Namibian Sun

Samsung's foldable phone opens up debateBlown away by innovation or price? Samsung’s new phone, which can operate three apps simultaneously and boasts six cameras, also challenges the notion of what a phone can cost. It will help Samsung burnish an image as an innovative company, but it is unlikely to be profitable. - Kim Yong-serk, Professor: Sungkyunkwan University

Stephen Nellis and Hyunjoo Jin - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has wowed the smartphone industry with the first mainstream foldable screen, accompanied by a nearly US$2 000 price tag that generated heated debate as to whether it may prove too expensive to revive slumping sales.

The South Korean tech giant unveiled the Galaxy Fold which resembles a conventional smartphone, but which opens like a book to reveal a second display the size of a small tablet at 18.5 cm (7.3 inches). It will go on sale on April 26.

At its launch event in San Francisco on Wednesday, Samsung upped the surprise factor by briefing analysts and journalists on widely anticipated aspects ahead of time, such as 5G versions of its existing top-end Galaxy S phones.

The unveiling of the foldable device came as a shock to many in the auditorium.

"I am blown away," said Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy, adding the phone could help Samsung rejuvenate its mobile business, whose lead is under attack from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd.

"I believe you can innovate your way out of a mature market," he said, noting that when Apple Inc launched the iPhone in 2007, most industry watchers believed the market had matured for US$100 "candy bar" phones without touch screens.

‘Wow’

Bob O'Donnell of TECHanalysis Research said the work Samsung had done with Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google and Microsoft Corp to adapt applications to the new screen was important.

He said though Samsung had teased the folding phone before, "to see it in action, to see the software, I was like, wow. It's hugely important that the software experience be good."

The phone, which can operate three apps simultaneously and boasts six cameras, also challenges the notion of what a phone can cost, debuting at nearly twice the price of current top-of-the-line models from Apple and Samsung itself.

"Due to price, it's likely to be sold mainly to early adopters. Prices are key to expanding sales," said former Samsung mobile executive Kim Yong-serk, who is now a professor at Sungkyunkwan University in Korea.

"It will help Samsung burnish an image as an innovative company, but it is unlikely to be profitable. I expect Apple to wait say for one year and come up with foldable phones with more features, as they did with the smartwatch," he said.

Brokerage Hana Investment & Securities expects Samsung to sell two million foldable phones this year, with the price keeping the volume relatively low, while another brokerage expects shipments to reach one million. That would be less than one percent of the 291 million smartphones Samsung sold last year.

Social media

Online, social media users were divided over the price, the features, and whether consumers would even need such a phone.

"Innovative? Sure. Needed? Not sure. 6 cameras, 2 screens and 2 batteries at US$1980?!?," wrote Twitter user @JackPhan.

Reddit user AmazedCoder took a more positive view.

"The fact that people are only complaining about the price should tell you that a lot of people actually want this, but can't get it. Second gen of this thing is gonna sell like hotcakes."

While most analysts expect Apple to wait until 2020 to match the foldable phone, Samsung has set new price standards in the premium category as it seeks to revive consumer interest in an industry which posted its first-ever sales decline last year.

"US$1980 dollar for a #galaxyfold no thanks ... watch ... now the next iPhone will be US$1999," Twitter user @zollotech said. – Nampa/Reuters

Chiradza pays for wreckage left behind

JANA-MARI SMITH

A crash that killed three people in July 2015 and landed a Zimbabwean doctor behind bars for three and half years has come back to haunt him.

This week Yevai Chiradza, who is currently serving his sentence at the Walvis Bay prison, agreed to pay N$177 636.72 to Sonja Junius for damage to her car that was wrecked in the crash that killed her mother, aunt and cousin.

Chiradza made headlines early last year when a video on social media went viral, showing him driving recklessly and dangerously on the road between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo, often swerving into oncoming traffic and forcing others off the road.

It soon emerged that the doctor, who was put on forced leave shortly afterwards, was also being sought by the police for failing to appear before court on charges related to the 2015 crash.

It was announced that he was also under investigation for alleged theft of and abuse of addictive drugs.

The settlement agreement reached between Junius and Chiradza was made an order of the Windhoek High Court this week.

The agreement directs Chiradza to begin paying monthly instalments of N$3 000 as from 31 May 2020 until the full amount is settled.

The total amount is based on the pre-accident value of the Kia Rio vehicle, less the wreck value, tow-in costs and a debit note.

The settlement agreement further stipulates that Chiradza must contribute N$10 000 towards Junius’s legal fees, but otherwise, each party will pay their own costs.

Chiradza was found guilty on three counts of culpable homicide and a count of negligent driving by the Karibib Magistrate's Court in July 2018, and was sent to jail for an effective three years and six months.

The charges stemmed from the accident he was found to have caused on the Karibib-Usakos road in 2015.

Junius and her cousin, Johan Junius, were the only two survivors of the crash.

The crash claimed the lives of two sisters, Welmine Louw and Alet Junius, as well as Louw’s son, Konrad Louw.

A civil claim of N$600 000 was instituted against Chiradza by Welmine Louw’s husband, Konrad Louw, who lost his wife, only child and sister-in-law in the crash.

Namibia asks SA to release waterExports threatened by shortage The dangerously low water level of the Orange River could have a devastating impact on Namibia's production of table grapes.

The Namibian government has requested South Africa to release enough water from its dams to reach the lower Orange River.

This was said by agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb during a recent visit to Desert Fruit Farm in the //Karas Region to witness the harvesting of Khalas dates at the plantation. The Orange River basin is shared by Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa and the catchment receives rain in summer.

“In years of drought the river may run dry along the common border with South Africa – a situation we have been experiencing in the last three years. To mitigate this situation the government, through the ministry, requested South Africa to release enough water to reach the lower Orange,” !Naruseb said.

He said in order to secure the availability of water right through the year, it is necessary to store the summer runoff in dams for later use. Water is then released from the dams to meet the downstream demand.

“The farmers along the common border share in the security of the availability of water from the dams built to regulate the water flow of the Orange River.”

