' Nigerian assets

world’s three largest oil traders are competing to buy the African arm of Brazil’s Petrobras that owns stakes in two major Nigerian offshore oil blocks, industry and banking sources with knowledge of the matter said, after submitting bids earlier this month.

Last November, state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA, known as Petrobras, launched the sale of 100% of Petrobras Oil & Gas BV, or Petrobras Africa, as part of the heavily-indebted company’s plan to offload US$21 billion in assets through 2018 as it also faces a massive corruption scandal.

-Nampa/Reuters

Airbus, Boeing weigh in on WTO ruling

The WTO Appellate Body has published the first of two rulings expected this year on subsidies in the large commercial aircraft dispute between the US and the EU.

The first ruling is the Appellate Body’s final report on the EU’s compliance with previous World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) findings in the case against Airbus. The second ruling – dealing with Boeing’s case – is expected later this year.

According to Airbus, in its report, the Appellate Body confirms the legality of the loan partnership approach between Airbus and European governments.

-Fin24

Ondera on right path

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Ondera on right pathResettlement farm moves toward self-sustenance Situated 70km north of Tsumeb, Farm Ondera is an inspiration, but challenges remain. Acquired in 2012 for the resettlement of disadvantaged communities, Farm Ondera now houses 500 families, has a school, a garden and about 252 heads of cattle. This has placed the community on the right trajectory towards self-sustenance.

The farm was procured by the government after several destitute people, including some members of the San community, found themselves on the periphery of Oshivelo in the Oshikoto Region, where some stayed in shacks and others in a cemetery due to displacement and the shortage of land.

The farm was acquired under the Office of the Prime Minister through its division for marginalised communities, which now falls under the Office of the Vice-President.

Farm Ondera is a combination of two farms - Ondera and Komeva. It is located about 70km north of Tsumeb.

When Nampa visited the farm recently, the crew was met by a sense of hope and empowerment, which was evident in the eyes of its residents.

James Uerikua, the chief development planner in the vice-president's office, said the farm has come a long way.

“We started our first resettlement in 2013 when we relocated 130 households from Oshivelo. On average, each household here has around five members. Today we are sitting with 500 households at this very farm,” Uerikua said.

He said the farm exemplifies where Namibia is in terms of development and where it wants to go, as well as the broadening of the economic cake.

Uerikua was quick to point out that despite an array of positive stories from Farm Ondera, there are shortcomings too.

One of the major success stories at the farm is the community garden, which is divided into 11 hectares for crop cultivation, while eight hectares are reserved for vegetable production. On the smaller portion of land, the community grows beans, tubers, tomatoes and other vegetables.

“As you know the rain has not been good as far as 2018 is concerned, but these mielies (maize) are ready for consumption,” said Uerikua, while standing on the piece of cultivated land.

He added in 2015, the community sold 50 bags of maize for N$71 000.

The proceeds were deposited into a community bank account designated for commercial activities on the farm. It is, amongst others, used to procure farming equipment.

“What we produce here is for the community's benefit, for subsistence use, and to consume at household level. Every week, a car is driven from here full of produce which is sold at Oshivelo, Tsumeb and as far as Grootfontein,” added Uerikua.

In terms of coordination, fishing giant Namsov Fishing Enterprises, came on board with a N$4 million injection into the Farm Ondera initiative and expertise to assist with the management of the farm.

“The purpose of this investment was to make sure the farm is developed to the next level,” said Uerikua.

Namsov's money was used to buy cattle and farming equipment.

In March alone, the community sold 40 oxen for N$200 000, which also went into their trust account.



Milestone

Another milestone is the establishment of a school.

“When we relocated the community here, there was no school. Today we have a school that goes up to grade 4 and kids here don't have to go to Oshivelo or Ombili [a nearby farm] to attend school,” Uerikua said.

On the gloomy side of things, the farm faces a number of challenges. Chiefly, lions from the Etosha National Park that frequent the farm due to broken fences - the result of a wildfire.

