Namibian Sun

The World Trade Organization said on Tuesday it had agreed to set up a panel to examine China's imposition of duties on imported Australian wine, one of several disputes souring relations between the two countries.

The dispute settlement body, which met behind closed doors on Tuesday, agreed to Australia's second request after its first attempt was blocked by China in September.

Trade tensions between Australia and its largest trade partner, already rocky after Australia banned Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from its 5G wireless network in 2018, worsened after Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, in central China.

China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes moves described by the United States as "economic coercion".

Explaining the decision to seek a WTO panel, Australia's delegate voiced disappointment that China had not taken concrete steps to respond to its concerns, according to a summary of the meeting published by the WTO. Australia remained open to further discussions with China with a view to resolving the issues, it added.

"China regrets that Australia decided to further its panel request with regard to the dispute," China's delegate said in a statement to Reuters. "China will vigorously defend its legitimate measures in the following proceedings and is confident that its challenged measures are consistent with relevant WTO rules."

WTO panels typically deliberate for six months before preparing its ruling. The outcome can then be appealed. -Nampa/Reuters

Namibians lost jobs even before Covid – NSA

Jo-Maré Duddy

WINDHOEK

Nearly seven out of every 10 people sampled by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) were jobless even before the third Covid-19 wave hit the country.

More than 45% of unemployed people interviewed by the NSA in rural and urban areas said they lost their jobs due to business closures resulting from Covid-19 restrictions imposed by government since the middle of March this year. About 18% in urban areas where laid off from running businesses, while nearly 12% in the rural areas shared the same fate.

The NSA yesterday released the findings of its Covid-19 Household and Job Tracker Survey. A total of 3 593 households – more than half the targeted sample – took part in the countrywide survey from 14 March to 13 April.

The NSA asked 10 765 people aged 15 and above whether they were engaged in any kind of economic activities the past seven days prior to the interview date. Only 3 408 respondents - or 31.7% - indicated that they had worked.

Men in rural areas were slightly better off than those in urban areas, where only 49% had work in the seven days prior to their interview. About 48.7% of women in rural areas were employed.

The survey findings stress the impact of Namibia’s ongoing recession and clearly illustrate that the pandemic isn’t solely to blame for people’s economic woes. Of the 7 360 respondents who were asked whether they were employed before the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020, only 11.3% said yes.

Food security threatened

About 54% of surveyed households identified wages of employed members as their main source of income in the 12 months prior to March 2021. Of those who reported non-farm family business as an income source, 65.4% of respondents saw reductions in this source since mid-March 2020.

The NSA tried to determine the food security of the households in the 30 days preceding the survey. The study indicated that an estimated 60.1% of the interviewed households said they were worried about having enough food, 60.8% reported that they ate only few kinds of food, while 59.9% reported that they were unable to eat healthy and nutritious food. About 36% of households reported that they went without eating for a whole day.

Head of households were asked to indicate which shocks they experienced since the outbreak of Covid-19.

The most widely mentioned was the increase in the price of major food items consumed (59.1%), followed by job losses, which was experienced by 29.4% of households.

Alweendo breaks rank on genocide packageEx-central bank boss warns re-negotiation can backfire The mines minister became the first Cabinet member to publicly reject the amount of money offered by Germany.

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

Namibia must return to the negotiating table with Germany, whose offer of N$18.4 billion for the Nama and Ovaherero genocide is ‘woefully’ insignificant, mines minister Tom Alweendo says. He added that this must, however, be done with the understanding that renegotiations may result in a much lower amount.

Although there is an overwhelming consensus that the amount is insufficient, Alweendo is the first senior Swapo member and Cabinet minister to break rank on the thorny subject and demand for a return to the drawing board.

Until recently, the collective Swapo sentiment was to ‘not throw the baby out with the bathwater’.

Alweendo further believes that the German government can offer more money and has failed to consider the value of money over 30 years.

“We think Germany treated us with disdain in this respect. I will therefore argue that instead of us rejecting the declaration in its totality, it makes better sense for us to re-engage Germany to reconsider their position on the quantum of the reparation,” he said yesterday in Parliament.

“While taking the re-engagement route, let us do so pragmatically and with the awareness that, at times, the promise of less is preferable to the possibility of more,” he said.

After five years of back-and-forth negotiations, Germany finally acknowledged committing genocide in Namibia in May this year and announced a N$18.4 billion financial aid package to be paid out over 30 years.

The deal has, however, been wholeheartedly rejected by the affected communities who have protested for months over what they called an ‘insult’ from Germany.

Thousands of Ovaherero and Nama people were killed by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908 after the tribes rebelled against German rule, then named German South-West Africa.

Survivors were driven into the desert, where many ended up in concentration camps to be used as slave labour, and others dying of cold, malnutrition and exhaustion.

It is estimated that nearly 80% of the Ovaherero population and 50% of the Nama population were killed at the time. Descendants of these people continue to suffer and deal with the effects of this atrocity.

People were forced to rebuild their lives with nothing and after the colonial period ended, the Namibian government did not have the resources or infrastructure to help.

Many proponents of the deal – including President Hage Geingob – have said that Namibia must accept the offer because there is no true value that can be placed on the lives lost.

Others believe the matter must be perceived as a symbolic victory for Namibia, after the country compelled Europe’s biggest economy to accept the sins of its forefathers.

Your pain is our pain

Alweendo pleaded yesterday that Namibians shouldn’t allow the deal and debate to divide the nation and instead stand together as a community.

“It's inevitable that in the Namibian history, we all have different experiences that brought us immense pain, that inflicted deep wounds and scars on us across the timeline of the colonial project and the enslavement of our people,” the former governor of the Bank of Namibia said.

“It is said that the worst wounds, the deadliest of them all, are not the ones people see on the outside. It is the invisible ones that make us bleed internally. Therefore, although the wounds and scars of the genocide may no longer be visible, we know that the pain lingers on,” he added.

“So, to the descendants of the genocide, know that you are not in this alone, because your pain is our pain too.”

Fishing becoming a weak contributor to GDPInvesting in value addition crucial According to the National Hake Association, the industry employs about 15 500 citizens, with about 12 000 being employed by the local hake sub-sector alone.

THEO KLEIN

The agricultural industry is the sixth largest industry in our economy, but it is the biggest employer, employing about 23% of the labour force. Within the agricultural industry, the fishing industry is the second largest sub-sector on average, compared to livestock and crop farming.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) national accounts, production in the fishing industry has been on a declining trend since 2013. Growth in this sector is expected to remain relatively flat going forward, potentially negative in the long run. Most industry players currently operate at full Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and have reached the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels set by government. This means that growth in the industry will not come from additional players in the industry catching more fish, but rather increased value addition activities or processes being established in Namibia.

This suggests existing industry players need to invest in establishing factories and processing plants to add value to their fish products before exporting to foreign markets or selling to the local market, to drive growth and indirect job creation in other sectors linked to the fishing value chain. Additional fishing quotas issued in 2020 reduced the market share of each industry player, thereby lowering profits and increasing the time trawlers stay idle for each player. In essence, each industry player operates a smaller market share, but the size of the market remains unchanged. The fishing industry is expected to grow 2.8% in 2021 and 3.6% in 2022, compared to -9.4% in 2020.

