Elephant population is healthy

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The elephant population in Namibia has consistently increased over three decades, while most elephant populations in African countries have seen a decline over the same period.

Namibia's elephant population is estimated to be between 23 663 and 24 091, with an estimated rate of population increase of 5.36%.

This is according to Dr Malan Lindeque, former executive director in the environment ministry. He was speaking at a workshop of the National Elephant Conservation and Management Plan.

According to Lindeque the elephant distribution in the country has also expanded over the past 30 years, while contracting in almost every other country.

He said the elephant population in north-western Namibia is also expanding and has re-established itself in much of the historical range in the Kunene Region.

He said although poaching has significantly reduced and has not measurably impacted population numbers in the north-east of the country, trophy size has declined.

“This indicates an impact on the age structure of the male population,” he said.

Success story

Lindeque said elephant conservation in Namibia has been a qualified success story, but there are important and urgent matters to deal with.

He said successful conservation and management of elephants require structured collaboration between the ministry, other government agencies and rural communities.

Lindeque also pointed out that the Namibian elephant population is shared with Botswana, Angola and Zambia. This requires a collaborative approach at regional level, he said.

According to him Namibia has been recognised as the second most successful country in megaherbivore conservation, after Botswana, despite having a much smaller elephant population than Botswana.

Expanding range

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the conservation and management of elephants in Namibia is a high priority for the ministry.

Shifeta said not only are elephants and people competing for the same resources such as water and land, but illegal killing for their ivory has also become a significant threat.

“Notwithstanding these problems, elephant conservation in Namibia has been amongst our greatest successes as a nation. While elephants have drastically declined in numbers and their habitat has been severely fragmented in other countries, we have seen a consistent increase in elephant numbers over the past 30 years and we now have more than three times as many elephants than we had at Independence in 1990.”

Shifeta also said that the elephant distribution range has expanded, and elephants seem to be in the process of recolonising their former range in areas that were not expected to happen in this lifetime.

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Heinaste crew appeal for help

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Heinaste crew appeal for helpOverlooked by new owners Former crew of the controversial factory ship say Tunacor ignored them after taking over the vessel.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

Former crew members of the Heinaste fishing vessel, which formerly belonged to Icelandic fishing company Samherji, have accused new owners Tunacor Fishing of side-lining them.

Tunacor recently bought the vessel in a deal worth US$18 million (N$270 million) after the government could no longer afford the upkeep of the impounded vessel. The vessel is now undergoing sea trials after being in dry dock since its seizure last November.

The former crew members accused the company's top brass of nepotism, saying Tunacor management had only considered family and friends for positions on the vessel.

A crew member, speaking to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity, accused Tunacor of using the credentials of the now unemployed crew in its application for fishing quotas.

“We are the legitimate crew members with existing contracts for the vessel. We were thrown out by certain people who are employing their friends and families,” the worker said.

The worker alleged that Tunacor was in possession of a list of crew members that were formerly employed on the Heinaste but ignored it.

“The crew list is there but they want to replace us with new crew members. None of us was contacted before the vessel sailed. We want clarity from the general manager of Tunacor, the minister of fisheries and the minister of labour. This is betrayal,” the source said.

The crew members had written to government officials, asking that they be considered for employment when the vessel sailed again.

Tunacor denies

Peya Hitula, general manager of Tunacor Fishing, denied the allegation, saying Tunacor had not been contacted by the Heinaste's former crew members.

Hitula said Tunacor was aware that certain Heinaste crew members had been retrenched but that it had been done in line with accepted labour practices. “There were crew members that were retrenched according to normal labour practices. The vessel took on new crew members since a year and a half ago,” Hitula said.

Hitula also denied the claim that Tunacor was awarded a quota based on an old crew list submitted.

“We are going to catch with our own quota. The fish we will catch, we own the quota,” he said.

Hitula, whose company had acquired the vessel in a deal with the office of the attorney-general, also denied allegations that the deal favoured previous owners Samherji.

“We are not working through Samherji. The fish we catch is the quota that belongs to us. We are going to use that vessel to fulfil the quota,” Hitula said.

The vessel is expected to be ready by December, Hitula said.

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Health Tip

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: My life with diabetes

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Health Tip

There is strong evidence that type 1 diabetes happens when an individual with a certain combination of genes comes into contact with a particular environmental influence.

Health Prevention Tip

New research shows that excess egg consumption can increase your risk of diabetes.

See a doctor when

People with diabetes are more prone to infectious illness and Covid-19 and have a harder time recovering than people who do not have diabetes.

Did you know?

Pancreatic cells

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown way that pancreatic cells decide how much insulin to secrete.

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My life with diabetes

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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My life with diabetes To be diagnosed with diabetes, changes your life and the way you used to do things.

*Rosa’s daughter was diagnosed with diabetes when she was only seven months old and has been living with the disease for the past five years.

“It changes your life. From what you cook to which food you buy. Sugar, sweets and anything nice are wrong. Your child’s life is just different than those of a normal child. Even if you don’t want to, you constantly wonder if your child is safe and well. You are on standby 24 hours of the day and must always answer your phone. If the school is not sure of anything, you must prepared to go there. Visits to grandparents or a sleepover is a big no, because the uncertainty, risk and what if’s are just too many. You never sleep through the night because the alarm of the insulin pump goes off twice in the night (if you’re lucky), on a bad night, it could be 2 tot 10 times. The next day you just have to cope with the less sleep.

I am yet to discover the good of the diagnoses. The bad is that your child’s health and life is in your hands – the one day your child is healthy and the next, for no apparent reason, he is sick with high sugar. You did the same as every day, but today it seems to be different. You battle against the high cost of medicine and sugar free and low carb products. You struggle to find medical equipment that are vital for your child’s life. Everyday you need plan B, planning ahead in case of what if? Every year medical aid funds change their plans to accommodate diabetes and every time you have to adapt to ensure you can at least cover the medical expenses. First comes the insulin and pump, then you buy food. Needles upon needles, bruised and battered stomach and buttocks where the sensors and infusion sets are.

