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Star teacher of the week

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Star teacher of the weekStar teacher of the week Gisela Peters

Afrikaans second language teacher for grade 10, 11 and 12 with grade 12 on AS levels.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?

As a grade 1 learner in Primary School Danie Joubert, Mariental. The way our class teacher, Mrs Fourie, taught us convinced me to become a teacher myself. Today I never could have imagined myself in another profession than teaching.

What is the best aspect of being a teacher?

The fact that a teacher works with the youth and no day will be the same, because human beings are different and they change every day in personality, attitude and behaviour. With your influence as teacher or educator you can help them grow and develop their goals, ultimately helping or assisting them to reach their best potential.

Can you tell us about your journey towards becoming a teacher?

As I said earlier, becoming a teacher was a decision I made as a grade 1 learner and I constantly dreamed about it. After I matriculated at Secondary School Mariental I studied for a bachelor’s degree in languages and social sciences at the University of Stellenbosch. I also did my Higher Education Diploma (HED) at the same university. I was appointed by the ministry of education as German teacher at “Gluck Auf” Primary School at Tsumeb. We were too many teachers at the school and I was moved to Secondary School Wennie Du Plessis in Gobabis to teach Afrikaans and history. After few years of teaching, I married and moved to the farm to stay there. I home-schooled my own children and when they were older we moved to Keetmanshoop. There I started teaching at Keetmanshoop Private School. With the opening of the new private school in Gobabis, namely Gobabis Gymnasium, I was appointed as a geography and Afrikaans teacher at the school. I also became head of department at Gobabis Gymnasium and was also acting principal during the second half of 2015. At that stage I decided to make a total change in my life. I looked at different possibilities and finally moved to Windhoek where I carried on with my teaching career as Afrikaans teacher at Windhoek Gymnasium. It’s a great privilege for me to be at Windhoek Gymnasium and I enjoy my job a lot. I am so proud to be part of this amazing team.



What is the highlight of your teaching career?

To get up early in every morning, and to see how the sun rises from behind the Auas mountains on my way to school. Every morning’s scripture reading and prayer in the staffroom and the short chats with my colleagues are so important to start the new working day. Personally, the most important for me is when the learners of my register class enter the class with their daily question: “How are you today, Ma’am?”

Can you name a class and year you will never forget and why?

The year 2020 with its Covid pandemic I will never forget. Suddenly I had to adjust my grade 11 and grade 12 classes to online learning; thus I had to teach from behind a screen. As Afrikaans is for the majority of the pupils a second or a third language, it was a huge and a new change at the start, but later on we managed to find the joy in this new way of teaching.

What lessons have you learned from your learners?

To have lots of patience and always negotiate to understand learners. Successful communication is the crux of any relationship. All of us should be passionate about our dreams and we must use our talents to reach our fullest potential. And last, but not least: to be friendly and to live and laugh as we all grow together as one.

What leisure activities do you participate in?

Any craft activities, especially crochet and knitting. I also love making paper doll blankets. This is a new type of craft that I saw on Pinterest.
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Justifying his R16m Downs price

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Justifying his R16m Downs priceJustifying his R16m Downs price SOCCER LADUMA

Peter Shalulile was impressive for Highlands Park, but after being signed for a handsome sum by Mamelodi Sundowns, the Namibian is showing that he was worth every penny.

There were always fears that Shalulile would struggle to emulate his goalscoring feats at Sundowns, where many before him have struggled to adapt to the rigors of playing for the Brazilians.

However, after 11 goals and 5 assists in 21 matches for the Chloorkop giants, the 27-year-old is showing that he is well worth his R16 million price tag Sundowns forked out to bring him and Mothobi Mvala on board at the start of the 2020/21 season, as first reported by the Siya crew.

A closer look at Shalulile’s numbers shows that he is contributing towards a Downs goal every 1.31 matches, if he is not scoring himself, he is setting up one of his teammates, the latest of which came in Sundowns’ 5-1 drubbing of C.R Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League on Sunday.

Stats also show that Shalulile is well on his way to surpassing his tally of 19 goals in all competitions last season. At the same point last season, he had mustered nine strikes and currently already has 11 strikes to his name.

Shalulile is currently lagging behind Bradley Grobler (13) in the league’s Golden Boot race, but is likely that he will catch up to the ‘Sniper’ on the charts.
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WBPHS vs Covid-19

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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WBPHS vs Covid-19WBPHS vs Covid-19 Elmi McCarthy



Covid-19 het die wêreld en veral onderwys omver gewerp. 2020 het Walvisbaai Privaat Hoërskool (WBPHS) op sy tone gehou en almal geleer om partykeer dinge op ander maniere aan te pak as waaraan hulle gewoond is.

Hoe het WBPHS aangepas by hierdie “nuwe normaal” wat Covid-19 tot gevolg gehad het en hoe reageer die leerlinge daarop?

In 2020 is die skool skielik gekonfronteer met die pandemie en moes hulle binne 'n kort tydjie besluite maak wat leerlinge, onderwysers en ouers tot 'n groot mate geraak het.

Aanlyn skool was 'n hekkie wat almal gesukkel het om oor te kom en die manier van onderrig moes oornag verander. Nietemin het die onderwysers hard gewerk om met hul leerlinge op die beste manier moontlik voort te gaan, hul sillabusse betyds af te handel en die leerlinge vir eksamen voor te berei.

Volgens Marcelle Myburgh, 'n graad 11-leerling, het die skool baie moeite gedoen om die leerlinge op datum te kry met die akademiese program. Hulle het selfs ná skoolure, in die middae, klasse aangebied. Dié harde werk het die nodige vrugte afgewerp en kan duidelik aan die goeie graad 12-uitslae gesien word.

