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Ompumbwe yomeya moshitopolwa shaHangwena

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Ompumbwe yomeya moshitopolwa shaHangwenaOmpumbwe yomeya moshitopolwa shaHangwenaOombola dha tungwa po moshitopolwa shoka ihadhi longo natango Nonando oshitopolwa shaHangwena okwa lopotwa shi na uuyamba woonzo dhomeya gomevi, aakwashigwana moshitopolwa shoka onkene ya taalela enota nokunwa omeya inaga yela konima yoomvula 28 oshilongo sha manguluka ngashiingeyi. Kansela gwoshikandjohogololo Epembe mOhangwena, Philip Shikongo okwa holola omalimbililo ge omolwa aakwashigwana taya longitha omeya inaga yogoka moshitopolwa.

Kansela okwa li a lopota muSepetemba kutya aantu ya atu yomomukunda Haufikuweenime oya li ya falwa koshipangelo meendelelo konima sho kwa dhidhilikwa kutya oya nwa omeya inaga yogoka okuza momboola. Nolwanima oya monika omukithi gwehuli.

Elelo lyoshitopolwa olya zimine eindilo lyaShikongo nokugongela ootenga adhihe ndhoka ihadhi longithwa moshitopolwa shoka, opo dhi falwe kwaamboka ye li mompumbwe, onga oonkambadhala okuya moshipala elongitho lyomeya inaga yogoka ndyoka tali tula moshiponga uundjolowele waakwashigwana.

Momutumba gwelelo ngoka gwa ningwa mulyotango lyaNovemba, Shikongo okwa lopota kutya iikandjohogololo mbyoka ya gumwa noonkondo ongaashi, Okongo, Epembe, Omundaungilo oshowo Oshikunde .

Onkundana ndjoka oya hololwa polweela konima sho oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun sha lopota omvula ya piti kutya oshitopolwa shaHangwena otaku tengenekwa shi na oonzo dhomeya gomevi goocubic meta oobiliyona 20 omanga aakwashigwana yomiikandjo ngaashi Omundaungilo, Oshikunde, Okongo oshowo Epembe taya nu omeya inaga yogoka.

Shikongo okwa popi kutya enota olya kala omukundu omunene kaakwashigwana mboka omanga oshilongo inashi manguluka, ihe konima yoomvula 28 oshilongo sha manguluka natango enota oli li omukundu ngoka gwa taalela aakwashigwana mboka.

Kansela okwa tsikile kutya aakwashigwana mboka otaya nu omeya inaga yogoka sho ominino dhomeya dha tulwa owala miikandjo yimwe po ngaashi ombinga yimwe yEpembe nOmundaungilo, omanga iitopolwa yimwe ngaashi Okongo oshowo Oshikunde yiikolelela owala momeya gomoombola naakwashigwana yamwe ohaya ende iinano yookilometa 7 opo ya ka konge omeya ga yogoka.

Shikongo okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka oya nika oshiponga noonkondo na otayi tula moshiponga uundjolowele waakwashigwana, kansela okwa tsikile kutya okwa pumbwa okuningwa sha opo ku kwashilipalekwe kutya aakwashigwana mboka oya mona omeya ga yogoka ko kuyandwe omikithi oshowo omaso taga zilile melongith lyomeya ngoka inaga yogoka.

Shikongo okwa popi kutya ootenga dhomeya dhi li po 35 odha pumbiwa moshikandjohogololo Epembe mOhaimbudu, Oukala, Ohamenya, Omupanda, Oluungu, Oneisiyo, Ohamikoka, Onduuludiaya, Ohamutwedautende, Okuyana oshowo Omupalala; hamano odha pumbiwa mOkongo momikunda ngaashi Olukumwa, Okanghalulwena, Omulamba, Oshikuni, Ondiimwenena oshowo Olupale; 12 odha pumbiwa mOmundaungilo momikunda ngaashi Ekolola, Oshihepo, Epinga, Eewa, Ohehongo, Onainghete, Oshipala, Ondwi, Ombaaloka, Omufitu-wekuta oshowo Oshingadu; omanga kwa pumbiwa oomboola hamano mOshikunde momikunda ngaashi Okwatiwalunga, Owalyainda, Onamihonga west, Omunyangwhwe, Okambuwa oshowo Ombaba.

Epangelo lyaNamibia olya mboola oombola dhi li 104 momvula yo 2013, 25 moshitopolwa shaZambezi, 14 moKavango East, 17 moKavango West, 16 mOhangwena, 21 moKunene oshowo 11 mOmaheke. Oombola ndhoka odha li dhi na okutameka okulonga noshimaliwa tashi gandjwa omagano okuza kepangelo lyaSouth Afrika, shoomiliyona 100 ihe opoloyeka ndjoka oya ndopa.

Omvula ya piti, Ngoloneya gwaHangwena, Usko Nghaamwa, okwa longitha hetatu dhomoombooa ndhoka, opo a vule okugandja omeya kaakwashigwana moshitopolwa she mboka haya ende iinano iile taya kongo omeya.

Oshitopolwa shaHangwena oshi na oonzo dhomeya dhomevi, ndhoka tadhi vulu okugandja omeya kaakwashigwana uule woomvula dha thika o 400, omanga aakwashigwana yomoshitopolwa shoka ya taalela enota enene.

ILENI NANDJATO

Elongitho lyiingangamithi moshilongo otali londo pombanda

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Elongitho lyiingangamithi moshilongo otali londo pombandaElongitho lyiingangamithi moshilongo otali londo pombanda Iingangamithi yoCannabis oyi li natango yimwe yomiingangamithi hayi longithwa noonkondo moNamibia, sho opolisi ya kwatako ookiligrama 39 dhiingangamithi mbyoka, yongushu yoomiliyona 1.95 muKotomba.

Iingangamithi yimwe ya kwatwako ongaashi cocaine powder, crack cocaine, Mandrax oshowo tik (crystal methamphetamine).

Iingangamithi yongushu yoomiiyona 2 oya kwatwako kopolisi kuKotomba omanga aafelewa 126 ya tulwa miipandeko shi na sha niipotha tayi kwatakanithwa niingangamithi.

Pahapu dhomunambelewa Omupopiliko gwOpolisi yaNamibia, Omupeha Komufala Edwin Kanguatjivi, opolisi oya kwatako iingangamithi yongushu yooN$1 976 820 omwedhi gwa piti.

Omiyalu ndhoka dha gandjwa kopolisi odha holola kutya oopela dhoMandrax 141 dhongushu yomomapandanda N$16 920 odha kwatwako muKotomba. Opolisi oya kwatako woo oograma 18.8 dhococaine dhongushu yooN$9 400 oshowo crack cocaine yongushu yooN$4 000. Iingangamithi yotik yongushu yoN$1 000 nayo oya kwatwako.

Oonakutulwa miipandeko 115 aakwashigwana yaNamibian oshoowo aakwashigwana yaAngola 8, omukwashigwana gumwe gwaBurundi, omuTanzania gumwe oshowo omukwashigwana gumwe gwaZambia.

Omiyalu dhoka otadhi ulike kutya elongitho lyiingangamithi moNamibia olya londa pombanda. MuJuni, iingangamithi yococaine yookg 412, yongushu yoomiliyona 206 oya kwatwako mOmbaye.

