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Volkswagen extends Caravelle line-up with PanAmericana

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Volkswagen extends Caravelle line-up with PanAmericanaVolkswagen extends Caravelle line-up with PanAmericanaSpecial edition The PanAmericana features stylish interior and exclusive design elements such as the underrun protection and the ‘Nucleus Grey’ structure-painted bumpers. The new PanAmericana combines the comfort of the Caravelle and the trusted 4MOTION drive system meaning that no matter where you plan to go, the PanAmericana is supremely up to the task.

The PanAmericana‘s striking external features include front and rear bumpers painted in a textured effect, underbody protection at front and back, side sill attachments, stone guard film along the lower sides of the vehicle as well as 17-inch Devonport alloy wheels.

In addition to these functional highlights, the PanAmericana also scores with a striking and simultaneously refined outfit. Tinted rear windows, smoked LED rear lights, a chrome radiator grille and the classy PanAmericana logo on the B-pillars stylishly guarantee a superior presence in visual terms as well.

The concept of a multi-functional yet stylish all-rounder that can also be used in gravel B-road conditions is consistently carried through to the end with multifunctional leather steering wheel, leather gearshift knob, Climatronic, entry lights with PanAmericana lettering and pedals in stainless steel look.

The entire interior features a mix of high-quality, yet simultaneously hard-wearing materials. Typical styling elements such as seats with the special 'Mithy' black and white insert, Alcantara pads and edging U-seams in appropriately contrasting colour, as well as optional bi-colour leather trim, underline the exclusive character of this special edition PanAmericana. The PanAmericana also impresses with the rugged rubber floor mats that can cope even with muddy mountain bikes and hiking shoes.

The Caravelle PanAmericana is available with a 2.0 BiTDI 132kW 4MOTION engine and 7-speed DSG gearbox. The four-cylinder engine with torque of up to 400 Nm @ 1,500 rpm accelerates the PanAmericana to 100 km/h in 12.1 seconds and has a top speed of 188 km/h. - Quickpic

Epangelo tali kongo natango omikuli

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Epangelo tali kongo natango omikuliEpangelo tali kongo natango omikuli Epangelo lyaamibia olya ngonga po oshiyetwapo shalyo shi li pambaapila, opo li vule okumona omukuli okuza kombaanga yoNew Development Bank, ya tseyika Brics Bank. Ø Omukuli ngoka tagu ka longithwa momayambulepo goopoloyeka

OGONE TLHAGE

Epangelo otali ilongekidha opo li vule natango okumona omukuli okuza koNew Development Bank, ngoka tagu kalongithwa aniwa mokutunga oBaynes hydropower project oshowo o Trans-Kalahari Rail link (TKR), elila lyeshina lyokolutenda lyoGrootfontein – Rundu – Katima Mulilo nokuyambulapo omatulilo gaLiindili.



Ombaanga ndjoka ya totwa po kiilongo ngaashi Brazil, Russia, India, China oshowo South Africa, oyi na oombelewa oonene dhi li moShanghai, China, nombelewa yawo yomoshitopolwa otayi adhika moJohannesburg.

Oongunga dhiniwe kepangelo lyaandjetu okuya pehulilo lyaMaalitsa gwomvula ndjika, odha li poobiliyonan 78, na odhi li pombanda noshititatu okutala kiiyemo yoshilongo.

Moshinyolwa shoka sha monika koNamibia Sun, moka epangelo lya ngongopo omukanda ngoka gu li epopilo keindilo lyomukuli ngoka, oopoloyeka ndhoka dha tumbulwa odha tothwamo onga dha simana na odho tashi ka longithwa noshimaliwa shoka tashi hehelwaa.

Ominista yomakwatathano, Stanley Simataa okwa li a popi muSepetemba kutya epangelo otali tala omeho koopoloyeka dhomayambulepo unene moondjila nomakwatatakanitho gaNamibia kiilongo iikwawo mUumbugantu waAafrika.

Momukanda ngoka epangelo olya popi kutya elalakano lyopoloyeka ndjoka okupatulula nokutulapo elila lyokupitithila iipindi okuza mOmbaye okuya miilongo ngaashi Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo oshowo Botswana.

“Monena oondongelwa adhihe okuza mOmbaye okuya miilongo mbyoka ohadhi falwa taku longithwa oondjila dhiihauto na otashi yonagula oondjila nokupula tango elongululo lyoondjila ndhoka, sho otashi etitha woo iiponga,” ondokumende ndjoka ya holola.

Omapekaapeko kombinga yoshitopolwa shondjila yaGrootfontein-Rundu oga li ga ningwa momvula yo 2010, nomonena epangelo otali ningi ompangela dhokutunga elila lyeshina moshitopowa shoka.

Nonando ongaaka oopoloyeka ndhoka dhoTKR otadhi dhana onkandangala meindilo lyomukuli ngoka,kapu na shoka sha ningwa po tashi tulitha andola oopoloyeka ndhoka miilonga.

“Etsokumwe lyopoloyeka yoTKR, olya shainwa komapangelo lyaNamibia oshowo Botswana opo ku tungwe elila lyeshina lyokolutenda lyuule woshinano shookilometa 1 500 tali kwatakanitha Botswana naNamibia opo ku vule ku tumwe omakala momalanditho gopondje yoshilongo.”

Omukalelipo gwaBotswana moNamibia, Mbapeua Muvangua okwa li a lombwele oSouthern Times omvula ya piti kutya oya ninga po ombelewa moNamibia, ndjoka tayi ka longithwa kaanambelewa aatseyinawa aapangeli yatatu yaBotswana oshowo yatatu yaNamibia.

Uuna aapangeli mboka ya yi mombelelwa nena otaya ka kala ye na oshinakugwanithwa shokutunga po ekwatathano pokati komapangelo niikondo yopaumwene oshowo aapunguli yalwe. Okwa popi kutya opoloyeka ndjoka oya pumbwa oshimaliwa shoobiliyona odhindji na oya pumbwa eyambidhidho enene okuza koshikondo shopaumwene.





Opoloyeka dhimwe dhoka tadhi pangelwa okukondopekwa , pauyelele wombaapla ndjoka ya ngongwa po ongaashi elila lyaTrans-Orange oshowo okuyambulapo omatulilo gaLindili, noshinano shoometa 18.

Okupitila moployeka ndjoka epangelo otali longekidha okunenepeka elila lyeshina lyokolutenda okuza moKeetmanshoop okuya moNorthern Cape. Natango otaku ningwa oompangela okuyambulapo ondjila yomashina gokolutenda yoshinano shookilometa 40 pokati ka Sandverhaar oshowo Bucholzbrunn.

Natango opoloyeka yimwe ya tumbulwa momukanda ngoka, oondjoka yoo600-megawatt Baynes hydropower station ndjoka tayi tungwa kepangelo lyaNamibia oshowo epangelo lyaAngola. Omapekaapeko gopoloyeka ndjoka inaga manithwa natango.

