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England, New Zealand eye T20 final spot

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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England, New Zealand eye T20 final spotEngland, New Zealand eye T20 final spot NAMPA/AFP

Eoin Morgan's England have been hit by injuries but go into Wednesday's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final as favourites against New Zealand, two years after both sides clashed in a dramatic 50-over final.

England have lost opening batsman Jason Roy and pace bowler Tymal Mills but they sealed a final-four place with four wins in five Super 12 games.

Roy collapsed on the pitch with a calf injury in England's final group match that they lost to South Africa and was later ruled out of the tournament and replaced by James Vince.

England's aggressive brand of cricket got them past West Indies, Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka with clinical ease to finish as group leaders ahead of the Aussies.

But the Kiwis are no pushovers and who better than England to appreciate the Black Caps' worth after they needed a super over to edge out Kane Williamson's side when the 2019 ODI World Cup final finished in a tie.

"If England and New Zealand provide a fraction of the drama they did on a glorious afternoon at Lord's in July 2019, then the T20 World Cup might get the spark it desperately craves this week," former England captain Mike Atherton wrote in The Times.

New Zealand matched England's 241 courtesy of Ben Stokes' unbeaten 84 at the end of 50 overs and then their 15 in the super over before England were declared winners on boundary count.

England have reached the final four of the T20 World Cup without star performers Stokes and Jofra Archer and Roy's departure adds to their woes ahead of Wednesday's game in Abu Dhabi.

Jos Buttler hit the tournament's only century in his unbeaten 101 against Sri Lanka and remains second best run-getter behind Pakistan captain Babar Azam (264) with 240 runs.

Chris Woakes leads the pace bowling charge ably supplemented by Chris Jordan while spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali have proved their value with eight and seven wickets each respectively.

New Zealand have been the perennial underdogs in top events but a runners-up finish in the ODI World Cup and becoming world Test champions after beating India in the final has proved their consistency across formats.

Pace bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee have shared 18 wickets between them to trouble opposition teams with their early strikes.

After losing their opener against Pakistan, Williamson's New Zealand have worked as a well-oiled machine and hammered India in their second game to get the momentum in their favour.

They then brushed aside Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan to march into the semi-finals but Boult acknowledges his opponents as a well-balanced side.

"Full of match winners. Very well balanced team playing some very good white-ball cricket at the moment. Let's hope we can create a big upset," said Boult, a left-arm quick.

"There has been a good history between the two sides in white-ball cricket. I am sure there are people watching this one with lot of interest."

Boult has a strike rate of 10.7 in this tournament and believes early wickets against an in-form England top-order will be key to success.

"We know the magic recipe that early wickets does put pressure on the oppositions," he said.

"Days it doesn't happen, days it does, but if we could go out there and disturb a very powerful England top-order then I think we will be successful. But it's definitely not going to be easy."
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Bank Windhoek-NVF Cup heading to finals

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Bank Windhoek-NVF Cup heading to finalsBank Windhoek-NVF Cup heading to finalsTeams raring for success All the remaining quarter-final games that did not take place this weekend will be played in Walvis Bay in December. NAMPA

The Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) hosted the 13th edition of the Bank Windhoek-NVF Cup (Bank WHK-NVF Cup) at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region over the weekend.

The games were played at the Ongwediva Tennis Court on Saturday and Sunday and 28 volleyball teams participated in the men’s and women’s categories.

In the men’s category Kudos Volleyball Club from Khomas booked themselves a spot in the semi-finals after beating fellow Windhoek-based outfit Unam Volleyball Club (VC) by three sets to zero.

In the women’s category Revivals VC from Khomas beat Oshana-based NamPol VC three sets to nothing, while another quarter-finals encounter also saw Kudos (Khomas) beat Shining Stars from Rundu by three sets to zero.

In an interview with Nampa on Monday, NVF technical director Joseph Amakali said all the remaining quarter-final games that did not take place this weekend will be played in Walvis Bay in December.

Teams still waiting to play their quarter-final fixtures in the men’s category are Snake Attacks from Zambezi Region, who will battle it out with Six Stars from Oshana, while Unam Katima Mulilo VC will face the Namibian Correctional Service Volleyball Club from Ondangwa.

The Namibian Defence Force Volleyball Club will face Rundu VC. The fixtures are scheduled to be played in Walvis Bay during the weekend of 3 to 5 December 2021.

In the women’s category Khomas NamPol club will face Six Stars from Ondangwa, while the NDF must battle it out with the Navy from the coast.

Amakali said the quarter-final and semi-final games will all be competed for in Walvis Bay and the winning teams in the round will then face each other in the final at the coast that same weekend.
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Adiós residentes

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Adiós residentesAdiós residentes DR JOB AMUPANDA

Although local authority councillors are elected for a five-year term, mayors are elected for one year. Next month, the City of Windhoek will elect a new mayor, deputy mayor and management committee members. In this connection, I reflect on our time in office drinking from the wisdom-cup of the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, who submitted that “by three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Indeed, as author Yvonne Woon posits in her 2010 novel ‘Dead Beautiful’, “sometimes, you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead.”

Moral and Formidable Leadership

The Namibian constitution, in Article 102, established local governments with an executive and administration that is subject only to the constitution and the relevant laws. Despite this genesis, local authorities struggled to operate independently. Instead, they were seen as extensions of the central government as zones of patronage and bastions whereat stooges of central politicians are deployed to carry out corrupt and/or unlawful political directives. Resultantly, local authorities failed to operate outside the grand narrative and posture of the hegemonic center on account that over the past 30 years, an absolute majority of local authorities were under the control of Swapo, the ruling party. The 2020 elections changed this balance of power. With Swapo having lost control of major municipalities, coalitions and/or voting arrangements were birthed. In Windhoek, AR, IPC, Nudo and PDM formed a coalition called the Progressive Forces. We worked to give the City an identity and operate outside the patronage network administered by the hegemonic centre. Windhoek leadership is now widely acknowledged by all and dominates mainstream public discourse. Society is aware that Windhoek issues are not discussed and concluded at ministerial offices. Compared to National Assembly sessions, Windhoek Council meetings have more viewers. Windhoek is now taken seriously.

