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Military School saga is dangerous

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Military School saga is dangerousMilitary School saga is dangerous JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA I wrote in my last column about a fortnight ago that further delays in the start of the MTC Namibia Premier League are dangerous.

In that column I pleaded with the leadership of the league and football in general to iron out issues and assure that the MTC Namibia Premier League starts on time.

My words have not gone cold yet and now the league faces another big decision after the Military School claimed that it had not sold the club to Okahandja United.

The school recently wrote a letter, claiming it was not aware of the ownership change at the club, formerly known as Military School FC.

On Wednesday, the NDF sent a letter to Namibia Premier League (NPL) chairperson Patrick Kauta.

The letter was signed by NDF chief John Mutua and said they never authorised the renaming and change in ownership of Military School FC and would take further steps in this regard.

This is a month after the club established itself as Okahandja United under a new leadership.

The decision to change the ownership was prompted by the fact that two NDF teams, namely the Military School Football Club and Mighty Gunners Football Club, both qualified for a place in the NPL, and this is in contravention of article 18(3) of the Namibia Football Act and article 20 (2) of the Fifa Statute.

The strange part is that it took the NDF more than three weeks to announce that the club had been changed to Okahandja United even after media reports circulated in the past few weeks.

I feel that the NDF decided to make their move or reverse a decision they had made earlier because some of the club’s players had been released by the club.

The club came under fire for the alleged unfair dismissal of 16 players who had helped the team gain promotion to the NPL.

The players were shown the door after they demanded bonuses for helping the team gain promotion to the Namibia Premier League (NPL) this year, when the side was still known as Okahandja Military School.

The club responded by saying that it did not owe the players bonuses, but the former owners [the Military School] were the ones that owed them.

Now this is one of the reasons I believe that the Military School has decided to make a U-turn on its decision.

The worst of all is that these things are happening when we are a week away from the start of the MTC Namibia Premier League.

I am sure that African Motto, who initially were to be promoted after it was discovered that the Military School was ineligible to play in the NPL, are watching the situation with keen interest.

It is going to become very ugly if these things are not sorted immediately.

The league will face another delay if this matter becomes a legal battle between the owners of Okahandja United and the Military School.

The fact that Okahandja United has already brought in players from other teams and a coach will make it difficult for them to let go of the club.

I also wonder what will happen to these players who left their clubs to join Okahandja United if the Military School wins the case.

I hope there is an immediate solution to all this because it can become very disturbing and dangerous if the league fails to start because of such problems.

jesse@namibiansun.com

End Swapo dominance - PDM

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End Swapo dominance - PDMEnd Swapo dominance - PDMVenaani speaks against two-thirds majority The official opposition has appealed to voters in northern Namibia to break the ruling party's two-thirds parliamentary majority in the interest of the country's future. The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, McHenry Venaani, on Saturday called on people in northern Namibia to stop voting the ruling Swapo Party into power with a two-thirds majority.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting of the 72-member PDM Central Committee in Oshakati, Venaani said the nation's prosperity was in the hands of the people of the north.

He said the two-thirds majority that northerners gave Swapo was bad for politics and bad for Namibia's socio-economic status. He also said it had resulted in its leaders “no longer listening to reason and logic, sleeping in parliament and no longer honouring their legislative responsibilities”.

“We, as a nation, must reverse this – too much power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Venaani said.

The leader of the official opposition then appealed to the Namibian electorate to give his party a chance to govern the country, adding that Namibians could immediately recall a PDM government if it failed to deliver.

Venaani said it was disappointing that the government under President Hage Geingob's leadership came into power promising prosperity for all Namibians, but it eventually ran the country into national insolvency. Namibia's economy, he said, needed less talk and more action in order to recover.

“We have heard too many theories, but there is a lack of political action to take our nation forward,” stated the PDM leader.

He said his party would table a motion in the National Assembly next week on the provision of free undergraduate study courses in order to fill the skills gap that confronts the economy.

“We need to create a better tomorrow by planting its seed today and planning for it,” said Venaani, adding that the PDM would further sharpen its parliamentary arsenal to raise issues vital for a better future for Namibians.

He also disclosed that the party would hold its extraordinary congress at Outapi in the Omusati Region towards the end of November or early December, and its elective congress at Keetmanshoop in the //Karas Region in February next year. Venaani warned PDM members that the party would not condone “slate politics” and character assassination of candidates at its elective congress, because that would result in disunity.

Making the poor poorer

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Making the poor poorerMaking the poor poorer You have to keep people in poverty in order to have power for yourself.

Simple as that.

It also breeds dependency, which is another easy way to manipulate poor people into what you want them to do for you in order to achieve your own selfish needs.

This may include misappropriating public funds meant to alleviate poverty in order to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Does this sound familiar?

Because it certainly reads like an exact blueprint for what is happening in our country, right at this very moment.

Clever politicians are ruthlessly applying this age old, tried and tested method, to hang on to power, no matter what the implications or social cost.

What makes this strategy even worse, is the fact that one can endlessly gorge and enrich yourself in the process, at the expense of those who need helping the most.

An even better ruse is to keep blaming current failures and non-delivery of services, on the wrongs of the past.

This simply is the gift that keeps on giving because as soon as you start doing something to improve people’s lives, they will start to be more happy and content.

This is not good, as it will deprive you of your main weapon of defence, whenever things do not go according to plan - not to mention the fact that there will be nothing left to loot if you spend it all on the poor masses.

One suicide each day in Namibia

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One suicide each day in NamibiaOne suicide each day in Namibia Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in Namibia, with available statistics showing the country ranks 11th globally and fourth in Africa in terms of the number of suicides committed every year.

On average, at least one Namibian commits suicide every day of the year. In April, 35 people committed suicide, in May 41, in June 27, and in July 28, totalling 131 suicides over four months, according to police statistics. In 2017, 425 people committed suicide.

Experts warn that the rankings should be viewed with caution, as they are based on available data and many countries fail to submit accurate data or any data at all.

Nevertheless, Namibia has consistently been battling high rates of suicide over the years.

