Disabled golf to feature in local tourney

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Disabled golf to feature in local tourney The organisers of the Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Championship plan to incorporate disabled golf into the tournament in future.

The competition, which is sponsored by Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) through their Windhoek Lager Beer brand, sees 11 African countries compete amongst each other for top honours.

NBL manager of sponsorships Ian Stevenson told the media last week there is a lot they can adapt in the competition and they are still ironing out all the small details.

“The Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket would like to include disabled golf but there are a lot of categories when it comes to disabled golf,” he said.

The Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Championship started with its maiden edition in 2013.

In its third edition in 2015, it introduced a women's category to the competition for the first time.

Stevenson added that at the moment things are not yet clear, but they would want to start with amputee golf as there is already a Namibian golfer, Chris Wood, who plays golf on the international stage for South Africa.

“The aim at the moment is increasing the interest of golf in the country and like we did in the past when we introduced three different divisions - A division handicaps up to nine; B division handicaps from 10-16; and C division handicaps from 17-24,” said Stevenson.

He stated that Wood, who will be relocating to Namibia this year, will be tasked with the job of starting up an amputee golf body in the country.

This year's Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Championship takes place on 23 and 24 June.



NAMPA

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Improved sports viewing

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Improved sports viewing Africa's leading sports channels provider SuperSport wants to make it easy for sports fans to find their favourite sport on Dstv, so it is cleaning house.

On 4 July, the SuperSport offering will be revamped to offer viewers easier navigation and less duplications.

Gideon Khobane, SuperSport CEO said that they are making these changes to give DStv customers a better viewing experience, making it easier to navigate a wide variety of sports in the back-to-back channels.

“There will be less duplication and repeats of sport, and no impact on live events, the overall sport viewing will be enhanced, as will our overall HD offering” he said.

When the 2017/18 European football season kicks off in August, SuperSport 3 will be the Home of the premier league for DStv premium and compact customers while SuperSport 7 will be their go-to channel for all La Liga football action.

SuperSport 11 and SuperSport 12 will remain on the platform as permanent event channels for overflow live sport giving subscribers a wider choice of live sport.

SuperSport will also introduce a new sports channels: SuperSport 10, which, in addition to one live Premier League and La Liga Match per week, will also include a UEFA Champions League and Europa League match as well as Athletics, Rugby 7's and the newest sports genre growing in popularity – eSports, across all DStv packages.

SuperSport 8, which currently airs overflow live events on DStv Premium, will treat DStv Premium, Compact and Family customers to the Premier League and La Liga overflow matches plus FIFA internationals and the IAAF Diamond League athletics in glorious high definition.

All sport currently available on SuperSport Select and SuperSport Select 2 will henceforth be available on SuperSport 9 and SuperSport 10.

This is great news as Dstv customers will continue to enjoy the same amount of exciting local and international sport but on a leaner and well-organised World of Champions.

Khobane reassures sports fans that “SuperSport is still the home of the best sporting action on the African continent, and with an enhanced HD and a streamlined channel offering, we believe we have made the viewing experience a whole lot better.”



STAFF REPORTER

Soccer league begs for cash

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Soccer league begs for cashSwakopmund women footballers need N$25 000 The coastal-based football league is struggling to raise about N$25 000 to enable it to run its affairs in the coming season. The Swakopmund Women's Soccer League (SWSL) is in need of money ahead of its third season that is expected to kick off in July.

League Chairperson, Wilson Nguvauva told Nampa last week that the teams are reinforcing their squads with new signings, but administrators are looking for financial injections to have operations run smoothly.

“Our league is growing and we want to keep young girls off the streets, which is a good thing for us as league administrators.”

Nguvauva said some teams have started with preparation for the upcoming season, despite not having received prizes for the 2016/17 football season due to financial constraints.

They need between N$20 000 and N$25 000 to run a season, including prizes and for administration.

“We are therefore calling on good Samaritans to come on board and help keep these young girls off the streets,” said Nguvauva.

He said the league, in collaboration with teams, will embark on a campaign to raise funds through events and the municipality through community work.

The amateur women's football league was established in June 2015 with eight football teams all based in Swakopmund and Arandis.

Dragon City, Namib Daughters, Dream Team, Swakopmund Football Club; African Queens, Kavetu FC A & B and Chelsea are the teams that compete in the league.

Namib Daughters were crowned champions in the league's maiden season, while Dragon City was crowned champions of the league in its second season.



NAMPA

Surfers ride strong waves

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Surfers ride strong wavesMonster swells off the Namibian coast Surfers jet in from around the world when huge winter swells start rolling up the Namibian coastline. One of the most promising big wave surfers on the planet Natxo “Natxete” González is chasing the perfect wave and the ultimate ride of his life at Donkey's Bay on the outskirts of Walvis Bay.

Natxete is among a group of more than 50 surfers including a number of professionals and some bodyboard riders from Australia, Spain, USA, South Africa and New Zealand, who arrived on Wednesday in search of the biggest and best waves to ride only on offer in Namibia.

