Namibia closer to world cup

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Namibia closer to world cupWelwitschias beat Zimbabwe Namibia's senior national rugby team moved closer to world cup qualification by defeating Zimbabwe 58-28 in Zimbabwe over the weekend. The Welwitschias now only need to beat Kenya in their next game to secure a spot at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Phil Davies will prepare his side for their final Rugby Africa Gold Cup 2018 match, against Kenya in Windhoek in a fortnight, knowing that victory in that game will book their ticket to Japan 2019.

If it wasn't already, qualification is now firmly in Namibia's hands, but they were made to work hard for victory against a spirited Zimbabwean side on Saturday.

Despite taking an early seven-point lead, the Gold Cup pace-setters were pegged back within the first 15 minutes as home back-row Connor Pritchard crashed over to level the scores.

Namibia flyhalf Cliven Loubser soon edged the visitors back in front from the kicking tee, though, and following a tight opening 20 minutes they began to show their class.

PJ van Lill showed good pace and power to stride over from the base of a scrum and before the half-hour mark Namibia had scored their third try of the match as replacement winger Johann Greyling produced a fine finish on the right wing.

Loubser converted both scores, and after Zimbabwe fly-half Brandon Mandivenga had missed a penalty attempt, the Namibian playmaker added another three points to give his side a 20-point lead at half-time.

The hosts could feel slightly aggrieved to find themselves so far behind at the break, but as the second period got under way their task got even tougher. Within three minutes of the restart Wian Conradie had been played into space by a brilliant offload from Van Lill and the replacement back-row made no mistake, cantering over to score.

Loubser again converted and it looked as though the game was won.

What followed was a see-saw 35 minutes in which the two sides traded seven tries.

Following an electric break from hooker David Makanda it was Zimbabwe who scored next, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo spotting a gap and racing through it to give the home fans hope.

That feeling lasted less than five minutes, however, as Namibia's impressive hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld burrowed over from close range.

In fitting fashion for what was becoming a roller-coaster contest, Zimbabwe went straight up the other end and their replacement hooker Mathew Mandioma crossed the try line within three minutes.

A try-less ten minutes, in which Greyling was sent to the sin-bin, followed before a breathless finish in which the visitors' superior fitness told.

Namibia second-row Tijuee Uaniye and Zimbabwe winger Shayne Makombe traded tries, before Louis van der Westhuizen and Johan Tromp both scored for the visitors in the final five minutes.

RUGBY WORLD CUP NEWS

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Toyota Aygo sharpened and specced up

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Toyota Aygo sharpened and specced upFresh new design The second-generation Toyota Aygo debuted in 2015 with a highly-expressive design incorporating a strong “X”-motif across the front grille section and ‘X-inspired’ design themes throughout. For 2018, the bold ‘super-mini’ has gone under the proverbial surgeon’s knife and emerged with a fresh new design that simultaneously pays homage to the original “X”-motif and provides a rejuvenated appearance.

The standout feature of the facelifted Aygo is the new larger projector headlamps, incorporating prominent LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) which utilise a light guide to trace the inner border of the headlamp housing. These stylised headlamps now form a point of parity with its larger C-HR sibling.

The “X”-motif is retained with strong contour lines framing the large trapezoidal air dam, intersected by a large Toyota insignia in the centre. A black lower apron adds depth to the bold front façade.

The five-door silhouette is given a sporty touch with the upswept rear window line and sloping roofline. As before, the rear design centres on the vertically-positioned, boomerang-shaped tail lamps which feature newly-designed light elements. A large, blacked-out tailgate and lower bumper area continues the “X”-theme at the stern.

The interior design keeps up the fun factor, with one-piece, moulded, front bucket seats, multi-tone fabric trim, visible exterior-colour panels and orange-hued illumination. A leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever add a pleasing tactile touch point.

Cool convenience

Aygo continues to offer a high level of standard specification, which includes a Touchscreen audio system with USB, Auxiliary and Bluetooth functionality, steering switch operation and on-board computer. The audio system also features smartphone connectivity via the USB port.

The usual fare of power windows, remote central locking, power-adjustable side mirrors, air-conditioning and 12-volt accessory connector are provided.

The distinctive, stacked instrument cluster includes a circular Multi-information Display (MID), housed within the large and easy-to-read speedometer. A tachometer and shift indicator flank the multi-dimensional gauge layout.

Supplemented safety

All Aygo derivatives are now equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill Assist Control (HAC), which join the ABS and Brake Assist (BA) functions - as part of Toyota’s continued vehicle safety strategy.

Passive safety items include front - and side airbags, ISOFIX provisions and 3-point seatbelts with force limiter and pretensioners.

Enhanced engine

The thermally-efficient, award winning 998cc three cylinder engine has been tweaked to provide an additional 2 kilowatt, bringing the power output to 53 kW and 93 Nm – whilst fuel consumption has been lowered to a sparing 4.3 litre per 100 kilometres. The CO2 output figure has also been reduced to 97 g/km.

Improvements to the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) performance have also been made, ensuring that Aygo offers a quieter and smoother drive.

Distinctive derivatives

Three distinct variants of Aygo are offered, each with their own target market. The standard Aygo offers solid peace-of-mind motoring and is aimed at more budget-conscious customers.

The X-Play version ups the ante with a striking bi-tone design, available as either X-Play Black (Cherry Red body plus black roof) or X-Play Silver (Onyx Black body plus silver roof). Both standard and X-Play models ride on 14” wheels shod with 165-65R14 tyres.

