Namibian Sun

Namibia Film Commission awards bursaries to Cota students

STAFF REPORTER

The Namibia Film Commission (NFC), in line with its mandate to support and develop the local film industry, awarded full tuition bursaries to 12 final-year College of the Arts (Cota) students this past Friday.
The sponsorship is to the tune of N$90 000.
Over the past five years, the NFC has supported over 52 second- and third-year Cota students specialising in TV production with full tuition fees.
With this programme, the commission aims to support upcoming creatives with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools, in order to meaningfully contribute to the country’s film and creative industry, as well as derive a decent livelihood.
The programme has so far proved successful, as many of the young graduates have been absorbed by local film companies and broadcast houses, such as the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). In addition, top-performing students are attached as trainees to the NFC’s annual short films project to acquire on-the-job training.
“We are committed to continue this partnership with Cota until such time that a state-of-the-art film school becomes a reality, which has the potential to turn Namibia into a southern African film hub,” said executive secretary of the NFC, Florence Haifene.
Acting head of Cota’s Media Arts and Technology Students Department, Anthony !Auxab said: “Profound gratitude to the NFC for the continued relationship that enables the future of so many of our students. The support of the NFC speaks volumes to what we are able to achieve with key partnerships. Thank you for pledging your support once again in such difficult times.”
The commission has allocated a whopping 85% of its annual budget to industry support, ranging from content creation to capacity building. As part of its Covid-19 relief measures, the commission is allocating funds to 15 Covid-19-themed short and documentary films, while providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for local shoots.
The annual project callout is open and closes on Wednesday, 30 September, thus creatives are urged to submit projects with fresh and innovative concepts that have the ability to traverse frontiers beyond Namibia and Africa.
Despite the downward economic trend and uncertainty facing the country and world, the commission is committed to the continued support and empowerment of the film industry, as far as possible.

Being a footballer during the pandemic

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Former Brave Warriors number one goalkeeper Maximilian Mbaeva urges all footballers to make sure that they do not mingle with people in public.

He believes this is the only way to ensure that no player from the South African Premier League or any other league contracts the virus before the season ends.

“It is just important to consider the safety of yourself as a player and the safety of your teammates.

“I am saying this because there have been reports during the pandemic where players escaped from the camp or hotels they live in to mingle with the public,” Mbaeva said.

Afraid of square one

The Golden Arrows goalkeeper has not seen much action this season after falling out of favour with coach Steve Komphela.

He still hopes for the best for his side, though, and continues to pray that the season will not be cancelled again.

“As a player during this time, all we do is try and stay as safe as possible to avoid contracting the virus. “No one really wants this season to be cut again due to any positive cases within the squad and that is why everyone needs to be very careful to avoid going back to square one.”

Golden Arrows are currently eighth on the log and Mbaeva hopes they will be able to finish in the top eight this season.

“I always wish the team and the boys who are regular starters to do the best of the team.

“I have this team at heart and always want to see it prosper even if I do not get as much game time as I did in the past.”

Bigger financial burden looms for sportSafety regulations require money The already financially stretched Namibian sport sector is expected to struggle because of the extra burden of complying with Covid-19 regulations.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Brave Warriors physiotherapist Munashe Chinyama fears that Namibian sport administrators will have to dig deep in their pockets if they wish to resume matches while the coronavirus pandemic is still active.

Sport in Namibia is currently on halt due the pandemic, while football has been at a standstill for over a year because of infighting among its leaders.

Other leagues around the world have found ways to resume matches during this difficult period.

They have to comply with strict requirements though, which means club owners and federations must spend on measures needed to curb the spread of the virus during games.

No large crowds

Namibian sport codes generate money through gate-takings and now that crowds are prohibited, club owners and federations are likely to host matches at empty stadiums. “A huge burden of costs will accompany the return of sport activities in Namibia given that clubs and federations will have to comply with health and safety regulations.

“All those health and safety regulations require investing in testing equipment and facilities, following disinfection protocols religiously, acquiring expert medical personnel, and securing adequate logistical support,” Chinyama says.

Chinyama is pleading with all stakeholders to consider the costs that will be involved if matches resume during the pandemic.

He said the responsibility of following health regulations should be shared among the stakeholders in any sport organisations to limit the spread of the virus.

“This is a shared responsibility for everyone involved in sport to play their part.

“Sponsors, individual athletes, their parent clubs, the league leaders, CAF and FIFA, the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), the ministry of sport, the ministry of health and the City of Windhoek all have roles to play to help a smooth return to football and other codes during and after the coronavirus pandemic,” Chinyama says.

In Europe, football federations are conducting routine screening tests for coronavirus after every round of matches and players are staying in isolated hotels in order to avoid contact.

Sport venues

Stadium owners are required to make sure that the venues are compliant and cleanliness must become the number one priority, Chinyama says.

“The Grounds Safety Act of 1975 (UK) suggests that ensuring compliance with health regulations ultimately lies with the holder of the stadium fitness certificate.

“In Namibia, it would be the City of Windhoek for the Sam Nujoma Stadium, the ministry of sports for the Independence Stadium, or individual institutions in the case of the University of Namibia, for example,” Chinyama says.

Namcol rescues local charity About 260 children are to benefit from a N$5 000 donation by Namcol.

Enzo Amuele

The Namibian College of Open Learning, (Namcol) recently donated food parcels worth N$5 000 to a project to feed orphaned and vulnerable children.

The donation was handed over to the Mother Voice Grassroots HIV/Aids project in Windhoek.

Christina Kharises founded the Mother Voice Grassroots HIV/Aids project to give pastoral care and counselling to people infected and affected by HIV/Aids. She later realised the need for providing food and shelter to HIV/AIDS orphans.

The foundation was registered with the ministry of health and social services as a welfare organisation in 2001.

