Namibian Sun

50 companies retrench in last quarter According to the ministry of labour, industrial relations and employment creation 50 companies retrenched more than 1 600 employees in total in the last quarter of 2018.
The companies cited the economy and restructuring as the reasons for the huge lay-offs.
Full report tomorrow in Market Watch.

I'm at peace - MbidiPlots life after football Former NFA boss Frans Mbidi has welcomed the appointment of the Fifa normalisation committee and says he holds no grudges against those who forced him out of his position.

Former Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Frans Mbidi has vowed not to stand for the position again unless the football community asks him to do so.

Mbidi was dismissed by the NFA executive committee last year, amid an ongoing turf war within the association, which eventually led to an intervention by Fifa and the appointment of a so-called normalisation committee by the global football body.

“I am currently at peace with everything and will surely not force myself into any position unless the people want me.

“Like I said last year, I believe that it is in the hands of people to tell me that they still want me in that position or not.

“I am busy focusing on my businesses and also planning my life after all this,” Mbidi said.

At the beginning of last year, he expressed his desire to run for another term at the NFA elections that had been scheduled for December 2018, but were subsequently postponed amid the infighting.

The tussles, primarily between Mbidi and former NFA secretary-general Barry Rukoro, resulted into Fifa dismantling the NFA executive and appointing a normalisation committee to run the daily affairs of Namibian football until elections can be held to elect a new NFA executive.

The normalisation committee members will serve on a four-month contract basis.

The committee members are Hilda Basson-Namundjebo (chairperson), Franco Cosmos (vice-chairperson), Gabby Ahrens, Matti Mwandingi and Vivienne Katjiuongua.

Its mandate is to run the NFA's daily affairs and ensure that the members of the NFA organise and conduct elections.

Once the elections have been held at member level, the normalisation committee will organise and conduct elections for a new NFA executive committee.

The normalisation committee will also act as an electoral committee and none of its members will be eligible for any of the open positions on the NFA executive under any circumstances.

Committee composition questioned

Some in the country's football community have questioned whether the members of the normalisation committee have what it takes to help restructure the beautiful game, given that most of them have not been involved in football-related activities.

There are fears that the committee runs the risk of being influenced by those who are more familiar with football.

Mbidi, however, feels differently and welcomed the normalisation committee, saying they have the credentials to rescue football from all the troubles it is in.

He feels that they have good governance skills and will bring peace and stability to the football fraternity. “I do not think that the fact that many of them do not have a football backgrounds will complicate things.

“I remember that the president of Namibia once appointed advisors with limited backgrounds in their positions, but it worked.

“We must therefore not underestimate the individuals in the normalisation committee, because they are skilled and can bring good governance,” Mbidi said.

No anger

Mbidi also revealed that he has taken time to think things over and will continue living his life without hatred or anger.

This follows a year in which he and his colleagues at the football association were entangled in an ugly spat that brought football into disrepute.

“Well, I do not want to talk about any individual without his presence, but I can confess that I have made peace with what transpired and all the fights we had at the NFA.

“It is now time to make peace and move on with our lives.”

He also wished the Brave Warriors the best of luck with their upcoming crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next month against Zambia, which will determine whether they will play in the 2019 edition of the tournament in Egypt.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

NPL sponsor wants answers

The main sponsor of the 2018/19 Namibian Premier League (NPL) - MTC - has summoned various stakeholders to a meeting on 25 February in order to get to the bottom of all matters causing havoc in the league.

The NPL board of governors (BOG), executive members as well as co-sponsor First National Bank (FNB) Namibia have all been requested to attend the meeting.

Among the issues to be discussed is why the NPL is yet to appoint a CEO and marketing officer.

This is despite an agreement that these two critical positions were supposed to be filled last year. Also on the agenda is why the country's first division streams have not kicked off, while the NPL is in full swing.

“This affects the promotion and relegation playoffs at the end of the league season,” reads a letter signed by MTC executive Tim Ekandjo.

The fiasco which saw Young African being demoted from the league is also a concern for the sponsor, as well as the current status of Young Chiefs and their premiership ambitions, in the wake of Young African's demotion.

The meeting, it is hoped, will also clarify the current status of Zimbabwean national Tapiwa Simon Musekiwa and his presence in the league, as well as how all of this affects the upcoming Standard Bank Top 8 Cup.

Musekiwa forged documents and featured in matches for his then club Young African under an assumed name. Young African were demoted because of his confession.

The player is currently on the books of African Stars and was arrested and released over the weekend at Rundu by immigration officers.

The NPL BOG has been requested to prepare diligently for the proposed meeting, in order to provide sufficient information on all the matters at hand.

MTC and FNB are sponsoring the league to the tune of N$20 million per year for three years, with N$15 million per year from MTC's coffers and N$5 million from FNB.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Funeka to take on much younger opponent

Ali Funeka, a 40-year-old boxer from Mdantsane who is on a five-bout losing streak, has been cleared to meet welterweight Uyanda Nogogo on 3 March at the Orient Theatre in East London.

It has been clear for all to see that the veteran's boxing skills have deteriorated over the last two years, and it was rather surprising that Boxing SA cleared him to take on Nogogo, who is 20 years his junior.

Funeka, who will celebrate his 41st birthday on 4 March, a day after the proposed bout, has been fighting as pro for more than 23 years. He has fought 39 fights involving close to 300 rounds.

