Geingob urged to sort out City mess

January 9, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Geingob urged to sort out City mess Three opposition councillors in the City of Windhoek have accused the council’s management committee (MC) and others of using the allegations swirling around suspended CEO Robert Kahimise to their own advantage, while neglecting to look after the best interests of the City and its residents.

They have also called on President Hage Geingob to urgently intervene, while warning that the ongoing battle within the City is reaching fever-pitch and is threatening the capital’s ability to provide basic services.

Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) councillor Brunhilde Cornelius, Joseph Kauandenge from Nudo and Ignatius Semba from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) said a no-confidence motion they intend to table at the next council meeting will unveil a host of serious problems within several branches of the City’s management, which is the real reason for the push to oust Kahimise.

“The situation in the City chambers has become so deplorable that we decided that our silence does not help in any way, and hence we have decided to speak up and seek immediate intervention in the theatrics show currently unfolding at the City of Windhoek.”

They noted that while the motion won’t be carried, as they don’t have the majority of votes in the council, once tabled it will place serious issues in the public domain which they say are crippling the City’s effectiveness.

They claimed the MC members have “betrayed their oath of office by abusing their positions as elected members, whose decisions must primarily be based on what is in the interest of the City, and not be influenced by personal gains”.

They said Geingob should also urgently intervene.

“We want to say ‘Mr President, your capital city is under siege from sources inside and outside and it is in dire need of your serious intervention’.”

They said the line minister, Peya Mushelenga, has to date not approved the City’s capital budget, which is another problem undermining the council’s performance.

Serious problems

Semba, Kauandenge and Cornelius alleged that MC members who did not recuse themselves from meetings around the Kahimise issue last year have “used their positions to milk the City of millions, while they equally benefit from ordinary council allowances, including site visits and workshops”.

Reliable sources said the MC - on average -holds around one to a maximum of three meetings monthly, but that “more than 18 MC, special MC and MC caucus meetings were held between October and November last year”.

It was further claimed that MC members earn a fee of N$1 200 per meeting, N$2 400 per council meeting, in addition to about N$900 per site visit or workshop.

This, plus their monthly income of more than N$30 000, which could not be confirmed via official commentary from MC members or the City’s communication department yesterday, amounted to many thousands being spent during those months.

While a figure was mentioned of nearly N$100 000 being earned per councillor during that period, Namibian Sun was unable to confirm this amount from the available figures given for sitting fees and other earnings from MC positions.

Several attempts to obtain comment from MC members failed yesterday.

One MC member, Teckla Uwanga, the former deputy mayor, said she had no comment before hearing any of the allegations made against the MC members.

She then slammed down the phone.

Smokescreens

The opposition trio repeatedly claimed that the push to remove the CEO from his position was motivated by “ulterior motives”, in an effort to protect “vested interests” gained from helpful positions and connections in the City.

“It is clear as daylight therefore that the real reasons for the suspension of the CEO go much deeper than what meets the eye, and these flimsy excuses of trumped-up charges are just a way to deflect from the real reasons.”

They provided a number of public documents from council and other meetings, which they claimed proved that the allegations against Kahimise were smokescreens to cover hidden agendas to get rid of him.

Kauandenge noted that without a doubt, “Kahimise is the best man for the job, a man who in a year tried to turn around the fortunes of the City, making it financially self-sustainable”.

He said while Kahimise’s work had started paying off before his suspension and after a year on the job, “his only shortcoming was that he is not corrupt, apparently, and that cost him his job, nothing more and nothing less”.

The opposition councillors noted that officials, including City of Windhoek executives who were reshuffled last year, are allegedly “hell-bent on advancing their own agendas at the expense of the council and City residents”.

Cornelius, Semba and Kauandenge said the minutes of a special council meeting called on Tuesday to discuss new recommendations from the MC to reinstate Kahimise and to suspend him for a third time, due to the unprocedural manner of his last suspension in November, have not yet been issued.

As such, it is unclear what the next chapter holds for Kahimise, who is due to return to his office in early February.

The councillors said they were asked to recuse themselves from yesterday’s council meeting, amid claims that they had a conflict of interest in the matter.

They were also refused access to a legal opinion from external legal advisors on whether Kahimise could be reinstated and then suspended again.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Raja Casablanca ready to test Stars

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Raja Casablanca ready to test Stars Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca have arrived in Namibia and are ready to test African Stars resilience tomorrow at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

African Stars will be well-aware that they face a mammoth task, given the quality and history of the famous Moroccan team. The first leg of a two-leg Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederations Cup encounter is set to kick off 16:00. Stars are not just facing the defending champions, but have to contend with Raja Casablanca's track record of being among the top three club sides in Africa. They are only rated below two Egyptian sides, Zamalek and Al Ahly, on the continent. Founded on 20 March 1949 as part of the political struggle against French rule, by nationalists who aimed to create a focused working-class of young Moroccans, Raja Casablanca have enjoyed huge success.

They have won the CAF Champions League on three occasions - 1989, 1997 and 1999 - and have made 16 appearances in the competition.

They won the CAF Confederations Cup in 2003 and last year. The Moroccan team also finished as runners-up in the 2013 Fifa Club World Cup.

The team has 11 league titles and eight Moroccan Throne Cups under their belt.

Since their inception, Raja Casablanca have always had a reputation of being a team of artists playing enjoyable and entertaining football.

African Stars player Pat-Navin Uanivi, however, believes that African Stars will give their best tomorrow. “It will not be an easy game, but the boys are very excited and ready to take up the challenge. “We know about Casablanca and their style of play and we know what to do against them,” Uanivi said.

Tickets are on sale at Webtickets outlets situated inside Pick n Pay shops countrywide. They cost N$50 for general entrance and N$500 for VIP seats.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

NFA on autopilot

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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NFA on autopilotFifa to appoint normalisation committee Fifa will very soon appoint a normalisation committee to run the affairs of Namibian football. The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is currently operating without any leadership, after the Fifa Council dismantled the executive committee in December.

