Race row hits hockey

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Race row hits hockeyFrustrated mom causes social media storm Social media is abuzz after a young black player was dropped from the u-16 girl's national hockey squad that is preparing to travel to Zimbabwe for a youth tournament. Ruth Herunga has taken to social media to speak out against her daughter, Liya, being unceremoniously dropped from the national under-16 girls' hockey squad that is set to travel to Zimbabwe.

According to the frustrated mom, the St Paul's College player was replaced for no clear reason.

This led her to the conclusion that Liya was dropped, not because of her capabilities but because of her skin colour.

“My daughter started playing hockey at the age of six years. Outdoor, indoor schools hockey, she was always in the A-team. She was voted sports woman of the year and represented the country since the age of 12, in 2016, 2017 and 2018,” Herunga said on Twitter.

Many of her followers offered their support, saying they had similar experiences when their children and family members were sidelined while taking part in certain sports codes, including cycling, inline hockey and swimming.

“My career never took off because I was always put on the rugby reserve team back in the day, even though I was a great athlete,” said Paul Simon.

First lady Monica Geingos, who is an avid Twitter user, threw her weight behind Herunga and offered her support.

“I'm sorry Liya is going through this. I know the pain of protecting a child from racial micro-aggression… Let me know what we can do to help Liya and effect structural change,” Geingos said.

“This is particularly serious in countries like Namibia and South Africa as we continuously fail to produce demographically representative teams. It's an indictment.”

Sport permanent secretary, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, said the ministry is there to serve and strive for equal opportunities for all youth.

Zimbabwean parliamentarian Charlton Hwende said the situation was despicable and that an all-white hockey team will be met with protests in his country.

John Muinjo encouraged Herunga to demand answers from the Namibia Hockey Union (NHU).

“That is a development team. There is no way a all-white team is allowed to leave the country and tour an African country despite cognisant of the fact that the only time most people feel injustice is when it happens to them (sic),” he said.

It is understood that Herunga met with the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) on Monday and according to chief administrator Freddy Mwiya, the tour was stopped.

Mwiya said they acted promptly the moment they found out about the issue and gave the NHU directives and guidelines to follow.

“We had discussions with all the parties involved and the NHU agreed to allow the girl back on the team as they did not have any reason to cut her from the team, but at this stage the team is no longer travelling. They are trying to negotiate with Zimbabwe in order for games to be postponed so the issues can be resolved.”

Mwiya further urged parents to speak out if they are not satisfied with federations.

“Don't be afraid to approach us, it is our job to regulate. So many children are being victimised and it is our job to stop this.”

It is also understood that the coach has stepped down and plans are in place to replace her.



LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Stars prepare for title defence

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Stars prepare for title defence MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) champions African Stars have begun their preparations for the 2018/19 season.

It was previously announced the league could possibly kickoff in mid-September.

“The players started jogging on Monday and we will continue doing that for the moment. I can also confirm that we have not made any signings yet,” long-serving team manager Lesley Kozonguizi said yesterday.

Stars won the title last season, after accumulating 64 points and winning 19 matches.

The club drew on seven occasions, while losing only four out of 30 matches.

The champions scored 40 goals and conceded 14, with star striker Panduleni Nekundi netting 15 goals. Nekundi is, however, currently struggling with an abdominal muscle injury.

Players like Ratanda Mbazuvara and captain Ronald Ketjijere are expected to be fit, given that they have been training with the national team ahead of the Afcon qualifier against Zambia slated for next month.

Stars' arch-rivals, Black Africa, failed to pip the champions to the post last season and finished on 55 points.

The Mighty Gunners came in third with 54 points, while delivering their best performance ever in the premier league.

Unam FC also had a good campaign, taking fourth spot with 48 points.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Bolt takes first steps on Man Utd dream

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Bolt takes first steps on Man Utd dreamTrains with professional club He showed glimpses of good control, but also some heavy touches, favouring his left foot. Usain Bolt has taken the first tentative steps towards his Manchester United dream after the sprint king joined Australian side Central Coast Mariners for his first training session Tuesday.

“It's just like track and field - the first day of training is always the roughest one. You can tell how much work you need to put in. But it felt okay, you know,” said Bolt after the 45-minute workout.

The superstar athlete has been given an opportunity by the Mariners despite already trying out with teams in Germany, Norway and South Africa to no avail, since retiring from athletics last year.

They hope to turn him into A-League material in time for the start of the 2018/19 season in late October, with the club saying he can stay indefinitely to prove his credentials.

The eight-time Olympic champion and the fastest man on earth said he was determined to prove any doubters wrong.

“I'm not setting myself any targets, I'm just going to put in the work,” he said.

Bolt dominated sprinting since taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

He went on to win a further six Olympic golds and pick up 11 world titles before deciding to pursue his real passion - football.

His love of football began at school, where he was a goalkeeper before moving to centre back, left wing and finally striker.

“I'm okay on the wing, good at centre forward, but the coach will determine where I play and in what formation. I don't even know,” he said, sitting alongside club coach Mike Mulvey. Asked his first impressions, Mulvey said it clear Bolt had been nervous, but added: “It's just his first day. He's a fantastic athlete and we're absolutely delighted to have him here with us.”

Despite starting a football career at an age when many are thinking about calling it quits, Bolt said he thrived on challenges and admitted in the back of his mind was a dream to play at Old Trafford.

“One of my biggest dreams is to play for Manchester United that could be my biggest dream even if it is just for five games, one game, it would be a dream come true because I am a massive fan.”

NAMPA/AFP

The adrenaline-pumping New Mégane R.S. is here!

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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The adrenaline-pumping New Mégane R.S. is here!Unrivalled in its class Eagerly awaited by sports driving enthusiasts, the New Mégane R.S. can be aptly described in two words – pure performance for people who love to drive. The 4CONTROL system is a dream come true for every driver looking for efficiency. - Nico Hülkenberg, Renault Sport Formula One Team driver The New Mégane R.S. was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017, and it is with pride that Renaults now offers this magnificent R.S. model with its range. Aiming to become – like its predecessors – a benchmark in the C-segment hot hatch market, this third generation of Mégane R.S. is packed full of Renault Sport expertise and passion.

Driven by its powerful design and focused on performance, the New Mégane R.S. makes no attempt to hide its motorsport pedigree, offering outstanding driving pleasure on the road and on the track. Enhancements over the previous generation ensure the New Mégane R.S is unrivalled in its class:

· A chassis combining efficiency, agility, stability and comfort, equipped with the 4CONTROL four-wheel steering system and four hydraulic bump stop shock absorbers;

· A new generation 1.8-litre turbo engine, delivering 205kW and 390Nm thanks to the development work jointly carried out by engineers from Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing;

· State-of-the-art technological features, such as R.S. vision and Multi-sense.

