Namibian Sun

Joice won't join Grace Joice Mujuru's party in Zimbabwe has rejected as “unfounded and baseless” reports that she will join with former first lady Grace Mugabe and her allies to challenge President Emmerson Mnangagwa in polls this year.

Mujuru, leader of the National People's Party (NPP) met Robert Mugabe last week, fuelling speculation he was tacitly giving his backing to the former vice president.

A state newspaper, the Sunday Mail claimed Mugabe had “given his blessing to the creation of an opposition political party that will bring together G40 and the NPP”.

G40 is the faction of the ruling party that backed Grace to become vice president. Most of its members were expelled from Zanu-PF in the wake of the November 15 military takeover that ended with Mugabe's resignation and Mnangagwa taking the reins of power.

“National People's Party wishes to categorically dismiss the rumour that Dr Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru has entered into a political pact with the former first lady Mrs Grace Mugabe with the contempt it deserves,” Mujuru's spokesperson Gift Nyandoro, said in a statement.

“For one to try and twist facts that the meeting was about formation of a political pact only reflects kwashiorkor thinking of the highest order,” the spokesperson added.

Mugabe sacked Mujuru in 2014 following weeks of vilification by Grace, who accused the then vice president of plotting to topple her husband. On Tuesday, Mugabe apologised to Mujuru and said he had been misled about her intentions, according to sources who attended the meeting.

The NPP spokesperson repeated his party's claim that Zanu-PF supporters were behind an attack on Mujuru in Harare on Thursday. Mujuru and several NPP members were injured when a mob threw stones at them in Harare's Glenview district.

NEWS24

Shaningwa a pula ondando yomagumbo yi shune pevi Ominista mUuministeli wEyambulepo lyOondoolopa nIitopolwa, Sophia Shaningwa, okwa gandja kooyene omagumbo ga thika po 400 ngoka ga tungwa kohi yopoloyeka yo mass housing development programme (MHDP) moMatutura extension 10, 11 oshowo 12 moSwakopmund mEtitano.

Omagumbo ngoka ga gandja ogeli oshitopolwa shomagumbo 883 ngoka ga tungwa kohi yopoloyeka ndjoka kehangano lyomatungo lyo Onyena Power.

Shaningwa okwa popi kutya omagumbo itaga vulu okukala taga tungwa kondando yopombanda ndjoka itayi vulika kaakwashigwana. Minista okwa popi kutya onga oonkambadhala okukwashilipaleka kutya ondando yomagumbo otayi vulika nokwaamboka haya mono iiyemo yi li pevi, okabinete kepangelo lyaNamibia oka ningi etokolo opo omagumbo ga tungwe moongundu dha yooloka. Ondando ndjoka ya ziminwa, omuntu ha mono ondjambi yooN$2 700 ota vulu okumona egumbo lyondondo yoD1 kondando yooN$70 000 negumbo ndyoka otali tungwa kongushu yooN$ 199 561, moka oopresenda 65 tadhi futwa ko kepangelo. Iifuta yokomwedhi yegumbo ndyoka otayi kala pooN$550. Okwa lombwele omalelo kutya kape na omaipopilo opo kaku adhike omalalakano gomagumbo ngaashi tashi tothwamo moHarambee Prosperity Plan.

Minista okwa dhimbulukitha kutya epangelo otali pangele okutunga omagumbo 5000 kehe omvula naashoka otashi utha kutha ooplota dhomagumbo dha thika po 6500 odha gandjwa kehe omvula.

Ooyene yomagumbo mboka oya kunkililwa opo kaya tunge oombashu pomagumbo gawo uuna ga tulwa meni lyoondhalate na oya tsuwa omukumo opo ya lopote kehe omiyonena tadhi ningilwa omagumbo ngoka, kelelo lyondoolopa nenge kopolisi.

Omagumbo 638 okwa tegelelwa gapwe okutungwa mbala nokweeta kumwe omwalu gwomagumbo ngoka ga tungwa kohi moMHDP moSwakopo pomagumbo 1521.

Omalolelo giipalutha yiimunaOondya ndhoka dha nuninwa okupalutha iimuna unene pethimbo lyoshikukuta Okwa lopotwa kutya iikulya yiimuna ya longwa miipakete mbyoka ya kala tayi ningilwa omakonaakono okutameka omvula ya piti, ka yi na uupyakadhi washa kuundjolowele wiimuna oshowo kaantu.

Emmanuel Mateus, omunambelewa guundjolowele wiimuna kohi yoshikondo shokukondolola omikuthi dhiimuna muuministeli wuunamapya, omeya nomakuti okwa popi kutya oshiwike sha piti kutya, omundohotola gwiimuna gwepangelo gomOutapi okwa ningi omakonaakono kohi yetonatelo lyawo, niimuna mbyoka yali ya paluthwa noondya ndhoka oompe, oya monika kutya oyi na uundjolowele noopresenda 100.

“Inaku monika uupyakadhi washa miimuna mbyoka ya pewa iikulya mbyoka. Oyi na owala uundjolowele nawa, okuyeleka niimuna mbyoka ya pewa iikulya mbyoka hayi liwa kiimuna shito.”

“Oshikondo shetu osha kala tashi kondolola omakonaakono ngaaka konima nkene ga tulwa miilonga na kehe shoka sha longithwa osha ningilwa omakonaakono gopalabora. Ngele andola otwa li twa mono uupyakadhi washa mboka tawu vulu okukala wa nika oshiponga kuundjolowele womuntu nenge kiimuna, andola omakonaakono ngaka oga hulu nale,” omunambelewa ngoka ta popi.