The decision by Fifa to dismantle the NFA executive was prompted by the fact that the committee kept postponing elections, while their terms of office had come to an end.

The infighting between NFA secretary-general Barry Rukoro and president Frans Mbidi, coupled with allegations of the mismanagement of funds, also gave Fifa further reasons to make the decision.

Matters at the NFA are at a standstill, given that that there is no one to take care of its affairs.

The world football governing body has now issued a letter stating that it has decided to appoint a normalisation committee, but only after consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In accordance with article 8 and 14 of the Fifa statutes, the appointed committee will run the NFA until 31 May.

“The bureau of the council decided on 8 January 2019 to appoint a normalisation committee for the NFA.

“Its mandate is to run NFA's daily affairs, to ensure that the members of the NFA, whose executive committees are out of mandate, organise and conduct an election.

“Once the elections have been held at member level, to organise and conduct elections of a new NFA executive committee (sic),” the letter reads.

The committee will be composed of an adequate number of members to be identified by the Fifa administration, in consultation with CAF and the relevant local stake holders.

Fifa noted that while the identified persons will assume their duties with immediate effect, all members of the normalisation committee are required to pass an eligibility check to be carried out by Fifa.

“The normalisation committee will also act as an electoral committee and none of its members will be eligible for any of the open positions in elections under any circumstances, including in the event of time during which the normalisation committee has been revoked (sic).”

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Serena handed tough draw

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Serena handed tough draw Serena Williams has been handed a challenging draw in her quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, starting with Germany's Tatjana Maria in the first round.

The American, seeded 16, is gunning to match Margaret Court's record of singles majors and claim an eighth Australian Open crown.

But Williams is in a tough half of the draw and could meet world number one Simona Halep in round four, and if she gets through that, Karolina Pliskova in the last eight.

Before those potential ties, either Chinese wildcard Peng Shui or Canadian Eugenie Bouchard would await Williams in the second round. Halep, who enters the tournament having played just one game in four months after a back injury, was handed a chance to take revenge on Estonia's Kaia Kanepi, who beat her in the first round of the US Open in August last year.

If she comes through that dangerous opening showdown, she could meet Venus Williams in round three.

Defending champion and third seed Caroline Wozniacki starts against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium and could meet 2008 champion Maria Sharapova in round three.

“Coming back as defending champion, it's something I always dreamed of. I feel at home here. These courts are suited to me. I'm enjoying every minute,” said the Dane at yesterday's draw, while paying tribute to Williams.

“Serena is the greatest player to have played the game. Her experiences have been a learning experience for me. It's been fun though as well. She has a baby now! It's amazing being back on tour so soon.”

The 2016 winner Angelique Kerber, seeded two, begins her draw against Slovenia's Polona Hercog and could meet fifth seed Wozniacki in the semis.

Japan's Naomi Osaka, the US Open champion, kicks off her tournament against Poland's Magda Linette and is in line to meet Australia's Daria Gavrilova in round two.

NAMPA/AFP

Regional tennis tourney underway

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Regional tennis tourney underway Twelve southern African countries have gathered in Windhoek for the under-14 and u-16 regional tennis championships taking place from 7 to 15 January 2019 at the Central Tennis Club and SKW.

The tournament is being hosted in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Confederations of African Tennis (CAT) and the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA). NTA vice-president Clive Gawanab confirmed to Nampa that the tournament consists of singles, doubles and group matches.

The singles matches will end today, while the group matches will commence today and end on 15 January.

Gawanab said this is the first tournament of the year and the players will keep playing various matches to accumulate points that will see them qualify for major tournaments such as the Africa Junior Championship that will take place towards the end of this year.

Namibia has six girls and four boys in the u-16 age group, while six of the country's girls and five boys are competing in the u-14 category.

NAMPA

Spurs test for Solskjaer

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Spurs test for SolskjaerCrunch match for rejuvenated United on Sunday Since Jose Mourinho was sacked on 18 December, caretaker coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has led Manchester United to four straight league wins, as well as an FA Cup third round victory over Reading. Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces his biggest task since taking over from Jose Mourinho when his team face the man some believe could eventually replace him - Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs, third in the Premier League standings, host sixth-placed United, who trail them by ten points, at Wembley on Sunday in what is easily the toughest challenge for which Solskjaer has had to prepare his team.

The fixture list was kind to the Norwegian, however, with United travelling to lowly Cardiff City and Newcastle United and hosting bottom club Huddersfield Town and an out-of-form Bournemouth.

“Spurs away, Wembley, that's a proper test,” Solskjaer said this week.

“We're looking forward to that one. That will give me more of a reference for where we are against the top boys.”

As soon as Mourinho was sacked, media speculation began to focus on Pochettino as the favourite to take over as permanent manager at the end of the season.

While United have made no public statements of interest in the Argentine, who himself has declined to comment on what he has called “rumours”, there continues to be suggestions that the 46-year-old is the club's main target.

Solskjaer has been unable to conceal his evident desire to get the job on a permanent basis, however, and it would boost his case significantly if he could lead United to victory on Pochettino's home turf.

Spurs beat Mourinho's United 3-0 at Old Trafford in August and the London club have won each of their last three home games against the Red Devils.

Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, hoping to bounce back from their loss to second-placed Manchester City which cut Juergen Klopp's side's advantage at the top of the table to four points.

Liverpool have some injury worries at the back, however, with Dejan Lovren picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers, putting him on the sidelines along with central defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

City are at home to Wolves on Monday after a busy week of cup football for Pep Guardiola's side.

Fourth-placed Chelsea host Newcastle United on Saturday, while at the bottom of the table there are two 'six pointers' with bottom club Huddersfield at Cardiff and struggling Fulham at Burnley.