· Two R.S. model versions will be available: Megane R.S. CUP Manual and Megane R.S. LUX EDC.

Since the first generation of Mégane R.S. was released in 2003, greater performance and more technology has been a constant, offering improved driving pleasure without sacrificing the car’s versatility for everyday use. Launched in 2009, Mégane III R.S. has become a genuine icon.

“We’re proud to have managed to produce a car with improved cornering efficiency, largely due to the introduction of 4CONTROL. The system improves both agility on tight corners and stability on fast bends, on the road and on the track. Drawing on the brand’s vast motorsport heritage, New Renault Mégane R.S. has been designed by people who are passionate about cars for people who love to drive. Its versatility also makes it perfectly suited to everyday use,” says Patrice Ratti, managing director of Renault Sport Cars.

“After having been involved in the development process during 2017, I’m very proud to be the ambassador for New Renault Mégane R.S. I had the opportunity to drive the car at various racetracks – Monaco, Montlhéry and Spa-Francorchamps – and I was impressed by the efficiency of the latest on-board technologies. The 4CONTROL system is a dream come true for every driver looking for efficiency, since it improves both the agility and the stability of the car. It’s a shame that four-wheel steering systems are banned in Formula 1!” says Nico Hülkenberg, Renault Sport Formula One Team driver and Renault Sport Cars ambassador.

Fifteen years on

Expanding Renault's sports car range, Mégane II R.S. was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. It hit the roads and showrooms the following year, boasting a powerful 225hp engine and already featuring independent steering-axis front suspension. A Trophy version, equipped with a more radical chassis, was released in 2005. Two years later, the F1 Team R26 – which paid tribute to Renault's World Championship titles – introduced limited slip differential.

The Mégane II R.S. adventure concluded in style in 2008 with the limited edition R26.R. A staggering 123kg lighter, it broke the lap record for a production car with a time of 8:17 on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife.

The third generation of Mégane picked up the baton in 2009, with a 250hp engine and an even more distinctive, muscular look with the introduction of the F1-style blade on the front bumper. Until 2016, the career of Mégane III R.S. evolved through the release of limited editions and stylistic changes. In 2011, the Trophy version, with its new 265hp engine, impressed with a new lap record at the Nürburgring (8:07.97).

Times improved further with the 275 Trophy and the Trophy-R (2014). Driving this last version, Laurent Hurgon dipped under the eight-minute mark on the Nordschleife, setting a third record with a time of 7:54.36.

More than 53 000 cars from the first two generations of Mégane R.S. were sold in Europe, as well as in Japan, Australia, South Africa and beyond.

Design also means performance

With expressive and sporty styling, the New Mégane R.S. has been designed to deliver performance, right down to the very last detail. The specific body sides mean that the wings have been widened by 60mm at the front and 45mm at the back (in comparison to the Mégane GT). With the ride height lowered by 5 mm compared with Mégane GT and new 18- or 19-inch wheels, these new proportions make the car naturally more aggressive.

This powerful design is boosted by a number of features taken from the world of motorsport, which immediately place the New Mégane R.S. in the high-performance category, namely;

· A wide air intake in the front bumper that incorporates the F1-style front blade, a hallmark of Renault Sport styling that reflects the brand's involvement in Formula 1. The blade's Gun Metal Grey satin-finish colour contrasts with the brilliant shine of the bodywork;

· A 3D honeycomb-pattern grill mesh reinterpreted by Renault Sport;

· Sculpted, sensual body sides inherited from the design of Renault Mégane are accentuated by the wider front and rear tracks;

· Wing-mounted air extractors, which optimise air flow through the wheel arches;

· A side sill establishes a link between the front and the rear, the black blade of which evokes the undertray of a Formula 1 car;

· A redesigned, narrower rear spoiler to improve aerodynamic performance. Whilst emphasising the width of the car, the vertical vents contribute to aerodynamic efficiency by providing improved lateral air flow;

· A rear bumper with a built-in diffuser and the iconic central exhaust that has come to epitomise Mégane R.S., enhanced by a decorative trim;

· Improved efficiency of the diffuser compared with the previous generation. Whilst boosting the sporty feel of the design, this aerodynamic component helps to increase downforce;

· The Brembo® brake callipers are painted red on the Cup chassis for instant recognition to enthusiasts.

The New MÉGANE R.S. also stands out with an emblematic colour: Tonic Orange, which supplements the palette of Renault Sport colours. Like Sirius Yellow, this new colour has been specifically developed for a vibrant finish and unique reflective effects, highlighting the profile of the car. – Quickpic

Omusita gwongeleka a mangwa po

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Omusita gwongeleka a mangwa po Ongulohi yomagalikalo mongeleka yedhina Fountain of Living Waters Ministries moFreedom Square moKatutura oya yi wa moshipala mOsoondaha, sho aanambelewa yopolisi ya ponokele ongeleka ndjoka sha landula omanyenyeto ngoka ga ningwa kutya ongeleka ndjoka otayi kwatapo ombambyona iilyo yawo yimwe, shaaheli pahalo lyawo.

Opolisi oya longitha oonkondo okuya meni lyongeleka ndjoka konima sho omusita a tindi okupitika opolisi yi ye meni lyongeleka nomekondjitho ndyoka, osha etitha omusita ngoka e tetwe komulungu.

Omusita Jacques Sumpi, ngoka e li omukwashigwana gwaCongo okwa tulwa miipandeko, na okwa adhika a tulwa kopolisi miiketanga sho iikundaneki ya thiki pehala mpoka.

Okwa komona komutse sho a ningilwa omapulo kombinga yomapopyo ngoka ta ningilwa, na okwa sizimike oshipala she pevi sho oshifokundaneki shoNamibia Sun she mu pula kutya omolwashike aalanduli yongeleka ye taya li evi oshowo omagadhi go olive.

Omusita ngoka pamwe naalandu li yeo ya lala ongulohi ndjoka mongeleka metonatelo lyopolisi, shalandula okashaya hoka ka ningwa kopolisi.

Omakonaakono gopolisi ngashiingeyi otaga ningwa okuudha meyambidhidho lyomunambelewa gwoforensic scientist Dr Paul Ludik, ngoka e li oshitopolwa shomakonaakono ngoka.

Ondunda ndjoka oya adhika nuundini wu na omavi oshowo omagadhi nuundini womeya wa shangwa “epangulo”.

Ngoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaKhomas okwa li a kumwa noonkondo na ke na omatumbulu okutya sho ta thaneke omathano gaalanduli yongeleka ndjoka ya sa enota nokusa ondjala.

Oyendji yomaalanduli yongeleka ndjoka aniwa aailongi koshiputudhilo shaNust oshowo IUM.

