Quantcast
Channel: Namibian Sun
Viewing all 36395 articles
Browse latest View live

On the horizon: Summer '18

0
0
On the horizon: Summer '18On the horizon: Summer '18 Elizabeth Joseph



We are reaching the climax of winter and summer is finally somewhere on the horizon. I can feel it creeping into the atmosphere.

Summer is everything for so many reasons. Reason number one has everything to do with going to Swakopmund. This is 'the' place to be for summer festivities. Everything fun happens at the coast during the summer season.

This is why everyone is busy working on that summer body. At summer events you are bound to see your ex or their ex, who has been throwing shade at you on social media platforms.

This is also where you will definitely run into your MCM and WCW. No one wants to look like Winnie-the-Pooh in Swakop during summer.

I can see it already. Everyone will be singing “Kiki, do you love me?” at the beach bash this year. I think that has to be one of the most anticipated events during the festive season. For the rest of us who are quite content with our Winnie-the-Pooh bellies and have baes already, we are even more hyped up than usual.

It was actually at this event in 2016 that I realised how insanely confident I was. I was there with a gorgeous one-piece, all black swimsuit, singing, “Young and wild and free.” I really didn't care which curves the swimsuit hugged, because I was having the time of my life.

Going to Swakop in December has become a lifestyle to many. I don't get why. Most people say they want to get away from the people and norms of Windhoek, but as soon as you arrive in Swakop, what do you know? The whole Windhoek is there, as I mentioned earlier. You see your ex-boyfriend there with his new girl… you get what I'm saying.

I honestly go for that ocean vibe. Everything is better at the ocean. You could be in the company of a bunch of crazy people, who like starting fights and getting way too buzzed, but if all this is happening at the ocean, it's all good.

Going with people you love, who you are not necessarily related to by blood, can make the festive season all the more exciting.

I went with my girlfriends and I can truly say we had the best experience. I would relive every moment of it. If you can't remember half of the weekend, then that says a lot. At one point we were dancing and singing at a fuel station as we bought food after an event.

I am looking forward to the summer tunes. Thank God we got over our 'Omunye' phase, because it was honestly one of the most abused songs of last year.

Last year I found love, so I am hoping this year the festive gods will be as extra as they were when they sent me that blessing. All I want is love, joy and unity… and maybe a six-pack, but I think that's pushing it!

For the last couple of months my diet has consisted solely of cake, the classic red 'partytjie koeldrank' and hotdogs. It's as if I have completely forgotten that I promised myself a Scarlett Johansson body. I feel like I owe it to myself; maybe next year though.

So as long as you are happy in your body, have your family with you and end this year on a positive note, maybe you might also find love at a guesthouse… like some of us.

In the midst of all the festivities and good vibes, don't lose sight of the meaning of Christmas while you're at it, because Christmas has become the most watered down, saddest holiday. People use it as an excuse to abuse alcohol and also do the most to endanger their lives, as well as the lives of others.

Kom ons bly tog ntja die Deza, asseblief! Have fun but not at the expense of others. So go get those swimsuits and swimming trunks now already. Mr Price will definitely have a sale. Get it now to avoid those awful queues.

Remember to always be good to yourself and others, even when you're thriving hard.



elizabeth@myzone.com.na

Govt must advertise PS posts

0
0
Govt must advertise PS postsGovt must advertise PS posts From the onset the new administration assured there would be major shakeup of top officials in government, with President Hage Geingob promising greater transparency and accountability. The head of state also promised better service delivery, while terming 2018 as the ‘year of reckoning’. While it is true there has been an improvement in terms of transparency and accountability in the public sector, there are major challenges still within the system. Lack of accountability, in particular, can cause many problems. If the government is not totally open and accountable, the public sector can easily be infested with an organised level of corruption by those who disregard ethical behaviour. Just last week a set of new appointments in the public service were confirmed by the Office of the Prime Minister following the redeployment and appointment of new permanent secretaries for a period of five years. It was also pointed out that such appointments were put through the Public Service Commission (PSC), which in turn made recommendations to the appointing authority. Just to be clear, we are in no way in this editorial questioning the credentials of those appointed to serve as accounting officers at the respective ministries. Our concern is a general one and an attempt to call out government for its inconsistencies when it comes to the recruitment of permanent secretaries. Government has selectively advertised positions of PSes before and we can’t understand why this practice is not applied consistently. The PS posts are important in government and we believe there must a greater pool of applicants to choose the most competent candidates to play executive roles at government agencies, ministries and offices. An open recruitment process also promotes transparency and inspires a greater level of accountability. Government must shun this practice of putting new wine into old bottles, because it is taking us nowhere.

Namibia, Jamaica deepen ties

0
0
Namibia, Jamaica deepen tiesNamibia, Jamaica deepen tiesSeveral memoranda signed Cooperation between Namibia and Jamaica is set to be strengthened with several agreements signed yesterday. Namibia and Jamaica on Monday signed various cooperation agreements aimed at deepening bilateral relationships between the two countries.

Two Memoranda of Understanding between the two governments were signed by the ministers of international relations and sport and their Caribbean Island nation counterparts.

Another agreement was set to be signed at a business luncheon arranged by the industrialisation ministry.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at State House, President Hage Geingob said there is great potential in the area of technical and economic cooperation that Namibia needs to explore with the new agreements.

The president highlighted that the stock exchange and investment sectors, particularly in the areas of energy, agriculture, infrastructure development, tourism and mining have not yet reached their full potential.

“The memoranda should allow Namibia to expand partnership and open new areas of cooperation to fully optimise the immense untapped potential with Jamaica,” said Geingob.

