Dortmund's Goetze disappointed

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Dortmund's Goetze disappointed Germany midfielder Mario Goetze admitted Borussia Dortmund's 2-2 draw at home to Hertha Berlin on Saturday felt “like a defeat” after the Bundesliga leaders conceded a stoppage-time equaliser.

English teenager Jadon Sancho netted either side of half-time as Dortmund were heading for a seventh straight win in all competitions until Salomon Kalou converted a 91st-minute penalty to share the points at Signal Iduna Park.

“If you look at the way the game went, it definitely feels like a defeat. It feels like we lost the two points,” admitted Goetze, whose superb final pass set up Sancho for Dortmund's opening goal on 27 minutes.

“Of course, we didn't finish the chances we had in the second half.

“We work as a team, but for the first time it didn't work and we weren't efficient with our chances.”

Dortmund were punished for living dangerously late on when defender Dan-Axel Zagadou brought down Hertha forward Davie Selke in the area for the spot-kick which Kalou converted.

“We had planned something special, but the bravery was missing to see it through,” said Hertha coach Pal Dardai.

“The first 20 minutes weren't okay,” he added. “But things were better after we conceded the first goal.

“We invested a lot and definitely wanted the point, so you can say it was deserved.”

With Bayern Munich now just two points behind in second place, Dortmund's next home league match against Munich in a fortnight is shaping up to be a top-of-the-table showdown.

Meanwhile in Mainz, goals by Leon Goretzka and Thiago Alcantara sealed Bayern's 2-1 win at Mainz which lifted them from fourth in the table.

Bayern have won three games in seven days since ending a four-match winless streak last Saturday.

Head coach Niko Kovac welcomed the three points, but he was unhappy with how Bayern leaked a goal by Jean-Paul Boetius three minutes into the second half.

“I was angry that we did not do what we discussed during the half-time break,” said Kovac. “We wanted to make our mark immediately and not let anything happen.

“Then we were asleep for the cross, that annoyed me, because we put ourselves in trouble. “The fact that the team managed to get the second goal pleased me.”

Bayern forward Thomas Mueller, who started on the right wing after two games on the bench, admitted there is still room for improvement.

“We had clearly more chances, but at the end it was only 2-1 and we can live with that,” said Mueller, who replaced the suspended Arjen Robben in the starting line-up.

“We aren't flying through the league and our games and we aren't in a position to be able to complain about wins.”



NAMPA/AFP

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Company news

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Company news Snap expects to lose more users

Snap Inc lost more users than Wall Street expected in the third quarter as it continued to grapple with an unpopular redesign of its Snapchat photo-messaging app and fierce competition from Facebook Inc’s Instagram.

Daily active users are expected to fall again next quarter, Snap chief financial officer Tim Stone told analysts on a conference call, which would mark the third sequential quarter of user declines.

Snap shares, which have lost more than 52% since the beginning of the year, tumbled 10 percent in after-hours trade as the company failed to convince Wall Street 2019 would be better.

During the call, Stone dashed hopes that Snap had set a firm target to reach full-year profitability in 2019. That ambition was outlined in a leaked internal memo from chief executive Evan Spiegel earlier this month.

-Nampa/Reuters

SA doubts SAA will find equity partner

South African finance minister Tito Mboweni said on Thursday that he doubted that the government would find an investor to take an equity stake in struggling state-run South African Airways (SAA) in its current financial state.

“I doubt you are going to find an equity partner who will come into SAA in this current state. As an equity partner you’d have to immediately assume debt of some 21 billion rand (US$1.5 billion),” Mboweni told lawmakers, a day after giving a bleak medium-term budget speech which rattled South African markets.

-Nampa/Reuters

Bidvest, Petredec unveil construction of LPG site

South Africa’s Bidvest Tank Terminals (BTT), a unit of Bidvest Group, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) firm Petredec on Thursday launched the construction of a 1 billion rand (US$70 million) LPG import and storage facility in Richards Bay, north of Durban.

The 22 600 tonne facility will significantly increase the supply of LPG to Africa’s most industrialised economy and allow for exports of the fuel to neighbouring countries, the companies said in a joint statement.

Although LPG is preferable to paraffin or wood as fuel for heating and cooking, the South African per capita usage of LPG is lower than in many equivalent economies as a result of constrained domestic supply and a lack of sufficient import and storage capacity.

The lack of sufficient storage facilities in the country has meant that Petredec’s ships, which trade, transport, store and distribute LPG to industrial, commercial and domestic users, have had to park outside the harbour for months, while incurring costs, the firm’s Director Lee Furby told Reuters.

“There will be huge efficiencies when this terminal opens, not only for us but also for the end users,” Furby said.

-Nampa/Reuters

AB InBev halves dividend

Anheuser-Busch InBev cut its proposed dividend by half on Thursday as beer sales dropped in the world’s largest brewer’s largest markets, the United States and Brazil, and overall earnings fell short of forecasts, knocking its shares.