“Shoka tandi tala mpaka nena kashi shi oshiwanawa…otashi monika sha fa iilonga ya satana. Ondu uvu kutya aantu mboka otaya paluthwa nevi lya tulwa mumwe nomagadhi. Yamwe kaye na oonkondo, yamwe itaya vulu okupopya, ngiika oya kunkililwa kutya kehe shoka taya mono nenge taya uvu inaye shi popya,” ngoloneya a popi

Rita Hengari, yinagona gwa gumwe gwomaalanduli yongeleka ndjoka, okwa popi kutya omwanagona okwa kala mongeleka mona uule woomvula ne, konima owala sho ka pulumutha okanona ke koomvula ndatu monena.

“Okwe tu lombwele kutya omusita okwe mu pula a kale kongeleka opo a yaluthwe okuza kuuwehame wepulumutho. Ohatu mu mono owala lumwe momwedhi. Otwe mu mono omwedhi gwapiti ihe okwe tu lombwele kutya ongodhi ye otayi kala ya dhima molwaashoka okuli kongeleka.” Mayola gwoshilando shaVenduka, Muesee Kazapua okwa popi kutya okwa haluka noonkondo sho iiningwanima yoludhi ndoka tayi ningilwa moshilando.

Okwa popi kutya oonkambadhala dhe okupopya nayamwe yomaalanduli yongeleka ndjoka, otashi ulike kutya oya gunwa opo ka ya popye naantu.

Okwa tsikile kutya yamwe oya li haya longo ihe ongeleka oye ya pula opo ya thigepo iilonga yawo.

Aashona yowala yomaalanduli yongeleka ya popi ihe oya popi kutya kape na uupyakadhi washa molwaashoka yo otaya ningi owala ohungi yawo yomagalikano.

Omulumentu gumwe ngoka a popi okwa ti yo oyali owala taya galikana sho opolisi ya ponokele ehala ndyoka.

Tiisikile ekumbatha lye poongolo okwa popi pevi kutya, yo oya mana owala nomagalikano gawo ngoka haga tameke potundi onti 15:00 sigo ontundi 17:00 sho opolisi ya ponokele ongeleka yawo, pamwe naantu mboka ya popi kutya otaya kongo aakwanezimo yawo.

Pahapu dhaChief Inspector Christina van Dunem Fonsech, opolisi oya adha uunona uwali wuukadhona wa patelwa mekondeina limwe pongeleka ndjoka.

“Aantu ohaya patelwa mongeleka ndjika. Omusita oheya ya lombwele kutya ngele oya thigi po ongeleka otayi si po.”

Okwa gwedha po kutya Sumpi oku na oongeleka dhilwe moshilongo na kaku shiwike ngele odha shangithwa.

Okwa popi kutya aalanduli yongeleka mboka taya ulike taya ehama otaya falwa koshipangelo opo ya ka mone epango.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Efudho lyokupulumutha tali talulululwa

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Efudho lyokupulumutha tali talulululwaElelepeko lyefudho ndyoka otali ka gandja uuwanawa koombinga adhihe Epangelo otali pangele okuninga omalunduluko nokutalulula efudho lyaakiintu mboka taya pulumutha, opo li lelepekwe okuza piiwike 12 okuya piiwike 14. Omuprofesa gwopaliko moshiputudhilo shaUnam, Omu Kakujaha-Matundu okwa popi kutya kehe shoka tashi ningwa mokunkondopeka nokuyambidhidha oomeme, osha pumbwa okupopilwa.

Okwa tsikile kutya okulelepeka ethimbo ndyoka aakiintu taya ka vula okuyamutha uunona wawo kontulo oshi na iilanduli iiwanawa yopakathimbo oshowo yopathimbo ele, ta popi iikwatelela komaiyuvo ngoka ga gandjwa koLegal Assistance Centre (LAC).

LAC okwa pula elelepeko lyefudho lyokupulumutha okuya poomwedhi hamano, naashoka oshi li pamwe nomagwedhelepo ngoka ga ningwa koWorld Health Organisation, kutya aakiintu naya vule okuyamutha kontulo aanona yawo uule woomwedhi hamano, opo ku vule okuhwahwamekwa uundjolowele mokati kuunona.

“Efudho lyoomwedhi hamano konima yokupulumutha otashi gumu noonkondo eliko, otashi yambidhidha iilonga oshowo omayambulepo goongeshefa. Oongeshefa otadhi ka mona uuwananawa okupitila meshuno pevi lyefaulo kiilonga oshowo etsomukumo lyaaniilonga,” LAC ya holola momvula yo 2012.

LAC natango okwa gandja omayele kutya shoka otashi ningwa pakugwedhela ko oshiwike nenge iiwike iyali kehe komvula opo kashi tule unene moshiponga aagandji yiilonga.

Omaiyuvo ngoka ga gandja oga tsikile kutya okupitika aakiintu ya kale ethimbo naanona yawo, otashi ya kaleke miilonga sho aakiintu yamwe haya tokola okuthiga po iilonga uuna ya nongele kutya okushuna kiilonga konima owala yiiwike ihetatu sho ya pulumutha ombala. Nefudho lyoomwedhi hamano konima omukiintu a pulumutha otashi ya pitika ya galukile kiilonga. LAC okwa ekelehi omapopyo kutya aakiintu otaya ka kala nokupulumutha aanona oyendji ngele efudho lyepulumutho olya lelepekwa.

Kakujaha-Matundu okwa zimine kutya efudho ele lyepumulutho oli na uuwanawa kaavali oshowo kaagandji yiilonga. “Uunona mboka wa pulumuthwa kontulo ihawu ehama unene naashoka itashi hupitha owala iimaliwa yoshilongo mbyoka ya li yi na okulongithwa mekalekepo lyuundjulowele wuunona mboka ihe oshiwanawa woo kaagandji yiilonga molwaashoka otashi shunitha pevi omasiku ngoka aakiintu taya faula kiilonga opo ya sile oshisho uunona wawo mboka tawu ehama. Muule wethimbo efudho ndyoka otali gandja uuwanawa koombinga adhihe.”

Okwa tsikile kutya ina kumwa sho ehangano lyoInternational Labour Organisation tali popile okugandja efudho lyiiwike 14 kaakiintu mboka taya ka pulumuthwa. Okwa tsikile kutya uunona wa yamuthwa kontulo ohawu kala nuukolele wopamadhilaadhilo onkene oshi na uuwanawa opo aagandji yiilonga ya yambidhidhe egwedhelo lyefudho lyokupulumutha.

Amushanga gwoNamibian Employers' Federation (NEF), Tim Parkhouse okwa zimine kutya efudho lyokupulumutha otali gandja uuwanawa kaakiintu oshowo kuunona onkene nali yambidhidhwe. “NEF ke na uupyakadhi wa sha negwedhelo niiwike iyali efudho lyokupulumutha.”

