Namibian Sun

Thrilling cricket on the cardsNamibia hosts global tourney Competition will be tough, as the top four countries at the end of the tournament will receive financial aid from the International Cricket Council.

Namibia's senior national cricket team will compete in the World Cricket League Division Two tournament, which starts in Windhoek on Saturday and ends on 26 April.

The host nation will compete against Oman, the United States, Canada, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong.

Namibia's first game will take place on Saturday against Papua New Guinea at the Wanderers Stadium.

On Sunday, their second match will be against the US at the same venue. Their third match will take place on Tuesday against Canada at the United Sports Ground.

On Wednesday, the hosts will then play Oman at Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP) and their fifth match will take place on Friday against Hong Kong at the same venue.

Namibia's head coach Pierre de Bruyn said they want to increase the number of cricketers around the country.

This the vision they have with players who are serious about the game.

De Bruyn said they have trained hard over past last 16 weeks and are ready to face their opponents.

Team captain Gerhard Erasmus said they have played some of the countries before and are looking forward to clashing with some of the new editions, including the US, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong.

“Teams are always changing and that will be a challenge, but we want to test their performance and to see what each team brings,” Erasmus said.

He added they have an experienced and balanced squad.

Competition will be tough, as the top four countries at the end of the tournament will receive financial aid from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to De Bruyn the four teams will join Nepal, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ICC Cricket World League Two series that will stretch over two-and-a-half years, with teams playing one-day international matches in 21 tri-nations tournaments.

Also, the top three sides at the end of the series will move on to a final World Cup qualifier, from which the top two teams will qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup to be played in India.

The bottom two sides will still need to play few more tournaments to reach the World Cup.

The following players are part of the Namibian squad: Julian Baard, James Bredenkamp, Karl Birkenstock, Gerhard Erasmus (captain), Jan Frylinck, Zane Green, Zhivago Groenewald, Jean Pierre Kotze, Josef Lungameni, Bernard Scholtz, Jonathan Smit, Christoffel Viljoen, George Williams and Nafindi Ya France.

Pavaza selected for Afcon finals

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Namibian referee Jackson Pavaza is among the referees selected to officiate at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July.

The list features officials from 20 different countries across the continent, with referees like Mostafa Gharbal and Bacary Gassama making the cut.

Three referees from the host country also made it onto the list - Gehad Grisha, Mahmoud El-Banna, and Amin Omar.

Pavaza will be amongst the likes of Grisha who has officiated at the last four Afcon finals, as well as at the 2018 Fifa World Cup, when he took charge of the England versus Panama game in the group stages.

The full list of referees is as follows: Jackson Pavaza (Namibia), Mostafa Gharbal (Algeria), Helder Martinez (Angola), Joshua Bondo (Botswana), Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Botswana), Aliom Aliom (Cameroon), Gehad Grisha, Mahmoud El-Banna and Amin Omar (Egypt), Bacary Gassama (Gambia), Daniel Laria (Ghana) and Peter Waweru (Kenya), Mamadou Keita (Mali), Radwan Jaid (Morocco), Nour ElDin El-Jaafari (Morocco), Jean Jack Ngambo (DRC), Louis Hazikimana (Botswana), Megete N'Diaye (Senegal), Bernard Camille (Seychelles), Al-Fadel Mohamed Hussein (Sudan), Victor Miguel (South Africa), Sadek Al-Salmy, Youssef El-Sarairi and Haitham Kairat (Tunisia) and Gianni Sikazowi (Zambia).

BA want revengeCrucial encounter against Tigers Black Africa will be looking to cement their place at the top of the table when they face Tigers tonight.

Black Africa coach Paulus Shipanga says they are looking for revenge when they take on Tigers tonight in an MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) clash.

The log leaders will face Tigers at 19:00 in what is expected to be a thrilling encounter at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Shipanga said the clash against the Shandumbala outfit will be tough, but they want to collect much-needed points and will pull out all the stops.

“It is going to be a crucial encounter but the players are motivated, as they have always been, to stay at the top. Tigers knocked us out of the Standard Bank Top 8 Cup, so we are looking to take revenge tonight,” said Shipanga.

Tigers coach Peter 'Oubaas' Mokwena said they are going all out to win the match.

“We have prepared well for the match. We know BA are desperate for a win and so are we.

“We need the points and no one wants to lose out, but I don't want to put a lot of pressure on my players. As much as this is a crucial match, we will take it one match at a time,” added Mokwena.

Tigers currently occupy 10th spot on the log. In other matches, African Stars will face Young Brazilians tomorrow at 19:00.

On Saturday at 16:00, Tura Magic will face Eleven Arrows at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

At the same venue on Saturday, Orlando Pirates have a date with Civics at 18:30, while Mighty Gunners will face Blue Waters at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo. The match will kick off at 15:00. Life Fighters and Citizens will clash at 17:00.

Julinho Sporting will be in Okahandja to face Okahandja United at 16:00. On Sunday, Black Africa and Unam will play at 15:00 at Unam.

In Windhoek on Monday, Citizens and Young Brazilians will play at 15:00. Mighty Gunners and Julinho will then cross swords at 13:00 on the same day at the Mokati Stadium.

