Namibian Sun

A break in the canal supplying water from Angola has caused a water shortage in northern Namibia, which was already struggling to cope with a crippling drought and high water debts.

For the past two weeks, the central-northern regions have been experiencing water-supply interruptions because of repairs to the Calueque-Oshakati canal.

The timing could not have been worse. Thousands of head of livestock in the four regions have added to the pressure on the water-supply system, which is struggling to supply enough water to a densely populated area.

NamWater spokesperson Johannes Shigwedha says the national utility had to close its pumps at the Calueque Dam in Angola and is now drawing water from Olushandja Dam to supply its purification plants at Outapi, Ogongo and Oshakati.

Olushandja is not large enough to supply the populations of the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto regions, though.

Shigwedha says the canal is damaged close to the border with Angola. “This is not the normal annual interruption for cleaning the canal after the rainy season to remove sand and other objects,” he says.

“This is a breakage, as the canal was broken near Olushandja from Omahenene. The damaged part is about 500 metres long and we had to close the pumps in Angola so that we could replace the damaged blocks with concrete, which we have been busy with for the past two days or so,” Shigwedha says.

“We had to close the pumps at Calueque and we also had to block water that was already in the canal at Olushandja. We also had to replace the valves at Olushandja and currently are pumping water from Olushandja to supply water to the Outapi, Ogongo and Oshakati purification plants, but this water is not enough.”

Shigwedha says the concrete blocks have been replaced but need to dry completely before pumping can resume.

“Water pumped from Olushandja will take two days to reach Oshakati. They have to fill the reservoir before going into purification and fill the supplying reservoir again. That is why we have a water supply interruption,” he says.

Residents say they have to wake up in the middle of the night to get water. At places near Oshakati they can get a slow flow of water but farther away there is no flow at all.

This has left people and livestock without water for about two weeks.

Shigwedha says NamWater is supplying clinics and hospitals directly.

As NamWater pumps water out of the Olushandja Dam, there is not enough left for the small-scale irrigation farms around the dam, which has resulted in crop failure.

The 17-kilometre-long and two-kilometre-wide Olushandja Dam serves as reservoir to store water for emergency usage.

Shigwedha says after the canal is repaired NamWater will pump water back into Olushandja.

NamWater has also announced that the Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati regions owe it N$300 million. Unless this debt is paid, it might result in water disconnections.

This was announced at a meeting with the Namibia National Farmers Union and Oshana Regional Council at Oshakati on Tuesday.

Mathew Shitaatala of the Oshana rural water supply directorate said villagers in the Oshana Region owe NamWater N$48 million.

The communities with the highest debts are Okashandja-Olwege (N$6 million), Omaalala-Ombutu (N$5 million), Oshakati-Omapale (N$3.4 million) and Oniizimba (N$1.6 million).

ILENI NANDJATO

Electricity price drops 2.5%

The Electricity Control Board (ECB) yesterday announced a 2.5% decrease in the bulk tariff for electricity - the first price drop in 36 years.

The bulk rate for power will drop from N$1.69 per kilowatt-hour to N$1.65. The new rate is effective from 1 July until 30 June next year.

NamPower had applied for a reduction of 3.11% but 2.5% was approved by the ECB.

The approved tariff decrease is applicable to all NamPower's bulk customers, including the regional electricity distributors, local authorities, regional councils and mines.

The distributors will individually apply to the ECB for a review of the tariffs they charge end users.

According to Foibe Namene, CEO of the ECB, the price drop was necessitated by the power crisis of 2015 when NamPower was forced to import more expensive electricity to ensure a constant supply.

“This led to an under-recovery amount incurred between 2015 and 2017.

The under-recovery amount was provided for in the tariff by the ECB over a three-year period, from 2015 to 2018,” Namene said. The under-recovery amount is now fully recovered and a tariff decrease has become necessary to ensure that the power utility does not over-recover on the tariff for the next year and that the tariff remains cost reflective, as directed by cabinet.

The tariff decrease, Namene explained, would “enable NamPower to fully recover its allowed operating costs and ultimately fulfil its financial obligations, including payments to local independent power producers”.

Namene added that the consumer tariff would most likely stay the same because the bulk tariff decrease absorbed the necessary inflationary adjustments for the coming year.

However, in terms of the future outlook, the ECB believes that the bulk tariff will increase by an average of 5% for the next five years, in line with inflation.

“It should be noted that external factors such as the impact of weather conditions, foreign-exchange fluctuations and other unforeseen circumstances have an impact on the future tariff outlook.”

Namene also announced that the cabinet had approved a Modified Single Buyer Market Model for the power industry, which will attract more independent power producers and promote investment in the sector.

“We are cognisant of the fact that the economy is highly dependent on reliable and affordable electricity supply. It is therefore the responsibility of the regulator to ensure a sustainable electricity industry at affordable tariffs,” Namene said.

YANNA SMITH

March against NDF brutality

JANA-MARI SMITH

A peaceful demonstration against unprovoked assaults of civilians by Namibian soldiers during joint crime-prevention operations over the past weeks will begin at noon today in Windhoek.

Organisers of the peaceful march say it is aimed at making sure the “institutions that are meant to protect the people are doing exactly that.”

One of the organisers, Kaveto Tjatjara, yesterday said “Operation Hornkranz has been hurting and not helping Namibian youth. Join us in a peaceful demonstration against the NDF assaults on innocent civilians.”

Tjatjara is a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumnus alongside Luise Mwanyangapo. Mwanyangapo sustained serious injuries, including a cracked skull, when she was assaulted by NDF soldiers during an Operation Hornkranz raid on a bar in Katutura on Saturday night.

Several other civilians reported similar assaults by members of the Hornkranz operations.

Tjatjara told Namibian Sun the march aimed to highlight abuses against civilians.

“In a democracy, it is important for the people to demand, to raise our voices and to hold them accountable.”

He said instead of abusing people, the NDF is supposed to protect people.