Funeka has won the South African junior lightweight, WBC international lightweight, WBF junior welterweight, IBO welterweight, WBO Africa welterweight and IBO International welterweight titles in a long and punishing career.

The last time he won a fight was a third-round stoppage win over Justice Addy from Ghana on 24 July 2016. Addy had a record of three wins, one loss and one draw, according to Boxrec, before the fight.

Since that win Funeka has lost to Jeff Horn, Samuel Vargas and novices Karen Chukhadzhyan, Islam Dumanov and Gor Yeritsyan all via points' decisions.

Also prior to this, in July 2015, he was smashed to defeat in five rounds by Tsiko Mulovhedzi after three knock-downs, and was taken to hospital for observation after the fight.

NAMPA/ANA

Kamanya defends IBOSays the sanctioning body is authentic and legit Kiriata Kamanya of the Salute Boxing Academy says his boxers will continue to vie for IBO titles.

Salute Boxing Academy boss Kiriata Kamanya says the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) sanctioning body is authentic and legitimate.

Jonas Matheus, from the stable, will defend his IBO bantamweight international title against an opponent who will be announced at a later stage during 'The Kavango River Fray', slated for 30 March at Rundu.

Kamanya has hit out at detractors who have said that the IBO is not a worthy boxing organisation.

Without mentioning anyone's name, Kamanya said he feels that some people are jealous of the progress his stable has made over the past couple of years.

“These are just people trying to tarnish our name because the IBO is indeed a legitimate organisation.

“Many people, including big names in Namibia and outside, have been fighting for the IBO for many years.

“Our boxer (Matheus) has been doing great and will be fighting for the IBO, because we feel it is a legitimate organisation which has produced world-class boxers,” Kamanya said.

His comments come in the wake of an announcement that Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila and his promoter Nestor Tobias have turned down an opportunity to fight for the IBO junior lightweight world title. Tobias revealed that they were presented with an opportunity to fight for the IBO world title, but turned it down as their focus is limited to the top-four boxing sanctioning bodies only, the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA.

Final inspection for Newspaper Cup

The Namibian Newspaper Cup organising committee will visit Mariental on 12 February for a final inspection meeting with the local organising committee (LOC), as the town readies itself to host the cup during the Easter weekend from 19 to 22 April.

Late last year the Hardap Region was chosen to host the 2019 edition of the much-anticipated regional under-20 football and netball competition, beating the Oshana and //Karas regions.

The last time the region and the town of Mariental hosted the cup was in 2005, when Hardap lost 0-1 to Otjozondjupa in the final before making amends by winning in 2006 at Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region. They were also losing the finalists in 2004.

As part of the criteria to hosting the Newspaper Cup, the host town must have a stadium with artificial or natural grass, and have a facility with a minimum capacity for 2 000 people, as well as suitable lighting for night games and a PA system.

Bidding towns were also informed that the Namibia Football Association (NFA) and The Namibian newspaper retain the commercial rights to the competition and that there should be acceptable accommodation for a delegation from each region, as well for match officials and NFA and newspaper representatives.

Medical staff should be on standby for the duration of the tournament. Having the necessary catering and security are also among the conditions for hosting the cup.

NFA

Yamwe inaya hala omuleli gwAaHambukushu

Okomitiye ndjoka ya totwa po komuhoko gwAaHambukushu ndjoka yahala elenga, Erwin Munika Mbambo, li ze koshipundi shuuleli oya popi kutya itayi sholola sho ya tegelela eyamukulo okuza kuuministeli, opo ya vule okumona kutya otaya pula komeho ngiini.

Omunashipundi gwongundu ndjoka, Casius Mukenah, okwa lombwele oshifokundaeki shoNamibian Sun, kutya itaya vulu manga okupula komeho molwaashoka oya tegelela manga eyamukulo okuza kominista yomayambulepo goondoolopa niitopolwa.

Mukenah okwa popi kutya molwaashoka uuministeli owe ya pe omayele ya landule omilandu dhomondjila, itaya vulu manga okutsikila nologodhi lwopaveta ndoka taya pangele manga.

“Otwa tegelela natango ombaapila okuza kuuministeli. Itatu mwena. Ngele otwa mono kutya ombaapila kayi li muuwanawa wetu nena otatu ka konga ekwatho kOmpangu yoPombanda,” Mukenah a popi.

Okwa popi kutya okomitiye yawo oyi na omukumo kutya ngele oshikumungu shoka osha yi kohofa otaya sindana.

Minista Peya Mushelenga okwa popi kutya oshikumungu shoka otashi konaakona tango kuuministeli, na oya pumbwa woo okuuva ombinga yehokololo lyaMbambo.

Mushelenga okwa pula oongundu ndhoka mbali dhikale dha ngungumana manga, omanga uuministeli tawu yamukula.

“Otatu ke ya pa eyamukulo naya tegelele owala,” Mushelenga a popi.

Momasiku ga 7 gaNovemba omvula yo 2018, okomitiye oya ningi po omahogololo ge na sha nuuleli waMbambo.

Oya popi kutya mokati kaantu 2 931 mboka yahogolola, yeli po 2 705 oya hogolola ye li ompinge nelelo lyaMbambo.

Okomitiye oya popi kutya elenga ndyoka otali yi moshipala omayambulepo momudhingoloko gwawo.

