Nigerian opposition candidate promises billions for infrastructure

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Nigerian opposition candidate promises billions for infrastructure Nigeria's main opposition candidate for president said on Wednesday he would create a US$25 billion fund to support private sector investment in infrastructure if elected next month, as part of plans to revive the economy.

Atiku Abubakar, a businessman who served as vice president between 1999 and 2007, has promised to double the size of Nigeria's economy to US$900 billion by 2025.

He is the main challenger to president Muhammadu Buhari in the Feb. 16 election. Nigeria's oil-dependent economy, which vies with South Africa's to be the largest in Africa, has performed below par since 2016, when it suffered its first recession in 25 years.

"Our vision is to accelerate investment to double our infrastructure stock to approximately 50% of GDP by 2025 and 70% by 2030," Abubakar said in a statement.

Part of Abubakar's plan if elected would be to close a 60 naira premium between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate against the US dollar, and channel a fund for petrol subsidies into health and education spending. – Nampa/Reuters

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SA's deputy finance minister denies corruption allegations

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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SA's deputy finance minister denies corruption allegationsWhistleblower sends email The PIC has nearly R2 trillion of civil servants' pensions under its custody and is Africa's biggest pension fund. South Africa's deputy minister of finance and chairman of the state-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Mondli Gungubele, said on Wednesday he had done nothing wrong after a whistleblower made new graft allegations at the pension fund.

The PIC, which has nearly R2 trillion of civil servants' pensions under its custody and is Africa's biggest pension fund, said it would conduct an investigation after a whistleblower made the accusations in an email to the PIC's board.

The state-owned pension fund did not disclose the new allegations, which come as a judicial inquiry into the firm continued to hear evidence from its staff members.

It said the PIC's acting CEO, Matshepo More, and two board members were implicated, but did not name them.

Gungubele later issued a statement saying he was one of those facing allegations, and welcoming the opportunity to clear his name.

"I am confident that I have done nothing wrong," he said.

Matshepo More, the acting CEO, could not be reached for comment.

The third board member named in the anonymous whistleblower's email is Sibusisiwe Zulu, the PIC's deputy chairman Xolani Mkhwanazi told Reuters.

Zulu could not be reached for comment.

The ongoing inquiry at the PIC was set up after a small opposition party alleged the PIC's former chief executive Dan Matjila had misused funds and made careless investment decisions.

Matjila, who stepped down in November last year, has denied any wrongdoing.

Suspended

Last week, the PIC said in a statement it had suspended its executive head of listed investments and an assistant portfolio manager over a 2017 investment in local firm Ayo Technology Solutions, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

The fund said the two were suspended for flouting governance rules in relation to the investment.

The suspensions were followed by three resignations from Ayo Technology Solutions’ board.

Reuters has not been able to reach the suspended PIC officials or the Ayo executives for comment.

The technology firm’s share price is down more than 50% since it listed on the JSE in 2017.

Matjila had said last year that the Ayo Technology Solutions deal was a "great investment" that would take time to pay off.

The PIC is the biggest investor in South Africa’s economy, holding a large volume of bonds issued by government and state-owned firms, as well as stakes in blue-chip companies such as miner Anglo American, lender Absa and telecoms giant MTN Group. – Nampa/Reuters

Our lukewarm corruption fight

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Our lukewarm corruption fight The 2018 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has given Namibia a score of 53 out of 100, which perfectly describes our lukewarm attitude to tackling graft.

Although Namibia performed significantly better than neighbouring South Africa, which had been ground-zero for corruption antics during the turbulent Jacob Zuma years, a half-baked score is nothing to write home about.

While the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) struggles to shake off the ongoing perception that it is more interested in petrol card fraud, citizens have long bemoaned this seeming lack of will to catch the connected with their fingers in the proverbial till.

What is even more disconcerting is the fact that this highway robbery of state resources has massive impacts on the poor.

Little do most of us know how the corruption scourge vacuums up the money that would potentially be available to be spend on services, and even growing the economy, in order to create jobs.

This is a sad state of affairs indeed, as it appears there are untouchables among us, who need not fear any consequences, because they are connected in one way or another.

Over the years, there have been warning lights going off about a culture of impunity. It is obvious that not all animals are equal in this land.

There is a sense that some enjoy the kind of protection the rest of us can only dream of, when it comes to alleged crimes being swept under the carpet. Our lexicon has now also softened corruption, and we now talk of ‘irregularities’ and ‘misconduct’, while financial reports presented to parliament are from many years prior.

If there is political will to actually root out corruption, which is a major contributor to inequality, bigwigs would have been making court appearances and there would be high-profile raids and investigations consistently. As it stands, the courtrooms are reserved for the rest of us, while we watch with open mouths as the corrupt feast on their spoils.

Voters 'unfazed' by corruption

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Voters 'unfazed' by corruptionParty loyalty, not issues Public concern about corruption is unlikely to result in significant changes at the ballot box this year. Analysts believe Namibia's corruption levels will not affect voting patterns in the upcoming general election, but that Namibians will once again vote according to party loyalty.

They say this may only change once people truly feel how corruption affects their lives, especially when billions that should have gone towards health and education are looted from state coffers.

The 2018 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) gave Namibia a score of 53 out of 100, which is two points higher than in 2017.

Namibia performed significantly better than neighbouring South Africa, which scored 43 in 2017 and 2018. Botswana has the best score in the Southern African Development Community, at 61.

Angola scored 19, Zimbabwe 22, Zambia 35 and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 20.



'Not serious'

University of Namibia (Unam) political science professor Lesley Blaauw says Namibia's ranking is no surprise because the perception is that there is no significant effort to address corruption.

“We haven't seen any significant policy changes over the past few years nor have we seen any significant cases that would give the impression that we are serious about fighting corruption,” he said, adding that “we say one thing and we do the other”.

He added there is a perception that we are not making significant inroads in terms of “big” cases of corruption.

“In my view we do not really act on addressing systemic corruption, which is a much bigger issue than incidental corruption. If we address the root causes of corruption, you will see a significant increase in our rating, but currently we are not doing anything,” Blaauw says.