What I learned is that, although we are sad about the circumstances which are not easy, we are still thankful for our child. There are parents which are worse of than we are and for that we are thankful and remain on our knees. Diabetes means 24 hours of monitoring, correcting, learn from yesterday, trying to do better today and we still don’t get it right – because we are only human and your child is just a child.”

Koos Muller (70) has been living with type 1 diabetes for the past 42 years.

“It is still difficult with all the tools and knowledge of food to regulate blood glucose levels, it is just a bad disease! I see no good in it apart from the fact that you learn to eat healthy food. I have learned that I’m the only one responsible for my own health. I have never experienced any bad feelings toward God because I have this illness. My philosophy has always been that my glucose levels should rather be too low than too high. Because of this I have gone in many coma’s. Most of the time my wife could help to give me glucose. We have toured a lot in our off road caravan and often with a big group of people. I have gone into three very serious coma’s while we were on these tours and while we were very far from doctors. I’ve been transported via ambulance, but have by the grace of God never suffered any serious consequences. The control of diabetes has improved dramatically with the tandem pump and Dexcom sensor the past two years where you can constantly see what your glucose reading is. Because of this I have never went into a coma again.”

Kenwyn Awaseb (7) was five when he was diagnosed.

“It was a huge shock with a lot of sadness, anxiety and fear for the unknown and how we will handle the road that lied ahead. What about his future, will he be able to lead a normal life and do the things he normally did? We take each day as it comes, because every day is different. Every day is a blessing and we are thankful to God that he has been saved for another day. It gives us courage to keep the faith and stay positive. We (family) are so proud of him, because he doesn’t let his diagnoses to get the better of him. Hy plays soccer, rugby and does athletics. He is very mature for his age. It is difficult for him to just be a child when it comes to friends’ parties and in class. It forces him to be aware of what he eats and how it can influence his life. We’ve learnt that Kenwyn is a very emotional, softspoken boy with a lot of love for everyone around him. He makes a difference in people’s lives with his love, smile and compassion. We have learnt to stay positive and happy and support him in what he does. He can do everything a normal boy can.”

Lola van Rooi (10) was diagnosed in October 2018 and at first it was difficult to adapt, says her mother.

“At first I was unsure if I do things right. She was scared and anxious to be away from me and didn’t want to go to school and went to work with me. With time she understood if she watched her diet and monitored her sugar, everything would be OK. She is such a disciplined child who does everything for herself. She tests and injects herself and makes sure she drinks enough water. The bad thing is that she sometimes get angry because she can’t eat what she used to like sweats, cookies and ice cream. We allow her, but very little. I’ve learnt so much, to be patient and calm. I had a huge support group. Alima, my pillar of strength, helped me a lot. Her and my family’s support helped us through a difficult time. She introduced me to the Diabetes Foundation where I’ve met Penny which also helped me a lot. Today I can master everything and when I struggle, I can contact Alima of Penny for advice.”

Nelien Bouwer (15) was diagnosed a year ago and now has to plan more than before.

“I have to measure my food, pack my insulin and keep it cool and be strong against people who says things that hurt because they don’t understand diabetes. The bad is people who will tell me it is because of my eating habits. It is the only bad thing, I can cope with the injections. The good is that I can eat in class if my sugar is low. It is bad to be sick, but actually I’m OK, I cope. I’ve learnt to overcome my fear of needles, that life will net get the better of me and that God is there for me and my family. I see diabetes as a war that I must win. My hope is for healing, I hope they get a solution in my life time.”

Xander van Wyk (13) will in January been a diabetic for the past nine years.

“The one day you are so tired and take things as they come. I now try to micro manage every little thing. You never have a day off. You always think about it and your head works over time. The good is that he will eventually be able to take care of himself, but it remains a challenge.”

Paula Swart (15) has diabetes for the past seven years.

“Every day is a challenge and there are good and bad days, but you learn. The difficult is to constantly inject yourself when you want to eat. The moment you have a low sugar level you feel desperately ill. The good is that you learn something new and more of your body every day. It teaches one self control and helps you to lead a healther lifestyle. It doesn’t stand in the way of my school activities, I can do any sport. It has taught me to perservere and not give up when things get tough.

Danie de Klerk (18) was diagnosed when he was only nine year old.

“Diabetes has drasticly changed our family’s life, nothing was ever the same. Thorough planning has to be done before we can go anywhere. All the injections and supplies have to be packed. Suddenly my life was in my own hands, I must control everything. My so called friends have disappeared, I can’t do everything with them. Rugby was one of my favourite sports and I can’t do it anymore. Cricket, tennis and swimming are however sports I can cope with. My parents taught me to persist in everything I do. My dad especially played a huge role and I’m thankful for my family. I can perform in all areas, especially academically and I don’t feel sorry for myself. I always try my hardest and don’t use diabetes to manipulate. I hope and believe I will make a success of my life, although diabetes is a challenge. With God’s help and power I can live a full life. I don't care how hard life gets. I'm not losing my faith in God.”

*For more information on support groups for type 1 diabetes patients - children under 12, teenagers and adults, send an e-mail to Becker.penny@gmail.com

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Paying attention to what matters

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Paying attention to what mattersSupport for children with academic or learning challenges Biolink Attention Training Windhoek assists parents and learners with solutions and support for learning and behavioural challenges.

Mariselle Stofberg

Tanya Byleveldt is the owner and an agent for Biolink Attention Training Windhoek, which offers support, hope, answers and solutions for children and adults with attention, behaviour and academic challenges.

“When I was 10 years old, my grandmother passed away and my aunt came to stay with us permanently. Aunty Hertha was an adult with Down Syndrome and lived with my family for 25 years until she passed away in 2018.”

During these years, Byleveldt’s family faced a myriad of challenges as a family having to take care of someone with special needs.

“Despite these challenges, I learnt so much from my aunt and growing up with her affected my life profoundly. I developed an interest in mental health and achieved my master’s in clinical psychology,” she said.

Commitment and dedication

Seven years ago, Byleveldt and her husband learnt about Biolink Attention Training and decided to become partners in the business. Today, her husband serves as the financial manager and she is responsible for assisting clients, marketing and providing training to children, parents and teachers.