The flagship X-Cite model is aimed at expressive customers seeking even more street cred. A power-retractable black canvas ‘Funroof’ allows occupants to experience open-air motoring at the touch of a button. Ice White exterior paint is the standard configuration on X-Cite models whilst buyers can additionally choose from six other colours (on customer order).

The X-Cite model maximises its visual appeal with diamond-shaped 15” alloy wheels, fitted with 165-60R15 tyres. - MotorPress

Hotto scores in debut

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Hotto scores in debut PHOTO: File

Namibia’s flamboyant winger Deon Hotto started off his South African Premier Soccer league campaign with a dream performance for his new club after scoring and assisting a goal. This ensured that Bidvest Wits started their season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Free State Stars as the 2016 champions sounded a warning of their potential. The side is much changed this year with coach Gavin Hunt bringing in players with proven Premiership experience and they never looked troubled against Nedbank Cup champions Stars. Thulani Hlatshwayo tapped home the first goal, before Mxolisi Macuphu before Namibia international Deon Hotto score on his debut for The Clever Boys.

Namvet ta pangele ehololomadhilaadhilo lyomasiku gaheyali

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Namvet ta pangele ehololomadhilaadhilo lyomasiku gaheyali Ehangano ndyoka tali kalelepo aakwiita nale mboka ya li taya longele epangelo lyokatongotongo, lyoNamibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) ota li longekidha okuninga ehololomadhilaadhilo taya pula opo yapewe uukwatya mboka tawu pewa aakondjelimanguluko yaNamibia. Momasiku 13 gaAguste, aakwiita nale mboka otaya ka gandja omukandanyenyeto gwawo kOmupopi mOmutumba gwoPashigwana, Peter Katjavivi nomomasiku 15 gaAguste oya hala natango okuninga ehololomadhilaadhilo yeli ompinge noongundu dhompilameno omugoyi ndhoka dhi li moPaliamende.

Momasiku 16 gaAaguste otaya ka ninga ehololomadhiladholo koombelewa dhOmumakelipo gwaSouth Afrika moNamibi aomanga momasiku 18 Namvet taka ninga omutumba gwoshigwana.

Iinyangadhalwa mbyoka tayi ningwa kuNamvet otayi endele pamwe nethiko moshilongo lyaaleli yoshitopolwa shaAfrika lyOmuumbugantu, mboka taye ya okuninga omutumba omuti 38 gwoSADC.

Omupresidende Hage Geingob otaka ulikwa onga omunashipundi omupe gwolutu ndyoka. Omutumba ngoka otagu ningwa momasiku 17 sigo 18 gaAguste.

“Otwa hala okumonika momapandanda oshiwike shoka. Otwa hala SADC a mone,” omupopiliko gwoNamvet, Jabulani Ndeunyema, a popi mEtitatu lyoshiwike sha piti.

Ndeunyema okwa popi kutya uule woomvula mbali netata ndhoka ya kala taya ningi ehololomadhilaadhilo moshiongo, otashi ulike kutya epangelo lyoSwapo otali ya tindile epitiko okuya megumbo lyaNamibia nenge omuleli ngoka e li oshipundi okwa tila aalandulwa ye, Sam Nujoma oshowo Hifikepunye Pohamba.



Omatompelo gokuninga ehololomadhilaadhilo uule womasiku ga 7

Omvula yimwe ya piti ngashiingeyi, Katjavivi okwa li a gandja oshinakugwanithwa kokomitiye yoparliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs, tayi kwatelwa komeho kuSebastian Karupu, opo yi konaakone nokukonga omayamukulo kombinga yoshikumungu shaakwiita mboka nale,nokutala komakemo gawo.

Ndeunyema okwa popi kutya Namvet okwa yakula uuyelele okuza konzo yomeni kutya Katjavivi okwa pewa olopota kokomitiye ndjoka momasiku 11 gaJuli, ndjoka ya holola kutya aakwiita nale yoSWATF/Koevoet inaya pewa uukwatya woonakulwa aakulu ihe naya vule okumona openzela yaakokele nokukonga omakwatho gopaunamiti kiipangelo yepangelo onga AaNamibia yalwe.

Ombelewa yOmupopi moPaliamende oya tseyithile Namvet kutya otaya ka pewa owala omayamukulo kombinga yolopota ndjoka muSepetemba nuumvo.

Ndeunyema okwa popi kutya natango oya mona uuyelele kutya Katjavivi okwa tindi olopota ndjoka, naashoka osho tashi yathiminike ya ninge ehololomadhilaadilo nokugandja omukandanyenyeto gwawo kuKatjavivi.

Ndeunyema okwa tsikile kutya otaya nyana oongundu dhompilameno okupitila mehololomadhilaadhilo molwaashoka odha ndopa okuthiminika ongundu yoSwapo opo yi hulithepo omaihumbato gawo ngoka kage li pakotampango, na otaga yi moshipala uundemokoli.

Namvet natango okwa hala okuninga ehololomadhilaadhilo poombelewa dhomukalelipo gwaSouth Afrika, ya hala okupewa uuyelele kombinga yomiliyona ndhoka tadhi popiwa dha pewa epangelo lyaNamibia kepangelo lyaSouth Afrika, dha nuninwa aakwiita nale mboka ya li taya longele epangelo lyokatongotongo lyaSouth Afrika.

Ndeunyema okwa popi kutya Namvet okwa tseyithilwa kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oya thika poomiliyona 36 na oya pewa epangelo lyaNamibia kepangelo yaSouth Afrika konima owala yethimbo efupi sho oshilongo sha manguluka. Iimaliwa mbyoka oya li iifuta yoopenzela dhaakwiita nale mboka aniwa, pahapu dhaNdeunyema. Ombelewa yoSouth African High Commission oya holola oshiwike sha piti kutya otayi ka ninga omapulapulo nokukonga uuyelele womuule kombinga yomapopyo ngoka.