Oshifokundaneki shoNamibia Sun osha lopota kutya olopota yo 2017 World Drug Report oya holola kutya iingangamithi mbyoka unene hayi kwatwako moNamibia ongaashi crack, Mandrax oshowo dagga. Olopota oya holola kutya pokati komvula yo 2012 oshowo 2015 iingangamithi yocrack cocaine yi li po 2 525 oya kwatwako, omanga oopela dhoMandrax dhi li 8 346 Mandrax dha kwatwako. Okwa kwatwa woo ookilograma dho li 805 dhomarijuana.

Olopota ndjoka oya holola kutya metata lyomvula yo 2015 konyala etata lyaantu lyoobiliyona yimwe muuyuni ohaya longitha iingangamithi.

Omukomeho nale gwoshikondo sha nuninwa ekondjitho lyiingangamithi moshikondo shopolisi, Hermie van Zyl, okwa li a lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya montseyo ye sho a kala miilonga iingangamithi ya kwatwako miipotha oyindji ohayi kala yomwaalu gu li pevi. Okwa li a popi kutya iingangamithi yodagga oyo hayi longithwa unene omanga iitopolwa mbyoka mwa dhidhilikwa elongitho li li pombanda Khomas, Erongo nOshana.

Van Zyl okwa popi kutya iingangamithi yodagga oyo hayi longithwa unene molwaashoka oyi na ombiliha, niingangamithi yilwe ohayi longithwa kaantu shiikolelela kuukwatya wawo wopaiyemo.

Momusholondondo gwiingangamithi mbyoka hayi longitha moNamibia konima yodagga okwa landula ocrack cocaine oshowo Mandrax noEcstasy. Mbyoka unene ohayi adhika mOvenduka noSwakopo.

ELLANIE SMIT

Namibia improves in child-friendliness

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Namibia improves in child-friendlinessNamibia improves in child-friendlinessEfforts by governments recognised Namibia has improved in its quest to ensure the rights and wellbeing of children but, there are still many challenges. Over the past five years Namibia has managed to improve its position by 19 places on an index that ranks African countries' efforts to realise the rights and wellbeing of children.

Namibia is currently ranked the seventh most child-friendly country in Africa, up from 26th place in 2013.

However, despite considerable progress Namibia is still not in line with international standards when it comes to the recommended minimum age of criminal responsibility for children.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recommends a minimum age of criminal responsibility of 12, while in Namibia the minimum age is seven.

The index ranks 52 countries and is based on the three pillars of protection, provision and participation.

Namibia is ranked ninth in Africa for child protection, sixth for provision of basic needs and fourth for participation. The index is contained a newly released report titled 'African Report on Child Wellbeing 2018: Progress in the Child-friendliness of African Governments'.

The top-ranked countries are Mauritius, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Morocco and Lesotho.

The report says their high scores reflect their consistent efforts to realise the rights and wellbeing of children by adopting and implementing comprehensive laws and policies to provide adequate protection, and allocating relatively higher shares of their available resources to child-related sectors.

These countries have also been effective in improving children's access to basic needs and services, as well as in achieving better outcomes in child protection and overall child wellbeing.

The least child-friendly governments at the bottom of the 2018 table are South Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Zambia, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Eritrea.

The legal and policy framework and the enforcement mechanisms in most of these countries remain inadequate and weak.

They also invest the least in education, health and wellbeing, despite the prevalence of multiple deprivations among their children.

According to the report Namibia allocates 6.7% of its GDP to social protection expenditure. The top African country in that regard is Lesotho, allocating 16.3% of its GDP to social protection.

Namibia is also one of the top-ranked countries when it comes to public expenditure on education, at 8% of GDP. Lesotho contributes 11%.

It is further indicated that Namibia has one of the highest pre-primary enrolment rates in Africa at 21.5%. The highest enrolment rate is in Swaziland at 24.6%.

Namibia has a pupil-teacher ratio of 30:1, which is better than the recommended ratio of 40:1.

With regard to poverty, 22.6% of Namibians live in poverty, compared to Madagascar where 77.6% of its population lives in poverty.

The report further indicates that only 13% of children in Namibia between six and 23 months old receive a minimum acceptable diet.

It is further indicated that Namibia has a 7% prevalence of child marriages compared to 76% in Niger.

The report warns that Africa is on the verge of a serious human development crisis, which would have grave consequences for the social and economic wellbeing of its people and for the future of the continent.

“Massive investment is needed over the next three decades to avoid the ticking time-bomb of a billion children and young people who are under-nourished, semi-literate or illiterate, jobless or underemployed,” the report states.

It calls for action in six priority areas: nutritious food, high-quality education, respect for the dignity of the child, human development, every child matters, that no child should be left behind, and public spending.

ELLANIE SMIT

Small-town books in shambles

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Small-town books in shamblesSmall-town books in shambles The Otavi town council received a qualified audit report from the auditor-general (AG) for the 2016/17 financial year.

The report was tabled last week in the National Assembly by finance minister Calle Schlettwein.

A qualified audit report is a statement issued after an audit is completed, suggesting that the information provided is limited in scope and did not maintain the AG's accounting principles.

According to the report, the council's liabilities exceeded its assets by N$12 million, which indicates significant doubt about the ability of the council to continue operating as a going concern.

It also said payment vouchers of over N$1 million were paid while they were not certified correctly by the finance manager and the CEO.

The AG recommended that the council implement appropriate measures to ensure that it generates enough funds to run its operations. The finance manager and CEP should also certify all payment vouchers before it is paid to reduce the risk of fraud.

The report further revealed a difference of over N$280 000 between the auditor's reconciliation and financial statements, and the AG also observed that debtors with credit balances of over N$208 000 were not raised as creditors at year-end.

Then there was an unexplained difference of over N$296 000 between the asset register and financial statement.

The AG recommended that council perform reconciliations on a monthly basis and furthermore, that debtors with credit balances are reconciled and cleared, and that proper reconciliation is performed between the asset register and financial statement.

Witlvei did not fare well either and the village council has failed to make available supporting documents accounting for N$4 million to the AG for the 2016/17 financial year.

The report added that the documents absent to provide for an audit opinion by the AG include Build Together Programme debtors, approved housing bonds, asset register, bank reconciliations and accounting policy, among others.

“I have not been able to obtain appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an opinion. Accordingly, I do not express an opinion of the financial statements of the village council at 30 June 2017,” Kandjeke was quoted as saying.

The report further noted that an amount of N$200 000 for the provision of leave disclosed on the financial statement could not be verified as supporting documents were not provided for audit purposes.

The report also revealed that there is no fixed asset register, and as a result, an amount of N$107 000 could not be verified.

Furthermore, the AG observed that the council disclosed an amount of N$104 000 as investments, adding that it incurred value added tax consultation expenses amounting to N$395 000 and preparation of financial statements of N$67 000.

The report also revealed that all employees of the village council, except the former CEO, do not have contracts of employment on their personnel files and that the travel allowance claims are not submitted after trips, and that some journeys are not supported by invitations.

The AG added that some staff claim for hours travelled on the departure and arrival days of the trip.

NAMPA

Rape sentences 'too compassionate'

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Rape sentences 'too compassionate'Rape sentences 'too compassionate' The Popular Democratic Movement Women's League (PDMWL) has expressed concern about the lenient sentences being meted out to rapists.

It said these sentences are too compassionate, considering the grievous harm done to rape victims and society at large.