Konima yomwedhi sha landula omahogololo ngoka, aayambidhidhi yaMbambo oya ningi omutumba taya holola eyambidhidho lyawo lyelenga ndyoka, taya popi woo kutya omahogololo ngoka ga ningwa kage li mondjila na oga pumbwa okukuthwa oonkondo.

Yamwe yomaayambidhidhi yaMbambo oya popi kutya yamwe po yomaanambelewa aakuluntu mepangelo oyo ye li konima yaamboka itaya popile elelo lyaMbambo na oya hala okumukutha ko koshipundi.

Shika oshikando oshitiyali ongundu ndjoka yahala okukutha elenga ndyoka koshipundi, sha landula ombaapila ndjoka ya li ya shangwa momasiku 24 gaDecemba momvula yo 2017.

Ongundu ndjoka momasiku 17 gaJanuari 2018 oyali ya ninguluka nokugandja ombili kelenga ndyoka.

KENYA KAMBOWE

LPM tayi tengeneke omahogololo taga nyanyudha

OGONE TLHAGE

Omuleli gwongunddu yoLandless People’s Movement (LPM), Bernadus Swartbooi okwa popi kutya omahogololo gaayehe ngoka taga ningwa moshilongo nuumvo otaga ka kala taga nyanyudha.

Ongundu yoLPM oya ningi ongundu yotango okushangithwa koElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) kohi yOmpango yOmahogololo yomvula yo 2014, ndjoka tali ya talululwa.

Swartbooi okwa popi kutya otali ka kala esiku epe moNamiba molwaashoka omahogololo otaga ka kala taga shambulwa.

Okwa popi kutya LPM otaka kala ta longele popepi noECN opo a kwashilipaleke kutya okwa monika iizemo iiwanawa.

“Otatu halele ompolo ECN meyalulo lyomawi nokutula po omahala gomahogololo. Otatu kala ookuume. Otatu ka yambidhidha mpoka tatu vulu nokukondja nuudhiginini mpoka tashi pumbiwa,” Swartbooi a popi.

Omupopiliko gwongundu ndjoka, Utaara Mootu okwa holola kutya okwa nyanyukwa ngashiingeyi sho ya shangithwa onga ongundu yopolotika pambelelwa.

Okwa popi kutya ongundu yawo otayi ka kutumba mondoolopa yaSwakopo, moka tayi ka kundathana nkene ye na okwiilongekidhila omahogololo ngoka taga ningwa moshilongo onga ongundu. Okwa popi kutya otaya ka ninga woo ooprograma dhomadheulo moshilongo, moka LPM taka tsakanena nokutala kwaashoka ta vulu okuninga omolwa omahogololo.

Eshangino lyoLPM onga ongundu yopolotka olya patanekwa komunapaliamende gwoSwapo, Veiko Nekundi. Sha landula eshangitho ndyoka, Nekundi okwa popile etokolo lye okupataneka eshangitho lyongundu ndjoka.

“Okupataneka itaku ti kutya omuntu ina hala ongundu yishangithwe, ihe ota holola owala kutya ongundu nayi landule tango omilandu,” Nekundi a popi.

Omvula ya etelele enyanyu, oluhodhi neyonaguloOmuniilonga gwaNWR a si omeya Aanafaalama muumbugantu woshilongo otaya hambelele omuloka omuwanawa ngoka gwa loko oshitopowa shawo mehuliloshiwike, ihe nonando ongaaka omuloka ngoka ogwa etitha eyonagulo olindji, oshowo eso limwe.

Omulumentu gwoomvula 22 omuniilonga gwehangano lyoNamibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) okwa si omeya mEtitano, konima sho otenda moka a li alala ya kungululwapo komeya poHobas campsite popepi noFish River Canyon moshitopolwa sha//Karas.

Omunambelewa omupopiliko gwoNWR, Mufaro Nesongano, okwa koleke oshiningwanima shoka ta popi kutya okwa li kwa holoka efundja enene ongulohi yEtitano mokamba ndjoka, omolwa omeya ngoka ga zilile momulonga, na oga yonagulapo woo ehala lyawo lyoombelewa, okefe yiikulya oshowo ehala lyookamba.

Nakusa okwa tumbulwa kedhina kutya Ben Henry Markus. Okwa li pamwe mokamba ndjoka naatalelipo yalwe yaheyali moHobas Lodge.

Pahapu dhaNesongano, Markus okwa li ha longele NWR moBoplaas Campsite, ihe okwa li koHobas mehuliloshiwike.

Ootenda ndhoka odha li dha thikwa momulonga moka ihe ondjele yomeya ya tameke okuya pombanda lwopotundi onti 21:00 konima yomvula onene ndjoka ya loko momudhingoloko ngoka.

Mboka ya Ii pamwe naMarkus oya hupithwa ongulohi yEtitano omanga olutu lwe lyiitsuwa mOlyomakaya.

Omukomeho gwoNWR, Zelna Hengari, ngoka a li a yi kehala lyoshiningwanima meendelelo okwa popi kutya: “Otandi koleke kutya aayakulwa yetu ayehe oya gamenwa, ihe omupya omunene otwa kanitha omuniilonga gwetu omunyasha, okuza mokamba yimwe yomookamba dhetu dhilwe. Otandi gandja omahekeleko kofamili ye na otandi yi kwashilipaleke kutya otatu yi galikanene pethimbo ndika lyoluhodhi nokuya pa eyambidhidho onga ehangano.”

