Sweet redemption for Tommy Oosthuizen

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Sweet redemption for Tommy Oosthuizen NAMPA/ANA



Out of the ring for 16 months and with a world of misadventure behind him, Tommy Oosthuizen produced a compelling, thrilling exhibition of boxing to outhustle tough Thabiso Mchunu on points at Emperors Palace on Saturday evening.

In a shrewd battle of style and tactics, it was Oosthuizen who prevailed, winning a majority decision by scores of 115-113 (twice) and 114-114 and earning the ABU cruiserweight championship for his endeavours.

More importantly, he reminded fans exactly what he is capable of when he pursues boxing rather than the bright lights offered elsewhere. He was accurate, up on his toes and whipped out fast shots that hinted at past glories.

Whether he can hang with the heavies of the division is a question for another day, but even as he ate leather in the second half of the fight, he demonstrated sufficient bravery and smarts to overcome a worthy warrior in Mchunu.

Thoughts that Oosthuizen's style would be all wrong for Mchunu proved on the money, for Mchunu was shorter and while his punches had pop, he was seldom able to close the distance tellingly.

Oosthuizen fought mainly behind his slick southpaw jab and threw a volley of uppercuts in the opening rounds to warn Mchunu of the folly of coming in close.

Strangely, this ploy subsided as the fight wore on and Mchunu would later have success, shooting out jolting jabs and wicked left crosses.

Mchunu started too slowly, which was recognised by the judges, whose four-round scores were announced as 39-37, 40-36 and 38-38.

Undeterred, Mchunu pressed on, working hard inside, but Oosthuizen never hung around long enough for the barrage to take lasting effect.

Oosthuizen had a slight edge after eight (77-75, 77-75 and 76-76) and things were on an even keel.

Mchunu subsequently had success with his jab and left hand, catching Oosthuizen often enough to keep things interesting. But the solid Oosthuizen chin and his East Rand grit proved telling as he happily traded and popped out shots to hamper Mchunu's rhythm.

The fight was close enough to ensure Mchunu could leave the ring with his head held high, notwithstanding the result. He will come again.

As for Oosthuizen, this was some kind of redemption. Now 30, he could fight on for another five or six years, provided he keeps on the straight and narrow. There's a potential 2019 showdown with local rival Kevin Lerena, which would be massive, plus any number of cruiserweight match-ups that can be made.

As ever, it all depends on the mood of SA boxing's bad boy. For now, the charismatic fighter is in credit.

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Fighters win Petrus Kavhura Cup

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Fighters win Petrus Kavhura Cup NAMPA

Rucara Brave Fighters were crowned the winners of the annual Petrus Kavhura Cup (PKC) in Kavango East after beating their opponents Makandu Young Stars in the final last Saturday.

Recognised by the sport ministry and the Namibia Football Association (NFA) under the Kavango East Region second division, the cup is aimed at developing sport at rural level.

PKC is played in the two constituencies of Ndonga-Linena and Ndiyona, with over 30 teams competing against each other.

Rucara Brave Fighters walked away with a floating trophy, 30 gold medals and N$10 000.

Makandu Young Stars received 30 silver medals and N$6 000, while Gumma Golden City, who have won the tournament twice since its inception in 2016, finished third and walked away with 30 bronze medals and N$4 000.

Power Stars finished fourth and were awarded N$2 500. All the quarterfinal losers received consolation prizes of N$1 000, while the round of 16 losers received N$700 each.

Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, PKC chairperson Haingura Poulus Ngula said the final competition went well and he hoped more teams would support the competition next year.

“We are happy to see how community members are involved in this competition, which is growing every year,” he added.

He said they planned to invite teams from other constituencies in the region to strengthen the competition.

The winning teams will receive their cash prizes soon at a ceremony to be held in the presence of the sponsors.

Old Crocs win Kaisames //Goa !Haob Cup

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Old Crocs win Kaisames //Goa !Haob Cup ADOLF KAURE



The Old Crocs team from Swakopmund won the Kaisames //Goa !Haob soccer tournament held at the Outjo stadium from 24 to 27 August.

They beat Okahandja 2-0 in the final to take home the cup as well as

N$4 000 in prize money.

This was after they managed to battle it out among 38 teams in the over-50 age group to make it to the

final.

John Ramakhuthala scored both goals in a thrilling final and also walked away with the Man of the Match award.

The Old Crocs netball team also ended up on the podium after taking third place, earning N$1 250 in prize money for their effort.

Harry Simon will fight soon: Smokey

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Harry Simon will fight soon: SmokeyNegotiations at advanced stage People are still eager to see former undefeated world champion Harry Simon in the ring despite the delays and excuses. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



Joseph 'Smokey' Hilongwa has reassured the public that negotiations for Harry Simon's next fight are at an advanced stage and the boxer is likely to be in action soon.