Employment

The fishing industry has become a weaker contributor to the Namibian economy since 2009. While providing a basic necessity, the importance of the sector is on a downward trend and will continue to become a smaller part of our economy if value addition processes are not set up locally, thereby creating additional jobs along the value chain. Currently, the industry employs about 15 500 citizens, with about 12 000 being employed by the local hake sub-sector alone according to the National Hake Association. This excludes indirect jobs created by or dependent on the fishing industry.

While some value addition services are offered in Namibia in certain sub-sectors, much untapped potential remains. For example, fresh squid caught by vessels off the Falkland Islands and frozen whole on board arrive in Walvis Bay where they are cleaned, and the table ready tubes and tentacles are packed for consumer markets in Europe.

Taking the above into consideration, a great deal of investment is needed by local fish producers. Since 2018, net investment in the fishing industry has been on a decline. Net investment in this industry has decreased by 46.0% on an annualized basis for the last two years. Despite interest rates being low, business confidence remains low and prevents current industry players from taking on risk to start value addition activities. Due to the additional quotas issued in 2020, companies who invested in vessels and processing plants see lower returns.

SSA to see mixed economic recovery VUYANI NDABA

Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) big economies will be mixed into 2022, after a year of recovery from Covid-19 lockdowns, as life slowly returns to normal amid low vaccination rates, a Reuters poll found on Wednesday.

But the pace of recovery is largely positive, according to the poll, conducted from Oct. 19-26. Growth in Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy was expected at 2.7% next year from 2.5% this year after a negative shock of almost 2% last year.

Kenya, east Africa's biggest economy will grow 5.3% next year from 5.1% this year, the poll found. The International Monetary Fund reckons it probably shrank 0.3% last year. Ghana was expected to grow 5.1% next year from an estimated 4.2%. Like South Africa, Zambia was expected to slow, to 2.5% next year from an estimate of 3.2% in 2021.

Weighing on economic recoveries, Africa still needs to inoculate much of its 1.3 billion people, who have had far less access to vaccines than more prosperous regions. Only about 8.4% of Africa's population has received at least one dose, compared to the global average of 48.7%, according to the World Health Organization.

South Africa was estimated to have expanded 5% this year, but that will slow to 2.2% growth in 2022. It experienced one of the biggest contractions on the continent last year, which the IMF estimated at 6.4%. The IMF expects sub-Saharan Africa to grow 3.7% in 2021 and 3.8% in 2022.-Nampa/Reuters

Meet Captain Phillip Koa

Augetto Graig – Captain Phillip Koa is in his element on the bridge of the latest, biggest, most advanced, most expensive diamond recovery vessel in the world. With a twinkle in his eye, an easy smile and an affable nature, he belies the incredible responsibilities that weigh on his shoulders.
Despite being responsible for the lives up to 106 souls on board, and N$7 billion worth of seafaring equipment, Koa shows the easy confidence of a man who knows how to lead.
Obviously proud of the vessel he helped command on its recent maiden voyage from shipbuilders Damen at their shipyards in Mangalia on the Black Sea coast of Romania, and down past the equator to final fitting of mission equipement being completed in Cape Town, South Africa, Captain Koa relishes an opportunity to talk about its many innovative features.
For instance the seven azimuth propeller thruster configurations that are synchronised to keep the ship perfectly positioned while its crawler mines the seabed, allowing mining to continue 98% of the time, regardless of weather and ocean conditions. This is called the Dynamic Positioning System. The other two percent of the time, when ocean swells top more than four meters, are anticipated and accounted for.
He is just as passionate about his crew of diverse individuals, almost exclusively Namibian, and highly committed to making the most out of every shift. Spending 25 days onboard at a time with 80 crew members, Captain Koa takes his role seriously. “My role here as captain is to give guidence to everybody, to encourage everybody, to ensure that we have our roles and responsibilities well set out for everybody. We have got targets to meet. To ensure safety is priority and always that we have got everybody’s interests at heart. We have got shareholders that are also part and parcel,” he said.
Captain Koa was one of the two Captains in charge on the trip down to southern African waters and describes the voyage as very exciting. “There were lots of challenges and new learning, but the idea was to understand what the ship can do and for us to also get familiar with this new vessel. It is state of the art, and with the new technology like the Dynamic Positioning System, will help us get to greater heights,” he said.
“With anything there is always going to be a challenge. There were ups and downs, we had a bit of weather. But as sailors, that is what ships do. Ships are not designed to be in port, they are designed to be out at sea. So we managed to navigate from Mangalia all the way to Cape Town. It took 30 days. We arrived here on 18 September and on 20 September part of the crew had to sign off and go home to their families,” he said in a recent interview.

Here follows are question and answer session which affords some more insight into this remarkable individual:

Q: Where and when were you born?
A: I was born on 11 August 1974 in Windhoek. Both my parents are from the southern region.

Q: Where did you school?
A: I did my primary school at the A. I. Steenkamp primary school from the then sub A until std 4 and then I did my std 5 at the Moses van der Byl primary school. All these schools are in Windhoek. I completed my high school career at Jan Jonker Afrikaner in Windhoek.

Q: What is you first memory related to the sea?
A: I went with my soccer team from the location Eastern Jumpers to play against teams from the coast when I was still in high school. The noise and the smell of the sea is still a memory I have in my mind.

A: When did you decide on a maritime career?
Q: Both my father and my uncle had work at sea before and they both told me stories of them growing up and doing different jobs amongs them working on boats in the Walvisbay harbour and doing repair works. This was always on the back of my mind and when I finally saw an advert in the newspaper on cadetship with Debmarine Namibia company I applied and the rest is history. That was in 1997.

Q: Where did you study after school?
A: After school I went to TUCSIN to do a gap year on improving my subjects and getting better marks for university entrance. I first studied Bcom at UNAM before making the change to a career at sea. My maritime studies I did at Granger Bay in Cape Town under the wing of the Cape Technikon.

Q: When did you first work on the sea?
A: My fist work at sea was as a navigation cadet with the cadetship of the current company I am with, and it was in November 1997.

Q: What was your first position on a ship?
A: I started off as a navigation cadet and worked my way up to a Captain the position I am currently occupying.

Q: How does it feel to be Captain of this new diamond recovery vessel?
A: It is indeed a privilege as it could easily have been any of the other Captains in our fleet. The fact that I am one of the Captains makes it special because it gives a sense of trust and faith in what your track record has been and also that your performance and conduct over years are not in vain.

Q: Did you ever watch Titanic and what did you think of it?
A: Yes I watched it, and although it is more on the storyline of love and a diamond it also shows the flaws that was overlooked on safety of the passengers and the wrong belief that the ship would never sink. The Titanic as a ship is the most known maritime disaster that has opened up the reality of the dangers of the sea and since then Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) became a reality and a new way of ships to comply with certain safety aspects.

Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: That my kids would want to also work at sea. In todays life there are many other opportunities that are waiting to be explored.

A: Are you married with kids and how does your family cope with your long periods away?
Q: I am married for 16 years to my lovely wife Peggy. We have 3 kids, the first son, Uarotua, 14 years, followed by twins Kyla (girl) and Guryon, that are 8 years old. Our time away from home is short, 25 days compared to the normal merchant shipping were you can be away for as long as 6 months. The only long periods that I have been away from home was during my formal studies and recently when we had to go to Romania for the final phase of the completion of the AMV3 vessel.

Q: How do you cope with the pressure of your job?
A: The fact that you have shoreside support and a very dynamic versatile management team that are managing the other departments makes it somewhat manageable to cope with the pressure that comes with the job.