NAMPA/REUTERS

SPYL kuuvitile ombili epato lyiikunino yepangelo yiiyimati

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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SPYL kuuvitile ombili epato lyiikunino yepangelo yiiyimati Ewawa lyAanyasha mOngundu yoSwapo, kali uvitile ombili etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kuuminsteli wuunamapya opo wu hulithepo ookondalaka dhaaniilonga yomiikunino yiiyimati yepangelo yi li po 56 monooli yoshilongo. Omiti dhiikunino ndhoka odha li dha tsikwa miitopolwa ngaashi Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana oshowo Oshikoto.

Amushanga gwewawa ndyoka, Ephraim Nekongo okwa popi kutya konima sho a lesha oshinyolwa shoka moshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun okwa ningi ekwatathano namushanga guunamapya, Percy Misika ngoka e mu lombwele kutya ookondalaka dhaaniilonga mboka odha hulu momvula yo 2017 ihe otadhi lelepekwa.

Okuya pehulilo lyomvula ya piti, uuministeli owa kutha miilonga aaniilonga mboka, sha etitha omiti dhiikunino mbyoka dhi kale itadhi silwa we oshisho niiyimati yi kale tayi kuthwa ko kaakwashigwana.

Opoloyeka ndjoka oya tulwa miilonga momvula yo 2003, na oya totopo oompito dhiilonga odhindji.

Nekongo okwa popi kutya otaya pangele okuya moonkundathana nominista yuunamapya, opo ku talululwe onkalo ndjoka ko kaku hepekwe iimaliwa yaakwashigwana.

“Pamaiyuvo gandje ondi wete kutya oshikondo osha ndopa molwaashoka oya kala owala taya lelepeke ookondalaka dhaaniilonga na itaya ningi omalongekidho kutya oshike tashi holoka po ngele ya kutha oonkondo ookondalaka ndhoka. Ngele uuministeli owushi shi kutya itawu vulu okukala tawu futu aaniilonga mboka, owa li wu na okukala wa dheula aakwashigwana naaniilonga mboka opo ya vule okukutha ko iikunino mbyoka uuna ookondalaka dhawo dha hulu. Shoka sha ningwa otashi uvitha nayi noonkondo,” Nekongo a popi.

Nekongo okwa popi kutya elalakano lyiikunino mbyoka olya li ewanawa noonkondo ihe oya li yi na okukala momake gaakwashigwana. Okwa gwedha po kutya kwiikwatelelwa kuuyelele mboka e na ka pe na uuyelele kombinga yelongitho lyiimaliwa mbyoka ya monika okuza melanditho lyiiyimati mbyoka.

Okwa tsikile kutya aaniilonga mboka ya kanitha iilonga yawo oye li po 164 nomwaalu ngoka ogu li pombanda noonkondo.

Okwa tsikile kutya otaka kundathana naminista opo iikunino mbyoka yi vule okutulwa momake gaakwashigwana, kokuyandwe etekepo lyiikunino mbyoka.

Pamiyalu ndhoka dha gandjwa kuMisika, momvula yo 2014/15 ootona dhiiyimati yomamango dhi li 13, ootona 4 dhomakwaava, otona 1.5 yoongongo oshowo otona 0.6 dhomalemune odha likolwa miikunino mbyoka, na odha landithwa po kongushu yiimaliwa ya thika poo$89 423.

Momvula yo 2015/16 ootona dhiiyimati yomamango dhi li 10, ootona 0.72 dhomakwaava, otona 3 dhoongongo oshowo otona 0.6 dhomalemune odha likolwa miikunino mbyoka, na odha landithwa po kongushu yiimaliwa ya thika pooN$65 993.

Nuumvo uuministeli inawu likola sha okuza miikunino mbyoka, nonando Misika okwa uvaneke kutya uuministeli otawu tsikile nokutsika omiti dhiiyimati moshilongo. Okwa li a popi kutya uuministeli otawu totopo oompangela dhokukondolola iikunino mbyoka yepangelo nokuya momatsokumwe niiputudhilo yimwe ngaashi AMTA ngele tashi ya kelanditho lyiiyimati mbyoka hayi likolwa okuza miikunino moka.

ILENI NANDJATO

Kwa tukuka omukithi gwekondo nelaka moSA

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Kwa tukuka omukithi gwekondo nelaka moSA Oongamba dhaNamibia naSouth Afrika odha patwa na itaku pitikwa we eeto lyonyama yiimuna yomakondo nenge iimuna yomakondo okuza poshishiindalongo shoka, sho kwa lopotwa etukuko lyomukithi gwekondo nelaka moshilongo shoka.

Uuministeli wuunamapya owa tseyitha mEtitatu lyoshiwike shika kutya omolwa etukuko lyomukithi ngoka epato lyoongamba olya pumbiwa onga oonkambadhala okuyanda etaandelo lyomukithi ngoka moshilongo.

Omukithi ngoka ogwa dhidhilikwa moshikandjo shaVhembe moshitopolwa shaLimpopo na ogwa lopotwa koWorld Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) momasiku ga 7 gaJanuari.

Omukithi ngoka ogumwe gwa nika oshiponga noonkondo hagu kwata iinamwenyo mbyoka yi na omakondo ngaashi oongombe, iikombo, oonzi, iingulu oshowo yilwe ya gwedhwa po.

Ohagu gumu woo noonkondo onkalo yeliko lyoshilongo.

Omadhidhiliko gamwe gomukithi ngoka miimuna ngaashi eziyo lyomayeye, iimuna itayi napa, iimuna tayi ende kayi na oonkondo, iimuna inayi hala okwiinyenga, iilalo nomapuwa kelaka nenge mokana.

