Utoni is unfit

October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Utoni is unfit The shameful conduct of land reform minister Utoni Nujoma, who is once again hogging the headlines for all the wrong reasons, can no longer be allowed to continue unchallenged. Nujoma, as the custodian of the critical land reform ministry, has been one of the most secretive ministers in the President Hage Geingob administration. It also appears that he has declared war against the media, judging by his impatient, shallow and disrespectful answers when dealing with journalists. In the run-up to the second national land conference, Nujoma and his ministry officials bluntly refused to engage the media on pertinent issues concerning this important gathering, including playing hide-and-seek with the public over the contentious resettlement beneficiaries list. The Office of the Prime Minister had to be roped in at a later stage to save face. However, the damage was already done. With his dismissive, crude and arrogant attitude, Nujoma is not only letting the Namibian nation down, but also his appointing authority, President Geingob, who has broadly embraced openness, by allowing the media to forge social accountability. Nujoma's handling of the Rashid Sardarov land saga, including his refusal to entertain enquiries from media houses, only the NBC, bears testimony to the fact that the land reform minister is not fit to hold an office of this magnitude. Sardarov, who is one of the richest men in Russia, purchased four farms and then donated them back to the government, which in turn leased them back to him for 99 years. Again Nujoma failed spectacularly, especially given the fact that journalists have been making never-ending enquiries regarding details involving the four farms for quite some time now. It must be said that this process required the minister to embrace the need for openness.

Land remains a serious challenge and affects thousands of us. Nujoma has demonstrated that he is surely not up to the task and the nation is yearning for a new leader in this ministry, in whom it can place its ever-dwindling trust.

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Geingob gets ultimatum

October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Geingob gets ultimatumWomen hawkers on warpath over 'harassment' Women hawkers have given the head of state until 14 November to resolve their issues or they will organise a mass demonstration. Women street vendors held a peaceful march in Independence Avenue on Friday over their alleged harassment by the City Police.

The hawkers also demonstrated in front of Shoprite/Checkers and then proceeded to the gender ministry, where a petition addressed to President Hage Geingob was handed over.

The women have given the Office of the President until 14 November to resolve their issues or they will lobby support and organise a mass demonstration.

“We can no longer accept this situation,” the women said.

The petition is signed by 50 street vendors.

“We, the women selling vegetables and recharge vouchers in Windhoek, would like to bring to your attention the fact that we are being terrorised by the police every day. Our goods are confiscated, we are being harassed and insulted by the police, mostly the City Police,” the petition reads.

They said many of them are taken to jail and their children are then left starving at home, with nobody to monitor if they are going to school.

“We are fined by the City of Windhoek and often we are arrested and jailed because of fines. We are just mothers trying to earn money, so that we can feed our children and send them to school,” the women said.

They requested Geingob to intervene by putting an end to their harassment.

According to them, they are being imprisoned in accordance with section 55 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1977 (Act 51 of 1977).

The women say this legislation originates from the apartheid era.

“We want to know why we are being prosecuted, based on an apartheid Act, in a free Namibia. Our government is saying that nobody must be left out, but we the vegetable vendors feel left out and discriminated against.”

According to the women, the police hardly ever harass male vendors.

They also say they are also not informed where their goods are taken to, once confiscated, and most of the time their goods are lost.

These include recharge vouchers, cellphone covers, fruit and vegetables.

They claim the police take these items for themselves.

“We sincerely hope that the Office of the President resolves this problem as soon as possible.”

The women said if the police do not want them to work and earn money to feed their children, government must rollout a basic income grant for all women street vendors.

This grant should cover transport money for their children to school, three daily meals and all basic needs. The women want at least N$3 000 each a month.

The women also want the City of Windhoek to withdraw all the fines issued against them.

ELLANIE SMIT

Probe into 'barbaric' elephant hunt

October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Probe into 'barbaric' elephant hunt The environment ministry has launched an investigation into an elephant hunt, after a video surfaced on social media, which the ministry has described as “barbaric”.

The ministry said in the video trophy and professional hunters can both be seeing shooting into an elephant herd.

The video surfaced online and was loaded on the News24 website in South Africa last week.

It shows elephant being hunted in Namibia's Nakabolelwa Conservancy. According to reports, the video was shot three or four years ago. It shows two men with rifles aiming at a herd of elephant in the distance.

One of the men says, “hit it between the eyes”, before they both open fire.





After an elephant bull is shot, another elephant storms at the hunters.

Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said they are disturbed by the type of conduct displayed in the video.

“This is unethical hunting, which is against the principles of conservation hunting in Namibia. We condemn this barbaric and unprofessional way of hunting, which we do not want to be associated with.”

Muyunda said the ministry has commissioned an investigation.

According to him the professional hunter in the video has been identified and is known to the ministry.

“We have thus far also established where the incident occurred.”

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, director of wildlife and national Parks, Colgar Sikopo, may withdraw the registration of the professional hunter, in line with regulations relating to the Nature Conservation Ordinance.

“As such, a professional hunter may not practice the hunting profession in Namibia again.”

Muyunda said Namibia is committed to the sustainable use of wildlife resources, as is provided for in the constitution.

According to him, sport and trophy hunting is the result of good conservation and wildlife management, and is in collective interest of ensuring wildlife is used sustainably.

“Sport or trophy hunting is part of what we refer to as conservation hunting. Conservation hunting lends itself to being a sustainable way of using wildlife, since this form of hunting is aimed at a small portion of a population, typically the surplus adult animals, usually males.”

Muyunda said conservation in Namibia is regulated by law.

He said regulations relating to nature conservation provide for different categories of trophy hunting guides, namely hunting guides, master hunting guides, professional hunters and professional hunters for big game.

While hunting and master hunting guides are restricted to hunting farms, the higher categories of professional and professional hunters of big game are allowed to hunt anywhere in Namibia through concessions or in conservancies.

“All hunting operators are also registered with the ministry to practice in the country, as well as the Namibia Tourism Board, in terms of its Act.”

Muyunda said Namibia's conservation hunting is a reputable industry that contributes significantly to conservation in the country.

It further contributes to the social and economic empowerment of Namibians, particularly those in rural areas who live with wildlife on a daily basis.

“This makes the industry significant and therefore actions that seek to destroy it should be rooted out.”

Muyunda assured Namibians and the international community that the incident is being taken seriously and that action will be taken accordingly.

ELLANIE SMIT

Utoni faces more fire

October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Utoni faces more fireMinister's 'friend' among those resettled on hunting farm The land reform minister seemingly failed to explain his decision to unsuccessful applicants, who had high hopes of being resettled on a nearly 5 000-hectare piece of land outside Okahandja. Ombudsman John Walters says it appears the land reform ministry did not inform unsuccessful applicants why it decided to allocate Farm Felseneck No.26 and Okanatjikuma No.26 to a company called Passions Culinary and Hospitality Institute CC.