“All I can tell you at the moment is that the talks to get Simon an opponent are at an advanced stage,” the promoter said.

“We are confident that we will make a suitable announcement next week.

“Yes, we know that there have been so many empty promises, but we are confident that he will be in action soon,” Hilongwa said.

Harry Simon was due to fight Vikapita Meroro at the end of June, but their fight failed to happen.

A few years ago, it was announced that Simon and Meroro had been offered a lucrative deal by MTC, but for unknown reasons the fight never materialised.

Over the years, local boxing fans have been pleading with both boxers to strike a deal that will finally see them fighting each other.

The fighters have time and again failed to deliver on that request.

This has resulted in many boxing fans, particularly Harry Simon fans, losing hope in the former

champion.

“If this is true that Harry Simon will fight, than it will be great news, but I doubt that will

happen.

“These people have just been lying to us that we even went to the extent of buying tickets for nothing.

“He must fight or they must announce his retirement as soon as possible,” Don Kavendja fumed.

Aquifer to supply Eenhana

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Aquifer to supply EenhanaFirst abstraction to start next year Following regular and increasing water shortages, three boreholes drilled into the now famous Ohangwena II aquifer will supply water to the town of Eenhana. The tapping of water from the Ohangwena II aquifer is taking shape with NamWater planning to build a treatment plant at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region in order to improve the quality of water drawn from the aquifer.

The plant, which is expected to be completed by May next year, will be constructed with grants provided by Germany through the Federal Institute for Geoscience and Natural Resources Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (BGR). BGR will provide 350 000 euros for the project.

At the signing of the agreement of the Eenhana de-fluoridation treatment plant the CEO of NamWater, Dr Vaino Shivute explained that the Ohangwena II aquifer is a massive body of water that straddles the border between Namibia and Angola.

“It is recharged from the mountains in southern Angola even though much of its water is dated to 10 000 years ago.”

According to Shivute, Eenhana town lies on top of the aquifer.

In 2007 it was reported that the supply of potable water to Eenhana via the Oshakati-Omakango-Omafo pipeline was starting to decline due to the increasing water demand.

Shivute said statistics indicate that the town is growing at a fast pace from an infrastructural, industrial development and population perspective.

He said the entire Ohangwena Region has a population of 240 000 people, making it the second most populated region in the country after Khomas.

According to him three boreholes were drilled into the Ohangwena II aquifer and completed in May 2017.

These boreholes are high-yield wells with an abstraction rate of 120 cubic metres of water per hour. “This essentially means 40 cubic metres per hour being abstracted, per borehole,” said Shivute.

He said despite the high-yield characteristics of the three boreholes, the water quality was of a great concern as it contains fluoride and sodium, making it unsuitable for human consumption.

“Hence there was a need to de-fluoridate the water in order to make it suitable for human consumption.”

According to Shivute, on the basis of earlier agreements between Germany and Namibia concerning technical cooperation dating back to April 1991, BGR was commissioned to finance the treatment plant.

“The water from the three boreholes will only supply the town of Eenhana.”

He said this project has been prioritised as a strategic imperative for NamWater.

Meanwhile Martin Quinger, BGR representative in Namibia, said with this last activity they want to prove that groundwater is able to supply the entire area. “The town will no longer have to rely on surface water.”

Quinger explained that it is now known that on the Namibian side, the aquifer has 20 billion cubic metres of stored water.

“However, the aquifer is shared with Angola and there is no information from that side. The recharge is coming from Angola. When we start using more and more of the resource we will be able to see the limitations.”

Deputy agricultural permanent secretary Abraham Nehemia said that Namibia is lucky to have a resource such as the Ohangwena aquifer.

“To think that it has been here all that time and people never knew about this large underground lake. The quality is not the best, but we are going to bring it to the level of potable water. We are going to everything possible to ensure that this water is protected.”

Nehemia said that this aquifer should be a long-term water bank for Namibia, but for now it will be used to supply the Ohangwena Region only.



ELLANIE SMIT

Corruption case postponed

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Corruption case postponed A case involving two charges of corruption against Hendrik Bok (60) was postponed to 31 January 2019 for plea and trial.

The case docket was forwarded to the Office of the Prosecutor-General for a decision and it was decided to charge Bok in the Swakopmund Regional Court. He was granted bail of N$8 000 on 29 August 2018 with bail conditions.

Bok, a former pit superintendent at Rössing Uranium, is accused of using his position on the mine's tender board to influence a dust suppression tender in exchange for an amount of N$250 000 and/or improvements on his plot at Usakos from Hendrik Johannes Nel, the GM of Mosmart Investments Namibia and/or Reha Maintenance Services.