The march will start at noon at the Sanlam Building in Independence Avenue and then proceed to Snyman Circle.

Brutality

Operation Hornkranz was launched in December last year by President Hage Geingob.

In recent weeks, several reports of heavy-handed and aggressive tactics during Hornkranz operations have emerged, especially at the hands of the NDF soldiers who reinforced the Namibian police, City Police and Namibia Correctional Service officers forming part of the patrols.

On Tuesday, the Peoples Litigation Centre (LPC), a social justice centre launched by the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, condemned the “ever-increasing” reports of violence perpetrated by the NDF and police against civilians.

The centre called on President Hage Geingob, the inspector-general of the Namibian police and the chief of the defence force “to call off the continued joint operations between the Namibian police and the defence force.”

The LPC said although efforts should be made to combat crime, “it is our resolve that the rule of law should be respected by all, the security cluster and civilians alike”.

The justice centre underlined that excessive force by security forces is not new, even in post-independence Namibia.

It referred to the fatal assault of 17-year-old Mandela Ramakhutla by three City Police officers in 2013.

The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) on Tuesday released a statement urging the defence force and police chiefs to address the issue and provide feedback to the public.

“We ask that government seriously address these issues lest we return to that sordid part of our history where institutionalised violence was the order of the day. There is no place for this lawless behaviour in an independent Namibia,” the LAC stated.

Late on Tuesday, State House issued a statement confirming the Geingob had met with “the top brass of the ministry of defence, ministry of safety and security, Namibian police and Namibia Defence Force to be briefed on the latest developments” and to ascertain the veracity of the reported assaults.

The presidency confirmed that an investigation into the claims would be conducted and the necessary actions taken against guilty parties.

Further, the president urged citizens to press charges if they were assaulted by the army or police.

Club vs countryWarriors' Cosafa preparations hit snag The Cosafa Cup draw, which took place last week, has dished up some tasty clashes that are expected to thrill football lovers during the 25 May to June 8 tournament in Durban.

The battle lines were drawn on Thursday night during the 2019 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup draw, with Namibia set to face Mozambique, Malawi and Seychelles in Group B.

The tournament will be a definite test of character for locally based Namibian players, as well as assistant coach Collin Benjamin, who will accompany the team to Durban.

Benjamin has a few weeks to assemble his team, which will prove to be a challenge, as the Namibia Premier League (NPL) is only expected to conclude on the 26 May - a day after Cosafa kicks off.

This is likely to be tricky, as many local clubs still need their key players as the league reaches its climax, amid furious battles to avoid relegation, and as clubs look to qualify for next season's Standard Bank Top 8 Cup.

The top eight clubs will qualify for the cup competition, which is being sponsored by Standard Bank to the tune of N$3 million a year for three years.

The Standard Bank Top 8 is a source of much excitement as the top eight teams compete for the N$500 000 top prize, while the runners-up rake in N$250 000 and each losing semi-finalist gets N$125 000. This is besides the individual rewards and preparation monies on offer during the tournament.

With promotion/relegation battles heating up and Top 8 qualification on offer, this means that potential Cosafa Cup players will be caught in the middle of choosing either to fulfil their club duties or be part of preparations for the regional tournament.

Brave Warriors head coach Ricardo Mannetti has already indicated they want to blood young and up-and-coming players at the Cosafa Cup this year. Namibia won the trophy in 2015, also in South Africa.

“Preparing is a huge challenge because of the back-to-back NPL fixtures and the pressure of finishing the league.

“We still have to sit with the league administrators and work out a schedule and the best possible approach to this difficult scenario,” Benjamin told Namibian Sun.

He said only after this is dealt with will there be clarity on camp and the team targets.

Benjamin is backed by an illustrious career playing for German Bundesliga side Hamburg SV, whom he served with distinction for 10 years before becoming an assistant coach with second division German side 1860 Munich.

Leading the team to the Cosafa Cup without Mannetti will allow him to further prove his mettle.

The Warriors will also use the Cosafa Cup as preparation for their 2020 Total African Nations Championship qualifier against Comoros. Mannetti will travel with African Cup of Nations (Afcon) squad to the Middle East for a training camp.

Namibia won the Cosafa Cup in 2015 after beating Mozambique 2-0. Both goals came from Deon Hotto. Their chances of emulating that feat now solely rest on the shoulders of the locally based players, who are hungry to impress the coach and hopefully get a chance to be selected for other major tournaments.

Zimbabwe, the current champions, will be a huge obstacle.

The four winning quarter-finalists will advance to the cup semi-finals, while the losing teams will move in to the plate competition.

The quarterfinals will be played on the weekend of 1 to 2 June.

Group A: Angola, eSwatini, Comoros and Mauritius.

Group B: Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi and Seychelles.

Second round:

Zambia vs winner of Group B.

Lesotho vs Uganda (guest participants).

Zimbabwe vs winner Group A.

South Africa vs Botswana.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Pent Series postponed

The annual Debmarine Pent Series, which was scheduled to take place this week, has been postponed to a later date.

The announcement came on Thursday from Netball Namibia (NN), which said they want to give ample time to the newly appointed coaches of the national teams to prepare for the series.

The tournament is an annual event sponsored under a three-year agreement between the NN and Debmarine Namibia.

The series was supposed to see hosts Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as Malawi and Botswana, compete for top honours.

Namibia was to have entered two teams - the Desert Jewels national side and the Shadow Team.

“It will be unfair to expect the new coaching team to carry the same stream of success as Manuel Tjivera in such a short period of time, particularly in reference to Desert Jewels being the defending champs of this cup. Therefore, it is best to postpone the event to allow the coaches to prepare the team well,” said NN spokesperson Conny Samaria.

The coaches were appointed in April, after senior national team coach Tjivera's contract expired in December 2018. Samaria explained the appointment of the new coaches took a while, as the federation had to head-hunt for replacements for the entire senior team technical staff.

