Namibian Sun

Semenya eyes Rasa dominationSA athlete favourite to win top categories Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya is the obvious favourite to scoop the sportswomen and sportsperson of the year awards at Rasa 2019.

Reigning Olympic champion Caster Semenya heads up a stellar line-up of nominees for this year's Regional Annual Sport Awards (Rasa 2019), to be hosted in Windhoek this coming weekend.

The regional awards show will see the cream of the crop being honoured on Saturday night.

In the sportswomen of the year category Semenya is up against Malawian boxer Anisha Basheel Malawi and Lesotho triple-jumper Lerato Sechele.

In the sportsperson of the year category she is competing against Zimbabwean karateka Wilfred Mashaya, as well as Basheel.

However, Semenya's dominance in the 800 metres on the global stage is unquestionable and she is expected to easily scope both awards, without breaking too much of a sweat.

On 3 May Semenya claimed her 30th consecutive victory at a Diamond League event in Doha. Semenya blazed to victory in typical fashion, crossing the line in a time of 1:54:99. Bernadine Ndeshi Negonya from the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) said they are still waiting to hear whether Semenya will be attending the awards.

“We will certainly know by today if she will be attending the awards, as she is nominated in two categories. We will also hear from the rest of the nominees,” Negonya said.

Semenya scooped a number of awards last year at the 2018 South African Sports Awards, bagging the sports star of the year, sportswoman of the year and people's choice awards.

The regional awards are staged to celebrate excellence and bestow accolades on athletes, coaches, teams and journalists who excel at regional and international level.

Rasa 2019 will be celebrated under the theme 'Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation' and is expected to attract about 250 invited guests and dignitaries, including ministers of sport from all 10 Region 5 member countries, sporting legends and sport celebrities from across the region.

The nominees are drawn from the winners of sports awards held in the 10 member countries - Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. After an earlier judging round, three final nominees per category were selected.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Griffons down Welwitschias Another defeat for Davies The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias have slumped to another SuperSport Rugby Challenge defeat.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

The Down Touch Griffons defeated the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias 34-24 in their SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash yesterday afternoon.

The Namibians had their hopes dashed of pulling off their first win of the tournament this season, as the home side emerged victorious at the Impala Rugby Football Club Stadium in Rustenburg.

This was Namibia’s fourth SuperSport Rugby Challenge defeat this season, which would have been extra disappointing for coach Phil Davies, as his side put up a spirited performance.

The Namibians opened the scoring in the second minute of the match through a Johan Tromp try, with Cliven Loubser slotting the conversion.

In the sixth minute Ezrick Alexander responded with a try for the Griffons, but Yaya Juries failed with the conversion attempt.

The eleventh minute saw Domma Smit scoring a try for the Griffons. Juries successfully converted this time. Jean Pretorius also put his name on the scoring sheet for the Griffons in the 15th minute, with Juries again converting successfully. The Welwitschias responded through Abel de Klerk, and yet again Loubser slotted the conversion.

In the 34th minute Loubser converted a penalty attempt for his side. In the second half the Namibians kept pushing forward, with Louis van der Westhuizen scoring in the 48th minute. Loubser slotted the conversation for the Namibians.

Duan Pretorius scored for the Griffons in the 59th minute, but the conversion attempt was unsuccessful. In the last minute of the match Diego Visagie converted a penalty attempt for the Griffons.

The Namibians remain bottom of their pool. The Tafel Lager Griquas lead the log with 20 points, with the Pumas in second, followed by the Golden Lions.

The Welwitschias will face the Leopards at the Hage Geingob Stadium this coming Saturday.

Chiefs left seeing stars

A 92nd minute penalty by Zakhele Lepasa saw TS Galaxy crowned as the first-ever lower division club to lift the Nedbank Cup, after a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.

In front of a packed house in Durban, the National First Division (NFD) outfit coached by Dan Malesela kept their composure throughout a tightly-fought contest, as they matched their more illustrious opponents.

Amakhosi, meanwhile, never really got going on the night, as their four-year wait to win silverware continues.

Chiefs had come into the final on the back of a poor run of form in the league, with just two goals scored in their last four matches. Their lack of a cutting edge was again on display during a first half in which they had plenty of possession, but rarely threatened.

The Mpumalanga outfit were happy to keep it tight and looked to break on the counter, and they had the first clear chance of the match in the 20th minute when Tembinkosi Mbamba fired a volley over the bar from 12 yards out.

The NFD club continued to frustrate Chiefs, and it was only in the minutes leading up the interval that the Soweto side finally enjoyed a few openings in front of goal, as Teenage Hadebe sent a header over the bar from a free-kick, before Bernard Parker stole the ball off Galaxy keeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku, only to have Austin Dube block his goal-bound shot.

The introduction of George Maluleka for Andriamirado Andrianarimanana helped bring Amakhosi more attacking impetus after the restart and they enjoyed a succession of openings, with Lebogang Manyama going agonisingly wide with a chipped effort, before Mpakumpaku made fairly routine saves following shots by Kabelo Mahlasela and Khama Billiat.

At the other end, a mistake by Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso in the 56th minute resulted in an opportunity for Snethemba Ngidi, but he pulled his effort well wide.

However, following a flurry of goalmouth action early in the second half, chances dried up as the lower division team again continued to frustrate the Glamour Boys. And it was only in the 82nd minute that the next action arrived, when Willard Katsande fired a volley well over the bar after Mpakumpaku had failed to gather a corner.

Six minutes later there was high drama as Lepasa picked up the ball at the end of a swift counterattack and drove into the Chiefs box, where his progress was halted by a clumsy combined challenge by Hadebe and Kgotso Moleko.