Financial Prudence and Sustainability

We found perplexing finances. On the one hand are assets worth N$20 billion and liabilities calculated at N$ 3 billion on the other. Concurrently, contained in about N$5 billion budget is a more than N$400 million deficit. Weak financial management allowed residents to owe the City more than N$ 900 million. We tasked our finance team to clean up the books and put up systems. We are chasing the City’s first unqualified audit within the next four years. Earlier this year, we cut off the services of several government ministries and agencies who enjoyed the past non-payment culture. They speedily moved to pay what they owed to the City. Resultantly, we used the payment to settle historical debt we owed to NamPower and NamWater. A lot still needs to be done but the foundation is set.

Economic growth and development

With our economy in shambles, sloganeering national leadership uninspiring; it became clear that economic recovery in Windhoek cannot be left to posturing national politicians. We redirected the City to assume a developmentalist interventionist character. Given that Windhoek contributes more than 30 percent to the country’s GDP, we introduced and approved the Windhoek Economic Recovery Initiative (WERI) – an initiative granting entrepreneurs an opportunity to submit proposals contributing to employment creation and economic growth. These proposals are being adjudicated and successful bidders will be announced soon.

Land and Housing Interventionist character

We have adopted initiatives to solve Windhoek land and housing challenges. We have passed the Affordable Housing Policy to guide our intervention in the low-income segments of our residents. The approved land pre-allocation intervention will allow for land allocation to be done faster, soon after the completion of the layouts. Residents will know the locations of their future homes. We approved one waiting list of all those who have applied for land in Windhoek. This list will also soon be available on the City’s website for transparency. We now have a city-owned company, Nova Actus Holdings (Pty) Ltd, to be involved in building homes and servicing of land amongst others. Council has approved the construction of a relocation centre in Otjomuise. This centre will also be used for emergencies resulting from disasters. These noble interventions will, however, remain meaningless if not executed speedily for residents to see results. Indeed, a lot still needs to be done.

Public Life and Social Harmony

Windhoek cannot continue being absent in the social life of its residents as has been the case over the past years. On a close inspection, the small town of Oranjemund may have more well-kept public open spaces and recreational areas than Windhoek. In their numbers, Windhoek youth have now turned to shebeens and alcohol for recreation. To reverse this trend, we have created a dedicated budget vote for the development of public open spaces. Over the coming years, residents will see how the public open spaces will increase, for our children and youth, because of this intervention. We have started assisting and coordinating with several arts institutions and partners in Windhoek to support the arts in the City. We are now busy with the development of the Public Art policy which will further guide the City’s actions. The City’s bulldozers and graders are busy levelling and preparing several football and netball fields for our children in several informal settlements. We have to intervene in these social spaces.

Future targeted initiatives

By 2041, Windhoek’s population will increase from an estimated less than 400 000 to 800 000. We have started preparing for 2041. We have started preparations for the Windhoek Education Fund to provide for future education opportunities of our youth. We advertised a tender for the building of the 25 MW solar plant in Windhoek. Beyond the green city and reducing the NamPower dependency, we are primarily planning for energy needs for the future 800 000 Windhoek inhabitants. We are almost done with the City’s Spatial Development Framework to guide spatial development over the next 20 years. Future students will be able to cycle to and from their Windhoek campuses.

Friends of Windhoek and International Relations

We have mobilised our internal and external friends to support our development efforts. The European Union and City of Bremen assisted us in securing the N$30 million for our waste management programmes. With our Spanish friends, we will soon launch a football school programme administered by Real Madrid FC. Our fruitful engagements with our international friends will soon bear similar fruits. Inside Namibia, we are consolidating the unity of the local authority family. Windhoek stands ready to assist other local authorities towards a formidable developmental Namibian local authority.

Unfinished business

We are yet to finalise the recruitment of the City’s CEO. It would seem that the old factional City wine managed to permeate through us or some amongst us. Preference and kinship, and not the rule of law, seems to be at play. One only hopes that we aren’t headed for back-and-forth years. We were unable to recover and rescue the Association of Local Authorities of Namibia. We were also unable to develop the City’s internal research capacity. City Police problems remain. Sam Nujoma stadium and football challenges persist.

Adiós residents

We have raised the standards and Windhoek is now taken seriously. We have established a good foundation for further work. The path will be smooth. It has been a tough year that left me fatigued, often gasping for air as everyone sought to get my attention. We tried our best given the circumstances. Salutation to the young men and women of the Red Star, the Progressive Forces, fellow councillors, City employees and stakeholders. As our Spanish friends would say, adiós residentes.

* Job Shipululo Amupanda is the mayor of Windhoek and Activist-in-Chief of the AR movement. He holds a PhD in Political Studies from the University of Namibia.
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The new Range Rover SV

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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The new Range Rover SVThe new Range Rover SVPowerful and efficient Engine choices include the refined new 390kW V8 Twin Turbo, 375kW Extended Range plug-in hybrid and the efficient D350 straight-six Ingenium diesel with 700Nm of torque. The New Range Rover SV is an exquisite interpretation of Land Rover’s pinnacle luxury SUV, providing greater choice, heightened craftsmanship and greater functionality. This hand-crafted model from Special Vehicle Operations will be the first vehicle to carry the new ceramic SV roundel and simplified naming strategy known simply as SV.

The SV roundel represents the distillation of Special Vehicle Operations’ design and engineering passion for modern luxury, performance and capability. The SV roundel will identify all new Land Rover vehicles launched by Special Vehicle Operations in future.

The new Range Rover SV flagship, previously envisioned through the SVAutobiography family, features exclusive design details and material choices throughout, with greater scope for personalisation and customer choice than ever before.

Both Standard and Long Wheelbase body designs including a five-seat LWB configuration for the first time can be specified with curated SV Serenity and SV Intrepid design themes inside or out, which introduce two-tone front-to-rear contrasting colourways to Range Rover.

Comfort

The sumptuous new SV Signature Suite option on long-wheelbase models epitomises the heightened luxury and craftsmanship from Special Vehicle Operations, providing ultimate comfort for two rear-seat passengers. It’s cosseting seats with Range Rover SV-specific contours feature 24-way adjustment with massage functionality while an elegant electrically deployable Club Table rises theatrically from the fixed full-length centre console on beautifully engineered supports to provide a convenient workspace when required.

