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Enjoy NNSO’s Classical Music Festival online

March 3, 2021, 3:32 am
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Enjoy NNSO’s Classical Music Festival onlineEnjoy NNSO’s Classical Music Festival online STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

The Namibian National Symphony Orchestra (NNSO) will host its Classical Music Festival – the first concert of the year - on Saturday, 13 March, giving talented young music students the opportunity to perform together with a string orchestra, as it has been a tradition with the annual Baroque Festival.
The rehearsals and concert are led by well-known conductor Alexander Fokkens, thanks to the financial support of Bank Windhoek and in collaboration with the College of the Arts.
The coronavirus pandemic enforced a year’s pause to musical performances, however, the NNSO board realised that society has to learn to live with the new normal, while still giving musicians – like artists, actors or athletes – the opportunity to perform and to develop their talents and skills, even if it requires compromise.
Thus, this year’s concert will be performed without a live audience. However, great effort is being made to broadcast the concert via live stream, thanks to the support of the German embassy as well as technical partner Paratus.
The live stream will be free of charge on nnso.info, with the added advantage that anyone not residing in Windhoek can enjoy the performance – which is set to last for about 75 minutes - too! The concert will kick off at 19h00.

Performers
Soloists performing are Carissa Esslinger (recorder and voice); Nadja Roxin and Silke Redecker (flute); Carin Strydom (cello); Markus Beiler (violin); Janru Smit (organ), and Amy Afrikaner and Trudy Gertze (voice).
Furthermore, the NNSO will perform Concerto Grosso Op.3 in G major by GF Haendel (flute soloist: HP Drobisch) and Simple Symphony by Benjamin Britten (four movements).
According to NNSO chairperson Irmgard Rannersmann, they are very excited to be staging this show. “This production, traditionally called the Baroque Festival, requires only a small string orchestra. As the NNSO musicians are eager to be able to play together again, this year we do not only want to focus on the young soloist students, but also perform two pieces for string orchestra. We are confident that Namibian music lovers will join the live stream in big numbers.”
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Rugby league booked for April

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Rugby league booked for AprilRugby league booked for AprilPlayers to get some action Rugby league action in Namibia is anticipated to start next month under strict rules. However, getting to this stage has had its ups and downs, with certain clubs paying their registration fees late. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



The single round of the Namibia Rugby League is set to kick off on 10 April, with finals expected to be played on 17 June.

The First Division Rugby League will start at the same time, with the semi-finals slated for 29 May and the final for 12 June. The women's league will also be played at the same time, even though not many clubs have signed up.



Money woes

All of this planning took time to get off the ground, with leading premier league clubs such as Unam Rugby paying their registration of N$1 000 late (the first-division teams pay a registration of N$600), even though they received ample notification to register for the season and to get the teams on the pitch to start training, said organisers.



Chaotic delays

According to the president of the Namibia Rugby Union, Corrie Mensah, this type of delay causes chaos and makes a mockery of the constitution and regulations.

“Some clubs think they can pay when they want, without realising that there should always be discipline and adherence to the rules put in place.

Some of these clubs have individual sponsorship agreements with the likes of the First National Bank of Namibia, but couldn't even pay registration.

“We had to give them more time to pay, after looking at the standing they have with the rugby union. On the initial deadline, we only had five clubs which paid their fees.”

Women's game should be included

Mensah further added that on the second deadline the number went up to about 12 clubs.

“Now we have about 18 clubs. Clubs need to remember that if you don't register, you lose privileges.

The NRU was later accused of wanting to leave out some clubs. How can we leave out clubs knowing very well that we have a very small population and thus a small group of players to pick from?” asked Mensah.

He said clubs have been implored to include female rugby players, as the rugby union is getting development funds from World Rugby to aid the women's game.

He said although the league will start, there are still many hurdles to overcome.

“Covid-19 has made things really difficult. And this is one thing we will again address to World Rugby. We will not be allowing any spectators, which means no gate takings or extra money from selling drinks or food at the field. We have a scenario where we need to test players for Covid and to sanitise the fields.

“All in all, it's very expensive to play rugby during these times. We have a meeting with them next week and these are some of the issues we will touch on as they gave us a very limited budget to work with,” he explained.
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Back to Afcon business

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Back to Afcon businessBack to Afcon business LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



When Namibia gets back to business in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad and Guinea, it is the foreign crop of players who will lead the squad.

The secretary-general of the Namibia Football Association, Franco Cosmos, confirmed that the matches are on this month, with the Brave Warriors set to take on Chad on 24 March, and Guinea on the 28th, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Cosmos said he was waiting for head coach Bobby Samaria to announce the training details.

“Samaria has had a bereavement in the family and we had to give him time for that,” said Cosmos.

Namibia has quite a number of players in international leagues, with the local league still inactive.



Pool to pick from

Players such as Ryan Nyambe of English second-division club Blackburn Rovers, Mamelodi Sundowns' Peter Shalulile, Orlando Pirates' Deon Hotto, Baroka's Joslin Kamatuka and Ananias Gebhardt, Chippa United's Riaan Hanamub, Moroka Swallows' goal stopper Virgil Vries, Petrus Shitembi of Terengganu in the Malaysian Super League, and Wangu Gome of Alashkert in the Armenian Premier League are the stars the country will rely on to get the much-needed points in Group A.