Q: Have you ever married anyone as Captains and priests can?
A: No not really, but those are the typical things that a Captain on diamond recovery would be doing. We are in close proximity to the coast and just a helicopter flight away from everything which makes life easy.

Q: What do you hope to achieve with the rest of your career?
A: I hope to leave something behind or show that in this industry, everything is possible if you put your mind to it and do the right thing and always have the attitude. There is no shortcuts to success.
– augetto@republikein.com.na

Journey of a diamond ship

Augetto Graig – It is not easy to realise a N$7 billion dollar dream and turn it from a twinkle in the eye of the dreamer into a sparkling gem on the waters of the Atlantic, especially in the time of a pandemic.
Nevertheless, Debmarine Namibia eagerly awaits the arrival of their incredible third Additional Mining Vessel (AMV3) early next year.

Back in May 2019, when the unique underwater diamond recovery partnership between the Namibian government and De Beers first announced board approval for the world’s first custom-built diamond recovery vessel, they called it the largest single investment ever in the marine diamond industry.

Namibian ministry of mines and energy Tom Alweendo said the government appreciated the investment. “It is through investments like this we can continue to develop Namibia’s economy. As the government we will continue to do what we can to promote and encourage investment in the mining sector,” he said.

Five commercial banks partnered in the massive financing deal for 80% of the vessel construction costs, while 20% is contributed by Debmarine Namibia. In its first five years of production, the AMV3 is expected to contribute N$2 billion per annum in taxes and royalties to the Namibian treasury.

At the time Bruce Cleaver, CEO De Beers Group said: “Some of the highest quality diamonds in the world are found at sea off the Namibian coast. With this investment we will be able to optimise new technology to find and recover diamonds more efficiently.”

Debmarine Namibia is a joint venture marine diamond prospecting and mining company, owned in equal shares by the Namibian government and De Beer Group, which commenced operations in January 2002. It operates five diamond recovery vessels and one exploration and sampling vessel, the mv SS Nujoma.

The vessels recover diamonds off the ocean floor using highly advanced drill technology, supported by sophisticated tracking, positioning and surveying equipment. Debmarine Namibia is ISO 14001 ISM and OHSAS 18001 certified and is recognised as a world leader in marine diamond exploration and recovery.

On completion the vessel is expected to add 500 000 carats annually to Debmarine Namibia’s production, an increase of 35%. The new vessel is expected to add 160 new jobs to the existing 975 employment opportunities that the company provides.

At 177 metres long, the new vessel is slightly larger than the previous largest vessel in the Debmarine Namibia fleet; the Mafuta. Constructed from Marin Teknikk design MT 6027, it is the most technologically advanced marine diamond recovery vessel in the world. On-board features include a dynamic positioning system (DP2) based on a seven-thruster propulsion system powered by six generators of 3230 eKW each.

After selecting Damen Shipyards to build the vessel, work started in earnest with a special steel cutting ceremony at the Mangalia shipyard in Romania, the largest of all Damen’s yards, with a total of three graven drydocks up to 60 metres in width and 1.6 km total berthing space.

Damen sales director offshore, Ruud van der Stroom, was thrilled at the opportunity to apply Damen expertise at this greater scale.

“So far, Damen’s newbuild focus has mainly been on standardisation and in-house or own design vessels, along with various types of support and service vessels built for the offshore market. However, the facilities in Mangalia allow us to respond positively to Debmarine Namibia’s newbuild enquiry: an engineered-to-order project with vessel dimensions beyond that built by Damen ever before,” he said.

Michael Curtis, head of the AMV3 vessel project for De Beers Marine South Africa said: “We were already well aware of Damen’s reputation as a reliable, efficient shipbuilder, and we are pleased to contract Damen to build this vessel for us after successfully winning a global tender for the construction of the vessel.

“De Beers Marine South Africa has been constructing the mission equipment, comprising a subsea crawler and diamond recovery plant, in South Africa in parallel to the vessel construction, which will be integrated into the vessel by De Beers Marine South Africa.

“Given the parallel path and complexity of the project, it is critical to work with the best shipbuilders who have a reputation for performance and on-time delivery.”

The AMV3 was successfully launched in Damen Shipyard, Mangalia Romania on Saturday, 21 November 2020. At the time Otto Shikongo, Debmarine Namibia CEO said: “It brings a great comfort to learn that the AMV3 was launched successfully in Romania.” Shikongo could not be present at the launch due to Covid-19 related restrictions on travel.

Once afloat it took another seven months to outfit the fully operational vessel followed by its maiden voyage to Cape Town, where mission equipment is being installed before sea trials commence. During the maiden voyage the ship crossed the equator for the first time and the crew performed a special fun traditional maritime ritual the ‘Equator Crossing’ ceremony to mark the occasion. Young sailors who cross the equator for the first time are initiated by ‘King Neptune’ to ensure they can handle long tough voyages at sea. The vessel arrived in Cape Town on 19 September 2021 and is expected to start sea trials in November.

AMV3 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
• Signing – May 2019
• Steel Cutting – May 2019
• Keel Laying ceremony in Romania – March 2020
• Launching in Romania – November 2020
• Vessel deliver in Romania – August 2021
• Arrival in Cape Town – September 2021
• Sea trials – November 2021
• Inauguration – Q1 2022
• Handover to Operations – May 2022

Eye of the spectator: Journey with Namibian cricketEnjoying cricket beyond boundaries Tashia Kalondo has been to all the games Namibia has played so far at the T20 Cricket World Cup. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

In the modern era of cricket, just like any other sport, gate collections are not looked upon as the bread and butter for the sport’s survival; the importance of the spectator in the dynamics back then was conveniently lost and forgotten.

This has changed so much. Fans are seen and heard, especially if they travel all over the world to catch a game played by fellow countrymen or women.

Most times, fans brave oppressive weather, either cold or hot, or wait in long queues to catch a game.

But Tashia Kalondo has done it. Kalondo has been to all the games Namibia has played so far at the T20 Cricket World Cup.

For those following the tournament, she is the lady who was wearing a dress resembling the Namibian flag when Namibia beat the Netherlands. She waved, cheered and danced with every wicket scored.

She shared her experience with Namibian Sun, saying that the mood has been ecstatic.

“There are a number of Namibians here, mostly parents and relatives of the players. When the Eagles played their first match, there was an international school of children who came to cheer the team on. I had a lot of flags, about 50, so I distributed these to them. When we played Scotland, they even played Gazza’s song ‘Chelete’. It was incredible.”

Kalondo said she is on holiday in Dubai and that it is quite expensive to travel to the cricket venues. She further said that the tickets are costly but luckily, she got hold of some complimentary tickets.

A former national hockey player herself, she added that the feeling of patriotism never leaves one. She also spoke about how the sport of cricket has grown so much in the last few years and how Cricket Namibia (CN) has been instrumental in that growth.

“CN should get a pat on their backs; they have done a phenomenal job in bridging the gap between those who formerly enjoyed the game and those that are now getting into it.

“I’m a black woman who supports and understands the game. People are noticing and are curious about the game after I shared photos of myself on social media enjoying the game. If I can make a difference and influence a couple of people to take interest in cricket, then I’m happy,” she added.

She said she will extend her stay to watch the Eagles as they play Afghanistan on Sunday, Pakistan on 2 November and New Zealand on 5 November, with the last match to be played on 8 November. The semi-finals will take place from 10 to 22 November.