He allegedly did this between 18 December 2012 and December 2016 in exchange for scoring Mosmart Namibia higher during the tender process.



OTIS FINCK

NIP kicks Katiti out

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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NIP kicks Katiti out The CEO of the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Augustinus Katiti, was fired on Friday.

In a hand-delivered letter, the NIP board informed him that they had resolved to dismiss him at an extraordinary board meeting held the previous day.

Board chairperson Diina Shuuluka told Katiti that he was fired because of his “unscrupulous” conduct and political interference to force them to reinstate him as CEO.

The NIP board suspended Katiti on 18 June 2018 after consulting health minister Bernard Haufiku and public enterprises minister Leon Jooste.

“Your conduct as aforesaid is in sense and effect calculated to thwart the lawfully and properly taken and constituted disciplinary action and hearing against you, thereby frustrating and compromising the continuation of disciplinary hearing,” said Shuuluka.

The serious allegations against him include overspending on subsistence and travel by over N$1 million after having been awarded a budget of N$2.5 million.

Katiti is said to have undertaken trips to the US, Sweden, Austria and South Africa.

Also under scrutiny is a trip to Italy undertaken by Katiti and five of his executives, which the cost the SOE N$400 000. The NIP top brass apparently went to Italy to purchase lavish office furniture to the tune of N$11 million, according to an insider privy to the affairs of the parastatal. Shuuluka said Katiti's dismissal was also influenced by the fact that he used the media to conduct his defence instead of allowing the disciplinary process to take its course. Following his suspension in June Katiti, through his lawyer Richard Metcalfe, accused the NIP board of leaking false information to the media in an attempt to tarnish his image. In statements to the media, he denied all allegations against him.



Controversy

Katiti is not new to controversy. He was widely criticised after receiving a N$2.78 million golden handshake when he resigned as the Walvis Bay municipality's CEO in March 2007.

At the time the Walvis Bay Residents Association (WBRA) and Walvis Bay resident Gerhard Rössler challenged the Walvis Bay town council's decision to approve the N$2.78 million payout to Katiti.

The Namibian newspaper reported in 2011 that in terms of his employment contract with the municipality, Katiti and the municipality had to give each other 60 days' notice if either of them wanted to end their employment relationship.

Katiti gave only six days' notice when he resigned on 27 March 2007, with his resignation taking effect on 2 April 2007. In terms of the Labour Act, therefore, he was entitled only to his last month's salary and to being paid out for unused accrued leave.

Neither Katiti nor ministers Haufiku and Jooste were immediately available for comment on his dismissal.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Indongo to stage boxing tournament

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Indongo to stage boxing tournamentFormer boxer focuses on amateurs The Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo Boxing Show for amateur boxers will be held on 7 September at the Deo Gloria Sentrum in Pionierspark, Windhoek. NAMPA



Namibian professional boxer and former unified light-welterweight world champion for the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation, and International Boxing Organisation Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo announced his first boxing event on Thursday.

Indongo said the aim was to hold the boxing tournament annually and to expand it from a one-day event to two or three days.

“Our goal of hosting this event is to give the young boxers an opportunity to fight and to win boxing gear that will help them in their boxing careers. I want this show to grow so that all amateur boxers in the 14 regions of Namibia will get an opportunity to come compete in it,” he said.

In its maiden year, the Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo Boxing Show will feature ten fights. The winning boxers will receive a kit bag containing two pairs of boxing gloves, a skipping rope, a mouth shield and headgear.

Indongo said the items in the bag are meant to motivate the boxers to train harder.

“I was once an amateur boxer and I remember those years when I never had anything to train with. I decided to give back to the community by starting this boxing show, which I believe will continue growing, so that in the future we will cater for more boxers and possibly invite international boxers to come compete at the show,” he said.

During the tournament, Indongo will auction off the gear he wore when he won his three world titles.

Tickets for the show are going for N$50, while a VIP table for ten costs N$5 000.

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Welcome, Colin Benjamin

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Welcome, Colin Benjamin JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



I want to congratulate Colin Benjamin on being appointed as the second assistant coach of the Brave Warriors.

I believe that this was a great move for him to make, as it will benefit the national team given his wealth of football experience.

The fact that he agreed to take up the post speaks highly of his commitment to Namibian football after spending so many years in Europe.

The Namibia Football Association (NFA) made a fantastic choice by bringing in one of their own.

I am not sure who played the main role in making sure that Benjamin joined the technical team, but that person indeed made a great choice.

This is a perfect example of what some successful nations have done in terms of recruiting their own.

It is great when teams employ their former players rather than always recruiting foreign nationals who demand huge salaries.