In the first leg of the qualifiers, Namibia beat Chad 2-1 at home. They will now face them away. In November 2019, Guinea beat Namibia 2-0 at the Stade du 28 September stadium. They will next face them at home. In November 2020, Namibia was defeated 1-0 by Mali at the Stade du 26 Mars stadium and again 2-1 on home soil.

So far, Mali leads the group with 10 points, followed in second place by Guinea with eight points. Namibia is in third spot on three points and Chad has one point.
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Six of the best for Agar

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Six of the best for AgarSix of the best for Agar NAMPA/AFP

Spinner Ashton Agar produced the best bowling performance in Australia's Twenty20 international history as they defeated New Zealand by 64 runs at Wellington Regional Stadium on Wednesday.

Agar's match-turning six for 30, including three in one over, derailed a New Zealand fightback as Australia avoided a series loss in the third Twenty20 international.

Under-fire skipper Aaron Finch also hit 69, his best T20 international score for more than two years, and Glenn Maxwell smashed 70 from 31 balls as the tourists' batting line-up finally fired.

The result leaves the five-match series at 2-1 in New Zealand's favour with two games to go.

But the Black Caps lacked the swagger of the opening two matches, with shellshocked all-rounder Jimmy Neesham conceding 28 runs in a single over as Maxwell ran riot.
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Sports association for uniformed forces launched

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Sports association for uniformed forces launchedSports association for uniformed forces launchedForces produce athletes The umbrella body will represent personnel of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), the police and the Namibian Correctional Service. NAMPA

The Namibia Uniformed Forces/Services Sports Association, an umbrella body under the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), was launched in the capital on Tuesday.

NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said uniformed forces have produced elite athletes in all sport codes who represent the country internationally.

Mwiya said it was a costly exercise to establish the umbrella body and set up an interim committee.

Speaking at the same occasion, a NamPol Inspect Kenneth Mwatara, who is the acting chairperson of the Namibia Uniformed Forces/Services Sports Association, said their affiliation to the NSC would open doors for their athletes.

“Being recognised as an umbrella body by the sport commission will now see our athletes compete in the Tertiary Institutes Sports Association of Namibia (Tisan) Games and we can also work with the Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) because all these federations are now open to all our sport codes,” he said.

Mwatara added that the new federation will not exclude other security forces such as the Windhoek City Police and security companies, who can register to become affiliates.

He said apart from football, boxing and athletics they are working towards the introduction of other sport codes such as rugby, cycling, swimming and tennis.

The Namibia Uniformed Forces/Services Sports Association is currently housed at the Youth Complex in Katutura.

Paulus Ali Nuumbembe of NDF will be the chairperson, deputised by Victoria Nghiludilwa from NCS.

Additional members are Absalom Mushaandja (NCS), Julius Iindongo, Gareth Fortune Eichab, Ernst Narib (NamPol), Wencuslaus Klaasman (NCS) as well as Frans Hosea and Gottlieb Iivulika (NDF).
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Update issued on Lorch's absence

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Update issued on Lorch's absenceUpdate issued on Lorch's absence Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has provided an update on star attacker Thembinkosi Lorch after he missed a second successive game.

Lorch has missed Pirates' last two matches – both having ended in victory – after he picked up an injury early on in their DStv Premiership draw with SuperSport United last month.

The 27-year-old former PSL Footballer of the Season was withdrawn from the match after just 28 minutes and has since missed the Nedbank Cup last 16 win over Maritzburg United at the weekend and the league win over Bloemfontein Celtic last night.

Zinnbauer has since provided a positive update on the playmaker, who he believes could be back in the line-up for this weekend's trip to face Chippa United.

"Lorch is on a good way, he has been working very well in the training sessions. We have to see now in the next two days what's happening with him," the German said in his virtual press conference after the match.

"I hope we get him back on Saturday, I have a good feeling in terms of him."

Zinnbauer also explained the absence of midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu, who was omitted from the match day squad on Wednesday evening.

"Zungu yesterday [Monday] fell on his arm and he had a swollen arm. He had light training today [Tuesday] but it was not enough for the game," he added.
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Taya pula mangestrata a kuthwemo moshipotha

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Taya pula mangestrata a kuthwemo moshipothaTaya pula mangestrata a kuthwemo moshipotha Ongundu yaakwashigwana yomwaalu gwontumba oya yi momapandaanda gaShakati mEtiyali yeli ompinge neidhopomo lyamangetrata gwomomudhingoloko, Leopold Hangalo megandjo lyegeelo kunakumonika ondjo moshipotha shekwatonkonga. TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA

OSHAKATI



Aakwashigwana mboka oya hala mangestrata a kuthwemo moshipotha shekwatonkonga, shoka tashi tamanekelwa, Sindano Hango ngoka mangetrata a li a mangulula koshipotha shoka.

Omapopyo itaga kolekwa otaku popiwa kutya mangetrata okwa futwa ombumbo. Sha landula etalululo lyoshipotha shoka, Ompangu yOpombanda mOshakati oya mono ondjo Hango moshipotha shekwatonkonga lyamumwayinagona na oya shuna oshipotha shoka kuHangalo opo a kagandje egeelo.

Hango omunamimvo 38 okwa monika ondjo moshipotha shekwatonkonga momasiku 18 gaFebruali na okuli pondje yodholongo sho a pewa omboloha yoshimaliwa shooN$ 10 000, omanga a tegelela a pewe egeelo lye.

