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N$2m for boreholes to mitigate Kunene drought

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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N$2m for boreholes to mitigate Kunene droughtN$2m for boreholes to mitigate Kunene drought ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

The agriculture and land reform ministry last year spent close to N$2 million under the Communal Land Development programme to equip the Kunene Region with 13 boreholes.

This was part of government’s drought mitigation measures, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said at a meeting to introduce the programme in Kunene.

He said the overriding objective of the programme is to increase the commercial utilisation of land in communal areas.

“Fundamental for the achievement of this objective is that beneficiaries have secure registered land rights and the duration of rights needs to be long enough to provide incentives in their farms, thus providing prospects to reap the benefits of labour and capital invested.”

He said the ministry has identified Kunene as one of the new regions to be supported with infrastructure development, improved security and farmer advisory services for agricultural commercialisation should the need be identified.

Creating employment

“The idea is to create employment for local people and hence income generation. Beneficiaries should also gain skills in maintenance of their infrastructure and gain a sense of ownership over their infrastructure.”

Schlettwein said the ministry has hired a consultant to conduct local level participatory planning in order to facilitate the identification of areas for infrastructure development, selection of beneficiaries, agreements on beneficiary contributions and securing of land rights in the form of leaseholds.

“Investment plans shall be developed that will guide infrastructure development.”

He said the programme will also support the Land Reform Programme in Kunene by funding activities such as the registration of all communal land rights, which is presently ongoing.

Schlettwein added that the programme has to date provided leaseholds for agricultural purposes formalised and registered in eight regions with 775 hectares.

A total of 867 kilometres of fences were erected in four regions under the programme and 24 multipurpose kraals were constructed in Kavango East, Kavango West, Omusati, Ohangwena and Zambezi.

Furthermore, 75 boreholes have been drilled in the Kavango East, Kavango West, Omusati, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Omaheke Ohangwena, while 52 boreholes have been installed and upgraded in Kavango East, Kavango West, Omusati, Ohangwena and Zambezi.

A total of 109 km of pipeline was also constructed in Kavango East, Kavango West, Omusati and Ohangwena.

ellanie@namibiansun.com
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Namibia aims to become premiere leisure destination

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Namibia aims to become premiere leisure destination Namibia aims to become premiere leisure destination ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

Namibia is aiming to position itself as a premier leisure and business destination with an approach of socially inclusive economic and tourism growth.

Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said this during the virtual launch of the Namibia travel and tourism week at the Dubai Expo last week.

The expo, which has been running from 1 October to 31 March, is being held under the theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

The theme of the Namibian Pavilion is ‘Preserving Natural Treasure for Future Generations’, with the aim of attracting investment and tourists to Namibia.

According to Shifeta, the term ‘natural treasure’ was selected to describe the wide range of precious resources Namibia is blessed with - from energy and ecology to biodiversity, people and rich cultures.

He said the purpose of expo participation is to connect key decision-makers, tourism operators, investors and the business community to introduce Namibia as an investment hub and a tourist destination of quality and unique travel experiences.

He said the launch of the Namibia travel and tourism week is further aimed at creating awareness and assuring the international outbound travel industry that ‘Destination Namibia’ is ready to welcome international travellers to the country.

Destination of choice

“Tourism is one of Namibia’s most socio-economically important sectors. The country’s unique natural attractions make it a global destination of choice amongst safari, luxury, adventure and photographic travellers.”

According to Shifeta, the variety of landscapes and sceneries, healthy and ever-growing wildlife populations, enigmatic and friendly people and general safety and ease of travel have made Namibia one of the top destinations on the African continent.

He added that the ministry is aligned with the World Health Organisation’s stance on the importance of engaging in safer protocols rather than stopping travel altogether in order to allow for the full recovery of the travel and tourism economies of many countries in the world.

“The country in general and the tourism sector in particular has put in place robust and sufficient Covid-19 public health protocols to safeguard international travellers to the country as well as its citizens. It is, therefore, safe to travel to Namibia.”

Ease of access

He added that Namibia issues visas upon arrival to qualifying international guests, tourists and business travellers in order to make travel to the country easy.

The ministry has also prioritised the implementation of the Kavango–Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) Tourism Univisa, which will facilitate ease of access for tourists from Zambia and Zimbabwe, and later all partner countries.

“We therefore urge tourism companies to secure and form strategic business partnership to optimise on the investment and business opportunities in the KAZA TFCA.”

ellanie@namibiansun.com
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Oshana governor offers registration fee assistance

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Oshana governor offers registration fee assistanceOshana governor offers registration fee assistanceFirst-time students to be provided with financial assistance The office of the regional governor in Oshana is currently running a call for first-time students at intuitions of higher learning to apply for financial assistance for their registration fees. Tunohole Mungoba







Oshakati

For the time, the office of the regional governor in the Oshana Region will be providing an opportunity to five students per constituency in the region to receive financial assistance for tertiary education registration fees.

Speaking to the Namibian Sun, control officer Moses Matatias said the office has been experiencing an influx of requests to provide financial assistance to vulnerable students for many years.

“Every year, we would have students coming to our offices pleading for assistance, because they cannot afford to pay for their registration fees. We then decided collectively to secure funds and provide assistance where we can,” he said.