While acknowledging efforts towards the betterment of Farm Ondera, the school's principal, Lena Nakatana, said they face numerous challenges, especially conflict with wildlife.

“Sometimes you find lions or leopards roaming around and these are just small kids walking to school,” she said.

Another predicament for Farm Ondera's residents is there are no permanent health facilities and they rely on health extension workers, Nakatana said.

In addition, land grabbing is another challenge, as members of neighbouring villages allocate land on the farm at their own discretion, on the grounds that it was purchased by government.

“Measures are being put in place to ensure that we address that within the realm of the legal frameworks that are in existence,” said Uerikua.

When Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba visited Farm Ondera in March, he expressed great satisfaction with the progress and activities taking place on the farm.

VP unimpressed by land grabs

Mbumba, however, was unimpressed by activities such as land grabbing and crime.

Additionally, marginalised affairs deputy minister, Royal /Ui/o/oo, who formed part of the Mbumba delegation, was unhappy with the collective resettlement of San people on farms, while other Namibians are resettled as individuals.

“There is a concept of saying it's a group farm. Why is it always the marginalised groups who are being grouped to make things difficult for them?” he asked at the time.

“Why can't the marginalised, even just one of them, be given a full farm instead of group thing?”

Ten commercial farms have been acquired under the resettlement programme since 2005.

Meanwhile, six other communal villages have been established on which 400 households have been resettled, while the establishment of another four is underway.

A total of 600 cattle and 100 small livestock have been procured and allocated to these communities for farming purposes. The three communities considered as marginalised are the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba.

-Nampa

Edward Mumbuu

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Junior golfer off to Scotland

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Junior golfer off to Scotland LIMBA MUPETAMI



Young golfer Willie Els from Walvis Bay will represent Namibia at the British Junior Golf Open from the 16 to18 July.

The Namibia Junior Golf Federation (NJGF) conducted trials consisting out of 17 rounds of golf during the past four months to determine Namibia's representative.

The golf tournament requirements are that participants should be aged between 12 and 16 years old and have a handicap of 12 or better.

It was nail-biting finish between Els, Cilliers Sachse, Janneman Brand, Charlie Lohmann, but Els managed to emerge victorious.

NJGF president Adri Pienaar congratulated Els and wished him all the best in the prestigious golf tournament.

Namibia Golf Federation (NGF) president Brenda Lens will accompany Els.

The Junior Open Championships came under the Royal & Ancient's administrative umbrella in 2000, having been founded in 1994.

The biennial event, to which all golfing nations affiliated to the R&A are invited, sees nations sending one male or female golfer under the age of 16 to compete in the 54-hole event.

In recent years entries have been attracted from over 60 nations and the experience for the 145 junior players includes not only the tournament but an opportunity for competitors to meet their counterparts from many different golfing nations.

Traditionally the Junior Open is played in the same week in July as the open, at a nearby course.

Namibia ready for title defence

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Namibia ready for title defenceThe Dome geared up for Africa Cup action The Africa Cup inline hockey tournament will kick off today at The Dome in Swakopmund, with the action ending on Saturday. LIMBA MUPETAMI



The Namibian men's national inline hockey team are eager and ready to defend their Africa Cup inline hockey title at The Dome in Swakopmund.

At the inaugural championship event held at the same venue in 2017, the team beat Labeda Bulls - a team consisting of American, Canadian and Spanish national players with a few local men in the mix - to win the championship.

In its second year, the tournament is billed as a truly international event, with players from Namibia, South Africa, Brazil, India, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain and Italy having confirmed their participation.

Seven teams will compete in a total of 26 games. Each game will consist of a seven-minute warm-up, a five-minute halftime and two 18-minute stop time periods. All teams will play each other in the round-robin stages.

“After the round-robin stages are completed, the seventh seeded team will be eliminated from the competition on Friday evening. The top four teams will move on to the semi-finals, where the winners will play for gold, and the runners-up for silver and bronze.

“Seeds five and six will have a playoff contest for the fifth place,” said the tournament organiser Dave Hammond.

