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Namibia reviews education systems

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City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye.

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Another face of child labour

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Only three of the 30 companies that competed to win a bid to build, own and operate the City of Windhoek’s planned 25-megawatt solar photo-

voltaic (PV) plant made the final cut, with the rest losing out due to an array of novice mistakes in their bids. From missing documents, uncertified company documents, expired mandatory certificates, pages not initialled, missing CVs of key staff, incomplete bid documents and a lack of reference letters, officials from the procurement unit seemingly had an easy task screening the submitted bids, which led to the disqualification of 27 bidders.

• HOMELESS ANGOLAN CHILDREN SELL WARES TO SURVIVE

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It is a well-known fact that a flawless reputation is the hallmark of any business, something which can hopefully change now that someone from a communications background is at the helm of Namdia. After all, the company must market a portion of Namibia’s unique and highly sought-after gems. Full column on page 2

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his is a story of stateless children. They have no place to call home. They sleep on boxes when night falls. Their roots are in Angola, they say. A five-year-old identifies herself as Maria Pikena. She is unable to pronounce her surname for me to grasp or even spell it. She is with her mother, Swana Pikena. I give them my phone and notebook to spell their names. Maria writes: “M no B no N b B nmmmm bill bill. This is how you spell it!” she exclaims. Her mother does not even bother. She tells me to pay attention

Or visit our website: namibiansun.com

CHILD LABOUR: Despite being of school-going age, several children roaming

around Oshakati selling wooden wares for a living have never seen the inside of a classroom. PHOTO: TUYEIMO HAIDULA to the vowels to spell it. I write it down and show her, asking whether it’s correct. She nods in annoyance. Swana does not know her age. They don’t have national documents.

OGONE TLHAGE WINDHOEK

Continued on page 2

KAYUNDE MICHAEL EK WINDHO

Toivo Ndjebela

Permit delay sends B2Gold workers to streets

Continued on page 2

views on three million surpassed rea having . video was ‘Danko’ as official musicits way to clock our hit song the devel- YouTube The track’s is on default validatescontributing to economonth and platform as well. leased last timeless classic continent’s creative views on the the 300 000 opment of of my.” y the success is Social currenc attribute the mued that this therapy what they A form of group came about,connected Asked to, DJ Jojo mention never looked this song On how the that their craft because they they make a tricky question and sicians sharedother and when ‘Danko’,” DJ dio sessions of therthat lens. believe that will surpass to each as a form are doing. n at it fromgroup, they firmly rightful spot music that how they the best male them together, it serves depressio a its asked As in earned through and said when at the music nominated helps them the social ills they ‘Danko’ has not yet remain thankful game for by apy which Having been they they’ve Africa category in the music dis(Afrima), and anxiety triggered success, but the social currency southern aving been back of for of time doesn’t of artist in Music Awards for this such as Spotify, lockdown appreciative a short period understanding a 2022 All Africa they are grateful face daily. y via sites first Covid-19 became group’s s said and mainers has and TikTok. video “During the 2020, the picture music earned, especiall credit the their craft why Musketehow they the musician g April Music, YouTube the music outdgement of nod. and this is in around us that producin the feel- Apple response towards the youth, . We had to find out already acknowle it is a humbling ion caught much clearer for our thoughts and especially “The an that of lming, nominat within tained spotlight tjil overwhe that the they are and grading to explore es fitting in They added especially because some helps us our moods. managed has been cinematography d music video see themselv have against standing industry. have gotten them off guard, ings and improves DJ Jojo on by renowne to today, we accolade saturated through possibly Kabza hearing g for the “Fast forwardown employment and se- the producti producer Kyle White,” Focalistic, Zakes You couldn’t two years without some competin and models our work and last made to create DJ director from our of their role Master KG through the Musketeers really said. feeling they De Small, Blxckie, our DJ services,” earning royalties these guys. and fresh to ed us as curing bookings for the music 4 Bantwini. has position conPAGE noise with super clique has managed Union witTO enjoyed to GO Skull added. hit ‘Danko’ has “The nominat tors to the African radiate. This the game’s attention the song on cultural Their smash with the audio of t strategy valuable contribu forcibly grab growth. success get insight ion’s adopted blueprins, ‘The African Union by tinental ness the evidentwith the guys to as and industrie and Want’, chat ally and creative The Africa We tjil had a function individu ion they Agenda 2063: into how theywhat sort of dominat a group and for. are going

), Tangi Nghira (DJ Zonesh Tokyo Manjavan Wyk (DJ Jojo). made up of with stuGeorgio The trio is overwhelmed new Skull) and to release “We are currently petekwa (DJ the pressure Zonesh

TUYEIMO HAIDULA OSHAKATI

Continued on page 2

She said she has never seen the inside of a classroom; neither has her daughter.

CLIQUE

EDITORIAL

These reasons are contained in an evaluation report that provides reasons why the applications were disqualified. Although the last date to submit bids was 19 August 2021, more than a year later, the process has still not been completed. City spokesperson Harold Akwenye yesterday said “the process is still with the procurement unit”. No award date has been provided thus far.

Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) general secretary Ebben Zarondo says government officials who act as regulators but also maintain private business interests compromise the regulatory role the state is expected to play in labour matters. He made these comments following a dispute between Otjikoto Mine employees and B2Gold, which owns and operates the mine. According to him, labour minister Utoni Nujoma delayed signing a continuous operation and exemption permit, which stipulates working hours. Workers took issue with his actions, which subsequently led to the suspension of close to 100 employees at the mine. Nujoma is alleged to have backdated the permit to 1 June 2021, invalidating the actions of workers that were valid at the time in respect of the permit, Zarondo said during a briefing this week. The employees raised concerns on the handling of the permit through the MUN.

Fleeing their country in search of greener pastures, the group has usketeerstaken to selling wooden The three M wares in Oshakati to make ends meet. • A SUPER

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Schoolboy errors cost bidders City solar tender

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NFA trains aspiring coaches at the coast

Contact details: Tel (061) 383 400 | P.O. Box 86829 | 11 General Murtala Mohammed, Eros, Windhoek | E-mail: [email protected]

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FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022

NEWS & COMMENTARY NAMIBIANSUN.COM

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EDITORIAL

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he appointment of Alisa Amupolo as the new CEO of Namdia has drawn mixed public reaction the past few days, with critics labelling the move as a mistake and others lauding it as a step in the right direction as far as woman empowerment is concerned. Amupolo, who hails mainly from a communications background, now finds herself in the glittering world of diamond deals. This is a field considered by experts as a complex arena in which only people with specialised skills can survive. After all, Amupolo’s predecessor - in the form of Kennedy Hamutenya - is a decorated and seasoned diamantaire. Since inception, Namdia has not enjoyed the best of public receptions, especially when it comes to media relations, a situation partly bred by the secretive nature in which the company operated. It is a well-known fact that a flawless reputation is the hallmark of any business, something which can hopefully change now that someone from a communications background is at the helm of Namdia. After all, the company must market a portion of Namibia’s unique and highly sought-after gems. It is our hope that the rest of the workers on its books can complement Amupolo’s strengths and fill the gap where her skill set is found wanting. That is the essence of teamwork, after all. She must also burn the midnight oil to ensure that she gets up to speed with the intricacies of the industry in order to avoid a situation where she depends on her subordinates for every decision.

CONTACT DETAILS Tel (061) 383 400 P.O. Box 86829, Eros 11 General Murtala Mohammed Road, Eros, Windhoek Website: www.namibiansun.com Email: [email protected] Editor: Toivo Ndjebela: [email protected] News Editor: Mathias Haufiku: [email protected] Sub-Editors: Jana-Mari Smith, Cindy van Wyk Reporters: Ellanie Smit, Jemima Beukes, Jana-Mari Smith, Ogone Tlhage, Elizabeth Joseph Entertainment Reporter: Michael Kayunde Namibian Sun is a publication of Namibia Media Holdings Pty (Ltd) and is printed by Newsprint Namibia ISSN 1997-4876

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Child labour

Solar tender

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 We do not understand each other, so Maria is our translator. They have been in Namibia since April or May and she’s learnt Oshiwambo on the streets. Swana says they left Angola in search of greener pastures in Namibia. Here, too, they are struggling. But she is insistent that “this is better than back at home”.

Child labour The young girl says her and four others brace the scorching sun to sell wooden spoons and cups. They roam around Oshakati Open Market as well as some supermarkets looking for clients. Some are barefoot. They share one ice block given to them by a Good Samaritan. Swana has a baby tied to her back. He is crying hysterically and the group of five shout at her: “He is hungry! Feed him!” She pulls out her breast for the baby to suckle. But she complains that she is tired and hungry too and is producing little to no milk. She too carries wooden spoons and cups. The group sells the wooden spoons for N$10 and the cups for N$5. A knobkerrie will cost you N$20. Despite it being illegal in Namibia, child labour is a common occurrence. Sometimes the situation is so dire that children are trafficked from one place to another to work on farms or in households.

Punishment The Labour Act prohibits the employment of children under 14, which is a punishable offence. Those found guilty face a fine of up to N$20 000, maximum imprisonment of four years, or both. Maria and her group say they are sent by their parents to sell the products to make money for food. “On days when we do not make any sales, we go to bed hungry. Some days, people buy us food when they do not want the products we are selling,” she says.

BETTER THAN AT HOME: A group of Angolan children sells wooden spoons

for N$10 and cups for N$5. A knobkerrie is N$20. PHOTOS: TUYEIMO HAIDULA They speak over each other in efforts to share their needs with Namibian Sun. “We haven’t eaten last night. We only managed to sell one wooden spoon. The cooking flour is finished at home. If only people can provide us with food, clothes and blankets to shield ourselves,” they say. “I would also like to go to school. I think I am good with languages, this is why I can help my mother understand you,” Maria says. She chuckles and jokes a lot. The girl says her father lives in Angola and he makes the wooden spoons and cups. When they finish selling a set of wares, they take a trip to Angola with their mothers to collect a new batch.