AB InBev’s shares fell by 7.6% to 66.89 euros and were among the weakest in the FTSEurofirst index after the brewer of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona said it will pay a total dividend of 1.80 euros per share for 2018.

This would save AB InBev, which paid around US$100 billion for SABMiller in 2016, about US$4 billion which the Belgium-based brewer said would be used to cut its net debt of US$108.8 billion.

“In the last six months, we’ve seen a lot of (currency) volatility. This scenario triggers some sort of uncertainty and at a certain point... we thought it was the right time to adjust the dividend,” chief financial officer Felipe Dutra said.

The company said dividends would increase over time, but growth would be modest in the short term given the importance of deleveraging. Dutra said this meant the next one to two years.

-Nampa/Reuters

Steinhoff says subsidiary Stripes US Holding

South African retailer Steinhoff said on Thursday that the High Court of Justice in England and Wales had granted permission to its subsidiary, Stripes US Holding, to convene a meeting with creditors about a proposed restructuring.

The meeting will consider whether to approve a scheme for creditors to exchange their rights under a revolving credit facility to Stripes US Holding for similar ones involving Steinhoff Europe AG as the borrower.

Steinhoff is fighting for survival after revealing multi-billion euro holes in its balance sheet that wiped more than 90% off its market value and forced it to sell assets to fund working capital.

-Nampa/Reuters

Lawyers accused of misconduct

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Lawyers accused of misconductMassive cover-up alleged Shikongo Law Chambers should not have represented the Ondonga king, whose mental state has been questioned. Elia Shikongo of Shikongo Law Chambers is taking serious exception to an accusation by NamRights' Phil ya Nangoloh that his practice under no circumstances could have legally represented Ondonga king Immanuel Kauluma Elifas.

Ya Nangoloh accuses Shikongo, Sandra Miller and Melvin Nyambe of having conducted themselves in an unprofessional, dishonest and unworthy manner.

This matter relates to a court challenge brought by six dismissed traditional councillors of the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA).

In a sworn affidavit Ya Nangoloh claims the legal practitioners could not have legally represented the king (84) in the matter, asserting that the king for all intents and purposes is non compos mentis, or not in a mental or physical state to make lawful decisions or give legal instructions to anyone. He lodged his complaint with the Law Society of Namibia (LAN) and the disciplinary committee of the ministry of justice.

Ya Nangoloh said Shikongo had in the High Court hearing in August “intentionally and misleadingly” submitted that he was in direct contact and consultation with the king.

“This cover-up has very grave legal, moral and social consequences for all concerned,” he submitted, and suggested that the legal practitioners be scrapped from the High Court roll if found guilty.

High Court Judge Maphios Cheda ruled in August that the king should personally appear before the court to give oral testimony, which caused a public outcry from members of the traditional community.

Shikongo's initial reaction to Ya Nangoloh's charges is that Ya Nangoloh “has too much time on his hands”. Shikongo said his firm had not yet received any correspondence from LAN regarding the allegation, which he said was significant.

“[One] would have expected a complainant purporting to be familiar with due process to first communicate and/or engage with the subject matter of his complaint before recklessly processing unfounded claims,” Shikongo said. Shikongo said they are representing the king and the OTA councillors on instructions of the Government Attorney, and added that only a court can declare a person non compos mentis, which he said did not happen. “It follows that the complainant has no legal or factual basis for his vexatious and malicious complaint and particularly his bold assertion that the king is non compos mentis,” Shikongo said. He said as legal representatives they have no interest whatsoever in the dispute between the opposing parties and would, therefore, not have an interest in the outcome of the court proceedings.

“It is, on the other hand, public knowledge that the complainant, Mr Ya Nangoloh, has opted to align himself with the dismissed councillors, as would be his right.

“He seems, however, to have taken it one step further on the eve of the pending application for leave of appeal in the High Court to also recklessly and in a highly defamatory fashion attack our integrity as legal representatives,” Shikongo said.

Shikongo said they would consider their response to Ya Nangoloh's “false charges”. Ya Nangoloh said he had the moral and social duty to file a complaint and hoped that it would be impartially investigated as requested. He denied having aligned himself with any of the opposing parties, and said the LAN must be given the duty to investigate his complaint.

More than 1 600 layoffs in five months

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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More than 1 600 layoffs in five months Between October 2017 and March 2018, 1 616 employees were retrenched locally, the minister of labour, industrialisation and employment creation, Erkki Nghimtina, has revealed.

The layoffs were because of company closures, expired contracts and restructuring exercises, Nghimtina said in the National Assembly last week.

He was responding to questions by Popular Democratic Movement member of parliament Jennifer Van den Heever.

Van den Heever had queried issues around unfair retrenchments and asked if government had mechanisms in place to protect employees.

“To what extent has your ministry made sure that procedures are followed when employees are retrenched?” she asked.

Nghimtina said he viewed retrenchment as a last resort when all other means to preserve jobs had been exhausted.