Ten spyte van die feit dat party skole hul graadgroepe een vir een moet infaseer, was WBPHS bevoorreg dat die hele skool op 27 Januarie kon begin.

Ná goeie voorbereiding en deeglike beplanning het die skool voldoen aan al die gegewe Covid-19-prosedures en -regulasies en was dit moontlik dat alle leerlinge met klasbywoning kon begin.

Oor die algemeen is die meeste leerlinge tevrede met die manier waarop die skool die pandemie aangepak en hanteer het. “Die skool se organisasie is goed en maak dit maklik vir leerlinge om so normaal as moontlik skool te gaan,” sê Deon de Klerk, 'n graad 11-leerling.

WBPHS het die pandemie by die spreekwoordelike horings gepak en is nog steeds besig om die Covid-bul in toom te hou.
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Aaleli yUukwanyama taya popile egalulo lyiipongolo yomutse gwaMandume

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Aaleli yUukwanyama taya popile egalulo lyiipongolo yomutse gwaMandumeAaleli yUukwanyama taya popile egalulo lyiipongolo yomutse gwaMandume Elelo lyOpamuthigululakalo lyUukwanyama mOlyomakaya ga piti olya ningi edhimbuluko e ti 104 lyeso lyomuleli gwawo nale Mandume yaNdemufayo sha ningilwa mOmbala yUukwanyama momukunda Omhedi moshitopolwa shaHangwena. NAMPA

OMHEDI

Ø Mandume okwa lela Uukwanyama pokati komvula yo 1911 no 1917

Omuleli gwUukwanyama, Martha Mwadinomho waKristian yaNelumbu okwa tula ongala koshilimbo shesimaneko lyaNdemufayo, okutumbaleka onkandangala yuupendafule ndjoka a dhana pethimbo lyuukoloni, omanga ina sila molugodhi lwa ningilwa mOihole mUumbugantu waAngla momasiku ga6 gaFebruali momvula yo 1917.

Okwa tula woo ongala keeyendo lyomulanduli gwe Kornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu ngoka a hulitha momvula yo 2005 na okwa fumbikwa pomayendo gaakwaniilwa mOmhedi, oshowo keyendo lyomwanamati Henock Mandume Hangula oshowo keyendo lyagumwe gwomofamili yaakwaniilwa, Hileni Kahona Hatutale.

Hangula naHatutale oya fumbikwa mOmhedi momvula yo 2015 no 2019.

Aapopi ya yooloka mboka ya popi pethimbo lyoshituthidhimbuluko shoka, oya hokolola Ndemufayo kutya okwa longelela aakwashigwana yUukwanyama pokati komvula yo 1911 no 1917, onga gumwe gwomomapendafule ga kondjila elelo lyuukoloni pethimbo ndyoka.

Okwiinekelwa kutya aakwiita oya teteko omutse gwaNdemufayo konima yeso lye mOihole. Mpoka pwa falwa omutse gwe kapushiwike sigo onena.

YaNelumbu mOlyomakaya okwa pula mboka ye na uuyelele kombinga yaampoka pwa falwa omutse gwaNdemufayo opo ya holole uuyelele mboka.

Omuleli nale Hifikepunye Pohamba pethimbo lyedhimbuluko lya faathana momvula yo 2013 okwa pula egalulo lyiipongolo yomutse gwaNdemufayo okuza kAaBritain.

“Aaingilisa oya pumbwa okutu tseyithila mpoka pe na omutse gwaMandume, na epulo yeshi ninge na kashi shi eindilo kutya naya galule iipongolo ye,” Pohamba a popi.

Aakwiita yaBritain, South Africa oshowo Aaputu okwa hololwa yali molugodhi moka mwa sile Ndemufayo taku hokololwa kutya kwa dhipagwa nenge iidhipaga opo a yande okukwatwapo kaakwiita.
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Ookansela yaNiipa taya shayina omatsokumwe geitulomo miilonga

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Ookansela yaNiipa taya shayina omatsokumwe geitulomo miilongaOokansela yaNiipa taya shayina omatsokumwe geitulomo miilonga TUYEIMO HAIDULA

ONIIPA

Aanambelewa yelelo lyaNiipa otaya shaina omatsokumwe geitulemo nokupondola miilonga ga nuninwa okuyambulepo egandjo lyomayakulo mondoolopa ndjoka.

Omatsokumwe ngoka ogeli taga holola eitulomo miilonga okwaadha omalalakano gompangela yuule woomvula ntano yondoolopa ndjoka, pahapu dhaDaniel Ndaningina gwoInstitute of Training and Consultancy Services.

Ndaningina okwa popi kutya okupitila momatsokumwe ngoka otaku kala taku ningwwa omanongonono gwegwanithepo lyiilonga kehe omvula kwiikwatelelwa komikalo, kegwanithepo lyiilonga nomilandu dhiilonga, moka omunambelewa omukuluntu taka konaakonwa oopresenda 100 kwaashoka kwali kwa tegelelwa a ninge omanga aaniilonga yalwe taya ka konaakonwa noopresenda 90 kegwanithepo lyiilonga yawo oshowo oopresenda 10 koohedhi dhopailonga.

Okwa popi kutya aaniilonga taya mono iitsa itatu otaya mono omagwedheo goopresenda 10 koondjambi dhawo omanga mboka yamono iitsa yili pombanda taya mono omagwedhelo noopresenda 25.

Mayola gwondoolopa, David Kambonde, okwa kunkilile aakomeho yiikondo ya yande okutala komaityo nokuukwatya waantu uuna taya konaaakona iilonga yaaniilonga nokutala kiilonga mbyoka ya longwa.

Kambonde okwa popi kutya osha nika oshiponga ngele taku konaakonwa aaniilonga palongitho lyomaiyuvo naashoka otashi keeta yamwe ya thindilwe kongudhi.