Kharises makes use of her limited income and own home to accommodate the children.

Vanessa Karises, the Namcol student welfare coordinator, said: “As a responsible entity so close to the people, Namcol cannot undermine the desire of the people for bread. We love the Namibian child; our aim is to educate and we understand that education is extremely difficult on an empty stomach. Our aim is to help the Namibian child in all areas possible to attain an education.”

The secretary of the organisation recently wrote a letter to Namcol’s director, saying that the children had not been fed for over a week because of shortages. According to him, the charity feeds about 260 children per week from Monday to Friday.

“I prayed for this and God answered us. A Good Samaritan brought us food and I am so grateful. God bless you, Namcol,” said one of the children at the handover.

Hannelie Kooper, who volunteers at the charity, also thanked the college and said she hoped the food would last until the end of August.

Caption 1:

Namcol officials handing over the food parcels.

PHOTO: Contributed

Producing Namibia’s future veterinariansWhen practical experience meets theoretical knowledge The University of Namibia’s (Unam) School of Veterinary Medicine, which recently celebrated its first group of graduates, offers a unique teaching and learning experience.

Mariselle Stofberg

Situated on the farm Neudamm 30 km east of Windhoek, the University of Namibia’s (Unam) School of Veterinary Medicine offers state-of-the-art equipment, qualified and experienced lecturers and a truly unique learning environment.

Students have the opportunity to receive a balance between practical and theoretical work, with opportunities for one-on-one interactions with lecturers, to the benefit of about 112 students registered at the campus.

The school was approved by the Unam senate in September 2015 and offers two courses: a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a Diploma in Animal Health. The purpose of this programme is to provide Namibia with veterinary science graduates who are competent in both the theoretical and practical aspects of veterinary medicine.

The six-year degree course starts with one semester at the Unam main campus in Windhoek, where basic sciences such as biology, physics and mathematics are covered while giving students their first taste of veterinary studies.

After successfully completing the first semester, students transfer to the Neudamm campus where they start veterinary studies in earnest.

The sixth and final year of this degree is an internship, as well as completing rotations at abattoirs, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, game reserves and private and state veterinary clinics.

“The school has absolutely exceeded my expectations. Everything is state of the art and the balance between practical exposure in working with animals and theory is exceptional. The school offers students the opportunity to get first-hand experience in working with animals. I think this will be the way forward and offers students the opportunity to receive a quality qualification in their own country,” said Nina Bridgens-Foerster, a veterinary nurse who recently joined the team at the Neudamm Campus.

“The range of facilities, the animals on site and the variety of animals from wild animals to domestic animals truly offers a unique tertiary experience,” Bridgens-Foerster added.

Dr Mari de Villiers is one of the schools’ lecturers who specialises in exotic animals and hopes to assist future veterinarians to ensure the proper nourishment of animals, especially exotic pets.

“I have really enjoyed teaching the students and sharing my passion and knowledge at the school. At the school I’m able to help to send out qualified veterinarians who are specialised in exotic animals, and that makes me truly excited.”

A sixth-year student, Natasha Bornman, urges prospective students to understand that this course is not just open to those who perform well academically.

“This course showed me that you don’t necessarily have to be the best academically to become a veterinarian, but good grades are important for your acceptance into the programme. It has showed me that you need to be an extremely hard worker and have a passion for animals, because anything you do that is done with passion, is always worth it in the end,” Bornman added.

Dr Alaster Samkange, the HOD of production animal clinical studies and the acting deputy associate dean of the school, emphasised the great contribution of the school towards the meat industry of Namibia.

“Our school greatly benefits the meat industry and the exports of our meat to other countries, because we are able produce veterinarians who are competent and will ensure the health of our animals countrywide,” Samkange added.

“My passion for imparting knowledge to others has always played an important role in my life and being able to impart my knowledge to our students is such a privilege. Seeing new veterinarians being cultivated and produced by the school plays such an important role in the health of our country’s animals,” said Dr Vimanuka Mutjavikua, a veterinarian clinician and lecturer at the department of production animal clinical studies.

Captions

Photo 1: Nina Bridgens-Foerster, a veterinary nurse who recently joined the team at the Neudamm Campus, with one of the orphaned goats she and her team are attending to.

Photo 2: A sixth-year student, Natasha Bornman, during one of her practical rotations. S

Photo 3: The team at the Unam School of Veterinary Medicine.

PHOTOS MARISELLE STOFBERG

Youngster Barrett has inside running as All Blacks fullback – Holland

NAMPA/REUTERS

Wellington Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has not been in doubt all season, but after Super Rugby Aotearoa ended at the weekend he was certain that Jordie Barrett would be the starting fullback for the All Blacks under new coach Ian Foster.

Barrett missed the Hurricanes' first two games of the domestic season with a shoulder injury that was bad enough that surgery was considered.

The 23-year-old returned for the third match and pundits, coaches and team mates credited Barrett for helping spark the side's resurgence as they won their next five games.

“I think the 15 jersey is pretty much sewn up as I see it,” Holland told reporters on Monday when asked about Barrett's form, continuing a theme all season when he described him “streets ahead” of other challengers for the position.

Foster, who succeeded Steve Hansen last year after last eight years as his assistant, is scheduled to name his first All Blacks squad later this month.

While Barrett made the All Blacks in 2017, some of his decision making, particularly under pressure, was criticised.

Confidence starting to show

This year, however, he has eliminated the more risky options while he sought to impose himself more and stepped up his defensive physicality.

His biggest challengers for the All Blacks' fullback position are likely to come from older brother Beauden, who is normally a fly- half but has mostly been playing fullback for the Auckland Blues; the Waikato Chiefs' Damian McKenzie; and Canterbury Crusaders' Will Jordan. The uncapped Jordan made arguably the biggest move in Super Rugby Aotearoa, where he impressed at fullback and on the wing and was the top try-scorer, made the most running metres, beat the most defenders and had the fourth most ball carries.