“Most students are not fortunate enough to receive loans from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), so it can be extremely difficult for these learners to get this money,” he said.

Applications for the registration fee grant officially opened on 3 February, and the deadline is 21 February.

“Students who have applied and are accepted at any local recognised educational institution with accredited programmes in any field are encouraged to apply. We want to consider everyone, but since each case is different, we aim to target students who are from poor backgrounds and are first-time university students,” Matatias said.

Providing assistance

With 11 constituencies Oshana, a total of 55 students will receive funding. “Applications are done through their respective constituency offices and we receive these recommendations,” Matatias added.

Oshana governor Elia Irimari said private sectors and individuals are more than welcome to approach his office to further grow the initiative.

“With more education assistance, we will be able to grow a literate workforce. We further need to look at creating a soft infrastructure people do not see.

“We need to provide assistance to our communities wherever we can and anyone who would like to contribute to this project can contact us. For now, we are only in a position to provide a grant for registration fees,” he said.
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Accountants win vaccination battle against employer

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Accountants win vaccination battle against employerAccountants win vaccination battle against employer Ogone Tlhage



Several employees of accounting firm CRVW Chartered Accountants and Auditors have won a legal tussle with their employer, who had planned mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for all its employees.

The four employees, Sanette Strauss, Etienne du Toit, Irvain Nels and Hafeni Haimbodi, had expressed their unwillingness to get vaccinated.

“How CRVW Chartered Accountants and Auditors expects our clients to sign an indemnity in respect of any adverse health consequences in respect of an experimental vaccine, about which CRVW cannot provide any information, defies all reason in logic and law,” wrote Richard Metcalfe, the lawyer representing the four.

The employees further demanded CRVW to take responsibility should the vaccine cause any adverse reactions.

“Until such information is provided by CRVW and CRVW provides a guarantee and undertakes that it will be liable for any adverse health consequence of administration of the Covid-19 vaccine to our clients, there will be no vaccination. Quite simply, no proper information, no undertaking of liability, no Covid-19 experimental vaccine,” Metcalfe said.

'Bullying'

He further argued that the ministry of labour had clarified its stance regarding Covid-19 vaccination and accused CRVW of resorting to bullying tactics.

“Your unilateral bullying tactics of effectively forcing your employees to be vaccinated or be dismissed or work from home at a reduced salary does not comply with Namibian law,” Metcalfe said.

The employees demanded CRVW to drop what they described as an illegal vaccination policy.

“Should your illegal Covid-19 vaccinations policy not be halted by close of business on 8 February with immediate effect and the matter be resolved by bilateral discussions between CRVW and its employees, legal action follows. All of our clients’ rights are reserved,” the lawyer said.

Providing an update on the matter, Metcalfe said CRVW had given in to the employees’ demands.

“They folded and advised employees that they will pay for all Polymerase Chain Reaction tests. No need to vaccinate,” Metcalfe said.
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Stop shaming us for our disability – Katjiuanjo

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Stop shaming us for our disability – KatjiuanjoStop shaming us for our disability – KatjiuanjoEveryone is equal, disability advocate says The Oshana governor held a day dedicated to breaking down disability stereotypes and forcing all Namibians to re-examine their prejudices. TUYEIMO HAIDULA







OSHAKATI

Sieben Katjiuanjo sits in a wheelchair and talks about how he and many other Namibians live with a disability of some kind, but what often holds them back from leading full lives isn’t their disability, it’s the discrimination they face.

Katjiuanjo said disability is not a “form of punishment” as many see it, but “it is gift for the world”.

Katjiuanjo works at the Omaheke regional division of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare. He said disability is not any form of sickness.

He was motivating people living with disabilities at Oshakati State Hospital on Wednesday in the company of Oshana governor Elia Irimari.

Irimari held a day dedicated to breaking down disability stereotypes and forcing all Namibians to re-examine their prejudices. He said the engagement was done so his office could teach those residing within the region and Namibians at large how to interact with people living with disabilities.

“We also want them to share wisdom with one another. We are looking for ways to best interact with people living with disabilities and find out how we can extend out helping hand,” Irimari said.

‘Everyone’s equal’

Katjiuanjo told the crowd he was born in 1965 and at nine months, he got polio, which left him disabled. He spent eight years in hospital. In 1981, he was discharged from the hospital and was not admitted again based on his disability till today.

“Disability is not any form of punishment but a gift for the world to see what different people living with disability can achieve or do and to show the world that everyone is equal in society. We are not sick and people should stop treating us as if our disability is an inability,” he said.

Katjiuanjo said when he was discharged from the hospital, he was thinking he would not survive, but five decades later, he soldiers on, now married and with four children.

He talks about the thing that most disturbs their life - stigma.

“People pretend that they are there for you and tell you that you can call them any time. When you do, they act otherwise,” he said.

Katjiuanjo’s experience isn’t unique. With up to 15% of Namibians living with disabilities, many of them struggle to find jobs, get a quality education, access public health services and fully integrate into society.

He said people with disabilities also at times have been denied a job because of their disability, despite job advertisements saying they are encouraged to apply.

Poor healthcare services

Furthermore, Katjiunanjo said when people with disability seek healthcare services, they often experience discrimination and receive poor service.

This, he said, happens especially with the hearing-impaired as there is often no sign-language interpreter to help them communicate with the nurse or doctor or duty.