At the same occasion, the prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness said with the new age of technology, phases of industrial information evolution and emerging geopolitical small countries such as Namibia and Jamaica, need to work together to promote and defend their own interests.

“It is strategic to sign agreements with Namibia and develop understanding and friendship that will enable an exchange of ideas and commitment of cooperation,” said Holness.

He noted that Namibia and Jamaica in the past have signed agreements which were not exploited to their full potential.

Holness said the new agreements are a great opportunity to fully exploit the potential missed in the past agreements.

The Jamaican prime minister will be in Namibia until Wednesday and will visit the Namibia Port Authority in Walvis Bay on Tuesday, among other engagements.

NAMPA

Namcol’s loss bulges by 16%

0
0
Namcol’s loss bulges by 16%Namcol’s loss bulges by 16%Provision for bad debts skyrockets Namcol’s provision for impairment losses nearly doubled to about N$3.9 million in its 2017 financial year. Jo-Maré Duddy – The Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) suffered an operating loss of nearly N$121.7 million in the year ended March 2017.

This is about 15.9% or N$16.7 million bigger than the operating loss recorded in the 2016 book-year.

A government subsidy of more than N$138 million – 20% more than in 2016 – was the main reason that Namcol could end its 2017 financial year with a surplus of nearly N$21.5 million. The previous year a government subsidy of nearly N$115 million resulted in a surplus of just over N$14 million.

The figures are contained the detailed statement of Namcol’s annual financial results recently tabled in Parliament.

Namcol’s provision for impairment losses nearly doubled to about N$3.9 million during the year under review. Its trade receivables past due skyrocketed by 108% to more than N$2.4 million. Nearly 35% of this amount was more than 90 days past due.

Whereas nearly N$2.6 million of Namcol’s trade receivables in 2016 were neither past due nor impaired, only N$303 072 fell in this category in 2017.

Revenue, expenses

Namcol made provision of nearly N$1.9 million for bad debts in 2017, a jump of 13 720% from the mere N$13 529 the previous year.

According to Namcol’s statements, the payment period for bookshop debtors is 30 days. For the tertiary level programmes it is 50% on registration and 50% before writing exams.

The college showed revenue of nearly N$46.9 million in 2017, up nearly 33% or N$11.5 million from the previous year. Operating expenses increased by around 21% or N$29.4 million to N$170.7 million.

Included in operating expenses were wages, salaries and allowances – excluding pension and medical aid contributions – totalling nearly N$87.7 million, up nearly 15.8% from 2016. More than N$2.6 million was paid in yearly bonuses. Permanent employees earn their monthly salaries in bonuses at year-end.

The remuneration of the board of governors totalled N$351 854, an decrease of 17% compared to 2016.

Namcol ended its 2017 financial year with assets totalling nearly N$288.1 million, about 5% more than the year before. Of this, about N$96.5 million was cash or cash equivalents.

Govt spends 700k in showcasing work of communities

0
0
Govt spends 700k in showcasing work of communitiesGovt spends 700k in showcasing work of communities There are approximately 12 436 members of different cooperatives in the country. - Percy Misika, PS: Ministry of Agriculture NDAMA NAKASHOLE - Government has spent over N$700 000 in assisting member-owned businesses (cooperatives) to exhibit their products at international expos and the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, respectively.

This is done through the ministry of agriculture, whose division of cooperatives development and regulation is the sole official registrar of all cooperatives in the country. There are 170 registered cooperatives in Namibia.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Percy Misika, told Market Watch that in 2008 the ministry spent over N$173 000 towards accommodation, meals, air tickets and freight costs for some Namibian cooperatives to showcase at an international expo which took place in Lisbon, Portugal.

It spent a further N$345 000 in 2012 for the same expenses for a similar expo which took place in Manchester City in the United Kingdom.

In 2014, the ministry spent over N$96 000 for those expenses at an international expo which took place in Curitiba, Brazil.

These costs, plus the total of N$124 000 spent on paying for exhibition stands at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair over the past 5 years, brought the total that the ministry spent in the promotion and support of cooperatives to N$739 512.47.

Ongwediva Trade Fair

Of the total N$124 000 spent on stalls for cooperatives at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair during a 5-year period, N$21 000 was spent on 7 and 6 stands in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

In 2016 and 2017, the ministry paid N$36 000 and N$22 000 for 10 and 6 stands, respectively.

This year’s Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair will take place from 24 August to 1 September, but the payment of N$21 000 has already been finalised by the ministry for the 6 stands of cooperatives, Misika said.

Welfare

The United Nations (UN) advocates for the promotion of cooperatives. According to the UN, which celebrates the International Day of Cooperatives in July, cooperatives have been building “sustainable and resilient societies”.

Namibia commits to this under its Cooperatives Act (Act 23 of 1996) which provides for the promotion and development of cooperatives. This is carried out by the ministry of agriculture’s directorate of planning and business development, which is complemented by 15 staff members responsible for promotion, registration, capacity building and business development.

Misika said that cooperatives benefit the communities in terms of service provision as well as employment creation.

“There are approximately 12 436 members of different cooperatives in the country,” he said.

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives also work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programmes accepted by the members, he said.

Tangibility

The UN says that agricultural cooperatives work to maintain the longevity of the land where they grow crops through sustainable farming practices. The UN said that consumer cooperatives support sustainable sourcing for their products and educate consumers about responsible consumption.

Housing cooperatives help ensure safe dwellings, it further said. “Utility cooperatives are engaged in the transition to cleaner electricity and rural access to energy and water.” Worker and social cooperatives aim to provide goods and services in an efficient, planet-friendly way while creating long-term, sustainable jobs, the UN says.

Misika encouraged Namibians to come out and form and register cooperative enterprises.