Aaningimahololomadhilaadhilo oya popi kutya Hangalo itaka ninga egeelo ndyoka pauyuuki. Natango otaya nyenyeta sho Hango e li pondje yodholongo omanga nakuninga oshihakanwa ina tseyithilwa a ye kompangu nokugandja omaiyuvo ge kombinga yegandjo lyomboloha.

Ongundu ndjoka oya ningi omunyanyo okuza poYetu Complex okuya kOmpangulilo yaMangestrata gwaShakati nomukandanyenyeto gwawo ogwa tambulwako kuchief legal clerk Hilma Nangombe.

Mangestrata Hangalo okwa mangulula Sindano Hango, nonando ope na omaumbangi taga kwashilipaleke omuyonena ngoka. Omatumwalaka gopangodhi oga ulike Hango ta gandja ombili oshowo oombangi dhoka dha gandja omahokololo gawo guumbangi mompangu.

Aakwashigwana mboka otaya pula woo natango kutya omolwashike omupanguli a gandja omboloha pwaahena omilandu dhasha.

Oya pula kutya oshike tashi vulu okuholokapo ngaashiingeyi sigo esiku taku gandjwa egeelo, taya pula woo egameno ndyoka lya pewa nakutulamo oshipotha sigo uuna egeelo lya gandjwa.

Gumwe gwomaahololimadhilaadhilo Iyaloo Nghandi okwa popi kutya ondjokonona yoshipotha shoka oyi na omatompelo okukaleka nakumonika ondjo mondjeedhililo.

Omukandanyenyeto ngoka ogwa popi woo kombinga yoshipotha shuulingilingi sha tulilwamo Hangalo kutya okwa pewa ombumbo yoshimaliwa shooN$10 000 opo a dhane uulingilingi mekateko lyetulo miipandeko lyomutamanekwa, nokupula nakutulamo oshipotha a tambule oombumbo ndjoka a pewa kofamili yomutamanekwa.

“Onga inashi gwana Lavinia Shilongo okwa yi nokugandja uumbangi pehala lyomutamanekwa. Oshipotha shoka sha tulilwa moLavinia Shilongo osha hulile peni, sho a li ta kambadhala okuya moshipala iilonga yuuyuki?”

Aaningimahololomadhilaaadhilo mboka oga gandja kokakomisi koomangestrata oshowo oombelewa adhihe dha kwatelwa mo omasiku gaheyali opo ya kale ya yamukula komanyenyeto gawo.

Palopota yompangu, oshimbuluma shoka osha ningwa momasiku 10 gaKotomba momvula yo 2014 mUuvudhiya mOshana. Hango okwa popi kutya oya yi miihulo pazimino nanakutulamo oshipotha oye e mu kwatele komeho sho e mu pula iimaliwa opo a vule okuya komumati gwe kOkaiti.
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Unam a pulwa a tambule aailongi yondondo onti 11

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Unam a pulwa a tambule aailongi yondondo onti 11Unam a pulwa a tambule aailongi yondondo onti 11 TUYEIMO HAIDULA

ONGWEDIVA



Ominista yelongo lyopombanda, Itah Kandjii-Murangi oya popi kutya iiputudhilo yopombanda nayi tambuleko nomaako gaali aanona mboka ya shanga ondondo 11 niiputudhilo mbyoka yoshigwana inayi ihumbata ya fa omahala gopaumwene.

Minista Kandjii-Murangi okwa lombwele ngaaka oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun mOmaandaha pethimbo a talelepo iiputudhilo yopombanda okutala nkene tayi ungaunga nonkalo yombuto yoCovid-19.

Minista okwa popi kutya iiputudhilo yepangelo oshowo omandiki gopaungomba kage na nkene ihe oge na okutaambula aailongi yondondo onti 11 ngaashi sha ziminwa pethimbo lyomutumba gwelongo ngoka gwa ningwa momvula yo 2011.

Okwa popi kutya ngele aanaskola mboka inaya tambulwa miiputudhilo yopombanda yo itaya pitikwa ya endulule mooskola nena otaya ka hulila momapandaanda.

Minista okwa ekelehi omapopyo kutya iiputudhilo inayi ningwa nayo oonkundathana ta popi kutya kape na omalunduluko taga ningwa melongo inaku ningwa oonkundathana tango naakuthimbinga.

Kandjii-Murangi okwa popi kutya omupya omunene ngashiingeyi mboka yali oshitopolwa shomaunduluko ngoka otaya idhimbike taya ti inaya tseyithilwa.

“Otu na owala omulandu gumwe gwelongo. Itashi vulika omalunduluko omanene gafa gelongo lyopetameko ngoka taga ningwa kuuministeli, ga ningwe pwaahena eidhopomo lyoondondo dhopombanda.”

“Yamwe po mboka moNust nenge Unam otashi vulika kaya li ye na oompito dhoka yeli ngashiingei ihe onga oshptudhilo shi na oshinakugwanithwa, omatokolo ga ningwa kaalandulwa yetu otu na okuga gwanithapo. Otandi kwatele komeho uuministeli mbuka, kawu shi uuministeli wandje. Onda ulikwa opo ndikwashilipaleke kutya oompumbwe dhoshigwana shaNamibia moshikondo shelongo lyopombanda odha kandulwapo. Itandi vulu okuya nokuninga omalunduluko miinima mbyoka yili po nale, onkene naya konge omikalo dhokutambula aanaskola mboka,” Kandjii-Murangi a popi.