Sports Awards tomorrowGrand prices for top stars Top athletes will gather at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek for the annual sports award ceremony. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

The 17th edition of the Namibia Annual Sports Awards will take place on Saturday at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek.

The event is set to start at 17:00 as stand-out athletes, administrators and journalists will be rewarded for their accomplishments.

The likes of track-and-field stars Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi will grace the event.

Mboma is the favourite to walk away with the top prize for her exploits.

Here are all the nominees in each category:

MTC Namibia annual sports star of the year: Mboma, Masilingi and Helalia Johannes (Athletics Namibia).

MTC-NASA sportsman of the year: Alexander Miller, Tristan De Lange (Namibia Cycling Federation), Jonas Junias (Namibia Boxing Federation).

MTC -NASA sportswoman of the year: Mboma, Masilingi, Johannes (Athletics Namibia).

MTC-NASA junior sportsman of the year: Delano Muller (Namibia Kickboxing Federation), Magano Naseb, Ruano De Cuvalho (Namibia School Sport Union).

MTC-NASA junior sportswoman of the year: Mboma, Masilingi.

NamPower-NASA sportsman of the year with a disability: Ananias Shikongo, Johannes Nambala, Petrus Karuli (Namibia National Paralympic Committee).

NamPower-NASA sportswoman of the year with a disability: Johanna Benson, Lahja Ishitile, Sylvia Shivolo (Namibia National Paralympic Committee).

NamPower-NASA junior sportsman of the year with a disability: Bradley Murere, Julien Rejive (Namibia National Paralympic Committee).

NamPower NASA junior sportswoman of the year with a disability: Aune Josef, Lahja Iipinge, Lize Meyer (National Paralympic Committee).

DebMarine Namibia NASA sports team of the year: 4x100 m U-20 girls relay team (Athletics Namibia), cricket senior men’s team (Cricket Namibia), Hockey senior women’s team (Namibia Hockey Union).

NASA professional shining star in the diaspora: Peter Shalulile, Maike Diekman (Namibia Canoe and Rowing Federation).

NASA coach of the year: Grant Douglas Dodds (Namibia Canoe and Rowing Federation), Hendrick Botha (Athletics Namibia), Letu Hamhola (Namibia National Paralympic Committee).

DebMarine Namibia NASA umpire/referee of the year: Lazarus Nainda (Namibia Professional Boxing), Twanyanyukwa Antsino (Namibia Football Association).

NEPC-NASA journalist of the year: broadcasting (radio & tv) Castro Uulumbu (One Africa Television), Katrina Gowases (Namibia Broadcasting Corporation), Limba Mupetami (Namibian Sun).

Print (newspapers/magazines) Hesron Kapanga (Nampa Press Agency), Sheefeni Nikodemus (The Namibian) Michael Uugwanga (Confidante).

Digital (online, social & photography) Limba Mupetami (Namibian Sun), Pomwene Shaduka Naayele (Dream Publication), Tangi Mulundu Twaindila Media Houses.

Standard Bank-NASA sports development programme of the year: Ashburton Kwata (Cricket Namibia), Standard Bank junior hockey initiative (Namibia Hockey Union), Professional Education Training System (Namibia School Sport Union).

NSC-NASA federation of the year: Athletics Namibia, Cricket Namibia, Namibia National Paralympic Committee.

Standard Bank /DebMarine NASA community inspiration award: Delano Muller (Namibia Kickboxing Federation), School of Excellence Hockey Academy, Namibia Hockey Union, Kasaona Football Academy (NFA).

West Ham end Man City's hold on League Cup NAMPA/AFP

West Ham ended Manchester City's four-year hold on the League Cup on Wednesday as Liverpool and Tottenham booked their places in the quarter-finals.

City's record run in the competition came to an end at the London Stadium as the Hammers emerged 5-3 winners from a penalty shootout after both sides were guilty of missing plenty of chances in a 0-0 draw.

Phil Foden was the only man to miss from the spot as Mark Noble, Jarrod Bowen, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell and Said Benrahma all found the net for David Moyes' men.

"Nothing is eternal," said City boss Pep Guardiola. "We fought a lot to win and win and win this competition.

"Four times in a row is a fantastic achievement and next season we come back to try and win it again."

Nathan Ake, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling all wasted big opportunities to extend City's 21-game unbeaten run in the competition as the scoreline belied a contest which raged from one end to the other.

Foden was thrown on along with Jack Grealish in an attempt to win the game from Guardiola.

But the England international pulled City's first penalty wide and stand-in goalkeeper Zack Steffen could not bail his teammate out despite getting a hand to Bowen and Benrahma's strikes.

Liverpool will now fancy their chances of winning the League Cup for the first time in nine years, but had to overcome a poor start to win 2-0 at Preston.

The Reds had scored 30 goals in eight previous away games this season, but a much-changed side from Jurgen Klopp failed to hit the heights of Sunday's famous 5-0 win at Manchester United.

"As a team we can play better, but individually I saw a few really nice performances and that's absolutely OK," said Klopp.

"It's all about getting through to the next round, that's what we did. That it would be difficult with 11 changes was clear."

Preston had by far the better of the first-half as Adrian made a point-blank save from Sean Maguire, Neco Williams cleared off the line and Brad Potts fired over within a matter of seconds.

Liverpool were clinical as they went in front with their first shot on target just after the hour mark as Williams' cross was acrobatically flicked home by Takumi Minamino.

Klopp's men then controlled the final half hour and doubled their lead in spectacular fashion when Divock Origi's backheel dinked the ball over Declan Rudd.

Tottenham's bid for a first trophy since they last won the League Cup in 2008 remains on course as Nuno Espirito Santo was rewarded for naming a strong side with a 1-0 win at Burnley.

Lucas Moura scored the only goal 22 minutes from time with a powerful downward header from Emerson Royale's cross.

Leicester also needed penalties to see off Brighton after an entertaining game ended 2-2.

The Foxes twice pounced on Brighton gifting possession away in dangerous areas to take the lead through Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman in the first-half.

Adam Webster and Enock Mwepu levelled for the Seagulls, but Mwepu and Neal Maupay failed to beat Danny Ward from the spot.

Brentford reached the last eight for the second consecutive season with a 2-1 win at Stoke thanks to first-half goals from Sergi Canos and Ivan Toney.

De Kock apologises for refusing to take kneeSouth Africa's player is sorry Temba Bavuma, the national cricket team's first ever black African skipper, said de Kock's decision and the events that followed made it the toughest day of his life. NAMPA/AFP

South African star Quinton de Kock has apologised for refusing to take the knee in his team's Twenty20 World Cup match and said he would be "happy" to do it.

"I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home," de Kock said in a statement on Thursday.

"I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example.

"If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so."

De Kock explained he comes from a mixed race family with his half-sisters being coloured and his mother is black.

"For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement," said the 28-year-old.

De Kock pulled out of Tuesday's match against holders West Indies for "personal reasons", defying orders from Cricket South Africa (CSA) to their players on following the anti-racism gesture.

They acted after pictures emerged from the team's first game against Australia at the weekend where some players knelt and some stood.

Cricket South Africa welcomed the move and said, "The Proteas men's team agreed to align and unify in taking the knee for the remaining fixtures of the World Cup campaign."

The board added their stance against racism "is a moral issue, not a political issue".

De Kock, a former national captain, refused to take a knee in South Africa's Test series in the West Indies earlier this year.