Okwa popi kutya omananathano gopaumwene naga yandwe pethimbo lyomakonaakono giilonga yaaniilonga noku shi ninga pauyuuki.

Mayola okwa tsikile kutya ngele kapena etsokumwe ndyoka nena otashi ningi oshidhigu ondoolopa yi pondole nokwaadha omalalakano goompangela dhondoolopa moshikako shomvula yo 2021/24 .

Okwa tsikile kutya elelo olya pangela nale okuyambulapo omahala ga yooloka mondoolopa, ngaashi opoloyeka tayi ithanwa

Onethindi proper house development, oshowo omahala gamwe ngoka ga tulwa olusheno.
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Privaatskool Excelsior vier 30 jaar

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Privaatskool Excelsior vier 30 jaarPrivaatskool Excelsior vier 30 jaar Die Privaatskool Excelsior op Aroab vier vanjaar sy 30ste bestaansjaar.

Excelsior het op 22 Januarie 1991 met slegs 18 leerlinge geopen, maar “klein begin is groot gewin”.

Daar is aanvanklik in Aroab se landbousaal skoolgegaan, want bouwerk aan die huidige skoolgebou het eers in Julie 1991 afgeskop. Die eerste vier klaskamers is amptelik op 2 Oktober 1992 ingewy, maar namate Excelsior se aantal leerlinge deur die jare gegroei het, was vier klaskamers nie meer voldoende nie en is daar nóg aangebou.

Die skoolgebou is egter nie al wat gegroei het nie. Vandag getuig onder meer die skoolsaal, biblioteek, twee koshuise en sportgronde (wat perdestalle, tennis- en netbalbane en meer onlangs boogskiettoerusting insluit) van jare se toewyding en liefde vir die saak.

Gloudien Minnaar, skoolhoof van Excelsior, meen die afgelope 30 jaar het verskillende mense diep spore by Excelsior getrap.

“Ons is dankbaar vir elke leerling, ouer, personeellid en die Aroab-gemeenskap wat bygedra het tot Excelsior se sukses. Die getroue ondersteuning wat Excelsior uit verskillende oorde ontvang, is ook iets wat veral die afgelope drie dekades uitgestaan het.”

Daar is verskillende geldinsamelingsprojekte, soos die immergewilde jag- en vakansieprojek wat vir die eerste keer in 1993 gehou is en steeds jaarliks plaasvind.

“Om 'n privaatskool aan die gang te hou, is 'n duur besigheid en die skoolgeld wat ouers betaal kan onmoontlik alle kostes dek. Ons is daarom elke jaar oorbluf deur mense se ondersteuning, selfs deur moeilike tye – en nou 'n wêreldpandemie!” het Minnaar verder gesê.

Minnaar sê al het die Covid-19-pandemie planne vir 'n groot verjaardagfees in die wiele gery, beplan hulle om die skool se dertigjarige bestaan op ander, kleiner maniere te vier.

“Maar wie weet, dalk hou ons tog nog later 'n groot makietie.”
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Yssel en Kidd kraai koning

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Yssel en Kidd kraai koningYssel en Kidd kraai koning Wenners van die CAT-tennistoernooi in Windhoek Die Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) is 'n kontinentale sportorganisasie wat 50 Afrikalande insluit.

CAT se doelwit is om tennis een van die gewildste sportsoorte in Afrika te maak, terwyl topspelers op die hoogste vlak geïdentifiseer word.

Namibië is ook deel van hierdie 50 lande en ingedeel in Sone v (5) saam met 12 ander in suidelike Afrika.

Die Namibiese Tennisvereniging (NTA) het toestemming van CAT om jaarliks een o.14-toernooi aan te bied waarvan die uitslae aan CAT gestuur word.

CAT ken Afrika o.14-ranglyspunte toe aan alle deelnemers. Hierdie rangorde is die grondslag waardeur CAT-spelers ingesluit word in die loting van internasionale toernooie en is baie belangrik vir alle voornemende o.14-spelers. 'n Speler moes op 26 Februarie 2021 elf jaar oud en op/na 2007 gebore wees om vir hierdie toernooi te kwalifiseer.



Die afgelope naweek het Namibië se jaarlikse CAT o/14-toernooi plaasgevind. Verskeie tennisspelers, 22 meisies en 15 seuns, het ingeskryf.



Die eerste vier gekeurde spelers in die seunsafdeling het almal deurgedring na die semifinale.

Ruben Yssel (1ste gekeurde) het die 11-jarige Lian Kuhn met 6-1, 6-1 gewen. Yssel het min foute gemaak en het gemaklik met die goue medalje weggestap.

Eduan Schollij van Okahandja wen vir Abraham Alemu 6-2, 6-2 om die derde plek in te palm.



Yssel en Kuhn was ook dubbelsvennote en wen die Calitz/Alemu-span met 7-5, 6-2.

In die meisiesafdeling wen Hayley Kidd vir Santie van der Walt met 6-2, 6-3 met Joanivia Bezuidenhout in die derde plek.

Karla Terblanche en Zoe Bronkhorst wen vir Riamaire Visagie en Ayanda Basson 6-7, 6-2, 10-7 in 'n titaniese stryd wat eers om 20:15 klaargemaak het.

“Ons kyk met trots terug na ? baie suksesvolle tennistoernooi. Dit is regtig vir ons lekker as ons spelersgetalle groei en goeie gehalte tennis gespeel word van so jong ouderdom af. Ons sien uit na die res van die tennisjaar,” se Karlien Kuhn van die Junior Tenniskomitee.

Die volgende NTA toernooi sal op 5 en 6 Maart in Windhoek plaasvind.

