Namibian Sun

Food bank discussed for Otjozondjupa

The political leadership of the Otjozondjupa Region and poverty minister Zephania Kameeta last week discussed plans of rolling out the government's food bank programme to the region.

Kameeta at the meeting in Otjiwarongo said Otjozondjupa and Erongo are the only two regions still left behind in establishing their regional food bank committees expected to manage the programme's regional activities.

The meeting was chaired by Otjozondjupa's governor Otto Ipinge and in attendance were the regional and local authority councillors of Okahandja, Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Grootfontein.

It set a deadline of June 2019 in establishing the committee in the region.

Kameeta also presented the steps that need to be followed in setting up this regional committee.

The minister said the committee members will receive training on how to identify households in the urban and peri-urban areas to benefit from the programme.

“The food bank is not for everyone, but for the most needy people in the urban and peri-urban areas since the drought relief and other government programmes are also targeting people in rural areas,” he said.

The regional political representatives in the meeting agreed to implement the programme in Otjiwarongo and Okahandja.

The meeting urged other local authority leaders to initiate their own community vegetable garden projects to be supported by the ministry.

It was also agreed that a total of 14 unemployed community members - seven in Otjiwarongo and seven from Okahandja should be identified as street committee members who will receive training on how to identify the beneficiaries and conduct the actual distribution of the food parcels.

Food bank consultant, retired Cuban ambassador to Namibia Angel Dalmau Fernandez is expected to train these street committee members.

The ministry has a duty of ensuring that poverty and hunger are eradicated in the country through government social grants, rolling out of the food bank activities and also through a funeral insurance existing in the ministry since 2001 for pensioners receiving monthly social grants, said Kameeta.

The food bank was first launched by President Hage Geingob in the capital in June 2016, which was later followed with the distribution of food parcels to some identified households in the Khomas Region.

NAMPA

Killer sues for N$700kAlleges beatings while incarcerates A convicted murderer is suing the State for an assault in prison which he says was an order from an assistant commissioner.

A man serving 20 years behind bars for his role in the murder of a Namibian Defence Force colonel during an armed robbery near Windhoek 10 years ago is attempting to sue the safety and security ministry and four others for N$700 000.

Petrus Bwanga, who is serving his sentence at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, claims he suffered multiple lacerations, bruises all over his body, and a serious injury to his right eye following an “unlawful, unprovoked and unjustified assault” that he claims took place on 7 December 2017 in an office at the prison.

In an amended particulars of claim filed with the High Court in August last year, Bwanga lists four correctional service officers from the Windhoek prison as having played a role in the assault.

He claims that the assault took place in the office of an “Assistant Commissioner Rooi”, whom he alleges instructed three others to attack him.

His amended particulars of claim list Senior Superintendent Mosi Mosinane, Warrant Officer Shimbome, and Sergeant Bobby Boestan as his alleged attackers.

He further alleges that on the same day, he was assaulted again a little later, by one of the defendants, and was punched in the stomach, face and poked in his right, injured eye.

In his founding affidavit, submitted in November last year, Bwanga also lists a sixth respondent, the attorney-general's office.

Bwanga further claims that despite his injuries, he was denied specialist medical treatment for the eye injury, which he claims was in order to “conceal the evidence of their unlawful and criminal conduct”.

Moreover, that he was only able to be medically examined by a doctor two days after the alleged assault, and again a week later.

Mbanga is claiming damages totalling N$700 000.

He is claiming N$500 000 for the pain and suffering endured and an additional N$200 000 in damages for contumelia.

Contumelia is a legal term for a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect.

The safety ministry is defending the case, which was first registered at the Windhoek High Court in March 2018. Mbanga has successfully applied for legal aid.

The parties to the case, which was scheduled for a status hearing on Thursday, underwent settlement negotiations in March this year. However, the parties failed to agree on the terms of the settlement and the case is ongoing.

In April 2015, Bwanga, who was 29 at the time, was found guilty of murder and robbery, alongside two accomplices, Amon Fillemon and Thomas Erastus following the deadly robbery of NDF colonel Elias Katanga (55) close to the Brakwater weighbridge in November 2009.

The three men had been accused of a carrying out an armed robbery and Fillemon was ultimately held responsible for the fatal shot that killed Katanga.

During the trial, Mbanga denied he had taken part in the robbery.

Francois Bangamwabo of FB Law Chambers is acting on behalf of Bwanga, while Jabulani Ncube is acting on behalf of the defendants, including the correctional officers.

The case has been postponed to 6 June for another status hearing.

JANA-MARI SMITH

FMD drops cattle production

Despite drought conditions, livestock exports declined considerably, by 26.49%, during the first quarter of the year, due to the weak demand for weaners by South African feedlots that were adversely affected by foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease-related trade restrictions.

“Since livestock exports are a leading contributor to the sector's performance, their decline greatly influenced an overall weak performance,” says the Meat Board of Namibia.

Export abattoirs improved performance with a 22% growth rate on account of drought-induced marketing. Butchers, on the other hand, experienced a decline of 21.2%, losing market share to export abattoirs whose producer prices remained competitive during the first quarter.

The Meat Board says that although weighted average capacity utilisation of export abattoirs for the first quarter stood at 70.30%, it is worth noting that Meatco registered a 107.86% monthly capacity utilisation in March alone, an obvious over-capacity utilisation.

Meanwhile, there was an overall decrease in the total production of cattle between January and March.

Year on year, an 18.5% decrease was witnessed in the total production of cattle during the months of January to March 2019 compared to the same period of 2018. Production decreased from 115 257 head in 2018 to 93 873 in 2019.

An amount of 177 180 cattle were marketed through various formal channels in the first quarter of 2019, translating to a 17.37% increase in comparison to the same period in 2018 when 150 961 cattle were marketed.

From total cattle marketed, 68% were live exports, 23% were taken up by export abattoirs while B&C class abattoirs only enjoyed 9% of the market share.

The Meat Board explained that FMD disease conditions forced South African feedlots to reduce their purchase of Namibian weaners as they did not have a market for their beef.

“This resulted in a significant reduction of weaner exports, hence poor cattle sector performance. Beef export abattoirs performed very well reaching unusual levels of capacity utilisation. Despite increased supply, abattoir prices remained at competitive levels.”

With regards to the sheep sector, the Meat Board says that the long term sheep marketing trend continues to depict a gradual reduction.

“The sheep sector performed well with both live exports and slaughtering by export abattoirs driving the momentum. Due to the drought situation, producers have been forced to manage their livestock levels to prevent further deterioration of rangelands and avoid losses from livestock mortalities.”

During the first quarter of 2019, a total of 104 196 head of sheep were exported live, accounting for 59% of the market share. The sheep slaughtered at export abattoirs accounted for 30% at 53 851 head, while those that were slaughtered at the B&C class abattoirs accounted for 11% with 19 133 sheep.