The NN also mentioned other reasons that necessitated the postponement of the Pent Series, which included that hosting the series after the Netball World Cup in July will allow Namibia and the other participants to gain maximum ranking points.

Pushing the Pent Series closer to the Africa Championships, slated for October, means the series will also serve as preparation for Namibia.

In the meantime, the NN will also sort out the venue, as there was a call made by sports minister Erastus Uutoni to take the games to Katutura.

The Pent Series has in the past been played at the Patrick Iyambo Police College training courts. This is because of the lack of international-standard facilities in the country.

“It is our hope that with the support of the directorate of sport and possible sponsorships from other entities, we will be able to build an international-standard outdoor/indoor court at the Katutura Youth Complex - pending the finalisation of an MOU between the directorate of sport and Netball Namibia. This will also be in time for the new date,” said Samaria.

“The sponsor has supported the postponement, while allowing the coaches to develop a winning team, and to allow for better arrangements for the new date.”

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Down to the wireSalah stretchered off, but Liverpool's title hopes still alive Liverpool are still alive in the title race, after Saturday's nail-biting victory over Newcastle.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his side can do no more to end a 29-year wait to win the Premier League, as Divock Origi's late winner earned a thrilling 3-2 victory at Newcastle, despite losing Mohamed Salah to a head knock.

Salah was stretchered off 20 minutes from time, making him doubtful for tomorrow's Champions League semi-final, second leg against Barcelona, while Klopp confirmed Roberto Firmino will definitely miss the visit of the Spanish champions to Anfield.

“We'll have to see. He (Salah) took a blow to the head. He watched the game in the locker room, he was okay, but we have to do more tests,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

Overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Barcelona now looks an even more monumental task, although Liverpool stay in the hunt for the Premier League title. However, rivals Manchester City have two games remaining to Liverpool's one.

In a recurring theme of a thrilling title race, Liverpool dug deep to continue asking questions, by moving two points ahead of City once more.

“I accepted long ago that we will do everything (we can),” said Klopp, whose side have lost only once in the league this season.

“Whether we will be champions or not is destiny because we cannot do more.

“Even in the draws we tried everything to win the games. The boys showed in each second they really want to win it.”

Faced with a difficult balancing act to strike, Klopp made four changes to the side beaten by Barcelona in midweek.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of those recalled and the England right-back was to have an eventful evening at both ends.

Alexander-Arnold's corner found Van Dijk completely unmarked to open the scoring, as José Rondon slipped and the PFA's Player of the Year powered home his fifth goal of the season. Newcastle had barely ventured over the halfway line in the first 20 minutes, but levelled with their first serious attack.

Matt Ritchie's driven cross was turned goal wards by Rondon, whose shot was saved on the line by the arm of Alexander-Arnold.

A penalty and a red card would likely have followed for the Liverpool defender, had Atsu not netted the rebound.

All of a sudden Newcastle looked the more dangerous side as Ayoze Perez turned Van Dijk before smashing the ball into the crossbar.

However, an enthralling first 28 minutes took another twist when Alexander-Arnold made the most of his reprieve to still be on the field with his second assist of the night.

His cross found Salah inside the area, but the Egyptian still had plenty to do as he cushioned a finish into the far corner on his weaker right foot to move two in front of teammate Sadio Mane and Sergio Aguero in the race for the Golden Boot.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez could have been taking charge of the Magpies for the last time at home as the Spaniard's contract runs out at the end of the season.

But his side did not go down without a fight, as Rondon's sweet strike levelled once more early in the second half.

“We will have conversations in the next couple of weeks. It is so simple, you can see the potential,” said Benitez, whose four seasons at the club have been marred by a frosty relationship with owner Mike Ashley.

“I am really proud and pleased because we stayed up, but I would like to do something more.”

Salah was caught on the head by Martin Dubravka as Newcastle's Slovakian goalkeeper raced from his goal to punch the ball to safety.

He was stretchered off, his hands over his face, to applause from both sets of supporters.

“He got the hip of the goalie on his head,” added Klopp. “When we came in he was sitting in the dressing room and watched the game. He was then fine, but we have to wait.”

Without two-thirds of their prolific frontline, Liverpool would have been forgiven for thinking their title race was over.

But not for the first time this season, Origi, who scored a 96th minute winner against Everton in a Merseyside derby in December, came off the bench to score a vital late goal, as he got his head to Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick.

NAMPA/AFP

Netanyahu vows 'massive strikes'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed yesterday to continue “massive strikes” in response to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip as a deadly escalation entered a second day, sparking fears of wider violence.

Gazan authorities reported six Palestinians killed, including at least two militants, by Israeli strikes in the latest round of fighting that began Saturday as militants fired hundreds of rockets into Israel.

But Israel disputed their account of the deaths of a pregnant mother and her baby, blaming errant Hamas fire. One 58-year-old Israeli man was killed overnight by a rocket strike on the city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border, Israeli police and medics said.

“I instructed the (military) this morning to continue its massive strikes on terror elements in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

He said he had also ordered “tanks, artillery and infantry forces” to reinforce troops already deployed near Gaza. The flare-up came as Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded enclave, sought further concessions from Israel under a fragile months-old ceasefire.

Israel said its strikes were in response to Hamas and Islamic Jihad firing 450 rockets or mortars across the border since Saturday, with Israeli air defences intercepting more than 150.

In addition to the Israeli man killed, an 80-year-old woman was seriously injured in a rocket strike on the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, police and medics said.

A man was also hospitalised in Ashkelon, said police, citing other injuries without providing details. A house near Ashkelon was damaged and other rockets hit open areas. The Israeli army said its tanks and planes hit some 220 militant targets in Gaza in response.

They included an Islamic Jihad attack tunnel that stretched from southern Gaza into Israeli territory, it said. Two multi-storey buildings in Gaza City were also destroyed.