Life Fighters will take on Blue Waters at 15:00. On Tuesday in Windhoek, Civics will confront Tigers at 19:00.

Namvet ta pangele okuya kompangu

Ehangano lyoNamibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) olya popi kutya otali ka ya kompangu moonkambadhala dhokukondjitha opo aakwiita nale yoSWATF/Koevoet ya dhidhilikwe onga oonakulwa aakulu.

Omupopiliko gwoNamvet, Jabulani Ndeunyema, okwa popi kutya mekwathelo lyookume kawo mboka unene ye li aakwiita nale yoSWATF/Koevoet –oya mona hahende oshowo iimaliwa opo ya vule okushangitha oshipotha shawo. Ongundu onshona yaakwiita nale mboka oya gandja omukandayenyeto gwawo kuLydia Kandetu, moka taya pula opo ya dhidhilikwe onga oonakulwa aakulu nokupewa omauwanawa ngoka taga pewa oonaakulwa aakulu muuyuni. Shoka osha landula olopota ndjoka ya pitithwa komunashipundi gwokomitiye yoparliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs, Sebastiaan Karupu, ndjoka ya manithwa muKotomba gwomvula ya piti, kutya aakwiita nale yoSWATF/Koevoet itaya vulu okutulwa momushlondondo gwoonakulwa aakulu ngaashi tashi uthwa mOmpango yoNamibia War Veterans Act yomomvula yo2008, ndjoka ya utha kutya aakwiita owala yoPLAN oyo ya talika ko onga oonakulwa aakulu.

Namvet okwa pula wo opo opaliamende yi pitithe ompango ndjoka tayi dhidhilike aakwiita ayehe mboka ya kutha ombinga imita pokati komvula yo 1966 oshowo 1989, opo ya tulwe mongundu yoonakulwa aakulu. Olopota yaKarupu oya gandja omayele kutya aakwiita nale yoSWATF/Koevoet naya konge omayambidhidho gopankalathano kiikondo yimwe, ngaashi omayambidhidho guunamiti, openzela yaakokele nomayambidhdho galwe gopaiyemo. Ndeunyema okwa popi kutya oya hala okugandja omagwedhelepo omape kokomitiye yaKarupu moshiwike twa taalela. “Okutala kolopota ndjoka, otashi ulike kutya kaya uviteko omaindilo getu. Onga OmuNamibia onda ya nale kiipangelo yepangelo mbyoka ya tungwa kepangelo lyaSouth Afrika. Opo ya tye kutya nandi ishangithe ndi mone omayambidhidho gomakwatho gopankalathano ngoka ga tulwa miilonga kepangelo lyokatongotongo otashi limbilike.

Kashi shi iilonga yaSwapo a lombwelendje ngaaka; ondishi shi,” Ndeunyema a popi. Okwa popi Swapo ina simaneka uuthemba womuntu molwaashoka oya kala taya keme omaindilo gawo uule woomvula adhihe dha pit, ihe inaya hala okuuvako omaindilo gawo. Okwa popi kutya oya li ye wete omakemo gawo taga ka yamukulwa sho ya tsakanene nOmupresidende Hage Geingob momvulayo 2016.

Okwa popi kutya ngele omupopi mOmutumba gwoPashigwana, Peter Katjavivi, ineya yamukula, nena otaya ka pula aakwiita nale yoSWATF/Koevoet pamwe naanona yawo opo ya ninge ehololomadhilaadhilo enene mOvenduka.

Oshikondo shomatungo shi Ii koongoloOshikondo sha hala epangelo lyiidhopemo Ongeshefa yokutunga moshilongo oya gu pevi noonkondo, sha landula eshunitho pevi lyelongitho yiimaliwa yepangelo unene koopoloyeka dhopashigwana na osha kanitha omwaalu omunene gwoonzo dhopauntu.

Omupeha omupesidende gwoConstruction Industry Federation (CIF), Panashe Daringo, okwa pula epangelo opo li yambidhidhe oshikondo shoka sha dhengwa odhimbo onene konkalo yeliko lyoshilongo ndjoka ya gwa pevi.

Daringo, ngoka e li omukomeho gwehangano lyoMPP Civils, okwa popi kutya okwa thiminikwa konkalo opo a kuthe miilonga aaniilonga yamwepo, omanga ta ningi oonkambadhala dhokuya moonkundathana nepangelo kombinga yoshikondo shomatungo.

“Iinima kayi li nawa na otatu galikana opo tu mone eyambidhidho. Otashi ulike kutya shoka tatu popi otashi yi momakutsi ga thita,” Daringo a popi sha landula oonkambadhala dhoka a ningi okuya moonkundathana nepangelo.

Pahapu dhe oshikondo shoka osha kanitha aanuunongo oyendji noonkondo.

Omapopyo ge oga kolekwa kumenindjela gwoCIF, Bärbel Kirchner, ngoka a popi kutya oshikondo shawo osha gumwa noonkondo ketokolo yepangelo opo Ii shunithe pevi omwaalu gwiimaliwa mbyoka tayi longithwa, unene moopoloyeka oonene dhoshilongo noopoloyeka dhilwe dhomayambulepo.