Namibian Sun recently reported that the dangerously low water level of the Orange River could have a devastating impact on Namibia's production of table grapes, an important export product earning hundreds of millions in foreign exchange.

Namibian grape farmers along the Orange River suspect that increased water use upstream by South African grape farmers was the cause of the lower part of the river running dry. The Namibian farmers claim that the lower Orange River is not supposed to run dry as there is enough water in the Orange-Vaal River system following good rains in its catchment area.

!Naruseb further said that Namibia's exports of horticulture products consist mainly of table grapes, dates, tomatoes and carrots. These products are mainly exported to EU markets.

He said the country intended to strengthen compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards in agriculture. That would include updating the current registration procedures for pesticides, fertilisers and feeds.

“Therefore the agro-chemicals registered for any plants and plant products must be in line with the chemicals listed [as safe] by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to ensure food safety for all consumers.”

!Naruseb further said the ministry supported grape and date exports to the EU, Kenya, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates through the issuance of phytosanitary certificates after doing field inspections.

ELLANIE SMIT

20 years and going strongDoing what you do best Staying positive and working hard has helped Lena Cloete, an employee of FNB who has been working for the company for more than 20 years, to enjoy every day.

Lena Cloete has been an employee at First National Bank Namibia (FNB) for more than 20 years, and is a devoted staff members who enjoys her work and career.

Cloete has moved around quite a bit during her life.

She was born in South Africa in 1956, and later moved to Namibia in 1959. She started primary school at Koës in 1962, where she stayed in a school hostel. She moved to Kalkrand in 1966, then to Duineveld in 1968. She attended secondary school at Dr Lemmer in Rehoboth from 1969 until 1975.

She started working at the Barclays Ausspanplatz branch in January 1976. She then moved to the Rehoboth branch in 1982 and worked there until 1984, when she moved to Grootfontein where she worked from 1985 until 1994.

Cloete is currently the team leader of guarantees at the FNB branch at Parkside. “Working at FNB has been a dream for me. I believe I was at the right place at the right time at the company, and I believe I have been an asset to FNB,” Cloete says.

Today she is a contract worker and everyday differs from the next, but she's basically responsible for overseeing the centralisation of the guarantees and collateral of the entire Namibia.

“I believe my biggest achievement thus far has been the centralisation of guarantees,” she says.

Cloete loves her work and enjoys every day and the new challenges it may present.

“Every day is a new challenge, which in turn means the tasks are not repetitive, and every day has something new in store for me.”

She has done this line of work for so long that she believes she has become a specialist in the field.

“That makes my work easy, because I know what I need to do, and what is expected of me.”

She advises future employees to do what they do well, to study hard to improve their skillsets and knowledge, and be willing to adopt new ideas and assist those around them.

Her motto for every day is to simply stay positive and take each day as it comes.

A passion for the well-being of children Ingrid Husselmann is Namibia’s new children’s advocate.

Justicia Shipena

Ingrid Husselmann is Namibia's new children's advocate.

In addition she is also the head of the division for human rights and legal advice at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Her role as a children's advocate is to receive complaints and conduct investigations on matters involving children.

Once a case is investigated she may carry out negotiation, conciliation or mediation to facilitate compromise between the concerned parties, in order to resolve any dispute relating to the rights of the child.

Thereafter she writes a report to the people and authorities involved, if appropriate. When an issue does not fall within her mandate she refers the complainant to another institution.

“The children's advocate may make recommendations of a general nature to the authorities concerned, including the minister responsible for the protection of children, on any matter which may arise in the course of the investigation,” she said.

Husselmann holds an LLB degree from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She is admitted as a legal practitioner in the High Court of Namibia.

Husselmann was recently appointed as the children's advocate at the Office of the Ombudsman in Windhoek.

Before joining the Office of the Ombudsman she worked at the ministry of justice as a deputy prosecutor-general.

At the justice ministry she would prosecute many cases in all courts of Namibia including cases involving children in conflict with the law, as well as children impacted by crime.

She told Careers the highlight of her 16-year career journey was invariably being involved making a difference in the lives of ordinary people.

Children's care

“As an advocate I speak for those who cannot speak or struggle to be heard, and every small victory on behalf of those individuals is a highlight on its own,” she said.

She added that as a deeply empathetic person and mother, seeing and hearing about the many children in exceptionally challenging circumstances, like those living with disabilities, those in conflict with the law, those deprived of decent housing facilities, those who attend schools under trees without flushing toilets, victims of abuse, teenage mothers, street children and many others, often feels overwhelming for her.

However she reminds herself that her position was created specifically to play the role of 'watchdog' in all child-related areas, thus she has the power to ensure that the rights of children are protected instead of merely passively observing their plight.

“I am fortunate enough to have a well-trained and passionate staff at the ombudsman by my side and together we aim to strongly condemn the violation of children's rights in Namibia,” she said.

As children's advocate for Namibia, Husselmann wants to see a Namibia where all children and young people are truly heard, respected and where their best interests are considered.Besides being in the office she spends time with her two daughters.

Investors must transfer skills: !Naruseb

KOMSBERG – Foreign investors in the agricultural industry should be prepared to pass on skills to Namibians to help them establish and manage their own businesses, the minister of agriculture, water and forestry, Alpheus !Naruseb, has said.

!Naruseb was speaking at Desert Fruit Farm south of Ariamsvlei on Wednesday.

He was invited to witness the packing of Barhi dates which are amongst others exported to China, England, France and Abu Dhabi.

The minister said it is essential for investors to transfer skills to Namibians as currently, they just work as permanent or seasonal workers on the irrigation schemes.

“The investors should be prepared to empower locals so that one day, with skills and knowledge transferred to them, they can become experts like the investors,” he said.

Information provided by the Desert Fruit management indicated that there are currently 300 permanent and 300 casual workers on the farm.

The minister commended the management for joining the government in bringing development to the people and eradicating poverty.

He however urged them to consider a mentorship programme and even sending employees to tertiary institutions to acquire new skills.