On the other hand, he does not think the poor corruption rating will affect voting patterns in Namibia.

He added the relationship between the fight against corruption and electoral democracy is not so significant in developing countries.

“Our primary concern in Namibia would be people that are still loyal to parties; we do not vote necessarily on issues. The issue of corruption would be a great concern in a developed country, but in a developing country it is not a big issue. When people see how it affects them, I think that is when we will see a change in the voting patterns,” he said. Economic analyst and Unam lecturer Omu Kakujaha-Matundu also believes Namibia has failed to talk the walk on corruption.

He said corruption is now sugar-coated as “irregularities” to protect some of those implicated.

He also believes the billions lost through blatant corruption have eaten a big chunk from the state's coffers and compromise economic growth.

“I am saying this now because when you see the talk - the cancellation of tenders that were awarded in an irregular fashion and the like - that is okay because we are exposing corruption but we are not hard enough on the culprits, who seem to be protected by some quarters.

“That is why we haven't seen anyone involved in these corruption cases being sent to jail. What we hear is that the tender was cancelled because it was irregular. What is irregular? That seems like the new term for corruption,” Kakujaha-Matundu said.

The 2018 CPI draws on 13 surveys and expert assessments to measure public-sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, giving each a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

JEMIMA BEUKES

Why business leaders should join Mastermind

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Why business leaders should join Mastermind Anne Sugar



At the New Year, many business owners pause to examine the vast array of opportunities to push their businesses forward.

Many gravitate towards joining a loosely organised coterie of like-minded individuals with the same goal.

However, many times, even with the best intentions, meetings start to become sparse and non-existent. Then as a result, there is incredible frustration, and goals and activities skid to a halt.

After going through many of these same frustrations, last year I found a consistent means of moving my business forward with the side benefit of building relationships with other interesting leaders. I joined the Trajectory Mastermind Group.

Mastermind is peer-based groups organised to help solve each other's business issues. After some research, I got involved with Trajectory Mastermind, organised by Dorie Clark, author of such books as Stand Out and Entrepreneurial You.

Why join a Mastermind group

There are many benefits to joining a formalised Mastermind group. Research studies indicate a group can help develop and operationalise ideas in a quicker fashion than working alone.

More importantly, a Mastermind group can be a setting where leaders can be challenged and feel uncomfortable in a low-risk environment which allows for the breakthrough of ideas. For example, I came to realise with the group's help that my topic for my TEDx proposal wasn't the right first story for my brand. Now I am considering other topics and will revisit giving a TEDx talk at the end of the year.

Opportunities gained

From my perspective, there is an abundance of opportunities gained by joining a Mastermind group. For example, I met many business owners and leaders that I wouldn't have been able to access otherwise. I met an author from Denmark, an owner of a storytelling company, a founder of a brand consultancy and other like-minded executive coaches.

With this diverse group of team members, there is a greater opportunity for debate and a methodical means for pivoting. In our group, debate and learning was formalised each month with a specific challenge and a call with a designated team member. For example, I had the opportunity to hash out my calendar of topics to write about for 2019 with a fellow Mastermind participant.

Selection process

Choosing a mastermind group, of course, is a personal decision. In my experience there are some guidelines for selection. First, when investigating a potential group to join, think about the type and profile of the leaders involved. Members should fit a similar profile in terms of where they are in the trajectory of their business or income. For example, if you have been in business for 20 years, working with a group that is just starting out will not be a good fit. Then it is time to have a conversation with a Mastermind leader. I looked for a leader that was like-minded and had solved many of the issues in line with my goals.

Another point to consider is: What are the activities and events that are planned out for the year. In my selection process, I looked for means to strategise about revenue-generating activities, solutions for my writing process and the opportunity for lasting relationships.

Finally, I wanted to work with leaders who are like-minded, had similar company issues and opportunities that we could jointly work on.

There are many ways to develop yourself professionally and create a strategic plan for your business. Personally, I have found that joining a Mastermind group is one of the best ways to create that opportunity in an organised and systematic fashion. -www.inc.com

*Anne Sugar is an executive coach and speaker.

At home in nature’s splendour

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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At home in nature’s splendourVan der Westhuyzen shares her passion for hunting, conservation Danene van der Westhuyzen is currently the president of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association and the chairperson of the Operators’ and Professional Hunters’ Associations of Africa. Justicia Shipena



Danene van der Westhuyzen started off her career journey as an optometrist.

In 2002 she graduated from Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) in South Africa with a degree in optometry.

Van der Westhuyzen told Careers that she loves practicing the profession of optometry and works as a locum whenever she gets time.

In 2012 Van der Westhuyzen qualified as the first female dangerous game professional hunter in Namibia and at the same time also became the business manager of Aru Game Lodges.

Aru Game Lodges is located in Dordabis, about 80 kilometres east of Windhoek.

Van der Westhuyzen is currently the president of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association and the chairperson of the Operators’ and Professional Hunters’ Associations of Africa.

She is also a trustee of Hunters United against Poaching and a board member of the Nature Conservation Board of Namibia. She is married and is a mother of three children.

Hunting became a part of her life as her father is an avid hunter and he taught her the ropes.

Van der Westhuyzen said she started hunting at a young age.

She added that meat hunting plays a big role in Namibia, with many Namibians stocking up on their meat supplies for the year during the hunting season from May to the end of August.

“My father regularly took me with him on these types of hunts. My father always impressed on me the value of all species. He has a great appreciation for beautiful old trophy animals and loved to pursue them. He always hunted on foot, and was always careful about which animals he took,” she said.

Van der Westhuyzen said her father taught her that participating in nature is the biggest part of a hunt.

“Pitting your skills against an animal and many times walking away without success makes it very different to a meat hunt. Partaking in nature and the cycle of life and appreciating the life of the animal is what transforms hunting into a form of conservation,” she said.

She explained that what is most fascinating about hunting is every second of the camaraderie, the moment and being in the presence of nature.

“Being exposed every day to something as breathtakingly beautiful as nature, to the francolin greeting the dawn, a lion’s mighty roar, and the rush of meerkats back into their burrows, transforms every working day into a miracle. It helps to restore my focus. I aim to translate this feeling to all my hunters,” she said.