He added that the Labour Act provides some form of protection to employees identified for retrenchment.

The employer must give at least 30 days' notice of intended retrenchment to a recognised trade union or workplace union representative and the employee.

The notice must specify the reasons for dismissal, the number and category of affected employees and the date of dismissal, the minister explained.

The employer must also negotiate in good faith with the trade union to explore various possibilities, as opposed to just retrenching employees.

These include alternatives to dismissal; looking at the criteria for selecting employees for dismissal; how to minimise the dismissals; the dismissal conditions and how to avert adverse effects of the dismissal.

Statistics provided by the minister show that from 1 October 2017 to December of the same year, 781 employees were retrenched. Of these, 280 people lost their jobs when 38 companies closed.

Sixty-seven were laid off when their work contracts ended, while 59 were let go as a result of company takeovers.

An additional 196 were retrenched for economic reasons, while 105 lost their jobs due to restructuring.

Also, during the period in question, 74 employees lost their jobs due to technological changes and other reasons.

As for the period between 1 January to March 2018, 835 employees were laid off by 87 companies.

During the six months, the ministry handled 1 151 labour disputes, of which 899 were successfully conciliated without leading to a strike.

For now, Nghimtina and his ministry have pinned their hopes on the recovery of the economy.

“Let us hope the economy will recover so the employers can start and increase recruiting or recall their employees, by so doing contributing to the reduction of high unemployment or retrenchment in the country,” he said.

Sharks upset Western Province

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Sharks upset Western ProvinceCurrie Cup champions Defending champions Province struggled in the lineouts, having a number of throws stolen, and changing hookers at half-time did not have the desired effect. Sharks ground out an upset 17-12 victory over Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday to win a South African Currie Cup final that was always tense but never reached great heights.

The result maintained a seven-year pattern of away victories when the teams meet in the trophy decider with Sharks winning twice in Cape Town and Province twice in Durban.

Having conceded 50 points in a regular-season loss at Province last month, the Sharks defended better and Province failed to score a try after claiming 40 in seven previous games.

It said a lot about a dour duel that both tries came from forwards with hooker Akker van der Merwe and flanker Tyler Paul barging over following patient, multi-phase build-ups.

Province led 6-0 at half-time and after conceding a converted try, regained the lead when ace goal-kicker SP Marais slotted his third penalty before being forced off injured.

The Sharks edged ahead a second time through a Robert du Preez penalty and a try by Paul widened the lead to 17-9 before a fourth Province penalty completed the scoring.

In the closing minutes, the visiting side played keep-ball brilliantly, creating endless rucks and comfortably retaining possession to the frustration of the helpless hosts.

Sharks then won a post-siren scrum and Robert du Preez, one of three sons of coach Robert du Preez who started, booted the ball into the main stand and his team were champions.

The sweltering 34 degrees Celsius heat tested the stamina of both teams and referee Jaco Peyper halted play midway through each half for one-minute water breaks.

“It was a massive effort by the boys,” said winning skipper and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder. “Character was the key and our forwards laid the victory foundations.”

Province lock and captain Chris van Zyl admitted to “terrible disappointment” and did not try to hide where his side failed, saying: “Losing the lineout battle cost us dearly.” Marais, the runaway leading Currie Cup points scorer this season, slotted two first-half penalties to give record 34-time champions Province a six-point advantage by the break.

After man-of-the-match Van der Merwe scored, Du Preez fluffed a simple conversion only to get a second chance, from which he succeeded, because a Province player charged prematurely. Marais and Robert du Preez exchanged penalties, then Paul surged over the tryline on 71 minutes for what proved the crucial score and Du Preez converted.

Damian Willemse kicked a penalty to leave five points between the teams with five minutes remaining, but the Sharks managed the closing stages expertly to finish deserved winners.



NAMPA /AFP

Schauffele reels in Finau to win HSBC title in playoff

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Schauffele reels in Finau to win HSBC title in playoff Xander Schauffele bagged the biggest victory of his young career yesterday, chasing down Tony Finau to win the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in a playoff.

Schauffele, the 2017 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, started the day three strokes off the lead but shot a roller-coaster 68 at Shanghai's Sheshan International Golf Club to catch Finau.

Schauffele, 25, birdied the par-3 17th to move level with Finau as the two Americans went to the 18th tee tied at 13 under par.

Both hit outstanding approaches to the reach the green on the par-5 hole in two, and each sank birdie putts to go to 14 under after 72 holes.

Replaying the 18th for the playoff, Finau, 29, was up against it after he drove his tee shot into a fairway bunker. Schauffele, meanwhile, reached the green in two, putting pressure on Finau to sink a birdie putt from the fringe of the green to stay alive.

The putt just missed, handing Schauffele the win.

A few holes earlier, the pair had pulled away from playing partner Justin Rose, the defending champion and world number three, who faltered late and finished four strokes back at 10 under.

Schauffele's previous wins came in 2017 the Greenbrier Classic and the Tour Championship.