Lukas joins UK promoter

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Lukas joins UK promoterBoxer seeks greener pastures One of Namibia's top boxers has signed with a foreign promoter to boost his chances of qualifying for a world title fight. Namibia's featherweight top prospect Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas has joined a UK-based boxing promoter.

Lukas, who parted ways with former promoter Nestor Tobias, signed a deal with Al Siesta Boxing Promotions, managed by the promoter and matchmaker Al Siesta.

Lukas has been described as one of Africa's best featherweight boxers after defending his WBO Africa featherweight title more than three times.

But despite that, Desert Storm has struggled to secure a world title fight in his seven-year professional boxing career.

The Namibian currently has a record of 21 wins in 21 fights, with 14 knockouts.

In a media release by a Knowledge Boxing Management, the boxer is quoted expressing his excitement about the deal.

“I am very excited to have signed a deal with Al Siesta Promotions that serves as a bridge for me to face quality opponents on big boxing cards worldwide. “Signing with Siesta Boxing will get me essential international experience and eventually raise my stock as an elite fighter at 126 pounds.

“Siesta's expertise and contacts within the boxing industry will provide a unique platform to advance my career and hopefully get me my much-anticipated world title shot,” Lukas said. Lukas last fought in December when he defended his WBO belt against South Africa's Tello Dithebe by unanimous decision over 12 rounds.

Al Siesta Promotions and Knowledge Boxing Management are currently in negotiations with other promoters to secure the Namibian a fight.

“I can't wait to step into the ring and put up a great show as I have been training hard, keeping fit and sharpening my skills over the past weeks.”

Lukas's manager, Knowledge Ipinge, said their goal was to provide the highest level of professional support and services to their clients.

He said the decision to team up with Al Siesta was motivated by the level of the promoter's experience, professionalism and the fact that Siesta is willing to help Lukas get far in his career.

“This deal serves as a clear signal that we are very serious about taking Namibians to the next level,” Ipinge said.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Purros campsite, lodge returned

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Purros campsite, lodge returned Four family members, a father and his three sons, were ordered by the Windhoek High Court to restore undisturbed possession and occupation of the lodge area of the Purros Community Campsite and Bush Lodge, to the Purros Conservancy in the Kunene Region.

After hearing the arguments in the dispute over ownership of the community tourism establishment, Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula, last week interdicted and restrained Peter Uaraavi his three sons, Unaro, Kaunda, Katutjiua, from unlawfully interfering with the conservancy committee's possession and occupation of the lodge area.

The respondents were also ordered to pay the costs of the application jointly or severally, the one paying, the other to be absolved.

Peter Uaraavi was appointed a manager of the community campsite and bush lodge in 2016 but was dismissed in February 2018, and since then he has not been in attendance.

This is according to the conservancy committee which brought the application before the court.

It is claimed the four respondents took occupation of the lodge section of the establishment and are claiming that the lodge belongs to them.

Peter however, claimed that a court order 15 years ago caused his eviction in a similar matter, but it did not apply to the lodge section of the establishment, only the campsite section.

He claimed he has not evicted by the applicants but simply took occupation of the property that belonged to him as the lawful owner.

However the committee said it is not in dispute that Uaraavi and his sons are in occupation or possession of the lodge but maintained that both the lodge and campsite are situated on the same Permission to Occupy commonly referred to as PTO and have always been run as a single unit.

“Should the respondents have rights over the lodge section as Peter claims, then they should follow the law to assert that,” the committee argued.

They further asked the court to interdict and restrain the Uaraavis from unlawfully interfering with their possession and occupation of the lodge area. They asked for costs.

The Uaraavis indicated their intention to oppose the application and also filed sworn statements.

The other respondents in the matter are the Otjikaoko Traditional Authority, Communal Land Board of Kunene Region, Land Reform Minister and the station commander of Sesfontein Police Station.

The Purros Conservancy committee took the resolution at a meeting where eight members were present and was therefore properly constituted. The committee consists of 13 members and a required quorum is seven members.

Norman Tjombe appeared on behalf of the applicants while Sylvia Kahengombe, on instructions of the Government Attorney's Office, appeared for the respondents.



FRED GOEIEMAN

Van Rooyen among corporate elite

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Van Rooyen among corporate elite Trustco owner Quinton van Rooyen is the only Namibian among the 50 richest corporate elite whose companies are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The top 50 combined control more wealth than the GDPs of Namibia and Mozambique.

Van Rooyen is placed 19th on the list, with investments worth N$3.4 billion.

The City Press Wealth Index was compiled by Who Owns Whom from company documents, announcements and share registers published between 2006 and 2018, as well as from the disclosed remuneration of JSE-listed companies' directors for the 2017 financial year, including bonuses and severance packages.

Ivan Glasenberg tops the list because of his 8.3% stake in Glencore, the controversial global mining and commodities group that he co-founded. He has total investments of N$71.7 billion.

The corporate elite are overwhelmingly white and male, with the only woman among the top 50 being Sygnia chief executive Magda Wierzycka, with a total investment of N$1.09 billion.

Christo Wiese would have been number one if not for the implosion of Steinhoff International amid the largest accounting scandal in South African history.

Wiese lost almost exactly Glasenberg's fortune – N$65 billion – when his shares in Steinhoff collapsed late last year. Despite that, he is still worth N$33 billion, thanks largely to his shares in Shoprite.