Countries like Brazil have always looked to their own and that is why they have been so successful in blending their teams.

Brazil's world-cup-winning teams had their former players as coaches. Sometimes employing quality foreign coaches has its benefits, but there is always doubt whether they will remain committed to the task for many years.

Benjamin is no stranger to Namibian football, given the number of years he featured for the national team.

He is also one of the few former footballers who have shown that they want to plough back into the community by opening youth academies and stewarding the opening of a youth league.

The 40-year-old Benjamin played for German Bundesliga sides Hamburg and TSV 1860 München, where he became one of the few Namibians to play in the Uefa Champions League. Benjamin earned 32 international caps and captained the Brave Warriors for several years, representing the team at the 2008 Afcon tourney.

He hung up his boots at TSV 1860 München at the end of the 2011/12 season, before returning in 2013 to join the club's youth academy coaching internship programme.

During the 2013/14 season, Benjamin took charge of the club's under-13 team and was promoted to one of the TSV 1860 München assistant coaches during the 2014/15 season.

He then returned to Namibia with the aim of improving the beautiful game in his mother country.

This is a man who has learned much from European football and can definitely provide Ricardo Mannetti and the players with tactical expertise.

His appointment also comes at a time when Namibia desperately wants to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The team faces a huge task against one of Africa's fast attacking nations on 8 September at home. I am sure that Colin Benjamin and the team around him will work on tactics that can help the team qualify. The good thing is that Benjamin will not have to adapt to the environment around him because even the first assistant coach, Ronnie Kanalelo, is a former teammate.The match against Zambia this coming weekend is a match we have to win at all cost.

A victory for Namibia would guarantee us three precious points that would improve our chances of qualifying. It is important that we capitalise on the home matches, gaining as many points as possible.

The coaching staff know how hard it is to qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Now it is the time that they write their own history and become the first local coaches in the country to take the country to the African Cup of Nations.

All these guys have to do is to form a top coaching staff that can destroy opponents.

jesse@namibiansun.com

What happened to us?

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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What happened to us? The City of Windhoek last week warned those applying for land to cease and desist from using disabled people as fronts in a bid to secure the piece of land they are applying for. Also last week, the City informed Namibian Sun that more than half of the toilets they installed and/or repaired, in a bid to contain the hepatitis E outbreak, were vandalised.



These are not the only examples of blatant disrespect and an abundance of self-righteousness.



Responses on social media posts that the Namibian police is offering N$30 000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution for the killer, or killers, of Cheryl Ujaha, included comments that the money is too little. One said that had the police offered N$200 000 they might have had success. Others said the police are offering the reward because they are incapable of solving the crime.



Men rape and beat women and children with almost reckless abandon and gender-based violence forms part of the daily diet for Namibians.



Life in Namibia has become very cheap with people stabbed or shot at drinking spots for cell phones or simple arguments.



One only needs to look at the weekly crime report to see how little respect there is for another person.



Even teachers, one of the most honourable profession in the world, are stealing the meagre resources of the ministry by allowing ghost teachers to exist and to be on sick leave for more than 200 days – and nobody says a word, no one reports it.



Our courts are fraught with matters where people stole money, committed fraud, or embezzled, whether from banks, or private companies, or even the state.



What is up with Namibians? What is up with our society?



When did the people of this country become so selfish, so essentially corrupt and so self-righteous that they think they are more entitled than others?

Murder investigation stalls

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Murder investigation stallsN$30 000 reward for information The police are following up every possible lead in their investigation into the murder of nine-year-old Cheryl Avihe Ujaha, but little information has been forthcoming. The country has been rocked by the gruesome death of Cheryl Avihe Ujaha, whose dismembered body was found last week Tuesday after her disappearance on Sunday, 26 August. There has been a massive outpouring of grief and support for the family while the police, led by Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas, tirelessly investigate the crime.

Tips from the community, according to Agas, have been far and few between but they continue to investigate and follow up on every tip they receive.

He reminded the public of the N$30 000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrator(s) and urged the community to come forward should they know something.

On Thursday last week, gender minister Doreen Sioka condemned the murder and expressed her condolences to the family.

“We are together in spirit; they should not feel left out. However, whoever this perpetrator must know that the trees, grass, moon and sun are watching you. Hand yourself over,” she said.

According to the minister, the fight against GBV cannot be left to the government alone.

“We need to join hands to cultivate a culture of peace and love for one another. All of us are affected. Remember that a woman, girl or indeed a man and young man could be your family,” she said.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also expressed her outrage at the violent murder when she visited the Ujaha family last

week. On Friday, Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba, accompanied by First Lady Monica Geingos, paid a visit to the Ujaha family.

