Touch & Go to hold AGM

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Touch & Go to hold AGMClub works hard to remain relevant Otavi-based football club, Touch & Go, continues to work hard behind the scenes, even if the first division streams have not yet started. First division football club, Touch & Go, will hold their elective annual general meeting (AGM) at Otavi on Saturday.

The event will coincide with the club's opening day of preparations for the future.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at Hotel Grasdak at 17:30, with a new dawn for management at the club in the pipeline.

Touch & Go FC spokesperson Jefta Gaoab invited all club personnel to come in their numbers.

“We always want this club to grow further and that is why this event is very important.

“I invite all followers and sympathisers of the football club to come in their numbers and be part of the decision-making that has to do with this club.

“Touch & Go will remain a big club, even if it is not part of the MTC Namibia Premier League,” Gaoab said.

Touch & Go were relegated from the NPL following the 2014/15 season, after ending 14th on the log.

Since then, the club has attempted to return to the league, but failed. In 2017, Touch & Go FC embarked on a journey to get more supporters involved with the team.

The club continues to work hard in order to create employment for players and others in the small town.

Gaoab feels that most football clubs in Namibia have failed to raise standards, because they have not been able to get supporters involved.

It is for this reason that the Otavi-based club wants to lure as much supporters as possible, in order to maintain and improve the club's standards.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Hamunyela walk tomorrow

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Hamunyela walk tomorrow The second edition of the Commissioner-General Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela 10-kilometre walk takes place in Windhoek on Saturday.

The annual event is hosted by the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) in honour of Hamunyela. The walk also aims to encourage employees of the NCS to engage one another in a less formal environment.

The first event in 2018 saw many participants attending, which encouraged the organisers to host it again this year.

NCS senior superintendent Absalom Mushaandja told Nampa they have 13 correctional facilities and two correctional institutions and all of them will be taking part in the walk.

The 13 are in Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Gobabis, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Omaruru, Ondangwa, Tsumeb, Grootfontein, Rundu, Oluno and Divundu.

The correctional institutions are the Namibian Correctional Facility in Windhoek and the Training College in Omaruru.

The assembly point for the walk is the Daan Viljoen roadblock, where a bus will pick up the participants and drop them off 10 kilometres from the finish. Participants will then have to walk back to complete the 10-kilometre.

“There are no prizes up for grabs, however, five lucky people will be randomly chosen for a treat,” said Mushaandja.

The walk is free of charge and open to the general public.

NAMPA

Aalandithi mOshikango ya pulwa ya simaneke ooveta dhoongamba

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Aalandithi mOshikango ya pulwa ya simaneke ooveta dhoongamba Omalelo taga longele poombanga dhaShikango mondoolopa yaHelao Nafidi oga ningi oshigongi shomauyelele goshigwana shoka sha ningilwa aalandithi pomatala gaHelao Nafidi nokutseyithila aalandithi kutya oya pumbwa opo ya simaneke oompango dhoongamba.

Omutumba ngoka gwa ningwa ogwa kaliwa kOpolisi yaNamibia, Aanambelewa yetonatelo lyoongamba, aakalelipo ya za koshikondo shuundjolowele wiimuna, aanambelewa yehangano lyoRoad Fund Administration oshowo Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA).

Oshigongi shoka osha ningwa mEtiyali lyoshiwike shika.

Komanda gwopolisi mOshikango, Chief Inspector Erastus Kamati okwa popi kutya konima yomutumba ngoka otaya ka tameka nokuninga iikonga yawo nakehe ngoka taka adhika ta taaguluka oompango dhoongamba otaka tulwa miipandeko.

Aalandithi omathele ya za moNamibia oshowo moAngola ohaya landithile momatala ngoka kehe esiku, noyindji yomiinima yawo ohayi kutya meni lyaAngola.

Peter Nghede a za koshikondo shomatembu okwa lombwele aalandithi kutya oya manguluka okuninga omalanditho gawo pokati kiilongo mbyoka iyali ihe oya pumbwa okukonga omikanda dhomapitiko gokuninga omalanditho ngoka.

Okwa popi kutya oye na ontseyo yomwaalu omunene gwaakwashigwana yaAngola mboka ye li moNamibia kaaye na omikanda ihe otaya holekwa kAaNamibia.

Ondoolopa yaHelao Nafidi ehala ndyoka li na ondjokonona yelanditho lyiinima inayi pitikwa moshilongo, sho hayi yakelwa moshilongo okupitila poongamba dhoka. Omunambelewa gwekondololo lyoongamba, Nelson Naholo okwa pula opo aalandithi ye ya lopotele iinima mbyoka tayi etwa moshilongo nenge tayi kuthwa moshilongo shaaheli paveta, ta popi kutya moshilongo omwa pitikilwa owala iinima mbyoka ya pitikwa okweetwa mo.

Okwa popi natango kutya oongamba dhaShikango kadhi shi uupitilo womahooli ta popi kutya omahooli oga pitikwa owala moshilongo okupitila moLüderitz oshowo mOmbaye.

AMTA okwa popi kutya yo oye na oshinakugwanithwa sho ku kondolola iikulya mbyoka tayi etwa moshilongo oshowo mbyoka tayi pitimo moshilongo. Omukalelipo gwehangano ndyoka pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka, Paulina Nampweya, okwa popi kutya elalakano lyawo okukwashilipaleka kutya iikulya mbyoka tayi etwa moshilongo nenge tayi falwa pondje yoshilongo oyi li monkalo yuundjolowele.