Israel said one of the buildings included Hamas military intelligence and security offices. Turkey said its state news agency Anadolu had an office in the building, and strongly denounced the strike.

Israel said the other building housed Hamas and Islamic Jihad offices. The Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes killed a 14-month-old baby and her pregnant mother, 37, as well as four Palestinian men.

But Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said that based on intelligence “we are now confident” that the deaths of the mother and baby were not due to an Israeli strike.

NAMPA/AFP

Kagame praised, feared25 years after Rwanda genocide Some commentators believe 25 years after Rwanda's genocide, the country has yet to truly heal from its violent past.

A quarter-century after Rwanda's brutal genocide, President Paul Kagame remains a constant figure atop the country's politics, feted by those who say it needs his visionary leadership and loathed by others who see a firm authoritarian with a malicious streak.

Kagame is so little-questioned that he speaks openly about the apparent assassinations of opponents.

That fear factor keeps him in power, critics say, even as he embraces a global reputation as the man who helped bring an end to the mass killings of some 800 000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus, and who has brought stability to the East African nation.

In a speech last month, Kagame spoke dismissively of the crime that launched his reputation as a hard-liner: The 1998 killing of exiled opposition leader Seth Sendashonga, a fierce Kagame critic, who was gunned down in the streets of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Referring to the assassination, widely believed to have been carried out by a Rwandan hit squad at Kagame's orders, Kagame said he had little to say.

“But I am also not apologetic about it,” he added.

It was vintage Kagame, who has been Rwanda's de facto leader since his rebel group seized power by force, ending the 100-day genocide that began on April 7, 1994. He has been president since 2000, and could rule until 2034 following changes to the constitution.

Now 61, Kagame shows no signs of giving up power.

A driver of economic growth

A darling of the development community, Kagame is lauded by some as a driver of economic growth that has lifted many Rwandans from poverty, bringing improved health care and education.

He has also pushed for more women in political office, and 64% of the lawmakers in Rwanda's parliament are women, the highest percentage of any country in the world.

But for many others he is the architect of an authoritarian regime that has stamped out virtually all opposition in Rwanda as opponents are jailed, flee, disappear, or are killed under mysterious circumstances.

“There is absolutely no room for dissent within Rwanda,” said British writer Michela Wrong, who is researching a book on the country. “You agree, you accept Kagame's supreme power, or you leave.”

Rights groups decry what they describe as rampant violations that include the arbitrary detentions of street children and other poor people as part of an unofficial government program to hide “undesirable” citizens from view, according to Human Rights Watch.

Street vendors, many of them women, have been among the main targets, it said.

Civic groups, journalists, rights watchdogs and political opponents “cannot operate independently or criticise government policy”, Human Rights Watch said in its most recent assessment of conditions in Rwanda.

Amnesty International cited a “climate of fear” before Kagame was re-elected to a third term in 2017, a vote that the president described as “a formality” after the most serious challenger was prevented from running and later jailed.

Even government programs ostensibly aimed at forging national unity are criticised by opponents as tools to more tightly control society.

The US State Department, which describes Rwanda as “a constitutional republic dominated by a strong presidency”, also cites the problem of impunity among civilian authorities and the security forces.

Still, Rwanda's government remains a major recipient of US and other foreign aid despite persistent allegations of abuses – a fact that has been sharply criticized by Kagame's opponents. Some analysts have long noted that Western remorse over failure to stop the genocide allows Rwanda a measure of goodwill from benefactors who would act tougher with a similarly repressive regime.

'Reconciliation is a reality'

Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda's deputy minister of foreign affairs, told The Associated Press that those complaining about human rights “should keep quiet”, as Rwanda marks 25 years since the genocide.

“We can't say that everything is perfect, of course,” he said, of concerns voiced by some exiles, who say they are afraid to return home. “But reconciliation is a reality for the past 25 years.”

Some critics who have fallen out with the president, including senior ruling party members once seen as Kagame allies, have fled into exile, where safety isn't always guaranteed.

British police have warned two prominent Rwandan dissidents of the threats to their lives posed by Rwanda's government. Similar warnings have been issued to dissidents elsewhere in Europe.

In South Africa, an inquest continues into the death of former Rwandan spy chief and Kagame critic Patrick Karegeya, who was found strangled in a Johannesburg hotel in 2014.

Kagame has denied his government had anything to do with the killing but warned that those who betray their country will “pay the price”.

NAMPA/AP

Omuprima a patulula omuliko giipindi mOndangwa

Omuprima Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, okwa popi kutya egameno olindji lyapitilila lyoongeshefa dhaNamibia ndhoka opo tadhi totwa otali etitha oshilongo shi ye pondje oompango dhomadhigathano dhopashigwana.

Okwa popi kutya aanangeshefa yomoshilongo aanduluki oya pumbwa okundalapatela oompito dhoka taya pewa kepangelo opo ya vule okutunga po omukumo moomgeshefa dhawo yo ya vule okukutha ombinga momathigathano gopaigwana.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwa popi ngaaka pethimbo a patulula pambelewa Omauliko gIipindi mOndoolopa yaNdangwa ano Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE), ngoka taga ningwa oshikando oshitimugoyi nuumvo. Omauliko ngoka oga ningwa pokati komasiku 29 gaApilili sigo ga 4 gaMei, koshi yoshipalanyolo 'Embracing economic growth through entrepreneurship'. Omuprima minista okwa popi kutya, epangelo otali tsikile nokuhwahwameka omilandu dhokuyambidhidha aanduluki yomoshilongo poompito dha yooloka. “Natu longitheni woo eyambidhidho ndyoka ta pewa kepangeo opo tu yambulepo ongushu yoongeshefa dhetu. Konima yesiloshisho lyeni okuza kepangelo, otatu pumbiwa komilandu dhopaigwana opo tu patulule ompito yomadhigathano dhamanguluka.”