The WGC-HSBC Champions title bears a winner's purse of $1.8 million.



NAMPA/AFP

Two in a row for Unam

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Two in a row for Unam OTIS FINCK



Unam defeated Kudus and were crowned Day of the Dolphin champions for a second consecutive time in Swakopmund on Saturday.

The students emerged victorious after a thrilling final which finished 13-10 and were decided in the second stanza of extra time.

Denver Mororua opened the score with a penalty and handed Unam a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Aurelio Plato replied for Kudus with a penalty. Percy Nash crashed over for the first try of the match. Plato added the conversion and ensured a 7 point lead for Kudus (7-0). Cameron Klazen visited the chalk line on behalf of Unam. Mororua added the conversion and levelled the scores (10-10).

This forced the game into extra time. Neither team managed to add any point during the first half of extra time. Mororua converted a penalty in the second half of extra time and this clinched the victory for Unam.

Kudus defeated Rehoboth (6-3) and Unam defeated St Lou (12-0) in the semi-finals.

Mboweni calls for swift action on debt to avoid IMF

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Mboweni calls for swift action on debt to avoid IMF Finance minister Tito Mboweni said on Thursday South Africa had to act swiftly on its debt levels to avoid having to turn to the International Monetary Fund for help, a day after his bleak medium-term budget speech rattled markets.

Mboweni predicted wider budget deficits and cut growth forecasts in his medium-term budget policy statement on Wednesday, as Africa’s most industrialised economy faces a recession, revenue shortfalls and ballooning debt.

“Whether or not you like the IMF, ideologically or practically, it doesn’t matter. When you get into a debt trap that’s where you end up,” Mboweni told lawmakers.

“That low economic scenario has reduced tax revenues. We clearly have a problem.”

The Treasury expects government’s gross debt to stabilise at 59.6% of GDP by 2023/24 from an estimated 55.8% in the current year. Tax revenue is expected to underperform significantly in the three years to 2020/21.

The rand slumped 2% after Mboweni’s budget speech on Wednesday and yields on government bonds jumped, though the market reaction on Thursday was more muted.

Analysts say ratings agencies are likely to take a dim view of the Treasury’s latest budget projections.

Moody’s, the last of the “big three” agencies to rate South Africa at investment grade, is expected to review South Africa’s rating in the coming weeks.

S&P Global Ratings and Fitch already rate South Africa’s foreign-currency debt as “junk” status.

-Nampa/Reuters

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Ramaphosa seeks new investment pledges

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Ramaphosa seeks new investment pledgesAs economy struggles South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will seek billions of dollars of new spending pledges from foreign investors and local firms at an investment summit on Friday. As an investment destination, South Africa has what it takes to compete- Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa The new search comes as he seeks to haul the economy out of recession before next year’s election.

The former union leader wants US$100 billion of new investments over the next five years and so far has secured pledges for around US$35 billion, mainly from China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Ramaphosa has made reviving the economy a top priority since taking over from scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma in February, but he has been hampered by severe fiscal constraints and infighting in the ruling African National Congress.

He has said the investment summit will discuss opportunities in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and energy.

“As an investment destination, South Africa has what it takes to compete,” Ramaphosa said in a speech to diplomats on Tuesday. “We are focusing on addressing structural weaknesses in the economy.”

The investment summit follows a jobs summit earlier this month at which Ramaphosa announced a wide-ranging set of deals between government, big business and labour which he said would create 275 000 more jobs a year.

Under pressure over his track record on the economy, Ramaphosa has also unveiled a “stimulus and recovery plan” which earmarked funds for job creation and infrastructure development.

The scale of the challenge facing Ramaphosa was underlined by finance minister Tito Mboweni’s bleak medium-term budget speech on Wednesday, when he unveiled weak growth forecasts and deficit estimates.

-Nampa/Reuters

Glencore posts rise in copper, cobalt output

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Glencore posts rise in copper, cobalt output Glencore Plc on Friday reported a 12% rise in copper production so far this year, while cobalt production rose 44%, boosted by the restart of Katanga’s processing operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The London-listed miner and commodities trader, which posted record half-year earnings in October, has seen higher costs and lower prices for cobalt and other byproducts.

Glencore’s copper production rose by 116 600 tonnes to 1 063 100 tonnes from the start of this year and cobalt output jumped 8 700 tonnes to 28 500 tonnes.

Rival Anglo American on Tuesday said its copper production rose 17%, helped by an overall increase in productivity as each employee has been 5% more productive this year than in 2017.

Other major miners reporting this month - BHP Billiton Plc and Rio Tinto Plc - have signalled lower output in copper, needed for an anticipated increase in electric vehicle manufacturing.

Glencore’s share price, which has underperformed the top global miners, has also been pressured by higher costs in the Democratic Republic of Congo because of a recent new mining code, and a US Department of Justice investigation.

