Namibian Sun

Kaizer Chiefs sign Kambole to end scoring woes

Kaizer Chiefs fans will be hoping that the signing of Lazarous Kambole from Zesco United will be a step in the right direction as the Soweto club looks to improve their fortunes after an unhappy 2018/19 season.

The Zambian international has joined on a three-year deal from Zesco, with whom he won the championship in 2017 and 2018.

“Kambole joins Chiefs! Kaizer Chiefs have agreed on a deal to sign Lazarous Kambole from Zesco United FC on a three-year contract,” the Glamour Boys tweeted.

“Kambole is 25 years old and will join Amakhosi effectively on 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2022.”

Chiefs finished their previous campaign in an unprecedented ninth position on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) table. The club is now trophyless for the last four seasons after they lost in the Nedbank Cup final to second-tier club TS Galaxy.

Like his predecessor Giovanni Solinas, Ernst Middendorp has not been an overly popular choice as head coach, while before that, supporters had also grown impatient towards the latter stages of Steve Komphela's three-year tenure.

Coaches can't score goals though, and it's been pretty clear to see that Amakhosi's struggles have largely emanated from their lack of firepower.

Last season, Zimbabwean international Khama Billiat bagged five league goals, with his former Sundowns strike partner Leonardo Castro finding the net four times. The next highest scorers were central defender Daniel Cardoso and midfield anchorman Willard Katsande, who netted three each.

The season before, the joint top scorers were Bernard Parker, Gustavo Paez and Ryan Moon, with just four league goals each. In the past two campaigns, Amakhosi have managed just 60 goals in 60 league matches; by comparison Sundowns netted 89 goals in the same number of games.

Now Chiefs fans will be hoping that Kambole can perhaps be the catalyst for a brighter future.

He has netted seven times in 15 matches for the senior Zambian side and has an impressive 14 goals in 22 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup matches, including one against Chiefs in January this year in a 5-2 aggregate win for Zesco.

He could potentially make his debut for Amakhosi on 28 July in the Carling Cup against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.

NAMPA/ANA

Hockey guns for TokyoWomen's team to take on Spain, Belarus and Canada in qualifiers With qualification the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the ultimate prize, the Namibia senior women's field hockey team will be competing against top-notch opposition in Spain.

The Namibia senior women's field hockey team is gearing up to take on Spain, Belarus and Canada in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Series Finals in Valencia, Spain.

With the competition lined up from 19 to 27 June, the team has to pull out all the stops and will face tough competition as they battle to secure a path to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Namibia, rated 42nd in the world, are the lowest ranked in their group.

They will play their first match against Belarus (ranked 20th) on 19 June. Their second match will be against Canada (ranked 21st) on 21 June and the last match will be against hosts Spain (ranked 7th).

The Namibians, who were Africa's sole representatives at last year's Indoor Hockey World Cup in Germany and who performed above par before exiting, will enter the qualifiers as underdogs, with South Africa having a much better ranking (15th) than them.

South Africa are in Pool B with Italy, (ranked 17th), Thailand (28th) and Wales (27th). Two countries from each group will qualify for the Olympics.

At the national colours handover ceremony yesterday, Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya sang the praises of the hockey team, saying they have become a force to be reckoned with.

“When we send you somewhere, we know you are going to compete and not participate like some sports codes. They qualify, participate and return without winning, but we know that with hockey, they return with something,” said Mwiya.

He further urged the players to compete with pride and dignity. “Make sure you compete without worries about finance issues. We will pay for everything,” Mwiya boasted. He said all monies should be accounted for and that a feedback report should be handed in when the team returns.

Groups A and B will involve some of the best emerging hockey teams in the world.

The Namibian squad is as follows: Magreth Mengo (captain), Petro Stoffberg, Jerrica Bartlett, Sunelle Ludwig, Gillian Hermanus, Kiana-Che Cormack, Dure Boshoff, Taramarie Myburgh, Danja Meyer, Cele Wessels, Berencia Diamond, Jahntwa Kruger, Emilia Kashopola, Ina Louis, Joane van Rooyen, Armin van Staden, Jocelle Deysell, and Jivanka Kruger.

Non-travelling reserves: Amber Dercksen and Vicky Stiemert.

Coaching staff: Erwin Handura (coach), Rachel Freeman (manager), Randolf Slabbert (assistant coach), Manuel Carballo (fitness and mental health), Donatha Ngunovandu (team medic) and Maryke Short (video analyst).

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Semenya threatens Budd's SA record

Returning to action after a six-week hiatus from the track, South Africa's Caster Semenya charged to an impressive victory at the European Outdoor Classic meeting in Montreuil, France on Tuesday night.

Competing in her first race since she won the women's 800m battle at the IAAF World Athletics Diamond League meeting in Doha last month, Semenya coasted home in 5:38.19 to win the women's 2 000m contest in Montreuil, narrowly missing out on the South African record.

