European Union offers aid to Haiti

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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European Union offers aid to Haiti The European Commission has set aside three million euros (US$3.5 million) in urgent funding for aid groups to help victims of a deadly 7.2-magnitude quake that struck Haiti at the weekend.

"The EU is quickly mobilising support to this already extremely fragile country, where hurricanes and heavy rainfalls aggravate the dire situation even more," the EU commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, said in a statement.

The EU executive stressed the money would "address the most immediate needs" such as medical assistance for overwhelmed hospitals, as well as water, shelter and sanitation for the most vulnerable.

Haiti's crisis was being compounded by the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and chronic insecurity; the statement noted.

The massive earthquake hit west of the capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday, killing more than 1,400 people and flattening thousands of buildings.

The impoverished Caribbean country is now at risk of flash flooding and mudslides as a storm, Tropical Depression Grace, bore down on it on Tuesday.

Haiti has not yet fully recovered from a huge 2010 quake that devastated Port-au-Prince, and the country is still reeling from its president's assassination last month.

More than 1.5 million Haitians were made homeless in that disaster, which also destroyed 60 percent of Haiti's healthcare system, leaving authorities and the international humanitarian community with a colossal challenge.

The latest earthquake comes just over a month after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home by a team of gunmen, shaking a country already battling poverty, spiraling gang violence and Covid-19.-Nampa/AFP

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Environment favourable for house buyers

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Environment favourable for house buyersRates remain below their long run averages The 36 projects completed in July 2021 had a value of N$24.4 million compared to N$1.6 billion of the 300 projects completed in July 2020. Interest rates are low and will remain low as we only expect interest rates to increase as of mid-next year. Simonis Storm PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

There has been a noticeable recovery in volumes sold in the property market following last year’s lows. According to First National Bank (FNB’s) latest House Price Index report, volumes in the medium housing segment has increased by 17% during 2020.

The environment remains favourable to house buyers, provided their budgets can accommodate interest repayments and they have jobs in a defensive industry that provides job security, Simonis Storm (SS) said.

“Interest rates are low and will remain low as we only expect interest rates to increase as of mid-next year,” SS added.

Both prime (7.5%) and average lending (6.80%) rates remain below their long run averages.

In the monthly building plan statistics, released by City of Windhoek (CoW), for July 2021 a total of 36 building projects were completed during July 2021, compared to 300 completed projects in July 2020, down by 88.0% year-on-year. The 36 projects completed in July 2021 had a value of N$24.4 million compared to N$1.6 billion of the 300 projects completed in July 2020, SS pointed out.

The value of approved plans in July 2021 were higher in middle- to low-income neighbourhoods in Windhoek. The Goreangab Waterfront residential and commercial development has started selling residential units since last year. This development is expected to have positive spill-over effects in terms of job creation and improved road infrastructure for the area, SS said.

From a total of 256 building plans received, 223 were approved during July 2021 by CoW, compared to 288 being received and 128 being approved by CoW during June 2021 74.2% month-on-month increase in the number of approved building plans. Depending on the value of these plans and whether applicants have appropriate funding to commence construction, this should support construction activity in Windhoek in the coming months, SS added.

“We are aware of major ongoing and new construction projects in Windhoek. Some examples include: Hilltop at Grove, Bank Windhoek Klein Windhoek branch, shopping centre in Tauben Glen, Paratus data centre in Brakwater, extension of Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, Nedbank Head Office and residential complexes in Khomasdal and Rocky Crest,” SS said.

EDITORIAL: Poverty, inequality and jobs crisis

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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EDITORIAL: Poverty, inequality and jobs crisis Joblessness is a national disaster. For a country that is already grappling with high levels of inequality, it is safe to say that we are sitting with a major crisis on our hands. For many years, job creation in this country has been woefully off target and more and more Namibians are losing jobs than never before. Companies have been forced to shed jobs because of a poorly performing economy as well as the pandemic. The tough times are not yet over and the authorities need to step in and build up a strong base for the upliftment of the economy. Pumping money into the economy must be done in a responsible manner to avoid unnecessary wastage. However, the focus on solving this pertinent issue is overlooked by critical role players, including politicians and - to some extent - businesses. We find it extremely perplexing that there is no adequate public discourse highlighting the unemployment crisis befalling our nation. And, mind you, Namibia has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. Almost every second young person in this country is without a job. Thousands graduating from tertiary institutions are not guaranteed work. The bottom line is that we have not declared war on unemployment, judging by our lackadaisical approach to a gargantuan issue. This approach must change – and soon – if we are really serious about pushing for reforms to improve our economy.

New treatment for children living with HIV/Aids

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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New treatment for children living with HIV/Aids 724 Namibian youngsters under four living with virus The benefits of the new medication are that it comes in tablet form, is taken only once a day and tastes better, the ministry said. JEMIMA BEUKES







WINDHOEK

The health ministry has expanded the roll-out of Dolutegravir, a treatment for children living with HIV/Aids, including 724 children under the age of four.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry said until recently, the medication was used primarily for the adult population and was not available in smaller doses suitable for children.

However, the 10 milligram is now available, which provides an effective treatment for young children aged between four weeks and five years.

“With the introduction of the more effective Paediatric Dolutegravir (pDTG), Namibia will transition from the Lopinavir granules formulation which is currently given to children. The other benefits of pDTG are that it comes in tablet form which is dissolved in measured water and is taken once a day as opposed to Lopinavir granules taken twice a day.

“The medicine also tastes better, which makes it easier to give to children and is easier for them to swallow,” the statement said.