Parkhouse okwa popi kutya nonando egwedhelo ndyoka otali ka etitha e yo pombanda lyelongitho lyiimaliwa, shoka otashi ka guma owala epangelo.

Okwa popi kutya omapulo ngoka gena okukala po ongaashi kutya iifuta mbyoka yomafudho gokupulumutha, uuwehame oshowo eso otayi etitha iifuta ya gwedhwa po.

Shoka otashi ka etitha woo egwedhelo miimaliwa mbyoka hayi futwa oshiketha sho Social Security okuza koondjambi. Ngele omukiintu ngoka ina shangithwa noSSC nenge ina thika ponkatu yokumona omauwanawa gokuya mefudho lyepulumutho tali futilwa nena omugandji gwe gwiilonga oye taka futila efudho lye ndyoka.

Okwa totha mo kutya Ekotampango lyaNamibia otali pula opo ku gwanithwe po omilandu dhoILO, onkene efudho lyepulumutho tali futwa lyuule wiiwike 14 olya pumbwa okutulwa miilonga.

Nonando ongaaka Kakujaha-Matundu kwa kunkilile kutya elelepeko lyefudho ndyoka otali ka etitha okatongo momakuto giilonga sho aagandji yiilonga oyendji taya ka kala yahala owala okukuta miilonga aalumentu.

Kuyele omwedhi nguka amushanga muuministeli wiilonga, Bro-Matthew Shinguadja okwa popi kutya uuministeli otawu tula ponkatu yotango etalululo lyomauwananwa gefudho lyokupulumutha. Omvula ya piti, okongresa yongundu yoSwapo, oya pula opo epangelo li talulule efudho ndyoka hali pewa aakiintu uuna taya ka pulumutha, lyo li gwedhwelwe niiwike 14, ngaashi tashi uthwa komagwedhelepo goILO. Shinguadja okwa popi kutya oshikumungu shoka otashi talika nongele nena Namibia ota pewa omayele a gwanithe po omagwedhelepo goILO, nena minista ota ka talulula woo oompango yoSocial Security oshowo ompango yaaniilonga, pahapu dhaShinguadja.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Land Rover on the trail of London’s endangered rhinos

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Land Rover on the trail of London’s endangered rhinosAid conservation projects The project was designed to raise awareness of the plight of the rhino, culminating in the celebration of World Rhino Day on 22 September The red painted horn signifies the absurdity of this beautiful animal being hunted for such a small part of its overall being. - Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer: Land Rover Land Rover has embarked on an unexpected expedition to preserve the precious African rhinoceros and its habitat by joining an urban rhino trail across London.

A gleaming Land Rover rhino model, embellished by Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer Gerry McGovern, made its debut in central London in the latest collaboration of a 15-year relationship with Tusk.

The unique 1.2m-long rhino sculpture was towed into Trafalgar Square in support of the Tusk Rhino Trail, to aid conservation projects for the endangered species. The initiative involves 21 sculptures donated and decorated by leading figures from the worlds of art and design installed at prominent locations across the capital city.

The design of the Land Rover rhino uses specialist paint techniques from Land Rover’s state-of-the-art manufacturing process to achieve a highly durable liquid metal finish.

Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover, said: “I wanted to celebrate the magnificence of this unique creature, so my rhino is covered in a chrome finish. The idea being that because of the highly reflective nature of chrome it would be seen from a long distance, consequently creating awareness of the plight of this animal in Africa. The red painted horn signifies the absurdity of this beautiful animal being hunted for such a small part of its overall being.”

Innovative

Traditionally chrome has been used on vehicles to communicate prestige. Land Rover has developed an innovative and sustainable process to create a modern interpretation of chrome using a paint coating called spray chrome.

Inspired by the dye treatments conservationists use to protect rhinos from ivory traders, the horn of the Land Rover sculpture has been painted red, highlighting the plight of this endangered creature. White ivory has huge value to poachers and one solution is to inject rhino horns with a dye, making them less appealing to hunters.

Chris Thorp, Responsible Business Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “At Jaguar Land Rover we are committed to working on projects that not only demonstrate the talent of our designers but also highlight the vital work carried out by charities like Tusk. In our long-standing partnership we are continuing to enable Tusk to reach remote territories using Land Rover’s all-terrain capability, making it the perfect fit for conservation work all around the world.”

The London-based art installation was towed into place using a Land Rover Discovery SUV and is designed to raise awareness of the plight of the rhino, culminating in the celebration of World Rhino Day on 22 September.

Each of the 21 rhinos will then be sold to raise funds for Tusk projects across Africa at an event hosted by leading auction house Christie’s on 9 October. - MotorPress

Northwest winning poaching war

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Northwest winning poaching war Rhino poaching in the northwest of Namibia has declined by 80% since it peaked in 2013.

This is according to the CEO of Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), Namibia Simson Uri-Khob, who said that even though rhinos are still under threat, the organisation has been making great strides in protecting them in the northwest of the country.

“Our tracking teams are dedicated and our intelligence unit is relentless in its pursuit of information that can be used to safeguard our rhinos, while our donors are supportive, which makes the statistics we have to share with you possible.”

According to Uri-Khob, since the surge in rhino poaching started with the first incident in 2012, overall patrol efforts have increased by 360% in the northwest.

Verified rhino sightings have increased by 380% and the percentage of known individual rhinos seen on average each month has risen from about 20% to nearly 80%.

Uri-Khob says the number of trained and equipped conservancy-based rhino rangers have also grown from zero to 55 across the 13 conservancies, which means the field force has tripled.

“The amount of income generated and distributed back to local communities directly from rhino tourism has increased substantially.”

According to him six separate poaching attempts were foiled by law-enforcement officers, who received voluntary pre-emptive intelligence from local informants last year.

A gang of poachers responsible for killing a rhino in 2017 were caught red-handed and remain in police custody.

Rhino monitoring efficiency, which is measured by total cost per verified rhino sighting, has decreased by over 50%, says Uri-Khob.

“To put our patrol efforts into context, our foot patrols have covered 15 059 km from 1 January to 31 July this year.”

Vehicle patrols covered 41 562 km during the same period.

Uri-Khob said the terrain they are working in is extremely harsh and destructive on boots, uniforms and tyres. He, however, added that the threat of poachers is bigger than ever and therefore they simply cannot decrease their efforts.

“Through open and honest communication with our valued stakeholders, partners, donors and supporters, we have solidified our support base both locally and internationally. Without our donors we simply cannot continue protecting the desert-dwelling rhinos.”



ELLANIE SMIT

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Namvet packs up… for now

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Namvet packs up… for nowParliamentary report expected next month The former soldiers say they will resume their protest actions if they are unhappy with the recommendations contained in an upcoming parliamentary report on their plight. Ex-soldiers organised under the Namibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) have decided to return to their homes until 12 September, when they expect a parliamentary report on their plight.