Semenya, who already held national records over every distance from 400m to 1 500m, crossed the line inches shy of the South African 2 000m mark of 5:38.07 which was set by Zola Budd in Cape Town in April 1991.

Though Budd clocked 5:33.15 in London in July 1984, when she was representing Great Britain.

Semenya, who has been given the green light to participate in middle-distance events until 25 June while an ongoing appeal against international gender rules is heard in Swiss courts, is expected to compete again in the 3 000m race at the World Athletics Diamond League meeting in Stanford, United States on 30 June.

“This is a good platform for her preparation for the 3 000m at the Diamond League and it also keeps the world aware that she remains in top form and very much competitive,” said Aleck Skhosana, the president of Athletics South Africa.

NAMPA/ANA

Team Namibia off to beach gamesThousands set flock to Island of Sal The Namibia women's 3x3 national basketball team will head to the Island of Sal in Cape Verde.

The Namibian Basketball Federation (NBF), with the aid of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), will be sending a 3X3 women's national basketball team to compete in the first-ever African Beach Games.

The inaugural games will take place from 14 to 23 June and a squad of four, with a chaperone, is set to leave on Sunday.

Preliminary games called Cape Verde qualifiers were held in Windhoek in May, with the tournament winner automatically qualifying for the games.

NBF secretary-general Ramah Mumba said this is the first time that Namibia is recognised on such a platform in basketball and he is proud of the achievements of the players.

“The team has already made us very proud by being part of such a historic event in sports history, specifically basketball,” Mumba said.

Chaperoning the players will be NBF development officer Malakia Matias, who said: “Hopefully this serves to remind the young players that there is indeed much to look forward to in basketball and sport in general.”

Matias helped the ladies prepare for the competition and will continue to ensure they perform well.

One of the players, Victoria Netumbo, said they will wear the national colors with pride and that they appreciate the support coming from everyone.

“We will do our utmost best to make everyone proud.”

The African Beach Games will cater for 11 sport codes, namely 3x3 basketball, athletics, beach handball, coastal rowing, beach and freestyle football, beach tennis, beach volleyball, karate kata, kite surfing and open-water swimming.

Fifty-four countries and close to 1 000 athletes will take part in the competition, which acts as qualifiers for the World Beach Games.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Banyana recharge batteries

Banyana Banyana took time to recharge their batteries in one of the great cities of the world – Paris - on Tuesday ahead of their crunch clash against China in a Fifa Women's World Cup group match at the Parc des Princes Stadium tonight.

After losing their opening match of the tournament 3-1 to Spain last week a spree of shopping in Paris was probably on the agenda before they go 'shopping' for points against China.

If they leave empty-handed their chances of progressing further in this tournament will have evaporated.

Coach Desiree Ellis said it was important for the team to switch off from football to help their mental preparation.

“We are in the middle of a competition but at times you need to give the players a break so they let their hair down and recharge their batteries, and what better way to do it than to visit this famous place which most of them have only seen it on television,” said Ellis.

“The joy on their faces when we arrived there said a lot, and you could see they were clearly enjoying themselves,” said Ellis.

“But after that it's back to the grindstone to prepare for a very crucial game where we need a win at all costs, bearing in mind that we lost our first match at the tournament.

“I'm just hopeful the visit will rejuvenate them and inspire them to work even harder for the upcoming challenge.”

Banyana Banyana will be without the experienced left-back Nothando Vilakazi, who was red-carded against Spain.

“It's still a toss-up as to who will come in in Vivo's place, but I'm confident that whoever takes that position will not disappoint.

“Having seen videos of China, there may be some changes to the team, which I believe will give us the desired results because we are all aware that a loss against China will mean we are out of the tournament,” added Ellis.

“With two training sessions left we will try out a few combinations and whoever raises their hand will get the nod. But we already have someone in mind that can slot into the position.

“This is a must-win for us and with a settled back four we are positive that we can compete. But we have to do to what we can to win, as this game is like a final for us.”

South Africa's last group match will be against Germany in Montpellier next Monday.

NAMPA/ANA

Eteyo lyomiti shaaheli paveta mOhangwena

ILENI NANDJATO

Aanambelewa yegameno lyomakuti moshitopolwa shaHangwena kaye na ontseyo kombinga yelanditho lyiiti oshowo eteyo lyiiti ndyoka tali ningwa moshitopolwa shoka.

Aateyi yomiti shaaheli paveta otaya longele mondjila yEenhana-Okongo-Mpungu moka taya landithile woo iiti mbyoka ya kutha komiti ndhoka ya teya moshitopolwa shaHangwena. Kape na omikanda dha gwandjwa nokupitika eteyo ndyoka, okuza kaanambelewa yomakuti.

Oshifokundneki shoNamibian Sun osha nongele kutya aakwashigwana yamwe po mUukwanyama otaya teya po omiti nokulanditha po omiti ndhoka onga omikalo dhokwiimonena iiyemo.

Kaye na aalandi yontumba nenge omalandithilo ihe ohaya landitha ku kehe gumwe ngoka ta piti pondjila ndjoka na okwa hala omiti.

Iiti mbyoka itayi landithwa kondando yooN$60 nooN$250 moshiti shimwe.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwomakuti moshitopolwa shaHangwena, Moses Moses okwa popi kutya ombelewa ye kayi na ontseyo kombinga yeteyo nelanditho lyomiti moshitopolwa.

Okwa popi kutya ombelewa yawo inayi gandja omikanda ndhoka tadhi pitika eteyo nenge elanditho lyomiti moshitopolwa nonando aalandithi yomiti dhoka oya lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya oya kala nokushi ninga okuza momvula ya piti.

“Shapo ongele opo ya tameke, katu na ontseyo kombinga yaantu mboka. Kandi wete ya kala taye shi ningi uule wethimbo ele,” Moses a popi.

Omulandithi gumwe ngoka ina hala okupopya edhina lye, okwa popi kutya ongeshefa otayi ende nawa na ota ningi iimaliwa, na okwa kala mongeshefa ndjoka okuza omvula ya piti.

Okwa popi kutya pooha nondjila mpoka haya landithile opo owala haya vulu okulanditila ihe ongeshefa otayi nana aalandi oyendji.

Okwa tsikile kutya ohaya tete iiti ongula onene na ohaya uhala taya landitha, na ohaya nana unene aantu mboka taya fala iimuna yawo komudhingoloko ngoka nenge opo ya landa omapya gawo. Uupyakadhi mboka hawu kala po owomalweendo owala gokufala iiti komahala gawo omolwa oshinano.

“Mesiku ohatu tete omiti dhi li pokati komiti ntano nenge omulongo. Ohatu penduka potundi ontitatu na otatu longele owala mokuti katu li pevi lyomuntu.

Namibia a kala nokulanda iikwaniilongitho yokundaadhaNonando ongaaka epangelo onkene tali tindi kutya inali landa iikwaniilongitho yokundaadha Uumbangi kutya epangelo lyaNamibia olya landa omathano gokundaadha gongushu yopombanda momalanditho gopauyuni muule woomvula dha piti, owa holola omaipulo kutya kashi li paveta okundaadha aakwashigwana omanga pwaahena ompango ndjoka tayi kondolola e yo pambambo lyelongitho lyiikwaniilongitho mbyoka.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Osha yela kutya Namibia okwa landa iikwaniipangitho yokundaadha, pauyelele mboka wa pitithwa koInstitute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), kohi yoshipalanyolo ‘Spying on Speech’.

Kwiikwatelelwa komapekaapeko ngoka ga ningwa momvula yo 2017, komupekaapeki gwoIPPR Frederico Links, okwa hololwa kutya elongitho pambambo lyendaatho moNamibia oshinima shoshili na otashi ningwa.

Shoka otashi popilwa molwaashoka epangelo olya kala nokulanda omathano nomashina gokukwata omawi gokundaadha gopamuthika gopashinanena okutameka omvula yo 2009 sigo 2019.

Nonando Links okwa tende kohi kutya iilongitho mbyoka oya pumbiwa unene mokukondjitha iimbuluma, okwa popi kutya ope na ompito onene yokulongitha pambambo omathano ngoka molwaashoka kape na ompango ndjoka tayi kondolola elongitho lyiikwaniipangitho mbyoka.

Ompango ndjoka tayi popiwa oyi li oshitopolwa oshitihamano shOmpango yOmakwatathano yomo 2009, ndjoka sigo onena inayi tulwa miilonga moshilongo.

Shoka osha kala uupyakadhi unene komahangano guuthemba waantu muuyuni ngoka ga kala nokuninga omapulaapulo uule woomvula dha piti, nonando epangelo olya kala nokutinda.

Momvula yo2015, Privacy International oya gandja koUN Human Rights Committee (HRC), omikanda moka tayi popi kombinga yontopolwa ontihamano yompango ndjoka nokukunkilila kutya ngele kape na ompango ndjoka tayi kondolola elongitho lyomathano ngoka nena otashi holola kutya otaga longithwa shaaheli paveta.

Nonando ope na shoka tashi ulike kutya ompango ndjoka otashi vulika yi manithwe nuumvo, oshikondo shoNamibia Central Intelligence Service (NCIS) otashi longitha omathano ngoka.

Links okwa shanga kutya pompito ndjoka oompango kadhi po nenge kadhi na ongushu ngaashi onkalo ndjoka ya taalela Namibia, elongitho lyomathano niikwaiipangitho mbyoka ohali ningwa pambambo.

Uumbangi

Omaumbangi ngoka ga gongelwa kuLinks oga holola kutya nanando epangelo lyaNamibia otali tindi kutya inali landa iikwaniipangitho yokulongitha mokundaatha, uuyelele womalando owa holola kutya epangelo olya kala nokulanda iikwaniipangitho mbyoka momalanditho gopaigwana.

“Natu shi kuthe ko kutya epangelo lyaNamibia otali landa iinima mbyoka nokuyi pungula lya tegelelwa ompango yi tulwe miilonga nenge shoka otashi tu lombwele kutya iinima mbyoka otayi longithwa molwaashoka iikwaniipangitho mbyoka yopautekinika iinima hayi zi ongushu mbala,” Links a pula.

Links okwa kunkilile kutya elongitho lyiikwaniipangitho mbyoka yokundaadha otali kondolola, okutilitha nokuningila omambandameko aantu.

Pompito mpoka kape na ompango nena oshizemo elongitho pambambo lyiinima mbyoka nokuya moshipala uuthemba waantu wokukala niiholelwa yawo.

Nonando Links okwa li e shi pondola mokumona kutya epangelo olya landa iikwaniilongitho mbyoka okuza kiilongo yimwe okutameka omvula yo 2008 okwa kunkilile kutya kage shi omapangelo agehe ngoka ga manguluka nokweeta polweela kombinga yelando oshowo elongo lyiikwaniilongitho mbyoka.

Links okwa popi kutya sho oshilongo kashi na iita nenge iikulo mbyoka yi li eshongo kombili yoshilongo, omapulo ogeli po kutya oolye taya ndaadhwa na omolwashike.

Okwa popi kutya shoka otashi e ta omadhilongo kutya otaku ndaadhwa aahwahwameki yiikumungu yoshigwana, oongundu dhopolotika, omahangano gopashigwana oshowo aatoolinkundana.

Okwa popi kutya oye na okukondjitha opo kukwashilipalekwe kutya omathano ngoka oga longithwa mondjila kwiikwatelelwa koveta.

Illegal timber harvesting at Ohangwena

Forestry officials in Ohangwena are not aware of the illegal sale and harvesting of timber taking place in the region.

Illegal harvesters operate along the Eenhana-Okongo-Mpungu road, where they sell timber from trees cut down in the Ohangwena forest.

No permission has been granted by the forestry ministry.

Namibian Sun has established that a few members of the Oukwanyama community are harvesting timber to earn an income.

They do not have specific customers or a market, but sell to whoever is interested along the road. Timber is sold for between N$60 and N$250 a pole.

When approached for comment, Ohangwena forestry chief Moses Moses said his office is not aware of the harvesting and timber sales.

He also said his office has not issued any timber-harvesting permits in the region, despite the harvesters telling Namibian Sun they have been operating since last year.

“Unless they just started, we are not aware of such people. I don't think they have been doing that for a long period,” Moses said.

One of the harvesters, who refused to give his name, said his business is doing well and he is making money. He said he has been doing business since the middle of last year.

He said people travelling on the road stop to enquire about the wood.

“This is our only marketplace, but we are attracting many customers. We start cutting trees early in the morning and we spend the rest of the day selling. Many people are interested, especially those bringing their livestock into the area or those who just bought mahangu fields; they only complain about the transport because we are very far,” said the harvester.

“In a day we cut down between five and 10 trees and we wake up around 00:300. We are just operating from the forest and we are not on anybody's land.”

ILENI NANDJATO

Ondangwa makes clean sweepAmwele shares recipe for success A cleaner town, better waste management, happier people.

After being elected Ondangwa mayor in 2015, Paavo Amwele started donating his monthly council allowance towards cleaning Ondangwa in 2016.

Three years later the town scooped the coveted 2019 Namibia Town of the Year award at the just-ended Namibia Tourism Expo (NTE), organised by Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) and its sponsors.

According to Amwele this is a dream came true.

He said when he took over as mayor his dream was to make Ondangwa one of the cleanest towns in the country. Ondangwa was one of the four finalists chosen out of 21 towns that took up the challenge to compete in this year's Town of the Year competition, which took place under the theme 'A cleaner town, a cleaner Namibia'.

Amwele thanked the council employees for committing themselves toward cleaning Ondangwa.

“When we started this initiative in 2016, we were not thinking about this competition. Our main aim was to create a clean environment for ourselves that will attract investors. As we all know, nobody will stay or invest in a filthy town. Fortunately enough, there were people observing us without us knowing, and then they chose us as the cleanest town,” Amwele said.

“This means our efforts have been greatly rewarded. We were competing against Oranjemund, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, which are clean towns and everybody knows it, but we came out victorious. This is because all of you (the employees) played a central part in cleaning the town.” According to town CEO Ismael Namgongo for the whole of 2016 and half of 2017 Amwele did not get his monthly council allowance as mayor and it was paid to youth organisations that volunteered to clean the town. He said every year Amwele invites dozens of organisations and businesspeople to participate in an annual clean-up campaign he organises.

“Apart from donating his allowance to the volunteers, he also availed his personal trucks and graders to be used in the cleaning campaign. All these complemented the efforts by the town council to clean the town. Employees were also serious about this and they were always available to make sure the town is clean,” said Namgongo. The waste collected during cleaning campaigns was processed by the Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF).

The forum and its members, the O&L Group and its subsidiaries, Namibia Breweries Limited, Pick n Pay, Coca-Cola Namibia and Plastic Packaging also joined the collaborative effort.

“Now that we won the national competition, our dream is to go international. I heard New York in America is the cleanest town. I am planning to take a visit there and see how we can beat them. With the kind of working environment and dedicated council employees, the community of Ondangwa and stakeholders, I am confident we will make Ondangwa over 200% cleaner,” Amwele said confidently.

ILENI NANDJATO

Smit questions use of govt cars at Swapo rallies

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament Nico Smit has questioned the use of government vehicles to transport ministers and senior government officials to and from Swapo's political events.

Smit made his discontent known to National Assembly members on Tuesday, when he put questions to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on the abuse of state resources.

Smit made specific reference to Swapo's 59th birthday bash held in the Zambezi Region over the weekend.

Investigations instituted by the PDM treasurer-general indicate that approximately 140 government vehicles were used to attend the event.

“As the leader of government business, can you confirm that government vehicles were indeed used at this particular party celebration? Secondly, can you please inform this August House that the cars were used on taxpayers' money?” Smit asked.

He continued: “Is it right during these prevailing economic conditions to be using taxpayers' money in the interest of a single political party and not for the people themselves who made this monetary contribution through tax deductions?”

The politician also sought clarity on “when and where do we draw the line between state resources and resources of political parties?”

It was at this stage that information minister Stanley Simataa, a member of Swapo and government spokesperson, interjected.

“You also have car allowance,” he said hastily, in what appeared to be an attempt to discredit Smit's queries to the premier.

Simataa and other cabinet ministers and their deputies are entitled to three state-sponsored vehicles – a Mercedes-Benz E-200 sedan, Volkswagen Polo and a Toyota double cab bakkie.

The 14 regional governors and their advisors are also entitled to government cars.

This package comes with a fuel card.

PDM has also asked government to reduce the number of cars in the prime minister, vice-president as well as former presidents' motorcades to decrease unnecessary expenditure.

Money generated from the sale of these cars could be redirected to pertinent national needs, such as the prevailing dire drought situation, the party suggested.

Recently, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila told Nampa government cars assigned to ministers are to be used strictly for government-related matters.

She also said selling some of the cars assigned to ministers and their deputies, as well as reducing her motorcade, would not save government millions of dollars.

The prime minister is expected to respond to Smit's questions on Thursday.

NAMPA

Fines for kidnapping, assaultTears of relief for no jail time The four were found guilty of kidnapping and assaulting three children in 2014.

Four Walvis Bay residents, who kidnapped three boys nearly five years ago, held them against the will for several hours and assaulted them, have been fined N$13 000 each by the Swakopmund Regional Court.

Tears of joy flowed outside the court on Monday after Logan Pretorius (30), his fiancée Sandra Riobo (22), Ashley Andre January (25) and Curven Nathan Vries (26) escaped direct imprisonment.

Their punishment was significantly milder than the five years direct imprisonment the prosecution had wanted.

They were arrested in August 2014. On Monday they were fined N$8 000 each for kidnapping and N$5 000 or three years imprisonment each for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.

The three years imprisonment, with an additional two years, were suspended for five years on the condition they are not convicted of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm during this period.

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

The victims were beaten and kicked and bite marks were found on the upper thighs of two of the children. They were also forced to drink salt water and Tabasco sauce, which they vomited out.

Magistrate Gaynor Poulton explained the court takes a number of factors into consideration during sentencing.

“At the time, the complainants were vulnerable schoolgoing children who were taken against their will and kept for a considerable amount of hours, although it was not established for how long. The injuries sustained by the boys, along with their medical treatment are also taken into consideration,” she said.

Poulton explained that the motive behind the kidnappings was also taken into account.

“Pretorius believed the boys had killed one of his dogs, were in possession of a rope and attempted to steal another dog. However, a dog's life can't be seen as more important than that of a child. The court does take note of the fact that Pretorius is a dog lover and testified that he treats them like children, but he had no right to go to this extent.”

Poulton also said the punishment cannot “just be a slap on the wrist”.

“The actions by the accused were unacceptable in the way they treated these children. You cannot take the law into your own hands, however, there is no reason for the accused to be removed permanently from society.”

Poulton said she hopes this was a lesson for the four accused and that the court is willing to give them a second chance.

Teresia Hafeni was the prosecutor, while Boris Isaacs defended the accused.

Erwin Leuschner and Leandrea Louw

Nearly half of voters under 37 in 2014/15

Voters under the age of 37 constituted 45.5% of registered voters during 2014 and 2015, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 20th junior council, ECN chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro said this was recorded when the ECN registered 97% of the population of voting age during that period.