He can take on any type of wave and has travelled the world to prove it since announcing himself to the global stage with a win at the Punta Galea Challenge, a big wave event that earned him a wildcard into the Big Wave Tour (BWT) event in Punta de Lobos, Chile at the age of 17 in 2013.

At the time, he was the youngest ever invitee to a BWT competition.

González says the timing is perfect due to prevailing weather conditions coupled with strong currents playing along and producing some excellent and consistent swells hitting the Namibian coast.

“Surfing at this venue is an item on the bucketlist of any surfer that needs to be ticked off. The ideal time for world class waves is from May to September, when cold fronts which hit South Africa send swells up the west coast towards Namibia. We are fortunate to be here at the right time, in the right place and to experience the best waves and ride the longest barrels in the world.”

Namibia was a virtually unknown destination for surfers and its 1 572km of daunting desert coastline was largely overlooked by the surfing world until 2008 when the winner of Surfing Magazine's 'Google Earth Challenge' paid Donkey's Bay a visit along with Cory Lopez, Peter Mendia, Hank Gaskell and Mitch Coleborn.

The longest sand-bottomed stretch of rolling waves left in the known universe then suddenly came to light when Surfing Magazine unveiled a wave called Skeleton Bay and set a new benchmark for the perfect wave.

Lopez famously pulled into a freakishly long barrel ride few could get their heads round at the two kilometre-long runway of sand which offers surfers the chance to ride the longest tubes of their lives as well as doing so deep inside the curl of the wave.

Today Surf Europe ranks Donkey's Bay as the number one place where the world's longest waves with a length of between 150 to 300m on a good day occasionally occurs.

Swell sizes start working from 1m to 1.5m and holds up to between 2m in height.

Due to it being located in the southern hemisphere the surfing season normally runs from May to September.

Subject to a limited swell window, Donkey's Bay might only turn on a couple times a year since it needs a big and long-period groundswell fuelled by the roaring forties which have to wrap in at just the right angle in order to produce some of the fastest and thickest sand-dredging tubes on the planet.

To top it all off, the wave is often influenced by super strong tidal rips, backwash and strong offshore winds.



OTIS FINCK

Feast of tries in Walvis Bay

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Feast of tries in Walvis Bay Namibian Union Rugby (NRU) matches produced four home wins and 27 tries in Walvis Bay on Saturday.

Kudu Rugby Club (KRC) pocketed two victories against Reho Falcon in Narraville while Walvis Bay Rugby Club (WBRC) managed the same feat against United at the Walvis Bay Private High School sport grounds.

The chase for a top four finish by the two coastal sides also intensified considerably with four games remaining to achieve this accomplishment.

KRC defeated Reho Falcon 22-0 in a NRU premier league match and scored a 32-10 victory against Reho Falcon II in their first division match.

WBRC defeated United 34-19 in their premier league match and scored a 27-19 victory against United II in a first division match.

Lock Rivaldo Sitzer crashed over and gave Kudus a 5 points lead at halftime in the premier league match.

Another three tries from prop Lorenzo Calaca, flank Joshua Jacobs, and centre Rayton Paulsen and a conversion by fullback Carlton Stevens in the second half, secured the victory.

Lock Cevin Harding scored two tries for Walvis Bay in the premier league match.

Lock Tersius Arangies, centre Cedric Haraseb, wing Jeroen van Dam and eigthman Joe Herman also added tries.

Fly half Charlton Brussel and fullback Lloyd Jacobs each converted a try. Flank Deon Blom also crashed over twice for United. Centre Mbimbo Mbai scored a third try and fly half conversions Ascher Coetzee added two conversions.

Hooker Ashwin Nash, scrum half Rogero Hays, eightman Irvin Damants, centre Cameron Stevens and lock Codey Naholo scored tries for Kudus in the first league match. Flyhalf Bennito Bezuidenhoudt added two conversions and a penalty. Centre Anthony Brand crashed over for Reho Falcon. Flyhalf Romario Beukes converted and also added one penalty.

Lock Shaun Strauss, eightman Pierre Beukes, left wing Shylo Visser, right wing Michael Bouwer and scrum half Jason McAlpine scored tries for Walvis Bay in the First league match. Fly half Ruan Kotze managed one conversion.

Prop Pieter Fick, replacement scrum half Pieter van Vuuren and replacement centre Adriaan van Zyl replied with tries for United. Fly half Ethan Barron added two conversions.



LEANDREA LOUW and OTIS FINCK

Young Lions lift World Cup

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Young Lions lift World CupEngland beat Venezuela in final England have won the Under-20 World Cup thanks to a goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a penalty save from Freddie Woodman. England won their biggest international title since 1966 by beating Venezuela 1-0 in the Under-20 World Cup final.

It was England's first appearance in the final of a global tournament since their World Cup victory 51 years ago.

Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half goal was enough for victory thanks to Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman's second-half penalty save.

Woodman denied Adalberto Penaranda from the spot after the Malaga forward was fouled by Kyle Walker-Peters.

With 17 minutes to play, the referee pointed to the spot to signal a penalty before immediately referring to the video assistant referee.

The decision stood - there was the slightest of contacts - but Newcastle keeper Woodman's strong palm kept out Penaranda's effort.

In the first half Ronaldo Lucena hit the post with an audacious long-range free-kick that had Woodman well beaten, while Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah saw a powerful effort strike the underside of the Venezuela bar after the break.

After the match, England forward Dominic Solanke, due to join Liverpool from Chelsea on 1 July, was awarded the Golden Ball given to the player of the tournament. Previous winners of the award include Manchester United's France midfielder Paul Pogba in 2013 and Manchester City's Argentina striker Sergio Aguero in 2007.

Woodman was awarded the Golden Glove, given to best goalkeeper of the tournament.

The under- 20 World Cup is the biggest global tournament in youth football and has helped launch the career of a number of big names in football.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was in the Argentina team that won the 2005 event (then called the Fifa World Youth Championship), while Portuguese great Luis Figo inspired his country to victory in the 1989 and 1991 competitions.

England's team in 2013 - the last time they competed in the event - featured Ross Barkley, John Stones, Harry Kane and Eric Dier. They failed to win a game and finished bottom of their group.

The last Under-20 World Cup in 2015 was won by Serbia, who beat a Brazil side containing Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in the final. Six of Serbia's 21-man squad have since made a full international debut, including Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic.

England's youth teams have won the Under-17 European Championship twice - in 2010 and 2014 - and the Under-21 European Championship twice - in 1982 and 1984.

Their previous best at the Under-20 World Cup was third place in 1993. Of that squad, only four players went on to represent England at senior level - Nicky Butt, Nick Barmby, Alan Thompson and David Unsworth.

Six of the squad that triumphed in South Korea on Sunday were part of that Under-17 European success in 2014. Woodman, Jonjoe Kenny, Dominic Solanke and Captain Lewis Cook all started in Sunday's final, while Dael Fry and Adam Armstrong were on the bench.

The current side have made a total of 72 Premier League appearances to date. Striker Adam Armstrong leads the way with 15 since his top-flight debut in Newcastle's 1-0 defeat by Fulham in March 2014.



BBC SPORT

I thought grass courts were for football

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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I thought grass courts were for football French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko will head to Wimbledon as the sport's newest star admitting that she once believed grass courts were suitable only for football and not tennis.

The 20-year-old Latvian stunned favourite and world No 4 Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to become tennis's most unlikely Grand Slam champion.

It was her first career title as she became the lowest-ranked winner in Paris, taking the trophy in just her eighth major appearance.

Next up on the Grand Slam circuit is Wimbledon where Ostapenko was junior champion in 2014.

However, she admitted that when she came across a grass court for the first time, it was hardly love at first sight.

“When I first played on grass I didn't like it, I really didn't understand it,” she told a small group of reporters following her shock Paris win as she recalled playing on grass at Roehampton in England as a 15-year-old. “I didn't see how people could play tennis on it.

“I thought grass is for soccer. “But then I learned how to play on it and understood the movement. Now I really like it.”

Ostapenko said she was more than comfortable with dealing with her sudden fame which will be under a harsh spotlight when Wimbledon starts in four weeks' time.

Her home town of Riga got in the mood on Saturday when thousands of her compatriots watched her victory on a giant TV screen erected in front of the city's iconic Freedom Monument.

“It's not scary to have the attention, it's always nice to have fans,” said Ostapenko, suddenly $2.3 million better off and with a new world ranking of 12 to her name from her current 47.

“Of course, there will be more pressure but I will try and deal with it. “It may be difficult but I chose the life of a tennis player. I will be fine with it.

“There will be attention when I go home because I have made history for my country.”

Now that Ostapenko has one Slam under her belt, she is hungry for more.

“It was always my goal to win a Grand Slam title, now I want to win them all,” she said.

Her ambition will be slightly easier to achieve now that Serena Williams, her idol, is off the tour, expecting her first child in September.



SUPERSPORT

Welwitschias ripped apart

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Welwitschias ripped apartLions send Namibians packing The Namibian side is finding the going tough in South Africa's SuperSport Rugby Challenge competition. The Xerox Golden Lions tore Windhoek Draught Welwitschias 84-0 in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.

The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias failed to record a score as the dominant Lions came to the party with the focus of extending their lead in the rugby challenge.

The home side was not helped by the fact that they suffered a yellow card as early as the eighth minute when flyhalf Dirk von Weidts was sent to the sin-bin.

It took the visitors just four minutes after that to open their account when inside centre Gerdus van der Walt rounded off a good team try, converted by flyhalf Siya Masuku.