‘Complex situation’ Oshana Region police commander, commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, says the issue of stateless children exploited by child labour needs to be addressed by both nations. The police, however, do not have safe homes for these children, he adds. “The issues need to be discussed [by] the two governments at bilateral level. I don’t even have the facili-

ties to lock them up for deportation. It is a complex situation,” he says, urging Namibian Sun to engage immigration officials.

No food, blankets In the early hours of 5 October, I return to their spot. They are not there. They are at home at Oshoopala location in Oshakati. They have a landlord, and pay N$20 for four people per day for accommodation. They are housed in shack which as no beds or mattresses. On days when they have not made any money, their landlord allows them to live for “free”. Maria and her group alert me that they need to leave home now to start hawking their goods. “Our customers are going while we wait here with you,” she says to a burst of laughter from others while nodding in agreement. The children also engage in domestic work. We walk back together. They proceed to their usual spot in a queue. Crossing the road as a group. They stop for cars but mostly without looking whether there is danger, they cross over. Their aim is to reach their destination as quickly as they can. [email protected]

25-year deal In a notification letter dated 7 September sent to the bidders who lost out, the unit informed them that IJG-Akuo-Suneg Consortium, Alensy Energy Solutions and a joint venture between ChargeTech and Sepco Electric Power Construction Corporation met the set requirements. The final successful bidder will be responsible for the financing, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the plant for the next 25 years. Currently, most of the electricity consumed in Windhoek is sourced from NamPower. The unsuccessful bidders include companies such as Senco Investments, Epupa Investment Technology, Dawn Star Investments, Raydian Power Solution, Innosun Energy Holdings, SUNfarming Windhoek Invest and Nam-Mic Holdings, amongst others.

Modified single-buyer rule

Permit Continued from page 1 Nujoma’s alleged actions meant the employees transgressed against the company, he added.

Minister invalidated employee concerns “The minister in his letter to B2Gold Otjikoto Mine backdated the continuous operation permit, meaning that it is done retrospectively and thus invalidated actions of employees that were valid and reasonable at the time. An action that would not be a misconduct at the time will

now be construed as a misconduct because of the backdating of the minister’s letter,” he said. The backdated permit was then used to suspend the 100 mineworkers, the general secretary said. “Business people who stand to be conflicted in their official functions must not be appointed as public officials and those who find themselves in this conflict must immediately resign from public office and not jeopardise the rights of the Namibian workers because of their interests,” he lamented.

No fair opportunity given The union claimed it did not get

equal and fair opportunity to raise its concerns on the matter. “The minister went ahead and casted aspersions on the MUN that we declined to take a position on the issue without giving the union the opportunity to air its side of the story,” he said. Zarondo threatened to bring a legal suit against Nujoma should he not withdraw the permit, and condemned his actions. “We thereby condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions of the minister and hereby call on him to withdraw the said declaration with an amendment that speaks to the realities on the ground.”

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When the municipality announced its plans to commence the solar project - set to produce power for domestic consumption - it initially wanted five solar PV power plants that would have a combined capacity of 25 megawatts (MW), with each of the five solar power plants generating 5MW. The estimated cost for the project was N$420 million, and it was set to be built on the southern borders of Cimbebasia, along the B1 road to Rehoboth. The procurement unit, however, was against the proposed structure of the project, as it wanted it to consist of only one mega-plant that produces the required 25MW. The latter option was eventually chosen. Akwenye confirmed the new developments regarding the move from multiple plants to a single one when questioned on the progress of the adjudication process.

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It is understood that the power purchase agreement that will be signed for this project will be in line with the provisions of the modified single-buyer rule. This provision - enacted in 2019 - allows large electricity consumers to source 30% of their requirement directly from independent power producers, or generate it themselves. Namibia, which plans to achieve 70% renewable energy share for its power mix by 2030, has been in talks with Botswana to construct a five-gigawatt solar complex along the common border. The two neighbours penned a memorandum of intent to cooperate on the project.

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022

NEWS

• CHILDREN HIT HARDEST

Schistosomiasis cases escalate in Namibia Also known as bilharzia, the infectious disease is caused by parasitic flatworms transmitted when individuals come into contact with contaminated water. JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEK

PARASITE: The health ministry has reported 173 confirmed cases of schistosomiasis in the Kavango West Region. PHOTO: FILE

A

bout 173 cases of schistosomiasis have been confirmed in the Kavango West Region by the health ministry, with schoolgoing children being the hardest hit. Schistosomiasis – also known as bilharzia - is an infectious acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic flatworms, which are transmitted when individuals come into contact with contaminated water. Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya yesterday said they anticipate more cases to be reported from the Zambezi, Kavango East and Omusati regions because of the proximity to water canals and perennial rivers. So far, all the cases were managed on an outpatient basis and no one has been hospitalised due to schistosomiasis. It is not an uncommon oc-

currence for people to fall ill with the disease in Namibia, especially those from the aforementioned regions. Schistosomiasis is transmitted when an infected individual urinates or defecates in water, shedding eggs that proliferate in an intermediated host such as snails. The snails then shed infective forms of the parasite called cercariae, which infect individuals through skin penetration when they come into contact with contaminated water.

