Left in the dark

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Vettel hungry for home success

≪ Previous: Production nosedives at Langer Heinrich

$

0

0

Left in the darkBlack cyclists confront federation, NSC over funding Some black cyclists have raised alarm bells over the lack of support they are receiving and about the way funds are allocated to all sporting federations. Some black cyclists have expressed their disappointment with the way the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) is running its affairs.

They say only particular cyclists are receiving funding, while the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) is doing nothing to intervene.

“As an avid cyclist in Namibia I would like you to investigate why cycling has not grown in popularity amongst blacks. The NCF has a role, and that is to promote, develop and include everyone in the sport. Whether black or white, but what are they doing at the moment,” said a disgruntled cyclist from the north.

“We have clubs and cyclists across Namibia, but we are sidelined from selection despite being affiliated to the NCF.

“They don't call us when they have national trials, neither do they host championships in the north, neither do they expose us to any possible sponsorship. Focus is only in Windhoek and surrounding areas.

“The sports code is racially aligned and you only find particular people with strong financial background running the show, but until when?” the cyclist said, who did not want to be identified, as he fears repercussions.

Another black cyclist said he has to travel at his own cost to Windhoek to take part in competitions and this is costly.

In addition, he mentioned cycling is an expensive sport and that the federation should at least reach out to other regions, so that perceptions can change.

“People running NCF are killing the sport. They are doing well with the BMX programme which caters for eight to 16 year olds, but what about elite riders?”



NCF responds

NCF president Rolf Adrian said they offer training, coaching clinics and sometimes pay for transport when there are competitions.

He said competitions had also been held in the north, but participation failed to impress.

“If something is unsuccessful, sponsors won't get on board.”

Adrian added they have a school cycling league, which they are trying to decentralise, as there is a lot of talent in Namibia.

“We have also opened a cycling centre in Keetmanshoop and are busy looking at opening another one. We should remember that sponsorship is limited and we have been informed that next year will be worse,” he said.

Adrian said the NCF is the umbrella body of cycling in Namibia.

“We have a constitution which we follow. Clubs need to become members of the federation and pay a membership fee. We support decentralisation and have development programmes in the regions and are also looking at ways to improve clubs and to get more.

“However, we do not give money to clubs, as we also don't get any from the sports commission.”



Mwiya?

NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said the NCF received N$15 000 last year from the sports commission for administrative costs. This money is to aid the federations in running their activities.

“There are certain codes which receive more because they are of national interest. For example, the national football teams, both male and female, take up much of the budget when it comes to administrative and international funds.

“Sometimes we have to make a special request for money from the government when they qualify for major competitions,” Mwiya explained.

“It's not because we do not want to give federations money, but we aid them according to classification.”

Mwiya said federations should become self-sustainable instead of expecting money from the commission all the time.

“There are many people in our regions that own business; why don't they come and board and help those struggling federations?” he asked.

“We will have consultation meetings and people will not turn up at all to address problems. The sports commission is not a member of any federation and cannot attend meetings which chairpersons of particular clubs should attend.”

He said the NSC has a consultant who deals with complaints, adding the commission is ready to investigate federations who do not follow proper guidelines when it comes to selection procedures.

The sport codes fee breakdown is as follows:

Code A: Athletics, boxing, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby and volleyball. They received N$50 000 each for administration fees last year and an international participation fee of N$125 000 each.

Code B: Basketball, golf, gymnastic, jukskei, kickboxing, swimming and tennis. They received N$30 000 each for administration and N$50 000 each for international participation.

Code C: Archery, badminton, bowling, canoeing, chess, cycling, darts, debating, dila ekende, eisstock, electronic sport, endurance, equestrian, fencing, fist ball, horse racing, inline hockey, judo, karate, martial arts, motor sport, paintball, pentathlon, pistol shooting, ring ball, seawater and freshwater angling, shooting, squash, table tennis triathlon, water ski and wrestling.

They received N$15 000 for administration purposes, while international participation fees vary.

Umbrella bodies: Tertiary Institutes' Sports Association of Namibia (N$1500 000), Namibia School Sport Union (N$ 300 000), Namibian Women in Sports Association (N$500 000) and Disability Sport Namibia (N$700 000).

There are four mayor competitions that are listed as high priority. These are the Commonwealth Games, All-Africa Games, the Olympic Games, as well as the Region Five Games.

They receive close to N$25 million from government for athlete participation.



LIMBA MUPETAMI

---

Vettel hungry for home success

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Horse racing thrills in Rehoboth

≪ Previous: Left in the dark

$

0

0

Vettel hungry for home success Sunday's German Grand Prix could be Sebastian Vettel's last chance to win on home soil, but Lewis Hamilton will be doing all he can to deny Ferrari's Formula One championship leader that particular pleasure.

Hockenheim is also home to Hamilton's employers Mercedes and after Vettel beat the Briton at Silverstone a week ago, there is plenty of desire to get one back on a rival who grew up in nearby Heppenheim.

Regardless of the expected clash between the title contenders, the weekend will still be special because the race was not on the calendar last year and its future remains uncertain.

Hockenheim's contract expires after this year's race and despite the sport's commercial rights holders Liberty Media saying how keen they are to keep historic venues, the two sides appear at odds.

“We would like to have a contract which will take the risk from us. This is the basic point... we cannot continue in the same way,” Hockenheim-Ring marketing director Jorn Teske said in May.

“A lot of people might want a risk-free contract but that's not our business model,” Formula One's commercial managing director Sean Bratches said in response.

Hockenheim was already alternating with the Nuerburgring before that circuit pulled out for financial reasons and there are no obvious permanent replacements.

All of which makes this year's gathering in the Rhine valley a standout for the fans, who have been bringing with them a party atmosphere since the Michael Schumacher glory days.

“I saw my first Formula One race here in 2000, and since there are always friends and family here; Hockenheim is something very special for me,” Vettel remarked.



Fourth win

The German, whose only home win to date was with Red Bull at the Nuerburgring in 2013, leads his fellow four-time world champion by eight points, while Ferrari are 20 clear in the constructors' standings.

Hamilton won at Hockenheim in 2016 and will be going for a fourth German GP win to rival Schumacher's record tally.

“Going to Hockenheim always feels like coming home; it's only about a 90-minute drive from the Daimler headquarters in Stuttgart,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said.