Both Jordan and the younger Barrett are likely to be named in the 'South' squad on Tuesday for the North-South clash on 29 August, which should be a pointer to Foster's thinking for later in the year.

Mbappe could start for PSG against Leipzig – Tuchel

NAMPA/AP

Paris St Germain striker Kylian Mbappe could start Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against RB Leipzig, his coach Thomas Tuchel said on Monday.

Mbappe came off the bench for the last 30 minutes against Atalanta last week to set up the winning goal, and Tuchel said the France World Cup winner had suffered no reaction to his injured ankle.

“Yes, he played 30 minutes against Atalanta and had no problems with his ankle,” Tuchel said.

“So he will train and if there is the possibility for him to start, we will see if can play the 90 minutes,” he added.

No exit talks between Barca and Messi - club sourceNo decision yet from top player Barcelona insisted they had not heard from Lionel Messi that he wants to leave the club, as an emergency board meeting was being held at Camp Nou yesterday.

NAMPA/AFP

Barcalona officials, including under-fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu, were due to discuss wholesale changes following the team's humiliating 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich on Friday.

A report from Esporte Interativo on Sunday even claimed Messi has made up his mind to leave this summer, although a Barcelona source told AFP shortly before the board meeting was due to start that there had still been no communication with the club to that effect.

Messi's frustration will be among the issues to be discussed along with the future of coach Quique Setien, who is expected to be sacked.

Ronald Koeman had emerged as the favourite on Monday to replace Setien given concerns around the suitability of Mauricio Pochettino, who has previously said he would never coach Barcelona due to his links to rivals Espanyol.

Another option is Barca B coach Garcia Pimienta, who could oversee a greater emphasis on youth before a longer-term appointment is made after the presidential elections next year. Former Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez would be the preferred option of Messi and other senior players but Xavi has recently signed a new deal with Qatari club Al-Sadd and is against working under the current board.

Another possible outcome of Monday's meeting is that the club's presidential elections, due in June 2021, are brought forward, although it is more likely they would be advanced to earlier next year than the next few months.

Sporting director Eric Abidal will also have his future discussed and could be moved on.

Make changes

Defender Gerard Pique called for sweeping changes after describing the heavy loss to Bayern, Barca's worst ever in Europe, as their “rock bottom”.

But Bartomeu asked for patience. “We are hurting, but once we get to next week we will start making decisions,” he told television channel Movistar.

“The credibility of a coach is diminished when this happens, clearly. That is obvious, but that does not bother me right now.

“I think what happens today needs to be analysed with a bit more perspective,” he added.

Oud-Elnatan leerling gee hoop vir die toekoms

Mart-Mari Mostert

Oud-Elnatan leerling en voormalige onderhoofseun van 2014, Jandre van Wyk, het die skool behoorlik trots gemaak. Hy is sedert sy graad vyfjaar ‘n leerling van Privaatskool Elnatan.

Hy was in Elnatan vanaf 2008 tot 2014, maar sy sukses stop nie daar nie en hy het twee grade verwerf aan die NWU. In menslike bewegingskunde en sielkunde en ’n diploma in sportwetenskap én boonop het hy ‘n besigheid begin op 23.

Al hierdie dinge doen hy net vir sy passie om met kinders te werk. Met sy omgee vir kinders het hy ’n besigheid begin wat fokus op die ontwikkeling van kinders en sport afrigting.

Van Wyk se passie om met kinders te werk kom al aan vanaf graad 8, en hy het voluit daarmee aangehou. Die mense rondom hom het sy potensiaal raakgesien. Sy droom was nog altyd om ’n biokinetikus te word. ’n Biokinetikus is ’n persoon wat fokus op die sport afrigting en ontwikkeling van kinders. Hy het sy besigheid, YSD (youngsters skills development) program net ’n maand terug begin en het reeds baie positiewe resultate.

“Al wat ek kan sê is byt vas, dis moeilik om die besigheid van die grond af te kry, maar druk deur en glo in jouself en in jou besigheid,” was Van Wyk se raad aan iemand wat daaraan dink om ’n besigheid te begin.

Sy besigheid is geleë in Mariental en daar help hy die kinders met hul sport afrigting en hul ontwikkeling. “Om die lekker terug te sit in oefen en om die nodige ontwikkeling vir kinders te gee wat dit nie meer in skole kry nie,” sê hy oor sy hoofdoel in sy besigheid.

Van Wyk stel ’n groot voorbeeld vir die mense rondom hom en die kinders waarmee hy werk. Hy gee hoop aan die gemeenskap met sy hulp vir die kinders. “Ek het besef daar is ‘n groot leemte in die ontwikkeling van kinders” sê hy toe ek hom vra hoe hy aan die idee gekom het. “As jy passievol voel oor ’n onderwerp of ’n beroep, weet jy dis die regte rigting, Moet nooit iets jaag wat later in jou lewe geen waarde vir jou het nie.”

Hy is ’n rolmodel en hy wys dat harde werk beloon word. Dit is ’n groot avontuur wat hy aanpak en dit vat baie selfdissipline en ambisie. Hy help kinders met elke daad wat hy doen en dit gee hoop aan die toekoms en ons kinders se opvoeding. Hy is ’n inspirasie vir baie en Elnatan wens hom alle sterkte toe. Hy kan by 081 424 0732 en jandrevw2@gmail.com gekontak word.

Skool kry nuwe laboratorium, biblioteekElizabeth Joseph Junior Sekondêre Skool Goreangab ontvang nuwe infrastruktuur

Die Junior Sekondêre Skool Goreangab het op 13 Augustus ’n splinternuwe laboratorium en biblioteek ingewy wat deur vakleerlinge van die Namibië Instituut van Mynbou en Tegnologie (NIMT) gebou is.