90-90-90 targets

The ministry is committed to ensure that this medicine is available at all facilities across the country and encouraged parents and caregivers to enquire about its availability with healthcare workers at their nearest health facilities.

Namibia has been commended as a global example for its fight against HIV/Aids, especially for achieving the 90-90-90 targets which aims for 90% of all people living with HIV to know their status, 90% of those to be placed on treatment and 90% of those on treatment to have the virus suppressed.

jemima@namibiansun.com

UK inflation slows but expected to rise again

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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UK inflation slows but expected to rise again Britain's annual inflation rate slowed sharply last month as clothing retailers slashed prices in the pandemic-hit sector, official data showed yesterday, but economists warned it will likely rise again.

The Consumer Prices Index stood at 2.0% in July, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. The rate had soared in June to a near three-year peak of 2.5% as prices had accelerated on easing coronavirus restrictions.

"Inflation fell back in July across a broad range of goods and services, including clothing, which decreased with summer sales returning after the pandemic hit the sector last year," said ONS statistician Jonathan Athow.

Last month's slowdown was partly due to the clothing sector, where price growth stood at 1.7% after a 3.0% bounce in June. Inflation has nevertheless been propelled higher since March when the UK government began a phased lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

The rate topped 2.0% in May to breach the Bank of England's official target level for the first time since 2019. Despite the July slowdown, most economists predict prices will accelerate further as the global economic recovery gathers pace.

The BoE had warned earlier this month that inflation would temporarily spike to 4.0% in the fourth quarter.

"Fall in year-on-year inflation last month masks the strength of inflationary pressures currently within the UK economy," said KPMG chief economist Yael Selfin.

"We expect inflation to accelerate further during the rest of this year, rising significantly above the Bank of England's 2.0% target, as supply chains remain under strain faced with a strong rebound in demand."-Nampa/AFP

Countries eyeing major oil projects in Libya

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Countries eyeing major oil projects in LibyaMulti-billion-dollar infrastructure projects More than 100 billion dollars are needed to rebuild Libya, which has been gripped by violence and political turmoil. Libya hasn't built a thing in 10 years. It’s a rich country which hasn't maintained its infrastructure. Jalel Harchaoui, Senior fellow: Global Initiative HAMZA MEKOUAR

A decade after Libya descended into chaos, a host of countries are eyeing potential multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects in the oil-rich nation if stability is assured.

Economist Kamal Mansouri expects Libya's reconstruction drive to be one of the biggest in the Middle East and North Africa.

He estimates "more than 100 billion dollars" are needed to rebuild Libya, which has been gripped by violence and political turmoil since dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled in a 2011 uprising.

Former colonial power Italy, neighbouring Egypt and Turkey are tipped to be awarded the lion's share of reconstruction deals.

In the capital Tripoli, dozens of rusted cranes and unfinished buildings dot the seafront, testimony to hundreds of abandoned projects worth billions of dollars launched between 2000 and 2010.

After Kadhafi's overthrow, Libya fell under the control of a complex, ever-shifting patchwork of militias and foreign mercenaries backing rival administrations.

While Turkey has supported the Tripoli government, eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar, who battled but failed to seize the capital, has had the backing of Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

But a UN-backed ceasefire was agreed last October, paving the way for the establishment in March of an interim administration.

The new government led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah is tasked with organising presidential and parliamentary elections in December if a legal framework is agreed on time.

The new administration has been courted by Western and regional leaders who have visited Libya with large business delegations in tow.

Collaboration

Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio was accompanied by the chief of Italian energy giant ENI. In May, Dbeibah, an engineer and businessman, visited Rome and agreed with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi to expand collaboration on energy projects.

Italy aims to defend its commercial interests in the nation with Africa's largest oil reserves, an energy sector where Eni has been the leading foreign player since 1959. The firm reportedly proposes building a photovoltaic solar plant in southern Libya.

In June, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also visited with a business team, while Dbeibah has travelled to Paris. As Dbeibah's administration takes part in several business forums, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria are also in the running for lucrative contracts.

A delegation from Russia's energy group Tatneft visited Tripoli in June to study oil exploration projects.

"Libya hasn't built a thing in 10 years," said Global Initiative senior fellow and Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui."It's a rich country which hasn't maintained its infrastructure."

A decade of violence has ravaged its airports, roads and the electricity network. While there is no shortage of major projects and international suitors, questions remain over funding and whether instability will return.

Divisions have devastated Libya's economy and complicated management of its oil revenues, weakening its foreign currency reserves.

On the political and economic fronts, a 2021 budget has yet to be approved and UN-led efforts to organise elections appear to be floundering. -Nampa/AFP

Remembering KK: His notable and quotable notes

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Remembering KK: His notable and quotable notes Namibian Sun looks back at some of the explosive remarks by former youth minister Kazenambo Kazenambo - who died from Covid-19 complications on Tuesday. Here some of his remarks made on Namibian Sun’s The Evening Review and The Agenda talk shows.

On President Hage Geingob

· I never campaigned for President Geingob, it’s a perceived image… Bring me the facts on the table.

· Even President Geingob himself, who is a president today, was pushed out of the Central Committee of Swapo, but he remained. Today he is president.

· Genocide doesn’t cover everybody in this country, it targeted particular tribes and Geingob was playing a dilly-dally about it. I could not play dilly-dally about it. It is an issue that is close to his heart and it is an issue that is close to my heart, but for political reasons. He was playing to the gallery.

· I will say I backed this gentleman but now he is drifting away from Swapo principles and as a guerrilla, I'll manoeuvre my way from the violator of the Swapo constitution.