Walters was confronted with complaints from unsuccessful bidders during his regional consultations on government's resettlement programme, shortly before the country's second national land conference. He said land reform minister Utoni Nujoma is compelled by law to provide reasons for the allocation of resettlement farming units to all unsuccessful applicants.

“People often do not understand their rights. The law determines that the minister shall by written notice inform applicants of his decisions,” Walters said last Thursday.

Sophia Basson, a resident of Okahandja and owner of a company called Sobas Investments CC, is one of the unsuccessful applicants that registered her complaints, not just with the ombudsman, but with Nujoma.

Farm Felseneck was first advertised for resettlement purposes in 2013, but was withdrawn from the resettlement scheme for unknown reasons.

When it was re-advertised in 2016, Basson, who has extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, applied for resettlement, and when she failed to get a response, complained to Nujoma, Otjozondjupa governor Otto Iipinge, and even to President Hage Geingob, saying she did not receive any response from the Otjozondjupa land reform district office.





She did not get any feedback from Geingob either and remains adamant that the eventual allocation was done unfairly.



'Catering' company gets farm

The farms, totalling 4829.24 hectares in size, are situated 45 kilometres outside Okahandja and adjacent to the Erindi private game reserve.

They were officially handed over to a company called Passions Culinary and Hospitality Institute CC.

The allotment letter states the shareholders/beneficiaries of Passions Culinary are Valerie Aron (30%), Jona Levi (30%), Niklaas Steenkamp (20%) and Veripurua Katjatenja (20%).

Aron is the former mayor of Okahandja, who allegedly has close links to the land reform minister.

Levi can be considered a celebrity chef, who has, by his own admission, received many government catering contracts. He has also been running the restaurant at parliament for five years.

Steenkamp is the former deputy mayor of Okahandja, who served under Aron's leadership.

Company records at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) states that Levi is the sole owner and shareholder of Passions Culinary.



Given to 'elites'

This caused Landless People's Movement (LPM) activists to deduce that the company was used to allot the farm to “elites”, who they say are allocating resettlement farms to each other.

Aron, however, countered that the shareholding of Passions Culinary was amended, saying it is now owned by the four members.

Levi confirmed Aron's assertion, saying he realised he would have to take on strategic partners to be considered for resettlement on a game farm, after having unsuccessfully applied since 2011.

However, this amendment is not reflected in the Bipa company records.

“How can a catering company get the farm? What does a catering company want to do on such a large piece of land?” one LPM activist, who preferred anonymity, questioned.



Not favoured by Utoni

Aron said the farms were allocated to Passions Culinary after it applied for the land. She also took exception to claims that the application was favoured because of her alleged close ties to Nujoma.

“[As] far as I am concerned Minister Nujoma is a national leader who ought to be known by any Namibian, including myself, but that does not mean I am a family friend, as it is alleged,” Aron said.

The allotment letter states that the resettlement land is to be utilised strictly for game farming, hunting and tourism-related activities.

Levi said the plan is to run the farm as a game farm and to set up a tourism and hospitality school on the premises.



CATHERINE SASMAN

Competition watchdog launches ‘mercy’ initiative

October 22, 2018, 2:14 am

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Competition watchdog launches ‘mercy’ initiative The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) this morning launched a Cartel Leniency Programme (CLP).
In accordance with this programme, leniency will be shown to companies involved in cartel activities which report themselves to the commission.

Kahimise suspended

October 22, 2018, 5:23 am

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Kahimise suspended Windhoek’s chief executive officer Robert Kahimise has been suspended for three months after approval was granted by the urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga based on numerous allegations of transgressions related to a study loan.
The suspension follows weeks of public infighting amongst city councillors and members of the management committee.
In a letter dated Sunday, 21 October, urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga approved the request to suspend Kahimise while a three month investigation is conducted.
A special council meeting convened at mid-day today confirmed the content of the Minister’s letter.
City councillors Brunhilde Cornelius (RDP), Josef Kauandenge (NUDO) and Ignatius Semba (PDM) walked out in protest once the announcement was made.
The councillors have remained steadfast that the allegations are bogus, and are simply a witch-hunt in an attempt to get rid of Kahimise who has brought order to the city’s dealings since his appointment at the start of 2017.
No comment has been made by the city yet on the suspension.
Kahimise was not available for comment.

Fifa 'misinformed' - Rukoro

October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Fifa 'misinformed' - Rukoro LIMBA MUPETAMI



Namibia Football Association (NFA) secretary-general, Barry Rukoro, says Fifa is “misinformed”.

He was responding to the news that the global football body no longer recognises him. Rukoro explained that someone wrote to Fifa before they decided on the matter, and told the global body he is not an employee of the NFA, as his contract had expired.

Rukoro claimed this individual never went back to inform Fifa that his stay was extended, hence Fifa is misinformed. On 12 October, Fifa informed NFA president Frans Mbidi that the NFA secretary-general contractual situation, which is governed by private law, is an internal matter and that it cannot interfere in the matter.

“However, we also take note of the expiry of the contract of employment of the NFA secretary-general on 31 April 2018 and that the secretary-general was not reappointed thereafter.

“As such, we can confirm that Fifa will no longer recognise Mr Barry Rukoro as the secretary-general of NFA,” the letter reads. It is not clear whether Fifa is aware of the fact that in June the NFA executive committee resolved to keep Rukoro in his position until the NFA elective congress in December.

It was decided that Rukoro's extended stay will run concurrently with the term of the current NFA executive members, which come to an end at the congress.

The new executive will then decide if they want to keep Rukoro or not.

“I only saw the letter on social media; it did not reach me. However, I'm not employed by Fifa, I am an employee of the NFA.

“Also, my employment with the NFA is an internal matter and I will not get involved in the politics of Fifa,” said Rukoro.

Dark days for Sunshine

October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Dark days for SunshineExecutioner, Hitman stumble in title fights Walter 'Executioner' Kautondokwa and Paulus 'Hitman' Moses have both failed in their title bids in America and Ghana, respectively. LIMBA MUPETAMI



Walter 'Executioner' Kautondokwa stumbled to a unanimous point's defeat - the first of his career - to Demetrius Andrade in the early hours of yesterday morning in Boston, Massachusetts.

The local boxer stepped up to contend for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) middleweight title on short notice, after champion Billy Joe Saunders failed a drug test and was denied a boxing licence in Massachusetts.

Kautondokwa, who had recorded 17 straight knockouts before the world title fight, depended on his power to floor Andrade, but ended up being outclassed. The fight, however, put the unknown Namibian into the global spotlight, despite him tasting defeat at the hands of the more skilful and slick American.