Pahapu dha Kirchner okwa ningwa oonkundathana nkene ku na okukwathelwa oshikondo shoka.

Palopota yOmbaanga Onene moshilongo, ano oBank of Namibia (Bon), yomvula yo 2018, ongushu yoshikondo shomatungo keliko lyoshilongo oya li poopresenda 18.3 momvula yo 2018 okuyeleka noopresenda 25.6 mpoka ya li momvula yo 2017. Okwa lopotwa kutya omvula ya piti oompito dhiilonga dha thika po 60 000 odha kana moshikakomvula sho 2016/17.

Uuyelele mboka owa hololwa molopota ndjoka ya pewa opaliamende koEmployment Equity Commission.

Oompito dhiilonga ndhoka odha kana onga oshizemo shegwo pevi lyeliko lyoshilongo ndyoka lya tameke momvula yo 2016.

Oopoloyeka odhindji dhomatungo dhepangelo odha kalekwa omolwa ompumbwe yiimaliwa, sha li sha etitha epangelo li kale nomikuli dhiifuta yaatungi yopoloyeka ndhoka ya thika poobiliyona 2.2.

Shoka osha etitha eshuno pevi lyiilonga yomatungo unene komahangano ngoka ga li giikolelela kookondalaka dhepangelo.

Iilonga yi li po 6 510 oya kana moshikondo shomatungo, momvula yo 2016/17.

A manga omuniilonga gwe nelyenge

Opolisi otayi konaakona oshiningwanima moka omunangeshefa gwomoshilongo, a manga nelyenge omuniilonga gwe opo ka vule okwiinyenga pehala lyiilonga nenge a popye naaniilonga pamwe naye.

Okavidio hoka ka kala taka topolelwathana komapandja gomakwatathano gopamalungula oshiwike shika oka ulike omulumentu a mangwa nelyenge moshiya she. Omupopiko gwopolisi, Omupeha Komufala, Edwin Kanguatjivi, okwa koleke oshiningwanima shoka ta popi kutya inaku patululwa oshipotha naashoka otashi ningitha oshidhigu opo opolisi yi vule okutulilamo omunangeshefa ngoka oshipotha. Pahapu dhaKanguatjivi, oshiningwanima shoka osha ningilwa mehala lyongeshefa moProsperita Industrial Area, ihe nakuninga oshihakanwa ina hala okutula mo oshipotha. Ombudsman, Advocate John Walters, okwa popi kutya oshinima shi Ii ngaaka itashi popilwa muNamibia lyamanguluka, ihe okwa zimine kutya opolisi kayi na shoka tayi vulu okuninga ngele omulumentu ngoka ita popisha. “Omukalo ngoka ogu li e yo pondje lyuuthemba womuntu opo a vule okwiinyenga a manguluka; omukalo guupika nenge oshilikama na itashi pitikwa,” Walters a popi.

More salvos fired at Namport

The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) has leapt to the defence of independent analyst Rainer Ritter, whose recent assertions about Namport's massive harbour investments were rubbished by the parastatal.

Namport recently slammed a report by Ritter, commissioned by the EAN.

In the report he questioned whether Namport would be in a position to repay a N$3.4 billion African Development Bank (AfDB) loan, because of declining business.

Ritter also questioned the more than N$20 billion infrastructure investment to transform Namibia into a logistics hub in the southern African region. Namport branded Ritter's report as “slanderous” and “blatantly incorrect and uninformed”.

Outgoing Namport CEO Bisey /Uirab also claimed that previous reports, as well as the one commissioned by the EAN, were compiled and distributed “without the courtesy of according Namport the opportunity to either verify the contents thereof or provide the context to some of the issues raised”.

This was not so, said EAN chairperson Roland Brown.

Brown said despite statements to the contrary, Namport was sent, and at times responded to, drafts of Ritter's report as far back as 30 May 2018, and again in June and August last year.

He said /Uirab himself responded to Ritter's report in August last year, but may have forgotten.

Brown said the EAN stands by Ritter's core findings.

“Moreover, we are confident that time will indeed prove our assessment correct, and that Namport's performance over coming years will indeed be relatively poor. In this regard, it is our hope that we are wrong. However, our belief is that we are not,” Brown said.

He said the EAN is not looking for any short-term vindication and asked that Namport apologises in writing for its personal attack on Ritter.

Brown said Ritter's report is part of a drive by the EAN to analyse large state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

“As these are owned by the state, they are de facto the property of the nation's people. Unlike the national budget, these enterprises are rarely scrutinised or analysed in detail, and thus a certain degree of public accountability is plausibly foregone,” Brown said.

He said despite claims to the contrary, Ritter's report “has nothing to do with personal relationships” and “everything to do with the scrutiny of a public institution”.

“This is a common practice elsewhere in the world, and further, a desirable one,” Brown said, adding the EAN will continue to analyse SOEs and produce similar reports for the sake of transparency in terms of public assets.

Personal attacks

Brown bemoaned the “personal nature” of Namport's response to Ritter's report, saying it was a “heinous personal criticism” of Ritter, instead of an attack on the EAN, which commissioned the report.

