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Crackdown on dagga petitioners

April 25, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Crackdown on dagga petitionersCrackdown on dagga petitioners Soldiers and police officers raided the offices of a cannabis advocacy group in Windhoek on Wednesday, days after a peaceful protest march calling for the legalisation of dagga.

The raid led to the arrest of Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN) president Brian Jaftha. About 200 grams of dagga, valued at N$2 000, was seized.

According to fellow GUN members, Jaftha was assaulted during the “violent” police raid.

They plan to take legal action against the officers involved.

Namibian Sun was informed that the raid was one of several recent incidents of alleged over-zealous policing against suspected dagga users.

These developments come amid growing calls for the legalising of dagga in Namibia in line with other countries such as South Africa and the United States.



Current laws

Toni Hancox, director of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), says currently dagga is a controlled drug in terms of the Abuse of Dependence-Producing Substances and Rehabilitation Centres Act of 1971.

Under this law the police are allowed to enter and search premises without a search warrant if there is a reasonable belief that there are drugs on the premises.

But legal experts point out that no law-enforcement operation is exempt from existing laws, and that the police could face a legal backlash if evidence is obtained under duress or without the required documentation.





“At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a special operation in law. Special operations are not

“At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a special operation in law. Special operations are not exempted from the law,” lawyer Norman Tjombe said yesterday.

The head of the Namibian police force, Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, said he was unaware of complaints of heavy-handed tactics during Wednesday's operation.

Nevertheless, he warned that police operations must be conducted within the prescribed rules and regulations.

He said the law does not permit manhandling of suspects, “unless in the case of self-defence”.

Ndeitunga added that the officers on duty should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.



Clampdown

According to a spokesperson for the GUN group, Jaftha remains behind bars and will appear before court today.

GUN member Borro Ndungula said the actions of the police and NDF on Wednesday were in violation of the rights of every Namibian to safety, security and privacy.

The police did not produce a search warrant, he said.

“They are supposed to protect us, not come here and bully us. They had AK-47s and were wearing bulletproof vests. They were here to terrorise us. Why send in an army?” he said.

The police said the operation was part of Operation Hornkranz, a crime-prevention campaign with military reinforcements.

But police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi rejected GUN's claim that 40 or more NDF officers had taken part in the raid.

She explained that Hornkranz operations were led by the Namibian police, and that NDF soldiers were merely there as reinforcements.



Activism

Earlier this week, GUN and the Rastafari United Front (RUF) handed over a petition to parliament calling for the decriminalisation of dagga in Namibia.

The petition calls for the “free use, possession, production and trade in cannabis for medicinal, recreational, cultural, historical, traditional, and religious purposes”.

The petitioners want parliament to establish a commission to control and regulate a cannabis industry, which they say could provide economic benefits to “hundreds of thousands” of Namibians.

“We call on the government of Namibia to represent Namibian interests according to modern, well-informed and progressive standards,” the petition reads.

In 2007, the LAC, made a submission to parliament which suggested that dagga “should arguably be placed in another [drug] category altogether. In particular, there has been a growing worldwide trend to decriminalise cannabis insofar as small quantities for personal use are concerned.”

The LAC said one of the reasons for the international move to relax laws regulating marijuana use was because it is regarded as a “soft drug” and police resources should rather be used to curb the distribution of “hard drugs”.



JANA-MARI SMITH
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Ex-Bipa boss claims unfair dismissal

April 25, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Ex-Bipa boss claims unfair dismissalEx-Bipa boss claims unfair dismissal The former CEO of the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa), Tileinge Andima, claims that the non-renewal of his five-year contract in March was unfair.

The move was apparently related to his role in buying and renovating a former bar in Wanaheda for N$18 million. The building was meant to serve as Bipa's headquarters in the Khomas Region. According to the Bipa board of directors, Andima bought the property without obtaining board approval.

Andima's lawyers have sent a letter to Bipa board chairperson Riundja Kaakunga and copied it to prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, industrialisation minister Tjekero Tweya, public enterprises minister Leon Jooste and presidential affairs minister Martin Andjamba. “Our client was not subjected to any disciplinary proceedings for misconduct, nor was he found not to be eligible for reappointment,” they wrote.

“To make matters worse, our client's performance was appraised subsequent to the expiration of his contract and his performance was found to be outstanding and he received a performance bonus for his performance. Further, our client was not provided with any reasons whatsoever as to why he was not reappointed. It is evident from the performance appraisal results that our client is eligible for re-appointment,” the letter stated.

“Even the removal (suspension) of Mr Andima as from 5 March 2018 until 1 February 2019 when his fixed-term employment contract expired was contrary to the provisions of Section 16(2)(d) of the Bipa Act,” it added. According to the lawyers, Andima had been invited to a board meeting on 21 October 2017 to explain the purchase of the building in Wanaheda.

They said Andima explained the transactions and submitted the relevant documents to the board.

“At the end of the special meeting, the board pronounced itself that they had found our client guilty and they were going to issue him with a final written warning,” the lawyers wrote.

“Thereafter, the board of directors rescinded their own decision to issue our client with a final written warning and subsequently suspended him pending investigations.”





The suspension remained in force until the end of Andima's contract.

Approached for comment, Bipa board chairperson Riundja Kaakunga said the agency's lawyers were handling the matter. According to him, the matter is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission, which meant he could not comment on it.

OGONE TLHAGE
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Dream stuck in pipeline

April 25, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Dream stuck in pipelineDream stuck in pipelineResidents endure years without clean water While President Hage Geingob recently boasted that 95% of households have access to clean drinking water, the reality on the ground is grim. Despite repeated calls for a reliable water supply, some residents in Kavango East still have no access to clean drinking water.

For the past 29 years, it has been extremely difficult for residents of Nyondo village in Kavango East to find a reliable source of safe drinking water.

Their plight has not improved in recent years, as Namibian Sun learned on a recent trip to the area.

Nyondo is a relatively small community in the Ndonga Linena constituency.

Villagers from Nyondo and surrounding areas such as Mangandu have no alternative but to continue drinking contaminated water, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases. Shallow wells are most at risk of bacterial contamination leading to diarrhoea and vomiting.

The community survives on unclean water drawn from shallow wells, nearby earthen dams or the Okavango River, which is about five kilometres from their homes.

The shallow wells are dug in floodplains.

“We are suffering here, we do not have access to clean drinking water ever since we were born,” said an elderly woman who was filling a container of water.

Community members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment with the government for not making clean drinking water available.





“The only time I drink clean water is when I go to Rundu for shopping, which I in fact have to buy from shops. As for here back home, this is the water I have to use to cook for my family and we have to drink.”

Namibian Sun was also informed that an 11-year-old boy recently drowned in one of the wells while trying to fetch water. The community members say they are living in hopelessness and have given up hope of any change.

“Promises have been made to us and we have been waiting for the water to come but nothing up to today. We are hopeless now but if there are plans for it to come, let it come quick so that the next generation doesn't suffer like us,” one said.