Metitano lyoshiwike sha piti, iikombo iyali mbyoka yali ya palutha niikulya mbyoka ya longwa miipakete mOshikuku moshitopolwa shaMusati oya dhipagwa kohi yetonatelo lyomundohotola gwiimuna oshowo aanambelewa yoshikondo shuundjolowele wiimuna, nonyama yiikombo mbyoka ya telekwa nokupewa aakwashigwana shi lole onyama ndjoka.

Okutameka omwedhi Apilili omvula ya piti, Roderick Haraseb, omunambelewa omukonaakoni gwiikulya okwa kala ta ningi omakonaakono kombinga yiikulya yiimuna ya longwa miipakete. Metitano, Haraseb okwa popi kutya onyama otayi ka tumwa koolabora dhaCape Town moSouth Afrika, opo ku ka ningwe omakonaakono kutya iikulya mbyoka oyi na iitungilutu yi ni po.

Okwa tsikile kutya oya nyanyukwa nomakonaakono gawo, na oya tegelelwa owala omayamukulo okuza koSouth Afrika, uuna ya tumu onyama ndjoka opo yi ka ningilwe omakonaakono giitungithilutu, nongele oya mono omayamukuo, nena pethimbo lyoshikukuta okutameka muAguste, otaya ka gandja iikulya mbyoka kaaniimuna opo ya vule okupalutha iimuna yawo.

Haraseb neyambidhidho lyaanyasha ya ne oya kala taya ningi omakonaakono ngoka okutameka omwedhi Apilili mo 2017. Omakonaaakono ngoka oga ningwa moongundu dhopaali. Ongundu yimwe iimuna oya li ya paluthwa niikulya mbyoka iipe, omanga onkwawo ya paluthwa niikulya mbyoka hayi liwa shito kiimuna ngaashi omwiidhi.

Iimuna mbyoka oya kala hayi vihwa omalupita okutala ngele iikulya mbyoka iipe otayi longo tuu.

Omundohotola gwiimuna moshitopolwa shomonooli uuzilo, Dr Kennedy Shoombe, okwa popi kutya ngele omakonaakono ngoka oga manithwa na otaga gandja iizemo iiwanawa nena otaku ka totwa ofaktoli yokulonga oondya ndhoka dha longwa miipakete mOshikuku.

Haraseb, ngoka a mana eilongo lye mekonaakono lyoondya moshiputudhilo shaCape Peninsula University of Technology, okwa popi kutya iimuna mbyoka ya hupako otayi kala tayi paluthwa niikulya mbyoka iipe opo ku ka vule okuningwa omakonaakono kombinga yongushu yonyama oshowo omashini.

Omakonaakono ngoka otaga yambidhidhwa pashimaliwa koLocal Economic Development Agency (LEDA) mUuministeli wEyambulepo lyIitopolwa nOondoolopa.

ILENI NANDJATO

Driven to mentor others An advocate for change After graduating from the University of Cape Town, Panduleni Nghipandulwa has devoted his time to making a difference in the lives of the Namibian youth by starting a mentorship programme that targets learners and students from different educational institutions.

Tunohole Mungoba

“Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. I was raised by a single mother who is a very generous and giving person. One of the most important ideas she instilled in me was that as humans, we have a spiritual responsibility to make a difference in the lives of others,” says 25-year-old.

A graduate from the University of Cape Town, in 2017 Nghipandulwa became involved in various community development projects to gain experience. “I helped arrange workshops, gave presentations and spoke at various public platforms to address issues faced by Namibians on a daily basis. As time progressed, I became more involved with the schools and started doing motivational speeches to encourage learners to strive to become the best they can be,” he says. “The recent grade 10s and 12s national examination results made me realize that many learners are struggling in school and need extra tutoring. It was there and then when I made the decision to assist the youth in achieving greater educational outcomes.”

A year later, he realised that the impact his talks were making in the community and he decided to establish the Youth Development and Mentorship Program. The program has two main goals. The first objective is to spread the message of hard work, discipline and leadership to 50 000 young Namibians. I intend on visiting various high schools around the country to give life coaching and inspire the students from grade 8 to 12. The second objective is to mentor at least 100 grade 10 and 12 learners who are currently struggling in school,” he adds. “I have realized that most of the disadvantaged students cannot afford to hire private tutors. The aim of this initiative is to provide this service for free, in order to give all learners an equal chance at succeeding in life.”

Nghipandulwa believes that their mentorship is crucial in today's capitalistic world as “everyone is out there is thinking of the next best way that they can get more money, but not many people take the time to think about the well-being of others.” In addition to this, he says a contributing factor to learners’ poor grades at the end of the year is due to the fact that realized that learners who come from underprivileged do not have the funds for extra lessons. “We aim to fill that void and tutor our fellow brothers and sisters for free.”

So what has the program achieved so far? “We have already given some life coaching and guidance to around 2000 different scholars at Jan Mohr Secondary School, Ella du Plessis High School, Rocky Crest High School and Amazing Kids Private School. “Soon I will be giving a presentation at Windhoek High School, Academia, St. Pauls Private College, Windhoek Gymnasium, Jan Jonker Afrikaner High School and other schools.”

At the moment, the Youth Development and Mentorship Program have ten mentors who are all working on a voluntary contract from the ages of 20 to 29 years. “One of the challenges has been finding more people to join this initiative. We are looking forward to welcoming more passionate individuals who are eager to make a difference in the lives of others. To volunteer, the only requirement is that the individual must have passed the national grade 12 exams,” he says.