Symptoms Those at risk of contracting schistosomiasis are people performing routine agricultural domestic duties and children playing or swimming in contaminated bodies of water. Symptoms include abdominal

pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool or urine and liver enlargement, which is common in advanced cases. In women, urogenital schistosomiasis may present with genital lesions, vaginal bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse. “The ministry reiterates that an increase in schistosomiasis cases is expected from this particular area in Kavango West, as it is endemic [to the area]. Therefore, the most effective preventive strategy right now is to avoid contact with the river water. “The public is urged to remain calm and comply with the control measures put in place in order to contain and prevent further transmission,” the ministry’s executive director Ben Nangombe said. [email protected]

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Taking healthcare to the people TUYEIMO HAIDULA OSHAKATI

Paulia Caring Foundation will have its official launch tomorrow, 8 October, at Okapya village’s Omukwiyu church in the Oshana Region. The organisation will be providing free medical outreach and contraceptive implant insertion to at least 20 patients. Founder Dr Penehafo Kamati said she was born and bred in Okapya village. “Growing up in Okapya, I have seen a lot of young girls drop out of school due to teenage pregnancies; young adults having multiple children with different partners.” Kamati said this motivated her to plough back into her community. “As the saying goes: ‘Charity begins at home but should not end there’,” she told Namibian Sun.

Contraceptives taboo She said growing up and seeing married couples with no income having many children, who end up suffering, has shown her that much needs to be done to educate citizens and afford them an opportunity to provide a better life for their offspring. Kamati insists family planning is crucial. “Husbands deny their wives to be on contraceptives as they feel it is a taboo to control birth. Teenagers get raped by their own uncles, fathers and brothers, ending up with un-

wanted pregnancies.” Many people in Namibia struggle to reach healthcare centres due to lack of transportation. Kamati said her foundation will bridge this gap by providing health screening to the needy as well as education and support programmes. “To empower the community on how to better care for their health. To teach a girl child how to defend herself from her father, uncle, brother when being touched inappropriately,” she said.

Why implants? Kamati said they are expecting to screen at least 80 patients both children and adults – tomorrow. “We are expecting patients from neighbouring villages as well. We have different types of contraceptives, to name a few: Pills, injectables, condoms, implants, IUDs,” she said. She added that implant contraceptives are convenient as they last for three to five years, are safe while breastfeeding and the woman almost immediately returns to fertility once it is removed. Meanwhile, no routine visits are required until the time of removal, and side effects can be managed. The health ministry is assisting the foundation with contraceptive implants and condoms for the day’s free medical outreach. Oshana governor Elia Irimari is expected to officiate the event. [email protected]

N$10BN EARMARKED FOR WATER PROJECTS The value of water infrastructure projects in Namibia exceeds N$10 billion. The projects include those for which funding has already been secured and some that have already been completed or are in the process of being developed. In a speech in parliament, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said security of water supply in an arid country like Namibia remains a challenge and it is difficult to meet the daily demand. He said expanding the current water supply to the central areas of Namibia and surrounding areas, where current resources are expected to become inadequate, remains a priority.

carrier to Windhoek has not yet been finalised, but remains on track and the study will soon be finalised. “We still have a water shortage or a water-security supply challenge for Windhoek and the central area. We therefore have to tap into new sources. The existing sources are not enough to supply any more. “What we are doing here is that we have developed a well filled in Windhoek itself. It is a deep aquifer that we have found. It is about 300 to 400 metres deep and it can supply about 10 to 12% additional to the demand for Windhoek.” He added that plans to replace, improve and increase the water supply infrastructure in Rundu and Oshakati and their immediate surrounding areas are already underway.

‘Tap into new sources’

Transboundary discussions

Schlettwein said a feasibility study to pump water from the Kavango River through the eastern national water

Schlettwein said talks with the Angolan government about the threatened supply of the Kunene River are

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK

an ongoing process, which is being attended to by a permanent joint technical commission, to which both Angola and Namibia have equal representation. The commission was established by and operates within the provisions of a number of existing water use agreements between the two countries, the first of which was signed as far back as 1926. “This long history of transboundary water cooperation paved the way for the two countries to jointly develop and use the rivers of common interest. The water infrastructures on the Kunene River, such as the Calueque Dam, were jointly developed. The third water-use agreement stipulates how much water Namibia is entitled to from the Kunene River for domestic, irrigation and hydropower through those infrastructures.”

Water security paramount The minister added that regarding

WATER IS LIFE: Water infrastructure projects in Namibia are valued at N$10 billion. PHOTO: FILE

the north-central area of the country, which is supplied by water from the Kunene River, the ministry and NamWater are looking for ways to ensure the security of the water supply, especially if water scarcity escalates. There are plans to develop the Ohangwena Aquifer 2 to use it in conjunction with the Kunene River water and reserve it for water supply

in case of extreme drought, he said. “We are already using the Ohangwena Aquifer water, and due to its high fluoride content, a defluorination plant to treat the water has been established at Eenhana. Additionally, there is the possibility to transfer water from the Kavango River to the Cuvelai Basin, which is being investigated as part of the Okavango link feasibility study.”