Andrade, who is now undefeated after 26 fights, knocked down Kautondokwa four times in the first four rounds - once in the first and third and twice in the fourth - according to Sporting News.

Judges Glen Feldman and Marcus McDonnell scored the fight 120-104, while Ramon Cerdan scored it 119-105.

In the first round, Andrade dropped Kautondokwa with straight left, while the Namibian was off-balance.

Andrade sent Kautondokwa to the canvas again in the third with an overhand left that landed on the top of his opponent's head. The knockdown followed Kautondokwa's first significant offence of the fight - three punches to the body.

In the fourth, Andrade scored two more knockdowns, both with left hands to the head.

He then kept his distance for the rest of the fight, landing quick combinations to end most of the rounds, while avoiding most of Kautondokwa's counter-punched. In the end, this was good enough to see Andrade lift the belt.



'Hitman' out-pointed, retires

In other boxing news, Paulus 'Hitman' Moses lost the vacant WBO Africa lightweight title to Emmanuel 'Game Boy' Tagoe via a unanimous decision over 12 rounds in Accra, Ghana.

Tagoe toyed and dominated Moses from start to finish, using his superior jab power and attacking the Namibian with body shots.

According to a Boxing Africa report, Moses initially barely threw any punches, while opting to stand in front of Tagoe as if he were posing for a photo. Moses applied more pressure in the second round. He was largely ineffective, struggling to get past Tagoe's snapping jab.

'Game Boy' then began unloading combinations, particularly to the body, which landed cleanly.

This pattern continued throughout, as Tagoe was simply too quick for Moses.

A left hook at the end of the third seemed to stun the Namibian. With the fight slipping away, he never stepped on the gas. Another right in the fourth stopped Moses in his tracks. When the Namibian managed to get inside, he held on to Tagoe.

Moses picked up the pace in the sixth, working more in close quarters.

Still, Tagoe was in control. After the Ghanaian dominated the seventh, Moses went to work in the eighth.

Two rights got Tagoe's attention, but each time he was tagged, he responded in kind.

Moses reverted to inactivity in the ninth, barely throwing a punch.

Tagoe, on the other hand, was content to control the fight from the outside and cruise to a victory. There was little action over the final three rounds. Despite being well-behind on the scoring cards, Moses never picked up the pace, seemingly content to make it to the finish line.

Shortly after the fight, the Namibian announced his retirement from professional boxing.

Both Kautondokwa and Moses belong to MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy. No comment regarding the boxers' losses was forthcoming from promoter Nestor Tobias at the time of going to print.

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The future of logistics and supply chain management

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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The future of logistics and supply chain management “The sector should be ready to return to customer needs, as they are the most valuable assets.

Logan Fransman - The Namibian German Centre for Logistics (NGCL) is tasked with promoting and highlighting the importance of this sector.

Logistics is always evolving and improving. It is the backbone of the Namibian economy. Logistics and supply chain management evolved from the original military concept of the supply of weapons and other goods to soldiers to sophisticated processes to meet demands in a globalised trading environment.

Supply chain design may be the most important aspect for businesses these days, as it is vital for the procurement of quality raw materials, managing distribution, storage and delivering finished goods, ultimately to satisfy customers in a timely but cost-effective manner. For Namibia to become the preferred facilitator of trade in the region, there has to be consideration of what the prospect holds for logistics and supply chains, as it will shape the development of best practices.Examining trends and developments shows how the Namibian industry can utilise and leverage these for their benefit and development.

COLLABORATION

Supply chain collaboration will be a priority for businesses, especially in procurement, as strong relationships with suppliers are vital to meet demand and mitigate risk.Effective cooperation among stakeholders provides much needed data to make well-informed business decisions. If we as a nation and a sector achieve this through partnerships and investments, we can improve targets in such industries as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, fisheries, rural and urban development and tourism.

Collaboration among public and private institutions should be strengthened to provide an improved service offering from the sector.

RESILIENCEBy moving toward streamlined and overall digitisation of processes through new solutions, it places businesses in a more resilient position in an already fast-changing environment.

In a world where customer needs and expectations vary, a more responsive system is required. Digitisation with redesigned supply chains will achieve this and add value while increasing revenues.Best-in-class countries like Singapore, Japan and the UAE, rank reasonably high in competitiveness and logistics performance, because of their resilience and ability to change due to their technological and digitisation capabilities. Namibia has scope to join the digital economy if she realises the value of technology and digitisation for key operations.

IN THE CLOUD

Cloud services that are data-driven and can cut back on infrastructure-related costs will become even more prominent.Cloud services or Software as a Service (SaaS) offers the convenience of access to software on a pay per use concept, without the costs of owning and maintaining servers. Nations where logistics thrive have improved their performance by investing in technology that enhances its freight flow visibility and tracking and tracing capabilities.

AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has enjoyed a boost in research in recent years and has developed several applications in logistics and supply chain operations.Autonomous vehicles and automated warehouses have already taken off, and in the future robotics will play a key role in improving business operations. Managing risks with AI will see operations optimised, reducing impact on the environment and cost.

Considering the size of the Namibian workforce and its disadvantages for industrialisation, automated processes and robotic technology can fill this gap for the country, providing an innovative and efficient edge over regional competitors.

There will be a need for circular supply chain managers that will rework the “raw material to finished product” concept, and suggest the reusing of finished products as raw materials to reduce administrative and transport costs of reverse logistics and to promote sustainability.

Namibia is ranked 5th in SADC and 90th overall for competitiveness based on 2017/2018 indicators. Pressures of sustainability and consumer behaviour are among the factors that need to be looked to, to improve this index. Circular supply chain management may be a game changer for a trade facilitating country like Namibia.Keeping abreast with the latest logistics and supply chain trends is essential to respond to fluctuating market conditions. The sector should be ready to return to customer needs, as they are the most valuable assets. Embracing this brave new future of Logistics will make and keep Namibia competitive.

Tour safely with Novel Ford

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Tour safely with Novel Ford Business owners require vehicles which are fuel efficient and fast enough to please its customers. Novel Ford Namibia offers a complete set of transportation vans ready to make your dreams come true. Jesse Jackson Kauraisa - Passengers want to travel in a safe and fast vehicle which can bring them to their destination safely. A road trip in the Transit Van ELWB offers a variety of enjoyable features. The ELWB boasts a light and spacious interior with car-like levels of comfort and advanced, relevant technology - successfully combining business with pleasure. Seating is comfortable enough for peaceful rest while the driver embarks on a journey to your destination.

Rear seats can be removed to accommodate wheelchairs or provide extra luggage space.

The overhead storage bin in the Passenger Wagon provides ample, convenient storage for a variety of travel items.