Oondjindikila ndhoka odha etitha uuministeli wu kuthe oonkondo oomikandapitiko dhokweeta moshilongo iinamwenyo nenge oonyama dhiinamwenyo ndhoka dha li dha gandjwa nale.

Aanangeshefa yoludhi ndoka otaya pulwa ya ninge ekwatathano noondohotola dhiinamwenyo mokuuva uuyelele wa gwedhwa po kombinga yonklao ndjoka.

OMUTOOLINKUNDANA GWOMWENI

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Company news in brief

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Company news in brief Apple cuts current-quarter production plan

Apple Inc, which slashed its quarterly sales forecast last week, has reduced planned production for its three new iPhone models by about 10% for the January-March quarter, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on Wednesday.

That rare forecast cut exposed weakening iPhone demand in China, the world's biggest smartphone market, where a slowing economy has also been buffeted by a trade war with the United States.

Many analysts and consumers have said the new iPhones are overpriced.

Overall planned production volume of both old and new iPhones is likely to be cut to a range of 40 million to 43 million units for January-March period, from an earlier projection of 47 million to 48 million units, the Nikkei reported, citing one source familiar with the situation. Apple did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. – Nampa/Reuters



Alibaba buys German data analysis start-up

China's Alibaba Group Holding has acquired German data analysis firm Data Artisans, the Berlin-based start-up said, in a deal reported to be worth around 90 million euro (US$103 million).

The transaction marks the first full takeover by a Chinese company on Berlin's growing start-up scene. In the last significant deal, Alibaba's rival Tencent Holdings participated in a US$160 million funding round for online bank N26 in March 2018.

Data Artisans CEO Kostas Tzoumas said Alibaba would also invest an undisclosed sum in the company to develop Apache Flink, its open-source software that can process large data volumes, and to expand into new business areas.

The price of the deal was reported to be 90 million euro in the media, including German newspaper Handelsblatt. Data Artisans declined to comment on the purchase price. – Nampa/Reuters



Protests hit Air France KLM

Air France KLM said anti-government protests in France had hit its revenue, taking the shine off a rise in its overall December passenger traffic figures and knocking its shares.

Analysts said the latest passenger data showed that the Dutch KLM airline was again doing better than Air France, with KLM and the smaller Transavia division flying fuller planes.

Air France KLM said the "yellow vest" protests, which have been marred by violence and disrupted shopping areas and the transport network, were estimated to have had a negative revenue impact of around 15 million euro (US$17 million).

A spokeswoman for Air France KLM said it had arrived at the estimate by taking into account last minute cancellations of bookings that had occurred as a result of the protests, which started in mid-November but intensified and grew more violent over the course of December.

The airline said in a statement that it carried around 7,7 million passengers in December, up 3,6% from a year earlier, while for the whole of 2018 it flew around 101 million passengers, 2,8% higher than the previous year. – Nampa/Reuters



Fiat Chrysler to pay millions over diesel emissions claims

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will pay more than US$700 million to resolve lawsuits from the US Justice Department and diesel owners over claims it used illegal software to allow 104 000 diesel vehicles to emit excess emissions, three people briefed on the matter said.

Fiat Chrysler will pay US$311 million in penalties to the Justice Department, at least US$75 million to states investigating the excess emissions and additional funds to offset excess emissions. It will also pay US$280 million to settle a lawsuit by owners, the sources said. Fiat Chrysler declined to comment. – Nampa/Reuters



Danske Bank, ex-CEO sued over money-laundering scandal

Danske Bank A/S and four former top executives have been sued by a US shareholder that accused Denmark's largest bank of defrauding investors and inflating its share price by hiding and failing to stop widespread money laundering at its Estonian branch.

The complaint was filed in the US District Court in Manhattan by a New York pension fund that is seeking class-action status and damages for investors in Danske's American depositary shares from January 9, 2014 to October 23, 2018.

Danske was accused of being "intentionally less than forthcoming" to Danish regulators even after a whistle-blower alerted the Copenhagen-based bank to suspected money laundering, while overstating its legitimate profitability and ability to thwart misconduct.

The bank did not immediately respond to requests for comment after market hours in Europe on behalf of the defendants, who include former chief executive Thomas Borgen, former chairman Ole Andersen, and two former chief financial officers.

Authorities in Denmark, Estonia, Great Britain and the United States are investigating the payments, including in a criminal probe by the US Department of Justice. Danske has said it has been cooperating with authorities. – Nampa/Reuters

Dying orchards disturb SPYL

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Dying orchards disturb SPYLNekongo to meet with agriculture ministry The objective of the tree-planting projects was to plant fruit trees on a trial basis to assess their viability in open grasslands in the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions. Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo has expressed his disappointment over the agriculture ministry terminating the contracts of about 200 workers at 56 state orchards in the north.

Nekongo said after reading a Namibian Sun article about the dying orchards, he contacted agriculture permanent secretary Percy Misika, who told him the workers' contracts ended in 2017 and that the ministry had been extending them.

Towards the end of last year the ministry dismissed the workers, which resulted in the trees being neglected and stripped of their fruit by locals.

The tree-planting projects were launched in 2003 and had created hundreds of jobs.

The objective was to plant fruit trees on a trial basis to assess their viability in open grasslands in the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions.

Nekongo said the SPYL is organising an engagement meeting with the agriculture ministry to make sure that the orchards are revived and that taxpayers' money is not wasted.

“In my view I think the directorate failed, because they have been just extending the workers' contracts without making any arrangements as to what will happen after terminating their contracts.

“If the ministry knew that they could not afford to run these projects, at least it was supposed to groom the workers or community members so that they can take over after their contracts ended. What happened is very disappointing,” Nekongo said.

He strongly believes that the orchard workers or community members can utilise the projects in their areas to generate their own income.