Omukuli gwaChina

Epangelo lyaChina olya tula poshitaafula egandjo lyomukuli ngoka tagu ka longitha Okapale kOmatukodhila goPaigwana kaHosea Kutako International Airport, hoka taka ka longwa koshimaliwa shoobiliyona 5 okuya pombanda.

Epangelo olya pula oshimaliwa shoobiliyona 10 okuza kepangelo lyaChina pethimbo lyoForum for China Africa Cooperation (Focac). Omukuli ngoka ogwa li gwa nyanwa koshigwana ihe Ominista yEmona, Calle Schlettwein okwa popile eindio yomukuli ngoka ta popi kutya otagu pumbiwa.

Epangelo lyaChina okwiinekelwa kutya olya gandja omukuli goopresenda 90 koshimaliwa shoka sha pulwa, gu na iishoshela yoopresenda 2, omanga iihupe ya gandjwa onga eyambidhidho kepangelo lyaNamibia.

Oonkundathana natango otadhi tsikile metsokumwe li na sha nomukuli ngoka.

Omuleli gwoshilongo, Hage Geingob okwa popile egandjo lyomukuli okuza kepangelo lyaChina nonando Namibia oku na nale omikuli dhili pombanda.

Omayambidhidho galwe ga pewa oshilongo

Epangelo lyaGerman olya gandja omukuli gwoshimaliwa shoomiliyona 450 shoka tashi ka longithwa metungo lyondjila yopokati kaVenduka oshowo Okahandja, oshowo oomiliyona 482 ndhoka tadhi ka longithwa metungo londjila yaMalinda-Okaiti.

Iimaliwa mbyoka oya gandjwa kupitila moKfW development bank.

Epangelo lyaNamibia monakuziwa olya li lya pula omukuli gongushu yoomiliyona 10 okuza ko African Development Bank (AfDB). Oshitopolwa shomukuli ngoka shoomiliyona 3 osha longithwa mokuthitika omwaka gompumbwe yoshmaliwa moshilongo omanga shilwe sha longithwa moopoloyekka dhuunamapya oshowo moopoloyeka dhelongo.

Iilongitho ya teka tayi tula moshiponga oomwenyo moshipangelo shaShakati

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Iilongitho ya teka tayi tula moshiponga oomwenyo moshipangelo shaShakatiIilongitho ya teka tayi tula moshiponga oomwenyo moshipangelo shaShakati ILENI NANDJATO

Oku na uupyakadhi uunene moshipangelo shaShakati moka omashina omanene gokukonaakona omauvu ga yooloka itaga longo.

Omashina ngoka ogo owala taga adhika monooli yoshilongo oshowo muumbugantu waAngola, na otaga longithwa noonkondo omolwa ompumbwe onene yi li pombanda.

Omashina ngaashi CT scanner, fluoroscopy, mammogram, digital X-ray oshowo C-arm medical imaging devices ogamwe gomomashina ngoka ga kala uule wethimbo itaga longo moshipangelo shoka, naashoka osha kolekwa kumedical superintendent, Dr Korbinian Vizcaya Amutenya.

Omukokele omukiintu ngoka a li a tumwa okuza koshipangelo shaOnandjokwe Lutheran Hospital momasiku 28 gaAguste nuumvo okwa tumwa kegumbo ina pangwa molwaashoka eshina lyoCT scanner olya teka.

Pauyelele wa gandjwa kofamili yomukokele ngoka, onkalo ye oyuuka kuuwinayi kehe esiku.



Ofamili oya popi kutya aluhe ngele taye mu fala koshipangelo ohaya lombwelwa owala kutya kape na shoka tashi vulu okuningwa omolwa omakonaakono ngoka ina ningulwa.

Amutenya okwa popi kutya eshina ndyoka olimwe lyomomashina ngoka ga teka itaga longo moshipangelo, ihe okwa gwedha po kutya eshina ndyoka olya teka owala oshiwike sha piti.

Amutenya okwa tumbula omusholondondo gwomashina ngoka itaga longo moshipangelo shawo, ta popi kutya oya ninga eindilo okuza muuministeli. Okwa tsikie kutya kutya omolwa onkalo kutya omashina ngoka oga longwa miilongo yopondje go ohaga longwa kwiikwatelea kompumbwe nelongitho lyago kwaamboka taye ga pula, otashi ka kutha ethimbo opo ya vule okumona omashina ngoka. Okwa popi natango kutya kwiikwatelelwa konkalo yaapangwa, ohaya tumu aapangwa yamwe kOvenduka nenge kiipangelo yopaumwene.

Okwa tsikile kutya ngele ompumbwe oyomeendelelo unene ohaya tumu aapangwa kiipangelo yopaumwene ihe shoka ohashi pula unene mondjato.

Amutenya kwa popi kutya omashina otaga teka molwaashoka oshipangelo shaShakati osho hashi yakula aapangwa ayehe mboka taya tumwa okuza miitopolwa Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto, Kavango oshowo Kunene regions. Omandiki guundjolowele moAngola, unene koshitopolwa shokuumbugantu nago ohaga tumu aapangwa koShakati.



Otaku lopotwa kutya oshipangelo shoka ohashi gandj aomayakulo kaapangwa ya thika po 950 000.

Okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka oyo tayi etitha omashina gawo gateke, a gandja oshiholelwa sheshina laywo lyoCT scanner ndyoka lya nuninwa owala okuthaneka omathano ga thika po 200 000 omanga inali falwa li ka konaakonwe ihe sho lyawo lya teka olya ninga omathano ge li po 500 000, ta popi kutya oya li ya pumbwa omashina geli gaali nenge gatatu.

Company news in brief

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Company news in briefCompany news in brief B2Gold keen on any African assets

Canada's B2Gold Corp is “definitely interested” in any West African assets that Barrick Gold Corp may put up for sale after its acquisition of African miner Randgold Resources Ltd, B2Gold's chief executive Clive Johnson said.

Under Barrick's US$6.1 billion all-stock deal to buy Randgold, the companies have said they will focus on their biggest and best assets globally and consider selling others.

Ideally, the Vancouver-based miner wants projects it can develop to produce about 200 000 ounces of gold annually for at least 10 years, as opposed to already-built mines. It seeks investments with an approximate 20% rate of return at gold prices of US$1 200-US$1 250 an ounce, Johnson said.

B2Gold itself is open to making acquisitions, after being on the sidelines since its US$570 million stock purchase of Australia's Papillon Resources in late 2014, he said. That deal landed Fekola, a large, low-cost mine in Mali that helped B2Gold forecast total output at the high end of a 920 000-960 000 ounce range.

B2Gold also five operating mines, two development projects and exploration in Mali, Burkina Faso, Namibia (Otjikoto), Nicaragua, Colombia and the Philippines. – Nampa/Reuters

Steinhoff asks creditors for restructuring extension

South African retailer Steinhoff, has asked creditors for a one-month extension relating to its debt restructuring as it negotiates documents required to implement the plan, it said yesterday.