Other familiar faces on the top 50 include FirstRand co-founder Laurie Dippenaar and business magnates Johann Rupert and Koos Bekker.

Bekker's wealth is thanks to shares in Naspers, the ultimate owner of City Press.

However there are several missing billionaires on the Wealth Index – a drawback of relying on JSE data when many fortunes are in the form of private, unlisted companies.

ELLANIE SMIT

Namvet plans 7-day protest

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Namvet plans 7-day protestOpposition parties 'failed' The former soldiers say they want SADC leaders to witness their demand for recognition as war veterans. The Namibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) intends to stage a seven-day, non-violent demonstration this month to “demand justice from parliament” by recognising the former SWATF and Koevoet soldiers as military veterans.

On 13 August the ex-soldiers want to hand over a petition to Speaker Peter Katjavivi and on 15 August they again want to march to parliament to petition the nine opposition parties in parliament.

On 16 August they will take their protest march to the South African High Commission and on 18 August Namvet will host a public meeting.

The planned activities coincide with the arrival of regional leaders for the 38th SADC summit where President Hage Geingob will be elected as the new chairman of the regional body. The summit will take place on 17 and 18 August.

“We want to be seen in the streets during that week; we want SADC to see,” said Namvet spokesperson, Jabulani Ndeunyema, at a press briefing on Wednesday.

He said after the two-and-a-half year sit-in demonstration by the ex-soldiers it has become apparent that the Swapo-led government was either refusing them entry into the Namibian House, “or that the head of the Namibian House, President Hage Geingob, is scared of his predecessors”, referring to former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba.

“Swapo has politicised this matter and is playing a deadly political game with this issue. This game they try to play could bring Namibia to a standstill,” Ndeunyema said.



Reasons

A year ago Katjavivi had tasked the parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs, chaired by Sebastian Karupu, to investigate and find solutions to the issue of the former soldiers.

Ndeunyema said Namvet received information from an inside source that this committee had submitted a report to Katjavivi on 11 July, which recommended that the former SWATF/Koevoet members should not be recognised as military veterans and should claim old-age state pensions and seek medical care from state health facilities like any other eligible Namibians. The Speaker's office informed Namvet that the report would be made available to it in September and that it could not accede to their demand to petition Katjavivi.

But Ndeunyema said they have in the meantime received information that Katjavivi had rejected the report and Namvet would therefore continue with its petition to Katjavivi. Ndeunyema said opposition parties would be petitioned because they had “failed to put maximum pressure on Swapo to stop its unconstitutional behaviour, which suffocates democracy”.

Namvet wants to march to the South African High Commission to demand information on an alleged secret handover of millions of dollars meant for the ex-soldiers by the South African government to its Namibian counterpart.

Ndeunyema said Namvet was informed that the handover exceeded the N$36 million that the former South African regime had paid over to the Namibian government shortly after independence as pension payouts to the soldiers.

The South African High Commission this week undertook to make enquiries to verify the allegation.

CATHERINE SASMAN

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British business helping women prisoners

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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British business helping women prisonersRebuilding lives Less than one in 10 women prisoners have a job to go to on release. It's not just about the money, it's self-worth, it's your confidence, it's getting you back to where you need to be- Rita, ex-convict As Rita neared the end of a 10-year jail sentence for money laundering, her first thought was getting back her four children - and finding a way to support them.

Enter Shine, an innovative business in northern England that provides job opportunities for female offenders, starting while they are still serving their sentences.

"I needed an income to be able to provide them with a home, but also for my own emotional stability. While I was serving my sentence I couldn't see how I was going to do that," said Rita, not her real name.

During the last 18 months of her sentence Rita, 49, worked part time at Shine, a social enterprise - or business with a mission to do good as well as making a profit - that provides space for corporate events and organises outside catering.

By the time she was released, she had saved enough for a deposit on a rented property and, because she was in regular employment, was able to care for her children.

Creating opportunities

Dawn O'Keefe started Shine a decade ago, seeing it as an opportunity "to do something that would make a difference" after a successful corporate career in the United States.

The business, based in a former school building in a deprived area of the city of Leeds, now has a yearly turnover of 800 000 pounds (US$1.05 million) from catering and hiring space for conferences and other events.

It takes women on while they are still serving their sentences, giving them the chance to try out in sales, receptionist and food delivery roles, which are initially voluntary but can lead to paid employment.

"Shine is a business that creates a revenue to allow us to... create opportunities for those that don't normally get them," O'Keefe told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Fewer than one in 10 women prisoners have a job to go to on release, according to the Prison Reform Trust, a charity that campaigns for a just penal system in Britain.

Jenny Earle, who heads the Trust's programme to reduce women's imprisonment, said children whose mothers went to jail often went to live with relatives, moving home and school. In some cases children end up in care.

She said jobs were "absolutely fundamental" to women making a fresh start because they help "build confidence and self esteem as well as providing you with a means to support your children."

More than 17 000 children are separated from their jailed mothers each year, according to Howard League for Penal Reform, a charity, and research shows they are twice as likely to suffer poor mental health.

Shine is one of a number of social enterprises in Britain that provide job opportunities to prisoners, from The Clink, a working restaurant inside a prison, to The Good Loaf, which trains women to be bakers.

Britain is seen as a global leader in the innovative social enterprise sector, with about 70 000 businesses employing nearly 1 million people last year, according to membership body Social Enterprise UK, up from 55 000 businesses in 2007.

Confidence

O'Keefe said the company had to take potential risks to staff and clients into account when hiring, while staff having to be back in the prison at strict times could be challenging.