He said that the idea of creating these orchards was a good one, but the community was supposed to create them. Nekongo added that according to the information at his disposal there has been no financial accountability in terms of the income generated from selling the fruit.

“I am told that the affected workers are 164 and this is a lot of people. What we will do, we will engage the ministry and communities where these projects are with hopes that there are a few individuals in these communities who will be willing to take over these projects while the ministry is grooming and empowering them.

“Workers who were taking care of these projects can assist communities to take over the project. I know that we are running out of time as I have been told that some of the trees are already drying up; we would like to fast-track this process as soon as possible,” Nekongo said.

Last year Misika told Namibian Sun that the tree-planting was progressing well, even though the trees are reliant on regular watering and good rainfall.

According to Misika in 2014/15, 13 tonnes of mangoes, four tonnes of guavas, 1.5 tonnes of lemons and 0.24 tonnes of oranges were produced, which generated N$89 423.

During 2015/16, 10 tonnes of mangoes, 0.72 tonnes of guavas, three tonnes of lemons and 0.6 tonnes of oranges were produced and N$65 993 was generated.

In 2016/17 they harvested 17.3 tonnes of mangoes, two tonnes of guavas, 5.2 tonnes of lemons and 0.73 tonnes of oranges, generating N$120 405.

Misika said at the time that the ministry would develop management plans for the state orchards and planned to enter into partnerships with other institutions such as the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), for the selling and processing of the fruit.

He added that the ministry was also considering entering into public-private partnerships to manage the orchards.

Lemon, mango and guava trees are suitable for the area but frost and a lack of water are limiting factors. Mangoes seem to have the best local market in northern Namibia.



ILENI NANDJATO

More grade 8 classrooms needed

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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More grade 8 classrooms needed The number of grade 8 learners seeking placements in the Otjozondjupa Region have seen an increase, placing schools under pressure to create more space to accommodate them.

Government schools officially opened for the new school year on Tuesday and several teachers in the region told Nampa about the increasing number of learners looking for grade 8 spaces.

The teacher dealing with the registration of learners for grade 8 at Paresis Senior Secondary School, Ichnecuis Kavitjene, said his school had by Wednesday registered enough learners to fill eight classrooms this year.

“Each of these eight classrooms will have to take about 37 learners, on average, and registrations are still ongoing until Friday,” he said.

Kavitjene said the majority of these learners are from local primary schools that feed junior and secondary schools in the region.

Monica Geingos Junior Secondary School teacher, Rumold Tjazuka, said his school had six classrooms for grade 8 last year. This year they plan to add another classroom.

“Another classroom means additional teaching and learning resources, something we do not have,” he said. Karundu Junior Secondary School had eight grade 8 classrooms in 2018. With learners registering since Tuesday, they envision having to establish two more classrooms for grade 8 this year.

A member of Otjozondjupa's placement committee for grade 8, Udo Behnke, said they face a huge challenge finding spaces for every grade 8 learner in the region.

“Half of the learners looking for spaces are from other regions and show up with transfer letters,” he said.

Behnke said, on average, more than 100 learners have sought spaces at local schools this week.

He, however, gave an assurance that the committee is doing its best to find spaces for all the learners.



NAMPA

History haunts Nippon, Mitsubishi

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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History haunts Nippon, Mitsubishi Tokyo said yesterday it would seek talks with Seoul after a second South Korean court ruling against a Japanese firm that used wartime forced labour.

The case has become a growing source of tension between the two countries, and Japanese ministers were set to meet on the issue late yesterday.

In another wartime forced labour case, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. faces a similar order by a South Korean court to compensate two groups of South Koreans. A South Korean court last week authorised the seizure of assets belonging to Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal, after the firm failed to comply with an earlier order to compensate victims of forced labour.

"The move by the plaintiffs to seize the assets of a Japanese company is extremely regrettable. The Japanese government regards this very seriously," said top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. "We plan to request a discussion with the South Korean government" on the case, he added.

Ties between Seoul and Tokyo have remained icy for years because of bitter disputes over history and territory stemming from Japan's brutal 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula. According to official Seoul data, around 780 000 Koreans were conscripted into forced labour by Japan during Tokyo's 35-year occupation, not including the women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops.

Japan has maintained that all historical compensation issues between the two nations were settled under the 1965 treaty that re-established diplomatic relations between the countries. The treaty included a reparations package of about US$800 million in grants and cheap loans. Japan argues the rulings are a breach of the treaty and international law. - NAMPA/AFP

Airbus loses to Boeing in annual jet order race

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Airbus loses to Boeing in annual jet order raceAirbus delivers 800 jets in 2018 European aeroplane maker scoops 747 orders versus America’s Boeing with 893. Nampa/Reuters

Airbus abandoned a five-year winning streak in the race for jetliner orders in 2018, slumping to its lowest share of the US$150 billion jet market in six years, but narrowing a gap against U.S. rival Boeing Co in airplane deliveries.

The European company said it had won 747 net orders, down 33% from 2017, despite a hefty contribution from the Canadian A220 jet which it took over in July. Boeing won the order race for the first time since 2012 with 893 orders.

Airbus delivered 800 jets, up 11%, including 20 of the small A220 model, leaving Boeing as the world's largest aeroplane maker by manufacturing volume for a seventh straight year. Although Boeing missed its delivery target and Airbus had previously lowered its goal due to strains on the industry's global supply chain, strong demand for passenger jets expanded total deliveries by 8%, the fastest pace in six years.

ORDERS SLOW DOWN

Still, investors are watching for signs that a longer-than-usual aerospace cycle is fraying amid concerns over key markets like China, even though some slowdown in orders had been expected as manufacturers digest record production backlogs.

Aeroplane making chief Guillaume Faury said Airbus had achieved a "healthy order intake", with waiting lists for many new jets stretching up to seven years.