Between 2012 and 2016, 2 190 people killed themselves. An estimated 25 000 people attempted suicide in 2015 alone, while 437 succeeded.

At the launch of a national study on suicide last week, health ministry permanent secretary Ben Nangombe said Namibia's suicide rate was double the average global rate, at 22.1 per 100 000 population compared to the global average of 11.4.

Over the course of six months this year, between April and September, a total of 60 suicides per 100 000 people were recorded per month, based on a total 361 suicides per 100 000 that were committed over that period. Erongo had the highest number of suicides and the Kunene Region the lowest, at 63 per 100 000 of the population compared to 12 per 100 000.



Numbers don't lie

Nangombe said the study revealed that women are more likely to attempt suicide, while men are significantly more likely to die.

Nangombe was speaking at the conclusion of a week-long in-depth consultation led by a world-renowned authority on suicide, Professor Ella Arensman.

Nangombe emphasised that suicide is a “serious social, economic and public health concern”, with devastating effects on individuals, families and communities.

He said the study on the prevalence of and interventions in relation to suicide was conducted in order to boost Namibia's commitment to reducing the high number of attempted and actual suicides.







Data was collected from all regions between April and September 2016.

The results of the study would be used to inform the development of a five-year national strategic plan on suicide prevention, Nangombe added.

He said a critical factor was to attend to the social well-being of all Namibians as a matter of priority.

Professor Arensman of the University College Cork in Ireland, the director of research at that country's National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), praised Namibia's efforts to prevent suicide and the launch of its second national strategic plan on suicide.



Boost with law

She said the strategy puts the country well on track to become the first African country, and one of few globally, to implement a legislative suicide policy.

Arensman said the factors that increase the risk of suicide in Namibia, according to the just-released study, include an increasing trend of alcohol and drug abuse, including methamphetamines and crack cocaine.

She said non-fatal suicidal behaviour, including among teenagers, was on the increase worldwide.

She said another factor, also relevant to Namibia, is a “certain disconnectedness from family members, whether it's conflict or related to changing patterns of family status.”

She said this pushes adolescents closer to their peers, an important bond for teenagers, but not always ideal in stressful or conflict situations.

Unwanted pregnancies are also thought to escalate the suicide risk among teenage girls.

“That is a worrying phenomenon,” she said.

Namibia's WHO representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, said an estimated 793 000 suicides were recorded globally in 2016.

It was the second leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds globally in 2016.

In Africa, suicides are particularly high among the elderly, but there is also a peak among the young, he said.

Suicide by intentional pesticide ingestion is among the most common methods of suicide in the world, and of particular concern in the rural, agricultural areas of Africa.

Shaken govt steps in

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Shaken govt steps inShaken govt steps inForgotten Omundaungilo San get decent shelter The government, through the Office of the Vice-President, has finally stepped in at Omundaungilo in the Ohangwena Region where a small community has had to endure conditions of unimaginable domestic squalor and neglect. Following Namibian Sun's exposé more than 20 months ago and a recent follow-up highlighting the plight of the San people who have been living in deplorable conditions for years, government contractors last week raced to Omundaungilo to erect dozens of corrugated-iron structures to replace the makeshift rag tents.

The elderly people, some as old as 103 and suffering from blindness or chronic illness, had been occupying the deplorable structures at the settlement for years.

The Office of the Vice-President set aside N$800 000 to provide corrugated-iron huts to the community. Besides erecting 25 huts, the government will also provide the community with drinking water.

When Namibian Sun visited the community on Saturday, it looked all new, with the younger community members in high spirits and helping the contractors.

The control administration officer in the Office of the Vice-President, Aaron Clase, told Namibian Sun that the huts might not be the best housing option available but they were a quick solution to restore the dignity of the poor residents.

He said he arrived in Ohangwena at the beginning of last month and held several meetings with officials from various government ministries, offices and agencies, who all needed to play a role in improving the lives of marginalised communities.

“We know that the government has made no provision for giving these people zinc houses, but this is just our fastest and most affordable response toward the improvement of these people's lives. At least their living conditions will improve a bit while we are looking at a long-term solution that may need huge budgeting,” Clase said.

“We believe in development for the people, by the people, so no tender was awarded. We are doing the work on our own with the assistance of the community itself.

“We are doing this as a skill transfer initiative so that after handing the houses over, the community will be able to maintain their structures on their own. At the end of the project we will also give them allowances for the job they have done.”

The improved structures will come as a relief to the San people, who had given up on the possibility of better lives. Most of the elderly at Oshipala settlement are either blind or suffering from an assortment of chronic illnesses.

Many of the residents, including children, do not receive any form of government grant and continue to suffer in isolation from the rest of the so-called Namibian house.



























Old promise

In February 2017 when Namibian Sun first reported on the conditions at Omundaungilo, a high-level delegation led by the deputy director of the marginalised community division in the Office of the Vice-President, Gerson Kamatuka, accompanied by regional governor Usko Nghaamwa, regional councillors and other government officials, visited the settlement and it was promised that their situation would improve.

Clase said during that visit an assessment was done. “Before we started the work on 17 September, we came here with regional stakeholders. We asked these San people if they are okay with the zinc houses and the majority gave us the go-ahead. They started identifying where their houses would be established,” he said.

The leader of the community, Sadrah Amupolo, said they were happy about the new development, especially that it came at the beginning of the rainy season.

“Gone are the days when our old people and children used to suffer bad weather conditions. The rain has started and our people have already started hiding in the already finished structures. We are very happy,” Amupolo said.

Clase added that he had observed that many of the people suffer from an assortment of chronic illnesses.

“I think the government needs to train a community health worker from this group to be responsible for these people. That is the only way we can improve their health condition.

“At least they would be able to trust a person from their group with their personal problems and that person would report their health conditions at the clinic,” he said.

Most of the children at the settlement also don't attend school.

Hail, queens Limba and Helalia

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Hail, queens Limba and HelaliaHail, queens Limba and HelaliaBoxer Jonas wins top award Namibian Sun sport reporter Limba Mupetami won the Namibian sports journalist of the year award ahead of The Namibian's Sheefeni Nicodemus and Nampa's Herson Kapanga. ADOLF KAURE



Namibia's top athletes were celebrated as they gathered for the 2018 Namibia Sports Awards held on Saturday at the Dome in Swakopmund.