“We will fight hard to not only put on a good show for our friends and fans in Hockenheim, but also get the result that they will be hoping for.”

Sunday also marks the second half of the season, even if the natural divide comes with the August break that follows Hungary the weekend after Germany.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Horse racing thrills in Rehoboth

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Volleyball league in full swing

≪ Previous: Vettel hungry for home success

$

0

0

Horse racing thrills in Rehoboth Mojo King, Prince De Lago, Kings Kitten and Stebbins all shined at the just-ended Winter Cup horse racing competition hosted by Angermund Racing Club over the weekend in Rehoboth.

Competition organiser Ryno Angermund shared his delight about the attendance of the spectators, adding this showed horse racing is one of popular sports in the country.

He said about 64 horses participated and the level of competition was very high.

“The number of people who attended speaks volumes in itself and the cooperation from participants was extraordinary,” said Angermund.

He added N$60 000 was distributed between the winning horses at the nine-race event.

Prince De Lago won the 1 400m, which was the main race, and took home N$8 000 plus a trophy, while Kings Kitten came second and pocketed N$6 000. Double Blind took home N$4 000 for coming third.

The 1 000m maiden division was won by Dashing Brave, while Valyrian Steel and Gimme the Light took second and third place, respectively.

Mojo King won the 1 000m graduation race, followed by Target Search and Royal Fleece.

The 1 000m D-division winner was Attheroyal, while Kings Kitten won the A-division.

The last race, which was a 2 400m open race, was won by Stebbins, followed by La Myst and Surruptitious.

Race horse owner Eamon Freygang said he was “very satisfied with the organisation of the event” and was happy his horse, Kings Kitten, did well in both races.

“This is a small horse with a big heart, showing guts and determination,” he added.

Enrico Junius, who owns the Junius Racing Club and Mojo King, was happy with the event and also commended his horse for coming first in the graduation and D divisions.

The Angermund Racing Club was established in 2006, with the aim of developing and promoting horse racing in Rehoboth and Namibia at large.



NAMPA

Volleyball league in full swing

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: High noon for Warriors

≪ Previous: Horse racing thrills in Rehoboth

$

0

0

Volleyball league in full swing The Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) league, is gaining momentum with matches being played in the central, far north and Kavango sections recently.



Kavango

Defending champions Rundu Volleyball Club (RVC) faced a tough test against Toxic Boys. The first set saw Toxic Boys overpowering the RVC team. With a great team effort, RVC were able to secure the following sets to overpower the strong Toxic Boys squad, and the game ended 3-1 in their favour.



Central

In the Central Volleyball Association (CVA), Unam defeated Khomas Nampol 3-1, while SKW lost 3-0 to Nust. Khomas Nampol women's team beat DTS, while RVC recorded a 3-0 victory over Nust.

On Saturday, the Khomas Nampol men's team defeated NDF 3-2, maintaining their position at the top of the CVA league.

Unam won their two games against 21BDE and Nust to collect six points. Nust picked up three points on Saturday against Nakagreen.



Far north

As the Far Northern Volleyball League (FNVL) tournament comes to an end, the tempo of the games has heated up and it's getting interesting.

On 14 July, the Ondangwa tennis court was the centre of attraction for all volleyball lovers in the north.

In the men's division champion Six Stars VC suffered their first defeat of the season, as they lost 3-0 against Medipark VC.

Later, Six Stars defeated Oshikoto Nampol VC by 3-0 to clinch the top spot on the league table.

Sport Reporter

High noon for Warriors

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Epangelo lya pulwa li kutheko evi koonkondo

≪ Previous: Volleyball league in full swing

$

0

0

High noon for WarriorsSquad starts training with 15 out of 29 players The Brave Warriors have begun preparations for clashes against some of Africa's top football teams. The first training session for the Brave Warriors since the World Cup break has seen 15 out of 29 players training on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This is after coach Ricardo Mannetti said 29 locally based players had been called up to train for six weeks.

Namibian Sun has been informed that most of the players who did not show up notified the coach.

Mannetti confirmed the training began slowly on Tuesday. The coach is, however, positive that more players will join the team as the days go by.

“Some of the players have not shown up because of other commitments, which include work and studies. I am however, positive, that more players will join the training as the weeks goes by.”

Mannetti said the first session focused on fitness and basic training.

He lauded the commitment and dedication of the players that showed up.

“The players are a bit rusty, given the long break they had, but I am sure they will regain fitness in a couple of weeks.

“For now, Charl Botha will be in charge of making sure the players regain their fitness in the next two weeks.”

The team is preparing for Namibia's four African Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2019 Group K qualifiers, with their final qualification match set for March 2019. The national team will be pitted against Zambia at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on 8 September.

They will then play Mozambique on 10 and 13 October and finish off the year with a home qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on 16 November.



Brave Warriors training squad is as follows: Edward Maova (Civics), Abel Paulus (Life Fighters, U-23), Ratanda Mbazuvara (African Stars) Donovan Kanjaa (Young African), Ferdinand Karongee (Tigers), Tusha Erasmus Ikeinge (Khomas Nampol), Larry Horaeb (unattached), Edmund Kambanda (Unam), Emilio Martin (Black Africa), Petrus Kamati (Pescanova, U-23), Vitapi Ngaruka (Black Africa), Lubeni Haukongo (Eleven Arrows, U-23), Ikuaterua Hoveka (Young African), Imannuel Heita (Black Africa), Dynamo Fredericks (Black Africa), Hiha Katjivena (Tura Magic, U-23), Gustav Isaak (Tigers), Aprosius Petrus (Eleven Arrows, U-23), Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars), Benyamen Nenkavu (Tigers), Petrus Shitembi (Tura Magic), Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Marcell Papama (Unam), Itamunua Keimuine (Tura Magic), Panduleni Nekundi (African Stars), Hendrick Somaeb (unattached), Pinehas Willem (Eleven Arrows), Muna Katupose (Unam) and McCartney Nawaseb (Black Africa, U-23).