· President Geingob, with due respect, he must not personalise and turn the Namibian system, the system of government, to himself.

Kazenambo on Swapo

· I associated myself with Team Swapo at the last end of the tail of the campaign.

· I am a defeated proud Swapo member who will remain a Swapo member but I condemn the notion of independent candidates because it creates a precedence in the governance system, in the political system of Namibia, which is out of place, out of norm.

· I’ve been defeated in Swapo. Here I am, I’m not burning the house simply because there are other people, and we have agreed that there are procedures that need to be followed for you to occupy the house, but if I failed, it doesn’t matter. Another round will come; I will not destroy Swapo.

· Swapo must realise that it has lost some of its best brains, youngsters, I can list them here. Youngsters like Swartbooi, whether you like it or not, he was groomed in this organisation. One of the brilliant cadres of this organisation. Seibeb the same, Amupanda the same, Itula the same and so on.

· Swapo is still strong and Swapo is going to battle it out, don’t write it off.

Kazenambo on the genocide

· The problem that we are having here, and this is where the Germans are nailing us, and it’s also where they attempted to nail us on the first round: Here we are divided structurally because firstly, we did not get consensus on how we are going to approach these things between the government of Namibia and the affected community. We never reached any consensus and that’s why, right from the beginning, I am the one who… I’m lashing out at the approach because if the approach is wrong, you won’t get it right and more so if we are dealing with these Germans.

· I don’t have a problem with who is going to be involved with this thing, my biggest problem is the approach we are taking.

· Government from Day One approached this matter as a state matter, government to government… and the minute we did that, the Germans celebrated.

· The way forward is to go back to the drawing table.

Less than 8% of wildlife crimes convicted

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Less than 8% of wildlife crimes convicted ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

Less than 8% of suspects arrested in connection with wildlife crimes of high-valued species last year have been convicted.

Only 23 suspects out of 304 arrested last year for rhino, elephant and pangolin wildlife crimes have been convicted thus far.

A total of 1 055 suspects have been arrested in connection with wildlife crime cases since the beginning of last year to 31 July.

Of these, the majority are Namibians (958) followed by Angolans (40), Zambians (40) unknown nationality (14), Asian (1), Motswana (1) and Zimbabwean (1).

According to the statistics provided by the tourism ministry, last year, 304 suspects were arrested for high-valued game such as elephants, rhino and pangolin.

Of those arrested, 151 suspects are in custody and awaiting trial, while 112 are on bail. Furthermore, 23 suspects have been convicted, while 10 were acquitted, three absconded, two were discharged and one case has been withdrawn. Two suspects have also died.

Poaching stats

According to the ministry, 10 rhinos have been poached this year to date.

In 2014, rhino poaching numbers stood at 56, increasing to 97 in 2015 and then dropping slightly to 66 in 2016 and 55 in 2017.

It then sharply increased again to 81 in 2018, dropping to 54 in 2019 and last year 32 rhinos were poached.

This year to date, only four elephants have been poached in comparison to the 12 elephants poached last year.

In 2014, when poaching started to increase in Namibia, 78 elephants were killed, peaking at 101 in 2016.

Since then, there has been a decline in the number of poached elephants, with 50 poaching cases reported in 2017, 27 in 2018 and 13 in 2019.

According to statistics provided by the environment ministry, the four poaching cases for this year occurred in the Nyae Nyae and Ondjou conservancies in the Otjozondjupa Region, in the Buffalo Core Area, Omega 1, and the Mahango Core Area in Kavango East.

The ministry has attributed the decline in poaching to increased law enforcement activities against wildlife crimes through their collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

They said intelligence has also led to more arrests of perpetrators before the actual poaching. Arrests also serve as a deterrence, the ministry said.

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Battle for ErongoMed’s soul continues

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Battle for ErongoMed’s soul continuesOwnership fight intensifies among shareholders The sale of shares valued at N$23.3 million to Eos Capital’s Allegrow Fund has disintegrated any trust the current shareholders had in each other. JEMIMA BEUKES







WINDHOEK

When Erongo Medical Group (EMG) shareholders got into business together years back, never in their wildest dreams did they think that their partnership would implode and leave them battling it out in the courts for ownership of the country’s biggest private healthcare group.

Shortly after the news broke in May that one of the shareholders, Dr Tshali Ithete, dragged five of his fellow shareholders to court in a bid to reverse a multimillion share sale, his partners grouped together and informed the court that they would be opposing the application.

The five being challenged by Ithete are Brian Douglas Family Trust, Dr Hofmeyer Viljoen, Pitout Family Trust, Mathias Braune Family Trust and Dr Chris Wessels Fourie.

In his affidavit, through his company Diversified Medical Investments, Ithete claims EMG sold 510 shares valued at N$23.3 million to Eos Capital’s special purpose vehicle Allegrow Fund - allegedly without following due procedures. The purchase price, according to court papers, was set at N$45 698 per share.

I Care Africa, Allegrow Fund and Diversified Medical Investments are the biggest shareholders in the Erongo Medical Group stable.

Ithete said the shares were sold despite him having indicated that he wanted to purchase them. He argued that the EMG shareholders’ agreement makes provision for shareholders to get the first right to buy any shares being sold before such shares are sold to third parties.

In court papers filed on Tuesday, the group disputed the claim that trustees were obligated to offer to sell shares to one of the partners, said an agreement was reached between shareholders in November 2007.

Not a purchase offer

The defendants said the agreement did not provide for any rights or obligations since Ithete’s offer was mere email correspondence and not a purchase offer.

They also submitted that this purchase offer was not authorised by any of the shareholders, anyway.