Kape na omahala

Vice-chancellor gwaUnam, Kenneth Matengu okwa li a popi omathimbo ga piti kutya ondondo onti 11 oyi li pondjele yondondo ontitatu omanga omatambulo gaUnam taga pula ondondo ontitano.

Oshiputudhilo oshi na owala omahala gaailongi aape yeli po 5 000 okuya po 7 000 omanga sha yakula omaindilo gelipo 21 000. Oonkambadhala okumona Matengu odha ponyo.

– tuyeimo@namibiansun.com
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Protests in Germany over Namibian biomass

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Protests in Germany over Namibian biomassProtests in Germany over Namibian biomass ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

Protests flared up last week in Hamburg, Germany, against a project investigating the feasibility of using Namibian bush biomass to power coal-fired plants as part of the city’s coal exit strategy.

The Hamburg environmental authority is planning on using biomass from Namibia at the Tiefstack Power Station instead of coal where the Robin Wood activist group protested.

The ‘Transcontinental Biomass Partnership Namibia-Hamburg’ has been met with sharp criticism, with more than 40 civil society organisations and scientists also opposing the project.

It would be a “blatantly wrong decision” that would go against the goal of a “climate-friendly, socially just energy supply”, the group said in a press release.

“If we burn Namibia's ecosystems for warm living rooms here in Hamburg, it is harmful to the climate, endangers biodiversity and is unfair. Hamburg presents the project as an aid to Namibia. The aim is once again to exploit the resources of the global south in order to satisfy the insatiable hunger for raw materials of rich industrial countries in the north. Has Hamburg learnt nothing from its cruel colonial history?” Robin Wood’s Ute Bertrand asked.

Lack of understanding

The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) said it is evident that there is a lack of understanding regarding Namibia’s semi-arid ecosystems and the issue of bush encroachment, which substantially differs from that in European countries.

Between 45 and 60 million hectares of land in Namibia is considered bush encroached with densities of up to 6 000 bushes per hectare, according to the foundation.

“The extent of bush thickening in Namibia has considerable adverse impacts on biodiversity, soil, the livelihoods of people and is quite critical for an arid country’s water availability.”

The NNF said these negative impacts largely outweigh potential environmental and economic benefits.

A key target of the Namibian government is the reduction of bush encroachment on 1.9 million hectares by 2040.

However, the biomass sector is still in its infancy and domestic demand at this stage is far from sufficient to absorb the amount of bush.

Currently, harvested biomass in Namibia is mainly used for charcoal production.

“The development of new value chains with strong safeguards and sustainability standards - as required by European markets - is an invaluable opportunity to lead the sector towards positive environmental outcomes,” the NNF said.

It added that NamPower plans to construct a biomass power plant in the next five years; however, their bush offtake will only be a tiny fraction of the that which needs to be thinned to achieve other environmental targets.

‘Not neo-colonialism’

“A partnership with Hamburg would drive the development of Namibia’s own biomass sector and is in no way perceived as a form of neo-colonialism.”

Namibia has a sought-after resource in abundance that is a side product of environmental rehabilitation efforts and is thus driving the partnership and research agenda for the sustainable use of bush resources in the country, the NNF said.

Greenhouse gas studies have been conducted in Namibia, indicating that the fast regrowth of bush minimises the impact of bush harvesting on emissions budgets and that the country remains a net carbon sink, even with the considerable expansion of bush thinning activities.

The Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation project in Namibia is being financed by the German federal ministry for economic cooperation and development.
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Water supply and sanitation improves

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Water supply and sanitation improvesWater supply and sanitation improves ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



The supply of water and sanitation facilities in rural areas has improved significantly over the past three decades, according to official statistics.

Since independence, a total of 51 water supply schemes have been constructed in Namibia, covering a distance of 12 375 km across the country.

A total number of 3 243 water points have been rehabilitated, 7 684 were installed after drilling and the connection of 23 515 private off-takes have been identified by all regions.

Before independence, 17% of rural households had access to improved sanitation. This figure had increased to 35% by 2020.

Also, 49% of urban households had access to improved sanitation before independence, and this figure had improved to 82% to by last year.

The deputy director of public relations in the agriculture ministry, Chrispin Matongela, says water point committees and caretakers are trained to manage these points in all regions except Khomas, as guided by the community-based management strategy for rural water supply.



Dams

He says 256 earthen dams have been excavated or rehabilitated in 13 regions, excluding Khomas.

Furthermore, the National Sanitation Strategy was developed to enhance coordination of sanitation provision, whereas national and regional water and sanitation forums were established to enhance the overall coordination.

According to Matongela, 4 015 improved sanitation facilities were constructed in the 13 regions. Since 2017, the community-led total sanitation programme has been implemented in the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West and Ohangwena regions.

A total of 13 villages have been declared open defecation free as the communities have been empowered to conduct their own sanitation appraisal and analysis.
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Protests in Germany over Namibian biomass

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Protests in Germany over Namibian biomassProtests in Germany over Namibian biomass ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Protests flared up last week in Hamburg, Germany, against a project investigating the feasibility of using Namibian bush biomass to power coal-fired plants as part of the city's coal exit strategy.

The Hamburg environmental authority is planning on using biomass from Namibia at the Tiefstack Power Station instead of coal where the Robin Wood activist group protested.

The 'Transcontinental Biomass Partnership Namibia-Hamburg' has been met with sharp criticism, with more than 40 civil society organisations and scientists also opposing the project. It would be a “blatantly wrong decision” that would go against the goal of a “climate-friendly, socially just energy supply”, the group said in a press release.