Powerful and efficient Range Rover SV engine choices include the refined new 390kW V8 Twin Turbo, 375kW Extended Range plug-in hybrid and the efficient D350 straight-six Ingenium diesel with 700Nm of torque.

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Special Vehicle Operations, said: “Special Vehicle Operations exists to amplify the core characteristics of Land Rover vehicles, obsessing over every detail with a passion for quality. In the case of Range Rover, that means injecting even more luxury into every part of the car.”-MOTORPRESS
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Tsumeb hands over 183 plots

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Tsumeb hands over 183 plots Tsumeb hands over 183 plots ESTER KAMATI

WINDHOEK

Tsumeb, which has over the years experienced massive land grabbing as a result of land scarcity, last week handed over nearly 200 land occupation certificates to residents.

The town’s mayor, Matheus Hangula, said urbanisation and an increasing population have made the allocation of land difficult for the council.

Hangula said the town’s population has more than tripled in the past thirty years, having increased from 9 000 to an estimated 40 000 people, which puts pressure on land resources.

“It is estimated that more than 10 000 people are currently living in the informal settlement of Kuvukiland, and this number is rising rapidly in other areas.”

Population pressure

Hangula added that the influx of people into the mining town caused pressure on existing infrastructure, while increasing land prices and reducing land access.

“The provision of basic land to people in need, especially those living in overcrowded households, is crucial to the development and wellbeing of the communities,” said urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni.

He gave beneficiaries the green light to prepare their new plots and urged the municipality to ensure that basic sanitation services are accessible in the areas.

Twenty plots were handed over in the Kap en Bou area located in Extension 8 of the Nomtsoub location, while 13 other plots in Nomtsoub Extension 8 were given to the Shack Dwellers’ Federation.

Forty-seven erven were handed over to Endombo residents in Nomtosub Extension 1 and 25 plots to Ondundu residents in Tsumeb’s Extension 13, while 78 erven were given to Kuvukiland residents in Extension 8 Nomtsoub.

“I am also reliably informed that some areas have already installed streetlights and the provision of water in the area,” stated Uutoni.

Land invasion

The minister said land grabbing has deprived residents of necessary services and has placed authorities at a disadvantage in the management of land and service provision.

He added that the long-term remedy for these challenges is the speedy execution of the Local Government Reform Policy.

“What is required from all of us is political and social maturity and a collective effort from all stakeholders involved to restore trust in institutions of local governance.”

Uutoni advised local authorities to keep track of current settlement patterns and to strengthen communication with the community about municipal services.

“Councils need to take resolutions to allocate land to certain groups of applicants through the flexible land tenure system.

“Slow delivery of land by local authorities should not only be blamed on local authorities alone but I believe there are also some other factors such as funding to service and demarcate land, as well as the procurement process that are playing a role.”

Uutoni assured that the ministry will continue to provide the needed support to the families to acquire shelter and benefit from infrastructural development in the informal settlements.

ester@myzone.com.na
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Working towards three Rio conventions

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Working towards three Rio conventionsWorking towards three Rio conventionsMaking progress against climate change Namibia has accumulated significant knowledge and experience from ongoing projects implemented under the three Rio conventions, says environment minister Pohamba Shifeta. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Namibia is making progress through the implementation of several projects to protect its biological diversity, adapt to climate change and combat desertification.

The country has accumulated significant knowledge and experience from the ongoing projects and initiatives implemented under the three Rio conventions, which can be scaled up to build resilience of communities and ecosystems.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says Namibia has ratified the three Rio conventions, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

“Since then, Namibia has embraced the concept of implementing the three Rio conventions in a synergetic approach to promote sustainable land management, build resilience of communities against climate change and conserve biodiversity.”

Shifeta was speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, that is being held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Programmes

He said the projects the ministry is implementing include a six-year Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project through the United Nations Development Programme.

The project, titled ‘Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance to Eradicate Poverty (NILALEG)’, is intended to reduce poverty through sustainable nature-based livelihood strategies, which also promote the protection of biodiversity, restoration of forests as carbon sinks, and contribute to avoiding, reducing and reversing land degradation.

Furthermore, the ministry is also implementing a five-year Green Climate Fund (GCF) funded project.

The project, titled ‘Building Resilience of Communities Living in Landscapes Threatened Under Climate Change Through an Ecosystems-Based Adaptation Approach’, aims to increase climate change resilience of productive degraded landscapes in Namibia through the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation actions that strengthen social and ecological systems to sustain livelihoods at local level and facilitate value chains associated with natural resources.

“Our national strategies and action plans are developed in a synergistic way taking into consideration the objectives of all three Rio conventions, leveraging on areas of commonalities, shared human and financial resources and reinforcing each other at institutional, programming and policy levels,” said Shifeta.
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEFCOMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF Richemont stock rises

Richemont surged on the Swiss stock exchange on Monday on press reports that the US activist hedge fund Third Point has bought a stake in the luxury goods group.

According to the Financial Times newspaper and the Miss Tweed online news portal, the New York-based hedge fund founded by US activist investor Daniel Loeb has bought into the Geneva-based group, which counts Cartier among its brands.

And the US fund Artisan Partners, which owns 1.2% of the company and has held a stake for several years, is also pushing for Richemont to improve its performance, said the FT, citing an unnamed source.

At 1323 GMT, Richemont shares were up 3.57% at 124.60 Swiss francs, significantly outperforming the SMI, the Swiss stock exchange's benchmark index, which was up 0.36%. Richemont and Third Point declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Third Point is known to push large groups into speeding up changes. In October, it notably invested several hundred million dollars in the oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, calling for it to split into several companies due to what Loeb sees as an inconsistent strategy. -Nampa/AFP

PepsiCo to get Tesla trucks

PepsiCo Inc will get its first set of Tesla Inc electric trucks in the fourth quarter, the packaged food maker's top boss Ramon Laguarta said in an interview to CNBC on Monday.

The maker of Mountain Dew soda and Doritos chips in December 2017 reserved 100 of Tesla's electric semi-trucks as it sought to reduce fuel costs and fleet emissions.

Transportation accounts for 10% of PepsiCo's gas emissions, according to Laguarta. The company had previously said it aims to use the trucks to ship snack foods and beverages between manufacturing and distribution centres as well as to retailers.