Referee Abongile Tom had a tough call to make, although replays suggested he made the right decision as he pointed to the penalty spot.

After a lengthy delay for an injury, Lepasa, on loan at Galaxy from Chiefs' arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, stepped up to coolly slot the ball into the goal as Bruce Bvuma dived the wrong way.

There were some anxious late moments for Galaxy, as the Soweto side threw everything into their attacks, but once more they kept their cool to make it through seven minutes of added time and write the club's name into the history books.

NAMPA/ANA

Wilder destroys BreazealeChallenger dispatched in first round Deontay Wilder used his explosive right hand to inflict maximum damage on Dominic Breazeale.

Undefeated Deontay Wilder brutally knocked out Dominic Breazeale in the first round of their grudge match on Saturday night to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight world title.

Wilder, who has one of the most destructive right hands in heavyweight history, floored the challenger with a one-punch knockout with 43 seconds left in the opening round.

Wilder swarmed Breazeale from the opening bell, hurting him with a straight right hand then finishing him off later in the round with a devastating right to the chin that was set up by a left jab.

Breazeale lay on his back and then got up at the count of 10, before the referee stopped the fight.

Wilder, 33, improved to 41-0-1 with 40 Kos.

He successfully navigated the ninth defence of his title against heavy underdog Breazeale at the Barclays Centre arena in Brooklyn, New York.

Breazeale, who had lost just one previous fight to Anthony Joshua, dropped to 20-2 with 18 KOs.

There was bad blood between the two heading into the fight, with the build-up marked by a series of macabre threats from Wilder, who had spoken of his willingness to cause a fatality in the ring.

Threats of violence are a stock-in-trade part of promoting fights, but Wilder's gruesome pre-fight comments were condemned by many in the sport as going too far.

NAMPA/AFP

Minista a yamukula TjivikuaNonando ongaaka omapopyo ngoka otaga ka konaakonwa aniwa Ominista yElongo lyoPombanda, Itah Kandjii-Murangi oya yamukula komapopyo geidhopo mo lyopolotika ngoka ga ningwa kOmukomeho nale gwoshiputudhilo shoUniversity of Science and Technology (Nust), Tjama Tjivikua.

Kandjii-Murangi okwa pula kutya omolwashike Tjivikua ta popi owala ngashiingeyi, na okwa popi kutya omapopyo ge agehe ngoka a ningi kage na uukwashili.

Momukanda ngoka gwa shangelwa omunashipundi gwelelo lyaNust Esi Schimming-Chase mesiku lyotango lyaMaalitsa nuumvo, Tjivikua, ngoka a thigi po oshiputudhilo shoka momasiku 31 gaMaalitsa okwa popi kombinga yiikumungu yontumba.

Momalundilo ngoka ga ningwa kuTjivikua, omwa kwatelwa kutya omaihumbato gaKandjii-Murangi oga kutha po einekelo muyamwe po yomaadhaninkandangala moshiputudhilo shoka omanga natango ga nkondopeke aaniilonga yamwe po moshiputudhio nokukala taya ihumbata ngaashi yahala.

Tjivikua okwa popi natango kutya aaniilonga yamwe mboka itaya gwanitha po iilonga yawo oyiitungilapo uungundu nokutyapula eyambidhidho lyaminista na otaya pangele yeli ompinge naye naamboka ya gama kombinga ye, sho a li omukomeho opo andola ye mu pingenepo.

Tjivikua okwa popi kutya oshiputudhilo shaNust otashi gwile muupyakadhi kaapena ngoka a pyakudhukwa oku shi hupitha omolwa omaihumbato gaKandjii-Murangi oshowo iilyo yimwe yelelo lyoshiputudhilo.

Kandjii-Murangi okwa yamukula komapopyo gaTjivukua sha landula oshinyola shoNamibian Sun, nokupopya kutya ngoka omalundilo gowala.

“Konima yoomvula ne nda longele pamwe nawa nomukomeho nale gwaNust, otandi ti ngoka omalundilo gowala kage na uukwashili. Omolwashike te ga ningi ngashiingeyi sho tayi?” minista pula.

Mokati kiinima mbyoka ya popiwa kuTjivikua omwa kwatelwa kutya aaniilonga yamwe moshiputudhilo otaya gama ombinga nelelo lyoshiputudhilo omolwa omauwanawa gawo gopaumwene.

Pahapu dhe ekwatathano lyiilonga lyuukilila pokati kaaniilonga nelelo otali tula moshiponga oshiputudhilo.

Tjivikua okwa lundile woo iilyo yelelo lyoshiputudhilo kutya otaya ningi kehe shimwe shoka tashi popiwa kuKandjii-Murangi.

Miinima mbyoka omwa kwatelwa woo ekutho lyoonkondo omutumba gweutho gwali tagu ningilwa omupopiliko gwoshiputudhilo shoka, Kaitira Kandjii, ngoka Tjivikua a popi kutya ogwa kuthwa oonkondo kuminista yemwene.

Onzo yimwe oya lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya Kandjii omukwanezimo gwopopepi gwaminista, naashoka osho shemu thiminike a kuthe omutumba ngoka oonkondo.

Schimming-Chase oshiwike sha piti okwa popi kutya omanyenyeto gwaTjivikua otaga ka talika.

“Kehe omanyenyeto taga ningwa komuniilonga shi na sha nehala lye lyiilonga nale otaga ka talika komukomeho gwe, mompito ndjika omunashipundi gwelelo, neyambidhidho okuza kuuministeli womondjila.”