“Furthermore, we believe it highly unbefitting of an SOE to make personal attacks on individuals that present a view on a public entity, especially one owned by the state. As custodians of public assets, we expect these entities to be more mature and behave in a manner more befitting of guardians of public assets.”

He said the EAN's analyses does not negate the often unthankful work of SOE bosses and their teams.

“However, our assessments are founded on the belief that transparency and accountability are critical for the future success and improvement of Namibian SOEs,” Brown said.

/Uirab said Namport stands by its earlier response, but preferred to engage the EAN directly, and not through the media.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Namvet plans court challengeSay there's no political will The former soldiers say the ruling party is not concerned about their human rights.

The Namibia War Veterans Trust (Namvet) says it will soon launch a court challenge to continue its fight to get former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers recognised as war veterans.

So far, the quest has fallen on deaf ears. “With the help of our friends – many of whom are former SWATF/Koevoet – we have a lawyer available and money to register a court case,” Namvet spokesperson Jabulani Ndeunyema said Monday.

A small group of these former soldiers handed over a petition to Lydia Kandetu, parliament's secretary, in which they reiterate their demand for benefits and welfare services accrued to all military veterans the world over.

This is in reaction to a report by the parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs chaired by Sebastiaan Karupu, which concluded in October last year that the former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers cannot be recognised under the Namibia War Veterans Act of 2008, which recognises only former PLAN soldiers as war veterans.

Namvet also demanded that parliament pass an Act recognising members of any of the military formations involved in the war from 1966 to 1989 as war veterans.

The Karupu report suggests that former SWATF/Koevoet members should seek social benefits from other ministries, for example state medical care, old-age pensions and other social grants.

Ndeunyema said the former soldiers wanted to submit “fresh proposals” to Karupu's committee within the next week.

“From the report it is clear they do not understand our demands. As a Namibian I have already gone to the state hospitals, which were built by South Africa. For them to say I must register for social grants that were introduced by the former colonial administration is strange. It is not for Swapo to tell me that; I know that,” Ndeunyema said.

He said it would appear that Swapo's aim was to simply replace the former foreign ruler with a local one.

“It has nothing to do with the respect of human rights. All these years we have been meeting with them, petitioning them and requested that they depoliticise the issue of SWATF/Koevoet but they do not want to understand,” Ndeunyema said. He said the ex-soldiers' hope that there was a political will after meetings with President Hage Geingob in 2016 were dashed after Geingob subsequently met with former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.

He said if National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi did not respond positively to their demands, they would ask all former SWATF/Koevoet soldiers and their children to come to Windhoek to stage mass protests.

CATHERINE SASMAN

New York Film Academy partners with MultiChoiceTalent Factory MultiChoice Africa is pleased to announce the partnership between its flagship initiative MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) and the New York Film Academy College of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA), a world-renowned visual and performing arts school.

This groundbreaking collaboration between New York Film Academy and the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) will include supporting the development of young filmmakers across Africa attending the MTF academies. The MultiChoice Talent Factory's mission is to ignite Africa's already established creative industries through training and skills development, as well as foster new and original programming.

The much anticipated MTF master classes kicked off in January, supported by various industry partners and include a series of 'best in class' workshops intended to increase MultiChoice Talent Factory's purpose of up-skilling film and TV creatives.

Taking place across various African cities, the master classes are also presented to industry professionals with the intention of developing technical skills of established creatives in cinematography, audio, and storytelling to improve the quality of local productions.

“This groundbreaking collaboration speaks to our commitment to partnering with industry experts such as the New York Film Academy to promote and protect the growth of Africa's creative industries,” says Cheryl Uys-Allie, MTF director. “Our East Africa Academy director, Njoki Muhoho is a NYFA alumnus, having studied filmmaking at the Los Angeles campus and we're excited to be collaborating with the New York Film Academy in being able to offer incredible opportunities to our students and the sector as a whole.

The endorsement of the MultiChoice Talent Factory by the New York Film Academy confirms the film school's continued efforts to empowering and developing filmmakers across the world. For more than a decade, the New York Film Academy has lent support to African content creators and performers by hosting workshops across the continent, where the institution's faculty has met with thousands of students in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria and further bridged its hands-on intensive training in both the visual and performing arts as well as offering information sessions, auditions, and portfolio reviews to attendees.

The New York Film Academy prides itself in developing students through a 'learning by doing' approach, blending a mixture of traditional film school instruction with coursework and practical experience, where students learn to make films by actually making films. Through this partnership, MultiChoice continues its commitment to enriching lives by igniting the creative industry across Africa.

“The New York Film Academy is honoured to be a part of the enrichment, development, and fostering of storytellers across Africa, a continent steeped in a rich history of dynamic, creative and passionate visual and performing artists,” states Jim Miller, NYFA vice-president. “Over the years, NYFA has been privileged to have hosted hundreds of students - from dozens of African nations - many who have found outstanding success in their national industries when they returned home. This MTF and NYFA collaboration is a natural extension of our commitment to help bolster the skills of talented African storytellers.

STAFF REPORTER

Ariana Grande reunites (most of) *NSYNC

Ariana Grande tore up the Coachella stage with a little bit of help from Tearin' Up My Heart.