“My career goal for my business is underscored by a commitment and dedication to helping mainstream children and children with learning challenges achieve academic success.”

Hope, answers and solutions

At Biolink Attention Training, they offer support, hope, answers and solutions for children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning disorders or academic challenges. “Study after study confirms children today are struggling more than ever before with academic, social and behavioural issues that impact their success in school,” Byleveldt said.

Biolink Attention Training offers assistance within the following areas:

Children and adults with ADHD

Children and adults with poor executive functioning

Children struggling at school

Memory decline and traumatic brain injury

Sports performance

Comprehensive assessment

If one enrols for November, Biolink Attention Training has a special where you can get 40 sessions for free, with terms and conditions that apply.

What sets Biolink Attention Training apart is their comprehensive assessment programme, which includes different steps on the assessment of learners.

The first step is the initial assessment.

“To measure is to know. If your child struggles with any attention or behaviour problems, our FOCUS continuous performance test (CPT) is the place to start.

“FOCUS scientifically measures the performance of key cognitive skills: Attention, processing speed, impulse control and the ability to filter auditory and visual distractions. The results are 100% objective – removing any chance for bias,” Byleveldt said.

From these results, you receive a detailed, objective look at your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

“This is where you get to experience an ‘aha!’ moment. You get to see in writing which of your child’s skills are responsible for their poor attention skills and poor behaviour and you get answers to make informed decisions regarding interventions or treatment for your child,” she added.

The second step is the comprehensive skills development programme.

Byleveldt said Biolink Attention Training Namibia is the only company with a product that provides feedback technology with cognitive skills training and behaviour shaping and that the armband they use for assessment is the only one out there that can monitor brain activity below the head.

“No one else can provide this combination – and that’s what makes us unique and the best. Our fully customised skills development programme includes neurocognitive exercises. During these exercises, your child needs to be fully focused and engaged for the exercises to commence and continue,” she said.

Each exercise develops and strengthens specific cognitive skills which include, amongst others, sustained attention, brain processing speed, impulse and emotional control, memory, filtering of distractions, processing, visual tracking and fine motor skills.

Continuous support

This works towards improved academic performance, increased occurrence of positive behaviour, strengthened executive functioning skills, which helps to process information faster and filter or ignore distractions that impact attention and to develop mental flexibility and problem-solving skills, and enhanced social interaction skills.

The lasts step is continuous support.

“We offer educational workshops both online and in-person to develop the skills and increase the knowledge of parents to help them to actively support and guide their children with academic and emotional challenges. We host free monthly educational webinars to help parents and teachers on topics such as routine, reading comprehension, ADHD and anxiety,” Byleveldt added.

Support content available

They also provide an array of digital content in the form of checklists, fact sheets, eBooks, eMagazines and fun activity books. They have an informational and educational weekly blog and all their content is created with parents and teachers in mind to help increase their knowledge with practical information to use at home and in the classroom.

For more information, visit the Biolink Attention Training Namibia Facebook page, the website windhoek.biolinkattentiontraining.com, call 081 299 7164 or email tanya@biolinkattentiontraining.com.

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N$27m neonatal ward being built at Swakop

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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N$27m neonatal ward being built at Swakop

ERWIN LEUSCHNER

SWAKOPMUND

A neonatal ward and maternity home for new mothers are being built at the Swakopmund State Hospital and should be complete by February 2022.

The project will cost an estimated N$27 million

“This facility will make a huge difference in the Erongo Region, especially in terms of newborn survival. This is especially true for premature babies who are at risk of dying without special treatment,” Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday.

The new facility will accommodate 28 beds: 12 standard care beds, six special care beds, six intensive care beds and four isolation beds.

Increased demand

There will also be doctors’ offices and standby rooms.

In addition, a new maternity home is being built with a further 12 beds.

According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, this accommodation promotes mother-child bonding and breastfeeding.

“Government didn't just think about building the facility; vacancies for paediatricians and other specialist positions required for the neonatal ward will be advertised soon,” she said.

According to the prime minister, the government responded to an increased demand for neonatal care, especially since the maternity ward at the Swakopmund district hospital has only 26 beds and four incubators for newborns.

“For many years, only one intensive care unit in Windhoek served newborns. With the new facility in Swakopmund, newborns in need of intensive care no longer need to be brought to Windhoek,” she said.

The new ward will serve the entire Erongo Region.

Other projects

According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, health is a government priority, which is why several such projects have been carried out across the country.

These include a new clinic at Arandis, which was built in 2018, and a new clinic at Utuseb along the Kuiseb River, which was inaugurated in February this year.

Both facilities cost more than N$30 million.

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Unesco pulled into fracking debate

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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$Unesco pulled into fracking debate$ Unesco pulled into fracking debateHeritage sites in exploration area A group opposed to oil and gas exploration in the Okavango Basin has included Unesco and the governments of Canada and Botswana in its appeal.

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The Frack Free Namibia group has taken its concerns about oil and gas exploration by Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) in the Kavango Region up with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

The Canadian company Recon Africa has come under fire for its plans to drill test wells in Namibia, close to the border with Botswana.

The group says two Unesco World Heritage Sites are located in the prospecting area.

In a letter addressed to Unesco, and the governments of Canada, Botswana and Namibia, the group requested the Namibian government to publicly state how it will protect the region's environment, people, wildlife, water resources, archaeological sites, farms and protected areas.

It points out that environmental protection is included in the Namibian constitution and that the country is also a signatory to the Paris Agreement, the Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

“Despite these international obligations and commitments, the Namibian government has granted a petroleum-prospecting licence for oil and gas explorations to a Canadian-registered junior oil and gas company, Recon Africa. They bought the rights from Namibia and Botswana to drill in more than 35 000 square kilometres in the environmentally sensitive Kavango Basin.”

Protected areas

The group says the exploration sites are within the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), which incorporates protected and communal land in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“The prospecting area in Namibia and Botswana borders three national parks, while the Okavango River and the Panhandle supplies water to the unique Okavango Delta, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

“The prospecting area also overlaps with several community conservancies and community forests and another Unesco World Heritage Site, Tsodilo Hills.