Another community member pointed out that the wells are far from homesteads, and that criminals use the water points as hotspots to commit crime.

“This is why you see we have come in a group to fetch water otherwise if you come alone, you can get attacked and raped. We don't even send our daughters to come and fetch water, simply because we fear for their safety,” one woman remarked.

“As much as we know the dangers of getting water from these wells, what option do we have? You don't know what the person who visited the well before you might have slipped in, so far nothing serious was reported but this is not a way a human being should survive,” they said.



'No money'

Approached for comment, constituency councillor Petrus Kavhura said his office was aware of the situation at Nyondo, especially at Mangandu village. “We are fully aware and it is really true that starting from Nyondo school up until Mangandu area does not have access to clean drinking water,” Kavhura said.

When asked what his office was doing to address the problem, Kavhura said for the past three financial years they had submitted a request for boreholes to the ministry of agriculture's water supply directorate, but nothing happened.

“Since 2015 when we took over office we provided a list to the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry's rural water supply directorate in order for them to drill boreholes. We have been doing it for the past three years but no single borehole was drilled,” Kavhura said.

He said the response he got was that all funds budgeted for rural water supply had been diverted to the completion of the N$5.7 billion Neckartal Dam in the //Karas Region. Last year it was announced that construction of the dam was complete.

In his State of the Nation Address last week in the National Assembly, President Hage Geingob said access to drinking water stood at 95% of households.

“Water is life and we are proud that access to potable water has increased from 50% to 95% of households countrywide during the period under review,” Geingob said.

“Community water points are built along pipelines. Those who need to walk to a water source, water is available within a radius of 2.5 kilometres. In 1990 for example, residents of Omusati Region walked approximately 10 kilometres to the nearest water source.”

KENYA KAMBOWE
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Windhoek Gimnasium leerlinge spog op die verhoog

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Windhoek Gimnasium leerlinge spog op die verhoogWindhoek Gimnasium leerlinge spog op die verhoogEnigste Namibiërs wat top-80 haal William Titus en Marco Kooitjie is twee leerlinge van Windhoek Gimnasium wat tot die top-80 van die Nasionale Toneelkompetisie in Suid-Afrika verkies is. Yolanda Nel en Mariselle Stofberg

Die kompetisie word deur Hoërskool Belville in Suid-Afrika aangebied en deur kykNET geborg. Hoërskoolleerlinge kry die geleentheid om hul talente ten toon te stel in hierdie opwindende toneelkompetisie.

Volgens Simone Martins-Hart, die kultuurdepartemensthoof van Windhoek Gimnasium, kon die leerlinge hul stukke in Afrikaans of Engels aanbied. “Skole van regoor Suid-Afrika het ingeskryf, met Windhoek Gimnasium wat die enigste Namibiese skool is wat deelgeneem het.”

Die eerste rondte is deur die Engels- en Afrikaanseonderwysers opgeneem en aan die organiseerders gestuur. Vanjaar is die eerste keer dat opgeneemde inskrywings aanvaar word omdat dit nie ekonomies volhoubaar vir die beoordelaars is om so ver te reis om elke deelnemer te beoordeel nie.

Titus is gekies vir die Engelse program en Kooitjie vir sy Afrikaanse inskrywing. “Hulle moes ’n gedig of prosa van hul keuse opvoer,” het Martins-Hart gesê. Beide stukke moes maksimum ses minute lank wees.

Vir Titus is toneelspel nog altyd ? passie en voel hy nog oorweldig deur die prestasies. “Dit voel nog so onwerklik om aan hierdie geleentheid te kan deelneem. Toneelspel is nog altyd ? droom van my en hierdie kompetisie help my om my drome na te leef.”

Kooitjie skryf sy sukses aan sy ondersteuningsnetwerk en deursettingsvermoë toe. “As jy in jouself glo en jy mense om jou het wat jou ondersteun en in jou glo, kan jy enige iets bereik. Hierdie geleentheid is ongelooflik en ek kan nie eintlik glo ek is deur nie. Die dag van die opname was ek so bang dat ek nie die woorde gaan onthou nie, maar met die hulp van ? wonderlike afrigter het ek dit gemaak tot waar ek vandag is,” sê Kooitjie.

Die twee leerlinge is deur Me. Magdaleen van Zyl, ? onderwyser van Windhoek Gimnasium, afgerig. “Ek is baie trots op hulle. Omdat dit die eerste keer is dat ’n Namibiese skool deelneem, is ’n mens nie heeltemal in voeling met hoe die standaard is en presies wat van jou verwag word nie. Beide hierdie seuns is natuurlik baie talentvol en ek dink dit is wat die deurslag gegee het.”

Die volgende rondte vind plaas van 2 tot 4 Mei by die Artscape Teater in Kaapstad waar die leerlinge ’n vyf minute-uittreksel van ’n drama tesame met ’n gedig of prosa van maksimum ses minute moet aanbied. Tydens die derde rondte sal 16 leerlinge gekies word om ’n onvoorbereide radio- en televisieopvoering te doen. “Die leerlinge sal eers die dag voor die tyd uitvind of hulle deurgaan na die volgende rondte, dus moet die voorbereidings vooraf gedoen word. Ons is reeds besig met albei van hulle se voorbereidings vir die volgende rondtes,” sê Van Zyl.

Die finale rondte sal bestaan uit agt leerlinge wat elkeen ’n diverse program moet aanbied wat ook kontrasterend in die aanbieding is. Die program gaan volgens ’n bepaalde tema beplan word wat onder meer digkuns, prosa, toneel, sang, mimiek en deurlopende kommentaar sal insluit. Elke program mag ’n maksimum van 12 minute lank wees.

Van Zyl is van mening dat hierdie geleentheid verskei voordele vir beide seuns sal inhou. “Ek dink dis goed dat kinders so vroeg as moontlik bloot gestel word. Dit help om die leerlinge touwys te maak met so veel as moontlik aspekte van die bedryf. Die film- en teaterbedryf is soms ’n harde wêreld en dis goed dat leerders blootstelling kry om ’n ingeligte besluit te kan neem of dit werklik die loopbaan is wat hulle wil volg.”
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Special day for woman cricket umpire

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Special day for woman cricket umpireSpecial day for woman cricket umpireMaking chances one step at a time Australia's Claire Polosak said it was a "special day" as she made history in becoming the first female umpire to stand in a men's one-day international. NAMPA/AFP



The 31-year-old officiated in the final of the World Cricket League Division 2 between hosts Namibia and Oman at the weekend and admitted she would "sleep well" after her performance.

"It was a special day for everyone and I wanted to do the best I can," said Polosak.

"There was a little bit of intensity out there, some argy-bargy between the teams but I nipped it in the bud with a quiet word.

"Everyone responded well, there were no issues with player behaviour."

Polosak has already stood in 15 women's ODIs, the first one in November 2016 between Australia and South Africa.

She has also umpired the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup in 2018 between England and India and four matches at the 2017 Women's World Cup.

"I had a couple of big calls," she added of Saturday's game which was won by Namibia by 145 runs.