The pop singer on Sunday night performed the first of two headlining sets at the annual music festival, using part of her time in the spotlight to stage a reunion of '90s boy band *NSYNC, which was just one of the surprise guest appearances of the night.

Notably missing from the *NSYNC reunion was frontman Justin Timberlake, who on Saturday night wrapped up his 115-show Man of the Woods tour.

Timberlake's absence was not acknowledged on stage, but parts typically sung by him in the band's hit single were taken over by Grande.

“I've been rehearsing my whole life for this moment,” Grande said as she brought the band out.

Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Lance Bass also joined Grande on a portion of her song Break up with your girlfriend, I'm bored.

The rest of her nearly 90-minute set also included guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Diddy and Mase.

Despite some audio issues, Minaj powered through songs Side to Side and Bang Bang with Grande.

Diddy and Mase, meanwhile, paid tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. with a performance of Mo Money Mo Problems.

Grande's Coachella performance comes after what has been a series of professional triumphs and personal trials.

In February, the singer notched her fourth number-one album with Thank u, Next, just months after the release of her third chart-topper. She also became the first artist to occupy the numbers one to three positions simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart since The Beatles did it in 1964.

In October 2018, Grande broke off her engagement to SNL performer Pete Davidson. This came just one month after Grande's ex, rapper Mac Miller, died at age 26.

Grande has also recently been open about her struggles with PTSD following the suicide bombing that killed 22 people at her concert in Manchester, United Kingdom, in May 2017.

Speaking on stage, Diddy prompted the crowd to give its headliner some love, noting, “She's been through a whole lot. She's still standing.”

Indeed, she has and, indeed, she is.

In all, the singer, who is the youngest performer to ever headline Coachella, sang more than 20 songs in a set bookended by God is a Woman and Thank U, Next.

CNN ENTERTAINMENT

Africa to the worldAfrica to the world Afrofusion sensation, Damini Ogulu, also known as, Burna Boy delivered an unforgettable performance of his biggest songs at his Coachella debut on Sunday night.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual event held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.

It is one of the most famous and profitable music festivals in the United States and all over the world. Burna Boy was billed to perform on Sunday night. The crowd sang along as he performed Killin Dem, Dangote, and On The Low, among others, and danced the popular Zanku.

News Angecy Nigeria recalls that Burna Boy had expressed his displeasure over the font size his name was written in on the Coachella poster. He referred to himself as an 'African Giant', asking the organisers to respect his status and write his name in a much larger font.

He secured the most awards at the 2019 Soundcity MVP Awards, bringing home four plaques including African Artiste of the Year. He won the Melody of the Year, Audience's Choice and Best Male MVP.

NEWS AGENCY NIGERIA

Celebrating 15 years of contentE! launches Love E! Live E! brand campaign to celebrate 15 years in Africa E!, NBC Universal International Network’s global, multi-platform brand dedicated to all things pop culture, recently announced its new brand campaign ‘Love E! Live E!’ in Africa.

The campaign was unveiled on Thursday, 11 April at E!’s special celebration event in Johannesburg, marking the channel’s 15-year anniversary in Africa, in partnership with DStv.

For the last 15 years, E! has proudly delivered African viewers unrivalled access to Hollywood. To celebrate these two pop cultures’ meshing, the Love E! Live E! brand campaign encapsulates the attitude of E! as bold, confident and unashamedly authentic. If you live and breathe celebrity, fun, glamour and entertainment – whether you’re a regular on the red carpet, or your runway is living your best life and taking stunning selfies – then you Love E! Live E!

The campaign features the ultimate blend of talent from Hollywood in the US, and the biggest names in African pop culture, bringing fans the very best of both continents. Fronted by E! Africa host Kat Sinivasan, the campaign includes E! News host Giuliana Rancic; Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ selfie queen Kim Kardashian West; plastic surgeons to the stars doctos Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif from Botched; and How Do I Look?, as well as South Africa host Roxy Burger – plus African pop icons including Bonang Matheba, D’Banj and Minnie Dlamini.

The talent will feature in E! Africa’s biggest ever off-air campaign, with a 360° media-buy across outdoor, digital, radio and social, including a heavyweight TV campaign across NBC Universal International Networks’ portfolio of channels. The campaign will feature in key cities from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Lagos with high-impact sites showcasing building wraps for a six-week period from mid-April.

“As we mark our 15-year anniversary in Africa, in partnership with DStv, the Love E! Live E! brand campaign celebrates our passion for all things entertainment and celebrity in a way that only E! Africa could do, by combining best-in-class talent from Hollywood and Africa,” commented Lee Raftery, chief marketing officer at NBC.

“E! has a very exciting year ahead with the recent announcement of our new local commission, Celebrity Game Night, airing late 2019 with more details to follow in the coming months.”

Since 2004, E! has delivered the best of US reality television to Africa including the ever-popular series: Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Total Bellas, Very Cavallari, LadyGang, Dating #NoFilter, Botched and Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry. Moreover, E! has developed exclusive southern Africa productions from The Search: E! Host South Africa to How Do I Look?