Bigger, roomier and more versatile than ever, the new Ford Tourneo Bus offers a choice of body lengths and seating configurations to carry up to 17 passengers. Its contoured exterior is easy on the eye - bringing new levels of style to commercial vehicles.

SAFETY

With front and rear parking distance sensors, torque vectoring control, traction-control, emergency brake assist and emergency brake warning the Transit Van ELWB is the vehicle you want when transporting precious cargo.

Inertia-reel seat belts are fitted to every seat; offering a safer way to travel and hill start assist ensure a smooth launch on even the trickiest of hills.

All Passenger Wagons come standard with driver and passenger dual airbags.

The Transit Passenger Wagons include a safety canopy system with a full-length, side curtain airbag.

ENGINE

With its 2.2l Ford diesel engine, the Transit Van ELWB can be relied upon to carry its load, without lagging behind.

It is so strong that even the fourth gear provides smooth running after yielding at a traffic intersection or crossing a speed hump.

Advanced technologies enhance and optimise the driving experience - ensuring exceptional fuel economy.

These include: Ford Smart regenerative charging - maintaining efficient battery charge levels and reducing overall fuel use, gearshift indicator light - ensuring gears are changed at the perfect moment, Ford EcoMode - encouraging and allowing for economical driving behaviour.

The Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for forty years, and in some countries the term "Transit" has passed into common usage as a generic trademark applying to any light commercial in this size bracket.

While the Transit exterior shows the energy-in-motion influence of the Ford kinetic design, the interior is equally dynamic and comfortable with available heated seats, standard driver inboard armrests and configurable aisle seating. The driver and front passenger seats are adjustable to several positions, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes to provide the most comfortable position for any driver.

FORD TRANSIT

The Ford Transit is a range of light commercial vehicles produced since 1965.

Over 8 000 000 Transit vans have been sold, making it the third best-selling van of all time. These vans have been produced across four basic platform generations (1965, 1986, 2000, and 2013), with various "facelift" versions of each.

* The Novel Motor Company is the main representative of Ford in Namibia since 1986. Novel Ford offers new, pre-owned and demo vehicles, with spectacular service and great deals.

“Our love of cars, and our passion for getting people behind the wheels of some of the best cars in the world, keep us constantly growing and striving for more.”



BOXES IN STORY

TRANSIT VAN ELWB

Fuel consumption 9,3l/100km

Co2 emissions 244g/1km

2,2l diesel engine

80l fuel tank

Power: 114KW

Torque: 385 Nm

6-speed manual

16’’ steel wheels

Turning circle: 13,3m

Towing capacity (braked) : 3 500kg

Payload (without float): 2 270kg

GVM: 4 700kg

Overall length: 6 704mm

Trip computer (distance to empty, instant and average fuel consumption, average speed, outside temperature.

TOURNEO 2,2 TDCI TREND (92 KW) LWB

Fuel consumption 6.5l/100km

Co2 emissions 172g/1km

92KW @3500 rpm

6-speed manual

16” alloy wheels

8 cloth seats

Heated 4-way adjustable driver’s seat and front passenger’s with armrest

Rear seat recline with 2nd row armrest

Rear seats: foldable and detachable

ISOFIX child seat: 3 attachments

Cruise control with ASLD

Towing capacity (braked) :1 600kg

Payload: 915kg

Trip computer

You manage your fleet

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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You manage your fleetYou Track keeps track Top technology puts you in touch with every vehicle, all the time. You Track fleet management puts the power to keep an eye on all aspects of your fleet in your own hands.

With the latest top quality technology, this young Namibian company is able to supply the complete fleet management solution for transport concerns.

Haulage companies can easily extend functionality to monitor vehicles in more detail, remotely checking vehicle temperature, tyre pressure, door locks and also track attached trailers. Seamless integration with leading transport applications allows scheduling, planning and dispatch applications to communicate instantly with your fleet wherever they are.

You can maximise efficiency by remotely downloading, analysing and archiving trip data. In addition, you can prove your compliance with service level agreements. You Track allows you to stay up to date with your driver’s remaining driving times to optimise planning and maximum use of each driver, improving your dispatching processes.

It makes life on the road easier for your drivers and the most versatile device in the industry - a fully customisable driver terminal, with a 7” screen, truck specific navigation and digital workflow to suit your personal procedures.

You can connect to detect fuel level anomalies and check your driver’s revolutions per minute and power take-off. The system lets you download data remotely and manually, catering for all your fleet. It lets you analyse driver performance data, from driving time to rest periods and securely archives all information for easy retrieval.

Tachograph Manager

Tachograph Manager automatically downloads data and archives it in our secure data centre for two years, where only your authorised users can have access. It makes compliance easier through automated downloads of driver card data (every week) and vehicle data (every month). You can save costs and time through fewer manual downloads, less administration and no need for intensive IT maintenance. It helps drivers get more out of their driving time, as there’s no need to return to the depot.

If some of your digital tachographs don’t support remote downloads, you can upload manually downloaded data for archiving and analysis in the same centralised system. It makes it easy to capture and analyse tachograph files from all your fleet and reduce your IT infrastructure by phasing out use of your existing archive facilities.

The Deadline Manager tells you when to renew driver cards and when to capture tachograph data, for both manual upload and remote download vehicles. You can easily identify where drivers can improve performance, set reminder intervals and send reminder e-mails. It helps you to reduce fines by telling drivers up front if a deadline is approaching. Therefore you can stay efficient by knowing exactly when to order new driver cards.

Comprehensive reports can be downloaded for an overview of what each driver is doing per calendar day, per shift, or over a chosen period of time.

The social infringement report allows you detailed insight into any social infringement committed per driver, and also the severity of any infringement and any associated fines. This allows you to get a clear overview of expected fines, to easily identify where drivers can improve performance and provides proof that you instructed your drivers to prevent misconduct and to improve their performances.

Comprehensive reports on daily driving times and rest periods are also provided. You have access to real-time driving time information to all your vehicles that are equipped with a digital tachograph. Information on remaining driving times allows you instantly to know which driver has enough driving time left to do the next delivery job in time. Get informed when infringements have taken place as every infringement triggers a notification, classified as a warning with three levels of severity.

The system allows you to benefit from the flexibility of a web-based application with no software installation and IT costs to worry about. The intuitive interface, clear structure and logically grouped features make the application very easy to use. You can assign icons to different vehicle types, and get an overview of different groups of vehicles.

Save on fuel, protect your assets and improve your customer service, all through joining You Track.

First aid is essential

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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First aid is essentialSupplier stocks kits for all needs Preparedness in an emergency situation can make the difference between life and death. Charmaine GousFirst Aid Supplies“Accidents can happen at any time and anywhere.” First Aid Supplies can provide all you may need to ensure survival of a trip, no matter where or how you intend to travel.