The score could have been closer the 100 mark had Masuku not missed six of his attempts at goal. But the Lions extended their lead to 14 points, with a converted try through Number 8, Jano Venter before Von Weidts returned to the field.

The home team fielded young local players as 14 of their SuperSport squad are unavailable due to national duty and some are out due to injuries. Lyn Jones coach of the Welwitschias said that young players were fielded in order for them to push for national and Welwitschia selection.

Jones further said that the team maintains their growth towards the Currie Cup competition beginning in August.

“A changing culture, a realisation of the daily commitment, excellent facilities and growing number of staff are all ingredients for long term improvements,” said Jones.

Jones also emphasized that the Namibia Rugby Union has a succession plan in place in route to the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers which will allow the team to record their first win.

The Welwitschias have now lost six games out of seven and remain rooted to the bottom of the North Section log. They will face another tough encounter when they host the Steval Pumas in Windhoek next Saturday.

The Lions deemed favourites for the title of this competition face off against the Hino Valke next Friday.

Xerox Golden Lions - Tries: Gerhardus Labuschagne (3), Hacjivah Dayimani (2), Aurther De Wee (2), James Venter (2), Dirk von Weidts, Jano Venter, Adriaan Bester, Selom Gavor, Morne van der Berg; Conversions: Masuku (7).



*Additional reporting upersport



LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Support your own

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Support your own The English Premier League is king in Namibia; it's the ultimate championship, the reason why many pay Dstv and an influx of fans, gather at local bars every weekend to watch the action on big screens.

It is the reason why Namibian stadiums are empty and deserted because people are glued to television sets cheering the big names in international football circles. Conversations in sitting rooms and bars centre on why a certain player should or should not be sold or transferred. The European league has developed many football analysts. Both women and men take part in these conversations.

Not only do they speak and discuss the game like true experts, but they also spend hundreds of dollars on buying the merchandise. From caps and t-shirts to blankets: many have also donned their cars, offices and bedrooms with the colours of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. You will never see the colours of a local team in sight.

In some households children grow up supporting these clubs, just because their parents are fans. Ask any youngster why they support Chelsea they will tell you “because my father does”. European clubs are followed like cults. People make sure that they educate themselves on the playing history of the likes of Wayne Roney and Thierry Henry. They buy their children Manchester shirts and scarves for Christmas, not minding the price.

They purchase biographies without hesitation and cut out memorabilia just for the sake of showing it to their children one day.

Friends have stopped speaking to each other because of the rivalry of clubs. You cannot criticise a friend's favourite player without being crucified. In some instances men have been hospitalised because of high blood pressure caused by their team's losses. This is the impact the European premier league has on people. But one can't hesitate to ask why this devotion doesn't carry over to local clubs? Yes, we have the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in South Africa who drive fans mad on game day.

Many are seen with painted faces, wearing balaclavas and hats they have designed themselves. Manier time's vuvuzelas are thrown on the pitch in celebration or in frustration. Some even go as far as threatening players when they had a bad day on the field.

Fights break out, because of the tension between fans. But when it comes to buying power fans choose to buy European brands, whether they are duplicates or originals. They just want to have and hold a t-shirt to “represent” themselves as belonging to a certain club.

This is not wrong if we think about it, but we should make it a point to support our own as well. We should educate our children on the history of Black Africa and the great footballing days of the likes of Gerros Witbeen and Ricardo Mannetti instead of always asking and forcing our children to aspire to be the Ronaldo's and Messi's of the world. Let them come second if not last. Let us instil a culture of being proud of what we have produced in our homeland.

Let us go into a local sport shop and without hesitation purchase a Brave Warriors or Welwitschias shirt and let us step out on game day and colour the stadiums red with our national colours. There is nothing to be ashamed when you show your loyalty and devotion to the sporting nation.

Let us not wait for other people to come to Namibia and show us where to buy our own sport merchandise, let us rather show them what we have designed ourselves so that they can carry that away and show the rest of the world what Namibia is made of.

limba@namibiansun.com

Picture caption

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Picture caption NO CHALLENGE: A young Indian gymnast is watched by fellow students as he takes part in a Mallakhamb practice session at CN sports Academy in Ahmedabad on June 10, ahead of the forthcoming Annual Rath Yatra. Mallakhamb is a traditional Indian sport in which gymnasts perform feats and poses in concert with a vertical wooden pole or rope. Photo: NAMPA/ AFP