Egumbo lyaayenda lyaHobas Lodge otali adhika mo/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park popepi noFish River Canyon.

Egumbo ndyoka oli li popepi nomulonga gwoshinano shookilometa 90 gwaFish River Canyon.

Oshitopolwa shomuumbugantu woshilongo osha mono omuloka omuwanawa mehuliloshiwike lya piti, noofaalama odhindji moshitopolwa moka odha lopota omuloka guvulithe poo mililita 100.

Aanafaalama yamwe oya lopota kutya oondama dhopopepi nayo odhuudha omeya ngoka taga kungulukamo nokuli.

MoKuubmansvlei momudhingoloko gwaKoës omwa lopotwa omvula yoomililita 123 mehuliloshiwike omanga mofaalama yaSwatzput momudhingoloko gwaAroab omwa dhidhilikwa omuloka goomililita 117 palopota ya gandjwa komunafaalama gwedhina Johan Koen.

Gerhard van der Westhuizen okwa popi kutya mofaalama ye ndjoka tayi adhika momudhingoloko gwaAroab oya mono omuloka gwoomililita 165.

Omvula yoomililita 80 oya lopotwa momudhingoloko gwaAroab mOlyomakaya omanga mofaalama yaKoertzberg momudhingoloko gwafaathaana oya mono omuloka gwoomililita 80, mesiku lya faathana.

Ofaalama yaArbeid, tayi adhika moKlein Karas oshowo moGrünau, oya lopota oomililita 25, omanga moMaltahöhe mwa lopotwa omvula yoomililita 40 muule wowili yimwe mEtitano. Oomililita 60 odha lopotwa mEtitano moAningnoas, muuzilo waKarasberge pokati kaKeetmanshoop kaGrünau.

Okwa lopotwa kutya ethigathano lyokutondoka ndyoka lya li li na okukalako koskola yaElnatan Private School moStampriet olya kalekwa omolwa omvula ndjoka ya loko momudhingoloko ngoka mehuliloshiwike.

MoAranos omwa lokwa omvula yoomililita 20 omanga mEtitano mOmalinda mwa lokwa omvula yoomililita 20.

Keetmanshoop okwa lokwa omvula yoomililita 20 pokati kEtitano nOlyomakaya, omanga mOtjiwa Lodge popepi nOtjiwarongo mwa lokwa omvula yoomililita 30.

ELLANIE SMIT

No bail for repeat offendersMinister Shifeta puts foot down Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has pleaded with courts to deny bail to repeat offenders.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says some of the 120 suspects arrested last year for wildlife crimes were repeat offenders who were out on bail for similar crimes.

“It is discouraging when a suspect is arrested for a crime today and the next day commits the same crime again. We do not want to tell justice what to do, but a repeat offender should not be let out on bail,” Shifeta said yesterday.

According to him workshops are currently taking place to sensitise magistrates and prosecutors on wildlife crime.

“We are also looking at how to pursue the handlers. We know who these people are. They have set up shop at places like Oshakati, Outapi, Oshikango and around the Etosha National Park, but they are involved in illicit activities. It is a matter of time until we catch them red-handed.”

Shifeta also stressed that if a foreigner is sentenced or fined for a wildlife crime in Namibia, they will not be allowed into the country again after paying their fine or serving their sentence.

Equipment to the value of N$6.8 million will be donated to Namibia over the next few years by the United States government to combat wildlife crime.

This includes four vehicles, GPS receivers, camping equipment, furniture for the Waterberg anti-poaching training centre, poaching crime scene investigation equipment and binoculars.

The donation is funded by through the US Foreign Military Financing Programme for Biodiversity. Shifeta yesterday received the first donation of 65 pairs of low-light binoculars from US ambassador to Namibia, Lisa Johnson.

“These 65 pairs of low-light binoculars are the first items to be delivered,” said Johnson.

Johnson said that wildlife crime is pushing some of the world's most emblematic species toward extinction and driving a lucrative criminal industry around the world.

“Wildlife crime is also a critical threat to economic development. It undermines security and threatens legitimate economies.”

According to Johnson, wildlife is an important cultural and economic asset for Namibia, contributing significantly to tourism and sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of Namibians.

She added that the US currently has projects valued at nearly N$300 million dedicated to conservation and combatting wildlife crime in Namibia.

Shifeta said that the donated equipment will be used to facilitate training programmes for employees, with the view to sharpening their skills to better manage wildlife crime.

“Ultimately our capacity to fight wildlife crime will be greatly enhanced through this generous donation.”

Shifeta said if the equipment is misused it constitutes misconduct and the public must also report any misuse of these assets.

He stressed that the ministry and other law-enforcement agencies will not relent in fighting wildlife crime wherever it happens. “To this end the ministry has been working hard to recruit the requisite staff for the anti-poaching unit, albeit that the process is slow. I am, however, confident that all key positions will soon be filled.”

He said that wildlife crime, particular poaching, is a global challenge which requires a global solution.

According to the director of parks and wildlife management in the environment ministry, Colgar Sikopo, a total of 57 rhino and 26 elephants were poached last year. This year no elephants have been poached so far and only one black rhino has been killed by poachers.

YANNA SMITH

Kahimise fails at High Court again

An urgent application filed by Windhoek CEO Robert Kahimise to halt procedures for a possible third suspension failed in the Windhoek High Court on Friday.