STAFF REPORTER

Book and street smartEntertainers thriving academically Every industry has its stereotypes, some good, some bad. But being the cheerfully hopeful species that we are, the bad stuff always gets the shine.

The education sector has the strikingly well-dressed teacher in formal wear who touches lives. There's the likeable corporate entrepreneur who handles business during the week and but pops bottles like crazy on weekends and sweats it out on the dance floor until the sun rises. And then of course there is the entertainer.

Among the most damaging in the entertainment space is the stereotype of the high school or university drop-out who is uneducated. Disclaimer: It is not always the case. Not all entertainers are school dropouts. There are a handful of them who have reputable university degrees to their names.

Media personality Ilke Platt, rappers Lioness and Fire16 and house artist DJ Glob of the award-wining House duo Makurunganga, are some of the entertainers who graduated this year.

Platt obtained a Master's degree in media studies. She told tjil that balancing school and show business is tricky, however she has the drive to succeed at both. “I have always multitasked, it keeps me busy. Success is the contentment with your own achievements in your own time.

“I was supposed to graduate last year with the rest of my classmates, however due to circumstances I could not. But as I always say, I run my own race in my own time and in God's time alone. All things are possible,” added Platt. What's next for her; what's the evolution of the media maven?

“I am currently a PhD candidate and allowing more research to impact the community to bring about change in society,” shared Platt.

Another entertainer who added another qualification to their name this year is DJ Glob with a Master's degree in education. His secret recipe to balancing school and music, he said, is “setting priorities, working under deadlines, and being time-conscious”.

“I found myself striking a balance between family time, work, study, and music. My time budget tells me that family, work and study take up an ample amount of my time and very less time may remain. So the remaining time is spent on creative things (music),” said DJ Glob. He mentioned that his new academic achievement means a lot to him and he has now gained the confidence needed to take initiative, formulate ideas and solve day-to-day problems. “The knowledge acquired at this level of education is a valuable asset to me in this information age. In terms of my career, I am now able to navigate in the 21st century where employers require employees who possess 21st century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication, just to mention a few,” he said.

One of the more revered rappers and songwriters of the community of Namibian hip-hop, Fire16 embraces the notion that knowledge is power. He recently graduated with an Honours degree in public relations and art for advertising at the University of Namibia (Unam). “Obtaining this qualification means freedom because I can do more than I wanted. I am, more driven and inspired by myself. It took a while to get it and I am not stopping here, I am already thinking of doing my Master's,” said Fire16.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Odile Gertze signs with the Rockstar Group

The Rockstar Group signed the multi-talented former Miss Namibia Odile Gertze to an exclusive global management deal with its unrivalled and leading African full-service artist and celebrity talent management powerhouse Tsunami MGMT.

In addition to full-service talent management, the deal also includes a content development deal with its ground-breaking broadcast and multi-platform content companies Rockstar Television and Rockstar Radio.

“Odile Gertze is an incredibly multi-talented star and we are thrilled to have her in the family, beyond excited in the partnership and being part of her journey to success across the continent and beyond,” says Jandre Louw, the founder and president of Tsunami MGMT, and president of The Rockstar Group.

Gertze said she is thrilled to be joining the Rockstar family. “To know you have such a powerful team supporting you and your dreams is an incredible feeling and I look forward to working together,” said Gertze.

Sammy Forson, award-wining media personality and managing partner of The Rockstar Group described Gertze as a unique talent who definitely has the potential to be a global star. “We are excited as a super entertainment powerhouse to have her on board!! Welcome to the biggest family Odile,” said Forson.

Born and bred in Windhoek, Namibia, with a passion for the entertainment industry, Gertze continues to make her mark. With a degree in fashion design from Elizabeth Galloway Fashion Academy and qualifications in journalism from Unisa, she also has a passion for dance and is qualified ballet dancer. In 2010 she was crowned Miss Namibia which contributed to her skills of modelling, presenting, commercials and motivational speaking.

Gertze has since been working as an actress, professional dancer, MC, radio presenter, TV presenter and model. Acting, as her main passion, began in 2013 with short films such as Gutter Culture and the Namibian award-winning Coming Home. Nominated for Best Actress in Film at the 2014 Namibian Film and Theatre Awards, Gertze has also enjoyed a successful dancing career, particularly with the widely popular African ballet titled Anima.

King of vinesNamibia’s internet sensation doing big numbers online King Gucci is a new name in the mainstream spotlight, but his art is about to stir up the game.

Now here is a talent the culture will have to take seriously, sooner rather than later. If you have not heard of King Gucci, real name Malukolo Herman (20), then here is your opportunity to clean up your disappointing consciousness.

With a unique insight on trending topics and authentic delivery, King Gucci's story is only the beginning and we can only wait for the full impact. Having over 27 000 followers on Instagram just off funny vines, here is his story.

In a sit-down with tjil, King Gucci mentioned that he considers himself to be a multi-talented individual who stands out as a comedian, dancer and actor. “It all started last year when I made a funny video called Ekumbatha lyo ko portal. The Wamboes Be Like page on Instagram shared it and it went viral. Everyone was talking about it.”