“The success of the cooperative business will be determined by the commitment of the owners to the activities of their business,” he said.

From outcast to inspiration

0
0
From outcast to inspirationFrom outcast to inspirationVan Wyk shares her journey In 2010, at the age of 26, Livey van Wyk (LVW) became the youngest person ever to be elected as a mayor in Namibia, when she became the mayor of Witvlei. This was viewed as an achievement, after community members discriminated her for being HIV positive. Van Wyk, who is... Tunohole Mungoba

TZ: Please tell us about your journey and how you got to be where you are today?

LVW: I was diagnosed with HIV when I was 17 years old. I was a teen mother and I found out during my pregnancy, as part of routine tests when you are pregnant. I was never aware that the test was going to be done, so it came as a shock when my results came out positive.

TZ: How did you deal with the news after you found you were HIV positive?

LVW: It was very difficult, because I was so young and I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be HIV positive. I faced a lot of stigma and the biggest challenge was being told by my community members that I was going to die and them not wanting me to be part of the community. People were scared to be associated with me and they thought HIV is an airborne disease.

TZ: How did you end up becoming the youngest mayor in Namibia?

LVW: Coming from a poverty-stricken town like Witvlei, I decided to openly speak about my HIV status and I decided to come out. I felt I needed to speak about it, because I hated that my life was taken from me. My rights were also being violated, because I couldn’t go back to school and I was told to not give birth again. I familiarised myself with HIV by joining a support group and educating myself more on my condition.

Thereafter, I started my own support group, which later developed into my own non-governmental organisation, Positive Supportive Service Trust, in 2009. I wanted to empower young girls and women by tackling different issues that come along with HIV/Aids, such as domestic violence and alcohol abuse. When it was time for elections, my community supported me to run and I won the elections in 2010.

TZ: What has been your biggest highlight during your journey?

LVW: Being rejected by community, but then at the end of the day, these same people asked me to govern them. I think that was a phenomenal thing to see, as it was their way of asking for forgiveness. They felt I had their best interests at heart.

TZ: What were the challenges you tackled as mayor?

LVW: I wanted to eradicate poverty, because Witvlei is a very small town that experiences a lot of social issues. I wanted to make sure everyone had access to basic services like good healthcare and education. I built about 40 houses and I made sure the majority of the beneficiaries were women.

TZ: How did you manage to win the BBC Outlook Inspirations Award?

LVW: England is very far, so it came as a surprise that people from those areas were watching me. It served as a token of appreciation for all the work I have done. As a woman, I have overcome so many challenges, so the award is one of my biggest achievements.

TZ: What’s your take on young girls falling pregnant?

LVW: I think most if not all young mothers did not ask to fall pregnant. It’s either because of their background or carelessness. The consequences of making the wrong choices have a lot of affects, but I want to make sure that young girls are empowered to say no and take ownership of their bodies.

TZ: There is a high number of HIV cases among young people. Why do you think this is the case?

LVW: Young people have this mentality that it won’t happen to them. We need to personalise it. Young people need to realise that as soon as you become sexually active, you need to understand and know that you are at risk of contracting the virus. Young people have so much information at their disposal so they need to start making smarter choices regarding their sex lives. It is saddening that we are still have this problem, because by now HIV should not be an issue, especially with all the awareness campaigns that have been running since independence.

TZ: What do you envision for Namibian youth in the next few years?

LVW: I really wish that issues like HIV/Aids will not be such a huge problem. I do, however, want us to tackle underlying issues such as proper education and poverty. As you are liberated, it is very easy for you to make decisions that can help improve your life. And the rest will follow.

Govt holds all the cards

0
0
Govt holds all the cardsGovt holds all the cardsConstitutional amendment not needed for expropriation Local experts have questioned government's lackadaisical attitude, when it has a magnitude of test cases, even globally, that can be used to expropriate land. With many already demanding expropriation without compensation during a series of regional consultations leading up to the country's second land conference, Nico Horn says there is no need to amend the constitution in order to expropriate land.

He, however, cautioned this should not be the norm.

The country's second national land conference is slated for 1 to 5 October.

Horn pointed out there are already a number of strong judgments made in favour of ancestral land, which stipulate that ancestral land holders did not lose their entitlement to the land because of colonialism.

The cases he referred to are the people of Western Sahara vs Morocco and the Mabo case against Western Australia.

On 3 June 1992, six of the seven Australian High Court judges upheld the claim and ruled that the lands of the continent were not terra nullius or 'land belonging to no one' when European settlement occurred, and that the Meriam people were “entitled to the possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of (most of) the lands of the Murray Islands”.

The High Court inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law. The High Court recognised the fact that indigenous peoples had lived in Australia for thousands of years and enjoyed rights to their land according to their own laws and customs.





They had been dispossessed of their lands piece by piece as the colony grew and that very dispossession underwrote the development of Australia as a nation.

According to Horn, this ruling can be used as test case for the Nama and Ovaherero people that lost land during colonialism.

“Let's take the two cases in Namibia where we know land was taken away from people. The one would be the south where land was taken from the Nama people and the other is the Herero world. This would now mean you have two title holders on that land, the ancestral title holder and the people holding the title post-colonialism,” he said.

The question, however, remains how this can be resolved a century after the Nama and Ovaherero genocide.

“In South Africa the land courts have identified those that have land claims and if they cannot give the land back they were given access to similar pieces of land. Another issue is that the vast majority of the people with land claims opted for money and so in other words most of these claims were resolved with cash payments.”

Political science lecturer at the University of Namibia (Unam), Ndumba Kamwanyah, agrees there is no need to amend the constitution to take land forcefully, but said government's failure to do it must be interrogated.