Fast facts about the Youth Development and Mentorship Program

1. The program is run by young people all under the age of 30.

2. So far, Panduleni has given life coaching to over 2000 learners.

3. The initiative caters for all high school subjects.

4. They also teach learners about the Power of the Mind.

5. Their whole philosophy is based on having Faith in a Higher Power.

6. This year, their goal is to visit schools from all 13 regions in the country.

7. The program aims to build young leaders with character and self-discipline.

8. Anyone who has passed grade 12 qualifies to be a mentor.

9. Volunteers can use the work they have done for the program as experience on their CVs.

10. Panduleni did a triple major at the University of Cape Town in Political Science, Philosophy and International Relations.

Iimaliwa yoSME Bank otashi vulika yi kaneneneUuyelele mekano lyiimaliwa yoSME Bank tawu ngwangwaneke Eindilo lyompangu lyomeendelelo lya ningwa kwaamboka taya kwatele komeho oshikumungu shekano lyiimaliwa yombaanga yoSME Bank, olya holola polweela kutya iimaliwa mbyoka ya kana mombaanga ndjoka kayi wetike kutya oya uka peni moSouth Afrika.

Ompangu yopombanda yaVenduka oya gandja omulilo omuzizi kuDavid Bruni naIan McLaren opo ya vule okulandula omakonaakono agehe ngaashi tashi uthwa koompangu dhopombanda dhaSouth Afrika oshowo dhaZimbambwe molukongo lwoomiliyona dhombaanga yoSME Bank ndhoka dha kana.

Sha landula eindilo lyomeendelelo ndyoka lya ningwa mEtitano, Omupeha Omupanguli Hosea Angula okwa tseyitha kutya aanambelewa mboka yaali oye na uuthemba okulandula kehe omakonaakono ga kwatelamo ngoka gokukutha ko omaliko ngaashi tashi pumbiwa mepatitho lyombanga ndjoka.

Momikanda dhe dhopampangu, Bruni okwa lombwele ompangu kutya ope na okwaahatsakumwe momapopyo gongaamba kutya oya pungula iimaliwa iingapi na oya pungulwa peni.

Bruni okwa popi kutya oomiliyona 196 odha pungulwa moMamepe Capital, noomiliyona 150 odha li dha kuthwa mo momapungulo moka nokupungulwa ishewe moVBS Mutual Bank, moSouth Africa. Nonando ongaaka uuyelele mboka wa gandjwa koVBS owa holola kutya okwa ningwa omapungulo patatu goomiliyona 185, nomwaalu ngoka oguli pombanda gwa pitilila omwaalu gwiimaliwa ngoka gwa uthwa okupitikwa komunambelewa omukuluntu gwombaanga ndjoka Tawanda Mumvuma, namenindjera giimaliwa mombaanga ndjoka ina vula okugandja uumbangi ngele omalundululo giimaliwa mbyoka oga ningwa nepitiko lyelelo lyombaanga.

“Momasiku 30 gaSepetemba 2016, oomiliyona 50 odha li dha tegelelwa okuza ko VBS ihe okwa zi owala oomiliyona 37 momasiku 14 gaKotomba omvula oyo tuu ndjoka,” Bruni a popi.

MuDesemba gwo 2016, ina ku monika uuyelele washa kombinga yomapungulo ngoka ga ningwa kombaanga ndjoka moMamepe nenge moVBS.

Omiyalu dhoVBS odha ulike kutya pokati kesiku lyotango lyaJanuari mo 2014 sigo omwedhi Malitsa momasiku 22 momvula yo 2017, oomiliyona owala 10 dha tulwa momapungulo ngoka okuza moSME Bank momasiku 11 gaAguste 2016, ihe iimaliwa mbyoka oyali ya kuthwa ko komapungulo ngoka konima yomasiku gahamano, ano momasiku 17 gaAguste.

Bruni okwa popi kutya kape na omiyalu dha yela pokati komayalulo ngoka ga gandjwa koSME Bank kaayaluli yoBDO. Omukanda gwomomasiku ga 8 Sepetemba mo 2016 otagu ulike oomiliyona 185.3 ihe omukanda omukwawo gwomwedhi ndatu komeho otagu ulike oomiliyona 153.8.

Okuya momasiku 23 gaMaalitsa mo 2017, iimaliwa yombaanga yi li momapungulo goVBS oya li owala ooN$459 000.

Okwa tsikile kutya iimaliwa mbyoka ya pungulwa moSouth Afrika oyoomiliyona 207.6 okuya momasiku 28 gaFebruali 2017 oomiliyona 52.4 moMamepe oshowo oomiliyona 55.2 moVBS.

Ombaanga Onene moshilongo yoBank of Namibia, oya mono kutya iimaliwa mbyoka ya pungulwa moSouth Afrika oyoomiliyona 199.7 noomiliyona 32.7 odha li moMamepe omanga oomiliyona 167 dha futwa momayalulo goombanga dha yooloka ga tumbulwa kutya Asset Movement Financial Services, DMA Consultants, Moody Blue oshowo Transparency.com.