“Due to the small stock marketing scheme export restrictions, farmers are supplying sheep to abattoirs at below optimum prices as a matter of preventing a total loss of livestock.”

The Meat Board of Namibia is contemplating an interventionist strategy to encourage abattoirs to pay competitive prices while producers are also encouraged to support value addition ideals by slaughtering locally.

ELLANIE SMIT

Let there be peace - Geingob

Namibia remains ready and committed to work with Guinea for the economic independence of the two nations, said President Hage Geingob during a state visit of that country's president Alpha Condé to Namibia.

“The Africa we want is in our hands. We are the drivers of our own destiny. We can eradicate poverty and hunger, restore peace and give hope to those at war. Let us embrace democracy, rule of law and sustainable development,” Geingob urged.

Guinea has seen its fair share of political violence and has faced several coup d'etats in the past, as well as inter-ethnic clashes.

The country is also one of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producers, but much of its population still lives in poverty.

Hosting Condé at a state banquet last week, Geingob said the fact remains that there is room for improvement of trade relations especially in the area of mining and geology, agriculture, manufacturing and food processing.

As the chair of SADC, Geingob also said that Namibia trusts that through continued cooperation between its Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Africa will enhance its long-standing efforts to create an enabling environment for economic growth and prosperity.

“In the past, we used to hear of the phenomenon in Africa called 'brain drain'. That is when Africans who were educated did not plough back their expertise into Africa. But when they study and gain knowledge and expertise that they plough back into Africa that is called 'brain gain'. However by easing cross-border movement of Africans within Africa, we will ensue that skilled and educated Africans who are able to take their knowledge and expertise beyond the borders of their countries remain on the continent,” he said.

By doing this, Geingob believes that there is no doubt that the free movement of people is a quick win for the development for countries, regions and the continent.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Deadline for City on Kanime suspension

A last-minute agreement hastily hashed out in a courtroom on Friday at the urging of Windhoek High Court Judge Harald Geier compels the Windhoek City Council to decide whether or not to end the 14-month suspension of City Police chief Abraham Kanime by 22 May.

The agreement, which was made an order of the court on the same day by Justice Geier, further stipulates that a final date be set for the continuation of Kanime's disciplinary proceedings on or by 22 May, on the remaining 19 charges Kanime is facing related to the appointment of 20 people without CEO approval.

Of the total of 69 misconduct charges Kanime initially faced, charges 24 to 69 were withdrawn in January, which related to the appointment of members in acting positions.

Charges one to three related to allegations of the unauthorised hiring of law firms assigned to represent either Kanime or members of the police service.

On Friday, at the start of court proceedings on the urgent application brought by Kanime against City CEO Robert Kahimise and the City Council, Judge Geier explained that based on documents submitted to court ahead of the urgent application, “a picture emerges that makes me wonder why this matter is incapable of a resolution”.

The judge added that the City was not “deriving value” from a lengthy suspension on full pay of a senior person.

According to an answering affidavit submitted by Kahimise, Kanime earns a basic salary of more than N$108 000 a month, plus more than N$75 800 in transport, housing and service allowances.

Kanime's urgent application was an attempt to be reinstated based on his argument that his lengthy suspension since March last year, and the failure for a date to be set for the disciplinary proceedings to continue, has become “unfair, unnecessary, unlawful and unconstitutional”.

He argued that the City Council and CEO appear to “have no serious intention to continue with the disciplinary hearing”.

Geier on Friday urged lawyers for both parties to engage in brief negotiations to consider “whether there is room for negotiations”, before continuing with arguments on the urgent application if still required.

Following brief talks between the lawyers, the parties agreed on the way forward “for the time being”, which was made an order of the court.

Concerns

In an affidavit submitted by Kahimise, the CEO blamed email problems on the alleged delays in setting a date for the disciplinary proceedings to continue.

“There is an innocent explanation,” Kahimise informed the court, noting that an enquiry into the matter revealed a mail server problem had led to the responses, containing a number of possible dates for the hearing to continue, never arriving at their destination.

Kahimise also noted that a board of enquiry is handling the disciplinary process, in order to ensure fairness during the proceedings.

However, Kahimise also highlights a number of concerns which led to his decision not to uplift the suspension to date, after he had at first put the ball in the court of the City Council.

He underlines that following the completion of the investigation into the 69 allegations of serious misconduct against Kanime, “he was charged due to positive allegations made against him”.

Kahimise noted that once the investigation was completed, “it became necessary to continue with the suspension because it appeared that the applicant (Kanime) had, at best for him, absolutely no understanding or capability to follow and apply clearly stipulated budgetary procedures.”

Moreover, Kahimise raised the concern that in Kanime's superior position “it is difficult to monitor interference with witnesses”.

Kahimise further argues despite findings of against Kanime of “maladministration which centres on improper use of public financial resources”, Kanime has to date failed to provide assurances that should he return to office, he would “observe proper administration”.

Kahimise notes he is worried that this would mean if Kanime's suspension is lifted “he will simply continue on his old merry ways”.

Kahimise further submitted to court that Kanime's “current attitude still demonstrates, he apparently does not accept or understand that he did wrong. It would have been irresponsible of me not to continue with the suspension”, he wrote.

Kahimise also argued that on the matter of urgency, based on Kanime's monthly income, “there is certainly no economic urgency involved in this case. In fact, applicant (Kanime) must be one of the highest paid officials in the entire country”.

The case was postponed for a status hearing and feedback on the orders given to 5 June.

Kanime was represented by Sisa Namandje while Orben Sibeya instructed Advocate Raymond Heathcote to appear on behalf of Kahimise and the City Council.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Poll lessons from SAEFF's success is a fluke Political analysts believe the trends observed in last week's national election in South Africa will not necessarily be reflected in Namibia.

Experts believe the gains made by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), albeit as an underdog, in last week's election in neighbouring South Africa will not necessarily spill over to Namibia where opposition parties are “apologists” and slow to present alternatives to the ruling party.

Experts also believe that the ruling Swapo Party is not immune to plummeting support but pointed out that this will not necessarily translate into victories for local political opposition parties.

The biggest lesson for Namibia they believe is spoilt ballots, and voter stay-aways, especially in the younger generations.

The EFF, which came third in the elections, almost doubled its votes moving up from slightly over 6% in 2014 to 10 % this year.

Political commentator Charles Mubita believes this is a significant achievement given the fact that it is still a new party.

“They capitalised mostly on the failure of the African National Congress (ANC) to deliver and used the Freedom Charter to unseat the ANC, but the EFF failed to really mobilise the students, the universities and the unemployed young people,” he believes.