“Ngele otwa tsikile nokugamena oongeshefa dhetu sigo aluhe nena otatu yi pondje oompango, niilongo yimwe otayi ka yamukula kegameno ndyoka nokutulamo oondjindikila opo iilongomwa yetu yi ye momalanditho gawo,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila ta popi. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwa popi kutya onga oshilongo otwa pumbwa okukambadhala opo katu kale owala twiikolelela miindulukomwa mbyoka hayi zi pondje yoshilongo, ihe oshilongo nasho nashi yambulepo ondjele yiindulukomwa yawo mbyoka tayi vulu okutumwa momalanditho gopondje. Omuprima okwa gwedha po kutya omauliko giipindi nongeshefa oga ninga omukalo omuwanawa gwomayambulepo goongeshefa, oshowo okugandja ompito kaanangeshefa ya vule okuulika iipindi yawo.

Okwa popi kutya omauliko ngoka oga ningi woo ompito ombwaanawa yaanangeshefa ya kundathane nokupaathana omayele ga yooloka kombinga yoongeshefa. Okwa tsikile kutya iituthi yoludhi ndoka oya simana mekokeko lyeliko lyoshilongo paitopolwa oshowo okuyambulapo oongeshefa nokuhwahwameka omatumo giindulukomwa yomoshilongo pondje yoshilongo.

ILENI NANDJATO

Kapia ta nyenyeta sho elelo lyaShana inali vula okumona omuprimaA popi kutya elelo yonale olyali li na noshigwana Omupeha minista gwiilonga nale, Paulus Ilonga Kapia okwa holola ongeyo ye sho Omuprima Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila oshowo Ominista yuunamapya, Alpheus !Naruseb ya ndopa okutsakanena nelelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana opo ya kundathane kombinga yonkalo yoshikukuta moshitopolwa shoka.

Kapia, ngoka a li woo nale omuleli gwewawa lyaanysha mongundu yoSwapo okwa popi kutya ita hala okwiitaala kutya elelo lyaSwapo ngashiingeyi olya yooloka kelelo ndyoka a li a longele nale, ta popi kutya epangelo pethimbo ndiyaka olya li lyaantu.

Metiyali lyoshiwike sha piti, elelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana olya ningi omutumba gwa nuninwa okukundathana onkalo yopaulumomhubwe ndjoka ya taalela oshitopolwa oshowo oonkundathana dhopashigwana nehangano lyoNamibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), opo ku kundathanwe onkalo yoshikukuta.

Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwelelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana, Marthin Elago okwa lombwele aaakuthimbinga momutumba ngoka gwa ningwa kutya oshitopolwa osha taalela onkalo ondhigu yoshikukuta na otayi gumu nayi aantu niinamwenyo.

Elago okwa popi kutya onga dhimwe dhomoompangela dhoshitopolwa, elelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana olya tokola okutuma osheendo shaanambelewa okuza moshitopolwa , opo ya fale olopota yawo yonkalo yoshikukuta komuprima Kuugongelwa-Amadhila oshowo !Naruseb.

Elago okwa popi kutya omolwa iinakugwanithwa yawo oyindji omuprima oshowo minista inaya vula okumonika.

“Konima sho twa ningi etokolo okuya kOvenduka opo tu ka tsakanene naaleli mboka oshikakomvula shetu shopaiyemo osha thiki pehulilo. Omolwa uupyakadhi wopashimaliwa inatu vula okuya molweendo pehulilo lyaMaalitsa.

Sho Apilili a thiki opwa li pe na iinakugwanithwa oyindji ngaashi edhimbuluko lyEsiku lyEmanguluko, etulo miilonga lyomahwahwameko gopashigwana gokuwapaleka oshowo efumbiko lyomukwaniilwa gwaNdonga, naaleli mboka oya kala yiipyakidhila noonkondo na inatu vula oku ya mona,” Elago a popi.

“Konima otwa lombwelwa opo tu kwatelemo ngoloneya gwetu omupe oshowo aanafaalama mosheendo shetu.

Natango otwa pewa ishewe omayele tu ye pamwe noshitopolwa shopuushiinda wetu, Omusati, opo tu gwedheko ongushu ketalelepo lyetu.

Oongoloneya yaali yiitopolwa mbyoka oya zimine na otaya kongo ompito ngashiingeyi yokuninga oshilage naaleli mboka, molwaashoka aaleli mboka oyiipyakidhila noonkondo nethimbo kehe to ningi ekwatathano nayo oto lombwelwa kutya oyiipyakidhila.”

Kapiya, ngoka a li oshitopolwa shaamboka ya kutha ombinga momutumba ngoka gwa ningwa, okwa popi kutya ita hala okwiitaala kutya elelo lyoshitopolwa inali vula okumona aaleli mboka kombinga yoshikumungu shoka sha simana noonkondo.

“Onda li tandi dhilaadhila kutya epangelo olyaantu, na otali pulakene kaantu. Mbela epangelo lyoomvula dho 1990 olya yooloka kepangelo lyomomvula yo 2019, nenge omolwashike ngashiingeyi aaleli yetu yopashigwana kaye na ethimbo okutsakanena naakwashigwana opo ya kundathane iikumungu mbyoka ya guma oshigwana?” Kapiya a pula.

“Shoka itashi vulu okukala omaipopilo pethimbo lyonkalo yi li ngaaka molwaashoka omuprima minista okwa li a yi kOmauliko gIipindi mOndangwa na inamu vula okumona ompito mu kuutumbe naye omanga ina tameka oshituthi shomauliko mu popye naye kombinga yonkalo yoshikukuta nenge mu ninge oshilge naye.”

ILENI NANDJATO

Omupresidende gwoGanja Users of Namibia a mangululwa komboloha

Omupresidende Ganja Users of Namibia, Brian Jaftha, okwa mangululwa komboloha yoshimaliwa shooN$1 000, pethimbo sho a holoka mompangulilo yamangestrata gwaKatutura, sho a adhika niingangamithi megumbo lye.