Mannetti not deterred by loss

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Mannetti not deterred by loss Brave Warriors coach remains upbeat Ricardo Mannetti says he is still proud of the team’s effort in the 1-0 away loss to Guinea-Bissau. The Brave Warriors went down by a solitary goal in the first match of their Group K 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Guinea-Bissau. However, coach Ricardo Mannetti remains positive, saying the Namibian side still has what it takes to qualify for the continental showpiece in Cameroon in 2019. Going into the match, Guinea-Bissau were the more fancied side and had a psychological advantage over the Brave Warriors. Guinea-Bissau made history when they competed in their first ever Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon earlier this year. “We lost through a well-taken free kick, not because we were outplayed or exposed. If we could come up with a brilliant performance despite our circumstances then I’m confident that next year we will qualify for Cameroon,” said Mannetti. Mannetti said the loss to Guinea-Bissau was not entirely a setback, but a hurdle that they would have to overcome. According to Mannetti, the match was not easy as they competed against a side full of confidence following Guinea-Bissau’s Nations Cup appearance. He said the Brave Warriors’ performance gave him hope, which he will continue building on for the next encounter. Mannetti stressed the players have not competed as a team for over a year but they remained disciplined throughout the match. He said the team played as a unit and cannot single out a specific player who didn’t come to the party. The coach further said it was a blessing in disguise that the Brave Warriors will only play next year again in the Afcon qualifiers. The Brave Warriors will next meet Group K rivals Zambia in March next year. Both Namibia and Zambia are at the wrong end of Group K. Zambia lost at home 1-0 to Mozambique. The Namibian side, which was due back yesterday, will now travel to Johannesburg for the 2017 Cosafa Cup and will face Lesotho on 1 July.

Limba Mupetami

JUST THE BEGINING: The Brave Warriors lost to Guinea-Bissau in their opening 2019 Afcon qualifiers match.

Photos: FILE

Ya Toivo's life and times

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Ya Toivo's life and timesReflecting on Andimba's life journey Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo is without doubt one of the Namibia's revered icons. Namibia has lost a gallant son in Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo. Born on 22 August 1924 in northern Namibia, Ya Toivo went on to become an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle and a towering giant of note.

Ya Toivo's life has been full of trials and tribulations, but throughout he has shown his undying determination to fight for the dignity and freedom of his people. He was a revolutionary and a true hero of conscience.

He attended vocational training at Ongwediva between 1939 and 1942. He also attended school at Odibo's St. Mary's Mission School where he completed Standard 6.

He stayed on until 1950, graduating as a teacher, and he successfully operated a store at Ondangwa. Ya Toivo taught at St Cuthberth's School at Onamutayi and St. Mary's Odibo before travelling to South Africa for further studies in 1951.

He was employed as a railway worker in Cape Town where he also became a member of the African National Congress in 1957.

Ya Toivo was one of the co-founders of Swapo and its predecessor the Ovamboland People's Organisation (OPO) in 1959. He served 16 years on Robben Island in the same section as the late South African apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Ya Toivo was held in solitary confinement in Pretoria for more than a year before the sentence. South Africa's Kagiso Pat Mautloa wrote this about Ya Toivo in memoirs hosted by the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.

“Toivo and his comrades had been arrested in Namibia and then charged, sentenced and made to serve sentences in a foreign country for 'offences' perpetrated in their own country, Namibia.

“They had to determine a consistent approach to their imprisonment and therefore to the conditions under which they were incarcerated in South African prisons,” he wrote.

According to Wikipedia, Ya Toivo was released in 1984 and rejoined his Swapo comrades in exile in Lusaka, Zambia. In Lusaka, he became a member of the Swapo central committee and politburo and was elected secretary-general thereafter.

After independence he served as minister of mines and energy under Founding President Sam Nujoma. He later became minister of labour in 1999 and was moved to the ministry of prisons in 2002 where he served until retirement from active politics in 2006.



STAFF REPORTER

Shot of the day

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day LUNAR ENERGY: The full moon is particularly beautiful in the Namibian winter night sky since it is a clear and crisp view. The moon exerts its gravitational force on the earth, influencing the tides and other water bodies. PHOTO: ILENI NANDJATO

Evil of rape goes on unabated

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Evil of rape goes on unabated Alarm bells should be loudly ringing across the county about the deeply disturbing epidemic of mostly young Namibian girls threading its way through our mostly vulnerable communities.

And yet the silence is not only deafening, but deeply worrying.

Experts have repeatedly warned that the rate of rape of our children is not only alarmingly high, but is on the rise.

Many cases of rape are simply not reported.

Stigma, shame, fear, lack of knowledge – victims retreat, their trauma unaddressed, justice and healing denied.

Recent crime reports also indicate that of all the newly opened cases of rape by police, most are linked to under 18-year-old girls, including pre-schoolers.

What does it say about a country that is so silent on the widespread incidence of child rape?

What does it say of a country where a 12-year-old recently gave birth after months of being raped by a man, who most likely had regular access to her, indicating he was a trusted neighbour, friend or family member?

What does it say about our country that social workers have pointed out that the public institutions tasked with assisting rape victims, including children, are often too overwhelmed, understaffed, inexperienced, careless and struggling with a lack of resources and training, to be effective?

What does the overwhelming silence, by our leaders, our society, say about us, as Namibians?