"Big caught behinds, lbws which I was pleased with. You never walk off completely happy but I will sleep well tonight."

Polosak has already blazed a trail. She was the first woman to stand in a men's domestic fixture in Australia in her first List A match in Australia in 2017.

In December last year, she and her South Australian counterpart Eloise Sheridan became the first female umpires to officiate on-field together during a professional match in Australia when the Adelaide Strikers hosted the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL.
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Chepngetich claims fastest half marathon ever recorded in Japan

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Chepngetich claims fastest half marathon ever recorded in JapanChepngetich claims fastest half marathon ever recorded in Japan NAMPA / ANA



Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich ran away from a loaded field at the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon on Sunday to win the ninth edition of the IAAF Gold Label road race in 1:06:06, the fastest half marathon ever recorded in Japan.

The Kenyan, who won this year's Dubai Marathon in 2:17:08, took 98 seconds off the previous course record set by world record-holder Joyciline Jepkosgei in 2017.

Chepngetich set out fast and by 5km (15:10), the lead pack consisted of just three Kenyan runners Chepngetich, Joan Melly Chelimo and Evaline Chirchir.

But Chirchir and then Melly were dropped before Chepngetich reached 10km in 30:45. She continued to push the pace, passing 15km in 46:44 and 20km in 1:02:41, winning comfortably in 1:06:05.

Melly Chelimo was nearly two minutes behind with 1:08:01 and Chirchir was third in 1:08:07, improving her personal best (PB) by more than four minutes. World marathon champion Rose Chelimo was never a factor and finished seventh with 1:12:58.

In contrast to the women's race, a large lead pack formed during the early stages of the men's race as 10-men were together at 5km (14:18).

When course record-holder Kenya's Bedan Karoki started to push the pace 20 minutes into the race, the lead pack reduced immediately to five men.

The leader's pace soon slackened and Japanese half marathon record-holder Yuta Shitara joined them in front.

Seven runners were in the lead pack at 10km (28:42), then Nicholas Kosimbei made a bid to break away about 37 minutes into the race, and only Karoki and fellow Kenyan Amos Kurgat were able to cover the move.

When Kurgat started to push the pace three minutes later, only Karoki went with him. But soon even Karoki was slowly drifting backward.

Kurgat's two-second advantage at 15km (43:05) grew to 30 seconds by 20km (57:29) and he crossed the line in a PB of 1:00:34.

It was his second consecutive half marathon victory and PB, following his 1:01:06 run at the Japanese Corporate team Half Marathon Championships in February. Karoki, the 2014 champion, finished second in 1:01:07.

Leading results for women: Ruth Chepngetich (1:06:06), Joan Melly Chelimo (1:08:01), Evaline Chirchir (1:08:07) all Kenya, Mimi Belete (Bahrain - 1:08:16), Gotytom Gebreslase (Ethipia - 1:10:16), Miyuki Uehara (Japan - 1:11:03), Rose Chelimo (Bahrain- 1:12:58) and Ana Dulce Felix (Portugal- 1:14:14).

Leading results for men: Amos Kurgat (1:00:34), Bedan Karoki (1:01:07), Abraham Kipyatich (1:01:30), Silas Kingori (1:01:31) all Kenya, Yuta Shitara (Japan -1:01:36), Nicholas Kosimbei (1:01:43), Jonathan Ndiku (1:01:55) and Ezekiel Chebotibin (1:02:29) all Kenya.
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Solskjaer has no doubts De Gea will return to form

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Solskjaer has no doubts De Gea will return to formSolskjaer has no doubts De Gea will return to form NAMPA/REUTERS



Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says David de Gea has the strength of character to rebound from a slew of mistakes in recent weeks and has no intention of dropping the goalkeeper for the final two games of the season.

The Spaniard's latest error came in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea. United had gone ahead through Juan Mata but Chelsea equalised when De Gea weakly parried Antonio Rudiger's effort into the path of Marcos Alonso, who tucked the ball in.

De Gea has made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes in recent games but Solskjaer says the goalkeeper cannot take the blame for the team's struggles.

"I don't have any worries about him, because he's a strong character," Solskjaer told British media. "He knows he could have had that shot, but that's football."

The result leaves United sixth in the league on 65 points and dented their hopes of securing a top-four finish. They sit three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with two games left.

"With David, he's been in the spotlight for right reasons for so long and now he's going through a period where he feels he could have done better," Solskjaer added.

"But there's no chance any of us will point fingers because he's saved us so many times. I'll speak to David, as I've done when he's played well. He is not the reason we're sixth."

United's last two games of the season are against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.
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Omathaneko go2030 taga talululwa

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Omathaneko go2030 taga talululwaOmathaneko go2030 taga talululwa Okomisi yoNational Planning Commission oya holola kutya omathaneko gaNamibia gokukala oshigwana sha yambukapo shi na ondjele yiiyemo yi li pombanda okuya momvula yo 2030, oga pumbwa kutalululwa.

Pethimbo lyoshipopiwa she shoka a ningi kombinga yomathaneko gelongitho lyiimaliwa, Omupeha Minista gwoNational Planning Commission, Pieter van der Walt, okwa popi kutya okwa pumbiwa tango okuthikamwa nokutala kwaashoka sha pondolwa po mokwaadhitha omalalakano gomathaneko ngoka. Omathaneko ngoka go 2030 oga tulwa miilonga momvula yo 2005.

Momvula yo 2012, Ominista yoNational Planning Commission, Tom Alweendo, okwa li a popi kutya eliko lyoshilongo olya pumbwa okukoka noopresenda 7 kehe omvula opo Namibia aadhe ondjodhi ye yo 2030.

Nonando ngaaka ondjele yekoko lyeliko lyoshilongo pokati komvula yo 1990 no 2012 oya kala yi li poopresenda 4.4.

Ondjele yokwaahena iilonga ndjoka taku tengenekwa yi kale poopresenda 5 okuya momvula yo 2030, monena oyi li poopresenda 28.

NPC okwa popi kutya omatalululo gomathaneko ngoka oge na oshilonga okutula Namibia mondjila opo a vule okwaadha omalalakano ge.

Omutseyinawa gwonkalo yopaliko, Omo Kakujaha-Matundu okwa popi kutya konima sho kwa tulwa nale miilonga omathaneko ngoka, otashi kala shi li mondjila ngele epangelo tali tala woo kokulelepeka ethimbo ndyoka, na haku tala owala omathaneko ngoka.

Okwa popi kutya otu na ko owala oomvula dhi li 11 okuthika komvula yo 2030, ihe okutala pankatu mpoka mpoka pe na oshilongo, itashi pondola okwaadha omalalakano ngoka muule woomvula ndhoka dhi li ko.