Mubita cautioned political parties in Namibia not to take voters for granted and to reach out to them to ensure they register and vote.

“And also if we look at the spoilt ballot and the stay-away vote. If you tally some of those ballots you see they qualify for more seats than what some opposition parties got. We need to learn from there and encourage people that it is their democratic right to elect those they want to choose,” he said.

Social commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah, believes that President Cyril Ramaphosa's frank talk about corruption has been his party's saving grace.

He also argues that another factor that contributed to the vibrancy and effectiveness of political campaigning in SA was the presence of a strong civil society.

“Unfortunately here in our country, civil society is very weak. We should invest our energies and efforts into civil society; it will be very good for our democracy,” he said.

Meanwhile political commentator Henning Melber believes that the South African election results did not differ too much and are 'business as usual'.

He however pointed out that the land question did not feature during the election campaign as prominently as earlier on and that more important issues raised including unemployment and poverty, as well as crime and security.

“This suggests that while land is important, there are other factors which related more closely to the daily life of ordinary citizens especially in the urban centres.

“The EFF did not get as many votes as some had expected, which also shows that the land issue and the racial divide as a priority in its policy agenda did not convince a significant part of the electorate to give them their vote,” said Melber.

He added that it shows that voters generally are more interested in overall stability than in radical populist rhetoric and militant activities, which polarise and radicalise. Another issue Melber pointed out is the liberation gospel and heroic narrative of the struggle generation, which is on a slow decline.

Melber cautioned that while the older generations are remaining largely loyal to the former liberation movement, the majority of voters are now in an age group which does not relate any longer to the struggle days. Instead they measure governance not by a historical achievement claimed to be the sole merit of one party, but by performance of those in government.

“Like Namibia, South Africa is among the countries with the highest inequalities in the world, with unemployment of more than half of the younger generation. So why should they vote for a government which has not brought them any measurable improvement (except for the privileged in the shadows of the new elite)? Rather, they use their civil liberties (which one cannot eat) to articulate protest by not registering as voter or not voting after registration.”

JEMIMA BEUKES

What if the drought persists?

We are back where we were two to three years ago with Windhoek crippled by a water shortage. It appears however, that residents do not know or choose to ignore the warnings issued by the City. The most recent figures indicate that residents consumed 6% more of the total allowable cubic metres in the past week.

The total water reserves from the three central dams is 21.4%. We were in trouble last year and then it stood at just over 37%.

Windhoek is using its aquifer, which is its savings fund, to supply residents, along with purified and reclaimed water, boreholes and 30 000 cubic metres daily, halved from 60 000.

It has long been known that Windhoek's development is limited by its water availability and yet, while there is development at the coast and in the north, there has been little effort made for decentralisation. We have said this before: Keetmanshoop, where the youth languish at shebeens, jobless, has enough water for several industries and yet, major brewery operations are in Windhoek and Okahandja, both reliant on the same dams.

Our small towns are falling apart. The roads and the general infrastructure are in full decay but, there are no jobs, no opportunities and the local authorities have no money.

And Windhoek has no water.

Predictions, if they hold, for the coming three years, indicate that the rainfall will remain meagre and if there is an improvement, it will be slight.

So we will become drier over the next couple of years and more water stressed. Our farmers need bailouts. Our households need food.

What are we going to do if this drought persists for the next two to three years?

Neckartal is almost complete. It is time, not to discuss N$10 billion for a high-speed rail link, we need the water master plan implemented so that the dams are interconnected. And we need to start offering incentives so that decentralisation, and job creation, can begin, countrywide.

Walvis Bay kidnappers found guiltySentencing set for 10 June Four Walvis Bay Residents who held three boys captive for hours over the death of a puppy have been convicted of kidnapping and assault.

Walvis Bay residents Logan Pretorius, Sandra Riobo, Ashley Januarie and Curven Vries were found guilty on charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm on Friday.

The four kidnapped and assaulted Carlos Mukuve, Levi Goreseb and Edward Goreseb, who were minors at the time, after the boys had killed one of Pretorius's dogs and allegedly tried to steal another dog.

Carlos, Levi and Edward testified that they were physically and verbally abused with a 17-inch spanner, a hammer, a panga, a shovel and dogs, on 28 August 2014.

Pretorius and his co-accused chased the boys with his car and took them to his house in the Meersig residential area, where they assaulted and detained the minors for over five hours.

The three boys testified that they were forced to lie on their back while Pretorius poured Tabasco sauce over their faces, and were given salt water to drink, which caused them to vomit.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, Magistrate Gaynor Poulton said the State had proved that the four accused had taken the three boys without their consent and that of their parents. Pretorius testified that they took the boys to his garage to question them about the death of his seven-month-old pit bull puppy Miklo.

Pretorius testified that he asked the boys their parents' cellphone numbers but they pleaded with him not to tell their parents. According to him, Mukuve said, “just slap us and we'll go”.

Pretorius said he slapped and reprimanded the boys and then let them go. At midnight he saw the boys still in the area, asked them what they were still doing there and gave them N$20 to take a taxi home.

The defence based their case on discrepancies found in the testimonies of the three victims, who testified three years after the assault had taken place.

But Magistrate Poulton said it was hard to believe that Pretorius, his fiancé and friends would have kept the three boys in the garage for over five hours just to talk to them.

“The court has also taken into consideration the time that has passed between the night of 28 August and when the boys testified, as well as the suggestibility and imaginativeness of boys at the ages of 14 and 15,” she said.

She ruled that the State had also proved the charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, as the medical evidence corroborated the testimony of the three victims.

Sentencing is set for 10 June.

Boris Isaacs appeared for the defence and Teresia Hafeni for the State.

LEANDREA LOUW

Latest crash stats a horror

Close to 200 people have lost their lives on Namibian roads since the start of the year while more than 1 900 sustained injuries in

1 162 crashes.

In line with previous trends, substantially more males than females died in the crashes during this period, with 134 males and 46 females dying from the injuries sustained from these crashes. Moreover, 23 of the total of 195 fatalities were people aged 26 to 30, the most affected age group, followed by 21 fatalities of people aged 21 to 25. Eleven of the fatalities were children under five, while seven youngsters aged between 6 and 10 died in these crashes.

Five people aged between 11 and 15 have died in car crashes since 1 January, and 12 aged between 16 and 20 lost their lives in these car accidents.

Statistics released by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund last week show that of the total of 195 people who died in the crashes, most deaths, 44, were recorded in the Otjozondjupa Region, followed by 21 fatalities in the Khomas Region and 17 in the Omusati Region.

With regard to the total of 1 921 injuries recorded by the MVA Fund, the Khomas Region accounted for 555 injuries, followed by 242 recorded in the Otjozondjupa Region and 200 in the Erongo Region. According to the MVA Fund statistics, the highest number of crashes, 410, were recorded in the Khomas Region, followed by 140 crashes in the Erongo Region and 104 in the Oshana Region.