"Other members of the team who join Shine buy into what we do," she said. "Everyone understands very clearly the link between excellent service and ongoing opportunities for staff."

Mostly though, O'Keefe sees employing female prisoners as a commercial advantage because they are so determined to succeed in their jobs.

For Rita, having a job was an opportunity to take control of her life after having to give up her independence in prison.

She started off serving tea and coffee and is now operations manager - a job that allows her to provide work opportunities to women in the same situation she once found herself in.

"It's not just about the money, it's self-worth, it's your confidence, it's getting you back to where you need to be," said Rita.

"I dread to think where everybody would be if I didn't do the simple things like getting a home and keeping everyone together."

-Nampa/Thomson Reuters Foundation

Regulators prohibit Murray & Roberts from seeking Aveng tie-up

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Regulators prohibit Murray & Roberts from seeking Aveng tie-up South Africa’s Murray & Roberts said on Thursday regulators have prohibited the construction firm from seeking a merger with rival Aveng Ltd.

In June the Takeover Regulation Panel (TRP) approved Murray & Roberts’ plans to look into a potential tie-up with Aveng while it is a subject of a hostile takeover by its biggest shareholder ATON.

Following the approval, Germany’s ATON submitted an appeal to the Takeover Special Committee (TSC) requesting that the TRP approval be overturned.

On Wednesday the TSC ruled to overturn the TRP approval and prohibit Murray & Roberts from continuing to develop the potential transaction whilst the ATON offer remains in place, the construction firm said in a statement.

“The board is in the process of reviewing the TSC ruling together with its legal advisers and consulting with Aveng. The board will make a further announcement regarding the proposed transaction in due course,” it said.

In a separate statement Aveng said it noted Murray & Roberts’ intention to further engage with the company.

Murray & Roberts has been in tug of war with its top investor ATON since March when the German investment house launched a takeover bid, which was rejected as poor value for shareholders.

Murray & Roberts then proposed an all-share merger with rival Aveng in May, which ATON called it a “poison pill” and a “frustrating” action.

To prevent the potential merger between Aveng and Murray & Roberts, ATON bought a 25.42% stake in Aveng.

-Nampa/Reuters

Making gains from manufacturing

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Making gains from manufacturingRealignment between agencies required Namibia's policies for the development of the manufacturing sector are good but, streamlining and implementation fall short. Namibia recently played host to the Southern African Development Community's Industrialisation Week.

With this event, which was held last week under the theme 'Promoting Infrastructure Development for Sustainable Development', Namibian Sun saw it fit to gain insight from the Namibian Manufacturers Association on whether Namibia was making significant inroads.

Its CEO, Ronnie Varkevisser, took stock of Namibia's gains in the manufacturing sector but also added that there was great room for improvement needed to propel Namibia forward as a manufacturing giant.

“We do have great policies in place. However, if you look at the Growth at Home Strategy for instance, even if we only implement half of what is contained in that document the manufacturing industry will benefit tremendously and will indeed start to become a key pillar of the economy as envisaged in Vision 2030, NDP 5, and the Harambee Prosperity Plan to mention but a few,” said Varkevisser.

According to him, there needs to be more collaborative efforts between the various role players in government which include the various ministries, offices and agencies.

“Government needs to get a holistic picture of manufacturing, and in that holistic picture, different government ministries and agencies need to be aligned to reach the same outcome as per the action plans and policies.”

He also encouraged more interaction between government and the private stakeholders.

“Although government is consulting with the private sector on certain issues, this interaction should receive even more attention, and the contribution and/or input by the private sector should be incorporated more in the 'action plans' of the various policies to enhance growth in the economy and thereby create more job opportunities,” said Varkevisser.

He also encouraged government to build more synergies internally to help improve programme outcomes.

“Manufacturing is one of the key pillars in our economy and thus should receive the focus and support it deserves when formulating and executing our various industrial policies such as the Growth at Home initiative.”

He encouraged government to simplify its approach to manufacturing. “To overcome certain challenges in the manufacturing industry we should try to 'Keep it short and simple'. We should also focus on sorting out the problem, not the blame.”

OGONE TLHAGE

Outjo shack dwellers to build nearly 70 houses

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Outjo shack dwellers to build nearly 70 houses The governor of Kunene Marius Sheya, this weekend officially launched the servicing of 35 000 square metres of land where 68 houses will be built by members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN).

The federation's regional facilitator, Sibila Eibes on Saturday told Nampa her group cleared the land and that the servicing of the land started on Saturday.

Eibes said the SDFN's Outjo branch purchased the land in Extension 6 from the Outjo municipality in 2013 for less than N$4 per square metre using member contributions.

The 68 plots will measure between 300 and 470 square metres.

“We will now first dig the trenches where we can lay down water and sewage pipes before the actual construction of our houses starts,” she said.

The Outjo branch was established in 2008 and now has 640 members, the majority of whom are unemployed women aged between 32 and 78.

Eibes said all that is needed to become a member is a total commitment to the activities of the federation, as well as a once-off contribution fee of N$800.

Another member of the federation, Romeo Richter said SDFN members at Outjo will manufacture bricks themselves and use experienced contractors to build the houses.

SDFN technical expert Heinrich Amushila, who was also present on Saturday, told this news agency that the beneficiaries will each receive a one-bedroom house with a lounge, kitchen and bathroom worth N$35 000.

“The designs of their houses also make provision for future extension,” said Amushila.

Outjo mayor, Samuel !Oe-Amseb on his part said the council will avail more land to the federation in the future so members can build decent houses for themselves.