Namibia's captain Marco Debortoli said the team has been training for the past six months and is ready to defend their title.

“We have a mixture of young and more experienced players. We had three training camps towards the build up to the tournament, so the team looks ready and strong. In the past we had experienced international coaches who really helped the players.”

Debortoli said further this is one of the biggest sporting events in Swakopmund and locals should turn up in numbers to support the team.

Two local and three international referees will officiate the matches to maintain the world-class standard of the tournament. A two-day international referee clinic was also conducted, aimed at developing and improving the skills of local referees.

Attendees were put through their paces during practical and theory sessions.

The entire tournament with live commentary will be streamed by TeeVee, a local company with extensive experience in broadcasting action sports.

Last year, over 8 000 online spectators tuned in, while another 800 sat ring side per day; to date, the tournament has had more than 300 000 YouTube views worldwide.

“These numbers have shown us that this tournament has both local and international appeal. Bank Windhoek believes that sport brings people together and because this tournament contributes to sport and youth development in our country, we are pleased to be associated with it.

“We wish all the participants the best,” said Bank Windhoek's head of corporate social investments, sponsorships and events, Sanet de Waal.

The entry fee is N$50 per day or N$200 for the week and tickets are available online on TIXSA, The Dome's ticketing platform, or from the box office stationed at the event.

Under-23s geared up for China

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Under-23s geared up for China The national under-23 men's football team is hard at work, as they prepare to play two friendly international matches in China next month.

The matches will be played on 4 and 7 June and will form part of their preparations for the 2019 Total Africa under-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers and a chance to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games that will be held in Tokyo, Japan.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) under-23 champs is the main continental football competition for young African footballers.

The tournament, which will be held in Egypt in 2019, will see the top three teams qualifying automatically for the Olympic Games.

The fourth-place finisher plays in a playoff match against a team from the Asian Football Confederation.

A total of 16 teams will qualify to play in the 2020 Olympic Games.

Namibia Football Association technical director Timo Tjongarero, who is currently overseeing the team's training, said they are trying to assess the players in their squad; hence the reason for having any early camp.

“Our CAF qualifiers will start later this year, but by August we will know who our next opponents are.

“The purpose of us hosting early training is to have a feel of who we have in the squad, plus to identify our strengths as well as our weaknesses and where we need to improve our squad,” he said.

Tjongarero added they have 26 players in the camp and 10 of them are first-timers in the national setup.

“The boys in camp are training hard and I am hopeful they will give a good account of themselves,” Tjongarero added.

-NAMPA

China joins blindness battle

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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China joins blindness battle The health ministry's drive to assist the visually impaired suffering from cataracts has received a major boost, with the donation of medical equipment by the Chinese embassy under the Brightness Project.

The gesture was met with excitement by deputy minister Juliet Kavetuna, who said health was a human right.

She made her remarks during the handover of medical equipment last Friday, which will be used for people who have cataracts and are unable to see as a result of their condition.

“We are excited by this project. Health is a human right. This is a very important campaign [as] it will enhance our capacity,” said Kavetuna.

Through this gesture, China was helping strengthen relations between the two countries, she said.

“China is our all-weather friend and this is the beginning of a good relationship,” she said.

Kavetuna assured the Chinese delegation the equipment would assist many people. “These resources will be put to good use.”

Five Chinese doctors will be assisting Windhoek-based ophthalmologist Dr Helena Ndume. The outreach programme will see many people having cataract surgery to restore their eyesight.

Ndume said during the recent campaign kickoff at Windhoek's Central Hospital that while there were efforts to help people with cataracts, a great number were affected because of a lack of specialists.

“There are so many patients… we have been doing this for many years, but still we cannot finish them because we do not have many doctors.”

The ophthalmologist hoped the campaign would spark more visits by Chinese experts to Namibia to “help with surgeries on blind people”.

“We are very happy that the people from China have come to help us to fight this preventable blindness, caused by cataracts. We are very fortunate and we hope they will come back again,” Ndume said.