Acting Judge Claudia Claasen ruled that a labour dispute filed by Kahimise last year following his second suspension in November, had become redundant after that suspension was lifted by City Council and he returned to work in late January.

Claasen struck the matter from the roll after agreeing with arguments brought by the City of Windhoek Council's legal team that the High Court does not have jurisdiction to deal with Kahimise's urgent application in terms of the Labour Act and an ongoing dispute before the labour commissioner.

Kahimise had sought an interdict to put a pause on a pre-suspension hearing to which he was invited after his return to work, and the waiving aside of this second suspension.

Arguing on behalf of the council, lawyer Geoffrey Dicks said Kahimise was asking the High Court not only to prevent a pre-suspension hearing, but also to order council to stop any further suspensions, pending the outcome of the labour dispute instituted on 8 November.

Claasen ruled that “given the current position of the application that his suspension has been lifted, he is reinstated and back at work, I find there is no dispute pending before the labour commissioner.”

Kahimise was informed on 24 January that council at a special meeting that day had resolved to “set aside the decision to suspend you”.

He was asked to report for duty on 25 January.

On the same day, he was given a notice of suspension, and asked to make a personal representation against being suspended on 29 January.

The Windhoek High Court temporarily put a pause on that meeting, after Kahimise had filed an urgent application.

Namibian Sun was informed that a new date for a special council meeting to resolve the way forward on Kahimise as well as suspended City Police Chief Abraham Kanime, has not been set yet.

Last week a special council meeting was postponed, most likely in order to gain a legal opinion related to a directive given by President Hage Geingob to stop the volley of suspensions and for the City to focus on service provision.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Ulenga couple settle with Agribank

In the High Court yesterday before Judge Herman Oosthuizen, former Congress of Democrats leader Ben Ulenga, along with his wife Johanna, entered into a settlement agreement with Agribank for the repayment of debt of N$459 195.44.

On 18 September last year, Agribank had applied to the High Court for a default judgment in that sum. In its founding affidavit, Agribank said that the Ulenga couple had on 17 December 2012 secured three loans, of N$207 600, N$100 000 and N$50 000.

Each loan was repayable on different terms and with different interest rates. However, the Ulengas had, since the signing of the agreements, not made a single payment towards the settling of those debts.

According to Agribank, it is the holder of a third mortgage bond over the property at Erf 130, Pionierspark, as it was furnished as security by the Ulengas. The value of that bond is N$500 000.

“It was a material term of the bond that should the defendants default with any payment, the full amount would become due and payable,” the bank said.

Furthermore, it said it had repeatedly demanded payment from the Ulenga couple but they still failed to make any payment.

The bank asked for payment of N$459 195.44, as well as varying rates of interest as from 31 October last year. It also asked for an order that the residence in Pionierspark be declared executable.

The Ulengas had entered a notice to defend the action but, by 4 February, the bank's counsel, Graham McCulloch from Fisher, Quarmby and Pfeiffer, filed a status report indicating that a settlement had been reached and that this be made an order of the court.

According to the agreement, the Ulengas admitted their liability of the full amount to Agribank but undertook to pay the arrears on the full amount, N$196 300.21, by the end of the year. An amount of N$30 000 would be paid by the end of April, N$80 000 by the end of December, a further monthly repayment of N$5 000 backdated to start on 31 January, and a final payment of N$26 300.21 on or before 30 December.

They further undertook to honour the loan when payments become due, as from next year.

Henry Shimutwikeni appeared on behalf of the Ulenga couple.

YANNA SMITH

Producers plead for HarambeeNeed help if crops fail The Harambee Rain-fed Surplus Grain Production Programme may become critical for agronomists to continue planting next season.

The current drought situation in the country was high on the agenda of the Agronomic Producers' Association (APA) when its management met last week in Windhoek.

The APA, which is affiliated to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), met last Tuesday.

According to the NAU weekly newsletter, representatives from the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) were urged to implement the Harambee Rain-fed Surplus Grain Production Programme.

“For those producers who will once again be confronted with a crop failure, there is great concern about their financial ability to incur input costs in the next season,” said the NAU.

The programme involves a coupon system that is covered by government for producers to purchase seed and fertiliser under certain circumstances. The APA management believes the programme will ensure food security for Namibia, said the NAU.

The association also identified possible projects, such as alternative crops, cover crops, irrigation as well as information days that are important to the industry, and which fall within the strategic plan of the agriculture ministry.

“The new legislation on seed, which has caused a major headache for seed importers and halted planting, was also discussed and NAB representatives indicated that they were in urgent discussions with the agriculture ministry to obtain a grace period first,” according to the NAU.

Meanwhile, the management of the Dairy Producers' Association (DPA) met last Thursday, during which the dairy production cost index was submitted.

“The index has clearly indicated that the total cost of dairy producers has risen by more than 55% over the past year compared to their income, which has fallen due to producer price cuts of 30c/l of milk,” said the NAU.

According to the NAU, the biggest contributing factor to this is feed, and Feedmaster has announced that prices will rise again by the end of the month.

“Although dairy producers have already applied all possible cost-savings in their businesses, the costs are simply too high and there is no longer any profitability,” the NAU said.

The DPA has therefore made a serious request to the processor (Namib Dairies) for the re-establishment of price reduction, which producers had to take over during the past year.