“It is absolutely shocking how little the Namibian public knows about this huge project and the impacts it will have. We have consulted with interested and affected parties across Kavango East and West, including those living near the drill sites. None of them, including resident San people, had been consulted.”

Dismissive

The mines ministry previously dismissed reports of fracking activities in the Kavango Region that could threaten the Okavango ecosystem.

It said the environmental clearance certificate (ECC) issued by the environment ministry to ReconAfrica is for the drilling of two stratigraphic wells for gathering data.

ReconAfrica holds a 90% interest in a petroleum exploration licence in northeast Namibia. The exploration licence covers the entire Kavango sedimentary basin, an area of approximately 25 341.33 square kilometres, and it entitles ReconAfrica to obtain a 25-year production licence if the exploration is successful.

Also, ReconAfrica holds a 100% interest in a petroleum licence in northwest Botswana which covers an area of 9 921 square kilometres and is contiguous to the Namibian licence. The two licences together comprise 35 262 square kilometres.

The company's initial goal is to establish the presence of an active petroleum system with its fully funded three-well drilling programme starting in December.

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WTO aiming to net fishing deal

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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WTO aiming to net fishing dealSubsidy deadline looms The end of 2020 marks the non-binding deadline for eliminating subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. If subsidies allow fishing to be made more sustainable … then it must be permitted. - Jean-Marie Paugam, French representative: WTO

Agnès Pedrero - Negotiations on banning billions of dollars in fisheries subsidies are coming to the crunch at the beleaguered World Trade Organisation, with the deadline to net a deal fast approaching.

Disagreements persist, especially over what the outcome might mean for developing countries, while over-fishing continues to strip the seas of a hugely important resource on which millions of people depend for their livelihoods.

Negotiations began at the WTO in Doha in 2001 and got a much-needed boost with the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.

That set the end of 2020 as the non-binding deadline for eliminating subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

It also bans certain types of subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, while providing special treatment for the world's developing and least developed countries.

Member states have so far failed to reach an agreement but pressed into action by the approaching deadline, negotiators have been beavering away since September on the basis of a confidential working document.

Their work has been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic and several countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Namibia, doubt the deadline can be met, according to a source close to the discussions in Geneva, where the WTO is based.

OVER-FISHING

Global fisheries subsidies stood at US$35.4 billion in 2018, with US$22 billion of that going towards building up fishing fleets, according to Ussif Rashid Sumaila of the University of British Columbia in a study which is regularly cited by diplomats.

Meanwhile the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has an increasingly alarming outlook on over-fishing.

The FAO said a third of commercial fish stocks were fished at biologically unsustainable levels in 2017.

Global fisheries production in 2018 reached a record 96.4 million tonnes - up 5.4% on the average across the three previous years.

The increase was mainly due to marine fisheries, in which the top seven producing countries - China, Indonesia, Peru, India, Russia, the United States and Vietnam - account for almost half the total catch.

GOOD OR BAD?

Despite the years of discussion, multiple fault lines still exist, including over whether there are good subsidies and bad subsidies.

European countries and others such as Japan and South Korea want a ban on subsidies, except where it has a positive impact and any potential negative effects can be cancelled out.

"If subsidies allow fishing to be made more sustainable - for example by developing the use of selective nets - then it must be permitted," said Jean-Marie Paugam, France's permanent representative to the WTO.

Others believe, on the contrary, that any subsidy is inherently bad and should be removed. There are also voices calling for subsidy caps.

According to the same source close to the talks, Brazil has put forward a plan under which the biggest subsidisers would have to make big reductions, while those giving less than US$25 million in annual subsidies would be exempt.

DEVELOPING NATIONS

One of the main stumbling blocks remains how developing countries and the poorest nations will be treated.

Some, such as India, are calling for them to be almost completely exempt from any constraints.

That demand is difficult for everyone to accept, especially since the WTO system allows its members to self-identify as developing countries.

Many of the major fishing nations are considered developing countries, including China, which has one of the biggest fishing fleets.

NGOs stress the importance of reaching an agreement, believing it would, in any case, favour smaller fishing enterprises in poorer countries.

An agreement "will benefit small-scale fishermen, because when we talk about fishing subsidies, approximately 80 or 85% goes to large-scale industrial fishing," Remi Parmentier, an advisor to the Friends of Ocean Action group, told AFP. – Nampa/AFP

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Bearing the fruit of the year

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Bearing the fruit of the year

Unotjiua Tjaverua

A reward is always welcomed with both hands for all the hard work, sweat and sleepless nights studying for tests and exams. Otjiwarongo Secondary School strives towards excellent education and high grades and therefore makes time to acknowledge learners who step out of their comfort zone to achieve the best grades and also to uplift the school.

The grade 12 prize-giving ceremony was hosted on 28 October and another ceremony was hosted for the grade 11 learners the following day.

The overall top achievers in grade 12, in ranking order, for ordinary level are Tevin Sabatha, Kesia Bezuidenhout, George Halweendo, Erikson Joseph, Julie Niedel, Venongore Matundu, Johan Vermeulen and Daniella Kandundu.

Three top achievers were also recognised in the higher level category and these are Jakobina Johannes, Wilko Von Hacht and Heimo Basson.

For the grade 11 ceremony, the school hall was beautifully decorated. At first it was dark because all learners had to enter with candles in their hands. A church service was held by a well-known pastor among the school community. A choir of girls introduced the Holy Spirit with amazing worship songs and so the grade 11s praised the Lord.

Our astonishing school choir took the stage to grace the congregation with sweet melodies. Right after the choir took their seats, teachers were called up by the master of ceremonies to hand out the prizes.

Congratulations are in order for Annelise Nghixulo, Sylvia Ndatinda, Kara De Wet, Tjijandjeua Mutjavikua, Roy Muyoba, Winnie Mberi, Annemie Harms, Emily Manjara, Janneke Rothman and Timothy Liebenberg.

After all learners had received their prizes, the school principal gave a short, sweet and heart-warming speech. The student representative council for 2021 was also introduced.

Overall, this year wasn’t a walk in the park, but being able to make it to the stage was a great achievement and the greatest gift these learners could give to themselves.