Van der Westhuyzen added that she has had many exciting hunting experiences.

Every single incredible hunting experience starts when she puts her boots on in the morning and watches the sunrise, with birds singing all around her.

She said hunting is all about not getting into a dangerous situations and the most exciting hunting experience is one where you walk away in awe, whether you were successful or not.

This has been the case with every hunt she has ever been on.

Besides hunting Van der Westhuyzen enjoys sport, photography, writing, nature, and singing.

Cooking and baking are also among her favourite pastimes, while also spending time with her family and dogs.

“It surprises you every day with small details and wonders. It really lies in the experience. How far you are able to push yourself and your client, how patient you can be, how fit you are, whether the wind turns on you quickly and you realise the dangerous animal ahead of you can suddenly smell you; anticipating what it will do and playing out different scenes in your mind,” she said.

There are three types of hunts available:

1. Management hunting;

2. Meat hunting; and

3. Selective hunting (trophy hunting)

Total on Namibian energy hunt

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Total on Namibian energy huntMassive exploration campaign The exploration campaign is part of a turnaround plan that is ditching the company's focus on risky long-shots in favour of areas known to contain commercial levels of oil or gas. We were spending a lot of money in frontier. – Kevin McLachlan, Senior Exploration VP: Total Namibia is included in Total’s plans to drill 23 wells this year, the French major’s biggest exploration campaign for years in 2019.

Total senior vice president for exploration, Kevin McLachlan, told Reuters the company aims to drill in waters off Namibia, Mauritania, Senegal, South Africa, Guyana and Brazil.

While the company declined to say how many wells it drilled in 2018, McLachlan said 2019 would be Total's largest programme in years. The 23 wells planned represent about a trebling of the levels of 2017 and 2016, and is higher even than the 20 drilled in 2013, before the oil price crash.

The company's new game plan is to concentrate efforts on emerging and mature basins, which offer a greater chance of exploration success. It is moving away from its higher-risk, higher-reward strategy of targeting "frontier" areas that have not been commercially exploited, an approach which yielded scant rewards and saw outlier Total fall behind rivals.

As a result the proportion of its exploration capital the African-focused company is spending on frontier areas has dropped to 15%, from 40% five years ago.

Spending

"We were spending a lot of money in frontier," said McLachlan, a Canadian geophysicist who joined Total in 2015 to lead the five-year revamp of its exploration strategy. "Now we want balance."

Most of the wells it aims to drill this year will target known giant fields, he added.

Total has broken ranks with some rivals in recent years and largely ignored the rush to US shale. It is looking to eke out conventional resources, particularly in Africa where it has the biggest industry presence. The strategy carries risks though, and has left the company exposed to the kind of political instability that has deterred others.

McLachlan said Total's exploration budget would remain broadly in line with 2018, when it was US$1.2 billion, and 2017, when it was US$1.1 billion. That is still less than half the level of 2014, when the price crash forced all majors to cut spending.

Lagging in discoveries

Appraisals of discoveries in 2018 could offer signs that Total's shift in exploration strategy is paying off.

The company announced a 1 trillion cubic feet gas discovery off Shetland in the North Sea last year. Appraisals are ongoing for the Ballymore discovery in the Gulf of Mexico with Chevron, and Calypso in Cyprus with Eni.

A major discovery in 2019 could cement the turnaround after a drought between 2009 and 2014 when it spent billions in exploration with little barrels to show for it, while rivals Eni Exxon Mobil and BP, racked up successes.

Yet there is still work to do in terms of converting exploration dollars into commercial success.

Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said Total had aggressively snapped up exploration blocks in 2017 and 2018, which took it to the top of the industry table with over 189 000 square km added since 2015 - around 70 000 higher than its nearest competitor.

But in terms of discoveries since 2015, Total still lags some peers, said Wood Mackenzie analyst Andrew Latham.

"It is clearly behind Exxon Mobil. Exxon's success in Guyana marks them out as industry leader," said Latham, adding that Eni's Zohr gas discovery in Egypt was the next top find.

"Thereafter, it is competing well with the other majors, it has been involved in a string of multi-hundred million barrel big new finds, whereas in the previous four years it would have been one of the weaker or weakest of the majors."

As part of its turnaround plan, Total has created five regional exploration hubs with a concentration of geoscientists, instead of teams spread out in 38 countries.

A new, central 10-person leadership team reviews and chooses projects, compared with decisions being made locally before, while people with exploration track records have been placed in executive positions for the first time.

South Africa

Like some competitors, including Exxon and BP, Total is looking to deepwater exploration at a time when technological advances - particularly in 3D digital seismic imaging – is aiding a comeback in that area following a decade when industry advances have been focused on onshore shale.

Of the 23 wells in Total's drill programme this year, it has already started work at the deepwater Brulpadda field off South Africa. Two industry sources close to the project say the potential for a discovery is high and could signal a game-changer not only for Total, but also for the country.

"We are expecting the results in the coming days," Total's chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said.

While Total has said the field could hold between 500 million to over 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent, one of its partner in the project is more upbeat.

"The outlook for finding hydrocarbons is extremely high. The question is whether it is gas or oil, and whether it is a good-quality reservoir," Keith Hill, CEO of Africa Oil Corp, a minority stakeholder in the field, told Reuters, adding that the field could hold 1.5 to 3 billion barrels.

Other oil companies and South African authorities are likely to be watching closing.

"Any potential discovery will ultimately result in the attraction of other oil companies and the growing of the oil and exploration and production industry in South Africa," said Viljoen Storm, acting chief executive of the country's state-owned Petroleum Agency. – Nampa/Reuters

Manganese culprits must pay

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Manganese culprits must pay Lüderitz residents have demanded an immediate moratorium on all movement of manganese ore to and from the town's harbour until sufficient social and environmental research has been done to identify and limit the impacts.

They further demand that the illegal dumping of manganese ore outside the town in December and early January be properly investigated and the guilty parties brought to book.