“Kashi shi oshinakugwanothwa shelelo lyaNust li ungaunge nomanyenyeto gomuniilonga nale. Oshilonga shoka oshi li momake goshikondo shoonzo dhopauntu nomunambelewa gwoshikondo shoka otaka ya mekwatathano nOmuprofessa Tjama Tjivikua pethimbo ewanawa opo ya kundathane omaupyakadhi ngoka e na konima sho a thigi po oshiputudhilo shoka muMaalitsa gwo 2019,” Schimming-Chase a popi.

OGONE TLHAGE

Oshikondo shaatalelipo sha taalela omashongo

Uuministeli womatalelepo owa taalela omashongo omanene shi na sha newapaleko oshowo epangelo lyiikwaniipangitho momahala ga gamenwa, omolwa eshunitho pevi lyiimaliwa mbyoka ya nuninwa oshikondo shoka.

Oodhapu dhoka odha popiwa kOmupeha Minista gwoshikondo shomatalelepo moNamibia, Bernadette Jagger pethimbo uuministeli wa popile oshimaliwa shoka wa pewa shokulongitha moshikakomvula shonuumvo momutumba gwoPaliamende.

Jagger okwa popi kutya eshunitho pevi lyiimaliwa mbyoka ya pewa uuministeli mboka otali etitha omashongo nomaupyakadhi ogendji ngele tashi ya kepangelo lyiikwaniipangitho momahala gaatalelipo ga gamenwa.

Okwa popi kutya muule wethimbo, onkalo ndjoka otayi ka guma nayi oshikondo oshowo ethano lyaNamibia ngele tashi ya komatalelepo.

Pahapu dhe, oya yakula omanyenyeto ogendji nale okuza kaatalelelipo moshinima shoka.

Nonando ongaaka okwa popi kutya otaya kambadhala okulongitha omikalo dhomondjila tadhi pula woo elongitho lyiimaliwa iishona opo ya vule okukandula po omikundu dhoka.

Okwa popi kutya shoka otashi ka kala oshilalakanenwa shawo shotango moshikakomvula sho 2019/20 nuuministeli otawu ka kambadhala okutula miilonga uutokolitho womutumba gwevi omutiyali gwoshipashigwana.

Kombinga yeshunitho pevi lyelongitho lyiimaliwa, Jagger okwa popi kutyaa uuministeli owa dhidhilike iifuta yi li pombanda noonkondo yoondjambi dhaaniilonga, na otawu kambadhala okutopolela aaniilonga iinakugwanithwa nokuthitika oomwaka dhaaniilonga dhoka dhi li po, sho itaya vulu manga okukuta miilonga aaniilonga ya gwedhwa po.

Okwa popi kutya ooprograma dhomadheulo odha kalekwa manga na otaya kambadhala okushunitha pevi iifuta yilwe ngaashi yoomadhengo goongodhi.

Natango ope na omahala gatatu ga gamenwa ngoka ga tulwa pamushangwa gwopapangelo momvula yo 2018/19, nokweetitha omahala ngoka moshilongo po 86.

Pahapu dhaJagger eningo lyomaindilo guunzapo woenvironmental clearance pakulongitha omalungula olya tulwa miilonga tali ningilwa manga omalolelo, na otali ka tulwa miilonga pashigwana mbala.

Natango omulandu gwoWildlife Utilisation Permit Online System, ngoka tagu pitika aantu ya ninge omaindilo gomikandapitiko palongitho lyomalungula melongelokumwe nOmbelewa yOmuprima, otagu longekidhwa.

Omulandu ngoka otagu kambilipalela aaningi yomaindilo yeli po 10 000 mboka haya ningi omaindilo kehe omvula.

Okwa popi natango kutya oshikondo shomatalelepo onkene tashi pula komeho nokuyambidhidah eliko lyoshilongo pethimbo ndika onkalo yeliko lyoshilongo tayi gu pevi.

Olopota yoTourist Statistical Report for 2017, ndjoka ya tulwa miilonga muDecemba gwo 2018, oya holola e yo pombanda moshikondo shaatalelipo noopresenda 2.2 momvula yo 2017.

Jagger okwa popi kutya omaumbangi genkondopeko moshikondo shomatalelepo, otaga hololwa ke yo pombanda lyoompito dhiilonga moshikondo.

Omapekaapeko goNamibia Labour Force Survey of 2016 oga fekele kutya oompito dhiilonga moshikondo, megandjo lyomayakulo goondya oshowo omahala gokulala odha londo pombanda noopresenda 63 okuza po 29 265 momvula yo 2014 okuya po 47 840 momvula yo 2016.

Jagger okwa popi kutya natango uuministeli otawu tsikile nokukondopeka elongelokumwe megameno lyiiyamakuti oshowo oonzo dhopaushitwe ndhoka dha gamenwa.

“Opo ku vule okukandulwa po uupyakadhi wiikolokosha pokati kaantu niiyamakuti, okwa ziminwa etalululo lyomulandu gwopashigwana gwoNational Policy on Human-Wildlife Conflict Management.”

Etulo miilonga lyomulandu ngoka olya tameke noonkambadhala dhokukandula po iikolokosha yoludhi ndoka, moshitopolwa shErongo oshowo Kunene.

ELLANIE SMIT

Environment ministry steps up inspections

The environment ministry stepped up its inspections during the 2018/19 financial year, despite ongoing government financial woes, and issued 39 compliance orders to those in contravention of the Environmental Management Act.

This was confirmed by deputy environment minister Bernadette Jagger during her recent budget motivation speech in parliament.