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FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022

NEWS

Farmers cheer protection of aquifers ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK

to safeguard the quality of groundwater resources.

Farmers attending the Agricultural Outlook Conference in Windhoek this week cheered when agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said his ministry’s policy position is that no harmful mining activities shall occur in aquifers. This includes exploration, drilling and in-situ leaching at aquifers. Schlettwein said that this is particularly the case for the proposed exploration drilling activities in the Stampriet aquifer, adding that there are similar activities in other aquifers. He said that this policy decision is

Valuable resource The minister said to date about 60% of potable water sources for household and industrial use is groundwater. “This water source is to be optimally utilised and effectively guarded to serve the country and future generations better.” Farmers have expressed fears that mining activities could damage the Stampriet aquifer, which provides groundwater resources to communities living in the Omaheke and Hardap regions as well as adjacent communities in Botswana and South Africa.

Holes in the ground Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Uranium One, part of the Russian state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom, is currently conducting exploration drilling on Farm Tripoli, situated 15 kilometres west of Leonardville. Headspring Investments has held an exclusive prospecting licence for uranium since 2011 in an area covering 7 000 square kilometres. The company said it is considering investing US$500 million once it gets approval for its mining project. The company has already drilled 600 boreholes and 29 hydrological boreholes since 2019. Meanwhile, the Namibia Agricultural Union welcomed a decision by the ministry of agriculture to withdraw two permits issued for the drilling of 37 boreholes for explora-

tion and hydrogeological purposes in the Stampriet basin.

Do not permit Retired geologist Roy Miller has said that the proposed in-situ leach mining in the Leonardville area for uranium could destroy the Stampriet aquifer and should under no circumstances be allowed to occur. This method is the source of the concern. Miller previously explained that in-situ leach mining involves drilling a pattern of boreholes into the orebody. “In the centre of each pattern is a single abstraction borehole. The remaining boreholes, forming the margin of the pattern, are injection boreholes. A leach solution of groundwater and sulphuric acid, similar to battery acid, is pumped down into the orebody.”

Well-managed

Meanwhile, Schlettwein further said that the strategic shift towards intensive agriculture demands that the nexus between water-supply security and food security be effectively strengthened. “So are the attendant investments in and effective stewardship for the water resource. This involves the replacement and upgrading of the ageing bulk-water infrastructure and distribution infrastructure.” He said it requires the development of additional water resources, including sea and brackish water desalination and trans-boundary water resources, to be linked into the national integrated water supply system. It also requires capacity development of competent water resource managers.

• IN 2020, 18% OF GRADE ONE LEARNERS DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL

Namibia reviews education systems The National Population Registration System (NPRS) reported that 65 babies were born to children aged 13 years old in 2020.

RETHINK: Edu-

cation minister Anna Nghipondoka. PHOTO: FILE

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK

W

ith the Covid-19 pandemic that affected the learning of more than 90% of the world’s children, Namibia has committed to rethinking the country’s education systems. About 24 691 learners dropped out of school in 2020, and 2 348 learners fell pregnant that year.

OSHIKUKU TOWN COUNCIL PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT UNIT

OPEN NATIONAL BID INVITATION Well experienced Namibian registered roads construction companies in bitumen work are hereby invited for bidding of works. The works is comprised of upgrading 290m of gravel road to bitumen standards as well as the installation of stormwater infrastructure. Preference will be given to Namibian companies that adhere to the requirements in the Procurement Act under Sections 71(2)(b) (ii) and 71(3)(a) (ii) & (iii). BID REFERENCE NO:

W/ONB/OSHTC-01/2022/23

DESCRIPTION:

UPGRADING OF ROADS TO BITUMEN STANDARD IN OSHIKUKU EXTENSION 2

ALL DOCUMENT AVAILABLE:

Friday, 7 October 2022 at the office of: Cashier Oshikuku Town Council 229-231 Iipumbu Tshilongo Road Oshikuku

LEVY:

N$ 300.00 (Cash Non-Refundable)

SITE INSPECTION:

A non-compulsory site meeting will be held on Friday, 14 October 2022 at 10h00 at Oshikuku Town Council (highly advisable)

DELIVERY ADDRESS FOR Bids must be submitted in the prescribed format and deposited in the SUBMISSION OF BIDS:

Bid Box at Oshikuku Town Council addressed to: Procurement Management Unit Oshikuku Town Council P O Box 5070 Oshikuku Town Council

CLOSING DATE:

Friday, 04 November 2022 at 14h30

CONTACT PERSON:

Administration Ms. Tolia Kalili Tel: 065-254 719 Fax: 065-254 718 Email: [email protected]

Technical Mr. Cilliers Steyn Tel: 065-226 924 Cell: 081-325 8039 Email: [email protected]

Education minister Anna Nghipondoka provided these statistics, based on the Namibia Education Management Information System (Emis). She added that the National Population Registration System (NPRS) also reported that 65 babies were born to children aged 13 years old in 2020.