Die goewerneur van die Khomasstreek, me. Laura McLeod-Katjirua, die skoolhoof van dié skool, mnr. Ishmael Groenewald en mnr. Gerard Vries, die uitvoerende direkteur van onderwys in die Khomasstreek, het die geleentheid bygewoon.

Die laboratorium is so ingerig en ontwerp dat dit praktiese en teoretiese klasse vir leerlinge sal vergemaklik.

“Beide fasiliteite het genoeg ruimte om individuele en groepwerk moontlik te maak en leerlinge van die skool sal dit kan gebruik om wetenskap beter te verstaan,” het McLeod-Katjirua gesê.

NIMT is deur Vries genader om te help met die bou van meer klaskamers in die land om die huidige tekort aan te spreek.

Groenewald het die gehalte van NIMT se werk en die samewerking tussen NIMT, die ministerie van onderwys, kuns en kultuur en MTC geprys.

“Ek is ongelooflik dankbaar vir almal wat met hierdie inisiatief gehelp het. Ek weet die leerlinge sal na die geboue en toerusting omsien en hierdie nuwe fasiliteite bewaar sodat dit vir nog baie jare gebruik kan word.”

McLeod-Katjirua het benadruk watter positiewe bydrae die nuwe infrastruktuur tot die skool gaan wees, maar ook genoem die uitdaging gaan kom wanneer leerlinge moet help om die hulpbronne op te pas.

“Dit is ’n spesiale oomblik vir my om vandag teenwoordig te kon wees en hierdie ongelooflike mylpaal in die skool se geskiedenis te sien. Vandag is ’n spesiale dag en ’n dag om fees te vier. Ons sien vandag hoe die lewens van jongmense positief geraak word en hulle die ontvangers van beter onderwysfasiliteite kan wees,” het McLeod-Katjirua gesê.

“Ek wil my opregte dank uitspreek teenoor die uitstekende werk van die onderwysministerie en NIMT,” het McLeod-Katjirua verder gesê.

Die projekte van NIMT in samewerking met dié ministerie het in Augustus verlede jaar begin en 20 klaskamers is reeds oraloor die land gebou.

At least seven dead in Mogadishu attack

ABDI SHEIKH

MOGADISHU

Militants stormed a high-end seaside hotel in Mogadishu on Sunday, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 20 as they detonated a car bomb then opened fire with assault rifles in the latest attack in the Somali capital.

Islamist insurgent group al-Shabaab said it was behind the assault on the Elite Hotel in Lido beach, and that its gunmen battled security forces who rushed to the scene.

At about midnight, state news agency SONNA said the operation was over and that 205 people had been rescued, “including ministers, lawmakers and civilians,” citing Farhan Qarole, a security forces commander at the hotel.

“All the four militants armed with AK-47 were shot dead. They were aboard the car bomb, they got off... and the four militants went in the hotel to fight,” SONNA said, adding that full details of casualties will be given later.

The hotel is owned by Abdullahi Mohamed Nor, a lawmaker and former finance minister, and is frequented by many government officials and members of the Somali diaspora.

“There were officials of (President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo's) government inside the hotel when we attacked,” said a statement broadcast on al-Shabaab's Radio Andalus.

Prison uprising

The attack follows an uprising at Mogadishu's central prison last week. SONNA said at least 15 prisoners and four guards were killed when security forces beat back the rebellion.

A witness, Ahmed Ali, said on Sunday he had heard “a huge blast at the hotel, gunfire followed, and then clouds of smoke”.

“So far we confirmed seven people died, including two attackers, two junior directors and three civilians,” information ministry spokesman Ismail Mukhtar Omar told Reuters.

“Fifteen people were injured,” he added.

Aamin ambulance service head Abdikadir Abdirahman had earlier told Reuters the service had transported 28 injured people from the scene before exchanges of gunfire started.

Hotel owner Nor posted on Facebook after escaping the building: “May Allah have mercy on all those who died in the attack by the terrorists on civilians particularly on Elite Hotel in which I was in.”

Mohamed Nur, a government worker who lives near Lido beach, said the exchange of gunfire was “terrible”.

“Stray bullets reached us near the beach,” he said.

Somalia has been embroiled in violence since 1991, when clan warlords overthrew leader Siad Barre and then turned on each other.

Since 2008, al-Shabaab has been fighting to overthrow the internationally-recognised central government and establish its rule based on its own interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

-Nampa/Reuters

Parties gear up for conventionsDemocratic, Republicans gather amid pandemic, economic turmoil The Republican convention will highlight the country's “greatness, opportunity and President Donald Trump's bold leadership”, while the Democrats will highlight stories of how ordinary Americans are struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic.

MATTHEW RUSLING

WASHINGTON

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for their conventions, after economic turmoil and rioting in cities nationwide.

While the economy is slowly but surely returning to normal and most of the riots have ended, the conventions will occur during a highly uncertain time.

In a historic first, Democrats are going totally virtual, and US president Donald Trump will deliver his convention speech from the White House, in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. According to Fox News, the Republican convention will highlight the country's “greatness, opportunity and President Donald Trump's bold leadership”.

One speaker will be Tanya Weinreis, owner of Mountain Mudd Espresso in the US state of Montana, a small coffee shop with around 50 employees. Weinreis received a special loan reserved for businesses that have suffered from the pandemic, and she is slated to speak about how the loan made a big difference for her company during this unprecedented time.

“[The loan] will allow us to continue paying our employees, as well as covering other operational costs like rent and utilities,” she was quoted as saying on Fox News.

A sergeant in the St Louis Police Department, Ann Dorn, will also speak.

She is also the wife retired St Louis Police Captain David Dorn, who was murdered by looters while protecting a store during the nationwide riots that lasted over a week last May.