TradePort Namibia, a South African-based company registered locally, had dumped manganese ore on a concrete slab next to TransNamib's rail siding at Lüderitz towards the end of December.

TradePort brought in the manganese ore through the Ariamsvlei border post and dumped it without the requisite clearance certificate from the environment ministry. While the matter of the clearance certificate is now under scrutiny, NamPort undertook to store the ore in a shed on the harbour premises.





Residents this week petitioned environment minister Pohamba Shifeta and also called on the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and ombudsman John Walters to investigate and take action to prevent a repeat.





They have registered their concern over potential environmental pollution and the impact on local businesses - especially fishing, mariculture and tourism.

The petition states that any pollution would mean that Namibia is in breach of the European Union (EU) and international health controls on the local fishing industry, which primarily exports its products to the EU.

It expresses concern that pollution might be a devastating blow to all marine products being harvested in the Lüderitz area.

The residents further state that the transhipment of manganese ore through Lüderitz harbour may jeopardise Namibia under the International Standards Organisation rules and penalties, which they said could apply to both ports managed by NamPort.

“It could seriously damage Namibia's credibility, standing and rankings in international bodies for blatant breaches of many conventions, treaties, and so on to which Namibia is signatory. It could halt exports and imports by sea of all products intended for human consumption, with collapse of many long-established industries employing thousands, and have a severe impact on the country,” the petition reads.

The residents stress that they are not against development, but fear threats to their health and livelihoods, the environment and the town's hard-earned economic pillars, which they say are already shaky.

“We are against the lack of transparency by all parties involved and their breach of the spirit and letter of the Environmental Management Act,” the residents' petition reads.

CATHERINE SASMAN

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Panga attack leaves woman fighting for her life

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Panga attack leaves woman fighting for her life A 26-year-old pregnant woman is fighting for her life after being beaten with a panga, allegedly by her boyfriend.

Riana Au-khumes, who is six months pregnant, was rushed to a Windhoek hospital after the attack on Wednesday.

The incident happened about 20 kilometres outside Outjo on the Otjiwarongo road. Au-khumes sustained injuries to her head, neck and body.

According to Otjozondjupa regional police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha, they arrested a 31-year-old suspect. “According to the information received, her boyfriend picked her up at her house in Outjo and they drove 20 kilometres towards Otjiwarongo. He then started assaulting her and chopped her with a panga. She is heavily wounded,” Mbeha said.

“He then left her there, bleeding to death. Fortunately she was rescued and then rushed to the Outjo hospital by those who found her. She was later transferred to a Windhoek hospital.”

Mbeha said the boyfriend was found on a farm along the Outjo-Otjiwarongo gravel road, after his vehicle ran out of fuel. She said he is expected to appear in court today. “Until now we do not know the motive behind the attack, as the suspect is only saying he does not know what came over him. The police investigation continues,” Mbeha said. In a separate incident, an elderly man who was on his way from Katima Mulilo to Swakopmund, died in accident on Wednesday.

Josef Adriaan Lukas Viviers (74) was driving a white Nissan Hardbody and when he got to Otjiwarongo he lost control of the bakkie and collided with another vehicle.

“He proceeded to bump into two other vehicles, which were parked. He went further and hit a building. When the emergency team and police arrived at scene he was pronounced died. “The police are investigating what transpired,” Mbeha added.





ILENI NANDJATO

Serial child rapist nailed

January 31, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Serial child rapist nailedFive-year rape trial draws to a close Dragan Vujicin has been found guilty of raping four children at Swakopmund five years ago. Swakopmund resident Dragan Vujicin (68) has been convicted on seven counts of rape and four counts of child trafficking.

He was found guilty of sexually abusing four girls, between the ages of seven and nine, five years ago.

Vujicin stood expressionless in the dock yesterday while Magistrate Gaynor Poulton read out her two-hour-long judgment.

“You harboured these young girls with the intent to sexually exploit them,” Poulton found.

Vujicin, then 63 years old, was arrested in March 2014.

Vujicin was renting an apartment with his wife and two children in Swakopmund's Mondesa residential area. On the same property other tenants lived in shacks and their children used to play together.

The children testified that they regularly visited Vujicin in his home to either clean his room or wash dishes. On occasion he would watch a pornographic film and was usually naked, only covering his genitals with a towel.

“It is well known that he had a very good relationship with the children and they with him,” Poulton summarised the testimony.





According to Vujicin he spoiled the children because they were “very poor”.

He offered them ice cream, sweets, Brötchen or small change. In return the four children would masturbate him.

This happened on numerous occasions between 2013 and 2014. After each “visit” he is said to have rewarded the four underage girls, sometimes with N$2 each. Sexual intercourse allegedly never occurred.

The abuse was revealed after a conversation between the children was overheard by their parents. One girl allegedly said, “let us pump the uncle for money”. The parents then pressed charges and Vujicin was arrested.

After nearly five years, several witness statements, including that of a psychologist and the four victims themselves, Vujicin was found guilty by the Regional Court yesterday.

His N$5 000 bail was cancelled and the case was postponed to February 15 for prosecutor Dalon Quickfall and lawyer Mpokiseng Dube to submit arguments in mitigation or aggravation of sentence.

During the trial Vujicin denied the allegations, claiming that the victims' parents had fabricated the accusation because they were “jealous of him” and because “he was married to a black woman”. Magistrate Poulton described this version as a lie and dismissed it.

Vujicin is an alleged repeat offender, who is said to have sexually abused his stepdaughter, Lucy Witts, over 30 years ago when she was a minor. In the documentary Dragan's Lair, which was produced by Witts, these allegations came to the fore. The film is freely available on the internet.

In the film, which was released in October 2017, Witts confronts Vujicin. “In the beginning I went out with your mother, later with you,” Vujicin says, and adds: “I wanted to make you my wife.” Furthermore, Vujicin claims that he never had another relationship like the one he had with his stepdaughter.

Witts claims that he sexually abused her between the ages of two and twelve. Namibian Sun reported extensively on the matter in 2016.

At the end of the film Vujicin says: “Justice has to prevail because it will never take an end to this story. I must stop running away from my shadow.”