The Proteas though went on to win the match convincingly by eight wickets in Dubai.

They next play Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Saturday and de Kock is expected to be back in the team.

"I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies, especially the West Indian team themselves," said de Kock.

"Maybe some people don't understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game.

"I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused. I was quiet on this very important issue until now."

Bavuma had expressed his "surprise" over de Kock's decision after the board instructed the players to stand by the movement on the morning of their second group match.

Bavuma revealed he was apprised of de Kock's refusal in the team bus, but said he had "respect" for his team-mate's conviction.

The South African team took the knee in unison alongside the West Indies players prior to the match.

"Since our chat with the board last night, which was very emotional, I think we all have a better understanding of their intentions as well," said de Kock.

"I wish this had happened sooner, because what happened on match day could have been avoided."

"I've been called a lot of things as a cricketer. Doff. Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn't hurt.

"Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply. It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife."

The board admitted, "the timing of its directive earlier this week may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies."

De Kock is one of his country's star players and a regular choice across all three formats.

The wicketkeeper/batsman has made over 10,000 international runs and was briefly captain of the Test side before stepping down earlier this year.

Almost all the teams participating in the T20 World Cup have taken the knee including England, India and Pakistan.

In August this year, South Africa assistant coach Enoch Nkwe resigned after apparent disagreements with under-pressure head coach Mark Boucher.

Nkwe's resignation came against a backdrop of widespread criticism of Boucher following revelations made at hearings into racism in South African cricket.

The criticism intensified when black former players alleged they were not made to feel welcome in the national team environment during the period in which Boucher was a prominent member of the team.

Germany can offer more

TOM K. ALWEENDO

I rise to contribute to this important debate on the draft Joint Declaration between the Republic of Namibia and the Federal Republic of Germany on genocide. Without a doubt, we are debating one of the most important national issues in the history of independent Namibia.

It was common practice in the 19th century, for Europeans to wantonly declare that a particular geographical area on the African continent belongs to them. It was therefore not a surprise when in 1884 during “the scramble for Africa” conference that present day Namibia was declared part of the imperial German empire. The Germans began to impose draconian policies and measures, including land dispossession from the local inhabitants as well as instituting laws that served to undermine and oppress the local population.

With time the Germans became ever more brutal in their oppression. As it was to be expected, the OvaHerero and Nama communities did not take this oppression lightly. They started to resist the oppression and resolved to fight back to defend themselves, their cultures and human dignity. On the 2nd October 1904, at Ozombu zo Vindimba, Von Trotha issued his extermination order against the OvaHerero. He said “Within the German borders every Herero, whether armed or unarmed, with or without cattle, will be shot. I shall not accept any more women or children. I shall drive them back to their people - otherwise I shall order shots to be fired at them".

Similarly, another extermination order was again issued by Von Trotha on the 23rd April 1905 at Gibeon against the Nama community. He said, “I announce this to you and add that those refusing to surrender will suffer the same fate as that suffered by the Herero people.”

As a result of these two extermination orders, by March 1907 most of the OvaHerero and Nama communities as they had existed before were destroyed. Between 80 percent of the OvaHerero were exterminated, while about 60 percent of the Namas suffered the same fate at the hands of the German Imperial troops. What the German Imperial troops did was indeed a wicked act perpetrated by murderous people.

This barbaric act was committed more than 100 years ago, however its impact is still being felt not only by the OvaHerero and Namas but across the length and breadth of Namibia. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us and our responsibility to see to it that justice is done and ensure that Germany accounts for what their ancestors did. In this respect, it is befitting that we pay tribute to those sons and daughters of Namibia who stood up and demanded that Germany accounts for the atrocities it committed against the Namibians of yesteryears.

I especially want to single out the late Hon. Chief Kuaima Riruako – may his soul continue to be at peace – who was relentless and tabled a Motion in this August House in 2006. The Motion demanded that Germany accepts that it committed genocide in Namibia and that it pays reparation. Since then, several attempts were made to get Germany to the negotiation table.

Although Von Trotha’s extermination orders were directed at the OvaHerero and Namas, this is a matter of national interest, deserving our collective attention. As Namibians, we need to act as a community and recognize the fact that we have a moral rights and duties towards each other.

It’s inevitable that in the Namibian history, we all have different experiences that brought us immense pain, that inflicted deep wounds and scars on us, across the timeline of the colonial project and the enslavement of our people. It is said that the worst wounds, the deadliest of them all, are not the ones people see on the outside. It is the invisible ones that make us bleed internally. Therefore, although the wounds and scars of the genocide may no longer be visible, we know that the pain lingers on. So, to the descendants of the genocide, know that you are not in this alone, because your pain is our pain too. We are in this together.

I am, however, troubled by how the conversation has gone thus far. It is now so apparent that the debate has become so divisive, and at times becoming mudslinging. We call each other names. We refer to each other as puppets and sell-outs.

I am afraid that should we continue with this path, then the legacy left by the divide and rule philosophy will continue to flourish. The us and them will thrive. As a nation we have had difficult conversations before, and we will have them again going forward. What we have today is one of those difficult conversations. Let us make use of this opportunity presented to us to forge strong alliances beyond our tribal boundaries. Let us use this sad reality to refuel our resolve to unite and our quest for nationhood.

What is that we demanded from Germany through the negotiation? We demanded three things – that Germany accepts that it committed genocide; that they apologise; and that they pay reparation. Our negotiation team ably led by the late Ambassador Zed Ngavirue – may his soul rest in peace - achieved all three demands we put on the table. The German government accepted that what happened in 1904 was indeed a genocide; they agreed to apologize; and they agreed to pay reparation.

Having followed our debate in this august House, it is my sense that most of us agree that our first two demands have been met to some degree of satisfaction. However, most of us, if not all of us, are not satisfied with our third demand – that of reparation. None of us are satisfied with the level of reparation that Germany is prepared to pay. We believe that, although one can never fully compensate for lives lost, an amount of Euro1.1 billion is woefully too insignificant and not commensurate with the act of genocide that was committed.

Not only is the amount not commensurate with the offences committed, but it is also to be made available over an inordinate long time period of 30 years – disregarding the time value of money. We are of the view that Germany can offer more. We think that Germany treated us with disdain in this respect. That being the case, Hon. Speaker, the question then is what do we do next? How do we proceed? There are those who strongly feel that the way to proceed is to reject the Declaration in its totality and restart the negotiation with Germany.

The sincerity and probity of those who are arguing to reject the Declaration is not lost on me. However, rejecting the Declaration may ease our anguish we are feeling right now but may not put us in any better position to reach a better deal for our people.

I will therefore argue that instead of us rejecting the Declaration in its totality, it makes better sense for us to re-engage Germany to reconsider their position on the quantum of the reparation. While taking the re-engagement route, let us do so pragmatically and with the awareness that, at times, the promise of less is preferable to the possibility of more.

Given the significance of the debate, it will be naïve of me to expect that we all will agree on every aspect of the debate. It is inevitable that we will have different positions, for example, on how to proceed. However, just because we differ on how to proceed, as Members of this august House, we cannot be debating as if we are adversaries; we are not the antagonists here. Our collective adversary is Germany. It is Germany that must atone.

It must therefore be our desire to emerge from this debate as Namibians and not as the affected and non-affected communities. Whatever position I take, the position you take, on how to proceed, must not be informed by being a descendant of the genocide victims or not. The position I take must be informed by what I view to be the best possible outcome, especially given the facts we have at hand. After all, as a Nation we are much stronger when we act together.