Police defunding

The speech comes at a time when some Democratic politicians are pushing to defund police departments. Last month, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio passed a city budget that took US$1 billion from the city's police budget.

For their convention, Democrats will highlight stories of how ordinary Americans are struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic. The party will use that as a platform to cast blame on Trump and argue that Joe Biden is the leader to shepherd the nation through this ordeal, US media reported.

Democrats have chosen “Uniting America” as the main theme for the four-day virtual event. The event will kick off Monday and feature former Democratic candidate for president and self-avowed socialist Bernie Sanders, as well as former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Tuesday night will see a speech by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. On Wednesday night, former president Barack Obama will speak, and Thursday will be Biden's big night.

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that some air time will go into explaining what a Biden administration would do - perhaps more time than people are expecting.

Trump criticism

The criticism of Trump will mostly be handled by speakers below the top headliners, he added.

“The tone of (Republican) speeches will be darker, implying a future of racial turmoil if the Democrats win... The usual format will be remodelled to give us lots more 'Trump-some' every night. And there's a large audience for that,” Ramsay said.

Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua that Trump will emphasise crime and policing and argue he is the only thing standing between voters and chaos.

“He'll argue that if Biden wins, every place in the US will turn into Minneapolis at the height of the protests and rioting there,” Galdieri said of recent massive riots that tore that city apart.

Biden will emphasise his biography and record in office as part of his pitch that he can get the country back to something resembling normal, Galdieri said.

“Biden will probably make the coronavirus pandemic central to his speech, and blame Trump... for the extent of it and the fact that life has been abnormal and kids aren't in school and so on,” Galdieri said. -Nampa/Xinhua

Australia surfer saves wife by punching shark

BBC

NEW SOUTH WALES

A man leapt from his surfboard onto a shark that was attacking his wife, repeatedly punching the animal until it let go, Australian media reported.

Chantelle Doyle, 35, was surfing off Shelly Beach at Port Macquarie, New South Wales, when the attack took place.Her husband punched the shark until it released its grip and then helped Ms Doyle to the shore.

She was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries to her right leg.

Experts quoted by the Port Macquarie News believe Doyle had been mauled by a juvenile great white shark up to three metres in length.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce praised the husband - named by media as Mark Rapley - for his quick action.

'Heroic'

“This fella paddled over and jumped off his board on to the shark and hit it to get it to release her and then assisted her back into the beach,” he said, quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald. “Pretty full on, really heroic.”

Inspector Andrew Beverley, of Ambulance NSW, said people on the beach administered first aid to Ms Doyle before medics arrived.

“The bystanders on scene that rendered assistance should be commended. They did an amazing job,” he said.

He added that it was the third serious shark attack on that stretch of coast in recent months.

Doyle was flown to Newcastle Hospital for surgery and is in a stable condition.

Population timebomb defused Supply of contraceptives restored

ELIZABETH JOSEPH

The lack of contraceptives at state healthcare facilities has been resolved, says Ben Nangombe, the health ministry’s executive director.

Nangombe says there has been a constant inflow of a variety of contraceptives in recent months.

In May and June, there was fear of thousands of unplanned pregnancies because of logistic problems related to the Covid-19 state of emergency that held up consignments at ports and factories.

Since then, logistics channels have started opening and by the end of July most contraceptives and other pharmaceuticals were back in stock at the health ministry’s Central Medical Store (CMS).

Contraceptives such as Nordette (tablet), Triphasil (tablet), Jadelle (implants), Diane (tablet), Norethisterone (Nur-Isterate) injection, and Medroxyprogesterone (Depo Provera) injection were received in June and then distributed to clinics countrywide.

Most health facilities in the country have now been restocked with contraceptives. The CMS has also issued purchase orders to replenish contraceptive stocks following the distribution of those received earlier.

“We aim to strengthen and ensure a reliable supply of these critical health commodities. The ministry has therefore decided to procure more contraceptives through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) using the pooled procurement mechanisms. Procuring through pooled procurement mechanisms has a triple benefits of cost savings, value for money, and reliable delivery times,” Nangombe says.

Without efforts to replenish stocks, it was estimated that between 23 400 and 92 900 women in Namibia could be unable to use contraception, resulting in 585 to 27 900 unintended pregnancies.

National sexual and reproductive health community outreach coordinator Risto Mushongo expressed fear that the abrupt closure of schools and recreational centres for social gatherings could lead girls and young women to engage in intergenerational and transactional sex to pass the time.

“We fear for young women and girls – especially in the Zambezi, Kavango East and West, Ohangwena, Khomas and Omusati regions, because there are no activities to keep them occupied as schools and youth centres are not accessible to them as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in early June.

Further discussions with the health ministry and other stakeholders are under way to ensure a more consistent supply of contraceptives to all parts of the country.

Cecil threatens African wildlife conservation

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies (Cecil) Act, currently being considered by the United States Congress, will threaten successful wildlife conservation efforts in African countries.

This is according to Maxi Louis, the director of the Namibian Association of Community-Based Natural Resource Management Support Organisations, which represents 86 conservancies and more than 200 000 people. In an opinion piece first published online by insidesources.com, Louis said she has serious concerns.

The proposed law is named after Cecil, the Zimbabwean lion whose killing with a bow and arrow by a professional American game hunter in 2015 caused global uproar.

“This (proposed law), carrying the lion's name, would prohibit American hunters from importing animals harvested through legal, regulated hunting. This would dramatically disincentivise Americans from patronising hunting outfitters across Africa,” she said. According to Louis , the Cecil Act would rob African countries and local tourist economies of irreplaceable revenue that currently funds multifaceted and successful wildlife programmes.

Human-wildlife conflict

“Since most Namibian wildlife roam freely outside national parks, human-wildlife conflict drives many of the problems our communities face and that we deal with as conservationists,” Louis said. She said this conflict is a major threat to conservation because it incentivises more poaching.