According to the Chinese embassy, the project will benefit around 200 people. The project kicked off in Rundu this past weekend.

The equipment, which is valued at N$3.5 million, was donated under the Brightness Project.

OGONE TLHAGE

Agribusdev guns for 4 000 jobs

May 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Agribusdev guns for 4 000 jobsPlans to generate N1.8 billion in revenue According to the Agribusdev business plan, the parastatal needs N$111 million to develop some of the country's 11 green schemes. THE Agricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) has unveiled a daring business plan with which it hopes to generate N$1.8 billion in turnover and create 4 000 temporary jobs.

However, the plan will only work if it receives more than N$111 million to develop the state-owned green scheme projects to optimal capacity.

In a presentation to agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb, Agibusdev managing director Petrus Uugwanga said the business plan spans over the period 2017 to 2022.

Agribusdev was one of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that !Naruseb visited last week to familiarise himself with the parastatals that fall under the ministry.

The company was started in November 2011 to oversee the development and management of the agriculture ministry's green scheme irrigation projects.

According to the business plan, the company will need N$111 million to develop some of the 11 green schemes in Namibia.

Agribusdev runs the Etunda, Hardap, Kalimbeza, Mashare, Musese, Ndonga Linena, Orange River, Shadikongoro, Shitemo, Sikondo and Uvhungu-Vhungu green scheme irrigation farms.

Uugwanga said assuming that the necessary developments are completed all eight operational centres, with the exception of its head office, it will post profit and the company will generate a turnover of N$1.8 billion from 2017 to 2022.

For the year ending 31 March 2017, the company recorded a total turnover of N$158.5 million compared to the N$91.4 million posted for the year ended 31 March 2016.

“The 36% level of sustainability will be achieved by the head office and 100% by farms. Head office will still require budget support at the end of the five years.”

Uugwanga said a total of 464 permanent jobs will be maintained, while about 98 additional jobs will created. Also over 4 000 temporary jobs will created.

He said a total harvest of 16 091 tonnes of maize is expected at the green schemes. This is valued at N$72 million, said Uugwanga.

He said the first option is for government to buy the grains for its national strategic food reserve, managed by the Agro-Marketing and Trading Agency (AMTA).

“The threat of fall armyworms remain, but it is not about the knowledge, it is about the cost of spraying.”

Uugwanga also said Agribusdev is engaging in public-private partnerships (PPPs) to run some of their green scheme projects.

The Katima/Liselo farm in the Zambezi Region, which measures 1 600 hectares, will use this arrangement for de-bushing and fencing.

In the //Karas Region, Neckartal, which measures 5 000 hectares, will use a PPP for bulk services.

Other green scheme projects, which are being looked at for possible PPS arrangements, include the 4 000-hectare Tandjieskoppe irrigation project situated at Noordoewer in the //Karas Region.

Another project is the green scheme that is located at Zone village in the Kavango West Region. It measures 2 000 hectares. A dairy farm on the outskirts of Rundu - Uvhungu-Vhungu - that measures 263 hectares, will also be exploring the PPP approach.

Furthermore, Uugwanga said, the Etunda irrigation farm that measures 360 hectares, located at Ruacana, is at its seventh to eighth phase of planting.

The Mashare farm is in the second phase of land preparation and planting, while Musese, measuring 110 hectares for semi-subsistence farming, is busy with planting.

He also noted the company paid N$190 400 to traditional authorities in 2016/17, where it run green schemes. This has increased over the years from N$185 425 in 2015/16 and N$ 142 550 the previous year.

Uugwanga said challenges to its business operations include the high cost of production at farm level, such as electricity and fertilisers. Also lower investment into processing is another challenge, while the invasion of fall armyworms and the exorbitant costs of spraying has also been problematic at green schemes.

According to Uugwanga the PPP modality is ambiguous, especially for projects that have already started and have budget constraints. Particularly, grain procurement and procuring other essential services also pose challenges for the operations of the company.

ELLANIE SMIT