“Imagine if someone who was born here, goes to school and tertiary education and comes back and manages this farm,” he said. - Nampa

Zimbabwe introduces inter-bank forex marketQuasi-currency devalued The new move is the latest in the country's monetary policy measures aimed at addressing a perennial foreign currency crunch. "It is printing of money electronically. It doesn't exist"– Derek Matyszak, Researcher: ISS

Fanuel Jongwe - Zimbabwe's central bank on Wednesday said it was introducing a new interbank foreign exchange system, effectively devaluing its quasi-currency which had been officially pegged at par with the US dollar.

"We have provided a formal way of trading in foreign currency," Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya said as he announced new monetary policy measures aimed at addressing a perennial foreign currency crunch.

"We have basically formalised what is happening. We have basically ensured that no one goes to buy currency from the parallel market.

"The inter-bank exchange system will have significant positive effects on the economy's external and fiscal sectors, domestic production and on the welfare of citizens," he said.

The local bond - introduced two years ago to address a cash shortage - will be a tradable domestic currency alongside the greenback, South African rand and a host of other foreign currencies adopted in 2009 after hyperinflation rendered the local Zimbabwe dollar unusable.

RTGS

The new policy in essence devalues the local bond note - the quasi-currency which exists in note and electronic form known as RTGS (real time gross settlement) - introduced in 2016 by ousted leader Robert Mugabe to address cash shortages.

It had been pegged at 1:1 against the US dollar while the parallel market rate was much higher.

The central bank said formalising trading of "RTGS balances and bond notes with the US dollar and other currencies" on a "willing-buyer willing-seller basis through banks and bureau de change" would bring stability to the market.

Mangudya expressed hope that the new measures will help encourage RTGS electronic payments for domestic transaction and get rid of multi-tier pricing system which has seen goods and services priced in US dollars, bond note or RTGS.

‘Phantom money’

However Derek Matyszak, a researcher with the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, says that RTGS is "phantom money".

"It is printing of money electronically," he told a recent seminar in Johannesburg. “It doesn't exist".

Former economic planning minister and opposition politician, Tapiwa Mashakada, said that authorities' pushing of the RTGS is a "clever" way of re-introducing a domestic currency.

"This is a Zimbabwe dollar by any means. Zimbabwe now has a sovereign currency called 'RTGS dollar' which is a euphemism for Zimbabwe dollars. It's like saying you eat bacon but not pork," said Mashakada.

"The domestic currency has bounced back without addressing the key fundamentals," he said.

Economy

Zimbabwe's economy has been on a downturn for more than a decade with high inflation and cash shortages which forced banks to put a ceiling on withdrawals as depositors spent long hours queueing to withdraw cash.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from long-time ruler Mugabe following a brief military takeover in 2017, has vowed to revive the country's moribund economy.

In October finance minister Mthuli Ncube introduced a 2% tax on all electronic transactions, triggering price hikes and shortages of fuel and basic commodities like bread and cooking oil.

In January, Mnangagwa announced a more than 100% hike in the prices of fuel.

The move sparked countrywide protests which left at least 17 people dead after soldiers were deployed to crush the protests.

Independent economist John Robertson said the new monetary policy was "a good move".

"The government has decided to let the market decide the exchange rate," Robertson told AFP.

"It's possible the exchange rate will stabilise. There has been little certainty. This is a good start but there are many more things to be done."– Nampa/AFP

Namandje withdraws from SME Bank case

Lawyer Sisa Namandje has given the High Court notice that he will no longer represent Enock Kamushimda, his World Eagle Investments and the Metropolitan Bank of Zimbabwe, reportedly over non-payment for legal services.

Namandje had bound himself as surety and co-principal debtor for and on behalf of Kamushinda, MetBank and World Eagle, in favour of the liquidators, for up to N$400 000.

The High Court in June last year ordered Namandje's clients to pay a guarantee of N$600 000 for such costs as may be awarded against them. In response, they argued they were not liable to pay that amount. Their argument was dismissed and Namandje agreed to act as surety for up to N$400 000.

Namandje yesterday did not respond to a question by Namibian Sun about his withdrawal from the case.

After Namandje's withdrawal, Kamushinda and the two Zimbabwean entities were advised to find other counsel or represent themselves.

The High Court yesterday removed from the roll Kamushinda's attempts to throw a spanner in the works in his challenge against the liquidation of the SME Bank and subsequent probe into the more than N$200 million that went missing from the bank.

Kamushinda - a former non-executive director of the SME Bank and representative of MetBank and World Eagle – last year February launched a court application to stop the liquidation of the bank and commissions of inquiry into the matter in both Namibia and South Africa.

He also challenged a subpoena to appear before a commission of inquiry in Namibia and fought against the recognition and extension of powers given to the liquidators, David Bruni and Ian McLaren, by the Master of the High Court.

Namibia's Supreme Court on 23 October last year dismissed MetBank's and World Eagle's appeal against the winding-up order issued by the High Court against the SME Bank.

Also among the barrage of court applications to stop the wheels of justice from turning was an attempt by Kamushinda, MetBank and World Eagle to stop a court order that permitted the liquidators from paying at least N$25 000 to the SME Bank's depositors.

While the probe into the missing millions continues in both Namibia and South Africa, the Gauteng High Court froze the bank accounts of Moody Blue, AMFS Solutions, Asset Movement and Financial Services, and First Rand Bank to secure the liquidators access to N$54 million that had been spirited out of the SME Bank.

The South African court in September last year also ruled that brokerage firm Peregrine Equity may not pay out N$11.5 million to Mamepe Capital Investments of Mauwane Kotane from an account held in the name of a company called KE2 Ample.

The liquidators maintain that Kamushinda had “received stolen money”, or “money stolen from the SME Bank” directly from AMFS, money paid into the accounts of two of his companies, Crown Finance and Heritage Investments.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Russian-trained doctors 'insulted'Health Professions Council 'insulted' them Graduates of Russian medical schools take exception at insinuations that their qualifications are substandard.

An association of Russian-trained Namibian doctors have issued a scathing statement in response to criticism of the quality of medical training obtained at Eastern European and Chinese universities, and warned of a potential blow to bilateral alliances.