PepsiCo and Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comments. Walmart Inc, fleet operator J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc, and food distributor Sysco Corp have also placed orders for Tesla's semi-trucks.

Last month, rental car firm Hertz said it would order 100 000 Tesla vehicles by the end of 2022.-Nampa/Reuters

Coca-Cola partners with WPP

WPP, the world's biggest advertising company, will become global marketing network partner for the Coca-Cola Company, the two companies said on Monday.

The contract is another fillip for WPP which last month raised its annual sales forecast and said that much better than expected third-quarter trading showed a structural change to its growth rate.

WPP will handle Coca-Cola’s media in eight of its nine geographical operating units and the large majority of its creative work, WPP Chief Executive Mark Read said in an email to staff which was sent to media.

"This is among our company’s greatest ever new business achievements, the largest win in decades, and a fantastic endorsement of the new WPP we have built together over the last three years."

Coca-Cola said it had named Japanese advertising group Dentsu as a complementary media partner in selected markets where it bought distinctive strengths. -Nampa/Reuters

Disney offers streaming discount

Walt Disney Co said on Monday it was offering a month of Disney+ for US$1.99 for a limited period, as the entertainment giant seeks to stem a slowdown in paid user growth at its streaming service.

The promotion will begin on Nov. 8 and will be valid for a week through Nov. 14 for new and eligible returning subscribers in the United States and some other countries, Disney said in a statement.

Disney, which charges US$7.99 per month for its streaming service in the United States, recently hinted at a slowdown in subscriber growth in Disney+, leading to a rare Wall Street downgrade.

Disney+, which has "Star Wars" and "Avengers" franchises in its portfolio, picked up more new subscribers during the Covid-19 pandemic as theatre closures prompted more people to turn to digital streaming to quench their entertainment needs.

As part of the promotions marking the launch of Disney+ two years ago, the company said it would provide other offers including an early entry into its theme parks for eligible subscribers. -Nampa/Reuters

Citigroup expecting US$1.5 bln charge

Citigroup Inc said on Monday it expects to take a cash charge of nearly US$1.2 billion to US$1.5 billion related to the closure of its consumer banking business in South Korea.

The bank had announced its plan to exit consumer businesses in 13 markets in Asia and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), where it does not have the scale necessary to compete, in April.

The move is part of Chief Executive Jane Fraser's plan to streamline operations and boost the bank's profitability. The exit will help release roughly US$7 billion of allocated tangible common equity over time and boost its capital, the bank had said last month.

"In terms of Korea, the economics of winding down the consumer business are much more attractive than continuing to run the business," Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason said in a statement.

He said the exit from South Korea would help the bank release roughly US$2 billion of allocated tangible common equity and in the remaining markets, it was in talks with potential buyers. -Nampa/Reuters
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IPPR Public Enterprise Governance Rankings 2021

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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IPPR Public Enterprise Governance Rankings 2021IPPR Public Enterprise Governance Rankings 2021Most remain dependent on subsidies Although some commercial Public Enterprises (such as the telecoms companies) may have benefited from the pandemic, the majority would have been badly hit, especially those in the tourism and travel sectors. Our analysis this year suggests only seven out of 20 public enterprises have been profitable in recent years and... 1. NamPower: This year NamPower is one of our three top-ranked public enterprises scoring highly across all criteria although it was slower to publish its annual report. The company is a well-run genuinely commercial operation contributing to the fiscus and investing for the future while providing plenty of information to the public. Questions can be asked about the years it spent chasing prestige projects and the lack of significant new generating capacity this produced before fully embracing the IPP concept and also renewable sources of energy. However, NamPower is essentially a monopoly whose prices are regulated by the Electricity Control Board. Provided the ECB agrees, it is therefore always possible to raise prices, make profits and pay taxes and dividends.

2. MTC: MTC scores well across all criteria but is a little slow to publish its latest annual report. There is no question that the company is currently well-run but it now dominates Namibia’s small market leaving little room for growth and rendering it effectively a monopoly. The real question is whether a state-owned monopoly represents the best way of providing competitively priced and innovative telecoms services to Namibians and whether selling off a share to private shareholders is a good idea given the current lack of competition. A better approach may be to nurture two or more dynamic private sector players and ensure they compete on a level playing field.

3. NamPost: NamPost scores well across most criteria but is a little slow to publish its annual report. It is a well-run and uncontroversial commercial operation generating modest profits and providing an important service to key communities.

4. NamPort: NamPort is also late with its annual report so it is hard to assess its most recent financial performance. The process of appointing a new MD appears to have gone smoothly. Its African record for reefer transfers achieved in 2020 provided good publicity for the new container port which will have to prove itself as a commercially sound investment.

5. Namdia: Namdia scores highly across most criteria but falls short of scoring more highly because important questions remain about past under-pricing of diamonds. It is not known what the outcome of the report of the public enterprises minister to the president on this issue is and important questions remain not only about the way the company is run but also its fundamental role given it seems to be drifting into diamond cutting and polishing as all the while its margins decline.

6. Roads Authority: Perhaps rightly, the Roads Authority claims it is not really a commercial public enterprise in the same way as others because it was not established to generate profits and pay dividends. Nevertheless, we believe it is important to monitor its performance as it plays a crucial role in the Namibian economy. During 2020 it improved the amount of information available to outsiders and also gains from no reported incidents of mismanagement or corruption.

7. Namibia Airports Company: Under a new CEO, the NAC has experienced no reported instances of mismanagement or corruption and pushed ahead with the expansion of Hosea Kutako International Airport. It continues to provide very little information and by the end of 2020 its last publicly available Annual Report was from FY15/16.

8. Meat Corporation of Namibia: Meatco continues to score well for the timely publication of its Annual Report and the provision of information on its operations. Its role in marketing Namibian beef to China and the US is commendable. However, as its auditors point out, it is in desperate need of a strategy which will render it financially sustainable over the longer term.

9. Telecom Namibia: Telecom has gone through a few turbulent years but has a new CEO and board. Whether it can find a profitable role for itself in Namibia’s small telecoms market competing against MTC and private sector players remains to be seen.