Helalia Johannes won the MTC sportswoman of the year award for a second successive year. The marathon runner fended off competition from indoor hockey player Magreth Mengo and water-skier Natasha Rottcher for the prize. Johannes was jubilant. “I am feeling so excited and the joy is just flowing. I have been working so hard because I was lacking something that I wanted. Today I got it and I am so very happy. “I dedicate this victory to my family, my training partners and to my coach. This is a trophy for my family because they are always behind and they always support me. I cannot do it alone,” said Johannes. The MTC sportsman of the year award was won by boxer Jonas Junias Jonas. Jonas, who won a gold medal for Namibia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Australia, got the prize ahead of cyclist Tristan de Lange and golfer Likius Nande. Nande scooped the night's most coveted award, the MTC sports star of the year, though.

“I want to thank God for winning this award. I have prayed and fasted for this award. I would also like to thank my fellow nominees for giving me being such tough competition as well as for the editorial team of the Namibian Sun, Festus Nakatana and Ashley Smith, for never being satisfied with my first drafted story. Thank you for pushing me to be the journalist I have now become,” said Mupetami.



The rest of the winners on the night were as follows:

NamPower sportsman with a disability – Ananias Shikongo

NamPower sportswoman with a disability – Lahja Ishitile, Sylvia Shivolo and Johanna Benson

MTC junior sportsman of the year – Lance Potgieter

MTC junior sportswoman of the year – Carane van Zyl

Tafel Lager team of the year – rugby senior team

NamPower junior sportsman with a disability – Alfredo Bernado

NamPower junior sportswoman with a disability – Beata Hausiku

Standard Bank development programme of the year – Kids on the Bike

NAMDIA coach of the year – Tobias Nashilongo

Umpire/Referee of the year – Patrick Esterhuizen

Namibia Sports Commission sports excellence – Albertus Tsamaseb

Lifetime achievement awards – Rusten Mogane, Isaak Kahatjipara, Hannes von Holtz, Leonard Martin

and Calle Scheifer

Palace coup at NFA

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Palace coup at NFAPalace coup at NFA JESSE KAURAISA



The power struggle at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has taken its toll, leaving its fired president confused and creating an uncertain future for the association.

The NFA's executive committee on Saturday dismissed Frans Mbidi as the association's president, just months before its annual congress.

Mbidi had been accused of insubordination and there were also allegations that he had taken money from the Moroccan bid officials to vote for that association's World Cup bid.

“The executive committee, having convened in terms of Article 34 (2), further resolved in terms of Article 35 (0) to dismiss the president, Mr Frans Mbidi, until the congress of 12 January 2019, for submission of the motion in accordance with Article 37 (1).

“This drastic action is necessitated by Mr Mbidi's failure to adhere to his duties in the NFA constitution [and] not convening executive committee meetings as per the NFA statutes, in particular Article 34.1,” the statement reads.

The statement further accuses Mbidi of failing to implement exco decisions as per Article 38.2(a).

Mbidi had been accused of being untruthful and misrepresenting exco resolutions to FIFA and CAF.

Further accusations included rendering the NFA secretariat ungovernable and failure to refute a report from NFA's official delegates to the FIFA congress in Moscow that he had taken money from Moroccan officials to vote for that association's World Cup bid.

Mbidi declined to respond to the accusations, but said that the truth would come out.

“Nothing was communicated towards me and I am therefore not in any position to comment on this matter. All I can say is that the truth will always come out,” Mbidi fumed.

Attempts to oust Mbidi began early this year after he had decided to remove long-serving secretary-general Barry Rukoro.

In February the former NFA president announced that the football association would not renew Rukoro's contract.

Mbidi cited Article 38 (d) (3) of the NFA constitution, which reads: “Only the president may propose the appointment or dismissal of the secretary-general.”

This resulted in the majority of the NFA executive committee challenging Mbidi's decision.

The executive disputed Mbidi's decision by citing Article (35) (i) of the NFA constitution, which says that “the executive committee shall appoint or dismiss the secretary-general”.

At the time, Mbidi maintained that his decision on Rukoro was final, adding that people should not fear positive change within the NFA.

In April, the NFA emergency committee, consisting of the first and second vice-presidents, resolved to keep Rukoro in office despite his term having expired.

Rukoro has served in the position since 2007, while Mbidi has been president of the association since 2014.

It was resolved that the NFA would make its final decision on Rukoro's future at the congress that had been scheduled for December, and then postponed to January.

Naftal Ngalangi has been appointed as acting president until the January congress.

Indonesian Lion Air plane crashes into sea with 189 passengers, crew

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Indonesian Lion Air plane crashes into sea with 189 passengers, crewIndonesian Lion Air plane crashes into sea with 189 passengers, crew
A brand new Indonesian Lion Air plane carrying 189 passengers and crew crashed into the sea today, officials said, moments after it had asked to be allowed to return to Jakarta.
The Boeing-737 MAX, which went into service just months ago, vanished from radar 13 minutes after taking off from the Indonesian capital, plunging into the Java Sea.
Video footage apparently filmed at the scene of the crash showed a slick of fuel on the surface of the water.
Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho tweeted pictures of debris, including what appeared to be an emergency slide and various parts of a smashed mobile phone.
Authorities were still searching for the remains of the plane, which lost contact with air traffic control around 6.30 am, en route to Pangkal Pinang city, a jumping off point for beach-and-sun seeking tourists on nearby Belitung island.
"The plane crashed into water about 30 to 40 metres deep," Search and Rescue Agency spokesman Yusuf Latif told AFP.
Images filmed at Pangkal Pinang's main airport showed families of passengers crying, talking frantically on their mobiles phone and hugging each other.
Some were heard saying "Ya Allah" or "Oh God".
Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) said there were 178 adult passengers, one child, two infants, two pilots and six cabin crew on board flight JT 610.
The transport ministry had initially said there was a total of 188 people on board.
The finance ministry said around 20 of its employees were on the plane.
It was not immediately clear if any foreigners were on the downed plane, which Lion said was a new, airworthy plane that had only gone into service in August.
The pilot and co-pilot had more than 11 000 hours of flying time between them, it added.
"Lion Air is very concerned about this incident and will work with relevant agencies and all parties," said spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro.
The Flightradar website tracked the plane and showed it looping south on take-off and then heading north before the flight path ended abruptly over the Java Sea, not far from the coast.
US-based Boeing said it was "deeply saddened" by news of the crash.
"We express our concern for those on board, and extend heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones," it said in a statement.