Ndumba further cautioned that if the process of land expropriation is not clear and transparent then Namibia can follow the route of Zimbabwe where expropriated land was mainly dished out to the well-connected.

“It is important that the process should not be lent to ambiguity, but should be clearly and transparently stated, in that it does not invite unanswered questions,” he said.

Ndumba said the Namibian constitution's property rights protection clause should be amended, as it does not take proper account of black people's property rights that were affected by colonialism.

According to him this property rights clause has served its purpose, which was a political move on the part of the liberator, Swapo, to reassure white fears that their property, especially land, would be protected, and that they had a place in a multiracial and independent Namibia.

“Now, 28 years after independence we cannot leave Article 16 intact anymore. The clause and the constitution also failed to recognise the various forms of communal land rights. Therefore, there is a legitimate case for the constitutional amendment.”



Not always money

Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe argued that “just” compensation as provided for by the Namibian constitution does not guarantee any cash payment at all.

“When the constitution speaks of just compensation it means there must be a process of justice, but it does not guarantee that the compensation will be market-related. When a farmer has a big farm and he only needs 10 000 hectares of land and he will never use the remainder of the land, then there is no need to pay him millions for the land,” he said.

Tjombe also said the just process of expropriation will have to take into account how the land was acquired in the first place, cheaply or through inheritance.

Economist Dr Omu Kakujaha-Matundu said the reinstitution of property rights may to a certain extent scare off investors.

He is, however, adamant that investors will not be deterred by any change of land ownership, as long as there is no political turmoil.

“The politics around land is very different than the politics around mining,” he said.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Parents threaten Venaani over school visit

0
0
Parents threaten Venaani over school visitParents threaten Venaani over school visit Opposition leader McHenry Venaani yesterday vowed to continue with his scheduled motivational address at a northern school, which had a 0% pass rate in last year's Grade 12 ordinary level examinations.

This is despite a desperate attempt to block his visit by the local community and a threat by parents to keep the learners at home. Earlier this month Venaani obtained approval from education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa for his intention to visit Emanya Secondary School in the Oshikoto Region and the top-performing St Boniface College in Kavango East.

In the letter dated 2 July, Hanse-Himarwa applauded Venaani for having shown interest in visiting the schools, while advising him to contact the respective regional education directors to accompany him. Emanya is one of the poorest performing schools in the country. Last year all 71 learners who sat for the final Grade 12 examination failed. The results shocked many because Grade 10 pupils at the school had recorded a 90 to 100% pass rate over the previous five years. Yesterday about 40 parents expressed their dissatisfaction by petitioning the school board not to allow the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader's visit.





The parents claimed correct procedures, such as seeking approval from the Oshikoto regional officer, were not followed as per a 2015 circular addressed to political and administrative leaders by the education ministry. The circular said there should be a formal request submitted to the regional education directorate at least four weeks before an intended visit.

The community claimed Venaani had not done this. “It is exam time and we don't want our children to be confused. He must come with his children and address them, not ours,” the parents said yesterday. “We recommend that the intended activity should not take place and that the applicant be advised to follow the prescribed procedures in the education policy, within the above-mentioned circular, which is still valid and according to our knowledge has not been amended or repealed,” the petition read.

Tobias Imene, a student leader at Emanya, said the timing of Venaani's meeting is not appropriate, as the learners started with examinations on Friday. Oshikoto education director Lameck Kafidi, however, confirmed he would be accompanying Venaani to the school, as the visit was given approval by the highest education office. “Why would I go and consult the CRO if the approval was granted already by the minister,” Kafidi wanted to know. Approached for comment, Venaani said his visit was being politicised for nothing. “Who has more authority? The minister or the CRO?” Principal Malakia Ileka said the school was not objecting to the politician's visit, but was concerned that the 2015 circular was not conformed with. “If he comes with the director, who are we to stop the meeting from going on? As a school we are just saying that we feel that the procedures, according to the circular that was availed to us, were not followed,” Ileka said.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Surge in approved building plans in Windhoek

0
0
Surge in approved building plans in WindhoekSurge in approved building plans in Windhoek A total of 260 building plans got the green light from the Municipality of Windhoek last month, up 46% from May. Compared to June 2017, approved plans increased by nearly 37%, a report by Simonis Storm (SS) shows.
Most of the approved plans were for additions to properties.
Only two commercial plans were approved.

Tjiueza stars for Baby Warriors

0
0
Tjiueza stars for Baby WarriorsTjiueza stars for Baby WarriorsNamibia to face Angola in Cosafa Cup semis The Baby Warriors secured a semi-final spot at the U-17 Cosafa Cup yesterday, with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Botswana. Prins Tjiueza has continued his magical exploits at the Under-17 Cosafa Cup in Mauritius, to earn his team a semi-final spot in the competition.

Tjiueza, who netted four goals in the Baby Warriors 8-3 win over Seychelles in their opening match, extended his goal tally to five in the competition, after scoring one of the two goals against Botswana.

Namibia came to the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to hosts Mauritius and had everything to play for against their neighbours.

The team proved they have what it takes to go all the way, after a dominating display.

Namibia finished top of Group A with six points, followed by Mauritius.

Seychelles exited the competition without registering a point, while Botswana were also eliminated.

“This victory came down to a team effort, as illustrated by our first goal. After we lost to Mauritius, we had to concentrate more on the mentality of the boys and we had to encourage them to still believe.

“There was a lot at stake and they came right. We are through and we now have to relax and then regroup to plan for Angola in the semifinals and then see how far we can go.

“The sky is the limit; the boys have really surprised us and they can do more from now on,” coach Paul 'Shakes' Malembu told the NFA website.