10. Namibia Wildlife Resorts: NWR has also gone through a difficult period with senior management but 2020 saw a new MD appointed. The company made great efforts to provide the public with more information on its operations which is to be welcomed. Covid has dealt a harsh blow to Namibia’s entire tourism sector and NWR is no exception but unlike private businesses it has been able to reply on a significant transfer from the national budget to survive.

11. Fishcor: Fishcor’s ranking is only due to financial performance achieved some years ago which we continue to rely on given the lack of alternative information. It is far from clear whether changes to management and governance introduced in 2020 will put the company on a firm footing.

12. Namcor: The lack of more up-to-date information prevents Namcor from scoring more highly than it does. Again, it is hard to assess what the outcome is of important investigations into questionable incidents and what if any action has been taken to address them.

13. TransNamib: TransNamib continues to score poorly although the amount of public information about the condition of the company improved in 2020. Reports about senior management and the board continue to swirl as regularly as ever and there is little sign of the new business plan being implemented.

14. Epangelo Mining Company: In the past year Epangelo has made an effort to share more information with the public. Nevertheless, it has never paid tax or dividends to Government but has rather depended on transfers from the National Budget. It is hard to see what value it adds to the national economy.

15. Lüderitz Waterfront Company: Given the dearth of information, points can only be awarded for the fact that no instances of management instability, mismanagement or corruption come to light in 2020 although the complaints lodged with the Anti-Corruption Commission in 2018 appear to have come to nothing. The High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy recommended Government divest itself of the company which is a polite way of saying it should be liquidated.

16. NIDA: The almost complete lack of public information on NIDA means it scores badly on almost all criteria and the dismissal of its board for dishonesty by the minister of public enterprises represented a huge blow to a new institution.

17. Air Namibia: Air Namibia has failed to publish an Annual Report for well over a decade. Despite this lack of information, the company has clearly made consistent losses and therefore failed to pay taxes or dividends to government requiring instead sizeable transfers from the national budget as well as loan guarantees in order to continue to operate. Senior managers with little or no experience of the airline industry continue to be appointed and unexpected changes in both the company board and senior management have taken place throughout the past year. The only positive thing that can be said is that no serious cases of corruption came to light in 2020. The company was formally liquidated on 26 March 2021 and will not feature in our rankings henceforth.

18. Henties Bay Waterfront: Given the dearth of information, the only positive thing that can be said is that no instances of management instability, mismanagement or corruption have come to light in the past year.

19. Zambezi Waterfront: Very little information is available on the Zambezi Waterfront but the issue of missing money does not appear to have been resolved. The High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy recommended Government divest itself of the company which was a polite way of saying it should be liquidated.

20. Roads Contractor Company: With no public information available on its financial performance over many years, the Roads Contractor Company scores poorly across all criteria. The company continues to require significant subsidies from the national budget and there appears to be little sign it will either be transformed into a genuine commercial enterprise or liquidated. The High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy recommended Government divest itself of the company which was a polite way of saying it should be liquidated.

PHOTOS FILE/NAMPA
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4% less rain predicted for Namibia

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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4% less rain predicted for Namibia4% less rain predicted for Namibia ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Namibia can expect several serious climate change impacts such as annual rainfall decreasing by 4% from a global warming of 1.5 degree Celsius.

With the global temperature rise set to surpass 1.5 degrees by the year 2030, climate change models have predicted that the impact of climate change in Namibia will be greater than this global average.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says adaptation is therefore critical for a country like Namibia, which is already battling with the impact of climate change.

He was speaking on Monday during a high-level ministerial dialogue on adaptation action at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Food insecurity

According to him, some of the impacts that Namibia can expect are that annual rainfall will reduce up to 4%, the evaporation rate will increase by 10%, cereal and livestock production will reduce by 10%, and the number of hot days will increase by 21 per year.

Shifeta said these projected climatic events will have considerable social and economic consequences.

“The country’s poor and rural populations will be the most vulnerable because they are the most reliant on natural resources.

“We are therefore calling on negotiators at this COP, and particularly the developed countries, to provide clarity on how they will ensure that a minimum of US$100 billion in climate finance is achieved by 2024.”

He said Namibia supports a scaled-up financial goal that is based on the needs of developing countries to support the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in order to reach net zero emissions trajectory as soon as possible, while striking a balance of the allocation between adaptation and mitigation through significant increase of grant-based not loans to burden developing countries.
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OvaMbanderus request return of long-lost belt

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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OvaMbanderus request return of long-lost beltOvaMbanderus request return of long-lost beltTraditional authority travels to Germany to identify relic A delegation that visited Germany last week identified the belt of the late Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva in a museum. OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The Ovambanderu Traditional Authority (OvTA) has requested the Stadtische Museum of Braunschweig to return the belt of late Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva after a delegation positively identified it. The belt had been carried by German officer Gustav Voigts, who disarmed Nguvauva.

It also called on joint collaborative efforts towards building harmonious relations between Braunschweig and the OvTA.

The traditional authority had travelled to Germany last week on a fact-finding mission to identify Nguvauva’s belt. After positively identifying it, the traditional authority is now requesting its return.

“We humbly request hereby the city council of Braunschweig and the Stadtische Museum of Braunschweig to resolve soonest the release of the belt of Kahimemua Nguvauva and to hand the same to the Namibian government through the embassy of Namibia based in Berlin, Germany, for its final repatriation back home to the OvTA and the Nguvauva clan,” a statement read.

The OvTA said the belt should be kept in a local museum for future generations to view it at home, 125 years after it had been taken.

Twinning arrangement

The traditional authority further asked that a twinning arrangement be made between Braunschweig and the OvaMbanderus for socio-economic development and collaboration.

“The same intervention could be considered in Namibia for the name of the city of Braunschweig to receive prominence and be promoted for the promotion of good relations between our two peoples.

“The Braunschweig city council could consider sponsoring a kindergarten or a library or at the OvTA headquarters that will be renamed after Braunschweig,” it said.

OvTA representative Ueriurika Nguvauva earlier this week positively identified the belt, saying: “The cartridge appears to be an original hand-made product used by our people at the time. They are also similar to the ones used by the Nama people. Also, a certain thorn from the ‘Ondjete’ tree could have been used to punch holes through the leather.”
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Vin Par Essie Winery launched

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Vin Par Essie Winery launchedVin Par Essie Winery launched TUYEIMO HAIDULA

ONGWEDIVA

Businesswoman Esser Shilimela launched her own range of wines, under the label of Vin Par Essie, at Ongwediva on Saturday.