“If we burn Namibia's ecosystems for warm living rooms here in Hamburg, it is harmful to the climate, endangers biodiversity and is unfair. Hamburg presents the project as an aid to Namibia. The aim is once again to exploit the resources of the global south in order to satisfy the insatiable hunger for raw materials of rich industrial countries in the north. Has Hamburg learnt nothing from its cruel colonial history?” Robin Wood's Ute Bertrand asked.



Lack of understanding

The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) said it is evident that there is a lack of understanding regarding Namibia's semi-arid ecosystems and the issue of bush encroachment, which substantially differs from that in European countries.

Between 45 and 60 million hectares of land in Namibia is considered bush encroached with densities of up to 6 000 bushes per hectare, according to the foundation.

“The extent of bush thickening in Namibia has considerable adverse impacts on biodiversity, soil, the livelihoods of people and is quite critical for an arid country's water availability.”

The NNF said these negative impacts largely outweigh potential environmental and economic benefits. A key target of the Namibian government is the reduction of bush encroachment on 1.9 million hectares by 2040.

However, the biomass sector is still in its infancy and domestic demand at this stage is far from sufficient to absorb the amount of bush.

Currently, harvested biomass in Namibia is mainly used for charcoal production.

“The development of new value chains with strong safeguards and sustainability standards - as required by European markets - is an invaluable opportunity to lead the sector towards positive environmental outcomes,” the NNF said.

It added that NamPower plans to construct a biomass power plant in the next five years; however, their bush offtake will only be a tiny fraction of the that which needs to be thinned to achieve other environmental targets.



'Not neo-colonialism'

“A partnership with Hamburg would drive the development of Namibia's own biomass sector and is in no way perceived as a form of neo-colonialism.”

Namibia has a sought-after resource in abundance that is a side product of environmental rehabilitation efforts and is thus driving the partnership and research agenda for the sustainable use of bush resources in the country, the NNF said.

Greenhouse gas studies have been conducted in Namibia, indicating that the fast regrowth of bush minimises the impact of bush harvesting on emissions budgets and that the country remains a net carbon sink, even with the considerable expansion of bush thinning activities.

The Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation project in Namibia is being financed by the German federal ministry for economic cooperation and development.
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Study permit renewal deadline looms

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Study permit renewal deadline loomsStudy permit renewal deadline loomsNo further extension International students must renew their study permits before 15 April. WETUMWENE SHIKAGE

WINDHOEK



Foreign students studying in Namibia have until mid-April to apply for study permits, the home affairs ministry has said.

Study visas, which are mandatory for international students, expired on 28 February and many students have since made their way to the ministry to submit their documents for renewal.

Home affairs spokesperson Aina Simon said the normal application period for study permits is from November to the end of February.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's deadline was extended to 15 April.

The ministry said there would be no further extension since the decision was made in consultation with the institutions of higher learning.

“As part of the application, a progress report and the acceptance letter are some of the requirements and most institutions could not provide this on time, hence the extension. As a norm the ministry has experienced a high influx of students coming to the ministry to apply at the last minute,” she said.



Requirements

One of the affected foreign students at the University of Namibia, who chose to remain anonymous, said she was unaware of the deadline.

“We were not notified of the last day to apply for visas. I had to immediately go to the ministry of home affairs to submit my application, because my visa would expire on 28 February, which fell on a Sunday,” she said.

The University of Namibia (Unam) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) require all international students (SADC and non-SADC) to be in possession of a valid study permit and visa before entering Namibia.

Both NUST and Unam have standing arrangements with the home affairs ministry to allow foreign students to apply for their study permits on campus during the registration period.
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEFCOMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF Glencore's mine expansion risking sites

Expansion at an Australian lead and zinc mine run by miner Glencore puts at risk several sacred Aboriginal sites including a historical quarry, the head of a Northern Territory oversight authority told an Australian inquiry on Tuesday.

Glencore unit McArthur River Mine (MRM) received approval from the territory's mining minister last year to proceed with expansion at the mine, 670 km south east of Darwin, including doubling the size of its waste dump.

The approval came despite an objection by an authority responsible for protecting traditional sites, and amid greater scrutiny of miners' dealings with Indigenous groups after Rio Tinto destroyed ancient rock shelters in Western Australia for an iron ore mine expansion last year.

"The scale of the mine expansion raises some quite serious questions about the maintenance and protection of sacred sites on that lease and also access to those places for custodians into the future," said Benedict Scambary, chief executive of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA).

Glencore has applied to almost double the height of its waste rock dump to 140 m from 80 m and approval now rests with the Northern Territory mining minister. - Nampa/Reuters

Exxon to cut 7% of Singapore workforce

Exxon Mobil Corp plans to cut its workforce in Singapore, home to its largest oil refining and petrochemical complex, by about 7% amid the "unprecedented market conditions" resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, it said on Wednesday.

About 300 positions out of 4 000 current jobs will be impacted by the end of 2021, the company said in a statement.

The Singapore layoffs come weeks after Exxon announced its plan to close its 72-year-old Altona refinery in Australia and convert it to an import terminal.

The top US oil producer, once America's most valuable company, posted a historic annual loss for 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic slashed energy demand.

Exxon's announcement also follows European major Royal Dutch Shell's decision in November to cut 500 staff and halve its crude processing capacity in Singapore as part of a global strategy to reduce carbon emissions. -Nampa/Reuters

Google teams up with Allianz, Munich Re

Google is teaming up with two global insurers to cover cyber breaches and related risks for businesses that use its cloud services, the first time a major provider has opened up such insurance to its clients, the companies said on Tuesday.