He said for the seventh Presidential and National Assembly elections on 27 November this year, the ECN expects 240 000 (86%) of the 280 000 voters to register. These will be people born between 1997 and 2001, who turned 18 years old after the last elections in 2014. The supplementary voter registration for elections is set for 8 to 27 July. Mujoro also highlighted that the ECN has included youth ambassadors in the voter and civic education staff to ensure its message and the voter education programme is packaged for young Namibians.

As part of their voter education strategy, the commission has been using social media along with other communication strategies to engage the youth. “Since the start of our education programmes, we have also seen a sharp increase in the number of followers and people requesting information from the age group between 18 and 24,” he said.

However, he admitted that there is still a lot of work that needs doing in terms of voter education in all regions.

Mujoro said preparations for the upcoming elections are at an advanced stage.

The nomination of presidential candidates and party lists for the National Assembly elections is scheduled to commence on 1 October 2019 and the last day of all nomination processes will be 18 October.

The counting of the votes will take place on 28 and 29 November, followed by the immediate announcement of the results.

NAMPA

Furnmart,Home Corp strike continues

The countrywide strike by Furnmart and Home Corp employees is set to continue until the workers' demands are met.

This is according to Metal and Allied Namibian Workers' Union (Manwu) general secretary Justina Jonas.

The strike is in its second week.

Jonas said the local management of the two furniture retail outlets has not been forthcoming, despite the workers now demanding a 6% increase, compared to an initial demand of 12%. She said it has been extremely difficult to get hold of the management or owners in Botswana, where the companies are based.

“Furnmart (local) has told us they have nothing to offer and that the increase would be unsustainable, but they are refusing to show us their books so we can see for ourselves if it is unsustainable,” Jonas said.

According to Manwu deputy general secretary Enwich Tuvatera Kazondu, Furnmart and Home Corp have offered 6% salary increases to non-commission-based employees and nothing to commission-based employees. He added that workers have now opted to negotiate a 6% increment across-the-board and a transport allowance based on Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) rates or a flat rate of N$400 for transport or an 8% increment for all workers. Jonas urged workers to close all Furnmart and Home Corp stores and join the strike.

“You cannot sit in air-conditioned offices while others are fighting for your increment and benefits,” she said. When Namibian Sun contacted the Furnmart head office, Mara Prinz at reception said management will not comment on the matter.

“Let us just stop it here, they will not talk about the strike,” she said.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Air Namibia rescue planLiquidation is one option International aviation experts have been appointed to remodel the national airline's business plan.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Enterprises is to appoint a consultancy with a “very specific terms of reference” to come up with a business model that will ensure the embattled Air Namibia can break even within three years.

The minister of public enterprises, Leon Jooste, on Tuesday acknowledged that the airline's current business model would not allow it to become commercially viable.

The consultancy is made up of a group of international aviation experts who have already identified an “optimal” business model.

Jooste said the model provides a more accurate picture of the various realities of Air Namibia and what may be required to make it commercially viable.

Once this business model is approved, the consultancy has to design and integrate a strategic business plan.

The Cabinet Committee on Overall Policy and Priorities (CCOPP) discussed the way forward for Air Namibia last Wednesday.

“We looked at a realistic snapshot of Air Namibia in its current form, its debt levels, and the cost of transforming it into a feasible one we would all like to see,” Jooste said.

“All options were costed. The options discussed are whether Air Namibia is to continue as is, and how it will be with a new business model. Air Namibia staff offered ideas on how they think certain inefficiencies can be addressed. A last option, and it is not the only one, is the potential liquidation of the airline.”

Asked whether a country with such a small population should insist on having its own airline, Jooste said: “Air Namibia in a different form will be an asset to the country. We are very keen on the domestic services they have been providing. International and regional routes are being serviced by competitors already, as we know. Those are not big strategic items for us but the contribution they make domestically is extremely valuable.”

Air Namibia has been a heavy financial burden on the taxpayer, as it has never made a profit since its establishment in the early 1990s.

Its operations have had to be scaled down in the past few weeks because of liquidity problems, which Jooste blamed on a “bureaucratic hiccup” in paying its suppliers. Notwithstanding, the minister said these operational problems were of great concern because Air Namibia was losing revenue from three of its four leased Airbus A319 planes.

“It causes a big gap in the revenue stream and apart from losing the revenue, Air Namibia has to carry the cost of accommodating passengers on other airlines,” Jooste said.

Financial woes

According to reliable sources, Air Namibia has suffered losses of between N$4.5 and N$5 billion since 1998. The sources claim that the airline is currently making a loss of between N$600 and N$700 million per year, and that it has to pay between N$50 and N$60 million per month to lease the four Airbuses.

However, Air Namibia spokesperson Paul Nakawa maintains that Air Namibia's financial losses “are far less than its contribution to the economy”.

Jooste acknowledged at this week's media briefing that the two large Airbuses operating the Frankfurt route are the Achilles heel of the airline at the moment.

Air Namibia signed a 12-year lease agreement for the Airbuses six years ago. The agreement contains no exit clause, and because of exchange-rate fluctuations the rent has escalated in Namibian dollar terms.

“We need to find alternative routes for these two aircraft. But even from the route feasibility studies, it does not look too rosy for us,” Jooste said.

CATHERINE SASMAN

UN gives N$15m for drought

The United Nations office in Namibia has pledged US$1 million (about N$15 million) towards the Namibian government's drought relief efforts.

UN resident coordinator Rachel Odede announced this yesterday and said the organisation has ongoing activities dedicated to the drought.

It has also reprogrammed some its resources, including technical assistance, to support the government with immediate interventions to cope with the drought situation.

Namibia is experiencing its worst ever drought in 40 years.

“In view of the urgent need of assistance, the UN in consultation with the Namibian government has already identified priority, lifesaving interventions. At the same time the UN has drafted an appeal for Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) funding based on need rather than solely on funding gaps in the response plans,” Odede said.

Deputy international relations minister Christine //Hoebes thanked the UN for its contribution.

She said when President Hage Geingob declared a state of emergency because of the drought, all offices, ministries and agencies, as well as stakeholders such as the UN, were called upon to mobilise resources to ensure the necessary assistance is rolled out to affected communities.

She said the UN contribution was a welcome boost “to our coffers and warming the hearts of Namibians, especially those who are direly affected by drought and the resultant food scarcity”.

//Hoebes added that the world is facing existential threats from climate change, technological advances that may change labour markets, the prospect of autonomous weapons' systems and diseases that are more resistant to antibiotics, among others.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Bail granted in shooting case

A University of Namibia (Unam) lecturer, who allegedly shot and wounded two brothers last December, has been granted bail of N$10 000 by the Rundu Magistrate's Court.

Nelson Antonio (45), who works at Unam's Rundu campus, was granted bail by Magistrate Sonia Samupofu following a successful High Court appeal.

The matter was postponed to 20 June for the prosecutor-general's decision as to whether Antonio should be prosecuted or not.

Antonio appealed to the High Court after Magistrate Hellen Olaiya rejected his initial bail application on 21 December 2018.

Antonio is charged with two counts of attempted murder. He allegedly emptied an entire magazine and wounded Moses and Gerson Batista, who are both 25 years old, on 3 December in Rundu's Kehemu location.

The two victims are related to Antonio's ex-girlfriend and were driving her car at the time.

Antonio is also charged with discharging a firearm in public and with malicious damage to property.

Antonio claims that he acted in self-defence. He testified during the bail hearing that he was sitting in his car when three men, including the two victims, pulled him out of the car and assaulted him.

He said he fired warning shots into the air, but had to shoot at the victims as one of them was on his way to their car to get a panga.

Antonio also testified that he has ten children, five of whom were living with him at the time and needed him to care for them.

The State had opposed bail because of the seriousness of the offences and concerns that Antonio might interfere with the investigation.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Our job losses monster

The unemployment problem is a very serious crisis that demands immediate attention. It is somewhat bewildering that despite the urgency of this problem and its impacts on the Namibian economy, there is no big talk about it. The powers that be are ostensibly ignorant of the fact that more than 364 000 people - mostly between the ages of 20 and 24 - were unemployed last year in Namibia. As we pen this editorial, the unemployment rate in 2018 stood at 33.4%, compared to 27.9% in 2014. It must be stated that unemployment remains one of the most challenging social problems currently facing our fellow countrymen and women, especially the young and productive citizens of this nation. Many unemployed graduates are drowning in their own misery and only have desperate tales to tell at the moment. Their prospects of adding value to the Namibian economy are evidently crippled by the unemployment crisis currently enveloping our nation, amid high levels of inequality. The latest statistics released by the Employment Equity Commission makes for grim reading. According to the EEC, nearly 37 000 employment contracts were terminated for various reasons, with the wholesale retail sector leading the pack with 12 580 terminations. The agriculture and construction sectors were also hard hit by massive job losses. As it stands, almost half of Namibian youth are without jobs, a sad situation that has seen large masses of frustrated young people sitting at home with university qualifications. It goes without saying that the unemployment crisis should therefore be a top priority, given its serious ramifications on the already limping Namibian economy. Regrettably there seems to be no sense of panic when it comes to the unfolding crisis around jobs, and one wonders if those in power really understand the severity of this problem. By the way, the unemployment bomb has long exploded and Namibia, the Land of the Brave, now risks becoming an unmanageable nation if nothing serious is done to tackle this vicious monster.

Protect the youth - //HoebesAgents of change for the future Namibian youth are advocating for social justice and an opportunity to make a difference, says the deputy minister of international relations.

The youth must be taken care of and be protected as they are the agents of change and the human capital of the future.

This is according to deputy international relations minister Christine //Hoebes, who said stakeholders must work together and present the youth with opportunities to allow them to continue to work towards enhancing sustainable development and the attainment of Vision 2030.

“Across the globe we are seeing youth taking responsibility for their future and holding us accountable for the decisions we make today. Closer to home, Namibian youth are advocating for social justice and an opportunity to make a difference,” she said.

//Hoebes was speaking at a breakfast meeting with the diplomatic community and heads of international organisations, co-hosted by United Nations Namibia and the international relations ministry.

UN resident coordinator Rachel Odede pointed out that youth are the leaders of tomorrow and the multipliers of sustainable development.

She quoted from UN secretary-general António Guterres' recent speech in which he said: “If we are to create a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world for all to fulfil the vision of the Vision 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we need young people to lead.”

JEMIMA BEUKES

Top cop allowances cut

The abolishment of allowances for high-ranking police officers from August is a cost-saving measure being implemented by the Namibian police.

Speaking to Namibian Sun this week, Nampol inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed that an internal letter dated 7 June was sent to all Nampol divisions to inform them that by August the police will stop paying “commander allowances”.

He would not provide any further information on what the allowances are for and what the value of these allowances are.

The letter informs officers that the Public Service Commission had recommended stopping these allowances. It says the allowances were “meant to compensate members who were occupying high positions but had equal ranks with members under their command.” The letter further states the “definition and qualification of who is entitled to receive such allowances has become difficult” and that the purpose of the commander's allowance has “outlived its purpose.”

Ndeitunga confirmed that the action was also a cost-saving measure during “this trying time”, noting that there are “not enough resources and we are trying to cut in some areas.”

He said the commander's allowance was identified as one area that could help address the economic challenges.

Ndeitunga said if the situation improves, “then we can look into it again.”

He however underlined that if the economic situation does improve, everyone on the force should benefit.

He said currently, others are also not receiving their rightful allowances, including pilots and divers who are due special allowances and with the stoppage of the commander's allowance everyone is on an equal level. “If things improve, we want everybody to benefit,” the police chief said.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Hepatitis E cases surpass 5 000New infections slowed down in past few months Poor coordination of the outbreak response at all levels has been identified as a major challenge in curtailing the spread of hepatitis E in Namibia.

More than 1 000 new hepatitis E cases have been detected in Namibia since January, while 45 people have died since the first case was detected nearly two years ago in Windhoek's informal settlements.

As of 2 June this year, a total of 5 309 cases had been reported in 11 regions of Namibia, compared to 4 227 cases reported by 6 January 2019.

The first identified case of hepatitis E was reported in mid-October 2017 at a hospital in Windhoek. By 8 January 2018, 237 probable and confirmed cases had been reported in the Khomas Region, while the first death was reported in November 2017.

Since then, the outbreak has spread to almost all regions of Namibia, with the informal settlements most affected because of poor sanitation and inadequate coordination to address the response.

The latest situation report, released by the health ministry yesterday, says the outbreak has “become protracted and has spread to other regions in the country.”

It identifies “suboptimal coordination of the outbreak response at all levels” as a major challenge.

The report nevertheless notes that by the week ending 2 June, a “fair decline was noted over the last 12 weeks.”

Heavy toll

To date, 45 people have died, including 20 pregnant or postnatal women. Most of the dead were adults aged between 20 and 39.

The data shows that 3 020 (57%) of those infected were men, while 2 289 were women.

The outbreak has spread from the Khomas Region to eight other regions - Erongo, Kavango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto and Omaheke. The Khomas Region remains the most affected area, with a total of 3 469 cases reported, followed by 1 249 cases reported in the Erongo Region.

The remaining 11% of cases, totalling 591, were detected in the other seven regions.

Sporadic cases were detected at Khorixas and Opuwo (6) in the Kunene region, Rehoboth and Mariental (4) in the Hardap Region; Lüderitz (5) in the /Karas Region, and 11 cases were detected in four districts in the Otjozondjupa Region.

The hardest-hit areas are the Havana and Goreangab informal settlements in Windhoek and the DRC informal settlement at Swakopmund, “where access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is limited.”

Cases from less affected regions “have a travel history” that links them to the Khomas and Erongo informal settlements.

Between 20 May and 2 June, a total of 56 new hepatitis E cases were reported countrywide, showing a decline from the previous two weeks when 96 cases were reported.

Reaction

The latest situation report shows several partners have joined forces to address the prolonged outbreak.

Regional and district health emergency committees have been affected in all the affected regions and districts while partner organisations continue to provide technical assistance, including the World Health Organisation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The response has included intense health education and sensitisation campaigns while teams on the ground are monitoring the outbreak on a weekly basis.

Operation Sanitizer was launched to strengthen behavioural change to reduce the spread of the disease. Municipalities conduct regular water tests.

Yet challenges remain, with the situation report recommending a number of priority steps that include an intensification of the outbreak response and a “massive scaling up” of activities related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Moreover, the report acknowledges inadequate staff to support surveillance and data management at national level and recommends the mobilisation of additional support response activities.

JANA-MARI SMITH