The Russian Alumni Association of Namibia (RAAN) yesterday fired back at an affidavit submitted to the Windhoek High Court by Cornelius Weyulu, the registrar of the Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA).

In an affidavit filed in February in connection with an urgent application brought by foreign-trained medical graduates who had failed a compulsory pre-internship evaluation last year, Weyulu bluntly criticised the low admission requirements at Eastern European and Chinese medical universities. Weyulu said many graduates returning from those countries lacked the requisite skills and knowledge, which led to the implementation of a pre-evaluation test to ensure their competence before allowing them to practise. RAAN described Weyulu's affidavit as defamatory, misleading and an “unwarranted attack on our knowledge and integrity”.

RAAN described Weyulu's affidavit as “insensitive and ignorant” and warned that Weyulu's affidavit could damage the “cordial bilateral relations and agreements that exist between Namibia, Russia, the former Soviet Republics and China”.

They demanded that he retract the comments contained in the affidavit and unconditionally apologise to RAAN members. RAAN asked why, if the quality of training at foreign institutions was regarded as substandard, the health ministry was not advised against sending students there on taxpayer-funded scholarships.

Further, the association insisted that Weyulu provide proof that Unam medical graduates had taken the same evaluation test.

Doing well

The group claimed that requiring only foreign-trained graduates, and not Unam graduates, to take the pre-internship test was “blatantly unfair”.

RAAN emphasised that Russian-trained Namibian professionals, including doctors, had been deployed to a number of Namibian institutions, including private and state hospitals and universities. The group listed senior medical personnel working at state hospitals, including health minister Kalumbi Shangula, who had attained their degrees in Russia. Russian-trained doctors were heading the casualty departments at Katutura State Hospital and Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, and were medical superintendents at the Rundu, Oshakati and Keetmanshoop state hospitals, the statement pointed out.

Damning

Since 2013, more than 600 Namibian students were granted scholarships to study medicine or dentistry abroad as part of a health ministry programme. Countries included Russia, Ukraine, Zambia, India, South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana. In 2016, the Medical and Dental Council of Namibia implemented pre-internship evaluations after concerns were raised about the skills and knowledge of returning graduates from particularly Eastern European and Chinese institutions, Weyulu's affidavit stated. In the affidavit, Weyulu pointed out that the minimum admission requirements of the Unam medical school were at least 35 points in grade 12 - ten more points than the entrance requirements for other Unam degrees - plus a B grade or higher in mathematics and English. He said South Africa had similar admission requirements but schools in Eastern Europe and China “do not seem to have the same requirements”. A recent study of more than 200 foreign-trained medical students found that 99% had failed to qualify for admission to Unam's medical school, based on their grade 12 results, Weyulu said. He added that many foreign-trained graduates from especially China and Eastern Europe were “poorly trained” and were “found wanting as interns in many a respect”. Weyulu added that this “poor” training weakened their ability to do “serious ward work”. “Most of them cannot. They are not qualified,” he said.

He said this burdened students from “decent universities”, who have to do “double the work to cater for the gap created by the incompetence of the European and Chinese-trained students”. He said the pre-internship evaluations were established to ensure that the “correct graduates are released into the medical field” and to “evaluate the competence of people to get into and remain in the medical profession”.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Ancestral land commission appointed

President Hage Geingob yesterday announced the long-awaited Presidential Commission of Inquiry Into Claims of Ancestral Land Rights.

The second national land conference held in October 2018 adopted 169 land-reform resolutions to be implemented by the government, among them the issue of ancestral land claims and restitution.

The members of the commission include High Court Judge Shafimana Uietele as chairman, with Fanuel Kapaama as his deputy.

The other members are Neels Kooper, Anna Fredericks, Willem Konjore, Ryno van der Merwe, Inge Murangi, Jeaneth Kuhanga, Uhuru Dempers, Helmke von Bach, Nadia Le Hane, Joseph Petrus van der Westhuizen, Professor Lazarus Hangula, Marius Kudumo and Chief Immaneul /Gaseb. Geingob reminded the members to be mindful of the complexity of ancestral land claims in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in Namibia by ensuring that the fundamental rights and freedoms contained in the constitution are not infringed upon.

“I ask you to be mindful of the fact that the work you are expected to carry out should be evidence based and enriched by national, regional and international experience, while never losing sight of the unique characteristics of Namibia's past experience of colonialism and apartheid occupation. “I expect you to be impartial in the execution of your responsibilities as members of the commission,” he said.

Ancestral land has been a contentious issue for years and the 1991 land conference had effectively dodged the issue on the pretext that there were too many overlapping and counterclaims for ancestral land.

Despite the importance attached to redressing historical injustices with regard to access to agricultural land, the restitution of ancestral land rights had been ruled out in Namibia. The country's first land conference in 1991 passed a consensus resolution that ancestral land rights could not be restored in full.

This also appeared to have been the ruling Swapo Party's position for years.

In fact, former lands Alfeus !Naruseb said in 2012 that Namibians must leave behind the past and stop demanding ancestral land because it would disturb the peace.

Five years later, in 2017, the government kept to its stance and lands minister Utoni Nujoma said the government would not entertain any talk about ancestral land, because that would promote Bantustans and tribalism.

JEMIMA BEUKES

You only need to be passionate Namibia has unlocked the opportunity for young entrepreneurs to explore different kinds of businesses within the Namibian community and there has been a development within the market. Goal driven Matthew Ipinge recently launched his business called PawsRus. “It all started four years ago when I got my two dogs, unknowingly...

Octavia Tsibes

He further says that training a dog is a lifelong process, “but it's worth the time and energy because you as a pet owner is preparing your dog for a lifetime of good behaviour and friendship.”

Ipinge has two dogs and both are trained in his home language. “When I went to work, my mother had to help look after the dogs. The only way she could comfortably communicate with them was by using Oshiwambo which lead the dogs to understand the language,” he adds.

Before he took the big step to venture into a business of this nature Ipinge first had to study his market. The preferred way of doing so was through social media. “I used social media to upload my dog's videos and people were impressed by the way I worked with my dogs and people started calling me to assist with their dogs,” he says.