They dismissed Ithete’s claim that whenever a shareholder offered their shares to an existing shareholder, such an offer would be irrevocable for a 14-day period.

They further denied his claims that EMG offered 76 shares to a purchase price offer made by EOS Capital as well as that the Matthias Braune Family Trust offered 74 shares to EOS Capital.

They also denied his claim that Dr Hofmeyer Viljoen offered 86 shares for sale in response to the offer to purchase shares in the first defendant made by Eos Capital.

EMG denied that it was in breach of the agreement entered into on 24 September 2020 between Diversified Medical Investments and the other shareholders.

They urged the High Court to dismiss Tshali’s application with costs, including for one instructing lawyer and two instructed counsels.

The private healthcare group owns the Welwitschia Hospital in Walvis Bay and has interests in radiology and telemedicine, among other segments. It also runs Ongwediva Medipark and Medixx Occupational Health Services.

Boost health policy to boost economic growth

August 18, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Boost health policy to boost economic growthDelta variant drives lower growth forecast The Bank of Namibia (BoN) decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 3.75% in order to continue supporting the weak domestic economy. The repo rate remains appropriate to continue supporting the weak domestic economy. Johannes !Gawaxab, Governor: Bank of Namibia PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

The delta variant had devastating effects on key economic sectors such a tourism. As a result, the Bank of Namibia (BoN) revised and lowered its economic growth forecast for 2021 to 1.4% compared to a 2.7% forecast earlier this year.

According to the central bank governor Johannes !Gawaxab, the successful procurement, expeditious rollout as well as large-scale uptake of Covid-19 vaccines remain key to the extent and speed of the economic recovery.

The BoN held its fourth monetary policy announcement for the year and decided to leave the repo rate unchanged at 3.75%. The means the prime lending rates for local commercial banks will also remain at 7.50%.

!Gawaxab notes that the decision was taken following a review of global, regional and domestic economic and financial developments.

“The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is of the view that at 3.75%, the repo rate remains appropriate to continue supporting the weak domestic economy, while at the same time safeguarding the one to-one link between the Namibia dollar and the South African rand, “he said.

Domestic economic activity remained subdued during the first half of 2021, mainly reflected in a slowdown in the tourism, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, as well as the transport and storage sectors. Since the last MPC meeting in June 2021, activity in the wholesale and retail trade sector increased, while activity in the local electricity generation subsector declined, he pointed out.

PRICE MONSTER

Annual average inflation increased to 3.5% during the first seven months of 2021, compared to 2.1% for the corresponding period in the previous year. The increase in inflation was mainly driven by the food and transport categories. This was on account of supply constraints particularly for meat and a rise in international oil prices, respectively. On a monthly basis, overall inflation moderated to 4.0% in July 2021 from 4.1% in June. Overall inflation is projected to average around 3.9 percent for 2021, slightly higher than the previous forecast of 3.6%, the governor added.

Growth in private sector credit slowed to an average of 2.4% for the first six months of 2021, lower than the average of 4.7% recorded during the same period in 2020. The slowdown in private sector credit was due to lower demand for credit by both businesses and households, as a result of slow domestic economic activity during the review period. Since the last MPC meeting, year-on-year growth in PSCE declined to 2.7% at the end of June 2021 from 3.1% at the end of April 2021, due to base effects as well as the sluggish economy, !Gawaxab said.-phillep@nmh.com.na

Samaria trusts ‘tested soldiers’

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Samaria trusts ‘tested soldiers’ JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Brave Warriors interim coach Bobby Samaria has expressed confidence in his players ahead of the Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Samaria, who named a strong 32-man squad yesterday, stressed the importance of winning their first match in a tough group.

The Brave Warriors’ immediate assignment is against Congo on 1 September in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

“We are focused on the first match and I think winning the first match would set the tone as far as what we can achieve in a very tough group.

“I am confident is these tested and trusted soldiers who have a wealth of experience and with international exposure too.

“Yes, there are teams like Senegal we still have to play against, but they are not the only team in the group,” Samaria said.

Namibia will then battle Togo away on 5 September, before taking on Senegal on 6 October.

The Warriors will play host to Senegal on 10 October for the return leg before playing Congo away on 11 November.

The Brave Warriors’ last group match will be at home, against Togo on 14 November.

The team will play their home games outside Namibia’s borders after the national stadiums were declared unfit for international matches.

“The sad news is that our captain Petrus Shitembi will not be in action due to injury, as well as Ryan Nyambe.

“We however hope to have them back during this crucial qualifier,” Samaria said.

Goalkeepers: Edward Maova, Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Lodyt Kazapua and Virgil Vries.

Defenders: Kennedy Amutenya, Riaan Hanamub, Ivan Kamberipa, Gebhardt Ananias, Larry Horaeb, Teberius Lombardt, Approcius Petrus, Denzil Haoseb, Charles Hambira and Immanuel Heita.

Midfielders: Dynamo Fredericks, Wendell Rudath, Alfeus Handura, Manfred Starke, Wangu Gome, Deon Hotto, Absalom Iimbondi, Wesley Katjiteo, Marcel Papama, Prins Tjiueza and Willy Stephanus.

Forwards: Elmo Kambindu, Issaskar Gurirab, Monis Omseb, Peter Shalulile, Joslin Kamatuka, Benson Shilongo and Junias Theophilus.

World Athletics in hot water

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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World Athletics in hot waterAthletes want answers World Athletics is in hot water after the latest findings revealed that the rules they invoke to exclude athletes are actually misleading. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

The controversial rules which stopped the likes of South Africa’s Caster Semenya and Namibia’s Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi from competing at the Tokyo Olympic Games are being questioned after fresh findings revealed that the testosterone regulations which helped prohibit athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) from competing could have been misleading.