Namibia will meet Angola at 13:30 at the St Francois Xavier Stadium on Friday.

This year's winner will qualify directly for the Afcon U-17 tourney.

The Afcon winner will qualify for the Fifa U-17 World Cup, which the Namibian team has never featured at.

The Baby Warriors starting against Botswana was as follows:

Ikuaterua Mungendje, Vinceno Ganeb, Promise Gurirab, Aiden Eisab, Gonzales Tsuseb, Steven Damaseb (captain), Prins Tjiueza, Bradley Hanixab, Gerald Goraseb, Amazing Kandjii and Edmar Kamatuka.



Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Navachab half marathon launched

0
0
Navachab half marathon launchedNavachab half marathon launched The fifth Navachab Half Marathon Challenge Run will take place on 15 September at Karibib.

The gold mine has committed

N$45 000.

Karibib FNB also forms part of the sponsors, along with Karibib OK. Namagra has also continued its partnership with the event, while Coca-Cola remains the drinks sponsor. Desert Lion Energy has been added to the sponsorship list.

“We remain committed towards the marathon. We continue to invest into sport as our social responsibility,” said Navachab mine spokesperson Tuafi Shafombabi.

Karibib council CEO Lesley Goraseb said the town will be ready to host all the participants. Goraseb said event has benefited the town significantly over the years.

The town council has committed N$10 000.

“We are happy that the marathon will once again take place in our beautiful town.

“Karibib is ready to host the event and we expect all the shops in the town to accommodate all our visitors,” Goraseb said.

This year the event will be spiced up by a 5km social run, which welcomes any individuals who want to join in. Erongo sport officer Berthold Karumendu said they expect over 350 athletes to be part of the competition.

“The prize monies of the half marathon will be announced next month,” Karumendu said.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Fighters ready for Desert Rumble - Tobias

0
0
Fighters ready for Desert Rumble - TobiasFighters ready for Desert Rumble - Tobias Boxing promoter Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias is confident his boxers will thrill at The Dome in Swakopmund on 3 August.

Tobias is hosting the event in conjunction with Kalakoda Promotions, which will feature five mouth-watering fights.

Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila will defend his WBO Africa super featherweight title during the Desert Rumble boxing bonanza against Crispin Moliati from Malawi over 12 rounds.

“I believe that this partnership with Kalakoda Promotions is the start of bigger things, as the fights will be streamed live throughout the African continent.

“It is important that Jeremiah Nakathila wins this fight, which can make him a mandatory challenger for the WBO world title.

“Nakathila, as you all know, is a huge prospect and I do believe he can go all the way to become a world champion,” Tobias said.

Nakathila boasts a record of 15 fights, with 11 knockouts and one loss, while Moliati has a record of 22 fights, with 10 knockouts, eight losses and four draws.

“I do not fear anything and I am ready to put up a great show in the ring.

“I have watched Moliati fight before, and I can say that there is nothing to fear,” Nakathila said.

The main supporting bout will see Swakopmund's Abraham 'Energy' Ndeandapo go toe-to-toe with Bilindo Eseko from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the WBO African super featherweight belt.

The third title bout of the night will be contested between Lukas Ndafoluma from Namibia and the DRC's Jimmy Mabundji, for the WBF Africa middleweight title.

There will also be an undercard bout featuring Harry Simon Junior and Lukas Handivele, while Sakaria Nikodemus goes up against Fillemon Nghutenyane.

MTC's John Ekongo has invited people to come in their numbers to support the boxing bonanza.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

NSSU ready to host Cossasa games

0
0
NSSU ready to host Cossasa gamesNSSU ready to host Cossasa gamesParticipating nations to assess readiness Namibia will host a much-anticipated sporting event that will see countries like Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe compete in eight sport codes from 22 to 26 August. Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) national coordinator, Solly Duiker, says they are ready to host this year's Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Ball Games.

Duiker confirmed that a delegation of participating countries will be in Namibia over the weekend to assess the country's readiness to host the championship.

“All our teams have been finalised; it's only tennis that needs to be finalised, as the players are selected based on their ranking,” he said. Duiker said the national sevens rugby team that finished second at the just-held 2018 African Youth Games in Algeria will also represent the country. Other sport codes only have small touch-ups to make to their squads selected for the National Youth Games in May and The Namibian Newspaper Cup that was hosted in the Zambezi Region, he said.

“We currently don't have the finances to host trials, but this coming weekend we will be hosting special trials for athletes that regional coaches think deserve to be looked at, so they can form part of the different squads,” Duiker said.

The possible venues for the games are the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Technical Centre, the Independence Stadium, Windhoek Gymnasium, DHPS, DTS, Sport Klub Windhoek and the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College. The codes athletes will compete in during the ball games are football, basketball, netball, hockey, volleyball, cricket, tennis and rugby.

NAMPA

Ayihe oyi li momake gepangelo

0
0
Ayihe oyi li momake gepangeloAyihe oyi li momake gepangeloEkotampango inali pumbwa okulundululwa mokukutha ko evi Aatseyinawa yomoshilongo oya ningile epangelo omapulo kombinga yoshikumungu shevi sho aakwashigwana oyendji pethimbo ndika taya holola omaiyuvo opo evi li kuthwe ko pwaahena iifuta lyo li pewe ooyene. Nico Horn okwa popi kutya inaku pumbwa andola okuningwa omalunduluko gasha mEkotampango lyoshilongo opo ku kuthwe ko evi ihe okwa kunkilile kutya shoka inashi ningwa omukalondjiigilile.

Omutumba omutiyali gwevi moshilongo okwa tegelelwa gu ningwe mesiku lyotango sigo omasiku gatano gomwedhi Kotomba nuumvo.