Ndumba Kamwanyah okwa popi kutya ke wete omatalululo taga ka lundulula sha na ongele owala epangelo lya tala komathaneko go 2030 onga omalakano ihe ha nga oprograma. “Uupyakadhi kawu shi ondjodhi yo2030 ihe ooshoka tatu ningi mokwaadha omalalakano ngoka. Otashi kala ehepeko lyoonzo ngele otaya talulula omalalakano ngoka onga oprograma.” Pamaiyuvo ge, ngoka a li a gandja moshinyolwa momvula yo 2013, Ndumba okwa popi kutya omathaneko ngoka oge li endopo enene nosima yowala, sho geli owala pambaapila ihe itaga tulwa miilonga.

Okwa popi kutya ngele omathaneko ngoka oga tulwa miilonga, kape na uumbangi wu wetike mboka tawu holola ngaaka.

Momvula yo2017, omunongononi gulwe gwonkalo yopolotika, Henning Melber na ye okwa li a popi koshifokundaneki shoVillager kutya nonando okwa gwedhwa oomvula 20 nenge o 30 komathaneko ngoka itashi kwatha sha molwaashoka otaga ningwa owala pamadhilongo ihe itaku tulwa sha miilonga.

JEMIMA BEUKES
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Iihuna molukanda lwaHavana

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Iihuna molukanda lwaHavanaIihuna molukanda lwaHavanaOshigwana sha pulwa shi lopotele opolisi iipotha yomahepeko gaanona Okanona koomwedhi ndatu okwa lopotwa ka hulitha konima owala yoowili oonshona sho ka hupithwa okuza mombashu moka ka li ka patelwa kuyina, omanga a ya koondingosho. Otaku konaakonwa oshipotha shokwaahasila oshisho aanona, konima sho okanona koomwedhi ndatu ka hulitha kondjala nenota konima owala yoowili sho okanona hoka pamwe nuumwayina uutatu wa kuthwa mo mombashu koowili dhokongulohi yEtitano moka yali ya thigwa kuyina.

Shoka osha lopotwa mOhavana moshilandopangelo.

Uunona uutatu, uumati woomvula ntano oshowo omvula yimwe nokakadhona koomvula dhi li pokati kandatu nane, owuli kohi yetonatelo lyoshipangelo shaKatutura.

“Kaya li ye na oonkondo, oya li ya loloka na oya sa enota. Kapwa li ngoka ta yamukula. Sho twa sukula omakumbatha otwa mono okanona. Inaka zalekwa, okali owala ka sikilwa nelapi,” Omundohotola Aina Katangolo a hokolola konima ya thiki polukanda lwaHavana. Nonando omakonaakono goshiyetithi sheso oga pumbwa okuningwa, Omundohotola Katangolo motseyo ye ndjoka e na, ota konenene kutya okanona oka hulitha sha etithwa kenota oshowo ondjala. Yina yiinona mboka ina pangulwa natango pauyelele wa gandjwa komunambelewa gwopolisi. Omunambelewa gwonzulonkalo otaka tula mo oshipotha pehala lyepangelo oshiwike shika.

Yina yuunona mboka okwa monika nokutulwa miipandeko sha ningilwa popepi nombashu ye ihe omunambelewa gwonzulonkalo okwa gandja omayele opo a falwe koshipangelo a ka kale nuunona na otaka tulululwa ishewe miipandeko ngele kwa tulwa mo oshipotha.

Omunambelewa omupopiliko gwOpilisi yaVenduka, Fabian Amukwelele okwa koleke kutya omukiintu ngoka sho a monika okwa fudhililwa mo okwa adhika nondjele yolakoholi molutu, yi li po 0.80.

Aashiinda oya lombwele opolisi kutya yina yuunona mboka aluhe ohe wu thigi megumbo omanga tayi a ka nwe omalovu. Uunona mboka owa monika konima sho kwa dhengwa ongodhi komuntu ngoka iniiholola, ya dhengelwa koprograma yo Copps koradio yoKosmos 94.1 lwopotundi onti 20:00 mEtitano.

Sho opolisi ya teya po omweelo, uunona owa adhika wa lala pokatalashe okashona mombashu yondunda yimwe, wa fa wa kotha.

Omundohotola Katangolo opamwe nomutoolinkundana, Francois Lottering, ngoka a li oshitopolwa shongundu yoCopps, oya popi kutya uunona mboka ka wa li tawu yamukula, na otashi ulike kutya owa igilila onkalo ndjoka.

Omakonaakono guunamiti ga ningwa meendelelo kOmundohotola ngoka oga holola kutya uunona owa ulike omadhidhiliko gomanyutu, enota oshowo okwaa hasilwa oshisho, ihe okanona hoka okashona okali monkalo ombwiinayi.

Omolwa onkalo ongundu ndjoka oya tokola kutya itaya vulu okutegelela oambulansa nOmundohotola Katangolo pamwe nanona oya falwa koshipangelo shaKatutura, nonando okwa ningwa onkambadhala, ohanana ndjoka oya hulitha koongulasha dhOlyomakaya.

Amukwelele gwOpolisi yOshilando okwa popi kutya opolisi natango oyali ya ithanwa koshinima sha faathana mOlyomakaya, moka aanona yane ya hupitha natango mombashu moka ya adhika ya patelwa.

Aanona mboka oya li ya sa ondjala na oya loloka kokulila, naakuluntu yawo inaya monika.

Aanona mboka yoomvula 1, 4, 7 oshowo 10, oya pewa hekulu momudhingoloko gwaGroot Aub konima sho opolisi ye ya pe iikulya.

Amukwelele okwa pula oshigwana shi lopote iipotha yokwaasila oshisho uunona nenge emonitho lyiihuna uunona.

Omunambelewa gwopolisi ngoka a li po poshiningwanima shomEtitano okwa popi kutya iipotha yokwaahasila oshisho aanona otayi londo pombanda na okwa pula oshigwana opo aluhe shi ye mekwatathano nopolisi nokulopota iipotha mbyoka.

JANA-MARI SMITH
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Erfenisweek gevier

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Erfenisweek gevierErfenisweek gevierDeelname aangemoedig Nasionale Erfenisweek is onlangs amptelik in die hoofstad bekend gestel. Evany van Wyk

Die bekendstelling van Nasionale Erfenisweek is op 24 April by die Nasionale Teater van Namibië gehou.

“Ná wat as ‘n klein inisiatief onstaan het, word dit vandag beskou as een van die geleenthede waarna die meeste uitgesien word,” het me. Desiree Mentor, voorsitter van die voorbereidingskomitee, tydens die bekendstelling gesê.

Die komitee het ‘n beroep gedoen op alle belanghebbendes wat deel van erfenisweek wil wees, om hulle te kontak. Dit gaan ‘n week van landswye feesvieringe wees en duur van 16 tot 22 September.

Erfenis sluit ons geërfde tradisies, monumente en kultuur in. In Namibië het ons ‘n wye verskeidenheid van kulture. Gedurende erfenisweek kry Namibiërs die geleentheid om dit te vier en ondanks verskille eenheid te bevorder.

Met die hulp van die Nasionale Museum van Namibië, die Museumsvereniging van Namibië (MAN) sowel as die Erfenisraad, het die inisiatief aansienlik uitgebrei.