Most of the crashes were collisions. Between 1 January and 7 May, 309 collisions were recorded, followed by 304 roll-overs and 278 pedestrian-related crashes.

Further analysis of the total of 1 162 crashes indicate that most people, 678, were injured in roll-overs, followed by 633 sustaining injuries in collisions and 245 injuries sustained in pedestrian-related crashes.

Moreover, 39 people were injured and six died in 42 hit-and-run crashes recorded by the MVA Fund.

Although current crash statistics remain damning, a comparison between the year-to-date numbers of 2018 and 2019 indicate a decline in total number of crashes and injuries.

Between 1 January and 5 May 2018, the MVA Fund recorded 1 227 crashes, compared to 1 143 crashes during the same period in 2019.

Moreover, 2 053 injuries were recorded during the same period for 2018, while 1 872 injuries were recorded during that period this year.

Nevertheless, the year-to-date statistics for this period show a slight increase in fatalities compared to the previous year, with 171 fatalities recorded in 2018 compared to 192 between 1 January and 5 May.

The MVA Fund recently launched a new road-safety campaign, focused on promoting community accountability through interventions aimed to empower communities in the arena of road safety.

The fund says because local communities are often the first to arrive at the scene of an accident, it is crucial to ensure they are able to assist.

In line with this, the MVA will launch a number of opportunities for communities in various locations to gain awareness of its Accident Response Number (081 9682), provide instructions on pre-arrival at a crash scene, and present demonstrations of first-responder simulations and display the correct use of seat belts and child car-seats.

“These activities aim to equip community members with the necessary information, knowledge and skills to assist persons injured in a road crash up until the time that medical help arrives.”

JANA-MARI SMITH

Congo fever fears deepen

A third suspected case of the highly contagious Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has been reported at the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital.

A 27-year-old man from Ontananga in the Oshikoto Region has been in the isolation unit at the hospital since he was admitted on 8 May with symptoms of the deadly disease.

Health ministry teams have been deployed in the Ontananga area to check up on everyone who has been in contact with the Congo fever patients.

The ministry earlier confirmed that a 54-year-old woman had tested positive for Congo fever. An elderly man has died, but it has not been confirmed that he had Congo fever.

The ministry's public relations officer, Manga Libita, says all suspected cases will be admitted for observation until cleared, while community mobilisation continues.

The acting health director, Dr Helena Nkandi-Shiimi, confirmed that the latest suspected case was admitted to the Onandjokwe hospital with a nosebleed.

“He is currently in the isolation unit, while the hospital is waiting for blood results test from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases Regional Reference Laboratory in South Africa,” said Nkandi-Shiimi.

She added that test results for the second suspect, a 78-year-old man from Ontanaga who died upon arrival at the hospital on 7 May, have not yet been received.

The first case was a 54-year-old woman from Ontanaga who tested positive for Congo fever after being admitted to the same hospital on 26 April.

The health ministry says it takes about three days to get test results from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases Regional Reference Laboratory in South Africa.

Congo fever is a viral disease spread by ticks.

The hosts of the ticks carrying the virus are wild and domestic animals including cattle, sheep and goats. These animals become infected after being bitten by infected ticks and the virus remains in their bloodstream for about two weeks after infection, allowing the tick-animal-tick cycle to continue when another tick bites the animal.

Human transmission can occur when someone is bitten by an infected tick or comes into direct contact with the blood or tissue of an infected animal or person.

Congo fever can be transmitted from one infected human to another by contact with infected blood or body fluids. In humans, Congo fever can present with several symptoms including sudden onset of high-grade fever, muscle aches, neck pains, neck stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and sometimes bleeding from body cavities.

The regional health emergency management committee was activated on 26 April, while preliminary environmental assessments are under way in the affected areas. Remedial measures for an outbreak are also being put into place.

The last outbreak of the disease was in February 2017 when a farmworker from the Omaheke Region died in the Gobabis State Hospital. At the time, the health ministry reported that a nurse treated a patient with Congo fever.

The owner of the Harnas Wildlife Foundation east of Gobabis, Nick van der Merwe, died of Congo fever in 2001 after being bitten by a tick during a cattle roundup.

This new confirmed case is the fifth case reported in Namibia in 16 years.

ILENI NANDJATO

PM tears into independent candidateWarned not to use party regalia The youthful independent candidate in the Ondangwa Urban by-election is feeling the wrath of the ruling party.

Candidates for the upcoming Ondangwa Urban by-election stepped up their campaigning over the weekend.

The independent candidate, 27-year-old Angelina Immanuel, held a cleaning campaign where she was joined by her supporters, while Swapo held their star rally which was attended by a few cabinet ministers and party members from all the four central northern regions.

Immanuel told Namibian Sun that she was not ready to talk to the media.

A member of the Swapo Party politburo and central committee, and the prime minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, urged voters not to vote for Immanuel, saying she does not belong to any political party and is promising “heaven and earth”.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also urged Immanuel to refrain from using party colours on her campaign material.

She said Ondangwa Urban voters must vote for Swapo candidate Leonard Nevonga because he is able, experienced, dynamic, passionate about uplifting the people of Ondangwa and is empowered with enabling tools that will help him deliver results.

“His reign will be on the basis of the well-researched and tested political manifesto of the Swapo party, government's Harambee Prosperity Plan, government's national development plans, the land conference resolutions and many other government policies,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

“How do you vote for somebody that has no policies and they are only talking? They belong to no party with a political manifesto. You do not even know what they are standing for and they are just promising heaven and earth.”

She said that the Swapo constitution prohibits Swapo members to contest against Swapo or its members in political competitions.

Those who do so are violating the party's constitution and will be thrown out of the party.

“You cannot be a Swapo member and you are fighting your own party. Such a person, an independent candidate working to take away votes from Swapo the same way opposition parties do, is a supporter of an opposition party.

“By so doing you already chased yourself out of Swapo. If you are an independent candidate and you consider yourself as a Swapo member and you want to remain a Swapo member, stop your competition, stop your fight against Swapo and come to support your party candidate.

“If you do not want to do it, we will not look at you as a Swapo member. You must refrain from using Swapo Party colours and symbols on your campaigning materials. If you want to fight against Swapo, stand on your own and we will defeat you as we have done with those who tried it in the past,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

Immanuel would not comment on whether she is a Swapo Party member or that she used Swapo symbols or colours for her campaign.

On opposition parties, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that Swapo has a record of defeating opposition parties and will do it again in the Ondangwa Urban by-election.

On 15 June, residents of Ondangwa Urban constituency will vote for the candidate of their choice to replace Elia Irimari, who was appointed as the governor for Oshana Region.