The company reiterated its full-year marketing guidance would come in at the top half of its US$2.2 billion to US$3.2 billion long-term range.

However, it cut its full-year expectation for oil production by 300 000 barrels to 4.6 million barrels, due to a one-month unplanned stoppage at its Mangara field in Chad.

-Nampa/Reuters

Child raped at Henties

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Child raped at Henties A case of rape of a minor was reported to the Henties Bay police station recently.

According to Erongo's crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, an adult male allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl.

The suspect is known but he is still on the run as the investigation continues.

In another incident, the police are asking information about the whereabouts of a 77-year-old man who went missing on Wednesday.

“It is alleged that, on Wednesday at about 11:00, Mr Joel Araeb, 77 years old and a resident of Hakhaseb Location, Usakos, told his wife that he was going to his daughter's house at Saamstaan suburb but he did not reach his daughter's residence and his whereabouts are unknown,” said Iikuyu.

“According to the family he is a hypertension patient. The wife cannot remember how he was dressed. There is no photo available at this stage. The search for the person is active but to no success at this moment in time.”

Meanwhile, in Walvis Bay, three men who were recently convicted of having robbed a South African tourist of goods and cash amounting to N$24 800, were sentenced to ten months' imprisonment each without the option of a fine.

The three convicted robbers are Immanuel Junior (28), Ian Harding (26) and Herold Ipinge (29).

Livestock losses hit N$4m

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Livestock losses hit N$4mRain and cold kill thousands of sheep Namibia's farming community, with the help some benefactors in neighbouring countries, is banding together to help southern farmers who suffered devastating losses during one cold night last week. The unexpected rains, low temperatures and flash floods that struck the south last Monday night killed more than 4 109 goats and sheep valued at an estimated N$4.1 million.

While many animals died of the cold, farmers also reported stock losses as a result of flash floods that swept animals away.

The extent of the damage to infrastructure reported on many farms has not been determined yet.

Efforts are being made to assist the stricken farmers where possible, with pledges being made from within Namibia and beyond its borders.

Several Rehoboth livestock farmers have decided to team up with Namboer Auctioneers to assist where possible.

Piet Coetzee of Namboer, who lost 160 stud sheep on farm Aukakam in the Rehoboth area, said while his losses were extensive, he could continue but many other farmers needed a hand to stay afloat.

He said Namboer would make its auction kraals available for donated livestock to be cared for until they can be distributed to those most in need.

He added that Christian Lemcke from Botswana had donated N$30 000, which would be used to buy stock at the next livestock auction, which would be donated to the affected farmers.

A farmer from Newcastle in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has also pledged to donate small stock to help the Namibian farmers.

Frans Fish of the Rehoboth Farmers' Association, who is helping coordinate the distribution of donated livestock, said although he experienced no losses this time, he knows what it feels like. “We need to help get the farmers back on their feet.”

He said many farmers are donating animals from far and wide.

“Farmers from as far afield as Hochfeld are sending animals. Namibian farmers have begun to open their hearts, and to help where they can. There have been donations of lucerne, grass and livestock.”

Many farmers suffered extensive losses.

Sandra Groenewaldt, a farmer near Groot Aub, reported 450 dead animals, while Dirk van Wyk lost 310 animals.

Donald Mostert lost 208 livestock. Mostert, whose farm is situated 60km from Kalkrand, said it rained almost all of Monday night and temperatures were freezing.

“The sheep stood in an enclosure, some died of exposure and others died from being trampled,” he said.

He said the loss of 208 head of small stock did not even include the number of lambs that died, adding that around 108 surviving lambs were now orphans.

“I now need to try and get them through the next months, which means I need to purchase milk because they can't feed yet,” he added.

Hansen wary of fatigue

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Hansen wary of fatigue New Zealand rugby coach Steve Hansen has called for a four-month off-season to avoid player burnout.

The All Blacks thumped Australia 37-20 in Yokohama on Saturday to complete a 3-0 Bledisloe Cup whitewash, but Hansen warned that players will continue to risk injury unless they get enough rest.

“They don't get enough of a break,” he said yesterday.

“You can't keep going round and round and round without running out of petrol. At some stage you've got to recharge the tank.”

New Zealand face 2019 World Cup hosts Japan in Tokyo next weekend before completing their five-match tour against England, Ireland and Italy.

But Hansen insisted he did not have the luxury of talking about their heavyweight clashes with England on November 11 and Ireland a week later with so many of his players running on empty.

“I don't want to be awkward but we've chosen to take it really one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

“But you can rest assured we've got a lot of respect for England,” added Hansen.

“They've got one or two people injured at the moment but so does everybody, that's the nature of the beast. That's why I keep harping on about the need for a global season that looks after the welfare of the players.”

This time last year, New Zealand slipped up in their final Bledisloe Cup game against the Wallabies before being pushed to their physical limits in their tour of the northern hemisphere.

But the All Blacks have flown in 19 second-string players for this weekend's Test with Japan to give some rest to their big-hitters and allow them to fly to London later this week to acclimatise.