According to Geingos, “Avihe's death cannot be in vain. The tears today cannot and must not be in vain. We must unite as Namibians, because crime is not tribalistic. We must practice forgiveness, we must practice tolerance and we must respect women and children.”

Social media platforms have been inundated with photographs of the little girl and there were calls last week for the nation to wear black.

On Saturday, a local collection of motorcycle owners called Bikers Group held a parade in honour of Cheryl and handed over a petition to the police asking for better protection of children and vulnerable citizens.

Also over the weekend, Cheryl's father Isak Ujaha arrived from Leeds in the United Kingdom on Sunday. He lamented his daughter's death, saying he hopes the killer or killers are brought to book as soon as is possible.



STAFF REPORTER

Müntefering’s apology torn apart

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Müntefering’s apology torn apart JEMIMA BEUKES

The Nama and Ovaherero people have taken Michelle-Jasmin Müntefering’s apology and admission of the 1904-08 Nama and Ovaherero genocide with a pinch of salt.

During the official welcoming ceremony for the latest repatriated skulls in Windhoek on Friday, Müntefering, the German deputy foreign minister, said the atrocities committed in Germany’s name constituted genocide.

Even though she apologised profusely and even cried during the earlier church ceremony in Germany, Festus Muundjua, member of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) said it was not enough.

Muundjua, a member of the delegation that went to collect the skulls in Germany last week, insisted that the German government must officially admit to genocide and apologise for it.

“Remember a few times the Left and Green parties in Germany tabled motions in the German parliament and all those motions were rejected. These motions included an apology and reparations and they were rejected. The only apology we (OTA) will accept is the apology that is coming from the German parliament and this must be accompanied with an admission of genocide,” said Muundjua.

The Nama Technical Committee on Genocide chairperson, Ida Hoffmann, too rejected Münterfering’s heartrending apology, saying it was superficial.

“She is not senior enough to give that apology. Imagine if we were in Germany’s position and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah apologised, do you think they would have accepted it?” she asked.

Namibia’s special envoy on the genocide, Zed Ngavirue, also rejected Müntefering’s apology, saying it was not a formal government position and must be followed up.

“This is not an official decision taken by the official government as such. She is a very important person in her position but obviously a formal sort of government apology would be done through the normal procedures of government.”

Germany’s refusal to admit to genocide and persistence in talking about atrocities has thrown a spanner in negotiations about reparations.

According to Ngavirue there has not been a written position adopted by the Bundestag.

“The negotiations are still going on. As you know, there has been a pause in the formal meetings and the formal position will be part of a formal agreement and that would be taken to the government and that would be accepted by our parliament as well. But we haven’t reached that stage yet,” he said.

Müntefering slammed her own country’s colonial past and condemned the “imperial thirst for power with which Europe colonised Africa”.

“The arrogance and the horrible thought that our culture was superior to yours; and, in a word, racism. Today we know how abhorrent and wrong that all was. We Germans acknowledge our historical-political and moral responsibility, and the historical guilt borne by the Germans of the time,” she said.

Drought

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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DroughtChances of El Niño increase The chances of another El Niño weather pattern this summer have risen to about 70%. The chances of Namibia suffering yet another drought year has grown immensely, with the probability of another El Niño occurrence increasing to about 70% for the summer cropping season - from December to February next year.

This is the period during which most parts of southern Africa receive their highest rainfall, and it also coincides with the next summer cropping season.

In the SADC region, El Niño has historically been associated with the occurrence of below-average rainfall in the central and southern parts of the region, while the north-eastern parts of the region have historically experienced a higher frequency of above-average rainfall during El Niño years.

The El Niño in 2015/16 caused the worst drought in 35 years leaving 14.1 million people in need of emergency assistance across the region. Namibia was also not spared from the impacts of the El Niño during 2015/16 and experienced one of its worst droughts in the country's history, with a state of emergency declared.

Thousands of people in Namibia suffered from food insecurity, while the country's dams ran dry, water restrictions had to be implemented and farmers suffered from deteriorating grazing and livestock conditions.

The latest Southern Africa Food and Nutrition Security report says another El Niño this year could have devastating food security implications.

According to the latest figures provided by SADC countries the total number of food insecure people in the region is expected to increase this year by approximately 14% from 26.9 million in 2017/18 to 30.7 million in 2018/19.

According to the report Namibia experienced the biggest rainfall deficit in the SADC region, particularly in the western and southern parts of the country. Many of these areas are still trying to recover.









“In contrast flooding was recorded in the north-east and north-western parts of the country. Being an arid country, most Namibians depend on markets for their food, and due to production shortfalls staple prices increased.”

It however says that the number of people who are food insecure declined by 68% to 257 383 compared to 2017 when the number stood at about 800 000.