An accounting scandal wiped more than 90% off Steinhoff's market value and forced it to sell assets to generate working capital.

Creditors agreed in July to hold off on their debt claims for three years, throwing the company a lifeline.

As part of the deal, all parties sought to start restructuring within three months of the lock-up agreement date of July 20.

The retailer now wants a one-month extension, it said in a statement, adding that "it remains the objective of the group to complete the restructuring as soon as possible". – Nampa/Reuters

Nedbank to buy back shares from minority shareholders

South Africa's Nedbank Group Ltd said yesterday it will buy back its stock from shareholders who hold less than 100 Nedbank shares as a result of a spin-off by its biggest shareholder Old Mutual.

Old Mutual, which holds 52% of Nedbank, has been dismantling its conglomerate structure, created after a series of acquisitions, since it moved its headquarters and primary listing to London in 1999.

As part of the plan, it spun-off a majority stake in Nedbank yesterday and now holds around 19.9%.

Nedbank, whose businesses include retail banking and asset management, said in September it had estimated that after the spin-off, it will have a large number of shareholders, increasing from about 20 000 to 500 000.

Nedbank's offer price will be at a 5% premium to the 10-day volume weighted average price of a Nedbank share at the close of business on Dec. 3, it said. The deal is subject to shareholder approval. – Nampa/Reuters

Exxaro looks to fill Eskom coal shortage

South African miner Exxaro Resources said on Friday it was looking to supply coal to state-owned power utility Eskom, which has been hit by supply shortages, posing a threat to the power supply in Africa's most industrialised economy.

Eskom, which has fewer than 20 days of coal supply at 10 of its power stations, supplies more than 90% of the nation's power and is one of its most indebted state firms.

Eskom said last month it was trying to secure new contracts with companies to ensure it had enough coal, after a major supplier cut supplies and sought insolvency protection.

Exxaro, which already supplies Eskom's Matimba, Matla and Medupi power stations, aims to enter into short-term contracts with Eskom.

Eskom's spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said the power utility was "very close" to signing new deals. He declined to confirm that a deal with Exxaro was imminent. – Nampa/Reuters

StanChart 'actively working' on Indonesian bank stake

Standard Chartered Plc is "actively working" on options for its stake in Indonesia's PT Bank Permata tbk, the British lender's chief executive Bill Winters said on Saturday.

StanChart and Indonesian conglomerate PT Astra International jointly control the Indonesia bank, each owning 44.56%. There has been persistent speculation in the last few years that the ownership structure of Bank Permata could change.

StanChart reported a US$215 million loss in 2016 from its stake in Permata, due to rising bad loans and restructuring costs. The lender's financial performance has improved since then, however.

Winters also said that StanChart, which makes the bulk of its revenue in Asia, is adding more people and investing more in bolstering the infrastructure of its wealth management business, which, he said, was the bank's fastest growing business.

StanChart counts the Asian wealth hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore as its biggest wealth management markets, and Winters said there were opportunities to increase its market share in China, India and the rest of Southeast Asia. – Nampa/Reuters

N$12m Tipeeg project scuppered

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N$12m Tipeeg project scupperedN$12m Tipeeg project scupperedIllegal fencers run riot The hopes of many small-scale farmers have been dashed by the illegal fencing of land earmarked for them. The illegal fencing of land has scuppered a commercial farming project, which was initiated in 2013 under government's Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth (Tipeeg).

The project was faced with massive challenges, including internal conflicts within the relevant traditional authorities and competition for land between farmers, which resulted in the initiative not materialising in some areas.

The project was aimed at creating small-scale farms in the Mbunza area of Kavango East, the Sambui area of Kavango West, Okongo in Ohangwena and Otjetjekua and Amarika in Omusati, as well as Kongola near the Nkasa Rupara National Park in Zambezi, the Mangetti block in Oshikoto and the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions.

The N$12 million project was 40% funded by government and 60% by the German KfW Development Bank, and was to be further assisted through advisory services financed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

It includes the fencing off of small-scale farms, as well as the installation of auction and multipurpose livestock pens on a commercial farming basis.

Mangetti Farmers' Union chairperson Ismael Shailemo said the project did not materialise in the Mangetti block.

He said the land was gazetted and subtracted from the communal area, and individual rights were awarded, but some individuals linked to the Ondonga Traditional Authority started subdividing and selling off the land to people who later fenced it off.

“The farming land has been turned into villages and now; there are just homesteads all over the land that was earmarked for small-scale farms. This land was already gazetted and the project was ready to kick off, until the illegal land fencing happened,” Shailemo said.

The land was now being operated as cattle posts and it has not been surveyed. Shailemo said the small-scale farming project was aimed at developing and promoting commercial farming in the communal area.

According to an extension officer from the agriculture ministry, who did not want to named, the farming situation in the Mangetti area is very complicated and difficult to solve.

He said some of cattle posts accommodate cattle for many owners, which are grazing together.

In many instances these people are keeping large numbers of livestock on the land, which leads to overgrazing and land damage.

“Some of those so-called land owners are absentee farmers who are renting out their cattle posts to those who want to farm, but do not have land. Due to that that situation there are always land disputes and conflicts among the farmers,” the extension officer said.

One of the resolutions from the country's just-ended second national land conference was the removal of illegal land fences.

Shailemo said they welcome this, adding he believes that Mangetti farmers are going to cooperate.

“Farmers are going to cooperate because they are now in dire need of those small-scale farms. Currently they are not doing much with their farms in their current state and they will welcome programmes that are aimed at developing their farming methods,” he said.

At Amarika, it is reported that the project was faced with the challenge of 13 well-connected individuals fencing off grazing areas that was also earmarked for the initiative.

In 2016, frustration and resentment boiled at a meeting in the Ongandjera kingdom, as farmers accused the Omusati Communal Land Board and Ongandjera Traditional Authority of offering special treatment to these 13 well-connected individuals after they fenced off grazing areas that included government boreholes, which provide water to livestock.

Earlier this year it was also reported that community conservation areas in Ohangwena have been hijacked by private individuals, who have demarcated private farms for themselves, in a scheme that implicates traditional leaders.

At a community meeting at Omauni in March, leaders of the two forestry initiatives and a conservancy project reported to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta that land allocated by government had been usurped by individuals.

Shifeta urged the traditional authority to address these issues as a matter of urgency.

He said the traditional authority is responsible for land allocations, but he is not convinced they are the ones allocating conservation land.

ILENI NANDJATO

Development ministry underspends by N$310m

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Development ministry underspends by N$310mDevelopment ministry underspends by N$310m The urban and rural development ministry underspent its budget for the 2016/17 financial year by N$310.1 million that could have been spent on other national needs, auditor-general Junias Kandjeke has found.