“People using sign language are suffering in this country when they go to clinics. At the police station they are also unable to open a case. The stigma is starting from home up to the offices which are supposed to assist us,” he said.

Katjiunanjo said what he wants more than anything is for people to know they shouldn’t identify him by his disability but by his name.

Like Irimari, he too wants Namibians to think about them as parents, as employees, as people, and figure out ways to create an inclusive society.

– tuyeimo@namibiansun.com
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Meatco’s sustainability discussed

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Meatco’s sustainability discussedMeatco’s sustainability discussed ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

There is a need to mainstream livestock producers in the Northern Communal Areas into the Namibian economy to take advantage of opportunities in Namibia, Middle East and south-east markets that accept beef processed through the application of the Commodity-Based Trade Protocol.

This was pointed out by Meatco CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji during a meeting with the Livestock Producer Organisation (LPO) and the Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) last week.

Uncertainties regarding the sustainability of Meatco’s prices and its pricing mechanism as well as clarity on the company’s future plans were high up on the meeting’s agenda.

According to the NAU, LPO chairman Thinus Pretorius introduced the discussion and said the vast majority of cattle slaughtered at Meatco come from LPO members and, therefore, it is the LPO’s responsibility to keep communication channels with Meatco open.

He said the sustainability of the cattle export value chain is crucial for stability in the industry and congratulated Meatco on the prices paid to producers in 2021. The sustainability of current prices was, however, questioned, seen against the expected operating costs, available slaughter cattle for 2022 and prices realised in international markets.

Not transparent enough

The LPO said delivery to an export abattoir is determined by the price paid and the confidence producers have in the abattoir. The perception exists that the Meatco pricing mechanism is currently not transparent enough for all producers, as four different prices are currently being paid to producers supplying Meatco with export stock.

The LPO pointed out that it was willing to discuss detailed financial planning with Meatco two years ago and is pleased that Meatco is now accommodating this offer.

It was agreed that a technical discussion would take place to address the uncertainty of the current financial sustainability as well as the producer prices paid.

Best interest

According to Meatco, LPO president Piet Gouws highlighted that Meatco - as an organisation belonging to farmers - needs to continuously lobby for its farmers and ensure that the livestock industry is sustainable in the long-term and in the best interest of Namibian producers.

Mushokabanji highlighted that the current leadership at the organisation has mapped out strategies to make the business competitive, profitable and sustainable. He said this requires Namibian farmers to effectively coordinate and collaborate for the survival of the livestock sector.

“Farmers need to work together and currently the prices offered to the farmers are competitive.”

He said the business has been reconfigured over the last 12 months and operational efficiency will make it profitable.
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Same-sex marriage battle heads to Supreme Court

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Same-sex marriage battle heads to Supreme Court Same-sex marriage battle heads to Supreme Court JANA-MARI SMITH



WINDHOEK

The final stage is set for Namibia’s highest court to decide whether Namibian authorities should legally recognise and extend equal rights to Namibians and their same-sex non-Namibian spouses.

Lawyers for two Namibians, Johann Potgieter and Anette Seiler - both married to foreign partners who have for years been denied equal residential rights as the foreign-born spouses of heterosexual Namibians, filed their appeal at the Supreme Court last Thursday afternoon.

The appeal is aimed at overturning the January dismissal by three High Court judges of the couples’ applications to be afforded equal family and marriage recognition in Namibia.

Frank decision

A major roadblock the High Court faced, which they argued could only be dealt with by the Supreme Court, is a more than two-decade old Supreme Court decision, known as ‘Frank’, which has been upheld as a legal precedent against equal marriage rights for queer Namibians.

The appeal lists several grounds against the High Court judgment, including the argument that the Frank judgment’s findings were not binding on the legal recognition of marriage, spouse and family in Namibia.

The appeal argued that if the Supreme Court however finds that the ‘Frank’ decision was binding, then it should “overturn its own previous decision for a number of compelling reasons”.

These include that the ruling ignored constitutional rights to dignity, and failed in its interpretation of international law as it relates to human rights that are relevant to Namibia.

The appeal also lists a number of points contained in the High Court judgment, which, though it did not end in a win for the applications, nevertheless was deeply critical of the lack of equal rights and recognition for Namibia’s queer community.

Recognise us

The appeal highlights that the ‘Frank’ ruling erred in that it found that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and social status was not prohibited by Namibia’s constitution.

It asks that the Supreme Court rule that the couples’ civil marriages, concluded outside of Namibia in jurisdictions that do not ban marriages between persons of the same gender, be recognised here, and that they are recognised as families as per their constitutional rights.
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Unam clarifies mandatory vaccination drama

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Unam clarifies mandatory vaccination dramaUnam clarifies mandatory vaccination dramaStudents barred from hostel The university has resolved the matter and indicated that mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 is not among its prerequisites for admission. Kenya Kambowe







Rundu

Chaos erupted at various University of Namibia (Unam) campuses when students were required to present Covid-19 vaccination cards to be admitted to hostels last week.

The university has, however, resolved the matter and indicated that mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 is not among its prerequisites for admission, spokesperson John Haufiku said.

Last week, a number of students were turned away when they attempted to register for accommodation at Unam’s hostels because they were not in possession of vaccination cards.