Instead of a red hot rage coursing through all levels of society on the issue, we instead yell and demean each other on social media whenever a new video surfaces where Namibians let their rage against the other spill out.

Then we log-off, pleased with our 'activism', but the sickness eating away at the health and future of our children, ignored.

The men who perpetrate these crimes, forcing children as young as four, eight, nine, 12 to have sex against their will, are spared our collective outrage, bile, hatred and opinions.

We as a community – including fathers, brothers, uncles, sons, must call on government and society to strengthen existing institutions and services, tackle the underlying factors that lead to rape and educate our girls, boys, men, and women that rape is not normal, okay or acceptable in this country or anywhere.

Various Acts signed off

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Various Acts signed off LEGAL: President Hage Geingob signed into law the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Appropriation, Nature Conservation and the Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Acts at State House last week Friday. Geingob is pictured with minister of presidential affairs Frans Kapofi and finance minister Calle Schlettwein. Photo: OGONE TLHAGE

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Witbooi's elder sister dies

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Witbooi's elder sister dies Former deputy prime minister and Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi's elder sister, Alwina Petersen, has died from a suspected stroke.

She was 89.

Petersen has been hailed for playing a leading role in Namibia's general political struggle while serving Swapo's internal wing.

According to the family, Alwina along with her late husband Hans Petersen served various communities throughout Namibia.

“She was part of the parent community that broke away from the colonial Bantu education system and established the independent private community schools in Gibeon and other towns in southern Namibia,” read the statement issued Friday.

“The traditional community and church leaders increasingly relied on her in many ways for guidance owing to vast archive material in her custody and vast experience gained during the liberation struggle.”

She is also credited for playing a key role within the Witbooi Royal House, especially during the times of her young brother's political imprisonment.

“Mother Petersen had the difficult responsibility to take care of the family household and the royal family and to provide advice to the clan. Mother Petersen was entrusted with difficult assignments of the clan and underground operations of the liberation movement, internally led by her brother, Reverend Dr Hendrik Witbooi.

Mother Petersen's struggle credentials were confirmed with the award of a national veteran status by the Government of the Republic of Namibia. Mother Petersen will be remembered for her bravery, spiritual guidance and service to the community. Her departure is a loss to her family, extended

/Khowese clan, the AME Church and the Namibian nation.”

Petersen and her husband were blessed with 15 children in their marriage that lasted for 65 years.

A memorial service is planned for today at St. Andrew's AME Church in Khomasdal at 18:00. The funeral is expected to take place this coming Sunday in Gibeon.

STAFF REPORTER

No justice, equality for San

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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No justice, equality for San Indigenous people fight for inclusion Namibia's San community have not felt the benefits of independence and 27 years after the widespread oppression of apartheid was abolished, they remain one of the most oppressed and sidelined communities in the country.

“We believe that independence came only for other ethnic groups in Namibia, but not for the San,” Maria Garises speaking as a San representative, told a panel investigating racism, tribal issues and discrimination in Namibia, last week.

Garises and Elizabeth !Khaxas, both of Namibia's Women's Leadership Centre (WLC), said San adults and children continue to experience widespread prejudice and derision, often at the hands of key authority figures, including police, health workers and teachers, resulting in them being denied justice and their rights being ignored.

Speaking at public hearings launched by the Office of the Ombudsman, Garises, who lives in Drimiopsis in the Gobabis area, pleaded with government to improve their efforts to uplift the San communities in the country, which to date she said has been a large scale failure overall.

She says government has to reach out more sincerely, by actively visiting many of the remote areas where San live, in order to teach the community about their human rights and to ensure that basic services, including education and healthcare services, are overhauled and extended to the marginalised community.

“Teach the SAN about their human rights, so that they can know that they are also people who have rights,” Garises told the five-person panel last week.

Garises pointed out that in historic times, San communities lived with the principles of equal rights, and that they were pioneers of social cohesion and harmony in many ways.

Yet their history is not taught at school, a subject that could boost the community's overall confidence and help them reach their potential and improve their lives.

“Our history is buried, it is not taught at school. Who will teach our children about our history? If we teach them, they will be proud of their heritage. Now, if you identify as a San, you are embarrassed,” she said.



Reclaiming their legacy

!Khaxas, who works closely with San communities, said there is a need in Namibia for the San to reclaim their legacy as the first people of the land. She said government should put it on record, as this could be one way to create general awareness and respect for the San's historical and current legacy and highlight their importance among other Namibians, who often discriminate against the minority group.

She added that there is also a need for affirmative action legislation especially for the San, as well as special education programmes to prioritise and legislate the country's obligations to “bring the San to where other Namibians are.”

She added that government should initiate awareness campaigns highlighting the San's equal rights and human rights in general and to remind and educate Namibians on everyone's rights in an independent Namibia.

Garises said while government officials regularly address the plight of the San and promise that help is on the way “it stops there. The promises never reach the people themselves. It's talk, but no action.”