ERWIN LEUSCHNER

Koondjindikila dhomukithi gwekondo nelaka kwa yulululwa

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Koondjindikila dhomukithi gwekondo nelaka kwa yulululwa OMUTOOLINKUNDANA GWOMENI

Oshikondo shoNamibian veterinary services osha yululula koondjindikila dha nuninwa okweeta moshilongo onyama oshowo iilongomwa yiinamwenyo yomakondo, okuza moshishiindalongo South Afrika.

Oondjindikila ndhoka odha li dha tulwa miilonga, sha landula etukuko lyomukithi gwekondo nelaka moSouth Afrika momwedhi gwapiti. Ngashiingeyi okwa gandjwa epitikilo moshilongo lyonyama oshowo iilongomwa ya za miinamwenyo yomakondo, mbyoka ya longwa omanga omasiku 5 gaJanuari inaga thika.

Iilongomwa ayihe ya za moshilongo shoka, kaleke kiitopolwa shaLimpopo, Mpumalanga oshowo KwaZulu Natal otayi ka pitikwa.

Iilongomwa mbyoka otayi ka pitikwa kwiikwatelelwa kekondololo enene lyoshikondo shodepartment of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (DAFF) moSouth Africa.

Omukithi gwekondo nelaka ogwa dhidhilikwa moshikandjo shaVehmbe District na ogwa lopotelwa ehangano lyoWorld Health Organisation for Animal Health momasiku ga 7 gaJanuari.

Eenhana tadhi kondjitha okwaahena omagumbo

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Eenhana tadhi kondjitha okwaahena omagumboYe na uukuume uuwanawa noSDFN Ondoolopa yEenhana oya pangela okugandja ooplota dhokutunga omagumbo momvula twa taalela dha thika po 10 500, moonkambadhala dhokuya moshipala ompumbwe yomagumbo mondoolopa ndjoka. ILENI NANDJATO

Ondoolopa ndjoka oya kala nokuyakula omaindilo gooplota ga thika pe 1 008 komvula kehe, muule woomvula hetatu dha piti.

Ope na woo omwaalu gu li pombanda gwomaindilo gooplota dhoka inadhi wapalekwa, sho momusholondondo gwaategeleli ngoka gu na ngashiingeyi omaindilo ge li pe 1 067.

Uuyelele mboka owa gandja Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwondoolopa yEenhana, Walde Ndevashiya sho a popi kombinga yooplota ndhoka dha pewa ehangano lyoShack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN).

Omwedhi gwa piti ondoolopa yEenhana ya gandja ooplota dhi li 84 kehangano lyoSDFN, noyendji mboka ya pewa ooplota ndhoka, aakiintu mboka haya ilongele kuyoyene.

Ndevashiya okwa popi kutya elelo lyondoolopa olya gandja ooplota dha thika po 254 kehangano ndyoka okutameka omvula yo 2005, na olya tungu po ekwatathano ewanawa.

“Onga oonkambadhala okuya moshipala ompumbwe yomagumbo mEenhana elelo lyondoolopa olya dhidhilike esimano lyaakuthimbinga ayehe moshikumungu shoka, unene onkandangala ndjoka taya dhana. Ehangano lyoShack Dwellers Federation olya tameke mEenhana momvula yo 2005, sho elelo lyondoolopa lya tameke oprograma ya nuninwa okuhulitha po oombashu,” Ndevashiya a popi.

Okwa popi kutya melongelo kumwe nehangano ndyoka, ohali tungu po omusholondondo gwaaningi yomaindilo gevi nokugandja omusholondondo ngoka keleo lyondoolopa ndyoka, ha li gandja nduno omavi koonakuninga omaindilo mbyoka.

Ndevashiya okwa popi kutya momvula yo 2005, ehangano ndyoka olya pewa ooplota dhi li 22, momudhingoloko gwa Tulipamwe nokonima sho omagumbo ga tungwa, elelo olya gandja natango ooplota dhi li 50 mOukango Park. Lwanima ooplota natango dhili pe 108 odha gandjwa mOukango Park.

Ndevashiya okwa tsikile kutya opoloyeka adhihe ndhoka odha pu nawa, onkene odha thiminike elelo li gandje natango ooplota dha gwedhwa po dhi li 84, kehangano ndyoka, nopoloyeka ndjoka oya nuninwa aakwashigwana mboka haya mono iiyemo yi li pevi, opo ya vule okwiimonena omagumbo gomakuma.

Olukanda lwedhina Ombili olo olukanda lu na omwaalu guli pombanda gwaakalimo mondoolopa moka.

Momvula yo 2017, elelo lyondoolopa olya tembudhike aakalimo yeli po 2 470 kehala epe tali ithanwa Ekolola.

Pamakonaakono ngoka ga ningwa koShack Dwellers Federation, Namibia Housing Action Group oshowo elelo lyondoolopa muKotomba gwomvula ya piti, aantu ya thika po 6 425 ohaya zi mOmbili.

Ndevashiya okwa popi kutya elelo olya yakula omaindilo gevige li po 121 momvula kehe okuza kaakwashigwana mboka haya mono iiyemo yi li pevi, nomonena omwaalu ngoka ogu li 1 067.

Omunambelewa ngoka okwa popi kutya oya taalela uupyakadhi womwaalu gwaakwashigwana oyendji taya tembukile mondoolopa yawo omolwa okukonga uuhupilo, na otaya tungu po oombashu dhawo. Nonando omukalo gwegandjo lyevi mondoolopa otagu ende kashona, okuyeleka nomwaalu gwaakwashigwana mboka taye ya mo mondoolopa elelo olya ya moonkundathana nomahangano gopaumwene opo ku endelelithwe egandjo lyevi okupitila mopublic-private partnerships (PPPs).

Okwa popi kutya ondoolopa ndjoka oya mona omaindilo gomagumbo geli po 1 008 komvula kehe muule woomvula hetatu dha piti, nomagumbo geli po 2 066 oga tungwa okupitila mo PPPs ogendji natango okwa tegelelwa ga tungwe.