The rules exclude women whose testosterone levels exceed 5 nmol/L from international events run between 400 metres and one mile in World Athletics’ female category unless they take hormone-lowering medication or have surgery.

The evidence, gathered by two World Athletics (WA) scientists in 2017, found a 1.8% performance increase over 800 metres in women with high testosterone levels, and a 2.7% increase over 400 metres.

However, according to the Telegraph, the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which had published the original evidence, has now released a correction to that 2017 paper.

We were wrong

“To be explicit, there is no confirmatory evidence for causality in the observed relationships reported. We acknowledge that our 2017 study was exploratory.

“With this in mind, we recognise that statements in the paper could have been misleading by implying a causal inference,” wrote Stephane Bermon, director of WA health and science department, and his predecessor Pierre-Yves Garnier.

They further explained that “specifically, ‘female athletes with high testosterone levels have a significant competitive advantage over those with low testosterone in 400 m, 400 m hurdles, 800 m, hammer throw, and pole vault’.

“This statement should be amended to: ‘High testosterone levels in female athletes were associated with higher athletic performance over those with low testosterone in 400 m, 400 m hurdles, 800 m, hammer throw, and pole vault’.”

The scientists conclude that their findings are “on a lower level of evidence” and should be viewed as “exploratory, nothing else, that is, not confirmatory or evidence for a causal relationship”.

With these findings, Semenya’s legal representatives are calling for the regulation to be scrapped to allow the athlete to get back on the track.

Semenya has refused to comply with the rules, which wanted her to alter her body.

Correct the mistake

In the same article in the Telegraph, Roger Pielke Jr, one of three scientists who published a 2019 International Sports Law Journal paper, said the evidence was “flawed” and that the latest admission meant the rule should be suspended immediately.

“Corrections are common in research, as scientists are human and make mistakes, like anyone else,” he said.

“But one of the most important features of science is that it is self-correcting, and mistakes are identified, admitted and corrected.

“But the correction published is not simply the admission of an error, it is an admission of error by WA in the only empirical analysis which underpins its eligibility regulations for female athletes. The implications are massive.

“The correction offered today provides a very public test of the integrity of WA. The organisation chose to base its regulation on a set of scientific claims. It now admits that those claims were wrong and potentially misleading.

“Doing the right thing in support of the athletes that it represents means changing course when the facts warrant,” he added.

The president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Abner Xoagub, confirmed that he too saw reports of the latest findings and that they will meet with various stakeholders next week to discuss the way forward for Mboma and Masilingi.

“We will have a meeting next week. We will engage the government as well, so that we discuss the aspects each entity will take on. There will be legal costs involved in all of this, so we need to discuss how we are approaching this,” he said.

-Additional information Telegraph

Fifa Normalisation Committee speaks out

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Fifa Normalisation Committee speaks out JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Former Fifa Normalisation Committee (NC) chairperson Hilda Basson-Namundjebo has expressed dismay over the current NFA squabbles, which she confirms has now landed in Fifa’s hands.

“To be honest with you, I am extremely disappointed in the leadership of the NFA.

“I will not even choose any side here because I am just dismayed by all sides,” Bason-Namundjebo said.

Basson-Namundjebo, deputy chair Franco Cosmos (now NFA SG), Gaby Ahrens, Matti Mwandingi and Vivienne Katjiuongua were tasked to normalise football after Fifa scrapped the former NFA leadership due to infighting in January 2019.

Nearly after a year since the committee conducted an election and handed over the association to the new leadership, a repeat of the mess they had to fix has arisen again, with the new leadership divided and at loggerheads.

The current NFA executive is divided and its president was recently served with a suspension letter from the other half of the executive, while its SG has been accused of corruption.

Did NC fail?

Asked whether the normalisation committee had failed when they allowed the current leadership, including Cosmos who was a member of the NC, Basson-Namundjebo backed their decisions at the time.

“There was lot of confidence from Fifa and the NC in Cosmos and the entire leadership.

“There was also no rule or law that prevented Cosmos from taking an administrative position except in positions were elections took place,” Basson-Namundjebo said.

The Fifa Normalisation Committee recently was criticised for allowing the current leadership and the way in which the congress took place.

Many alleged that Namundjebo and Cosmos played cards in connection with the group that won the elections, including president Ranga Haikali.

“There is no truth in that because we conducted a transparent and objective vetting process as far as all the members are concerned.”

The problem?

Namundjebo insisted that the current problem was caused by the fact that those in leadership do not have a common vision.

“The only problem I think is here is that there is no common vision among the current leadership.

“This matter is now in Fifa’s hands but I do not think there is a need for another Normalisation Committee.

“People must just find a common understanding in all this, otherwise no one is going to win.

“This leadership must also not show weakness by being influenced by external forces.”

Namibians in titanic clashes

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Namibians in titanic clashesPremiership action returns Titanic clashes are scheduled for the weekend as the DStv Premiership returns to the screens. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

The DStv Premiership is enjoyed all over Africa, with a large portion of Namibians making up those numbers as they follow Namibian players who play for clubs in South Africa.

The names the local fans follow include the likes of Peter Shalulile, Deon Hotto and Riaan Hanamub, and the Premiership presents an opportunity to enjoy their talent on display.

And they will no longer have to wait because today Shalulile’s Sundowns and AmaZulu, the two sides that occupied the top two spots in the previous season, will kick off proceedings at Loftus Versveld Stadium.