“We feel there is a need for the country's legal system to start looking at rape, especially, as a serious crime that deserves the harshest of sentences, among other crimes,” said PDMWL secretary-general Loide Iipinge.

She said recent cases of young girls being raped by adult relatives when left under their care are disturbing to say the least, and should be a warning to all parents and guardians to take better care of their children.

Iipinge said in most cases the damage rape causes to victims is something they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives, while perpetrators walk away free or are given mere fines.

“We feel that these unperturbed sentences are encouraging perpetrators to continuously engage in these hideous acts, with the full knowledge that they will not face any heavy punishment for doing so.”

The PDMWL called on Namibian society, the gender ministry and all stakeholders to rigorously engage in awareness programmes and campaigns, in order to educate would-be victims about how to avoid rape.

It also commended the police for their unwavering investigations and quick apprehension of perpetrators.

“We would want to urge them to continue to do so, while we advocate for stiffer penalties for offenders.”

The nation was shocked last week, when it came to light that a 24-year-old man who is accused of raping and mutilating a nine-year-old girl has a string of former rape and an attempted rape case pending against him, for which he received bail.

Gewen Gawa-nab also faced previous gender-based violence and assault charges, which were withdrawn.

He appeared in the Katutura Magistrate's Court last week for the alleged rape of the young girl.

It is alleged that Gawa-nab cut the girl's genitals with a knife before raping her. The attack occurred at Farm Satan Locht in the Khomas Region.

Gawa-nab was charged with the rape of a minor and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The case was postponed to 5 December. Gawa-nab will also appear for another rape case on the same day.



ELLANIE SMIT

Company news in brief

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Company news in briefCompany news in brief EU approves Disney buy from Fox

Walt Disney’s US$71.3-billion offer to buy Twenty-First Century Fox Inc’s entertainment assets won approval from the European Commission on Tuesday, subject to Disney selling interests in factual TV channels in Europe.

The EU competition regulator said in a statement that Disney had committed to divest its interests in channels including History and Lifetime in the European Economic Area (EEA) to avoid harming competition following its purchase from Fox.

“The decision is conditional on full compliance with commitments offered by Disney,” the Commission said.

The channels it must end its interest in are History, H2, Crime & Investigation, Blaze and Lifetime channels — currently controlled by A+E Television Networks, a joint venture between Disney and Hearst. HRSTV.UL

Disney secured approval from the US Justice Department for the deal in June on condition after agreeing to sell Fox’s 22 regional sports networks.

The deal would expand Disney’s unrivalled portfolio of some of the world’s most popular characters, uniting Mickey Mouse, Luke Skywalker and Marvel superheroes with Fox’s X-Men, “Avatar” and “The Simpsons” franchises.

-Nampa/Reuters

Nissan signs deal to build assembly plant in Ghana

Japanese automaker Nissan signed a preliminary deal with Ghana on Tuesday to set up an assembly plant in the West African country, company officials and the government said.

Nissan is the biggest car seller in Ghana with a 32% market share and the company plans to make the country its sales hub in West Africa. It already has a plant in Nigeria.

“We see Ghana as the gateway to West Africa... we will grow our business presence in the region and it’s for the long term,” Mike Whitfield, Nissan’s managing director for Africa, told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding with Ghana’s trade ministry.

He did not provide further details, saying only that the company’s plans would hinge on a national auto policy that the government is expected to launch by the end of the year.

-Nampa/Reuters

Toymaker Lego wins court case against Chinese copycats

Lego has won another case against imitators in China where copies of its colorful plastic toy bricks and figures have been a recurrent problem, the Danish toymaker said on Monday.

In a landmark case last year Lego for the first time succeeded in a copyright competition case in China, where it seeks a bigger slice of a US$31 billion toys and games market.

“We believe these decisions are well-founded in the facts and the law, and clearly demonstrate the continued efforts of Chinese authorities to protect intellectual property,” Lego chief executive Niels B. Christiansen said in a statement.

The Guangzhou Yuexiu District Court ruled that four companies had “infringed multiple copyrights of the LEGO Group and conducted acts of unfair competition by producing and distributing LEPIN building sets”, Lego said.

The court ordered that the companies immediately ceased “producing, selling, exhibiting or in any way promoting the infringing products,” it said.

How Apple is losing its grip on India

Software engineer Samee Alam was ready to take the big leap and buy an iPhone in this week’s Diwali festival sales, but at the last minute he opted for cheaper Chinese competitor OnePlus instead.

Alam, 27, spends hours on his phone watching shows, surfing and shopping, making him the perfect target for Apple Inc as it strives to raise sales among India’s 1.3 billion consumers.

But in a country where the average per capita income is around US$2 000 a year, even the cheapest of this year’s new iPhones, the XR at 76,900 rupees ($1,058), costs twice as much as many of the alternatives.

Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research says that iPhone sales are falling as a result. From three million phones in 2017, sales may sink to two million this year, according to their estimate, the first decline in four years.

More than half of those sales will come from cheaper older models, and the lack of progress in India was among problems cited by Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook when he gave a disappointing holiday outlook last week.

Even in the premium segment, smartphones that cost more than US$400, Apple lagged Samsung and China’s OnePlus in the third quarter.

-Nampa/Reuters

Thomson Reuters eyes 'substantive' purchases

Thomson Reuters Corp is looking to make “substantive” acquisitions to boost its legal and tax units after selling a majority stake in its financial terminal business, chief executive Jim Smith said on Tuesday.

Smith’s comments, following better-than-expected third-quarter profit announced earlier in the day, sent Thomson Reuters shares up 4.5% to an 18-year high.

The news and information provider has set aside US$2 billion for deals, Smith told Reuters in an interview, after raising US$17 billion from selling 55 percent of its Financial & Risk (F&R) unit to private equity firm Blackstone Group LP (BX.N).

“We are interested in bigger, more substantive deals,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t expect a string of small, bolt-on acquisitions. We’d rather spend that US$2 billion on a handful of deals rather than spread across a couple of dozen.”

Thomson Reuters could spend more than US$2 billion if it found the right purchase, Smith told analysts on a conference call after reporting quarterly earnings.

-Nmapa/Reuters

Hepatitis worries continue

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Hepatitis worries continueHepatitis worries continueEpidemic difficult to contain Hepatitis E is giving authorities an uphill battle with the spread seemingly unstoppable. Namibia's health authorities remain deeply worried about new hepatitis E infections in Namibia's poorest communities.

“It is evident that this outbreak has become protracted; most of the cases are still being detected in areas where water and toilet facilities are limited,” the health ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The ministry says the outbreak has spread to most regions, including Erongo, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and the Kavango regions.

It says a number of problems, including the slow response of some local authorities, are undermining efforts to control the outbreak.

Since the outbreak began more than one year ago, 3 859 cases and 31 deaths have been reported, the authorities announced at the end of October.

The health ministry said this week that site visits between 15 and 21 October found 34 new cases of hepatitis E in the Khomas, Omusati, Erongo and Ohangwena regions.

“Although the public health response has been ongoing for nearly a year, it has not been able to contain the hepatitis E outbreak in the country as yet.

“On the contrary, the outbreak has become protracted and has even spread to other informal settlements and other regions in the country,” it said.

A health ministry team, together with partners from the World Health Organisation (WHO), will visit more regions in the north and attend a cross-border surveillance meeting with a health team from Angola soon.