All this emanated from a notice Unam issued in January that said students who wished to be accommodated in its hostels are advised to get vaccinated or present a doctor’s letter indicating that they cannot get the jab.

When contacted for comment, Haufiku clarified, saying that it was all a misunderstanding by the administrators, and students are now allowed to register and be accommodated without being vaccinated.

No policy changes

“It was a misunderstanding, but it has been resolved now.

“The policy of the university did not change and we will continue implementing the stance of the government, which stipulates that getting vaccinated should be a voluntary choice,” he said.

Haufiku however added that the university encourages students to heed government’s call and get vaccinated.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Communities warned against flood risks

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Communities warned against flood risksCommunities warned against flood risksWindhoek rivers flowing The country’s major dams received significant inflow due to heavy rains and floods in their catchment areas over the past few weeks. ELLANIE SMIT







WINDHOEK

The hydrological services of Namibia has urged communities in flood-prone areas, especially in the Khomas highland, Kuiseb and southern parts of the country, to be on high alert for possible floods, and to take necessary precautionary measures.

It said flows were reported in some of the western flowing ephemeral rivers due to heavy rains received in their catchment areas recently.

The hydrological field monitoring team reported that the Kuiseb River at Gobabeb recorded 1.07 meters on Friday afternoon.

The river level at Rooibank stood at 1.15 m on Friday morning.

“In Windhoek, rivers are flowing due to recent heavy rainfalls.” The Arebbusch River at Monrovia recorded 0.86 m on Friday morning.

River levels rising

Meanwhile, the latest update on the Orange - Fish system is that the level of the Fish River stood at 0.60 m at Tses on Friday morning.

The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is gradually rising, and on Friday morning, the water level was at 2.18 m, above normal for this time of the year.

The Okavango River at Rundu has slightly increased by 2 cm and recorded 4.58 m on Friday morning, while the level of the Kunene River is very low and was flowing at 50.5 m3/s on Friday.

It added that the country’s major dams received significant inflow due to heavy rains and floods in their catchment areas over the past few weeks. The total content of the major water supply dams in the southern part of the country is

relatively high and stood at 93.1% on 7 February compared to 91.1 % on 8 February 2021.

Upscale management

“Dam operators are advised to upscale flood control management for flood risk mitigation and issue timely early warnings to communities living downstream.”

Releases again took place at the Hardap Dam yesterday to reduce its level from 75% to 70%.

The Namibia Meteorological Services has warned that widespread thundershowers will persist in the Kunene and Erongo regions today.
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Editorial: Swift justice for some

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Editorial: Swift justice for someEditorial: Swift justice for some First Lady Monica Geingos’ defamation win in the High Court last week shows that justice can be swift and the courts are upholders of dignity and truth.

Geingos’ decision to tackle the hurtful slander directed her one year ago via social media is to be commended for the strength and decisiveness she demonstrated as a woman taking on a society that often allows men to step on a woman’s dignity without second thought.

She tackled a worrying trend in which society too easily revels in social media gossip rather than facts on platforms that make it exceedingly easy to do so.

The case has, however, also spotlighted the fact that not many Namibians can so swiftly be afforded justice through the courts.



It is well documented that legal fees for top lawyers and lengthy court cases present an insurmountable financial challenge for many Namibians, especially women in need of urgent justice.

Perhaps the First Lady’s win can restart the urgent conversation on the solutions that have been presented over the years.

Small claims courts, legal insurance and more pro-bono work by well-established legal firms are some of the proposals that have been made. Easing and squashing legal fees for divorces is also crucial to helping women stuck in abusive marriages.

The defamation case has shown that our courts can act swiftly and justly. But it’s important that this becomes a reality for all Namibians, not just those with deep pockets.
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SPYL condemns tender cartel

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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SPYL condemns tender cartelSPYL condemns tender cartel Kenya Kambowe



Divundu

The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) Kavango East leadership has condemned what they term a ‘cartel’ made up of a few individuals in the region who appear to scoop lucrative tenders while others can only hope and dream. This, they argued, contributes to the high unemployment amongst youth in the region.

The youth wing has called on leaders in Kavango East to bring a halt to the currents status quo of only few benefitting from tenders.

“I am telling you for an ordinary young man or lady from Kanyumara village to get a tender in this region is not easy, why? Because there is a cartel in which tenders are being dished out in a circle at the expense of poor young people, and this has resulted in high youth unemployment in the region,” SPYL Kavango East secretary Anselm Marungu said.

Speak up

“How correct it is for someone from Rundu to get a tender of cleaning in Divundu? Are we saying there is no one with capacity to do the cleaning tender in Divundu? We need to correct some of these things.

“Once you don’t appreciate your own people, no one will come and appreciate them for you,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marungu also mentioned that the youth wing is disappointed by the lack of a pronouncement by leaders in the region on the issues affecting the youth.

“Youth unemployment is very serious in this region and not even a single leader has come out clearly to pronounce themselves on this social and economic enemy of the youth. What does it mean?” he asked.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Diescho slams 'self-doubting' Kavangos

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Diescho slams 'self-doubting' KavangosDiescho slams 'self-doubting' Kavangos Kenya Kambowe



Rundu

Professor Joseph Diescho has described the Kavango people as suffering from self-doubt, self-pity and self-hate because they only gain confidence when given tasks by outsiders.

