Namibian Sun

EDITORIAL: Namibia’s child rape crisis Endless, tragic and sickening reports of teenagers and children being raped by people they trust continue to make headlines in Namibia. Many girls fall pregnant at ages when it is clear a crime has been committed and when they should be focusing on their education, not raising a child.

And yet, this crisis that has been unfolding for many, many years seems to never draw the kind of attention and condemnation other topics in our country are sure to attract immediately and heatedly.

There are various reasons offered by experts why Namibia is grappling with a severe child rape crisis. Poverty makes people vulnerable. Vulnerability can be easily exploited. And, in Namibia, there is no doubt that it is.

Older men prey on young girls in exchange for the very basics: Food, pads, school materials, clothes. We laugh, we ridicule, and ultimately, we accept this as a norm. That is inexcusable. These culprits should be publicly shamed and their actions should have severe, immediate legal consequences.

In their wake, these men leave girls who will struggle with a host of psychosocial problems for years to come, and often have children who also become caged in a cycle of poverty, again exposed to men who abuse their vulnerability.

Smith-Howard not suspended – IPCAccused Itula of ruling ‘with an iron fist’ Despite the councillor saying the leader of the party ‘autocratically’ suspended her, IPC’s general secretary denied this, saying Smith-Howard remains a member of the party.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says its member and the chairperson of the Erongo regional council Ciske Smith-Howard has not been suspended.

This follows reports last week that Smith-Howard had been suspended by the party.

Clarifying matters, IPC said Smith-Howard was simply retrained.

Smith-Howard told the party’s leadership that she did not like the manner in which Henties Bay council member Siegfried //Garoeb had conducted himself, while her residence in the Swakopmund constituency had also been questioned.

//Garoeb faced scrutiny for having allegedly been previously fired by the same town council where he worked, for maladministration.

“I just think IPC cannot allow an official who was fired from that council to be now in charge of it. It’s a simple principle of governance,” she said on the Evening Review show last week.

They said, she said

“Under no circumstances and in no manner whatsoever has Patriot Ciske been suspended from her membership of the IPC nor her membership of the Erongo regional council and any portfolio she holds thereunder,” IPC’s national general secretary Christine Aochamus said.

She added that Smith-Howard remained a member of the IPC.

“Patriot Ciske remains a full member of the IPC party and bound by her oath of membership. Oath of members of the legislative and is bound by the IPC constitutional provisions while the investigations are being conducted,” Aochamus added.

Smith-Howard last week said IPC president Panduleni Itula is ruling IPC with an iron fist and according to his own whims.

“Itula autocratically suspended me. We met in Windhoek this week and he went ahead with his decision without consultation with the party’s collective leadership,” she said.

“I am disappointed in Dr Itula. He’s not the man I thought he was. He does not subscribe to the principle of consultative leadership. I am disillusioned and disappointed in [his] leadership.”

Flying green will be more expensiveUS$1.55 trillion needed Higher prices would mark a big change for a sector that was once the preserve of the rich but gradually became accessible to more people. It's clear that sustainability and our industry's ability to meet the targets that are being set is the biggest single challenge that we face. - Pauls Calitis, COO: airBaltic

Tangi Quemener - Under huge pressure to go green, the aviation industry needs to spend billions of dollars to become more climate-friendly in what risks ramping up fares and making air travel the preserve of the rich once again.

Like many countries, airlines the world over have pledged net-zero emissions by 2050 as has the European Union, putting pressure on the aviation industry among other sectors.

The 27-member bloc also wants to tax kerosene.

All of this will come at an unprecedented cost for the industry.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), whose 290 member airlines make up 82% of global air traffic, estimates that the industry's green transition will cost "around 1.55 trillion dollars."

In order to make that transition, airlines need to invest in the latest planes, more efficient than their current fleets.

Airbus for one hopes to see aircraft running on hydrogen, which emits not pollution when burned, enter service by 2035.

Meanwhile, a production chain for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that the EU is going to make compulsory in incremental proportions needs to be created almost from scratch.

IATA hopes to accomplish two-thirds of its emissions reductions by using SAFs -- non-conventional fuels derived from organic products including cooking oil and algae.

PRICES

Fuel currently represents between 20% and 30% of airline costs.

But SAFs are, "as things stand, three times more expensive for [those using] used [recycled] oils, five times more expensive for biomass and five to ten times more expensive for synthetic fuels", Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, France's transport minister, told AFP.

He said it was crucial to "scale up production to bring down prices."

Patrick Pouyanne, the head of oil and gas giant TotalEnergies, which is producing SAF, warned earlier this year that the cost of these non-conventional fuels were far from matching less expensive conventional ones.

"The energy and ecological transition will have to be financed not only by airlines or energy companies, but also by the whole chain, including customers," he said.

Djebbari added that flight prices could rise "in the short term."

COMPETITION

He warned that the pandemic could also see many airlines disappear, thus reducing competition and pushing prices up.

Higher prices would mark a big change for a sector that was once the preserve of the rich but gradually became accessible to more people, even if it still excludes up to 95% of the global population.

In 1970, 310 million air trips were taken, according to the World Bank.

In 2019, that figure stood at 4.4 billion.

And despite the pandemic, IATA is banking on the figure rising to 10 billion in 2050.

IATA says the cost of air transport has plunged by 96% since 1950 thanks to the introduction of jets in the 1960s, which led to dramatic industry growth, and the 1978 deregulation of the sector in the United States.