Horn okwa totha mo kutya ope na nale omaiyuvo gena oonkondo kombinga yoshikumungu shuuthiga wevi, ngoka ga holola kutya ooyene yevi ndyoka lyuuthiga inaye li kanitha onga oshizemo shuukoloni.

Iipotha mbyoka ta yeleke nayo ongaashi shaantu yomoWestern Sahara oshowo Morocco noshipotha shoMabo noWestern Australia.

Momasiku ga 3 Juni 1992, aapanguli yahamano mompangulilo yoPombanda ya Australia High Court oya ningi etokolo lyompangu kutya evi menenevi kalya li naana li na mwene sho AaEuropa ya tameke okuya menenevi, naantu yomuhoko gwaaMeriam oye li ye na uuthemba okukala taya longitha evi ndyoka tali adhika kOntuntu yaMurray Islands.

Ompangu ndjoka yopombanda oya ningi po ondokumende yopaveta yi li mompango yaAustralia. Ompangu ndjoka oya holola kutya aavalelwa mo oyendji oya kala moAutralia uule woomvula omayovi na oya tyapula uuthemba wevi kwiikwatelwa koompango dhawo nomidhigululwakalo dhawo.

Pahapu dhaHorn etokolo ndyoka lyopampangu otali vulu okulongithwa onga omalolelo moshipotha shaakwashigwana yAaNama nAaHerero mboka ya kanitha evi lyawo pethimbo lyuukoloni.

“Tu kutheni iipotha iiyali moNamibia moka tu shi kutya evi olya kuthwa aantu. Shimwe ooshoka shomuumbugantu moka AaNama ya kuthwa evi lyawo oshowo AaHerero. Shoka monena otashi ulike kutya owuna ooyene yevi yopaali aantu yomuumbugantu mboka, yali ooyene yevi pethimbo ndyoka oshowo mboka ye na evi konima sho oshilongo sha manguluka.”

Epulo oondyoka kutya shoka otashi potokononwa ngiini, konima yoomvula odhindji sha piti sho kwa ningwa omadhipago gakiinahenda ngoka ga ningilwa AaNama nAaherero.

“MoSouth Afrika oompangu dhevi odha totha mo mboka taya popi kutya evi olyawo nongele itaya vulu okushunitha evi nena oya pewa iitopolwa yilwe yomavi. Oshikumungu shimwe ooshoka kutya oyendi mboka ye na omavi oye na ohokwe yiimaliwa, onkene iikumungu oyindji oya kandulwa po noshimaliwa.”

Omundungiki gwoPolitical science moshiputudhilo shoUniversity of Namibia (Unam), Ndumba Kamwanyah, okwa zimine kutya kape na ompumbwe yokuninga omalunduluko mEkotampango, opo evi li kuthwe ko koonkondo, ihe endopo lyepangelo okushi ningwa olya pumbwa okukonaakonwa.

Ndumba okwa kunkilile kutya ngele omulandu gwekuthoko lyevi inagu ningwa polweela nopauyuuki nena Namibia otashi vulika a landule moompadhi dhaZimbambwe, moka evi ndyoka lya kuthwa ko lya gandjwa kaanenentu.

“Osha simana opo omulandu gu kale gu li polweela nopauyuuki, opo kashi ka etithe omapulo kaage na omayamukulo.” Ndumba okwa popi kutya Ekotampango lyaNamibia kombinga yegamenenepo lyomaliko olya pumbwa okulundululwa molwaashoka inali tala kuuthemba womaliko gaaluudhe mboka ya gumwa kuukoloni.

Okwa tsikile kutya ontopolwa ndjoka oya li ya tulwa po muuwanawa wopolotiika, okukwashilipalekela aatiligane kutya omaliko gawo unene ngoka ya likola pethimbo lyuukoloni oga gamenwa uuna oshilongo sha manguluka. “Ngashiingeyi konima yoomvula o 28 oshilongo sha manguluka, itatu vulu okukala nokatendo hoka okati 16. Okatendo hoka oshowo ekotampango olya ndopa okutala komauthemba gevi lyaayehe ga yooloka, onkene shoka osha pumbwa okutalika.”



Kashi shi aluhe iimaliwa

Hahende guuthemba womuntu, Norman Tjombe okwa popi kutya iifuta owala mbyoka yatulwa po kEkotampango lyaNamibia itayi kwashilipaleke kutya ope na iifuta yopashimaliwa.

“Ngele Ekotamango otali popi owala iifuta osha hala okutya opena okukala omulandu guuyuki, ihe inashi kwashilipaleka kutya iifuta mbyoka otayi ka kala pankalo nongushu yopaliko ethimbo ndyoka. Ngele omunafaalaa okuna ofaalama onene na okwa pumbwa owala oohecta 10 000 dhomofaalama ndjoka na ita longitha oshitopolwa shevi shoka sha hupako nena kape na ompumbwe opo a futwe oomiliyona odhindji moshitopolwa shoka shevi itaa longitha.” Tjombe okwa popi kutya omulandu gwekuthoko lyevi nagu tale kutya evi ndyoka olya monika tango momukalo gu li ngiini, ngele olya landwa kombiliha nenge olya dhigululwa.

Omutseyinawa gwopaliko, Dr Omu Kakujaha-Matundu okwa popi kutya etalululo lyuuthemba womaliko otali vuli okumbandapalitha aapunguli pankatu yimwe.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Air Namibia second best in Africa

0
0
Air Namibia second best in AfricaAir Namibia second best in Africa Namibia's national airline has been ranked as the second best airline in Africa at the World Airline Awards.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are very prestigious and highly regarded in the airline industry.