That actually sparked the idea. “I never thought that my love for dogs were going to lead to a business,” he says. He worked at a banking institution before he decided to venture into his dream business.

Ipinge is always busy and every day is a challenge. “There are times, I forget to charge clients for the service I have rendered that's how much this means to me,” he says.

More than body art Lowkey Naukosho is anything but low-key when it comes to his artistry. Pull Quote: “Keep practising your craft; you will never have learned enough,”- Lowkey, local tattoo artist.

Elizabeth Joseph

He is well known for his amazing work and very clean and calm environment. He started Ink It Up in 2010 and has not slowed the momentum since then.

Ink It Up was started based on pure passion. Lowkey says he always loved drawing and was intrigued when he took a holiday job at a tattoo parlour in Oshikango.

“Seeing how the pieces of art on paper come alive on the body canvas was fascinating. I asked my boss to teach me his trade and I was hooked,” Lowkey says.

He wanted to create a safe and friendly setting where clients, who have all become like family to him, can be comfortable and know that a work of art will be made.

“I am undoubtedly a people's person, so hearing the reason why a client wants to get a certain piece done and seeing a satisfied smile on their face after brings me so much joy.

“That feeling keeps me going, knowing I played a small part in making someone's day is a thrill for me,” he said.

Lowkey has made a name for himself and grows from strength to strength with every tattoo. Whoever said growth is a slow process certainly does not know this young artist.

Getting your first tattoo can be very nerve-wracking because you don’t know for sure that the result will be according to your liking, but he certainly exceeds expectations.

Many people think that one cannot make a living by being a tattoo artist, but Lowkey disagrees.

“Oh yes, there is definitely money in the industry. There is a high demand for quality body art in the country. I say quality because that is more important than quantity. More does not necessarily mean better.”

Small victories

What happens when the tattoo you wanted ends up being something you hate? Lowkey can’t relate because he makes sure that the client knows what they want and he delivers.

“Every new piece is a challenge and a victory in itself. Clients come in with the most interesting shapes, sizes, shades and words. Doing each piece to the exact specifications of the client is challenging and hitting it right on target is a victory.”

When he isn’t busy creating a masterpiece on a human canvas, Lowkey loves spending time with his family and his son in particular.

“Spending time with my son and my family is high up on that list, the long talks with my parents really keep me grounded. Drawing and honing my craft is also a part of that list. I also enjoy being around my friends.”

The future is art

He wants to encourage young aspiring tattoo artists to keep stretching their creativity. “You need to keep your mind fresh because you never know what to expect from clients. Do not get lazy. This job requires a lot of energy, so laziness is a no, no and remember to keep practising your craft, you will never have learned enough,” he said.

Lowkey wants more than just to make money. He hopes he will be able to open a bigger parlour where he can establish an internship programme for aspiring tattoo artists.

“I want to mentor underprivileged youth and empower them to make something of themselves, which will also keep them off the streets, and away from the abuse of alcohol and drugs,” he said.

Humility leads to open doors Transforming opportunities into a success story Elizabeth Baskerville used to wake up every morning before school to help her mom make doughnuts to sell at the Komatala market.

Octavia Tsibes

Elizabeth Baskerville is a senior assistant director for financial aid at one of the leading universities in the United States of America, John Hopkins University.

Baskerville is a child of the liberation struggle, born in Nyango, Zambia and raised in Germany until Namibia’s independence.

“I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University Of Namibia (Unam), a masters in human resource management from Ottawa University, and a project management certificate and MBA with a focus on global management from the University of Phoenix, and I am currently working on my PhD,” she says.

Her time as a financial aid administrator has opened her eyes to need-based financial assistance and its potential to transform lives, especially for those from low-income families.

“This resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career specifically geared to helping low-income students get an education,” she adds.

Being a financial aid assistant director she is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to meet the university-wide goals.

“I also manage federal financial aid programmes such as loan awarding, loan origination and disbursement, gainful employment, federal work-study, summer award programmes, the Veterans Educational Benefits Programme, and ROTC,” she says.

She is also an assistant financial aid manager at the university’s Centre for Talented Youth, a non-profit organisation dedicated to identifying and developing the talents of academically advanced students around the world.

“With this position, I am responsible for exercising sound professional decision-making in the management and processing of all financial aid applications and awards for CTY,” Baskerville explains.

She also serves as a consultant for ProEducation Solutions, a company that offers financial aid business solutions to universities all over the US.

“In this position I assist ProEd’s university clients’ financial aid offices in completing financial aid processes such as verification,” she says.

The journey after her first qualification

After Baskerville graduated from Unam, she wanted to obtain her masters and see more of the world.

“Upon the completion of the first degree, I knew I wanted to pursue my masters’ degree and travel the world. An opportunity to take part in an au pair programme in the United States presented itself, and I took it,” she says.

Overall the au pair programme was an incredible experience for her; it allowed her to work and at the same time attend college.

“I was fortunate to have a host family that encouraged and helped me pursue my studies. I attained a masters in human resource management while working as an au pair,” she says.

One of Baskerville’s goal is to help smart and talented students who would otherwise lose out on quality education purely because of their economic status. “My goal is to become a director of financial aid and make a difference in influencing the financial aid community and to be an advocate for free tuition in higher education. I plan to achieve my goal by continuing to work hard, being consistent and developing my skills in my role so that I will be ready if and when future opportunities for internal advancement present itself,” she says.

She further says that she would love to be an advocate for encouraging Namibian universities to offer need-based institutional aid to low-income families. She believes in the potential of Namibia, and hopes to return home one day and apply all the knowledge and expertise that she is gaining in the US, in order to transform the Namibian education financing landscape.

Corruption - A social disease (Part 153): The role of NGOs during the Year of Accountability

Johan Coetzee - The African Union has proclaimed 2018 as the Year of Accountability. Our President has proclaimed 2018 as the Year of Reckoning.

Accountability implies answerability, rectification and can include liability.

Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) fulfil an extremely critical role in developing Namibia. NGOs need an open door to offices/ministries/agencies in order to access information, to influence and steer national debate. If NGOs are too critical then they are blamed, labelled and side-lined by governments.

Within the context of 2019 as election year and given the current national and Zimbabwean humanitarian and socio-economic challenges, it will require from NGOs to act with finesse, eloquence and build relationships of trust with public office holders. They should build bridges of hope with the public and influence politicians without getting too close to politicians. Protecting their credibility, exposing sophistry and waste of development resources with commitment and courage are much needed. There is an expression that, "in one’s comfort zone nothing changes".

NGOs have to find a balance between working with government and working in the interest of citizens. Maintaining scientific reputation of the highest standard is even more important than to be politically correct. NGOs should be inspirational to develop trust while promoting citizen advocacy.

On the one hand, harsh criticism and blame without creative and innovative strategies will not develop trust. On the other hand, the real impact of mismanagement, abuse of power and corruption can no longer be denied in the political and public sector arenas.

PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY

One of the critical roles of NGOs is to assist in improving public services in a geographically broader context. There is a trend of deteriorating quality of service delivery. NGOs are accountable to citizens in providing services and advice as objectively as possible. Accountability requires monitoring systems to improve the measurability of poverty alleviation programs.

Given the unemployment rate of 43.3% within the age group 18-35, one of the highest inequality rates in the world and drought amidst a depression it is clear that NGOs have their work cut out for them. It is a mammoth task to make every Namibian dollar invested achieve its optimum impact

NGOs working in the public sector has the accountability to liaise with strategic institutions to transform them in improving service delivery. Such strategic services include health, education, and revenue collection.

Given the 2017 Afro-Barometer findings that most people are not satisfied with public service delivery, a slight to moderate decrease in votes in favour of the ruling party will not be a surprise. Without a Voter Verification Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT), it will require a critical presence of NGO observers to prevent intimidation and election fraud.

The mediocre commitment of politicians to reduce corruption – a trend since Independence - requires a bottom-up approach in activating citizen advocacy to compliment a direct top-down approach. This includes inspiring citizens to voice their opinions in print and in social media to express their dissatisfaction with substandard service delivery.

What can NGOs do differently during 2019 to influence decision makers to get Government’ expenditure more aligned to what should be national socio-economic priorities, e.g. health, education and urban housing? A huge challenge is the few public office bearers that attend presentations of NGOs when research findings are presented. What can NGOs do to increase politicians and public officials’ - the decision makers’ - attendance at such presentations?

The final and most critical question is: In changing the development deficit, e.g. waste of public resources and skewed priorities: What legacy do NGOs want to leave? One of diplomacy and/or or one of inspirational change? I believe both are possible.

However, with a dysfunctional Namibian Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (NANGOF) that cannot get their house in order, the heat is on NGO’s.

jcoetzee@nust.na

Stop the killings

At the beginning of the week, news trickled in that a young man, aged 27, allegedly killed his two cousins and proceeded to raping his grandmother in Omusati Region.

The suspect was reportedly arrested on Saturday and appeared in the Outapi Magistrate's Court.

According to reports, the man beat up his two cousins to death with a mopane tree branch before raping and injuring his grandmother. Horrible!

This shocking incident was not the only one to have sent shockwaves across the country.

A mere 130 km away, a 27-year-old man, allegedly killed his student girlfriend after stabbing her 18 times with a knife. Helao Hamuteta, who was a third-year student at the Hifikepunye Pohamba University of Namibia campus, sadly became the latest victim of a fatal domestic attack. The violence against women is a dark stain on our reputation as a nation.

We need to agree that the fight against violence against women, and child abuse, cannot be left to law-enforcement agents only. It requires a collective responsibility to be eradicated from our society.

As a nation, we are, and rightly so, outraged and distressed by this worryingly prevalent trend.

This is even worse when people of meagre means are involved and affected. It is unimaginable that someone would turn against their own biological grandmother or blood relatives, considering that children are not spared the rod either.

While it is true that the problem of sexual and gender-based violence remains deeply entrenched and complex to deal with, there should be no excuse for inaction.

This patriarchal society that we live in is often propagated by an unprecedented level and unwillingness to speak out against negative or toxic masculine conduct.

Men in particular must stand up, speak out and act against high levels of violence against women.

We believe this can be a powerful catalyst for change and this can be part of many other well-articulated strategies aimed at supporting prevention efforts.

Gambling addicts' days are numbered

Dependants and even the community will be able to report excessive gambling by individuals, who will then be banned from gambling establishments and casinos.

This is among a raft of measures aimed at stopping Namibians from neglecting households to feed their gambling habits, which were unveiled yesterday at a public consultative workshop on the draft regulations for the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act.

It was also revealed that only 256 gambling houses and six casinos were registered countrywide, which contributed N$40 million to state coffers through levies and fees last year.

An application for a casino licence costs N$80 000, while the annual licence fee is N$100 000. To apply for a gambling house licence costs N$10 000, while the annual fee is N$10 000.

All gambling houses will now have to register.

A grace period of six months will be given after the Act is promulgated for all gambling machines to be registered and linked to a central electronic monitoring system.

Speaking at the workshop, tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said Namibians were complaining that people were gambling away all their money.

He said under the new law a dependant would be able to apply to the Gambling Board for a person to be blacklisted.

“The board has the power to take the matter to court, which will issue an order to this effect and all casinos and gambling houses will be notified.”

He said even in cases where community members felt the elderly were gambling away their monthly pensions, the matter could be reported to the board.

Shifeta said although the government recognised the positive impact the gambling industry could have on the GDP, about 99% of gambling machines in the country were unregistered and therefore illegal.

This meant that the government was losing out on income that it should have earned from these machines.

“These illegal gambling houses are robbing the nation. Those that are not registered will have six months to register.

“We will not arrest or charge a person during this time, but action will be taken after the grace period, because then you will be conducting an illegal activity.”

Shifeta explained that a device would be installed in all gambling machines and this technology would enable the machines to “report” their input and output to the central monitoring system.