Alle spelers tussen die ouderdomme van 10 tot 18 is welkom om in te skryf. Vir enige verdere navrae kontak 081 444 9426 of ntajuniortennis@gmail.com.
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Oniipa councillors sign performance agreements

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Oniipa councillors sign performance agreements Oniipa councillors sign performance agreements TUYEIMO HAIDULA



ONIIPA

Oniipa town council officials signed performance agreements last Thursday, aimed at improving service delivery at the town.

The performance agreements are a commitment to attain strategic objectives outlined in the town’s five-year strategic plan. This determines the overall performance of the council, and helps to enhance input and output, which instils a sense of accountability, said Institute of Training and Consultancy Services’ Daniel Ndaningina.

He indicated that through the agreement, a yearly appraisal will be carried out based on competency, attitude and work ethic. The CEO will be assessed 100% on target, while other employees will be assessed based on 90% of key performance areas and 10% corporate values.

He said employees scoring three points will earn 10% of their basic salary, while the best will get 25%.

Meanwhile, Oniipa mayor David Kambonde cautioned head of departments against focusing on personality when appraising employees instead of actual work done.

He said it is dangerous to involve emotion when appraising workers as doing such could see some get victimised.

"I have observed that such events are turned into courtrooms instead of an appraisal process. Personal vendettas should not be tolerated. Rate each individual fairly," he urged.

Planning ahead

Kambonde said a town without a performance management agreement will not achieve its targeted goal and added that council has implemented the strategic agreement for the next three years.

He said council has already planned for the development of seven townships.

"We have Onethindi proper house development underway, [and] several areas have been electrified in the town,” Kambonde said.

Oniipa town council CEO Junias Jacob said it was a collective task for the team to deliver development as it is their sole responsibility.

"There are key performance indicators included to deal with the electrification of informal sectors as well as addressing roads and provision of affordable housing. I will therefore continue implementing all these strategic plans," he said.

– tuyeimo@namibiansun.com
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Rainfall outlook remains positive

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Rainfall outlook remains positive Rainfall outlook remains positive ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

Namibia can expect good rainfall for the next two weeks, especially over the //Karas and Hardap regions.

The Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) said the Australian weather bureau predicts that Khomas can also expect good rain this week.

According to farmer and meteorologist George van der Merwe, Namibia is at the peak of the rainy season and new systems bringing heavy rain could form any day.

“The La Niña phenomenon moving across the country this year brings above-average rainfall - most regions have received at least normal to above-normal rainfall,” the NAU said.

The union added that this year’s weather is influenced by tropical systems and storms such as the tropical depression Chalane, which brought exceptional rainfall to the interior in January.

Cyclone season over

The tropical depression was active across south-eastern Angola, south-western Zambia, north-western Botswana and north-eastern Namibia. When tropical systems develop over the interior, there is an absence of cut-off upper air systems that bring rain to the west and south.

The NAU said the prediction is that tropical storms, cyclones and tropical low pressures will decrease drastically after 14 March.

During this time, heat energy in the atmosphere becomes too little for tropical cyclones and storms to develop.

The forecast is that cut-off layers and upper air disturbances may recur over southern and western Namibia after this period and that a low-pressure front will form over the interior.

“In February and March, the southern and western halves of the southern African subcontinent should receive rain. The north-west of Namibia also tends to peak in March and April,” the union said.

It added that the tropical low-pressure system that has been active across north-eastern Namibia for two months is very unusual. During the El Niño conditions that caused drought for the past few years, the tropical low pressure was almost absent.

“Farmers will be seeing more tropical fog clouds this year, compared to previous years' thunderclouds, as well as rain from the east. In the south-east, it is also raining from Botswana. This occurrence is another unique development this rainy season.”

The Namibian Meteorological Service has warned that east wind conditions will be setting in over the coastal areas for the rest of the week.
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Cabinet directive blamed for residents’ reluctant NamWater payment

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Cabinet directive blamed for residents’ reluctant NamWater paymentCabinet directive blamed for residents’ reluctant NamWater paymentLocal authority owes N$28m Last week, a municipal fire truck had to rely on water from the Zambezi River to put out an inferno which razed a shopping complex due to Katima Mulilo not having water at the time. Kenya Kambowe







RUNDU

Katima Mulilo town council says despite having incurred debt with NamWater prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s Cabinet directive calling on local authorities to avail water to residents has played a big role in why many have defaulted on their municipal accounts.

Recently, residents of Katima Mulilo have been experiencing challenges as far as water provision is concerned.

In fact, last week, the municipal fire truck had to rely on water from the Zambezi River to put out an inferno which razed a shopping complex due to the town not having water at the time.

Shops such as Pep, Shoprite and Hungry Lion burned to the ground.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Leaked letter

Shortly after the fire, a leaked letter from NamWater to the Katima Mulilo town council started to make the rounds on social media.

According to the letter dated 22 February from NamWater CEO Abraham Nehemia to Katima Mulilo CEO Raphael Liswaniso, the local authority owes the water utility about N$28 million.

NamWater has been reminding the local authority to settle its account, but the bill keeps rising, Nehemia wrote.

While admitting that water is crucial during the pandemic, Nehemia said preparations should be made for the event the pandemic ends.

“This letter serves to inform you that the pre-paid bulk water meters will be converted back to pre-paid with immediate effect,” the letter read.

It further served to inform Liswaniso that the town is expected to attend to the overdue invoices no later than the end of this month.

Defaulting residents

When contacted for comment, Katima Mulilo town council spokesperson Muyoba Muyoba said one of the reasons why the local authority is struggling to settle its NamWater account is because residents have defaulted on paying for services rendered.

Referring to the line ministry’s directive to avail water to residents during the pandemic, Muyoba said that has played a role in residents’ non-payment.