To date, the Khomas Region has been the hardest hit by the outbreak, with 71% of cases reported.

The Erongo Region is the second most affected with 846 cases, or 23% of the total.

The remaining regions account for 6% of the cases.

The national fatality rate is 0.9% of those infected, with maternal deaths accounting for 14 of the 31 deaths (45%).

A total of 2 729 of those infected to date are between 20 and 39 years old.



Too many gaps

One of the obstacles in the ministry's efforts to halt the spread of the disease is a lack of agreement with municipalities on how to reach communities.

The health ministry says Unicef is negotiating with the City of Windhoek, “who seem to be having an issue as they feel that community-led total sanitation (CLTS) may lower the standards of toilet facilities in the city.”

Community-led total sanitation is described as an approach used mainly in developing countries to improve sanitation and hygiene practices. It focuses on long-lasting behaviour change of an entire community to end open defecation.

According to the health ministry CLTS is recommended to ensure that communities appreciate the need for taking ownership of water supply and sanitation facilities.

Another challenge highlighted by the health ministry is inadequate interventions on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

This entails providing taps for clean water, latrines and hand-washing facilities in informal settlements to control the outbreak.

“More support is also needed to support procurement of chlorine tablets for water treatment and scaling up of the other WASH interventions,” the ministry states.

Another challenge is “inadequate risk communication and social work specialists to engage communities and communicate appropriately the changes in lifestyle and environment needed both for the immediate control of this outbreak and prevention of future outbreaks.”

Additionally, delays by health facilities in reporting cases to the ministry are misleading response efforts by not representing the true number of cases in affected regions.

The ministry also notes the inadequate number of epidemiologists to support the surveillance and data management at the ministry, which is “short staffed due to the current economic down-trend in the country”.

The ministry says there is an urgent need for a “massive scale-up of hygiene and sanitation promotion campaigns, access to safe water or water treatment, promotion of hand washing with soap, dignity kits for pregnant women, and regulation of open-market food selling in the affected areas”, in order to prevent the further spread of the outbreak.

JANA-MARI SMITH

New CEO for NAC by year end

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New CEO for NAC by year endNew CEO for NAC by year end The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) will finalise the appointment of a CEO before the end of this year.

Former presidential spokesperson Albertus Aochamub was asked to step down as acting chief executive of the NAC in August.

Former CEO Tamer El-Kallawi was suspended on allegations of corruption, bribery, fraud and dishonesty last year. Before a disciplinary hearing could be held, he reached a 'without prejudice' separation settlement with the NAC.

El-Kallawi allegedly chose a Chinese company to work on the renovation of the Ondangwa Airport for N$200 million without inviting a public tender.

The position of acting CEO at the NAC is currently filled by Lot Haifidi.

NAC board chairperson Leake Hangala yesterday said the company had been experiencing instability due to the absence of a substantive CEO, the continuous suspension of some of its senior executives and resignations from its board.

Hangala said when the current board was appointed recently, one of the immediate actions that transport minister John Mutorwa ordered was to appoint a substantive CEO and to stabilise the company's operations.

“We are pleased to announce that we will finalise the appointment of a substantive CEO before the end of 2018,” he said.

Hangala said the board had also tasked the NAC management to finalise the disciplinary cases of suspended executives.

They are human resources manager Josephine Soroses, finance and administration manager Ruswa Verengai, manager for commercial services Toska Sem and organisational development manager Albert Sibeya.

The executives were placed on suspension in October 2017 and their disciplinary processes are still ongoing.

Their suspensions came about three months after the NAC had suspended then CEO El-Kallawi and Courage Silombela, its strategic executive for projects, IT and engineering. Both El-Kallawi and Silombela resigned before disciplinary proceedings started.

Hangala said the board had also resolved to reduce the number of acting positions at the company.

“All these efforts are aimed at improving staff morale and are necessary for redirecting the company, providing leadership for effective corporate governance and consolidating resource management,” he said.

ELLANIE SMIT

Startupper of the year challenge is here

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Startupper of the year challenge is hereStartupper of the year challenge is hereEnergizing your ideas Following the success of the first Startupper of the Year Challenge held in 2015 in more than 30 African countries, Total is bringing it back this year in nearly 40 countries across the continent. The 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge will support and reward young local entrepreneurs in any business sector with a project or business less than two years old. In each participating African country, a local jury comprised of experts from Total, specialists from incubators and accelerators, business leaders and local community stakeholders will select three winners.

The projects will be assessed based on their innovative nature, social and community impact and feasibility and development potential.

Each winner will be awarded the “Startupper of the Year by Total” label and receive financial support of at least R150 000, plus professional coaching and extensive publicity to advertise their project.

New this year is the idea to support women entrepreneurs as the jury will also designate a Top Female Entrepreneur in each country. This special award, which is in addition to the other awards, is Total’s way of encouraging more women to take part in the challenge.

A grand jury will meet subsequently to select three grand winners for the entire continent, from among the first-prize winners in each country.

More than just a business challenge, the 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge also reaffirms Total’s commitment to capacity building in the countries where it operates, worldwide. By helping innovative young entrepreneurs to realise their projects, the challenge strengthens the local social fabric.

Registration opens on October 9 and candidates will have until November 13 to submit their applications.

Standard Bank urges Brazilian firms to tap Africa market

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Standard Bank urges Brazilian firms to tap Africa marketStandard Bank urges Brazilian firms to tap Africa market South Africa’s Standard Bank Group Ltd encouraged Brazilian engineering and construction firms on Tuesday to explore African opportunities, such as the world’s largest liquid natural gas projects in Mozambique.

While incoming President-elect Jair Bolsonaro says he will focus on relations with advanced economies, Standard Bank is betting on Brazilian companies needing to diversify abroad to recover from a recession at home.

South Africa’s largest lender by assets serves Brazilian clients in Africa, such as miner Vale and oil company Petrobras, and sees opportunities for others in the continent, particularly in two vast LNG projects in Mozambique with a combined investment projected at about US$55 billion.

“Our aim today is to outline the benefits and scale of the Mozambican opportunities for Brazilian clients,” Paul Taylor, the banks’ global head for oil and gas, said in a telephone interview before meeting with Brazilian companies in Sao Paulo.

The two rival LNG projects developed by Exxon Mobil and Anadarko Petroleum will tap large reserves found deep offshore, an area where Brazil has experience, and the gas will be liquefied onshore, Taylor said.

Standard Bank Group, in which China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is the largest shareholder with a 20% stake, has financed Brazilian food exports to Africa and is advising Brazilian companies on mergers and acquisitions in the continent.

The bank’s country head for Brazil, Natalia Dias, said its Brazilian clients were trying to develop a more international business strategy after Brazil’s recent crisis and it was too early to see what Bolsonaro’s policies would be after he takes office on Jan. 1.

“That’s our bet. We have yet to see what key measures the new government will take on foreign policy. We need to wait and see what the drivers will be,” she said.

Africa is a relevant market for Brazil that will continue to grow, not just for companies that build roads, bridges and ports, but for Brazilian food exports.

With 60% of all the arable and uncultivated land in the world, and similar soil conditions, Brazilian agribusiness companies should look to produce in Africa to protect their market share, Dias said.