Bruni okwa popi kutya omwaalu gwiimaliwa ya pungulwa moVBS ogwa kolekwa kutya ogu li ponola. Omukomeho gwoMamepe, Mauwane Kotane, okwa lombwele aakonaakoni kutya iimaliwa yoSME Bank yoomiliyona 175 oya pungulwa koMamepe Capital mehangano lyokulonga uuhoho lyaRawfert Offshore Sal, moLebanon ihe sigo okesiku lyonena inaku za sha kehangano ndyoka. Kwiikwatelelwa woo komakonaakono ngoka ga ningwa koBank of Namibia, Bruni okwa holola kutya ope na omaipulo ngele iimaliwa mbyoka otayi ka vula tuu okumonika.Okwa tsikile kutya ombaanga itayi gandja uuyelele womondjila kutya iimaliwa mbyoka oya falwa peni.

Ombaanga onene oya mono kutya oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 167 osha gandjwa koohandimwe mboka kaye shi iiputudhilo yomapungulo, nuuyelele mboka inawu hololwa. Bruni okwa popi kutya iimaliwa ya gandja koohandimwe mboka itayi ulike moolopota dhopashimaliwa dhombaanga ndjoka molwaashoka kape na ekwatathano noonakupewa iimaliwa.

VBS okwa koleke kutya oshimaliwa owala shooN$459 000 sha pungulwa noomiliyona 154.7 odha kana.

Omunambaanga gumwe a popi meholamo noNamibian Sun, okwa hololwa kutya mekano lyiimaliwa yombaanga ndjoka okwa longithwa omukalo gwo 'cut flying' . Momukalo ngoka gele mwene gwomayalulo gombaanga a longitha omukalo ngoka nena ota tumu oshimaliwa ta ihe omanga oshimaliwa inashi thika komayalulo gombaanga hoka sha nuninwa, iimaliwa nenge oshitopolwa shiimaliwa shimwe ohashi lundululilwa komayalu gamwe.

Ombaanga yoSME Bank oya li ya patwa momasiku 29 gaNovemba mo 2017.

YANNA SMITH

Oondjindikila dha nuninwa ehupitho lyiimaliwa yepangelo

Epangelo lyaNamibia, olya tula miilonga oondjindikila dha nuninwa ekwatonawa lyiimaliwa yoshigwana onga oonkambadhala tadhi ningwa okuhupitha iimaliwa sho onkalo yopashimaliwa yaNamibia ya nayipala.

Oondjindikila oompe ndhoka dha tulwa miilonga odha kwatelamo omalweendo,ehulithepo lyelando lyiifokundaneki oshowo eningo lyiigongi niigongiilonga.

Omukanda guuyelele ngoka gwa shainwa kOmuprima Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, ogwa pititha konima owala yomasiku omashona sho omupresidende Hage Geingob a kaleke omalweendo gaanepangelo okuya pondje yoshilongo.

Geingob ngoka a li a yi nodhila yomalweendo gopangeshefa koAddis Ababa shaEthiopia omasiku ga piti, okukala momutumba gwiilongo yaAfrika, okwa tseyitha kutya oominista naapeha minista oshowo aanambelewa yalwe yepangelo itaya ka pitikwa okuya momalweendo pondje yoshilongo momwedhi nguka. Sha landula etseyitho ndyoka lya ningwa kuGeingob, omaindilo ogendji oya tseyithwa okupitila mombelewa yomuprima minista.

Aanambelewa mboka taya ka pumbwa okuya momalweendo otaya ka longitha omatukodhila ga kwalukehe nooamushanga yiikondo otaya ka ya owala momalweendo taku gandjwa omaziminino okuza kuamushanga gwokabinete ngele koominista.

Omalweendo ngoka itaga ka pitika woo aaniilonga pamwe yevulithe pugumwe yaye momalweendo, nuuna aaniilonga yevulithe pugumwe taya pumbwa okuya momalweendo nena natango amushanga gwokabinete nenge minista gwoshikondo shoka okwa pumbwa okugandja epitikilo.

Kape na oshikondo tashi ka uthwa okulanda oshiyenditho kakele ongele sha pitikwa kuamushanga gwokabinete.

Iiyenditho yepangelo inayi kale ya ya kankamekwa potundi onti 17:00 poombelewa.

Oondjindikila oompe ndhoka dha tulwa miilonga odha kwatelamo moo euliko lyaaniilonga aape, omanga oshikondo shemona lyoshilongo kwa tegelelwa shi ka gandje omusindalandu omupe gwelongitho lyiimaliwa.

Efuto lyiimaliwa yomalweendo nalyo olya talika omeho omanene sho ooamushanga yiikondo ya pewa oonkondo okutala kutya omahala geni taga vulu okufutilwa aaniilonga mboka taya yi momalweendo. Ooamushanga otaya ka tokola ngele otaya ka futa omahala gokulala aaniilonga nenge otaya ka gandja iimaliwa mbyoka kaaniilonga onga omukalo gwokushunitha pevi elongitho lyiimaliwa oyindji mo S&T.

Omakuthombinga momauliko giipindi nago oga kwatelwamo moondjindikila ndhoka sho, kwa tokolwa kutya omakuthombinga ngoka otaga ka shunithwa pevi.

Epangelo olya tseyitha woo kutya otali ka tula miilonga omakonaakono miikondo yoonzo dhopauntu, opo ku talike nokukuthamo aanashilonga yiikengelela. Oolopota ndjoka otadhi ka kala hadhi gandjwa komvula kuamushanga gwokabinete.

Aaniilonga yepangelo oya indikwa woo okuya momalweendo nokuninga iigongiilonga nenge iigongi taya tseyithwa ya tameke okuninga iigongi noonkundatha a dhopangodhi opo ku yandwe elongitho lyiimaliwa nethimbo lyokuza miilonga okukala miigongi mbyoka.