The information is contained in the ministry's audit report tabled in the National Assembly by finance minister Calle Schlettwein last week.

Kandjeke recommended that the ministry's accounting officer, the permanent secretary, put measures in place to avoid underspending of the budget. He also recommended that the ministry comply with the Treasury Instruction DC 0202, which stipulates that when drawing up draft estimates, accounting officers and their financial advisors ought to guard against requesting more funds than they can reasonably spend.

The ministry was also caught on the wrong side for unauthorised expenditure amounting to N$3.2 million, which is in contravention of the State Finance Act of 1991.

The auditor-general also observed differences between appropriated amounts in the ministry's budget book and the appropriation account.

Kandjeke noted that under the main division, Regional, Local and Traditional Authority Coordination, the budget book shows N$1 122 917 000, while the appropriation account shows N$1 249 548 000.

This translates into an unexplained difference of N$126 631 000.

For Housing, Habitat and Technical Service Coordination, the budget book shows N$1 452 395 000, while the appropriation account shows an amount of N$1 334 764 000. This means there was a variance of N$117 631 000.

“It is recommended that the accounting officer should explain the differences between appropriated amounts and amounts in the appropriation account,” Kandjeke said.

While acknowledging that the Tender Board (now Central Procurement Board) granted the ministry an exemption to the tune of N$2.6 billion for the procurement of various items during the period in question, the audit found that several exempted amounts were exceeded.

Among those were travel and subsistence allowances, whose approved amount stood at N$9.8 million and exceeded by N$4 million.

Utilities were exceeded by N$3.5 million. The approved amount was N$7.4 million.

“It is recommended that the accounting officer should explain why the amounts were exceeded, why office furniture and equipment were purchased under the exception, while there was no provision for it under the exemption,” he added.

NAMPA

Studies to guide livestock policies

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Studies to guide livestock policiesStudies to guide livestock policies The major challenge in the small-stock farming sector has been uncontrolled exports that threaten its sustainability.

This is according to agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb in a speech read on his behalf at the Agriculture Outlook Conference.

He said farmers prefer to export their livestock because of the low prices offered by local abattoirs in comparison by those in neighbouring countries, mainly South Africa.

The ministry will commission short-term studies covering the entire livestock sector that are expected to provide information on key aspects in order to inform any future policy and regulatory interventions.

!Naruseb said Namibia is renowned for its comparative advantage in the production of quality livestock.

“This has created a high demand for livestock and livestock products in countries, most notably neighbouring countries, which aspire to develop their livestock and meat industries by sourcing livestock resources from Namibia for breeding and slaughtering purposes.”

He said the Namibian livestock marketing system consists of informal and formal marketing channels for small stock and cattle.

“In both cases, it consists of individuals buying livestock for different reasons which include slaughter, as an investment, or for social functions such as funerals, customary celebrations, weddings and religious celebrations.”

Formal marketing consists of selling livestock directly to butcheries and abattoirs, or at auctions.

According to !Naruseb the cattle marketing system is further influenced by the veterinary cordon fence (VCF). The area north of the VCF is composed of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) protection zone, which covers the northern part of Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango East and Kavango West, and the FMD-infected zone which is composed of the Zambezi Region.

The areas north of the VCF are commonly referred to as the northern communal areas (NCAs).

“Because of the FMD status in these regions, cattle originating from these areas may not be marketed in the FMD-free zone, which is comprised of regions situated south of the veterinary cordon fence.”

The minister said this prohibition is aimed at protecting access of beef produced in the FMD-free zone to almost all markets in the world, including the lucrative European Union, China, United States and Norway markets as well as the potential high-value markets on the African continent.

!Naruseb said although cattle from the NCAs may not be marketed south of the VCF, beef produced in the NCAs may be marketed in the FMD-free zone as well as to limited export markets in SADC, upon meeting certain conditions.

Goats and sheep originating from anywhere in Namibia may be marketed throughout the country, but those from the NCAs must meet animal health requirements before they can be marketed in the FMD-free zone.

ELLANIE SMIT

Mental health a burden

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Mental health a burdenMental health a burden Justicia Shipena



The World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), celebrated World Mental Health Day under the theme 'Young people and mental health in a changing world' at the university's premises from 10 to 11 October.

The two-day mental health campaign was aimed at promoting awareness, knowledge and understanding amongst the youth and the community at large about mental health issues.

It was hosted by the student services department, in conjunction with the media and communication society.

The campaign centred around the 'if only' concept.

There was an interactive discussion with qualified professionals in the mental health sector.

The panel consisted of Maryna Mostova (clinical psychologist), Lahja Hamunjela (psychiatry and mental addiction specialist), Helena Louw (occupational therapist) and Inken Kuehhirt and Erika Kamwanka (both medical social workers).

According to WHO, half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated.

In terms of the burden among adolescents, depression is the third-leading cause of mental illness.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds.

Nust deputy vice-chancellor for finance and administration, Morne du Toit, said there has been a huge outcry recently in Namibia regarding the high occurrence of suicide amongst youth. Students and staff do not always know how to address mental health problems and knowledge, as well as awareness, are usually limited, he said.

Du Toit added there is a huge stigma attached to mental health, thus he encouraged society to find ways to combat this stigma.

“We need to create awareness of the support and services that are available to students and staff. Remember, it is not just about us being directly affected but how we provide support when affected indirectly,” he said.

Speaking to The Zone at the event, Mostova said people in every corner should be educated through the media and to talk about mental health.

She also applauded the ministry of health for trying to bring this issue to light.

“We have to start with not only educating professionals or people who work with children, but also the parents,” she said.

Mostova added there many actors that contribute to mental health problems, thus each and every one should try to create a safe and comfortable place for people to speak out, so they are not afraid to ask for help.

She also urged parents to talk and listen to their children, by going down to their level, which makes the child comfortable and trusting.

One young survivor who attended the event shared her testimony and urged students to find solutions when they are struggling with mental ill issues.

German, Namibian learners collaborate

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German, Namibian learners collaborateGerman, Namibian learners collaborate Justicia Shipena



Ten grade 9 learners from Khomas High School were involved in an interexchange programme with ten learners from Bertolt-Brecht-Gesamtschule (Germany) in Windhoek recently.

The two schools conducted a joint science experience project, as well as German classes.

The foreign learners are in Namibia for two weeks and will also visit different historical sites at coastal towns before departing back to Germany.

The learners said it was an incredible experience for them.

They said they have gained so much knowledge about the two nations and the world through the eyes of their peers and they will cherish all the amazing experiences.

“I have also become independent. I gained so much experience, independence and life-long knowledge from this exchange so far and it has helped me gain a newfound confidence in myself and my own personality, says Jean-Mare Seibeb, one of the students from Khomas High School.