The short reprieve comes after an over two-and-a-half-year sit-in demonstration at the Red Flag Commando Hall in Katutura, as an attempt to pressurise government into recognising them as military veterans.

The decision to return to their homes was communicated at a meeting on Saturday, where Namvet members from across the country converged to discuss the way forward.

The anticipated report is being prepared by the Standing Committee on Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs, chaired by Swapo MP Sebastiaan Karupu and requested by National Assembly Speaker, Peter Katjavivi.

The speaker's office has informed Namvet the report will be out in September.

“If we are not happy with the findings and recommendations of the report, we will march to Katjavivi's office without notifying anyone,” Namvet chairperson, Jabulani Ndeunyema, threatened on Saturday.

Ndeunyema, however, told the meeting that after the 12 letters between Namvet and the government during this year alone, and the number of meetings the organisation has had with the authorities over the years, he thinks the former soldiers might receive certain benefits from government.

“I do not know when, but I am sure that some benefits are coming our way,” Ndeunyema said.

He said Namvet is also giving the government until 1 December to give a final declaration on the matter of the former South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) and Koevoet members.

He said Namvet will also elect a new leadership on 1 December that will be strictly made up of people who do not hold any positions in any political party.

Namvet regional organisers have reported how former soldiers have fallen into despair, depression, alcoholism, patterns of violence and abuse, homelessness and joblessness.

Some also reported how former SWATF/Koevoet members who have found employment in government do not want to be associated with their fellow ex-soldiers.

Ndeunyema cautioned the former soldiers not associate themselves with organisations such as Amabuthutu that have claimed thousands in membership and other fees, and have bussed these soldiers to South Africa in fruitless attempts to obtain compensation from the neighbouring country's government.





CATHERINE SASMAN

Company news

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Company news AngloGold swings back into H1 profit

AngloGold Ashanti swung back into a first-half profit on the back of higher production and lower-than-expected retrenchment costs, Africa’s top gold producer said on Monday.

The firm posted headline earnings of US$99 million for January-June, in line with figures it had previously flagged, compared with a headline loss for the same period last year of US$89 million.

The turnaround in performance was also due to the absence of one-off, non-cash settlement costs for silicosis class action claims which hit its earnings last year.

In Ghana, AngloGold said the redevelopment of its historic Obuasi asset was on track with the issuing of environmental permits and the ratification by the Ghanaian parliament of the fiscal and regulatory agreements to reboot the mine.

-Nampa/Reuters

Ethiopian Airlines, Zambia relaunch national airline

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a shareholding agreement with Zambia’s main develoment agency to relaunch the southern African country’s flag carrier at an initial cost of US$30 million.

The Ethiopian state-owned carrier has outpaced regional competitors Kenya Airways and South African Airways to become Africa’s largest airline by revenue and profit, and has been buying shares in other African airlines to gain a competitive advantage over rivals such as those in the Gulf.

Under the plan, Zambia Airways, being revived more than two decades after it was shut down, would operate 12 planes by 2028, Ethiopian Airlines said in a joint statement with Zambia’s state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

-Nampa/Reuters

Transnet to clamp down on unauthorised spending

South Africa’s Transnet said on Monday it would clamp down on unauthorised expenses after uncovering problems with procurement at the state logistics firm.

Transnet, which operates nearly three-quarters of the African rail network, the bulk of which is in South Africa, has been investigating allegations of corruption in the procurement of 1 064 diesel and electric locomotives.

The firm said during its results presentation that the year had been “characterised by a number of serious procurement related governance challenges which has impacted on the company’s reputation and the ability to attract investment.”

-Nampa/Reuters

Sky to pay advisers on Fox deal

Sky said on Monday that it expected to pay its advisers between 90 million pounds and 97 million pounds (US$123.7 million) if Twenty-First Century Fox succeeds with its takeover of the British broadcaster.

The UK pay-television group will spend as much as 61.5 million pounds on financial and broking advice and up to 20 million pounds on lawyers for their work on the Fox bid, according to a circular published by Sky. Other costs include fees for accountancy and public relations advice.

-Nampa/Reuters

Volkswagen to recall 700 000 cars

Volkswagen has to recall about 700 000 Tiguan and Touran cars worldwide due to a possible lighting defect, German trade magazine Kfz-Betrieb reported on Monday.

The magazine reported that humidity can cause a short circuit at the panoramic roof’s light strip of the affected cars. A short circuit in the LED-module could cause scorching damage on the roof and possibly set the vehicle on fire, the magazine said, citing a company spokesman.

-Nampa/Reuters

Farms to pay municipal rates

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Farms to pay municipal ratesNAU says no idea of how fair evaluations are Following the City of Windhoek's announcement that rates and taxes on farms in the City's district will be due from 1 August, the NAU says no feedback was given by the council on the matter. Following the announcement by the City of Windhoek that farmers within Windhoek's extended borders will have to pay municipal rates, the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) says there has been no feedback yet to evaluate how fair this will be.

The Windhoek municipality recently announced that it will charge municipal tariffs for the first time from 1 August within the City's extended boundaries.

Only rates on property value and improvements, as well as tariffs for waste water management, will be charged.

In a notice, the municipality specifically referred to neighbourhoods such as Finkenstein, Sungate, Regenstein, Omeya, Herboth's Blick and Brakwater.

The NAU says the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992 defines rateable property as any immovable property situated within the local authority area.

According to the Act all the farms and private housing developments around Windhoek are rateable property.

The union says that the Act makes provision that the municipality can levy fees on any rateable property for the advantage of the local authority fund.

However, it said there is no clear link in the Act between rates payable and service delivery.

“We are aware that the municipality visited properties and farms outside Windhoek during the past few years with the aim to do valuations on which rates can be levied. Nobody in this new target market of the municipality, however, has received any feedback or invoices yet, to be able to evaluate whether the valuations and the rates are fair.”

The union said it is presumed that the municipality will only levy the land and improvements thereon and not charge for water, electricity, sewerage and refuse removal services.

It said as soon as the valuations and levies are known, they can be investigated further and measured against the procedures as prescribed in the Act as well as on the principle of fairness.

The NAU added the municipality will phase the rates in as soon as the valuations are completed and the union is busy attending to this matter.

The municipality said in its notice that the tariffs were put into operation after it was announced and approved by the city council in July.

“The collection of municipal tariffs will ensure a sustainable supply of services within the City and the collection of these will benefit City residents and also ensure that all residents within the new City limits are made equal if they provide for the provision of municipal services,” the notice said.

Windhoek's extensive boundaries make it the third largest city in the world after Tianjin and Istanbul and it extends for over 5 133.4 km². With the expansion of the City's borders in 2012, an additional 325 properties are included - most of them farms.