Aaniilonga yepangelo olya pulwa woo ya tameke okukala taya longitha ooemail pehala lyokulongitha oombaapila uuna taku tumwa omatumwalaka. Epangelo otali ka hulitha po elandelo lyaaniilonga iifokundaneki okuya mesiku lyotango lyomwedhi Apilili.

OMUTOOLINKUNDANA GWOMENI

Media Camp highlights

Building newspaper towers, interacting with editors, designing the front page of the newspapers, shooting and editing videos and braaing marshmallows are just some of the media camp highlights we want to share with our readers.

Shot of the day

PROTEST: Palestinians hang a burning puppet bearing the portrait of US President Donald Trump, during a mock trial for him and Vice President Mike Pence in the Aida refugee camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on 27 January. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Time for inquiry into SME Bank We will soon mark one year since the Bank of Namibia stripped the embattled SME Bank directors of their powers, following the widely-publicised alleged irregularities and questionable investments linked to financial instruments in South Africa. Despite the media uncovering large-scale instances of corruption at the SME Bank, the authorities ostensibly ignored the signs when journalists started raising red flags about the dodgy dealings at the institution. The dillydallying on the part of the authorities left the Bank of Namibia with no choice but to wind up the affairs of the SME Bank, after its management failed to recover about N$200 million invested in neighbouring South Africa. The bank was later liquidated and dozens of staff members were sent home after the business closed its doors. Shamelessly, this institution became a disgrace overnight, with records showing that it had dished out loans to the politically well-connected, as well as many Zimbabwean professionals running businesses in Namibia. So far the big questions have gone unanswered and the public especially still wants to know how the bank failed and why no one has been punished to this day. Apart from suspending directors, the fact that no individual has been found legally responsible for the failure has left us puzzled. The liquidators might have scored an important victory in court last week, after they were granted permission to pursue any proceedings in the high courts of both Zimbabwe and South Africa, in the hope of securing any information that could lead to criminal charges, but it is the shallow and superficial anti-corruption efforts that have left many dejected. Taxpayer money was spent on this mess of a project and the only proper way of dealing with this problem is to make those responsible pay. There is a need to have an inquiry into the affairs of the SME Bank, in order to expose the truth, and nothing but the truth. If the new administration prides itself on being accountable, then there should be no trouble at all in trying to get to the bottom of the matter.

Financial problems lead to suicide A 32-year-old man was found dead at his shack in Swakopmund over the weekend, the Erongo police reported.

According the region's crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, the man who was identified as Lukas Frans, was found by his girlfriend hanging from the roof of house 421, Independence Street in the Mondesa suburb of Swakopmund.

“The room was locked from inside. The victim allegedly told some people that he will kill himself due to financial problems,” said Iikuyu.

Iikuyu further said that although there was no suicide not at the crime scene, no foul play is suspected. The investigation continues.

Adolf Kaure

Criminals exploit Oshiko darknessResidents have been waiting for years Residents of Oshiko say the lack services from the Ongwediva Town Council has turned them vulnerable to criminals.

Impatient Oshiko residents say they are increasingly falling prey to thieves and robbers, who are taking advantage of the cover of darkness, amid an ongoing battle with the Ongwediva Town Council to electrify the township.

The town council has been saying for years that it will provide electricity infrastructure to Oshiko, once funds become available.

The council partly serviced Oshiko five years ago, by providing water and sewerage services.

It said at the time that it will be providing electricity at a later stage.

However, residents allege that they have not received the assurance that they seek from the council that electricity will be made available to them.

Hundreds of people live in Oshiko, with many of them having moved to the area following their relocation from Extension 12 in 2014, which was zoned as an industrial area.

Speaking to Namibian Sun recently, Oshiko residents expressed their disappointment, saying they have been waiting too long and that the council has failed for the past two years to hold a meeting them about the challenges it faces with regard to supplying electricity to the township. Residents complain about living in darkness, which they say has made the area a hotbed for crime during the night, where muggers disappear into the nearby bushes.

“If you come here at night, it is dark. We are even afraid to come out at night when nature calls. We lost a lot of our assets, because thieves come here at night and break into our homes; some will even rob you when you are on your way out or when you are knocking off late (from work),” a concerned resident said.

Residents also say that due to the absence of electricity, they are forced to either use firewood or gas stoves when cooking, and candles in their rooms at night, which they say is dangerous.

“Our lives have not improved. When we were brought here, we thought things will be better, but it turned out to be the opposite of what we were promised,” another resident said.

“Imagine if you have a child who schools at a local university in Ongwediva or Oshakati; that child will not study freely, because he or she needs to charge his or her laptop and study, but in this case it is not happening. This has forced us to send our kids to their uncles and aunties, where there is electricity,” the resident said further.

Residents also pointed out that when consultations for their relocation were taking places, they were told that they could grow backyard gardens. However, this is not possible, as roaming livestock graze in the area and end up eating their plants.

Currently only those who can afford to apply for electricity to be installed from a transformer, which is situated along the main road, have access to electricity.

Town council spokesperson Jackson Muma said he is aware of the situation, but due to limited funds, they are unable to electrify Oshiko at this stage.

Muma added there are other townships that were established before Oshiko, which also need to receive electrification services.

“In terms of electricity that side, the council is aware of those people, and they are not forgotten,” Muma said.

He, however, could not give a timeframe for when electrification would be taking place, adding that this will be determined by the availability of resources.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Shaningwa pleads for cheaper housing

The minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, officially handed over 400 houses under the mass housing development project at Matutura Extension 10, 11 and 12 in Swakopmund on Friday.