ILENI NANDJATO

Omaupyakadhi gomoKuvukiland onkene taga tsikile

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Omaupyakadhi gomoKuvukiland onkene taga tsikileMuni ta gandja owala omauvaneko giifundja Aakwashigwana yomolukanda lwedhina Kuvukiland moTsumeb onkene taya tsikile nokupula opo yapewe omayakulo gamuni gwondoolopa ndjoka, na oya popi kutya muni okwa ndopa okuya pa omayakulo muule woomvula omulongo dhapiti. Konyala aakwashigwana ya thika pomayovi gahamano haya zi moombashu molukanda ndoka, kaye na olusheno nenge ominino dhokweekelahi omeya gonyata.

Oshiwike sha piti oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha mono omukandanyenyeto ngoka gwa shangelwa muni gwondoolopa yaTsumeb, momukanda ngoka aakwashigwana oya tothamo omaupyakadhi ngoka ya taalela na oguli oshitopolwa shehololomadhilaadhio ndyoka taya pangele okuninga. Aakwashigwana otaya pula opo ya pewe olusheno, etungo lyomapandanda, omandoloma gokutula iiyekelwahi oshowo ku longwe oopomba dhawo dhomeya ndhoka ya popi kutya odhindji itadhi longo nawa.

“Ngashiingeyi otu li pevi ndika uule woomvula dha thika pomulongo ihe otwa taalela omaupyakadhi ogendji ngaashi oopomba dhomeya ndhoka itadhi longo, nolusheno ndoka inalu manithwa,” omukandanyenyeto ngoka gwa holola.

Oku nayipaleka onkalo ndjoka, aakwashigwana ya lombwelwa pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka gwa ningwa oshiwike sha piti kutya itaya ka kala we haya mono omeya okuza kehangano lyoNamWater, ndyoka lya kala hali landitha neloli omeya kaakwashigwana mboka.

Shoka osha hala okutya aakwashigwana mboka ye li kokule noopomba na oyali haya mono omeya okupitila momukalo ngoka oye na okukakonga omeya mokukalo dhimwe.

Momukandanyenyeto gwawo aakwashigwana oya holola ongeyo yawo omolwa endopo lyelelo lyondoolopa yawo sho inali ya pa oondjila ombwaanawa, noondjila ndhoka ye na otadhi yonagula iiyenditho.

“Oondjila odhi li uupyakadhi unene moKuvukiland unene ngele egumbo tali pi, omuntu a hulitha nenge omuntu teehama noonkondo, iihauto ihayi vulu okweenda momapandanda ngoka ge li po omolwa oondjila oombwiinayi,” omukandanyenyeto gwa lesha.

Oya popi woo kutya otaya ningilwa natango omambandameko kopolisi uuna tayi pata oondingosho dhawo, taya popi kutya otaya pewa omageelo geli pombanda okuyeleka noondando yiinima mbyoka taya landitha, onga omukalo gwokwiimonena iiyemo omolwa oompumbwe dhiilonga dhoka dha puma. Sho a ningilwa omapulaapulo, omupopiliko gwelelo lyondoolopa yaTsumeb, Stella Imalwa-Nangolo okwa popi kutya elelo lyondoolopa inali nongela omanyenyeto omape ngoka ga ningwa kaakwashigwana yomolukanda ndoka.

Imalwa-Nangolo okwa koleke kutya oshili eloli lyoNamWater ndyoka lya li hali gandja omeya kaakwashigwana molukanda ndoka itali ka gandja we omeya ngoka, naashoka osha tseyithilwa aakwashigwana pethimbo lyoshigongi shoka sha ningwa.

Olukanda ndoka olwa totwapo momvula yo 2010 konima sho aantu ya thika pomulongo mboka ya li ya pumbwa omahala gokukala noonkondo ya tameke okutunga oombashu dhawo poshitopolwa shoka shevi nopethimbo ndyoka okwa hololwa kutya oye li pehala ndyoka shaaheli paveta.

Evi ndyoka olyali lyehangano lyoWeatherly Mining Namibia sigo omomvula yo 2016, sho ehangano ndyoka lya gandja po oshitopolwa shoka kelelo lyondoolopa.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Swakop Uranium denies involvement in recording

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Swakop Uranium denies involvement in recording Swakop Uranium has denied any involvement in leaking an audio recording in which Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua apparently advises a Chinese mine manager on how to “reorganise” the Husab uranium mine's workforce.

Swakop Uranium vice-president Percy McCallum said in a statement that making the recording was illegal and that the company reserved the right to take action against those who had recorded the conversation.

He said the company reserved the right to investigate the unauthorised and illegal recording of the conversation between the governor and Swakop Uranium, as such information was privileged and confidential.

“Such recordings are unethical and illegal,” he said.

According to McCallum wage negotiations between Swakop Uranium and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) started on 15 October last year.

He said the two parties agreed to invite Mutjavikua to act as mediator on 18 and 19 February this year.