“However, the recovery of the above-mentioned producer price is still not enough to close the gap in the cost squeeze, and as a result, there must be urgent discussions on additional price increases.”

It was also stressed that the implementation of Import and Export Control Act, as it relates to milk and related products in support of the local dairy industry, has still not taken place and is a major frustration for the dairy industry.

“It is critically important that this legislation should come into effect as soon as possible,” said the NAU.

Meanwhile, the DPA has called for retailers to support locally produced products. In other news, agriculture minister, Alpheus !Naruseb last week met with the NAU and the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) to discuss the drought situation in the country.

The two unions also discussed their joint drought action plan with the !Naruseb and mentioned that it is of the utmost importance that the export of livestock must not be restricted in order to enable producers to market their animals as soon as possible.

Price stability in the local market for slaughtering animals is critical for the next three months to enable producers to make decisions about the slaughtering of animals. Support measures by financial institutions are also requested to ease producer cash flow management, said the NAU.

The agriculture ministry will discusses the proposed drought action plan, after which a cabinet submission will be made.

ELLANIE SMIT

Hambukushu chieftaincy battles rages on

The committee established by the Hambukushu tribe, which wants Chief Erwin Munika Mbambo to relinquish power, says they have not given up as they are still waiting on a response from the line ministry on the way forward.

The chairperson of the pressure group, Casius Mukenah, told Namibian Sun they cannot proceed with any action as they are waiting for a response from the urban and rural development ministry on the matter.

Mukenah said because the ministry advised them to follow the proper channels, they cannot proceed with an intended legal route just yet.

“We are still waiting for the letter from the ministry. We cannot stop; if we see that the response is not in our favour, then we can still approach the High Court,” Mukenah said.

He said the committee is “100% certain” that if the matter goes to court, they will win.

Urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga said the matter is still being worked on by his ministry, adding they also have to hear Mbambo's side of the story. Mushelenga urged the parties to be patient, as the ministry will respond.

“They will hear from us, they should just wait,” Mushelenga said.

On 7 November 2018 the committee conducted a referendum in the Hambukushu district on Mbambo's chieftaincy.

It claims that out of the 2 931 people who participated, 2 705 votes were cast against Mbambo.

The committee has accused the chief of blocking much-needed development within the traditional authority's area of jurisdiction.

About a month later, Mbambo's supporters organised a meeting to show their support for the chief, and said the referendum was illegal and should be declared null and void.

Some of Mbambo's supporters alleged that certain highly-influential top government officials are behind the committee that wants to oust the chief.

This is the second attempt by the pressure group to relieve Chief Mbambo of his duties, following a 2017 Christmas Eve letter they wrote in which they made a host of allegations.

Surprisingly the group on 17 January 2018 made a U-turn on its demand that he relinquish his chieftaincy and apologised unconditionally.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Company news in brief

Gushing profits for oil majors on crude price

The world's top energy companies booked enormous profits last year thanks to higher oil prices and keeping a tight lid on spending, even if that risked limiting their medium-term production capacity.

The five "supermajors" - US firms Chevron and ExxonMobil, Britain's BP, Anglo-Dutch Royal Dutch Shell and Total of France - earned nearly US$80 billion in net profits last year.

They all boosted their bottom line, with some hitting levels not seen since a plunge in crude prices from their perch above US$100 per barrel in 2014.

Higher oil prices didn't hurt, of course, although the fourth quarter was marked by strong volatility.Overall, the price of Brent crude was US$71 per barrel last year, compared with US$54 in 2017.

The supermajors have also maintained the financial discipline - cost-cutting and reducing investments - that they adopted following the 2014 crash in crude prices. – Nampa/AFP

Mozambique NGOs call on Credit Suisse to write off debt

Several non-governmental organisations in Mozambique on Saturday called on Credit Suisse to write off debt their government contracted with the Swiss bank as part of a massive "hidden debt" scandal.

In a letter addressed to Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam seen by AFP, 21 civil society groups said the scandal over allegedly illegal loans totalling US$2 billion was "a direct result of fraudulent illegal collusion between Credit Suisse, contractors and Mozambican government officials".

The letter was co-signed by Graca Machel, a humanitarian activist and widow of Nelson Mandela.

The call came only days after Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi sacked deputy finance minister Isaltina Lucas who has been implicated in the widening scandal. AS national treasury director she signed guarantees in 2013 and 2014 for the loans to three state-owned security companies.

An independent audit has found that US$500 million of the loans, which were deliberately hidden from the country's parliament as well as international donors, was diverted and remains unaccounted for.

Seven suspects including Mozambicans and ex-Credit Suisse bankers are accused by the US of fraud, conspiracy to financial security fraud, conspiracy to launder money. – Nampa/AFP

Paris seeks US$14 million from Airbnb for illegal adverts

The City of Paris is suing Airbnb for publishing 1 000 illegal rentals adverts, which could cost the American rental website more than 12.5 million euros (US$14 million), the mayor of Paris told a newspaper in an interview published on Sunday.

Under French law, home owners in Paris can rent out their places on short-term rental platforms for up to 120 days in a year. Advertisements must include a registration number to help ensure properties are not rented out for longer.

France passed a law in 2018 which makes companies such as Airbnb punishable by fines of 12 500 euros per illegal posting, a new provision Paris will use to challenge Airbnb in court, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.