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Epangelo lya pulwa li kutheko evi koonkondo

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Oyendji taya tumbaleke Gurirab

≪ Previous: High noon for Warriors

$

0

0

Epangelo lya pulwa li kutheko evi koonkondoOmulandu gwekuthoko lyevi ngoka tagu longitha ngashiingeyi moshilongo ogwa ndopa Ngele mboka ye na oofaalama inaya pyakudhukwa okudhi landitha po kondando yi li nawa kepangelo, nena Ekotampango olya pumbwa okulundululwa opo epangelo li vule okukutha ko evi ndyoka pwaahena iifuta ya sha. Ngoka omaiyuvo gaakalimo yamwe po mondoolopa yaShakati, mboka ya holola omaiyuvo gawo kombinga yoshikumungu shevi moshilongo, pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka gwa ningwa gwa nuninwa okuuva omaiyuvo nomagwedhelepo gaakwashigwna sho kwa tegelelwa ku ningwe omutumba gwevi omutiyali moshilongo kuKotomba.

Omitumba dhoonkundathana kombinga yevi moshitopolwa shaShana okwa tegelelwa dhi ningwe omanga omutumba ngoka gwopashigwana inagu ningwa.

Aakuthimbinga momutumba ngoka oya holola ohokwe kutya evi olya pumbwa okukuthwako unene koohandimwe mboka ye na iitopolwa iinene yomavi nenge omavi ngoka geli momake gaazaizai.

Indileni Ipinge gumwe gwomaakuthimbinga okwa popi kutya ngele Aanamibia oya hala okumona evi tali topolwa momukalo guli pauyuuki nena epangelo olya pumbwa okukala li na ekondololo lyevi ndyoka, molwaashoka omulandu ngoka tagu longithwa monena mokukuthako omavi nokutopola omavi otagu ende kashona noonkondo moshilongo.

Gumwe gwomwaamboka taya popile kutya epangelo olya pumbwa okukala li na ekondololo lyevi ndyoka, okansela melelo lyaShakati, Katrina Shimbulu.

Shimbulu okwa popi kutya omukundu ngoka guli po ngashiingeyi epangelo itali vulu okulandako ofaalama ndhoka okuza kooyene yawo omolwa oondando dhili pombanda noonkondo, onkene ethimbo nompito ngashiingeyi oya thika po oshigwana shi gandje omaiyuvo gasho ko kuvule okukutha ko evi ndyoka, li ye momake gepangelo.

Shimbulu okwa dhenge omuthindo kutya ota popile opo omavi ga kale metonatelo lyepangelo.

Victor Hamunyela okwa yelitha kutya epangelo olya ngambekwa kontopolwa ontitatu yEkotampango lyaNamibia nepangelo otali vulu owala okukutha ko evi ngele ontopolwa ndjoka pamwe ya lundululwa.

“Shoka shotango tse AaNamibia tu na okutseya ooshoka kutya omulandu gwolandi a hala nomulandithi a pyakudhukwa ogwa ndopa. Ngele epangelo tali kutha ko oofaalama pwaahena iifuta ya sha nena Ekotampango olya pumbwa okulundululwa tango nongele hasho nena itatu mono omalunduluko gasha,” Hamunyela apopi.

Omunambelewa gwoNamibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) Abraham Ndumbu naye okwa yambidhidha omapopyo kutya okwa pumbwa okutulwa miilonga omulandu ngoka tagu gandja oonkondo kepangelo li kuthe ko evi pwaahena iifuta ya sha, molwaashoka omulandu gwomulandi a hala nomulandithi a pyakudhukwa ogwa ndopa. Momvula yo 2016 Uuministeli wOmavi owa koleke kutya oohecta dhevi lyoofaalama dhili poomiliyona 1.2 natango odhili momake gaazaizai oyendji mboka yeli AaGermany oshowo aakwashigwana yaSouth Afrika, nonando okwa li kwa ningwa tokolo momutumba gwevi gwopashigwana ngoka gwa ningwa momvula yo1991 kutya aazaizai inaya pumbwa okukala ye na evi moNamibia.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Oyendji taya tumbaleke Gurirab

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Taku tulwa miilonga oNamibia Revenue Agency muMaalitsa 2019

≪ Previous: Epangelo lya pulwa li kutheko evi koonkondo

$

0

0

Oyendji taya tumbaleke Gurirab Pethimbo oshilongo tashi lili Theo-Ben Gurirab, oyendji oya hokolola kombinga yuuntu we nokupopya kutya okwa li kuume kashili.

Gurirab okwa hokololwa onga okukalekipo gwombili nomuntu gwomwenyo omwaanwa, nomwiitulimo miilonga ye.

Ominista nale yiikwapondje moSouth Afrika, Pik Botha okwa popi kutya okesilohenda lyaKalunga ya panga uukume naGurirab.

Botha ngoka a li gumwe gwomaaleli mepangelo lyokatongotongo moNamibia oshowo moSouth Afrika, okwa popi kutya okwa zi omahodhi sho uuvu onkundatha yeso lyaGurirab mOlyomakaya moshipangelo shomOvenduka.

“Otwa tsakanene onga aatondi ihe esilohenda lyaKalunga olye tu e ta pamwe,” Botha a popi.

Botha okwa popi kutya oya kundathana oshindji nanakusa .

Okwa tsikile kutya eso lyaGurirab olye mu ehameke noonkondo.

“Ngele onda tala kombinga yiita mbyoka tayi ningwa ngashiingeyi nokutala nkene aantu taya ndopa okudhidhilika kutya naamboka yeli kombinga yomutondi oye na oonkalo dha faathana naadhoka dhawo, otashi ehamekendje. Ben nangame otwa ningi ookuume, na otwa topolelathano omaiyuvo kombinga yonkalamwenyo. Ngashiingeyi sho a hulitha otandi yi koNamibia nokukuutumba mombuga nokupandula sho ya pelendje kuume.”

Botha okwa kala ominista yiikwapondje sigo opehulilo lyuukoloni moNamibia na okwa dhana onkandangala onene memanguluko lyaNamibia okuza muukoloni waSouth Afrika.

Omukondjelimanguluko Libertine Amathila, ngoka a popi noshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun okuzilila kofaalama ye, hoka ka ku na nawa omakwatathano goongodhi dhopeke okwa popi kutya oku na iitya iishona okutumbula.

Okwa popi kutya yonanakusa oya kala monguluyimwe yoskola moAugustineum College.

Okwa popi kutya ote mu dhimbuluka onga gumwe gwomaalongi nuudhiginini, na okwa longo oshindji memangululo lyaNamibia.

Omuleli gwongundu yoPopular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani okwa shanga kepandja lye lyomakwatathano gopainternet kutya Namibia okwa kanitha ependa.