!Oe-Amseb then called on Outjo residents to join the federation to become owners of affordable and decent houses.

NAMPA

Schools' hockey thrills

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Schools' hockey thrills The schools' hockey league was another top attraction, with several schools performing at the best of their capabilities.

Boys' First League

Windhoek Gymnasium Private School outclassed Walvis Bay Private High School 4-1 to reach the final.

Windhoek High School managed to overcome a resilient Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool 1-0.

The final in this category will therefore be between Windhoek Gymnasium Private School and Windhoek High School.

Girls' First League

Windhoek High School narrowly defeated St Paul's 1-0 in the league semi-final game.

Windhoek Gymnasium Private School got the better of Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool with a 2-0 win.

Windhoek Gymnasium Private School will face Windhoek High School in the final.

Second league (boys)

Jan Mohr Secondary School is riding on a wave of success following their 5-4 win over Otjiwarongo Secondary School in a nail-biting shootout.

Windhoek High School also proved their mettle in the other semi-final trouncing Edugate 3-0 to set a date with John Mohr in the final.

Second League (girls)

Windhoek High School went out all guns blazing in the semi-finals as they embarrassed Tsumeb Gymnasium 6-0.

Windhoek Afrikaans Private School was also in the mood with a thrilling 2-0 win over Walvis Bay Private High School.

This means that the two victorious teams will face off in the final of the competition.

Third league (girls)

The secondary school girls' third hockey league saw Windhoek High School (b) beating KPS 1-0.

Windhoek High School (a) also salvaged a 1-0 victory over Elnatan on Saturday.

School sports revived this weekend

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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School sports revived this weekendWHK Gymnasium on a cruise There were tears of joy from some schools while others were left inconsolable in a weekend filled with sport drama. It was an action-packed sporting weekend as schools gathered at the Hage Geingob Stadium and the Windhoek Gymnasium Private School to battle for top places in the Namibia School Sports Union leagues.

The Momentum-sponsored schools' rugby competition was the highlight of the sport activities in the capital.

Some schools exited the competition, while others went on to triumph in several sport codes.

The dominance of some schools in sport was evident during the competition as they swiped away other schools. Excited parents of the participating athletes packed the stands to cheer for their schools' teams.

The officiating of matches was top-notch.

Hockey, netball and rugby at the end of the day brought smiles to many spectators' faces.

Windhoek Gymnasium ran riot in the netball league with emphatic victories over their opponents.

Fans watching from home were treated to a special live coverage on Namibia Media Holdings' (NMH's) social media platforms.

The games will continue next week with the Momentum Schools' League quarterfinals while the hockey league finals will be played.



Rugby quarters come alive

The level of Namibian rugby once again lived up to expectations with mouth-watering Momentum Schools' Rugby quarterfinals at the Hage Geingob Stadium.

Moria (l) got the better of Tsumeb Gymnasium with a 35-31 win in the under-19 quarterfinals on Friday night.

M&K Gertze under-14 defeated Windhoek Gymnasium Private School 39-24 in the under-14 (B).

Dr Lemmer (ll) suffered a 22-24 defeat to Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (II) in the under-19 (C) quarterfinals.

Windhoek Gymnasium Private School beat Jan Mohr (I) 20-15 in the under-19 (C) quarterfinals.

Dr Lemmer was destroyed 40-3 by Elnatan in the under-15 (B) quarterfinals.

The action continued on Saturday with Grootfontein Agri College under-15 losing 0-27 to HTS in the under-15 (b).

Otjiwarongo put 29 past De Duine, who only scored 19 in the under-15 (b) quarterfinals.

KPS (I) efforts were rewarded as they beat Windhoek High School (lll) 42-36 in the under-19 (c) quarterfinals.

PK de Villiers (I) beat Windhoek Gymnasium Private School (III) 24-19 in the under-19 (b) quarterfinals.

The score between Grootfontein Agri College (l) and M&K Gertze (l) ended 21-23 in favour of Agri in the under-19 (b) quarterfinals.

De Duine (I) beat Dr Lemmer (I) 37-0 in the under-19 (b) quarterfinals.

Results at the Windhoek Gymnasium Private School:

Grootfontein (I) 31-33 M&K Gertze (II), under 19 (D) quarterfinals.

Karibib Private School (I) 30-27 Mariental Sports Academy, under 19 (D) quarterfinals.

Gobabis Gymnasium (I) 1-29 Windhoek High School (IV), under 19 (D) quarterfinals.

HTS (I) 65-98 Walvis Bay (II), under 19 (C) quarterfinals

Entertainment tax

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Entertainment tax Entertainment is a very much sought after form of “distraction” from a busy, serious and rigid work life, where the young and the old of our generation are always on the lookout for some “entertainment” to take their minds off crazy month ends. When economic days are dark, the entertainment industry amongst other industries is one of the least affected and the recovery is always fast as dark economic days clear.

The PwC “Entertainment and Media Outlook 2017-2021: An African Perspective” publication released last year September contains interesting analysis and forecasts for this industry.

Having the above in mind and keeping in mind future entertainment events hosted in Namibia, it is important to know that the Income Tax Act imposes a 25% withholding tax on entertainment fees paid to a non-Namibian resident by any Namibian resident.

An entertainment fee for the purposes of withholding tax on services is defined as: … any amount payable to an entertainer (including a cabaret, motion picture, radio, television or theatre artiste and any musician) or a sportsperson, and includes any payment made to any other person in relation to such activity…

The Act further states that a resident person who fails to deduct from the payment or withhold the 25% tax from the entertainment fee paid to a non-Namibian resident, or deducts the 25% and fails to pay the withheld amount to Inland Revenue is liable for that amount as if it is tax due by the Namibian resident (i.e. personally liable).