It adds that this "downward trend continues due to improved technology and efficiency as well as strong competition."

Right now, flight prices are also being pushed down in many regions as demand for air travel only timidly recovers from the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic.

DROWNING IN DEBT

Airlines are not in good posture, drowning in debt and struggling to get cash flowing again.

So how are they going to finance a green transition that cannot be delayed as the world faces the catastrophic effects of climate change?

"It's clear that sustainability and our industry's ability to meet the targets that are being set is the biggest single challenge that we face," Pauls Calitis, chief operating officer of Latvia's low-cost airBaltic airline, said at a recent symposium in Brussels.

With airlines financially fragile, the "money is going to have to come from someone", said Bertrand Mouly-Aigrot, a partner at Archery Strategy Consulting which specialises in the aerospace and energy industries, at a recent event.

Making the customer pay "might not be a bad idea," he added. – Nampa/AFP

New whistleblower accuses FB of wrongdoing

San Francisco - A former Facebook worker reportedly told US authorities Friday the platform has put profits before stopping problematic content, weeks after another whistleblower helped stoke the firm's latest crisis with similar claims.

The unnamed new whistleblower filed a complaint with US financial regulator Securities and Exchange Commission that could add to the company's woes, said a Washington Post report.

Facebook has faced a storm of criticism over the past month after former employee Frances Haugen leaked internal studies showing the company knew of potential harm stoked by its sites, prompting US lawmakers' to renew a push for regulation.

In the SEC complaint, the new whistleblower recounts alleged statements from 2017, when the company was deciding how to handle the controversy related to Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

"It will be a flash in the pan. Some legislators will get pissy. And then in a few weeks they will move onto something else. Meanwhile we are printing money in the basement, and we are fine," Tucker Bounds, a member of Facebook's communications team, was quoted in the complaint as saying, The Washington Post reported.

‘PROFITS OVER SAFETY’

The second whistleblower signed the complaint on October 13, a week after Haugen's scathing testimony before a Senate panel, according to the report.

Haugen told lawmakers that Facebook put profits over safety, which led her to leak reams of internal company studies that underpinned a damning Wall Street Journal series.

The Washington Post reported the new whistleblowers SEC filing claims the social media giant's managers routinely undermined efforts to combat misinformation and other problematic content for fear of angering then US president Donald Trump or for turning off the users who are key to profits.

Erin McPike, a Facebook spokeswoman, said the article was "beneath the Washington Post, which during the last five years would only report stories after deep reporting with corroborating sources."

Facebook has faced previous firestorms of controversy, but that has not translated into substantial new US legislation to regulate social media. – Nampa/AFP

Nigeria launches eNaira

Nigeria today launches a digital currency, the eNaira, months after it barred banks and financial institutions from dealing in or facilitating transactions in cryptocurrencies. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele has said the eNaira would operate as a wallet against which customers can hold existing funds in their bank account. "The eNaira therefore marks a major step forward in the evolution of money and the CBN is committed in ensuring that the eNaira, like the physical Naira, is accessible by everyone," the bank said in a statement. Photo Nampa/Reuters

Queen's baton to arrive in NamibiaBirmingham, here we come! The baton is scheduled to travel for 294?days and will connect communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, while embracing unique?cultures and sharing stories.?

NAMPA

The Namibian leg of the 16th?official Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games was launched last Wednesday.

The relay across 72 Commonwealth nations started earlier this month after Queen?Elizabeth II placed her message?to the Commonwealth?into the?baton, which will travel across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas.

Namibia, which is hosting the relay for the sixth time, will have its tour from 13 to 16 November in Windhoek and the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

Speaking during the launch, deputy British high commissioner Charlotte Fenton said the Commonwealth Games will present an opportunity to enhance trade cooperation in the Commonwealth.

“The UK and Namibia are working to increase bilateral trade opportunities between our two countries. Events held whilst the baton is here in Namibia will provide a perfect opportunity to showcase what Namibia has to offer,” she said.

She added that athletes participating in the games will build on the success of the Olympics that saw Namibians running personal bests and setting new national records.

Shine bright

“Birmingham 2022 is set to be another opportunity to see the best of Namibian athletes shining brightly in the world. Some 6 500 athletes and team officials from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories will attend the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Fenton said.

Speaking at the same occasion, president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee Abner Xoagub said the Commonwealth Games journey will?ignite hope,?solidarity?and collaboration for the next generation.

“The relay for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games started on 7 October and is on its journey to span 140 000 kilometres.

“With only nine months left, we are hopeful that many of our athletes and their support staff will join in to make this an unforgettable experience,” he said.

Support netball dreams Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

The netball fraternity, which has often been a stepchild and sport code that receives less attention, has proven that it is evolving and turning into a sport code of glory and progress.

Today we sit with an active Netball Premier League sponsored by MTC and regional leagues that are still gasping for survival.

MTC’s N$4.5 million sponsorship for a period of three years was really something special for the code after it went years without a fixed sponsorship.

This was a fraternity on its knees and a sport code that had so many dreams deferred due to the lack of funding.

One thing that has, however, impressed me the most in this fraternity is the never-say-die attitude of many administrators who have been part of this sport.

In the past decades, most sponsorships and attention has gone to football, rugby, hockey and cricket and others.

This, however, didn’t deter those with the passion to keep the torch of netball dreams burning.