Several cities around the world have expressed concerns that platforms such as Airbnb stand as unfair competitors to hotels and can turn some neighbourhoods into sterile, tourist-only zones.

A spokeswoman for Airbnb said it had implemented measures to help Paris users of its website comply with European rules, but added that the rules in Paris were "inefficient, disproportionate and in contravention of European rules". – Nampa/Reuters

Bags carry Hermes to record sales in 2018

French luxury group Hermes said its sales hit a record just shy of 6 billion euros in 2018 as demand for its iconic bags continues to grow in all parts of the world and particularly in China.

Hermes called the 7.5% increase over 2017 in "particularly healthy, being based mainly on volume" rather than currency effects, which in fact were a drag overall during the year.

The consolidated sales figure of 5.966 billion euros (US$6.76 billion) were slightly above the consensus of analyst estimates compiled by Factset and Bloomberg.

Hermes saw its strongest growth in China and South Asian countries with a 14% increase when measured in constant exchange rates.

The recent spike in global trade tensions doesn't seem to affecting Hermes, as sales jumped 10.1% in reported terms in the fourth quarter. – Nampa/AFP

Al Jazeera partners with Bloomberg

Qatar's Al Jazeera Media Network said yesterday it would partner with Bloomberg Media Distribution as part of a content license agreement to expand its global business news coverage.

Select Bloomberg content like digital video and charts will run on Al Jazeera's english-language digital properties, the company said. Al Jazeera's content will also be available to Bloomberg terminal subscribers.

The Associated Press and Bloomberg LP had in October announced a sales partnership in Europe, Middle East and Africa region and Asia to expand their media client base.

Bloomberg competes with Reuters, the news division of Thomson Reuters Corp, in supplying news to media outlets. – Nampa/Reuters

Namib Poultry Gravity Cup kicks off

Michelline Nawatises

The Namib Poultry Gravity Cup is an exciting new platform for schools to showcase their sporting prowess and talents in an extremely upbeat and festive mood!

The Gravity Cup will showcase three school sport codes namely - soccer, sevens rugby and netball.

The official gate count of spectators at the kickoff of the Namib Poultry Gravity Cup was a whopping 1 401 people.

The cup will be held countrywide and there will be five circuits starting in Windhoek and then closing at the end of the year in the capital.

This platform is based on South Africa’s Varsity Cup competition.

Six schools participated in the first soccer tournament: Academia Secondary School, Windhoek High School, Windhoek Gymnasium Private School, Jan Möhr Secondary School, Windhoek Technical High School and Delta Secondary School. All the teams were under-17.

The results were as follows:

Academia vs WHS (0 -1)

Delta vs Whk Gym (1-1)

Jan Möhr vs WHS (0-0)

HTS vs Whk Gym (0-0)

Academia SS vs Jan Möhr (0-1)

Delta SS vs HTS (1-1)

The winners of the first tournament were Windhoek Gymnasium Private School, with Jan Möhr in the second place and Windhoek High School in third.

Think before you post

Elizabeth Joseph

On the 5 February, Safe Internet Day (SID) was celebrated.

The event was held under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, with support from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). It took place at the Chairman Mao Zedong High school.

Safer Internet Day has been celebrated globally since 2004 and aims to raise awareness of plaguing online issues, such as cyber-victimisation and identity theft.

Present was child welfare minister Lucia Witbooi, British high commissioner Kate Airey, UNICEF country representative, Rachel Odede, Paulus Lewin, chief education officer for programmes and quality assurance, and Nicolette Bessinger, the directior of Lifeline/Childine Namibia.

The objective of the celebration was to help educate children as well as parents about the dangers of social media and the use of the internet without proper precautions in place.

There was a panel discussion, moderated by Emma Theofelus, under the topic ‘Parental supervision vs access to information - an unsolved conflict?’

Among the panellists were Dr Veronica Theron who is the special advisor to first lady Monica Geingos, Tuna-Ombili Hanghombe and Junior Kapofi, who are students, and Sam Afrikaaner, who gave his views from the perspective of a parent.

“The internet can be a scary thing, and as a parent myself, I want my children to be protected at all costs. I, however, believe that forming a strong sense of trust and openness with your child is vital. This gives them the freedom as well as a platform to make you aware of any danger they might come across on the internet,” said Theron.

Afrikaaner felt differently. He said in his household, his children are not allowed to use the internet and have certain social media accounts, if he does not have their passwords.

Many parents are scared for their children and choose this route.

“Taking into consideration, the theme for this celebration which is ‘together for a better internet’ the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, as a custodian of child welfare and protection, is committed together with the stakeholders to promote better internet usage for our children. Teach your children about internet safety regularly and thoroughly,” Witbooi said.

UNICEF launched a campaign in which different schools took part in a video competition that compiled some of the advantages as well as disadvantages of the internet as a whole.

Caprivi Secondary School in the Zambezi Region walked away as the winners of the video competition.

Grooming young minds in science

Michelline Nawatises

The Goethe Institute Namibia, in cooperation with MindsInAction, is presenting a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programme that aims to offer Namibian learners a new approach to knowledge and unveil a path to the application of 21st century skills.

Science and mathematics concepts, combined with technology and engineering principles, are revealed through the process of building and programming Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots. STEM education creates innovative learners and enhances social entrepreneurship opportunities.

A parent, Jenni Beukes, mentioned how this programme will be an advantage for the youngsters.