It is indicated that 24.6% of rural Namibians are moderately food insecure and 10.5% severely food insecure. In urban areas, 12.6% are food insecure and 6.3% severely food insecure. About 3% of children under five are severely malnourished.



“Overall the food insecurity situation is highly likely to deteriorate. The number of severely food insecure is likely rise by more than 70% to 9.6 million people in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe,” says the report.



Meanwhile the SADC Region Food and Nutrition Security Strategy 2015 to 2025 emphasises that the regional food and nutrition security situation remains unstable and unpredictable.



It says almost 16% of SADC's rural population have been consistently designated food insecure over the past five years. This is despite improved production in some countries.



It says that in Namibia between 200 000 and 800 000 people are at risk of food insecurity.



Furthermore the food security report highlights the fact that the 2017/18 was characterised by a late start an extended mid-season dry spell during December and January and heavy rains from February into April.



Available data indicates that the dry spells that characterised the 2017/18 rainfall season have resulted in reduced cereal harvests compared to the 2016/17 bumper crop.



Namibia harvested 135 770 tonnes in 2017/18. This indicates a self-sufficiency of a meagre 39% for the country.



With the El Nino conditions that are expected for the 2018/19 rainfall season it will likely result in delayed harvests and reduced maize production levels. “Thus maize grain prices in deficit countries such as Namibia may stabilise between March 2019 and April 2019 instead of declining as is typically the case prior to harvests.”



The report says that poor pasture conditions was also observed in much of Namibia, western South Africa, south-western Botswana, and south-western Angola. Some of these affected areas have also reported low-to-critical water availability. A lack of pasture and water available for livestock may have adverse impacts on livestock, particularly if the 2018/19 season experiences poor rainfall in the affected areas.



Currently the total of Namibia's dams stands at 39.4% in comparison to last year when it 53.4%. The capital has again implemented water restrictions to reduce consumers' water use in Windhoek.



ELLANIE SMIT

Namibia on fire

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Namibia on fireUnder-20s trash Hong Kong Namibia's under-20 rugby team are giving people hope that they can go all the way. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



Namibia's under-20 rugby national team continued to impress after humiliating Hong Kong 84-10 at the World Rugby U-20 Trophy 2018 in Bucharest on Saturday.

The team have been making strides at the competition and are expected to thrill against Samoa on Wednesday.

The 11th edition of the competition kicked off last week Tuesday, with eight teams battling it out for the title.

In their first match, Namibia beat hosts Romania 55-26 with an excellent display of attacking rugby.

The winner of the u-20 trophy will be promoted to the World Rugby U-20 Championship in 2019, replacing Japan who was relegated after finishing bottom of the 2018 edition in France last weekend.

In other action, Uruguay scored with no time remaining to defeat Canada 27-23 at the World Rugby U-20 Trophy tournament Saturday.

It was the second straight painful loss for the Canadian men at the second-tier age-group competition. They squandered a 26-11 halftime lead Tuesday in their opening 31-29 loss to Portugal.

Will Percillier kicked three penalties and two conversions for Canada, which trailed 15-6 at the half.

Canada pulled back 10 points on a converted Jackson Matthews try and Percillier penalty and then went ahead 23-20 on a converted try by Peter Ingoldsby in the 69th minute. But Matias D'Avanzo broke a tackle and scored from close range in the 83rd minute to seal Canada's fate.

Canada will wrap up the preliminary-round play at the eight-country competition against Fiji on Wednesday. The Pacific Islanders beat Uruguay 55-34 in their opener.

The u-20 trophy winner graduates to play alongside the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, England and France in the top-tier world under-20 championship.

Canada have not played in the elite age-group tournament since 2009 when they finished 14th. They have competed a level below since, coming close to promotion in 2013 and 2015 when they were runners-up to Italy and Georgia, respectively.

Last year in Uruguay, Canada lost to eventual champions Japan, Chile and Namibia before blanking Hong Kong 38-0 in the seventh-place game.

-Additional reporting by The Star

Khomas retain Debmarine trophy

September 2, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Khomas retain Debmarine trophy NAMPA



The Khomas Region successfully retained their Debmarine Senior Regional Netball Championship trophy on Saturday, beating Omusati 34-10 in the final at Tamariskia sports grounds in Swakopmund.

The match, which was played in cold weather and on a poorly lit court, failed to live up to expectations as both teams failed to hit top gear.

Several passes were misplaced while a number of fouls were committed by both teams, with Khomas at times displaying their fast passing game.

Khomas started the game on the front foot, dominating their opponents, who seemed to struggle to keep up with the pace of the game.