"Boeing stands ready to provide technical assistance to the accident investigation," it added.
Indonesia relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands but has a poor aviation safety record and has suffered several fatal crashes in recent years.
A 12-year-old boy was the sole survivor of a plane crash that killed eight people in mountainous eastern Indonesia in August.
In August 2015, a commercial passenger aircraft operated by Indonesian carrier Trigana crashed in Papua due to bad weather, killing all 54 people on board.
In 2014, an AirAsia plane crashed with the loss of 162 lives.
Indonesian investigators' final report showed a chronically faulty component in a rudder control system, poor maintenance and the pilots' inadequate response were major factors in what was supposed to be a routine flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.
In June, Lion was among three major Indonesian airlines that had their safety ranking upgraded to seven stars by global rating agency AirlineRatings.com.
Lion, a low-cost airline which has engaged in a huge expansion in recent years, has been involved in a number of incidents including a fatal 2004 crash.
Last year one of its Boeing jets collided with a Wings Air plane as it landed at Kualanamu airport on the island of Sumatra, although no one was injured.
In May 2016, two Lion Air planes collided at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport, while a month earlier an aircraft operated by Batik Air - part of the Lion Group - clipped a TransNusa plane.
In 2013 a Lion Air jet with a rookie pilot at the controls undershot the runway and crashed into the sea in Bali, splitting the plane in two. Several people were injured in the crash, although no one was killed.
However, in 2004, two dozen people were killed when a Lion Air flight from Jakarta skidded off a rain-slicked runway after landing in the Central Java city of Solo.
Earlier this year, Lion Air announced it as buying some 50 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets for $6.24 billion.
Indonesia's air travel industry is booming, with the number of domestic passengers growing significantly over the past decade, but it has acquired a reputation for poor regulation.
Last year the Indonesian air traffic controllers association revealed that the rate of take-off and landings in Jakarta allowed by state-run air navigation company AirNav was more than the airport could handle, increasing the chance of accidents.
The country's carriers have in the past faced years-long bans from entering European Union and US airspace over their safety records.

NAMPA/AFP


Namibia climbs in governance index

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Namibia climbs in governance indexNamibia climbs in governance index Namibia is ranked 4th out of 54 African countries on the 2018 Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
Last year, the country held the 5th spot.
The top five countries this year are: Mauritius, Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Namibia and Botswana.
Last year, they were: Mauritius, Seychelles, Botswana, Cabo Verde and Namibia.
Read the full report tomorrow in Market Watch.

Unam staff on strike

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Unam staff on strike Unam staff on strike

Employees of the University of Namibia (Unam) today embarked on a strike in front of the university’s Windhoek campus.
A total of 61% of the university's staff voted in favour of engaging in a strike to demand a 6% salary increase, backdated to January this year.
Unam management and staff have not been able to agree on the increase as Unam management offered nothing, while the workers were adamant on the 6% raise.
Members of the Namibian National Teachers' Union (Nantu), which represents the staff, and the university management are currently caucusing on how to resolve the matter. In 2008, Unam staff also voted to go on strike, but backed down at the eleventh hour.
At that time Unam employees were seeking a 12% salary increase.
ELLANIE SMIT

Suspect wanted for mutilation, rape

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Suspect wanted for mutilation, rapeSuspect wanted for mutilation, rape Police are searching for a 20-year-old man who is on the run after he cut an 8-year-old girl’s genitals with a knife and raped her.
According to the police the “heinous crime” occurred on Friday at about 16:00 at the Farm Satan Locht in the Khomas Region.
It is alleged that the girl and another child were left in the care of Gervin Gowanab who threatened to harm the children and the other child ran away.
Gowanab apparently got hold of a knife and tried to rape the girl, but penetration could not take place and he then cut her genitals and raped her.
According to the police, Gowanab has since fled into the mountains and a search was pursued, but yielded no results. The girl has been admitted to the Windhoek Central Hospital and her condition is critical. The police are asking for the assistance of the public to trace Gowanab.
ELLANIE SMIT

NDF saga threatens NPL

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NDF saga threatens NPLNDF saga threatens NPLBattle over Okahandja United may impact league start Concerns are mounting that the battle over Okahandja United may result in yet another delay to the start of the NPL. Namibia Premier League administrator Joshua Tovey

//Hoebeb hopes that the ongoing battle between Okahandja United Football Club and the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) will not affect the start date of the league.

The club, previously known as Military School, were among three teams endorsed on Saturday at an NPL Board of Governors (BOG) for their participation in the league.

However, there has been no clear indication that the saga between the NDF and Okahandja United about who in fact owns the team, and whether the name change is actually valid, is being sorted out.

//Hoebeb confirmed the names of the three promoted teams were sent to them by the Namibia Football Association (NFA).

“At the moment we are not sure of what is happening, but we hope that this issue will not delay the starting date of the league, which is on the weekend of 9 November. We received the names of the teams like that from the NFA,” //Hoebeb said.

Last Wednesday, the NDF sent a letter to NPL chairperson Patrick Kauta.

The letter was signed by NDF chief John Mutua and said they never authorised the renaming and change in ownership of Military School FC and will take further steps in this regard.

“It has recently come to my attention, through the media, that the Military School Football Club, which is owned by the Defence Force Foundation (DFF) in the Ministry of Defence, has been renamed and its ownership has been transferred to the Okahandja United Football Club.