-Nampa/Reuters

Namibia's future workforce at risk

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Namibia's future workforce at riskNamibia's future workforce at risk The future productivity of Namibia's workforce may be at risk due to the country's poor health and education status.

Namibia outranks only 40 other countries globally on the Human Capital Index.

The index ranks Namibia 117th out of 157 countries worldwide and measures the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by the age of 18.

According to the index, children born in Namibia today will one day be only 43% as productive as they could have been if they had enjoyed complete education and full health.

The index measures the amount of human capital that children born in 2018 can expect to attain by age 18, based on the risks of poor education and poor health that prevail in their country.

The index is designed to highlight how improvements in the current education and health outcomes shape the productivity of the next generation of workers. It assumes that children born in a given year will experience current educational opportunities and health risks over the next 18 years.

It follows the trajectory from birth to adulthood of a child born in a given year.

In the poorest countries, there is a significant risk that children do not even survive to see their fifth birthday.

Even if they do reach school age, there is a further risk that they do not start school, let alone complete the full cycle of education through grade 12 that is the norm in rich countries.

The time they do spend in school may translate unevenly into learning, depending on the quality of their teachers and schools and the support they receive from family.

After the age of 18, they carry with them the lasting childhood effects of poor health and nutrition that limit physical and cognitive abilities as an adult.

The index indicates that 96 out of 100 children born in Namibia survive to the age of five.

A Namibian child who starts school at the age of four can expect to complete 8.9 years of school by their 18th birthday.

However, factoring in the quality of learning in Namibia, the expected years of school are equivalent to only 5.8 years. This means that there is a learning gap of 3.1 years.

The report says the quantity of education is measured as the number of years of school a child can expect to obtain by their 18th birthday, given the prevailing pattern of enrolment rates and assuming they start preschool at age four.

The best possible outcome is when children stay in school for 14 years.

High enrolment rates throughout the school system bring many rich countries close to the 14-year benchmark.

Average test scores from major international testing programmes range from around 600 in the best-performing countries to around 300 in the worst-performing.

To put these numbers in perspective, a score of roughly 400 corresponds to a benchmark of minimum proficiency set by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the largest international testing programme.

Less than half of students in developing countries meet this standard, compared with 86% in advanced economies. Students in Namibia score 407.

In Namibia, 71% of 15-year-olds will survive until age 60. This statistic is a proxy for the range of fatal and non-fatal health outcomes that a child born today would experience as an adult under current conditions in the country.

The index also states that 77 out of 100 children in Namibia are not stunted, while the 23% who are stunted are at risk of cognitive and physical limitations that can last a lifetime.

Globally, 56% of all children born today will grow up to be, at best, half as productive as they could be; and 92% will grow up to be, at best, 75% as productive as they could be. In the SADC region this figure stands at 40% of children born today.

ELLANIE SMIT

Unfit for humans

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Unfit for humansUnfit for humansWaterborne diseases stalk Ohangwena The water crisis in Ohangwena has been a serious problem since before independence, but 28 years later the situation remains unchanged. Epembe constituency councillor Phillip Shikongo is concerned about the health of Ohangwena residents who are consuming unsafe water.

He said that in September three Haufikuweenime villagers were rushed to the Eenhana district hospital, where they were admitted after they drank contaminated water from a well. They were later diagnosed with liver disease.

The Ohangwena regional council has approved Shikongo's motion to relocate all unused or abandoned water tanks at various community water points to the needy, in a quest to resolve the water crisis in the region.

At a council meeting on 1 November, Shikongo reported that the Okongo, Epembe, Omundaungilo and Oshikunde constituencies are badly affected and the council needs to intervene soonest. This came after Namibian Sun reported last year that Ohangwena has a massive aquifer estimated to hold about 20 billion cubic metres of fresh water, while Omundaungilo, Oshikunde, Okongo and Epembe inhabitants are consuming water that is unfit for human consumption. Shikongo said the water crisis has been a serious problem since before independence, but 28 years later the situation remains unchanged.

“Many people in these four constituencies consume unsafe water. The piped water network covers only some parts of Epembe and Omundaungilo, while other parts and the whole of Okongo and Oshikunde only depend on boreholes and wells. Most of the borehole water in these constituencies is not good for human consumption, due to the high content of fluoride,” Shikongo said.

“This means that many people in these constituencies have no access to potable water, due to the scarcity and lack of water facilities to hold water, especially during the dry seasons. Some people have to walk up to 7km to get potable water.”

Shikongo said cases of waterborne diseases are very high in areas where there is no potable water - a situation he said affects people's health negatively.

“This situation poses threats to the health of people who are living in those areas. Therefore, an alternative should be found in order to ensure that people in these areas are provided with potable water by the regional council, which can be stored in water tanks that are abandoned or unused at some water points across the region, to reduce sickness and unnecessary deaths,” he said.

Shikongo said 35 tanks are needed in total - 11 for Epembe for Ohaimbudu, Oukala, Ohamenya, Omupanda, Oluungu, Oneisiyo, Ohamikoka, Onduuludiaya, Ohamutwedautende, Okuyana and Omupalala; six for Okongo at Olukumwa, Okanghalulwena, Omulamba, Oshikuni and Ondiimwenena and Olupale; 12 for Omundaungilo at Ekolola, Oshihepo, Epinga, Eewa, Ohehongo, Onainghete, Oshipala, Ondwi, Ombaaloka, Omufitu-wekuta and Oshingadu; and six for Oshikunde at Okwatiwalunga, Owalyainda, Onamihonga west, Omunyangwhwe, Okambuwa and Ombaba. Shikongo said this will be an equitable and efficient utilisation of government resources in the region.

He suggested that the regional council, through the directorate of rural water supply, do a physical inventory count of all deserted community water points and water tanks installed at those points across the region.

“Those tanks should be relocated to villages that are in need of water. The regional council should explore ways to fix or repair the damaged tanks and be responsible for filling those tanks with water. Community members in those areas should be sensitised to take good care of their property,” he said.

In 2013, government was supposed to have drilled 104 boreholes - 25 in Zambezi, 14 in Kavango East, 17 in Kavango West, 16 in Ohangwena, 21 in Kunene and 11 in Omaheke. These boreholes were to have been installed as part of a South African government drought relief donation of N$100 million, promised by then President Jacob Zuma in 2013, which only reportedly materialised in 2015.

Last year, Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa equipped eight of these boreholes in his region to supply water to communities that had to travel long distances for potable water.

According to the water ministry, the Ohangwena aquifer has the potential to supply water to northern Namibia for the next 400 years.

ILENI NANDJATO

Africa news in brief

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Africa news in briefAfrica news in brief South Africa's net foreign reserves slip

South Africa’s net foreign reserves fell to US$42.194 billion in October from US$42.227 billion in September, the Reserve Bank said on Wednesday.

Gross reserves also edged lower, decreasing to US$50.166 billion from US$50.394 billion , the central bank data showed.

The forward position, which represents the central bank’s unsettled or swap transactions, fell to US$1.347 billion in October from US$1.41 billion in the previous month.

-Nampa/Reuters

Nigeria senate to probe state oil firm

Nigeria’s Senate voted on Tuesday to investigate the alleged withdrawal of US$1.05 billion by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from Nigeria LNG (NLNG), a venture owned by the state oil firm and foreign energy companies.

Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper reported on Monday that NNPC had used the NLNG earnings that should have been passed to local and federal state authorities to fund the state oil firm’s fuel purchases and subsidies during a shortage in late 2017 and early 2018.