Today, Namibian netball sits with a league that is administered in a way that is closer to professional than football ever has been.

Today, netball Namibia has seen so many young people getting involved in the sport and making a living from it.

It is for these reasons I am urging corporate Namibia to come on board and join those who have already started investing in the sport.

Yes, the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League appears to be sorted, given the sponsorship they get, but they will definitely need more to turn the sport professional.

Things in pictures and newspapers might also look fine for the lower divisions, but I tell you, these organisers are not having it easy.

The lower divisions are still trying their best to survive because they do not have the financial muscle to pull and support the upper leagues as far as the journey towards professional netball is concerned.

The lower divisions often struggle with sufficient courts and equipment due to the lack of funding.

Teams playing in these leagues also face the difficulty of not being able to pay officials due to the unavailability of resources.

I have also observed that netball players and their coaching staff are sometimes forced to dig money out of their own pockets to pay for transportation when teams are travelling.

Many of these teams have unemployed players who have to make their way to training grounds.

It is for these reasons I appeal to the corporate world to rescue a sport that has been struggling to get adequate funding for many years.

It will not make sense if we professionalise the top league and fund it but the lower leagues which pave way to the top league are not funded.

This will definitely broaden the gap between those who are at highest level and those trying to get there.

That is why I find it important that administrators strike a balance between the different leagues in order to pull in one direction.

The most important thing here is to have more players go through the ranks to give the national team coaches more options.

Netball in other countries is a sport which many athletes make a living from and we have had our own local players exported to big foreign leagues as well.

It is why I am sure that the sport code can serve as a gateway out of poverty for many Namibians who are talented enough to catch the international eye when given the chance to perform.

Let us do whatever it takes together as Namibian corporates to make sure that the dreams of young girls who aspire to become top professional are supported from the start.

- jesse@namibiansun.com

Learners don maize sacks for misbehaving TUYEIMO HAIDULA

OSHAKATI

Learners at Omuthiyagwiipundi Combined School in Omuthiya are forced to wear maize sacks each time they misbehave at school, a punishment deemed fit by their teachers.

Parents and some community members raised the issue recently, accusing the teachers of abusing their children.

It is alleged that the learners are dressed in cut up maize sacks with the words “I am dangerous” and “I have a boyfriend” written in blue capital letters.

Others read: “I am too hyper and I have no manners”. The learners reportedly have to wear the sacks to class for the whole week to avoid committing whatever transgression again.

The parents argued that the victims of the alleged punishment have been left with the psychological trauma of having to wear these words around and feel humiliated.

Shortly after independence, the Namibian Supreme Court found that the use of corporal punishment in schools violates the constitutional right to dignity of learners.

The Education Act of 2001 also forbids the use of corporal punishment in state or private schools. The debate has resurfaced over the years, with some teachers and parents wanting the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools.

However, education executive director Sanet Steenkamp has reiterated that corporal punishment is a subject of controversy and the ministry will never change its stance on it.

Humiliation

Oshikoto education director Aletta Eises condemned the practice, saying the ministry is moving away from the humiliation of learners, instead focusing on teaching children in a culture of care.

Eises on Thursday said she only learnt about the children’s form of punishment through social media.

She said the inspector of education of the circuit in which the school falls attended to the matter and the principal submitted a report, which her office received on Wednesday.

“The directorate condemns this type of behaviour from any of our staff members. This is humiliating the children and can have far-reaching consequences regarding the mental health of the said learner.

“We requested documentary proof of the support the learners receive to change their behaviour,” she said.

Eises added that they also requested counselling reports from the school and are still waiting.

Safe discipline

She said the ministry has guiding documents for disciplinary actions schools should implement.

“We have discipline within a safe school framework,” she said.

She added that stakeholders and parents should approach the principal’s office or consult the school board with such issues, as “social media will just further expose the child and not resolve the challenge”.

Eises further said the ministry has procedures in place to deal with misconduct, and the matter will be addressed as per those procedures.

- tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Namibia bans use of Sputnik vaccine

NAMPA

WINDHOEK

The health ministry has banned the use of Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, after safety concerns were raised about it making men more susceptible to HIV.

A statement issued by the ministry's executive director, Ben Nangombe, said the ministry became aware of a media release issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on 18 October, on the outcome of a data review submitted by Lamar International. The data indicated concerns with the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in populations at risk of HIV infection and with high presence of pre-existing Ad-specific neutralising antibodies in the general population.

Namibia received a donation of 15 000 doses of Component 1 and 15 000 doses of Component 2 of the Sputnik vaccine from the Serbian government earlier this year, which resulted in the vaccine being rolled out to certain vaccination sites in the country from 18 September.

As of 20 October, 108 doses of Component 1 and seven doses of Component 2 had been administered.

According to SAHPRA, the vaccine technology used by Sputnik were halted in the past due to the Ad5 vector vaccine being associated with enhanced susceptibility or acquisition of HIV in men.

“The ministry will discontinue the use of Sputnik V vaccine in the national vaccination programme with immediate effect until it has received the World Health Organisation emergency use listing,” Nangombe noted.

Social worker allegedly impregnates minor seeking helpVictim pregnant with second child at 16 A girl has allegedly been raped and impregnated by social worker assigned to support her after she was raped and fell pregnant at just 14.

Kenya Kambowe

RUNDU

A 42-year-old social worker was arrested last week, accused of raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl who was assigned into his care after she was raped, fell pregnant and gave birth at just 14.