ELLANIE SMIT

Listeriosis impacted pig producers

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Listeriosis impacted pig producers The outbreak of listeriosis in South Africa was one the major challenges which Namibian pig producers experienced during the past year.

This was highlighted during an annual general meeting where pig producers met to discuss matters in the industry.

According to the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) the pig industry experienced major challenges, especially with the outbreak of listeriosis at one of the biggest meat processors in South Africa, Enterprise.

The listeriosis outbreak was wrongly associated with pork and brought about consumer resistance. This caused pork consumption to decrease and also led to a decline in prices.

Food products identified as the source of the disease were polonies while other products such as viennas, russians, frankfurters and other sausages and cold meats not typically cooked, were also at risk due to possible cross-contamination.

However, the perception among consumers that all ready-to-eat meat products were affected impacted the industry greatly.

The union also said the perception surrounding the outbreak of 'swine flu', which has nothing to do with pigs, also needs to be corrected.

Fortunately for pig producers in Namibia, the Meat Board of Namibia has a pig marketing scheme in place which guarantees prices and marketing for producers and therefore they can survive. Through this scheme the pig industry has grown and Namibia produces 53% of its own use against the 47% which must be imported.

Two guest speakers were invited to inform members about the importance of bio security at a pig farms as well as the feeding of balanced rations.

STAFF REPORTER

Loerie Award spreads Buy-a-Brick message across borders

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Loerie Award spreads Buy-a-Brick message across bordersAdvantage Y&R wins bronze Loerie Namibia’s advertising agency has continued its run of success. We are especially excited and proud about this award- Toufic Beyhum, Creative Director, Advantage Y&R STAFF REPORTER

This time the agency did it by picking up a Loerie Award for a temporary structure called ‘The Shack’, which won in the category for ‘Three Dimensional & Environmental Design – Interior Design & Temporary Structures.’

‘The Shack’ was displayed in shopping malls and expos to raise awareness for the Standard Bank Buy-a-Brick initiative by highlighting the shocking living conditions of no- to low-income Namibians living in shacks

“We’re especially excited and proud about this award,” said creative director, Toufic Beyhum. “The fact that the campaign was recognised by global judges and showcased amongst the best advertising from Africa and the Middle East means that the Standard Bank Buy-a-Brick initiative is now gaining awareness outside of Namibia’s borders.”

‘The Shack’ was built as a living museum, and entrance was granted to visitors after paying a small donation to the initiative. Buy-a-Brick this year raised a record N$3.7 million which was recently handed over to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, and is expected to help build 100 brick homes.

Assisted dying in spotlight

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Assisted dying in spotlightChurch urges debate on thorny issue Opinions are deeply divided over the controversial issue of assisted dying and its current legal and moral implications. Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) acting secretary-general Ludwig Beukes has called on local churches to debate assisted dying.

This follows South African media reports that the Congress of the People (COPE) opposition party in that country is planning to introduce a parliamentary bill that would allow for living wills to be recognised and for terminally ill patients to refuse medical treatment that could prolong their lives.

Living wills, healthcare directives and advance directives all refer to legal documents that allow people to state their wishes for end-of-life medical care.

Beukes said while this remains an ethical challenge for the church, it is also the church's responsibility to open up conversations in order to guide congregants when there is terminal illnesses in families.

“Looking from a human perspective, sometimes people are kept alive by a machine but they are suffering and families cannot bear this and then tell the doctors to switch off the machines,” Beukes said.

“On the other hand, people are suffering from terminal illnesses and are kept alive by medicines, but they are depressed and have no hope that they will ever improve. In such cases they may opt for assisted dying.”

Beukes emphasised, however, that the Church believes killing is a sin in the eyes of God.

“So it is very difficult to draw a line. And the Church must lead this conversation because people turn to the Church when they are faced with serious, deadly illnesses. The Church must provide moral guidance.”

The Popular Democratic Movement's (PDM) National Assembly chief whip, Jennifer van der Heever, believes assisted dying should not be an option.

Van der Heever, an ordained pastor, believes that death is not in the hands of people, but in the hands of God.

She said her mother lived with cancer for nine years and it was a painful experience.

“It is very important that we discuss and debate these issues; we cannot turn a blind eye to this conversation. We need to gather perspectives of what people think. But it is very much a personal choice and I personally would not push for it as a policy,” she said.

Rolf Hansen of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) said it is an important debate, but it cannot be tackled before the nation addresses the issue of quality of life or palliative care for terminally ill patients.

Hansen also cautioned that assisted dying should not be seen as suicide, but as giving people the right to end their lives when all they see is suffering and pain in their future.

“It is a debate that many terminally ill patients face when it comes to their pain and suffering, but we must also keep in mind that we have social, ethical, religious and moral values to consider,” he said.

The South African debate on assisted dying was fanned by the experience of terminally ill parliamentarian Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, who shot himself in August 2014 while in the final stages of lung cancer.

Much-loved anti-apartheid cleric Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has declared himself to be in favour of assisted dying, should he ever find himself terminally ill or in a situation of intractable, unbearable suffering.

Namibian attorney-general Albert Kawana says euthanasia would be regarded as murder in the current legislative context of the country.

He said the debate on assisted dying must be steered by the country's health professionals, who understand terminal illnesses.

“Now at this time it may be premature to talk about it, but on the other hand our constitution guarantees the right to life. So the question is, can a doctor come in and end someone's life without violating this provision?” he asked.

Health minister Bernard Haufiku says Namibia does not have to start a debate on the issue just because South Africa has done so.

Assisted suicide is suicide committed with the aid of another person, sometimes a doctor.

Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Colombia, and Switzerland allow physicians to assist in the death of patients.

Assisted dying is also referred to as a practice in which a person who has been diagnosed as terminally ill, with six months or less to live, can request a lethal dose of barbiturates to self-administer.

JEMIMA BEUKES

N$13m office block ready at Okongo

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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N$13m office block ready at Okongo The Okongo village council, which has been operating at a maternity home for nearly three years, will relocate to its new offices next month, which were constructed at a cost of N$13 million.

The Josua Hanyango Maternity Waiting Home has doubled as its offices since the former settlement was proclaimed a village in 2015.

The maternity home was built in 2014 by the office of former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, with assistance from the United Nations, to accommodate pregnant women who flock to the town to give birth at the local district hospital.

According to village council CEO, Wodibo Haulofu, since the pregnant women were not fully utilising the facility, and due to a lack of proper facilities in the town, the council decided to occupy three sleeping rooms.

“Some of the council's employees are operating from constituency offices, while others, including myself, are operating from the maternity waiting home, while our offices were being constructed,” Haulofu said.

“Now that the construction of our offices is completed we are relocating next month and we will leave the expecting women to have their freedom and peace.”

He said the maternity home had not been suitable, but they had no other alternative.