Major insurers have been treading carefully on cyber risks for years, but the tie-up between Google, Allianz and Munich Re gives the insurers special access to data to see what controls are in place at client firms to help them price the risk.

"This is extremely key. This is data that we as insurance carriers traditionally have not had access to," said Thomas Kang, head of North American cyber, tech and media at Allianz's AGCS unit.

The initial targeted customers are US-based companies with annual revenue of between US$500 million and US$5 billion.

"We didn't want to overreach coming out of the box. But the plan is obviously to expand this offering both up and down the revenue scale very shortly," said Bob Parisi, head of cyber solutions in North America for Munich Re.- Nampa/Reuters

Target sales soar as quick delivery fires up

Target Corp holiday season sales jumped as Americans ordered everything from home goods, toys and groceries online, helping the company exceed Wall Street expectations with an 118% surge in digital sales for the quarter.

Over the past year, Target and Walmart Inc consistently performed better than Wall Street expected as the deep-pocketed national retail chains amped up their online businesses during the health crisis and swiped market share from smaller rivals who rely more on their physical stores.

"The enormous investments we made in supply chain, store operations and technology capabilities are already powering exponential growth in digital commerce," Target Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell said on a call with investors.

Still, Target held back on providing sales and earnings forecast for fiscal 2021, citing continued uncertainty over consumer shopping patterns amid the health crisis.

The company's comparable sales rose 20.5% in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, comfortably beating analysts' estimates for a 16.4% rise, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. - Nampa/Reuters

JPMorgan looks to cut office space in Manhattan

JPMorgan Chase & Co is looking to sublet big blocks of office space in Manhattan, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The bank is looking to sublet just under 700 000 square feet at 4 New York Plaza in the Financial District and more than 100 000 square feet at 5 Manhattan West in the Hudson Yards area, the report said.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic-led lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, fewer people have been going to office, which has prompted companies to reassess the need for real estate.

"It is too early to comment on specifics as we continue to learn and adapt to this current situation and how it impacts our commercial real estate needs. We are committed to New York and are planning for the next 50 years with our new headquarters here," a spokesperson for the bank said.

Real estate broker Jone Lang LaSalle is marketing JPMorgan's space, the report said. In October, JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon said JPMorgan would press ahead with its plans to build a large headquarter in New York that is scheduled to open in 2024.- Nampa/Reuters
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TransNamib introduces cost-cutting system

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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TransNamib introduces cost-cutting systemTransNamib introduces cost-cutting system ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

TransNamib expects its newly-developed train operation management system that to increase operational efficiency and cut costs.

The Transportation Management System (TMS) will replace the TransNamib Revenue and Accounting Customer Care System (TRAACS).

The new system was developed by the company’s department of technology and innovation, which was established in 2019.

According to TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer, the department has been developing the TMS for the past two years to replace the TRACCS legacy system.

“The requirements of TMS were based on the current operational processes, but have been streamlined and built on a modern platform, which allows operational staff to quickly access, enter and review operational tasks and information.”

Raubenheimer said the new TMS system has started reducing TransNamib’s operational costs, as the outdated system included many manual processes.

That meant the operations department ran up high telephone bills to manage the movement of freight.

“With the new system, once information has been loaded, visibility is immediately available at all our stations.”

Raubenheimer said on the new system information is captured per section of the railway line, so once the train is loaded, they are able to see what was loaded at the last section or station.

Financial benefits

She said this system allows the company to improve service delivery to customers and to manage rolling stock better.

She added that the system will allow for improved demand forecasting and better coordination between Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and sales systems, which will result in more accurate forecasts, leading to more efficient ordering and improved margins.

Raubenheimer said it also streamlines the billing process.

“TransNamib will have control and visibility over the entire lifecycle of a transaction, from the way an item is ordered to the way the final invoice is processed —providing full insight into cash flow and financial commitments.”

TransNamib is currently working on phase two of the project, which will allow customers to access and interact with the system.
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Council induction delays City CEO appointment

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Council induction delays City CEO appointmentCouncil induction delays City CEO appointment OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The recruitment of a new CEO for the City of Windhoek will only start once the city councillors have finished their induction training.

Council management committee chairman Filemon Hambuda attributed the delay to an ongoing induction programme.

“We will still start with the recruitment process,” said Hambuda, who served as the City’s acting CEO for a brief period in 2015.

Induction delays

“We were in induction, we needed to finish induction and it is still ongoing. The process will start soon,” he reiterated.

Hambuda is among 15 councillors elected in last year’s local authority elections. The new council includes five representatives from Swapo, four from the Independent Patriots for Change, of which Hambuda is a member, two from the Affirmative Repositioning Movement and Landless Peoples Movement respectively and one each from the Popular Democratic Movement and National Unity Democratic Organisation.

The councillors attended induction training at Otjiwarongo recently.

City spokesperson Harold Akwenye would not comment on the matter, saying it was the city council’s responsibility to appoint a CEO.

The City has been without a substantive CEO for four months since the resignation of its then CEO Robert Kahimise, who joined Cenored on 1 November 2020 and described his previous position as toxic.

Human capital and corporate services executive George Mayumbelo was appointed as interim Windhoek CEO in November 2020 following Kahimise’s departure.

Mayumbelo has been at the municipality for over 20 years and had previously vied for the top job.