The girl is now pregnant with her second child.

Markus Nairenge Kaundu was released on N$5 000 bail after his first appearance before Magistrate Barry Mufana at the Kahenge Periodic Court on Wednesday, the day after his arrest last week.

The victim’s guardian did not object to bail being granted.

According to a preliminary police investigation, Kaundu, a gender ministry social worker based at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region, raped the victim between November 2020 and May this year.

Kaundu met the victim after she was referred to him for counselling when she became pregnant, after being raped by another unknown perpetrator, at the age of 14.

The matter was reported in August and following police investigations, Kaundu was arrested last Tuesday in Nkurenkuru. The case has been postponed to 12 January 2022.

The victim is from Mutengo village.

According to the police, Kaundu denied the allegations.

A national crisis

Veronica Theron, gender and protection child protection specialist within the Office of the First Lady, yesterday said “child rape in Namibia remains a national crisis, but is not treated as such”.

She said in the case of the minor in question, if the allegations are true, urgent interventions for her well-being should be made.

“The multiple trauma and long-term effects of the alleged abuse and exploitation should be considered and the child concerned should get priority attention from someone she can trust. “Apart from psychosocial support, the child should be properly prepared for court proceedings to minimise the secondary trauma this may cause.”

She said the gender ministry must act as a matter of urgency in the interest of the child, and conduct a thorough assessment of the girl’s overall needs as a survivor, and the allocation of an experienced case worker should be prioritised.

Theron underlined that in a majority of child rape cases in Namibia, perpetrators are known to the victims, and use their positions of trust to “prey on innocent, vulnerable children”.

She said persons entrusted to care for vulnerable minors often take advantage of their position of trust. They might ask for sexual favours in return for assisting minors financially.

Theron condemned the alleged abuse and rape of the minor, adding that “social work is seen as a helping profession, it’s where we refer children at risk and children in need of protection”.

She underlined that those appointed to work with children need to be extensively vetted before recruitment, especially as they are placed to work with vulnerable persons.

Raped by brother

Meanwhile, Namibian Sun on Friday reported that 554 learners from schools in Kavango West fell pregnant in 2020, of which the youngest is 12.

On Sunday, the Namibian police announced that four rape cases involving minor girls were reported over the weekend, including a case in which a 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her brother.

Another case involved a 10-year-old victim, and the third involved two girls, aged 16 and 17, who were raped by two men.

kenya@namibiansun.com

BoN’s Covid relief measures amendedPolicy extended until April 2023 The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has amended some key provisions of the Determination on Policy Changes in Response to Economic and Financial Stability Challenges to avoid the premature exit of Covid-19 relief measures. Whilst banking institutions remain adequately capitalised and profitable, prolonged economic distress, beyond the initially considered timelines, require amendments with respect to remedial measures. – Johannes !Gawaxab, Governor: BoN

Jo-Maré Duddy – The loan repayment moratorium provided in the Bank of Namibia’s pandemic relief policy has been revised from the current six to 24 months to a period of one to 24 months, removing any inconsistent treatment of moratoria of less than six months.

The central bank on Friday said it has “proactively” decided to amend some key provisions of the Determination on Policy Changes in Response to Economic and Financial Stability Challenges, also known as BID-33. The Bank of Namibia (BoN) implemented BID-33 on 1 April 2020 to deal with and mitigate the risks to the economy as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

BID-33 has been revised to remain in place for an additional twelve months, until 1 April 2023. This presents an effective period of 36 months as opposed to the initial 24 months to support businesses and individuals from the adverse and negative effect of Covid-19 unless the determination is revoked in writing, the BoN said.

“The bank is committed to ensure that no early withdrawal of the Covid-19 relief measures would be considered without due assessment and analysis of the potential impact on the banking industry, individual households and businesses,” BoN governor Johannes !Gawaxab said.

The factors that necessitated the amendments include the ongoing macroeconomic strain and the uncertainty surrounding emerging Covid-19 variants and their concomitant impact on the economic activities at large, which continue to delay economic recovery, !Gawaxab said.

“Whilst banking institutions remain adequately capitalised and profitable, prolonged economic distress, beyond the initially considered timelines, require amendments with respect to remedial measures,” he added.

PUNITIVE MEASURES

Banking institutions are not allowed to charge clients higher, punitive interest rates, in excess of the initial contractual interest rate, following the expiration of any Covid-19 related loan moratorium imposed, !Gawaxab said.

“Similarly, banking institutions are only allowed to charge an administrative fee of the extension of a loan moratorium at the initial extension, whereafter no administrative fee or charge for the rollover of the facility may be charged to a customer,” he added.

To ensure that banking customers are not unduly impacted by negative credit bureau listing as a result of the implementation of BID-33, banking institutions, as credit providers, should not report those benefitting from a loan moratorium rolled over for less than 12 months as delinquent to credit bureaus, !Gawaxab stipulated.

The BoN believes that the changes to the Covid-19 relief measures on the banking industry and its customers will enable banking institutions to better play their role in supporting the economy and their customers during these challenging circumstances, he said.

The central bank will continue to closely monitor developments and response of banking institutions to these measures in order to ensure and maintain a sound monetary and financial system in Namibia amid economic challenges posed by Covid-19 outbreak, !Gawaxab concluded.