Okwa popi kutya okuuvite uukwawo wanankali pamwe nomukulukadhi gwe Joan, ofamili, Omupresidende Hage Geingob oshowo ongundu yoSwapo, omolwa ekanitho ndyoka.

Amushanga nale gwoInter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Anders Johnson, okwa hokolola kutya nakusa okwa li ependafule ndyoka lyayambidhidha mboka yeli mompumbwe.

Dantagob Gurirab okwa popi kutya ota kala aluhe nokudhimbuluka he omolwa eyambidhidho lye enene ndyoka a gandja kemanguluko lyaNamibia.

Okwa tsilike kutya ye pamwe naamwayina otaya pandula omagano gahe ngoka ya pewa kuKalunga.

Dantagob okwa popi kutya he okwa li omulumetu ngoka a simaneka omuthigululwakalo na okwa li ehole oshithima oshowo onyama ihe lwanima okwa ka shunitha pevi ohole ndjoka, omolwa uukundi.

Omupresinde nale gwaNamibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba okwa popi kutya AaNamibia aluhe otaya kala ye na ongunga kuGurirab omolwa onkandangala onene ndjoka a dhana mekondjeomanguluko lyaNamibia.

“Nonando otatu lili nena, otwa pumbwa okutyapula omwenyo gwe. Otwa ilongo oshindji okuza kuye pethimbo lyekondjelomanguluko,” Pohamba a popi.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Taku tulwa miilonga oNamibia Revenue Agency muMaalitsa 2019

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Company news in brief

≪ Previous: Oyendji taya tumbaleke Gurirab

$

0

0

Taku tulwa miilonga oNamibia Revenue Agency muMaalitsa 2019 Ominista yemona lyaNamibia, Calle Schlettwein okwa popi nomukumo kutya oNamibia Revenue Agency otayi ka tulwa miilonga kuyele omvula twa taalela.

Minista okwa tseyitha ngaaka pethimbo a ningi omutumba niikundaneki moshilandopangelo oshiwike shika, moka a tseyitha kombinga yonkalo yeliko moshilongo.

Okwa popi kutya omalunduluko ngoka taga ningwa moompango dhiifendela yokongulu yepangelo ogeli mondjila noNamibia Revenue Agency Bill oya pitithwa, na otashi ulike kutya ompango ndjoka otayi ka kala miilonga okuya mesiku lyotango lyaMaalitsa momvula twa taalela.

Uuministeli otawu tala woo kookandindate dhomondjila ndhoka tadhi vulu okukwatela komeho oshiputudhilo shoka. Schlettwein okwa popi kutya oya ningi etseyitho lyelelo lyoshiputudhilo shoka oshowo komufala gwoshiputudhilo.

Etseyitho ndyoka lya ningwa muMei gwonuumvo, olya holola kutya kutya elelo ndyoka otali ka kala niilyo yi li iheyali, mboka tayi ka kala melelo uule woomvula ndatu, ihe itayi kuulikwa uule wiikako yi vulithe pu iyali.

Iilyo mbyoka otayi ka mona iiyemo yokukuutumba momitumba, mbyoka tayi ka tulwa po kuuministeli. Ita ku ka talwa kwaamboka yeli nale momalelo galwe nenge mOmutumba gwoPaliamende, etseyitho ndyoka lya holola na otaku ka talika owala kaakwashigwana yaNamibia. Oshiputudhilo shoka otashi ka kwatelwa komeho kukomufala ngoka taka ulikwa uule woomvula ntano.

Uuna oshiputudhilo shoka sha tulwa miilonga, nena otashi ka kala noshinakugwanithwa shokugongela iifendela yepangelo pehala lyepangelo nokutula pamushangwa oolopota adhihe dhi na sha negongelo lyiifendela mbyoka pehala lyepangelo. Oshiputudhilo otashi kala shi na oshinakugwanithwa shokukondjithila miilonga oompango dhina sha niifendela, omageelo koonakundopa okugandja iifendela yawo nokukondolola efuto lyiifendela koongamba dhoshilongo oshowo okukwashilipaleka egameno lyoshilongo okuza keeto lyiinima inayi pitikwa moshilongo. Natango oshiputudhilo shoka otashi kala noshinakugwanithwa shokuhwahwameka esimaneko negwanithepo lyoompango dhi na sha niifendela yokongulu, nokukwashilipaleka kutya aantu ayehe oohandimwe naanangeshefa otaya gwanitha po oompango ndhoka.

OGONE TLHAGE

---

Company news in brief

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: N$186m for wildlife tourism, climate

≪ Previous: Taku tulwa miilonga oNamibia Revenue Agency muMaalitsa 2019

$

0

0

Company news in brief Johnson & Johnson lowers full-year sales forecast

Johnson & Johnson lowered its sales forecast for 2018 on Tuesday, citing a strengthening dollar.

Shares of the Dow component fell 1% to US$123.45 in premarket trading. They have dropped 10.7% this year.

The healthcare conglomerate said it expects full-year sales of US$80.5 billion to US$81.3 billion, compared with a prior range of US$81.0 billion to US$81.8 billion.

-Nampa/Reuters

Google, Facebook urged to resist Vietnam cybersecurity law

Seventeen US lawmakers have urged the CEOs of Facebook and Google to resist changes stipulated by a new cybersecurity law in Vietnam, which critics say gives the Communist-ruled state more power to crackdown on dissent.

The law, which was approved by Vietnamese legislators last month and takes effect on January1, 2019, requires Facebook, Google and other global technology firms to store locally personal data on users in Vietnam and open offices there.

“If the Vietnamese government is coercing your companies to aid and abet censorship, this is an issue of concern that needs to be raised diplomatically and at the highest levels,” the Congressional Vietnam Caucus said in a letter seen by Reuters.

-Nampa/Reuters

Amazon's Jeff Bezos in lead to be world's first trillionaire

The world's wealthiest people collectively hold a US$63.5 trillion fortune and are on track to exceed US$100 trillion by 2025, according to a new analysis.

Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos – who became the first centi-billionaire earlier this year – is in the lead in the race to become the first trillionaire, too.

Electronics and tool distributor RS Components has analysed historical Bloomberg data to predict the world's first trillionaires, in a report they titled The Four-Comma Club.According to the analysis, Bezos is on track to become a dollar trillionaire in September 2030 – just 12 years from now, at age 66.