Diescho, who lives in Germany after a public fallout with government and Swapo leaders in Namibia, made the remarks in a widely circulated lecture piece titled ‘Understanding the troubles of Rundu Town Council’.

Hailing from the Kavango East Region, he argued that service delivery is lacking in a town such as Rundu because officials entrusted to provide services are afraid to spearhead development because they don’t want to see non-Swapo members benefit.

“Kavango people suffer a deep psychosis of inferiority complex in relation to authority and people from outside,” he wrote.

“This complex manifests itself in self-doubt, self-pity and self-hate. As a result, officials on the Rundu town council lack confidence to execute the tasks and responsibilities given to them.

“They wait for someone from Windhoek to tell them what to do. They are too afraid to take risks because they cannot read the mind of the master, whom they fear even in their sleep.

“They are also afraid that Swapo will be unhappy with them if they build facilities that might benefit those who are seen to be against Swapo.”

Response

Residents of Rundu have been deprived of effective service delivery for years because of the local council’s failure to carry out its mandate.

Rundu CEO Olavi Nathanael said he was aware of the opinion piece, but added that the council was not obliged to prove the professor wrong.

“It is his opinion and we have no obligation to prove him otherwise,” he said.

A long serving administrator in Kavango East and former administrator of the Rundu town council, Sebastian Kantema described Diescho’s statements as “stupid” and said he would not bother responding to them.

“All I can say is they are stupid ideas and I cannot drag myself into those stories.”

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Ruling on Bishop's sin sets 'good precedent'

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Ruling on Bishop's sin sets 'good precedent' Ruling on Bishop's sin sets 'good precedent' Motormouth Hishoono ordered to pay N$250 000 Legal and political experts have weighed in on what precedent Friday's court ruling against the IPC regional coordinator would set on individuals’ rights and obligations going forward. OGONE TLHAGE







WINDHOEK

Political and legal analysts yesterday agreed that Friday's High Court ruling against Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) regional coordinator Abednego 'Bishop' Hishoono did not set a precedent of limiting freedoms to speak about public matters involving people in authority.

First Lady Monica Geingos successfully sued Hishoono for defamation, and he was ordered to pay her N$250 000 in damages.

Hishoono accused Geingos of being a catalyst in the liquidation of Air Namibia because of her supposed interest in a rival airline.

He also made unsubstantiated claims that Geingos has a child with Fishrot accused James Hatuikulipi.

Following the ruling, questions on what precedent the ruling will set were raised, with some fearing it could scare many people from criticising leaders because lawsuits could be brought against them.

Others wondered what effect the ruling would have on freedoms of speech and expression.

Aim to defame

Weighing in, human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe said: "The judgment should not be seen as limiting the right of people to speak about matters of public administration or about people in authority".

"Although the monetary award appears to be high, and may be a debate by an appeal court, the content of the speech by the defendant was certainly not to advance robust debate on the public affairs of people in authority, but simply untrue and with the aim to defame. It was even admitted, under oath, that the statements were false," he added.

"Thus, I don’t think that this judgment is a precedent that people need to be afraid of engaging in robust political debate or satire.

"At best, the outcome of this matter should be a lesson that people need to be mindful of the others’ dignity, privacy and reputation when making statements concerning them. The courts will always weigh up the right to speech against the right to dignity. The less true a statement is, the more the right to dignity will weigh,” Tjombe said.

"If a statement is true and in the public interest, the courts will protect that speech. Unpopular but true speech is worthy of protection."

Curtail slander

Meanwhile, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said while the ruling against Hishoono is welcome relief for Geingos, questions will be asked regarding how the matter was so expeditiously concluded, while courts generally battle backlogs in similar cases.

He added that the judgment will curtail social media slander, which has become rife in the country and often goes on unpunished.

He, however, wondered whether ordinary citizens would have enjoyed the same treatment in court.

“Would it have happened if it was an ordinary member of public? Would our court have gone to his or her rescue to ensure dignity had been restored?” Kamanyah questioned.

He added that it was, however, important that the First Lady successfully sued Hishoono, noting that claims against other persons had to be done with an element of civility.

“What you say must be in the bounds of accountability. Civility and accountability should be there. We are not invincible,” he said.

‘We talk our things’

The High Court ordered Hishoono to pay Geingos N$250 000 for defamatory remarks he made against her last year. Geingos originally sought N$350 000. Judge Orben Sibeya made the ruling.

Justifying his actions, Hishoono said he made a political statement.

“The collapse of Air Namibia made me record the video. I was not talking to the public but a group of friends on a social platform. I did not know it would be circulated. When we talk our things, we are not targeting anyone; it is just a discussion of a rumour that was going around.

“We are politicians and we speak about politics,” he said, adding: “I did not deliberately and consciously circulate it [the video] to the group; it was just a discussion that went too far. This was not supposed to tarnish her image”.

I’m sorry

On Friday afternoon, hours after the court ruling, Hishoono issued a public apology to Geingos, saying he got his facts wrong. He also said political leaders like himself need to exercise truth and civility in their criticism of opponents.

Sisa Namandje, Geingos’ defence lawyer and from whose office Hishoono issued his apology, said he has not received any instruction from the First Lady to exonerate Hishoono from paying the damages in light of his apology.