Worrying data Nghipondoka was speaking in Windhoek after her return from the Transforming Education Summit, which took place in New York from 15 to 21 September. She stressed that Covid-19 has exacerbated education challenges, reversing the gains Namibia has made in the education sector. “This has led to many children dropping out of school, with the girl child becoming pregnant at an early age and high levels of genderbased violence and abuse,” the minister said.

Deepening inequality A delegation from the education ministry and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef ) attended the summit. Unicef Representative to Namibia, Rachel Odede, said in 2020 about 18% of grade one learners dropped out of school in Namibia.

During the pandemic, half of all countries had to cut their education budgets, further deepening the crisis. “School closures have deepened pre-existing learning disparities within and among regions of the country due to inequities in access to technology. Unlocking digital learning for all children has the potential to create societies that are both more inclusive and more prosperous.”

Bring in stakeholders

Edda Bohn, the deputy executive director for formal education in the ministry, said that their next step is clear: to make sure that their curriculum framework is aligned to the requirements of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the needed technologies to keep learners, graduates, and the workforce, relevant. Prior to the summit, the ministry conducted a series of national consultations to ascertain progress made since the 2011 National Education Conference and to consolidate recommendations on how the country should transform its education system for the future. “The national consultations made it clear that for us to have a successful transforming education agenda, we need to put in place well-designed change management approaches that involve teachers who are the decision makers at the classroom level,” Sanet Steenkamp, the education ministry’s executive director, said.

DID YOU KNOW? Did you know in the Erongo region are about 20 pet friendly lodges, guest houses, self-catering units, guest farms and hotels? For peace of mind, always make prior arrangement with the accommodation establishments.

5 NOVEMBER 2022 SKW SPORT FIELDS WINDHOEK

The SPCA will be hosting a dog walk at the Tourism Expo, where you could meet your new best friend!

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022

NEWS

Oshana police recover stolen vehicles TUYEIMO HAIDULA OSHAKATI

The owners of three Toyota Corollas breathed a sigh of relief after the Oshana police successfully recovered their stolen vehicles and handed them back to them on Wednesday. During the handover and press briefing, Oshana police head of operations, deputy commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa, said two of the vehicles were stolen in Oshakati and one in Ondangwa. Kashuupulwa said one of the vehicles was stolen in November last year in the Ekuku area, and the other two vehicles were stolen in June and September this year. “All three vehicles were recovered in Angola and were all repatriated back to Namibia last month,” she said. Kashuupulwa said one of the recovered vehicles was seized at Ondjiva Police Station, while the other two were recovered at Omuhongo village and Omongwa village, also in Angola. She said two of the suspects involved in the theft remain at large.

Precautions Kashuupulwa urged members of the public to take precautionary measures in order to boost the fight against motor vehicle theft in the region. She said people should be vigilant and avoid giving lifts to strangers who look suspicious. She also urged the public to ensure the use of gear locks and steering locks. Kashuupulwa also urged car owners not to leave their keys in the vehicle at a car wash, as criminals can easily make a duplicate and follow the owner to their house.

Excellent police work “We are also advising that citizens install alarm systems and immobilisers in their vehicles or ensure that their vehicles are locked to prevent theft,” she said. Daniel Wanassy could not contain his excitement for what he termed “good work” by the police in the Oshana Region. Wanassy said his vehicle was stolen from a friend’s place, who had borrowed the car. [email protected]

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• FORMER MAYOR DISPUTES RESIDENTS’ VERSION

Vergenoeg residents to petition PM Okahandja Concerned Group chairperson Setty Gariseb said the ministry is wasting their time and failing to take responsibility.

FEELING AGGRIEVED:

Okahandja Concerned Group chairperson Setty Gariseb. PHOTO: AUGETTO GRAIG.

OGONE TLHAGE WINDHOEK

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he residents of the Vergenoeg and Oshetu I and II informal settlements intend to petition Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila over the alleged failure of the Okahandja municipality and urban and rural development ministry to address their concerns. The community had demarcated erven at the Garden Town and dug trenches for water infrastructure to be put in place owing to what Okahandja Concerned Group chairperson Setty Gariseb said was the town council’s responsibility. The community members had demanded the installation of water infrastructure, with Gariseb saying community members did not have ablution facilities.

Failure “We feel that the ministry is busy wasting our time and they are not

taking responsibility. We will take the next step and petition the prime minister as per our constitutional right,” he said. According to Gariseb, the residents of the informal settlements will group together in a united front when they meet the prime minister later this month. “They have failed us and if they were serious, something could have been done,” he said.