“United we stand, divided we fall.”

'Hairareb' wins big in CannesSharing Namibian stories with a global audience. The Namibian film ‘Hairareb’ recently won two 2021 Dikalo Awards at the International Pan-African Film Festival in Cannes, France.

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

Ndapunikwa Investments is exited to announce that ‘Hairareb’ is a two-time official 2021 Dikalo Award winner. Hazel Hinda received the best actress award for her role as Moira in ‘Hairareb’, which also won a special mention from the jury for feature-length fiction at the International Pan-African Film Festival in Cannes.

The film also had the honour of opening the festival on Tuesday, 19 October at the Espace Miramar in Cannes.

As part of the official selection this year, ‘Hairareb’ was in competition to receive a Dikalo award in five categories, namely best feature fiction, best actor, best actress, special mention from the jury for feature fiction, and the Nord Sud Development Association’s Dikalo Peace Award.

“Winning two out of five awards is amazing. We could not have hoped for better recognition for a Namibian feature film at such a prestigious international platform in Cannes.

“We are extremely proud of Hazel, who gave a monumental performance in the film. We are so happy that international audiences will finally get to appreciate the great talent that Namibia has to offer through the success of ‘Hairareb’,” said executive producer Dantagos Jimmy-Melani.

‘Hairareb’ has already garnered a number of accolades, including best narrative film, best director, and the best male actor award for the late veteran actor David Ndjavera, at the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards.

‘Hairareb’ has also garnered international acclaim, featuring in numerous prestigious international film festivals as an official selection, including the European Film Festival and the Durban International Film Festival. The film has also been showcased to Namibian audiences, premiering at Ster-Kinekor Maerua and Ster-Kinekor Grove Mall in Windhoek, Atlanta Cinema in Swakopmund, and on NBC TV.

Fashion on a budget – Thrift shopping with Thriftalot

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

WINDHOEK

For many fashion enthusiasts, purchasing or wearing second-hand clothing is a sin. However, Thriftalot, a Namibian Instagram store which sells used items, is changing this narrative in Namibia.

With second-hand items being referred to as “thrift” today, this terminology gives the phenomenon a more sophisticated tone.

In an interview with tjil, the founder of Thriftalot, model Ndatala Angula, said he came up with the idea when people kept asking him where he buys his clothes and how he manages to style them to look good on someone of his physique (he’s tall).

“The requests kept on coming in and that’s when I knew that there is a demand for unique items. I capitalised on this by attempting to buy a few items strictly for sale, which paid off after they sold out within hours.”

He recalled buying denim jackets from a flea market and posting them on his personal Instagram account as sale items. “They sold that day, and that’s when I knew I had struck gold,” shared Angula.

Angula mentioned that the initial target market was young men, as they are the most disadvantaged when it comes to variety in the Namibian clothing industry.

He added that Thriftalot has challenged that gap, but admitted they still have a long way to go.

“Now we cater for both men and women, as the demand has risen. Most of our clothes are unisex, which means anyone can purchase and wear them how they see fit,” he said.

Thriftalot’s items are distributed and made accessible to the rest of the country via Nampost services. “It’s a five-minute purchasing process which is then followed up by delivery, which is either same day or whenever the client is available.”

On the future of the store, Angula said the main goal is to expand the workforce as the store is only run by his younger brother and himself. His brother deals with the procurement of the clothing items, while he is the overall creative and handles client relations.

“The short-term plan is to hire someone who will be responsible for the social media strategy and execution. The long-term plan is to open a physical store in Windhoek once the effects of Covid-19 have eased,” said Angula.

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

AB InBev raises forecast

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, upgraded its forecast for 2021 earnings growth on Thursday after posting a surprise increase in third-quarter profit, buoyed by beer sales in Brazil.

The maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois said it now expects core profit or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to grow between 10% and 12% in 2021 compared with an 8%-12% growth forecast earlier.

The Belgium-based brewer said core profit rose 3.0% on a like-for-like basis in the July-Sept period, against an expected 2.3% drop, according to a company-compiled poll. AB InBev said its revenue grew 15.3% in Brazil as consumers drank more and purchased higher-priced beers.

Revenue and profits were also higher in Colombia and South Africa, reflecting easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and in Europe as vaccination rates increased. However, they declined in the United States, where there were supply chain disruptions, in Mexico, a year on from post-lockdown inventory replenishment, and in China, where Covid-19 restrictions disproportionately hit its key regions.

AB InBev's results follow mixed earnings reported by its rivals on Wednesday. Carlsberg, the world's number three brewer, also raised its 2021 profit forecast after higher-than-expected third-quarter revenue, helped by recovery in Europe and China.

By contrast, global number two Heineken reported a steeper-than-expected drop in beer sales in the third quarter, hit by a lockdown in Vietnam, while retaining its forecast for full-year results at below pre-pandemic levels. -Nampa/Reuters

Aspen to boost manufacturing capacity

South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare is aiming to ramp up its Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity to 1.3 billion doses a year by February 2024, up from annual output of around 250 million doses now, the company's CEO told Reuters.

Aspen is doing the final stages of manufacturing for Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine in a so-called "fill and finish" deal, but CEO Stephen Saad said in an interview that the companies were close to announcing a broader deal for Aspen to produce Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 shot under licence. -Nampa/Reuters

McDonald's sales soar

Higher US prices and celebrity-themed meals boosted quarterly comparable sales at McDonald's Corp, though the company struggled to keep restaurants open at full capacity amid labour shortages and Covid-19 outbreaks, it reported on Wednesday.

US same-store sales grew 9.6% in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with estimates for 8.27%, according to Refinitiv IBES data.

Global comparable sales also jumped 12.7% in the quarter versus estimates of 10.31% as international markets slowly recovered from the pandemic. Shares in the world's largest burger chain rose about 2.2% to US$241.70 in late morning trading.

The US labour shortage caused some locations to close early and lose speed of service, Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski said in an earnings call, adding problems were not "unsolvable."

McDonald's has had to push back some new restaurant openings into early 2022 in part because global supply-chain problems made it difficult to get kitchen and tech equipment. -Nampa/Reuters

GM outlook doesn't impress

General Motors Co offered a profit forecast for 2021 that disappointed analysts on Wednesday, as its third-quarter earnings were hit by a global semiconductor shortage and rising commodity prices, factors it expects to continue until late 2022.

Chief Executive Mary Barra attempted to counter the downbeat financial results by focusing on GM's plans for a wave of electric vehicles and new software-driven services. Still, shares sank 5.3% in midday trading.

GM's quarterly profit and revenue were dragged down by a drop in wholesale shipments to dealers amid the chip shortage, as well as higher commodity and logistics costs, company executives said.

GM said the negative impact on earnings was partially offset by strong pricing on full-size pickups and SUVs and an agreement by supplier LG Electronics to cover most of an anticipated US$2 billion in costs related to the recall of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. -Nampa/Reuters

Uber partners with Hertz

Uber Technologies Inc on Wednesday said it is launching a new partnership with rental car company Hertz to offer 50 000 Tesla Inc vehicles as a rental option for its ride-hail drivers by 2023.

Uber drivers can rent a Tesla through Hertz starting on Nov. 1 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Washington DC, with the program later this year expanding to cities nationwide, the ride-hail company said in a blog post.