"The apology doesn't not change the fact that he still has to pay damages as ordered by the court," he said.
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEFCOMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF BAT sales jump on vaping

British American Tobacco (BAT) on Friday reported a 7% rise in full-year adjusted revenue to 25.7 billion pounds (US$34.8 billion), helped by sales of e-cigarettes and oral nicotine.

The world’s second-largest tobacco company also announced a dividend increase of 1.0% to 217.8 pence and a 2-billion-pound share repurchase programme for 2022.

It posted a 51% rise to 2.05 billion pounds in adjusted sales of its “new categories” product line which includes e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and oral nicotine. Though the division has yet to turn a profit, BAT said it was on track to report revenue of 5 billion pounds and profitability by 2025.

"Continued growth in new categories is a cornerstone of BAT's long-term plans for success," Third Bridge analyst Ross Hindle said. "With over 1.1 billion smokers still using combustibles, the opportunity to convert consumers towards New Categories is highly attractive."

The company said 4.8 million more consumers than last year used non-combustible products such as Vuse e-cigarettes, glo heated tobacco and Velo oral nicotine.

BAT said it expects global tobacco industry volumes to decline by around 2.5% this year. For 2021, the company had estimated those volumes to remain flat. -Reuters

Exxon Mobil expands oil futures

Exxon Mobil is injecting new cash into oil trading in Europe after a retreat on its ambitious expansion plans last year, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

Exxon slashed funding for its trading division in 2020 as part of wider cuts, leaving traders without the capital they needed to take full advantage of the volatile oil market during peak Covid-19 lockdowns.

The company’s cautious strategy during the pandemic sparked the exodus of some senior-level recruits from the previous couple of years, along with Exxon veterans, after they were restricted to routine hedging and deals.

Among the senior departures Reuters reported last year, Paul Butcher was due to leave in September but then stayed after Exxon decided to allocate more financing, the sources said, without providing further detail.

The sources said Exxon would keep its trading expansion going. Butcher is now expanding the paper market team in Exxon's office outside London, which would see Exxon engage in speculative trade beyond hedging their own oil, they said. -Reuters

Volvo Cars profit lags forecasts

Volvo Cars on Friday posted fourth-quarter earnings below expectations pressured by global supply shortages despite strong demand for its vehicles.

Profits at the carmaker, which listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in October, were also dented by raw material costs and accounting changes at EV venture Polestar, in which it owns a 49% stake.

Its fourth-quarter operating profit fell to 3.7 billion Swedish crowns (US$396.4 million) from 4.9 billion a year earlier and missed the 4.8 billion expected by analysts in a Refinitiv poll. Revenue fell 6% to 80.1 billion crowns but topped the 75.2 billion expected by analysts.

Volvo said it expected to continued sales growth in 2022, though uncertainty due to the lingering effects of the pandemic remains high.

The Gothenburg-based company and global peers have been forced to cut vehicle output, despite robust demand in key markets such as China and the United States, due to a global chip shortage.

Volvo said the supply chain would remain a restraining factor, while the component shortage had eased somewhat and would improve gradually. -Reuters

California sues Tesla

A California state agency has sued Tesla Inc over allegations by some Black workers that the company tolerated racial discrimination at an assembly plant, adding to claims made in several other lawsuits against the electric car maker.

The lawsuit filed in state court late on Wednesday by the state's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) said Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, is racially segregated and that Black workers claim they are subjected to racist slurs and drawings and assigned the most physically demanding jobs.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. The company said in a blog post on Wednesday it was expecting the lawsuit, which it called misguided.

The DFEH said working conditions at the plant are so intolerable that many Black employees have been forced to quit.

"Workers referred to the Tesla factory as the 'slaveship' or 'the plantation,' where defendants’ production leads 'crack[ed] the whip,'" the agency said in the complaint. -Reuters

Mercedes reports 12.7% sales return

Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans expects an adjusted return on sales of 12.7% in the full year, the company reported in preliminary figures on Friday, with an adjusted EBIT of 14 billion euros (US$15.94 billion). The fourth quarter saw an adjusted return on sales of 15%, it said.

"Solid net pricing, good product mix and favourable used car performance" boosted profitability, the statement said, even as semiconductor shortages limited the number of vehicles the carmaker was able to produce.

Mercedes-Benz, which spun off its commercial vehicle business Daimler Truck in December last year, expects the deconsolidation to have positive effects on the group EBIT in order of magnitude of 9 to 10 billion euros.

However, it was management's view that this valuation effect would have no difference on cash flow and therefore should be excluded from the basis for determining dividends, it said.

Mercedes-Benz saw a 5% sales drop in 2021 to 2.05 million vehicles, losing its crown for the first time in five years as the premium carmaker with the most vehicles sold to BMW. -Reuters
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Sterling hat-trick extends City lead, United held

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Sterling hat-trick extends City lead, United heldSterling hat-trick extends City lead, United held SuperSport



Manchester City restored their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League as Raheem Sterling's hat-trick put Norwich to the sword 4-0, while Manchester United's chances of just making the top four stumbled again in a 1-1 draw against Southampton on Saturday.

City boss Pep Guardiola took the chance to rotate his side ahead of the return of the Champions League in midweek with Kevin De Bruyne among those rested.