The houses were part of 883 that were built by Oyeno Power during the project's first phase.

According to Shaningwa, houses should not be built at prices that the communities cannot afford.

“In order to make sure that the houses are affordable to the people, especially the low-income earners, the cabinet of the government of Namibia has taken a decision that the categories of houses that are earmarked for the ultra-low and low-income groups must be sold at prices that are lower than the actual cost of construction. This is a commendable and worthy gesture from our government,” she said. “With the approved discounted selling prices, a person who earns a salary of N$2 700 per month will now be able to afford a D1 [unit], which is being offered for sale at a reduced price of N$70 000.

“The construction price of a D1 house is N$199 561, which is subsidised by 65 percent. The monthly instalment for this type of house will be N$550,” she explained.

She told all relevant authorities that that there are no excuses for failing to reach the housing targets outlined in the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

“The government, as you are aware, through the ministry of urban and rural development, has committed to ensure that at least 5 000 new houses are constructed every year and that at least 6 500 new residential plots are provided every year,” she added.

The new homeowners were warned not to erect shacks around their houses and to report any form of vandalism to the Swakopmund municipality or to the nearest police station.

A further 638 houses will soon be completed, which will bring the total number of houses constructed under the mass housing project at Swakopmund to 1 521.

ADOLF KAURE

Frederick leaves rich legacy

Calls for rededication in the struggle for reparations by the descendants of the Nama/Ovaherero victims at the hands of the German colonial regime, were made at the funeral of the late !Aman Nama clan traditional leader, Gaob Dawid Frederick, in Bethanie last weekend.

About 4 000 people attended the funeral of the highly respected chief. Ovaherero Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro said Frederick's name will go down in the annals of the country's history with his greatest achievement and legacy being the mobilisation and unification of various Nama communities, especially around the genocide and reparations.

“Together with the Ovaherero, he took the German government to an international court to hold them accountable for the genocide against our people. Which Nama leader has done that over 100 years? The only Nama leader who did that is chief Dawid Frederick and that is why we identify and compare him to the other great Nama leaders,” said Rukoro.

He added that the role Frederick played is spectacular compared to the routes taken by some because of political and other expediencies.

“That is the legacy he left behind for us. He left behind unfinished business for the Nama and Ovaherero to continue the battle he fought - and not to betray it. The choice is ours,” he emphasised. Rukoro said the inheritance the genocide groups got from Frederick includes steadfastness and stern principles, and added that the late chief abandoned an unqualified apology from the German government. “Gaob wanted dignity. He wanted restorative justice. Can we afford to betray his legacy?” he wanted to know.

President Hage Geingob also paid tribute to Frederick, describing him as an ethical and principled man. “People of Namibia are proud to refer to him as a father and a son of the soil. He was a patriotic man and had a spirit of peace and unity. He dedicated his life to our national objectives,” said Geingob in a speech read on his behalf by education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani took a swipe at the government for refusing to grant Frederick a state funeral. Venaani said Frederick was a bridge-builder and mediator of peace.

“He travelled to South Africa and Botswana to mobilise the Nama and Ovaherero there in support of the genocide and reparation talks. He was passionate about the developmental agenda of his people. He was a pioneer and fighter for reparations and brought the skulls of the genocide victims from Germany, urging for a dignified burial of the remains found along the Lüderitz coast. Frederick died on 12 January this year after an illness in a Keetmanshoop hospital.

FRED GOEEIMAN

127 dead in festive season road crashes

A total of 127 people died in road crashes that took place during the just-ended festive season - a 5% drop from the previous year.

This was announced by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund last week at Ongwediva.

According to MVA Fund Ongwediva branch manager Eva Amakali the data was collected between 22 November 2017 and 16 January this year.

Amakali said a total of 528 crashes were recorded in which 965 people sustained injuries and 127 died.

“The battle against road carnage is not an easy one and I am happy that we have institutions in our society who realise the need to support our law-enforcement team in keeping our roads safe,” said Amakali.

She was speaking at the handover ceremony of 40 reflective vests and 100 traffic cones to the Oshana police by the Ongwediva Medipark private hospital.

Oshana police regional commander Rauha Amwele received the donation.

Amwele said contributions such as those of Ongwediva Medipark will assist the police in achieving its goals.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Urban migration tests City's limitsMunicipality concerned over large influx Windhoek's mayor Muesee Kazapua has expressed his worry over the large numbers of people flocking to Windhoek to settle in the capital.

The huge influx of people to Windhoek is a concern and the City of Windhoek cannot sit idle and watch the capital descend into anarchy, Mayor Muesee Kazapua said last week.

Kazapua said the City was cognisant of the pressing need for land and housing in Windhoek.

He said the city councillors and municipality would do everything in their power to accelerate shelter for the needy and to ensure that Windhoek developed in an orderly fashion.

“As the mayor of this city, I would like to use this opportunity to call upon the residents of Windhoek to desist from taking the law into their own hands and cooperate with the council in the implementation of the ongoing programmes on housing,” he stressed.

He also called for the prudent use of water in the absence of good rains and bemoaned the growing trend of illegal traders in the city centre.

“Our statistics show growth of 191% [increase in illegal traders], which represents an increase from 33 illegal traders in 2016 to 93 cases to date,” he said.

Many traders Namibian Sun spoke to said they had no other option but to set up shop where there is traffic to sell food, sweets and fruit to earn an income. When they were removed by the City Police, they had nowhere else to go to make a living, they said.