IMF sees meagre growth for Namibia

The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Africa's economic rebound from pandemic-induced shrinkage would be weaker than in the rest of the world in 2021 and 2022.

In its latest Regional Economic Outlook, released on Thursday, the IMF projects economic growth of 1.3% for Namibia this year, following an historic -8.5% in 2020. The IMF’s 2022 growth forecast for the country is 3.6%.

Low rates of vaccination against Covid-19 across the continent top the list of reasons for the slower recovery, the Washington-based institution said in its biannual report on the region.

Growth for Sub-Saharan Africa should reach 3.7% in 2021 and 3.8% in 2022, "a welcome but relatively modest recovery," the IMF said in its forecasts.

Those figures would nevertheless be "the slowest in the world given that the developed economies will grow by more than five percent and the emerging or developing countries by more than six percent," it added.

VACCINES

With just 2.5% of people vaccinated against Covid-19, "lockdowns have been the sole option for containing the virus," said IMF Africa chief Abebe Aemro Selassie.

Even though 12 billion doses of vaccine are to be produced in 2021, it will likely take more than a year for a significant number of Africans to be vaccinated, the Fund added.

Although Africa has been the region of the world least affected by the pandemic, it has also experienced several successive waves of the coronavirus, and "there is little reason to believe that there won't be repeated waves going forward", Selassie said.

He blamed "stockpiling by advanced economies, export restrictions by major vaccine manufacturing countries, and demands for booster shots in advanced economies" for shortages in Africa that could continue for the foreseeable future.

Selassie added that "international cooperation on vaccination is critical to address the threat of repeated waves.

"This would help prevent the divergent recovery paths of sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world from hardening and becoming permanent fault lines, which would jeopardise decades of hard-won social and economic progress."

COUNTRIES

In South Africa, growth should reach five percent this year, better than expected, but return to a more modest level (+ 2.2%) next year for want of structural reforms, according to the IMF.

The Nigerian economy is expected to grow by 2.6% thanks to high oil prices, even if production will remain below pre-Covid levels. The IMF predicts 2.7% growth in Africa's most populous country in 2022.

In Angola, another economy that relies heavily on oil, the IMF forecasts a 0.7% GDP contraction in 2021, before growth of 2.7% in 2022, ending six consecutive years of recession.

In tourism-dependent countries such as Cape Verde, Mauritius, The Gambia or the Seychelles, growth has returned to pre-Covid levels but the losses sustained in 2020 will be difficult to erase.

Meanwhile the most fragile economies include Sahel nations facing jihadist insurgency or political tensions, like Chad and Guinea.

The security situation there could "shake the expected rebound in consumption and investor confidence," the IMF warned. – Own report and Nampa/AFP

Eagles flying high on T20 World Cup success Cricket team making history Having had its wings clipped on many occasions with a lack of funding and defeats, Namibia’s cricket national team continues to rise despite the odds.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

A small nation with a population of about three million, Namibia’s cricket national team has achieved the unthinkable, qualifying for the next round of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi after beating nations of larger populations with better sport funding.

Namibia’s victories not only show how talented the squad is, but signalled the determination and character of the team. The country’s triumph over Ireland last Friday also secured an automatic qualification towards the 2022 Cricket World Cup.

The results were the icing on a cake marking a bumpy ride towards the progress of a national team that has come of age and rubbed shoulders with the elites of world cricket.

The journey towards the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup began when they beat Oman by 54 runs in Dubai on a Tuesday evening in 2019.

This is the Namibian team’s second bite at the world cup apple after having qualified to the 2003 competition hosted in South Africa.

The team made its one-day international (ODI) debut that year, but failed to win a match.

Shaky start

The Eagles have, however, grown since last world cup showing, participating in numerous international cups, the World Cricket League (WCL) and the ICC World 2020 qualifiers.

Blessed with talented batsman and bowlers with a spin as strong as a whirlwind, the team eventually worked its way up after finishing second at the 2019 WCL Division Two tournament, securing ODI status and qualifying for the 2019–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.

Finishing fourth at the 2019 T20 World Cup qualifiers was enough to book them a place at this year’s competition.

A shaky start against Sri Lanka, which resulted in a seven-wicket defeat, saw the Eagles’ wings clipped in the first match, but the men bounced back in the second match, beating Netherlands by six wickets with six balls remaining.

Friday’s battle against Ireland was set up like a cup final because only the winner could join Sri Lanka in the Super 12.

It was a test the Namibian Eagles passed with a distinction after winning by eight wickets with nine balls remaining.

Captain Gerhard Erasmus, who has been part of the team’s journey for many years, beamed with pride after his team’s victory.

“I said in the press conference that we run a tight ship. Small country, small number of people who play cricket.

“We should be proud of ourselves. I count on my senior men to stand up when the pressure is on. And two of us did it tonight. Hopefully we can do it through the tournament,” he said.

“It hasn't sunk in yet. Maybe tomorrow, or next week, or on the way home,” Erasmus said.

Bigger test ahead

Ranked 19th in the world, Namibia will, however, now have to pause their celebrations and focus on what is to be the biggest test in the careers of the players and coaching staff.

The Eagles are set to fly in enemy territory on foreign land and this time they face some of the biggest nations in cricket history.

Scotland (ranked 13th), Afghanistan (10th), Pakistan (sixth), New Zealand (first) and India (fourth) will be Namibia’s next opponents over the next few weeks.