She said 2018/19 was significant in terms of the implementation of the Act. “A number of high-profile cases, such as the illegal timber harvesting in the north-eastern regions and the illegal sand mining taking place in the northern regions, have raised the importance of environmental sustainability and the need for our communities to benefit fairly from the use of these natural resources,” Jagger said. She said the ministry has developed new procedures and conditions to ensure that communities do benefit from the utilisation of natural resources taking place in communal areas.

“As awareness of the Environmental Management Act increases, we are also now seeing an increasing number of appeal cases. These are important to give communities, but also proponents and other stakeholders, access to environmental justice,” said Jagger.

According to her 2018/19 was also a landmark year in the area of waste management.

She said the national clean-up campaign, called for by President Hage Geingob, has put waste management issues on the national agenda and inspired operations across the length and breadth of the country.

“We are proud to mention that Minister Pohamba Shifeta gazetted the first 11 waste disposal sites in terms of section 5 of the Environmental Management Act. The ministry is continuing to implement the National Solid Waste Management Strategy for 2018 to 2028, and I am confident that we are on the right path of progress to ensuring that Namibia becomes the leading country in Africa in terms of solid waste management by 2028.”

Jagger said in view of the prevailing economic circumstances, the ministry continued its dual strategy of increasing revenue and cutting costs. She said environmental levies are now being collected for carbon emissions, incandescent light bulbs and tyres. From these proceeds, N$7 million was allocated to the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) for re-investment into environmental protection measures during the period under review.

“We look forward to the introduction of levies on batteries, lubricant oil and plastic bags and the increased capitalisation of the fund through these measures.”

ELLANIE SMIT

Budget cuts bite parksTourists complain about upkeep of infrastructure The lack of maintenance at national parks will seriously harm Namibia's reputation and competitiveness as a tourism destination in the long run.

The tourism ministry is experiencing major challenges with the maintenance and the upgrading of infrastructure in protected areas, due to budget cuts.

Deputy tourism minister Bernadette Jagger said during the ministry's recent budget motivation speech in parliament that budget declines were creating a huge challenge for the ministry, in terms of the maintenance and upkeep of park infrastructure, with costs far outweighing the available funds.

Jagger said in the long run this will seriously harm Namibia's reputation and competitiveness as a tourism destination.

According to her there have already been many complaints from tourists in this regard.

“Nevertheless, we are busy devising innovative approaches that will allow us to tackle this challenge in a manner that is both cost-effective and efficient,” Jagger said.

She said this will be an important priority focus area during the 2019/20 financial year and the ministry will strive to implement the second national land conference resolutions on the matter.

With regard to cost-cutting measures, Jagger said the ministry is cognisant of it high wage bill and has made concerted efforts to reassign and reallocate duties among its staff members.

“Many of our vacancies have not been filled, and we have taken steps to spread the workload among the existing staff members. Training programmes have been suspended and we have taken measures to reduce utility costs, such as for telephones.”

Meanwhile, three more communal conservancies were established and gazetted during 2018/19 financial year, bringing the total number to 86.

The ministry also continued its business re-engineering processes to improve service delivery and make efficiency gains.

According to Jagger the online application system for environmental clearance certificates has been opened to external clients on a trial basis and will very shortly be formally launched.

The Wildlife Utilisation Permit Online System, to enable clients to apply for permits online, is also under development with the Office of the Prime Minister. This system will facilitate a greater ease of doing business for the approximately 10 000 stakeholders that apply for these permits per year.

Jagger said the tourism industry continues to show remarkable resistance and is growing its contribution to the economy during the current economic headwinds.

The Tourist Statistical Report for 2017, which was launched in December 2018, showed an increase of tourism arrivals of 2.2% during 2017.

Jagger said further evidence of the strength of the tourism sector is the increasing employment that is being generated. The Namibia Labour Force Survey of 2016 estimated that those employed in accommodation and food service activities increased by about 63%, from 29 265 in 2014 to 47 840 in 2016.

According to Jagger the ministry is continuing to strengthen collaboration and coordination for the protection and conservation of wildlife resources.

“In order to tackle the urgent problem of human-wildlife conflict, the Revised National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management was approved.”

Its implementation has started with elephant and lion conflict mitigation measures being established in the Erongo and Kunene regions.

“In order to strengthen governance practices in communal conservancies, guidelines and standard operating procedures for the management of communal conservancies were developed,” Jagger added.

ELLANIE SMIT

V. Vries #1 Virgil Vries remains a key player for the Brave Warriors.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

He may have lost his place at Kaizer Chiefs, but Virgil Vries remains a key player for the Brave Warriors, as they prepare for Afcon 2019.

Born in Keetmanshoop, Vries joined Golden Arrows in 2011 from Eleven Arrows for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.

In January 2012 he was loaned to second division side Carara Kicks, after failing to break through to the Arrows first 11.

Things did not turn out well for the Namibian in South Africa in his first few seasons and he decided to return home in order to rediscover his form and passion.

The keeper signed a short-term contract with Orlando Pirates in the Namibia Premier League (NPL).

In 2013, Vries returned to South Africa where he signed a deal with Maritzburg United.

He played for the South African club from 2013 to 2017 before making a move to Baroka FC.

During his days at Maritzburg, Vries enjoyed his fair share of first team football, producing important saves for the side.

His popularity grew and he attracted Chiefs attention in 2018.

The Soweto giants completed Vries’ transfer from Baroka FC, making him the second choice to Bafana Bafana keeper Itumeleng Khune.

However, things did not turn out well for Vries at Chiefs and he was recently released by the club.

The goalkeeper made eight appearances for the club in all competitions during the 2018/19 season and conceded six goals, while keeping four clean sheets.

Vries continues to have the backing of former national team and Kaizer Chiefs player Robert Nauseb.