Sixteen DStv Premiership teams take to the pitch for the opening round of league fixtures.

There will be a total of five matches scheduled for Saturday and two more on Sunday to complete the first weekend block.

On Saturday, several other Namibians are also expected to star for their respective clubs, with Hotto’s Orlando Pirates taking on Stellenbosch.

Joslin Kamatuka and Ananias Gebhardt’s Baroka will go up against Marumo Gallants. Lloyd Kazapua and Riaan Hanamub of Chippa United will clash with Sekhukhune United.

Hanamub said the pre-season preparations went well and he was waiting in anticipation for the league to start.

“We want to project what we have prepared into the league. So, I can’t wait,” he said.

On Sunday, Virgil Vries’s Moroka Swallows will face Bloemfontein Celtic, whereas Max Mbaeva’s Golden Arrows will compete on Wednesday against SuperSport United.

Nedbank for Autism series resumes

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Nedbank for Autism series resumes Golf is back on the sports calendar Golf enthusiasts are set to invade the coastal town of Walvis Bay with another Bank Windhoek Golf Series on the cards. SPORT REPORTER Round five of the nine-event Nedbank for Autism Golf Series will be resuming on Saturday at the Walvis Bay Golf Club.

The series, which was put on hold due to the national Covid-19 restrictions, aims to raise funds for the Autism Association of Namibia, was launched in February this year at the Omeya Golf Club.

Over N$34 000 was raised in the first round, which will be used to raise awareness for the association.

Series organiser Dan Zwiebel expressed his excitement about the resumption of the Nedbank for Autism Series.

“I am extremely proud of our achievements thus far in 2021 and I am excited to continue delivering and seeing the impact nine rounds of golf can have,” Zwiebel said.

He said the coastal leg of the competition will be having back-to-back events for the next month.

“The event at Walvis Bay forms part of the coastal leg which is three events back-to-back.

“The Walvis Bay round will take place on 21 August 2021, and will be followed by a round at the Rossmund Golf Course in Swakopmund on 28 August 2021, and finally the coastal rounds will end at the Henties Bay Golf & Lifestyle Estate, on 4 September 2021,” he said.

The series will later continue at the Windhoek Golf and Country Club on Saturday, 18 September 2021, while the final will take place at the Omeya Golf Club on Saturday, 20 November 2021.

All golfers with an official handicap are allowed to participate in each of the nine events.

The winner from each event will then progress to the final, with the format being an individual stableford.

At the final event the ten winners will respectively team up with an invited sponsoring team consisting of three players to compete for team prizes as well as attractive overall prizes, which are unmatched on the local golf scene.

“As Nedbank Namibia, we take full cognisance of the need in our community to support persons with Autism.

“Our differences are what make each and every one of us unique, and it is the very spark of human nature that unites us. Playing our part as money experts who do good in building an inclusive society is what we hope to accomplish in our efforts,” said Selma Kaulinge, communication manager at Nedbank Namibia.

The co-sponsors for the ten-stop countrywide golf event include: M+Z Motors, Africa Online, Engen Namibia, ComputerKit Namibia, Khomas Medical Centre, Taeuber & Corssen, Gondwana Collection Namibia, Safintra Roofing, Imperial, as well as Future Media as the media partner.

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The winds of democratic change in Zambia and Malawi will sweep across southern Africa

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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The winds of democratic change in Zambia and Malawi will sweep across southern Africa MMUSI MAIMANE

The winds of change are there to observe for anyone who takes the time to look closely. Liberation parties, along with corrupt dominant parties, are falling, and this pattern is moving down the map all the way to South Africa.

The attainment of independence of southern African states followed a clear trend. Malawi obtained its independence from Britain on 6 July 1964, Zambia followed suit on 24 October 1964, Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980 and South Africa finally followed suit on 27 April 1994.

The pattern is now repeating itself right before our very eyes with respect to the transfer of power from liberation movements to newer political formations. The winds of change are there to observe for anyone who takes the time to look closely. Liberation parties along with corrupt dominant parties are falling, and this pattern is moving down the map all the way to South Africa.

Malawi was first and 2020 saw the emergence of new leadership, with the Constitutional Court choosing the people over powerful political parties and ordering a new election. 2021 continued that trend line to Zambia, where the people have voted to end the 10-year rule of the Patriotic Front. In spite of efforts by some to frustrate the process, the people of Zambia resoundingly chose Hakainde Hichilema. Next in line is Zimbabwe in the 2023 elections and, finally, the winds of change will blow in South Africa in 2024.

It has become ever more evident that it is important to have all the institutions and infrastructure in place for free and fair elections and for a smooth handover of power. While I was worried that there would be violence and obstructionism in Zambia, my fears have not materialised. It seemed like Edgar Lungu would make things difficult for a moment there – however, he has shown graciousness and accepted defeat. This will allow the president-elect to begin his preparatory work without having to worry about sabotage and distraction.

Having pondered on the events of the past week, I am more convinced than ever that we need to move ahead with electoral reform in South Africa. Our current system is not efficient for accountability. The entire year we have been talking about the ANC Integrity Commission and the ANC National Executive Committee and its decisions with regard to Ace Magashule, Zweli Mkhize and others. We have been doing this because the ANC is holding all the cards and the party determines how government officials are ultimately held to account.

We need to go further; we need direct accountability for the president. In Zambia the president is elected directly; this is also the case in many other countries. Hakainde Hichilema is ultimately accountable to the voters and not just to his political party, the UNDP. He must work out his relationship with the people with fear and trembling because he cannot hide behind the party. He cannot hide behind collective accountability like ANC presidents have done so often. With direct election of the president, there is individual accountability and as a result, better prospects for delivery.