“During the two days of mediation, tremendous progress was made between the two parties and the governor, as mediator, insisted on the company making compromises to ensure a speedy and acceptable wage agreement for the Swakop Uranium employees,” he said

McCallum said the governor held individual sessions with both parties as part of the mediation process.

“Social media then reported on an alleged confidential meeting between the governor and Swakop Uranium.”

McCallum said Swakop Uranium did not record any meetings between the governor and the company, nor did it give permission to any third party to record such conversation or to disclose confidential information.

“Without prejudice to any right which the company may have in law and to any other remedy available to it, the company reserves the right to take such action as may be warranted under the circumstances, including legal action against the perpetrators,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MUN says it will remove Mutjavikua from its wage negation team because the leaked recording allegedly indicates that he supports retrenchments.

Mutjavikua remains adamant that he did not hold any secret meetings, but was mediating in the wage dispute. He also claims that the recording circulating on social media was edited.

“I never mentioned the words 'retrenchment' and 'job losses' at all, nor did I advise the company to retrench. I made it clear to the company that no one must lose their jobs,” he insisted.

The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has called on the governor to resign. They said if he failed to do so, President Hage Geingob should fire him.

ELLANIE SMIT

Authorities crack down on deadly drivers

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Authorities crack down on deadly driversAlmost double the fines issued There has been zero tolerance of bad drivers and driving on Namibian roads with countless arrests and millions in fines. An intensive road-safety campaign over the summer holidays contributed to a sharp decrease in deaths and accidents compared to the previous festive season.

More than 12 469 traffic fines, totalling N$15.5 million, were issued between 25 November 2018 and 15 January this year.

In comparison, during the 2017/18 festive season 9 245 summonses were issued, totalling N$9.7 million.

This year the police set up 18 checkpoints at strategic positions on the B1 and B2 national roads and conducted random stops to check compliance with traffic regulations and roadworthiness.

A total of 153 311 vehicles were stopped and 50 711 sobriety tests were done during the campaign.

A total of 2 857 drivers were issued speeding fines of nearly N$900 000.

Authorities involved in the campaign noted a worrying trend of unlicensed driving. More than 2 500 fines were issued to unlicensed drivers, totalling N$2.5 million. Traffic officers made 664 arrests during the campaign, a slight decrease from the 693 arrests during the 2017/18 campaign.

Of the total arrests, 327 were related to drunken driving, compared to 369 arrests the previous year.

A campaign targeting the high number of crash fatalities was initiated by the Roads Authority, with a special focus on the B1 road between Okahandja and Otavi. The campaign ran from 21 December to 27 December, and from 4 January to 9 January.

During this operation, 1 501 vehicles were stopped and 79 drivers were charged with various offences. The fines totalled N$61 500.

Compared to the previous festive season, police issued nearly double the number of summonses for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts. The previous campaign issued 630 fines for seatbelts, totalling N$642 000, compared to 1 127 summonses totalling more than N$1.1 million this time around.



Less deadly

There was a 12% reduction in the number of crashes, a 15% reduction in injuries and a 23% reduction in fatalities this festive season compared to the previous one.

Crashes dropped from 544 during the 2017/18 campaign to 481 crashes this festive season, while injuries dropped from 999 to 851 and the total number of deaths dropped from 127 to 98. Most crashes (28%) took place in the Khomas Region, followed by Erongo (13%) and Oshana (12%).

Most road fatalities occurred in the Otjozondjupa (15%), Oshana (14%) and Oshikoto (13%) regions.

When he released the festive season report on Monday, transport minister John Mutorwa said it was only the second time in the history of Namibia that the number of crashes, injuries and deaths had dropped instead of increased. He thanked everyone involved in the road-safety campaign.

The campaign cost more than N$7.6 million. Role players included the Namibian police, the National Road Safety Council, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Roads Authority, Road Fund Administration, the Private Sector Road Safety Forum and local authorities. Mutorwa said their hard work had begun to pay off, emphasising that teamwork between different agencies was crucial.

He said those responsible for issuing driving licences were critical in the process. Issuing a licence to an incompetent driver was “like giving a child a loaded gun which can go off at any given time,” he warned.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Cross-border partnership on water resources

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Cross-border partnership on water resources The agriculture ministry, with support from the Unesco International Hydrological Programme (IHP), is implementing the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) project.

This project will be shared between Botswana, Namibia and South Africa within the framework for the governance of groundwater resources in transboundary aquifers.

It is aimed at improving the knowledge and recognition of the importance and vulnerability of transboundary groundwater resources and strengthening cross-border dialogue and cooperation.

The project further aims to develop shared management tools and facilitate governance reforms focused on improving livelihoods, economic development and environmental sustainability.

According to the ministry's executive director, Percy Misika, through the STAS project, a two-day national planning workshop was held this week.

The workshop focused on groundwater modelling, gender-responsive water assessments, monitoring and reporting.

Misika said the training was aimed at providing information and toolkits to government officials and students from local tertiary institutions for the collection and analysis of water data.

The groundwater modelling and gender training was delivered by the University of Aviation in France and the Unesco World Water Assessment Programme.

Misika said the outcome of the training programme is to build the capacity of participants in terms of groundwater modelling and the sex-desegregation water data collection.

The participants nominated by the STAS national project coordinators in Namibia within the agriculture ministry, will build on the acquired knowledge to set the baseline for the continuation of the development of the project and for water data collection, so the resource can be properly managed.