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Learning to lead through the pandemic

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Our very own pageant prodigy

≪ Previous: Bearing the fruit of the year

Learning to lead through the pandemic

Kariiue H Katjikonde

Gaining student representative council (SRC) status is an achievement as well as a huge responsibility. Becoming a leader is no easy process; that’s what the annual Otjiwarongo Secondary School SRC training and camp is for.

On the morning of 22 October, the 40 newly elected SRC members arrived at school with their bags, pillows and tents, but with no expectations or prospects of what they might learn on the camp.

They then departed to Sophienhof and returned on 25 October.

The training was not easy, but it served its purpose in shaping them as leaders. The camp was designed to teach the new SRC members how to work together as a team, to carry out their responsibilities and to uphold the values and standards of Otjiwarongo Secondary School.

Team work makes the dream work

“I think something that we learnt was to be open-minded and listen to one another. In the beginning, we were all just talking over each other’s heads, but as time passed, we learnt to consider one another’s opinion and accept that other’s opinions are just as important and carry merit.

“Personally, I think that’s what stuck with me the most,” Tjeripo Kaveterua said.

The weekend was a good way for the learners to interact, as well as develop their strengths and weaknesses.

Kaveterua also said the weekend was a good experience. "I feel it brought us closer together as a group, seeing that we learnt more about each other and how to cooperate, but it honestly felt longer than just four days because we experienced so much.”

The weekend wasn’t just fun and games, though; it consisted of a series of puzzles and obstacles designed to test the learners’ ability to work as a team.

Lead by example

Ruth Iyambo, the secretary of the 2020 SRC, had a word of advice for future SRC members of Otjiwarongo Secondary School.

“To be part of the SRC of Otjiwarongo Secondary School is an incredible honour, therefore, you should always be a worthy ambassador of our school and lead by example.”

The journey ahead will be long, hard and challenging, but with the training and coaching they received, and friends by their side, there is no hill or mountain too steep for the SRC to conquer!

A year filled with splashes awaits the SRCs of 2021. Photo: Contributed

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Our very own pageant prodigy

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Shangula takes aim at contractors abandoning projects

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Our very own pageant prodigy Beauty with a purpose

Kariiue Katjikonde

We recently had the privilege of sitting down with the winner of Miss High School 2020, Nasheeta Maletzky.

Maletzky is a 17-year-old learner at Otjiwarongo Secondary School who is already making waves in the pageant industry. On 25 August 2020, Namibia Media Holdings - under its youth banner My Zone - hosted the first ever virtual pageant in order to find a ‘Beauty with a Purpose’.

Four stunning young women represented their schools in evening gowns, runway interviews and casual wear as well as newspaper wear, which left the judges and audience thoroughly entertained from the safety of their homes.

Maletzky, the reigning Miss Otjiwarong Secondary School, was crowned Miss High School and received a N$10 000 sponsorship towards her tertiary education.

Not only was she crowned the overall winner, but she also received the awards for Miss Community and Miss Social Media, earning N$500 vouchers for each.

Maletzky not only shines in modelling but also takes part in multiple activities and extramurals at school.

Well-rounded

“I am a regional netball player; I would say that’s what keeps me in shape. I am an independent Herbalife distributor too. And I run a charity called Action Against Poverty. We currently have a project going on where we collect dignity packs for women and men,” she said.

Maletzky added that the community’s assistance in this regard is welcome. “The funds we have now are not enough. They can make the packs themselves and send it to me. Contact me at 081 605 0309,” she said.

On why she entered the beauty pageant, she said: “Growing up, I've always had this passion for helping people. As a child, you can't really help people, but helping in the sense of sharing food or when I saw friends arguing, I would always intervene and try to solve their issue, or simply just help them with homework".

Beauty with purpose

Maletzky also had the a passion for modelling and would always walk in her mom's heels and act like she was on the runway.

"Miss High School's theme was Beauty with a purpose, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to hit two birds with one stone,” she said.

Her advice to fellow youth is: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. Be humble and stay true to yourself because remember, no one is perfect - that’s why pencils have erasers. Also, do what makes you happy. Live your life”.

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Shangula takes aim at contractors abandoning projects

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Shangula takes aim at contractors abandoning projects

KENYA KAMBOWE

RUNDU

Health and social services minister Kalumbi Shangula says contractors who abandon state projects will be held accountable.

Shangula was speaking on Friday at the inauguration of the Rundu State Hospital's maternity ward.

The project was scheduled to be completed by July 2015 at a cost of N$44.8 million.

The deadline was extended to April 2016, but the budgeted amount was insufficient to complete the outstanding work. Eventually, the project cost increased to $53.6 million.

Shangula, who visited Nkurenkuru a day earlier, said he felt the same about the incomplete Nkurenkuru Primary Health Care Centre, which has been abandoned for more than four years.

Stern warning

“Going forward, we are going to hold the contractors who implement our capital projects to account, and I mean just that. Gone are the days when contractors failed to keep up their end of the bargain, which results in the denial of much-needed health services to our people,” Shangula said. “We will ensure that capital projects are completed within agreed timelines. Ministry officials, principal agents, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors and all stakeholders must therefore work together to ensure timely completion of these vital projects. Anything else would be unacceptable.”

Prioritise and accelerate

Shangula promised to prioritise the completion of stalled projects.

“The ministry and government remain committed to the development and expansion of health facilities and services in all parts of the country,” Shangula said. “For this reason, the ministry will prioritise and accelerate the completion of several capital projects that have been delayed for a number of years. The completion of the Rundu maternity ward is just the start. Other delayed projects include: Nkurenkuru Clinic, Gcaruhwa Clinic, Shamaturu Clinic, Linyanti Clinic, Epupa Clinic, Schlip Clinic, Aranos Health Centre accommodation, Okahao Hospital outpatient department, Keetmanshoop TB ward, Okahandja Hospital outpatient department, Okakarara Hospital laundry and kitchen, St Mary's Hospital laboratory, Katutura Hospital pharmacy and Onandjokwe maternity ward.”

Namibian Sun over the years reported on the challenges at the overcrowded maternity ward at the Rundu hospital. Earlier this year, a series of videos showing the deplorable state of the hospital's maternity ward went viral on social media.