The announcement comes after Hertz on Monday said it would order 100 000 Tesla vehicles by the end of 2022, meaning that half of the rental company's Tesla fleet would be reserved exclusively for Uber drivers.

News of the biggest-ever Tesla order led to a share price rally and saw the electric vehicle company's market value surpass US$1 trillion on Monday.

Hertz on Wednesday also announced a separate partnership with online used-car dealer Carvana Co, whose shares rose 3% in morning trade. Under the agreement, Hertz would reduce its reliance on mass auctions to offload used rental fleet vehicles and instead sell vehicles directly to consumers through Carvana's sales channels. -Nampa/Reuters

Capricorn, Lithon foundations host donor workshop

Earlier this year, the Capricorn Foundation, a supporter of the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, and the Lithon Foundation presented an informative, online capacity-building workshop for non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The aim of the workshop was to discuss the ever-changing environment of non-profit organisations in Namibia, and focused on the need for welfare organisations to rethink their strategies to ensure their future sustainability, growth and to raise funds for critical work in communities.

Last week, these two foundations hosted another event, taking on a different approach to bring together like-minded companies and share how they can be responsible corporate citizens by bringing about positive change where it matters the most.

The event, titled ‘Get involved in your community’, took place in the form of an insightful breakfast, exploring the NGO landscape in Namibia, the needs in communities, the country’s social progression focus and how companies can fulfil their role as corporate citizens.

It was attended by prominent companies and individuals, all eager to help develop communities.

Marlize Horn, acting head of the Capricorn Foundation, shared its vision, which is to be an inspiring connector of positive change by creating economic value responsibly. This, while creating sustainable opportunities for advancing and improving the economic and social conditions in the communities where they operate.

“Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a community-engagement concept that a company adopts, which guides it in being socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders and the public. The key is for companies to put their efforts and resources where it matters most,” she said.

The foundation requested that more private sector companies take hands, collaborate and donate towards building a sustainable future for all Namibians.

Daisry Mathias, the presidential advisor for youth matters and enterprise development from the Office of the President, gave an insightful overview of Namibia’s social development focus areas, government’s efforts, and the gaps where corporate organisations can get involved.

She elaborated on areas such as education, infrastructure, sanitation, feeding programmes at schools and nutrition.

She urged corporates to get involved in helping with the food need in the country since child malnutrition is high. “I urge every private sector representative to consider a regional approach so that you can champion a region or a community at a time,” Mathias said.

Speakers from on-the-ground NGOs, which included Ngari Tjejamba from Edulution, Dr Fourie van der Berg from Imago Day and Frida Muteka from Omnicare Trust, inspired the audience through significant testimonies.

Meanwhile, a panel of experts from multiple organisations discussed problems in the field, including sustainability, and answered questions. The event concluded with a look at how companies can make an impact and measure their impact in their communities.

N$232 million lost due to ivory trade constraintsGrowing resistance against CITES According to the National Elephant Conservation and Management Plan, inadequate revenue from community-based conservation is potentially the most serious threat to human-elephant conflict management in Namibia. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Namibia is losing roughly N$232 million per year due to trade restrictions on ivory.

The country has argued for decades to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) that the full economic value obtainable from elephants is necessary to create sufficient incentives for rural communities to coexist with elephants.

According to the National Elephant Conservation and Management Plan, inadequate revenue from community-based conservation is potentially the most serious threat to human-elephant conflict management in Namibia.

It says this is because the basic tolerance and respect for elephants and other wildlife species can be eroded if conservancy members do not see sufficient benefits from these animals.

“Conservancy incomes from elephants accrue to the whole conservancy, but losses are seldom beyond the level of individual households. Mechanisms to offset losses suffered by individual farmers may not be adequate,” the report reads.

Money, money, money

The report says that estimates of the costs of losses caused by elephants in Namibia and the costs of installing infrastructure to prevent losses are certainly within the scope of income that can be earned from elephants just from trading in the ivory recovered from natural and management-related mortalities.

“Sustainable conservation and management of elephants in Namibia and effective mitigation of human elephant conflicts are therefore held ransom over animal rights-fuelled unproven fears that a regulated legal trade in ivory will cause harm to other elephant populations.”

The Overview of Elephant Conservation and Management in Namibia report further says although Namibia’s conservation achievements concerning elephants and other species are widely known, it has not always received international support for its elephant conservation programmes, specifically in CITES, and more recently, virtually no support but much hostility.

“Decisions taken by CITES to block the generation of much-needed funding for elephant conservation through trade in elephant products such as ivory, which has the highest value of all elephant products, have worked against Namibia’s interests and may compromise its national conservation strategies.”

The report says that with all the difficulties in CITES to trade in elephant ivory an important mechanism for enhancing the contribution of elephants to socio-economic development has been compromised.

It further adds that Namibia has an abundance of ivory and can generate it sustainably and ethically.

“The ability of rural communities to generate optimal incomes from wildlife is severely constrained.”

The report says that a major part of this is due to CITES trade restrictions on the most valuable wildlife products that such communities can produce, including ivory.

It says the amount of ivory in the Namibian stockpile is not in the public domain, but a tonne of ivory is worth about US$1 million (around N$14.5 million).

Taking a population of 20 000 elephants and a natural mortality rate of 4% per year yielding an average tusk weight of 10 kg, the annual ivory yield from just 800 elephants dying from natural causes is 16 tonnes of ivory, worth US$16 million (N$232 million).

ellanie@namibiansun.com

NYS hopes to up trainee intake with NSFAF funding ESTER KAMATI

WINDHOEK

Budget cuts have caused a decline in the number of enrolments at the National Youth Service’s Rietfontein training centre.

NYS commissioner Felix Musukubili says over the years, NYS training programmes had been offered at no cost as funding was sourced from its budget allocation.

The NYS, which offers 11 accredited TVET programmes from level one to level three of the national qualifications framework, has three training centres, of which only Rietfontein is operational.

The centres at Henties Bay and Ondangwa both have an intake capacity of 3 900 but are not in use, while Rietfontein has an intake capacity of 2 500, but only absorbs 700 trainees, inclusive of those enrolled for national service training.

“We are hoping that NYS trainees will be given equal opportunity to access NSFAF loans and thereby enabling us to enrol big numbers proportionate to our training centre capacities. NYS is able to train over 19c000 youth in Tvet programmes in the next four years,” Musukubili says.

Priority funding

Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) acting CEO Kennedy Kandume on Wednesday encouraged trainees enrolled for National Youth Services programmes to apply for funding, stating that NYS, which is a government entity, qualifies as an institution for priority funding.

“We used to prioritise funding of state-owned TVET institutions, and NYS is also state owned and will be placed in the same category. That does not mean that other VTCs that are not state owned will be excluded,” he said.

Kandume was speaking at the NSFAF headquarters in Windhoek during the signing of an agreement between NSFAF and NYS.

The financial assistance fund has committed itself to paying the tuition of approved NYS trainees.

Kandume said NYS trainees had always qualified for financial assistance, subject to the accreditation of the centre by the Namibia Training Authority.

“It is too late for this academic year but students studying at NYS centres are qualified in the next cycle of application, either early next year or late this year, around December.”