ELLANIE SMIT

An original sensory experience, tonight

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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An original sensory experience, tonight The Goethe Institute Namibia's Night under the Stars (NUTS) tonight 2019 presents Enchanté, who has spent the past year perfecting a set of tracks she can call her own.

The doors open at 19:00 and backing Enchanté is a group of talented and skilled instrumentalists from the local music scene.

Not that foreign to the local stages, Enchanté has performed with the likes of Jeff Neosoul, Miss H, Ashwyn Mberi and Slickartie and is known for her Alternative, Indie and Jazz inspired style.

“It is good to be inspired by other musicians but even more important is for a musician or vocalist to develop their own narrative that produces original music,” said Enchanté.

She said her performance at NUTS will feature at least 15 original tracks that are close to her soul.

“My goal is to go beyond the ears of the audience and reach into their soul. My music is raw and pure, my music is me,” she said.

Studding the stage in support of Enchnaté will be Imms Nicolau, Zito Zezito, Nick Nguza and Marc du Plesis who will with the sounds of a bass guitar, keyboard, drum set and lead guitar elevate the vocalist's melodic structure. Their intention is to create the feeling of a poetry lounge and resonate the vibe of new-age jazz. Entrance is N$20 and the Goethe Institute is located on 1-5 Fidel Castro Street.

STAFF REPORTER

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Big Ben kicks it off

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Big Ben kicks it offFirst concert is on tomorrow The Zoo Park in the heart of Windhoek will come alive with Big Ben's first concert for the year. On Saturday at 19:00, Big Ben is set to rock the heart of Windhoek at the Zoo Park Theatre in Independence Avenue.

It has become tradition. Big Ben and his band will officially open the year with a concert in Windhoek. Following last year's successful concert on 2 Februrary, this year's concert moves to a bigger venue: The Zoo Park.

The aim of the concert is to help keDezemba lovers forget their Janu-worry blues. The talented and versatile musician, who hosted his concert last year at the Warehouse Theatre, says this year's event will be different in many forms, making it bigger and better.

“It's a different year and people will be coming for different reasons too. Some will come because they have issues they want to forget just for the night whilst others will come just because they want to dance for the night,” he said.

Last year, due to limited space in the Warehouse Theatre, some fans who had bought tickets missed out. This year, he opted for a bigger venue, Zoo Park, which can accommodate more people. Another difference from last year's concert is him having comedian Slick the Dick to perform and MC the event, something rarely done at musical events.

“At some point we have to be able to collaborate across industries and be able to have designers, poets and actors at a concert instead of the many more artists.

“I have not yet tried this and I am very excited to cross-collaborate with Slick the Dick,” said Big Ben.

Other acts to be featured on the night are duo Ethnix who will share the stage with Big Ben, his legendary band and the latest addition his dancers, Selina Ashipala and Marshia Weendama.

Big Ben, who released his latest album titled 102, will also use this platform to officially launch it as well.

“The dream is to make the concerts a tradition at the beginning of every year. Namibians are hungry for entertainment every season of the year whether it is the beginning of the year or the end of it,” he said.

Tickets are available from Webtickets online and at all Pick n Pay stores.

STAFF REPORTER

New Beginnings is back

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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New Beginnings is back The National Art Gallery of Namibia is excited to host the 10th iteration of the College of the Arts' New Beginnings exhibition.

This exhibition represents the work of College of the Arts Graduates, both recent and from the last ten years of diploma tuition in the Department of Visual Art and Fashion Design. The popular and innovative work of COTA graduates grants the public a chance to see new work by fresh graduates in visual arts.

The exhibition opens today and ends on 9 March.

New Beginnings was initiated as a springboard for young visual artists who are at the beginning of their artistic careers. The College of the Arts offers accredited diploma qualifications. The students are introduced to a variety of material and medium across a wide range of subjects including traditional fine art techniques as well as contemporary explorations of current issues and themes.

During the first two years of tuition, students complete a series of workshops designed to further their knowledge and skills in these areas, while in their third year, students are encouraged to select a contemporary research theme and create a body of work which explores this theme.

The exhibition will display work selected from the class of 2018 thrid-year students' presentations while other works are submitted by past students. These works are made outside the College of the Arts by graduates who are now practising as professional artists in the Namibian art community.

The National Art Gallery is open from 08:00 to 17:00.



STAFF REPORTER

How did independence come to you?

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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How did independence come to you?Celebrating independence by honouring the past The public and several artists will collaborate with objects, memories, photos or tunes to create a whole new perspective on independence. How independence came to you is an exhibition brought to you by the Namibian Arts Association (NAA) and aims at bringing together the general public and artists in a collaborative effort to celebrate Independence Day and to honour experiences during the liberation struggle.

Actofel Illovu, curator of the exhibition explains: “I would like to call on the community to bring or send electronically to the Namibian Arts Association, any belongings in their personal collection that reminds them of, or symbolises, the liberation struggle and the time leading up to Independence Day.

“Your contribution can be anything from objects to experiences, stories, photos or videos.

“It can even be things that were used or those which happened during the struggle for example a uniform, newspaper articles, a story that you heard from one of the war veterans etc. Let us not be limited with this.”