NLNG is owned by NNPC and foreign energy firms Royal Dutch Shell, Total and ENI,

Officials from NNPC, NLNG, Shell, ENI and Total were not immediately available to comment.

Uganda to launch next oil exploration bidding licence

Uganda, which is developing oil deposits but has yet to begin production, will launch its next bidding round for oil exploration licences in May next year, a government official said on Tuesday.

Uganda discovered 6.5 billion barrels worth of hydrocarbon deposits 12 years ago in the Albertine rift basin near its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo but production has been repeatedly delayed by disagreements with oil companies over field development strategy and tax disputes.

“We will have a road show first and then we will start the bidding round in May next year,” Ernest Rubondo, executive director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Africa Oil Week conference.

Total and China’s CNOOC are aiming to begin production in Uganda but both have said they will not be able to do so before 2021, missing a government target of 2020.

-Nampa/Reuters

Mozambique offers to share gas revenue

Mozambique has reached an agreement with the bulk of its creditors to restructure a US$726.5 million Eurobond, including extending maturities and sharing future revenues from huge offshore gas projects, the finance ministry said on Tuesday.

Mozambique has been battling to recover from a debt crisis after admitting in 2016 to US$1.4 billion of previously undisclosed lending, much of which was supposed to be spent on a tuna fishing fleet.

The disclosure prompted the International Monetary Fund and foreign donors to cut off support to the southern African state, triggering a currency collapse and a default on sovereign debt.

Under the deal, Mozambique would issue a new US$900 million Eurobond maturing in 2033 with a coupon of 5.875% - just over half what the current outstanding bond was designed to pay in interest.

-Nampa/Reuters

Keetmans joins job protests

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Keetmans joins job protestsKeetmans joins job protests'We are not lazy' Residents of Keetmanshoop have joined the chorus of protest against the employment of 'struggle kids' at the expense of jobless local people. Residents of Keetmanshoop in the //Karas Region plan to stage a peaceful demonstration over youth unemployment at the town and in the region on Friday.

This came out in a community meeting held in the Krönlein residential area on Tuesday, attended by around 60 people and chaired by local resident Maxie Minnaar.

The group agreed to hand over a petition detailing their concerns to //Karas governor Lucia Basson.

They expressed disappointment that people from other regions are being employed in the south while local people are unemployed.

“Why do they have to bring people from outside? My son has qualifications and has been applying for years now and no reply on all those applications in the government. Why must it always be someone from outside,” questioned one elder at the meeting.

The group claimed that the public recruitment system excludes them. If they have to apply for jobs in other regions, there is an indigenous language requirement, according to the meeting, but if posts are advertised in the south, that requirement is not there. The residents also queried why the government is now employing the 'struggle kids' after reports that there was no money and that new government posts would be frozen.

“First they told us there was no money, that is why many posts were frozen, now where did the money come from for the placing of the 'struggle kids' and without any interviews,” said one young person.

The group felt that it was unfair for the 'struggle kids' to be handed jobs while others have to go to school, study, look for work, apply and be interviewed before being employed.

They condemned the common phrase thrown around that “the people from the south are lazy”.

“We are not lazy, we are hardworking people,” exclaimed one young man.

Another meeting will be held in the Tseiblaagte residential area today to mobilise people ahead of the planned demonstration.

NAMPA

NFA constitution needs a revamp

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NFA constitution needs a revampNFA constitution needs a revamp Many football associations in Africa have drafted their constitutions to protect football bosses, and Namibia is no difference.

The current set-up at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) surely favours certain individuals.

The loopholes in the NFA constitution is one of the main causes of the ongoing war between its dismissed president Frans Mbidi and secretary-general Barry Rukoro.

Many important NFA decisions have been overturned because of constitutional contradictions.

The NFA recently fired its president, but it appears they will reinstate him after Fifa, the government and other stakeholders backed Mbidi.

A few months ago, the football body's executive backed Rukoro when Mbidi decided not to renew his contract.

This is an embarrassing image for the NFA and the entire country.

There are so many rules and regulations in the constitution that are there to protect individuals, when a constitution is normally a document that is drafted to protect and guide an organisation.

The Namibian football house is divided and broken, and for this reason, matters have been difficult to resolve, given the lack of transparency and the regulations currently governing the national football body.

The blame must also be laid at the feet of the sports ministry and the Namibian Sports Commission (NSC), who have done little to prevent this infighting from escalating.

It is clear that as a nation we are always reluctant to act when problems are brewing, but only react when things have erupted.

There are constitutional loopholes within the constitutions of many other sport codes.

This is why the sporting fraternity is at loggerheads all the time, as egos and turf battles sour our love for sport. The NFA, for one, should have a relook its constitution, with the guidance of impartial legal experts, and after consultations with stakeholders.

The NSC must play a major role as far as amending constitutions in various sport codes is concerned.

This is not interference, but appropriate guidance, in the interest of sport and all sport lovers.

September household overdrafts beaten by celebratory August

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September household overdrafts beaten by celebratory AugustSeptember household overdrafts beaten by celebratory AugustLatest hike led by businesses Unlike in August where household overdrafts led the overall overdraft credit, August saw the boom in overdrafts by businesses. NDAMA NAKASHOLE

The higher growth in overdraft credit in August was due to an increase in the uptake of overdrafts by the household sector.

However, latest money and banking statistics from the Bank of Namibia (BoN) show that the annual growth in total overdraft credit during the month of September was due to higher demand for overdraft credit by the business sector during the month of September.

In Namibia, August is known to be one of the most celebratory months, with some of the country’s biggest events taking place that month - from weddings to the Olufuko cultural festival and the Ongwediva Trade Fair.

During a recent media conference at the central bank, BoN governor Ipumbu Shiimi called on Namibians to stop borrowing for consumption and rather borrow for productive purposes such as business loans over personal loans.

Earlier data from the central bank showed that growth in overdraft credit grew to reach 1.3% at the end of August, boosted by household demand.

In September, however, although growth in overdraft credit grew, the demand was not led by households but by the business sector.

In fact, credit extended to the household sector slowed at the end of September 2018.

Last week’s statistics from the central bank show that growth in household credit slowed to 6.9% from 7.5% reported at the end of August.

The reduced growth in credit extended to the household sector was underpinned by lower uptake of mortgage credit, coupled with continued contractions in instalment credit during September.

This is unlike August, when growth in credit extended to the household sector boomed on the back of the major credit categories including overdrafts. The exception was instalment sales, which contracted during that period.

While Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) rose at the end of August compared to the month before, the annual growth in PSCE did not rise during the month of September.

In fact, the annual growth in PSCE stood at 6.6% at the end of September 2018, maintaining the same rate as in August 2018.

Business credit boom

As if the nation was listening to the call by the central bank to prioritise business credit over individual credit, growth in total credit extended to businesses continued an upward trend during September 2018.

Not only did business overdrafts in September top overdrafts, but the annual growth in credit extended to businesses stood at 6% the end of September 2018, compared to 5.2% at the end of the preceding month.

The increased growth was driven by an increased demand for commercial property mortgages coupled with an increased demand for overdraft credit and other loans and advances credit.

The reasons for September’s business credit boost were different from those of August, when commercial and term loans extended to the agricultural sector accounted for most of the business credit growth.