Vin Par Essie means ‘Wine by Essie’ in French.

Essie Wine Manufacturing is a manufacturing company based in Paarl, South Africa. It employs about 50 people. The wines are manufactured there and then shipped to Namibia.

Vin Par Essie is a Namibian brand which was established in 2020. N$3 million was invested in the project and a turnover of N$20 million is expected annually.

Shilimela said she expects to have a full-fledged winery in Namibia within the next five years.

“We all know that champagne and wine are some of the things that make life worth it. They bring people together, and any day is always a good day to have a sip of something. I have travelled a lot and I have tasted a lot of different wines over the world and then one day it dawned on me, I could actually do this, create my own brand and custom make a blend of sparkling wines and red wine that will be to everyone's liking,” she said.

Shilimela said Namibians love a good wine and it is an honour to contribute to the lifestyle of people in the country.

Business mogul

Shilimela said she is on her way to becoming a business mogul as she runs 11 other companies.

Shilimela was a teacher who resigned from her job in 2011 to join her husband, Banda Shilimela, in business and has ventured into building her brand, Essie.

Former education minister David Namwandi, who was the keynote speaker at the launch, congratulated Shilimela, saying despite her previously disadvantaged background she decided to venture into an industry which is intricate and elastic.

Namwandi said Shilimela’s focus is on the generation of wealth and jobs for people.

“The focus of Esser is noble and deserves acclaim, if not massive support from all of us, citizens, corporate citizens and above all government,” he said.

Namwandi said if Namibians are to make progress they should let go of jealousy and applaud others. He said nations and strong economies are built by local entrepreneurs.

Those who would like a taste of the range of wines can buy them at the Essie depot in Ondangwa and the Essie wine shop in Ongwediva’s Chicco Mall.

– tuyeimo@namibainsun.com
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Millions of Nigerians face food insecurity

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Millions of Nigerians face food insecurityMillions of Nigerians face food insecurityAfrica's most populous country Inflation, especially food prices, remains high, plunging Nigerians further into poverty. The projected findings enable decision makers to better identify areas and population at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Nearly 17 million Nigerians are projected to be either at crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity next year, according to a major report.

The investigation, the bi-annual Cadre Harmonise framework, is led by Nigeria's Ministry of Agriculture with technical and financial support from the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Between October and December this year, more than 12.1 million Nigerians in 21 states were either at crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity, the report published on Friday stated.

That number is projected to increase to 16.8 million between June and August next year, it added.

The projected findings enable decision makers to better identify areas and population at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.

This year, the area with the highest number facing food insecurity 144 914 people at emergency or crisis levels was Borno state, in the northeast, where jihadists have waged a 12-year-long insurgency.

Military

Military operations are ongoing in the region, but violence continues. More than two million people have been displaced from their homes in the region, with many living in squalid camps where they depend on handouts.

Next year, the number of people experiencing emergency or crisis levels of food insecurity in Borno is projected to rise to 291 542 people.

In addition to the northeast insurgency, Nigeria is also battling unrest in its northwest and central states, where criminal gangs terrorise communities.

The oil-dependent economy of Africa's most populous country was battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Slipping into its second recession in five years last year, Nigeria's economy has bounced back to growth in recent months. But inflation, especially food prices, remains high, plunging Nigerians further into poverty.-Nampa/AFP
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Crypto market value tops US$3 trillion

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Crypto market value tops US$3 trillion Crypto market value tops US$3 trillion The world cryptocurrency market is worth more than US$3 trillion for the first time, according to calculations Monday, as mainstream investors increasingly jump on board.

The value has reached US$3.007 trillion, said CoinGecko, which tracks prices of more than 10 000 cryptocurrencies.

"The crypto market is growing at a mind-blowing speed," noted SwissQuote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya. "A part of it is speculation of course, but a part of it is real," she told AFP. "Crypto is now making its way to traditional finance and everyone is on board."

Bitcoin, the world's biggest cryptocurrency, hit a record-high US$66 000 last month after taking another step towards mainstream status.

It surged back above US$66 000 on Monday close to its all-time peak after a five percent jump. Ethereum, the second biggest cryptocurrency by market value, hit a record high US$4 768 on Monday.

A bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund, a type of financial instrument, launched on the New York Stock Exchange in October. The ETF is a more accessible vehicle that puts bitcoin within the grasp of even more investors.

Some investors see cryptocurrencies as a hedge against inflation, which is surging worldwide as economies reopen after pandemic lockdowns.

"Bitcoin is bouncing higher again, close to all-time highs," Hargreaves Lansdown market analyst Susannah Streeter said Monday.

"The recent surge in the crypto partly seems to have been caused by investors piling in, seeing it as a hedge against inflation," Streeter added.

No more than 21 million bitcoin can be created, helping its price to trade way above its rivals, but trading of cryptocurrencies in general has shown to be extremely volatile with massive price swings a common occurrence. -Nampa/AFP
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Woman arrested for stealing 25 goats

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Woman arrested for stealing 25 goatsWoman arrested for stealing 25 goats NAMPA



RUNDU

A woman was arrested on Sunday for allegedly stealing and slaughtering 25 goats that belonged to her neighbour at Siurungu village in the Kavango West Region.

The Namibian police’s crime investigations coordinator for the region, deputy commissioner Abner Agas, said the woman, an Angolan national, allegedly stole the goats between July and November.

According to him, the complainant suspected that her neighbour had been stealing her goats and reported the case to the traditional authority before involving the police.

He said the police got involved as a fight almost broke out between the two women.

Agas said they investigated and found four slaughtered goats at the suspect’s house.

The accused allegedly confessed to the police that she stole her neighbour’s goats, he added.

The goats are valued at N$24 500.

The woman is expected to appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court today.
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Abolishing fossil fuels could ‘choke’ developing nations – Alweendo

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Abolishing fossil fuels could ‘choke’ developing nations – AlweendoAbolishing fossil fuels could ‘choke’ developing nations – Alweendo OGONE TLHAGE



WINDHOEK

Mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has warned that plans to achieve zero carbon emission status globally could suffocate nations highly dependent on fossil fuels.