“I do believe that Vries is a good goalkeeper who has just gone through a difficult period like any other keeper does in their careers,” Nauseb said before Vries was released by Kaizer Chiefs.

Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti also spoke highly of the keeper.

“Vries is a strong and talented player who has helped the national team. He will remain the national team keeper, even if his club career has not been rosy at Kaizer Chiefs, because he is an important player to us,” Mannetti said in an earlier interview.

Vries made his Warriors debut in June 2009 against Burkina Faso.

His brilliant goalkeeping abilities helped the national team qualify to Afcon 2019, which will take place in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July.

Dagga suspects change lawyer

The formal bail application of northern businessmen Paavo Hatutale (47) and his co-accused Nicodemus Shekunyenge (21) will take place on Wednesday after they changed their regal representative.

They made their third appearance before Magistrate Letta Simon in the Ohangwena Magistrate's Court last week following their arrest in February for allegedly being in possession of and dealing in drugs.

They were arrested for allegedly being in possession of truckload of dagga worth more than N$1 million.

During their first and second appearances they were represented by Maruschka January.

However, during last week's appearance they informed the court they are now being represented by Jan Greyling & Associates.

Simon postponed the matter to this Wednesday for their formal bail application, following the change of lawyer.

Hatutale, who owns Hatutale Transport, was arrested at Onhuno in the Ohangwena Region, allegedly while driving a truck carrying one of the biggest consignments of cannabis ever confiscated in the country. He was arrested after the police were tipped off by a member of the public.

Shekunyenge was arrested the following day after it was established they had driven together.

Hatutale and Shekunyenge reportedly drove from South Africa through Botswana and entered Namibia using the Rundu-Nkurenkuru route.

Police reported that the truck had been contracted to transport poles for a building material shop in the north.

Forty-one bags of dagga were allegedly found hidden under the poles.

Simon said the drugs have a street value of N$1 094 000.

ILENI NANDJATO

'Fake doctor' granted bailCase postponed until 3 July Saima Mushimba faces charges of fraud and contravening a section of the Medical and Dental Act 10 of 2004, by pretending to be a doctor.

Saima Mushimba has been granted bail of N$2 000 by the Oshakati Magistrate's Court after appearing in connection with pretending to be a student doctor who had studied in Russia.

The Oshakati Intermediate Hospital could not explain how the 24-year-old ended up treating patients at the state facility.

Magistrate Helena Ekandjo granted Mushimba bail last week.

She faces charges of fraud and contravening a section of the Medical and Dental Act 10 of 2004, by pretending to be a doctor.

Mushimba, who will be conducting her own defence, was not asked to plead.

The matter was postponed to 3 July for further police investigation.

“You will remain in custody until you pay the bail amount of N$2 000. You are urged to return to court on 3 July, and if you fail, a warrant of arrest will be issued against you. Once you pay your bail money, you are required to report to the Oshakati police station every Monday and Friday, and you are not allowed to go out of the Oshakati district without informing the investigator,” Ekandjo told the suspect.

Chrisna Masule represented the State in the matter.

Oshakati Intermediate Hospital acting superintendent Dr Korbinian Vizcaya Amutenya could not say how Mushimba ended up at the hospital.

According to a police report, Mushimba was identified by someone who accused her of stealing a laptop in Windhoek.

The women notified the hospital, which then notified the police. Mushimba was arrested last Tuesday after a preliminary investigation found she was pretending to be a medical intern and was using fake documents.

She had allegedly told a family member, who had given her accommodation, that she was employed in the casualty ward's pharmacy.

STAFF REPORTER

Namport fires 86 employees

Leandrea Louw

Namport has dismissed 86 container terminal workers who were involved in an illegal strike in August last year.

Namport acting CEO Kavin Harry explained via a memo issued on Friday that 92 workers were charged in line with clause 4. 5 of the company’s disciplinary code.

Eighty-six workers were subsequently dismissed for misconduct after a disciplinary hearing, while six others were given final written warnings.

Harry said the unfortunate turn of the events had regrettably resulted in service disruptions at the harbour.

“Management has put measures in place to mitigate the impact of such disruptions. Security measures have also been beefed up to minimise risks to Namport employees and property," Harry said.

The strike action took place at the Namport head office at Walvis Bay. Employees went ahead with the illegal industrial action despite being cautioned not to do so by the Namport management and union bosses.

At the time the employees claimed the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) had not consulted them on changes made to their conditions of employment and that their right to freedom of association was being violated.

They also demanded to join and be represented by the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), because of alleged corruption and victimisation by the Natau leadership.

Namport accused the participants of not following the correct grievance procedures contained in the collective bargaining agreement signed between the port authority and Natau.

Larger than lifeNujoma celebrates his 90th birthday at Etunda President Hage Geingob says former head of state Sam Nujoma’s legacy stretches across all generations.

ILENI NANDJATO

Former president Sam Nujoma had indicated he did not want to have a big 90th birthday party, due to the persistent drought that is plaguing the country.

However, the Sam Nujoma Foundation, Swapo and the business community all pitched in to organise a huge event at Nujoma’s birthplace of Etunda on Saturday, which was attended by hundreds of Namibians from all works of life.

Also in attendance were senior government officials, as well as President Hage Geingob and former head of the state Hifikepunye Pohamba.

Nujoma said the foundation and the office of the Swapo secretary-general not only spearheaded the organising, but also contributed immensely to the successful hosting of the event.

“I am aware that 90 years in a life of a person is a milestone occasion worthy of celebration, but due to the persistent drought and adverse effects of climate change, as well as the impact of unprecedented headwinds caused by the global economic downturn in the country, I did not want to have a big party this year to celebrate my 90th birthday, but a simple and modest one,” Nujoma said.

“At this juncture, allow me to thank our government under the leadership of President Geingob for declaring a national state of emergency with respect to the drought in several areas in the country, due to the shortage of rainfall experienced this year.”

Pohamba, who handed a gift of a walking stick to Nujoma, said his lifetime is worth celebrating because he drove the nation through the long journey to independence.

Nujoma was joined by his wife Kovambo, his children and other family members during the celebration.

Geingob said the country is celebrating 90 years in the life of an icon in every sense, saying Nujoma is a man defined by an innate humility, yet he possesses a disposition and an aura that is often larger than life.

“His life exploits are unforgettable and his elegance is mesmerisingly timeless. It is for this reason that comrade Nujoma’s legacy stretches across all generations, forming a bridge between the 20th and 21st centuries, between old and young, between the generation of the liberation struggle and the born-free generation. Everyone, from east to west and from north to south, can attest that our birthday boy is indeed a Namibian icon,” Geingob said.

“Under the expert leadership of comrade Nujoma, Swapo launched the struggle for independence - politically, diplomatically and militarily. It was a long, bitter and protracted struggle, but Swapo prevailed because it had firmly rooted itself as the driving force of the Namibian people’s struggle for independence.”

Geingob said Nujoma was able to galvanise party functionaries, deploying them as per their unique qualities and talents. Eventually, thanks to Swapo’s efforts of lobbying and petitioning, the international community became empathetic to the struggles of the Namibian people.

“Comrade Nujoma and others were able to expose to the world that Swapo was fighting a just cause to rid the Namibian people of the yoke of apartheid colonialism.

“As we pay tribute to this peerless comrade, this foremost lynchpin of our revolution, we acknowledge a life dedicated to freedom and humanity. In recalling the life of comrade Nujoma, I am reminded of the trip I took to Cuito Cuanavale this March, just two days after we celebrated our 29th independence anniversary,” Geingob said.

“At that inaugural commemoration of Southern African Liberation Day, we paid tribute to three iconic figures who symbolised one of the greatest military triumphs on African soil.

“I spoke of our own icon, whose extraordinary leadership and unyielding commitment to the freedom and independence of Namibia provided the motivation and driving force for thousands of brave Namibians to sacrifice their lives in the name of freedom. I said that the indomitable spirit of this icon will continue to inspire future generations of Namibians,” Geingob added.

Minister hits back at Tjivikua

OGONE TLHAGE

Higher education minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi has hit back at allegations of political interference raised by former Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) vice-chancellor Tjama Tjivikua.

Kandjii-Murangi has questioned why Tjivikua was only speaking out now and called all his accusations “baseless”.

In a scathing letter sent to Nust council chairperson Esi Schimming-Chase on 1 March, Tjivikua, who left Nust on 31 March, made a number of accusations.

Among these were that Kandjii-Murangi’s actions had corroded the trust amongst roleplayers involved with the institution and empowered certain staff members to act with impunity.

“Thus non-performing and delinquent staff members have formed a lobby group enjoying the minister’s support. They are now poised to take over the university and purge it of those seen associated to me,” he said.

Tjivikua said Nust would “slide into abyss with no one standing ready to rescue the situation”, as a result of Kandjii-Murangi’s and certain council members’ actions.

Kandjii-Murangi has now responded, following the Namibian Sun’s airing of Tjivikua’s grievances last week, by saying his accusations are “baseless”.

“After four years of working successfully with the former Nust VC, I say these are baseless and unfounded allegations. Why now as he exists?” she questioned.

According to her, the priority now was ensuring that there was stability at the institution going forward.

“The stability of our public universities is of paramount importance, for it makes an effective teaching and learning [environment] possible,” she said.

Among Tjivikua’s other allegations was that certain Nust staff members were unfairly siding with council members to enhance their own interests. According to him, a direct link in the line of work between staff members and council members was undesirable and harmful to the university.

Tjivikua also accused council members of willingly dancing to Kandjii-Murangi tune.

Also at the centre of the rift between the two is the cancellation of a disciplinary hearing into the conduct of the institution’s spokesperson Kaitira Kandjii, which Tjivikua said was called off by the minister.

A source told Namibian Sun that Kandjii is a close relative of the minister, hence her meddling to stop the disciplinary hearing.

Schimming-Chase said last week that Tjivikua’s grievances would be dealt with.

“Any concerns a former employee has regarding his previous workplace will be dealt with by his line manager, the chair of the council in this instance, with appropriate input from the relevant line ministry,” she said.

“It is not the function of Nust council to deal with former employee grievances. This function lies within human resources and an HR officer will be in touch with [Professor] Tjama Tjivikua at the appropriate time to discuss any issues he may have since his departure from the university in March 2019,” she added.

Vikings slay DolphinsHard-fought derby win SFC Vikings overturned a 11-15 halftime deficit to notch up a hard-fought win against Dolphins Rugby Club.

Adolf Kaure

SFC Vikings defeated Dolphins Rugby Club 29-16 in a Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) first division west match that took place on Saturday at the Vineta North Sports Field in Swakopmund.

SFC Vikings overturned a 11-15 halftime deficit as they scored 18 points in the second half to claim the derby victory.

In a post-match interview SFC Vikings head coach Jaco Barnard said that although his team showed good character to claim the victory, there is still a lot of room for improvement.

“These guys improved themselves. We knew that we were going to have a tough game... At halftime they were in front by 11-5. We had to fight back and use our bench to do this. Our forwards had a massive game and there is a lot of things we have to look at,” Barnard said.

“They capitalised on a lot of our mistakes, especially at breakdown time. All credit to them; they definitely improved themselves. We need to go back to the drawing board as there are some things that need to be straightened out before our next game.”

SFC Vikings ran in five tries with two of them being scored by winger Zinzan Steenkamp. The rest of their tries were scored scumhalf Lovelle Delie, flyhalf Dirkie von Weidts and Sheiton Besser. Kyle Wentzel, who was on kicking duty, converted two of the five tries.

Dolphins coach Rathan Coetzee expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, despite the defeat.

“Every facet of the game was powerful; the guys really toughened up and showed that a derby is a hard game and that you have to be mentally tough enough to compete in these kind of derby games. I’m very proud of my guys, although we lost the game,” said Coetzee.

Dolphins’ two tries were scored by their fullback Quinton Fielding and flyhalf Mitchell Kotzee. They also scored two penalties from the boot of Mitchell Kotzee.

Fish River festival set to thrill

Footballers from every corner of the country will converge on Mariental for the third edition of the Fish River Sports Festival that will take place from 7 to 9 June.

The 2019 edition will see teams from all over the country competing, with Upington-based Mainstay United also participating for the second time.

The festival is aimed at bringing people together through football. It has a total budget of N$100 000, and about 32 teams are expected to participate in the tournament, which is open to any team.

The football tournament was won by Try Again in 2015, after they defeated Untouchables from Schlip 2-0 in the final. The 2016 edition, which was hosted in Rehoboth, saw Untouchables defeating Airport Eagles via penalties after a goalless draw.

One of the organisers Rhuuksie //Garoëb said this is a great opportunity for players to showcase their talent.

“Don't be shy to enter. Since it will be off season teams have the chance to get their players in form,” said //Garoëb.

He further added that coaches can scout new players. Due to lack of interest, the netball tournament is cancelled. The overall football winners will receive N$50 000, 20 gold medals and a floating trophy, while the runners-up will receive N$20 000 and 20 silver medals. The semi-final losers will receive N$8 000 each, while the four quarterfinal losers will walk away with N$3 500. The registration fee per football team is N$3 500.

The draw will be conducted on 5 June at 19:00 at the Mariental Youth Centre and all teams are urged to send two representatives. The closing date for registrations is 4 June.

Entrance at the gate is N$20 and cars pay N$10. There will be a DJ to keep the crowd entertained at the venue. Vendors will be able to sell their wares at the matches, with a stall fee of N$400 for the weekend.

Teams can contact //Garoëb on 081 208 1681 for more information.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

What dreams are made of My friend informed me that her daughter send me a congratulatory message a week ago after she heard that I was nominated for the fourth Regional Annual Sports Awards (Rasa 2019).

Her daughter is 14 years old. She told her mother she follows my writing and Googled me a few times. This is the same girl who last year wrote me a message saying that she was rooting for me to win the sports journalist title at the Namibia Sports Awards, because she likes to watch the news and saw that I was a nominee. This touched me tremendously, because writing is often about turning complexity into simplicity, so readers of all ages and persuasions can be informed and entertained.

It also touched me because this young girl has the likes of Rihanna and Beyoncé to look up to, for the obvious reasons, but in her class essay she wrote about me and why she wants to be like me someday.

I know many journalists are not really wary of others when we write the things we do, or that we don't look over our shoulder to see who is following the things we write or say. But there are so many young children picking up newspapers and watching TV just to see what we are presenting for consumption to the public.

So many of these young girls and boys actually see us as roles models and value our presence in their lives. Truly, nominations aside, I'm happy to be shaping a child's life in a positive way through my work.

I'm excited to be recognised for my contribution to sport, both locally and regionally. I could complain and say that I sometimes don't have the best resources to work with, or that it is difficult to get hold of some of the information that I need, but that's not me. What you need, you will get if you want it. That's my standing philosophy.

Some might say that am lucky to be counted amongst the top best three sports journalists for Rasa 2019. But the truth is am very far from being the best. I only try to be better than my last article. Sometimes I get it wrong. Then I kick myself. But then I learn and in those lessons I remember not to repeat the same mistakes. I absolutely love doing my job. I enjoy the gratification of knowing that one article can change or inspire someone, young or old.

The reward is the response. Sometimes when it doesn't come, I wonder if I have done a good job. Even one complaint is better than nothing.

So, without growing expectation, I appreciate those who see and read the long and not so long articles; and those who call to debate something I wrote. But mostly I appreciate the athletes, especially those who I work closely us as journalists; to them we owe our ink and paper.

I'm honoured to be nominated. Each sports journalist continues to shape the industry, one step at a time; and for that I applaud everyone for their hard work.

Let's continue to tell the stories that matter. In situations where others don't see possibility, let us make the most of those possibilities.

limba@namibiansun.com

Where to from here?The state of Namibian football The following is an opinion piece on the state of football in the country.

For all local football's claims to be the biggest sport in Namibia, it has never won a match at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals and has failed to qualify for the Fifa World Cup. Somehow, the people's game in Namibia has not reached the heights that was anticipated. Y

et this means there are still new lands for football to conquer.

The African club championships (African safari) has always been the domain of North African clubs and only in recent times have teams in the sub-region become competitive. Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe come to mind. If hyperbole was inescapable, their relative success has vindicated optimism about local football's capacity for growth.

Our beloved African Stars participated in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League for the first time after a long while in the wilderness. This wilderness was not African Stars' doing or any other team in Namibia, but because of the unconducive environment prevailing in Namibian football at that time.

We will come back to this later on.