According to Charmaine Gous of First Aid Supplies being prepared for the worst is essential.

The term “first aid” usually refers to the application of some simple accident and emergency techniques by members of the public, rather than medical professionals, explains Gous. This basic, but often life-saving care, makes a huge difference in the event of a medical emergency, as the actions taken in the first few minutes after an accident, but prior to the arrival of trained medical professionals, can often mean the difference between life and death.

These skills can also be very useful in less life-threatening circumstances, as a little knowledge of the correct way to treat common ailments such as cuts and burns can go a long way in limiting the pain and discomfort they cause.

First Aid Supplies stocks vehicle first aid kits and pouches. The pouches are compact and fit for short in-town travels containing the basic first aid items. The vehicle kit is suitable for vehicles with four to six passengers and contains all basic first aid items. They also stock a home and away kit which comes with items needed on a day-to-day basis, as well as sunblock and insect repellent, making it ideal for the home and the long road.

Gous says accidents happen. “This is a fact of life. Accidents can happen at any time and anywhere. Injuries range from a small paper cut at the office, a bee sting on the farm, a burn at a campsite, a child falling off a bike, right up to a serious industrial injury. Not to mention car accidents: either you come across one on the road or it can be you,” she says.

“But, you can be prepared, by making sure you, your family and your employees are equipped with basic first aid knowledge, as well as a well-stocked first aid kit. With that you can make sure to be prepared for any emergency, no matter how big or small.”

Large and small 4x4 adventure kits are the most complete kits that First Aid Supplies stocks. These contain all first aid items one might need including basic medication for nausea, diarrhoea, insect bites or even allergic reactions.

First Aid Supplies is based in Otjinjange Street in Windhoek’s Cimbebasia neighbourhood.

Belt, Road and a Pearl from China

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Belt, Road and a Pearl from China Details on cooperation pending Infrastructure in Namibia is to be supported by a Chinese global development project. Augetto Graig - Namibia’s inclusion in the most ambitious economic transformation strategy in the world today - China’s Belt and Road Initiative - is a given, following Pres Hage Geingob and his Chinese counterpart, Pres Xi Jinping, signing of the memorandum of understanding in Beijing in September this year.

Xi first introduced the dream of recreating the incredible feat of ancient China, but remade for a modern era, back in 2013.

Speaking at a university in Kazakhstan, he proposed to join hands with the neighbouring country in building a “Silk Road” economic belt with innovative cooperation mode, and to make it a grand cause benefiting people in regional countries along the route.

Over the past five years he has secured cooperation from a vast number of countries, as well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). China will provide US$60 billion (more than N$886 billion) in support, including free aid, loans and special funds for Africa’s development, Xi said in Beijing.

Also known as the Silk Road Initiative, Xi’s modern Belt and Road Initiative was first thought to focus only on Asian and European links. With the “String of Pearls” port upgrade strategy being implemented simultaneously, the Belt and Road Initiative, for Africa, has come to encompass China’s quest to reliably extract the continental hinterland’s natural resources and pioneer cross-continental access routes, according to the Stanford Law School.

Silk Road

The ancient Silk Road was originally established when the Han Dynasty in China officially opened trade with the West in 130 B.C. Its routes remained in use until 1453 A.D., according to history.com. The Silk Road routes included a large network of strategically located trading posts, markets and thoroughfares designed to streamline the transport, exchange, distribution and storage of goods. The Silk Road, from its opening to its closure, had so great an impact on the development of world civilisation that it is difficult to imagine the modern world without it, according to the Ancient History Encyclopedia.

Our turn

Geingob’s signing of the MoU ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (Focac) follows China recognising Namibia as a bilateral partner in a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership in March, according to China’s foreign ministry. The Chinese foreign ministry says Xi was happy that consensus agreements reached were being implemented in an orderly manner.

At the occasion the Chinese premier said the two sides should understand and support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns. Both sides should better align strategies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, while promoting infrastructure construction and production capacity cooperation.

Geingob said the two sides have been working together for a long time and that the upgrade of relations status benefits both countries. He sees the Belt and Road Initiative as beneficial to connectivity between Asian, African and European countries, as well as industrialisation in Africa.

Namibia and China

Namibia’s gross domestic product stood at US$10.27 billion in 2016. The country’s population was estimated at 2.48 million in 2016 and its landmass is 825 615 km². Although classified as a middle-income country, poverty is widespread and much of the population is excluded from the formal economy. Namibia's Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, now stands at 0.572.

China’s GDP in 2016 was US$11.2 trillion. That year the country population stood at 1.379 billion while the landmass of China is 9.597 million km². In 2016, China’s Gini coefficient was 0.47. A lower Gini coefficient indicates less inequality.

Working together

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for nine years in a row. In 2017, China's trade with Africa surged 14% year on year to US$170 billion. The fast growth continued into the first half of 2018 when the trade volume jumped 16% to nearly US$100 billion.

Details of the specifics of the MoU signed between Geingob and Xi are still unclear, but China’s commitment to helping Namibian transport and infrastructure ambitions is clear.

By June this year the Stanford Law School (SLS) China Guiding Cases Project already listed Namibia as one of the 101 “Belt and Road Countries” it had identified.

SLS says: “The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives (official English short name: The Belt and Road) run across the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting East Asia’s growing markets at one end with Europe’s developed economies at the other, and everything in between. Confirming the involvement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in October 2013, China has since reached consensus on the project with multiple countries along the historical route. However, the vision is not limited by geography, as any country interested in the initiatives part of the Belt and Road is welcome to participate.”

On 28 March 28 2015, China’s National Development and Reform Commission, ministry of foreign affairs and ministry of commerce jointly released an action plan on the principles, framework, and cooperation priorities and mechanisms in the Belt and Road Initiative, setting forth the foundation for the initiative that promises to change the face of the world.

Since then many more specific plans have sprouted from cooperation with a host of different countries - from France to Greece, Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Russia to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti en Ethiopia. One such plan includes the Belt and Road Customs Clearance Cooperation Action Plan (2018-2020) aiming to enhance customs co-ordination and liaison between China and the Belt and Road routes, and supporting cross-border economic cooperation zones.

The UNDP has welcomed the Chinese expansionary initiative, saying it aims to link different regions through infrastructure construction, transport and economic corridors and by bridging China with the rest of the world both physically, financially, digitally and socially. In April, the first high-level meeting of the UNDP-China Joint Working Group took place to compile a list of projects that will be recognised as deliverables of the UNDP-Government of China cooperation and presented officially at the upcoming Belt and Road Forum in 2019.

Roads in Zambia

Shortly after the September summit, Zambia launched a China-funded mega-road project.