The youngest entrepreneur to become a trillionaire will be Yang Huiyan in July 2036, at 54 years old. Yang Huiyan is the Vice-Chairperson of Country Garden, a property development company based in China.

-Fin24

Media24 and HuffPost to end SA partnership

Media24 and HuffPost announced on Monday that they are mutually ending their partnership in South Africa.

“We regularly review our portfolio of brands. The HuffPost SA audience numbers are strong and consistently hold steady on the list of top-10 news sites in South Africa,” Media24 CEO Esmaré Weideman said in a statement.

“HuffPost SA was an important new voice in South African journalism and attracted a fresh new audience. Advertising revenues for HuffPost in South Africa have however been challenging. As an innovative and responsible business, we will continue to respond effectively to the market’s needs and explore new digital opportunities.”

-Nampa/Reuters

Netflix shares take hit

Shares of Netflix Inc headed for their worst day in two years on Tuesday, falling as much as 14% after reporting a surprise shortfall in new subscribers in a quarter marked by the lack of a blockbuster new show and World Cup soccer.

While Wall Street remains overwhelmingly positive on Netflix and its role in video streaming globally, the second quarter figures did raise question marks over future growth and six brokerages cut their price targets on the company’s shares.

“The quarter is a reminder that Netflix’s cadence of net adds is not linear, but lumpy in nature,” said Justin Patterson, an analyst with Raymond James and Associates in San Francisco, while pointing to the absence of a new hit series as a driver.

-Nampa/Reuters

N$186m for wildlife tourism, climate

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Shikesho sues The Villager

≪ Previous: Company news in brief

$

0

0

N$186m for wildlife tourism, climateFunds to last for four years Namibian communities living with wildlife are set to benefit from the seventh GEF cycle. Namibia has been allocated N$186.5 million as part of the next cycle of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and given the country's current challenges and the tourism sector's potential, the development of wildlife-based tourism is likely to enjoy priority.

This is according to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta who provided feedback on the outcomes of the recently concluded sixth GEF assembly in Vietnam.

GEF funding is replenished in four-year cycles and it was agreed at the assembly that N$55.1 billion would be pledged for the upcoming seventh GEF replenishment cycle from 2018 to 2022.

According to Shifeta, Namibia's indicative country allocation for the GEF 7 period was also announced as N$186.5 million at the recent assembly.

The allocation per focal area for Namibia is N$13.44 million for climate mitigation, N$84 million for biodiversity management and N$88. 9 million for combatting land degradation.

Shifeta said wildlife-based tourism will likely have a primary focus under the GEF 7 cycle and this will include interventions to mitigate the costs of living with wildlife, being borne by communities, as well as interventions to enhance community tourism benefits.

“Efforts to combat land degradation and to restore degraded land are likely to be further focus areas, given the substantial land degradation focal area allocation.”

According to Shifeta, under the GEF 6 funding cycle the ministry is currently busy with the finalisation of the project proposal and the full implementation of the project will begin in 2019.

The project, known as the Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance to Eradicate Poverty (NILALEG), is a targeted attempt to support poverty eradication efforts in rural areas, based on sustainable nature-based livelihoods. It is funded with N$144.7 million form the GEF and will be implemented over a five-year period.

“Since 1998, Namibia has been able to implement over 30 national projects worth approximately N$954 million and the country has participated in 34 regional and global projects,” said Shifeta.

These projects have covered a wide range of areas, such as the management of Namibia's protected areas, support to communal conservancies and community forests, the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, sustainable rangeland management and integrated coastal zone governance.

“The ministry will now have to design bankable programmes and projects to capitalise on these allocations. These programmes and projects will target national priorities and challenges and will be aligned with national planning documents, as well as the national targets set to achieve the Rio conventions,” said Shifeta.

He said the ministry will be proceeding with the speedy development of programmes and projects in the coming months, as time is of the essence to capitalise on the funding.

The GEF was established in 1991 as a World Bank pilot programme to help tackle pressing environmental problems.

It has since evolved into the financing mechanism for a number of multilateral environmental agreements.

Funding from the GEF is availed to developing countries and countries with economies in transmission, to meet the objectives of these international environmental conventions and agreements.

There are currently 39 developed countries that provide financing to the GEF.

This money is allocated in project grants to developing countries, according to three criteria, including the global importance of the country's biodiversity, a country's past performance in implementing GEF-funded projects and the country's GDP.

Since 1992, the GEF has provided over N$240.5 billion in grants for more than 4 500 projects in 170 countries, focusing on biodiversity management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, combatting land degradation, the management of international waters and chemical and waste management.

ELLANIE SMIT

Shikesho sues The Villager

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: SA trade conditions worsen – survey

≪ Previous: N$186m for wildlife tourism, climate

$

0

0

Shikesho sues The Villager The owner of The Villager online newspaper is facing a N$50 000 lawsuit for alleging that some people, directly or indirectly, own thriving taxi businesses, including a City Police bigwig.

Gerry Shikesho, senior superintendent of the City Police, is suing John Walenga for damages relating to the article.

In his particulars of claim, Shikesho said the assertion was and remains unverified and added the words in the context of the article are wrongful and defamatory.

“The words were intended and understood by readers of the newspaper to mean that I am dishonest, in that I own or am operating a taxi business in contravention of the provisions of the regulations of the municipal police service,” he charged.

He added it was intended and understood that he is doing so corruptly, in contravention of the regulations that explicitly prohibit members of the City Police from owning and operating taxi businesses, and as such, is acting unlawfully.

According to him, notwithstanding demands, Walenga has not or refused to apologise for the said defamatory article.

“As a result I am damaged in my reputation, as my superiors questioned my integrity, thereby forcing me to submit a statement to correct the issue,” he alleged.

He added his standing in the eyes of the junior members of City Police, who looked up to him, has also been tarnished.

The matter is not at the trial stage yet and Judge Shafimana Ueitele is currently receiving status updates.



FRED GOEIEMAN

SA trade conditions worsen – survey

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Rand should be trading at R5.63/US$

≪ Previous: Shikesho sues The Villager

$

0

0

SA trade conditions worsen – survey Trade conditions in South Africa deteriorated further in June 2018, according to the latest Trade Activity Index released by the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) on Tuesday.

The index moved further into negative territory (therefore below 50) and was 37, compared to 40 in May 2018.

Respondents are concerned about the depressed economy, political uncertainty, the weak rand exchange rate, and the continued increase in fuel prices.