“It is my understanding that this unauthorised act was motivated by the fact that two of our teams, namely the Military School Football Club and Mighty Gunners Football Club, both qualified for a place in the NPL, and this is in contravention of article 18(3) of the Namibia Football Act and article 20 (2) of the Fifa Statute.

“As the Chairperson of DFF, which is responsible for the administration of sport activities in the Ministry of Defence, I would like to inform you and unequivocally state that, the Military School Football Club remains under the control of the Ministry of Defence and the name change and transfer of ownership was done without the knowledge and authorisation from the competent authority.

“We are in the process of exploring possible solutions to the issue of having two teams belonging to one entity participate in the premier league, and we will communicate our decision to your office as soon as possible,” the letter reads.

It was written despite Kashindi Eusebius Kashindi, brigadier-general of the Military School, addressing a letter to NFA secretary-general Barry Rukoro on 12 September, in which he relinquished Military School FC to Okahandja and informed him about the club change in the club's status.

Last month, the NFA announced that Military School will be handed over to the community of Okahandja and would be renamed, as they could not take part in NPL, as there was already another club owned by NDF in the premier league.

Military School won the North West First Division Stream and had expected to be promoted to the NPL.

However, the NFA constitution prohibits a natural or legal person (including holding companies and subsidiaries) from exercising control over more than one club competing in the same league or competition.

//Hoebeb pleaded with the public not to panic.

The administrator said they are waiting feedback from sponsors FNB and MTC before they can release the 2018/19 fixtures.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Young Warriors to compete at Cosafa tourney

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Young Warriors to compete at Cosafa tourneyYoung Warriors to compete at Cosafa tourney The line-up is complete for the 2018 Mopani Copper Mines Cosafa Under-20 Championships, after Namibia's Young Warriors were confirmed as the 12th team that will compete in Kitwe, Zambia from December 2 to 14.

Namibia, which had been experiencing funding issues ahead of this year's tournament, did not compete in 2016, but returned last year and narrowly missed out on a place in the semifinals after being held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe in their final pool match.

They join an exciting field ahead of the first round draw, which will take place in Kitwe next Wednesday, where the 12 sides will be placed in three pools each containing four teams.

The top team in each pool and the best-placed runners-up will advance to the semifinals.

Champions South Africa will return to defend the title they won in Kitwe last year and will be among the pre-tournament favourites, although they will likely bring a much-changed side.

Hosts Zambia were disappointed not to lift the trophy last year, especially after their magnificent success in 2016, and the admiration from around the world they gained after competing at the 2017 Fifa U-20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe are six-time winners of the Cosafa u-20 tourney but their last win was way back in 2007, and they will be itching to lift the trophy again.

The last two years have seen them surprisingly exit in the first round, although in 2017 they went through the pool stages unbeaten and were unlucky to miss out because of number of goals scored.

Last year's finalists, Lesotho, will be back to have another go, after they impressed in Kitwe, before going down 2-1 to South Africa in the final.

Angola finished third in 2016, but lost out in the first round last year and will return to try and put that right in 2018, while Botswana are back in the field after they missed out on competing 12 months ago.

Malawi have always been strong competitors at this age-group level and will likely be among the contenders again, while Mauritius will want to put in a better performance after losing all three their group matches in 2017.

Mozambique were competitive in a tough pool last year that included South Africa and North African guest nation Egypt and will want to put that experience to good use.

Swaziland and Cosafa associate member, Réunion, who will appear at the regional championship for the first time in their history, make up the remainder of the field.

Zambia are 11-time winners, while Zimbabwe and South Africa have six wins each. Madagascar are the only other nation to lift the title, after they enjoyed success in 2005, beating Lesotho in the final.

NFA

Tributes for Leicester's Thai boss

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Tributes for Leicester's Thai bossTributes for Leicester's Thai bossHelicopter crash claims five lives Prayers and tributes poured in from the footballing world and beyond for the jovial man many credit with bringing glory to the central English city, with the miracle-making club. Leicester City's Thai billionaire boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the Premier League side's stadium car park moments after taking off from the pitch, the club said on Sunday.

“The world has lost a great man,” the club said in a statement.

“Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the club that is now his legacy,” it said.

A book of condolence will be opened at the stadium from tomorrow and the team has postponed its upcoming League Cup fixture against Southampton.

“Everyone at the club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time,” the statement said.

Police named the four other victims as Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, two members of Vichai's staff, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Vichai, 60, the owner of Thailand's King Power duty-free empire, was a regular at matches and used to fly to and from the side's home games.

The blue chopper took off from the middle of the pitch once the stadium had emptied after Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Eyewitnesses said the helicopter appeared to develop a mechanical problem in its rear propeller shortly after take-off.

Images showed orange balls of flame engulfing the wreckage in the car park of the stadium where just two years ago Leicester celebrated the most unlikely of Premier League title triumphs.

“Struggling to find the right words... but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club,” Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, one of the heroes of that success, posted on Instagram.

“Thank you for everything you did for me, my family and our club. I will truly miss you... may you rest in peace... #theboss.”

“He's put Leicester on the map,” supporter Cathy Dann, 55, told AFP.

“He's made us big,” she said, as aviation experts picked through small pieces of wreckage scattered on the stadium's edge.

Among the tributes was an image of Ganesh, a Hindu god also seen in Thai Buddhist temples.

A minute's silence was observed before the whistle of Sunday's Premier League matches.

“It is a family business and they have instilled this sense of family not just throughout the club but into the city as well,” Andrew Hulley, the team's chaplain for the past seven years, told AFP.

Football fans in Bangkok said Vichai had helped develop the sport in Thailand as well, bringing the southeast Asian country greater recognition in the sporting world.

“He is an important person who has raised the bar of Thai football further,” Apichart Jitratkavee, a Leicester fan in the Thai capital, told AFP.

Chamat Uchukanokkul, 39, said Vichai was “an inspiration to Thais... He showed that we can do anything if we set our minds to do it”.

Vichai bought Leicester City in 2010 and moved to chairman the following February, pouring millions into the team and becoming a beloved figure in the club and the city - a feat rarely achieved by the Premier League's foreign owners.