Women were seen lying on mattresses on corridor floors because of a lack of beds.

The new maternity ward consists of two theatres, postnatal and antenatal wards, a neonatal unit, isolation unit, mother's lodges, offices and consulting rooms.

Shangula also inaugurated a new Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Clinic (VMMC) that was funded by PEPFAR through USAID.

kenya@namibiansun.com

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ECN officials dismissed for campaigning

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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ECN officials dismissed for campaigning

ESTER KAMATI

OTJIWARONGO

Three polling officials at Otjiwarongo were dismissed on Saturday for shouting Swapo slogans. They were later reinstated.

This was confirmed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) returning officer for Otjiwarongo, Elifas Ndipulalye. Ndipulalye said the ECN Act forbids participation of polling officials and commission employees in any type of campaigning, as well as dressing in party colours. The three officials – two women and a man - were said to have shouted Swapo slogans at the ECN training venue at Otjiwarongo.

They were all aware of the ECN rules against campaigning for any political party.

They were immediately reprimanded and dismissed. They were reinstated about three hours later with a stern warning. The two women returned on the same day while the man resumed duties yesterday. According to Ndipulalye, election officials are not even allowed to celebrate publicly when their party wins.

– ester@myzone.com.na

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Hepatitis-E slows down

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Hepatitis-E slows downCorona has positive spinoff Namibia's Covid-19 response has helped improve personal hygiene in informal settlements, leading to fewer hepatitis-E infections.

JANA-MARI SMITH

WINDHOEK

No new hepatitis-E fatalities have been reported in Namibia since 3 March, when the death toll stood at 65.

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in handwashing and improved sanitation facilities in Namibia's informal settlements, where hepatitis has been rife since late 2017.

The latest situation report shows that 7 983 cases have been reported since December 2017, of which 2 084 were laboratory confirmed.

The disease remains concentrated in Windhoek's informal settlements, accounting for 4 933 (62%) of cases, followed by 1 690 infections in the Erongo Region. There, the majority of new cases are reported from the Kuisebmond suburb of Walvis Bay.

The latest situation update from the health ministry gives an overview of the outbreak between 5 and 18 October 2020.

The report is a month behind due to Covid-19.

“Surveillance teams at all levels are overwhelmed, and therefore the data being reported is four weeks behind,” the ministry said.

Efforts are being made to bring the data up to date again, an official said.

Slow but sure

After the arrival of the pandemic in Namibia in March, a heightened focus on improving sanitation in informal settlements has boosted not only Covid-19 protection, but also curbed the spread of hepatitis-E.

“Even though efforts are diverted mainly to Covid-19 pandemic response, there is a beneficial spill-over from the sanitation and hygiene practices of the Covid-19 interventions for the hepatitis-E outbreak control,” the health ministry writes in the latest report.

Between mid-December 2019 and 19 April this year, 668 new hepatitis-E infections were reported.

In the six months between April and 18 October, only 341 new hepatitis-E infections were reported.

The health ministry's situation update confirmed that by mid-October, a general downward trend in the number of hepatitis-E infections had been noted.

The report underlined nevertheless that there is still a need to improve water and sanitation across Namibia.

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Africa needs more than world is offering

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Africa needs more than world is offeringNew debt crisis looming The United States, China and other G20 countries have offered the world's poorest countries relief until at least mid-2021. You need something much more profound and deeper and holistic than this particular approach. - Roberto Sifon-Arevalo, MD: S&P

Karin Strohecker and Joe Bavier - African countries face another debt crisis and will need more long-term help than the latest G20 debt plan offers them to ward off trouble ahead and keep much-needed investments coming in, according to policymakers, analysts and investors.

Around 40% of Sub-Saharan African countries were in or at risk of debt distress even before this year, while Zambia became the continent's first pandemic-era default last Friday.

The United States, China and other G20 countries have offered the world's poorest countries - many of which are in Africa - relief until at least mid-2021 and sketched out rules for rescheduling government debt to help fend off the risk of default in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

But these plans to provide near-term breathing space might not go far enough.

"In 2021 a robust liquidity and structural response, recovery and reset toolbox must be developed in partnership between emerging markets, the private sector and the G20," warned Vera Songwe, executive secretary at the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

Songwe is pushing for measures to unlock US$500 billion to help avoid leaving lasting scars due to prolonged funding gaps in the poorest economies.

HIGH RATIOS

The debt ratios of Sub-Saharan African countries had already risen sharply before Covid-19, just over a decade after the

International Monetary Fund and World Bank launched the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative that slashed the debt burdens of some 30 low-income countries on the continent.

Fast forward to the year of the pandemic and Sub-Saharan Africa is on track for a record 3% economic contraction this year, while debt-to-GDP ratios have doubled over the last decade to 57%, the IMF found.

"We are definitely already in a debt crisis, there is no question about that," said Bryan Carter, head of global emerging markets debt at HSBC, referring to poor countries around the globe.

"I worry about 2021. I worry about a deal in which many countries who will once again have to finance themselves in a slow or even recessionary economic environment where a vaccine is not yet globally available. For many countries, that is one year too many to finance themselves."

CANCELLATIONS, SUSPENSIONS

Some countries will need help with their debt stock, not just with payments.

Politicians such as Ethiopia's prime minister and Ghana's finance minister as well as campaign groups have pushed for outright debt cancellations, on top of widespread calls for a longer suspension of servicing and repayment for the continent's poorest countries.

Others such as UNECA and some private investors have also suggested the strength of development banks could be leveraged through loans and guarantees to bring down borrowing costs for countries under the most pressure.

"There are definitely some countries, like Zambia and Angola or Ghana, that are in pretty fragile spots right now," said S&P Global Ratings sovereign group managing director Roberto Sifon-Arevalo, adding that the proposed plans did not tackle structural problems. "You need something much more profound and deeper and holistic than this particular approach."

PLETHORA OF CREDITORS

African countries make up half of the 73 countries eligible for the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

Much has changed since the HIPC initiative when money was mainly owed to wealthy countries and multilateral institutions. Now, a plethora of creditors makes help more complicated.