“Since the start of Covid-19, there was a Cabinet directive that we must connect everyone to water, meaning that a lot of people have been defaulting because we were not allowed to cut water,” he said.

He added that council has adopted a community engagement approach to urge residents to pay up.

Muyoba said all residents in the town qualify to be on the pre-paid water system, however, some have yet to be connected.

Directive was clear

Meanwhile, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni said the directive was clear - local authorities were only expected to reconnect households in informal settlements where water provision has been a challenge.

He added that it is wrong for people who can afford to pay for water not to settle their accounts.

He urged local authorities to engage communities on why they should pay their dues.

Katima Mulilo residents consume water worth about N$3.5 million every month.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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New IEB structure

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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New IEB structureNew IEB structureSenior Secondary Certificate (IEB) meets minimum requirements for degree studies The migration to the Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (SSS) SSS, which is completely independent of the NSC, will have to take place over a period of three years. Henriette Lamprecht and Mariselle Stofberg



The new curriculum for Namibian schools following the Independent Examination Board (IEB) system is comparable to the Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (SSS) at Advanced Intermediate Level (AS).

This is according to the National Examination, Evaluation and Certification Board (NEACB).

According to Henry Mc Carthy, the IEB principals' representative in Namibia, Universities South Africa (Usaf) has, after evaluation, confirmed that a candidate who obtains the Senior Secondary Certificate (IEB) meets the minimum requirements for degree studies at any public and private tertiary institution in South Africa.

He emphasised that if Namibian schools write the first SSS (IEB) examination next year, a large part of the examination for all subjects currently offered in Namibia would be “substantially the same in order to enable pupils to do as well as pupils who have written the IEB (NSC) exams in previous years”.

"The appearance and structure of the paper may differ here and there but will largely be the same as what our (IEB) pupils are used to. That was (and is) the agreement with the NEACB and the IEB,” he says.

According to McCarthy, it would be unfair to expect teachers and pupils to master a whole new curriculum within six months.

"The migration to the SSS, which is completely independent of the NSC, will have to take place over a period of three years. This was (and is) the agreement with the NEACB and the IEB. IEB is therefore here to stay,” he said.

McCarthy emphasised that IEB is simply undergoing a transformation from the IEB National Senior Certificate (NSC) to the IEB Senior Secondary Certificate (SSS).

He further says that Namibian IEB schools are currently in talks with the National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the ministry of education, arts and culture about each role player's responsibilities regarding the accreditation and quality guarantees of the new curriculum.

According to him, the schools in Namibia who follow the IEB system have, with the recommendation of the NEACB and with the support of the ministry, sent a letter to the South African Department of Basic Education to extend the phasing out of the IEB (National Senior Certificate).

“This was done to give us time and leeway if the successful implementation of the Senior SS (IEB) takes longer than planned,” he said.

Structure of the new Senior Secondary Certificate (IEB)

“By design, the qualification is comparable in demand to Level 4 (Advanced Subsidiary Level) and includes subjects which, by design, are equivalent to the IEB’s Advanced programmes. The SSC may be achieved at one of three levels which include SSC, SSC with Merit and the SSC Advanced,” McCarthy adds.

Fact box

The SSC with Merit is comparable to Advanced Subsidiary Level with entry to degree studies.

The SSC Advanced includes subjects that are the same as the IEB’s Advanced Programme subjects or designed to be comparable in demand to the Advanced Programme subjects; those subjects were evaluated as comparable to Advanced i.e. A-level by UK NARIC.

The IEB intends to have the SSC evaluated by UK NARIC.

The qualification structure

“Students are required to study a minimum of six 20-credit or 36-credit subjects, as well as at least one 10-credit subject from the Competences for Lifelong Learning (CLL) options, resulting in a minimum of 130 credits for the SSC qualification,” McCarthy said.

While a student must offer a minimum of six subjects as well as one Competence for Lifelong Learning subject and a minimum total of 130 credits, a student may offer more than the minimum number of subjects and the minimum number of credits.

Language requirements

A student of the SSC must offer a Primary Language and an Additional Language. In addition, the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) must be offered at either the Primary Level or Additional Level.

“The LOLT s are currently Afrikaans and English. Other languages could attain the status of LOLT s should there be sufficient demand, teaching resources and given that the environment is sufficiently supportive to provide students with a viable pathway to further learning both locally and internationally,” McCarthy said.

The remaining subject options in the SSC are grouped as follows:

1. Mathematics, Science, IT, Technology and Engineering

1.1. Mathematics is grouped as follows:

a. Technical Mathematics (for access to NIMT)

b. Quantitative Methods (AS-level)

c. Mathematics for Further Studies (AS-level)

d. Mathematics for Further Studies (Advanced Programme or A-level)

1.2. Sciences are divided as follows for example:

a. Technical Science (for access to NIMT)

b. Physical Sciences (AS-level)

c. Physics for Further Studies (AS-level)

d. Physics for Further Studies (Advanced Programme / A-level)

e. Chemistry for Further Studies (AS-level)

f. Chemistry for Further Studies (Advanced Programme / A-level)

2. Arts and Humanities

3. Commerce and Services

Further studies (FS) programmes

In addition, the SSC aims to provide opportunities for students with a range of interests and abilities. Available as part of the qualification are a number of Further Studies (FS) programmes.

FS Mathematics (Ordinary level) is a 30-credit subject and FS Mathematics (Advanced level) is a 36-credit subject offering while FS English and FS Afrikaans programmes are offered in conjunction with the Primary Languages - their credit value is also 36, made up from 20 credits for the language at Primary level with the addition of 16 credits for the FS component.

These FS programmes are academically more demanding and provide for in-depth exploration of the discipline that requires additional time, hence the increased credit value.