Different version However, former Okahandja mayor and town council member Natasha Brinkmann disputed Gariseb’s version of events, saying he constantly

challenged council decisions that were meant to improve the lives of the residents of the informal settlements. “If we come up with projects, he is against it. I was the one who initiated this demarcation project during my time in office. We are busy with the demarcation project, yet he is against it,” she said. Brinkmann also claimed that she played a role in securing potable water for the community of Vergenoeg. “I am the one who brought water to Vergenoeg,” she said. The group is set to hand over a petition to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on 22 October, Gariseb said.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: RECOVERED: Deputy commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa stands besides the

recovered cars. PHOTO: TUYEIMO HAIDULA

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FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022

SPORT

RONALDO HAPPY AT UNITED TEN HAG SUPERSPORT

Erik ten Hag admitted on Wednesday that Cristiano Ronaldo is frustrated when he is not playing for Manchester United but insisted he is happy at Old Trafford. The summer transfer window was dominated by speculation over the 37-year-old’s future after the club’s disappointing campaign in 2021/22. Ronaldo reportedly received an eye-watering offer from Saudi Arabia, but no Champions League giants made their move for the Portugal attacker, who missed United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a family issue. The forward could start just his fourth match in all competitions when United take on Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday.

Future in spotlight Ronaldo was left on the bench for Sunday’s 6-3 derby hammering at Manchester City, leading to renewed questions about his future before the trip to Cyprus. “I never talk about my conversations with the players,” United manager Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference. “They are between us. That’s quite clear. “But when I tell you all the players, when you’re here and you’re happy, or satisfied, when you’re on the bench, this is not a club where you have to be, and especially Cristiano. “He’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy, of course, when he’s not playing. “But I already said, and I have to repeat, he’s training well, he has a good mood, he’s motivated, and he gives his best. That is what we expect.”

• F1 WORLD TITLE IN JAPAN ON THE CARDS

Verstappen gets second crack Max Verstappen has another championship to win this weekend.

dampen the enthusiasm of fans and drivers.

Budget Brouhaha

Casting a shadow over the race in Japan will be the investigation by the governing body FIA into 2021 team spending. Rival teams claimed at the Singapore Grand Prix that Red Bull and Aston Martin had spent more than the US$145 million cost cap that was introduced last season to make racing more competitive. A furious Red Bull chief, Christian Horner, blasted the claims as “fictitious” and threatened legal action, while FIA said they were “unsubstantiated” as they still had to conclude their investigation. FIA are due to release their findings in a report later on Wednesday. Should any team exceed the cost cap, then there are a range of penalties available, from fines for “minor” breaches of the cap all the way up to points deductions and disqualification from the championship for a serious “material” breach. If Red Bull are found to have broken the rules, it would cast a further shadow over Verstappen’s first world title, won in controversial circumstances in the final race of 2021 in Abu Dhabi. By contrast, this year’s fight is all but over, and it is a question of when, not if, the dominant Dutchman, who has won 11 of 17 races, will be declared champion again. Verstappen will clinch the championship if he wins in Japan and takes the bonus point for the fastest lap, regardless of where Leclerc finishes. He can wrap it up even if he does not win Sunday’s race, although another finish outside the top six would see the fight continue to the United States Grand Prix in Austin in a fortnight’s time.

SUPERSPORT

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ed Bull’s flying Dutchman Max Verstappen has another chance to clinch his second consecutive world championship when the Japanese Grand Prix returns to Suzuka this weekend after a three-year absence because of Covid-19. The runaway leader failed to secure the title at last weekend’s rain-affected Singapore Grand Prix, but he will do it in Japan if he wins and nearest rival Charles Leclerc finishes lower than second. Verstappen is 104 points ahead, and he needs to extend that to 112 points over the field to claim the championship after Sunday’s race. Simply put, if Verstappen gains eight points on Leclerc and six on teammate Sergio Perez, who won in Singapore, he will be only the third driver, after Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, to clinch the title with four races to spare.

Historic win on the horizon History appears to be on the 25-year-old’s side, with 12 Formula One world champions having been crowned at the Japanese Grand Prix. “This is not where we want to be but we move on to Japan,” Verstappen said after a rollercoaster wetdry race in Singapore where he finished seventh to end his five-race winning streak. Verstappen has never won in Japan and will aim to bounce back from a frustrating race under the lights of Singapore, where he finished seventh after starting eighth on the grid. A fuelling blunder in qualifying

SUPER FAST: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. PHOTO: BEYOND THE RED FLAG

left him seething and gave him too much work to do on the tight Marina Bay Street circuit, where overtaking was extremely difficult. That will be less of a problem at Suzuka, on a circuit characterised by sweeping bends and dramatic elevation changes. Weather forecasts suggest the

race could be another wet one, after a heavy rain storm delayed the start of the Singapore Grand Prix for more than an hour. The Japanese Grand Prix has not been held since 2019 because of the pandemic, when it was won by Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes, and it will likely take more than rain to

‘Difficult day’

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173

139

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2

0

3

175

173

2

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UCOM MOBILE

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155

157

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BEST CHOICE COWBOYS

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3

164

180

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0

1

4

133

218

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WINNER OF MATCH 4 6 SUN 9 OCT 10:20 PLATE FINAL WINNER

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QUALIFYING LOSER

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Bruno Fernandes said United’s players had held a meeting after the defeat to go through “the tough things, the mistakes that we did”. “Obviously we know the game we played was not good enough for our standards, for what we have set for ourselves, for what we want to achieve this season,” said the attacking midfielder. “We have let down the club altogether, not just one or two players. Altogether we didn’t do enough to win the game, to get points from that game.” Defenders Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane are among the absentees for United’s trip to Cyprus. The club are second in Group E after a defeat against Real Sociedad and a win against Sheriff Tiraspol.