Swapo is represented by Negonga while Vincent Ndjoba is the APP candidate.

The PDM is represented by Johannes Martin, while Mandume Andreas Tuhafeni is the CoD candidate. The four are joined in the contest by 27-year-old independent candidate Angelina Immanuel.

ILENI NANDJATO

City ups water warnings

The City of Windhoek has announced that in line with its water provision plan and taking into account the availability of water over the next two years, the City has moved from the current category C water scarcity to category D. Water restrictions will come into effect as of 1 July this years.
Thus, 15% water savings will be required and the weekly consumption target for Windhoek is 465 000 cubic metres weekly. Of this, NamWater will supply 35%, Wingoc reclamation 26% and the aquifer’s supply will total 39%.
The City’s CEO Robert Kahimise added that “NamWater will only be abel to supply Windhoek with 163 712 cubic metres of the required demand of 539 350 cubic metres per week, as per the projected demand for the 2019/20 period.
JANA-MARI SMITH

Inclusivity on the agendaNSC hosts Regional Chairpersons' Forum Regional chairpersons and sport officers have been urged to rally the masses, and business owners, in order to develop sport.

The Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) on Saturday held its inaugural Regional Chairpersons' Forum at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Girls Centre.

The forum was held to discuss various issues, including the terms of reference for chairpersons, last year's National Youth Games, their expectations as teams prepare for the 2019 regional games and financial obligations.

Deputy sports minister Agnes Tjongarero officially opened the event, and called on the regional chairpersons to work together to develop sport at regional level.

“We have in the past received complaints from the regions that there is a lack of inclusivity in sport, especially at constituency and regional level. I, therefore, call upon you and the regional sports officers to use this initiative to rally the masses and support sport development,” she said.

She added there is need to for collaboration between the ministry and key regional stakeholders, such as governors, regional and town councils and business owners.

This, she said, would ensure that sport development, in terms of the maintenance of facilities through public-private partnerships, takes place, as proven in Swakopmund and elsewhere in the world.

Tjongarero added that regional business owners need to support their respective regions, as they prepare for the 2019 Regional Youth Games, scheduled for December.

NSC chief administrator Fred Simataa Mwiya said the forum passed several resolutions at the end of the meeting.

“We agreed on a number of resolutions and these include that the 2019 Regional Youth Games host will be Swakopmund, from 5 to 7 December. We will also adjust the terms of reference of our regional chairpersons to ensure that all stakeholders are involved,” Mwiya said. The forum also tabled a proposal about the hosting of the 2019 regional sports awards, with the host to be announced in the near future. Mwiya added they also resolved that all individual regional award ceremonies would take place before October.

“We also added four more sporting codes to the regional games, namely rugby, hockey, karate and wrestling, to the already existing football, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, para-athletics, boxing, swimming, judo and gymnastics,” he added.

NAMPA

Guardiola says City will get better

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his side's rivals that the English champions will only get stronger, after holding off Liverpool to become the first side in a decade to retain the Premier League.

City came from behind to beat Brighton 4-1 on Sunday and take the title by just one point from Liverpool, despite the Reds amassing a club record 97 points.

Indeed, Liverpool's points tally is the third highest in Premier League history, behind only City this season and when they racked up 100 points in storming to the title for the first time under Guardiola last year.

City could become the first side to ever win a domestic treble in England, should they beat Watford in the FA Cup final next weekend.

But Guardiola is already looking ahead to next season and strengthening his squad to repeat the feats he achieved in winning three titles in a row at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“Winning is so addictive and of course in a few days we have the FA Cup,” said Guardiola, who has now won eight league titles in 10 seasons as a coach.

“After (we'll) prepare well and take the right decisions for next season to come back stronger, because Liverpool will maintain it, I think, and the other ones will be better.

“I think (Manchester) United must come back, Chelsea (with) one more year with (Maurizio) Sarri will be better, Tottenham we have seen (get to the) final of the Champions League and Arsenal, when they do what they have to do, will be there as well.

“We know it, but we accept the challenge and I promise you we will come back and I have the feeling we will be stronger next season.” Liverpool's wait for a league title will now stretch to at least 30 years and the Champions League finalists will aim to end a seven-year wait for silverware of any kind against Tottenham on 1 June.

Meanwhile, an embarrassing 0-2 home defeat by already-relegated Cardiff saw Manchester United end their campaign as close to the relegation zone as the top of the table. Guardiola used England's two traditionally most successful clubs as an example to City's players, fans and owners not to take their current success for granted.

“Now when you win the title you realise how difficult it is just to win one title,” he added.

“Liverpool in the last four years didn't win one. Man United and Liverpool are the biggest clubs in England. The biggest mistake, which with me is not going to happen, is to believe we are something special, because you win four or five titles in two years. But still you can go the next four or five without winning anything.

“That's why I want the fans, the organisation, to enjoy that moment because it's so complicated,” Guardiola added.

NAMPA/AFP

Klopp turns to Champions League glory

Jurgen Klopp has challenged Liverpool to use the pain of their failed Premier League title bid as fuel to finish a remarkable season with Champions League glory.

Liverpool fell one point short of winning their first league title since 1990, as Manchester City pipped Klopp's side on the final day of the season.

Liverpool's 2-0 win over Wolves was rendered irrelevant by City's 4-1 victory at Brighton, leaving the Anfield faithful frustrated, after it briefly appeared they might witness two football miracles in the space of a week.

Last Tuesday's astonishing 4-0 win against Barcelona, which overturned a 0-3 first-leg deficit and sent Liverpool into their second successive Champions League final, was one of the greatest nights in the club's history.

And when Sadio Mane put Liverpool ahead early on against Wolves, and City fell behind to Glenn Murray's goal, another unthinkable dream was about to become reality.

That tantalising moment lasted only a matter of seconds, however, as Sergio Aguero equalised for City, who went onto shatter Liverpool's hopes with a ruthless goal-spree.

It was cruel on Liverpool, who secured 30 wins and 97 points, setting a standard that would have secured the title in any year but the last two, with Pep Guardiola's sensational City amassing 100 points 12 months ago and 98 this term.

Yet Klopp insists his players won't dwell on their agonising near-miss for long, because they have a chance for redemption in the Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid on 1 June.

“We have qualified for the Champions League final. That is special. This team is one of the best that ever played for Liverpool, 100%,” Klopp said.

“If I would start telling you all the positive things about this team we would be here until an hour before the Champions League final.

“This club is in the best moment for a long time and it will not end because another team has one more point.

“If we are ready to make the next step, we will. That is the plan from tomorrow.”

While Klopp is confident Liverpool can bring home the club's sixth European Cup and first since 2005, even if they do triumph in Madrid, the German doesn't believe his team are at the peak of their powers yet.