Conquering Europe is the priority for Guardiola, but the English champions are well on course for a fourth Premier League title in five years.

Norwich stunned City with a 3-2 win at Carrow Road when they were last in the top-flight, but their resistance lasted just 30 minutes until Sterling curled brilliantly into the far corner.

Phil Foden's shot sneaked just over the line three minutes into the second half before Sterling made it 3-0, heading in Ruben Dias' inviting knock-down.

Sterling sealed his hat-trick after Hanley was harshly adjudged to have brought down Liam Delap in the final minute.

The England international's penalty was saved by Angus Gunn, but the rebound broke kindly for Sterling to complete a perfect hat-trick of a right foot, left foot and headed finishes.

Massive

"For his confidence, it will be massive," Guardiola said of Sterling, who has struggled at times this season to hold down his place in the team.

"The first goal is brilliant. When Raheem executes without thinking, he is excellent."

Liverpool has two games in hand to cut the gap, starting with a trip to Burnley on Sunday, but a 15-game unbeaten league run has propelled City into a commanding position.

United blow another lead

At the start of the season hopes were high on the other side of Manchester for a title challenge, but United are 23 points off the top and in increasing danger of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League.

The Red Devils took the lead through Jadon Sancho's first Premier League goal against Southampton at Old Trafford.

But, for the third consecutive game, United surrendered a lead to draw 1-1 when Che Adams slotted in off the inside of the post two minutes into the second half.

United are level on points with fourth placed West Ham, but Arsenal are just a point behind with two games in hand, while Tottenham have played three fewer games and are four points back.
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Rockets stun Chiefs in Nedbank Cup

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Rockets stun Chiefs in Nedbank CupRockets stun Chiefs in Nedbank Cup SuperSport



TS Galaxy claimed the big scalp of Kaizer Chiefs once more in the Nedbank Cup after running out 1-0 victors at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening to advance to the round of 16.

Augustine Chidi Kwem scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute as the Rockets produced another shock result against Amakhosi, having beaten them in the 2019 final.

Chiefs have now exited the tournament at the first hurdle in two successive seasons after being knocked out by Richards Bay in the round of 32 last year.

Stuart Baxter's side almost got off to the perfect start at Soccer City, though; when Keagan Dolly's second-minute corner was met by Daniel Cardoso, who saw his header go just wide of the left post.

In the end, one goal was enough to see off the challenge of the Soweto giants, with Galaxy marching on in the competition.
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Mercedes fired up to bounce back

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Mercedes fired up to bounce back Mercedes fired up to bounce back Russell ready with his squad Brit George Russell said his new Mercedes team were heading into the 2022 Formula One season fired up to bounce back from Lewis Hamilton's controversial title defeat in Abu Dhabi. SuperSport







The Mercedes squad extended their streak of record constructors' title wins to eight last year, but failed to make it a successive eighth title double after a controversial safety car call allowed Red Bull rival Max Verstappen to pass Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the season-ending Abu Dhabi race to score his first championship triumph.

The loss was the dominant team's first championship defeat of the turbo hybrid era that began in 2014.

It denied them a clean sweep of titles in the final year under those rules, with 2022 ushering in a radical regulation overhaul.

"I think following the conclusion of last year, there’s so much motivation and fire within the whole factory to bounce back," Russell said in a pre-recorded interview released by Mercedes. "And that is incredible for me to see."

Russell, whose career has been supported by Mercedes, joins the Brackley-based squad after three years at power unit customer Williams, where he had been placed to learn the ropes.

The 23-year-old put in a cameo as a stand-in for Hamilton, side-lined by Covid-19, at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, very nearly winning on his Mercedes debut.

Coming home

"In a way it feels like returning home to people who I’ve known for such a long time," Russell said.

"Because I’ve spent so much time with the team prior to joining Williams in Formula One as a junior driver, I feel like I know everybody so well already."

Russell is set to line up alongside seven-time champion Hamilton this season.

Hamilton's future has been the subject of speculation, but the 37-year-old Brit has been listed on the schedule for Mercedes' 2022 car launch on 18 February.

Investigation

The governing FIA has launched an investigation into events at the Abu Dhabi finale where race director Michael Masi altered the safety car procedure, moving only the lapped cars between race-leading Hamilton and second-placed Verstappen out of the way.

The outcome of the probe will be put before a meeting of the Formula One commission today.

Final decisions are expected to be announced at the World Motor Sport Council on 18 March, the same day as the first practice session for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
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Interest rates to weigh on construction activities

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Interest rates to weigh on construction activities Interest rates to weigh on construction activities Outlook looks bleak The rising interest rate environment will add further pressure on mortgage loan growth in 2022, analysts say. Annual mortgage growth has been far below long run averages, with household mortgages growing a net 6% on average and corporates growing at a net 1% on average in the last three years. Simonis Storm PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

Interest rates are expected to increase by 125 basis points (bps) in 2022, this will increase the prime rate from 7.50% to 8.75%.

The rising interest rate environment will add further pressure on mortgage loan growth in 2022, especially for households who still have salary cuts or who face low job security, according to Simonis Storm.

The first monetary policy announcement for the year by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) is expected to take place on Wednesday.