He made the remarks yesterday at Oil Week, currently underway in South Africa, where he called for nations to adopt an “energy mixed basket”.

“The country’s position is not to suffocate itself by cutting off potential oil and gas resources that could assist in solving our problems. A pragmatic approach in the energy transition conversation has guided the direction in which we are building our energy mixed basket,” he told delegates.

In Namibia, Alweendo said, the concerns are with providing living wages and supplying basic necessities to the country’s growing population.

“I understand the importance of working toward renewables. I believe they are the future of the energy industry.

“We also have many oil and gas companies present today who have made significant commitments to environmental, social and corporate governance principles… and to align themselves to contribute to the energy transition conversation. There is a myriad of ways to get to net zero,” he said, adding that “‘cutting off’ is not the only one we can explore.

“This approach will choke nations that are highly dependent on fossil fuels,” Alweendo said.

Clean energy

As part of government’s efforts to turn Namibia into a hub for green hydrogen, he said the country is optimally positioned to ensure it can provide the southern African region with abundant clean energy.

“Namibia’s vast solar and wind energy resources provide a strong foundation for the development of a green hydrogen hub in southern Africa. Government also sees domestic renewable energy generation and green hydrogen production as key vectors of national decarbonisation, and a great step in the energy transition conversation,” he said.

According to Alweendo, Namibia’s push for green hydrogen will not mean it will not consider conventional oil and gas resources.

Meanwhile, with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in motion, African countries can also collaborate in the area of green hydrogen to enhance industrialisation, he said.

As AfCFTA slowly comes online, the agreement offers valuable opportunities to expand regional trade and enhance intra-African collaboration. Notably, in addition to international exports, emerging natural gas and green hydrogen economies across the continent can redirect their attention to regional exports, boosting industrialisation through the consistent supply of petrochemicals, liquified natural gas and hydrogen,” Alweendo added.

“Right now, we have the opportunity to incorporate the problems of the future in today’s solutions, so that we protect the next generation.”
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Masubia chieftaincy candidates fall through vetting cracks

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Masubia chieftaincy candidates fall through vetting cracksMasubia chieftaincy candidates fall through vetting cracksInfighting rife amongst royal houses With two candidates from the wrong lineage, one of whom also boasts a criminal record, and another more connected to city life than to his roots, finding a successor for the late Masubia chief is proving very difficult indeed. Kenya Kambowe







RUNDU

The process of who will succeed the Chief of the Masubia tribe, Kisco Liswani III, who died in July due to Covid-19, will have to restart as three candidates failed the vetting process, Namibian Sun has learnt.

The men included former legal drafter in the justice ministry Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa, former Katima Mulilo Police Station commander Fredrick Nalisa and Sylvester Mutwa, the younger brother of the late chief of the Namibian Defence Force, John Mutwa.

According to a source who preferred to remain anonymous, the process of finding an appropriate successor to the Masubia throne has been met with infighting amongst the royal houses, which is prolonging the matter.

On why the candidates failed the vetting process, the source said Nalisa and Sylvester are not from the male side of the lineage of succession, while Muhongo is said to not have connected with the people over the years as he was predominantly based in Windhoek.

Nalisa also has a criminal record after being was found guilty of theft in the Katima Magistrate’s Court. He was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment last year for stealing bail money from the police station where he worked.

Possible new candidate

“Nalisa and Sylvester were just put there but it was known that they cannot become king. Nalisa’s court case made it difficult for him as well. As for Muhongo, we all know he went into exile at a young age and when he came back, he was just in Windhoek. He does not have the connection with the people,” the source said.

Rumour has it that a certain individual from Kasika is being considered to become chief, they added.

Meanwhile, Chief of Vekuhane in Botswana’s Chobe District, Sinvula Maiba Konkwena, will be travelling to Bukalo to advise on what should happen before the inauguration of the new Masubia chief.

This, because there has long been a feud amongst the royal family regarding which bloodline should be followed in the event that a chief dies or is unable to lead the tribe.

Liswani III’s lineage has been ruling the tribe since 1945.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Congo seizes US$3.5 mln of ivory

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Congo seizes US$3.5 mln of ivoryCongo seizes US$3.5 mln of ivory HEREWARD HOLLAND

Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have seized US$3.5 million worth of ivory, rhinoceros’ horn and pangolin scales in a joint operation with United States officials, the US embassy in Kinshasa said on Monday.

Two wildlife traffickers were also arrested in the United States on Nov. 4, following a more than two-year investigation between the two countries and global police agency Interpol.

Congolese law enforcement recovered almost a ton of ivory and 34 kg of pangolin scales in several locations in the capital Kinshasa, the US embassy said in a statement.

Congolese officials expect to seize upwards of 60 tons of ivory in further operations, said Olivier Mushiete, the head of Congo's Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN).

"We are putting down an international network of traffickers that are mainly from Congo," Mushiete told Reuters by telephone. "We have already reached up to 20 tons in total. It's not over yet. There will be more operations in the coming days."

Corruption, poor law enforcement and armed conflict have left West and Central Africa vulnerable to international criminals and made the region a hotbed of ivory and pangolin scale trafficking to Asia in recent years.

Congo seized 20.9 tons of ivory from 2015 to 2019, up from only 7.8 tons over the previous 16 years, according to statistics collected by the Environmental Investigation Agency.

"Illicit wildlife trafficking... robs the DRC of its natural treasures and also serves to finance armed groups and terrorists," said Mike Hammer, US ambassador in Kinshasa. -Nampa/Reuters
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Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade mandate

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade mandateMinistry of Industrialisation and Trade mandateRealising socio-economic development goals Implementing appropriate policies with the view to attract investment, increase trade, develop and expand the country's industrial base. ELIJAH MUKUBONDA

The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) has a clear mandate to spearhead two very important sectors namely industrialisation and trade, which are not only wide in scope but also very critical for the realisation of the national socio-economic development goals of our country.

The Ministry is charged with the responsibility to develop and manage Namibia's economic regulatory framework, promote economic growth and development through the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies with the view to attract investment, increase trade, develop and expand the country's industrial base.