“I am not worried that this is as good as it can be. This team is not the finished article,” he said.

Reeling in City won't be a piece of cake for Klopp and the 51-year-old conceded Guardiola's group present a unique challenge.

“I never expected it to happen today. Realistically, City had it in their hands. We've got a great opportunity to win number six in Madrid, that's all we care about now,” Reds fan Stephen Mulgrew told AFP.

Dom Tyler, another diehard supporter, said he had started the day optimistic, but his focus was also on the Champions League.

“When Brighton scored I thought I was going to cry. I really thought we could do it. It didn't happen, but there's nothing to be ashamed of. We've got a hell of a team and there's still everything to play for,” he said.

NAMPA/AFP

Dinamiet kom in klein pakkiesJong krieketspelers skitter Die eerste APS-kriekettoernooi is in die hoofstad gehou.

Michelline Nawatises

‘n Plaaslike onderneming, Africa Personnel Services (APS), het onlangs ‘n kriekettoernooi vir o.12-spelers in Windhoek gehou waartydens die Dynamite Ducks koning gekraai het.

Die Blasting Birds-toernooi is van Donderdag tot Sondag by die Wanderers-krieketveld aangebied. Ses spanne het meegeding, naamlik Rowdy Roosters, Tenatious Turkeys, Iron Owls, Blazing Blackbirds en Dynamite Ducks.

Janko Engelbrecht van Dynamite Ducks was verheug oor sy span se oorwinning. "Ek is baie gelukkig, aangesien ek my kolfvaardighede verbeter het," het hy gesê. Nog 'n speler, Dan Brassel, het gesê dit was 'n “stewige wedstryd”, maar hulle het deurgedruk danksy hul sterk sportmangees. "Die Iron Owls was sterk in kolfwerk en dit het dit moeilik gemaak om ‘n deurbraak te maak,” het hy gesê.

Die kaptein van Dynamite Ducks, Stefan du Plessis, het gesê die span het aansienlik verbeter en uit hul foute geleer. "Een voordeel wat ons gehad het, was ons spanlede wat al vroeër teen mekaar gespeel het. Dit het ons in staat gestel om aan ons sterk punte te werk," het hy gesê en bygevoeg dat sy boultaktiek geweldig verbeter het.

Lede van die Namibiese senior nasionale krieketspan was ook teenwoordig by die toernooi. Volgens Karl Birkenstock is dié tipe toernooie van groot belang. "Blootstelling is belangrik, jy verbeter baie en sulke toernooie strek tot groot voordeel vir ontwikkeling." Nog 'n lid, Jan-Izak de Villiers, het gesê die jong spelers het op dié manier nog meer kennis oor die spel gekry. "Hulle is nog jonk en het nog baie om te leer, maar hulle het uitstekende boul- en kolfwerk gedoen.”

Een van die deelnemers aan die toernooi, Drikus Martins, het 'n maand se gratis afrigting by die APS-akademie gewen nadat hy die beste gevaar het in ‘n vraag-en-antwoordsessie oor ses senior Namibiese krieketlede en hul spelposisies.

Die organiseerder van die toernooi, Annemarie de Villiers, het gesê hul plan is om die toernooi jaarliks aan te bied. Vanjaar se borge was APS, die XCO0groep , BMG (Bearing Man Group) en Ice Queen.

PRETTE FEITE VIR TOERNOOI

*Kiera Schoemann was die enigste meisiedeelnemer

*Die kolwer van die toernooi was Ben Brassel

*Die bouler van die toernooi was Brian Edwards

*Twee Brassel-broers het teen mekaar gespeel

*Die mees veelsydige speler was Dan Brassel

*Iron Owls het die tweede plek gewen

Iizemo yomahogololo gaSouth Afrika oyi li oshilongwa kuNamibia

Aatseyinawa oya holola kutya epondolo ndyoka lya ningwa kongundu yoEconomic Freedom Fighters (EFF), sha landula omahogololo ngoka ga ningwa moSouth Afrika oshiwike sha piti, itali vulu okutaandela mongundu dhompilameno moNamibia.

Aatseyinawa oya holola kutya ongundu yoSwapo otayi vulu okukanitha omawi ihe itashi ti kutya ekanitho ndyoka otali ningi esindano lyoongundu dhompilameo.

Oshilongwa oshinene moNamibia otashi ka kala omawi ga yonuka oshowo aahogololi itaya thiki komahala gokuhogololela unene aanyasha.

Ongundu yoEFF ndjoka ya ningi ongundu yi li ponomola ontitatu melelo lyoshilongo shoka oya yi pombanda okuza poopresenda 6 mpoka ya li momvula yo 2014, okuya pomulongo nuumvo.

Omunongononi gwonkalo yopolotika, Charles Mubita okwiinekela kutya ndyoka epondolo enene kongundu ndjoka, sho yi li ongundu oshona natango.

Okwa popi kutya mboka oya longitha endopo lyongundu yoAfrican National Congress (ANC) mokwiimonena iipundi mbyoka ihe oya ndopa okunana aailongi, iiputudhilo yopombanda oshowo aanyasha yaahena iilonga. Mubita okwa kunkilile oongundu dhopolitika moNamibia opo kadhi dhine aahogololi nokuya kuyo dhi kwashilipaleke kutya oya shangithwa na otaya hogolola. “Natango ngele owa tala komawi ngoka ga hepa nenge mboka inaya hogolola oto mono kutya omawi ngoka otaga vulu okukala ge li pombanda nomawi ngoka taga monika po koongundu dhimwe po. Otwa pumbwa okwiilonga okuza mpoka nokuhwahwameka aantu ya tseye kutya oshi li uthemba wawo wopaudemokoli opo ya hogolole.”

Ndumba Kamwanyah, okwiinekela kutya omapopyo gomupresidende Cyril Ramaphosa,kombinga yuulingilingi osho sha hupitha ongundu ndjoka. Shimwe natango shoka sha yambidhidha omahogololo geli pauyuuki na oga ende nawa moSouth Afrika ekalo lyomahangano giikumungu yoshigwana pomahala gomahwahwameko gopolitika.

“Omupya omunene moshilongo shetu, omahangano guuwanawa woshigwana kage na oonkondo. Otwa pumbwa okulongitha oonkondo dhetu momahangano guuwanawa woshigwana; otashi kala oshiwanawa kuundemokoli wetu.”

Henning Melber okwiinekela kutya kape na eyooloko enene miizemo yomahogololo gaSouth Afrika, na ongeshefa ngaashi ya kala.

Nonando ongaaka okwa popi kutya epulo kombinga yevi inali dhana onkandangala pethimbo lyomahwahwameko gomahogololo, sho kwa kala taku longithwa iinima yilwe ya simana ngaashi okwaahena iilonga, oluhepo, iimbuluma oshowo egameno.