The village council has 24 employees.

Haulofu said the new village council offices had been constructed by Shivute Construction and Conselect Engineering.

He said the offices had been completed within the agreed timeframe.

“This is our first step in the right direction. The next project we would like to embark on will be the construction of the fire brigade (station) and the procuring of firefighting equipment. The town is growing and we need to protect our investors and residents.

“Last year Oshela Secondary School was burning and we were just looking on haplessly. Eenhana and Nkurenkuru, where there is firefighting equipment, are far away from us,” Haulofu said.

Haulofu added the village is full of big dreams, but faces the slow implementation of capital projects, due to budget cuts.

He said the council does not have money at this stage, and depends on central government for all its projects and administrative operations.

“We are faced with the challenges of land delivery for housing and industrial developments, delayed assistance on land and property valuations for compensation purposes, due to budgetary constraints, delayed training on the implementation the modalities of the new Public Procurement Act and (a lack of) staff capacity, due to restrictions by the line ministry,” he said.

He said the government needs to avail more funds, which will enable them to implement projects with their planned periods.

ILENI NANDJATO

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ILT outbreak may force closure of chicken farms

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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ILT outbreak may force closure of chicken farms Both broiler and egg producers affected by the infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) outbreak may face closure if the disease spreads.

This was confirmed yesterday by the chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Milton Maseke.

This follows after an ILT outbreak, which is an acute respiratory disease of chickens, hit the Waldschmidt egg farm in the Okahandja district where 1 800 chickens have died.

Maseke yesterday told Namibian Sun that a team has been sent to the Waldshmidt farm to evaluate the situation.

He said that samples will be taken from the farm and that it must first be ruled out that they are not dealing with any other serious disease that can negatively impact the poultry industry such as Newcastle disease.

“We must determine if this is not another disease other than ILT which is much more serious.” ILT is not a notifiable disease and producers can control it through vaccination.

Maseke said that measures have to be put in place and that tests will also be conducted at surrounding poultry farms to see what the overall situation on the ground is.

He said if the disease has spread to other poultry plants as well they will close the facilities while tests are being conducted to determine if it is ILT.

Meanwhile, Eckard Waldschmidt from Waldschmidt Eggs, told Namibian Sun that there has been a loss of 1 800 chickens since the outbreak, but everything is under control. He said that they are currently investigating from where the disease may have come from and how it entered the farm, since ILT has never been in Namibia before.

Meanwhile, Namibia's largest broiler producer, Namib Poultry Industries (NPI) has also tested for ILT to rule out the possibility that the disease has spread to their plant after the outbreak at the Waldschmidt egg farm. NPI's commercial manager, Pieter van Niekerk told Namibian Sun that they have tested for ILT, but are still awaiting results. “ILT has not been confirmed.”

He however stressed that there is no risk for the production of chicken meat. Van Niekerk explained that the disease holds a bigger risk for the breeding cycle of chickens where one loses production.

ILT in its acute form can cause gasping, coughing, rattling, and extension of the neck. Reduced productivity is a varying factor in laying flocks. Affected birds are anorectic and inactive and the mouth and beak may be blood-stained.

Even after recovery, birds remain carriers of the disease for life and become a source of infection for susceptible birds. The latent virus can be reactivated under stressful conditions. Infection also may be spread mechanically.

Furthermore producers should be aware that if one vaccinates while the birds are sick, they will still shed the virus but vaccinating sick birds reduces their potential to shed in the future.

Bank Windhoek, Capricorn launch Private Wealth offering

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Bank Windhoek, Capricorn launch Private Wealth offeringTo also offer expert advice Capricorn Private Wealth is a uniquely Namibian financial service offering. To add to the customer experience, we have created a modern private banking suite in which we will be able to address all the needs of clients- Tertius Liebenberg, MD, Capricorn Asset Management STAFF REPORTER

The offering unites the very best that Bank Windhoek and Capricorn Asset Management have to offer to create a boutique financial offering that caters to the specific needs of individual clients. The offering was launched at an exclusive event on Thursday 16 August 2018, at which managing director of Bank Windhoek Baronice Hans said that “through years of working with high net-worth clients we have learned countless lessons, one of the most important being that each and every client is different. No client has the exact same goals or financial aspirations. In order to thrive in this segment of the market we needed to create an offering that is highly personable, flexible and can be delivered to the highest standard to each and every client.” As a consumer driven organisation, the company’s primary focus is identify the white space opportunities that enables it to remain relevant whilst addressing needs and unlocking growth for their clients. Our aspirations to be a catalyst for sustainable opportunities and business partner for growth leads us to innovate solutions around our customer needs and aspirations, she added.

Speaking to the customer experience that clients can enjoy, managing director of Capricorn Asset Management Tertius Liebenberg said: “Capricorn Private Wealth launches with a unique look that is refined and understated, created with the goal of appealing to the refined tastes of high net worth clients. To add to the customer experience, we have created a modern private banking suite in which we will be able to address all the needs of clients. It is all part of a strategy underpinned by highly personalised service and attention to detail to ensure we achieve the best outcome for each client.”

The successful launch of Capricorn Private Wealth has been a long time in the making with product and process testing beginning in April 2017. This unique offering is the realisation of the vision of two 100% Namibian financial giants to create a personable, adaptable and flexible offering to cater to the needs of their high net worth clients. This launch is significant as the offering is truly unique and second to none in the market place as Capricorn Private Wealth strives to deliver sustainable value to its clients.

Capricorn Private Wealth Clients will be able to enjoy the services of a wide range of specialists and experts in their respective fields. These include private bankers, wealth managers, fiduciary specialists who will be to assist them with trusts, estates and wills as well as a forex specialist who will assist clients with foreign payments, receipts, import and export transactions. Clients will also be able to receive expert advice on tax, offshore and insurance needs.

Capricorn Private Wealth is a joint venture between Bank Windhoek and Capricorn Asset Management, members of Capricorn Group.

Shock over foreign pilots

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shock over foreign pilotsUnion furious over huge salary packages The Namibia Cabin Crew Union has demanded that government initiates a proper audit of Air Namibia’s salaries and benefits to ensure fairness. CATHERINE SASMAN



The Namibia Cabin Crew Union (NCCU) says it is shocked that Air Namibia intends to employ foreign pilots at salaries of between N$138 695 to N$150 392 a month.

NCCU president Willem Christiaan and the union’s legal advisor, Reginald Kock, claimed these salaries are tax-free and excludes bonuses, S&Ts and accommodation the airline would have to pay.

They also claimed Air Namibia intends to employ the foreign pilots on two-year contracts, contrary to claims they will receive six-month ad hoc contracts.

They dismissed as “nonsense, Air Namibia’s argument that the salary packages are market-related in terms of international standards.