According to the airline's spokesperson Paul Nakawa, this is the third time in a row that Air Namibia bagged this award.

The awards are based on surveys of more than 20 million travellers, who rated more than 335 airlines between August 2017 and May 2018.

Nakawa said the awards are often referred to as the “the Oscars of the aviation industry,” and are a global benchmark of airline excellence.

According to him, travellers across the globe take part each year in the world's airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the winners.

“It is an honour to receive recognition from our clients via a world renowned independent survey. This acknowledgement encourages and drives us to do more through improving our operations. As Air Namibia, our main area of focus is ensuring that we meet and exceed our customers' expectations. This award is an acknowledgement of the fact that we are on the right track.”

He added: “Being the runner-up in this competition for regional airline in Africa is great, but we will not rest until we are awarded the top spot, after all service is the only differentiator in this industry.”

Nakawa concluded by thanking travellers for choosing Air Namibia as their preferred carrier of choice.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the travellers who participated in the survey and encourage more travellers to fly with Air Namibia. We pledge to continue improving our service standards, to ensure that clients get quality and value for their money.”

The Moroccan national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, was awarded as the best airline in Africa and Rwanda Air came in third place.

Singapore Airlines was named the World's Best Airline in the Skytrax awards while Qatar Airways was awarded second place.

According to Air Namibia, the methodology of the survey is fully transparent, and the processes remain 100% independent with no payment by any airline or other outside organisation for any aspect of the customer survey or Awards presentation event. Nakawa added that the world's best regional airline award is very important, reflecting global quality distinction for airlines. Regional airlines are defined as full service carriers that primary operate domestic, regional and/or international flights up to approximately six hours.

ELLANIE SMIT

Food bank roll out

0
0
Food bank roll outFood bank roll outOhangwena, //Karas, Hardap get relief As promised, the poverty eradication ministry is now rolling out food banks for Ohangwena, //Karas and Hardap. The poverty eradication ministry is on schedule for a September rollout of its food bank programme to Eenhana in Ohangwena, which is ranked as the second poorest region in the country.

The programme will also be heading to the //Karas and Hardap regions later this week.

According to the Namibia 2011 Population and Housing Census, Ohangwena has a population of 245 446 inhabitants, of which 90% live in rural areas.

The Ohangwena food bank programme will be administered at Eenhana.

Poverty eradication minister Zephania Kameeta held consultations with the regional readership this week and said the programme is expected to be rolled out in September.

This was confirmed by regional council chairperson Erickson Ndawanifa, who told Namibian Sun the minister addressed them on the food bank concept and how it operates.

“He (Kameeta) came prepared and finalised the process with the leadership. What is left is for the regional leadership to complete tasks assigned by the minister and to inform him once we are done.”

Ndawanifa said the region has to appoint a programme liaison officer, who will be coordinate the food bank, and street committees who will be running the programme.

Ndawanifa said the programme will only be rolled out in Eenhana and will target the needy living within the town.

“The minister was clear that only the needy are expected to benefit and they will be registered as programme beneficiaries. The programme will not go deep into the villages, but is only meant for those living in Eenhana,” he said.

The Namibia 2011 census report indicated that 56% households in the region have no access to safe water, 80% are without toilets facilities, only 11% have electricity and 88% use wood or charcoal for cooking.

Report said further the region's main sources of income are farming (26%), wages/salaries (22%), business (12%) and pension (29%).

Helao Nafidi is the most densely populated town in the region, consisting of Onhuno, Omafo, Engela and Oshikango, and the majority of the inhabitants stay in informal housing.

According to Ndawanifa, Eenhana is a big town in terms of its boundaries, where many homesteads are found, which qualifies it to benefit from the food bank programme.

Ndawanifa said the rest of the region can still benefit from the usual drought relief, which does not benefit those residing in towns.

Poverty eradication ministry spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the programme, which is currently being administered in Khomas, will also be rolled out to the //Karas and Hardap regions too.

He said that over 62 000 people in Khomas are already benefiting.

ILENI NANDJATO

Pensioners urged to register for Nored support tariffs

0
0
Pensioners urged to register for Nored support tariffsPensioners urged to register for Nored support tariffs As the Northern Regional Energy Distributor (Nored) hikes its electricity tariffs, pensioners and other customers in the same category have been urged to register with the electricity distributor to benefit from support tariffs to reduce the impact of the increased costs.

Nored reminded senior citizens and other customers, including those who are physically challenged, that it has rolled out a support tariff which currently has over 50 beneficiaries registered, to assist them not to feel the pinch of increased electricity tariffs.

This week Nored announced its Electricity Control Board approved 2018/19 tariffs registering an increase of 5.5% effective on 1 July 2018. In its statement, the utility company added: “In addition, this increase is in relation to approved NamPower tariffs adjusted at the beginning of this year to ensure a continued supply and distribute of electricity by Nored.” Nored's spokesperson Simon Lukas said that the company will continue to ensure affordable electricity for all its clients and will furthermore, continue to render effective service with high standards and constant improvements. Lukas said that the tariffs under the support tariffs category are lower than the normal tariff charges.

“Nored has established this category uniquely for pensioners and persons living with a disability. Beneficiaries for support tariffs must be registered pensioners and grant recipients from the government. Moreover, the meter of the house shall be strictly registered in the name of the beneficiary,” Lukas said.

Nored was incorporated in 2001 and it supplies electricity to regional and local authorities in the Zambezi, Kavango East and West, Kunene, Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto regions.

ILENI NANDJATO

Company news in brief

0
0
Company news in briefCompany news in brief Nike to raise wages for thousands of employees

Nike Inc said on Monday it would raise wages for about 7 500 employees following a global pay review, two months after the sportswear maker concluded a probe into workplace behavior that resulted in the departure of a number of top executives.