The road will connect the southern and central parts of the country to the mining towns in the Copperbelt province. The construction of the 321-kilometer Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway, including the bypass roads in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi, and 45 kilometers of the Luanshya-Fisenge-Masangano Road will be done by China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC) at a cost of US$1.2 billion, a loan from China's Exim Bank. The road, to be constructed in four years, will create over 3 000 jobs for local people, according to Chinese state media.

Rail in Angola

As part of its extremely ambitious long-term plan to connect the Atlantic and Indian oceans by rail, the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited recently completed its Lobito-Luau line, a 1 344 km rail-line that goes right up to Angola's border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The long-term goal is for Lobito-Luau to link up with the Angola-Zambia and the Tanzania-Zambia railways, thus connecting two of the world's three most important oceans by rail.

Spanning 67 stops and 42 bridges, Angola's fastest line broke ground in 2004 and was completed in 2015. Running parallel to the original Benguela line first built by the Portuguese in 1912, it marks the reconnecting of the country's far-east with Huambo, Angola's second largest city.

Sea ports in Namibia

China Harbour Engineering Company is building a new container terminal and an oil jetty at the port of Walvis Bay, which both lie at the heart of the country's ambition to become a logistic hub in the Southern African region.

Expected to be completed by the end of this year, the port project will see throughput capacity of the port's container terminals more than double to 750 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year. It will also add the first government-controlled oil storage facility in Namibia, and a cruise jetty to boost tourism. The project entails 40 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea and the installation of four 80-meter-high ship-to-shore container cranes. Walvis Bay is set to become a shiny addition to China’s “String of Pearls” harbour upgrade projects scattered all over the world.

Mensah-Williams at the WTO

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Mensah-Williams at the WTO Local politician takes charge of political world trade interactions The Chairperson of the National Council and Member of Parliament Margaret Mensah-Williams has been elected the new co-chair of the Parliamentary Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The WTO Parliamentary Conference to enhance parliamentarians’ understanding of the WTO and to allow them to oversee the WTO’s vital work in setting global trade rules and settling disputes. It is also designed to promote common parliamentary action on international trade, especially regarding the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda and the implementation of the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial Decisions. The Doha trade talks were to lower trade barriers around the world and facilitate increased global trade. In Bali and in Nairobi packages of specific trade deals were agreed upon. This interaction helps the global trade regime to be more transparent and accountable.

The conference was co-founded in 2003 by the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, which serves as co-chair of the conference’s steering committee. The Committee comprises 22 national parliaments and other regional and international parliamentary assemblies and structures. These include the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and representatives of the WTO Secretariat. Each Member Parliament or organization has the right to choose its representative(s).

“Due to her great experience and knowledge on the work and functioning of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU), as well as her great trajectory and leadership as Chairperson of the National Council of the Republic of Namibia, Hon. Margaret Mensah-Williams is a worthy representative of the IPU, as Co-Chair on the PCWTO,” said Gabriela Cuevas Barron, IPU President. – press release

Fly freight with Air Namibia

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Fly freight with Air Namibia Fast, efficient and secure Through a network of multilateral partners, Air Namibia can deliver anything that doesn’t pose a risk to an aircraft from anywhere in the world. Almost no country is totally self-sufficient. Every country has the need for logistical support in some form to either import or export goods.

Globally air freight services are a great enabler for economic development. It is estimated that the global air cargo industry is accountable for transporting roughly 35% of all international trade.

Air Namibia also offers freight transport services. If it fits in a plane, it can be transported and freighted to wherever in the world it needs to go.

At Air Namibia, freight services offered include the transport of perishable consignments, live animals, motor vehicles, household goods and other diverse commodities. With experience in handling valuable cargo, dangerous goods, perishable and wet cargo, live animals, weapons, ammunition and explosives, as well as human remains, Air Namibia can deliver it from anywhere in the world through multilateral network partners.

Air freight competes with different modes of transport, and each mode has its own benefits and drawbacks. It is often used for high value and low volume shipments. Air Namibia is well positioned to transport your air freight globally.

Air freight is the fastest shipping method. When goods need to be moved quickly, air freight is the quickest solution compared to sea freight or road transport.

Arrival and departure times of flights are highly reliable, as Air Namibia tends to offer excellent integrity with schedules. Even missing a flight wouldn’t cause much delay as there are multiple flights departing daily. Air Namibia has a large network of destinations that covers almost the entire world through own service or through partnerships with other airlines.

As the transportation time for air cargo is comparatively short, the insurance premium is lower. Shipping by air offers the advantage of a high level of security, as the airport safety controls over cargo are tightly managed. Tightly managed airport controls reduce the cargo’s exposure to theft and damage.

With the quicker transit times of air freight, you have less need for local warehousing and do not need to keep items in stock. Customs clearance, cargo inspection and cargo handlers are more efficient, as most cargo is cleared within a matter of hours.

Normally air shipments require less heavy packaging than for example ocean shipments. Due to the nature of services, Air Namibia plays a vital role in exporting fresh fish, mining equipment, pharmaceuticals or any other item that will not put an aircraft at risk. - Contributed

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Global container trade recovered in 2017

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Global container trade recovered in 2017 Asia dominate volumes An estimated 752,2 million units of freight were handled by container ports – reflecting a recovery of the world economy. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that the global container port throughput grew by 6% in 2017, three times the rate of 2016.

According to UNCTAD calculations, 752,2 million TEU’s were handled by container ports in 2017. TEU stands for Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit, which is used to measure a ship's cargo carrying capacity. The dimensions of one TEU are equal to that of a standard shipping container: 6,1m feet long and 2,44m tall.

The 2017 total reflects the addition of 42,3 million TEU’s, an amount comparable to the total container volumes handled by Shanghai, the top-ranking global port in volume terms.

Increased port activity reflected the recovery of the world economy and the associated increase in trade flows, says UNCTAD.

Trends in 2016 and 2017 point to the strategic importance of contrainerized port activity. Some 873 ports worldwide received regularly scheduled calls from fully cellular container ships across 141 countries, leading to over 560 000 individual port calls.

Trans-shipment is a major area of container port activity that results in particular from hub-and-spoke container networks and could be enhanced by the further deployment of ultra-large container vessels.

Key factors contributing to higher volumes include strong growth on the intra-Asian trade route, improved consumer demand in the United States and in Europe, and an increase in North-South trade volumes. North-South trade was supported by higher commodity export earnings in Africa and developing America, which also stimulated imports.

According to UCTAD the relatively rapid growth achieved by container ports after the weak performance of 2015 and 2016 suggests that apart from the cyclical recovery, some supply chain restocking may have further supported growth in 2017. Trans-shipment declined slightly from 26% in 2016 to 25,8% in 2017. While the configuration of capacity along shipping networks has reached a level of stability, the expansion of the Panama Canal could imply more direct calls to the east coast of the United States and probably slower growth in trans-shipment activity in the Panama Canal and the Caribbean region.