Once the input from everyone has been received, the NAA invites artists to complete the collaboration. Then it is the artist's turn, together with the member of the public, to create something from the contributions.

This may include a re-arrangement, a short story, poetry, a video contribution, a fashion item, a painting or print – anything is possible. These creations form the exhibition How independence came to you. The application is open to both established and emerging creatives as well as all the people who would like to participate.

While the artists will be using the items for the exhibition, they will be returned to their owner afterwards if they wish so.

As Illovu shares his vision for the exhibition he says:

“I want it [exhibition] to reflect both the history of the country and the cultural and artistic diversity of its contemporary art and to serve as an educational forum for citizens of Namibia and our artist communities. Obviously we also want to celebrate independence but we also want to show how different people had different experiences and share those. With this exhibition, the NAA wants to create and foster an easy relationship between artists and the community by collaborating in a creative process.

We believe that this will create awareness for the value and appreciation of art.

The exhibition will open on 14 March. Find the NAA at the old Gruener Kranz Building, opposite Obeco in Macadam Street, Windhoek. Email aahtsec@iway.na and aaht@iway.na or call 061 – 302 261. They are also on Facebook and Instagram as the Namibian Arts Association.

STAFF REPORTER

Company news in brief

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Company news in brief AB InBev forecasts strong revenue

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest beer maker, forecast strong revenue and profit growth in 2019, with a focus on increasing beer sales rather than just prices, after higher than expected underlying earnings at the end of 2018.

The brewer of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois, like its major rivals, is seeking to bring developed world consumers back to beer from wine and spirits through a wider range of premium lagers and entice emerging market drinkers with affordable beers.

AB InBev said that over the past year it had seen improved volumes, revenue and market share in Mexico, Colombia, China, Western Europe and several African countries. It lost a 0.4 percentage point share of its largest market, the United States, but this was the slowest decline since 2012.

However, it said it was held back by lower than expected results in its second-largest market Brazil and in Argentina and South Africa. The decline of many emerging market currencies to the US dollar and increased costs for aluminium and for US freight also hit earnings.

Fourth-quarter core profit (EBITDA) rose by 10% to US$6.17 billion, above the 7% like-for-like increase forecast in a company-compiled poll. – Nampa/Reuters

Glencore complains to LME about access to metal

Glencore has lodged a complaint with the London Metal Exchange (LME) about the company's inability to take speedy delivery of aluminium from warehouses owned by ISTIM UK in Port Klang, Malaysia, two sources familiar with the matter said.

London-listed commodity trader and miner Glencore bought 200 000 tonnes of aluminium on the LME late in January and made preparations to take that metal from ISTIM's warehouses.

Metal entering the LME's global warehouse storage network is issued with a title document called a warrant. In order to take delivery of metal from the network, buyers need to cancel the warrants - earmarking it for delivery. The metal is then shipped after being scheduled for delivery on a first come, first served basis.

To get the metal out quickly, Glencore moved to complete the formalities and create a queue of more than 50 days before the end of January, which would have activated the LME's load-in, load-out (LILO) rules for warehousing, the sources said.

LME data shows queues to take aluminium out of LME-approved warehouses owned by ISTIM in Port Klang jumped to 118 days at the end of January from zero in December. – Nampa/Reuters

Exxon's reserves up 23% on gains in shale

Exxon Mobil Corp said on Tuesday its oil and gas reserves rose nearly 23% last year, driven mainly by increases from holdings in US shale, offshore Guyana and Brazil.

The reserve update, which is required annually by US regulators, comes as the largest publicly traded US oil producer has been spending heavily under chief executive Darren Woods on new fields and projects to reverse weak oil and gas production.

Exxon said it added 4.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels of proved oil and gas reserves in 2018, bringing its total to 24.3 billion oil-equivalent barrels at the end of 2018. Proved reserves are those considered economically and geologically feasible to produce in the near future.

The 2018 additions put the company's reserves life at 17 years based on current production rates.

Exxon plans to increase capital spending to US$30 billion this year from US$26 billion in 2018 as it expands operations in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico and develops large- scale projects in Guyana and Mozambique. – Nampa/Reuters

Dutch government buys stake in Air France-KLM

Shares in Air France-KLM fell sharply on Wednesday after the Dutch government said it would take a 14% stake in the airline, highlighting tensions between France and the Netherlands over control of the company.

Late on Tuesday, Dutch finance minister Wopke Hoekstra announced the Netherlands had taken a 12.7% stake for 680 million euros (US$774 million) and aimed to increase that to about 14%, to counterbalance the French government's stake in the group.

The move, which took the French by surprise, came weeks after a confrontation between the Dutch government and the company's French-dominated executive board over waning Dutch influence.

Although Air France and KLM merged back in 2003, the KLM subsidiary has always maintained an independent corporate structure within the group.

With the backing of the Dutch government, the KLM subsidiary has balked at attempts by Air France-KLM group's new Canadian CEO Ben Smith to move toward deeper integration.

Liberum analysts said that while the stake-building by the Dutch government appeared to have supported the share price over recent days, hopes that the French government would eventually sell its shares now look unjustified. – Nampa/Reuters

Pinterest confidentially files for IPO

Online image search site Pinterest Inc has confidentially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The company and its underwriters, led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc and JPMorgan Chase & Co are planning for a late-June listing and is seeking a valuation of at least US$12 billion, the newspaper reported.