Shimwe shoka Melber popi, eitangelo lyemanguluko lyoshilongo ndyoka lya kala eimbilo lyakehe esiku kutya olya shuna pevi. Okwa popi kutya nonando aakokele onkene itaya topolwa nongundu ndjoka ya kondjele emanguluko lyoshilongo, aahogololi oyendji ngashiingeyi oyoomvula ndhoka itadhi kwatakanithwa nekondjelomanguluko.

Otaya tala nokunongonona epangelo yiikwatelela kwaashoka tashi longwa po ihe ha ke kondjelo lyemanguluko.

“Ngaashi Namibia, South Africa oshimwe shomiilongo mbyoka yi na kwaahathike pamwe ku li pombanda noonkondo muuyuni, oshowo etata lyaanyasha kaayena iilonga. Onkene omolwashike ye na okuhogolola epangelo ndyoka itali ya etele omalunduluko kakele keiyambapaleko mokati kaakengeli, na otaya longitha ehololomadhilaadhilo lyawo pakukala inaya ishangitha opo ya ka hogolole nenge ya kale inaya hogolola konima yokwiishangitha.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Embandapalo omolwa omukithi gwoCongo fever

Omuntu omutitatu ta tengenekwa kutya okwa kwatwa kombuto yomukithi gwa nika oshiponga gwoCrimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) okwa lopotwa ta mono epango moshipangelo shaNandjokwe.

Omulumentu gwoomvula 27 a za momukunda Ontananga moshitopolwa shaShikoto, okwa tulwa mewalanda lyiikalekelwa moshipangelo shoka, konima sho a taambelwa moshipangelo momasiku 8 gaMei, e na omadhidhiliko gomukithi ngoka.

Ongundu yaanambelewa yuunamiti oya topolelwa momudhingoloko gwaNtananga opo ya ka ningile omakonaakono aantu ayehe mboka ya li mekwatathao nomupangwa ngoka. Uuministeli kuyele owa li wa tseyitha kutya omukiintu gwoomvula 54 okwa ningilwa omakonaakono na okwa monika e na omukithi ngoka. Omulumentu omukokele okwa hulitha ihe inaku kolekwa natango ngele okwa hulitha komukithi ngoka.

Omunambelewa omupopiliko guuministeli wuundjolowele, Manga Libita okwa popi kutya ayehe mboka ya monika omadhidhiliko otaya ikalekelwa sigo omukithi ngoka gwa pangwa, nehwahwameko moshigwana otali tsikile.

Ngoka ta longo pehala lyomukomeho guundjolowele, Omundohotola Helena Nkandi-Shiimi, okwa koleke omupangwa gwahugunina ngoka taku fekelwa kutya okwa kwatwa komukithi ngoka, okwa taambelwa moshipangelo shaNandjokwe, omolwa omukota.

“Ngashiingeyi okwiikalekelwa omanga oshipangelo sha tegelela iizemo yomakonaakono gombinzi okuza koNational Institute of Communicable Diseases Regional Reference Laboratory moSouth Africa,” Nkandi-Shiimi a popi.

Okwa gwedhwa po kutya oshizemo shomakonaakono gomunamimvo 78, a za momukunda Ontananga, ngoka e li omufekelwa omutiyali, na okwa hulitha sho a thiki moshipangelo momasiku ga 7 gaMei, inayi yakulwa natango.

Oshipotha shotango osha lopotwa momukintu gwoomvula 54 a za natango mOntananga, ngoka iizemo yomakonaakono ya holola kutya okwa kwatwa komukithi gwoCongo fever, konima sho a taambelwa moshipangleo momasiku 26 gaApilili.

Uuministeli owa popi kutya ohashi kutha omasiku ga thika pugatatu opo wu mone omayamukulo okuza koNational Institute Communicable Diseases Regional Reference Laboratory in South Africa.

Congo fever omukithi ngoka hagu taandele okuza kiinamwenyo okuya kaantu.

Omukithi ohagu taandelithwa okuza koongupa ndhoka hadhi humbata omukithi ngoka noku gu kuna miinamwenyo ngaashi oongombe, iikombo noonzi. Iinamwenyo mbyoka ohayi kwatwa komukithi uuna ya lika koongupa nombuto ohayi kala mombinzi yawo uule wiiwike iyali.

Kaantu omukithi ohagu taandele uuna omuntu a lika kombupa yi na omukithi ngoka nenge a yi mekwatathano nombinzi yoshinamwenyo sha kwatwa nenge ombinzi yomuntu. Omukithi ohagu vulu okutaandela okuza momuntu gumwe okuya komuntu omukwawo okupitila mombinzi nenge miikunguluki yolutu.

Maantu omadhidhiliko gomukithi ngoka oshivu, oontumba dholutu tadhi ehama, othingo ya kukuta, ombunda tayi ehama, oshipwatagula, omeho ga zinda, onkungo, oshimela, uuwehame mepunda oshowo etiko lyombinzi.

Uuministeli wuundjolowele owa tula miilonga okomitiye yowina momasiku 26 gaApilili, ndjoka ya nuninwa okuungaunga netukuko lyomukithi ngoka.

Omukiti ngoka ogwali gwa tukuka hugunina moshilongo muFebruali gwomvula yo 2017, sho omuniilonga gwomofaalama moshitopolwa shaMaheke, a hulithile moshipangelo shaGobabis.

Mwene gwoHarnas Wildlife Foundation muuzilo waGobabis, Nick van der Merwe, okwa hulitha koCongo fever momvula yo2001, konima sho a lika kongumba. Oshipotha shika sha kolekwa oshi li oshi ti 5 sha lopotwa moNamibia, konima yomvula 16.

ILENI NANDJATO

Swapo a ponokele nomalaka omuhogololwa iithikamenaOmahogololo ngoka otaga kalako omwedhi twa taalela Ookandindate dhomahogololo guukansela melelo lyoshikandjohogololo, Ondangwa Urban, odha ningi omahwahwameko gadwo gomahogololo mehuliloshiwike lya piti.

Omuhogololwa iithikamena, omunamimvo 27, Angelina Immanuel, okwa ningi omahwahwameko gokuwapaleka moka a wayiminwa kaayambidhidhi ye, omanga ongundu yoSwapo ya ningi oshigongi shomahwahwameko shoka sha kaliwa koominista dhokabinete oshowo iilyo yongundu okua koombinga ne dhoshilongo.

Immanuel okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya ina pyakudhukwa okupopya niikundaneki.