Ignored and suffering

Garises said the SAN, many living in remote and rural areas, continue to endure a host of social issues, their suffering compounded by widespread and extreme poverty, lack of quality education and healthcare, as well as insufficient information on their rights.

Social ills are prominent and far-reaching, Garises and IKhaxas said. They further noted that the bullying of San children in schools “is a very real issue”, as well as the use of corporal punishment at schools, which is outlawed.

Child marriage is another issue, another factor in the high dropout rates.

Physical and alcohol abuse, high school dropout rates, gender-based violence, suicide, untreated health issues and a lack of advancement in school, aggregates their struggle to improve their lives and to become part of a Namibia that promises equal opportunities to all.

These issues are rarely addressed she said, often due to unwillingness by authority figures such as police and healthcare workers, who are from other ethnic groups, who provide inadequate services to them.

Garises told the panel that many San fear the police, are unwilling to report crime, rape or other forms of abuse, because they feel that police are from other ethnic groups and “oppress us even more, they do not come to help us, they are there to control the people.”

The issue of language barriers further plays a major role in high school dropout rates, the ability to find employment and access a host of other services, the duo added.



JANA-MARI SMITH





MINORITY: Maria Garises and Elizabeth !Khaxas, both from the Namibia's Women's Leadership Centre, pleaded with government to improve their efforts to uplift San communities in the country.



PHOTO: JANA-MARI SMITH

Govt to combat illegal wastewater discharges

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Govt to combat illegal wastewater discharges The agriculture and water ministry has cautioned towns that continue to discharge wastewater illegally without the necessary permit.

According to the ministry's latest annual report, the number of sanitation and water services providers and operations with valid wastewater and effluent discharge permits remains low in Namibia.

There are about 311 places on record currently of which 71 (23%) have valid permits, 95 (31%) have expired permits and 145 (46%) never had permits.

Capacity to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities remains a challenge for most local authorities and some industries, says the ministry.

“There is also no clarity on who is responsible for wastewater treatment facilities falling under some institutions (health, education and works) after decentralisation, which makes pollution control and compliance challenging. This dilemma needs to be addressed to prevent pollution,” the report states.

Meanwhile, government has also said pollution of water sources and groundwater is a challenge that needs to be addressed and prevented to avoid contamination of potable water resources.

In the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) the report says water scarcity continues to be a serious constraint in achieving economic, environmental and social development issues.

With highly variable and unpredictable rainy seasons the first priority is given to water for domestic purposes including livestock and secondly for economic activities such as mining, industries and irrigation.

Water demand in 2015 was estimated at about 334.1 million cubic meter per year and is projected to reach 583.4 cubic meters by 2025.

Irrigation accounts for about 60% of water consumption and will remain the main consumer over the next ten years.

According to the report, it is envisaged that within in the next five years Namibia has sustainable production and consumption of water resources resulting in improved access to safe drinking water for human consumption and for industry use.

It says the biggest challenge facing the country is to make significant improvements in water demand management and promote water saving measures that influence changes in consumer behaviour.

“There is room to minimise water losses in pipelines, treatment facilities and distribution networks.”

Ageing and inadequate water infrastructure needs to be addressed urgently.



ELLANIE SMIT

Erongo RED to the rescue

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Erongo RED to the rescueAs Keetmans prepares for life after SELCo There appears to be light at the end of the tunnel regarding the power situation at Keetmanshoop. Keetmanshoop is preparing for life after the Southern Electricity Company (SELCo) as 20 June 2017 draws nearer and nearer, with talks surfacing that Erongo RED may step in to bail the southern town out of its power predicament.

Its CEO Desmond Basson said Erongo RED might step in to help the town out of its energy quandary, but municipal spokesperson, Dawn Kruger, remains tight-lipped.

Kruger said that an announcement will be made soon about who the southern town will be working with to provide electricity to its residents.

“The Keetmanshoop Municipal Council is not at liberty, at this point, to discuss the details regarding the takeover of electricity from SELCo, because negotiations have not been concluded. The matter is scheduled to be resolved this week, and the media and community will be briefed on the outcome of the takeover process during the week of 12 -16 June 2017,” she said.

Basson last week told New Era that negotiations with Erongo RED were at an advanced stage.

“SORED is not in existence, and therefore cannot do anything and until it is established, the municipality will take over with the assistance of Erongo RED.”

However, Kruger did not confirm nor deny that her town council was indeed in talks with Erongo RED and instead said: “we can however confirm that the Keetmanshoop Municipality will be taking over the distribution of electricity in Keetmanshoop from SELCo from 20 June 2017. The Keetmanshoop Municipal Council will inform the media next week, as soon as negotiations are concluded.”

The municipality told Namibian Sun in December last year it would take at least six months to get its house in order for the eventual takeover from SELCo.

“The schedule specifies various deliverables that need to be achieved before the envisaged take over date of 1 July 2017, which is the start of our new financial year. This steering committee is committed to the timeous delivery of all deliverables and will do anything in its power to achieve it,” said Kruger at the time.