Kwiikwatelelwa koolopota dhiikundaneki, Jaftha okwa tulwa miipandeko konima sho opolisi ya ningile okashaya egumbo lye moKatutura nokwaadhamo iingangamithi.

Okashaya hoka oka landula sho aalongithi yiingangamithi ya ningi ehololomadhilaadhilo taya pula opo elongitho lyiingangamithi li tulwe paveta moNamibia.

Omboloha ye oya li pooN$2000 ihe okwa lombwele Mangestrata Atutala Namwenyo Shikalepo kutya ita vulu okufuta omboloha yomwaalu ngoka molwaashoka iha longo. Omwaalu ogwa tulwa pooN$1000.00.

Oshipotha she sha undulilwa komasiku 13 gaAguste nuumvo, okugandja ompito komakonaakono gopolisi ga tsikile.

NAMPA

Baxter jets off to EuropeBid to find new Bafana troops Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter is looking to boost his country's chances at the Cosafa Cup and Afcon 2019.

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter headed off to Europe on Thursday to research the overseas-based talent at his disposal.

Baxter aims to have a look at Joel Untersee, Liam Jordan and possibly a few others in action.

Untersee (25) currently plays as a defender for Swiss club Zurich, while 20-year-old Jordan turns out for HB Koge in the Danish first division.

The coach is embarking on his research mission ahead of announcing two separate Bafana squads to do duty in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Baxter said, in assembling the two squads, the technical team will also factor in the end-of-season Premier Soccer League (PSL) programme and the Nedbank Cup final.

He said he will possibly assemble 18 players in Johannesburg for Afcon 2019, pending the arrival of overseas players and those from Sundowns, who bowed out of the CAF Champions League at the weekend.

Bafana intend to take a reduced squad of 22 players to Durban for the Cosafa Cup tournament, which will feature new faces and some with past experience. Baxter also didn't rule out the inclusion of one of two overseas-based players in the Cosafa squad.

The Afcon squad will play one international friendly in South Africa before leaving for a comprehensive and longer camp in Dubai, where some of the players from the Cosafa squad will join the Afcon squad.

In Dubai, Bafana will play a West African opponent, probably Ghana, before heading to Egypt where another friendly match against a North African side is on the cards.

NAMPA/ANA

Debt breaks consumersNon-performing bank loans increase During 2018, nearly 59% of non-performing loans at commercial banks were mortgage debt.

Consumers - by the end of last year - spent N$95.50 out of every N$100 earned to pay off debts.

During the recession, the consumer debt burden has led to a 54% rise in non-performing commercial bank loans, translating into more than N$1 billion more when compared to 2017.

Despite low interest rates, non-performing loans increased by 3.6% at the end of 2017.

This is just shy of the acceptable threshold of 4% and is the highest in five years, the Bank of Namibia's latest financial stability report indicates. Non-performing loans during 2017 were 2.5% of the total loans; in 2016 this figure was 1.5%.

Although high, neither the consumer debt burden nor the rate of defaulting loans puts Namibia's financial stability at risk, the BoN assured. The central bank said the country's banking sector remains profitable, liquid and adequately capitalised. Only 0.06% of loans were written off. The BoN said an increase in non-performing loans does not automatically lead to an increase in loan write-offs and losses to banks.

Most non-performing loans (58.8%) were home mortgages, followed by overdrafts (15.2%). The other bank debt figures are: other loans and advances (13.6%), instalment debt (7.7%), personal loans (4.1%) and credit cards (0.7%).

Deep in the red

The latest monthly BoN statistics show consumers owed commercial banks almost N$54.4 billion at the end of March. That is about N$3.4 billion or 6.3% more than a year ago.

On an annual basis 'other loans and advances' have increased the most. The total of nearly N$5.8 billion in March is almost N$1.2 billion (20%) more than at the same time last year.

Mortgage loans of about N$36.7 billion were about N$2.7 billion or 7.2% more than a year ago, while the N$3.1 billion in overdraft accounts were 5% higher.

Consumers are still wary of instalment debt. By the end of March, instalment credit was almost N$371 million or 5.2% less than a year ago.

The BoN says the increase in short-term credit shows the household cash crisis.

Disposable income

According to the central bank household adjusted credit amounted to 95.5% of disposable income last year. Adjusted credit includes bank and micro-lender debt.

This means that the consumer was N$1.30 per N$100 better off than in 2017, when N$96.80 of out every N$100 was for debt repayment.

The BoN attributes this improvement to an increase in disposable income, rather than the small debt burden.

Total disposable income last year was almost N$74.4 billion, about N$5.8 billion or 8.5% more than in 2017. On the other hand, credit granted to individuals increased by 7%.

The BoN said the increase in disposable income was due to more government transfers, remuneration and foreign income earned by consumers.

Jo-Maré Duddy

Jaftha released on N$1 000 bail

Ganja Users of Namibia president Brian Jaftha, who was arrested last Wednesday for allegedly being in possession marijuana, was released on bail of N$1 000 when he appeared in the Katutura Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Jaftha was arrested after the police raided his home in Katutura and allegedly found marijuana, just days after the group protested and handed over a petition to cabinet requesting that marijuana use be legalised in Namibia.

His bail was initially set at N$2 000, but he then told Magistrate Atutala Namwenyo Shikalepo he cannot afford that amount because he is unemployed. The amount was then reduced to N$1 000.

His case was postponed to 13 August to allow for further police investigations and for him to obtain legal aid. If he fails to show up at 09:00 for his next court date, a warrant of arrest may be issued and his bail money will be provisionally cancelled and forfeited to the State.

NAMPA

Food insecure tally out by July

Details on the number of food insecure people in Namibia are expected to be available by July, following a government-led vulnerability assessment.

In consideration of the expected decrease in agricultural production this year, food security conditions in Namibia are likely to worsen significantly for communal farming households, whose own cereal production is a critical source of food.