“I made another video about model Meriam Kaxuxwena, this video got 52 000 views on her personal account and over 30 000 views on my page,” he shared, adding that when he shared the Meriam Kaxuxwena video he was sitting on 700 followers on Instagram but the number rapidly increased to 10 000 followers in about nine hours.

“Instagram even direct messaged (DM) me, alerting me that they were seeing a suspicious increase in the number of my followers as my account went viral in a matter of hours. I assume they thought someone hacked my account and was buying followers,” said King Gucci.

Speaking on what makes his videos stand out from a plethora of other online comedians, King Gucci said his secret formula is making videos that the masses can relate to. He added that he does not just make things up out of the blue and presents his content in the funniest way possible. “Things like making a video, asking my granny for money to buy a blanket for my portal at school. A lot of students do these things where we come up with excuses that do not even exist to ask for money and I believe that's what makes it funny. It's witty but these things happen. You would be surprised at the lies students tell their parents for money,” he said.

He believes he learned being hilarious from his father. He describes his father as funny and loving. “It feels like me being hilarious is something I learned from my dad or perhaps it is just in-born.”

Speaking on how he is capitalising on his strong social media following, he mentioned that he believes he is an influencer now and that is how he makes his money. “I get 12 000 views on some of my videos in the space of just two hours. That is powerful. Corporate companies want to advertise with me now. They come to me to post ads for them and that is how I make a little bit of money from the videos that I make,” he said.

To put things into perspective, King Gucci revealed that he now pays for his little brother's school fees and for his own registration fees. King Gucci is a second-year education student at the International University of Management (IUM). “A lot of people think I am doing a course closely related to media studies but I am not. I am really in love with my course and cannot wait to impact lives in the classrooms,” said King Gucci.

On his future endeavours, King Gucci said he feels like he has made a name for himself online and is ready to explore other avenues. He announced that he and Cassie Jessica are conceptualising a television show called Trending Namibia. “It is similar to the comic videos we do for online but we want to take it to a bigger platform. We also are working on starting a television show for teenagers; Namibian content for Namibian teens,” he shared.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Here comes the bride… all the way from Zim

Our Perfect Wedding premieres this weekend.

Zambezi Magic (DStv channel 162) is proud to announce Our Perfect Wedding Zimbabwe, the African version of the internationally-successful reality television series which will premiere at 21:30 on Thursday, 18 April. The date is also commemorated in Zimbabwe as Independence Day - where viewers will be treated to exhilarating moments when Zimbabwean brides and grooms say their 'I dos'.

Each week, one engaged couple takes on their journey to the altar. They check every item on their wish-list so that they can declare at the end of it that they had their perfect wedding. Now DStv viewer will get an experience of how the knot is tied in spectacular Zim-style on Zambezi Magic! Watch as couples attempt to tick off every item on their wish-list and hopefully - have their perfect wedding. Timothy Okwaro, M-Net's director for east and southern channels expressed his delight in delivering yet another riveting show that will keep viewers glued to their screens every Thursday. “As Africans, we love a good celebration and a wedding is a celebration of the best kind. There's nothing like watching a happy couple taking a walk down the aisle to pledge their love for one another in front of their loved ones. I'm particularly proud that this show will bring viewers across southern Africa the Zimbabwe version of wedding celebrations. That's how we, on Zambezi Magic, continue to tell our stories.” True to its previous success and social media popularity, the show has enjoyed a massive social media following where viewers have turned this show 'the viewing event and trending topic of the week' by sharing their experiences with each other. Viewers are encouraged to join the conversation on their social media platforms with #OPWZim and tagging @ZambeziMagic to share in the wedding celebrations with other viewers. It's safe to say that Thursday nights just got a whole lot of festive!

Telling Namibian storiesLocal talent comes together to create ‘Journeying Together’ Bank Windhoek launched a new television campaign 'Journeying Together'.

Bank Windhoek's campaign 'Journeying Together' focuses on the bank's robust, trusted and lasting relationships with its customers that have spanned the past 37 years. Journeying Together tells stories of ordinary Namibians at different stages of their lives and Bank Windhoek, a wholly owned Namibian bank strives to support all Namibians, no matter their journey. In producing the television commercials, the bank was deliberate in collaborating with only local marketing, advertising and entertainment industry experts to bring the campaign to life. “It is very important for us to tell everyday stories that Namibian audiences can relate to. More importantly, we needed to showcase that Namibian skills and talent can capture these stories beautifully for television and cinema,” said Bank Windhoek's executive marketing officer Jacquiline Pack. Local photography company, CreativeLAB and PageTen Productions joined forces with Bank Windhoek's in-house creative services team to create the campaign. The campaign comprises television, radio and print advertisements as well as digital advertising.

ZZI Kids Hair Studio – a safe haven for kids

ZZI Kids Hair Studio officially opened its doors at Maerua Mall on Tuesday, 16 April.

Speaking at the official opening, Morna Ikosa, managing director of the hair studio, said the aim is to celebrate children and educate them whilst doing their hair. “At ZZI Kids Hair Studio, we do not believe in just doing hair, we believe that the children who come to the studio should receive VIP treatment, because they are special, unique and have supernatural inborn talents and gifts that need to be harnessed, nurtured and given a platform to be expressed,” said Ikosa.