Other latest numbers

Other details on credit and contained in the latest central bank report is that annual growth in other loans and advances (such as personal and commercial loans and credit cards) increased slightly during September 2018. The annual growth in other loans and advances increased by 0.6 percentage point to reach 20.1% at the end of September 2018. The higher growth was reflected in the increased demand for this credit category by both the household and corporate sectors, although most notably the corporate sector

Instalment sales continued to decline during the period under review. Annual growth in instalment sales contracted to 6.2% at the end of September 2018. Although recording an improved contraction of 0.2 percentage point growth, instalment sales remained weak, in line with a decline number of vehicles sold.

The annual growth in mortgage credit extended to the private sector remained relatively the same at the end of September 2018 compared to August 2018. On an annual basis, growth in mortgage credit remained at 7.2% at the end of September 2018, similar to August 2018. The steady growth was supported by mortgage loans extended to the business sector, specifically for the purposes of commercial property developments.

N$245 million rescue plan

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N$245 million rescue planN$245 million rescue planHosea Kutako to get major facelift The airport has reached its capacity limits and requires urgent expansion to deal with increased aircraft and passenger numbers. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has unveiled a N$245 million rescue plan for Hosea Kutako International Airport, with the revamp expected to be finalised by October next year.

The project will make Namibia's flagship airport one of the most advanced airports in the region.

The NAC also said yesterday that it was ready for an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security audit that will take place between 18 and 28 November.

Namibia will be the first country to be audited against the new standards introduced by the ICAO under amendment 16 to annexure 17 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The new standards will be in force from 16 November.



Unacceptable state

New NAC board chairperson Leake Hangala said Hosea Kutako was in an unacceptable state.

According to him the airport has reached its capacity limits and requires urgent expansion and upgrading to meet the demands of increasing aircraft and passenger numbers, as well as the more stringent security and safety requirements.

Hangala said the government, as a result of the challenges facing Hosea Kutako, took decisive action to address the situation by appointing a special cabinet committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. It also appointed a technical committee comprised of permanent secretaries, on which the NAC is represented.

“Government also reinforced the board and relaxed procurement procedures to enable the company to urgently address the situation at the main airport.”

Hangala said the NAC and the government have embarked on a N$245 million upgrade project at Hosea Kutako.

The NAC funding is N$95.2 million, while the balance will be provided by the government.



Upgrade details

The upgrade project will include the revamping and modernising of the check-in and departure halls, security screening points, the arrivals hall and the luggage handling areas.





The installation of a CCTV and intrusion detection system at the airport has already started.

“We will also take advantage of the upgrading to introduce the latest advanced technologies and software systems related to self-check-ins and screenings for both passengers and luggage,” said Hangala.

The old terminal, known as Terminal One, which is currently only used by VIPs, will also form part of the upgrade, so there is a dedicated international departure and arrivals terminal, as well as a domestic terminal.

Hangala said immigration access was previously limited as there were only two security checkpoints, which resulted in long queues, while the luggage collection section currently only has two carousels. This will be improved with the envisaged upgrades.

He said the terminal building also does not have a reliable ventilation system, and this will be addressed.

“I would like to assure the nation that funds for the upgrading will be managed in the most accountable and transparent manner.”

Hangala said the work would have a minimal effect on the current airport operations, which would continue as usual.

New design by next month

A local company, Kerry McNamara Architects, has been appointed as the leading consultant that will work on the design of the project.

This design is expected to be finalised by the end of December.

NAC expects to have a contractor on site by March next year and the upgrades are expected to be completed by October 2019.

According to Hangala the current terminal building was constructed in 1985 to handle 250 000 passengers per year and at present the airport handles nearly a million passengers annually.

Hangala said it would only be known after the design is completed how many passengers the airport would be able to accommodate after the upgrade.



Upcoming audit

Hangala said the NAC, together with all stakeholders, had committed to working on issues identified during the 2010 ICAO Security Audit of the State of Namibia, as well as other aviation security issues identified afterwards.

Additionally, Airport Council International (ACI), through the Airport Excellence (APEX) security initiative held in December 2017 at Hosea Kutako, also identified security gaps and areas that needed improvement, which have since formed part of the holistic approach to addressing security matters at the airport.

Hangala said for the ICAO security audit the NAC and other stakeholders have managed to close various security gaps and will continue to address evolving issues, even after the audit.

He said these actions included improving emergency preparedness and reshaping the main passenger screening point to comply with the latest ICAO requirements.

He said appropriate screening methods are needed, which are capable of detecting the presence of explosives carried by passengers on them or in their carry-on luggage. Additional screening machines were also procured and installed to improve the throughput of screening points, and the human capacity of particularly the police and immigration officials has been increased to effectively service passengers.

“We have implemented fast-track lines for crew members, for passengers with reduced mobility and families and children. We will introduce and operationalise the apron buses that were purchased for improved passenger facilitation,” Hangala said.

Retail space has also been reduced at Hosea Kutako to increase screening space in the departure hall.

An additional scanner and immigration counters were installed and more queuing space was created for passengers.

Hangala stressed that there was no link between the upcoming ICAO security audit and an airport downgrading.

“A downgrade can only emanate from a safety audit and going forward our efforts will be dedicated to consolidating and eliminating areas of concern.”

Namibia's next safety audit will be in the first quarter of 2020.

Acting NAC CEO Lot Haifidi said they were ready for the security audit, with several other audits having been held previously to prepare for the ICAO audit this month.



65% for mock audit

One of these was a mock audit by ICAO in March during which Namibia scored 65%. Haifidi pointed out that the global average is 72%.

“We were just 7% below the global average and have since focused on closing security gaps. We will certainly have moved up in percentage.

“The NAC takes note of the frustrations and anger from stakeholders in this regard, especially our tourists and business travellers. We would like to apologise to all for any inconvenience and suffering caused.

“We accept that the current state of affairs is making it difficult for the airport to comply with ICAO standards,” Haifidi added.

ELLANIE SMIT

Lights out at three Windhoek schools

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Lights out at three Windhoek schoolsLights out at three Windhoek schools At least three Windhoek schools are facing water and power cuts as a result of hefty unpaid municipal debts.

The education ministry has criticised the move as bad timing on the part of the municipality, given the year-end examinations.

Khomas regional education director Gerard Norman Vries yesterday confirmed that the education ministry owed the City of Windhoek “a substantial amount” but said the suspension notices came “at an inopportune time”.

He said grade 8, 9 and 11 learners are writing exams, while the grade 7 exams start next week.

Vries declined to confirm the exact amount outstanding. He said the amount due to the municipality would be disclosed to the media once it was formally agreed on.

He added that the ministry had received a tranche payment “to defray some of the accumulated arrears”, and had requested the municipality to put any impending cuts on hold.

He said an electronic fund transfer to the City's bank account was being processed and would be concluded by Friday. Reliable sources confirmed to Namibian Sun's sister publication Republikein on Monday that the education ministry had offered to make a down payment of N$15 million to stave off suspension of services.

So far Windhoek High School, Academia Secondary School and Concordia College have been served with suspension notices.





Vries said the reason for the high arrears had to do with the release of payment tranches by the finance ministry, via the education ministry, to the regional council, depending on the availability of funds.

He said the regional council typically paid creditors within five days from the date of receipt of payment tranches from the finance ministry via the education ministry.