Mayumbelo also previously served as the municipality’s strategic executive for community services.
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Green schemes seen as ‘wasted ancestral land’

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Green schemes seen as ‘wasted ancestral land’Green schemes seen as ‘wasted ancestral land’Irrigation projects disappoint Residents of three north-eastern regions say they were removed from their ancestral land to make way for agricultural projects that failed to meet expectations. KENYA KAMBOWE

RUNDU

Inhabitants of the two Kavango regions and Zambezi Region feel their ancestral land was taken from them by the government to establish irrigation schemes and national parks, yet the land is not being used productively and they derive no benefits from it.

This is contained in the ancestral land report presented to President Hage Geingob by the committee that was commissioned to look into claims of ancestral land rights and restitution.

According to the report, people in these three regions claim to have been affected by the establishment of green schemes, as they were moved from the land for what was seen as a good cause but the land lies idle.

Unproductive

“Examples that were cited were the establishment of green schemes in the Kavango East and West regions to boost and enhance food security. The establishment of national parks in the Zambezi Region is another example,” the report reads.

“The deponents, however, claimed that some of the land from which they were removed remained unproductive or underutilised, leading them to ask the rhetorical question as to whether it was necessary to remove them from their ancestral land.”

The report also addresses the issue of why the green schemes are failing to live up to their expectations, citing poor income-generating mechanisms and planting crops at the wrong time.

“During the fact-finding visit, the commission visited three Green Scheme projects, and received a presentation from a staff member from the ministry of environment and tourism in Zambezi regarding national parks,” the report reads.

“The presentations and discussions about the green schemes have pointed out that the projects are facing severe challenges in achieving their intended objectives of increasing agricultural production, enhancing food security, and contributing to employment creation.”

The commission quoted a manager from one of the green schemes as saying, “We are supposed to have planted in December until Mid-January. After that, you will lose production per hectare. If the cycle of not adhering to the timeframes goes on like this, the green schemes will die, because the income will be low due to delays, and we are not making money on time.”

Agribusdev has over the years turned into a parastatal dependent on government bailouts to function.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Mufhiwa business activities declared illegal

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Mufhiwa business activities declared illegalMufhiwa business activities declared illegalFraudulent pyramid schemes Mufhiwa does not generate income through the sale of a product or any service to its members. The joining fee of N$200 is used to pay existing members and the directors or owners of the scheme. Kazembire Zemburuka, deputy director for corporate communications: Bank of Namibia (BoN) STAFF REPORTER

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has concluded the investigation into the business activities of Mufhiwa Building Projects and found it to be illegal.

Mufihiwa activities contravene the provisions of section 55A of the Banking Institutions Act, 1998 (Act No. 2 of 1998), as amended, following engagements with the directors and duly authorised representatives of the entity, said Bank of Namibia’s deputy director for corporate communications, Kazembire Zemburuka.

Last year, the Bank issued a public statement in which it stated the business activities of Mufhiwa Building Projects constitute and resemble a pyramid scheme and directed promoters and participants to stop their operations in Namibia.

In the same statement, the Bank appealed to directors or duly authorised representatives to contact the Bank within a prescribed period from the date of issuance of the statement, in order for the Bank to consider the matter in terms of the provisions of the Act.

Accordingly, directors and duly authorised representatives contacted the Bank, and presented the business model of Mufhiwa Building Projects. Subsequently, the Bank made an assessment in accordance with the provisions of the Act, he said.

Why illegal?

The assessment has revealed that the business activities of Mufhiwa Building Projects constitute a pyramid scheme and contravene section as members and participants in Mufhiwa Building Projects are encouraged to recruit new members, upon a payment of a joining fee of N$200, with the promise that such members receive payments to have their home loans settled, or to purchase new houses, or to renovate their existing houses.

Mufhiwa Building Projects does not generate income through the sale of a product or any service to its members.

“The joining fee of N$200 is used to pay existing members and the directors or owners of the scheme. Therefore, as soon as the recruitment of new members stops all the members and participants in the scheme will not receive any payment and will lose their joining fee,” he said.

Thus, Mufhiwa Building Projects has been instructed to cease business operations in Namibia immediately and members of the public are instructed to stop participation in this scheme with immediate effect.

He urges the public to make the necessary enquiries from the Bank, about businesses with similar business activities before participating in such business activities. The Bank remains committed to protecting consumers from fraudulent pyramid schemes as mandated by law.
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Angola seeks to boost diamond output

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Angola seeks to boost diamond outputAngola seeks to boost diamond output SERGIO GONCALVES

Angola plans to boost diamond mining and open a new large mine in the east, aiming to produce 5.7 million carats there in 2023, or more than half of its total output last year, Mineral Resources and Petroleum minister Diamantino Azevedo said.

The minister said the state-owned diamond company Endiama had been "instructed to negotiate with the biggest companies in the mining world to invest in the diamond subsector" in other projects, without specifying.

Asked if Angola was negotiating specifically with diamond majors De Beers Group and Rio Tinto to enter its mining sector, he said: "I confirm. The latest information we have is that the negotiations are going at a good pace."

Angola the world's sixth-largest producer of diamond, produced 8 million carats in 2020, 23% below the initial plan and down from 2019's 9.4 million carats due to the global economic meltdown from the Covid-19 pandemic, Azevedo said.

But "the prospects for 2021 are encouraging" with two new projects due to start producing in the second quarter, and Angola targeting a total output of 10.1 million carats in 2022.