SAT 8 OCT 11:20

MATCHES NUMBER 1

Ten Hag thanked City manager Pep Guardiola and his team for the reality check dished out at the Etihad. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat tricks in a match that showed the chasm between Ten Hag’s side and back-to-back Premier League champions City. “Obviously it was a difficult day,” said the Dutch boss. “As always, we analyse [...] It was a reality check, so we have to learn from it and carry on. “You always take respect of the opponent, but we will still stick to our philosophy, our rules, our principles.” He added: “So thank you for the lesson, from Pep and City. We will take that and we have to understand we have to do things much better.”

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FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022

SPORT

Haaland scores double as City cruise

Messi taken off due to tiredness

Erling Haaland continued his remarkable goalscoring form by netting twice as Manchester City thrashed FC Copenhagen 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Chelsea saw off AC Milan to revive their hopes of reaching the last 16.

Paris St Germain coach Christophe Galtier allayed fears about a possible injury to Lionel Messi on Wednesday, saying the Argentine forward had asked to be substituted due to tiredness late in their 1-1 Champions League draw with Benfica.

• THIRTY COACHES BENEFIT

NFA trains aspiring coaches at the coast Football coaches in the Erongo Region benefitted from an introductory coaching course hosted by the NFA.

courses. We have received approval from our members, private football academies, and other interested parties to host this course.”

Build capacity

SHALDON JOHANNES WALVIS BAY

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he Namibia Football Association (NFA) hosted a week-long introductory coaching course to train and equip upcoming football coaches. Thirty aspiring coaches with no prior recognised coaching credentials, and a group who had taken the course previously, attended the course in Walvis Bay from 26 to 30 September. The idea of hosting the course was spearheaded by the executive committee chairman of the Erongo Football League (EFL), Hendrik Dawids, with the assistance of his committee members. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and financial constraints experienced by the NFA, the course – which had been scheduled for late 2021 – was put on hold.

KNOWLEDGE: Training underway. PHOTO: SHALDON JOHANNES

Taking the lead Gibson (Speedy) Goseb, a former Eleven Arrows, Black Africa, and Tigers player and acting regional coordinator of the EFL since April 2021, said the course helped to improve the overall standard of Namibian soccer. “The EFL is solely responsible for regulating all football-related matters in the Erongo Region, and we are developing strategies to bring all football stakehold-

ers in our region on board.” Goseb explained that the coaching course project began with internal discussions between affiliated EFL members. “The NFA requires us to conduct a regional developmental/capacity building assessment, after which we must submit our regional needs to the office of the NFA technical director/secretary general for approval and for them to provide instructors to oversee such

He added that the only way to professionalise Namibian football is by building capacity from the grassroots level upwards. “We strive to be needs-responsive. The introductory course is a rolling project and will be followed by an administration capacitybuilding course scheduled for the second week of October 2022. We will also host a basic sports medicine course scheduled for 5 to 8 October 2022.” Goseb invited interested parties (including schools) to contact him and encouraged other regions to follow suit, as it is in line with the NFA’s requirements for all regions. “We intend to hold a similar course in our rural constituencies in early 2023 to bring them up to speed with regional developments. We are also inviting the corporate world to lend a helping hand because we’re serious about developing coaches in our region.”

Namibia readies for regional e-sport games OTIS FINCK

Value-driven sport

E-sports are once again making strides as Namibia was invited to participate in the inaugural Southern Africa Region Esports Championships 2022 (Sarec 2022). The Region 5 Youth Games will this year, for the first time, include e-sports as a demonstration title. The game titles for this momentous event will be “eFootball” and “Street Fighter 5”. The event is scheduled to take place on 3 and 4 December in Lilongwe, Malawi. Following this invitation, the Namibian Electronic Sports Association (Nesa) announced that qualifiers to select the Namibian champion players for each title will be held this Saturday at the MTC Innovation Centre, Maerua Mall, at 10:00 in Windhoek. Participants can register for the event on the Nesa website.

Sarec 2022 is a joint project of the Global Esports Federation’s Africa Esports Development Federation (AEDF) and the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5, and it will demonstrate holistic development strategies for e-sports in Africa through the values of equality, diversity, fair play, inclusion and innovation. Nesa has invited all Namibian citizens under the age of 20 to participate in the qualifiers to become the Namibian youth representative athletes for the championships. Nesa thanked its Namibian e-sports partner, MTC, for powering the event. More information will be available on the Nesa Facebook page as well as nesaportal.org. For any questions or queries, contact Flip de Bruyn at 081 141 5100 or Rene Frech at 081 209 0520.

TIME TO PLAY: Namibia was invited to participate in the inau-

gural Southern Africa Region Esports Championships 2022. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

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07:30

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21 OCT 2022

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