According to a food security update report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the most affected areas in Namibia will be the Hardap, Erongo, //Karas, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions, which have experienced ongoing drought conditions.

The report says the current higher food prices are also expected to further impede household access to food supplies, particularly as their dependence on market supplies grows.

It said harvesting of the 2019 main season cereal crops will begin in June and a significant decline in cereal production is forecast in Namibia for this year.

The unfavourable production prospects reflect substantial rainfall deficits experienced since the start of the cropping season in November 2018.

In two of the main cereal-producing regions, Omusati and Oshikoto, cumulative rainfall between November 2018 and March 2019 was over two-thirds below the average. “Pertinently, in addition to having a temporally erratic distribution that included multiple decades of no precipitation, the cumulative rainfall was insufficient to satisfy crop water requirements that would have enabled the maize crop to attain near-average yields,” the report said.

Based on a recently conducted government crop assessment, 2019 cereal production is forecast at 72 000 tonnes, 53% below the previous year and 35% down when compared to the preceding five-year average.

The report said unfavourable weather conditions have also adversely impacted grazing resources, particularly pastures in the southern and north-western parts of the country that experienced dry weather conditions in the previous season.

“Livestock body conditions throughout most of the country have deteriorated and mortality rates are reported to be high.”

Preliminary livestock estimates indicate that a total of 30 816 cattle died in Namibia due to drought from October 2018 to March 2019. A further 24 598 goats, 8 248 sheep, 518 donkeys and 296 horses died during the period.

In consideration of the expected decline in cereal production, cereal imports in the 2019/20 marketing year (May/April) are predicted to rise to an above-average level of 300 000 tonnes - about 40 000 tonnes higher than the estimated volume imported in the previous marketing year. Furthermore, as of March this year, average prices of maize meal were slightly higher on a yearly basis, mostly due to elevated prices in South Africa, which is the main source of imported cereals. There are also expectations of a reduced cereal output in 2019 in the neighbouring country.

“The annual food inflation rate, a sub-component of the national consumer price index, was estimated at 6% in March 2019, compared to a rate of 3% registered a year earlier,” the report added.

ELLANIE SMIT

Wits leave Baroka floundering

A 3-1 league defeat to a 10-man Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday afternoon has left Baroka FC in danger of being relegated to the National First Division.

The Clever Boys took control of the game in the opening minutes, although they struggled to create any clear-cut chances, with their first real effort coming on 20 minutes when Deon Hotto's free-kick brushed the crossbar. Wits remained on top and after Robyn Johannes missed a sharp chance, they took the lead in the 24th minute when Lehlohonolo Majoro showed great tenacity in the box, as he held off a couple of challenges before finding the net in the 32nd minute.

The hosts were, however, to suffer a big setback a minute before halftime, when a rash challenge outside the box from goalkeeper Ricardo Goss saw him red-carded.

The Clever Boys did not, however, let the numerical disadvantage affect them and they doubled their lead eight minutes after the interval, when Cole Alexander fired home a powerful effort from the edge of the box.

Baroka gave themselves brief hope of a comeback when Tshediso Patjie netted in the 67th minute. But just six minutes later, Wits were able to restore their two-goal advantage when Johannes converted from the penalty spot.

They could have had a fourth goal when Simon Murray ran through on goal in the 81st minute, but his lob went just wide.

That was how the scoreline remained, with the Limpopo team deep in relegation trouble, sitting on 28 points, just two points above bottom-of-the-table Maritzburg United, whom they host next weekend.

Hotto took home the Man of the Match award.

NAMPA/ANA

Jaguares claim 30-25 win over Stormers

The Stormers fought hard but went down 25-30 against the Jaguares in their Vodacom Super Rugby encounter in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

It was a brave performance from the visitors, who played hard until the final whistle and had a chance to win it at the death, but they leave Argentina with just a single bonus point to show for their efforts.

The home side struck early with what was to be the only try of the first half, with flank Pablo Matera getting over following a well-worked move from an attacking scrum.

They took their lead out to 10-0 shortly afterwards, as flyhalf Domingo Miotti slotted a penalty, with the Stormers battling to get out of their own half.

The visitors regrouped well and won a series of penalties, with their flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis pulling one wide from the halfway line, but landing three other attempts at goal to reduce the deficit to 10-9.

The Jaguares had the final say in the first half with a second penalty from Miotti, following a dangerous tackle from Eben Etzebeth, which gave them a 13-9 advantage at the break.

The Stormers were first to score in the second half as a powerful scrum gave Du Plessis the opportunity to kick his fourth penalty.

The Jaguares responded with a second try, as leftwing Ramiro Moyano scrambled over in the corner to make it 20-12.

With Du Plessis having been replaced by Damian de Allende, Damian Willemse shifted to flyhalf and took up the goal-kicking duties. He slotted two penalties in succession to make it a two-point game at 20-18. Miotti added a third penalty before the Jaguares were awarded a penalty try, with Stormers outside centre JJ Engelbrecht shown a yellow card for what was ruled to be a deliberate knockdown.

Despite being up against it, the Stormers refused to give in and came up with a try of their own shortly afterwards. Justin Phillips broke from the base of a scrum and found Dillyn Leyds, who put Seabelo Senatla over for the try.

The Stormers had the late momentum and had a chance to win it at the death, after Matera was shown a yellow card, but it was not to be as the Jaguares held on for victory. Scorers: For Stormers 25 (9): Try: Seabelo Senatla. Conversion: Damian Willemse. Penalties: Jean-Luc du Plessis (4), Willemse (2) Jaguares 30 (13): Tries: Pablo Matera, Ramiro Moyano, penalty try. Conversions: Domingo Miotti (2). Penalties: Miotti (3).

NAMPA/AFP

I'm not retiring - Semenya

Caster Semenya on Friday said she had no intention of retiring after losing her 'testosterone case' following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling last week.

After romping home to outclass world-class opposition in the women's 800m at the IAAF Diamond League opener in Doha, Qatar, she said: “ How am I going to retire when I'm 28?” when asked by BBC Sport.