Democracy requires regular change. The equally important dynamic in Zambia is also in the concession made by outgoing president Edgar Lungu. Often people tell me that if the ANC was to lose power, it would lead to an unstable situation in SA. This fearmongering does not help bolster the democratic cause.

In HH we have a new ally for democracy in the region, along with Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera and other democrats in the region.

*Mmusi Maimane is the chief activist of the One South Africa Movement.

Materialism and social status fuelling corruption in Namibia

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Materialism and social status fuelling corruption in Namibia FAUSTINUS SHIKUKUTU

At the dawn of independence and Namibia being the fourth last born of Africa, one would had thought that the country had learned from its older siblings not to repeat their mistakes which had destroyed most African economies and social cohesion.

Although the ACC was introduced in 2003, 13 years after independence, as a preventative measure to corruption, many people by then had already developed a resistance and their ego mutated leading to them to continue infecting others. So resistant and infectious had people become that one hears some say, “If others are doing it, why not me?” People made materialism and social class the primary microscope for social approval. These days driving a flashy car, having a mansion, residing in an affluent suburb or a higher position in society determines one’s status in the public space. These encouraged or continue to invigorate many to engage in corrupt activities to satisfy their egos. Many graduates who enter the job markets with only one or two years of experience and are at times incompetent use corrupt antics to get elevated to higher positions for the sake of social status. The satisfaction of materialism and social class egos lead to many people to embezzle funds to seek social recognition as it can be witnessed by reports of money disappearing in government, private or banking institutions depriving the citizens of needed resources or hard-earned cash.

Corruption is widely seen as one of the biggest barriers to economic growth, investment, and poverty reduction in most developing nations. The World Bank defines corruption as making use of public property or assets for personal benefit (Campos and Pradhan, 2007). Corruption has several faces: bureaucratic corruption, nepotism and patronage, and state capture (Plummer, 2012). It comprises of bribery, nepotism, fraud, and extortion (Özler and Büyükarslan, 2011). In addition, Transparency International postulate that corruption is “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain” (Kolstad et al., 2008). Corruption is a matter of dishonest or illegal behaviour especially by powerful people, including, for instance, public servants or men in uniform. The varying forms and expressions of corruption may, in fact, form an unending list, since new, more sophisticated, subtle or covert forms are pretty sure to arise.

The current state in Namibia is that corruption reflects in virtually all sectors of the society. In some cases, some in the societies celebrate corrupt individuals who enriched themselves through stealing and pilfering of the public funds. This encourages further looting of public funds in glaring desecration of public economic interest and development. The case in some of these sectors with tangible and intangible support for the corrupt elements is that funds earmarked for economic development projects are summarily looted by the political and contractor kleptomaniacs.

In spite of our understandable and frequent focus on monetary exchanges involving government officials and favours, corruption need not involve exchange of money and may be either public or private. Public officials accepting envelopes stuffed with cash to favour bribe-givers in the exercise of official powers are perhaps the central, paradigm case of political corruption. Apart from political corruption which might not be rampant in Namibia, the country is infested by recruitment corruption, where candidates are required to pay cash, cattle or pay with their bodies (sex) to get the job. Yet, surely, corruption may still exist where no money changes hands. Favouritism toward particular persons, groups or interests might be exchanged for other sorts of “inducements”, for instance, reciprocating preferences in hiring, employment advantages or promotions; and favouritism may involve exchange of useful “insider” information. Job interviews are merely used as a formality to blind the public that recruitment procedures were followed while in reality the preferred candidate got the job before attending the interview. Political scientist Michael Johnston argues that “in some corrupt exchanges, such as patronage and nepotism”, “considerable time may elapse between receiving the quid and repaying the quo, and the exchange may be conditioned by many factors other than immediate gain. In public sector for instance, many public servants might spend the whole day scrolling through their cell phones or watch movies on YouTube while files are piling up only waiting for someone who will promise payment to attend to the file. These people are paid their full salary at month end but only do their paid job at a crawling pace. The irony of these corrupt practices is that the lucky ones might evade the system for a long time while the unlucky ones are caught at their first attempt.

One wonders, after accumulating all the wealth and occupying the highest positions in government or private sector through corrupt means, does one feel proud of the achievement or have a guilty conscience? The ethical dilemma is when many people are blinded by these corrupt practices and role-model it. At times the achievement through corrupt means is used as the yardstick for success while those who follow ethical procedures to survive, get a job or attain their possessions are considered failures in life. Better obtain whatever in life ethically rather than having a guilty conscience the rest of your life that you attained things or position corruptly.

* Faustinus Shikukutu is a PhD graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a resident of Kavango East Region.

Council may rule Afghanistan, Taliban to reach out to soldiers, pilots

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Council may rule Afghanistan, Taliban to reach out to soldiers, pilots REUTERS

Afghanistan may be governed by a ruling council now that the Taliban has taken over, while the Islamist militant movement's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, would likely remain in overall charge, a senior member of the group told Reuters.

The Taliban would also reach out to former pilots and soldiers from the Afghan armed forces to join its ranks, Waheedullah Hashimi, who has access to the group's decision-making, added in an interview.

How successful that recruitment is remains to be seen. Thousands of soldiers have been killed by Taliban insurgents over the last 20 years, and recently the group targeted U.S.-trained Afghan pilots because of their pivotal role.

The power structure that Hashimi outlined would bear similarities to how Afghanistan was run the last time the Taliban were in power from 1996 to 2001. Then, supreme leader Mullah Omar remained in the shadows and left the day-to-day running of the country to a council.