Land delivery, provision of affordable housing and the creation of liveable and hygienic conditions top the City's agenda for the year.

Kazapua said that could be achieved if the City worked with “zeal and diligence”.

“The onus is therefore upon us as elected councillors and management to ensure that we live up to our promise,” said Kazapua.

The unimpeded growth of informal settlements has been making headlines since November last year, when a new book predicted that two million people would live in 500 000 shacks in urban areas in the country by 2030. The authors of 'Informal Settlements in Namibia: Their Nature and Growth', John Mendelsohn and Beat Weber, wrote that affordable land, instead of houses, was the key to success in this regard.

One of seven detailed recommendations is that “government and local authorities should supply land with a minimum of cost and at maximum speed”. The authors say residents should build their own houses at their own pace, with minimum obstacles and maximum encouragement.

The authors add that the provision of low-cost urban land can be done on a cost-recovery basis, as detailed in the book, and that this would attract the private sector to support these initiatives.

In 1991, 86% of Namibia's homes were formal brick houses, compared to 12% shacks. In 2001, 77% of homes were formal brick structures while 21% were shacks. The 2011 figures showed that shacks had increased to 32%, with formal brick houses reduced to 32% of all homes in Namibia.

Growing fast

By 2023, it is estimated that urban shacks will outnumber all rural houses. By 2025 they will outnumber all formal urban brick houses, making shacks the predominant housing type in Namibia.

It is estimated that around 12 000 shacks are built annually in Namibia, and that urban growth is mainly fuelled by the rapid expansion of informal settlements.

The authors warn that the “economic, social and environmental costs of informal growth and unplanned urban development are huge for Namibia as a country and as a society.”

It is estimated that in 2011, almost 380 000 urban (excluding rural) residents had no access to toilet facilities. Mendelsohn estimated that by now that figure could stand at 600 000. An outbreak of hepatitis E last year, along with a case of cholera reported last week, was seen by experts as a direct outflow of lack of hygiene in the informal settlements. Three people have so far died of hepatitis E and a few are being treated for the disease at the Katutura State Hospital. Just under 600 cases have been reported, most of them in the Havana informal settlement.

Sharing its strategic plans for the year last week, the City said around 120 new toilets would be built and pipelines laid for the supply of fresh water to informal settlements. Around N$17 million has been made available by the City to contain the outbreak of these diseases until June this year.

– Additional reporting by Nampa

STAFF REPORTER

An investment in education A great need With the number of learners enrolling into schools each year, different individuals have come together to contribute the much needed boost in the education sector.

Tunohole Mungoba

The First National Bank of Namibia Foundation donated furniture to the Groot Aub Primary in southern Namibia worth N$144 720. The furniture consists of chairs, desks, notice boards and lockable steel cabinets. This donation was handed over to the acting principal of school, Judika April from the chairperson of the trust, Clara Bohitile.

“Today, we offer this equipment as a means to help develop the future of Groot Aub, in our attempt to make sure that quality education is spread as far and widely as possible and that our children have the resources they need to be cared for and properly educated,” says Bohitile. “For our learners here at Groot Aub Primary School, receiving this new equipment sends a very strong message. It says that FNB Namibia cares deeply about your success and is prepared to invest in your future.”

April was grateful to receive the donation as “it has placed smiles on the faces of all the learners, teachers, parents and the entire Groot Aub community at large.” She adds that parents play a vital role in the success of their children’s education. She requested parents to go the extra mile and to ensure that they create a conducive learning environment for their children. She also promised to the FNB team that the furniture will be well taken care of.

The ministry of education was present to assist with the handover and permanent secretary, Sanet Steenkamp urged parents to invest in their children’s education. “The ministry is doing everything in their power to make sure that all children are treated with dignity. Something as little as making sure your children look clean and are properly dressed is contributing to this investment. We all play a role to make sure our children reach their full potential.”

New graduate trainees welcomed at FNB

STAFF REPORTER

On 19 January FNB Namibia welcomed their third intake of Graduate Trainees who have been selected to join FNB and RMB respectively. This prestigious one-year development programme focuses on attracting and retaining high potential Namibian Graduates who are highly motivated, with strong analytical ability. Graduates are trained in core skills and exposed to key projects during their year in South Africa.

The successful candidates for 2018, Thorsten Kreft, Tomas Hamata, and Annalien Davin expressed their gratitude towards FNB and RMB and were delighted to join the best financial services provider in Namibia.

Thorsten graduated with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, while Thomas holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Services from the University of Pretoria, with a major in Internal Audit and Finance. Annalien, who will join the RMB Namibia team, obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Stellenbosch, majoring in Economics and Financial Management. After their one-year training in South Africa they will return to Namibia to join FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia in a permanent employment capacity.

“Talent Management is one of the key people focus areas of the Group and therefore we place a high priority on attracting and investing in the Country’s future leaders”, says Liezel Andrew, Talent Management Specialist, FNB Holdings Human Resources.

Through the Young Talent Development Programme (YTDP) graduates are exposed to and experience the culture of business in South Africa and establish relationships crucial to the development of the critical skills required for Namibia. More importantly they learn to work, collaborate and lead inclusively in multi-cultural teams. As part of the FirstRand Group initiative we wish to create a greater young talent (alumni) community and network that supports them in their career progression; activate business’s operational excellence and growth strategies; support the transition from students into young professionals; introduce them to the FirstRand philosophy and complement current in-country programmes through alignment and focussed international exposure.