Insiders say its quest for new business has, however, been overshadowed in the past year by industrial problems, management changes and morale problems coinciding with a corruption probe.

It also faced a challenging annual comparison after its former sales chief retired with a swan song deal in 2017 for over 400 jets that analysts said had anticipated future demand.

A resurgent Boeing has meanwhile been cashing in on greater availability and declining costs for its flagship 787 Dreamliner, while struggling to regain lost ground in the lucrative segment for large narrow-body jets above 200 seats. Highlighting the pressure Airbus has been facing in the market for high-margin wide-body jets like the 787, the European company was outsold three to one by Boeing for a second year.

MARKET SHARE DOWN

The order figures underscore Airbus's decision to take over the lightweight but loss-making Bombardier C Series aircraft, generating 135 orders worth US$12 billion at list prices.

Without that boost, Airbus took just 41% of the core market in which it competes with Boeing, the lowest since 2009. Airbus' Faury rejected the comparison, telling reporters the A220 was now "an integral part of the Airbus product range". He said Airbus had turned the corner after supplier problems sparked an end-year race to match the 800-unit delivery target.

"It has not been a walk in the park in 2018 and we hope to have a more steady industrial execution in 2019," he said. Airbus reached a targeted production rate of 10 aircraft a month for its wide-body A350, company officials said.

Among a handful of cancellations, Airbus officially recognised in its books the loss in 2014 of an order for 10 A380 superjumbos from Hong Kong Airlines, following negotiations.

The world's largest airliner is mostly dependent on Dubai's Emirates Airlines as Airbus slows output in the hope of a future upturn. Some analysts say the record backlogs of Airbus and Boeing still include dozens of other jets unlikely to be delivered, but both companies insist they only post valid contracts.

"I think we are in a healthy situation to prepare the next couple of years," Faury said.

Two-day strike rocks India

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Two-day strike rocks IndiaUnion demands ignored Public transport, banking and retail services have been disrupted. Harbhajan Singh SidhuHind Mazdoor Sabha general secretary“In our protest march from Mandi House to parliament in the capital, around 4 000 workers came to express their anguish.” Harbhajan Singh Sidhu

Hind Mazdoor Sabha general secretary

“In our protest march from Mandi House to parliament in the capital, around 4 000 workers came to express their anguish.”

Former Zim minister granted bail

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Former Zim minister granted bail Zimbabwean opposition politician and former energy and power development minister Elton Mangoma, who was arrested on charges of criminal abuse of office, appeared in court in Harare on Tuesday.

Mangoma was arrested on Monday together with two other ZESA Holdings officials by the country's anti-corruption unit, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). They spent the night in the Malbereign police cells.

Former MDC-T member, ZESA CEO Josh Chifamba and Zesa Enterprise managing director Tererai Mutasa appeared before Magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura, who released them on US$1 000 bail each. They were ordered to surrender their passports and report to the police once a week.

They must also continue to reside at the addresses given to the court until the finalisation of the matter.

The case was postponed to 29 January.

Mangoma, Chifamba and Mutasa are accused of awarding a contract to a South Korean company in October 2011 without a tender process. As a result, the State contends, the power utility was prejudiced to the tune of US$850 000.

The State alleges that Mangoma connived with Chifamba to “unlawfully and intentionally do that which was contrary to or inconsistent with his duties as a public officer by approving a business plan on the proposed switchgear technology transfer agreement between Techpro Company of South Korea and ZESA Enterprises, a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, without going through the tender procedures for the purpose of avoiding a competitive bidding process, thereby showing favour to Techpro Company of South Korea”.

– NAMPA/ANA

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Elation, suspicion over DR Congo result

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Elation, suspicion over DR Congo resultVenaani hails Tshisekedi victory, Hopwood sceptical Martin Fayulu, who came second in the DRC presidential race, following the 30 December 2018 vote, has claimed the result was rigged. Namibia's official opposition leader McHenry Venaani has hailed the victory of his “good friend” Felix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) presidential race.

Tshisekedi was declared the winner of the long-delayed, disorganised and controversial presidential election early yesterday morning.

Venaani, who leads the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), said he is elated about the outcome, adding it is a positive sign for democracy in the South African Development Community (SADC).

“This is the first-ever democratic transition since the 1960s in the DRC. Africa is coming of age. Change is on its way,” said Venaani.

However, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) executive director Graham Hopwood said he is not convinced that the DRC election was free and fair, even though it may have been peaceful.

“The fact that it took nine days to announce the results is worrying - especially as the DRC used EVMs (electronic voting machines), which should have made the announcement of results a much quicker process. The opposition challenger who was seen as favourite to win, Martin Fayulu, has already rejected the results and called it an 'electoral coup'.” Hopwood said the delays gave plenty of time for outgoing DRC president Joseph Kabila's government to negotiate with Tshisekedi, who is seen as a more acceptable opposition candidate.

According to him the concern is that Tshisekedi had negotiated indemnity for the Kabila regime in return for being declared the winner.

“It has the appearance of a negotiated settlement rather than a genuinely free and fair election.

“I do not expect SADC to intervene or investigate further. The regional grouping has a very poor track record on supporting free and fair elections, as shown by the way they approved fraudulent and violent elections in Zimbabwe over the years. I'm sceptical as to whether this is a major step forward for the DRC, although it is obviously good that Kabila is gone,” Hopwood added. Venaani said he chaired a meeting in 2016 which aimed to unite DRC opposition leaders ahead of the election. “There is no middle-class in the country and the poor have been left out. The poor people must know that they have the power to change things in the country.”

Venaani said the PDM had also consulted with Tshisekedi's party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, and several other African parties last year on how to run an effective election campaign.

He said the PDM hopes to meet Tshisekedi very soon.

Venaani said the people of the DRC have experienced unprecedented suffering and therefore Tshisekedi has a daunting task ahead of him to change the governance infrastructure.