On paper, the Eagles will go in as the underdogs in all matches, which may place less pressure on the players.

Namibia would probably place their bets on beating Scotland who are just six places above them in the rankings.

The rest of the games, however, are bound to appear gargantuan, given the experience and amount of talent the other nations have at the moment.

Nation proud

Namibia Sports Commission Chief Administrator (NSC) Freddy Mwiya lauded the team for its efforts.

“I would like to congratulate Namibia for the job they have done because they have made us all proud.

“We wish them the best going into the next matches of the competition,” he said.

Namibia’s fixtures

Wednesday, 27 October: Scotland vs Namibia - 16:00

Sunday, 31 October: Afghanistan vs Namibia - 12:00

Tuesday, 2 November: Pakistan vs Namibia - 16:00

Friday, 5 November: New Zealand vs Namibia - 12:00

Monday, 8 November: India vs Namibia 16:00.

Unam continues to grow and strengthen the country’s education sector Unam collaborates with University of Oxford for astronomy online course

Desiree Gases

Astro-tourism is a night-time activity that complements traditional tourist activities. Fixed or mobile observatories that can be set up with good quality telescopes. Astro-tour guides can be trained locally and monthly night sky updates can be provided to highlight local delights. Astro-tourism is increasingly becoming the next frontier of nature-based tourism, however, with light pollution on the rise, finding dark and starry skies is slowly becoming a great challenge, a subject area the Universities of Namibia and Oxford online course focuses on.

Astro-tourism will allow the Unam group to become globally competitive in the field of very-high-energy (VHE) astrophysics. The astro-tourism course at Unam, titled ‘Introduction to Astronomy and Astro-tourism’ took place between 24 August and 21 September 2021. The e-learning provided several hundred participants with relevant and theoretical information on astro-tourism in the context of Southern Africa, mainly for local guides to implement and to educate the general public.

John Haufiku, the acting director of Unam, said: “We see the importance in astro-tourism being a low-cost means to increase tourism experience and, hence, revenue; even at grassroots level. The pristine night skies of Namibia are still an underutilised natural resource.”

The development aspects of the project arise from the capacity-building that will follow from growing the size and capabilities of the physics department at Unam, as desired by the Namibian authorities, along with specific targeted activities by the postdocs that will guarantee short-term impact, in high-school education and tourism.

This project was led by Prof. Garret Cotter (University of Oxford), Prof. Michael Backes, and Dr Eli Kasai (both University of Namibia), and the course was facilitated by Dr Hannah Dalgleish (University of Namibia and University of Oxford) and Dr Meghan Hughes (University of Oxford). The project was funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund and Exeter College, Oxford in the UK and supported by the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD) and the Namibia Scientific Society.

Astro-tourism summarises activities like stargazing, sharing indigenous star lore, visiting observatories and other astronomy-related sites, and doing astrophotography.

The online course covered the topics of:

Introduction to astronomy;

Astronomy facilities and research in Southern Africa;

Astronomy and astro-tourism for development;

Stargazing and indigenous astronomy; and

Light pollution and dark sky conservation.

The course received 864 registrations, including 295 from Namibia and 77 from South Africa. The majority of registrations came from a tourism (35%) or astronomy (28%) background. People residing in Namibia and South Africa retained a high participation throughout.

To obtain a certificate for their attendance, the participants had to complete some homework assignments and 231 participants were awarded certificates.

“Overall, the course reached the desired audience and was thoroughly enjoyed by many,” said Dr Backes, senior lecturer in the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Material Science.

WHCC hosts open day Windhoek Hospitality Culinary College (WHCC) created the perfect opportunity for students to visit the culinary college and get a real feel for what life as a student is really like.

Desiree Gases

Open days are organised by many tertiary institutions to give you the chance to visit and experience the institution first-hand. They help you to make decisions on what and where you'd like to study and can usually tell you more about the institution than a prospectus.

On 19 October, Windhoek Hospitality Culinary College held an open day once again. The aim was to opens doors to prospective students, to provide them with an opportunity to gather more information about WHCC as an institution and letting them take a good look at the learning facilities like the kitchen, library, student computer centre, court yard, admin offices, bar/restaurant, front office and social spaces. The prospective students got to meet the WHCC administration team, speak to lecturers to get a better idea about the potential diploma or certificate programme and life on campus. They also got the opportunity to practice table setting etiquette, led by lecturer Reinhardt Stanley, an informative practice where Stanley showed the students the place settings that serve as maps, which would be giving you a glimpse of the food you are about to enjoy. Stanley taught the students that you know what you're being served by the setting of the table. WHCC’S open days are always a great way to help prospective students decide if the college is the right fit for them.

Some open days are still being held virtually because of the pandemic. Tertiary institutions like WHCC have made an effort to offer as much of an authentic experience as possible. WHCC runs open days throughout the year.

If you believe in it, the mind can achieve it

Esther Nantana

I started university on 20 September. I am doing a masters in public health and health promotion, which is a one-year course at Swansea University, in Swansea city, Wales.

I chose this specific course because it has the aspect of health promotion which speaks to going beyond just understanding what public health is but also bringing it into the communities and Swansea University has that aspect I was looking for in a course about public health. I also like the fact that this university’s research is acclaimed for making real-life impact and that they are not only focused on teaching and learning but also on how those teachings can really apply in real life.