Vanjaar word dit gevier onder die tema ‘Namibiab /ô /gauba Sao’ wat beteken ‘Alle Namibiërs moet dieselfde Namibiese ritme volg’.

Me. Beverly van Wyk, adjunkvoorsitter van voorbereidingskomitee, asook skakelbeampte van die Erfenisraad, het ‘n versoek gerig aan alle Namibiërs om hul tradisionele klere met trots te dra, hul kulture te vier, te dans en te sing. Volgens haar is erfenis iets wat aan ons elkeen behoort, en dit definieer ons identiteit. “Dus is dit baie belangrik vir ons, in die hede, om dit te bewaar, sodat die toekomstige geslagte kan weet waar hulle vandaan kom,” sê Van Wyk.

Daar sal ook mobiele uitstellings op verskeie plekke in Namibië te sien wees.

Me. Ndapewoshali Ashipala, die kantoorbestuurder by die MAN, meen erfenisweek se gewildheid het toegeneem omdat al hoe meer mense wil weet waar hulle vandaan kom, asook diegene met wie hulle daagliks in aanrakings kom.

“Om te leer van ander se kulture en afkoms, lok al hoe meer belangstelling,” sê Ashipala. Sy sê voorts die MAN, met behulp van die Nasionale Kunsteraad, sal deelnemers ‘n toelaag van N$10 000 gee om reëlings vir die aktiwiteite te tref. Aansoekers met eers by die MAN aansluit en aansoeke moet voor 30 Mei 2019 by die vereniging se kantoor ingehandig word.
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Cosdef unlocks opportunities

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Cosdef unlocks opportunitiesCosdef unlocks opportunitiesThe furious six making business moves Six Power Investments was founded by six young Namibians who opted to start their own business rather than be employed by other people. The company which makes furniture from recycled metal consists of Paulina Alfeus (MD), Ashipembe Julius, Neliwa Leonard, Paulus Hilaria, Neumbo Asteria and Vaefeni Jason, all of whom are boilermaker graduates.

One of their most interesting furniture pieces are made out of old metal drums. Paulina is determined to make the business successful, despite being active in an industry dominated mostly by men. “Hard work and passion is what motivates me to continue running the business,” says Paulina.

She explained that the company members joined the Cosdec Swakopmund incubation programme in May 2017 after a successful interview.

“Cosdef took us in when we only had an idea and gave us an opportunity to test our idea and manufacture our first product.”

They were offered an incubation unit and ran the business fulltime from the centre which also provided them with mentorship and business support services. Doing business was made easier by the fact that they had a fulltime business mentor.

Power Six Investments was selected by the office of the Erongo governor to attend a week-long Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) in Windhoek under the auspices of the higher education ministry in June 2017.

“The company was recognised as the ‘Most Profitable Business’ and also received the ‘Information Seeking Exercise’ award.

Power Six Investments signed up with Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and entered the Creative Business Cup Namibia hosted by the network on 8 March 2019.

The Creative Business Cup is a global year-round initiative which strives to empower entrepreneurs in the creative business arena. It connects entrepreneurs to investors, global markets and also strengthens the capabilities of entrepreneurs to the benefit of industry and society.

Participants competed in various creative categories including fashion, music, design and others.

Power Six Investment participated in the design category, proceeded to the final round and won the overall prize of US$500.

The company will now represent Namibia at the Creative Business Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark and compete against the rest of the world later this year.

Power Six Investments has branches in Ondangwa and Uupopo. The company currently has four permanent workers and will increase this number once the business becomes more profitable.
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Southern Times becomes 'regional baby'

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Southern Times becomes 'regional baby'Southern Times becomes 'regional baby''Not yet closed' NamZim is to be dissolved and the newspaper transformed into a SADC mouthpiece, even though workers have been told to pack up. The executive director in the information ministry (MICT) Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana says the Southern Times newspaper will be transformed into a multi-lateral regional mouthpiece for the 16-member SADC.

Ua-Ndjarakana said the original owners of the newspaper – the Namibian and Zimbabwean governments under the NamZim company – felt the “impact” made by the newspaper makes it “worth sharing” with the other SADC member states.

“It is no longer a Namibian/Zimbabwean baby; it is now a SADC baby,” Ua-Ndjarakana said.

He said the idea for greater SADC member states' participation in the newspaper was first broached at an SADC ICT ministers meeting in Durban in 2017.

There the Southern Times newspaper was endorsed as a mouthpiece of SADC summits and it was decided to transform the newspaper into a regional initiative in which all member states would join in.

This was later discussed at the Council of Ministers for SADC, which then made a recommendation to the regional body where it was endorsed.

“The recommendation is now with the SADC Secretariat which has to decide how to go about creating the Southern Times SADC mouthpiece and how member states can contribute. It is no longer our entity,” Ua-Ndjarakana said.

The secretariat will discuss this matter further on 17 April, Ua-Ndjarakana said.

Board chairperson of the Southern Times, Franna Kavari, said information minister Stanley Simataa and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, met on 29 March where they reviewed the agreement signed by the two countries about 15 years ago.

Kavari said one of the decisions made was that the NamZim company be dissolved to ensure that Namibia and Zimbabwe “pay full attention to the growth of the Southern Times newspaper as a SADC project”.

“[If] information pertaining to development of SADC states is left to efforts of individual countries the vital information on regional development as a whole may inevitably not reach the greater SADC region,” Kavari said.

Ua-Ndjarakana denied allegations that the Zimbabwean government has not sufficiently contributed to the bi-lateral arrangement during the 15 years the newspaper has been in existence.

A source at the newspaper said the Namibian government over the years has contributed about N$100 million while the Zimbabwean government begrudgingly only contributed N$20 million, while the Zimbabweans for all intents and purposes retained control over the newspaper.

Ua-Ndjarakana would not say how much each government has contributed, but was at pains to point out that the Zimbabweans have contributed in kind by providing human resource and technical capacities.

“It was an agreed format of the contributions among the bi-laterals. To say that Zimbabwe did not contribute is not correct. The Zimbabweans have done all sorts of contributions within their means,” Ua-Ndjarakana said.

Staff at the Windhoek office speaking on condition of anonymity said they were for the first time informed on Tuesday, 23 April that that weekend's edition would be the last and that they would have to get ready to pack up and go.

They were unsure of what their future at the newspaper will be.

“We were given assurances that the board of directors will follow the law and give us what is due to us,” one said.

Ua-Ndjarakana said it is “anticipated” that the staff will be “absorbed” into the national bureau of the regional news centre the Southern Times is to become.

Kavari added: “In essence, the Southern Times newspaper has as yet not closed for business. The necessary modalities and strategies are being honed to allow the two countries to facilitate the joining of the rest of the SADC member countries and thus the timeframe within which this is to happen has not been determined.”

She said the requisite laws pertaining to the dissolution of the company and the termination of employment contracts are naturally to follow due processes “as and when the necessary assessment has been made as to how many staff members to retain or deploy for the SADC project and how many to release”.