En route to the final, the defending champions defeated Oshana 35-14 in the semi-final, while Omusati took the scalp of Otjozondjupa with a 31-27 scoreline in the other semi-final match.

Khomas dominated the whole tournament, wining all their seven group matches, while Omusati recorded one loss in the group stages at the hands of Khomas.

Otjozondjupa finished third after beating Oshana 28-17 in the third and fourth playoff match. Jonitha Kahuure of Erongo was named midcourt player of the tournament while Diana George was named both defender and player of the tournament. Albertina Amadhila was named umpire of the tournament. Khomas walked away with N$30 000 for winning the tournament, while Omusati received N$15 000 for finishing second. Third-placed Otjozondjupa received N$9 000 for their efforts.

Debmarine Namibia signed a three-year, N$1.8 million sponsorship deal with Netball Namibia in 2017, which covers the Debmarine Senior Regional Netball Championship and the Pent Series for the National Team.

Thirteen out of the 14 regions participated in the tournament after //Karas failed to show up for unknown reasons. Ten regions participated in the inaugural event in Windhoek last year, which was won by the host region.

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We will be ready - Mannetti

September 3, 2018, 3:00 pm

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We will be ready - Mannetti Warriors Riaan Hanamub, Hendrick Somaeb and Willy Stephanus joined the Brave Warriors camp yesterday, ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Zambia on Saturday.

The trio are part of the 25-man squad announced by coach Ricardo Mannetti last week.

Egypt-based Benson Shilongo is expected to join the team today.

“Today's (yesterday's) training session was one to see how the guys that just joined the camp are doing, as we prepare to host Zambia. We have some days before we finalise our final squad by the end of the week.

“So far there are no injuries and we are pushing. It was a normal session for the technical team, to see the level of the guys,” Mannetti said.

The coach added his team will be ready for the match on Saturday.

“Talking before the game is for fans and not for the technical people. We respect Zambia, but we want to get the three points and we will be ready for them. We will be at home and we should all be professional in our approach to the game.”

It will be the third meeting between the two neighbours this year, having drawn 1-1 at the African Nations Championships (Chan) in Morocco and Zambia edging their Cosafa Cup quarterfinal clash 4-3, following a goalless stalemate in South Africa.

Namibia and Zambia are on zero points in Group K after both losing 1-0 against Guinea Bissau and Mozambique, respectively, in June 2017.



The Brave Warriors squad is as follows:

Maximillian Mbaeva (Golden Arrows, SA), Virgil Vries (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Ratanda Mbazuvara (African Stars), Donovan Kanjaa (Young African), Larry Horaeb (unattached), Tiberius Lombard (Lusaka Dynamos), Zambia), Charles Hambira (Baroka, SA) Denzil Haoseb (Highlands Park, SA), Vitapi Ngaruka (Black Africa), Riaan Hananub (Jomo Cosmos, SA), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka, SA), Dynamo Fredericks (Black Africa), Petrus Shitembi (unattached), Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars), Wangu Batista Gome (Cape Umoya, SA), Immanuel Heita (Black Africa), Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Deon Hotto (Bidvest Wits), Willy Stephanus (AC Kajaani, Finland), Marcel Papama (Unam), Hendrik Somaeb (FK Zemun, Serbia), Muna Katupose (Unam), Sadney Urikhob (PSMS Medan, Indonesia), Benson Shilongo (Smouha, Egypt) and Itamunua Keimuine (Tura Magic).

Tickets are on sale for N$50 at Computicket outlets inside Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide, as well as at Football House in Katutura. The match will start at 16:00.

NFA

Somaeb embraces Serbia

September 3, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Somaeb embraces SerbiaEnjoys first win at FK Zemun Local striker Hendrik Somaeb has inked a two-year deal with Serbian outfit FK Zemun, who are based in Belgrade. Hendrik Somaeb has entered the fray for his new club, Serbian side FK Zemun, whom he joined last week.

He played his first match in Serbia over the weekend against FK Rad Belgrade, coming on as a substitute in the 48th minute of the match. Despite the Namibian receiving a yellow card in the 85th minute, the game ended in a 1-0 win for his new club.

FK Zemun has so far played eight matches during their new season, drawing twice and registering five defeats, which has resulted in them occupying the 15th spot out of 16 teams on the league table.

They will play their next match on 15 September against FK Macva Šabac. Somaeb hopes to be back in time for the match, after being called up for national duty.

He is expected to be part of the Brave Warriors team that will face Zambia on Saturday in a Group K African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. He last played for the Brave Warriors at the beginning of the year, at the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan). Namibia bowed out of the tournament in the quarterfinals after a gallant performance, losing 2-0 to Morocco.