Pinterest could raise around US$1.5 billion in the IPO, Reuters had reported in January, citing sources.

The company, which was valued at US$12 billion in its last fundraising round in 2017, is among a host of technology startups with popular consumer brands gearing up for multi-billion IPOs in 2019, including Uber, Lyft, AirBnB and Slack.

Pinterest monetises its website through advertisements, which it places among the "pins" that users put on the site. – Nampa/Reuters

Local song to shake things up

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Local song to shake things upTafel unites nation through a beat Namibia's favourite beer, Tafel Lager, has something very special for Namibians for this year's independence celebrations. To celebrate the country’s 29th year of independence, Tafel Lager has launched a one-of-a-kind brand campaign, inspired by the sentiment that there’s more that connects us than that which divides us.
Through their advertising agency Weathermen & Co., Tafel Lager has taken creativity to another level by bringing Namibians together through an unprecedented digital campaign, using WhatsApp as the platform for entries and engagement.
Tafel Lager has invited Namibians over the age of 18 to submit their very own unique beat, tune and dance moves and they don’t have to be a professional to participate.
“Music is the universal language that connects Namibians across all cultures. We are thus excited to launch this fun initiative, creating a beat that is made of Namibia,” Tafel Lager said.
To participate in the ‘Beat of Namibia’ campaign, all you have to do is SMS the word ‘Tafel’ to 77700 and you will receive a link on your WhatsApp line. You will then be able to shareyour tunes, beats and moves.
Launched on 22 February, the campaign has already received thousands of entries. An automated draw tool will be used to randomly select participants to be rewarded with airtime vouchers and Tafel Lager hampers.
This is definitely one campaign to keep an eye on. Make sure to follow the journey with great anticipation.

Plastic and other pollution threatens the sea

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Plastic and other pollution threatens the sea‘Towards a blue economy’ Namibia’s fishing sector is one of the country’s top foreign currency earners and employers. One striking thing about Namibia is the extent to which plastic is still being used, especially in shops and packaging. - Blessing Chiripanhura, Development economist JANA-MARI SMITH - The alarming multitude of threats posed by climate change, pollution and intense human reliance on the world’s oceans should be a primary focus for Namibia’s fishing sector if the country is serious about maximising the socio-economic benefits and potential profits the sector offers.

Namibia’s fishing sector, comprised of a near-pristine and rich bio-diverse coastal area stretching 1 500 km, is one of the country’s top foreign currency earners and employers.

In addition to commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture activities, several industries thrive on Namibia’s coastline, among them tourism and mining.

Study

Findings from a recent study, ‘Towards a Blue Economy’, by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), emphasise the need for a united understanding by relevant role players of the pressures facing the marine environment.

“The core issue that needs to be addressed by Namibian policymakers and officials is the idea that significant socio-economic development can be achieved while guaranteeing environmental sustainability.”

This would require a “deeper understanding and improved coordination” among stakeholders on “a host of cross-cutting issues”, including climate change, water and energy security and what the terms “blue economy” and “blue growth” mean for Namibia.

The paper, by IPPR research associate Dietrich Remmert, highlights that while a range of industries depend on the ocean, even less-intrusive industries such as eco-tourism can have negative impacts on ocean and coastal zones.

Impact

In line with the ministry of fisheries and marine resources’ target to implement a blue economy governance and management system by 2020, the paper warns that a “factor that could severely impact negatively on Namibia’s blue growth prospect is the issue of global climate change and its impact on the ocean’s ecosystems”.

While the blue economy, including the fishing sector, plays a significant role in the economy, sub-optimal management and oversight of environmental threats lead to havoc.

“Effects on fish stocks can vary and it is difficult to predict how various species might react to different changes … it is possible that many fish stocks would react adversely to such changes by migrating to other ocean areas and propagating less, for example.”

In addition, as many observers have pointed out over the years, “instances of tension between economic interests and environmental protection resulting in disagreements, conflict and legal action are a regular occurrence”, within and between relevant marine authorities and organisations in Namibia.

The IPPR noted that many interviewees agreed that “unfettered economic activity should not be allowed”, particularly at the cost of the environment and long-term sustainability of the sector.

Another current issue highlighted by the IPPR is the “limited scientific and other relevant environmental and economic data” to guide the development of a blue economy.

Liberal plastic

Other environmental concerns relate to pollution.

Development economist Blessing Chiripanhura recently pointed out “one striking thing about Namibia is the extent to which plastic is still being used, especially in shops and packaging.”

He said the “liberal” use of plastics and the limited capacity of recycling in Namibia pose a threat to the environment, including ocean pollution.

“While plastic pollution may not show up directly in the fish being harvested, it does affect other types of marine life adversely, and in the long-term the whole ecosystem will suffer.”

He is further worried about heavy-metal and oil pollution, which have serious consequences for the sector, pointing out the country needs to “maintain high standards” to guarantee access to international markets.”

Between 4.8 million and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic are disposed in the world’s oceans each year and makes up 95% of the rubbish in the oceans, mainly in the form of bags, food and drink containers, and fishing equipment.

Unless addressed, it is estimated that by 2050 the mass of plastics in the oceans will exceed the total mass of fish in the oceans.