CATHERINE SASMAN
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A different place from home

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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A different place from home A different place from home A Namibian girl finding her feet in Asia Rauha Ndapopishiwa Hamatwi, a final-year Bachelor of Science student in computer science, mathematics and electronics at Bangalore University in India, shares her story with The Zone as a foreign student in India. Rauha Ndapopishiwa Hamatwi



India has its own blessing upon international students. Who doesn’t like to be treated well in a foreign land? You get that privilege as a student out here, and if you love adventure, believe me you will get to enjoy every bit of it.

Travelling for the first time outside the shores of my motherland, far away from home, its familiarities, comfort and unconditional love, life in India is different and difficult. It is a whole new experience living in a new environment as well as adjusting to many things including educational system. Every mood is very specific and it’s not easy to digest particularly food has lot of spicy flavour and ‘masala’. I needed time to get used to it. Therefore I struggled in many aspects such as communication barriers, but I was quick to fall in love with India due to its beautiful weather, huge flyover in a big city, experience in a metro, auto, clothing (saris), jewellery, Indian weddings and colourful festivals.

Being away from home I’ve missed my family and friends and it has been hard to indulge. Homesickness will come from time to time especially when things are hard on you, life as a student has been a roller coaster and the biggest challenge is how you control these feelings and hide it from your room mate (others) and being strong.

Therefore, I have realised that taking a decision to come abroad and study is not only about pushing your limits and venturing beyond your comfort zone but also learning and finding yourself. Studying in a place like Bangalore is an enriching experience because it forces you to adapt to things that are unfamiliar and unusual to you. You become independent and open to new, exciting, or terrifying challenges that you would never have encountered in your home country and that is the most rewarding of all; the opportunity to learn and develop as a person because you will discover things about yourself that you may not have known before; your beliefs, your passions, your character.

Through interacting within a foreign society, your eyes will be open to all sorts of aspects of life that would be difficult to learn in your native country (Namibia). Bangalore being the silicon valley of India, you get to feel special here because opportunities keep coming to you and there are IT lecturers who are willing to offer training at a lower price and I would say that I have learnt much in terms of IT, electronics etc. Moreover there is an organisation called FISAB (Federation of international students association Bangalore). I took it upon myself to become part of FISAB as it offers a platform so beneficial to international students. You just need to focus on your dreams and work hard.

“The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people and that what makes us unique.” I have acquired exposure I’m sure I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t been in India and have equally expanded my horizons exponentially. In India I love the phenomenon of almost zero secularism and diversity in culture and food. Even the smallest community has a temple, mosque and a church.

Therefore, it’s called incredible India. I have been lucky enough to observe and understand cultures, people and the world. Having friends that come from all around the world is not that only pretty cool trust me it’s an amazing feeling for lifetime. Here friendship takes time to develop and once you get to someone better, friendship built is much stronger. I have experienced lots of things but my stay with local families and friends beyond boundaries with endless support it made me feel more like an insider to their culture. Finally, I have learnt and adopted Indian skills and culture. I believe that this is the best phase of life to practice who we actually are. I brought myself in! I did not change myself or my culture rather I represented where I came from because the more ethnic you are the more respected and adored you will be. I stay true to myself.

Did you know?

*It is one of the premier educational institutions in India

*It is accredited by NAAC with an A grade

*It is a part of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

*It is recognised by University Grants Commission (UGC)

* It has two campuses -Central College and Jnana Bharathi campus



Fun facts:

* I love playing volleyball and I’m pretty good at it.

* I can’t swim.

* I can multi-task really well

* I have started liking light coffee, tea remains the addiction anyways. I think I make the best tea.

* I own more than 18 pairs of converse All-stars. I love shoes.

* The first thing I notice in someone is their footwear.
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Gender violence is a crisis

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Gender violence is a crisisGender violence is a crisis The executive director of the ministry of health, Ben Nangombe, said gender-based violence in the country has reached epidemic proportions.

He also said it is sad that the health sector has not fully defined its role beyond the clinical treatment of GBV patients.

“Healthcare providers may be the first people in whom a survivor confides and speaks about the violation they experienced.

“The health sector is thus in most cases an entry point by survivors to formal service provision,” said Nangombe who was speaking during the launch of the Clinical Handbook for Survivors Subjected to Intimidate and or Sexual Violence.

“GBV remains a key challenge for many countries in Africa despite declaration on equality by the heads of state in 2004.

“However, we are witnesses to GBV and other forms of violence at home, at schools and in the communities we live.”

Nangombe also said there is a need to determine the availability of social workers in relation to the population.

“GBV has now become an epidemic and social workers are the foot soldiers.

“We need to know how many are available and how many we must have as a country,” said Nangombe.

The UNFPA representative Dennia Gayle said at the same event that gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights remains a serious challenge for millions of women and girls.

According to her, there is growing evidence that acts of violence against women are not isolated events but rather form a pattern of behaviour that violates the rights of women and girls, limits their participation in society and damages their health and well-being.

“GBV is deeply entrenched in the socio-cultural norms which in turn undermine women's decision-making power, and contributes to women's poor health outcomes, maternal mortality and HIV infection,” said Gayle.

Gayle believes that the handbook will strengthen the health sector's response to violence against women and will provide specific evidence-based guidance that can help to streamline the way healthcare providers respond to women who have experienced violence.



JEMIMA BEUKES
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Nearly N$900k raised for totem expo

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Nearly N$900k raised for totem expoNearly N$900k raised for totem expo A gala dinner held to raise funds for this year's Oshakati Totem Expo on Saturday raised over N$870 000.

The event will take place from 24 May to 1 June at the Oshakati Independence Stadium. Standard Bank Namibia contributed the highest amount of N$100 000, followed by Rani Trading with N$75 000 and Fysal Property Developers and the Oshakati Town Council with N$50 000 each. A portrait of the late Ohamba (king) Mandume yaNdemufayo of Oukwanyama was auctioned off for N$15 000 to businessman Kornelius Ndjoba. Another businessman, Ndilimani Iipumbu bought a portrait of the late Omukwaniilwa Nehale lyaMpingana of Ondonga for N$5 000.

The deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who officiated the gala dinner, bought a portrait of the late Omukwaniilwa (king) Iipumbu yaShilongo of Uukwambi for N$3 500.

Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Namibians to make use of culture for social justice and national development.

“It is said a nation without culture is like a tree without leaves,” she stated before urging individuals and businesses to continue supporting the expo to help preserve culture.

The Oshakati town council has hosted the expo since 2012. It involves commercial activities and a parade of 15 floats showcasing the totems of participating groups' respective regions down Oshakati's main road.

NAMPA
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Genocide: Kooper speaks out

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Genocide: Kooper speaks outGenocide: Kooper speaks out'We do not want anything imposed on us' The Nama chief is not happy with the way government is going about the genocide reparations issue. The people affected by the 1904-1908 genocide want to negotiate for reparations with Germany themselves as they do not want something imposed on them by government, Nama Traditional Leaders Association chairperson, Petrus Kooper has said.

Kooper, who is also the chief of the Kai-||Khaun Nama clan, was speaking at the eighth /Hai-/Khaua Traditional Authority festival at Berseba on Saturday.