Improving ­education with computers

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Improving ­education with computersImproving ­education with computersCreating new forms of content delivery The use of computers is at the centre of an education revolution and creates room for new forms of content delivery. Justicia Shipena



First National Bank's FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust handed over ten computers to Mwandindi-Etuwata Amkongo Primary School on 10 October at the ministry of international relations.

The school, formerly known as Epeke Primary is situated at Lilya village in the Okankolo constituency of the Oshikoto Region. The school received electricity in August 2015.

Speaking at a press conference, Vekondja Kuzee, who is the head enterprise architecture at FNB, said the importance of education and acquiring skills has increased over the years.

The use of technology is at the centre of this revolution, creating room for new forms of educational content delivery and their accompanying teaching methods, he said.

“The foundation is pleased to assist the children of Mwandindi-Etuwata Amkongo Primary School with these computers. As a business, FNB has the responsibility to contribute to skills development in the nation, for prosperity and ensuring a sustainable inclusive economy,” Kuzee said.

He further explained the ICT sector is regarded by government as one of the game-changers that can ensure access to scare resources in Namibia.

“ICT will continue to transform economic and social activities and the action of handing over these computers to the school can be seen as one of the steps towards an increased uptake and usage of ICT,” he said.

Kuzee added they commend the leadership of the school, as ICT plays an important role in equalising the life chances of individuals.

He said improving the quality of education requires further improvements in early childhood development, as well as an investment in school infrastructure.

International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also the patron of the school, said the action that FNB took is a response to the minister of education's call for people to be friends of education.

“There is no doubt that learners will be exposed to computer skills and will be able to do research, as well as understand different programmes at an early stage of their education,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said she believes there are many public and private offices with computers that are no longer in use.

At the same time, there are young people in those offices who are running the IT departments, which means these computers can be refurbished in-house at less cost or should be made available to schools, mainly in rural areas with electricity.

“I am therefore challenging all of us to make an effort to ensure that Namibian learners must have access to computers at an early stage of their education, instead of seeing them for the first time when they enter institutions of high learning.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah also urged the school to put the computers to good use.

Abraham Vincent Kamati, junior primary phase head at Mwandindi-Etuwata Amkongo Primary, showed his gratitude and appreciation toward the management of FNB Namibia.

Women have special touch on grapes-Nuunyango

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Women have special touch on grapes-NuunyangoWomen have special touch on grapes-NuunyangoMajority in sector A majority 60% of the workers employed at the Namibia Grape Company are women, managing director, Gideon Nuunyango has revealed. We do not have a big market here in Namibia, grapes are expensive fruits- Gideon Nuunyango, MD, Namibia Grape Company Nuunyango in an interview with Nampa on Friday said the reason why more women are employed than men, is because grapes are soft fruits and need gentle hands to prune and pack them, and women are gentle and do a better job than men.

“We need soft hands to handle grapes and women do it right, especially in the vineyards and when it comes to packing,” he said.

He said the company currently employs 300 permanent workers and close to 1 200 seasonal workers and 1 500 workers during harvesting time, usually in November each year.

The project was established in 1999 and falls under the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC).

Nuunyango enclosed that 95% of grapes produced at the Aussenkehr farm are exported to the European market and only 5% are sold in Africa, including Namibia.

There are nine companies that farm with grapes and Nuunyango said 31 500 tons of grapes are produced of which 29 000 tons are exported to Europe.

“We do not have a big market here in Namibia, grapes are expensive fruits. It is a product not many people are willing to buy, but we are willing to supply Namibia first,” he said.

Namibia Grape Company currently farms table grapes on 456 hectares and the grapes include green, black and red grapes.

Nuunyango noted that the government must avail land, water and capital to farmers who are willing and able to produce food within the country to improve food security and also create employment.

“We can produce enough food if the government can put more effort in providing land, water and capital to those who want to farm; we can produce our own food and also export it,” he added.

-Nampa

Africa briefs

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Africa briefsAfrica briefs Sudanese pound strengthens

The Sudanese pound strengthened to 46.95 to the US dollar on Sunday, bankers said, in its first rise since the national currency was devalued under a new mechanism introduced last week to combat a financial crisis.

A team comprising bank executives and exchange houses designated to set the exchange rate on a daily basis kept the pound steady at 47.5 to the dollar throughout last week following the steep devaluation introduced last Sunday from the previous official rate of around 29 pounds to the dollar.

Sudan has been reeling from an acute shortage of foreign currency and an increasingly expensive black market for dollars that has sapped its ability to import and made prices soar, kindling unrest earlier this year in some parts of the country.

Abdel Hamid Jamil, who heads the so-called exchange rate mechanism team, said the rate was determined by the indicators on that day and after consultations.

-Nampa/Reuters

Libya state oil firm may suspend operations

Libya’s state oil firm NOC warned on Sunday it would have to suspend operations at its 120 000 barrels per day (bpd) Zawiya refinery unless security improved after two recent attacks.

The refinery west of the capital Tripoli supplies western and southern Libya with fuel. Its port also exports crude from the southern El Sharara oilfield.

Gunmen attacked the site on Wednesday, trying to break into the oil mixing operation and stealing a company car, NOC said in a statement.

The previous week unidentified people assaulted staff, kidnapping one employee who later was released and stealing cars as well as personal things from workers.

“The NOC board warned that any continuation or failure to address this situation, to ensure staff and site protection and increase security, will affect ongoing operations and result in their suspension,” NOC said in the statement.

Libya is currently producing 1 million bpd of oil on average and plans to increase output, NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanallah said on Wednesday.

Protests, blockages by armed groups or staff and outbreaks of violence have frequently interrupted production in Libya.

Current production levels remain below the OPEC member’s pre-civil war pumping rate of around 1.6 million bpd, but are at their highest since mid-2013, according to Reuters estimates.

-Nampa/Reuters

Kenya's KenGen says new geothermal plant nearly ready

KenGen's new 165.4-megawatt (MW) capacity plant powered by geothermal steam is three quarters complete and on schedule for commissioning next July, Kenya's main electricity producer said on Friday.

Geothermal steam, hot underground steam found in the Rift Valley which is used to drive turbines for electricity production, is the second biggest source of Kenya's annual power generation of 2,336 MW, accounting for 26.84% of the total.

-Nampa/Reuters

First commercial flight in 40 years links Ethiopia to Somalia

An Ethiopian airline on Saturday made the first commercial flight between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu in 41 years, in yet another sign of warming ties between neighbouring Horn of Africa nations Ethiopia and Somalia.

A plane from the private airline Ethiopia National Airways landed at Mogadishu's Aden Adde airport, and will conduct four flights per week, officials said.

"It's a historical day for us as we launch this direct flight between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu. It has never been easy, we have been trying so many times, but finally we succeeded and this day finally came," said airline owner Abera Lemi at a ceremony in the capital.

Ethiopian Airlines in July launched the first flights between Addis Ababa and Eritrea in two decades in a whirlwind peace process between the two nations after a bloody conflict and extended cold war.