“Without deriving an economic benefit from the presence of wildlife, farm and ranch land will encroach on more habitat, spurring on more human-wildlife conflict and resulting in poaching.”

Louis said Namibia's regulated system of hunting breaks this cycle by changing people's perception of wildlife from a threat to an asset.

She added it is no secret that international tourist hunters pay thousands of dollars to hunt strictly selected specimens in Namibia.

This money is mostly reinvested into conservancies and funds critical infrastructure, creating employment opportunities and even direct payment compensation to farmers who suffered losses.

Well-managed hunting system

Namibia is therefore able to more broadly tackle both habitat loss and poaching, she said.

“As a result of a well-managed, legal hunting system, our country has been able to maintain 86 conservancies that contribute to conservation efforts on Namibian land and equals almost 50% of the country.”

Louis added that by increasing wildlife's monetary value, landowners see the protection of their land for wildlife habitats as financially competitive with agriculture development. However, if the Cecil Act were to become law, all these systems that have improved wildlife populations across southern Africa will crumble, she said. According to her, this is supported by a comprehensive biological study done by Robin Naidoo in 2015, which showed that a simulated ban on hunting significantly reduced the number of conservancies that could cover operating costs. It also indicated that failing to incorporate hunting into a conservancy strategy would reduce the value of wildlife as a competitive land use option and have grave repercussions for the viability of community-based conservation in Namibia.

Colonial mentality

“Despite these proven results, many in America and throughout the West insist on pushing legislation like the Cecil Act that tells Africans that we are wrong in how we manage our wildlife and that we must do things differently. “This is a colonial mentality that completely ignores our on-the-ground reality and our right to sustainable development.”

Louis said the officials behind the Act know that while hunting may be unappealing to them, it is an industry that cannot be replaced with something like photo-tourism that requires easily accessible terrain and infrastructure, uncommon in rural Namibia.

Teenager arrested for child rapesSpate of sexual assaults across the country Child rapes, involving girls aged three, seven and nine, where among the spate of sex attacks reported to the police recently.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK

Omuthiya police arrested a 17-year-old boy on Friday for allegedly repeatedly raping three girls between May and August this year.

The victims are aged three, seven and nine.

Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, said during Sunday's weekly crime briefing that the suspect had been accommodated by the family after he was kicked out of a neighbouring house.

It is alleged that the suspect entered the room where the seven- and nine-year-old girls slept at night and had sexual intercourse with them.

The three-year-old girl shared a room with her parents and he allegedly raped her when she would go into the living room, where he slept, in the morning.

Girl raped in Swakop

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl at Mondesa in Swakopmund on Friday. The suspect, who is reportedly married to the girl's aunt, has been arrested.

The police also reported the rape of a 55-year-old woman, allegedly by a 46-year-old man at Duineveld in the Hardap Region on Friday.

The victim was overpowered by the man in her house. The suspect has been arrested.

Meanwhile at Ondangwa, a 22-year-old man allegedly raped a 24-year-old woman on Friday.

The woman went to the suspect's home to get English notes when he allegedly attacked her.

The suspect fled the scene after the rape.

It was also reported that a seven-month-old foetus was found by four children who were playing in an abandoned house in Karasburg on Friday. The children informed the adults at a nearby house and they called the police. No suspect has been arrested. Police investigations in all the matters continue.

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Toshiba wants independent probe

A major investor in Japan's Toshiba Corp has called for a third-party investigation into the conglomerate's annual shareholder meeting, saying its vote was not fully recognised in a potential breach of governance.

The demand from Singapore-based 3D Investment partners is likely to sharpen scrutiny of the treatment of Toshiba's foreign investors. It follows a contentious, but failed, attempt by foreign shareholders to elect some new independent directors to Toshiba's board at the July 31 meeting.

3D said voting rights representing a 1.1% stake in Toshiba were not reflected in the results of the meeting, according to an Aug. 9 letter from the hedge fund to Toshiba's outside directors seen by Reuters.

The fund, which holds a 4.2% voting stake and ranks among Toshiba's top five shareholders, had nominated two candidates as independent directors and publicly said it would vote against chief executive Nobuaki Kurumatani.

"Such administration of shareholders meetings by Toshiba including the manner of processing voting forms was at least improper and was questionable from the viewpoint of corporate governance," 3D said in the letter. – Nampa/Reuters

Sanofi to buy Principia Biopharma

French healthcare company Sanofi SA has agreed to buy US company Principia Biopharma Inc for around US$3.7 billion, the companies saidyesterday, strengthening Sanofi's presence in research and development (R&D) areas.

Sanofi will buy the outstanding shares of Principia for US$100 per share in cash, according to the joint statement, representing an aggregate equity value of around US$3.68 billion on a fully diluted basis and a premium of 10% to Principia Biopharma's stock closing of US$90.74 on Aug. 14.

Sanofi said the acquisition of Principia Biopharma, which develops therapies for serious immune diseases, would strengthen its research capabilities in areas such as autoimmune and allergic diseases.

"This acquisition advances our ongoing R&D transformation to accelerate development of the most promising medicines that will address significant patient needs," said Sanofi chief executive officer Paul Hudson.

Sanofi said it expected to complete the acquisition of Principia Biopharma in the fourth quarter of 2020."The merger will provide global resources to get these novel therapies to patients faster," said Martin Babler, president and chief executive officer at Principia Biopharma. – Nampa/Reuters

Google goes public with rebuke

Internet giant Google criticised proposed Australian antitrust laws, saying its free search service would be "at risk" and users' personal data could be shared if it is made to pay news organisations for their content.

The Alphabet-owned company said the proposed laws would also help big media companies artificially inflate their search rankings, luring more viewers to their platforms and giving them an unfair advantage over small publishers and users of Google's YouTube streaming website.