Powering Namibia’s Future NamPower has this year awarded twenty-four full bursariesthrough its bursary scheme, to students starting their tertiaryeducation journeys at institutions in Namibia and the SADCregion.

STAFF REPORTER

The beneficiaries, who hail from 8 regions across the country, will be pursuing studies in the fields of Engineering (Electro- Mechanical, Mechatronic, Electrical and Power), Information Technology, Math and Science, Business Administration and Special Education in several universities across Namibia and South Africa. The criteria for the selection of the final candidates for the NamPower bursaries included critical factors such as academic performance and financial need. The NamPower Bursary Scheme has been in existence for more than 20 years, and has invested millions towards bursaries for Namibian students for education at tertiary institutions locally, and in other countries in the SADC region.

Ondangwa council to oppose court order

The Ondangwa town council last week filed its notice of intention to oppose a court order preventing it from impounding animals.

The court papers were filed by the law firm of Sisa Namandje & Co., and followed an order that was recently made by the Oshakati High Court after the Oshana SPCA had approached the court with an urgent application.

The SPCA filed the application due to the inhumane conditions at the council's impound pens. Animals were left there without food and clean water for days on end.

The court ordered the immediate release of the impounded animals and that no other animals may be impounded until policy regulations are drafted and implemented by the council to ensure compliance with the Animal Protection Act and the Model Pound Regulations.

According to Wilmarie Horn, who manages the Oshana SPCA and is a lawyer by training, the notice that was filed was not in compliance with High Court Rules.

She explains that the notice does not comply with Rule 65(5) of the High Court Rules, as the service address of Namandje's law firm is not within a flexible jurisdiction of the Oshakati court.

The filed papers indicate the address of the law firm as 11 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek, where all processes must be served.

Horn says the law firm has been informed of this.

The return date to the High Court is 14 February, when the court will determine whether the interim interdict granted in favour of Oshana SPCA on 26 January will be made final or not.

A criminal case of animal cruelty was also opened against the council. The organisation received a complaint on 17 December about animal cruelty at the impound pens of the Ondangwa town council. During inspections the animals were found to be kept in terrible conditions.

According to court papers one bull, seven donkeys of which one was pregnant, one calf, seven goats, 10 pigs, one piglet and three dead goats were found in the impound pens. Although the animals had some water, it was dirty.

“They did not have any food and were very hungry. They were starving and to that end the gates were locked to the pens with padlocks,” the affidavit filed by Horn says.

According to Horn one goat and one pig needed urgent medical attention.

ELLANIE SMIT

It's hot and wet

Slight relief can be expected in the excessive daytime temperatures experienced over large parts of the country in the past few months.

Should predictions for rain hold, heavy falls are likely over the northeast and the //Karas Region today.

The weather office based in Windhoek also predicted that heavy rainfall would be experienced yesterday in the western and central-northern regions of Namibia.

It warned that today would be partly cloudy to hot, but very hot in the Hardap and Erongo regions.

Warnings have been issued over the past few weeks that SADC is experiencing a heat wave and that the public should take precautionary measures to avoid heat-related illnesses.

The SADC-Climate Services Centre's Heatwave and Heat Spells Alert System (HSAS) said that very high to extremely high temperatures have been experienced in most countries in the southern part of the region, namely Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, northern DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), southern Mozambique, eastern Swaziland, south-western Zimbabwe and southern fringes of Zambia.

During the past few weeks daytime temperatures in Namibia have remained in the high thirties, while at some places it was over 40 degrees Celsius at some point.

In the south places towns such as Maltahöhe yesterday recorded a minimum temperature of 24 degrees and reached a high of 36 degrees, while at Mariental the minimum temperature was 23 degrees and the maximum was 37 degrees. At Aranos the temperature was between 23 and 37 degrees.

Sesfontein and Mariental will today reach highs of 38 degrees.

According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS) unusually high temperatures and dryness have been recorded in southern Africa, including Namibia, and are expected to continue.

The organisation says at the end of January many rainfall anomaly analyses suggested that the monsoon performance was one of the poorest on record in terms of extent and distribution.

Much of southern Africa has been under the influence of a suppressed convective pattern, which resulted in a mid-season period with significantly low monthly totals and an anomalously low frequency of rainfall.

The impacts of this past January can be felt on the long-term moisture anomalies, as many regions in Zambia, Mozambique, southern Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa are now experiencing less than 80% of their normal rainfall accumulation since the beginning of November.

This dryness has led to increased concerns for drought, water availability and impacts on cropping activities.

Ground conditions have degraded in parts of Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and western Mozambique.

Currently Namibia's dams are at 38.2% of their capacity. This is still higher than at the same time last year, when the dams were 31.3% full.

In the past week the total capacity of the dams in the country has decreased from 39% and there has been a decrease of 4.1 million cubic metres of water from the dams since last week.

According to the dam bulletin, 15mm of rain was measured in the catchment area of the Swakoppoort Dam, but that did not have any significant impact on the dam level, which currently stands at 38.9%

The average level of the dams in the central area is currently 32%, with the Von Bach Dam standing at 54.9%.

Last year this time, these levels were 8.2% and 16.2%.

According to the latest river bulletin issued on Friday, the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo continues to rise gradually and is currently at 2.02m. Water levels remain higher than those of the same period last year.

The Okavango River levels are gradually rising due to good rains received in the catchment over the past days. Rundu recorded 4.76m and Nkurenkuru recorded 2.36m. However, water levels remain lower than those of the same period last year.

ELLANIE SMIT