“The one thing I'd really want is that everyone gets 16 weeks' break between their last game and their next one,” said Hansen.

“The England boys have suffered a bit from the Lions tour and it's not only one season, it kicks on. It's a worldwide problem and probably the team that's managing it best at the moment is Ireland.

“They go 'you can't play' because they own the players and franchises completely. They've got a good model.”

New Zealand have met Japan three times previously, racking up a combined 282 points, including a World Cup record 145-17 demolition of the Brave Blossoms in 1995 when current Japan coach Jamie Joseph was part of the All Blacks side.

NAMPA/AFP

NPL double-headers out

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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NPL double-headers outThree new clubs welcomed The Namibia Premier League has announced that the league will kick off next week. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA



The MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) on Saturday held its board of governors (BOG) annual congress, at which it was decided to do away with double-header fixtures for the 2018/19 season.

The meeting, which took place at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek and was attended by all 16 members, made several other resolutions, including the endorsement of its new members.

“The congress welcomed and, by the same token, ratified the three new entrants to the Namibia Premier League, which are Julinho Sporting Football Club, Young Brazilians Football Club and the Military School / Okahandja United Football Club,” a statement issued by the NPL reads.

The congress congratulated the three clubs on their promotion to the top league in the country and granted them full membership.

It approved the audited annual financial statements of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 football seasons and the budget for the 2018/2019 football season.

The congress approved that the 2018/2019 football season of the MTC Premiership will start on the weekend of 9 and 10 November.

It was also decided that an extraordinary congress be convened in January 2019 for the NPL to consider and endorse the appointment of auditors in accordance with the NPL constitution.

The congress welcomed and approved the new Top 8 additional competition. The sponsorship agreement for the new competition will be announced on 15 November.

The BoG endorsed Kadhila Amoomo, a legal practitioner, as the league’s prosecutor in accordance with Article 56.1 of the NPL constitution.

The secretariat will refer the Young Chief FC against Young African FC matter to the prosecutor for investigation and possible action.

“The Namibia Premier League expresses gratitude and appreciation towards MTC and FNB for their uncompromising support we received from them during the past season.

“It is this commitment during our tough economic conditions that further inspire us all in NPL to reach for the stars and hopefully deliver breakthrough outcomes,” said NPL chairman Patrick Kauta.

The board also endorsed the appointment of the following members to standing committees in accordance with Article 41 of the NPL constitution.

Finance Committee

Ralph Ruiters (chairperson), Salomo Hei and Norton Luis

Audit and Compliance Committee

Nicklaas Kisilipile (chairperson), Milton Eiseb, Mathew Haitota

Organising Committee for NPL Competition

Paulus Ngolombe (chairperson), Anton Kake and Lesley Kozonguizi

Technical and Development Committee

Tim Isaacs (chairperson), Ralph Makgone and Kelly Asser

Legal Committee

Franco Cosmos, George Ochurub, Lourens Wenie Meroro

Youth Football Committee

Kati Nambandi (chairperson), Ephraim Shozi, Kenneth Angula

Medical Committee

Rodney Vries (chairperson)

NPL dismisses league fixtures circulating on social media

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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NPL dismisses league fixtures circulating on social media The fixtures for the 2018/19 Namibia Premier League season will only be released today, NPL chief administrator Tovey Hoebeb has said.

On Wednesday, fixtures said to be those for the 2018/19 season circulated on social media, indicating that the league is slated to start on 9 November 2018.

But Hoebeb told Nampa on Thursday that the fixtures were not from their office and people should disregard it.

“Those are unofficial fixtures currently being circulated on social media; ours will come out on Monday,” he said.

The chief administrator added that they had handed in two sets of league fixtures to the board of governors, who were to meet on Saturday. The NPL congress was to take place on the same day and a decision was to be taken on the fixtures for the new season.

“We handed in a single- and double-header fixture which the BOG will decide on. After that decision is taken on Saturday, we will announce it to the media on Monday.”

Hoebeb stated that they actually planned to start with the 2018/19 NPL season on 10 November.

“We handed in two sets of league fixtures to allow the BOG to choose which one is the best because it will really be difficult for teams to travel to Karasburg on a Friday for a Saturday match, then drive back to Windhoek for a Sunday match,” he said.



NAMPA

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Brave Warriors move up in world rankings

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Brave Warriors move up in world rankingsMannetti pleased with move Namibia’s senior national team has been making positive movements on the FIFA rankings. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Govt paid its dues - Calle

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Govt paid its dues - Calle Finance minister Calle Schlettwein has assured parliamentarians that the government has paid all its dues, dismissing a claim that service providers are owed N$1.2 billion.

Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani recently demanded an explanation from the minister of finance regarding penalties paid for capital projects that were abruptly stopped because of the country's economic problems.

According to Schlettwein most of these projects were revised and refinanced.