There are penalties and interests imposed for any non-compliance to the provisions imposing the 25% withholding tax.

Entertainment agencies, festivals, shows, gala dinners, trade fairs, concerts, films and theatre organisers should therefore be mindful of the tax consequences when they make payment to foreign entertainers.

Remember that not knowing whether you are supposed to withhold tax or not is not an excuse in itself to not withhold. Make sure that you understand that potential tax implications of making payments for entertainers, and ensure that you follow the correct steps.

Johan Nel is a partner: corporate tax service at PwC Namibia. This series on tax is published in Market Watch bi-monthly on a Monday.

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‘Become more active in foreign markets’

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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‘Become more active in foreign markets’AfCFTA to benefit Nam The export of goods and services is the way forward for companies. For Namibia to grow its economy, the country needs to become more active in foreign markets, SMEs Compete Director, Danny Meyer has said.

In an interview with Nampa, Meyer said the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will benefit the country.

“It is an exciting development, especially in the long run, and it really was a wise decision by Namibia to become a signatory to and thereby a party to the AfCFTA,” he said.

Taking into account market size limitations, Meyer said the agreement will benefit many as it will increase exports of goods and services.

According to the African Union, one of the main objectives of the agreement is to expand intra-African trade through better harmonisation and coordination of trade liberalisation and facilitation and instruments across Africa’s Regional Economic Communities and across Africa in general.

Meyer said the export of goods and services is the way forward for companies and for countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“Viewed from a regional perspective, countries in sub-Saharan Africa will grow their respective economies at a much faster pace than they have done in the past, with a higher level of trade among themselves,” he explained.

He added that a good starting point would be an increased level of exports between countries in the region which would progressively expand further into other regions on the continent.

Meyer said the AfCFTA is a step in the right direction, as businesses have been calling on their governments to facilitate easier movement of goods, services, capital and people. - Nampa

BA manager dies

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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BA manager dies Black Africa Football Club team manager Salimi Shikulo died in Windhoek on Wednesday.

The club's chairperson, Boni Paulino, told Nampa that Shikulo died at the Katutura State Hospital.

“I spoke to her brother earlier today and he said he was speaking to family members with regard to funeral arrangements, which will be announced soon,” he said.

Indications are that the late Shikulo will be buried in her hometown of Otjiwarongo if everything goes according to plan, Paulino added.

He said she had been in and out of hospital for the better part of the last three months.

Paulino said Black Africa met on Thursday to see how they could help her family with the funeral arrangements. Shikulo was with the club as team manager for the last five years.

NAMPA

Karateka ready for elite competition

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Karateka ready for elite competitionNAKU makes great strides The president of the Namibia Karate Union (NAKU), Cornelius D'Alton, speaks highly of the union's athletes. The Namibia Karate Union (NAKU) believes that its participants are ready to take on bigger competitions given what they have achieved at lower-level competitions.

The union says 2018 has been a noteworthy year for Namibian karate and athletes are gaining momentum and experience.

The year started with the national team trials, at which the finest young talents were selected for training.

“Since the selection of athletes, the team has undergone constant training and testing through competitions to prepare our athletes for more elite level international competition,” says the president of the union, Cornelius D'Alton. Naku gave an impressive performance at the 2018 AUSC Region 5 Karate Championships after finishing third out of seven countries.

“NAKU set its sights on the 2018 African Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria, which ended last week.

“To ensure the best chance of medalling, NAKU only sent the very best athletes in their respective categories.

“Freddy Mwiya Jnr (male individual kata and male individual kumite, -68kg), Mayvonne Swart (female individual kata and female individual kumite, -58kg), and Michelle Tjimuku (female individual kumite, -48kg) were our representatives at the Games.

“Accompanying the team were national coach Sensei De Wet Moolman and Namibian chief referee Sensei Wikus Oberholster.

“Day one of the karate competition started with the kata disciplines, and both athletes, Mayvonne Swart and Freddy Mwiya Jnr, faced large categories of 12 and 16 contestants respectively.

“Namibia's karate wonder boy, Freddy Mwiya Jnr, put on a very respectable performance of two wins and two losses, ultimately losing to Algeria and taking fourth place.”

The union said it was proud of the athletes' work rate at the Youth Games in Algeria.

“Not only did the athletes prove that they are ready to compete at such elite levels of competition, they each achieved a top five ranking on the continent, highlighting Namibia's high standard.

“The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly Mayvonne's performance, placing third in female individual kata.

“Having placed among the top three countries in Africa highlights Namibia's readiness to take on higher levels of competition.”

When asked to comment on his team's performance, Sensei Moolman said: “The fact that there is room for growth is an exciting prospect for the future of Namibian karate, and the work now has to be done to translate these results into even stronger performances at international level.”

Next stop for Moolman and his team is the 17th African Senior Karate Championships and ninth African Junior Karate Championships, to be held from 28 August to 2 September in Kigali, Rwanda, followed by the WKF Senior World Championships in Madrid, Spain.

“Both instances unfortunately require the athletes to pay their own way, finances allowing, but the Namibia Karate Union is optimistic that new sponsors will begin to see karate as a worthwhile opportunity to promote their brand.”

- Additional info by NAKU

Young men crucial in winning HIV battle

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Young men crucial in winning HIV battle Health minister Bernard Haufiku says the last stretch to reach the 2020 goal of HIV epidemic control in the country will largely depend on a number of innovative ways to reach young people, especially young men, who are less likely than any other group to get tested and treated.