The process of applying to a foreign country was quite convenient and everything was done online. I am at this university with the Chevening Scholarship. When applying, the first thing I did was to look for the course I wanted to study and then I did research on the various universities offering it and the contents of their modules on their respective websites. I chose the university that offered exactly what I was looking for in public health.

When it comes to the challenges I face, I’ve been finding it a bit difficult to settle in because I am still busy understanding how things work on this side of the world. Things like the systems of transport, learning the bus routes and the times the buses come because back home things are simpler because you just take a taxi. Another challenge would be the way the studies are delivered, it is very different, and all my classes are scheduled to be virtual until the end of the year. I am someone who likes to be in class to be able to ask questions directly and engage with the lecturer.

For first years or matric learners who aspire to study abroad, I would advise you to be open to the different ways in which education can be delivered. Use the resources the institutions provide to improve your studies and, most importantly, believe in yourself and that you are able to excel and succeed.

Coleman given freedom to taunt oppositionDifference maker Woody Jacobs is a happy man after his side entered the second round of the 2022 AWCON qualifiers to be played earlier next year. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

The head coach of the Brave Gladiators, Woody Jacobs, has received praise for his coaching style after his side beat Tanzania 5-3 on aggregate to progress to the second round of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers.

Jacobs, who took over the women’s senior team in August, said the players needed to be given freedom to perform their tasks.

With that, he strategically allowed his leading goal poacher, Spain-based Zenatha Coleman, to roam freely to taunt and punish the opposition. She ended up scoring the five goals for the side.

In the first leg played in Tanzania on 20 October, Coleman scored a brace (2-1). In the second leg played on 23 October, she scored a hat-trick at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto (3-2) to send Namibia into the second round.

Jacobs, however, attributed the team’s success to a collective effort from everyone.

“It was a team effort. We still needed to defend and to provide the chances for her to score.

“She is a difference maker and because she is such a stellar performer, we provided that freedom for her to be able to score.

“I believe that the team individually and collectively has grown in leaps and bounds. She played with a lot of freedom, unlike in the past when she was marked out of matches and that freedom was provided by the team. So, in a nutshell, she is vital for the team, but she is part of the team and they both fit into each other,” said Jacobs.

He added that between now and February, the team will play friendlies in order to keep the momentum going.

“I don’t want us to lose this momentum and I want us to go on a talent identification drive and have more girls from what we have. The pool of players must be made bigger,” he added.

He said another playmaker, Thomalina Adams, and goal poacher, Anna Shikesho, were sidelined by injury but they are also players the team can depend on.

The Gladiators will now meet the winner of the match between Zambia and Malawi in February.

Four teams which make it out of the qualifiers will book a place in the expanded 32-team global final 2023 Women’s Fifa World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand.

The sides that end fifth and sixth will play in the inter-continental qualifiers that could see Africa having as many as six representatives.

Ambunda announces retirement JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Former boxing world champion Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda yesterday announced his retirement from professional boxing.

The boxer has been inactive since his last defeat in May 2019, when he surrendered his world super bantamweight belt to Stephen Fulton.

He was due to fight again in 2020 but the fight did not take place after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic brought sports to halt.

The 41-year-old Ambunda, who made his professional debut 14 years ago, has made up his mind about returning to the ring.

“Yes, I have not told the media yet, but today I think I would officially like to announce my retirement.

“I have a seven-year-old son who is showing great promise already and I will have to dedicate most of my time making sure that I pass on my skills to him.

“It is not always an easy decision to make but at the end of the day, I am getting old,” Ambunda said.

Great career

Ambunda is regarded as one of Namibia’s best bantamweight boxers after claiming two world titles during his illustrious boxing career.

Before turning professional Ambunda won a silver medal at flyweight at the 2004 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, and represented Namibia at the 2004 Olympics where he lost in the quarterfinals.

His first professional fight took place on 30 June 2007 in Swakopmund, where he beat Johannes Gabriel on points.

The boxer has won a total of 16 bantamweight titles with two of them being a WBO world title and an IBO super bantamweight world title.

Ambunda bows out with a record of 27 wins in 30 professional fights with only three losses.

Later known as ‘El Jesus’ towards the end of his career, he won 11 of his 27 fights by knockout and has never lost a fight by TKO since turning professional.

Early life

Ambunda was born on a windy day at the Omusimboti village east of Oshakati in August, 41 years ago.

When he was a child, boxing for Ambunda was something he only used to hear over the radio, but never had an interest in.

Ambunda started school in 1986 at Omusimboti Combined School where football was much more popular than boxing.

He enjoyed playing football on the dusty fields of his home village with his young friends while they were supposed to be herding cattle.

His life took a turn for the better in 1994 when he decided to move from the north to Windhoek in search of greener pastures.

Coming to Windhoek meant that the boxer had access to television and that is how his interest in boxing grew.

He then joined several boxing clubs where he always showed commitment and dedication.

Grateful

“I am so grateful for all the people that played a part in my life as a boxer, including the sponsors that made it possible for me to fight.

“I have to say thank you to guys like Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias, Kiriata Kamanya and Imms Moses for believing in me.

“All the coaches that played an important role in my life are also appreciated,” Ambunda added.

He encouraged MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Boxing and Fitness Academy, MTC Salute Boxing Academy, AC Boxing Gym and other gyms to continue unearthing talent.

“Namibia is a country rich in talent and one would like to believe there are more boxers to come and shine.”