“We are saying nothing else will enjoy our support because here we are, experiencing the results of the loss of rights over the land and resources forcefully taken from our predecessors, and told that we have no claim for restitution because such claims will promote tribalism,” he said.

Kooper said there is a rich variety of ethnic groups in all African states and multiculturalism is a living reality.

Giving recognition to all groups, respecting their differences and allowing them to all flourish in a truly democratic spirit does not lead to conflict, but prevents it, he added.

“What creates conflict is when dominant groups, be it political or otherwise, force a unity down our throats that only reflects the perspectives and interests of powerful dominant groups within a given state,” said Kooper.

The chief added that conflict does not arise because people demand their rights, but because their rights are violated.

“Such an approach seeks to prevent minority marginalised groups from voicing their concerns and perspectives,” the chief said.

He further stated that one cannot use domination or threats to discourage people from competing for what is rightfully theirs and everyone in Namibia is entitled to whatever economic benefits exist.

He questioned the lack of benefits for people living in areas where the extractive industry is active, saying people from other regions who have shares benefit from these resources at the expense of locals.

“We have nothing, we are even struggling to benefit from corporate social responsibility grants,” Kooper stressed.

Over 100 000 Ovaherero and Nama were killed as a result of a mass extermination policy initiated by German colonial troops between 1904 and 1908.

At present, Namibia and Germany are engaged in state-to-state negotiations on the genocide issue.

The dialogue for reparations with Germany is taking place under the leadership of government's special envoy, Zedekia Ngavirue. President Hage Geingob recently reiterated that Germany is not ready to pay reparations to the affected communities in monetary terms, but would rather fund development projects.



NAMPA
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Just different, not less

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Just different, not lessJust different, not lessAnnual autism awareness month Autism awareness month strives to raise awareness on autism and help people understand that this is not an illness or disease which can be cured, but with the right support it can be managed Mariselle Stofberg



Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication. Autism is measured on a spectrum, which in turn means that it can take on various forms. “Many people are under the impression that this scale indicates more severe cases of autism and some that are less severe. In reality there is no more or less with autism, just different forms,” said Petra Dillmann, the co-ordinator of the Autism Association of Namibia and the Special Needs Network.

“Autism awareness is the acceptance of the things we cannot change and to accept and embrace the difference. It is the challenge to give to yourself and be changed by your child for the positive and not to change your child because of the standards set by society,” said Huipie van Wyk, the director of Side by Side Early Intervention Centre.

Side by Side Early Intervention is one of the facilities that helps not only children and their families with autism, but also various other special needs. They offer training, therapy and emotional support for maintaining a quality life and a stable environment for all children with special needs.

Dillmann emphasises that every autistic person experiences different challenges and difficulties which can include learning disabilities, mental health issues or many others which requires a different approach. “Because people are different they have different methods or techniques that help them. The challenge is to, unfortunately sometimes through trial and error, establish which method works for you and your family. It is important to work together as a professional team which includes the person with autism and the parents. Because of the diversity of autism, it is important to set up individual education plans.”

This year the theme for autism month is Assistive Technology – Active Participation and Dillmann said that their association is in complete support of this theme. “The Autism Association of Namibia is joining that theme and we will concentrate on augmentative and alternative communication, which is not so much the expensive talkers and tablets, but more low technology like communication boards. We are also concentrating and joining the #ActuallyAutistic community in getting more autistic voices heard.”

Autism is diagnosed based on observation by a diagnostician or team of diagnosticians (e.g. neuropsychologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, licenced clinical social worker, etc.).

Autistic people think and see the world differently. One of the techniques used that has achieved great success is the use of communication boards. “With these boards we are able to use pictures and visuals to communicate. We establish a routine and give them the opportunity to participate in the conversation. People assume that just because some autistic people can’t speak they have nothing to say. They still have an opinion and they still have feelings, they just experience trouble expressing these feelings and emotions.”

Van Wyk believes that this month plays an important role to address the assumptions people have of autism. “Society easily labels these children as being naughty or misbehaving, instead of trying to understand their behavioural differences. As a mother of a child with special needs, I can add that normal in our society is over-rated.”

According to Van Wyk this month helps to challenge societal norms and educate society on autism and mental health issues. “Before we want to compare our children we need to be educated as a society. What is normal and who sets the standards?”

Some of the signs of people on the autistic spectrum

Ø Social communication issue

Autistic people have difficulties with interpreting verbal and non-verbal language like gestures, tone of voice, sarcasm and jokes. Many have a very literal understanding of language and think people always mean exactly what they say. This also includes difficulties in understanding and expressing language as used in typical communication.

Ø Repetitive behaviour and routines

People with autism tend to be very attached to routines which helps them to have some stability and organisation within a world they have trouble controlling. People on the autistic spectrum find a form of comfort in routine, order and consistency and may portray atypical and repetitive movements.

Ø Highly focused interests

People with autism tend to get very focused on certain interests, which can be anything from drawing, pictures, trains, cars and so forth. Often these special interests can be used to teach, and over time it is possible to help them use these interests to create a career or something beneficial for them.

Ø Sensory sensitivities

Autistic people tend to show enhanced sensitivity towards some sensory experiences like touch, smell, excessive noise or a lack of sound, textures and so forth. With the right programmes and assistance (for example emotional regulation strategies) it is possible to help them to find ways in which they can work around these issues.

More about the association:

Autism Namibia is an association made up of parents, their children with ASD, adults with ASD, friends and professionals who are interested in promoting the well-being of persons with autism spectrum disorders within Namibia, and to provide a network between the various autism organisations world-wide. Their aim is to provide support and assistance as well as training in the field of autism to parents and professionals. In the current economic climate and with the diverse needs of various members of the community this is becoming increasingly difficult.

Agenda of the Autism Association of Namibia:

§ Sensitising the community and government as to the needs, rights and support systems for persons with ASD

§ Training of professionals and parents in detecting autism spectrum disorders and assessment methods.

§ Setting up offices, resource centre and library services, etc. to provide support and training to parents and professionals.

§ To have an ongoing system of identifying and assessing children with ASD and providing support to them and/or their parents, teachers and professionals.

§ Setting up and implementing alternative and augmentative communication systems for persons with ASD’s and other disorders.

§ Identifying schools and other venues to mainstream, partly mainstream or otherwise educate persons with ASD according to their needs. This includes classrooms, early intervention centres, training locales, autism specific schools, adult sheltered workshops and leisure facilities.

§ Transitioning and job coaching, as well as adult services, for persons with ASD and/or communication difficulties.

If you would like to know more please contact the Autism Association of Namibia at autnam@iway.na or Side by Side Early Intervention Centre at info@sidebysidenamibia.com
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Stimulus for construction sector

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Stimulus for construction sectorStimulus for construction sectorTransport drives development budget The total development budget for 2019/20, loans included, is more than N$9 billion. Jo-Maré Duddy – Government plans to pump about N$28.9 billion into development projects countrywide in the three fiscal years to the end of March 2022.