The SSC not only offers a variety of subjects that acknowledge different levels of interest and capabilities; it also provides a range of subject options in arts, commerce, humanities, languages, mathematics, services as well as in science, technology and engineering. The flexible structure of the qualification allows students to select from these options with a minimum of constraints.

One of the features of the SSC is a set of optional 10-credit programmes which aim to expose students to a range of immediately relevant learning experiences that build both academic proficiency and affective social competence. Known collectively as Competences for Lifelong Learning (GCLL), the basket of options will include:

· Academic Research Process

· Active Citizenry

· Digital Literacy

· Elementary Level languages

· Collaborative Problem Solving

· Work Readiness.
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Bad news for same-sex couple

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Bad news for same-sex coupleBad news for same-sex couple JANA-MARI SMITH



WINDHOEK

A Windhoek High Court judge last Friday handed down a defeat to a foreigner married to a Namibian citizen who wanted to be granted legal residency status after living and working in Namibia for 10 years with his husband and partner of more than a decade.

In January 2020, Eduardo Guillermo Delgado Castañeda sued home affairs and immigration after he was kicked out of Namibia when a border official discovered he was in a same-sex marriage with Namibian Phillip Lühl.

Castañeda and Lühl have lived in Namibia since 2011 and were married in South Africa in 2014.

They have a son, Yona, together, born by surrogacy.

During the court application, Castañeda argued that after working in Namibia for 10 years on a valid work permit and acquiring an identity certificate, he qualified for residency.

And, while he acknowledged that same-sex marriage is not recognised in Namibia, he said his long-term partnership and marriage of seven years should be relevant to his application.

Human rights advocate and lawyer Norman Tjombe yesterday explained that for foreigners married to Namibians of the opposite gender, domicile is automatically obtained.

But for couples wed legally in countries where same-sex marriages are recognised, the hurdles faced when relocating to Namibia are numerous and difficult, as evidenced by several court cases currently before the High Court.

Different laws for different people

On Friday, High Court Judge Thomas Masuku dismissed the application by Castañeda for the court to set aside the decision by immigration and home affairs to reject a renewal or extension of his identity certificate.

Masuku also dismissed the application that the court declare Castañeda as domiciled in Namibia.

He ordered Castañeda to pay the costs of the application.

Masuku only briefly touched on the issue of marriage.

“There are not allegations made for the court to declare the country’s approach to same-sex marriages unconstitutional,” he ruled.

On the issue of domicile, Masuku relied on a Supreme Court judgment – minister of home affairs and immigration versus Prollius - which dealt with obtaining domicile in the country as a foreigner living and working in Namibia.

He underlined that that case, which is binding, established that foreigners do not automatically qualify for domicile when they have lived and worked in Namibia for a long time on the basis of an employment permit or other provisional permits.

He further ruled that the certificate of identity which had been issued and not extended after it lapsed also did not mean he was domiciled.

Homophobic

Namibia’s discriminatory marriage laws have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, with several cases before the High Court challenging the lack of recognition of these marriages.

In July 2019, three Namibians who tied the knot with their same-sex partners in countries where gender is not a barrier to marriage, and who want their marriages legally recognised in Namibia, were asked to consider joining their cases.

That month, Judge President Petrus Damaseb gave instructions for all three pending cases to be consolidated and heard simultaneously by a full bench of three judges, should the applicants agree, to deal with the legality of same-sex marriages.

All three couples have documented numerous setbacks in their attempts to move to Namibia with their Namibian-born spouses, including discrimination at the hands of immigration officials.

Later that year, one of the couples withdrew their lawsuit after permanent residence was approved in late July 2019.

The other two cases continue, with a hearing scheduled for April.
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Flood traps disabled pensioner in house

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Flood traps disabled pensioner in houseFlood traps disabled pensioner in house Kenya Kambowe



SIKONDO

An 83-year-old pensioner living with a disability in Kavango West Region’s Kapako constituency is unable to leave her house after her homestead flooded.

As her wheelchair can’t make it out, Valeria Hausiku, who lives with five other people, has been trapped in her home, helplessly watching on as her valuables are destroyed by storm water.

Namibian Sun visited Sikondo village, which is amongst five other villages which have been affected by recent flooding to the area, at the weekend.

The other villages are Mafugu, Ruurumwe, Nakazaza and Siyandeya, affecting about 700 households.

Help needed

Hausiku narrated her ordeal, saying she has experienced massive loss.

Water has entered all the rooms and destroyed items such as food and household materials, while the structure of the house has been damaged as well, she said.

She is unable to work her mahangu field which is under water, and this is worsened by the fact that she relies on her wheelchair to move around.

She added that the chickens that survived the storm have fled the area and that she has nothing left.

“The rain has destroyed our valuables and as it continues to rain, we experience more losses.

“I myself cannot move any more because my wheelchair won’t make it through the water. This is too much and we need urgent help,” she stressed.

Kavango West fumes

Meanwhile, the Kavango West Regional Council has expressed dismay towards the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), accusing it of negligence and a lack of urgency in addressing the matter.

In a statement issued by the region’s spokesperson, Salomo Tenga, he indicated that communication was made with the OPM in February, but apart from a team that visited the regions, no action has been taken.

Tenga said the regional leadership is frustrated and are calling on the OPM to respond with urgency to avoid casualties.

“A request to the responsible office is to treat emergency matters as urgent to avoid loss of lives in the process or consider the decentralisation of that function to regions for easier and faster response, since it is currently centralised,” he added.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Tucna and affiliates blast Nujoma for exclusion

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Tucna and affiliates blast Nujoma for exclusionTucna and affiliates blast Nujoma for exclusionCommittee formed ‘behind closed doors’ Labour ministry executive director Bro-Matthew Shinguadja said the Labour Act makes provision for only one trade union representative and, therefore, the National Union of Namibian Workers was included. JEMIMA BEUKES







WINDHOEK

Local workers and trade unions have condemned labour minister Utoni Nujoma’s appointment of a national minimum wage committee without involving them.