At the launch of the Namibia Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (Namphia) last week, the minister highlighted findings that show how close Namibia is to achieving epidemic control in accordance with the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, but note that unless young men can be more effectively targeted, achieving those goals would be difficult.

In terms of the 90-90-90 goals, Namibian women have already exceeded those targets, Haufiku pointed out, although women are more likely than men to be HIV infected. Haufiku said it is likely that “the only reason Namibia has not reached the 90 targets is because on the first 90 target, young men aged 15 to 25 years only achieved 72% of having their population group tested. If we can get them tested, we can achieve this target, even as early as next year.”

In line with the triple ninety targets, 86% of all people living with HIV are aware of their status, and 96% of all those who are aware of their status are on treatment, and 91% of all those on treatment are virally suppressed, which means the chance of transmission to a partner is near zero. The minister noted the Namphia results indicate women are doing “very, very well” in terms of knowing their status, being on treatment and achieving viral load suppression. Haufiku added that although Namibia's progress in fighting the epidemic is cause for celebration, with a total HIV prevalence of 12.6%, down from 14% in 2014, in addition to other achievements, “Namibia's successes in HIV prevention and treatment however are not without risk, and they are reversible. We can very easily slide back to where we were five years ago.” Health officials through the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), a key partner to the Namibian government's efforts to address HIV and the Namphia survey, earlier this year explained that globally men are less likely than women to seek healthcare, whether it is for HIV testing or treatment, or other illnesses. Another issue is cultural perceptions, such as the myth that men should be strong and seeking healthcare is weak, in addition to the ongoing negative stigma associated with HIV in some areas. International studies have shown that men often find it harder to get time off from work during the day and healthcare services are often not available outside of working hours. Haufiku said involving women and tasking them with ensuring that men visit clinics could be one way to overcome men's reluctance. Moreover, testing, counselling and treatment should be taken directly to communities, instead of “only waiting for young men to come to our clinics and hospitals.” He said “young people, especially young men, don't like hospitals or clinics.” Another option would be to extend clinic hours for HIV testing, Haufiku said. He added efforts to mobilise young people around youth events and personalities, as is being done already, should continue and be strengthened. He also proposed a mobile clinic that can reach people in the most remote areas of the country, and called on support for manufacturing condoms at a reasonable price and making them available to all. Haufiku underlined that denying condoms to those who need them, especially in key populations, including those who are incarcerated, could hamper further success in achieving the 2020 HIV targets.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Private school building halted

August 5, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Private school building halted The community of Onambeke village near Onathinge in the Oshikoto Region has rejected an environmental impact assessment (EIA) presented to them on Friday for the Northcote Private Secondary School.

The construction of the school, situated along the Ondandwa-Omuthiya main road, is almost complete.

In 2015, the community through the village headman, wrote to the Oshikoto Communal Land Board to investigate the construction of the school in their village after the owner, Ugandan national Josef Lwande, who is a doctor in Ondangwa, allegedly acquired the land by dubious means and illegally started building the private school.

After investigating the matter, the land board halted the construction and requested an EIA to be conducted and proper compensation procedures to be followed before construction could proceed. However, the construction was already at an advanced stage and the community now claims that the report presented to them on Friday could not be valid as it was conducted on land that was already built on. The headman's representative at Friday's meeting, Augustinus Nafuka, lashed out at the Business Success Consulting Corporation, the company that conducted the EIA and hosted the meeting, saying they only notified him about the meeting a day earlier. He added he was told to invite community members to the meeting at the last minute, which led to poor attendance. Nafuka said the village headman, David Shivute Shindondola, could not attend the meeting for health reasons. “Many people wished to attend this meeting, but since we were only notified on Thursday, arrangements could not be made to ensure that people could attend. You are supposed to announce public meeting dates through the radio and newspapers in time so people can attend and ask their questions,” Nafuka said.

Business Success Consulting Corporation representative Kondjashili Moses apologised and admitted that they did not follow the right procedures because they were pressed for time. Moses said the purpose of the meeting was for the community to comment on the draft EIA and to add additional issues. He told the community that the EIA could not establish any environmental hazard or damage that could prevent the school from being established in the area.

“This piece of land is used as a mahungu field, and this means the land is already disturbed since it has been cleared for agricultural purposes. There are only a few shrubs and one noticeable tree (Diospyros mespiliformis), along with a few patches of grass because the area. The tree, a jackalberry, is common the Cuvelai region and is a fruit-bearing tree,” said Moses. “Only large fruit-bearing trees are protected, however in the area in question there is only one and it is young, not bearing any fruit yet. This tree will also not be cut down because it does not affect the construction in any way.” But Nafuka said the EIA was not a true environmental report of the land in question. “We grew up here and we knew what this place was like before the school's construction started. Your report is based on what you found on the land after construction already started. This was supposed to be carried before construction started. We cannot believe this report,” fumed Nafuka. The community reported that in 2007 a village pensioner, Thomas Shipanga, who is employed by Lwande, requested a 6.722 hectare piece of land to put up a house and a kindergarten. They agreed on terms with the landowner and it was also agreed up on by the village headman. Shipanga constructed a shelter, but later went back to the village headman, saying a certain doctor from Ondangwa wanted to build a school. The headman refused, saying it was not in their original agreement.

“Despite this, the construction of the school started without any further consultation. When we sought to speak with Shipanga about the development, he was not available. The headman finally managed to summon both him and Lwande,” the community claims. Nafuka said that the community had no problem with the school per se, but wanted proper procedures to be followed, including the compensation policy.

ILENI NANDJATO