They also indicated that late deliveries and complementary businesses closing down or shrinking their activities are disrupting trade conditions.

The survey’s Trade Expectations Index (TEI) for the next six months also moved to negative territory by declining from 51 in May, to 49 in June 2018. This was the first time this year the TEI moved into negative territory and the June 2018 level is at about the same level as in June last year.

According to the Sacci report, the current weak trade conditions are marked by 71% of respondents experiencing decreased sales volumes, and 68% of respondents subject to decreased new orders.

Compared to June 2017, trade conditions were more restrained in June 2018, with the TAI 11 index points lower than last year.

Sales volumes and new orders

According to the survey, sales volumes are under severe pressure with this sub-index, 7-index points lower than the 36 measured in May 2018.

The new orders sub-index was down by 4 points to 32, while the expected sales volumes sub-index, although at a positive level at 53, was at its lowest level in 2018.

The expected new orders sub-index was also lower at 50; declining from 52 in May.

Sacci points out that subdued trade activity and decreased sales will cause slower turnaround and reduced inventory holdings.

“The subdued trade conditions are accompanied by rising sales prices, with 57% of respondents indicating rising sales prices, and the sub-index remaining virtually unchanged in June 2018,” states the index report.

“The input price sub-index rose by 3-index points to 68. Price expectations also point to sticky higher prices, even with 75% of respondents experiencing higher input costs.”

Lastly, the employment sub-index stayed in negative territory at 45, compared to 44 in May 2018.

The six-month employment outlook sub-index declined by 2-index points to 43. According to Sacci, this is implying rigid employment conditions in the trade environment.

-Fin24

Rand should be trading at R5.63/US$

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: San women stand up

≪ Previous: SA trade conditions worsen – survey

$

0

0

Rand should be trading at R5.63/US$Big Mac Index The South African rand is undervalued against the US dollar by as much as 57.9%, suggests the latest Big Mac Index, released annually by The Economist. My biggest concern lies with the non-internationally traded items, such as labour, that goes into the underlying good – in this case the Big Mac Burger- Bianca Botes, Corporate Treasury Manager at Peregrine Treasury Solutions First produced in 1986 "as a lighthearted guide to whether currencies are at their 'correct' level", the index uses purchasing-power parity – or the notion that in the long run, exchange rates should move towards a rate that would equalise the prices of identical goods and services in any two countries – to evaluate currencies' relative value.

The resultant system, or "burgernomics", has been updated regularly ever since.

A Big Mac costs R31 in South Africa, The Economist said, versus $US5.51 in the United States, meaning there is an implied exchange rate of 5.63. "The difference between this and the actual exchange rate, 13.36, suggests the South African rand is 57.9% undervalued," the index noted.

The publication described the dollar as "strong as a bull", saying almost every other currency in the index had weakened relatively over the past year. Just two, the Swiss franc and Swedish krona, appeared overvalued against it, at 18.8% and 5.5% respectively.

Currencies shift, burgers stand

"Since The Economist last updated the Big Mac Index (BMI) […] burger prices have remained constant in 19 of 44 countries. But every currency has shifted in value," the publication added.

The Argentine peso has been the biggest mover since January, it noted. Then, it appeared 25% undervalued compared with the dollar, versus 50% now. Factors influencing this shift included fears of a debt crisis and inflation.

Similar factors influenced two other emerging-market currencies, namely the Turkish lira and Brazilian real, two other big movers.

Norway's krone, by contrast, gained considerable purchasing power, with a 14% fall in the dollar price of a Norwegian Big Mac resulting in a shift from the krone appearing 18% undervalued in January to appearing 5% overvalued in July.

The British pound, meanwhile, has taken a knock since the Brexit vote in 2016, now appearing 23% undervalued.

Shortcomings

The system does, however, have its critics. According to Bianca Botes, corporate treasury manager at Peregrine Treasury Solutions, the Big Mac Index "assists in making exchange rate theories more understandable" but "cannot be considered a precise measure of currency under- or over-valuations".

"My biggest concern lies with the non-internationally traded items, such as labour, that goes into the underlying good – in this case the Big Mac Burger," Botes told Fin24. Every country has its own unique set of economic fundamentals that drives the prices of these goods such as labour constraints and GDP per capita, and one cannot assume that these factors are similarly priced across countries."

The Economist says it has attempted to address potential shortcomings in more recent calculations.

"One beef with the BMI is that burgers cannot easily be traded across borders," The Economistacknowledges. "Neither can some inputs to production, such as land and labour." To allow for this, another version of the index adjusts Big Mac prices for GDP per person.

But Botes says there are subtleties in individual economic backdrops that should be considered as well. "The relevance of the Big Mac Index has been argued over many years, but I believe that it has some value in terms of offering a high-level valuation of currencies," she says.

"However, it falls short when dealing with various economies, each with their own economic backdrop.

"The Big Mac Index is also practical in a single good environment, but this is not the reality markets operate in – we face multi-good economies, all in unique stages of economic growth and development, and an oversimplification in a complex environment will always leave room for error."

-Fin24

San women stand up

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Nashandi redeployed, new PSes named

≪ Previous: Rand should be trading at R5.63/US$

$

0

0

San women stand upSuffer multiple abuses and rights violations San women in the Omaheke Region have spoken about marginalisation, extreme poverty and lack of opportunities. The ongoing multiple human rights abuses suffered by San communities, and particularly San women and children, across Namibia was the main focus during a consultation and training workshop led by the Women's Leadership Centre (WLC) in the Omaheke Region last week.

The women point out that compared to their peers of different ethnicities, young San women experience the highest levels of stigmatisation and discrimination in core areas of life, including education, employment and health.

“The inequalities we experience can be seen in the extreme poverty, lack of land, lack of resources and sustainable livelihoods, high levels of domestic violence, high rates of TB, malaria as well as HIV and Aids, high levels of illiteracy in our indigenous languages as well as in English, early marriages and motherhood with high rates of maternal and child mortality, incomplete formal education and the lack of further education and vocational training opportunities for young women.”

Research by the WLC found further that the majority of San women are not aware what their rights are, including legal rights and how to claim those rights.

“An enormous gap thus exists between women's rights laws on paper and the gender discrimination, racial discrimination and social exclusion in our daily lives.”

As reported by Nampa, testimony delivered by San women and others during the workshop highlighted some of the specific problems faced by San communities, including lack of access to education, safety and basic sanitation.