China plays a key role: Its government, banks and companies lent some US$143 billion to Africa from 2000 to 2017, according to Johns Hopkins University.

"About 10 African countries have a debt problem with China," said Eric Olander, co-founder of The China-Africa Project, adding that Chinese lending was concentrated in a small number of countries. "Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Zambia – they all have very serious debt issues."

A third of the US$30.5 billion of public debt service payments due in 2021 by DSSI-eligible Sub-Saharan African nations is owed to official Chinese creditors while a further 10% is linked to the China Development Bank, the Institute of International Finance calculated.

China signing up to the G20 framework was widely welcomed, although many have criticised a lack of transparency in its lending.

"If you look at China, the loans are mostly shrouded in secrecy," said Nalucha Nganga Ziba, Zambia country director for anti-poverty charity ActionAid.

Writing before the G20 leaders' meeting, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said the G20 framework, if "fully implemented", could allow poorer nations to apply for permanent debt relief. She gave no details. Some G20 members, such as China and Turkey, remain sceptical on actual debt write-offs.

SHIFTING PAYMENTS

Meanwhile shifting payments under the G20 deal from the near- to the medium-term could simply be pushing the problem down the road. For example, Scope Ratings calculates that Angola taking part in the DSSI could push up its debt-servicing requirements from 2022 to 2024 by more than 1% of GDP per year.

A bump in Eurobond payments following a debt sale bonanza that saw the African hard-currency debt markets surpass the US$100 billion mark in 2019 could add to the pressure.

With US dollar-bond yields hovering close to double digits, governments such as Angola, Ghana and Mozambique would struggle to tap markets at the moment.

Indeed, no Sub-Saharan African government has sold Eurobonds since Gabon and Ghana in February, before Covid-19 hit.

Nevertheless, access to capital markets will be needed to refinance but also to help plug an external financing gap which the IMF estimates at as much as US$410 billion over the next three years.

"The potential battle is really going to be between countries wanting to grow, and investors saying we need to talk about fiscal consolidation straightaway," said Andrew Macfarlane, EM credit strategist at BofA. – Nampa/Reuters

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Goethe-Institut continues to strengthen relationships

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Goethe-Institut continues to strengthen relationshipsNantu receives equipment worth N$30 000 Establishing a centre for the enrichment of the educational process.

Enzo Amuele

The Namibian National Teachers' Union (Nantu) received a donation of a laptop, printer, wireless book scanner and 5 000 bar code labels for library books from the Goethe-Institut Namibia.

The donation, valued at N$30 000, was handed over on 18 November at the Nantu head office in Windhoek, and will be used in the Teachers’ Resource Centre.

Through Koha workshops, one of the Goethe-Institut’s responsibilities is to provide technical assistance to community libraries, institutions of high learning and schools on how to manage their libraries. Koha is an open source integrated library system.

In the spirit of networking

Handing over the donation, head of library and information at the Goethe-Institut, Pfeifer Detlef, referred to the institute as the “German Shakespeare” as it works on behalf of the German government.

“This donation is in a spirit of networking and we are looking forward to the opening of the Nantu library. Koha is a Maori word that describes a gift where people expect something in return.

“In this spirit, we hand over the donation, and hope Nantu will return the gift by being an active partner in the Koha community in Namibia,” Detlef said.

He further expressed the institute's willingness to continue working with Nantu.

Digitalisation

Receiving the donation, Nantu secretary-general Loide Shaanika thanked the Goethe Institut for the donation and said the donated equipment came at the right time as Nantu is currently busy digitalising its library set-up.

According to Nantu, the resource centre will provide materials for the enrichment of the educational process.

It also further said the centre will also enable teachers to interact with each other in a variety of ways to share resources and exchange ideas so as to improve the effectiveness of their teaching.

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Ninth PASCH school welcomed in Namibia

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Ninth PASCH school welcomed in Namibia Concordia College joins a worldwide network The Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH) initiative is a worldwide programme for the development and advancement of the German language.

Mariselle Stofberg

Concordia College was officially welcomed into the worldwide PASCH network last week.

The partner school initiative was launched in February 2008 by Germany’s federal foreign office.

PASCH is implemented in cooperation with the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA), the Goethe-Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service and the Educational Exchange Service of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany

“It is a worldwide programme for the development and advancement of the German language at selected schools. It also promotes intercultural exchange and the development of an international learning community and schools,” Alexandra Ellen Goelz of the German embassy said.

Goelz added that Concordia was chosen as the ninth PASCH school because of their commitment and excellence in teaching German as a foreign language for many years.

Currently, around 600 000 learners around the world attend the more than 2 000 PASCH schools, which are keen to encourage sustained interest in contemporary German and the German language.

Namibian PASCH schools

In Namibia, there are eight other PASCH schools – the Deutsche Hohere Privatschule, Windhoek High School, Delta Secondary School, Namib High School, Private School Swakopmund, Martin Luther High School, Otjiwarongo Secondary School and Etosha Secondary School.

“Promoting German as a language is a focus of the German government’s cultural relations and education policy. We believe that learning foreign languages fosters dialogue, exchange and cooperation between people and cultures. It opens new horizons and creates understanding between people of different cultures and backgrounds. It also creates new opportunities for studying or work abroad,” Goelz said.

Global community

“We are extremely grateful to the government for selecting our school to be part of the PASCH family. This was the initiative of our German language teacher Alexia Tjikumise, and we would like to thank her for this great initiative. Without a doubt, PASCH will expose our school, and specifically the learners, to a global community of diverse learning and cultures,” Mary Uanguta, the principal of Concordia College, said.

During the event, the school also inaugurated the new PASCH classroom and equipment they received.

“We would like to thank the German government for the donation that has gone into all the renovations and buying of IT equipment as well as furniture for the PASCH class. Fortunately, our school library has benefitted as well,” Uanguta added.

“The pandemic the world is experiencing again emphasised that we as educators across the world need to rethink, reimagine, reinnovate and redesign the provisions of education in a way that best meets the needs of all learners and teachers,” Faustina Caley, the deputy minister of education, arts and culture, said.

Caley emphasised the importance of the collaboration between the German embassy and the Goethe-Institute in Namibia as well as other actors and stakeholders who have national development at heart.

Platform to connect

“Through this network, we provide a platform for young people to connect to a different culture, a different language and a different approach to education and school-related activities. Through the network we can help learners make their dreams and ideas a reality and the endless possibilities of studying and working in Germany,” Corinna Burth, the PASCH coordinator at the Goethe-Institut Namibia, said.

Burth is excited for what the future holds for Concordia College and its leaners, teachers and management team, and believes this network, and the investment in the German language, will open up new horizons and possibilities for all parties involved.

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Land tax assessments coming in 2021

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Land tax assessments coming in 2021Worries about farmers’ ability to pay Commercial farmers will have to pay five years’ backlogged land taxes next year, with no indication yet whether they will be given more time.

ELVIRA HATTINGH

WINDHOEK

Owners of commercial farms will soon receive land tax assessments for the past five financial years, during which no payments were made.

The valuation court annulled the most recent valuation roll (2017 to 2022) on 7 February last year after a two-year court battle.

The Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) says no land tax payments have been made in the past five years, which means assessments for the financial years 2016-'17, 2017-'18, 2018-'19, 2019-'20 and 2020-'21 will be received early in 2021.

At the same time, it was negotiated that landowners should be given more time to pay all this tax.

"However, we have not yet received any written feedback on this. There is an understanding among officials that landowners are currently under great pressure when it comes to cash flow and that the term for payment will most likely be extended before the new valuation roll is issued," said the NLU's CEO, Roelie Venter.

He said the assessments to be issued next year were calculated on the 2007 valuation roll.

"The rate at which tax will be calculated is 0.75% for 2016-17 and the first part of 2017-18 for Namibians for the first title deed. An additional 0.25% will then apply to each subsequent title deed.

"For the rest of 2017-'18, as well as for the financial years 2018-'19, 2019-'20 and 2020-'21, landowners will be assessed at 0.4%. This, according to the rate cut announced in the Government Gazette in 2018. This applies to the first title deed. An additional 0.25% will then apply to each subsequent title deed,” said Venter.

New roll

The new valuation roll for 2022 to 2027 is still being finalised and the NLU says it was given the assurance that the final draft version will be discussed with them before going to court.

"It is essential that the valuations of the different farms correlate with the relative carrying capacity of the farm, and that this is not based on, for example, tourism potential," said Venter.

He said the NLU supports the payment of land tax, provided that it is affordable and fairly calculated.

"The 2007 land valuation roll was generally accepted as reasonable and affordable by landowners."

In contrast, the next two valuation rolls were both rejected in court.

The NLU previously said that the 2012 valuation roll, in which farm valuations increased by up to 900%, was unacceptable.

During the 2012 NLU congress, members were encouraged to lodge the strongest objection to this roll and, where necessary, to obtain legal representatives to represent their case. This roll was eventually set aside by the High Court.

This 2012 valuation roll was apparently used again for the compilation of 2017 valuations, and this roll was also set aside by the High Court last year.

In February 2018, High Court Judge Hosea Angula issued an interdict barring the government from levying land taxes based on the controversial valuation roll of 2012.

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'Expert' jewellery thief nabbed

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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'Expert' jewellery thief nabbed• Close to 500 pieces of jewellery recovered A thief who cleaned out Sterns in Grove Mall at the weekend left a note for the shop's staff that proved to be his undoing.

TUYEIMO HAIDULA

OSHAKATI

Oshana police say the man arrested at King Kauluma village in the Oshikoto Region for allegedly breaking into Sterns jewellers in Windhoek's Grove Mall is an expert burglar.

The suspect was arrested at his mother's home, about 700 kilometres from the crime scene, less than 48 hours after the theft. His mother, who is a police officer, was not at home during the arrest. Detective Inspector Haingura Meinolf said the police traced the suspect by analysing handwritten notes that he left at other crime scenes. He allegedly broke into Sterns at Oshana Mall in Ongwediva in June this year and was out on bail when the latest burglary was committed.

Modus operandi

Meinolf said the suspect gained access to Sterns on Saturday night by breaking through the roof of the building, disabling the alarm system and using a key to open the safe where all the valuable jewellery was kept. He allegedly took the shop's entire stock.

Meinolf said the suspect arrived in the North on Sunday evening. “We had to arrest him in the early morning because he is a dangerous suspect. He is an expert in that field. He does the job alone. “

The police spokesman said the suspect was released from prison last year after serving five years for breaking into American Swiss jewellers at Wernhil Park mall in Windhoek.

“Maybe our rehabilitation process is not working, as the police are seeing an increase in repeat offenders,” Meinolf said.

Notes

The 35-year-old suspect left handwritten notes inside the shops he broke into, informing the managers that his crime involved no violence.

He also advised the shops to improve their security systems.

By yesterday afternoon, the arresting officers had recovered 232 watches, 225 rings, 35 necklaces, and safe keys.

Meinolf said the total value of the stolen items had not yet been determined.

He said the suspect was on his way to Windhoek and would appear before the Magistrate's Court later this week. Police investigations continue.

tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

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The malaise of money in politics

November 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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The malaise of money in politics Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist George Bernard Shaw once said: “Holding money above all else, for as long as our society has, has created generations of greedy individuals, and we have repeatedly rewarded greed by praising the ability to take advantage of people as a certain strain of ingenuity, and by giving the greediest among us a higher platform, political seats and unspoken power to further their agenda”.

This rings especially true in an environment where party financing is generally non-transparent, and Namibia is no exception.

It creates the real risk that interest groups and wealthy individuals will buy influence in political parties, and in so doing, erode public confidence in the political system.

As many critics have opined over the years, this is because 'donations' are neither open to public scrutiny nor subject to any legislative restraints.

This lack of transparency and openness, as well as mechanisms to prevent this malaise, provide ample ground for influence-peddling, where those who essentially pay the piper dictate the tune.

The contribution of money to political parties and candidates is an important way in which unscrupulous interests have gained a foothold in our body politic.

The challenge now is not only for Swapo to come clean around whose vested interests it has entertained through accepting political funds. Other parties need to do the same, and shine a light in dark and often compromised spaces.

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