New Lexus LX available in SA next yearExceptional comfort The LX has sold a cumulative total of approximately 500 000 units in more than 50 countries and regions as of the end of August 2021.

As the second model of the next generation of Lexus following the NX, Lexus held the world premiere of the new LX in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The new LX, which embodies the brand's commitment to meeting the diversifying needs and lifestyles of customers, is scheduled to go on sale in South Africa in the first quarter of 2022.

Since its establishment in 1989, Lexus has always been committed to the spirit of innovation and has continued to take up the challenge of providing new technologies and value to its customers. Since its launch in 1996, the LX has been well received as Lexus’ flagship SUV due to its high-quality, ride comfort, and driving performance that can withstand all kinds of roads around the world. This has been achieved by refining the founding concepts of the LX: “reliability”, “durability”, and “rough-road driving performance”. The LX has sold a cumulative total of approximately 500 000 units in more than 50 countries and regions as of the end of August 2021. It’s worth mentioning that in South Africa, the LX does considerably well in the market too.

The new LX is designed to provide vehicle occupants with exceptional comfort and enrich their life experiences. While maintaining a traditional body-on-frame structure to ensure reliability, durability, and driving performance, it renews its characteristics by adopting the new GA-F platform, realising a weight reduction of approximately 200 kg, and achieving a digitally-developed high-rigidity body.

The new LX will be available with a high-output, high-torque 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo petrol engine and a powerful 3.3-litre V6 diesel twin-turbo engine.

Electronically controlled brakes (ECB) and an electric power steering system (EPS) are also adopted to ensure customers will be able to enjoy Lexus-unique driving performance to the fullest, both on-road and off-road. These innovations, plus the adoption of two new available powertrains, will also contribute to improved environmental performance, reducing annual CO2 emissions when the vehicle is in use by approximately 20 percent on a global cumulative basis compared to the previous model, thus contributing to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society.

Safety

In harsh off-road environments, to promote a safer and more comfortable driving experience, the instrument panel features Lexus’ first dual display with a 12.3-inch upper screen and 7-inch lower screen, as well as Back Underfloor View, which displays the area beneath the rear part of the vehicle as a world first.

The new LX is more personalised, with the newly added VIP grade, which is specially designed with four independent seats for elegant and safe travel on all kinds of roads, and the F SPORT grade, which allows customers to enjoy sporty driving on winding roads. Lexus South Africa will confirm the local spec packages at launch timing.

New 22-inch forged alloy wheels employ the high contrast of black and machined brilliance to emphasise that they are the largest ever offered by Lexus.

In terms of styling, while pursuing a design that contributes to athletic performance and function (a design perspective that began with the new NX), ideal proportions are expressed through a blending of sophistication, power, and presence befitting a flagship SUV. Among other featured technologies, Lexus’ first fingerprint-authentication push-start switch contributes to reducing the risk of theft.

From a branding perspective and following the NX, the Lexus brand badge placed in the centre of the rear has been renewed from the conventional L-shaped logo to the new “LEXUS” logo to symbolise the next generation of Lexus. For the rear combination lamps, tail lamps have been adopted that combine an L-shape and a continuous axial flow from the front to the shoulders and then to the rear silhouette. The styling emphasises the new LX’s lively and sharp design and expresses Lexus consistency. -MOTORPRESS

Namibian film gaining exposure - The Art of Colour2022 FilmIt Competition nomination Kaylah Cordom, the head girl of St George’s Diocesan College, made it to the final round of the FilmIt competition. ‘The Art of Colour’ is the only Namibian concept chosen out of the Top 20 movie concepts.

Monique Adams

The 2022 FilmIt competition is organised by the native speaking English teacher (NET) section, curriculum development institute (CDI), education bureau (EDB), in partnership with the European Union office in Hong Kong and Macao (EUO).

One of the aims of the competition is to develop primary and secondary learners’ English language proficiency through a competition which requires them to respond in English.

It also gives learners an opportunity to use English in a creative way involving multimodal technology.

Kaylah Cordom came across this great opportunity through her Afrikaans teacher from school, Mr Coetzee, since he knew how much she loves writing and the world of acting and film-making.

“The first time I heard about being nominated, I was ecstatic and overjoyed; a bit nervous too because I never had to make a short film. With the help of my supportive parents and knowledge about the industry, I am excited for the challenge,” she said.

Her short film ‘The Art of Colour’ is a dystopian future drama where people are separated in primary colours: Red, blue and yellow.

It revolves around Lilac Bow, who pretends to be red when she is actually purple when she goes to a new school and makes new friends; they later find out and turn their backS on her.

Lilac Bow brings change and shows them that colour is nothing compared to a good heart and she goes on her hero’s journey.

“It feels incredible to not only represent St George’s Diocesan College but also Namibia in South Africa with the biggest film industry professionals from ‘Suidooster’ and Netflix’s ‘Blood and Water’,” she said.

Growing up, Cordom always loved coming up with movie concepts and had a very imaginative mind. She enjoys writing anything, but especially scripts for dystopian future, war, drama and romantic films.

The funding for her short film came from her own pocket as well as the cast. She gives a huge thank you to their sponsor, Elvando Fishing CC.

“My advice for people out there is to believe that nothing is impossible. You can make it possible. You have the talent and capability to move beyond people’s expectations. You should always refuse to be ordinary because life is filled with ordinary people so be extraordinary,” she said.