All People's Party (APP) president Vincent Kanyetu congratulated the DRC citizens for their bravery and eagerness to stand up for equal rights and facilitate change in their country. “This is a sign of the bell ringing for change in Africa,” he said.

He said Tshisekedi must now set the agenda.

Kanyetu further called on African nations that are heading to the polls this year to have free and fair polls.

International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also congratulated the DRC.

“Namibia hopes that all people in the DRC will work together to support the incoming president and we look forward to a stable and peaceful DRC.” Nandi-Ndaitwah said this will not only benefit the DRC, but also SADC at large.

“We look forward to working with DRC in the future.”

Tshisekedi received more than 7 million votes (38%) and comes from a storied political background. His father Etienne Tshisekedi founded the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, the oldest and largest opposition party in the DRC. The incoming president took over the party after his father's death in 2017.

Fayulu, who came second in the presidential race, following the 30 December 2018 vote, has claimed the result was rigged.

He received more than 6 million votes (34%) and claims he won, but was deprived of a victory because a deal was made with Tshisekedi.

It has been suggested that Kabila's government made a deal with Tshisekedi to declare him the winner, when hopes faded for the ruling party's candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary. He received just 23% of the vote. Both France and Belgium have already challenged the outcome of the elections.





ELLANIE SMIT

Women traders 'horsewhipped'

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Women traders 'horsewhipped' NamRights has alleged that security guards contracted by the Helao Nafidi town council are abusing female Angolan traders.

It has now asked the council to immediately stop these acts of abuse, which include traders being “horsewhipped”.

According to NamRights director Phil Ya Nangoloh, the female Angolan street vendors are often whipped by security guards, who also confiscate their commodities. The guards, he said, were being instructed by the town council.

Ya Nangoloh said in a letter addressed to Helao Nafidi mayor Eliaser Nghipangelwa that the Angolans are conducting business in Namibia in order to feed and care for themselves and their families, and that they should not be treated in such a way. “I am writing to express our deepest revulsion at certain disturbing reports of human rights abuses, allegedly perpetrated against largely poor Angolan women street vendors, many of who are carrying small babies on their backs,” Ya Nangoloh said in the letter.

“They are just selling basic commodities on the streets of Helao Nafidi, in order to feed and care for themselves and their families. However, they are now being harassed and often whipped with horsewhips and their commodities confiscated, allegedly by private security guard personnel, acting on the instructions of the town council.”

According to Ya Nangoloh it was the residents of Helao Nafidi who expressed their unhappiness about what was happening. He said police officers were among the complainants. Nghipangelwa said he was not aware of the allegations.

“I have not seen his letter and I am also not aware of such allegations. Not even the police have notified me or the town council about such abuse against Angolans,” Nghipangelwa said.

Ya Nangoloh, however, claimed Nghipangelwa was quite aware of the situation and was playing ignorant.

In his letter he advised the mayor that NamRights is ready to assist the council on best practices, when dealing with poor people.

“Your worship, we must act fairly and reasonably towards everyone in our society and comply with the Bill of Rights. An alternative humane and dignified way of conduct, in accordance with our Namibian Bill of Rights, must be pursued.

“Poor people are unable, not only to buy food to feed themselves and their families, but also to pay exorbitant rental fees at the designated open-market at Helao Nafidi. Thanks so much for taking immediate remedial steps… to ensure that the right to dignity of everyone is upheld in Helao Nafidi,” Ya Nangoloh wrote.

Helao Nafidi has been dealing with increasing numbers of Angolan traders that sell basic commodities and agricultural produce, especially at Oshikango.

Local vendors have also complained that they are finding it hard to make ends meet because of the illegal goods being smuggled into the country by their Angolan counterparts, who sell them cheaply.

ILENI NANDJATO

The new curriculum conundrum

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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The new curriculum conundrum A number of stakeholders including parents and unionists have unleashed their criticism of the new national education curriculum, which they fear will do more harm than good. According to the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), the new curriculum is the biggest change since the introduction of the Cambridge HIGSCE and IGSCE courses in 1994. Government last year abolished external grade 10 examinations, meaning grade 9 learners will now write semi-external exams, while grade 10 forms part of the senior secondary phase. Secondary school is now divided into three phases, the junior secondary phase comprised of grade 8 and 9, the senior secondary phase comprised of grade 10 and 11 and the grade 12 advanced subsidiary level. More than 100 junior secondary schools across the country will be upgraded to senior secondary level, which means they will have to take in grade 11 learners in 2020. However, a myriad of challenges have been highlighted and even teachers themselves have raised adaptability issues, which will heavily impact learning in the long run. Of course teachers have to take on the new challenge, which in all probability requires a more sophisticated approach. But a poorly structured curriculum with a lot of learning bottlenecks simply worsens the situation. Given the serious challenges in education, our problems are systemic and tackling them requires a thoughtful and multi-faceted approach. The new curriculum requires that extra classrooms and teachers would be needed, but many schools are still in limbo as far as their expansion plans are concerned. Make no mistake, the ministry did an excellent job in analysing the curriculum and evaluating it to make it easier for learners to access technical or vocational training opportunities at an early age. But the underlying issue here remains that there was seemingly no well-thought-out plan when it comes to implementation. Clearly, there are fears regarding the newly developed curriculum and the question remains whether it will be able to inspire the education sector, which wants all Namibian children by 2022 to have a secure foundation and equitable and inclusive quality education, in order for learners to pursue higher education.

Air Namibia ordered to appoint MD

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Air Namibia ordered to appoint MD Transport minister John Mutorwa has instructed the newly appointed Air Namibia board to finalise the recruitment and appointment of a substantive managing director.