She added that ZZI Kids Hair Studio is not just a hair studio, but an oasis for children's self-assurance and character building.

“It is a place where bravery is nurtured, confidence is encouraged, intelligence is stimulated and courtesy is more important than any superpower,” she added.

The facility offers the following services and activities; an art corner where kids are given the liberty to express themselves artistically, a book club, storytelling, and princess hair packages that also include treats for the parent.

The studio is fitted with UV steriliser, where combs, brushes and other items are placed in order to ensure exceptional hygiene. “All the equipment in the studio caters specifically to the needs of the child, from hairdryers, booster seats and other items,” shared Ikosa. The studio has also partnered up with Namibian African hair product suppliers, as the studio wants to use only natural organic products on children's hair, irrespective of the hair type. “Our team, which is led by Rolande Sadovelli, has received some up-skilling in order to effectively work with all types of hair,” she said.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Celebrating Namibian womenMiss Plus Size Namibia 2019 launched The beauty pageant for curvaceous Namibian women is back for its second instalment.

Speaking at the pageant's media launch last Friday, Margo Ruski, founder and organiser of the event, announced that this year's Miss Plus Size Namibia will take place on Saturday, 22 June 2019 at the Kovambo Hall at the Khomas Regional Council in Windhoek.

This year, the pageant will see a total of 12 contestants all hailing from different regions in Namibia, vying for the crown.

Ruski shared that Miss Plus Size Namibia is a beauty pageant for curvy local women. It was founded in 2018 and focuses mainly on the elimination of body-shaming and the associated psychological effects on curvy women in our society, through the celebration of body diversity and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

“We look forward to crowning the best beauty queen. A queen who is elegant, well-versed and graceful. Someone capable of breeding self-confidence in others, with the ability to inspire people to work together as a team to reach for common objectives,” said Ruski.

As part of the preparations for the Miss Plus Size Namibia grand finale, organisers will be hosting a gala dinner on Tuesday, 30 April 2019 which will be graced by renowned speakers and an innovative presentation from the contestants.

Tickets to the gala dinner are going for N$1 000 per person and a table of 10 for N$10 000.

Frans Ugwanga, the creative director of Trending World, the public relations company that has been trusted to do the pageant's PR told tjl that Miss Plus Size Namibia is more than a beauty pageant.

“It's a social entrepreneurship initiative that is creating employment for the models. In addition, the pageant is uplifting and supporting plus-sized women and eliminating body shaming on plus-sized women in our societies.”

“Trending World is very proud and grateful to work with a meaningful and tangible brand like Miss Plus Size Namibia and we hope to work with them on more projects in the future,” added Ugwanga.

Motivating why she entered the pageant, one of the contestants for this year Hilma Kanhu told tjil she strives to be a reminder that just because you are plus-sized does not mean you are not phenomenal enough to things to change the world.

“I was enticed by what the pageant stands for and promotes,” said Kanhu.

Tickets to the second annual MSPN are available countrywide at Webtickets at all Pick n Pay stores.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Back to consciousness What's up music fans? Firstly, shout-out to you guys for keeping the culture alive; your support for Namibian arts and entertainment in recent years is impressive. I was having a conversation with one of the biggest new artists in Namibia last week and that dialogue really left me thinking. I won't mention his name but he was telling me how happy he is of how Namibia's music and entertainment industry keeps growing and there is room for new talent to flourish, in his words: “It is no longer just The Dogg and Gazza anymore, we are all eating.”

I think it is great that music in Namibia is doing well financially for a number of artists. It is great that they are able to afford these lavish lifestyles. But here is the ugly truth: the living conditions of the average Namibian person has not changed. Not one bit! It is still informal settlements and villages everywhere, and a lack of infrastructure in many parts of Namibia, despite what they try to make us believe. This is where our modern-day Namibian music is supposed to play its part as the voice of the oppressed, instead of always making music for the dance floors and the good turnout.

It is time Namibian music gets back to reality, which for most of us hardship and hustle. In Namibia and abroad, there are conversations everywhere emanating from this; music needs to be behind these causes. Social injustices are all around us: low wages, a struggling economy, innocent women being slain at the hands of men who are supposed to be their protectors, and corruption; it is disturbing. I do not want to turn my column into a political forum, but I believe that music should be a reflection of life and at the moment the reality is that the real consumer is not being represented enough in the music we hear. Big ups to every artist who dares to oppose the system when it fails to protect and deliver, but we need more artists who will make music that addresses the social injustices that Namibia as a country is swimming in.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't the kind of person who thinks about legacy. I am not really a great planner; I let creativity be my compass. But I am not the kind of guy who can just live in the moment either. At least once a day I see or hear something, usually completely normal, which catapults my thoughts into thinking about the impact our generation will leave. It sucks that music with substance does not sell well and because of this, there is an imbalance in the content of Namibian music that we hear. Artists are driven by the will to have a hit rather than impacting lives and making music that will shift the culture. Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that ignored their problems and did not use various art forms to address social issues they were faced with?

I trust you enjoy this edition and happy Easter holiday.

michael@namibiansun.com