At a media briefing yesterday, Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) president Paulus Hango accused the ministry of operating behind closed doors as the unions only learnt of the appointment through the media.

“It is unfair and unacceptable for the federation to be excluded from this process. National minimum wage is an important issue that affects the lives of a lot of workers. This union is very active and strong in the private sector and also represents the informal sector. Tucna is a big federation and is very active when it comes to worker representation,” Hango said.

Labour ministry executive director Bro-Matthew Shinguadja yesterday said the Labour Act makes provision for only one trade union representative and, therefore, the National Union of Namibian Workers was included.

“The second reason is that some unions have been registered, but they are not living up to their obligations; for example submitting their annual returns. Tucna’s last annual return was submitted in 2010. But that is not the main reason,” he said.

He added that apart from the one trade union representative, two additional committee members were appointed.

“The chairperson is independent, the others are experts, one represents the interest of the trade union and the other member represents the interest of the employer,” he said.

jemima@namibiansun.com
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Brit kills South African at Kamanjab

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Brit kills South African at KamanjabBrit kills South African at Kamanjab NAMPA



KHORIXAS

A 54-year-old South African national died on Saturday after he was allegedly shot with a pistol at farm Kaross in the Kamanjab district by a 51-year-old British male suspect.

According to the Namibian police weekend crime report, issued yesterday, it is alleged that the two had an argument at the farm leading to the shooting.

The deceased was identified as Gerhardus van Wyk and his next of kin were informed.

Meanwhile, a 55-year-old Namibian male was arrested for cannabis possession in a separate incident last Friday at Khorixas. He was allegedly found in possession of a black backpack containing 245 ballies of cannabis weighing 3 574 grams and valued at N$35 740.

The police reportedly received a tip-off about a Ford courier vehicle, driven by the suspect, transporting drugs.

In similar news, a 26-year-old Angolan national was arrested between Outjo and Otjiwarongo on Saturday for dealing in cannabis.

The suspect was allegedly found in possession of 18 packs of cannabis, of yet unknown value, during a police search.

Police investigations continue.
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Namibia’s link to Loudima centre severed for now

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Namibia’s link to Loudima centre severed for now Namibia’s link to Loudima centre severed for now Most staff, students returned in 2017 The higher education ministry executive director, Dr Alfred van Kent, kept mum on the cost of the former Loudima centre staff’s salaries, but confirmed that they have been absorbed by various ministries. JANA-MARI SMITH







WINDHOEK

Namibia has withdrawn its support of the beleaguered Loudima Institute for Technical and Vocational Training partnership in the Congo, and the bilateral project is currently under review.

The Namibian government halted all funding to the centre after an exodus of Namibian staff and students.

“Since there are no Namibians at the centre, the ministry is not contributing to the operational expenses of the centre,” higher education ministry executive director, Dr Alfred van Kent, confirmed.

Yesterday, he said the Namibian and Congolese governments “are busy reviewing the agreement which forms part of the bilateral arrangements between the two states,” and once the discussions are concluded, the way ahead with regards to Namibia’s involvement will be made clear.

‘Not on leave’

The ministry confirmed that most of the staff had returned to Namibia in 2017.

However, the Namibian school principal only returned last year due to medical reasons.

The staff who are back in the country continue to receive their salaries.

“They are not on leave. The ministry has placed many of them in various ministries, while the remaining few are being absorbed in the ministry,” Van Kent said.

He added that the cost of the salaries being paid to the former Loudima staff in Namibia cannot be made public.

It remains unclear when Namibia withdrew funding to the centre, which was inaugurated in 2014 as part of an agreement between the two countries.

However, Van Kent said staff had raised “various concerns”, which were brought to the attention of the Congolese minister and Namibian minister responsible for technical and vocational education and training.

Among the issues were the condition of staff accommodation, language struggles in a predominantly French country, medication, water, internet and transport, he said.

Crumbled dream

The ministry said since 2016, 100 Namibians had been enrolled at the centre, “with many having returned without having completed their studies for various reasons.

“So far, 20 students have graduated from the centre.”

The revival of Loudima, which once trained exiled Namibians during the pre-independence war, was first raised in 2007 by Congolese president Denis Sassou-Nguesso.

In 2014, Sassou-Nguesso and his Namibian counterpart president Hifikepunye Pohamba inaugurated the facility to great fanfare, with the renovated centre hailed as a state-of-the-art institute that would mould Namibians with national and international qualifications.

Since the first intake of students, however, the training centre has been plagued by multiple reports linked to allowance and salary troubles, and “unbearable academic and living conditions”.

Van Kent challenged views that the centre had been woefully mismanaged and millions of Namibian funding poured in with little to show for it.

“It is not true. There has been no mismanagement at the centre.”
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Transport commission hits brick wall

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Transport commission hits brick wallTransport commission hits brick wall MATHIAS HAUFIKU



WINDHOEK

Almost six months after being inaugurated, Namibia’s Transportation Commission cannot do its work due to suspicions raised over the eligibility of its chairperson - Rachel Nathaniel-Koch - to serve in that position.

The commission is responsible for regulating the transport industry, which includes, amongst others, issuing air services licences to aviation industry players.

There are currently 10 applications pending that cannot be processed due to the inactive commission.

The works ministry, however, claims there are measures put in place to ensure that the absence of the commission does not adversely impact regulatory work.

The Road Traffic and Transport Act, no. 22 of 1999, requires the chairperson to be a licenced legal practitioner who has practiced for at least five years.

Republikein reported last month that the Law Society of Namibia indicated that Nathaniel-Koch's name is not on the database of certified legal practitioners.