The 'African safari' was a deliberate intent on the part of the African Stars management under the tutelage of our astute chairman, Patrick Kauta. The collective view was taken after giving consideration to the following questions: What can we do to revive domestic football? Can we sustain a competitive Brave Warriors without a competitive domestic league?

We answered these questions by beating Volcano Club de Moroni from the Comoros Island in the preliminaries and booking a date with South Africa's Orland Pirates. In the first leg against Pirates in Johannesburg we held our own and came away with a credible 0-0 draw. It was a big task for the boys on the field and they responded to the clarion call of putting the Reds from Windhoek back on the African football map.

Ivan Kamberipa gave a performance that will change his life, Ronald 'Stigga' Ketjijere rolled back the years, Tjiuana ua Tjinotjiua gave a combative right-back performance, Aubrey Amseb and Image Isaacks dazzled in the middle of the park. In the fullness of time we will come to appreciate what this will mean to the archives.

Okaserandu, the pride and joy of our people, during the good and bad times, the departed elders on whose wisdom we relied upon, used to tell us that there are two things that the Otjiherero people don't differ on, namely the great Chief Hosea Kutako and our beloved team African Stars.

Back to the business. The second leg in Windhoek was a watershed for our football as the Okaserandu faithful filled the Sam Nujoma Stadium to the rafters. It was cool Saturday with clouds hovering and the gods preparing for two traditional teams to do battle. If time could stand still, this would have been a fitting occasion. Unfortunately, we lost to a soft goal bundled over by Justin Shonga from Zambia. We came so close, yet so far, and tears alone could not tell the whole story.

We moved on to the CAF Confederation Cup where we had to face the might of North Africa in Rajah Casablanca and we lost 2-1 on aggregate over two legs. Marrakesh was a baptism of fire, but we came out with our heads held high. Namibian football is back. Did we learn from the African safari? Yes. Will we do it again? Yes.

Where to from here?

The Brave Warriors have qualified for the Afcon 2019 in Egypt and it appears we do it in 10-year cycles - the golden generation of 1998 and 2008, and the current team under Ricardo Mannetti.

Football is currently being run by a normalisation committee and they will eventually have to give the reigns to a substantive structure that will lead football to its rightful place. If truth be told, on the field of play football has overachieved and taken on a life of its own, but management cannot be left to the imagination of the unsuspecting.

The incoming leadership at Soccer House should sell us their vision that the country can buy into, in order to propel us to new heights. Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto should be playing in Europe, Benson Shilongo is busy setting Egypt alight and Petrus Shitembi has taken his Warriors form to the Zambian league. Combine this with the emerging talents of Ivan Kamberipa, the 18-year-old Mbakondja Tjahikika from Eleven Arrows and Deon Tjizumaue from Tigers. The talent is there, but it is the packaging of this product that will take us to greater heights.

In conclusion, we need a visionary leadership at Soccer House, we need Namibian teams to compete in African competitions and corporate Namibia will have to pump money into football, so that we can have a product that all of us will be proud of. We will start qualifying for Afcon more frequently and start exporting Collin Benjamins and Rassie Tjikuzus again. The future is bright.

*Salomo Hei is the executive director of African Stars.

Salomo Hei

Stray lions kill three cattle

ILENI NANDJATO

Two stray lions killed three cattle last week in the grazing area near the Ongandjera salt pan at Okakewa.

Okakewa is situated near Amarika in the Omusati Region.

According to Otamanzi constituency councillor Johannes Iyambo the lions were spotted by farmers on Monday and they are still roaming in the area.

“So far they have killed three cattle and they are still roaming in the area. We have informed the nature conservation officials, but they have not yet visited the area,” Iyambo said late last week.

“Everyday farmers are calling me and I am always asking them not to do any harm to the lions.”

Iyambo said that Okakewa is about two kilometres from the Etosha National Park fence. The fence is damaged and wild animals are escaping.

Neither the environment ministry officials at Ongwediva nor ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda could be reached for comment.

In May 2017, businessman David Kambwa Sheehama shot three lions dead after they killed his cattle.

Ironically, Kambwa had benefited from a lucrative tender to erect a 90km-long security fence around the Etosha National Park some years ago.

The ministry needs at least N$500 million to fix the more than 700 kilometres of fencing around the Etosha National Park, in order to reduce the proliferation of wildlife escapes from the park.

Let the games begin

The Electoral Commission of Namibia last week announced 27 November as the date for the upcoming general election, which will be preceded by the supplementary registration of voters in July. With silly season now upon us, parties and their respective candidates are plotting various strategies on how the electorate can be swayed to vote in their favour. There is no doubt that campaign promises can be enticing and fun-filled at the same time. And over the years we have witnessed political parties enlisting the services of musicians to get their message across and have people support their campaigns - a concept that can attract the country’s young army of voters. But shaking legs to woo star-struck voters does not guarantee you votes. With many potential voters - young and old included - showing tremendous interest in the country’s political affairs, it is advisable that prospective candidates show how they can powerfully leverage issue-based campaigns and steer clear from the mud-slinging that is common during election season between contestants. Political parties must have clear strategies in place on how address the many challenges befalling our nation, and use campaign platforms to articulate their party agenda on national issues, instead of focusing on electioneering lies and unreasonable promises. Namibia is grappling with critical issues, such as the high unemployment rate, a housing crisis, a shaky economy and generally poor service delivery across various sectors. There must be a real battle of ideas among candidates and their campaign teams. The nation needs politicians who can deliver on their electoral promises and who are not just out to charm individuals with boxes full of promises. Invariably these boxes, along with these politicians, literally disappear once they are voted into power. As much as we appreciate voting in a democracy, there should be meaningful checks and balances within the system of governance on how to deal with those officials neglectful of the people’s needs.