-Nampa/AFP

Egypt looks to tap Asian debt markets

Egypt is considering issuing bonds in currencies other than the euro and the US dollar after launching a roadshow in Asia, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait told Reuters on Saturday, as the government steps up efforts to improve its debt structure.

The minister met investors in Seoul last week and plans to continue the marketing trip to Singapore, Japan and Malaysia among other countries, Maait said in an interview on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in the resort island of Bali.

Egypt raised 2 billion euro in bonds in April, its first issue in the single currency, and is planning to sell more euro-denominated debt next year.

-Nampa/Reuters

Rand firm as Moody's delays ratings move

The rand strengthened further on Monday after Moody's Investors Service held off on its ratings review of South Africa on Friday.

By 10:04 the local unit was trading 0.41% firmer at R14.45 against the US dollar, despite the dollar firming somewhat on risk-off sentiment.

Last week, the rand rebounded sharply following lower-than-expected CPI figures from the US as well as a decline in US stocks, following volatile trading amid a change in finance ministers. The appointment of Tito Mboweni in place of Nhlanhla Nene as Finance minister, however, reassured markets.

"On Friday, the much anticipated Moody’s ratings announcement was postponed, buying South Africa more time to bolster key measurement criteria, such as policy stability," said Peregrine's Bianca Botes in her daily market commentary.

The ratings agency did not say when it will announce its credit ratings decision, but speculation is for a decision after the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on October 24. Moody's was the only major ratings agency not to downgrade SA sovereign debt to junk status in 2017. It is currently rated at Baa3, the lowest investment grade.

On Friday, the local unit was one of the top-performing emerging market currencies amid a rebound in local share and bond prices. NKC Africa Economics expects the rand to trade between R14.40/US$ - R14.60/US$.

-Fin24

Swanu wants resettlement list

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Swanu wants resettlement listSwanu wants resettlement list Demands for the complete list of resettlement beneficiaries are refusing to die down and Namibia's oldest political party gave the government a week to release it or face the music.

Swanu member of parliament Usutuaije Maamberua has given notice that he intends to table a motion in parliament next week calling for an audit of the resettlement programme.

“I will ask for a relevant parliamentary standing committee to immediately embark on an investigation and to do a full audit of the resettlement programme since its inception to date,” he said.

Swanu's demand for the notorious list comes barely a week after President Hage Geingob announced that an investigation would be conducted into who had benefited from the government's resettlement programme.

Geingob said this after he was publicly confronted by social activist Rosa Namises about the existence of a so-called secret resettlement list, which allegedly features high-ranking government officials, including army generals, ministers and permanent secretaries.

Namises demanded that the list be made public before the conclusion of the second land conference which ended on 5 October.

This never materialised.

Meanwhile, Swanu has urged the government to follow up the second land conference with an international genocide conference.

Maamberua says it is unacceptable that Namibia suffered the first genocide of the twentieth century in Africa yet the county has failed to have a broad national discourse on genocide and land.

Maamberua believes that an academic institution such as Unam is well placed to be commissioned and funded by the government to take on this exercise.

“A preparatory process of at least two years is in my view in order. The close links of the two issues, land and genocide, in the Namibian context make it imperative for such a conference to take place in the aftermath of the just-ended [land] conference,” said Maamberua.

He also demanded that the president not only honour the memory of the late Chief Hosea Kutako, but also other unsung heroes of the resistance against German colonisation.

These heroes include Kaptein Andreas Lambert, the first Namibian traditional leader to be executed by German colonial troops on 8 March 1894; Jakob Marengo, who fought more than 50 battles against German colonial troops and earned himself the nickname 'Black Napoleon'; as well as Wieli Wilhelm Mahahero, /Haihab //Guruseb and Chief Fritz Aribib.

“We believe that by instructing that various sites be identified for erection of deserving national monuments, President Hage Geingob intends to give more recognition to and in honour of memorialisation of the genocide of 1904-08,” he said.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Walvis Bay hospital sued for negligence

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Walvis Bay hospital sued for negligenceWalvis Bay hospital sued for negligenceWoman bled to death after stillbirth A Walvis Bay woman is suing the health ministry for N$2.3 million for the loss of her daughter, who bled to death in the town's state hospital. In another case of negligence levelled against the health ministry, staff at the Walvis Bay state hospital stand accused of gross neglect that led to the death of a 20-year-old woman shortly after giving birth.

In pre-trial papers filed at the Windhoek High Court, Milka Lopez is holding the hospital staff accountable for the death of her daughter, Margaritha Sophia Paula Nghinamwaami, who died four days after delivering a stillborn baby in February 2017.

Lopez, who is suing for N$2.3 million in damages, says her daughter's death was the direct result of medical negligence by nurses and doctors who failed to treat the injuries Nghinamwaami had sustained during childbirth.

In her particulars of claim, Lopez says her daughter died of cardiac failure as a result of haemorrhage due to an untreated vaginal laceration.

“The cause of death is directly linked to the unlawful, wrongful and negligent conduct on the part of hospital staff of the Walvis Bay hospital.

“I understand that death is inevitable in life, however my daughter's death could have been prevented had the medical doctor exercised the minimum standard of care and skill expected,” Lopez says in her witness statement.

“What was supposed to be the happiest day of my life turned into a nightmare.”

Papers filed by one of the expert witnesses scheduled to testify in the trial, Dr Nadine Agnew, state that she intends to testify that after examining the medical records linked to the case, she concluded that “delivery of the deceased's baby and post-natal care was poorly managed and led to the death of the deceased”.

Agnew says according to the available records, the doctor on duty “never examined the deceased despite the fact that she had given birth to a stillborn baby”.

Further, although Nghinamwaami developed post-partum haemorrhage due to vaginal laceration in the afternoon after labour, she was only examined by a doctor at 21:30 and taken to the theatre after 22:00, by which time she was already in cardiac failure with high blood pressure and severe anaemia.

“The deceased was left untreated for several hours before she received adequate medical treatment,” Agnew says.

The health ministry has given notice that it will defend the allegations.



Shock and trauma

With assistance from lawyer Sharen Zenda of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), Lopez, in her witness statement, says after she arrived at the hospital in the afternoon of 12 February and her daughter went into labour, “everything started getting messy”.

She says her daughter began losing blood, which continued after the birth, but she was only examined by a doctor much later in the evening, by which time it was too late.

She claims that while the doctor on duty confirmed the stillbirth, “he never once looked at my daughter or even asked about the woman who had given birth to a stillborn baby”.

Hours after her daughter had given birth and continued bleeding, a doctor was finally called and Nghinamwaami was rushed into the theatre for a blood transfusion.

Nghinamwaami lost consciousness and never woke up again.

She was declared dead on 19 February, after she was taken to Windhoek Central Hospital.