The statement, advertised on Google's main search page, marks an escalation of tensions between big tech companies and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) which has called for sweeping changes to rein in how Google and social media titan Facebook Inc use local content and consumer data.

"You've always relied on Google Search and YouTube to show you what's most relevant and helpful to you," Google Australia managing director Mel Silva wrote in the open letter. "We could no longer guarantee that under this law."

The proposed law "wouldn't just impact the way Google and YouTube work with news media businesses, it would impact all of our Australian users" she wrote. – Nampa/Reuters

Geely Automobile profit fell

China's Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said on Monday first-half net profit fell 43%, as the coronavirus outbreak slammed the brakes on auto sales in the world's biggest market.

Geely, China's highest-profile automaker globally due to the group's investments in Volvo Cars and Daimler AG, posted January-June profit of 2.3 billion yuan (US$331.37 million), versus 4.01 billion yuan in the same period a year prior.

Revenue fell 23% to 36.82 billion yuan, Geely said. The result compared with the 36.89-billion-yuan average of three analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv.

Geely earlier this month maintained its annual sales target of 1.4 million vehicles set in January, shortly after the coronavirus outbreak was first reported in China at the end of 2019.

On Monday, it trimmed the target by 6% to 1.32 million vehicles. Sales last year reached 1.36 million vehicles. It sold 530,446 vehicles in January-June, around 19% lower than its total over the same period last year. – Nampa/Reuters

CanSino wins vaccine patent

China's vaccine specialist CanSino Biologics Inc has won a patent approval from Beijing for its Covid-19 vaccine candidate Ad5-nCOV, state media reported, citing documents from the country's intellectual property regulator.

It is the first Covid-19 vaccine patent granted by China, state-owned newspaper People's Daily reported on Sunday.

The paper cited documents published by China's National Intellectual Property Administration saying that the patent was issued on Aug. 11.

Saudi Arabia said this month it plans to begin Phase III clinical trials for the CanSino vaccine. CanSino has said it is also in talks with Russia, Brazil and Chile to launch phase III trials in those countries.

CanSino's Hong Kong shares rose around 14% in Monday's morning session. Its Shanghai shares rose by 6.6% as of midday. – Nampa/Reuters

Kaap Agri, die mens-mense

Lelani Smith

Die inperking het ‘n groot impak op verskeie plaaslike besighede gehad, maar die mense by Kaap Agri sal altyd die mens-mense bly en sal altyd bereid wees om te help.

Weens hierdie inperking het Kaap Agri baie klante verloor, waarvan die meeste ouers was wat elke Maandag hul kinders skool toe moes neem en dan die week se inkopies sommer gou by Kaap Agri gedoen het.

Na die skole toegemaak is het hierdie kliënte Aranos toe verskuif, juis omdat hulle daar ’n groter verskeidenheid het as Stampriet .

Die Express Mark in Stampriet se petrol-syfers het dit egter die vinnigste begin toon, wie kon raai dat meer as 100 ouers elke Maandag petrol in Stampriet ingooi as hulle hul kinders koshuis toe neem.

Kaap Agri het egter hierdie terugslag die hoof gebied . Nou doen hulle aflewerings vir boere op hulle plase. Hierdie aflewerings sluit die week se rantsoen en ook die klant se persoonlike inkopielys in. Dit spaar die klant ’n rit dorp toe en bied ook beskerming teen Covid-19, iets wat hulle baie waardeer.

Maar ongelukkig kom daar altyd ’n terugslag, en in hierdie geval sal dit verskaffers wees. Landwyd en ook in Suid Afrika kan fabrieke nie meer die mas opkom wat Covid-19 skep nie en baie fabrieke is op hul laaste en kan nie meer aan die aanvraag voldoen nie .

Dit, tesame met die Covid-gevalle op die grense, is dit ’n onbegonne taak vir besighede om al hul voorraad betyds te kry. Die gevolge hiervan kan gesien word as individue winkel toe gaan met die verskeidenheid wat verminder en pryse wat styg.

Natuurlik het Kaap Agri en alle ander winkels die versoek gekry om veiligheidsmaatreëls te begin volg. Hierdie maatreëls vereis dat alle klante ’n boek moet invul met hulle persoonlike besonderhede, asook hulle temperatuur. ‘n Klant mag ook nie in die winkel ingaan sonder ’n masker nie.

En moenie dink hulle het die 1,5 meter reël vergeet nie, dit moet ten strengste gevolg word . Die kassiere glimlag nou met hulle oë, want maskers maak dit moeilik om altyd vriendelik voor te kom.

Volgens mnr. Nicolas Smith, die Kaap Agri bestuurder, vind die ouer klante dit moeilik om by die nuwe regulasies te hou, maar die jonger klante skakel egter makliker in. Hulle het selfs hulle eie groet, in plaas van die elmboog , tik hulle net hul voete teen mekaar.

Kaap Agri doen hulle bes om nie net die veiligheid van hulle kliënte in ag te neem nie, maar ook die veiligheid van hulle werknemers. Hulle moet met handskoene werk en maskers dra.

Smith het gemeld dat hy hulle gereeld herinner om hulle hande te ontsmet, en nie aan hulle maskers te raak nie, al raak die dag lank. Die werknemers gee almal hul samewerking en probeer die veiligheid van kliënte sover moontlik verseker.

Smith sê indien daar ’n Corona-geval in die winkel sou wees, moet die deure vir twee weke gesluit word wat in die huidige ekonomie ’n groot terugslag gaan wees vir die winkel.