The lack of basics

A large number of San in Omaheke make use of pit latrines, or plastic bags, to relieve themselves in informal areas, which puts mothers, the young and the elderly, at risk.

Caroline Doeses told participants that women often resort to plastic bags instead of exposing themselves to the risk of searching for a pit latrine during the night.

“Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to relieve herself so far from her home, as the toilets are far and few between. It is not easy,” Doeses said.

Others highlighted the challenges posed by lack of education and lack of jobs in San communities.

San chief Frederick Langman, as reported by Nampa, said the economic situation of his people has reached alarming levels and needs to be addressed urgently.

Unemployment has devastating ripple effects, Langman said, including pushing communities into alcohol abuse.

He said many San have not yet experienced the “benefits of independence. I know government is doing a lot for us, but the effects of unemployment on my people are adverse and real.”

Maria Garises was quoted as saying that many San do not obtain high school qualifications, and should be given more opportunities of jobs including gardening and domestic positions.

“We need to assist each other as Namibians; San people are gifted in many areas and can be used as handymen and domestic helpers.”

On the other hand, police Sergeant Lina Mbinga of the Gender-Based Violence Investigation Unit said a large number of San women are reluctant to open criminal cases against abusive partners, or withdraw cases.

She said cases of grievous bodily harm tops the list of cases reported by women, but are often withdrawn.

She further said women are reluctant to address child maintenance, as men often threaten to remove the children from their care.



Rights whittled away

The two-day workshop was attended by San women and leadership from nine locations in the region in response to, and centred on, educating the community on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The event was focused on educating participants on their rights and to provide a platform to share their experiences on human rights violations through discrimination, humiliation, marginalisation and exclusion “by staff of government agencies, including health, education and the police”.

At the conclusion of the workshop participants agreed to work together with the WLC in conducting research for an NGO shadow report on the situation of young San women in Namibia to the CEDAW committee.

The booklet highlighted while all San in Namibia experience similar forms of discrimination and human rights violations, San girls and women experience additional violations because of their gender.

And, whereas in the past, traditionally San women thrived in a more equal culture this changed “fundamentally” through a number of factors, including colonisation, apartheid and militarisation.

Patriarchal values replaced old values and led to the loss of San cultural identity, which is “creating a profound sense of isolation, alienation and generational trauma”.

In a speech delivered on his behalf last week, Omaheke governor Festus Ueitele said many Namibians “do not see the San people as equal to others, which has a serious impact on the lives of San women and girls. We need to educate our people more on human rights.”

He said Namibians should deeply reflect on how to improve the lives of marginalised groups and help them become equal citizens.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Nashandi redeployed, new PSes named

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Universal Music Group to open Nigeria division

≪ Previous: San women stand up

$

0

0

Nashandi redeployed, new PSes named The Office of the Prime Minister has announced the appointment and redeployment of new permanent secretaries with effect from 1 August 2018.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the cabinet secretariat announced that I-Ben Nashandi, who was formerly at the poverty eradication ministry, will now take over as the substantive PS in the Office of the Prime Minister.

He will take over from Nangula Mbako who retired last year, but has seemingly been retained as special advisor to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. The other permanent secretary at the OPM is Andreas Mwoombola who is responsible for public service improvement.

Nashandi has been replaced by Esther Lusepani at the poverty eradication ministry. Government has also announced the appointment of Annely Haiphene as the new PS at the National Planning Commission, replacing Leevi Hungamo who resigned last year. Hungamo had quit his government job just months after he was found not guilty for any wrongdoing in his involvement in the multi-billion coastal fuel storage facility saga. Hungamo was charged over the cost of the fuel storage facility at Walvis Bay which rose from N$3.7 billion in 2014 to N$5.5 billion in 2016. Abraham Iilonga is the new accounting officer responsible for veterans affairs and takes over from Hopelong Ipinge who recently retired, while Annascy Mwanyangapo, who served as deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of industrialisation, is now the substantive PS at the ministry of public enterprises.

STAFF REPORTER

---

Universal Music Group to open Nigeria division

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Tullow Oil to halt operations at Kenyan oilfields

≪ Previous: Nashandi redeployed, new PSes named

$

0

0

Universal Music Group to open Nigeria divisionMusic revenue in Nigeria up 9% Vivendi’s Universal Music Group (UMG) will launch a new division in Nigeria as part of efforts by the world’s largest music label to expand into Africa’s most populous nation and the wider region. Our Nigeria team will support, nurture, and help develop artists, while creating opportunities for new talent from the region to reach the widest possible audience- Sipho Dlamini, Managing Director of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa The music entertainment group said on Tuesday its new strategic division, Universal Music Nigeria, will operate from Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos.

Nigerian music, much like its Nollywood film industry, is popular across much of Africa. Nigerian music artists have popularised the Afrobeat musical genre and gone on to sign record deals, sell out concerts and work with international artists to increase the global reach of African music.

Music revenue in Nigeria - mostly derived from sales of mobile phone ringtones - grew 9 percent in 2016, year-on-year, to reach $39 million and is expected to rise to $73 million by 2021, auditing firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) said last year.

Sipho Dlamini, managing director of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa said that the Nigeria division will focus on developing artists and musicians from West Africa countries, particularly Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia.

“Our Nigeria team will support, nurture, and help develop artists, while creating opportunities for new talent from the region to reach the widest possible audience,” said Dlamini.

UMG said the new division will work alongside the label’s existing operations in Ivory Coast and Morocco.

Universal Music Nigeria also plans to open a recording studio in Lagos, which would be the label’s second fully purposed studio in Africa alongside another in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nigeria’s music industry faces an array of challenges ranging from the lack of proper legal structures, to piracy and difficulties in distributing and monetising content.

The country’s arts, entertainment and recreation sector contributed 0.29 percent to real GDP in the first quarter of this year, the statistics office said.

-Nampa/Reuters

Tullow Oil to halt operations at Kenyan oilfields

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Politics needs women

≪ Previous: Universal Music Group to open Nigeria division

$

0

0

Tullow Oil to halt operations at Kenyan oilfields Britain’s Tullow Oil said on Tuesday that it may be forced to shut down operations at its northern Kenyan oilfields after the local community stopped its oil trucking for weeks due to protests over insecurity in the area.

“Essential supplies necessary to run Kapese Integrated Operation Base (IOB) will run out in the next 14 days after which we will have no option other than a complete shutdown of the camp,” Martin Mbogo said in a statement.