Reading magazines

Nghinamwaami's sister states that she will testify that while her sister was in labour, she had to look for nurses to assist and found them at a desk “on their phones and some reading what looked like magazines”.

She says the uncaring attitude was also displayed by the doctor on call, who did not enquire about the patient after pronouncing the baby dead.

Another expert witness, psychologist Shaun Whittaker, will be called to testify that following consultations with Lopez, he diagnosed her as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression after her daughter's death.



Untrue

The health ministry has listed a number of witnesses who will testify that the claims of negligence are untrue.

Dr Obey Nhiwatiwa, who was the doctor on call at the Walvis Bay state hospital on the day Nghinamwaami was admitted, states in papers filed with the court that he intends to testify that after certifying the death of the baby he was informed by the nurses that “the mother was fine and I proceeded to attend to other patients and duties as the doctor on call at the time”.

He confirmed that at around 21:45 he was called to attend to an emergency.

“To my surprise, the emergency appeared to be the patient whose baby I had earlier certified as dead.”

He said Nghinamwaami was given a blood transfusion but he later ordered that she be transferred to the Windhoek state hospital as she remained in a critical condition.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Namibia flip-flops on ICC

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Namibia flip-flops on ICCNamibia flip-flops on ICC International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says withdrawing or staying in the International Criminal Court (ICC) is not on Namibia's mind at this point.

She said yesterday the ICC is not “one of our debates”.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also claimed ignorance of Namibia's plans to leave the ICC.

“Have we ever said we are going to withdraw? Which indications were there that we are going to withdraw?” she asked.

In August, President Hage Geingob told a French broadcaster he would never testify in a foreign court, which is why he is opposed to the ICC, as Namibia has its own institutions. Geingob was responding to an unfolding French investigation into allegations of corruption linked to the sale of UraMin to French state-owned nuclear giant Areva in 2007.

Areva, now called Orano, paid US$2.5 billion for UraMin, which owned the Trekkopje uranium mine in Namibia and other mineral rights in South Africa and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Areva later admitted it overpaid for UraMin, which was worth only half the price.

Geingob has declared to parliament that he was paid N$3 million as a consultant to help UraMin renew its licence in Namibia, before it was sold to Areva.

Radio France Internationale (RFI) claimed in April the probe is also looking into 5.6 billion euro paid to Namibia's United Africa Group from 2009 to 2010 and

8 000 euro paid from 2008 to 2009 to Geingob. Geingob has strongly denied any corruption accusations.

“The alleged corruption concerns the conduct of Areva and/or UraMin and does not implicate Dr Geingob or the government of the republic of Namibia,” the president's lawyer, Sisa Namandje, said in a letter to RFI in April, while also demanding a retraction.

Namandje also explained that any sums paid to Geingob were for “advisory work at UraMin”, not by Areva, and was undertaken before his appointment as trade minister in 2008.

In 2015, the cabinet approved a recommendation by Swapo to withdraw Namibia from the ICC.

Responding to the president's comment to the French broadcaster, Nandi-Ndaitwah said yesterday: “If the president says we have our institutions, does that imply that we are withdrawing? We are just saying it is there, but we know we have our own institutions, we don't need it [the ICC].”

She added that Namibia joined the ICC because at the time the country did not have the requisite legal institutions. “Currently we have our functional institutions.”

Since taking office in 2015, Geingob has expressed his willingness to sever Namibia's ties with the ICC, claiming it has unfairly targeted African leaders. Geingob told Reuters in 2016 that Namibia would withdraw from ICC in March that year. “People are saying that it only targets African leaders. That seems to be true... and that's a problem,” Geingob said at the time.

He has also repeatedly said Africa needs to develop its own processes, systems, courts and institutions, in order to become self-sustainable. “It would help us to be self-sufficient. We must build lasting institutions... not something imposed from foreign countries.”

Last year, South Africa announced it would withdraw from the ICC, and even began processes to do so. However, Nandi-Ndaitwah's South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu recently said her government was revisiting its decision to withdraw and would rather look at the way the court works, rather than leave it.

Sisulu said the country played a role in setting up the ICC, because it saw the need to end impunity and hold human rights violators accountable.

JEMIMA BEUKES

90s babies are killing it

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90s babies are killing it90s babies are killing it Elizabeth Joseph

Gone are the days when we looked forward to the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show at the Windhoek Showgrounds. By ‘we’ I mean the 90s kids.

With events like Kasi Vibe Festival, the Bush Party and several others, I for one am certainly not thinking about even going to the showgrounds.

The fact that the advertising was poor, is a fish I’d rather not fry today.

These other, more relevant events, did not even need advertising.

It was as if they created this vibe and it just moved. The timing could not have been more off either, because all the lit events that took place around the same time.

As a child, my sister and I would plan our outfits and budgets months before the showgrounds, but this time around I even forgot it usually starts in October, so one or two days into the showgrounds event, I heard someone say they were going. And I had an ‘oh snap’ moment.

I realised how important other things and events have become to me and how it slowly took away from my childhood memories of enjoyment.

I don’t want to become all nostalgic, but those rides used to be the bomb. We have somehow morphed into these incredible adults, who love doing things.

My fellow 90s kids are either DJs, artists, event organisers or media representatives at these really amazing events, and that in itself is honestly worth losing my childhood joys for.

I would choose supporting those events over the showgrounds any day. I love seeing how the vibe grows from sitting at separate tables at the Spring Fiesta; and then you see someone you know and automatically join their table.

We are honestly living our best lives. I am not saying that going to the showgrounds at age 25 is tacky or childish, I just think we need not feel guilty for growing and glowing. Like ‘yassss to us’ for doing the most.

Also the hype is far from over, as Red Bull will be hosting their first-ever music festival, African Beats, in Namibia. This event is also highly anticipated and the long-awaited event is fast approaching.

If you have not gotten a ticket, what are you doing with your life? Apart from the great line-up, the fact that it will be at the showgrounds sort off merges our childhood joys with our crazy adolescent endeavours. One can’t deny that this is going to be one epic affair.

Can you tell how excited I am?

For some or other reason, I empathise with the showgrounds when it comes to poor security, but people’s patience is wearing thin. Why can the Spring Fiesta provide close to perfect security and the showgrounds is still struggling? Somewhere, better investments will have to be made.

All these millennial-driven events have me thinking that the Ma 2000s will see things from my perspective very soon.

Every year Namibia has bigger and more innovative shows. That is as it should be, because once we become stagnant and complacent, foreigners will pitch their tents.

The habitual Namibian motto is: “Wait until they think of something, then say they stole our idea”. Not my handwriting.

The moment we change this notion, the more ‘glowth’ we will have, and we will have only ourselves to thank for the outside-the-box thinking and the fruits thereof.

Again, I have nothing against the showgrounds, but as for me and mines, we have moved to greener and more ‘litty’ pastures. Sorry, not sorry.