Elelo lyondoolopa natango otali tula miilonga egandjo lyooplota dhi li po 10 500 ndhoka kwa tegelelwa dhi wapalekwe, nooplota 4 500 dhomooplota ndhoka otadhi kala dha manithwa okuya momvula yo 2020, okupitila moprograma yoPPP.

Company news in brief

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Company news in brief Eskom narrows funding gap with loan

South Africa's struggling state power firm Eskom moved a step closer to narrowing a funding gap for the financial year which ends in March by agreeing a R15 billion loan with a local and international banks.

Eskom is vital to the health of Africa's most industrialised economy as it supplies more than 90% of its power, but it is drowning in around R420 billion of debt.

The government-guaranteed loan comes at a time when president Cyril Ramaphosa is trying to turn around Eskom's finances.

Eskom now only needs to secure around R5 billion of funds by the end of March. Eskom said it had already secured 30% of its funding needs for the 2019/20 financial year.

Panasonic cuts profit outlook

Japan's Panasonic Corp reported a 19% drop in third-quarter operating profit and cut its full-year earnings outlook, citing slower demand for home appliances and factory automation equipment in China amid an escalating Sino-US trade war.

The electronics company posted on Monday an operating profit of 97.6 billion yen (US$889.05 million) for the October-December quarter, down from 120.1 billion yen a year ago. That was far below the average 122.35 billion yen estimate of eight analysts, according to Refinitiv data.

Panasonic cut its operating profit forecast for the year ending March to 385 billion yen from 425 billion yen. The outlook compared with the 420.25 billion yen average of 18 analyst estimates, according to Refinitiv data.

A bright spot in the otherwise bleak earnings is that Panasonic's energy division, which includes the battery business with US electric car maker Tesla Inc, posted an operating profit of 16.5 billion yen, its first profit in three quarters.

Panasonic, the exclusive battery cell supplier for Tesla's current production models, saw its profits squeezed early last year by the US EV maker's initial production delays for the mass-market Model 3 sedan.

While Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk has said he sees higher demand for the Model 3, analysts are now concerned demand in the United States for both the mid-range and long-range versions has largely been exhausted. – Nampa/Reuters

Exxon Mobil profit tops estimates

Exxon Mobil Corp on Friday reported a quarterly profit that topped analysts' estimates, pushing its shares up as oil and natural gas output rose slightly on a year-over-year basis.

The company's fourth-quarter net income fell to US$6 billion, or US$1.41 a share, from US$8.38 billion a year ago. But earnings excluding the impacts of tax reform and impairments rose to US$6.4 billion from US$3.73 billion a year ago.

Analysts had forecast a US$1.08 a share profit excluding one-time items, according to data from Refinitiv.

Exxon's oil equivalent production rose to just over 4 million barrels per day, up from 3.9 million bpd in the same period the year prior. The company said its output in the Permian Basin, the largest US shale basin, rose 90% over a year ago.

Exxon is not planning share buybacks this quarter, though, which makes it the only international oil company "not currently repurchasing shares", analysts with Simmons Energy said in a client note. – Nampa/Reuters

Toyota, Fiat report fall in US auto sales

Toyota Motor Corp on Friday reported a 6.6% fall in US vehicle sales for January, hurt by lower demand for its Camry and Prius cars.

The No.3 automaker in the United States by sales said it sold 156 021 vehicles in January, down from 167 056 vehicles a year earlier. Camry sales fell 3.4%, while Prius sales slumped 57%, the company said.

Auto industry consultants J.D. Power and LMC Automotive forecast January auto sales to decline about 1% from the same month in 2018, partly due to uncertainty over the recent government shutdown.

The auto consultants also forecast total light vehicle sales this year to fall 1.9 percent to about 17 million units, compared with 2018.

However, major automakers are bullish about 2019 sales even as economists warned that rising interest rates may discourage consumers from buying cars this year. – Nampa/Reuters

Lufthansa passenger compensation cost 500 mln euros

Lufthansa spent 500 million euros (US$573 million) on compensating passengers for flight delays and cancellations last year, a senior company figure said on Friday.

A Lufthansa spokesman could not confirm the cost cited by Thorsten Lange, the German airline's head of fuel purchasing, at a Platts oil product conference.

However, the group's bill for such problems had more than doubled to 350 million euros in the first nine months of the year, the spokesman added. The figure for the full year is due to be published next month.

Lufthansa struggled last year like rivals to cope with Europe's rising demand for air travel.

Germany's largest airline, which owns budget carrier Eurowings, also had problems integrating 77 aeroplanes it took over from bankrupt domestic rival Air Berlin. – Nampa/Reuters

Hard work gets rewarded

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Hard work gets rewarded Elizabeth Joseph

On 1 February, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture rewarded the top achievers for the 2018 Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Higher-Level (NSSCH) national examinations.

The sponsors of the event were Old Mutual Namibia, Dynamic Mobile Solutions (DMS), Standard Bank, Letshego, First National Bank (FNB), Ehvelo Investments and Cambridge International Examinations.

The awards ceremony celebrated the continuous dedication and hard work from both full-time and part-time learners, and acknowledged the schools for the support they gave these learners.

The first category was the national open scholarship for the best NSSCH student in six higher-level subjects. The prize money was N$2 500 and this was awarded to Sharzaan Putter from Windhoek Gymnasium Private School. The school principal received the prize on her behalf.

Furthermore, prizes for the second best learners in six higher-level subjects (N$2 000 each) was given to Diehl Kyana from St Paul’s College and Kersten Marko from Delta Secondary School.

The third category was the national prizes for the top achievers in five higher-level subjects with prize money of N$2 000. The recipients were Berry Johane from Windhoek Gymnasium Private School and Olajide Michael from St Boniface College.

Among the high-flyers was Feliciter Rushubiza from St Boniface College in the Kavango East Region. Rushubiza was in the top ten and took the first place for the NSSCO. She received a prize of N$2 000 alongside Remigius Manuwere, also from St Boniface College.

The event was a lengthy one but the pride ran high in the auditorium full of gratified students, teachers and parents.