-Nampa/Reuters

Politics needs women

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Hometown remembers hero Gurirab

≪ Previous: Tullow Oil to halt operations at Kenyan oilfields

$

0

0

Politics needs womenNew project focuses on pushing women centre-stage More women's voices are needed in politics and Women's Action for Development has launched a project to push that mandate. A just-launched project will push for more female voices and activity on Namibia's political stage and help to enhance the capacity of women to take part in the next round of elections.

The project, titled 'Promoting Women's Rights and Gender Equality in Political Representation in Namibia' will be led by the Women's Action for Development (WAD), with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).

It hopes to motivate political parties to ensure more women's voices are included on parliamentary benches and to empower women to climb the political ladders in their parties.

At the launch, WAD executive director Salatiel Shinedima said the absence of women in political leadership “limits fair and just contributions to issues discussed at leadership level”.

He added that women's issues cannot be effectively addressed “without the participation of women … gone are the days when political leadership is solely associated with men and masculinity”.

He further called on political parties to undertake “serious introspection” on whether enough is being done to prepare women for decision-making positions within party structures, in order to eventually assume positions in parliament.

“If not, now parties are afforded a free opportunity through this project to prepare their female politicians for party leadership positions,” he said.

WAD was recently awarded funding by the United UNDEF to implement a two-year project aimed at promoting women's rights and gender equality in political representation in Namibia.

The project is aimed at sensitising the public on the importance of equal gender representation in politics at both national and regional levels.

It also aims to empower women in politics with the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable them to fully participate in the electoral process as candidates representing their parties.

The project will further focus on motivating political parties in Namibia to create an environment that will enable them to adopt gender-sensitive policies and a legislative framework that is conscious of gender equality during the nomination of party leaders and representatives.

Deputy gender minister Lucia Witbooi praised the project's timing, noting that the 2019 and 2020 elections are an apt opportunity to improve women representation in top political ranks.

Witbooi noted that Namibia has already taken significant strides in achieving gender equality in politics, with 46 women out of the 104 members in the Fifth National Assembly, a total of 44%.

She urged women to consider a political career and said it “it is time to rise up and be active and productive in politics”, in order to steer the country into a new direction.

In 2017, Namibia ranked 12th in the world in terms of the number of women in parliament, according to data presented in the Women in Politics 2017 Map.

Witbooi this week praised WAD and Childline/Lifeline for jointly winning the recent African Gender Award and the continued efforts of civil society in Namibia to work alongside government to ensure national and international commitments are met.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Hometown remembers hero Gurirab

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Omake was a success - Ndeitunga

≪ Previous: Politics needs women

$

0

0

Hometown remembers hero Gurirab There were emotional and personal tributes when the remains of the late Swapo veteran Theo-Ben Gurirab reached his hometown of Usakos yesterday for a memorial service in his honour.

Speaker after speaker remembered the former prime minister, speaker of the National Assembly and the man regarded as one of the country's most erudite diplomats, with glowing tributes.

Gurirab died on Saturday in a Windhoek hospital.

He was 80.

“We thank Uncle Theo-Ben's siblings. They kept the fire burning when he left the country. He did not leave because of selfishness,” said Matthew Gowaseb who directed proceedings at the Jubilate Evangelical Lutheran Church.

“There might have been a vacuum but ultimately he returned and filled a position in light of his family. We recall with gratitude his steadfastness and leadership.”

His distant cousin Simson Tjongarero told the story of how the young Gurirab had initially struggled with the English language as a student at Augustineum in Windhoek.

“It was not so easy at Augustineum and English was a challenge. Later on English became his home language,” he said.

According to Tjongarero, the late Gurirab through his resolve demonstrated that no challenge was insurmountable.

“I was asked if he communicated in Damara when we came together as family.”

Tjongarero remembers how Gurirab's sisters sobbed when he announced that he would be joining the struggle.

“We didn't understand why he had to leave.”

He called on government to erect a monument in /Uikrens where the Gurirab family comes from before their migration to Usakos.

International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah remembered said Gurirab was her diplomatic mentor, a relationship which started when the two first met until his death.

According to her, she always called on his advice.

“Whatever things on the international arena I needed to reflect on, I always picked up the phone and called Theo-Ben. For me that is no more.”

Namibia owed its diplomatic status in the world to Gurirab, Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also the deputy prime minister remarked.

“If Namibians think we are swimming swiftly, it is thanks to Theo-Ben, he has done his part. He was born to be a minister of foreign affairs.”

Gurirab will be honoured with a state funeral at the Heroes' Acre this Saturday after President Hage Geingob gave him the status of national hero.

A state memorial service will be held in the Parliament Gardens tomorrow afternoon, before Saturday's burial.





OGONE TLHAGE

Omake was a success - Ndeitunga

July 18, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Unemployment misery

≪ Previous: Hometown remembers hero Gurirab

$

0

0

Omake was a success - Ndeitunga Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga says the de-bushing and cleaning up of crime-ridden riverbeds, dubbed Operation Omake, has officially come to an end, and was tremendously successful.

According to him, like everything else in life, there was a beginning and an end to the campaign.

City Police acting head Nathaniel Nendongo praised the campaign, saying it has reduced crime rates significantly. Nendongo pointed out the City Police is still cleaning areas that are overgrown to ensure the safety of residents.

“That is what we call the effectiveness of fighting crime through environmental design. You must look at the environment in which crime blossoms and then change it and you will observe that it becomes difficult for them (criminals),” said Nendongo.

He also urged community members to be vigilant and not walk through densely overgrown areas.

“Obviously the trees have grown back and we know that after winter the criminals will be back again. They will hide again in the trees and riverbeds, so we should continue this project,” he said.

Operation Omake, a holistic programme to combat crime, was launched in Moses Garoeb Street in Katutura in November 2015, at the site where two sisters, Jacqueline (18) and Cecilia Kuaseua (30) were murdered a month earlier.

The operation was announced by safety minister Charles Namoloh in the National Assembly, who said it was a response to a call made by President Hage Geingob that immediate action should be taken to combat recurrent gruesome crimes.

The safety and defence ministries, along with the intelligence service and the City Police spearheaded the operation.

The operation included the de-bushing of areas and riverbeds, increased police patrols and the installation of lighting and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.









JEMIMA BEUKES