In conclusion, if the showgrounds still appeals to your interests, then go and do the most. And if you find yourself in the same boat as me, then do not feel guilty. Respect and trust your process.

Be good to yourself and others!

Namibian delegation to explore market potential in Ghana

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Namibian delegation to explore market potential in GhanaNamibian delegation to explore market potential in Ghana A 20-member Namibian delegation left for Accra, Ghana on Sunday to meet with various industries and missions to explore market potential between the two countries.

Some of the possible areas of cooperation are trade and investment, tourism, environment, agriculture, aviation, maritime, petroleum and power.

The delegation, which is led by permanent secretary for the ministry of works and transport, Willem Goeiemann, is expected to meet with Ghanaian ministers for foreign affairs and regional integration; National Planning Development Commission and State-Owned enterprises Commission; Mines and Energy; and Tourism, Cultural and Creative Arts.

The purpose of these engagements is to, among others, discuss frameworks for the possibility of Air Namibia to operate scheduled flights from Accra to London.

In the areas of energy and transport, the delegation will discuss the petroleum upstream local content and fuel strategic stock policy and explore possible collaboration between the Port of Walvis Bay and Tema Harbour, located in the southeast of Ghana.

The 20-member delegation comprises of representatives from the works and transport, environment and tourism, international relations and cooperation, industrialisation, trade and SME development, and public enterprises ministries, as well as the aviation and tourism sectors.

The delegation returns to Windhoek on 21 October.

-Nampa

It's all-or-nothing

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It's all-or-nothingIt's all-or-nothing Tonight's crucial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier between the Brave Warriors and Os Mambas of Mozambique can play a significant part in the final outcome of Group K.

The return leg is a must-win for the Brave Warriors, if they want to cement their position as favourites to win the group and ultimately qualify for the 2019 Afcon finals in Cameroon. Namibia's chances of qualifying have been boosted by the fact the Confederation of African (CAF) has increased the number of participants from an initial 16 to 24. This effectively means that the top two teams in each group will automatically earn a spot at the Cameroon tourney. There is no two ways about it. Namibia must win this match tonight, considering that Guinea-Bissau now tops the group with seven points following their narrow 2-1 victory over Zambia on Sunday evening. The fact that Namibia still has to play Zambia away and host group favourites Guinea-Bissau leaves no room for complacency. Without a doubt the 2-1 win away from home in Maputo this past Saturday was huge confidence booster for Ricardo Mannetti and his charges and gave us a lifeline for our qualification aspirations. Ensuring a double over Mozambique will definitely sway the group in our favour. With an in-form Deon Hotto, the return of Peter Shalulile, Petrus Shitembi, Awilo Stefanus and Benson Shilongo, the squad has huge depth upfront and history favours the home side, given the fact that Mozambique is yet to beat Namibia at home. But history counts little in football. What is important is match-day preparedness and for the boys to fire on all cylinders in front of thousands of Namibians, who will be rallying behind them at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. A second victory against Mozambique will be of great advantage to Namibia and our chances of qualifying for a third Afcon championship. We can ill-afford to fluff this golden opportunity.

Patient commits suicide

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Patient commits suicidePatient commits suicideHospital staff in shock An Angolan man committed suicide in a Windhoek state hospital after undergoing heart surgery. Nurses and doctors at the Windhoek Central Hospital were shocked when a 39-year-old Angolan patient committed suicide in the cardiac ward last week.

The health ministry confirmed that the incident took place on 11 October and that the man had been recovering from a complex cardiac procedure that was done on 2 October.

The patient was found hanging in the bathroom.

“The gentleman was initially admitted to the Oshakati hospital for heart problems and then referred to us. He received multiple-valve-replacement surgery, and he was actually recovering well when he took his life. He was up and about,” the hospital's chief medical superintendent, Dr Dawid Uirab, said yesterday.

Uirab said there had been no indications that the patient was suicidal.

“Nobody saw this coming. When the sisters didn't find him in the ward, they started searching for him, and found him in the bathroom. It was a total shock.”

He said he was informed that the patient had “kept on saying he wants to go back home, but the nurses and doctors explained that he had not recovered sufficiently after such a big operation to return home”.

Uirab said the hospital was considering offering counselling to some staff who suffered a big shock. The family of the deceased have been informed of his death.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Celine ready for the challenge

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Celine ready for the challengeCeline ready for the challengeMeet Swakopmund’s new junior mayor After serving on the junior council for two years, Celine Penda is the new junior mayor of Swakopmund. Leandrea Louw

Celine Penda, a grade 11 learner at Namib High School, was chosen as the new junior mayor of Swakopmund recently.

Penda has been serving on the junior town council for the past two years, after starting off as a member last year.

“It was earlier this year that we were elected as senior councillors and eligible to acquire executive positions. Each year the juniors have a project to complete, where the seniors can see who is eligible for the different positions on the executive.

“Our project was when we visited and donated food to the Tears of Hope orphanage earlier this year. We made them lunch and spent the day with them,” said Penda.

She further explained that before the elections, the outgoing senior councillors interview the newly elected seniors.

“Basically we vote for each other for the different positions and the senior councillors then decide who is best for the job. They take into account your behaviour outside the council as well.”

Penda’s main plan this year is to bring the youth of Swakopmund together.

“I am in the process of planning a matric cup for next month, where learners from both private and government schools will participate in soccer, rugby and netball. At this event I want to create an atmosphere where everyone enjoys each other’s company, and does not look at the school they’re from or the colour they are.”

Her other main event is the Santa Shoe Box Project.

“I’d really like to appeal to the community of Swakopmund to fill up a box with items a child needs. This will help us make Christmas a joyous occasion for a lot of orphans and vulnerable children in our town.”

She advises that people need to get out of their comfort zones and try something new every day.

“Do not listen to what people have to say about certain things. They had their own experiences. You can have your own experiences as well. Fear has two parts to it, one is to walk away and never know what the outcome might have been, or you try your best and know the outcome.

“As the junior council, we are just somebodies trying to make someday possible. Instead of having wishbones, we have backbones, and we are going to stay true to this.

“To the youth, stop waiting on life. You’re town does not owe you recreational facilities, your parents do not owe you fun. You owe the world something. You owe the world your time, energy and talent; so get up, study, do the dishes, read your books - just do something. Do something with your time that doesn’t necessarily have to benefit you,” she said.

In addition to her civic responsibilities, Penda also serves as the editor of her school’s newspaper called the High Times. She is an avid writer and contributes immensely to sharing the stories of her school peers. Earlier in the year, Penda and her other editorial members were actively trained in photography, elements of editorial design and the different components of reporting and writing during an annual media camp hosted by Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) in Windhoek.

Her deputy mayor is Aurielle Louw from Pro-Ed Academy, the public relations officer is Rivaldo Gertze from Namib High, the secretary is Johanna Hipangwela from Swakopmund Secondary School and the treasurer is Mauricia Möwes from Namib High School.
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