Chris Brown of the Namibia Chamber of Environment recently pointed out that Namibia has taken notable steps to address plastic pollution and recycling, primarily through the efforts of the environment and tourism ministry.

Teen, pensioner raped

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Teen, pensioner raped A 15-year-old girl was kidnapped and raped over the weekend at Evululuko location in Oshakati, allegedly by a 20-year-old man.

According to the police the girl was found locked inside the suspect's room after her mother reported her missing on Friday.

The suspect has been arrested and a case of kidnapping and rape has been opened. The matter is being investigated.

In a separate incident on Saturday at the Gomxab-naus residential area at Gochas in the Hardap Region, an 83-year-old pensioner was raped, allegedly by a 26-year-old man. The suspect has been arrested.

In another incident on Friday in Rehoboth, a 31-year-old man was arrested for allegedly being in the possession of illegal drugs.

He was allegedly found with 25 full mandrax tablets, three half mandrax tablets, one quarter mandrax tablet, seven full parcels of pure cannabis weighing 2 125 grams, a half parcel of pure cannabis weighing 130 grams and five skunk bankies with a total value of N$26 010. He also had N$1 210 cash on him.

Four suspects were also arrested on Friday for allegedly poaching five zebras in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. According to the police carcasses valued at N$18 400 were recovered. The suspects are aged 17, 19, 25 and 36 and investigations continue.

In another incident, a security guard allegedly shot a 26-year-old man on Friday at the Park Foods shopping complex in Khomasdal.

The victim was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and threw stones at the security guard, as well as members of the public.

According to the police the security guard ordered the man to leave the premises. However, the situation escalated, resulting in the security guard wounding the man. The police were called and the man was taken to the Katutura state hospital. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

Three suspects stole a compressor on Friday at the Zong-Mei construction company, situated between Swakopmund and Henties Bay.

According to the police the suspects allegedly attacked a security guard and threated him with a firearm, tied his feet, hands and mouth with tape and threw him into a sandpit.

The security guard was found the following morning by a colleague. No arrests have been made.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Kuvukiland's woes continue

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Kuvukiland's woes continue'Empty promises' abound The more than 6 000 residents of Kuvukiland in Tsumeb say they are wallowing in filth and poverty. Residents of Tsumeb's Kuvukiland informal settlement continue to demand basic services from the municipality, while saying all they have received is “empty promises” for the past decade.

The over 6 000 shackdwellers have no electricity and sewerage services, as well as refuse removal, leaving them wallowing in filth and poverty.

Residents earlier this week expressed their grievances in a petition which formed part of a mass demonstration that was scheduled to take place yesterday.

They want the municipality to provide them with electricity and construct proper streets.

They also want containers to address the litter problem and the proper maintenance of pre-paid water points, which they claim are dysfunctional most of the time.

“We are now residing on this land for 10 years and we are faced with a number of problems such as the rechargeable water taps, which are out of order every day. Electricity just stopped halfway,” the petition reads.

To make matters worse, last week, during a community meeting, the residents were informed that they will no longer receive water from a NamWater truck, which used to drive through the informal settlement and sell water directly to them. This means that some of the inhabitants of Kuvukiland, especially those on the outskirts who live far from the pre-paid water points, will be forced to seek an alternative supply.

According to the petition, the residents are also disappointed because the municipality has failed to provide proper streets. They say their vehicles are being damaged.

“Road infrastructure is the biggest issue here at Kuvukiland; especially if there is a house burning, or someone dies or someone is very sick, vehicles cannot drive through the streets because of the bad roads,” the petition reads.

Residents also said they feel victimised by law-enforcement official closing illegal shebeens.

They argue that due to the unavailability of jobs, they have been forced to look for alternative means to earn an income and support their families, yet their goods are confiscated and they are expected to pay fines that are higher than the value of the confiscated goods.

“We are unemployed and we are suffering. We are having children to take care off, but our goods are being confiscated and we never get them back,” the petition said.

When contacted for comment earlier this week, Tsumeb town council spokesperson Stella Imalwa-Nangolo said the municipality was not aware of the new complaints by Kuvukiland residents.

Imalwa-Nangolo, however, confirmed it is indeed true that the NamWater truck that used to supply water to various parts of the town, including Kuvukiland, will no longer do so.

“All that I know of is that at a community meeting last week the residents of Kuvukiland were informed about the truck that will stop providing water,” Imalwa-Nangolo said.

Kuvukiland was established at the end of 2010 when 10 people, who desperately needed a place to call home, started to erect shacks that were said at the time to be illegal.

The land belonged to Weatherly Mining Namibia until 2016, when the company gave it to the Tsumeb municipality to develop.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Visit unique places with Pack Safari

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Visit unique places with Pack Safari Pack Safari is an established, reputable Namibian inbound tour operator with extensive experience and broad knowledge of southern Africa covering Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Pack Safari designs superior tours, incorporating the most inspirational places, nature and cultures that southern Africa has to offer.

Although Namibia is the heart of their operation, their expertise and passion extend past Namibia's borders into South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The combination of their love for places and people, and their keen dedication to unsurpassed service, ensure that each tour is unique and extraordinary.

During a recent sustainability assessment by Eco Awards Namibia, Pack Safari achieved an excellent score against internationally benchmarked criteria.