“I have two sons who are interested in this programme, I am going to enrol them. I recommend that parents invest in this because the world is changing fast and technologically will add to their skills,” Beukes said.

Maria Mukwambi, a grade five learner at Holy Cross Convent Primary School, said that the programme is of great help.

“This robotics programme is educational, we are learning so much and it has a great effect on our mind, as we are exposed to building modules and thinking critically as well,” she said.

Programme conductor Ndaudika Mulundileni said it is project-based, as participants are allowed to find solutions to problems.

“We prepare the learners at an early age for 21st century skills,” he said.

He added that they educate their learners in high-level skills.

The programme contains 16 modules. One module takes 13 weeks to complete and is priced at N$1 500, and introduces participants to graphics and programming. For more information contact Ndaudika Mulundileni @ 081 363 0529.

SADC breaks silence on ZimConcurs with Mnangagwa's government The regional grouping has described the protests in Zimbabwe as 'an effort to destabilise the country'.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has finally made a statement on the situation in Zimbabwe, which is experiencing a crumbling economy, human rights violations and political turmoil.

In a statement issued on Monday, SADC chair and Namibian head of state Hage Geingob concurred with the Zimbabwean government that its decision to increase fuel prices was done in an effort to address the economic problems in that country.

According to Geingob it was unfortunate that “violent demonstrations rode on the back of increase in fuel prices in an effort to destabilise the country”.

“The demonstrations resulted in the destruction of property and loss of life. SADC condemns in the strongest terms the violence that ensued, and expresses sympathy with the affected families for the loss of their loved ones and their property,” he said.

SADC has come under fire for failing to address the political and social crisis in Zimbabwe that was sparked by a major hike in petrol prices and now has escalated to disaster levels.

In February, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam International appealed to Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa to take concrete and effective action to address the deteriorating human rights situation and increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.

“We are seriously concerned about the escalating crackdown by your government on human rights defenders, civil society activists, labour and opposition leaders and members and Zimbabweans protesting the recent fuel price increase,” the organisations wrote.

“We have observed with concern a pattern of suppression of dissenting voices in Zimbabwe. On 1 August 2018, seven people were killed after the deployment of the military during post-election protests. To date, those responsible for the killings have not been brought to justice,” the letter stated.

Al Jazeera reported that over 100 people have been admitted to hospitals across the country with gunshot wounds.

Sanctions

SADC also called on the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying the “illegal” sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe in the early 2000s had negatively affected the country.

This follows a plea at the World Economic Forum (WEF) by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, who said his country favoured the lifting or easing of international sanctions on Zimbabwe.

According to Ramaphosa Zimbabwe faces “serious, serious, economic challenges” and they can be assisted by the world if the sanctions are lifted.

“The SADC heads of state and government further noted that the government's efforts to transform the economy and bring about prosperity to the people of Zimbabwe are negatively affected by the illegal sanctions that were imposed on the country since the early 2000s.

“SADC expresses its solidarity with the government and the people of Zimbabwe. The SADC heads of state and government also noted that the government has commenced dialogue with all stakeholders in the country with a view to strengthening economic transformation and calls upon all stakeholders to support the process,” Ramaphosa said.

JEMIMA BEUKES

It must be win-win, Mr Ambassador - Venaani

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani says there is a need for an overhaul of China-Namibia relations, so that Namibia benefits as an equal trading partner.

Venaani said this during a meeting yesterday with China's ambassador to Namibia, Zhang Yiming.

He said Sino-Africa cooperation should also be an improvement of the old International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan scheme, which weakened African economies instead of strengthening them.

“When we speak of a win-win situation the structures of African economies is so badly shaped, and China, which speaks of socialism, must help African economies to rebalance the fundamentals of their economics,” Venaani said.

His biggest concern is that Africa, which is endowed with sought-after raw minerals that are exported, only accounts for a fraction of the world's trade.

“If you look at the world trade volumes, which is US$1.26 trillion, out of this Africa only trades with the world for N$56 billion. This gives us a stark reality that the continent with mineral resources lags behind in terms of world trades, because of the structures of our economies. We need to create benefits,” he said.

Venaani added that Namibia and the rest of Africa cannot afford not to trade with China, but these agreements fail to address the “bread and butter” issues which stimulate economies.

“The loan agreements are very badly structured; they are structured in a very negative way in which it repossesses state assets. If you falter, you have to lose. These are bad loans. We don't want to see a situation where loans are linked to our natural assets, because we have a generation we have to bequeath our natural resources to,” said Venaani.

Zhang asked for yesterday's meeting to update Venaani on the current relationship between China and Namibia.

He said it was important for opposition party leaders to understand China's role in support of Namibia.

“I keep emphasising that our cornerstone and our foreign policy is no interference in the internal affairs of any country, including Namibia. So I hope the media understands it is purely a courtesy call,” Zhang said.

He said there is a need to encourage Namibians to export more beef to China and emphasised the need to modernise the agriculture sector in order to create more jobs for locals.

He also shared with Venaani the importance of the state visits to China by President Hage Geingob, adding that China has no hidden agenda.

“Everyone must understand the real, right picture of China-Namibia relations. China remains a strong reliable partner for economic social development after independence until today. We have an open agenda, as a friend, a sincere brother and sister of Namibia and Africa. We should support you now because we have developed,” Zhang added.

JEMIMA BEUKES