Of this, around N$24.7 billion will be funded from the state revenue fund, while the rest will be financed through loans.

Government’s development budget traditionally is the main driver of the construction sector in Namibia.

The sector has been plunged into recession for three consecutive years, partly because construction at three mines – at Husab, Otjikoto and Tschudi – were completed, but also due to government’s fiscal consolidation policy which started in 2016 to try and ensure macro-economic stability in the country. The result was that construction grew by -26.3% in 2016, followed by -25% in 2017 and -18.3% last year.

The number of employed persons in the sector subsequently fell from 63 005 in 2016 to 45 057 in 2018, according to the latest labour force survey by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

At current prices, construction’s contribution the gross domestic product (GDP) dropped from a high of 5.5% in 2015 to 3.9% in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, it was 2.9% and 2.3% respectively.

The sector last year contributed about N$4.4 billion to the GDP of around N$192.1 billion.

Top five

In the current fiscal year, which started on 1 April, about N$9.4 billion is available in the development budget – more than N$7.9 billion which will be funded from the state revenue fund and loans to the tune of about N$1.5 billion.

The bulk of the money – nearly N$2.54 billion – is earmarked for transport, which accounts for a third of the total development budget. The main components of the budget are roads infrastructure (nearly N$1.5 billion), railway network development (N$717.2 million) and airports infrastructure (N$319.4 million).

Agriculture, water and forestry gets the second biggest chunk: 13% of total spending or about N$1.01 billion.

With a budget of around N$764 million, urban and rural development is entitled to some 10% of the total budget. The main components are massive land servicing (N$561 million) and sanitation infrastructure development (N$764 million).

Education, arts and culture gets the fourth biggest allocation with a projected budget of about N$649.7 million. Safety and security follows with just below N$588 million.

Projects

The biggest road infrastructure project in 2019/20 is the rehabilitation of the road between Windhoek and Okahandja, for which N$349 million was set aside.

With a budget of about N$500.5 million, the upgrading of the line between Lüderitz and Kranzberg is the most important railway project.

The upgrading of the Hosea Kutako International Airport, with an allocation of N$108 million, gets the biggest chunk of the airports infrastructure budget.

The bulk of the development budget for agriculture, water and forestry is earmarked for the construction of water supply security infrastructure. A total of N$242 million is available for this.

The single biggest project under urban and rural development is the construction of the new regional council in Omaheke, with a budget of N$48 million.

With N$80 million, the upgrading of basic education facilities gets the biggest slice of the budget for education, arts and culture.

The N$124.5 million set aside for the construction of a forensic laboratory in Windhoek is the biggest project under safety and security.
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A future for youth in the African continent

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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A future for youth in the African continent A future for youth in the African continent Nust puts forth its sweet flowers It is graduation season for most of the higher institutions and the University of Science and Technology (Nust) is of course no different. Justicia Shipena





The University of Science and Technology (Nust) held its first graduation ceremony for the year under the theme ‘Catalysing youth empowerment for the fourth industrial revolution’ at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek on the 25 and 26 April, where over 2 000 students graduated with qualifications from various faculties.

A total of 2 352 students from the institution graduated and out of the 2 352, 1 250 were female graduates. The institution also announced their youngest PhD holder, Mohammed Shehu in the faculty of informatics.

Speaking at the ceremony Nust’s council chairperson, Esi Schimming-Chase said the high number of female graduates demonstrates that there has been a cessation in males leading various fields.

Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, minister of higher education, training and innovation, congratulated the graduates and reminded them to be thankful to those who had scarified for them to obtain their qualifications.

She added that institutions are expected to entrench and make work-based and project-based learning, as well as entrepreneurship education and training, essential and mandatory parts of the curriculum.

“A general understanding now prevails that university education should contribute to graduate employability, and that the future of nations depend on strong partnerships between universities and industry,” she said.

Kandjii-Murangi continued saying that Africa has the youngest population in the world and by 2055, the continent’s youth population which is between the ages of 15 to 24, is expected to be more than double the 2015 total of 226 million.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Africa can thrive, if governments, civil society and industry, as well as universities act now to tap the energy and dynamism of this youthful population,” she said.

She further added that it is vital to give youth hope and confidence in the future of Africa and the world.

Kandjii-Murangi said that the number-one priority should be to build the right skills for tomorrow’s jobs, nurture entrepreneurship and provide access to affordable and sustainable financing options such as venture capital, equity financing and offer credit to those who seek to become entrepreneurs and active participants in growing the economies of their respective countries.

“Enlightened self-interest dictates that we empower our young people to be able to navigate the rapidly changing world,” she said.

Professor Peter Katjavivi, Nust’s chancellor, expressed that youth empowerment is vital and called on the government to fund youth projects.

In line with the chancellor’s statement, the national budget for 2019/20 financial year allocated N$15 million to support youth entrepreneurship projects while N$9.5 million was assigned to support youth empowerment and self-employment under the National Youth Council.
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Born free

April 29, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Born freeBorn freeNust celebrates World Press Freedom Day Nust’s media and communication society hosted a panel discussion about the media’s role in elections and democracy. Michelle Mushonga



In celebration of the upcoming World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), Nust’s media and communication society hosted a panel discussion on 16 April. The panel discussed this year’s theme: Media for democracy: Journalism and elections in times of disinformation. The panel consisted of Natasja Beyleveld, the managing director of Namedia, a business that specialises in media content analysis, Job Amupanda, a lecturer in the department of economic and management science, Shoki Kandji, executive member of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa), communications manager of Nust FM and Nanso vice-chairperson for the Khomas Region. The forum was organised to promote youth involvement and representation in the media. Accordingly, all Nust, Unam and NIT students as well as members of the public were encouraged to attend and ask questions.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated worldwide under the auspices of Unesco on 3 May, which also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. The declaration was compiled by journalists, publishers and other members of the media during a meeting in 1991 as an oath to uphold freedom of the press. Later in 1991, it was adopted by the Unesco general council as well as the UN general assembly in 1993.

Mathias Haufiku, a local journalist, commented on the importance of WPFD. “I think World Press Freedom Day gives everyone who operates in the press sector an arena and a chance to retrospect, introspect and to see how far we’ve come. Furthermore, despite the self-regulatory policies that we have in place, there are still loopholes that we need to look at. Things such as ethics because journalists are under pressure to provide credible news, especially in an era of fake news.”

It is unfortunate that in some countries, media is censored and journalists are attacked, harassed and even murdered. According to article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. Conversely, rights come with responsibilities and in this case, it is the media’s responsibility to report on accurate, fair and unbiased information.

While answering an audience member’s question, Job Amupanda mentioned that reporting objectively is easier said than done. “Journalists are also human beings. They are your brothers, your sisters, your uncles or even your girlfriends. They are not people who come from elsewhere. The element of subjectivity of a communicator or journalist is one aspect that you need to be able to look at because human beings naturally have agency and subjectivity.”

The society plans to host more insightful talks such as this one while encouraging youth involvement in the media.
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