The outstanding assessment score enabled Pack Safari to qualify for entering the 2019 Responsible Tourism Awards (RTA), hosted by Namibia Media Holdings.

This year's RTA finalists will be announced in March, and the winners will be announced at the official opening of the 2019 Namibia Tourism Expo in June.

Emmanuel appoints one of their own as leading pastor

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Emmanuel appoints one of their own as leading pastor Emmanuel Church is pleased to announce and welcome Pastor Ibarto Botes as the church’s new leading pastor.

Botes is no stranger to the Emmanuel family. His father, Quinton-Steele Botes, joined Emmanuel Church with his family, at the young age of 12.

Ibarto himself was born and raised in Emmanuel Church. He grew up in the children’s church and became involved in the youth as a worship leader during his teenage years. Interestingly, this is also where he met his wife, Cherine. He matriculated from Windhoek High School, having also been a SRC member.

After school he continued serving at the church while he studied his theology degree through the South African Theological Seminary (SATS). After he graduated, he was employed by Emmanuel Church, first having the responsibility of leading the worship department and later also pastoral care.

It is a wonderful privilege and great victory for the church to have been able to appoint somebody from within its own ranks as leading pastor.

We pray that God will bless Ibarto and his wife, Cherine, along with their sons, Kian and Evan, and want to encourage him with the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:5, “Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Bank Windhoek appoints a new ­Rundu branch manager

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Bank Windhoek appoints a new ­Rundu branch manager Bank Windhoek is pleased to announce the appointment of Beatrix Atkinson as the bank's new Rundu branch manager, effective from 1 February.

Atkinson first joined Bank Windhoek's Rundu branch as a collateral clerk in 2005, after which she was promoted to the position of senior credit clerk.

She continued to progress through the ranks and was eventually appointed as the Rundu branch's credit manager in 2014. Atkinson completed several advanced banking-related training courses before being appointed as branch manager.

Bank Windhoek's executive officer of retail banking services, Chris Matthee, congratulated Atkinson.

“Bank Windhoek is proud of its new Rundu branch manager. At­kinson's growth at the bank indicates that continued professional development pays off. I would like to congratulate Atkinson on her appointment and trust that she will continue to deliver excellent results,” Matthee said.

Northern Cape 'sale' gains momentum

February 28, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Northern Cape 'sale' gains momentum What started out as joke – and still is – has taken on a more serious tone, with about 2 000 people signing a petition that calls for the Northern Cape to be sold to Namibia so that South Africa can pay off Eskom's debt.

The creator of the petition says he calculated the asking price of N$420 billion using business principles, based on South Africa's GDP and the Northern Cape's revenue potential.

While the stunt has drawn criticism, it has also attracted thousands of signatures, with many South Africans eager to leave behind their country's woes in exchange for what they see as the greener pastures offered by Namibia. Capetonian Aidan van Niekerk initiated the petition on change.org about two weeks ago and expected to get only 100 signatures. But it has gone viral on social media and South African media have also had a field day with the quirky petition. The petition to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says Eskom has too much debt and South African taxpayers are tired of paying it - and nobody lives in the Northern Cape in any case.

“I don't know, tell the Namibians it has a desert and a big hole or something,” it states.

Van Niekerk on Tuesday updated the petition and thanked all South African and Namibian signatories for their support.

“I am overwhelmed by the unity displayed by all demographics who have come together for this righteous cause. My heart is so full,” he said. As for those who oppose the petition, he said: “We will be selling them together with the Northern Cape.” According to him South Africa could use the proceeds from the sale to build a border wall between South Africa and the Northern Cape, which would then be called “Southern Namibia”. “All opposition will be placed on the other side of the wall. Any racists will be sent that way.”

Van Niekerk told Namibian Sun that he came up with the idea during South African finance minister Tito Mboweni's recent budget speech, when he announced the unbundling of Eskom. “I thought surely there must be a better solution. I am a mathematics student and I work in finance. I managed to calculate that based on the GDP and the Northern Cape's revenue potential, it is worth roughly N$420 billion.”

Van Niekerk said the incorporation of the Northern Cape into Namibia would hopefully contribute to social diversity in Namibia and bring relief to the marginalised southern parts of the country.

“At the very least people can direct their anger at the man behind the petition rather than at each other. The foreign investment generated from the mining industry in the Northern Cape might provide the capital needed to develop alternative water sources.”

He said the unique selling point of the Northern Cape has got to be its mines. “Even the Queen of England and Lady Gaga wear jewels from there. Should Namibia own these mines, Americans may finally refer to the country by its correct name and not as 'Nambia'.”

Van Niekerk's petition had garnered 1962 signatures by yesterday.

One of the signatories, Jan Steenkamp, said: “Namibia's government would do a far better job supporting the Northern Cape. Need the desert for solar, can sell back to Eskom.”

Adri Nell said that geographically speaking, this province would “complete” Namibia.

“Time to move to Northern Cape,” wrote Mitzi Knipe.

Lorraine Lee said this could be the answer to South Africa's financial crisis. “Northern Cape is barren land and no one stays there anyway,” said Jurie Cronje, while Lezanne Shone said it was better to live in Namibia than in South Africa. South Africa has been crippled by rolling blackouts, while Eskom's debt of N$419 billion is a significant threat to the country's fiscal strength.

ELLANIE SMIT