“I still feel young, energetic. I still have 10 years or more in athletics. It doesn't matter how I'm going to do it, what matters is that I'll still be here. I am never going anywhere.”

Semenya's time of 1 minute and 54.89 seconds was a meeting record and the eighth-fastest women's 800m time ever run.

“I'm excited winning here in Doha. The first race of the season is tough and you may not be able to predict how your body is going to respond to the push, but the weather was great and it was wonderful tonight.

“For me, I believe nothing is hard in life because it is up to you how you take life. As an athlete, I believe in sportsmanship and what sport teaches you is to keep pushing on despite all odds.

“I know life could be difficult at times, but I'm a believer and I believe there is always a way to resolve issues. One of my firm beliefs is that there is always a way out of everything.

“So if a wall is placed in front of me, I jump it. I'm going to keep enjoying my life and live it. I will keep on training and running. To me, impossibility is nothing.

“When you are a great champion, you always deliver,” Semenya said. “It's up to God; God has decided my life, God will end my life, God has decided my career, and God will end my career. No man, or any other human, can stop me from running.”

On Wednesday, the CAS ruled that the IAAF, track and field's governing body, may maintain its restrictions on athletes such as Semenya, who is believed to have an intersex condition that causes her body to naturally produce testosterone at levels much higher than most women.

The rule introduced by the IAAF compels female runners in certain categories to cap their testosterone levels for six months before competing.

After the two-time Olympic 800 metres champion lost her legal challenge, the IAAF's controversial rule regulating testosterone levels for women athletes will come into effect on 8 May.

The new rule applies to distances from 400m to a mile and includes the heptathlon, which concludes with an 800m race.

NAMPA/ANA

Industries must compete globallyPM says infant industry protection is not forever The prime minister says if Namibia continues to protect its industries perpetually, other countries will retaliate by blocking the entry of Namibian goods into their markets.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says too much infant industry protection will lead to Namibia violating international competition rules.

She said local producers must consider seizing opportunities offered to them by government, in order to build confidence and compete in regional and global markets.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made these remarks during the official opening of the ninth edition of the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE).

The Ondangwa town council hosted the OTIE from 29 April until 4 May under the theme 'Embracing economic growth through entrepreneurship'.

The prime minister said government continues to promote policy tools by supporting market access for domestically produced products, through giving them preference in terms of public procurement, and providing business financing and mentorship to local producers and traders.

“We should also make use of the support that is provided by the government to capacitate ourselves to produce quality goods. After a period of nurturing you, including through infant industry protection, we will be required by international trading rules to open up the competition.

“If we continue to protect our industries perpetually, we will be violating these rules and other countries will also retaliate by blocking of our goods into their markets,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

“Government support is of utmost importance for business development and economic growth; the bulk of our economy is based on private business activities and much of our national savings are held by private financial institutions.”

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, as a country, we need to make determined efforts to curb the high dependence on imports.

She said the country's economy should also be diversified from a raw, commodity-based economy to one that is industrialised, by taking advantage of our vast natural resources in order to optimise job-creation and resilience to external shocks, while ensuring sustainable and higher economic growth.

She said the government will also promote effective political governance and public service delivery, by strengthening the performance and accountability of public officials and institutions, and streamlining government processes, including by leveraging information communication technology (ICT) to expedite service delivery and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added trade fairs and business expos have become positive development events, which provide a platform for businesspeople to market their products.

She said businesspeople also have an opportunity to meet and interact with one another, thereby establishing a basis for possible future business associations.

“This event is an important aspect of business and economic growth promotion. Trade fairs and business expos are also important platforms for the promotion of regional and continental economic integration, and they support our efforts to improve our participation in global trade, as exhibitors come from all across our nation and beyond our borders,” the prime minister added.

ILENI NANDJATO

Sustainable wildlife use the future - Shifeta

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says the sustainable use of local wildlife is the future of conservation.

He said conservation efforts will ultimately be rendered worthless if local communities are unable to enjoy tangible benefits from the wildlife they conserve.

Shifeta made these remarks during the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) General Assembly, which was held last week in Windhoek.

The assembly brought together nearly 200 delegates from across the world.

Namibia is a member of the CIC and has been participating in these gatherings for more than ten years.

The gathering took place under the theme 'Crossroads: Leading the Way for Wildlife Conservation'.

“This theme is imploring on us all to do our part in conserving wildlife. Wildlife conservation will only succeed if people in a given country or region are able to derive benefits from such resources,” Shifeta said.

According to him, the gathering discussed not only wildlife conservation and sustainable utilisation, but also looked at efforts to curb the scourge of wildlife poaching, particularly that of elephants and rhino, which is on the increase across Africa.

Issues like the link between corruption and illegal wildlife trafficking were also discussed.

“Poaching and corruption undermine our conservation efforts and we need to collectively put our hands on deck to bring these destructive tendencies to a complete halt.”

Namibia strongly believes and advocates for the sustainable use of its wildlife resources, Shifeta added.

He said this conservation model has worked and continues to work for the country, with wildlife populations significantly increasing over the years, owing to the value that local communities realise because of their wildlife.

“While we acknowledge and respect that others have views that are contrary to ours, we believe our views must be equally valued and respected by those who oppose us.

The time is now to take a stand for what we believe in and send a strong, unequivocal message that the sustainable use of our wildlife is the future of conservation.”

Shifeta said that removing value and tangible benefits will ultimately render wildlife worthless and no one will dare to conserve these animals.

He said delegates were also given the opportunity to discuss their visions for wildlife conservation on their respective global regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa.

“For us, in Africa, we are pleased that people who directly live with wildlife at grassroots level are afforded a chance at this platform to discuss solutions to wildlife conservation challenges and form their own perspectives.”

ELLANIE SMIT

SPEAKING OUT: Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta. PHOTO: NAMPA