About 10% of its employees across all levels and geographies will receive pay adjustments, a Nike spokeswoman told Reuters.

The company had about 74 400 employees worldwide, according to a regulatory filing. Its Mid-level managers at Portland headquarters are paid about US$40 000 to US$120 000 a year, according to job search and review website Glassdoor.

-Nampa/Reuters

Facebook to double office presence in London

Facebook said on Monday it would double its presence in London, acquiring nearly 600 000 square feet (56 000 square meters) of office space across two buildings in King’s Cross - enough for more than 6 000 workstations.

The social network did not say how many jobs it would add in the British capital, where it expects to employ 2 300 people by the end of this year. It added 800 jobs in London last year.

-Nampa/Reuters

Blackstone wins EU approval to buy Thomson Reuters unit

US private equity firm Blackstone Group has secured EU antitrust approval to acquire a majority stake in Thomson Reuters’ Financial and Risk unit, the European Commission said on Monday.

Blackstone is making its biggest bet since the financial crisis with the US$20 billion deal which pits co-founder Stephen Schwarzman against fellow billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

-Nampa/Reuters

Exxon expects more oil from Guyana's offshore block

Exxon Mobil Corp and its partners now expect the large Stabroek oil block offshore Guyana to contain about 25% more recoverable resources than estimated, they said on Monday.

Exxon and US-based partner Hess Corp said more than 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent could be recovered from the Stabroek block, which is part of one of the biggest oil discoveries in the world in the last decade.

-Nampa/Reuters

Hasbro moves past Toys 'R' Us collapse

Toymaker Hasbro Inc topped Wall Street estimates for profit and revenue in the second quarter as it emerged from the worst effects of last year’s Toys ‘R’ Us bankruptcy, sending its shares up nearly 12%.

The company, like other US toymakers, was hit hard by the sooner-than-expected liquidation of Toys ‘R’ Us and had said it would get through the worst by the latter half of the year.

-Nampa/Reuters

Slaughter numbers worrisome

0
0
Slaughter numbers worrisomeSlaughter numbers worrisomeExport abattoirs see declining numbers Research will be performed into why the numbers of animals delivered to export abattoirs are dwindling. A study will be conducted by the agriculture ministry to determine the reasons behind the dwindling numbers of sheep and cattle being delivered to export abattoirs.

The Meat Board of Namibia and other role-players in the industry recently met with agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb to discuss the decline in cattle and sheep numbers to export abattoirs.

Various opinions and reasons for the state of affairs were raised, after which !Naruseb indicated that an impact study must be conducted to determine and obtain information, facts and reasons.

The study will determine further interventions based on actual data and information. All the different role-players in the livestock and meat industry will form part of the process.

Furthermore, the agriculture ministry as owner of two newly built local abattoirs at Eenhana and Outapi, entered into a lease agreement with the Namibia National Liberation Veterans Association for a period of ten years.

According to the Meat Board, a business agreement between the association and Africa Meat Supplies, namely Northern Namibia Abattoirs, was established to operate both the Outapi and Eenhana abattoirs.

In support of the initiative, the Meat Board organised an information day at Outapi on 5 July, which was attended by over 180 producers, some of them travelling from as far as Kunene, to learn about the supply of cattle to the abattoirs.

Given the absence of a formal slaughter market in the areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence since mid-2015, the Meat Board is positive about the operationalisation of the abattoirs and wishes Northern Namibia Abattoirs every success.

The abattoirs intend to be in operation before September 2018.

The Meat Board also held a highly successful information day at Katima Mulilo on 17 July.

About 157 producers from as far as Impalila Island attended the day. The Meat Board has emphasised its concern about the lack of markets for beef producers in the Zambezi Region.



ELLANIE SMIT

Dairy producers meet in Gobabis

0
0
Dairy producers meet in GobabisDairy producers meet in Gobabis Namibia's Dairy Producers Association (DPA) recently held their annual general meeting outside Gobabis during which an amended law, which would make it possible to control milk imports, was one of the main topics of discussion.

Producers expressed the hope that the amended law will soon be discussed and approved in parliament. The milk processor, Namibia Dairies, gave producers the assurance that when this law is approved and implemented by parliament and the market situation stabilised, the 30% price reduction over the past year would be restored.

The chairman of the association, Kokkie Adriaanse, in his speech, mentioned that the entire industry has gone through a difficult time in the past year. According to him Namibia Dairies did everything in their power to make savings in-house in favour of milk producers.

They were thanked for the transparent manner in which they dealt with the matter and the good relationship between the processor, the management of the DPA and the producers.

However, through price reductions and restrictions to allow production to grow freely, producers are under pressure and these major challenges begs the question whether it is still worthwhile to continue in this industry. Adriaanse concluded that producers must stay positive and that there is a serious need to re-think costs on the farm which there is control over. Producers must also become more involved in the industry. Speakers on the day included Jompie Burger from Dairy Standard Agency. During the past two weeks he visited each dairy farm prior to the AGM to assess food safety standards. During the members' meeting he gave feedback on his findings during these visits. Alex Jenkins of Chemunique in South Africa gave a motivational talk about herd management. It was further emphasised during the discussions how important every aspect of the chain is in terms of food safety. Several producers were also awarded for their performance during a gala dinner. Dirk van Wyk was awarded the producer of the year – intensive, and Christo Strydom was awarded extensive producer. Van Wyk also received the award for lowest bacterial countdown, while Frikkie Duvenhage received the award for best quality milk delivered. The award for most accurate milk production forecast went to Christo Lottering.

STAFF REPORTER
Viewing all 36395 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images