The ministry's total budget for utilities in the current financial year is about N$27.1 million. This budget was not increased in the recent mid-year budget review.

Budget documents show that the total amount the ministry spends on utilities tends to be less than what is budgeted for.

In 2016/17, N$22.5 million was budgeted for utilities and about N$17.2 million, or 76%, was spent.

For 2017/18, N$19.01 million was budgeted for the ministry's utilities. Actual expenditure amounted to N$15.6 million, or 82% of the budget.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Plastic bags banned in parks

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Plastic bags banned in parksPlastic bags banned in parks Visitors to national parks will be fined N$500 if found with any plastic bags in their possession.

This new regulation is with immediate effect and has already been published in the Government Gazette.

Meanwhile, a regulation providing for a levy on plastic shopping bags is expected to be finalised by the end of the month.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta made the announcement on Tuesday when he gave an update in parliament on the progress being made on banning the use of plastic shopping bags in Namibia.

Shifeta said the regulations of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975 to ban the use of plastic bags in protected areas had been amended.

This amendment was published in Government Gazette No. 6285. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in a fine of N$500.

Shifeta said the ministry was putting in place the necessary systems to enforce the ban.

A cabinet decision in August endorsed a proposal for the introduction of several measures to phase out the use of plastic shopping bags.

These measures include an environmental levy on plastic carrier bags, with 100% of the revenue accruing to the Environmental Investment Fund (ElF) for reinvestment in improved waste management practices.

They will also include a ban on the import and domestic production of plastic bags containing calcium carbonate and a ban on the use of plastic carrier bags in Namibia's protected areas.

“With regard to the introduction of a levy on plastic carrier bags, the ministry of was authorised to prepare a regulation in collaboration with the finance ministry,” Shifeta said.

He said this levy was in line with Section 26 of the Environmental Investment Fund Act, which allows the environment ministry to impose levies with concurrence from the finance ministry and upon recommendation of the EIF board.

Shifeta said consultations about the levy were held with the Namibia Trade Forum, retailers, industry and the Cabinet Committee on Trade and Economic Development.

“I am confident that we will finish this process by the end of the month before giving due notice in the Government Gazette. After considerable deliberations on this matter, we believe that the introduction of the levy will be a better measure than an outright ban on plastic bags, as it will take time to develop and bring in alternatives to plastic.

“Nonetheless, we are committed to phasing out the use of plastic bags in the country.”

Shifeta said the banning of plastic bags containing calcium carbonate was a significant step forward.

These bags are considered to be the most damaging to the environment because they cannot be recycled.

“We are in consultation with the finance ministry to see how best we can bring in a regulation to give effect to this ban. This work will be concluded by end of November,” Shifeta said.

These measures are also in line with the first implementation phase of the five-year National Solid Waste Management Strategy, which was launched in February.

“The introduction of these measures is part of a broader range of measures we are undertaking under the framework of this Strategy to strengthen the institutional, organisational and legal framework for solid waste management, install a widespread culture of waste minimisation and to expand recycling systems.

“The strategy also aims to implement formalised solid waste collection and management systems in all populated areas, including under the administration of regional councils, enforce improvements in municipal waste disposal standards and plan and implement feasible options for hazardous waste management,” he said.

“We are also working on an exciting project with the private sector to design and install mobile recycling stations across the country. We are also planning to have established new hazardous waste disposal sites by the final phase of the Strategy.”

ELLANIE SMIT

Farm yourself out of poverty

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Farm yourself out of povertyFarm yourself out of povertySME project a success About 30 successful SMEs have been established under a poultry project driven by Feedmaster and sister company Namib Poultry Industries. In 2015, Namib Poultry Industries (NPI), along with its sister company Feedmaster, launched an SME project under the theme 'Farm yourself out of poverty'.

The original idea was to sell day-old chicks and feed, and to provide advice to small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs active in the informal economy in the northern and more rural areas of the country.

At the start, NPI was selling roughly 1 600 chicks monthly but this quickly grew to 10 000 and eventually in February this year, the project was outsourced as it became too big to handle in-house. By May, they were supplying 35 000 chicks monthly and this has grown to just over 50 000.

NPI made a point of not subsidising any of the SMEs, but assisted participants in securing funding and training to ensure success. To date, roughly 30 successful SMEs have been established and are fully self-sustainable.

According to Jan Balt who operates Day-Old Chickens Namibia for NPI, the market is excited about the initiative.

“It is something new for Namibia, which actually mostly consumes mutton, goat and beef. At the moment, chicken is the cheapest protein on the market, and thus the potential for growth is enormous.”

The bulk of the market is in the north of the country, but according to Balt, Katima Mulilo is hot on their heels. Balt says the Katima area has a vast amount of knowledge of chicken rearing, which he believes comes from Zambia. Chicken is also firmly entrenched as part of the diet in that area.

Research performed by Cirrus Capital indicates that small-scale poultry farming is “recognised as a vehicle for stimulating development in rural communities, accelerating the pace of poverty reduction and creating employment opportunities”. In Namibia, around 52.1% of the population still live in rural areas where unemployment is higher, “recorded at 39.1% as opposed to 30.3% for urban areas”, Cirrus reports.

The beauty of the SME project is that it overcomes the most significant inhibitors to successful small-scale poultry farming, which include higher transaction costs, a lack of training and mentoring and the absence of access to finance.

NPI offers the necessary inputs as well as mentoring and technical support. Feedmaster also provides documents listing the requirements of broiler production or chicken farming, supplying information on the housing, necessary temperatures and also provides diagrams of how the chicks will react if the applied temperature is incorrect.

Feed requirements, including intake weights, are also supplied.

For those farmers interested in egg production, the same information is provided.

Biosecurity and hygiene, essential in the success of chicken farming, is also extensively discussed and practical advice for small-scale farmers is given.

The established SMEs that are part of this project sell roughly 60% of their animals as live birds, while the remainder are slaughtered and sold fresh. Large-scale slaughtering and freezing is of course hampered by a lack of suitable infrastructure.

Based on estimates by NPI, a small-scale farmer can earn around N$5 000 monthly by slaughtering 100 chickens per six-week cycle. The farmers buy day-old chicks at roughly N$7.50 each and feed at roughly N$15 per chicken. The birds are slaughtered at around 38 days, weighing 2kg. In rural areas, farmers are able to fetch N$50/kg, and thus can earn N$100 for a bird. Deducting the initial chick and feed costs leaves N$77.50 per 2kg bird from with other costs, including labour, bedding and debt etc., recovered before profit.

“The Namibia Agricultural Union reports that the project has been a large success with ample opportunity for growth - attested to by the surge in demand for day-old chicks from NPI,” Cirrus said.

According to Balt one project that stands out at the moment is the Oyeno Poultry initiative, initiated by Paulo Shipoke, and while not fully operational, the project is under construction. NPI will also play an active role in terms of mentoring and support and the first visit to the farm at Ondobe is planned for this month. Plans are to slaughter 600 to 1 000 birds daily. Thus far, Shipoke has invested roughly N$8 million.

All in all, poultry farming in Namibia has much room for growth and the local industry is currently supplying roughly 1 900 of the 2 500 tons the country uses monthly. The SME project, although small-scale, can grow and make its own contributions. Currently, it aids job creation for both men and women, and through small-scale farming, these entrepreneurs can earn far above minimum wage.

YANNA SMITH
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