Despite the "unfavourable situation due to the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are working to accelerate the start of production in Luaxe", he said. The project in the eastern province of Lunda-Sul is close to the Catoca mine, now responsible for 70% of Angola's diamond production.

"We are committed to transforming the Luaxe deposit in 2022 into a structured and organised conventional mine, expecting production of about 5.7 million carats in 2023," he said. - Nampa/Reuters
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Fishing rights announcement set for month-end

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Fishing rights announcement set for month-endFishing rights announcement set for month-end OGONE TLHAGE



WINDHOEK

Fisheries minister Albert Kawana is expected to announce who his ministry has chosen for new fishing rights at the end of this month.

This brings to a close a two-year vetting process undertaken by the ministry with the assistance of the University of Namibia (Unam).

“All of those questions, reserve them for when I make public announcements,” Kawana said. “There will be an announcement for all applicants by the end of March.”

The Namibia Fishing Association said it has been waiting with bated breath to find out who the new group of rights holders will be.

“We want to know who the applicants are, but we are still waiting for that list,” association chairperson Matti Amukwa said upon enquiry.

Tight-lipped

Kawana had also been asked what role Unam had played to assist the ministry with applications, but would not answer. The university had been approached to assist with the process and allocated 38 evaluators for vetting.

The minister previously said 52.6% of the quotas have been allocated to new applicants.

The minister, who was thrust into the portfolio after the resignation and arrest of former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau over the so-called Fishrot bribery scandal, had previously defended his record of transparency over the years.
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Fishrot 6 seek judge recusal

March 3, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Fishrot 6 seek judge recusalFishrot 6 seek judge recusal JEMIMA BEUKES



WINDHOEK

The Fishrot accused want Judge Orben Sibeya to recuse himself, claiming he had prior knowledge when he heard their bail hearing, which has disadvantaged their case in the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) matter.

Sibeya recently granted Prosecutor-General (PG) Martha Imalwa an interim restraint order allowing her to seize the assets of the accused.

Assets belonging to Tamson Hatuikulipi and Bernhardt Esau’s wives as well as 15 companies and close corporations belonging to them are also targeted.

In his founding affidavit, Tamson said he learnt from his lawyers that Sibeya obtained additional information on the matter not contained in the POCA application.

According to him, Sibeya was ready to go ahead hearing their bail appeal despite this, provided he and Gwaaniilonga Investments had no objections.

Gwaaniilonga and Tamson, however, insisted that the judge recuse himself from the matter.

Tamson’s cousin and co-accused James Hatuikulipi has interests in Gwaaniilonga, while its directors include Tamson’s wife Ndapandula Hatuikulipi and her brother Phillipus Esau.

‘Impossible’

“The prior knowledge of facts is a direct result of the POCA matter and the appeal hearing overlapping in that documents and evidence, including the affidavits of Gwaaniilonga and I, produced in support of the bail application and the part of the appeal hearing record also forms part of the POCA application,” Tamson said.

He added that it is “impossible” for Sibeya to have read the POCA application - which is 6 925 pages long - within an hour before the hearing commenced.

According to him, a document of this length would require at least five days for intensive reading.

“In light of the above, it is respectfully submitted that it is apparently impossible for the honourable Justice Sibeya to have perused and considered the papers, heard the matter and to have applied his mind fairly to the matter on 13 November 2020 and to grant the provisional restraint order on the same day. This very fact creates an apprehension of bias in my mind,” he said.

Tamson, Esau and Gwaaniilonga are represented by Metcalfe and Beukes.

Conflict of interest

Another accused in the matter Ricardo Gustavo, who insists his assets are not proceeds of crime, said Sibeya - who worked in the PG’s office - enjoys a longstanding friendship with her which dates back to 2001.

Represented by Brockerhoff and Associates Legal Practitioners, he also pointed out that Sibeya was the mastermind behind the POCA unit in the PG’s office, which has brought this very application to court.

According to Gustavo, so cosy is the relationship between Sibeya and the PG that he even represented her son in a criminal matter.

Gustavo added that the son of the lead prosecutor in the matter, Advocate Ed Marondedze, has worked for Sibeya in his law firm since 2019.

“The above set of facts illustrates a close continued relationship between the presiding officer and the Office of the PG, who are applicants in this application,” he said.

Biased vs impartial

In her response filed on Friday, 26 February, the PG dismissed these allegations by Gustavo and said they are inconsistent with the facts presented in the POCA application.

She added that the application for recusal must be brought and argued in the chambers, which his lawyer failed to comply with as well as to raise all alleged grounds for recusal.

She further said an apprehension that the judge may be biased is not enough, instead the apprehension should be that the judge will not be impartial.

According to Imalwa, what is required of a judge is judicial impartiality and not neutrality, because they are human and they bring life to the bench.

“There is a presumption that since judges are bound by a solemn oath of office to administer justice without fear or favour, they will be impartial in adjudicating disputes. It is for this reason that an applicant for recusal bears the onus of rebutting the weighty presumption of judicial impartiality.”

Metcalfe and Beukes indicated that they will respond to the PG on Friday, 5 March, in line with the court order.

The court also ordered that heads of arguments for Tamson, Erongo Clearing and Forwarding, Fitty Entertainment CC and Gwaaniilonga must be submitted by 19 March.

The other defendants in the matter must file their heads of argument on 26 March.

The matter was postponed to 30 March for status hearing.

jemima@namibiansun.com
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