Gelukkig besef die werknemers dit en bring hulle kant om alles so vlot moontlik te laat verloop. Smith se persoonlike opinie oor die inperking is dat dit van die begin af beter hanteer kon word. “As hulle van die begin af die grense toegemaak het en die inkomende mense beter reguleer het , kon ons land self oop bly en was dit nie nodig vir kleiner besighede om toe te maak nie.” Smith voel dat Namibiërs moet saamstaan, en hierdie probleme die hoof bied .

Die Covid-wolk se silwer randjie

Marion Botma

Die Covid-19 pandemie is met ons en is onvermydelik. Dit raak almal, jonk en oud. Baie ouers is bekommerd oor hulle kinders se opvoeding. Hoe sal hulle kan leer as hulle by die huis moet bly? By Privaatskool Elnatan en baie ander skole het onderwysers ‘n oplossing gekry: e-onderrig. Kinders kan deur middel van e-onderrig dieselfde opvoeding kry as by regte skool.

Meeste skole gebruik Google Classroom as hul klaskamers waar werk en antwoorde gedeel word. Sommige onderwysers gebruik ook Zoom om van aangesig-tot-aangesig met kinders te werk. E-skool het baie voordele. Families kan meer tyd saam spandeer omdat kinders nie heeldag by die skool is nie. Kinders kan hul skoolwerk grotendeels op hul eie tyd doen solank hulle dit net op die regte tyd inhandig. Kinders kan in die oggende later slaap om meer rus te kry wat hul groei sal verbeter.

By Elnatan doen onderwysers baie moeite om e-onderrig so gerieflik en maklik as moontlik te maak vir hul leerlinge. Hulle plaas oulike video’s, foto’s, take en voorbeelde by hul lesse. Kinders gebruik meestal tegnologie vir e-onderrig en ontwikkel dus baie vroeg sekere vaardighede wat die vorige generasie eers later geleer het.

In die begin van die inperking het onderwysers geweldig gesukkel om lesse op Google Classroom te laai of werk elektronies te doen omdat hulle nie die tegnologiese vaardighede opgedoen het toe hulle jonger was nie. Na ‘n week of twee van oefening het hulle dit egter gou onder die knie gekry.

Baie staatskole het nie die fondse om e-onderrig aan te bied nie. Hulle moet dus hul hele skooljaar aanskuif sodat kinders die jaar kan klaarmaak. Skole wat wel gebruik maak van e-onderrig kan hul kinders op datum hou met werk en steeds die eindeksamen aan die einde van die jaar aanpak en volgende jaar met ‘n nuwe skooljaar begin.

E-onderrig kan gesien word as ‘n stap van evolusie vir skole. Dit bevat meeste van tuisonderrig en normale skool se voordele en skakel die nadele uit. E-onderrig leerlinge skryf formele toetse en eksamen by skole en kry steeds hulp van onderwysers in plaas van hul ouers en hulle kan dit by die huis doen.

Covid-19 was hierdie jaar ‘n donker wolk, maar elke donker wolk het ‘n silwer randjie en dit is presies wat afstand onderrig vir Elnatan en baie ander skole is.

Google Classroom se tuisblad wat elke klas wat elke kind het bevat.

Verskillende klasse bv. Skeinat

Privaatskool Elnatan gaan groen

Anja Spangenberg

Privaatskool Elnatan neem die voortou en sit nuwe lig in die hemelruim met ’n nuwe sonkrag-projek.

Dit is welbekend dat Namibië van die hoogste sonstraling vlakke ter wêreld het. Sonenergie is ’n gratis energiebron en sal nooit verdwyn nie. Met ’n gemiddeld van 300 dae van sonskyn per jaar, sal die lig in Elnatan nie vinnig verdof nie. Privaatskool Elnatan het die besluit geneem om vanaf 2020 nie meer alleen afhanklik te wees van fossielbrandstowwe vir die generering van elektrisiteit nie, maar om die Afrika-son as natuurlike kragbron te benut.

Die fel droogte van die afgelope jare het ’n groot finansiële impak op elke Elnatan-ouer gehad. Finansiële druk het sommige ouers met geen ander keuse gelaat as om hul kinders na meer bekostigbare skole te stuur nie. Die effek van skool verskuiwing laat ’n enorme impak op die lewens van individue sowel as huisgesinne.

Elnatan skep ’n huislike atmosfeer, waar leerlinge saam as een familie funksioneer. Die verskuiwing na ‘n skool verder van die huis eis in baie gevalle sy tol op die emosionele welstand van baie kinders.

Om hierdie situasie te vermy het die direksie asook die ouers na baie ure van kopkrap en beraadslaging tot die slotsom gekom dat daar vinnig ’n plan gemaak moet word rakende die finansies van die skool. Jaarliks spandeer die skool duisende rande vir die verbruik van elektrisiteit. Deur die huidige elektrisiteitsverbruik om te skakel na sonkrag, kon duisende bespaar word en sodoende die skoolfonds so laag as moontlik hou. Alhoewel die aanvanklike kapitale belegging in sonkrag baie hoog is, kompenseer die vermindering in die maandelikse premie op die verbruik van elektrisiteit hiervoor en is dit in die langtermyn die beste opsie, nie net finansieel nie, maar ook vir die omgewing.

Dit was nie nodig om grondgebied af te staan vir die oprigting van die sonpanele nie. Die huidige dakstrukture van die geboue het hul daartoe verleen dat die sonpanele direk op die dakke van die geboue geïnstalleer kon word. Kostes is ook so bespaar, aangesien dit ook nie nodig was om die sonpanele af te kamp en te beveilig nie.

Elnatan poog om die fisieke- en emosionele welstand van die leerlinge, die ouers asook die gemeenskap in ag te neem. Deur die gebruik van sonkrag word nie net die skool se koolstof voetspoor verminder nie, maar neem Elnatan ook leiding en stel ’n voorbeeld vir die gemeenskap.

Elnatan is nie net kindervriendelik nie, maar ook omgewingsvriendelik.