It was under Vichai's ownership that Leicester crafted one of the biggest fairy tales in English football history by winning the 2015/16 Premier League, having started the season as 5 000-1 outsiders for the title.

Vichai's investments in the club helped return them to the Premier League from the second-tier championship in 2014.

Languishing at the very bottom of the table for most of the 2014/15 season, the Foxes, as the team are nicknamed, then engineered what fans now fondly refer to as the “Great Escape”, winning seven of their last nine matches.

They ended up finishing 14th, securing another season in Europe's richest league in 2015/16.

But not even their most devout fans could have imagined what happened next.

Vardy scored in 11 consecutive matches, propelling the men in blue to a title without parallel in Premier League history.

The impact made by Leicester's remarkable rise under Vichai across the continent was reflected as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid both expressed their condolences.

“The club wants to show their condolences to his family, his friends and all the Leicester fans,” said European champions Madrid in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with the whole @lcfc family. Rest in peace,” Barca posted on Twitter.

NAMPA/AFP

Football teaches vital life lessons - Hamata

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Football teaches vital life lessons - HamataFootball teaches vital life lessons - Hamata Besides the health and physical benefits football provides, it also improves the emotional wellbeing of players, life skills coach Isack Hamata said on Saturday.

He made these remarks while addressing close to 180 boys in Keetmanshoop, ahead of the inaugural Virgil Vries Under-15 Football and Healthy Lifestyle Championship.

Hamata said losing in football teaches young people to bounce back from disappointment and cope with unpleasant experiences. It also teaches them the importance of resilience.

He said the players must promote teamwork, as this is a critical part of football.

He further encouraged the young players, predominantly from Keetmanshoop, not to neglect their education, as football is a short career. Hamata also urged them not to succumb to peer pressure and to always be respectful towards their elders and teachers.

“Steer clear of vices such as alcohol and drugs and rather use your time to make positive contributions in your homes and surrounding areas,” he said.

The life skills lessons were conducted by Hamata and former Tigers midfielder, Rene Warner.

Enrico Blaauw, the organiser of the tournament, told Nampa on Sunday it aims to promote healthy lifestyles among boys.

“This tournament provides an opportunity to advocate change in our youth. We want to educate them on issues affecting their lives such as peer pressure, alcohol, drugs and others and at the same time they are playing football and showcasing their talents,” he said.

Blaauw, however, expressed disappointment about the poor turnout of parents and teachers, as only a few showed up to support the young players.

Eighteen teams took part in the tournament, with Eagles Football Club being crowned the winners. //Karas Sport Academy finished second, while PK de Villiers ended in third place.

Mio Santero was the top goal scorer with seven goals, while Kholisile Isaack was name player of the tournament.

NAMPA

Omaidhipago ga londa pombanda moNamibia

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Omaidhipago ga londa pombanda moNamibiaOmaidhipago ga londa pombanda moNamibia Omaikuthomwenyo oge li shimwe shomiiyetithi yomaso ogendji moNamibia sho omiyalu dha piti omathimbo ngaka dha ulike kutya, muuyuni Namibia ouli ponomola 11 omanga muAfrika e li ponomola onti 4, omolwa omwaalu guli pombanda gwomaso geli oshizemo shomaikuthomwenyo kehe omvula.

Okwa hololwa kutya moNamibia ohamu lopotwa eso li li oshizemo sheidhipago limwe kehe esiku.

Momwedhi Apilili nuumvo aantu 35 oyiidhipaga, muMei 27 nomowedhi Juli okwa lopotwa omaso ngoka geli 28. Muule owala woomwedhi ne okwa lopotwa aantu 131 yiidhipaga pauyelele mboka wa gandjwa kopolisi. Omvula ya piti aaantu ya thika po 425 oyiidhipaga.

Aatseyinawa oya popi kutya omiyalu ndhoka nadhi talike nawa sho iilongo oyindji ya ndopa okugandja omiyalu.

Pokati komvula yo 2012 no 2016, aantu ye li 2 190 okwa lopotwa yiidhipaga omanga momvula owala yo 2015 aantu ye li po 25 000 oya kambadhala okwiidhipaga, no 437 oyiidhipaga momvula ndjoka.



Pethimbo kwa tulwa miilonga onational study on suicide oshiwike sha piti, amushanga gwoshikondo shuundjolowele, Ben Nangombe okwa popi kutya omwaalu gwaantu taya idhipaga ogwa londa pombanda moshilongo muule woomvula dha piti, sho taku lopotwa omaso ge li pondjele yo 22.1 maantu 100 000 okuyeleka nondjele yopauyuni yo 11.4.

Muule woomwedhi hamano nuumvo okwa lopotwa omaso 60 gomaantu 100 000 sho aantu 361 yiidhipaga.

Oshitopolwa shErongo osho sha lopotwa omwaalu guli pombanda omanga oshitopolwa shaKunene shi na omwaalu guli pevi.

Nangombe okwa popi kutya kwiikwatelelwa komiyalu ndhoka, omwaalu omunene gwaakiintu ogwa kambadhala okwiidhipaga omanga omwaalu gwaalumentu gu li pombanda oyo yiidhipaga.

Nangombe okwa li ta popi pethimbo kwa manithwa oonkundathana kombinga yomaikuthomwenyo, oonkundathana dhoka dha ningwa uule woshiwike pamwe nOmuprofessa Ella Arensman.

Nangombe okwa tsu omuthindo kutya omaidhipago oge Ii omukundu omunene gwa taalela aantu oohandimwe, oofamili oshowo aakwashigwana. Oonkundathana ndhoka dha ningwa odha nuninwa okugandja omayele komusindalandu gwoompangela dhuule woomvula ntano, dha nuninwa okuyanda omaikuthomwenyo.

Omuprofessa Arensman gwoUniversity College Cork moIreland, na okuli omukomeho gwomapekaapeko koshiputudhilo shoNational Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), moshilongo shoka okwa pandula Namibia sho ta ningi oonkambadhala shokuya moshipala omaikuthomwenyo.