This year, 16 185 students have met NSFAF’s funding requirements.

ester@myzone.com.na

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

AB InBev raises forecast

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, upgraded its forecast for 2021 earnings growth on Thursday after posting a surprise increase in third-quarter profit, buoyed by beer sales in Brazil. The maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois said it now expects core profit or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to grow between 10% and 12% in 2021 compared with an 8%-12% growth forecast earlier.

The Belgium-based brewer said core profit rose 3.0% on a like-for-like basis in the July-Sept period, against an expected 2.3% drop, according to a company-compiled poll. AB InBev said its revenue grew 15.3% in Brazil as consumers drank more and purchased higher-priced beers.

Revenue and profits were also higher in Colombia and South Africa, reflecting easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and in Europe as vaccination rates increased. However, they declined in the United States, where there were supply chain disruptions, in Mexico, a year on from post-lockdown inventory replenishment, and in China, where Covid-19 restrictions disproportionately hit its key regions.

AB InBev's results follow mixed earnings reported by its rivals on Wednesday. Carlsberg, the world's number three brewer, also raised its 2021 profit forecast after higher-than-expected third-quarter revenue, helped by recovery in Europe and China.

By contrast, global number two Heineken reported a steeper-than-expected drop in beer sales in the third quarter, hit by a lockdown in Vietnam, while retaining its forecast for full-year results at below pre-pandemic levels. -Nampa/Reuters

Aspen to boost manufacturing capacity

South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare is aiming to ramp up its Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity to 1.3 billion doses a year by February 2024, up from annual output of around 250 million doses now, the company's CEO told Reuters.

Aspen is doing the final stages of manufacturing for Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine in a so-called "fill and finish" deal, but CEO Stephen Saad said in an interview that the companies were close to announcing a broader deal for Aspen to produce Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 shot under licence. -Nampa/Reuters

McDonald's sales soar

Higher US prices and celebrity-themed meals boosted quarterly comparable sales at McDonald's Corp, though the company struggled to keep restaurants open at full capacity amid labour shortages and Covid-19 outbreaks, it reported on Wednesday.

US same-store sales grew 9.6% in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with estimates for 8.27%, according to Refinitiv IBES data.

Global comparable sales also jumped 12.7% in the quarter versus estimates of 10.31% as international markets slowly recovered from the pandemic. Shares in the world's largest burger chain rose about 2.2% to US$241.70 in late morning trading.

The US labour shortage caused some locations to close early and lose speed of service, Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski said in an earnings call, adding problems were not "unsolvable."

McDonald's has had to push back some new restaurant openings into early 2022 in part because global supply-chain problems made it difficult to get kitchen and tech equipment. -Nampa/Reuters

GM outlook doesn't impress

General Motors Co offered a profit forecast for 2021 that disappointed analysts on Wednesday, as its third-quarter earnings were hit by a global semiconductor shortage and rising commodity prices, factors it expects to continue until late 2022.

Chief Executive Mary Barra attempted to counter the downbeat financial results by focusing on GM's plans for a wave of electric vehicles and new software-driven services. Still, shares sank 5.3% in midday trading.

GM's quarterly profit and revenue were dragged down by a drop in wholesale shipments to dealers amid the chip shortage, as well as higher commodity and logistics costs, company executives said.

GM said the negative impact on earnings was partially offset by strong pricing on full-size pickups and SUVs and an agreement by supplier LG Electronics to cover most of an anticipated US$2 billion in costs related to the recall of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. -Nampa/Reuters

Uber partners with Hertz

Uber Technologies Inc on Wednesday said it is launching a new partnership with rental car company Hertz to offer 50 000 Tesla Inc vehicles as a rental option for its ride-hail drivers by 2023.

Uber drivers can rent a Tesla through Hertz starting on Nov. 1 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Washington DC, with the program later this year expanding to cities nationwide, the ride-hail company said in a blog post.

The announcement comes after Hertz on Monday said it would order 100 000 Tesla vehicles by the end of 2022, meaning that half of the rental company's Tesla fleet would be reserved exclusively for Uber drivers.

News of the biggest-ever Tesla order led to a share price rally and saw the electric vehicle company's market value surpass US$1 trillion on Monday.

Hertz on Wednesday also announced a separate partnership with online used-car dealer Carvana Co, whose shares rose 3% in morning trade. Under the agreement, Hertz would reduce its reliance on mass auctions to offload used rental fleet vehicles and instead sell vehicles directly to consumers through Carvana's sales channels. -Nampa/Reuters

It’s ‘Cooking with Pick n Pay’! Celebrating Namibian taste and talent Zenlea Harris, resident chef for Cooking with Pick n Pay - “We want to take food items that anyone can find at their local Pick n Pay, and make delicious and yes, fancy meals, with ingredients that you may already have on your shopping list or in your cupboard.”

Yochanaan Coetzee

With the festive season fast approaching and families raring to get their recipes reworked in order to impress at the next family gathering, Pick n Pay Namibia has embarked on an exciting new initiative where they engage noteworthy Namibians to discuss current affairs, perspectives and their passion for food, over a delicious meal prepared using ingredients available at your nearest Pick n Pay outlet.

“As a retailer, we work with food every day, and it really is something that brings Namibians from all walks of life together, so we wanted to promote the amazing selection of products we stock in our stores, inspire people in terms of fun new recipes and twists on traditional favourites,” says Victoria Moller, the marketing manager for Pick n Pay Namibia.

“However, soon we realised that it was becoming much more than just a cooking show, and had evolved into a really special actuality programme where we got the opportunity to engage special guests and get a feel for who they are, what inspires them and also learn about their personal love-affair with food.

“This was also very timely, as since Covid started, it has robbed us of the joys of going out for a meal, for sharing a braai with loved ones, so we wanted to bring that back through our digital channels and that’s how ‘Cooking with Pick n Pay’ was started.”

Zen-sational meals you can make

In every episode, we meet new and exciting guests who are making an impact on Namibian society. Episode one features the evergreen and always elegant Roux-Che Locke, group manager for corporate relations at Ohlthaver & List, who joins Moller on a fun-filled shopping trip where they stock up on food items anyone can find at their local Pick n Pay. In episode two, Moller and their resident chef, Zenlea Harris, strap themselves in for a whirlwind ride with Commissioner Florentina Dumbu of the Namibian Police Air Wing to hear the inspiring story of how she went from being Namibia’s only female police helicopter pilot to leading Nampol’s Air Wing.

“The menus for our shows are really crafted around the guests we have on for that episode. We look at their food preferences, their personalities and also what they love to cook themselves,” explains Chef Zen.

“We want to take food items that anyone can find at their local Pick n Pay, and make delicious and yes, fancy meals, with ingredients that you may already have on your shopping list or in your cupboard, just to give the viewers a different outlook what they can create with their monthly shopping,” she says.

Eating with your eyes

The team enlisted the services of well-known videographer Garwin Beukes, whose eye for detail and cinematic skill have helped them produce this highly visual series that holds your attention and tickles your taste buds.

“I have to say the ladies confused me at first, because they have so much fun, yet their approach to the meals is so serious that it feels like both a cooking show and a podcast all rolled into one,” says Beukes.

“We try to keep the visuals high-key, inviting and appetising, while we aim to edit it in way that not only gives the viewer a good idea of a day in the life of our guests, but allows the viewer to get a good look at the nuances of Chef Zen’s preparations and cooking, while giving the products and ingredients their prominence too,” he added.

If you’d like to check out this fully Namibian celebration of food and forward-thinking movers and shakers, scan the QR code below or visit the Pick n Pay YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe.