African Motto promoted to NPL

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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African Motto promoted to NPLDisappointment for Military School Okahandja Military School Okahandja have lost out on their berth in the NPL, because having two defence force teams in the league would have been in contravention of the NFA rules. The North West First Division (NWFD) on Sunday resolved to promote Oshakati's African Motto Football Club to the Namibia Premier League (NPL), instead of overall winners Military School Okahandja.

Military School won the two-leg promotional playoff 1-0 against African Motto two weeks ago.

They were, however, not promoted as this would have meant two Namibian Defence Force (NDF) teams would be playing in the NPL in the upcoming season, with Mighty Gunners already plying their trade in the top flight.

According to the Namibia Football Association (NFA) statutes, no natural or legal person, including holding companies and subsidiaries, may exercise control over more than one club or group in the league.

NWFD vice-chairperson Lawrence Kandundu confirmed the decision and said they have informed Military School of their fate.

“We decided to promote African Motto as the rules are clear,” he said.

Kandundu added that all teams in the league have been informed of the NFA directive regarding team ownership.

“Club owners should familiarise themselves with the statutes of the football association and should not complain that they were not told, while there are statutes in place that guide all of us,” he said.

The letter regarding African Motto's promotion states that another NDF team, Eleven Warriors, will also be relegated to the Otjozondjupa second division, as they cannot compete in the same league as Military School Okahandja.

It said Young Chiefs, who were relegated at the end of the NPL season, will be accepted into the NWFD instead.

NFA secretary-general Barry Rukoro said earlier the association's executive committee took a decision two years ago with regard to one organisation or person owning two teams in the same competition.

“Military School belongs to the NDF and there is no documentation stating otherwise. We cannot have two teams owned by the same organisation competing in the same competition,” he said.

Rukoro explained the NFA executive committee decided that any of the NDF teams who win their respective first division or second division streams, where there is already an NDF team playing, will not be promoted to the same league.

“We had two defence force teams playing in the NWFD and we informed the league administrators that at the end of the season, one of the teams would have to be relegated to the second division. The league administrators should now be brave enough to take a decision,” he said.

Rukoro said in an earlier interview that Military School reaching the playoffs was just part of the league process, which they needed to complete. He said African Motto would have to be promoted to the NPL, even if they fail to win the second leg of their playoff clashes.

African Motto 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.

NAMPA

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Omilandu omipe kombinga yemino lyevi

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Omilandu omipe kombinga yemino lyevi ELLANIE SMIT

Momulandu omupe ngoka tagu tulwa miilonga kuuministeli womidhingoloko, onga oonkambadhala dhokukondolola emino lyomavi, otagu utha kutya itaku ka gandjwa we ezimino kemino lyevi, pwaahena ezimino okuza kelelo lyopamuthigululwakalo.



Uuministeli natango owa tokola kutya omamino gevi itaga ka ningwa we momapya opo ku gamenenwe po egameno lyoondya mokati kaanafaalama naanamapya.

Uuyelele mboka owa tseyithwa kOminista Pohamba Shifeta ngoka a li ta popitha aaleli yopamuthigululwakalo kombinga yiikumungu yi na sha nemino lyevi, pethimbo lyomutumba gwaaleli yopamuthigululwakalo gokomvula omuti 21 ngoka gwa ningilwa mOvenduka oshiwike sha piti.

Shifeta okwa popi kutya uuministeli onkene tawu tsikile nokudhidhilika emino lyomavi kali li pamulandu momahala gokuushayi, nomukalo ngoka ogwa etitha eyonagulo lyomidhingoloko, ekanitho lyoomwenyo oshowo ekanitho lyiimuna, omolwa omalambo ngoka haga thigwa ga ekama uuna aantu ya kuthwa po omavi gawo nuuna kwa lokwa e taga udha omeya nena ogeli oshiponga oshinene mokati koshigwana.

Minista okwa popi kutya omavi gamwe ohaga kuthwa momapya gaakwashigwana nokuthiga mo eyonagulo enene sho omapya ngoka itaga ka kala we nokugandja iipalutha ngaashi mbyoka ga kala nokugandja nale omanga omamino ngoka inaga ningwa.



Omolwa okukalekapo lyekondololo nokuyanda omaupyakadi ngoka taga etithwa kemino ndyoka inali pitikwa, uuministeli owa tula po omulandu omupe. Omulandu ngoka ogwa kwatela po omapulaapulo ngoka tagu utha omaindilo agehe ga pitikwe pankatu yopamalelo gopamudhigululwakalo, omalelo gopaitopolwa nezimino lyahugunina otali ningwa kukomufala gwomidhingoloko muuministeli womidhingoloko.

Ngele kape na epitiko lyomalelo gopamuthigululwakalo nena kape na eindilo tali ka ziminwa.

Minista okwa popi kutya emino ndyoka otali adhika kohi yompangu yomidhingoloko tayi ithanwa Environmental Management Act, onkene kehe evi tali minwa opwa pumbwa omukandazimino gwoenvironmental clearance certificate.

Shifeta okwa popi kutya oshi li epogolo lyoompango ngele omuntu ota mini evi ke na omukandazimino ngoka, negeelo kwaamboka taya pogola oompango ndjoka, otaya futithwa oshimaliwa shooN$25 000, nenge ya kale mondholongo oomvula 25 nenge yap ewe omageelo agehe.

Uuministeli mboka owali waningi omahwahwameko gokugandja uuyelele kaaleli yopamuthigululwakalo kombinga yemino lyevi, na oya nongele kutya aaleli oyendji oya kala nokugandja omapitiko itaya landula ompango.

Shifeta okwa tsikile kutya emino ndyoka olya pumbwa okuningwa taku landulwa omulandu adhihe ndhoka dhi li miilonga na okwa pula omalelo ga lopote emino lyevi kehe tali limbilile nenge kehe tuu iilonga mbyoka tayi yi moshipala ompango yekwato nawa lyomidhingoloko.

Aatiligane ya pulwa ya kuthe ombinga moonkundathana dhevi

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Aatiligane ya pulwa ya kuthe ombinga moonkundathana dheviAR a kunkilile aatiligane opo ya kuthe ombinga miikumungu yevi Ehwahwameko lyoLandless People’s Movement olya popi kutya otali longekidha okukatuka oonkatu dhopaveta mekuthoko lyevi okuza momake gaatiligane, ndhoka tadhi adhika momudhingoloko gwaDordabis oshowo Omitara. JEMIMA BEUKES

Ehwahwameko ndyoka lyiikumungu yevi olya popi kutya aatiligane inaya hala okukutha ombinga moonkundathana dhi na sha nevi, ihe olya kunkilile kutya ethimbo otali ka thikana sho aaludhe taya ka kutha ko evil yawo okuza kaatiligane.

Omahwahwameko lyoLandless People’s Movement (LPM) oshowo Affirmative Repositioning (AR) ogiinekela kutya omiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa omasiku ga piti tadhi ulike kutya opresenda 70 dhevi lyuunafaalama odhi li momake gaatiligane, otadhi utha ekuthoko lyevi ndyoka, nokuli gandja momake gooyene.

Metine lyoshiiwke sha piti, oNamibia Statistics Agency (NSA) oya hololaomiyalu ndhoka dha holola kutya aatiligane onkene natango ye na evi lyuunafaalama lya kalela po oopresenda 70 moNamibia, omanga oopresenda owala 16 dhili momake gaaluudhe, mokati koohecta oomiliyona 36 dhevi lyuunafaalama moshilongo. Epangelo oli na owala evi lyoopresenda 14 okuza moohecta ndhoka.

Hennie Seibeb gwoLPM okwa popi kutya oya kambadhala okuya moonkundathana nomukomeho nale gwoNamibia Agriculture Union (NAU), Sakkie Coetzee, momvula yo 2017 ihe okwa tindi.

“Ine tu galukila nopehala okwa yi a ka konge ekwashilipaleko okuza kuSwapo kutya oofaalama dhawo dhaatiligane itadhi gumwa. Otashi ulike kutya inaya hala okuya moonkundathana.”

LPM okwa popi kuya omolwa etindo lyawo okuya moonkundathana ngashiingeyi ehwahwameko ndyoka otali kongo omayele nomilandu dhopaveta opo ku vule kukuthweko evi lyuunafaalama ndyoka li li momake gaatiligane na otali adhika momudhingoloko gwaDordabis, Omitara oshowo Tsumkwe.

Pahapu dhe, omuleli gwoLPM, Bernadus Swartbooi ota kongo aakalelipo yopaveta moshilongo oshowo pondje yoshilongo mboka taya ka kwathela metokolo ndyoka.

“Shotango ito vulu okukala wu na aantu ya thika pe1 000 yeli owala pokahala okashona kuunene woohecta 82 uule woomvula 28, na oye li owala pehala mpoka ya fa aapika. Osha puka, onkene otwa hala okukutha ko oofaalama ndhoka nokutululula aantu yetu mboka.”



Seibeb okwa popi kutya oshi Ii esithahoni enene kuSwapo sho hayi kaantu mboka omvula nomvula nokuninga omahwahwameko gomahogololo nokuya ningila omauvaneko ihe sigo onena konima yoomvula 28 oshilongo sha manguluka oonkalamwenyo dhawo inadhi lundululwa.

Sho a popi noshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, Coetzee okwa popi kutya okwa tsakanene nehwahwameko lyoLPM opo ya kundathane iikumungu yevi ihe ke na omauvaneko gasha e ya uvanekele.

Okwa popi kutya NAU okwa ngongapo omukanda ngoka taka gandja pethimbo lyomutumba gwevi, ihe sho e gu pulwa kelelo lyoLPM opo e gu gandje kehwahwameko ndyoka, okwa tindi molwashoka inagu nuninwa oshigwana.

Menindjela gwoNAU ngashiingeyi, Roelie Venter okwa tindi okutya sha kombinga yoshikumungu shoka.

Omuleli gwehwahwameko lyevi lyoAR, Job Amupanda okwa kunkilile aanafaalama aatiligane moNamibia kutya oya pumbwa okutameka okukutha ombinga oonkundathana niikumungu yevi naanyasha mboka ye li oyo aaleli yokomongula yoshilongo shika, molwaashoka aakengeli mboka ya gama kombinga yawo na itaya popi sha kombinga yevi otaya si ko mbala kombanda yevi, naanyasha otaya ka kutha ko evi lyawo.

Kundathaneni kombinga yomilalo naanona yeni-Hamatwi

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Kundathaneni kombinga yomilalo naanona yeni-Hamatwi ILENI NANDJATO

Omunambelewa omukomeho gwelongo moshitopolwa shaHangwena, Isak Hamatwi, okwa pula aavali opo ya kundathane naanona yawo nokupopya kombinga yiikumungu yomilalo opo ku yandwe aanona taya dhigipo omanongelo omolwa omategelelo.

Hamatwi okwa popi kutya oshindji shoka tashi etitha omategelelo maanona yoskola, okuya miihulo naalumentu aakokele moka mwa kwatelwa aalongiskola.

Hamatwi okwa li ta popi pethimbo lyomutumba gwaanyasha naavali ngoka gwa ningilwa mEtitano mondoolopa yEenhana, gwa nuninwa okukundathana iikumungu ya pamba aavali naanysha.

Okwa popi kutya nonando okwa tulwa miilonga omulandu gwelongo ngoka tagu yanda eningo lyomategelelo mokati kaanaskola, ondjele yaanona yoskola taya ningi omategelelo oya londa pombanda noonkondo.

Konyala aanaskola ye li po 200 oshowo aanyasha mboka ihaya yi kooskola pamwe naavali ya za momidhingoloko dha yoloola moshitopolwa shaHangwena, oya kala momutumba moka nokukundathana iikumungu ya guma aanaskola oshowo aavali.

Omutumba ngoka oguunganekwa koStar for Life neyambidhidho lyiiyemo okuza koUnesco kohi yoontentekelihapu ‘Don’t raise your voice, raise your argument’. Omutumba ngoka ogwa kaliwa woo kaakuthimbinga oyendji moshikondo shelongo.

Omunambelewa ngoka okwa popi kutya aanaskola unene yaakadhona oya taalela oshiponga shokuthigapo ooskola omanga inaya manitha omailongo gawo, naashoka otashi etithwa komategelelo ngoka ga londa pombanda mokati kaanaskola.

Hamatwi okwa tsikile kutya epangelo olya tula miilonga omikalo ndhoka dha nuninwa okusitha uunye aanaskola unene aakadhona naanaskola mboka ya za momidhingoloko ndhoka dha kala inadhi talika nale opo kaya thigepo ooskola.

Hamatwi okwa nyana woo omulandu ngoka tagu indike aalongiskola yay e momakwatathano gopahole naanaskola,ta popi kutya kakele komulandu ngoka, kape na omulandu ngoka tagu geele mboka taya gandja omategelelo kaanaskola.

Omunambelewa omukuluntu gwooprograma moshikondo shuundjolowele moshitopolwa shaHangwena, Festus Kuushomwa, okwa kumike nokutsa omukumo aavali naanaskola opo ya kundathane kombinga yomilalo.

Aanyasha naavali oya yi mookundathana ndhoka ya popi kutya odhe ya longo oshindji sho aavali yawo ya ndopa okukundathana iinima yoludhi ndoka nayo.

Oyendji oya popi kutya inaya mono ompito yokukundathana nenge okupopya naavali yawo iikumungu yi na sha nomilalo molwaashoka aavali ohaya geye noonkondo ngele ya mono ye li naalumentu.



Menindjela gwoStar for Life moshilongo, Susan Linosi okwa popi kutya otaya kambadhala okunkondopeka aanyasha opo ya dhidhilike oondjodhi dhawo nokukala aakwashigwana ye na oshilonga moshigwana. Okwa popi kutya ohaya yi kooskola nokutsomukumo aanaskola ya a dhe oondjodhi dhawo nokwaadha omalalakano gawo monkalamwenyo.

“Ohatu ya pe omayambidhidho kehe taya pumbwa opo ya tsikile ooskola dhawo nokwaadha oondjodhi dhawo,” Linosi a popi.

Okwa popi kutya oonkundathana pokati kaavali naanyasha oshinima hashi ningwa kehe omvula okutameka momvula yo 2014, sho sha li sha ningilwa tango moRehoboth, na odha nuninwa okweeta pamwe aanyasha naavali opo ya kundathane iinima mbyoka ye ya pamba.

Online safety for our Namibian children

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Online safety for our Namibian children Kaspersky Lab boosts cyber security awareness Kaspersky Lab, a global cyber security company, in partnership with Active Education, is bringing cyber security education to Namibian schools through a series of interactive activations. An initiative aimed at driving top-of-mind awareness around online safety, has kicked off in Namibia.

The Safe Kids Roadshow1 started on 10 September in Windhoek and will move to Walvis Bay and conclude on 21 September in Swakopmund, while covering 20 schools and a total of over 13 700 children and parents.

Among the main threats to be addressed are cyber bullying, the inordinate disclosure of personal information and general rules of online behaviour.

The roadshow is an educational initiative by Kaspersky Lab, together with a third-party education provider.

During the global project, Kaspersky Lab has educated about 16 000 kids across the META region in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.

This follows the Kaspersky Lab and B2B International Security Risks Survey 2017.

While the internet provides many benefits to children, it can also be a dangerous place for them, and as such, it is essential that children are educated about online security and parents know and understand their children's online activities in order to protect them.

Alarmingly, 32% of parents surveyed globally, admitted that they do not have any control of what their children see or do online, and about 25% do not take any measures to protect their children from online threats.

Riaan Badenhorst, general manager for Kaspersky Lab Africa, said protecting children is something that Kaspersky Lab takes very seriously on a global scale, which is why they recommend parents using not only parental control products, but also having a trust relationship with their child.

“No matter what kids are doing online, it is important for parents not to leave their children's digital activities unattended and to educate them about online security. The more information you have as a parent, the more you are able to protect them,” says Badenhorst.



Lastest update

Kaspersky Lab's global latest report, based on statistics from the company's parental control modules, has revealed that children in Namibia are more likely to watch video content and listen to music, than spend time on social media.

Audio and video content accounted for 50% of all online activities of Namibian children, with YouTube and DVDVideoSoft being popular among the young generation, while younger kids prefer Nickelodeon Africa.

This was followed by 31% interested in internet communication media - in the majority of cases, this is referred to as social media/networks - with popular ones being Facebook, Google Hangouts, Skype and WhatsApp.

Children in Namibia also visited news sites more frequently, including the BBC and the Daily Mail - accounting for 8% of activities.

Electronic commerce is among the top categories as well: 5% of children showed their interest in exploring Amazon for clothes and mobile devices.

At the same time, 12% of respondents globally admitted that their children became addicted to the internet, and the same amount complained that their children saw explicit content online. Malware is another big problem. Digital devices can easily be infected while children play or search online; this happened to 10% of the users surveyed.

“As a school, we fully support the need to educate and create awareness about online safety, especially as our learners are exposed to more than ever before; and while this opens up immense learning opportunities, we need to be cognisant of their safety,” said Kathi Damon, the primary school principal at Waldorf School Windhoek.

“With this in mind, we fully support the activation that Kaspersky Lab has initiated for our learners and look forward to the positive impact it will have.”

Kids in different countries have different interests and online behaviour but what links them all is their need to be protected online from potentially harmful content.

To help children avoid such threats, Kaspersky Lab experts advise parents to talk with their children, in order to educate them about correct behaviour and security on the internet, to ensure they know not to publish too much personal information that attackers can use; and that it is not necessary to join groups with potentially dangerous content or to 'friend' someone they don't personally know or follow links from unknown recipients.

The Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security consumer solutions include a parental control module to help adults protect their children against online threats and block sites or apps containing inappropriate content.

In turn, the Kaspersky Safe Kids solution allows parents to monitor what their children do, see or search for online across all devices, including mobile ones, and offers useful advice on how to help children behave safely online.

Mini Hockey World Cup a success

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Mini Hockey World Cup a success Eight schools, 600 pupils participate in tourney The 16th Mini Hockey World Cup took place from 14 to 15 September at Windhoek Gymnasium Private School. Justicia Shipena and Michelline Nawatises





Over 600 children from eight schools participated in the 74 games that formed part of the 16th Mini Hockey World Cup.

Speaking to The Zone this past Saturday, Shayne Cormack, one of the organisers and founders of K5 Hockey, said the tournament theme, ‘Countries’, speaks to her being a national hockey player.

Based on everything she has experienced in Namibia, Cormack felt like she wanted to make a difference.

“I was always inspired by big events such as the World Cup and Olympics. I already started a development programme and I thought it would be a great initiative to start and have a huge fun day and called it the ‘Mini Hockey World Cup’ and use the whole theme of different countries,” she said.

Cormack said this year she has such incredible talent and skills.

She said the girls did very well at this year’s tournament.

The tourney was used to identify talent and also give eight to ten players an opportunity to play in future events organised by her.

“We are trying to use this initiative as a platform to develop and recognise young talent and take it further,” she said.

Cormack urged the young players to follow their passion, adding people should create sport opportunities for the youth to achieve development.

“I have been given a talent and I want to share it with the younger generation and people could create initiatives like this, because at the end of the day it is how you drive it; it should be about the youth.”

The results were as follows:

U-10 girls: Gold - Argentina (St Paul’s College)

Silver - Mexico (Parkies)

U-10 boys: Gold - Iceland (WHK Gym)

Sliver - Argentina (St Paul’s College)

U12 Girls: Gold - Iceland (WHK Gym)

Silver - Argentina (St Paul’s College)

U12 boys: Gold - Spain (St George’s)

Silver - Iceland (WHK Gym)

U14 Girls: Gold - Belgium (PSS)

Silver - Argentina (St Paul’s College)

U14 Boys: Gold - Russia (WAP)

Silver - Argentina (St Paul’s College)

Ambassador trophy: Mexico (Parkies)

Team award: Argentina (St Paul’s College U-10 boys)

Overall country winner: Argentina (St Paul’s College)

Cholera death toll climbs

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Cholera death toll climbsSome figures put it at 40 dead Harare is folding under the strain of a cholera outbreak which appears to be spreading. The capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, has been inundated by the outbreak, with more than 3 000 cases reported. NGOs have accused the government of spending state cash on luxury items instead of providing basic healthcare. The death toll is reported to stand at 28 but sources from within the country put it at 40 yesterday morning.

The outbreak was first detected earlier this month in a township outside Harare and has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.

“Although I cannot say we have contained the disease as of yet, we are moving swiftly in all provinces of the country,” health minister Obadiah Moyo told the state-owned Sunday Mail.

Moyo said the strain of the disease was found to be resistant to several drugs, meaning new antibiotics had to be approved to tackle the outbreak. The government planned to remove accumulated trash from high-risk areas in Harare, repair sewer pipes and bar street food vendors from operating in an effort to contain the infectious disease.

Authorities also banned public gatherings in the city as a precautionary measure, which forced the opposition MDC party to call off a major rally it had planned on Saturday.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced earlier this week that it was expanding its operation in Zimbabwe to help the government combat the outbreak.

WHO is providing cholera kits which contain oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluids and antibiotics to cholera treatment centres.

Cholera is an acute waterborne diarrheal disease that can kill within hours, if the infected person is not treated. The disease can be prevented through safe access to water and sanitation.

NEWS24

Namibia shines at Debate Championship

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Namibia shines at Debate ChampionshipDebate nurtures and develops leadership Two Namibian teams (A and C) were paired against each other in the one semifinal, while Namibia B defeated Uganda to qualify for finals, which was an all-Namibian affair. Michelline Nawatises



The 2018 African Debate Championship (ADC) took place from 9 to 14 September, in Pretoria, South Africa.

The championship welcomed schools from all over Africa to challenge themselves in the art of debate, structured research and public speaking.

The championship used the world schools style debate format and assembled a highly qualified adjudication core for the 90 teams that participated.

Christiaan Prinsloo, a grade 9 learner from Windhoek High School, spoke on the behalf of the whole group, saying they were excited to go to the debate competition.

“The group we have has been in a bit of transit and are setting the bar high for future debaters to come and enable them to know what is expected of them as Namibian debaters,” he said.

Debate championships grant exposure to the learners to interact, network and engage in public discourse on a myriad of issues.

They benefit these learners in terms of being informed citizens who actively engaged in civic duty at an early age.

Prinsloo said the debate circuit has been competitive in recent years.

“We do have the capacity to win or at least make it far in tournaments, because we have proven ourselves internationally.



Taking the lead in debate

“I do not think we have any challenges within the team, we can surely hold our own against others; we are ready to fight our way through all the 12 rounds and hopefully bring back the first price,” Prinsloo said before the team's departure.

Ivan Limbo, who is the team coach and a judge, says Namibian debating has a lot of potential.

“Preparation, especially prepared motions, makes a massive difference in debates,” he said.

Khomas regional governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua gave the learners her blessing and wished them luck before their departure.

“I was shocked when I attended a debate competition in August; at the speed these learners could talk and the topics they were raising, left me in awe. The art of debate is so beautiful, it shows their talent and the respect for it. “My children, the only country some of us know is the republic of Namibia, it is the only country that we belong to and that we can protect, Namibia exists because of us, with this said, please go out there and continue holding the banner up high,” she said.

All three Namibian teams qualified to semifinals.

Two Namibian teams (A and C) were paired against each other in the one semifinal, while Namibia B defeated Uganda to qualify for finals, which was an all-Namibian affair.

This was by far the best performance by Namibia at any debate competition.

Twapewa-Ashihe Mungoba, a grade 10 learner from Delta Senior Secondary School scooped, the best African female speaker award and Lotto Nanghonda, a grade 9 learner at Hage Geingob High School, emerged as the best African male speaker.

“Being crowned African debate champions is something that we are proud of and it means a lot for our debate circuit. The Khomas Schools Debate Association will continue to modify and upgrade the schools debate circuit, so that Namibian learners are able to compete internationally,” said Edward Shati, Khomas Schools Debate Association, coach.

The African debate champions are preparing for the Orate Africa Debate competition in December.

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Reaching for the stars

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Reaching for the stars On the 13 September, the Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy held its graduation ceremony. On the 13 September the Silver Spoon Academy held a graduation ceremony which recognised it's students who received diplomas and certificates in food and beverage service and culinary arts which the parents of the recipients were overjoyed. Kyle Farrer, who has been at silver spoon for three years, participated in an internal competition with five others and now has the opportunity to represent Namibia at the Young Chef Olympiad . “I am really nervous because it is a big responsibility, but there is as a sense of honour; I truly believe Namibia is busy making a statement as Martin Shipanga was sent off last year and came 15th out of 45 countries,” he said. Another student, Sharon Matatias, said she is happy th. “It was a bumpy ride; it made me stronger and there is new chapter ahead of me, which I am ready to embark on,” she said. PHOTOS Michelline Nawatises

BMW builds self-driving bike

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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BMW builds self-driving bikeSelf-riding software developed to enhance rider safety A video of a self-driving BMW gives a glimpse of the future of motorcycle safety. “With this prototype, our aim was not to create a fully automated vehicle, but rather to improve motorcycle safety.” - Stefan Hans of BMW Motorradsicherheit in Munich. In something akin to scene from a gloriously cheesy ‘80s sci-fi action films, BMW Motorrad has release a video showing a self-driving R1200GS motorbike that can ride, negotiate turns and park itself without the need of a rider.

Thanks to intelligent software, the self-driving prototype of the R1200GS is able to start its own engine, speed up in traffic and come to a complete stop on its kickstand, all eerily sans rider.

After two years in development and hundreds of hours in testing, BMW Motorrad has finally unveiled this new technology, but shot down any Robo-cycle rumours by stating that the technology was aimed at making their motorcycles safer in future.

“With this prototype, our aim was not to create a fully automated vehicle, but rather to improve motorcycle safety,” said Stefan Hans of BMW Motorradsicherheit in Munich.

“The development of this technology helps to better understand the riding dynamics of the motorcycle, to classify the rider’s behaviour and determine whether a future situation will become dangerous or not.

“If so, we can inform, warn or intervene directly,” he added.

In the video, the motorcycle can be seen starting remotely, accelerating and negotiating corners on a racetrack before bringing itself to a stop.

BMW claims the bike was not built for consumers but instead to provide support for inattentive drivers and more stability in emergency situations.

Detoxing from digital technology

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Detoxing from digital technology Addiction the same as cocaine, heroin Brad Huddleston came to Namibia to give lectures on digital addiction last week and visited a total of six schools. Justicia Shipena





With degrees in computer science and theology, Brad Huddleston travels the world to research the science behind screen addiction, in order to help others.

In collaboration with the Gihon Trust, Huddleston came to Namibia to give lectures on digital addiction last week and visited a total of six schools.

He is the author of 'Digital Cocaine' and said he was inspired to write the book after an earlier offering nine years ago called 'Dark side of technology'.

In Digital Cocaine he follows up the neuroscience behind social media addiction.

He is currently in Africa doing some research on digital addiction.

Huddleston said the Namibian schools he visited have the same behaviour issues as in other countries he has visited.

“The culture coming through these (digital) devices is the same language over the world,” he said.

Huddleston said people tend to post only good things on social media, making others believe they have an awesome life; but they also have struggles, just as everyone else does.

“We just don’t tend to talk about it. Be real; I just think we need to tell people that we have problems, so we can help each other and pray about it. Your problems are not different from anybody else’s and you need to spend time with people in the real world, where reality is, and get to know close friends who you can share your burdens and pains with,” he said.

Huddleston says neuroscientists compare digital addiction to cocaine, as they can show where sections of the brain light up when a person is addicted to digital devices. These are the same areas that light up in a cocaine and heroin addict.

Huddleston has found that everywhere he speaks to young people there are alarming incidences of self-harm, like cutting oneself, and he sees a link between this and digital addiction.

He says many children who approach him after his talks confess they practice self-harm just to feel something.

Over half the children in audiences indicate that they know of someone who self-harms.

"The digital component is that they have overdone it; they have numbed the pleasure centre and now they are tricking different chemical to come in, but the danger is you build up tolerance to that, and so then the self-harm gets worn out as well," he said.

He said there are cases where parents neglect their children because of social media and this leads to addiction, where social media is more important than your child.

“Your child is more important than social media and when the addiction sets in, it causes your child to be orphaned, even though there is a parent in the home.”

A parent who attended one of his talks said she cannot abdicate her responsibility and that she has to train her children to grow up they should.

“After all, when they grow up they will follow my example and not my advice, meaning I should lend by example, “she said.

Charl Malan, a grade 8 learner at Windhoek High School, said he thinks the world is corrupted in many ways and that speakers like Huddleston help make it better.

Malan added the lecture taught him to try and have real life conversations with his peers. He says he learnt how to value and appreciate the people in his life.

“I think my faith will grow stronger because of speakers like Brad and I will just keep on praying for my community, “he said.

Nored accused of 'daylight robbery'

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Nored accused of 'daylight robbery' Nored has failed to explain how an already settled account of N$7 411 ballooned to N$32 343.

A 73-year-old resident of Ekolyanaambo village near Ondangwa in Oshana has described Nored's conduct as unprofessional and “daylight robbery”.

The pensioner, who preferred anonymity, said during December last year she applied for a new electricity connection at Nored's Ondangwa office.

She said she was handed a N$7 411 quotation, which she was happy with and settled in May this year.

To her surprise, a month after paying, Nored contacted her again, saying they had given her the wrong quotation, and subsequently have her one that was five times higher.

“My neighbour brought an electricity line to his house. I gave permission for the last pole of the line, which has a power distribution box, to be set up in my mahangu field because I knew it was a development that was not only for my neighbour. I applied for my house also to get connected and Nored came to do the measurement and gave me a quotation that I was happy with,” said the pensioner.

“After paying in May this year, Nored officials called to inform us to prepare a ditch for the wire, which is something we did. A few days after preparing the ditch, Nored called again saying that they gave us a wrong quotation, because it was too cheap and therefore they were coming to redo the quotation.”

The pensioner presented Namibian Sun with her proof of payment and the two different quotations.

She said she would not have had a problem if the second quotation had initially been given to her.

She added when Nored called, she also did not have problem, as she was hoping they were only coming to do few adjustments to the original quotation.

“To my surprise the quotation went up by five times, which is shocking. A well-established organisation such as Nored has made me feel like they are robbing their customers.

“Since Nored changed their minds regarding my first quotation, I also changed my mind on the decision to allow them put their power distribution box in my mahangu field. They must come and remove it, then I will pay such an amount, otherwise they must come and connect my house since I have already paid,” she stressed.

When she enquired, Nored officials claimed they had omitted the contribution fee from the first quotation, which is paid to the customer who brought the line into the area.

She said they told her if she is not happy, she can channel her complaint to the company's legal team.

“Why should I complain to the legal team, as if it is where I applied or they were the ones who did the quotation?” she asked.

Contacted for comment, Nored public relations officer Simon Lukas did not respond to questions emailed to him.

ILENI NANDJATO

Talk to kids about sex

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Talk to kids about sex The education director for the Ohangwena Region, Isak Hamatwi, has urged parents to discuss sex and related issues with their children so as to inform them of the facts.

This, he says, will prevent children from dropping out of school due to teenage pregnancies.

He added that the major cause of learner pregnancies included non-consensual sex with older men, including teachers.

Hamatwi was speaking during a parent and youth dialogue at Eenhana on Friday. He said that despite the educational policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy, they continue to experience a high rate of school pregnancies in the region. Most of these girls drop out.

Close to 200 learners and out-of-school youth from the region came face-to-face with parents from different communities to discuss issues between parents and children.

The event was organised by Star for Life with financial support from Unesco under the theme, 'Don't raise your voice, raise your argument'. It was well attended, also by education stakeholders.

“Creating platforms such as this, leaders, parents and youth are charged to exercise great care when they communicate, because dialogues like this serve as two-way vehicles to convey expectations and responsibilities to and from both groups. Let us make sure that we listen tentatively to the arguments being raised. If we only hear the voice without understanding the argument, we will take nothing from it,” Hamatwi said.

“From an educational perspective, learners are confronted with multi-dimensional risks, one of which is the risk of dropping out of school before they complete. This risk is compounded by shaky parental care and the scourge of teenage or learner pregnancies.”

Hamatwi said that the government has put measures in place to discourage learners, especially girls and learners from marginalised communities, from dropping out of school. However, the drop-out rate across all the phases, remains high.

“This is a sure indication that no policies can prevent or manage the multi-dimensional issues with many risks and contributing factors that require an integrated approach such as this, to deal with them,” he said.

He also criticised that apart from the policy and the code of conduct for teachers which prohibits romantic relationships between teachers and learners and punishes culprits in this regard, there are no other punitive measures meted against those who impregnate learners. He said as such, power imbalances remain at play and in many cases lead to non-consensual sex which remains a major source of learner pregnancies.

The senior programme officer for the regional directorate of health, Festus Kuushomwa, encouraged both parents and children to consider discussing issues related to sex and sexuality more frequently.

The youth and parents entered into dialogue which many say was useful because they learned many things their parents fail to discuss with them. Many said they did not have an opportunity to discuss sex with their parents saying, their elders only turned aggressive when they see them with male counterparts.

Star for Life country manager Susan Linosi said that they were trying to empower the youth to realise their dreams as responsible members of society. She said they travel to schools to encourage and motivate learners to achieve their dreams and become whoever they would like to be.

“We give them all the possible support to make sure that they continue to attend school to realise their dreams,” Linosi said.

She added that the parent youth dialogue is an annual event that started in 2014 at Rehoboth, where parents and youth are brought together to discuss issues affecting them.

ILENI NANDJATO

Acquitted man to sue state

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Acquitted man to sue state A 31-year-old man from Oshakati who was released this month from the Tsumeb prison after he was acquitted in a 2016 robbery case, is planning to sue government for unlawfully detaining him for over two years.

Sharing his ordeal with Namibian Sun, Joseph Haitembu expressed his disappointment towards the Namibian justice system which he says kept him in custody for a crime he did not commit. He added that the toll of his incarceration was high.

Haitembu, a father of five, says he is yet to determine the amount he wants from the state for what he described as defaming his character, the loss of his business, and his emotional and physical suffering while in custody.

“I have five children and one of them was not born yet at the time of my arrest. I could not support my children because I lost my income. I suffered a lot in custody which is unfair to me. That is why I want to sue the government for robbing me of my life for two years and few months,” he said.

Haitembu, who was acquitted on 5 September, argues that no human being deserves to be treated the way he was treated. He said he blamed the police officers who failed to see from the outset that he could not be linked to the robbery.

Haitembu and two other suspects were arrested on 3 June 2016 in Oshakati by the Namibian police for a robbery that had taken place three days earlier in Tsumeb.

Some of the items that were stolen included mobile phones which were traced by the police and found in the possession of women who were dating the two other accused at the time.

Haitembu said that he was arrested because one of the women mentioned his name in her statement, saying that he was allegedly present when the phone was given to her.

He tried all avenues to pursue his release.

Whilst in custody, Haitembu, in a letter dated 25 April 2017, which he wrote to the prosecutor-general, Martha Imalwa, he expressed his grievances calling on her office to intervene, stressing that there is no direct link between him and the robbery.

“I would love to submit to your attention that the state is keeping me in custody as a form of anticipatory punishment. I do not have a problem being aligned with any offence whereby the state has a prima-facie evidence against me. But these types of mistakes should be avoided by your office and people who are found committing law mockery should face disciplinary action (sic),” the letter reads.

The office of the prosecutor-general responded to his letter on 16 May 2017 informing him that the matter had been sent to the office of the deputy prosecutor-general at the Oshakati High Court for consideration because the Tsumeb court falls under their jurisdiction. That office in turn, on 29 May, informed him the matter was investigated.

“Please be informed that this office investigated your complaint and found it to be unfounded. This office sees your complaint file as closed,” the letter reads.

Haitembu continued to seek assistance last year and turned to the ombudsman where he also received no relief.

He was eventually acquitted of all charges earlier this month.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Dogs on the trail of poachers

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Dogs on the trail of poachersMan's best friend combats wildlife crime The environment ministry has enlisted the help of man's best friend in a bid to halt poaching and successes have already been recorded. The environment ministry's new anti-poaching dog unit has already recorded several successes, which includes apprehending a poacher in the Etosha National Park.

This happened during the dogs' first operation, just 16 days after their handlers started training with them.

Two rifles, one shotgun and 50kg of bush meat were confiscated during the unit's training exercises.

The unit was inaugurated at Waterberg National Park last week.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the ministry last year began to explore the potential of anti-poaching dogs in partnership with Invictus K9, which specialises in the establishment of canine police units.

In May this year kennels were built at Waterberg and four dogs, named Benso, Baron, Alex and Nora, were procured from specialist breeders in Holland.

“They were imported to Namibia and immediately began six weeks of acclimation and pre-training by Invictus K9, where a solid foundation in detection and traction was laid,” said Shifeta.

He said all four dogs were trained to search buildings, vehicles and open areas for firearms, ammunition and illegal wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales and bush meat.

The dogs are also all capable of tracking human scent in a variety of different terrains during day and night.

The four dogs will join Ezaro, who is already stationed at Etosha National Park, on operations.

The dog unit will be used in the Etosha and Bwabwata national parks, all conservation areas regarded as strategic points, as well as at airports and border posts.

Shifeta said the ministry planned to acquire three more dogs to have at least eight by next year.

“We also want to introduce horses for rangers to use in rough terrain, as it is sometimes difficult to travel in some areas.”

Shifeta said the dog unit is part of the ministry's Wildlife Protection Division.

With regard to the national anti-poaching unit, Shifeta said the ministry was struggling to recruit members, especially young people.

“The unit consists of about 500 members and most of our employees you find cannot be retrained again, because this training is very tough. We need people between 20 and 23 years old that can go through this training.

“I once again say enough is enough, these illegal activities on our wildlife species must completely come to an end. Those involved must stop the illegal hunting of our rhinos, pangolin and elephants now.”

According to Mike Hensmen, an instructor for Invictus K9, a risk assessment of Etosha and Waterberg was done in June 2016 and in October last year a kennel site was identified at Waterberg.

In May this year the dog procurement started and the dogs were transported to Namibia, where the handler selection started. Their first operation on 10 August was successful, only 16 days after the training of handlers started.

He said handlers were selected from the country's Special Forces and must show dedication and empathy and rapport with the dogs.

“This is a 24-hour job and takes a unique set of skills and not everybody can do it. We started with 60 people and 30 were selected, after which 14 dropped out on the first day. Five handlers were finally selected.”

He said one dog costs about US$5 million but is worth US$20 million once training is completed.

The US ambassador to Namibia, Lisa Johnson, said at the occasion that Namibia continues to be a model for conservation in the region.

Johnson said poaching became a growing problem in Namibia just a few years ago, with the number of poached rhinos peaking at 95 in 2015.

Since then the number has dropped significantly and as of August this year 35 rhinos had been poached.

“Despite the progress, Namibia is not poacher free,” Johnson added.

She said dogs have been used successfully to detect illegal wildlife products and wildlife trafficking in many places including Asia, Europe and elsewhere in Africa.

“Earlier this year I had the chance to meet the dog posted at Etosha and observe first-hand his skill at detecting bullet casings and rhino horn.”

The United States government supported the ministry by funding the purchase and training of the dogs, as well as supplies and equipment for the dogs and dog handlers.

The US is funding ongoing wildlife projects in Namibia valued at more than US$20 million.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Giving back to make a difference

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Giving back to make a differenceCity junior mayor launches project City of Windhoek junior mayor Reschelle Beukes has launched her project in collaboration with Nust. Michelline Nawatises



City of Windhoek junior mayor, Reschelle Beukes, who is a learner at Windhoek High School plans on providing a better learning environment for Mount View Secondary School learners, through a project she has launched in collaboration with Nust.

In partnership with stakeholders such as Neo Paints and Ohorongo Cement and many more, Beukes plans to kick-start the project that aims to provide as many container classrooms as possible for the learners, as they are currently being taught in tents.

“I am in awe that you have achieved what you have despite the circumstances, therefore I pledge to work hard to bring together donors to provide a structure in which you can receive you education, a structure that will keep you warm during winter, cool during summer and allow you to focus on learning,” she said.

Khomas education deputy director Paulus Lewin said education is an indispensable and long-term investment.

“The more we invest in the future of our children, the more we can withdraw from those banks of knowledge and the closer we come to attaining our country’s vision,’’ he said.

Mount View Secondary School, then known as Tobias Hainyeko Project School, was established on the 23 February 2015 by the Khomas education directorate.

This was the result of the high number of learners who could not be accommodated in the various schools around Windhoek. It now has a total capacity of 350 learners.

The school’s vision is to provide quality education, which can now be accomplished through the partnership with institutions of higher learning, such as NUST.

The school initially only had six grade 1 classes and three grade 8 classes, with 10 teachers serving under acting principal Brian Ndabeni.

The school uses army tents that serve as classrooms.

In 2016, the school was divided into primary and secondary school sections, each with their own respective principals. The secondary school was renamed and comprises of grades 8 to 11, with grade 12 to be introduced next year.

“There are other challenges as well, such as cold and hot weather conditions during winter and summer,” Ndabeni said.

“The fact that there was no structured office required me to transport official documents in the boot of my car on a daily basis throughout the year.”

Another challenge was the high rate of absenteeism, due to the fact that learners come to the school with empty stomachs.

The school then initiated a feeding programme and the absenteeism rate decreased.

Despite all the challenges, the teachers are committed and dedicated to their calling.

As a result, the school was ranked 14th out of 33 secondary schools in the Khomas Region.

Nust will assist Mount View by providing the school with tutors and inspirational speakers.

It will also assist with tutors for subjects like physical science, mathematics and English and provide 200 school uniforms and nutritional items to the value of N$2 000 per month.

The Nust partnership will be for the next 12 months.

Nust FM station manager Vivette Rittmann said Mount View’s story has touched them in an inexplicable manner. “Everybody was so inspired when they heard the story of Mount View,” she said.

Mount View pupil Tuhafeni Haimbodi expressed gratitude on behalf of her schoolmates.

“We highly appreciate the junior mayor for this initiative… with this you will make everything we as Mount View learners want to do possible,’’ she said.

Company news in brief

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Company news in brief Deutsche to shift more assets to Frankfurt

Deutsche Bank is considering shifting large volumes of assets from London to Frankfurt after the UK’s planned exit from the European Union next year to meet demands from European regulators, a person close to the matter said on Sunday.

Deutsche will also transform its UK arm into a ringfenced subsidiary after Brexit and reduce the size and complexity of its British operations, the source said. The Financial Times reported earlier on Sunday, citing people familiar with the thinking of the bank’s executives, that Deutsche could eventually move about three-quarters of its estimated 600 billion euros in capital back from London to its headquarters.

-Nampa/Reuters

Credit Suisse targets profit of 5-6 billion Swiss francs

Credit Suisse is aiming for an annual profit of 5 to 6 billion Swiss francs for the next two years as the bank puts its problems behind it, Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam told Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag in an interview to be published on Sunday.

“For the future our goal is business as usual,” Thiam said in the interview. “We have worked night and day over the last three years to eliminate the problems from the past.

“For the next two years a profit of between 5 and 6 billion francs is realistic.”

For 2018, Thiam said he expected the bank’s profits to be “a little lower” as it is still dealing with high financing costs.

-Nampa/Reuters

Four Eskom power plants have less than 10 days' coal

Four Eskom power plants have fewer than 10 days of coal, with the power utility planning on trucking and railing supplies from a facility in the Limpopo province to the stations in Mpumalanga that’s about 400 kilometers away.

The constraints at the plants in Mpumalanga are mainly because the company that supplies them is under business rescue, Khulu Phasiwe, a spokesperson for Eskom told SAFm radio Monday. The plants are supplied by mines owned by Tegeta Exploration and Resources, a company linked the Gupta family.

Eskom plans to transport coal from its delayed Medupi power plant in Limpopo to the facilities in Mpumalanga, and plans to build an alternative, dirt road to move the fuel so as not to compromise existing freeways, Phasiwe said. The utility is also in talks with state rail company Transnet to move the coal by train.

Oakbay said in August that it agreed to sell Tegeta for R2.97 billion to Swiss company Charles King SA. The disposal was expected to be concluded in 12 months, Oakbay said at the time.

-Fin24

The war for Choppies

Zimbabwean shareholders in the Botswana-based multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer Choppies Enterprises have accused the company’s other shareholders of trying to “capture” them like the “Guptas did in South Africa”.

Choppies is in partnership with Zimbabwean company Nanavac Investments, which is owned by that country’s former second deputy president, Phelekezela Mphoko, and his son, Siqokoqela.

Nanavac is, according to a shareholder’s agreement that City Press has seen, a 51% shareholder in 32 outlets across Zimbabwe.

This arrangement is in line with Zimbabwe’s indigenisation law.

The shareholders’ agreement was apparently signed on July 24 2013 and thereafter, Zimbabwe’s ministry of youth development, indigenisation and empowerment gave the 51%:49% shareholding arrangement its stamp of approval.

However, Choppies Enterprises, which has Botswana’s former president Festus Mogae as its chairperson, claims Nanavac’s interest in the business is a mere 7%.

Choppies’ claims about the shareholding split has sparked a fracas since June 1, when Mogae wrote a letter to the Mphokos, claiming they were given the 7% shareholding free of charge.

-Fin24

Borrowers branch out

Blue-chip corporates including Nestle are seeking to diversify their funding to avoid exposure to individual market risks.

Over the past week, there has been a surge of interest from companies seeking to do deals in certain markets for the first time.

Among the potential borrowers, Nestle (Aa2/AA-) has perhaps the highest profile. The food and beverage company, which makes KitKat and Aero chocolate bars, is planning its debut 144A US dollar deal. Until now, the Swiss company has always raised US dollars in a Reg S-only format.

Bank of America, Barclays, Citigroup, and JP Morgan are leading the benchmark deal.

-Nampa/Reuters

Katiti drags NIP to labour commissioner

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Katiti drags NIP to labour commissioner The recruitment of a new Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) CEO has been delayed after the previous incumbent, Augustinus Katiti, dragged the parastatal to the Office of the Labour Commissioner.

This was confirmed by NIP board member Frans Kwala.

Katiti's lawyer Richard Metcalfe confirmed his client was fighting his 30 August dismissal and that he had approached the labour commissioner's office.

“We are waiting for a date from the labour commissioner,” Metcalfe said.

Kwala said the recruitment of a new CEO would start once the matter was settled.

“We are waiting for the labour commissioner process to unfold before we start the recruitment process for a new CEO.”

Katiti was fired following alleged attempts to delay the start of his disciplinary hearing.

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

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

When asked to provide an update on the disciplinary process for the other suspended NIP executives, Kwala referred Namibian Sun to acting CEO Mecky Nghipandulwa.

“I cannot comment on that; that process is in the hands of the lawyers,” said Nghipandulwa.

Three NIP executives, chief operations officer Harold Kaura, chief financial officer Cleophas Mbahijova and chief strategy and business development officer Jennifer Kauapirura, were also suspended in June - three days after Katiti's suspension.

Two more executives, chief human capital officer Monika Pendukeni and chief technology officer Valerie Garises, were suspended in August.

Nghipandulwa did not respond to a query as to how the suspensions were affecting the NIP's operations.

Namibian Sun understands disciplinary hearings for the suspended executives are currently under way.

It was previously reported that Pendukeni was suspended for allegedly allowing three positions to be created in the company without the board's approval, while Garises is accused of allowing an IT tender to be awarded without following proper procedures.

Katiti, Kaura, Mbahijova and Kauapirura were accused of failing to protect the interests of the NIP, and of bringing the parastatal into disrepute.

OGONE TLHAGE

ACC hunts former magistrate

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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ACC hunts former magistrate The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has asked the public to assist them to trace former Gobabis magistrate Walter 'Rooies' Mostert.

A warrant for his arrest was issued yesterday morning. He is being sought in connection with charges of corruption, fraud, extortion, attempting to defeat the course of justice and offences under the Immigration Act.

Early in August, Republikein reported that the prosecutor-general had recommended prosecution for Mostert, following an ACC probe into the alleged approval of permanent residence permits.

Allegations and rumours at the time included that Mostert had defrauded people by promising them documents after receiving large sums of money, but in fact never delivered on his promises. Four home affairs officials were also implicated.

In one matter, Mostert had allegedly promised citizenship to a South African national, his wife, his two sisters and his parents for between N$350 000 and N$450 000.

This never materialised although Mostert had apparently been paid.

Mostert was at the time also being investigated for alleged fraudulent land transactions in Gobabis, and it was reported that this probe was at an advanced stage. He is accused of defrauding an investor into a business of about N$400 000.

Allegations are that he sold a piece of land twice. The first buyer also alleges he was defrauded and laid fraud charges of N$1.5 million against Mostert earlier this year. At that time, Mostert was in South Africa and local authorities had made contact with Interpol in that regard.

Mostert spoke to Republikein and told them that he was not aware of the decision by the PG to prosecute him, but added that he would return once he had tied up loose ends.

If anyone has information about Mostert's whereabouts, ACC chief investigator Justine Kanyangela can be contacted on 081 127 7486, or the ACC head of investigations, Nelius Becker, on 081 129 9215.

It is believed that Mostert is in the Klerksdorp area in Gauteng and may be travelling with a Namibian or South African passport.

STAFF REPORTER

Drugs push youth over edge

September 17, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Drugs push youth over edge80% of Oshakati mental patients are substance abusers Health minister Bernhard Haufiku is desperately trying to steer young people away from socially destructive behaviour such as alcohol and drug abuse, smoking and unprotected sex. Eighty percent of admitted mental patients at the Oshakati state hospital are drug and substance abusers.

Their average age is 25 and most started abusing substances when they were 16.

According to health minister Bernard Haufiku, drug abuse is a serious problem in the country, but particularly so at the Oshakati hospital, which receives patients from at least six regions.

“Remember, this is one the biggest referral hospitals and it gets people from about six regions, so it means the problem is in about six regions. You can truly see they [the addicts] are very young boys,” he said.

Haufiku addressed Nust students on Friday as part of an HIV/Aids and wellness campaign that encourages young people to live healthier lives.

The head of the psychiatric unit at the Oshakati hospital, Dr Famuyiwa Peter, previously opened up to Namibian Sun about the many challenges faced by the facility.

Peter said last year that the unit had two psychiatrists attending to 130 inpatients and 400 outpatients every week, adding that the unit did not have sufficient drugs.

The retired head of the national drug law enforcement unit, former Deputy Commissioner Hermie van Zyl, said this week that the vastness of the Namibian and Angolan border makes it extremely easy to smuggle drugs into the country.

According to him, drugs go where there is money.

He pointed out that the Khomas, Erongo and Oshana regions are the nation's drug hotspots.

“They come in from Angola by means of public transport, such as passenger buses. It is very difficult to get hold of them because you do not even have to go through a border post and there are no fences at the (Angolan) border,” he said.

Van Zyl added it is equally difficult for the police to find these drugs at the Walvis Bay port and the southern border posts, and therefore public assistance is extremely important to capture these criminals.

“Unless you have specific information, it becomes difficult to find it [the drugs]. Imagine at Walvis Bay port about 3 000 containers arrive on a daily basis and not every one of them can be put through the scanners. It is the same at the border posts; there are so many trucks coming through.”

According to Van Zyl, the main drugs that come through the southern borders are cocaine and dagga, while dagga, cocaine and 'cat' (methcathinone) enter through the eastern border.

He said cocaine and dagga are smuggled through the country's northern borders.

'Cat' is a stimulant that can be snorted or inhaled and is highly addictive. The effects are similar to those of cocaine. It causes euphoria, increased alertness, anxiety, hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.

Van Zyl added that the most popular drug in Namibia is dagga, followed by crack cocaine.

Abusers from poorer towns such as Mariental and Keetmanshoop mostly abuse dagga.



Healthy living key to longevity

Haufiku urged young people to take care of their personal hygiene and stay active.

“As a young and dynamic Nust student and Namibian learner, can you treasure life without engaging in socially destructive behaviour such as alcohol and drug abuse and smoking your lungs out or engaging in risky and unprotected sexual activities? How often do you complain that you do not have time to jog or just de-stress or do yoga?” he asked.

Haufiku also warned that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are the world's biggest killers, responsible for seven out of every ten deaths worldwide, and Namibia is no exception. According to him these diseases may become the next biggest social challenge if swift action is not taken to change the lifestyles of young Namibians.

He said this would be catastrophic, because communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis (TB) remain a constant challenge for Namibia and sub-Saharan Africa.

“If we are not careful, we will be caught ill prepared. Cardiovascular complications such as strokes and heart attacks remain the leading cause of deaths among affluent societies. For the youth, rheumatic heart disease is a real issue as far as cardiovascular disease is concerned,” he said.

Haufiku said other major health issues are cancer and mental health problems.

JEMIMA BEUKES