Akhundzada would likely play a role above the head of the council, who would be akin to the country's president, Hashimi added.

"Maybe his (Akhundzada's) deputy will play the role of 'president'," Hashimi said, speaking in English.

The Taliban's supreme leader has three deputies: Mawlavi Yaqoob, son of Mullah Omar, Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the powerful militant Haqqani network, and Abdul Ghani Baradar, who heads the Taliban's political office in Doha and is one of the founding members of the group.

Many issues regarding how the Taliban would run Afghanistan have yet to be finalised, Hashimi explained, but Afghanistan would not be a democracy.

"There will be no democratic system at all because it does not have any base in our country," he said. "We will not discuss what type of political system should we apply in Afghanistan because it is clear. It is sharia law and that is it."

Hashimi said he would be joining a meeting of the Taliban leadership that would discuss issues of governance later this week.

On recruiting soldiers and pilots who fought for the ousted Afghan government, Hashimi said the Taliban planned to set up a new national force that would include its own members as well as government soldiers willing to join.

"Most of them have got training in Turkey and Germany and England. So we will talk to them to get back to their positions," he said.

"Of course we will have some changes, to have some reforms in the army, but still we need them and will call them to join us."

Hashimi said the Taliban especially needed pilots because they had none, while they had seized helicopters and other aircraft in various Afghan airfields during their lightning conquest of the country after foreign troops withdrew.

"We have contact with many pilots," he said. "And we have asked them to come and join, join their brothers, their government. We called many of them and are in search of (others') numbers to call them and invite them to their jobs."

Buses disinfected at Walvis Bay taxi rank

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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Buses disinfected at Walvis Bay taxi rank LEANDREA LOUW

WALVIS BAY

The Baywash Group has embarked on an exercise to disinfect local and long-distance taxis as part of its social responsibility.

The group started with the initiative on Friday morning and had disinfected 52 taxis by Friday afternoon.

Janie Coetzee, Baywash Cleaning national pest control manager, said this is the company’s way of giving back to the community.

“It’s a campaign we are running to create awareness about Covid-19. We disinfect the inside of buses, all surfaces and all high-touch areas such as door handles regularly. We use a product approved by the SABS [South African Bureau of Standards].”

According to Coetzee, the campaign is all about involving people. “We should not always wait on the government or the municipality to do something. We are a private company who decided to do something for the community. What better way than to tell our public transport drivers to ensure their passengers travel safely?”

Coetzee jokingly said that the taxi drivers thought they were “men from the moon” upon their arrival because of the protective suits.

“As the day progressed, and with the added cold water and ‘worsbroodjie’ each one received, more drivers came forward. Aside from rendering the service of disinfecting their taxis, we also educated them on why we were there and about the virus.”

This is the second campaign the group has hosted; the first took place in Windhoek where over 200 taxis were disinfected.

“We decided to do the same for Walvis Bay, particularly on a Friday before the buses travelled to the central and northern regions. We all know that we can’t get Covid-19 totally under control, but we can at least give people some peace of mind.”

He said the plan is to do a similar exercise again in Walvis Bay.

“Be safe. Everyone knows the regulations and if you start by taking care of yourself, then you have already made an impact.”

Baywash also provides disinfection services at cheaper rates for vulnerable members of the community.

“There are truly people who are really suffering. There have been quite a number of times where people living in shacks had to deal with Covid, and we disinfected their homes for free in exchange for spreading the word about what we do.”

The general sentiment of the taxi drivers was that they are happy their taxis have been disinfected.

LPM alleges racism at Rosh Pinah SME park

August 19, 2021, 3:00 pm

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LPM alleges racism at Rosh Pinah SME parkComplaints about selection of vendors The Landless People's Movement claims that vendors were not given a fair chance to apply for stall space. ELIZABETH JOSEPH

ROSH PINAH

Rosh Pinah residents say race still plays a big part in the development of the country, and that this has been made evident with the selection of vendors at the newly built small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) park at the town.

According to Landless People's Movement (LPM) chairperson for the constituency, Jimmy Boois, several underlying issues make it difficult for everyone, especially vendors, to enjoy the space.

"The people here in Rosh Pinah are suffering. Countless times, we've seen that preference is given to a certain race, while others are left behind. The closure of the Skorpion Zinc mine has had a devastating effect on us all and yet job opportunities are only given to a certain group of people. The vendors were not given a fair chance to apply for stall space," Boois lamented.

The SME park, which cost the regional council N$1.2 million, was established and opened on 17 June and accommodates just over 50 vendors who share 20 stalls.

In some stalls, there are more than two vendors and they say this is just one of the many concerns they have. No fee is paid by the vendors and nothing has been discussed regarding the matter.

Worried

Community committee member Wilma April said the vendors are worried about their health as well as the quality and safety of their products.

"Sharing such a small space with another person is very uncomfortable. There is no adherence to social distancing despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

“Furthermore, vendors have to compete with each other more than ever to make sure they all make a profit on their products. Each vendor is afraid of what the other may do out of spite to jeopardise their business, and that is a fear no one should have to deal with," she said.

Despite the vendors’ desperate inquiries to the constituency council and pleas to consider their safety, their calls have fallen on deaf ears.

Some of the local traders and other community members have planned a protest and have drawn up a petition demanding answers around the youth development projects by the government, employment and tender allocations, and the exploitation of employees, among other things.

Questions sent to Lazarus Nangolo, Oranjemund constituency councillor, on the process used to allocate stall space at the SME park went unanswere