Asia plays a central role in global trade and shipping, as shown by activity in the container shipping sector. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 42% of the number of ports and 60% of the calls, with China representing 19% of all calls alone. These trends have been largely supported by globalization. The second most important player is Europe which accounts for 28% of world container ports and 21% of port calls.

Asia dominates the container handling business. The region continued to account for nearly two thirds of global container port throughput. Volumes handled in the region increased by 6,5%. Some 240 million TEU’s were recorded in China. This represents almost half of all port volumes handled in the region. - UNCTAD

ACT Logistics grows through service

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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ACT Logistics grows through serviceNew premises with more warehousing space operational Transport and logistics specialists spread wings from humble beginnings Morné EngelbrechtACT Logistics equity partner“What differentiates us from other companies in this market is the service we deliver, which is what it is all about for us. At the centre of it all is our client for whom we strive to provide the service that suits his or her needs.” Augetto Graig - Airfreight Courier Transport Logistics, also known as ACT Logistics, has grown from humble beginnings to become a leader in the ever-expanding Namibian transportation and logistics industry. According to the company website, ACT Logistics is dedicated to providing the highest level of service that is available today. The goal is not just to deliver, clear or warehouse and distribute freight, but to communicate effectively with customers. It is this effective communication that sets ACT apart from its competitors.

This sentiment is echoed by equity partner Morné Engelbrecht who recently elaborated about the company at their brand new head office and warehouse facility in the Prosperita industrial area in Windhoek. “What differentiates us from other companies in this market is the service we deliver, which is what it is all about for us. At the centre of it all is our client for whom we strive to provide the service that suits his or her needs,” he says. According to him, the industry has many corporate players who struggle to be as flexible as ACT Logistics. “We adapt to our clients’ needs and work to provide what they require,” he said.

Since its early days the company has grown to employ close to 45 Namibians, with offices in Walvis Bay, Otjiwarongo and at the Hosea Kutako International Airport. ACT has a fleet of 16 vehicles at their disposal, including a couple of 15-ton trucks, one eight-, one six-, and a five-ton truck. There are also a number of 1.5 ton bakkies. At their new premises the company now boasts almost 1 000m² in warehouse space and will soon be installing a cool room for the storage of medical supplies which they also import and export.

ACT Logistics had its humble beginning in 2002 as the brainchild of André Smith, recalls his wife Berné. “His dream was to begin a logistics company which could deliver excellent service. Being in the courier trade for several years he was ready to take the step. With a proposal letter in hand he flew to Johannesburg to approach OCS, to become their agent in Namibia. A telephone call about a week later set his dream alight. André started off with the help of his friend in a borrowed office, with a borrowed desk and chair, one vehicle and one assistant,” she remembers.

With hard work and dedication ACT Logistics grew and so did the personnel, vehicles and office space. After four years in a home-based office, ACT moved to offices in Iridium Street, Prosperita, which was the company home for ten years. Offices in Otjiwarongo, Hosea Kutako International and Walvis Bay followed, and now the new office building in Windhoek has opened on the corner of Michelle McLean and Silver streets. And still André and the staff of ACT Logistics have only one main goal ... to deliver excellent service with a personal touch.

Today ACT Logistics is in partnership with the giant DSV distributive network and the WIN Logistics group assisting in global shipping. Among the wide variety of goods they distribute within this network are car parts and pharmaceutical products for global manufacturers. They make extensive use of air-, sea- and road freight operations, although they have not made much use of local rail services in recent years, says Engelbrecht.

Bearing in mind that Namibia brings in as much as 67% to 69% of all imports from South Africa, business with the neighbouring economic giant dominates. However ACT Logistics is also very active sending particularly medical supplies to Zimbabwe. For their varied client base they import from wherever the supply is best - being China, India and Europe where particularly Spain has been an important source destination, especially for ship parts.

According to Engelbrecht the logistics industry in Namibia is massive and has been growing. Apart from a slowdown in 2014, influenced among others by the impact of the oil price at the time, the trend has been one of growth. More recently the slowdown in the Namibian economy brought about by government austerity measures, has also had a snowball effect. Nevertheless, “we remain positive and keep looking for new clients. The clients we have all know that we will go all the way with them,” he said.

For the future Engelbrecht remains optimistic as Namibia moves nearer towards its goal of becoming a logistics hub for southern Africa. He says the new dual-carriage highway being constructed between Windhoek and Okahandja has caused delays, “but we see the bigger picture”. One area where development has really boosted the local logistics industry is air freight, following the arrival of large international carriers like Qatar airlines, among others. This has brought a huge change as everything can now be flown directly into Namibia for further distribution, he said. Also Engelbrecht spoke of a big drive from SADC countries like Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe who are moving away from the use of Durban harbour in favour of Walvis Bay. The reasons behind this shift include shorter delivery times and better service for clients. “The expansion of the Walvis Bay harbour capacity, to 750 000 containers a year will have a massive impact,” he said.

“The industry has changed a lot,” says Smith in reference to how things were when the business started. “We used to fill customs documents in by hand, now everything is done online. The industry is much more modern and Namibia has done well to keep up. All this means that Namibians can deliver a better quality of service which helps to put Namibia on the international logistics map,” she said.

Queensab soccer bonanza to hit Groot Aub

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Queensab soccer bonanza to hit Groot Aub The first ever Queensab Soccer Bonanza will be the highlight from 2 to 4 November at Groot Aub 60km south of Windhoek.

The football tournament is open to teams in the area with the aim of giving them the opportunity to compete against, and rub shoulders with, players from around the country.

As part of the build-up to the tournament, friendly matches were played recently and won by Adizonkpak after they defeated United Brothers 1-0 in the final.

The total prize money for first, second and third place is N$30 000. The winners are set to receive N$15 000, 20 gold medals and a floating trophy, while the runner-up will receive N$10 000 and 20 silver medals. The semi-final losers will each receive N$2 500.

The registration amount is N$1 500 and is payable on or before 1 November, with the draw to be conducted on the 2 November at Groot Aub restaurant at 19:30.

Apart from the soccer there will also be a music festival starting on Friday with a 'langarm' dance with Teenage Lovers Band. Entrance fees are N$30. There will be a music bash on Saturday evening with performances by Kaptein Tswazi, Kalina, #Nisa Bonny, Wiseman and Ravdaz. Advance tickets are N$40 and N$60 at the gate.

A tournament CD with 11 tracks produced by Aimab Music Production's artist Bigg Boss featuring Mudy will be on sale for N$120 as well as T-shirts which will cost N$200.