Okwa popi kutya oonkambadhala ndhoka tadhi ningwa kuNamibia otashi tula oshilongo ponomola yotango muAfrika, okutula miilonga omusindalandu gwokukeelela omaikuthomwenyo.

Arensman okwa popi kutya iinima mbyoka tayi falitha pombanda iipotha yomaidhipago ongaashi elongitho nayi lyiikolitha, elongitho lyiingangamithi nomaihumbato ngoka oge li unene maanyasha.

Okwa gwedha po kutya shimwe natango iikolokosha mokati koofamili oshowo omategelelo mokati kaanona yaakadhona, nago oge li shimwe shomwaambyoka tayi falitha pombanda omwaalu.

Omukalelipo gwoWHO moNamibia, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, okwa popi kutya omaidhipago ge li po 793 000 oga lopotwa muuyuni momvula yo 2016, na oga li osheetithi shomaso oshitiyali mokati kaanyasha yoomvula 15 sigo 29 muuyuni, omvula ndjoka.

MuAfrika omaidhipago oga dhidhilikwa unene maakuluntu ihe okwa dhidhilikwa woo omwaalu tagu londo pombanda gwaanyasha mboka taya idhipaga.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Aayelele yomOmundaungilo ya tungilwa omagumbo

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Aayelele yomOmundaungilo ya tungilwa omagumboAayelele yomOmundaungilo ya tungilwa omagumboAakwashigwana mboka otaya ka pewa woo omeya ga yogoka Epangelo okupitila mOmbelewa yOmupeha Presidende olya katuka oonkatu nokuninga ehala lyokuza aakwashigwana yomuhoko gwAayelele yomomudhingoloko Omundaungilo, mOshitopolwa shaHangwena. Sha landula sho oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, sha kala nokulopota kombinga yonkalo moka mu na aakwashigwana mboka uule woomwedhi 20 dha piti ngashiingeyi, oshinyolwa shomathimbo ga piti osha etitha oshiwike sha piti opo epangelo li dhengele oombashu dhaakwashigwana mboka, nokupingenapo omalukalwa gawo nootenda ndhoka ya kala ya ninga yoyene.

Aakokele yamwe ye na oomvula dhi li pe 103 mboka ye na woo omaunkundi ga yoolola ngaashi uuposi oshowo omikithi dhilwe oya kala pehala mpoka uule woomvula odhindji.

Ombelewa yOmupeha Presidende oyiitulile oshimaliwa sha thika poN$800 000 shoka tashi ka tungila aakwashigwana mboka omahala gokuza oshowo okugandja omeya ga yogoka.

Sho oshifokundneki shika sha talele po ehala ndyoka mOlyomakaya otali monika epe, naakwashigwana mboka aanyasha otaya kwathele aatungi.

Omunambelewa gwiilonga mOmbelelwa yOmupeha Presidende, Aaron Clase, okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya oondunda dhomwiidhi kadhi shi omalukalwa omawanawa lela ihe odhi li omukalo gwomeendelelo gwokugandja omahala gokuza kaakwashigwana, nokweeta onkalo yopauntu mokati kaathigona.



Okwa popi kutya okwe ya moshitopolwa shaHangwena omwedhi gwa piti na okwa kuutumba naanambelewa ya za kiikondo yepangelo ya yooloka mboka ye na mo olunyala mekalekepo lyuuntu waakwashigwana.

Omunambelelwa ngoka okwa popi kutya epangelo kali na oshinakugwanithwa sho kugandja omagumbo giipeleki kaakwashigwana ihe otaya longo owala ngaaka onga omukalo gwokukutha aakwashigwana mboka mompumbwe. Inaku gandjwa otendela yiilonga mbyoka na otayi longwa owala kepangelo lyolyene mekwathelo lyaakwashigwana.

Ekwatho ndyoka oli li eyambidhidho enene lya pewa aakwashigwana mboka ya kala uule noomvula ya teka omukumo, sho oyendji yomaakwashigwana mboka ihaya mono woo nomayambidhidho goshimaliwa gokomwedhi.

Euvaneko ekulu

Momwedhi Februali gwomvula yo 2017, sho oshifokundneki shoNamibian Sun sha talele po tango omudhingoloko ngoka, osheendo sha kwatelwa komeho komunambelewa omupeha omukomeho gwoshikondo shomarginalised community division mOmbelewa yOmupeha Presidende, Gerson Kamatuka, pamwe naNgoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaHangwena, Usko Nghaamwa, okansela moshitopolwa oshowo aanambelewa yiikondo yilwe yepangelo oya li ya talele po ehala ndyoka, na oya li ya ningi euvaneko opo onkalo yaakwashigwana mboka yi hwepopalekwe.

Omuleli gwaakwashigwana mboka, Sadrah Amupolo, okwa popi kutya okwa nyanyukwa ketokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kepangelo unene sho ethimbo lyomuloka tali tameke.



Clase okwa gwedha po kutya okwa dhidhilike kutya aantu oyendji otaya ehama omikithi dha yooloka momudhingoloko ngoka, na okwa popi kutya epangelo olya pumbwa okudheula aanambelewa yuundjolowele yomomudhingoloko opo ya vule okukala taya ungaunga naantu mboka.

Aanona oyendji yopomudhingoloko ngoka ihaya yi woo kooskola.

ILENI NANDJATO

Taku nongononwa ontotwaveta yoondjokana moNamibia

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Taku nongononwa ontotwaveta yoondjokana moNamibiaTaku nongononwa ontotwaveta yoondjokana moNamibia Ontotwaveta tayi ithanwa Uniform Matrimonial Property Bill of 2018, oya ziminwa kOkabinete na oya ukithwa koCabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL) opo yi ka konaakonwe nawa kokuningwe omagwedhelepo omanga inayi gandjwa mOmutumba gwoPashigwana.

Kohi yompango yomo 1928, oondjokana adhihe ndhoka dha ningilwa monooli yaNamibia otadhi utha omaliko ga topoka, onkalo ndjoka oLaw Reform Development Commission yahala okulundulula, nompango ndjoka otayi pingenwa po kompango ompe.