The ministry has indeed paved a good path to charge on its mandate with dedication and commitment toward the execution of national documents such as the Harambee Prosperity Plans (HPP) and National Development Plans (NDPs) for realization of Vision 2030. MIT continues to implement key programmes aimed at contributing towards economic development and job creation including various interventions supported by key polices and regulatory framework relating to industrialisation and trade.

Our continual recurring theme of ‘Growth at Home’ concept, strategy and initiative underpins the importance of accelerating economic growth and increasing employment. It places greater emphasis on the significance of industrialisation by strengthening national value chains and creating more efficient linkages within the economy, improvements in the ease doing of business and ongoing engagement of collaboration between Government and private sector. In the area of industrial development, significant gains have been made towards identifying and funding sector growth strategies.

Business

The Industrial Upgrading and Modernization Programme (IUMP) also yield positive results following the successful funding provision to various enterprises across the country. Amending legislations to allow business operations, especially much needed services to our people. Embracing the utilisation of ICT amidst the fourth industrial revolution, to modernise processes while moving towards becoming paperless.

The operationalisation of the integrated client service facility or one-stop-shop whose aim is to improve the ease of doing business in Namibia through streamlining the procedures of starting a business in the country, faster work visa and work permit processing, e-service delivery globally, efficient business, tax, employer and employee registration, and scalable to include other permit or license registrations.

In relation to trade promotion, policy and agreements, Namibia continue to forge and maintain partnership both at regional, continental and global level in safeguarding Namibian products to find market space by ensuring a conducive trading environment. The Ministry has continued to represent Namibia at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), wherever trading of goods and services is involved, the ministry has a crucial role to play, either to facilitate or to create a free trade bloc. In terms of market development and market adaptation for Namibian products, Namibian beef was granted eligibility status into the United States of America (USA) market under AGOA dispensation.

The sought-after beef entered the US markets after 18 years of extensive negotiations between the two countries. The ministry has been promoting a charcoal sector growth project to contribute to the inclusive and sustainable industrial development of Namibia. This has been achieved through harvesting raw products processed in semi-processed products and charcoal is one of the products for the project.
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Market opportunities for northern cattle producers

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Market opportunities for northern cattle producersMarket opportunities for northern cattle producersPorous Namibia-Angola border poses biggest challenge While the construction of a border fence between Namibia and Angola will stop FMD the fastest, it will mean that that the mass translocation of Namibian cattle herds grazing in Angola must be halted, the Meat board said. ELLANIE SMIT







WINDHOEK

As a short-term measure, a commodity-based trade approach to beef exports from the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) can provide farmers with access to lucrative international markets.

Meanwhile, a long-term solution to be worked on is creating zones in the NCAs that are free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

This according to the Meat Board of Namibia, which said, in this way, beef producers in the country’s FMD protection zone will also be able to gain access to profitable international markets.

“Currently, producers farming in Namibia’s FMD protection zone cannot access the same markets as producers from the recognised FMD-free zone due to the occurrence of trade sensitive diseases.”

The Meat Board said the porous border Namibia shares with Angola, and the regular cross-border movement of cattle, present the biggest challenges to obtaining FMD freedom in the protection zone.

According to the Meat Board, it has considered numerous ways to improve market opportunities for producers in the protection zone.

These include improving the area’s animal health and accessing markets regardless of the area's current animal health status.

Issues such as feasibility, practicality, cost-benefit, social impact, international recognition and livestock marketing offtake were also taken into consideration.

Cheaper option

“Following the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for the implementation of commodity-based trade and the creation of free zones will facilitate international acceptance and recognition and enable market access.”

It said the only options are the construction of a border between Namibia and Angola, the use of low-risk areas within the NCA to create FMD-free zones, the creation of compartments that are free of FMD, as well as commodity-based trading.

A commodity-based trade approach follows methods for safe production of beef in areas not free from FMD and can thus be applied in the protection zone with the current animal health status, the Meat Board explained.

It is one of the cheaper options - at an initial cost of about N$4.8 million and an annual cost of N$30.5 million.

The approach, however, needs intensive involvement of veterinarians, as well as frequent and costly vaccinations against FMD.

Border fence

The Meat Board believes this can be a short-term solution, while areas that have a low risk of FMD should be fenced off. This is to achieve FMD-free zones in areas of the protection zone with the least disease risk adjacent to the veterinary cordon fence.

This will, however, have an initial cost of about N$616.8 million and an annual cost of N$22.9 million.

It will also entail that an application for the zones will have to be submitted to the OIE to declare the zones free of, among other things, FMD.

There will also be additional costs, such as numerous roadblocks for animal health, while fewer producers will benefit from it than when a border fence between Namibia and Angola can be erected and the whole area can finally be declared free of FMD.

While the construction of a fence will stop FMD the fastest, it will mean that that the mass translocation of Namibian cattle grazing in Angola must be halted, the Meat board said.

It added that apart from the fact that it can initially cost about N$ 615.3 million, with an annual cost of N$26.5 million, there are also practical problems to consider.

This includes livestock farmers experiencing a shortage of land, water and grazing, and socio-cultural ties across the border.

ellanie@namibiansun.com
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EDITORIAL: Adios, Amupanda!

November 9, 2021, 2:00 pm
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EDITORIAL: Adios, Amupanda!EDITORIAL: Adios, Amupanda! Windhoek mayor Job Amupanda this week bade farewell to the masses of the city as he climbs down from what has been a testing and bumpy ride as political head of the nation’s capital.

He leaves mountains of unaccomplished promises, but the good news is that he remains a councillor for the next four years and he doesn’t need a mayoral chain around his neck to fulfil his undertakings.

Amupanda was an unorthodox mayor, due to both the era and the complexities of his reign. His non-conformity to established traditions had its gains and losses – but it is coalition politics that showed him the most flames.



His radical agenda was dwarfed by the collective need for convenience that required compromise from all parties involved.

Also, 12 months are impractical for anyone to ring radical changes in a city already in as much disarray as Windhoek, but few people would sympathise with Amupanda, who, when he demands of others to do their work, does not pull his punches.

If his stint as mayor was a rehearsal for the biggest office in the land, the audition did not produce enough evidence of what his presidency could look like.

He is an excellent activist, but we do not have enough proof to make similar conclusions about him as a political leader. However, he now, more than anyone else, understands the complexities of public office and will hopefully use the lessons productively.
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