“We cannot agree with management that the required skills are not available locally. Have they (Air Namibia’s management) done a local skills audit? We have Namibian pilots employed by the airline who have the necessary skills and experience to be promoted to captain our fleets. We do not need foreign captains,” Christiaan said.

“They are simply not investing in and empowering our Namibian people.”

Christiaan claimed further no applications were made to the employment and exemption boards to have more foreign pilots recruited, and to have them employed without Namibian understudies.

The NCCU has initiated an investigation to ascertain whether the foreign pilots have work permits, if exemptions had been granted and whether the Employment Equity Commission was sufficiently informed.

It said its members have not received salary increments since 2016.

The union said the airline has also cut food and beverage services, as well as entertainment on long-haul flights, in a bid to slash operational costs.

The union demanded that works and public enterprises ministers, John Mutorwa and Leon Jooste, initiate a proper audit of the airline’s salaries and benefits to ensure fairness.

It also wants and immediate investigation into why Namibian pilots are not being promoted and into what is being done to avoid employing foreigners at great expense.

Christiaan said Air Namibia seems to prefer the appointment of foreign pilots because they are not unionised.

To justify its recruitment of foreign pilots, Air Namibia said no country is totally self-sufficient and needs skills support in specific fields.

It said 90% of its pilots are Namibians who are trained locally.

The airline said it spends nearly N$30 million a year to train local pilots, of whom 40% are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, including 20 women.

“Pilots for the types of aircraft utilised by Air Namibia are not easily found in Africa although that is slowly changing. Rules and regulations around pilots, their flying times, their licensing, and so forth, are extremely rigid and need to be adhered to at all times, simply from a compliance and safety point of view. This means that there needs to be a sizeable contingent of pilots for Air Namibia to choose from,” Air Namibia’s spokesperson Paul Nakawa said.

“Foreign pilots are employed on an ad hoc basis, for a period of six months renewable, until we find a local pilot to fill that position.”

Breaking our World Cup duck

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Breaking our World Cup duck Our hearts swelled with pride and joy when the national rugby side defeated Kenya 53-28 this past weekend to not only win the Africa Gold Cup, but confirm their participation at the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup. The win against Kenya followed great displays throughout the tournament that saw the Namibian lads seeing off their opponents during home and away ties. Namibia will now compete at the Japan global showpiece, where they will once again face the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and Italy in what is considered as the group of death. The Repechage tournament winner will also join the four nations in Pool B.

Despite limited investments in the game by both the private sector and the Namibian government, rugby is undoubtedly the most successful national sport code in the country, considering that the Welwitschias have now qualified for this major tournament a record six times in a row. The Rugby World Cup is the equivalent to the holy grail of world football - the Fifa World Cup - and qualifying is fantastic achievement for any nation. There is no doubt the odds will be heavily stacked against Namibia, when they come against world beaters and reigning champions New Zealand, as well as our unpredictable neighbours, the Springboks. Italy is also another top side in the world rankings. Their ranking speaks of their massive potential. It goes without saying that Namibia has been wearing the underdog tag for successive tournaments and the expectation this time around is to make a massive impact as a rugby minnow. Simply making up the numbers is no longer good enough, but showing grit, determination and fire to at least break our duck and win a World Cup match, will go a long way in cementing the emergence of Namibian rugby. As experienced campaigners, the Welwitschias must show the world they have truly graduated to the big stage and are not just there to be the whipping boys.

China: Look east for prosperity

August 21, 2018, 4:00 pm

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China: Look east for prosperityAmbassador argues case for accepting Chinese aid China's ambassador says Namibia is at risk of being left behind, if it does not fully embrace Chinese assistance. On the eve of President Hage Geingob's attendance early next month at a China-Africa business summit, the Chinese ambassador to Namibia has urged the country to look east for prosperity and economic development, or risk being left behind.

Ambassador Zhang Yiming said Namibia's economic development was at risk if it fails to embrace Chinese aid, which he claimed has already benefited countries like Ethiopia and Kenya greatly.

Zhang also urged the Namibian government to fast-track a social housing deal clinched during Geingob's state visit to the Asian nation in March.

In terms of the agreement, China has pledged N$30 million in grants and N$36 million in non-interest loans to construct 400 houses, equally split between Gobabis and Grootfontein.

Speaking frankly at a media briefing yesterday, Zhang said Namibia should learn from its neighbours, Angola and Zimbabwe, who have fully opened their doors to foreign investors like China. “I hope in future the Namibian government can embrace policies to encourage direct investment coming into Namibia instead of being too conservative,” he said. Zhang also hopes Geingob will become the 10th African leader to sign the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative at the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit slated for 3 to 4 September in the Chinese capital.

The initiative is aimed at connecting Asian, European and African countries more closely by significantly increasing beneficial cooperation.





“I would like to appeal to the Namibian government and Namibian businesspeople to look more to the east - to China. You will no doubt benefit from the opening up and closer economic trade relations with China, because the biggest market in the world is in China,” Zhang said.

The diplomat said he is particularly hopeful that Namibia will accept China's helping hand to boost its transport infrastructure. According to him, the Belt and Road Initiative is ultimately aimed at dealing with the bottlenecks to sustainable development that were created by colonialism. “This is badly needed for Africa. A good example is Kenya, which built a railway line with assistance from China, which links Nairobi to Mombasa, the biggest port city. And this rail project has generated more 46 000 jobs for the local Kenyan people,” he said. The Namibian government has over the years weathered many storms from critics who view Chinese loans and other financial assistance with suspicion. Recently finance minister Calle Schlettwein rubbished claims that Chinese interests have captured the Namibian government. According to him, there is no indication that the economy was being controlled by Chinese interests. Zhang expressed the hope that trade between the two countries would increase remarkably, given the high trade volumes of N$3.4 billion recorded in the first quarter of this year. “Namibia, you have some of the best infrastructure in Africa, you have a deep sea port in Walvis Bay and you have an airport there. You are the country with one of the fastest internet connections in Africa, so why can Namibia not learn from successful experiences like countries in east Africa, to foster closer economic relations with China,” he urged.



Social housing project

Regarding the delayed implementation of the social housing project, Zhang said it needed to be speeded up. “The line ministries of the two governments are now finalising the details for the construction… It has been discussed for quite a long time. And it is generous assistance offered by the Chinese government,” Zhang said. “We, China, once we commit to something we always want to implement immediately, but in Namibia it is a different culture. But we have to accommodate each other.” Urban and rural development minister, Peya Mushelenga, said the implementation agreement is yet to be signed. “There is an implementation agreement that the Chinese sent to the Namibian team and that agreement was taken to the attorney-general. The AG indicated some issues that need to be sorted out, so that is where we are. If the Chinese agree to our proposal then there would be no problem,” Mushelenga added.



JEMIMA BEUKES