“What belongs to Caesar must come to Caesar. You will get yours and the government will get theirs,” he said.

Shifeta said society must abandon the idea that the gambling industry promoted antisocial behaviour.

He said this was only true if the sector was not controlled and regulated.

“While not revoking our responsibility to control any negative circumstances that may arise, we must focus on the rewards that are to be achieved and the support that will be given to the growth of the Namibian economy.”

According to Shifeta the aim is to promote and regulate the industry in a more productive and positive light, and remove any stigma that exists.

“I wish to see a cultural change among stakeholders, as gaming needs to be viewed as an entertainment activity, and in so doing, redefine the industry; we can diversify sources of income for the state and the operators.”

Shifeta said the role of the gaming industry in facilitating Namibia's growth initiatives could not be overemphasised, as it provided decent-paying jobs and remitted taxes and fees to local and central government.

“We want to keep gaming crime free, make sure that gaming is fair and open, and we want the player as well as the licence holder, children and vulnerable adults not to be harmed or exploited.”

Shifeta said licence holders should consider the levies and fees as a win-win situation, taking into account the need for the state to generate revenue and the need for the industry to be sustainable.

Under the new Act there will be an electronic monitoring system, gambling inspectors with powers to arrest and seize assets and significant sentences for offenders.

Giving an overview of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act, director of tourism and gaming Sem Shikongo said only 256 gambling house licences and six casino licenses had been issued in Namibia. Only five casinos were operational.

“There are, however, much more out there. We know that there are even gambling houses that are operating as casinos.”

Shikongo explained the Gambling Board to be established under the new Act would recommend to the minister the maximum number of licences that may be issued.

“It is therefore very important that during the grace period gambling machines are registered, because it will be based on this number that a decision will be made on how many licences can still be issued in a geographical area,” he said.

ELLANIE SMIT

U-turn on pupil evictions

The Ohangwena regional council has reversed its decision to evict learners accommodated at a rundown property at Omungwelume that was bought by the government for N$6 million.

About 118 grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils from Omungwelume Senior Secondary School, which is a non-boarding facility, are accommodated at the property following an instruction from Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa.

The regional council was, however, not happy with Nghaamwa's decision to accommodate the pupils without following proper procedures. The council cited the fact that the house was dilapidated and the pupils were living in harsh conditions. In an interview with Namibian Sun this week, council chairperson Ericson Ndawanifa said when they visited the house last year they found it in dilapidated state. He said before the government paid the owner, the house had been in a good condition. “When the regional council sat this month we decided that we were not going to evict the learners. They are already occupying the house and we have nowhere else where we can take them. One cannot fight fire with fire,” he said. “The house was supposed to be used as offices for Omungwelume settlement officials, but it was declared unfit for human occupation and it was left unoccupied for some time.

When the governor visited the area and found learners struggling with accommodation, he ordered that they be accommodated there.”

Ndawanifa said the regional council did not have money at the moment to renovate the house.

The parents of the children staying in the house have raised some money to have it renovated.

They are also providing food and paying the caretakers.

Ndawanifa said the regional council would now assess the safety, hygiene and health of the children.

“We have to look at the toilets, water and electricity in the house. Even though we did not give authority for these learners to occupy the house, if anything happens we will be held accountable. We therefore need to make sure that everything is proper and there are no risks,” he said.

Nghaamwa said the situation at Omungwelume was worrisome. He said Omungwelume Senior Secondary School had more than 360 learners from across the region, who were suffering due to a lack of accommodation at the school.

He said these learners were being accommodated in shacks, in conditions that did not guarantee them a good future.

“The future of these children is in our hands. We need to care for them. The situation of them living in shacks is not good and we need to do something to help them,” Nghaamwa said.

“Even though there are those accommodated in that house, there are still hundreds of them without proper accommodation. They are at risk of social evils and we will be the ones to be blamed if they do not have a future.”

Nghaamwa said he always provided mahangu to these learners, while their parents were also willing to help, but they were desperate at the moment.

ILENI NANDJATO

Pilots turn on MDQuestion Samson's ability to lead The Air Namibia acting MD says she is not the pilots' association president's peer when it comes to determining how to run the airline on a commercial basis.

Air Namibia pilots are questioning acting MD Mandi Samson's ability to run the airline amid an ongoing threat that planes will be impounded in Europe - the result of a massive N$400 million owed to Belgium firm Challenge Air SA.

Pilots are also concerned whether the airline will be able to pay landing and parking fees, accommodation, subsistence allowances and fuel, as Challenge Air continues to empty Air Namibia's German bank account. The concerns were raised with Samson by Namibia Airline Pilots Association (Napa) president Manuel Prenzlow in a letter dated 18 February. Samson responded by saying that mitigation strategies were in place.

This follows the publication of an article in Namibian Sun which said Air Namibia's Frankfurt-bound planes ran the risk of being impounded. This development, according to Prenzlow, is damaging Air Namibia's reputation. “The dire position that management had landed us in was dished up for the international community and rival airlines to see. Is management at all concerned about how shockingly Namibia as a destination - and Air Namibia - is portrayed to the international community via the mainstream press? Is this fulfilling the stakeholders' mandate and vision?” Prenzlow wrote. He also questioned Air Namibia's handling of an arbitration matter with Media Nova. Air Namibia and Media Nova went into arbitration after the two parties could not agree on whether or not there was a legal extension on a contract for the on-flight publication Flamingo, The Patriot reported recently.

At issue appears to be the mandate granted to former Air Namibia chief operations officer Rene Gsponer, who was appointed in 2014. Prenzlow alleged that Air Namibia's management might have a vested interest in the arbitration matter involving Media Nova.

“It is astonishing to further note that managerial staff, who we have alerted you, may have a personal, vested interest in some of the mind-bogglingly expensive litigation, (and) are the chosen ones to address the media and defend Air Namibia,” said Prenzlow.

“As our finances are bled dry due to the airline's poor handling of a massive spectrum of legal disputes - disputes the minister opined could and should have been handled very differently by means of respectful dialogue and timeous engagement - we note that management's chosen approach - inaction - is about to cost Air Namibia in excess of another N$1 million as the private arbitration against the one service provider (Media Nova) is about to commence in a week's time,” added Prenzlow.