The proceeds from the tournament will be used to feed pensioners in the community during a gala event which will be held in the town on 24 December.

Businesses in and around Groot Aub are urged to come on board and sponsor as part of their social responsibility.

For enquiries contact Rhuuksie at 081 208 1681 or 085 208 1681.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Shihepo reported for assault

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Shihepo reported for assaultBoxer takes 'skills' to the streets Local boxer Wilberforce 'Black Mamba' Shihepo has grabbed headlines again for all the wrong reasons after assaulting a man in a local bar. A case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (CR164/10/2018) has been opened against Namibia's light heavyweight pugilist Wilberforce Shihepo, aka 'Black Mamba' after he allegedly choked Xavier Beukes in a bar in Rehoboth on Saturday night.

Video footage, which has gone viral on social media shows Shihepo walking up to Beukes, holding him in a tight neck grip until he loses consciousness.

According to Beukes, the boxer's actions were unprovoked and he claims not to have had any communication with him prior to the incident.

“I know the guy is a boxer, but I did not have any quarrel with him. He just came up behind me while I was buying something at the counter and choked me. I fell hard on the floor and had to get stitches on my forehead as a result. He just ran away after this,” the Beukes said.

Shihepo, who is a free agent, last fought professionally in June, losing the IBF International Cruiserweight title in the 10th round to Russian Aleksei Papin. Shihepo is currently out on bail after he was arrested for negligent driving which led to the death of a six-year-old child and an adult man.

Shihepo faces four charges related to the accident that took place on 28 October 2017, about 30km south of Okahandja.

He is charged with culpable homicide, another count of failing to stop at the scene, removing the vehicle from the position it came to rest in and failing to ascertain the injuries of persons involved in the accident.

The boxer was unreachable for comment with many locals on social media backing the victim to get justice.

“So he just came in. Went straight to you and strangled you. Just like that? For nothing? Whilst you don't know him? He must be cuckoos (sic),” Ousie Re said.

Another comment regarding the incident came from Samantha Mc Kay: “Absolute violation of your human rights. He should be ashamed of himself. The word bully comes to mind.”

A local boxing trainer who refused to be named said he heard about the incident but that it would be immature to comment. “All I can say is that you need to act in a respectable manner, even if someone provokes you, especially if you are a public figure because people will just end up pointing fingers at you if something happens.”

The incident in which Shihepo finds himself in is frowned upon by the constitution of the World Boxing Council. It states that a boxer should behave as a good sportsman in and out of the ring, in public statements, and in attitude towards all members of the public, the boxing community, and media.

The chief administrator of the boxing control board Hendrik Mapele said he hadn't seen the video but that everyone is governed by law and should act accordingly. He also stated that boxers are human like anybody else and not immune. He promised to get hold of Shihepo in order to get clarity on the assault.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

­Innovation takes ­centre stage

October 22, 2018, 3:00 pm

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­Innovation takes ­centre stage Justicia Shipena



Under the theme 'promoting strategic innovative research and development for Namibia's industrialisation, the University of Namibia (Unam) Katima Mulilo campus held its annual research and innovation day on 16 October.

The day serves as a platform for providing learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities for both upcoming and seasoned researchers and academics at the university.

The upcoming researchers also gained first-hand knowledge on how certain critical research and publication processes are achieved, and showcased the rich and diverse research potential and capabilities of Unam.

This year's research and innovation day focused on the exhibition of physical research and innovative products developed by Unam's researchers and academics for public view.

The event assembled physical research and innovative products from all Unam campuses and regional centres and members of industries and the general public were invited to view and partner with the university in interested areas.

Speaking at the event, Frank Kavishe, acting pro-vice chancellor of Unam, said quality research and innovation outputs is one of the ways used to rank universities worldwide, and because of this, each academic has an important role to play.

“While the slogan 'publish or perish' is not an official gazetted clause in our policy documents, it is a reminder to academics who aspire to grow in their job today,” he said.

Kavishe added it is important to realise that the university has the best human intellectual capacity needed to actualise the country's national development plans and create a prosperous and knowledge-based society, as envisioned in Vision 2030, the Harambee Prosperity Plan and NDP5.

“The university will need to effectively network and synergise with local, national and international partners to effectively carry route this mandate,” he said.

Kavishe said there has been an increase in research and innovation activities at the Katima Mulilo campus.

Since launch of the campus' five-year research agenda in 2014, it has maintained an increased contribution to the Unam's scholarly research outputs.

According to Kavishe, the campus achieved 100% of its research output targets in 2014, recording 27 publications of which 19 articles were in peer-reviewed journals.

In 2015, the campus again achieved 100% of its research output targets, with a total of 48 articles, comprising 19 refereed journal articles, eight books, one book chapter, one monograph and 19 conference papers.

In 2016, the campus achieved 90% of its research output targets, with 32 articles, comprising 18 refereed journal articles, four books, one book chapter and nine conference papers.

In 2017, the campus achieved 75% of its targets, in terms of articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

“I am also understand through appropriate reporting channels that the campus has already achieved 65% of its research outputs for the current year, with 13 articles published in peer-reviewed journals,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address during the event, Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu said the theme cannot come at a better time, considering the current global economic meltdown from which Namibia is not immune.

“For Namibia to navigate out of the current economic challenges, we need to explore strategic innovative research and developmental areas that will produce short, medium and long-term economic benefits with direct impacts on the livelihoods of all Namibians.

“The ability to create, distribute and exploit knowledge through innovation has become a major source of competitive advantage, wealth creation and improvements in the standard of livelihoods,” Sampofu said.

He said according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Namibia is ranked 90th on the Global Competitiveness Index out of the 137 countries.

The World Economic Forum report also showed that Namibia ranks highly for its institutions (44th), infrastructure (67th), financial market development (50th), and labour market efficiency (33rd).

It was also rated poorly for the quality of its higher education (111th), health and primary education (110th), business sophistication (87th), technological readiness (89th), macroeconomic environment (107th) and market size (111th).

“In confronting these poorly rated areas and even improving on the highly rated areas, we need to explore and commit ourselves to strategic innovative research and developmental activities. Let us, therefore, invest our intellects and energies in these vast research and developmental areas,” Sampofu said.

He added that Namibian universities and local and international partners should develop efficient synergies, in order to stimulate and facilitate strategic research and development that will satisfactorily address Namibia's socio-economic challenges and develop capacities for job creation.

“If Namibia as a country invests more in research and development, its economy will grow faster,” he said.

Sampofu also said Namibia is in urgent need of good capacity for innovation, high quality scientific research and strong private sector involvement and collaboration in research and development.

Thus, there must be new ways for tertiary education organisations to work together with business and industry, to align the training and with needed skills.