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa shared her gratitude to the sponsors and thanked them for the ongoing financial support.

“As our regular sponsors, you are our greatest enablers. You did not shy away from your responsibilities and remained on-board this ship of education, despite the hardships that your companies/institutions might face during these hard times,” she said.

The minister also mentioned that 2019 is the year of accountability and said that learners and teachers are expected to account for what has been provided to them during the academic year.

Corruption expert debunks Namibia's improved rankings

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Corruption expert debunks Namibia's improved rankings Speaking at an event hosted by the Finnish embassy in Windhoek last week, local commentator Dr Johannes Coetzee critiqued that international indices are often simplistic and fail to perceive and tackle corruption holistically.

He shared that reflective of the Transparency International (TI) rankings, indeed Namibia has always been one of the top five least corrupt countries in Africa.

However, this allegedly indicates mediocrity as the ranking is just below five out of ten, which in essence reflects as neither good nor bad, “just hanging in there” since 2004.

Coetzee further critiqued that Namibia's average rating over 18 years is 4.8 and for the last 10 years it has been 4.7. This can be interpreted from a statistical perspective to mean that the mode (which is the value that occurs the most) is 4.5 and is of more value than the average, as it is the value often sampled.

Hence the median (which is the middle value of the ratings) is equally 4.5.

As such, considering the similar mode and median ratings for Namibia, the accurate conclusion is that “Namibia is 45% corruption-free and 55 % corrupt”.

Hence, “provided that the most dependant variables stay the same, the country is more likely to be corrupt in the near future than less corrupt,” he explained.

This, according to Coetzee, implies that Namibia is actually “failing to tackle corruption” from an international perspective. Also speaking on corruption indexes and rankings, Finnish ambassador Pirrkko-Liisa Kyöstilä said: “The indexes and rankings are of course very important, but they can sometimes also lull us into thinking that there is no room for improvement. However, it is important to continue efforts to eliminate corruption-inducing opportunities, incentives and loopholes.”

The ambassador enthusiastically noted Namibia's improved TI rankings to 52nd least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, and for placing as the fifth least corrupt country in Africa and second least corrupt country in southern Africa.

She further reflected that despite Finland being ranked as the third least corrupt country by Transparency International, Namibia is ahead of Finland in the policy side as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had launched its National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan in 2016, whilst the Finnish Anti-Corruption Network was still waiting for its anti-corruption strategy to be tabled in parliament.

“Our two countries could learn from each other and benefit from the best practices in striving towards a corruption-free society,” she added.

The lunch event was attended by local development partners of the Finnish government, spanning from governance, health, education, arts and cultural sectors in Namibia.



*Rakkel Andreas is a research associate at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

RAKKEL ANDREAS

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FMD contingency plans in spotlight

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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FMD contingency plans in spotlightPlans boost of NCA marketing In a bid to improve opportunities for farmers north of the red line, the Meat Board is revising its FMD contingency plans. The Meat Board of Namibia has initiated the revision of foot-and mouth-disease (FMD) contingency plans, in an effort to create a more conducive environment for abattoirs operating in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs).

The Meat Board said the revision of the contingency plans form part of its assistance to create marketing opportunities for beef produced in the NCAs.

Therefore, a two-day workshop on FMD is scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday at the Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek.

During the workshop in-depth discussions regarding trends of FMD in southern Africa, methods of control of outbreaks as well as the implementation of commodity-based trade in Namibia will be held between the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the agriculture ministry and an FMD expert.

The desired outcome of the workshop is customised FMD contingency plans for the FMD infected and FMD protection zones in Namibia, as well as a clear standard operating procedure for the implementation of commodity-based trade.

These efforts are directed towards creating market opportunities for beef produced in the NCAs, which are lasting, practical and cost-effective.

Furthermore, the Meat Board has also expressed concern about the recent outbreak of FMD in neighbouring South Africa, which resulted in Namibia banning the import of cloven-hoofed animals and products into Namibia.

“The impact of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, as has recently been the case in South Africa, is apparent. Exports cease with immediate effect, leading to an oversupply of meat in the market and resultantly a decline in producer prices. Imagine the impact a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak would have in Namibia's free zone,” said the Meat Board.

According to the organisation all exports will be stopped with immediate effect, domestically there will be no transport (movement) of livestock and meat inland, and producer prices will exponentially decline, as Namibian beef producers north of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) can testify.

“It is therefore imperative that producers in Namibia be vigilant to maintain Namibia's FMD-free zone.”

The Meat Board said producers can do so by not supporting the illegal movement of animals from neighbouring countries, by protecting the integrity of the VCF and other boundary fences, and by reporting all stray animals to the nearest office of the Directorate of Veterinary Services.

Due to a lack of government funding, the Meat Board has supported the directorate and was also involved in the repair of the VCF in Kunene since the beginning of the year.

Such support was by way of transporting materials, servicing vehicles and appointing temporary staff. The repair of the VCF will shortly be extended to other areas, said the Meat Board.



ELLANIE SMIT

Omitara languishes in poverty

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Omitara languishes in poverty Lack of access to land, limited employment opportunities, drugs, and alcohol abuse, are all factors that contribute to high poverty and crime levels in the Omitara settlement, some 30 kilometres north of Gobabis in the Omaheke Region.

This is the view of the police's station commander in Omitara, Warrant Officer Cherina Mbomboro, in an interview with Nampa during a recent visit to the settlement.

The most prominent crimes in the settlement, she explained, are stock theft (although not constant), illegal hunting and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (assault GBH).

Unemployment in the settlement is estimated to be at 90%.

“One would say crime is mostly caused by unemployment. People would go and steal so that they get some money to sustain themselves and their families,” Mbomboro said.

Like in many parts of the country, Omitara is also battling with a lack of land, for both agricultural and business purposes.

“There is actually no space for them to do (things like) gardening or even for livestock,” she added.

With over 40 illegal shebeens supplying non-stop alcohol to the about 2 000 residents, the rate at which alcoholic drinks are consumed, particularly among school-going children is worrisome, she expressed.

This, Mbomboro attributed to lack of parenting and discipline.