This follows years of current acting MD Mandi Samson having her contract renewed on a six-month basis. Samson has been at the helm of the national carrier since August 2015 in an acting role, which has led many to question why her substantive appointment has not been formalised. The airline has been without a substantive MD since the exit of Theo Namises on 30 June 2015. “We have just appointed a new board, they must initiate the process,” Mutorwa told Namibian Sun this week.

When approached for comment, the new Air Namibia board did not indicate whether they will start a new recruitment process or continue with the one led by the former board.

The new board consists of Escher Luanda, Heritaha Nankole Muyoba, Willy Mertens, Nangula Kauluma, Alois Nyandoro and Deidré Sauls-Deckenbrock. Their term started on 1 January 2019.

When the airline initiated the search for a substantive MD in 2017, Samson was identified by public enterprises minister Leon Jooste and former transport minister Alpheus !Naruseb, as well as former board chairperson Gerson Tjihenuna, as the ideal candidate.

Questions sent to Jooste via email did not yield any responses, while his phone went unanswered.

Mutorwa has in the past voiced his displeasure about the inability of the airline to appoint a substantive MD, while keeping Samson on in an acting capacity.

“I don't like it when institutions believe someone is competent enough to run things and appoint them in an acting capacity indefinitely. It is not fair,” Mutorwa said.

“The fact is, a person should only act for a short period of time. If somebody is found to be good at the job, either give the person that position or move on and give the position to another person who deserves it. These types of things cause problems,” he added.

Aviation consultant Linden Birns commended Samson, saying she brought a sense of stability to the airline.

“She has brought a degree of stability to the carrier and injected direction and a sense of purpose, at a time when it had to face increased competition as other long-haul operators began serving the Namibian market,” Birns said.

He said it was ideal for an MD to be appointed on a permanent basis.

“It is preferable for any business or organisation to be led by someone in the role on a permanent basis and it is unusual for a corporation to be led by an acting MD for such a prolonged period. Has this translated into any adverse impact on the airline's operations? I don't think so.

“The airline is managed by flight operations and technical and commercial professionals. The MD's role is like that of an orchestra conductor - to guide the different sections so that they reach the same conclusion at the same time, in harmony and at the same tempo,” Birns added.

Air Namibia spokesperson Paulus Nakawa confirmed to the Windhoek Observer in January 2018 that Samson had been shortlisted for the position of substantive MD following a recruitment process that was initiated in mid-2017.

Meanwhile, a source has informed Namibian Sun that the new board will also be tasked with publicising the airline's financial statements for the period 1998 to 2005.

The Tjihenuna-led board had promised to release the airline's results before the end of 2018, but this had not materialised.

“The results will be tabled by the new board. It is up to them to decide when to publish them,” the source said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Another target missed

January 10, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Another target missedEducation ministry fails to achieve 45% university admission The education ministry remains perturbed about the poor English use in Namibia, and has encouraged learners to communicate in proper English, instead of “SMS language”. Only 40.4% of last year's full-time grade 12 ordinary level candidates have qualified for university admission, which is still way below the target set by the education ministry.

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said there was a slight increase in the ordinary level learners qualifying for university admission - from 39.3% in 2017 to 40.4% in 2018.

“Although this is below the set target of 45%, it is still a move in the right direction,” she said yesterday.

The Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) had aimed to increase the percentage of learners meeting the admission requirements for universities (25 points) or a D symbol or 4 or better grade in English, from 29.5% in 2011 to 45% by 2018.

Hanse-Himarwa said that out of the 23 594 full-time learners who wrote the grade 12 ordinary level examinations last year, 9 524 candidates qualified for admission to universities in this year, compared to the 8 632 in 2017.

Out of the 21 104 full-time learners that wrote the ordinary level grade 12 examinations in 2016, only 7 772 qualified for university admission.

In 2015, out of the 20 322 full-time candidates, 6 065 (29.8%) learners qualified for university admission.

Hanse-Himarwa said yesterday that this year 37.8% of the candidates obtained an E and an F grading in English, and therefore may qualify for admission for diploma and certificate courses at other institutions of higher learning.

“In total, 78.2% of all the candidates may qualify for admission, should they wish to pursue their studies in degree, diploma or certificate courses at respective institutions of high learning.”

According to Hanse-Himarwa, a total of 56 543 learners - comprising of 23 594 full-time and 32 940 part-time candidates - registered for the 2018 examinations.

She said the results of the 2018 full-time and part-time candidates, combined, give a positive picture, with 0.5% decline in ungraded candidate entries when compared to 2017.

“The performances throughout all the grades improved, except for grades A and B that remained the same as in 2017,” she said.

She further pointed out that results have shown a gradual improvement since 2014, and are encouraging, as well as a move in the right direction.

In summary, 93.3% full-time, 82.6% part-time and 89.8% of the combined candidates were graded in various subjects during 2018 examinations.

With regard to the full-time candidates, Hanse-Himarwa said the gap has narrowed gradually over the years with English meeting the set target of 35%.

Mathematics improved from 41.7% in 2017 to 42% in 2018, but it is still below the target of 49%.

Physical Science dropped from 46.1% in 2017 to 43.6% in 2018, which is below the target of 51%.

The percentage of ungraded full-time candidates also dropped with 0.4% between 2017 and 2018.

The results for part-time candidates showed a remarkable improvement throughout all the grades.

An improvement could be seen in the intermediate grades with an average increase of 0.8%.

“The improved performance of the part-time candidates in all the grades is also a clear indication that more part-time candidates may qualify for admission at institutions of higher learning,” said Hanse-Himarwa.

“Notwithstanding the improved performance of 5.2% in English, the ministry has commissioned research into the persistent poor performance in English second language at the ordinary level. This research has been completed and the first draft produced,” Hanse-Himarwa said.

She encouraged all learners, parents and the entire public to create a reading culture and to visit libraries, as well communicate in proper English, instead of “SMS language”.



ELLANIE SMIT