According to her, a committee consisting of the Keetmanshoop municipality management and councillors as well as SELCo representatives, representatives from the Electricity Control Board and NamPower were set up to come up with a takeover strategy in the absence of SELCo.

“A successful take-over from the SELCo will depend on meeting deliverables. The municipality plans to take over all services provided by SELCo by 1 July 2017 when the financial year starts. These six months are an interim period to iron out all the technical difficulties,” Kruger said.



OGONE TLHAGE

Namibia mourns Ya Toivo

June 11, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Namibia mourns Ya ToivoTributes pour in for struggle icon Namibians from all walks of life have paid their respects to the late veteran politician Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo. Several Namibians took to social media at the weekend to express their sadness at the passing of struggle hero Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo.

He was 92.

Ya Toivo died peacefully at his home late Friday afternoon and has been described by young and old as a giant and towering figure of the country's liberation struggle. “On behalf of the Namibian government and on my own behalf I wish to express our collective sorrow to the bereaved family. Their loss is not only felt by the family alone but by us all as a country as well,” said President Hage Geingob, who announced Ya Toivo's passing live on national television.

On Saturday morning Swapo at its central committee meeting observed a moment of silence in honour and memory of Ya Toivo.

His closest friend and fellow Robben Island prisoner Helao Shityuwete was sadly moved by his friend's departure. An emotional Shityuwete said he and Ya Toivo attended a meeting in Walvis Bay and flew back on Friday. “He was a good man, a people's person who could relate to anyone whether young or old and I hope our youth will work hard and emulate the sacrifices made by people like Andimba,” said the 82-year-old struggle veteran.

“We as a nation must work hard alongside each other to safeguard the good that we spent years trying to achieve. We must remember the many lives that were sacrificed for us to get here, they should not be in vain.”

Shityuwete and Ya Toivo were imprisoned together on Robben Island and were released in 1984.

Tributes also poured in from South Africa with the African National Congress, the Julius Malema-led Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as well as that country's Communist Party paying tribute to Ya Toivo.

The ANC described Ya Toivo as a man of strong beliefs and convictions.

“A man of strong beliefs and convictions, Cde Toivo dedicated his life to the fight against oppression by the then South Africa authorities, rejecting apartheid South Africa's reduction of sovereign Namibia into its colony,” the ANC said in a statement.



Self-determination

“He was Namibia's longest serving Robben Islander, having served 16 years on the Island with other luminaries of the African peoples' struggles following conviction for contravening South Africa's Terrorism Act. His life was the personification of solidarity, the quest for self-determination and unyielding commitment to the liberation of his people.”

In its revolutionary condolences, the EFF said Ya Toivo's genuine commitment to the struggle of people of Namibia and illegal occupation by apartheid South Africa is recognised the world over.

“In our pursuit for economic freedom in our lifetime, as we wage our own revolution as this generation, we must be encouraged by Ya Toivo's words in a statement he made to the court after his sentencing, which he said, 'I know that the struggle will be long and bitter. I also know that my people will wage that struggle, whatever the cost. Only when we are granted our independence will the struggle stop'. As a continent and a young generation, we must take this as a resounding call for continued struggle that is selfless as demonstrated by our struggle icon Ya Toivo. To free ourselves from imperialist and economic slavery. And in doing so, we must never compromise and always be ready to fight corruption and looting of our continent resources.”



Madiba magic

Ya Toivo spent around ten years in the same section on Robben Island as the late South African struggle icon Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela in a statement also paid tribute to the Namibian hero, saying Mandela was touched by Ya Toivo's militancy and stubborn rebelliousness. “Madiba was impressed by Ya Toivo who refused to co-operate with the authorities and even would not participate in the system of grading prisoners to earn them a higher ranking and more privileges. He said that while some people “behaved very well” in order to be promoted, Ya Toivo was different,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement.



Symbol of peace

The Rally for Democracy and Progress said Ya Toivo was a symbol of peace and love. “His enduring legacy of a commitment to voluntary service and humanity will continue to guide and inspire future generations of Namibians,” said Bience Gawanas, chairperson of the Namibia Red Cross Society Governing Board. Ya Toivo is a former chairperson and patron of the local body.



Arrangements

Meanwhile, Ya Toivo's widow, Vicki, arrived back home in Namibia from Geneva where she had travelled with work.

According to family spokesperson, Helmut Angula, Vicki was in Geneva, Switzerland when her husband passed away.

Angula also told Namibian Sun there is no definite programme regarding funeral arrangements of the late Ya Toivo yet, but an announcement is expected to be made as from today.

“The idea is to have enough time for mourning and also give the many people we also expect to be coming from overseas to get here so preparatory meetings will only start sitting formally tomorrow,” said Angula.

Ya Toivo is expected to get a hero's burial.

*Also see story on page 8.



STAFF REPORTER