Concerned

At a press conference yesterday, transport minister John Mutorwa expressed concern over the inactivity of the commission.

“While there is no doubt around the validity of the other appointed members - Dr James Williams, Johannes Thikusho, Helvi Petrus and Joe Shipepe - the quarter cannot meet because, by law, only the chairperson can convene meetings.

“The Attorney-General is currently finalising legal advice. The question is whether the deputy chairperson of the Transportation Commission of Namibia is legally empowered to convene legally valid meetings of the commission,” a concerned Mutorwa asked.

Certificate of exclusion

Namibian Sun understands that last month, deputy executive director in the ministry's department of transport, Jonas Sheelongo – under whom the commission falls - was presented with a certificate of exclusion issued on 21 May 2013 by then justice minister Utoni Nujoma.

In it, Nujoma stated that he certifies - after consultation with the Legal Education Council - that Nathaniel-Koch is exempted from Section 5 (1) (cA) (i) (aa) of the Legal Practitioners Act of 1995 as she for a period of five years "performed a satisfactory service for the state at the Legal Aid Board”.

Mutorwa gave Nathaniel-Koch until 15 March to sort out her issues with the authorities or else risk being replaced.
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Taking hands for education

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Taking hands for educationTaking hands for educationThree schools receive classrooms, infrastructure Another milestone for education was celebrated when 20 classrooms, two storage rooms and two ablution blocks were officially handed over in Windhoek last week. Mariselle Stofberg

On Friday, 25 February, the official handover ceremony of the 20 classrooms constructed by August 26 at three schools in Windhoek took place.

Rocky Crest Primary School and Otjomuise Primary School each received four classrooms and a storage room valued at N$1.2 million.

Westmond High School received 12 classrooms and two ablution blocks to the value of N$3.6 million.

“The government of Namibia, through the National Planning Commission, has provided funding to the value of N$800 million towards the Covid-19 Infrastructure Development Programme, being implemented in all 14 regions. This programme is aimed at addressing shortages of water and ablution facilities, including rehabilitation of dysfunctional and not-in-use toilet blocks,” said Ester Anna Nghipondoka, the minister of education, arts and culture.

“The component of classroom construction in the Khomas Region is aimed at providing facilities at a few schools where children receive education in potentially health-compromising conditions. I believe the inclusion of classroom facilities is providing a dual solution. This includes proactively mitigating against Covid-19 while at the same time, providing conducive education facilities to the Namibian children,” she added.

Nghipondoka stressed the importance for schools, teachers and learners to utilise the classrooms for the purpose they were built for. “These classrooms need to be used for quality teaching and learning to provide quality educational outcomes. It is only in a quality and conducive environment where children and teachers are peaceful and feel contented that they will do a good job with piece of mind. An environment can impact teaching and learning, and it is with a happy heart that I am inaugurating these classrooms today,” she added.

The acting managing director of August 26, Martha Endjala, said the project at Westmond High School was completed in four months, while the projects at Rocky Crest and Otjomuise were completed in just two months.

“By providing these infrastructures, learners and teachers can go on with their business in a classroom setting, preparing helpful future leaders and problem solvers for the national and social responsibilities ahead of them,” Endjala added.

Steve Kaangundue, the acting director of the Khomas directorate of education, urged schools to use these classrooms responsibly and effectively. “I urge our learners to take good care of these facilities so your children and your children’s children can come and use these facilities in the future. Today serves as a remarkable example of what is possible with the cooperation between public institutions,” he said.

The governor of the Khomas Region, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, also present at the handover, was excited about the opportunities created by the facilities and said they would contribute to the quality and standard of education in the country.

All three schools expressed sincere gratitude for the classrooms and facilities, saying they would play an integral role in providing quality education.

“We know our learners are eternally grateful and we will not disappoint our ministry. We as a school community appreciate all that has been done for our learners, staff and community at large,” said Awie Saal, the principal of Otjomuise Primary School.
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Vox Pop

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Vox PopVox Pop What are your academic goals for 2021?

2020 was a challenging year for most learners due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Zone spoke to learners at Ongwediva to find out what their academic goals for this school year are.

Teofilus Shaduka

I plan on doing exceptionally well in all my subjects this year and I also want to motivate other learners to do the same. We all need to make our parents proud this year and I will remind myself of this each time I stray away from my academic goals.

Ruusa Neshiko

They say the road of education is bitter, but its fruits are sweet. So, I want to meet the goals I set for myself this year by always going the extra mile by putting in more effort and studying in advance.

Jacobine Amukugo

I have many plans set for myself, but I want to achieve at least five C’s and a D in Oshiwanyama since it is not one of my strongest subjects, but I will still give it my best try. I also plan on getting a tutor and staying after school to study.

Rosalia Iiyambo

This year, I just plan to study hard so that I can be promoted to grade 12. I also plan to improve my public speaking skills as I suffer from stage fright. In order to achieve this goal, I have enrolled in extramural activities so I can engage with other learners.

Anna Ashipala

A wise one once said practice makes perfect, so my academic goals for this year are exactly just that. I want to practice for the exams using old question papers and also enrolling for extra lessons in all the subjects that I struggle with. I will also stay in class after school and study.

Ephipania Hashipala

I just want to improve like everyone else. I also want to improve in maths and biology. I also want to be more active in school and take part in different extramural activities. I also want to take up another language and learn Spanish.
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Music in action

March 1, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Music in actionMusic in action The Marimba stars are a music group from Tsumeb who have been together for two years. The group, which has six members, is led by Kativa Sau and usually plays local gigs. Sai says one of the biggest platforms they have performed at was at a local lodge on 9 January this year. My Zone spotted the group playing at Tsumeb's mall over the weekend.

PHOTO ESTER KAMATI
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