“When fiscal consolidation was introduced in financial year 2015/16 and reinforced in financial year 2016/17, projects with no tender awards were postponed and such postponement did not carry financial, but economic costs in terms of benefits foregone,” Schlettwein said last week.

“For ongoing projects, most of them were slowed, mainly because some such projects were not fully provided for in the budget.

“The combination of budget over-commitments and rescheduling of project implementation contributed to the accumulation of unpaid invoices, in addition to those invoices which were not reported for budgeting purposes.

“The total amount of accumulated invoices, including those arising from the slowdown on projects and penalties, amounted to a total of N$2.1 billion which was successfully settled during 2017/18 financial year.”

Venaani also asked Schlettwein to give a breakdown of penalties incurred over the past three financial years.

According to Schlettwein cost penalties arising from capital project implementation arose as a result of several factors, including rescheduling of the project implementation, overpricing and project contract management issues.

“Some of these penalties and how they arose are still under investigation. The detailed breakdown of the penalties will be provided at later stage,” said Schlettwein.

Schlettwein also responded to Venaani's question on penalties paid to the Mass Housing programme, the bulk fuel storage facility and other major developments.

According to the finance minister the government had negotiated with 26 contractors whose initial claims amounted to N$628 million for the Mass Housing project.

“The government negotiating team negotiated a total reduction of the initial claim amounting to N$224 million. This figure reduced the initial claim by 36% in favour of the government.

“The total final settlement amounts from contractors totalled N$426 million and this mainly included claims for construction costs as well as additional claims for preliminaries and general costs attributed to standing time and interest on late payments,” he said.

Schlettwein acknowledged that there were additional costs associated with the fuel storage facility, but added that most of these were the result of exchange-rate fluctuation.

“It should be put on record that treasury had approved this tender in Namibia dollars. However, some public officials proceeded to include the United States (US) dollar component, which exposed the project to foreign exchange variations. “This matter is still under investigation. The other variation amount of N$198 million came as a result of an extension of time due to additional work that extended the project for six months from its original contract period. “Other costs arising from projects in the road and water sectors were addressed through refinancing arrangements with the Road Fund Administration and NamWater, thus avoiding further incurrence of penalties.”

Cabinet acts on 'Red Line marriages' law

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Cabinet acts on 'Red Line marriages' law The Uniform Matrimonial Property Bill of 2018 has been approved by cabinet and referred to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL) for further scrutiny and appropriate recommendations before it makes its way to the National Assembly.

Under a law dating back to 1928, all marriages contracted in the northern communal areas of Namibia are out of community of property - a situation that the Law Reform Development Commission aimed to change. It will now be replaced with a new matrimonial regime.

This will make the default system of marriage in community of property apply to everyone in Namibia.

Those who got married before 1990 will have an opportunity to change their matrimonial status to the property regime and status they prefer.

This law has been a thorn in the flesh of Namibians for a very long time and many activists have pushed for its reform.

The issue was also one of the most pertinent issues during town hall meetings President Hage Geingob held shortly after he was elected head of state.

Home affairs minister Frans Kapofi said it was a very good improvement and he hoped they could push the bill into parliament before it goes into recess next month.

“We have people, especially those that got married north of the so-called red line, who got married out of community of property even if their intentions were to get married within community of property. That law will change that, and that is the reason why we took that law to cabinet. Hopefully we'll get it into parliament before it breaks for recess,” he said.

In an interview last month, Kapofi told Namibian Sun that they wanted to give people the option to choose their matrimonial status from a schedule that would be attached to the marriage certificate.

“We are working on all those details to make life much easier. Time will tell how practical this is, because we still have to take this bill to parliament,” said Kapofi.

Included in the law is an unprecedented recommendation that lawyers would no longer have to be consulted when drawing up prenuptial contracts for couples.

Local lawyers charge between N$1 500 and N$3 500 to draft, review and register a prenuptial contract.

Sewage mess plagues Walvis again

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Sewage mess plagues Walvis again‘Attend to the high levels of shit’ Walvis Bay residents are frustrated with their municipality's seeming inability to deal with their overflowing toilets and drains. The long-standing problem of blocked and overflowing drains and flooded toilets in certain parts of Walvis Bay has resurged and frustrated residents say the close to two-year issue needs to be finally resolved.

Email exchanges between frustrated residents and the municipality show the problem, which started at the end of 2016, has worsened according to some residents in the Lagoon and other residential areas.

“There has been no improvement in the sewage situation in our area. Unacceptably high sewage levels, and toilets flooding with sewage,” a resident wrote in an email yesterday morning.

The residents say while municipal teams on the grounds respond quickly to complaints, and pump trucks and technicians are dispatched, the overlying issue is the lack of response from senior municipal officers and the failure to find a lasting solution.

“To the person responsible for the sewage works and the maintenance thereof in the residential areas, please be so kind and arrange for the maintenance teams to attend to the high levels of shit in Lagoon Street's sewer lines,” a resident wrote as part of numerous emails sent to the Walvis Bay municipality over the past two weeks.