According to IJG Securities, the City of Windhoek (CoW) approved 98 building plans in December, which is a 62.7% month-on-month decline from the 263 building plans approved in November and 14.8% year-on-year lower than the 115 approvals in December 2020.

In value terms, approvals fell by 46.2% month-on-month to N$116.6 million. A total of 63 building plans worth N$317.3 million were completed during the month, representing an increase of 23.5% year-on-year in terms of number and 891.2% year-on-year in terms of value of completions. A total of 2,451 building plans were approved in 2021, 169 more than in 2020. In value terms, total approvals for the year rose by 5.9% year-on-year to N$1.96 billion, IJG pointed out.

“Building plans approved is a leading indicator of economic activity in the country and the above data implies that the Namibian economy has shown some recovery in 2021 following the Covid-19 slump, it is still showing signs of hardship. The low number of commercial building plan approvals in 2021 is another sign of this and indicate that most businesses are not planning on expanding their existing operations,” IJG said.

Coast

In Swakopmund, Simonis Storm pointed out that a total of 96 building plans with a value of N$55.8 million were approved during December 2021, compared to 54, with a value of N$34.4 million being approved during December 2020.

During 2021, 690 plans were approved, compared to 500 in 2020, up by 38.0%. During December 2021, 45 building projects were completed with a value of N$42.7 million, compared to 28 projects with a value of N$16.3 million being completed in December 2020.

These projects included 18 new residential projects with a value of N$10.8 million, 7 residential additions and alterations valued at N$2.8 million and 3 new flats with a value of N$2.7 million. During 2021, 442 building projects were completed, compared to 392 in 2020, up by 12.8%, Simonis Storm added.

“Using the building statistics from Windhoek and Swakopmund as a proxy for the construction sector in Namibia, we do not believe 2021’s gross domestic product (GDP) figures will materially have improved from 2020’s levels, Simonis pointed out.

“Annual mortgage growth has been far below long run averages, with household mortgages growing a net 6% on average and corporates growing at a net 1% on average in the last three years, compared to a net 13% and 26% respectively between 2005 and 2017,” Simonis Storm said.-phillep@nmh.com.na
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New vehicle sales remain sluggish

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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New vehicle sales remain sluggishNew vehicle sales remain sluggish PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

A total of 705 new vehicles were sold in January, which is 29 fewer than were sold in December, but represents a 1.7% year-on-year increase from the 693 new vehicles sold in January 2021.

On a twelve-month cumulative basis, a total of 9 440 new vehicles were sold up to the end of January 2022, representing an increase of 23.7% from the 7 633 new vehicles sold over the same 12-month period a year ago. 2022 is thus off a somewhat better start than January 2021, however, new vehicle sales remain sluggish, according to IJG Securities.

404 New passenger vehicles were sold during January, an increase of 11.6% m/m from the 362 sold in December, and 14.1% higher year-on-year from the 354 new passenger vehicles sold in January 2021. On a rolling 12-month basis, new passenger vehicle sales rose 38.6% year-on-year at the end of January, although the figure is from a very low base. 12-month cumulative passenger vehicle sales were down 53.9% from the peak in April 2015, IJG pointed out.

Commercial vehicle sales declined to 301 units in January, representing a contraction of 19.1% month-on-month and 11.2% year-on-year. During the month 266 light commercial vehicles, 5 medium commercial vehicles, and 30 heavy commercial vehicles were sold. On a year-on-year basis, light commercial sales fell by 11.6% year-on-year, medium commercial vehicles contracted by 44.4% year-on-year, and heavy and extra heavy vehicle sales grew by 3.4% year-on-year, IJG added.

Shortage

Also commenting on the data, Simonis Storm notes that global chip shortage is now expected to persist much longer than mid-2022, with some analysts expecting shortages to mitigate by end of 2023.

To provide some perspective, at the end of January 2022, the Joe Biden administration indicated that about 140 American auto manufacturers have less than five days’ worth of semiconductor chips in stock, compared to 40 days in 2019.

Car manufacturing will continue to be under pressure in 2022, with Ford already cutting production targets for the new year and missing Wall Street earnings expectations, Simonis Storm added.

This means that vehicle imports into Namibia and stock delivery to local vehicles will continue to be constrained and keeping a limit on vehicle sales growth. The local market can still be characterised by demand exceeding supply, indicating that vehicle sales would be higher in the absence of global vehicle manufacturing limitations, Simonis Storm pointed out.-phillep@nmh.com.na
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Gladiators lose to Sundowns Ladies

February 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Gladiators lose to Sundowns LadiesGladiators lose to Sundowns Ladies Limba Mupetami



Namibia’s Brave Gladiators lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Club in a friendly match played at Chloorkop in South Africa on Saturday afternoon.

This was a warm-up match for the Gladiators as they gear up to face Zambia in the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Wafcon) first leg qualifier round on Wednesday, with their return slated for 23 February.

The Gladiators’ only goal came in the first half through Viola Vliete. Sundowns Ladies scored two twice in the second half.

The Namibians are without star forward, Zenatha Coleman. Coleman’s club Fenerbache had a match scheduled yesterday and was expected to fly to South Africa right after to join her trusted crew of Gladiators players ahead of the international match.

Wafcon is scheduled for Morocco between 2 and 23 July and will double as the African qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, set to be played in Australia and New Zealand.
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