Oshilyo shelelo lyongundu yoSwapo na okuli omuprima gwaNamibia, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, okwa lombwele aahogololi opo kaya hogolole Immanuel ta popi kutya ke li oshilyo shongundu yontumba na ota ningi omauvaneko gegulu kombanda yevi.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwa pula woo Immanuel opo a hulithepo okulongitha omizalo dhongundu yoSwapo, pethimbo ta ningi omahwahwameko ge.

Omuprima okwa pula aahogololi mOndangwa Urban ya hogolole omuulikwa hogololwa gwoSwapo, Leonard Nevonga molwaashoka ota vulu na oku na otseyo nehalo lyookuyambulapo onkalo yaakalimo yomOndangwa.

“Otamu ka hogolola ngiini omuntu ke na omilandu na otaya popi owala. Kaye li kongundu yontumba yi na omilandu. Kamu shi woo kutya oya thikama peni na otaya ningi owala omauvaneko gegulu kombanda yevi.”

Okwa popi kutya ekotampango lyaSwapo olya indika iilyo yawo yi ye momathigathano gopolotika. Mboka taye shi ningi otaya yi pondje ekotampango lyongundu.

“Ito vulu okukala oshilyo shoSwapo na oto kondjitha ongundu yoye mwene. Omuntu ngoka, omuhogololwa iithikamena ta longo nokukutha ko omawi koSwapo, ngaashi hashi ningwa koongundu dhompilameno, oku li omuyambidhidho gwongundu yompilameno.”

“Paku shi ninga ngaaka owiitidhamo nale ngoye mwene moSwapo. Ngele ngoye omuhogololwa iithikamena na owiitala kutya oshilyo shoSwapo, hulitha po ethigathano lyoye, hulitha po okukondjitha oSwapo e to yambidhidha omuhogololwa gwongundu yoye.”

“Ngele ito shi ningi nena itatu ku talako onga oshilyo shoSwapo. Ikaleka kokule nokulongitha omalwaala goSwapo pethimbo to ningi omahwahwameko goye.

Ngele owa hala okukondjitha oSwapo shi ninga wiithikamena na otatu ku sindi ngaashi twe shiningile mboka ye shi kambadhala,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila a popi.

Immanuel ina yamukula ngele ye oshilyo shoSwapo nongele oha longitha omalwaala goSwapo.

Kombinga yoongundu dhompilameno, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila okwa popi kutya Swapo oku na ondjokonona yokusinda oongundu ndhoka na ote shi ningi natango momahogololo guukansela mOndangwa urban. Momasiku 15 Juni, aakalimo yomOndangwa Urban otaya ka hogolola kansela gwawo omupe, ngoka ta pingenepo, Elia Irimari, ngoka uulikwa a ninge Ngoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaShana. Swapo ota kalelwapo kuNegonga omanga Vincent Ndjoba ta kalelepo oAPP. PDM otayi kalelwa po kuJohannes Martin, omanga Mandume Andreas Tuhafeni ta kalelepo ongundu yoCoD. Mboka yane otaya wayiminwa komuhogololwa iithikamena omunamimvo 27, Angelina Immanuel.

ILENI NANDJATO

No means no! Honing in on youth and rape culture Your no is always no, regardless of your relationship with the person trying to force you to have sex.

Justicia Shipena

Namibia has been awash with painful stories of rape and sexual abuse, with more and more victims opening up about their experiences.

This month posts have gone viral on social media, as victims spoke out against sexual predators, and nearly over 200 cases have been reported.

This started after members of the community, especially young females, protested against domestic violence and sexual abuse in the Slut Shame Walk (SSW) march that took place in early April.

Although many people frowned on the way the messages of sexual violence and stigma were being portrayed, this did not deter victims in their efforts to expose offenders.

Several actions have since been taken in an attempt to create a safe platform for victims to speak out, some of which include @WomenSpeakingOut, #WeAreDone, @SlutShameWalk and #MeTooNamibia.

What started off as a casual post on social media has left many reeling with shock, as many found out their relatives or even their own sexual partners were involved in abuse.

In response, First Lady Monica Geingos has reached out and offered a safe space for counselling and supporting victims through her office.

“I have an excellent team in my office who deals with sexual violence. They give free physiological and case management help. We are willing to be supporting a brave young woman to open a case today (sic),” Geingos tweeted.

Speaking during a media conference, Geingos said: “This constant negotiation amongst families, sweeping things under the carpet, is the reason why this keeps happening.”

She was referring to offenders and their parents approaching the parents of the victims, saying “let’s not make a big deal out of this, which causes unnecessary, extra trauma for victims.

Advocate Rohlisang Ramakhutla, who is also a victim of sexual abuse, said she knows what it feels like to have someone walk in and take power over the one thing that is yours in this world; hence she started helping others who have been sexually assaulted.

“I also know how difficult it is to move past the trauma, especially when you have a weak support system,” she said.

She said as a law student she learned a number of things.

“If you gave your consent prior to the act and change your mind - retracting your consent whilst in the act and your partner does not stop - it is rape,” she said.

Ramakhutla added your partner can rape you, and that your no is always no, regardless of your relationship with the person.

Thus it is vital know that being forced into giving consent is not okay either.

John Lenga, founder of the #WeAreDone movement, said he started the movement when someone close to him was impacted by sexual abuse.

The therefore creates videos to create awareness. He said guys also get raped, although there may not be a huge number of male rape cases.

“Last week I got a guy tell me his story about how he got raped by a girl,” he said.

He added that rape is not only about physical hurt and sometimes victims are afraid to speak out because of the shame people heap on them.

“It is difficult for guys because if your own friends laugh at you, what will the police say?” he said.

Lenga said we need to empower victims of sexual assault and should take their cases seriously.

“We judge women by their sexual behaviour, which is not right, and we don’t know what happened to guys who become womanisers. Sometimes it is just pain manifesting in a different manner,” he said.

Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) SRC president Juno Angula said while he cannot comment on allegations, which have not been proven to true, they do offer support to students who report harassment.

“In the instance where a student reports harassment, the council can offer support and encouragement to the student; in a case where the student perhaps gets into a cab and ends up encountering unfortunate circumstances, it may be difficult to identify the perpetrator,” he said.

He said sexual abuse cases are placing young girls in a position where they are afraid of men, which shouldn’t be the case.

He added that a balance should be created where men and women can co-exist, and women are not afraid of men and being harmed by them.

The #MeTooNamibia movement, which is an alliance of organisations that share the same vision to provide support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, has also come to the fore. #MeTooNamibia is comprised of partners such as Regain Trust, Lifeline/Childline, the Namibia Women Lawyers Association, the Nixon Marcus Public Law Office, Sister Namibia, Bel Esprit, Slut Shame Walk, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Office of the First Lady, the Namibia Coalition Against Gender Based-Violence and the Legal Assistance Centre, as well as many others.