He added that although he had tried to be patient, “three months is too long to live with high levels of this unhygienic nonsense. Can 'to whom it may concern' please do the job that we ratepayers pay for? Keep your maintenance programmes on par!”

Residents say although dozens of appeals have been made over the last two years urging the municipality to find a solution, no improvement can be seen.

Moreover residents question the costs of services, in light of the troubles experienced.

“It is costing us money, it smells bad, it is unhygienic and most of all, unacceptable. We've asked before, what it will take to get the problem sorted once and for all. We ask no more, we now act!”

A resident said he was battling overflowing sewers and toilets for five days in a row.

“Day five this week of substantial water wastage and unhygienic circumstances. The problem appears not to be resolved at the root and in all honesty, the situation has gone beyond bizarre.”

Questions sent to the municipality on Friday were not answered by the time of going to print yesterday.

Earlier this year, John Esterhuizen, the general manager for solid waste, explained at a public meeting the sewage problems could be linked to unprecedented population and development growth at the town which had put pressure on the system.

“The sharp rise in the number of people living in Walvis Bay, coupled by an acute shortage of building inspectors and limited capacity with only two pump trucks being operational, also worsens the situation. One pump truck costs approximately N$500 000,” he said.

He added that there were talks to privatise the cleaning of the sewage system.

He said the ageing infrastructure needed an urgent upgrade, with additional pumps and more pipelines. In June last year, a municipal spokesperson said maintenance of the town's sewage system was challenging because the town “is quite flat and the sewer system is below sea level in many places.”

Moreover, because the town's infrastructure is quite old, especially in the older suburbs, a sewer master plan was approved by the council that addressed the refurbishment of the old system to cope with the growth of the town as well. She said work had already started in the most critical areas, and the lagoon area, where most of the complaints were from, was scheduled for rehabilitation and repair too. In the long term a new pump station or upgrade of the current collection and pumping system was on the cards, the spokesperson added.

But residents say the municipality is falling back on the same excuses repeatedly, without finding a lasting solution to the long-standing, and unhealthy, situation.





JANA-MARI SMITH

Dream team preparing for under-23 Afcon

October 28, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Dream team preparing for under-23 Afcon Namibia to play Angola The national under-23 side has been in camp for the past two weeks, preparing for their African Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2019 U-23 qualifying match against Angola next month. NAMPA



Namibia will visit Angola on 16 November before hosting them on 20 November at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in the first round of the qualifiers. Brave Warriors assistant coach Ronnie Kanalelo is tasked with guiding the side past the Angolans.

The team has 34 players in camp, while two are busy with their examinations after which they were to join the rest of the squad on Friday.

“Petrus Kamati and Hubert Mingeri are busy with their exams and will be joining camp on Friday, whereas Yasseen Davids is on trials in the UK and is expected to join the rest by latest Monday,” team manager Erastus Someno said last week.

Someno said the players’ fitness was gradually improving and he was especially pleased with having different objectives for each training session.

They have been working on passing drills and endurance and are looking forward to polishing game situations and patterns before facing Angola.

The winner between Angola and Namibia will face South Africa in the second round. In the third round, they will play the winner of the match between Zimbabwe against either eSwatini or Mozambique for a place at Egypt 2019.

The training squad consists of 37 players and the list will be trimmed down to 25 players by Friday, with 20 players guaranteed to travel, while five will be shortlisted.

The technical team consists of head coach Ronnie Kanalelo; first assistant coach Quentin Visagie and second assistant coach Collin Benjamin.

Namibian football’s 2020 Olympics dream lies with the under-23 team. Their road to the Olympics has to start by negotiating past the continental hopefuls, with seven spots available for the eight-team tournament to be held in Egypt from 8 to 22 November 2019.

The tournament in Egypt will see the top three teams qualifying automatically for the 2020 Olympic Games. The fourth-place finishers will play in a playoff against a team from the Asian Football Confederation.

The players in camp are Wisely Kauua, Macaulay Tsandib, Ndilinaye Kamati, Megameno Petrus, Amenenge Abel, Uetuuru Kambato, Giovanni Nauseb, Tani-Tani Berline, Yasseen Davids, Shikongo Lihongeni, Hubert Mingeri, Ngajozikue Kasume, Anthony Kham, Romario Hawiseb, Pombili Haukongo, Calvin Spiegel, Sergio Festus, Kennedy /Eib, Brandon #Neibeb, Jombie Paulino, Hiha Katjivena, Uzuva-Vipua Tjimune, Mutambande Mungendje, Jandjamuje Maharero, Khitago Leonard, Clive Reginald, Evans Kufanga, Bruzaine Kotungondo, Bonifatius Paulino, Venovineya Tjikundi, Mervin Kasetura, Micheal Kamuserandu, Givone Boois, Rivaldo Laksmann, Paul Kotjipati, Linus Hangula, Peter Nampolo and McCartney Naweseb.