Somaeb scored a brace for his country in 2017, when they thumped Zimbabwe 3-1 in the Dr Hage Geingob Cup, with Peter Shalulile scoring the third goal.

At club level, Somaeb has plied his trade at Blue Waters, and at South African sides Jomo Cosmos (2017) and Free State Stars (2016), where he played two seasons, while making 28 appearances and scoring four goals.

Somaeb is not the first Namibian to get a taste of Serbian football.

Rudolph Bester played for Serbian SuperLiga club, FK Cukaricki Stankom, having joined the team in January 2008 from Eleven Arrows.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Military School one step closer to NPL

September 3, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Military School one step closer to NPL Military School (MS) Okahandja Football Club has taken a one-goal lead into the return leg of the North West First Division promotional play-offs for the Namibia Premier League.

Military School defeated Oshakati-based African Motto 1-0 in the first leg play-off match on Saturday at the Nau-Aib Stadium in Okahandja through a header from Hans !Gaeb in the 84th minute.

The return leg will be played on 8 September at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.

The one-goal lead sets them up for a possible promotion to the flagship league, should they stop Motto from scoring. Motto need to win the game by two clear goals or avoid a score draw, which will eliminate them.

MS Okahandja won Group A and African Motto won Group B.

The winner will join already promoted Southern Stream First Division winners, Young Brazilians from Karasburg and North East First Division winners, Julinho Sporting from Rundu in the NPL.

MS Okahandja captain Cecil Papi Kaitjirokere said the team is in a buoyant mood ahead of the second leg.

“Although the win was not easy, we managed to shut them out from scoring an away goal. We will work hard to score the chances we create, because we were wasteful in the first leg,” Kaitjirokere said.

He said they will go all out to score as many goals as possible.

“We aim to score an early goal to settle our nerves and put more pressure on them, forcing them to open up and we will punish them,” he noted.

NAMPA

Williams set on winning

September 3, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Williams set on winning'Coming back from pregnancy harder than I thought' Tennis star Serena Williams is through to the quarter-finals, fighting every step of the way. Serena Williams booked her spot in the US Open quarter-finals on Sunday, and said the biggest challenge of her post-pregnancy comeback was regaining fitness.

“Coming back from a baby is really hard, harder than I thought,” said Williams - drawing a cheer from the crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium who had watched her 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Estonian Kaia Kanepi.

Her victory came a day after daughter Olympia turned one year old.

Seeking a 23rd Grand Slam title and her first since the 2017 Australian Open, Williams said the greatest improvement she'd made since her return to competition in March was fitness.

“That was the most important thing for me to improve, was to be fit and be able to stay and play long matches,” she said.

Williams was already pregnant when she won her most recent Grand Slam title, at the 2017 Australian Open.

Since returning she had withdrawn with a shoulder injury from the fourth round match at the French Open, and reached the final at Wimbledon, where she fell to Angelique Kerber.

Williams, whose recovery from giving birth was complicated by life-threatening blood clots, has been open about her emotional struggles as a new mother and the difficulty of balancing her commitment to caring for her daughter and her career.

She said she believes new mothers should be more prepared for the fact that it can take time to recover from childbirth.

“I think society puts it out there that you'll just kind of snap back and that's just a myth,” she said.

“I feel like it's important for women to know that it doesn't happen like in that Instagram world.

“In the real world, it takes a while for your body to come back. Not only that, like mentally and physically and dealing emotionally with providing for a child, it's a lot that goes into it.

“And I was just living in this world where I thought it would just automatically come together. So I had to realise and live in reality.”

Asked if she was already thinking about a little brother or sister for Olympia, she said not quite yet.

“I have obviously thought of having more kids, and it will happen, God willing, in time,” she said.

“Right now it's not time yet because I'm thinking about playing tennis and enjoying this time with Olympia.”



NAMPA/AFP

Toure moves to Greece with former club Olympiakos

September 3, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Toure moves to Greece with former club Olympiakos Former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has rejoined Greek Super League side Olympiakos after rejecting offers from Europe, Asia and the United States, the 35-year-old said.

Ivory Coast international Toure made his name at the Piraeus club in the 2005/06 season before going on to win several major trophies in lengthier spells at Barcelona and City.

“When I left in 2006, I said I would come back and I am delighted to keep my word,” Toure said on his official website.

“I made my decision based on the special relationship I have with this incredible club. It is an honour to be back.”

The Greek league leaders confirmed the move but did not give financial details. Local media said Toure would be paid around 2.5 million euros (US$2.9 million) for one season.

Toure was released by City after a limited role last season, bringing an end to eight seasons at the club where he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup.

Olympiakos were third last season, their lowest finish in 23 years after lifting 20 league titles in 22 years.

NAMPA/REUTERS