Mompango ompe oondjokana adhihe otashi ka kala omaliko ge li mumwe.

Mboka ya hokana moomvula dha pita sigo opomvula yo 1990 otaya ka pewa ompito opo ya lundulule oondjokana dhawo okuya kehogololo ndyoka yahala.

Ominista yIikwamen,i Frans Kapofi, okwa popi kutya ndyoka elunduluko ewanawa na okwiinekela kutya ontotaveta ndjoka otayi ka falwa mOlaata yOshigwana omanga inayi ya mefudho momwedhi twa taalela.

Kapofi okwa popi kutya ope na aantu mboka ya hokana kombanda yomusinda omutiligane ngaashi hashi poppiwa, mboka ya li yahala okuhokana omaliko geli mumwe ihe omolwa onkalo ndjoka, oya pewa uukwatya wehokano lyomaliko ga topoka nontotwaveta ndjoka otayi ka lundulula onkalo ndjoka.



Sho a ningilwa omapulo omwedhi gwa piti, Kapofi okwa popi kutya oya hala okugandja ehogololo kaantu opo ya hogolole kutya oya hala okuhokana ngiini, netokolo lyawo otali ka tulwa konzapo yawo yondjokana.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Food bank confusion fixed

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Food bank confusion fixedFood bank confusion fixedRegional leadership blamed The confusion surrounding the roll-out of the food bank in Ohangwena has been cleared up. The poverty eradication ministry has moved swiftly to clear up the confusion surrounding the rollout of its food bank programme in the Ohangwena Region.

Last Thursday, Namibian Sun reported it was still unknown how many people would benefit from the Eenhana food bank, as the town council and Ohangwena regional council were claiming they were not properly consulted.

A day later, poverty eradication deputy minister Reverend Aino Kapewangolo arrived in Eenhana to sort out the misunderstanding.

Ministry spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the confusion was among the regional leadership and the ministry is not experiencing the same problem in other regions.

“The food bank will go ahead in Eenhana. The problem is the misunderstandings and misinformation among the regional leadership, who are not sharing information properly with one another,” Ndamanomhata said.

“The confusion is that the regional and town councillors and members who are in charge of coming up with the list of beneficiaries were not understanding each other very well. As the ministry, we do select the street committee that identifies who will benefit from the programme, but it is the responsibility of the constituency and the region.”

Both the town and regional council claimed they were not properly consulted when the programme was introduced, but Ndamanomhata said they were and that the ministry indicated to them what it wanted them to do and how this would be implemented.

Last week Ohangwena regional council chairperson Ericson Ndawanifa told Namibian Sun the town council was responsible for the registration of beneficiaries, as it recruited members of the street committee, while the town council says it is not part of the programme.

Ndawanifa said in July this year the region was approached by poverty eradication minister Zephania Kameeta, who informed them they were rolling out the food bank programme at Eenhana and the region must identify seven people to serve on the street committee.

“The office of the chief regional officer tasked the office of the town council CEO to identify the street committee members. These people were identified and were also trained to be able to register the food bank beneficiaries at the town,” Ndawanifa said.

Town council spokesperson Paulo Shilongo, however, said the food bank programme was entirely the responsibility of the regional council.

“The deputy minister went to Eenhana last Friday to try and solve this misunderstanding and confusion,” Ndamanomhata said.

The programme, which is already up and running in the Khomas, Kavango West, //Karas and Hardap regions and was also recently rolled out in the Kunene Region. Ndamanomhata said in the Hardap Region, the food bank is only operating in Mariental urban constituency.

And they have identified 376 households, consisting of 1 633 people to benefit from the 376 food parcels.

In the //Karas Region they are operating in the Keetmanshoop urban constituency, where they have identified 243 households consisting of 1 053 people and the !Nami#nus constituency, with 162 households consisting of 565 individuals.

In Kavango West, they are operating in Nkurenkuru urban constituency, where they have identified 116 household with 528 people.

Ndamanomhata said in Khomas, where the programme started, they are distributing food to 15 156 households, consisting of 68 499 people.

ILENI NANDJATO

Littering causes diseases - Mushelenga

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Littering causes diseases - MushelengaLittering causes diseases - Mushelenga Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga has urged Namibians to stop littering, while linking disease outbreaks in informal areas to this practice.

Mushelenga, who was speaking during World Habitat Day celebrations this past Friday, reminded Namibians to use the materials available to them to collect waste in a responsible manner.

The statement was read on his behalf by deputy director of habitat in the ministry, Naomi Simion.

“During late 2017, Namibia reported an outbreak of Hepatitis E in Windhoek and most of these cases were from informal settlements.

“This virus is linked, to amongst others, poor sanitation and waste management systems. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to address challenges faced in our towns, specifically on the overall provision of basic services in order to achieve Vision 2030, the national development goals and the Harambee Prosperity Plan, as the Sustainable Development Goals, the New Urban Agenda and other international, regional and national plans,” Mushelenga said.

Namibia celebrated World Habitat Day under the theme 'Municipal Solid Waste Management'.

In 1985, the United Nations designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day, with the aim to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and the basic right to shelter.

Mushelenga said commemorating the day reminds citizens that they have the power and responsibility to change and shape the future of their cities and towns.

Windhoek deputy mayor Teckla Uwanga said the City unremittingly strives to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment for all its residents.

“There are numerous consequences that come with living in a dirty and unhealthy environment. This can be attested by the recent outbreak of Hepatitis E in the informal settlements, more especially in the Moses Garoeb and Samora Machel constituencies,” she said.

She also urged Namibians to change their behaviour and to move away from the culture of illegal dumping and littering, to a more environmentally-sensitive culture.

“There is a compelling need for change of behaviour and mindset for us to sustainably keep our City clean under one of our themes, 'My Waste, My Responsibility',” she said.

Uwanga added that the matter of municipal waste management is critical to the functionality of any local authority and the responsible treatment of water cannot be overemphasised.

“This occasion ably demonstrates that the ministry is seriously focusing on matters of service delivery, with the view to positively impact on the livelihoods of our residents.”

JEMIMA BEUKES
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