Turning his attention to the potential attachment of Air Namibia's planes, Prenzlow asked whether the airline had a contingency plan in place.

“Are there enough finances to pay our running expenses in the EU - air navigation services, landing fees, parking fees, catering, fuel, maintenance, salaries, rent, commissions, hotel etc, whilst our banking accounts and income are attached by creditors?” said Prenzlow.

“Can we pay for the A319 aircraft that is currently being serviced in the European Union? Ms Samson, we have asked for a contingency plan and standard operating procedures, should our aircraft be grounded in the EU or anywhere else. Have you prepared anything, or is it expected of the flight crews to handle the situation on own initiative should the need arise?” he asked.

Samson in response to Prenzlow by saying the Challenge Air matter had come a long way.

“With respect to the Challenge Air matter, I can advise that this dispute arose in 1998, way before either myself or you joined this airline. Why it has not been resolved by previous administrations is not known to me, suffice to state that I took note of the matter upon my joining the airline and have been addressing it along with management since,” she said.

Samson told Prenzlow that Air Namibia was aware that its planes could be attached but said contingency plans were in place.

“The fact that an award was made against Air Namibia is a reality, which the airline has been dealing with, contingency plans do exist to cater for the situation in which there might be a grounding of the aircraft; what I can advise is that you do not use the existing situation to influence employees not to perform their duties,” she wrote.

Samson also told Prenzlow that he was stating factual inaccuracies when he said Air Namibia stood to lose money in its case against Media Nova.

“Stating that the airline stands to lose millions whether it wins or loses the arbitration matter is another factual inaccuracy which you make - it is understandable in light of the fact that you may not be conversant with the manner in which arbitrations work,” said Samson.

Samson reminded Prenzlow that they were not peers professionally.

“It is worth noting, Mr Prenzlow, that I am not your peer in determining how to run the airline on a commercial basis. For all intents and purposes, I do remain the acting MD of the airline and you an employee. The role you occupy as Napa president is one you occupy by virtue of being an employee of this airline,” she said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Shebeen owner sentenced to 33 years imprisonment

A Keetmanshoop shebeen owner, Matias ‘Chi-Chi’ Shikongo, was on Friday sentenced to 33 years imprisonment in the Keetmanshoop Regional Court for the murder of a 26-year-old man and multiple assault charges.
Shikongo was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by Magistrate Sunsley Sizengwe after he was found guilty of murdering Deonenastus Lawrence Katuuo by hacking him multiple times with a panga all over the body at his bar, located in Keetmanshoop’s Noordhoek residential area, on 7 June 2015.
Shikongo, 43, admitted having struck Katuuo three times on his head with a panga and the possibility that his two dogs might have inflicted wounds on the deceased. He however claimed to have acted in self-defence.
Medical reports provided to the court indicated that the deceased sustained 11 cut wounds to his head, of which one was a 66 millimetre-wide cut into the brain, causing his death.
Shikongo was also found guilty of attempted murder for having stabbed Matheus Motinga multiple times on the head on 26 April 2015 and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.
Additionally, Shikongo was found guilty of two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm - on the same day of the stabbing incident, when he assaulted Franklin Kondoni with a fist and an open hand, and on 29 May 2015, when he assaulted Heinrich Hinda by beating and kicking him all over the body.
He was sentenced two years imprisonment for each assault count.
All the incidents happened at Shikongo’s bar and during his trial, the accused told the court that he could not remember any of the incidents and that all three victims were bitten by his dogs.
Shikongo pleaded not guilty to all the charges when his trial started early last year.
Before sentencing Shikongo, Sizengwe said the court cannot show any mercy and empathy when sentencing Shikongo as he did not show any mercy and empathy when committing the crimes.
He said the court cannot ignore the gruesome manner in which Shikongo had committed the crimes.
“This court has to send a clear message to those who commit crime as the society is concerned and that the court cannot turn a blind eye to,” he added.
Private defence lawyer Jan Wessels represented Shikongo, while Lewis Chigunwe represented the State.
Shikongo will serve his prison term at the Keetmanshoop Correctional Facility.

NAMPA

Esau, Mumbala condemn Shaningwa caricature

//Karas Swapo regional coordinator Matheus Mumbala and chairperson of the party leaders assigned to the region, Bernhardt Esau, condemned a caricature depicting an unclothed Swapo secretary-general (SG), Sophia Shaningwa, which appeared in a daily newspaper on Friday.
The two party leaders were speaking at the annual Swapo Party Regional Executive Committee meeting on Saturday.
Mumbala said the way the newspaper drew the SG is unacceptable and uncalled for, slamming that the SG was elected by Swapo and not by the newspaper.
“Whatever she does, she does it with the mandate and the power vested in her by the Swapo congress and only members of the party, through the congress, have the right to complain that she is not doing a good job. The Namibian (newspaper) had no right,” he stressed.
The regional coordinator added that the SG is a woman and drawing her in that manner is uncalled for, further questioning what transpired for the newspaper to act in such a way.
“Media please tell like how it is, but attacking the SG like that is unacceptable at all and this is the year of accountability and The Namibian newspaper should account for what they have done,” said Mumbala.
Esau, who is also the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, described the caricature as immoral, unethical and needs to be condemned in the strongest terms.
He further said the //Karas Region is the party’s base and urged leaders from the region to stand together and not to submit nor surrender to the enemy, adding that the fight to maintain control in the region must not stop.
“All of us should be organisers of the Swapo Party. We must go house to house to mobilise people to vote for Swapo in the time of prosperity and in the time of difficulties. We know Swapo is our mother and father. Just because you do not agree with your leader, now all of the sudden you are not Swapo, your parents will always be your parents,” added Esau.
The meeting also served as the first meeting for the newly-assigned party leaders to the region and according to Mumbala, for the party leadership also to familiarise themselves with the situation and the living conditions of the residents of Aussenkehr.
NAMPA