The station commander further said in maintaining law and order, the police at the settlement have to do with one vehicle, a Toyota bakkie with a canopy which is not standardised for a police vehicle.

“Safety wise, I think it's not that safe, if you have to carry prisoners and so on,” she added.

Another issue is the poor accommodation facilities for the 15 police officers.

“It's bad because there are men and women that are sharing toilets and showers, which is not acceptable,” she bemoaned, adding that under normal circumstances, female and male police officers are not allowed to share the same barracks.

NAMPA

Sports galore

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Sports galore Windhoek Gymnasium primary school inter-house day Windhoek Gymnasium Private School primary school learners had a Saturday full of fun and yummy treats, as they held their annual inter-house athletics competition at the United Sports Field in Olympia, Windhoek. The three teams were Gurris, Geckos and Guineans.

PHOTOS TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA

Environmental education for Namibia’s future

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Environmental education for Namibia’s future If you have a child attending primary school in Windhoek, you might already have heard about the Khomas Environmental Education Programme (KEEP).

In 2018, over 2 500 grade 3 and 4 learners from 26 primary schools participated in this fun, interactive and hands-on environmental education programme that is implemented by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve.

While the GCF is the only organisation in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa, here in Namibia they also implement the largest environmental education programme, when it comes to sheer numbers.

KEEP started in 2016, after the directors of the GCF realised that many young Namibians living in the capital had never seen a giraffe - despite these iconic creatures living on their doorsteps.

However, KEEP is not only about giraffe - the programme aims to inspire young Namibians to care for the environment by allowing them an opportunity to reconnect with nature through a targeted field-based environmental education (EE) approach.

KEEP was developed specifically for grade 3 and 4 learners from primary schools in the Khomas Region. The aim is to get city kids out of the classroom and into nature. The programme takes place in the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve only 20km outside of the capital, Windhoek. During an exciting day in the bush, the learners spend time tracking wildlife, identifying plants and animal species and learning more about environmental challenges that impact conservation in Namibia. The GCF believes that KEEP can help build a culture of environmental awareness, social responsibility and action that in turn will equip our future leaders with the skills to live more sustainably.

While in the field, participants experience the beauty of nature and learn how easily human lifestyles can affect our fragile Namibian environment. Learners get actively involved in the programme and experience first-hand how everything in nature is interlinked. They go home with a better understanding of their part in the bigger picture and how all their actions have consequences. A specially developed workbook is used as a resource during the field day and each student takes it home afterwards. With a focus on a range of environmental topics and its close links to the Namibian primary school curriculum, it is an excellent teaching resource for both teachers and learners.

The GCF employs a young and enthusiastic team of three to implement KEEP.

All three are recent nature conservation graduates from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), providing positive role models for young Namibians and positively influencing and boosting some learners’ career choices.

“Our team just loves the opportunity to share our passion for giraffe and nature with young learners every day. Not many of our fellow graduates enjoy their jobs as much as we do! It is also exhausting at times - especially on hot summer days - but still we love what we are doing,” says Naemi Antonius, KEEP team leader at the GCF.

KEEP is now entering its fourth year and so far over 6 600 learners and 200 teachers have participated in the programme. KEEP invites all schools from the Khomas Region to join the programme and many government schools have responded to this invitation. The GCF is committed to making the programme accessible to all schools and works hard to source outside funding to provide a free service whenever possible. In some cases the GCF even provides funding support for transport to allow school groups to participate. All learners also get a healthy snack (an apple, crackers and a sandwich for lunch) to make sure they keep their strength up in the bush.

KEEP is endorsed and supported by the ministry of environment and tourism (MET), as well as the ministry of education. Both ministries have recognised the need for a dedicated EE programme in the region. Additionally, the MET graciously allows the use of one of their jewels to implement KEEP - a great opportunity to showcase Daan Viljoen Game Reserve and remind the learners and their families of this amazing asset on our doorstep.

Billion-dollar agri project to enhance food security

February 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Billion-dollar agri project to enhance food security The agriculture ministry, through its envisioned N$1.4 billion Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed System Improvement Project (NAMSIP), aims to make a significant contribution to the country's food security.

This is according to the ministry's executive director Percy Misika in a speech read on his behalf yesterday by Mildred Kambinda, in which he called on various stakeholders especially the youth to take part in NAMSIP that focuses on agricultural mechanisation and seed system improvement.

The specific objectives of the project are to enhance agricultural productivity in order to reduce the annual importation of staple cereal crops, facilitate job creation and enhance household incomes, which will improve the lives of the rural people.

Currently, the ministry is conducting workshops across the country in order to sensitise the potential beneficiaries of NAMSIP as well as give them an opportunity to contribute their inputs before the project is finally implemented.

Misika said that one of the key challenges affecting food security in Namibia is the inability of rural producers to timely access agricultural inputs such as seed, fertilisers, farm machinery and equipment that are required for effective land preparation, planting, fertiliser application, weeding and harvesting.

“This challenge negatively affects agricultural production, post-harvest handling and marketing. The agricultural mechanisation component of the project will therefore enable farmers to complete farming operations in a timely manner, especially in the crop-producing regions where a rain-fed farming system is practiced and where climate change and variability has an adverse impact on food production,” Misika said.

“In addition, it will also help increase productivity and reduce the cost of cultivation. This project is also vital in ensuring timely availability and accessibility by farmers of quality certified, early maturing, high yielding and drought tolerant seed,” Misika further said.

Misika explained that the project is funded through a secured N$1 billion loan from the Africa Development Bank while government will contribute about N$360 million.

The beneficiaries of the project are expected to contribute about N$57 million as they will be assisted in procuring the machinery and pay a certain percentage of the total amount which is yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the governor of Kavango East, Samuel Mbambo, expressed his profound gratitude towards government for the NAMSIP initiative saying that it will contribute immensely towards food security in the country.

Mbambo urged the farmers who took part in the workshop to tap into what they are taught and to be practical.

“Farmers, I am happy you responded positively to the invitation, however I would like you take this information with you and implement it so that our food production is improved,” Mbambo said.

KENYA KAMBOWE